Sympa votre collaboration musicale pour faire des compils à écouter "On the road". Ecouter cette musqiue que j'apprécie tant et en découvrir sur place de nouvelles que je ne connais pas encore (notamment en country-rock) font partie intégrante du voyage aux US en ce qui me concerne.
BluesJack, tu as du passer de sacré bons moments en travaillant à la radio, en permanence immergé dans la musique et à cotoyer ses acteurs et créateurs !
On en reparlera ailleurs que sur ce post pour ne pas le détourner trop longtemps de son objet initial.
Have a nice day
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
Et c'est reparti 😕 ... Encore un post suisse qui durer, durer, durer avec ses relances incessantes 😇
Et ne me dit pas que tu découvres ces routes depuis le temps qu'elles sont abordées ici 🤪
La prochaine question c'est : Où est-ce qu'on peut faire pipi ?
Dans la mesure où vous faites les 3/4 des questions-réponses sur chaque post, que vous visitez les mêmes endroits, les mêmes routes, les mêmes lacs ... louez un minibus, vous gagnerez du temps et de l'argent !
Par là, les routes à une seule voie c'est toujours plus large que chez nous et ceux qui tombent en panne (moi cela m'est arrivé entre LA et LV en plein désert!!) ne sont pas nombreux, la titine amerloque c'est du solide, enfin comme ici quand ça casse 😉.
Donc si je te comprends bien, on peut sans problème croiser un véhicule venant en sens inverse sans risquer de devoir faire marche arrière et pire, sortir de la route et dévaler la pente. 😕
Pour ce qui concerne les titines, ce sont souvent des japonaises qu'on trouve chez les loueurs.
Negatif pas que du jap, pour ma part je prends toujours une luxury de type Cadillac, c'est vraiment de la titine américaine qui va bien avec son gros moulin V8 et ses 16 litres aux cent 🤪 et je passe par Alamo le plus souvent.
On peut en parler là, car je suppose que d'autres personnes associent les beaux paysages des Etats-Unis à la musique.
Et Eagles m'a donné asile sur ce post. 😎
C'est vrai que la radio m'a permis de faire des rencontres très intéressantes, dont un certain Garth Brooks qui à l'époque était le plus gros vendeur de disques aux Etats-Unis. Malheureusement, la vague country des nineties a laissé sa place au rap et autres produits r&b. 😕
Garth Brooks, comme les 9/10 des musiciens américains, est un type gentil et attentionné. Bien loin de certains artistes français que j'ai rencontré, dont une certaine chanteuse blonde vivant à L.A. 😛
Maintenant, je recherche des chants des natives american; pour illustrer mes films tournés aux States. C'est plus dur à trouver.
Bon, puisque tu dis qu'on peut parler musique américaine....
"The Thunder Rolls" de Garth Brooks est à mon avis à mettre au Panthéon des plus belles chansons tristes, tous genres confondus (bien au delà de la Country Music). Un heureux concours de circonstances m'a fait découvrir cette chanson à la radio en 2003 alors que justement je conduisais sous un impressionnant orage en Arizona, depuis je ne m'en lasse pas.
Pour l'illustration de tes films tournés aux USA avec la musique de natives, je peux te recommander la remarquable Joanne Shenandoah (artiste iroquoise) qui alterne avec bonheur les airs traditionnels chantés d'une voix très pure et des airs plus world music (sans mettre en avant les synthétiseurs comme c'est trop souvent le cas chez d'autres). Si sa compilation "Peace and Power" est vraiment excellente, j'ai aussi un faible pour son concept album "Peacemaker's Journey".
Une chanson que je te recommande aussi, de l'indienne séminole Mary Youngblood : "Walk with me" avec une base bluesy et une très belle flûte.
Enjoy !
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
Comme tu sembles être un grand connaisseur de la musique américaine, je te conseille un album somptueux, celui de Robbie Robertson (ex-leader du mythique Band, combo canadien qui a débuté avec Bob Dylan): "Music For The Native Americans" (Capitol Records / 1994). De sang Mohawk par sa mère et juif par son père; Robbie Robertson s'est entouré de musiciens de différentes tribues et de la regrettée chanteuse Rita Coolidge (Cherokee).
Pour Garth Brooks, c'est un type génial qui s'est permis de sortir un disque à consonnance pop sous un pseudo; malheureusement pour lui, cette trahison envers la country lui coûtera sa place de leadership. Aujourd'hui, il sort des disques presque dans l'anonymat alors que durant les années 90, il a vendu 128 millions d'albums aux States où il n'est battu que par les incontournables Beatles !!! On trouve derrière Garth Brooks des légendes telles que Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles et Billy Joel. Ce sont les seuls artistes qui ont vendu plus de 100 millions d'albums aux USA !
Garth Brooks a vendu deux fois plus d'album aux States que les Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John ou Bruce Springsteen ! Peu de gens le savent. Et j'aime le rappeler à mes gamins quand ils me parlent par exemple de Mariah Carey ou Rhianna... 😛
Et pour l'anecdote qui peut faire office de cerise sur le gâteau, Garth Brooks possède, dans le top 100 des meilleures ventes d'albums aux USA (dominé par les Eagles, avec une compile datant de 1975 / 29 millions d'unités), six albums !
Voilà, pour ceux qui ont envie de découvrir ce sacré personnage de la country music, à la sauce rock, vous trouverez tous ses albums durant vos vacances aux States.
A + et bon week end
PS: Eagles, tu auras bientôt droit à une compile de Garth Brooks pour ton voyage... 😎
quel plaisir de vous lire avec Sedonax !
je connais l'album de Robbie Robertson, effectivement très beau.
Je suis en train de voir pour Joanne Shenendoah et Garth Brooks.
