Recreation vehicles (RVs) are “hot and getting hotter” in the current travel climate, says Arthur Frommer, one of the world’s leading authorities on travel. “Concerned about the safety of air and cruise travel, eager to remain within the borders of Southern Africa, multitudes of South Africans are turning to these elaborate lodging machines that carry the comforts of home onto the highways and campgrounds of South Africa,” writes Frommer in his recent online column for MSNBC and Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel.

According to Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), factory-to-dealer shipments of RVs increased by 20 percent last year and are expected to reach a 25-year high in 2003. As more South Africans opt for driving vacations, many are trying RVing for the first time. They’re discovering the freedom, flexibility and control that RVs offer.

With an RV, you’re free to go where you want, when you want—without the hassles of tight schedules, long lines at the airport and luggage restrictions. There are thousands of RV parks and campgrounds located along scenic routes and inter provinces, in cities and small towns—many offering resort-like amenities such as golf courses, tennis courts and lush landscapes. South Africa has one of the best camper parks in the world.

Travelers feel right at home on the road, because RVs are fully equipped with living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and baths. For added comfort, RVs also have rooms that slide out at the push of a button to create extra living space.

For those thinking about RVing for the first time, RVIA offers these 10 easy steps to get started:

1. Surf the web. If you are interested in camper hire, Helderberg Camper Hire offers the best rates on camper rental in South Africa. Their motorhome hire is also close to the airport. Motorhome Rental allows potential buyers to try RV travel and determine which type of unit best suits their needs. RV rental costs vary depending on the season and size of the unit. The motorhome is the most popular rental model. Helderberg Camper Hire also offers 4×4 Rentals in additional to class-B motorhomes.

2. Read RV buyers’ guides and books. Visit a local bookstore or library. Or search for RV travel books to purchase online.

3. Visit an RV dealer. Helderberg Camper Hire would love to assist you.

4. Do the math. RV travel is affordable. A family of four traveling by RV can spend up to 70 percent less than traveling by car, plane or cruise ship. Campground fees are well below average hotel/motel room rates.

5. Take your pick of RV parks and campgrounds. It’s easy to find campgrounds with settings and amenities to suit your taste. Campground directories available at bookstores and public libraries provide nationwide listings and comparative information on fees and facilities.

6. Get going. The RV driving experience is different, not difficult. With a little practice and proper attention to differences in size, height and weight, RVs are fun and easy to drive.

7. Talk to us – We would love to assist you in any way that we can. Just give us a call or email us. Details are found on our camper hire website.

Article written on 12 September 2005. Feel free do display this article anywhere on the Internet if you find good use for it.

Yossi Beja – helderbergcamperhire.co.za helderbergcamperhire.co.za

Ways to Discover Florida

For fun and adventure and culture, yes culture! Read on…

Here are Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

# 1. Fun and Adventure

With over 34 million visitors each year, Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. But if you are after more fun and adventure after visiting the theme parks at Disneyworld, Universal Orlando Resort and Seaworld, you should try the sensational Busch Gardens in Tampa, the world famous Daytona International Speedway and exploring the Everglades national park.

Don’t Miss a Space Shuttle launch…

Cape Canaveral on Florida’s ‘Space Coast’ is the only place in the West where people are launched into space. Being there when the Space Shuttle blasts into space is a truly incredible experience.

Don’t Miss Florida’s largest and fastest roller coaster…

Is Busch Gardens, Tampa

Prepare for the thrill of your life on Sheikra, Florida’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s tallest dive coaster. 70mph of pure adrenaline-pumping excitement. Travel 200 feet up and then plunge to the depths of an underground tunnel, with water!

Don’t Miss Bush Gardens Zoo…
With over 2600 animals, the zoo at Busch Gardens is one of America’s top zoos

# 2. Culture

Look beyond the more obvious tourist attractions and you will be surprised at what you find.
There is an abundance of architecture, museums, forts, art galleries.

Don’t Miss Historic Wrecks…

Pensacola has fascinating wrecks to explore. This includes the 500-foot World War 1 battleship USS Massachusetts, the Russian freighter San Pablo and an A-7 Corsair aircraft that fell off the deck of the USS Lexington.

Don’t Miss Art Deco Buildings…

Take a stroll down Ocean Drive, Miami, and enjoy South Beach’s Art deco buildings. Painted pink, lavender and turquoise, they line the palm-fringed walkway.

Don’t Miss a Driving Tour…

If you have a car whilst visiting Miami, do yourself a favour, and take a driving tour of Coral gables. Coral Gables Driving Tour isn’t just one of the country’s richest neighbourhoods, it’s a separate city within Greater Miami. Known as ‘The City Beautiful’ for good reason, its elegant homes line winding avenues shaded by banyans and live oaks. This driving tour winds its way along the lush peaceful lanes and is both relaxing and cultural.

Along the tour are these beautiful sights:

1. The Granada Entrance – a replica of the gate to Granada in Spain.

2. The Country Club Prado Entrance – complete with ornamental pillars.

3. Alhambra water Tower – built in 1925.

4. Coral Way – lined by live oaks and Spanish-style houses.

5. Venetian Pool – a beautiful public swimming pool.

6. Coral Gables Congregational Church – built in Spanish Baroque style.

7. Biltmore Hotel – one of the most stunning hotels in the country, beautifully restored to its 1920s century grandeur.

8. The Lowe Art Museum – contains European and Native American Art.

9. French City Village – one of several international villages built to add variety to the city.

10. Dutch South African Village.

11. French Country Village.

12. Chinese Village.

13. French Normandy Village.

14. Coral Gables City Hall

15. Miracle Mile – the district’s most important shopping street.

Other Bits of Culture:

- Hemingway’s House in Key West, where the novelist lived from 1931-1940.

