Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Monday, 13 December 2010
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Friday, 10 December 2010
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
California’s Most Famous Tourist Attraction - Yosemite National Park
Located circa 200 miles east of San Francisco lies one of the most popular parks in the US – Yosemite National Park. This park receives over 3 million tourists each year all eager to explore the charming landscape, steep cliffs and attractive waterfalls the place has on offer. It takes circa 3-4 hours to drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park by road, but the trip is well worth it as there is so much in place for you including hiking, rafting in Merced River, professional photography, camping, horseback riding, biking, snowshoeing at the Badger Pass, and skiing.
Yosemite National Park is particularly popular among mountain climbers thanks to the 3500ft vertical granite wall of the famous El Captain. Even though the park spans 308283 ha , the most famous part among tourists is the 7 square miles of the Yosemite Valley. The park is most visited starting from early spring to early September i.e. from February to May.
Entrance fee in Yosemite National Park is $20 per car and is valid for seven days. You can opt to drive around the park yourself but the management encourages using the free available shuttle buses heading to most popular spots for purposes of ensuring the park remains free of pollution and of course to maintain uniformity and the park’s natural charm. The only place you are allowed to buy food while in the park is Yosemite Valley. While all the main roads are well maintained and beautifully plowed over the snow season, the National Park Service management expects that all drivers driving private vehicles carry tire chains. Even though high traffic is very common particularly at the entrance, it is always worth it keeping in mind the charm that awaits you ahead.
Tioga Pass – this is circa 9950ft high from the ground level and provides stunning views of the national park. Tioga Pass is only accessible over the summer months around June and July since the place is located at a height that receives quite heavy snow during the winter months. You will also get an opportunity to see some charming wildflowers and sequoias.
Half Dome – this is a granite dome in the park found on the eastern part of the Yosemite Valley. It is arguably the most familiar sight of the park, with its crest rising to over 4,737ft above the floor of the valley.
Glacier Point Road -- this is circa a 30 miles drive from the main visitor’s center and is always open from late May to November. The Road gives the most impressive and stunning views from the height. Most tourists will take short stops, hike and take pictures.
Tunnel View – This spectacular sight is located south of the Valley Floor at the east portal of the Wawona tunnel. The tunnel view is simply breathtaking. This popular spot is one of the most photographed views of the valley.
Mariposa Grove -- this is the biggest grove of huge sequoias in Yosemite National Park. The biggest Tree – Grizzly Giant is around 1800 years old.
The Tourist Attractions of Calgary
With that said, the city of Calgary is a wonderful destination, thanks to the many tourist attractions that await tourists. It offers the best shopping experience with great bargains on souvenirs and collectibles that you can take back home with you, great sporting activities, of course and great viewing and exploring activities, from the many city landmarks the place boasts of, to numerous national parks, vast parklands, and unrivaled fine bistros, bars, and restaurants that serve delicious delicacies sampled from all over the world.
One place that you must visit when on a holiday in Calgary is the Aero Space Museum – the only place you will be able to learn about the history that surrounds the Aero Space industry. You will get to learn about the different guides who encouraged the human species to see beyond the world limits. It is at the Aero Space Museum where you will also learn the history of the mighty men, and perhaps women, who helped protect and guard the country Canada operating from the skies. Lastly, the Aero Space museum will educate and enlighten you on the airline evolution and the milestones the space industry has made since its start.
The other must visit while on holiday in Calgary is the Calgary Zoo, boasting of a wide selection of varied animal species, some native to Africa and Australia. Not only will you get to see the traditional zoo residents as expected of any major national zoo, there is a part of the zoo that houses displays of prehistoric animals, hence offers a great opportunity to learn about the animals that existed decades ago. The Calgary Zoo is a great attraction for both young and old, making it an ideal one for family day outs.
Away from the zoo and museums, another Calgary tourist attraction that is a must-see is the Calgary tower, soaring over 525 ft above the ground level. The observation deck of this skyscraper gives you an amazing opportunity to view the city of Calgary and its environs through a glass floor.
With such like attractions, it makes sense why many tourists throng the airports each holiday season headed to Calgary. You are guaranteed of a fun filled vacation, whether you go as a family or a group of friends. The next time you plan on taking a holiday in Canada, Calgary is well worth a visit, with its pristine attractions and charm.
