I’ve been retired for a few years, and since retirement have put aside £1000 each year to fund a photographic holiday in America; specifically, either N.America and Canada; or S. America and Mexico. I think to do both combos would have been a bit of a stretch time wise.
Due to the political situation in America I have decided to restrict my trip to either Canada or Mexico, and was wondering if any members have spent time in either of those countries on extended photographic trips?
I will be taking a 5D SR and probably a Bronica GS along with a small range of primes for both; my main interest is landscape / seascape…and interesting urban environments (which would have been a big part of my American photography). I’m looking to come home with a couple of dozen reasonably diverse images to turn into large prints for my walls here.
Ease of travel and comfort / value for money are important considerations…but so it having a memorable one month holiday experience. All advice appreciated....bit urgent now as here in the UK this is the time of year to grab travel bargains.
When are you planning to come? Booking and flying "soon," or is it low prices on flights for later travel? It might help with suggesting locations.
We'll be traveling to London via Euro-star later this year and reading up on it, seems St. Pancras/King's Cross gets mentioned as a bit dicey. Some of the influencers I've followed in trying to plan made it a point to suggest that the reported "knife crime" and anti-social behavior might have been given exaggerated attention and that if one was careful to stand back from the roadway, it was harder to have your phone snatched, etc.
I've not traveled to Mexico in probably over 45-50 years. My wife and other members her family have been to Cabo and/or on west coast cruises. They've altered some of the cruise excursions and stops, but I guess there are other areas which are quite nice, and said to be safe. We've only been to the Victoria/Vancouver areas which were nice, but not in winter so not surehow that might be if traveling "soon."
What season you plan on traveling will greatly influence your choices in Canada. Let us know your approximate travel times and I can get you some suggestions for Canada.
I also have experience with some street photography in Mexican towns.
The political situation in the US is a lot better than the UK and mainly in the large cities. The American southwest (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada) is a landscape photographers paradise. The southwest cities have native American culture that is a dream to photograph.
Mexico is 50% of EU area wise, US is 2x, and Canada is 1x. You will have to be A LOT more specific with your request to get useful information:
1) What time of year
2) What temperature range are you comfortable with. Canada can be -40F, parts of the USA and Mexico can be 100F+
3) What type of landscape - snow/ice, deserts, mountains, ocean, lakes, flowers, wildlife, storms, etc
4) Focal lengths
5) What mode of transportation will be available to you? Passenger car? AWD SUV?
6) How much you are willing to drive on average per day. Each of the countries is huge and locations can be 100s of miles apart
What is your concern about the US - personal safety or difference of opinion wrt the policies of the current administration? If the former you don't really have much to be concerned about. If the latter, then going to Canada or Mexico is a valid alternative.
I would be booking now for April / May....or September October. Don't mind a bit hot...or a bit cold...but nothing extreme. I have lived in Malaya and Central Germany so no problem with those sort of temps.
I don't want to spend much time travelling....would probably spend a couple of days in a location then move on to the next. I'm primarily there for the sightseeing....the photography is my 'excuse'. I was in Paris for a few days last year....always carried a camera with me but probably spent 90% of my time just enjoying the place. Very happy with the photos I got.
As it happens my journey there and back was via St Pancras (which is also where I arrive when travelling to London from my home). It is a busy area with multiple transport links and various hospitality venues and other interesting places; never seen any evidence of street crime and I have been there mornings, afternoons and late evenings / nights. International stats show London is one of the safest mega cities in the world.....and the areas that are more 'challenging' are not near places like St Pancras.
As for the politics....we are very aware here of what is going on in the states as we can access multiple news outlets in the UK. A friend of mine has just decided against going to the World Cup ....his reason being the hoops he has to jump through and personal details he was required to share with American authorities...just for a tourist visa. And the cost. Having seen what is required that alone would put me off. Anyone reading this who thinks I am exaggerating should research the requirements....just pretend you are an European want ing to holiday in California...for example.
I still hope to visit Chicago, New Orleans and New York sometime ...would love to hear American jazz performed in those cities. And take some photos obviously....
Odd, because, my sources were various tourist related sites. Makes you think you can't always believe what you read. It's like reading that one can't fly their own flag in England.
Not sure how the ESTA/VWP for US entry compares to the ETIAS for travel to Europe, in complexity or cost. I hope neither deal with the firms doing California's DMV systems.
Living in California, seems the state "hosts" foreign tourists, all the time. Doesn't seem like it's too difficult or expensive. Attending the World Cup? Yeah anyone will pay big time for that. I have the feeling the "aftermarket" ticket situation is better controlled as a rule in at least some parts of Europe.
