Page 8 – A Brit and A Southerner

Memphis to St Louis – How to Enjoy a Long Weekend Getaway

Tennessee

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Sep 9, 2019

Memphis to St Louis – How to Enjoy a Long Weekend Getaway

Road tripping between two iconic cities is definitely our idea of an exciting long weekend getaway. Whether we are leaving after work on Friday and coming back late Sunday evening or adding an extra day to make the most of a holiday weekend, finding an area where you can maximize your time is something we always love to explore. For those of you that have yet to venture to the heart of the States, namely the “Midwest” and “South”, you can frequently find yourself isolated given the distances between many larger cities. However, if you read our post on enjoying a road trip from Memphis to Nashville, you will know that there are some opportunities. We are delighted to introduce a similar entertaining trip, this time from Memphis to St Louis, Missouri.

If you are reading this post wondering why you would want to explore both Memphis and St Louis during a two or three-day weekend getaway, the simple answer is because you can! Sure, both of these historic locations are cities where you could easily spend several days exploring on their own but their relatively close proximity to each ensures that they can be considered exploring in the same trip. Whether you are visiting one of these from out of town or simply live close to one of these, we feel that the following post will give you an idea of the must-see experiences in each location along with some hidden gems worth exploring along the route.

From the best BBQ spots in Memphis to the iconic Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis that has only recently been designated with such status in 2018, there is a myriad of reasons to want to explore both locations. But perhaps the lesser-known locations such as Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve and Arcadia Valley, among others, will be an added selling point for exploring this road trip. Let’s take a look at the different routes available along with why Memphis to St. Louis is a trip we think you will want to explore for yourselves in the near future!

Road Trip from Memphis to St Louis

If you are looking for an easy 4-hour drive between two cities, the route along I-55 between Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri couldn’t be much simpler. Of course, there are always a couple of alternatives (albeit slightly longer) that you can take, so ultimately it’s going to be down to personal preference and exactly what you want to experience on the journey.

We are going to highlight the following locations along this route, featuring some of the best things to do in each spot.

Memphis, TN
Cape Girardeau, MO
Ste Genevieve, MO
Arcadia Valley, MO
St. Louis, MO

Let’s take a look at a couple of different options and throughout the rest of this post, we will highlight some of the best things to do regardless of which route you take.

I-55 – Quickest Option

Total Distance – 283 miles
Duration – 4 hours 7 minutes

If you plan on spending all of your time exploring the very best of Memphis and St. Louis, the quickest route is obviously to take I-55 directly between the two cities. You will notice that there are a couple of spots along here such as Cape Girardeau, that are worth exploring but for the most part, this option is definitely going to give you the optimal amount of time to experience both major cities.

Click here to open Google Maps for step by step guided instructions

Arkansas/Arcadia Valley – Scenic Option

Total Distance – 290 miles
Duration – 4 hours 47 minutes

Visiting Missouri and Tennessee on this trip? Why not add Arkansas to the mix and spend a little more time in the Natural State before heading into the depths of the Arcadia Valley region of Missouri? If you love breathtaking natural scenery and are planning a Fall road trip between Memphis and St. Louis, we can 100% attest that this is a route well worth considering.

The inherent beauty of this region, given that it is part of the Ozark Mountains, is something not to be missed. Plan on visiting the highest point in Missouri at Taum Sauk while exploring other natural gems such as Johnson’s Shut-Ins and many others. The real benefit of this route is that you can venture back across to I-55 if you want to explore some of the other urban locations on this route.

Click here to open Google Maps for step by step guided instructions

Things to do in Memphis

Memphis may well be renowned as being the birthplace of rock and roll, and certainly for good reason, but there are plenty of other reasons why Memphis should be on your radar. If you are trying to experience some of the highlight attractions in a short period of time, we think that the following will give you an eclectic sampling of the best things to do in Bluff City.

From Beale Street to Graceland, from the diverse collection of thriving neighborhoods to a myriad of vibrant coffee shops, Memphis has something for everyone. We are going to focus on some of the best neighborhoods in Memphis that will truly represent the city and allow visitors that only have a short time to get a real feel of the culture and diversity there.

Of course, our suggestions are just a few ideas and there is certainly plenty more to experience, dependent on personal preference. Did you know that Memphis was home to probably the most unique Bass Pro Shops anywhere in the US? “The Pyramid” is home to this outdoor retail store and can be found close to the Mississippi River.

Take a trip to the summit of this iconic building to admire breathtaking scenes across the river and also downtown Memphis. This is just one of many unique “other” attractions that Memphis is famous for.

Downtown Memphis

Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, downtown Memphis is stacked full of rich history. At the heart of downtown Memphis is the iconic Beale Street. Frequently renowned as the heartbeat of Memphis given its lively collection of bars, restaurants, and unique stores, Beale Street is an area every visitor needs to experience.

I would encourage you to visit both during the day and again at night if possible as you will see polar opposites. Throughout the day, Beale Street is frequently a relaxed environment with plenty of cleanup taking place (similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans but on a lesser scale) but home to a variety of places that remain home throughout the day and long into the evening.

Original, rare vinyl records can be found along Beale Street and well, it’s not called the “Home of the Blues” for nothing. Memphis Music is a popular spot to find a plethora of Blues related merchandise. Everything from CD’s, vinyl, DVD’s and t-shirts can be found here.

If you choose to return to Beale Street in the evening, be prepared to enjoy a variety of lively bars such as Silky O’Sullivan’s (home to the “Drunk Goats”), Rum Boogie Cafe and many more.

South Main Arts District

Just a short drive (or trolley ride) from Beale Street is the eclectic neighborhood of the South Main Arts District. In terms of history and iconic locations, this is perhaps one of the most infamous throughout Memphis. For those that are interested in civil rights history, the Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum are two landmarks you won’t want to miss. Known as the site for Martin Luther King’s tragic assassination, this is a poignant location that should be on everyone’s radar when heading to Memphis.

The story of the civil rights movement may be the prevalent topic of conversation in this part of Memphis but that shouldn’t take away from the other highlight attractions in this neighborhood. Check out the Blues Hall of Fame for a deeper look at the music scene that has made Memphis such a hot spot for musicians over recent decades. If you are ready to grab a bite to eat or perhaps just recharge your batteries with a decadent espresso, head over to Bluff City Coffee to enjoy a wide variety of menu options.

Cooper-Young District

If you are looking for art, history, culture, and delicious cuisine all thrown into one neighborhood, look no further than the Cooper-Young district of Memphis. The term “hip neighborhood” springs to mind when looking for words to describe this area of Memphis and it’s no surprise to hear that this is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

Cooper-Young is one of those areas where you want to park your car and walk around to explore the beauty of this neighborhood. Just allow yourself to get lost among the urban beauty of this area and you will be pleasantly surprised at the diverse blend of restaurants, boutique shops and many other attractive reasons to keep you intrigued by the neighborhood.

Artisanal coffee shops are always a huge selling point when we explore neighborhoods and Cooper-Young doesn’t disappoint, with Java Cabana and Otherlands offering two of the best coffee shops in Memphis.

Cape Girardeau

It’s fair to say that exploring the above Memphis neighborhoods will likely make you intrigued to explore more of the city. But remember, this trip is all about making the most of your long weekend getaway and exploring Memphis, St. Louis and everything in between. The drive from Memphis to Cape Girardeau is around 2 1/2 hours (172 miles) along I-55 but this is honestly the first worthwhile spot to stop and explore if you choose to take the interstate route mentioned above.

This is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before continuing your journey with a collection of chain and local restaurants to choose from. However, one of the best things to do in Cape Girardeau is to head close to the banks of the Mississippi River and enjoy the collection of street art on display. The creativity of these murals is a real sight to behold and this location is home to a variety of both temporary and permanent displays.

Ste Genevieve

For the history buffs out there, perhaps the thought of visiting the oldest permanent European settlement in the state of Missouri will be intriguing. Head to Ste Genevieve that dates back to 1735 to enjoy various historic landmarks along with modern-day attractions that will appeal to all the family.

The Green Tree Tavern is the oldest vertical log building in the town dating back to 1790 and is an interesting sight. The Centre for French Colonial Life is a historian’s dream with plenty of artifacts and exhibits providing a detailed look at early French settlers in the area.

Whether you just want to spend a few minutes exploring the historic buildings in Ste Genevieve or want to learn all about the rich history here, it’s a place you should consider visiting en route from Memphis to St. Louis. Located just one hour from Cape Girardeau, this is another spot perfectly situated to break up the drive, again ideally situated if you are planning on taking the direct route along the interstate.

Arcadia Valley

Head away from the hustle and bustle of city life and driving along interstates to explore the Ozark region of Missouri, in particular, Arcadia Valley which is perfectly situated to experience while driving between Memphis and St. Louis. Home to Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri at 1,772 feet, Arcadia Valley has a plethora of outdoor adventures waiting to be experienced.

Elephant Rocks State Park is an intriguing area worth exploring as it is home to a number of large granite boulders that collectively look like a group of elephants – hence the name! Take a short drive through the scenic Ozark Mountains to arrive at Johnson’s Shut-Ins, home to various hiking trails and scenic overlooks by the river.

This area is the perfect relaxation spot and if you have time on your side, it’s definitely worth considering spending a half-day or even a full day exploring this part of Missouri. The scenery alone is worth the effort of leaving I-55 and we don’t think you will regret it.

Things to Do in St Louis

Be prepared to spend at least a full day exploring the best of St. Louis. Just like Memphis, you can easily spend the whole trip in a location known as the “Gateway to the West.” One of the attractive benefits of exploring St. Louis is that there are A LOT of free (that’s right, you read it correctly…FREE!) attractions across the city such as St. Louis Zoo, Anheuser Busch Brewery among many others.

Visitors to St. Louis will understandably likely want to visit the Gateway Arch, an iconic landmark in this part of the US. Be prepared for a tight squeeze inside the capsule that takes you to the summit of the arch but once you arrive at the top, the views across the Mississippi River into Illinois and downtown St. Louis are breathtaking. Pick out some of your favorite highlight attractions such as Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Gateway Mall.

Let’s take a look at three of our favorite neighborhoods that will help give you an insight into this beautiful city. If you want to explore St. Louis off the beaten path, this is definitely a great start!

The Hill

When it comes to iconic neighborhoods in St. Louis, “The Hill” is perhaps the most infamous given that this is home to an eclectic collection of Italian restaurants and also where baseball great Yogi Berra grew up. From the world-class athletes to the colorful Italian influence in this area, The Hill is a part of St. Louis where you will immediately feel at home with friendly locals always willing to make you feel welcome. You could easily be forgiven for thinking that you were in an Italian town with the amount of red, green and white paint everywhere.

But the history of The Hill is combined with 21st-century additions such as authentic coffeehouses, studios and boutique stores that make this a popular hangout spot not only for visitors but also locals that call St. Louis their home. Pizza is unsurprisingly the go-to cuisine in this part of St. Louis and if you are looking for something other than Italian cuisine, you would be better suited to visit another part of the city. We always hear that many restaurants lay claim to having “authentic” cuisine but we would argue that “The Hill” has an abundance that truly can attest to having true Italian dishes.

Forest Park

Home of the St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park covers over 1,300 acres and is a prominent area of green space in the heart of an urban environment. Forest Park is the perfect area to visit if you are looking to relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Similar to Hyde Park in London and Central Park in New York City, Forest Park plays an integral role in daily life in St. Louis.

One of the most beautiful urban parks in the world — and one of the greatest civic treasures of St. Louis

Aside from the zoo which is undoubtedly one of St. Louis’ highlight attractions given that there is free admission, the park is home to a plethora of gorgeous ecosystems, beautiful landscapes full of trees, lakes, and streams and of course, a plethora of cultural institutions. It’s no surprise to hear that with 13 million annual visitors, this is the sixth most frequently visited park in the US.

Delmar Loop

If “The Hill” is home to Italian cuisine, Delmar Loop is home to everything else. For those of you that are frequently indecisive when it comes to cuisine options, head over to Delmar Loop for a diverse range of options ranging from BBQ, noodles, Mexican and Korean cuisine to mention just a few. Hop on a vintage trolley to meander along Delmar Loop, admiring the authentic architecture and planning where you want to visit once you have explored using this traditional public transportation.

Get ready to immerse yourself in ethnic and cultural diversity while exploring Delmar Loop. Fitz’s, America’s original soda microbrewery can be found here and this is a must-see attraction. Enjoy a cream soda, root beer or another flavor while watching the bottling of St. Louis’ acclaimed drink.

