Take a Trip to Balboa Park

San Diego is one of those cities that never gets old or dull. With interesting sites at every turn, beaches, two amusement parks, botanical gardens, museums, a zoo, two historic districts, a port, nearby islands, and shopping galore you can easily fill your day, week or month.

Since we live a short drive away, we have a few favorite day trip schedules. Heading to Balboa Park is a favorite of ours.

Balboa Park really takes more than one day to enjoy. The problem is that most people try to crunch this in before or after the zoo or some other attraction. You need to realize that there are museums, an interactive science center and gardens galore all located in this one spot. Spend at least one full day exploring the different sites at the park.

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is a can’t miss activity, especially if you are bringing kids with you to San Diego, with the Family Activity Day they host on the third Saturday of every month, parents have an excuse to participate without feeling silly. Finding out how science works is encouraged by getting into their interactive exhibits like the upcoming exhibit of Grossology, the disgusting stuff that happens in animal science.

The Air & Space Museum is another must see and a perfect family stop. They host family days the second Saturday of every month, a perfect reason to spend more than one day at the Park. With crafts and activities, the kids and you are sure to enjoy your time here. If that is not enough to interest you, how about the new Star Trek Exhibit? It is running for a limited time.

The San Diego Museum of Art is the oldest art museum in the area and has carried many famous exhibits throughout its years. Georgia O’Keeffe is now on exhibit and will add a bonus to your trip to Balboa Park.

The Museum of Man is another favorite stop with so much to look at, the day will fly by, reminding you that Balboa Park has more than enough to fill y our day.

As tempting as it is, don’t spend your entire day indoors at the museums. There are trails that wrap around the park. If you hit it at the right time, you might find a medieval group jousting and carrying on, or a group lawn bowling, maybe even a play or a wedding.

Be sure to visit the Japanese Gardens and Botanical Gardens before you head off to the grassy tree filled spots with views of downtown to enjoy a picnic or grab a bite to eat from Lady Carolyn’s Pub located by the Old Globe in Balboa Park.

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Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class ships provide passengers with options aplenty on the high seas. Three new mega cruise liners are sailing Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries with offerings from 4- to 14-night cruises. Freedom and Liberty of the Seas rotate between Eastern and Western 7-night itineraries from the ports of Miami and Port Canaveral. Independence of the Seas, the newest of the Freedom Class ships, debuts in November 2008 rotating between Eastern and Western Caribbean ports from Ft. Lauderdale then offers Mediterranean sailings in the summer of 2009. There is even a unique 4-night Western Caribbean cruise offered on November 19^th, which is a great way to test ride the new ship for both new cruisers and veterans from a cost and time perspective.

At 160,000 tons these ships will accommodate approximately 3,600 passengers on its 15 decks. In addition to the standard stateroom offerings, the Presidential Family Suites are an option only on Freedom Class ships, these rooms offer over 1,200 square feet and sleep eight to 14 people. The interior is compromised of two master bedrooms with private baths and two additional bedrooms and baths, a living area with sofa bed and dining table. A private balcony with dining area, lounge chairs, whirlpool and wet bar compliment this spacious category of room. Cruising has always been a family-friendly option, but with the addition of this cabin category, this provides yet a further opportunity for families to come together in a fun-filled vacation environment.

Lovers of sun and water will not be disappointed in this class of ship.  An onboard surfing experience is available via the FlowRider for beginners to advanced levels. This is not as easy as it looks, but provides a new water sport element to cruising…a first of its kind. Beyond traditional pool settings, Freedom Class’ H2O Zone water parks offer a variety of interactive fountains and geysers for children of all ages. For children who do not swim well, be sure to keep an eye on them as there are sudden drop offs with no warning.  

Watching the sunset with the drink special of the day in one of the ship’s hot tubs is a calming and beautiful experience. On Freedom ships, there are two large whirlpools that set out over the side of the ship present a panoramic view from 11 stories above the water. Cruisers feel as though they are sailing free-form in the ocean in this new feature. 

Like other Royal Caribbean ships, there is an adult-only area, the Solarium pool is for passengers 18 and older and is lined with palm trees and hammocks (which is a new option). This area brings the island relaxing feel onboard.

