Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest and lowest place in US and during summer temperature can reach 35-50C (100-120F), so you must be prepared. Park administration recommends drink at least 4 liters (1 gallon) of water. It is up to you how much you drink, but in your car you should have some water for emergency. It is quite remote place and don’t expect huge crowd of visitors, except some more popular places like Badwater or Devil’s Golf Course. It can take hours till you see another car. I bought 10 liters water container just in case.

Also fill up your fuel tank before going into park. Some years ago it was couple gas stations in the park at Stovepipe Wells Village and Furnance Creek. But now only the one at Furnance Creek is working.

The last thing you should do before going to Death Valley – check for road closures. During my visit Artists Drive, Twenty Mule Team Canyon and Titus Canyon roads were closed, at Zabriskie point were road works and was no stopping allowed, so I was forced adjust my itinerary accordingly.

Death Valley NP is 350km (220 miles) or 3.5 hour drive away from Bakersfield. From Death Valley to Las Vegas is another 220km (140 miles) or 2.5 hour drive. Expect to be in Vegas at late night as it easy to spend all day in the Death Valley and wait for sunset to watch how colors of surrounding mountains are changing.

What to do and to see it depends on situation in the park. As I mentioned earlier some places were inaccessible during my visit, but here are some interesting places:

• Ubehebe Crater – it erupted more than 300 years ago.

• Scotty’s Castle – Spanish-style mansion in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon.

• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – 30 meters (100 feet) dunes rising near Stovepipe Wells village.

• Salt Creek – this salt water is home to a rare pupfish.
• Titus Canyon – one of the largest and most scenically diverse canyons in the park. Small part of this drive can be accessed by regular car from West side.
• Artist’s Drive – 14 km (9 miles) scenic loop drive through colorful volcanic formations.
• Natural Bridge – 800 meters (0.5 mile) hike to massive rock span across canyon.

• Badwater – lowest point in North America. It is 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level.

• Devil’s Golf Course – incredible formations of rock salt.
• Dante’s view – one of best places to see Badwater basin from the top of 1.7 km (5500 feet) peak.
• Twenty Mule Team Canyon – 4 km (2.5 mile) one way loop drive through badlands.

• Zabriskie Point – colored badlands. Good place to stop during sunset before heading to Las Vegas

All these places are accessible by regular vehicle. Check Death Valley NP website for additional places if you drive high clearance car, but for day visitor it will be more than enough.

Las Vegas

The last stop for today is Las Vegas. You know how it is said: “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”? 

Just head to the Strip as all entertainment is located there.  Most popular free attractions on the Strip are:

• The volcano at “The Mirage”
• The water fountains at “Bellagio”
• The Sirens of TI night show at Treasure Island (daily at 5:30pm (fall/winter only), 7pm, 8:30pm, 10pm, 11:30pm (spring/summer only)
• The Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace (every hour on the hour Sun – Thu,  10am – 11pm,  Fri and Sat,  10am – midnight) .

Check what shows are during your visit and don’t lose all your money at casino

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Yosemite National Park is located ~300 km (190 miles) east of San Francisco and it takes about 4 hours to get there, so it is better get up as early as possible. Actually it applies to any day of this itinerary. Sorry, there is no time to sleep during this week J

The entrance fee to Yosemite NP is $20 per car and includes all occupants of the car. Permit is valid for unlimited entries to the park for 7 days. Because during this week it will be visited at least 4 national parks the best deal is to buy Annual Pass. It cost $80 for all National parks and you can buy it before your trip online.

Yosemite National Park is huge. The area of the park is ~3100 square km (~1200 square miles) with over 1200 kilometers (750 miles) of trail. Yosemite Valley is the best place to go for day visitor. Surrounded by up to 1.5 km (5,000 feet) rocks the valley itself is very flat and it is possible to take some short hikes without proper hiking boots.

Some short hikes to choose:

• Bridalveil Fall – 800 meters (0.5 miles) round-trip, 20 minutes
• Lower Yosemite Fall – 1.6 km (1 mile) loop. 30 minutes
• Cook’s Meadow Loop – 1.6 km (1 mile) loop. 30 minutes
• Mirror Lake/Meadow – 3.2 km (2 miles) round-trip, 1 hour
• Vernal Fall footbridge – 2.6 km ( 1.6 miles) round-trip, 1.5 hours

May is the best month to watch water falls then snow melts in the mountains. You won’t see so much water in August as you can see in above photo.

