Wilderness Accommodations

Most of us aren’t fortunate enough to live by the beach. The coveted coastlines of the world are a limited resource, especially those locations where the beach is accessible, the water is warm, and the sun is shining. Perhaps this is why beach resorts are so popular and successful. If you are considering a vacation, a beach resort offers a fantastic experience.

Imagine waking up in the morning with a salty-sweet breeze wafting through an open window. Put on a swimsuit and some flip-flops and meander out to the patio where a fresh mango and a cup of coffee await. Take a walk by the ocean, soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of the sea. Your entire day awaits you, with options like scuba diving, surfing, or sea kayaking. There will be plenty of time to read a book, maybe take a siesta in the afternoon after lunch, or relax poolside. Take a yoga class, go to the spa, learn to hula dance. As the sun sets, you stroll over to the outdoor restaurant for a fabulous meal, straight from the sea. A good night’s sleep prepares your body to do it all over again tomorrow.

There are as many variations on this theme as there are beach resorts around the world. If action and night life are on your agenda, there is always something going on at a beach resort. Some resorts cater to this scene, with poolside bars, and discotheques that stay open all night. Other beach resorts are small, secluded, and quiet. Choose one of these if your idea of nightlife is being asleep by 10pm. There are many beach resorts that cater to families. Ultimately, the experience you seek is out there – you just need to find it.

If you haven’t experienced a beach resort already, then the only question is, “What are you waiting for?”

If you are a cross-country wilderness traveler, it is important to have a site map that will guide you with all your travel needs. Bed and breakfasts are places where people can stay as transients. These places include bed space and free breakfast before a guest leaves in the morning. They are generally designed for cross-country travelers with RVs.

There are also lodging houses and resorts that offer special packages for short time travelers. Some travel agencies specialize in arranging such package tours for people who love going on adventures. Simply book the package you want and they will arrange all the reservations as well as other add-on tours.

Skiing - Jasper, AB Marmot Basin

Skiing has been around for a very long time. A 9,000 year old petroglyph from Norway depict a form of skiing. If you are going on a ski vacation, it makes a lot of sense to stay in a ski lodge. You will be close to the slopes, and you will be surrounded by other skiers. The facilities will cater to you with places to store your skis, waxing services, weather reports, and knowledge of the local mountains. You can also count on fun activities after skiing.

Ski lodges exist in virtually every ski town in the European Alps. They can be small and quaint, or large and bustling. Expect strong coffee, thick down comforters, and lots of guests. North American ski resorts have replicated this model to an extent, but the lodging and town may be several miles away from the resort. If this is the case, shuttle transportation will be available to and from the ski hill.

In North America, virtually every ski resort has a well-developed base lodge that services skiers during the day. Here you can find meals, drinks, a repair shop, stores, and a comfortable ambiance. There are some exquisitely built ski lodges that are worth visiting, even if you don’t plan on skiing. Bring a book, order a coffee, and relax.

After skiing, most ski lodges will offer refreshments – beer and wine, hot cocoa, cheese and crackers. This is a great way to unwind with other skiers after a day on the slopes. Many ski lodges also offer hot tubs, saunas, and spa services.

If you are a skier and plan on going on a ski vacation, you may want to consider staying in ski lodges. You will be close to the slopes, surrounded by other skiers, and have access to everything you need so that you can spend as much time skiing as possible!

If you’re planning a long road trip across the states, make sure you have a map to guide you where you can sleep comfortably during the night. Some travel agencies specialize in this type of travel to make your road trip hassle free. If you want to go on a college road trip, such companies can arrange school tours for potential college students who are scouting for the ideal university.

They can guide you to good bed and breakfast lodging houses and where to park when you need a quick pit-stop. These agencies also have guides to direct you where to replenish your supplies and fuel. Lodging houses have amenities especially designed for long travelers. Some even have spas where you can have a good massage and relax your tired body from the long drive

Image from www.owlheadcreek-bnb.ca/

When we first moved to the farm, we had grand visions of growing organic vegetables all summer, bringing bushels of apples to market in the fall, and spending the winter cozy by the fire, effortlessly home schooling our children and watching the snow fall on our 40 acres of paradise .  Well, it wasn’t that easy, and we found ourselves toiling from dawn till dusk seven days a week, all summer long.  When winter hit there were animals to feed, snow drifts to deal with, ice and frozen pipes in our 100 year old farmhouse.  The money ran out before the snow melted.  School curriculum was reduced to chopping wood and carrying water.  Time by the fire was usually spent in total exhaustion.

