North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to “Days Gone By”? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge… To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.

If you hate the idea of shopping, we suggest you “give it a go” on Ocracoke Island. There are no fast food joints or crowded shopping malls to assault your eyes here. “Downtown Ocracoke” is an array of simple stores and shops, and each of them has it’s own style and character. If you need groceries, there are two main variety stores that you can visit. There is a post office available to send a package or postcard back home. If you like flying kites, there is a shop that is dedicated to this sport…and island favorite. Oh, and we just love the relaxing walk through the tree-lined roadway…it’s a nice way to beat the summer heat…

Ocracoke has a historic lighthouse that was built by Noah Porter (a builder from Massachusetts) in 1832. It’s known as the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina, as well as the second oldest in the US. It is 75 feet (23 m) tall, and it’s diameter varies from 25 feet (8 m) at the base to 12 feet (3.7 m) at the top. The light from this lighthouse can be seen 14 miles out into the Atlantic. A United States National Park Ranger is on duty during the summer months. When a ranger is on duty you can enter the base of the lighthouse…but no climbing is permitted.

In conclusion, Ocracoke is a great place for your family beach vacations. It has a “feel” about it that is very hard to explain or describe. All we can say is that you will just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Beware though…you may leave your heart behind…

If you are interested in Creative Family Beach Vacations, you should definitely check out the article on Ocracoke at www.Creative-Family-Beach-Vacations.com

When seeking for the most desirable ways to pass your honeymoon on a cruise, you have to think of combinations: cruise ships and travel destinations. Today’s market offers you a wide variety of choices, and these multiply if you take a look at different packages and specials.

To start your quest to find a romantic honeymoon cruise, you need to determine your ideal destination or destinations. Right now, it is possible to find cruises in all parts of the World so you have a free choice of possible romantic places.

For some people, romance might include spending the day on beautiful sunny places, with a marvelous sea and exotic drinks, while for other people the idea of spending their honeymoon in a cold place like Alaska would be the perfect setting for passion.

Opting for a cruise destination is simple these days, online you can encounter lots of info about each one of the, the best time to visit them and the touristic attractions you expect to find when your ship docks. The magic of going on a cruise is that you can visit many places in just one journey.

Then, you need to choose a romantic ship. Here you can also use the Web to learn more about the ships that visit certain places and their romantic packages for newly-weds. These packages are paid as an additional to the normal cruise fare.

You will also find pages that talk about the most romantic cruise ships on the Planet! These are ships that equal to romance, thanks to its destinations and details. Among them are the Windstar cruises, Silversea cruises and Regent Seven Seas.

Of course, you’ll also want a romantic honeymoon cruise that fits better to your budget. A travel agent will be of great help in this stage, travel agencies online also will be great to do searches according to your specific requirements.

Finally, keep in mind that a romantic cruise will be determined greatly by you, the couple. Take advantage of this incredible way to travel to start your married life with passion, romance and excitement.

One of the” top- choice” ways to spend your honeymoon is aboard a Hawaiian cruise. Hawaii is a beautiful place on the World that has amazing landscapes, charm and the mystical magic only found in this group of islands. Read on to learn all about Hawaii honeymoon cruises.

To start planning your Hawaii honeymoon, you need to select which cruise line to take. There are many lines that travel this route such as Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Norwegian cruises among others.

You will also need to choose a departure point, and this will also depend greatly on the cruise line you choose. If you are looking to save money, choose a place that is close to where you are, departure points include Ensenada (in Mexico), California, Vancouver and Hawaii itself.

Hawaii cruises give you the possibility to explore romance while traveling to the different islands. Besides the big island – Hawaii – you’ll get a chance of enjoying the beauty of Maui beaches and of course the breathtaking waterfalls and cliffs you can only find in Honolulu.

Starting your married life on a Hawaii honeymoon cruise is a unique and unforgettable experience. Since the moment you dock on the islands, you’ll enjoy the warmth of this land and will be treated as a special guest.

Each cruise line will have its own honeymoon specials and packages. While some lines prefer to bring to the couple special gifts and souvenirs, other lines prefer to give a special detailed service with special touches of romance.

If you are from the USA, spending your honeymoon on a Hawaii cruise is very simple. You don’t need to have any special paper to travel to Hawaii, as your ID will be enough proof of your US citizenship.

A Hawaii honeymoon cruise will be the perfect setting for romance in your honeymoon. Be sure to enjoy it to the max!

Hiking in California during certain times of the year is so fabulous that you will want to go all the time. You may want to take a weekend or maybe a whole week to see the different places to go. There is hiking available around rivers, glaciers, deserts, the coastline and in the grasslands. Take your pick.

