A trip to the United States.. My tour of the southwestern Parks and a trip to New York

Hello everyone, this travel journal is intended to be merely a starting point for many readers that use case for tourists to learn and plan their holidays. For this reason, try to give you some information and tips that I think can be useful. Anyway who wants to get more information please write to acredaro@alice.it.

 

Departure

5:15 am, all in the car, load the luggage and under a light rain we set off for Malpensa. Fortunately, there is no traffic at 6 am and we are already well outside the airport with one hour in advance. We chose to fly Lufthansa (flight booked to March € 600 each), and after a stopover in Dusseldorf arrive in New York on time. Here, after the ritual customs controls to change the terminal and go to check-in for the flight that will take us to Las Vegas. Fatigue starts to bite, the jet-lag as well, and our faces to prove it. Finally at 20 hours local party and after 5 hours of flight (Continental 125 €) we arrive in Las Vegas at 22.00 local. Here we take the Shuttle $ 6 (but I recommend you also take a taxi there is little difference in price and is faster), which brings us to the Luxor (25 euro per person per night), where we take our rooms, we leave your bags and go a ride to the casino, but are tired and then decided to return to the room and after about 26 hours we throw ourselves on the bed. How wonderful!

Death Valley

At 8:00 I have a taxi that takes us to the airport to pick up the car from Hertz. The choice of which company to rent a car has been very thoughtful, to avoid surprises. So we've taken a big company, doing all the possible insurance and this has made us travel in peace. Eventually they gave us a 6-seater Kia Sedona 3.0 petrol. Machine is not evil, people traveled back and pack up all there were no problems (cost € 590 rental for 10 days). Collect the car we drive to Death Valley so that visitors enter the southern entrance to drive through. The show is unique, but what we will remember the warm, 52 ° C, and then dries you remember to bring plenty of water at least 4 liters each. Also seemed to me a lot, but I assure you that they are all especially nothing. Bad Water visit the lowest point of the American continent, -88.5 meters, but also the hottest on the planet. Then we travel by car always drives the artist, and visit Zabriesky Point. Stunning views with particular colors. Here are the 13.00 and then we stopped at Furnace Creek where we visit the Visitor Center and buy the annual pass for parks ($ 80 if you need to visit more than 3, it is worth it). They eat good burgers ($ 15 each), we take the car and go to sleep at the Beatty-Beatty where Stagecoach Hotel and Casino. Motel not bad, I take a bath in the pool, eat in the restaurant, visit a giant candy store, we make a game of cards and then to bed.

Zion Park

Wake up at 6:45 direction Springdale - Zion Park. The journey by car is long enough to do 400 km. Let's take a piece of Highway 15 and then we take the scenic drive south 9. We stopped to eat a Hurricane to a Burger King and cross the border with Utah remembering to take forward our clocks one hour. In the afternoon we arrive at the Best Western Zion Park (36 € per person), take possession of the room (we sleep in 4 and you are comfortable), leave your luggage and take the free bus that takes us to the park visitor center. We enter the paro still using the free bus and decide to walk the trail to Weeping Rock (rock weeping) is given to one hour with our step but after 20 minutes we are at your destination. So we decide to do even the riverside walk, walk along the river for 30 minutes. At the end of the trail could go walking in the river but we do not have your shoes and then go back. On the way to see deer and squirrels. The dinner in the restaurant next to the Motel, (note that closes at 22.00) and evening in the garden and watch the moon.

Bryce Park

Wake up at 7, breakfast and starting for the trail of three small lakes beautiful Emeral Pool (but nothing compared to the Alpine Italian lakes). At about 12 we take the car and begin the transfer to Bryce along the beautiful scenic route 9. Hatch long lunch at a small restaurant in a strange Adobe Cafe, Great. We reach the scenic Bryce 12 and unload the machine at Best Westerm Ruby's Inn (28 € per person). We go with our car heading to Bryce Park Rainbow poit, the last point ch is on the way back to hotel and stopping at every view point. In particular, very nice (from the last) the first three where they can enjoy a beautiful landscape, but especially the last one with views of the hoodoos, a wonderful sight at sunset. Dinner in the motel (a lot of people because it is the only one so close to the park) and unfortunately we can not visit the park closed for the evening.

Bryce Park

Wake up at 7, breakfast and departure for walking among the hoodoos. We go by car to the point where we take the Queen Sunset garden loop to the base of the Hoodoos. The path joins the Navajo Loop and take it in the direction of "Wall Street". Fabulous. The trail leads from the base to the top of the canyon and the colors and shapes of the rocks are beautiful and inimitable. In everything it takes 1 hour and stopping often for photos. In the afternoon departure for Torret via the scenic route to arrive at the Best Western Capital Reef 17 (28 € per person), Bath in the pool and relax in the hot tub with views of the surrounding canyon. We do the laundry and then dinner at a local restaurant, patio, typical of the post with a waitress. After dinner, we stop to see the stars we withdraw me from the cold room to sleep.

