Archive for the ‘North America’ Category

Alaska is America’s largest state and its sprawling landscapes feature some of the most untouched wildernesses in the world. From woodland to glaciers, Alaska’s diverse habitats are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, making this a top destination for nature enthusiasts wanting to catch a glimpse of rare birds, caribous, humpback whales and even the elusive black bear or the iconic bald eagle. An escorted tour is one of the best and safest ways to get the most out of this exciting part of the world. Alaskan escorted holidays provide the chance for small to mid-sized groups of travellers to explore the region, led by an experienced tour leader who will ensure all the details of your trip are taken care of even before you depart. Travel and accommodation is arranged, and most tours and meals are included. This gives you the flexibility to use your leisure time either to explore the area for yourself, or to take advantage of the optional excursions by coach, rail and boat to wildlife centres, parks and reserves, even husky ranches.

Alaska is dotted with small towns that have plenty old world charm, like Skagway, a popular tour stop-off. The gateway to the Klondike, Skagway is famous for being the town at the centre of the Gold Rush, and the picturesque streets are brimming with history, from the architecture to the museums to the bustling night-life which is still reminiscent of the boomtown crowds, with plenty of bar-room pianos tinkling away into the night. Nestled in the mountains, Skagway is the perfect gateway for hiking trips through the impressive natural landscape.

Any nature lovers travelling to Alaska will want to see the world-famous glaciers and fjords, and most escorted tours will include the chance to cruise past these immense natural structures. Many cruise ships take in the impressive Hubbard Glacier, Alaska’s only advancing glacier. Cruising alongside its five-mile face is an experience you are unlikely to forget. There’s also Glacier Bay, a national park with tidewater glaciers and dotted with scenic coastal islands. Here, it’s the marine life that’s thriving, so aim those binoculars downwards and look out for any sprays of water that might betray the presence of a humpback whale.

If cruising past is not enough and you want to get a little closer to the wildlife, then a trip to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, on the shores of Turnagain Arm, could be just the thing for you. The centre houses orphaned animals in the process of being rehabilitated. It is open to visitors so you can get right up close to the moose, musk ox and bears housed there.

Alaska is the ideal picture-perfect region for nature enthusiasts with a taste for the wild. With its sprawling mountain ranges, glittering glaciers, rocky coastal shores and an abundance of arctic wildlife, your Alaskan escorted tour will ensure you get the most out of your trip, from hiking with your expert guide to fishing freshwater salmon, high-powered adventure to low-key cruising, fine dining to campfire roasts, and all with accommodation and travel included. All you need to do is pack your camera, plenty of warm clothes and lots of film. Alaska awaits!

All around the United States there are exciting places to take have a backpacking adventure. From the Appalachian Trail to the Sierra Nevada, a backpacking trip is the perfect way to both challenge yourself and have a great time in the process. But with so many different locations to choose from, deciding where you’d like to visit can be difficult.

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The western United States has a number of mountains available for climbers of all skill levels. One of the most popular of these is northern California’s Mt. Shasta. About a three hour drive north of Sacramento, Mt. Shasta rises to an elevation of 14,162 feet. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano and still has the potential to erupt like Mt. St Helens did in 1980.

The mountain is covered with snow year round and is also popular among back country skiers. Because of its easy accessibility, Mt. Shasta is a favorite for adventurers from all around the world. There are 17 established routes for climbing Mt Shasta, the most popular being Avalanche Gulch and Clear Creek.

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Everglades National Park is a fabulous example of a delicate ecosystem that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. For your next Florida vacation, instead of heading to Disneyworld or Universal Studios, keep driving south and take an eco tour of the Florida Everglades.

Located in South Florida, the Everglades encompasses roughly 1.5 million acres of marsh. The renowned author and historian Marjory Stoneman Douglas aptly named her book “The River of Grass” as the Everglades is not a stagnant swamp, but actually, a river that moves very slowly from north to south.

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Rivers, rafting and fun; these are the three reasons many travelers visit Colorado each year. There are several great places to raft in the state, but the Arkansas River is the destination of choice for most. Referred to as “The Ark” by rafters familiar with it, this river offers the experience of a lifetime. Most rapids in the river range between Class II and Class V. Popular rafting areas begin around the city of Leadville and continue until Cañon City, with about 60 river miles between these two points. Countless white water rafting tours are available from several sources for any group desiring any class of rapid. Here is a quick review of the river’s five sections:

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The Grand Canyon is synonymous with beauty and it’s no surpise that over 5 million people visit this natural wonder every year. Long before Europeans discovered the awe inspiring atmosphere of the canyon, Native Americans were living here. While plenty of people visit the Grand Canyon, not many dare to explore this remarkable landscape. Backpacking here is extremely popular as some of the most unique sights of the Grand Canyon can only be seen from the interior.

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Scuba diving has long been a popular sport for travelers around the world. There is a certain excitement that comes with seeing the world as it is from beneath the ocean. The rich marine life and crystal clear water can make for an amazing vacation and one that will not be forgotten. Scuba diving will provide the thrill of a lifetime while also taking you to some of the most unique places on Earth.

Throughout the world there are several destinations which offer for great scuba diving. The carribean is one of these locations, and it is renowned for its diving. It’s no surprise that all three of the following dives are located there.

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Yosemite National Park has long been a popular destination for rock climbers around the world. Across the 1200 square miles of the park lie some of the most unique and exciting climbs in North America. Whether you’re looking for a short half day climb or you’ve set your sights on El Capitan, Yosemite is the place to be for rock climbers.

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If you’re planning to take a vacation in the Smokies, more than likely you will end up in Gatlinberg for at least some of the trip. A hot spot for tourism, Gatlinberg offers a wide variety of exciting and adventurous activities for travelers to choose from. One of the most exciting of these is rafting down the Pigeon River.

Perfect for both small groups and large families, the Pigeon River offers rapids with classes ranging from 1 to 4. Beginners and more experienced rafters alike will find an exciting ride down the Upper Pigeon River, giving you a thrilling story to bring home of your adventure through the Smokey Mountains.

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Within the nearly 1,200-sq. miles of Yosemite National Park lie some of the most breathtaking views that the Northern California wilderness has to offer. Although any number of Yosemite trips can include walking among Evergreen trees, picnics at alpine lakes, or views of gorgeous waterfalls, some of the best sights are only visible when backpacking Yosemite National Park.

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