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Coolest Summer Getaways Arizona Has to Offer

Summers in the Arizona desert might be difficult to handle. On the days when the sun is at its most merciless, even the most desert-hardened locals must be dreaming of a cool refuge. Thankfully, Arizona’s geography is a lot more diverse and offers stark contrasts to the desert valley that can provide a refreshing shelter from the heat.

This is our selection of Arizona’s summer getaways that will wipe the sweat off of your brow in no time. They can also serve as pointers for an awesome summer road trip across the state, so grab a map and hop into your car. Better yet, rent a free transfer car or camper van for a trip to remember on a budget.

Greer

A general rule of thumb for Arizona’s summer weather is this: “if it’s higher, it’s colder.” Located on the altitude of almost 8,500 feet, Greer is a slice of small-town Americana from the days of yore. The little town high up in the White Mountains provides a much needed respite from the modern world (even the cell phone reception is clunky, and Wi-Fi is nearly impossible to find).

Greer’s greatest attraction is the lush scenery that encircles it. The town’s surroundings, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, is a heaven for the outdoors-oriented, as well as a popular vacation spot during the summer, as the temperatures are generally 20-30 degrees cooler than in the deserts. The surrounding forests and lakes provide a full plethora of outdoor activities, from camping, hiking, fishing and swimming, all the way to horseback riding.

Lynx Lake

Arizona lakes are the go-to getaway from the summer heat. They are numerous, diverse, and usually high up in the mountains, providing a breath of fresh air for the heat-stricken. The state of Arizona doesn’t lack for choices in the lake department, and none of them are wrong. Still, if we were forced to recommend just one, then it has to be Lynx Lake.

Located deep in the Prescott National Forest, Lynx Lake sits on the altitude of cool 5,500 feet. It is a gorgeous lake surrounded by lush greenery. Due to its accessibility, it is very popular among the locals, offering wonderful opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing and boating, as well as the sighting of as large number of wild animals such as bald eagles, mule deer and osprey.

Flagstaff

If you’re looking for a bit more from your vacation than spectacular natural scenery, a college town seated in the world’s largest continuous Ponderosa pine forest has plenty to see and do.

Flagstaff sits at the altitude of about 7,000 feet among the pines, ensuring a fresh summer even in the hottest days. The town is host to the Northern Arizona University, making it a lively hub with a vibrant cultural scene and vivid social life. There are Hopi and Navajo Indian reservations in the near proximity, and, to top it off, the Grand Canyon is less than an hour’s drive away.

Mogollon Rim

If breathtaking scenery and stunning vistas stretching as far as the eye can see are your thing, then mark the Mogollon Rim on your map, because you’re in for an absolute treat.

The enormous forested plateau is a marvel of geology, with sedimentary, metamorphic and volcanic rock from the Precambrian days joining together to form some of the most amazing views on Arizona’s forests and desert flats. The area is rich with wildlife and offers great hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as nice fishing spots, while the nearby town of Payson has all the charms of a small mountain settlement.

Jerome

Seated in the Black Hills of Arizona’s Yavapai County, Jerome is one of those peculiar little towns that spontaneously grow into quirky local cultural hubs thanks to their colorful inhabitants. The town’s sprawling main street is dotted with galleries, bars and restaurants with a decidedly local atmosphere, as well as unusual shopping spots, such as (supposedly) the world’s largest kaleidoscope store, or a shop entirely dedicated to homemade fudge.

Aside from its art town charms, Jerome also offers gorgeous surroundings and nice tracks for hiking and horseback riding, while the famous ruins of the Native American Montezuma Castle are only a short drive away.

While many see the summer in Arizona as a curse, we see it as an opportunity to venture out and get to know the side of the state we don’t see very often. An extended road trip is in order, made even better with the chance to find a free transfer car to fuel your voyage.

A Step-by- Step Guide to Writing an Unforgettable Road Trip Plan

Road trips are easier one of the best ways to spend a holiday and always guarantee to be an adventure from the start! Not only do you get to move around a country, or several countries, to everything it has to offer, who knows what people you’ll meet, what places you’ll stay at and what amazing memories you’ll make.

