Sightseeing Travel Guide

Seward, Alaska is the ideal winter destination and a great place to go when you want to get away from it all for a while.  Tucked into the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the area stretches on for 21.5 miles but is pretty sparsely populated.  This makes it a wonderful choice for those looking to relax in a peaceful setting without getting caught in the noise and congestion of a busy city.

While it is relatively quiet in Seward compared to a larger and more populated city, one of the things that sets Seward apart from other small communities in Alaska is that there is access to the Seward Highway, which is a scenic byway that runs between Seward and Anchorage.  The city is also the southern end point for the Alaska Railroad as well as many northbound cruise ships, so while it is a tranquil setting, it is still very much connected to the larger communities in the area.

Seward is one of the most lucrative fishery ports in the United States, and in 2007 alone, more than $49 million worth of fish and shellfish passed through the city.  This makes a trip to the area a no-brainer for professional and amateur fishermen as well as those just looking to sample some of the finest seafood you can get.  So pack your bags and get ready for all that Seward has to offer and you definitely will not be disappointed.

There are ample opportunities for a unique sightseeing experience, and one popular option is to take a Dog Sled Ride & Tour, which departs from Sterling.  For two hours you will meet and play with the puppies and take them out on the trails along the Kenai Peninsula.  You will get to see all the preparation that goes into getting a strong team together for the Iditarod, the leading sled race in the world.  The Iditarod occurs annually and teams - typically composed of 16 dogs - cover 1161 miles of ground between Willow and Nome over the course of eight to fifteen days.  Nowhere else will you get the opportunity to be right in the action, and you will even get a chance to drive the sled as you weave through the Alaskan wilderness and see what it feels like to be a ‘musher.’  There are tons of occasions to stop and take pictures as you spot moose and caribou and appreciate the striking surroundings. 

At the end of the trip you will regroup and enjoy a warm drink as you share stories about your day out on the trails, and there will be much to talk about.  Dog sledding is a very popular activity in Alaska, but it is one that few people outside the industry have ever gotten to experience. 

Check in with www.sewardtours.net for more tours and activities for your trip to Seward.  Whether you decide to make the journey this winter or during a warmer time of year, there is something for everyone.

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Norfolk, Virginia is a city steeped in history.  Officially founded in 1682, the area started out as the Upper and Lower Norfolk Counties, the latter eventually becoming what we know today as Norfolk.  It was incorporated in 1705 but became a casualty by the later part of the century, having burned down during the Revolutionary War.  It was, of course, rebuilt and remains alive and well today.

Here are a few interesting facts about Norfolk and the surrounding vicinity to get you acquainted with the area and its history:

Lay of the Land: The city of Norfolk is comprised of 66 square miles of land, including 7 miles of Chesapeake Bay beachfront.  Much of the land is dedicated to residential neighborhoods, and as of July of 2007, 235,747 residents call Norfolk home.  In the immediate area, Norfolk is second only to Virginia Beach in population.  

Climate: The average temperatures place Norfolk in the humid subtropical category.  The area tends to enjoy milder winters and hot, humid summers.  Although snow falls every winter, the average for the year is only 7 inches.

Natural Beauty: The area has been designated as a Tree City, since it is surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers, and it also houses the Norfolk Botanical Garden.  The luxurious landscape is just one of the attributes that add to the city’s incredible charm.

Military Background: Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world and serves as the headquarters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Art & Culture: Norfolk has become a cultural center, housing several major performing arts companies, yearly festivals, and parades.  To awaken the art lover in you, visit one of the area’s fine museumslocated in nearby Williamsburg and Newport News.  You can choose whether you would prefer a more historical attraction like Colonial Williamsburg or one devoted to wildlife.

