Italy can be ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so there is an abundance of information available for anyone who wants to travel to Italy. Italy travel guides can be broadly classified into two categories–the first category includes those guides which contain all the relevant information about various tourist spots in the country, and the second category includes those travel guides which give information about a particular region or city.

A number of tour and travel operators, private publishers, and hotel and resort owners often bring out such travel guides. But it is always best to refer to the official web site and publications of the tourism board of Italy, as they provide authentic information.

In some of the private travel guides, there might be deliberate attempt to promote certain hotels, restaurants, resorts, shops, etc. This could actually mislead a tourist, especially one who is traveling to the country for the first time.

Italy seems to have endless number of tourist spots. Visiting all of them may not be possible for a tourist, even during the course of a long vacation. So it is always better to go through a good travel guide related to Italy, select the places you want to visit and get your reservations well in advance. Most of the Italy travel guides also provide information about hotels in various regions, along with a list of their rentals.

Several online travel guides provide free information about Italy’s popular places. However, it is always better to verify the information provided by non-governmental web sites. This could be done by using online travel and tourism guides provided by the Italian government and several city administrations. While traveling within Italy, a travel guide with maps of various Italian cities could always be a prized possession.

The first thing that comes to the mind of most people when they think about Las Vegas is a colorful city night on which enthusiastic people play casino games in the high voltage atmosphere of a star hotel: a scene straight out of Hollywood mafia films. But in reality that is only partly true. There are indeed posh hotels with an interior that matches those on the celluloid screen. But there are a substantial number of hotels that allow peaceful stay at modest rents. But one thing common in almost all hotels is obviously the casinos. In these casinos, gambling enthusiasts play in gay abandon. Lots of money change hands during each night. It is said that the light never goes off in Las Vegas casinos. In fact, it is not entirely true. The light does go off everyday. There is a light a show in Fremont Street, called barrel vault canopy, at the beginning of which the lights of the entire city, including that of casinos, are switched off.

Another important feature of some of the top hotels in Las Vegas is the golf courses owned by the hotel managements. In most of such golf courses, they will allow outsiders along with the guests of the hotel. But in some golf courses like Shadow Creek, which is owned by the company that runs Hotel MGM Mirage, only the guests in that hotel are allowed. But some other hotels are more generous. Another hotel called Hotel Bellagio has a spectacular musical fountain. This can be watched by anybody who wants to see it for absolutely no charge. Another special attraction is the lion safari in Hotel MGM Grand. These and other similarly attractive features are the specialty of up-market hotels. There are a number of budget hotels also. But the special features will not be there other than the customary casinos.

Almost all hotels allow online advance reservation. There are some other specific websites, which specialize in providing reservation of hotels in Las Vegas. Such websites can be found by searching on Google quite easily. These websites also provide user reviews about the hotels and tools to compare the prices and facilities of most of the hotels. Many such websites provide discount cards and special offers. One important thing one should understand about Las Vegas is its geography. The heart of the city is a boulevard known as the Strip. Hotel rooms on the Strip can be expensive. But staying in a hotel on the Strip is very convenient to move around the city. On the other hand, outside the Strip, especially in the downtown area, accommodation facilities are comparatively cheap. But one has to spend extra time and money for commuting to the city and back.

River rafting is not only an exciting or adventurous sport but also gives you a chance to have good bonds with your family. River rafting ride is an enjoyable, thrilling and invigorating experience. An exciting adventure trip with your family is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It gives you an opportunity to get close with nature and satisfy the quench for adventure as well.

The South Fork of the American River in the Western United States has something for everyone. It not only satisfies experienced rafters but also diversity of classic Sierra foothill scenery, narrow rocky gorges, peaceful calms, and over 50 Class II & III rapids! Whether this will be your first time or you are a whitewater veteran, the South Fork of the American will provide an exciting and thrilling adventure for your family and friends.

