First time Traveller
Jun 13th, 2012, 02:56 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First time Traveller
Hi all,
My husband and I are in our late 20's and we are planning a visit to the USA late next year (OCT-NOV). My reason for this time frame is I would like to experience Halloween/Thanks Giving and I dont mind the cold weather.
Not keen on Contiki style travel, can anyone recommend small group travel company catering for our age group. Alternatively thoughts on self planned holiday?
Time frame is approximately 3-4 weeks, budget is flexible.
We are interested in general sight seeing example, Grand Canyon, Vegas, New Orleans/South, Washington DC and New York (open to suggestions).
Any advice tips or guidance much appreciated
My husband and I are in our late 20's and we are planning a visit to the USA late next year (OCT-NOV). My reason for this time frame is I would like to experience Halloween/Thanks Giving and I dont mind the cold weather.
Not keen on Contiki style travel, can anyone recommend small group travel company catering for our age group. Alternatively thoughts on self planned holiday?
Time frame is approximately 3-4 weeks, budget is flexible.
We are interested in general sight seeing example, Grand Canyon, Vegas, New Orleans/South, Washington DC and New York (open to suggestions).
Any advice tips or guidance much appreciated
Jun 13th, 2012, 03:29 AM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Halloween might be best experienced in Las Vegas. New Orleans might second most interesting.
New York has the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Thanksgiving morning. As a result, NY hotels are booked well in advance and expensive. If you plan to do, make your reservation early. Thanksgiving is also a very busy weekend in Las Vegas.
I am sure you are aware you are talking vast distances and you will be flying between most of your destinations.
You can drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon (400 miles). You can drive or take a train from DC to NYC. Rental cars here become very expensive on one way rentals.
All of your cities listed are serviced by Southwest Airlines, one of our affordable airlines. Consider booking your international flights with one airline and then Southwest for your U.S. travel.
New York has the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Thanksgiving morning. As a result, NY hotels are booked well in advance and expensive. If you plan to do, make your reservation early. Thanksgiving is also a very busy weekend in Las Vegas.
I am sure you are aware you are talking vast distances and you will be flying between most of your destinations.
You can drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon (400 miles). You can drive or take a train from DC to NYC. Rental cars here become very expensive on one way rentals.
All of your cities listed are serviced by Southwest Airlines, one of our affordable airlines. Consider booking your international flights with one airline and then Southwest for your U.S. travel.
Jun 13th, 2012, 04:44 AM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some good advice from stumpworks.
I would fly to Las Vegas for Halloween, then rent a car and go to Grand Canyon with a stop at Hoover Dam either on the way or back to Vegas. You might also consider going to some of the other beautiful places in the area. It will probably be warm/comfortable in Vegas, cooler at Grand Canyon. I would suggest maybe 2 or 3 nights in Vegas to adjust to jet lag and experience Halloweeen, then a night or two at Grand Canyon and if you decide to visit some other places in the general area like Sedona or Zion another night or two. Probably a night back in Vegas before you fly to your next destination.
From Vegas, explore costs of flying lodging etc. to either New Orleans or Washington DC. In DC you would not need to rent a car as the metro is fine and parking/driving there is expensive and not fun. Probably 4 or 5 days in either location including the travel day.
Then look at your options for travel between the cities and if you want to do both NO and DC.
In any case if you decide on both do NO then DC. If you decide to drive, add the cost of gas, lodging and drop off fee when you compare car to flight or train.
DC to New York, either train or flight, don't do car as you don't need or want a car in either city.
Thanksgiving is early this year, November 22, so you could do your trip in 4 weeks, but be aware that you do not want to be travelling in the day or two before Thanksgiving or the weekend after as that is one of the busiest times for travel in the US.
Have a great trip.
I would fly to Las Vegas for Halloween, then rent a car and go to Grand Canyon with a stop at Hoover Dam either on the way or back to Vegas. You might also consider going to some of the other beautiful places in the area. It will probably be warm/comfortable in Vegas, cooler at Grand Canyon. I would suggest maybe 2 or 3 nights in Vegas to adjust to jet lag and experience Halloweeen, then a night or two at Grand Canyon and if you decide to visit some other places in the general area like Sedona or Zion another night or two. Probably a night back in Vegas before you fly to your next destination.
From Vegas, explore costs of flying lodging etc. to either New Orleans or Washington DC. In DC you would not need to rent a car as the metro is fine and parking/driving there is expensive and not fun. Probably 4 or 5 days in either location including the travel day.
Then look at your options for travel between the cities and if you want to do both NO and DC.
In any case if you decide on both do NO then DC. If you decide to drive, add the cost of gas, lodging and drop off fee when you compare car to flight or train.
DC to New York, either train or flight, don't do car as you don't need or want a car in either city.
Thanksgiving is early this year, November 22, so you could do your trip in 4 weeks, but be aware that you do not want to be travelling in the day or two before Thanksgiving or the weekend after as that is one of the busiest times for travel in the US.
Have a great trip.
Jun 13th, 2012, 05:58 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great advice by emalloy. And SueNYC: I think the advice was about which place would be easier to find accommodations.
I would also second heading to Vegas for your "intro" - and seeing some shows, etc. Red Rock Canyon - 20 minutes outside the strip - is a great way to first experience the stark beauty of the SW - and then take in the Grand Canyon - and if you have time - Sedona is a fun place to hang out.
Zion is also worth a visit if you can work it into your schedule, but the GC is King - and you can either drive there or take a one day bus tour - or even fly from Vegas over it and back.
