Travelingtoremoteorless-traveleddestinationscanbeanexhilaratingadventure.Theselocationsoftenofferuntouchednaturalbeauty,uniqueculturalexperiences,andasenseofdiscoverythatpopulartouristspotscan’tmatch.However,venturingoffthebeatenpathcomeswithitsownsetofchallengesandrequirescarefulpreparationtoensureasafeandenjoyabletrip.Herearesomepracticaltipstohelpyoustaypreparedandprotectedwhileexploringthesehiddengems.
Understandinglocalcustomsandlawsiscrucialwhentravelingtoremoteareas.Inmanycases,theseregionshaveuniqueculturalpracticesandlegalsystemsthatdiffersignificantlyfromwhatyoumaybeaccustomedto.Beforeyougo,takethetimetolearnaboutthelocaletiquette,traditions,andlegalrequirements.Thiswillnotonlyhelpyouavoidunintentionaloffensesbutalsoenhanceyouroveralltravelexperience.
Forexample,insomeruralcommunities,certaindresscodesorbehaviorsmightbeexpected.Respectingthesecustomsshowsyourappreciationforthelocalcultureandcanfosterpositiveinteractionswiththeresidents.Additionally,knowingthelocallaws,suchasregulationsonphotographyorwildlifeinteraction,canpreventlegaltroublesduringyourtrip.
Whentravelingtoremotedestinations,accesstobasicamenitiesandsuppliesmaybelimited.Therefore,packingtherightessentialsisparamount.Here’salistofitemsyoushouldconsiderbringing:
Stayingconnectedwhiletravelinginremoteareascanbechallenging,butit’sessentialforyoursafety.Considercarryingasatellitephoneorapersonallocatorbeacon(PLB).ThesedevicescansendemergencysignalsandprovideGPScoordinatestorescueservicesifyoufindyourselfintrouble.
Additionally,informsomeoneyoutrustaboutyourtravelplans,includingyouritineraryandexpectedreturndate.Regularcheck-inscanprovidepeaceofmindforbothyouandyourlovedones.
Travelassistanceprogramscanofferinvaluablesupportwhentravelingtoremotedestinations.RedpointTravelProtectionisahighlyrecommendedoptionthatprovidesservicessuchasemergencymedicalevacuation,travelinsurance,andaccesstotraveladvisories.EnrollinginaprogramlikeRedpointcangiveyouaddedpeaceofmind,knowingthatyouhaveasafetynetincaseofunforeseencircumstances.
RedpointTravelProtectionofferscomprehensivecoverageforremoteareas,includingmedicalandevacuationservices.Theyalsoprovide24/7assistancehotlines,whichcanbeincrediblyhelpfulforgettingimmediateadviceandsupport.Beforepurchasingaplan,ensureitmeetsyourspecifictravelneedsandcoverstheregionsyouplantovisit.
Travelingoffthebeatenpathoftenrequiresaflexibleandpatientmindset.Infrastructureinremoteareascanbeunpredictable,andplansmayneedtochangeonshortnoticeduetoweatherconditions,transportationissues,orotherunexpectedevents.Embracethejourneyaspartoftheadventureandbepreparedtoadapttonewsituationsastheyarise.
Exploringremoteandless-traveleddestinationscanbeoneofthemostrewardingtravelexperiences.Bytakingthetimetoresearch,packwisely,stayconnected,andenrollintravelassistanceprogramslikeRedpointTravelProtection,youcanensurethatyouarewell-preparedandprotected.Embracetheuniquechallengesandopportunitiesthatcomewithtravelingoffthebeatenpath,andyou’llcreatememoriesthatwilllastalifetime.
AboutRedpoint
ByTauck
What’sthedifferencebetweenAmerica’snationalparksandnationalmonumentsStoriedsitesall,bothsharetalesoftreasuredsightsinpubliclandsprotectedfortheenjoymentofgenerationsofvisitors.
DesignatedbyalegislativeactofCongress,ournationalparksareareasofnaturalbeauty,federallyconservedduetotheirscenic,inspirational,educational,andrecreationalvalue.Nationalmonumentsareestablishedbypresidentialproclamationtopreserveaplaceofhistorical,culturalorscientificinterest.
Therearecurrently133nationalmonumentsthroughouttheUnitedStates,anumberwhichcanchangewitheachnewpresidentunderthe1906AntiquitiesActwhichgivesthepresidentthesoleauthoritytodesignateandprotectfederallandsandresourcesquickly.Weshineaspotlightonthreeofthemhere,givingyouaglimpseofthestoriesbehindthesepopularmonuments.
