Apart from Mandy (AELB - police on horses !), Silburn, Jilly Windy Miller and myself, are there any other travellers out there joining us on this trip?

Of the optional excursions, I'm probably going to do all except the Vibrant Las Vegas by night - not really looking forward to that part of the tour, but for the Grand Canyon!

5 weeks to go....

Regards

Sylvia

You don't need me to tell you that you will have a brilliant time on this amazing tour - but you will!!  I have never seen such a variety of different and equally dramatic landscapes, it was wonderful.  I'm glad you're planning on doing the optionals, they are all worth it.  I got great photos from the two flights I did - tip: put your lens as near to the glass as you can to try and avoid reflection and set it to a sports setting for fast speeds to avoid blur. You only have an evening and probably a morning in LV (unless the flights have changed since I did it) - an interesting contrast to the rest of the tour.  You either love Vegas or hate it and I'm afraid I love it!!

Cheers,

Bob

Not sure if the Aladdin hotel is still there or has changed name (the last time that I was there was the week before the why not hotel opened)

Have a good holiday

I'm doing all the excursions, except Salt Lake, and definitely booking the Monument Valley flight once we arrive.

I'm not doing Las Vegas by night either because I did it last time around while on 'America's Golden West'. Instead, I was thinking of going to a show - probably Frank Marino's legendary 'Divas' It's playing at the Linq Hotel which is about 10 minutes up the Strip from where we are staying. Do you fancy joining me? I'm going to book ahead on line so let me know if you want to come along and I'll get you a ticket. I'm also planning to use our free morning to pop over to the Luxor for another visit to the beloved 'Big Piece' (all fellow ice berg freaks will know exactly what I am talking about...... 😉 ...)

5 weeks today :D

Mandy  (....police on Segways bearing Travelwash....!!)

I felt just like you about Vegas. I wouldn't go again BUT you've got to do the night trip, it is an unforgettable experience which I really enjoyed.

Thanks Roger, but I think I'll still decline.  (I visited Turkey a few years ago and the group went out together to a nearby town whose theme was Las Vegas - mine and another traveller's worst nightmare.  The two of us found a nice quiet Turkish bar for the evening whilst the rest of the group went to a noisy karaoke bar!)

If you have some free time in Vegas go and see some of the themed hotels they are out of this world, also worth a visit is the Desert passage shopping mail (3663 las vegas blud las vegas) (Aladdin hotel) you walk through 24 hours and a rainstorm and do some shopping or have lunch.

Not sure if the Aladdin hotel is still there or has changed name (the last time that I was there was the week before the why not hotel opened)

Have a good holiday

Thanks for the suggestions although I'm still not too enthused about Las Vegas!

Hiya Sylvia (and fellow National Parkers!)

I'm doing all the excursions, except Salt Lake, and definitely booking the Monument Valley flight once we arrive.

I'm not doing Las Vegas by night either because I did it last time around while on 'America's Golden West'. Instead, I was thinking of going to a show - probably Frank Marino's legendary 'Divas' It's playing at the Linq Hotel which is about 10 minutes up the Strip from where we are staying. Do you fancy joining me? I'm going to book ahead on line so let me know if you want to come along and I'll get you a ticket. I'm also planning to use our free morning to pop over to the Luxor for another visit to the beloved 'Big Piece' (all fellow ice berg freaks will know exactly what I am talking about...... 😉 ...)

5 weeks today :D

Mandy  (....police on Segways bearing Travelwash....!!)

Now Mandy, this sounds like fun!  Yes please can I join you for Divas and also the Luxor?

See you soon.

Sylvia

See you soon

Mandy

I've booked us tickets for 'Divas' on our evening in Vegas so bring your glad rags! There's been a problem with the Luxor website for the last few days but, if all else fails, we should be able to get tickets on the door like I did last time. I'll keep trying in the meantime though.

I've had second thoughts and am going to book the Salt Lake excursion. I didn't originally because I thought it was literally just to the lake but I've re-read the paperwork and note that it includes a tour of SLC as well so I'm going to give it a go. Not sure if they have Lake Rangers but I'm sure you will fine one if they do!!

4 weeks and counting...

Mandy

I'm glad to hear that JY have revamped the Salt Lake excursion to include SLC - when I did it, there was a trip to visit Park City which is a very pleasant ski resort but not much to see really.  As a result, I never really got to see much of SLC apart from the Mormon church and complex and Hiram Bingham's house etc.  I enjoyed visiting the Lake as we saw some great views and had an interesting commentary from the guide.

Hope you all have a brill time - looking forward to reading the review...

Cheers,

Bob

Quick question for you - I know you are not a fan of hiking but, in your opinion, does the terrain in the parks call for walking boots/sturdy shoes or will trainers be sufficient?

Crete must be soon now for you - I think we miss each other at Heathrow by a day again! But don't worry, I will of course be doing a review featuring my usual standards - photo opportunities, wildlife and fridge magnets and, as Sylvia is coming along on this one, I'm sure there will also be a mention of laundry facilities and men in uniform. We've got it covered!

Happy travels!

Mandy

Any other questions, fire ahead!  It won't be long now.  I'm back on 13 Sept but our flight gets into Gatwick very late so our paths won't cross this time.

All the best,

Bob

Hiya Sylvia

I've booked us tickets for 'Divas' on our evening in Vegas so bring your glad rags! There's been a problem with the Luxor website for the last few days but, if all else fails, we should be able to get tickets on the door like I did last time. I'll keep trying in the meantime though.

I've had second thoughts and am going to book the Salt Lake excursion. I didn't originally because I thought it was literally just to the lake but I've re-read the paperwork and note that it includes a tour of SLC as well so I'm going to give it a go. Not sure if they have Lake Rangers but I'm sure you will fine one if they do!!

4 weeks and counting...

Mandy

Hi Mandy

Apologies for my late response.  Thanks very much.  Please let me know how much and in what currency you would like reimbursed - email is: XXXXXXXXX (removed for privacy protection)

See you soon.

Sylvia

Mandy will need to opt in to the sharing of her personal email address.

As such, I have removed your email address from the forum, but can provide you with Mandy's email address if she agrees to this.

Kind Regards,

Amy

No worries at all. The Luxor booking site is still on the fritz but I'm sure we will be able to get tickets on the day.

Your Divas ticket (VIP - Naturally!) was £66 (I booked through Expedia's UK site). We can settle up when we see each other.

I've gone ahead and booked the Salt Lake excursion, so I'm doing all of them except Vegas by night (for obvious reasons!). Looking forward to seeing you in 12 days. If I get to Heathrow too early to use the JY lounge pass, I'll pitch camp for a bacon roll in the BA lounge. (I love the Exec Club 😉  ) I'm on the National Express first thing from Gatwick.

All the best

Mandy

Super. I shall aim to arrive at Heathrow around 11am - earlier than check in to do a bit a shopping before descending on the No 1 Lounge.

Booked all my excursions today. Looking forward to seeing you again too - it's going to be an expensive trip?!

Sylvia

Jill

On this sort of trip, you have to cater for all eventualities of weather. So, like Bob (BGray) has said previously, daytime wear to include trainers and sandals for feet and layers of t-shirt, fleece, hat, gloves, rainwear for top. I will be taking a largish suitcase with about 10 days worth of day clothes as above and for the evening smart casuals (which you can wear more than once) with dressier shoes/sandals. I do travel light and either use the hotel's self-service laundry facilities or rinse things out in the room. Packing cubes are ideal for so many hotel changes where you'll be living out of a suitcase.

I hope this helps. Any specific questions please ask as someone out there will know the answer!

Regards

Sylvia

See you at the airport.

Kathy