If you really want to get to New Orleans, so be it - but I think spending time around DC and NY would be better suited for this trip.
Hey - putting in a plug for SD. You might consider starting here - as in October - it's still great weather - and you could enjoy going to the beach - if not even taking a plunge.
You could rent a car here and drive to Vegas in 5 hours - or fly over in an hour on such economy airlines as Southwest, and rent a car there.
I would also second heading to Vegas for your "intro" - and seeing some shows, etc. Red Rock Canyon - 20 minutes outside the strip - is a great way to first experience the stark beauty of the SW - and then take in the Grand Canyon - and if you have time - Sedona is a fun place to hang out.
Zion is also worth a visit if you can work it into your schedule, but the GC is King - and you can either drive there or take a one day bus tour - or even fly from Vegas over it and back.
If you really want to get to New Orleans, so be it - but I think spending time around DC and NY would be better suited for this trip.
Hey - putting in a plug for SD. You might consider starting here - as in October - it's still great weather - and you could enjoy going to the beach - if not even taking a plunge.
You could rent a car here and drive to Vegas in 5 hours - or fly over in an hour on such economy airlines as Southwest, and rent a car there.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 01:00 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Orleans would be my choice for Halloween, hands down
And independent travel would be my choice rather than a tour, even if tours are available. Independent travel is very easy and you have flexibility.
And independent travel would be my choice rather than a tour, even if tours are available. Independent travel is very easy and you have flexibility.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 03:16 PM
#11
My thoughts on a possible route: Fly to NYC spend 1 or 2 nights and make a list of the things you missed that you want to see when you come back. Take Amtrak train from NYP to Washington DC (WAS). Spend a night or 2 in Washington or nearby Virginia.
Take the Amtrak Crescent from Washington DC to New Orleans. If you wanted a break in this trip spend a night in Atlanta and get on the next Crescent.
You should find cheaper lodging in New Orleans than New York. I have been in a variety of cities on Halloween but never NO.
October 31 is on a Wednesday this year. Do not forget that our Presidential campaign will be in full swing at this time.
Election day is November 6.
From New Orleans You should fly to either Las Vegas or Phoenix and rent a car to go to the Grand Canyon. I am hoping that you get to the Grand Canyon before the first snowstorm of the year.
If you still have time and the weather holds out, fly Phoenix or Las Vegas to Oakland/San Jose or Fresno and rent a car to see Yosemite. Fly back to NYC from California to see what you may have missed there.
Independent travel has always been my style. I hate being rushed to the bus on a tour when I want to see more where we stopped especially when the next stop is not as interesting as the last stop.
Take the Amtrak Crescent from Washington DC to New Orleans. If you wanted a break in this trip spend a night in Atlanta and get on the next Crescent.
You should find cheaper lodging in New Orleans than New York. I have been in a variety of cities on Halloween but never NO.
October 31 is on a Wednesday this year. Do not forget that our Presidential campaign will be in full swing at this time.
Election day is November 6.
From New Orleans You should fly to either Las Vegas or Phoenix and rent a car to go to the Grand Canyon. I am hoping that you get to the Grand Canyon before the first snowstorm of the year.
If you still have time and the weather holds out, fly Phoenix or Las Vegas to Oakland/San Jose or Fresno and rent a car to see Yosemite. Fly back to NYC from California to see what you may have missed there.
Independent travel has always been my style. I hate being rushed to the bus on a tour when I want to see more where we stopped especially when the next stop is not as interesting as the last stop.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 03:31 PM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can;t imagine there is a tour that does anything close to that. And certainly not a tour for younger people - the ones there are usually cater to a much more mature group.
Really reco you plan the trip yourself using a combo of fly and drive except for NYC to DC - for which train will work.
BUT, you are trying to do a lot even for 4 weeks, Not sure where you are from, but the US is large - and by Nov mountain and northern areas will be chilly to snowy.
Really reco you plan the trip yourself using a combo of fly and drive except for NYC to DC - for which train will work.
BUT, you are trying to do a lot even for 4 weeks, Not sure where you are from, but the US is large - and by Nov mountain and northern areas will be chilly to snowy.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 04:05 PM
#13
I just re-read your post. I see that it is NEXT year (2013) you are planning on this trip. Work out your plan and start a new thread next June/July with some new questions. Forget what I said about the election. Oct. 31 will be on a Thursday next year. I still think that the Amtrak Crescent is a deal at $280 for 2 seats from Washington to New Orleans. I doubt that you can get airfare for 2 from WAS to NOL for that price.
Try to avoid the very expensive hotel rooms in whatever city you decide on.
Try to avoid the very expensive hotel rooms in whatever city you decide on.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 05:40 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"bspielman on Jun 13
C'mon, Sue. You know the answer to that: Vegas has the fake "Empire State Building," the fake "Statue of Liberty," etc. It's "just like" New York."
===
Well, as soon as Donald Trump gets the green light, all the permits, and proper bribes paid out, he'll get going on his long plans to build hotels and casinos on Coney Island.
Then NYC will truely be just like Vegas; only ifcourse all the stuff is real
C'mon, Sue. You know the answer to that: Vegas has the fake "Empire State Building," the fake "Statue of Liberty," etc. It's "just like" New York."
===
Well, as soon as Donald Trump gets the green light, all the permits, and proper bribes paid out, he'll get going on his long plans to build hotels and casinos on Coney Island.
Then NYC will truely be just like Vegas; only ifcourse all the stuff is real
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hinson123
United States
8
Jun 13th, 2011 04:15 PM
littlebrother
United States
7
Jun 19th, 2008 09:30 AM