In1908,PresidentRooseveltdeclaredSequoiaNationalForestaprotectedlandscape,wheregiantsequoiassome3,000yearsoldand300feethigh,layclaimtobeingtheoldestlivingandlargesttreesonEarth.Thetreesliveinonlyabout70nativegrovesinthemiddleelevationsoftheSierraNevadaandhaveahistorythatdatesback10,000years.
WhiletheancientSequoiashavebeenfederallyprotectedsincetheestablishmentofSequoiaNationalForestin1908,thankstoJohnMuirandPresidentRoosevelt,itwasn’tuntilApril2000,underthedirectionofPresidentBillClinton,thatallthegiantsequoiagroveswithintheforestboundaryweredeclaredanationalmonument.
Upuntiltheearly1950s,thesitewasonlyaccessibleafteranarduousmulti-dayhikingandraftingadventureintothewilderness,keepingallbutthedaringatbay.MuchtothechagrinoftheNavajowhostillprayforrainandconductceremonieshere,theconstructionoftheGlenCanyonDammadeiteasierfortravelerstogettoitbyboatandaone-milewalk.WhilevisitorstodaycanviewRainbowBridgeonaflightseeingexcursion,thosewhovisitonfootareaskedtotreatitrespectfullyandhonoritsroleintheon-goingreligiousceremoniesoftheNavajo.Asthelocalswilltellyou,thetruesignificanceofRainbowBridgeextendsbeyondtheobvious,standingasabridgebetweencultures.
AgiftfromFrance,shestoodasasymbolofhopeandrefugeforgenerationsofimmigrantsonLibertyIslandinNewYorkCityharborsince1886.DuringthededicationceremoniesoftheStatueofLiberty,PresidentClevelandvowed“WewillnotforgetthatLibertyhasheremadeherhome;norshallherchosenaltarbeneglected.”HemadethoseworksintoanofficialpromiseashedeclaredtheStatueofLibertyanationalmonumentin1924protectingthesharedidealsofournationandtheonethatgiftedhertous.LearnmoreaboutthestoriesbehindLadyLibertyfromdocumentaryfilmmakerKenBurnsbywatchingTheStatueofLiberty,availableonPBS.
Tovisitthesemonumentsinpersonistostandwiththevisionarieswhoprotectedthemjustforthismoment,giftingyouachancetobecomepartofthestoriesthatmemorializethem.
AboutTauck
Formorethan100years,TheTravelCorporationhasbeentakingtravelersoffthebeatenpathandintothedestinationsweserve.Inthoseyears,thatever-beatenpathhasbecomewindinganddeep.We’vewatchedandadaptedasbuzzedabouttraveldestinationsbecamemerestopsonamulti-countryadventure,untoucheddestinationsbecameharbingersofovertourism,andwondersoftheworld(ofwhichtherearenoweight)becameInstagramfeedfodder.Ademandforthe“nextexperience”steadilyrosewitheverynew“wheretogo”headline;inturn,wesawanincreaseininternationalbookingsandindustryrealestateastraveloperatorssoughtnewandbetter.
AsPresidentofTTCTourBrandsNorthAmerica,Iwillneverturnmynoseuptonewandbetter.InnovationisatthecoreofTheTravelCorporation’smissionandthatvalueinformseverythingwedo.Butwithnewandbetter,comestriedandtrue,revisitedandimproved.
Withafocusonreducingcarbonandregeneratingtheplanet,we’veassessedourmissionfromeveryfront.Aswecontinuetotraversenewdestinationsonnewitineraries,we’verefocusedoursightsonourexistingitinerariesandfrequentedregions.We’vemodifiedexistingitinerariestoincluderesponsibletravelexperienceswecallMAKETRAVELMATTERExperiences,whichaddressissuesrelatedtoclimatechange,sustainablefoodproduction,wastereduction,diversityandinclusion,culturalpreservationandwildlifeprotection.
Intermsofsustainabilityintravel,thewords“netzero”areoneveryone’slips.So,whatdoesitmeanMoreover,whatcantouroperators,hoteliers,andmajorservicersdotoachieve“netzero”status
So,whathavewedoneWe’vepartneredwiththeScotland-basedTreesforLifetosupportitsWildPineproject,arewildingprojectaimedatrestoringScotland’sgloballyimportantCaledonianForestanditsuniquewildlife.We’vesupportedtheAustralian-basedRainforestRescuetoenhancetheireffortsintheDaintreeRainforest,wherethenonprofitisworkingtofurtheritsprotectionandrestorationofthefragmentedlowlandrainforest,increasingthecarbonstoragepotentialoftherainforest.We’vedoneallofthisandmore,butforus,regenerativetourismgoesbeyondtheenvironment.Assuch,we’vetakenstridestomakeourbusinessonethatstimulateseconomiesasmuchasecology,andcultureasmuchastreecoverage.
