#driving on a deserted road = perfect amazing 10 out of 10 would recommend

[miafi]

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[dougrobyngoold]

March Madness - Tucson, AZ

The above picture was taken from one of the cafeterias at University Hospital in Tucson, where I had breakfast while Doug was in surgery.  I think the surgery lasted a couple of hours, the surgeon talked to me after the surgery - all went well and the atrial fibrillation should stop.  After a one-night stay, Doug was sent on his way.  We were grateful to have the surgery over with and to be on the road to recovery.  Activities were limited for a week, then Doug was free to resume normal activities.  Onward we go!

A week after his surgery, Doug was back on the golf course, awesome!

HOWE TIME FLIES

About 10 days after Doug’s surgery, our friends Art and Donna Howe came to visit us.  It was their first time in Tucson, so we planned a whirlwind tour to give them a little taste of desert living.  

On their first day in town, we headed south to the Titan Missile Museum, we managed to arrive in time to sign up for a tour (they fill up fast!)  We have been on the tour three times now, we still love it.  I would recommend a visit when you are in the area, it is just off I-19, about a 30 minute drive from downtown Tucson.  After the museum, we drove further south to Tubac.  We wandered around town, taking in a few of the artisan shops and some of the local artwork:

One of multiple painted javelinas in the village of Tubac.

Donna made a new friend in Tubac.

After a lunch stop at one of the local restaurants, we meandered back through the village for a little more exploring.  Getting our fill of Tubac, we continued southward to the Santa Cruz Spice Company.  We did a little spice shopping and then made our final stop of the day at the Tumacacori National Historic Park.  It was a gorgeous spring day, which made for some fantastic photo ops at the mission.

Look at those spring flowers and the magnificent sky!

We stopped at the tortilla and beans stand inside the park - yummy!

Crystal-clear day, the Santa Rita Mountains in the distance.

The craftsmanship on the buildings is amazing.

This moth was on one of the sidewalks at the mission, such pretty markings!

What a fun-filled day!  We headed back to our trailer for dinner and games.  More adventures planned for tomorrow!

We filled the morning of the second day with a trip to Barrio Bread, a short walk along Pantano Wash, and then lunch on our patio.  We went out to Saguaro National Park East to show them a crested saguaro on the Loma Verde Trail and for a sunset from Javelina Rocks.  We ended the day with a trip to El Molinito for take-out and then went to the Arizona Beer House to enjoy our food and a few brews.

Day 3 - we headed to downtown Tucson.  We walked along the Turquoise Trail, checking out the history of the area.  We enjoyed adult beverages at The Congress Hotel Bloody Mary Bar and even found some ice cream for Art!  We ended the day at the trailer, perfect weather for outdoor entertaining!

Day 4 - after a breakfast of sausage gravy & biscuits (vegan-style), we went to the range to whack a few golf balls around.  We love the driving range at Fred Enke - the view of the Catalina Mountains is wonderful!

After golf, we made our way out to the Desert Museum.  At this point, we were experiencing a mild shut-down and a few restrictions due to Covid-related concerns.  A few of the exhibits at the Museum were closed and they were not doing the Raptor shows.  However, we ran into a family on our way into the museum and they gave us 4 free passes.  We had a great time wandering around the museum, it is always beautiful out there.

Brittle brush was blooming and the views to the west were spectacular!

Caught the javelinas during naptime.

March is usually a great time to visit the museum, the temperatures aren’t too hot and the cactus are starting to bloom.  We were not disappointed:

We completed our exploration of the Desert Museum and made the long drive back to our place.  Happy hour, dinner, and then more games wrapped up our final night with the Howes.  We are so happy that they finally came for a visit, we hope they will make it an annual thing!

Thanks for coming to see us!

COVID INTERRUPTUS

The week following our friends visit things became more serious around the Covid virus.  Restaurants and indoor spaces were closed down and we were forced to limit our activities with friends here in the park.  Luckily, outdoor activities were a good option for us - we took lots of walks and bike rides.  The weather was gorgeous and the flowers were blooming.

Pretty blooms along Pantano Wash during one of my many walks.

More desert colors!

Some evenings the sky just explodes around here, we feel pretty lucky to be in a place where we can be outside enjoying nature most of the time.

Photos from our 15 mile walk along Pantano Wash - the weather was cool, but we didn’t get wet, just a little wind-blown!

A nice rattler I came across on a bike ride up Harrison Greenway - yikes!

I was very grateful for my new e-bike, lots of great rides along the bike path here in town.  Kept me from going stir crazy!

TANQUE VERDE RIDGE HIKE

During March Doug started training for his planned 2022 trip on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).  The CDT runs 3100 miles from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, staying within 50 miles of the Continental Divide along its course.  He is doing 3 consecutive days a week of 15+ miles each day with his backpack, just to see how his body holds up.  Friday and Saturday he does his miles along the Pantano River Park path, then on Sundays he does an actual hike.  I am joining him for 2 of those 3 days, my feet need a day off!  Today we hiked around 16 miles on the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail.  The hike is fairly steep and I think it is an understatement that my toes were REALLY happy to be done with the descent.  Pretty sure I am going to need a few recovery days after this hike!  In spite of the physical discomfort, it was a beautiful day in the desert and things were blooming along the ridge and Doug grilled us Beyond Meat burgers for dinner. Perfect end to the day!

REALITY HITS

By the end of March, we had come to the conclusion that our trip to Europe for this summer was going to have to be canceled.  We had reservations to fly to England on May 9th and had planned to be over there until some time in August.  Our plan had been to stay at AirBnBs, we were very disappointed to have to cancel all our plans, but Europe was closed down due to the spread of the Covid virus and things here in the United States were not looking any better.  A large portion of our Canadian friends here in the RV park had already headed north, due to recommendations from their government.  Social gatherings were frowned upon and we were doing our best to follow all of the social distancing guidelines in place.  We decided that our best option is to stay in Tucson for the time being, as many RV parks and campgrounds are closed in the U.S. at this point due to Covid.  We feel fortunate to have a place where we can wait this out.  Guess we will just have to hang around for a few more Tucson sunsets.

[for-southendgirls]

Do you have any lesbian movie recs? Or movie/show recs at all? You have good taste! Also, I just watched the movie Tru Love about a lesbian and an older woman and while the writing could be stronger is self produced/acted &, made me feel and 'aw,' (could be the pms tho lmao) idk you might like it. :)

Thanks for asking for my opinion! It’s always super flattering when people compliment my taste. Funny that you mentioned Tru Love. When I first saw it, I was like “What kind of poorly written bullshit…” but then I watched it a second time and I cried like a baby. It’s one of my all time favorites now. 

I don’t want to give too much away, but here are some of the ones that stick out to me:

Grandma (2015) 💝👭 I don’t care what you’re doing with your life right now, watch this film. To this day, I am still angry that Lily Tomlin did not win an Oscar for this film, let alone get nominated for one. She plays this Bella Abzug loving, old school, rad lesbian poet who has to drive her teenage granddaughter to go get an abortion. It’s an amazing film, doesn’t demoralize the granddaughter, has an older lesbian actress (!) playing an older lesbian character (!), a May-December gay romance with Judy Greer as the girlfriend! Like, c’mon now. 12/10 would recommend. 

Cloudburst (2012) 🔪 Speaking of older lesbians and road trips, there’s this film. I didn’t know that I wanted to see Olympia Dukakis play an old butch until… I got to see Olympia Dukakis play an old butch. It’s one of those you’ll-feel-happy-but-sad-and-then-happy-again films. Replace “granddaughter” with old, sick femme wife and “abortion” with marriage license in Canada and you get this film. 

Mädchen in Uniform (1931) 📖🏆 Okay, super problematic plot by today’s standards that absolutely does nothing to quell the fact that lesbians aren’t predators but like, who among us hasn’t had a crush on one of our teachers? If anyone ever tells you to watch Loving Annabelle, slap them and watch this instead. Beautiful cinematography, especially for it’s time – and both of the main actresses are so pretty. 

Desert Hearts (1986) 📖💝🏆 Known as one of the the first lesbian movies with a happy ending! I don’t want to reveal much about the plot, but I like to call it “Yeehaw Carol”. Fun Fact: Lily Tomlin actually helped fund this movie! 

A Perfect Ending (2012) 🔪👭 Okay, so if you like PwP fanfiction, this movie is basically for you. It makes no sense whatsoever, it has one of the most egregious cases of Kill Your Dykes that I’ve ever seen come from a lesbian director, and it has a Lifetime made-for-television-esque quality to it, but like… it has that older woman/younger woman thing that we all know and love as well as one of the longest sex scenes I think I’ve ever seen on film, so watch it. Pull up a few lesbo friends, gather some snacks and drinks of choice, and just watch this and laugh (or cry – I won’t judge you). 

High Art (1998) 🔪👭🍆 This is a fictionalized, veiled account of the life of photographer Nan Goldin. Ally Sheedy is in it. Patricia Clarkson isn’t playing someone’s mom, but rather, is playing Ally Sheedy’s German, heroin-addicted, washed up former actress girlfriend. It’s all very 90s heroin chic cinema and once again, has Kill Your Dykes in it, but it’s the first lesbian film I ever saw from a lesbian director and that made it special for me.

Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995) 📖💝 Oh what can I say? Glenn Close in military uniform, Judy Davis getting to play someone (dare I say) adorable for once, happy ending… what more could you want? If you’re not American, this story probably won’t resonate as much with you, but Grethe Cammermeyer became famous when she was fired from being one of the highest ranking doctors in the National Guard because she refused to lie about being a lesbian. All around great performances, Glenn Close sings in it (!) and she also said that kissing Judy Davis made her rethink her sexuality. Just… just watch it. 

The Watermelon Woman (1996) 👭🏆 We love a lesbian movie that doesn’t center around white women! Well… there is a white protagonist in this film, but the story centers around a Black lesbian who becomes obsessed with finding out the life story of an uncredited actress she sees in a film from the 1940s. It was the first major film to be directed by a Black lesbian. It was also filmed in my city! So, I have extra special love for this film. 

HONORABLE (GAY AND NOT GAY) MENTIONS:

Me and My Shadows (2001) 📖 Honestly, fuck the new Zellweger movie where she plays Judy Garland. It’s so rude that they would even attempt to make that movie when this one already exists. This one is Judy Davis playing Judy Garland in all her twitchy glory and it is all your gay camp heart will ever need. It’s in three parts on YouTube. Watch it now.

The Children’s Hour (1961) 🔪👭📖🏆 This film will break your heart. Still would recommend just for how important it is as a body of work. I think it’s one of the first widely-known films that ever defended lesbians. 

This Is Where I Leave You (2014) 💝 We’ve all seen the gifsets of Jane Fonda kissing Debra Monk. Cute little film.

Angels in America (2003) 🏆📖 All of the actors play like, eight different characters. Meryl Streep is a Mormon and Emma Thompson plays an angel in leather who gives her an orgasm in the sky. It’s otherworldly. Watch it. It will change your life.

Lady Bird (2018) 💝 Lesbian subtext, who? Christine and Julie were in love and nobody can tell me any different. 

The Practice (1997-2004) 👭 Holland Taylor is in this show, sadly not playing a ghey, but playing a Judge who pretty much controls all of the men in her office by sleeping with them. She’s fucking wild (in a way that only a WASP woman could be) in this and it’s a sight to behold. 

Key:

[🔪] - a lesbian dies bc we can’t have anything nice

[🍆] - a lesbian has sex with a man bc we can’t have anything nice

[📖] - based on a book/play which you should also read

[💝] - happy endings yaaaaayyy

[👭] - actual lesbian actors, writers, and/or directors

[🏆] - culturally significant/cult film

[180abroad]

Day 140 - Isle of Skye (For One)

Today we enjoyed our last Rabbie's tour of the trip--a 12-hour excursion to the Isle of Skye and back. After an early breakfast of coffee and cereal, we headed down to the meeting point in town. Jessica still wasn't feeling well, but she was determined to make it.

Sadly, she didn't make it far.

As we rode along the gently winding freeway along the side of Loch Ness, it soon became clear that things weren’t going to go very well. In addition to its other lovely gifts, Jessica's cold seemed to have lowered her threshold for car sickness to a dangerous level.

After making the bus pull over for fresh air half-way down to Urquhart Castle–then barely making it to the castle from there–we both knew that it was a losing battle. There were still eleven and a half hours to go, and it was only going to get rougher from there on in. So, as much as we hated to do so, we asked our guide Emily to arrange a taxi to take Jessica home. Having been assured by Jessica that she would be fine, I stayed on the bus with the promise to take all the pictures I could.

12 hours and 1,306 pictures later, I think I kept my promise.

While Jessica waited for her very expensive taxi to drive all the way out from Inverness and take her back into town on a Sunday morning, I rode on through an increasingly twisting and ruggedly beautiful stretch of the Highlands. And after an hour or so, we stopped at Eilean Donan Castle.

Sitting at the nexus of three lochs near the western coast of Scotland, Eilean Donan is one of the most stunningly picturesque castles I saw during the entire trip. And the views from the castle were just as amazing as the views of the castle.

As I learned inside the castle, however, the building that stands today is a modern recreation. The original castle was blown up by the British in 1719 during the Jacobite uprisings. 200 years later, a descendant of the Jacobite owners reclaimed the ruins and poured his fortune into rebuilding it as it was.

The results are stunning and well worth a visit. But mostly just for the views.

After spending most of our allotted hour taking pictures outside the castle, I decided I should make the most of my 10-pound ticket and actually go inside. In retrospect, that might have been a mistake. The interior of the castle is a cramped shrine to the owner's family history. There's a display case dedicated to the Bonnie Prince, including a lock of his hair and a letter penned in his hand.

It was so crowded inside that we had to use the stairs in shifts. Once I got upstairs, there was a ten-minute wait before I was allowed to go back down.

As we were leaving, we saw a crazy German camping tour truck in the parking lot.

As we drove onward, Emily dispelled some common myths about Highland culture. The first was the idea of clan tartans. In Edinburgh, we saw shops filled with tartan patterns associated with one clan or another. It's a popular souvenir for Americans with Scottish heritage to come and buy a scarf or cap printed with their supposed family pattern.  But this is another artifact of Victorian romanticism.

When Queen Victoria was touring the Highlands, she noticed that when she stayed with a family, their family portraits would all feature similar tartan patterns. Coming from a perspective of English royalty, she assumed that the patterns were the Highland equivalent of family colors or coats of arms. In reality, they were just the patterns and colors that the local seamstresses were familiar with. If anything, tartan patterns were simply indicators of who made the fabric, not of who wore it.

Emily also talked about the Scottish clan system and how American tourists tend to misunderstand the significance of clan names. Clans were political units, not family units, and clan names were not family names. Some clans were named after their chiefs, but many were named for legendary or historical warriors with no actual relation to the clan.

Having the last name MacDonald doesn’t necessarily mean you are descended from the MacDonald clan. It probably just means that you are descended from some guy whose father’s name was Donald. And even if you can trace your genealogy back to the Clan MacDonald, which one? There were tons of rival clans that went by the same name.

Finally, we crossed the bridge onto the Isle of Skye. The bridge is fairly new. Before it opened in 1995, people had to take a ferry from the mainland. According to Emily, the bridge was a controversial project. Being able to drive on and off the island at will was a boon to the economy, and tourism on the island has exploded. But at the same time, Skye has lost some of the mystique and cultural insulation that it had previously enjoyed.

Our first stop was at the Cuillin Mountains, which dominate the southern end of Skye. The range is divided into the Red Cuillins and the Black Cuillins. The Red Cuillins are rounded and grassy–perfect for grazing. The Black Cuillins are steep and craggy–perfect for climbing. Legend says that they were formed when two giants fought for days on end to determine which was stronger.

It looked like the Shire and Mount Doom had been smooshed together into a single frame.

Our next stop was Portree, the largest village on Skye. The name is a corruption of Port Righ, a Gaelic name meaning King's Port. According to legend, it was named after King James V visited the island in 1540. The two main clans of Skye--the MacDonalds and the MacLeods--were in the grip of brutal feud. The savagery got so out of hand that it was becoming a national embarrassment, reinforcing the negative stereotype of the savage Scots throughout Europe.

Determined to reestablish order in the outskirts of his realm, James sailed over Skye to tell the clan leaders in person to knock it off. He chose to land his fleet at a neutral fishing village in the middle of the island, and that village was thereafter known as the King's Port.

Trying to save a bit of time and money, I picked up a sandwich from a nearby Co-Op. I wandered up the hill to find a place to sit with a view, but there was no seating to be found. I eventually turned back and wandered down to the pier, where I finally found a bench perched precariously close to the edge.

After lunch, I headed up another hill to see the so-called Apothecary's Tower. Emily had recommended it to us for having great views and being virtually deserted no matter how many tourist buses were in town.

On my way up, I got sidetracked and ended up following a long trail around the side of the hill. The views were spectacular, though, so I didn’t bother to turn around.

And I did make it to the tower in the end.

Just like Emily said, the place was deserted and offered a great view of the city. It was built in the 1800s and served briefly as a medical dispensary for local sailors, hence the name Apothecary's Tower.

I also spotted a wild raspberry bush.

Back in town, I had just enough time to peek into a few craft shops and pick up a souvenir for Jessica--a tiny handmade glass puffin.

Back in the bus, we continued northward along some amazingly blue water toward the Storr, a jagged hill with spiky stone formations sticking out at otherworldly angles. One spike in particular stands out, on its own about halfway down the slope. It's known as the Old Man of Storr, and from a distance, it looks like the silhouette of a stooped man walking down a gentle slope.

One legend says that long ago, an amorous young couple was wandering the hillsides north of Portree. Among the crags and crannies of the Storr, they stumbled across a gathering of fairies. Fairies do not like being disturbed, and the couple ran away as fast as they could. The woman made it to safety, but the man was caught by fairy magic and turned to stone--cursed to spend the rest of time as a morality tale against sneaking off at night.

Emily praised the remarkably clear day, and as we pressed further north we could see the distant isles of Raasay and Rona and the Scottish mainland beyond.

Our next stop was Kilt Rock, a long coastal cliff made of columnar basalt that resembles the pleats of a kilt. The views are spectacular, and there is ample parking for the hordes of tourists competing to see them.

Our last big stop of the day was a mountainous region of northern Skye called the Quiraing. It goes on for miles, but there's one view in particular that seems purpose-built to make a spectacular photo.

We had about twenty minutes to wander around, and I must admit that this was a stop where I was one of those annoying people who lose track of time and hold everyone up an extra few minutes. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Skye is one of the most dramatic and beautiful places I saw on our trip, but it felt more like a chain of tourist-filled photo ops than a living place. That's probably an unfair assessment given the whistle-stop format of the tour, and I'm still entirely glad that I went. I'd happily return and spend a week hiking around all these gorgeous places that I was only able to glimpse. But more than anything else, it made me nostalgic for our time on Islay, which I hope is never tied to the mainland by a bridge.