Since South Fork is in close proximity to many metropolitan areas, it is quite convenient for people to go on rafting trips and then come back home, with plenty of time to relax. You could even raft in the morning and then have time to go hiking in Lake Tahoe in the afternoon. If you’re looking to escape the world for the weekend, a 2-Day option will allow you to enjoy the river on a more leisurely schedule–and you’ll have the opportunity to see both sections of the river.

For two day trips- You will enjoy two full days of top-notch California rafting, two nights of relaxing camping, and five gourmet prepared meals, your personal deluxe private riverside campground located directly on the banks of the South Fork of the American River. On this American River rafting adventure, you’ll take in the rivers Gorge section on day one followed by the Chili Bar Section on day two. You will find volleyball, basketball and other areas for your enjoyment and will go back home with lovely or fond memories of this place.

After the rafting trip, you can even check out the photo shops, which will have your action pictures, shots of you on the river conquering the rapids. American river rafting can be an enjoyable and rejuvenating experience for the entire family!

The teenage years are ones of tremendous growth and development, but, along with that growth comes tremendous pressures. Having a strong sense of self is often the rudder which can steer a teen toward a successful adulthood. If you know a teenager who is struggling with seemingly insurmountable issues such as low self-esteem or self-destructive behaviors, a personal growth teen camp may be the answer.

A personal growth teen camp can provide young people the opportunity to grow and learn in a safe yet stimulating environment. Teenagers are at an age where they are capable of making independent decisions but often these decisions are the wrong ones. At best, they may be sullen, uncooperative and uncommunicative. At worst, they may succumb to peer pressure which often leads to underage drinking and drug use.

A personal growth teen camp can offer a teenager the opportunity to prove they are capable of functioning on their own while gaining greater insight into their own abilities, skills and talents.

Some personal growth teen camps may function as wilderness camps. These camps may be a week or more and offer a camping-type program which fosters personal skill development, positive decision making, effective communication and cooperation within a group.

For the most challenged teens, some personal growth teen camps are held over a period of weeks or months and offer a live-in situation. These may offer “boot-camp” experiences designed to foster self-reliance and responsibility. By taking the teen out of a familiar yet destructive environment and thrusting him or her into one in which basic needs are met and not much more, comfortable assumptions the teen has about the world are shattered thus leading to personal development of a more positive nature.

The teen years are an especially turbulent time and a personal growth teen camp may facilitate an individual in transitioning from a combative and uncooperative teenager into a successful and happy adult.

Several years ago I was teaching science at a school in Indiana. Our school was going through a transition to a new principal and it was good news. Our new principal (Ralph Walker) was a very progressive thinker. He was open to new ideas and was excited when I brought to him a brochure I had somehow received in the mail. The brochure highlighted an exciting new program that was being promoted to science teachers. The program included staying a few days in Orlando, Florida, with visits to EPCOT Center at Disney World, a day at Kennedy Space Center, and a visit to the beach. Perhaps there were a few other things included that I cannot remember?

We raised money for airfare and for the trip package (airfare was not included). Soon enough, we were on our way and had a pretty good time. The trip was an overall success, though there were a few things that were promised to us that were not delivered. On this trip, I learned an awful lot about traveling with students and these lessons, as well as others learned later, became valuable in the formation of our own travel company years later.

One of the first things I found is that if it is not in writing, it is not going to happen. This is a painful lesson and can cause bitter feelings for those who have booked a trip. When dealing with any type of trip, or for that any kind of transaction, get it in writing. “He said-she said” does not hold too much weight especially if other things are documented on paper. We were promised a “welcome pizza party” but it never happened!

A very important detail is to check out the credentials of the company that you are looking to book with. There are several associations that may be important for you to know about depending upon what type of trip you are going to be taking. For example, if you are going to book a student cruise, you probably want your company to be a member of “CLIA”-Cruise Lines International Association. If your company is not a member, you probably want to book with a company that is!

