NOAA's Emergency Response website has updated its 72 hour forecast of where the oil spill is headed. The government agency forecasts that the oil will continue to head north-eastward, away from Florida beaches. The 72 hour forecast states that the current and wind are pushing the slick westward "...under these currents and winds the plume from the source will tend westward towards the [Mississippi] Delta".  This is terrible news for the fisherman and residents of Louisianna where it looks like more oil will come onshore.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.  The good news for businesses, residents and tourists to North West Florida is that the oil is moving away from us and the beaches will be clear. To date, NO tarballs have washed ashore and there is no odor or oil on the Florida beaches. 

Please consider supporting the local businesses by coming to visit.  You can find great deals in Destin, Ft. Walton, or Panama City. Make your reservation today.

NOAA has updated its 72 hour forecast of where the oil spill is headed. The government agency forecasts that the oil will be heading north-eastward, away from Florida beaches. In fact, the 72 hour forecast states "Onshore winds (currently SE 10-15 kts) are forecast to persist at about 10 kts throughout the weekend".  This means that the massive oil slick is headed to the north and east.  This is terrible news for the fisherman and residents of Louisianna where it looks like more oil will come onshore.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.  The good news for businesses, residents and tourists to North West Florida is that the oil is moving away from us and the beaches will be clear all weekend. To date, no tarballs have washed ashore and there is no odor or oil on the Florida beaches. 

Please consider supporting the local businesses by coming to visit.  You can find great deals for this coming weekend in Destin, Ft. Walton, or Panama City. Make your reservation today.

Finding a great travel bargain may be all the motivation that you need to take the vacation that you've been thinking about. While the state of the economy still has many people keeping a close watch on their wallets, a variety of vacation rentals in the Top 10 summer destinations are budget-friendly, accommodating, and attractive.

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Travelers are starting to discover this sacred island area, but until now the Oahu secret spots have been little more than legend. This small island off of the main land of Hawaii has beautiful golden sandy beaches, tons of activities and of course serene beach stretches away from the mainland. Becoming exposed to the native culture, food, and little know areas will keep you coming back for all of your tropical vacations.

Starting with the out of this world beach front locations that are not often traveled by fellow vacationers and ending with the incredible food that is not crowded, true to island recipe, and served every day on this island, these secrets have been exposed by natives of this land and are now here for your enjoyment. Check out Budget Travel's trip itinerary and read about our favorite Oahu spots below:

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If you aren't quite satisfied with with the normal Christmas tree and presents, News Years Eve party watching the ball drop, or any of the other seasonal standards, you could use some unique holiday ideas to spice up your life. Not everyone wants the every day holiday tradition, and the winter itch is a great excuse to get out and experience new things. You can find interesting holiday destinations across the globe.

From faraway locations with native inspired traditions to holiday spots that may be just a couple of hours away from home, the nation is filled with strange and awe inspiring happenings. MSNBC came up with a list of offbeat destinations. Check out our favorite 5 below:

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It's a little known fact that there are 126 US cities whose names are related to Christmas. The Christmas that Americans know today as a popular family holiday began in the 1800s. Dutch, German, and other European settlers brought their customs to America and these were absorbed into the celebrations. There are many place names that reflect the importance of the festive season and its place in our affections.

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY HERE

Christmas
The original ‘Masse’, (the Mass of) became the suffix ‘Mas’ given to church feast days. Therefore, the meaning of Christmas is the Mass of Christ.

• Christmas, Orange County, Florida
• Christmas Valley, Lake County, Oregon
• Christmas Mountain, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Christmas, Gila County, Arizona
• Christmas, Lawrence County, Kentucky
• Christmas, Alger County, Michigan
• Christmas, Bolivar County, Mississippi
• Christmas City, Utah County, Utah
• Christmas Cove, Lincoln County, Maine
• Christmasville, Carroll County, Tennessee

Noel
Noel is the French word for Christmas

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Vacation rental companies are becoming more aware of the environmental impact that taking a vacation involves and there is a wide choice of eco friendly accommodation available. Here's a list of the top green vacation rentals in the US:

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
Reno, Nevada

Conveniently located a five-minute drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the Tuscan themed complex has 1635 guest rooms, which include 600 luxury suites, all with mountain or pool views.  The furnishings are luxurious and guests enjoy the resort’s amenities, such as the spa with an indoor pool, the fitness center, a casino, and two swimming pools with poolside bars.  There is a shuttle service for the airport. Peppermill has drilled a geothermal well in order to conserve energy in a project that completes in January 2010, providing water and mechanical heat from a renewable source for the resort.

Coconut Palms II Beach Resort
New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Located at what is considered to be the safest bathing beach in the world, the resort consists of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom properties with access to an outdoor pool. Some of the accommodation has a Jacuzzi. Guests can participate in golf, tennis, horseback riding, or water sports. The lighting and air conditioning systems are designed for low energy use.

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Photo Credit: Lawrence OP

There are many place names in the US that are associated with Thanksgiving. Some of these are taken from the message of the holiday and some from the rituals, such as the food we eat at this time. It’s not surprising that these cities, towns, and villages etc., have taken these names, as Thanksgiving is such a big part of the nation’s culture. Since the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 when the pilgrims and the Native American Wampanoag tribe joined together to celebrate a bountiful harvest at Plymouth in Massachusetts, American families have given thanks by sharing a traditional dinner. Here's a list of the 35 most "thankful" cities, whose names are a constant reminder of the thankful season!

