Yes, we all know that Disney is the place to go for family fun. However, that's not the only fun thing to do in Orlando. Following are just a few of the many options besides visiting Mickey & Minnie:
Arabian Nights is a dinner show, but to call it a dinner show is quite an understatement. Most dinner shows don't include the wedding of a prince and princess, beautiful horses, and breathtaking stunts.
There's also Wet 'n Wild, a water park that has something for everyone. There are thrill rides, multi-person rides, rides that are just for kids, and something they call "Take It Easy" for those who want to play some beach volleyball or float through the Lazy River.
If your kids enjoy taking a look at the weird, then take them to the Orlando Odditorium, aka, Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Now, with all the things to do and see in Orlando, staying at a hotel might not always be the best option for a family. After a few days of walking around in the Florida sun, your hotel room starts to feel smaller and smaller. Vacation rentals are becoming a popular alternative to families that travel because they offer so many benefits. You get more privacy (the kids can have their own room!).
If you have a large troop, you can save time and money by making breakfast instead of going out, waiting to get seated, waiting to be served, and paying too much.
So, with all the great things to do around Orlando consider an extended stay next time.
Try an Orlando vacation rental and enjoy all the comforts of home.
For More Information About Florida Vacation Rentals, check out: http://www.VacationRentalHotSpots.com - Florida's Top Choice for Vacation Rentals!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Doucette
Wednesday 12 December 2007
Sunday 9 December 2007
Self Catering Cottages for Families - When Family is The Priority
And in the rat race, we end up pining for connecting and getting in touch with the kids or parents. Living under the same roof is no more as equivalent to living with each other because we hardly take the time out of our schedules to live with others, know and listen to them. Now, if this is something that you can relate to, then the solution lies with self catering cottages.
Self catering cottages, now what is that? Self catering cottages, are arrangements where you can stay for some days away from your hectic schedules and everyday life. They are more or less like our own homes with all the facilities and gadgets that are used in every day life but minus the worries that are so much part of our daily routine. They are not hotels or guest houses. They are simply homes where you can live like you live in your own home.
Well, to spend time with family, one has to take out some time and pull out oneself from the everyday grind. And not just that, one has to pull out the family from the house too. By that I mean, go for a vacation with your family and make sure you spend quality time with them. And for that, one does not have to go far and wide. One can simply drive to a nearby county and stay in one of the self catering cottages that can now be booked online.
Yes, you can do that. You can book your self catering cottages online and what's better, you have multiple options to choose from. For a family outing you can choose from among the self catering cottages fit for families. If you have a pet, you can take that along, to self catering cottages that support pets. So just a short drive and you have a complete apartment to you where you and your family can spend a memorable time together.
Author: Terry is a globe-trotter specialising in travel writing. Having toured all over Britain, he has a fair idea of the best resorts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Pinto
Self catering cottages, now what is that? Self catering cottages, are arrangements where you can stay for some days away from your hectic schedules and everyday life. They are more or less like our own homes with all the facilities and gadgets that are used in every day life but minus the worries that are so much part of our daily routine. They are not hotels or guest houses. They are simply homes where you can live like you live in your own home.
Well, to spend time with family, one has to take out some time and pull out oneself from the everyday grind. And not just that, one has to pull out the family from the house too. By that I mean, go for a vacation with your family and make sure you spend quality time with them. And for that, one does not have to go far and wide. One can simply drive to a nearby county and stay in one of the self catering cottages that can now be booked online.
Yes, you can do that. You can book your self catering cottages online and what's better, you have multiple options to choose from. For a family outing you can choose from among the self catering cottages fit for families. If you have a pet, you can take that along, to self catering cottages that support pets. So just a short drive and you have a complete apartment to you where you and your family can spend a memorable time together.
Author: Terry is a globe-trotter specialising in travel writing. Having toured all over Britain, he has a fair idea of the best resorts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Pinto
Saturday 1 December 2007
Know Your Bag
Exactly how to your indentify your luggage at an airport carosel or train depot? Most of the luggage you see is black in color. Although there is a wide variety of colors to choose from in purchasing luggage, travelers invariably end up with black, because it stays clean the longest. So you've got one of those "catch 22" problems. You'll have luggage that looks newer longer, but how do you pick it out in the sea of black color?
One of the best ways to identify your discount luggage is by having it monogrammed with your initials. This is permanent and cannot be easily removed. Anyone who claims it is their luggage will have to prove that is their initials. Theives are less likely to target monogrammed luggage because they know they would have no excuse to claim "I thought it was mine."
Another way to pick out your luggage is by a bright colored luggage tag. This serves two purposes. It will give you a place to print your name and address should the luggage go astray by baggage handlers and the bright color will also attract your attention at the crowded terminal. It is a good idea to put two bright colored tags on each piece of your lightweight luggage. That way you'll spot your bag no matter which way it comes tumbling down on the airport carousel. Most pieces of luggage have a top handle and a side handle, so put the same color tags in both places. These tags are available in neon colors as well as the traditional pallet of colors. Just always use the same color on each piece of luggage so you know exactly what you're looking for.
Handle wrappers are another great way to identify your luggage. These may turn out to be one of your favorite travel accessories. They change the color or both handles on your case to another bright color. They are held in place by velcro and are a super idea in making your bag look identifiable. Some of these handle wrappers also have a place underneath to put your name and address once again. You could also put your destination for ease in the baggage handling company finding you should the bag be misplaced. Once again, you'll want to use two of these on each bag for easy identification which ever way the bag tumbles by you on the carousel. Keep in mind that the only locks you can use on your baggage when flying is the TSA lock. These are allowable at airports because airport security personnel have a key to bypass the combination you have set on the lock. It works on the same principle as a hotel room with a master key. These TSA locks come in ever color possible so you can coordinate or contrast with your handle wrapper or tags.
Luggage straps are also available in every color and print imaginable. These slide through the handle of your luggage and either buckle or lock closed. If you choose the type with a lock, it must be closed with a TSA lock if you are traveling by airline. Make sure you look for the identifying symbol when purchasing these locks. Luggage straps also make great corporate gifts. They can be silk screened or embroidered with a company name or logo, so they are very identifiable. Now you'll be able to say, "Hey, that's my bag" with confidence.
Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 38 years. She is currently working at Village Luggage and Gifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Greco
One of the best ways to identify your discount luggage is by having it monogrammed with your initials. This is permanent and cannot be easily removed. Anyone who claims it is their luggage will have to prove that is their initials. Theives are less likely to target monogrammed luggage because they know they would have no excuse to claim "I thought it was mine."
Another way to pick out your luggage is by a bright colored luggage tag. This serves two purposes. It will give you a place to print your name and address should the luggage go astray by baggage handlers and the bright color will also attract your attention at the crowded terminal. It is a good idea to put two bright colored tags on each piece of your lightweight luggage. That way you'll spot your bag no matter which way it comes tumbling down on the airport carousel. Most pieces of luggage have a top handle and a side handle, so put the same color tags in both places. These tags are available in neon colors as well as the traditional pallet of colors. Just always use the same color on each piece of luggage so you know exactly what you're looking for.
Handle wrappers are another great way to identify your luggage. These may turn out to be one of your favorite travel accessories. They change the color or both handles on your case to another bright color. They are held in place by velcro and are a super idea in making your bag look identifiable. Some of these handle wrappers also have a place underneath to put your name and address once again. You could also put your destination for ease in the baggage handling company finding you should the bag be misplaced. Once again, you'll want to use two of these on each bag for easy identification which ever way the bag tumbles by you on the carousel. Keep in mind that the only locks you can use on your baggage when flying is the TSA lock. These are allowable at airports because airport security personnel have a key to bypass the combination you have set on the lock. It works on the same principle as a hotel room with a master key. These TSA locks come in ever color possible so you can coordinate or contrast with your handle wrapper or tags.
Luggage straps are also available in every color and print imaginable. These slide through the handle of your luggage and either buckle or lock closed. If you choose the type with a lock, it must be closed with a TSA lock if you are traveling by airline. Make sure you look for the identifying symbol when purchasing these locks. Luggage straps also make great corporate gifts. They can be silk screened or embroidered with a company name or logo, so they are very identifiable. Now you'll be able to say, "Hey, that's my bag" with confidence.
Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 38 years. She is currently working at Village Luggage and Gifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxine_Greco
Thursday 22 November 2007
Multi Leg Flights Explained
Multi leg flights are an ideal choice if you want to visit two or more locations on a single trip. Due to their size and diversity, areas of the world such as the Far East, Australia or the USA lend themselves perfectly to the multi leg option.
The great thing about choosing to take multi leg flights is that you don't necessarily pay more for choosing to stop over in a country on route. The rules of mid and long haul flights normally allow you to stopover at least once free of charge. So for example, a flight from London to Sydney can have a stop over in Hong Kong and on the return you can stop over at Singapore, all for the same price as a return ticket to Sydney. The only thing to consider is that you may have to higher air port taxes.