Leaving the Quiraing, we circled around the northern reaches of Skye. The landscape was wide, wild, and full of sheep--some of which made us stop and wait for them to cross the road.

The rest of the trip was a quiet, slightly sleepy ride home, with comfort stops in the northwestern port town of Uig--where you can catch ferries to the remote Outer Hebrides--and the southeastern former ferry town of Kyleakin.

As we approached Inverness, we found the gloomy rain we'd managed to outrun in Skye.

Along the way, Emily told us one last story. It was about how the landscape of the Highlands has changed over the centuries and how Highlanders see their home quite differently than tourists. To us, the Highlands seem romantically desolate–empty windswept hillsides where the forces of nature still hold strong. But that isn't really true.

For one, these areas used to be much more populated. Today, Skye has about ten thousand people on it, but it once had five times that number. And instead of being concentrated in a few towns, those people were spread evenly across the entire island. Four hundred years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere in Scotland where there wasn’t a farmhouse or two nearby.

The lands were more-or-less free for the people to use as they needed–as long as they made enough to pay their rents. The clan chiefs would collect rents from anyone who lived on their lands, and they would have unquestioned authority to set rules and settle disputes on their land. In exchange, the common folk could focus all their energy on pulling what little sustenance they could from the unyielding land so that they could survive the next winter. Which was hardly a sure thing.

It was a good system for a harsh landscape where raiding and pillaging were the rule rather than the exception.

But that all changed after the Battle of Culloden. The clan system was abolished, and the Highlands were finally folded into the British legal and political system.

In exchange for their lordly authority, the clan chiefs were converted into landlords. That meant that instead of just overseeing their territories, they actually owned them. Which meant that they could do whatever they wanted with it. And what they wanted to do was make money.

They drove their former clansmen off their lands to make room for more profitable English sheep farmers. Without land to feed themselves from, the peasants had no choice but to move into towns, doing harder work for less pay in the budding industrial factories--which the clan chiefs also owned. Some left to seek their fortune in North America instead, but a law from Parliament banning emigration put a stop to that.

It was only after an economic downturn--when factories shut down and tens of thousands of Highlanders were on the brink of starving to death–that the former chiefs finally relented and allowed their captive laborers to be shipped off to Canada and Australia, where they could start new lives in a new land.

And now the Highlands consist of one small city, a few small towns and villages, and miles upon miles of empty space between them.

The second difference between Scotland today and the Scotland of yore is the forests. Two thousand years ago, virtually all of Scotland was covered in dense forests. Over the centuries, the forests were cut down for lumber and to make room for farms and cattle. By the start of the modern era, the proportion of forested to non-forested land had been reversed.

When the Highlands were cleared and the peasants corralled into towns, the land might have started reverting to its original wooded state--if not for the vast herds of commercial sheep and wild deer that continuously strip the land of any budding foliage.

Actually, there are some forests dotting the Highlands. You can spot them pretty easily. They're always near the highways, stand in suspiciously square patches. They're all tree farms filled with non-native species and destined for chopping.

As beautiful and dramatic as the Highlands of today are, they are also a sad reminder to every true Highlander of just how far and how fundamentally they have been cut off from their traditional ways of life.

Back in rainy Inverness, I picked up a feel-better pizza for Jessica, and we watched another episode or two of Outlander before going to sleep.

Next Post: Resting Up (Markets, Museums, and More Pizza)

Last Post: Inverness and the Highlands

[hauteseeker]

Part two of my southwest road trip consisted of my long drive through New Mexico to reach my first city Sedona, AZ. It also touches on the rest of my time spent in Phoenix. On this leg of my journey, I experienced a little less landscape and a bit more modern living. Some excellent food and reconnection with both friends and family.

Day 4: Santa Fe to Sedona

I got an early start and made my way West to Sedona. The six-hour drive was effortless and slightly distracting because there’s so much to see and so many times where I wanted to get out and take pictures. There are these moments of a real “western” scene with mountain backdrops and large freight trains passing through. It’s very surreal. I was waiting for a cowboy to ride past me at some point and time.

It was highly recommended by my friend to stop at the Acoma Pueblo, a community that has been in existence since 1100 a.b. The “Sky City” is a great stop to make before crossing the New Mexico border into Arizona. The Pueblo is known as,”a place prepared and ready to live.” The oldest remaining habitat is 15 miles from the interstate and sits on top of a mesmerizing hill. Tourist can visit the town, alongside a tour guide who most likely has direct family ties to the community. Our guide’s grandparents still have a home at Acoma. During the tour, many silly and somewhat ignorant questions asked of the people who lived in town, oh and to me, as I was the only black person there. Those curious Caucasians got a double dose of a minority culture that day!  It amazes me how so many people forget that this 2017 and the modern amenities that happen in the biggest of cities, most likely occur in the smallest of towns, especially when it comes to technology. Besides the unavoidable ignorance, the overall experience of this historical foundation not only insightful but compelling. I would love to go back to celebrate a holiday with the people of that community one day.

    I continued my drive making stops only to refuel. I drove by reservations, shops, and signature Navajo restaurants as I continued my passage to Sedona. I did make one pit stop in the city of Holbrook to see one of three remaining Wigwam Motel in the country on Old Route 66. The histroic site is nostaligc and fun. I can only imagine the types of families who were fortunate enough to travel and stay here. It makes me think of all the gimmicks hotels do now to attract guests. I can easily see this property getting a few improvements and turning into the “Wigwam Luxe” or something like that. What was once fashionable always comes back around.

  A few short hours later I arrived in Sedona. A beautiful city built on hills and red soil about two hours away from the Grand Canyon and Phoenix, respectively. After arriving in Sedona, I desperately needed a recharge, mostly a phone recharge and overall stretch after driving for several hours straight. I found a great deal using the site Homeaway to score a reasonably priced hotel in Sedona, prices in this region can easily range between $175-$500 during peak season. I got a nice stay at a resort hotel and timeshare not including tax for about $100.

Later that night, I grabbed dinner at The Hudson, a place I was planning on dining at once I made it to Sedona. Lucky I was a party of one, so I was seated pretty quickly on the outside patio during the busy Saturday night. Unfortunately, the sun had already set, so I was unable to take in the scenery in the area. The Hudson sits on a hill, giving patrons great views of the landscape. For dinner, I got the special for the evening, a Cornish Hen. The dish featured mixed vegetables such as peppers and asparagus as well as cornbread dressing with raisins. My taste buds were treated to an early Thanksgiving feast. The dinner and ambiance were overall excellent. After a huge meal, I was more than ready to make my way back to the hotel and chill out. It was only  9 p.m., when I passed out for the evening.

Day 5: Sedona to Phoenix

The next morning I got up around 6 a.m. to hike and watch the sunrise at Red Rock State Park.  I did not expect the challenge that lied ahead of me. The climb up Bell Rock was pretty moderate to hard in terms of hiking. Bell Rock is about 4,000 ft above elevation. I don’t I went quite that high, but I was certainly up there. The hike was amazing, I had an incredible amount energy and was up for another round of hiking, but I had to keep it moving for the next part of my trip to Phoenix.

Let the Hike to Red Rock begin!

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After my morning hike, I repacked my things to make my way to Phoenix. About a two-hour drive South of Sedona. The winding roads through the cactus-filled mountains were steep, deep, vast, and acutely elevated the whole way through.

I made great timing arriving in Phoenix and met up with my lovely host for the next three days Olivia. She was previously my a coworker at Bloomingdale’s. Just like me, she is all about exploring. We immediately hit the road, after dropping off my rental car, and made our way to the downtown Phoenix area check our their art district. It was Sunday, so it was pretty deserted while we were there, which is good when you don’t want anyone blocking your photo opportunities! The wall art there is impressive. My favorite was this abandoned house that was painted with all different types of graffiti and sketches. In the same neighborhood was a modern coffee shop that we stopped by to grab some drinks to cool us off in the sweltering Arizona heat. It’s the epitome of minimalism, something that would be perfect in Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago.

After we walked around for a bit, we both decided that the next move had to be for food. Earlier in my planning, I found out the area was hosting a Taco Fest, so we made our way to Scottsdale to check it out. It was a fantastic food festival. Super organized, fair prices, and fabulous tacos! Compared to ones that I have been to in Chicago, it was supremely better. They had several different tents to grab drinks, VIP access for optimal margarita tasting(if you were trying to spend some big bucks) and a lot of food vendors. I think what sold me were the prices. Tacos were only $2 each! I spent $20 on seven tacos and a drink. Not bad at all!

After a long hot day, we made our way back to her place. It was still pretty nice outside, so we went to the pool to soak in the hot tub and spill the tea. We had a lot to catch up on from the past two years that we hadn’t seen each other. It was great to talk about where we were and where we so desired to be. A fabulous way to end my first night there.

  Day 6: Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa

The sixth day I was able to catch up on some long ignored e-mails as well as some news and gossip. Crazy how much you don’t pay attention to those things when you are busy soaking up a new place. It’s almost like the rest of the world stands still.

After we got dressed, we went out to explore some of Olivia’s favorite spots, which are fabulous and Instagram-worthy. We made our way to Luci’s for brunch. The grocer/restaurant was charming. The food, eh. The best thing about the meal was the drink. An “Arnold Palmer” like a concoction of green tea and watermelon flavored lemonade.

After that, we made our way to AZ Pops to grab some popsicles. Super nostalgic. I can’t think of the last time I had a homemade popsicle like the one at AZ Pops. I chose the peach and prickly pear combo. It was very different; prickly pears are flowers found only on a particular type of cactus. As I later learned at the Desert Botanical Garden, they can be made into candies or eaten raw.  The popsicle was great, and I even had a chance to chat with the store owner. Another person on my trip who had some pretty strong ties to the Chicago area( her husband was born and raised in Oak Park). We also stopped into some nice stores in the area. One, in particular, had a friendly Cali vibe, which is to be expected in this area of the country. Clothes were cute, but sizing was limited.

  We were both parched after a light afternoon of walking so we made our way to the Royal Palms Resort for a refreshing beverage and a little exploration. The hotel has amazing architecture, a Spanish Colonial Revival villa that was once used as a winter home back in the 1920’s. The resort is at the base of Camelback Moutain and is absolutely fabulous.

    After our daytime romp of the lavish resort life, we made our way to dinner at Cornish Pasty. A pleasant looking restaurant with the feel of an Olive Garden on the outside and an underground dive bar on the inside. That was my first impression, at least at this location. I had never heard of a pasty and was excited to try the British born dish. A pasty is associated with Cornwall, England, a once well-known mining community. The original pasties would be filled with both meat and vegetables as well as sweets, each on their respective ends of the pasties.

The pastys at Cornish are so varied that anyone from carnivore to vegan can find something that they like. I decided to try to Roast Beef Sarnie. The pasty was a combination of house roasted beef, red and green bell peppers, portabello, onions, swiss and cheddar blend served with a horseradish sour cream sauce. Oh my gosh, so good! Everything blended well and was perfectly seasoned. The beef wasn’t too tender, and the sauce was the perfect addition. A chef recommended another sauce which was excellent as well, not sure what it was called though. Something to note about Cornish Pasty is the dishes come as they are described, you cannot pick and choose the ingredients you want inside the pasty. It is literally all or nothing. Go with the all; it’s totally worth it.

Olivia was dead set on making it to the Fountain Hills neighborhood to watch the sunset. So we quickly got dressed and dolled and made our way to the high-priced neighborhood. We found our way up to Copper Wynd Resort, looking absolutely fabulous. I swear, I had a Waiting to Exhale moment here. It reminds me so much of the area that the film was shot. I know the movie is old, but buildings last a long time so I could be right! We arrived just in time to see the sunset and get some glamour shots in as well.

After Copper Wydn we made our way back into the downtown Phoenix area to see what bars were popping on a Monday night. Not too many. We found our way into the Valley Bar, where we grabbed another drink(excellent drink prices), talked life, and finished up another fabulous night.

Day 7: Phoenix to Chicago

Day seven was an early start to a very, very long day. We kicked things off with a trip to the Desert Botanic Garden. I would be surprised if there is anything else like it in the world! The garden was amazing. Cactus from all different parts of Central and North America, other desert found foliage, as well as a majestic butterfly garden that was locked down tighter than the White House. Seriously, they were doing the most to keep those butterflies in that garden! We continued exploring the gardens and came across beautiful sculptures as well as some very quirky volunteers who taught us a few things about our surroundings.

one man + one leaf =

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  After the garden, we had just enough energy before lunch to make it to the landscape wonder, Hole in the Rock at the Papago Park. The hike to the hole in the natural formation is a quick 7-minutes up the rock. This is an ideal place to catch at sunrise or sunset if your timing is right.

  After our morning of walking and hiking, we proceeded to have a mini sweet and savory tour of the city. We made our way to República Empanada, a super cute restaurant located in the South Side Heights neighborhood of downtown Mesa.The empanadas were incredibly delicious. We were there for the lunch special of two empanadas plus rice and beans. We both added classic Coke De Mexico’s and enjoyed a less than $10 lunch on the cute patio in the back of the restaurant.

We also stopped by one of Olivia’s favorite spots to grab dessert, The Coronado.  They made one of the best brownies I ever had, and it didn’t contain one bit of dairy or eggs. Amazing!  We then proceeded to search for some and came across one that featured a mesh of vintage goods, artifacts and other apothecary furnishings called, The French Bee. After perusing that we made our way to a hipster-ish bar to chill and kill some more time before my flight and dinner.

It’s an unspoken rule, that if you find yourself in a city where you know someone and have a pretty good relationship with them, that you let them know you are there. At least, that’s what I try to do. Even if you never have a chance to see the person, at least you let them know you were in town. This day in age, it’s always good to let a few people know you are around. Seriously. If anything for safety reasons. Anyways, I had told my cousin who lives in Arizona that I was visiting. Shame on me that I waited until the morning that I was leaving to see if we could meet up. I know, tsk, tsk.

I asked my cousin Eric to meet us at this restaurant called Fire and Brimstone located at Barnone in Gilbert. Barnone is an innovative retail/workspace for handcrafted goods. It features everything from handmade stationary to experimental winemakers. Great place to craft a small business. At Fire and Brimstone, I opted for The Fire and Brimstone pizza. The 12-inch pizza came dressed in spicy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, jalapeños, house-made merguez sausage, and cilantro. It was by far one of the freshest pizza’s I have ever tasted! I had a couple of slices that I devoured on my flight back to Chicago. After my week-long adventure, this was a beautiful night, over pizza with friends and family.

I would arrive back in Chicago at 4 a.m. that Wednesday morning.

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  Reflections Part Two

During the second half of my trip, I was able to reconnect with friends and family. During that time, a lot was discussed that challenged me to consider my relationships in general. Does this person care about our friendship? If so, what type of effort are they putting in? Am I doing my part as well? The trip also resurfaced ideas of changing my own personal landscape. Many people move to an area to be fully submerged so that they can break into a certain industry or career. Others, move far from it and reach a market untapped allowing for success in that arena too. It’s a reminder that growth can happen anywhere, you just have to be the one to make it happen!

Travel Trips

If you are wondering how I managed to have such a successful trip solo, here are my ‘haute’ Do’s and Don’ts:

Do Plan ahead. I looked into accommodations, flights, rental cars, and connections before my trip. This allowed me to use my time in the most optimal manner. I would be surprised at the end of the day how much I was able to get done. Something I need to implement more in my everyday life as well.

Do get Advice. There is nothing wrong with asking people for things to do, especially if they live there. I asked my friend who grew up in Arizona if he could recommend some things to do in Santa Fe. He gave me my whole ‘cultural’ itinerary. I made sure to connect with my previous co-worker and cousin as soon as booked my ticket to the area.

Do stay hydrated. There is a lot, and I mean a lot of exposure to the sun in that area. Be sure, especially if you are driving to buy a couple of liters or packs of water, so you never run out. Oh, and snacks too if you are in a time crunch.

Do look for discounts. You can ask anybody who knows me well. I know a lot of things to do, but I don’t spend a lot of money to enjoy them. If you are traveling, make sure you look into resident discounts, reciprocal memberships, library affiliations, free entry days, Groupon, etc. It will save you money.

Do try new things. Going to Ojo and experiencing the hot spring was one of the highlights of my trip! I am hooked and want to try every natural spring out there!

Do carry two phones. I chose to bring my work phone with me as well as my phone. Best decision ever. It’s great for navigation and music if you are forgoing a tradition map. Plus, you never know what will happen, better to have an extra device, just in case.

Do savor the moment. It is such a blessing to travel. It’s beautiful to see the sunset into various shades of purple, yellow, and orange hues. To look at the starts, uninterrupted by city lights, to see the landscape barely touched by humanity. Breathe it all in. You never know when you will be back.

Final Thoughts

I am so overjoyed that I had the opportunity to visit these two great states and tackle all the unique cities in between. I was exposed to not only massive amounts of sun, people, culture, art, food, and community. I am hooked on the beauty of the southwest and look forward to seeking more of it in the future. Don’t be surprised if you see a future post of my travels through Utah and Denver or something within that range!I am so blessed to have had this soul seeking experience and can’t wait to revisit both places!

    Albuquerque to Phoenix: Seven Days Seeking the Southwest Pt.2 Part two of my southwest road trip consisted of my long drive through New Mexico to reach my first city Sedona, AZ.

[ericsdietert-blog]

The spring flowers of the Cape West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand in the Northern Cape have a worldwide reputation. This area of South Africa receives little rain throughout the year but after the winter rains from May to July/August, the normally dry landscape becomes a carpet of wild flowers with vibrant bands of gousblomme and vygies, as well as nemesias, lachenalias, babiana and ixias.

You may not feel you need any tips for flower viewing (how hard can looking at flowers be?). But there is quite a lot to consider if you would really like to get the most out of this “super-bloom” experience.

[This article is written by Cedarberg Africa, a specialist tour operator for Southern Africa. Being based in the Cederberg, we know the spring flower area very well and this article is a collection of our tips for flower viewing for the visitor. Enjoy the article!]

  The wide variety of wild flowers is largely due to the varied topography – fertile valleys contrast with high mountains, the semi-desert plains of the north contrast with the unique Sandveld region near the coast with its wetter vlei areas.

Certain species are found nowhere else in the world such as the yellow Leucospermum reflexum, the Snow Protea (protea cryophylla), blue Lachanaea filamentosa, yellow sparaxis, pink Cyanella alba and the Clanwilliam Cedar (widdringtonia cedarbergensis).

