Great Places to See and Visit in Connecticut

Sandwiched in between New York City and Boston, Connecticut sometimes gets overlooked. However, there are so many great places to see and visit in Connecticut that it’s worth getting to know this humble state to see all that it has to offer. From great scenic spots and educational fun to exhilarating and exciting locations, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

"... the fall foliage in all of its glory."

If you enjoy the great outdoors a great place to get started at is Bartlett Arboretum. This is the perfect spot for great scenic views. During the fall season, so many people come from near and far to see the fall foliage in all of its glory. There are terrific trails which cover over 91 acres. You can spend an entire day there so you may want to take advantage of the many hotels Stamford CT has to offer right nearby to rest you weary legs after a full day of hiking. Another great outdoor adventure that you can enjoy in Connecticut is the popular winter sport of skiing. The Woodbury ski area is a great place to go skiing as well as downhill snow biking. A new activity to enjoy at the Woodbury Ski Area during the warmer weather is Zorbing. You can take an exhilarating ride down the ski slopes, minus the snow of course, from within a ball of air. This is a new and exciting activity that is being enjoyed by so many.

If you enjoy history and education then you will find many choices in Connecticut as well. One favorite spot of mine is the Mark Twain House and Museum. The house is location at the same place where “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was written. The Mark Twain House, home of Samuel L. Clemens houses as many as 16,000 original artifacts there. You can take a guided tour through the house or you can choose to walk through it on your own. Either way you will find this home to be quite fascinating. Another great stop for educational fun would be at the Connecticut Science center. This is a terrific spot that everyone in the family, young and old will enjoy. The Connecticut Science Center is brand new and therefore very modern and up to date. There are so many hands on exhibits; you will want to spend an entire day there. Take a look at their ever changing calendar of events to see their daily schedule of shows and demonstrations prior to your visit so that you won’t miss a thing.

For some great adult entertainment, be sure to stop at the well know Foxwoods Resort and Casino. No trip to Connecticut would be complete without spending some time there. There are so many different venues of entertainment there. You will find all the casino fun and action there. Foxwoods is the largest resort casino outside of Las Vegas. There are also many different sporting events there as well as many diverse concerts and exhibits. Showing now through January 15, 2012 at the Great Cedar exhibition hall is “Diana, A Celebration”. This exhibit includes 150 objects on loan from the Spencer family’s home in England. Items on display include Princess Diana’s wedding gown and many personal letters and mementos. You will find lots of upscale dining there too. This is a stop that is wildly popular which you don’t want to miss. It’s worthwhile to take some time to get to know these places mentioned and the many other great places within the State of Connecticut.

Susan Fischer is a travel planner and coordinator for hotels Stamford. She has been in the travel business for many years and has put together many group tours and private vacations to Connecticut and its surrounding areas.

3 Alternative Ski Locations For Every Budget

It’s that exciting time of year when Christmas is nearing and the snow season is just around the corner. If you're like me, you are snowboard obsessed and you are probably already starting to plan your ski trip for this year.

It is good to explore and see new things, so rather than going to the same resort every year, why not try somewhere new? To encourage you to get started, I have listed 3 different resorts for 3 different budgets; Check them out!

Bansko, Bulgaria – Great Value, Great Culture
Bansko is the biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, a burgeoning new location in the international snowsports arena. Bulgaria is a typical eastern European country with a rich culture. The ski resorts are small by other country’s standards, but they are cheap compared to larger resorts and still offer plenty of variety for a couple of weeks skiing.

The best thing about visiting Bansko in my opinion is the fact that it is not yet overly touristy, you can still walk into the old town and there are plenty of traditional Bulgarian taverns selling a fantastic array of food.
Since the prices are so much cheaper than in central Europe you can also get some fantastic hotel deals – many of which have spas with hot tubs and even outside heated pools to enjoy. All in all Bulgaria can provide a highly luxurious holiday at down to earth prices.

Ski break

Courcheval, France – High Peaks, Lofty Prices
Courcheval is generally regarded as being the most expensive an exclusive resort in Europe. In the most expensive areas property prices are as high as 37,000 Euros per square metre. The resort is also the highest resort in France at 1850 metres above sea level.