However, to make the most of your trip, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got a rough plan laid out. Of course, there’s room for twisting and turning what you do, but with a foundation of a plan, you can make sure you don’t miss out anything that you definitely want to see and might later on regret.

To help you get started with making this road trip plan, here’s a complete step by step guide!

Choose Point A and B

The first thing you want to choose is the starting and finishing destination for your road trip. Most commonly, this will be the city you land in, to the city that you’re going home from. For example, you might like to carry out a North American road trip where you start in New York and drive across country to Los Angeles.

Deciding the Fundamentals

Now that you’ve decided your two points, you want to start filling in the basics of your trip. First, how long is your road trip going to be? If this is based on the point above, this will be the dates of your flight, so it’s completely up to you.

“As you know the distance between both points, work out how long the basic drive will take and then how long you want to explore places on the way, making sure to add several days so your day can remain flexible” – explains Jonathon Ellis, a Travel Writer at Oxessays and Huffingtonpost contributor.

Choosing the Route

Now that you know exactly how much time you’ve got to work with, you can decide on what places you want to visit during your trip. Of course, if this is something you’ve been getting excited about for some time, the chances are that you’ll already know. Be sure to invest in guidebooks!

Looking for Amazing Places

Now that you’ve decided the foundation of your route, be sure to check online, in books or asking people for things that you simply won’t want to miss in those areas along your route. You might find out there’s an amazing theme park along the way, meaning that you’ll want to add another day to your trip.

Figure Out Accommodation

If you’re hiring a campervan, you’ll need to make sure you know roughly where you’re going to park and where you’re going to sleep. If you’re driving in a car, you’ll need to make sure that know roughly where you’ll be at the end of each day since getting lost in the dark can be incredibly stressful.

Know the Rules

Daniel Jones, a Travel adviser and a blog writer at UK Top Writers says: “Since you’ll be driving, possibly even across country borders, it’s important to know the rules and regulations of that country. Learn about speed limits, seatbelt rules, the side of the road you’re supposed to drive on and drink and drug rules”.

Packing Smart

When it comes to road trips, many people are under the impression that things are a lot easier because you can simply drive around in your vehicle and won’t have to worry about luggage. However, this kind of thinking will only get you into pickle further down the line.

Just like most holidays, be smart with your packing and only pack what you think you’ll need.

Set It in Stone

Once everything is complete, feel free to book your flights, book your rental car or sort out transport, book your hotel for the first couple of nights and get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the road trip of a lifetime!

Conclusion

As you can see, although organising a road trip might seem like a lot of work, it’s all about working smart and getting into the right mindset. With the right amount of care and flexibility, you can ensure your road trip will be one you’ll never forget.

Gloria Kopp is a travel adviser and writer at Boomessays. She is a regular contributor at The Tab and Paper Fellows. Gloria is an author if Studydemic educational and writing blog full of guides and samples for students.

How to Take A College Cross-Country Road Trip on a Budget

Many students feel as though they just can’t take a road trip during their downtime. When they’re on such a tight budget, how on earth can they afford to travel? It’s easier than you’d think. With a little planning and a good budget, you can do it. Here’s the best tips to help you take that road trip without breaking the bank.

Pick Cheaper Places to Stay

Picking good places to stay on your trip can save you a huge bundle in cash. The best and cheapest options are camp sites, when you find them on your way. They can usually offer you a spot to sleep for about $20-30, where a hotel may cost you around $150 a night. That’s a big saving. If there’s no camp sites, you can still save some cash on your sleeping arrangements. Look for hotels that offer a free breakfast with your room. That can save you a decent amount of money on food.

Pool Your Money

On a road trip, you’re going to be paying mostly for gas, accommodation, and food. The best way to deal with these expenses is to pool all your money for these things together with your friends. “This means you have the cash ready when you need it, and that no one will be paying out more than anyone else. It also means you have the money ready and waiting for you before you even set off on the road trip, so you’re safe in the knowledge you’ve got it at the ready” – says Mary Montgomery, a Travel Writer at Big Assignments.

