Incredible Mountain Retreats To Enjoy This Winter

With the winter on the way, many of us are thinking about where we’d like to go on our holiday breaks. For many of us, the season is synonymous with traveling to the mountains, seeing their snow-capped peaks, and spending some time by the fire.

Mountain retreats, however, can be a little inaccessible or sparsely served by the regular hospitality industry. For that reason. Halterman’s RV recommends changing the way you travel, using an RV instead of going to an overcrowded resort. In general, this is a good idea because it gives you more freedom to explore new areas a little off the beaten track, instead of just following tourists in the crowd.

Whistler, BC

Whistler is one of the most famous mountain biking and skiing destinations in the world. It features some of the most stunning scenery you’ll find anywhere in British Columbia too. But in addition to these sports, you’ll also find opportunities for zip-lining, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, climbing, wildlife tours, and geocaching. In short, this destination is for people who want to spend the winter outside, having as much fun as possible. Just remember to wrap up warm. Things can get pretty cold here over the winter season.

Banff, Alberta

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Banff is the chosen location for all sorts of international conferences, including for physicists, probing the deepest levels of reality. It’s not surprising they chose the spot. This area presents one of nature’s finest natural environments, with beautiful lagoons, stunning mountains, and plenty of wilderness to explore.

Banff is the quintessential Canadian retreat, offering an instantly recognizable combination of pine forests, serene lakes, and craggy rocks. Trails stretch out all over the region, allowing you to test your hiking skills. There are also multiple caravanning sites where you can hook up your RV and travel from there as a base.

Telluride, Colorado

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Heading south, you’ll find the beautiful region of Telluride in Colorado. Please note that this isn’t the most accessible destination in the world. In the winter, you may struggle to reach it. But if you manage to get there okay, you have all sorts of opportunities to explore this exciting and unique environment.,

The region around Telluride is perfect backcountry for those looking to get out and enjoy the genuine wilderness. But it is also suitable for pampered city types who want to experience luxury destinations and all the amenities that come with them. Unlike Aspen or Vail, Telluride retains much of its local rustic charm. It’s not just a giant processing plant for tourists, getting as many people up and down the mountain as possible. Commercialization isn’t in full swing here – which can be a nice thing sometimes.

Stowe, Vermont

Head over to the east coast, and you’ll eventually stumble upon Stowe, the famous Vermont region that offers a host of winter sports for your enjoyment between November and March.

Here you try your hand at things like ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. There are also plenty of opportunities to visit museums and art galleries. Plus, you can visit the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory just down the road.

5 Fun Things To Do In New Jersey

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Thinking of visiting New Jersey? Here are a few fun things to do when exploring this state.

Hit the beaches of Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore’s beaches are renowned worldwide as being the ultimate sunbathing spot. They’re less humid than Florida’s beaches whilst still offering plenty of sunshine to catch a tan. Even if you don’t fancy lazing on a beach, the shore offers plenty of other activities. You can snack out at Dunkin’ Donuts in Ocean City and go shopping along the boardwalk. Meanwhile, those looking to explore some history can head to Cape May, where there is plenty of Victorian architecture to marvel at and a range of museums. And of course, there’s Atlantic City, where you’ll find casinos and world-class spas.

Go tubing on the Delaware river

Many people head to the Delaware river in the summer to paddle in its crystal clear waters. Whilst thrill-seekers can try kayaking or white water rafting, a more leisurely way to explore the river could be to go tubing. You can hire a tube from companies such as Twin Rivers Tubing and drift down the river whilst catching a tan.

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Be dazzled by Sterling Hill Mine

This former iron and zinc mine is a must-visit attraction whilst in the state of New Jersey. The mine’s most famous feature is its multi-coloured fluorescent rocks which make for a magical experience. This is the result of the mine’s lighting which causes the zinc to glow. Visitors at Sterling Hill Mine can also learn about the mine’s past and various mining techniques.

Walk around the Grounds for Sculpture

There are plenty of parks and gardens in The Garden State, but for those looking for an attraction that slightly more unusual The Grounds For Sculpture are well worth a visit. There are over 240 sculptures in this 42-acre park, on top of an array of trees and flowers. It’s the perfect park for nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike.

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See the Statue of Liberty from Liberty State Park

Liberty State Park sits across from New York and offers impressive views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can even catch a ferry from here and get to see both attractions up close. Of course, there’s also the option of taking a day trip to the Big Apple (New York’s not in New Jersey, but it’s practically on the border and worth experiencing if you’ve never been before). Liberty State Park is also home to the Empty Sky Memorial and Liberty Science Centre.

