Explore The United States of America

American Samoa is unspoilt Island Nature and Culture, at its best. This small archipelago, with only 5 major islands among the coral atolls has beaches, cliffs, rain forests and a stunning Pacific Ocean Panorama.
Flights are from Hawaii to the main island of Tutuila and Pago Pago’s International Airport. The town also has a well sheltered deep sea port, with stunning views over the harbor from the surrounding mountains. Four airports ferry visitors to local destinations.

Three National Parks are on the Islands of Tutuila, Ta’u and Ofu where the wonders of these Polynesian Islands offer tourists the opportunity to explore the volcanic coastlines, dive to explore the wonderful shallows filled with marine life, explore ‘dead’ lava caves and tubes, hike the hills and rainforests, fish, sail or cruise to atolls – Aunu’a  Island has the strange Red, Quicksand’s on Pala Lake, Ma’ama’a Isle has a charming cove to explore, play golf  – or simply relax with whale and bird watching, panoramic views, beach, visit traditional villages and markets to enjoy the local ambiance.

Nestled on the islands are Luxury Hotels, charming Inns and B&B’s with mouth watering Polynesian Cuisine. Entertaining ‘Revues’ and dances tell of the legends of – ‘Turtle and Shark’ and many others.

These Samoan (Polynesian) Islands and People have retained a distinctive charm and ‘old world’ cultured way of life that is rare in the modern fast paced world. You cannot but feel refreshed and rested by the ambiance, and tempted – never to leave!

Virgin Islands are USA’s ‘56th State’ under ‘Territorial Protection’, but more famously known as a ‘Must See’ tourist destination in the Caribbean Sea. The three islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, east of Cuba and south-east of Miami Florida are one of the premier Caribbean destinations to Americans and much of the rest of the world as well. The closest large island is Puerto Rico, only 70 miles away.

St. Thomas is home to the Capital of Charlotte Amalie, where International Flights land, Cruise Ships dock and Sailboats Moore to stop, visit and admire the verdant beauty, the sandy cays, mountain tops and beaches, winding streets and ‘French feel’ of the Caribbean Islands. It also has a long list of varied accommodation at Resorts, Smaller Hotel, Apartments & Condo’s, B&B’s and self catering Homes & Villas, from where to take to the sea, land or beaches.

St. Croix is the largest of the Virgin Islands, with the two major towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted both with a Danish / French European origin and ambiance. The island is rich in natural attractions; a mountainous tropical rain forest, plantations, beaches and resorts & nightlife, and nearby Buck Island – with some of the finest dive sights in the world. This largest, has more than 14 International Hotels & Resorts, 9 smaller, private hotels, 9 Apartment and Condominium sites, 5 Guesthouse & Cottages, and at least 9 ‘Villa Style’ units.

St. John is the smallest, and reputably the most beautiful with two thirds a National Park – with trails leading to the plateau and magnificent views of the beaches, cays and sea views. Cruz Bay is spectacular in its beauty. This island has all the fine accommodation as well as down to camping for true nature experience.

The Virgin Islands are first and foremost known for their ‘gentle relaxation’ and water sports including; sailing, fishing, diving and beaches and marina-life, some of the finest dining on sea-foods that you can experience, to a wide variety of other cuisine choices. St. Thomas and St. Croix have excellent Golf Courses amid a stunning backdrop of Island and seas – with informal scratch tournaments held throughout the year.

Wedding and Honeymooners could not wish for a more exotic site to have their ceremony or relaxation – with an almost limitless variety of locations on land, sea and even under water.

MARIANAS ISLAND has awesome natural and entertainment attractions. The Western Pacific islands are situated on the Marianas Trench, the deepest undersea canyon in the world, where deep sea ‘mud’ volcanoes spew liquid sulphur from acidic hydrothermal vents in the sea bed, creating rare species of deep sea creatures, fish and animal life – unique species of Beaked Wales, 19 marine animals and on land the Micronesian Megopoda Bird – that incubates its eggs in the hot lava flows and the giant coconut crabs. Two of the Hotels have Casinos and six major Golf Courses have from the most challenging to the mild greens for beginners, to complement the beautiful natural surrounds.
The three main Northern Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota are known for their Eco-tourism to – nature adventures in nearby unoccupied northern islands, reached only by plane, boat or helicopter – active and smoking volcanoes, black sand beaches, ancient rock formations and wildlife. Special tours are arranged for hikers, fishermen (and women), hunting, snorkeling, bird watching, volcano watching and camping. Favorite pastimes are diving to – coral reefs, caves, caverns, ledges and visiting sunken ships.

