USA Archives - Top Spot Travel

April 14, 2018 by Jeremy

5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit Kauai At Least Once

Kauai may not be the most popular island in Hawaii, but it certainly is up there in the top three. However, what makes Kauai the most appealing is the island’s abundance of natural beauty. In case you have not visited Kauai or even Hawaii yet for some reason, here are five reasons as to why you need to do so soon.

Hiker’s Paradise

If you are a trekking or hiking enthusiast, you have probably already heard about the Kalalau Trail as one of the most beautiful and challenging hiking trails in Hawaii and it does live up to those expectations. The 11-mile long hike will take you through majestic cliffs, lonely beaches and some natural views of the island at the backdrop of the cliffs and the sea, that are the stuff of dreams for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

The Unique Beauty of the Hanalei Bay

More a beach for the families, what makes Hanalei Bay unique are the green cliffs that surrounds the place, giving it a sense of privacy and seclusion from the rest of the world. It’s also a popular spot for surfers, and while the sunset from the beach is nothing short of stunning, surfers claim that the view from the water is even more grand.

Historical Wonder

It is believed that none of the main islands of the Hawaiian state are older than Kauai and geologists have confirmed that to be a fact. The island is quite literally millions of years old (5 million to be exact) and instead of visiting manmade museums to experience some of the history, you will be able to enter the ancient Makauwahi Cave and see things for yourself, just as nature left it. The cave is a historical and geological wonder where scientists have found bones and remains of extinct animals and plants that died off thousands, if not millions of years ago.

The Famous Na Pali Coast

Being one of the most popular attractions, the Na Pali coastline probably needs no introduction, but for those who are not familiar with the place or what it offers, know that the coastline here is almost cinematically beautiful and the view from any of the beaches or cliffs is a stunning amalgamation of colors. Helicopter tours are available and kayaking is both allowed and recommended.

The Waterfalls of Mount Waialeale

Admittedly, waterfalls are a common site on most Hawaiian Islands, but it’s different on Mount Waialeale because of the sheer number of waterfalls that roar down from top of the cliff and go down into the Blue Hole canyon that’s hundreds of feet deep and has steep 3,000-feet tall cliffs surrounding it. You can even trek down into the Blue Hole if you want and that’s an adventure by itself.

As Kauai is a tourist hotspot, it is advisable to book your flight tickets and hotel in advance from Panda Online. It will ensure that you don’t waste any of your valuable vacation time hunting for hotels after reaching the island, as well as saving you some money on the flight tickets. After all, there’s just so much to see on Kauai and most people hardly have enough time to see things properly.

March 22, 2018 by Jeremy

Eat up the Fun at Disney World

Have you never been to Disney World or has it been a long time since your last visit? Either way, does a trip there sound like fun?

For many of those who’ve been to Disney World in Florida, they came back with memories galore.

From many rides to different shows and more, Disney can leave you smiling whether you are an adult or a child.

So, is it time to check out this theme park and start planning your visit to one of the world’s most famous attractions?

Are You Going with Children?

If you are taking children on your trip to Disney, be sure to go online and research all there is to do for kids. You also want to make sure that your child will be the appropriate age for specific rides you may want to take them on.

It is also important to get your tickets as soon as possible.

Although you can buy tickets at the gate, why not have these ahead of time? Doing the latter means one less thing you have to worry about as you head out for fun.

The time of year you go to Disney World should also factor into your plans.

Yes, central Florida can get a tad on the hot and humid side when summertime rolls around. That said don’t let the weather stop you from heading off to what can be a great vacation experience. Your best bet is to check what the yearly weather is. See if the average temps a specific time of year will be alright with you.

With the weather decision behind you, you also want to think about when the crowds might be at their peak.

Don’t Sweat Any Crowds

If you go to Disney or any theme park for that matter in the summer, the crowds can be a little larger given the time of year. Once again, that should not stop you if summer is your best time of the year to travel. When you have kids, traveling in the summertime can be a necessity due to their school schedules.

Last, is your child a bit of a picky eater? In fact, might you be too and do not want to admit it.

That said you should do some online research on Disney dining.

Doing so will help you prepare for the different foods on the respective menus. Don’t worry; you should have no trouble finding stuff that you and your children will be more than happy to eat.

