If you want to take the kids to an indoor water park hotel, Michigan has the most out of any other state. For some reason, Michigan has become a hotspot for indoor water parks and is home to seven such hotels, with plans for another two. The majority are close to the border and very family-focused.

For a listing of the most popular hotels in Michigan that include indoor water parks, keep reading.

Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, MI

Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City is part of a chain of family resorts in North America that caters to local family vacations. Each of their hotels offers visitors massive indoor water parks and family suites designed to afford parents privacy. They have lots of kid activities and are very focused on safety.

Be prepared to pay for these luxuries though. A two-night stay for a family of four, including meals, could easily cost you close to a thousand dollars. After you pay for a suite (typically costs around $300 per night) and your meals and gas, you’re looking at an expensive weekend. If you’re visiting Great Wolf on a long weekend or during school holidays, book well in advance.

The Gold Rush Water Park

Just five miles from Lake Michigan and the draw of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Gold Rush and the Double JJ Ranch and Resort is the perfect launching pad for families who want to explore the dunes.

Unfortunately, the room quality isn’t as high as other resorts, but it’s fine for a quick stop with the kids. You can expect to pay between $125 and $200 a night for a family of four, but don’t expect room service or marble-tiled bathrooms.

Avalanche Bay at the Boyne Mountain Resort

The Boyne Mountain Resort is comprised of the New Mountain Grand Lodge, the Avalanche Bay water park and an on-site spa. There’s even a ski hill, meaning you can spend your afternoon on the slopes and your evenings at the water park with the kids. In the summer, the site offers recreational golf.

At Boyne Mountain, there are two accommodation options. These include the budget rooms at Boyne Mountain (starting at $75) and also higher-end rooms in the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa. These rooms are directly connected to the water park for easy access.

If you’re looking for an indoor water park hotel, Michigan clearly has numerous options that can appeal to any family at almost any budget. From high-end to budget-friendly, these three hotels represent the best of each.

Plane Guidelines

You may now get airline tickets via the internet. Gazing at my travel alarm clocks, I contacted a few of my friends online then set the date, time and exact seat I wanted on the plane. Scheduling early is one vital thing, but you also have to report to the airport on time or else they might give it to another. I find that the seats facing the lavatory as well as those near the emergency exits are the best since you acquiremore leg room. Always aim for these when making reservations.

Bring the necessary items that will keep your mind off air pockets and airsickness such as a book, mp3 player or your laptop. Doing work on the plane can actually cut time in half, so sometimes I’d just choose to pay more getting larger seats and a big working space in first-class. You may also selectto get two seats instead to get the space you want. If you’re prone to airsickness, prepare medications, eye shutters and a paper bag.

Car Guidelines

Being in the road for long periods can be very boring and disgusting. I was transporting my mantel clocks from one city to the next during Christmas with my kids, so I decided to set up quick rules and laws to keep the trip as safe and fun as possible. Assign roles to your kids and give them small responsibilities over their other siblings. Make the necessary stopovers and give them all they need like food, crayons and diapers.

The secret in traveling with kids is to enjoythe journey and not rush to the destination as quickly as possible. Play games, go sightseeing and sing songs along the way. Make sure you child-proof the vehicle to prevent any damage.

Traveling by Boat

travel alarm clocks are very useful when you’re traveling on water since there are actually people who get disoriented by staying out at sea for more than a couple of hours. Try to find land and set your eyes on it whenever you can to prevent seasickness. If you feel sick by staying in the cabin, stay out on the deck with other people and enjoy the breeze. Bring medications as needed and avoid reading or working on your computer for the meantime. You’ll most likely acclimatize in a few hours or days.

Also choose the foods you eat while traveling at sea. I personally find eating meat to be upsetting for my stomach when I’m traveling so I stick to lighter meals like chewing on carrots and drinking water only. I try to avoid alcohol and smoking altogether when going by boat. Taking a shower also helps eliminate impending headaches and dizziness.

Living in a Morocco riad is one of the best ways to really get into the local flavor of the area and soak up the ambiance. Live like nobility during your stay and take home some of the most indelible memories you will ever have.

