If you’ve wanted to bring the family to Yellowstone National Park  this summer, consider a wild, western twist on the classic family vacation.   Yellowstone National Park sits in the corner of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming…..pure cowboy country.  What kid wouldn’t leap at the chance to put on a cowboy hat and explore the wide open spaces of a real working ranch and the wonder that is Yellowstone National Park.

The fun begins the minute you arrive in Bozeman, Montana with a visit to the Lewis & Clark Caverns and an afternoon zip-line adventure through the Moose Tracks forest of Big Sky Resort.   Your accomodations  for the night will be an authentic log cabin tucked into the woods of a working Guest Ranch that began as a Montana homestead 110 years ago.   Enjoy the hearty ranch-style dinner followed by a horse-drawn hayride and s’mores around the campfire.

Your naturalist guide will explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park with you for the next 3 days, visiting Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, Mount Washburn and wildlife viewing the famous Hayden Valley.  Dawn in Hayden Valley offers your best chance for interesting wildlife sightings of moose, bears, wolves and other elusive species.  You’ll spend two nights at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel offering 1920’s ambiance and stunning lake views, perfect for relaxing after a full day of sightseeing.

Next stop is Cody, Wyoming to take in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a white-water  float on the Shoshone River and a rockin-good time at the Cody Rodeo.  Since the 1800’s,  Cody has stood for everything that is wild about the west.  Fortunately, you’ll be sleeping in comfort at  The Cody, a luxury hotel within walking distance of all the historic sites in the frontier town of Cody.

There are four group departure dates for the summer of 2011 on this “Best of the West Family Vacation”-June 19, July 10, July 24 and August 07.

Contact  Rhonda Sand or Linda Bruno at TMI Tours in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for availability and prices on this unique family vacation idea to Yellowstone National Park.  It is guaranteed to be the wildest 6 days of your  summer vacation.

 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

It is still possible to experience a mode of travel from a by-gone era with all the luxury and leisure that train travel provides.  The Rocky Mountaineer is more than just a train ride–it has been called “The Worlds Leading Travel Experience by Train”.   New for 2011 will be a delightful pairing of rail travel through the rugged Canadian wilderness and wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley, internationally famous for it’s wines and wineries.

This tour begins in cosmopolitan Vancouver, B.C., spending the evening downtown at The Fairmont Hotel before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer bound for Kamloops.  The day will be spent passing through the fields of the Fraser Valley and viewing the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon and experiencing the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate.  The next three days you will visit seven of the Okanagan Valley’s leading wineries, enjoying special wine tastings, delicious meals and stunning scenery.   Once again aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll be bound for Banff, Alberta travelling along the South Thompson River into Rogers Pass, with its tunnels, snowsheds and glistening glaciers.  The train will climb through the Spiral Tunnels  and over the Continental Divide before entering Banff National Park and overnighting at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.  After two days to explore the rugged beauty of Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains, you’ll be trasferred to Calgary to make your way home.

 

With only two departure dates, June 16 and September 8, 2011 you’ll want to reserve your place on this special rail tour early.  This 7 night/8 day tour includes two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, 7 nights hotel accomodations, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (including several food/wine paired meals), private motorcoach travel in the Okanagan region with guided winery tours and tastings as well as adventure activities in Banff National Park.

TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene wants to invite you to recapture the romance of rail travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer as it follows the historic train routes constructed over 125 years ago through the rugged Rocky Mountains of Western Canada.  Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand for availability, rates and help designing your vacation to the Pacific Northwest. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com.  photos courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer.

Cruising the beautiful lakes of California, Arizona and Nevada aboard your own personal houseboat is a unique vacation choice.  Modern houseboat rentals are luxurious, offering comforts only dreamed about a few year ago.  Todays houseboats offer private accomodations, fully equipt kitchens and living areas, and sun-decks with BBQ,  wet bar and water slide.  

Below are a few of our favorite locations for you to enjoy the fun and adventure of a houseboat vacation.  With a wide variety of modern houseboats to choose from at each location, your biggest decision will be  where to start first.

Lake Oroville is Northern California’s largest state reservoir. Lake Oroville is the cornerstone of Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and is conveniently located on the Feather River, about 75 miles north of Sacramento, in the chaparral oak-pine belt of northern mother lode country.  Lake Oroville Marina has endless opportunities to enjoy the uncrowded atmosphere. Soak up the sun while reading a book on your California houseboat rental and cool off by sliding down the waterslide into the lake. The calm waters are ideal for swimming, waterskiing or snorkeling. Cruise the waters or park along shore to enjoy some great lakeside hiking or camping.

Don Pedro Lake – a recreational gem in the Sierra Nevada foothills of the Stanislaus National Forest, near the communities of Moccasin and La Grange, and bordering the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park. Here you’ll find nearly 160 miles of shoreline, excellent fishing and seemingly endless opportunity for water sports and fun.  Don Pedro Lake is actually the 5th largest man-made lake in California with over 2.3 million acre feet of water. Surrounded by rolling hills and oak trees, this beautiful reservoir is situated in a canyon carved out by the Tuolumne river. Several tributaries drain directly into Don Pedro Lake allowing the water levels to remain high and the comfortably warm summer water temperatures.

Trinity Lake is  one of Northern California’s favorite houseboating playgrounds. Here you’ve got miles of tree-lined shores to explore and countless secluded coves perfect for claiming as your own houseboat base camp. Trinity boasts unparalleled water sports opportunity – from world-class trout and bass fishing, to miles of smooth blue water perfect for boating, skiing and boarding. Accommodations range from lakeside cabin rentals, nearby RV parks and campgrounds, and nearly 147 miles of shoreline for camping and anchoring private and rental boats.

Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave is one of the best kept secrets in Nevada. We’re conveniently located on the Colorado river, just a short drive from Laughlin, NV and Bullhead City, AZ. We’re also part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service.  This pristine desert lake is approximately 67 miles long and is backed up by Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Lake Mohave is always full and the sparkling calm waters are legendary. Enjoy spectacular scenery, endless beach opportunities, sheer walls, and fascinating canyons along the way hosting names like Black Canyon, Pyramid Canyon, Painted Canyon and Eldorado Canyon.

Antelope Point is the  newest marina on beautiful Lake Powell, located just 12 miles from Page, Arizona.  Antelope Point  offers both convenience and brand-new upscale services catering to long-time Powell boaters and newcomers alike.  The marina  is anchored in the Lake’s main channel at mile marker 5, just a few minutes boat ride from the Glen  Canyon Dam and nearby Wahweap Marina. Antelope is the closest land-based marina to world-famous Rainbow Bridge National Monument – commemorating 100 years in 2009, and adjacent to popular Antelope and Navajo canyons. Like the other marinas on Lake Powell, Antelope Point is administered by the National Park Service. The Point however is located within the Federal Reservation of the Navajo Nation. You can see the native influence in the unique design and engineering of the marina facility – one of the largest of its type in the world.

Lake Mead offers 550 miles of pristine shoreline, soaring red rock cliffs, countless bays and beaches, and a convenient location within an hour of the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.  Few places can beat the recreation opportunities that await you on Lake Mead.  Few places on earth match the raw, natural beauty of Lake Mead. Whether your idea of the perfect vacation is getting up at dawn to greet the sunrise with a cup of coffee or a waterski run on glass-like water. Or maybe it’s just relaxing on the top deck of a houseboat with friends and enjoying the glow of the sunset.

TMI Tours of Coeur d”Alene, Idaho  will customize a unique and exciting houseboat vacation for you from anywhere in the world.  For information and arrangements, contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com and let us handle all the details.

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.

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