Last week I presented some options for travel in Europe....this week some ideas for staying a little closer to home, but reaching beyond familiar surroundings!
Make good use of the travel websites such as Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com and Priceline.com etc etc etc.... Look for package deals that include air & hotel, or even air, hotel and car. I've gotten some really good deals in the past. Remember, too, check your credit card for points or credits you can use towards travel.
Where to go? Here are some ideas:
Florida: Florida Keys! Tourist Info: http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/index.aspx?nid=328 There is so much to see - yet life in the Keys is unrushed, laid back and where celebrating the sunset every evening is a very big event...small things, big impact.
New York: Not just the city (http://iloveny.com/)! While "the city" does offer lots of stimulation, hundreds of options to keep you entertained, amused, fed and toured about (open deck buses, water taxis, tours on foot or by bike). The cheapest, with the most impact is the Staten Island Ferry - it's free and the view of lower Manhattan from the back of the ferry can't be beat! Theatre: https://www.telecharge.com/home.aspx Museums: http://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html Sightseeing: http://www.nyc.com/guided_tours/
New York (Upstate): (http://iloveny.com/) There are mountains (the Catskills & Adirondacks), an ocean, countless rivers and streams for fishing and boating, working farms to visit (some are historical working museums), Saratoga Springs for horse racing, spas and more (http://www.saratoga.com/). How about Niagara Falls (http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/). New York is a large and diverse state - a little something for everyone!
Colorado: Denver and Estes Park...Take flight to the mile-high city of Denver! Driving is easy on wide open highways, exhilarating on mountain roads, and peaceful through charming old towns. Estes Park (http://www.visitestespark.com/) is about 1.5 hours from Denver's airport. Fantastic, charming, and majestically beautiful. Estes Park is home to the Stanley Hotel (remember the movie "The Shining"?) and many other hotels and mountain cabins to rent. Denver is a busy city - busy in a good way! Lots of sunshine bouncing off modern skyscrapers, trendy shops, luxury boutiques, and Lo-Do is the hip cool part of town! Like any great city, there is much to do and many more choices for dining and lodging. For more info: (http://www.denver.org/).
Chicago: The "Windy City" is the midwest's answer to high-energy city living! It's big, it's vertical, it's fashionable, it's cultured, it's hip, it's a very cool city! Chicago has a vibe all its own. It has a reputation for great chefs, a thriving theatre community and the arts have found a solid home in Chicago. Beyond the city limits is whole 'nother world to discover and enjoy. After a busy visit to the city, a relaxing tour to the surrounding area may be a perfect blend of vacationing options! (http://www.discoverillinois.org/)
National Parks: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm What better way to discover our grand country than to visit the National Parks? This link will guide you through parks throughout the USA, those that offer lodging and a glimpse into some of the most amazing parklands anywhere! Pitch a tent or rent a cabin in one of the national parks, canoe/kayak the whitewaters...your options could be endless, if you just let yourself imagine all the fun you can have!
Rent an RV http://www.cruiseamerica.com/ and cruise America! What a great way to travel and take "your house" with you! Renting an RV is both transportation and accomodation. Equipped with all you need to have a comfortable time "camping" anywhere. Campsites can be found in the mountains, seaside, in the middle of nowhere or near a big town.
The USA is huge country, the land mass is enormous; we have 2 oceans, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and streams, big cities, large town and quaint villages. There are far too many for me to describe; I selected just a handful....
I hope I've inspired you to make a journey beyond the comfort of home...and even if there are no immediate plans for a trip, just clicking on some of the links will feel like you've escaped if only in your mind's eye! Take flight, escape and enjoy!
Fifi 1/30/14
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