Next stop is at Sequoia National Park (entry fee is $20 if you didn’t buy Annual Pass). Park is 300 km (190 miles) and 4 hours driving away from Yosemite Valley, but you must to see those giant trees and largest is the General Sherman Tree. The tree is 84 meters (275 feet) height and estimated 2300-2700 years old and is called the largest living thing on the Earth.

The tunnel log located not far from the General Sherman Tree will let you feel even more how big these trees are as you can drive with your car through that tunnel.

It will be later evening by the time you reach this tunnel and the close by Mono Rock is the best place for sunset viewing – with sun going down in the west and moon rising above Great Western Divide in the east .

A view is fantastic and at least during my visit it wasn’t many people there at night so maybe you can enjoy that view only by yourselves.

Sun goes down and it is time to look for overnight stay. Bakersfield is largest town on the way. There are plenty of motels there, so I think it is best place to spend a night before heading to Death Valley tomorrow.

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Flight ticket is the first thing you need for your trip. My starting and finishing point was San Francisco, but don’t make mistake by looking tickets only for San Francisco International Airport (SFO). There is another airport on other side of San Francisco bay.  It is Oakland International Airport (OAK).

OAK is only 10km (~ 6 miles) further away from San Francisco downtown comparing with SFO. So it will take only additional 10-15 minutes to get to the city, but you can get good flight and car rental deals at OAK.  By the way Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) also good start/end point for West exploration, but this time I start from San Francisco.

Day 1. San Francisco

It takes about 4-5 hours to get to California from East Coast, so expect arrival to SFO/OAK at midday. There is no need to rush as it is not possible to see everything in a half day. It is better to see only couple highlights at slow pace.

• On the way from airport driver through famous Lombard Street

• Have a lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf
• Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island (you must buy ticket 3-4 weeks in advance, especially during public holidays or high tourism season as it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in San Francisco)

• Rent a bike while back to Fisherman’s Wharf after tour to Alcatraz Island and go across Golden Gate Bridge to Vista Point. It is more interesting than just drive it by car

• Drive to Point Bonita Lighthouse for the sunset after you return your bike
• After sun sets down drive to Battery Spencer and watch San Francisco at night

Tomorrow long road trip is starting so I wouldn’t recommend to stay very late in the city as you definitely must have some rest. You probably won’t need to make bookings in advance for other nights of the trip, but in San Francisco the prices can be steep and it is better to make accommodation arrangements in advance.

Good night for now and see you on Day 2 on the trip to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks.

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And I was amazed by view from the top of one of the towers.

A month later on September 11th I was flying from Europe to Canada, but wasn’t able to reach Toronto that day as our plane was forced to land in Newfoundland.
We spent couple days in local air force base by watching TV and everything was looked like science fiction…. I still can’t believe it did happen that day.

P.S. Sorry for quality of photos, but it was done with my first digital camera Kodak Easyshare.

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Let your mind wander across the rolling mountains of Appalachia that once sprouted with settlements of the early American pioneers. The majestic mountains of rural America can be best witnessed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Head to the Great Smokies to see the wonders of Appalachia in Tennessee!
Before you set out on this spectacular journey, always book your stay ahead. To avoid those expensive taxis and airport traffic, travel on your own time and secure your Airport parking Newcastle today! Book in advance with the convenient service of airport parking Manchester , and save your money now. Check it out and see for yourself!

Visit the old settlements founded by early pioneers that sprang up across the hills of Appalachia. In the Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee you can experience the earliest days of America from the viewpoint of natural wooded forests and farming homesteads. With over 4 million visits a year, Smoky Mountain National Park is the most popular national park in the United States. Many folks start with the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, an 8 kilometer one-way road that takes you through the most spectacular mountain scenery.

