Explore The United States of America

West Virginia, the ‘Mountain State’ 0ffers all you will want to experience on a mountain and river adventure holiday. Within the magnificent Appalachian Mountains, forests and wilderness areas lay six major rivers, forest trails, Sulphur Springs, State and Historical Parks. The mountains are full of Spa and Gaming Resorts and with horse and dog racing, golfing and skiing for the enthusiasts. Appalachian Bluegrass and Mountain Music and Dancing are unique to the State.

The National Forests on the eastern part of the state lies deep within the Allegheny Mountains, part of the long Appalachian range. Its also part of five federally designated wilderness areas. The flora is of rhododendron, black cherry, highland bogs, and blueberry thickets and the fauna consists of black bear, white tailed deer, bobcat, otter mink and many other species. The forest trails attract, hikers, horseback riders, rock climbers, bikers, river rafters and kayakers and in winter, cross country skiers and steam train enthusiasts.

The New River Gorge attracts white water adventures down fifty miles of rapids, and hikers for panoramic views over the canyon’s rims, an aerial tram and boat rides in the summer. An Amtrak connection from the town of Hilton gives access to this wilderness.

Harpers Ferry nestles between the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, with 19^th century clapboard storefronts still clinging to the hillside, along with John Browne’s Fort and several historical homes. The famous Appalachian Trail runs through the village and the Amtrak train connection is just an hour’s ride from Washington, DC.

West Virginia is known for its fine woodworking, quilting, basketry, crafts and traditional Appalachian music and dancing, but the verdant forests, rugged peaks, fast rivers within the wilderness are the ‘medicine’ to the over worked and over stressed, seeking solace, exercise and peaceful nature to ‘revive the soul’. Cheers! I’m on my way – see you there? Or next month, maybe!

WYOMING is classic Cowboy Country with wide open grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see. Its treasures that attract millions of tourists are in the north-west corner of the state -The Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Historically the home of Buffalo Bill Cody, symbol of the American West and the museum housing artifacts, it still holds the nations longest continuous rodeo, between late June and August.

Grand Teton National Park has the youngest peaks in the Rocky mountains, the sharpest and most dramatic in the world, the snow covered peaks rising a mile above the Snake River Valley. Miles of hiking trails lead to the glaciers and lakes of the area. In summer boaters and kayakers take to the rivers and power boats and canoes to the leisurely lake cruises. Skiers’ take to the wilderness trails in winter. Abundant wildlife like bison, bears, elk and many smaller species surprise visitors and offer fabulous photo opportunities. Not to be missed are the fall colors with the backdrop of the snow covered Grand Tetons, for an unforgettable photograph.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the natural marvels of the world. Spreading across the three states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, its heart is on a volcanic plateau at 8,000 feet with over 10,000 hot springs and geysers. One of the most well known geysers, the spectacular, ‘Old Faithful’, spurts 120-180 feet into the air, lasting 2-5 minutes. The hundreds of Mammoth Hot Springs bubble up forming pools of colored mineral-rich water forming marble-like curtains over the stone terraces. The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the worlds largest at 370 feet wide and with beautiful rainbow colored warm waters. Its own ‘Grand Canyon’ offers fantastic views as the river plunges 500 feet over a series of falls, through the mineral rich yellow and orange  rock.

The Bighorn Mountains stand on the western edge of the plains of the Powder River Basin. The 13,175Foot Cloud Peak towers over the scenic highways. The historic, enigmatic and sacred Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ is an 80 foot diameter stone wheel and offers a vast panoramic scene from its 10,000 foot elevation.

Devils Tower National Monument, a flat topped volcanic peak rising 1,200 feet above the surrounding plains, is a geological landmark, a sacred Native American site, and a magnet for rock climbers and hikers.

Cheyenne the State Capital is the largest city in the area and hosts the 10 days ‘Cheyenne Frontier Festival’ every summer, with parades, Indian pow-wows, horse races and the worlds largest out door rodeo, Cowboy statues and Frontier Museum – with hundreds of antique saddles, coaches and wagons. Downtown is the stately Capitol Building and restored Union Pacific Depot. West is the Warren Air Force Base – command center of the US, ICBM arsenal of missiles.

Cody was founded by ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody of ‘Wild West’ shows fame, a household name in early entertainment, who travelled bringing his ‘Symbol of America’ to audiences around the world. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center complex of galleries traces the natural, cultural and military history of the Wild West. The Cody Night Rodeo is the nation’s longest running rodeo. Wild Bill set the precedent of world wide entertainment that has been followed by countless American entertainers since.

Jackson is probably Wyoming’s most visited city because of its proximity to the National Parks and Ski Resorts (famed – Jackson Hole), Dude Ranches, Wild West reenactments and Wildlife of the National Elk Reserve.

