Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

17
December

Lake Willoughby Inn - A Diamond in the Rough!

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Category: Travel

You want to get away from it all. You’ve decided on finally visiting the beautiful state of Vermont. You’ve checked the weather forecast for Stowe Vermont and researched all the Stowe Vermont hotels you can find online, but you just can’t decide where to stay. Enter the Lake Willoughby Inn, the Vermonter’s Vermont; accommodations where you will feel like you’ve discovered a diamond in the rough. But don’t let this little corner of the world fool you. The Lake Willoughby Inn is a perfect place for a romantic getaway or a family vacation.

Whether you’ve decided to visit during the winter time when Vermont is a winter wonderland, during the spring when the smell of new growth is in the air, the summer time with the flowers and lake swimming or autumn with the burst of yellow and orange leaves surrounding you, you will spend your time smiling, relaxing and enjoying life. Of course, if you are driving and it’s a spur of the moment vacation, you will want to check the weather forecast for Stowe Vermont to make sure you aren’t headed into any storms.

The Lake Willoughby Inn, located in delightful St. Johnsbury, Vermont, offers rooms and suites at the main Inn as well as lakefront and lakeview cottages. There are always internet specials and if you decide to spend time at the Lake Willoughby Inn, you can save even more money here as well as in other Stowe Vermont hotel rooms if you reserve accommodations for the middle of the week.

So convenient to so many activity areas, the Lake Willoughby Inn is, of course, located on Lake Willoughby. No matter what time of year you visit, there are so many fun ideas for all ages in the family. Many say it’s their favorite family vacation spot. During the warm months you can enjoy lake swimming and during spring, summer and fall you can enjoy fishing, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing, biking, golf and a myriad of other recreational sports. During the winter, fun abounds at the Lake Willoughby Inn. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, sled dog tours, sleigh rides, ice fishing and so many other exciting events take place in this area. But once again, before you decide to drive here, check the weather forecast for Stowe Vermont so you do not get caught in a blizzard. But while you’re here, you’ll hope to get snowed in and make this one of your ski vacations. That we can guarantee you!

15
December

Canada Holidays

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Category: Travel

Canada is such a vast country to visit; it’s hard to know where to begin. Most Canada holidays will need to be concentrated on a certain area. It’s a land of contrast with mountains, prairies, cities and the Great Lakes. The culture is derived from Britain and France and French is spoken as a first language in some quarters. It really is the nation of wide, open spaces.

Ottawa is the country’s capital and the House of Commons and the Senate is situated at Parliament Hill, where visitors can go on guided tours. The Museum of Civilization contains exhibits on the history of the country and there is a children’s museum within the main complex. Children will love the Science and Technology Museum too, which includes some very big train locomotives. Toronto is the largest city in the country and has many attractions. The Art Gallery of Ontario is the largest gallery in Canada and exhibits the largest collection of Henry Moore’s works in the world. The Ontario Science Center is popular with families on Canada holidays and has several interactive displays. The Island Lake Group offers some of the world’s most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, Cat Ski, Catskiing in Canada. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway!

Vancouver is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is not to be missed by those on Canada holidays. For a terrific view of the city, there is a skyride to a viewing area up on Grouse Mountain. The Vancouver Aquarium has an international reputation for marine life research and conservation. This is a good area for winter sports enthusiasts and Whistler Mountain is reputed to be one of the best ski resorts for skiers and snowboarders in the world.

Canada is also famous for the Great Lakes, which traverse both Canada and the United States. It is an area of great beauty, used for recreation and commercial interests. Several National Parks occupy islands on the lakes. The five lakes are Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and Lake Erie is very popular with sport fishing enthusiasts. Lake Michigan is the one lake that lies completely within the United States and is known for its beautiful beaches.

Nova Scotia, on the East Coast, contains one of the world’s last, true wilderness areas. The majority of the terrain is lakes and woodland. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is particularly scenic and is home to several wildlife species, including deer. The capital, Halifax, is a pretty town and a popular destination on Canada holidays for people who enjoy strolling around the harbor and the historic streets.

8
December

Canada has Harsh Winters

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Category: Travel

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America. It is the worlds second largest country by total area and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Canada shares land borders with the United States to the northwest and south.

