Travel

Texas, also called The Lone Star State, is the second-largest state in America in regards to size and population. Over the years, it has sparked a lot of tourism from local and foreign tourists alike.

Due to its complicated history as a former province of Mexico, Texas has become a cultural melting pot with a lot of unique flavors that can cater to a wide range of tourists. From its famous barbeque to the rodeos and country music, Texas has a lot to offer and isn’t a state you can attempt to cover on one trip.

Whether you’re thinking of taking buses from Houston to Dallas, or flying at low altitudes and visiting small towns aboard a Cessna 172, this article will take you through a few ways to explore Texas without you resorting to using a car.

Guided Tours

For the tourist not willing to plan a trip on their own, guided tours are the way to go. Due to Texas having a strong ‘car culture,’ finding your way around on your own or with your family without a car could be an exhausting task. A guided tour will provide you with a schedule that encompasses your travel and accommodation.

There is the added benefit of security and comfort in numbers when traveling in a new place, sharing the experience with fellow travelers is a good way to get used to the environment. There are situations where the insider knowledge a tour guide has will help you discover hidden gems in the area.

Popular guided tours in Texas include:

• The San Antonio River Walk Cruise
• Tower of the Americas Tour
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• JFK Assassination and Museum Tour with Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House
• A Haunted Austin Walking History Tour

A couple of online searches can give you a more extensive list of the popular guided tours offered by different tourist companies.

By Bus

Traveling by bus is arguably the cheapest mode of transport on this list. Whilst it cuts into your travel time. Traveling by bus allows you to take the ‘scenic route.’ This can give you a deeper appreciation of the Texan countryside. Bus lines connect the smaller cities and the major ones. As such, there are a lot of options for bus travel.

Most bus companies offer onboard restrooms, Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and overhead storage. These features can make traveling around Texas a lot easier, especially if you’re traveling as a group. All you need to do before your trip is book tickets in advance for a smoother process.

By Train

A significant number of cities and towns in the state are linked by rail. The train service has similar rates to the bus services and offers a smoother ride, making it a desirable option for tourists. If you want to see the beauty of the country without worrying about directions or the road, this is a good option.

There are about 19 Amtrak stations in Texas using three routes:

• The Heartland Flyer which connects Fort Worth and Gainesville
• Sunset Limited which connects El Paso and Houston
• The Texas Eagle which connects El Paso to Dallas

The train ride, though slower than driving won’t dramatically slow you down, you might just have to add about an hour to your travel time. The major setback you might bump into here is the number of trains that run per week might be low. Also, some routes might only have a single train running a day! Bummer if you needed to travel in your own time.

Car Pooling

If you want to get around Texas much more flexibly but you don’t have a car, then carpooling could be your next best option.

There are ride-sharing services that link people through an app to other people going to the same destination as them. If you’re a newcomer to the Texan streets, then this will come with the added bonus of having people who already know where it is you want to go.

Many people may opt for this route because it allows them to visit some relatively remote parts of Texas such as the Big National Park. If you choose to carpool and depending on who you share a ride with, it might allow you to stop on the roadside to take in different sceneries, which is really cool!

Come prepared for the roughly four- to five-hour drive between big cities such as Austin, Dallas, as well as Houston. If you plan to go as far as El Paso, for instance, or even South Padre Park, then prepare for an even much longer drive.

Otherwise, carpooling has the potential to add a bit more fun to your trip if you aren’t too particular about meeting and traveling with new people.

By Plane

Traveling by plane is for those who want to maximize their time and get to their destinations more quickly. It may cost a bit more than by traveling by bus or train but it has the added benefit of giving you more time to explore the cities on your itinerary. With less time spent on travel, you can give more time to do actual tourist activities.

There are also tour packages in major cities that allow you to explore Texas by air. On a small two-seater plane, you can see the rolling hills or urban landscape from a bird’s eye view. This way, you can have a greater appreciation for the immense size of the state.

Tourists traveling to Texas from outside the country can take advantage of APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion). This is a service that offers pretty good discounts to travelers.

Conclusion

Whether by bus, train, or air, a trip to Texas is something you will always remember and treasure. As mentioned above, due to its large size, Texas isn’t a state that can be explored as a whole in just a few days. Tourists should do their research beforehand, locate the areas they are most interested in visiting, and plan a route based on that information. This way, you can take in The Lone Star State in bite-sized pieces.

 

Going on a trip can be exciting, but not when you’re in charge of the planning. You have to deal with several details, and at some point, you might want to give up. It’s also frustrating when you can’t get what you want. These are some tips to help you avoid stress, and succeed in pursuing your planned trip.

Do it early

Avoid last-minute preparations. They will only stress you out. If you prepare earlier, you can finish everything faster. You won’t have to worry about full reservations or buying expensive tickets. You can also have time to compare the choices first before making up your mind. Conversely, if you only do everything close to your scheduled trip, you might panic because you’re not getting what you want. Worse, you will settle for an expensive option because there’s no other choice.