Casper is still the center of the State’s Petroleum Industry but holds much interest for the tourist in the Fort Casper Museum on the ‘Oregon Trail’, and the proximity of the ‘Badlands’ with legendary ‘Hole in the Wall’ outlaws hideouts and ‘Hells Acre’ – a weirdly eroded forest.

Guernsey is another small town set alongside the “Oregon Trail’ with historic sites of 4-6 foot ruts carved out by the pioneer’s wagons and ‘Register Cliff’ inscribed with hundreds of names of explorers, trappers and pioneers in the 1800’s. The most important is the ‘Fort Laramie’ site which has been restored and reenactments with costumed interpreters bring its history back to life.

Laramie is home to the State University, with a youthful vitality and cultural sites like Art Museum – documenting Wyoming history and culture, First Prison – where notorious outlaws were incarcerated, and a recreated frontier town. Scenic drives of Lincoln Highway and Medicine Bow Mountains.

Events – The month of July and August hosts 191 events alone – From Rodeo, Musical Fests, County Fairs, BMX race, Wildlife, Senior Summer Olympics, Concerts and Farmers Markets not to mention all the other National, State, County and town events. Not to miss the best – Do come prepared for a long, long stay!

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.

TENNESSEE State can be called the ‘Music State’ for it’s the great contribution to American roots music, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Blues, Rock n’ Roll and Soul. Tennessee consists of three distinct regions:

• The Mississippi lowlands with Memphis the focal city,
• The central Blue Ridge plateau with the capital, Nashville,
• The Appalachian mountains in the east with Knoxville as its base.

The Great Smokey Mountains have some of the highest peaks in the east and draws over ten million visitors per year. Half of the National Park is in neighboring North Carolina. Famed for its incredible flowering plant diversity and hardwood forests, spruce fir, Rhododendron and mountain laurel. The forest produces honeysuckle vines for basketry, hardwoods for carving and musical instruments, wild berries and fruits, medicinal plants and harbors much wild game.  Adventure tourists delight in the hiking, biking, horse riding, fishing and white water rafting. Hiking trails lead past scenic waterfalls, panoramic views, log cabin sites, rushing rivers and towering peaks.

Chattanooga city riding on the banks of the Tennessee River nestles between several high plateau, ridges and mountains retains its famed ‘Ross’s Landing’, now an area of entertainments, natural museum, aquarium and Imax theatre. Nearby are reenactments of battles by miniature soldiers on large boards. The mountain incline railway climbs the lookout mountain to the crest for a panoramic view. Battlefield sites on the slopes of the steep plateau, Ruby Falls and Caves and Rock City gardens inspire awe and inspiration.

Nashville – Tennessee is renown for its music, state capital, and university and as a financial center. Downtown is the famous auditorium – setting for live shows, convention and entertainment centers, reconstructed river fort, and ‘The District’ of – restaurants, cafés and nightclubs. Other sites of interest are; The State Museum – covering history, decorative arts, and biographical exhibits to past heroes’. East of downtown is ‘Music valley’s’ radio show, where all the famous musicians perform from time to time, Oprey Museum, Oprey Mall and fabulous Oprey Hotel.

A few miles away the Belle Mead Plantation and mansion takes one back into the splendor of the 1800’s antebellum estates, with guides in period costume and live summer concerts in the spacious grounds. The Hermitage estate, home of Andrew Jackson is open to visitors who admire the distinguished military leader, politician and seventh President of the USA. Southwest lie the forested Indian trails of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Memphis is synonymous with music of blues and rock ‘n roll, and the ‘evergreen’ Elvis Presley – celebrated in annual festivals of music. Music studios, monuments, unique museums, parks, statues, and evocative sites to civil rights leader – Martin Luther King, and of course the famous estate, Graceland – with the great entertainers fine home, artifacts, personal effects and grave. Do not miss Rev. Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church for an electric service!

Western Tennessee has over fourteen State Parks, Historical and Natural sites and Places of Interest to visit.

Middle Tennessee has over thirty two State Parks, historical and natural sites, places of interest and even an Elephant Park.

Eastern Tennessee has over thirty five great attractions where to choose outdoor activities, educational or restful relaxation.

RHODE ISLAND is the smallest state, known as the Ocean State yet it has woodlands, craggy coastline beaches and islets, excellent for walking and camping. Historically the New England area is the ‘birthplace of America’. Fine mansions of bygone era still exist to add charm to the state and monuments to the tumultuous, cultural and literary past abound.

Providence is the capital and its magnificent State House with white marble dome, is capped with a bronze statue called ‘independent man’. The city has an interesting blend of modern and historic buildings, marinas, museums and mansions, parks with great outdoor and indoor entertainment and modern zoo and one of the most prestigious University Colleges with a beautiful campus to explore.