Preparing for a Road Trip Adventure

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Road trips are experiencing a spike in popularity. This isn’t all too surprising. It’s an extremely liberating way to travel the world and allows you to see all sorts of beautiful scenery and landscapes along the way. However, it’s extremely important that you prioritise your health, safety, and wellbeing at all times when you take to the open road. Here are just a few pieces of advice that can help to improve your journey!

Driving Responsibly

Whenever you take to the road, you need to be a responsible driver. But this takes a little more attention when you are driving in unfamiliar territory. When you are traversing long distances on roads that you haven’t travelled on before, you are going to have to be a lot more vigilant with keeping an eye on street signs, road markings, and lanes. When you conduct a road trip, you are also likely to spend longer periods of time than usual behind the wheel. Stay alert by taking breaks as and when needed. You could also consider partnering up with someone else who can drive during your trip, which will allow you to share driving responsibilities with someone else.

Knowing What to Do in an Incident

If you spend more time on the roads, you are more likely to witness or be involved in some sort of road incident. It’s important that you know what to do if you do find yourself in a road accident of any sort. The first step that you need to take is to stop your vehicle. Then check whether you are well and uninjured. If you aren’t injured, check everyone else involved. If you or anyone else is injured, call for medical assistance. You may want to seek legal help for car crash victims down the line. If nobody is injured, exchange insurance details and take photographs of any damage to the vehicles involved.

Avoiding Hitchhikers

It’s relatively easy to understand why some people choose to pick up hitchhikers. They tend to be relatively vulnerable looking individuals who simply want to get from A to B. Generally, they have no other means of getting around and many people consequently take pity on them and take it upon themselves to reduce the distance that they have to walk by picking them up and dropping them off along the route they’re already travelling. If you are travelling alone, a hitchhiker might also seem like welcome company and conversation. However, by picking up hitchhikers, you place yourself in an extremely vulnerable situation. You, too, will be in a confined space with an absolute stranger. You can never truly know that this individual is going to be a good person with no bad intentions. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid picking up hitchhikers at all costs.

These are just a few different pieces of advice to bear in mind when preparing your next road trip adventure!

Tips for Anyone Travelling Down the East Coast

With so much unique stuff to see and do, it’s hardly surprising that so many people enjoy travelling down the East Coast of America each year. You can move between different cities and states, and experience the kinds of things you’ve never ever experienced before. If you’re new to this part of America, it really will be an experience that you never forget.

There are some things you should make sure you do on this trip though, as well as things you should know that will make the experience much better and much smoother for you. We’re going to talk about all those things now, so read on for some essential tops for anyone planning on travelling down the East Coast of America.

Plan Your Route and Know the Busiest Roads

It’s worth planning out your route carefully before you head anywhere on the East Coast. Look at a local traffic report for the location you’re in and make sure that you’re avoiding the busiest roads at the busiest times. The traffic can be pretty terrible at times, and you’ll want to avoid the worst of it. So plan your route out as best you can and take steps to avoid sitting in huge jams for too long at a time.

Get Off the Beaten Track

Getting off the beaten track is a must when you’re taking any kind of road trips. Sure, the major towns and cities along the way are all great, and you’ll have a wonderful time seeing and exploring them. But there’s so much more tro travelling the East Coast than simply spending time in the major cities. Head to places like New Haven and Charleston along the way. These places might be a little off your beaten track but they’re worth it.

Spend Plenty of Time in New York City

Yes, we just said that you should get off the beaten track, but that’s not to say the beaten travel is all that. And in the case of New York City, it’s actually pretty amazing and frankly unmissable. If you haven’t been to NYC before or you feel like you haven’t spent enough time there, you should definitely make the most of this opportunity to enjoy it and spend as much time as you can there.

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Don’t Rush Things

It’s important not to rush this trip if you can help it because when you give yourself the chance to spend more time in each place and visit more of those small towns along the way, you will have so many more unique experiences. There’s so much to see on the East Coast, so rushing down it is only going to mean you miss out on things that you really won’t want to miss out on, so take your time.

Explore American History in Washington

Washington is another place that you’re definitely going to want to stop off at during this whole trip. When you spend time in Washington, you get the chance to really explore and delve into American history and what made this country the way it is. There’s actually a lot to do, see and discover in Washington, so if you’ve never really spent time there before, that’s something that should definitely change.

Take Friends

Having some great friends come along for the right and enjoy the whole journey with you has got to be a good thing. So if you’re planning this big trip, don’t do it alone. See if you can find a close friend of two that want to come along and enjoy it alongside you. When you have the right company, it makes the whole journey and the whole experience so much more enjoyable.

