International Travel

Archive for the ‘United States’ Category

Alaska is the biggest state out of all fifty in the USA and consists of five regions: the Southwest, South Central, the Inside Passage, the Interior and the far North.  The Southwest part of the state has a terrain that ranges from volcanoes to the Katmai National Park.

The park was created in 1912 after an eruption of the Novarupta volcano.  The terrain also features the Aleutian Islands that actually stretch around 1,000 miles clear to Asia.  The main town in this region is Kodiak, and it houses the state’s biggest fishing fleet.  The original people of Kodiak were called the Alutiiq people.  Over 7,000 years ago they came to this place and still today they have descendants that live in the town where there is a museum and Repository that provides information on their culture and heritage.

The Alaska Peninsula extends approximately 550 miles towards and into the Pacific Ocean.  In the western part of the peninsula, there is the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.  which offers miles of seacoast, glaciers, mountains and bodies of water that are filled with rainbow trout.  Hence, this part of the region is literally filled with fishing lodges.  A person can get scheduled air service from Anchorage, the capital, and fly out to place like King Salmon, or Naknek, which hosts two of the finest fishing lodges in Alaska.

Bristol Bay is another place in which has adventurous landscapes to travel through.  It is notably the largest source in the world of Red Salmon.  Lots of visitors come to this part of the region to fish in the summer, ski in the winter time, and host cultural events year round.  There is also a great deal of wildlife to be found and admired.

The economic hub of Bristol Bay is Dillingham which is mostly noted for being the gateway to the popular Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and Walrus Island State Game Sanctuary.

The Aleutians Islands’ East Borough is said to be one of the world’s most beautiful regions with active volcanoes, miles of coastline and untamed landscape being just some of the features.  The Aleut people have lived in these parts since the Second Ice Age.  Right past the top of the Alaska Peninsula, the islands start their 1,000-mile stretch towards Asia.  These islands are also home to numerous wildlife refuges.  Tourists can reach the Unalaska or Port of Dutch Harbor by a scheduled flight from Anchorage and there is also the popular method of taking the ferry ride from Kodiak Island.  It is said that Dutch Harbor lead the nation for quantities and values of fish caught.

Other attractions include the early examples of Russian churches and many World War II military sites which host a network of dug in bunkers and pillboxes that were built to train soldiers back in that era.  Another claim to fame is that this part of the islands was once the site of a nineteen day battle between Japanese and American soldiers back in 1943.

If you’re tempted to “go west” for your vacation, and love the idea of long days full of sunshine, then the Gold State is the one for you.  California has something for everyone and can cater for all manner of vacation dreams; young and old, budget and high-fliers, vibrant or serene, this state has it all!

The first thing you need to do is decide what you’d like to do on your vacation, this will help you locate the right part of the state to begin your holiday.  Do you want to center your vacation in one of the major cities of Los Angeles or San Francisco, and either have a one-center holiday where you explore only that city?  Alternatively, do you want to use that city as your gateway and base for a vacation that allows you to explore the coastal areas such as Santa Barbara, or the desert areas of the Joshua Tree National Park?  Are you hoping to sample some home-grown Californian wines in the Napa Valley?  Is the Yosemite National Park somewhere you’ve always wanted to go?  Are you interested in the anticipation of celebrity spotting?  Are you hoping for a round or two of golf?  Does the idea of taking a short trip into Mexico excite you?  Are you taking children who are hoping to visit theme parks?  All of these factors will help you identify which part of the Gold State is the right one for you.  One things for sure, you’ll be able to do all of those things and a lot more besides in this vibrant state!

Once you know where you’re going, identify what you’ll need.  How will you get there?  If you intend to hire a car whilst you’re there, is there adequate parking around the place you hope to stay?  Would public transport be a better idea for most days with car hire on the days you want to go outside the city?  Do you need to make reservations for any accommodation? Are you going to stay in a hotel, timeshare, bed and breakfast, or maybe a campground? How about attraction tickets?  Do you need to book in advance for any special event at the Rose Bowl?  What about any sporting activities you hope to do – is equipment available locally to hire or do you need to take your own?

There are endless opportunities for a vacation of a lifetime in California, and you’ll be able to pack a number of them into your holiday as long as you plan the right destination, so take a good look at the map and carefully plan out a preliminary itinerary – you can always change it when you get there, but at least you’ll be off to a good start by being in the right part of this beautiful part of America.

After The O.C. hit the airwaves, people everywhere began to associate California with snobs and over-the-top riches, and even though the show has now ended, the obsession with Orange County hasn’t abated.

There’s a good reason for this.  Orange Country is an amazingly beautiful and diverse area, with Mediterranean-like weather year-round.  Residents surf the waves on Christmas, something that people from northern states like Idaho or Wisconsin could only dream about.  Many consider Orange County to be one of the most perfect places on earth because of the juxtaposition of temperate weather, beautiful scenery, high job growth, and of course its ideal proximity to Los Angeles and San Diego.