Saipan has great natural beauty, hotels, golf courses and many historical landmarks. The whole area is part of the 95,000 square miles, newly declared Mariana Trench National Monument – just 3 hours from Japan.

Tinian is known for its fantastic marine life, and sunken WW11 relics (and ammunition!)

Rota has three major deep dive sites to see the unique indigenous reef fish species and sunken wrecks, and snorkeling offs the many beaches.

Events and Festivals occupy the calendar whole year round. The Islands love out door sporting and competitions on land or on sea and Festivals to celebrate ‘anything and everything’, especially the February – Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival with various tastings and competitions “to make your mouth and eyes water”, and meeting local artists and entertainers. More Festivals continue month to month, across the calendar, to the end of the year.

If you miss any, the next one will be waiting for you!

GUAM is the largest island of the Mariana Archipelago. The closest country is Taipei, Taiwan off the coast of China and next is Manila in the Philippines. Guam has a remarkable history of ancient Polynesian and Malayan occupation, Spanish settlement, European Pirates visitations, and battleground between Japanese and American forces in WW11.

Today, it has a population exceeding 150,000 and has a thriving economy based on the shipping industry as a terminal for cargo and tourism. The natural beauty of the twin islands, surrounding Pacific and Philippine seas, offer tourists from America and Asia a glimpse into a historical melting pot of nations, yet a distinctive individual Chamorro cultural identity is maintained.

Sightseeing can be divided into the three distinct areas of Southern Guam, Central and Northern Guam and Southern area.

Southern Guam:

• Mount Lamlam – The tallest mountain in the world, from its base in the undersea Mariana Trench.
• Talifak Bridge – built by the Spanish in 1785,
• Sella Bay – for its tranquility, and another Spanish bridge
• Merizo Park, where water sports and annual water festival is held,
• Cette Bay for its beautiful views.
• Memorial Park – has a Vietnam Memorial and great views,
• Coco’s Island for its fine resort, lagoon, diving adventure and quiet ambiance,
• The Marizo Bell Tower,
• he Inarajan Village with its quaint Spanish design.
• The Talafofo Falls on the Ungum River, and Talofofo Beach – where surfers slip the waves to land on the brown sands.
• Not forgetting a visit to ‘Yokis Cave’ – where Sergeant Yoki holed up after the war, and was only discovered alive and well in 1972!

The Central Area :

• Pago Bay – the largest and most beautiful bay with – University of Guam, specialists in Marine Biology and more recently in many of the other academic fields of study,
• Views from Libugan Overlook and Apra Harbor.
• The Asan Historical Park and Pacific National Park are war museums.
• There are a further six historical parks of WW11 military sites on land, and under water (wrecks) to explore.
• The two waterfalls; Sigua Falls – is reached by a jungle hike and Tarzan Falls, by a stiff climb for the more adventurous.

Northern Guam:

• South Pacific Memorial Park; – with the 15 meter high tower of, ‘Hands praying for Peace’, very emotive,
• Mount Santa Rosa – is an extinct volcano with spectacular views, and three private (military) beaches.

Special events are; Liberation Day (July 21st) – celebrated with a festival of floats, parades, marching, music & entertainments and of course exotic and island foods. The Spanish/Catholic Fest, (December 8th) – pays homage to their patroness, Saint Marian Kamelin and weekly, on Wednesday Nights – The Chamorro Village Markets open for shopping and entertainment.

Outdoor sports cover a great spectrum including; Golf, Skydiving, Jet ski, Parasailing, Kite surfing, coral reef diving – visit Spanish and WW11 wrecks 0r Visit, beautiful waterfalls, sea caves, scenic views or ingest the beautiful variety of flowers – hibiscus, plumier, red ginger, ixeras, lantanas and of course bougainvilleas’. Taste the delicious tropical fruits of; papayas, bananas, breadfruits, mangoes, guavas, mountain apples and tangerines for a mouth watering experience.

