Originally created as an offshoot of Austin Promenade Tours, a historic walking tour with a less ghoulish focus, Austin Ghost Tours has been giving people goosebumps for well over a decade. Their popularity increases every year, as does their offerings. They have recently begin offering online tours to those who can’t join the walking tours – but the spine-tingling feeling of walking with the spirits is best experienced in person.

One of Austin’s most “incredibly haunted” spots is the historic Driskill Hotel. Located on the corner of Sixth and Brazos, it has been the crown jewel of downtown Austin since it opened on December 20, 1886. Some say that the spirit of Colonel Driskill remains in the building he was so proud of, evidenced by mysterious puffs of cigar smoke. Staff have reported sensing a child bouncing the ball down the grand staircase leading from the mezzanine down to the lobby and giggling – perhaps the ghost of the four-year-old daughter of a US Senator who was playing unattended with a ball when she slipped and fell to her death on the marble floor at the bottom of the stairs. These and many other ghostly legends are part of the Driskill’s vibrant history.

The Driskill figures greatly into two of the tours offered – the Ghosts of the Capitol Tour, which includes the Driskill, as well as the Capitol itself, and the Governor’s Mansion. The Ghosts of the Warehouse District Tour features some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the site of series of gruesome murders in 1885. These two tours are 90 minutes each, and both end at the magnificent Driskill.

One of the most popular tours is the Sixth Street Pub Crawl. Sixth Street, although a vibrant and extremely modern entertainment district, is full of ancient building with their fair share of ghosts, murder and mayhem. Enjoy Austin’s historic taverns while learning about its haunted past on this unique tour. The Sixth Street Tour has proven to be all the rage for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Other tours include one dedicated to the chilling story of the “Servant Girl Annihilator,” a brutal serial killer who predated Jack the Ripper, and terrorized female servants in 1884. Halloween is a perfect night for ghost stories, and Austin Ghost Tours celebrates with one of their best tours – a jam-packed combination tour that includes the best of each. Tickets go early for this one, so book in advance.

Austin Ghost Tours conducts their spooky events rain or shine, and since they are walking tours, participants should dress accordingly, including wearing appropriate shoes.

Where Should we Stay?

If you are planning at stay at a bed and breakfast, do some research. Many bed and breakfasts are not suitable for children. However, you may be able to find a ‘farmstay’ – a bed and breakfast on a farm that allows your kids to interact with the animals. This can be an unequalled family experience – especially for city dwellers.

Staying in a hotel? Do they provide extra cots and/or cribs for children? Do they have a restaurant with a kids’ menu? Is there a playroom or playground on the premises? Are there children’s activities nearby?

What Should I Pack?

Use common sense. Every family is different. Check the following list and pack what is appropriate for your household:

• Small first aid kit
• Liquid anti-nausea medication
• Liquid Tylenol
• Individual-sized tissues
• Moistened hand-wipes in individual packs
• Paper towels
• Photos of the kids and important details regarding medications
• Telephone numbers of doctors (at home and at your destination)
• Copies of passports, birth certificates, custody documentation
• Decks of cards, favorite toys, children’s books
• Coloring books, crayons, mechanical pencils, paper
• Crossword puzzle books, erasable pens, highlighters
• Windbreakers, slickers, umbrellas
• Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen
• Plastic bags from grocery store checkout (for storage and cleanup)

(Check with your airline first to see if liquid or gel-based items are allowed in carry-on luggage.)

Diaper Disposal

There are scented disposal bags available – or you might want to pack some small zip-lock bags. Plastic grocery bags or newspaper bags can also be used. The solid matter should be disposed of down the toilet. Next, roll the diaper up with the soiled area facing inwards so that you have a compact bundle with the plastic on the outside. Place the diaper in the zip-lock bag, seal most of the way, then press out as much air as possible while you complete the seal. Discard in a bathroom garbage container or outside garbage bin.

If you are outdoors and there are no outhouse or bathroom facilities nearby, you should carry the entire diaper contents with you, disposing of appropriately when you find a garbage bin or bathroom. DO NOT leave diapers or diaper contents behind. Besides polluting the environment, some animals are attracted to human waste. Protect the environment even more by making sure that you purchase biodegradable diapers (or switch to cloth).

