We're on break until next year while we work on some projects. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season! See you in 2009!

photo by ghostdad

If you and your children have grown bored with the standard theme parks offering roller coasters and over-priced food, and if you'd like to explore a unique park that's also educational, a visit to a dinosaur park may be in order.

Dinosaur Land was opened in the 1930s in Virgina's Shenandoah Valley. The draws of the park are huge fiberglass replicas of dinosaurs ranging in height from the size of dogs to as long as 90 feet. As visitors walk through forests, through swamps, and duck into caves, they'll find themselves stalked by these prehistoric wonders. Though none of the replicas are animated, children will nonetheless be fascinated by their size. Over 30 different dinosaurs are in residence, giving children the chance to identify them and expand their dinosaur repertoire. King Kong, a giant cobra, and an octopus also rule the park. The most recent addition is a carnivorous Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dinosaur Land is closed January 1- February 28th.

Dinosaur World has parks in Kentucky, Texas, and Florida. Over 150 life-sized replicas dominate the parks. Visitors can also visit dinosaur museums and dig for bones in bone yards. Party rooms and programs are available for groups. The parks are closed for some holidays.

photo by sirwiseowl

If the choreography of aerobics and step classes is too difficult for you, or you want to feel 'sporty' while you exercise, a spin class is an activity you may want to try. Relatively low-impact and performed indoors, spinning helps you tone your body in a group atmosphere filled with music and encouragement.

For your first spin class you should show up early so you can discuss the class and the equipment with your instructor. This will also notify your instructor that you are a beginner so he/she can keep an eye on you. Spinning is performed on a spinner bike which features a tension knob and weighted flywheel which combine to help mimic riding hills and jumps while keeping up your momentum, a feature which helps keep the workout non-impact. In coordination with music, the instructor leads the class on an imaginary bike ride, describing the hills and upcoming obstacles you will face and coaching riders on how to adjust the tension knobs on their bikes to reflect the course difficulty. Whether riding while seated or standing up on the pedals for sprints, spinning is a powerful fat-burner, typically burning 10 calories per minute.

photo by Banamine

Whether you're a horse racing fan or you simply want to witness one of the nation's oldest and most storied events take place before your own eyes, a trip to watch the running of the 135th Kentucky Derby may be a memory of a lifetime.

Tauck Tours has a 5-day trip to Kentucky in May 2009 that provides you with a stress-free means of seeing the race and learning more about this horseracing tradition. The trip begins in Lexington where you'll enjoy a visit to Maker's Mark, a whiskey distillery that is the only distillery in America designated to be a National Historic Landmark. A tasting and barbeque follows as well as a visit to a mansion in My Old Kentucky State Park. The next day features the opportunity to choose between attending the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks ("Run for the Lilies") or visiting a private horse farm where you'll receive an insider's look at what is involved in running and caring for thoroughbreds. The highlight of the trip comes the following day when you're transported to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. You'll enjoy VIP treatment in the tour's special marquee with a full spread buffet, open bar, closed circuit TVs, and private betting windows. When the race begins you'll have reserved seating along the First Turn to cheer on your favorite horse.

photo by Soon

Sometimes it's not enough to watch your favorite television shows every week. Sometimes you need that extra fix. What could be more exciting and bring you closer to your favorite shows than to see them up close and personal? Why not visit the studio where the show is filmed and sit in the audience as the show is taped?

AudiencesUnlimited is a resource for finding tickets to television shows, specials, award shows, and pilots. The free tickets are available approximately 30 days before filming on a first come, first served basis. Audience size can vary from 150 -200 people and are sometimes overbooked so to ensure your seat it's important to show up at least one hour before the scheduled taping. Filming generally lasts 2-3 hours and if you're lucky the stars of your favorite show will greet the audience or possibly sign autographs. Photos of any kind are forbidden, however. Shows are taped in Burbank, Culver City, and Hollywood. Maps are available on the website to help you find the studios. Depending on the show's content there may be a minimum age restriction. For many shows this age is 18, but there are some shows that allow children as young as 10 to attend. Group tickets and fundraising opportunities are also available.

photo by surangk

France is well-known for its gastronomic delights and takes great pride in producing the most luxurious meals imaginable. This desire for excellence extends to beverages as well, for within the city of Paris can be found what many will argue is the best hot chocolate in the world at Cafe Angelina.