There are many options to choose from if you decide to take a multi leg flight, and if you can't find an itinerary that suits you then you can have a travel agency tailor a quote to meet your specification. To give you a few ideas, below is a list of the most popular multi leg itineraries.
London > Hong Kong > Singapore > Bangkok > Phuket > London
• Experience the vibrant cities of the Far East and end the experience relaxing on the golden sanded beaches of Phuket
London > Bangkok > Sydney > Melbourne > Ayers Rock > Perth > Singapore > London
• Visit the best of what Australia combined with stopovers in the Far East for sightseeing and shopping
London > San Francisco (surface) > Los Angeles > Las Vegas > London
• Explore the sites of San Francisco before enjoying the coastal drive to Los Angeles. Finish the trip enjoying the gambling and casinos in the entertainment capital of Las Vegas!
London > Cape Town (surface to) Port Elizabeth > Johannesburg > London
• This itinerary allows you to visit the highlights of South Africa. Hire a car and experience the scenic stretch of the southern coast, known as the Garden Route, to Port Elizabeth. Finish your journey in Johannesburg, where you can explore the casino resort of Sun City, located about 2 hours outside Johannesburg.
If you plan on taking a longer journey, then the organising of a multi leg flight can become quite complicated. It's advisable that you consult an experienced travel consultant who should be able to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Compare ticket prices for around the world & multi leg flights at travelsupermarket.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Cox
The great thing about choosing to take multi leg flights is that you don't necessarily pay more for choosing to stop over in a country on route. The rules of mid and long haul flights normally allow you to stopover at least once free of charge. So for example, a flight from London to Sydney can have a stop over in Hong Kong and on the return you can stop over at Singapore, all for the same price as a return ticket to Sydney. The only thing to consider is that you may have to higher air port taxes.
There are many options to choose from if you decide to take a multi leg flight, and if you can't find an itinerary that suits you then you can have a travel agency tailor a quote to meet your specification. To give you a few ideas, below is a list of the most popular multi leg itineraries.
London > Hong Kong > Singapore > Bangkok > Phuket > London
• Experience the vibrant cities of the Far East and end the experience relaxing on the golden sanded beaches of Phuket
London > Bangkok > Sydney > Melbourne > Ayers Rock > Perth > Singapore > London
• Visit the best of what Australia combined with stopovers in the Far East for sightseeing and shopping
London > San Francisco (surface) > Los Angeles > Las Vegas > London
• Explore the sites of San Francisco before enjoying the coastal drive to Los Angeles. Finish the trip enjoying the gambling and casinos in the entertainment capital of Las Vegas!
London > Cape Town (surface to) Port Elizabeth > Johannesburg > London
• This itinerary allows you to visit the highlights of South Africa. Hire a car and experience the scenic stretch of the southern coast, known as the Garden Route, to Port Elizabeth. Finish your journey in Johannesburg, where you can explore the casino resort of Sun City, located about 2 hours outside Johannesburg.
If you plan on taking a longer journey, then the organising of a multi leg flight can become quite complicated. It's advisable that you consult an experienced travel consultant who should be able to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Compare ticket prices for around the world & multi leg flights at travelsupermarket.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Cox
Saturday 17 November 2007
Orlando Holiday Home - Why Aren't You Booking One?
You are visiting Orlando for a trip of a lifetime and you have heard that renting a holiday home can be a great option. The combination of value and luxury, freedom and choice sounds like a great opportunity. So why aren't you booking an Orlando holiday home? Is there something holding you back?
You feel overwhelmed. You look on the internet and there are so many holiday homes to rent in Orlando you simply do not know where to start. Never fear! Help is at hand. Take some simple steps and you will find that your search for a home for your Orlando holiday home becomes a pleasure not a chore.
The first step? Write yourself a wish list. Start with the basic things such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need. Then look carefully at the location - Kissimmee and Davenport are great locations for an Orlando holiday home.Then what other things would you like? Do you want king beds, rooms decorated for children,televisions in each room? What is important for your family? Once you have really decided the things that are important to you and your family you are already narrowing down your search. So you will save time and energy!
The next step? Work out a budget. You will be saving a lot of money by staying in an Orlando holiday home. You may be surprised at the value you will get. Is price an indication of quality? The old saying 'you get what you pay for' usually rings true and Orlando villas are no different. Beware of cut price deals. Can the owner really maintain standards if they are offering low rates? Perhaps, but always think about this when you see a 'bargain' home.
Once you have found some Orlando holiday homes that you like the look of then start communicating with the owner. This can be by email of telephone - whichever you prefer. If there isn't a telephone number on the site then ask the owner if they will call you. It may be that they just don't publish their number on the site as they don't want it on the internet for all to see! Can you trust the holiday home owner? You should get a good feeling right from the first response. This is a big decision for you and you need to trust the villa owner. They should answer as many questions as you need to ask.
So go ahead. Start your search and find your perfect Orlando holiday home. You will never want to stay in an hotel room again!
Alison Meacham is a travel writer who owns vacation rental homes near Disney World. Get a free copy of her guide 10 Smart Ways To Avoid a Florida Vacation Rental Disaster and sign up for her newsletter. Making renting a Florida home less ordinary at her website www.floridavacationrentals-usa.com
Check out Alison's Florida Vacation Rentals Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Meacham
You feel overwhelmed. You look on the internet and there are so many holiday homes to rent in Orlando you simply do not know where to start. Never fear! Help is at hand. Take some simple steps and you will find that your search for a home for your Orlando holiday home becomes a pleasure not a chore.
The first step? Write yourself a wish list. Start with the basic things such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need. Then look carefully at the location - Kissimmee and Davenport are great locations for an Orlando holiday home.Then what other things would you like? Do you want king beds, rooms decorated for children,televisions in each room? What is important for your family? Once you have really decided the things that are important to you and your family you are already narrowing down your search. So you will save time and energy!
The next step? Work out a budget. You will be saving a lot of money by staying in an Orlando holiday home. You may be surprised at the value you will get. Is price an indication of quality? The old saying 'you get what you pay for' usually rings true and Orlando villas are no different. Beware of cut price deals. Can the owner really maintain standards if they are offering low rates? Perhaps, but always think about this when you see a 'bargain' home.
Once you have found some Orlando holiday homes that you like the look of then start communicating with the owner. This can be by email of telephone - whichever you prefer. If there isn't a telephone number on the site then ask the owner if they will call you. It may be that they just don't publish their number on the site as they don't want it on the internet for all to see! Can you trust the holiday home owner? You should get a good feeling right from the first response. This is a big decision for you and you need to trust the villa owner. They should answer as many questions as you need to ask.
So go ahead. Start your search and find your perfect Orlando holiday home. You will never want to stay in an hotel room again!
Alison Meacham is a travel writer who owns vacation rental homes near Disney World. Get a free copy of her guide 10 Smart Ways To Avoid a Florida Vacation Rental Disaster and sign up for her newsletter. Making renting a Florida home less ordinary at her website www.floridavacationrentals-usa.com
Check out Alison's Florida Vacation Rentals Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Meacham
Monday 5 November 2007
Cottages Devon
Now is a great time to be thinking of renting Cottages in Devon.
If you are looking for a winter escape, or something different for the New Year - then why not consider a cottage in Devon? Escape from the hum drum of the darker nights - get your cottage booked now and see how much better you feel!
If you are looking for a winter escape, or something different for the New Year - then why not consider a cottage in Devon? Escape from the hum drum of the darker nights - get your cottage booked now and see how much better you feel!
Thursday 1 November 2007
Diving Mallorca
What are my memories of Diving In Mallorca?
First, unseasonal winds brought in scores of red jellyfish that resulted in the beaches being closed one day. As I was having to do a checkout dive from the shore, this dive was put off for over a week. So it wasn't until mid holiday that I got to dive at all.
The shore dive started with a hair raising jump off steps into deep water, but the drop into the water was about 10 feet, with quite a swell. A quick swim away from the steps to regroup then around the Cala. An interesting dive, but mainly seaweed and the odd small fish. A bit of time playing about near the rock formations then a swim right in until we could swim up the beach no more.
The boat dive was far more interesting and took us to about 30m, with the usual fish suspect to be seen. A lot better - seems to be if you are diving here boat dives are a must!
First, unseasonal winds brought in scores of red jellyfish that resulted in the beaches being closed one day. As I was having to do a checkout dive from the shore, this dive was put off for over a week. So it wasn't until mid holiday that I got to dive at all.
The shore dive started with a hair raising jump off steps into deep water, but the drop into the water was about 10 feet, with quite a swell. A quick swim away from the steps to regroup then around the Cala. An interesting dive, but mainly seaweed and the odd small fish. A bit of time playing about near the rock formations then a swim right in until we could swim up the beach no more.
