High-up in the California's Sierra Nevada Mountains are two of USA's most spectacular National Parks, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Sequoia National Park gives you the chance to get up close to the largest trees on the planet whilst in Kings Canyon you can explore the most incredible alpine scenery with the backdrop of some of the tallest peaks in lower 48 States.
India: Varanasi – The Suryauday Haveli review
We had for a long time wanted to visit the sacred Hindu city of Varanasi, and were not disappointed when we finally made it. For our 3-day stay we were based in the the Suryauday Haveli hotel which is right on one of the ghat on the Ganges River - a perfect place for exploring this fantastic city
Utah: Moab – Arches National Park
Arches National Park is just a few short miles from Moab, UT. Here the full forces of nature have taken their full toll on the Navajo sandstone, creating a number of large, spectacular arches in the rocks formations.
Utah: Capitol Reef National Park – the quieter alternative
Even considering Utah’s many impressive national parks and monuments, it is difficult to rival Capitol Reef National Park’s sense of expansiveness, of broad, sweeping vistas, of a tortured, twisted, seemingly endless landscape, or of limitless sky and desert rock. While Bryce and Zion are like encapsulated little fantasy lands of coloured stone and soaring cliffs, the less-visited Capitol Reef is almost like a planet unto itself. Here you get a real feel for what the earth might have been like before life appeared when nothing existed but earth and sky.
Utah: Zion National Park – the jewel in the crown of Utah parks
We'd not heard much about Zion National Park before visiting. It is an amazing place, with a stunning red rock canyon, huge rocks walls, waterfalls and some amazing trails to explore. It is a place we want to keep coming back to.
Nevada: Las Vegas – 6 things to do in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a short drive from the heart of Las Vegas. There are plenty of trails to explore the beauty of this varied desert landscape and escape the craziness of Las Vegas. If you are not up for hiking a trail, simply drive the 13-mile scenic drive and hop out at the viewpoints along the way.
Nevada: 12 Things to do in Valley of Fire State Park
The Valley of Fire State Park makes an ideal day trip from the chaos that is Las Vegas. You will enjoy the spectacular red rock formations that give this park its name and it is a great place to see petroglyphs, ancient rock art. There are plenty of trails, including many short and easy ones that take you into beautiful canyons and up to spectacular view points.
Oregon: Fort Clatsop – Lewis & Clark National Monument
Back in September 1803, US President Thomas Jefferson decided he ought to find out more about the territory he had just acquired for the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. He commissioned Merriweather Lewis and William Clark to go and explore and in November 1805 after a gruelling trip they sighted the Pacific Ocean and set-up shop at Fort Clatsop near Astoria, Oregon
Washington: Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment is home to a wide selection of trails, whether you're looking for elevation gain or a paved outing. The most-frequently photographed lighthouse is North Head, with a precarious position on a steep bluff above the crashing waves.
Idaho: Craters of the Moon National Monument
Located along US 20 between the small towns of Arco and Carey in Idaho, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We decided to stop and explore this barren and unwelcoming landscape during our road trip from Oregon to Minnesota.
South Dakota: Custer State Park
Custer State Park is famous for its bison herds, other wildlife, scenic drives, historic sites, visitor centres, fishing lakes, resorts, campgrounds and interpretive programs. In fact, it was named as one of the World's Top Ten Wildlife Destinations for the array of wildlife within the park's borders and for the unbelievable access visitors have to them.
South Dakota: Wind Cave National Park
Regarded as sacred by American Indians, exploration of the the area known a Wind Cave did not begin until 1881, when the entrance was noticed by two brothers, Jesse and Tom Bingham. They heard a loud whistling noise, which led them to a small hole in the ground, the cave's only natural opening.
South Dakota: Mount Rushmore National Park
Mount Rushmore is a relatively recent creation and started as a concept by state historian Doane Robinson in 1923. The choice of artist was Gutzon Borglum, a radical sculptor with a sense of scale and outlandish ambition.
(National Park / USA /United States)
Wyoming: Devils Tower National Monumment
The Devils Tower in Wyoming was America’s first National Monument. This incredible rock has been visited by man for millennia, from first nations people to today's tourists. It is visited by over 400,000 people each year, drawn by its unique geological character and imposing presence.
Utah: Moab – Canyonlands National Park
Today we decided to head off to Canyonlands National Park. After doing some research prior to going we decided the best way to see everything was going off-road in a car.
Pennsylvania: Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg located in rural Pennsylvania probably would have remained a sleepy little town but for the American Civil War and the battle that took place there on July 1 to 3 1863. Here the Confederate and Union forces fought a fierce battle that resulted in the highest losses of any conflict in the Civil War. For those like myself, who can’t imagine a bloody melee such as took place at Gettysburg there is an amazing visitor center complete with videos, memorabilia and a fantastic cyclorama.
Pennsylvania: Valley Forge National Historical Monument
On our road trip through Pennsylvania we discovered a National Park that we were totally unfamiliar with. Valley Forge, located 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia, had a very important role in the War of Independence, but unlike many monuments this was not the site of a battle
California: Yosemite National Park
We spent two excellent days exploring the magnificent Yosemite National Park. With two children in tow we focused our time in the valley admiring the granite peaks, the Merced river and the splendid waterfalls. We even got to try our hand at painting in water colors.
Arizona: Flagstaff & Sunset Crater
Close to Flagstaff, Sunset Crater, the site of the most recent eruption in Northern Arizona, is now a National Monument and well worth a short visit to hike the lava fields. Also close to Flagstaff is the Lowell Laboratory, which is open to visitors. Here you can learn more about the universe and see the telescopes inside the Lowell's observatories.
Arizona: Montezuma Well and Castle
A visit to Montezuma Castle, an ancient cliff dwelling south of Sedona. This five storey cliff dwelling was built by the Sinaquas, an Ancient Indian Tribe about 700 years ago, which they later abandoned in around 1400