Dec
24
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Carol Miller asked:
If you’re in the market for a great way to spend a day, check out your local birding festivals. Most states have several fairs and festivals going on during the year, and they are an excellent way to get outside, learn something new, make new friends and have fun.
Birding festivals last from a simple one day event to a full month of outings, activities and lectures. The most common are over a weekend, and can range from small local events at a nearby park, to large-scale events that bring visitors from all over the globe, with events spread throughout an entire region. Depending on the specific event, you will have the opportunity to hear knowledgeable speakers, observe live birds up close, take guided walks, get pointers on better wildlife photography, sharpen your identification skills, share experiences with like-minded folks, and even take more exotic outings, such as birding by boat or on horseback. Often there are artists, vendors, children’s activities, and the like.
Many birding festivals center on a specific event taking place in the local area, migration being a particular favorite. Another popular theme is the celebration of specific species found only locally, or perhaps in a particular abundance, such as warblers, shorebirds, cranes or hawks. Many blend other interests with birding, such as butterflies, flowers or even music.
Here is a sampling of some of the larger events that take place each spring and summer:
Birds, Blossoms & Blues Festival, Norfolk, Virginia. Field trips, walking tours, boat tours, plant sales, blues concerts, family festival.
Florida’s First Coast Birding and Nature Festival, St. Augustine, Florida. Kayaking, walking tours, photography expeditions. Learn about outdoor photography, birding, wildlife, butterflies, and much more.
Spring Wings Bird Festival, Fallon, Nevada. Field trips, including a birding by horseback safari, airboat tour, ranch tour, photography contest, and much more.
Great River Birding and Nature Festival, Lake City, Minnesota. 3 days of birding and nature events held throughout the Mississippi River Valley of Southeast Minnesota and Southwest Wisconsin around Lake Pepin. Birding by motorboat, mini-railcar, hikes along shorelines, forests, bluff tops, lectures, and more.
Horicon Marsh Bird Festival, Wisconsin. Bird banding, birding by pontoon, hikes, talks, and the “big sit”, where participants try to observe as many species as possible from a 17-foot observatory platform from midnight Friday till dark on Saturday.
Festival of Birds, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Over 170 species seen last year, field trips, frog/toad outing, workshops, exhibitors.
Cape May Spring Weekend, New Jersey. 200+ bird species, field trips, workshops, boat trips and more at the migration mainline capital of North America.
Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Festival, Pembroke, Virginia. Visit the beautiful Mountain Lake Hotel, with 2600 acres of pristine woodlands to take part in dozens of activities - field trips, workshops, fun for the kids.
Kirtland’s Warbler Festival, Roscommon, Michigan. Guided tours to see the Kirtland’s Warbler, nature presentations, crafts, kids’ activities, photography and more.
Bar Harbor Warblers & Wildflowers, Bar Harbor, Maine. Bird walks, peregrine watches, boat rides, garden and forest tours, art exhibits.
Potholes and Prairie Birding Festival, Jamestown, North Dakota. Guided tours, workshop, wonderful prairie birding.
The Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration highlights hummingbirds in the St. Francisville area of Louisiana, including banding and workshops on how to build a hummingbird habitat in your garden.
Southwest Wings. Arizona’s longest running birding festival celebrates its 15th year in Bisbee. Natural history tours, birds and butterfly tours, exhibits and programs.
You can find these birding festivals and fairs by checking birding magazines such as “Birders World” and “Audubon”, by contacting your local Audubon chapter, and by searching the Internet, but the quickest way to get a comprehensive list is by scanning the Birding Event Calendar at www.BirdingResources.com.
Join the flock at your local birding festival, or migrate to a more distant event. Either choice promises a great day of birding!
PAT
If you’re in the market for a great way to spend a day, check out your local birding festivals. Most states have several fairs and festivals going on during the year, and they are an excellent way to get outside, learn something new, make new friends and have fun.