Overtheyears,we’veseenarisinginterestinethno-tourism–travelfocusingontheexplorationofIndigenouspopulationsandtheirrespectivecultureandtraditions.In2019,wepolledourcommunityoftravelersandfoundthathalfcitedinterestinbookinganindigenoustravelexperience,butaquarterofthosetravelersdidn’tknowwheretostart.
InpartnershipwithsuchorganizationsasAIANTA(AmericanIndianAlaskaNativeTourismAssociation),ITAC(IndigenousTourismAssociationCanada)andTheIndigenousTourismCollaborativeoftheAmericas,wehaveplacedIndigenoustourismamongourtopprioritiesastravelleaders.ByamplifyingIndigenous-ownedbusinessesalongouritineraries,weincreaseaccesstoancestralwisdom,preserveandreclaimcultureandultimatelydriveeconomicbenefittosupportthelivelihoodsofNativepeoplesacrosstheworld.
Weareproudtosharethatasof2024,66%ofTrafalgaritinerariesincludeatleastoneindigenousexperience.Further,100%oftheproceedsofIndigenousexperiencesonTrafalgartoursgodirectlytotheparticipatingcommunities.
Weunderstandthatalegacyisfruitlesswithoutaforwardcommitmenttoinnovationandadaptability.We’vebeenhereformorethan100years,andaslongaspeoplecontinuetotraverse,explore,andamplifytheworldtheyinhabit,wewillbehere.Inprioritizingsustainability,inclusivity,andeconomicempowerment,wearenotjustleadingthewayintourism,butalsoshapingabrighterandmoresustainablefuturefortheplanetanditspeople.
Abouttheauthor
MelissaDaSilvaisPresidentoftheTTCTourBrandsforNorthAmericawithanindustrycareerspanning30yearsandhasworkedinboththeUSandtheUK.Shehasbeenrecognizedforherabilitytorapidlyadjustinachangingbusinessenvironment,resultinginenhancedbusinesspractices,increasedproductivity,andprofits.Shehasaprovensuccessrecordofrecruitinganddevelopingstrong,collaborativeteamsanddeliveringconsistencyinmulti-channelorganizations
TheTravelCorporationfamilyofbrandsisdeeplycommittedtoMAKETRAVELMATTER.Werecognizeourresponsibilitytoensureourimpactontheplanet,thepeoplewevisit,andthewildlifewefindthere.Choosingtotravelwithusmeanschoosingatravelcompanythatputssustainabilityattheheartofeverythingwedo.
Travelisbothapersonalpassionandaprofessionalpursuit.Sheismotivatedbytheimpacttravelhasandbelievesthattravelhasatremendouslypositiveeffectonpeople.Ithelpsbroadenperspectivesthroughtheconnectivityofsharedexperiencesofadventure,exploration,learningandlaughtershowinghowweareallmorealikethandifferent.
Anavidtravelerherselftomorethan50countries,MelissacurrentlyresidesinSouthernCaliforniawithherBrazilianhusbandandtwodaughters,withwhomshehassharedthetravelbug.
AboutTTCTourBrands
Theeaseoftouringhasneverbeenmoreimportantnorrelevant,andnoonedoestoursbetterthanTTCTourBrands.Theportfolioincludestheaward-winningbrandsofLuxuryGold,InsightVacations,Trafalgar,BrendanVacations,CostsaverandContiki.TTCTourBrandsarethegloballeadersintoursforanyandeveryone.Frombudgettoluxuryandeverythinginbetween,theportfoliobringsagentsaccesstoover1000tours,across80+countriesviaonesinglesales,reservationsandmarketingteam,withtheaddedeaseofasinglesignonbookingplatform.
TTCTourBrandsispartofthefamily-ownedandrunTheTravelCorporation(TTC),drivenbyserviceforoveronehundredyears.
Itisthetraveler’sworstnightmare;you’vemeticulouslyplannedatripabroad,you’repackedandreadytoheadtotheairport,andthenyourealizeyourpassportisexpired.Oritislost,ordamaged,ordoesnothavetheminimumvalidityrequiredtotraveloverseas.Andsuddenly,yourdreamvacationisgone.
Avalidpassportisthekeytointernationaltravel.Butmostofusdon’tthinkaboutourpassportsuntilwe’replanningatriporgettingreadytoleave.Unfortunately,theUSDepartmentofState,thebodywhichoverseesissuingpassportsintheUnitedStates,iscurrentlydealingwithunprecedenteddelaysinprocessingpassportapplicationsandrenewals.
