Tourist Information
Archive for June, 2010
The Perfect Family Vacation
01 year ago
by admin
in Special Interest Travel
Although I have experienced many wonderful vacations over the years, it was a recent trip to California that was the perfect family vacation for me.
We flew into San Francisco, where we rented a car and hit the road. We started our perfect family vacation by driving along a coastal road and watching the fog lift to reveal the ocean in all its immensity and beauty. We then stopped at a cute little restaurant where we could gaze out at a harbor filled with boats coming and going.
After a delightful meal we headed further South where we visited an aquarium. What an amazing place to see. There were sting rays you could touch, little sharks that would stick their heads out of the water to look up at you, and all other kinds of sea life. It was an experience that will stay with me throughout my life.
Upon returning to San Francisco we walked along the beach front and took pictures before calling it a night. The next day we headed to Alcatraz for a tour. It was fascinating to see how the prisoners there had lived. We also had the opportunity to meet an author who had written a book on Alcatraz that included information about the famous inmates from there. He signed our copy and I had most of it read before we returned from our vacation.
The next jaunt in our perfect family vacation was the Winchester Mystery House. There is nothing else like it. It was built by the widow of one of the Winchester heirs. She lost her small child and then her husband within a short time of one another and went crazy. She believed that the only way to keep bad spirits at bay was to continuously build on her house. This meant building around the clock and adding rooms, closets, etc. randomly, continuously expanding. There is a staircase that goes nowhere (it connects with the ceiling), a door on the second floor that opens into midair, and a cupboard that is only about an inch deep. It is a truly incredible house to walk through.
Before catching our return flight and ending our perfect family vacation we explored the Maritime Park. This is along the beach and consists of several old ships you can walk through. They still have small room with signs showing you where the different crew members worked and slept.
This was our perfect family vacation. Everything went well and we enjoyed all of the interesting sights. We all had our favorite parts about the trip, but nothing we did was dull.
Sarah Holt writes for Everything About Travel . com. For more on Vacations Ideas, as well as a free “Travel Secrets” e-book, travel stories and tips, visit http://www. everythingabouttravel. com
What are some good true sailing travel books, travelogs, real life adventure while cruising on a sailboat?
71 year ago
by admin
in Special Interest Travel
I’m looking for some non-fiction sailing books about cruising on a sailboat. Please remember non-fiction means they are true and not made up. Sail, sailboat, cruising, travel.
Getting Close To Nature At The Smoky Mountains
01 year ago
by admin
in Special Interest Travel
The United States offers dozens of National Parks, but the most popular of all of these is the Great Smoky Mountains located in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. Both in and around the park, visitors can find plenty to do when they visit the Great Smoky Mountains area.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of the most popular cities to visit when vacationing in the Smoky Mountains. Here, vacationers can rent gorgeous cabins located on the mountains. In addition to the nearby trails and natural sites, tourists can enjoy visiting a number of fun and interesting museums and other attractions.
The Ripley’s Believe it or Not Aquarium is one must-see attraction located in Gatlinburg. In addition to its interactive exhibits that are fun for kids of all ages, the aquarium offers an up close and personal look at many different sea creatures. One of the most prized features of this aquarium is the shark tank, which is a shaped as a tunnel through which visitors can pass as they watch sharks swim around them. Other sites in Gatlinburg include the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the Guinness Book of World Records Museum.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee also offers a number of different tourist attractions, but is best known for its dinner shows and shopping opportunities. Just as with Gatlinburg, amazing cabin rentals are available in Pigeon Forge. For visitors looking for thrilling rides combined with down home charm, Dollywood can also be found in Pigeon Forge. Often compared to Disney World and referred to as a smaller version of the popular theme park, Dollywood offers a number of different rides and shows.
Townsend, Tennessee
Often referred to as the “Peaceful side of the Smokies,” Townsend, Tennessee offers gorgeous mountain views as well as more cabins in which vacationers can stay. Townsend is vastly different from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, as Townsend has a quiet, small town appeal that cannot be found in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. In addition, Townsend is the gateway town to one of the most famous parts of the Smoky Mountain National Park – Cades Cove.