For more information on the best things to do in Delmar Loop, check out Visit The Loop.

Summary

Memphis and St. Louis are two cities that we love visiting and we hope that anyone planning a visit to this part of the US will choose to follow this itinerary in order to experience both. There is a unique beauty about both cities and it’s only when you start exploring the neighborhoods away from the main tourist attractions that you really begin to appreciate the inherent quality of these cities.

Visitors from all corners of the globe will appreciate both Memphis and St. Louis but we would argue that planning a long weekend getaway to both is the ideal scenario, given that you can experience the beauty of Arcadia Valley in the heart of Missouri. We all hear about the stereotypical beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, but that should take nothing away from the Ozarks. An off the beaten path hidden gem and one that deserves just as much recognition.

We hope that you will find this itinerary beneficial and choose to follow this in the near future – if you are planning a trip to either Memphis or St. Louis…or both, please let us know as they are both considered our “home cities” given their close proximity to where we live.

Arches to Canyonlands – How to Enjoy an Amazing 48 Hours

Utah

Chris Boothman

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Aug 26, 2019

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Arches to Canyonlands – How to Enjoy an Amazing 48 Hours

If you love the great outdoors, there are not many places in the US more inviting than the spectacular array of national parks in Utah. Renowned as being the home of the “Mighty 5“, Utah is blessed to have a collection of natural landscapes that attract visitors from all across the globe. If you are planning a trip to Utah but only have a short amount of time, we strongly recommend visiting the Eastern side of the state to experience the inherent beauty of Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Both are located in close proximity to the town of Moab and if you only have 48 hours, we think a trip from Arches to Canyonlands is the perfect experience.

Whether you love hiking, admiring spectacular geological formations or experiencing breathtaking sunsets, Eastern Utah is a haven for all the above and much more. It goes without saying that visitors to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks could easily spend 48 hours or more in each park, but there are still plenty of reasons to justify a trip if you only have a short weekend and want to experience the best of both in this timeframe.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlight attractions in this part of Utah along with the best route to experience both parks in this 48 hour period.

Arches to Canyonlands Route

If you are planning a visit to either Arches or Canyonlands National Park, you should be prepared for two of the more difficult parks to access. Located near the town of Moab, the closest airport is Grand Junction, Colorado which is a little over 100 miles away. For those that prefer to fly into larger airports, Salt Lake City is 4 hours away (235 miles) and Denver is 5 1/2 hours away (350 miles).

During our recent trip to Colorado and Utah, we experience the Denver to Moab drive and although we spent more than 48 hours on this trip, that was our allocated time to experience the Eastern Utah area. The beauty of visiting these two parks is that you can easily navigate between the two in a short time.

Arches National Park is the easier to navigate, given that there is one entrance and you could meander your way through the park and experience the highlight attractions. However, Canyonlands has a couple of entrances and you need to decide which landmarks you are most intrigued by.

The direct route (shown above) will take less than 30 minutes to drive between both national park entrances. The convenience of this means that you may choose to visit either park on multiple occasions across the 48 hours in the area.

Where to Stay in Moab

As you approach Moab, you quickly realize that this is a town that embraces the national parks that ultimately surround this town. To the West, Canyonlands and to the East, Arches. Both are spectacular in their own right and Moab serves as the perfect location to stay overnight while exploring the beauty of these two parks.

Here are a few recommendations on the best places to stay in and around Moab should you choose to experience these two gorgeous national parks:

Hyatt Place Moab – If you prefer to stay in a higher-end luxury resort, this is a great place with gorgeous views overlooking the nearby mountains.
Fairfield Inn & Suites – If you are wanting to stay close to Arches National Park, this is the perfect option at less than 3 miles from the park and only a 5-minute walk from the Colorado River.
Moab Red Stone Inn – A more budget-friendly option offering rustic rooms, perfectly epitomizing the surrounding area, this is an ideal choice for those that just want a place to sleep and shower the next morning.

Regardless of where you choose to stay in Moab, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied while in the town center. A variety of local restaurants, eclectic coffee shops, souvenir shops and much more will provide evening entertainment but of course, the real reason you are in Moab is to experience these iconic national parks!

Canyonlands National Park

Although Canyonlands National Park may not be the first place you think about visiting when planning a trip to Utah, after seeing this gorgeous natural landscape, this opinion is likely to change. Home to a myriad of breathtaking canyons, gorgeous buttes and even a few iconic geological formations in the shape of arches, Canyonlands epitomizes everything there is to love about an untouched national park.

As I mentioned earlier, Canyonlands is a little more difficult to navigate given that many of the iconic landmarks are spread wide and far across the 527 square miles of the national park. But, if you are planning on following our route, you are in luck and will get to experience a diverse selection of awe-inspiring landscapes, gorgeous geological formations and much more.

Let’s take a look at the highlights while driving along the Island in the Sky scenic route. For those that love hiking, Canyonlands is a dream destination and you will likely want to spend several hours exploring many of the trails throughout this landscape. Be sure to leave enough time to experience all of the landmarks, as it’s easy to lose track of time while enjoying the amazing trails.

Mesa Arch

One of the easiest yet most rewarding hikes throughout Canyonlands is to Mesa Arch. If you wake up early and enter this national park just before dawn, Mesa Arch is one of the best spots to capture epic sunrise shots with breathtaking views across the vistas.

Whether you are an early riser or prefer to visit later in the day, the 0.7-mile loop trail to Mesa Arch is an experience you won’t want to miss out on. This is readily accessible for most visitors and although there is very little to see along the trail itself, the views through Mesa Arch are beyond incredible. Be careful as you approach the ledge of Mesa Arch because it’s a rather surprising steep drop but it’s definitely worth the view.

Mesa Arch is technically classified as a “pothole arch” because it was formed when surface water pooled underneath the sandstone creating the arch we see today. The 500-feet drop over the edge can be terrifying given that there are no barriers but as long as you proceed with caution, the experience will likely alleviate any fears you have.

Buck Canyon Overlook

There is something quite magical about epic panoramic landscapes in Utah and Canyonlands is certainly a great place to find a plethora of amazing overlooks. While driving along the Island in the Sky road, take a few minutes to visit Buck Canyon Overlook. The short trail to the overlook is easy and accessible for all (including wheelchair accessibility), while the views out to the East are definitely a worthwhile experience.

Buck Canyon is a gorgeous sight within the Colorado River Basin, while the La Sal mountain range can be identified in the distance. This is one of those viewpoints that you can easily spend some time admiring…the views simply never get too old to enjoy!

Grand View Overlook

At the southern tip of the Island of the Sky is another spectacular viewpoint – Grand View Overlook. If you were impressed by the panoramic scenes from Buck Canyon, you will be left speechless at the breathtaking beauty available at Grand View Overlook.

This is a perfect location to wear your favorite hiking boots and take the trail across the high mesa. A two-mile round trip, this is another relatively easy hike but please proceed with caution because these sandstone rocks can get a little slick and there is nothing in terms of barriers with a pretty serious drop to one side. As you walk across the rocks, a drop of around one thousand feet may be a little terrifying for many but please allow your eyes to look further afield and admire the beauty of Utah’s natural landscape.

The views from Grand View Overlook epitomize the inherent beauty of Canyonlands National Park. In the distance, you can capture a glimpse of the Needles district which is yet another iconic part of this national park (similar to the spires you see throughout Bryce Canyon). The trail continues to Grand View Point which is the finale of the trail but offers yet more gorgeous scenery.

Upheaval Dome

After spending several hours hiking and admiring the views out to the east and south of Canyonlands, why not head back along the Island of the Sky and venture towards Upheaval Dome for a different perspective as you explore the western half of this national park. This geological formation is the result of an impact crater that eroded the surrounding area and layers of sedimentary rock have created the walls, depicting years of natural erosion.

The hike to the summit of Upheaval Dome is a little more challenging than any of the aforementioned hikes, but it’s well worth the effort. The trail itself can be a little tricky to navigate and it’s a pretty steep incline to the summit.

Plan to spend around 20-30 minutes hiking to the summit but once you arrive at the first check point, the view over the crater is pretty spectacular. A further section is available to hike if you are intrigued by an alternative view of Upheaval Dome but always be wary of the weather as you won’t want to get caught out in the rain with a potentially slick hike back to the parking lot.

Arches National Park

When it comes to natural beauty, there are not many national parks more spectacular than Arches National Park. This place has it all and the following quote perfectly summarizes the beauty you will find the moment you drive through the entrance.

Mother Nature is a master sculptor and in no place is that more evident than at Arches National Park
Stefanie Payne, A Year in the National Parks: The Greatest American Road Trip

For those that love taking scenic road trips, the drive through Arches National Park is one that will long live in your memory. Even without getting out of your car, you can admire the amazing natural attractions that Arches is home to.

But of course, the real beauty is when you are prepared to get out and take a few short hikes to enjoy some of the best geological formations anywhere in the United States. Here are some of our favorites that you will not regret experiencing.

Park Avenue

Welcome to Arches National Park! The first attraction you will likely want to explore is Park Avenue and this definitely is the perfect welcome to Eastern Utah’s iconic landscape. A one-mile trail is available through the bottom of the canyon, surrounded by towering monoliths and red sandstone structures that perfectly reflect the landscape throughout the rest of this national park.

For those that prefer to take the short trail to the overlook, there is still plenty to admire and honestly, this is one of the best places in the park to capture a memorable sunset shot. A quick tip, if you choose to spend the day exploring Canyonlands but return to Moab before sunset, head to Arches and admire an exhilarating sunset at Park Avenue!

Some of the formations you will be able to see throughout Park Avenue include, The Three Gossips, the Courthouse Towers, Queen Nefertiti and the Tower of Babel. All of these are natural wonders that undoubtedly offer a WOW factor for Arches…but don’t worry, this is only the start because there is so much more to see as you venture deeper into the park!

Balanced Rock

Arches is renowned for having several iconic natural formations and one in particular is easily visible from the road. Balanced Rock is one of the most frequently visited landmarks given the perception that this is a rock hanging delicately from a tall spire. However, the reality is that this not a balancing act, rather it is a large rock boulder that is attached to a pedestal of mudstone and is eroding away given this distinctive image.

If you need a reason to visit Balanced Rock, simply understand that this geologic formation will not defy gravity forever. Eventually, the large rock will tumble to the ground and this eye-catching phenomenon will be no more. There have been other examples throughout Arches National Park, including Balanced Rock’s sibling “Chip Off the Old Block” which fell to its demise in the mid 1970s.

The Windows

The Windows section of Arches is probably the one area that truly exemplifies why this national park is named as such. A large concentration of arches can be seen throughout this part of the park and is definitely one of the best hiking areas if you are interested in seeing these highlight attractions.

These arches are of thrilling beauty. Caused by the cutting action of wind-blown sand (not stream erosion), one marvels at the intricacies of nature.
Frank Bethwick

Park your vehicle and then take the short trail to the North Window to admire the start of this incredible area. Grab a selfie with this arch before walking around and observing the smaller counterpart.

Meanwhile, a short hike from these arches will lead you to Turret Arch, part of a formation that resembles a castle. Although this is much smaller in size compared to the North Window, the unique appearance of this makes it a popular attraction for good reason.

You can easily spend a couple of hours hiking around this two-mile Windows section to get unique angles of the various arches on display. Be sure to allocate enough time here because there is still Arches’ pièce de résistance to view later in the park.

Delicate Arch

If there was only one attraction that you had time to visit in Arches, Delicate Arch has to be the one you cannot afford to miss. But it’s not going to be easy and you will have to work hard to reach the ideal viewing point of this incredible formation. Before going into detail about the Delicate Arch hike, for those that are satisfied with a quick glimpse of this arch, you can take a shorter trail that will give you a distant view (around a mile away).

However, the real hike is a 3-mile round trip over partially difficult terrain (even more treacherous if you visit when there is rain forecast) but if you are willing to overcome your fears and challenge yourself to this hike, the views are well worth the effort. The final part of the climb is across a relatively narrow ledge that may be a little difficult for those with a fear of heights but again, tell yourself that as you walk around the final corner, the view of Delicate Arch is going to alleviate any of those fears.

Summary

48 hours…two amazing national parks…if you follow this itinerary, you can experience all of this (and maybe more!) It goes without saying that spending more time in each of these parks will be well worth it but if you truly want to experience the best of both in only two days, you can certainly achieve this given their close proximity to each other.