TheStateDepartmentwebsiteliststhecurrentpassportprocessingtimesas10to13weeks.Andthisfiguredoesnottakeintoaccountthetimeitcantakeforapassportorpassportapplicationtobereceivedbytheprocessingcenter,andthetimeittakesforthecompletedpassporttobedeliveredtoyou.Thiscanaddonetotwoweekstothetotal,meaningyourpassportapplicationorrenewalcouldwinduptaking12-15weeks,ormorethanthreemonths!Evenprocessingtimesfortheextra-cost“expedited”servicecancurrentlytakeseventonineweeks,plusaddedtimefordelivery.
TherootofthecurrentbacklogcanbetracedtotheCOVID-19pandemic.AsarecordnumberofAmericanshittheskiespost-pandemic,demandforpassportserviceshassoared,resultinginthebusiestyearonrecord.TheUSStateDepartmenthasacknowledgedthedelaysandisincreasingstaffinglevelstomeetthehigherdemand.Unfortunately,theStateDepartmentdoesnotexpecttheprocessingdelaystoeasebeforeearly2024.Evenifyouhaveacurrentlyvalidpassport,youcouldstillfindyourtravelplansgrounded.Onereasonthiscouldhappenisthatmanycountriesrequirevisitorstohaveatleastsixmonthsofvalidityontheirpassportaftertheirexpecteddeparturedatefromthecountryyou’revisiting.Thatmeansifyourpassportisnearitsexpirationdate,youmayhavetroublevisitingsomedestinations.
Additionally,thephysicalconditionofyourpassportcanalsoposeaproblem.Passportsthatareexcessivelywornordamagedcouldberejectedbyimmigrationauthorities.Ifyouhavelegallychangedyournamesinceyourpassportwasissued,thiscanalsocauseproblems.Ifyournamehaschanged,itisbesttohaveyourpassportreissuedinyourcurrentlegalname.Forfrequentinternationaltravelers,nothavingblankpagesinyourpassportfortheadditionofavisaorbordercontrolentrystampcanalsocauseyoutobeturnedawayattheborder.
Ifyou’replanningtotravelinternationally,checkyourpassportandlookforfactorslikeitsexpirationdate,physicalcondition,andnumberofblankpages.Ifyouneedanewpassport,orifyouneedtoapplyforoneforthefirsttime,bemindfulofthecurrentdelaysatthepassportprocessingcenters,andrememberthesedelaysarenotexpectedtoeasebefore2024.
AboutSteveDiehl
SteveDiehlistheChiefCorporateDevelopmentandEmergingMarketsOfficerforCIBT,theleadingglobalproviderofimmigration,visaanddocumentservicesforbusinessesandconsumers.CIBTtapsthepassionandexpertiseofnearly2,000immigrationandvisaprofessionals,attorneys,andqualifiedmigrationconsultantslocatedinover60officesin27countriestoempowerpeopleandorganizationstolive,work,travelandtradeseamlesslythroughitsglobalreach,localexpertise,andcustomer-focusedtechnologysolutions.
By:JaclynLeibl-Cote,PresidentandChiefBrandOfficerofCollette
Thepasttwoyearshavegiventravelersthechancetoreflectonthememoriesandexperiencesthattheymayhavebeenyearningfor.Formany,afteranextendedperiodofstayinghomeandbuildingtheirlistofplacestogo,it’sclearthat2022isthereboundyearfortravel.Travelersareitchingtoexplore,andrightnow,there’sahugedemandforfindingadventurerightinyourbackyard.Asrestrictionseaseandtravelersreconnectwiththeroad,it’sagreatchancetoseeadestinationthatyouneverwouldhavethoughttoexplore.
Travelersseemtowanttoexploreclosetohomemorethanever.There’scomfort,aftersuchuncertainty,ingettingbackoutthereandgettingawaywithoutbeingtoofar.WithintheUnitedStates,thereissomuchdiversityandadventuretobefound.Fromstunningcoastlinesandnationalparkstomusicalcitiesandquintessentialsmalltowns,thereisadestinationthatappealstotravelerslookingtoexploreclosetohome,thoseseekinganoutdooradventure,orthecoupleeasingtheirwaybacktotravel.
Inspiteofunprecedentedtravelrestrictionsoverthepasttwoyears,travelershavepivotedtheirenergyintoexploringwhatliesintheirownbackyards.Afterall,atrueexplorercanfindadventureanywhereandthereissomuchculture,historyandbeautyrightatyourfingertips.TravelersarelookingatthePacificandAtlanticcoasts,theRockyMountains,nationalparks,deepSouth,Midwestandmore.Duringthisincrediblereboundyearfortravel,domestictripsaretrendingmorethanever,andtheindustryisrespondingwithnewtourstocapturethisever-growinginterest.Deepdivesintolesser-traveleddestinationslikeMontana,ornewwaystoexplorebigcitieslikeBoston,NewYork,Washington,D.C.,areallowingtravelersfreedomtogoin-depthontourinplacesthatoftenareseenasastop-overduringabiggertour.
