All-American Vacations // Best of 2014

Want to get a true taste of America and marvel at the nation's natural wonders?

Well here are some all-American vacation destinations just in time for the Fourth of July!

Black Hills, Dakotas

Want remote, rugged beauty with a heaping helping of Americana? Then heading to the Dakotas should be on your summer schedule! Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorials are some of the largest mountain carvings in the world. You may see buffalo, prairie dogs, deer, and maybe even wild horses! This is a great trip to explore these historic sites!

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Looking for a gorgeous body of water and a great place to hike? Crater Lake National Park is the place to go. You will not see a body of water this blue at many places. The lake is surrounded by cliffs and craters. You can try your hand at fishing or enjoy a picnic with a gorgeous view!

Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Nantucket is just off the coast of Cape Cod and is full of New England charm. You will find great restaurants, eclectic shops, and stunning beaches. Find a quaint inn to stay in and you will feel right at home in Nantucket!

Everglades National Park, Florida

Going to the Everglades is a very unique experience. You will encounter subtropical plants, birds, and rare wildlife. You may even see a manatee. Take an airboat tour and make sure to keep an eye out for alligators and crocodiles. This is a must to add to your bucket list!

U.S. Summer Getaways // The Hot List

Summer for me always means getting to go to the beach or the lake. I count down the days to when the pools open and I can finally relax in the sun. Nothing brings in warm, sun-soaked memories like a classic summer destinations. Whether it is under a swaying desert palm or a bustling boardwalk in a costal town, summer is here! 

Find your place in the sun at these four great iconic summer destinations!

Adirondacks, New York

This is a perfect escape for the nature lovers. There is everything from kayaking to bird-watching and even whitewater rafting! Summer is the time time for new adventures such as rafting on the Hudson River, wind surfing on Lake Champlain, and mountain biking on rugged trails. The Adirondacks are a place for adventure and discovery and summer is the season for road trips! This is your gateway to endless outdoor recreation! 

Clearwater Beach, Florida

While everyone is jetting off to beaches along the famous Scenic 30A Highway, Clearwater Beach is a nice change.  It is home to some of the best beaches in the country. It is home to an emerging downtown area plus a bustling Beachwalk. This makes for endless activities! Clearwater in known for the pink sunsets and crystal-clear waters all summer long! 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Seafood shacks galore fill the seaside towns and coastal trails. You can get your fill of lobster rolls and fried clams. Cape Cope is home to the Kennedy compound and artsy fishing villages. Of course Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket offer nautical charm! These is a wide range of lodging options to suit every budget! 

Ocean City, Maryland

This is a very family-friendly summer destination. Packed with flat beaches, boardwalks, and of course Chesapeake Bay crabs! There are countless free or cheap activities such as putt-putt, Go Karts and outdoor movies! Every night of the week there is a free family fun event! These include laser light shows, concerts, beach olympics and much more!

Have a wonderful fun-filled summer!

Experience Brazil

With thousands of people flocking to Brazil for the World Cup this year, it is hard to remember all the OTHER things Brazil has to offer while vacationing there. And yes, I am just as thrilled about our win of Ghana as the next person, but get out and explore! There is so much you may miss out on!

While Brazil is known for the sun and sand, there is so much more to see! 

While I know the Amazon is on many travelers' bucket list, it is actually the Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater swamp, that is the best place in Brazil to encounter South American wildlife! You can drive the 90-mile Transpantaneira Highway and experience so much beauty. From the exotic flowers to the colorful macaws flying through the tree tops. If you do not want to drive yourself, they offer a great guided tour!  This is something you do not want to pass up!

Brazil is known for delicious, unforgettable food. So why not take a cooking class and learn how to recreate these amazing meals when you are back home? Take a four-hour cooking class brought to you by Cook in Rio and in no time you will be a pro cooking cultural Brazilian recipes! The classes are 100% hands on and English spoken! The best part is you get to eat your work! Yum!

Bonito means "beautiful" in Portuguese and that is exactly what this destination entails. Travel to Bonito and see the aquarium-like clear water and swim with the fish, float the waters, and experience an unforgettable excursion. You will see thousands of exotic fish while you swim along! Bring your underwater camera!

From January-June, a special project on the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha protects and monitors the nests of threatened green sea turtles. Around March the public is allowed to witness supervised nest openings about once a week. This is one of the coolest natural phenomenons you will ever witness. 

Get out and experience all that Brazil has to offer. Call your local travel agency for more information on traveling to Brazil!

Southern Brides // Who is Your Market?

Working in the wedding industry in the south, it is important to know who you are working with. 

Your typical bride:

Average age: 29 (groom age is an average of 31)

Average household income: $71,000

Average time spent planning: 11 months

Average cost of wedding: around $25,900

With this in mind, you know who to market to. About $70 billion is spent annually in the wedding industry. The most money is spent on reception site, gown, caterer/cake, photographer and entertainment. 

There are many things that people do not realize about the modern southern bride. Some of those things include:

59% of brides use Pinterest to find inspiration for their wedding dress

18% of brides buy their dresses online

86% actually wear something old, new, borrowed, and blue

(Found on Brides.com)

Brides today typically try to pick out a ring and have their grooms know what they want. In fact 61% of guys consult their girlfriends before purchasing a ring. The average cost for an engagement ring is $5, 300.

And what month is the most popular for engagement? December. The average length of an engagement is 14 months. 

Have fun planning!!