Finish Things Off in Miami

Miami is the natural end point of any long trip down the East Coast, and it’s an amazing city that’s capable of capping off any trip of this kind. It’s a stunning city, and it’s the perfect place to spend time during the summer. You can take to the waters on a boat or simply enjoy the sun and the beautiful beaches before bringing this whole trip to its final conclusion.

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There’s so much to see and do along the East Coasts and so many fantastic states to explore. You should make the most of the chance to experience everything that’s on offer in this varied and interesting part of the country. If you haven’t made a trip like this before, you’ll have a great time.

Top US Hiking Destinations For an Outdoor Adventure

If the varied and undulating terrain of the US is calling your name, then you must be a fan of the great outdoors. And from east coast to west of the United States of America, there are a variety of great places to visit for a walking or outdoor adventure vacation. It isn’t all about Route 66 and the ‘typical’ tourist spots. So where will it be to next? Here are some of the best places to take a walking vacation in the good ol’ USA.

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Glacier National Park, Montana

If you are looking for a place that is pretty far away from the bright lights and busyness of a city, then Glacier National Park is one of the top spots. It has over 700 miles of walking trails, mixed with lakes, glaciers, and everything in between. As such, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve got all of the right equipment for your walk. So it can be worth looking online to find out more about the kind of clothing you’d need to pack for a hiking or climbing trip. The park is full of wildlife as well, and you may spot elk, wild goats, and even grizzly bear.

Yosemite, California

There are plenty of popular trails in the Yosemite Park, but with it being so huge, you are likely to not bump into too many people. So make sure that you have a route planned out or that you bring a map and a compass. It is one of the most stunning places in the us, though, with the famous (and huge) redwood trees. It is breathtaking!

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Can a list about walking trails in the US be complete without the mention of the Grand Canyon? I think not. But it does deserve its place here as it is a fantastic destination for an outdoor adventure or walking vacation. There are miles and miles to hike with varying levels of challenge too. The south rim is simpler and more popular, but the north rim has the more challenging Kaibab Trail.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California Border

Lake Tahoe, as the name suggests, is a large lake full of panoramic views and plenty of walks. It is a fairly flat area so is popular with families, beginners to hiking, cyclists, and even runners. There are some treks like Eagle Rock and the Mount Tallac Trail, but they are both pretty steady, with Eagle Rock only being half a mile to the summit. And be sure to visit in the sun for the walks, as it is all about skiing or snowshoeing in the winter months.

Canyonlands National Park, UtahThe red rocks of the Utah based National Park is a must for hikers as it is such a stunning place to walk. There are plenty of National Parks in Utah to choose from, but Canyonlands is one of the top ones. It was made famous by the ‘127 Hours’ book and movie, where a man was trapped in the Blue John Canyon in the Canyonlands National Park.

A Getaway To The Gateway City! Exploring St. Louis

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Sometimes, with all of the advice out there to live like a local when you head into a specific destination, you actually want to appreciate the amazing aspects of a chosen place only, not the warts and all parts! Sometimes the option to be a tourist can throw up so many wonderful experiences that you’re better off putting your tourist cap on. St. Louis is one of those places that seems purpose-built for tourism, especially when you really delve deep. So, let’s have a look at what we can really do.

Head Up The Gateway Arch

You can’t talk about St. Louis without mentioning this world famous monument. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you can take a ride up this 630-foot structure and look at St. Louis like a bird in the sky. Naturally, if you’re not so keen on heights, this may not be a big draw, but you can head to the nearby Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and see where Lewis and Clark set off on their cruise down the Mississippi river!

Feeling Sociable?

If you’re looking for a night, as with anywhere, you are spoilt for choice. But what do you really want from the tourist side of things? There are plenty of escape rooms in St. Louis, such as Mastermind Room Escape or Escape The Room, but if you’re looking for a more relaxing evening with music and bars, you can head to the ballpark village St. Louis for some sports-themed entertainment. If food and drink is more your style, there are plenty of restaurants that serve fresh Asian cuisine, like Lonas Lil Eats, or if you’re wanting more traditional Italian fare, you can head to the Hill neighborhood which is famous for Italian cuisine. If you’ve got the delectable sweet tooth, frozen custard at Ted Drewes will provide you with the most exquisite brain freeze!

