Friday, January 30, 2009

The Natural Beauty Surrounding Vegas

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about las vegas to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from las vegas experts.

The first thing most people think of when thinking of Las Vegas is the strip. Bright blinking neon lights, loud music, and spotlights are more of what people envision in Vegas than wide open spaces, natural park like settings, nature watches, and the beauty of the desert at sunset. Of course that is if you can get a little ways out of Vegas otherwise you'll never notice the sun going down for all the bright lights.

Granted most of these beautiful places to visit are fair distances from Vegas but if you are this close to them it would be a shame to miss out on their beauty for the sake of a car ride. The first one I'd like to mention is Bryce Canyon National Park. It is actually in Utah and about 270 miles from Vegas. The fee to enter is $20 per vehicle but the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The views you will see are worth every mile and every penny. You should also be on the lookout for some of the wildlife particularly the Great Basin Rattlesnake, bald eagles, and golden eagles. There are beautiful flowers that often bloom in the spring and early summer months if you happen to be visiting at this time it's worth keeping an eye out.

The Grand Canyon is about 300 miles southeast of Vegas. This is another beauty that is well worth seeing if you have a day free or even really to make a priority of. There is a fee to bring your car into the park and you should check to see exactly what the current rate is before making the drive. For most people any fee is well worth experiencing this piece of American legend and lore. You can also opt to take one of many tours that will take you around the canyon and some that will take you to the bottom and back up again. If you are truly brave you should also consider one of the helicopter tours.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

Floyd Lamb Park is open each day from 6 in the morning until 7 at night. This park is located about 20 miles from the strip in Vegas. It also has four fully stocked ponds, a barbecue area, and is home to some very interesting fossils and remains. The fossils and remains that have been identified here include the following: bison, mammoths, camels, giant sloths, and horse among other animals. This area became a state park in 1977 and visitors who have a fishing license for Nevada may fish in any of the park's ponds but there is a limit of three fish per person.

Lake Mead is another great area nearby in which to enjoy the great outdoors of the Nevada desert. Lake Mead is a man-made lake and the 16th largest of its kind in this hemisphere. This lake was created by the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam and is about 1.5 million acres (I don't know about you but that figure to me is actually staggering). This area is a very popular area for boating, swimming, and as wildlife observation area.

If you love the great outdoors there are plenty of places to get out there and enjoy nature in and around the Las Vegas area. You can do a lot more than view wildlife in any of these parks and each one offers something special to those that visit. I would hope that you could enjoy them all, however I would recommend that you spend at least one day of your trip outdoors in nature somewhere.

As your knowledge about las vegas continues to grow, you will begin to see how las vegas fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Preparing for Your Trip to Mexico

Preparation is the key to your safety when visiting Mexico. You should begin your vacation with a careful and well thought-out plan. Your plan should include your budget, where you will be staying, as well as important information and contact numbers in case there is an emergency.

You should be current with your immunizations before leaving the country and follow all safety precautions while in Mexico. You should also register with the United States Embassy and make sure that you leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member, close friend, co-worker, or neighbor. You may also want to consider registering with the United States Travel Registration, for added convenience. This can easily be done over the internet. This is an important precaution to take. It helps to notify the United States Government that you are leaving the country. By taking necessary precautions and planning your trip efficiently, you can ensure that your vacation will be what you expected, it will also help to eliminate the chances of a problem occurring.

Staying up to date on current events in Mexico is very important to timing your trip. You should begin watching the news and plan your trip based on what you see. If there are internal conflicts within the Mexican government, you may want to delay your trip for a period of time. You should also learn as much as you can about the country before you embark on your journey. Finding out the country’s weather and climate is extremely important to planning the perfect trip. Traveling to Mexico during hurricane season can put a damper on your vacation, so make sure that you keep this in mind when planning your Mexico vacation.

Before leaving, you are encouraged to find out as much information about the location of your trip, the culture, and customs. Another important step to take when preparing for your trip to Mexico is to check with the Consular Information Sheets. Consular Information Sheets are valuable resources that all tourists should examine. It will provide you with information that will give you all of the details that are applicable to traveling in Mexico. The sheets will give you emergency contact information, and describe the current conditions within the country.

