Category: USA

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California City City Break Driving Los Angeles Surfing USA

L.A. CA. USA.

It might seem strange to suggest that you visit LA because of the beaches, but it actually has some of the best beaches in the US. The names of them are easily recalled by most of us due to their locations being used in numerous US films and TV series. Venice Beach is one of LA’s most known beaches, with its numerous galleries, quirky shops, street performers, what is less well known are the Venice canals. Whilst in the area dont’t miss out on Muscle Beach. The perfect place for people watching.

Guitar Player – Venice Beach LA

Many people prefer Santa Monica Beach to Venice, I will leave that up to you to decide. Santa Monica attracts more than 7 million visitors a year who come primarily for the beach connection. It is also close to other Los Angeles attractions. Santa Monica is very attractive as a walkable and bike friendly destination. Don’t miss a trip to the world famous Santa Monica Pier, yes they have them in the States as well.

Santa Monica Beach, LA, CA
Santa Monica Beach, LA

For the kids and young wizards at heart. Los Angeles is home to the brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood. Complete with its own Hogwarts Castle and Harry Potter themed rides. Of course you can not really visit Los Angeles without doing something celebrity / entertainment based. You can make your own tour if you plan ahead or book yourself onto many of the themed tours. Fully recommended are the tours of Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures or Sony Pictures. Finally we can not do justice to all LA has to offer so we will be back.

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Activities Aspen Colorado Paragliding Skiing USA Winter

Aspen, Colorado

There are many reasons to choose to live in Aspen, but for most of us, we will visit to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities on offer all year round as an excuse to travel there.

Top of the list has to be the skiing. Aspen boasts four mountains that are a paradise for both skiers and snowboarders. It is the perfect place for skiers of all standards from the beginner right through to the most experienced, offering a wide array of slopes, as well as plenty of runs through expert-only terrain. In fact Aspen has hosted the Winter X games on numerous occasions.

Skiing - Aspen, Colorado
Skiing – Aspen, Colorado

For fans of other winter activities you will be able to ice skate, and cross-country ski. In the summer Aspen attracts many hikers and cyclists. However there are plenty of opportunities for fishing, golf, horseback riding, and rock climbing. If you are into aerial sports then paragliding in one of the most beautiful parts of the world has got to be a major attraction.

Maroon Bells - RyanFSpack
Maroon Bells

Top of the list of sites are the Maroon Bells, a combination of a reflective lake, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak. Located 10 miles west of Aspen in a glacial valley the 14,000 foot peaks provide a dramatic backdrop to your hike or drive in the area.

Finally in Summer Aspen is home to the Aspen Music Festival. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Music Festival and School is regarded as one of the top classical music festivals in the United States, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of mostly young-adult music students. In fact, the John Denver video above was filmed at the festival in 1980. Over an 8 week period during July and August upwards of 400 music events take place.

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City Graceland Memphis Tennessee USA

Graceland

It was also a year ago, that Graceland started to reopen to the public after the first wave of the pandemic. At the time I commented elsewhere that it was probably a good time to go as it wouldn’t be so crowded.

A year later I would still say that same thing. Its a great time to visit Graceland right now because its not as crowded as it used to be. It will be soon but in the meantime take advantage of the situation.

Graceland isn’t just a house there is so much to experience. First and top of any visitors list is this is where Elvis lived. You feel like he could be just around the corner. See his wide range of costumes he wore on stage including the famous 68 comeback concert stagewear. Don’t miss out on seeing the famous pink Cadillac and wonder at his wall of gold records.

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City Las Vegas Nevada USA

Las Vegas

And how I wish that there were more
Than twenty-four hours in the day.
But even if there were forty more,
I wouldn’t sleep a minute away.
Oh, there’s blackjack and poker and a roulette wheel.
A fortune won and lost on every deal.
All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel.

“Viva Las Vegas” was the title song of the film of the same name, sung by Elvis Presley. Although Elvis first performed in Vegas in 1956, it was his twice a day, seven days a week, 636 sold out shows, from August 1969 on, at the International where his association with the city was firmly cemented.

Tourists takes photos with the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign on the Strip Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the Strip Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016.
CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Next stop on our list of destinations to visit as soon as we start travelling again will be Las Vegas. It is so difficult in a short amount of space to describe the countless reasons to visit. This is just a start.

The image of countless casinos is one that many people still hold of Las Vegas, but as a holiday destination it is so much more than that. It can better be described as an entertainment destination. If you are looking to be entertained then you will find it here and you don’t have to place a bet to enjoy what it has to offer.

There is nothing to beat a walk down the Las Vegas Strip in the evening. It is the must do part of your visit. You will be transported to Venice, Paris and New York. Don’t miss out on the beautiful Bellagio Fountains as they dance to the music every 15 minutes in the evenings.

This is a view of the Strip as seen from the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas Saturday, August 19, 2017. Visible in the photo are Bellagio, Fountains of Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, Bally's, Flamingo and Cromwell. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
The Strip as seen from the replica of the Eiffel Tower, Las Vegas. Visible in the photo are Bellagio, Fountains of Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, Bally’s, Flamingo and Cromwell. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Once you have found your bearings you won’t have anywhere enough time to experience everything that the city has to offer.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley wedding at the Aladdin
Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley wedding at the Aladdin
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Arizona California Illinois Missouri New Mexico Oklahoma Texas USA

Route 66

“Just take my way that’s the highway that’s the best” Rolling Stones.

Route 66 Copyright Linnaea Mallette
Route 66

Planning a driving holiday this year, then there could be no better choice than driving down Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles linking hundreds of rural communities along the way.

The original route was declassified many years ago but with careful planning its possible to drive along most of it.  There are some excellent Historic Route 66 Maps and Guides available to help you plan your journey.

Most people drive the Route 66 East to West, so all the rental cars end up in the West.  You can save up to 30% on the cost of your car rental by travelling from West to East plus you get the benefit of a shorter flight back to the UK.