National Plan A Vacation Week Features 'American Discoveries' and 'Pacific Paradises' Themes at planavacationweek.com

CHICAGO, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Planning the dream vacation this year? Consider National Plan A Vacation Week, and visit http://www.planavacationweek.com. Built for savvy consumers and supported by professional travel agents, this online extravaganza officially begins this week in March when families are planning their vacations. This free service quickly matches families, singles, couples or grandparents to their dream vacations based on major travel themes and 18 unique travel experiences. Seasoned travel writers Bob Jenkins and Chris Bertrand share their insights from "American Discoveries" and "Pacific Paradises" - two of the major six travel themes featured during National Plan A Vacation Week.

So you want to stay keep it domestic this year - not have to explain exchange rates, jet-lag and why European hotel bathrooms don't have washcloths. U.S. destinations range from awesome to inspirational, from historical to hysterical. And all provide longtime memories. For instance ...

Orlando - Think you already know about the No. 1 tourist destination in the world? Then you must have been to Walt Disney World since mid-January and set off on the three-hour Wild Africa Trek: Instead of riding through Wild Kingdom habitats, you'll walk them, even clipping into a safety harness to lean over gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.

If you prefer the wind in your face, drive 30 minutes from the city to a down-home place like the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, and step into the flat-bottom sound machines called airboats: You'll roar over the water until your captain spots gators, throttles down and drifts so close the gators may hiss at you.

New Orleans - This defined the cliche: so many choices, so little time. Step aboard an old-time trolley running parallel to the mighty Mississippi. Browse the Warehouse district, chocked with art galleries and studios. At family-favorite Louisiana Children's Museum, the show-stopper is the computer that lets kids steer a cruise ship down the Big Muddy. A free ferry ride across the river is Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. On a tour, visitors see last year's floats being reshaped to next year's theme.

Take a break from the city by driving over Lake Pontchartrain to the laidback North Shore, a destination for foodies and those who want to cycle or kayak beneath moss-draped oaks and cypress.

Honolulu - To discover the best of this island paradise, just ask a kama'aina - a native. He's likely to suggest surfing or standup paddle-boarding at famed Waikiki, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay or riding the surf aboard an outrigger canoe. Must-sees include the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in America, and the moving USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

When it's cocktail hour, head to the Moana Surfrider and sit outdoors, listening to the musicians and the ocean. Also enchanting is the classic Hyatt in Waikiki or the Zen-inspired boutique Hotel Renew; both offer a honeymoon package, of course. For a spectacular view, consider the Equus Hotel and Marina Tower, where decor recalls Hawaii's cowboys, the paniolos. Visitors to the north shore can book trail rides at the Hawaii Polo grounds. Discover some of the best championship surfing and breath-taking ocean views. Need a tee time? You'll find manicured grounds, an ideal wedding setting and a natural lagoon which shelters swimmers at the Turtle Bay Resort less than an hour from the airport.

Las Vegas - The Mega-style MGM properties feature brand-new and modern Aria, a stunning spa and vibrant and intimate nightlife. Julian Serrano, a brightly decorated Spanish tapas restaurant, and the upscale shopping mall will seduce you if the slots and blackjack tables don't. Be sure to consult your travel agent for the best MGM offers since airfare and room upgrades are possible. The sleek design and futuristic pool areas create an ultra-cool vibe.

Look for more high-energy video content on http://www.planavacationweek.com, which gives an excellent overview of more than 33 unique vacation experiences and includes over 400 professional destination photographs to whet your vacation appetite.

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SOURCE National Plan A Vacation Week