Home of the late King, and his final resting place, his beautiful home of Graceland gives an insight into how the man lived when not on stage.  From the beautiful entrance to the famous Jungle Room, Graceland is everything you imagine it to be. 

Tours of Graceland start across the road from the grounds themselves.  Here you will find everything Elvis from the tacky to the collectible.  From record stores to museums housing Elvis memorabilia such as his collection of cars, and the Lisa Marie, his private jet, there’s bound to be something that will tempt you into parting with your dollars.  One of the simplest mementos is to send a postcard home from the Graceland post office, this will have a Graceland postmark on it and so becomes an instant souvenir.   Your ticket into Graceland doesn’t usually include admittance to the other Elvis museums so if you want to see “everything” be prepared to pay for it.

One Graceland attraction that’s free to tourists is the sight of those famous musically decorated gates.  Which Elvis fan can forget the fans that lined up hoping to get a glimpse of what was happening on the days immediately following his death?  As the bus that takes you across to the house approaches, the gates open and you are admitted into this once very private estate.

Apart from the main house, there’s also an exhibition of Elvis’s stage clothes and other personal items, including his wall of “Records”, and the grounds behind the house where Elvis is laid to rest.  Even today, many years after his death, there are fresh floral tributes regularly sent to the estate by various Elvis fan clubs and associations and which are put on display.

Graceland is a home where a King once ruled, but even though his body may have long since past, his presence amidst the contrasting beauty and garishness is still felt today.  If you’re an Elvis fan, this is one place you must see if you’re in the Memphis area!

The Grand Canyon National Park was one of America’s first National Parks, and it’s one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations with visitors from across the world being inspired by its breathtaking beauty every day.  The Canyon, which the Colorado River has cut through the gorge, is approximately 275 miles long and between a quarter of a mile to 15 miles wide (average is approximately 10 miles), depending on where you are standing.  It’s also about a mile deep which means that it’s a challenge that many people enjoy to hike (or ride) down into the gorge. 

There are two different sides of the Grand Canyon, the more tourist orientated South Rim which is open year around, and the more secluded North Rim which is closed during the winter season.  On the South Rim, there are many opportunities for learning about the Canyon, and ways of experiencing it first hand – whether a bus tour around the rim stopping at observation points to for photo opportunities, hiking down the trails, rafting along the river, or even taking a flight through the gorge.  On the North Rim however, you will find the Grand Canyon more fiercely guarded against the trapping of commercialism, with most of the thrills coming from the light patterns on the Canyon walls as day turns into night. 

The South Rim has wheelchairs available for visitors, and many of the areas/facilities – although not the shuttle buses (anyone requiring a shuttle bus with wheelchair access should call the day before they visit the Grand Canyon to ensure one will be running the next day as these are operated on an “on demand” basis) – are wheelchair/mobility impaired accessible although assistance may be required. 

Accommodation is limited in the Grand Canyon, especially on the North Rim so if you intend to stay overnight in the park to experience both a sunset and a sunrise be sure to make a reservation far in advance of your vacation period. 

Whether you prefer the South Rim with its array of opportunities and challenges for experiencing the Canyon, or the more solitary and intimate “back to nature” atmosphere of the North Rim, the magnitude of the Grand Canyon is an forgettable experience.

Anyone visiting California who is even remotely interested in movies and celebrities can’t fail include a visit to Hollywood Boulevard on their itinerary of holiday activities.  But the reality of what Hollywood Boulevard falls quite a long way short of most people’s expectations.  The main problem is that when people think about this famous location, they immediately associate it with the glamour of the celebrities whose stars adorn the footpath.  They don’t associate the area with the movie industry work place where make up, costumes and scenery take shape.  That’s not to say that you won’t bump into a celebrity on the Boulevard, it’s just that if they are in their “street” clothes as opposed to their celebrity uniform that adorns magazine covers, you might not recognize them!

Over the years Hollywood Boulevard has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair, but more recently the area has started to be transformed once again so that there are now a number of things for tourists to do.  One of the more fun things is a look around Fredericks of Hollywood’s Lingerie Museum.   Here you’ll find an exhibition of undergarments that have been worn throughout the ages, as well as some more modern examples that have been worn by some of Hollywood’s familiar faces.  For those who are interested in television sets, a tour around the Hollywood Entertainment Museum will reveal familiar sets from shows such as the X-files, and Cheers.   If you go to Hollywood Boulevard for the purpose of having your photo taken next to your favorite actor’s “star”, then you will probably find it saves you quite a bit of time if you buy a map which tells you where each celebrity “star” is located.

There is still a touch of old style glamour on Hollywood Boulevard however.  No trip to this area would be complete without a visit to the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.  You’ll need to get there early to make sure you get a ticket to go inside, but once you’re in, it won’t matter what you thought of the Boulevard itself – the charm of the theatre is everything a movie lover could hope to find, and more!

