Next February I shall turn 30 in human years (115 in Time Lord years) Anyway, in August 2014 me and my older sister are planning a big holiday to celebrate this 30th year and we are off to L.A, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Having already done New York in 2006 and Dallas and Houston in 2008, I have had my sights set on the west coast.

We are the only one's in our family with a sense of adventure but top of the range suncream will be needed along with my genuine stetson I bought in Texas because it will be seriously hot out there in August!

After many months of searching for a deal that offers value for money without having to go for crappy hotels, we are going to book this in the next couple of months: http://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/Details...p;fNPC=NMP

Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic who have proved the best operator in my experience thus far

P.S, writing to Santa for a bridge camera this year so that will get some hammer! LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Pay extra on go first class! Or try and blag an upgrade

Well a last minute upgrade to economy plus is an option but first class needs a lot more money than I can afford!

We are looking at those pre-paid credit cards which seem to be the way forward rather than travelers cheques LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Just use your debit card in the states, that all I use. Or get a 0% apr credit card before you go, then pay it off when you return.

Trip looks awesome, been looking at doing a group holiday in the states for a while now

My tips as a global traveller and another Dr (of seaweed ):
Use The Halifax Clarity card for minimal charges http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money
Make sure you have travel insurance to cover USA.
Spend a good half day at Monterey Aquarium then take a kayak out in the bay to get close to the Sea Otters
Carmel beach at sunset followed by a beer at Hogs Breath Inn (Clint Eastwood's place)
Home brew pub in Monterey
Personally I would find a 2 week escorted tour a bit tedious and restrictive
Enjoy * GONE. GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* GONE.2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Rocket ship. 33mpg.
* Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

Sounds great. I would love to go back to America. I went to California back in 2008 and loved it, but I haven't had the time to go back. I would love to go to New York next year, but often SWMBO gets the final say.

This July, SWMBO and I are taking the FL2 to Northern Spain for two weeks. Then driving back through France back home. Overall its a 1500-2000 mile trip. Should be fun! Then we are going to Northern Cyprus for 2 weeks at the end of August.

It will be nice to get some sun for once, I'm not expecting a barbecue summer in the UK this year!

If you're feeling (off road) adventurous, you might be interested in this guy: http://deathvalleyjim.com/.

Some interesting points there chaps, thanks. I will notify my credit card companies just in case but we have been looking at this pre-paid Mastercard: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/cash-passport-currency-card.aspx LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

August - Hot inland but expect rain and a green desert - it is the rainy season. SF will probably be very cold. When I was there last year we were lucky to hit 60 deg F, then 10 miles inland the other side of the Bay it was over 100!!

We flew into SF then drove SF - Yosemite - Pacific Highway to LA - Palm Springs - Grand Canyon - Monument Valley - Las Vegas (fly home). Happy to share the trip details if you PM me

I work overseas perhaps 20 or 30 times a year, I agree the best exchange rates you will get are on certain credit cards.

eg Halifax , Nationwide, Saga, just look up online and see which one suits you. You will get a fair rate and no surcharges, using a debit card is not a good idea as you tend to get charged a transaction fee and the banks idea of what a good rate is.the other big saver is to avoid the " which currency do you want question" many card machines all over the world will offer you local currency/Sterling choice, take the local currency using one of the cards above the vendors exchange rate will be unfavourable.

The big change I've seen in the USA lately is the steady creep in the cost of tipping, 10% is an insult, 15%, expected, and 20% and upwards for genuine good service, amazing that in the USA a waitress may be paid less than £2 an hour and relies on tips !

Have a great time the Grand Canyon is an amazing sight, on " the Strip" avoid the Mexican pimps with their hand out menus, and have Sunday brunch at the Bellagio, 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I had one of those traveler cards and stopped using it...there's a fair few places don't accept them, so make sure you always have a backup.

I've been upgraded to First 5 out of my last 6 flights...the way to do it is not to ask, be polite and chatty to the person at check in. However, being a frequent flyer helps! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Sorry to put downer on things Doc,pick your pre paid card with extreme coursion ,They don't all work ..

I had 1 for my hornymoon to Hawaii ,to my embarrassment it dint work ,keep getting the sorry sir its been declined ..I was lucky enough to be able to use my debit visa.. Iain

papa smurf wrote:

I had 1 for my hornymoon to Hawaii ,

Sometimes the predictive text gets it right

 Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Did the SF area a couple of years ago and stayed in Fishermans Wharf. saw Alcatraz , tip if you want to visit Alcatraz book your boat ticket over here well in advance they quickly get filled up. Plenty of websites selling tickets on the net . Did the cable car ride thing- went to Yosemite national park, a must see its truly amazing -Muir Woods for the Redwood trees( only grow here and one other part of the USA ) . Eating wise try the Clam Chowder with a bread roll-ooh I could eat one now. do take a boat trip around the bay and go under the golden gate ,amazing structure.

Realspeed Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner