For travel lovers, or even those with a curious mind, a stopover is a great way to experience a city that may not be high up on your bucket list, on the way to somewhere that is.
Or, in the case of San Francisco, building in a stopover is a way to get a taste of a city you’ve wanted to visit while on the way to somewhere else.
Infinity Holidays is relaunching their 6 incredible stayover San Francisco packages, with more hotels offering extended check in/out, plus up to 2% bonus commission on all hotels and the chance to win your own San Francisco stay.
With carriers such as United Airlines linking regular flights from Australia to every corner of the United States, San Francisco really is the golden gateway to the US.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) connects non-stop to more than 130 destinations around the globe, including more than 70 destinations in the United States.
In partnership with United Airlines and the San Francisco Travel Association, Infinity Holidays are promoting an incredible new functionality enhancement to their proprietary booking platform, Helio, that allows agents to include a stopover mini-break in an airline booking.
So, what should you or your clients do in San Francisco when stopping over?
Here’s an example of a three-day itinerary for those keen to sample the amazing culture of San Francisco.
Day One:
The best thing to do when arriving in a new city, is to get a lay of the land and a taste for what different areas of the city have to offer.
The best way to do that is on a Hop On Hop Off bus.
As part of Infinity’s San Francisco stopover packages, you can book a two-day bus pass which also includes entry to Alcatraz. Meaning the cost of that other must-see attraction is already taken care of.
In the 1930s, Alcatraz was used as a high-security prison, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
The once inescapable location is now easily accessed and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California.
The bus tour will take you around the central areas of San Francisco, as well as across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day Two:
Now that you’ve had a bit of a taste for the city, it’s time to visit some of the best attractions inSan Francisco with the All-Inclusvie Go City Pass.
Perhaps the best place to start is with the historic transportation option that is synonymous with the city itself.
San Francisco’s Cable Cars have been running since the 1870s.
The idea of running the cars up the steep hills of San Fran came about after its inventor watched horses struggling on the slippery slopes.
Despite the arrival of modern transport and a number of earthquakes, the cable cars have kept on going.
Today they are an icon of the city and a National Historic Landmark.
Another one of the many attractions available with the All-Inclusvie Go City Pass, is the Walt Disney Family Museum.
While Los Angeles and Orlando may offer the Disney Resort experience, the Walt Disney Family Museum is exclusive to San Francisco.
It’s dedicated to the life and legacy of the man behind the magic, Walt Disney.
Opened in 2009, by Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, and offers an unmatched look at Walt’s journey from his early years to the creation of the Disney empire.
The museum features interactive galleries, early sketches, films, and artefacts that showcase the development of iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse and the creation of Disneyland.
It also tells the story of his personal struggles, achievements, and the impact the legend has had on the entertainment industry.
Once you’ve finished at the home of Disney history, move on to another centre of history and storytelling, at The California Academy of Sciences.
It’s one of the world’s most innovative natural history museums.
Within its walls are an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and of course the natural history museum itself.
The Academy is dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth, with exhibits ranging from living ecosystems to cutting-edge research on biodiversity and climate change.
It even has a living roof.
If you want to get a taste for what the attraction has to offer, check out some of its many live webcams, including this one located at its penguin enclosure. Keep in mind the time of day when viewing the cameras.
Day Three:
Start the day with a a culinary journey through San Francisco’s North Beach and Little Italy.
The Tastes of Little Italy, North Beach San Francisco Food Tour will not only fill your stomach with amazing food and drink, but you’ll be taking in the fascinating history of the area, as well.
From artisanal pastry makers to authentic espresso coffee at a traditional coffee shop, the tour is the perfect example of how San Francisco has become a true melting pot of global cultures.
You’ll likely get distracted by the charming shops enroute, as well as historic Italian cathedrals.
As your time in the city nears an end, what better way to bring the sun down on your time in San Francisco than with a sunset cruise on its harbour.
Check out the world famous Golden Gate Bridge under the golden hue of a Californian sunset, while enjoing a refreshing drink.
It’s the perfect setting to think about the amazing time you’ve had on one of the world’s most amazing cities.
After just three days, you’ll be refreshed and ready for the next leg of your journey, and just as ready to return to San Francisco for another visit in the future.
Agents can view and book packages here: https://infinityholidays.com/campaigns/stayover-in-sfo/ and through the collection in Helio. For more information contact Infinity Holidays sales team via phone (1800 003 903) or email ([email protected]).