Click here to visit our Cederberg or Namaqualand pages for tours and accommodation.

Please take special note:

Rainfall varies from year to year. Back in 2016 and 2017 we had one of the worst droughts in decades, with extremely low rainfall in the Cederberg and Namaqualand regions. So the below is based on a ‘normal’ winter rainfall. So we advise that you check flower reports for the areas you would like to visit. Visit Flowers of Namaqualand and the West Coast, Flowerline, or call the West Coast Flowerline 063 724 6204 for regular updates on the spring flowers, flower shows and weather forecasts.

  Tip One – Know when the Spring Wild Flowers are (read this if nothing else!)

This is probably the number one thing that visitors misunderstand. Our spring is NOT the same as cooler Cape Town. Our spring starts earlier. I cannot tell you the number of times we get requests for late September when all the flowers have gone!

Our spring starts in mid August. The flower season peaks between early August and late August and it is dependent on the winter rains.

The further north, the earlier the flowers…

As a general rule the wild flowers begin flowering first in the Northern Cape in Namaqualand in late July or early August. They then advance southwards through Nieuwoudtville and the Cederberg region and then appear on the West Coast at the end of August. Thus the West Coast offers the best chance of seeing spring flowers in early September.

So you can see that if you do a tour through the whole area, there will be some areas which are at their peak, some which are just beginning and some which are going over.

Plus there’s an element of luck as it all depends on the amount of rain. Some years are better than others! If there has been a steady flow of gentle cold fronts during the winter, then it is likely to be a good and long-lasting flower season. But one or two violent storms interspersed with lots of dry weather are not so good.

Spring temperatures are also important. If it heats up too quickly then the early visitors have glorious sunshine but the flowers do not last very long.

The Catch 22 is that lots of rain means good flower displays. But if it continues to rain during the spring (August), then it’s not so much fun to view the flowers!

(You can tell that as a tour-operator, I don’t like being at the mercy of the weather gods can’t you!)

The bottom line is to come with an attitude of acceptance.  Try to be prepared to explore other attractions of the area if the flowers are not so amazing. For example the Cederberg has some stunning mountain passes and fantastic hiking country to enjoy. There is plenty to do here, year round. View the Bushmen rock art, do a walking trail or visit a Rooibos tea farm.  The spring flowers are almost an added bonus.

  Tip Two – Book Early

I cannot stress this enough. The ‘season’ is short and so people book months in advance. We run 5 day flower tours and these usually book up a few months in advance. We can assist with ad hoc private tours if you book enough time in advance. But we don’t take last minute bookings because all our preferred accommodation has been booked up. We’ll refer you to the local information offices (see numbers below) who may be able to assist with last minute accommodation enquiries.

Ideally you want to be looking at early to mid August for Namaqualand, early to late August for the Cederberg and late August to early September for the West Coast. The West Coast flowers can continue until mid September in a good year or only to say the 10th Sept in an average year.

So depending on your dates, you should choose your area…

(For example, if you are planning a trip for early September, you will be too late for Namaqualand but fine for the West Coast around Paternoster and Langebaan. Similarly if you are coming in early to mid August then the best displays will be further north, with not much happening yet closer to Cape Town…)

  Want to see the flowers?

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  Ways to tour the flowers

Fundamentally there are four main options

One – Plan a visit using a rental car and a reputable tour operator such as us – Cedarberg Africa – who will be able to advise you where to go, when and where to stay. This gives you the flexibility as you are free to explore some back roads and get out of the car to walk in the flowers as much as you want. Note: We don’t take bookings for less than 4 nights. If you just want a couple of nights, contact the relevant tourism office – see below.

Two – Take an escorted flower tour such as our five day Wild Flower Tour with a small group of like-minded enthusiasts. The benefits are that your guide is both knowledgeable about the flowers and also knows which daily routes are likely to prove most rewarding in terms of flower-viewing. Note: We are booked out for 2019 but we are taking bookings for 2020.

Three – If you don’t have so much time, you can also do a private day tour from Cape Town to the southern West Coast. This works well later in the spring when the wild flowers of the West Coast are in bloom (late August and early September.) But it is too far to get north to Namaqualand or the Cedarberg in one day. The only caveat is that these private tours tend to be expensive and the Cape Town guides are not so knowledgeable. (All the specialist guides are booked up doing longer tours!)

Four – If you have just 2-3 nights, you can drive (or we can book a private transfer for you) to one of the lodges in the Cederberg. Good examples would be Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge or  Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve,  or Oudrif Lodge. From here, you can do a day visit to Nieuwoudtville to see their flowers as well.  This is a good option is booking relatively late when accommodation in Nieuwoudtville is booked up – see later.

Tip 3 – Flower Viewing

As the flowers face the sun, a good general principle is to travel north relatively quickly and then do most of your flower-viewing in a southerly direction so that the flowers are always facing you.

Similarly, as the displays are noticeably better if you travel with the sun behind you, you should plan your daily circular route accordingly. So  try to travel in a westerly direction in the morning, southerly during the day. And then turn east in the afternoon.

The flowers are at their best between 10:30-11am and 4.00pm in the afternoon. So there is no need to rush out straight after breakfast, (unless you have some travelling to do before you get to the flower region).

The flowers will not come out in heavily overcast or rainy weather. So you should plan to visit other sights on such days.

Get out of your car and walk amongst the flowers – you will appreciate them so much more!

Pick up a printed flower guide to add to your enjoyment. These are available for not much money from various tourism offices.

Use the local tourism offices in each area to find out which local routes have the best flower displays

Don’t pick the flowers!

Namaqualand

We suggest that you head north to Springbok and then meander southwards at a more leisurely pace so that the spring flowers are always facing you. There are various side roads which are often rewarding for flowers. Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok and Skilpad Wildflower Reserve at Kamieskroon.

(However if you are travelling in September, dont plan much time here as usually the best displays are over.)

Niewoudtville

Try to include Niewoudtville on any flower tour. Many flowers, bulbs and orchid species that are not found anywhere else in South Africa can be seen here. The other charming aspect of Nieuwoudtville is the number of local farms which open their gates to visitors (usually for a small fee). They allow you to drive all over the farm viewing the flowers – perfect for picnics. Some even also have little curio shops and’coffee shops during the flower season.

The flower season in Nieuwoudtville also tends to be longer than elsewhere.

But: Accommodation is always an issue in Nieuwoudtville. Tourism is virtually non-existent for most of the year so it has very few guesthouses. These get booked up months (even a year) in advance.  But you can plan a scenic day tour from Clanwilliam which is larger and more developed for year-round tourism.

Clanwilliam and the Cedarberg

From Nieuwoudtville you travel down the dramatic, if slightly challenging, Botterkloof pass and into the Cedarberg. This is not recommended in bad weather! At the foothills of the Cedarberg lies the picturesque town of Clanwilliam and a number of rewarding flower routes. These include the splendid Bieudouw valley. Which can be the highlight of any flower tour in a good year, as well as the Boskloof valley or Nardouwsberg.

A visit to the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden is an absolute must! Ramskop probably has one of the best displays of wild flowers in the country. And it looks especially fine during the flower season and beyond. There’s a new medical plant section in the garden.

If you pick your dates right, you can also visit the Clanwilliam Flower Show held at the end of August. The show usually starts the Friday before the final weekend in August. Every year about 400 species from 32 families are exhibited in their typical setting at the Clanwilliam Flower Show. Here the flowers botanical names, as well as their tongue-twisting local names, are displayed.

TIP: Accommodation in Nieuwoudtville often gets booked months in advance. But you can stay in the Clanwilliam area for 3 nights and use it as a base. Good options are Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, just outside town.

  Cederberg Mountains

The high Cederberg Mountains don’t usually have many spring flowers. (As the real displays are in the drier valleys). But higher up in the Cedarberg mountains, the protea flowers and other fynbos species are seen later on in the spring (September to October) with their spectacular large bulbous flowers.

The Sandveld & the West Coast

From the Cederberg you can head west to the ocean through an area known as the Sandveld. Continue south along the West Coast Road (R27) via the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster with its Columbine Nature Reserve. Then head along to the West Coast National Park. Along this coastal strip, you find the strandveld of salvias and showy daisies.

Within the West Coast National Park lies the Postberg Nature Reserve which is open during August and September. This reserve boasts the greatest variety of birds, game and Sandveld flowers in the Western Cape. This special section of the park is only open during August to October. We recommend visiting during the Darling Flower show held in mid-September.

The Duckitt Orchid Show runs concurrently with the flower show on a local orchid farm. You can also visit the Tienie Versveld Reserve near Darling which hosts babianas, lachenalias and chincherinchees .

As well as wild flowers, the West Coast offers stunning seafood restaurants, great birding, the Fossil park and the impressive Khwa Ttu rock san cultural centre. So there’s plenty to do here.

  Contact us today and we’ll plan the perfect flower tour for you!

Planning a trip to see the flowers?

Tell us what you want to do, and we'll send you a proposal and price

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  The post Tips for Flower Viewing in Namaqualand, the Cederberg & West Coast appeared first on Cedarberg-Travel.com.

[eat-travel-live-repeat]

  The Best of Aruba in 7 Days + A suggested 7 Day Travel Itinerary

  Bon Bini ! Welcome ! While One Happy Island makes for a great getaway for a long weekend, Aruba is best enjoyed over a magical week. This island country is a constituent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands. The country is just miles from the Venezuelan coast.

Aruba’s location in the southern Caribbean means that it has idyllic weather year-round. It is far enough south that it avoids the hurricanes that threaten the rest of the islands in the Caribbean. But this also means that it receives little rain, creating what is mostly a desert island. This is great news for sun-seekers. 

At less than 70 square miles (180 km²), Aruba is the ideal destination for a one week trip. Visitors can easily travel from the northern end of the island to the south in just over 30 minutes — barring any traffic. Most people coming to Aruba are looking for a beach escape. But you’ll also want to explore the island.

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    Best Things to do in Aruba –  The Aruba Travel Bucket List

  Flamingo Beach

One of the most popular attractions on Aruba is Flamingo Beach, where you can sun yourself with a flamboyance of flamingos. Located on a private island, Renaissance Island, this adults-only beach is reserved primarily for guests of the Renaissance Hotels. There are plenty of other activities on the island, including kayaking and a spa. But by far the most popular, and Instagrammable, is posing with the flamingos on the beach.

    Natural Pool

Aruba’s rocky eastern shore has an area in the Arikok National Park in which the rocks have formed an area that collects water from the adjacent Caribbean Sea. The natural pool, Conchi, is a can’t-miss spot in Aruba. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the Natural Pool. The more adventurous will jump in. The busiest times are from mid-morning through mid-afternoon, when tour groups arrive at a steady pace. 

    Eagle Beach

Consistently ranked one of the world’s best beaches every year, Eagle Beach is worth a visit. Better yet, book a resort on Eagle Beach to enjoy its beauty each day of your stay. With its white sand beaches and azure waters, Eagle Beach is a beach lover’s dream come true. 

    California Lighthouse

Located at the northwest end of the island, visitors will find the California Lighthouse, named for a steamship that wrecked nearby in 1891. Because it is far away from built-up areas, it provides a beautiful view of the island and Palm Beach. 

Aruba California Lighthouse | Flickr | Serge Melki

    Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

The Aruban government has created hiking paths along these rock formations and they each have observation towers near the top. Not only can you cool off, but you can see Venezuela from the top. These are also spots to see ancient (petroglyph rock art) drawings of island inhabitants from thousands of years ago. 

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    Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins

In the 19th century, the island served as a gold mine, with more than 3 million pounds of the precious metal excavated from the land. Today, all that remains are the ruins of the gold-smelting facility.

Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins | Flickr | Rick Seidel

    Arikok National Park

Located on the eastern side of the island and covering almost a fifth of the area, the Arikok National Park is truly a treasure. The $11 admission fee is a true bargain considering everything it covers — great hiking trails, Quadiriki Caves with ancient drawings, and the Natural Pool. 

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    Best Experiences in Aruba

  Go windsurfing, kitesurfing, or kiteboarding

If, like me, you don’t know the difference between these three different activities, Aruba is the perfect place to learn. Aruba’s constant trade winds make it the ideal place to learn or perfect your skills in these. 

  Try wreck diving

Well-known for scuba diving, divers can explore the Antilla, the Caribbean’s largest wreck, among others. (Or stay dry and ride the Atlantis Submarine if you want to see underwater life and wrecks.)

  Go snorkeling

Bring your snorkel gear with you. You’ll appreciate it for the Natural Pool. There is some good snorkeling available at Mangel Halto, Arashi, Palm, and multiple other beaches as well.

  Ride an ATV or UTV

The island is covered in inaccessible spots and getting to them is half the fun. One of the best ways to do that is to drive or ride in an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) or UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). What’s the difference? A UTV allows driver and passenger to ride side-by-side, where you sit on a bench. An ATV carries a single driver, who straddles it like a bike. Either way, this is a fun way to explore Aruba’s natural beauty!  

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    Where to stay in Aruba ?

  Hotels  / Apartments | Aparthotels in Aruba 

Swiss Paradise Aruba Villas and Suites | Blue Residences | Bananas Apartments | Aruba Comfort Palm Beach Condo

  Luxury Resorts in Aruba 

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino | Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino | Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino | Courtyard by Marriott Aruba Resort

    A Recommended 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary

  Because Aruba is such a small island, and because you’re on vacation, this one week Aruba itinerary should be less structured than what you’re used to finding. Instead, find some recommendations on how you may want to arrange your days, taking into account how much sightseeing you may want to do compared to lounging in the sun, your budget, and interests.

The Magical Sunsets in Aruba

    Day 1 and 2 –  Flamingo Beach 

If you plan on going to Flamingo Beach, reserve a night at one of the Renaissance Hotels, either the first or last night of your stay. Since admission costs $125 per person, the cost of a room is often equivalent to the price of admission for a couple. You’ll be guaranteed admission to the beach and have access to the beach both the day you check-in and the day you check out. If you choose to stay at one of the Renaissance Hotels, use this time in Oranjestad to also:

Ride the trolley

Explore Oranjestad

Go shopping

Visit the casino (if that’s your thing)

  Day 3 – Relax and Chill

Relax in your new hotel. Enjoy the amenities. Try snorkeling.

  Day 4 – Book an ATV, UTV or 4WD tour

Adventure awaits! Bring a refillable water bottle, something to cover your face to protect from the dirt (many tour companies provide this), sunscreen, towel, snorkel gear, and sunglasses. Wear a swimsuit and clothes that you don’t mind if you don’t ever get the dirt out of them! 

Include a visit to these places on Day 4 of this 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary

Natural Pool

Arikok National Park

Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins

Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

  Day 5 – Try something new or Explore the island in a rented car

Try something new – windsurfing or kitesurfing perhaps. Or rent a car and explore the rest of the island if you need to escape the sun.

  Day 6 – Chill by the beach

Last full day to enjoy the sun. Enjoy the beach at your hotel or explore new beaches.

  Day 7 – Souvenir shopping and Departure

Last minute sunning and souvenir shopping. Depart for home.

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  Aruba’s tourist-friendly environment welcomes visitors. While Dutch and Papamiento are the official languages in Aruba, just about everyone speaks at least some English. The official currency is the Aruba florin. But US currency is widely accepted (though you may receive change in florins). Tipping is not obligatory, though some restaurants and bars add a service charge of 10-15%.  

  If you’re looking for a tropical getaway, Aruba fits the bill. Aruba’s perfect climate and white sand beaches provide the perfect setting for great travel memories. It isn’t surprising that so many couples and families choose Aruba. You should visit the One Happy Island too and make your own memories!

  We hope you found this 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Aruba. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Aruba Travel Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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  If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Aruba Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well. 

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The Epic 7 Day Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

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  The Aruba Travel Guide + A Recommended 7 Day Itinerary The Best of Aruba in 7 Days + A suggested 7 Day Travel Itinerary Bon Bini !

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10-Day New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary • The Blonde Abroad

Hey there! I’m Laurel Tincher, founder of the blog By Laurel Christine. I write about sustainable living and reconnecting with nature, including stories about travel, fashion, design, and more. My adventures in sustainability have taken me all over the world, from my home state of California to my current home base in beautiful Hawaii.

Recently I had the opportunity to take a road trip around New Mexico, and it was one of the best road trips I’ve ever been on!

It’s no wonder why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. From ancient natural wonders to Native American and Southwestern culture, to UFOs and alien lore, the state is one of the most wonderfully unique destinations in the United States and the world.

On top of its cultural and natural sites, you’ll find incredible food and friendly locals throughout the state. A road trip is the best way to experience all that New Mexico has to offer. You can pack in all the major cultural and natural highlights in a 10-day to a two-week trip.

The main airport in New Mexico is in Albuquerque. I wanted to make sure to visit White Sands, which is a long drive from that airport, so I decided to fly into Albuquerque and fly out of El Paso, Texas, which worked out well.

This trip itinerary includes stops in Taos and Santa Fe, plus outdoor excursions to the Bisti Badlands and White Sands National Park, with many other amazing sites along the way.

The Best  Time to Visit

New Mexico gets snow in the winter and has sweltering, dry summers, so the ideal times to visit are from March-June or September-November. The fall is a less popular time for tourists, so things will be less crowded if you go that time of year.

There are also many festivals throughout the year if you have the opportunity to time your trip around a special local event.

I went on this road trip in June. The heat wasn’t too severe, but going in early summer did mean I had to take more breaks from the sun when visiting the parks and monuments.

Keep in mind that New Mexico can get sudden rain and lightning storms throughout the year. There were afternoon storms in the northern part of the state during the first several days of my trip.

Make sure your car has good wheels and working windshield wipers. I rented a 4WD car and was glad I did, although it isn’t essential for this trip.

My 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Albuquerque

Day 2: Albuquerque

Day 3: Bisti Badlands

Day 4-5: Taos

Day 6-7: Santa Fe

Day 8: Bandelier National Monument

Day 9: Las Cruces

Day 10: White Sands National Park

Casa Rondeña Winery

Day One: Arrive in Albuquerque

New Mexico’s largest city blends historical culture with a modern downtown.

There are many ways to experience the natural beauty of the high desert area, which is the perfect introduction to the breathtaking state. I loved visiting local wineries and exploring Old Town Albuquerque.

If you visit in October, be sure to catch the world’s largest hot air balloon festival.

Top Things to See and Do in Albuquerque:

Explore historic adobe buildings, museums, and shops in Old Town.

View local flora and fauna at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden.

Hike La Luz Trail to the top of South Sandia Peak for a beautiful view of the city. If the weather’s good, take the cable car back down to the bottom.

Experience local wines at Casa Rondeña Winery.

