Washington is one of the USA’s forgotten states when it comes to adventure holidays, but if you want to stay off the tourist trail and get right back to nature, you should give it some serious consideration.
The state’s best-known destination is Seattle and the regional transport links mean you will start and end your trip in the city. So, you will have time to scale the Space Needle, sip coffee in the original Starbucks and check out a local music scene that spawned Nirvana and Soundgarden.
Once you’ve had your fill of the big city, there are three national parks to explore. Each has a unique landscape and lots of great locations for outdoor pursuits, and there is no reason why you can’t visit all of them during your activity holiday in the USA.
Olympic National Park
The park features three ecosystems – sub-alpine, forest and coastal – so you can expect to enjoy stunning mountain views, ocean tidepools and wildflower meadows during your time here. What you can do in Olympic varies greatly depending on the time of year you visit; spring and summer offer the most opportunities, but you can try skiing, snowshoeing and forest treks during the colder months.
One of the park’s main features is a mountain range, which includes the 7,965 ft Mount Olympus, and there are hundreds of miles of trails through it. If you want to undertake a multi-day expedition around the peaks, there are a number of backcountry campgrounds available, although you will need to reserve a place in advance.
You should also use your visit to the park to explore its temperate rainforest. It once stretched from Oregon to southern Alaska, but the small section here is all that remains. There are a number of trails through the maples, spruces and alders suitable for day hikes, from which you can see a variety of wildlife, including the largest wild population of Roosevelt elk in the USA.
The final element of Olympic National Park is its Pacific coastline. Don’t expect to relax on the beach though, as it is largely made up of rocky headlands. The tidepools here provide a habitat for a variety of creatures, including corals and crustaceans, while you can also expect to see nesting seabirds, seals and sea lions on the nearby islands.
Mount Rainier National Park
Named after the 14,410-ft active volcano at its heart, this park is a great spot for wildlife spotting. As well as fearsome-looking black bears, you are likely to encounter mountain lions, black-tailed deer, coyotes, weasels, racoons and bats.
The park features a number of rivers and lakes, so there are plenty of opportunities for boating and you can also try fishing between July and October, when the water is ice free. Mountain biking is popular here and there is even an annual race each July, which sees competitors ride a 154-mile course with more than 10,000 ft of elevation.
Perhaps the most exciting activities here are climbing and hiking, as the peaks and glaciers have some seriously challenging routes. You will need to purchase a permit and book spots on campsites well in advance if you plan to head deep into the wilderness or tackle the 93-mile Wonderland Trail, which takes you high into the mountains and through forested valleys.
North Cascades National Park
This stunning wilderness is a great place for hiking, with a wide selection of trails through the foothills of the Cascade mountain range and, higher up, alongside the glaciers that cover the slopes. The area is blanketed by snow between November and March, and although it melts lower down during the spring, the highest trails do not become clear until late July, so the end of summer is the best time to go.
You can also try some water sports during your visit, as Lake Chelan, Ross Lake and the Skagit River provide peaceful settings for kayaking and fishing. However, the most tranquil spot in the park is the Stehekin River, where you might go for hours without seeing another person as you paddle downstream.
Contrary to popular belief I do more than party. In fact, sometimes I go on sexy hikes. Not just any hikes… sexy ones. If you don’t believe me, just check out the pictures below.
After stuffing our faces over the long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, we felt it was necessary to get up early (ew) on the holiday Monday and head to Halton Heights near Milton (just outside Toronto). Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time for apple picking, so I came home and ate pie.
Pie is good.
For those of you unfamiliar with Canadian artists, you can definitely see through these images where The Group of Seven get their inspiration. The Group of Seven are a famous group of Canadian painters, who painted landscapes. They would actually bring their material and gear to destinations all around the country and paint on the spot.
Most people head to Las Vegas for the gambling and party night life. Others take Las Vegas Holidays for the delicious food and lastly, the shows and theater Las Vegas has to offer. With hundreds of broadway, musical and theatrical shows to choose from, it can be hard to decide which show to see. If you’re there for a few nights, think about buying tickets to a few, most of them are quite affordable. Below is a list of the top 5 shows we think you shouldn’t miss out on while on vacation in Vegas.
Cirque du Soleil
One of the most world renowned shows, Cirque du Soleil offers a range of entertainment in a circus atmosphere. There are almost 7 different versions of this show in Las Vegas, so the pick is all yours. They often take modern day or old time classic tunes and integrate them into a dramatic and draw dropping performance. From acrobatics to pool dives, you won’t leave without having held your breath for the performers at least once.
Criss Angel Believe
Another exhilirating show to attend, Criss is the master behind the A&E show Mindfreak. He is a magician who has shocked and awed people worldwide. Keep in mind this show is a bit eerie and will leave you in intense suspense, but it is well worth the scare.
Sin City Comedy Show
Don’t feel like a suspenseful evening? Well try laughing all night instead. The Sin City Comedy Show is a combination of comedy and dancing, modern burlesque. The ladies and comedians are of the highest standards. It is both sexy and amusing. Lastly, to admire these seductive ladies and hilarious artists, you won’t need to break the bank.