The next credential to look for is “SYTA-Student and Youth Travel Association. This organization has strict guidelines for membership and has created many measures to insure that the student tour company you are dealing with is honest, has been in business a while, and has financial integrity. Membership in this organization insures you that the company you are working with is reputable and will not take your money and run.

The National Tour Association (NTA) and the American Bus Association (ABA) are two other organizations that can increase your confidence in a student tour company as each do have good criteria for membership, however, neither should be taken alone as meaning the company is really good.

After memberships and associations, the most important aspect of choosing a student tour company is the student travel coordinators on the other end of the phone. Are they pleasant and do they LISTEN to what you are saying? There are several companies out there who believe they “know what you want”. This is arrogant and should be an immediate turn-off. How can anyone know what you want without you telling them. So, be sure the other person is hearing what is important to you.

Variety of offerings can be important, though this is not as big as others. Is the company you are dealing with able to give you more than one destination if you need options? Or, do they have a “one-size-fits-all” mentality? Being able to offer options will keep you from going from company to company looking for the ideal trip. If you work with a company that has different options, you can limit the number of calls you have to make before settling upon a decision. Just make sure the person you are speaking with does not claim to know everything about everywhere. This should be a red flag to an informed shopper.

Does the company have a “one-size-fits-all” payment plan? This may not work too well with your group. If they are willing to help you then they are really worth using. A company that is inflexible in payments will be inflexible in other areas as well. This goes for itinerary, arrangements, and most other items in the trip. Always avoid inflexible companies.

Are there teachers or former teachers working there? This is a good indicator that they know how to work with student groups and within the limitations of working though school systems. In schools, nothing important happens fast! I came to know this very quickly as a teacher and I still find it to be true. Payments are sent out after approval by the monthly board meeting and not sooner. If a company cannot deal with this fact, huge headaches are ahead for you.

Thankfully, we have worked hard to try to meet all of the above-mentioned standards. We learn every year and improve in all areas. We are not perfect, nor is any student travel company. So, when you deal with a company of any kind, stay reasonable. Nothing is 100% all of the time. There are times we hit homeruns, and other times we hit singles. We even occasionally strike out (it pains me to admit this, but it is true). We are all human and regardless of intentions, we all miss it. So, have a positive attitude and expect some little bumps. A company can really shine during these bumps, or they can show their true colors in a negative way. Keep notes and share your feelings with them. A good company will make the necessary changes and appreciate all feedback, whether good or critical.

If you follow the advice given above, you will avoid 99% of the bad companies and chances are you will have a good company to work with. I know many good companies out there and we are always striving to become better and better-as are others! Be wise in your choices, watch out for warning signs, trust your instinct and enjoy the trip!

James Rider is the President of Adventure Student Travel and Exploring America He has served as a teacher in both the public schools in Indiana and Missouri. He has traveled with his students and family to every state and four other countries.

For some people, the idea of going on a white water rafting trip can conjure up images of Meryl Streep in “The River Wild,” or Burt Reynolds in “Deliverance.” Concerns about a raft flipping over, or the fear of falling out of the raft, can frighten some would-be vacationers, keeping them on dry land while millions of others are flocking to this increasingly popular adventure trip every year. What are the real risks in whitewater rafting? And the real safety statistics? You might just be surprised.

Consider, for example, the Lehigh River in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania … one of the most popular whitewater vacation destinations in America. Guided whitewater rafting trips were introduced there in 1975, by an outfit named Whitewater Challengers. Today, four professional whitewater outfitters offer daily rafting trips on more than 25 miles of whitewater rapids in the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Over the past three and a half decades, professional whitewater rafting outfitters have hosted over 3 million rafting visitors on more than 25 million miles of guided whitewater rafting trips (the equivalent of going to the moon and back, 52 times!), racking up an impeccable safety record in the process.

