Tucked away in the mountains of southern Missouri is a little unknown spot called Table Rock Lake.

Table Rock Lake is a small part of The Ozarks which has miles of water, land and mountains and very well known in the Midwest. This man-made reservoir now called Table Rock Lake offers everything you can find at The Ozarks but just a little less tourism and a little more intimacy and anonymity.

Table Rock Lake, Missouri is very near to another popular tourism spot Branson Missouri. Oftentimes families and couples make a vacation out of spending time at all three locations: Branson, Table Rock Lake and The Ozarks.

( photo by gghiker )

Originally built for flood control of the White River, Table Rock Lake was made official in September of 1943.

There are a few features of this Lake which are a must-see if in the area. These sites are the Table Rock State Park and Marina the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course as well as the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and the Table Rock Dam.

A typical day at the Lake could consist of taking a leisurely ride around the lake in a pontoon or perhaps choosing to parasail at sunset. Families can also rent speed boats which pull either skis or tubes.

Jet skis and large fishing boats are also available for rent by the hour or day. Spend the morning at the Table Rock Lake fishing and visit the Dam in the afternoon.

The water is clean enough to swim, ski, and tube. The temperature in Southern Missouri is just perfect for lying by the lake all day and retreating to a fine dining establishment in the evening with a glass of wine while overlooking the water at sunset. Typical spring temperatures atthe  Lake range from low 60s to high 70s and high 80s to low 90s in the summer months.

Depending on the accommodations you choose to stay in while visiting Table Rock Lake you will have a multitude of other activities to keep you and your family busy. There are hotels, motels, condos and apartments to rent around the entire lake. These accommodations are available by the night or by the entire summer.

There are particular areas of Table Rock Lake that may be more conducive to a large family whereas other areas of Table Rock Lake may be more conducive to a large group of students or even a couple’s romantic getaway. There are log cabins with fireplaces and large complexes of hotels, motels and apartments that overlook the lake.

5 Best Accommodations at Table Rock Lake for Your Money:

1. Big Cedar Lodge

( photo by ols1 )

The Big Cedar Lodge is a little piece of Colorado mixed with the ambiance of the Missouri Mountains with the touch of a beautiful and man-made reservoir. Big Cedar Lodge is very rugged and remote and offers horseback riding, mountain climbing and hiking, miniature golf, a spa and fine dining or go for a swim in one of Big Cedar’s swimming pools designed for families and adults only.

2. Branson Lake Condos

( photo by bransonmocondoscitymax )

Branson Lake Condos are more of a luxury accommodation as opposed to the Big Cedar Lodge which was mountainous and surrounded by nature. The Branson Lake Condos are located on Table Rock Lake yet very near to the Branson attractions and entertainment options.

Should you choose Branson Lake Condos for your accommodation of choice you will be provided with boat docks with direct access to the lake as well as views of the Table Rock Lake Main Channel. One other amenity at Branson Lake Condos that makes this a desirable place to stay is the swimming pool which overlooks the marvelous Table Rock Lake.

3. Indian Point Lodge

( photo by clintwacker )

Indian Point Lodge at the Lake is an all-inclusive accommodation. Indian Point Lodge is an affordable accommodation surrounded by nature and very near the Lakefront.

Also surrounded by quiet coves, the Indian Point Lodge rooms are anywhere from 35 yards from the water’s edge to 100 yards from the water’s edge. Units range from contemporary condominium type accommodations to rugged and rustic lakefront lodge units.

4. The Lodges

( photo by grandcrowne )

The Lodges while not directly on the Lake, make up for this in their rustic yet luxury interior accommodations. Lodges at Table Rock Lake were designed for seclusion, and an intimately relaxing feeling. The Lodges have community grills for the guests to use if they choose to make their own meals as well as an indoor water park for families with children.

The Lodge units come with up to six bedrooms making this the perfect family vacation spot and even family reunion venue. With all these amenities, The Lodges are also some of the most affordable accommodations at the lake.

5. Westgate Branson Lakes

( photo by thetimeshareworld )

Fifth most desirable and affordable place to stay while visiting Table Rock Lake is the Westgate Branson Lakes at Emerald Pointe, also known as the Gem of Table Rock Lake.

Nestled in the mountains of Southern Missouri and just minutes away from Silver Dollar City, and Branson, Westgate Branson Lakes at Emerald Pointe are also steps away from the beautiful and scenic Table Rock Lake.

These accommodations are more suitable for on-the-go people who may have a difficult time relaxing and letting go of their ‘normal’ life back home. The units have wireless internet as well as the resort itself has fitness and workout facilities, a basketball court and washer and dryers in some units.

