DPS Heli takeoff
March 11, 2010
Flagstaff Airport
Es Phoenix Scottsdale Arizona
March 11, 2010
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10 Ways to Discover the Grand Canyon
March 10, 2010
Are you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon but don’t know what kind of activities there are to see and do once you reach the Grand Canyon?
If you are planning to visit the Grand Canyon either as a 1-Day-Activity or if you wish to make a week of it, there are plenty of options.
Here are 10 ways to explore the Grand Canyon. Many people could easily spend all day just looking at this magical wonder, but there are other ways you can enjoy the mighty Grand Canyon.
If you do not have a lot of time, it’s still possible to enjoy the Grand Canyon; you may just feel a little rushed. If you leave early and prepare yourself for a long day, it can be done.
If you are a traveler who has a little extra time, you would likely appreciate taking that extra day or two and view the other sightseeing attractions as you make your way to the Grand Canyon.
Many visitors spend the night in another town, such as Sedona, Arizona, where the beauty of the red-rock will astound you. If you choose to drive from the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area, plan on about 4.5 hours of travel time to get to the Grand Canyon.
If you decide to stay in Flagstaff before traveling to Grand Canyon National Park, it is approximately 80 miles away, which should take about an hour and a half to drive there. If you stay in Sedona, the Canyon is about a two-hour drive.
The Grand Canyon National Park offers a free shuttle at the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, along Hermit Road. Note that these shuttles provide transportation only and are not considered tour buses. (Bus Tours are available, however.)
You are required to exit the bus to view the Canyon. Also note that if you have physical challenges, most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Here are 10 excellent ways to explore the Grand Canyon.
1. Go boating or rafting. There are plenty of companies who are willing to take you on a very specialized tour-guided river experience inside the Grand Canyon. If you choose to go rafting, though, keep in mind that the water can get a little rough at times, but you will certainly be in good hands with your tour guide and required life jacket.
If you are timid about water, consider the fact that the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is said to be one of the wildest stretches of white water in the United States.
2. Go hiking. Many hiking trails exist throughout the area. The South Rim is where the most popular hike is. The name of this trail on the South Rim is named Bright Angel Trail, located near Grand Canyon Village.
On the North Rim, the most popular hiking trail is North Kaibab. (No permit is required here.)
No permit is needed for day hiking, but you will need a permit if you choose to camp inside the Grand Canyon, as dictated by the National Park Service.
The most popular backpacking site is the Bright Angel Campground. Bright Angel Campground is located at the end of Bright Angel Trail.
3. If you are not afraid of heights, you can always try out the new Grand Canyon Skywalk which recently opened this past spring! The Skywalk is officially open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. It first opened March 28, 2007, and from all accounts, is something very special and exciting.
4. Take a helicopter or a mule ride inside the Canyon. You will find several companies who will give you a bird’s eye view down inside the Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the first walkway to suspend more than 4,000 feet above the Canyon floor. It extends 70 feet from the rim and is located at Grand Canyon West’s Eagle Point.
5. Take a helicopter ride. Tours originate at either the Grand Canyon Airport, five miles south of the park entrance or in Sedona.
6. Drive to the South Rim and park your car and walk to the edge of the Grand Canyon. If you don’t like large groups, or if you just prefer doing things on your own time, you certainly have this option.
7. You can access the Grand Canyon Railway train for some fun, too. Sit back and relax! Jump the train in Williams, Arizona, where it will escort you precisely to Grand Canyon Village.
8. Take a bus tour. Many tour companies are available for your tour to the Grand Canyon.
9. Take a Jeep Tour. If you like the wilderness, you will find that these Jeep tours are a great way to take in limitless nature along with Native American Indian history, culture and more.
10. Settle for an Audio Tour. You can also opt for your own personal guide on a CD. These are also available to visitors and provide a learning experience at every listeners own pace.
Oahu Vacation Activities
March 9, 2010
Oahu, the state capitol of Hawaii, is the most populated island. You’ll find lots of nightlife and great shopping. For adventure, hike to the top of Diamond Head for a spectacular 360-degree view of Oahu and Waikiki, take surfing lessons, scuba dive, or ride an outrigger canoe. Consider snorkeling at Hanauma Bay amongst a myriad of tropical marine life.
An Oahu vacation isn’t just for the adventuresome. Leisure recreation is everywhere. One thing everyone must do is take the scenic drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the historic site for a phenomenal view from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and while there stop and see where the famous big waves roll in. If you want to buy a lei, stop at one of the stands on Maunakea Street to see how they’re made. Of course it goes without saying, when you are on a Hawaii vacation in Oahu, a visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial will be a highlight of the trip.