Tourist facilities are of the highest standard with; Many huge Local and International Hotels, Resorts and Spa’s offering sophisticated accommodation and services to boutique B&B’s, each with its own variety of Cuisines, Elegant Night Clubs, Activities and Services, The huge, Pacific Islands Club with – over 72 sports and entertainment activities, spa’s, dining venues and the Pavilion –a huge Reception facility.

This Tourist Mecca has from the most sophisticated attractions to the quiet meditative experiences, on an island paradise of Spanish and Chamorro charm and warmth, fulfilling the sobriquets of -‘America in Asia’ and ‘Gateway to Asia’.

VIRGINIA is at the heart of The Capitol Region of Washington, DC. Coupled with history and natural beauty it’s unthinkable not to make this your first visit to enrich yourself with both tourism aspects of the best of the USA. The past is preserved in a dazzling array of elegant historic mansions, farms, homes and museums to distinguished, early Americans like Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and soldiers of the Confederacy Robert E. Lee and many more colonial era masterpieces. The Shenandoah Park with its stunning Appalachian Mountains offers the 469 mile ‘Skyline Drive’ along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ‘Old South’ and ‘Victorian Era’ rub shoulders with modern development and awesome natural beauty of the State Parks.

Patriotic Americans and curious visitors would doubtless make their fist ‘port of call’ to visit Mount Vernon, the country estate of George Washington to visit the mansion, the flower and vegetable gardens, bowling green and sheep paddocks of this pristine estate. Colonial Williamsburg was restored by benefactor John. D. Rockefeller early in 1926 and preserved with this modern city is a ‘living museum’ of blacksmiths, silversmiths, cabinet makers and bakers and many more in period costume. Another masterpiece of architecture is Monticello on the Potomac River, mansion built by Thomas Jefferson, on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Appomattox Historical Park marks the beginning of the end of the civil war, with reconstructed and restored buildings to commemorate the surrender of General Lee.

The greatest natural attraction would be the Blue Ridge Parkway, and that magnificent ‘Skyline Drive’ that links Shenandoah and the Great Smokey Mountains National Parks, considered one of the best scenic routes in the USA.

With the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay on its doorstep there is no limit to water activities, whether strolling, fishing, sunbathing, swimming, boating, yachting, camping or cruising, it all there for the taking.

The port town of Alexandria has kept a special historical atmosphere, with its Old Town, lively Market Square, Elegant Historical Buildings and tree lined streets, Museums and Art Center.

Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River will take you back to the historical Civil War battle grounds, colonial era and elegance of Victorian Mansions.

Jamestown on the banks on the James River owes its name to English King James 11. Its history as the first English settlement is enriched by the Indian Algonquin culture. The replica of the original settlement recreates the old colony with, Indian Village, Old Fort and Old Ships that brought the original settlers. Opposite side of the peninsula is Yorktown, the site of the siege and battle, ending with the surrender of the British Forces.

Richmond, once the Confederacy Capital, is a historical Colonial Port on the point of Chesapeake Bay, and still retains an aura of Old South gentility, with bronze statues in Monument Avenue, Victorian Mansions, many fine Museums, Neo Classical State Capitol building and Hollywood Cemetery.

Norfolk today is a busy Maritime Center with the Worlds largest Naval Base. The Maritime Museum centers on the massive battleship ‘Wisconsin’, with fascinating history of battles, ships and deep sea creatures. The Chrysler Museum of Art holds eclectic and priceless works of art.

Chincoteague on the eastern shores National Wildlife Refuge is a favorite tourist attraction for fisherman, beachcombers and birdwatchers – which come to see the egrets, snow geese, herons and falcons, best seen by walking or canoeing.

Charlottesville is famed as the States University town, its founder Thomas Jefferson and his home, Monticello. Surrounded by vineyards and wineries, and nearby is Montpellier Estate, once home to fourth President, James Madison.