Mount Tallac offers you a 9.4 mile round trip hike at an elevation reaching 9.735 ft. The gain on this hike is 3.255 ft so make sure you have lots of water, good shoes and are in good condition for this hike. As probably on of the best trails in the Lake Tahoe region you will enjoy the stunning views from the summit. Even with the best camera you probably won’t be able to capture the beauty that your eyes will see and memories will retain. With both wooded areas and mountainous areas the hike gives you the diversity you are probably looking for. You will pass two lakes on this hike. The switchbacks are a steep climb taking you up to the summit which will be very hot, so be ready.

The Upper Yosemite Falls trail is 7.2 miles round trip with an elevation at the summit of 6,526 ft. The gain is 2,700 ft for this trail. The forested area will give you a cool area to hike in before hitting the flatlands which will give you the first view of the falls. The mist from the falls is a welcome relief from the heat. You have survived one set of switchbacks on the trip here and now you will face another before you reach the summit. This are is the most difficult of the hike with very steep inclines. If you are in super physical condition you won’t have a problem (although it will challenge you) but if you aren’t you may want to avoid the end of this hike by turning back earlier.

Let’s switch areas and go to Mosaic Canyon and look at the hike that is available there. The trail is just 2.5 miles round trip. It is best to take this one from December to March to avoid the extreme heat of the desert. Be sure to bring plenty of water, you’ll need it. While hiking on the mountains is fabulous so is canyon hiking. The canyon formations are beautiful. You may even see some desert life on your hike. This is the hottest place in the US so be sure to pack in lots of water..regardless of the time of year.

Back to the mountains and this time it’s the really high hike. Prepare for Mt. Shasta, the most challenging trail in California. The trial is 12 miles round trip and the summit is 14,179 ft with an elevation gain of 7,259 ft. You will work on this trail to see the beauty. The time to plan this hike is from May to mid July due to the unpredictable weather in the spring and the lava rocks and rolling boulders that come crashing down the mountain after the snow melt in the summer. Not only is this more than a hike, you will have issues with altitude sicknes if you are not careful so make sure you go with a partner for safety and practical reasons. Read all you can about this hike before you begin, it’s not one for the faint of heart.

For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don’t plan on “ice melt” for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen’s Lake is contaminated by urine…yes, human and animal. Sweet.

Half Dome is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to the elevation of 8,842. This is a great hike for between late May and early October. Because of the location, view and degree of difficulty people from all over the world come to hike at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. This is a day hike that challenges you so if you aren’t prepared with a great degree of fitness and lots of experience pass on this one. The climb through the switchbacks is rocky so be careful not to injure an ankle. If you reach the top of Nevada Falls (the halfway point) you will want to assess your skills and ability to continue on as well as adjust to the altitude change. To continue on be prepared to have a very steep, excruciatingly long climb to the back of the Half Dome rock. This is a most difficult climb with more switchbacks continually assaulting your body. If you have done your research you know about the Half Dome cables but you can’t know the shock and fear experienced once you are in front of them until you are there. Now you need to reevaluate your physical condition to see if you are up to the risks involved in continuing up. The view from there is terrific with Yosemite Valley below, but make sure you are ready for this type of challenge before you even begin the hike. It isn’t for the weak or physically unprepared.

There are a number of different types of trails to hike in California. During certain times of the year you can take your choice of mountain hiking or desert hiking. It will be so enjoyable that you may want to go for a week and try different trails or maybe you just have a weekend available. You can take your pick of hiking around rivers, glaciers, deserts, and the coastline and in the grasslands.

Mount Tallac offers you a 9.4 mile round trip hike at an elevation reaching 9.735 ft. The gain on this hike is 3.255 ft so make sure you have lots of water, good shoes and are in good condition for this hike. As probably on of the best trails in the Lake Tahoe region you will enjoy the stunning views from the summit. Even with the best camera you probably won’t be able to capture the beauty that your eyes will see and memories will retain. With both wooded areas and mountainous areas the hike gives you the diversity you are probably looking for. You will pass two lakes on this hike. The switchbacks are a steep climb taking you up to the summit which will be very hot, so be ready.

If you choose to hike Upper Yosemite Falls you will be on a 7.2 mile round trip hike with an elevation at the summit of 6,526 ft and an elevation gain of 2,700 ft. This hike is best if done from May to July because the waterfall is at its full force during this time and the view is beautiful. This hike will take you through a section of switchbacks through the forest and then you will enter the flat area of the trial with your first view of the falls. The mist from the falls will be heavy as you get closer and then you will encounter another set of switchbacks before the summit. These are very steep and the most difficult area to climb so be prepared to work hard here.

