Knowledge Wanders
Wandering the great places…

Archive for the ‘Air Travel’ Category

7
Mar

Choose Grand Canyon Helicopters for That Perfect Day Trip

Posted in Air Travel  by ionemahler on March 7th, 2012

There’s lots of things to see and do when visiting Las Vegas, NV. Lake Mead and Hoover Dam come to mind. But the most important landmark of them all is the Grand Canyon. Best way to see these landmarks in a day? I recommend helicopter tours. With lots of packages from which to choose, there’s a flight that’s bound to suit your sightseeing needs.

National Park air tours are the only way to go, especially when you consider how big the canyon is. Here are some quick facts:

Length: 277 miles
Width: 10 miles on average
Depth: 1 mile
Acres: 1 million plus

The canyon’s age is as impressive as its size - many scientists and geologists believe the Colorado River forged it some two million years ago. The number may be up for debate, the beauty of the scenery isn’t, as the park is ranked among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is one of the most visited places on the planet.

Each year, the canyon receives about five million visitors, the vast majority of which will view the gorge from the South Rim. For a views from a higher elevation, there are those who will visit the North Rim, though it is closed during the winter. Recently, the West Rim has actually become very popular, particularly with tourists who want to experience the Skywalk.

The West Rim, officially known as Grand Canyon West, sits on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, and in these tough economic times, the increase in tourism has actually helped the reservation to thrive. The natives provide visitors with a number of unique services that bundle education, cultural entertainment and guided excursions that when taken as a whole create an unforgettable vacation experience. Here’s a list of West Rim key points of interest:

Hualapai Ranch
Indian Cultural Village
Eagle Point
Guano Point

West Rim helicopter tours, all of which depart from the Las Vegas area, offer adventuresome travelers a variety of exciting activities. These are called “landing” tours, and they include trips that go to the bottom (includes a Champagne picnic), a boat ride on the famed Colorado River and an unrestricted pass to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Lots opt for the Skywalk, a U-shaped Glass Walkway that lets you walk past the edge. One Skywalk restriction that many find unpleasant however is the fact that they will be unable to take pictures. This is simply because there is a possibility of dropping a camera, thereby causing damage to the bridge. Luckily, you have the option of taking plenty of photos while in the air.

There’s also an aerial tour. It goes over the West Rim and provides time-crunched travelers a quick trip of this national treasure. Planes hold up to 17 people, are very comfortable and spacious and feature over-sized viewing windows that give you a clear shot of the terrain below. These air-only tours provide an unforgettable ride, but they are only the beginning!

Looking for Las Vegas helicopters that go to the West Rim? Travel writer Ione Mahler recommends these canyon flights and shares how to get them cheaply.

6
Mar

Round The World Tickets Business Class

Posted in Air Travel  by JNevil on March 6th, 2012

Is it better to travel or arrive? I’d respond by saying it entirely depends on how you travel. Travelling is one of life’s great pleasures and privileges, particularly if you’re fortunate enough to be travelling the world in business class. A round the world trip is an incredible, often once in a lifetime, experience, so why not do it in style?

Treat yourself

Perhaps you’ve recently retired and are looking to make the most of your newly found leisure time. Or you may have been made redundant and have a substantial lump sum burning a hole in your pocket. Or maybe you just fancy taking a career break and have a decent amount of cash to spare. Whatever your situation, if your budget can stretch to it, what better way to treat yourself than a round the world ticket in Business Class?

Sipping champagne

There are a whole host of benefits associated with travelling in business. Most good quality airlines now offer fully flat beds so you can stretch right out and arrive refreshed and reinvigorated. Before you get some sleep, there are lots of treats to enjoy on board. From sipping champagne before take off, to feasting on gourmet food and fine wines, you may never want to land! You’ll have state of the art entertainment at your finger tips and dedicated airport lounges to relax in before you leave and to freshen up in when you arrive. Many airlines also offer a chauffeur service from your home to the airport so you can start your trip as you mean to go on…in luxury and style!

Round the world tickets Business Class

The great news is that round the world tickets in Business have never been better value, so your budget may stretch further than you think. If you consider that a standard Business return to New York on a quality airline generally costs upwards of 2,500, then you begin to see what outstanding value a round the world Business Class ticket represents, including as many as seven stops and starting from around 4,500, inclusive. Mile for mile and pound for pound, round the world tickets in Business offer more value than any other type of ticket. Arguably, they offer better value than any other form of transport, particularly if you’re familiar with London Underground prices!