If you are planning a trip to the beautiful and romantic country of Italy chances are you are intending to visit the typical tourist traps such as Venice, Rome, Florence and maybe Milan. Not to insinuate you shouldn’t fit these places into your itinerary; there are just a few other places we would highly recommend you see as well.

The places we recommend for Italy vacation are a bit ‘off the beaten path’ and more locally-frequented places. We will break this down into two trip possibilities; if you have five days in Italy and if you have ten days in Italy.

If you have five days in Italy this is what we would recommend:

Fly to Milan and begin your Italy vacation there. You will want to rent a car and word to the wise – Italians drive very fast and their cars are very, very small! Now, be aware that Italy is divided into regions, provinces and municipalities.

Milan is in the region of Lombardy and on your five-day trip to Italy we will take you to two other regions – Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

( photo by mintimage )

Drive from Milan directly to a little village in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia called Trieste. Why are we having you drive cross-country to a little Italian village no one has heard of? Trieste is probably the most beautiful unknown place that Italy has to offer. There is little tourism there which means you will get to see how true Italians live from the locals’ perspective.

Trieste is on the seafront as well as next to two other countries; Austria and Slovenia. So this means you will not only be exposed to the Italian culture but also the Austrian and Slovenian cultures. If you choose to, you could take a day trip to one or both of them.

While in Trieste you will also want to see the Miramare Castle, the Castle of San Giusto, the Trieste seafront and the Cathedral of San Giusto. Also, if you are a downhill skier or an avid fan of beauty, nature and quite possibly the mountains you may very well want to take a day trip to the Italian Alps.

( photo by Philipp Klinger )

This will complete your first two days in Italy vacation; the first day drive from Milan to Trieste. On day one, choose from the options we have given you and on day 2 choose from the options as well, however we will have you drive to your next destination the evening of the second day.

Your second stop in this beautiful and romantic country is going to be Venice which is in the Italian region of Veneto. Be aware that Venice is very expensive, quite possibly one of the most expensive tourist traps in Italy.

Expect to pay nearly 300 American dollars for one night at a hotel with a view of the canal which is the only way to stay in Venice. Most people speak English in Venice and are quite used to tourists. Be cognizant though that some of these people do call this city their home.

( photo by Thomas Frejek )

There are so many things to do in Venice you could literally be here for a week and not touch the surface of the attractions and things you want to do. You will be tired so get a good night’s sleep and be ready for a full third day in Venice!

Stay in Venice again the 3rd night and wake up early the 4th day and drive back to Milan. The cost of a hotel in Venice and Milan is very comparable and it would be better to utilize an entire full day in Venice. Go out for dinner and have some cocktails as well! You will stay in Milan the 4th night and catch your flight the following day, the 5th day.

Milan is a beautiful and historical city that has so much to offer by way of tourism, arts, culture and entertainment. Depending upon what your interests are you are sure to find activities to keep you busy all day. However, definitely take yourself out for dinner to experience the luxury and class of Milan.

Now you are in the same region as your flight so you will head to the airport on day five.

If you have ten days in Italy this is what we would recommend:

What would we recommend you to do with some extra time if you are financially able to elongate your Italy vacation to possibly ten days? Fly into Milan, rent a car and drive to Trieste.

We recommend staying in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and more specifically, Trieste, for up to three days. Take one day to spend with the locals and seeing the local sights that we mentioned in our five-day trip planner. Spend a day in either Slovenia or Austria.

( photo by pninaN )

Depending upon the season, Austria may be much more beautiful but maybe you have Slovenian relatives and want to see a part of your past, then head to Slovenia for a day! On the third day we recommend the Italian Alps.

Ski them, just once if you can. Otherwise, walk around the base of the mountain and take in the beauty of the surrounding marvels and nature.

( photo by invaxion )

You have spent three full days in Trieste and we now recommend staying the night in Trieste and leaving early on the 4th day to drive to Venice. You can get accommodations for under 100 American dollars in Trieste and it would be best to drive into Venice in the daylight to catch the beauty.

On day four you have driven into Venice and will have the entire afternoon. Walk around the canals and just take everything in; maybe decide where you will want to spend more time.

( photo by andertho )

Spend day five at the historic, cultural and breathtaking Piazza San Marco including St. Mark’s Campanile and the gorgeous Basilica. You will stay in Venice for day six and wake up on day seven to drive to Milan. You will spend the latter half of day seven familiarizing yourself with Milan and determining what you would like to see in your next two days.

Regardless of how many days you intend to spend Italy vacation or where you will land once you are there, you are sure to enjoy the country, the people, the food and the culture.

The road is situated in the centre of the city inside the Rattanakosin district. It’s quite close to some of the major attractions, such as the Grand Palace and Chao Phraya River. This means you can get there by road and water.

