Branson Missouri...Enjoy a Smoky Mountain Christmas...and Get a Branson Hotel

Branson Missouri has slowly crept into the conscienseness as being a destination resort. Branson has been heralded as one of the greatest cities to in having the most shows and theaters. Well if you happen to be in the Branson area there is a great celebration that the people from this charming town of the Ozark Mountains Celebrates each year. It's called the Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration. The general time line of this celebration begins the day after the pumpkins are put away from Halloween and culimnates on New Year's Eve. This year, 2008 marks the 20th Annual Celebration of this Festival

Let's take a look at some of the great things to take part in at Branson's Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration.

Silver Dollar City - This is a Theme Park in the area that offers rides, entertainment, shows and great food. Further, the park is modeled and themed for 1880's America. During the Smoky Mountain celebration the theme park turns into a winter wonderland. Every night during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, Silver Dollar City puts on a wonderful Christmas Parade that includes floats that have over 100,000 Christmas lights combined on them. Imgaine pulling that line of lights out of a knot.

DollyWood - Named after the famous entertainer Dolly Parton, this theme park is just as wonderful for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration. This year Dollywood's theme is Babes in Toyland. This is a wonderul musical that has over 20 people in the production and is backed by a tremendous professional orchestra. The show is put on every night and will run to January 3rd 2009.

Last on our tour of Branson's Christmas Bonanza is the Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. I can honestly say words don't do it justice, because it really is amazing. The drive is called the Magical Christmas Wonderland and takes the tour of the entire city up to what is called Inspiration Tower.

This weekend you might be able to find some great Branson Hotel Deals. The average rates I'm seeing right now fora stay starting tomorrow, December 20th, are about $100 a night. Remember I said average, which includes the higher end properties. One of the more incredible spots is the Chateau on the Lake in Branson. Another solid property to visit is the Radisson Hotel Branson. Both hotels are offering rates in the neighborhood of $129 and $69 respectively.

For more information about the Smoky Mountain Christmas or for more information about Branson Missouri and all there is to see and do check out the link provided.

Christmas in Italy...Traveling to Rome During the Holiday Season..

Our gregoreous and happy go lucky purple ape, known to many you affectionately sure does love to travel. Oddly, as he was reviewing the posts to his blog he realized that he has neglected to talk about the beauty and style of destinations outside of the United States. Once again, trying to maintain a theme of reflecting on the holiday season our simian friend thought it would be fun to discuss both traveling to a destination outside of the United States and doing so doing the Holiday season. That is, what kind of traditions, fun, events, etc, etc, could the would be traveler find should he or she venture to a foreign land during the holiday season. We chose the beautiful and ancient city of Rome Italy.

If any of you out there have family or friends of Italian desent, or have the priviledge of being so, you can all attest that the traditions, feast and events surrounding the Holiday season for the Italians is bright, fun and festive. Oh, yeah, and the food is just incredible. Venturing outside to Italy itself does offer a slight variation on the traditions and foods one might find in an Italian American household or party during the Holiday season. If you do happen to go on a Rome Italy Vacation, and it is during the festive holiday season here are somethings to expect. What one has to remember is that Rome, as a city, is ancient and much of the traditions for Christmas date back to the actual Roman Empire era or antiquity. One of the traditions that was very common in Italy, but I have reccently found out, is that during the Christmas season the Holiday is ushered in by festivities including fifers, or to best translate, musicians that play a bagpipe type of instrument. The sound carries through the city and really offers a "feel" to the season. As I mentioned, sadly, this tradition is fading from the scene. Now unlike the United States, in Italy a decorative Nativity scene is the focal point of decorations in homes and around the city. Another difference in Italy is the legend of Santa Clause. Children in Italy still look fondly to Christmas to venture to sleep and but look to a female version known as La Befana. This Christmas gift giver is said to fly around on a broom but their night comes on the day of January 6th for the Feast of the Epiphany. The day to celebrate the arrival of the three Wise Men visiting baby Jesus.

