USA Archives - Page 7 of 10

March 12, 2014 by Jeremy

Discover a New Side to Florida…

When you think of Florida, what springs to mind? Is it the thrills and spills of the Orlando theme parks? Maybe the Disney firework shows that light up the night sky? Or is it the never ending shopping malls that let you shop until you drop? Whatever you picture, change your view of this destination with a few top tips on places to visit…

For total relaxation, with a fun tropical vibe, head south to the Florida Keys. Bob Marley would have loved it here. The people are friendly, the pace is slow and the sun is hot – what more could you want from a chilled-out escape to the sun?

Key Largo holidays are a popular choice if you don’t want to travel too far. It’s the first Key you come to as you venture down the Dixie Highway to the Florida Keys. There’s lots for the kids to enjoy here, including a visit to the National Marine Sanctuary, home to colourful reefs and protected species just waiting to be discovered. Key Largo is famed for its many bars and restaurants offering award winning outdoor dining day and night.

Further North, you’ll find another part of Florida offering a totally different side to this magical state. On the East Coast is the enchanting city of Saint Augustine.

Steeped in history being the oldest town in America, you’ll enjoy excursions to the famous Flagler Museum, the Fountain of Youth and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Stroll down King Street dotted with quaint cafes and local shops selling fine art, trinkets and souvenirs of your visit.

Pop into Kilwins for the best ice cream you’ll ever taste served in a giant waffle cone. Then head to the beach, with miles upon miles of glorious golden sand and hardly a tourist in sight.

Wherever your Florida dreams take you, you can get there for less with the likes of Thomas Cook holidays to Florida. Check out the great offers available for this year and next, with fantastic savings available the sooner you book…

March 6, 2014 by Ben Carter

The Biggest Universal Movies that Don’t have a ride yet – and what it should be

Universal Studios is not only one of the most successful American movie studios, but the company also operates two ridiculously popular theme parks in the States. Most visitors to either the California or Florida Universal Studios locations come for the thrill rides that are based on some of Universal’s most successful movies such as E.T., King Kong, and Terminator 2.

However, despite all of the rides and attractions at Universal Studios locations, there are a few successful Universal pictures which have surprisingly never had their own Universal Studios park attraction. These are some of the biggest Universal pictures which have failed to inspire an attraction at a Universal park. And if this list makes you want nothing more than to visit the park yourself, then check out tickets at Love Orlando Florida.

December 23, 2013 by jfalbelda

Following TV shows along Route 66

There are few road trips as iconic as Route 66, and every year thousands of people take to the Mother Road to get a taste of this wonderful slice of history and US culture. However, just because so many people visit it doesn’t mean that all holidays here are the same – there’s plenty of scope to really make the trip your own. One way of doing this is by following in the footsteps of major TV shows along the way.

Below, I’ll give you an overview of some of the biggest series to have been filmed at various destinations along Route 66. Meanwhile, you can find out more about how to organise your tour by visiting this website, which has lots of useful information on the cities that Route 66 passes through, not to mention your options for vehicle hire. Opting for an organised tour through a specialist company like this is really handy if you want to be confident in the overall structure of your break, so don’t worry that you’ll need to organise all the finer details yourself just because you’re opting for a road trip.

Albuquerque – Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is a show that’s hit the headlines time and time again over the last few months, with its finale having only recently aired. I’ll avoid talking about the plot too much in case you’re in the process of desparately trying to catch up with the series before you hear any spoilers (in which case I wish you the best of luck!), but I will just clue you into its premise for those of you who are entirely new to the show.

Breaking Bad tells the story of a science teacher, Walter White, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Fearing that he’ll leave his family financially destitute when he dies, he comes up with a plan to secure their future: cooking crystal meth with Jesse, his former school student. If you haven’t already, it’s well worth watching the series in full before you set off – not only because it’s amazing, but also because you can actually take a tour of its filming locations.

A firm called ABQ Trolley Co offers tours around the top Breaking Bad sites, including Downtown, Central Avenue and even Route 66 itself. Really, the more recently you’ve seen the series before going on this tour the better, since it’ll be easy to pick out which scenes happened where. The tour lasts around three-and-a-half hours in total, you need to book your place in advance.

Sons of Anarchy – California

As you reach the end of your road trip down Route 66 you’ll come to California, which is the location of another TV series – Sons of Anarchy. Now, this show is actually still running and is now in its sixth series – though it is rumoured that series seven will be its last hurrah on the small screen. There are almost too many filming locations to list, but they include South Mission Road in Los Angeles and Lankershire Boulevard in North Hollywood, so it’s worth doing a little research before you arrive to work out where exactly you want to go.

In case you’re not familiar with the series, it follows an outlaw motorcycle gang that operates in a fictional town (Charming) in California’s Central Valley. Vice-president of the club Jax is very much the focus of the series, with the character beginning to question the club, as well as his own lifestyle.

November 11, 2013 by jfalbelda

When to Go – Trip Ideas for Every Season

Need a little travel inspiration? If you have a few days off during a specific season but aren’t sure where to go, browse this list for our latest destination loves.

Autumn

The Northeastern United States: If you’re looking for autumnal scenery, this is the place to be. Every October, states like New York, Connecticut and Vermont are home to colorful displays of changing leaves, and the quaint local towns simply add to the vibe.