Birding festivals last from a simple one day event to a full month of outings, activities and lectures. The most common are over a weekend, and can range from small local events at a nearby park, to large-scale events that bring visitors from all over the globe, with events spread throughout an entire region. Depending on the specific event, you will have the opportunity to hear knowledgeable speakers, observe live birds up close, take guided walks, get pointers on better wildlife photography, sharpen your identification skills, share experiences with like-minded folks, and even take more exotic outings, such as birding by boat or on horseback. Often there are artists, vendors, children’s activities, and the like.
Many birding festivals center on a specific event taking place in the local area, migration being a particular favorite. Another popular theme is the celebration of specific species found only locally, or perhaps in a particular abundance, such as warblers, shorebirds, cranes or hawks. Many blend other interests with birding, such as butterflies, flowers or even music.
Here is a sampling of some of the larger events that take place each spring and summer:
Birds, Blossoms & Blues Festival, Norfolk, Virginia. Field trips, walking tours, boat tours, plant sales, blues concerts, family festival.
Florida’s First Coast Birding and Nature Festival, St. Augustine, Florida. Kayaking, walking tours, photography expeditions. Learn about outdoor photography, birding, wildlife, butterflies, and much more.
Spring Wings Bird Festival, Fallon, Nevada. Field trips, including a birding by horseback safari, airboat tour, ranch tour, photography contest, and much more.
Great River Birding and Nature Festival, Lake City, Minnesota. 3 days of birding and nature events held throughout the Mississippi River Valley of Southeast Minnesota and Southwest Wisconsin around Lake Pepin. Birding by motorboat, mini-railcar, hikes along shorelines, forests, bluff tops, lectures, and more.
Horicon Marsh Bird Festival, Wisconsin. Bird banding, birding by pontoon, hikes, talks, and the “big sit”, where participants try to observe as many species as possible from a 17-foot observatory platform from midnight Friday till dark on Saturday.
Festival of Birds, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Over 170 species seen last year, field trips, frog/toad outing, workshops, exhibitors.
Cape May Spring Weekend, New Jersey. 200+ bird species, field trips, workshops, boat trips and more at the migration mainline capital of North America.
Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Festival, Pembroke, Virginia. Visit the beautiful Mountain Lake Hotel, with 2600 acres of pristine woodlands to take part in dozens of activities - field trips, workshops, fun for the kids.
Kirtland’s Warbler Festival, Roscommon, Michigan. Guided tours to see the Kirtland’s Warbler, nature presentations, crafts, kids’ activities, photography and more.
Bar Harbor Warblers & Wildflowers, Bar Harbor, Maine. Bird walks, peregrine watches, boat rides, garden and forest tours, art exhibits.
Potholes and Prairie Birding Festival, Jamestown, North Dakota. Guided tours, workshop, wonderful prairie birding.
The Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration highlights hummingbirds in the St. Francisville area of Louisiana, including banding and workshops on how to build a hummingbird habitat in your garden.
Southwest Wings. Arizona’s longest running birding festival celebrates its 15th year in Bisbee. Natural history tours, birds and butterfly tours, exhibits and programs.
You can find these birding festivals and fairs by checking birding magazines such as “Birders World” and “Audubon”, by contacting your local Audubon chapter, and by searching the Internet, but the quickest way to get a comprehensive list is by scanning the Birding Event Calendar at www.BirdingResources.com.
Join the flock at your local birding festival, or migrate to a more distant event. Either choice promises a great day of birding!
PAT
Nov
24
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Caitlin Moore asked:
Stories of political unrest, hurricanes, and not-so-tourist-friendly areas have a way of scaring people away from visiting Central America come vacation time. However, you’d be wise to investigate the situation for yourself before crossing Costa Rica off your list. This beautiful, surprisingly quiet and peaceful country has all the qualities that make for an exotic and relaxing trip, so consider this oasis for your next holiday if you’re in the mood for something different yet delightful.