Avoid Buying Souvenirs

Everyone wants souvenirs, it’s understandable. On a road trip though, you’re just not going to have the room for them. As well as this, they can get expensive, quickly. Make a decision not to buy anything while you’re on your trip, to save cash. If you must have something, items like fridge magnets and postcards can be cheap, and you can store a lot of them in a care easily. As well as this, you could pick items from the areas you visit, such as rocks and seashells, for free.

Take Pictures Everywhere

You may not be able to pick up souvenirs, but you can take pictures for free. With almost everyone having a smartphone these days, you’ll already have a camera in your back pocket. Use the camera to take pictures wherever you go, and capture the memories. It’ll cost you nothing, but you’ll be glad you did.

Load Up On In Car Entertainment

Mercedes Rivera, a Traveler and a blogger at Assignment help explains: “In this digital age, you can find plenty of in car entertainment to keep everyone happy. Before you go, look into downloading as many songs, podcasts, and audiobooks as you can.” These can all keep you entertained on those long stretches of road where nothing seems to happen. If your passengers can watch a screen without feeling ill, an iPad with movies loaded onto it can also be a lifesaver. A lot of this can be free, so take advantage of it.

Travel Light

Travelling by car means that you’ll be sharing a very small space for quite a long period of time. This means that you really should pack light. Some seasoned road trippers recommend allowing each passenger a school sized backpack, a pillow, and a blanket each. This saves you a lot of space in your car. As your car will be lighter, it also means that you’ll use less gas. Keep the room in your car for the people, not the stuff they’re bringing along.

Take Advantage of Free Activities

Take a look at what’s happening on your route as you drive along. There’s always free activities happening, so make it a point to stop and check it out. “There’s no better feeling than catching a free or cheap show, and it means that you’ll be seeing stuff off the tourist track. Start looking online now before you go, and create a plan for your route so you all know what you want to see” – comments William McPhail, a Travel journalist at Best Australian Writers.

These tips will help you save a ton of cash on your trip, so take advantage of them on your journey. You’ll be amazed at how cheaply you can take a road trip!

“Gloria Kopp is a travel writer and editor at Essayroo. She is a column writer at Huffingtonpost and Australian Help blogs. Gloria is an author of Revieweal reviews writing blog for students.”

Exploring the Wonders of the Great Tropical Drive

Springtime is finally upon us and the time is better than ever to plan your very own escapade into the rich natural wonders of Australia. Fortunately, you are not left to dwell in the realm of uncertainty, as we’ll be taking you through some of the most magnificent drives, routes and destinations on this adventure.

Here are the wonders of the Great Tropical Drive you must work into your itinerary this season. Mind you, Queensland is a vast country, so you’ll need reliable transportation, as a free transfer car, to move around like we did. Let’s get down to it.

Great Barrier Reef Drive

Your journey begins at Cairns and takes you up north along the bath of the coastal drive all the way to Port Douglas and the famous Great Barrier Reef. You’ll pass through some amazing places and gems of mother nature such as Trinity Beach, Palm Cove and the breathtaking Ellis Beach, with wonderful diving opportunities waiting for you at the Reef itself from Port Douglas.

Palm Cove to Port Douglas

Be sure to make a stop at Palm Cove on your exploration route to Port Douglas, and even spend the night in a charming, quaint environment overlooking the breathtaking golden beachside scenery and the Double Island. The Town is perfect for a romantic getaway and staying at the Palm Cove Tropic Apartments imposes itself as a logical choice to this end.

Port Douglas to Daintree Village

Next stop on your adventure: the amazing Daintree Village. Here you’ll get the chance to learn about aboriginal culture of the Kuku Yalanji tribe who have preserved their history and identity to this very day. When heading to the Daintree National Park, be sure to stop at the freshwater swimming holes at Mossman Gorge.

