Planning the Vacation of a Lifetime

Many families take European vacations during the holidays, but travel isn’t necessary for you and your family to enjoy a “holiday of a lifetime.” However, since interests range so widely among different people, we will break this article in half and give you six top tips for a holiday vacation, and six top tips for general holiday wonderfulness!

Since the first set of tips does involve some cost (perhaps a great deal), the tips will focus on getting the highest value for the money, which is a bit different than just trying to spend the least amount of money. For penny-pinchers, of course, these tips will serve as pointers to money-saving deals and ideas. There is a lot to be learned about traveling on a budget, by everyone, regardless of what you want to spend.

The other “general” holiday tips will concentrate on bringing the family together, as opposed to spending money and not getting involved in any more than wrapping a present. The holidays are for kids and families, first of all, so there will be some ideas on how to have fun and enjoy other. Since most people get to the end of their lives and wish they’d spent more time with family, following some of these general, family-oriented tips truly could be a life-changing experience.

Affordable Luxury with Sceptre Tours

Sceptre Tours' Affordable Luxury package provides travelers with the ability to enjoy a 6-night stay at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt (located just south of Dublin) priced from just $799 per person including airfare and rental car! And now travelers who book this package by March 17, 2010 will be entered into a drawing where one traveler and his or her companions will be upgraded to the Presidential Suite for the entire week!

Considered one of the most prestigious suites in all of Ireland, the Presidential Suite at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is perched at the top of the hotel with breathtaking views overlooking Sugar Loaf Mountain and features:

•Master bedroom and a separate guest room
•Ritz-Carlton signature linens and featherbeds
•Walk-in wardrobe
•Spacious Dining room
•Living room and with open fireplace
•Separate study room
•Private rooftop terrace with stunning views and private Jacuzzi tub

•Private sauna and steam bath

•Recessed TV in the bathroom

•High-speed wireless Internet access
•Electronic finger tip panels for controlling lighting, curtains and air-conditioning
•Interactive TVs in the bedroom and in the living room
•Espresso machine
Yet for every guest who takes advantage of this package, they couldn't enjoy a better home base to explore Ireland than the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt which is also home to the restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt.

The Affordable Luxury package includes:
•6 nights in an interconnecting Suite with living room and Deluxe room at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt;
•Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin;
•Weekly Manual Shift Car Rental

This package is priced from $799 per person for travel February 25 to April 30 from New York, Boston (+ $20), and Chicago (+ $49). Travel in May from $899 and peak season from $1,299 (when airfare alone is over $900). Other departure dates are available through March 2011 at slightly higher rates. All rates are per person, based on four people traveling together, but the package is available for 2 to 5 travelers. Taxes ranging up to $150 per person are additional. This package is available from a variety of gateway cities across the U.S.


AVAILABLE UPGRADES

Travelers who truly want to make this the ultimate in affordable luxury, can opt to upgrade to the Business Class Special and fly Business Class on Aer Lingus for an additional $499 each way.

Also, a Gold Upgrade includes automatic rental car with GPS Navigation from $59 per person, while a Platinum Upgrade includes the automatic car rental with GPS and dinner at Gordon Ramsay Powerscourt from $199 per person.

For additional information on this package, click here or call 800-221-0924.



ABOUT SCEPTRE TOURS
Based in Lynbrook, New York and founded in 1981, Sceptre Tours is a family-owned and operated company with a philosophy of providing travelers an incredible experience to Ireland, Britain, Italy, as well as River Cruising, at the best value and with the best customer service. Sceptre specializes in offering completely customizable vacations which are bookable online in real time and offers escorted tours to Ireland, Britain, and Italy as well as river cruises, plus golf tours, walking tours, activities and group programs. To visit the Sceptre Tours website, please visit www.sceptretours.com or call 800-221-0924.

Edinburgh Castle

This most famous of Scotland’s castles dominates the city of Edinburgh. At the centre of Scottish life for more than nine hundred years, the castle was one of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom. It has served as a royal palace, arsenal, gun foundry, state prison, and as a place of safe-keeping for the State Records and Crown Jewels.

