Feb 28

I’m not one for lying in the sun. I am more relaxed and get a better buzz but doing something. So my travel breaks generally involve doing something.

I love adventure travel breaks that maybe more adventurous than some but not as out there as others.

I especially love my short walking breaks.

One walking break I enjoyed was hiking down into the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring and can be overwhelming at 277 miles long 18 miles wide and over a mile deep so you have to pick and plan your trek carefully.

When I did the trek I was told going down is optional but coming back up is mandatory.

I wanted a day’s walk so decided on going down the South Kaibab Trail across the Tonto Trail and then back up the Bright Angel Trail. The total length of the trek was around 13miles.

I set off at daybreak with all the right gear, plenty of water and food and a clearly mapped out route.

It’s better to hike down the Kaibab, as it’s mostly uneven earth steps all the way, and there is little shade or water so hiking it in the morning, when it’s cooler, makes sense.

The South Kaibab Trail is a dramatic ridgeline descent, which gives wonderful panoramic views of the canyon from the start. You have to be a bit careful on some points on the ridge because the wind can be very strong and the ridge can be fairly narrow!

Just beyond where the trail joins the Tonto trail there are toilets. When I did the walk I had to queue to use them because a horse riding party, on their way back up from a nights camping, had stopped for the toilets a minute before me. It was handy for getting someone to take photographs of me next to the Tonto trail sign.

The Tonto Trail is a flat walk across a plateau but it is easy to lose the track as flash floods and wind etc can erode the path and it’s easy to get of course and follow a dry riverbed rather than the track. There are also a couple of places to stop in the shade, which is very welcome as the heat builds.

On the way down I met a few hikers but on the Tonto trail I met no one. If you get lost you could be in trouble because if you lose the trail it would be very difficult to find it again.

When I joined The Bright Angel Trail at Indian gardens there was a lot more people, because this trail is the busiest hiking trail down the canyon. Popular for hikers, campers and mule trains. A well-maintained sloping path, emergency phones, with regular drinking water and covered rest houses all the way up, it is said to be the safest trail in Grand Canyon.

Being able to talk to others on the way back up made it a more pleasant experience and the time to get back up to the rim didn’t seem so long.

How did I feel the next day … fantastic!

And now as I recall the thrill of the Bright Angel Trail I still feel fantastic.

If you have ever thought of doing this.
Stop thinking and just ,,.

GO DO IT!

I’m glad I did.

Feb 11

New York City has a name in being one of the most exciting cities to go to see on a quick break or holiday. People from all over the globe go to New York to spend their holiday or short break. Whether it be the legendary shopping streets or outdoor activities, you can be sure to find something for every person to make sure your New York hotel break is memorable.

Of course, New York is a shopping addicts delight attracting the wealthy and famous. Check out the celebrity stylish stores of Madison Avenue and be sure to stroll down Broadway where you will spot more of your customary high street brands.

New York City can provide for everyone’s preference notably when it comes down to eating. Some of the finest sushi restaurants are positioned in New York for individuals who enjoy Japanese food and also at hand are an abundance of Indian, Mediterranean and French food on offer too. With regards to eating you may answer that New York is truly metropolitan with eating establishments to match every culture. You will be sure to eat the food you enjoy and have a terrific time in New York City.

For those into history, art and culture, you can find various museums to pop into at some point in your cheap New York short break. The Brooklyn museum, the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are top of the list that you could visit if you are visiting New York.

New York has a range of spas that will make certain you feel well rested during your New York stay. Regardless of whether its its a massage, facial or other therapy you desire you will without doubt come away feeling revived.

The legendary Broadway is a further fascination for music lovers. The Broadways shows are known to be some of the most excellent around the globe and if you are a good play and music enthusiast you just can’t off beam to visit at some stage in your break.

You might sense that a break to the city of New York is all in relation to the city excitement, the glitz and allure. Of course you can come across these nevertheless for people who want some recreation in the outdoors, a wander through the legendary Central Park is a must.