Each national park has distinctive features that will likely attract attention of different travelers. We LOVE Arches National Park and could easily spend several days inside this park. But after visiting Canyonlands for the first time, we have a real appreciation for the inherent beauty of that park also. Moab is definitely a town that needs to be on your radar because it is the perfect location to explore two of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks!

Value of Vacation – How Much Is Travel Worth to You?

Travel Tips

Chris Boothman

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Aug 12, 2019

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Value of Vacation – How Much Is Travel Worth to You?

“Travel is never a matter of money but of courage” (Paulo Coelho)…for those of you that love traveling the world and are able to experience it, this quote is likely near and dear to your heart. But unfortunately, this is not the case with many Americans. Did you know that 49 percent of working Americans would give up paid vacation time in exchange for a salary increase? It’s a stark reality but one of many interesting facts raised in a recent annual Vacation Confidence Index survey by Allianz Global Assistance. By the end of this post, hopefully you will be able to answer this question yourself – how much do you place on the value of vacation?

Americans Waste Vacation Days

When I started reading Allianz’s survey, many of the facts came as no surprise given that Americans have a tendency to “waste” vacation days on an annual basis. In 2015, according to US Travel Association, Americans wasted a staggering 658 million vacation days. Has the trend diminished over recent years? Unfortunately not! 2016 saw this number slightly increase to 662 million, while 2017 continued the upward trend to 705 million.

So, when I noticed in Allianz’s article that half of Americans would rather see an increase in their salary, it’s honestly no surprise. There are really two ways you can look at this – Americans are (or at least consider themselves) to be underpaid OR there is a distinctive trend of Americans preferring to stay at home and leave the travel to citizens of other countries. It’s certainly a stereotype that many associate with Americans and unfortunately, these statistics are not doing any favors to change this opinion.

Millennials Want Unlimited Vacation Time

Despite the negative statistic (or positive if you are in the market for getting an increased salary at work)…it’s not all doom and gloom as this survey highlights a number of encouraging statistics that may see the trend changing in years to come! If you walked into work tomorrow and your boss offered you the incentive of being able to take unlimited vacation time whenever you wanted…what would you say? Your immediate response would likely be yes but if he/she then indicated you had to give up a portion of your paycheck, would your response change?

According to Allianz’s Vacation Confidence Index survey, one in three (34 percent) would give up a portion of their paycheck to have unlimited vacation – YEAH THAT’S WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT! I guess it’s no surprise to also hear that Millennials are even more likely (41 percent) to do this. If you love travel, you will realize that it’s not actually the cost of traveling that prevents you from doing it, it’s having enough time to explore the world!

Finding the Balance Between Work and Vacation

What is most interesting about this statistic is that Millennials are now the most likely to give up a portion of their paycheck for unlimited vacation time but in the same token, this same group would give up paid vacation time for an increase in their salary!

What can we establish from this dataset? Well, given that we fit perfectly into this category, let’s use our personal opinions on this topic. We have been very fortunate over the last 8 years to establish our travel brand, while at the same time maintaining full-time jobs at Arkansas State University. Flexibility and professional success (as identified in the Allianz survey) are undoubtedly key components but I would also add that being able to stay connected 24/7 provides an opportunity that perhaps previous generations have never had.

We are incredibly fortunate to be in positions that honestly, we can do most things from wherever we are in the world. When you are willing to show your employer that you are willing to respond to an e-mail, run a report or resolve an issue when you are technically “on vacation” this adds so much value to the work vacation balance.

Heather frequently reminds me that when we are on vacation we should leave work at home but honestly, I truly feel that we are able to be so successful because we have found that perfect balance of being able to leave our day jobs yet still assist whenever needed when we are on the road. The benefit of having an international travel sim card such as that offered by KnowRoaming is a great way to stay connected wherever you are in the world.

Allianz Vacation Confidence Index Survey

Take a look at the following infographic for details on the recent survey that Allianz conducted. Which of these categories do you consider yourself to be part of? Do you agree that there is a vast difference in opinion between Millennials, Baby Boomers, Generation X etc?

Perhaps after reading this post and checking out more of the statistics from the Vacation Confidence Index survey, you will be left with many more unanswered questions. The concept of working remotely while you are traveling, how much should you stay “connected” with your job when you are on vacation and whether there is really a true work/vacation balance are topics that you could easily write another 1000 word post on!

What is the Value of Vacation for You?

Ask yourself the following questions:

What salary would you have to receive from your employer in order to have ZERO time off (paid or unpaid)?
What salary would you accept in order to be able to take vacation whenever you want (unlimited)?
What is most important to you – salary or vacation?
How do you use vacation days – do you travel or do you prefer staycations?

Each of the above questions will collectively lead you to an answer on exactly how you determine the value of vacation. Everyone will have very different answers and that’s ok – it’s about finding the happy medium and “balance”. The Allianz Vacation Confidence Index survey primarily posed the first two above questions but we believe that you should dig even deeper to determine how you intend on using vacation.

If you are intending on staying at home and relaxing, I would argue there is a likelihood the trend would be folks that do this would be more apt to taking a pay raise and losing vacation days. How materialistic are you? Do you need to have the latest tech products? If yes, it sounds like salary is a more important factor but every individual will have a different pendulum to determine which is key for them!

So the million dollar question, what is the value of vacation for you? Our desire to explore the world and experience diverse cultures means that we are obviously a little biased and place a strong emphasis on being able to travel. However, we are always intrigued to hear the flip side to this and establish why others feel differently. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Summary

For the avid travelers reading this post, I can certainly understand how the thought of being able to travel the world more frequently is going to be the most appealing factor. But as with all stories, there are two sides that are worth hearing and it’s only fair to learn and try to understand why there is such a large percentage of Americans that would be willing to forfeit paid time-off in order to see an increase in their salary.

Many people have an inherent fear of traveling, most notably because of the stereotypes that are attached to many places (including USA) around the world. From threats of terrorism to the potential to pick up diseases on the road, there is a lot of negative media that understandably encourages many people to stay at home. Our opinion has always been that you are just as safe (if not safer) in most places across the globe and as long as you carry international travel insurance, such as the amazing service offered by Allianz, you can travel with a peace of mind knowing that you are covered for any issues that may occur.

I am intrigued to see how these trends change over the next few years – will we see a continued increase in these statistics or will younger generations have a stronger tendency to travel or want to make more money? Only time will tell!

This post is sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Company) and we have received financial compensation. As always, all thoughts and opinions shared in this post are our own.

Colorado National Monument – Best Things to See in One Day

Colorado

Chris Boothman

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Aug 5, 2019

2

Colorado National Monument – Best Things to See in One Day

From the Rocky Mountains to the Mile High City, Colorado is home to a plethora of amazing attractions but yet there are still many that are frequently left in the radar because of the iconic aforementioned places that attract so much attention. One of these lesser-known locations we would argue is the Colorado National Monument, located in the western half of the state close to the state line with Utah and in the city of Grand Junction. Colorado National Monument may not be the first place you think about visiting when considering a trip to the “Centennial State” but after reading this post, we are convinced that this will likely change!

Whether you are exploring Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks or taking a road trip from Denver to Moab to explore everything in between, Colorado National Monument is located in the perfect spot to explore what I consider to be a real hidden gem. Magical panoramic landscapes are not uncommon to various areas of Colorado but when you stumble across an area that could quite easily be considered the fifth National Park in the state, you know you are experiencing a place of beauty.

Before visiting this area consisting of 23,000 acres of spectacular natural beauty, we had no idea what to expect and honestly only anticipated spending a short time exploring this “monument”. However, how wrong could we be? Let’s take a look at the journey we took and how our experience made us quickly fall in love with the Colorado National Monument.

How to Explore Colorado National Monument

As you approach the city of Grand Junction, it’s worth establishing how you intend on exploring Colorado National Monument. Dependent on whether you are an avid hiker, mountain bike aficionado or simply prefer to enjoy leisurely scenic drives through places of beauty, you are in luck because this area has something for all the above. For us, this was a slight detour from our final destination of Arches National Park in western Utah, so we only had a few hours to discover the inherent beauty of Colorado National Monument.

colorado national monument east entrance

For those of you intrigued by the thought of hiking some of the best trails in Colorado, there are definitely plenty to choose from. From easy to moderate to challenging, Colorado National Monument has something for every hiking standard. Devil’s Kitchen is perhaps one of the easiest but definitely one of the most spectacular. Serpent’s Trail is an enjoyable short hike with incredibly rewarding views at the end.

Here is a list of trails that you should consider adding to your itinerary if you have time:

No Thoroughfare Canyon – Moderately Difficult Hike
Ute Canyon – Moderately Difficult Hike
Coke Ovens – Easy Hike
Serpent’s Trail – Easy Hike
Devil’s Kitchen – Easy Hike

Of course, there is no better way to explore any destination that on foot but the reality is, unless you are planning on spending several days in this part of Colorado, time will likely be against you and so exploring via the scenic drive is perhaps the best way to experience the very best things to see in Colorado National Monument.

rim rock drive colorado national monument

Scenic Drive Route

The historic Rim Rock Drive, one of highlight scenic drives anywhere in the United States, takes you through the heart of Colorado National Monument and is definitely one of the best drives we have taken anywhere in the world. There are two entrances to this drive – the East entrance at Grand Junction and the West entrance at Fruita. Regardless of which entrance you enter, you will immediately see the breathtaking beauty that we will describe through the rest of this post.

Many of the most spectacular scenic drives that we have taken are through national parks and they generally start with a fairly “normal” landscape and gradually reach a climax of spectacular beauty. As mentioned, Colorado National Monument bypasses all of the normality and you are immediately faced with the sight of Redrock canyons and other natural attractions.

colorado national monument rim rock drive

Frequently renowned as one of the “crookedest roads in the world” with 16 switchbacks along the 23 miles, Rim Rock Drive is undoubtedly an experience you won’t forget. I cannot believe we almost bypassed this experience but so glad that we stumbled across this location.

Our journey started at the East entrance close to Grand Junction. The winding roadway meanders along an almost unbelievable route on the rim of Monument Canyon. For those of you driving between Grand Junction and Fruita, forget all about the interstate and take this drive…you won’t regret it! Here are some of the highlight attractions we saw throughout the 23-mile stretch of road.

Serpents Trail

Although your eyes will be wandering around the epic scenery as you start the drive through Colorado National Monument, it won’t be long before you are ready to venture out of your vehicle and take a short hike along Serpents Trail. This trail measures 3.4 miles but there are several options to take a much shorter walk if you are focused solely on admiring the epic scenery overlooking the canyon.

Popular for being a haven for a myriad of wildflowers, Serpents Trail is perhaps the best trail for every standard of hiker because you have the opportunity to admire breathtaking views across Grand Junction.

A word of warning, be careful along this trail because there is nothing to protect you from the overlooks except for your own common sense. There is one particular spot if you are willing to climb the rocks where you can peer over the edge and look back down on the road that winds through. This is not the best spot for anyone with a fear of heights but if you can overcome that, it’s a pretty incredible view.

Red Canyon Overlook

If you are intrigued by geology and erosion, the overlook at Red Canyon will be a spot you won’t want to leave. Take the short stroll down to the rock wall overlook and admire the incredible scene from the head of Red Canyon through the valley to Grand Junction.

As you can peer over the edge of the overlook, take a moment to notice how erosion has taken effect on this landscape over thousands of years. To one side, vertical cliffs are still standing while on the opposite side, it’s much shallower with cliffs having eroded away over the years.

red canyon overlook colorado national monument

For those interested in hiking in Red Canyon, this is one of the more challenging in Colorado National Monument. With steep cliffs surrounding the head, you may find it easier to start lower down and try and climb into the heart of the canyon. A word of caution, this is likely only suitable for the more adventurous hikers.

Fallen Rock Overlook

A short drive from Red Canyon will lead you to another iconic landmark – Fallen Rock! Along with nearby Ute Canyon Overlook and Red Canyon, this trio of attractions is a popular spot for advanced hikers but are equally spectacular viewed from Rim Rock Drive. Although the overlook only has a small parking lot for seven or eight vehicles, those fortunate to find a spot will enjoy amazing views across the canyon.

Obviously, the reference to a “fallen rock” is likely why you choose to visit this location and so you are likely intrigued to hear about the story of this geological phenomenon.