If you must carry soiled diapers along with you for any length of time, you might want to consider packing a few deodorant disks or a baking-soda based scented deodorizer.

Snacks

If your children are finicky eaters, chances are you will encounter problems with airline and restaurant meals. Pack a few nutritious snacks. Snacks may include fresh fruit, granola bars, individual-size cereal boxes, cheese and crackers, raisins, unsalted peanuts – or snack-size containers of applesauce, puddings, and fruit cocktail.

Boredom

Boredom is always going to be a problem. Even a half-hour trip seems like a long time to a young child. The easiest and most accessible boredom solution is YOU. Use the time to interact with your kids. Ask them questions. Get them to tell you stories if they are old enough. You can keep young children entertained by telling them stories – complete with sound effects of animal noises, whistles, and whatever else you can invent.

Play guessing games like ‘I Spy’ with older kids, or get them involved in some children’s cards games. Although games like ‘Go Fish’ can be played with a regular deck of cards, there are many games with special, brightly-colored decks made just for children. Do an internet search for ‘card games for kids’ and you’ll find plenty of resources.

Inactivity

Sitting still for long periods of time is not a natural activity for children. If you’re on a plane, train, or bus, get up and take a walk down the aisle once every hour. When travelling by car, find an appropriate pullout and play frisbee or go for a short walk.

Relax – Lighten Up – Unwind

Treat every family trip as an opportunity to connect with your children. Relax, enjoy their unique personalities, and enjoy yourself!

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author’s note below (with active links) are included.

The first thing to check with, is your friends and family, if anyone has ever been to Chicago, they may have some tips for finding the right hotel with cheap/discount prices. This helps you start your own search until you find the right hotel for your visit. Chicago has a lot to offer the traveler; you just need to look around for the right deal. You may want something close to the airport or near the downtown area.

Deals and Steals

Reserve the hotel ahead of time save money. By booking ahead of time, allows for discounts offered online or through the hotel directly. Cheap/discount hotels might have a higher price to start out, but with all the discounts allowable you end up with accommodations in close proximity to the attractions. The more information you have the better when finding Chicago cheap/discount hotels.

Hotels with Discounts

Chicago finding cheap/discount hotels leaves one thing in mind, not all hotels are created the same. Some offer a great many amenities and some offer just a few. Finding the cheap discounted hotel requires finding the hotel that has the amenities you need, and not the amenities they offer. If a hotel offers use of the fitness room, onsite pool or anything else you will never use, why you would pay a higher price to stay at that hotel that exceeds your budget.

Hotels with fewer amnesties have nice guest rooms and amenities that allow for comfort and relaxation without a high price attached. Do some research and look for coupons to add to the savings offered by the hotels. Allow enough time to find the deal that fits your budget. By doing this, you have time to look around and still take advantage of the early reservation discount.

Search some of the travel sites that offer hotel room rates, do some comparison-shopping before making a choice. This helps eliminate hotels that appear out of your budget range. Always remember discounts and coupons when searching for online accommodations.

Hotels in Malaga

There are dozens of hotels in Malaga ranging in size and price. The average hotel will cost about $100 US or less, so even the four and five star rated hotels are quite reasonable. For a nicer, high rise hotel in the centre of the city, you could choose from the AC Malaga Palacio Hotel or Los Naranjos Hotel, each with all the amenities and services of any large chain. Other hotels rated highly by visitors include the Novetel Malaga or the Hotel Adriano.

Luxury Spas and Resorts

You can enjoy the beautiful weather, golf or just a relaxing holiday at any number of spas and resorts in and around Malaga. Some favourites of tourists include the Parador Malaga Golf and the Sunset Beach Club. The Gran Hotel Benahavis in Malaga features swimming and a fitness centre and costs between $100-$250 US per night. If you prefer an International chain, there is the Radisson sas el marques resort and spa.

Apartment Living

Apartments offer affordable housing for extended vacations or just the convenience of having a kitchen and other comforts of home. An option with apartments or condominiums is that you could just lease for your vacation or buy timeshares so that you can return year after year. Apartments generally do not rent by the night, unless you are willing to pay a short-stay surcharge. Usually owners like to book the apartment for at least one week as a minimum stay.

