Family Vacations

Hiking information for the trail to Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is one of the most popular destinations to one of the most oustanding waterfalls in the park. A few suggestions to avoid the crowds.....

Yes, this is the same Rocky Top that inspired the famous lyrics that is now the fight song for the Univ of Tennessee. This hike is one of the best hikes in the Smokies, especially if you hit the trail in June when the mountain laurel is on full display at Spence Field. Make sure to watch the video.

We're still a couple of weeks away before the Cades Cove Loop Road closes on Wednesday & Saturday mornings for bicycles. However, there are still many options for cyclists in the Smokies area. Article includes suggestions for road cycling & mountain biking routes/trails in and around the Smokies.

Each June in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains, a natural phenomenon occurs that continues to baffle scientists. During a two week window in late spring, thousands of lightning bugs flash in complete unison. Other than the Smokies, the only other place this occurs is in southeast Asia.

According to Chris Hibbard, the answer to that question is an emphatic yes. Chris recently learned of this law from one of the Supervisory Wildlife Biologists with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The law reads as follows...

Bear spray is illegal in national parks, however, individual parks can override this law using an instrument called a 'Superintendent's Compendium.' This explains why bear spray is allowed in national parks out west, but remains illegal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Check out the cool video of Bo Cox's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail from last year. The video condenses his entire 2176-mile trek into just twenty minutes!

Make plans now to see the world famous flame azaleas at the summit of Gregory Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The spectacular display of wildflowers usually peak during the mid-to-late June time period. The hike to Gregory Bald is a roundtrip of 11.3 miles and a climb of more than 3000 feet, but is well worth the effort.

Los Angeles restaurant reviews and local insight on Hollywood nightlife, live entertainment, shopping and other attractions.

Low-duty on marine red diesel and duty on petrol creeps ahead.\n

This is a handy ferry between two of the Scandinavia's finest countries - stunning scenery is guaranteed.

On sale in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea and many more destinations! From US$35. Book online 24-26 February.

South Pacific travel destinations, airlines, news, maps, films, music, guidebooks, and tips for trips by veteran travel writer David Stanley.

Your gateway to Nanaimo, British Columbia, with travel articles and photos from across Canada.

Travel photos from 15 South Pacific island destinations, plus photo pages on beaches, buildings, cities, landscapes, people, ships, sightseeing, and trees and plants.

Cuba-Pictures.com is a photo gallery by David Stanley, original author of Lonely Planet Cuba.

South Pacific maps and travel guides to Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Easter Island, and more. The De Rienzi Gallery displays 84 antique engravings.

An island travel blog with news and views from the South Pacific.

A travel guide to Niue Island from Moon Handbooks South Pacific by David Stanley.

A Vancouver Island travel blog with news and views from the Harbour City.