GIVING THANKS
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

• Thanksgiving, Talbot County, Maryland
• Thankful, Wilkes County, North Carolina

TO BE A PILGRIM
The pioneers who traveled on the Mayflower were called the Puritans. Eventually the word, ‘pilgrims’ and Pilgrim Fathers came into use when referring to the Puritans. Pilgrim is taken from the Latin words ‘per’ (through) and ‘ager’ (land or field) and came to mean a foreigner. The word developed through Old French and English to the word we know today.

• Pilgrim, Benzie County, Michigan
• Pilgrim, Martin County, Kentucky
• Pilgrim, Dade County, Missouri
• Pilgrim, Gonzales County, Texas

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Photo Credit: Michael Kappel

These 8 best train stations in the US will give you a reason to travel. The ‘Golden Age of Rail Travel’ may have come and gone but reports say that the economic downturn has resulted in an increased use of our railway system. Passengers are returning to use trains for commuting and long distance journeys. There is a romance about train travel but today’s public demands modern amenities. Many train stations have undergone renovations to meet this demand and 21st century train travel looks like an exciting prospect.

1. Most Efficient
   Grand Central Terminal
   New York City
   Revered as one of the most famous icons of the Big Apple, the beautifully designed building is also known for its efficiency. The station has to operate well, as it deals with 426,000 passengers every day. Located in Manhattan, it is the transportation hub for all the Metro North services, as far as New Haven, and subway services going to the northern suburbs. In terms of the number of platforms, (44), it is the world’s largest station. The percentage of trains running on time is an impressive 98%. There is an easily found information booth in the middle of the station, several restaurants, and a shopping mall. 
2. Best Architecture
   Union Station
   Chicago, Illinois
   
   The US has a number of architectural gems amongst its train stations and Union Station is perhaps, the most admired for its interior. Opened in 1925, construction took ten years at a cost of $75 million and the design is in the Neoclassical style. Almost entirely underground, the station is the terminal for all Amtrak trains to the city and also serves Metra commuter rail passengers. The focal point of the building is the waiting room, named The Great Hall and its Corinthian columns, pink marble floor, statues, and barrel-vaulted, skylight ceiling. Several TV shows and movies have used the space for filming.
3. Best Historic
   Eureka Springs Station and Museum
   Eureka Springs, Arkansas
   
   The world of steam comes alive at this historic train station where passengers can book a train ride on a steam locomotive through the Ozarks. Lunch and dinner excursions are available. The station is a treasure chest of vintage rolling stock, an original turntable, and assorted railroad memorabilia and is one of the town’s most visited tourist attractions. Rail passengers first came to Eureka Springs in 1883 and the museum traces the history of the development of the railway and its importance to the area. The station also has a snack car and gift shop.
4. Most Improved
   Union Station
   Los Angeles, California
   
   Already admired for its architecture, it was still felt that improvements were needed to the station and an ambitious program was undertaken in the 1990s to improve passenger services and to improve the station environment. The station operates an Amtrak service and a Metrolink service and both services expanded. The Gateway Center bus terminal on station property improved its connections between buses and trains and its park and ride facility. Landscaping and artwork projects were deemed a great success, particularly the elevated gardens and waterfalls that muffled the noise from trains and buses. The pedestrian plaza was designed to be closed off for events. The improvements received a vote of excellence from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
5. Most Clean
   Union Station
   New Haven, Connecticut
   
   The primary rail hub for Connecticut, with Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad services, is a relatively small station with just four platforms. Train stations are not generally known for their level of cleanliness but this station receives many reviews from satisfied customers with regard to the station environment. Descriptions include “airy and sunny” and “clean and organized”.  Passengers notice the clean floor, and the wooden benches kept clean etc. A shoeshine station is there to keep the grime of rail travel at bay. The restored building has many architecturally interesting features, including stainless steel ceilings in the tunnels.
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Photo Credit: nick.garrod

The American Association of Museums tells us that around 600 million visits to our museums are recorded every year. We've compiled a list of the top 10 museums in the US that is sure to rekindle your art appreciation. Families with young children, bored teenagers, and students doing research want different things from a museum and will have different expectations. A museum is there to entertain and educate, and they also serve as an historical record, reflecting our society.

Best Exhibits
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC

This is subjective of course, so the choice has been determined by the latest recorded figures for the most visited museum in the US, (5.8 million in 2006), and this branch of the Smithsonian came in at number one. The collection is a staggering 125 million specimens and artifacts, from the smallest bug to the dinosaurs and all life in between. Mineral Sciences also features and the famous Hope Diamond is on display.

Most Interactive
Exploratorium
San Francisco, California

People of a certain age will remember the days of ‘look, don’t touch’ when visiting a museum. All the exhibits were behind glass cases and there was an atmosphere of hushed reverence. How different they are today! Exploratorium inspired other science museums to follow suit with hands on exhibits. Here, visitors can make a rainstick or play with optical illusions. The topics covered include Human Origins, Sports Science, and Earthquakes.

Most Controversial
The Creation Museum
Petersburg, Kentucky

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