Most of the Morocco riads are situated in historical city centers, as in the medinas – the shopping areas of the cities. Think social bookmarking here and you have the right idea. The centers of commerce and all the hustle and bustle of the local day-to-day activities is the only place to be when in Morocco.

Riads, also spelled ryads were once ancient palaces and private homes that belonged to noble families, aristocrats and Sultans. How’s that for an exciting experience? Hidden away in the winding streets of the medinas you will see some superb architecture enhanced with colorful hangings, intricately carved furniture, spectacular courtyards and a richness of culture hard to find on any other holiday junket.

Many of these riads are now luxury bed and breakfasts or have been turned into boutique hotels. What an experience for the curious traveler. This is a whole new way to experience Morocco in style and in sync with the culture.

Just imagine what you could do when you arrived – explore the local medina, check out the stalls of brightly colored fabrics on display, inhale the rich odor of spices, test exotic perfumes and maybe even succumb to buying souvenirs. Oh, it’s tempting to buy the first thing you see, but hang on and make it sure you get into the spirit of marketplace haggling with the vendors.

What fun to participate in the daily lives of those living in Morocco. For the period of time you are there you may dream of being here permanently, of being able to run daily errands in the marketplace and return to your riad for respite and entertaining. How delightful, how delicious, how invigorating! What are you waiting for? Morocco is calling your name.

For further information about this wonderful place including additional travel accommodation, please visit: Gorgeous Morocco Holiday, Marrakech Riads, Camps Bay Accommodation and experience a holiday like you’ve never seen before.

Do you love Ohio theme parks but hate the high prices and long line-ups? Do you plan a family vacation every year to Six Flags, but are tired of fighting the crowds and constantly opening your wallet? If so, keep reading for a basic guide that will help you survive the ups and downs of Ohio’s roller coaster parks.

Can Your Kids Handle It?

There’s no age rule for determining whether your child is ready for a theme park vacation. Remember though, the younger the kids, the slower the pace and more flexible you’ll have to be.

On the plus side, if your little one spends most of the day in a stroller, there’s less chance that he’ll get lost or overtired. Bigger kids, on the other hand, will allow you to move through the park faster, and they may get more enjoyment out of the whole theme park experience.

Have a Realistic Budget

A frugal five-night vacation for a family of four near Ohio theme parks will run about $2,000 - plus transportation. Roughly one-third will be for tickets, a third for food, and the rest for lodging and incidentals. But there are ways to cut back.

Start saving by avoiding the pricey junk food stands and by toting plenty of healthy snacks, such as juice boxes, dry cereal and fruit, string cheese, and granola bars. Next, don’t buy items like sunscreen and film at park kiosks - the prices are generally higher than they’d be elsewhere.

Avoid the Crowds

You can avoid the crowds by going early on a weekday. Another great tip is that when the park opens and people enter the gates, most veer to the right once they enter and work their way around and toward the back of the park. If you walk in the opposite direction, you’ll avoid some of the early morning crowds.

An alternative crowd-avoidance tactic is to make a beeline straight to the back and spend your day working your way toward the front while the masses make their way to the back.

Avoid Lines

Most parks in Ohio allow you to purchase your tickets online in advance, meaning you can avoid the massive ticket lines at the start of the day.

Good Theme Parks

Probably the most popular out of all the Ohio theme parks is Cedar Point. It’s the biggest amusement park in the world and home to some of the highest and longest roller coasters too. Other parks in the area include Six Flags, SeaWorld, King’s Island and numerous others.

After having taken the decision to visit the city of Paris, it is equally important if not more to know which season of the year would be most ideal for you. There are numerous elements that you need to consider in order to fully realize your planned experience as well as in finding the most suitable Paris accommodation.

In order to find the answers to these questions, you will need to be aware and more informed.

What to take into Consideration

Visiting Paris depends if it’s your first time visiting the city or if you already know your ropes around town. Below is a comprised list of things that you should take into consideration;

Budget
Season
Interests

It’s tempting in wanting to visit Paris during the spring time, but you should also take into effect the sheer amount of people that also wish to visit the city during this season. On the other hand, Paris is an absolute ?must see? during the winter time as the city is covered in decorations and lights.

Every city has its own quirks depending on the season. Below is a quick list of the pros & cons of several seasons.