Enter the wonders of the desert with the heat and lack of water on the hike in Mosiac Canyon. Although the trail is just 2.5 miles round trip you will think you went further due to the climate conditions. After all, this is the hottest place in the US so it’s a challenge. Bring plenty of water to rehydrate yourself on this hike, you’ll need it. You might see some desert wildlife as you view the stunning designs nature created on the formations of the canyon walls.

If you want the most challenging trail in California you will want to hike Mt. Shasta. This trail is 12 miles round trip with body assaulting climbs. Not only is the climb a challenge physically but at an elevation of 14,179 ft at the summit and a gain of 7,259 during your climb you are going to experience pain you only thought about before. You need to plan this hike for between May and mid July due to the changing weather. In the spring the storms can hit quickly and violently and in the summer you are facing lava rocks that are nasty on your body and feet and the risk of rolling boulders that have come loose with the snow melt that will roll down the mountain and your chances of getting out of the way are limited at best. Not only that but you will face the problem of altitude sickness so be sure you hike with a partner for safety reasons and practical sense. You must be in superior physical condition to take on this challenge. If you aren’t, find another path to hike.

For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don’t plan on “ice melt” for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen’s Lake is contaminated by urine…yes, human and animal. Sweet.

Another of the biggest challenges for a hiker is Half Dome which is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to reach the summit of 8,842. You will need to plan this one for between late May and early October. Hearing about this hike at Yosemite National Park has brought people from all over the world here to take the challenge. Because of the difficulty of this climb (hike) if you aren’t in superior physical shape with lots of hiking experience behind you, pass on this one. You will face switchbacks that are rocky causing many ankles to be injured, be careful. Nevada Falls is the halfway point on this hike. When you reach it you should take some time to assess your strengths and skills before continuing on. The climb gets tougher from here on and if you aren’t ready for it not only will you be miserable, you can expect to get hurt. If you aren’t in good shape, turn around at this point and go back, you’ve still done more than most people. If you decide to go on know that the hike will be very steep, excruciatingly hard and long before you reach the back of Half Dome rock. The switchbacks assault your body during this whole phase and you aren’t done yet! Half Dome cables will both shock and send fear into you (at least they should) so assess your ability to go on. If you are sure you can, the success of the climb will give you a fabulous view of Yosemite Valley below and bragging rights for the rest of your life!

Planning a honeymoon should be approached with caution to make sure you both get the honeymoon you deserve. You should look forward to your honeymoon particularly following the fuss of planning your marriage ceremony. If you have doubts about what to arrange then try to obtain some advice from your newly married friends and colleagues and do some research about what is available. Never let anybody push her or his wants onto your plans.

You need to figure out how long you are going to spend on your romantic getaway. Will it be for a couple of nights to a few weeks. Consider your cost of your romantic getaway and when you want to take it. You can go on your romantic getaway straight after the reception, several weeks after the wedding,or at the wedding location. Also determine where you want to go. Do you want to go to a cruise, desert, the tropics or maybe a few locations.

After deciding on the destination then you need to research hotels and other accommodation options. Think about if you want to be staying at a small place with a few room, at an all-inclusive resort, in the heart of a city, close to nightclubs and entertainment, at a large place with many amenities, or at a place that caters to couples of adults only.

Will you be dining at gourmet restaurants, have your meals included with the accommodation, order in room service or resort food, go to local inexpensive restaurants, or prepare your own meals? Determine the types of activities you want to participate in whether it be spending quality romantic time, taking long moonlight walks, going to clubs and bars, seeing live entertainment or other activates.

It is possible to find affordable honeymoons if you are willing to travel off-peak as these times are always less costly. You need to let the hotel or cruise now that you are newlyweds as honeymooners tend to get special treatment like chocolates and champagne, candlelit dinners and flowers. The special attention and extras will make your romantic getaway even more memorable.

If you are on a budget you should look into doing some off-season travel as you can find some fantastic deals. Whenever you are booking your honeymoon for yourself you should inform your hotel or cruise about it. This way they may have some specials or extra for you that travel agents know about but you may not.

There are honeymoon packages available from many travel companies and hotels. If you are on a honeymoon you may receive couples massages, flowers in the room, champagne and chocolates, and candlelit dinners. Honeymoon packages are designed to be very romantic and if you are great options if you are unsure about what to chose.

Make sure to pay attention to the extras such as room placement and room options. Do you want bathrobes, a plunge pool, air conditioning, CD player, minibar, DVD player, king size bed or whirlpool bath in your room. DO you want your balcony to overlook a gorgeous white sand and turquoise water beach? A little planning can go a very long way.