One of the best values for cruising is its cuisine. Just as with other Royal Caribbean ships, Freedom Class vessels offer an abundance of dining options from the standard dining room experience to the buffet of the less formal café. For those desiring a more personalized experience, you can opt for one of the specialty restaurants, Portofino or Chops Grille. Jade is a buffet-style restaurant open for dinner specializing in Asian cuisine. Johnny Rockets offers the 50’s style burger, fries and shake experience in a fun music filled atmosphere. Be aware that the specialty dining options do carry a fee, typically to cover gratuity for the servers.

To help ensure passengers stay in shape after indulging in the midnight buffet and unlimited food options, cruises are known for its fitness facilities. A new sporting option made available on Freedom vessels is the boxing ring. Cruisers can also take part in its miniature golf course, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink at sea and other sport activities. When cruising, be sure to check out the fitness classes, many of which are included in the cruise price, and any health-related seminars.

The Freedom Class ships amaze the first time cruiser with their size and abundance of options while providing familiarity to the Voyager class cruisers with additional benefits.  All of the fascinations of a vacation at sea on a floating resort, these Freedom Class ships truly do provide the freedom to explore.

PHOTO CREDITS: Tropical Latitudes Travel (www.tltravels.com)

If you are an old western buff, you may think Silver City, New Mexico is a must see town. And it is true that their downtown looks historic and the town itself still has the old west feel. But, other than that, you will probably be very disappointed.

Unlike other old west towns that have built on their history with fun tourist sites and attractions like gun fights and wagon rides, Silver City seems to have quite a few teens skateboarding up and down the street and meeting up to talk trash to one another.

The stores are less than inviting with groups of kids sitting on the sidewalk and filling the benches outside. There isn’t any clean café’s on the main street and, to be honest, the sinking disappointment of a long drive wasted took the charm out of this town.

The only interesting stores are to be to the north of Main Street but, because the town closes at an early hour and no entertainment can be found at night, not even a movie theater, the stores stay hidden.

Being home to the notorious Billy the Kid in his youth could have made an interesting walking tour, but every site we visited had been torn down with local government parking lots filling the space. One cabin was remade and donated by Ron Howard just off of Main Street, but it was out of place on the busy street with no other reconstructed historical markers. Reenactments of Billy the Kid events were nowhere to be found either.

If you go to Silver City, use it instead as a jumping off point to more interesting attractions. The Gila Forest is incredibly beautiful and not well traveled. Pull off on your drive and check out the amazing vistas.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings are not too far and you will need at least a full day to explore them in their entirety. It is a mystery where the inhabitants went after settling in the cliffs. Their way of life was very advanced for their time, so you would think the oral history of their move would have survived. There are different theories as to what happened and after you visit the site you may have your own version of what happened.

The Cat Walk is another great adventure and lies not too far from Silver City. This hike through a slotted canyon with a strong running creek accommodates both the old and young with easy ramps, wide paths, and railings to hold on to. This spot can easily fill your day, just keep in mind that when you return to Silver City, there isn’t much to do after 5 o’clock.

We searched for the fish hatchery on our way to the Cat Walk, but only found one sign and it didn’t lead us to anything. Be sure to pull off on the highway on your way to the Cat Walk to experience a most deafening silence. The view is majestic and your ears will never hear anything so purely quiet as a moment at this turnoff at the Leopold Vista on US 180 M63.6.

After this year’s nail-biting U.S. Open win by Tiger Woods, it is no surprise that this sport inspires both beginners and experts to go for a birdie. Golf is a sport that transcends ages and sex and is an activity that is sought after not just at home, but is a requested sport from travelers visiting the perfect green in the United States to a pinnacle course in the Caribbean or Europe. 

Debra Swersky, manager of marketing and events, Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, says “This past U.S. Open Golf was an exciting event that will make next year’s U.S. Open event an even more desirable ticket. With Tiger Woods sitting out for the rest of the 2008 golfing season the competition will be fierce, ensuring the rest of the 2008 line up of events to be further well-attended.” 

According to the National Golf Foundation there are 25 million golfers in the United States. For those traveling specifically to try out a world renowned course or for those hoping to learn something new while on vacation, destination golf resorts have something for everyone. 

To illustrate, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Half Moon Golf Academy offers a variety of instructional programs specifically tailored to fit the individual needs of all golfers - from beginners to experienced professionals, according to Half Moon’s spokesperson Jeneise Stewart.”The Golf Academy is led by Half Moon’s director of golf, Ewan Peebles, the island’s top ranked professional golfer,” Stewart says. 

