Driving in Iceland

• The road network is in a good condition throughout the country.
• The driving is done from the right side of the road and at the roundabouts priority has the one that moves within the node.
• The streets near Reykjavik are usually with more than one lane per direction, while in the rest network it is mostly with one, without an emergency lane.
• Gas stations can be found in residential areas, so pay attention to secluded areas when traveling to north.
• The gas filling in the car is automatic and the payment is made mainly by credit-debit card.
• The outside cities speed limit is 90 miles an hour.

1. Do not stop outside demarcated parking!

During the journey you will come across beautiful landscapes that will make you wanna stop for short stops and take photographs. This needs special attention!! It has been common that tourists stop on the side of the road for photographing by putting themselves at risk from the passing cars and trucks. There are parking areas that can comfortably let you admire the scenery and rest safely simultaneously.

2. Night driving – weather condition

In most parts of the network there is no night lighting so you need to pay attention if you plan to drive during night or dark hours. Also because of the difficult weather conditions which are constantly changing it would be good to check the condition of the road network you are going to use. An easy way is by clicking here.

3. Is it necessary to rent a 4X4?

It is common for tourists to rent SUV-type vehicles with 2 or 4 wheel driving system. In addition to the comfort that they probably offer in terms of space and convenience, it is not necessary to rent one, since all known points of interest are accessible to all types of cars (Roads category F). Off road driving that is advantageous to an SUV-type car is prohibited anyway  so… Also the car rentals ensure that they wear suitable tires on all vehicles so that they can move in snow weather as well.

4. Beware the doors of the car!

In Iceland there are strong winds, so beware when you park. Be sure to park the vehicle against the wind, it may be difficult to open the door, but you will avoid injuries to you and damages to the car.

5. Do I need to pay tolls?

In the road network you will not find any toll points except one. It is the Vadlaheidi tunnel located near the northern town of Akureyri,  where if the weather is not good enoigh, we definitely advise you to pass through. In case you decide to pass the tunnel, see the instructions here, so that you can get a code and be charged during your transit with a smaller amount. We paid 1,500 ISK, while if it was paid by the rental office we would be charged 4,500 ISK.

iceland

6. How do I pass bridges?

Usually bridges are with one strip for both directions, so need to pay attention here too. Reduce speed when approaching them and if you see a car coming from the opposite side, stop and arrange who will pass first. Icelanders are a very polite people and usually provide the tourists priority.

Driving in Iceland is relatively safe and enjoyable, as long as you pay attention to the points we analyzed above. By driving you will discover beautiful destinations and taste a different travel experience. Beware, drive responsibly and enjoy!

The post 5+1 USEFUL TIPS TO DRIVE A CAR IN ICELAND appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Important Information before you plan a trip to Iceland

• In order to avoid struggling with day hours we recommend traveling summer months
• If travelling from October till March it would be probably in order to see the northern lights, just dont be disappointed if that wont happen
• Travelling during Autumn time is perfect for avoiding mass tourist groups as well
• For your transfers in case of a roadtrip you ll definetely have to rent a car, read some useful tips here
• Keep your budget as low as possible by sharing expenses with friends
• The same applies to accommodation, generally it is common to share accommodation
• Keep some ammount of budget for activities (eg Blue lagoon €85 person, Diamond Beach Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon €70 man, Secret Lagoon hot spring (€25 person), Skaftafel hike to Glacier (€60 person 3 hours hike) etc.)

7 Day Ring Road trip itinerary in Iceland

How much does it cost for a roadtrip in Iceland?

As with all trips, a trip in Iceland can be combined with some low budget options, for example Icelandic food options can make your trip less expensive! But what happens with all the rest expenses? Here is our budget analysis on a 2 persons basis.

2 persons on a 7 day roadtrip 1.772 euro :

• 400 euro  airtickets
• 365 euro accommodation
• 5 euro tolls
• 220 euro  car rental (440 euro for a group of 4)
• 122 euro fueling 2.500 kilometers (244 for a group of 4)
• 218 euro food coffee beer
• 427 euro activities experiences
• 15 euro souvenirs

There are always options that can afford us lower budget as long as you are flexible and easy going travellers! Share your transfers, your accommodation, your food etc and you ll see the difference!

Hope you found it interesting reading our personal experience of roadtripping in Iceland, please feel free to visit all posts related to this trip and we ll be more than happy to here any comments or feedback from you! Happy travels to all!

