How you get there (to Yosemite) is important. If you have the time and some patience come by way of Maripossa. Entering from the south west. Follow route 41 north. As you wind your way towards the park the mountains are beautiful. But really "you ain't seen nuttin yet". There's a tunnel you will drive through. As you exit it turn left into the parking lot and walk to the edge. Just trust me, the miles you have travelled to get there will be forgoten. Make sure you have your camera, and good luck not looking like a total goof as your jaw hits the pavement "not literally please".
Sit there, try to grasp for the words to describe this vision. Good luck with that one, i couldn't. Make reservations well in advance to stay at Camp Curry and leave nothing in your car with an aroma. BEARS! If you really want to splurge. Stay at the Ahwahnee hotel on the valley floor and ask Kathy the Concierge for the best views and hikes. Tell her Matt say's "hey". Enjoy, slow down get out there, walk, climb or sit and watch the Merced river race away through the valley. Trust me you will never see the world the same. The place stays with you. Peace, Matt.

www.yosemite.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9jnnuh

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Yosemite National Park is a fitness resort with unlimited use for people of all age groups. We are ramblers and often find the States poor for trails but the High Sierra Hiking Guide edition for Yosemite offered us some great walks and hints for comfort. White water rafting outside of the park on the river Merced was great as we stopped to swim and dive off rocks (not certain this would fit EU rules)! Many rock climbers could be seen climbing anything and everything up to El Capitan some 3,593 ft up. Accommodation and food in the park is basic (plan ahead). Why look for a gym when the whole park is a sports ground on offer 24 hrs a day 365 days a year.

www.nps.gov/Yose/index.htm

Google map: tinyurl.com/yec2ekj

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Think of California wine trips and you immediately think of Napa Valley and Sonoma. But before Prohibition, the area around Yosemite National Park known as the Sierra Foothills was more famous for its wine production. This area is having a long overdue renaissance, and once again is producing some fabulous wines. Relatively new vintners are doing some exciting things with grapes, and where better to taste them than in the beautiful surroundings of the Sierra Mountains.

There are some great wineries and vineyards to visit in the Mariposa area, but my favourite is the Chappell Winery. We were recommended this family-run vineyard and winery by the fine sommelier at Elderberry House and were not disappointed. Visit their tasting room in downtown Mariposa and try the wonderful grenache, an absolute steal at $12 a bottle. Even better, buy a case at $120 and get them to ship it for you. Don't forget to buy a couple of extra bottles to take away with you on the day, because you won't want to wait until you get home to drink it!

www.chappellwinery.com
Chappell Winery
5888 Colorado Rd.
Mariposa, CA 95338

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When you drive up to a fairy tale style chateau and staff line up to greet you with wine and hor d'oeuvres, you know you're somewhere special. A truly individual and luxury inn, with fabulous food at the adjacent Elderberry House, and some amazing local wines - we were recommended a wonderful local Zinfandel at a very reasonable price which I still dream about! Beautiful touches like homemade cakes in your room and handwritten goodnight notes add to a magical experience. You might not feel you want to leave once you're there, but if you must, Yosemite is really close by, as are some great local vineyards to rival Napa and Sonoma.

www.chateaudusureau.com

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The Yosemite Bug is a holiday resort for backpackers as well as people wanting a bit more luxury. You can stay there for as long as you want. They have a variety of accommodation including tents, cabins and dormitories. I stayed in the dorms on a 2.5 day package. The beds are much bigger than you normal hostel style beds and the everything is very clean.

Food is served three times a day at the Bug Bar which does very lovely and more importantly fresh food for a great price. The Bug offers guided tours of Yosemite which can be as easy or demanding as you want them to be. All staff live in the park and know everything you ever wanted to know about the geology, people and animals in this amazing place.

After a day of hiking you can relax in the resorts Spa which has a Jacuzzi and Sauna and offers massages and reiki.

I spent 2.5 days there an thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish I could have stayed longer. The atmosphere is very chilled and relaxed and the people who work there are friendly and helpful. Yosemite is an awesome place for hikers, climbers and people who just want to get away from it all.

The Bug is great because it is very informal but the service is great and it doesn't have the 'touristy' feel some of the bigger hotel chains have in the Yosemite Valley like Curry Village.

www.yosemitebug.com/

YARTS is a bus which caters for hikers wanting to get in and out of the park. It stops about 100 meters for the resorts' entrance: www.yarts.com/

Both Greyhound and AMTRAK Services go to Yosemite as well.

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