Pour ma part, je suis fan du Boss, mais j'aime bien aller voir ailleurs, sauf la "rapouille" et sa sous-musique, le R&B.
vivement le prochain voyage dans l'Ouest.
Bonne journée
A Moab la route de Potash 20 km de route puis 27 km de piste praticable avec une simple voiture chevrolet cavalier Je l'ai fait en 1994, 95, 98 et 2005 en partant tot le matin 6 h compter 3 h avec arret pour arriver a SKY ISLAND, visite de sky island puis direction Death Point Horse, puis en fin d'après midi Aches Nt park pour avoir le coucher de soleil sur delicate arches vers 18 h en juin.
voici quelques photos
Pour quiter Moab Direction capitol reef prendre la 128 EST avant le pont et rejoindre l'autoroute 70 ouest
Waouh ! prendre la piste de Potash Road puis enchainer sur Shafer Trail avec une simple Chevrolet Cavalier, c'est sacrément gonflé et je me demande comment tu as fait pour ne pas avoir frotté le bas de caisse sur la piste rocailleuse à certains endroits (tu dois être un sacré "pilote"). J'ai fait cette piste 4 fois et la seule fois où j'y ai croisé une voiture classique je l'ai entendu arriver de loin à cause des lugubres et répétés bruits de raclement de son soubassement et son conducteur au visage angoissé m'a alors demandé combien il lui restait de kilomètres à faire pour gagner à nouveau une route goudronnée. Même si tu y es parvenu sans dommages, je déconseille fortement aux lecteurs de ce forum de prendre ces 2 pistes autrement qu'avec un SUV dont la garde au sol otera à l'aventure son caractère aléatoire.
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
Bonjour Sedonax,
Non je n'ai jamais eut de problème quelques passages au ralenti. dans la monter sur sky il ont fait des petit tranche pour détourné les eaux de pluies, mais sa a passe sans touche.
La seul fois en 98 j'étais avec mes enfants et ma copine. Je l'ais fait de Sky island et la la descente a été difficile a cause des graviers sur la piste qui n'assurai pas un freinage efficace, mais le reste aucun problème.
Je compte la refaire en juin et jespere pouvoir enfin visite the Wave cette année.
Bonne vacance
Merci pour le conseil "Music For The Native Americans" de Robbie Robertson, je me le suis procuré et c'est effectivement très bien ! J'ai lu que pour cet album il avait collaboré avec Kashtin qui est le pseudo d'une de mes amies sur ce forum car elle est elle même amie avec 2 membres de ce groupe amérindien, ce sera l'occasion de parler de cet album à notre prochaine rencontre !
A+
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
Je suis content que cet album te plaise, car Robbie Robertson est un artiste bien trop méconnu à mon goût.
Son premier album solo date de 1987, il est éponyme et reste à ce jour sa meilleure galette. Il y a déjà quelques références ici et là à ses origines native american, canadian pour être précis. 😉
Son second album ("Storyville" / 1991) est aussi une jolie réussite critique, malheureusement, le succès commercial le boude toujours.
Pourtant sur ces deux albums, on trouve quelques-uns des meilleurs sessionman de l'époque et quelques potes tels que Peter Gabriel, U2 au grand complet, des anciens partenaires du Band (son ancien groupe), Neil Young, Bruce Hornsby, les Neville Brothers...
On trouve des CDs d'artistes amérindiens dans les Visitor Centers des parcs ou des villes (suivant le VC il y a plus ou moins de choix)... autrement je me fournis sur Amazon au retour en France.
A+
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
N'étant pas spécialiste des artistes indiens, je ne connais que ceux que j'indique plus haut (que m'ont fait d'ailleurs connaitre Annie et André Molinet, grands spécialistes de l'Ouest que je salue au passage).
Outres les productions de vrais "natives", on trouve dans les Visitor Center des productions new age d'inspiration indienne (mélange d'instruments traditionnels et modernes) dont certaines ne sont pas désagréables à écouter (quand les synthétiseurs ne sont pas omniprésents) et sont très relaxantes. C'est par exemple le cas de Sacred Earth Drums de David et Steve Gordon (qui ne sont pas plus natives que toi ou moi !).
Philippe
www.phschuler.com et www.ouestusa.fr, pour une vision de l'Ouest en dehors des sentiers battus.
Carnet de voyage Ouest USA 2009
Quel post passionnant 😎 On a vraiment appris des choses intéressantes sur les + belles routes de l'Ouest.
Encore merci pour cette aide, ô combien précieuse, pour tous ceux qui lisent ces lignes au vu du titre alléchant !!!
Et quand on sait que ça va encore durer des semaines, ça fait plaisir 😇
C'est le meilleurs animateur rock et country de France, Georges Lang. Il sévit sur RTL. Il raconte l'histoire de la Route 66 avec plein d'anecdotes et des illustrations musicales liées à cette fameuse route.
Le texte est intéressant et si vous avez l'occasion d'écouter ses émissions, je suis sûr que vous les apprécierez.
Nous avons programmé un voyage sur la cote ouest cet été, l'itinéraire est le suivant: Los Angeles - Sedona - Monument Valley - Lake Powell - Brice Canyon -…
Dans un précédent post, nous vous avions demandé votre avis concernant la faisabilité d'un roadtrip sur la côte Est des USA. Pour différentes raisons, nous…
Sites personnels des membres › États-Unis · 6 replies
A tous mes amis de Voyage Forum et à tous ceux que cela peut intéresser, le récit avec photos de mon dernier voyage aux USA intitulé: "USA 2011-Cap sur les…
quelles sont les plus grosses bases de l us air force dans l ouest americain (californie, nevada, utah, arizona)? est il possible d en visiter? merci!!
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