The post 7 DAY RING ROAD TRIP ITINERARY IN ICELAND appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

A few words about Iceland

Iceland is the country of ice and it is an island country of Europe, located in the North Atlantic Ocean a bit southest to the Arctic Circle, located  between Greenland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Norway. Its population amounts to 360,390 residents. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flowing to the sea through the lowlands.

How to plan a trip to Iceland?

We will share with you two travel options on how to plan a trip to Iceland  and its up to you to choose the one that suits you best based on your travel days and of course your budget.

• First Choice Iceland Golden Circle

This is the most common route that most travellers choose as the sights that make up Golden Circle are mainly  located on the south side of Iceland and the itinerary  is easily feasible whether its with an organized tour or on a rented car. You can choose as a base Reykjavik and make another overnight stay eg. in Hella or Vik, so you ll definetely must have at least 4 days to spend there especially if you plan to join icelandic experiences and activities. The Iceland Golden Circle is actually a part of the the second option which is given below,  the Iceland Golden Ring so keep reading to learn more about the route as well.

• Second option Iceland Ring Road trip

We choose the Ring Road Trip around the whole island! To see in detail our detailed itinerary with hours of driving, sightseeing and of course total cost read here. We recommend this option for the adventure lovers and the roadtrippers and of course and of course for those you can afford at least 7 days of travelling (accommodation, car, petrol etc). For all the useful information about car rental etc read our tips here!

Things to do in Iceland – which experiences to choose?

Check out in detail the list of the most famous experiences we joined in Iceland. More generally, however, it is worth trying as many as you can and as long as your budget allows it (because dont forget we re talking about an expensive country).

Some of the most mainstream activities are:

• Blue Lagoon
• Diamond Beach Boat Tour (amphibian or Zodiac)
• Ice Cave Tours
• Lava Tunnel
• Whale watching (depending on the season)
• Beer Spa (Personally we didn’t try it)

More activities in Iceland

You can always feel free to check our detailed itinerary and get an idea of the experiences we tried over there! In particular, a trip to Iceland must certainly includes hikes, Aurora chasing or hunting, waterfall hopping, hot springs, fishing villages in  in the northwestern area of fjords, a meeting with the wonderful puffin (only in summer).

Rumor has it that… If you don’t like the weather in Iceland wait five minutes and it will change. And this is true by far!

All you need to take with you in Iceland

• Waterproof shoes (waterproof  not just water resistance)
• Waterproof trekking or ski trousers
• Isothermal (two sets up and down)
• Isothermal Socks
• Fleece cardigan or blouse
• Waterproof jacket (preferably a trekking one)
• Cap and gloves
• Neck scarf
• For more ideas on packaging, see our wider packing list – moreover do not forget our light travelling tips

Extra Tips and Info for your trip to Iceland

• Iceland is called Island and Islandia by the Icelanders
• Reykjavik is a beautiful city so  spend  at least a day wandering around
• Useful tips for driving and renting a car can be found in detail here
• Useful tips and options for Icelandic food can be found here
• Iceland is much more expensive than the average of countries in Europe
• Share your trip with friends to have more fun with a lower budget
• The weather in Iceland is constantly changing, and when we say all the time we mean even per minute
• Be informed about the activity of the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) but do not go to Iceland only for this reason
• If you choose a Road Trip prefer travelling in summer months so that you make the most out of the day hours (Northern Lights can not be seen in summer)
• The cost is always relative but it is an expensive country so be flexible, stay with others and cook homemade food for a few days to keep the expenses as low as they may get

Iceland has become one of our top trips in terms of nature, beautiness, wildness, pureness etc. and we recommend having it on your bucket list so start saving guys! Do not forget that there are no trips that are called de facto “life trips” and others that dont, every trip is simply worth being experienced to the full! The only thing we can assure you is that Iceland is one of its kind and a trip to the country of lava and ice will offer you imotions and experiences that you will not find anywhere else in the world.

The post RING ROADTRIP IN ICELAND THE COUNTRY OF ICE AND LAVA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

But why is Jordan so famous? Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Amman and Aqaba are the strongest highlights of the country! But let’s go find out our trip in details, information about visa, transportation, cost and sightseeing!

Jordan roadtrip petra

A few words about Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan or simply Jordan is a state of the Middle East. It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and the West Bank (the Jordan, an area occupied before 1967 and occupied by Israel) to the West. It shares with Israel the coastlines of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. The main religion of Jordan is Islam and the main (official) Arabic language.

