Located between the borders of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe boasts of over 300 days of warm sunshine,  396 inches of annual snowfall, 18 world-class ski and snowboarding resorts, incredible golf courses,  fantastic hotels, casinos and many, many more.

There are several ways of getting to Lake Tahoe since there a big 3 US air carriers that all serve the Reno-Tahoe International Airport such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, as well as stop-overs by Continental, Northwest, Alaska, Frontier and Southwest.

From the airport rental cars and express bus service are the best way to travel to the lake. Another good travel option is to arrange for shuttle service from the hotel you are staying in. Driving time to the north shore is about 45 minutes, and 90 minutes to the south.

Winter storms are common and it’s easy to get caught unprepared, as Lake Tahoe weather quickly changes from clear skies to blizzards. Winter and summer storms are usually common from September through June and drivers should be sure they have chains with them to tie around the tires especially when passing through snow-drenched roads high up in the alps.

The shoreline is now abuzz with casinos on the Nevada side of the lake. One of the most notable is the Cal-Neva Lodge, which was famous for hosting the rich and famous. Frank Sinatra, once a part owner, and Marylin Monroe were common faces here, while former president John F. Kennedy also enjoyed spending time at this famous establishment.

For a relaxing and romantic getaway, one can find many romantic destinations that boast of world-class service, elegant decors and scenery, superb cuisine and a wide array of choices to select from.
There’s usually a steady stream of live shows on the south shore at Harrah’s, Caesars, and at some of the other establishments near by.

So, whether  you plan to go skiing, mountain biking, paying golf or simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking view, experience the enjoyment of your Lake Tahoe vacation. Proper planning is key to make you enjoy your vacation. From what things to pack, how to save time and money, preparing for high altitudes, it does help a lot to make your vacation as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

You can save money with Lodging Packages and Deal, and still enjoy a worthwhile vacation at Lake Tahoe at lesser costs. Many resorts and hotels offer a variety of pre-arranged packages that include activities, lodging and often meals, all for one low price. Many resorts also have recreational facilities that could help make your stay enjoyable and worthwhile, if you are not a, outdoor junkie or would just like to just take a break from the busy routines of everyday living. These resorts provide complimentary access to recreational facilities including swimming pools, gyms, spas, playgrounds, ski and sledding lessons and a whole lot more families on vacation will enjoy.

So try and make this your ideal Lake Tahoe vacation, how to get there is just as easy a pie.

A Lake Tahoe Vacation will not be complete without a cruise. In fact, there are two ships to choose from namely the M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen. These two vessels are managed and maintained by Lake Tahoe Cruises and Zephyr Cove Resort. You might be wondering if there are any differences between the Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II. For starters, the Tahoe Queen is powered using a paddle wheeler and not a motor. This is similar to the steamboats that were used more than 200 years ago.

The ship is 144 feet long, 33 feet wide and has 3 decks. Despite its old appearance, it can still carry 350 passengers on board and have a dining capacity of up to 210 passengers. The M.S. Dixie II is much bigger than the Tahoe Queen. It is longer and wider measuring 151 feet in length and which is why it needs to use a grand paddle wheeler. It can have 570 passengers on board and a dining capacity of 360 guests.

The M.S. Dixie Cruise II and the Tahoe Queen offer different cruises to choose from and the first is the two hour scenic cruise giving everyone enough time to take shots with the beautiful scenery as their background. The Tahoe Queen casts off at 12 noon daily. If you miss that, catch the M.S. Dixie II which casts off an hour later. When you are on board, you will get to sail along Emerald Bay. A tour guide will tell you how this was formed which even has a special video presentation.

If you want to watch the sun go down and dine the same time, why not inquire about the dinner cruise. The M.S. Dixie II offers this every Wednesday and departs at 5:30pm while the Tahoe Queen offers theirs every Saturday also at the same time. Aside from the great food, you can listen to the live band, dance and watch the live show known as “Show Boat.” The dinner cruise lasts for about three and a half hours before heading back to port.

These two vessels are just two of four vessels in their fleet which you can get for a chartered cruise. The other two are smaller namely the Tahoe Paradise and the Tahoe Princess. On board, you can throw a wedding, a debut or even an anniversary. Of the four, only the Tahoe Princess is not available all year round and if you want to use it, you can only make a reservation between the months of May to October.

If you happen to be in Lake Tahoe during the holidays, they also offer specialty cruises. You can have brunch here during Mother’s Day or during Easter. There is a special cruise set for New Year’s Eve, the 4th of July, Christmas and Labor Day.

Cruising is one of the things you can do should you decide to spend a Lake Tahoe vacation. You can make a reservation through your travel agent or doing it yourself by booking online. By booking early, you are sure to have a seat since it fills up pretty quickly during the peak season even if it just to sail around the harbor for a couple of hours.

Along the lake, there are a few lakefront properties you can rent. Some are condominiums while others are houses.

When you wake up in the morning and look out the window, you can already see the lake inviting you for a dip. This breathtaking view can be seen in any room of the house and if the weather gets cold, you can sit down by the wood burning fireplace.

Nearby, you can swim in the pool, play tennis or rent a boat and just sail around the lake. The rates of these places vary depending on the number of guests. Some charge more if there are less than 4 people in your group.

If there are no vacancies available, there are some properties secluded within the forest. Nestled in the pines are a few condos you can rent. Some of these come with queen sized beds, reading lamps, an entertainment system, a dining table and a fire place. You can cook your own wood using the oven or make some hamburgers and hotdogs using the gas BBQ.

The rates here are nightly and it is much cheaper to come during spring and fall compared to winter and summer. On top of that, you will also have to pay a $60 cleaning fee.

For those who plan to stay longer than a week, there are places here that are being rented on a monthly basis. Each one comes with a two car garage, more than three bedrooms and baths and great views of the mountains and the forest. Places like these have sprung up all around the lake. You just have to look around and compare the rates before deciding to stay here for several days.

The nice thing about staying here is the opportunity to be close to nature. You can go on long hikes, go fishing, smell the wildflowers and drink some fresh water from the mountain streams.

When you want to have some fun, the resorts are less than 10 miles away. You can rent equipment if you want to go skiing or tubing. For those who love the water, you can head down to the pier and rent a boat or kayak. There is also a cruise around the lake which you can avail of and that may already include dinner.

For those who want gamble, they can drive further south and then check out the south shore casinos but if you want to watch the sunset, you can ride a gondola or cable car all the way up the mountain. You can get a discount since coupons are handed out so you don’t have to pay the full price.

There is a lot to do here in Lake Tahoe vacation and it does not matter what time of the year you decide to go. You might even say that this the best outing your family has had especially when the environment is quiet and peaceful.