Alamo Reflections Tour

No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a stop at the famous Alamo. As the lasting symbol of Texas independence from Mexico, the Alamo showcases the story of the Battle of the Alamo. After a self-guided tour of the famous monument, tour guests will hop on a bus to visit the Mission San Jose, featuring the beautiful Rose Window and detailed stone façade; the Mission Concepcion, the oldest stone church in the U.S.; and El Mercado, a traditional Mexican marketplace where you can purchase authentic Mexican imports and traditional ethnic cuisine. Pick up your tickets for this informative tour on our website.

San Antonio Wine Tour

Visit the nearby German town of Fredericksburg to sip on some wine and gaze at the gorgeous Texas landscape on the San Antonio Wine Tour! While in town, you’ll have time to stroll through Main Street, grab some lunch, and pick up a few souvenirs before hopping on the luxurious mini-bus with the Hill Country Wineries as your final destination. Sample wine at the area’s wineries and relax the afternoon away. This fun tour is perfect for a romantic getaway, a girl’s day out, or simply a fun day out! For more information, visit this link.

San Antonio Hill Country Tour

Continue your getaway in San Antonio’s outskirts with the Hill Country Tour! Beginning in the aforementioned German town of Fredericksburg, the tour gives you the chance to really see the German culture that is alive in this Texas town. You’ll stop at the Historic Center, the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the History Walk of the Pacific War, and the Japanese Garden of Peace on this awesome tour. Whew, that’s lots of places. After sufficiently viewing the small German town, hop back on the bus for a scenic drive to Stonewall, where you’ll stop at former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Ranch. After touring the house and exquisitely landscaped grounds, you’ll head back to San Antonio. You’ll love the history, scenery, and culture presented on this fun tour of the area. Find out more about this tour on our website.

Laura Plantation Tour

Take a look at Louisiana’s varied history on your vacation with an in-depth tour of the Laura Plantation. Made famous because of its former owner’s memoirs and the plantation’s fantastic preservation, the Laura Plantation is a unique stop in New Orleans. The home was built by Creole Frenchman Guillaume Duparc who was a naval veteran in the American Revolution. He petitioned then President Thomas Jefferson for the land because of his loyalty to the United States during the Revolutionary War. Duparc received a decent piece of land along the Mississippi River for his plantation and construction began in 1804. As soon as the main house was built, the Duparc family began operating a sugarcane plantation on the surrounding 12,000 acres of land. The plantation is named after Guillaume Duparc’s granddaughter, Laura Locoul Gore, who was born in the house in 1861 and ran the sugar business until 1891 when she sold the plantation.

The guided tour gives visitors a 70 minute tour of the plantation. The professional guides have based the tour upon more than 5,000 pages of archive documents and Laura Locoul’s Memories of the Old Plantation Home, which gives an insider’s perspective of the Creole household and the reasons why she rejected the traditional confines of Louisiana’s Creole world to become a modern American in the 20^th century. The tour starts with a look at the Maison Principale, which is the large main house that was built in 1804. The house is furnished by family heirlooms and Creole furniture that immediately takes visitors back to the 19^th century. Move on to the fields and slave quarters where you’ll hear heartbreaking stories of the events of human slavery. During its peak operation, the plantation boasted 69 slave cabins, each a duplex fit for two families. Of those 69, six original cabins are still standing, which adds to the historical significance of this plantation. The plantation was saved because of these existing slave cabins and their historical significance in the Br’er Rabbit tales that were told by the slaves to their children. Visitors will also have the chance to see the Maison de Reprise, sugarcane plants, family cottages, and much more. A look into the lifestyle of traditional Creole sugarcane farmers can’t be achieved anywhere else. So be sure to catch this informative historical tour on your next trip to New Orleans!

For more information about the tour, visit this link.

Memphis Rockin’ Running Tours

See the sights while you run through Memphis with the Memphis Rockin’ Running Tour! Ranging from 3 to 6 miles, this tour is the perfect way to stay in shape while on vacation. Rather than hopping on a bus to get to Memphis’ best attractions, use your own legs! Designed for runners of all ages, you set the pace while your tour guide narrates the tour. Choose when you’d like to depart, early in the morning, mid-afternoon, or early evening,  then head out to see Cotton Row, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and much more! Tell your guide what you’re interested in. Whether it’s Civil War history, pop culture, or music history, there’s a great tour waiting for you in Memphis! Don’t forget to throw your running shoes in your suitcase for your Memphis vacation! For more information about the tour, visit our website.

Historic Memphis Walking Tour

Slow things down a bit with a walking tour. You’ll still get great exercise on this tour because you’ll cover one mile of ground during a two hour tour that will explore Cotton Row, the Magevny House, and more! Your knowledgeable tour guide will tell you all about Memphis’ involvement in the Civil War, Memphis’ impact on rock and roll music, and more! On the tour, you’ll see downtown Memphis, the Peabody duck march at the Peabody Hotel, the Court Square Fountain, Cotton Row, and much more. Pick up your tickets for this awesome tour here.