Of course you can’t go without a trip to perhaps the most recognized statue in the USA. A quick ferryboat outing to Liberty Island will transport you to the bottom of New Yorks most notorious woman, the Statue of Liberty.

Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find lots of fun things to do on your New York break. From shopping, to entertainment, to visiting resturants, to taking it easy… New York has something for everybody.

Feb 9
Vacation In Florida
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Florida known as the “Sunshine State” has built its entire identity around tourism. With its beautiful white sandy beaches, subtropical climate, and wide range of theme parks, it is no wonder that Florida is one of the most visited hotspots around the globe, attracting 60 million visitors annually.

Seeing that everyone else is visiting Florida is not much of a reason to visit, but actually there is a lot to see and do in Florida, and just reading about the places will bring forth in you a desire to visit this amazing state.

Everything Florida has to offer can’t be seen in a weekend. Florida is about the size of a medium-sized country with 16 million residents on 170,000 square kilometres of land. Florida is also famous for its contrast with its landscape similar to tropical islands, soaring sky scrapers, and several cultures. As crazy as this may sound, but it’s true that many people who come to visit end up staying for the rest of their lives because they get lost in the beautiful contrast and rich diverseness that Florida has to offer.

A reason to vacation in Florida is to enjoy the soft sand, warm water, and beautiful sunsets as you are sitting on the beautiful beaches. With 1500 Kilometres of coastline, the numerous beaches in Florida are quite varied. In western Florida, there are the Panhandle beaches like popular Destin, and these are acclaimed to be the finest beaches in the United States. This is also a great place for canoeing and to see caverns. Other favorites include South Beach in Miami, the white-sanded family-oriented beaches of Siesta Key, near Sarasota, beaches like Fernandina and Ponte Vedra in the northeast, as well as the beaches of the Florida Keys and those in the southwest, like Sanibel and Marco Island. At Tampa in south Florida, the real attraction is the Gulf of Mexico, whose calm green waters and white sandy beaches are suitable for tanning year-round. At every corner of the state, you’ll find a Florida beach where you can relax in the sun and appreciate nature.

Theme Parks are another reason people visit Florida. Theme park fanatics often head to central Florida which is dominated by Orlando. Orlando is home Walt Disney World complex, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld. Disney World has so many attractions that it can take at least a whole week to visit them all. Disney World has 4 theme parks, 2 water parks called Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, a bunch of beautiful themed resort hotels, and golf courses. Experiencing traditional Disney at Magic Kingdom, seeing various animals at Animal Kingdom, going behind the scenes at MGM Studios, and exploring the world of today and tomorrow at Epcot are some of things you can do. It also offers many dining options such as McDonalds and 5 star black tie restaurants. With all this, Disney property provides plenty of fun for all ages. Another popular theme park is Tampa’s Busch Gardens Africa, which is also an excellent amusement park.

While exploring Florida, you’ll not only experience recreation but also gain knowledge about history, arts, and culture. At northeast Florida, you’ll see Jacksonville, the state’s largest city, and also see the Spanish-style architecture of St. Augustine - the oldest city
in the U.S. Other historical cities include Tampa with its ties to the cigar industry and Panhandle, with a rich military history.

There are plenty of hotels and motels in the area, Florida vacation rentals offer various accommodation options which range from cottages to castles, to budget apartments and luxury villas and condos.

Dec 10

When travelling to Florida, one of the most exciting parts of a holiday is spending time exploring the state’s unique culture and history. Florida’s vibrant and colourful history can be traced back to as early as 14,000 years ago and from that time to the present day has created some very colourful events.

Early historical records show that some of the first recorded settlers to arrive in Florida came from Europe beginning first with a Spanish explorer called Juan Ponce de Leon. Juan Ponce de Leon arrived to the area in 1513 and since that time Florida has been a popular destination for immigration, including French and Spanish settlement during the 16th century, domestic migration from American Indians in the following centuries and more recently immigration from Latin America.