Daintree Village to Cape Tribulation

Just a one-and-a-half hour drive to the north lies your next stop, Cape Tribulation, a remote coastal area within Daintree National Park. There are numerous activities waiting for you here, from boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef to trekking trails to Mount Sorrow. For those of you in need of a little adrenaline boost, be sure to head out to one of the numerous zip lining spots in the area.

Cooktown

Heading further up north, you will find the quaint, stunning countryside surrounding the ever-charming Cooktown. From here, you can venture back through time into the colonial days and the ancient aboriginal cultures of the region, as well. Explore the town by visiting the statue of Captain James Cook, as well as the numerous historic buildings and museums where tales of different indigenous cultures await.

Tully to Mission Beach

The next part of the adventure will take you south to a small town of Tully, situated in the Cassowary Coast Region. Here you will have the chance to unpack for a while at Beds on Bryant, as you will be exploring the Mount Mackay National Park to the east, and the Tully National Park to the west, before heading out to greet the small town of Mission Beach and its magnificent beaches and lookouts.

Paluma

Further down south lies the Paluma Range National Park, from where you will be able to visit the city of Townsville, and even spend a couple of days exploring the urban area. While at Paluma, be sure to visit the breathtaking sceneries of Jourama Falls, Crystal Creek and Lake Paluma itself.

Kirrama Range Road

Your last, and probably one of the most impressive destinations on this adventure, is the Blencoe Falls located in the Girrngun National Park, accessed via Kirrama Range Road. This is truly a unique wildlife experience, as you will be staying at the Blencoe Falls Camping Area, from where you can trek your way to the famous Blencoe Fall Lookout. Don’t forget your camera and your camping equipment (or even rent a free campervan, for that matter).

Springtime is the time to be travelling and exploring the vastness of the Great Tropical Drive. We have listed some of the spots on this immense route, but you are bound to make many other exciting discoveries along the way.

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What Makes a NZ Road Trip Truly Epic

New Zealand is world-renowned for the vast, raw, and untouched nature of its landscapes, but it is home to beautiful urban areas, as well, such as Wellington and Auckland, all the way down to Christchurch and Invercargill. There is something for everyone, even the most demanding travellers out there. With this in mind, here are some handy tips to help you have a memorable NZ road trip adventure.

Pick the Right Set of Wheels

Firstly, you want to make sure your transportation is in mint condition and that it’s optimized for the season. That means you do not want to find yourself driving a car with winter tyres on increasingly hot tarmac, rather you want your vehicle to be optimized for the oncoming spring.

That’s why I found it’s best to rely on a free transfer car or campervan to get the perfect set of wheels for an outdoor adventure rather than taking my old car out on the road and having to sleep indoors. After all, with the weather clearing up, you will want to spend as much time outside, imbuing your mind, body and soul with the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand.

Camp at all the Right Spots

While you could freedom camp in most of NZ, it’s best to stick to designated areas where proper facilities are provided for campers. This means that if you don’t have a proper toilet, and you are caught camping outside a designated camping zone, you will be looking at a substantial fine.

No need to risk getting caught by the poo police, so it’s best to avoid tying to freedom camp at Queenstown or Wanaka, and head out to one of the numerous holiday camping grounds scattered all over the northern and southern islands.

These holiday campsites are also equipped with shower facilities, kitchens and warm rooms should you need them during a cold night or after a long trip. Other than cooking a meal in a kitchen rather than the back of a van, you want to spend as much time as possible inhaling the peaceful aromas and sounds of nature, which leads us to the next step.

Don’t follow the Yellow Brick Road

New Zealand does have an excellently organized public transportation system, but no great adventure story started with anyone getting on a bus. All the more reasons to get a car or a van, and getting off the beaten track, following the dirt roads and finding your own piece of heaven amidst all the wonders that NZ has to offer.

If you dare to venture off the paved roads, you are bound to end up on a secluded beach somewhere completely devoid of human existence. Don’t worry though, there’s bound to be a camping site further down the road, lest you fall into the mercy of the beautiful outdoors for too long.

Bring the Necessary Accessories

Because a true NZ road trip cannot be completed with a single battery life, or withstood on a single chicken sandwich, you want to pack all the necessary gadgets and portable appliances you might need on your adventure.