A Day at the Theatre: If you are in the mood for something to get your heart pumping, attend a show at the Mystery Dinner Playhousein Virginia Beach.  Now in its twelfth year, they are pros at keeping the audience involved and entertained throughout the performance.  You will laugh at the hijinks that ensue as the gang tries to make sense of the clues that surface, which will hopefully lead them (and you) to the ultimate conclusion of whodunit.  For those closer to the Williamsburg area, you will not be left out in the cold.  You can also jump on the murder mystery bandwagon, as there is a Mystery Dinner Playhouse waiting for you as well.

Travel: Norfolk is in an optimal location, giving you easy access to seven local cities.  The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, located in the southeast portion of Virginia, are composed of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. 

Keep tuned in to www.norfolktours.net for up to date information on the tours and shows going on in the area.

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If you are making a visit to laid back Austin, Texas, the best way to get around town is on a scenic carriage ride.   There are several to choose from and depending on what you want to see and how long you have to devote to touring, you can have your pick at the four packages currently available.

If taking a peek at the exquisite architecture that lines the streets of the city piques your interest, the Historic Homes Carriage Tour is just right for you.  Along the way, you will visit one of the last Victorian blocks to remain nationwide, and there are more than ten 19^th century homes lining this street.  You will also see the Governor’s Mansion and the Capitol Building on your travels.  If what you are seeking is a quiet and romantic ride with a loved one, you will get just that.  Alternatively, if you are looking for more of a guided and narrated ride, drivers are ready and willing to oblige.

The Grand Carriage Tour will take you down historic Congress Avenue where you will catch a glimpse of the largest and tallest Capitol in the US.  You will visit the Victorian block as well, on your way to check out some of the other hot spots in the area.  Ride along the Colorado River and pass through the famous entertainment district to get a taste of the talent and showmanship that exists throughout the city.

Other carriage rides in the area include the Capitol Carriage Tour and the Town Lake Carriage Ride.   If you decide, however, that a carriage ride will not make your short list, the Austin in 90 minutes Tourwill provide you with a well-narrated sightseeing journey around Austin by van, with views and background on the UT Performing Arts Center, Austin City Limits, O. Henry Museum, Zilker Park, and much more.

Winter is the perfect time to consider a visit to sunny Austin.  While the temperatures dip down in these months, they are much milder than elsewhere, making it the ideal location for those who wish to warm up a little without stretching the budget and going international.

Visit www.austintours.us for more information on carriage tours and other options for your sightseeing excursion, Texas style.

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Chicago is a city with unlimited options, so why should your sightseeing experience be any different?  If you are open to the possibilities, there is a wide array of tours and cruises that will show you exactly what Chicago is all about.  Hop On & Hop Off Trolley Tours are a favorite among travelers, as this affords the opportunity to see only the sights that are of particular interest to you and skip those that don’t spark as much enthusiasm. 

Another popular way to see the city is via one of the amazing architecture tours.  With guided commentary given by talented professionals in the architecture industry, you will be informed and entertained throughout the duration of your trip.  Elegant dinner cruises along Lake Michigan give you additional opportunities to marvel at the great skyscrapers and enjoy a romantic night under the stars. 

Tours of the Chicago skyline by boat offer an up close and personal view of some of Chicago’s finest lakefront sights in a comprehensive 30 minute format and many of these cruises run year-round so you can plan early for the spring and summer months or hop on board much sooner.  Famous points of interest include the Sears Tower, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum of Natural History.  

With all that there is to see in Chicago, it is easy to see that it is a trip worth making at any time of year, so you don’t need to wait until the summer to take a walking tour to see the historic skyscrapers or scour the city for a bargain on a shopping tour. 

If you are in Chicago at Christmastime, check out the Chicago Holiday Lights Tour and see how beautiful the ‘Windy City’ can look as it is illuminated and decked out with festive holiday decorations.  As part of the trip, you will stop at the German Christkindlmarket, the largest traditional German holiday market outside of Germany itself.

As you plan your next trip, keep an eye on www.chicagotours.us for travel ideas, tours, transportation services, and private charters.