Cades Cove is an 11 mile loop road that takes tourists through stunning mountain vistas and close encounters with wildlife. Spotting deer is common when traveling through Cades Cove, though seeing black bears has also been known to happen. The loop also offers several pull offs, many of which include trail heads to historical Appalachian buildings such as cabins, churches, and barns. One of the most popular pull offs is the trail head to Abrams Falls, which is a 2. 5 mile long trail leading to a 20 foot tall waterfall.
Little River Road
Little River Road is a must-see for any Smoky Mountain visitor as it offers many scenic views of the river, which runs alongside the road, as well as more opportunities to view stunning waterfalls and other natural sites. Even better, the road can be used to travel from Pigeon Forge to Townsend or from Gatlinburg to Townsend. Therefore, a trip down this road only serves to help with visiting all of the towns the Smoky Mountains have to offer.
One of the most popular trails in the Smoky Mountains, Laurel Falls, can be found alongside Little River Road. Parking can be difficult to find here, so it is a good idea to get there early in the morning in order to avoid the rush. This 1. 3 mile long trail is paved and leads to a 75 foot waterfall.
The Sinks are also found along Little River Road, and visitors do not have to walk a trail in order to get there. A combination of deep pools and hydraulic rapids, The Sinks is a popular swimming hole despite warnings that it is not particularly safe to swim in the rushing waters filled with boulders. Even for those not looking for a refreshing dip, The Sinks is quite a marvel to see.
A Safari Vacation In Kenya – An African Holiday Never To Be Forgotten
01 year ago
by admin
in Special Interest Travel
A safari vacation in Kenya is undoubtedly an African holiday never to forget. A vacation or safari in Africa, particularly in Kenya, remains one of the most popular and memorable experiences one can ever possibly undertake. It is more than simply a vacation â it is an exploration of the origins of Man, and an appreciation of some of the glorious and iconic animals in the world, within their true habitat. From lions and leopards to elephants and wildebeest, a Kenyan safari is the ultimate in exotic experiences, and will create tales and memories to share and enjoy for the rest of your life.
Although the majority of your memories of Kenya will be animal related, there is much to enjoy and to appreciate that is not in wild and arid plains of the highlands. Indeed, you would be well advised to spend at least a day or two in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. If you have ever read Karen Blixenâs famous book, âOut of Africaâ, you will enjoy visiting her house here, built in 1912, and exploring many of the scenes and locations described in the book, and the subsequent film adaptation of course.
Also in Nairobi you will find a number of animal sanctuaries, such as the one for elephants, and the one for giraffes. Seeing these animals up so close, and especially watching the adorable young animals cavorting around, is a real pleasure. If you are fortunate enough to have the luxury of a good guide, they will be able to take you through the city, allowing you the time to appreciate the many cultural, historical and natural wonders on offer, whilst also ensuring you get to see a broad slice of Kenyan life.
Naturally, much of your holiday here will be spent either on safari, or at least excursions into the highlands and plains to watch the animals in the wild. It will be necessary to remind yourself frequently that you are not watching a natural history program on television, but that you are just a short distance away from the very real kings of the African plain. Watching lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards and wildebeest in their natural habitat, and surrounded by wild, open landscape that stretches to the distant mountains on the horizon, will require plenty of spare film in your camera.
Not surprisingly, many film crews and top naturalists come here, although itâs well worth knowing when the best seasons are for watching the animals. Although Kenya enjoys a tropical climate towards the coast, and a more arid climate further inland towards the rising highlands and plains, it does experience two rainy seasons. The longest of these takes place between April and June, with most of the rain tending to fall during the afternoons. Between October and December there can be a slightly shorter rainy season.
The best months for a safari vacation in Kenya can be between June and September, as it is during this period that the annual animal migration takes place, with hundreds of thousands of blue wildebeest journeying across the plains. This is often captured by film crews who travel here especially for this remarkable footage. Imagine being there, yourself, with a guide to take you to the best locations where you can watch one of the most incredible and awe inspiring natural events taking place before your very eyes.
Africa is a vast continent, accounting for a fifth of the entire land mass of the Earth, and Kenya itself occupies well over half a million square kilometers. Because of the sheer scale, it is easy to forget, as you look out through the crisp white curtains at your window towards the peaks in the distance, that the tallest of those peaks is Kilimanjaro itself, the highest peak in Africa, the top of which is almost 20,000 feet above sea level.