X Burlesque
Although many men may head to Vegas for a bachelor party and intend on going to the strip club, they may want to think about something a bit more entertaining such as a Burleque show. The show features sexy topless women, choreographed to awesome music and some laughs as well. Comedians join the show between dances for some more adult humor.
Blue Man Group
Famous worldwide for it’s wacky performance wear, this show is made of 3 men in all black with their skin painted blue. Although the basis of the show is drumming and percussion by the 3 men, it doesn’t stop there. They keep the crowd lively with artistic and entertaining elements that may surprise you.
With all the publicity Hawaii receives in TV and the movies you probably have a pretty good idea of what the islands are like even if you’ve never visited before. Beautiful weather, miles of beaches, and a welcoming spirit make Hawaii the destination of choice for over 10 million visitors every year. For those considering a trip for the first time the following article straightens out some popular misconceptions and outlines travel tips that will help you plan a vacation.
Oahu and Waikiki
Waikiki, a suburb of Honolulu, is the most popular tourist destination in Hawaii. Dozens of inexpensive hotels, the bright lights of a beautiful, active and modern city, and the allure of Waikiki Beach combine to form an intoxicating cocktail that many tourists can’t resist. Visit a travel agent and they’ll have a variety of inexpensive air and hotel packages to draw you to Waikiki.
But Oahu’s real beauty is found outside Honolulu. The scenic H3 freeway cuts through razor edged volcanic ridges and takes one from the west to east side of the island, revealing miles of beautiful beaches. You won’t find hotels or condos here, rather several nice residential towns like Kailua where President Obama and his family vacation over winter holidays. Oahu’s north shore is much less developed, and out in the “country” is where one finds a few of the most famous surf breaks in the world like the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay.
So although Waikiki wins the prize for being the most popular destination in Hawaii, it represents only a fraction of what Hawaii or even Oahu has to offer.
Crowds
Based on the popularity of Waikiki Beach and the large number of visitors the islands receive every year one may expect all of Hawaii to be similarly crowded. Fortunately that’s not the case. Hawaii has dozens of great tourist beaches and on any island it’s possible to find one that’s virtually empty. This is especially true for Kauai’s north shore where you can count on many beaches being visited by only a handful of people on weekdays. Every Hawaiian Island including Oahu can accommodate those who want to get away from big tourist crowds.
Cost
Hawaii caters to everyone including those on a tight budget. The best vacation value can be found in vacation rentals which allow for the possibility of inexpensive home cooked meals. Even on Maui, sometimes referred to as the playground of the wealthy, you’ll find rentals on the beach for under $100/night at condo complexes. On Kauai the beach-side complex offers very comfortable accommodations starting at $150/night.
Car rental prices fluctuate depending on demand but rates of $30/day are common, with $20/day possible during low season. Given how much there is to see and explore renting a car is a must. Only Oahu has a good public transportation system but taking the bus can waste a lot of valuable holiday time.
Visitor Zones
Hawaii has strict zoning regulations and it’s illegal to offer vacation rentals in many areas without the proper permits. Since it’s hard for home owners to get the permits you typically can’t rent an apartment or home in any residential area you want, particularly areas that are less touristy.
Fortunately several resort areas offer a nice selection of rentals including homes, condos and cottages and some resorts have a mix of residents and vacationers, particularly on Kauai.
Climate
Hawaii probably has the best climate in the world. Winter time highs average about 78 degrees (25 Celsius), summer time highs around 86 (30 Celsius). Consistent winds prevent suffocating heat from ever taking hold. The ocean is always warm enough to swim in.
As wonderful as Hawaii’s weather is, from the perspective of a tourist who’s visiting for a week and expects the best, the weather can be frustrating. The same winds that make Hawaii one of the premier windsurfing destinations can also create unpleasant beach conditions, especially on east facing shores. Although the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii doesn’t see much rainfall, the topography of each island creates its own weather system, collecting and bunching up clouds. The result is a huge difference in weather in very short distances. For example, the wettest recorded spot on earth is on Kauai, but only 20 miles away it’s very dry, almost desert like.
The bottom line, residents of Hawaii are extremely lucky, but vacationers going for short trips need to plan winter vacations more carefully, selecting the driest region of an island to get the best possible weather.
Scenery
Whatever you imagine Hawaii to contain in terms of scenery, you’re probably right. What other region of the world contains such a variety of landscapes stuffed into such a small land mass? Jungles, forests, canyons, jagged cliffs, meadows, deserts, baron fields of lava rock, red dirt, palm fringed beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanic craters, moonscapes, and waterfalls. No wonder so many movies are filmed in Hawaii.
To see the contrasting scenes you have to leave the comfort of your resort and do some driving. For example, flying into Maui you’re not going to see any evidence of lush tropical scenery. But drive the road to Hana on the south east coast and you’ll be treated to waterfalls and a million shades of green.
Volcano
If you’ve seen anything on TV about Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island your impression of this area will be completely skewed. TV programs show a portion of the volcano up close at times when it’s spewing lava. Normally the volcano is simmering out of sight in a remote area of the park, and lava flow is below ground except where it enters the ocean.