Of course when all of these factors combine together into one area, you’ll quickly find that another, not-so-perfect aspect comes into play: soaring housing prices and cost of living.   As a place to vacation however, this only affects the average tourist in terms of the cost of accommodation and eating out as this may be higher than in an area where property owners/restaurateurs have less overheads to pay.  The main problem isn’t so much that holidaymakers are faced with higher prices, but rather that Orange County isn’t a vibrant cosmopolitan city with many different cultures woven into its backdrop.  Many tourist attractions, and even stores, are generic with little local color.  This doesn’t apply everywhere however, the world famous surfer’s paradise of Huntington Beach can be found in this area, as can the unique Crystal Cathedral!   For kids there’s Disneyland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and even a toy museum to keep them amused.

You may not be able to relive the highlife from the TV show – unless you are part of that scene, but you will have a great holiday because the natural beauty of Orange County can’t fail to charm you.

When life’s stresses and strains get too much for you, head over to Catalina Island and you’ll find a peaceful retreat that’s bound to have you relaxed in no time.  The island, is only approximately 22 physical miles from the mainland, but in terms of lifestyle and sheer population, it’s a lifetime away.

With only 2 ports on the island, one into the main town of Avalon, and the other into the more secluded side of the island at Two Harbors, and only two ways onto the island, via the water or helicopter, there’s very little noise from vehicles.  Relatively few cars exist on the island and most visitors either get around on foot or bicycle.

Despite being such a small island, there are things to do here on the days when you feel like doing something a little more energetic than watching the sun move around, and when you first arrive on Catalina Island you should visit the local Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau which will give you all the information you need about what’s on, where to find it, and of course ideas of where to stay and eat if you haven’t already made reservations.  In the peak months however, you should always at least reserve your room before venturing across to the island.  Although you may be lucky to arrive and find a room free, it’s not likely during high season because of the limited amount of accommodation available.

Two of the most popular places to visit on Catalina Island are the Catalina Island Museum which charts the history of the island through it’s various stages from the more recent history through the Hollywood era (the island was one of the first main Hollywood film sets) right back to the Native Americans.   Just about 2 miles out of Avalon you’ll find the Wrigley Botanical Gardens which will delight anyone who has an interest in flora and fauna.  William Wrigley (as in the chewing gum empire) once owned the island and you could even stay in his mansion which is now converted into a bed and breakfast establishment.

Catalina Island may not sound very exciting when compared with the attractions of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but for anyone needing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, it’s a perfect beach oasis.

Palm Springs, California is located just about 110 miles east of Los Angeles and is one of the most popular desert resort towns in the United States. The population is just about perfect with under 50,000 residents and along with eight neighboring cities including Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella makes up the Palm Springs area. The name ‘Palm Springs’ comes from the region’s original inhabitants, the Cahuilla Indians. They named the area “la palma de la mano de Dios”, which translates to “the palm of God’s hand.”

Palm Springs is mainly famous for its Golf Courses. From mainly flat to flat and rolling courses, there is a course for every golfer in Palm Springs. For those who prefer to spend their vacation time in other ways, Palm Springs offers a diverse assortment of attractions and activities. Visitors can enjoy shopping, hiking, museums, gaming, architecture, simply soaking in the sun and much more! The natural beauty of the Palm Springs area is enough to keep many people returning time and again.

Palm Springs was known during the 1950’s and the 1960’s as a resort town strictly for the rich and famous like Frank Sinatra. In fact, Tinseltown’s most famous stars bought homes in Palm Springs during this time period and the area became known around the world as the place where the stars vacationed.

Fortunately, today Palm Springs is a resort town for everyone who wants to get away to one of the most delightful climates in the country. Vacation packages can be found for both people who are on a budget and those who can afford to enjoy luxurious resorts. Palm Springs has an average of 354 days of sun per year and very little rainfall. The winter season in Palm Springs has daytime temperatures that reach into the 70’s and nighttime temperatures in the 40’s. Sheltered by the Santa Rosa Mountains and the San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs seems to truly have been place by ‘the hand of God’ into one of the most ideal locations in the country.

All the way up the Yukon Trail, beyond the borders of the USA with Canada lies a bit (or rather, a lot, judging by the size of it) of Uncle Sam’s land. Alaska is somewhat of a forgotten American state. It is also the last one. Lands that are mostly in the Artic Circle, mountains as high as the Himalayas, Alaska is an ice-paradise on Earth.

Alaska is the 49th state of the USA. It was incorporated on January 3, 1959. The Alaskan population is 626,932 according to the 2000 US census. “Alaska” derives from the Aleut Alyeska (‘greater land’). Its borders meet British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to the east, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Alaska to the south, the Bering Sea, Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea to the west, and the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort Sea to the north. Alaska is the largest state in the United States area-wise and the 18th largest territory on the planet.