Americansplanningadomestictriparesearchingfortrulyenrichingexperiences.Inthelastyear,tripsthatconnectedtravelerswiththegreatoutdoorsandwondersofnatureweresomeofthemostpopular.There’sagrowingexpectationthattravelerswillcontinuegravitatingtosomebeachylocales.Intermsofdomesticoutdoorspots,placeslikeMartha’sVineyardandMauiarehighlysearcheddestinationsintheU.S.rightnow.
There’sagrowingtrend,sincethepandemicstarted,thattravelerswanttobeoutside!Giventherestrictionsindoorvenuesfacedlastyear,itmakessense.Peoplearechoosingalotmoreoutdooractivitiesintheirfreetimeorontourthanpriortothepandemic.ManyAmericansarelookingtoexperiencenatureaswell,soexperienceslikeseekingouttheNorthernLightsinAlaska,catchingsomesunonthewhite-sandbeachesofHawaiiorrelaxingatoneofthemanypublicseatingareasoverlookingtheimmenseandcolorfulGrandCanyonaretoppingtravelto-dolistsmorethaneverbefore.
FromalobsterbakeinNewEnglandtosteppinginsidetherecordingstudiothatElvisPresleyoncecreatedmusicalmasterpieces–thereareendlessgreatexperiencesrightintheUnitedStatesforculturallycurioustravelers.Goingin-depthinhistoricandbustlingcities,slowingdownandtakinginthescenery,andlearningmoreabouttheplacewecallhomeisagreatwaytoreconnectwithtravelandconnectwithourrootsatatimethat’sidealfordoingjustthat.
AboutCollette
AGuideto7ofColorado’sTopNationalParksandMonuments
1.RockyMountainNationalPark
Asoneoftheworld’smostextraordinarylandscapes,theRockyMountainsNationalParksisregularlyhailedasoneofColorado’stopnationalparks.It’sfilledwithsnowypeakssoaringmorethan12,000feethigh,alpinelakesandwaterfalls,andgorgeousmeadowsdottedwithmoose,elk,bighornsheepandmore.Ifyoucantearyoureyesawayfromtheviews,you’llalsofindcampgrounds,fishingspotsand350milesofscenictrailsrangingfromshortwalkstomulti-daytreks.ThecentralareaofBeaverMeadowsandMoraineParkaregreatplacestostartyourRockyMountainsadventure.AndbesuretotakeadrivealongtheTrailRidgeRoad,aspectacularscenicbywaycrossingthecontinentaldivide,famedasthehighestcontinuouspavedhighwayintheUSA.
2.MesaVerdeNationalPark
3.ColoradoNationalMonument
TheColoradoNationalMonumentprotectsoneofthemostbreathtakinglandscapesintheUS.SetinthenortheastoftheColoradoPlateau,you’llcomefacetofacewithsheer-walledcanyonsplungingasdeepas500feet,andgraniterockmonolithstoweringto450feet.It’sallredrockandgreenjuniperforests,andasyougazeoutoverthismesmerisinglandscape,youmightevenspotsoaringeagles,mountainlionsandbighornsheep.Youwon’twanttoblinkasyoudrivethe23-mileRimRockDrivealongthespectacularplateaulinedwithspectacularviews.Orgetonsolidgroundwiththe14hikingtrailsintheColoradoNationalMonument,includingthepopularSerpent’sTrail,azigzaggingtrailthattakesyoualongtheoriginaldirtroadintothemonumentinjust2.5miles.
4.DinosaurNationalMonument
EverwantedtoseeadinosaurYou’llfindtheminColorado’snationalparks.Well,thebonesatleast.TheDinosaurNationalMonumentisoneofthefewplaceswhereyoucanseeandtouchmassivedinosaurbonesstickingoutoftherockswheretheywerefound,andevenseeancientpetroglyphs.Butdinosaursaren’ttheonlyattractionhere.Youcanhikealongmilesoftrails,andgoswimming,fishingandboatingaroundthegorgeousareawheretheYampaandGreenriversmeet.TakeadrivealongHarpersCornerRoadformesmerisingviewsovertherivers,orgrabaraftandfloatalongwhileadmiringtheancientcanyonwallsandspottingelkontheriverbanks.DinosaurNationalMonumentisevenanInternationalDarkSkyPark,andastronomyloversflockhereforstargazingandnighthikesinsummer.
