Tag: USA Holiday

Jim Hinckley’s Destination Spotlight: Arizona – A wonderland for any season

The American southwest is an almost magical place where myth, legend, history, stories of larger-than-life characters, and awe-inspiring landscapes unfold on a holiday as a rich and colourful tapestry. Who isn’t familiar with Wyatt Earp and the OK Corral, the exploits of Buffalo Bill Cody, or the story of Olive Oatman? 

But for every Jesse James or Billy the Kid, there are a dozen people like Tap Duncan, Jeff Davis Milton or Black Mary whose stories have been forgotten. Tombstone is a town with a name as recognizable as Detroit or New York City. But who remembers Fairbank, Rhyolite, or Dos Cabezas?

Aubry Valley and Route 66 west of Seligman, Arizona

A road trip through southern Arizona is an adventure of epic proportions. And it is also a journey through time, and a voyage of discovery. 

Tucson, Arizona is a modern metropolis built around an ancient Spanish presidio. Within a few miles of the city’s congested heart is a vast wilderness and a forest of towering saguaro. Tucson. And yet the southernmost ski resort in the United States is less than an hours drive. 

Within site of the city’s towering, modern skyline is the treasure of San Xavier del Bac known as the White Dove of The Desert. This National Historic Landmark and World Heritage Site that still serves the Tohono O’odham reservation was established as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. 

Nearby is the picturesque village of Tubac that is an artists colony filled with historic landmarks. Dating to 1725 this is the oldest European settlement in Arizona. 

Tucson. Tombstone. Bisbee. Nogales. Sierra Vista. Douglas. Dos Cabezas. Hiking trails in a desert wilderness or urban exploration. Historic sites, scenic wonders above and below ground, five-star dining and quaint cafes, luxury resorts or historic hotels. You can easily fill a dozen holidays with memory making adventures in southern Arizona. 

The Painted Desert

But the entire state is a holiday paradise in any season. At the recent Route 66 Info Fair in Needles, California, just across the river from Oatman, Arizona on iconic Route 66, the temperature was a delightful 23 degrees. And yet just 370 kilometers to the east at the Grand Canyon, it was snowing, and the ski resorts were doing a booming business. 

And in the months of summer when temperatures in the Colorado River Valley soar to 50 degrees or more, a scenic drive of just 90 miles is all that is needed to escape the heat to the pine forested oasis in a sea of desert that is Hualapai Mountain Park. 

A hiking trail in Hualapai Mountain Park

Are you ready for a memory making holiday in the Grand Canyon State? Contact RouteTrip USA. We will build a bespoke trip just for you. After all, we are the bespoke holiday specialists. 

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Wedding plans changed? How about a romantic New York Weddingmoon….

Everyone has had to adjust their plans in some way, shape or form…. If you were planning to get married but now your budget has changed, or if the pandemic has made you realise who you want to spend the rest of your life with; then perhaps a trip to New York City will bring out your inner Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City…

We can arrange everything so there is nothing to worry about and we offer group booking discounts so you can ensure you can share your special day. You’ll need to apply for your marriage licence from the Office of the New York City Clerk (located at 141 Worth Street, Manhattan). The fee is $35 for the license and you need to hold this for at least 24 hours before you can legally marry. You can apply in person or online but you will still have to attend the City Clerk’s Office to complete your license and make payment.

As a UK Citizen, you will need to get the extended certificate in order for the marriage to be valid in the UK. The extended certificate can be applied for the same day that you get married but why not enjoy the day and then take a trip around the City – it does take a little time but we will cover this in your personalised literary so you don’t run out of time. You can get married right at City Hall and celebrate with a meal afterwards at The River Cafe, Dumbo Restaurant – we will ensure all reservations are taken care of. Or we can arrange a wedding officiant to get married any number of iconic locations such as Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Station or as in Sex and the City – New York Public Library – just off Bryant Park.

You may need a permit from New York City Department of Parks & Recreation so just let us know and we will pull everything together so you don’t need to worry. There are a number of options including Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Prospect Park; Central Park offers the popular Loeb Boathouse, Conservatory Garden or The Pond; Central Park Zoo also offers a beautiful setting with all proceeds going towards conservation society programs.

Alternatively there is the more opulent Plaza Hotel, featured in a number of films, also the American Museum of Natural History is another great option. Or for something totally different- The Foundry in Long Island City or Studio 450 is an industrial space once the home of a chocolate factory. You can have an intimate setting along side the Statue of Liberty thanks to Manhattan Sail or hit a home run at either the Yankee or Met’s stadiums. All you have to do is let us know your budget and we will discuss the options with you, planning everything so you can enjoy your wedding and Honeymoon in one trip – a Weddingmoon.

Not only can you save thousands on tying the knot but we also offer a personalised service where your guests or loved ones can contribute. You’ll receive a dedicated webpage with secure login details and cards to include in invitations (should you require), explaining how guests can contribute towards your special trip. New York really is a romantic place and as it is on the East coast the flight time is roughly 7 hours, the Autumn is beautiful with good temperatures or enjoy a winter wonderland with the famous skating rink and Christmas tree as the Rockefeller Plaza. You could still get married in 2020 and have an amazing holiday – who says you need to chose!

Something to look forward to

When booking your holiday it is always something to look forward to, but with the changing environment regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 it can be difficult to even think past the next Government update!

If you have already booked a trip with RouteTrip USA, you are in safe hands! We are keeping abreast of the updates and will be able to advise you based on your specific circumstances. But we are a small business, trying to keep tourism alive. Our business grew to keep Route 66 going and the only way we can do this is by keeping people visiting the USA. Whilst it is not possible to travel right now, this will inevitably change. So before you panic and cancel the trip you have been dreaming about for a while now – let’s see if we can re-book your trip. If you are travelling later in the year, this should not affect you.

Thinking about booking a trip but not sure? We are keeping tourism alive and you can help support small businesses like us too – secure your trip now for 2021 departures! You will still have an amazing trip to look forward to and your bank balance will thank you too with just a £99pp deposit and prices secured. You will have longer to pay and all our packages are ATOL protected giving you full piece of mind.