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So where did June go again? Seems like it was just a few days ago that we were buying cupcakes for those end-of-year school parties; now it's practically time to shop the back-to-class sales. If you haven't managed to cram a vacation into your summer yet, a three-day weekend getaway may be just the ticket. These three family-friendly destinations -- one city, one country, one beach -- are close enough to get to quickly, so you don't waste too much of your precious vacation time traveling, yet far enough from your day-to-day routine to make you feel as if you've really gotten away. Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/07/09/2325028/short-on-time-plan-a-three-day.html#tvg#ixzz0tmQD2ozM

When Ashley and I were planning our trip to Galveston we knew that we HAD to include a massage/spa in the weekend. The last time I stayed at the Hotel Galvez, our room overlooked part of the spa and since I had heard the spa was amazing I figured we should totally try it out.

You no longer have to go under the knife to achieve younger-looking, vibrant skin, spa owners say. Galveston County is home to scores of day spas that offer anti-aging treatments designed to reduce puffiness, minimize fine lines and smooth wrinkles — all without surgery or anaesthetic. One of the most popular treatments is called microdermabrasion, a procedure that removes dead, sun-damaged skin through light abrasion, typically achieved by spraying tiny crystals of aluminum oxide across the skin. The Spa at the Hotel Galvez is offering a new twist to this standard procedure, which reportedly achieves the same results with less abrasion.

For our final two days in Texas, Dana and I blazed through Houston and Galveston... And from this vibrant city we made our way south to Gulf Coast and Galveston Island. This island city was ravaged in September 2008 by Hurricane Ike and has recovered nicely, and the locals remember the occurrence with marks on buildings to signify the Hurricane Ike waterline. While large trees have been updated and a few buildings remain visibly damaged much of the city has recovered and reopened. We went on a tour of the island with our gracious hosts at the Galveston Island CVB—there is a lot of history here and fascinating stories, but I will leave those for your personal discovery. We stayed at the charming Tremont House...

There is a tropical island nearby loaded with holiday surprises.

A good day at the spa can be magically restorative. But a bad one can leave you tied up in knots. Galveston County is home to plenty of day spas, offering everything from private treatments to pampering parties and a vast menu of services and specialties. So how do you choose what’s right for you?

We call ‘em Texas Cruises. The two Carnival ships, the Carnival Conquest and the Carnival Ecstasy, sail out of Galveston to great locations in the Eastern and Western Caribberan. We like to call those cruises a Texas Cruise. It’s kinda right in our backyard.

Texas is as big as the sky is wide, it seems, with its own brand of pride and hospitality carved and shaped by its rugged 173-year frontier history.

Peter Greenberg sat down with The Early Show’s Chris Wragge to share some of the country’s most haunted hotels. From the Fairmont Vancouver’s “Lady in Red” to the spookiest spots in Louisiana, he’s got the inside scoop on America’s “dead and breakfasts.”

Concierge Jackie Hasan tells the story of Hotel Galvez ghostly bride known to haunt Room 501 along with other ghost stories on the hotel.