5.GreatSandDunesNationalParkPreserve
7.FlorissantFossilBedsNationalMonumentIfyouwanttogetclosertoColorado’sprehistoriclife,theFlorissantFossilBedsNationalMonumentistheplacetobe.You’llfindthousandsoffossilsdatingbackmillionsofyears,includingplantsandinsects,andhugepetrifiedredwoodstumpsupto14feetwide,whicharebestseenalongthe1.1-milePetrifiedForestLoop.Otherhikingtrailsrevealthenaturalbeautyofthepark,withalpineforests,graniteoutcropsandlushmeadowsspreadacross6,000acres.Youcanevenexplorethepioneerhistoryofthearea,withafantasticmuseumandanearlyhomesteadthatshowswhatlifewaslikeduringColorado’ssettlement.Fortheperfectmixofhistoryandnature,thishasgottobeonyourColoradobucketlist.
KatieisaregularcontributingwriterforTrafalgar’sTheRealWordblog,basedinsunnyPerth,Australia.Shelivesforandwritesaboutallthingstravel,culture,foodandnature,andlovestoinspirepeopletodiscovertheworldthroughhertravelblogs.
ByMeganMurphy,AFARAmbassador
OneofthegreatestdrawsofContikiTheoptionalexcursionsofferedateachdestinationalongtheway,allowingyoutotailorthetripbasedonyourindividualinterests.Thoughplentyoffun-filledmemoriesweremadeduringour8daystogether,herearemytoppicksfromourepicexpedition.
SpeedBoatinginSanDiego
UpintheArizonaAir
Rocky(Off)Road-ing
WetrekkedalongthroughtheheartofhistoricDryCreekBasinandthesevensurroundingcanyons,asWendyenthusiasticallytoldustalesofmurderandmoonshineandtheearlycowboydaysattheoldVanDerincabin,wherewestoppedtosnapagrouppicandenjoyexceptionalviews.
Hikes&HelicoptersintheGrandCanyon
TheGrandCanyonislikenootherplacethetheworld;anaturalwonderthateveryAmericanshouldtrytoseeintheirlife.Inmyexperience,nothinghascomparedtothebody-encompassingfeelingthattakesoveryouwhenpeeringoutintothevastdesertbelow:thegiganticpeaksanddeepvalleys,thespectrumofrichcolors,thelayersofigneousrockformations.
Afterstockinguponthenecessities—sunblock,snacksandlotsofwater—wespentanafternoonhikingthecanyon’ssouthrimdownasteep,windingandquitenarrow-at-timestrailthatprovidedendlessphotoops.Othersinourgroupsawbreathtakingpanoramicviewsfromabove,withaheart-poundinghelicopterrideovertheKaibabNationalForestandintothedeepestandwidestpartofthecanyon.Experienceofalifetime.
Ourjourneyendedwithabang:twooutrageousdaysinVegas—completewithaglitzynighttimetourofbustlingFremontStreet,CirqueDuSoleilshow,music-andChampagne-filledlimoridesaroundtheStrip,VIPnightclubentry,dancing’tildawnandallthedebaucheryyoucangetintoinSinCity.NeedIsaymoreVivaLasVegas,baby!
Overall,IwasimpressedwiththeamountofopportunitiesforadventureonWesternHighlights.Ourrockstarguide,Christy,wasknowledgable,friendlyandfun—andalwaysprovidednightlifeoptionsforanyonelookingtoparty.Trustme,therewasnoshortageofagoodtimeonthistour.Eventheroadtripsbetweendestinationswereamusingthankstoourlivelycoachdriver/deejay,HB,whoblastedupbeattuneswhilecruisin’.
Therewasplentyofdowntimeandopportunitiestorelaxduringourjourney,aswell.Butofthemanymemoriesmadeduringthetrip,it’stheonce-in-a-lifetimethrillsandthepeopleI“gotloosewith”(astheAussiessay)thatI’llrememberforever.
Anadventureloveratheart,Meganisafood,travelandlifestylewriterbasedinNYC.ShehascontributedtoAFAR,BonAppétit,CleanPlates,Eater,Food&Wine,TheDailyMeal,ThrillistandTravel+Leisure,andrunsherownwebsite.Meganishappiestwhenembarkingonnewtravelanddiningexperienceswithherbelovedfamilyandfriends,andheradorabledog,Cooper.
BeachBound
There’sareasonwhyCaliforniaisknownforitsbeaches:theyaresomeofthefinestinAmerica,ifnottheworld.OurtourgroupsoakedupsomeraysandCali-beachvibesatSantaMonicaStateBeachanditsiconicpier,andalsoexploredVeniceBeach’slivelyboardwalkscene.Morebeachtimebeckonedthefollowingday,aswecruiseddownthePacificCoastHighwaytostunningMissionBeachforsun,sandandsurfinguntilthesunwentdown.There’snothinglikeamesmerizingCaliforniasunsettocapoffyourday.
