Mar 10

Charter a snorkeling trip to Dry Tortugas from Key West

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So where is Dry Tortugas anyway, and how did such a spectactular national treasure get such a bizarre name? About 70 statute miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas is a group of tiny islands known for the abundant sea life, including sea turtles. Tortugas is Spanish for turtles, and that explains a portion of its odd name.

But what makes it dry, given that Dry Tortugas National Park is surrounded by the waters of the crystal clear blue Caribbean? The name comes from when the Spanish settled the group of islands, and they soon figured out that no fresh water springs existed there. So the islands came eventually to be called the Dry Tortugas, or “dry turtles.” Even now, because the islets are a popular tourist destination, visitors must bring their own water.

First named a National Monument in 1935 by FDR, Dry Tortugas was designated a national park in 1992 at the end of George H. W. Bush’s term right before Clinton won the November election. The home of the previously unfinished Civil War era Fort Jefferson, a brick structure later used as a prison to house accused conspirators in President Lincoln’s assassination, the strip of sandy beaches and shallow, colorful reefs has become a destination for 80,000 tourists each year. Everyone leaves in amazement at the fascinating history of the former fort originally thought of as a defense against the real pirates of the Caribbean.

Visitors can now enjoy all sorts of fascinating and recreational activities at Dry Tortugas park, from a historical tour of Fort Jefferson, to relaxation on the sandy beaches, to an absolutely memorable snorkel expedition to see the amazing sea life.

Of course, visitors can only arrive by chartered boat of sea plane. So if you want to book a trip, a Dry Tortugas charter will be necessary. There are some great discounts available on Dry Tortugas charters, Key West hotels, Key West snorkeling, and other recreation packages at Gold Card Key West.

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Feb 08

Things To See In The Australian Outback

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The easiest way to see the top tourist attractions in the Australian Outback is to drive thorough the Stuart Highway, the 3000 km road that dissects Australia from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north. Halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, there is Alice Springs: the Outback capital.

Because of the great distances, there is no way to explore the Outback in a few days. However, those who don’t have much time should start their trip in Alice Springs, as there are many well-known tourist attractions near this city. If you want to see more than the famous Uluru, you should make time to visit the whole national park where Uluru can be found, Alice Springs Desert Park.

Undoubtedly the greatest tourist attraction on the Australian continent is Uluru (Ayers Rock), and Alice Springs sees so many tourists because Uluru is relatively close to it. However, many tourists fail to make a correct estimate about the distances in the Australian Outback: ‘close’ means Uluru is 450 km away from Alice Springs.

Those who make the trip from Alice Springs to Uluru should visit the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta is really close to Uluru: one must drive only 50 km. The third important tourist attraction is Wattarka – Kings Canyon. This is a national park little bit further away, at 300 km from Uluru.

Besides the top three tourist attractions, there are a lot more to see. One place to visit is the West MacDonnell Ranges, and the East MacDonnell Ranges. Palm Valley, Hermannsburg, Chambers Pillar are also beautiful places in the Alice Springs area.

Those who choose to drive all the way from Alice Spring to Darwin must prepare for a really long journey. Those who find inspiring the endless horizon, great open space and ever changing landscape will enjoy the trip. However, a lot of people are unhappy about the journey, saying that the drive is too monotonous, with few tourist attractions on the way.

One beautiful place on the way to Darwin is Devils Marbles, 393 km north of Alice Springs. 600 km from Devils Marbles there is Mataranka, and from here it is only 105 km to Katherine George, one of the greatest places in Australia. Darwin itself is a tourist attraction, and there are several national parks in the north of Australia: Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park are the favorite.

Those who choose to drive south from Alice Springs to Adelaide, will reach an opal mining town called Coober Pedy. This town is very different from other Australian tourist attractions: some people love it, others hate it.

For those who are looking for real adventure, there is the Outback of the Australian Outback, the Kimberley region in the remote north-west territory. This is the place where most of time 4WD jeeps are the only means of transportation. Among the must see thing there is the Great Northern Highway from Broome to Kununura, the Gibb River Road, and countless waterfalls, rock pools, secret fishing spots, national parks and one of the world’s top 5 beaches.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including many European countries by car. To book a car rental Montenegro, or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com

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Dec 06

The romance of Babymoons

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An exciting new trend is the practice of parents-to-be taking a ‘Babymoon’ – basically a trip that pregnant couples take before giving birth in order to relish in some rest and relaxation before their baby joins them. If you, or someone you know, is looking for some peace and pampering before sleep deprivation and midnight feedings become the norm, then a pre-baby getaway is the perfect answer!

