Romeo Travel Tips: Cheap Holidays, Package Holiday, Cheap Travel Deals & Holiday Ideas

Extra Items For A Ski Trip When going on a ski trip, it is important to remember all of the major things that are needed, such as actual skis, boots, snow pants, etc; however, while trying to remember all of that, it is easy to...

Read more

Sailing, The Hobby Of Adventure There are many reasons to go sailing, it's a pursuit which appeals to many personalities, but these days sailing has one big advantage; a boat at sea is one place where conventional cellphone reception...

Read more

Boating The Island Of Sicily One of the most beautiful places to take a boat is the Italian Island of Sicily. Though now a part of Italy, for much of its history Sicily was Greek. As a result it has a character entirely its own. Ancient...

Read more

Top Tourist Destinations in the State of Idaho Idaho is one of the states in the New England region of United States which can be a great choice for a long vacation. There are a lot of interesting places to see that you would be greatly overwhelmed...

Read more

Birmingham Airport Family Hotels For everyone who is flying out of Birmingham Airport with the kids in tow, here is a guide to good family hotels near Birmingham Airport. Many of them offer free accommodation or food to children, which...

Read more

  • Prev
  • Next

Tour Deals: Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Flights

Travel Guide & Holiday Deals Posted by | Posted on 20-01-2012

Travel

More Travel Guide & Holiday Deals: , , , , , ,

Grand Canyon helicopter tours are the most definitive way to visit the National Park. In just 30 minutes, you’ll see what would take days on the ground. But book your seats in advance. Flights are extremely limited and sell out quickly.

South Rim helicopter tours leave every day of the year including holidays from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, AZ, the town 10 minutes south of the National Park’s main gates. Presently, three tour operators operate South Rim flights.

The airspace over Grand Canyon National Park is highly restricted. Thus, all tours are pretty much the same. Choppers take off from the Kaibab Plateau and beeline at 200 miles per hour into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the Canyon, before turning back at the North Rim.

Book an early morning tour for the best visibility. Sunrise and sunset flights are available, too. If you can upgrade to an EcoStar 130, do it. This aircraft is superior to conventional helicopters and features stadium-style seating, 180-degree wraparound windshields, and quiet-flight Fenestron tail rotors.

Seating is assigned by weight, which must be distributed equally about the aircraft. Each passenger gets a head set, which, when plugged into the digital communication system, lets you talk with the pilot and other travelers. Optional taped tour narrations in multiple languages are available.

Make sure your digital camera is fully charged. Bring extra batteries and memory sticks. Assume you’ll be taking pictures before, during, and after the helicopter ride. Great aerial shots include the Kaibab Plateau, North Rim, the Colorado River, Grand Canyon Village, and the Tower of Ra. Sunrise, sunset, and Monsoon flights are a photographer’s paradise.

No direct helicopter flights leave from Las Vegas, NV, to the South Rim. You must book a bus/helicopter or airplane/helicopter combination tour. The luxury bus trip and the airplane flight are 5.5 hours and 45 minutes, respectively. The plane/helicopter package also includes a ride by motor coach to Grand Canyon Village, the commercial hub of the South Rim where you’ll discover restaurants, museums, souvenir shops and more.

The best deals for South Rim helicopter flights are on the Internet. I’ve seen prices slashed by up to 35 percent at certain sites. And I know from experience that the best specials are announced on the Web. When I book my helicopter flights I only use websites that are owned by the company that’s operating the tour. I do this because I feel confident that the purchase I’m making is safe and secure.

Grand Canyon Helicopters offer you the ultimate way to experience the canyon. Exploring it solely on foot is only scratching the surface, especially considering that the park is comprised of more than 9,000-square miles. Las Vegas travelers must book either a bus or airplane trip with helicopter. I recommend the airplane package. It gets you to the South Rim fast and keeps your refreshed for the sights that are to come. You’ve got to get airborne if you want to see as much of the canyon as possible. And when you do, book online. It’ll save you a pretty good chunk of change.

Grand Canyon helicopters are by far the best way to enjoy as much of the South Rim as possible. If you found this article by travel writer Keith Kravitz helpful, check out his tour operator reviews at: http://www.GrandCanyonHelicopterTourReviews.com

How to Choose a West Rim or South Rim Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

Travel Guide & Holiday Deals Posted by | Posted on 16-01-2012

Travel

More Travel Guide & Holiday Deals: , , , , , , ,

If you want to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour, you must choose between the West Rim and the South Rim. It’s a tough decision because both are stunning. Here’s a breakdown of the rims that will make the choice easier:

The West Rim

The West Rim is 120 miles west of Las Vegas on Hualapai Indian tribal lands. It takes a helicopter 45 minutes to get there, making it a great day trip for those who are tight on time and can only spare half a day. It’s also well-known for this: The Grand Canyon Skywalk and helicopter tours that land at the bottom.