The name of the road basically means ‘milled rice.’ This is because it used to be the home to one of the city’s largest rice markets.

But now it’s overflowing with an assortment of restaurants, hotels, shops, money exchanges, internet cafes, tattoo parlours, massage parlours, travel agents, cafes, bars, nightclubs, food stalls, as well as Muay Thai and boxing gyms. The street is also home to a synagogue and Bangkok’s small Jewish community.

The road is full of locals and visitors every day and night because of the variety and excellent prices it offers on just about everything. You can purchase almost anything imaginable there.

Locals love it as a popular meeting place for artists and students, while backpackers converge there to share stories of their adventures.

Khaosan Road is an ideal place to mix in with the local way of life free of charge.

Photo Credit: Kevinpoh

Tobago sits just a short 20 miles from the coast of Venezuela, and you can reach it by small airplane and ferry. It’s quite easy to get to from Trinidad and the Barbados, which is located about 150 miles to the north of Tobago.

Tobago still gets its fair share of tourists, but not as many as the other islands in the area receive. This makes it an attractive place to spend a relaxing holiday without having to fight the crowds at the beaches, resorts, and restaurants.

Many visitors stay for extended periods of time because the real estate and rental prices are relatively low in Tobago.

The island is about 26 miles long and six miles wide and has a population of about 17,000. The country is separated into seven parishes and offers a tropical climate.

The capital city is Scarborough, but many visitors head to Tobago for the beaches and scuba diving. The Tobago Forest Reserve is also a popular spot as it features a wide assortment of wildlife. There’s plenty of fresh seafood as well as other culinary delights.

Tobago may not be as well known as its close neighbour Trinidad, but it has just as much to offer visitors.

Photo Credit: brain_s_huff

1. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida:

Walt Disney World in Florida attracts the most visitors in the world and it’s also the largest as its set on 27,443 fun-filled acres of land.

The location features four different theme parks, which include Epcot and Magic Kingdom. There are also 24 resort hotels along with two water parks to keep yourself cool in.

2. Everland, South Korea:

This is the 10th most-visited fun park in the world and the biggest one in South Korea. Everland features a water park, five roller coasters, and five different themed areas, which are Zoo-Topia, Global Fair, European Adventure, American Adventure, and Magic Land.

3. Tokyo Disneyland:

Walt Disney is popular all over the world as this 115 acre park proves. It was the first Disneyland to be opened outside of America, but showcases several of the same popular attractions and themed areas that can be found in Disneyland in California. These include Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland.

4. SeaWorld, San Diego, California:

This popular marine park also has locations in Florida and Texas. It allows visitors an excellent opportunity to get close to sea life such as Dolphins, Orcas, Beluga Whales, and Sea Lions.

5. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Great Britain:

This is the most popular amusement park in the United Kingdom which typically attracts several million visitors a year. The park in the seaside town of Blackpool houses four water rides and 10 roller coasters, which includes the steel Pepsi Max Big, which is the tallest roller coaster in Britain.

6. Europa Park, Germany:

This is the largest amusement park in Germany and it comes with 15 unique themed zones, with several of them being named after European countries. It’s the second most-visited park in Europe as it attracts several million people a year. It also features a campsite, a guest house, and four hotels.

7. PortAventura, Spain:

This amusement park is situated in the resort town of Salou, which lies about an hour to the south of Barcelona. It’s southern Europe’s biggest theme park/resort and features three water rides and six roller coasters.

8. Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto, Ontario:

This popular Canadian park has about 200 different attractions, which includes 15 roller coasters. This represents the most roller coasters of any amusement park outside of America.

9. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio:

Cedar Point has the most roller coasters in a single amusement park numbering to 17. It houses a total of 75 rides on the 364 acre park, including three water rides.

10. Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida:

There are two different theme parks housed here, which are the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. There are also three hotels along with the Universal CityWalk Nightlife Area.

The Islands of Adventure Park features a Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, the Harry Potter universe, and a re-creation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft.

Laos is a relatively small country of just over six million people and is surrounded by some of the continent’s more well-known nations, such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

While there are a few large cities in Laos, such as Vientiane, the capital, most travelers prefer to roam the countryside and take in the tranquil settings that are provided by the rugged mountains, thick forests, and peaceful rivers.

In fact, one of the best ways to enjoy a holiday in Laos is to sail up and down the rivers to visit nearby villages and soak in the scenery. This is why it’s becoming a popular destination with hikers, backpackers and nature lovers.

Most of the residents make a living by farming their land, so it’s no surprise that rice is the main agricultural product and the most common food.

The country has a lot to offer historically and culturally and there’s plenty of evidence of both. The Buddhist religion is also evident by the number of temples and shrines to visit.