At one time Las Vegas was little more than a tiny town in the desert, then came the boom time of the big casinos and the reputation of being a fun place to visit began to grow.  Today, many of those original big casinos that once boasted performers such as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, have been torn down and in their place stand entertainment complexes that are part hotel, and part theme park. 

Today the Las Vegas strip is a strange place by day; an imposing array of awkward looking high storey hotels on either side of the road.  But as the ugly ducking transformed into a swan, these buildings transform into a magical land of colored lights and fancy special effects once darkness falls.  Each of the main hotels has it’s own signature and often these are programmed to run at set times every night, so check with your hotel concierge if they have a list of the times – or visit the websites for each hotel prior to starting your vacation.

As the best time to see the strip is after dark, keep the daylight for taking part in the various other activities such as shopping, museums (such as Liberace’s), and even taking a peek in one of the famous wedding chapels, but make sure you save most of your energy for once the sun goes down and Vegas really comes to life.

Gambling at Vegas is almost mandatory – not by the establishments, but by human nature!  To make sure you get home in one piece, set a limit to how much you can afford to lose in any one night, and don’t go over that amount.  Pace your budget by taking in a dinner show at one of the hotels – check the local listings to see who’s appearing where during your vacation, then ask your hotel reception if they can get you tickets.

Las Vegas is more than just casinos, but if you enjoy bright lights, cabaret and the sound of poker chips being restacked, then there’s no better place to spend your vacation.

Located near Keystone, South Dakota, is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  Originally commissioned as a way of encouraging more visitors to an area where the local economy needs tourists, the 18m sculpture was started in 1927 and completed in 1947.  The memorial depicts facial likenesses of past Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, and is responsible for bringing around 2 million visitors to the Dakota area each year. 

Although there doesn’t outwardly appear to be much to keep visitors at the area for a day,  be prepared to spend a while there as Mount Rushmore is more than just a historical carving in the face of a mountain.  During the day, take advantage of the beautiful area to do some hiking or biking.  There’s plenty of wildlife in the Black Hills area to provide photograph opportunities and excite younger members of the family.  If it’s a hot day, cool off a little in the Lincoln Borglum Museum which shows a 13 minute movie about Mount Rushmore.  Afterwards take a stroll along the Presidential Trail which begins at the Grandview Terrace (above the theatre), which is one of the best viewing areas of the memorial, and ends at the Sculptor’s Studio.  Here you can learn more about the process involved with creating a memorial on such a huge scale.  If you have children in your party, there’s also a children’s program led by a ranger which lasts about a half an hour, but they must be accompanied by parents.

Once dusk falls the rangers lead a evening lighting ceremony.  This is held in the amphitheatre and is more information about how the sculpture was created.  Immediately following the presentation, Mount Rushmore is illuminated and remains lit for two hours. 

If you only have a few hours to spend, then try to organize your visit so that you not only enjoy the memorial in sunlight, but also can experience the magic of seeing the huge sculpture illuminated against the dark evening sky.

Denver, Colorado, is one of America’s most beautiful cities.  It’s also a city where within minutes you aren’t just out in the suburbs, you are out in the mountains in the middle of nowhere!  This city of strong contrasts is a great place to spend a vacation as it has something to offer everyone from the very young to the not so young. 

The fact that gold is the foundation on which Denver was built is very much in evidence around the city with various landmarks being the product of the gold boom era – from the house in which Molly Brown lived (now a museum that recounts her rags to riches story through narration and artifacts), to the cathedral that she helped finance with the money made from the gold her husband discovered in his mine.

The capitol building is a beautiful piece of architecture but if you have enough energy to walk up to the top of it’s dome, you’ll be rewarded by being able to stand on the spot where Denver’s “mile high” city nickname originates – you’ll be standing one mile above sea level.  The view from the top is well worth the climb!

Most cities have malls; Denver takes it that one step further.  The 16^th Street Mall is a mile long, and even has its own shuttle bus to transport you up and down as you shop.  The mall isn’t closed in as most malls are, and with cafes and fountains it’s a great place to sit outside and people watch in the afternoon.

Home to the Denver mint (no samples given), Denver museum has a dinosaur skeleton as one of it’s major exhibits and if the weather isn’t playing nice, the Children’s Museum of Denver is a fun place to take the kids until the sun comes out again.   When the weather changes, the Denver zoo and Six Flags Amusement Park will help keep boredom at bay!

Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, thrills or the natural environment, you’ll be sure to find it in Denver.

Nestled, on the eastern edge of South Carolina, lie the beautiful sand of Myrtle Beach.  Here you’ll be sure to have a vacation that will suit the entire family.  Whether you prefer to camp or stay in a resort type hotel, there’s accommodation to suit everyone and activities that will ensure that everyone has something to do that they love.

For the kids, the beach is the place to be.  Here they’ll enjoy clean beaches that reach down into the Atlantic Ocean, some of the beaches have entertainment so it’s just a matter of finding the one that fits your kids the best, then you can settle down to relax whilst they play.   Once they’ve had enough sand and sea for the day, you can take them into the shopping areas.  Myrtle Beach is home to a number of retail outlet malls offering bargains to take home as your vacation souvenirs.

