any advice would be appreciated.regards weather,optional trips and the tour in general from anyone who has already done this trip.

Many thanks

Mary K

I am also thinking about this trip next September.This will be my first time with JY.Will be interested to see what other members think about it.

I am also thinking about this trip next September.This will be my first time with JY.Will be interested to see what other members think about it.

Hi thanks for your message ... I have just returned from my first trip with J Y...Magic of Kenya it was great. You really do feel at ease and safe. The Golden West tour is one that i would really like to do and thought it would be a good idea to communicate with fellow travellers .It does seem to be a popular tour and I am hoping for some feed back from people who have already done it, and to also from others that may be going... thinking of going on the 10th or 17th Sept. How about you ??

Regards

Mary K

I did the America's Golden West trip as my first JY holiday in July this year. Like everyone I was a little nervous before hand, especially as I knew I would be one of the younger ones on the trip (am early 30's). Age really isn't a problem, everyone gets on with each other and you can spend as much time with or without other people as you like.

The trip itself is great fun and gives you a chance to visit some amazing places. I recommend doing one of the optional excursions to the Grand Canyon - seeing is believing! Prepare to get used to living out of a suitcase & early mornings, but like our fabulous tour guide said 'you can sleep at home!'.

Personally I would have liked more time in San Francisco and less in Palm Springs (which was just too hot to do anything and not much to do anyway).

It turned out to be the best holiday I have ever been on, am sure I bored all my friends on my return as it was all I could talk about. I have kept in touch with a couple of people from the trip, and we are hoping to book another trip for next year.

All I would say is if you are thinking about it - book it!

Have fun

Caroline

Regards

Darren

Just came back from this one and here are a few of my observations:

San Francisco-: Great place, agree shame theres not enough time there. Close to the Hotel (about 5 mins walk) is a pub called Fiddlers Green, its an irish pub but brilliant, small and cosy and live singers (man with a guitar) see the conceirege in the Hotel, he'll show you where it is, well worth a visit.

After ther morning tour, (dont tip the tour guide more than $2!!! they are paid for it as well) forget the boat cruise, do your own thing and go to Alcatraz, you dont need to prebook its not busy and you can buy a ticket at the ferry point. Then go to couit tower, taxi to it and walk balk its really cool, if you have time catch a trolley car hang on the outside just like in the movies! and have a wander round Chinatown and North Beach,

In LA if your in the Angeleno, dont eat or drink there, its really expensive and the food is not that good and the staff are a bit rude. Get a few of you to catch a taxi to Santa Monica, its only 10 bucks taxi and its really nice there in the evening. We watched the cruel spectecle of England losing to Wales in the Rugby, in the Kings Head I think, its a big English pub there.

do all the rides in Universal Studios, its so much fun! The mummy is scary, and the studio tour is good, with a brilliant new 3D King Kong show right at the beginning of it. This was an included tour, looks like they are making it optional? but its still worth doing it.

In Palm Springs the optional tours of the living desert and the stars homes just arent worth the time or money in my opinio, you dont see that much wildlife and you get get to see a few gates, fences and bushes of stars that died donkey years ago!

Better to relax by the pool and do the Aerial Tramway in the afternoon, thats good fun and amazing views.

Palm Springs is nice to wander about in the evening, for a drink and food, very safe in the main street.

For women, the Barstow stop is like winning the pools, for men its hell! Fellas, find the Starbucks, get a paper and sit back and relax for 2 hours!

Vegas Baby! I love Vegas, its so cool. Have a little gamble, but do spend some time going to other hotels and seeing their attractions, Mandalay Bay is good with their beach, The Ventian for the canal and gondolas, so are so many, make a list of the ones you want to go to and plan it, even though they are close together, its still quite a walk between each one.

I dont think the RatPack is good value (unless you really love Sinatra etc) its better to go to a half price ticket outlet and buy a show you want to see and also find somewhere nice to have a meal before. (fellinis in the stratosphere by the North Tower lifts is really nice)

I can reccommend Jersey Boys for a show, story of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, great show, great music.

Hope that helps!

I agree with Daz, the tour is brilliant, I've done it twice now, the first time on a same tour with Daz 3 years ago, the 2nd in October this year.

Just came back from this one and here are a few of my observations:

San Francisco-: Great place, agree shame theres not enough time there. Close to the Hotel (about 5 mins walk) is a pub called Fiddlers Green, its an irish pub but brilliant, small and cosy and live singers (man with a guitar) see the conceirege in the Hotel, he'll show you where it is, well worth a visit.