It is a union of British colonies and it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1982. It remains a Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

It is a federal constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. It comprises ten provinces and three territories. Canada is a bilingual and multicultural country, with both English and French as official languages at the federal level.

The name Canada comes from a word in the language of the St Lawrence Iroquoians meaning village or settlement.

The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court and final arbiter and is led by the Right Honourable Madam Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

The population density of three and a half people per square kilometre it is among the lowest in the world. The country is sparsely populated. Most people congregate around urban centres and venturing into more remote rural areas, you may well have only the countries stunning scenery as your companion. The Island Lake Group offers some of the world’s most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, Cat Ski, Catskiing in Canada. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway!

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the Prairie Provinces, where daily average temperatures are near minus fifth teen degrees, but can drop below minus forty degrees with severe wind chills. Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter.

On the east and west coast average high temperatures are generally in the low twenty degrees, while between the coasts the average summer high temperature range between twenty five to thirty degrees with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding forty degrees.

Official national sports are ice hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the summer. Hockey is a national pastime and the most popular spectator sport in the country. It is the most popular sport Canadians play.

Few countries in the world offer as many choices to the traveller as Canada. Whether your passion is skiing, sailing, museum combing or indulging in exceptional cuisine, Canada has it all. Western Canada is renowned for its stunningly beautiful countryside. Eastern Canada mixes the flavour and charm of Europe with the bustle of trendy New York. Wildlife viewing is at its best in Northern Canada.

8
December

The Blue Ridge Mountains Beckon You

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Category: Travel

Delight in the beauty, fun and relaxation of a mountain vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville NC. Key attractions such as Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain combine with outdoor adventures of the Appalachian Trail, Lake James, Linville, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forest for mountain outings and natural experiences to suit all tastes. Charming small towns such as Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Hendersonville, Mars Hill, Brevard NC, and Hot Springs NC are full of art and craft galleries, traditional music venues and diverse arts festivals, restaurants serving locally grown foods, historic sites and museums. Stay in a Blue Ridge cabin, a Blue Ridge rental property, a romantic bed-and-breakfast, a charming historic inn, the famed Grove Park Inn, or one of many Asheville hotels ? mountain accommodation options are endless.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Celebrates 75 Years

In 2010, the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its 75th anniversary with festivities scheduled in many of the charming mountain communities it winds its way past. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a both a scenic byway and a spectacular national park, complete with hiking trails, towering trees, diverse wildlife and cultural points of interest. “America’s Favorite Drive” makes it way past many points of interest in the Blue Ridge Mountains; Linville Falls, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Mount Mitchell State Park, Craggy Gardens alive with Rhododendron, the Folk Art Center, and Mount Pisgah are a few. The Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center with information, exhibits and programs is just east of Asheville on the Parkway.

Asheville NC: In The Heart Of It All

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina are anchored by the hip, urban hub of Asheville. For an Asheville vacation, visit Biltmore Estate, the NC Arboretum, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, or just stroll through downtown. Historic Asheville is a mid-size city and its streets are lined with inspiring architecture and sculpture, delicious restaurants, locally owned shops and galleries, and venues with live music. Base your mountain vacation in the city’s vibrant center to take full advantage of the arts, eateries and nearby outdoor recreation or choose one of the many Blue Ridge Mountains’ beautiful, quaint small towns with their own Blue Ridge cabins, Blue Ridge inns, spas and outdoor activities for a romantic and relaxed mountain getaway.

For more resources please review this page http://www.ncblueridge.com

1
December

Renting Transportation in Costa Rica

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Category: Travel

So, you’ve decided to head down to Costa Rica for a little vacation time. It is a quality destination, but you are going to need some way to get around. That means renting a car, truck or van.

A good trip is all about preparation. To rent a vehicle in Costa Rica, you can just do a search on your favorite search engine and make a Costa Rica Car Rental online reservation. If you are looking for something a bit more credible, you can look through travel and surf magazines at some of the ads. Since someone had to pay for those ads, you can rest assured that they are a bit more established and credible.

