Many tourists dream of an island vacation but are turned away by high prices and crowded beaches. Nearly everyone knows the main beaches and attractions that draw people to the islands. But the island paradise of Kihei remained relatively unknown and uninhabited until the government began selling off its property in the 1930’s.

The turning point for Kihei was in the late 1960’s when water was piped in and developers saw the area’s potential to draw in beach dwellers with affordable Maui condominium rentals. Once visitors began foregoing the lush landscapes of other Hawaiian locales for the opportunity to save some dough, it wasn’t long before this became the turning point for Kihei and its tourism draw. 

Today you can create a turning point in your vacation planning and again pursue the dream of a tropical island vacation. Less crowded beaches, golf and water sports allow visitors to experience the wonders of the island without sacrificing the Maui experience or the budget. Kihei has also become known for offering craft fairs, music and concert events, and plenty of family fun.

Welcome back!

If you generally think of Colorado as a ski vacation Mecca, let me introduce you to the “off-season”. Summers in Colorado are known for whitewater rafting, camping, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, festivals, horseback riding and more! And Keystone’s central Colorado location excels in all of these Rocky Mountain summer activities.

Flyfishing – AugustKids029 Whether you are a beginning or experienced fly-fisherman the streams, ponds and rivers surrounding Keystone have something for every angler. Summit Fly Fishing offers casting and fishing clinics as well as guided trips on the Snake River.
River Rafting – Two world-class adventure rivers, The Arkansas River and The Colorado River, are right out Keystone’s backdoor. The area boasts extreme whitewater to casual float trips and everything in between.
Golfing – Two remarkable golf courses featuring 36 incredible championship holes will amaze even the most refined golfers as they tee off into the light Rocky Mountain air. Open Memorial Day through September, the courses put a new meaning to “golfing on the edge”. For the family, Keystone also has a miniature golf course in River Run.
Mountain Biking – Take advantage of the mountain’s lift service to experience world-class downhill mountain biking terrain, complete with views of the Continental Divide and Lake Dillon. Members of your group that don’t wish to go down on two wheels can take the lift back down to safety. Or mountain bikers can try out any of over 100 miles of cross country biking and hiking trails that wind through the Keystone area. Bikes, helmets, and safety equipment rentals are available at the Adventure Center in Lakeside Village. The center also offers paddle boating, kayak and canoe rentals, and fish feeding activities. Printable bike trail maps can be found on Keystone Resort’s website.
Festivals – Summer in Keystone is the time to catch art shows, jazz festivals, a fiddle contest, Celtic festival, culinary galas and more! The 15th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival will be held this year August 6th – 7th. Enjoy mountain music, sample Colorado’s microbrews, and let the kids burn off energy in a free family Kidzone. Also in August, the 7th Annual Blues Festival and Art Show will be held. An art show and competition complete with tasty dishes and an array of brews and wines will be accompanied by live guitarists. Keystone also offers free weekly family events like storytelling, stargazing, craft nights, and gold-panning. Call for more information: 800-354-4FUN (4386).
Unique Adventures – In addition to the summer mountain activities mentioned above, Keystone has a few unique activities like a bungee trampoline, barn dances, beaver patrol, mine tours, and llama lunch hikes on Keystone Mountain.
Lodging – Whatever your reason for visiting Keystone in the summer, let the experts at Summit County Mountain Retreats provide accommodations for your Keystone Resort rental. Featuring homes and condos on the mountain or in town, Karen and William Fuller are happy to help you choose a vacation rental to make this your most memorable Colorado summer vacation!

Come see why many locals deem summer their favorite time of year!

Hibernating golfers from New York to Michigan and beyond… here is your calling! Spring is in full swing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and so is the golf season. Whether you are an avid golfer or simply looking for a spring getaway we invite you to take a look at Myrtle Beach. With many golf courses and lodging properties teaming up to offer package deals you are sure to find a vacation that will fit your budget.

Too many choices? MyrtleBeachGolf.com has started a three part series entitled, “MyrtleBeach.com’s Spring Golf Guide: Everything you need to know about the packages, the courses, and all things Grand Strand.” The Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s main strip, “presents the traveling golfer with a seemingly infinite matrix of golf courses and accommodations, and an even longer laundry list of providers that want to package the entire deal for the best price available.” Depending on what type of golfer you are and what type of vacation you seek (family trip, gentleman’s weekend, or a romantic escape), Myrtle Beach is sure to have the golf package to fit your needs.
If you are looking for a Myrtle Beach golf vacation with Southern Style Plantation Living, try Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort. Three night and three round lodging and golf packages are around $200 and include a cart. This package is based on four golfers in a two bedroom condominium with a choice of a free breakfast or lunch at an on-site restaurant. Plus, non-golfers and children stay-free.
Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort also offers daily golf packages with lodging under $100 per person per day. Contact the resort directly to book a vacation for you or your large group at 800-332-8576 or book online at http://www.brunswickvillas.com.

St. Lucie County, Florida is embarking on a green initiative to facilitate the nation’s first sustainable community’s demonstration project.  Although the details are a bit over my head, I was struck by the idea that a partnership was being made to move towards a greener economy.  Included in the plan is a 65,000 square foot alternative energy center that will be incorporated as a real-world classroom with hands-on experiences for students at a local state college. Discussions are also under way to bring in from around the world leading scientists to the classrooms and energy center thus broadening the idea of sharing and partnering for a greener community.

The highly competitive grant was the only one awarded in the state of Florida.  Community leaders and program partners have toured St. Lucie County and the Fort Pierce area looking for public, educational, manufacturing and industrial facilities in addition to commercial structures to be included in what they have termed the “Green Mile District.”

The idea of having a ‘green mile’ struck me as ironic knowing how popular a different ‘green’ is in the area. Port St. Lucie, Florida has some great greens in the form of PGA golf clubs! 

For instance, you can basically have a PGA golf course in your back yard at your ‘home away from home’ at one of Florida’s golf resorts.   Green abounds at these beautiful links that include courses designed by the famed Tom Fazio and Pete Dye.

Visitors wanting to save some ‘green’ can do so by checking out the golf specials and packages in Port St. Lucie. 

Make the plan to save some green, hit that perfect shot to the green and visit a green community with a HUGE alternative energy center all in the same area.  Your friends will be green with envy at the stories you come back telling of all your green experiences.  Heck, I’m turning a little green myself.

Many people won’t even consider entertaining the idea of Arizona in the summer months.  What many don’t know is that there are areas of Arizona that are not only bearable in the summer months, but are downright amazing!  Tucson is one of our favorite places to visit in Arizona, and summer is no exception.  Fun activities, great deals on vacation packages, and the absence of crowds make Tucson a great place to visit in the summer.

Here are some of our favorite things about summer in Tucson:

• Golf.  Arizona loves golf.  With mild temperatures year-round, Tucson is the perfect destination for golfers of any skill level.
• All things outdoors.  Great temperatures, tons of sunshine, and breathtaking scenery are the perfect combination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers alike!
• The food.  Oh the food.  Amazing southwestern cuisine around every corner. Delicious!
• Great deals on lodging.  Stay in a luxury Tucson Bed and Breakfast and enjoy being treated like royalty.
• Arts and cultural events.  Tucson is a beautiful city, its no wonder artists from around the globe come here to share their talent.  Stroll through a gallery, explore a local festival, take home a piece of the local culture to remember your trip!

What are you waiting for?  Start planning a visit to Tucson today, and see what all the fuss is about!

Images Courtesy RickC