Where to Stay in Albuquerque:

Stay at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm for a relaxing countryside experience. At the hotel, you can ride bikes through lavender fields and eat food grown right on the property.

If you don’t stay at Los Poblanos, definitely still stop in for a coffee or a meal.

Day Two: Continue Exploring Albuquerque

I would recommend exploring Old Town and hiking Laz Luz Trail on your first day to get acquainted with the area. If you aren’t up for the full hike, you can drive to the bottom of the cable car station for a stunning sunset view of the city.

On day two, visit the ABQ BioPark and go wine tasting. You can also walk along the Rio Grande at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.

Bisti Badlands

Day Three: Hike the Bisti Badlands

Take the 40 West to the 371 North

[Approx. 182 miles | 3 hours]

Exploring the Bisti Badlands, or Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, was one of the highlights of my road trip. It may seem like a long way to go, but it is well worth it, especially if you’re a photographer or nature and history lover!

The Bisti is a 45,000-acre desert wilderness area with some of the most unique rock formations on Earth. In prehistoric times the area was a coastal swamp, home to dinosaurs, reptiles, and other ancient creatures.

I would highly recommend booking a walking tour with Navajo Tours USA, especially if you’re traveling solo. It’s easy to get disoriented out there, so by going with a guide you’ll be sure to see all the best sites without having to worry about getting lost.

Plus, you’ll learn so much about the geologic history of the region and the local Navajo culture. I was traveling solo and booked a one-on-one tour, which was such an incredible experience!

Navajo Tours offers both morning and evening hikes, so if you leave Albuquerque early, you can do the evening tour, and then you can always go back again in the morning on your own if you want more time there.

A few things to keep in mind:

Farmington is the closest place to stay for a visit to the Bisti Badlands, and it is about an hour’s drive between the city and the Bisti wilderness.

There are no services or bathrooms at the Bisti Badlands. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, pack water and snacks, and make sure your phone is charged before you go.

What to Do Around Farmington in Addition to the Bisti Badlands:

The Aztec Ruins National Monument is a fascinating preserved site that’s free to visit.

Make the short drive out to Ship Rock, a 1500 ft. rock formation with religious significance to the Navajo Nation.

Where to Stay in Farmington:

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Farmington is a comfortable and convenient place to land for your Bisti Badlands adventure.

You can also camp in some regions of the Bisti Badlands if you’re planning on bringing your camping gear.

Day Four: Drive to Taos

Take the 64 East

[Approx. 214 miles | 4 hours]

Taos is a lovely artist colony, full of galleries, museums, and historic adobe buildings. I could picture having my own art retreat there! The high elevation town is a popular destination for travelers in all seasons due to its access to nearby ski resorts. There are so many unique things to do in this vibrant community.

Top Things to See and Do in Taos:

Where to Stay in Taos:

Staying at the Earthship community just outside Taos is a once in a lifetime experience.

The Phoenix Earthship, which can be booked on Airbnb, includes a gorgeous greenhouse and unique, sustainably designed biotecture, with a full kitchen and plentiful living space

It is a large space for a solo traveler, but I also stayed in one of the smaller Earthships, and it was definitely worth splurging on the Phoenix to get the full Earthship experience.

Taos is a lovely artist colony, full of galleries, museums, and historic adobe buildings.

Day Five: Explore Taos and Visit Taos Pueblo

Just one mile north of town, Taos Pueblo is an ancient pueblo still inhabited by a Native American tribe of Puebloan people. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.

The adobe dwellings were built about 1,000 years ago, and about 150 people currently live there full-time. I really enjoyed chatting with the residents, trying local foods, and learning about this fascinating community.

Day Six: Drive to Santa Fe

Take the 68 South to the 84 South

[Approx. 70 miles | 1 ½ hours]

It’s a short, beautiful drive from Taos to the capital city of Santa Fe. You can leave early and pack in a day of hiking at Ghost Ranch or take your time and enjoy a leisurely day on the road.

Where to Stop Along the Drive to Santa Fe:

I had heard fantastic things about hiking at Ghost Ranch, so I drove out there on my way to Santa Fe. When I arrived, I realized I didn’t have enough time to do any of the hikes, so I left and drove all the way back to the 68 South!

Helpful Tip

Lesson learned! It’s not worth driving out there unless you have at least a few hours to explore. If you have an extra night or two and have a chance to book a stay at the nearby Origin at Rancho de San Juan retreat center, it looks incredible.

Chimayo is a small town just 40 minutes outside Santa Fe.

It features a historic church and several well-known weaving shops and is known for its famous Chimayo peppers. Be sure to find a cafe that serves chile hot chocolate drinks, so delicious!

Where to Stay in Santa Fe:

Stay at Hotel St. Francis for its cozy and classic Santa Fe style in the heart of the city.

Meow Wolf

Day Seven: Explore Santa Fe

New Mexico’s capital is known for its art scene and pueblo-style architecture. The city is a blend of old and new, and filled with an abundance of culture and creativity.

Top Things to See and Do in Santa Fe:

Rent a bicycle and explore the city on wheels, or ride one of the many local trails.

Visit the historic Santa Fe Plaza, full of unique shops and restaurants.

Eat local and organic Mexican food at Cafe Pasqual’s.

Immerse yourself in a mysterious multimedia art experience at Meow Wolf.

Don your cowboy hat and head to the Santa Fe Opera for a unique desert performance. The stunning opera house is partially open to the outdoors, allowing for incredible sunset and night sky views.

Day Eight: Bandelier National Monument

An hour outside Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument is a perfect half-day excursion.

Within the park are 11,000-year-old human settlements built into a rocky canyon. If you aren’t afraid of ladders, you can climb up inside some of the highest settlements. Otherwise, there are more accessible cave dwellings to explore.

If you have extra time to explore the area, Tent Rocks National Monument and the Santa Fe National Forest are both incredible natural environments to visit near the city.

Day Nine: Drive to Las Cruces

Take the 25 South

[Approx. 285 miles | 4 ½ hours]

The final stretch of this ultimate New Mexico road trip takes you almost to the southern border of the state. Las Cruces lies at the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, just north of the U.S. border with Mexico.

Along the drive, stop at the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to view birds and other local wildlife. There is a loop road you can drive around for easy viewing, or you can take more time to hike in the nature preserve.

Top Things to See and Do in Las Cruces:

Go wine tasting at the many local wineries around the city. Although New Mexico is not a well-known wine region, winemakers around the state produce a plethora of high-quality wines.

Visit a pecan farm. In addition to wineries, Las Cruces is home to dozens of pecan farms, some of which are open to visitors.

Where to Stay in Las Cruces:

Stay at Lundeen Inn of the Arts to connect with the local desert culture. Full of history and Southwestern art, the hotel is the perfect place to end a New Mexico road trip.

Day Ten: Visit White Sands National Park

The last stop on the journey is one of my favorite places on Earth. White Sands National Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field.

The ethereal white dunes stretch on for 275 square miles. In the park, you can go on numerous hikes into the dunes, take amazing photos, and even go sledding down the dunes! Be sure to stay for sunset, it was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Tips for Visiting White Sands National Park:

It takes about an hour to drive from Las Cruces to the park.

Pack sunscreen, water, and a hat. Take breaks from the sun often, as you don’t always realize how hot and dehydrated you’re getting.

I was concerned about getting lost in the dunes, but you won’t have any issues if you keep an eye on the road that winds through the park.

Pick up snacks and food for lunch at Mountain View Market Co+Op in Las Cruces.

Grab coffee and breakfast for the road at Nessa’s Cafe.

Trip Additions

Final  Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this road trip guide to New Mexico! For more New Mexico recommendations, visit my New Mexico posts here.

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Sedona, AZ February 2019

We’re always looking for “adventure” in conjunction with our work travels, and what an adventure we had this time.

We travel to Las Vegas at least annually for franchising conferences - sometimes even three times a year. Six years ago, we rented a cabin on the south rim of the Grand Canyon the week before this conference. Besides falling in love with the canyon, on that trip we took a day and drove south to Sedona where we explored a bit, did a little hike, and knew we’d want to return. So that was the plan for this week. In 2013, there was snow at the canyon, and more in Flagstaff, but I never had it on my radar that we’d have snow, and lots of it, in Sedona!

Saturday February 16th, we had as early flight to Las Vegas. We picked up our rental car (a 4WD, good thing) and we were heading south before noon. We bypassed the Hoover Dam, and made a quick stop at the Safeway in Kingman for road trip food. The drive along I-40 from Kingman to Flagstaff goes over several passes, and snow was in the surrounding mountains, and sometimes along the road. The changeable highway signs said “don’t stop along the road to play in the snow!”

At Flagstaff, we turned south on 89-A and drove through the beautiful and winding Oak Creek Canyon, and we were surprised how rushing the creek was, but there had been lots of rain / snow in the preceding days. We arrived in Sedona before 5 pm - the town was alive and crazy. We checked into the Kimpton Resort and Spa, got settled into our room and joined the “wine hour” already in progress.

The photos show what a great week it was, with progressing snowfalls. We had 4 glorious days of hiking, and explored more of the region. The town was virtually shut down on Thursday and Friday however, so I didn’t get to shop as I’d put that off until later in the week.

Here are the summaries of our hikes:

Sunday - parked at the trailhead in Uptown, just behind the Sedona Heritage Museum. Set out on the Brins Mesa trail, junction with Soldier Pass, Jordan to Cibola Pass. Had mud and snow over 5000 ft. Lots of people out today. Over 8 miles and 1250 ft elevation gained.

Monday - there was snow in the morning, so we lazed around a bit, then went out in the afternoon. Probably lazed too long, as when we finally set out on the Wilson Mountain trail, the snow became quite heavy (filling in our tracks) so we thought it’d be smart to turn back. We got down and then continued under the Midgely Bridge on the Huckaby Trail to Grasshopper Point. Total mileage 5.36 with 908 ft elevation gained.

Tuesday - travelled to West Sedona and a trailhead off the Red Rock Loop. Pyramid to Scorpion, to Scheurman Mountain lookout and back. Amazing views and less than 10 people seen all day. 5.78 miles and 928 feet elevation gained.

Wednesday - at the recommendation of someone we met hiking Tuesday, we hiked the Broken Arrow trail today - lots of hikers, noisy families, and Pink Jeeps zigzagging on the nearby 4x4 road. After Chicken Point, there were fewer people and we enjoyed the serenity. We continued down the Little Horse trail for a bit, connected with Chapel which led to the “Chapel of the Holy Cross.” From there, we walked a few blocks on the road, then turned off onto Mystic trail, which led to Pigtail and Hogwash, and back around to Broken Arrow. These were also off-road bike trails - super challenging, and we saw a few bikers, but I just can’t imagine! 5.66 miles, 825 ft.

Thursday we worked out in the gym, caught up on some work, then put on our boots to walk around town, only to find it virtually shuttered and deserted. We had some entertainment watching the police try to help a truck that had jackknifed and was stuck blocking the main drag, then headed back to the Kimpton for wine hour and dinner at their restaurant.

Friday morning, after pouring over the weather app and the Arizona DOT webpage, we made a plan to head west. It was our only option as 89-A back up through Oak Creek canyon was closed, I-17 to Flagstaff was closed, so we headed west to Cottonwood, seeing only one car in 17miles. There was about a foot of really heavy snow, but a lane was clear on each side of the highway. Next was the adorable little western town of Jerome ... and we saw first hand what all those “squiggles” on the map were! The kind of roads I don’t like in perfect conditions! We’ve added Jerome to our “must return to” list ... just not in February!

We drove though a beautiful state park, and it was snowing again which limited visibility, but we had a pretty clear lane to travel and only saw 3 other vehicles. We went over passes more than 7000 feet, and I’d imagine the views on a clear day would be spectacular. Then we headed down to the Prescott Valley, and headed north back to I-40. There were breaks in the clouds and blue sky appearing, and the interstate was clear and mostly dry, whereas 12 hours earlier it’d been closed with multiple slide-offs.

We got to Kingman and stopped for lunch at a cute Route 66 diner, then headed up 93 towards Hoover Dam. About 15 miles into the trip we realized we were seeing desert again and no snow, except at the tops of some of the mountains. The outside temperature climbed steadily from the 30’s to 50 and it was a completely different world!

We arrived at our hotel, The Delano, about 3pm. Dropped our bags, returned our rental car and walked the 2.63 miles (31 feet elevation gain) back to the hotel.

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15 Best Places To Visit For A Wonderful Vacation.

15 Best Places To Visit In January For A Wonderful Vacation In 2019! Beautiful limestone rock in the ocean Wondering the very best in January? You would definitely want your new year to begin on a high note. There’s no better way to beat the winter chills than by visiting beautiful destinations with a tropical climate.where to stay in sydney with family, And there’s a wide range of winter special destinations to choose from. Start a new year by indulging in wanderlust and go find the new you amidst nature, mountains and on the land of different countries. 15 Best Places To Visit In Present cards So , if you are confused about where to go in January to feel and indulge in solemn winter experience, here is a handpicked list you might want to refer to. Have a look!

1 . Cambodia Sunbed and umbrella by the Otres beach in Sihanoukville Cambodia is a true heritage destination. The long list of places to visit in Cambodia include fabulous temples, serene beaches, and breathtaking landscapes that are worth exploring, especially during the winter month of The following year. The weather is pleasant; neither too hot nor too cold. Key attractions: Kampot, Kratie, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, cruising, and jungle safari in Virachey National Average Price: INR 2, 000 per day per person 2 . Phuket Beautiful limestone rock in the ocean Phuket is one of the best January holiday destinations. The golden beaches, the actual bustling beach shacks, the exhilarating water sports, and the amazing nightlife in Phuket must not be missed. And for the newlyweds, there’s nothing better than a Phuket honeymoon holiday. Key attractions: Old Phuket Town, Soi Bangla Road, Patong Beach, Phi Phi, Koh Panyee, Kata Noi Beach, James Bond Island, jungle safari, scuba diving, snorkelling, and water surfing

3. Sri Lanka Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is one of the warm places to visit within January. This island retreat has lovely beaches, charming hill stations, exhilarating wildlife, and heritage monuments. All these places together make a winter holiday in Sri Lanka a perfect vacation. Key attractions: Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Mirissa, Yala National Park, Pinnawala Beaver Orphanage, Bentota, and Kandy Average Price: INR 1, 500-2, 000 per day per person 4. Maldives Couple on a tropical beach jetty at Maldives Maldives, a picturesque island country, is one of the popular January holiday destinations. The assemblage of charming islands, crystal blue sea, sparkling beaches, and lofty reefs make a holiday in Maldives during the winter month fascinating and alluring. January is an ideal time to visit Maldives as one can enjoy the most enthralling water sports. Key attractions: Snorkeling, island hopping, Ithaa underwater tank restaurant, submarine ride, and fishing cruises Average Price: INR 5, 000-7000 per day for a couple Must Read: 10 Pristine Places To Visit In Maldives 5. Dubai A snap of the city of Dubai and the Burj Khalifa Dubai is one of the best January vacation spots that is visited by travellers from the across the globe. Swanky malls, astounding amusement parks, classic souks, and sizzling beaches are perfect places to explore in Dubai inside January. A holiday in Dubai is an ideal winter vacation. Crucial attractions: Desert safari, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai creek, Global village, and Underwater Zoo Average Price: INR 2, 500 per day per person Must Read: 11 Absolutely Free Things To Do In Dubai 6. Morocco A sunset snap from the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Morocco is a charming winter destination- one of the top names in the list of warm places to visit in January. The vibrant city with colourful markets and mosques as well as Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa work best places to explore during the holiday. Key attractions: Majorelle Gardens, Menara Gardens, Tizi-n’Test Pass, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Mountains, and Medina Souks Average Price: INR 3, 000-3, 500 per person Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever! Real travel stories. Real stays. Handy tips to help you make the right choice. 7. Seychelles Granite rocks at beautiful beach on tropical island La Digue throughout Seychelles Lofty peaks, serene islands, and sizzling beaches are the delightful places to visit in Seychelles during winter. The mesmerising island destination is ideal for some wonderful holidays in January. The breathtaking scenic splendour of the destination has made Seychelles tour packages highly famous. Key attractions: Vallee de Mai, island hopping, scuba diving, snorkeling, and cruise rides Average Price: INR 12, 000 per day per person Must Read: Honeymoon In Seychelles: An Affair To Remember! 8. Bruges Romantic winter in Bruges Bruges is picture-perfect destination where romance blends with rendezvous. This western Europe destination is one of the most beautiful canal cities in the world. Known for its vintage look & colonial structures, the century-old city of Bruges looks stunning during winter because of the stunning décor that welcomes the New Year. Key attractions: Lake of Love, Boudewijn Seapark, canal cruises, and vintage horse carriages Typical Price: INR 8, 000 per person per day Suggested Read: Most Popular Euro Trips To Plan 2017’s Ultimate Escape 9. Costa Rica The Arenal Hanging Bridge in the ecological reserve in Costa Rica The amazingly beautiful Costa Rica is one of the best places to visit in Jan. The luxuriant rainforest destination of Central America is peaceful & serene and is the home to a rich biodiversity. This place is one of the happiest places to live and is devoid of any military force since 1949. With sun-kissed coasts, forest trails, and sparkling waterfalls, Costa Rica would be a wonderful destination to visit in the winter month of January. Important attractions: Turrialba rafting centre, Nicoya Peninsula trek, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Arenal Hanging Bridges Environmentally friendly reserve, Irazu Volcano, and Monteverde cloud forest rise Average Price: INR 52, 000 onwards per week for a budget traveler 10. Nicaragua Bird’s eye view associated with Nicargua Nicaragua, one of the best January vacation spots, boasts of its exotic forests, virgin beaches, and lofty volcanic cliffs. With cozy & comfortable weather, minimum rainfall, and optimum temperature, January continues to be the perfect time to explore this Central United states country. Key attractions: San Juan del Sur, Ometepe Island, Corn Islands, Apoyo Lagoon, Granada, and Leon Average Price: INR 5, 800 per day person Recommended Read: 15 Best Honeymoon Places In World Within January 2019 To Embark On A Romantic Sojourn 11. Australia A night shot of the Sydney Opera House with Australia Australia experiences summer season in this time and hence is among the best places to travel in January. This is one of the best top places to visit in January in world, since you get to enjoy different activities such as hiking, scuba diving, parasailing, and a lot more. This also happens to be the perfect time to enjoy the best of wildlife experience. The crowd is actually lesser too, as most of the tourists visiting for new year celebration make their way back home. Key attractions: Gold Coast, Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, and Melbourne Average Price: INR 181, 556 for a week’s trip along gold coast Must Read: Top Reasons To Visit Australia From India In Summer months 12. India Men feeding pigeons in front of Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad There are regions in the country which aren’t greatest visited during the summer season, but this is among the best countries to visit in January as most parts of India are welcoming in terms of weather and more. Whether you’re wanting an enthralling skiing session, or just want to sunbathe in the beach this is the place to be in the month of January. Many of the regions like Rajasthan and Kutch also organize different festive events to showcase the particular heritage of the country. Key attractions: Rajasthan, Kerala, Gulmarg, Auli, Goa, Mysore, and Assam Must Read: 25 Top places to visit In Winter In India That Will Ensure You Give Your Quilt A Miss 13. Bali, Indonesia Ulun Danu beratan temple Bali is a year-round destination, but for the travelers seeking a peaceful vacation in the Island of Gods, The month of january is just the perfect time. In this month most of the tourist crowd is cleared out and gone home; which means you have quieter beaches, and competitive hotel rates to look forward to. Key attractions: Tanah Lot, Seminyak, Ubud, and Mount Batur Average Price: INR 1, 800 per day for any couple 14. South Africa people riding elephants at Adventures With Elephants South Africa is often jotted in the bucket list of wildlife lovers. If you’re searching for the best international places to visit around January, you’ve found the one. The country is also about the beautiful long drive, stunning beaches, vineyards, crazy adventures like shark cage diving and bountiful nature. January is a lovely time to be around, as during this time you get to witness the best game-viewing experience, and hit the beach as you please. Essential attractions: Kruger National Park, Table Mountain National Park, and Cape Winelands Must Read: Best Safari In South Africa: Adrenaline Pumping Experiences In The Wildest Corner Of The World 15. Switzerland The stunning Carlton Hotel at St Moritz

The dream skiing destination of the world, Switzerland is a lovely place to visit in January for the snow lovers. The actual climate gets chilly, and snow turns the alps into a wonderland. There is so much to do in Switzerland, whether you’re here for the famed chocolates or Christmas markets, or the exciting dog sledding.