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How many times have you found yourself wishing that you could have seen your favorite musical legend in concert but were disappointed to find that all the shows in your area had sold out? Or, how many people have wished that they could have been alive to witness the talent of the great Elvis Presley live? If you fall into one or both of these categories, there is something out there that was built to satisfy.

As you may or may not know, Myrtle Beach is the home to many talented stage performers, both musical and theatrical.  While we all know that Elvis isn’t coming back to life and Madonna’s show tickets are not getting much easier to secure, you can take advantage of the large talent pool that Myrtle Beach has to offer and make a visit to one of its greatest tribute shows.  While you won’t see Lionel Richie or Garth Brooks performing live, you will see a talented cast of professional celebrity impersonators that are so close to the real thing that you often forget who you are watching as you are so engrossed in the power of their voices.

The Legends in Concert show in Myrtle Beach is quite possibly one of the greatest celebrity tribute shows that there is.  Of all the impersonators out there, Myrtle Beach has nabbed the best of them.  You will bob your head to the tunes of Springsteen and the King of Pop and will find yourself singing along to the songs of the Temptations.  With performances by the stars of yesterday and today, there is something for everyone. 

For more information on this and other exciting performances and activities, visit http://www.myrtlebeachtours.us/.  You will be so glad that you spent your time so wisely and will not be able to get your old and current favorites out of your head!

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Nestled in the region of Veneto in Northern Italy you will find a gorgeous and picturesque city called Venice.  Appropriately known as the ‘City of Canals,’ Venice has become a favorite vacation spot for travelers coming from all over the world.  Looking around the city, you will quickly understand why.  One of the best ways to see the city is on the Hidden Venice Walking Tour.  While tours utilizing bus or train transportation will certainly get you around the area the fastest, there is nothing quite like the experience of really soaking up the vibe of a city as you explore it on foot. 

This particular tour takes you through the lively market areas like the Rialto while also showing you the wide spectrum of lifestyles that all coexist in the area.  You will walk through the red light district, passing under the bridge known as ‘Ponte delle Tette’ as you make your way through the narrow passageways leading to artisans’ quarters.  Along the way you will also take a glimpse at some of the oldest houses in Venice as well as some of the most beautiful bridges and palaces you will ever get the chance to see.

If your trip happens to originate in Florence, you can easily get to Venice via the Venice City Bus Tour from Florence Italy.  This guided tour of Venice begins by visiting the Tronchetto di Venezia, an island in the city of Venice, and then travels by steamboat to Piazza San Marco, commonly referred to in English as St. Mark’s Square.  Piazza San Marco was once called ‘the drawing room of Europe’ and was used as the focal point for many of Venice’s festivals.  Today it stands as the central landmark and meeting place in the city.

Other stops on this 14-hour tour include the Basilica di San Marco, the most famous church in Venice and one of the best known works of Byzantine architecture.  It has been the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice since 1807.  The large marble columns beautifully complement the rest of the structure, which is lined with the Horses of Saint Mark and a statue representing the four co-emperors during the Roman Empire.  Lunch in a typical Venetian restaurant and afternoon of free time are included in this tour of gorgeous Venice.  You will return to Florence in the evening. 

For those who have only seen the gondolas and architecture of Venice depicted in movies, you will want to make time for one of these tours.  However, we have barely begun to scratch the surface where tours of the area are concerned.  There is much to do and see and you will not want to miss out on taking a guided tour while you are in the area.  For more options for how to spend your time in the area, visit www.venice-tours.net and check out the variety of activities at your disposal.

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Newark is the most populated city in New Jersey.  At about 5 miles west of Manhattan and 2 miles north of Staten Island, it is centrally located and allows for easy access to the Tri-State area which consists of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.  Newark is a transportation hub, with its significant air, rail, road, and ship traffic, and it is a major gateway into the Northeastern portion of the United States as a whole.  Because of this, the city has become aptly known as ‘Gateway City.’ The city of Newark is in an optimal location for workday commuters to New York City and the Philadelphia area is easily accessible as well.  For that reason, many decide to dwell in the Newark area as a more cost-efficient alternative to living within the borders of New York City itself.