Half Moon Golf Academy lesson types include one-hour private, one-hour couples, two-hour family beginner, and two-hour nine-hole playing. For beginners, the Half Moon Golf Academy provides an introductory clinic program as well as one-hour private lessons which focuses on full swing or short game golf instruction, Stewart adds. Lessons include state-of-the-art video and computer analysis. 

A member of Great Golf Resorts of the World, the par 72 championship course was designed by robber Trent Jones, Sr. and recently renovated by Roger Rulewich. Named the “Best Caribbean Golf Resort” by Caribbean World Magazine, the Half Moon course now boasts improved features for both the avid and casual golfer.

Half Moon Course Details:

• Par 72
• 7,119 Yards of Championship Tees
• 6,585 Yards, of Regular Tees
• 5,972 Yards of Women’s Tees
• 5,148 Yards of Forward Tees
• Bermuda 318 Grass on Greens and Tees
• Common Bermuda Grass on Fairways and Roughs

Here’s one of Half Moon’s featured golf vacation packages. For more information, contact your travel agent or visit www.halfmoon.com.

Golfers can take advantage of the ‘Total Golf Experience’ package with rates starting at US$630 per room per night, gives golfers a chance to play 54 holes of golf in one vacation. Golfers can tee off at any of the 3 championship courses in Rose Hall: Half Moon, White Witch and Cinnamon Hill ocean course.

Package includes:  unlimited golf green fees, cart and caddy fees, accommodations, food and beverages, in-room mini bar, water sports, unlimited use of tennis courts and fitness center, welcome golf gift, round trip airport transfers in Montego Bay.

NOTE: This package price was accurate at time of publishing on July 28^th, 2008. Pricing and availability is not guaranteed.

For vacationers looking for a golf destination, Travel + Leisure magazine releases an annual World’s Best Golf Resorts list. For T+L’s 2007 list, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina; Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina; Pebble Beach Resorts, California; Kapula Resort, Hawaii; and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon are the top 5 U.S. golf resorts.

In T+L’s list, they also recommend different golf resorts in different categories. For the Bermuda/Bahamas/Caribbean region, its top golf course is Casa Del Campo’s “Teeth of the Dog” in the Dominican Republic. In its “most underrated resorts” St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Jamaican resorts Half Moon and Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall are featured. 

What are some of your favorite vacation golf destinations?

Photo Credit: Half Moon Resort, www.halfmoon.com 

Lights! Camera! Action! Visit Universal Studios in Hollywood, California where the film industry has its roots. Don’t scrimp on this vacation; there is plenty to see in a short time, so you need to be prepared to spend a little extra for the best view of this Hollywood landmark.

Hotels are easy to come by, and there is one for every budget. Think of safety first and settle on a higher end hotel. That doesn’t mean the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, but possibly a Sheraton or Hilton. Both the Sheraton and Hilton are within walking distance to Universal and you don’t cross any busy streets, just the road that leads into the theme park. Other small hotels may be great, but off the beaten track in Hollywood is a gamble.

When you purchase your tickets for Universal Studios, do it online at www.universalstudioshollywood.com and get the Front of the Line Passes. You will get the best price online and these passes will allow you to see the bulk of the park in one day. You get to go in a different line where your wait for any attraction or line is no longer than five minutes or so.

Do not get carried away and get the VIP Package unless you have a burning desire to be chaperoned your entire trip. You will have a tour guide and be placed in a group with about 10 to 15 other people. They take you from ride to ride and even give you ponchos for the wet rides. If you like tour guide trips, you may prefer this one.

The All You Can Eat Pass is questionable. Be careful, only some of the restaurants at the park are covered by this and no drinks are covered. If you plan to sit down for your meals this may be a deal, but you have more selection without the pass.

If you are a planner, get a park map and make a plan prior to your visit. You should be able to arrange your day to see most, if not all, of the park in one visit.

Once you are inside the park, go straight to the Audiences Unlimited Ticket Booth. If there is any filming going on you can see it for free based on availability.

Carve out enough time during your visit for City Walk. It is on the outside of the park and has shops to visit, an IMAX theater, concerts, nightclubs, restaurants and entertainers on the sidewalks performing. There is no admission fee and you can get away with spending very little if you steer clear of the souvenir shops and higher end restaurants.

