Vacation Ideas for the Last Part of July
- July is hot, there's no getting around that. If you want to escape the sweltering temperatures and high humidity, head north for a week on an Alaskan Cruise. Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Princess, offer cruise vacations to Alaska, where you can spend your time enjoying the cooler temperatures and endless views of glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Shore excursions include hiking, fishing and whale watching. When you're on your ship you get to enjoy nightly Vegas-style shows, a casino and other activities created by the ship's cruise director.
- If a cruise sounds like fun but whale-watching in the freezing waters off the coast of Alaska doesn't; try a cruise to a warmer destination: the Caribbean. Caribbean cruises offer entertainment for couples, singles, groups and families. During the day you can lie on a ship's pool deck sipping Bahama Mamas and working on your tan, or you can get off your ship and explore the shops and culture of the destinations where the cruise ships dock during their Caribbean voyages. Shore excursions in the Caribbean include activities such as snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing and swimming with dolphins. Children's activities are provided on all cruise lines.
- When you think of summer vacation, what's the first thing that comes to mind? That's right: the beach. Summer vacation just isn't summer vacation without a trip to the beach, and in the United States there is no shortage of beaches your family can visit. From Hawaii to California to the Gulf Coast and Florida to the Carolinas and up the eastern seaboard -- not to mention along the great lakes and on many lakes around the country -- it would seem that much of the population of the United States is near a beach. Depending on your location, your budget and your personal tastes, beaches in the U.S. offer vacations that suit almost any type of traveler's needs. You can rent a beach house, stay in a luxury resort, a bed and breakfast or a family-friendly resort, or opt for more budget-friendly options such as motels, vacation condos or camping.
- Theme parks are almost always a hit with the entire family, even in the heat of July. Orlando, Fla., is the theme park vacation destination for the adventurous. In Orlando you'll find not only Walt Disney theme parks including the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Studios, Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach; you'll also find Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. If that isn't enough for you, you'll also find Sea World, Aquatica, Adventure Island and Busch Gardens less than an hour outside of Orlando. Many hotels in Orlando offer children's programs so mom and dad can enjoy a night on the town, shopping at one of the many major outlet malls or the upscale boutiques such as Jimmy Choo and Chanel in the Mall at Millenia or enjoying the nightlife at Universal Studios' City Walk, which features bars, clubs and restaurants.
