Delaware is one of the small states in the USA. Here it is still cozy and even the typical skyscraper cities are searched in vain. It is the fascinating nature and the harsh climate of the Atlantic Ocean that make Delaware so unique. The miles of sandy beaches are deserted even in summer, the roads are endless and the shimmering blue rivers crisscross the state from the east. In Delaware, you can spend an unforgettable vacation.

Delaware – The State of Outdoor Activities

Hardly any other state offers as many outdoor activities as Delaware. Visitors can paddle across the many waterways or discover the lakes by canoe. Delaware is also known as a cycling state. You can easily rent a bike in any city. The cycle path network is excellently developed and the routes lead along the coasts or through the national parks. The east coast state also offers first-class opportunities for trekking and hiking. Many hiking trails lead through the state parks such as the pristine Killens Pond Park or Fort Delaware Park with its famous fortress. The coast is one big outdoor playground. If you want, you can get on your surfboard and ride over the waves of the rough Atlantic or enjoy fantastic views while parasailing. Skill is required for stand-up paddling and you can experience paradisiacal sunsets on a boat tour.

Historic sites and living past

The entire history of the state can be experienced on a tour of the Delaware History Trail. It takes tourists to all points of history. A passport with all the important information is available from the state’s tourism office. To visit the historical sights, visitors will receive online codes until the pass is full. History is still alive not only in the magnificent mansions, but also away from civilization. West of the capital Dover, the so-called Amish people live according to the traditions of a long-forgotten time. The Amish region is a peaceful place of tranquility: Here, visitors can look over the shoulders of the Amish people during handicraft activities or buy handmade things at special markets. Throughout the year, the Amish community offers cultural and historical activities that also encourage participation. The Amish landscapes can also be discovered via a specially designated path by bike or on foot.

Miles of deserted sandy beaches

For good reason, city dwellers from Washington and Philadelphia have been drawn to the coasts of Delaware for decades. Six fascinating sandy beaches line the east coast of the state. Although the landscape is almost the same, each beach has its own charm. On the beach of Lewes you can indulge in culinary delights in the many restaurants and the beach of Cap Henlopen attracts with a breathtaking dune landscape. Point Cape Henlopen is dominated by solitude and the centrepiece of this fairytale stretch of coastline is the mysterious lighthouse. Rehoboth Beach is a magnet for the country’s rich and famous. See and be seen is the motto of the people on the well-known promenade. Here you can stroll past small shops or stop off at one of the maritime restaurants. Playgrounds and rides also attract families with children during the season. A stark opposite is Dewey Beach.

The entire region is a place of attraction for young people and the young at heart. No other place in Delaware is better suited to turn night into day. First there is dancing on the beach and then partying in the numerous nightclubs until the morning. If you are looking for peace and quiet, you have to visit Bethany Beach. On this idyllic stretch of coast, Delaware shows its most pristine side. Fenwick Island beach is also a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

Culinary delights combined with a fantastic panorama

Delaware scores with a culinary offer of superlatives. The state made water dining famous in the first place. The term stands for restaurants that not only have something to offer in terms of culinary delights, but also impress with their unique location by the sea. The entire cuisine is dominated by seafood and fish, which are served in all variations. Some restaurants, such as the Paradise Grill in Millsboro, entice with outdoor dining on the beach. The fantastic sunset over the sea is free of charge in the beach restaurants. Many restaurants are still open after the kitchen closes. Then they turn into trendy pubs and fiery cocktails are mixed. During the day, an appealing street food offer stands out. This ranges from fish sandwiches to tropical food boxes to freshly cooked mussels. Most restaurants are family-friendly and have special offers for younger guests.

Beaches and promenades become a stage

In Delaware, there is always a party somewhere. There is a colourful programme of events throughout the year. Every summer, the beaches and promenades become a large open-air stage. There are festivals of all kinds and sometimes bikers or wine connoisseurs come by for a meeting. The many markets and city festivals are known beyond the borders of the state. Delaware also attracts visitors with quiet and contemplative events, such as full moon hikes or winter coastal tours. Twice a year, the migratory birds make a stop in Delaware. This is the reason for the Delmarva Birding Weekends. Birdwatchers and naturalists from all over the world come to the East Coast of the USA for this event. In each coastal town there are special galleries, most of which exhibit the works of regional artists. The highlight of the year is the Fire and Ice Festival in February. Then huge ice sculptures will be made in Bethany Beach, which will be staged with LED lamps.

Hawaii is not one of the most popular backpacking destinations due to the relatively high costs. On the other hand, the island chain offers fantastic nature and the best conditions for unforgettable outdoor activities. For this reason, there are still many backpackers who decide to vacation in Hawaii. Basically, there is nothing wrong with it, but as with other destinations, there are a few things to consider, which is why we have compiled 5 tips for backpacking in Hawaii in this article.

Read testimonials

Before you get started with Hawaii backpacking , you should first find out how the whole thing works. The best way to do this is to read testimonials. Experience reports will give you a good overview of how certain things work on a backpacking vacation in Hawaii. This can help you make the right decisions. In addition, you will be able to better assess whether a trip to Hawaii really suits you.