Popular Events: 4th July, African- American, Air Shows, Antique and Flea Markets, Arts & Crafts, Celebrate Virginia, Civil War reenactments, Food Fests, Fall, family Fun, Festivals, fairs & Parades, Heritage, Holidays, Music & Concerts, Performances, Pets, Sporting, Spring, State Park & Tours, Wine & Beer and Winter Fests, all contribute to a great deal of activity in this – fun-loving ‘Honeymoon State’.

And don’t forget your Golf Bags – for a visit to some of the finest courses in the country!

VERMONT as part of the New England area of timeless landscapes, craggy coastlines, historical villages and sophisticated cities, is the historical homeland of the birth of the United States. To the Tourist, Vermont’s attractions are Historic Villages and natural splendors of the Green Mountain Forest in the south while in the northwest, Lake Champion, famous Ski Resorts of Stowe and in fall, the spectacular leaf colors are a vision to behold.

The Green Mountain Range runs almost the full length of Vermont and has some of the best skiing centers in the US. The Sugarbush and Mt. Snow areas have peaks almost four thousand feet high.  Twenty Alpine Resorts, hundreds of miles of trails from beginner to the challenging offer exhilarating, skiing, snow boarding, snowmobiling to snow shoe hiking, racing or marathons.

Summer sport offers a variety of; finest Golfing from Professionally designed (27 hole) to leisurely (9) hole courses and training schools. Water sports on the huge Lake Champion and around its 70 islands, from sailing, motor, kyaking, scuba diving and swimming. With over eight hundred smaller lakes and ponds and many mountain streams, rafting and fishing for walleye, bass and trout opportunities abound. Hunting is offered – for white tailed deer, moose, black bear, wild turkey, grouse, woodcock, water fowl and hare.

The ‘Back Country’ is renowned for its fantastic scenic drives, hiking and biking trails – from the gentle to the adventurous and challenging, charming towns, woodlands, pastures and farms.

Another major attraction is the Shelburne museum and farm which has 37 historical structures including a reconstructed Circus building, Railroad station, restored lighthouse, steamship, art, tools and memorabilia- All this on a large working dairy farm.

Some major towns are:

• Manchester, a scenic town ringed by mountains has skiing destinations of Stratton and Bromley nearby, prime shopping and a historical Georgian Manor.

• Killington offers both outdoor adventure and social life. With the  second largest mountain and  the largest ski resort in the country it offers a great variety of snow sports and all year round activities.

• Woodstock is a very historic and picturesque village, with charming renovated brick and clapboard houses dating back hundreds of years. Special attractions are the Farm Museum and the Institute of Natural Science, a restorative bird sanctuary and the nearby Gorge, spanned by a steel bridge.

• Burlington, on the shores of Lake Champion is a favorite tourist destination. It houses the State University and four colleges, shops, marketplace, historic landmarks, parks, churches, museums, entertainment venues, fine restaurants and easy to explore on foot.

• Stowe is also ringed by mountains and arguably the most popular skiing capital in the New England area and is lined with tourist services. Summer visitors can rock climb, fish, canoe, cycle and visit the famous Von Trapp family Lodge Estate, now a popular Hotel.

A visit not to be missed is to, the mouth watering B & J, Ice Cream Factory for sampling of yoghurt and new flavors, ‘to die for’!

Vermont is not left behind in events throughout the year. Categories are as follows:

• Agriculture offers – Fair and Field Days, Farmers Markets, Horse and Livestock events.

• Science and Nature offers – Birding, Fishing, Gardening, Nature, Birdlife watching, Aquatic, Botanical Gardens and Game Preserves.

• Performing Arts offers, Literary Reading, Plays, Theatre of all variety, Music of all variety and Dance.

• The Visual Arts offers festivals of, Glass, Film, Crafts, Digital Art, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Sculpture, and Drawing, Exhibitions, Open Studio and more.

• Community events celebrate – Auctions, Bazaars, Foods, State and National Fests, Carnivals and Parades, fireworks, Flea Markets, Workshops, Conferences, and Demonstrations.