Memphis Ghost Walking Tour

After dark, discover the secrets of Memphis’ haunted past on the Memphis Ghost Walking Tour. Professional storytellers will lead you through the city sharing stories of Memphis’ most chilling ghost stories. Of course, this tour will require you to visit some of the city’s oldest landmarks and buildings. First up, the Orpheum Theater, which is haunted by the ghost of a little girl who plays the organ and tricks the actors. Next, head to Ernestine & Hazel’s in south Memphis. Here, you’ll hear the history of the former brothel and how it came to be one of the most haunted buildings in America. You will love hearing all about the spooky history of Memphis on this walking tour! For more information, visit this link.

Have a Fabulous Time Exercising in Memphis!

Skip the Line: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Walking Tour

Start off your trip in the Big Apple with a visit to Ellis Island. The big bustling city can be stressful and timely to explore so pick up a skip the line pass to see this iconic monument without the wait during your vacation! Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll hop on a ferry at Battery Park to shoot over to Ellis Island. On the way to the island, you’ll be greeted by the massive figure of Lady Liberty who welcomed millions of immigrants on their way to the United States in search of freedom. Your tour guide will regale you with the history, significance, construction, and restoration of America’s most famous monument, the Statue of Liberty, and the island she rests upon, Ellis Island. At Ellis Island, you can trace your ancestors to their arrival on the very island, take a photo in front of the ships that brought an estimated 12 million immigrants to America’s shores, and learn all about Lady Liberty’s construction in France. Then climb 305 feet, that’s about 28 stories high, to the top of Lady Liberty’s massive crown where you’ll get an incredible view of the Manhattan skyline. This tour, which lasts approximately 5 hours, should not be missed on your visit to NYC! For more info about the tour, visit this link.

New York Mafia Tour: Little Italy’s Mobsters, Gangsters, and Tough Guys

Get more NYC history on the New York Mafia Tour! If you’ve ever wondered about the validity of the Mafia, you won’t want to miss this tour. The Sopranos and The Godfather were both based upon the existence of the Mafia, a criminal group that draws its money from protection racketeering among other dangerous activities. Mafia members offer businesses and individual’s protection from danger in exchange for money. However, most of the businesses aren’t in need of protection except from the Mafia members themselves. In other words, it’s expensive bullying. Start your tour in Petrosino Square, which is named after New York City’s first Italian detective who managed to lock up more than 500 criminals during his career. Wander through Little Italy as you listen to the story of the Mafia and see the businesses that have been victims of protection racketeering throughout the years. See the site of John Gotti’s social club and his favorite Little Italy hangouts. Stop at the Curb Exchange, the bootlegging depot of NYC during the Prohibition Era. See Umberto’s, which is the site of Little Italy’s most infamous mob shooting. You’ll also get the chance to see the film locations for The Godfather and Goodfellas. You’ll be a Mafia expert at the end of the tour! For ticket information and the tour schedule, visit our website.

Enjoy a History-Filled Visit to NYC!

Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark

Cool off this summer in Gatlinburg at Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark! The park is built in a 35 acre mountain hollow making for a gorgeous escape. Featuring more than 23 slides and thrill rides fit for guests of every size and age, one day is barely enough to enjoy this wonderful waterpark. New this year is River Rush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster. This ride artfully combines the thrill of a roller coaster with the fun of a water ride. Hop in a raft with your buddies to careen down four massive hills, shoot through dark tunnels, and, most importantly, get wet! You’ll love everything about this awesome water coaster! Next, take a scream-inducing ride on Mountain Scream! Choose between a corkscrew slide or an aggressive quadruple-drop slide on this bad boy that leaves riders begging for more. Play with little ones at Bear Mountain Fire Tower, a fun playground with super soakers, small slides, and much more! Just remember to stay out of the way when the huge barrel unleashes 1,000 gallons of water at the top of the playground. Race your friends and family down the bumpy 300-foot slides of the Slick Rock Racer. Experience the thrill of white water rafting on Big Bear Plunge, a raft ride which sends riders through dark caverns, around winding bends, and through a curtain of water before splashing into a huge pool at the end. These rides and many more await in the mountains at Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark! For more information about other rides, height requirements, and park hours, click on this link.