Forty-four imported glass panels costing $250,000 each comprise the deck of the Skywalk. This glass deck extends 70 feet past the edge and suspends you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. An engineering marvel, the bridge is able to withstand magnitude 8 earthquakes and winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Cameras and other personal electronics are prohibited; photographers are available to take your picture. Tip: Make sure the Skywalk is bundled into your helicopter package at time of purchase. It’s cheaper.

The helicopter ride to the bottom is intense. The descent is 15-minutes long and puts you in direct contact with the canyon’s steep cliffs and twisted rock formations. Some of the oldest exposed parts of the Earth’s crust is at the canyon, representing four eras of geological time. Helicopters land on private landing pads. Here, you’ll deplane and enjoy a Champagne toast under an authentic Indian Ramada. After that, go and check out the surrounding area and the nearby Colorado River.

The market for West Rim helicopter tours is competitive – shop for best prices. If you book using the Internet, expect to save up to 40 percent. Total round-trip time is four hours and includes hotel pick up and drop off and lunch. There are more activities that you can add to your trip, like horseback riding, kayaking, Hummer 4×4 tours, and ATV trail riding. Total trip time four hours. Packages start between $235 and $335.

The South Rim

All helicopter flights originate from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, a town 10 minutes from the Park’s main entrance. The drive from Phoenix and Sedona is two and four hours, respectively. From Las Vegas, you must book an air-ground package, which is done aboard a fixed-wing Vistaliner aircraft and takes 45 minutes.

Upon arriving at the rim, you’ll transfer to a helicopter and head out over the Kaibab Plateau until you reach the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the canyon. Other landmarks include Temple Butte, the Zuni Corridor, the North Rim, and the Painted Desert. The Las Vegas package also includes ground transfer to the South Rim, where you’ll spend several hours exploring the national park, including the restaurants and gift shops at Grand Canyon Village.

The South Rim is where the most famous pictures and images of the canyon are shot. Helicopter tours last up to 40 minutes. Total Las Vegas trip time, including helicopter flight and bus transfer to Grand Canyon Village, is six hours, and includes hotel pick up and drop off and lunch. Helicopter flights to the South Rim start at $135 per person. The Las Vegas package starts at $360 per person.

Summary

Deciding between the West Rim and the South Rim is the first thing you need to do before booking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. The West Rim is packed with things to do, and it’s close to Las Vegas. The South Rim boasts the best viewpoints, hiking trails, and guest amenities. The three top tour operators – Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance – offer helicopter and air-helicopter-ground trips to both rims, ranging in price from $135 per person to $360 per person. For the best deals, always book online. Now, with this information in hand, you are cleared for take off.

Keith Kravitz is a travel critic who regularly reports on the Grand Canyon tour industry. If you found this article helpful, check out his helicopter trip reviews at: http://www.GrandCanyonHelicopterTourReviews.com

Grand Canyon Skywalk: Here’s Why You Can’t Bring Your Camera

Travel Guide & Holiday Deals Posted by | Posted on 14-01-2012

Travel

More Travel Guide & Holiday Deals: , , , , ,

You get on the Grand Canyon Skywalk and go 70 feet beyond the edge of the West Rim. The views are picture-perfect. In most cases, you’d pull out your camera and capture the moment. But not here. Cameras, as you’ve been informed, are not allowed.

The reason? The glass. Seems that the Saint-Gobain/DuPont Sentry glass used for the observation deck is prone to chips and scratches – especially if camera equipment strikes it.

Initially, I didn’t think this was a big deal. I figured you could replace the panel much like you would a broken windshield. Not so: Each of the more than 40 glass panels are valued at $250,000 a piece, with the same material used to fashion the 5′ guard rail.

The Hualapai Indian Tribe, which manages the bridge, takes the probability of damage seriously, and insists that you put all personal electronics (digital cameras, cell phones, iPods, camcorders and the like) in a locker. You are also required to wear cloth booties over your shoes.

So, what to do? Several things. The Tribe has hired a corps of professional photographers to take your picture. These individuals are insured and specifically trained to take photos under these conditions. There are also self-serve cameras fixed to the guard railing. Images from both can be purchased for around $30 each in the main gift shop.

You don’t have to be on the Skywalk to take a picture of it. There’s a place where you can take excellent pictures just south of the Skywalk – travelers typically pose on the edge with the Skywalk to the right of their shoulder. If you are taking a helicopter or airplane tour to the West Rim, you’ll have plenty of fantastic aerial photo opportunities.

GETTING THERE

Since it’s opening in 2007, more than a million people have visited the glass bridge. Today, more than 200,000 people visit it annually. The bridge is located in Grand Canyon West, a 9,000-acre expanse just 120 miles east of Las Vegas. Lots of folks decide to book a rental car and do it themselves. I personally recommend taking an all-inclusive tour. Skywalk trip costs can quickly mount if you do it yourself; package tours protect your travel budget.

