Planning the trip of a lifetime

If you've read my first blog entry you'll have learned that the United States of America has been a life-long travel dream. I've been to Hawaii, but now it's time to venture to the mainland.

Ideally I'd love to travel from east coast to west, traversing through the southern most states. But where to start? This will be my first overseas trip travelling solo, where I'm not being chauffeured around by a local guide. Essentially out in the big world, all on my own.

The annual Travel Expo was held here in Melbourne last weekend, and I went in with the idea that I'd like to head over during August. While the airlines offered some tempting deals (with Air NZ being the most competitive) I found I wasn't quite in a position to lock in the dates just yet.

The "perfect road trip", care of Shareably.net

I looked at the group tour offers too - from companies such as Contiki and Top Deck. But they don't seem to offer the kind of experience I'm hoping for. I think my desire to see so many places across such a wide area (coupled with my total disinterest in lapping the streets of Vegas in a limousine strapped with other 30-somethings, drinking copious amounts of alcohol) have driven me towards mapping out my own adventure.

So tonight I'm spending my time ripping out pictures and studying itineraries from the travel brochures I picked up to try and narrow down the places I'd like to visit.

From there I hope to plot everything out on a map (a great way to learn all about geography, kids ;)).

I guess the next step after this is to then explore on a level deeper, researching local tour operators, hotels, the most economical ways to get from A to B, and most importantly - how much is this whole thing gonna cost me?!

Anyone else have experience in plotting their first solo trip overseas? What are you tips?

Shopping for souvenirs when travelling

I find the idea of souvenirs very exciting. There's so many avenues to gift-giving and act as keepsake with fond reminders of your holiday, including food, trinkets and clothing...

I tend to go for a mix of traditional and unusual items. On my last overseas trip, (Hawaii) I bough some local seasoning from Kauai, a 1940s paper doll book from Pearl Harbor, coconut soap, kitsch dashboard hula dolls, key rings and tee shirts from the destinations I spent significant and memorable time in (Jurassic World for Kualoa Ranch pictured). The quirkiest item I brought back was the hula girl outfit: coconut bra, grass skirt and lei - complete with dance instructions! (this one I'm keeping for myself, haha).

In Wales I bought a locally handcrafted puzzle of the Welsh Dragon in Cardiff and a couple of white knights from Chepstow Castle, while in New Zealand I bought a beautiful paua shell bracelet sold in Christchurch.

Various fridge magnets I've collected on my travels

What I tend to collect for myself is fridge magnets, particularly if they're locally made. Take the carved tiki in the picture for example, made in Rotorua from kauri and inlayed with paua shell.

I also make an effort to send post cards from everywhere I travel. These usually go out to family and close friends... even if I'm travelling interstate for work (I tend to go to some very pretty places).

Cards and postcards from Qatar, Wales and Hawaii

What souvenirs do you prefer to buy and do you collect anything like postcards or magnets from your travels?