The City with the Charming Skyline -- Chicago
Perhaps the most beautiful thing about this city is that it is truly unique, able to accommodate and cater to the needs of all holidaymakers with varying vacationing budgets. From the opulent hotels, to restaurants, pubs, boutiques, you will always find a facility and service that is within your budget range, whether you are on a shoestring budget or are ready to overindulge and spoil yourself. Beaches, parks, museums, galleries, churches, are few of the attractions that will keep you gawking in Chicago and wishing you could return.
Some of the notable places that you should visit include the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Art Institute of Chicago, the museum of Photography and the National Museum of Mexican Art. As is with any other tourist destination in the world, if you wish to get discounts when using public transport or when visiting some of the tourist attractions such as museums and parks, you are advised to get the tourist card – known as the City Pass and Go Chicago Card.
Notable parks in Chicago that you should visit include the Lincoln Park, the Midway Park, the Rogers Park, the Jackson Park, the Millennium Park, and the Grant Park. Away from museums and parks, you can visit ethnic neighborhoods that will give you a feel of the country or region represented. Some places you can visit include Chinatown, the Spanish Neighborhoods Little Village and Pilsen, Little Italy, Greektown, and the Polish neighborhood found on the Northwest part of the city.
You should also make a point of visiting the Chicago Zoo, one of the largest and most wonderful of its kind. Chicago has stood the test of time, experiencing gang violence, bombings, a huge fire that destroyed a large part of the city, and a major racial strife, to remain the attractive and glorious city that it is today with so much to offer its visitors. As mentioned, the skyline in Chicago is well adorned with attractive skyscrapers standing stately and demanding instant attention.
One notable building is the Sears Tower, which was once the tallest building in the whole country but was just recently eclipsed and identity changed to Willis Tower following its sale. Even so, the skyline is still a beautiful one and for a very good reason. After the first steel-framed building was erected back in 1885, Chicago became the pioneer of skyscrapers -- among them The Merchandise Mart, a favorite tourist edifice that is so huge it even has its own zip code. The other landmark that adorns Chicago’s skyline is the Trump Tower, a striking attraction that you can hardly miss on your visit to Chicago.
The moment you land in Chicago, you will realize immediately why the city continues to inspire singers, artists, and writers, and why it continues to attract multitudes of tourists each year. If you have never visited Chicago, you are missing out a great deal. Make a point to visit one of the most vital pieces of cultural history man has ever known.
Festivities in Barcelona
Late February running through the 3rd of March there is the Carnival which takes place at night. Carnival was banned by the Franco dictatorship but today people get to enjoy the most exciting carnival experience ever. On the last day they celebrate Saint Medir with a loud procession and singing choirs.
In the beginning of the month of March marks the beginning of the Holy Week with a palm session for the Palm Sunday. As expected, festivities throughout the week will be religious and solemn in nature, until Easter Sunday when celebrations start anew. Festivities will run through to Easter Monday which happens to be a pagan holiday.
April marks the celebrations honoring Saint Jordi which also combines with rose and book festivities. It is a time in which Pagan meets religion in these engaging and entertaining, and at times guttural, celebrations.
June sees the start of the El Grec celebrations which are marked by dancing, events, concerts, and a series of performances.
The month of August sees Barcelonans and visitors celebrate the Feast of the Assumption which is marked with festivities and parties and great feasts.
September introduces to you the Festivity of La Merce (the patron saint of Barcelona), a period characterized by parades and dancing. You get sporting activities such as judo tournaments, sailing regattas, walking races, and even swimming competitions. Pagan rituals and religious ceremonies coincide harmoniously during this period.
The Month of December as expected is equally full of festivities, with Santa Lucia starting from the start of the month all through to Christmas. Santa Lucia is characterized by the annual crib fare which traditionally starts at the cathedral area. Santa Lucia festivities will merge with the Christmas Traditions to result in a very interesting combination of pagan rituals and religious anticipation. Generally though, the main celebration of Christmas is a private home affair.
Ushering the New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in Barcelona with people in the restaurants, bars, and even the streets dressing up for the party. The atmosphere is normally a carnival one and as the clock ticks towards twelve, the strike of 12 sees people eat twelve grapes in tandem with each of the chimes.
Ensure you make note of all of the festivities in Barcelona when planning your holiday and join in the festivities. Many restaurants and stores are closed during the celebrations so plan ahead.
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Auckland New Zealand
When we were in New Zealand a few years ago we rode the Shotover Jet. It was exciting to say the least! the boat drivers are maniacs. Anyway, we survived and thoroughly enjoyed our week in this beautiful country.