Newport is also known for its fine mansions, military maritime culture for over 300 years and huge sailing interest. ‘The Breakers’, summer home to railway magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt is one of the finest neo- classical Italian mansions anywhere to be seen. The Synagogue, Historical Museum, Tavern, and outdoors, Fort Adams State Park has sporting facilities for swimming, Jazz festivals, collections of luxury yachts and marina, and a five and a half kilometer national recreation trail.

Southwest are a hundred miles of pristine beaches, tidal pools, coves, surfers and boaters and an amusement park.

Off the coast is Block Island , a great destination for outdoor activity. Hiking, swimming, surfing, Kyaking fishing, sailing or on land bird watching, angling, horse riding or a driving tour to view all the attractions.

Special Events calendar is full all year round, with about one hundred events in any given month. There are Music, Visual arts, Theater, Dance, Film & television, Spectator Sports and Special Interest (Historical, National, State and local).

All that you could ask for is available to make your visit memorable and enjoyable.

NEW YORK STATE covers a very large area, from the coastal Long Island to the Canadian border and west to the Great lakes. The northern mountains of the Adirondacks range are the source of the Hudson River which flows all the way to New York harbor. Long Island has many miles of beaches, farmland and suburbs while the north has towns, cities and more farmland. Sharing the border with Canada is the famous Niagara Falls that lures over ten million visitors per year.

State Capital Albany at the most northerly point of the Hudson River has one of the most delightful architectural gems in the Capitol Building, a combination of Italian and French Renaissance and Roman stairways, arches, ornate chambers decorated with pink and yellow marble, red granite, stained glass, onyx and mahogany. As a government, cultural and railway center Albany still holds its own as a tourist and business destination.

Saratoga Springs is still famous for its healing waters, best of horse racing and historical parks.

Cooperstown is the legendary birthplace of baseball and plays homage with a museum to the baseball legends in it s hall of fame.

Syracuse grew as a result of the Erie Canal development in the early 18oo’s. Today it houses a museum and the Landmark Theater to remember that early development. A magnificent museum of arts has a remarkable varied collection from ancient Asian to modern American.

Rochester is a charming city of museums, parklands, 18th to 20th century architecture, one dedicated to the founder of Eastman Kodak, now an International Museum of Photography.

Buffalo prospered as a terminus on the Erie Canal. Places of interest are also the County Historical Society in the old Pavilion, and the Art Gallery overlooking the beautiful Delaware park and a museum to ‘America’s favorite dessert’.

Niagara Falls is a natural wonder to behold. Situated on the border with Canada, this majestic horseshoe shaped falls draws over ten million visitors per year.

For those who love the outdoors there are the magnificent Adirondack Mountains, 176 State Parks, rivers, streams, canals, lakes and beaches. Camping, hunting, sea and fresh water fishing, hiking and climbing, skiing, boating, wildlife refuges and zoos, and of course Golf, from par 3 to professional standard, from private to Municipal to Resorts courses, all for the active participant.

For those seeking more leisurely activities, sightseeing, amusement parks, casinos, vineyards, breweries, farms and festivals, culinary and gourmet centers and restaurants of all specialties and delights abound. Spectator Sports like, Football, baseball, basket ball, hockey, horse racing and any form of ‘wheeled’ racing you can imagine.

New York City and New York State have a symbiotic relationship of urban and rural combination that offers you a remarkable range of choice of the best of both worlds.

NEVADA’s natural attractions are overshadowed by the huge gambling and associated tourism industry. Since the early gold rush when huge amounts of gold and silver were discovered about 1860. People of all persuasions flocked to the South West in search of natures riches. What was left behind were ‘Wild West’ legacies that are today glamorized versions of the truth, encapsulated in the Gambling and Entertainment of arguably the world’s greatest adult entertainment cities, Las Vegas.

The ‘Las Vegas Strip’ is undoubtedly a modern wonderland of Themed Hotels each with its own unique identity, attractions and of course a casino. Fantasy and recreations of other areas of the world abound, from ancient  Egypt, Roman, Asian, to  New York, Paris, French Riviera, Venetian, Volcanic , Birds,  Film, Mediaeval,  Tropical, Desert to name but a few. Theme Parks and some of the worlds best Golf Courses and Shopping Malls, Museums and Wedding Chapels add to the variety. The magical nightlights bring the ‘Neon Strip’ of some 6km to a blaze of fantastical atmosphere of contrasts. The older ‘downtown’ parts of the city nightlife have also been regenerated as Freemont Street has been revitalized to retain the ‘old style Vegas’ and converted to a huge 5km covered walkway and pedestrian mall with fantastic light and sound shows. Museums to Natural History, Archaeology, Famous Musicians and Entertainers offer fascinating insights into the past.