So, the luxury round the world trip of a lifetime could be more attainable than you think!

Jeffrey Nevil writes on a number of subjects including round the world tickets business class.

5
Mar

Round The World Travel - A Spiritual And Cultural Journey

Posted in Air Travel  by JNevil on March 5th, 2012

Travel broadens the mind…a well worn cliche it may be, but like most cliches there’s more than a nugget of truth to it. Travelling the world exposes you to different cultures and allows you to experience new things and accumulate fresh ideas. It can also help you grow as a person and increase your confidence, as you’re bound to face challenges along the way that need to be overcome. Taking some time out to travel the world is also the perfect opportunity to reflect on your life and think about what you want your future to hold.

World Walkabout Ticket

People travel the world for all sorts of reasons but the one thing they tend to have in common is a desire to experience something different from their everyday lives. There are some incredible cultural and spiritual experiences out there and a round the world ticket is a great way to combine some of them. One of the most popular round the world tickets is the World Walkabout ticket, a great value ticket allowing you to put together some fascinating itineraries using flights on British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Air Pacific.

If you’re in search of a life changing experience, this World Walkabout itinerary could be just the ticket!

London to Delhi (British Airways)

Start your trip with a direct flight from Heathrow to Delhi. Arriving in India for the first time is a complete culture shock so it’s the perfect place to begin your adventure. It’s chaotic, crowded and noisy but once you become accustomed to it, strangely addictive. Delhi is home to countless holy sites, including the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Close by is Agra, where you’ll find what is quite possibly the most beautiful building in the world, the Taj Mahal. For a uniquely spiritual experience, travel to the holy city of Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world. Here you can witness Hindu pilgrims carrying out their devotions in the sacred River Ganges.

Delhi to Bangkok (separate flight)

From India, fly to Bangkok, gateway to the magic and mystery of Indo China. In northern Thailand you’ll discover a land of mountain temples and ancient hill tribes. This is the spiritual and cultural heartland of Thailand; the historical walled city of Chiang Mai is home to an incredible 300 temples! It’s the perfect environment in which to unwind and truly relax, far from the stresses and pressures of the modern world. In neighbouring Cambodia, near the city of Siem Riep, you’ll find the incredible 12th Century temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Bangkok to Auckland (Qantas via Sydney)

Return to Bangkok and travel overnight to Auckland. South of Auckland is our next stop, Rotorua, a geological phenomenon of boiling mud pools and hot springs. It’s also the main centre of Maori Culture in New Zealand, making it the ideal place to learn more about these fascinating people.

Auckland to Santiago (Qantas)

Fly across the Pacific to Santiago, capital city of Chile and steeped in history. Travel north to Peru and the town of Cusco, high up in the Andes. This is the gateway to the cultural experience of a lifetime, the ancient Inca Trail which leads you to the astonishing Macchu Picchu. This 15th Century Inca site is as fascinating as it is beautiful. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently voted as one of the Seven ‘New’ Wonders of the World.

Lima to London (British Airways)

The last flight of your World Walkabout ticket is back to the UK via Madrid, hopefully in possession of a slightly broader mind than when you left.

Jeffrey Nevil writes on a number of subjects including world walkabout ticketrs.

5
Mar

Grand Canyon Airplane Tours Are Fast, Easy And Affordable

Posted in Air Travel  by ionemahler on March 5th, 2012

There are lots of touring options available to travelers who want to visit the Grand Canyon. Plane tours are one of the most popular and it’s easy to understand why. Fast, comfortable and affordable, airplanes cover more ground in the shortest amount of time than any other mode of transportation. Sound like the trip for you? Then take a moment and check out these key facts about going airborne.

The majority of the Grand Canyon plane tours go to Grand Canyon West, which is also known as the West Rim. Flights make the 120-mile trip from Las Vegas in about 20 minutes. There’s also a direct flight (45 minutes) that goes to the South Rim in Arizona. From the National Park, there are numerous tours that leave daily from Grand Canyon Airport.

West Rim flights start out over Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the United States, before passing above Hoover Dam, the second biggest dam in the country. You’ll also see the new bypass bridge. Named in honor of former Nevada governor Mike O’Callaghan and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, this bridge is a concrete structure with twin ribs and it is nine hundred feet above Colorado River.