The word ‘Babymoon’ comes from the more traditional term of ‘Honeymoon’ and was first used in 1996 in a book by childbirth educator Sheila Kitzinger entitled ‘The Year After Childbirth’. “The transition to fatherhood is easier,” Kitzinger wrote, “when a man can take time off to be with his partner and baby in what I call a ‘Babymoon’.”

Many couples took Kitzinger’s advice, however, most opted to turn the Babymoon into a trip taken before the birth of their baby – not afterwards. Noticing the increasing numbers of parents-to-be checking in for Babymoons the world over, the tourism industry seized on this hot new trend and nowadays pre-baby vacations are among the most requested travel packages and with good reason.

Babymoons are popular because parents-to-be know that the luxury of holidays without sterilisers and diaper bags in tow may be out of reach for a while, so they seize the opportunity for one last romantic getaway. As such, Babymoons are specifically designed for optimum indulgence and luxury and provide the perfect setting to unwind and reconnect as a couple before embarking on the path to parenthood.

A growing number of resorts and destinations are offering special packages tailored to the needs and interests of parents-to-be and at Mount Tamborine’s Witches Falls Cottages, the experience is made even more exclusive due to the property’s peaceful location and the natural privacy and tranquillity of its setting.

Tucked away on the lush and forested Tamborine Mountain in Australia’s Gold Coast Hinterland, the Witches Falls Cottages offer intimate and cosy accommodation for couples and are the ideal location to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect at any time. During a Witches Falls Cottages Babymoon, plan to do nothing more than rest, relax, be pampered and, as dusk falls, stargaze from your cottage’s large double spa through the glass ceiling above.

The Witches Falls Cottage Babymoon Package includes your choice of gourmet or BBQ breakfast in the morning, a cuddly companion for your baby from the local Teddy Bear Shop and the luxury of a one and a half hour pamper session in the secluded privacy of your cottage. Choose a one and a half hour massage by therapists trained in pregnancy massage, or a one and a half hour Pamper Package that includes a ½-hour facial, a ½-hour manicure and a ½-hour pedicure.

If you are looking for the best accommodation Tamborine Mountain you will delight in the gentle sanctuary of a Witches Falls Cottages Babymoon.

Earlier this year, Jonathan and Amy wrote in the Witches Falls Cottage’s Guest Book, “We spent ages gazing up at the stars and making wishes for our unborn bub. Thank you for providing an exquisite Babymoon getaway!” We look forward to welcoming you to Witches Falls Cottages soon – the stars await you…

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Dec 05

Amazing Vacations In York

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Many folk are deciding to take vacations closer to home this year. For the majority of us it is to cut costs but is this a wise decision or a terrible mistake? Frequently many of us fail to see the many local tourist attractions but they are frequently brilliant and far better than those we see somewhere else. Folk resident in the UK have a mindblowing list of vacation destinations each of which has a massive selection of top class visitor attractions to visit. In the following article I introduce the English city of York and hotels in York.

York is situated in the English county of Yorkshire and was, hundreds of years ago, the capital city of a huge kingdom covering most of northern England. In such an ancient city it will not be an enormous surprise to discover a large collection of incredibly old buildings, but you might not expect the astounding sight of the 12th century Gothic York Minster.

The earliest incarnation of York Minster was a humble church of wood in which the Northumbrian King Edwin was baptised in 627. It wasn’t until the time of the Norman Conquest that the earliest sunstantial construction made from stone appeared on the site. Constructed by Thomas of Bayeux, a Norman Archbishop it was extended by Archbishop Roger who constructed a north transept and a south transept. Following many more alterations it was declared complete and consecrated in 1472. Inside has the biggest medieval stained glass window in the world. York has other places to visit including; the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre, Barley Hall, The Shambles, York Castle Museum and York Dungeon.

On top of all of the incredible historic and ancient tourist attractions introduced above, York is an exciting place to go out partying in or experience live music, the opera or theatre. It that doesn’t thrill you then you could visit a pub instead there are certainly plenty to choose from, including; Old Star Inn, Oscars Wine Bar, The Bluebell Inn, the Slug and Lettuce and The Royal Oak, and, lastly, the Black Swan. Of all of them the Black Swan is probably the finest with a superb atmosphere and sometimes having live music.