Paris During Spring

Pros:

Colorful and being able to sit outside enjoying a delicious caf? on the city’s street corners. Exploring parks and gardens is absolutely a must during the spring time.

Cons:

Expect longer waiting lines if you want to visit a monument or attraction.

Paris During Summer

Pros:

It’s during the summer time where you will experience plentiful of festivals which are held throughout the city. The overall atmosphere is also a highlight as it directly correlates with the weather.

Cons:

Naturally, due to the nice weather and the sheer amount of events and activities that take place, Paris is often overcrowded during the summer. If you enjoy the weather and don’t mind to be in crowded environments then you should definitely visit the city during summer time.

Paris During Winter

Pros:

During winter you’ve got the chance to experience Christmas in Paris which is an absolute delight to behold and admire.

Cons:

The drawback is of course that it can be quite cold and rainy. As a result you won’t get the chance to make the most out of outdoor activities.

Now that you’ve gotten a quick overview of several different seasons in Paris, this will guide you in planning your stay. Regardless of the season that you chose to visit Paris, it is recommended to stay within the city as you can easily find the right accommodation through Paris apartments.

One popular winter sports holiday destination is France. Gone are the days when holiday makers only went to France in the summer and stayed in Gites and villas. Families flock to France in the winter months and rent farm houses and ski chalets and enjoy some of the best skiing that Europe has to offer. Chamonix has now positioned itself as a year round holiday destination with a superb selection of luxury ski chalets.

As well as skiing, many younger people now like to try their hand at snowboarding. This has opened up winter sports to a whole new generation of holiday makers and many like to rent self catering skiing chalets . For those with a larger budget or a larger party, they are able to rent one of the many ski chalets available.

Switzerland and Austria are regarded to have some of the most luxurious ski chalets in the world. Some of them are right next to the slopes and you are able to walk straight from your chalet to the ski lift. The alpine air always makes you hungry and there are many great restaurants and small bars to visit after a hard days skiing.

Many Europeans now visit America and Canada eager to try out the superb ski facilities that are available here. Snow boarders love the Rockies and are eager to try out new tricks and impress their friends. When going on a ski holiday to America and Canada, you will be amazed at the great selection of accommodation that is available.

The great thing about skiing is that people of all ages and abilities can take part. As such it is an ideal family holiday and there is ski accommodation to suite all tastes and budgets. There are ski schools in most of the ski resorts and they provide tuition for the beginner all the way up to expert skiers. It does not matter what ability you are as there are instructors for all ages and abilities.

For those people who want to book ski apartments in America, Canada one of the biggest dilemmas is deciding on which rental property to book. There is a great choice of properties and locations in which to stay when on a skiing holiday. You may want to go on a long weekend and stay in a self catering farmhouse, a holiday apartment or a chalet. You must then decide if you want to go to Spain, Bulgaria, France, Switzerland or Italy.

For those of you with a bigger budget or more time on your hands you may consider a trip to Canada or the USA. It can now be seen that skiing holiday accommodation can be easily booked in most ski resorts around the world. So no matter what your budget or preferred holiday destination, there are ski holidays out there to fit all you needs.

Cape Town Villas

Riads or ryads were once upon a time considered to be ancient palaces and private homes. The best part about this is that they also used to belong to noble families, aristocrats and Sultans. You want to bet the first thing you’re going to do when you get there is to check out all the rooms for hidden compartments and maybe even a hidden passageway or two? How much fun would that be?

Marrakech Medina

You simply have to take a digital camera, or any camera with you, and record your indoor adventure at your Marrakesh riad. Marrakesh riads are tucked away into the winding streets of the city. Hard to find at first, but once you get the hang of where you are, it’s easy. What a super adventure, a Marrakesh riad to call you own for the duration of your stay.

What’s inside your riad will tell you all kinds of stories about the owners. Imagine the brightly colored doors that announce one’s station in life, the intricate wall hangings in bright colors that liven up the atmosphere and the gaily-splashing fountain in the center courtyard that acts as a small paddling pool.

Essaouira Holiday

How luxurious, how enchanting, how just so “chic chic” that you want everyone to visit your Marrakesh riad. The sense of time gone by, the culture, the history of this place would enthrall you for hours, days, perhaps even weeks. For it takes many, many visits to this striking country to absorb the culture and the exotic way of life.