Fallen Rock was located on the cliff above and was a large mass of Wingate sandstone that eventually fell after erosion took place in the softer lower levels at the base of the cliff. But the beauty of this overlook, just like many of the other locations along this drive, will leave you focused on so much more than just a single rock.

Ute Canyon Overlook

Ute Canyon is worth visiting if you are ready to hop out of your vehicle and take a short 0.1-mile hike through a juniper woodland to a fenced overlook above a 300-foot vertical cliff. This viewpoint looks directly into the west arm of Ute Canyon while you can also catch a glimpse of Fallen Rock in the distance.

You could be forgiven for thinking that many of these overlooks will blend together because I 100% attest that each and everyone is breathtaking. But the inherent beauty of Colorado National Monument is that there is something unique that helps distinguish each landmark and Ute Canyon is no different. You will notice as you peer down through the canyon that this has much more woodland than any of the aforementioned overlooks.

Highland View Overlook

Throughout the road trip along Rim Rock Drive, you will climb to over 6,500 feet and there are several spots that provide epic panoramic landscapes across the whole of Colorado National Monument. One of the highest overlooks is at Highland View above Monument Canyon and only 1/2 mile north of the second-highest point along this drive at 6,593 feet. The overlook is guarded by a semi-circular stone wall so again, please be careful when trying to capture the perfect pictures.

Highland View is one of the popular spots among photographers to capture sunrise and sunset shots. In fact, all of Colorado National Monument is a photographer’s dream with such a plethora of different shades of red providing epic artistic beauty. Just a short distance from Highland View Overlook is Artists Palette but I would argue the whole of this landscape should be designated as such.

When it comes to panoramic scenery, there are not many spots along this scenic drive that offer more attractions than Highland View. From here, you can embrace the scenery featuring Monument Canyon’s iconic cliffs, the city of Grand Junction in the distance and of course, Grand Valley canyon with the Colorado River meandering through it.

highland view colorado national monument

Grand View

If you fell in love with Highland View, the short drive to Grand View will reward you with perhaps even more breathtaking scenery as you admire spacious vistas overlooking Monument Canyon, Independence Monument, and the incredible Grand Valley.

By now, you have probably established that the majority of overlooks throughout Colorado National Monument require plenty of care and attention, given the lack of secure fencing but you don’t need to worry about this at Grand View as there is a fenced overlook allowing even those with serious height phobia to enjoy this scenery.

Memories of Bryce Canyon came to mind as we peered out over Monument Canyon, identifying a plethora of gorgeous geologic formations such as the 450-feet high Independence Monument, Pipe Organ Spire, Organ Pipe Spire among many others.

For those of you interested in learning about the intricacies of this geological phenomena, there is an interpretative sign at the overlook offering an explanation of the various rock layers, how erosion has played such an integral role in shaping what you see in front of you and of course, the formations themselves.

Balanced Rock

Arches National Park may be home to the infamous “Balanced Rock” but visitors to Colorado National Monument have an opportunity to see Colorado’s counterpart – a 600-tonne boulder perched on top of a rock pedestal. For those of you entering the park from the West entrance at Fruita, this will likely be your first stop while those heading out will have fond memories thanks to this amazing natural attraction.

Located 2.7 miles from Saddlehorn Visitor Center, you cannot help but appreciate how nature has created such a unique formation. Whether it’s a matter of time before erosion continues to take its toll and Balanced Rock is no more is perhaps inevitable, but for now, visitors can enjoy this magical formation in all its glory.

balanced rock colorado national monument

This is another iconic spot for avid photographers to capture sunrise shots as the sun first meets Balanced Rock and creates an awe-inspiring view at the top of the bluffs overlooking the Colorado landscape.

Summary

Colorado National Monument has quickly become one of our favorite locations – albeit after only spending a few hours exploring this beautiful natural landscape. But as you can see from our experience, this is a place full of natural beauty, epic panoramic views and hiking trails that lead to incredible overlooks.

Driving through this landscape is definitely one of the best scenic drives anywhere in the United States (perhaps the world!) and although this is a pretty bold statement to make, I am sure after you visit here for the first time, you will likely have similar thoughts.

Have you visited Colorado National Monument? What other landscapes around the United States do you consider to be spectacular yet they haven’t quite reached the status of “National Park”? Share your thoughts below and as always, we are intrigued to learn about new places and new adventures that we can take!

Best Days Out in Devon Not to Be Missed This Year

England

Chris Boothman

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Jul 22, 2019

0

Best Days Out in Devon Not to Be Missed This Year

When you think about taking day trips around the UK, it’s fair to say places such as London, the Cotswolds, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District will spring to mind. But there is something quite magical about South-West England that we would argue should entice visitors just as much as any of those aforementioned locations. For locals and visitors alike, experiencing the best days out in Devon will lead to a collection of amazing locations that may never have been on their radar but will likely lead to a return visit in the future.

We have been fortunate to visit the county of Devon on several occasions, exploring both the best things to do in South Devon and also heading to the north coast to explore the beautiful seaside resort of Ilfracombe. But the beauty of Devon is that there is so much more and we decided to put together a collection of what we think are the best days out in this part of England.

Whether you are visiting on holiday or live in the immediate vicinity, Devon is a county with pretty much everything. From the historic Buckfast Abbey to the gorgeous South-West coastal path in Ilfracombe that will immediately remind you of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Devon offers perhaps the most eclectic blend of natural and man-made experiences that deserves to attract visitors from all across the globe.

Best Days Out in Devon

Let’s take a look at Devon’s best day trips, all of which you can reach within a maximum of 2-3 hours if you are staying in the county. For those in the neighboring counties of Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall, many of these will be feasible trips while further afield, there is easy accessibility to Devonshire towns from London and beyond thanks to the national and local train service.

Torquay
Babbacombe
Brixham
Dartmouth
Dartmoor
Ilfracombe
Dawlish
Plymouth
Cockington
Totnes/Buckfastleigh

If you are looking to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the coast or perhaps explore one of the UK’s remaining active fishing ports, Devon is the place to visit. Although this is by no means an exhaustive lists of places worth visiting, this is certainly a great start to finding out why we have quickly fallen in love with this part of England.

A collection of vibrant coastal towns, quaint villages and nature’s finest can be found throughout Devon and the aforementioned locations offer a blend across this beautiful county.

Torquay

Let’s start with perhaps the most infamous location in Devon, the beautiful coastal town of Torquay located in the heart of the well-reputed region known as the English Riviera. Just a short drive from the city of Exeter, Torquay is the perfect town to visit regardless of your preference.

From an eclectic blend of high-street shops to the beautiful harbor home to a diverse array of high-value yachts, Torquay epitomizes everything there is to love about Devon if you are looking to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the county. Torre Abbey Museum and Living Coasts are two of the more popular attractions for all the family to enjoy but regardless of your taste, Torquay is a vibrant town with something for all ages to experience.

Hop on the local ferry that crosses the bay to the nearby coastal towns of Brixham, Teignmouth or Dartmouth, or take a stroll along the coast before arriving at Abbey Park to enjoy crown green bowling, pitch and putt golf or just relax on a beautiful summer’s day with your favorite ice cream. Remember, Devon is home to some of the best ice cream anywhere in the UK!

Babbacombe

Just a short drive from Torquay is the smaller town of Babbacombe but this is another seaside resort that is well worth visiting if you are ready to experience some of the best views in Devon. As you stroll along the promenade, you cannot help but fall in love with the spectacular panoramic views across the bay. When the sun is out, Babbacombe is perhaps the most breathtaking locations in South Devon to enjoy epic scenery (though I am sure a few other spots would argue otherwise).

The beauty of visiting Babbacombe is that there is plenty to do in a small area. Pay a visit to the iconic Babbacombe Model Village, frequently renowned as one of the best attractions for all the family to enjoy in the Torbay area.

A short walk from here will lead you to one of the best cafes in the area, the Cliff Railway Cafe. Grab a quick bite to eat before venturing down the historic railway to Oddicombe Beach. This funicular railway has been in operation since 1926 and is still a thriving attraction for visitors and locals alike.

After admiring the gorgeous bay, return to the summit before taking a walk along the prom and enjoying yet another delicious cafe – Babbacombe Bay Cafe. Offering some of the best food in Devon, this cafe has a diverse menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea to choose from.

Brixham

When it comes to fishing, there are not many places in England that embrace this more than the South Devonshire town of Brixham. Whether you choose to visit Brixham by car or our preferred method of boat (via the Torquay to Brixham ferry option), you immediately notice the harbor that epitomizes everything there is to love about this town.

Watch local fishermen going about their day to day activities in order to find the “catch of the day” or hop on the iconic Golden Hind to take a tour of one of two full-sized replicas of Sir Francis Drake’s vessel. If you enjoy a little retail therapy, Brixham is home to a collection of local shops where you can find everything from produce to perfectly manicured crafts to Devon’s piece de resistance – fudge!

Berry Head National Nature Reserve is an internationally acclaimed heritage site and can be found at the southern tip of Tor Bay. Just a short walk from Brixham harbor, this is a great place to enjoy yet more epic views of the bay while also exploring history in the area.

Dartmouth

When you hear the term “English Riviera”, it’s a fair assumption that you will immediately think about the iconic French Riviera, with the gorgeous beaches, beautiful scenes across the Mediterranean and more. Although Devon’s equivalent is a little less appealing when it comes to the pristine sandy beaches, the quintessential town of Dartmouth offers a harbor area that is comparable to some of those iconic French ports.

A collection of gorgeous yachts, fishing vessels and more can be found docked inside Dartmouth harbor, waiting to venture along the River Dart or head out to sea. The quirky cobblestone streets that make up the heart and soul of Dartmouth are a historic reflection on this beautiful town. Embrace the history and heritage of the town by visiting the likes of Dartmouth Castle and the Brittania Naval College.

Dartmouth is another location that can be reached either by car or the more intriguing route via the car ferry. It’s on this ferry where you can truly appreciate the beauty of the harbor as you approach the town and admire the breathtaking scene surrounding it.

Dartmoor

As we established earlier, Devon offers an eclectic blend of day trip options, including the ability to get away from the hustle and bustle of city (or even town) life by visiting places such as Dartmoor National Park. If you love hiking, exploring waterfalls and discovering historic hidden gems, there are not many places more spectacular than Dartmoor.

With wild, open moorlands and river valleys waiting to be explored, Dartmoor is home to a diverse population of wildlife that is every nature photographer’s paradise. At 368 square miles, there is a lot to see in Dartmoor, so whether you are an avid hiker ready to hit some of the best trails in South-West England or simply ready to explore some iconic spots across this national park, we strongly recommend spending some time in one of the Visitor’s Centers to learn all about this beautiful paradise.

Walking, cycling, canoeing, climbing, camping and even geocaching are all activities that you will enjoy in Dartmoor National Park. The beauty of this region is that even though you may feel like you are away from most civilization, the reality is that you are just a short drive from nearby towns such as Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter. It’s the perfect location to enjoy a day trip to explore the inherent beauty of Devon’s gateway to nature!

Ilfracombe

Let’s venture to the north coast of Devon to explore the beautiful coastal town of Ilfracombe. Although we are focusing most of our attention on South Devon, this should take nothing away from the beauty throughout the northern half of the county. Ilfracombe is undoubtedly at the heart and soul of this part of the county and after visiting here during our recent visit to Devon, we can well and truly attest that this is a place you will not want to miss out on.

When you think about the perfect day trip location, Ilfracombe is perhaps one of the best spots in Devon. Offering just enough to fill a full day, experiencing the best things to do in Ilfracombe encompasses exploring epic attractions, visiting delicious restaurants, and of course, exploring a beautiful harbor where you can enjoy another day trip to nearby Lundy Island.

From the award-winning Ilfracombe Aquarium to the Chapel of St. Nicholas, and from the spectacular South-West Coastal Path to a collection of cafes where you can indulge in stereotypical Devon cream teas, Ilfracombe is home to everything all the family needs to experience a day trip to remember.

Dawlish

If you love stumbling across hidden gems, take a trip to Dawlish, home of the black swans. That’s right, Dawlish is the perfect coastal civil parish to visit to experience something you don’t see every day – a collection of black swans that can be seen relaxing in “The Brook”, a small river that wanders through the heart of this town and flows into the sea.

Just like many of the neighboring towns that can lay claim to something infamous, Dawlish embraces the iconic black swan and regardless of which shop you visit, you won’t be too far away from being able to purchase a souvenir representing this animal. Dawlish is undoubtedly the type of place where you will visit and immediately feel relaxed, with the sights and sounds of this town unlike anywhere else in region.

