Tourism Brandon

Just like in  most of our previous posts, summer vacations are a must. And on top of that, there are summer essentials that are completely necessary (depending on where you will be spending your glorious, sun-laden summer) for your trip. Here are just a few.

• Bee Hat: A bee hat may seem silly, but nothing would be worse than relaxing outdoors and get stung by a bee. Plus it keeps other bugs away too. What is not perfect about that?

• Hiking Sandals:  This way, you can enjoy the rough outdoors without getting a funny sock and hiking boot tan line.

• Outdoor Backpack: All the convenience of being able to take everything with you while looking great.

• Beach Lounge Chair: But then again, I am just partial to this sort of summer vacation.

• Sunscreen: Of course! How could we leave this off the list?

Enjoy your summer! I know I will!

I’m thrilled to say that I finally found the perfect gift for my classically-hard-to-shop-for-father this year.  Over the years I’ve bought so many power tools that I should be able to open my own carpentry business now, but I finally found something that I think he’ll actually use! 

He’s one of those Dads that always say he needs a wallet, and then you find 10 brand new wallets in his sock drawer.  I’m always struggling to find something that he never knew he needed, but what do you buy for the person who always buys themselves what they need? 

I knew that he liked gardening, in fact our entire backyard is filled with berry bushes and dahlias, and when I saw this I knew.  What better gift for a man who spends all his time in his garden than mosquito protection?  There may not be many mosquitoes out this time of year but come spring, when he’s out there the most, they’ll be swarming in the evening dusk.  

And as a bonus now I don’t have to listen to complaints about the ratios of skin to mosquito bites!

…now may be the time to do it. Of course we don’t really condone crime under any conditions, but apparently a tornado has knocked down some of the minimum security buildings at the Pasco Jail.

In light of the bad weather down in Florida and snowstorms in the northeast and midwest it seems as though the west coast is the place to be vacationing this week.

If you want a romantic, exotic, and adventure vacation all in one, travel to Costa Rica. This tiny nation has more to offer you than some other popular paradise spots like Hawaii and Mexico. With a range of topography, you can relax on the beach, climb a volcano, or catch one of the Costa Ricans’ colorful parties.

With a range of tropical beaches from the luxurious to the deserted, you’ll definitely want to bring your bikini and swimsuits to this tropical country. Try to amp up your exercise routine and shed a few pounds (with some help from Zantrex3) so that you’re fit enough to look good in your suit and can keep up when you’re exploring the forests or catching a glorious swell on your surfboard.

I would highly recommend this travel guide to find out the best time to visit, learn about activities and events, and get informed with helpful tips from fellow travelers.

With so many activities, Costa Rica is the perfect place for a honeymoon or a vacation for young singles and couples.

You know the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words?”  Well, pictures cannot begin to convey the actual beauty and splendor of a Swiss hiking tour.  One must actually experience the Swiss Alps personally in order to appreciate its richness and magnificence.

 Going on a tour with a guide is certainly the best way to explore the Swiss Alps.  Doing so will not only enable you to travel safely but to enjoy a spectacular view, fine wine, and charming chalets with new found friends. 

While the Alps are timeless, each tour is distinctive, with new faces, exceptional hiking, and phenomenal views.  Sounds perfect, right?

A few months ago I traveled to Brazil for two weeks with my family. It was the most amazing vacation I have ever been on. I don’t think you can get more adventurous than alligator hunting and piranha fishing in the middle of the Amazon.

I was just thankful that I had researched ahead of time, making sure that I had my malaria pills and vaccination shots. (I was especially cautious because my brother had dengue fever and stomach problems after spending several months there.)

I even bought DEET mosquito repellant and a bug hat, which came in handy during the humid days in the rainforest. I was definitely stylish during those day hikes through the jungle. But seeing all those huge bugs out there, my precautions were definitely worth it.

We traveled throughout Brazil, visiting Manaus and the Amazon jungle, then heading down to Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. We even saw the second largest waterfall in the world, Igacu Falls.

Overall, the experience was one that I will never forget, particularly the friendly Brazilian people and the amazing views from the Christus statue in Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema Beach, and the rainbows surrounding Igacu Falls. Luckily, I didn’t get sick while there and was able to appreciate America even more when I returned home.

How does a gardening hat fit in with travelling?

When most people think of gardening (or mosquito) hats, they think of gardners wearing them to keep the pesky mosquitos, bees, and other insects away from their faces while cultivating their flowers or veggies. Why would you ever take one while travelling?

Well, I have learned why. Let me explain.

As a seasoned traveller, I realize that there are bugs everywhere. Especially in the warmer and more humid climates.

I returned from a trip to the rainforests of South America not too long ago, and I was thanking myself for packing my mosquito hat, because the entire trip I was nearly consumed by mosquitos. The hat provided the needed protection to my face and neck, and it also kept the sun off my face.

If you’re planning on travelling anywhere where there is a high probability of mosquitos or bugs, I would advise you to bring the mosquito hat with you. It will save you from being eaten alive by some of the worlds largest and most annoying mosquitos.

If you happen to be traveling to the Mile High City (Denver, that is) over Halloween, you definitely should visit some haunted houses.  A Denver Halloween is known deliver some of the best, most frightening, and exciting Halloween adventures, with a number of popular and immense haunted houses focused on Colorado’s mining and cowboy eras.  Up for a scare?

Utah is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the West. Between the rugged mountains, the gorgeous lakes (including Bear Lake), and the exquisite settings, Utah is a top spot for destination weddings.

More and more brides are going with destination weddings because it’s nice to get away, and go to a place that is different from home. It can be stressful, however, trying to plan a destination wedding. There are many details, even for smaller weddings, that need to be taken care of.

Choosing a Utah photographer is very important because you want a beautiful record of your special day. It can be difficult to pick a photographer, though, because you can’t just go meet with them. There are, however, some ways to assure that you have the best photographer for your special day.

Talk with a lot of different photographers. Have them send you samples of their work. If you are having an ourdoor wedding, ask them to send you samples of outdoor work they’ve done.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to the photographers that have excellent samples, talk to them. Do you like their personality? Does it mesh with yours? Many times, photographers can be skilled, but if their personality doesn’t mesh with yours, the photos can turn out poorly simply because you or your fiance didn’t feel comfortable.

If you have a limited budget, this can be another determining factor for choosing a wedding photographer. Don’t let this be your only determining factor though. If they’re cheap, there may be a good reason.

Ask photographers for references. Ask to talk to some of their clients to see what their opinion is. If they have good references, it is likely the photographer will be good, and will do a good job of preserving the memories of your special day.

It is possible to plan a successful and low stress destination wedding. Take your time, plan ahead, and you’ll be able to have your dream wedding.