Also do a little research to see if you will need reservations for any of the eateries you are thinking of dining at. The last thing you’d want is waiting in a long line after a fun day of riding the rides and checking out the shows.

Last; check to see if you can take any snacks or water into whichever theme park you go to. If you can, you could save a few dollars on concessions before your main meal.

Whether at Disney World or any other such attraction for that matter; leave with a good taste in your mouth.

March 1, 2018 by Jeremy

Three Secrets for Scoring a Great Deal on Your Next Car

Buying a new car is a major financial investment for most people. If you’re a saver, you’ve likely spent hours working, and even more hours tabulating your savings waiting for the day you’re finally ready to bite the bullet. If you’re comfortable with financing most of your purchase, the wait might not have been so long until you’re ready. But, either way, there are a few important things to remember when buying a new car that will ensure you get a great deal on your purchase.

The first big secret is to know a whole lot about the car model or models you’re interested in well before you ever head to a car lot. You can do research on almost every car currently in production on reputable websites like Cars.com. You can filter your search results but specific makes and even trim levels of vehicles. There is also a comparison tool that allows you to look at several models side by side. Knowing all the details of the car model that will ultimately land in your sights will likely include knowing its value. Knowing this key piece of information will ensure you don’t fall for an inflated ticket prices at the dealership and will put leverage in your corner when it comes time for negotiations.

Another huge component of getting a great deal on your next car is to shop around. You might find the exact car you’re looking for at the first dealership you visit. But, there is nothing wrong with making the salesmen work for the deal. And, rest assured, any dealership that carries the kind of car you’re looking for, can get any model or special features you want. Be sure to visit a few dealerships before settling on a specific car and pick the one that is most reputable, and makes you feel most comfortable about doing business with them.

Finally, if you’re going to finance your next car purchase, make sure you know what’s lurking in your credit report well before a potential lender pulls it. If you have any less-than-stellar information in your report, it could save you thousands of dollars in interest to clean it up well before submitting your loan application.

February 1, 2018 by Jeremy

Florida’s 5 Greatest Tourist Attractions

The sunshine state is one of the most popular tourists destinations on the planet with over a 100 million people visiting each year. With a fabulous climate, beautiful countryside nice golden sandy breathtaking beaches and some of the world’s most impressive theme parks Florida has a wealth of incredible attractions. With so many attractions though it can be hard to choose which ones to visit, especially if time is limited.

Go on holiday to Florida and you sure to have an amazing time! We use the word ‘greatest’ because the places chosen on this list are truly special! So let’s take a look a Florida’s greatest tourist attractions to give us a better idea.

Universal Studios

Disneyland’s biggest rival Universal Studio theme Park is one of Florida’s greatest attractions. With growing numbers each year Universal studios in Florida is one of the top 10 most visited amusement parks in the world, which is likely to surpass 10 million visitors this year. The theme park consists of fantastic rides, exhibitions and other entertaining attraction all themed on television and film.

Kennedy Space Centre

This is the incredible site of all NASA’s human flights into space since the 1960’s.

The Kennedy Space Centre caters to tourism with its visitor complex where guests tours of important facilities as well as a rocket garden. The museum is a fantastic attraction too which can traces back all the historic moments in US space history with its brilliant and informative exhibitions and movies.

Everglades

Florida’s beautifully national park the Everglades made up of tropical wetlands is a must visit location in Florida. The national park is home to some of the United States best wildlife spotting opportunities with Crocodiles, the Manatee and the American Panther all living in the national park. The world heritage sight is an incredibly scenic place to be explored.

South Beach

Miami’s south beach is the place to see and be seen. This beautiful stretch of land hosts some of the wildest nightlife in the continent with its high end nightclubs and mix of electronic and latin beats. South beach hosts some of the biggest DJ’ across the world and is an all year round party destination. South Beach in itself is beautiful with sunny weather throughout the calendar, pure white sands and Caribbean blue sea.

Walt Disney World

The biggest of all of Disney 7 theme parks across the world & the biggest theme park on the planet! Walt Disney World is a dream come true for both adults and children alike. The parks incredible rides, brilliant shows and familiar characters make Walt Disney World a truly magical place. Every young child that grows up watching Disney films is drawn to this place which can be enjoyed well into our adulthoods. The music, the atmosphere and the pure happiness is something to be truly admired. Walt Disney World in Florida is perhaps the happiest place in the entire world. Attracting a total 20 million visitors a year and growing, Walt Disney World Park is undoubtedly Florida’s Greatest Attraction and for children at least the biggest attraction on the planet. Walt Disney would be very proud!