There are many other great traditions, but you can see for each country a little something different and wonderful is a part of the tradition. If you happen along to Rome Italy, be sure to enjoy all the holiday has to offer.

Top Ten Office Holiday Party Offenses...

Well here at TravelApe.com the holidays are in high gear. Sure the economy has been sluggish but the Ape himself has made his way to the offices more than usual the past few weeks just to offer some extras encouragement. I'm sure I don't have to say that everyone loves him here. Travel Ape brings with him quite a bit of exuberance, spirit and fun. Well we're preparing for the annual TravelApe.com Holiday Party, and it occurred to me, there's probably no one event that could be the death nail to many on the job when it comes to these events. So I figured I'd offer my own bit of advice when it comes to going to the office holiday party. I hope these tips help.

The first bit of advice is whether you're required to go to the office holliday party. Sure to most employees, the office party is nothing more than an extension of work and therefore an extension of the politics, the rules and everything else that goes along with work. To some extent, sadly enough this is true. We can't always hope that the workers that work for us, will behave like adults. Party's are associated with fun, drinking and to some degree letting loose. So when it comes to the choice of attending or not attending, just know this...just go..unless there is some unforseen God awful thing that has come up and you can't attend, there is no way around management not looking into the fact that you're not there. They have put the time, effort and money to try and show their appreciation for you so by not showing up you're giving them a big flag as to what you feel about the company.

The second bit of advice is for God's sake don't go to the party on an empty stomach. This is just a big no no and as an adult when it comes to drinking. A full stomach sops up sooo much. Eat things like breads or pasta, or even a few glasses of milk, if your lactose tolerant. Poor Travel Ape isn't thats why I bring that fact up.

The third is dress attire. Why I even have to mention this is beyond me, but being around the world of business long enough and having attended my share of Office Holiday Party's I've seen some big missteps in this area. I'm not saying go out and rent a tux or go pay $5000 for a gown that one would wear to the Presidential Innagural Ball, but just be smart about it. No jeans..Maybe some offices are laid back and sure enough ours are here at TravelApe.com but put on a pair of kahki's if your a man and no t-shirts. The same goes for the ladies. A pair of nice slacks and a conservative button down shirt or sweater works great.

The fourth is try your best to have fun and not do business. This is definitely not the time to pitch to your supervisor, upper management, the CEO or Chairman your next great idea. The Holiday Office Party really is meant for just that..a time to break away from the drudgery of the daily grind in the office or work place and try and have time to mix with co-workers on a different level. By the grace of God if you happen to run into a whale of a client while stopping at the convenience store on the way to the party that's 100% sure thing, contract in hand and is worth big money to the firm, that might be the exception to this rule.

The fifth is a combination of a few helpful hints...Don't get drunk, don't hook up and don't dance like you're at a Hedonism Resort. The first bit of advice should be paramount, because it is no doubt the catalyst that usually leads to the other two fopaux's I mentioned. Remember you work with these people and probably outside your immediate family are the people you have to deal with more often day to day than anyone. I've heard horror stories where employees that have had steller careers for years at a firm, all to just smudge their reputations because of one night of one or two stupid acts.

The long and short is, I'm sure to most that have read the above, that common sense would seem to be enough. Sadly enough, and history has shown us, that it isn't enough. So for those of you that already know these rules of the Holiday Office Party kudos to you. Maybe you'd like to pass this post along to friends, collegues or family that you feel might find the suggestions helpful.

Vacation Pacakges, Vacation Deals and Resort Packages...TravelApe.com Has it Now..

I'd like to take this time to offer a little introduction to the newest members and premiums offered by the wonderful Travel Ape. TravelApe.com the official site of Travel Ape is now offering a vacation packages and vacation deals section. Actually, I'm speaking out of turn. TravelApe.com had the Vacation Packages section for some tim but some new cities have been added, in addition to having added some new cities. These cities include Cancun Mexico, Branson, Williamsburg and Myrtle Beach.