Travel itinerary in Jordan

Itinerary in few lines

• Airport Alia Airport – Petra 203 km (2.38 ‘)
• Petra – Wadi Rum 112 km (1.46 ‘)
• Wadi Rum – Dead Sea 295 km (4 hours)
• Dead Sea – Amman 65 km (1 hour)
• Amman – Airport

Jordan roadtrip petra wadi rum

Jordan itinerary

Day One

On first day we landed at Queen Alia Airport in Amman on a low-cost flight (see costs below), the other option is to land at Aqaba Airport so you will follow the opposite program of ours! We had already rented a car so our vehicle was waiting for us outside the airport. After we completed the standard procedures we departed to Petra and to the village of Wadi Musa. The journey time is around 2.40 hours.

At Wadi Musa we found easily our accommodation’s location which was very central and had many restaurants nearby and was only a 4 minute drive away from the entrance of Petra! There is also the option to stay right next to Petra’s entrance and walk just for 4 minutes. There is also the option to stay at the entrance of the village in order to enjoy the view of the whole area but prices are higher there of course! After we ate at Beit Al Barakah and we got some traditional sweets from the bakery we headed to Petra to enjoy the evening show Petra by Night candles show. For our experience there and useful information read more here.

Day two

Second day, waking up and departing towards Petra! In 4 minutes we were in front of the entrance next to the museum. The size of the whole area is huge so get ready for a lot of walking, hiking and even climbing! Overall we stayed there for 9 hours and that is only beacuse we had to depart to the Wadi rum. Read all the information you need to explore Petra with a special map, times and prices in our Petra blog post. Lunch time at Beit Al Barakah and departure to Wadi Rum.

Extra Tip Before leaving the village, stop and enjoy the panoramic view of the area where the # ? Petra sigh is.

After a couple of hours driving and a fantastic ride full of used tires on the roadside, countless trucks, sandstorms and desert views we arrived at Wadi Rum Visitors Center where you have to get tickets and then enter the site either with a guide who you find on the spot or with your vehicle if you have arranged a local driver to be waiting inside for you. Having seen the prices (see below) and from personal experience we can tell you that prices are lower if you pre book eg. Via Internet, as we did, rather that get a guuide over there. Salem, was waiting for us, a Bedouin born in the village of Wadi Rum, owner of Bedouin tents for rent and organizer of experiences and hiking in the desert. We were tranferred to our tents (you cannot go on your own, either ways have to book a tour guide).

Jordan roadtrip petra

Day three

The night before, as well as the morning we experienced in the desert was a magic time for us! We had experienced a similar experience in the Monument Valley desert  in the country of Navajo but the scenery here was also truly unreal, like a storyline from Mars. Morning found us waking up with a flock of camels that were all around our tent!

Read all you need to know about entering, staying and organizing experiences at Wadi Rum here!

We spent half the day exploring the desert, climbing hills of sand, feeding camels, hiking in canyons, sipping tea with Bedouins and eating in the middle of nowhere, lunch!

We said goodbye to Salem and Wadi rum (we will definitely return there though) and started our trip to Amman. The route is just uncomparable as it includes villages, towns, deserts, fields, mountain, countless camels, solar parks and of course the Dead Sea on the Jordan side this time (the side of Israel has been explored on our previous journey). After about 5 hours a stop at the Dead Sea for a  quick dive we arrived in Amman (attention while driving).

Day four

Awakening in the capital of Jordan, Amman, and waiting for the friend and old classmate in Thessaloniki city, Sofian, who offered to meet and take us around in his city! Those of you who don’t have Sofian can easily move around with Uber, almost all routes cost about 1.5 dollars, while going to the airport depending on where you are, of course, will cost you about $20 (price from West Amman to the Alia airport). After seeing the points of interest that we outlined below our friend, transferred us to the airport for our departure.

Things to do in Amman

First of all, you cannot imagine how many hills this city has! For food and coffee visit Rainbow Street and Jabal Al Lweibdeh. Amman is the capital of Jordan, and its a quite modern and prosperous city!

Tourist attractions in Amman:

• King Abdullah Mosque
• Amman Citadel
• King Hussein Mosque
• Jordanian Museum
• The Royal Automobile Museum
• Jordan Archaeological Museum
• Jordan Museum of Popular traditions
• Jordan river  and baptism site (few miles from Amman)

How much does a trip to Jordan cost? Prices per person

• Air Tickets €10 Roundtrip
• Car Rental €70 (3 days)
• Food €30
• Accommodation €50 (3 days)
• Visa Jordan Pass 75 JOD
• Candle Show 17 JOD
• Souvenirs €5

Is it safe to travel to Jordan?