December 1, 2017 by Jeremy

7 Tips for Your First Long-Distance Motorcycle Trip

Perhaps you’re young, confident and maybe a little bit rash, and you’ve been dying to take your bike out for a long excursion. So you’ve decided to take an impulsive trip and are looking for some last minute tips. And that’s fine. There’s freedom in picking up your bag and heading out for an adventure just because you feel the call of the road.

Or maybe you’re the responsible type. You’ve been planning this road trip for months, even years. Finally, after waiting for all the pieces to come together, the time to go is finally near. You’ve got your destinations lined up, your hotel rooms reserved, and you’re researching advice online to make sure you haven’t overlooked anything.

Whatever the case, whether you’re planning to travel with your motorcycle stateside or in another country, you’ve come to the right place. The first thing you should know is to expect the unexpected, especially if this is your first time doing a solo motorcycle road trip. There are some things you can only learn the hard way, by facing obstacles head on and overcoming them. That being said, these 10 tips will help you mentally prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.

Your Endurance Will Be Tested

If you’re not accustomed to riding for more than just a few hours, then you may want to make some practice runs lasting a few hours before embarking on your trip. The road will test your focus, your endurance, and literally be a pain in the rear. The more experience you have riding for longer periods of time, the more pleasant your road trip will turn out.

Windshields Are a Godsend

Right now you may be thinking that windshields are unstylish and only fit for middle-aged men riding overly outfitted touring bikes, but you’ll change your mind fast once you’re on the freeway for a few hours. Riding against the wind at 65 to 80 miles per hour gets exhausting fast. If you don’t have a windshield already, do yourself a favor and invest in a proper windshield.

Posture Is Key

Unless you’ve had a lot of experience riding long distances, you may not realize how essential posture is to comfortable riding. Getting your seating and riding position right makes the difference between smooth sailing and killing your back and legs. If you want to ride without turning your body into a pretzel, seriously consider getting a backrest and some highway pegs. Also adjust your handlebars for optimal comfort before you hit the road.

Prepare for Some Unpredictable Weather

Riders in the know often joke that on a long road trip you’ll end up hot, cold and wet. Expect to encounter all kinds of weather conditions, whether it be hot sun or cold rain—and prepare yourself accordingly. Pack a few change of clothes and wear well-ventilated, waterproof equipment. However, no matter how many preparations you make, you should steel yourself for at least a little discomfort. After all, you’ll be on a motorcycle, completely exposed to the elements.

Earplugs Are Incredible

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), noise levels of 100 decibels become damaging to the ear after just 15 minutes of exposure. At a speed of about 74 mph (which is common for freeway riding), wind noise exceeds 100 decibels. The conclusion? Wear earplugs while riding, no matter how uncool it is. You know what’s not cool? Losing your hearing. Also, contrary to popular belief, earplugs don’t block out sound, they help your ears distinguish sounds better. In other words, you’ll be more aware of your surroundings with earplugs, not less. And as any good rider will tell you, awareness is key to safe riding.

Embrace Technology

There’s something romantic to the notion of riding with only the road and your thoughts on your mind for hours on end—and it’s an experience any rider should have at least once. However, you may want to consider using technology for your first trip since it will make your ride a lot more comfortable. A helmet with Bluetooth capabilities, for instance, can facilitate navigation and rider-to-rider communications. If your bike has cruise control, make use of it. It’ll help you maintain a constant speed for long periods of time and consequently discourage cars from dangerously passing you.

Get Plenty of Rest

Riding long distances is a physically and mentally draining experience, and you’ll have to listen to your body if you want to make it through your trip unscathed. Feel thirsty? Pull over and drink some water. Hungry? Pull over and get a snack. Your muscles feeling tight? Pull over and stretch. The last thing you want to do is overdo it, lose concentration and put yourself at risk of a bad motorcycle crash. Remember, every car is a potential killing machine, and you need to be awake, alert and focused on your ride from point A to B to C and so on.

One last and final tip: enjoy yourself. As long as you practice smart and safe riding strategies along with the tips above, you will have the time of your life, guaranteed. Now get out there and create some unforgettable memories! The road awaits.