Travel Tips & Adventures

Real People. Real Travel.

Archive for April, 2009

Flagstaff’s Snowbowl in Summer: Traveling to the Top

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Many of us hover near sea level and never get on top of things to get a broader perspective. When the temperatures climb and the snow melts in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Arizona Snow Bowl opens up its ski lift, the “Scenic Skyride” for non-skiers. The ride to the top of the tallest mountain in Arizona is an adventure in itself. (more…)

Adventures above the Earth – Powered Paragliding

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Mo Sheldon has a vision – and it’s high above the earth. Although he declares himself afraid of heights, Mo is one of two certified flight instructors in Arizona who teaches powered paragliding. He has always wanted to fly like a bird and, since 1998, he’s had his wish. Like the ancient-fabled Greek, Icarus, who flew too near to the sun and whose wings melted, since early man, many people have wished to fly. Mo makes people’s wishes come true with his company, Airparamo.

 

Powered Paragliding - Exhilarating!

Powered Paragliding - Exhilarating!

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Natural Adventure: Wonders of Bryce Canyon

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

When I was given a choice of anywhere to travel within eight hours of my central Arizona home, I immediately, without hesitation, chose Bryce Canyon National Park as my destination.  Why?

See the photo – and you’ll start to understand.

Inspiring spires at Bryce Canyon

Inspiring spires at Bryce Canyon

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International Travel Planning…on Your Own…without a Net, Part 4

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Scotland: Fall 2009

Last week,  I came across a Web site that focuses on multi-stop itineraries for independent travelers. European Destinations www.europeandestinations.com lets you create your own trip or customize their suggested itineraries. As you add in hotels, car rentals, train passes, etc., the price of your trip upgrades so you know immediately what your costs are.

I tweaked my itinerary and then compared it to the hotel Web sites of those properties I selected as well as with www.hotels.com to see if the prices were in line, or even better.

What I found was the following ($1.46 = £1): (more…)

Tips on Cooking Sauerbraten

Friday, April 24th, 2009

When I lived in Germany, I was trying for an authentic experience while living in a rural community near Stuttgart. My local market had an array of items, some of which I was familiar with, some not. But, sauerbraten had to be the quintessential German fare. I was so excited when I saw a vacuum packed pre-soured sauerbraten waiting for me! (Keep reading for recipe!) (more…)

Travel Arizona’s Apache Trail

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Following the Apache Trail in Arizona, you can just imagine what it might have been like in the days of the gold rush. Horses and stagecoaches traveled the rough mountains and winding paths back in the 1800s to reach Globe from Phoenix. The romantic imagery of the old west is palpable!

 

Apache Trail Scenery

Apache Trail Scenery

Nowadays, a four-wheel drive vehicle makes the trip in less than three hours (traffic permitting). In some areas, the road is reduced to a narrow, unpaved one-lane road that dangerously skirts the edge of a mountain with the valley spreading out below. (more…)

The Guest Always Wins – Usually

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Sometimes, travel is not at all what you had hoped to experience. Despite best intentions and great facilities, a stay becomes memorable for the wrong reason.
I can give several examples of travel that should have been great, but wound up being anything but.

Photo better than the reality

For several years, I had saved a promotional card for a hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico that looked perfect for a romantic stay. The photo made the place look perfect for an opportunity to be really immersed in the culture and center location of the old Santa Fe. I couldn’t wait! (more…)

Adventures in Speed: Zero to 80 in Six Seconds!

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Out on the highway caught up in traffic, speeding is not an option.  Join a Bondurant SuperKart class and speeding is required. (more…)

International Travel Planning…on your own…without a net, Part 3

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Scotland: Fall 2009

Since last week, I have decided to cut back our trip from three to two weeks due to some timing issues that have come up.  So, there needed to be some consolidation.

It was then that I began to wonder if it was any cheaper to find a company that could consolidate all of my independent travel needs. (more…)

German Travel – the Wrong Way

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Traveling in Germany with a friend, neither of us was fully conversant in the German language.  So, it is no surprise that we saw a number of “Einbahnstrasse” signs and did not register what that meant.  (more…)