Don’t swim everywhere

Hawaii without swimming? Most backpackers probably can’t imagine that. However, you should be aware that you should not swim in all places. As with some other destinations in America , there are many bodies of water in Hawaii – for example, waterfall pools – that are “contaminated” with leptospira bacteria. These bacteria can cause the infectious disease leptospirosis – a potentially lethal disease. It is therefore better if you swim mainly on the beach.

Always take enough provisions with you

Hiking in the great outdoors of Hawaii sounds like a beautiful dream to many. This dream can be fulfilled, but you should never go on a hike without provisions. Be sure to take enough food and especially water with you. Deaths from dehydration are unfortunately not uncommon, which should not be ignored in view of the high temperatures in Hawaii. So always take enough provisions with you and be back before nightfall, as unknown paths in the dark are anything but pleasant.

Protect yourself from the sun

The high temperatures in Hawaii are without question a good thing and one of the main reasons why tourists from all over the world are drawn to the island paradise year after year. However, you should not neglect the risks of UV radiation , but always ensure sufficient protection. Sunscreen is an absolute must, otherwise it can lead to severe sunburns or even serious conditions such as skin cancer.

Don’t be too daring

In itself, Hawaii is not too dangerous, but you should not be too daring, because the unruly nature can be a big risk. For this reason, it is better to go on hikes or outdoor activities together with one or more other people. If an accident occurs, you can be sure that someone will call for help. If, on the other hand, you are alone, you will quickly find yourself in a hopeless situation. So don’t be too daring, but calculate potential risks – then nothing should stand in the way of an unforgettable backpacking tour.

When explorers in the United States set out west from the East Coast to discover new land, they were fascinated by the endless expanses between the two oceans. As the caravans of settlers moved through Nebraska, they were greeted not only by the Sand Hills, but also by the breathtaking scenery of the Rocky Mountains, water buffalo and, above all, a seemingly endless landscape. While the buffalo have almost completely disappeared over the years, the state is still closely connected to the Rocky Mountains. And even though Nebraska is not a classic state for tourists, some would even mockingly call it a fly-over state, there is a lot to discover for the curious eye where the settlers marched west.

Between Route 66 and natural spectacle

The state of Nebraska is not necessarily known as a place for huge cities. Omaha is a very lively capital city worth visiting, but of course it can’t be compared to famous metropolises like New York, Los Angeles or Miami . The treasure of Nebraska is nature. And that doesn’t even mean the Rocky Mountains, but pretty much everything you can explore by car in the state. The vast steppes with their breathtaking rock formations are worth a visit, as are the reserves of the few remaining indigenous peoples, who show their visitors how people lived here long before the Europeans came to conquer the continent.

Top attractions outside the Rockies include Scotts Bluff National Monument and Chimney Rock National Historic Site. Both are huge rock formations that can be found in the middle of the steppe. Their special feature is not only given by their striking appearance, but also by the fact that they were an important symbol for the settlers on their way west. They were used to orient oneself on the way and some of the wagon tracks of the former settlers can still be found today – in addition, there are small museums and exhibitions that remember the life of the settlers on the way to the coasts in the west.

While you can follow the famous Oregon Trail of the settlers in these places, there is another popular road in Nebraska: Route 66. Here, important parts of the important road run through the United States and diners, museums and shops remind us of the historical history of the route. If you are traveling by car or motorcycle, you should definitely have taken the chance to have ridden on the route once.

Top things to see and do in Nebraska

One of the most important sights of Nebraska is the natural spectacles. This is a nice contrast to the visits to the often crowded cities of the United States, which can quickly trigger a sensory overload. Instead, you have the opportunity not only to see the aforementioned National Monuments and the Rocky Mountains, but also to follow in the footsteps of the settlers who once discovered the country with excursions. Whether on horseback or with a tour in the car – a journey through the steppes of Nebraska, to the lakes and rivers of the state, gives a feeling of the incredible vastness that people must have experienced when discovering the USA .

Whether you opt for the real experience on the Oregon Trail or eat a stew to your liking at Buffalo Bill’s house, the options for activities and excursions are numerous in Nebraska, and they are always connected to nature and the state’s historical history. It is recommended that you take a rental car in Omaha or Lincoln for the duration. The distances in the state should not be underestimated and it can happen that you drive for several hours through almost deserted areas until you arrive at the next sight.

Omaha and Lincoln as a center for one’s own planning

With Omaha and the state capital Lincoln, there are two cities that are particularly interesting for a visit. While Lincoln is the political and administrative center of Nebraska, one’s own life takes place primarily in Omaha. The city of Omaha has a quite impressive skyline for its small size and is home to some of the most important sights for visiting the state, especially with the famous zoo and some museums. But beyond that, it is above all an experience for the other side of Nebraska. The restaurants and diners, the theaters and cinemas, all of this conveys a bit of the attitude to life in the center of the USA. The steaks are huge, the cars as well and the people here couldn’t be typically American. It can therefore be worthwhile to spend a few days in the cities after a trip through the special nature and let this other side of the USA work its magic on you before you make your way to the next destination in the USA.