A San Francisco-based company is bringing the once famous zeppelin back to American shores.  Currently, there are only three zeppelins in the world.  The other two are in Germany and Japan. Airship Ventures Inc. will be using the craft, which arrived in San Francisco last week, to give aerial tours of the Bay Area.  The tours will start from Moffett Field, a former military air base about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

A zeppelin is larger in length than a Boeing 747.  It has a metal frame, covered with canvas that makes it different from the blimps usually seen floating over college football games.

The tours will be quite costly, nearly $500 per person for an hour-long flight.  Why so much?  It is a novelty, to be sure.  It is also exclusive.  That’s because the cabin can only hold 12 people at a time, in addition to a two-person crew.

Airship Ventures says that the flight will pass over San Francisco, the area’s vineyards, the rugged northern California coastline, the city of San Francisco, and the bay.

People who know their history will remember hearing about the Hindenberg, a giant zeppelin that caught fire over New York, killing more than 30 people.  Since that disaster, no zeppelins have set down in the United States.  But there is little chance that Airship Ventures’ craft will burst into flames.  Modern zeppelins are kept aloft with non-flammable helium.  The Hindenberg, on the other hand, was filled with highly flammable hydrogen.  It was, to use the clique, an accident waiting to happen.

Airship Ventures has ordered two more zeppelins from Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, the German company who manufactures such aircraft.  One of the two new aircraft will most likely be based in New York, while the other is rumored to be slated for a home base in Florida.

Angels and Demons was the second book by Dan Brown (the first was The Da Vinci Code) and a prequel to the first release.  The majority of the story takes place in the amazing structures in, around and even under Rome, Italy.  You could spend a full vacation just following the foot steps of the characters in “Angels and Demons.”

One of the main locations in the book is the Vatican City.  Today the Roman Catholic Church has opened much of the city up to public tour.  The numerous museums are open, free of charge, almost anytime during the year.  The Archives are not open to public tour, but you can tour them virtually through the Vatican City website.

The Tiber Island is a boat-shaped island in the Tiber River that has long been associated with healing.  The main character in the book is thrown by an explosion into the river near the island.  The island was once the home of the temple to Aesculapious (the Greed god of medicine and healing).  The island is small and can be toured in just a few hours.

If you don’t want to feel your way through the book on your own you can try one of the many tours of the sites that are available today.  3 Millennia is a touring company that offers and “Unofficial Angels and Demons Tour.”  It will only last a few hours, but will take you too many of the sites featured in the novel.

Witur offers the La Roma di Bernini and includes many of the sites from “Angels and Demons.”  It includes the II Panteon, Raffaello’s Tomb, Christ by Michelangelo and much more.  This tour is a bit longer and will take around 7 hours.

The Official Angels & Demons Tour - The Path of the Illumination will take you through the novel - the sites, the mysteries and even the hidden symbolism.  This is the most extensive tour that is available for the sites (and secrets) of the Dan Brown novel.  The standard tour package is approximately 4 hours long.

Rome, Italy is an amazing location to visit – full of history and intrigue.  Add to that the focused mystery created by the Dan Brown novel, Angels and Demons and you have the makings of an adventure that you aren’t soon to forget.  Try combining the paid tours with self tours and create the ultimate experience of reading it then seeing it.

There is probably nothing quite as peaceful as cruising up or down the river. The lull of the water lapping up against the boat hull, the calm air and amazing scenery will all come together to provide a once in a lifetime experience. Riverboats can take you where you never knew you wanted to go before.

1. Majestic America is one of the leading riverboat touring companies in the United States. The company offers tours up the Mighty Mississippi River, along the shores of the Tennessee and through the Ohio River Valley as well. The company currently has several ships that each offers a unique experience.

· The American Queen is the flagship of the Line. She offers 222 staterooms and suites, amazing architectural details and elegant entertainment spaces. You will even find a heated pool and athletic club on board.

· The Delta Queen is the oldest of the Line - built in 1926. Her decks gleam with teak and Tiffany-style stained-glass. It is a smaller vessel, but still offers wonderful entertainment (including a dance floor that was graced by Presidents Hoover, Truman, and Carter). Although the Delta Queen (the last of the over-night steam-powered sternwheelers) was designated a National Historic Landmark, it is in jeopardy of being retired unless Congressional measures are taken to ensure its continued voyage.

· The Mississippi Queen offers the amenities of the modern and the romance of the historic. You will find a stocked library, theater, pool and exercise room, amazing furnishings and excellent architectural features.

2. Viking River Cruises explore the world and are the leader in river cruises. There is a fleet of 18 deluxe ships that offer 35 unique cruises and more destinations than you will find anywhere else. The commitment is to make your vacation the best you have ever had.

3. Atlantis Cruises and Tours offers a wide range of river cruises through Europe. Danube River Cruises wind through central Europe and offers one of the most majestic ways to see this region of the world. The cruises are all-inclusive so you won’t have to worry about exchange rates, additional fees, hotels or meals.

River cruises are a wonderful way to see the world from a unique perspective. You have the convenience of an all-inclusive vacation and the ability to see a wide range of destinations. It is no wonder that these vacations are becoming more popular every day.

