Without a doubt, springtime in North Idaho can be wet and this spring of 2010 is proving to be an exteme case.  The beauty of this area beckons visitors to play outdoors so finding appropriate activities during this “rainy season” is still possible.  Below are a few of my favorite activities whether the sun is shining or not.

Silvermountain in Kellogg, Idaho offers visitors breathtaking gondola rides from downtown straight up the mountain 3.1 miles to the Mountain Haus.  From here you can access over 30 miles of downhill mountain bike trails, interpretive nature trails, disc golf and occassionaly, mountain top concerts.  If the weather doesn’t suite you, lets the kids burn some energy in the jump castle and enjoy lunch indoors with fantastic views.  Every friday from July-September you can enjoy a delicious bar-b-que that’s sure to be a hit with everyone.  After a quick ride back down the mountain, take the family to the Silver Rapids  Water Park where it’s always a balmy 84 degrees.   Enjoy waterslides, hot tubs, wet adventure games, the lazy river,  toddler pools and a simulated surfing wave  all indoors and connected to a luxury condominum for overnight guests.

Quinns Hot Springs in Paradise, Montana provides comfortable accomodations, a fun lounge, full service restaurant and  sparkling clean, hot mineral pools.  This quaint resort sits on the banks of the Clark Fork River so guests can enjoy swimming from the beach, flyfishing, hiking, horseback riding or soaking in the chemical-free hot pools.  This is also a great starting place for whitewater raft trips on the Clark Fork River during the summer months.

Scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene cruises are always popular regardless of the weather.  These beautiful boats have large, warm enclosed areas with plenty of windows and  seating.   Leaving daily from downtown Coeur d’Alene, there are several itineraries to choose from.  The St. Joe River, Sunset Dinner or Sunday Brunch cruises all serve scrumptious meals while touring the lake and rivers around Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.   Private parties can rent a luxury houseboat by the day complete with a captain and preplanned itinerary.  This is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, family reuion or company meeting while cruising the lake in style.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho can help you plan a fun-filled vacation to North Idaho at any time of the year.  Contact us a 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com.

If you have attempted to make reservations to stay within Glacier National Park this summer, you know that almost every lodge is sold out for the summer 2010.   Glacier National Park is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary and with a limited number of hotel rooms located within the Park, availability is  a scattered few dates here and there.   It is still possible to enjoy a vacation to Glacier this summer and experience the history and ambiance of the great lodges of Glacier National Park with all inclusive, escorted tours operating throughout the summer 2010. 

These 5 night/6 day tours include overnight stays at the Glacier Park Lodge, The Prince of Wales Hotel, the Many Glacier Hotel  and Lake Mc Donald Lodge.  This tour is fully escorted and all transportation within the park will be aboard the vintage Red Buses.  Highlights include boat cruises of Two Medicine Lake & Swiftcurrent Lake, a Blackfeet Cultural History Tour,  escorted sightseeing hikes, afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel, a musical evening with singer/songwriter David Walburn,  an authentic western cowboy cookout and well as two other dinners and breakfast each morning.

Space is very limited for June, August and September departure dates.  Call or email Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours  for detailed itineraries and current availability.  Bring your family and explore Glacier National Park during the 100th anniversary this summer, staying at the historic, beautiful lodges within the park. Contact TMI Tours of Coeur dAlene, Idaho at 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com.  We are your Glacier National Park specialists.

Getting outdooors in North Idaho is what vacationing and living here are all about.  Whether you are new to the area or enjoying a family vacation at one of our beautiful lakes, guided adventures let you enjoy the activity without any of the worry. 

Imagine the exhilaration of hiking high in the mountains, cresting the ridgetop and looking down on a sparkling mountain lake nestled into a alpine meadow.   The rugged Selkirk Mountains in the Idaho Panhandle offer a chance to hike in the native habitat of moose, elk, bear and eagles.   Hiking trails wind through old growth forest, over cascading streams, through huckleberry patches and along mountain tops where the views go on forever.  Local guides will enchant you with stories of early fur trappers and traders, mountain men and native americans that lived and walked these same trails. 