Universal Studios is one of those places that once you visit, you remember it well and it doesn’t change much over the years. It is a different type of park, but one worth visiting.

There is something about the mixture of sun, sand and romance. The Outer Banks, North Carolina provides a quiet and romantic vacation, especially if you like the surf, sand, history, tasty seafood, and even a little adventure. The Outer Banks beaches are natural, undeveloped shores of nearly 70 miles of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. 

Nothing beats a fresh catch for seafood cuisine. According to Aaron Tuell, director of Public Relations, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, “We have over 160 locally owned restaurants, many of which serve fresh, NC Seafood caught in the waters off the Outer Banks.  Shrimp, fish and oysters offered seasonally, prepared in the Outer Banks tradition.”

Dining is a great way for couples to experience a local culture. In fact, according to the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) 2006 Domestic Travel Report, of 20 trip activities dining tops the list. Nearly a third of all domestic vacations include dining as one of the trip activities.

From casual to high-end dining, the Outer Banks offers all types of cuisine experiences. “We also have 7 local restaurants that carry Wine Spectator awards for their selection,” Tuell says. 

Following are some recommended romantic activities for couples.

Lighthouse Tour: Romantic, panoramic views are afforded to those touring the four coastal lighthouses along the Outer Banks. Two of these can be climbed including the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla, Currituck County (a fee of $7 for anyone 8-years-old and above) and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, which is also recognized as America’s Lighthouse and is the tallest (208 feet) brick lighthouse in the world ($7 for anyone 12-years-old and above; children 11 and under, seniors and disabled pay $3). There is also the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the latter of which is the oldest still operating lighthouse in the state, according to Aaron Tuell, director of Public Relations, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “A harbor light, it emits a constant beam and does not ‘flash’.”

Wright Brothers Memorial: Stepping back into the footsteps of the first flight, the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills can be romantic for its spectacular landscape views and for couples who enjoy experiencing history. Entrance fee is $4 for those 17 and older.

Beaches: The Outer Bank beaches are pristine and are the most relaxed beach destinations I’ve experienced. Beyond water sports such as kayaking or shell gathering, you can spend your days in the most peaceful mode. “Walking down isolated stretches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore at sunrise or twilight would rank as pretty neat for couples and is unconditionally romantic,” Tuell adds.

Sand Dune Park: A must-see, hard to miss attraction is Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which according to Tuell was the state’s most visited attraction in 2007, with over 1.5 million visits, an increase of 43 percent over last year. For those with an adventurous side, do not miss the opportunity to try hang gliding. One of my favorite romantic memories at Jockey’s Ridge is watching fireworks on the 4^th of July…a very unique venue.

Ocracoke, NC: Take the free 40-minute ferry over to Ocracoke to experience remote stretches of beaches, wildlife and sealife. This activity allows couples to connect with the natural habitat the Outer Banks offer and the chance to connect with each other.

What are some of your favorite romantic US destinations?

Oak Glen, California is where you go to find apple picking fun, historical turn of the century reenactments of village living, community barbeques, and old west gun fights.

Start your day off with some apple picking. If apples aren’t in season, turn to berry picking. There are many farms along Oak Glen Drive that have different apple varieties and berry fields. Riley farm, for example has 10 varieties of apples. Riley’s Farm also hosts school tours of a historical 1800’s town. They even have an overnight civil war reenactment if the size of the party is large enough and they are willing to pay a fee. They give lessons on corn husk doll making and have a cider press on the property.

Snow Line, like most of the farms, is only open from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. It has terrific mini donuts. They are soaked in homemade apple cider and covered with a cinnamon coating. The line goes out the door most of the time. They also have appealing raspberry fields to pick your own basket from.

Law’s Oak Glen Coffee Shop in the heart of town is a must. Don’t leave without one of their apple pies. Head down the road a short distance to Oak Tree Village and visit the petting zoo, learn about farm life, pan for gold or watch an old west gun fight complete with stunt men at the Parrish Pioneer Apple Farm. There are also many quaint souvenir shops that carry tasty Carmel apples, or apple turnovers, or apple crumb cakes, or apple cider, well, you get the picture.

Spring is a nice time to visit and hike the stunning nature trail at Los Ranchos Rios. Oak Glen provides a quick getaway from the hustle, bustle and heat of neighboring towns during the summer, but the fall and winter are the best seasons in this area.