Ready to embrace more nature in the area? Head over to Dawlish Warren, just a short drive from the heartbeat of the town to experience gorgeous beaches and a nature reserve home to a myriad of diverse bird species – a birdwatcher’s paradise for sure!

Plymouth

Ready to visit the largest town in Devon? Head to the south coast and visit Plymouth, a vibrant location offering everything you would expect in a larger British metropolis yet still maintaining the Devonshire local feel throughout the town. The bustling, vibrant character associated with Plymouth can be seen but when you hear about the maritime history associated with this town, it’s no surprise to see everything on display that embraces this heritage.

Plymouth is an iconic location for many reasons, none more so than this being the start of many historic sailing/yachting events. For the foodies out there, Plymouth is a cuisine haven, with seafood at the forefront of many of the best restaurants here. Head over to the Plymouth Gin Distillery to take a tour of this plant before sampling one or two glasses of this fine beverage.

The National Marine Aquarium has a collection of diverse sea-life, while the nearby Barbican is a cultural hotspot that is well worth visiting.

Cockington

Take a moment to think about an idyllic, quintessential English village…now take a look at the collection of pictures below…Welcome to Cockington, Devon! If ever there was a location in Devon that epitomizes this stereotype, Cockington is definitely the place to visit. In the heart of this small village is Cockington Court, a 16th century historic manor house that is surrounded by acres upon acres of beautiful country park.

A collection of tea gardens can be found scattered throughout the village and although you may not spend a full day in Cockington, there are not many places in Devon worth visiting to experience a stereotypical cream tea more than this historic village.

Just a few miles outside of Torquay, Cockington is the perfect place to visit prior to or after your visit to the nearby coastal town. It’s one of those places that once you visit, you won’t regret it and you will likely be wanting a return visit, if only to see those idyllic thatch cottages.

Totnes

The historic market town of Totnes is one of the quirkiest places worth visiting in Devon. Before venturing into this town, why not visit the breathtaking Buckfast Abbey in nearby Buckfastleigh. A working monastery, this historic attraction dates back to the 11th century when an abbey was first constructed on these sacred grounds. Today, this is home to a collection of self-sufficient Benedictine monks that welcome visitors from all across the globe.

After a quick visit to Buckfastleigh, head into Totnes to walk up the main street admiring the beautiful architecture and exploring the popular open-air market that is one of the highlight attractions here. Local goods, produce and souvenirs can be purchased here and it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular markets throughout Devon.

At the top of the main street, take a short walk to Totnes Castle, one of the best remaining examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle left standing in England. A self-guided tour can lead you to the very top of this castle where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding region and beyond.

Summary

Devon is a county that you cannot afford to miss out on when you are ready to explore England. For those that are reading this and already live in the immediate vicinity of Devon, you should be prepared to take some epic day trips because each and every one of these locations is an amazing experience.

Whatever type of traveler you are, there is something in Devon waiting to satisfy your needs. This is just a small collection of amazing day trips that we have been fortunate enough to take but the beauty of Devon is that there is so much more. We didn’t even mention the spectacular Canonteign Falls, one of the highest natural falls in the UK, the historic city of Exeter or many other places…the list is endless but you just have to let spontaneity take over when you are in Devon and start exploring.

With untouched countryside, rugged yet breathtaking coastal paths and much more, Devon is a natural paradise waiting to be discovered. Combine this with a collection of quintessential towns and villages and you are presented with a county that is more than just home to decadent fudge and delicious cream teas. But don’t forget to sample that clotted cream because it’s just as good as the stereotype suggests!

Best Things to Do in Ilfracombe During an Amazing Visit

England

Chris Boothman

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Jul 15, 2019

5

$Best Things to Do in Ilfracombe During an Amazing Visit$

The magical beauty of the UK can be found when visitors head outside of their comfort zone and explore places generally frequented only by die-hard locals and stereotypical British travels who prefer to stay within the confines of the island. The South-West corner of the UK, notably home to the counties of Devon and Cornwall, is a hidden gem that visitors to the UK need to become more aware of. The idyllic town of Ilfracombe, located on the northern coastline of Devon, was a place we recently visited and it’s no surprise to hear that we quickly fell in love with the inherent beauty here. Whether you are visiting during a day trip as we did or you are staying in close proximity, there are plenty of things to do in Ilfracombe that will keep you occupied throughout the day.

Destinations such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds will always attract travelers from across the globe but since leaving England in 2006, I have been focused on trying to inspire folks to visit places like the beautiful county of Devon.

Whether you are experiencing the best things to do in South Devon or heading to the northern coast to explore gorgeous seaside towns such as Ilfracombe, Devon is one of those quintessential British regions that should be on everyone’s radar. Let’s take a look at why Ilfracombe quickly jumped to the very top of our favorite Devonshire destinations.

Where is Ilfracombe?

Ilfracombe, Devon? Ok, I get it…probably not the first place you think about visiting when you are contemplating a trip to the UK. It’s also worth noting that even if you reside in the UK, Ilfracombe is not likely to be a destination on the tip of your tongue as there are many other places that you would likely consider visiting first.

Frequently left in the shadow of some of Devon’s more iconic locations such as Torquay and Dartmoor National Park, Ilfracombe is a seaside resort located on the northern tip of the county. Easily accessible from nearby larger towns such as Barnstaple, Tiverton and even Exeter and Torquay further afield, Ilfracombe is a town that is well worth visiting if you are planning a trip to South-West England.

5 Best Things to Do in Ilfracombe

Regardless of your interest in archetypal British heritage, you cannot help but fall in love with the gorgeous setting as you approach the coastal town of Ilfracombe. We decided to take a day trip from South Devon which lead to a 90 minute drive before arriving in the stereotypical Devonshire country lanes that saw us reach Ilfracombe. As you drop down into the town, the breathtaking beauty of this destination immediately strikes you and brings back any memories or thoughts that you may have about a typical British seaside town.

Ilfracombe may not be the bustling seaside resort such as Blackpool or even Torquay but what it does possess is a distinctive blend of natural beauty combined with traditional British seaside architecture that makes it a place you won’t want to leave.

From historic architecture to breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel and a rugged coastline similar to what you may expect to find at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Ilfracombe is a resort that we want to give the recognition we think it deserves. Here are some of the best reasons to visit Ilfracombe along with a few things you wont want to miss during your next visit.

South-West Coastal Path
Ilfracombe Harbor
Chapel of St. Nicholas
Lundy Island Experience
Enjoy a Devonshire Cream Tea

Let’s take a look at each of the above experiences and perhaps you will be inspired to visit a place that truly epitomizes the magical beauty we associate with England. This is far from an exhaustive list of things to do in this part of North Devon but if you are able to experience each of these, you will certainly realize why we quickly became enamored by Ilfracombe.

South-West Coastal Path

If you love the great outdoors, Ilfracombe’s stunning coastline is going to immediately capture your attention and make you want to explore further. This gorgeous rugged coastline is home to a myriad of spectacular overlooks and also the iconic South-West coastal path, England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath which stretches for 630 miles all along the coasts of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.

Although visitors to Ilfracombe today may be enamored by the idyllic harbor or perhaps the towering “Verity” statue, you cannot help but constantly gaze over to the coast with the collection of amazing viewpoints. We spent a couple of hours hiking along the coastal path, frequently stopping for pictures but mainly to admire the natural beauty in front of us. Be prepared for some steep gradients along this hiking trail but this workout is well worth the effort.

After walking in Jersey during our last trip to the UK, we realized that the best way to explore the UK is on foot. For the really adventurous folks that visit Ilfracombe and are planning to stay for longer than a day, why not consider hiking this coastal path for 8 miles all the way to the nearby village of Woolacombe. But for those that prefer to stay in and around Ilfracombe, you will be amazed by the number of coves as you navigate the challenging but incredibly rewarding landscape.

Ilfracombe Harbor

In terms of history, there are not many places in Ilfracombe more historic than the harbor which has a rich heritage dating back as far as the 12th century. This fully working harbor has long been protected by a hill that is home to the oldest functioning lighthouse in the UK. Day trips to Lundy Island and around the bay are available here but it’s the rich history of fishing in the area that makes this such an iconic harbor not only in Devon but throughout the UK.

Today, visitors to Ilfracombe harbor can spend time perusing the vessels that have plenty of nautical miles between them. Alternatively, head along the street to explore the quirky shops, home to a variety of local souvenirs, typical Devonshire fudge and of course, traditional English fish and chips.

When it comes to quirky landmarks in North Devon, Damien Hirst’s “Verity” statue located in Ilfracombe harbor is perhaps the strangest. Towering above the Ilfracombe landscape and essentially looking over the harbor, Verity is a stainless steel and bronze statue designed by Hirst in 2012.

There are plenty of mixed emotions among locals and visitors alike as many feel this statue is “out of place” given the depiction of a pregnant woman holding a sword while standing on a pile of books. It’s hardly the type of attraction you would expect to see in a typically Victorian seaside resort but you cannot help but visit this and have an opinion or two.

Chapel of St. Nicholas

When it comes to the history of Ilfracombe, there are not many landmarks more historic than the Chapel of St. Nicholas. Perched on top of a high rock, locally known as Lantern Hill, overlooking the harbor of Ilfracombe, this iconic chapel has been a place of worship for locals and visitors alike since 1321. In 1540, it ceased to be a working chapel but today, it serves as a working lighthouse given it’s location at the top of Ilfracombe for passing vessels.

The walk to the summit of Lantern Hill offers breathtaking views out to sea in one direction and back across the town of Ilfracombe in the other. With a number of benches scattered along this short trail, this is definitely a popular spot to capture epic photographs of the panoramic landscape.

Once you arrive at the summit, the quaint chapel is worth exploring. It won’t take you long to explore the interior but it’s the rich heritage of this place of worship that makes it such a special place. For a period of time in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, this chapel was neglected and it was only in 1962 that it was restored to the present day condition by the local Rotarians.

Lundy Island Experience

Ilfracombe is a popular spot for visitors not only because of the beautiful town but also because it is a great location to hop on a boat to take a trip to nearby Lundy Island. A day trip to Lundy Island is an unforgettable experience onboard the historic MS Oldenburg, a vessel dating back to 1958 that is still going strong to this day.

The crossing to Lundy Island takes around 2 hours each way and seasonally is available multiple times each week, both from Ilfracombe and the nearby town of Bideford. Visitors will have ample time to explore the island upon arrival, with around 4-6 hours allowed before sailing back to port.

We unfortunately visited Ilfracombe the day prior to the next scheduled sail but we were still able to admire the gorgeous MS Oldenburg resting in Ilfracombe harbor. Whether you are a sailing aficionado or simply want to experience the untouched natural beauty to be found on Lundy Island, a day trip here is well worth the price of a ticket.

Devonshire Cream Tea

It doesn’t really matter where you visit in Devon, it goes without saying that you cannot leave without sampling a local Devonshire cream tea. Many places around the UK will try and claim to have authentic cream teas but there is nothing that quite compares to sampling the real deal in Devon.

We stumbled across a real gem of a cafe and couldn’t resist sampling their cream tea. Aptly named “The Naked Cake”, this is perfectly situated along the front in between the heart of the main town and Ilfracombe harbor. This is the perfect place to grab lunch or enjoy a late afternoon cream tea – we did both…it really is that good!

Served in traditional bone china cups and dishes, we were left wanting to sample more. The decadent menu of drinks (check out the collection of hot chocolates) and homemade cakes is amazing but the local pièce de résistance is the cream tea featuring a fruit scone, fresh clotted cream and strawberry jam, obviously accompanied by a pot of tea!

Summary

Ilfracombe is unlikely to be a place you would consider taking a trip to the UK for unless you had other places you wanted to explore. However, I would argue that this along with the rest of Devon definitely justifies taking a trip to this part of the UK.

Whether you consider camping in Devon or prefer to stay in a more luxurious B&B along the coast, there is a magic about this county (and I am not just talking about the delightful cream teas!) that deserves to be explored.

This was our first visit to Ilfracombe and we fell in love just as we have done with the rest of Devon. We look forward to returning again in the future and hopefully heading out on the MS Oldenburg to explore the gorgeous Lundy Island.

Have you visited Ilfracombe or any other parts of Devon?