B&B Accommodation In York

Like many other UK cities you will find a massive variety of York bed and breakfast accommodation ranging from cheap and cheerful guest houses to first class hotels. The Middlethorpe Hall hotel is just two miles from the city centre of York but provides superb accommodation with it’s own private gardens, gym, sauna and steam room, and it also offers massages. Other top York hotels include; Marriott on Tadcaster Road, Hotel du Vin and Bistro, Parsonage Country House Hotel and Bishops at 135 Holgate Road and one of the best guest houses is Crossways on Wigginto Road, or if you are looking for something different why not consider Marmadukes Boutique Hotel.

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Nov 23

Spending Time In Birmingham, England and Things You Need To Know

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Currently increasing numbers folk are seeking new holiday destinations which have something completely different or, at the very least something rather than the common vacation on a sunny beach. During this, so called, credit crunch the majority of us are, unfortunately coming to the inevitable conclusion that they have dramatically less cash for investing in a vacation and are, frustratingly, having to making cutbacks to stretch their cash further. A way of meeting this requirement is to search out a less expensive resort. The article below introduces readers to Birmingham,  a city in England. With the English pound so weak against the dollar and euro guest houses and hotels in Birmingham are a bargain.

You will find Birmingham in the county of England called the West Midlands  and the inhabitants of the city are referred to as being “Brummies”. The accent of Birmingham sounds like many other northern English dialects and it is rather tricky to understand fully what is being spoken a struggle which is exaggerated if if you are new to such accents. Thankfully the vast majority of Brummies are extremely polite, helpful and kind and do their utmost to help you understand so if the need arises don’t be afraid to approach folk about directions and help or guidance in locating  bed & breakfast in Birmingham.

The city has  a superb collection of places to visit and things to do including some interesting and informative galleries and museums, for example the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the new museum in the Eastside called Thinktank. The city of Birmingham also features an impressive number of hectares of woodland and parks, Sutton Park being the largest with 2,400 acres making it the very largest urban nature reserve in the whole of Europe.

The city features a varied and vibrant nightlife with many restaurants, cafes, wine bars, bars and nightclubs. You will find most in one of the city’s squares, Victoria Square, Centenary Square, St Martin’s Square, Chamberlain Square, the historic Old Square at Corporation Street, Rotunda Square and the Gas Street Basin. Gas Street Basin is the central hub of the city’s canal system. Birmingham has about 32 miles of canals with between eight canals which were built in the 18th century and continued being used until the late twentieth century. Today the Gas Street Basin has been renovated and regenerated and is now a rather nice tourist attraction.

As an alternative to a hotel why not think about apartments in Birmingham. If you If you are considering a Birmingham vacation you will need to know that the closest airport is approximately eight miles east of the the city center just off the A45 and near the M42 (junction 6). You will find there is a useful number of guest houses and hotels close to the airport.

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Nov 13

Idyllic destinations – Australia’s Tamborine Mountain

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Located approximately 60 kilometres south of Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau set within Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

An outpouring of lava from nearby Mount Warning – many millenia ago – created Tamborine Mountain’s lush, forested plateau which is approximately 8 km long by 5 km wide and now sits 600 metres above sea level.

The many attractions of Mount Tamborine and its charming villages include craft and antique shops, cafes and restaurants and numerous galleries which attract thousands of tourists every season.

The area is also known for its award-winning wineries with many offering tours, free tastings and affordable meals in beautiful surroundings. If you enjoy walking, nine National Parks within the Tamborine Mountain region await you. Shady walking tracks lead through magnificent subtropical rainforest and past breathtaking waterfalls, natural swimming holes and rock pools. Sun dappled picnic, BBQ and rest areas pepper the way and spectacular lookouts offer stunning views towards the ocean as well as to the West over the hinterland.

The Rainforest Discovery Skywalk is one of the latest Tamborine Mountain attractions and was completed in early 2009. Set on 30-acres of awe-inspiring rainforest and alongside a tumbling creek, the Skywalk consists of an eco walking trail that leads to a 40m-long platform set 30m above the rainforest canopy. A short drive away, another popular attraction are the Glow-worm Caves that offer guided underground sightseeing tours through two spectacular man made caves filled with thousands of glow worms.

The rich volcanic soil of the area supports a diversity of horticulture which can be enjoyed on nature walks as well as by visiting the local Botanic Gardens. The bounty of many Tamborine Mountain residents’ gardens is also on display at several roadside stalls that abound with kiwi fruit, rhubarb, avocados and macadamia nuts quaintly displayed around an ‘Honesty Box’.

This small plateau also thrives with animal and bird life. Platypus, green tree frogs, scrub turkeys, wallabies and of course koalas form part of the Mountain’s varied range of wildlife and in the morning, the calls of lorikeets, kookaburras and lyrebirds can be heard.