There are many nature tours to choose from on Oahu, Hawaii. Discover tropical rain forests, waterfalls, old Hawaiian Villages, visit an arboretum, or experience sunrise atop Diamond Head while learning of its history from your tour guide.
Many love to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu to, not only view original Hawaiian lifestyle, but also become familiar with many of the other Polynesian South Pacific Islands. This is a full day of entertainment and we recommend you buy your tickets in advance if you are traveling in a busy season.
For those who enjoy surfing, or simply like the thrill of watching some of the largest waves in the world pound the white Hawaiian sands, a visit to Oahu’s North Shore is a trip you’ll never forget. With waves reaching 20-30 feet in height, you’ll witness some of the bravest surfers in the world risk it all as they tackle one of nature’s most powerful forces. The North Shore of Oahu is where you’ll find famous surf beaches like Pipeline and Waimea Bay. The biggest surf on the North Shore can be found during the winter months between November and February, while the summer months usually produce relatively small surf anywhere from a few feet in height to complete calm, which provides for great snorkeling and swimming in Waimea Bay.
A Hawaii Vacation including Oahu would not be complete without a visit to King Kamehameha’s Palace. The first King of Hawaii, under his rule, he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in the year 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii’s independence. Under his rule, he brought together all the other island’s chiefdoms and united them under one government.
It goes without say, if this is your first Oahu Vacation Rental experience, you will most likely visit Pearl Harbor in Oahu. Here you’ll visit the Memorials of the USS Arizona and the Missouri. The Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. The tour of the Memorial includes a 23-minute documentary film depicting the attack on Pearl Harbor, a short boat trip and a self-guided exploration of the Memorial.
If you’re an aviation buff, you’ll enjoy The Pacific Aviation Museum. It is located in the WWII Hangars in Pearl Harbor, based on Oahu. These hangers still bear visible scars of our nation’s first aviation battlefield. Here you’ll find exhibits of a 1942 Japanese Zero and its’ opponent, the Wildcat. See the Stearman 18 year old George H. W. Bush soloed in as the war’s youngest aviator. Learn the history of how aviation turned the tide of World War II. Flight Simulators are also available for an extra fee.
Waterfront in Arizona
March 9, 2010
When thinking about properties in Arizona, most people probably think desert, golf, or maybe retirement communities, but what about the waterfront? That’s right, waterfront. Arizona actually has a lot of waterfront real estate with two of the most exciting developments, Tempe Town Lake and the Arizona Canal near downtown Scottsdale, quickly becoming hot spots.
Built on the Rio Salado, 60 per cent of Tempe Town Lake has been designated for private development while the rest will be kept as open space, wildlife habitat and parks. The condos in this neighborhood have access to a marina, boat rentals, fishing and Tempe Beach Park.
This town is dedicated to providing a great atmosphere for its inhabitants and hosts 50 community events throughout the year, including a free Sunday music series at the marina, a marathon, a music festival and a community festival and fireworks display. Take in a show at the new Tempe Center for the Arts or visit one of the hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs along Mill Avenue. The future Tempe marketplace is slotted to provide 130 acres of outdoor mall with dining, shopping and a multiplex movie theatre.
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, the beautiful lakeside trails are perfect for enjoying a leisurely stroll or morning jog, and if you’ve ever wanted to take up dragon boat racing or outrigger canoeing, local teams offer you the chance to do just that.
Lifestyle features such as pools, spas and onsite fitness centers are common offerings in this neighborhood. Take in stunning lake and mountain views from your private patio, courtyard or balcony, and check out the outdoor community spaces when you feel like being friendly. In fact, in addition to luxury condos, there are a number of award winning, master planned developments which include areas for commercial and office space so you can set up your business in the neighborhood and walk to work. If you work further afar, no worries – these developments enjoy easy access to Sky Harbor International Airport and Arizona State University, and with the light rail bridge your commute to downtown Phoenix is a snap!
With significantly less water but no less buzz is the development along the Arizona Canal near downtown Scottsdale. This waterfront revival is bringing with it the downtown’s resurgence: there’s a lot of excitement around what some people are billing “Scottsdale’s renaissance”. As the banks of the Canal undergo landscaping improvements the area is quickly becoming a hot spot for walking, biking and jogging. A number of condo and loft projects offer access to the nearby commercial projects, and buyers will delight in the area’s one of a kind boutiques, locally owned shops and trendy eateries. The nearby championship golf courses sweeten the deal.