The boat dive was far more interesting and took us to about 30m, with the usual fish suspect to be seen. A lot better - seems to be if you are diving here boat dives are a must!
Thursday 25 October 2007
Diving In Playa Blanca
For a change whilst in Lanzarote I decided to dive with a different outfit on a dive organised by one of the entertainments team in the hotel I was staying in.
He arranged for us to be picked up from Costa Teguise in the morning and ran down to the white sands of Playa Blanca. Most of the group were a French family - excellent fun to be with! They had never dived before and were heading down for a try dive.
Kitted up in the shop, crossed the road, down the beach and straight into the water! Easy access, just a shame it took almost an hour to get to the shop.
Not being used to the equipment (in the days before my own gear) I'd taken too much weight down. The German guy I was with took too little - between us we managed. Just a pity all the weights were strapped on and couldn't be passed between us!
Was a nice dive, but apart from ease of entry and the white sands, pretty much the same as dives elsewhere on the island. Maybe even slightly less fish as the beach was used a lot by other water sports.
Worth diving if you are there, not sure about trekking across island to go there.
He arranged for us to be picked up from Costa Teguise in the morning and ran down to the white sands of Playa Blanca. Most of the group were a French family - excellent fun to be with! They had never dived before and were heading down for a try dive.
Kitted up in the shop, crossed the road, down the beach and straight into the water! Easy access, just a shame it took almost an hour to get to the shop.
Not being used to the equipment (in the days before my own gear) I'd taken too much weight down. The German guy I was with took too little - between us we managed. Just a pity all the weights were strapped on and couldn't be passed between us!
Was a nice dive, but apart from ease of entry and the white sands, pretty much the same as dives elsewhere on the island. Maybe even slightly less fish as the beach was used a lot by other water sports.
Worth diving if you are there, not sure about trekking across island to go there.
Saturday 20 October 2007
Advanced Diver In Lanzarote
Once I'd passed my Open Water course in Lanzarote, the next step for me was to take the Advanced Course next time I was on holiday there. I'd decided that this was a great way of squeezing in 5 days quickly within a week.
I started off with the navigation dive, swimming back and forth a few meters under the waves in Puerto Del Carmen. Reasonably accurate navigation, but swimming in a slight cove when the tide is heading out is never going to give the inexperienced 100% results!
A few hours later and we were back in the water again for the fish-id dive. Swimming around, watching for the various species, then telling my instructor some of what we saw. Then having to sketch one!!!
5 hours later and then it was time for the night dive. The first proper dive as the other two of the day had been in shallow water - just deep enough for them to count. Really interesting one this one - first ever dive at night. We entered the water before it was dark to make sure we had time to get our bearings and get used to it, then swam off to explore the night time see. A treat I would readily recommend - watching the phosphorescence of the divers about you - even switching off the torches to see this effect more clearly!
The next day started with the deep dive to 30m, passing a fishing boat wreck on the way down the side of a coral face. On the ascent we stopped to see some rare pink coral. For the first experience at depth the dive went well. Really enjoyed it and the buoyancy was going good.
The second dive that day was the boat dive - the first time from a boat and almost as deep as the morning's dive. We dropped to the bottom in slow motion free fall and with correct buoyancy adjustments on the way down, stopped and hovered just above the sea floor, without touching it.
Excellent fun, 5 dives in 2 days and the rest of the week was free for the family holiday.
I started off with the navigation dive, swimming back and forth a few meters under the waves in Puerto Del Carmen. Reasonably accurate navigation, but swimming in a slight cove when the tide is heading out is never going to give the inexperienced 100% results!
A few hours later and we were back in the water again for the fish-id dive. Swimming around, watching for the various species, then telling my instructor some of what we saw. Then having to sketch one!!!
5 hours later and then it was time for the night dive. The first proper dive as the other two of the day had been in shallow water - just deep enough for them to count. Really interesting one this one - first ever dive at night. We entered the water before it was dark to make sure we had time to get our bearings and get used to it, then swam off to explore the night time see. A treat I would readily recommend - watching the phosphorescence of the divers about you - even switching off the torches to see this effect more clearly!
The next day started with the deep dive to 30m, passing a fishing boat wreck on the way down the side of a coral face. On the ascent we stopped to see some rare pink coral. For the first experience at depth the dive went well. Really enjoyed it and the buoyancy was going good.
The second dive that day was the boat dive - the first time from a boat and almost as deep as the morning's dive. We dropped to the bottom in slow motion free fall and with correct buoyancy adjustments on the way down, stopped and hovered just above the sea floor, without touching it.
Excellent fun, 5 dives in 2 days and the rest of the week was free for the family holiday.
Wednesday 17 October 2007
Costa Rica Beaches - The Most Beautiful
Costa Rica is a gorgeous Central American country offering the world's most heavenly beaches. Its coastline stretches over 1100 miles so there's a huge variety of beaches to see - with every type of sand, rock and shell beach you can imagine.
With warm waters year-round, its exotic “playas” offer something for everyone. Come to sunbathe, swim, surf, scuba dive, or just take in the incredible scenery. There’s plenty of beaches that have a sparse population so you can have the privacy and seclusion for a peaceful vacation. This place is a beach lover’s paradise!
Here is list of some of Costa Rica’s top beaches:
1. Playa Conchal On The Gold Coast:
Located in the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Conchal is one of Costa Rica’s most unique beaches. Once you arrive, you realize that the entire beach is composed of hundreds of millions of tiny seashells. Hence the name “Playa Conchal” which actually means “Shell Beach”. With some of the clearest waters on the Gold Coast, snorkeling and/or scuba diving is a must! Playa Conchal has an amazing array of marine life on display. There’s a few national parks, a golf course and camp grounds nearby as well.
2. Playa Montezuma:
Located in a small remote fishing village at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Montezuma is known for it’s sandy beach and tropical surroundings including islands, rivers and waterfalls. Definitely visit the waterfalls that are over 50 feet high. They are popular tourist attractions and many people love to jump the falls. Although the town has become a popular hotspot for young travelers, the beach (which stretches for miles) is almost deserted and offers secret surf spots and isolated areas to relax in privacy. Montezuma is a carefree place with a mellow vibe.
3. Playa Bahia Ballena:
Created in 1990 to protect the coral and rock reefs around the Isla Ballena, the Marino Ballena National Park is an important island for seabird nesting colonies, as well as basilisk lizards and green iguanas. Humpback whales can also be seen here from December to March. Bottle nose dolphins can be spotted along the coast too. Playa Bahia Ballena is a great place to visit for the budget traveler offering a multitude of things to do besides sunbathing- such as surfing, kayaking, or horseback riding.
4. Playa Flamingo:
With its stunning white sand and pristine clear blue waters, Playa Flamingo is the ideal beach to go to. It offers its visitors some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. Tuna, Marlin, Snapper and Swordfish can all be found off the coast year round. Playa Flamingo also offers plenty of water sport activities, golf courses, and parks.
Whatever beach you pick, you will be amazed by the natural beauty and calming feeling you get when there. Costa Rica is truly an exquisite place to see and come back to over and over again!
Christine works for NewSunGraphics, who represent Beach Club Costa Rica, http://www.beachclubcostarica.com, your gateway to prime real estate investments in Costa Rica. Part of the beauty of living in, or visiting Costa Rica is the nature and incredible wildlife that still exists here. Our goal is to support projects and efforts that work towards ensuring that the Costa Rica we love today remains for generations to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Abbate
With warm waters year-round, its exotic “playas” offer something for everyone. Come to sunbathe, swim, surf, scuba dive, or just take in the incredible scenery. There’s plenty of beaches that have a sparse population so you can have the privacy and seclusion for a peaceful vacation. This place is a beach lover’s paradise!
Here is list of some of Costa Rica’s top beaches:
1. Playa Conchal On The Gold Coast:
Located in the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Conchal is one of Costa Rica’s most unique beaches. Once you arrive, you realize that the entire beach is composed of hundreds of millions of tiny seashells. Hence the name “Playa Conchal” which actually means “Shell Beach”. With some of the clearest waters on the Gold Coast, snorkeling and/or scuba diving is a must! Playa Conchal has an amazing array of marine life on display. There’s a few national parks, a golf course and camp grounds nearby as well.
2. Playa Montezuma:
Located in a small remote fishing village at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Montezuma is known for it’s sandy beach and tropical surroundings including islands, rivers and waterfalls. Definitely visit the waterfalls that are over 50 feet high. They are popular tourist attractions and many people love to jump the falls. Although the town has become a popular hotspot for young travelers, the beach (which stretches for miles) is almost deserted and offers secret surf spots and isolated areas to relax in privacy. Montezuma is a carefree place with a mellow vibe.