There are a few RV parks and in Oak Glen, although most accommodations will be found in the nearby cities of Redlands to the west and Palm Springs to the east. Visit www.oakglen.net to find out more information.

If you live in southern California, this is a first-rate annual family trip. Whether you are visiting the pumpkin patch before Halloween or sitting at one of the diners eating apple pie, you are sure to get pleasure from this busy little town.

The best way to reach Oak Glen is to follow the I10 towards Palm Springs. It is about 40 miles to the west of Palm Springs and 20 miles east of Redlands, CA.

Starting as children we escape into destinations through story books. From Eloise adventures in New York’s Plaza Hotel to taking a swan boat ride in Boston as in “Make Way for Duckling” by Robert McClosky, books inspire our journeys. On an adult-level though, traveling to Key West is truly a tropical destination complete with literary history.

July 21 was acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s birthday, where he would have been 109-years-old. Also a Nobel Prize winner, Hemingway is known to have lived in Key West in the 1930’s for a decade and had penned some of his masterpieces seaside in this quaint, tropical location. Key West celebrates its literary history, pirate tales and island lifestyle year-round with different festivals, including the annual Hemingway Days, and through its attractions.

Hemingway Days is the celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere, short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Annual Papa Look-Alike Contest and a birthday party. During his 10-year residence on the island, Hemingway penned literary classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “To Have and Have Not,” which is about Key West during the Depression.

Festival organizers announced July 21-26 as dates for the 2009 festival.

During a visit to Key West, travelers can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, located at 907 Whitehead Street. Visitors can partake in other famous Key West attractions that Hemingway himself was known for doing including fishing to the Dry Tortugas in the pursuit of giant tuna and marlin.

Hemingway is not the only claim to literary fame for Key West. Poet Robert Frost also has ties to Key West’s island charms. Visitors can visit the Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, located at 410 Caroline Street. The 2008 Key West Robert Frost Poetry festival featured poetry and haiku workshops, poetry and haiku readings, art & film events and an international poetry and haiku contests.

Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and other contemporaries also have made their mark on Key West. A couple of contemporary authors who help people escape to the Keys include Stella Cameron with her book titled “Key West,” another book titled “Key West: A Story Sequence” by Jon Michael Miller, and even famous song-writer and singer and author Jimmy Buffett starts his “Where is Joe Merchant“ tale in Key West.

Wanting to plan a trip to Key West to begin writing your own chapter? There are really four routes to Key West: driving down Route 1, otherwise known as the Oversea Highway, over miles of bridges navigating the different keys (about 3 ½ hours from Miami, Florida); flying to Key West via air; arriving via high speed ferry from Ft. Myers, Florida or Miami area; or as a cruise ship passenger.

Key West is famous for its quaint bed and breakfasts for travelers looking for an intimate experience. The Eden House provides a great getaway that is off the beaten path, yet close enough to walk to key attractions and is very cost-effective. For those wanting to stay in the midst of the action, the Duval House is another great option.

Other hotel accommodations near the center of the Key’s happenings include the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, Sheraton Suites, Westin Key West Resort & Marina, Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa, Sunset Key Guest Cottages (a Westin Resort) and more.

When going to Key West, bring any travel-inspired books with you on your journey to serve as a “travel guide” for you.

What titles have inspired you for your travels?

PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Grizzard, left, of Leesburg, Fla.,  is congratulated by George Burley, right, and other previous winners after he won the 2008 “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar late Saturday, July 19, 2008, in Key West, Fla. Competing for the eighth time, Grizzard, 69, bested 141 other contenders in the contest that was a facet of a Hemingway Days festival that ended Sunday, July 20, and honored the late author’s literary prowess and fun-loving Key West lifestyle in the 1930s. The 109th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth is Monday, July 21. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

The Colorado River in Parker Arizona is a favorite vacation spot for our family. This stretch of river is known as the Parker Strip. It runs for 16 miles and is just south of Lake Havasu.

During the summer, the cool water in the river is refreshing and the recreation never ends. Boats pull skiers and tubes or just cruise up and down the Colorado River, being careful to avoid sandbars when the water level is low.

Anglers enjoy fishing in the early hours before the recreation seekers have risen. The fish are mostly bass, but every now and then you see a group of fish fly out of the water. If birding is your passion, the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge is just a few miles north of the Parker Dam. The refuge was established in 1941 and is a temporary home to many migratory birds, including the endangered Yuma Clapper Rail. There is also an 18-hole golf course for your sporting pleasure.