You are probably going to spend a considerable amount of time away from an electrical outlet, and while that is a wonderful experience, make sure you have solar-powered chargers with you to keep you gadgets at full capacity in case of an emergency.

Give People a Lift

Finally, there is no need to be afraid of hitchhikers. While the rest of the world is dreading the mere thought of picking up someone in the middle of the road, New Zealander’s have nothing to worry about, as it’s pretty much the safest country on the planet. So be a good lad (or lass) and help someone out – the universe will return the favour.

Going on a NZ road trip truly can easily be one the greatest journeys you’ll have in a lifetime. Knowing the dos and don’ts on and off the road can mean the difference between a life-changing adventure and just another weekend away from home. Make sure you follow these guidelines and find yourself a unique spot in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

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Winter adrenaline feast at Lake Wanaka

inter is here to stay, and if I could give one piece of advice to you adrenaline junkies out there, that’s to go to Lake Wanaka for your winter escape. Seriously, I had no idea that winter activities could be so exciting and bit frightening at the same time before I hit the slopes at Lake Wanaka

Whether you’re going with your significant other, your crazy friends, or you’re taking your family for some rest and relaxation, this Kiwi gem has something to offer to everyone. So here are my top picks for an unforgettable winter experience.

Cardrona Alpine Resort

One of the best and most thrilling alpine resorts for me was definitely the Cardrona Alpine Resort. The resort is one of the biggest in the country, and hosts an international snow sports school, a kid’s centre (for those family travellers among you), a myriad of cafes and restaurants along with the most extensive terrain parks and pipes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Treble Cone Ski Area

The largest ski area in the South Island famous for its long runs and views of Lake Wanaka is the Treble Cone ski area. Treble Cone seems to have something for everyone – kids and adults, novices and elite skiers. You can find everything from comfortable runs to massive 700 metre vertical groomed trails. For those advanced skiers among you, there’s the Saddle Basin, Summit Slopes and Motatapu Chutes that offer fun and scary drops, open powder faces, and natural half pipes.

Snow Farm

Probably one of the most exciting winter resorts is the Snow Farm, the only Nordic Ski area in New Zealand. This resort offers just about any activity you can imagine and is perfect for individual and family trips alike. You can enjoy dog sledding, leave the kids at the fun zone, go either classic or ski skating, snow shoeing, ski touring and ride the fat bikes – there is no shortage of adrenaline here.

Heli Skiing

If you’re looking for a true adrenaline rush to spice up your winter trip, then look no further, because if anything says adrenaline, it’s the fact that my girlfriend had to push me out of the helicopter, because I wouldn’t budge!

In case you want to follow in our footsteps, you should go with the Southern Lakes Heliski, they have a lot of experience, and although I peed a bit my pants several times, I’ve never felt safer in my life than with those guys.

Backcountry Skiing

Again, for those of you somewhat more experienced than the rest, diving into the wild regions of the backcountry of Wanaka will be an adventure of a lifetime. Backcountry skiing offers plenty for those with a passion and a flair for the extreme, with its ice-climbing, heli-skiing and extreme mountaineering.

This was definitely one of the most exciting experiences of my life, not so much because it was frightening, but because I got to see the raw side of nature. We went on a winter mountaineering course at Adventure Consultants, because I had no prior experience, and before I knew it I was climbing the icy mountainside.

Family Skiing and First Timers

Now, if there is something Lake Wanaka has to offer, it’s a memorable family experience. Not only can you leave the little critters somewhere while you take your significant other skiing or dogsledding, you can also give the kids the chance to roll around in the snow and actually learn how to ski from trained professionals.

You can get some of the best instructors at Wanaka Ski Guides to teach you the basics if you’re a beginner, or even the elite moves if you’re an experienced skier. After you’ve mastered the moves, the guides can take you on runs and trails to test out your skills.

As you can see, Lake Wanaka has plenty to offer, and now you can even get a free transfer car to move quickly and conveniently from one destination to another.

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