Popular legend suggests that Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida while searching for the Fountain of Youth. It was Juan who can claim ownership of Florida’s name, naming the peninsula La Pascua Florida or “Flowery Easter”. Whether the name is owned to the amazing plant life found in Florida or to the fact that he arrived during the Spanish Easter feast, Pascua Florida, experts are still in debate.

Juan Ponce later returned to Florida on a separate voyage to Florida in 1521, landing on the south eastern coast of the peninsula. Accompanied by around two hundred people and fifty horses, his arrival quickly caused the natives to retaliate, attacking Juan and his crew. While Juan’s men no doubt felt threatened by this attack it didn’t stop them returning to Florida, seeing the area as a great place to spread Christianity, explore and seek treasures on the new continent.

Future expeditions focused on the search for gold and silver. In 1539 Hernando de Soto trekked through Florida in search of gold and silver only to die near the Mississippi river in 1542. Survivors of his team eventually made it to Mexico.

While de Soto - and explorations that followed - never results in any gold or treasure being found, the journeys did help Europeans understand Florida’s relationship with South America. In particular they learnt of how Spanish vessels travelling back from places like Cuba and Mexico would pass the Florida straits. Soon this area became flooded with pirates hoping to seize the passing boats.

Naturally with so many explorers going backwards and forwards to Florida, it wasn’t long before a colony would be formed. However, although Spain had been doing most of the initial exploring within the area, it was the French who would be the first to establish a settlement in Florida.

In 1562, French protestant Jean Ribault left France to explore Florida. He returned two years later with a fellow Frenchman by the name of Rene Goulaine de Laudonniere and established the French settlement of Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. Johns River, located close to present-day Jacksonville.

On a holiday to Florida, it can be easy to focus on the modern entertainment widely available such as theme parks, tours and nights out in Miami and Orlando. However, Florida’s real attraction is its vibrant and colourful history and it would be a shame to miss seeing what Florida is really about when visiting the Sunshine State.

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Nov 22
Budget Travel Advice
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It can be tough to travel on a budget if you aren’t used to it. But there is no reason why you should stay home just because you don’t have scads of money! So, grab that battered, second hand Lonely Planet Guide and get going with these useful budget travel tips!

- If you need buy cheap airfare, follow that link to look online. You can save yourself quite a bit of money. Be flexible in your days and times that you want to buy cheap airfare, and you can find some bargain prices.

- Stay close to home. Instead of a family vacation to Disney World, why not scout out a fun location closer to where you live? There are plenty of other theme parks to consider that won’t require airfare and staying in some of the country’s more expensive hotels.

- Do your research. Start looking online for travel deals at least three months ahead of time if possible. That’s how you find special deals. Also, booking ahead saves you money since airlines and hotels charge premium rates for last minute travelers. You can often find deals for entrance tickets to places like Disney World and other popular attractions online.

- Be flexible and book extra time off are two very good travel tips. If you don’t necessarily have to go to Acapulco, why not check out airfare to other parts of Mexico? Also, being flexible with travel dates is ideal since certain days tend to be cheaper to fly on (like Tuesdays).

- Eat in travel tips: Find a hotel that includes breakfast and you save at least $6-15 per person on food a day! If you are traveling near home, try packing your own food. Or ask for a kitchenette and hit the local supermarket once you arrive. Preparing meals in your hotel room can drastically cut costs.

- To save money, follow these travel tips. If you are driving across the country, why not check out that free opal museum in Arizona or the World’s Largest Ball of String? These sights are free, but they are still interesting and can provide topics of conversation on the long drive to the real destination!

- Look online for coupons for anything. There are coupons for just about everything if you really look. Print some out for shows in Las Vegas or to get 2 for 1 entry to a museum. You can also find travel tips online.

- Don’t rent a car. If you are going somewhere like New York, just ask your hotel desk clerk about the subways or buses. And if you happen to be in California, check that the hotel you are thinking of booking offers a free shuttle to Disneyland or anywhere else. Most hotels offer free or cheap shuttle service to and from the airport as well.

