Labor Day Weekend falls on September 1, 2008 and is the perfect way to celebrate the last days of summer.  The nation is preparing for some of the country’s best fireworks displays, music festivals and culinary contests to enjoy the season in true American spirit.

If you missed out on summer traveling in favor of a ‘staycation’ this year, Labor Day weekend could be your ideal opportunity to get out and experience something new; the country’s beaches, local parks, and several key resorts are gearing up for a fantastic celebration!  Here just five ideas to plan a fun, memorable and even budget-friendly Labor Day weekend getaway:

Labor Day Weekend at Virginia Beach – this popular beach for summer fun is kicking off Fall with the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival,  concerts, a marathon, family-friendly events and a host of other activities.  Head here for a classic Labor Day celebration and soak up those last rays of sunshine.

Labor Day Weekend Celebrations at The Greenbrier – make your way to the Allegheny Mountains for an exclusive wine tasting seminar, a tour of local historical sites or just to take a few dance classes.  The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia is an historical landmark that will easily put you in the patriotic spirit.

Labor Day Weekend Relaxing at the FireSky Resort and Spa in Scottsdale – head to the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona for a luxury pampering session in this popular destination resort and hotel, then head out to the community events lineup for a Labor Day picnic, fireworks and live entertainment in the local parks.

Labor Day Weekend Camping at Stone Mountain Park – head to Georgia for an unforgettable camping experience in Stone Mountain Park.  Hotels and resorts in the area offer stunning views of some of Georgia’s notable plantations, and family campgrounds are the perfect place to pitch up your tent.

Labor Day Weekend Fun at the Great Wolf Lodge – head to Williamsburg for a few lessons of Americna history and the annual Labor Day Weekend Luau event.  The resort offers plenty of activities for the whole family, and is close to several attractions and historical sites in the area.

These are not your mother’s summer camps.  The days of just doing some crafts and swimming in the lake are far behind.  Now kids get to expand their gifts and talents in unbelievable ways (or maybe they just uncover hidden talents).

Camp Jam is a five day overnight program that is all about the rock - and that means Rock -n- Roll.  Celebrity visits, group lessons and so much more make this the best camp around for those kids that want to party like it’s 1999.

Seacamp is all about the ocean and is held at a non-profit educational center in the Florida Keys.  Kids participate in SCUBA diving, sailing and marine science.  What better way to spend your summer break than enjoying the surf, sand and sun.

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts offers a summer camp that takes kids imaginations and helps them become reality.  They offer classes in dance, theater, music, circus performing, magic and much more.

The Fashion Design Institute at Pali Adventures is the perfect location for your fashion focused girl.  Here they create sketches and illustrations, choose fabrics and even assemble garments.  The end of camp features the designs of the campers in a finale fashion show.

If your kids want to flip, fly and ski then the Learn to Fly Summer Ski Jumping Camps are they place you need to send them.  The camps are held at Olympic Park in Utah and they accept kids as young as seven.  They use artificial slopes to teach ski jumping and freestylers get to land in a pool.

Of course there are still plenty of traditional summer camps around the country.  Kids can hike, swim and have a good time.  But who can resist the lure of some of these amazing camps that are now available to kids of all ages?

Cruise ships are not just boats with hotel rooms and a few entertainment areas. These traveling vacation destinations have continually grown in size for the last few decades. Today you will find an entire city floating around in the form of cruise ships.

Although they already have almost every amenity you might be able to imagine, it is still not enough. Royal Caribbean is gearing up to launch to monster ships that will hold 5,400 passengers, span 16 decks and include things like a park. The designers have outdone the imagination with all of the options and opportunities that cruisers will find around this small, moving island escape.

The Central Park space will be a unique outdoor space for cruisers. It will include pathways, seasonal flower gardens and even canopy trees. There will be balcony staterooms that look over the park. The park will run the length of a football field and offer a neighborhood feel.