The first Alaskan inhabitants came across the Bering Land Bridge. This extinct stretch of land used to link Russia to Alaska during the Ice Age, but today it is submerged. Its first settlers were the Inuit, Yupik Eskimos, Aleuts, Inupiaq, and many other American Indian tribes. This route is widely believed to be the one taken by all pre-Columbian settlers of America.

Alaska over the centuries became part of Russia. On April 9, 1867, the US Senate purchased it from Russia for around seven million dollars at the time (around 134 million today counting inflation).

Alaska is not bordered by any other US state. A land stretch of 500 miles of Canadian soil separate Alaska from its homeland. Alaska is, again, the largest state in area in the USA with its 570,374 square miles. Its also has the longest coastline of the other 49 states. Since it has many islands, its shoreline is very tidal. There are some areas that have a 35-foot difference between high and low tide. Alaska is also a very wet state. It has three-and-a-half million lakes just counting the ones that are 20 or more acres large. There are also enormous marshland and wetland permafrost areas, all covering 188,320 square miles, mostly in the northern, western, and south western lowlands. Sixteen thousand square miles of the land are in the form of frozen water, or glacier ice.

Alaska’s main export is seafood. Agriculture there is only a fraction of the industry. It mostly attends to its internal needs within the state as it is difficult for Alaskans to import food from mainland USA. This difficulty comes from the poor transportation infrastructure to and within Alaska. This makes food prices soar compared to the food prices in mainland USA. There is also a strong military pole that grosses high on Alaskan income. They industrialize crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, gold, precious metals, etc.

The alcoholism rate is very high in Alaska. People there tend to get depressed due to the intense cold and isolation. There is also a high suicide, domestic abuse, and violent crime rate probably due to the alcohol. There is also something called “brain-drain”. When students achieve recognition in the academic field they usually flee to mainland USA and never go back, leaving behind the not-so-successful students. Nevertheless, the University of Alaska has been successful in taking care of this problem. It offers the best 10 percent of high school graduates a four-year scholarship.

So you see, Alaska grows year by year in the tourism field due to the magic of its arctic land. Don’t let the downside of it keep you away from seeing the beautiful side of it! You might die without ever seeing the Aurora Borealis!

Frank Sinatra knew what he was singing about when he declared that he was going to be a part of it in New York. New York City is the queen of metropolitan life and the quintessence of globalized heritage. From the sensory excitement of Times Square’s King Kong-sized interactive plasma screens to the serene greenery of Central Park’s 850 acres, every aspect of New York life has been nurtured with exacting detail.

When you travel to New York, you’ll quickly realize that New York’s culture is an integral component to the social heritage of the United States, as nearly one out of every four Americans can trace their family genealogy back to Brooklyn at some point in time and one in thirty-seven Americans lives in New York Metropolitan Area. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are both very popular among visitors, especially those interested in family immigration records or how America as a true “melting pot” was established. The borough of Brooklyn happens to be the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, while New York as a whole represents over 180 nations.

Cosmopolitan Capital with Charisma

You’ll need far more than a New York minute with more patience than a New York attitude to fully indulge in the exciting and delightful offerings of the city. New York is centered in Manhattan, which is the main urban, cultural, intellectual and commercial hub. The 4 other incorporated boroughs are Queens (home to the Mets and the U.S. Open), The Bronx (home of the Yankees), Brooklyn (infamous for the fun and bizarre attractions of Coney Island), and Staten Island (connected to Manhattan by the largest suspension bridge in the U.S.).

Experience the heart of American theater at a Broadway or off-Broadway show and if you can fit it in, an opportunity to attend a classical performance at Carnegie Hall is priceless. Enjoy one of the world’s premier opera companies at the Metropolitan Opera House while at the same time visiting the Lincoln Center, one of the largest arts and culture complexes on the planet. In Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a gloriously shining reminder that New York is not only home to the world’s classics, but to an established and burgeoning society of independent artists and galleries worth exploration. Spend some time perusing art in Chelsea or catching the latest wave of music on the Lower East Side.

Layers beneath the Landmarks: Travel to New York

Beyond New York’s countless famous landmarks, there is an intense depth of culture and society that defines the city and draws an endless stream of people to this exciting energy year after year. Neighborhoods like Little Italy may have lost some of their residents to commercialism, but there is still no better place to get cannelloni and some tiramisu. New York hosts some of the world’s best established restaurants and nightclubs and its bohemian culture is a pioneer through diversity. Even better, you can travel and explore New York City with peace of mind knowing that today it has the lowest crime rate of America’s 25 largest cities. Travel to New York and see it all.

