oliveb
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(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Bob

Its definitely possible to do the jeep and the flight. The jeep would be first and, in my opinion, is a must because you get up close and see more than you would otherwise. The flight follows straight after. 4 of our group did the flight and said it was wonderful. I thought they said that flight took in Rainbow Bridge - so it might be worth checking. But you're right - I see from my itinerary that the Bryce Canyon flight and Rainbow Bridge are on the same day. If you want to do one of them, I think it would be wonderful to fly over Bryce Canyon - its so spectacular. Can't comment on Rainbow Bridge - and none of our party did those flights.

You could always wait til you're there and get some advice from your Tour Manager. Think I would be inclined to do that - its a lot of money to pay out if you pick the wrong one.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. If Mike picks up this message, he may remember more than me!

Kind regards, Olive

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Olive, you've been very helpful thank you very much! I'm away next week, so I'll spend a little time thinking before I book but at the moment I think I'll book both Monument Valley excursions - the jeep and the flight and then have a think about whether to book the Bryce Canyon flight - as you say, I might wait till I go on the tour and see what the story is. Don't think I'll do the Rainbow Bridge one as it seems a duplication of the others.

Thanks again,

Bob

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Mike, many thanks for your help, much appreciated. Lots of food for thought as I want to get the most out of the holiday, but don't want to be spending a fortune on flights if there is a lot of duplication.

All the best,

Bob

GillianP
(Member)
'oliveb' wrote:

Hi Gill

With regards to spending money - I took £800 worth of dollars but I knew I was going to want to bring back a lot of souvenirs, presents for the grandchildren etc. However, I did buy a lot of presents on my credit card and ended up bringing back about 100 dollars in cash. Most of what I spent went on food and drink, and tips. An evening meal could cost anything from $24 plus drink and a couple of dollars for tips. Having said that you could eat very cheaply if you ate somewhere like Dennys - a reasonably priced diner. Lunchtime we tended to buy a sandwich from Walmart, or sometimes a burger or subway, depending where we stopped.

Beer was quite cheap, but I don't drink beer so tended to have a glass of wine in the evening or a vodka & tonic. Wine varied greatly but on average was about $6 a glass, although we did pay $11 one night!!

I paid for most of my excursions before I went so didn't have to worry about paying for those while away.

If you have any more questions, would be happy to help.

You will have a wonderful time. Kind regards Olive

Thank you Olive - that is really helpful and gives me something to plan towards. Any tips on packing? Am assuming it's pretty casual and want to travel fairly lightly. Am really looking forward to the trip in October - I've booked a couple of excursions - I've been to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Las Vegas before - they were all so amazing (especially the Grand Canyon) and I have heard great things about Yellowstone too. Thanks again for your response. Gill

oliveb
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Gill.

As far as packing goes - do try to travel light if you can. I took far too much and its not easy living out of a suitcase (especially a very full one!)

The Americans don't do dressing up so you will not need anything dressy for the evening. However, I did wear a dress at the end of the holiday - in Vegas. For evenings chinos and/or jeans are OK with some nice tops.

At the beginning of our trip, the temperature was about 60 degrees but very windy. So it could be quite chilly for the first few days. My waterproof was adequate though, although I had a separate jacket for the evening. Having said that, a cardigan might be Ok for the time of year you're going.

By the time we got to Arches and Monument Valley the weather was a lot warmer and a tee shirt was OK during the day. I tended to keep a cardigan with me in the coach.

Don't forget, you will have the coach with you at all times so you can keep extra clothing with you.

All the holidays had washing machines so you can always wash some clothes (especially in the middle of the holiday when you have 2 days in Salt Lake City or Cortez.

Hope this helps

Olive

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
'BGray' wrote:

Hi Mike, many thanks for your help, much appreciated. Lots of food for thought as I want to get the most out of the holiday, but don't want to be spending a fortune on flights if there is a lot of duplication.

All the best,

Bob

Hi Bob, you are quite correct in saying that the Rainbow Bridge flight would be, in part, a duplication of the longer flight from Monument Valley. Although the Monument Valley flight is quite expensive, people said it was worth every penny so it comes highly recommended! And as I already said, Bryce is so spectacular that I'm sure that flight would also be well worthwhile.

Hope you enjoy whatever you decide.