• Special Events include, Antiques, Benefits, Educational, Food, Sports, Ethnical, Family Fun, Kids Activities, Religious, Retail, Products, Skiing, Racing, Aircraft, Boating, Spectator Events and Winery and Brewery.

• Then there are the Historical, Local & National, Reenactments and Revolutionary War celebrations.

There is something very special about Vermont that will induce you to visit again and again and again. Come and find it for yourself.

UTAH is a naturalist’s delight, from the Colorado Plateau in the south, to the snow capped peaks of the Wasatch Mountains of the north and Salt Lake City in the West offer stunning diversity of terrain. A series of beautiful National Parks and forests offer stunning scenic beauty, outdoor sports and activities. Monuments of towering mountains, natural formations of caves, arches, amphitheaters, canyons, up-thrust and eroded citadels, rivers and lakes are tourist’s delights with winter and summer and outdoor sports for the thrill seeker.

The Great Salt Lake covers an area of more than a thousand square miles, depending on the weather. Within it is an island State Park with, herds of bighorn sheep, mule deer, bison and the pronghorn deer, from which it gets its name. Nearby are the Timpanogos limestone caves, stretching some thousand eight hundred feet deep into the mountain, with spectacular limestone formations. To the east and close to the Colorado border sits the Arches National Park with more than eighty of these natural wonders, are truly breathtaking sights in a sandstone natural wonderland. Further south are the ‘Canyon-lands’, a labyrinth of rocky canyons that form the heart of this wilderness. At its center the Colorado and Green Rivers carve up this stunning wilderness. Moving east to the Lake Powell and Glen Canyon sits within dramatic canyon and desert country, from where this mighty dam provides water, power and recreation to the regions growing population. Water sports, house-boating, hiking; biking and 4wd for canyon exploration make it one of the most popular destinations in the country. Heading north again, brings one to the Capitol Reef National Park, with its one hundred mile long colorful wall of rock, with its white domed rocks that gave it its name and nearby Fremont Canyon is famous for its prehistoric Petroglyphs created by the ancestral Puebloans. Turning back south to pass the ‘Grand Staircase’, named for its cliff face that rises in tiered steps across the Colorado Plateau. Still heading south brings you to the Bryce Canyon within the Paunsaugunt Plateau, filled with vast fields of pink, orange and red spires (hoodoos), amphitheaters’, natural bridges and canyons, best appreciated on foot. Close to the border of Nevada, en route to Las Vegas, lies the Zion Canyon and National Park. Carved out by the Virgin River and widened, sculpted and reshaped by wind, rain and ice, its walls rise two thousand feet and its valleys of luxuriant growth support abundant wildlife, wildflowers, cottonwoods, oak and willow trees, a veritable paradise in the desert.

Salt Lake City spreads for many miles along the base of the snow capped Wasatch Range. This spectacular setting is ‘spiritual base’ to the Mormon Church since the mid 1800’s. Here is their Tabernacle, Mormon Temple, and Family History Library dating back three and a half centuries, and a number of impressive monuments in this State Capitol.

Park City is world famous resort, for its annual Sundance Film Festival, quaint turn-of-the century buildings and excellent skiing facilities that showcased the 2000 Winter Olympics.

Green River has a small community around a ford of the river and is today a launching spot for adventure sports such as white water rafting, and to follow in the footsteps of notable canyon explorers.

Cedar City is another popular winter resort for skiers, visitors to nearby national monument, parks, Shakespeare Festival and Iron Mining Museum.

With some of the best National Parks, Ski Resorts, Golf Courses, Whitewater Rafting, and vibrant Cities, the State offers unforgettable experiences that will bring you and me back again and again.

TEXAS has arguably the largest land area of the lower 48 States and according to reports the Texans also the largest ego! The ‘Lone Star’ and ‘Longhorn’ State has long since deserved it reputation as a true reflection of the Old West frontier, having wrested the land from the previous Mexican Empire by 1848. Since the early 1900’s when oil was discovered, Texas has remained the center of the US petroleum industry. However livestock and agriculture is still big business. The vast open spaces and mythical Cowboy Culture are still a major tourist attraction. In stark contrast are many cultural cities and towns with sophisticated facilities and entertainment, and most of all the Space Center at Houston, the mission control center for all manned exploration of space.