Volcanoes National Park is an amazing area that should be visited. There are miles of hikes and interesting geology to explore. Just don’t go expecting to see lava. You may get lucky, but if you really want to see flowing lava you’ll need to take an air tour.
Sharks
Traveling to Hawaii is probably the least stressful vacation you can take. You don’t have to worry about terrible weather, tropical diseases, crime, or contaminated food. Perhaps because there’s so little to worry about, some people start fixating on Shark attacks. There are sharks in Hawaii, but attacks are rarer than other beach destinations. Hawaii averages about 3 attacks per year making the odds of an attack more than 1 in a million. Instead of worrying about sharks, worry about dangerous ocean conditions. About 50 people drown every year in Hawaii.
Length of Stay
The islands of Hawaii are relatively small. Maui is 727 square miles, while Kauai and Oahu are less than 600. As such many people try to see several islands in one short trip. That’s a mistake because each island has so many attractions to explore, and although only separated by a half an hour plane ride, the reality of modern day airport travel means that jumping islands wastes a full day.
So although it’s technically possible to see all the islands in a couple weeks, the experience won’t be as deep or meaningful. The rule of thumb is to budget at least one week per island, if you’re a goal oriented sight seeing type. Feel free to spend several weeks on one island – you won’t regret it.
Partying
Unlike Mexico, the Caribbean or Florida, Hawaii doesn’t have a reputation as a party destination even during spring break. Most tourists are families, couples, and honeymooners. The time zone difference (PST – 3 hours, but no daylight savings) results in earlier bed times for most people including residents who sometimes have to sync up with mainland businesses. Lahaina on Maui does offer some after-hours entertainment but only Honolulu has any significant night life.
Surfing
Hawaii has the most famous surf breaks in the world. Perhaps you’d like to see crazed surfers tackle Waimea Bay, the Banzai Pipeline, or Jaws. Or maybe you’re thinking of taking up surfing yourself, or at least, doing some righteous boogie boarding.
Before getting stoked about the surfing possibilities, there a few points to keep in mind. First, surf breaks are seasonal. The biggest breaks reach over 30ft in winter months, but struggle to top 2ft mid summer. And a number of beaches, especially on Maui, are situated such that they’re never really subject to any sizeable surf, even for boogie boarding. Finally, the best surf breaks are rarely suitable for novice surfers.
So if you’re considering a surfing or wave watching vacation you’ll want to research surf breaks and locations and time your trip. Kauai and Oahu have the best surf breaks for beginners although Maui does have several very mellow breaks. Spring is generally a good time for surfing with greater odds for nice sized waves that aren’t overwhelming.
There are a number of things to do at Disney Land for adults. Whether you’re taking a vacation without the kids or just need a few grown up hours away from them, there is plenty of things to keep you occupied.
1. Fine Dining:
Though fine dining is often not what comes to mind when you think of Disney Land, the park is home to a surprising number of critically acclaimed restaurants. Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney both serve classic and homey Southern cuisine in a fun nighttime atmosphere. Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel has the atmosphere of an old Hollywood club and features steak and other gourmet American foods. Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand California Hotel is arguable Disney’s most upscale dining option and uses local California ingredients for its creative menu.
2. Shopping in Downtown Disney:
Downtown Disney is a new and lively outdoor promenade filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment including talented street musicians. It has the distinction of being the only section of the Disney park that serves alcohol and accordingly the atmosphere is more adult. The stores in Downtown Disney also sell a lot more than just Disney merchandise. The shopping options include well known fashion brands such as Sephora, Fossil and Roxy as well as smaller boutiques and specialty shops.
3. Boat Rides:
Disneyland offers a wide variety of on-the-water experiences. The Mark Twain Riverboat grants passengers a ride around Disney’s Rivers of America in an three-level, authentic steam-powered ship. The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes are the only Disney ride powered by its participants. The ride allows twenty people accompanied by two guides to paddle a canoe at their own pace. For shorter, themed boat rides, the humorously scripted Jungle Cruise replicates a 1930s safari spanning several continents, complete with mechanical animals. The Storybook Land Canal Boats take a tour through miniature scenes from classic Disney movies.
4. See a Show:
The Disney park is full of live street performances from skits, to marching bands, to barbershop quartets. Several broadway-style musical revues featuring Disney songs and characters also take place in varying locations everyday. For those who get tired of Disney songs, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are a four-person bluegrass band and comedy troupe who perform daily in the Golden Horseshoe theater in the main park. Downtown Disney provides an even greater selection of live shows. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen hosts a live band every night and the House of Blues houses features many well known rock and blues performers. The avant-garde circus, Cirque du Soleil also boasts a high-flying Downtown Disney show.
5. Fireworks:
Continuing its long held tradition, Disneyland puts on a magical firework display during the holidays and almost every weekend. The shows change with the season and each major holiday has its own special display. Set to music, full of special effects and incorporating many of the Disney characters, the Disney fireworks are unlike any other. There is often competition for viewing spots and many people position themselves early. The best places to see the show are said to be on Main Street U.S.A or along the Rivers of America. Other popular spots are in front of the Small World Ride or beneath Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