Courcheval is certainly a luxury location, with prices being so high most hotels are done to a high specification and cater for affluent skiers. The resort boasts some of the best quality pistes in the world and the sheer size of the resort can be quite overwhelming.

Gulmarg, India – A True Skiing Adventure
Yes you read right! It really is possible to go on a skiing vacation in India, in the Himalayas. Needless to say, being the highest range of mountains in the world, the Himalayas have a lot to offer, including some of the best snow in the world, massive areas of skiable areas including pistes and powder skiing.

The village of Gulmarg is widely believed to be the best resort in the Himlayas and the resort itself sits at an amazing 2,700m above sea level, which is almost as high as the highest peaks are in Europe. Unfortunately, the Himalayas still relatively under-developed as a ski destination, and are perhaps not an option for everyone, but if you have the funds and a strong sense of adventure they offer perhaps the best ski experience of any resort in the world right now.

This guest post was brough to you curtesy of Birmingham Airport Parking .com

Family Friendly Ski Chalets

Family Friendly Ski Resorts

Ski holidays are a great way to entertain the entire family during a break. Ski holidays mean that everyone can get a slice of what they are after. The kids can hang out in the chalet with a nanny while the grown-ups hit the slopes. An activity based holiday is also a good idea for a family get away as it means that everyone will be busy skiing and won’t have any time to be bored!

Booking family friendly ski chalets can be tricky as you will need to do some research and make sure the resort covers everyone needs and has a wide range of difficulty ski runs and also that the chalet is suitable for young children. The following ski resorts have family friendly ski chalets and lodges:

Val d’Isere – Good resort for non-skiers and flight links to Manchester and Gatwick
Meribel – Intermediate heaven with traditional villages and a good night life
Morzine – A traditional family resort with a short airport transfer
Alpe d’Huez – Ski in and out chalets with activities included in lift pass

The family friendly chalets in these resorts will be fully equipped with all the essentials such as stair gates, changing mats, microwave sterilisers and sterilising tablets, washing machine access and a selection of toys. Bed guards, potties, toilet steps and seat and table boosters are also available on request from most holiday operators.

A lot of holiday operators also provide full fat fresh milk for infants, home-made purees and food for babies, children’s cutlery and crockery, car seats in resort and pre-bookable infant packs.

Rooms in ski chalets tend to be sizable, as they are designed for accommodating a large number of guests. As such most rooms in ski chalets can fit cots. It could be a good idea to book a nanny if available, through your holiday operator as this will free up parents times and allow you more opportunity to enjoy your holiday. Ensure that nannies are qualified and their experience is checked by the holiday operator.

"A short airport transfer will also reduce stress levels"

The main considerations when choosing a chalet for a family ski trip is the length of the airport transfer as you don’t want all your troops packed onto a bus for any longer than is needed. A short airport transfer will also reduce stress levels at the end of the holiday, as you will have more time for packing and won’t have to worry about being held up on the way to the airport.

If there are going to be parents looking after the children in the group you will need to make sure that there is lots to do in the resort and that everything is within walking distance from the chalets. Also check whether activities are included in the lift pass price as this will mean any parents taking care of the kids will be able to head into the resort and keep the kids entertained at no extra cost.

Family ski holidays are a great alternative to the usual break as you can take the kids during the winter holidays which will mean that you don’t have to interrupt school terms and everyone gets a slice of the fun!

Jonathan is a freelance writer who has frequently taken some family ski holidays so understands the stress they can involve!

How to Save Money on Your Ski Holiday

Save money on your next family ski vacation!

The depressed economy has kept many families from going on their usual winter ski vacations, although this doesn't have to be the case. There are a ton of ways to save money on every aspect of your trip if you are willing to search for great deals. Below are some helpful tips to help you reduce the costs of your family vacation this year.