In spite the lingering angst have about signing up for what some people still call an “extreme” sport, the truth is, a guided whitewater rafting trip down the Lehigh River is statistically safer than getting into your car and driving there. There are several reasons that whitewater rafting outfitters can compile such remarkable safety records, including:

1. These are guided whitewater rafting trips. Professional whitewater rafting guides are with you all day. They know the river; they know the hazards; they know the best route through the whitewater; they know how to help you avoid mistakes; and they know what to do if it looks like things might start to go wrong. For example, at Whitewater Challengers, guides receive training in swift water rescue, Red Cross first aid (standard and advanced) and CPR. In addition, they accumulate thousands of hours on the river, becoming familiar with every section of whitewater at each of dozens of different water levels. This is important because two trips down the exact same section of river at different water levels can result in dramatically different levels of excitement.

2. You’re in a whitewater raft, not a canoe. If you try this sport in a whitewater canoe or whitewater kayak, and it’s a whole different ball game. Professional whitewater rafts are designed with two things in mind: not tipping over; and not puncturing. A properly constructed commercial-grade whitewater raft will bounce off most boulders, and keep a steady course in remarkably turbulent water. In most places, you can float through the whitewater rapids forwards, backwards or even sideways, and it’s all just part of the fun. If you do that in a canoe, a kayak, or a flimsy swimming pool raft, the results can be disappointing, to say the least.

3. You’re wearing a whitewater PFD (personal flotation device). It’s surprising how many people who take the do-it-yourself approach to whitewater rafting either fail to use the right kind of raft, or fail to wear a PFD. On commercially guided whitewater rafting trips, wearing a PFD isn’t an option; it’s a requirement. And if you so much as unbuckle the straps, the first rafting guide who notices it will be gently reminding you that putting yourself at risk that way just “isn’t acceptable.”

4. Teaching and training are part of the package. A guided whitewater rafting trip begins with what’s called a “Safety Talk.” Your rafting guide goes over all the basics: how to properly sit in the raft; how to hold your paddle; how to splash your friends safely; how to help steer the raft; how to float through whitewater if you happen to fall into the drink; and most importantly, how to avoid falling in. There’s also information about rescue techniques that are used in the event you do find yourself in the river. Most safety talks are also sprinkled with time-tested river humor, and a dose of interesting information about the history, the geology, the flora and fauna of the river and its surroundings.

5. And finally, there’s always medical training and supplies at the ready. In the unlikely event something does go wrong, whitewater rafting guides are trained in first aid, CPR and swiftwater rescue, they have with them first aid supplies if needed, and they are supported by a network of land-based Lehigh Gorge State Park officials who can help effect a rapid evacuation if needed.

With upwards of a hundred thousand people a year going whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River alone, and millions more on hundreds of professionally outfitted whitewater rivers around the world, it might be time to stop thinking of this as an “extreme” sport, especially since a large percentage of those rafters are school groups, boy and girl scout troops, church youth groups, and families with young children. The statistics tell the story. With the right gear, the right instruction, and the right supervision, your time spent on a whitewater rafting trip can be the safest part of your day.

Las Vegas travel brings you to the heart of entertainment. Some people arrive for the thrill of flashing lights, ringing bells and free drinks. Others want to see rare concert appearances, famous comedians, Broadway musicals and Cirque du Soleil performances. Architecture lovers want to experience the “theme park” atmosphere of the Las Vegas casinos themselves and peruse displays like the Venetian gondola, The Bellagio Hotel conservatory or the Mandalay Bay shark exhibit.

Each year, more than 100,000 couples tie the knot in a Las Vegas wedding, and even more arrive for a low-cost honeymoon. You can save a lot by researching every detail or you can find a discount vacation package to finesse the details.

Feeling spontaneous? That’s what Las Vegas travel is all about! Why not slip away for 3 days/2 nights from Monday-Thursday for $129. You’ll also receive $100 in casino chips in addition to your stay at Planet Hollywood, The Sahara, Boulder Station, Fiesta Rancho, Wild Wild West, Palace Station, Texas Station or Golden Gate Hotel. For $179 during the week or $229 on the weekend, you can spend 4 days/3 nights at those hotels and receive $100 casino chips too.