3. Playa Bahia Ballena:
Created in 1990 to protect the coral and rock reefs around the Isla Ballena, the Marino Ballena National Park is an important island for seabird nesting colonies, as well as basilisk lizards and green iguanas. Humpback whales can also be seen here from December to March. Bottle nose dolphins can be spotted along the coast too. Playa Bahia Ballena is a great place to visit for the budget traveler offering a multitude of things to do besides sunbathing- such as surfing, kayaking, or horseback riding.
4. Playa Flamingo:
With its stunning white sand and pristine clear blue waters, Playa Flamingo is the ideal beach to go to. It offers its visitors some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. Tuna, Marlin, Snapper and Swordfish can all be found off the coast year round. Playa Flamingo also offers plenty of water sport activities, golf courses, and parks.
Whatever beach you pick, you will be amazed by the natural beauty and calming feeling you get when there. Costa Rica is truly an exquisite place to see and come back to over and over again!
Christine works for NewSunGraphics, who represent Beach Club Costa Rica, http://www.beachclubcostarica.com, your gateway to prime real estate investments in Costa Rica. Part of the beauty of living in, or visiting Costa Rica is the nature and incredible wildlife that still exists here. Our goal is to support projects and efforts that work towards ensuring that the Costa Rica we love today remains for generations to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Abbate
Tuesday 16 October 2007
Saving Money By Getting A Hotel Package Deal
Getting a hotel package deal can save you a huge amount of money on your vacation. If you buy them all separately, you end up with a giant bill. You have to pay full price for your flight, your hotel, and your car if you choose to rent one in your destination. Sometimes it’s impossible to get a lower price for all of it. But, if you look for package deals, you may find one that saves you money.
Usually, you will find the best package options if you’re heading to a popular destination, or a city that attracts lots of visitors. For example, you’re more likely to find a cheap package for New York City than for a small town. Packages exist for most cities – it’s just that the potential savings are greater in popular destinations.
Naturally, you should compare your various options. If you buy a package deal, you’re stuck with specific companies. There might be other companies that offer the same thing for cheaper. Find out about these companies, and see if the total price would still be more than the package deal.
To take advantage of the package deal, you don’t necessarily have to buy airfare, a hotel room, and a rental car. In many cases, you can choose just 2 of those things, and still get a cheaper price than if you bought them separately. So if you’ve got 1 aspect of your trip worked out, it’s worth checking if you can save on the other 2.
You should also remember that most package deals have high cancellation fees. So, if you have any doubts about your trip, you might not want to commit to one. Otherwise, it is a great way to save money and have your entire trip planned so you know exactly where you’re going and how much it will cost.
Find amazing Atlantic City Hotel Deals and Packages at http://www.achoteldeals.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams
Usually, you will find the best package options if you’re heading to a popular destination, or a city that attracts lots of visitors. For example, you’re more likely to find a cheap package for New York City than for a small town. Packages exist for most cities – it’s just that the potential savings are greater in popular destinations.
Naturally, you should compare your various options. If you buy a package deal, you’re stuck with specific companies. There might be other companies that offer the same thing for cheaper. Find out about these companies, and see if the total price would still be more than the package deal.
To take advantage of the package deal, you don’t necessarily have to buy airfare, a hotel room, and a rental car. In many cases, you can choose just 2 of those things, and still get a cheaper price than if you bought them separately. So if you’ve got 1 aspect of your trip worked out, it’s worth checking if you can save on the other 2.
You should also remember that most package deals have high cancellation fees. So, if you have any doubts about your trip, you might not want to commit to one. Otherwise, it is a great way to save money and have your entire trip planned so you know exactly where you’re going and how much it will cost.
Find amazing Atlantic City Hotel Deals and Packages at http://www.achoteldeals.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams
Monday 15 October 2007
Things To Do In Boulder Colorado
Boulder is nestled in the foothills, where the rolling plains meet the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Centrally located within an hour of Denver, Denver International Airport, Eldora Ski Resort and Rocky Mountain National Park. A few hours from many of Colorado's world-famous ski resorts makes Boulder the ideal Colorado destination.
Recently rated the "#1 Sports Town in America" by Outside Magazine, offering countless year-round recreational activities. Take advantage of the 200 miles of public hiking and biking trails, approximately 30,000 acres of open space or the Boulder Creek Path, which runs through the middle of town.
Accommodations
Best Western Boulder Inn - Prominently located directly across from the University, the Boulder Inn gives guests easy access to Boulder's principal attractions, NIST, NOAA, premier shopping, and extraordinary dining. Stylish, well-appointed rooms reflect a gracious ambiance, found throughout the hotel.
During your visit, enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast, free in-room high speed internet access, 24-hour business center, and full service health club privileges. Other guest facilities include a large outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub, on-site restaurant, and conference center.
Best Western Golden Buff - The Best Western Golden Buff Lodge has one of the best locations in Boulder, with over 30 restaurants, shopping, University of Colorado and movie theaters all within walking distance.
Boulder Broker Inn - Enjoy their full service Victorian style hotel featuring meeting and banquet facilities, Bentley's Lounge and the Broker Restaurant. The broker offers all the amenities you need including wireless internet, a complimentary shuttle downtown and a full hot breakfast buffet. We are located within walking distance to CU as well as several restaurants. The Broker Inn is Boulder's hub of the airport Super Shuttle Service.
Attractions
Boulder, Colorado offers a variety of interesting and entertaining attractions year-round, and many are free or almost-free. There is something for everyone in Boulder, and after spending some time here, it’s easy to see why Boulder sets itself apart from most cities its size.
Banjo Billy's Bus Tours - Banjo Billy's Bus Tours departs at 2115 13th Street in front of the Hotel Boulderado. Daily tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is an 80 minute, PG-13 funky guided tour of downtown Boulder, "The Hill" and Chautauqua is filled with ghost, history and crime stories. Ride a saddle, sit in a lazy boy, this ain't no typical bus. BookCliff Vineyards - "Wine that You Will Like" is the tasting room and wine bar of BookCliff Vineyards, a Colorado winery located in Boulder. They offer wine tastings and wine by the glass to enjoy with chocolate, cheese and speciality meats as we share the space with the Belvedere Belgian Chocolate shop. Come and taste their award winning wines and selected wines from other Colorado wineries made from 100% Colorado grown grapes.
Nightlife
7 Eurobar - Seven's head chef and co-owner, Michel Wahaltere, has created his version of hot spots called “euro bars” in cities such as Madrid, Paris, and Rome. At seven, Michel transforms traditional flavors into various nouveau small plates that reflect the popular tastes of Spain, France, and Italy.
Boulder Dinner Theatre - Dinner, dessert, and a show! The Boulder Dinner Theatre has a 20+ year history of bringing the best of Broadway to Colorado, and most shows are extremely family-friendly.
Dark Horse - A Boulder landmark since 1975, this unique food and beverage emporium is adorned with movie props and turn of the century antiques. The Dark Horse truly "boggles the mind". The menu includes award-winning gourmet burgers, jumbo wings, chicken and vegetarian dishes, and children's favorites. Dine indoors or on the patio with spectacular mountain views. The bar features Front Range microbrews and quality spirits, along with 25 TVs, a satellite dish, pool tables, air hockey, football and video games. Karaoke on Thursday night.
Check out our Colorado Home Loans website for the best rates on Colorado Loans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tasner
Recently rated the "#1 Sports Town in America" by Outside Magazine, offering countless year-round recreational activities. Take advantage of the 200 miles of public hiking and biking trails, approximately 30,000 acres of open space or the Boulder Creek Path, which runs through the middle of town.
Accommodations
Best Western Boulder Inn - Prominently located directly across from the University, the Boulder Inn gives guests easy access to Boulder's principal attractions, NIST, NOAA, premier shopping, and extraordinary dining. Stylish, well-appointed rooms reflect a gracious ambiance, found throughout the hotel.
During your visit, enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast, free in-room high speed internet access, 24-hour business center, and full service health club privileges. Other guest facilities include a large outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub, on-site restaurant, and conference center.
Best Western Golden Buff - The Best Western Golden Buff Lodge has one of the best locations in Boulder, with over 30 restaurants, shopping, University of Colorado and movie theaters all within walking distance.
Boulder Broker Inn - Enjoy their full service Victorian style hotel featuring meeting and banquet facilities, Bentley's Lounge and the Broker Restaurant. The broker offers all the amenities you need including wireless internet, a complimentary shuttle downtown and a full hot breakfast buffet. We are located within walking distance to CU as well as several restaurants. The Broker Inn is Boulder's hub of the airport Super Shuttle Service.
Attractions
Boulder, Colorado offers a variety of interesting and entertaining attractions year-round, and many are free or almost-free. There is something for everyone in Boulder, and after spending some time here, it’s easy to see why Boulder sets itself apart from most cities its size.