Canyolands - Arch Park

Wake up at 7, breakfast and departure to Moab with an intermediate step to visit Canyonlands. We always follow the scenic drives where you can admire the fabulous scenery and ever changing. A walk Canyonlands, as has become habit, all the way through the park and we stop to admire the view point. At the end, all'overlock view: from here take the path that leads to the final point panoramas: beautiful. Walking you feel a sense of vertigo looking down and 360-degree view is breathtaking. After the walk we continue the journey to Moab where we arrived at 15.00 stop at the first restaurant "The Acienda" where to eat good Mexican food. We go to the Moab Valley Inn (25 euro each) and 17 games to go to Arch Park. The evening visit is scheduled to be at sunset at Delicate Arch at 19.00 we reach an ideal time to see the colors of the sunset. The trail is a bit 'uphill but worth it. We go down as night falls, we stopped at the supermarket to buy something and have dinner in the room.

Arch Park

Wake up at 7, breakfast and continue our visit to Arch Park is very nice but it disappoints a bit '. We had read many guides on that would have seen lots of strings, but in reality to see them must really look for them. We are most liked by the parks before but this deserves. We enter the park follow the signs to the Landscape Arch and preseguiamo but the Devil's Garden, where we admire the Double O Arch Trail has some tough spots where you have to have some 'balance and agility. It is not really recommended for those suffering much veriticini. During the return trip in the car we stopped at various view points. Worth the Balance Rock (to Willy E. Coyote). Lunch at an Italian restaurant in Moab "Jay's Pasta" and leave for Monticello. We arrive at the Day Inn (36 euro per person double occupancy) at 16.00 and afternoon relaxing by the pool. Lamplight Dinner the restaurant, just great! Two mega steak with potatoes and vegetables, a dish of fried shrimp for $ 57 in two). Playing cards and to bed.

Monument Valley

Wake up at 7, breakfast and departure by car to Monument Valley. We drive along the beautiful road coming into the I163 10. We pay $ 5 each to enter because the park is managed by the Indians and is not included with the annual pass arrived at the entrance, we are given a rough map of the valley and we are asked that if we prefer the organized tour or go with our machine, we choose this solution. The tour is required by 11 points in the valley view. The road is rather bumpy and sandy in some places is a bit 'difficult but our driver takes us in an excellent way to your goal. With a 4x4 there would problems. The best view point is the No. 9 (Artist Point) where you code an excellent view. The tour takes about 2 hours. There is no possibility to walk but you can appreciate the scenery from the car-After that we stop at the local gift shop that sells products made by the Navajo. For lunch we go to McDonalds to Kayenta and then go to the Best Western Page Arizona Inn (41 euro per family room). Crossing the border with Ariziona should marry clocks back one hour, and we head to Lake Powell visit the visitor center and book a tour for the next morning (in English). Stop at the supermarket to buy dinner and then relax in the pool at the Motel (actually the water was frozen and so no bathroom). After dinner meeting to plan the next few days and then to bed.

Antelope Canyon

Wake up at 7, breakfast at 8.30 and we are at the dam Glen for the guided tour (5 Dollars): we see from inside the dam and walk on the crown. After the visit we go to Antelope Canyon we heard very well. All tours are full and you can not access alone. However we decide to go to the starting point of the tours and assists us luck. For $ 31 we can take a tour of Navajo. It leads us to the jeep to the entrance of the canyon through the desert. Canyon entered the left speechless by how beautiful it is! The colors, shapes, you lose the horizon and the three dimensions are mixed. We are sustained by a Navajo boy who shows us the best angles for taking photos. A paradise for photographers.
Quick lunch then off to the Grand Canyon. We arrived at 16, unfortunately it is cloudy but the view is still very beautiful. We stop at various view points: the view is similar but it's nice to see the different angles. We do a lot of photos until sunset. As soon as the sun goes down we take the road to the Motel and to our surprise that somewhere else than where we thought. The Grand Canyon is a very big and very crowded park, designed like a small town, with hotels, streets, shops and even the railway passes. It is different from what we thought: it is a lonely place, in every sense: there are many people, there are many trees, is almost cool. In any event the overhang from a sense of vertigo.
The motel is the Holiday Inn Express (38 euro per family room), dinner from Wendy (a kind of MC) and then to bed.

Grand Canyon

Wake up at 7, breakfast at 8.00 and continue the tour of the Grand Canyon of the park with the Bus we bring the various points where you can not get there by car. The points are all alike: we were the best Desert view because it was the first and we were extremely impressed and The Abyss Poiny from which there is a view of the canyon, as well as a nice effect "precipice." 14 tired and hungry to do some shopping and we move in Tusayan for lunch at the Steak House. Then we leave for the trip to Las Vegas. We arrive as the sun goes down and writhing in traffic on the Strip come to Paris (Torre is unmistakable) and parked in the hotel parking convenient. We go to the reception and the guy at the check-in is very kind and generous, it gives us two rooms on the 31st floor to check if they are saying to our liking. We go to the assigned plan: Everything is very luxurious and us a bit 'underground and very casual feel uncomfortable. Finally we come to the rooms, insert the key and the magic door opens to a suite from $ 3450 per night! With tremendous views of the strip, fabulous! We think you are wrong as we had booked a room for $ 44 apiece. So let's do some photos being careful not to touch anything and go back to reception to ask for explanations as we imagined our credit cards dry up. The boy with a smile confirms repeatedly that everything is fine and that he was a "gift" for us, the cost is the same, nothing changes. Not entirely convinced back in our suite and we hold luggage. Shower and Jacuzzi, and evening in the Strip. We play slots and Carlo is the most fortunate because he won $ 20, but our win was the suite. We are shooting at various casinos until 3 am and then go to sleep in a canopy bed.