- Some good food travel tips: when eating out, eat a big meal for lunch and go small for dinner. Lunch menus tend to be just as filling as dinner, but far cheaper in most restaurants. Look for a menu of the day, as well. These can be special offers that include an entire meal, soup, entrée, drink and dessert for a set price. For supper, split an entrée between two people or just order appetizers as your meal. Asking for just water is a good way to knock about $5-6 off each person’s tab!

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Nov 6

Everyone likes to take a vacation. The chance to get out there and see what the world has to offer tugs at everyone’s heart. The only problem that you have to ask yourself when you go is how to make the trip the most enjoyable that you can.

Now, there are those out there that really adore camping the old school way, with tents and sleeping bags (or less). I’ve got plenty of friends that absolutely love camping like that and wouldn’t do it any other way. Myself, I’m more of a camp-in-comfort person. I like getting away from the normal, day-to-day stresses and relaxing, but I don’t like leaving behind all up-to-date conveniences to do so. What’s the point of having them if you can’t enjoy them more than usual while on vacation?

Coming around the country in a R.V. is fun . You get all the enjoyment and privacy of being home and don’t need to pay a dime for extra hotels or seedy motels that haven’t updated in decades. But what’s the point of getting a foam RV mattress if you can’t even sleep in comfort ? You have make the most of what you have while using the least sum possible. So if you were planning to go on cross country trip (or even just a fast jaunt a couple hours away), I’d advise looking into a memory foam mattress for RV.

R.V. memory foam mattresses are easily your standard memory foam mattress cut down to accommodate the space obtainable in a R.V. Nothing more or less complicated than that. Granted, they are pricier than than an ordinary mattress, but if you’re going to be on the road, you might as well keep to the R.V. philosophy: make the best | most of what you have while using the least amount possible . You can also go green and get a pure latex RV matress

You always have to think strategically when you’re outfitting your R.V. for a good haul. Factors such as the quantity of people going, whether it’s just you and your man or the whole family, how long you’re going to be on the road for, how much you want to eat out or eat in, and even how much time you plan on being in the R.V. itself all have to be counted . When you’re planning to camp in comfort (or just travel in comfort for that matter), you should have things arranged . Doing things on the fly may seem fun and spontaneous, but my opinion has always been that they wind up costing more finances and taking up more of your time than they would otherwise.

The main thing to learn in any vacation or trip is how to perform it as least stressful as possible. I’ve always found that getting good rest has been important to doing so. R.V. memory foam mattresses have always was good for me and given me the ease and rest that I’ve needed to actually enjoy my vacations and keep them from turning into a nightmare . Once company we know of, Plushbeds.com offers free RV mattress customization or a 10% discount to AAA members, which is a great solution of you need a custom size or a cut corner. Choose the right mattress and you’ll spend your days on the road and your nights on a cloud!

Nov 1

St George is a major city in Southwest Utah. It is definitely one of the major areas in Utah surrounded by a large amount of of events, lakes, and National Parks. It is also within 20 miles of Sand Hollow Reservoir the most popular State Park in Utah.

But that is not the only State Park near it. There are a lot of wonderful parks to see near the city. Here are 5 fantastic State Parks that are all nearby the city of St George.

1. Sand Hollow Reservoir

Sand hollow is a fantastic park to come to. The park is not very large at least compared to a few of the other and only contains a little reservoir. But it is a great place to take the family swimming, fishing, or boating.

There are also tiny rock islands in the middle of Sand Hollow Utah which anyone can swim up to. These make it a favorite spot with little kids. If you have a boat you can always stop at a few of these rock areas and walk around. Can you tell that I visit this spot regularly?

If you are in the city of St George this is a very fun place to relax and hang out. It is only a 20 minute drive and can bring you some awesome memories.

2. Gunlock

Gunlock Utah is also a very interesting lake to see. The lake is a great spot for boaters and swimmers alike. There are also many different animals at the lake which make it a very interesting area to be around.