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Southern California Offers a Different Experience

If you are planning a trip to SoCal or just looking for something to do for the weekend here are some ideas to consider for fun and excitement.

10 Day Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Southern California (beyond Disneyland)

Looking for tips on the best places to visit in Southern California?

Are you ready for some SoCal adventure on a West Coast road trip? We’ve got you covered!

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, San Diego

In this 10 day Southern California road trip itinerary we’re talking about outdoor adventures, delicious food, gorgeous scenery, family fun and sunny weather.

Just so you are clear, Southern California (SoCal) is typically the region from San Diego up to San Luis Obispo (just north of Santa Barbara).

Not only does it include the gorgeous coastline, but also the growing wine region of Temecula, beautiful mountain regions and desert areas like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.

There are so many amazing places to visit in Southern California and it offers a different experience to Northern California.

Sunset at Pacific Beach in San Diego

SoCal is the perfect destination for a short USA road trip. Los Angeles is about in the middle of Southern California with only a 3-hour drive to the northern border and two to the southern.

When you think of Southern California attractions, of course, Disneyland Resort comes to mind. We didn’t do theme parks on this trip, but are going to Disneyland in September – stay tuned!

So this post focuses on things to do beyond Disney, and since so many international travelers fly into LA, it’s normal to want to explore this region more in-depth.

Channel Islands National Park

We visited San Diego County, then Orange County and Ventura County on a paid campaign with Visit California to share the amazing Kidifornia Adventures on offer in this Golden State.

We thought we’d share with you our Southern California road trip ideas and all the fun things to do in Southern California in this 10-day itinerary post!

For you locals, feel free to break this itinerary down and use it for day trips in Southern California, or weekend getaways in California.

We had a fantastic time on this California road trip with kids. Our girls loved being back near the beach and the relaxed coastal vibe that California has.

Huntington Beach, Orange County

I loved how our Southern California road trip was also quite an educational trip for our kids.

They learned a lot about California history, AND are now curious and inspired to visit Mexico, due to experiencing the Mexican influence in the region.

We love how travel can open up their worlds and help them celebrate differences rather than fear them.

Places to Visit in Southern California

Table of Contents: 

Days 1, 2, 3 in San Diego

Day 1 – Mission Beach & Ocean Beach Day 2 – La Jolla & Balboa Park Day 3 – Ocean Beach

Days 4, 5, 6 in Orange County

Day 4 – Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano & Huntington Beach Day 5 – Huntington Beach Day 6 – Newport & Laguna Beach

Days 7, 8, 9 in Ventura County

Day 7 – Ventura Day 8 – Oxnard, Ventura Harbor Day 9 – Channel Islands National Park

Day 10 Back to Los Angeles Planning a Trip to California

Days 1, 2 and 3 in San Diego

Fly into San Diego and pick up your rental car. You can then drop the car off at Los Angeles Airport (LAX).

Or, alternatively, fly into LA and drive to San Diego. You can then easily return your car to LAX and save yourself money. One way rental drop offs are always more expensive.

(Check out car rentals here from our partner, RentalCars.com)

Of course, you can change the order of this itinerary.

Perhaps it may be better for you to head north to Ventura first and then finish in Orange County.

Day 1 – Mission Beach and Pacific Beach

San Diego has to be one of the best places to visit in Southern California for families.

Arrive and check into your accommodation. Our recommendation for family accommodation in San Diego is the Bahia Beach Resort.

Bahia Resort Hotel

It’s a couple of blocks back from Mission beach, but it is on Mission Bay with its own private beach and has lovely cabin style accommodation with delicious food in the restaurant.

Afternoon – Bike ride along San Diego boardwalk

You can rent bikes from Action Sport Rentals at the resort and slip into San Diego style with a bike ride along Mission Bay to the Catamaran Resort before cutting back west to the Pacific Beach Pier.

Ride back to the resort along the beach boardwalk. Take your time to soak it all in.

We recommend stopping for a local craft brew for you, a Squirt Mexican soda for the kids, and a plate of shredded beef nachos at South Draft Mission for a snack.

It’s right on the beachfront near Belmont Park and at the turn off to go back to the resort.

6pm Dinner at Corvette Diner

For a quirky and retro dinner, head to Corvette Diner. It’s unlike any place I’ve been before.

Or, if you want to stay at South Draft Mission, make it your main meal, watch the sun go down and then enjoy a few rides at Belmont Amusement park next door.

If you go to Corvette, you may not have time to get back to the beach before sunset. Sunsets in California are special and quite the nightly event.

Day 2 – La Jolla & Balboa Park

Lucky for you, Bahia Resort has a delicious buffet breakfast or ala carte.

We also discovered Better Buzz Coffee Roaster (thanks to a tip from our Instagram community), which was just down the road from Bahia which did great coffee, smoothies and acai bowls.

Torrey Pines State National Reserve

Put your walking shoes on and head into Torrey State Pine National Reserve. It’s one of the best places to visit in Southern California for coastal hiking.

Happy to tick that off our bucket list.

Aim to arrive by 9am at the latest, and we recommend the Guy Fleming Trail for varying landscape, seeing the Torrey Pines, and coastal vistas with some of the best views in Southern California!

If you have time for another trail, I would have loved the Razor Point Trail and climbing the Red Butte.

11am – Time to Explore La Jolla.

La Jolla is one of the best places to go in Southern California to see seals.

Start at the La Jolla Caves and walk around to La Jolla Cove to see the resident seals. You could continue walking around to see more seals at the Children’s Pool. There is also great tide pooling here.

If you have more time, and want to have more of a relaxing beach day, La Jolla Shores is great for families.

For coffee lovers, you can’t go past Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in the small town of Bird Rock.

1pm – Tacos at Oscar’s Mexican Seafood

You can’t go past cheap and delicious fish or shrimp tacos at local institution Oscar’s Mexican Seafood.

This hole in the wall with bright murals on its outside walls is on the border of LA Jolla and Pacific Beach.

2pm – Get Cultural at Balboa Park

Balboa Park is America’s largest urban cultural park, and is ranked as one of the best parks in the world. It is one of the most unique things to do in Southern California.

With 17 museums, a wide variety of gardens, and the San Diego Zoo you could easily spend a day in Balboa Park. Plan for an afternoon here.

We recommend a visit to the Fleet Science Center, the Spanish Village Art Center and the Japanese Tea Gardens.

Dinner at Café Bahia

The food at Café Bahia, which is situated in your resort is delicious.

My recommendation is the sea scallops with grilled corn diced chorizo and chili oil on a bed of herb ricotta. It bursts with Southern California flavor and is one of the most innovative dishes I’ve ever had.

Day 3 – Ocean Beach, San Diego

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

9am – Water activities on Mission Bay

Rent some kayaks and stand up paddle boards from Active Sports Rentals at the Bahia Resort and have a relaxing hour or so out on the water.

It’s calm and peaceful and a great way to connect to each other and Mother Earth.

It was one of my most fun things to do in southern California (actually anywhere!)

11am – Old Town Historic Park

If you have time, and want to experience a little history and culture then head to Old Town State Historic Park, which is San Diego’s first “downtown,” and represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872 through museums, live reenactments, and historical buildings.

It’s a pretty area with a cute fiesta market and plenty of Mexican restaurants.

If you’d rather spend time at the beach then head straight to Ocean Beach and perhaps visit Cabrillo Monument and the tidepools.

We ran out of time to fit this in but it came highly recommended by our community as a top ten thing to do in San Diego.

1pm – Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a gritty, more local feel than the other San Diego beach towns. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in San Diego. It has more of a cove beach than the wide sweeping Pacific.

They have good waves near the pier, beach volleyball is popular and so is hanging out on the grassy strip hoola hooping, slacklining, and bongo jamming. Join in!

Lunch at Wonderland Ocean Pub

Tacos and guacamole with a view is what you have at Wonderland Ocean Pub, an upstairs bar and restaurant across from Ocean Beach and the grassy strip.

You won’t be bored watching the OB life go by.

Explore Ocean Beach

San Diego is known to be one of the best places in the US for craft beer and you’ll find a few breweries along the main street (Newport Ave).

If you are a craft brew lover then perhaps pop in for a sample as you wander the OB area.

We went to Belching Beaver Brewery. They have jenga, which kept our girls happy while we tried a local brew before going back out for market shopping.

If you visit on a Wednesday, be sure to check out the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market from 4 – 8pm in Main Street.

With food stalls, live music, and local artisan goods its definitely a fun thing to do in Southern California. Grab some food here and then head to Sunset Cliffs for sunset.

Sunset at Sunset Cliffs

When you think about free things to do in Southern California, it’s hard to beat a famous California sunset.

And Sunset Cliffs is one of the best places to visit in Southern California to watch the sunset.

If you have kids like us, there is a wide open space for them to play on the rocks safely back from the cliff face, while you relax and watch the day close out.

Finish with an ice cream

Grab an ice cream at Hammonds Gourmet Ice Cream in either Point Loma or back in Pacific Beach. It’s listed as one of the best places for ice cream in San Diego and we liked it a lot.

Can’t decide on a flavor? Sample a bunch with the waffle cone flight.

More San Diego Tips: Click here for in-depth information about things to do in San Diego with kids. For places to stay in San Diego check out Bahia Resort. Or here are other places to stay in San Diego. If you plan on visiting several San Diego attractions, get yourself a San Diego Go Attraction Pass. You can build your own pass based upon what you want to see and do. It will save you money! Days 4, 5, 6 in Orange County

I know you are sad to leave such a cool place like San Diego. But don’t be. You are in for a treat in Orange County – sweet and refreshing, just like the fruit.

Day 4 – Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Huntington Beach 10am – Tour the Ocean Institute

If you, or your kids, are ocean lovers, you may wish to stop at Dana Point Ocean Institute on the way to Huntington Beach to learn more about ocean life on a behind the scenes tour at the Ocean Institute.

Dana Point Harbor sits at the bottom of the rugged cliff faces so is really pretty. You may want to arrive before 10am to walk around and explore a little.

There’s a lovely calm swimming beach here as well.

11am – Mission San Juan Capistrano

Not to be missed is the birthplace of Orange County, Mission San Juan Capistrano.

With its crumbling sandstone walls, it’s bell wall, bougainvillea draped pathways, and flowering gardens, it’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Southern California and a pretty place to wander for an hour.

While here walk around the Los Rios Historic district to get an inkling of life centuries ago.

12pm – Stop for lunch at Ellie’s Table

You’ll love Ellie’s Table for a light lunch situated in the old 1883 Judge Egan House. My soup and quiche were filling and delicious. Save room for a special bakery treat after it.

2pm – Head to Huntington Beach

You’re now heading to our favorite place in Southern California, Huntington Beach.

HB has the perfect beach lifestyle vibe for us Aussies – not too pretentious, or busy. It’s laid back with a touch of sophistication and has the surf and the beach as the focus of life!

Check into the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel.

You’ll want a bit of time to enjoy this hotel when you check in. A room with an ocean view is a magic way to start the day. The Kimpton would be one of the best beach hotels in Southern California.

Head down to the common courtyard area for 5pm wine social hour. You can play ping pong and foosball, and sit around the fire pit chatting to other guests.

Return later when the sun has gone down to roast s’mores with your kids over the fire before bed.

6pm – Dinner at Pacific Hideaway

Not to be missed is dinner at the hotel restaurant, Pacific Hideaway. It’s one of the best things to do in Southern California from a foodie perspective.

The Southeast Asian or Latin American inspired food and wine was just as extraordinary as was the service and the funky décor.

P.S. Aussies, they have pavlova!

Sunset at the beach

Duck on over to the beach to catch the sunset after your dinner.

You can buy some firewood and smore ingredients to roast smores on the communal beach firepits after, or go back to the Kimpton to do it in their courtyard.

Can you finish a Southern California day in any other better way?

Day 5 – Huntington Beach

Breakfast at Pacific Hideaway!

Great news! The breakfast at Pacific Hideaway is just as delicious as the dinner. So stock up for your day exploring.

Morning – Explore Downtown HB and the Beach

Take the morning at leisure to explore what makes Huntington Beach so cool. Main Street is where you’ll find great shopping, especially for surf brands.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway is where you’ll find Pacific City, a new modern shopping, dining and entertainment space overlooking the beach.

On Fridays, at the bottom of the pier is a local artist’s market. And there is the small, but cool International Surfing Museum.

You may even want to play on the beach, go for a swim, or rent bikes to cruise along the beach path.

Huntington State Beach is one of the cleanest in California one of the best Southern California beaches for surfing!

Top lunch options include Wahoo Fish Tacos, Sugar Shack Café and Duke’s.

2pm – Tanaka Farm Tour

If you’re up for it, drive to Irvine (30 mins) for a tour of Tanaka Farms and some strawberry picking. California is not just about beautiful beaches and lively culture.

Some of the world’s best food trends are born from this state, which has a lot to do with the wonderful produce that is grown in its various regions, including many berry farms.

Explore a bit of that at Tanaka Farms.

Not only will you get to eat strawberries straight form the vine but also other produce growing like onions, and sweet corn, which was the most delicious corn I’ve ever tasted.

All of it is grown organically and the kids will love touring around on the back of a farm truck. Our girls thought it was one of the most fun things to do in Southern California.

4pm – O.C Night Market

If you here on a Friday night, for an interesting cultural experience, consider the huge O.C Night Market.

It’s held at the state fairgrounds, which are lined with food trucks, merchandise, arts and entertainment. Be sure to grab your giant baby bottle filled with boba milk tea.

Alternatively, just head back to Huntington to eat at one of the restaurants and catch another Southern California sunset.

Don’t forget those smore’s again!

Day 6 – Newport and Laguna Beach

Possibly the most famous places to visit in Orange County are Newport and Laguna Beach.

Newport is said to be California’s Riviera and Laguna Beach is the artistic community filled with beautiful cove beaches. They make for an easy day trip from Huntington Beach.

10am – Duffy Boat tour of Newport Harbor Lot where John Wayne used to have his home.

A Duffy boat tour is a wonderful way to get to know the relaxed life of Newport.

You’ll cruise past many mansions on the different islands, including Shirley Temple’s childhood home, the beach where some of Gilligan’s Island was filmed, and John Wayne’s old lot.

12pm – Dine and Dock at the Lighthouse Café for lunch

Don’t miss their fish tacos!

If you have time and have young kids, you may want to stop for a carousel ride at Fun Zone after your Duffy boat, or at least an ice cream from Cowafornia.

You may want to add extra time in Newport and visit Corona Del Mar Beach or Newport Beach “Back Bay,” which is a 135 acre park with hiking and biking trails.  

2pm – Head to Laguna Beach

The Laguna Beach area has seven miles of coves and canyons, offering you plenty of outdoor activities and Laguna Beach beaches to enjoy.

Laguna has the main beach at the edge of downtown, or a plethora of beaches to choose from.

For tide pools head to Shaws Cove, Picnic Beach, and Treasure Island Beach. Other beaches to check out include Victoria Beach with the natural pirate tower, Treasure Island Beach and 1,000 Steps Beach.

For art lovers, don’t miss the Laguna Art Museum, which only collects California art.

Dinner at Las Brisas

Las Brisas came highly recommended to us for extraordinary views over Laguna Beach and fantastic Mexican food.

They were correct on both accounts!

It’s best to reserve a table if you want to sit inside. Otherwise, it’s first come first serve for the outside seats, which I think is better.

Laguna Sunset Spots

We had a cloudy sunset when we visited Laguna so we can’t offer any personal advice. But, we were told these beaches in Laguna are great for sunset:

Table Rock Beach Treasure Island Park, Crescent Bay Beach Heisler Park, next to Montage Laguna Beach More Tips for Orange County: Click here for in-depth information about these things to do in Orange County with kids. Where to stay in Orange County: Check into the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort. It’s one of our favorite hotels in America. Here are other places to stay in Orange County. Orange County is also home to Disneyland. So if you have arranged for more time on your Southern California road trip to incorporate a visit to Disneyland, this may be when you want to do it. Or, even at the end of this trip. Our readers love this roundup post we did finding the best hotels to stay at in Disneyland. Days 7, 8, 9 in Ventura County

Ventura County, California is about an hour north of LA and 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara.

Be sure to leave your pretense and busyness on the highway out of LA, because it doesn’t belong in Ventura County.

Day 7 – Ventura

Plan for about three hours for your drive from Orange County to Ventura.

You can stop in at Oxnard Harbor for lunch on the water on your way into Ventura. It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Ventura.

1pm – Check in to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Ventura Beach

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Ventura is walking distance to downtown Ventura and right beside the Ventura Pier and a popular surfing break. Most rooms have ocean views.

2pm Explore Downtown Ventura

We loved downtown Ventura. It has a fresh modern vintage vibe filled with local boutique stores, thrift stores, used book shops, and cool restaurants, breweries and wine bars.