Germany: Some travelers swear by spring, but we think Germany is best in the fall. The weather is gorgeous, the crowds have thinned out, and spots like the Wine Route are particularly picturesque.

Scandinavia: Similar to Germany, Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway come to life in the fall months. You’ll see changing trees similar to those in the U.S., and the bright blue skies and chilly weather are romantic beyond compare.

Winter

Australia: It’s summer time and the living is easy. Thanks to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia’s summer lands during our winter months, which makes it the ideal spot to escape the most wet and dreary time.

French Polynesia: The islands that make up this South Pacific paradise are some of the world’s most beautiful. Head to tropical Tahiti or secluded Bora Bora to unwind in a palm-fringed setting. If you book your trip using travel rewards, you might even get airport lounge access so that you start the luxury before you even leave the airport.

Eastern Canada: This is where winters are at their most idyllic. If you’re in the mood for snowy mountains, ice-slicked landscapes and mugs of rich hot chocolate, head for spots like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Spring

The Western United States: This section of the States is often associated with its sub-tropical summers, but spring is among the most temperate times to explore the sights. Head to Los Angeles for breezy beach days, venture to Las Vegas for a slightly cooled-off vacation, or get to the Grand Canyon to experience one of the world’s wonders.

Japan: When the cherry blossoms spring to life, there’s no better place to be than in Japan. Kyoto is an especially good spot to peep the blooming trees, but you’ll find just as many cherry-lined treasures in bustling Tokyo.

Spain: Spring is a fantastic time to visit Europe in general, but Spain is particularly lovely this time of year. The weather is gorgeous, the cities are active, and there’s a relaxing lull just before the summer tourist rush begins.

Summer

The Andaman Islands: Summer is all about kicking back and letting your cares slip away, and India’s Andaman Islands are the perfect escape. Head to one of the more remote spots like Havelock for a truly off-the-grid experience.

Brazil: When it comes to summer spice, no place does it quite like Brazil. This South American country is a vibrant mish-mash of sights and sounds. Looking for the ultimate combination of city and beach breaks? Rio de Janeiro is the destination for you.

Iceland: Though many globe-trotters prefer the less-crowded Iceland winters, we still love visiting in the summer months. The atmosphere here is truly stunning: verdant hills, cascading waterfalls and sprawling ocean as far as the eye can see.

October 9, 2013 by jfalbelda

Top 5 Events in Orlando, Florida this Month!

The state of Florida in the USA is renowned for its theme parks, and there’s a wealth of entertainment on offer, both within and out with the theme parks, in the month of October. If you’ve decided to take out a car hire with Avis then Florida has a lot to offer, both in terms of the specific theme park events, and those in other venues. Many of October’s events are concentrated in and around Orlando, and will be within easy driving distance of the city centre.

Walt Disney World hosts perhaps one of the longest-lasting Halloween parties of all, with ‘Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party’ running from September 10th through to November 1st. Billed as being suitable for all ages, the attractions on offer include parades, fireworks shows, and trick-or-treat events all around the park. Running over roughly the same time frame, Universal Orlando Resort present their ‘Halloween Horror Nights 23’, which promises a maze of haunted houses, live shows and scare zones. Many other theme parks are offering Halloween-themed parties and attractions, including ‘Brick-or-Treat’ at Legoland, ‘Howl-O-Scream’ at Busch Gardens, and Seaworld’s ‘Halloween Spooktacular’.

In a less scary vein, and still early in the month, Sarah Brightman’s Dreamchaser World Tour arrives at the Amway Center on the 8th, in a concert rescheduled from earlier in the year. Brightman is the only artist to have topped the Billboard Dance and Classical Music charts simultaneously, and was the first to have been invited to perform theme songs for the Olympic Games on two separate occasions. With global sales exceeding 30 million units, Brightman has received more than 180 gold and platinum awards, making her possibly the world’s biggest-selling soprano of all time. ‘Dreamchaser’ is her 11th studio album.

Over a period of three days from October 4th, the Orange County Convention Center hosts the Orlando Home Show, a home improvement extravaganza featuring daily ‘how to’ presentations, and special appearances by DIY and cookery stars from many popular TV shows. The promoters promise fun and inspiration across the whole of the show floor, whether visitors are looking for assistance with specific home projects, or are just looking for an entertaining day out. The show operates free admission for teachers and other education employees on Friday 4th, designated as ‘Educator’s Day’.

Ripley’s second annual Oddtoberfest takes place on the 12th of the month, at Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium, on International Drive. The event features live music, food trucks, carnival games and other children’s activities, along with presentations and demonstrations, including karate skills, trick roping and other less conventional activities.

double headed cow at Ripley’s Odditorium in Orlando, Florida, USA

Finally, and to round off the month, the Amway Center hosts a special Halloween concert with Nine Inch Nails and Gary Numan. Nine Inch Nails are touring in support of their new album, their first in five years, and appropriately enough for a Halloween performance, their single released from the album is titled “Come Back Haunted”. This concert marks a radical departure from the previous evening’s fare at Amway, a concert from popular vocal crooner, Michael Buble.