| <P>Talk to the modest traveler as to where in the | | | | located just one block from my hotel. |
| United States they would most likely want to visit and | | | | Americas Best Value Inn has all the necessities that is |
| you are likely to hear Orlando, New York, Las Vegas | | | | needed in this town. </P> |
| and San Francisco. Big cities | | | | <P>They say that everything is bigger and better |
| with big attractions have always been the staple of | | | | in Texas; and I'm not one to argue with that line of |
| good, exciting | | | | thinking. My next stop brought me to the |
| vacations. For the | | | | Lone Star State and into San Antonio. This |
| lesser known vacation spots such as Arkansas, | | | | live and vibrant city was like no other that I have visited |
| Texas and Illinois; is it possible to find as exciting a | | | | and with its serene valleys and rolling, cedar-studded |
| vacation? I ventured to find out the answer | | | | hills, it was no wonder why I fell in love with it as quickly |
| to this question; and what I found was a pleasant | | | | as I did. I stayed right on the Salado Creek |
| surprise to me.</P> | | | | and enjoyed the feeling of history that this place took |
| <P>Indian Harbour Beach, Florida is probably not | | | | me too. With 300 days without rain, there is |
| the first, (or a last stop for most) when you venture to | | | | never a short list of outdoor |
| the sunshine state. Places like Daytona, | | | | activities. The Alamo is nearly |
| Miami, even Key West take the bill here. | | | | impossible to forget as it is Texas' top tourist |
| Known as the 'Greatest Little City in Florida", Indian | | | | attraction. The San Antonio Zoo, |
| Harbour Beach is in Brevard County, Florida along the | | | | SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas are |
| coastline, offering everything that a relaxing vacation | | | | just a few of the other activities that this wonderful |
| epitomizes. Close to Orlando | | | | city has to offer. Shell |
| and to Kennedy Space Center it is a liaison between a | | | | Vacations Hospitality has all the information that you |
| quiet escape and excitement. | | | | need to make a real life cowboy out of anyone!< |
| Just minutes from the Melbourne International Airport, | | | | P> |
| this spot is perfect for getting away from the | | | | <P>My only stop in the great Northeast was in |
| everyday. I also have found the best hotel | | | | Newport, RI. You may be thinking if this |
| deal anywhere around Indian Harbour. The | | | | should really go on this list of 'unique destinations' but I |
| Lexington Hotel is offering a 3 day/2 night package for | | | | thought that it doesn't get as much attention as some |
| $97/nt. Including deluxe accommodations | | | | of its other counterparts; mainly because of the price |
| for 4 and a $20 credit to Doubles, their on-site | | | | associated with the mere mention of its |
| restaurant, this is the classic definition of a "diamond in | | | | name. With presidents being married there |
| the rough".</P> | | | | and others making Newport their "Summer White |
| <P>Another not so well known vacation spot is | | | | Houses" not only does it seem unattainable, there |
| located in Illinois and has some of the most beautiful | | | | almost seems like nothing more to do then to tour the |
| settings on the bluffs, high above the Rock | | | | streets and look at some insanely expensive |
| River. "The Forest City" as it is | | | | houses. But Newport has something for |
| beloved known; Rockford is an integral park of the | | | | even the frugalist of travelers. |
| Rockford metro area. Experience any of | | | | Along with being filled with culture, the city of Newport |
| the 50 excellent national golf courses or stay in touch | | | | has Cliff Walk, which is considered one of the most |
| with nature with a tour of the Anderson Japanese | | | | popular attractions. A 3 mile walkway that |
| Gardens, which has been ranked the top Japanese | | | | borders the shoreline and has been designated a |
| garden in North America. I was | | | | National Recreation Trail; and for lovers of folk, country, |
| lucky enough to stay at the Cliffbreakers Riverside | | | | blues music, the Newport Folk Festival is also hosted in |
| Resort which was located inside of 12 miles from | | | | Newport. If all this sounds like a big budget |
| loads of attractions, right on the Bluff overlooking the | | | | breaker, don't fret. I found a great deal on a |
| river. With prices starting at $129/nt, this is | | | | place to stay right in Newport just in time for |
| an affordable way to catch the wonderful sites of | | | | summer. The Newport Harbor Hotel |
| Illinois.</P> | | | | & Marina is everything that name |
| <P>Of course, Illinois and Florida could be two | | | | implies. Close to all the activities |
| places that vacationers might rank high on their list, but | | | | and some of the best restaurants anywhere, this |
| Arkansas? At first glance, I couldn't believe | | | | resort is one not to be missed. Use the |
| that this was going to make my list of out of the | | | | Exclusive Corporate Number: DUN, and stay at this |
| ordinary places to visit, but then I found Hot Springs I | | | | breathtaking resort for only $235. </P> |
| started to change the way that I viewed this | | | | <P>Heading out west, another little known escape |
| state. Hot Springs is the 10th most | | | | is Gunnison/Crested Butte, |
| populated city in Arkansas and as the name inclines is | | | | Colorado. With so much to do in |
| known for national spring water. | | | | this quaint Colorado town, Gunnison will keep you |
| The city hosts a number of art shows such as the Hot | | | | wanting more. Enjoy mountain biking and |
| Springs Documentary Film Festival and the Hot Springs | | | | hiking up the peak of Mt. Crested Butte for one of the |
| Music Festival. Other events | | | | most spectacular 360 degree views you will ever |
| include the Hot Springs Jazz Festival held in | | | | see. My stay was complete when I located |
| September and the downtown Bathtub Races in the | | | | this wonderful deal of $160 for 2nights. It |
| Spring. It holds the number 4 | | | | included ½ day of one of my favorite activities, |
| position of the "America's Top 100 Small Arts | | | | rafting. For all its worth, this vacation |
| Town." They also have a | | | | certainly will inspire your passion for the Colorado |
| Racetrack and Casino which, lucky for me, was | | | | Rockies. |