Mountain biking in the Selkirks is easy with the help of the Great Escape Quad lift, whisking  bicycles and their riders up the mountain with ease.   For a great family outing  join a 19 mile downhill bike run from the top of the mountain  to a private 6-acre ranch located on pristine Priest River.  Spend the day enjoying a leisurely ride through spectacular scenery complete with a support vechicle, lunch at the ranch, swimming and playing in the river and van transportation back to your point of departure. 

Of course with all this tumbling water around us, guided kayak adventures can be taylored for almost any level of enthusiast.   Specially designed trips for beginners and young teens are available on beautiful Priest River using stable, inflateable kayaks and include just the right amount of fast and slow water to keep it fun.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has complete details on these and many other guided outdoor adventures available in North Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.  Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand for airfare, lodging and activities for your perfect vacation in the great state of Idaho. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

The Adriatic coast of Croatia, known as Dalmatia, is a colorful blend of old Europe, abruptly rising coastal mountains and golden strands of beach.   With numerous islands and extensive coastline,  exploration by yacht affords the most exotic and intimite method available.  The warm Adriatic Sea sparkles with rare clarity, one of the bluest seas in the world,  and is so inviting for sailing and swimming.

Join long-time Coeur d’Alene locals, Peter and Betsy Grubb, for their 15th season chartering yacht trips in Croatia.  Sailing aboard a 105′ traditional Croatian-made motor/sail vessel, let them show you this coast as they have come to know and love it.  Using local guides and crew, this trip will immerse you in the local culture and history as none other can.  Focusing on the variety of food and wine in Croatia, the goal of this adventure is to mix walking, sailing, history and authentic Croatian food and wine in equal doses.

Accomodations onboard will be in comfortable double-bedded cabins, each with it’s own private bath.   The atmosphere aboard will be casual and the yachts are spacious and elegant with large amounts of deck space and beautifully fitted.  Delicious, traditional meals from the finest ingredients are served including an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and freshly caught seafood.  Croatia has a long tradition of making quality wines and during the course of this trip, there will be plenty of opportunity to taste many of these as we visit several wineries and vineyards.

TMI Tours & Cruises of Coeur d’Alene would like to invite you to join Peter & Betsy Grubb, September 15-26, 2010 for a yachting, walking, historical and cultural cruise along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast .  For full itinerary details including other sailing dates,  please contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours & Cruises, 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is the perfect place to plan a corporate meeting  or family special event.  Set on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and surrounded by thickly forested mountains and  sparkling rivers, Coeur d’Alene offers beautiful summer weather for enjoying our abundant outdoor activities. 

Luxury yacht on Lake Coeur dalene

Rent a luxury yacht and enjoy a totally care-free experience for your meeting or special event.  Considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Lake Coeur d’Alene has over one hundred miles of scenic shoreline and three breathtaking, navigable rivers.  Each river is an adventure in itself offering unique yachting and sightseeing experiences.  Cruise the crystal blue waters while gazing at amazing wildlife; bald eagles, osprey, deer and moose-all in their natural habitat.  Meetings are always more enjoyable with the calming waters under you, the barbeque smoking and of course, your favorite beverages on board. 

How about a real western cook-out complete with trail and hayrides?  Local ranches offer true western hospitality for groups of any size, complete with sizzling steak bar-b-ques and all the fixin’s’.   They love to hitch up the haywagon and transport your guests  back to a simpler way of life while taking in  fresh mountain air and scenery.  For the more adventurous, saddle up a horse and take a guided trail ride across the meadows and streams that lace our backyard.

Already coming to Coeur d’Alene with a group or event?  Let TMI Tours arrange activities for after-hours adventures or corporate team building.   We offer a wide array of outdoor activities such as white water rafting,  guided mountain bike or hiking adventures, fishing excursions, golfing, river floats and day-trips to Glacier National Park. 

Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding communities offer accomodations to fit any budget whether a luxury resort hotel,  farm-stay or lakefront luxury homes and cabins.  For information on activities, accomodations, airfare, transportation and meeting planning contact Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Let us help you plan a unique event for your family or company this summer on stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Spring brings the beginning of the cruise season for the Columbia and Snake River region in the Pacific Northwest.  Every week from April 17th through October 17th, small cruise ships navigate the locks and dams that tame the Mighty Columbia River as they usher guests deep into the Columbia River Gorge.   While most river cruises carry you past urban centers and crowded shorelines, much of the Columbia and Snake Rivers remain pristine and wild.  You can clearly see

Hells Canyon

 evidence of the great floods that carved this region thousands of years ago in the breathtakingly  beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the golden coulees and scablands, the great black pinnacles of basalt that guided explorers, Lewis & Clark.   You’ll find the past and present coexist here, from Oregon Trail wagon ruts to the modern engineering marvel of eight locks and dams.

Adventurous shore excursions entice all ages:  jet boat rides up the Snake River through Hells Canyon to view 7,000 year old Indian petroglyphs, wandering the hidden underground city built by Chinese emigrants below Pendelton as well as fascinating historical and maritime museums, lush wineries and quaint riverside towns.

Columbia River vineyard

Throughout these cruises, the Pacific Northwest’s pioneer history is brought to life with a special series of excursions, guest speakers, narrations and on-board presentations by historians and exloration leaders.  More than just sightseeing, these cruises incorporate American music, culture, cuisine and local history into a total travel experience.  The small ships that cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers are intimate and family oriented, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Touch, breathe and experience first-hand the unique history of the Columbia River Gorge .  Contact Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours & Cruises at 1-800-975-7775 or email info@tmitours.com for more information on these and other cruises in the Pacific Northwest.

On Lake Coeur d’Alene, lakefront home rentals provide the perfect option for family vacations whether you are staying  for a week, a month or longer.   With 190 miles of pristine, wooded shoreline and 40 intimate bays, Lake Coeur d’Alene is  the Pacific Northwests most famous summer playground and resort destination.  The surrounding area offers camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, watersports, beaches, parks and just about kind of outdoor activity you can think of.

Vacation homes and cabins on the lake come equipt with private docks, beaches, canoes or paddleboats, waterview decks with bar-b-ques and plenty of clean, fresh air.   Most homes are within a 20 minute drive from Coeur d’Alene or Harrison, Idaho and there are several lakefront resorts offering dining and social activites for all ages. 

Of course the best way to explore Lake Coeur d’Alene is from the water.  Local companies will deliver a boat fully loaded with ski equiptment, lifevests, tubes and wakeboards.  Rentals can run anywhere from 1/2 day to weekly, delivered to the lake for your convienience.  Public docks are located at Coeur d’Alene, Harrison, Post Falls and at the great restaurants dotted around Lake Coeur d’Alene as well as State Parks and major points of interest.

Mountain bike rentals can take you on several historical sightseeing routes around the Coeur d’Alene area.  Schweitzer and Silver Mountain whisk riders to the peaks for easy access to alpine mountain bike trails during the summer months.   The Route of the Hiawatha combines easy riding trails with vintage railroad trestles and tunnels through the mountains of the famous Silver Valley.

Any vacation in North Idaho wouldn’t be complete without a day or two at our  famous theme-park, Silverwood.  Located between the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho and Coeur d’Alene, this is an attraction that will keep the whole family busily entertained.  Silverwood offers over 65 rides, shows and attractions from raging roller coasters plunging at 65 mph to carnival rides perfect for the little ones.  Boulder Beach Water Park will keep you cool with wavepools, high velocity tubes and slides, toddlers attractions with fountains and geysers as well as a family-fun raft ride down a twisting mountain.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has the latest listings of luxurious homes and cabins for rent on Lake Coeur d’Alene this summer as well as action packed activities taylored to your family.  Call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com and let us plan your perfect family summer getaway at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Whatever kind of fishing adventure you are looking for, you’ll find it on the Mighty  Columbia River.  Rising from the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, this magnificent river flows through Eastern Washington on it’s way to the Pacific Ocean.  The pristine area of the Upper Columbia offers some of the best fly-fishing in the world along with beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.