Pass the Hoover Dam area, you’ll now begin your approach into Grand Canyon West airspace. Landmarks of note include an ancient Joshua Tree Forest, the Colorado River, Grand Cliffs Wash, the Mojave Desert and much more. Aerial tours will turn back after flying over the canyon. Landing tours will descend and deplane at the West Rim airfield.

On the ground, you’ll have full access to the West Rim, including Hualapai Ranch, Indian Cultural Center and a bevy of fantastic lookouts. I always recommend upgrading your air tour to include either a helicopter ride, a boat trip or a Skywalk pass. These extended trips really give you a taste of what the canyon is all about.

South rim air tours from Vegas come with a guided bus tour inside the National Park. The most popular upgrade is a helicopter ride. Those starting from this rim have access to a fabulous 50-minute flight that covers all this region has to offer including the Desert Watchtower, Zuni Point, Imperial Point, the North Rim, Grand Canyon Village and much more.

These air tours are very affordable. But prices get even better when you book them online. Why? This is where all the best promotional offers are presented. Do know there’s a hitch: you must complete the transaction online. Not following this one simple rule will have you ending up paying full retail. The other thing you can do to get a great rate is book ahead of time. By booking in advance - and by advance I mean at least 72 hours ahead of time - you will get the best seats at the lowest cost. That’s really all there is to it.

Grand Canyon airplane tours are a wonderful way to enjoy the National Park. Trips depart from either Vegas or the South Rim. Landing tours are only available at the West Rim or from Vegas. South Rim air tours are aerial-only and pack a punch. These flights are simply phenomenal. No matter which one you choose, you can’t go wrong. See you up there.

Interested in taking a Grand Canyon airplane tour? Go to this site to learn how to book the best at the lowest price: http://lasvegasgrandcanyonairplane.com/

5
Mar

If You Want a Unique Experience, Consider a Las Vegas Helicopter Tour!

Posted in Air Travel  by ionemahler on March 5th, 2012

Millions of people vacation in the scenic American southwest every year. The area’s “Wild West” history, spectacular terrain and unique desert beauty are an appealing combination, and many of its natural features are nothing short of breathtaking. One of the best ways you can experience this wonderful region is by taking a Las Vegas helicopter tour.

You’ll be treated to several interesting sights soon after your air tour takes off. For example, you can head to the Grand Canyon once you board your helicopter in Las Vegas. The canyon’s West Rim isn’t far from Las Vegas, which is located in southern Nevada. A helicopter flight will allow you to see the Grand Canyon from multiple perspectives, including from high above. You simply won’t get the same panoramic views if you drive to the canyon, park your car and walk to a viewing area.

You might also enjoy seeing world-famous Hoover Dam and Lake Mead from the air. Luckily, many sightseeing flights to the Grand Canyon fly over these two attractions. Lake Mead is a popular area destination for recreation, and seeing this huge body of water from the air, surrounded by stark desert, is an experience you’ll never forget. And historic Hoover Dam is an incredible feat of engineering that must be seen to be believed.

Another air tour that might interest you is a Las Vegas helicopter tour that flies over the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip. Nighttime flights are best, because few sights will exhilarate you quite the same way as the millions of neon lights of the Strip contrasting against the dark desert sky. Different tour flights are available, ranging from short hops to romantic, champagne versions. Many Las Vegas hotels and casinos have distinctive architecture, and it’s interesting to see them from the air.

Aerial tours can often be combined with other exciting area adventures. This allows vacationers to experience magnificent aerial views and participate in fun outdoor activities on the same day. So, in addition to your helicopter flight you could enjoy a picnic, walking tour or boat ride in the area.

The price of a Las Vegas air tour will depend on the particular trip you choose, but as a general rule these tours are fairly affordable. And for a mere few hundred dollars, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget. You might even find some tour operators that offer substantial discounts, depending on the time of year.

Many tour companies operate websites that provide information about the different aerial tours they offer. Safety records are frequently available online, and reading them can reassure you that you’ll have an exciting but safe helicopter tour. You can also book and pay for helicopter tours online so that everything is already taken care of when you arrive.

You’ll want to plan ahead before you arrive in the southwestern United States. And while you’re planning, you might want to seriously consider taking a Las Vegas helicopter tour. It has a great chance of being an unforgettable experience.

No Las Vegas vacation is complete without a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Make sure you book the right one. Go to http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/best-grand-canyon-helicopter-tours-from-las-vegas.html for more information about the best flights from LV