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Las Vegas Nevada USA

Viva Las Vegas

And how I wish that there were more
Than twenty-four hours in the day.
But even if there were forty more,
I wouldn’t sleep a minute away.
Oh, there’s blackjack and poker and a roulette wheel.
A fortune won and lost on every deal.
All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel.

“Viva Las Vegas” was the title song of the film of the same name, sung by Elvis Presley. Although Elvis first performed in Vegas in 1956, it was his twice a day, seven days a week, 636 sold out shows, from August 1969 on, at the International where his association with the city was firmly cemented.

Tourists takes photos with the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign on the Strip Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tourists takes photos with the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the Strip Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

The image of countless casinos is one that many people still hold of Las Vegas, but as a holiday destination it is so much more than that. It can better be described as an entertainment destination. If you are looking to be entertained then you will find it here and you don’t have to place a bet to enjoy what it has to offer.

There is nothing to beat a walk down the Las Vegas Strip in the evening. It is the must do part of your visit. You will be transported to Venice, Paris and New York. Don’t miss out on the beautiful Bellagio Fountains as they dance to the music every 15 minutes in the evenings.

This is a view of the Strip as seen from the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas Saturday, August 19, 2017. Visible in the photo are Bellagio, Fountains of Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, Bally's, Flamingo and Cromwell. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
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Beach Caribbean Cuba Heritage Sun

Havana, Cuba

Cuba has to be close to the top of the list of places to visit once we can travel again.  Thanks to US sanctions it is caught in a partial time warp.  Cuba is one of the few places in the world that you still can’t buy a McDonalds, unless you are serving or detained at Guantanamo Bay!

So you need to visit before it all changes. Unlike former Communist Central and East European countries where almost all vestiges of socialist ideologies have disappeared there are plenty of reminders around.

Old Cars Cuba
Old Cars Cuba

Outside of Havana where you must visit UNESCO listed the Old town and its impressive colonial buildings, you can access some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with crystal clear waters and fine sandy beaches that are not overrun with tourists. 

And if you need any more reasons to visit, did we mention the old cars, the cheap beer and rum and world renowned cigars.

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Beach Cancun Caribbean Mexico Sun

Cancun

Looking ahead to 2021, plenty of us will considering a trip south acroos the border to Cancun. Trips to Cancun have it all. On top of the 13+ miles of beaches, there is plenty of nightlife, modern shopping malls and Mayan ruins a short trip away.

The northern beaches are sheltered by a small island and have calmer waters whilst the eastern beaches have more waves. Take your pick depending on what you are looking for from a day at the beach. For sun lovers the sun shines for 250 days a year. The driest part of the year is from January to May and temperatures average between 28°C and 34°C depending on the season. Sea temperatures average 27°C.

Beach - Cancun - Mexico
Beach – Cancun – Mexico

Just a 90 minute drive away perched above 40 ft cliffs you will find one of Mexico’s best preserved Mayan costal sites. At Tulum you will find a walled city that was a bustling metropolis from the 13th to 15th centuries. Don’t miss out on the Temple of the Frescoes and its numerous murals, the Temple of the Descending God which is a single room accessed via a narrow staircase on top of another temple that served as its base, and finally the pyramid shaped El Castillo.

Tulum - Cancun - Mexico
Tulum – Cancun – Mexico

Back in Cancun there are a wide range of hotels to suit every pocket and in the evenings there is everything from sports bars to ballet and everything inbetween.

Sunset - Cancun - Mexico
Sunset – Cancun – Mexico
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Arizona California Illinois Kansas Missouri New Mexico Oklahoma Route 66 Texas USA

The highway that’s the best

Well according to the Rolling Stones*, that would be “Route 66*“. If you are planning a road trip in 2021, then if you haven’t motored west then maybe it’s time that you did.

Route 66 - Arizona
Route 66 – Arizona

The original Route 66 was declassified many years ago but with careful planning it is possible to drive along most of it. There are some excellent Historic Route 66 Maps and Guides* available to help you plan your journey. The route from Chicago to Los Angeles links hundreds of rural communities along its 2,448 miles route. Many sections of the route will give you some sense of the what is was like in the heyday of the road.

Chain of Rocks Bridge - Originally built as a toll bridge over the Mississippi.
Chain of Rocks Bridge – Originally built as a toll bridge over the Mississippi.

Should you decide to take a rental car then here is a handy tip to save money. Most people drive the Route 66 East to West, so all the rental cars end up in the West.  You can save up to 30% on the cost of your car rental by travelling from West to East.

Will this be the end of the beginning of the trail for you? Route 66 Santa Monica. Enf of the trail sign.
Will this be the end of the beginning of the trail for you?

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Beach Caribbean Jamaica Sun

Aruba, Jamaica, oh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahamas

Have you been windswept, battered and soaked by Storm Ciara? Then think back to September 2019, Hurricane Dorian hit the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama island causing $3.4bn worth of damage, 70 people lost their lives and as of November 2019 282 people were still listed as missing.

Bahamas

If you are thinking of a getaway, it’s easy to understand why the Beach Boys would have wanted to take you to the Caribbean.

A holiday in the Bahamas makes great sense at this time of year.  Average daytime temperatures range from 25C in February to 28C in April, and your tourism pounds will help the country rebuild.

The Bahamas has beautiful clear waters which are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. Explore some of the world’s largest underwater cave systems and one of the largest barrier reefs. The Bahamas consists of 700 islands of which 14 are tourist destinations.

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Canada Railway

Planes, trains and automobiles

Since 1990, Rocky Mountaineer, the world’s largest privately owned luxury tourist train, has welcomed more than 2 million guests to inhale the mountain air and let nature take their breath away. So to celebrate 30 wonderful years of service on board and experience historic storytelling, world-class cuisine, a first-hand look at the vast and untouched wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and an opportunity to share memorable moments and make lasting friendships with fellow travellers.

  • Rocky Mountaineer
    Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer

You will not miss a single moment as the Rocky Moutaineer offers the only all daylight journey to travel the historic routes from Vancover through the Rockies. With over 65 different holiday packages and three unique rail routes

Categories
Activity City Memphis Music Tennessee USA

“I’m going to Graceland, Graceland

Memphis, Tennessee. I’m going to Graceland*“ The lyrics of the song by Paul Simon are based on his own road trip to the Graceland mansion, the home of Elvis. Simon himself drove from Louisiana to Memphis, Tennessee along Route 61 to help him deal with the heartbreak after the collapse of his marriage to the actress Carrie Fisher.

We of course want to travel for Graceland for happier reasons. To celebrate the life and music of the King of Rock and Roll – Elvis Presley.

In some ways there can’t be a better time to visit Graceland. The Gate of Graceland will reopen on 21st May and with social distancing in place that means visitor numbers are reduced to a quarter of the pre-Covid number. This means no jostling with other tourists to see everything.

Graceland isn’t just a house there is so much to experience. First and top of any visitors list is this is where Elvis lived. You feel like he could be just around the corner. See his wide range of costumes he wore on stage including the famous 68 comeback concert stagewear. Don’t miss out on seeing the famous pink Cadillac and wonder at his wall of gold records.

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Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us.