However, there is another way to see the Yangtze River, a road less traveled, and it will be quite the adventure. How about hiking the spectacular Three Gorges of the Yangtze River? On a hike one may experience the Wushan Mountains with high peaks and beautiful cloud formations, traverse fertile valleys that help to feed China’s billions, and view the fleets of boats sailing the always busy Yangtze River.

Day 1 of the hike includes pick-up at the airport in Chingging and transfer to the hotel. Once settled in one will meet their guides to tour the city and see the People’s Great Congress Hall, the Chongging Zoo, and the ancient town of Ciqikou.

Day 2 one will be taken by bus and then a ferry to arrive at Fengjie town. Enjoy a boxed lunch en route and upon arrival prepare to hike the western end of the Qutang Gorge. This three hour hike features sheer cliffs and a view of the highest peak in the mountain range.

Day 3 begins with breakfast in the hotel and the hike commences at 8:30 am. Hikers will traverse fertile fields of corn, wheat, rape seed and rice paddies. One may see fruit trees blossoming in the spring or the gloriously colored maples in the fall. Hikers will also visit a rural school and a local farm house.

Day 4 arrives and this day’s destination is the Wushan Gorge. Hikers will walk ancient plank road and trails that are 32 to 50 feet above the river. The hike will take from six to seven hours. Wu Gorge features steep and awe inspiring cliffs. This is the longest of the series of gorges and hikers like to linger in order to see all there is to see. One may enjoy visiting Pine Tree Peak or Goddess Peak and arrangements can be made for visitors to stay the night at a local farm.

Day 5 and today’s 6 mile hike will begin at 8:00 am. The trail today runs along side a delightful stream. This inspiring section of the hike often attracts photographers, writers, and painters. In the afternoon hikers will summit the mountain, hike down the other side and arrive at a dock to board a boat and sail the Yangtze to Badong Town. Travelers will dine in Badong and stay overnight at the Badong Hotel.

Day 6 and today the trail will stretch between Badong Town and the entrance to Wushan Gorge. This trail is narrow along this stretch of trail, only about 3 feet wide and it may be rather harrowing as it rises 984 – 1640 feet above the river. The views are spectacular and said to be worth traversing this section of trail. At the end of this 4 hour hike a coach will take the travelers to the Three Gorges Dam and then on to the Three Gorges Engineering Hotel.

Day 7 and only a couple of hours left of this sightseeing adventure. Hikers will spend two hours exploring the river Yangtze Gorges Dam Project. Travelers will then be escorted to the airport to meet their departing flights with a lifetime of memories to take with them.

Undoubtedly the biggest draw in Orlando is Walt Disney World. This most famous of all theme parks entertains millions of visitors of all ages 365 days a year. Set on massive acreage, the resort includes four theme parks, two water parks, two mini-golf courses, a few world class golf courses, several hotels, countless restaurants and the glittering Downtown Disney area. It’s a dizzying array of spectacle and entertainment, but perhaps the crown jewel of entertainment here is the Cirque du Soleil Orlando show called La Nouba.

La Nouba has made its home in Downtown Disney for the last several years. Even people who are not guests at one of the Disney resorts will probably make their way to this purpose-built theater on Downtown Disney’s west side. The name of the show roughly translates as “to party,” and that is certainly the feeling that predominates during each effervescent performance. As a skilled cast of dancers, acrobats and athletes takes the stage, the audience holds its breath, knowing that something magical is about to take place.

Colorful costumes, imaginative music and the daring grace of more than 60 varied artists makes La Nouba an evening of entertainment unlike any other. It’s a night at the theater that is appropriate for every member of the family. Even people who usually aren’t drawn to the theater will find themselves sitting in breathless anticipation as trapeze artists and tightrope walkers perform for them with consummate skill. It’s not an experience that anyone will soon forget. In fact, many attendees buy tickets to watch the show again when they return to Orlando. Apparently one viewing simply isn’t enough!