By the late 17th century the castle had become the principal garrison in Scotland. Barrack blocks were built and old buildings converted to military use. At the time of the wars with France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many prisoners of war were held here. Their graffiti can still be seen in the vaults beneath the Great Hall.

Today all the principal buildings have been restored and are open to the public: St Margaret’s chapel built in c 1130; the Palace where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her only child, the future James VI; the Great Hall of 1503 with its magnificent hammer-beam roof; the beautiful Laich Hall and the Scottish National War Memorial.

A principal exhibit is ‘Mons Meg’ the great siege canon given to James II by the Duke of Burgundy in 1457. The ‘Honours of the Kingdom’ exhibition traces the history of Scotland’s Crown Jewels and culminates in a visit to the Crown Room housing the Scottish Regalia and the Stone of Destiny.

It’s easy to see why Scotland is a destination to fall in love with. Imagine a wild and wonderful landscape plus ancient cities alive with culture, nightlife, and fun. From the enchanting mystery of the Highlands in North Scotland, the perfect vacation is easy to achieve when you stay at deluxe hotels. Imagine yourself at the beautiful Cameron House in Glasgow, the world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel, and the splendid Atholl Palace, in the heart of the Highlands. Stay at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews overlooking the most famous golf course in the world, where golf was first played. It truly doesn’t get any better than this!

Italian Winter Delight

Enjoy a leisurely exploration of southern Italy and all of its delights. Start with two nights in Rome, and visits with a Local Guide to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the excavations in Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Stay three nights in the bayside resort of Sorrento, and visit the Isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and Positano. On the way back to Rome, visit the Abbey of Montecassino.

One great aspect of this vacation is the guided walk tour of the excavations of pompeii! Here is a short history of what there is to see! On August 20th, the earth began to rumble and crack, and the usually calm sea gave way to giant waves. Horses, cattle and birds became uneasy and restless, as if they could foresee the disaster that awaited the town. Finally, on the morning of August 24th, 79 A. D. the volcano burst open with an earsplitting crack. Smoke, mud, flames and burning stones spewed from the summit of the mountain, sending a rain of ash and rock through the surrounding countryside. The mud seeped down the sides of Vesuvius, swallowing nearby farms, orchards and villas. Adding to the destruction were the mephitic vapors that accompanied the falling debris; the fumes first caused deliriousness in their victims, then suffocated them.

Some people of Pompeii grabbed their beasts of burden and attempted to flee the area; others perhaps chose to wait until the streets were clear of the panicked masses; still others sealed themselves up in rooms, supposing that the ashes and poisonous gasses would not harm them there. The unfortunate people who could not escape in time to avoid disaster were killed by falling buildings, overcome by the mephitic gas, or simply buried by the rapidly falling ash. Their bodies were quickly covered by the volcano's mineral deposits, which covered Pompeii in a layer more than 30 feet thick.

With Sceptre Tours you get the best experience of guided tours in Italy and will witness the magnificance of places such as Pompeii! They offer the lowest rates on vacation packages to Italy as well as the best service! Choose Sceptre Tours for your next vacation to Italy!

Vacation to the Emeral Isle

Here is a list of just some of the wonderful experiences you could have in Ireland with Sceptre Tours:

Golf
From spectacular championship courses to an abundance of hidden gems, we offer more golf than any other country of comparable size on the planet!

Culinary Ireland
From artisan producers and cookery schools dotted around the countryside, to age-old traditions of whiskey distilling, farmer’s markets that offer delicious organic produce and exciting Food Festivals, an incredible food experience awaits you.