Don’t do it alone

There’s no need to deal with all these details alone. If you’re going as a family or with a group of friends, you can delegate tasks to everyone else. You will find it easier to finish whatever task there is if everyone is doing the job. You can still supervise the process, but you will not be doing it alone.

Hire an agency

If you really want to make the trip happen, but you have a hard time getting what you want, you can hire an agency to do the job on your behalf. They already know what to do since they have arranged lots of similar trips in the past. They also have connections with airlines, hotels and tourist destinations. They will find a way for you to make it on your scheduled trip without the need to spend a lot.

Choose a different place 

If you can’t pursue a trip to a distant location, you can opt for a different place. Find a nearby destination that still has excellent attractions. You might even want to ditch all plans to visit places and decide to rent a large house from thewowhousecompany.co.uk. You can do whatever you want in that place since it comes with various facilities and amenities. It feels great to live in an area that looks stunning and call it your home for the night. Besides, having a staycation is now popular and is just as relaxing as any other trip you might have.

Be optimistic

It would help if you had a positive attitude while planning the trip. You will face several challenges, but you can’t let anything dampen your spirit. You’re heading on a fun journey, so you need to start right. If you already feel exhausted at the beginning of the planning stage, you might not feel excited about the actual trip anymore.

Once you decide to make the trip happen, you will have some challenges along the way. Take them one at a time until you get the desired results. If things don’t go your way, pause for a while and move to another choice. Never stress out over the small details.

Overview

Hummelstown is a 250-year old borough in Dauphin County in the state of Pennsylvania. Located halfway between the state’s capital Harrisburg and the city of Hershey, the town is a popular stopover for tourists headed to these cities. Originally established in 1762 as Fredrickstown, the area where it now sits was bought by Frederick and Rosina Hummel who in return sold building lots to German immigrants. Today, Hummelstown is an interesting marriage between small town charm and big city amenities, making it an ideal bedroom community and common resting place for workers and visitors in the surrounding areas.

Fast Facts

• Hummelstown occupies a total area 1.4 square miles. The Swatara Creek runs through the town.
• If you’re traveling from Hershey, Hummelstown’s Main Street will lead you to Harrisburg through U.S. 322.
• Hummelstown once ranked as the 61^st Best Town to Live in America.
• The area was once home to several Native American tribes including the Iroquois and Susquehannocks.
• Skateboards are banned in all alleys and streets in the borough. The prohibition extends to some posted areas as well.

Tourist Spots

This old town offers a lot of interesting landmarks and attractions that are worth exploring. Hummelstown is home to the Warwick hotel, a pre-Revolutionary War tavern that George Washington once visited. The Hummelstown Historical Society building is made out of dense brownstone quarried in the outskirts of the town. The building now houses a visitor’s center and a museum. One of the most famous attractions in the area is the Indian Echo Caverns, a limestone cave that features crystal clear lakes, marvellous rock formations and other geological wonders like the “Indian Ballroom”. Visitors enter through the bluff along the Swatara Creek and take guided tours though the caves. Book your Hummelstown Hotels with Reservations.com.

Best Dining Spots

There are a plenty of dining venues in Hummelstown. You can choose from a wide array of fine dining restaurants and quaint eateries that are sure to offer something to satisfy your palate. If you’re hungry for some Mexican food, Luna Mexican Bar and Grill serves the best guacamoles, margaritas and fajitas in the borough. Go for pizza and pasta at Dafnos Italian Grille, and for sushi and sashimi at Tokyo Diner. The Soda Jerk Diner and Dairy Bar is a good place for burgers and ice cream, while Boro Bar and Grill is the go-to place for wings and cold beers. Other popular dining venues in the borough include Highland’s Grill, Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches, Shane’s and Gas Station Kitchen and Bar.

Best Hotel Accommodations

Hummelstown offers many accommodation options that fit every travel style and budget. One of the most popular hotels in the area is the Country Inn & Suites Hershey at the Park. Recently opened in September 2010, the hotel features an indoor swimming pool, a business center, free high-speed Internet access, and a fitness facility. Guests stay in spacious well-appointed guestrooms and are served with complimentary hot breakfasts. Another great choice of accommodation is the Comfort Suites located on Milroy Road, a 2.5-star property that also offers complimentary wireless Internet access. Both hotels are close to attractions in nearby Hershey.

After celebrating the New Year in the heart of Hong Kong, we decided to change the scenery and go to a neighboring region: Macao. This special administrative region, attached to China, is still very marked by its Portuguese colonial past, since it did not obtain its independence until 1999. Surprising mixture between Mediterranean vestiges and Chinese superpower, here are our reasons to go to Macau for your next vacation.