Another place which was an awesome experience was staying in Kolkata, India for 3 months for a work project I had. It was so much more than that though and really was a totally incredible experience teaching me so much about myself and about experiencing true culture. Especially how kind some people can be in other sides of the world. Truly wonderful people and it just makes me think how we should see the most of the world and meet as many interesting people as we can. That is why you will just love Marrakech!

There are so many things to see and do in Morocco and in Marrakesh as well. The sights, the sounds, the nightlife, the market places, the churches/mosques, the art galleries, museums and oh the list is absolutely endless. You will be so delighted with your vacation here; you will come back time and time again.

Beaches Turks and Caicos underwent a $100 million renovation project about 5 years ago and the resort has since gone from the unknown to a major family-friendly destination.

To find out more about the resort, who it’s targeted toward and how it measures up, read on for a broad overview.

Targeted Clientele

As a Beaches resort, Beaches Turks and Caicos is all about appealing to families. Their villas in the French village are their most popular family option, allowing parents and children to share a space with multiple bedrooms.

If you’re planning to visit this resort as a couple, you may want to think again as the majority of guests are families and the activities tend to be targeted toward kids and family-friendly activities.

The Rooms

The French Village features 166 deluxe rooms which are divided among several buildings that encircle the large courtyard.

They’re decorated in old French style and all the rooms come with their own patio or balcony. Unfortunately, the deluxe rooms are still rather small, especially if you’re sharing with the kids.

Resort Areas

A porte cochere welcomes guests to the reception area, which is decorated in the same style as the guest rooms. The large courtyard serves as the primary public area for this part of the property. It features a 4,000-square-foot swimming pool with a swim-up bar, bandstand, three new restaurants and a French-themed bar.

Guests also have access to all the amenities offered by the main property, including a 900-square-foot European spa and salon, a fitness center that features top-of-the-line cardiovascular equipment and free weights, and two large meeting rooms seating up to 200 people theater-style, 150 classroom-style and 120 banquet-style.

The Food

Thanks to its new French theme, there are now three French a la carte restaurants here. The first is Cafe de Paris, which just serves pastries, light treats and coffee. The second is Le Petit Chateau which is an upscale French dining facility with a dress code. The last is Guiseppe’s which offers Italian and French fusion food.

Guests also have the option of dining in any one of the six restaurants located at the main property. Choices range from Teppanyaki-style Japanese cuisine at Kimonos to elegantly served Caribbean delights at Sapodilla’s to pizza and fries for the kids at Bobby D’s.

Drawbacks

There was no resort information (descriptions and locations of restaurants, facility hours, etc.) in the guest rooms at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. Some guests have also experienced minor plumbing problems like low water pressure in showers. In addition, this is definitely a family resort and shouldn’t be considered for a romantic getaway.

I left my paris accommodation on a cold Saturday morning and headed out with my friend in the direction of the Eiffel Tower. The cold hit me straight away and I noticed that every single Parisian that I could see was wrapped up in beret and scarf, so wrapped up in fact that it was impossible to see their faces!

The Eiffel tower is 1,063 ft high and has been visited by more than 200,000,000 since its construction in 1889. There are two ways of getting up the tower, be it by foot or by lift. For some strange reason, my friend and I chose the walking option, not a good idea considering the weather. It costs €3.40 for students to walk up to the second floor, but if you want to go all the way to the top, it costs an extra €5. Going up in the lift costs €5 and you pay again to go all the way to the top.

Our long journey up the Eiffel tower was a long and slow one, and included the numbing of my feet and freezing of my toes. When at the top, there are lots of interesting hints and facts about the Eiffel tower, including a guide for children that tells them when it was built, how high it is and why it was built in the first place, (for the Universal Exhibition in 1889).

As well as this, you can see the roofs of many paris apartments all the way across Paris and the boards point out the many different sites that you can see, informing you of what they are.

AmeriSuites is a pet friendly hotel that understands pets are an extension of your family. That’s why most of their hotels doors are open to guests with four-legged friends. We gladly welcome our guests traveling with small pets and dogs at all properties, subject to state and local laws. The following represent their pet friendly hotel policy:

Service Animals accompanying persons with disabilities are always accepted.
Pets must weigh under 30 lbs.
Pets must not be left unattended in the hotel room or suite
A pet fee of $10.00 is required for each pet.