The importance of your passport cannot be overlooked. There are many places where your passport, along with other forms of identification will be needed. You should make copies of your passport and your tickets and leave them with a close friend or relative. In addition to your passport, you will also need other proper forms of identification. This identification most often is picture identification.

You will want to review your health insurance policy before you leave the country. Certain medical insurance programs will not provide services outside of the United States. If you become ill outside of the country and are not covered, you will be responsible for any bills that result. Some medical insurance policies will provide coverage for those outside of the country, but you should verify with your provider before your trip. If you travel frequently, it may be beneficial to add additional coverage to your current policy.

The above mention tips and precautions are just a few of the many that can help you have the perfect vacation in Mexico. Properly preparing for your trip is the best way to prevent unnecessary problems from arising.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Savoring the Memories of Your Mexico Vacation

Each year, millions of individuals, couples, and families make the decision to vacation in Mexico. If you are interested in becoming one of those people, it is likely that you will have more fun than you ever imagined. There are so many fun things to do in Mexico that many are sad to leave. If you are looking for ways to cherish your Mexico memories, you have a number of ways to do so.

When taking a vacation, whether that vacation is in Mexico or not, a camera may be one of the first things that you pack. A camera is one of the best ways to cherish and forever remember your Mexico vacation. When selecting a camera to take along with you on your trip, you will want to keep your vacation activities and destinations in mind. This is important to select the right camera.

If you have a digital camera, your first instinct may be to bring that camera along. Digital cameras take photographs that are often incomparable. When brining along a digital camera, you are encouraged to keep its cost in mind. Many travelers are advised not to bring along expensive belongings. Depending on its value, this may mean your digital camera. If you do want to bring your digital camera along, you are advised to keep it with you at all times and refrain from getting it wet.

Aside from digital cameras, disposable cameras are the most popular among travelers. Disposable cameras work like all other traditional cameras. The only difference is that you will not get the camera back once your pictures are developed. If you are interested in keeping your vacation photographs on your computer or you prefer digital pictures, most photo centers will transfer your photographs onto a CD. This CD may allow you to crop, reduce red eye, and make other alterations to your vacation pictures.

As with digital cameras, you need to refrain from getting your disposable camera wet. If you are vacationing at the beach or participating in water related activities, you may want to consider purchasing an underwater camera. Underwater cameras are often sold in a disposable form. Depending on the style of your camera, you may be able to purchase a waterproof casing. This casing may make your traditional camera water proof.

While many travelers want to bring along their cameras, there are many who simply forget to. If you are without a camera on your Mexico vacation, you can easily purchase one. Many retails stores in Mexico sell digital cameras, traditional cameras, and disposable cameras. The only downside to purchasing a camera at your vacation destination is that the cameras are often overpriced. Most merchandise, including cameras, is priced high in most well-known tourist locations.

If you are unable to afford to cost of a camera, you may be able to take pictures with your cell phone. Camera phones are popular all around the world. In addition to keeping your vacation pictures on your phone, you can easily email them to friends and family or you can transfer the picture to your computer. The quality of camera phone pictures may not be the best, but it is better than not taking pictures at all.

The above mentioned cameras are all ideal for taking pictures while vacationing in Mexico. Pictures are nice, but they are not only way that you can remember your Mexico vacation. Many travelers enjoy taking video footage of their vacations and with a camcorder and you can too.

If you do not already have a camcorder, you will need to buy one. As DVDs are increasing in popularity, the popularity of VHS tapes is slowing beginning to decline. If you are looking for cheap camcorders, you may be able to find VHS tape recorders for a low price at most retail stores. Video footage is often better on a DVD than on a VHS tape. If you are able to afford the latest camcorder models, you are encouraged to consider purchasing one.

While vacationing in Mexico, you are likely to have a great experience. This experience may include meeting locals, diving undersea, or taking a boat cruise. It is likely that your Mexico vacation will forever live on in your heart. To keep those memories alive, you are encouraged to document your Mexico vacation with one or more of the above mentioned methods.