Costa Rica has miles of coastline to take advantage of, so if you want to surf, snorkel, or just laze on the beach you won’t have to look too far. Along this line of thinking, some consider Nicoya Peninsula to be the most beautiful spot in the country. Popular beaches border a tropical yet dry rainforest where agricultural and ranching developments are also found. Fun mixes with authentic terrain here, and you’ll find that the result is almost overwhelming.
Wildlife preserves and parks will acquaint you with Costa Rica’s focus on conserving precious flora and fauna, and you’ll have the chance to catch sight of the world’s largest species of turtle. Northeast of Nicoya are some fascinating caves, and throughout the forests are birds, iguanas, and howler monkeys. Playa Samara, Montezuma and Playa del Coco are all places worth investigating as well if you’re lucky enough to find yourself on the peninsula with time to meander and be amazed.
Internationally recognized for all that it has to offer, Wilson Botanical Garden brims with rare, indigenous, eye-popping species of plants. Grab a map and head out for a self-guided walk or follow a tour guide who will tell you what’s what. Either way you go, you’ll end up dwelling over medicinal herbs, colorful flowers, and an array of birds that will make binocular wearers jump for joy. If you’ve come all the way to Central America, taking in the natural landscape like this is a must.
Surfers will find Costa Rica to be a paradise, and notable places to catch a few waves include Playa Naranjo and Ollie’s Point. Seek out the famous “long lefthander” that the Golfito region is known for if you want a true challenge. Experience both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as you tour the many beaches, and be assured that non surfers will find plenty to do as well. If you’d rather not feel the pull of the tides and the crash of the waves, just sit back and take it all on from ashore.
In a matter of three hours you can go from one side of Costa Rica to the other, so in order to see as much as possible you’ll likely be moving around a bit. If you happen to pass through the capital, San Jose, be prepared for a bustling city that’s a little gritty but definitely worth exploring. Museums, theatres, shopping, and excellent food will all compete for your attention as you navigate the noisy streets that weave through skyscrapers and typical big city sights. The energy is palpable, so you may not find San Jose to be the place to achieve the ultimate feeling of relaxation, but it makes a nice contrast to your quieter escapades.
As you wander the cities taking in the language and the culture or tour the rainforest stretching your neck to view the untamed upper canopies, you’ll be glad that you’ve strayed from the beaten path to take a vacation that is out of the ordinary yet perfectly safe. As you drink refrescos (fresh fruit, sugar and water) after a day of hiking or as you stroll across a black sand beach, you’ll be torn between telling the world about your wonderful trip and keeping it your own little secret. Later you can do whatever you think is right, but be sure to enjoy the peaceful moments as they occur.
As far as where to stay while in Costa Rica, lodging options are plentiful. In the spirit of this distinctive trip, however, you may find yourself gravitating towards a vacation rental. By settling into a house or villa that captures the tropical vibe, offers great views, and provides better than average amenities like a washer and dryer, a covered porch, plenty of closet space, and long-term availability, you might be tempted to leave your old world behind and take up a new identity as a tico (local). Conveniences like being able to walk to the beach without ever feeling crammed into a boxy hotel will be key in contributing to your overall sense of happiness during this well-deserved getaway.
Costa Rica vacation rentals by owner are plentiful and sure to add a little extra something to what already looks like an incredible trip, so go online today and start seeking out the perfect place.
RANDAL
Stories of political unrest, hurricanes, and not-so-tourist-friendly areas have a way of scaring people away from visiting Central America come vacation time. However, you’d be wise to investigate the situation for yourself before crossing Costa Rica off your list. This beautiful, surprisingly quiet and peaceful country has all the qualities that make for an exotic and relaxing trip, so consider this oasis for your next holiday if you’re in the mood for something different yet delightful.
Costa Rica has miles of coastline to take advantage of, so if you want to surf, snorkel, or just laze on the beach you won’t have to look too far. Along this line of thinking, some consider Nicoya Peninsula to be the most beautiful spot in the country. Popular beaches border a tropical yet dry rainforest where agricultural and ranching developments are also found. Fun mixes with authentic terrain here, and you’ll find that the result is almost overwhelming.