Don’t miss San Buenaventura Mission, Iron & Resin for the men, and Passport Habits for travel lovers!

4:30 pm Foot Golf

Time for some family bonding with foot golf at River Ridge Golf Club.

We’d never played it before either, but soon discovered a fun family adventure. Foot golf is played on the golf course, you’re just kicking a soccer ball into a much larger hole.

6pm Dinner at The Annex

Go local in this enclave of restaurants and specialty shops which can be found at the Collective, a modern and new retail, dining and entertainment space.

The Annex is a culinary focused, community minded marketplace, which has global cuisine ranging from burgers, Mexican, Italian, crepes, Vietnamese, Hawaiian Poke and Latin American Ceviche bowls, and even healthy smoothies.

You can’t beat a Vietnamese Pho and pineapple cider for dinner.

You can do a bit of shopping after, or even catch a movie at the cinema.

Alternatively, head back into Ventura for dinner and a sunset stroll along the boardwalk and pier.

Day 8 – Oxnard, Ventura Harbor 9am – Head into Oxnard for breakfast

Fresh & Fabulous is a lovely local breakfast spot with typical breaky fare.

10am – Gondola Ride in Oxnard Harbor

Time to slow down your body and mind with a relaxing and peaceful ride around Oxnard Harbor on a Venetian Gondola with Gondola Paradiso, minus the Venetian crowds.

12pm – Explore Ventura Harbor Village

Ventura Harbor Village is a beautiful working fishing harbor, retail and dining space.

We recommend spending a few hours exploring Ventura Harbor and can recommend the following:

Hire some pedal boats, kayaks or SUPs from Ventura Boat Rentals to explore the harbor by water. You have a great chance of seeing the resident seals resting on boats and the wharves. This is a wonderful thing to do in Ventura on a warm, sunny afternoon. Go vintage at the Arcade, play a few games and win some prizes Have a seafood lunch with a view at Brophy Bros. Friday afternoon happy hour is a local’s favorite. Browse the different shops like the quirky hat shop, socks shop and my favorite boutique Grab a taiyaki fish ice cream cone from Coastal Cone. Pop over the road to check out Surfer’s Knoll if you feel like a little beach time. 6pm – Dinner at Lure Fish House

Lure Fish House is more of an upscale seafood restaurant BUT you’re still welcome in your shorts and flip flops. Ventura at its best!

This is the place for locally sourced, sustainable seafood and organic produce. Perfect for families as well.

Day 9 – Channel Islands National Park

You are going to be finishing your Southern California trip with one of the best things to do in Southern California – a sea cave kayaking adventure on Santa Cruz Island.

Channel Islands National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Southern California for adventure travel.

Read our in-depth post -> Day Trip to Channel Islands National Park

6pm – Mexican dinner at La Coscha

You and the kids may be a little tired after your epic adventures on the Channel Islands.

We recommend sitting out the front of the Crowne Plaza Hotel around the fire pit with your last Southern California Mexican meal from La Coscha, the restaurant inside the Crowne Plaza.

The views overlooking the Channel Islands you just returned from are special, as is the sky when it turns pink to red as the sun sets.

There is plenty of space for the kids to run around along the beach path should they still have endless amount of energy.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the serenity of a cold glass of wine and casual conversation as you end what is no doubt a truly memorable Southern Carolina road trip with the kids.

More Tips for Ventura County: Click here for in-depth information about these things to do in Ventura County with kids. Where to stay in Ventura: Check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Ventura beachfront. Read more reviews here. Here are other places to stay in Ventura.  Day 10: Back to Los Angeles

Be warned that traffic can be hectic getting back to LA, so time your drive wisely with your departing flights. You may choose to stay the night in LA.

Fuel up with a delicious and healthy breakfast before leaving Ventura at Harvest Café.

Drive back to LA at your leisure.

We’ll be visiting Disneyland in September, but below are posts to help you if you intend to explore Los Angeles County:

Cool Things to do in Happening Downtown Los Angeles 8 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Los Angeles Checking in: A Glamorous Boutique Hotel in Downtown LA

If you want to continue the SoCal beach vibe, we highly recommend spending the day at Manhattan and Hermosa Beach.

These two towns are our favorite places to visit in LA and is where we always go in LA.

Manhattan Beach Pier

Grab a Wolverine smoothie from SunLife Organics (it’s one of my favorite smoothies ever) and lunch at Lemonade in Manhattan Beach.

Manhattan Beach is the beach volleyball capital of the U.S. so play a game, rent a bike to ride between the two beaches, or even walk it.

The main beach street at Hermosa has a lot of cool bars and restaurants with happy hour deals for dinner.

Planning a Trip to California: Many thanks to Visit California, Visit San Diego, Visit Orange County and Ventura County Coast for helping us experience amazing destinations to share with you. Click here to learn more about the Kidifornia Adventures on offer in Southern California and other places to visit in California.

Accommodation in California:

Booking.com (affiliate partner) has over 15,000 properties in California. You get free cancellation on most rooms and a best price guarantee.

Flights to California

Skyscanner (affiliate partner) is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Car Rental in California

RentalCars.com (affiliate partner) is the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.

Tours of California

Viator (affiliate partner) is a Trip Advisor company and offers small group tours of California to the most popular places and attractions

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10 Day Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Southern California (beyond Disneyland) Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly update and free audio; Connect with us on instagram;

from Water Damage Restoration Pros Orange County http://waterdamagerestorationpros.net/blog/southern-california-offers-a-different-experience/

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Week 5: the one in which we meet all of Australia’s creepiest creatures (and some cute ones)

The site we’d been smoked out of is just one of two sites in Kakadu that are famous for rock paintings. We decided to head out to the next one the next day. It was extremely muggy when we got up in the morning with thick cloud and constant rumbling thunder. Apparently these dry thunderstorms are incredibly common at this time of year; they promise rain that never comes and start bush fires. We came across one of these burning by the side of the road just as we came out of town. It was pretty small (hence we drove past it) but even passing it at 100kmph you got an incredible wave of heat off it.

We decided to drop into the visitors centre to learn something more about the area/enjoy some air-con before seeing the rock paintings. It was alas not air-conned. We thus poured sweat and steamed away in the 40c heat whilst learning about frogs etc.

By the time we arrived at the first site there was a bit of a breeze. This was pleasant. The rock art was pleasant. We walked to the second site. Just as we stepped under the rock awnings to the sheltered spot where ancient people had sheltered from thunderstorms and doodled on the walls, teeming rain began. And continued. Apparently the weather hadn’t got the memo it was still supposed to be the dry season. We assumed it would last a couple of minutes. It did not. 20 minutes later, us and a very wet tour group were still in there.

Eventually we made a dash for the car. We were booked into a sunset river cruise about 60km away so our hope was we’d drive out of the weather. Which we did. By the time we arrived at the yellow water cruise site, the weather was cloudy but there was no rain. This lasted about ten minutes after we set off, after which the heavens opened with thunder and lightening. And the rain was cold. And furious. We were in a little aluminium boat (having just received a safety briefing involving having no limbs over the side at all unless we wanted crocodiles to pull us under) with open sides. Our tour operator, who was driving the boat, said he was just going to “stick near the trees to protect us from lightening”. This was a strategy I was not sure was based in science at all. Also if we weren’t struck my lightening, having a boat capsized because a tree has been struck and fallen onto the boat, is what I would describe as suboptimal in a river packed full of saltwater crocodiles.

And we did see a LOT of those. Hanging out, fighting, trying to catch fish from our bow waves. It was pretty horrifying. Bit like being in Jurassic Park- since as nature’s perfect killing machines, they haven’t needed to evolve since then. We did also see water buffalo, cows and brumbies, but some huge bird thing, and eventually the rain stopped. Plus we didn’t get struck by lightening and no one got dragged overboard by a crocodile, so that’s a win.

The next day was thankfully more sunny. We were heading back to Katherine, because we’d not yet had a chance to visit Katherine Gorge, which is the big “must see” of the area. However on the way there was another beautiful swimming spot to visit- Edith Falls. Marcel suggested we could either read and swim or swim and go for a hike. Since it was, as usual for sunny days, about 38c and I could see the hike and it was full of climbing giant rocky hills, I told him he could go for a hike and I’d stick around and swim and read. He considered the hike but the swimming hole really was delightful and in the end he stuck with me.

The pool had a warning sign saying the waterfall at the back of it was 150m away and to swim within your ability. Apparently everyone who visited Edith Springs (all 7-8 of them) had a very low impression of their abilities (perhaps having had a similar riptide experience to me) so they all stuck within about 3m of the steps down into the lake. We swum over to the waterfall and had the whole place to ourselves, all afternoon, which was rather delightful. We alternated between swimming and reading and enjoying a ridiculously beautiful spot that was nearly empty.

We awoke the next morning to the sounds of a thunderstorm. Which again shouldn’t have been happening and was also a little dispiriting as our afternoon plan was 4 hours of kayaking. An activity that is distinctly less enjoyable in teeming rain. However we decided to see how things played out. Our first planned activity of the day was a trip to Cutta-Cutta Caves, which is a series of caves near Katherine that Marcel mostly wanted to visit as they apparently have a lot of snakes. This he did not tell me when he booked us onto it. I was somewhat unkeen to enter the caves most caves flood in the rain and I didn’t want a repeat of the Thai football team, only in a cave jam-packed with snakes. However by the time we’d arrived the rain had stopped and our guide promised us that the only snakes in the caves most days were tree snakes and “they are only mildly venomous so if you get bitten you just have to chill out for a couple of hours with a beer”. Probably this just meant your leg would fall off. Mild by Australian venom standards.  

We were the only people on the cave tour. It was thankfully very dry, unfortunately not cold (not deep enough) and we did see some tree snakes. One of them was doing a great impression of a stalactite. They apparently hang out on the walls and eat bats as they fly in and out the cave.

After that we set off for the gorges. By this time, the sun was out and it was boiling hot again. This was in some respects great (good for kayaking) but in other respects suboptimal, as you aren’t supposed to “pollute” the freshwater with suncream. So I had decided to put on my burkini. Which is fine but to get to the gorges where you can kayak, you have to take a boat trip through the first gorge because it could potentially have crocodiles. So we had to walk 500m down to the dock and then sit on a boat for 15 minutes. Swaddled in neck-to-foot black swimwear, I was concerned I was going to die of heat stroke before reaching the kayak.

We grabbed our double kayak (he tried to give us two solo ones but screw paddling for myself) and paddled to the nearest marked beach for a swim (some of the gorge beaches are designated for the freshwater crocodiles to lay their eggs). Swimming having just cooked in my suit for that long felt amazing. We had an amazing afternoon of paddling, swimming, paddling, picnicking and swimming. There was only one other pair out in kayaks and we only saw them once all afternoon so it felt like we were pretty much the only people in the gorge system. It was amazing.

This was at least gave us some nice memories to revel in during the next day. In which we drove for hours and hours and hours to get to Tenant Creek, a town that is generally described as a shithole. It wasn’t particularly obviously awful, but the only recommended activity in town was to visit the local lake “recreational park”. Being big on swimming and finally being out of crocodile territory we grabbed our swimsuits and headed out there. To find at this time of year it is a muddy waterhole, surrounded by an all-male collection of peacocks, guinea fowl, geese and about a million ants that immediately tried to eat our feet. We did not stay for long.

The next day we drove on down to Alice Springs, via the Devil’s Marbles (a bunch of large, roundish rocks) which we found underwhelming (although full of interesting frog facts).

We set off quite early because we’d booked onto a kangaroo tour that only runs in the evenings on the week days and so we had to make the Friday night trip out to the sanctuary. The sanctuary there is run by a guy who has spent years saving orphaned baby kangaroos (second to their general idiocy as adults when it comes to cars). He had a BBC TV programme made about him because clearly nothing ticks the British boxes like slightly handsome man and adorable baby animals. 

The tour was fantastic though, because he always has a bunch of orphaned kangaroos on the go, so you spend the tour holding baby kangaroos and feeding them whilst he shows you the sanctuary. It was amazing and about level 10 Australian on the scale of experiences.

Just as soon as we’d left it started teeming with rain and a thunderstorm began. We dashed back to our airbnb to discover the rain had brought out….a fucking giant spider. Like the size of your nightmares. I immediately requested Marcel killed it. He refused as thought it might be dangerous...so thought it would be safer to catch and release. I suggested it was his funeral but I would stand on the other side of the room and watch. One terrifying spider released.

We sat down at the table and tried to relax. Google suggested it was a harmless Huntsman spider. We decided whatever it was we were glad it was gone, only to notice sitting on the picture frame right by the table was ANOTHER FUCKING MASSIVE ONE. Catch and release repeated again. Then I made Marcel pretty much crawl around the airbnb with a torch before I would sit down on any surface.

The next day we decided we’d have a lazy day in town. It was a cool 29c, which felt amazing. We wandered into the free aviation museum to see the wreck of the Kookaburra- a plane that was scrambled to rescue the plane that crashed on the mudflats of Wyndham (the ones I talked about a few years ago where they drank coffee and rum cocktails until they were rescued) and crashed killing the rescuers. I was mostly just curious to see how tiny a 1920s plane was. So tiny. So fragile.

After that we went to the Desert Animal Park, which was basically a zoo of local creatures. Given I’ve never seen a Quoll, dingo, weird thorny devil lizard thing, it was pretty exciting. Also they had a bird show featuring a magpie that called out on command etc. A pleasantly relaxing afternoon was had by all.

When we got back home though, relaxation time was over fairly immediately as we came back to find one of the giant spiders wanted back in and was hanging out on the screen door.

Marcel chased it under the house with a broom and we spent the evening with our legs drawn up on the sofa, watching movies and feeling very twitchy glaring at the shadows.

On Sunday, we decided to head out of town for a swim. We went out to a place called Ellery Creek Big Hole. For the last few weeks all of our swims had been in gloriously warm waters. However around Alice Springs it gets cold at night, and the water in the Big Hole was deep and very very cold. It was hot enough that it made swimming pleasant, but the cold was quite shocking. We spent the afternoon alternating between swimming and warming up on the sand around the pool.

And so concluded week 5. Warm swims left behind us, but still plenty of adventures ahead!

Ways I’ve thought I might die in Australia this week: caught in a wildfire, drowned in a flash flood when rain came in epic proportions, struck by lightening, eaten by a crocodile after the boat was sunk by a tree that had been hit by lightening, overly keen crocodile grabbing one of my limbs that was too close to the side of the boat and dragging me under, drowned in a flash-flooded cave, killed by a not particularly venomous tree snake because I’m weak, of heat stroke in my burkini, death by spider bite, death by heart attack having imagined a giant spider just crawled over my foot, cold immersion syndrome from swimming in cold water after getting used to bathing in essentially bathwater temperatures

[zsazsa93-blog]

 Day 1: The chaotic Marrakesh

Yesterday we arrived in Marrakesh around 9.30. The airport was a stunning architectural building. We were pretty surprised how new and clean it was.

Marrakesh Airport 2018

After a never-ending queue at the border, we couldn’t find our driver to the Rijad, but there was a very helpful girl who called him and he finally came to pick us up.

The Moroccan driving style is quite the same as the south Italian one with a difference that there are camels and donkeys crossing the streets. The way from the airport till the Riad was very unexpectable. Clean and beautiful road with palm trees, luxurious mansions and the view of the snowy Atlas Mountains. After that, we headed to the Medina and our driver left us with a very old man who carried our backpack with a trolley till our accommodation. We felt bad because he seemed very weak. La Medina was crowded with people, shops, crazy drivers. All in all, it was a proper Moroccan chaos, but also very authentic. Our Riad was in a tiny and dark street, it was kinda creepy, but when we entered it was like a small palace of Aladdin. 

  Riad Dar Soukaina

The guy from the reception was very kind and he invited us for a Moroccan tea and also explained to us where to buy a SIM or where to change money. Then he also gave us a name. I was Aisha,and my friends Fatima and Laila :D. The Rijad is called Dar Soukina and we paid 50€/night/3 pax. The brekky was included and the transfer from the airport was 15€.

After the tea, we headed to the city. We bought an orange SIM card with 3GB data for 60DHM~ 5.5€. The guy helped us to activate it. You can buy it in every small shop. I really recommend it because of navigation and security reasons.

Things to see in Marrakesh:

Djemaa El Fna Plaza: The market square where you can buy fresh and delicious fruit juices for 4-10DHM. You can find there basically everything you need, from the cobra and monkey hypnotizer to the street-food and ATM-s.

Djema el Fna and their fresh smooth stands

  El Badi Palace: A nice ruin of an ancient Palace with Atlas Mountain views.

  Koutoubia Mosque: A beautiful mosque in the middle of the Medina.

  Zocos – Marrakesh Market (Souk) and Medina: a chaotic district with narrow streets, full of local shops, handicrafts, street-food and crazy scooter drivers.

  Kasbah Mosque: another stunning mosque.

  Saadian tombs: entrance costs 10 DHM, it is basically an ancient cemetery which looks like a hidden palace.

Our plan was visit everything in 1 day, but the problem was that all places are closing at 5 pm. Therefore we couldn’t make it to enter these places:

-Menara Gardens

-Majorelle Gardens

-Bahia Palace

-Medersa Ben-Yussef

-Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Day 2: Ouzoud Falls.

Our day started in a little rush because our receptionist told us that the driver is coming at 8.30 am. He came at 8.00 am … So we couldn’t have a proper brekky, but we had a nice smoothie at the big square for 10 DHM. We booked this tour with our Rijad (Dar Soukina) because it was easier for us that the driver comes directly to pick you up, instead of looking for the van in the middle of the Medina.

We were waiting for the group and we headed to the Ouzoud Falls through the Atlas Mountains. It was a 2.30 h drive from Marrakesh. We were so surprised because everything was so green with the snowy Atlas in the back, and the temperature was almost 35 C°. We didn’t expect that. It was beautiful. You could see some hidden Riad-s in the middle of nowhere, people using donkeys like public transportation or working hard on the plantations.

The tour costs 27€ and then there are some optional fees for the tour guide (30 DHM), lunch menu (100 DHM) or a boat ride below the waterfalls (20 DHM).

Our tour guide was a Moroccan Berber and he spoke in 5 different languages. They told us that they grew up in the desert learning from the Koran and their grandfathers showed them how to write. They didn’t go to college, but they know more things about life than us, they speak in more languages and they didn’t have the opportunity to study at an expensive University, not even High School. When we were talking to Aladdin from our Riad, he told us the same. It was very touching. You know, when you listen to this kind of interesting people, you start to appreciate what you have. The main message of this day was that we are studying and working hard to be competitive, but they are doing all of those things just to survive and to have clear water at their home. We are worried about our phone battery or other senseless things. Sometimes It would be a better lecture for everyone traveling to third world countries and learn from the local people, than sitting on the school chairs listening some useless subjects, that you are not even gonna use in the future.