Money Saving Hostels

Hostels are not just starving students on break. They offer an entirely different way to spend your holiday. At a hostel you will get to know travellers from around the world, even if you do give up a bit of luxury in the process. Some options in Malaga include the Residencia Universitaria Santa Paula or the Picasso’s Corner Backpackers Hostel. These will cost you under $30 per night. At the hostels, you will generally have access to a shared kitchen and common room, but a private sleeping area. Linens may or may not be included, but there is usually a place to do laundry and lock up valuables if need be. Some require advance reservations of at least 24 hours, while others allow for drop in. Be sure to check if yours has a curfew or you may find yourself locked out after returning from dancing or the bar!

Romantic Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfasts are a little different in Malaga and the surrounding areas than you might find in New England in the U.S. This description could be applied to hotels having as many as 150 rooms, but because a continental breakfast is included it earns that name. These hotels are more like hotels than the quaint inns furnished with antiques. However, they still have plenty of European charm and personal service.

Full-Service Conference Centres

Conference centres provide all of the business services needed to run a successful business meeting along with comfortable rooms and amenities. These tend to be higher on the price range scale but no expense is spared in service or upgrades. For example, the Avda Rio de Guadalmedina in Malaga is a four-star hotel with rooms ranging in the $220-$300 US per night range. It is new and modern and is close to all of the good restaurants and sights. You can just as the concierge for directions or to make your dinner reservations for you.

As you can easily see, choosing a Malaga hotel offers many different options at various prices. To decide which is right for your holiday, the only real question may be do you want to be closer to the golf course or the shopping plaza?

My three-day adventure included a thrilling helicopter sightseeing tour, an encounter with nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and at Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest aviary. I sampled culture and entertainment in a magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre and a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.

I also got up close to the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them from the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called “Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic” which presented an interesting dramatization of Niagara Falls’ colourful history. I also checked out some of the actual vessels used by real-life daredevils who went over the Falls and explored the tunnels that take you behind the big cascade of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Journey Behind The Falls experience.

Naturally I sampled some of Niagara Falls hospitality offerings: from my convienent accommodation at the Best Western Cairn Croft to the cozy luxury of the Kilpatrick Manor Bed and Breakfast to a variety of culinary experiences, I got a good idea of Niagara Falls’ broad tourist offering. And of course I explored Clifton Hill – Niagara Fall’s most popular tourist promenade with its gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions.

I even partook of the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment complex. There were so many more things on the list that I could have done, but three days were simply not enough to sample it all.

To help you with your own plans for a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, here is an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of Niagara Falls Tourism who has graciously agreed to provide a general overview of Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:

1. Please provide us with some general information about Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and how can I get there? How big is the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get around the city?

Niagara Falls is located between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls from the United States, visitors can travel by car over one of three bridges: The Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three international airports service the area: Buffalo in the US, Hamilton and Toronto. Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive and Toronto is just over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide service directly into Niagara Falls.

2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please give us a brief historical overview of this unique city.

Niagara Falls was first brought to the attention of the European explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans. It was named the Honeymoon Capital of the World after Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother spent his honeymoon here.

Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel. She was hoping this feat would make her rich and famous. She died penniless. Since then, several attempts have been made to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more have failed than succeeded – they never lived to tell the tale. Attempting any such daredevil exhibitions now is illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.

Several battles of the War of 1812 (the only war the American Army ever lost) were fought here. Laura Secord, a settler’s wife, played a prominent role in that war – before the chocolate company made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush against the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to inform British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little recognition for her heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord is considered to be a Canadian folk hero.

3. Please tell us about one of the most significant attractions in Niagara Falls – the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes them special and how can I experience them?

Our Falls are special in so many ways, but the most important is the sheer volume of water that flows over the brink. 600,000 gallons per second, in fact. The Falls is NOT the tallest in the world. It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way to experience the Falls is to make sure you view it from ABOVE, BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how it all works. The Maid of the Mist provides the absolute best vantage point below the brink and the Journey Behind the Falls or Table Rock Point give you the best possible view from beside the Wonder. You have to experience all three to truly understand just how spectacular the Falls are.

4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities that centre around the Falls as well as many other wonders. We offer Winery Tours featuring Niagara’s World renown ice Wines, biking and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, wildlife viewing at Marineland, ZOOZ, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the Bird Kingdom, gaming at one of two Vegas-style Casinos. You name it, we have it.

