Tag Archives: america

What is the difference between camping and glamping?

Across America, the warm sunny days of summer are beginning to spread across the land, and the desire of outdoor lovers to get out into the outstanding natural spaces of this country is rising along with it. For generations, most of these folks would gather together groundsheets, sleeping bags, a camp stove, a cooler, and a tent, and head for the mountains, the forests, and the coastlines around the USA to take in the outdoors, rain or shine.

In more recent years though, outdoor recreation providers, in an attempt to draw a crowd that is less willing to give up the comforts of civilization, but still want to experience the wonders of nature, have come up with a sub niche called glamping. From reinforced canvas tents with a comfortable mattress to full-blown cabins, the options are many.

So which option should you choose this summer? This depends on what you seek from your outdoors experience, the aspects of which we will detail below…

Awesome Road Trips Within Several Hours Of Major Cities

Awesome road trips don't take long to reach truly epic places, like Waterton Lakes near Calgary, Alberta, Canada (photo courtesy of http://www.cgpgrey.com/)

These days, you’re really busy with your career, and you don’t think you have time for travel.  Well, you are wrong.  You might not be able to jet halfway around the world and lounge on an exotic beach for six months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t discover the world that lies immediately outside your home base.

Travelers explore your city and the area around it every day, and they are wowed by what they find … and so can you. Resolve to begin exploring the territory within quick reach of your home turf, as many surprises await.

Before you hop in your car, tell loved ones when you expect to be back, and let them track your progress by having them download a GPS tracking app that allows them to see where you are at all times, and with a function that lets you tell your relatives that you’ve gotten home safely, even the most neurotic mother will be set at ease.

To give you examples of the awesome road trips you can have within a short distance of home, here are three sample itineraries from centres around the world…

From Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Waterton Lakes National Park

Most folks hit the Trans-Canada highway for weekend day trips away from this dynamic Canadian city to see the uber-popular Banff National Park, but few take the time to head southwest along the Cowboy Trail (Alberta Highway 22) towards Waterton Lakes National Park, a considerably quieter natural reserve that sits adjacent to Glacier National Park in Montana. Check in for the night at the posh and iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, and you can either elect to admire the beauty of Waterton Lake from there, or get right into the thick of it by taking an international boat tour that crosses the 49th parallel in its quest to show you the epic views present in this off-the-beaten track park.

From Miami, Florida, USA: Key West

When the lavish sands of South Beach start to get too hectic for your tastes, taking to U.S. 1 and heading south is the perfect antidote.  Cruising over the aquamarine waters and tiny cays of the southern Gulf of Mexico, your stresses and cares will melt away.  Find a secret beach along the way, or head all the way to Ernest Hemingway’s favourite abode of Key West, where the locals have a way of life that stands in stark contrast to the urban reality of Miami.

From London, England: Cornwall and Land’s End

When the humdrum of daily life in London has you at your wit’s end, escape in your automobile and explore rugged seacoast, secluded beaches and ancient castle ruins of Cornwall.  If you want to contemplate the nature of your existence, or are just looking for a moment of zen, head all the way to Land’s End, where you can stare out into the open Atlantic, where the next bit of land lies thousands of kilometres away.

The Open Road Is Calling

Even if you don’t own a car, renting one will allow you to steer you and your friends to adventures you could never anticipate until the moment you bust loose from your city.  Give Netflix a break this weekend … a wealth of experiences are lurking outside your established comfort zone!

Your Road Trip Guide To 2014: Five Destinations Worth The Mileage in the US

A road trip can be a way to refresh your spirit after a hectic year of work and family activities. Cruising down an open road, with new sights, sounds and personalities along the way can be the best way to spend time away from home. A number of destinations are recognized as always worth the trip – Check out some of these worthwhile locations in the US:

Your Road Trip Guide To 2014
The Grand Canyon/Sedona
One of the classic road trips for Americans is the trip to north central Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. The canyon itself was the site of human habitation
Today, you can walk along the South Rim, enjoy the museum, browse the bookstore or listen to one of the ranger-led programs. Visitors can stay in one of the six lodges within the park, hike down to the bottom of the canyon or ride the mules on canyon paths. A short distance away along some extraordinarily picturesque byways, are the red rocks of Sedona, a city devoted to artistic endeavors and spiritual growth. There, you can enjoy a class, hike through the rock formations and discover one of the energy-filled vortexes that made the area famous.