Delicate Arch Hike – How to Enjoy an Epic Hiking Trail

Utah

Chris Boothman

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Jun 24, 2019

3

Delicate Arch Hike – How to Enjoy an Epic Hiking Trail

Do you ever find yourselves looking in awe at folks that are hiking death defying trails through iconic mountain ranges around the world? But wait…you quickly realize that extreme hiking or even contemplating the thought of hiking 10+ miles in a day just isn’t something you are prepared for. It’s ok, you won’t be the first or last person to think like this. This is exactly how we generally feel because although we love exploring the great outdoors, the reality is, the way we travel means that we don’t have the time or the fitness level to experience this. During our recent visit to Utah, we decided to experience the Delicate Arch hike in Arches National Park…a trail that would certainly take us beyond our comfort level but one that would lead to an incredibly rewarding experience.

Whether you are an avid hiker or simply someone that enjoys to explore the outdoors, we are confident that the Delicate Arch hiking trail is one that everyone should consider conquering. I am not going to lie and tell you it’s a breeze because it’s far from it. But what I will say is that once you accomplish this epic hiking trail, the view from the summit is beyond incredible and well worth the effort.

The beauty of Arches is that there are a number of hikes available that lead to epic natural landmarks and each one is relatively easy to complete. The most challenging of the hikes is undoubtedly Delicate Arch but we would argue that this is one of the most worthwhile experiences anywhere in the world.

You can’t compare hiking trails in Arches National Park to those in the Himalayas or Alps but one thing is for sure, anyone visiting Arches can experience the inherent beauty without having to go through a serious training regime before visiting.

Best Hikes in Arches National Park

During our recent trip from Denver to Moab, we decided to visit Arches National Park and experience the best of this breathtaking natural landscape on foot. You can explore Arches by road tripping throughout the park but there is nothing quite like parking your vehicle and hiking to a collection of natural attractions that are honestly unlike anywhere else in the world.

We have been fortunate to visit a number of amazing national parks across the US but there is something quite magical about Arches, especially if you visit during the golden hour. The vibrant red sandstone that epitomizes Arches National Park is a sight to behold but again, there is nothing quite like experiencing all of this on foot. Arches is home to a myriad of hiking trails, many of which are short and easy while others are a little more challenging yet equally rewarding.

Let’s take a look at why the Delicate Arch hiking trail is one that will make you inspired to visit Arches National Park during your next visit to Utah. And remember…you can accomplish this hike despite the verbiage in the guidebooks that may convince you otherwise, regardless of your hiking caliber!

Delicate Arch Hike – Useful Information

Distance – 3 Miles (and 480ft climb)
Duration – 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty – Moderate

A 3 mile round-trip hike may not seem much but when you add a 480 feet climb along with some rough terrain, it’s quite the challenge even for experienced hikers. However, this is a hiking trail that everyone can experience because you can take your time and enjoy every part of the trail on the journey to the top.

I would consider this to be a “moderate” difficulty hiking trail simply because of the steep gradient en route to the summit. The trail itself has a few tricky spots but overall, if the overhead conditions (in other words, it’s not raining or snowing) are in your favor, this is a trail that most individuals should be able to accomplish. I will add the caveat that unfortunately, this is not a trail accessible for wheelchairs because of the uneven surface.

Here are a couple of top tips you should consider before venturing out on the hike:

Leave Early – If you are looking for the best time to experience the hike to Delicate Arch, I would recommend setting off early in the morning in time for the golden hour. But more than just being able to take epic photos of the landmark itself, an early morning hike is going to allow you to avoid the heat of the day because ALL of this hike is wide open without any form of cover to protect you from the searing heat which is prevalent in this part of Utah.
Take Plenty of Water – You will frequently read that hikers should take at least 1 liter of water on this trail. This is exactly what we took and by the time we returned, 3 hours after starting, we had gone through all of this water. Plus…we visited on a perfect day, the temperature was around 65 degrees and with plenty of cloud to frequently cover the sun.
Don’t Forget Your Camera – It goes without saying that once you reach the summit of this trail, you will want to spend some time admiring Delicate Arch “up close and personal”. Although you may be fearing the trail, you can certainly take your DSLR on this trail without worrying that it will impact your ability to climb to the top. Those epic shots that you capture once you arrive at Delicate Arch will definitely be worth the effort.

The Journey to the Top

Ok, so you have decided to take the plunge and hike to Delicate Arch. The journey starts out at Wolfe Ranch and if you arrive early enough, you will find a parking spot which will give you direct access to the trailhead.

Feel free to spend some time exploring this hut which has a rich history associated with John Wesley Wolfe who settled here in 1888. But of course, you could be forgiven for having little interest in exploring this hut given the real reason you are likely here is to venture out on the trail.

The start of the trail is along a gravel path as you cross a bridge and start the initial ascent. The first part is actually pretty steep but it’s a fairly short distance before it flattens out and you head towards the iconic climb. As you gaze towards the summit, you cannot help but see hundreds of fellow hikers ahead of you (or even some that are already returning from the top). Stay focused and take each step at a time because the trail progressively gets more difficult.

After heading down and back up through a valley, the real challenge begins as you head off the gravel path and on to the slick, bare rock slope. If there is any precipitation around, this is not going to be a fun experience but on a fine day, it’s all about taking your time and making your way up the slope.

Once you reach the top of the bare slope, you are around half way to Delicate Arch. The second half of the hike is less strenuous in terms of a climb but it’s more difficult terrain with a sandy/rocky trail all the way to the summit.

The Ledge

As you approach the final section of the hiking trail, you could be forgiven for thinking that you have likely faced the toughest part of the hike. However, depending on you personal fear of heights will likely determine just how challenging this final part is. Renowned as being a relatively narrow ledge, the final 200 meters are along a ledge with no barrier on one side and the rock face on the other side.

To be fair, it’s really not all that narrow as hikers can pass on either side without a real fear of getting too close to the edge. But one look over the edge may put the fear inside you, especially if you don’t do well with heights. As you make the final turn at the top of the ledge…you realize that you have reached the summit and all that effort was worth it.

So…let’s find out exactly what you can experience once you take those final steps along the rock ledge.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint

As you gaze over the landscape, you will realize that Delicate Arch sits on the edge of a sandstone bowl with steep edges around the side. Whether you choose to stay at the top of the hiking trail or hop over the wall to wander over to the Arch for a closer look, this is entirely personal preference. Heather stayed at the top of the trail and I ventured over to get a closer shot of Delicate Arch.

At an elevation over 4,600 feet and standing at 52 feet tall, Delicate Arch is probably the most iconic landmark not only in Arches National Park but also the state of Utah. This geological formation is a real sight to behold and it’s no surprise to hear that people from all corners of the globe make their way to this part of Utah to see this one landmark. In terms of the opening inside the arch, this measures 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making this the largest free-standing arch throughout the national park.

Capture all of the selfies you want in front of Delicate Arch but PLEASE be careful because this is still a dangerous part of the hike where you need to watch every step you take.

If you are fortunate to visit during the golden hour, you will likely be rewarded with some breathtaking shots of not only the Arch but also the epic panoramic views across Arches National Park. The view from Delicate Arch across the park is incredible and don’t let anyone try to convince you that this hike isn’t worth the effort.

The Descent

You did the hard part and saw the pièce de résistance inside Arches National Park but now you need to head back down. Don’t allow yourself to get too complacent because going downhill can be just as challenging in many regards as the climb up to the top. Be particularly careful as you walk back down the ledge and a fairly steep series of steps before you start back along the sandy trail.

After spending around 30 minutes at Delicate Arch, our journey back to Wolfe Ranch was certainly much quicker than the hike to the top. However, when we arrived at the bare rock face, we decided to take some time and admire the gorgeous scenery looking back down the rock. I’m sure folks just starting out on their hike were envious of us just as we were when we started our adventure 3 hours prior.

Be careful and you will easily make your way back to the parking lot where you can enjoy a much needed restroom break and grab something to eat before exploring more of Arches National Park.

Summary

The hike to Delicate Arch is one of the more challenging inside Arches National Park but I would argue that it’s the most rewarding. The effort you put in will certainly be rewarded by awe-inspiring views across this geological phenomenon. Choosing the right day in terms of weather is definitely something we strongly recommend because if you are stranded half way into this hike when it starts raining, this can lead to a tricky descent on extremely slick rock.

Delicate Arch has been a bucket list item for quite a while and having visited Arches previously, we decided this trip was going to be the time to conquer our fears and complete this trail. Heather was particularly nervous but she was able to overcome this fear and complete this epic hike. It probably took us a little over 3 hours, in addition to stopping for 30 minutes and the summit but on reflection, it was worth every bit of energy we exerted on this hike.

If you are planning a trip to Arches, we 100% recommend adding the Delicate Arch hiking trail to your itinerary…you will not regret it!

Denver to Moab – How to Enjoy an Epic Weekend Road Trip

Colorado

Chris Boothman

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Jun 17, 2019

5

Denver to Moab – How to Enjoy an Epic Weekend Road Trip

If you are looking for a magical long weekend getaway, there are not many places more spectacular than the connecting states of Colorado and Utah. Filled with a plethora of breathtaking national parks, epic natural scenery and an abundance of outdoor adventure waiting to be explored, visitors to either of these states will have plenty to keep them occupied over a holiday weekend. But we like to take things to the extreme and experience as much as possible during a weekend getaway so why not enjoy the best of both worlds by taking an amazing road trip from Denver to Moab and enjoy everything in between?

For those of you that have never visited either Colorado or Utah, this is going to be epic road trip! You could feasibly spend a long weekend exploring Denver alone or any of the national parks or monuments that we cover throughout this post. However, if you follow a similar philosophy to us and want to truly maximize your time exploring as much as possible, taking note of our recommended itinerary will allow you to experience a little bit of everything along this route.

It’s worth noting that we took two additional days in addition to Memorial Day, so this trip was from Saturday to Wednesday. Let’s take a look at just how much we experienced during our visit to these two awesome states.

Denver to Moab Road Trip Itinerary

Here is a quick overview of what we experienced during our trip and we will take a brief look at each location and why we think you cannot afford to miss any of these spots during your visit to Colorado and Utah.

Day 1 – Denver
Day 2 – Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park (Overnight in Vail)
Day 3 – Colorado National Monument & Moab
Day 4 – Canyonlands National Park
Day 5 – Arches National Park

Whether you choose to follow this exact route will likely depend on how much time you have and the time of year you choose to visit. The route through Rocky Mountain National Park is ultimately dependent on whether the iconic Trail Ridge Road (highest paved road in the US) is open. Regardless of this, taking a day trip from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park is an unforgettable experience as you can enjoy a plethora of epic panoramic landscapes, myriad of wildlife and much more.

Denver

Fly into Denver International Airport and get ready to experience all the fun around the Mile High City. Whether you are intrigued by the thought of visiting the Colorado State Capitol Building during a self-guided walking tour of Denver or perhaps you are raring to attend a Rockies MLB game (or Broncos if you visit during football season), there are plenty of things to keep you occupied during your stay in the city. Denver is home to a number of eclectic, diverse neighborhoods, each offering something unique and helping establish why this is such a vibrant city for visitors to enjoy.

For those looking to enjoy a little retail therapy before experiencing all of the outdoor adventure that awaits, head south of the city center to Outlets of Castle Rock where you will find over 100 leading brands offering discounted items.

If you are looking for something a little more upscale, Park Meadows is one of several malls in the Denver area, not only home to a number of iconic designer brands but also the Amazon 4-star store, second only to the store in New York City. Unlike regular Amazon physical retail stores that primarily sell books, this store is home to the latest, “trending” gadgets that can be found online.

Regardless of how you spend your time while in Denver, the constant reminder that the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park is just a short drive away will always be in the back of your mind. We enjoyed our first day in Denver but couldn’t wait to wake up early the following morning to head north to Estes Park to start our adventure exploring the great outdoors.

Estes Park

The drive from Denver to Estes Park, also known as “base camp” for Rocky Mountain National Park, will take around 60-90 minutes. Whether you choose to spend time along this route in locations such as Boulder or the smaller towns, is entirely your choice but the moment you arrive in Estes Park, you will realize that this quirky town is a great place to start your Rocky Mountain adventure.

Spend some time relaxing along the banks of Lake Estes, with the picturesque backdrop of the mountains frequently reflecting on the calm surface of the lake. A lone kayaker may well be seen gently floating across the lake but it’s the solitude of this location, despite only being a short distance from the heart of the town, that makes this such a popular spot among visitors.