Banjo Billy's Bus Tours - Banjo Billy's Bus Tours departs at 2115 13th Street in front of the Hotel Boulderado. Daily tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is an 80 minute, PG-13 funky guided tour of downtown Boulder, "The Hill" and Chautauqua is filled with ghost, history and crime stories. Ride a saddle, sit in a lazy boy, this ain't no typical bus. BookCliff Vineyards - "Wine that You Will Like" is the tasting room and wine bar of BookCliff Vineyards, a Colorado winery located in Boulder. They offer wine tastings and wine by the glass to enjoy with chocolate, cheese and speciality meats as we share the space with the Belvedere Belgian Chocolate shop. Come and taste their award winning wines and selected wines from other Colorado wineries made from 100% Colorado grown grapes.
Nightlife
7 Eurobar - Seven's head chef and co-owner, Michel Wahaltere, has created his version of hot spots called “euro bars” in cities such as Madrid, Paris, and Rome. At seven, Michel transforms traditional flavors into various nouveau small plates that reflect the popular tastes of Spain, France, and Italy.
Boulder Dinner Theatre - Dinner, dessert, and a show! The Boulder Dinner Theatre has a 20+ year history of bringing the best of Broadway to Colorado, and most shows are extremely family-friendly.
Dark Horse - A Boulder landmark since 1975, this unique food and beverage emporium is adorned with movie props and turn of the century antiques. The Dark Horse truly "boggles the mind". The menu includes award-winning gourmet burgers, jumbo wings, chicken and vegetarian dishes, and children's favorites. Dine indoors or on the patio with spectacular mountain views. The bar features Front Range microbrews and quality spirits, along with 25 TVs, a satellite dish, pool tables, air hockey, football and video games. Karaoke on Thursday night.
Check out our Colorado Home Loans website for the best rates on Colorado Loans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tasner
Sunday 14 October 2007
Hello from Austria - Going Back to My Roots
The story of the immigrant – the recurring tale of people with two identities, their lingering attachment to their birth country and their love for their new homes... For many people immigrating to a new country can be an almost schizophrenic experience.
My experience is a little unique: I left my home country of Austria at the tender age of 20 and will soon be celebrating my 21st anniversary of living in Canada. Any gifted mathematician will tell you that I have spent more than half my life, and virtually my entire adulthood in Canada, my new home country, a country for which I have great respect and love. On the other hand, many people are surprised when they hear me speak in my original Austrian dialect. They can’t believe I have been away from home for more than two decades and I still speak my East Styrian dialect exactly the way I spoke it 20 years ago. You could call me a truly bi-cultural individual.
During my first 10 years in Canada I travelled back to Austria once a year to visit my family – my father, grandmother and brother. Unfortunately my mother had passed away a couple of months after I first arrived in Canada, and I had many sad memories of growing up. Then a significant milestone came to pass in 1995: both my father and grandmother passed away within half a year of one another, an event that affected me deeply for a long time, especially since I had a very small family to begin with (no uncles, no aunts, no other grandparents). After this I took an almost nine year hiatus during which I did not travel back home at all. It was not until 2004, at the occasion of my 20th high school graduation anniversary, that I travelled back home to Austria again.
Since I had started travel writing in 2004 there were so many other places to visit in the last few years, and I have since explored fascinating places like Havana, Mexico City, Sicily, New York City, Chicago, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and many interesting towns and places across Canada and the United States. So there had not really been an opportunity to travel back to Austria, my native country.
But with the occasion of my brother Ewald’s 50th birthday this year I decided to make a trip back. That was a celebration I simply could not miss. In addition, I had set a deliberate goal to travel back home and to explore my birth region through the eyes of a travel writer and to compare Austria, and more specifically Styria, my home province, with the many other places I have had a chance to visit over the last few years.
So I set off in late July and flew into Vienna, Austria’s famous capital. On a gorgeous day I drove south on the A2 Highway through rolling hills into my home province of Styria. It was as if time had stood still, the quaint villages were still there; the fields, orchards and forests still looked the way I remembered them. One thing I distinctly noticed was the fact that virtually all the houses were beautifully renovated and everything seemed in tip top modern condition.
Upon my arrival and a warm welcome by my sister-in-law Anneliese (my brother was still at work) we went for a little walk through my home town of Weiz, and I had a chance to see some of the new buildings that had gone up since my last visit. After a great reunion with my brother and a restful night recuperating from my jet lag, the following day, a Saturday, was going to be the day of my brother’s birthday dinner.
Ewald is a very talented professional chef, so the three off us set off right away in the morning and started the day with visits to the farmers markets in Gleisdorf and Weiz, my home town. Local produce, meats and baked goods made my salivary glands work overtime and my brother picked up the necessary ingredients. Then he started preparing the feast while he sent Anneliese and me on a brief hike through a portion of the Raab River Gorge, a popular hiking and recreational area close to my home town. I added a little driving tour through the scenic areas surrounding the local Goller and Gösser mountains and explored the old mining village of Arzberg. We spent the evening savouring a multi-course gourmet dinner, admiring my brother’s cooking skills.
Sunday was set aside for a full-day outing: we met with our friends Luis and Isabella (who had already visited us in Toronto in 2005), and drove about an hour into the area of South West Styria, which is a very well-known wine growing region. We went hiking in a picturesque area of rolling hills that is often referred to as the “Austrian Tuscany”. After all this exercise we enjoyed a scrumptious late lunch in a local winegrower’s restaurant, and in the evening I went for a quick bike ride through town.
The weather did not cooperate the next day and it was drizzling or raining the entire day. This gave me a chance to visit my friend Andrea whose daughter Nina had spent several weeks at our place in Toronto last year. I had not seen Andrea, the older sister of one of my schoolmates, for at least 23 years and the reunion was fabulous. A little round of tennis with my friends Luis and Isabella capped off a low-key day.
A brilliant blue sky and beaming sunshine woke me up on Tuesday and I embarked on my first photo tour of my home town. I checked out the imposing baroque pilgrimage church called Weizbergkirche in my home town, and visited Schloss Thannhausen, a Renaissance castle that is still used for concerts and special events. I then drove through the Weizklamm mountain gorge that features vertically dropping limestone cliffs, a river and a main road that is patched against the rocks. The road is so narrow in some areas that one side of traffic has to wait for the other side to pass, there simply isn’t enough room for two vehicles to get by side by side.
The road took me up into the mountains to a village called St. Kathrein, a picturesque little place with gorgeous mountain views, lots of local bed and breakfasts, hiking trails and a nearby ski area. In the afternoon I connected with Andrea and her family again and together we embarked on a special excursion: a visit to the Katerloch, a well-known limestone cave that features the greatest variety of stalactites and stalagmites in all of Austria.
Fritz, our guide, took us on a two-hour walking tour and with his dynamic and entertaining speaking style he explained all the features of the cave, including the various rock formations as well as several big caverns with names such as the Hall of Fantasy, the Enchanted Kingdom and the Lake Paradise which features an underground lake 135 m below the cave’s entrance. He also told us about the former owners and explorers of the cave, a deeply religious married couple that discovered and made accessible extensive new sections of the cave in the early to mid 1950s. These two individuals definitely believed that willpower and conviction can move mountains.
Another gorgeous summer day followed which I decided to start off with a hike through the wildest section of the Raabklamm, Austria’s longest gorge and a designated European nature conservation area. My friends Andrea and Herbert set the pace which was enhanced by our Nordic walking poles. I stopped for a couple of Austrian culinary treats at a local restaurant before I continued my excursion to Graz, the capital of Styria and Austria’s second largest city.
Graz is a really underrated destination, the majority of North Americans has never even heard of it. When people think of traveling to Austria, the destinations Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck instantly come to mind. Surprisingly Graz is still mostly flying under the radar as far as North American travelers are concerned.
But what a shame! Graz is an absolutely gorgeous destination: it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has one of the most well-preserved late medieval and Renaissance city centres in Europe. It was also designated as the European Cultural Capital in 2003. Graz is known for outstanding architecture, music and various leading edge arts festivals throughout the seasons.
On my way to Graz I made my first stop in Mariatrost to visit the impressive baroque pilgrimage church on the hill. I then stopped my car near the Opera House and walked down the Herrengasse, Graz’ popular shopping promenade and part of the extensive pedestrian area. I admired the Renaissance courtyard of the Landhaus, seat of the Provincial Styrian Government, and made my way to the Hauptplatz, the city’s main square. It is a beautiful public space, anchored by an impressive late 19th century city hall that overlooks stately houses flanking the square.
The view from the Hauptplatz is framed by the Schlossberg, a rock that is located in the middle of the city that once featured an imposing medieval fortress. Most of the fortifications were destroyed by Napoleon’s troops in 1809, but the citizenry of Graz paid significant ransom money to retain its most beloved landmark: the Uhrturm (“Clock Tower”), the tower with the four over sized clock faces whose hour hand is longer than its minute hand.