The exciting thing I've noticed though is that Travel Ape really went out to find some great deals for vacation packages and vacation deals in these destinations. First for Cancun Vacation Pacakges I'm seeing a deal for $199 for a 4 day and 3 night package with additional premiums. That's a heck of a deal heading to Cancun Mexico. What's more it appears that several other packages will be offered going to Cancun that range somewhere in the $199 to $499 price for comparable trips that are regularly priced from $799 to over $1000. The deals are very good.

The next newsest group of packages for a destination they are offering are for Williamsburg Vacation Packages. What makes Williamsburg Virginia such an attractive destination for travel is it really is a simple place to get to from many sources and directions, plus it's a great family vacation. The deals being offered are on average for 4 Days and 3 Nights with great premiums that include free meals, tickets to local amusement parks, discounts on all kinds of stuff. The rates for the Williamsburg Vacation Packages that I saw ranged somewhere between $149 to $250 for the 4 day stays. The property where these deals are offered are the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort.

One last place that is worth mentioning is Myrtle Beach South Carolina. It goes without saying that many of the best golf vacation packages you could find probably are offered along with Myrtle Beach Vacation Packages. Once again as I observed for the other destinations, the pricing and the offerings are incredible. For anywhere from $165 to $250 you can find a 4 day and 3 night vacation package and mix in a premium that you would enjoy. Participating properties where you can find accommodations for these Myrtle Beach Vacation Pacakges are at the Springmaid Beach Resort, the Golf Colony Resort on Surfside Beach and the Wild Wing Resort of Myrtle Beach. I've checked out all the pacakges coming out and each has there own value. It really is up to the traveler.

We are proud here at TravelApe.com as well as having Travel Ape be a very happy soul. There will be more informaiton about great deals each day and we'll be adding packages to the destinations we currently serve.

 

 

Holiday Season Has it's Highs...and Lows...A Tip of the Hat to Those Who Help...

A current theme of Travel Ape's posts have been toward the Holiday Season. There is no doubt that the Season is upon us now, as I sit on the East Cost and it is officially Thanksgiving Day. There are many things to look upon as this season comes, especially when it comes to tradition. There are foods, and events that many of us look to each year. Of course there comes a lot of travel with the holiday's too, and Travel Ape would be remiss if he didn't at least acknowledge that to be the case. We travel to friends homes, back to our childhood homes to visit with parents and grandparents, or to go for a special getaway to either a sunny island or a ski vacation. 

To many though, this season brings with it a great deal of malaise. It's a time where people who have felt loss or are alone, where this feeling stings the most. No one deserves to be alone during this time of year especially and there are travel programs for singles, or elderly to take part. 

To that end there are some unsung heroes that help people dealing with grief, and having had spend much time on the road, Travel Ape would like to acknowledge these people and the organizations. 

In the West Coast, out of Los Angeles California there is the Hope Unit Foundation.  Founded by a group of ten people that were spurred into action by a feeling that cancer patients and to a larger extend terminal patients were not be treated for the grief associated with their conditions. The HOPE Unit Foundation did just that. They have been recognized in California for their outstanding work in this area and are a fabulous group. If you live, travel to or are even in need of help like this in Los Angeles check out the HOPE Unit Foundation. 

Heading out to the East Coast, a smaller area, but an organization that really has become a shining star in the area of grief counseling is the Alcove Grief Counseling and serves the greater Atlantic City NJ area.  The Alcove is located in the town of Northfield NJ, which is just outside of Atlantic City, but the focus of the foundation is to counsel children dealing with a loss in the family. A service that can't be heralded enough. The Alcove has been able to collect millions in grants and contributions each year due to its outstanding reputation in dealing with grief as it does with children. As any of us know, the Holidays can be a difficult time to deal with loss, but for children it is a sin that should not have a solution ready. The members of the Alcove provide this incredible service.

The city of New Orleans was stunned almost 4 years ago by Hurricane Katrina, and in large part as a community has not recovered. The Seasons Grief Center has been providing help in overtime since this terrible tragedy. Originally having been set up to deal with terminally ill patients and their families, Season's has extended their service to help out with many in the community that are dealing with loss of a life they had. A life that had been decimated to nothing. For that effort and so much more Seasons Grief Center of New Orleans has received much official recognition and awards for this effort. For good reason.