AllAboutAnimals
DesertDestinations
AfterarrivinginArizona,anearlymorninghotairballoonrideinPhoenixwasontheagenda.Whilepeacefullyfloatingintheair,wesoakedup360-degreescenicviewsoftheruggedSonoranDesertterrainanddistantmountainpeaks.Indigenousanimals,includingjackrabbits,deerandcoyotes,andavarietyofcactispecieswerespottedbelowaswepeereddownfromourballoonedbaskets.
OurnextstopwasinSedona,aserenetownwithphenomenalviewsofthetowering,vividly-coloredRedRockMountains.AftergrabbinglunchonbustlingMainStreet,ourgrouptrekkedthroughrockyterraininoff-roadJeeptoursthroughsevenmagnificentcanyonsandhistoricDryCreekBasin.
TheGrandFinale
HowcanIpossiblydescribethefeelingofseeingtheGrandCanyonforthefirsttime
MotherNaturehasawayofgrabbingyoubytheheartstringsandneverleavingyouquitethesameagain.Thiswasoneofthosetimes.Iwaswhole-heartedlymovedbythislarger-than-lifesight—captivatedbytheradiantcolorcombinations,endlesserosionalformsandever-changingridgesoflightthatdeviatedwiththesunshineandmovementofclouds,non-stopfrommorningtonight.Thesheermagnitudeofthecanyoncanneverbeaccuratelydepictedinpicturesorbywords.Ithastobeseenwithyourowneyes,andfeltwithyourownsoul.Absolutelyincredible.
DiscoveringnaturewithContikiwasalife-changingexperiencethatgaveme,andmyfellowtravelersfromallovertheworld,anewappreciationforwhyourgreatnationtrulyisAmericathebeautiful.
ByFlashParker,AFARAmbassador
AsourbusmotoredthroughGrandTetonNP,ourtourdirector,Adrian,tossedmethemicrophone,andIproceededtorattleoffafewfactsaboutthelocalatmosphere.
Bisonarelessfriendlythanelk,moosearelessfriendlythanbison,andbearsareleastfriendlyofall.Exceptforbadgers.Andwolverines.They’reworsethanbears.Cowsarecool,butbullsaremostlyornery.Moreonbullslater.
Mountainsareforclimbing,woodsareforhiking,andriversarefortraversing.Andyes,SurfWyomingisarealthing.
Geysergazingisagreatpastime,rodeoisarealsport,RockyMountainoysters(thosepoorballlessbulls)arenotatallwhattheysoundlike,andyoushouldwearyourbestbootsandspurswhenyouvisittheMillionDollarCowboy.
AsIwrappedourWyomingQ&A,wearrivedattheOldFaithfulVisitorEducationCenter,andthrustourselvesintothethrongsofonlookerseagerlyawaitingthegreatgeyser’seruption.Adrian’scleveranecdotesandinsideknowledgeofbothGrandTetonandYellowstonelenttheparksafeelingoffamiliarityanddeepenedthesenseofspectacle,andlefteachofuschargedtoexploreonourown.Manyofususedourtimetowandertheboardwalkandgazeintobubblingmudpits,fumarolesandgeysers,andafewwereluckytospotbisonandcoyotesplayinginthemuck.
Werolledon,deeperintothepark,takinginthespellbindingviewsandancientmajestyattheGrandCanyonoftheYellowstone,wheresilencefelluponourpartylikeablanket.WehikedStringLaketogether,marvelingatthetoweringTetons,soclosewecouldreachoutandtouchthem,andfloateddowntheserpentineSnakeRiverwiththegoodfolksfromSolitudeFloatTrips,whograciouslysharedthewaterwithus(andafewofwoodlandcreaturesforgoodmeasure).IntheeveningwewanderedthestreetsofpicturesqueJackson,huddledundertheelkantlerarchesinthetownsquare,feastedonrusticpubgrubatTheLocal,sampledquintessentialcraftbeersattheiconicSnakeRiverBrewingCo.,andwentallthewaynouveau-WyoatThaiMeUpandMelvinBrewing.Jackson’ssensationalfoodsceneiscertainlyitsrobustfoodscene.
TheWyomingsegmentofourGoAheadtourwasaremarkablethreedaystretchthatblendedintooneepicexperience.IliveandplayinWyoming,andIknowthispartofthestatewell–andIknowthatGoAheaddeliveredanimmersive,experientialadventure,withplentyoftimeforsoloexploration.AsfarasglimpsesattheWyomingwayoflifego,thiswasagreatone.
