Advantages: one of the natural wonders of the world
Disadvantages: too much to see

...When my girlfriend and I decided to visit the Grand Canyon we set out from Las Vegas knowing we only had a few hours to spare. Nothing could prepare us for the most spectacular, breathtaking natural wonder of the world. As soon as we got there, you could just feel your body tingle all over with excitement. When you look over the edge, a number of emotions come flooding through your mind and a sense of inspiration overwhelms you. There are opportunities for organised trips that take you down into the canyons, hiking, horseback, helicopter rides - you can even canoe/water raft on the river through the canyons. So many different canyons to visit - rainbow canyon is beautiful. As in its name the rock is made up of different colours. However my friend and I only had a few hours to see this marvel, whilst looking over the magnificent... Read review

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Advantages: once ina lifetime sight
Disadvantages: turbulence on 18 seater plane

...It was an early start for our trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon - a 6.10am pick up from the hotel. We were soon boarding a small plane (hard for those over five foot three!) for the 75 min flight to the Canyon.) The flight was smooth and the scenery spectacular - The Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Mojave Desert. The temperature at the Canyon was noticeably cooler than in LV. The Canyon was breathtaking - a 2 mile drop to the bottom and 60 miles across. We had time to wander around on our own before being ferried off for a buffet lunch. The food was nothing special but it filled us up. It was then time to board the 18 seater. We should have known it was ominous when we were instructed on the use of the "sick sacks". There was a huge amount of turbulence - not much fun on a tiny plane and we were all relieved to land at LV.... Read review

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Advantages: Towers of rock springing up give fantastic views.
Disadvantages: Very busy - not as peaceful and natural as the North Rim.

...sides of the canyon. Built with a steel framework it is a replica of a Pueblo Indian tower and perches on the edge of a steep drop. At 75 feet high, it is the highest point at the South Rim. Inside a Hopi artist has decorated the walls with murals. The bookstore was worth a visit too and if you are looking for any information in book or DVD form then this is the place to go. It wasn't long before we were chatting to the manager who informed me that he his grandparents had come over from Scotland, and we smiled politely, as we had heard stories similar to this a few times on our trip. He asked us lots of questions and we found out that he still had relatives who lived near Perth, which isn't that far away from us. This bookstore is owned by the National Park and all proceeds go towards the Park Funds so if you want to give something... Read review

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Advantages: absolutely breathtaking scenery in National Parks!
Disadvantages: cities can be very expensive!

...status in 1880 due to Naturalist, John Muir. We trekked for hours around the famous Sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove where we stumbled across the Grizzly Giant. The most spectacular views of Yosemite Valley are from Glacier Point from where you can see Half Dome , which is the sheerist cliff in N. America. Yosemite is a very good example of clear streams flowing through seemingly endless forests, while high Sierra peaks remain untrammelled by human feet and it remains a peaceful paradise for anyone looking for tranquillity. When exploring the Park in 1859, Horace Greeley claimed "I know of no single wonder of nature on earth which claims superiority over Yosemite". The following day we walked our socks off, to the top of Vernal Falls and on to Mirror Lake. Yosemite Falls, which drops at 2,425ft, is the highest waterfall in N... Read review

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Advantages: It's hot, mainly unspoilt, superb windsurfing & cheap.
Disadvantages: Scare stories from the press... not really for families.

...Well is it machete wielding muggers, or a cheap paradisical destination? Probably both... -which in a sordid way is almost a good thing. The Dom Rep seems to have had some pretty bad press recently :-< (don't those little sidewqays faces annoy you !) the result of which is less demand for holidays over there, which in turn means I can afford to go! :>) I spent 2 weeks in Caberete, the windsurfing capital of the Caribbean, for the sum total of £169 (+ Cuba Libre (rum and coke) money (almost the same again)!) Go to www.cheapflights.com and have a look. We went slightly end of season (which is about now) and booked about 2 weeks in advance. Admitedly the accomodation was my friends floor, but hotels in the area are about $10 a night! Can't complain... Caberete is on the north of the island, only 30 mins drive from the airport... Read review