Comedy Barn Variety Show

No trip to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge would be complete without a fantastic show! Featuring magicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, country and gospel music, and fun barnyard animals, the Comedy Barn Variety Show will leave you laughing for days. The Comedy Barn Variety Show is the home to the area’s funniest comedians so this show should definitely not be missed. Family friendly comedy makes this show appropriate for everyone, young and old! For ticket info, visit our website.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

See more than 10,000 aquatic animals at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! Upon entrance, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful Tropical Rainforest display where you’ll discover piranhas, freshwater stingrays, four-eyed fish, poison dart frogs, and much more! View the exhibit from both sides of a beautiful waterfall before moving on to see Systems Control, an awesome exhibit that shows visitors how 1.4 gallons of water circulates through the massive aquarium everyday. Next, face your fears in Shark Lagoon. See sharks from every angle in the aquarium’s awesome underwater tunnel that gives visitors a breathtaking underwater experience without getting wet! Before you leave, don’t miss out on Touch A Ray Bay, where, just like the name describes, you’ll have the chance to touch a sting ray! You’ll love learning about aquatic wildlife in this amazing aquarium! For more information, visit this link.

Enjoy a Marvelous Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Getaway!

Savannah Riverboat Cruises

See the city from the water aboard the Savannah Riverboat Cruises! Featuring several cruise options including sightseeing cruises, lunch and dinner cruises, murder mystery cruises, moonlight cruises, and more, the Savannah Riverboat Cruises have something for every age and preference. On each cruise, the captain steers the large boat past the Talmadge Bridge, Fort Jackson, and, of course, the beautiful city of Savannah. Most cruises include a full buffet including yummy southern food favorites, classic desserts, and drinks. Live entertainment is also included depending on the cruise. For a full list of cruise types, visit our website.

Paula Deen Culinary Tour

No visit to Savannah would be complete without tasting Paula Deen’s fabulous southern food. The Georgia-native developed her style of cooking while living in Savannah with her two sons. When she was sick of dead-end jobs, she started a catering service in her own kitchen called “The Bag Lady.” She used her two sons to deliver the food until the business was simply too big to operate out of her home kitchen. So in January 1996, she opened her own restaurant in downtown Savannah called “The Lady & Sons.” The Paula Deen Culinary Tour offers guests the chance to visit the eateries that Paula frequented while she perfected her own cooking. Of course, you’ll stop at her restaurant, The Lady & Sons, and her brother’s restaurant, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, where you’ll grab a bite to eat for lunch. You’ll also get the chance to visit nearby Bethesda where Paula married her current husband in 2004. Learn all about Paula Deen’s career success on your trip to Savannah! For more information about the tour, visit this link.

All of this and more awaits in the fabulous city of Savannah!

Thursday, May 16: Opry Country Classics at the Ryman Auditorium. Host: Larry Gatlin. Spotlight Artists: Crystal Gayle, Jim Glaser, Suzy Bogguss, Ronnie Robbins, and James Wesley. There are only two more weeks to enjoy this fun show! It won’t return until October 3, 2013. Pick up you tickets to this show here.

Friday, May 17: The Grand Ole Opry House will welcome Charlie Nagatani, Sarah Darling, Diamond Rio, The Grascals, Lennon and Maisy, LeAnn Rimes, Ricky Skaggs, and more to be added.

Saturday, May 18: Performing at the Grand Ole Opry House will be Corey Smith, Johnny Reid, Greg Bates, Radney Foster, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Ed Brown, and more to be added. Stick around after the show to meet Jim Ed Brown in the Opry Shop and get a copy of his new CD, In Style Again, signed.

Visit our website to see who else will be at the Opry House in the coming weeks and to purchase your tickets.

Enjoy the shows!

Water Country USA

Featuring more than 30 rides and attractions, Water Country USA is the perfect place to start your summer vacation! The park is modeled after a 1950’s and 1960’s surf theme. The best new ride this year? Vanish Point! This is an epic drop slide that was inspired by the point on a wave where gravity and water meet to form a perfect partnership. Riders have two options for this fun ride: 1. Step in to a skybox and take a 75-foot plunge when the floor drops from underneath you; OR 2. Lie horizontally on a 300-foot speed slide that drops you straight down upon entrance. No matter what, you’ll be screaming! Other thrill rides include Aquazoid, an 850-foot pipeline that you fly down in a raft at a speed of more than 20 feet per second; Big Daddy Falls, a whitewater rafting adventure that sends riders down 670 feet of flumes and tunnels; and Nitro Race, a speed slide that allows you to race your friends down a 320-foot slide in less than 4 seconds. There are also three splash playground areas in the park that little ones will love. Restaurants, cafes, and small markets are scattered throughout the park for hungry tummies. The park even offers swimming lessons and American Red Cross training to guests. Pack your bags for Water Country USA! The park officially opens its doors for the summer season on Friday, May 18. For more information about the park, please visit our website.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

After you dry off, head aver to Busch Gardens for more thrills! Busch Gardens is a European-themed adventure park that was founded in 1975 with the goal to provide cultural and charm mixed with 21st century technology. This culture and charm is depicted through 6 different countries in the park: England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and France. Each area is meticulously designed to match the architecture, culture, and landscaping of each country. Because of this dedication, the gorgeous park has received The National Amusement Park Historical Association’s “Most Beautiful Park” for the last 22 years! Upon arrival, challenge yourself to the 205-foot, 90-degree, 75 mph free fall of the world’s tallest dive coaster, the heart-pounding Griffon. A thrill seekers destiny, the Griffon is just one of five coasters offered at Busch Gardens. In order to bring your heart rate down, try out the Rhine River Cruise, a relaxing cruise in which you can enjoy 360-degree views of the park including a view of the roller coasters as they skim over the river. The park features several more rides in each country, ride them all on your visit! For more information about the park, visit our website.

