A New Quick & Easy Way to Check Luggage Limits

Before you fly, check Luggage Limits' new Web site to make sure you know, well, your airlines luggage limitations and restrictions. Because restrictions seem to be changing every time you get ready to board a plane, Luggage Limits' Web site can keep you up to date with an easy online form specifying airline and airport.

Iceland Named Top 2010 Destination for Best Value

Lonely Planet ranks Iceland as one of the top 2010 Best Value Destinations. For more information on Southern Treks June 2010 Iceland tour, visit our Web site.

A Quick Seattle Trip

Me catching the fish at Pike's Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington.

Thinking of planning a weekend trip to Seattle? I have compiled a short list of must sees and dos based on our late October 3-day family adventure to help you with yours. Of course, seeing a place in just a weekend will not allow you to hit every site. However, you can cram a lot into a few days, even with the entire family (we had 11 adults and a baby)! In our short trip, we were able to see a lot of the beautiful area. The weather was fantastic - no rain - and the leaves were changing for fall. Here is a list of highlights from our October Seattle adventure...

1. Taking a ferry ride to any of Seattle's surrounding islands or suburbs is definitely worth the few bucks it costs and your time. We rode out to Bremerton mid-day and then back just before dinner. Doing so allowed us to see Seattle (and the surrounding islands) in daylight and the city lights at night by water. We also had an amazing lunch/afternoon snack at the Boat Shed in Bremerton. Mmmm...there's nothing like fresh seafood in the Pacific Northwest!
2. Although it may sound super-touristy, I would also recommend a quick visit to Seattle's Space Needle. We opted for a Saturday morning visit (to avoid other tourists, I recommend going as early as possible). From its top, you can see the city and its gorgeous surroundings - think mountains, ocean, islands and skyscrapers! Plus, the Space Needle's history is rather interesting and you can learn all about it with a nice exhibit on the top's interior.
3. After our early morning visit to the Space Needle, we hopped in our cars (all 12 of us) and headed over to Pike's Place Market. Pike's Place Market is a MUST when visiting Seattle! However, I might not recommend 'fresh catch challenge' at Pike's Place Fish Market unless you are ready to take the heat if you drop it! I was tricked by my lovely in-laws into stepping up to the challenge and you bet I was not about to drop the 9 lb. salmon after hearing the employee's heckling at previous attempts. With a little help of my face and jacket (see above), I was successful in 'catching' our dinner that night. We had an amazing feast of salmon, oysters, crab legs and salad full of fresh goodies all purchased from PPM. I also snuck in a quick snack of delicious and award winning clam chowder from Pike Place Chowder and a sample or two from local cheese and veggie vendors.

USA Today Ranks Iceland as Top Destination 2010

Iceland has been ranked as a top destination for 2010 by USA Today. Southern Treks already knew this and has planned a trip to see (and hike) around the country's best highlights. Southern Treks' Iceland tour was named one of the top three walking tours in Iceland by Frommer's Iceland Guidebook. For more information on our exciting adventure, please visit our Web site.