For The People Craving Some Education…

Being a tourist is about learning a little something about the place. Luckily in St. Louis you’ve got plenty of options. You can head to the Museum Of Contemporary Religious Art which, as the name suggests, provides plenty of religious iconography. If you are keen to ingratiate yourself with the religious side of things, you could head to the National Shrine Of Our Lady Of The Snow and attend mass (as well as get something tasty in your stomach). And if religion isn’t your thing, you can head to the Saint Louis Science Center and experience the planetarium and go through time at the Omnimax theater, as well as seeing up close and personal a life-size tyrannosaurus rex. Be careful, this is animatronic and will move, so if you’ve got children of a sensitive disposition, be careful.

For a luxurious experience of Middle America, St. Louis has more than we can list here. But when you are looking to get a feel for the place, you don’t always have to treat it as if you’re a local. Get some knowledge of the big tourist attractions and you will be surprised as to how much you and your family will enjoy the place, and feel none of those famous “Saint Louis Blues”!

Make the most of a trip to Mexico

Mexico can have a reputation for being unsafe in some places, but it’s still an extremely popular travel destination. As well as receiving plenty of visitors from the US and its other neighbours, people from all over the world come to enjoy Mexico. Beach resorts are particularly popular, and places like Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum see lots of action. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Mexico, a bit of planning can go a long way to help you make the most of your time there. There’s lots to see and do, so start thinking about how you want to experience the country.

Learn Some of the Language.

Being fluent in Spanish certainly isn’t necessary if you want to visit Mexico. You can get by with English but, as in any country, the locals will appreciate it if you make an effort. Knowing at least some basic phrases can get you far. Even if it doesn’t help you to understand people more, it can make the locals like you more! Look for the best online Spanish course for your needs if you want to learn. Learning online is a good idea if you want to fit your learning around a busy schedule. You can study when and where you want. But try to get some real-world practice too if you can.

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Know How to Stay Safe

Mexico’s reputation for being unsafe isn’t exactly fair. While there are certainly some regions that you wouldn’t want to visit, most tourists are likely to be perfectly safe. Any area that sees a lot of tourism, such as beach resorts, major cities and historical sites, is likely to be safe for you. However, you still need to be careful, just like you do in any other travel destination. Take the usual precautions that you would while travelling to keep you and your possessions safe. One thing you might want to be particularly careful of is taxi scams.

Decide How Much You Want to Spend

Many people will tell you that Mexico is very cheap and you can make your budget go far. While you can find some bargains, you might also discover that locations popular with tourists aren’t always so cheap. If you want to choose a more affordable location, you will generally find that places on the Pacific coast are more affordable than those in the east of Mexico.

Go Beyond the Beaches

Mexico has some incredible beaches that can offer you a fantastic stay. However, there’s more to Mexico than just the beaches. There’s a lot more to see, from mountains to plenty of culture in the cities. If you’re going for a beach trip, that’s fine. But if you don’t want to spend all your time on the beach, you can explore further afield. Consider taking a road trip or joining a tour so that you can see more of the country.

Mexico has a lot to offer travellers of all types. If you want to have a memorable trip, keep your mind open about where to go and what to do.

Taking the great American road trip

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Whether you live in America or halfway across the world, just about every self-proclaimed traveller has dreamt about driving across the country as part of a great American road trip. After all, the U.S. is an absolutely huge place, and the fact that you can reach every inch of it by car, without any sort of roadblock, is incredibly appealing. Road trips are the perfect option for those looking for an affordable and adventurous holiday, but only if you plan them really well. Keeping that in mind, here are four things you should do to make your great American road trip truly great.

Plan A Rough Itinerary

Whether you like it or not, most road trips do come with a time limit, so it’s vital that you have a route and rough schedule planned before you hit the road. There are a number of incredible American road trips you could consider, but, if none of those appeals to you, then you could always use a road trip planner to create one of your very own. Just make sure that you’re not driving too much each day, as this is dangerous and could also ruin the experience for you.

Look After Your Car

When you’re travelling long distances in your car, it’s more important than ever that you take proper care of it. With that in mind, you should make sure that you have your car inspected by a mechanic at least a week before you set off. You should also pack your car with tools, a spare tire, a brake bleeding kit, a tire pump, and more, and learn how to complete basic repairs and maintenance. This way, you will be able to help yourself if and when there’s an issue on the road.

Choose The Right Companions

Although you could head off on your own, road trips tend to be a lot more fun when you take friends or family with you. That being said, this is only true when you choose the right companions. You’re going to be stuck together in a car for hours at a time, so it’s vital that you bring people that you really get along with. Unless you really love driving, you should also make sure that whoever you bring is willing to share the wheel time with you.