Apart from the sand, Myrtle Beach has something else in abundance – golf courses!  It’s difficult to go anywhere in the Myrtle Beach area without driving past a golfing green.  There are golf courses to suit every kind of player from beginner to tournament standard, so whatever your handicap, you’re sure to find a game somewhere. 

Once the sun goes down, tourists in Myrtle Beach can turn their attention to the nightlife of the area.  As with many tourist dominated locations, there are a number of dinner shows that are sure to leave a lasting memory with the whole family – whether it’s a musical extravaganze at the Carolina Opry, or the Alabama Theatre, or a four course feast and floor show at the Dixie Stampede, you’re bound to return to your accommodation with some familiar tunes in your head. 

Myrtle Beach is a great old fashioned holiday for the entire family, so if you haven’t decided where to go on your next family vacation, this could be the perfect choice.

In a city where there’s so much to see, you need to plan your visit carefully to make the most of the time you have available.  If you have any interest in flight and/or space travel, then one of the must do items on your Washington DC itinerary is a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.  Even those with little more than a passing interest will find themselves caught up in the magic of space travel when they come face to face with aircraft that have actually been into space or are able to touch a rock that once belonged on the moon. 

Many of the exhibits at this museum, which has no obligatory entry fee, are either the real artefacts that went into the air or space, or are the back-up ones which would have went on the missions had the first equipment failed.  There are two main areas to the museum, the National Mall Building, and the newer  Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. 

In the National Mall Building you can find exhibits as historically diverse as “The Spirit of St Louis” in which Charles Lindbergh made the first transatlantic solo flight, and the Apollo 11 Command module.  The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is home to items such as the Enola Gay, and the space shuttle “Enterprise” (you can find the original filming model of the starship USS Enterprise in the lower level of the museum gift store!). 

With hands on teaching exhibits on such subjects as planetary science, as well as the artefacts, the National Air and Museum is not only interesting to adults who have lived through many of the flight achievement firsts noted at the museum, but it’s also educational and fun for kids, making it a perfect family destination.

Orlando, Florida’s Epcot is a tourist attraction that will take a full day to explore, but if you want to sample all of the rides and exhibits, you have a multi-park ticket and find a spare half-day on your hands, then you may find you need to come back to Epcot to “finish off” what you don’t manage to see the first time – this is especially true in summer where queues for some exhibits can be quite long.

Split into two main sections Epcot consists of “Future World” and “World Showcase”.  These two sections are then fragmented into different individual exhibits on all a theme which fits the overall theme of the section.  

Future World is divided up into sections such as Spaceship Earth which is about the history of communication and technologies, Innovations with its interactive technological exhibits, Test Track a high speed ride on an automotive factory testing grounds, Universe of Energy which shows how to generate energy and the Land and Seas Exhibitions where the attractions give fun ways of learning about our natural environment both on land and in the sea.  Space enthusiasts will love with Mission: SPACE ride which simulates space program training!

In the World Showcase you can travel around the world in as little time as you have available.  Each of the countries in the showcase has a interactive exhibit, a gift store selling produce and goods from the country, and food/drink traditional to that part of the world.  Some of the exhibits are more fact (such as the 360 Circle Vision movies for Canada and China) than fun (such as Norway’s Maelstrom boat ride, and America’s audio-animatronics American Adventure), but there’s something for everyone – and none of the rides in the exhibits are wild, making them good for all age groups. 

Refreshments in Epcot are expensive, but apart from that, Epcot is a tourist attraction that’s primarily entertaining, but which also educates in a fun way at the same time, making it a great place to bring the kids to learn about the world in which they live.

As the 3^rd largest national park in America, the 1.6 million square miles of the Everglades National Park is teeming with natural beauty.  Its swamplands are as familiar a sight as the alligators and airboats used to promote the area.  The ecosystem of the park is what draws many of the visitors here.  Although there’s plenty of waterways, swimming isn’t an option because of the unfriendly wildlife who live there, but canoeing is one way of enjoying the water from the relative safety of a vessel. 

There are guided tours around the park by staff who will talk about the wildlife of the park, and the various sites to see within it.  These tours can be on foot, or by a regular tram, or even by boat – obviously one of the best ways to see the Everglades which are noted for their grasses which grow up through the shallow waters in much of the park. 

As with most nature reserve/national parks personal safety must be your priority in the Everglades.  This isn’t a superficial theme park.  The wildlife here is real, the teeth are real, and they do bite!  If you take children, especially younger children, make sure that they are aware of the dangers and that they must listen to what people tell them.  This is even more important if you take them out on a boat tour where they must sit still and not trail their hands in the water. 

The Everglades is one of the most astounding national parks in the US, one which is unrivalled as far as it’s particular brand of natural wildlife and scenery is concerned, but it’s also a place where safety is vital – so read the warnings carefully, keep to the rules of the park as told to you by the park staff, and you’ll have an unforgettable time for all the right reasons – oh and don’t forget the mosquito spray!