Already sailing the wide blue sea today are some monster ships. The Queen Mary 2 is not just about size, but it is about elegance. It was designed to bring back the Golden Age of Ocean Travel and to make the experience once again one of the grandest on earth. Its crowning point is the Planetarium.

Royal Caribbean has the other top ships already carrying passengers. It seems that the company is determined to stay on top. With the release of the plans for the Genesis project – including the Oasis of the Seas set to sail in 2009 and Allure of the Seas planned for 2010 – it is likely to continue holding the top position for biggest cruise ship available today.

If you want to experience something that can never be covered with mere words, then consider a vacation experience on one of the biggest cruise ships around for you and your family.

Travel agents can be the best way to get great deals on trips and to get insider tips on vacation destinations. The key is to find the travel agent who will meet your needs and your plans despite your budget. It is a lot like finding the right contractor or doctor. Instead of just picking a name at random from the yellow pages, take some time to look around, ask around and meet with available agents in your area.

1. Talk to family and friends (and even strangers in the grocery store). See who they know or have used in the past. As the travel industry continues to grow, so does the number of individuals that service it. It seems that everyone has a relative or family friend in the industry these days. Get recommendations – but ask for the good, the bad and the ugly on anyone that is suggested.

2. Meet with potential representatives. While it is okay to get leads from others, you need to meet the agents in person. Find out what their experience is and even ask for references. Be sure to ask for references of people who didn’t have the best vacation experience. It is important to see how the travel agent handles problems or difficulties.

3. Ask about her personal travel experience. Is her travel all book knowledge, or has she taken the time and money to visit the sites herself. First hand knowledge can be more valuable than all the degrees in the world.

4. Check online or with the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if there have been formal complaints against the travel agent or the company that she represents.

Once you find the travel agent that is best for your needs, make an appointment to sit down and talk with her. Be sure you give her all the information needed to plan the perfect vacation experience for you and your family: budget, interests, special needs or wants, and the importance factor of the different elements (where are you willing to compromise if it is needed).

Be sure that any plans your agent makes are only tentative until your final approval. Even though she is the expert, take a little time and effort to do some research of the suggestions that she makes. In the end, no matter who makes the arrangements, it is your vacation (and money) that is on the line.

Taking an adventure trip is not just for the experienced. As the interest in these sports has continued to expand the opportunities to learn the basics has also expanded. Now you can find a tour that specializes in giving you the experience, training and know-how you need to take you where you want to go.

Up, up and away. If you have always longed to climb the highest mountain, then Pro Guiding Service is at your service. They have put together a great course to help you learn the extreme sport of Rock climbing. Women’s Intro to Rock Climbing will help you learn some of the technical aspects of rock climbing and a lot about yourself that you probably didn’t know. Some of the basic information will be movement on the rocks, top rope set-ups, anchor systems, and lead climbing. You do need to be physically fit, but previous rock climbing experience is not required.

Sailing can take you away to where you always wanted to be. If you’ve never been before then Women traveling is here to help. Their Learning How to Sail in San Diego Adventure will give you hands-on instruction at the J-World Sailing School. You will learn sailing basics so no previous experience is required. The basic boat-handling and terminology will get you flying down the San Diego Bay in no time. The ultimate goal of this experience is to give you a since of competence and confidence when boating.

Snowboarding is new to many of us, but Peak Adventures is opening this world to any one willing to venture into it. The experience includes transportation, rentals, and a lift ticket along with expert instruction. Be sure to bring a snack and a lunch because you will definitely work up an appetite.

Something fishy is in the air at the Annual Fly Fishing School. You will be efficient at light and heavy weight fly rods, hooking, playing and landing your catch before you finish up here. The trip includes the school, lodging, equipment and even a guided fishing tour. If you want to learn to fish for trout and salmon then this is just the place for you.