Stop in the Roaring Fork Trials to experience fantastic hikes through scenes of forest and wildlife. You may just spot a deer or even a bear, so keep a lookout on these old homestead trails! Take the scenic drive past the historic cabins and barns that paint the most beautiful views of rolling Appalachia forests. When traveling in spring capture photographs of bountiful blooms. The Great Smoky Mountains are simply irresistible beauty in the fall, when the foliage is lit up in the sun with deep reds, yellows, and shades of orange. Just before Loop Road, check out the daily 19th Century life at Noah Ogle Place. This house once the home to a family of an Appalachian farmer is a great place to get acquainted with pioneer life. Noah “Bud” Ogle was one of the first Euro-American settlers to reach Gatlinburg and set up a homestead with his family.

Mount Le Conte is a popular hiking area, so I suggest you camp inside! Start bright and early when the sun rises and spend the night in a cabin like the early pioneers. At LeConte, take advantage of accessible hiking trails and walk along the mountain streams and seek out the misty Rainbow Falls down the Rainbow Trail. Take another popular trail in LeConte, Alum Cave Trail to witness the splendor of beautiful vistas, quiet wooded areas, and a spectacular sunset on the horizon at dusk. Arch Rock is the perfect place in LeConte for a photograph. Cade’s Cove is another stunning area of Appalachia you won’t want to miss! Travel here to find the old sandstone chipped away to reveal a layer of young limestone left through weathering. But what makes Cade’s Cove the second most sought destination in the park is the well-preserved homesteads of settlers and beautiful mountain views all around. This 6,800 acre valley was occupied by Cherokee Indians long before the settlers came to Tsiyahi or “the place of the river otter.” Once the home for fantastic wildlife such as bison, red wolves and elk, these great beasts have since vanished from the land. Here is the place for mountain laurels, rhododendron blooms, wild turkeys and a world of abundant history. Wildflowers bloom across Cade’s Cove painting a valley over mountains of magnificent Appalachia.

A trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is not complete without a trip to Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the park. Hike to the top and stand in awe at the perfect panorama of the Appalachian Mountains. Catch it all in the afternoon after the misty fog settles over the Great Smokies and the endless rolling hills that meet North Carolina in the distance. This breathtaking view is a rare sight of an endless panorama of Appalachia. Before you set out within the park, it’s a great idea to plan ahead before your journey by starting with Sugarland’s Visitor’s Center first and foremost! Check out the museum and gift shop inside and talk to the knowledgeable park rangers within. They will help map out an unforgettable experience complete with comprehensive itinerary!

Be sure to stop in to the Visitor’s Center for all the tips and facts about the forests and trails. When you have hiked all the trials in Appalachia, let your mind be at ease knowing your car is waiting in Parking Heathrow .

Your Appalachian adventure starts today!

About the Author: Lucy West is a keen traveller, writer and often even dabbles in photography. Based in the beautiful Kent countryside she tries to takes time out and to write and is passionate about all things social media. You can contact her at lucy.west@parkbcp.co.uk

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Here are five perfect destinations for first-time solo travellers.

1. New Zealand

A good way to ease yourself into the travelling experience is to go somewhere where you speak the lingo! New Zealand is a fun, friendly place which attracts lots of adventurous tourists. Show off your wild side by exploring underground caves, plummeting through the air on a bungee jump or soaring through the skies with a skydive.

The small size of the country means it’s easy to get around. You can be in a stunning wild natural park one minute and a thriving city the next.

2. Iceland

If you want somewhere a bit closer to home, try an unusual European destination like Iceland. You’ll find that all the locals speak English, so it’s very easy to get around and organise your trip.

A long weekend break in Europe is a great way to get to know someone better and the bizarre volcanic landscapes and magnificent waterfalls make a great talking point!

3. Costa Rica

For an exotic beach destination, head to Costa Rica. It’s the most visited destination for tourists in Latin America, so you’ll have plenty of chance to meet other travellers during your stay. You can relax on peaceful beaches, trek through wildlife-rich mountains and explore ancient volcanoes.

Costa Rica is known for being one of the happiest places on earth and you’ll find that people are more than willing to chat and hang out.

4. Japan

Japan is very tourist-friendly and easy to get around, so not knowing the language won’t hold you back from exploring all the amazing things the country has to offer. A lot of Japan is made up of verdant hills and towering mountains, like the famous Mount Fuji. But Tokyo is a place like no other, with its futuristic lifestyle coupled with stunning shrines, temples and parks for cherry blossom viewing.