The residences here are within walking distance to Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Fifth Avenue and Old Town areas. With two pedestrian bridges and downtown Scottsdale’s free trolley service, getting around town has never been easier – you’ll love the freedom.
So there you have it – two of Arizona’s hottest waterfront developments. Tempe Town Lake and the Arizona Canal near downtown Scottsdale are both great options for people looking to enjoy the urban lifestyle without the responsibilities of traditional home owning. These developments are ideal for professionals, empty-nesters and anyone who likes to be outside, or just wants to enjoy the view.
Holiday For A Surfer ?Gold Coast? Australia
March 8, 2010
the cool breeze bringing the chimes of the sea filling the spiced up air with sunshine and rhythm, this is Australia. A country of Beauty, Glamour and Surfing!
For Surfers from round the world, Australia is no less than a paradise and for Australian Surfers….The sunshine city of Gold Coast is the first stop.
Gold Coast is located in the southeast corner of Queensland, to the south of the state capital Brisbane. It is the second most populous city in the state and the sixth most populous in the country. The notable attraction “Surfers Paradise” on the Gold Coast of Australia is about an hour by car south of Brisbane. A train service also connects to Brisbane Airport and arrives at Robina just a 10 minute bus ride from Surfers.
For tourists from all the four corners of the globe, cheap flights to Australia are easily available through Brisbane and direct flights like British Airways, Qantas And indirect flights like Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, KLM and Air France operate on daily and weekly basis. Nowadays, all top airlines are offering cheap flights to Queensland from London UK at competitive and promotional fares to boost tourism in the state.
The specialty of Gold Coast, that make it stand out and shine, in comparison to many other beach destination in and out side Australia is the sunny subtropical climate and impeccable surfing beaches. The city is laid with waterways and canal systems, a skyline dominated by high-rise apartment buildings, a rainforest hinterland in the west of the city, nightlife and shopping malls with all top brand shops available.
Gold Coast, consists of a marvelous and vast, 57 kilometers (35 miles) of coastline with some of the most popular surf breaks in Australia and the world including, South Stradbroke Island, The Spit, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broad beach, Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, Burleigh Beach, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Beach, Palm Beach, Currumbin Beach, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Froggies Beach.
To make your selections easier, let me tell you that for Surfers, Duranbah beach (official name Flagstaff Beach), is one of the world’s best known surfing beaches; it is situated just across the New South Wales state border in Tweed Shire. Also, “The Surfers Paradise” marks the identity of the region.
The beaches at Gold Coast, are not so commercialized yet highly developed, wider, whiter beaches and cheaper to stay and eat. If you want experience the sea at its best, hit the Gold Coast in between October and March when temperatures climb.
For your “peace of mind”, let me also tell you that Gold Coast has Australia’s largest professional surf lifesaving service to protect people on the beaches and to promote surf safety throughout the community. So be fearless and surf up …. Gold Coast Australia!
Take Off KFLG Airport
March 7, 2010
Take off in N918RR at Flagstaff Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County, Arizona, Southwest Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, British Airways
March 5, 2010
Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (IATA: PHX, ICAO: KPHX, FAA LID: PHX) is located in the city of Phoenix and is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Arizona. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the central business district of Phoenix, a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is Arizona’s main international airpor… More >>
Tucson Tourist Attractions
March 5, 2010
Tucson is filled with tourist attractions ranging from the Catalina State Park, which hosts the Hohokam village (the site of the oldest known Indian tribe), to the Sonora Desert Museum with its collection of desert creatures caught right in their natural habitat. The weather in Tucson, which ranges somewhere to the average of 75 degrees for most of the year, is ideal for outdoor camping, hiking, biking, sightseeing and even movie-making. The clear skies all year round have made Tucson the ideal location for the Kitt Peak Observatory Lab where dozens of astrologers and cosmologists camp in a view to capture the heavens. But this is not all there is in Tucson.
No one leaves Tucson without visiting the Pima Air Museum which is dedicated to the preservation of the history of commercial and military aviation. This museum opened its doors in 1976 with just over 70 aircraft but has since grown to over 250. It has recently added the world-famous F-5B made by Northrop. Special aviation events and conferences are held here every year and flight enthusiasts can be seen here all the time.
A big part of Tucson is its scenery and mild weather that draws thousands of hikers to the area every year. Many of them come to hike or cycle in the mountains and nowhere else is this more enjoyable than at Finger Rock Trail. Despite the steep 4000 feet climb the vistas from different vantage points are simply stunning. Tours to this area are always fully booked. The trail winds into Alvernon Way which approaches Finger Rock and the Pontatoc Trail. The Finger Rock Trail stretches over five miles. The hike passes through the Sonora Desert up to the jagged peaks of the Catalina Mountains which offers more views of the surrounding terrain.