Auckland is one of the largest cities in New Zealand and a very prominent tourist hub, thanks to the number of things to see and do in and around the city. Whether you want an activity that will pump your adrenalin such as sky jumping, you can get yourself strapped up and jump off from the tallest building in Auckland, the Sky Tower. If that sounds a bit more daring for you, why not go bungee jumping and wean yourself into sky jumping for your next holiday in Auckland? Away from adrenalin intriguing activities, you can also enjoy less intriguing activities such as taking excursions at the charming botanical gardens, taking safaris and even visiting the aquariums where you get to see the dolphin and whales among other aquamarines.
Lovers of history will not be disappointed in Auckland thanks to the numerous museums. Alternatively, you can visit the Howick Historical Village and get to experience rich architecture at its finest from the Maori buildings which are home to numerous historical artifacts from within and without the region. If you like, you can hire a Maori Guided tour who will guide you in the area and tell to you the ancient stories about the historical tribes that reside in the Howick Historical Village. The region has so much to do and see that you will need a lot of time, a month to be precise, to be able to explore all there is to.
Do you love nature and wouldn’t mind to take a 90km flight or cruise outside the Great Barrier Island? Then you might want to explore the pristine paradise that has amazing bird and marine life and very charming native forests. Auckland has endless spots for exploration and an overabundance of sporting activities to engage in.
Auckland Beaches
The east coast and west coast beaches are the closest of beaches around Auckland, offering charming clean sand beaches and ideal waters for swimming and engaging in water sporting activities. If you wish to engage in surfing, head on to the west coast beaches. The best thing about Auckland Beaches is that they are within an hour’s drive from the heart of the city.
Nightlife
Auckland boasts the most vivacious, engaging, and entertaining nightlife. Elegant bars and venues are located at the waterfront, offering a picturesque panoramic view of the beaches. Being a cosmopolitan city, you will be lost for options when it comes to entertainment from comedy shows, to theater performances, trendy bars, and flashy casinos, and clubs that will ensure you shake you leg till morning.
Shopping
The best way to remember a destination is to take something with you, whether it is a gift souvenir for you or for a loved one. Luckily, Auckland has numerous up market elegant designer shops and department stores selling home wares, fashion clothing, jewelry and a lot more. There are flea open markets that stock tourist souvenirs such as arts and crafts and locally handmade carvings. Such a wide variety only means that there is something for everyone no matter the budget.
Eating
Auckland boasts of the best restaurants and cafés within and without the city, selling mouthwatering international and local delicacies to satisfy every taste bud. The most popular type of food in Auckland is sea food thus be prepared to sample it prepared in different recipes.
The Ancient Temple of Debod in Madrid
You may well ask what is such an Egyptian monument doing in the centre of Madrid.
Well the Debod Temple ( Templo de Debod ) was relocated to Madrid due to the construction of the Aswan Dam in 1960. During the construction of thre world famous dam in Egypt , UNESCO made a special appeal to countries around the world to help save many historic monuments that where in danger of being lost underwater maybe for ever.
The temple was dedicated to the gods of Amon and Isis and was built in the fourth century in Debod, near to the sacred temple Philae in the Nile valley, which is located not far from Aswan .
Due to the invaluable aid given by Spain at that time, and in particular in helping to save the sacred buildingsof ABU SIMBEL, the Egyptian government decided in 1968 to donate the ancient monument to the Spanish people.
In 1969 the temple was dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the Spanish Port of Valencia where it was moved to Madrid and painstakingly reconstructed, finally opening to the public in 1972. The temple is located on the site of a former army barracks within the Parque de la Montana area of Madrid.
There is also an interesting exhibition which depicts the rebuilding of the temple in Madrid.
Location : Parque del Cuartel de la Montaña
Ferraz, 1 - 28008 Madrid.
Telephone: (+34 ) 91 366 74 15
Nearest Metro: Plaza de España
Buses: Number 74
Opening times:
Tuesday to Friday, 1 April to 30 September: 10am to 2pm and 6-8pm. 1 October to 31 March: 9:45am to 1:45pm and 4:15 - 6:15pm. Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 2pm.
The temple is closed Mondays and public holidays.
The Golden Coast of the Costa Dorada
The Golden Coast of Costa Dorada
The Costa Dorada, or “Gold Coast”, is a stretch of southern Catalonia in Spain, deservedly famous for its gorgeous sandy shores and great summer weather. With numerous blue-flag beaches, you’ll find the resorts on your Costa Dorada holidays are perfect for sun and sea. And if you like adventure, you’ll find fun activities for you and the whole family. The region has a strong culture with an amazing history, so if you love exploring beautiful places, then you have a great choice: the ancient city of Tarragona, the spectacular mountain monastery at Montserrat, and only a couple of hours away - Barcelona, one of the world’s most stunning cities.
