Live Like a Local on Trafalgar’s National Parks Trips

On August 25, 2016, America’s National Park Service turns 100! To celebrate this momentous occasion, book a guided vacation with Trafalgar.

Over the last five years, Trafalgar has transformed guided vacations to showcase Insider Experiences – exclusive activities to give guests a richer understanding of local people, and to discover cultural traditions that only Trafalgar knows.

Read on to learn about the top eight tips for Insider Experiences on Trafalgar National Park Trips.

8 Top Tips to Live Like a Local on Trafalgar National Park Trips

P.O. News & Flagstaff Café

You’ll eat a meal at the P.O. News & Flagstaff Café in Sheridan, Wyoming, a local institution for 60 years, for a Trafalgar exclusive Be My Guest dining experience. Stopping in at this local joint for a private home-cooked meal gives you the chance to rub elbows with the local owners and the colorful people who tend to be earnest and friendly, just like in the movies.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Trafalgar guests enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, a complex of five western museums. Access is provided to the museum archives for a private talk with the museum directors on topics ranging from life on a working ranch to a talk about raptors with live birds of prey, giving guests a feeling of what it means to live in the “Cowboy State.”

Arches National Park

A hike in Arches National Park is better in the evening when the sun is setting and it is cooler. Guests are guided to Windows Arch and Turret Arch first. For a perspective that is entirely different, it is the best condensed amount of large arches in the park. The hike is moderate and comfortable for all fitness levels.

Grand Canyon

Trafalgar guests are never disappointed viewing the Grand Canyon at sunrise with the birds chirping in the morning fresh, clean air. Guests have a secret, rocky alcove all to themselves about 200 yards west of Mather Point, where most people crowd the rim of the Grand Canyon. This is one of the many off-the-beaten path hidden treasures on a Trafalgar trip.

Grand Teton National Park

After rafting on Snake River and before traversing Grand Teton National Park, Trafalgar guests are guided to the Chapel of the Transfiguration, a small log structure built 100 years ago. Everyone takes pictures from the front but not many people know pictures taken from the back include an immaculate reflection of the stained glass windows, yet still framing up Grand Teton beautifully.

Yellowstone

The best time to explore Yellowstone is about an hour after sunrise. Approximately 90% of visitors to Yellowstone miss out on this insider tip. By getting an earlier start, Trafalgar guests receive an exponential amount of benefits. They see much wildlife between 7-8 a.m. as compared to the rest of the day combined.

Zion National Park

Visitation to Zion skyrocketed this past year in 2014 to over 4 million thanks in part to the slot canyons and easy access to them is second to none. For the best photos, go midday and spend a little extra time and walk along the river for about 30-45 minutes. There’s a very easy and almost flat trail alongside the river before the canyon gets too narrow and the extreme hiking begins.

Bryce Canyon

Not many people get to experience the short walk along the Tropic Ditch. But Trafalgar guests have the opportunity to easily walk alongside the hoodoos at ground level looking up, as opposed to only looking down upon it, which is what every other view point in the National Park offers.

Which National Park Do You Want to See and Experience with Trafalgar?

Leveraging 70 years of expertise to design the perfect itinerary, guests who travel with Trafalgar immerse in a deeper experience in every destination enriched with the knowledge only a local could share.

In addition to visiting America’s National Parks, you can indulge in European travel. Imagine breaking bread with local families on Be My Guest dining experiences like the estate of a Count overlooking the Tuscan hills and olive groves, and sleep surrounded by history at Authentic Accommodations like an 800-year-old medieval castle in Ireland.

Discover secret spots and traditions with Local Specialists like a friend of the Beatles sharing personal stories in Liverpool, and explore behind-the-scenes with Cultural Insights like decorating their very own carnival masks in Venice.

Contact your Travel Planners International agent today and ask about Trafalgar Insider Experiences!