Explore the Untouched Wilderness of Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska - often referred to as the “Salmon Capital of the World” - is a great place to take the family if you are traveling in late spring or during the summer.  The city’s economy is largely dependent on tourism and fishing, and judging on all the activities on offer there, this is definitely a good thing.

While Alaska may be known to some as an area where there isn’t much to do, Ketchikan Tours provides more than a few fun activities that will prove to you otherwise.  While you are in Ketchikan, you can see Orca’s Cove, Pennock Island, and Misty Fjords National Monument, which happens to be the area’s most popular attraction.  For the active bunch, there are opportunities to go kayaking, boating, take a ride in a seaplane, or take a glacier tour.  If your plans take you out of Ketchikan, you can also use Ketchikan Tours to plan activities in Anchorage, Seward, Denali, and Talkeetna.

When you are looking to visit Misty Fjords National Monument - and you should - there are several tours that you can choose from, each offering a unique perspective on your surroundings.  The Misty Fjords Flight-Seeing Tour takes you high above the waterfalls, fjords, and sparkling lakes for a spectacular aerial view.  In addition to the impressive granite walls, which rise over 3,000 feet in the air, you will also be exposed to many species of wildlife including bears, deer, wolves, whales, bald eagles, and mountain goats.  Stay alert and there is no telling what you will find!

Another option, if you are more interested in being out on the water, is the Misty Fjords Full Day Kayak Adventure.  You don’t have to be a kayaking expert to come on this exciting excursion, which takes you right into the heart of the Fjords.   First, you will board a fast boat and cruise out to the Misty Fjords, all while enjoying an amazing panoramic view of the area.  You will travel up the Behm Canal and then stop at New Eddystone Rock, which is a volcanic plug that rises above the ocean at an altitude of 237 feet.  Once you reach Rudyerd Fjord, you will embark on your kayaking trip and start exploring the Misty Fjords National Monument. 

Your guide will walk you through the paddling basics as you climb into one of the stable fiberglass boats.  You will find that your ride is exceptionally smooth, since the Fjords are well-protected from strong winds.  If you visit anytime from July on, you can even watch the salmon fighting their way up stream as they return from the open ocean.  This is only one of many wildlife encounters you will enjoy as you observe animals and their young feeding from the streams nearby.  You will enjoy a picnic lunch and a walk through some of the rainforests and you can take some time to hike if you so desire.  If you are interested in taking some incredible pictures, this is the trip for you.

From start to finish, you will thoroughly enjoy your trip to Ketchikan, whether you opt for one of the tours above or for one of the many other activities currently available.  Visit www.ketchikantours.net for more on how you can make your Alaska trip truly unforgettable.

Posted under Kayaking Tours, Ketchikan Tours, Seaplane Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Tickets, Travel, Wildlife Tours

Take a Break in Tampa

If you are looking for a nice warm place to visit this winter, Tampa, Florida should definitely make your short list.  With beaches that go on for miles and an infectiously friendly atmosphere, this city was clearly designed with tourists in mind.  So when you are ready to start planning your next getaway, consider the place that has it all!

Once you have made your decision on where to go, it is only fitting that you choose a tour company that will have you covered from arrival to departure.  With Tampa Tours, you are sure to have all of your sightseeing needs met and exceeded.  Whether your idea of a great time is spending a romantic evening on the water or checking out the area wildlife, you will not be disappointed by your experience.

When you are in the mood to have a leisurely day taking in the scenery, the Deluxe Little Manatee River Canoe or Kayak Trip is just what you need.  You can float down the river at your own pace while you soak up the beautiful surroundings and take some time to appreciate the wildlife that you see around you.  Some of the animals you might see on your trip are manatees, turtles, fish, birds, and alligators.  You may also spot some hogs, otters, and deer along the way so keep an eye out!  Towards the middle of your day, you can go fishing, check out the lay of the land, or stop off for a waterside picnic. 

In Tampa, the activities don’t stop just because the sun goes down.  If you are still in the mood for some action, check out one of the dinner cruises on offer.  A fantastic combination of fine dining and entertainment, these cruises are a definite crowd pleaser and an excellent chance to check out the sights without braving the city traffic.  Similar trips are available at lunch time as well if that is more to your liking. 

One such cruise is the Dinner Dance Cruise from St. Petersburg.  With incredible waterfront views of Tampa Bay, you are able to see so much more than you would by land because you have the opportunity to do so from many different vantage points.  As you take a walk up and down the decks you will see the city lit up as it stands out against the night sky.  The view, in combination with the food and entertainment, makes your trip that much more memorable so it is a great activity to share with friends or loved ones.

For more ideas for how to spend your time in Tampa, visit www.tampatours.net and see why this city has become a favorite for travelers around the country and the world.

Posted under Dinner Cruises, Florida Tours, Kayaking Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Tickets, Transportation, Travel, Wildlife Tours

See the Badlands of South Dakota

You will find a vast array of vacation fun while visiting the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.  Within the legendary pine clad mountains you will find six national parks, 101 miles of scenic highway, waterfalls, wildlife, renowned trails, streams to fish for trout and numerous Old West landmarks.

Rapid City Tours provides tours, activities and attraction tickets to the Black Hills and the wonderful areas surrounding it.  You can visit Mount Rushmore, explore the Crazy Horse Memorial, take a train to the beautiful Black Hills and Badlands, or kayak down the Missouri River.  With so many amazing opportunities at your disposal, you will have the most incredible vacation of your life!

The most popular tour offered by Rapid City Tours is the Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Tour by Bus.  The first stop along this fun tour is the Borglum Historical Center.  Here you will see art work and learn the history of Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. 

