When a person hears the phrase “travel guides” two things used to come to mind but now there are three. The first thing may be different types of brochures that outline specific destinations. The other type of travel guide that comes to mind is an actual person who leads a group while on vacation, while the third is GPS, global positioning system, where you can use electronics to lead the way to travel destinations.

First Travel Guides (Brochures)

The first type of travel guides are brochures, pamphlets, books and other reading material that gives a traveler a very good idea about a certain destination. They will often include such information such as where hotels, restaurants and other facilities used by people traveling are located.

Travel guides will also give information about these places including their ratings and even prices. Along with prices, travel guides can also be helpful for people who need or want to travel on a budget as they can recommend the best places to go to get the best deals. For people who know where they want or need to go, but have no idea what to do once there, travel guides are perfect for listing the attractions and sites available in that location.

There are many types of travel guides available, which are geared for certain types of travel. Some travel guides may focus on one aspect of a location such as information for families, where other travel guides may focus on information that a person going on business would find most useful. These travel guides can be found in many different places.

For people that have ample time to prepare for their trip, two good sources are the travel and tourism office for the desired destination. By contacting this office, they can give you a package of information all relating to their location. They may even include some coupons. For those that are on the internet frequently, the phone numbers and even email and website address can all be found online with a simple search. Another good source for those who are online is by simply searching using the words “travel guides.” There are many sites available to choose from that offer online travel guides which can be printed up, or there are many guides which can also be ordered and usually for free.

Second Travel Guides (People)

The other type of travel guide is actual people hired to take either individuals or groups of people once at the destination and show them around, taking them to the most popular sites and attractions. While those traveling within their own country do not generally need this service, it may be a valuable service to those traveling outside of their country. It can be reassuring to know there is someone with you who knows about the country and the best places to visit.

Third Travel Guides - Electronic (GPS)

Travel guides, whether paper or a person is a great source of information when planning a trip. However, along with these guides a person should also consider having available a map. While most travel guides do include some type of map, having other sources of maps such as a road map will make the trip even more enjoyable since the more maps are used, the less likely a person will find himself or herself lost, which can make an enjoyable trip turn bad. Using the combination of travel guides and maps is the best way to make a good trip great!

While most people are hurriedly making their travel arrangements to their favorite destinations, others are waiting for off-peak season in order to save money and really enjoy the city or country they are going to visit.

With more people traveling than ever before, it is often difficult to enjoy a city when there are crowds and tour buses everywhere you go.  In addition, traveling off-peak not only allows for a more relaxing and fun-filled vacation but the shops, restaurants, and  the main tourist areas can be thoroughly enjoyed at discount prices as well.

For example:  Hawaii, an absolute favorite vacation destination, is best traveled to during May and June as well as September through mid-December.  The Caribbean, another popular destination, has the best package deals from April through June, and September through November.  If your travel tastes are a bit more exotic, you can find great deals in Australia when traveling during the spring, or Fiji in December through February, or Thailand – a new hot spot – from March through September.  Mexico, another favorite destination, is best traveled to in April and October.

For travel to Europe, the fall months are the best.  April in Paris isn’t just a well-known song for the seasoned traveler; for he or she knows that January in Paris will encompass the best package deal one can find.   Conversely, while it will be quite cold, February is a great month to visit Alaska and save on air and hotel packages to this great state.

One of the drawbacks, however, when traveling off season is that some hotels and museums may be closed.   It’s a good idea to check with the local consulate or online site of the city or country you are visiting to ascertain what’s open and what’s not.  It is also recommended to check the local weather as well.  Depending upon your destination and the time of year you travel, packing light layers of clothing to heavy sweaters is recommended.

Another great idea is to check the airlines.  While most offer discounted rates throughout the year, they offer special deals during off-peak seasons which may include hotel accommodations as well.

Speaking of hotel accommodations, you may find that winter rates in Europe are low in November through January.  Researching each country to ascertain their hotel rates as well as their local transportation is essential.  While most of the buses in most cities are available during peak seasons, you may find their availability minimized during the off peak season, so check with the tourist boards if you intend on using local transportation.

Traveling off season can afford you the opportunity to visit places and experience local culture on a more personal level.  It’s worth the time to investigate your travel destination in depth to enhance your overall trip and make it all the more enjoyable as well.

If you’ve never been to Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, you are in for a treat.  It’s more than just candy.  It is one of many unique experiences encompassing a wide variety of interactive events and attractions near and around the town of Hershey.

Celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, Hershey’s Factory is offering a Create Your Own Hershey chocolate wrapper, which can be personalized to include your likeness on the wrapper.  Here, you can also take their Chocolate Making Tour Ride in which your family will experience, first hand, how the famous chocolate is made.

We all know and love the Hershey characters, right?  Well your family can participate in the 3D animated musical wherein the Hershey characters come to life on screen.

In addition, the new boardwalk at Hershey Park has five water attractions, including the famous East Coast Waterworks, the largest water structure in the world, the Coastline Plunge, Sandcastle Cove, The Waverider, and Bayside Pier which offers a cool place for your family to float in the giant pool as the waves ripple ever-so-gently, as if on a breeze.