It is possible to learn something new and have a relaxing time. Many of today’s vacation tours and packages are custom designed to give you an amazing experience and send you home with a new skill. The best part is that you are traveling with other women who want the same learning experience as yourself.

Traveling is tough on the body and on the mind. It can also wreak havoc on any exercise regime that you may have in place (or exercise habits you may be trying to form). Instead of letting the travel itinerary get you off track, learn to make exercise part of your travel experience.

1. Take advantage of the hotel’s exercise room. Today many lodging facilities also offer state of the art gyms. Spend some time first thing in the morning taking advantage of the amenities.

2. Go for a swim. Book a hotel that offers an indoor pool. Spend some time in the morning, or winding down at the end of the day, swimming a few laps. Top off the exercise with a long soak in the hot tub (or steam room).

3. Use your own gym’s reciprocal program. Many of the gym chains allow members to use their membership at any of the gyms across the country. Be sure to check your home gym’s rules before you start on vacation and then find a gym near your hotel in order to take full advantage of the facilities.

4. See if your hotel offers a private trainer. Schedule work outs with the trainer before you arrive and let him help you stay on track during your trip.

5. Skip the cab when possible. Walk to your destinations when you can. Although the stairs can be a great work out, avoid walking in any stair wells that are not well used. Walking in an empty stairwell can make you and easy target for crime.

6. Bring your routine with you. If you normal do aerobics or Pilates then bring an exercise DVD with you on your trip. Most hotels provide DVD players in every room, but even those that don’t probably provide one on request.

7. Check with the desk front of your hotel for local gyms that might offer temporary memberships for visitors. It may be that the hotel can even arrange the membership for you (or the hotel might have a program where its guests can use local facilities at no extra charge).

Keeping an exercise routine while you are away on a trip or vacation does not have to be difficult. With a little planning before (and during) your time away from home, you can keep your exercise program right on track. The key is to keep moving in one way or another.

Everyone has a different idea of what a yoga retreat should consist of, but everyone would probably agree that it would be about refocusing your life. You can blend the peaceful atmosphere of traditional yoga with the excitement of outdoor adventure to create a vacation that will invigorate your body and your mind. Or you can choose to become one with nature in a much more traditional way through meditation and relaxation techniques.

The art of yoga originated in India thousands of years ago. It is the combination of physical and mental exercises to bring your body to its highest potential. Through a healthy body, you will experience greater happiness. Yoga aims to pull you to the greatest pleasure you can experience, and for each person it will be a little different experience than the next.

If you want to reach out to the peaceful side of nature while you reach for your potential then a retreat at Peace Village which offers a large variety of workshops against a background of 300 acres of woods, streams, and natural beauty. Located in the Catskill Mountains just south of Albany, New York, this is a retreat from the ordinary that will help you find your own inner extraordinary. http://www.peace-village.org/index.html

Rolling Meadows Retreat is another place to envelop you in the silence of nature. It’s a sanctuary from ordinary life that brings you back to a place of completeness. The 100 acres center is located near the coastal town of Belfast, Maine. It is a serene and restful place to find your focus. http://rollingmeadowsretreat.com/index.html

Some of you may crave a little more excitement with your centering. The Women’s Yoga Retreat on the Klamath River should be right up your alley. It will take you on an inspiring four day trip down the river beginning and ending with yoga and meditation. The Klamath River is a great combination of white water and peaceful drifting. All the vegetarian meals will be prepared by the guides giving you more time to enjoy the natural surroundings at the camp sites. http://www.turtleriver.com/yoga.htm

Take the idea of becoming one with nature to a whole new level. The combination of yoga and surfing is the perfect mix. At the Bodhi Retreats in Los Altos Hills, California you will be introduced to the art of daily meditation and yoga and then learn how to “hang ten” with beginner surfing lessons. The retreat is a well rounded one that also offers wellness talks, organic meals, and even survival skills. You can rejuvenate your body, awaken your passions, and truly become all that you can be. http://www.retreatsonline.com/usa/california/bodhiretreats.htm

Yoga retreats are a great way to return to (or simply find) the focus that will help you get to where you have always wanted to be.