Quality Inns charge a fee of $10.00 per night per pet but do not charge any other fees. They may require a $50.00 damage deposit, which is refunded if the room is in order at check out. Quality Inns accept any well-behaved pets with a maximum of 3 per room, but dogs are limited to 50 pounds. They do not currently require a veterinarian certificate. Most properties have designated rooms for people traveling with their pet. Pets may not be left alone in the room unless in a cage. Many properties can provide you with the names of pet sitters.

Sheraton hotels within North America will welcome dogs as guests into their hotels, in accordance with local health codes. W Hotels will also welcome cats. These hotels will pamper pooches with luxurious custom pet beds and other amenities, such as floor mats, food bowls, ID tags, and more. All guests checking in with a dog will receive a “welcome kit” to include information on nearby areas for exercise and other goodies to help make traveling with your dog more enjoyable.

Some pet friendly motels may require an extra per night charge and/or a deposit. There is a weight limit of 80 pounds (40 pounds at Westin). However, dogs exceeding the weight limit and pets other than dogs may be accepted into the hotel at the General Manager’s discretion. Pet owners will be responsible for their canine companions and for any excessive damage they may cause. You will be required to sign a pet waiver upon check in. Additional restrictions may apply and full hotel details are available upon request.

Four Seasons Hotels allow small pets only (generally under 25lbs). Pets must be fully trained and appropriately restrained by guest. Pets must comply with local legislation requirements. Pets must be kept on a leash when in the hotel or on hotel property unless it is in the guest’s room, and must not be left unattended. If guest requires a pet-sitter or pet supplies, they should contact the concierge with advance notice.

Additional restrictions:

- Pets are not allowed in any food and beverage outlets, health club and pool areas of the hotel. This exclusion does not apply to guide dogs.
-Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their pet on hotel property and in the neighbourhood.
- Any disturbances such as barking must be curtailed to ensure other guests are not inconvenienced.
- Guests must contact the housekeeping department to arrange for a convenient time for servicing their room.
Guests are responsible for all property damages and/or personal injuries resulting from their pet.
Guests agree to indemnify and hold harmless the hotel, its owners and its operator from all liability and damage suffered as a result of the guest’s pet.
The hotel reserves the right to charge guest’s account commensurate to the cost of such damages.

La Quinta has over 350 pet-friendly locations from coast to coast. Cats and dogs up to 50 pounds are accepted in all guest rooms (unless prohibited by law). Housekeeping services for rooms with pets require pet owner be present or pet must be crated. No fees or deposits are required.

Saving the best for last, Loews Hotels offers a standardized “Loews Loves Pets” program at the chain’s 16 hotels across the US and in Canada. Well behaved pets of all types (except some aggressive breeds) are welcome. The Loews program offers specialized services and first-class amenities designed to make pets and their owners feel at home when traveling together.

Amenities include a personal welcoming note from the hotel general manager with a listing of pet services available at the hotel, including dog-walking routes, veterinarian information, pet shop and grooming locations, pet attractions, pet-sitters, pet-friendly restaurants, and other resources. They also add specialized bedding for dogs and cats, complimentary bag of pet treats and a pet toy, special pet place mats with food and water bowls, and a special “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Their Room Service Menu items include dishes such as grilled lamb or chicken with rice for dogs, grilled liver or salmon with rice for cats, and for health conscious cats and dogs Loews also offers a vegetarian entr?e. Additional Pet Services include pet-walking and sitting services which can be arranged through the concierge desk. The Loews “Did You Forget Closet” includes: dog and cat beds in different sizes, leashes and collars, and pet videos; guests can also purchase essential items through the “Did You Forget Closet” including: kitty litter boxes, pooper-scoopers, and pet toys. Rooms for guests staying with pets undergo special cleaning procedures including the use of specially-filtered vacuums to remove pet allergens in preparation for subsequent guests.

Hopefully this information on pet friendly hotel chains will help you during your holiday travels. At Pettravel.com, we specialize in everything you need to ease your pet travel worries…