Hiking Holiday

I am planning a last minute vacation to the Grand Canyon. I have two air tickets that will expire at the end of the year and want to visit the Grand Canyon. Is it a good an idea to go in December? What hotel do you recommend? What are good activities to do while in the Grand Canyon in addition to hiking? Please help… I want to make it an unforgettable trip for my husband.

You are going to have so much fun at the Grand Canyon, it is so beautiful in December. The temperature is just right, not too hot.

As for a hotel, I’d recommend the Econo Lodge, they have probably the best deal going on right now. They have an online coupon for 50% off a regular night stay. Combine that with their weekly special and you’re looking at a very cheap stay.

To get the coupon just go here http://www.freehotelcoupons.info/econo-lodge-hotel-coupon

Good luck, I hope that helps

I work as a tour guide and I give people a hiking tour around some hills and after I go back to their ship with them giving them some info around the area. sometimes people give good tips but other times they dont give any at all. what can I do to make them give me tips.

This free E-book will help you get started with making money online. It’s a free & easy download so you might as well check it out – I thought it was really good!

I am going to Hawaii in July and as much as I can find a ton of hiking tours, horseback riding, etc…I can’t find anywhere that states what the BEST tours are? One’s that Frommers rated or someone. Does anyone know of any literature I can buy?

Frommers.com, Fodors.com and TripAdvisor.com have lots of great online information and forums to look at past questions or post your own.

I think that the guidebooks written by Andrew Doughty are very well done (with exceptions…see below) They are called the Revealed guides or the Ultimate guides. He’s written one for each of the major islands. Just take a look at the Amazon.com reviews for those guides. Visitors love them. By in large the insight the Revealed/Ultimate guides offer on activitiy companies, hotels, restaurants, etc is very, very good.

What I don’t like about the Revealed/Ultimate guides – sometimes, the author may lead you down a hidden path that will get you lost or have you trespassing, etc. Locals have criticized the books because of that. (Having said that, I know many locals who use the books.) Those cases of trespassing and danger are rare and you definitely need to use your own judgment…if it feels like it’s dangerous, avoid it….if it looks like you’d be trespassing, don’t go there.

I’ve also written many unbiased reviews from my many travels to Hawaii. I’ve actually written over 500 articles at http://www.GoVisitHawaii.com

I was told to look up three things to do in Vermont. Specific tours to broad ideas are all appreciated. If you could I’d like to see some specific hiking tours, whitewater rafting tours, etc.

Thanks!

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory – http://www.benjerry.com/
Ethan Allen Cruise on Lake Champlain – http://www.soea.com/
Carillon Cruises – http://www.carilloncruises.com/index.html
White Water Rafting – http://www.zoaroutdoor.com/vermontrafting.htm
Hiking at …
1) Mount Independence – http://www.historicvermont.org/mountindependence/
2) The Buckner Preserve – http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/vermont/preserves/art7277.html

I would like to go trekking in Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) next year. I’ve never gone on an official tour (other than a few outings that lasted a few hours or half a day), but I enjoy traveling on my own. However, I question the safety of embarking on a jaunt like this by myself. I’m very fit and comfortable with hiking and camping but I don’t have any back-packing experience. So I’m thinking maybe a guided tour would be the right idea this time around.

Has anyone done any of the Patagonia adventure tours offered by REI? They’re ridiculously expensive, but I know it’s a good company and they have an excellent reputation.

Any feedback, suggestions, and particularly info from someone who’s taken one of the tours is much appreciated! My biggest hang-up is definitely the price. I usually travel on-the-cheap.

I haven’t heard about the Patagonia trip in particular, but I have only heard positive feedback from people who have gone on the REI adventures.

I work at an REI store, so I hear about lots of trips. I’ve heard feedback from 3 customers, and one fellow employee. All were glad they went, and had an awesome time. I would go if I could afford it.

What is the best deal on hiking tour to Machu Picchu?
Im looking for not very long hiking tour – like for 2-3 days.
Any suggestions?

Hi

We did the 2 day Inca trek via www.sunriseperu.com
It was good to go with a guide

Dave

What was it like?

I did a 3 day trip with Wilderness Adventures in Kakadu and a 9 day with the same company in the Kimberly. Both trips were amazing – guides were awesome, food was great. Couldn’t have asked for a better rustic trip. We camped out under the stars every night – usually falling asleep to the warmth of a "bonfire." I would definitely recommend. The hiking was not too strenuous on either, great waterfalls and swimming holes. Prepare yourself to be very dirty by the end.