Budget Your Money Wisely

Road trips can be incredibly affordable and budget-friendly, but this is only true when you spend time planning your budget and manage your money wisely. With gas, toll costs, food, souvenirs, attractions, and more, road trips can get incredibly costly very quickly. To avoid this, you need to consider all possible road trip costs and decide how much money you’re going to spend on each one. You should also have an emergency stash of cash for any unexpected expenses.

Heading off on a great American road trip is a dream for most avid travellers, but this dream can quickly turn nightmarish if you’re not prepared. To ensure you have an amazing time, make sure you remember the advice above.

Roosevelt Island

A gem of New York City. Roosevelt Island is a narrow island located in the East River. The Island is considered to be apart of the borough of Manhattan. Manhattan sits to the west of the island and the borough of Queens sits to the east. Once known as Blackwells island, and also welfare island. The island was home to prisons, hospitals and asylums. The island was renamed in 1971 after Franklin D Roosevelt.

What to see and do

Roosevelt Island tram

Take the aerial tram at least one when visiting Roosevelt Island. The views are amazing, providing a unique skyline view of the city. The tram runs from 59th street and second avenue in Manhattan to Tramway plaza on Roosevelt plaza. The tram ride definitely offers an exciting aerial view of the city. A must see for anyone visiting New York City.

Four Freedom Park

This beautiful four acre park is a memorial, dedicated to President Franklin D Roosevelt. The park celebrates the Four Freedoms he articulated in his 1941 state of the union address. The park is located at the southern tip of the island, and I would recommend this to be the number one sight that you must see on Roosevelt Island. The landscape is stunning and the views of Manhattan and Queens are gorgeous. If you love sunsets, I would suggest viewing one during the winter the months, they are absolutely breathtaking.

The smallpox hospital

A very unique sight to see in New York City. The hospital is a historic landmark structure. The hospital was built in 1854 and was the first major hospital in the United States dedicated to treat the victims of smallpox. It is an interesting sight to see and represents an era of old New York life. It is great to see at different times of the year. The fall foliage is gorgeous, the winter adds more of an eerie vibe and it is very pretty during the warmer months, with the greenery covering the hospital.

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An impressive engineering campus, with an innovative design and beautiful grounds. Exploring this area is a change of scenery from the rest of the island, as it represents modern growth.

Blackwell Island light house

The majority of the sights to see on the island, are located in the southern region. However, a visit to the northeast tip is well worth the walk (or bus ride) to view the pretty stone lighthouse, which was built in 1872.

From stunning aerial views, escaping the chaos of midtown, relaxing with the breeze of the east river and exploring historic sights Roosevelt Island is a top place to visit when exploring New York City.

The Cloisters

The MET Cloisters

The Cloisters are a treasure of New York City. A medieval castle, with the most beautiful grounds, stunning architecture, and glorious artifacts in the galleries and chapel. The Cloisters are an extension of the MET – the Metropolitan museum of art. The location is in the charming and peaceful Fort Tyron park, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan.

A mini getaway

A visit to the Cloisters, almost seems like a mini getaway from the chaos of Manhattan. You don’t even feel like you are in New York City! The peace and quiet makes a visit to this unique museum so calming and relaxing. You feel as though you have stepped back in time, and the location makes it so much more charming. As the scenery is stunning.

What to see

The grounds of the Cloisters are so charming, and a favorite of mine is to visit the gardens. With multiple gardens on offer no trip would be complete without exploring at least one.

Cloister gardens

The Cuxa Cloister
Saint Guilhem
Boonefont
Trie

The Cloisters contains an impressive selection of chapels and halls, all with stunning architecture and art work.

Halls and Chapels

Gothic chapel
Fuentiduena chapel
Langon chapel
Romanesquet hall

Views of the Hudson

A highlight of the Cloisters is the view of the gorgeous Hudson river. After exploring the exhibits and gardens, head to the balcony to take in these sights. These sights will also include the George Washington bridge and views of New Jersey. I have visited the Cloisters multiple times and the prettiest time to visit is during the fall to see the gorgeous fall colors along the Hudson.

Fort Tyron park

Before or after exploring the cloisters, I would recommend walking through the absolutely beautiful Fort Tyron park. Considered to be one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor pieces of art.

Getting to the Cloisters

Located in Northern Manhattan, you can take the A subway (Blue express line) uptown to the 190th street subway station. From the station you can either follow the signs to the museum, by walking through the stunning Fort Tyron park. Or take the M4 bus to Margaret Corbin Dr/Cloisters museum.