When I visited the lake there were a lot of small lobster like fossils making it an interesting place to visit.

3. Quail Creek

Quail Creek is very beautiful. This small state park is another great spot for boating and fishing. This lake can be a great place to just have fun and hang out with some friends and if you have a boat of course you’ll want to take it out! The Park located just a few miles from St George and is a great place to spend the day.

4. Snow Canyon

This is the only park on the List which is not a lake. The park is extremely nice and has many different attractions from the unforgettable sand dunes to the famous lava caves. It is an unbelievable spot to learn about geology and see examples of how the earth actually creates the unforgettable rock formations we see.

The Lava caves are very impressive they are actually small caves which formed from lava flow. The outer layer cooled as the inner layer continued to flow; this is what gave them their unusual appearance.

There are many great places to see near St George. These are just a few nice attractions which you might want to check out.

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Oct 27

If you are visiting New York, there are tons of places worth seeing but deciding on where to start can quite a confusing decision. New York City has many landmarks, buildings and monuments spanning an extensive era over three centuries. They illustrate the image of the city that we know of today.

One of these notable historic landmark is City Hall of New York City, the longest continuous operating city hall in the country. Completed in 1811; it has three stories and is considered the “finest architectural achievements of its period.” This is definitely a place to see. While getting into the building requires an advanced appointment, you can nevertheless see that from its exterior, city hall maintains an quaint yet dignified aura that reminds visitors of a New York from a much earlier era. Learn more about City Hall by going on New York walking tours.

As you explore the area around City Hall, you cannot miss one of the oldest and most recognizable landmarked building, the Woolworth Building. This building, the tallest in the world for seventeen years, is still on the list of the 50 tallest buildings in the country, even decades later. Since 1966, this gothic insipired masterpiece has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is also easily the most recognizable skyscraper in downtown Manhattan until they were overshadowed by the completion of the nearby World Trade Center. You can find out what famous skyscraper replaced it as the tallest building in the world in 1930 by taking one of these New York City walking tours. By joining one of these tours, you will learn facts such as how much owner, Frank W. Woolworth spent to build his building. These Walking tours of New York are a fun way to learn more about these landmarks than if going on your own.

The city hall district is full ofother notable sites. Another magnificent Beaux Arts masterpiece is the 40 story tall Municipal Building. This early 20th century building is the center of city government with all of New York’s five boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island represented here. With its sprawling one million square feet of office space, the Municipal Building was exceptionally influential in its day on the development of civic buildings of other cities in America. Built to house all of the city’s agencies, it is still one of the largest government buildings in the world. If you visit this building with a walking tour, you’ll learn about the different sculptures such as, “Civic Fame” that decorates building and hear about the stories behind this gilded creation.

Nearby City Hall, you’ll see some of the remaining buildings of an area once known as Newspaper Row. Once Newspaper Row was the center of the city’s newspaper publishing industry, and every major publication including the New York Times had their headquarters located here. Some of these noteworthy remaining structures include George B. Post’s New York Times Building and the Potter Building.

Visiting all these places can be struggling to understand what you are looking at while reading a guide book, you can enjoy and fully appreciate theobscure details that a tour guide can offer while on a walking tour. New York City has much to offer and visiting New York without experiencing and seeing some of the fascinating aspects would be a deservice to oneself. Going on a walking tour is one of the better to see and truly appreciate everything there is to know about this great city.

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Oct 13

Utah is filled with a number of unbelievable State Parks. The parks all have their own unique characteristics and are all great visits. Here are my 4 favorite State Parks in Southern Utah.

1. Sand Hollow Reservoir

I love the Sand Hollow Reservoir mainly because I am a water person, but also because there is just so much to do. The manmade lake is not too far away from Saint George and allows you to bring a small boat of your own.

The interesting thing about this lake is that it appears to be created for the sole purpose of entertainment. The lake contains many small rocky islands which you can use as a resting point if you are swimming in it.