Having done many trips to Costa Rica, I can tell you with authority the best way to really rent a car. The first step is to do nothing. Do not make reservations. The reason is you are never really sure what you are going to end up with at the airport and you are at the mercy of the rental company.

A better approach is to fly into San Jos?, the primary city in the country. It is located pretty much smack dab in the middle of the country. This means you can drive to just about any location within three or four hours. In short, it is a perfect hub to start your trip from.

To rent a vehicle, simply go through customs and walk out the exit. There you will be inundated with people trying to rent you vans, trucks, bikes, cars and pretty much anything you can think of. It can be a bit chaotic, but you have the distinct advantage of seeing the merchandise in person if you know what I mean. You have the secondary advantage of Car Rental Costa Rica, the vehicle right there and hitting the road immediately. The value of this cannot be understated.

Costa Rica is a tremendous vacation destination and I highly recommend you visit the country. Just remember, rent your ride there.

11
November

Travel & Cruising

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Category: Travel

In today’s fast paced world, people get stressed out and long for time off from work and a vacation in an exotic place. With ever increasing pressures and dead-lines at the office, everyone wants some undisturbed leisure time. It is time to switch off the cell phone, blackberry and email and enjoy nature. Some people prefer to travel by car or motor home, some by train or plane and some prefer cruise ships or sail boats. Cruising is one of the most fascinating ways to travel and get pampered along the way. Quite often one travels at night, so you wake up in a different port city. The advantage is you didn’t have to fly or drive or pack your luggage. Occasionally there are sea days but even here there are activities to enjoy. Perhaps you’re exploring the Inside Passage in Alaska or the Panama Canal. Sit on the deck chairs and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. Or explore the ship, which usually has fascinating art in the hallways and public rooms. Or visit the spa, pool, gym, shops or casino. There are usually many activities for children and teens as well. New ships like the Oasis of the Seas feature everything from massage, spa, hair and makeup, cardio and resistance machines, Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, spinning classes, pools and whirlpools, sports courts, mini-golf, Zip line, rock-climbing walls and basketball courts. Ships have entertainment featuring ice shows, nightclubs, Jazz, comedy and musical spectacles ranging from big band to disco. For kids there are activities such as jewelry making & scrapbooking and a nursery. And let’s not forget about the gourmet food and no dishes to wash or beds to make! Many ships now feature specialty dining rooms and coffee shops. Some cruise lines have large ships with many amenities and others have smaller, cozier ships. Some gear towards older adults and some to families with younger children. Check with your travel agent before you book a cruise. Cruise ships travel to all the popular and exotic locations, so there is a cruise for you. One nice thing about cruising is the day trips when you’re in port. Even when you’re travelling with friends, you can all choose your own adventure. For the thrill seekers, there may be helicopter rides or whitewater kayaking. For the nature lover, try hiking or rafting trips down the river. If you want a more leisurely pace, there are bus trips to various attractions or a relaxed walk around town. Perhaps you just want to lay on that sandy beach and get a tan. Whatever you are looking for, the cruise ship probably has a shore excursion to match. You can book these before you leave home; some fill up fast. One of the advantages of booking shore excursions with the cruise line is that you have nothing to worry about. If you book these on your own on the internet and you come back late, you missed the boat. On one cruise, the ship we were on couldn’t dock at Cozumel due to high waves. The cruise ship looked after cancellation of shore excursions. There are thousands of websites about travel but only a few of them are renowned for their expertise in this field. Oasis Cruise is one of them. We did our first cruise in 1960. Since that day, we have never looked back. We have almost 50 years experience in cruising and different holiday destinations. Another option for sea lovers is sail boats. Travel at a more leisurely pace, where the journey is the destination. Although considerably smaller than a cruise ship, sail boats have all the amenities of home, a galley, dining room, a head, navigation room and bedrooms. Our sailors, Don & Lynn from Prairie Seashell bring you the adventures of sailing a 38 foot sail boat in Mexico. They have a section on building a sailboat in their backyard. We bring you in-depth stories about sailing, life aboard, harbors, boat repairs, food and cooking and PSS blogs. We have photo albums of all our trips and are uploading pictures to the web. We want to share our holiday memories with you. Whether you take a cruise on a large cruise ship like Oasis of the Seas, a medium or small ship or a sail boat, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your holiday at sea. There are many cruise lines to choose from - Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Disney, Carnival and Princess, to name just a few. Oasis Cruise is not affiliated with a cruise line or travel agency. We hope you enjoy our travel and cruise stories.