There are many other viable and worthy organizations that probably deserve recognition for the same reasons the ones mentioned above have been. Travel Ape welcomes any posts to recognize these worthy groups. In the spirit of this being a mainly travel oriented blog and web site, we'd also like to suggest for those of you Volunteer Travel. This is a great way to get away and see the world and also help people.  

There is no doubt that Travel Ape is a fun filled simian and absolutely enjoys the holiday season. Travel Ape also has a heart and knows that many are sad and need help. 

From all of us at Travel Ape, enjoy your up and coming holiday season, if you're lucky enough to have a good life, be thankful for all you have and if you're not, know that there is a world out there that does care. 

Gobble, Gobble and an Early Happy Thanksgiving Greeting with Travel Deals...

It may be a little early, but Thanksgiving salutations from TravelApe.com and friends. The Thanksgiving weekend is absolutely the biggest travel day of the year, and for goodness sake, not having a post about it here at Travel Ape's blog seems too odd.

There's lot's to do and there are traditions that track back over 100 years or generations for families and communities alike. There's high school football games about community rivals that go back decades. There are family gatherings that bring people across the country to see long lost friends and family once a year. This truly is a great day and doing so in a country that tried so ardently and against the history of humanity, embrace success, achievement, a sense of community and hopes for a better life to be thankful in this way. This truly is Thanksgiving.

A few places that people may be traveling to are Los Angeles, where the sunny shores of the California coastline can welcome an outdoor Thanksgiving feast.  Another great place for travel or if you happen to be coming to visit family is Miami Florida. Miami is graced with a high Hispanic community namely Cuban, and a lot of Thanksgiving food fare comes with a Cuban Flare. How about going to the Bayou and traveling to the New Orleans area. The influence on food is most incredible in the New Orleans area and variations on appetizers, to side dishes to even the Turkey itself is almost artistic. Just think Cajun with Turkey...The combination is a home run. 

One of the most unique dishes Travel Ape has come across is the Turducken. This is just a feast for the lover of great fowl. It basically is a de-boned turkey that is stuffed with a de-boned duck stuffed with a de-boned chicken. The basting and what goes on in an operation of cooking like this is beyond words. Succulent is all I can say.

Traditions go along with Thanksgiving like no other. Even beyond Christmas, because Thanksgiving is a true holiday of the people. Religious, or agnostic, liberal or conservative or anything in between, for a relative many of us that live in this country, we are lucky. Lucky beyond are stars. Further, comes with it an air of lightness, not of a solemn nature, of relaxation, not stress, with a step back kind of attitude and anticipation of what comes with the up and coming season.

From Travel Ape and his friends his family, he wishes all of you an upcoming Thanksgiving and continuing holiday season. 

Holiday Traditions in Travel..Rockefeller Center New York City Tree Lighting

It's that time of year once again. Well officially in about a week from now the Holiday Season will be upon us. For many, it already has started, and usually is heralded in literally the day after Halloween. One notices this as some radio stations dedicate their broadcasting 24 hours a day up and to Christmas Day with all Christmas Music.

With all that of note, the Holiday season is full of tradition. Either on a per family scale or to a larger degree with things like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the White House and one of Travel Ape's favorites the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center New York City. Several years ago when Travel Ape was just a small simian, his uncle took him up to New York City and he attended an official Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. A day he's never forgotten and if time, his schedule and location permit he tries to make his way to the actual event. 

 The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is located in the area between 47th and 50th Streets and 5th and 7th Avenues. The text link provided in this paragraph offers directions, schedule and more information about this years tree lighting ceremony and event. 

Over the next month during this holiday season Travel Ape will be posting more info about other holiday happenings and traditions across the United States. If there are any that you want to specifically comment about or post, we welcome them here.

From Travel Ape and the rest of us here, we wish you Peace in this up and coming Holiday Season.