Women traveling with other women helps them open up to adventures for most that could never experience otherwise. The freedom that you will feel from being away from spouses, significant others, children, or men in general is beyond measure. Take that freedom to a whole new level with an all women cruise.

Cruise the Galapagos Islands for eight days on a private yacht. The Galapagos Cruise Package for Women will offer you a true trip of a lifetime and it is limited to just twenty women. This unbelievable experience will feature snorkeling and day hikes through out the islands guided by certified naturalists. You will also have the option of using the onboard glass-bottomed sea kayaks for paddling the quiet bays. The amazing wildlife and volcanic rock is sure to leave a profound mark on your heart and mind.

Sail away for an adventure in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands. Onboard the Cuan Law, you will enjoy sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. This trimaran is the world’s largest and offers luxury that you could never have imagined in an ordinary sailboat. The days will fly past as you sail gently through the Caribbean breezes. You will also have the chance to enjoy island explorations, beachside barbeques, and gourmet cuisine - onboard.

Enjoy Cozumel and the Grand Cayman Islands in luxury and style. Girlville Getaway Cruise is just one of the outings hosted by Christiancruises.org that is for designed for women (although husbands are welcome). This five night cruise is hosted on the Carnival ship “Inspiration” and will provide more than just entertainment for your time onboard.

Take a cruise up the Danube River with other like-minded women. The 11 Day Danube River Cruise with Prague & Munich - Linz to Regensburg has you touring for five nights on the deluxe river vessel the MS Bolero before settling into a 3 night say at the Hilton Hotel in Prague. You’ll tour historic sites, enjoy a concert, and experience the food and drink as the locals experience it.

The Amazon offers a completely different river experience. Cruise these waters on a ship specifically designed for Amazon navigation. The Amazon River trip starts in fabulous Rio de Janeiro before heading up the Negro River of the Amazon Region. The trip will end at the Iguassu Falls. This amazing Amazon adventure is limited to only 15 travelers so get in quick.

Taking a trip of any length or adventure with other women is like going away to boarding school or summer camp. It frees you up to experience yourself as well as the environment around you.

No matter how long your road trip is going to be, it is always a good idea to make sure it is in good condition. You wouldn’t want it breaking down on the side of the road. And you definitely don’t want it having mechanical problems while you are cruising down the interstate at 75 mph.

Checking the oil is not that difficult once you locate the dipstick in your particular model. If you aren’t sure which one is for the oil then check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic to show you. During long road trips you should check your oil periodically (when you fill up) to be sure that you are maintaining a safe level.

The owner’s manual is also the place to find out about your optimum tire pressure. During extreme weather – when it changes often – you should check your tires about every two weeks. Be sure that they are cold when you check them (before you start on the road). A tire gauge is a valuable tool to keep in your car at all times.

You should also do a quick check of all your lights to make sure they are in good working order. Unless someone makes a point to tell you about a problem (or a ticket of some sort is involved) you probably won’t notice a light that is out. Get a friend to help you make sure your brake lights, front and back blinkers and head lights are all in good working order.

Windshield wipers may seem like a small item, but they become a huge liability if you need them and they don’t work. Make sure that they are doing their job appropriately and change them out if there is a problem.

It may seem silly, but a good cleaning is important before you take a road trip. Dirty windows can obscure you vision and cause a wreck. Take time to clean the windows (on the inside and outside) before you start on the road. It is also a good idea to clean them along the way to remove any bugs or other items that could smear if you use your windshield wipers.

For bigger things, it is a good idea to see a mechanic. You need to have your brakes checked for wear. Your tires need to be balanced and the tread needs to be full. A full check up should not be all that expensive, especially when balanced against your own personal safety. It doesn’t take much time or money to get your car on the road safely once you know what needs to be done.