Laos also offers festivals, dance, performing arts, and folk music throughout the year and is a very interesting location for those who prefer to stay away from crowds of tourists. Visiting Laos will allow you to explore one of the most scenic and interesting countries the world has to offer.

Photo Credit: jondeeley

Many members of the audience arrive to the concert in boats, as thousands of others stand and sit on the banks of the canal and sit around the podium.

The music fills the air and the concert also becomes quite an amazing visual spectacle once the sun goes down. This is because the whole setting, including the stage, are illuminated and lit up by a series of strong reflectors.

The Prinsengracht Concert is just one show in the event known as the Grachtenfestival. This is a series of concerts that are held in a variety of locations in Amsterdam and can attract up to 80,000 fans.

The Prinsengracht concert is free of charge, however, if you want to enjoy it from a boat on the canal, you will need to obtain a special pass.

The concert takes place every year during the third weekend of August at Prinsengracht 315-331, Amsterdam, while the whole festival runs from Aug 14 to 22.

Photo Credit: PallasAthena1081

It also showcases a kaleidoscope of club nights and concerts, markets and fairs, street events, performances, workshops, and much more. In fact, it’s known as Ireland’s first Global Carnival.

The event is held in Dún Laoghaire, a historical port and seaside down that offer visitors an array of performance locations such as pubs, clubs, bars, theatres, hotels, piers, plazas, and parks. These fantastic venues make it a natural home for the DLR Festival of World Cultures.

The event is committed to offering a series of world-class music performances for all tastes in an intimate setting.

The festival is known as a yearly international arts event that’s aimed at celebrating the world’s cultural diversity. It prides itself on featuring accessible performances along with other types of activities for people of all ages.

The international food vendors will guarantee you can taste food from around the world as well as music.

This year’s event will feature many performers from around the world, including Trinidadian singing legend Calypso Rose as well as Malian star Rokia Traoré.

Photo Credit: infomatique

This is largest fair in the world and easily one of the most popular ones in Germany. It’s held every year and attracts about six million visitors from across the planet each time as they flock to the area to drink beer, eat, dance, and sing with each other.

The Oktoberfest festival is well known for its beer tents and huge beers that are served in heavy steins. However, you’re sure to enjoy the party even if you don’t like beer as there is lots more going on during the Bavarian festival.

You will be able to enjoy carnivals and rides, the local bands, and folk dancing, admire the traditional dress, enjoy the hearty food that’s served and be treated to the fantastic German hospitality.

The dates for the 2010 festival are Sept. 18 to Oct. 4. The official opening ceremony takes place on Sat. Sept. 18th in the Schottenhamel tent. The mayor of Munich will tap the first Oktoberfest beer keg at 12 noon.

The Oktoberfest Costume Parade is also a highlight and this colourful event that features local culture and history will take place on the first Sunday of the festival.

There are over 30 beer tents at the event and visitors are allowed to reserve tables ahead of time. However, you don’t need a reservation to get in.

You should get there by about 2:30 pm during the week though as the tents can get quite full pretty early in the day. If the tent’s full, you’ll have to enjoy mingling with people in the line up.

If you have children they will be able to enjoy the various entertainment such as, Ferris wheels, fun rides, roller coasters, parades, and music. There’s also a family day every Tuesday when carnival rides are discounted.

Children are also able to visit the tents with their parents, but those under the age of six need to be taken home by 8 p.m. The ideal time for children to visit the festival is during the week before 5 pm.

The first ever Oktoberfest festival took place in October, 1810 as it was held to celebrate the wedding between Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.

Munich is very easy to reach from most areas of the world via direct flights. You can also get there by train, car, and bus, from most of Europe and once you’re in Germany.

Photo Credit: ITCowboy

The Isle is well known for its annual rock music festival, which attracts some of the biggest names in the music business as well as hundreds of thousands of fans. However, there’s so much more to see and do there.

The island has been a popular holiday spot with Britons for over 100 years as it features numerous interesting cities, resorts and natural beauty with its wide variety of rock types. It’s also quite popular with sailors from all over the world and is home to several sports teams.

Some of the most popular towns to explore are Ventnor, Ryde, and Shanklin, Newport, and Cowes. The island has a very rich and storied history. Queen Victoria had a summer home in East Cowes and the island has been home to many other famous historical figures. The wildlife in the area is some of the most interesting and rarest in Britain.

The bays, cliffs, and sea make for some fascinating scenery and the milder weather make it an ideal seaside resort area.

The Isle of Wight is situated in the southeast of England in the English Channel and is easily accessible by ferry from cities such as Southampton, Portsmouth, and Yarmouth. There’s also a hovercraft service from Southsea. Once there, it’s easy to get around by car and buses. There’s one railway line on the island.

Photo Credit: Simon Rich – aka Mr Monts