With over 60 rides and attractions, your family can enjoy all that Hershey has to offer.  You can visit their 11-acre zoo, which is home to over 200 animals; check out the Hershey Museum; or stroll through the 23-acre Hershey Gardens, where you will find a variety of flowers including over 7000 roses.  You can also visit the indoor Butterfly House, which is home to over 400 butterflies.  Take the Hershey Trolley ride wherein the conductor will entertain you as he offers an educational tour of Hershey.

As a side trip, you may want to travel to Lancaster, where the famous Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park is located.  Just 30 minutes from Hershey, your kids can choose among the 30 rides, coasters, or the water play at Duke’s Lagoon.  The entire family can enjoy the shows which are offered, as well as play a round of golf at Wonderland Mini-Golf Course.  New to the park is the Treehouse Terrace, which is in the woodland area of the park and overlooks the new ride Turtle Whirl.

While Hershey is known for its amazing chocolate, there are other activities the entire family can participate in by visiting regional attractions as well.  Whether you are planning to spend a day or a weekend, a wide range of events occur year round.

Lancaster, which is home to the Amish, is a must-see place that is filled with history, culture, and the most beautiful land you’ll ever see.  Your kids can learn how the Amish live, visit their museums, and dine on their wonderful home made foods.  Visiting the Amish is not only an educational experience, but one that your kids will not likely forget.

Las Vegas isn’t just for grownups anymore.  Over the last decade, it has become a more kid-friendly town that most people think.  For those of you who have always wanted to travel to Las Vegas for a family vacation but were reluctant because it didn’t seem to offer anything for kids, the good news is you can pack your bags and head out to the “city that never sleeps” with kids in tow.

Here are some of the more famous attractions which have become classic examples of the myriad of activities the entire family can enjoy.

Circus Circus offers more activities for kids than any other hotel on the strip.  Under the big tent, this hotel not only offers circus acts, but includes the carnival midway which has games you may remember as a kid when attending local county fairs.  In addition, Circus Circus includes the Adventuredome, which is an indoor theme park and features a roller coaster called the Canyon Blaster, as well as other rides for younger kids.

The IMAX Theatre at the Luxor Hotel offers a seven-story screen with speakers which stretch across the theatre.  Kids will love the Dinosaurs Alive in 3D, the Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari, Mystery of the Nile, and Deep Sea 3D.  These movies afford the entire family the opportunity to experience the past and the present utilizing the most up-to-date 3D eyewear, which will allow you to become fully engaged in each of the aforementioned films.

At Mandalay Bay, the family can visit Shark Reef, which houses one of the largest exhibits of over 1200 species of sharks, exotic fish, sea turtles, water monitors, and piranha.  Moving through a dark tunnel, your family will encounter a wide variety of marine life and get up close and personal with some of the gentler species as well.  This is a great way to educate your kids on the importance of wildlife conservation and the environment.

The Mirage Hotel offers the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.  Here, you and your kids can play with and feed the dolphins while being supervised by the local staff.  You will also be able to take photos at the habitat, which can also be put on CDs to treasure for years to come.

There are also a wide variety of free attractions in Las Vegas which your family can enjoy, including: the Wild Life Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel, the erupting volcano at the Mirage, M&M’s World at the Showcase Mall, the White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage, and the Lion Habitat at the MGM.

Finally, you can’t leave Las Vegas without stopping at New York-New York hotel and riding the Roller Coaster.  The cars are re-created taxis in which you will speed through New York at 67 miles per hour.  In addition, the entire family can check out the Coney Island Emporium amusement center, which consists of over 200 arcade games and carnival games as well.

Situated about 75 miles west of Orlando is the home of the Busch Gardens.  Located in Tampa, Florida, this theme part is inspired by the sights and sounds of Africa, and provides an aesthetic contrast to the sugar/sweet images of Orland’s Disney parks.

The Busch Gardens are set around 10 different themed areas that include savannahs, jungle and even pyramid features, so there’s something for the whole family to enjoy here.   Although animals are a great focal point in the park, it is home to one of America’s top zoos, there are rollercoasters for those who want a little more excitement in their day, or areas for those who prefer a bit of calm to take a gentle stroll in the afternoon.  For those who aren’t quite up to the daring rollercoaster rides, there’s the Seregenti Express railroad that will take you through some areas of the park, and an 8 minute land rover experience that will leave you exhilarated but not shaking!  If you aren’t afraid of heights, the Sky Ride Cable Car will give you a wonderful overview of the park below you.

Younger members of the family will love the Animal Nursery located in the Nairobi sector of the Busch Gardens.  Here they’ll find baby birds, and other animals plus a petting zoo - there are primates in this area also with apes and chimps vying for visitor attention.  For anyone who wants a closer experience with the animals, check out the daily schedule for visitor participation feeding and training encounters.  Another must do for those who like to get off the main beaten track is a behind the scenes tour - these take approximately 4-5 hours and you’ll find information about times and locations in the park, or ring the park in advance for more details.

As with all theme parks, entrance isn’t cheap, nor is refreshment once you get inside, but it’s a great day out with a very authentic feel and if you intend going to other parks such as SeaWorld and/or Universal in Orlando, then you could considering buying a pass that will allow you multi-park entry at a reduced cost then paying for all entrance fees separately.