The show runs about 90 minutes in length and is presented without intermission. Buying tickets, especially during peak seasons, can be tricky. Planning ahead and getting tickets well before the show date is definitely advisable and if you can book your Florida attraction tickets online before you go. Also keep in mind that many people leaving the La Nouba performance will flock to the Downtown Disney eateries immediately following the show. Anyone who thinks they might be up for a late supper or a snack after the show should seriously consider making dining reservations. This kind of advance planning allows for a fun, flawless evening.

With most theater experiences patrons need to be concerned about whether or not they are getting “good” seats. The great news about seeing La Nouba is that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. The theater is constructed to give the best possible view to the vast majority of the audience. With seating for more than 1600 people, the architects really pulled off something of a viewing miracle.

La Nouba should be a part of everyone’s Orlando experience. It’s the kind of entertainment that makes lifelong memories, which is exactly what the best vacations should do.

Fly into Auckland on the north island of New Zealand and hire a car. After you settle in to your hotel or self-catered apartment it’s time to head out and see the sights. You can take a self-guided tour of the city. Spend the day at the Auckland Zoo where you will see kiwi, wombats, and endangered species. A visit to the capital city is not complete without making your way up the highest building south of the equator. Stand on the see through floor panels while you are 328 metres high in the sky. Go sailing on the Waitermata Harbour. You can sit back and relax while your informative guide shares fascinating information about the harbour. While you are still on the north island, make sure that you spend a few days exploring the great outdoors. Take a white water rafting trip through the islands. You will get a huge rush of adrenalin as you blast in to the Grand Cathedral Cave.

Lord of the Rings Fans will not want to miss the day tour that takes you to Middle Earth near Wellington on the south island. You and your family will travel to 9 locations and see the Wellywood suburbs and take a stroll through the Hobbiton Woods and the Village of Bree. You can even stop for a cup of tea at the Chocolate Fish Cafe. The south island has something for everyone on thinking about New Zealand holidays. Take a 10 day guided tour. This is one of the best ways to see New Zealand, especially if you are short on time.

After you have spent at least a week in New Zealand, head to the airport and fly into Sydney Australia. Stay at a hotel in Bondi Beach, or rent a villa on the north shore. While you are in the city, you have to take the Harbour Bridge Climb. Even if you are short on time, you can still make the trek in two hours. While you are at Circular Quay, make your way over to the iconic Sydney Opera House. You can take a tour, have a bite to eat and shop for souvenirs. While you are in Sydney, spend at least one afternoon at the beach. Take the ferry over to Manly and enjoy.

A trip to Australia would not be complete without diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Rent a car and drive from Sydney to Frasier Island, Queensland. Take your time and stop off in Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales. As you make your way to the reef, spend a day or two in Surfers Paradise in Queensland. Don’t forget to plan a trip to Mount Tamborine and the hinterland. When you reach your destination you can unpack your bags, climb aboard a catamaran and get ready to dive in.

Gran Canaria has hotels to suit everyone, from couples to young groups, but a lot of families tend to veer away from the high rises and busy beaches of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles in favour of smaller towns nearby.

One such place popular with families is the small fishing town of San Agustin. This charming resort is conveniently located just 3km away from the restaurants, bars, shops and bustle of Playa del Ingles. The dark, sandy beaches in this part of Gran Canaria are sheltered from the waves and are a lot less crowded, making it easier to keep an eye on wandering children.

Another factor that makes Gran Canaria such a good option for families is the sheer range of reasonably priced accommodation on offer. While self-catered apartments are great for those wanting the freedom to do their own thing, all-inclusive hotels can be a better choice if you’re more concerned with visiting the local attractions, and don’t want to have to worry about cooking a big meal after a busy day at the beach.

With the weather averaging a balmy 26 degrees all year round, Gran Canaria is also the ideal place for outdoor activities. Families who don’t fancy going on foot can explore nearby Maspalomas by camel or jeep, and take in the extensive golden dunes formed by sand blown across the sea from the Sahara desert.

Other activities include an adrenaline filled day out at one of the island’s three waterparks, or hopping aboard a catamaran for a relaxing afternoon of dolphin watching. A great place to keep the kids entertained is Sioux City; a Wild West styled theme park where cowboys and Indians perform shows and re-enactments throughout the day. Visitors who want to explore the island’s flora and fauna can hire a car and head out to the mountains, valleys and caves of Guayadeque National Park.

