Tag

vacation

Tennessee Travelling: Everything You Need to Know

written by Ali

The tremendous place that is Tennessee; it is the thirty sixth largest and the sixteenth most populous of all fifty United States. You may be passing through Tennessee on a long road trip through America or you might be dropping nearby to see family. Whatever your reason for visiting, be sure to plan ahead so you don’t miss out on the amazing sights it has to offer. You will find the best food, attractions and nature spots that will please the whole family. Look out for your favourite things to do and take your pick from the guide below.

Feeling Foody

You might not know that Tennessee is world famous for its whiskey. Drop into a local bar or restaurant and you’re bound to find a sample of the finest Whiskey around. Memphis is also known for its barbecue food such as ribs and pork, so if you’re into meats head there for the best selection you’ll ever find. Even if you’re on a budget an needing to eat in hotel rooms from time to time be sure to branch out and try at least one of the amazing restaurants in Tennessee.

Memphis holds an annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and there are so many restaurants that you should head to on your visit. Places such as Hog and Hominy, which has a laid back atmosphere are ideal for delicious grub. Or if you fancy a more fine-dining experience there is Peabody Hotel’s Chez Phillipe, which serves amazing French cuisine, certain to tantalize your taste buds. Finally, Folk’s Folly is said to be the best steakhouse in Memphis which even has its own butcher shop next door. There you can enjoy delicious grilled food such as king crab and duck breast, it is definitely a sharing experience for all the family.

Image

In Touch With Nature

You might be surprised to know that the number one most visited national park is the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Not many people realise that it is ranked at the top of the list of best National Parks in the US. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty that surprisingly has just as many visitors as the Grand Canyon!

Also known as, ‘The Smokies,’ The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated in the small town of Gatlinburg. You can experience hiking trails, the observation tower and even a close by amusement park. These attractions are not to be missed when visiting the tremendous state of Tennessee. Every member of the family will find something fun to explore here.

Another nature-related excursion that is sure to impress you is the Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, near Knoxville. It is a vast cave structure with the biggest underwater lake in the whole of the United States. You can choose the guided tour to suit you, from exciting trips on a boat to historical tours. You will see the fascinating Cavern Tavern which was a room invented by locals after the war. Whilst you’re in the area take a browse around the quaint shops in the Old Sweetwater Village too.

Don’t Stop The Music

You can’t take a trip to Tennessee without paying a visit to some of the more infamous music related attractions in the US. Elvis Presley’s Graceland Estate is one of the top attractions. You can receive a grand tour of his home which will give you exclusive insight into his life. His stately home remains untouched since 1977 when he sadly died there. You will see his amazingly grand scale collection of cars and aircraft and you can even stay over at the famous Heartbreak Hotel!

Being a fan of music means that you must know how world-famous Nashville is for its country music. Take a tour around the Country Music Hall of fame and check out the famous Music Row. Head to a downtown bar and listen to local artists who are wanting to break into the country music industry. You’ll become one of the locals in no time!

Image

Pay Your Respects To The Troops

It cannot go unnoticed that Tennessee is what it is today because of war. It is one of the states who provided more soldiers than any other and many battles have been witnessed during horrific struggles. There are museums and memorials which portray pay respects to those who fought in the wars. There is also Shiloh National Military park which is contains almost four thousands graves. It is a touching and humbling experience to be in the presence of such heroes.

Toot Toot, All Aboard

If you’re travelling with little ones, or maybe you just love a train adventure, be sure to take a ride on the Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley Railroad. It holds a historic importance within the state as wood, cotton and military supplies were shipped. It is amazing to see how this history has been preserved and well-kept. You can now take an hour long steam train ride on the Tennessee Valley Railroad and even join in the exciting events at the Tennessee Railfest. Choose from a range of dinner packages and day trips which will suit everybody on the trip!

Image

Titanic Museum

Pigeon Forge in Tennessee is home to the world’s largest Titanic Museum. The building represents the ship itself and was built to represent half the scale of the real Titanic. You will soon discover hundreds of preserved artefacts and galleries. You may feel like you’re actually on board the famous ship as it was designed especially with that goal in mind. You can spend up to two hours in the museums exploring the wonders it has to offer. Definitely worth a visit so be sure to pop that on your Tennessee bucket list.

Whether you’re cultural, musical or all natural, you’re bound to find the sights and scenes to suit you. Take a taste of Tennessee as soon as you get the opportunity and sample the finest gems it has to offer. You will be heading back for more of the adventurous fun in no time.

December 26, 2017 0 comment

Musings Travel

Five Places In The USA You Might Want To Visit

written by Ali

Next up on my special series on vacation planning. I’ve visited all of these states, with the exception of Alabama. It’s definitely on my bucket list.