The idea of opening a Bed & Breakfast sprang from necessity.  We were living the dream, as they say, but it wasn’t paying the bills.  We realized that our biggest resource was our idyllic location and our rural, close-knit, family oriented lifestyle .  With a Bed and Breakfast, people could experience life on the farm for  about the same price as the motel in town.  And it was a hit!

Guests came from towns like Portland or Boise for the weekend, sometimes longer, to enjoy the peace and quiet of our beautiful valley.  Most, but not all, were already familiar with the Bed & Breakfast concept.  Some were hikers, hunters, or river rafters.  Others were writers or bird watchers.  Often they were interested in farm life.  Kids loved the chickens, horses and swimming pond. It wasn’t uncommon for adults to wind up carrying a shovel and pliers around after asking questions about fencing and irrigating!  Without exception, our guests were wonderful people and we truly enjoyed spending time with them.

For our family, operating a Bed and Breakfast had unexpected rewards.  All of us became very comfortable welcoming total strangers into our home.  The kids became adept at introducing themselves, shaking hands and looking people in the eye.  Even our Dalmatian, Tucker, enjoyed socializing with guests – usually just after mealtime.  Overall, turning our farm into a Bed and Breakfast helped remind us of how lucky we were to live in a beautiful place, close to nature, close to each other, and far away from the crowds.

I travel a lot by myself, and often am required to stay in hotels, often near the airport.  Standard features, stale air and anonymity make for very forgettable experiences, to say the least.  No matter how friendly the staff, how many cable channels, or how fast the wi-fi connection, I am left with a sterile, disconnected feeling.

A few years ago I began exploring other lodging options, including the Bed and

Breakfast.  What an adventure!  I remember the first one, a Bed and Breakfast in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.  Not only did I get a comfortable bed and a breakfast fit for a king, but I met fascinating guests from all around the US, Belgium and Switzerland.

The owners had an interesting story as well – having retired from busy careers in New York, they made a choice to slow down.  Now he tinkers around the house, she fluffs pillows and they spend lots of time in the kitchen together preparing meals and getting to know their guests.  I suspect he may actually be using the Bed and Breakfast as a cover for a job with the CIA, but that’s another story.

One day I had a free morning and joined a small group of graduate students from Indiana University on a trip to the Smithsonian, taking in the sights along the way. What fun. That evening we felt like old friends, sitting on the covered porch in the warm spring air, sharing highlights from the day, and exchanging contact information. The Bed and Breakfast owners surprised us with freshly baked ginger snaps and mint julips. A great combination, by the way.

Leaving Washington, I felt happy. Even though this had been a business trip, staying in a Bed and Breakfast allowed me to connect with fellow human beings in a natural setting. I was well-rested. I hadn’t watched any television. I felt like I had a sense for what it’s like to actually live in Washington, DC and, best of all, I now have friends in Indiana!

Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) come in just about every shape and size, from a standard van to a 2 bedroom house.  Even the smallest RV’s have basic amenities – bed, kitchen, bath, storage and entertainment.  These things allow you to feel at home no matter where you are.  When it is time to park, there are some key ingredients that will make your RV Campsite really special.

First, your RV Campsite needs to be safe.  Treacherous roads are usually not worth the risk of damaging your RV or getting stuck.  Consider the weather, or the possibility of a mechanical problem with your vehicle if you are going into remote country.  A city street may seem OK during the day, but it might not feel comfortable at night.

Depending on how long you are staying, your RV Campsite needs to meet your needs in terms of hookups.  If you are using a lot of power and water for an extended period, you will need to hook up to these things.  If your ideal RV Campsite is in a remote area, you can bring a generator for power.  Sometimes running your vehicle can charge your electrical system.  And you can always filter, treat or boil water from a safe water source if you run out.