Itâs unlikely that, on even a luxury holiday in Kenya, youâll wish to scramble up the mountain, since its beauty can be appreciated from all around, but should you be interested, Kilimanjaro offers every possible climate on earth, from the arid dryness of the base, through tropic regions, and towards the top there are monumental glaciers and snow that lasts all year round. Perhaps just as astonishing is the fact that there is mobile phone reception at the top â the highest mobile reception in the world!
If at all possible, make sure you book an excursion to see the Great Rift Valley, 6000 kilometers of breathtaking scenery. To make the most of this, there is only one way to appreciate it fully â and that is to book a flight. Flying across the immense trough, with a guide to help identify the features and aspects to you, will be something you will remember for a very long time.
Whether you choose unrivaled views a full safari, or a holiday with safari excursions, Kenya will provide you with outstanding, and, opportunities and experiences, with all the best of Africa on hand for your pleasure. Always remember to look at the stars at night â the African plains have a secret that will stay with you forever. A safari vacation in Kenya is, to most, the ultimate in adventure vacations: an African holiday never to forget.
If you are seeking a luxury Kenya safari vacation, you can’t beat the personal service offered by Ultitude with top class accommodation, food and travel. Ultitude provides you with a luxury travel experience for a fabulous Kenya safari vacation.
Walking Holidays in Greece
01 year ago
by admin
in Special Interest Travel
Discover the unknown Greece
Businesses stepping up to help
01 year ago
by admin
in Travel Accessories
Businesses stepping up to help
Local companies can assist by sending their staff members to volunteer for one or more shifts.
Read more on Langley AdvanceNews
what is the average cost for a mediterranean cruise?
7for 2-4 people?
i’m asking because i couldn’t find rates on any of the websites i looked at, not because i can’t afford it.
Popular Cruise Destinations
0Choosing a cruise destination is somehow a confusing process. We can travel across the world through ships and there are thousands of options to visit. All places, be it an island or a posh city, are so beautiful on this Earth that we cannot resist visiting any of the place. A world cruise tour is best of all and lets one see beautiful places & destinations across the globe. But not everybody can afford going on a world tour, it is extremely expensive. To sort out your dilemma of choosing a location, we bring information about most popular cruise destinations of the world so that you can choose the appropriate one for you and your family.
Alaska
Alaska is well known for its splendid nature sceneries. The extreme beauty offered by the icy climate of Alaska make it an absolutely not to be missed cruise destination. The cold climate of Alaska combined with natural beauty adds a charm to the surroundings and mesmerize the visitors.
The Caribbean
If you are a lover of beach areas, Caribbean is the best place to visit. The spellbinding beauty of Caribbean beaches leaves its visitors with wonderful memories. White sand, clear blue water, lots of sunshine and great fun; what else a person needs on a cruise vacation. If you are going very first time on ship, it is advised to choose a Caribbean cruise destination.
European Cruises
For those who are lovers of history and notable monuments, European cruise is the best available option. On this tour, one can visit all major and beautiful European countries & cities including Venice, Italy, Spain, London and even Moscow. The beauty of the historical monuments and elegance depicted by them can be observed very closely on a European Cruise.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most popular cruise travel destinations among honeymoon couples and its’ because of the extremely beautiful sea shores and black sand of Hawaiian beaches. The food offered by this travel destination is simply fabulous and is among one of the main attractions of the island.
The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean cruises are renowned for the reflection of Greek beauty. The clean and large Greek monuments, crystal-clear blue water and city sceneries are some of the main attractions of The Mediterranean. The best time to visit The Mediterranean is summer months; May to September, when the atmosphere is very refreshing and soothing here.
Antarctica
Antarctica cruises are not easy to afford due to their extreme expensiveness. But this destination gives a chance to see actual beauty of nature through its icebergs and glaciers. The lovely penguins can be seen only here in their habitat, that is, Antarctica. The ships to this place do not operate during March to September.
The Disney
Your kids would definitely love traveling on The Disney cruise. This would not only entertain them, but would also become one of the cherished memories for them. This tour is also recommended for romantic couples, as it gives a lot of chances of having great fun with your partner. So talk to your travel agent now and ask him about your favorite cruise destination.