Located across from the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre beneath the Rue de Rivoli archway, Angelina's is something of an institution, favored by locals and tourists alike. The front of the cafe is where the impressive pastry cases are located where you'll find treats such as Mont Blanc and fig tart. But the star of the show at Angelina's is the hot chocolate. Take a seat inside the cafe at a marble table and admire the gilt mirrored walls, but ultimately it's the l'Africain, a thick, rich, extremely sweet hot chocolate that many have likened to melted chocolate bars that will seize your attention. It is served quaintly in a pitcher alongside a parfait glass filled whipped cream. Despite the sweetness of the beverage you'll be tempted to order several pastries to accompany it, such as madeleines or maccaroons. It is pure indulgence and those on a diet or trying to limit their sugar intake might do better with an Angelina salad or perhaps a quiche.

photo by scubadive67

If you think being thousands of miles from the ocean means you can't dive with fish and sharks, think again. A fun diving adventure can be had at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

The Downtown Aquarium in Denver is a restaurant and aquarium that offers a variety of opportunities for you to become involved with the marine life that is present in the aquarium. A diving with the sharks program allows certified divers to climb into the Shark Tank and spend thirty to forty minutes diving with them, all while friends and non-divers watch from behind the glass walls of the tank. The aquarium provides all of the diving equipment and divers are given souvenirs to commemorate their experience. If diving with sharks sounds too intimidating, another option is to dive in the fish tank with eels and 500 species of fish. Non-divers and children can also participate by snorkeling in the fish tank or joining one of the aquarium's zoologist for a day or marine biologist for a day programs which introduce visitors to the behind the scenes activity that occurs in a major aquarium and wildlife habitat.

All programs include admission to the aquarium adventure exhibits, T-shirts, and discounts at the restaurant. Two weeks advanced reservation is required.

photo by Norma Desmond

Dinner and a show is a common evening plan, but how about dinner and a murder mystery show onboard a moving vintage train? The next time you're in Michigan you may want to consider checking out the Old Road Dinner Train, North America's longest-operating dinner train.

The company operates out of both Blissfield and Charlotte, but the primary rides originate in Blissfield, 20 minutes north of Toledo. The murder mystery train travels through the countryside while presenting entertainment and dinner over the span of two and a half to three hours. Diners enjoy a five course meal in classic dining car splendor. While the guests dine, actors perform the show which is billed as family friendly and more comical than dramatic. A volunteer is recruited to participate and guests may find themselves interacting with the cast as everyone aboard the train attempts to solve the murder mystery. The Blissfield train may be booked every Saturday night and on select Fridays and Sundays.

In addition to the murder mystery shows The Old Road Dinner Train offers experiences such as moving wine tastings, pizza trains, and Santa trains which are ideal for families with children. A New Year's murder mystery party is also scheduled.

photo by Qua Baths & Spa/Caesars Palace

For most people who live in parts of the world where snow is a regular occurrence each winter, the idea is often to get away from the chilly stuff. But since snow is rare in Las Vegas and greeted with fascination when it does fall, the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino decided to bring snow to the city. Inside its themed Qua Baths & Spa, guests can enjoy the winter treat in a luxurious setting unique in the desert.

Qua Baths & Spa boasts a spa experience called Roman Rituals, inspired by ancient Roman bath houses. Guests move between multiple rooms that offer different spa experiences. The Roman Baths consist of three pools heated to varying temperatures. The Laconium Room is an elegant sauna. The tea lounge is where tea sommeliers pair the beverage with spa treatments.

Arguably the most memorable part of the Roman Rituals is the Arctic Ice Room, a beautifully domed room adorned with blue glass tiled walls. The Arctic Room features heated floors and benches to provide comfort for guests as they relax in the chilly 55 degree mint-scented air. Overhead, fake snow descends from special equipment in the ceiling and gently dusts the guests.  This artificial snow isn't actually cold; it's similar to the mixture used on movie sets. However bowls of crushed ice are made available throughout the room for guests who would like to follow the ancient tradition of scrubbing themselves with snow to rub away sweat and impurities and invigorate their circulatory systems.

February is your chance to visit one of Japan's largest winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival. Ice sculptures and snow statues dominate the event which is spread along Odori Park, Satoland, and Susukino. The 2009 event will be held from February 5th to the 11th.

The festival began in 1950 with sculptures created by six high school students. Since then it has grown into one of Hokkaido's largest events, attracting nearly two million visitors from Japan and around the world. Lasting seven days, the event can be found in three main areas: Odori Park, where ice sculptures stretch east to west through downtown Sapporo and music acts perform on snow stages in front of gigantic snow backdrops; Satoland Park, where you can stumble through an ice maze, go snow rafting, or slide down a slippery ice flume; and Susukino, where the Ice Sculpture Contest is held and the Ice Queen is available for photographs. Susukino is also where the opening and closing ceremonies are held and is beautiful for visiting in the evening when the sculptures are illuminated. For seafood fans eager to sample Hokkaido's famous delicacies, the Hokkaido Winter Food Park offers crab and other Hokkaido specialties all day and night. Ice bars also feature liquors and beer 'on ice'.