The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

USA

Your Zion National Park Questions, Answered!

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The Zion National Park in Southwest Utah is one of the most visited national parks in the United States for a number of reasons. It has gorgeous scenery and plenty of hiking trails to explore, making it the perfect destination for those who love adventures. It is also home to diverse wildlife, from the mule deer to the bighorn sheep.

A trip to Zion National Park is one that you will remember for years to come. To make the trip more fruitful and enjoyable, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the national park, answered.

How Do I Get There?

You can reach the Zion National Park in a number of ways. Those visiting the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley can continue their journey by car; the Zion National Park is about four hours away from the Grand Canyon. The same can be said for those who are visiting Zion from different parts of Utah. The closest national park is the Bryce National Park, which is about an hour away from Zion National Park.

The most convenient way to reach the park, however, is by flying to Las Vegas. From McCarran International Airport, the Zion National Park is around two to three hours away by car. You can easily rent a car from Las Vegas, plus you get the bonus of being able to sample this glamorous city upon arriving or before ending your trip.

What about Accommodation?

Being the popular destination that it is, Zion National Park has a number of accommodation options to choose from. The Bumbleberry Inn, the best Zion hotel in the area, offers homey accommodation for any kind of traveler. It has its own theater and you can use the shuttle rides to get to various points in the national park.

There are several camping grounds too, so you can go all out with your adventure to the national park and spend some time in the wild. The Lava Point Campground and the South Campground are the more popular ones, but you have other options to choose from. There are even RV resorts for those traveling in their RVs.

Is it Safe to Drive to Zion National Park?

Driving to Zion National Park is not only safe but highly recommended. The Zion Scenic Drive is actually one of the area’s best attractions. The route takes you across the national park and straight to the forest area.

The drive itself is special. You will be driving along a twisty road with gorgeous scenery to enjoy from start to finish. There are some areas with sharp hairpins and challenging turns – not all of them have guardrails – but as long as you are focused, you will have a lot of fun taking this route.

Don’t forget to have your camera ready too. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the landscape; chances are you’ll be making several stops while driving this route.

Once you get to Zion National Park, you will have even more things to do. Now that you have these questions answered, you can plan for the trip better and have the best time exploring the national park.

Eco-Tours are Booming in Key West

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Ahh, the backcountry of Key West. Flats that extend for miles in either direction, full of game fish, sharks, rays, tarpon and other surprises. Get up close and see it all on one of the island’s many discovery tours. Go kayaking or have a guide drive you to the remotest areas where nature thrives and excitement rules.

What Makes Key West so Special?

Key West is a sub-tropical island set way out in the Atlantic Ocean, 120 miles from the mainland. To the north, we have the Gulf of Mexico and to the south, we have the Atlantic. There are miles and miles of backcountry around this island, too.

All of this means there is a thriving marine ecosystem out there just waiting to be explored. Key West eco tours will take visitors to remote areas to view wildlife and discover nature in a non-obtrusive way so we harm the environment as little as possible. If you’re an eco-tour newbie, here’s what you can expect:

  • Some eco tours take a boat of visitors to special spots to view dolphins
  • Some tours will take visitors to a remote spot to snorkel an area that’s not frequented by the bigger tour companies
  • Some eco tours involve boating out to a remote spot for kayaking on the flats and amongst the mangroves.

Whatever form is taken, an eco-tour means you get to discover nature at your own pace, silently and carefully. These trips are great for picture-taking, too.

What About Diving?

Key West diving is an exciting way to see the living coral reef that’s just minutes away from shore. Experienced divers and novices alike can get out to the reef and discover the underwater world that surrounds the reef system in our waters.

Even if you’re new to diving, you can take a short course and get temporarily certified for some scuba on vacation. If you really love it, why not get certified for real after you return from Key West? Diving is a lifelong sport that you can enjoy for years to come. There are dozens of charter companies in Key West ready to take you out to the reef or to a wreck for some fun exploration.