This clock tower has for centuries been the symbol of Graz and I enjoyed my view over the city from its terraces after my funicular ride up the mountain. I also took in the afternoon performance of the carillon on the Glockenspielplatz, where since 1905 the music of 24 bells accompanies the mechanical dance of a couple made from wood, entertaining dozens of tourists who congregate to watch.
My brother and sister-in-law had taken the next day off and we were planning an excursion further afield: our destination was a mountain peak called Mangart in Slovenia, located about a three-hour drive from my home town. The beauty of Central Europe is its diversity of landscapes and its small distances, and in just a few hours of driving through the Austrian province of Carinthia we arrived in Val Canale, an area where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet. Incidentally this is also the only area where the Germanic, Romance and Slavic language families come together right next to one another. We passed by the picturesque Predil Lake and continued our climb into the high mountains and crossed the Italian border into Slovenia.
But as it can be with the best laid plans of mice and men, our hiking trip to the Mangart Mountain was not to be: our car overheated and there was no way we were going to make it any further. We had to stop, let the car cool down and turn around to go back down the mountain. Fortunately, our disappointment did not last long since we came up with an alternate plan: we took the cable car up to Monte Lussari whose summit area features a tiny mountain village with a small pilgrimage church. An absolutely stunning 360 degree mountain vista opens up from the top of this mountain and we enjoyed a hearty lunch on the balcony of a rustic restaurant, taking in the phenomenal Alpine panorama.
On our way home we stopped in the town of Tarvisio, a border town that has benefited for a long time from the traffic between Austria, Slovenia and Italy. We stopped at the market, my brother picked up a few Italian delicatessen and we enjoyed our stroll through town. After our return in the late afternoon I embarked on a little local excursion and drove to the Teichalm – Sommeralm area close to my home town.
This region is now marketed as the “Almenland’, which literally means “Alpine meadow country”. The Tourism Region Sommeralm -Teichalm represents the largest contiguous high-altitude alpine meadow area in Europe. It features a lake, many hiking trails, ski lifts and phenomenal views into the surrounding countryside. In addition, the area is used as grazing pastures for hundreds of Alpine oxen, animals whose tender and tasty meat is prized highly by chefs and restaurant owners throughout the entire area.
Poor weather returned on Friday, so I spent a quiet day making visits to acquaintances and doing errands. The highlight of the day was a classical concert organized by the local Weiz Lions Club: a charity concert and fundraiser that featured musicians and an orchestra from AIMS, the American Institute of Musical Studies, a Graz-based organization that offers intense summer vocal, piano and music programs to international students, most of whom come from the United States.
We listened to pieces by Mozart, Strauss and Verdi and were thoroughly impressed by the young sopranos, tenors and musicians who put on an outstanding performance. The event even raised 15,000 Euros for the local charity. I interviewed several of the young music students after the concert and they were thoroughly enjoying their international exchange program and sure to return home with memories of a lifetime.
Finally, the sun had returned and my second last day in Austria was going to be gorgeous. My second photo safari through my home town resulted in several encounters with acquaintances whom I had not seen for more than 20 years. Old memories were stirred up even more when I connected with my school friends Klaudia and Doris. During our walk up to the local Weizberg we also had a celebrity connection: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mother, father and brother are buried in the Weiz cemetery. His parents lived in this town for many years, and his father was a local police officer.
Of course we reminisced about our high school adventures and after a scrumptious garden lunch we went to go hiking on the nearby Schöckel mountain. The Schöckel is the largest mountain in the region around Weiz and provides a phenomenal 360 degree panorama over the entire region. Southerly views extend into the Slovenian and Hungarian plains, and northerly vistas feature the high Alpine peaks of Northern Styria. To the east and to the west the scenic Styrian hill country opens up. The three of us climbed up the steepest portion of the mountain, securely equipped with our Nordic walking poles. Several restaurants offer refreshments and hearty Austrian food at the summit area, and high-speed excitement is provided by the summer tobogganing track that runs down the mountain, a nice adrenaline kick I just had to experience.
After our hike back down we stopped off at Doris’ house, a beautiful property in the countryside, that features a brand new pond and large garden. Doris even equipped us with delicious freshly picked peaches from her father’s orchards. Klaudia and I headed back to Weiz and an hour later we met up again for a backyard barbeque at my brother’s place. Klaudia’s entire family, her sister Andrea with daughters Nina and Katja as well as the two grandparents joined us for a delicious dinner that showcased my brother’s culinary skills in a multi-course feast.
My last full day in Austria had arrived and Ewald and Anneliese had planned a special outing: an excursion to one of Austria’s most famous fortresses – the Riegersburg. In existence for more than 850 years and located in the border region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, this impressive fortification has withstood many attacks from the east and was never conquered. It has often been referred to as the “strongest fortification of Christianity”, having successfully defended repeated attacks by Turks and Magyars.
With its numerous fortified gates, its unique location on an extinct volcanic cone, its extensive defensive walls, wooden drawbridges and moats, the Riegersburg is an authentic medieval fortress that has seen architectural additions from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. An exhibition in the fortress explains the historic era of the 16th and 17th century and sheds light on feudalism as well as two fascinating female characters who inhabited this fortress more than four centuries ago: Baroness von Galler and the “flower witch” Katharina Paldauf.
Our East Styrian tour continued through volcano country with a drive to Schloss Kapfenstein, another medieval fortress that has been expanded into a castle and today holds an upscale restaurant and hotel. This castle is also located on the extinct cone of a former volcano. We enjoyed a tasty lunch in the outdoor patio of the castle, against the gorgeous backdrop of the distant Carinthian and Slovenian Mountains.
My last evening in Austria was capped off with a visit to our friends Luis and Isabella, and all five of us enjoyed the late evening sun in their beautiful backyard. Luis even took me on a little motor scooter adventure around town. Back at Ewald’s place we spent a few more hours reminiscing until I had to pack my bags for my departure to the airport in Vienna Monday morning.
These nine days have been one of the most wonderful travel experiences in my life. They were greatly enhanced by my connections with family and friends, but in addition, my eyes were truly opened to travel opportunities in my birth region of Austria.
Styria, with its medieval cities, imposing churches, monasteries and fortresses offers a great variety of destinations to history and architecture lovers. Music, visual and performing arts are ever present, even in small communities. Outdoor lovers will find a whole smorgasbord of activities, from hiking to mountain biking, skiing, horseback riding, mountaineering, hang-gliding, river rafting and many other varied pastimes.
The diverse landscapes featuring fertile plains, rolling hills full of orchards and vineyards, high Alpine peaks and meadows, pristine rivers and scenic lakes enchant at every corner. And food, wine and beer lovers will definitely enjoy the diverse culinary offerings. In addition, Styria offers affordable prices and great value to international travelers. I realized my birth region is right up there at the top of any destinations I have visited in the last few years.
This trip truly opened my eyes to the astounding beauty and variety of the area where I was born, and even though Styria might not be as well known as other regions of Austria, my nine days back home were far too short and I already have a whole list of things to do and see next time I am over in the old country.
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences & interesting life journeys, interviews with travellers and travel experts, cross-cultural issues, and many other features.
Susanne has recently published a series of FREE travel ebooks about destinations such as Spain, Cuba, Mexico, Sicily, New York City, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia and many more. Visit Travel and Transitions - FREE ebooks (www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html)"Life is a Journey – Explore New Horizons".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Pacher
My experience is a little unique: I left my home country of Austria at the tender age of 20 and will soon be celebrating my 21st anniversary of living in Canada. Any gifted mathematician will tell you that I have spent more than half my life, and virtually my entire adulthood in Canada, my new home country, a country for which I have great respect and love. On the other hand, many people are surprised when they hear me speak in my original Austrian dialect. They can’t believe I have been away from home for more than two decades and I still speak my East Styrian dialect exactly the way I spoke it 20 years ago. You could call me a truly bi-cultural individual.
During my first 10 years in Canada I travelled back to Austria once a year to visit my family – my father, grandmother and brother. Unfortunately my mother had passed away a couple of months after I first arrived in Canada, and I had many sad memories of growing up. Then a significant milestone came to pass in 1995: both my father and grandmother passed away within half a year of one another, an event that affected me deeply for a long time, especially since I had a very small family to begin with (no uncles, no aunts, no other grandparents). After this I took an almost nine year hiatus during which I did not travel back home at all. It was not until 2004, at the occasion of my 20th high school graduation anniversary, that I travelled back home to Austria again.
Since I had started travel writing in 2004 there were so many other places to visit in the last few years, and I have since explored fascinating places like Havana, Mexico City, Sicily, New York City, Chicago, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and many interesting towns and places across Canada and the United States. So there had not really been an opportunity to travel back to Austria, my native country.
But with the occasion of my brother Ewald’s 50th birthday this year I decided to make a trip back. That was a celebration I simply could not miss. In addition, I had set a deliberate goal to travel back home and to explore my birth region through the eyes of a travel writer and to compare Austria, and more specifically Styria, my home province, with the many other places I have had a chance to visit over the last few years.