Estes Park is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or visit the local Safeway supermarket to pack groceries for your adventure inside Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have a little more time to spend in Estes Park, consider heading to the top of Prospect Mountain for awe-inspiring panoramic views of the town, the Rocky Mountains and surrounding area. Hop onboard the aerial tramway for a leisurely ride to the summit before venturing out on the hiking trail for the ultimate viewpoints.

But if you are like us, you will be raring to visit Colorado’s pièce de résistance – Rocky Mountain National Park! There are several entrances to the park in close proximity to Estes Park but Beaver Meadows is the closest, most convenient and will give you various options on exploring the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park

It goes without saying that a long holiday weekend to Colorado could easily be spent in Rocky Mountain National Park alone…there is so much to see, so much to experience and so many hiking trails waiting for you to enjoy.

However, it was our task to experience as much as possible in only one day and we feel pretty satisfied with our accomplishment after enjoying epic views of the mountains along the part of Trail Ridge Road which was open before heading towards Bear Lake to enjoy the beauty in the heart of the national park.

Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park should pay close attention to the availability of Trail Ridge Road because this scenic route is frequently closed. Regardless of whether it’s open, the beauty of the Rocky Mountains awaits and there is no doubt that the best way to explore the inherent beauty is by getting out and hiking the trails.

Wildlife sightings are a frequent occurrence while exploring the Rocky Mountains. Elk, deer, moose and bighorn sheep, among many others can be found roaming their natural habitat inside the park. If you are visiting prior to Trail Ridge Road opening, you will have to leave the park the same way that you visited heading back towards Estes Park before making the decision as to whether you should drive the scenic route towards I-70 or take the interstate in the direction of Boulder and Denver.

Colorado National Monument

61 areas are designated as national parks across the United States but there are many other places that could easily fall into the same category given the abundance of natural beauty to be found there. Colorado National Monument is one of these areas, located in the western half of Colorado near the town of Grand Junction.

After spending the night in the alpine town of Vail (yes, on the drive over from Rocky Mountain National Park across I-70, we hit several patches of snow and temperatures falling below zero, even at the end of May!), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. We initially intended on driving straight through to Moab to explore Eastern Utah’s national parks but after doing some research, we decided to check out Colorado National Monument.

Don’t you just love those spontaneous experiences that turn out to be EPIC? That’s exactly what we encountered during this visit! We had little to no expectations at all and yet left feeling like this was one of the most breathtaking experiences we had, not only on this trip but anywhere in the world! It truly is that spectacular.

Moab

When you arrive in Moab, you could be forgiven for thinking that everything in this town is focused on the nearby national parks of Canyonlands and Arches. To an extent, you would be correct. Both are magical landscapes that you cannot afford to miss (more on these later) but that should take nothing away from the town of Moab.

Whether you are a foodie looking to sample local cuisine at a fine selection of restaurants or simply want to enjoy a delicious latte while walking along Moab’s historic downtown, there is plenty to keep you occupied during a visit to this town. Moab is the perfect place to stay a few nights and use this as a base to explore two of Utah’s iconic Mighty 5 national parks.

Head to Moab Coffee Roasters to enjoy a decadent variety of espresso options or perhaps you are more intrigued by the Rocky Mountain chocolate collection. Coffee is always a winner and so I was sold by the butterscotch latte but I have to admit, the chocolate and ice cream selection was almost too good to resist.

If you are looking for a couple of restaurant recommendations, try authentic Mexican at Fiesta Mexicana or head to The Spoke on Center for a diverse menu ranging from pizza to fish and chips and much more. Alternatively, you could always go for the quirky named restaurants such as Eddie McStiff’s.

Canyonlands National Park

The real reason why you will want to visit Moab and experience a near 900 mile round trip journey from Denver is to experience two of Utah’s iconic national parks. Having visited Arches during our first visit to Utah, we decided to start out by heading to Canyonlands to experience a new national park as we continue our quest to visit all US national parks.

Before visiting Canyonlands, we strongly recommend doing some research to figure out which attractions and landmarks you want to see because this is a pretty big national park. There are a couple of different entrances but they are spread a fair distance apart. If you are interested in visiting the iconic Needles section of Canyonlands, you will need to venture south of Moab on US 191 for around 40 miles before exploring this part of the national park.

Our visit saw us venture just a few miles north of Moab and enter Canyonlands from the Island in the Sky entrance. After a short visit to the Visitor’s Center, we started to explore the beauty of this national park. First stop, Mesa Arch.

A short and easy 10-15 minute hike saw us arrive at a spectacular sight with the arch overlooking a breathtaking landscape. Don’t get too close to the edge in search of that perfect selfie because it’s a pretty steep drop over the edge. There are a number of spots to find different angles of Mesa Arch but this was definitely a great introduction to the iconic landmarks scattered around Canyonlands.

We continued towards Grand View Point Overlook with a few stops in between. In terms of spectacular vistas, Canyonlands is certainly up there with the Grand Canyon and some other national parks with awe-inspiring natural beauty.

Another hike at Grand View Point saw us capture a number of different views but yet again, this is certainly not for the faint-hearted with seriously high drop-offs and no protection. However, the trail is ample wide enough for folks to walk in both directions and as long as you are careful, it’s definitely an experience you won’t want to miss.

The Grand View Point Overlook is the final point on the road but as we ventured back, before heading out of the park, we drove towards Upheaval Dome and Whale Rock. This short road ends with another couple of hiking trails. This was probably the most challenging of the three hikes we encountered, not necessarily because of the distance but because of the tricky terrain.

The hike to Upheaval Dome was pretty steep and uneven and to make matters worse, we were caught out in a pretty severe downpour which made the rocks slick and difficult to navigate. But again, the view at the top of the climb was well worth the effort.

Arches National Park

If you have never been to Arches National Park, what are you waiting for? It’s always nice when you save the very best until last and I have to admit, both times we have visited Arches, it has been our final stop on our trip before heading back home.

Having visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado National Monument and Canyonlands National Park, it was some pretty tough competition for Arches but unsurprisingly, our visit to this spectacular landscape didn’t disappoint.

Having already visited Arches a few years ago and experienced many of the iconic attractions such as the Windows, Balanced Rock and Park Avenue, we decided to venture outside of our comfort zone by hiking one of the iconic trails inside Arches National Park – Delicate Arch. It has been a bucket list item for quite some time to hike to the summit and appreciate the beauty of this natural landmark but we have read a bunch of reviews indicating it is a pretty tough hike with a steep ledge to overcome towards the very top of the trail.

Heather was very pessimistic about this hike but I convinced her that we could do this and just over a hour and half later, we arrived at the summit and WOW…this was definitely worth the effort! There are a few challenging parts to this hike and in the heat of summer, you certainly need to take plenty of water for the uphill climb but the views once you are at the summit are beyond incredible.

Summary

There are many magical drives across the United States but I would argue that the drive from Denver to Moab is one of the very best, not only because of the incredible scenery as you pass through the Rocky Mountains across I-70 but also because of the myriad of attractions waiting to be explored.

Trying to accomplish all of the above in a long holiday weekend may seem a daunting prospect but we can 100% attest that this is well worth the effort. If you have more time, you can easily spend a couple of days in each of these locations to fully maximize the experience.

When it comes to spontaneous travel, our visit to Colorado National Monument was perhaps the highlight attraction, simply because we had no plans to visit and we were left amazed at the beauty throughout the self-guided drive. This is a location that definitely deserves to have national park recognition but regardless, it’s a place you won’t want to miss during your visit to Colorado and Utah.

Of course, the hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park was a memorable experience but it just adds another layer to an already incredible natural landscape.

Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park in One Epic Day

Colorado

Chris Boothman

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Jun 3, 2019

2

Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park in One Epic Day

When you think about the most iconic USA national parks, it’s fair to say that Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado will likely be near the top of most peoples lists…and for very good reason. After visiting all 50 states and a number of other iconic national parks, we finally had the opportunity to visit the heart of Colorado and explore this majestic and historic location. Whether you are visiting for a long weekend or a longer trip, there is plenty to experience. Of course, we prefer to make things a little more challenging and so during our day trip from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park, we intended on experiencing as much as possible.

Given the location of this national park in Colorado, this is one of the most challenging parks to visit, due to potential hazardous road conditions and inclement weather that can cause many of the roads and iconic trails to close down.

Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park Routes

Unfortunately, our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park was impacted by the late season snow that caused the iconic scenic drive across the Trail Ridge Road to be closed. Each year, this spectacular road opens around Memorial Day, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. For us, we visited just a couple of weeks too soon but we weren’t going to let that stop us from experiencing the very best of the Rocky Mountains.

Dependent on which direction you are visiting the Rocky Mountains will likely determine which part of the park you can see but undoubtedly, the most iconic route is from Estes Park. Not only can you explore the inherent beauty of the Rocky Mountains, you can also enjoy a town known as “base camp” for this national park. You have a couple of options available to you if none of the roads are closed as follows:

Beaver Meadows – Most popular entrance located just a couple of miles from Estes Park on highway 36.
Fall River Entrance – Located 4 miles west of Estes Park on highway 34.
Wild Basin – Located 19 miles south of Estes Park on highway 7.

Unsurprisingly, we opted for the Beaver Meadows option, not only because it was the most convenient to access but also because it gave us an opportunity to explore two different areas of the Rocky Mountains. As mentioned, we only had one day exploring the Rocky Mountains, so let’s take a look at exactly what you can experience in less than 24 hours. We are also going to include a few additional experiences that you can enjoy dependent on how much time you have in and around the national park.

Estes Park – Base Camp for the Rocky Mountains

Let’s start in the idyllic town of Estes Park. Surrounded by the incredible, awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park is undoubtedly the perfect place to start your adventure exploring the true heart and soul of Colorado. Before venturing deep into the Rocky Mountains, why not spend a couple of hours exploring Estes Park.

We couldn’t resist taking a stroll around Lake Estes before relaxing along the shoreline and admiring the reflections of the Rocky Mountains in the background on the lake surface. This is the perfect place to enjoy an early morning breakfast or for the more adventurous, perhaps hop on a kayak and cruise around the lake before heading into Estes Park.

Take a quick trip inside the Visitor Center to prepare yourself for the trip deep into the Rocky Mountains but you may be first swayed to head up Prospect Mountain on the Aerial Tramway that will leave you breathless courtesy of the incredible views from the summit.

Paying a visit to the local Safeway supermarket is a smart idea to stock up on food/water supplies before heading through the historic town, perhaps grabbing a latte at Kind Coffee (or Starbucks if you prefer!) and towards the national park entrance.

Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park

Arriving at the entrance of any national park is pretty exhilarating but I have to admit, when we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park, there was a little something extra, perhaps because of the beauty you could immediately see surrounding the landscape. After the traditional “selfie” at the park sign, we crawled to the gate entrance (visiting over any holiday weekend is going to mean a lot more folks are out exploring) and then quickly passed through given that we have the annual National Park pass.

Our first decision was whether we wanted to head directly to Bear Lake or venture along the Trail Ridge Road, with the knowledge that we could only go so far and would then have to turn around. We decided to opt for the latter and climb high into the Rocky Mountains.

If you follow our recommended itinerary and enter the national park from Estes Park via Beaver Meadows, you will then have a choice to make if the Trail Ridge Road is open all the way…do you want to drive the highest paved road in the US or do you want to venture to Bear Lake and hike some of the most spectacular trails to waterfalls, gorges etc.? Our decision was made a little easier given that we could only drive a short distance along the Trail Ridge Road.

At Estes Park Visitor Center, we read that the Trail Ridge Road was open up to Rainbow Curve, so this was at least going to give us a glimpse of this incredibly scenic road trip. I think it’s fair to say, the part we did see was a mouthwatering experience that just inspires us to return when the full drive is open.

Trail Ridge Road – Highest Paved Road in USA

If you love epic scenery, there are not many roads in the United States more spectacular than the Trail Ridge Road that passes through Rocky Mountain National Park. Rising to an elevation of 12,183 feet, this is the highest, continuous paved road in the US. But because of this, there is only a relatively short window each year where this road is open. We visited during the Memorial Day weekend which is notorious for being the time of year where the road completely opens – unfortunately, late season snow prevented that during our visit.

The beauty of this road is that there is a gradual climb to the summit and even when the majority of the 48 mile road is closed, there are still segments that remain open. We were able to drive as far as Rainbow Curve which is 12.8 miles into the drive from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Don’t think that just because the remainder of the drive is closed that this is hardly worth visiting because at 10,829 feet, the views from this overlook are breathtaking and well worth experiencing.