The winter climate is mild and many retirees migrate to the area from colder regions. The Blue Water Casino is a great place to watch the river action and have some fun at the same time. The Casino also has a theater and hotel, docks, a waterside grill and slides for the kids.

Dining out is a problem. There aren’t many good restaurants; the best you’ll get is fast food or the portable dining truck parked along Riverside Drive in an empty lot. The Mexican restaurants and riverside grills are mostly dives or the food is just plain bad. There is a new Indian Fry Bread Restaurant, the menu looks interesting, but many have come and gone at this site, so we will have to wait and see if they are successful.

The best campground is Buckskin State Park, but don’t try it during the summer unless you have an RV. It is just too hot for comfort of any type. Any other time of the year is great, it has a market, grill and apparel shop.

The California side of the river is filled with RV parks, many with their own perks and club rates. BLM has control of the land as does the Colorado River Indian Tribe, so it is virtually all lease land, which makes the Arizona side more popular for hotels and permanent residents.

Parker is located on the western border of Arizona on the Colorado River, 35 miles north of the I-10 and 40 miles south of Lake Havasu. Parker is 163 miles west of Phoenix and 250 miles east of Los Angeles.

If you enjoy floating or boating down beautiful stretches of scenic waterway, this is a great place to check out.

With the average price per gallon for gasoline topping $4.00, despite last week’s oil price drops, recent surveys by AAA reveal that fuel is affecting summer travel plans. These newest statistics counter previous surveys released in May, further illustrating the increasing economic strains on a traveler’s wallet.

Earlier this summer, it is reported by a TripAdvisor survey that nine out of 10 consumers are planning a leisure trip this summer. Forty-one percent of worldwide travelers, and 51 percent of U.S. respondents, said the high price of fuel is going to affect their travel plans this summer. Thirty-one percent of travelers (37 percent of U.S. respondents) said they will take fewer car trips to save on fuel and 15 percent (18 percent of U.S. respondents) plan to take shorter distance car trips to save on fuel.

Still, 64 percent of travelers (73 percent of U.S. respondents) are planning to travel via car this summer. Seventy-two percent of travelers (71 percent of U.S. respondents) said they are planning to fly this summer. This coincides with a recent travelhorizons^TM survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership, reporting that nearly 60 percent of Americans currently planning a trip this summer using a car, truck or SUV are not going to change their plans regardless of gas price increases.

Yet, as reported by last week’s AAA survey results, 95 percent of AAA auto travel managers say that high gas prices will cause travelers to alter their vacation plans this summer. However, this alteration does not translate to cancellation. AAA auto travel managers cited travelers taking trips closer to home, taking fewer trips, and reducing the number of vacation days traveled as the top ways that Americans will adjust their travel plans this summer.

Survey respondents pointed to Las Vegas; Orlando, FL/Walt Disney World; Branson, MO; Anaheim, CA/Disneyland; and San Francisco, CA as destinations providing bargains and value this summer. Internationally, respondents cited the Caribbean; European Cruises; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; South America; and Costa Rica as top bargain and value vacation options.

Travelers are also taking advantage of travel savings this summer and fall by purposely traveling to hurricane prone destinations. Another TripAdvisor survey reveals 64 percent of U.S. respondents said they would be likely to visit a hurricane-susceptible destination this summer or fall, for a significant savings.

Eighteen percent of the TripAdvisor respondents said they are most likely to cut costs on their summer travel in their choice of accommodations. Twelve percent plan to eat in more often, 11 percent will save money by using less fuel/traveling a shorter distance, and another 11 percent will save money by taking a shorter trip/shorter trips.

“High gas prices, a weak U.S. dollar and the struggling economy are conspiring against Americans, but travelers refuse to stay home this summer,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to AAA, the top five domestic vacation destinations via air include Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, Las Angeles and Washington, DC. Internationally, top destinations via air this summer include Rome, London, Cancun, Dublin and Vancouver.

Other domestic “hot spots” for summer travel include New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Oregon; and Miami, Florida/South Beach. International “hot sports”, according to AAA, include Croatia; Montenegro; Vietnam; Cinque Terra, Italy; and Douro River, Portugal.

Have you changed your summer vacation plans as a result of soaring gas prices?