Finally, your RV Campsite should be in a place that you enjoy.  Do you like the ocean?  Then find a spot on the coast.  If you like fishing, find a campsite near a lake or stream.  Find a quiet site if you enjoy peace and solitude.  There are many campsites just for RV’ers if you want to meet like minded people.

Keeping these basic things in mind will help you find a good RV Campsite.  There are infinite possibilities out there, and some of them are really incredible.  An RV allows you to enjoy these places in style.  Happy RV-ing.

‘From the redwood forests to the gulf stream waters, this land was made for you and me.’
Woody Guthrie, who probably would have loved RV Camping!

If you are on the road and are looking for a lodging option somewhere between camping and staying in a hotel, then an RV (Recreational Vehicle) Park might just be a perfect fit. You get many of the benefits of traditional camping along with extra amenities that can enhance your vacation. The campsites will have full electrical and water hookups along with other specialty conveniences that can be difficult to find on the road. Whether you are staying all summer or just for one night in an RV Park, you will feel part of a community of fellow travelers, and that can help make any vacation memorable.

Camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors. Fresh air, open fires, and natural surroundings rejuvenate the spirit. However, the lack of creature comforts can be uncomfortable, especially when the weather is nasty, the bugs are biting, and there are no kitchens or bathrooms for miles around. Whether or not you own an RV, you will appreciate the fact that an RV Park usually has bath houses with showers and someplace to get out of the weather. Often, there will be a swimming pool, exercise/game room, club house and restaurant to enjoy.

If you are traveling in an RV and choose to stay in an RV Park, you will appreciate having full hookups for electricity and water, and sometimes even internet and cable TV. If your sewage tank needs to be emptied or propane tanks filled, there is usually a station on site for this purpose. Often the office will sell specialty items for RV’ers.

Although most RV Parks cater to travelers visiting for a short while, it is not uncommon for some visitors to actually be residents for an entire summer, or every summer for that matter. This fosters a sense of community and the social aspect of staying at an RV Park can be really fun. Give it a try next time you want a little extra!

If you are looking for lodging, you may want to consider staying at a Bed and Breakfast – a B & B for short. You will likely find the amenities similar to a 4 star hotel, and the price the same or lower than a typical hotel. The atmosphere at a B & B is usually quaint and charming, and probably run by a local family that can provide local information for your visit. Best of all, your stay will be unique.

Many B & B’s are renovated historical buildings with modern conveniences such as wi-fi internet access, cable TV, private baths, jetted tubs, and comfortable beds. You can always count on immaculate housekeeping! This is a gigantic step up from the typical roadside motel and on par with a nice hotel, but with far more character. The meals are home cooked and typically better than any hotel buffet. Unique, yummy specialty items are often on the menu.

Most B & B’s are family owned and operated, so your visit helps to support a local family. The local connection can be invaluable. Your hosts will know which restaurants are best, what sights to see, things that are happening in town, etc. There will usually be other guests staying in the house. It can be interesting getting to know them. And if you require anything special, say an auto mechanic or a doctor, you can rest assured that you will be getting in touch with the right person. In addition to a fantastic breakfast, some B & B’s offer happy hour fare – wine & cheese on the patio, for example.

These days, many hotels are virtually indistinguishable from one another. A visit to a B & B is guaranteed to be a departure from the homogeneous corporate lodging experience. You can find B & B’s in just about any town. Try one on your next vacation!

Beach Resort

Sometimes, it can be hard to plan for a vacation.  If you are planning for the whole family, you need to find a vacation spot where everybody can enjoy.  There has to be activities suited for every single person so nobody gets left out.  And if you are planning for a romantic getaway, you need to find a place that is quiet and cozy.

There are beach resorts that can easily accommodate a fun family and romantic couples as well.  They have lots of outdoor activities that everybody can participate in.  But there are resorts that are exclusively for adults only.  They don’t want children running around the place.  But wherever you want to go, you just have to research for the best place where you can enjoy.