Throughout the drive to Rainbow Curve, there are several opportunities to get out and explore. Whether you are intrigued by the wildlife (deer, elk etc.) or simply want to admire the panoramic natural beauty, you can quickly lose track of time while exploring this segment of Trail Ridge Road.

One of the highlight attractions is Many Parks Curve, a viewpoint at an elevation of 9,620 feet. As you are driving up, head beyond the overlook and leave your car in the parking lot before walking back down to enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery. If there is any point along the first 13 miles of the Trail Ridge Road that you cannot afford to miss, this is definitely the spot!

Bear Lake

For those of you that love the great outdoors and prefer to be exploring Rocky Mountain National Park on foot, head to the scenic Bear Lake trailhead to enjoy a plethora of hiking options, regardless of your skill level.

As you drive along Bear Lake Road from Highway 36, there a few notable spots worth visiting but be prepared for an incredibly busy stretch of road with limited parking options. We strongly recommend using the free shuttle system and parking at the “Park and Ride” location near Glacier Basin.

The free shuttle offers three different stops, each with unique experiences worth exploring. The first stop is at Bierstadt Lake, the second is Glacier Gorge and the final stop is Bear Lake. We opted to go all the way to Bear Lake with intentions of experiencing a couple of the iconic trails, notably Alberta Falls and Dream Lake. Unfortunately, we again weren’t really prepared for the conditions when we arrived at Bear Lake.

With time against us and the trails being incredibly icy, we opted to follow the short Bear Lake Loop which offers incredible views across the lake and gorgeous backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The majority of Bear Lake was still frozen and this quickly reminded me of our visit to the Canadian Rockies when we faced a similar experience at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise near Banff. But this should take nothing away from the beauty of Bear Lake…even when it’s predominantly frozen, it’s a gorgeous sight and a place you can easily relax and enjoy the scenery.

If you have more time and are not afraid of the snow and ice, please come prepared with ice cleats to put on your shoes and also hiking/trekking poles will come in handy as you try to navigate the potentially treacherous trails. Here is a list of the trails you can enjoy from Bear Lake (distances are one-way from Bear Lake Trailhead):

Alberta Falls – 0.8 miles
Bear Lake Loop – 0.5 miles
Dream Lake – 0.8 miles
Emerald Lake – 1.5 miles
Lake Helene – 2.9 miles
Mills Lake – 1.8 miles
Nymph Lake – 0.5 miles
The Loch – 2.1 miles

Summary

Regardless of what time of the year you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s a spectacular experience that everyone should have on their bucket list. It’s definitely worth noting and checking ahead of time what is open due to the seasonal weather conditions but even if the iconic Trail Ridge Road is closed, you can clearly see from the above that there are plenty of experiences to enjoy.

Estes Park is an idyllic “base camp” town at the Eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and is well worth exploring prior to your visit. Of course, this is the ideal spot to purchase plenty of supplies before you head deep into the national park.

estes park to rocky mountain national park

Although there are various scenic drives available to capture a variety of different overlooks and viewpoints, the real beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park is found when you head outdoors and start venturing along the myriad of hiking trails throughout the park. You definitely need to visit this national park well prepared and with appropriate outdoor gear. This is good practice for any national park visit but particularly when you wander out into the depths of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Basel to Colmar – An Amazing Day Trip in the Alsace Region

France

Chris Boothman

-

May 20, 2019

18

Basel to Colmar – An Amazing Day Trip in the Alsace Region

There is something quite magical about spending the Christmas season in Europe. From the seasonal festivities featuring some of the best Christmas markets anywhere in the world to the stereotypical cold weather that just highlights the need to sample hot chocolate or mulled wine, Europe is undoubtedly the place to be at Christmas. Switzerland and France are two countries that we love spending time around the Christmas period and during our recent trip, we decided to take an awesome day trip from Basel to Colmar to experience the best of both places.

The beauty of finding a base in Switzerland is that you can easily take a plethora of awesome day trips to nearby Swiss cities or hop across the borders into either Germany or France. Our visit to Basel saw us spend 48 hours in this city and utilize this time to take a short day trip to the French town of Colmar, located in the Alsace region.

For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of Switzerland, the city of Basel is located on the Rhine River in the north-west corner of the nation. From here, a trip to either Germany or France is just a short train ride (or road trip) and it’s definitely a great place to enjoy the best of the seasonal festivities in all three nations.

Let’s take a look at how you can enjoy the best of both places during a 24 hour period.

How to Travel From Basel to Colmar

If you have been following our travel blog for a while, you should realize by now that we love exploring all of Europe by train. In our opinion, it’s the best way to experience this continent, regardless of other opinions that the low-cost airlines make it cheap, easy and an efficient way to get around. But alternatively, if you are the type of traveler that prefers to rent a car and be self-sufficient, the short road trip to Colmar is well worth it also.

By Train

Train travel enables you to discover “hidden gems”. Train travel is convenient. Most importantly, train travel is reliable! Whether you are using the handy Eurail app or simply visiting the local train station, you can be sure that the timetables reflecting the times of future routes will be pretty accurate.

We have found that a delay of 5-8 minutes is cause for concern among locals…trust us, when you fly as frequently as we do, this delay is nothing compared to the several hours you may experience waiting inside an airport terminal.

So…in a nutshell, for those of you planning a trip from Basel to Colmar, the best way to enjoy this is by hopping on the train and taking the short 40-45 minute journey into the Alsace region of France. Not only will you have an awesome final destination, the journey itself offers gorgeous panoramic views of the Swiss/French countryside.

By Car

Road tripping is always a fun experience and for those of you spending some time exploring Switzerland by car, the journey from Basel to Colmar is simple, painless and will likely take you around 45-50 minutes dependent on traffic.

Simply hop on the A35 autoroute which passes both the airport and the east side of the city and just follow the signs for the center of Colmar.

But if you are really insistent on driving, why not add Germany to the route? For only an extra 15-20 minutes, you can head towards Lörrach, located in the in the valley of the Wiese before crossing the Rhine River and heading towards Colmar.

Best Things to Do in Colmar

Before arriving in the idyllic town of Colmar, it’s worth doing some research to figure out the best things to do there. If you are visiting during the festive season as we did, the highlight is undoubtedly the Christmas festivities and those iconic Christmas markets that are perhaps some of the best in Europe. Here are a few of the highlights that you should consider when heading to the heart of the Alsace region of France.

Old Town

Just like most idyllic French towns, one of the best things to do in Colmar is to head straight to the Old Town and walk around and explore. The Old Town is a short walk from the train station and is filled with spectacular architecture. Flower filled balconies, perfectly maintained structures and the infamous colored timber that epitomizes everything there is to love about French inspired artisanal towns.

The beauty of Colmar is that the narrow streets make this the perfect place to just let yourself get lost and be spontaneous. Our number one tip for anyone exploring the lesser known French towns, is to allow spontaneity to take over. From quirky boutique French souvenir shops to a local patisserie (or two) serving freshly made baguettes and decadent sweet treats. If you can resist heading inside one of these, you have way more willpower than we do!

There is something quite magical and charming about Colmar’s Old Town neighborhood. Aside from the quaint storefronts, you never quite know what monument or memorial you may stumble across as you walk around a corner.

This quintessential part of Colmar dates back to the 13th century when it was a flourishing market town full of local butchers, tanners and fishmongers but today, it’s a blend of locals and visitors alike mingling among the decadent architecture.

Little Venice

Although the district of Little Venice is located in the heart of the Old Town, I think this area is unique and diverse enough to justify it’s own section. This is simply a part of Colmar you cannot afford to miss and the moment you arrive in the immediate vicinity of this neighborhood, you will quickly understand why.

The idyllic, colorful half-timbered structures that line the cobblestone streets are only part of the reason why Little Venice is such a popular spot among visitors.

Located on the banks of the Lauch River, visitors to Little Venice can treat themselves to a self-guided experience of this district. Why not start your adventure around Little Venice at Place de l’Ancienne Douane, an iconic fountain and monument dedicated to a great general of Charles V.

As you start following the path that lines the canal, the rest is all about spontaneity. Your eyes will quickly drift towards the architectural brilliance on display, along with the colorful floral displays on the balconies that locals always take care of.

The intricate details of the structures around Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishing Quay) makes this a popular spot for visitors to take pictures but as your journey through Little Venice continues, you should be prepared to have plenty of memory cards available because this neighborhood is a microcosm of Colmar with so many amazing sights that you will want to photograph.

Unterlinden Museum

Colmar, just like many other French towns in the Alsace region, is home to a number of historic museums but none are quite as popular as Unterlinden Museum. Located in a former 13th-century Dominican religious sisters’ convent and a 1906 former public baths building, this museum houses a large collection of local, domestic and international artworks.

For the art aficionados out there, you will be familiar with the infamous Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald but this is just one of many artistic masterpieces to be found inside this museum. Although Unterlinden Museum is the most popular in the Alsace region, you may be surprised to hear that this is actually the second most frequently visited museum in France outside of those in Paris.

Paintings may be the highlight attraction inside the museum but you can also find quite the collection of sculptures, artifacts, decorative arts and also archaeological artifacts. It’s undoubtedly a historian’s dream but even those visiting Colmar that are not particularly interested in museums (like ourselves), will likely find this an intriguing place to visit.

Sample Local Restaurants

Colmar’s amazing architecture may be the primary reason for visiting but this region of France is also home to a plethora of amazing restaurants, offering both local and global cuisine. With Colmar being located along the French/German border, it’s no surprise to see that there is a distinctive blend of both when it comes to the cuisine offerings. Traditional French flair combined with typical German gastronomy create the perfect environment for restaurants to succeed in Colmar. Plus, if you visit at Christmas, you can always experience local, home-made delicacies!

If you are looking for the ultimate, Colmar based cuisine, perhaps a traditional “berawecka” is the perfect choice. This sweet treat is a spiced, soft bun consisting of fruit confit, dried fruits and toasted nuts. This is particularly popular among locals and visitors alike during the festive season. Our top tip on the best place to find berawecka is to visit Thierry Mulhaupt’s Patisserie located on Place de l’Ecole.

We sampled a delicious Italian restaurant (L’Amandine) while in Colmar, proving that it’s not just French and German cuisine that thrive here.

Heather opted for a traditional pizza and I couldn’t resist the Spaghetti Bolognese. Located in Place de la Cathedrale in front of St. Martin’s gothic church, L’Amandine is definitely a place we recommend visiting if you are looking for delicious Italian fare.

As you continue your adventure exploring Colmar’s Old Town, you cannot help but notice a myriad of bakeries, locally known as patisseries. As mentioned, Thierry Mulhaupt’s is just one example but if you need an artisanal French pastry, it won’t take long to find a chocolatier or patisserie to satisfy your tastebuds.

Seasonal Festivities

It’s the magic of Christmas. Without a doubt, Colmar is transformed into a magical wonderland during the festive season. Whether you have visited Colmar previously throughout the year, a trip to this part of France during the Christmas season is an experience you won’t want to miss. Colmar’s Christmas market scene is incredible and definitely near the very top of our favorite places in Europe to enjoy the festivities.

Why is Colmar such a popular spot for Christmas markets? Perhaps because of the quirky architecture surrounding the markets that makes the atmosphere so magical or maybe it’s because there are SIX different markets scattered across the town.

Each of Colmar’s six Christmas Markets is a separate mini-village with its own collection of passionate craftsmen (colmar La magie de Noel)

Regardless of where you walk when exploring Colmar, it won’t take long before you arrive at a cluster of market stalls selling locally crafted ornaments, delicious seasonal French inspired treats and of course the pièce de résistance at any European Christmas market, hot mulled wine.

Summary

If you are fortunate enough to visit Colmar at Christmas, you will be treated to a collection of amazing seasonal festivities epitomizing everything there is to love about the Alsace region of France. However, if you visit Colmar at any other time of the year, you will experience a beautiful, historic French town that is full of gorgeous architecture, delicious restaurants and of course, local patisserie’s that will entice you through their doors.

A day trip from Basel to Colmar is definitely an experience you should consider if you exploring Switzerland. It gives you the opportunity to head across the border into France and enjoy something a little different but is convenient enough to easily enjoy in less than a day. Colmar may be a place you want to spend a few days but regardless of your itinerary, it’s a location you will not want to miss out on.