Q: What was your overall impression of the famil?
A: From arrival, each day was a special experience ticking off so many bucket list items. It was all very well organised by Brand USA and Air New Zealand, as well as the team in the U.S. that they work with.
Q: What was the highlight?
A: I couldn’t really pick one highlight of the trip. While it was a whirlwind of a week there were so many special experiences.
Alcatraz, dinner at Hell’s Kitchen in Lake Tahoe, experiencing Lake Tahoe itself with a sunset cruise, a drive, walking tracks and a gondola ride up Heavenly Mountain.
With a couple of quick and easy flights by United Airlines we were then in Medford Oregon, which took us on another adventure up to Crater Lake and a night in Redmond to break up the journey before heading to Portland the next day.
On the way we visited Smith Rock State Park, Hood Valley and Multnomah Falls. And then there was Portland, where we experienced basketball, Japanese gardens, nightlife and so much amazing food.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about…
The food. We tried so many different options. I mentioned we were lucky to be treated to an evening at Hell’s Kitchen in Lake Tahoe and even though that was one of our first nights and standards were set high, there was no disappointment along the rest of the way.
We experienced local hidden-away Chinese restaurants, food trucks, breweries and a dinner cruise in Portland.
Coming second to our Lake Tahoe dinner was a food tour of Portland where we were treated to a sample of ‘Fried Egg I’m in Love’, which started out as a food truck and now has store locations. Who knew that Pesto on an egg sandwich could be so tasty!
The accommodation. We stayed in some lovely accommodation. Two of my favourites would have to have been Margaritaville in Lake Tahoe and SCP Hotel in Redmond. But of course, there were also no complaints about the other hotels.
The shopping. No matter where you are in the U.S. there is a shopping centre or souvenir shop with your name on it.
The transport. All the transportation was easy, comfortable and convenient. Nathan, our tour guide from Rogue Trotter, was friendly, knowledgeable and very passionate about the area. In Portland we took the local tram from the city out to the basketball stadium, which was simple and affordable.
The flights. We had the opportunity to fly long haul with Air New Zealand as well as domestically with United. Both provide easy check in options, either online or at the airport.
There are different varieties of seating options that you can pay extra for to allow additional comfort during the flights and both have their own apps that are helpful for updates as well as online check in.
Q: Did you learn or discover any key takeaways about the region or travelling in the region that will help you with clients in the future?
A: The roads and highways in the USA are amazing to drive on and the signage is really easy to follow. I would not hesitate to recommend road trips.
Also, I’d now suggest that clients make stops in the small towns along the way. They have some great accommodation, amazing food and the local people are always up for a chat with visitors.
Q: What was the overall feeling/vibes from the other agents on the famil?
A: We had an amazing group. A lot of us were either first timers to the area or first timers to the USA. Everyone seemed to take it all in and appreciate the ease and beauty of our surroundings.
Q: What was unexpected or surprising about the famil?
A: Being reminded of all the beautiful landscapes that America is full of. There are 50 States and we only visited two (maybe three as Lake Tahoe is on the state line of California and Nevada) and there was so much beauty as well as changes in the landscapes in just those two states. I can’t wait to go back and visit more.
We were also surprised by the basketball game which was an event in itself. The entertainment before and during the game, as well as the passion from the supporters. I highly recommend that visitors try and catch a sports game for the experience.
Q: Summing up – anything else to add?
A: Big thanks to Brand USA for taking me on this famil as well as to the team that worked to put this together. They pulled out all the stops and it felt more like a holiday with friends than a work trip (am I allowed to say that?).
I am now super keen to get back to the USA and road trip other states…I already have a couple of plans in my head.
