July is vacation time for me. It’s always been like that. My dad’s lumber mill shut down for two weeks every July so all the employees could celebrate Independence Day, go fishing, travel, and take a break. For us, that often meant driving cross country to visit family. I love this time of year.

My crew’s tradition is a trip to Disney World. Usually we get a room on property and focus on the parks, but there is no lack of things to do in Orlando .

If we lived on the West Coast, I guess we would be going to the original Disney Land park and worrying about things to do in Los Angeles, but we used to live near Orlando and have a pretty good grip on the scene there. I’ve never been to Disneyland and barely to Los Angeles. If we headed that way, I’d be calling up Trusted Tours and Attractions for a little help.

Disney World has pretty well grown on us. At first, I wasn’t too keen on the place–high prices and crowds. It didn’t take long strolling through the countries at Epcot, though, and sampling the amazing food available there to make me a believer. Now, I get about as excited as the kids about going. We discovered that Mexico is an ideal place from which to view the fireworks. My most memorable vacation was at the outdoor restaurant there watching the fireworks finale and holding one child by the hand and the other in my arms. Sweet.

If you’re heading into unknown parts this season, check out the Trusted Tours newsletter or check out their online travel guides.

Maybe you want to see the Metropolitan museum of art. Whatever your desire, Trusted Tours and Attractions is giving away a handheld GPS and the newsletter sign-up will qualify you for the drawing. Well, it would until June 30th–that offer may have changed by now. Check out the Trusted Tours newsletter to find out.