The tour to the waterfall was amazing, I would really recommend it to everyone. Especially if you have more time in Morocco.

After the tour, we went to Hotel Mamounia, a stunning luxury hotel, and then we decided to have a nice dinner in Nomad.

You have to make a reservation, and it’s in the middle of the Souk, so it’s not really recommended to walk there and back during the night for three girls, but if you do it, just dress up properly and it’s gonna be fine, or you can take a door to door tuk-tuk for 30 DHM. The food was very delicious there, and the sunset was beautiful from the rooftop. Nomad is a high-quality restaurant in Marrakesh, so you have to expect also higher prices. We paid 160 DHM each and we had a main course, dessert and, fresh smoothies.

Day 3: On our way to the Sahara

Itinerary: Marrakech – Ait ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley.

We said goodbye to Aladdin and we headed to the Sahara. We were picked up close to the Rijad by Omar and Hassan, our Berber local tour guides for the next couple of days.

I would 100% recommend this tour for everyone. Here you can see the link to the agency:  Kasbah Luna del Sur

If you contact me directly I can give you the direct contact, Nuria, who can assist you with everything.

We drove through the High Atlas Mountains and stopped at Morocco‘s highest point Tizi en Tichka (2.260m) and we also visited some local Berber villages till we arrived in Kasbah de Ait Benhaddou (declared as Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987). Some famous movies were also filmed there such as:

Now the Kasbah is a touristic souvenir and handicraft village. No people living there anymore.

After we headed to the Dades Valley through Ouarzazate and the impressing Palmeral of Skoura. It was incredible how the landscape was changing from the snowy mountains, to the green fields and the orange desert. We didn’t expect that.

Entrance to the local Moroccan movie industry in Ouarzazate in Morocco with a blue sky and a perfect light

We stopped in a supermarket to buy some snacks and beers, which was pretty funny because we asked Hassan about Muslim religion vs. drinking and his answer was: You know Aisha(that was my Arabic name), there is Marlboro light, Coca-Cola light and, Muslim light. I‘m a Muslim light so I can drink.:D He was great, and exceptional.

Hassan is a nomad Berber guy who grew up in the Sahara, speaks 4-5 different languages, didn’t go to school and he knows much more about life than all of us. He never travelled anywhere of Morocco, and he doesn’t want to because as he told us: ” Everyone is coming here, I learn from tourists, I don’t need to travel when I can travel with them by just listening to their stories. I also have to add that for Moroccan people is pretty difficult to get a travel Visa because some of the special requirements make it impossible for them to cross their border. 

At the end of the day, we arrived in the Rijad in the valley, where we got an amazing dinner. The accommodation was super big and clean, the food was good and the views were amazing.

Day 4: Dades Valley- Todra-Merzouga

The next day, after a Moroccan breakfast (kinda bread with bread …😅), we continued our route through many Berber villages. We visited the Gorges of Todra with the possibility of eating there, and we also took advantage to see the impressive place with tranquility. We also had the opportunity to buy some handmade local stuff from a Berber nomad family. Omar helped us to bargain a little bit, he was very great.

Once the visit was finished, we went directly to the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi, where we started our dromedary excursion, making a stop to watch the sunset, until reaching the heart of the desert.

Upon arrival to the desert camp, we had an excellent and refreshing tea with an exquisite Berber dinner, all enlivened by the music of the tam-tam (drums). We also tried sand-boarding, which was so much fun. I really recommend that for everyone. The crazy thing was that the tents were fully equipped with everything, we also had shower and toilet in our tents, which was incredible.

We enjoyed a unique and unforgettable night watching stars in the middle of the desert. We felt so small out there, it was breathtaking. One in a lifetime experience, for sure.

Day 5: Sunrise in Merzouga-Fez

Today, our Berber friend, Mustafa woke us up at 5.45 am because we had to get ready for the sunrise camel ride. After that, we arrived in the hostel when we left our stuff the day before, for breakfast and shower. After the brekky, we had to say goodbye. We were almost crying with the girls because they made our trip memorable. They are such an amazing people, that you won’t find everywhere. 

So the group headed back to Marrakesh, and we caught a taxi with another 3 people to Fez for 250 dirhams/person. It was a 7-8 hours drive with short stops. 

Finally, we arrived in Fez. We decided to book a night at the Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace, as I have the employee discount, we thought: “Why not? Tonight is our last night!”. We paid 35 euros/person/night with dinner and Hammam included. So, I think it was a pretty good deal. The rest of the day, we chilled at the Hotel and we planned our last day in Fez.

Day 6: Fez – Barcelona

In the morning when I did the check-out, I talked to the Front Office Manager. he was amazing, but they really wanted to sell us the tour guide for 250 dirhams (which is pretty expensive in Morocco), because they told us that is very dangerous for three girls to go to the middle of the Madina and get lost. First, I wanted to discuss it with the girls what they want to do in that case and finally, we decided to not taking the tour guide because it can’t be worst than in Marrakesh… and we were right at the end. 

First, we took a small red city “Petit Taxi” to the Royal Palace. It was incredibly cheap. We paid 80 dirhams for a 4 km-s drive (not even 80 cents). The driver was so funny and he loved us. I have to add that we realized that everyone loved us. Not because we are blond, pretty or just different, but we also learned some Moroccan words and they appreciated it so much.

After we took another red taxi to the famous Bab Boujeloud (Blue Gate) where you can access Talaa Kebeera – a massive street which is going into the middle of the Medina. You will find lines of souks, shops, arts & crafts will feast your eyes while the experience itself is like stepping into a time machine, whisking you right back to old Fez with immense charm. 

We had an amazing brunch in Cafe Clock for 44 dirhams with an amazing staff and atmosphere. the place was spened by a former maître d’ in London, Briton Michael Richardson has created a great resting place for travelers in the heart of Fez’s medina. Café Clock offers Arabic classes, cooking classes, traditional Moroccan music concerts and film screenings. Best of all, it has Wi-Fi!

After the brunch, we started to spend our dirhams that we had left in the Medina. We bought some souvenirs and we started our visit.

Top things to see in Fez medina in 1 Day:

Kairaouine Mosque: Some consider this the oldest university in the world, while this is definitely one of Africa’s largest mosques with the ability to host 20,000 people during prayer sessions. A Tunisian refugee Fatima el-Fihria established Kairaouine mosque established in 859. It was later expanded by Almoravides during the 12th century. Today, the mosque has been recently restored but non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, so you can simply peek at its courtyard from the main door.

Al Attarin Medersa: Built by Marinid sultan Uthman II Abu Said in 1323-5, Attarin Mderesa is a beautiful house where you can see gorgeous tile-work, carvings of Arabic woodwork and calligraphy on walls.This is a peaceful and lovely experience if you’re a fan of architecture and Arabic craftsmanship. Unfortunately, it was under construction when we arrived there.

Chouara Tannery & Fes el Bali: It’ll be a stinky experience but a total must-do! Bring a scarf or find a local who will bring you one of the rooftops and give you some mint for the smell. Fez is famous for its leather goods and the sight of tanneries has become a renowned must-see in every guidebook. Chouara Tannery is located 20-30 minutes by foot from the Blue Gate.

During our visit we saw a lot of nice fountains, mosques, museum, rijads and, places that you can’t really find on the internet. Fez Medina has 200 small narrow streets, it is easy to get lost, but if you follow your route then it isn’t that difficult to find your way back. If we could make it, then you can make it too. Sometimes, we also asked some locals in the small shops, and they were very helpful. You can ask them, but just don’t ask the random people in street. they will probably ask tip from you. You also have to avoid the fake tour guides. You will find a couple of them close to the blue gate.

Overall, we felt that Fez is much more relaxed and safe than Marrakesh. We were also dressed up properly with a pashmina and probably we also got used to the confusing or even rude comments on the streets. I can affirm that we were more careful with everything, but we also felt that the people are nicer and more helpful than in Marrakesh. The Medina was also very chaotic and overcrowded with people, donkeys, cats and, horses, but at least there weren’t any scooters like in Marrakesh. That was crazy. 

Money: 1 euros= 11 dirham (more or less). It is better if you pay everything by dirhams, and you can also withdraw cash from the local ATM-s. You can’t really pay anything by credit card, si i would recommend you to have enough cash with you. 

Useful Moroccan and Berber phrases:

English Transcribed Moroccan Arabic Moroccan Darija in the Arabic Alphabet Yes Iyyeh / ah / wah إييه/ آه/واه No Lla لا Please (addressing a singular) 3afak عافاك Thanks Shokran شكرا I love you (addressing a singular) Kanbghik كنبغيك I miss you (addressing a singular) Twe77eshtek توحشتك A lot Bezzaf بزاف A little Shwiya شوية Okay Wakha واخا Now Daba دابا Not now Mashi daba ماشي دابا Or Awla أولا And W و It’s not a problem / It’s okay Mashi moshkil ماشي مشكل (It was) not me Mashi ana ماشي أنا I want… Bghit… بغيت… I don’t want… Ma bghitsh… …ما بغيتش I am done / I finished Salit ساليت I am not done / I did not finish Ma salitsh ما ساليتش Beautiful (masculine, singular) Zwin زوين Bad/ugly (masculine, singular) Khayb خايب Good (masculine, singular) Mezyan مزيان

… and of course, our favorite one was: “Yalla, yalla! ” means let’s go, come on or hurry up.

In a couple of days, I will also upload an after movie of our trip.

For further questions, please contact me!:)

Let the unicorn be with you!🦄

Yalla,yalla Morocco Desert Experience: Marracesh-Sahara-Fez  Day 1: The chaotic Marrakesh Yesterday we arrived in Marrakesh around 9.30. The airport was a stunning architectural building.

[dorenekvance]

The best excursions in Gran Canaria you shouldn’t miss out

Choosing Gran Canaria as a destination for a getaway, whether it is alone or accompanied, is one of the most thematic destinations in Spain. You can go hiking around Gran Canaria, which will take you to unsuspected places full of magic. It is one of those experiences that you shouldn’t miss out in life.

The 10 best excursions in Gran Canaria

Excursions in Gran Canaria on wheels

4×4 Safari. If you are an adventurous traveller and you want to enjoy a whole day discovering forests and cliffs by dusty roads, driving through mountains and tropical growths, you would love this journey. This Gran Canaria excursion takes you to a volcanic setting with impressive views, inhabited caves, and protected areas with local flora and fauna. The offer usually includes a typical breakfast with exotic fruits, a brunch near nearby rocky and sandy landscapes as well as a delicious Canaria lunch which may be papas arrugadas con mojo picón and sangria. This is perfect to take your most beautiful photos and experience a unique journey in family or with your partner. It lasts approximately eight hours. Besides, it tends to provide an expert Spanish, English, German or French guide. The fee varies depending on the agency.

4×4 safari and camel ride. If you opt for a wild and exciting adventure with friends and family, you can add to your 4×4 safari excursion the camel riding option. This 9-hours trip around banana, pineapple and sugarcane plantations takes you also to extraordinary rock formations and a pine wood. The best attraction is for the bravest who dare to ride a camel. The camel riding often lasts half an hour or even an hour. It is a memorable experience not only for animal-lovers and children but for everyone. As the 4×4 safari, this one includes a convertible jeep drive, three meals, stops for taking photos and guided tour in Spanish, English, Dutch, French, Polish or Italian. It is recommended for groups of 6 six people maximum, although some agencies include the driver as a member. You should not miss this Gran Canaria excursion that combine these two amazing experiences.

E-bike tour. Eco-friendly Gran Canaria excursion for the youngest and seniors; under fitting conditions, you may enjoy a tour surrounded by natural landscapes in the islands. Bike-riders have nice electrical bikes with low, medium, or high assistance motors available for renting during almost 5 hours. The cycling tour includes a guide, all the material, equipment and protection needed , as well as drinks. You are going to explore the most touristic sports in the islands, stopping in the most interesting places such as sand-dunes, a lighthouse, or the pier. A relaxing and effortless experience, that rides you to a resting area. It is not recommended for under-12-year-old people or those who are not accustomed to physical effort at all.  The fee also depends on the tour agency, the route, and the season among.

Fun Cup Maspalomas. Competition race! You may become a VW 1800cc or 130CV motor car driver in a 4.440 m and 2.270m road. A different Gran Canaria excursion to enjoy with friends is this activity which consists on the instruction of tricks on a pavement circuit. It is addressed to non-professional drivers and the aim is to make you feel as pilots for a day and release adrenaline. The facility opens at 10am and closes at 6pm from Monday to Saturday. This activity requires driving knowledge, although it is not necessary to own driving license and the minimum age is 16. You have to book at least 48 hours in advance and the cancelation is free. Additionally, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. The fee depends on the tours booked and includes all the require safety equipment.

Excursions in Gran Canaria by the sea

Aphrodite coast cruise in Gran Canaria. Spend a journey in a splendid Turkish schooner of 27m. This fabulous sea voyages around the exotic and idyllically coast brings you the opportunity to relax on board looking at the breathtaking cliffs and tropical beaches. In this Gran Canaria excursion, we stop by to splash and bask in the sun too. You will discover mysterious caves, refreshing waterfalls, and the remote Güi-güi beach of glassy and transparent waters. The tour lasts approximately 5 hours, the departure time stats at 9:45am and finishes at 3:15pm or at 8:30pm in summer since there is only afternoon tours from June to September. It includes meals, drinks, and assistances in Spanish, English and German. They may pick you up at the hotel. If you are gathering aquatic activities, ask at the schooner, these may be extra charged.

Benito Cruise. A sea half-morning journey in a yacht around South coast of the island is a wortwhile experience you can’t miss. Benito ocean-going motor boat sails around Anfi del Mar, Puerto de Mogan or Arguineguin. The crew will drop anchor in a relaxing and enjoyable place where you and your family, friends or partner can swim, have a bannaba ride, go snorkeling and feel the breeze while you go sunbathing for a very deserved restoration. If you want more activities under water, several aquatic sports are available with extra fee, although discount is often offered. The Gran Canaria excursion includes breakfast, a barbecue and unlimited drinks. The departure from the harbor starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm. Unfortunately, children younger than 4 years old are not allowed on this cruise.

Blue Bird Boat. If you prefer to plan your own sea journey, stop wherever you want and decide on the activities, the suitable way of doing it is using the Blue Bird lines, which is a mini cruise that travels around the surroundings of the southeast coastline of Gran Canaria Island. It stops in the tiny fisherman’s villages and crystalline beaches. You will not get lost, you only have to follow your own Gran Canaria excursion route and timetable for going in and out of the boat as well as the many stops as you want to make it to the most pleasant places you decide gather. You may go to Arguneguin, Anfi, Taurito and Morgan; besides view small bays, caves and make marine activities from 9:30am to 5p.m depending on the harbor from which you depart. The trip last varies according to the departure and arrival port.

Dolphin watching cruise. One of the most exciting things to do in Gran Canaria is watching dolphins in their habitat. Gran Canaria has the privilege of having in its water a rich marine fauna, among numerous whales and dolphins, which can be seen on a cruise. More than 29 species of dolphins have been found in the area. The biodiversity of the Atlantic Ocean is huge; you should not miss out this unique spectacle that nature gifts. The excursions usually last between two and three hours. Watching dolphins really close to you, jumping around, is an exciting and memorable experience for all ages. Some tour agencies even give the chance of doing other activities and sometimes, if you are lucky enough, you may watch whales, flying fish or sea-turtles. In most cases, the tour agent picks you up at the hotel without extra charge. This is a unique Gran Canaria excursion.

Excursions in Gran Canaria with camels

Camel Park Arteara. If you are wondering what to do in Gran Canaria, you should take advantage of the amazing camel park located in the South of Island. It is an exciting environment where flora and fauna grow freely around. It brings you the opportunity of having an incredible experience with docile camels. In this Gran Canaria excursion, you can ride a camel during 30 or 50 minutes going around Fataga palm tree forest. The tour also includes a tea reception with an enjoyable explanation about these fascinating animals. Some tours have incorporated a stop in the 5th century B.C. necropolis of Arteara, the biggest aboriginal cemetery in the island. In the park, you can find other animal species. The tours are available in Spanish, English, German, Italian, French and Dutch. There is free transport service every day. The camel ride fee is 20€.

Camel Sandy Dunes. You can live the unforgettable experience of riding a graceful camel and feel like a sultan. You can sway on the camel’s humps through a Gran Canaria excursion on the dunes. This trek takes place in the Maspalomas Natura Reserve. Make sure you bring water and camera with you since you are going to be witness of the extraordinary raw and arid environment in which animal live along the route. How camels resist to the exceptional climatic conditions is admirable. This desert-like setting is one of the most diverse surrounding in the island and you shouldn’t miss it. The one-hour camel ride usually costs 12€ for adults and 8€ for children and is opened from 9am to 4pm to all ages. Besides, kids under 3 have a free ride.

These are the most outstanding excursions in Gran Canaria and with which you can spend memorable adventures. If you decide to visit our island, you will certainly not be disappointed; apart from these excursions you can make visits and sunbathe on our beaches. For more information about Gran Canaria do not hesitate to visit our website of Villa Gran Canaria, on it you will find much information that will reveal more secrets of the island

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Duration 2 Nights/3 Days

Start Point Manali

Finish Point Manali

Experience Type Group

Trip Code O310A1278

Group Size 2 to 25 people

Language English, Hindi

Grade Easy

INR 8,250.00 per person (group min. 2 members)

INR 7,800.00 per person ( group 3-5 members)

INR 7,500.00 per person (group 6-9 members)

Overview

 New Year’s Eve is synonymous with festivities and celebrations with lights and music all around. The bright lights and noise in the cities drowns away the charm of a celebration. Many a times, we all have ended up celebrating or not celebrating a New Year’s Eve in our vehicles stuck in traffic jams.

This New Year’s Eve is destined to be different and surreal.

This winter, We will welcome the Year 2018 in the surreal moonlight reflecting off the whitest of snow in Hampta – Snow Land. The camping experience in snow in Hampta with music and great food and a bon fire with all your friends is something that will make the experience of ushering in the New Year an unforgettable one.

After being received from Prini, you will spend the next best two days of your life in the snow lands and wilderness of Sethan and Hampta. Unwind for the first day in a charming and old Himachali heritage style wooden lodge in Sethan. Explore this charming Khampa village of Lahoulis. Spend the day at the lodge and take in the majestic views of Dhauladhar and Pir Panjaal range. The snow is so much here that you will not be able to resist snow man building and throwing massive balls of snow at each other. Skiing and snow sports are a luxury which seems to be in the back yard here. You can take short tutorials in introductory lessons in Skiing with instructors and skiing gear.