Guided fishing packages include your choice of 2, 3 or 4 nights accomodations in river-front log cabins.   Local guides, well versed in the waters of the Upper Columbia, will meet you at the private dock to board your boat for an exciting day of fishing and fun.  Non- fishermen and women can enjoy access to mountain bike trails, hiking, boating,  swimming or shopping at local artisan studios.

TMI Tours can arrange all-inclusive guided fishing adventures on the Upper Columbia River  including airfare, rental cars, accomodations and excellent guides.  Contact Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com  We are your Pacific Northwest adventure specialists.

Spend a weekend in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho taking in the  fabulous Blues Festival, March 26-28th, 2010.  We will be celebrating the sweet ballads of the Bayou featuring the best and most popular rhythm and blues bands in the Pacific Northwest.

Friday evening will feature The Fat Tones taking the stage for a Blues Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene.  Enjoy spectacular scenery cruising the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and rockin’ to the three part harmony of this three time I.E.B.S.  Best Blues Band award winner.

Saturday’s entertainment will feature four incredible bands on two stages in the Main Ballroom at the Convention Center from 7:00pm until 1:00am.  Starting off  the party will be local favorite, The Mumbo Blues Band followed by The Red Hot Blues Sisters.  The headliner for the evening, recording artist Curtis Salgado, was the inspiration for John Belushi’s  character Jake Blues,  in the classic movie, The Blues Brothers.  Finishing off the evening will be the high energy Randy Oxford Band featuring Randy Oxford on the trombone and providing some inspirational dance music.   Local favorites Nu Jack City, will be performing at the Shore Lounge both evenings providing R&B, Soul and Motown sounds to round out the fun. 

Enjoy a Gospel Brunch performance Sunday from 10:00am-12:00n with Soulful Blend and vocalist Max Daniels of Nu Jack City before heading home.

TMI Tours has  fantastic weekend packages in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho,  including two nights accomodation and full access to all the Blues Festival performances.  Contact Rhonda Sand or Linda Bruno at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com.  Airfare and car rentals can also be arranged, making your vacation to Coeur dAlene a breeze.  We are your vacation specialist in the Pacific Northwest.

Bring your family to the Pacific Northwest for an unforgettable whitewater adventure on the famous Rogue River.    This spectacular river flows from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean through mostly national forest and is one of the eight origonal “Wild and Scenic” rivers designated in 1968.   Spend 7 days/6 nights on an outdoor journey that will include hiking to Crater Lake, rafting the Rouge River while camping along it’s shores, sleeping in an authentice tree-house and exploring the Oregon Caves National Monument. 

After meeting our guide in Medford, the group will head to Crater Lake National Park, enjoying an evening at the historic Crater Lake Lodge and a boat cruise on this crystal-blue lake cupped in a giant volcanic caldera.  Your family will be able to enjoy some light hiking  around the park before the group heads to Ashland, Oregon where we will spend the night at the Ashland Springs Hotel while enjoying this quaint town, home of the Shakespeare Festival.  Then we are off for a 2 night/3 day adventure on the Rogue with backcountry camping, whitewater fun, hiking and plenty of discovery!   The rugged beauty of this river as it winds through narrow canyons and old-growth forest,  will dazzle and delight you.  The next two evenings will be spent at a truly magical rustic tree-house resort set on 36 acres next to the Siskiyou National  Forest.  With a river-fed swimming pool, tree forts, swinging bridges, zip-lines and ladders, children of all ages will the enchanted.  Our final day is spent exploring the marble caves of the Oregon Caves National Monument with its stalatites, stalagmites, fossils and human history.

Bring your family to explore Oregon’s rivers, caves and tree houses this summer on a vacation they’ll never forget.  For more information on this unique family adventure in the Pacific Northwest, call Rhonda or Linda at TMI Tours at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com.