Looking for a summer getaway that won't break the bank? Is a road trip across America something you always wanted to do? There are hundreds of tourist attractions, national landmarks, mountainous landscapes, endless scenery and an ultimate history lesson. Gathering maps, charting routes, and listing destinations to hit are just the beginning of a journey that will leave you memories forever. So grab your buddies and pack the car and get ready to experience a fascinating view of America's beauty.

Planning Your Journey

There are endless of possible road trip routes that will take you through landmarks and scenic byways depending on the amount of time you have and who you're with. To plan your trip, invest in a map of the United States as a backup. Pinpoint rest stops depending how far you want to drive between points of interest. Or use a digital map of the United States to help guide you through each city to manage your time. Be sure to update your GPS system before departure. Take advantage of AAA. The small amount you pay per year for their assistance in the end be worth every penny. They cover roadside assistance, discounts on hotel chains like Best Western and passes for national parks tickets.     

Accommodations

If you are not a fan of finding random motels along the road, read up on hotels beforehand and make the necessary reservations. TripAdvisor and Hotels.com are great places to check reviews beforehand. Many hotel chains have rewards programs where every dollar spend on your room, you earn points that can redeem when you reserve another room. If you stay at the same chain throughout the trip, you may rackup enough for some free nights.

Destinations and Hot Spots

Across the country, there are over a hundred cities to choose from and visit during your American road trip. If you are unsure of where to go, or what city will fit your style best, TripBase.com gives you suggestions based on your taste. You can adjust your budget, your schedule and time, and activities. For each city, they give you fun facts like the best time to visit, how much you will need to spend per day, and what each city is known for in terms of nightlife and restaurants.  If you already know what states you will be heading to, but are interested in learning about what attractions are in the area, head to Road Side America and search each state for the best attractions and visitor spots. National Park Week is April 16 - 24, which might be worth looking into a National Park Pass for $80, which grants access to every national park in the country throughout the year.

Be Prepared

Before you leave for your trip, there are a number of necessities that you should bring with you just in case. Fill up your vehicle with at least two cases of water, non-perishable food, road flares and a first aid kit in case of an emergency. Also, don't forget a guidebook for tips on history and culture. Road Trip USA is a great cross-country resource. And don't forget the camera!

 

by Katelyn Dato, Contributing Author

After a tumultuous few months, a number of very positive developments and tangible changes show a positive outlook for travel to Egypt.

 A Peaceful Vote

After anxiously awaiting the results of Egypt's referendum on proposed constitutional amendments last week, the historic vote loudly and clearly approved the amendments. The voting was conducted with no incidents of violence and the results were accepted without dispute. This indicates that people are engaged and supportive of the new democratic process and that the parliamentary elections scheduled for September should hopefully be carried out in a peaceful and democratic manner.

U.S. State Department Lifts Warning to Tourists

As of March 29, the U.S. State Department has also updated their Travel Warning. The U.S. no longer advises against non-essential travel to Egypt, but notes that travelers should remain aware of the current situation. Most U.S. diplomats and Embassy staff who had been evacuated have returned and the Embassy is resuming normal operation.

Other Signs of Recovery

The Egyptian stock exchange has also reopened and is functioning. Expectations were mixed but after nearly a week of trading the market has actually performed very well and has seen gains of approximately 18% compared to its close.

The Ministry of the Interior is functioning and police, including tourism police, are deployed throughout the country. Minister Essawy is a strong leader for the Ministry and has made Egypt's safety and security his primary objective. Curfew has also been reduced to 3 hours only, from 2:00 am to 5:00 am. This is, in fact, a welcome restriction to many as it brings at least a few hours of peace and quiet in Cairo.

 The numbers of tourist arrivals continue to pick up and the experience of visitors to Egypt is by all means first class in terms of added value, crowd-free sights, engagements with Egyptian culture, and the vibrant energy of a new Egypt. As a top destination for iExplore adventurers, we welcome you to reconsider visiting this historic and fascinating destination.

Every city has its landmark park/garden: Hyde Park in London, Central Park in Manhattan, and Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. However, Paris does not evoke scenes of serene nature but of a violent, illustrious history and rampant consumerism.

The best-kept secret of Paris is the beautiful parks and gardens scattered throughout the city where you can enjoy all the clichés of Paris in a curated romantic and natural outdoor environment. Follow the lead of the rich and the famous who strut in their designer shoes during Paris fashion week on the dusty paths of Tuileries and Palais Royal.

Now that spring is right around the corner, parks are the ideal place to spend a beautiful day in the city. Here is an insider's guide to some of the nicest parks in Paris where you can break bread, drink wine, and take pleasure in all things Parisian with friends, family, or your lover.

Les Jardins des Tuileries

Tuileries Gardens are famous for hosting many of the Paris fashion week shows and festivities. Located next to place de la Concorde where many of the first rate hotels and the famous shopping streets Rue Cambon and Rue St. Honore are located, it is a hot spot for the fashionable and the affluent. It adjoins to the Louvre Museum so you can take a much needed break after a long tiring day looking at the infinite number of artworks housed in the museum. Ironically, this park was a spot marked by massacre during the French Revolution but is now one of the central places for families and friends to enjoy quality time together.