There have been a lot of rebuilding and revitalization efforts put forth in the Newark area.  The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has brought in an estimated 1.6 million people since its opening in 1997.  The facility, which cost $180 million, has helped to breathe new life into a city that was once on the decline.  The construction of the structure sparked a building spike in the area, including the creation of Riverfront Stadium, home of the Newark Bears, and the Prudential Center for the New Jersey Devils.  The Passaic River waterfront is also being redone so that it will soon provide direct access to the river.

For a night out with the family, catch a show at Medieval Times.  This show provides fun for all ages and is a great activity to do whether you are new to the area or have lived there for most of your life.  Another nighttime option is to make your way into Manhattan for a Broadway show or catch the City Lights Dance Party Cruise from New York.  This is a very popular option for many, as the balanced combination of music and sights makes for a very pleasant cruising experience.

As you can see, there is a lot more on offer in Newark than perhaps anyone would have initially thought.  To see a complete list of activities and tours available in the area, check out www.newarktours.net.

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London, England is a wonderful place to visit whether you grew up in Europe or elsewhere.  As soon as you enter the confines of the city, you realize that it is strikingly different from the rest of Europe.  In fact, many Brits do not consider themselves to be part of Europe at all.  England is centrally located so it is quite easy to hop on a plane and arrive at another European location in a short period of time.  With budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair, it is not only convenient but cost efficient as well.

Your first time in London you might feel a little overwhelmed with all that there is to see and do.  That is, unless you enlist the help of a reputable touring company to assist you in setting your travel itinerary.  There are a few things that everyone would agree should be on the agenda:

Changing of the Guard - This is one of the mainstays that London is most known for.  On the Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Tour you will visit Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Queen and witness the ceremonial changing of the guard who stands watch at the palace entrance.  You may even see the colorful flag, known as the Royal Standard, which means that the Queen is at home.

Westminster Abbey - This famous church is the burial place for many aristocrats, monks, and poets as well as kings and queens.  Among those laid to rest, some of the most recognizable names are William Shakespeare, John Keats, Elizabeth I, and Laurence Olivier.  If you have the time, be sure to make the journey up to the top and look down for an unbeatable view of the entire structure.  You can also attend a church service if you happen to be in the right place at the right time.  The echoing of the organ and the overall vibe of this gorgeous building make it a must-see location on your trip. 

Crown Jewels - If you take the Historic & Modern London Tour, one of the stops on your journey will be at the Tower of London.  This has been the home of the Crown Jewels since 1303 when they were stolen from Westminster Abbey.  They are currently held in the part of the Tower called Jewel House, where they are open to the public for viewing during specified hours for a fee.  This stop, however, is included in the price of the Historic & Modern London Tour should you decide to take advantage of it.  Among the goodies you will see are beautifully adorned crowns, swords, orbs, and scepters once worn by British royalty.

Liverpool - For those devoted Beatles fans out there, Liverpool is a definite must.  The Beatles and Liverpool Tour highlights many of the locations critical to the Beatles’ journey to stardom.  You will take the train from Euston Station to Liverpool where you will be introduced to the Beatles’ history via the Magical Mystery Tour.  You will also have time to shop around, visit the Beatles Story exhibition, and stop at galleries and pubs along the way.

If you are unsure what else to do while you are in London, and to book a space on one of these amazing tours, visit www.londonenglandtours.net.  If you book your tickets online you will save $5 per adult ticket.  That’s 5 more dollars that you can be spending on souvenirs!

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Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a gorgeous place to visit, and there are a variety of ways to see the sights so you are bound to have several options that appeal to you.  You can tour the area by train, enjoy an exciting rafting trip, and go on a group fly fishing trip.  No matter what you decide to do, chances are you will be spending a lot of time admiring the beautiful nature surrounding you.