Botanical gardens are found in every state in the United States (including Washington D.C.) and many cities around the world. They offer a wonderland of plants and flowers and exhibits. Many of them have taken the exhibits straight to the kids and offer interactive opportunities that are sure to delight the younger members of your group. Take a quick look around the internet to see what type of botanical gardens are available where you are visiting and then make plans to spend a day enjoying the beauty of the area.

Alabama - Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville, Alabama has worked hard to become an amazing adventure for the whole family. There is something happening in every season of the year. Even the usually bare winter offers a five-mile light display that the whole family will enjoy.

Alaska - Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage, Alaska is 110 acre facility that focuses on native plants and northern horticulture. May to September is the peak season for the gardens.

Arizona - Tucson Botanical Garden, Tucson, Arizona has been touted as one of the best kept secrets in the country. It is an amazing collection of native and regional plants right in the heart of Tucson.

Arkansas - Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is 210 acres of world-class botanical gardens. It is now under the development of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture and continues to expand and mature each year.

California - University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, Berkeley, California has grown to an amazing representation of plants from every continent in the world.

Colorado - The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, Colorado, are the world’s highest botanical gardens. It has six main gardens and includes some amazing waterfall displays.

Connecticut - Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens, Stamford, Connecticut, is 91 acres of parkland, gardens, and incredible landscaping. There is also a green house with cacti and succulents.

Delaware - Nemours Mansion and Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware, are re-opening after major renovations and restoration. One of the features in these gardens is the 800,000 gallon reflection pool.

Florida - Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo, Florida, has 30 acres of cultivated gardens and 90 acres of natural landscaping. It contains Florida natives, rare and unusual exotics, and some of the strongest garden plants in this country.

The interest in the paranormal has always been strong for some people. They read all the books they can find and watch all the movies. Now it’s possible to meld your vacation and your fascination into one experience. Take a haunted tour and see if you can scare up a ghost or two to add to your travel experiences.

The King of Horror stories – the word master Stephen King – was once so affected by his experience at the Stanley Hotel that he penned The Shining. The entire forth floor of the hotel is supposed to be the most active. It was once the home of the servants at the hotel. It is said that the halls will be full of the sounds of children even when no children are present. There have also been reports of the piano in the music room playing (with the keys moving and everything) even when no one was present. There is also a child that has been seen by many - even reportedly by Steven King which might explain a few things about his book.

The entire city of New Orleans is shrouded in mystery, myth and legends. When you mix in the tradition of Voodoo you get the perfect place for hauntings and ghosts. The fact that the dead are not buried in New Orleans Parrish (because the entire area is below city level) and instead are housed in crypts and mausoleums probably adds to the haunted air of the city.

Hollywood hosts one of the most star-studded hauntings of anywhere in the world. The reflection of Marilyn Monroe is said to show up in the full length mirror that was originally located in her suite and some guests have reported seeing her dancing in the ballroom. The music from Montgomery Clift’s trumpet allegedly fills the halls of the ninth floor. With the incredible list of guests that have walked these halls, it’s no surprise that some unusual things go on there still.

Scotland is full of ancient castles, and many of them have ghosts that wander the halls and corridors. Some of the ghosts are said to be friendly with the guests (offering them a peaceful nights sleep or even healing the sick on rare occasions) while others seemed doomed to relieve their tragic moments. Many of the hauntings come from lost love (because of prearranged marriages to others), murder, insanity or a combination of the three. There are enough ghostly apparitions that have been reported in the country to keep you on vacation for quite a while.

There are plenty of opportunities to visited haunted sites through out the world. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, many of these sites will have your hair standing on end and you constantly looking over your shoulder.

Taking a tour of the country side is nice, but drinking your way through is so much nicer. There are a number of amazing wineries and some beautiful country sides all around the world. Many of them offer public and private tours so that you can learn about the industry and also taste the multitude of products. Make your next vacation and experience of the wine country in one of these regions.

For the ultimate in French wine country tours, check out Insider Wine Tours. They have the connections to help you find hidden treasures and see France in a unique, new light. You will be immersed in the local culture and experience the wine making and culinary history. The tours are not only informative and exciting, but they are down-to-earth and personable. Insider Wine Tours is the brainchild of Alfio Moriconi. His knowledge of the wine industry complements his daughter’s tourism expertise. Their desire is to share the love of wine with all the people they encounter.

Brazil is a beautiful country and also offers some amazing wine as well. The Southern Brazil Wine Tour offered by Discover Brazil is 4 nights of private tours of the vineyard culture in the Southern Brazilian region of the world. Not only will you taste some of the top wines, but you will learn about the techniques and process that create their amazing flavors. The tour is on a weekday and includes the guidance of an expert for a portion of the tour. It includes transportation during the tour, but not flight to Brazil.

California is one of the most well known wine regions. Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and the Sonoma Country thrive with the industry. California Wine Tours offers some of the best packages to experience this region. Here you will find great private tours or public tours that will give you a new view of the wine industry. The private tours focus on education, history, and Champagne. The public tours are a bit more affordable while still embracing the wine experience.

Drinking your way through your next vacation doesn’t mean you won’t remember what you experience. A tour through one of the world’s many wine regions is sure to open your mind to the world of wines while giving you a chance to see the country in a new way. Take a wine tour through your favorite country and make memories while expanding your knowledge.