Ready for a Branson Getaway?

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family and friends. Since you had such a great time, why not spend a weekend getaway or a week vacation in Branson with them? There are some prime summer dates still available, as well as some awesome Spring Break, spring, and early summer openings.

Visit our website www.vacationhomeinbranson.com for the current availability calendars for both homes and call us today to reserve your getaway in our fabulous vacation homes!

Mike and Tyann Marcink
636.584.3864

Showboat Branson Belle - Buy One and Get One Free!

Yes, it's true! During the month of May, you may purchase a ticket and get a ticket FREE to the Showboat Branson Belle. Another sweet Branson deal to make your vacation even better. Offer is not valid online or at the ticket office, so that means you will need to call in your advanced reservation to snag the deal. There is a limit to the free tickets you can purchase - just 2 free tickets with 2 paid tickets per reservation.

What is the Showboat Branson Belle? It is a beautiful paddlewheel boat on Table Rock Lake that serves a full 3 course meal along with an entertaining live show (two shoes currently - Funny Fiddle and Encore!). Located between State Park Marina and Moonshine Beach, it's only 5 to 10 minutes from our vacation homes Nature's Retreat and Canyon Retreat.

Are you a fan of the reality TV show Undercover Boss? The Showboat Branson Belle was featured along with Silver Dollar City and Ride the Ducks on the show as part of the Herschend Family Entertainment Group when boss Joel Mansby went undercover.

More about the Branson Belle from their website FAQ:

Riverboat Features & Amenities
•How many decks or levels are there aboard the riverboat?
The dining theater area of the ship has three levels, all of which provide excellent views of the stage. There is one exterior deck on the very top of the ship, where the captain's wheelhouse is located. The lowest level of the ship houses the engine room and kitchen.

•Are there many stairs to climb on the Showboat Branson Belle?
Most of our seating is located on the main deck, which is the one you will enter when you board the Showboat. You can travel by stairs, or by elevator to the other two decks where seating is available.

•How will I know where I'm sitting on the Showboat Branson Belle?
A table assignment is printed individually on each ticket. The table assignment will also be communicated to you by the ticket seller or reservationist.

Dining Service & Food and Drink Availability
•Can I request a vegetarian plate? A low-cal plate? A Kosher meal? Or a diabetic meal?
Yes, to all of the above requests. Simply inform your server.

•Do you use MSG in the preparation of food for the riverboat?
None of the items currently planned for the menu include MSG, but please make your server aware of your concern, and they will be able to alert you to any menu items which may contain MSG at the time of your service.

•Are alcoholic beverages served on the Showboat Branson Belle?
No alcoholic beverages are available on the Showboat Branson Belle.

•What types of drinks are available on the Showboat Branson Belle?
Coffee, tea, iced tea and water are free with your meal. Large soft drinks are available and specialty coffees and frozen drinks may also be purchased.

If you would like to view our menus, visit the Cruises & Dining section.

Onboard Experience & Entertainment
•What happens when I get on board the Showboat Branson Belle?
Upon boarding, our photographers will provide you the opportunity to be photographed. Later, the picture is developed and you will have the choice of purchasing it. You can then enter the dining room/theater and find the location of your table. Meal service will begin shortly, followed by the major part of the show. Before the Showboat docks, you will have approximately 20 to 30 minutes to stroll the exterior decks of the Showboat and enjoy scenic views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Mountains. Find out more about the onboard experience in Cruises & Dining.

•Will I be able to see the view of Table Rock Lake from inside the riverboat?
Yes. The ship has large windows on all three interior decks of the theater. You can also explore a few smaller lounge areas, the exterior promenades and outer decks of the ship which also provide great views of the lake.

•Will I have an opportunity to see Table Rock Lake?
Yes. Each cruise includes deck time to explore the ship and enjoy the views. Beautiful scenic views of the lake can be enjoyed from all exterior decks of the Showboat Branson Belle.

•Will the show performers sign autographs?
Yes.

Zip Lining... "Geranomoooooooooo!"

Mike and I love the extreme adrenaline rush you get when flying through the trees! Mike is afraid of heights, but he pushed his fears back while on vacation one year and indulged me with a zip line ride down the Dominican Republic mountains. What a thrill!

Well, Branson has four (4) zip line rides that just opened in 2010, and today's Groupon is more than half off one of the rides! Zip Line USA is just a bit west of Branson in Reeds Spring, about 30 minutes from Canyon Retreat and Nature's Retreat.

Their 90 minute ride down 9 different zip lines, the longest one being 3200 feet long (wow!), is regularly $75 per person, but the Groupon is for only $37 per person. The deal is only good for 3 days, so make your spring plans to ride, and go buy your Groupons today! You must use them by May 31, 2011,

The entire family can ride, as the minimum age is only 3 years old. Weight limit is 275 lbs. Start shooting emails, go text crazy, and ring the phones to see how many people in your family want an awesome ride!

Please use my referral link to sign up for Groupon...thank you!

News from The Track!

I just received this email from The Track:

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2011 is Gonna Rock!!