You can also save $250 by booking a hotel and one of the Vegas shows online at “My Las Vegas Rooms“. If you want more gambling credits, then you can also try “Trip 2 Earth”, which offers 4 days & 3 nights during the week, or 3 days & 2 nights on the weekend, $500 in gaming credit, 2 buffet meals and a discount card for as low as $99 per person. You’ll be staying at The Sahara, Four Queens, the Fitzgerald, Palace Station, Tuscany Suites or Casino Royale with this deal.

When some people are considering traveling to Las Vegas, they want the whole package, including airfare, hotel, show tickets, spa services, food, etc. The best way to snag an all-inclusive is through your local travel agent or directly through the hotels, since online discounts are largely air+hotel or hotel+show combinations at best.

At “Mgm Mirage Vacations”, a vacation package that includes airfare from Buffalo NY and 7 nights at MGM Grand (in December) starts at just $711/person, everything included! Yes, that’s like $100/day to stay in a luxury resort! For the same trip, the couple could stay at The Bellagio Hotel for $1,000/person. Of course, you can buy the penthouse package for three times that amount, but the budget conscious traveler can find some tremendous deals right through the hotel websites.

Not only is Las Vegas travel inexpensive, but it’s also tons of fun! Whether it is your first time or your twentieth time, there is no shortage of action on the Las Vegas Strip. For the really frugal traveler, there are also backpackers’ hostels for as low as $20/night. Yes, you can also still find those amazing value meals for less than $5 too if you know where to look! Sites like “Cheap Ovegas” will guide you if you’re looking to save a few bucks or if you suspect your love of gambling will lead you to new lows!

The Carnival cruise line features two different Mexico itineraries for travelers to relax and enjoy the warm ocean breezes on. Beautiful deserts, tropical forests, mountainous countryside, untouched pine forests and hundreds of miles of beautiful, sandy, sunny beaches make the cruise to Baja the perfect vacation destination for you and your loved ones. If that doesn’t sound appealing, imagine yourself on a quiet beach watching the sun set over the perfectly blue Pacific Ocean and relaxing after a long day of exploring ancient ruins. That is what you can find on the cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

The Carnival cruises to Mexico offer some of the best food, amenities and entrainment any cruise ship has to offer. During your leisurely cruise to Mexico, you can pamper yourself by scheduling a massage, pedicure or manicure. Remember that haircut you’ve been meaning to get but never got around to? You can do that right on the Carnival ship. If all that sounds like too much work, just spend the day relaxing and detoxifying in one of the cruise ship’s many saunas.

A Carnival cruise to Mexico will introduce you to some of the most exotic and delicious food in the world, even before you reach your first stop! Gourmet chefs cook three meals every day. For those who don’t like to eat on a schedule, the buffet is open twenty-four hours a day. Dinner often includes live music and there is always entertainment to enjoy afterwards; musicals, dancing, concerts and a piano bar include just a few of the evening entertainment options on either of the Mexico cruises.

You’ll never run out of things to do as you travel to either of the Mexican destinations. Carnival cruises offer captain’s cocktail parties, a beautiful gala dinner, a 24-hour pizzeria, Camp Carnival especially for kids, 24-hour room service, brand new movies, outdoor swimming, hot tubs, shopping, shuffle board and more! Families can spend time together at the pool or seeing a musical during the day, and parents can enjoy some alone time in the evenings when children are welcome to attend kid-tailored events with plenty of supervision.

The best way to book your Carnival cruise to Mexico is on the Internet. You’ll get a great deal with a little research, a little patience and some Internet savvy. As the departure date gets closer, Carnival offers up some of its best deals on its cruises to Mexico. Carnival also offers a number of special promotions during the year, including both holiday and seasonal bargains. And the best part is that their staterooms are 50 percent bigger than most other major cruise lines. At a discount price, anyone can find a carnival cruise to Mexico that suits them - from singles, to newlyweds to families.