Having traveled to various countries that may not be considered as safe ones as others, and except the fact that special attention must be payed during driving (it has many roundabouts) we can confidently say that especially in tourist places there is no sense or even suspicion of fear. The residents are completely familiar with the tourists!

Jordan roadtrip petra

Transports in Jordan

For the transportation we rented a car but there are certainly other options such as public transportation or taxis or organized tours. You can find more information here, but for example taking a taxi from the airport to Petra costs over 80 dollars per vehicle.

Do you need a visa for Jordan?

Yes! The first option is to get a visa at the airport (40 jod) while the other option is to pre buy a Jordan pass with which you have free entry to various attractions including Petra, comes out in 3 editions and is issued online (does not replace the visa just comes out cheaper and waves your visa fees). For the Jordan Pass click here, and for the sights included click here!

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The post ROADTRIP IN JORDAN – A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Travel Documents!

Passport! Those who have one check the expiration date not to be less than six months from the date of your trip. In case the expiration date is close we recommend you to renew it immediately. Those of you who do not yet have a passport time to gain one! Collect all the paperwork needed and get a passport! Also remember to check you have white pages for the US visa! Have a photo of the passport on your phone or a printed one.

Visa!

In the USA you will need ESTA. Enter the ESTA website and once you have passed all the necessary data carefully, you just give some time for it to be approved. The Whole process is done electronically and will take you about two hours. It Costs about 15euro and lasts for one year. Photocopy your approval.

roatrip usa

From – to the airport!

Park Around airports in case you want to move in the comfort of your car, leave the car in a safe place and find it clean when you return, with very little money! For those of you who want more comfort, do not have a vehicle or you will be with great company we recommend Uber, will leave you and will receive you safely, quickly and comfortably outside your gate.

Accommodation!

New York Is famous for the high cost of staying there, so it may be difficult to find the ideal accommodation for you. However, especially if you are traveling with company we recommend Airbnb, Hostel and of course couch surfing! Do not stay out of town, coz you have to feel the vibes of the city, but make sure that you are close to a metro stop to be more flexible. Photocopy your reservation.

Airport!

Big airports are really big so pay attention! Especially Those of you who have never been in such an airport, you may need even an hour to move from one gate to another. Calculate your times correctly and in case you have a transfer to another airport, pay attention because other rules apply in each airport and you may need to print new boarding passes. Before you fly, be sure about which airport you are landing to organize your transition to your accommodation and back prior your flghts. It is wise to keep  all boarding passes-check ins photocopied as well.

usa travel

Check In!

It Goes without saying that we do electronic check-in before our flights, but if the airport does not support automatic procedures you may have to wait in line to leave luggage and show your cards. You May even need to have your boarding passes printed! So either case have them printed with you.

Luggage!

Make Sure your baggage and hand luggage limits are those refferes on the tickets you have purchased. Beware because overweight and extra baggage especially in USA cost enough money. To reduce the cost you can travel with a backpack up to New York and add luggage to the inbound flight! That’s what we do!

Travel Applications!

Uber, Google Maps offline, maps me, whats up, Jump bikes  etc. Be Sure to save all the points of interest you want to visit, your accommodation etc. Download maps to navigate even without internet connection. Save your credit card to Uber so you don’t waste time when you use it.

usa travel

Credit Cards!

You are in the US, in the metropolis of all cities, forget the cash and use plastic money, only! You Achieve better parity (normally…)! Take with you another card, you never know… Make Sure you have a high credit limit, high enough and tell your bank where to ypou are about to travel (some banks need this info). Take some cash with you (only a few though). Dollar is not one of our favorite currencies in terms of travelling and unfortunately the exchange rate with euro is not very pleasant at the time! Make sure before you travel that you know all the currency rates!

Entering the country!

Upon the arrival at the airport there is a series of standard procedures in order to pass the control! No need for exaggeration. There are automated procedures and a mini interview that goes like what is the reason for your visit etc. Make Sure you’re serious and response to the questions properly so that you get to finish up soon.

Travel itinerary!

With this one you will need your own good online search (via an updated travel blog like ours ;-)), or through a travel guide or with a travel agency to book a tour! Its not that difficult, get  pen and a paper and start palnning! Once you are done pass all points of interest on Google Maps and then calculate times and distances, now there you are you have your itinerary ready! If  time wont allows it that you walk, you just get some Jump bikes that will get to the next point conveniently!

usa travel

Travel Insurance!