National Parks, Preserves and Wildlife refuges, Islands, The Rio Grande Canyon, Historic Towns and Forts, rugged Desert Mountains offer a vast array of outdoor activities from golf, fishing, hiking, river rafting to cycling, scenic routes to coastal angling, sailing. Organized Sports of baseball at all levels, American Football on National, University and College level and Basketball at all amateur and professional levels, as well. Nightclubs and performance venues cover this music loving state.

Dallas , has been synonymous with oil, ranching, cotton fields and latterly a huge diversified business center. An energetic and enjoyable city, with many museums, restaurants and cultural venues. Sadly the city tourism also thrives on ‘Black Tourism’ a euphemism to the sustained interest on the murder of President John Kennedy in 1963. Happier things to do and see are the fabulous view from the 50 storey reunion Tower, The West End Historic District, Museum of Art filled with Americana, Natural Museum, Peaceful Parks and vibrant Musical neighborhoods.

Fort Worth combines the epitome of ‘Cowboy Culture, High Culture and Modern Entertainment Venues’. Historic Cattle Yards rub shoulders with some of the US’s finest Performing Arts Space, Museums and Organizations and transformed ‘Old Red Light’ districts into delightful ’Water Gardens’.

Austin , the Capital, stakes its claim to being the most popular Music Scene in the country, High Tech Industry and ‘Best State University’! and Biggest State Capital in the country!

Fredericksburg , in the Hill Country is one of the loveliest small towns in the state, with very strong Germanic heritage with its ‘Biergarten’ and Bavarian style buildings, Church on the old marketplace (Markplatz). It also has WW11 Museum of the Pacific War – house in the steamboat shaped Nimitz Hotel with Japanese ‘Peace Garden’ at the back and the Lyndon Johnson National Historical Park.

Kerrville , is one of the largest towns in the Hill Country. It is famous for its eighteen day long folk music festival held annually on a ranch near the town. Starting the Thursday before Memorial Day, it attracts singers and fans from all over the world.

New Braunfels , has a charming German culture enshrined in its distinctive architecture, cuisine, language and festivals for example the Beer & sausage and the Polka Dance Festival.

San Antonio , is really the most historic city in the State and popular for its natural beauty.

Houston is an enormous port and city with a population passing 2 million souls and synonymous with all Space Exploration and Mission Control, and the Petrochemical Industry. It has much more for the tourist to appreciate, with some of the Worlds finest Art Museums – paintings by the European masters, 20th Century American masters, Ancient and Mediaeval art of the Mediterranean, Africa, and Pacific Northwest, Byzantine Frescos, Greek, Roman and American sculptures, Artifacts, Furniture collections, Decorative Arts, Ceramics and textiles. Unbelievable collections ‘to perve over’! Montrose district has a varietal cultural collection of galleries, shops, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants and a popular ‘strolling area’. 34km SE is the ‘Tallest Monument in the World’, with museum and theater at its base.

Galveston has many tourist attractions depicting her exotic past of Pirates and Victorian splendor, but mostly its past and present day attraction remains as one of the most popular Resort Cities on the Gulf of Mexico. The Island city has miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches and incredible modern entertainment facilities of water park pools, ten stories Rainforest pyramid and massive aquariums.
Corpus Christi is the deepest commercial port in the State and therefore a strong maritime, military and waterfront presence with the State Aquarium of rare sea animals. The Island State Park has many miles of sandy beaches and modern condominium resorts.

Laredo on the north bank of the Rio Grande River is known as ‘the gateway to Mexico’. The Mexican and Border cultural influence is very apparent in well preserved buildings and museum which traces the cities history with ‘six different national flags’. The undoubted tourist attraction starts with the 200 mile Rio Grande Valley to the Gulf, with a strong agricultural, rural and commercial mix and nature sanctuary park.

Fort Davis deserves a visit to cool off in summer in the highlands, visit the National Historic Fort site or see the stars from the Observatory’s, world’s largest (430inch) spectroscope.

El Paso was known for its safest crossing of the Rio Grande River to Mexico, still has its original and oldest Catholic Missions in the state, an international community and a small national park with a 2,9km perimeter walking trail.

