World Heritage Site

Covering nearly 2,000 square miles of the central California landscape, Yosemite National Park is one of the finest, most visually overwhelming destinations in the world. Every year, 3.5 million visitors come to be awestruck by everything this ecological gem has to offer, including massive granite cliffs, towering Sequoias and beautiful waterfalls, just to name a few, and best of all it’s within driving distance of most major California cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it an ideal weekend getaway. Despite its sprawling size, however, most of the park’s visitors spend the vast majority of their time only exploring the 7 square miles of Yosemite Valley, which should give you an idea of just how much there is to see and do. So whether you’re looking to see the most popular sites or just want some seclusion to experience the tranquility of nature away from the crowds of camping tourists, you can have it all in Yosemite.

But camping and nature watching aren’t the only things you’ll find. For more active travelers, the park also has great opportunities for biking, hiking, rock climbing, and even downhill skiing in the winter at Badger Pass Ski Area, California’s oldest place to ski. And if that isn’t enough to convince you this is the place for your next weekend getaway, you can do it all amidst some of the state’s best scenery, including the breathtaking, world famous peaks of Half Dome, North Dome and El Capitan.

RealTravelers Mark & Ciara visited Yosemite last summer (the most popular time of year to see the park, though there’s beauty to be found here year-round) and had this to say:

“Yosemite valley appears in front of you as you exit a tunnel through one of the many huge mountains that surround it. Its no more than a few miles wide at any point, but the hugeness of it is awe inspiring. The valley floor is looked down upon by huge granite cliffs and walls, complete with waterfalls, meadows, rivers, lakes and streams…

Curry village is a mixture of camps, cabins and tents which makes up the largest lodge in the valley. All they had left was a tent cabin, which came complete with bear claw style rips. we were given the hard sell on what to do and not to do when you see a bear.

Apparently, hundreds of bears break into peoples cars and cabins each year when they smell food and drink inside. We locked up our toiletries in our “bear locker” and attempted to get some sleep!!

The next morning brought a change of accommodation, to the Yosemite lodge..right underneath the largest waterfall in the park. it was a stunning setting. we had a nice wooden cabin complete with bear proof locks.

That day, we took a really great 2 hour tour around the 7 sq. miles of the valley floor. As you’ll see from the photos, there is a great view around every corner. The park has 400 to 500 black bears, elk, moose, deer, dozen of species of birds, and literally thousands of squirrels. There are more giant Sequoias as well, just for good measure.

Everyone should come here at some stage as its one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen. It ranks with the grand canyon in the jaw dropping category. No trip to California is complete without seeing this place.” (more…)

I couldn’t agree more! And not to worry, if camping isn’t your idea of a great weekend getaway, there are plenty of Yosemite hotels, where you can stay and enjoy this special place with all the comforts and amenities you could ask for.

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No question, the Great Pyramids of the long lost Pharaohs are a must see. They are on just about everyone’s bucket list, but when you ask people who have just returned from that must-see, trip of a lifetime how it was many an answer will be returned with just one word. Hot. And so it is. Egypt is located on the eastern fringe of the great African deserts and it certainly does get warm. But it’s a dry heat some will say. Whatever. Aswan is 108 degrees in July is brutal no matter the near zero humidity. If you are the odd type who prefers to keep sunstroke to a minimum, there is a simple solution to this dilemma. Visit the Pharaoh’s Land in winter.

During the first two months of the year the average daytime temperature in Cairo is a pleasant 65 degrees Fahrenheit. In Lower Egypt a quite enjoyable 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This shirt sleeve weather allows the Indiana Jones in us all to crawl through the most stifling of Kufu’s Pyramid corridors in Giza or the confining Tutankhamen’s tomb in Thebes without falling prey to the clutches of Anubis, like all those cursed and sweaty tomb robbers. You can walk amongst the redwood sized pillars of Karnak and under the magnificent statues of Luxor, without even a deodorant change. Sure, the desert nights get a bit cold but even during a ride up the Nile on the open deck of a Felucca, a comfy extra blanket is all you need.

The winter months also make exploring the fantastic dunes of the Great Sand Sea or the majestic barren history of the Sinai enjoyable, without the survival classes. Bedouin nomads will lead you to their oasis and upon camping out under the night sky, reveal a heaven of stars you never thought possible. After hiking Mt. Sinai in the evening, you can wake to see the sunrise turn a rocky wasteland beautiful and climb down in the cool morning to pay homage to a once very hot bush. Before leaving the Sinai be sure to head over to Dahab for a quiet off season backpacker scene. Enjoy delicious karkaday tea and tahina dip while resting on pillows under a warm, not hot, coastal sun. If you don’t mind adding a little cold water to the adventure be sure to try some scuba diving at this under the Red Sea paradise.

Another perfect reason to visit Egypt in winter is that its very literary jewel on the Mediterranean empties in the colder months. Yes, come see Alexander the Great’s old library and modern Egypt’s spectacular new one without the crowds. With all the fair weather visitors back to work in Cairo you can peacefully walk the great Corniche along its Eastern Harbor visiting the wonderful Al Mursi Mosque and old Fort Quaitby. As you look out on the harbor, picture all the history, imagine the fleets of Alexander, Antony and Cleopatra and the more recent British Dreadnoughts. If you want to experience some of the history yourself go scuba dive the underwater remains of the great Pharos Lighthouse, or explore the ancient site below Pompey’s Pillar. Later that night walk the vibrant Alexandria streets and enjoy some kofta or strong Turkish coffee at Pastroudis.

Egypt has so much to do, so many amazing things to see that most visitors don’t know where to begin, but before you pick the sights be sure to pick the right month. Before the sandstorms of March and the blinding heat of summer, before the tour group attacks of fall and the holiday getaways, winter is the right time to visit and hear ‘Welcome to Egypt’.

Guest writer Bill Benson chronicled his travels around the world and continues to share trip planning advice, photos and stories that he gathered along the way.

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