We spent seven weeks visiting the many tourist attractions along the route covering Southern Carolina, Washington, Vegas, San Francisco, Hawaii, LA and ending up in the Mexico.

 

 

Link to still image montage of road trip from Southern Carolina to Mexico:-

 https://youtu.be/pUadAZ7MXmI

 

 

South Carolina to Mexico

Having accumulated untaken holidays at work, we took a sabbatical during the summer of 2011. Initially the family gathered in Washington for a few days sight-seeing, then headed down to an amazing rented house on Virginia Beach for two weeks rest and relaxation. As they all headed home and back to work, we started on an amazing trip comprising a combination of city breaks and beach holidays – an ideal mix for us. 

Vegas is Vegas, everyone has to visit at least once. The Venetian Hotel was very different with architectural hints of Venice and the constant hustle and bustle of the casino. A helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon National Park was truly “awesome” – as the Americans say.

San Francisco feels quite like a European city with its own micro climate. A trip around Alcatraz brought us back to a different time and reminded us of all the ‘Escape from Alcatraz’ films watched over the years. The obligatory cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, down to Sausalito and Tiburon left us bow-legged for a few days.

The Hawaiian islands of O’ahu (with its capital Honolulu) and Maui are very different, with the latter being significantly more laid back. Until our visit, we hadn’t appreciated the strong Japanese influence, with many of the restaurant menus written in both languages. A tour of Pearl Harbour is very poignant. 

A few days in Los Angeles, visiting all the well-known sites, left us ready for a leisurely few days in Cancun, Mexico. Snorkelling in the Punta Nizuc area, a round of golf and a day trip to Chichen Itza, an amazing heritage site built by the Maya in 600-900AD, were the key high-lights.

 

On Ambergris Caye off Belize we stayed in idyllic beach huts, a few meters from the waters-edge. From there we took a day-trip to dive in the Blue Hole, an extraordinary experience, and another activity off the bucket list, but be sure to bring mosquito spray, as they were out in force.

 

Back to Mexico to Playa del Carmen, which has an altogether more bohemian feel about it, and a few days reading our books on the beach before we headed to Quito via Panama and then onto our amazing adventure around the Galapagos. 

 

Sense of South Carolina to Mexico

If you have the time, a big trip like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The combination of city tours and beach breaks doesn’t allow for boredom to set in. Having English and a smattering of Spanish makes conversing and getting-around simple. The variety of experiences and cultures is what made this trip memorable.

 

 

Recommendations for South Carolina to Mexico 

Once you get your schedule of flights sorted, it is then very easy to search for and book your own accommodation using one or the many search engines. Back in 2011 Bookings.com was our favourite. It is also advisable to book certain trips etc in advance, such as, the helicopter trip of the Grand Canyon, a Vegas Show and the trip to Alcatraz.

A cost effective way to get to and from your hotel in both the US and Mexico, is to avail of the shared shuttle/ mini bus service.

 

Our must see recommendation for a trip from South Carolina to Mexico

 

(1) There is loads to see in Washington – museums, art galleries, the White House, Arlington Cemetery etc

(2) The helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon was awesome 

(3) A Vegas Show – Phantom of the Opera was wonderful

(4) The trip to Alcatraz was poignant 

(5) The day tour to Chichen Itza was memorable.

 

 

 

As always, the people we met along the way, enriched the whole experience.

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“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”