After ther morning tour, (dont tip the tour guide more than $2!!! they are paid for it as well) forget the boat cruise, do your own thing and go to Alcatraz, you dont need to prebook its not busy and you can buy a ticket at the ferry point. Then go to couit tower, taxi to it and walk balk its really cool, if you have time catch a trolley car hang on the outside just like in the movies! and have a wander round Chinatown and North Beach,

In LA if your in the Angeleno, dont eat or drink there, its really expensive and the food is not that good and the staff are a bit rude. Get a few of you to catch a taxi to Santa Monica, its only 10 bucks taxi and its really nice there in the evening. We watched the cruel spectecle of England losing to Wales in the Rugby, in the Kings Head I think, its a big English pub there.

do all the rides in Universal Studios, its so much fun! The mummy is scary, and the studio tour is good, with a brilliant new 3D King Kong show right at the beginning of it. This was an included tour, looks like they are making it optional? but its still worth doing it.

In Palm Springs the optional tours of the living desert and the stars homes just arent worth the time or money in my opinio, you dont see that much wildlife and you get get to see a few gates, fences and bushes of stars that died donkey years ago!

Better to relax by the pool and do the Aerial Tramway in the afternoon, thats good fun and amazing views.

Palm Springs is nice to wander about in the evening, for a drink and food, very safe in the main street.

For women, the Barstow stop is like winning the pools, for men its hell! Fellas, find the Starbucks, get a paper and sit back and relax for 2 hours!

Vegas Baby! I love Vegas, its so cool. Have a little gamble, but do spend some time going to other hotels and seeing their attractions, Mandalay Bay is good with their beach, The Ventian for the canal and gondolas, so are so many, make a list of the ones you want to go to and plan it, even though they are close together, its still quite a walk between each one.

I dont think the RatPack is good value (unless you really love Sinatra etc) its better to go to a half price ticket outlet and buy a show you want to see and also find somewhere nice to have a meal before. (fellinis in the stratosphere by the North Tower lifts is really nice)

I can reccommend Jersey Boys for a show, story of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, great show, great music.

Hope that helps!

Hi

thank you so much for all the info... sounds like you had a great time.. you have definately helped to make my mind up,,

regards

Mary K

Hello all

I did the America's Golden West trip as my first JY holiday in July this year. Like everyone I was a little nervous before hand, especially as I knew I would be one of the younger ones on the trip (am early 30's). Age really isn't a problem, everyone gets on with each other and you can spend as much time with or without other people as you like.

The trip itself is great fun and gives you a chance to visit some amazing places. I recommend doing one of the optional excursions to the Grand Canyon - seeing is believing! Prepare to get used to living out of a suitcase & early mornings, but like our fabulous tour guide said 'you can sleep at home!'.

Personally I would have liked more time in San Francisco and less in Palm Springs (which was just too hot to do anything and not much to do anyway).

It turned out to be the best holiday I have ever been on, am sure I bored all my friends on my return as it was all I could talk about. I have kept in touch with a couple of people from the trip, and we are hoping to book another trip for next year.

All I would say is if you are thinking about it - book it!

Have fun

Caroline

Hi Caroline thanks for the reply to my post its helped to make my mind up about this trip ..I am definately going to book it.

Regards

Mary K

Hi, I have done this tour 4 times now and I can really recommend it! It is absolutley fabulous from start to finish. Go for it, you really cant go wrong. If you have anything specific to ask please do so. Only too willing to give you my opinion and advice.:thumbup:

Regards

Darren

Hi Darren

thanks for your reply it does seem to be a very good tour .it must be you havre done it 4 times now lol ! so I have decided to book it .

I agree with Daz, the tour is brilliant, I've done it twice now, the first time on a same tour with Daz 3 years ago, the 2nd in October this year.

Just came back from this one and here are a few of my observations:

San Francisco-: Great place, agree shame theres not enough time there. Close to the Hotel (about 5 mins walk) is a pub called Fiddlers Green, its an irish pub but brilliant, small and cosy and live singers (man with a guitar) see the conceirege in the Hotel, he'll show you where it is, well worth a visit.

After ther morning tour, (dont tip the tour guide more than $2!!! they are paid for it as well) forget the boat cruise, do your own thing and go to Alcatraz, you dont need to prebook its not busy and you can buy a ticket at the ferry point. Then go to couit tower, taxi to it and walk balk its really cool, if you have time catch a trolley car hang on the outside just like in the movies! and have a wander round Chinatown and North Beach,

In LA if your in the Angeleno, dont eat or drink there, its really expensive and the food is not that good and the staff are a bit rude. Get a few of you to catch a taxi to Santa Monica, its only 10 bucks taxi and its really nice there in the evening. We watched the cruel spectecle of England losing to Wales in the Rugby, in the Kings Head I think, its a big English pub there.

do all the rides in Universal Studios, its so much fun! The mummy is scary, and the studio tour is good, with a brilliant new 3D King Kong show right at the beginning of it. This was an included tour, looks like they are making it optional? but its still worth doing it.