Oasis Cruise & Travel Stories http://oasiscruise.com/Travel-Tips-Savings/Travel-Cruising/

10
November

Know more about Hotels in Central London

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Category: Travel

London is one of the busiest cities in the world. It is always buzzing with thousands and thousands of people every single second. So to accommodate this large amount of people there are many three to five stars hotels in London, more precisely in Central London. It is estimated that there are more than 80,000 hotel rooms in Central London itself.

Now let us see about some of the London hotels.

Hotel Russell is one of the most famous hotels in London. It is located in the Russell square in Central London. This Central London hotel houses 371 rooms which offer luxury and comfort. This London hotel is located near some famous tourist attractions thus making it easier for the guests to get access to these places with ease.

Another famous hotel Central London is the Lancaster Gate. This hotel London is located in Hyde Park. This hotel combines both tradition and modernity. The architecture of this hotel is designed in a more traditional way and its hotel rooms include all the modern amenities and facilities for providing comfort to its guests.

Hotel Hilton Islington is one of the upscale hotels in Central London. This hotel is located in Islington area. This region is considered to be the most chic areas in the whole of London. Most of the celebrities of London reside in this area. This hotel is all about money and glamour. This hotel offer one of the best in class service with state-of-the art facilities and amenities. The staffs employed in this hotel are very flexible and friendly.

All the above hotels located in Central London are some of the best places in London to spend the vacation with the family or any kind of business trip. For more details please visit the respective hyperlinks.

1
November

Picturesque Tuscany to relax and unwind

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Category: Travel

The Tuscany region in Italy is one of the most picturesque places that you will ever visit in your life, also for those loving beach holidays, or vacanze mare Toscana, as Italians call seaside holidays in Tuscany. Ask anyone who has been to this area and they will only tell you good things about the place. It has a reputation with all the travelers for being one of these ideal places to go when you need to relax and unwind. There is so much that this region has to offer that it might get confusing deciding what you want to do while you are here. Be it the good food and the wine, or just hiking to the hills, it is all there in Tuscany.

Italy is home to a number of beautiful things, ranging from fast cars to gorgeous women. Hence, it is no surprise that there are even locales here that are to be seen only in person to truly have a unique experience. Of all the regions in Italy, Tuscany has got to be one of the most beautiful one that there is. A small visit to the lush and intricately detailed hills of the Chianti area will show you how beautiful nature can truly get. This region is known for its rich selection of wine as well; a taste that is unique to this area alone.

If you want to spend some days relaxing and having fun in the beautiful Toscana beach, you should consider to take a look to the numerous alberghi in Follonica to book a room in one of the most wanted places in costa Toscana. But if you want more, another sophisticated wonderful option to consider is to search for alberghi a Punta Ala to spend a part of your holidays in one of the most wanted luxury beach destination in the whole Italy?

If you do decide to travel around the region, you better be ready to experience nature and culture, integrating in a manner that you might have never seen before. The entire region is replete with a number of small towns, all of which have something to offer to their travelers. It can be anything from just food and wine, to even historical significance. You must check out these towns in person to get a feel of it all on your own.

On the other hand, if you feel you are not up to exploring, you can even unwind at Pisa and Florence, two of the biggest cities in the Tuscany area. Both these cities are famous for their beauty, natural landscapes as well as beautifully aged buildings and monuments. You will be instantly taken to a different time by just visiting these areas. Truly, beauty can seldom be described with enough detail. Tuscany is one of those places that is very special and holds a lot of significance for everyone who visits it. It is one of those regions that offers a different and special experience every time you travel here.

28
October

Different Ways of Travel to Costa Rica

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Category: Travel

If you choose Costa Rica as your next vacation destination you have many options open to you when it comes to finding ways to travel to Costa Rica. The name is Spanish for “rich coast’ and Costa Rica is rich in beaches, culture and attractions.

