An overview of my itinerary planning for Day 5 of my 2020 US National Parks Road Trip


An overview of my itinerary planning for Day 5 of my 2020 US National Parks Road Trip

An overview of my itinerary planning for Day 4 of my 2020 US National Parks Road Trip

An overview of my itinerary planning for Day 2 of my 2020 US National Parks Road Trip

If you are like me, the thought of spending time in the mountains gets your adrenaline flowing and you just can’t stop thinking about the breathtaking vistas, exhilarating hikes, and the unforgettable adventures exploring amazing slopes, valleys, and peaks. That’s why mountain landscapes are my favorite landscapes in the world. Not only are they amongst the prettiest landscapes you will find on this planet, but they are also some of the most exciting landscapes to explore. In addition to having some of the most epic hiking trails and climbing routes in the world, mountain destinations also have some of the most amazing wildlife to view.

If you are an outdoor adventure enthusiast, there may be no location on Earth that is better suited to fulfill your dreams than the city of Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island. Widely regarded to be the “Adventure Capital of the World”, every year Queenstown attracts millions of tourists from throughout the world who flock to the city to test their mettle bungy jumping, skydiving, jetboat riding, canyon swinging, downhill mountain bike riding, and a myriad of other amazing outdoor adventures. Around every corner in the city it seems is the headquarters of another adventure activity.

For some people, sitting back and relaxing while traveling is just not in their DNA. I know that I am one of these people. When I travel, I always have to be doing something active. Depending on where I am traveling, it is typically kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sky diving, or my favorite travel activity, which is hiking. For me, there is no better way to appreciate the beauty of an area than to hike thru some of its most breathtaking landscape. In fact, I love hiking so much that sometimes I will plan an entire trip around a single hike that I want to do.

While Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon may not be as well-known as some of the other parks in the Western United States, that doesn’t mean it isn’t every bit as beautiful. In fact, as lake parks go, it may be the most beautiful in America. Centered around a deep, water-filled volcanic crater that has formed the deepest lake in North America, Crater Lake is also well-known for its rough wilderness and great hiking and snowshoeing trails. If you aren’t into hiking, getting out on the crystal blue waters of Crater Lake to Kayak or go for a swim may be just what you are looking for. Regardless of what you do when you visit, one thing that won’t be in short supply during your stay is tranquility.

New Zealand has an abundance of breathtaking national parklands, especially on the country’s South Island. This is what has made the South Island of New Zealand one of the top destinations for travel photographers and travel adventurers from around the world. Out of all of the beautiful parklands the country has, the most well-known may be the stunning Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park. In addition to being the home of Mount Cook, which is New Zealand’s tallest mountain, it is also home to the Tasman Glacier, which is the largest glacier in New Zealand.

There are a lot of amazing adventures to be had on New Zealand’s South Island. Milford Sound and the Milford Track is something that every traveler should experience, the city of Wanaka is home to quite a few of New Zealand’s most infamous hiking tracks, and the city of Queenstown is known across the globe as the “adventure capital of the world”. However, none of these adventure locations in New Zealand are quite as unique or as special as the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on the west coast of the South Island.

Wanaka’s glacier‑fed lake, wide‑open skies, and mountain silhouettes create an immediate sense of calm, making it one of the South Island’s most inviting destinations. This Wanaka, New Zealand guide begins in a place where nature sets the tone—where the stillness of Lake Wanaka meets the rugged drama of the Southern Alps. Visitors often arrive for the scenery but stay for the slower rhythm that settles in as soon as they step into town.

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