In Palm Springs the optional tours of the living desert and the stars homes just arent worth the time or money in my opinio, you dont see that much wildlife and you get get to see a few gates, fences and bushes of stars that died donkey years ago!

Better to relax by the pool and do the Aerial Tramway in the afternoon, thats good fun and amazing views.

Palm Springs is nice to wander about in the evening, for a drink and food, very safe in the main street.

For women, the Barstow stop is like winning the pools, for men its hell! Fellas, find the Starbucks, get a paper and sit back and relax for 2 hours!

Vegas Baby! I love Vegas, its so cool. Have a little gamble, but do spend some time going to other hotels and seeing their attractions, Mandalay Bay is good with their beach, The Ventian for the canal and gondolas, so are so many, make a list of the ones you want to go to and plan it, even though they are close together, its still quite a walk between each one.

I dont think the RatPack is good value (unless you really love Sinatra etc) its better to go to a half price ticket outlet and buy a show you want to see and also find somewhere nice to have a meal before. (fellinis in the stratosphere by the North Tower lifts is really nice)

I can reccommend Jersey Boys for a show, story of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, great show, great music.

Hope that helps!

Did you do the grand canyon? which one do you recommend as there are so many to choose from

Hey folks,

I did the golden west trip this year and it's the best holiday I've ever been on. I would defo do it again and defo recommend it to everyone who's interested.

So my advise is book on it, u won't be disappointed

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hope you have a great time which ever one you choose.

Liz

I am thinking about this trip also, but this would be my first holiday on my own. Have you booked this trip now?

Paula

I agree with Daz, the tour is brilliant, I've done it twice now, the first time on a same tour with Daz 3 years ago, the 2nd in October this year.

Just came back from this one and here are a few of my observations:

San Francisco-: Great place, agree shame theres not enough time there. Close to the Hotel (about 5 mins walk) is a pub called Fiddlers Green, its an irish pub but brilliant, small and cosy and live singers (man with a guitar) see the conceirege in the Hotel, he'll show you where it is, well worth a visit.

After ther morning tour, (dont tip the tour guide more than $2!!! they are paid for it as well) forget the boat cruise, do your own thing and go to Alcatraz, you dont need to prebook its not busy and you can buy a ticket at the ferry point. Then go to couit tower, taxi to it and walk balk its really cool, if you have time catch a trolley car hang on the outside just like in the movies! and have a wander round Chinatown and North Beach,

In LA if your in the Angeleno, dont eat or drink there, its really expensive and the food is not that good and the staff are a bit rude. Get a few of you to catch a taxi to Santa Monica, its only 10 bucks taxi and its really nice there in the evening. We watched the cruel spectecle of England losing to Wales in the Rugby, in the Kings Head I think, its a big English pub there.

do all the rides in Universal Studios, its so much fun! The mummy is scary, and the studio tour is good, with a brilliant new 3D King Kong show right at the beginning of it. This was an included tour, looks like they are making it optional? but its still worth doing it.

In Palm Springs the optional tours of the living desert and the stars homes just arent worth the time or money in my opinio, you dont see that much wildlife and you get get to see a few gates, fences and bushes of stars that died donkey years ago!

Better to relax by the pool and do the Aerial Tramway in the afternoon, thats good fun and amazing views.

Palm Springs is nice to wander about in the evening, for a drink and food, very safe in the main street.

For women, the Barstow stop is like winning the pools, for men its hell! Fellas, find the Starbucks, get a paper and sit back and relax for 2 hours!

Vegas Baby! I love Vegas, its so cool. Have a little gamble, but do spend some time going to other hotels and seeing their attractions, Mandalay Bay is good with their beach, The Ventian for the canal and gondolas, so are so many, make a list of the ones you want to go to and plan it, even though they are close together, its still quite a walk between each one.

I dont think the RatPack is good value (unless you really love Sinatra etc) its better to go to a half price ticket outlet and buy a show you want to see and also find somewhere nice to have a meal before. (fellinis in the stratosphere by the North Tower lifts is really nice)

I can reccommend Jersey Boys for a show, story of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, great show, great music.

Hope that helps!

Did you do the grand canyon? which one do you recommend as there are so many to choose from

Hi Woodz, I personally didnt do the Caynon as its an early start, around 4am!!! and I'm just going to bed then!! but from people on both trips I've talked too, it seems the 3-1 option is the best to do as you experience it all. Cheers :)