Jardin du Palais Royal

This garden used to be the most popular gathering space in Paris: it was open to the public but police were prohibited from entering and thus became a hub for intellectuals and artists, marked by freedom and liveliness that couldn't be found anywhere else in the city. After the French revolution, the garden became National Domain and consequently, the space lost its former rowdy charm. However, the garden is still a cultural landsite with many new features - a courtyard decorated with black and white striped posts that vary in height, fountains decorated with Pol-bury's silver ball sculptures, and double-rows of trees along both sides of the garden which are bordered by flower beds. Designer shops, vintage stores and the legendary restaurant the Grand Vefour (which is the only restaurant that remains from the pre-revolution days), surround the garden. Another reason to visit this garden is that dogs are prohibited from entering, which means this is the only place in Paris where you are sure not to step in dog poo.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg is a Parisian favourite, situated in the trendy and wealthy sixth arrondissment, neighbouring Sorbonne university. The French senate is located by the park inside the Luxembourg palace. The creation of this garden dates back to 1611 when Marie de Medicis, the widow of Henry IV wanted to construct a palace in Paris that resembled the Pitti Palace in her native Florence. The garden was later restored by Jean Chalgrin, the architect of the Arc of Triumph. The park has something for everyone to enjoy as it is filled with many statues of past Queens and Saints, a gorgeous antique-deco water fountain, an apple and pear orchard, and even a puppet theatre. 

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges, lies in the heart of the city in the trendy Marais district. It is the oldest square in Paris, dating back to 1604 during the reign of King Henry IV. It is a symmetrical square surrounded by buildings with red brick and white stone facades, which are all constructed over arcades. Parisians adore this square and many spend their weekends sitting by one of the cafés or hopping into the galleries that surround the garden. Victor Hugo's house where he wrote "Les Miserables" is also situated right off the square and is a very popular tourist sight.

Parc Monceau

For those seeking some quiet from the city, Parc Monceau in the 8^th arrondissement is the perfect spot to find refuge. Impressionist painter Claude Monet used this park as a subject for many of his paintings. This park exudes quaint charm, with its shaded walkways surrounded by overgrown greens, broken Roman columns, parts of ancient ruins, archways, waterways, a cave and vast sprawls of flowers. You can also find many statues of important French figures such as Guy de Maupassant and Frederic Chopin. For all you romantics, this is a perfect spot to have a poetic afternoon.

Parc de Belleville

Most Parks are tourist traps by default as they are located right next to famous landmarks but Belleville Park is hidden from the public eye and roamed by locals. If you want to have a genuine Parisian experience and mingle with the locals, you should come here, stake out a nice spot on the grass with a picnic basket filled with baguette, cheese, and bottle of wine. The panoramic view is one of the best in Paris. Belleville, located in the 20^th arrondissement, is home to Edith Piaf and is an up-and-coming artsy area, somewhat similar to burgeoning Brooklyn.

by Amanda Kim, Contributing Author

Patagonia. The name conjures a sense of awe and mystery. This expanse of land that breeds adventure lies untouched at the bottom of Chile and Argentina. From calm meadows to rugged snow-capped mountaintops, Patagonia boasts some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet.

One of the most famous treks in Patagonia is the "Torres del Paine" (Towers of Blue). Lush green terrain lies beside quiet lakes tucked between monstrous peaks spotted with glaciers. The drastic scenery gives the impression you're at the end of the world and simultaneously in heaven.

Getting There

Torres del Paine is found in the Chilean side of Southern Patagonia. All treks are based out of the nearby town Puerto Natales. During peak season (December-April) you can occasionally find flights directly to the local airport. If not, book flights via LAN to Punta Arenas and take one of the many buses (about a 3 hour ride) that leave directly from the airport to Puerto Natales.

From Puerto Natales, buses leave every morning and afternoon to drop trekkers at the entrance of the park about 2.5 hours away.

Preparation

Puerto Natales has developed entirely around travelers trekking Torres del Paine. You will find numerous outdoors stores to pick up items you may have forgotten. Many of these stores also rent gear you need for your trek. They have tents, camping stoves, trekking poles, warm clothing, and much more.

Although a small town, Puerto Natales also has a large supermarket where camping food may be purchased for the coming 5-10 days of trekking.

Trail Options

The "W": This is by far the most common route in the park. It is shorter and includes all the major highlights. The "W" takes approximately 5 days to complete ending with a breathtaking view of the Towers.  It's normally completed West to East; from the park entrance most trekkers take a short trip on a catamaran to get to the western trail head. The trail takes the shape of a "W" and includes views of glaciers, lakes, and tall peaks covered in snow.

The Paine Circuit: The circuit is for the more adventurous and ambitious trekkers. We highly recommend this trek if you have the time and endurance. Taking 8-10 days to finish, the route completely circumnavigates the Torres del Paine National Park.  The trail wraps around the back of the park and meets to continue on the "W" after coming over a snowy pass with stunning views of Glacier Grey. For every 3 or 4 people who complete the "W" only 1 completes the entire circuit.

Tents vs. Refugios

The Chilean National Park has done a fabulous job of making the trek doable for a variety of visitors. Throughout the park there are many campsites with facilities ranging from just outhouses to campsites with showers and enclosed areas to cook meals. Those who choose to camp and carry all their own gear and food will be more than satisfied with the designated campsites. However, if you are not inclined to carry a large pack, the park has built refuges throughout called Refugios. Functioning like a hotel, the refuges provide a warm bed with basic amenities and the option to purchase hot meals. Because of these well-equipped refuges, a trekker may hike with little more in their pack than clothes and water. These are often fully booked in peak season so make sure to make reservations ahead of time!

by Jonathan Jenkins, Contributing Author