Exciting and Affordable Mountain Bike Holidays

While some people might consider lounging in a beach chair with an umbrella drink in hand the perfect way to spend a vacation, "slow" has never been my speed at all. I'd much rather spend my off days biking up and down rocky terrain or twisting, turning trails while taking in incredible views along the way. That's why I've been booking mountain bike holidays for the past five years, and why I'll continue to do so every chance I get.

Since I've taken so many mountain bike holidays already, all my buddies come directly to me when they need some tips on how to book a once-in-a-lifetime adventure of their own. I'm more than willing to share my expertise, and am proud to say that I've hooked more than a few friends up with vacations they'll never forget. The key to a great mountain bike holiday is to know exactly what YOU want from your trip before you make any reservations. Don't book the same vacation as someone else just because that person had a blast. Everyone's tastes and experience levels vary, so you need to start by answering a few questions first.

For example, one thing I always ask is how much you're willing to spend on your vacation. There are cheap mountain bike holidays as well as luxurious ones, but of course the packages are wildly different depending on how much you're willing to spend. You can definitely have a terrific adventure on small budget, so I recommend spending only as much money as you're comfortable with. There's certainly no need to go into debt here!

A second question I ask is what kind of experience level the person has. Beginners will not have the same success on tough mountains as their advanced counterparts, and of course easy mountains won't be any fun for the experts. It's important to assess your skills honestly here, as safety also comes into play. You don't want to ride over your head and end up with a serious injury during what was supposed to be a dream vacation.

And finally, I ask what general area the person would like to visit for their trip. Popular mountain bike holidays in the U.S. usually include destinations like Colorado, California, Oregon, and Arizona in the West, and North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in the East. But there are also incredible international mountain bike holidays available too, in exotic locales such as Canada, Costa Rica, the Scottish Highlands, and the French Alps. All of these places have something unique to offer, so you really can't go wrong no matter where you end up riding.

Once you've answered these questions, then finding cheap mountain bike holidays online or through a local travel agent should be a snap. Have fun, ride hard, and be safe!

Some Great Hawaii Attractions

You probably could guess it, but there really is a huge assortment of Hawaii attractions that will keep you busy on a visit to this, my favorite island. Whether you plan to be on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or the big island of Hawaii you’ll find plenty to do from scenic tours on land and under the sea to a vast array of culture and history to embrace. The question won’t be “what to do?” but “how much time do you have?”

Honolulu, the state capital, Honolulu, is located on the island of Oahu. A visit to Oahu would not be complete without a stop at one of the most famous of all Hawaii attractions: Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship and is a sobering reminder of the great sacrifices our soldiers have made to protect our freedoms. Further inland, you can visit Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo. You can also trek over to Chinatown for an distinct neighborhood of markets, galleries and amazing restaurants.

Over on the island of Maui you can chill out on some of the most gorgeous stretches of white sand beaches found anywhere in the world. The beaches of Kaanapali Maui offer up amazing swimming and surfing opportunities. When you’re done with all the beach fun try a drive along the scenic Hana Highway. That is one Hawaii attraction that has to be seen up close.

The island of Kauai is the least developed of the island chain but still offers up plenty of memorable Hawaii attractions. The Haena State Park has a string of remote beaches surrounded luxuriant tropical scenery. At the Kauai Museum you can immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of the Hawaiian islands and their people.

A trip to the big island of Hawaii means you’ll have plenty of Hawaii attractions to choose from. There are basically two sides of the island: Kona and Hilo. On the Kona side you can visit the aromatic coffee plantations. You might also be treated to a first hand glimpse of Mother Nature’s fury at Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. On the Hilo side you can visit the blossoming botanical gardens. If you’re in the mood for more of a rugged trip, take a tour down into the Waipio Valley. After a bumpy four wheel drive, you’ll be rewarded with black sand beaches and the Waipio falls. No matter which Hawaii attraction you decide to visit, make sure to bring your camera - oh and read my new travel blog while yo are at it