The state of Queensland is known as Australia’s Sunshine State and on Tamborine Mountain, you can enjoy abundant sunshine year-round but without the heat and humidity that the more northerly parts of Queensland often endure.

The surfing beaches, shopping malls, theme parks (including Warner Brothers and Sea World) plus many other Gold Coast attractions are a comfortable 40-minute drive from Mount Tamborine while Brisbane is one hour away, making the Mountain the ideal ‘base-camp’ location from which to explore south-east Queensland.

The nearest international airport is Brisbane’s, however national travellers often opt for Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport, a mere 45-minute drive from Tamborine Mountain.

Whether you are parents-to-be seeking a tranquil Babymoon destination, a newly engaged couple looking for that perfect Honeymoon location or if you are simply looking for the best Tamborine retreat you will delight in the serene privacy of Mount Tamborine’s Witches Falls Cottages.

Witches Falls Cottages offer an idyllic retreat to nature and consist of very private cottages tucked away along rainforest pathways in one of Tamborine Mountain’s and perhaps even Australia’s most secluded and peaceful locations.

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Oct 18

Safari in Zambia – Elephants invade the Hotel

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The hotel was built on the elephants migration route and the same herds of elephants continue to walk the same route even though there is a building in the path.

The hotel guests are thrilled to be part of this fabulous event.

The hosts of the hotel make sure that everyone is safe because not much will stop the elephants nor will they divert not that any one wants them too! So they just strole straight through every so often much to the delight and safety of guests.

If you would like to experience this for yourself
we can book your safari contact us today so that you can migrate to the wonderful elephant safari

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Oct 17

Safari holidays and Travelling with Children to Tanzania.

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My wife and I both love Africa and we could not resist the temptation to visit our many friends in Africa and visit the continent we both love so much, when Juliette was nearly two years old we travelled from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania both the mainland and Zanzibar.

We had a wonderful trip and really had no problems with finding food for our daughter or cots in the hotels etc. In fact the whole trip was perfect. We were very careful to use mosquito nets, to cover her with a strong mosquito repellent and in fact she was not bitten once in the whole trip.

So if you are thinking of travelling to Africa with your family but are worried whether your children will enjoy the safari and whether they will be safe we hope you will be encouraged with our personal experiences. Our daughter Juliette has enjoyed safaris from the very earliest age and have friends who have raised their children so the easy answer is yes children do adapt well to the wild but with some conditions.

Children tend to love the wildlife and a safari is usually a wonderful experience for children of all ages. It can get a bit long and hot for children so we have some suggestions for you;

  • take with you some animal spotting safari games
  • learn the Swahili names for the animals which will help the children build a relationship with your driver and should provide fun.
  • You can download “safari games” free from the web and this will keep them busy. We have a FREE children’s activity pack which you can view or download and print free of charge and includes a safari animal check list with Swahili animal names, plus some other fun stuff.

The only real incident that we had that could be useful for other parents travelling with young children while on safari…
We went on a night drive in Zambia in an open vehicle with other guests from the lodge.  It turned out to be one of the most spectacular we have ever done. We spotted a young leopard and later found ourselves right in the middle of a herd of buffalo being ambushed by four female lions. The lions missed their prey. Our daughter in all the confusion started crying: Within seconds the lions who normally consider vehicles as just part of the landscape started to look at the vehicle as a potential prey, a small animal in distress. It was fortunate that our driver spotted the change and drove away at full speed with a pack of lions following us.

The food in safari lodges tends to be quite relaxed so no problems here either. In general there should be no problems keeping children occupied in their new and exciting world here they will come face to face with a different culture and also perhaps poverty for the first time, but I think the reality of Africa can play an important part in the education of our sometimes over protected children.

As far as safety is concerned we feel there is no real danger as long as the parents act sensibly. Once you have booked your safari it would be a good idea to sit down with your children and explain that Africa is a different world from the one they are used to, where there is danger around. There is no need to inflate but camp rules must be obeyed, because if they are not, the consequences can be very serious. For very young children I would suggest you select your camp carefully and check with your travel advisor which are most suitable for children. We can guide you on this from first hand experience as we have been on many safaris with our children. We also have a lot of information for going on safari & travelling in Africa

It is recommended that young children should not be vaccinated and are excused in most countries for yellow fever but truthfully I don’t feel this should be of concern. This is a rare disease which you should not encounter  in a safari lodge. Of a higher matter is malaria which is a problem right through the tropics. The local population catch it regularly and it is usually considered no worse than a bout of flu. However depending on the strain, it can be dangerous and the solution here is good prevention. Young children cannot take malaria tablets but please get advice from your doctor. Make sure that you apply mosquito repellent generously, cover up arms and legs before sundown and ensure that the children sleep under mosquito nets. If you take these precautions you can cut the risk of malaria to almost zero.