What Makes the Coral Reef Near Key West so Special

Key West diving is such a big deal because we are just six miles from the only living coral reef system in North America. That means an amazing diversity of marine life and a thriving, diverse ecosystem out there. All sorts of coral flourish on the reef, from soft coral species to hard coral, like rock.

The reef fish that make snorkeling and diving so popular abound everywhere on the reef, from zebrafish to parrotfish and Sargent majors to all kinds of jacks, snapper, rays and more! A Key West diving trip will take you out to the best areas of the reef, like Eastern Dry Rocks or Sand Key Light, for the best time ever discovering the coral reef.

5 of the Most Romantic Cities in America

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Whenever someone mentions a romantic destination, a city is probably not the first place that people think of, except Paris of course. In truth however, there are actually some very romantic cities right within the United States itself and we are going to take a look at five of them next.

Miami in South Florida

According to a number of popular tabloids, Miami has a high number of good looking people living there and it is also one of the most popular romantic getaways for couples around the US. The city of Miami has a booming luxury real estate market and it made up of one of the most diverse international scenes in the country. The hot beaches during daytime are complemented perfectly by the vibrant nightlife here, but that’s not all. If you would rather spend some one-on-one time with your partner, the suburb/city of Coral Gables is the perfect place for you. It almost feels like a Mediterranean getaway in this quiet little place and you may just like it even more than Miami, if you are looking for a quieter place.

San Diego in California

There is no shortage of San Diego honeymoon ideas on the internet because it’s a pleasantly warm city that’s filled with long, beautiful beaches, world class hotels and lush green parks. If you are looking for things to do as a couple, you will have the option to snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, swim, hike, see historical sites and enjoy fabulous food & wine at the famous local eateries, making San Diego a complete and romantic destination for everyone.

Honolulu in Hawaii

It’s impossible not to include Honolulu in this list, given that it is the capital of Hawaii. You can either treat Honolulu as one of the many gorgeous, tropical destinations on your trip to Hawaii or you can choose to spend your entire vacation in this stunningly beautiful city that is known worldwide for its scenic beauty, perfect weather, and luxurious resorts.

Napa in California

The best bits of California’s wine country can be experienced by couples in Napa. Go on a trip across the city and various other sections of the Napa Valley with your significant other to enjoy the best wine in the country, amongst the beautiful vineyards. You will find a lot of cozy bed & breakfasts in the vicinity of those vine yards as well, and although they are not exactly luxurious resorts, the old-school romantic charm they have is enjoyable in its own right.

Las Vegas

Known for themed weddings, this is where you should be heading with your significant other if you like fine dining, casinos and more things to do than you can shake a stick at! Keep in mind though that vacations in Las Vegas can get very expensive very fast, especially if you or your partner are fond of the dice. But, you can still find great deals and enjoy a luxurious accommodation in Westgate Las Vegas. There’s an array of great amenities that you and your partner will surely love.

Cities that did not make it onto the final list, but are definitely worth at least an honorable mention, include New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Scottsdale and Nashville. All of them are great for couples but do your own research on these cities first as they all cater to different needs.

3 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Seattle

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If you are a lover of water and everything that it entails, then Seattle offers you many options for doing just that. You just have to know where to go, and what to use in order to find your favorite attractions. So, where do you start? How do you go about enjoying the water attractions in the city of Seattle?

Use the Ferry Services for Transportation

Image via Flickr by thirteenthbat

One of the best ways to get around in Seattle and its vicinity is to make use of Washington State Ferries. This ferry service system consists of 28 ferries that travel across 10 routes.

If you want to go on a tour of Bainbridge Island and enjoy a picnic while taking in the scenery or travel to Bremerton and visit the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship, the Washington State Ferry services will get you there. And you will be able to sightsee and enjoy the local attractions in peace until it’s time to go back again.

Generally speaking, if you want to tour the entire Puget Sound and see what’s on offer, the ferry services offer you the best chance to do so. But in case you do not have much time, it pays to find an IHG hotel in a great location with water views for your enjoyment.