Miami/Everglades National Park
At the southern end of the Florida peninsula is the exciting city of Miami, a place that offers many cultural exhibits, ethnic restaurants and beautiful beaches. The Miami Metro Zoo, South Beach restaurants and viewing the historic architecture of the 1920s are some of the most popular activities for visitors. Off the far western edge of the area lies the Everglades National Park, where travelers of all ages can find an extraordinary ecosystem in the renowned “sea of grass,” with its unique variety of wildlife and plants. An afternoon at the park can provide fishing, kayaking, photographic opportunities and a wildlife tram tour to see some of the many alligators that inhabit the park.

Santa Fe-Taos, New Mexico
Just an hour outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, travelers can find the charming city of Santa Fe, a Mecca for artists nestled in the Sangre de Cristos Mountains. The city offers numerous historical sites, and a number of places of archaeological interests are also nearby. Restaurants, shops and many cultural events make Santa Fe one of the favorites of road trip enthusiasts. Drive a bit further into the mountains, and you find the more pastoral city of Taos. A destination for skiers in winter, Taos also offers horseback riding, art galleries and a variety of historical sites. Take time to see the Taos Pueblo, once a settlement for Pueblo Indians now the traditional site for tribal ceremonies.

Chickasaw Country, Oklahoma
Riding across the middle of America, you will find the amazing opportunities of Chickasaw Country in Oklahoma. Located outside of Oklahoma City, the area offers entertainments for every taste. Recreation areas offer fishing and hunting; scenic drives; camping; hiking and boating. The Native American cultural influence from the Chickasaw tribe is strong in this area and provides numerous educational opportunities for children. Ride a zip line or hike to a waterfall. Adults can enjoy some time at the casino. A variety of resorts and lodgings are available to make your stay comfortable.

Take the time on your road trip to explore the neighborhoods, foods and people that make these destinations so unique.

Top Reasons To Visit The United States: America’s Best Aspects

If you are asking about the top reasons to visit The United States, then you’d be looking at a long list. There’s a reason why the United States is the most visited country in the world. And it’s not just because it is home to Hollywood stars. If you are among those people who are curious about what this country has to offer, here is a list of the most amazing features of America.

Best Place To VIsit In The United States

 1. Commerce and Shopping –The United States is the birthplace of many well-known brands and companies, in various industries. And they offer people not only impressive products and services to meet their wants and needs, but also abundant business opportunities. Some of the most powerful enterprises whose headquarters is found in America include Apple, Microsoft, Universal Studios, J. Crew, and Walmart to name a few.

2. Historical Sites – It may not be as ancient as Italy or England. But the country does house several monumental infrastructures and destinations that shaped the course of the world. There’s the town of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania where the great American Civil War had its turning point. And there’s the sites for the September 11 attacks, which scarred the world and launched one of the biggest wars in American history as well as precipitated one of its most depressing financial times.

3. Leisure Activities and Facilities – The country is also not lacking in places where people can have fun, cool down and have a relaxing time. For those who are young at heart, Anaheim’s Disneyland would certainly be a treat to visit. And those looking to let loose will be excited to step into the intriguing landscape of Las Vegas which offers non-stop entertainment from gaming to broadway-style shows. Holidays to Las Vegas are a must on an USA trip itinerary. In case you are interested in learning more about culture and art, you would certainly find the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for a great addition to the top reasons to visit The United States.

4. Natural Wonders – Now in spite of its urbanized setting, there are still parts of the United States that make it an effortlessly beautiful destination. There are many locations including the Florida Keys, Denali National Park, and the Preserve of Alaska. We can also add in the Niagara falls, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon and the Hawaiian archipelago. If you decide to visit the Hawaiian archipelago you can choose to stay in the Maui Villas, which offer a variety of amenities..

These top reasons to visit The United States make just a small part of what people from here and who had been here would point out as relevant. Further research on the matter should enlighten you more on what this nation has to offer.