In the case of the USA, travel insurance it is not obligatory, but it is something that is  good for you to have  especially on long journeys. Besides you will find it very useful to have travel insurance, once needed. Try a famous travel insurance company such as the Mondial assistance etc.

Tipping!

You’Re in the US, which means that everything  looks  and actually is more expensive! The same is true with the tips which  usually are not mentioned in the original prices at the menus nd many times its obligatory to leave tips. The percentages range between 10%, 15% etc. You should also know that tips are often collected for the wages of employees, especially in restaurants and cafés.

Internet!

As we mentioned in the Practical guide of RoadTrip in California, check out US Mobile and place your order to havea  number and internet connection everywhere in the USA!

Renting a car!

For those of you wishing to rent a car to take a trip out of New York, choose a well-known company which usually lets you pick up-drop off at different places that are more convenient especially if you depart from a different airport than the one you landed at. Choose providers like Alamo car etc.

The post ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO USA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

As you may already understood we did a lot of preparation and came up to a very strict itinerary for our roadtrip in California, of course thats not something you all have to do when travelling but we guess it depends on where you travel and when! To be more specific… US is considered to be an expensive country especially for low budget travellers, so the more informed and prepared you are the less money and time you ll get to spend! This idea of travelling doesnt fit all your trips but surely worked out for us (also has to do with how many days you travel, we only had two weeks available…)

usa roadtrip

Mobile Card-Internet

There are various prepaid companies in America (eg. T-MOBILE). We did not locate these companies at any airport but found a lot in the streets of the cities we visited but we had it all done in a different way! US Mobile! Enter the website, ask them to send you a starter kit with SIM cards in one of the places you plan to stay in Usa! When you arrive ask for the package and activate in simple steps the package that best suits you! You won’t find a cheaper way than this one, honestly! Of course, in rough and desert areas there is no signal but don’t worry because there are tourists and locals everywhere for any help you may need!

roatrip usa us mobile

Parking

For those of you who ll rent a car, you will definitely be concerned about the parking lot. This is because while parking is available everywhere, the time allowed for parking is limited, eg. For two hours on Monday between 9.00-10.00 in the morning. Always consult the signs on every street! So either you move it all the time or you put it in a public parking lot! By saying public parking we mean $20 a day with extra charge for nightly parking! Do not risk it, they are constantly  municipality patrols who lift the illegally parked vehicles!

Gas stations

Here we laughed a lot, as you will laugh too trying to understand the self service system while you see that no one will try to help you! What you need to know is that you leave the car next to the pump of choice, go inside the store to pay and exit to start the filling process! You will be surprised that there is a really slow mood at the gas stations, where you can stay even for a whole quarter, because nobody is in a hurry! So arrange your times!

Uber

In USA, the use of Uber is widespread! They use all the services that Uber provides at very low cost, easily, quickly and without the stress of finding any parking, etc. You’ll see Uber-crowded cars going to work while taking care of the environment after sharing the route with other fellow travellers! Car pooling applies perfect to travelers like us! We’ve been able to discover whole cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami with the use of Uber with incredible ease and absolutely no stress, while enjoyed the sightseeing along the way!

roatrip usa

Tolls

Tolls? What tolls? There are no such things in Usa, or rather there are.. but don’t worry about it because everything is automatically charged in the car when it passes eg. from bridges, etc. (read your agency’s rules while renting a car!).

Car Rental

We chose the agency Alamo car, which has a free shuttle bus that picks you up from the airport, takes you to the parking lot and there after you complete the process of declaring your data you choose one of the huge cars that are parked there and you just take off for your roadtrip! At the end of your trip you leave it at one of the cooperating car rentals that are available in almost all the cities and you still leave with the same ease and the corresponding shuttle bus!

Red street lights

More generally, the driving consciousness of Americans is enviable! Do not rush, do not run, follow the rules and respect the other drivers! Your experience on the streets of USA will definitely be enjoyable and relaxing! If you have a red street light in front of you and you want to turn right while you are free from your left, just pass slowly!!

Extras:

• Credit card everywhere (but keep some change too)
• Do not be confused with different time zones from city to city
• Only stop at vista points-specially designed points on motorways to enjoy views
• Download a good app with maps like maps.me and offline Google Maps

We hope you find our tips useful and follow them when you are having this dreamy roadtrip in California!