Boat Rentals for Fun and Sports

It’s safe to say that fishing is indeed a sport. And in Seattle, you can rent a boat when you’re feeling the itch to release the reel. You can charter a fishing boat for salt-water fishing courtesy of Seattle fishing companies. You will then have access to experienced skippers and the right tackles so that you can finally catch salmon just like you have always wanted to. And it’s year-round too. What’s not to like about that?

You can also rent boats or kayaks for fun. Green Lakes Park offers you the chance to learn about sailing. And you can use your knowledge to set sail using the rental boats available. You can opt to be part of a group canoeing event if you would rather. Paddle boats, row boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boats are also available if you are looking for a fun workout.  And when you are done, there’s a café nearby to help you get your energy back up again.

Cruises and Sightseeing

What if you could go on a cruise and get to see a lot of Seattle even when you have minimal time to enjoy yourself?

You could start by booking the DUKW aka the Duck, which is an amphibious vehicle that travels on both land and sea, courtesy of Ride the Ducks of Seattle. You can get to view the Seattle waterfront, Pioneer Square, and even the downtown shopping district before you sail into Lake Union.

You can also book a whale watching tour that will take you to the San Juan Islands, where whales are frequently seen. Other cruises will enable you view whales in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. You can also charter private cruise boats that will allow you to sightsee at a more relaxed pace.

These are just a few of the ways you can get out on the water. Between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is a haven for water-lovers.

The Best US Cities for Meat Lovers

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Only a handful things are better than having a tasty steak or barbecue ribs on a pleasant evening, especially if you’re a true meat lover. Meat lovers travel the world in search for the best dishes made from meat. Both traditional recipes and modern dishes made of the finest meat are equally incredible to sample.

The meat central of the world, however, is the United States. For years, cities in the US become home of the best steak, burger, and other meat-based restaurants in the world. If you’re traveling to the United States as a meat lover, here are some of the best cities you want to visit.

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas is secretly the center of smoking and grilling meat. It may not be as popular as other cities, but the restaurants you can find in Texas – and the meat dishes they serve – are nothing short of magical. For the best smoked beef and barbecue ribs, however, you want to head to Fort Worth. Even experts dubbed this city the Cowtown.

Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine is one of the restaurants to add to your itinerary the next time you visit Fort Worth. It is run by Jon Bonnell, a name every meat lover is familiar with. Nearby, you can also find places like Western Bistro and the famous White Elephant Saloon, both of which serve mean beef cuisines.

Time your visit to Texas correctly, and you can also sample one of the best events for meat lovers: The Meat Fight. It was first started in 2012 and has since became an annual event.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The best chefs in the world have properties in Las Vegas, so it is no surprise that the city is filled with great steak houses and restaurants that serve amazing meat dishes. Even better, there are many meat buffets – even 24-hour buffets – and most – if not all – of them are well worth the sub-$10 price.

Of course, the celebrity chef restaurants are the main attraction in Las Vegas. You will have the opportunity to try Anthony’s Prime Steak & Seafood dishes and the Country Club. If you are keen on trying to replicate the tastes back home, it might be worth researching the Best Electric Smoker 2018.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you haven’t tried an original, home-made Philly steak, then your life as a meat lover isn’t complete. Philly steak is a dish that combines smooth and well-smoked protein with cheese and bread to create an incredible meal. Also known as a cheesesteak, a Philly steak is quite large; enough to make you feel satisfied to the core.

Of course, we have places like Geno’s Steak serving the best Philly steaks in the world. Pork lovers would also want to try scrapple, another special dish from Philadelphia made from pork meat. It is sweet and relatively light due to cornmeal and flour adding extra texture to the meat itself.

We can keep going with more cities with great meat dishes, but these are the ones you want to visit first if you are a meat lover. Prepare for some unforgettable meals as you explore these cities and their finest restaurants.