Holidays to Costa Dorada are simple; a couple of hours by plane from the UK, and as it’s within the European Union there’s no visa hassle. You’ll find superb resorts all along the coast; places like Salou, Cambrils, and La Pineda, and these are fully geared for your holidays, with a good range of hotels and restaurants offering good food at reasonable prices, which means cheap Costa Dorada holidays are within easy reach.
Summer time is the most popular for holidays to Costa Dorada. The coast is dry and hot but nicely cooled by the Mediterranean breezes, and the temperature is generally around 25-30°C. One of the great things about holidays in Costa Dorada is the beaches, many of them blue-flag beaches that shelve gently, so they’re ideal for young families. Salou, La Pineda and Cambrils are also worth a visit. The watersports on offer range from windsurfing to kite-surfing to sailing, and at La Pineda there’s a superb waterpark. Or you could visit the exciting amusement park at Salou; Port Aventura has some great rides, including some outstanding rollercoasters.
Holidays in Costa Dorada are ideal if you love culture. Catalonia is a region with a strong sense of its own identity and with its own language, Catalan, so you don’t have to go far to find the true Catalonia. Barcelona is only a couple of hours away, with its amazing cathedral designed by Gaudi, the famous Ramblas and the old city. Or take the cable car up to the monastery at Montserrat, worth it just for the spectacular views. Your cheap Costa Dorada holidays will be a wonderful time for you and your family.
Family Holidays on the Costa de la Luz
With a beautiful coastline and many attractions, it’s no surprise that family holidays in Costa de la Luz are increasingly popular. With a name literally meaning ‘Coast of Light,’ Costa de la Luz is a varied and tourist friendly region of Spain that retains more of its culture than the Costa del Sol.
Attractions
Renting a villa for the family in one of scenic towns, such as Chiclana de la Frontera or Vejer de la Fontera, gives you a great base to explore the countryside, pine wood forests, or one of the many nature reserves. Most holiday homes come with personal swimming pools and spacious patios, so there’s space to relax at home too.
The beaches in this region are less windswept that the Cadiz coastline, and offer some pristine sections of sand. The Playa de Castilla is only accessible on foot, but with around fifteen miles of gorgeous sand to enjoy it’s well worth the effort. In the height of summer the beaches become vibrant holiday hubs, which does mean a lot of other tourists around. But there are all the facilities to make your time on the sands pleasant and relaxed - and there are plenty of sunbeds too.
Activities and food
The capital of Costa de la Luz, Huelva city, is a great place to shop and explore. With numerous historical sites and easy access to transport you can take things at your own pace and get some perfect holiday snaps too.
For water sports the Costa de la Luz has numerous great locations. West of Huelva city is Barra de El Rompido, which is a fine beach and a great place to try out some new adventurous activities. Along the coast you’ll also find plenty of other places with activities for the kids, such as snorkelling and banana boat rides.
The region is famous for its seafood, so expect some amazing traditional Spanish fare. You can always treat yourself to tapas, and in and around Huelva there are plenty of international restaurants too. So there’s no need to worry if the kids are feeling fussy. With such a tourist friendly set up you’re bound to have a great time on your Costa de la Luz holidays.
Valencia Tourist Attractions
There really is so much to do and see around the city of Valencia that visitors are rarely bored when it comes to finding exciting places and attractions to visit.
Probably the most popular attraction at the moment is the City of Arts and Sciences located at the end of the Turia Gardens and just a ten minute walk from the beach and port area of Valencia. Within the area of this top attraction you will find the fascinating Aquarium which houses the largest marine and aquarium park in the Europe . It is housed in a stunning building designed by Felix Candela and is reminiscent of one of Gaudi’s impressive works.
As well a housing the Aquarium the City of Arts and Science is this truly a modern and stunning complex where will find the planetarium, science museum, botanical gardens and the grand opera house.
The aquarium is undoubtedly the most popular, and is divided into sections which represent the whole spectrum of the sea environment. The MEDITERRANEAN area contains the largest aquarium in Europe with almost 7.500 species to explore within several smaller aquariums. The OCEANOGRAPHIC area is situated mainly underground and houses the marshland, wetland areas and mangrove swamps. The ARCA de MAR zone is dedicated to the species under threat of extinction. It also has an impressive arctic space within an igloo and is where marine biologists monitor walruses and whales amongst other species. There is also a large colony of penguins which are great fun to watch during feeding time. The DOLPHINARIUM is the largest in Europe with a seating capacity for over 2.000 people and holds around 23 million liters of water !. As you would expect he dolphinarium provides great entertainment for all the family.
