Travelsphere Golden West Hawaii add on

smudger499

Thinking of going on the Travelsphere Golden West with Hawaii add on (18 Days) sometime next year - with partner - both aged 50+

I'm a fairly experienced travel around Europe, been to Florida a couple of times but never to the West Coast.

So - just asking for any general advise from anyone who has been on this , or similar holidays.

jonesMUFCforever

I went on the California Arizona West Coast one - but it was 20 years ago!
First time in America - would love to do it again!
Went with Travelsphere too - you see so much in a relatively short period of time.

Only downside I could remember - it was always the same people who were late returning to the coach after an excursion etc - but I suppose you can't do anything about that.

SallyD

I have used Travelsphere quite a few times. I have always found the hotels very nice and well located. San Francisco,Las Vegas,Los Angeles trip was well organised,the hotels very nice and well located.

blindman

smudger499 wrote: »

Thinking of going on the Travelsphere Golden West with Hawaii add on (18 Days) sometime next year - with partner - both aged 50+

I'm a fairly experienced travel around Europe, been to Florida a couple of times but never to the West Coast.

So - just asking for any general advise from anyone who has been on this , or similar holidays.

Ca you not DIY. It's very easy and you won't be waiting for others to get on the coach!

smudger499

All - Thanks for advice - looking for info regarding which airlines Travelsphere use ; how did it go when arranging meals etc..

blindman - am tempted to DIY but as its my first time there and I am normally head of the family checking and worrying about everybody else I think I would like a holiday where its all orgianised for me

blindman

smudger499 wrote: »

All - Thanks for advice - looking for info regarding which airlines Travelsphere use ; how did it go when arranging meals etc..

blindman - am tempted to DIY but as its my first time there and I am normally head of the family checking and worrying about everybody else I think I would like a holiday where its all orgianised for me

My services are free:cool: Just pay for my hotel and food!

Took my Bro + Sis in Law this year (click the link)

Part of the fun is DIYing it

smudger499

Blindman just having a look through your thread & Photos which prompted me to ask for your advice about Grand Canyon tour.

Hoping to do the Hoover Dam / Grand Canyon thing but have seen lots of tours for different parts can you recommend something. (not helicopter or via air)
Thanks

jonesMUFCforever

smudger499 wrote: »

Blindman just having a look through your thread & Photos which prompted me to ask for your advice about Grand Canyon tour.

Hoping to do the Hoover Dam / Grand Canyon thing but have seen lots of tours for different parts can you recommend something. (not helicopter or via air)
Thanks

Depending on where you are staying a coach trip is a long day!
From Vegas it is about 5 hours by coach!
If I remember we took the coach out there and then flew back to Vegas in a small plane - never felt so queasy in my life LOL

I remember we flew with American airlines from Manchester to JFK and then internal flight to LAX (where we saw Charlton Heston at the airport) so exciting to see so many things that we only had previously seen on television.
Hope you find agreat deal.

blindman

smudger499 wrote: »

Blindman just having a look through your thread & Photos which prompted me to ask for your advice about Grand Canyon tour.

Hoping to do the Hoover Dam / Grand Canyon thing but have seen lots of tours for different parts can you recommend something. (not helicopter or via air)
Thanks

Personally I'd avoid the "West" rim and Skywalk. No tours AFAIK go to the North rim.
Flights actually fly over the West rim.

South rim is the place all the tourist go and there are several stop off points with spectacular views. Tours miss sunrise\set, also there's no time for even a short hike.

The new Hoover dam bridge is worth walking to the centre-Don't think any tour buses stop in the small car park where you start the walk and it's too far to get to from the Hoover dam car parks.
Driving over it, even in a bus may not get you a good view.

Hoover dam is OK to walk over. I did the internal visit about 25 years ago :eek: (no anal security) Not fascinating IMHO-Huge turbines and hallways.

Look on You tube for videos of what to expect.
If you do not do the internal visit then a walk over the top is about 1/2 hour.

Trip from Vegas to Hoover Dam is only about 40-60 mins max. Trip to GC is 4-5 hours e/w so is a long day for about 1 hour at the GC.

Do yourself a favour and DIY with a car rental. Easier and cheaper!

And if you do go with them (looks really expensive IMHO :eek: ) then get your own ESTA at $14 each and not £29 each that Travelsphere charge!

smudger499

Great Info - keep it comming (and thanks)

Did'nt realise Grand Canyon so far away from Las Vegas - Other half will not be keen on such a long coach trip - will have to rethink that.

Don't fancy the small plane trip one bit...ha

blindman

smudger499 wrote: »

Great Info - keep it comming (and thanks)

D

Lots of info in the Southwest thread