| Enjoy stress-free
fun with theme-vacation packages |
| By Amy
C. Fleitas Bankrate.com |
|
If you want to keep your vacation close to home this
year, you aren't limited to expensive trips at crowded theme parks.
There are many affordable vacation spots right here that are sure
to please the adventurous soul.
But, you say
you're the sort who wants to just pack and go, and you don't want
to hassle with the planning? We have just the ticket for you: theme-vacation
packages. Whether you're the outdoorsy type who might enjoy hiking
at a national park out West or a sports nut who'd savor checking
out the ambience of baseball parks across the East, there's a vacation
package out there for you. All you need to do pick the date, pack
and let the fun begin.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Dude ranch
Want to ride into the sunset with your
sweetie and a bargain?
Wyoming's Two
Bars Seven dude ranch has been in Lea Schaffer's family for
four generations. Schaffer takes pride in the attachment vacationers
feel to her family's land.
"We have a kid's camp and
now, some of those kids are grown up and they come out here to have
their weddings," Schaffer says.
Families heading to Two Bars Seven
in the town of Tie Siding, Wyo., can look forward to trail rides
through pine forests and meadows, cookouts, fishing, rodeo trips,
hay rides, cattle drives and the howls of coyotes at night. All
riders, from the experienced to the hippophobic (those with a fear
of horses) will be accommodated. Special diet arrangements can be
made as well.
Prices start from $1,300 for six-nights
stay per person and include everything -- outings, food, supplies
and guides.
Groups get discounts, depending
on their size -- from 5 percent to 7 percent off.
The Dude
Rancher's Association Web site has a search engine to help you
find ranches across the United States and Canada.
Sports travel and tours
If you'd rather not leave home because you wouldn't want to miss
the big game, you should look into a sports vacation. Sports
Travel and Tours offers vacation packages for the most fanatical
fans of baseball, football, hockey, basketball, NASCAR, horse racing,
golf and tennis.
A baseball Grand Slam trip beginning in Boston this
July includes three days at the Radisson Hotel Boston, three different
ballpark tickets, transportation to games and between cities, admission
to area attractions and 24-hour trip assistance. Rates fall, depending
on the number of people in your group. Prices do not include air
fare.
National parks and landmarks
If the noise of the city has you stressed or your children point
to the TV and ask what those big green things on the screen are
(trees), maybe it's time you and your family escape into the wild.
You don't have to be Dian Fossey to enjoy nature.
There are a variety of nature trips ranging from "something
just growled at me rough" to "good thing someone else
is driving this boat because I think I'll have another martini posh".
The National
Parks Service has a search engine that lets you cross reference
areas of interest, desired activities, park type, location and even
cultural heritage. You can pick anything from American presidents
to wildflowers and educational programs to horseback riding.
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