And when you are ready to eat you can do so in the impressive submarine restaurant and gaze at the marine life placed in tanks which surround the dining area.
Valencia is also home to some fine historic buildings which are a must see for all history fans and include the VALENCIA CATHEDRAL which is located in the old quarter and is home to the SEU museum, the oldest in Valencia containing the Holy Chalice of Valencia or the holey grail. El MICELET is a tower attached the cathedral and a great place to sharpen up your appetite by climbing up the 207 steps to the top where you and be rewarded with spectacular views over the city. The SANTA CATALINA church tower is also located in the old quarter and is a famous land mark in the area located near the town hall plaza. Another stunning building is LA LONGA where the silk merchants once plied their trades.
Also must visits is the beautiful CENTRAL MARKET ( Mercado Central ) which is one the largest in Europe and where you will find a vast array of local and national produce on offer from fresh fish and seafood , Spanish cured hams to clothes and bric-a-brac… a great to simply browse or pick up a holiday bargain or two.
Oh yes and Valencia is home to some great beaches including the Las Arenas and Las Malvarrosa areas which are easily reached by bus from the town center.
Probably the most popular attraction at the moment is the City of Arts and Sciences located at the end of the Turia Gardens and just a ten minute walk from the beach and port area of Valencia. Within the area of this top attraction you will find the fascinating Aquarium which houses the largest marine and aquarium park in the Europe . It is housed in a stunning building designed by Felix Candela and is reminiscent of one of Gaudi’s impressive works.
As well a housing the Aquarium the City of Arts and Science is this truly a modern and stunning complex where will find the planetarium, science museum, botanical gardens and the grand opera house.
The aquarium is undoubtedly the most popular, and is divided into sections which represent the whole spectrum of the sea environment. The MEDITERRANEAN area contains the largest aquarium in Europe with almost 7.500 species to explore within several smaller aquariums. The OCEANOGRAPHIC area is situated mainly underground and houses the marshland, wetland areas and mangrove swamps. The ARCA de MAR zone is dedicated to the species under threat of extinction. It also has an impressive arctic space within an igloo and is where marine biologists monitor walruses and whales amongst other species. There is also a large colony of penguins which are great fun to watch during feeding time. The DOLPHINARIUM is the largest in Europe with a seating capacity for over 2.000 people and holds around 23 million liters of water !. As you would expect he dolphinarium provides great entertainment for all the family.
And when you are ready to eat you can do so in the impressive submarine restaurant and gaze at the marine life placed in tanks which surround the dining area.
Valencia is also home to some fine historic buildings which are a must see for all history fans and include the VALENCIA CATHEDRAL which is located in the old quarter and is home to the SEU museum, the oldest in Valencia containing the Holy Chalice of Valencia or the holey grail. El MICELET is a tower attached the cathedral and a great place to sharpen up your appetite by climbing up the 207 steps to the top where you and be rewarded with spectacular views over the city. The SANTA CATALINA church tower is also located in the old quarter and is a famous land mark in the area located near the town hall plaza. Another stunning building is LA LONGA where the silk merchants once plied their trades.
Also must visits is the beautiful CENTRAL MARKET ( Mercado Central ) which is one the largest in Europe and where you will find a vast array of local and national produce on offer from fresh fish and seafood , Spanish cured hams to clothes and bric-a-brac… a great to simply browse or pick up a holiday bargain or two.
Oh yes and Valencia is home to some great beaches including the Las Arenas and Las Malvarrosa areas which are easily reached by bus from the town center.
Valencia offers a wide and varied range of accommodation to suit all pockets and tasted from the reasonably priced establishments such as the Hostal Bisbal to the more elegant Vinci Lys
Other great value hotels around the city include the Las Arenas Balneario Resort As luxury resort with a superb seafront location by Las Arenas beach. Las Arenas Balneario Resort has a huge outdoor swimming pool and a spa. Another populer choice is the Zenit Valencia located in the heart of Valencia, opposite the Estación del Norte Station and the bullring. The hotel has its own restaurant, El Azahar, which serves Mediterranean cuisine and has a roof terrace. The Zenit is just 200 metres from Valencia Town Hall, and the Cathedral is a 15-minute walk away. Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is 2.5 km away from the hotel. Xàtiva Metro Station is just outside the Zenit Valencia.