Some of the most popular activities in the area are the rafting trips departing from Jackson Hole.  Seeing the scenery from the water is amazing, and while it is only one of many ways to spend your time in Wyoming, it is definitely something to be considered.   You can float down the Snake River for 13 or 16 miles and enjoy a riverside cookout for a relaxing yet exciting day outside.  As you are smoothly guided down the placid river, you will have the chance to quietly soak it all in and appreciate your surroundings.

If you have a few days to spare, take the Yellowstone Fishing Horse Pack Trip for six days and stand in aweof the natural beauty of the Teton wilderness.  You will enjoy the soothing sounds of nature as you sightsee and relax at the campsite.  These trips provide for incredible fishing but the sightseeing experience is also top notch.  Best of all, you will get the chance to see some of the most beautiful wildlife including deer, elk, bears, coyote, and wolves.

Visit www.jacksonholetours.net for more wonderful tour and activity ideas in and around the Jackson Hole area.

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Oahu is the island where the capital of Hawaii is located and often called “The Gathering Place.”  The island attracts visitors from all over the world because they enjoy its unique culture, natural beauty and Aloha spirit.

Oahu Tours can help provide you with a vacation of lifetime.  There are so many amazing things to do here especially outdoors as the landscape is absolutely stunning.  You can explore through the rainforests, walk along the beach, swim and surf on the crystal blue waters, soar over the island in a helicopter, or drift out onto the Pacific Ocean on a sunset cruise.  No matter what you decide to do while visiting Oahu, you will not be disappointed. 

One of the most popular activities people take part in while visiting the area is the Oahu Experience Helicopter Tour.  As the chopper ascends into the Pacific air, you will witness breathtaking views of the island.  You will fly along the Windward Coast to Sacred Falls – the 80 foot waterfall that lies at the end of a narrow canyon within Sacred Falls National Park.  The sight of the water plummeting down the rocks is extremely captivating. 

The helicopter will also fly you by Kahana Rainforest, Kaneohe Bay – the Marine Corps Base, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Koko Crater which is so large it contains a horse stable and Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Waianae Coast and Waianae Bay.  Also during this hour long helicopter tour, you will see the world famous North Shore surf breaks.  You will be creating some of the most cherished memories of your life up in the bright blue sky looking down on the vivid colors of Oahu below.

Another great tour offered by Oahu Tours is the Pearl Harbor & Circle Island Tour.  This combo package takes you to the USS Arizona Memorial and also allowing you to board the memorial.  You will view the sights of Pearl Harbor and be taken back to that fateful day which began our involvement in World War II.  The second part of the tour is less somber as you will see all sorts of wonderful views of the thriving tropical rainforests, waterfalls, beaches, volcanic craters and so much more!  This tour is a must for anyone visiting Oahu!

In the Oahu North Shore Shark Adventure, you will travel 3 ½ miles out into the Pacific Ocean where you will be placed in the water inside a large shark cage.  This is perfect for thrill seekers and those who thrive on adventure!  You will get nose-to-nose to sharks as they swim up to and past the cage.  Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, varieties of tropical fish, dolphins and humpback whales may also come into view making this excursion even more spectacular!

For another adventure, try out the Maui-Hana Adventure.  You will take the winding road from Oahu to Hana and be able to tell everyone that you survived the Road to Hana.  The Hana Highway is a 68-mile winding coastal highway that is world famous for the natural beauty of its immaculate landscapes and towering waterfalls.  The sights surrounding the road are unlike anything you have ever seen.  They are absolutely indescribable and will make the most stunning views you have witnessed seem trivial and irrelevant.  Be ready to make plenty of stops to jump off waterfalls, swim in lagoons and stroll along the beaches as it takes over 3 hours each way on the Hana Highway because it is so curvy.

Oahu Tours can provide you with the most adventure you have ever experienced or a more relaxing vacation than you ever imagined.  Reserve your vacation today at www.oahutours.us. 

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