One can’t ignore it, Macau is the world capital of the game and for good reason, it is the only part of China having the license to exploit casinos. The profits reported by Macau casinos far outweigh those of its Las Vegas counterpart ($ 45 billion versus $ 6 billion in Vegas). But this is not the most surprising.

1. Play casinos in the game empire.

Las Vegas casino hotels have been identically rebuilt in the streets of Macao. It is therefore possible to walk in the Wynn, the MGM and, the most imposing, the Venetian. Replica copies of the buildings quite confusing! As for games, there is something for all budgets and all tastes! Do not hesitate to stop at a table to see map games, some of which are typically Chinese. But if you want to enjoy similar casino games anytime and anywhere, access onlinecasinodeutschland.com.de.

2. Visit vestiges of Portuguese architecture!

Another paradox of Macao, the most spectacular points of interest are nothing but Portuguese remains! Yes, colonization is not far off and southern architecture is still very present. Witness the facade of the Sao Paulo church, whose architecture is very European, combining Christian and Chinese inscriptions. Largo do Senado Square, the main square in the heart of historic Macao, is surrounded by buildings with a very European architecture, but adorned with typical Macanese signs!

3. Taste some unusual dishes.

It is not only at the architectural level that cultural mixtures take shape. They especially have their place on our plates! Besides eggtart (a delight) and typical Portuguese dishes, there are also macao-portuguese dishes! A curious mix of flavors rather successful with among others the Macanese style minchi (mixture of minced meat and potato) or the cozido a portuguese (braised meat with vegetables).

4. Learn to speak several dialects.

As you can imagine, in a place as cosmopolitan and as touristy, one language was not enough. The two official languages ​​of Macao to date are Cantonese and Portuguese. It is also very easy to speak English given the tourist success that meets this region. A good way to try several languages ​​and to communicate with the macaens.

5. Reset your visa!

Surprisingly, but very practical. When you take the ferry from Hong Kong, the simple fact of making a return trip to the island of Macao allows you to reset your visa. And for good reason, Macao has its own customs and own visas. So if you spend a day or more in Macao, it’s as if you have visited another country and, therefore, upon your return to Hong Kong Island, a new visa will be issued.

To read more on topics like this, check out the travel category.

If you’re in need of a few new travel destinations for your bucket list as a result of visiting some of the initial destinations which you picked out for yourself, continue reading on to discover a few destinations which you should seriously consider visiting!

Travel destinations to tick off your bucket list:

1. Tahiti, French Polynesia

If you’ve always dreamed of spending a vacation on a sunny island in the South Pacific, it may be worth traveling to Tahiti which is located in French Polynesia. Tahiti offers numerous picture perfect islands to explore two of which you may have heard of Bora Bora and Moorea.

While Moorea offers more affordable oceanfront resorts and hotels which will suit a variety of budgets Bora Bora is best known for its five-star resorts which feature stunning private over the water bungalows. Many of which feature their very own swimming pools and spa pools.

Some examples of some of the travel experiences which you can look forward to experiencing in Tahiti include watching a Polynesian entertainment show, which will feature fire dancing and traditional dances from a variety of Polynesian islands as well as getting to taste authentic French cuisine. As Tahiti is a French dependency.

2. Croatia

If you like the sound of embarking on a European vacation and enjoy spending time exploring the great outdoors you’ll have the time of your life in Croatia. As not only does Croatia boast a stunning coastline, which you can explore by hiring a small traditional sailboat but Croatia also features numerous world-class national parks. One of which is famous for its waterfalls and blue water pools. If you’re interested simply head to Plitvice National Park.

If you also happen to be a bit of a history buff, you’ll love touring the picturesque town of Dubrovnik, which boasts traditional baroque buildings which were built in the 16th century.

Finally, if you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones books or TV series you may also be interested in visiting Croatia as several series of the Game of Thrones TV series were filmed in Croatia.

3. Maui, Hawaii

Maui is a far quieter island than Oahu, which most tourists choose to visit. So if you’re looking for a tranquil, secluded vacation, you’ll instantly fall in love with Maui. Whilst in Maui make sure to spend a few afternoons swimming and sunbathing on Maui’s beautiful black sand beaches.

If you’ve always wanted to tick whale watching off your bucket list, you’re also in luck as Maui offers a plethora of different whale watching tours, which will get you up and close and personal with wild whales. Alternatively, you may be interested in booking a wildlife tour which will allow you to swim with gentle sea turtles.

Lastly, while Maui is far quieter than Oahu, it still boasts a multitude of shops and restaurants. So you’ll be able to shop to your heart’s content and eat out as much as you choose. Maui even features designer boutiques such as a Louis Vuitton boutique.

So do yourself a favor and add all 3 of the world-class destinations mentioned above to your revised bucket list.