Another memorable attraction in Tucson is actually located right in the heart of downtown. This is the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block which is famous for its Western art that is both contemporary and experimental. The museum also hosts a large section devoted to pre-Columbian artistry of the American Southwest and Mexican art. In addition, the building features works by some of Arizona’s most talented artists. Tours to these widely visited attractions are extremely popular and children under 12 years old are admitted free. The first Sunday of every month is also free for all visitors regardless of their age.
Phoenix/Scottsdale
March 4, 2010
One of the more popular attractions in the Phoenix area is Rawhide. Each year, about a million visitors come here to be a part of an Old West saga and participate in trail rides, barbeques, stage coach rides, entertainment, shootouts and many other activities. In September, Rawhide will be closing its doors, packing up and moseying on down the road to a new home at the Wild Horse Pass Resort and the Gila River Indian Community. Reopening in November, the new facility will feature many of the same Rawhide activities and features from its former locations plus many new enhancements, added activities and special events. The park will be connected to other facilities at the Wild Horse Pass Resort via a water taxi service which travels the two and one-half mile long Gila River and via its Riverwalk path. Resort highlights include a hotel, spa, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis club, riding stables, outdoor event center, four pools and the Wild Horse Pass Casino. Contact: (Rawhide) 800-527-1885, www.rawhide.com; (Wild Horse Pass Resort) 602-225-0100, www.wildhoresepassresort.com.
Open Road Tours Valley Hopper offers a way for visitors to explore eight popular museums, shopping centers and historic sites at a leisurely pace and leave the driving to the Hoppers shuttle. The Hopper route travels for two hours and passengers may board at any point, get off at their choice of stops and, when ready, re-board the next vehicle. Stops include downtown Phoenix, Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Biltmore Fashion Park, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Old Town Scottsdale, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, Mill Avenue and Arizona State University. The all-day Hopper ticket is $28 for adults and $15 for children 11 and under. The service operates from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Contact: www.openroadtours.com.
Grand Canyon Airlines has introduced a nine-hour Grand Canyon air-ground package that departs daily from the Scottsdale airport. Flights follow a path offering scenic views of area golf courses, overview of the communities of Carefree and Cave Creek and on to the Horseshoe Reservoir. It continues via the Verde River, Montezuma Well, Tonto National Forest, Red Rocks at Sedona, Flagstaffs NAU Skydome and Lowell Observatory, Arizonas Snowbowl ski region and over the expanse of the Grand Canyon. Upon arrival at the Grand Canyon airport, passengers then travel by coach to various National Park sites, including a stop to view the IMAX film, Grand Canyon The Hidden Secrets. This is followed with a direct flight return to Scottsdale. Contact: 866-235-9422, www.grandcanyonairlines.com.
The Sonoran Desert Discovery Guide offers visitors insights to the regions history, biology and geography. It has information about the deserts flora and fauna and directs visitors to good hiking trails, bike routes, scenic sites and many other options. There are many photos and illustrations to help familiarize readers with the discoveries they will find throughout the Sonoran Desert. The guide is available from the Scottsdale CVB. Contact: 800-805-0471, www.scottsdalecvb.com.
The Heard Museum, celebrated for its collections and study of Southwest Native cultures and art, offers several options for group travel tours. Highlights of the Heard visits all museum galleries. Native Cultures and People tours both the Heard and the Desert Botanical Garden and focuses on the Southwests human and natural experience. Lunch is included. The Las Guias Specialized Tour is a customized experience for groups with special interests in the areas of jewelry, pottery, basketry, sculptures, Kachina dolls, textiles and contemporary art. There is also a Self Guided Group option that allows tour members to explore the museum at their own pace. For details about these and meal packages for groups, contact: 602-252-8840, www.heard.org.
Enjoying personal indulgences when on vacation has become the norm for many travelers, including those on group travel tours. Taking advantage of at-leisure time for treats like enjoying a spa experience is growing in popularity and access to these services is part of most hotel and resort amenity packages.
There is no shortage of spa options when visiting the Valley of the Sun. Jewels of the Desert: The Sonoran SPA Experience, is a free comprehensive guide to 18 of Scottsdales resort and day spas facilities. Information includes details about the area spas, diagrams of the featured locations, types of treatments offered, special spa activities and service and contact information. The booklet is available from the Scottsdale CVB: 800-805-0471, www.scottsdalecvb.com.
This article is sponsored by: www.grouptravelblog.com