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Advantages: Breathtaking nature, cheap, multi-cultural
Disadvantages: high criminality, bad health institutions (hospital etc.),

...the criminality is so perfectly organized that you are in danger also as a cautious tourist. One methoe: you come out of the airport and take a taxi. At the door of the airport a person stands and gives the carnumber of the taxi to his companion via handy, who follows you on a motorbike some time later, makes the taxi with a weapon to stop and wants all your money and package. I would give everyone the advice to do what he wants, if you love your life a little bit. If someone talks about the nature of Brasil, everybody thinks about the amazonia, but the real paradise for the friend of pure nature and animals is the pantanal (state mato grosso and mato grosso do sul). In the jungle of the amazonia the animals hide in the deep forest, in the free areas of the pantanal they can be seen also by the non-professional viewer and animal friend. The pantanal... Read review

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Advantages: Crisp, Clear and Colourful Animation
Disadvantages: Just an Extended Simpsons Episode

...I wanted to watch this film at the cinema but never got round to it, therefore I recently rented the DVD. I was a bit apprehensive as I had heard some bad reviews about this film, but as I like watching The Simpsons on TV so I decided to give it a go. This story revolves around Homer who once again does not listen to Marge ends up doing something stupid. In this film Homer ends up dumping sewage into Lake Springfield, his contribution then pushes Springfield up to be the most polluted city in the United States. The Government decide to do something about this and end up putting a glass dome around Springfield to seal in the pollution and to stop their pollution spreading. To stop outsiders suspecting something the Government has also manage to wipe Springfield of the map. After a while the residents of Springfield soon find out... Read review

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Advantages: Quite addictive
Disadvantages: Too short, one annoyingly difficult race

...and cars. Kenji is the leader of the tuner cars, Angie is the leader of the muscle cars and Wolf is the leader of the exotic cars. Another new thing about need for speed carbon is canyon racing, canyon drift and canyon duels. Canyon racing is just like a sprint only it is down a canyon, so it it not to different to other sprints. Canyon drifts are exactly the same as a normal drift races except that it is down a canyon and canyon duels are a race down the canyon with another car and the idea is to keep as close as you can to the car ahead and therefore earning points, you then lead the other car down the canyon and try not to let them you and therefore losing points, the one with the most points at the end of the canyon is the winner. To be honest need for speed carbon is a bit too easy except the last race which is very hard! The addictiveness... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning
Disadvantages: Hard work

...The first thing that strikes you is the size.Its really big. I mean MASSIVE. Bigger than Big Brother. Bigger than Carol Voderman's pay cheque. Bigger than Vanessa Feltz' Buttocks. After that the sheer beauty of what you are beholding will leave you breathless. The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is truly awesome. A product of 2 billion years of erosion through the Arizona landscape by the Colorado River, it is a gift from Mother Nature unsurpassed in magnitude and beauty. Visitors have a number of options available to view the canyon. Depending upon your budget you can entertain yourself by taking a stress-free stroll around the rim, ride a mule a couple of miles into the canyon or go for a bird's eye view in a helicopter. The only real way to appreciate the magnificence of the canyon is to hike down it yourself... Read review

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Advantages: Probably one of the worlds natural wonders
Disadvantages: To get there you would need to hire a car

...Its one of those secret places your friends tell you about and you know you have to go there. Bryce Canyon is just that. Its more astounding than the Grand Canyon and its not got the bustle of tourist you find in Arizona. Bryce's main amphitheatre contains the largest number and variety of hoodoos. There are some breath taking view points accessible by car or you can follow one of the foot trails if you have brought your walking boots, which I would recommend you take. Sunrise Point is one of the four major view points over looking the stunning geological wonders, definately one for lovers at sunset. One of its most prominate features within the park is the Natural Arch that has been created over the ages of erosion in the limestone plateau. As the sun moves over the canyon its brilliant colour seems to change by the hour... Read review

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