After a look around the museum, it is then time for you to see the “Shrine of our Democracy.”  The sight of Mount Rushmore is simply stunning.  It is hard to believe that something so big, so realistic, so impressive can really be sitting right in front of you.  The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln seem to gaze at the beautiful land surrounding them with pride. 

After viewing Mount Rushmore, you will then visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving.  It has been a work in progress since 1948 and still has a long way to go.  If you think Mount Rushmore is big, then just wait until you see this carving as it is 10 times the size of Rushmore! 

Your tour isn’t completed after seeing Crazy Horse because there is still time to drive down Needles Highway where you will ride through many rock tunnels and 14 miles of rock formations.  You also get to see Iron Mountain Road where the tunnels frame the faces of Mount Rushmore.  It is an amazing experience getting to ride down these world renowned roads!

If you want to imagine something brilliant and fun then board the Black Hills 1880 Train!  This locomotive offers a true western experience which nothing else can compare.  The tour offers several different variations of this tour as it departs from both Keystone and Hill City and can either be one-way or round trip. 

As you ride the rugged landscape you can picture yourself back in the Old West.  You will be riding in a vintage train dating back to the late 1800s and witnessing steeping mountains, rolling hills and seemingly infinite breathtaking views all around you.  It is an enjoyable and memorable experience that everyone visiting the area should try!

Whether you want to experience a different time or see a piece of the nation’s history that reflects on our lives today, your trip to South Dakota is one to be cherished forever.  Make your dream vacation come true by visiting Rapid City Tours at www.rapidcitytours.com today!

Posted under Kayaking Tours, Rafting Tours, Rapid City Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Tickets, Train Tours, Transportation, Travel, Wildlife Tours

Tours and Activities in Lake Powell

Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River, straddles the border between Utah and Arizona. For those who haven’t been to the area, you will definitely want to make the trip.  There are numerous activities to choose from when you visit Lake Powell, from the ever-popular Antelope Canyon Cruise to a Lake Powell Overnight Kayak & Camping Tour.  Whether you are interested in a short activity to fit between previously planned stops or you are looking for a longer trip with overnight accommodation, you will find opportunities for both here.

Antelope Canyon Cruise

Antelope Canyon Cruise

 

 

The Antelope Canyon Cruise is an excellent way to see the amazing Antelope Canyon, one of the most magnificent sights in all of North America.  It was formed by the flooding of Glen Canyon by the Glen Canyon Dam.  Glen Canyon, which you will see towards the latter part of the cruise, was carved by differential erosion from the Colorado River over the course of an astonishing 5 million years.  It cuts through the Colorado Plateau, which formed about 11 million years ago.  Layers of rock - which formed anywhere from 300 million years ago to more recently as a result of volcanic activity - make up the enormity of the plateau.  As you take a look around the area, you will see what happens when nature is left to its own devices.

For those looking to truly absorb the energy and attractiveness of the area, you will want to take the Lake Powell Overnight Kayak & Camping Tour.  Enjoy all that Lake Powell has to offer as you arrive by motor boat and hike, kayak, and camp to see the splendor of the canyons and dams from up close.  I recently took this tour and was taken aback by the immensity of the canyon walls and the beauty of the sparkling waters.  It was a great way to get acquainted with the area before returning to the hustle and bustle of city life and was an experience that you can’t get from a traditional tour.  If you are up for an adventure, don’t miss out on this trip!  

Posted under Kayaking Tours, Lake Powell Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel

Charleston in all of its Splendor

You can connect to the beauty of Charleston by joining a tour by mini-bus, horse-drawn carriage, boat, or on foot.  You can also see nearby Hilton Head Island by trolley or take a ride on a kayak on one of the creeks and rivers close by.  For a walk through history, there is the Boone Hall Plantation Tour in Charleston, where you will see the historic ‘Avenue of Oaks’ and take a walk through the famous grounds and gardens.  Knowledgeable guides will help by giving you an overview of plantation life in general as well as what it was like specifically living at Boone Hall.  Another popular plantation tour is the Magnolia Plantation Tour in Charleston, which features the area’s oldest plantation and what is regarded as ‘the most beautiful garden in the world.’ This tour also includes a tour of the plantation house and a fully narrated 45 minute tram ride through the rice fields and wildlife habitat. 

To see Charleston by foot, take the Charleston Walk Tour which includes early highlights about the Carolina colony and Charleston’s endurance through the Civil War, American Revolution, and various natural disasters.  It will also touch on current preservation efforts in Charleston.  Some of the highlights of the tour include a trip to Charleston’s oldest church, a view of some historic mansions in the area, the Dock Street Theater, Fort Sumter – where the shots beginning the American Civil War were fired - and John C. Calhoun’s grave.  This walk is a comprehensive look at Charleston and its impact on history. 

Fans of the classic movie ‘Gone with the Wind’ will be thrilled to find that there is a tour with you in mind.  The Gone with the Wind Charleston City & Mansion Tour shows you the French Quarter, the Market, Old Citadel, and the Rainbow Row of homes painted in pastels.  You will stop at the Battery overlooking Fort Sumter and will visit the Joseph Manigault House, an amazing southern mansion complemented by incredible architecture and fine antiques.

To see Charleston from the water, guests can take the Santee River Kayak Tour from Charleston and enjoy the Santee River all day as you paddle along the untouched and undeveloped lower portion of the river.  You may even see an alligator or some otters along the way. 

Any of these tours will give you the introduction you need to one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  There are several combination packages to choose from that will allow you to see a little of everything, and I would highly recommend doing one of these while you are visiting the city. 

Gone with the Wind Charleston City & Mansion Tour

Gone with the Wind Charleston City & Mansion Tour

 
 
 
 

 

 

Posted under Charleston Tours, Kayaking Tours, Sightseeing, South Carolina Tours, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel, Walking Tours