Walking
With a mild year-round climate and tons of well-established walking routes and trails, experience Ireland’s beautiful countryside up close

Castles & Heritage
Overnight in one of Ireland’s many Castle Hotels or visit our phenomenal array of historical attractions

Spectacular Scenery & Gardens
Discover the natural wonders of Ireland - unspoilt landscapes, dramatic coastlines and an array of exquisite gardens

Festivals & Events
We’ve an exciting line-up of festivals and events in 2010. Join in and celebrate with the
locals and you’re sure to get a real taste of Ireland

Thankfully, Sceptre Tours has all the best vacation packages to Ireland at the lowest prices! Traveling with them and you will experience all the greatest things Ireland has to offer! Choose Sceptre Tours for all your travel needs to Ireland!

Tartan Royal Package

The Tartan Royal package offers independent travelers the opportunity to enjoy complete freedom on their Scottish journey with a unique experience of spending their final night in a 5-star deluxe hotel. Choose from Atholl Palace Gleneagles Hotel, Fairmont St. Andrews or the Scotsman Hotel as your final stay, which will be the ultimate in Scottish luxury. Your first night is pre-booked in Glasgow or Edinburgh and the next four nights in Scottish B&B's leading up to the final night of luxury.

Here are some amenities offered by Atholl Palace Gleneagles:

Atholl Palace Hotel features a restaurant, serving breakfast only. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. The property provides room service during limited hours. The full-service spa features massage and treatment rooms and beauty services. In addition to a golf course, Atholl Palace Hotel provides a tennis court, an indoor pool, a health club, and a spa tub. Meeting facilities include conference rooms, a ballroom, exhibit space, and banquet facilities. Atholl Palace Hotel also offers a bar/lounge, a fitness facility, and wireless Internet access. The property has a 24-hour front desk. Onsite parking is complimentary.

Accommodations:

-1st night Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh or Jurys Inn, Glasgow
-4 nights Open Discover B&B's CLICK HERE to learn more about the open voucher program
-Final night 5* luxury accommodation (Choose: Atholl Palace, Fairmont St. Andrews Scotsman Hotel, Gleneagles Hotel)

Transportation:

Weekly Standard Shift Alamo Economy Car Rental (upgrade to Automatic Economy Car after search)

Other Inclusions:

-Full Scottish breakfast daily
-Roundtrip airfare from USA to Edinburgh or Glasgow (optional)

Sceptre Tours offers amazing vacation pacakges to Scotland at the best prices for Scotland vacation packages you will find! Choose Sceptre Tours for the most affordable and best Scotland vacations you will have in your entire life!

Buongiorno B&B Vacation

Sceptre Tours brings you the Bed & Breakfast experience Italian style! B&B’s are Italy’s best kept travel secret—a unique and inviting way to stay in homes throughout the country. Our B&B’s range from simple and charming apartments in Italy’s great cities to luxurious and lavishly decorated villas in the Italian countryside. No matter what style of Bed and Breakfast you choose, you’ll have an accommodating host at your disposal ready to make sure your stay is comfortable and convenient! You’ll fly round trip to Florence, pick your car up at the airport and head off to your first B&B. You can start your B&B experience in Florence staying in Tuscan and Umbrian B&B’s (each for a minimum of 2 nights) while making your way down to Rome where you’ll depart after dropping off your car. Or you can fly in to Palermo, spend 4 nights in Sicilian B&B’s and spend your final 2 night on the Amalfi coast before departing from Naples. These are just two examples of the many itineraries you can create by combining any of our 4 gateways and B&B’s from 5 different Italian regions.

Try a different experience for your next travel destination, bed & breakfasts! Experience the culture at a whole new level by staying with family owned bed & breakfasts where you can witness first-hand what real Italian life is like! Witness the spelndors of Italy while enjoying the freedom to travel and experience everything on your own time! This Italian Bed & Breakfast Vacation Package is just what the Independent traveler needs! Visit Sceptre Tours now to book today!

Accomodations:

6 Nights accommodations in your choice of standard B&B's throughout Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Campania, Venice and Sicily including popular cities like Rome, Florence and Naples

Transportation:
Roundtrip Airfare to and from Rome - Also available to and from Naples, Palermo & Florence

Weekly Manual Shift Car Rental