The post ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PLAN A ROAD TRIP IN CALIFORNIA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

alsace αλσατια

The trek starts from the beautiful city of Strasbourg, which we had as a base for the trip! A beautiful opportunity to meet another destination and visit the European Parliament, think about it!

european parliament ευρωκοινοβούλιο

The villages of Alsace

Riquewihr

It’s the hamlet we loved more than anything else! It’s a storybook, like it’s made out of candy and marshmellows! Spritzers, macarons, cupcakes, colorful benches… A delight! You will love it, you will walk around very easily because it is relatively small one and you will not stop taking photos!

Kaysersberg

It looks like a classic European small town that is also a fantastic hamlet, it is equally beautiful place full of small cafes and patisseries! Look for some sweets that  look like huge chocolate snowballs and drink some hot tea! If you stay till afternoon enjoy a warm wine and indulge yourself in the dream!

Eguisheim

Fairytale-fairytale-fairytale, in this post we will keep repeating this word because it is the only one that can describe these adorable villages of Alsace!

Colmar

It is considered as the most well-known tourist part of Alsace, really beautiful and big enough to enjoy many many rides! Built on the banks of the river Laoych, beautiful, colorful, houses made of wooden constructions and many many flea markets to do your shopping! Colmar is called Little Venice and those of you who have visited Venice will surely find many similarities as it has many channels and you can enjoy a ride at the canal on a.. Gondola!

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a unique city that combines the beauty of the Alsace villages with the warmth of the traditional European city. With a huge castle dominating high on the hill of the city, bridges and many places to admire from above the view by cable car! The historic center is pedestrianized with the classic paved and has a big market! Look for the university, take a walk inside and you will find ancient Greeks’ quotes on the walls of the school (…!).

Freiburg

We remember two things about this place… The flea market in the center of the square and the delicious sausages on the charcoal that you will find everywhere in street stalls!

Bernai-Ribeauville-Würzburg

And the list goes on…. Within 5 days we have been able to spend some time at 10 magical villages-Cities! We challenge you to do so!!! Do you accept the challenge?

The Romantic Road

The romantic road is also located in the wider region of Alsace with a basic Hamlet-town Rothenburg! We have found a map so that you can easily find the relevant route and why not decide to take it! Of course it is full of tourists but perhaps it is beacause its usually cold and everyone hides in shops and hot corners The villages do not seem to “drown ” by people! We enjoyed it and on the way back it started to snow, authentic, thick, fluffy snow! Dreamy!!!!

The Wine Road

More generally, two words dominate the minds of those who visit the villages of Alsace, fairytale and dream and not unjustly! The area is also suitable for wine lovers as you travel you will discover countless vineyards over there!

Alsace, where the wine becomes a journey!

Try Pinot, Sparkling and Riesling! The title The wine route is not accidental! We have also found you the route map to easily locate  wine road and all you have to do is choose in which villages you will stop or you will be staying overnight!

Keep in mind that you can be based in Strasbourg and commuting every day!

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Route 66 extends from Chicago to Los Angeles (Santa Monica) and was the main east-West motorway in America for most of the 20th century while it was left in history thanks to a song that had been interpreted among others by the Bob Dylan!

Over the years, US 66 received many nicknames. Right after US 66 was commissioned, it was known as “The Great Diagonal Way” because the Chicago-to-Oklahoma City stretch ran northeast to southwest. Later, US 66 was advertised by the U.S. Highway 66 Association as “The Main Street of America”. The title had also been claimed by supporters of US 40, but the US 66 group was more successful. In the John Steinbeck novel The Grapes of Wrath, the highway is called “The Mother Road”, its prevailing title today. Lastly, US 66 was unofficially named “The Will Rogers Highway” by the U.S. Highway 66 Association in 1952, although a sign along the road with that name appeared in the John Ford film, The Grapes of Wrath, which was released in 1940, twelve years before the association gave the road that name. A plaque dedicating the highway to Will Rogers is still located in Santa Monica, California. 

Migrant farmers from the time of the great crisis called him a mother road and followed him west to California. Today the biggest piece left by the original Route 66 is in Arizona and is a hymn of nostalgia for those who want to discover a purest ERA!

On the main streets of Holbrook, Flagstaff and Williams cities there are still motels and restaurants with classic style Route 66 in a more tourist version though!

You can drive all year round on Route 66 but due to temperature we would suggest early spring or autumn that we went, especially for you who want to explore and the surrounding areas and valleys! Surely the program is always interwoven with the cost and time but certainly between 3-5 days in terms of the Arizona area, you will be able to see all the main sights of the wider region!

The distances are too long so get equiped with plenty of water, offline maps and of course make good prediction of petrol as well as the supply points, gas stations!