Outside of Las Vegas are many natural, man-made and cultural attractions that make this state such a varied tourist attraction that draws over 37 million visitors annually. The Hoover Dam built in 1935 gives life to the states of Nevada, Arizona and California with both water and electricity. An engineering marvel itself it provides a huge reservoir on the Colorado River and is a tourist attraction of its own. This creation of Lake Mead (the largest in the US) encouraged forests, fauna and fauna, new marinas, beaches, water sports, swimming and fishing. Nearby(90km), Valley of Fire State Park with its strange Red Stone Formations also has prehistoric rock carvings (Petroglyphs)and hiking trails and closer Red Rock canyon. The Great Basin National Park on the border of Utah is reached by ‘The loneliest road in America’, with the towering peak of Mt. Wheeler and the Limestone Caves, forests, lakes and fabulous Scenic Drives draw visitors, campers and hikers who enjoy the immense solitude.

Capital, Carson City (of Kit Carson fame), still has some of its original casinos, fine historical museums to railroad, mining, minting and natural history.

Virginia City was known for its proximity to the Comstock Lode, one of the worlds richest gold and silver deposits at the time. Today it’s filled with historic Museums, sights, fine views, themed Wild West saloons, souvenir shops and landmark buildings.

Reno, once the premier gambling destination and ‘quickie divorce’ city, still has its casino adherents, winter and outdoor attractions at many Alpine Resorts, white water parks, fine Automobile Museum, and close by, the beautiful Lake Tahoe- one of the most popular winter and summer destinations.

Special Events are naturally filled with the best of Music, Artists, Acts, Expo’s, Film Fests, Motor Cars, Historical Reenactments, Cultural Celebrations and Displays, Jamborees, Rodeos, Concerts, National Days Celebrations, Local Food & Music Fests, BBQ’s, Arts & Culture, Golf Tournaments, Horse Shows, Car Races, Balloon, Camel and Bike races in or around the cities and towns.

This ‘Desert State’ is truly remarkable as providing the ‘Greatest Entertainment Venue’ in the USA.

NEBRASKA is still known for its vast prairies. Once the crossroads for many a trail to the goldfields and settlements California and Oregon, it now draws tourists to experience the feel of the vast plains, the Panhandle in the northwest with it s rocky outcrops and jagged canyons, historic trails and majestic scenery.
Famous historical figures of the west like Crazy Horse, the great Sioux chief, Chief Red Cloud and William ’Buffalo  Bill’ Cody have left their legacies imprinted on the culture of the state. The famed Oregon Trail also passed through the southern state area. Several state parks and national recreation areas offer tourists, trails for hikers and bikers, forts, historical sites, lakes for fishing, camping, boating and hunting.
State Capital Lincoln is the custodian if the state University, museums of fossils and Native American Artifacts, landmark legislature buildings, WW2 camps and huge Memorial Sports Stadium.

Omaha the largest city with over ¾ million, one a rough Missouri town evolved into a major railroad terminus and commercial and cultural center with art treasures of America and Europe and museums.

Nebraska’s Events boast of “so much to see and do” is borne out by its amazing variety and number of events throughout the year, literally hundreds, too numerous to specify but they cover the following:

• National &International Days,
• town, city and county events
• Theaters,
• Festivals,
• Shows,
• Celebrations,
• Exhibitions,
• Classical, Performing arts(Ballet, Orchestral &Plays),
• Arts & Crafts,
• Farmers and  Flea Markets,
• Carnivals,
• circus,
• Performances,
• Tournaments(Rodeo , Bull Riding, Wrestling),
• Concerts,
• Expo’s,
• Music and Dancing,
• Christmas,
• Churches,
• Sports (PGA Golf, Motor, Motorcycle, Cycle, Soccer, Baseball and more),
• Festivals of Spring & Autumn(fall),
• Fruit & Wine, Flowers (Orchids & Roses),
• Vegetables (Pumpkins & Mushrooms),
• Meat,
• Farmers Days and
• Charity events,
• Children’s,
• Family,
• Writers,
• Antique,
• Quilting,
• Cultural Food & Dance (Swedish, Czech, Irish & Welsh),
• Ranch Expo’s,
• Country Food Days (Turkey and Wurst),
• Memorial Days celebrations,
• Gold Rush and other Storytelling,
• Historical and legendary  Reenactments,
• Mine Tours,
• BBQ,
• Air & Military Shows,
• Flying Club Competitions,
• Marathons and Fun Runs,
• Railroad days and
• National Schooling competitions and
• Sports,
• Astronomical Shows and
• Beauty Pageants…..and more Storytelling.