Transportation

While flying is often a much faster mode of transportation, driving or taking a train are much cheaper. This is especially true for families. Not only can you save money on gas, but this money can be used to purchase snacks along the way, saving money by avoiding pricey restaurant stops. Also, if you plan to bring a lot of luggage, including any ski gear, driving or taking a train can help you save money that would be spent on checking extra baggage on a plane.

Hotels and Lodging

Hotels are often one of the most expensive parts of a family vacation. This is because people tend to book rooms from names they recognize from large chains. However, there are many other, less expensive options that include bed and breakfasts, condos and motels. While these may not include all of the same amenities as the larger chains, they will provide a nice place to rest after a long day of skiing. We enjoy this Vail lodging portal.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is going to help you cut costs in a number of ways. Many airlines or rail stations will provide a discount for people who book their trip in advance. This also includes planning ahead for peak travel times and avoiding the times of year which are most popular. Hotels and other lodging businesses will also usually offer a lower rate for those who book in advance. Shopping around is the best way to get the lowest prices available for your vacation.

Pack a Lunch

Another thing that many travelers do not consider is the high cost of food while traveling. While it is enjoyable to experience the local flavor at restaurants, this can add up quickly. It is a good idea to do some grocery shopping for your trip and take packed lunches when you go skiing. This will help you save a tremendous amount of money by avoiding the overpriced mountaintop restaurants. You can also purchase snacks for your hotel room and save money that way.

Ski Passes

Aside from transportation and lodging, ski resorts also have their own ways to help you save money. Vail's Epic Pass costs $649 and allows you to ski as much as you want whenever you want. This is a huge savings opportunity when you consider that the 7-day pass is $499. Other ski resorts have similar offers as well. These passes are an incentive for those who plan to stay for longer than a week. If you are a ski enthusiast, this is definitely the way to go. Some resorts also offer childcare for free, so this is definitely something to consider if you are traveling with your family.

The Beauty of Abruzzo

Abruzzo is located in Italy, fifty miles to the west of Rome. It is bordered to the east by the Adriatic Sea, Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and Molise to the southeast. The region is the considered as the geographic center of the Italian Peninsula making it prime area for both tourists and locals alike.

The region, owing to its rich medieval history, has become one of the prime tourist locations in the country. There are many castles and townships in the area, especially in the town of L’Aquila, earning for it the nickname “Abruzzoshire”. Aside from its rich history, Abruzzo is famed for their ski slopes, totaling twenty-one all in all measuring nearly four hundred kilometers long. The best ones are in Roccaraso, Campo Felice and Campo Imperatore. These three towns are located high up in the Apennine mountain range located in the heart of Abruzzo. The area is best known for cross-country skiing and other winter activities almost the whole year round.

With the Apennines as the backdrop, the sport of climbing also is one of the burgeoning tourist activities in the region. Located nearby is Italy’s highest peak, the Corno Grande. The area is also home to Il Calderone, Europe’s southernmost glacier. These together with the Corno Piccolo make the area ideal for mountain hikes for novices to sheer rock climbing faces for the expert ascents. For those just wanting to commune with nature, there is the Maiella, allowing individuals and families to hike and live with nature.

If you are not into snow and ice adventure, you can spend your days in the region on the sun under the sand. The Abruzzo region is 129 kms long of sandy beachhead where many beach resorts can be found. The best ones in the region are called Vasto near the southern coast of the region and Silvi Marina. Other well-known beaches are Giulianova, Francavilla al Mare and Pineto also on the southern coast while on the northern end are Alba Adriatica and Martinsicuro. Here, you can enjoy the fine Adriatic Sea with the sun and even the nightlife on the resorts to party and enjoy until the morning light.

Abruzzo offers the best places for tourists to choose from all of Italy. If you want to enjoy the white powdery snow slopes for winter adventure, then Abruzzo offers the Apennines region. If you want to enjoy fun in the sun, then there is the beachhead of the Adriatic. In between, you can enrich your history with a tour of the medieval towns in the region. All in all, this is the beauty of Abruzzo offered to its tourists and visitors.

For a more comprehensive discussion on purchasing property, do visit us at Secret Ski and Sun Region Revealed as Property Buyers Find the Price is Right please visit the author’s site The Property Community