And since the classic Route 66 is so antiquated that it s not even used a lot by Americans, be careful coz your GPS may not find the route 66, so make sure you have it correctly located on your maps before travelling!

From the main sights of Route 66 beyond the roadside motels, there is the spectacular Grand Canyon! Moreover while driving you ll get the chance to meet many spots of historic gas stations, cafes and motels! Many private individuals, organizations, and towns have preserved portions of the roadway, businesses that throve on it, or collections of memorabilia. Its like travelling through time machine guys really! The colours, the signs… everything looks like the old glory days of Route 66!

Extra tip

You can also search for Indian scene type accommodation for a more Native American experience or even a camping experience for the most adventurous ones!

Basically if you choose to stay in the Arizona area only, you will only enjoy a part of the route 66 and not the whole obviously! It needs a lot of patience to reach the east Coast!

The post HISTORIC CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY ROUTE 66 appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

• 12 Days
• 4 States of America
• 2,497 miles-4,018 km
• Over 16 cities
• Wildlife
• Priceless value!

At the beginning of each trip, we have a plan based on which we want to move, but the magic of the journey in fact, leads you to change a lot in the plan, such as visiting other places, picking another route and so forth.The US has thousands of unique places, wild endless nature and multiculturalism… So today we ll present our itinerary for you to get ideas, while those who want a more detailed with miles, time etc. you can read the detailed one blog post !

nonstoptravellers artists pallete death valley

The journey in a few lines

1. Los Angeles – Uber LA City Ride-Ride proper Sightseeing (hop on-off bus)-Santa Monica-The Bike Center Santa Monica
2. Los Angeles-Universal Studios-Malibu-San Simeon-Karmel
3. Karmel-Silicon Valley-San Francisco
4. San Francisco-Uber SF City Ride-Jump bikes at Golden Gate Bridge
5. San Francisco-Dylan’s Tous (The original City Loop on Electric bikes)-Wine country-Mendocino Country-Redwood Valley-Fair Oaks
6. Wine Country-Mendocino Country-Redwood Valley-Fair Oaks
7. Fair Oaks-Sacramento-Amador City-Sutter Creek-Columbia State Park-Sonora-Jamestown
8. Yosemite National Park (Tunnel View-Bridalveil Fall viewing Point-El Capitan Meadow-Lower Yosemite Fall Vista Point-Mirror Lake)-Tuolumne Grove Trailhead-Olmsted Point-Whoa Nellie Deli-Mono Lake-South Tufa Area-Mammoth Lakes
9. Devil’s Postpile National Monument-Bishop-Lone Pine-Death Valley national Park (Devils Golf Course, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, Zabriskie Point)-Las Vegas
10. Las Vegas-Route 66 California Highway-Hooover Dam-Grand Canyon-Grand Canyon Village and Navajo Point-Page
11. Horseshoe Bend-Antelope Canyon-Gooseneck’s State Park-Glen Canyon Dam Overlook-Mexican Hat-Monument Valley
12. Monument Valley-Camping at Monument Valley-Monument Valley Safari (2.5 hours Tour)-Las Vegas

Last but not least there was a small pop up in Miami as well, but this is a whole different story!!

Planning of the trip

In general, a roadtrip in a country that is known to be a rather expensive destination, requires good planning! We have planned  a survival guide for you, so that you can be properly prepared  before you travel and nothing can take you by surprise. See our guide here! The truth is we spent countless hours to plan all the routes, points of interest etc… Tired enough but we certainly built it with love from scratch! Enjoy it and we ‘re looking  forward to receiving your feedback!

nonstoptravellers goosenecks state park

Transportation

When roadtripping you must rent a car prior your arrival! We did so and rented one, although we initially  wanted to rent a mini campervan or something like that, but unfortunately the cost was not that affordable! To prove my point the car costs 20 $ per day (240 $/12 days) while the campervan over $1,000 without any sheets… Its your choice of course!

For our transporttaion in the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami, we’ve only used Uber, the ridesharing company, for easy, fast, secure, reliable and affordable transportation!  We’ve already had Uber app on our mobile phones (to download you can click here for Google Play or App Store),Athens we avoid using our car because we choose the convenience of  an Uber, so there was no doubt we were going to use it in US as well! In US (and the whole world actually!) those of you who have already been there know that, Uber is the most widespread way of travelling in cities, commuting to and from work, it is also affordable especially if you use the carpool service, and it is the reason why that traffic in downtown San Francisco city can not be compared to that of Athens  city (believe it or not!!!)! We ourselves did use Uber app for one more reason, as we were able to enjoy the city views through Uber car during our journeys, gaining more images and memories!