There are plenty of Skywalk trip options. Bus, chopper, and plane trips take 2.5 hours, 45 minutes, and 25 minutes, respectively, to reach Grand Canyon West. The most popular route includes Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the pristine Mojave Desert. For the rock-bottom best prices, I suggest you purchase your trip on the Internet, where I’ve seen promotions that offer up to 35% off.

SUMMARY

If you are looking for a great outdoor attraction, definitely consider the Grand Canyon Skywalk, especially when visiting Las Vegas. The Glass Bridge gets a lot of hype, but, unlike it’s imitators, it delivers big time! But realize that you will not be allowed to take your camera. This caveat is because the bridge is made of incredibly expensive glass panels that will chip or scratch if you drop your camera. To fix this, the Tribe has employed experienced photographers to snap you picture. They’ve also installed self-serve cameras. As you embark on this journey, remember this: Anyone can see the canyon. It’s the lucky who “skywalk” it that have stories to tell…and the pictures to prove it.

Want to walk on air? Do the Grand Canyon Skywalk! Travel critic Keith Kravitz reviews the best tours to to the bridge at: http://www.GrandCanyon123.com

Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tours – 8 Reasons Why You Should Take One

Travel Guide & Holiday Deals Posted by | Posted on 01-01-2012

Travel

More Travel Guide & Holiday Deals: , , , , , , ,

The #1 day trip from Las Vegas? The West Rim bus tour to the Grand Canyon. It is no surprise, either. This in-demand excursion is packed with activities and attractions, making it a favorite with families, groups, and independent travelers alike. If you haven’t booked this tour yet, here are eight reasons why you should:

1. The West Rim is closes to Las Vegas. Just 120 miles east, the rim can be reached in 2.5 hours by bus.

2. See Hoover Dam and the new bypass bridge. En route to Grand Canyon West, you will go over the new bridge, a fabulous structure that lifts you 900 feet above the Colorado River. Views of the dam don’t get better than this, either.

3. You get to experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Known as the Glass Bridge, the Skywalk is Las Vegas’ hottest natural attraction, taking you 70 feet past the edge of the Canyon and dangling you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.

4. Take a helicopter ride to the bottom. The west rim is the only place in the entire Grand Canyon where you can do this. The 4,000-foot descent is incredible. Enjoy a Champagne toast at the base.

5. Go river rafting. Board a rapids-ready pontoon boat for a ride down the river. This is a great upgrade to the helicopter descent package. Prepare to catch some “spray” on these currents.

6. Experience real Native American culture. Grand Canyon West is on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and managed by the Tribe. Interact with tribal members and explore an authentic Indian village.

7. Cheaper and easier than renting a car. Self-drive and you will pay for gas, car rental, car insurance, and a host of Park fees, including parking and Park pass. The west rim bus is all-inclusive. No surprises.

8. There are Seven Natural Wonders of the World, including the Grand Canyon, and it’s the only one that exists in the U.S.

West rim bus trips are all-inclusive and include free hotel shuttle service and a BBQ lunch. These trips are ONLY conducted aboard state-of-the-art luxury motor coaches. These buses feature lounge-style seats, over-sized windows, TV’s, climate-controlled cabins, and quiet-ride suspensions. Your driver is a certified professional and will also serve as your knowledgeable guide.

There are several variations of the West Rim bus tour. The most popular includes the Grand Canyon Skywalk, followed by the helicopter descent to the bottom. Pontoon boat rides are seasonal, and usually run from March to Late November. These tours require a full day and will have you back in Las Vegas by late afternoon.

This trips are a great deal. Prices start at $94. If you upgrade you package, the cost goes up accordingly. For example, if you bundle the Grand Canyon Skywalk, you are looking at around $129 per person. The prices I’m quoting are from Grand Canyon Coaches. They are promotional and only available on the company’s website. Try to reserve your trip in advance as these tours sell out quickly.

The West Rim bus tour is a phenomenal deal that no Las Vegas traveler should pass up. Think about it. For under $100, you can experience one of the most famous landmarks in the United States and the planet. If you want more canyon, do the Grand Canyon Skywalk or take a helicopter ride to the bottom. The rim is just a 2.5-hour bus trip from The Strip, making it the ultimate daytime escape for people of all ages. So hop aboard! Let’s “do” the rim!

Ready to take a West Rim bus tour? Travel expert Keith Kravitz posts his Top 3 at http://www.grandcanyonbusdeals.com/west-rim-bus-tours.html

Previous Travel Ideas & Holiday Deals

Subscribe to Rss : Romeo Travel & Holiday Ideas Rss

Blog WebMastered by All in One Webmaster.