The Smart Travellers Trip to the US

San Antonio: the Texas Gem

2009-04-11T03:06:00.000-07:00

San Antonio may not have the big tourist ring of New York City or San Francisco, but it's a great little city to come face to face with some history. It's one of America's oldest cities.

It was colonized by Spain in the early 1700's and since then Native Americans, Old Mexico and the deep South have mixed and blended to make for an interesting city.

Start your visit to San Antonio with a little history.... the Alamo. It's undoubtedly the number one tourist attraction in all the state of Texas. It was built in the 18th century as one of San Antonio's five Spanish colonial missions. Later it gained fame as the site of an epic 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution.

That's when Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie fought and died in the Alamo. When you first see it, you'll think it's smaller than you expected.... and it is! That's because it was built as a mission and not as a fort. Admission is free, though you will have to pay for parking at a downtown lot. It's right in the heart of town, near the River Walk.

If you want to see more of the five missions beyond the Alamo, see San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. It will take you to the other four missions. You can travel from mission to mission on the eight mile Missions Bike and Hike Trail.

There is a map of downtown San Antonio posted every few blocks on the sidewalks making it easy to explore the Alamo and the River Walk.

The River Walk or Paseo del Rio is also downtown. Twenty feet below the hustle and bustle of downtown streets, the River Walk follows the San Antonio River's gentle bends. Along it you will find restaurants, hotels, museums and historic sites. You can walk along the banks, or you can take a cruise on the river which goes on for a couple of miles while a tour guide gives you fun filled facts.

One place you'll find along the banks of the river is the historic district of La Villita. It was originally established by Spanish soldiers stationed at the Alamo. In 1835 the Mexican Army surrendered and gave Texas its independence at La Villita. The next year was when the Battle of the Alamo was fought to try and win Texas back. More recently the historic buildings have have been turned into restaurants and also galleries and shops for arts and crafts.

Historic Market Square is near downtown. Also known as the Mexican Market or El Mercado, it's the largest Mexican market in the state. It pulsates with friendly people and bold colors. Stroll beneath the "papel picado" (Mexican tissue paper streamers). Buy beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry.... handmade necklaces and earrings, belts and buckles from Mexico are here. Find Mexican candies and even buy a pinata to put them in. If you just want to soak it in, relax by the fountain and enjoy the sounds of mariachis.

With deep Latino roots, you will get some great Tex-Mex food here. You'll also find some great San Antonio Texas barbecue, but their culinary repertoire is large and diverse, so don't worry about going hungry. Just bring good walking shoes and an appetite for history and fun.

10 good Reasons to visit California

2009-04-09T02:42:00.000-07:00

1. "Big Sur is the California that men dreamed of years ago, this is the Pacific that Balboa looked at from the Peak of Darien, this is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look" Those are the words of Henry Miller - but Big Sur is still one of the most beautiful places of the American continent.

2. You can´t die without having witnessed the sun go down in Death Valley

3. San Diego: eat seafood and enjoy the view form the terrasse on top of the building at "Georges at the Cove". If you feel like devouring the worlds best (and biggest) burger, there is a place in San Diego as well: "The Neighborhood".

4. The Joshua Tree National Park in South-California: the park got its name from the Joshua Tree, its beauty consists in the variety of landscapes: bizarre rocks, wild flowers and stuning desert scenery

5. Seafood in Santa Barbara: visit "Brophy Brothers" if you feel like the freshest seafood to be found.

6. One of the prettiest beaches at the famous Highway No. 1 is Pismo Beach north of Santa Barbara. It is big enough to drive your surfboard with the car right up to the waves.

7. Eco-friendly hotel in San Francisco: "The Good Hotel" is located centrally in SFs Soma District and offers modern rooms for about 65 Dollars

8. Experience Chinatown: if you really want to get to know Chinatown, book a tour with Shirley Wong-Torres, learn about chinese tea-ceremonies and visit a fortune-cookie-factory

9. Visit the Napa Valley by bike: besides experiencing the landscape first hand from the saddle of your bike you have the possibility to try some of the best vines of napa Valley

10. Not cheap but special: the Art-Hotel "Casa Madrona" in Sausalito. If you are looking for a romatic hideaway - here you go!

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If you need a travel guide to find more things to do, I highly recomend California from Eyewitness Travel Guides: it will give you a straight forward description of the state and all the practical information you will need!

A Trip to the Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii

2009-04-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hawaii is one of the most dreamed off vacation destinations worldwide. At trip to Hawaii would´nt be complete without seeing the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HAVO). It occupies a vast array of terrain ranging from tropical beaches to the sub arctic Mauna Loa summit, but the highlight of the huge park are its two active volcanoes.

Kilauea Caldera is the youngest and most active volcano on earth. The landscaping is breathtaking with its hardened lava and dozens of craters. The park has 140 miles of hiking trails and is open to the public for camping. The park is over 333,000 acres of land so plan to stay a while if you truly want to explore the park. If you don't have a lot of time, you should plan to at least drive through the park. It is worth the hour or so that it will take you to see everything. The volcano erupts regularly, so in most cases you will get to see some sort of lava flow. However, don't expect to see eruptions spewing into the sky like in the movies. The flow is fluid and constant, not nearly as dramatic as Hollywood depicts.

The terrain changes so frequently due to the ever changing lava flow that it makes it difficult to follow maps, however the most up to date versions will be available at the visitor's center. The map can be used for driving as well as hiking. The park has a hotline that tells you what is happening with the volcanoes that day and where to best view the lava flow.

Unlike the rest of Hawaii the weather can change very quickly in the park. The temperatures can be about 15 degrees cooler here than in Kona, so plan to dress appropriately. The park can have blistering heat from the sun's reflection off of the lava flow. It can be hot and steamy one minute and change to a chilly downpour of rain with little or no warning.

Practical information:

If planning to visit the volcanoes you should be prepared and dress appropriately. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring sunscreen and a hat. The heat can cause dehydration quickly so carry lots water and other fluids. Always follow the signs and stay on the trails. Fatalities do happen here at HAVO, the most common are due to people wandering off and getting lost in the park and people getting too close to newly formed lava paths. These lava flows can collapse causing injuries, or even worse, death.

If and when the lava reaches the ocean, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid permeate the air. These gases are toxic. Every one should be careful, especially pregnant women, young children and people with upper respiratory problems. The smell of sulfur is strong in the air.

A daily update about volcanic activities in the park can be found here.

Whether it's magnificent hiking trails you seek, or simply marking visiting a volcano off of your to do list, HAVO is sure to please.