Heading on a vacation to you may mean leaving the US and traveling somewhere new. Perhaps exotic with white sandy beaches and a cocktail in your hand. However, there are some amazing places to visit right here. With fifty states to choose from, you surely won’t have seen every inch of what is out there, not to mention the different cultures we are so blessed to have. I may have traveled around Oregon a lot but that doesn’t mean to say that I wouldn’t consider exploring some of the other places in the US. I wanted to share with you five of the top destinations worthy of a visit. Perhaps it will inspire you for your next trip away.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a Northeastern state and is full of charm being one of thirteen original colonies. Hit has a real diverse terrain which can have stretches of farmland one minute and national forest and mountains the next. One place in particular worthy of a visit would be Lancaster, which is also known as Amish Country. You can easily find hotels in Lancaster PA online and there are so many amazing things to see and do in this diverse and interesting town.

Picturesques Alabama scenery

Alabama

Perhaps you want to head Southeast, then a visit to the state of Alabama could be the ideal location for you. Often a state that isn’t normally associated with a holiday, you wouldn’t want to ignore this significant state. There are plenty of landmarks worthy of sightseeing such as Martin Luther King’s museum which is in the city of Montgomery.

California

California really is a the state that many have on their bucket list, after all, it is known as the golden state. There is the most popular choice of location being Los Angeles where you can shop till you drop on Rodeo Drive and have a selfie with the Hollywood sign. Not to mention some of the fabulous restaurants. But there is also San Francisco to consider as well as the option of doing a road trip to see some of the other more picturesque places like Santa Barbara.

The sunshine state

Florida

Florida is an amazing state that really could provide you with all sorts of vacations depending on exactly what you are looking to do. First up, you could head to Orlando if you were thinking of a more exciting or perhaps family-friendly vacation. There is the Universal studios and not forgetting Disney World. But if you want to have a different kind of vibe filled with sun, relaxation and a chance to rub shoulders with some of the rich and famous then head to Miami.

Texas

Finally, Texas is a Southern state which has a real mixed terrain of forest, pine and desert surroundings. You might like the idea of people watching in San Antonio where you can sit and enjoy the views in a riverside cafe as it is one of the most multicultural cities, or you might want to take advantage of some of the best live music around in the capital of Austin. Who wouldn’t love the chance to visit NASA in Houston? Texas is a great state to consider for a vacation.

I hope that this has inspired you to consider some of the other states for your next vacation.

November 19, 2017 0 comment

Travel

Sail Away With Me: Three Vacations To Enjoy The Water

written by Ali

Just in time for the holidays, I’ll be doing an occasional travel post. Now that I’m not working a job that requires so much travel, I’ve been doing some travel day dreaming. I’d love to hear more about your own travel dreams in the comments below. So today, I’d like you to sail away with me with three vacations to enjoy the water.

We all love to travel, but actually, the ‘travel’ part- getting from A to B can actually be pretty boring. Often you’re cooped up on a train, bus or plane while you get to your destination which is uncomfortable and tedious, with little more than some holiday paperbacks, magazines and your iPad to occupy you. However, if you want to avoid this, why not go on a trip where the travel part is actually fun- such as by boat? You get to relax and see the sights without being strapped into your seat while still being able to see different destinations. Here are a few different boating holidays you could consider.

Yacht or Sailing Vacation

Sure, you would still need to get a plane to your destination. But you could explore the coat of places like Greece, California or Dubai in a private yacht. You can easily get around while still enjoying the water, and a boating holiday can be anything you want it to be. If could be a relaxed, romantic break for you and your partner or a chilled out trip with the family. It could be a wild party vacation with your friends. Companies like The Big Sail have lots of different yachting and boating breaks available, so you could have a browse and see what works with your budget and the kind of holiday you want.

source

Ocean Cruise

The great thing about a regular ocean cruise is you have everything you need in one place. Your accommodation, travel and attractions are all in one place. You get to stop at different places and enjoy each destination as a mini-break while having fun on the ship when you’re going from place to place. Cruises fell out of fashion with young couples and families for a while, but thanks to new and improved ships they’re now popular again and really are something that all ages can enjoy.

River Cruise

You’ve heard of an ocean cruise, but did you know river cruises were a thing? They’re a brilliant alternative and allow you to travel by water while doing things a little differently. These are the perfect way to see inland destinations, and because most significant towns and cities are built around rivers, when you travel on a river cruise boat it will take you to the heart of all the action without the need to sit on buses or coaches to get to your destination. You can see the sites from the boat, and you can enjoy the luxury while you get to each destination. There are lots of different rivers and waterways around Europe which offer exciting cruises, across ten European countries runs the Danube which has different cruises and tours which are available to book. From Amsterdam to Brussels, Istanbul, Paris, and Barcelona. On the other side of the globe, you could tour the Amazon River, the Nile or even the Yangtze in China. Then you have the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia. Each of these different destinations will offer different experiences, so work out what it is you want to do and see and go from there.

November 15, 2017 0 comment