Do not be scared about taking your children to Africa,  it is a wonderful experience for them and we have been back with Juliette many times, but do cover them up well and no safaris in open vehicles for very small children

Note: The above information is advice given on the basis of the author’s experience at the time of writing and the author cannot take responsibility for any traveller choosing to take the advise above. Travellers should speak to their GP and take advice from the relevant authorities before travelling.

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Oct 14

Plymouth Weekend City Breaks and Visitor Attractions to Visit

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Vacations in the UK appear to be increasingly popular at the moment, most probably due to the economic downturn and the low value of the pound Sterling. The United Kingdom has many top vacation destinations including London (the capital city of England) and other fascinating cities plus a fine collection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Bognor Regis, Bournemouth and Brighton. One town commonly overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

When you first arrive Plymouth appears a little plain and primarily modern, but investigating a little deeper and you will very quickly find that the city of Plymouth has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As far back as the 16th C the town has had a busy port. In fifteen eighty eight Francis Drake embarked from the port to successfully defend the English from the Spanish Armada. Another historic moment occurred in sixteen twenty when the Pilgrim Fathers embarked from the port.

It is possible to enjoy inexpensive Plymouth weekend city breaks by booking Plymouth bed and breakfast rather than booking rooms in a overpriced hotel. A simple online search will reveal that rooms are available from as little as £29 a night and many guest houses have reasonably priced dinners also, commonly equal to, or less costly than local restaurants.

Tourist Attractions In Plymouth

There are a great many interesting places in the town which are worth a visit. Popular visitor attractions include; Smeaton’s Tower and Plymouth Dome, the Barbican district, the Elizabethan House and the Royal Citadel. A boat cruise around the waters of the port is an interesting way to spend some time but if you find that you have more time why not take a day out to places outside Plymouth, such as; Saltram House, Mount Edgcumbe or Buckland Abbey.

Saltram House is a lovely Tudor Mansion which is situated 2m east of the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is another Tudor house with parklands, coastal paths and landscaped gardens, and Buckland Abbey, approximately 6 miles from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was at one time by Francis Drake and was at a later date converted into a family home.

If you and your family are currently considering spending a few weeks in the city of  Plymouth it is crucial that you book your  lodgings at the earliest opportunity because, sadly hotels in Plymouth tend to be surprisingly busy and are commonly fully booked well in advance. If you are travelling in a group you may find that Plymouth apartments are a reasonable option to Plymouth bed and breakfast accommodation. If you are visiting the United Kingdom from abroad then you could consider making a reservation for a room in hotels in London to take in the attractions of the English capital too.

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Oct 09

Vacation in the Florida Keys this year

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Beaches and tropical atmosphere attract a large number of tourists all year long. Hotels dot the area all along the beaches of Florida Keys and cater to tourists of all kinds.

A variety of Florida Keys hotels www.floridakeyshotels.bestnetchoices.com Florida keys hotels are available in the Keys region. They vary from top of the line five star hotels to the economic, as well as bed & breakfast. Hotels in the Keys offer accommodations that are as nice as their surroundings, and they are reasonably priced.

The Room rates in the Keys vary from hotel to hotel room. They depend upon the class of hotel, and the type of room. Most hotels offer a choice of rooms such as single, double, deluxe, suites or penthouses. Room rates are also seasonal and vary monthly. They are higher between Christmas and Easter and for special events and three-day holidays. Typically, the highest rates apply during special annual events such as the Fantasy Fest and the lobster mini-season. In the Fall you can find good hotel deals and December is the best time to travel to the Keys, when temperatures are moderate and humidity is low. When planning a trip, it is essential to remember that local, state and tourist taxes are levied on all accommodations.

Fl Keys Hotels

Almost all the hotels used for Florida Keys Vacations provide excellent in-house services. Even the economy hotels offer ac, color TV, phones and a small refrigerator in the room. There are all-suite hotels that offer accommodation units with a kitchenette, living room and one or two bedrooms. many hotels offer a free breakfast including fresh-squeezed juices or fruits.

Many of the hotels offer private water front and private islands to its visitors. Many of the hotels in the Keys are wheelchair accessible. A number have private docks and a ramp. Some hotels offer their visitors boat services, shows and other activities. Some hotels allow pets, but it is advisable to check the pet policy before making a reservation. You may wish to consult some hotel reviews when searching for Florida Keys vacation packages for your next trip.

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