Warning: Cameras may and will run out of battery!

The next day will be at the camp site in Hampta. Go for short hikes in the snow and try your feet at Skiing and Snow shoeing. Try and build an igloo and chill in it. In the evening, we will all celebrate the New Year’s Eve with a bang amongst friends, music, drinks and food. Chill out around the tandoors and bon fire with some awesome BBQ. Witness the moon rise over the snow land and see how everything is transformed in the moonlight. The quite of the mountain air adds to the beauty and gives a wild edge to the celebrations in the snow land of Hampta.

Now, just go a little beyond and make this the New Year’s morning of your life!

Paraglide and fly back to Manali from Hampta.

Highlights:

Paragliding in the New Year

Wilderness Lodge Experience

Camping, Snow Hike & Trekking

Explore Manali

Photography

Snow sports

Music & Great food

Unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration

Brief Itinerary:

30th Dec 2017- Sat

Guests are requested to meet us at Prini, 2 km from Manali on the left bank, by 10:00a.m. Pick up from Manali can also be arranged on prior notice. A representative of Team will drive them to Sethan, at out Wilderness lodge – a traditional Himachali cottage at 9200ft. The drive is on a restricted project road and so there is no one you will see while driving up. The vast expanse of the Kullu valley and snow will lie below us as we climb up to the cottage in Sethan.  Spend the day exploring the beautiful village of Sethan. It will be totally deserted at this time of the year and the feeling of solitude here something to envy. From here, we will go for a short trek to Pandu Ropa. It is quite an experience to walk in the snow here. Spend your day in the snow land here and return to the lodge. In the evening, chill around a bonfire and after a warm yummy dinner with friends and family, retire in the cosy cottage.

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31st Dec 2017 – Sun

After breakfast in Sethan, we will trek to the campsite in Hampta to usher in the New Year. Explore the Hampta snow land at leisure and indulge in snow activities like skiing, Snow shoeing, sledgeing etc. This place has the easiest access to snow and is a haven for photographers and adventurists. There are some unexplored trails here which have to be ventured on. Hampta is also a favourite hub for international back country and heli-skiers.

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In the evening, we will return to the campsite for the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Unwind with your friends around the traditional tandoors and a massive bon fire. Enjoy the snacks and the scrumptious food to your heart’s delight. The music will sound different in the silence of the chill mountain air. The echo of the sounds weaving through the moonlight reflecting off the snow will make this New Year’s Eve an affair never to be forgotten.

Bring in 2018 with a bang in the Hampta Snow land. Dance and chill out in the snow reflecting surreal moonlight.

When and if the festivities for the New Year’s begin to simmer down and it is time to get around the warmth of a tandoor to rest your aching bones, vehicles will be ready and waiting for the guests to be driven back to the cottage in Sethan.

Those who still have it in them, and many will, can choose to trek up to the cottage in the break of dawn. What a way to usher in the New Year!

1st Jan 2018 – Mon

The first sunrise of 2018 will make you want for more and that is a promise. Enjoy a lovely breakfast of the New Year 2018 in the Hampta snow land and in the charming cottage.

Bring in the New Year in a way only few can.

PARAGLIDE back from Hampta take off point and PARAGLIDE your way back flying in to Manali. This will make for a perfect Himalayan Adventurous New Year!!!

The sight of snow as fly over it and glide in will never let you forget the first day of 2018!

OR

We will leave for Manali after breakfast at the campsite. Guests will be dropped off at Manali chowk. After that you can go ahead and explore the town of Manali.

Inclusions

Pick up from Prini common pick up point

Drop to Manali main chowk

1 night stay at the Himachali lodge in Sethan

1 night stay in dome/alpine tents – twin and triple sharing basis at the Hampta campsite

All meals during the event (nutritious freshly cooked) 

Bonfire and meals at the lodge and the campsite (breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments)

Meal- 2 lunch, 2 dinner, 2 breakfast, hot drinks unlimited and 2 BBQ (veg –non veg)

Day trek to Pandu Ropa

DJ night

Services of experienced staff  

Specialized high altitude camping gear

Wildlife/ environmental permits and other permits & levies. 

All transportation as per itinerary in cabs

Guaranteed amazing Himalayan experiential adventure holiday.

Exclusions

Cost of any form of insurance (Personal/Baggage/Medical) 

Lunch in restaurants at own cost.

Cost of rescue, evacuation, hospitalization, etc. 

Transport cost from and to Delhi

Any expenses of purely personal nature like laundry, phone/fax calls, tips to drivers, guides, any beverages.  

Any expenses that arise due to change in itinerary and increase in no. of days because of natural forces like landslides, weather, roadblocks, flight cancellations, sickness etc. 

Porterage @ INR.500 per 10 kg bag strictly. Kindly inform us in advance.

  Important Info

Advisory about activity:

We suggest guests arrive at Prini common pick up point, 2 km from Manali. We will be happy to drive you to the Snow Land for the experience of your life.

Camping/Trekking programs in the Himalaya not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.

All guests are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.

Wear shoes and clothes you are comfortable in and do not forget waterproof jackets and warm clothing. Avoid Denims.

We strongly recommend that you get snow suits and gum boots to enjoy the snow to the fullest. We can also arrange for these for you.

We highly recommend that you layer up instead of carrying heavy sweaters. 3 layers indoors are suggested and 4 or more outside in chill conditions.

Soak up the atmosphere – close your eyes and take in the sights and sounds as you explore and observe.

Do not litter the environment. Polythene and plastics are non-biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be littered or burned and should be carried back.

Accessories:

– Raincoat/ Poncho – make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.

– Warm Beanie – make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.

– Gloves – Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woolen gloves.

-Sun Cap- 1 no

-Sun Glasses with good UV protection.

Other necessary things that we recommend you get:

– Toiletries – Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.

– Repair Kit (needle and thread).

– Headlamp/ Torch.

– Camera.

– Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 liter each.

– Trekking Pole

– Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)

Personal first aid kit:

– Diamox – 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)

– Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)

– Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)

– Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)

– Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)

– Disprin – 6 tablets (headache)

Cancellation

Cancellation Charges: We understand life can be unpredictable at times, and that plans can change, that’s why we are pretty flexible about cancellations. For last minute emergencies we offer future trip credits on a case by case basis. Please talk to us before you cancel any trip with us.

From confirmation up to 30 days prior to departure – 10% of the total amount payable would be charged.

Between 15 – 29 days – 50% would be refunded

Less than 15 days prior to departure: no refund.

In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases we will try our best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However no refund will be provided for the same

Note: –

All programs are subject to change due to political reason, natural calamities, serious sickness, and special reasons. 

Please note that cancellation charges also apply to reductions in group size, not only for cancellations of entire bookings.

The tour will not be cancelled unless we are forced to do so because of unusual or unforeseen circumstances, such as a major natural disaster, major political unrest or war. If we cancel the tour we will promptly refund all payments made to us including the deposit (less the unrecoverable costs such as air tickets cancellations). We shall not be liable to refund any additional expenses that you may have incurred (such as insurance, visas, vaccinations and other incidental costs).

If you do not show up at the meeting point specified on the agreed date, we will assume you have been delayed and will wait for you to contact us with your new expected arrival date. If you do not contact us within 48 hours we will assume you have cancelled the tour. There is no refund of any money paid.

Refunds:

(a) In case the journey is broken off early upon the client’s own wish or causes, Operator shall not be liable to any refund of the days not utilized. Clients will have to pay for hotel or any extra costs incurred after leaving the itinerary. 

(b) The trek information sheets and the dossier give information and conditions relating to the tour and are deemed to be part of the contract and so you should be fully aware of their contents. However, the itinerary is an indication of what the group should accomplish, but is not a contractual obligation- changes may be made because of exceptional weather, flight cancellations, sickness or other unforeseen circumstances. No refund will be given for unused services or unrealized dreams. 

(c) Operator shall not be liable to refund of any Bank charges deducted while making the bank transaction.

4 – Customizations Available Select from the list of add-ons to customize this activity

Skiing

Paragliding

Snow Gear

Pick up from Manali

Feel free to contact at

+91 9343369109

or

thetravelcubes@yahoo.com 

New Year 2018 in Hampta Snow Land manali 2 Nights/3 Days Duration 2 Nights/3 Days Start Point Manali Finish Point Manali Experience Type Group Trip Code O310A1278…

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New Post has been published on https://aowanders.com/american-summertime-adventure-travel-destination/

American Summertime Adventure Travel Destination

CHOOSING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

America is filled with families traveling around the country looking for summertime adventure travel destinations.  From the classic American road trip to annual family vacations.  Summertime adventure travel destinations are in no short supply.  From tourist towns to iconic landmarks and breathtaking landscapes America will overwhelm you with adventurous destinations.  Whether your a visitor or a resident these summertime adventure travel destinations will enhance any vacation.

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SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Majority of Americans are unaware of these secret summertime adventure travel destinations, and anyone can find a well known tourist town.  Just follow the crowds, but these summertime adventure travel destinations can only be found right here on your favorite adventure travel blog.   In no particular order here are a few of my favorites, and if you think something should be added to the list leave it in the comments below.

SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #1

FLY GEYSER

Probably the most amazing thing in Nevada is an accidental creation located North of Reno.  So cancel your Vegas plans and Hoover Dam helicopter tours because just outside of Gerlach, Nevada is a small geothermal geyser.  Located on private land known as Fly Ranch Geyser its not open to the public, and is owned by the burning man cooperation.  Who bought it in 2016 with plans to open it up to artists and visitors someday.  While the Fly Geyser sits on private land its highly visible from route 34, and the erupting discharge from this summertime adventure travel destination can be seen from miles away.

This multi-colored geothermal geyser is the result of an accidental drilling operation in 1964 that was never properly capped, and is constantly building upon itself.  Depositing minerals and multi-colored algae from its gushing geyser, and discharging water into 40 terrace pools across 74 acres. Its an amazing adventure to see if your in the area, and far away from hordes of people.

SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #2

THE LOST SEA

Tennessee a state bubbling with history, adventure and stories dating back from the beginning of America.  Is home to one of the best kept adventure secrets in the country.  In fact its been rediscovered three times in the history of mankind.  Deep under the mountains of Tennessee lies The Lost Sea first discovered by settlers in the 1820s, and then again by confederate soldiers in 1863.  Shortly thereafter The Lost Sea disappeared until 1905 when Ben Sands a 13 year old boy wiggled though a muddy cave opening to rediscover this lost adventure treasure of Tennessee.

The visible part of The Lost Sea is 800 feet long and 220 feet wide, but the true extent of the lost sea is unknown.  Over 13 acres of the The Lost Sea have been mapped out, but no one has ever found the end of the lake.  If your looking for a unique summertime adventure travel destination take a peak at the Craighead cavern cave system between Sweetwater & Madison Tennessee.

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SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #3

FORT JEFFERSON

Florida attracts millions of travelers from around the world.  With its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters & adventure friendly weather Florida has something for everyone.  My brothers been threatening to move their for years for reasons that have nothing to do with travel & adventure, and I’ve been secretly praying its only a bluff.  If he chose the Keys though I might even help him pack.  Besides all of the usual adventure options available in Key West Florida Fort Jefferson is probably the most unique adventure travel option.

This massive unfinished coastal fortress is located on the Garden Key within the Dry Tortugas National Park, and requires a mandatory visit from anyone in this neck of the country.  Its the 2nd largest fort in America made up of over 16 million bricks and its not even finished.  Add that to its in a tropical destination instead of the dreary mountains of Virginia its a must see, and most visitors spend hours discovering this summertime adventure travel destination.

SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #4

CYPRESS SWAMP

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I am sure the first thing that came to mind when you read cypress swamp was Louisiana or alligators, but this summertime adventure travel destination is located in Southern Illinois.  The cache river state natural area is located just outside Belknap Illinois, and spans just under 15,000 acres.  It may be alligator free, but I can’t promise its mosquito free.  The 1.5 mile round trip Heron Pond loop trail is the centerpiece of cache river state natural area.

A floating boardwalk zig-zagging through the cypress swamp keeps your feet dry while providing VIP views.  Observing this ecosystem from the boardwalk is a truly unique adventure.  Complete with amazing photography opportunities to capture the 1,000 year old ecosystem.  Highly recommend this adventure, and as an added bonus the ancient beauty of the Johnshon Shut-ins is only a couple hours to the West.

The Johnson Shut-Ins can be best described as a natural waterpark complete with slides, pools & Jacuzzi’s.  It’s an obstacle course through cascading streams, deep pools, and shallow pockets carved out by volcanic stone through the Black River.  Johnson’s Shut-Ins state park is the Ozarks best kept secret, and is a measly 8,600 acres in Reynolds County.  Its a great day trip adventure thats never overcrowded, and a perfect adventure combo with the Cache River State Natural Area.

  SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #5

NORTH SHORE

In the heart of “Iron” Country in Northern Minnesota there’s a 154 mile stretch of waterfalls, woods, pebbled shorelines, small towns big on heritage, communities rooted in tradition and genuine neighbors sharing commanding views of Lake Superior called The North Shore.  Starting in Duluth and ending at Grand Marias. The North Shore. is home to some of the most beautiful landscape Minnesota has to offer.

While millions flock to the National Parks of the West for their summer vacations to fight for elbow room those that choose the adventures of The North enjoy peace, beauty & inexpensive travels.   I spent a week here discovering The North Shore.: hiking up rivers to find secret slot canyons, listening to waves crash on artist point, finding more waterfalls then presents on Christmas, photographing breathtaking autumn landscapes, wandering ski resorts, enjoying hot tubs with nobody else & watching wildlife stroll around without a care in the world.  It left a lasting impression that urges me to make it an annual tradition.  Plus its the perfect area to utilize my Free Camping Guide.

SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #6

HAMILTON POOL PRESERVE

This Texas gem is the only one that is going to make my summertime adventure travel destinations list.  The Hamilton Pool Preserve is a collapsed grotto with blue-green water surrounded by amazing limestone rock formations and a 50 foot waterfall.  Perfect for escaping the desert heat and enjoying an off the beaten path adventure.  Beware though in the summer months the locals are well aware of its existence.  I recommend going in the fall and as late in the day as possible.

  I went there late in the day on a September weekend and had the whole place to myself.  Its only 23 miles west of Austin Texas so I’m sure this was more of a rarity then normality.

    SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #7

HAPPY CANYON

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If Happy Canyon were more accessible it would easily be more popular than Antelope Canyon.  Which makes this an ideal summertime adventure travel destination, and one of my all time favorites!!  Everything about this slot canyon is my definition of adventure travel.  Its breathtakingly beautiful, challenging, rewarding, frustrating, & extremely remote.  Its so off the beaten path there is all of 3 websites on the internet with information.

There are about five different ways to get to this trailhead, and each presents its own unique adventurous challenge.  Between a long hike with a rappel; a multi-day hike with little access to water; floating an intermittent river; hiring a bush pilot for a back country landing; or a long sketchy remote difficult drive are your only options to access this canyon.  Happy Canyon is located just outside of Hanksville, UT on Poison Spring Canyon Road.  Once onPoison Spring Canyon Road its a 2 hour vehicle creeping 16 miles back to the trailhead which is an old mining road.

Besides access timing is your next challenge.  The Utah sun is not forgiving so I would recommend to leave before sunrise or late in the afternoon.  This way you can use the cliff wall to the West to keep you in the shade.  Either choice is going to have you hiking and driving in the dark in unfamiliar terrain 10 miles away from the nearest human with no cell service.  Bring lots of water, and my recommendation would be a late day start with an overnight stay to leave at first light.

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SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #8

WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK

If I told you I knew a place with alien like stone formations, cavernous pathways that were dark & damp with rare plants and eerie isolation you would probably think I was describing a place out of a movie rather than a summertime adventure travel destination.  But this is exactly what you will find in upstate New York at the Watkins Glen State Park.  Although small and isolated this hanging valley has a way of invigorating the soul & breeding inspiration.  Watkins Glen should be a world class attraction.

Instead its a national treasure secretly tucked away in upstate New York.  Away from the busy city and bustling activity the 1.5 mile Gorge Trail will awaken your sense of wonder & take you back in time when dragons ruled the skies.  The Gorge Trail will transform the world you know into the world that was.  Its an adventurous experience for all ages, and highly recommended.

SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #9

LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

About 1,200 miles North of Seattle there’s an island called Ketchikan that goes by the nickname K-town.  Situated in the Tongass National Forest and next to the Misty Fjords Ketchikan is an outdoor playground bustling with wildlife.  Its great for bear viewing adventures with black bears, brown bears and Grizzly bears.  Especially when 5 million salmon every year make their way back to this remote island town in Southeast Alaska.  Being the first stop on the cruise ship routes of the summer K-town is full of adventure tours & off the beaten path ideas.

Grab a float plane to the glaciers.  Take a ferry out to the underwater submarine base to do some whale watching.  Zipline through the canopy with Bald Eagles.  Ski Brown mountain in July or buy some souvenirs from the old brothels of K-town.  Visit the high jewelry stores of main street.  Kayak across the passage to an island covered in 3 feet of moss.  Spend the night watching the northern lights hover over this majesticall little island paradise.  Ketchikan is a true summertime adventure travel destination that everyone should check out.

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SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATION #10

GRIZZLY LAKE

Millions of people flock to Yellowstone National Park every summer.  This summertime adventure travel destination is filled with wildlife, landscape, mystery & exotic beauty.  Unfortunately millions of these only get to see the beauty of this area from their vehicles.  In fact most don’t even know there are two National Parks right next to each other.  My favorite being Grand Teton National Park. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and home to one of most famous ski resorts in the world.  From world class fly fishing to world class skiing this little secret caters to both summer and winter time visitors.

There are so many places I could send you to in this area, but Grizzly Lake is spectacular!!! It starts out at Jenny Lake, and takes you passed hidden falls.  You’ll travel up to appropriately named “inspiration point”.  Where you can lay out on the rocks and overlook  the entire valley below.  From there you will wind and turn upwards until hopefully spotting the cairn.  Where you need to break right to drop into this hidden little valley surround by towering granite backdrops!  With a gorgeous lake all to yourselves.  Well unless you encounter the mamma bear and cubs we did as we entered into this hidden oasis.  Its about a 14 mile hike and worth every step.  We stayed for 3 days, and wish I could have stayed for a lifetime.

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SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

There are a lot of places that could of made the list of Summertime Adventure Travel Destinations. Especially from someone who has traveled in the way I have, but these truly are some of my favorite gems.  They make me giddy whenever I get a chance to go back for some summertime adventure.  Travel Destinations are what you make of them, and who make them with.  I would love to hear about your favorite summertime adventure travel destinations.