With so many things to do in, there shouldn’t be any problems getting the children off to sleep – making Gran Canaria an ideal choice for parents who want a little holiday of their own at the end of the day.

If you want an action-packed family holiday that allows you to get the suntan lotion out, Royal Caribbean International offer cruises from Southampton to Spain and the Canary Islands during the winter months. The Independence of the Seas is a huge floating resort ship offering everything you could wish in the way of activities and entertainment, with a skating rink, surf rider, rock-climbing wall, water slide, West End style shows, jazz bar and much more. Plus you’ll be enjoying the winter sun with stops in Portugal, Tenerife, Barcelona and many other fantastic places. Other lines offering winter cruises from Southampton include Fred Olsen, P & O and Cunard. Although some require you to fly to or from your cruise ship, a world cruise on a transatlantic liner like the QM2 is hard to beat!

When it comes to fun family holidays, the Disney World Resort is also hard to beat. But did you know Disney offers last minute cruises from Orlando? Enjoy the theme park attractions, and then let the fun continue on a Caribbean cruise. The 4 Disney cruise ships – including two newly launched in 2012 – are like floating theme parks, with a fantastic range of attractions to keep kids, teens and adults entertained from beginning to end.

If you’re undecided between a winter cruise and a conventional beach holiday, why not combine both with a cruise-and-stay vacation? There are last minute cruises in the Caribbean that allow you to jet off to a top Jamaican beach resort, followed by a luxury cruise of the neighbouring islands. Alternatively you can live it up in style with a cruise-and-stay break to Dubai and the Arab Emirates.

The best way to see Hawaii is from the air in a helicopter or small plane. No other experience can compare to flying over a majestic mountain or volcano. If you prefer to take a more relaxed way to experience the natural beauty of this island, then you can rent a car and drive around to see what each island has to display. Another choice could be traveling by horseback to view the cliffs and streaming waterfalls or sandy beaches. Hawaii has beautiful sunsets that you will not want to miss after spending a day exploring the islands. You can even take a sunset sail to see one of these breathtaking sunsets.

No visit to Hawaii is complete without relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches. Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world. Just be sure to take along some protection from the hot sun while you partake in some of the water activities. You can try sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and even swimming. Getting wet in Hawaii is a reality when you participate in one of these activities.

Another popular activity to do on Hawaii holidays is to go biking. Rent a bike and go explore the islands to discover what Hawaii has to offer. You will need to take a few things along with you for the ride such as sunscreen, water and sunglasses. Put all these things in your backpack and you are ready to take a bike adventure in Hawaii.

Hawaii is known for being one of the best places to play golf. If you love golf, then there is sure to be some excitement waiting for you on one of the top designed golf courses. However, if biking and golfing are not energetic enough activities, then you might want to take a hike through a canyon or state park or even to one of the beautiful waterfalls. There are numerous trails for hikers to take to explore every part of Hawaii. Just be sure to take along a rain poncho, mosquito repellent and plenty of water.

If you are lucky to visit between November and May, you just might be able to see a humpback whale. Hawaii is visited by thousands of whales during this time due to the warm waters. Be sure to have a camera ready to capture this sighting on camera. It will be a souvenir to take back home to show your friends.

To complete your trip to Hawaii, you will want to take part in an authentic Hawaiian luau. You will sample some of the best cuisine as well as be entertained with some music and dancing.

The attractions at Hollywood Studios all have a theme based on movies, television shows, or musicians, which is fitting for a theme park celebrating Hollywood. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror offers visitors a tour of what is essentially a haunted house, the Hollywood Hotel. The thrill ride ends by plunging thirteen stories into The Twilight Zone. Guests can also get an adrenaline rush on one of the other many rides offered at Hollywood Studios. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith takes riders on a whirlwind journey set to the sounds of musical legends Aerosmith. The Star Tours takes visitors through the Star Wars universe in digital 3D, complete with all the movie’s most famous characters, such as Darth Vader, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia.

