From April 17-22, venues around Scottsdale will help put on the 34th annual culinary festival. In addition to all the good eats, what makes this event stand out is its commitment to the Scottsdale League for the Arts. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting creative programs in the local area.

To help raise money for the league, the festival will host a series of fun events, including the Burger Battle, the Wine Country Brunch and Bubbles & Bliss. Meanwhile, two of the Travel Channel’s biggest stars, Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods, and Adam Richman of Man v. Food, will be in attendance to meet their fans and talk about their careers.

For foodies staying at vacation rentals in the area, the Great Arizona Picnic may be the festival’s most exciting event. On April 21 and 22, attendees can visit more than 50 exhibitors and dig into everything from hot dogs and pizza to Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Just a short drive away from Palm Springs in the city of Palm Desert, shoppers will find what has been referred to as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert. This is due to the fact that El Paseo offers a mile’s worth of shops, eateries and other attractions.

In fact, what is meant to be a quick shopping trip may turn into a full-day event, as El Paseo is home to more than 300 shops. While visiting this area, guests at nearby condo rentals can search the racks at Saks Fifth Avenue, try on a new pair of shoes at Mephisto or pick up a present for a loved one at De Luca Jewelers.

If travelers would prefer to save their money, they can simply enjoy the more than 20 art galleries that can be found at El Paseo. Whether they stop in at the Adagio, CODA or Edenhurst galleries, they have a chance to view the works of local artists.

On a visit to the massive SkyWheel, travelers have a chance to ride the tallest Ferris wheel east of the Mississippi River. The structure rises 200-feet above sea level, which means its passengers get to take in amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Unlike traditional Ferris wheels, the SkyWheel features 42 fully enclosed gondolas that are not only climate controlled, but help create a unique light show every night. The attraction is still relatively new to this popular tourist spot, having just opened in May 2011. As a result, travelers who stayed at Myrtle Beach vacation rentals before then will want to consider a return.

The SkyWheel is located at Myrtle Beach’s Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade, which means there is plenty to do after travelers step out of their gondola. For instance, they can grab a bite to eat at the Landshark Bar & Grill, or do a little shopping at the Coastal Grand Mall.

The theater company was founded in partnership with the University of Central Florida and provides both entertainment and education for individuals in the local area. At the venue, the focus is on building a relationship between the actors on stage and the audience.

Shakespeare fans who are staying at vacation rentals in the area have until March 17 to see the company’s take on the classic love story, Romeo and Juliet. Director Thomas Ouellette’s rendition of the play is already getting rave reviews for its intensity and passion.

However, just because the theater has Shakespeare in its name does not mean every production staged was written by the immortal Bard. In fact, the company is known to produce non-Shakespearian plays, old and new.

Between March 21 and April 22, visitors to the theater can take in a performance of Red, which tells the Tony Award-winning story of Mark Rothko, an abstract artist determined to create his crowning achievement.

This National Historic Landmark was founded in 1798 and gained the nickname, "King of the Missions," as it is the largest of  21 missions  in California. Today, a community of Franciscan Friars resides at San Luis Rey, but travelers are more than welcome to stop by and learn about this Oceanside attraction’s long history.

On a visit to the mission’s museum, individuals can learn about the Luiseno people who inhabited the Oceanside area prior to the Spanish taking control of the region. In addition, they will also see how the San Luis Rey area changed throughout its different periods of occupation as they view Native American artifacts and other fascinating pieces.

Guests with Oceanside condo rentals who visit the mission will also find the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego, which is still in use. Travelers may be interested to learn that these burial grounds were also featured in episodes of Walt Disney’s Zorro television series from the 1950s.

Now entering its 20th year, this musical event is scheduled to run from April 28-29 at the Clark County Amphitheater. Here, attendees will get to hear such acts as Boney James, Eric Benet, Rick Braun and Morris Day and The Time.

At the amphitheater, music lovers can take a seat on the grass, or relax in a low-back chair. Guests are free to bring their own food, or visit the festival’s Village Food Court, where they will find dishes like jerk chicken with rice and peas.

If travelers plan to visit Las Vegas and stay in vacation rentals at another time of year, then they may still be able to catch a show at the Clark County Amphitheater, or any one of the city’s other venues.

For instance, musical acts such as The Shins, Florence and The Machine and The Eagles will all be performing in Las Vegas this April.

This can easily be accomplished with a visit to the Sea Life Park, which is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Travelers will find this miniature paradise north of Hanauma Bay. Here, they have an opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of aquatic life, including penguins, sea turtles, and of course, dolphins.

Several aquatic activities are available to visitors. For instance, the Dolphin Swim Adventure lets individuals take a belly ride with one of these playful mammals, and even get a kiss at the end. The Dolphin Encounter allows visitors to interact with these high-energy animals while standing on a waist deep platform.

However, travelers who are looking for the ultimate park experience may want to participate in the Dolphin Royal Swim. This thrilling activity allows one person to hold on to two dolphins’ dorsal fins and go for the swim of his or her life.

After an exhilarating day at the park, travelers can return to their vacation rentals, get some rest, and return the next day for even more dolphin fun.

Now in its 4th year, this popular food festival will officially begin on March 23 with a Friday night kickoff party. At this event, attendees can enjoy Big Easy hors d’oeuvres and open-bar cocktails.

The real fun begins the next morning at 11 a.m., when the street festival opens for business. For six blocks, attendees have a chance to sample food not just from Louisiana chefs, but from across the country. Here, they can enjoy everything from Texas pit barbecue to a sweet slice of pecan pie.

Last year’s festival served up a wide variety of favorites, including dry rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken and sausage gumbo, jambalaya and fried catfish.

For those who still have an appetite after attending the street festival, there is the crawfish bowl. Live music and endless crawfish await attendees to this intimate event in the Cajun countryside. Of course, anybody who is too stuffed can always unwind back at their vacation rentals.

Now entering its 19th year, the festival will run from March 8-18 at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas Hazard Center. During this event, movie lovers can catch an assortment of documentaries, feature-length and short films from the U.S. and abroad.

As so many movies are submitted to the festival on a yearly basis, they are divided into sub-categories devoted to specific themes. This means visitors to San Diego can check out a few flicks from the Para La Familia, Cine Gay, Documania or Jewish Latino Films categories, depending on their personal preference.

At the festival, attendees can also participate in seminars and workshops that feature film industry veterans. For instance, aspiring writers may want to book vacation rentals in San Diego so they do not miss their chance to have their work critiqued by film and television professionals during the Nickelodeon Script Review.

When staying at timeshare rentals on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, travelers can head to nearby Tahoe City, where they will find Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours. This company provides those in search of an outdoor adventure with a chance to kick up some snow and take in spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours has been providing these types of experiences since 1985, and today offers more than 100 miles worth of trails through the Tahoe National Forest.

Tours depart three times a day, and are open to individuals at all skill levels. If parents want to bring their children along for the ride, they must be at least 5 years of age. In addition, all snowmobile operators have to be 16 or older and hold a valid driver’s license.