If you want to fly to Costa Rica, you can fly into one of two airports. The Juan Santamar?a Airport is located in close proximity to the capital city of San Jose as well as the cities of Alajuela and Heredia. At this airport you will find a selection of duty-free shops, souvenir shops and bookstores.
Non-stop service is available to Costa Rica from major cities in the US, from Toronto and Montreal in Canada and from European cities and all parts of Central America. The Daniel Oduber Quir?s International Airport is located in Liberia in the Guanacaste province close to the Pacific Northwest coast. Many airlines serve this airport from major cities in the US and Canada.

You can travel to Costa Rica by car by way of the Panamerican Highway. The country shares the northern border with Nicaragua and you pass through the border checkpoint at Pe?as Blancas. On the southern border with Panama, you pass through the border at Paso Canoas. Along the way, you will pass through many small towns and villages, so you do have to very cognizant of the speed limit in these areas. There are random police checks for seat belts because it is against the law to drive without wearing a seat belt in Costa Rica. Some roads are not paved it could take you quite a while to travel even a short distance.

Buses run from Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala and there is an extensive network across the country with reasonable bus fares. Although the buses do depart on schedule, they often take longer than expected to reach their destinations. It is quite safe to travel by Costa Rica Car Rental to get to Costa Rica and even if you don’t speak Spanish you won’t have any difficulties.

A ferry travels to Costa Rica twice a day, usually in the mornings, from Los Chiles in Nicaragua. The cost is very inexpensive. There are also small cruise ships that carry about a 100 passengers from Panama to Costa Rica. These ships visit all the popular tourist attractions and national parks of the country, but such a cruise is quite expensive.Once you arrive in Costa Rica, you can get around the country by Car Rental Costa Rica, so that you can travel at your own pace.

6
October

Rental Car vs. Traveling by Bus in Costa Rica

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Category: Travel

One of the most often asked questions from travelers about Costa Rica besides “How much does it rain in the rainy season?” is: “Do we really need a rental car?? The answer depends very much on you, but by describing a bit more the conditions I can make the decision easier for you!

Driving in Costa Rica is not as difficult as it seems in some frightening reports. Nevertheless it is true that the Costa Ricans that are known for a laid-back and calm attitude seem to get into a hurry as soon as they sit behind the wheel of a vehicle. They are not alone on the planet with this particularity; the only difference is that in many other places the people seem to be always in a hurry.

The roads in Costa Rica are famous for their potholes and some destinations can only be reached on a gravel road. If you plan only to visit San Jos? and Jac? you may be fine with a sedan, but it is highly recommendable to rent a 4×4. In the rainy season you will even have to cross some rivers. Even some of the main attractions for tourists in Costa Rica are only accessible with an all-terrain vehicle. The road to Monteverde is not paved and there are no plans for doing so. The local community wants to protect this unique place and does not want that to make their place accessible for huge tourist buses.

The big advantage of Costa Rica Car Rental is that you are independent and can make a stop whenever you want. Fruits and crafts are sold along the roads, this is always a good opportunity to have some small talk with the locals.

You better get up early in Costa Rica; because the sun goes down around 6 pm. Driving at night in Costa Rica can be dangerous and is not recommendable. Most of the roads don’t have lights and road marking mostly exists on the main roads.

The alternative to renting a car is to travel with the extensive bus system. This is a good way to see the country and meet the Ticos. There are buses going almost everywhere in Costa Rica, connections between outlying areas are limited. The capital San Jos? is the major transportation hub of Costa Rica, sometimes it is necessary to return and switch the bus here. Before you buy tickets for the bus ask precisely if this bus really goes to the destination where you plan to go. There are several towns in Costa Rica which share the same name! You can assure going to the right Playa Hermosa by mentioning the Province where you plan to travel. There is a Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste and a Playa Hermosa in Puntarenas. There are several other examples like Naranjo and San Isidro.

Traveling by bus is certainly cheaper than renting a car, but is most often slower. There are several hundred bus companies operating in Costa Rica and unfortunately they don’t always work together. This can result in an unplanned overnight stay at a place where you missed your connecting bus.