All About Nashville Attraction Pass

This all-inclusive pass grants access to some of the best spots in Nashville! Use the pass to gain entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Music City Trolley Hop On/Hop Off Tour, and the Nashville Unpublished Walking Tour for one low price!

Start your vacation at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. The 37 million dollar complex is home to interactive exhibits which immerse each visitor in the world of country music from the 19th century to modern day. Currently, the museum is celebrating the advent of country music in Bakersfield, California during the 1960’s. It was in Bakersfield that Buck Owens and Merle Haggard created a new sound with piercing electric guitars and honest lyrics. Then, view the gorgeous costumes, instruments, and set pieces from superstar Taylor Swift’s Speak Now World Tour which entertained more than 1.5 million fans in 111 shows in 19 countries. The exhibit will run from June 6 to November 4, 2013. Catch the tail end of the Patsy Cline exhibit before it ends on June 10, 2013. Featuring fabulous costumes, personal possessions, vintage photographs, and more, the exhibit tells Cline’s story in her own words using narratives from her own letters and videos. Several other exhibits complete the museum including a towering wall which displays every gold and platinum record to ever hit the country music charts. Your pass allows 2 days of access to the museum so don’t feel rushed to see it all in one day!

The Nashville Unpublished Walking Tour tells the tales of music legends through historic sites and famous stories. This 1.5 hour tour tells the untold stories, assumed legends, and true stories of Nashville and the cast of characters who have called this city home including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Elvis, and many more. The highlight of the tour is a behind the scenes look at the Ryman Auditorium, known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.” You’ll also have the chance to see Ernest Tubb Records, the Silver Dollar Saloon, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, and much more!

Finally, use your pass to catch a ride on the Music City Trolley Hop On/Hop Off Tour. The narrated tours lasts about an hour then riders are free to jump off and on the bus at several stops throughout the city. On the tour you’ll see Bicentennial Park, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the famous Nashville Parthenon, and much more. When the narrated tour is over, spend your second day at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum because the trolley stops right in front of the museum!

Pick up the All About Nashville Attraction Pass on our website for your next vacation!

No matter what you choose to do with your time in San Antonio, you’re sure to have a great time full of lasting memories. Of course if you don’t know what to do, we’re here to help at Vacations Made Easy! We offer lodging, activities and more, which you can combine into a vacation package, all to make your vacation the best as possible. Take a look at some pre-made vacation packages that we offer in good ol’ San Antonio.

San Antonio Theme Park Adventure Package: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/SanAntonioTX/vacationPackages/SanAntonioThemeParkAdventurePackage.cfm

Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes the San Antonio Theme Park Adventure Package which includes admission to SeaWorld – San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and four nights’ lodging in the San Antonio area. While you’re at SeaWorld – San Antonio, you will have the unique chance to not only be entertained by marine animals but to also learn about them. Next up, you’ll get to visit with Bugs Bunny and crew at the Six Flags Fiesta, Texas. You’ll experience over 47 different rides ranging from children-friendly to absolutely extreme and all in between. And with four nights of lodging, you’ll have ample time to explore all sorts of other great activities in San Antonio, or just mellow out and explore the great food and fun culture of the area.

Vacation Experience Package: San Antonio Sightseeing: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/SanAntonioTX/vacationPackages/VacationExperienceSanAntonioSightseeing.cfm

Take the family with you for the Vacation Experience Package: San Antonio Sightseeing, providing you with two nights’ lodging as well as a trip to the stunning Natural Bridge Caverns, filled with sparkling tunnels and unbelievable crystalized formations. Walk along the cool, rocky underground paths of the Natural Bridge Caverns for a 75 minute tour complete with beautiful mineral pools. Much of the cave is illuminated, so you’ll be able to see the intricate detail carved by nature’s underground waters over many years. You’ll be amazed at the natural sights underneath your nose in San Antonio. And with your two nights of lodging, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more of San Antonio and make your vacation unforgettable.

At VME, we offer pre-made packages like these, and you can group together your own activities and lodging and create your own package! Come take a look and see what you can do in San Antonio, and get started on your vacation today! http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/SanAntonioTX/vacationPackages.cfm