So I set off in late July and flew into Vienna, Austria’s famous capital. On a gorgeous day I drove south on the A2 Highway through rolling hills into my home province of Styria. It was as if time had stood still, the quaint villages were still there; the fields, orchards and forests still looked the way I remembered them. One thing I distinctly noticed was the fact that virtually all the houses were beautifully renovated and everything seemed in tip top modern condition.
Upon my arrival and a warm welcome by my sister-in-law Anneliese (my brother was still at work) we went for a little walk through my home town of Weiz, and I had a chance to see some of the new buildings that had gone up since my last visit. After a great reunion with my brother and a restful night recuperating from my jet lag, the following day, a Saturday, was going to be the day of my brother’s birthday dinner.
Ewald is a very talented professional chef, so the three off us set off right away in the morning and started the day with visits to the farmers markets in Gleisdorf and Weiz, my home town. Local produce, meats and baked goods made my salivary glands work overtime and my brother picked up the necessary ingredients. Then he started preparing the feast while he sent Anneliese and me on a brief hike through a portion of the Raab River Gorge, a popular hiking and recreational area close to my home town. I added a little driving tour through the scenic areas surrounding the local Goller and Gösser mountains and explored the old mining village of Arzberg. We spent the evening savouring a multi-course gourmet dinner, admiring my brother’s cooking skills.
Sunday was set aside for a full-day outing: we met with our friends Luis and Isabella (who had already visited us in Toronto in 2005), and drove about an hour into the area of South West Styria, which is a very well-known wine growing region. We went hiking in a picturesque area of rolling hills that is often referred to as the “Austrian Tuscany”. After all this exercise we enjoyed a scrumptious late lunch in a local winegrower’s restaurant, and in the evening I went for a quick bike ride through town.
The weather did not cooperate the next day and it was drizzling or raining the entire day. This gave me a chance to visit my friend Andrea whose daughter Nina had spent several weeks at our place in Toronto last year. I had not seen Andrea, the older sister of one of my schoolmates, for at least 23 years and the reunion was fabulous. A little round of tennis with my friends Luis and Isabella capped off a low-key day.
A brilliant blue sky and beaming sunshine woke me up on Tuesday and I embarked on my first photo tour of my home town. I checked out the imposing baroque pilgrimage church called Weizbergkirche in my home town, and visited Schloss Thannhausen, a Renaissance castle that is still used for concerts and special events. I then drove through the Weizklamm mountain gorge that features vertically dropping limestone cliffs, a river and a main road that is patched against the rocks. The road is so narrow in some areas that one side of traffic has to wait for the other side to pass, there simply isn’t enough room for two vehicles to get by side by side.
The road took me up into the mountains to a village called St. Kathrein, a picturesque little place with gorgeous mountain views, lots of local bed and breakfasts, hiking trails and a nearby ski area. In the afternoon I connected with Andrea and her family again and together we embarked on a special excursion: a visit to the Katerloch, a well-known limestone cave that features the greatest variety of stalactites and stalagmites in all of Austria.
Fritz, our guide, took us on a two-hour walking tour and with his dynamic and entertaining speaking style he explained all the features of the cave, including the various rock formations as well as several big caverns with names such as the Hall of Fantasy, the Enchanted Kingdom and the Lake Paradise which features an underground lake 135 m below the cave’s entrance. He also told us about the former owners and explorers of the cave, a deeply religious married couple that discovered and made accessible extensive new sections of the cave in the early to mid 1950s. These two individuals definitely believed that willpower and conviction can move mountains.
Another gorgeous summer day followed which I decided to start off with a hike through the wildest section of the Raabklamm, Austria’s longest gorge and a designated European nature conservation area. My friends Andrea and Herbert set the pace which was enhanced by our Nordic walking poles. I stopped for a couple of Austrian culinary treats at a local restaurant before I continued my excursion to Graz, the capital of Styria and Austria’s second largest city.
Graz is a really underrated destination, the majority of North Americans has never even heard of it. When people think of traveling to Austria, the destinations Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck instantly come to mind. Surprisingly Graz is still mostly flying under the radar as far as North American travelers are concerned.
But what a shame! Graz is an absolutely gorgeous destination: it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has one of the most well-preserved late medieval and Renaissance city centres in Europe. It was also designated as the European Cultural Capital in 2003. Graz is known for outstanding architecture, music and various leading edge arts festivals throughout the seasons.
On my way to Graz I made my first stop in Mariatrost to visit the impressive baroque pilgrimage church on the hill. I then stopped my car near the Opera House and walked down the Herrengasse, Graz’ popular shopping promenade and part of the extensive pedestrian area. I admired the Renaissance courtyard of the Landhaus, seat of the Provincial Styrian Government, and made my way to the Hauptplatz, the city’s main square. It is a beautiful public space, anchored by an impressive late 19th century city hall that overlooks stately houses flanking the square.
The view from the Hauptplatz is framed by the Schlossberg, a rock that is located in the middle of the city that once featured an imposing medieval fortress. Most of the fortifications were destroyed by Napoleon’s troops in 1809, but the citizenry of Graz paid significant ransom money to retain its most beloved landmark: the Uhrturm (“Clock Tower”), the tower with the four over sized clock faces whose hour hand is longer than its minute hand.
This clock tower has for centuries been the symbol of Graz and I enjoyed my view over the city from its terraces after my funicular ride up the mountain. I also took in the afternoon performance of the carillon on the Glockenspielplatz, where since 1905 the music of 24 bells accompanies the mechanical dance of a couple made from wood, entertaining dozens of tourists who congregate to watch.
My brother and sister-in-law had taken the next day off and we were planning an excursion further afield: our destination was a mountain peak called Mangart in Slovenia, located about a three-hour drive from my home town. The beauty of Central Europe is its diversity of landscapes and its small distances, and in just a few hours of driving through the Austrian province of Carinthia we arrived in Val Canale, an area where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet. Incidentally this is also the only area where the Germanic, Romance and Slavic language families come together right next to one another. We passed by the picturesque Predil Lake and continued our climb into the high mountains and crossed the Italian border into Slovenia.
But as it can be with the best laid plans of mice and men, our hiking trip to the Mangart Mountain was not to be: our car overheated and there was no way we were going to make it any further. We had to stop, let the car cool down and turn around to go back down the mountain. Fortunately, our disappointment did not last long since we came up with an alternate plan: we took the cable car up to Monte Lussari whose summit area features a tiny mountain village with a small pilgrimage church. An absolutely stunning 360 degree mountain vista opens up from the top of this mountain and we enjoyed a hearty lunch on the balcony of a rustic restaurant, taking in the phenomenal Alpine panorama.
On our way home we stopped in the town of Tarvisio, a border town that has benefited for a long time from the traffic between Austria, Slovenia and Italy. We stopped at the market, my brother picked up a few Italian delicatessen and we enjoyed our stroll through town. After our return in the late afternoon I embarked on a little local excursion and drove to the Teichalm – Sommeralm area close to my home town.
This region is now marketed as the “Almenland’, which literally means “Alpine meadow country”. The Tourism Region Sommeralm -Teichalm represents the largest contiguous high-altitude alpine meadow area in Europe. It features a lake, many hiking trails, ski lifts and phenomenal views into the surrounding countryside. In addition, the area is used as grazing pastures for hundreds of Alpine oxen, animals whose tender and tasty meat is prized highly by chefs and restaurant owners throughout the entire area.
Poor weather returned on Friday, so I spent a quiet day making visits to acquaintances and doing errands. The highlight of the day was a classical concert organized by the local Weiz Lions Club: a charity concert and fundraiser that featured musicians and an orchestra from AIMS, the American Institute of Musical Studies, a Graz-based organization that offers intense summer vocal, piano and music programs to international students, most of whom come from the United States.
We listened to pieces by Mozart, Strauss and Verdi and were thoroughly impressed by the young sopranos, tenors and musicians who put on an outstanding performance. The event even raised 15,000 Euros for the local charity. I interviewed several of the young music students after the concert and they were thoroughly enjoying their international exchange program and sure to return home with memories of a lifetime.
Finally, the sun had returned and my second last day in Austria was going to be gorgeous. My second photo safari through my home town resulted in several encounters with acquaintances whom I had not seen for more than 20 years. Old memories were stirred up even more when I connected with my school friends Klaudia and Doris. During our walk up to the local Weizberg we also had a celebrity connection: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mother, father and brother are buried in the Weiz cemetery. His parents lived in this town for many years, and his father was a local police officer.
Of course we reminisced about our high school adventures and after a scrumptious garden lunch we went to go hiking on the nearby Schöckel mountain. The Schöckel is the largest mountain in the region around Weiz and provides a phenomenal 360 degree panorama over the entire region. Southerly views extend into the Slovenian and Hungarian plains, and northerly vistas feature the high Alpine peaks of Northern Styria. To the east and to the west the scenic Styrian hill country opens up. The three of us climbed up the steepest portion of the mountain, securely equipped with our Nordic walking poles. Several restaurants offer refreshments and hearty Austrian food at the summit area, and high-speed excitement is provided by the summer tobogganing track that runs down the mountain, a nice adrenaline kick I just had to experience.
