Joshua Tree National Park was originally created as a national monument in 1936, finally becoming a national park in 1994. The park is the visual representation of the point at which the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, creating a unique ecosystem with beautiful and sometimes bizarre flora, like a Dr. Seuss book come to life.

With some 5,000 years of history and nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree is the perfect choice for the active client interested in biking, hiking and climbing, as well as those looking to relax as they’re led around the park. 

Located about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs and two hours from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is ideal as either a day trip or a destination all its own. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Read more at TravelAge West.

Since 2003, Railbookers has been operating out of the U.K., providing customers with multiple-destination train journeys. In 2013, the tour operator opened up a branch in Los Angeles. Now, the company intends to work with U.S.-based travel agents to bring its brand of rail travel to North American clients.

“The most important company value for us is customer experience,” said John Hale, director of marketing and communications for Railbookers. “When you travel, it has to be an experience. People want to have the holiday of a lifetime, to their exact specifications, so we do absolutely everything to ensure that.”

Making Rail Travel Easy

“Booking train travel in Europe as a member of the public is, in some cases, almost impossible,” Hale said. “The majority of operators’ websites are in different languages, and a lot of them don’t even have a website. Also, the majority of rail providers in Europe don’t release their schedules until three months before travel.” However, Railbookers’ established relationships with rail providers allows the company to coordinate travel across multiple destinations, in addition to extra excursions, to create the exact rail journey clients want.
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Read more at TravelAge West.

Most of us have had a run-in with fellow tourists exhibiting a lack of manners, whether that’s an inappropriately dressed member of a church tour group or a honeymooning couple too eager to display their affection. If you’ve ever wanted to tell someone to pack away the selfie stick or flip-flops, you’re not alone.

The following landmarks, cities and airlines are all tired of these bad behaviors from travelers.

Say No to Selfie Sticks

Selfie stick bans frequently made the news throughout 2015. Major landmarks such as the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum in Rome, the National Gallery in London and the Mecca in Saudi Arabia have all banned the ubiquitous selfie-taking devices. 

The Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland) feels happier without the stick, as do Cape Town, parts of Lake Tahoe and major music festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. While several spots, such as Disneyland and Lake Tahoe, banned selfie sticks due to concerns over safety, Coachella flat-out called them an act of narcissism. 
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Read more at TravelAge West.