A convenient location, supervised children’s programs, a swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant are some of the top features parents look for when booking a kids holiday.  As the USA’s top destination for families, Florida takes its responsibility seriously – creating fun for the whole family.

A Florida holiday is heaven with outstanding kids’ programs and facilities. Kids’ programs have made a major mark on the standards of top Florida resorts during the past few decades. Many resorts design activities to give parents time with their kids and time alone as a couple. Florida resorts have worthy kids programs, along with accommodations that feature family friendly amenities.

Florida has long held the title of “Most Kid Friendly Holiday Destination” due to an abundance of theme parks and miles of sandy beaches. Ranging from the large theme parks around Orlando, to nature oriented kid programs in the Everglades, there is so much to see and do that the children will love!

There’s always the Disney option. Walt Disney World in the Orlando area is much more than the Magic Kingdom, the first of the Disney theme parks. The resort encompasses three other parks – Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom – as well as hotels (both luxury and affordable), campgrounds, water parks, golf courses, shopping centre, dining and entertainment district.

But if you don’t want a theme park on land, head to the high seas. Disney cruises are especially well-suited for families travelling with young children. Without being overpowering to parents, it is just enough for the kids to be at ease.

Florida is a magnet for families, with its double whammy of theme parks and popular beaches; but beyond the best-known spots, other great Florida family holidays await. The legendary Everglades are a wonderful place to visit, and can easily include education-as-fun as kids learn about this unique ecosystem.

The best kids holiday might be a tried-and-true theme park destinations, like Orlando; as well as educational destinations, like Washington DC with its wealth of free museums; or nature’s classroom, the Grand Canyon and other national parks.

In Orlando, it’s all about the kids. Hotels, theme parks, restaurants, and attractions abound for the young – and the young at heart. Most visitors are familiar with Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, but in this round-up of smaller attractions, some might discover venues that are often more affordable and convenient than their mega-theme park counterparts, making it easy for families to slip in and out for half-day or full-day visits.

Aside from water parks and Disney-centered Orlando, Florida has many other attractions that children of all ages will enjoy. Older children and teenagers can make a stop in Tampa for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This park is full of wild roller coasters, exciting water rides, and shows. The draw for younger children, however, is the zoo-like experience with their exotic animals. The Kennedy Space Center is a way for children and adults to have fun while learning about the past, present, and future of space exploration. At Crystal River and Homosassa between November and March kids can swim with the manatees and learn about these prehistoric creatures.

Las Vegas, City of Dreams made real. Once upon a time there was gambling and top-notch musical entertainment. Now there’s that and a whole lot more. Now you can visit Vegas and never want to leave. Many have. Las Vegas was one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. for over a decade. Visit one of the Cirque du Soleil performances – Mystere, KA or O – and see some of the finest acrobats in the world. Then be amazed when the show turns out to be so much more than just a circus act. True theater, with music and grand staging to match, these one-of-a-kind extravaganzas are sure to delight anyone.

Enjoy zoos? Come see some interesting twists on an old idea at one of the many Las Vegas venues. There’s the White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage. These amazing animals are much more visible than in your average zoo, comfortably housed behind glass walls that make seeing them a unique experience. Prefer aquariums? Check out the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, also at the Mirage. You can enjoy a drink at the bar while the dolphins swim nearby, and occasionally leap to celebrate your good fortune. Or, check out the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Housed in a million gallon tank, you’ll find a dozen species to delight you.

Shopping is now in style in Las Vegas. Everything from exquisite jewelry at Harry Winston’s to home decor at Versace, the famed clothing designer. Don’t miss out on a half-mile gondola ride at The Venetian, then step out and whip out the plastic. Or, come visit the tri-level Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. You’ll be treated like a queen at any of the over 100 shops. Try a more rough and ready trek at nearby Red Rock Canyon. This desert park is home to Red-Tailed hawks and 8,000 foot peaks. The red sandstone cliffs feature unbeatable views, 30-foot waterfalls and hiking trails to challenge even the most experienced.

Want to see something unusual, educational and awe-inspiring but stay in town? Try The Atomic Testing Museum at the Frank H. Rogers Science and Technology complex. The nearly 50-year history of nuclear weapons testing at nearby Nevada sites is recorded and explained here. With interactive displays, films in the concrete bunker and the most unusual gift shop anywhere visitors will be glad they split the atom. Visit Fremont Street and see the $70 million dollar 1,400-foot canopy covering an area housing dozens of casinos. With continual projections of video and amazing sound you’ll come away dazzled. Offering more neon lights than anywhere outside Hong Kong, it’s a must-see.

Then, if you’re not totally knocked off your feet yet, try one of the scream-inducing rides at the Stratosphere. At a thousand feet, no one can hear you anyway but the terrified rider next to you. Then feel some real fear by doing the traditional activity at Las Vegas – gambling.

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