Lubbock a mix of Cattle Ranching country, Technical University and Cotton growing is also famed for its great ‘production’ of musical prodigies, like Buddy Holly and many others enshrined in the museum.

Canyon ’s name is self explanatory. The nearby State Park is also known as the ‘Grand canyon of Texas’. It also houses the largest Historical Museum of geology, paleontology and petroleum in the State, West Texas A&M University and nearby preserved, Pioneer Town.

Amarillo, although a town of great commercial diversity, has some unique attractions. Situated on the legendary and major Route 66 that crosses the country from Chicago to Los Angeles it has the Cattleman’s tradition encompassed in the Livestock Auction, strange sights at ‘The Cadillac Ranch’.

Abilene once a notorious Wild West town is now more settled as “Buckle of the Bible Belt”, with a number of Christian Colleges, The Historical Village with Indian artifacts and Frontier weapons collection.

The major Annual Events are:

• the Kerrville Folk Festival at the end of May
• the Texas State Fair in October
• Confederate Heroes day
• Emancipation Day
• Lyndon Johnson’s Birthday on August 27th.

Others include; Family camp-0ut, Playing with Time, Rodeo and Old Settlers reunion, Annual Taste of Dallas, Balloon race, water Carnival, Harvest weekends, Yesteryear festival, Roundup Rodeo, Water Carnival, Chili Pepper & Salsa Festival, Beachcombers Fine Arts show, Overland & Stagecoach Festival, Grape Stomp, Liberty Opry, Fly-in & Lions Club Breakfast, Pioneer Days fest., Open weekend – Davis Mount Preserve, Texas Ranch Roundup, Center City Block party, Bat Fest, Greek Fest, LBJ’s Birthday and Margarita & Salsa Festival.

Texans pride themselves on being, doing and thinking big, the Big ‘Lone Star State’ with Cowboy Culture, their own big ‘Grand Canyon’, vast Landscape, Ranches and NASA – ‘Reaching for Space’, all with good justification. A visit will fill you with wonder at the reality of diversity and enormity of it all.

PENNSYLVANIA is American history, natural beauty, and many forms of recreation combined. Apart from the main cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, most of the state is rural, dairy and produce farms flanked by forests, waterways and small towns. Winter skiing in the Pocono and Camelback mountains and Hidden Valley draw tourists from afar, New York and the Mid Atlantic Region. Famous for its unique celebration of ‘Groundhog Day,’- a mystical spring celebration on 2nd February.

Gettysburg is a small town with a big history. Its claim to fame is the civil war battles and memorials to the slaughter on the battlefields. The cemetery, military park and the cyclorama, a giant circular mural, pays homage to 6 000 Confederate soldiers killed or wounded.

Lancaster is a quaint market town serving thousands of ‘Amish farms’ in the neighborhood. The museum has a large outdoor collection, which focuses on the states rural and German heritage. The Ephrata Cloister symbolizes the early medieval austere communal lifestyle.

Hershey maintains a mouth watering history of chocolate making. The factory is open to visitors who are rewarded with a free chocolate at the end of the tour. (No doubt to avoid a riot)! The amusement park offers about 80 different rides to thrill visiting tourists.

York is now famous for its Harley-Davidson motorcycle plant, covered farmers markets and inexpensive restaurants.

Reading is a place to ‘shop till you drop’ with almost a hundred discount stores of famous brand names. The Reading Pagoda is modeled after a Japanese ‘Shogun’ castle and the surrounding cherry trees have walking trails. The fascinating Doll Museum has from ancient Egyptian to modern American collections.

Pittsburgh once the giant of steel, food processing and electrical production has become a tourist, cultural and learning center. Endowments by industrialists like Andrew Carnegie have left behind the magnificent Museum of Art with a wide range of Classical Greek, Egyptian, Impressionist, Post Impressionist and American art, Architecture, Natural History and Interactive Science Center. The University is housed in the 42 storey ‘Cathedral of Learning’. American Pop Museum, celebrates its son, Andy Warhol and the Amusement Park offers thrilling rides, stunts and a 1926 hand carved carousel ride.