5. Niagara Falls also has a number of attractions that appeal to nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed parks and gardens. Please provide us with further information about these attractions.

I would suggest checking out the following websites for more information on these great attractions:

www.niagaraparks.com

www.niagarafallsaviary.com

Most of the gardens in the Niagara Parks system can be accessed free of charge. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.

6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer?

We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton Hill area is filled with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum and a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the War of 1812. One of the battlefields of that war is also located on Lundy’s Lane and is said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord Homestead is also open to the public as are two forts – one in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one in Fort Erie. Both were strategic outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion from the US.

7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please tell us more.

Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino is a showpiece in and of itself. It houses over 3000 slot machines and 150 game tables, world-class big-name entertainment in the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping in the Galleria Mall.

8. What other entertainment options and attractions does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are some of the main entertainment areas? What about theme parks?

Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades, rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel which is a smaller version of the EYE in London with air conditioned and heated pods providing great views of the Falls).

Many of our hoteliers are opting to add or build indoor waterparks to add to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and the Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Waterpark. All three provide visitors with indoor thrills for year-round fun. They each have several waterslides, a wave pool and the mandatory “Giant Bucket”. The Fallsview and Waves are both open to the public.

9. What options are there for nightlife in Niagara Falls, Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?

Nightlife is fantastic here in Niagara. In addition to the great outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we have several great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin is a master magician whose show is sure to please the entire family. We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances at the Fallsview Casino.

10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada’s most popular wine regions and the entire area is often referred to as the “Breadbasket of Ontario”. Please tell us more about the areas surrounding Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This area is some of the most fertile land in the country. We have a microclimate in the Niagara Region which is ideal for growing fruit. The temperatures in the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less than the surrounding area. Frost is always a consideration. This is why you will see windmills in the middle of fields throughout the region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is so dangerous to the fruit – especially grapes.

11. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?

In September we celebrate the grape harvest with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated with over 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters. The celebration culminates with a free New Year’s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park.

12. What type of accommodation options are available in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers accommodation from 2 to 4 star hotels to bed and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to luxury.

13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Our signature culinary experience is, of course, Fallsview Dining. The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining Room, but the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and the Watermark Restaurant all boast excellent food with a view. Dining at the brink of the Falls is also available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake the vineyard cafes and restaurants are some of the best in Southern Ontario. The chefs in these restaurants pride themselves in offering recipes featuring meats and produce grown in the Niagara Region.

14. Please tell us about the shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.

Canada One Factory Outlet, the Fallsview Galleria, the Penn Centre and Niagara Square Malls are all within 15 minutes of the Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake has many quaint one-of-a-kind shops to choose from as well.

15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available in and around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?

Niagara Falls has many hiking, biking and roller-blading trails. Water-based sports such as boating, sailing and fishing are also huge draws for us. Niagara Region is also gaining renown as Canada’s Golf Capital. We have over 48 Golf Courses – both public and private. Several are PGA quality and have been designed by leading course architects. John Daly and Greg Norman have both designed courses in the region.

16. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?

The biggest news for Niagara Falls is the announcement of a new Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized as we speak, but they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We are expecting the opening to happen some time in 2010. In short, it’s an exciting time to be part of Niagara Falls’ Tourism Industry.

Thank you, Anna, for your taking the time to provide us with this comprehensive information about Niagara Falls. You have given me some great ideas for a summer getaway and I look forward to visiting Niagara Falls again.

Fountain Hills is just east of North Scottsdale. The scenery is stunning, the people are friendly, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. Many people are attracted to Fountain Hills for several reasons. Several times a day an enormous fountain in the middle of a lake shoots water hundreds of feet high that can be seen for miles around. This is perhaps the main feature of Fountain Hills and the biggest tourist attraction. Around this lake each year there are several festivities, art shows, fire works, and much more. This peaceful community is certainly upscale luxury living.

When purchasing a home in Fountain Hills, it is important to find a Realtor that knows the area well, knows how to negotiate contracts aggressively to save you money, and can find what you are looking for. The difference between a terrible Realtor and a wonderful Realtor could seriously cost you thousands of dollars. An experienced Realtor is a must. Keep in mind, at any time while reading this article you can view all homes for sale in Fountain Hills by clicking on the website associated with this article, then clicking on property search. You can search by city, zip code, price, square footage, and much more. You can view any home for sale in Arizona here.