All the best

Mike

oliveb
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'oliveb' wrote:

Hi Gill.

As far as packing goes - do try to travel light if you can. I took far too much and its not easy living out of a suitcase (especially a very full one!)

The Americans don't do dressing up so you will not need anything dressy for the evening. However, I did wear a dress at the end of the holiday - in Vegas. For evenings chinos and/or jeans are OK with some nice tops.

At the beginning of our trip, the temperature was about 60 degrees but very windy. So it could be quite chilly for the first few days. My waterproof was adequate though, although I had a separate jacket for the evening. Having said that, a cardigan might be Ok for the time of year you're going.

By the time we got to Arches and Monument Valley the weather was a lot warmer and a tee shirt was OK during the day. I tended to keep a cardigan with me in the coach.

Don't forget, you will have the coach with you at all times so you can keep extra clothing with you.

All the holidays had washing machines so you can always wash some clothes (especially in the middle of the holiday when you have 2 days in Salt Lake City or Cortez.

Hope this helps

Olive

Sorry Gill - meant all the hotels had washing machines!!

whitty
  • (Member)
(Member)
thanks for all the info olive am on this trip on the 9th of sept this year,looking at the info on the excursions will probably do all the ones bar the rainbow aeriel flight,sounds like you had a brilliant time,makes me even more excited about going.

andy

oliveb
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'whitty' wrote:

thanks for all the info olive am on this trip on the 9th of sept this year,looking at the info on the excursions will probably do all the ones bar the rainbow aeriel flight,sounds like you had a brilliant time,makes me even more excited about going.

andy

Hi Andy

Take it from me - you will have an absolutely amazing time. I still can't believe I did it - even when I look at the photos it just looks like a dream!! If there's anything at all you want to ask please feel free. Kind regards Olive

Mick W
  • (Member)
(Member)
Thanks for the review Olive, makes good reading am looking forward to my trip in September even more now.

Mick

Dezzy
  • (Member)
(Member)
Thanks for all the info Olive, you cant beat first hand experience. I'm booked for Sept 23rd , looking forward to it even more after reading your comments.

Derek

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
'mikew' wrote:

'BGray' wrote:

Hi Mike, many thanks for your help, much appreciated. Lots of food for thought as I want to get the most out of the holiday, but don't want to be spending a fortune on flights if there is a lot of duplication.

All the best,

Bob

Hi Bob, you are quite correct in saying that the Rainbow Bridge flight would be, in part, a duplication of the longer flight from Monument Valley. Although the Monument Valley flight is quite expensive, people said it was worth every penny so it comes highly recommended! And as I already said, Bryce is so spectacular that I'm sure that flight would also be well worthwhile.

Hope you enjoy whatever you decide.

All the best

Mike

Hi Mike, thanks a million for the info, it's been a big help. I reckon I'll do the Monument Valley and Bryce flights but not Rainbow Bridge.

Cheers,

Bob

CDM
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi

I'm booked on to the 23rd September tour from Manchester and was already looking forward to it but Olive's summary and the prospect of viewing Stetson trials just make it all the more enticing! :thumbup:

Diane

CLC
  • (Member)
(Member)
Can anyone tell me if the salt lake excursion involves a boat ride or is it just going to look at salt lake?
martini2429
(Member)
When I went there was no boat ride at the Salt Lake, but that may have changed.

Martin

BGray
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi CLC as far as I know the Salt Lake tour involves a guided tour at the lake itself, followed by a tour of Park City (an old silver mining town) and finally a tour of Salt Lake City itself including the Mormon Tabernacle etc. I'm doing this tour in a couple of weeks and got this info from the excursions leaflet.

Hope this helps!

Bob

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
'CLC' wrote:

Can anyone tell me if the salt lake excursion involves a boat ride or is it just going to look at salt lake?

Hi CLC, I did this tour in May-June this year and can confirm that this doesn't include a boat trip on the salt lake. This forms part of an excursion that includes a visit to 'This is the Place' Heritage Park and Park City (just outside SLC). So basically, you just stop for a few minutes to take a photo and that's it! To be honest, there's not much to see at the lake itself apart from antelope island - which we couldn't see due to poor weather on the day. I'm sure you'll have a great time as this tour is fantastic! Hope the information helps, Mike