- Little Havana in Miami – 3.5 square miles of Cuban culture and life.

- The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Museum (Sarasota).

- Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island – a charming Victorian resort.

- Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg.

About The Author:

Tim Burton writes travel articles for the popular
milkriver.co.uk/ Orlando Villas Florida website at milkriver.co.uk milkriver.co.uk and
worldwidevillas.net/ Vacation Rentals Worldwide website

© Copyright 2006 by Tim Burton

Article may be reprinted but must include the all the author information.

Somewhere along the way, you heard that Park City was a great place to visit. In the winter there’s incredible snow and well-equipped ski facilities, in the summer there’s lush scenery and all the outdoor fun you can handle. Film festivals attract the celebrities from time to time, but when you catch a glimpse of the majestic peaks sparkling with fresh powder, you’ll have stars in your eyes of a different kind.

You have a feeling that once you arrive in Park City, your vacation is going to go smoothly. You don’t need to plan everything now, but you know that lots of fresh air, exploring the terrain in various ways, and some high-quality sunset watching will end up on your itinerary. One thing, though, what about lodging? This isn’t going to be your average trip, so don’t make the mistake of booking average accommodations.

Unfortunately, on a day to day basis you may spend a lot of time wishing you were somewhere else. Sitting in the office or the car doesn’t always make you feel sublimely happy, so that’s why you must reserve a vacation rental in Park City. There are dozens of properties to choose from, each one suited for a different set of travelers, personalities and tastes. You’ll have fun just perusing the listings.

If you’re coming here with a group of ski-ready adventurers who’ll probably spend more time out on the slopes than anywhere else, a mountainside condo would be perfect. Ski off your porch to the nearby lifts, and find yourself ascending to an even higher altitude within minutes. When you need a break, getting home is no big deal, and after a replenishing snack by the fire or cup of hot cocoa, you’ll be ready for another round of exhilaration.

Deer Valley and the Canyons Resort are both popular picks, and for good reason. These high-class ski developments that well-maintained and spacious enough not to be overcrowded. You’re sure to feel comfortable here no matter what your level of skill as a skier is. Speaking of comfortable, your lodge will be just that. From the cozy sofas to the deck overlooking stupendous vistas, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the modern décor, you’ll love the feel of your temporary home.

And on a practical note, you’ll love the special amenities as well. A washer and dryer will minimize the amount of clothes you have to lug along with you, plenty of closet space will keep your ski gear out of the way as you relax about the house, and the pantries, cupboards and appliances will make whipping up meals no big deal. After you’ve stocked the kitchen with a few groceries and unpacked your bags, you won’t feel the need to get in your car for the duration of the trip. Forget about gas prices for a few days; it’ll be pretty nice.

Even if you plan to travel with a smaller group, or just your special someone, you’ll find a rental property that fits. Cozy cabins make trekking to the mountains a romantic adventure, and will do wonders for reconnecting with the one you love. A hot tub will create an excuse to truly pamper yourselves, and a wood-burning fireplace makes an ideal backdrop for gazing into each other’s eyes. All in all, you’ll cherish this time apart from the rest of the world.

Historic Old Town is another big draw, so if you’re more of a shopper and a diner than a hard-core skier, you’ll want to settle into a condo in this area. Also, this is a great place to be if you ever decide to come to Park City in the warmer weather, so at least take a look and get some ideas for next time.

If Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton sound like mountains you’d like to get to know better, and if you’d like to feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and reconnected to the sights and sounds of nature, then a trip to Park City will surely fulfill your vacation yearnings. Pack your ski gear or your hiking boots, either way you’ll find this destination to be high on vitality and low on hassle.

Go online to explore your options, and enjoy the process of learning about all the a1vacations.com/Utah-Rentals/Park-City-vacation-rentals.htm Park City Vacation Rentals that have been designed and maintained with travelers like you in mind. This is a hard-earned break from your usual schedule, so be sure to do things right.

CyberRentals.com is a good place to look if you’re interested in brightening your next getaway with a vacation rental.

I have fond childhood memories of my visits to many of the national parks out west with my family. From 1971 to 1977, we visited Yosemite, Lassen, Redwood, Sequoia, King’s Canyon, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, Olympic, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Brice, Zion, and Mesa Verde.

We first visited Yosemite in 1971, when I was nine. It was spectacular! This was the first time I’d ever seen snow-covered mountains. We stayed in Yosemite Valley, home to Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the United States, as well as Half Dome and El Capitan. We went on several hikes. I have been back to Yosemite about a dozen times since then.

Another national park we often visited was Glacier. We’d take a road trip up there each summer from 1973 to 1975. We stayed at the Many Glacier Hotel, the largest of a chain of seven hotels at Glacier and Waterton, the extension of Glacier into Alberta, Canada. The restaurant staff at Many Glacier performed music every night after dinner as well as a musical every summer.

Another one of my favorite national parks is the Grand Canyon. One day we rode about halfway down the canyon on mules. The Grand Canyon is also near Brice and Zion canyons in Utah, two other spectacular canyons.

Perhaps my favorite national park is Yellowstone. We visited there in the summer of ‘75 I believe. Unfortunately, this was the only time I’ve been there. I remember Old Faithful, which erupts roughly every hour, as well as several other geysers. I also recall the wide variety of wildlife, including deer, moose, elk, and bears.