5. USA

America has something to suit everyone and, as everyone speaks English, it won’t be hard to make new friends! Rent a car and take a road trip or hop on a bus and backpack along the coast.  Spend a weekend in iconic New York city, visit infamous natural phenomenon like the Grand Canyon or party spots like Las Vegas, you won’t find it hard to create an amazing travel experience to suit your taste.

If you’re a first-time traveller going solo, you may feel nervous and apprehensive about going away. As long as you’re sensible, pay a lot of attention to your safety and pick the right travel location, you should come back with amazing memories of a fantastic trip. Try out one of these destinations for the chance to meet interesting people around the globe. 

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Summer is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with the great American tradition known as the road trip? However, before the rubber hits the road, there are several things to consider. Read on to find out not only which areas of the country are the best for RV trekking, but also tips and tricks for planning your trip and getting the best fuel economy.

Before you go

While spontaneity may seem like fun idea, without a little advance planning your trip will derail before it’s even had a chance to begin. Before you go, ask yourself these questions:

• How many people are traveling and are any kids coming along?
• Are there any special needs? Does anyone going on the trip have any health issues that need addressing? If this is the case, you’ll want to be sure the RV has the proper accessibility and that your road trip stays within a reasonable distance from medical facilities.
• What types of activities you would like to do? If you’re planning on doing some type of activity that requires hauling toys such as bicycles or jet skis, be sure your RV is up to the challenge.
• What amenities will you need? The range of facilities available for RV camping is quite broad and includes everything from upscale resort environments to dry camping (no electric, water or sewer hookups).
• How many days will the trip take and how many miles are you willing to go? This will play a large role in determining your itinerary and destinations.
• What is your budget? The answers to the above questions will, in part, determine your budget – and vice versa. Also impacting your budget will be whether or not you’re renting an RV if you don’t own one already. Rental pricing can vary greatly; so it’s a good idea to shop around ahead of time.

Best areas for RV trekking

No matter if you’re planning a long weekend close to home or an epic cross country round trip, check out these must-see areas and itineraries:

• Route 66. Get your kicks from Los Angeles to Chicago on this iconic cross-country itinerary.
• Western States National Park Loop. Begin and end in San Francisco, taking in nearly a dozen National Parks from Yosemite to Bryce Canyon. Stops in Las Vegas and San Diego can also be easily incorporated.
• Northeastern States Loop. This loop begins and ends in New York City, with a scenic drive through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before heading back south through Massachusetts and Connecticut.
• South Florida Loop. Orlando is the city to begin and end this sunny itinerary, continuing to Miami, Key West, the Everglades, and Fort Myers. Take a side trip to Sanibel Island before heading back to Orlando, a major tourist destination on its own.

Fuel saving tips

Unfortunately, the cost of gas for an extended RV trip can be expensive. Luckily, there are several easy things you can do to improve your fuel economy.

• Make sure the engine is properly tuned. Some mechanics estimate that a properly tuned engine can use up to 50 percent less gas than a poorly tuned one.
• Make sure that your RV generator is working properly
• Make sure tires are inflated properly. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage up to 3.3 percent, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
• Use cruise control. Traveling at slower and more consistent speeds is a proven way to increase fuel economy, so set your cruise control for 55 mph on the interstate and enjoy the savings.
• Avoid filling the tank on a weekend. Prices generally are higher on weekends than on weekdays, so fill up during the week to get the most for your money.
• Reduce air drag. Anything sticking up from the roof of the RV can cause drag, which reduces fuel economy. Make sure any antennas are down and that the AC unit is covered.

Adventure beckons

As long as there’s a gas station along the way and some space to park your RV, anywhere you can reach by a nice, wide, paved road is a potentially great destination, as long as you’ve got the spirit of American adventure with you!

This post was written and contributed by Tim Simis. Tim has been RV’ing for several years and stresses the importance of checking over your RV before your trip. Tim gets his RV parts from RVpartssupplier.com

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Travel to the USA is an opportunity to see the entire world in just one country.  In this amazingly diverse place, a melting pot of culture, landscapes and thrilling cities can be found.  Climates vary from desert to tropics to arctic, with everything in between, making this the ideal country to explore on vacation. With a country so vast, it’s impossible to visit every destination; but there are some places, however, that everyone should see, and things everyone should do before they die, and the US is one of the best places to do and see them all.

‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ is a popular saying, but you won’t want to leave the memories behind when leaving Las Vegas, Nevada. Wild, wonderful and over-the-top, Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the world for its variety of excitement, entertainment and attractions. Feel like a visit to a tropical island in the city of casinos? Mandalay Bay offers a 1.6 million-gallon aquarium stocked with sharks that have never walked the Strip. Intrepid visitors with a SCUBA certificate can even dive with the sharks, perhaps risking the loss of more than just their money at the tables. Those that prefer to stay around less intimidating “guests” can head to the Flamingo Las Vegas and gawk at the many species that inhabit their aquatic wildlife habitat, highlighted by their flock of Chilean flamingos of course. The HGVC Flamingo suites (which are actually timeshares) are also located here and can be rented at really affordable rates online. Rather stay high and dry? Take a day trip and marvel over the majesty of the Grand Canyon.

Las Vegas may be one of the wildest cities in the world, but New York is the city that never sleeps. The Big Apple is the place to go for world-famous Broadway shows, restaurants and opportunities to shop at some of the most exclusive, and expensive, boutiques in the world. Dizzyingly tall modern buildings surround older architecture that nestles bravely between the skyscrapers, creating a fascinating blend of old and new. When you’ve had enough of the city’s hustle and bustle, head out into the Hudson Valley and explore the lush green rolling hills and charming vineyards of wine country. Visit wineries for tastings, toasts and some of the finest food New York has to offer.

Vast expanses of sparkling white sand, clear, warm, azure waters, friendly natives and luxurious resorts bring to mind a tropical paradise.  Miami attracts millions of visitors every year for its warm, lazy days, shopping, nightclubs, culture and glamor. South Beach is known for its annual wine festival, while music lovers will flock to the Winter Music Conference. Museums, historic architecture, and breathtaking scenery make Miami a must-visit destination.

Further north and decidedly more rugged, Alaska is truly one of the final frontiers. Wild and wooly, with days that last for months at a time, Alaska offers the intrepid traveler chances to fish, hunt, or just hike the wilderness. Photography buffs, skiers and hikers will find Alaska enchanting. The comfort-seeker may want to consider a cruise of Alaska instead, to enjoy both the benefits of a luxury vacation and brief excursions onto the mainland to explore Alaska’s natural beauty. With the Northern Lights shining their eerie beauty over the breathtaking beauty of its vast landscapes, Alaska is the stunning crown jewel of the United States.

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As we draw nearer to the holidays, more and more people are rushing to get their holiday travel plans in gear: plotting vacation leaves, packing up suitcases and the like. Deciding where to celebrate, though, is not as simple. The tricky part is the actual choosing process, as the holiday traveler’s choices are endless. Still fretting over where to spend the holidays this year? Dash through our list below and find yourself a merry little Christmas.

1. Singapore City, Singapore

Watch in awe as the Orchard Road gets wrapped in a beautiful, twinkling Christmas glow. This year, the Orchard Road’s theme is Christmas Blooms in Singapore. The Switch On Ceremony will be on November 19, 2011.

2. New York City, USA

For a more bustling vacation, head on over to The Rock at New York City. Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree, a spectacular eye-catcher with over five miles of lights covering its entirety, is lit up starting the week after Thanksgiving.

3. Sydney, Australia

Don’t want to get cooped up in the cold for the holidays? Fly to Sydney and enjoy warm weather, ice cold drinks and Christmas carols by the beach! The Bondi Beach Park will be hosting this year’s Carols by the Sea on December 7, 2011.

4. London, UK

By Lord Dickens! The London Walking Tour is a definite holiday experience. Enjoy a whole day of going across London and finding more about the places where characters Pickwick, Scrooge and Tiny Tim supposedly lived.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

Feast your eyes on this winter wonderland: Iceland’s local folklore has not one but thirteen Santas bearing goodie bags at Christmas Parties. Have the chance to meet the Ladle Licker, Skyr Gobbler, Meat Hook and the rest of the 13 Yulemen of Iceland beginning December 12.

About the Author: Paul Kessler writes for National Holidays, a leading travel portal that offers sensational value coach holidays and trips by coach across Britain, Ireland and Europe.

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