Las Vegas

Wake up at 9 the night in the suite has been refined. Today is the day dedicated to shopping in one of the outlets in Las Vegas. The prices are affordable and just take advantage. At 17.00 we returned the car to the Hertz Car Rental Paris and in the afternoon we rest and enjoy the comfort of the suite, jacuzzi and swimming pool. In the evening we watch the Bellagio fountains of eruption of the volcano at the Mirage. We would like to see the pirate attack to Tresure but the show is suspended for the wind. To bed early because the clock is pointing to 4.

Through New York

Wake up at 4 and check out with fear of price increases on the account but everything runs smooth, 5 to take a taxi to the airport where the flight to NY is at 7. Punctual departure and 15 hours to arrive in Newark NY. Limousine (booked before you leave) to the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square (a bargain $ 65 per person per night for a great hotel in a convenient location). Let your luggage and do a patrol around appliances. Dinner by watching ESPN baseball and then sleep with a little 'problems of the time (3 hours).

New York - Harlem

Wake up at 7:30 Breakfast at Starbucks and then via underground (weekly ticket) to Harlem to watch the mass Baptist and visit the neighborhood. The Mass lasts 2 hours but it's just like in the movies. The afternoon is devoted to the visit of Chelsea with a visit to the old station and the aircraft carrier. Dinner of shrimp by Buba Gump in Times Square (not to be missed).

New York - Down Town Lady Liberty Brooklyn

Wake up at 7:00 Breakfast at Starbucks and then visit the financial district: Ground Zero, Wall Street, City Hall and adjacent neighborhoods. Passing by Buttery Park and lunch at Pier 17. In the afternoon ferry to Liberty Island and Elly Island to see the Statue of Liberty and the Museum of migrants. Passage on the Brooklyn Bridge and visit the neighborhood. Back on deck at sunset with views of Manhattan lit. After 25 km of road in-room dining and in bed to rest your feet.

New York - Empire State Building and Rockfeller Center

Wake up at 7:00 Breakfast at Starbucks and ascent of the Empire State Buildig (with the City Pass homemade save the time of the queue for the ticket and do a little 'money) target 86 th floor height of 310 meters with a 360 ° on NY city. Descent and shopping at Macy's. In the afternoon visit to the Upper West Side entrance to the Museum of Science and Natural History (CityPass). To visit it would take all day, is truly enormous. We limit ourselves to the 1st floor and 4th with the famous dinosaurs in One Night at the Museum. We continue with a visit to Rockefeller Center, the apple store and shopping on 5th Avenue. In the evening dinner with shower all'ESPN final (it's the 1st rain in over 2 weeks).

New York - Central Park and Guggenheim museum

Wake up at 7 and always breakfast at Starbucks. We visit Central Park, is so large that it loses. As you enter you will earn two degrees of temperature. We visited the Metropolitan Museum (CityPass), which is immense: for this reason we look at art in the Renaissance, Impressionism and contemporary art. The afternoon is dedicated to the vizier of Guggeneim Museum (City Pass). Worth a visit just to see the building that is very special. Inside exhibits works of modern art. Conclude the visit to the Upper East Side rehearsing from 5th street. Dinner in the room and quiet evening because we're cooked.

New York - Little Italy and China Town

In the morning visit the neighborhoods of Soho and Greenwih village: but very different from the predominantly residential areas visited in previous days. In the afternoon we pass from Little Italy and China Town. The tour now ends earlier than usual to give us a bit 'off. Today we only did 10 km

New York - MOMA

Wake up at 8:30 as the MOMA opens only at 10.30! Come and visit (City Pass) saving a lot of the tickets have already queued. Belli on 4 th and 5 th with famous works. Lunch from Subway and afternoon relaxation between Central Park and shopping for last minute shopping. 18.00 hours to pack your bags at the hotel, dinner at Bubba and evening in Times Square. Our vacation is almost over, we are sorry but so happy to have made this incredible journey. The U.S. is a very special country, to visit at least once in your life! I almost go back there.

Coming back home

Free morning: rest, consult the Internet and do a walk. The weather is bad. At 12.00 we take a taxi to Newark, where the 747 Lufthansa is waiting to take us home.

Conclusions
The trip was really nice, it's worth wasting a bit 'of time to plan it so you can see many things as possible and avoid unpleasant surprises. However, if you need any advice we are available. Hello