Another exciting attraction is The American Idol Experience. Visitors to Hollywood Studios can be on stage or in the audience of voters in this fun-filled experience that is an exact replica of the real American Idol stage. For true movie buffs who want to be right in the middle of some of the most famous movie scenes of all time, The Great Movie Ride is the perfect chance to ride a vehicle through recreations of some of Hollywood’s greatest scenes. The Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure allows visitors to wander through an oversized 11,000 square foot playground, giving them the chance to feel like they’ve been shrunk.

Hollywood Studios also has a variety of live entertainment that’s sure to please kids and adults of all ages and if you book your orlando theme park tickets in advance you will save money too. There’s the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, where guests can get a behind-the-scenes look at the secrets to filming vehicle stunts and pyrotechnics in the movie industry. For a Broadway-style musical, visitors should look no further than Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage. Guests enjoy watching the love story of Belle and the Beast as they sing and dance their way into the hearts of the audience.

There’s so much to see and do at Hollywood Studios that visitors can return again and again and still not see it all. Beyond the wild rides, exciting live entertainment, and thrilling experiences, visitors to Hollywood Studios can also choose from a variety of shopping and dining options. There’s something for everyone in all price ranges, from simple casual eateries to signature restaurants. Visitors can also do some shopping and take home a souvenir from one of the many stores located at Hollywood Studios.

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s eight wonders and is an outstandingly beautiful monument built completely out of white marble in a stunningly architectural way. It took 22 years to construct, employed 20,000 workers, and was completed in 1648 C.E. at the cost of 32 million rupees. Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan built this mausoleum in memory of his wife; his grave was added later. The Taj Mahal is decorated with an inlaid design of calligraphy and flowers with precious gems. The central dome is 58 feet in diameter and is 213 feet high and has four adjoining chambers. The huge complex also has a garden with four reflecting pools, a mosque, a guest house, and more.

Jaipur is called the “Pink City” because the city was painted pink when the Prince of Wales paid a visit back in the 1800′s. The old city is still maintained in pink. Known for its beauty and unique architecture, Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Sikngh II, who wanted to relocate his capital city to this first planned city of Northern India, which became one of the world’s best cities of its type. The Maharaja gave land and money to arts and crafts experts from all over India to get them to live there, and those talents continue to this day in painting and handicraft works, jewelry, gems, camel leather, hand-printed bed sheets, hand-made puppets, and much more.

If you want to see tigers and other wildlife, go to the 400-square-kilometer Ranthambore National Park, which has been a tiger reserve since 1973. At the top of a hill is the Ranthambore Fort which was built in the tenth century, and nearby is India’s second-largest banyan tree. Tigers can be spotted even during the day in the ruins and by the lakes.

At the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary you can see elephants being fed, view other wildlife, and enjoy this bird watcher’s paradise. Up to six people can stay in a hut on an island entirely to yourself, which includes a guide, a cook, and four tribal armed guards. Accommodation alternatives include a tree house in the thick of the forest or one of six Eco Tents that the forest department has put up.

Adjoining Parambikulam is Top Slip, where you can live in a bamboo hut in the forest and see elephants, leopards, tigers, bison, wild boars, monkeys, spotted deer, flying squirrels. and more. The only source of food, if you do not have a cook, is one canteen run by the forest department and a few small stalls.

Another unusual experience is staying at a family-run rubber plantation at Kerala in the Koottickal Valley, which puts you back to the way of life of the British planters 100 years ago. In addition to rubber, plantations grow teak, vanilla, pineapples, pepper, and tapioca.

St Ermin’s Hotel, Caxton Street, SW1H 0QW

If you are looking for somewhere luxurious to stay that St Ermin’s Hotel with its newly decorated interior is the place for you. There is a wide choice of hotel suites and rooms available to suit many budgets and you will be able to enjoy a wonderful steak or mixed grill with family and friends in the opulent surroundings. This hotel is one of the more top priced hotels but you will get your monies worth with luxurious fittings in each room, huge beds and wonderful bath tubs just waiting to be sunken in to after a long day exploring all that London has to offer.