Isha Suri is a professional content writer and use to generate content from SEO point of view. She write articles, website content, articles, tutorials, editorials, press releases, and any thing related to writing.
Cruise Deals: Now You Can Take Your Family on the Trip of a Lifetime
0Sometimes taking a family vacation is more trouble than it is worth. This is something that most people have to learn the hard way.
Taking the family on a road trip across the country might seem like a good idea, but hour after hour in the cramped car will cause tensions to quickly rise and brother will turn against brother in a backseat version of the Civil War.
National Lampoon tried to warn us of this with its tragic portrayal of the Griswald family. America thought it was a joke. How naïve we were.
Today, more and more families are finally discovering the advantages of a cruise vacation. They have all the benefits of a road trip and none of the drawbacks. You get to see multiple locations but you don’t have to worry about booking a hotel. Dad isn’t getting stressed about driving and the kids won’t get cabin fever because they have the whole boat to explore!
Cruise lines are finally figuring out that there are lots of families out there interested in a cruise vacation, and there are more affordable family packages and destinations out there today than there ever were before. Here are a few great ideas for cruises that will be fun for the whole family.
Royal Caribbean runs a three-night cruise of the Bahamas so even if you can’t get a whole week of work off, you and the family can still get away for a nice long weekend. This trip leaves from Miami, Florida and has stops in CocoCay and Nassau. What’s more, they also offer a reduced rate for the third and fourth passenger so it is even easier to bring the whole family along!
If you want a slightly longer stay, Royal Caribbean also has a four-night cruise that leaves from Fort Lauderdale and sails around the southern tip of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. The ship makes a day stop in Key West before hitting the seas overnight on its way to Cozumel, Mexico for a full day of exploring. After that it is another day or cruising the high seas before docking back in Fort Lauderdale.
For East Coasters who don’t want to make the plane trip down south, Norwegian Cruise lines runs a seven-night trip that sails out of New York City and on to the Bahamas. This also features a stop at Norwegian’s own private island!
For the kids, this cruise ship also features the Splashdown Kid’s Club, Sapphire Kid’s Pool, and Underground Teen’s Club. While they are busy the adults can sneak off to the Relaxation Room at the Bora Bora Health Spa or have a cocktail at the martini bar!
Of course some families don’t like all of the running around and might prefer a vacation where they get to their destination and spend a few days just relaxing. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit sets sail out of Bayonne, New Jersey and after two long days at sea it docks for three whole days at beautiful King’s Wharf, Bermuda. This locale is known for its gorgeous and convenient beaches and palm tree-lined streets.
While you are docked at King’s Wharf you will still be able to enjoy the ship’s many amenities. The Summit features basketball courts, a golf simulator, and shuffleboard. And don’t forget to check out the swimming pool or any of the four whirlpools!
As for wining and dining, Master Chef Michel Roux presides over the kitchen of the two-story main restaurant. There is also a dine-in wine cellar and the Mast Bar, which overlooks the pool. You’ll have so much fun on the Summit you won’t want to leave the boat!
Still, there are surely families out there who have experienced the pleasures of the Bahamas and the relaxing waters of the Caribbean. They are ready to sail new and uncharted territory!
For these adventurous families MSC Cruises offers a seven-night cruise of the Western Mediterranean. This once-in-a-lifetime trip leaves from Genoa and explores the cities of Ajaccio, Civitavecchia, Salerno, Tunis, Palma De Mallorca, and Toulon.
It should be noted that there are advantages and disadvantages for a family when on a port-heavy trip like this. Some younger kids might not be as into touring the cities of the Mediterranean as the adults are. That being said, if your kids are in fact up for a little multi-cultural exploring, it is important to note that all children who are 17 and younger sail FREE when they are staying in the same room as two full fare paying passengers!
Family vacations are an important part of childhood and they strengthen bonds between family members more than they may initially realize. Spending a whole week crammed into a hotel room or in a rental car can sometimes cause more stress between family members than is being let off.
A family trip on a cruise ship gives everyone a chance to have a little bit of breathing room. There is still plenty of opportunity for the family to hang out for some quality time, but there is so much to do on a cruise ship that people can take a break from each other if they need it. This will keep everybody happy and relaxed for the entire trip.
Geoff Eriksson is a freelance writer who writes about several topics including cruise deals.
