From Alice, Owner of Travel Junction
I recently went to Phoenix and then on to the Grand Canyon. What a wonderful experience! We stopped in Sedona and had a pink jeep Tour adventure. The tour was off road adventure. The jeep will take you over the rocks of the canyon lands and you will see many rock formations. What a wonderful place to get married. There are 2 trolly tours that take you around the area to see the sites.
We took the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim and spent the night at Maswik Lodge. The property is rustic but the accommodations were like staying at a Holiday Inn. The food was good. There is probably about 5 hotels located at the southern rim. The sunset and sunrises were gorgeous. There was several restaurants where you could eat.
The Grand Canyon had many marked trails to hike and you could even hike to the Phantom Ranch but it would take about 3 hours hard hiking. You can do a mule ride to the Phantom Ranch and spend the night but you have to book about 18 months in advance. The mules are stubborn and like to look over the canyon. I think you need to be young at heart to experience the mule ride.
Before going to the Grand Canyon, we stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel for a night. Nice hotel and an indoor pool. The food was adequate and I was told there are several B&B in Williams. There is shopping to be done but the best part is a local diner with wonderful pies. A must to do. Also route 66 goes through Williams. On the train I would reccommend First class seating. Comfortable seats and refreshments.
When you get to the south Rim in the Grand Canyon, there is a motorcoach Rim Tour for 30.00. Do not take it. You can take the free bus and they make the same stops. Only do the rim tour if you are going back to Williams the same day. I suggest staying one or two nights at the south rim if you want to enjoy the Grand Canyon. To see the north rim you must drive about 3 hours and limited lodging available.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Arizona!
Disney Free Dining Extension!
Good news from Disney! They have extended the free dining to the following dates. Free dining offer now includes August 15-October 7, October 22-28, November 12 to 18, November 27 to December 2 and December 10-21. Free dining is the program where you get one sit down meal, one counter like McDonalds meal and one snack per night stay. Good value for your vacation.
Important Passport Information
Please pass the word. Passports will go up to 135.00 per adult over 16 years of age on July 13,2010. Passport for children under 16 years of age will go up to 105.00 per child.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter trip!
I just got back from Orlando where it is 100 degree and very humid. I went to see Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. The line was only 30 minutes since I arrived at 6:00pm and many people were leaving. I did Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It was very cool. I did not ride the Flight of the Hippogriff or Dragon Challenge.
People who rode the Dragon Challenge and the Flight of the Hippogriff really liked the rides. Harry Potter fans are in their glory. Do allow time to attend Citywalk in the evening. This is the happening place with restaurants and and live activities on Citywalk. Many of the shows in Universal Studios have changed. ... A few are Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Shrek4-d which was very good and Jimmy Neuron's Nicktoon Blast.
People who rode the Dragon Challenge and the Flight of the Hippogriff really liked the rides. Harry Potter fans are in their glory. Do allow time to attend Citywalk in the evening. This is the happening place with restaurants and and live activities on Citywalk. Many of the shows in Universal Studios have changed. ... A few are Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Shrek4-d which was very good and Jimmy Neuron's Nicktoon Blast.
Holland America: Veedam Cruise | Part 4
I spent a night in New York before boarding the ship for Bermuda. I saw Mary Poppins and really enjoyed the show. Mamma Mia and Billy Elliott were at the ticketthon for half price. The food is always excellent as usual. We stayed at the Edison hotel and had dinner and Breakfast at the hotel. The prices for food were very reasonable but you need reservations for dinner. New York is packed every weekend.
Holland America: Veedam Cruise | Part 3
Holland America is the only cruise ship that docks in Hamilton. All other cruises dock at the dock yards and must ferry or take the buses to Hamilton. It is good value to get day passes for traveling through Bermuda. Bermuda has great golf courses and good golfing but very pricy.
Holland America: Veedam Cruise | Part 2
The beaches are small and you must take public transportation to get to the beaches. The stores on Front Street are not good shopping. On Wednesday night there was a street fair from 6-10pm with local music. That was interesting. The best beach was at the dock yards but now it is only a snorkeling place. Not real good for swimming and getting a tan. I you dock in Hamilton take the ferry to the dock yards.