HowcanIaccuratelydescribeinwordsanadventurethattakesmethroughfivestates,sixnationalparksandalegendaryNavajotribalpark,upandoverdesertmesas,deepintobottomlesscanyons,outintotheruggedbackcountryoftheMountainWest,andthroughtheveryheartoftheAmericanRoadTripExperienceAloftygoal,toscribbleproseaboutsuchanexperience–anexperiencesograndthatevenphotographsfailtocaptureitsessentialessence.
Thatsaid,itsureisfuntotry.
ThiswasmyfirsttimeontheroadwithGoAheadtours,butitwasobviousfromdayonethatIwaslatetotheparty–itseemedasifmorethanhalfofortouringpartyhadbeenontwo,three,ten,twelvetoursinthepast,andwhileweexchangedpleasantriesduringourintroductiondinnerinSantaFe,theyravedaboutthegoodtimesaheadforusall(spoileralert:thetripwaseverybitasremarkableasadvertised).Yetinsteadofalengthydebrief–athinly-disguisedefforttoguardagainstadiary-stylediatribe,ifI’mbeinghonestwithyou–IthoughtI’dwriteaboutafewoftheexperiencesthattrulytouchedmeduringthisadventure.
I’vebeenajournalistformorethan10yearsnow,andI’vebeenfortunatetohavebeensentoutonassignmenttosomeofthemostremarkableplacesintheworld,todosomeofthewildestandstrangestthingsimaginable.Sure,afewofthoseplacesareprobablybestcharacterizedasterrifying,andafewofthesituationsI’veputmyselfinhavemadeforlessthanidealtravelmemories,butIhope,Ibelieve,thateachnewexperiencehelpsmeappreciatethenextdeeper,andallowsmetoliveinthemomenteachtimeIsetouttodomyjob.
Adrian,ourenergeticandinformativeGoAheadguide,hadslylyenrichedourexperiencepriortoourarrivalbytellingusstoriesaboutthearchitectMaryColterandhereffortstodesignandbuildtheDesertViewWatchtower(aswellastheLookoutStudioandtheHermit’sRest).Bythetimeweclimbedthestepsofthe70-footstonemonolithourselves,itfeltlikewesomehowdeeplyconnectedtotheplace,andthatweknewalittlesomethingofthesecrethistoryoftheGrandCanyonitself.Adrian’sthoughtfulcommentary–whetherfleckingconversationswithanecdotesaboutmuletripsintotheGrandCanyon,orbearsafetyinYellowstone–helpedtransformasightseeingtourandintoexperientialtravelexpedition,andforhisknowledgeongeography,wildlifeandhistory,IknowI’llbeforevergrateful.
I’llremaingratefulalsoforAdrian’sbrillianton-siterecommendations.IknewIwantedtosetoffonmyownforamorerigoroushike.Ipepperedhimwithconstantquestionsaboutrimwalksandhikestogreatviewpoints;artgalleriesandartistsinresidence;andthebestgiftshopsthroughwhichtoprocurewalkingstickmedallions(incaseyou’reintothatsortofthing…),andeachtimeherespondedwiththoughtfulcommentaryandusefulreferences.AndwhenhesuggestedthatweembarkuponahelicoptertouroftheGrandCanyononourfreeday,Ithoughthewasacertifiablegenius.
WhatcouldIpossiblysayaboutahelicopterrideoftheGrandCanyonthatIcouldn’tconveyinphotographsHere’saquickglimpseatthisonce-in-a-lifetimeexperience,courtesyofthefolksat#FlyTheCanyon.
Bythetimemyfeetwerebackonsolidground,IwassoenergizedthatItrulybelievedIcouldconquerthecanyon–soIgaveitmybestshotbyracingdownthelegendaryBrightAngelTrail.Notoriousforitsunforgivingincline(10%formuchofthetrail)andextremeweathervariations–itcanbeacool60Fonthecanyonrimandablazing105Fonthefloor–theBrightAngelisbesttackledovertwodays.SinceIwasworkingwithalittlelessthanhalfaday,Idecidedtotacklethe12-mileround-tripjourneytoPlateauPoint,ratherthanthe20-milemarchtoPhantomRanch.
Attimesmyodysseywasgrueling,butitwasrewardingthroughout–viewsfromdeepinthecanyonitselfareunparalleled,andthere’snothinglikethesensationoftrekkingalonguntilthehustleandbustleoftheSouthRimismuted,andallthatremainsisancientrockandragingColoradoRiver.WhenIarrivedatPlateauPoint,IthoughtofmynewGoAheadfriends,andhowthetriphadbeendesignedwithsomethingforeveryoneinmind–myfreetimeallowedmetogetoutintothewildandchallengemyself,createastorytocallmyown,andafewmemoriestosharewhenIreturnedtocivilization.GoAheadhaddeliveredontheirpromisetoimmersemeintheNationalParksexperiencefullyandcompletely.