Getting to the Black Hills from Europe

As far as Europeans are concerned, the United States are on sale right now. With the Euro at an all-time high against the US Dollar, it’s a very good time to plan an American holiday if you’re living on the Continent. A bit like an after-Christmas clearance, maybe.

The Black Hills, of course, are a pretty attractive destination for Europeans. The open spaces, the wildlife, the mountains, American Indian culture… all sound like pretty relaxing options, especially if you’re coming from the crowded streets of London or Amsterdam. And even if you put the exchange rate aside, South Dakota is a pretty inexpensive vacation. That’s part of the reason why overseas visits to the U.S. were up 7% last year. Western Europe was particularly to blame, so a big merci bien to the French, Spanish, Belgians and - yes - the Liechtensteiners.

But planning a trip to the Black Hills from Düsseldorf or Dublin can seem a little challenging. Having spent a little time living in Europe myself, I know firsthand how imposing the task of arranging international travel can be. It helps to keep a few tips in mind:

• Read Up. There are dozens - if not hundreds - of guidebooks on the Black Hills and South Dakota, and many of them are available in Europe. Pick one or two, and use them to figure out what places are most important for you to see. That’ll help you choose an itinerary that’s best for you.
• Check Out Rocky Mountain International’s Resources. The concept behind RMI is a beautiful thing. They coordinate between hotels, lodges, activities, restaurants and travel agents back in Europe to put together Black Hills travel packages that are easy to book. Arranging trips through these agencies is a big bonus for many European travelers, since most European countries provide automatic insurance and protection when booking through these professionals. If your travel agent doesn’t already work with them, you can check out their site at www.rmi-realamerica.com. Most of the content is translated into Deutsch, Italien et Francais.
• Don’t Forget Visitor Bureaus. Many Black Hills communities have visitor bureaus designed to answer visitor questions and help plan trips for free. The larger bureaus - like those in Rapid City, Custer and Deadwood - are used to working with international travelers, and they’ll have specific suggestions for you.
• Shop for Flights. Flying to the Black Hills doesn’t mean two or three layovers and plane changes. Many Europeans will be able to get to Rapid City Regional Airport with just one stop, thanks to direct flights this summer from Chicago O’Hare on United (and, during June, July and August, on low-fare airline Ted). You also can get to the Black Hills through Denver, Minneapolis or Salt Lake City.

I’ll share some tips for the actual traveling part next week, but if anyone has anything to add about planning, post ‘em below.