When selling property in Fountain Hill the same principles apply. You must get a Realtor that can price your home correctly, market your home effectively, and answer all of your questions. If you are moving from Fountain Hills to another area of Arizona, you want to make sure that you Realtor coordinates the two transactions so that you are not left living in a hotel between transactions. This process can be very tricky. Let a professional Realtor handle this for you. You may find such a Realtor by clicking on the link associated with this article.

When buying or selling, it is extremely important that you are properly protected. Did you know that when selling, there are free programs available to put your home under warranty through the duration of the listing? For example, if your air conditioning unit breaks during your listing, this warranty plan will cover you so you do not have to claim such a tragedy on your home owners insurance. Many Realtors do not even know about these types of programs nor do they even offer such programs. Realtors are not allowed by law to give tax advise to clients in Arizona, but we can show you articles written by accountants that show you how to maximize your tax write offs. You would be surprised when moving, what you can and can not write off on your taxes. Many Realtors barely know how to do their own taxes let alone show you the right resources to maximize your savings. There is much you can gain from using an experienced Realtor and an enormous amount of money to be saved.

If you have been thinking about buying or selling a home in Arizona, you are in the right spot. We specialize in communities such as DC Ranch, Silver Leaf, Troon, McCormick Ranch, McDowell Mountain Ranch, Fountain Hills, Grayhawk, Legend Trail, Ancala, Desert Mountain, Desert Ridge and the Scottsdale Kierland area. However, we help people buy and sell homes all over the state of Arizona. If you have any questions regarding buying, selling, or leasing property in Arizona please contact us anytime.

The absolute best hotel I have ever stayed at was the Hyatt Harborside, in Boston, Ma. It’s on the airport property and to look at it, it’s attractive; not too overbearing or ostentatious. It looks like a regular, upper-class-level-chain, hotel. When you walk into the front doors, be prepared to have your breath taken away by the most spectacular view of the Boston skyline that you will ever see.

As you walk through the front doors, and you’re standing in the area directly in front of the front desk, take a minute and (keeping your feet planted on the floor) look up at the gorgeous ceiling. It is worth the moment it will take to simply look up, you’ll know what I mean, immediately.

In a matter of six months I spent four weekends at the Hyatt Harborside, in Boston, MA, and after my first stay, I couldn’t wait to get back for the next!

There isn’t a single thing about that hotel that doesn’t portray a sense of “class.” It’s elegant, and inviting, and the view, from the back of the hotel, which looks over to Rowe’s Wharf in Boston, is worth the price of admission. On each of my visits I had with me, my trusted camera, and I found myself taking hundreds of photos of everything I could, from the water as it hit up against the wall, to the sailboats, out in full force on a Saturday morning, to the ferry that goes right from the hotel to Rowe’s Wharf. Because of the location of the hotel, if you were to walk through the lobby, and out the doors to the hotel park that faces the Boston skyline, and you were to look to your right, you would be treated to a glimpse of East Boston, and it’s tight-knit, tight-fit, triple deckers with back porches that all seem to have laundry hanging on a line. East Boston is rich with tradition and culture and it is a bonus the Hyatt Harborside offers.

I am going to admit, right now, that for every night I spent at the hotel, I was blessed with a city view from each of my rooms. I cannot say what the rooms on the other side of the building have as far as a view, but if you enjoy airplanes, you’re looking right into the back window of Logan International Airport. It’s a busy place and there’s always a moving object to catch your eye and draw your attention. I, however, walked into each of the rooms I rented, walked from the door, past the bathroom and huge king-sized bed, to the window which ran practically the length of the room, and just stared, once again, at the most beautiful view of downtown Boston I’ve ever seen.

All of that said; I wouldn’t be doing the hotel justice if I didn’t comment on the staff at the hotel; they are exceptional at what they do. There wasn’t a single employee that I dealt with, on each of my stays, who didn’t go out of their way to accommodate my request, check-in to see if I had everything I needed or just give the best customer service I’ve ever experienced (consistently) while at a hotel. Their management and training staff should be commended.

If you get the chance to head to Bean Town, do yourself a favor and book your hotel at the Hyatt Harborside, Logan International Airport, and treat yourself to the best “stay” in town!