Places of interest to visit are the:

• Longwood Gardens in the Brandy-wine valley, with thousands of plant varieties, topiaries and a children’s garden. The buildings are engineering marvels but the fabulous fountains that erupt above the treetops are often music events venues.

• The Laurel Highlands where the plant covers ridges, mountains and canyons, and the two nearby State Parks offer white water rafting, hiking, biking and skiing.

• Western Amish Country is a patchwork of farms, parks and villages, huge Dam with locks, historical mill, and manmade Lake Arthur.

• The Great Lakes Region is known to locals as one of the finest, if distant, regions for all around entertainment. Golfing, arts & culture, family events and entertainment, wineries, amusements and superb dining and naturally a plethora of water sports have their dedicated followers.

Festivals are part of the ‘state culture’ and Pennsylvania has its unique Groundhog Day celebration (When that little critter stops hibernating and sticks out its head). Gettysburg Celebration from 19-29th June is another, with more than 60 arts events and 2 Orchestras and 20 Bands entertainments. Then, there are Harvest Time fests , autumn, Foliage, Spring Farmers Fairs and Arts fests, and summertime fests throughout the State, Winter brings with it the celebrations of Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza and Ice festivals.  Heritage Days are celebrated with Folk Fests, Family Days & Events, Civil war, Revolution, Railroad, and Steel & Iron. Never a dull moment needed!

OKLAHOMA state is a vast interstate crossroads of, prairie land where mesas merge with forested mountains and flatland wheat fields. With the largest Native American population and still active oilfields, it nevertheless offers an exciting tourist destination. Birthplace of such actors as John Wayne, who made the State famous for its ‘Western Culture’ it, provides a fascinating exploration into the past and the present. As a region of extremes with hot summers and cold winters and part of ‘Tornado Alley’, yet it has some of the most vivid prairie scenery with colorful wildflowers in May and September while autumn colors in October make scenic drives in the Ozark Mountains a visual delight.

From the pine forests of southeastern Oklahoma to the spectacular mesas of the Panhandle, and from the northeastern lakes and forests to the rugged mountains of the southwest, you are surrounded by Oklahoma’s natural wonders. Oklahoma’s proliferation of State Parks (50), offers a great variety of experience to Campers, Lodgers and even Golfers. Most are situated on lakes and offer water sports, hiking, biking, fishing and some even caving and dune bashing. The cities and towns offer historical, cultural and modern entertainment from the exotic to the most sophisticated venues.

Bartlesville is still a major ‘Oil Town’ but oil barons have left behind enduring attractions like picturesque ranches, with art, wildlife preserve and American Heritage center and a vast Prairie preserve stocked with bison and blazing wildflowers.

Tulsa , once a railroad town is still a major oil center, it has many nearby attractions for outdoor enthusiasts and tourists, with art museum and beautiful parks and University grounds.
Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee nation, lies at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. Its heritage center with historical village and museum chronicle the tribes troubled past.

Oklahoma City the State Capital ‘was built in a day’ during the original oil and land rush. Today it is a sophisticated city of museums to those eras to ‘Buffalo Bill, John Wayne and Indian Folk lore’ and Western Art and memorial to tragic 1995 bombing of Federal Building.

Events – Children’s, Theater, Festival, Golf, Historical Reenactments, Musical, Holiday, Nature and Recreational dominate the calendar, daily, weekly, monthly and annually. June has most fishing competitions; July has recreational, kids and nature celebrations. August has nature, dog days, music and more kid’s festivals. September has many recreational, kids, nature, music and historical festivals. October has national days, kids’ entertainment, and nature and party entertainments. November has western music, Historical reenactments, and festival, nature and holiday lights. December has many Christmas celebrations and recreational programs. January starts the New Year with Blue Grass festival of music and ‘Deer Antler Shed’ – nature program. February – with more nature, music and recreational celebrations. March with – many nature, spring and children’s events. April with – many children’s’ Easter, volunteer, nature and recreational events. May brings the cycle round with a large number of events such as car shows, fishing, memorial, nature and recreational days.

See the Official State Song of Oklahoma for inspiration, it’s a gas!