In addition, while travelling in US, you will have the opportunity to experience new cultures and habits that we d love to see in Europe and why not in Greece too such as electric Jump bikes, that one should definitely try them!

Food

The food, is the great chapter of every trip! Unfortunately, in the effort not to exceed our budget but also for practical reasons, since in many isolated areas (eg. Death Valley, page etc.) the food options were limited, our daily menu included some donuts, Juice, water and cereal bars at $50 (for the whole trip)  for breakfast, 6 burgers of $1 a day for lunch and 4 coffees of $1 per day bought from a famous chain of fast food meals! In total 50 + 120 = 170 $ Not the best in dietary terms, but that’s how we get to travel a lot!!!

nonstoptravellers horseshoe bend

Accommodation

Cheap USA motels for your road trip can be friendly to your wallet, providing you also with a comfy bed to rest in after a long day in your car. Our stays therefore relied on such motels during the roadtrip. Some of them were quite decent,  while others were quite aweful, but all ranging from 70 $-$150 per night. The worst one was definitely the one we stayed in Hollywood, but we were staying right at the Walk of fame street! There is a plethora of motels in USA. Some of them are independent, while others are part of motel chains that operate across the country.

Ready for take off?

So did you like our itinerary? Are you going to give it a try or you already have booked your tickets? Don’t forget that the most important part before going on a trip,is to have a good plan so that you can see as many places as you can , or if something goes wrong, to have alternatives! Feel free to consult the survival guide we prepared for you, check out our useful blog posts and our tips for all the experiences we’ve tried! Get ready for taking off!

Finally, we will be glad to have you in our travel company! You can subscribe to our newsletter here:

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General Information

The area is part of the Colorado Plateau, the height of which ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 feet from sea level. The red color of the landscape is due to iron oxide and the dark color of the rocks from manganese oxide. The Monument Valley is a large area, part of which is a park, known as the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, like the national parks of the USA, with the difference that it belongs to the nation of Navajo.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

The entrance to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is $10 per person or $20 oer car and you are not relieved of payment if you have the annual ticket of national parks. The operation hours of the park are 6 a.m.-8 a.m. in the summer months (May-September) while the rest are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (October to April).

Your main activity in the park is to drive along the path (Valley Drive), a total length of 17 miles that crosses the valley and you can admire the amazing scenery. The road is earthen and in many places rocky for this reason is not suitable for cars that are low height. Many visitors choose to make the journey on their own, but there are also many organized tours that offer you a unique experience. We chose to take a guided tour and we did not regret it, you can read here our experience with Monument Valley Safari. If you choose to do the journey yourself, estimate 2-4 hours, depending on which points you stop. In summer you may find traffic, for this reason you could visit the park in the morning hours, where the photos are better, because of the colors.

During the journey you have to see many interesting points, with the goddess to the rocks vary depending on the angle you look at them. The valley was made known by the Westerns that were shot there. Some of the most interesting places along the route can be seen on the map that we prepared for you.

Where to stay in Monument Valley

The nearest big town in Monument Valley is Kayenta, 40 km away. There you can find various hotels at relatively good prices. At the nearest distances you can stay in hotels or motels that you will find in the Goulding ‘ s area near the airport of Monument Valley. Special experience, but relatively expensive is “the view hotel” at the entrance of the park, with amazing goddess in it. You can also find various campsites, with tents for rent, at relatively good prices, such as the one we found on Airbnb.

Other things to do near Monument Valley

If you want to go to Monument Valley you should not forget to go to some special attractions in the surrounding area. We distinguished the following:

• Goosenecks State Park

Also a park which does not belong to the National parks network of the USA, but is in the possession of the Navajo Nation. It is very small but worth a visit as it has an amazing view of the San Juan River and will remind you very much of Horshoe bend, but nut crowded. It is an amazing place for camping and to rest. The entrance to the park is $5 per car and is at a distance of 48 km and 35 minutes from the entrance of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

• Mexican hat

Mexican Hat is a special rock formation, which is worth admiring if you are in the area. You will find many places near the road where you can stop and enjoy the view.

• Forrest Gump Point

It is a spot with an amazing view of the Monument Valley and the endless road that crosses the plateau. Known point from the movie Forrest Gump, is an area where o lot of tourists stop to take pictures.

The Monument Valley is a unique experience that will remain indelible in our minds. We hope we help organising your trip!!!…enjoy!!!!.

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