There is one big island about 50 yards from the shore that you can either boat or swim across. It really isn’t a difficult swim; I have made it myself and have even seen small children crossing it with the help of their parents.

Once you are on the island you will find there are many different sections to explore and rocks to climb on.

2. Fremont Indian State Park

I loved my visit to this State Park. It is on the land which used to be the Fremont Indians largest city. The park is covered with many ancient artifacts and painting from the tribe. There is also a small museum inside the visitor center which gives you a lot of information about the Indians and their history.

If you are a history fanatic, or just love Native American art and stories then this place is sure to be an educational adventure.

3. Coral Pink Sand Dunes

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is the only place where you can see coral pink sand dunes. The sand came from centuries of erosion of the Navajo pink sandstone and was transported to the park by the wind. The interesting thing about the park is that the sand still moves 50 feet every year.

This state park is an excellent place to go ATVing at. The park has over 3,000 Acers dedicated to ATV riders and thrill seekers. It can definitely be a fun place to visit.

4. Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon is a wonderful cooled lava flows and spectacular Lava Caves. The lava caves in the park are very interesting caves that are made entirely out of lave. They were formed because the outer layer of Lava cooled down faster than the inner layer. This made a gap, or cave in the middle of the structure.

Snow canyon also has many other attractions like Sand Dunes, and hikes. The park is a great place for rock climbers to visit. There are many great rock climbing opportunities here. While it is not one of the most visited parks, it is an amazing site none the less.

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Oct 13

Lets face it… we have all made sacrifices to save money lately but with the economy on the upswing and winter on the way it could be time for you and your family to revisit the ideal holiday backdrop of the Colorado Rocky Mountains this holiday season. Here are some pointers on how to stretch the family budget while still enjoying all that the mountains has to offer.

Economize by renting a luxury vacation home while visiting the mountains. Private homes and condominiums offer a superior value for the space as well as more privacy than the alternative hotel. By skipping the lobby bar and hotel dining room in lieu of a nice bottle of wine with a (maybe even catered) at home dinner you will realize more value for your dollar and you’ll already be home when the kids get tired of the dinner table.

Contact reputable local management companies and don’t be afraid to negotiate. Rental management agents are not emotionally tied to the property like a property’s owner. A good manager will also know which owners are more flexible or motivated to accommodate your specific requirements including price. If you are fortunate enough to have the time to spend more than a week longer stay discounts may be applicable to your situation.

For the best lodging rates you will do best to be flexible around peak dates. If you must travel at the holidays because of family and work schedules try to be flexible around owner plans or other reservations. The owners of luxury vacation properties rely heavily on peak season revenues in order to cover all the year round expenses of owning a vacation property. By allowing the owner to recoup expenses with the peak season you allow him or her to give you the best rates for your visit..

By researching activities and lift tickets in advance you can expect the best pricing.. Contacting your local representative you can often gain access to local resources such as economical drop off catered meals, grocery and bar stocking, lift ticket discounts, and discounts on activities like snowmobiling, wildlife tours or backcountry dining.
Be careful when stocking your property. It’s easy to get carried away with groceries, beer, and juice for the kids and all the silly things it takes to fill up the kitchen. Plan your menus, if you have the option it may be worth having your meals stocked for you. By planning your meals and shopping list you aren’t tempted by anything you don’t need and you have the added bonus of arriving to your property with the fridge full and ready for relaxation. Liquor stores often offer free delivery and will usually take return of unopened items. Be prepared to be required to have a responsible adult available to receive the delivery with ID.

Watch the time in between planned events and meals. Resort areas are designed to get you to spend money all the time. If you really want to come home with a few dollars in your pocket then leave the dollars at home while you roam the villages, art galleries, sushi bars and other attractions intended to part you from your disposable income in a casual fashion. If you must go out to party then look for happy hours or après ski specials to soften the blow.

Now that the days are getting shorter and Halloween is around the corner it’s time to put our minds to winter and book your perfect luxury ski home rental before the best deals are taken.

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