Doubletree by Hilton, John Islip Street, SW1P 4DD

Located just a few minutes from Pimlico tube station the Doubletree Hotel is ideally situated for visiting the Tate Britain. Upon arrival you will find yourself treated to welcome gifts of cookies and warm wishes and you will find spacious rooms that are cleaned to a high standard and staff who are friendly and only too happy to help with anything that you could ever want or need while staying here.

Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7UT

If you are looking for somewhere stylish to stay then consider the Park Plaza. This is a contemporary building that is well decorated throughout and this extends to each and every room within the hotel. Doormen will greet you upon arrival and the staff here are only too happy to help with your whims and desires. There is a lovely breakfast buffet here so you can fill up for your busy day exploring and you will find lots of theatres and riverside attractions located near by.

Thistle Westminster Hotel, Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0QT

If you are looking for a reasonably priced hotel that is full of friendly, polite, helpful staff then the Thistle is the one for you. The decor inside the hotel is fresh, modern and this extends through to the hotel rooms. There is a restaurant here which allows you to experience some wonderful cuisine and you can even book tables to allow you to spend time with your family & friends and book it in advance to be sure of availability.

Westminster House Hotel, Ebury Street, SW1W 9QD

This four star hotel central London, like the others listed, is close to Buckingham Palace and the Westminster area allow for the ideal base to leave your clothes and refresh before another day of sightseeing and visiting attractions.

This is the ideal hotel if you are on a tight budget as it is generally cheaper than most of the other hotels listed here. You will still find cleanliness, nice rooms and good views available to you from this hotel but do not expect true opulence like you would find at the likes of St. Ermin’s Hotel.

Whether you end up in one of the more expensive, opulent, luxurious hotels on offer or one of the most basic you will be party to some of the most fantastic sights, smells and sounds as you experience some of the best attractions that London has to offer.

Remember it is a reservation only experience, and has a limited capacity of 1000, in a way. However everything is included; food, drinks and snacks – a great day out a Discovery Cove Orlando

Attraction tickets to Discovery Cove will give you access to the following –

The dolphin lagoon; the centre of your visit, where you can hug, kiss and get close to your dolphin for 30 minutes in your small groups – before you have your one-on-one swim with your dolphin through the beautiful lagoon. (Minimum age of 6 years.)

The grand reef; You can safely snorkel, wade or swim through the beautiful blue waters and tropical reef, teeming which tropical fish, rays, even with some sharks. Before taking walks down the waterside trails and bridges that will lead you to many of the islands on the reef.

Explorers aviary; just beyond the waterfall, you will find a vast array of tropical birds in a range of colours that you will have eating out of your hands.

Wind-away river; follow this river through waterfalls, lagoons and it will lead you to the aviary – but don’t miss the blues and lush greenery on your way down.

Serenity Bay; take a dip in this freshwater pool, either head in deep for a swim or take your time to relax on the white sandy beaches. Either way take your time, to chill out and relax in these warm waters.

Laguna Grill; the place for all your food, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Eat lightly before your swim or go mad for the sumptuous buffet lunch.

Discovery Cove has offers catered to your experience;

Ultimate Package:
- Full Day experience with 30 minute dolphin swim (if package
selected,)

- 14 day consecutive unlimited admission to SeaWorld, Busch
Gardens and Aquatica,

- Unlimited access to Serenity Bay, Wind-Away River,
Explorers Aviary and the Grand Reef,

- Continental breakfast, lunch plus all drinks and snacks
during the day,

- Self-parking all day at Discovery cove,

- Towel and Locker use.

The choice package is the same except; you get 14 day consecutive unlimited admission, to either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Prices

Prices vary dependant upon time of year that you visit the cove; for a dolphin swim choice package, it varies from £132 in February to £199 in August. However for the same package with a non-dolphin swim it varies from £86 in September to £113 in August. The ultimate package with a dolphin swim; varies from £162 in December to £227 in August, the ultimate package without the swim varies from, £116 in February and £142 in August. All prices are per person.

Conditions

Children under six cannot swim with the dolphins, and anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. However, more than one child can be accompanied by one adult. You must pick your date of visiting at the time of booking, and all bookings are subject to 100% cancellation fees within 30 days of your visit; there are also no refunds for amendments. Remember on arrival to bring your booking confirmation as hard tickets are no longer issued.