In celebration of 30 years of providing family entertainment in Branson, we are giving one lucky winner 30 RIDES PER MONTH March through December this year! Become a fan of our Facebook Page by Feb.11, and we will choose a winner from our Facebook fans. Spread the word to your family and friends! Second prize will be a Super Loaded Go-Card, and third prize will be a Loaded Go-Card, totaling over $3,000 in giveaways! Look for more exciting 30-year promotions in the months to come! It’s our birthday, but we will be giving out the gifts this year!!

If you haven’t heard, there are BIG changes happening at The Track in 2011! Get a sneak peek of Track 4's new Heavy Metal High Rise on our YouTube page! It's a steel & concrete go-kart track reaching over 4 stories! At Track 3, experience a new road course style classic track with tighter and higher banked curves. Both tracks open in March! Follow the construction progress on our Facebook page and on our live interactive webcams .

We've teamed up with Titanic and had fun at their 5th Annual Ice Carving Competition in January. If you're getting cabin fever this winter, come out to Track 5 and have some fun with our Track-Titanic Combo Pack. Get 1 Track activity (laser tag or go-karts), 5 arcade game plays and a child admission to Titanic Museum Attraction for $15.00 - that's over 40% off! Buy this combo at either location.

We hope we have already gotten to host you for some family fun through our 30 years, but we definitely look forward to seeing you this year…it will truly ROCK!!

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We are definitely looking forward to fun at the track this year!

Nature's Retreat - special 10% off until tomorrow!

Wow, time has flown by! Nature's Retreat is finally finished and we closed on it today. Have you seen the new pictures yet? It's beautiful! Be sure to visit our website to see all of them. Granted, the furniture is not yet delivered, but the rooms are waiting!

This next week we'll be working on finishing out the lower level with the family room, 4th bathroom, 5th bedroom, and laundry room.

Tomorrow the 10% construction special ends, so give me a call in the morning to reserve your 2011 vacation in Branson at Nature's Retreat. Half of June is already taken, and July is getting booked quickly...don't hesitate!

Tyann Marcink

636.584.3864

Gathering your family in Branson from across the United States?

Fly non-stop directly into the Branson Airport! AirTran Airways has several flights from major cities.

From their latest email:

Branson AirExpress offers nonstop service to Austin, Des Moines, Gulfport-Biloxi, Houston, Shreveport and beginning September 10 Chicago Midway and Indianapolis! Fares start as low as $49* one way! For travel assistance in Branson and around the world contact us at 1-888-FLY-BKG1 (1-888-359-2541). You may also visit us at FlyBranson.com, FlyBransonTravel.com or BransonAirExpress.com.

AirTran will add a third Atlanta arrival on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and a third departure on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, which presents additional connections never before available from Branson. The new connections include Tunica, Mississippi (UTM), Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi (GPT), Cancun, Mexico (CUN), Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). Additional connection opportunities to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida (SRQ), Pensacola, Florida (PNS) and Miami, Florida (MIA) have also been created.

One Way Fares Starting at...

Austin - $59*
Chicago - $69*
Des Moines - $49*
Gulfport-Biloxi - $59*
Houston - $69*
Indianapolis - $59*
Shreveport - $49*

Have your family reunion at Canyon Retreat or Nature's Retreat...call me today to reserve your dates!

Branson Zipline - Huge Discount!

I just saw this super discount at Big River Bargains for the brand new Branson Zipline! You can do the 2.5 hour Xplorer Canopy Tour for $59 - normally $99 - WOW! My problem is that my boys would want to do it, too...you must be between 75 lbs. and 275 lbs. to participate, and well, Joey is only 42 lbs. at 4 years old...maybe in a few more years!

Just added 6/12/2010...I noticed that KCWD 96.1 radio station is offering the same for just $45! These you will need to purchase in person at their office (I am not sure if they will mail them to you or not). Call their office at 870-741-1402 for more information.

You may even be able to use your Branson Guest Card (see post below) when you arrive to receive a FREE 5x7 photo of your adventure!

Make your reservations with Branson Zipline, as they do have a limit for the tours each day. You can even do this online, and then enter the voucher code you receive from Big River Bargains at checkout. Please note that Big River Bargains change their offerings almost daily, so if you know you want to do the zipline, I would purchase the advance discount tickets immediately - then you can make your reservation when you know which date you would like.

Be sure to leave a comment to let us know how your adventure was!!!

The Hiking Trail at Branson Canyon

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the newly cut hiking trail in our little neighborhood. The trail winds up into the woods and then follows along the creek, coming to a handhewn log bridge that crosses over and then back into civilization.

Even though Branson Canyon is only 5 minutes from Hollister and 1 1/2 miles from Hwy. 65, it feels like the middle of nowhere, tucked into the side of the Ozark Mountains, overlooking Table Rock Lake.

If you haven't stayed at Canyon Retreat yet, be sure to make your reservations soon. There are just a few odd dates available for the summer still, and guests are already calling about the fall, so don't hesitate too long! Give me a call today - 636.584.3864!