After our hike back down we stopped off at Doris’ house, a beautiful property in the countryside, that features a brand new pond and large garden. Doris even equipped us with delicious freshly picked peaches from her father’s orchards. Klaudia and I headed back to Weiz and an hour later we met up again for a backyard barbeque at my brother’s place. Klaudia’s entire family, her sister Andrea with daughters Nina and Katja as well as the two grandparents joined us for a delicious dinner that showcased my brother’s culinary skills in a multi-course feast.
My last full day in Austria had arrived and Ewald and Anneliese had planned a special outing: an excursion to one of Austria’s most famous fortresses – the Riegersburg. In existence for more than 850 years and located in the border region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, this impressive fortification has withstood many attacks from the east and was never conquered. It has often been referred to as the “strongest fortification of Christianity”, having successfully defended repeated attacks by Turks and Magyars.
With its numerous fortified gates, its unique location on an extinct volcanic cone, its extensive defensive walls, wooden drawbridges and moats, the Riegersburg is an authentic medieval fortress that has seen architectural additions from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. An exhibition in the fortress explains the historic era of the 16th and 17th century and sheds light on feudalism as well as two fascinating female characters who inhabited this fortress more than four centuries ago: Baroness von Galler and the “flower witch” Katharina Paldauf.
Our East Styrian tour continued through volcano country with a drive to Schloss Kapfenstein, another medieval fortress that has been expanded into a castle and today holds an upscale restaurant and hotel. This castle is also located on the extinct cone of a former volcano. We enjoyed a tasty lunch in the outdoor patio of the castle, against the gorgeous backdrop of the distant Carinthian and Slovenian Mountains.
My last evening in Austria was capped off with a visit to our friends Luis and Isabella, and all five of us enjoyed the late evening sun in their beautiful backyard. Luis even took me on a little motor scooter adventure around town. Back at Ewald’s place we spent a few more hours reminiscing until I had to pack my bags for my departure to the airport in Vienna Monday morning.
These nine days have been one of the most wonderful travel experiences in my life. They were greatly enhanced by my connections with family and friends, but in addition, my eyes were truly opened to travel opportunities in my birth region of Austria.
Styria, with its medieval cities, imposing churches, monasteries and fortresses offers a great variety of destinations to history and architecture lovers. Music, visual and performing arts are ever present, even in small communities. Outdoor lovers will find a whole smorgasbord of activities, from hiking to mountain biking, skiing, horseback riding, mountaineering, hang-gliding, river rafting and many other varied pastimes.
The diverse landscapes featuring fertile plains, rolling hills full of orchards and vineyards, high Alpine peaks and meadows, pristine rivers and scenic lakes enchant at every corner. And food, wine and beer lovers will definitely enjoy the diverse culinary offerings. In addition, Styria offers affordable prices and great value to international travelers. I realized my birth region is right up there at the top of any destinations I have visited in the last few years.
This trip truly opened my eyes to the astounding beauty and variety of the area where I was born, and even though Styria might not be as well known as other regions of Austria, my nine days back home were far too short and I already have a whole list of things to do and see next time I am over in the old country.
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences & interesting life journeys, interviews with travellers and travel experts, cross-cultural issues, and many other features.
Susanne has recently published a series of FREE travel ebooks about destinations such as Spain, Cuba, Mexico, Sicily, New York City, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia and many more. Visit Travel and Transitions - FREE ebooks (www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html)"Life is a Journey – Explore New Horizons".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Pacher
Saturday 13 October 2007
Eating In Paris - Gastronomical Guide
One can't avoid eating. There are 2 ways of taking meal: one can eat just to refuel the organism and to get pleasure from the process of eating. Paris is the kind of place where you obligatory ought to give a gastronomical treat to your body.
Once in a restaurant you can face up a difficulty: the menu is in French. To sit in confusion with the waiter looking at you is not the best situation one can imagine. It’s a shame to eat the dishes you didn’t want to order but had to just because you didn’t understand a single word! Besides if ordering at random you will go over your budget without tasting what you wanted to try in the French capital.
That’s why it will be useful to study the list of the most popular with the French dishes, drinks, vegetables and desserts on the Internet beforehand.
And some more words about the menu («a la carte» in French). At noon many restaurants offer fixed menus: menu midi, menu du jour. It’s not necessarily worse than a la carte but it’s a guarantee of a quickly service. One can also find menu fixe and formule. These are menus which include a standard set of dishes that can be ordered at any time. Bear in mind that a standard French dinner is very substantial and consists of three dishes plus a dessert. As a rule, the tips are included into the bill so there’s no need to leave a waiter more than 1-2 euro.
If you’re so full that you can’t eat your dessert at the restaurant then go to one of the numerous chocolate shops, choose sweets to your liking and eat them at the hotel. By the way French chocolate is a nice souvenir for all your relatives and friends. One of the best chocolate shops is Les chocolats Foucher (there are two shops of this brand: at avenue de l’Opéra and at rue du Bac ). Besides in these shops you can buy black, red and green tea in a smart wrapping.
Don’t forget to buy cheese! The French say there’s 365 kinds of cheese in France, just like the days in the year. In fact there’s much more. Interesting to note that an average Frenchman eats about 30 kg of cheese per year. The French adore cheese. There’s even a monument to the cheese inventor. Here’s a list of the most popular sorts of cheese:
1. Banon 2. Baratte 3. Beaufort 4. Boursault 5. Brebis des Pyrenees 6. Brie de Meaux 7. Brin d’amour 8. Camambert 9. Cantal 10. Chabi 11. Chaource 12. Chevrotin 13. Comte 14. Coulommiers 15. Epoisses 16. Explorateur 17. Fourme d’Ambert 18. Gaperon 19. Langres 20. Livarot 21. Maroilles 22. Mimolette 23. Munster 24. Neufchatel 25. Picodon 26. Pont-l’Eveque 27. Reblochon 28. Rocamadour 29. Roquefort 30. Saint-Marcellin 31. Saint-Nectaire 32. Tomme de Savoie 33. Trappiste de Laval
So enjoy eating in Paris. Bon appetite!
Paris hotels
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vasilisa_Krolikova
Once in a restaurant you can face up a difficulty: the menu is in French. To sit in confusion with the waiter looking at you is not the best situation one can imagine. It’s a shame to eat the dishes you didn’t want to order but had to just because you didn’t understand a single word! Besides if ordering at random you will go over your budget without tasting what you wanted to try in the French capital.
That’s why it will be useful to study the list of the most popular with the French dishes, drinks, vegetables and desserts on the Internet beforehand.
And some more words about the menu («a la carte» in French). At noon many restaurants offer fixed menus: menu midi, menu du jour. It’s not necessarily worse than a la carte but it’s a guarantee of a quickly service. One can also find menu fixe and formule. These are menus which include a standard set of dishes that can be ordered at any time. Bear in mind that a standard French dinner is very substantial and consists of three dishes plus a dessert. As a rule, the tips are included into the bill so there’s no need to leave a waiter more than 1-2 euro.
If you’re so full that you can’t eat your dessert at the restaurant then go to one of the numerous chocolate shops, choose sweets to your liking and eat them at the hotel. By the way French chocolate is a nice souvenir for all your relatives and friends. One of the best chocolate shops is Les chocolats Foucher (there are two shops of this brand: at avenue de l’Opéra and at rue du Bac ). Besides in these shops you can buy black, red and green tea in a smart wrapping.
Don’t forget to buy cheese! The French say there’s 365 kinds of cheese in France, just like the days in the year. In fact there’s much more. Interesting to note that an average Frenchman eats about 30 kg of cheese per year. The French adore cheese. There’s even a monument to the cheese inventor. Here’s a list of the most popular sorts of cheese:
1. Banon 2. Baratte 3. Beaufort 4. Boursault 5. Brebis des Pyrenees 6. Brie de Meaux 7. Brin d’amour 8. Camambert 9. Cantal 10. Chabi 11. Chaource 12. Chevrotin 13. Comte 14. Coulommiers 15. Epoisses 16. Explorateur 17. Fourme d’Ambert 18. Gaperon 19. Langres 20. Livarot 21. Maroilles 22. Mimolette 23. Munster 24. Neufchatel 25. Picodon 26. Pont-l’Eveque 27. Reblochon 28. Rocamadour 29. Roquefort 30. Saint-Marcellin 31. Saint-Nectaire 32. Tomme de Savoie 33. Trappiste de Laval
So enjoy eating in Paris. Bon appetite!
Paris hotels
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vasilisa_Krolikova
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)