Wildlife preserves and parks will acquaint you with Costa Rica’s focus on conserving precious flora and fauna, and you’ll have the chance to catch sight of the world’s largest species of turtle. Northeast of Nicoya are some fascinating caves, and throughout the forests are birds, iguanas, and howler monkeys. Playa Samara, Montezuma and Playa del Coco are all places worth investigating as well if you’re lucky enough to find yourself on the peninsula with time to meander and be amazed.
Internationally recognized for all that it has to offer, Wilson Botanical Garden brims with rare, indigenous, eye-popping species of plants. Grab a map and head out for a self-guided walk or follow a tour guide who will tell you what’s what. Either way you go, you’ll end up dwelling over medicinal herbs, colorful flowers, and an array of birds that will make binocular wearers jump for joy. If you’ve come all the way to Central America, taking in the natural landscape like this is a must.
Surfers will find Costa Rica to be a paradise, and notable places to catch a few waves include Playa Naranjo and Ollie’s Point. Seek out the famous “long lefthander” that the Golfito region is known for if you want a true challenge. Experience both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as you tour the many beaches, and be assured that non surfers will find plenty to do as well. If you’d rather not feel the pull of the tides and the crash of the waves, just sit back and take it all on from ashore.
In a matter of three hours you can go from one side of Costa Rica to the other, so in order to see as much as possible you’ll likely be moving around a bit. If you happen to pass through the capital, San Jose, be prepared for a bustling city that’s a little gritty but definitely worth exploring. Museums, theatres, shopping, and excellent food will all compete for your attention as you navigate the noisy streets that weave through skyscrapers and typical big city sights. The energy is palpable, so you may not find San Jose to be the place to achieve the ultimate feeling of relaxation, but it makes a nice contrast to your quieter escapades.
As you wander the cities taking in the language and the culture or tour the rainforest stretching your neck to view the untamed upper canopies, you’ll be glad that you’ve strayed from the beaten path to take a vacation that is out of the ordinary yet perfectly safe. As you drink refrescos (fresh fruit, sugar and water) after a day of hiking or as you stroll across a black sand beach, you’ll be torn between telling the world about your wonderful trip and keeping it your own little secret. Later you can do whatever you think is right, but be sure to enjoy the peaceful moments as they occur.
As far as where to stay while in Costa Rica, lodging options are plentiful. In the spirit of this distinctive trip, however, you may find yourself gravitating towards a vacation rental. By settling into a house or villa that captures the tropical vibe, offers great views, and provides better than average amenities like a washer and dryer, a covered porch, plenty of closet space, and long-term availability, you might be tempted to leave your old world behind and take up a new identity as a tico (local). Conveniences like being able to walk to the beach without ever feeling crammed into a boxy hotel will be key in contributing to your overall sense of happiness during this well-deserved getaway.
Costa Rica vacation rentals by owner are plentiful and sure to add a little extra something to what already looks like an incredible trip, so go online today and start seeking out the perfect place.
RANDAL
Nov
19
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Dev Sri asked:
You can watch a wide variety of beautiful exotic birds at the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala. Birds sanctuaries of Kerala have excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses, most favourable environ for aerial population in India. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula housing some of the most desired homes of migratory birds in Kerala. On the travel vacations to Kerala the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offers some of the excellent photography options.
Kerala Birds Sanctuaries
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. The reserve boasts of a variety of migratory and resident bird species, including the rare Ceylon frogmouth and the rose-billed roller.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary lies 12km from Kottayam bordering the Vembanad Lake, and spread over 14 acres of land. This famous sanctuary is a haunt for migratory birds like darters, egrets, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos and wild ducks amongst others. One can even get a glimpse of the Siberian storks that migrate to this place almost every year.
The Kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist’s paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the Vembabad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.
People seeking the thrill of exploring the natural beauty and its habitants in India will get the enchanting pleasure and enthusiasm from the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala.
While tour through the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala you come across rare species of birds. Birds are everywhere-a paradise of birds. The bird’s are gifted by the mother nature with various colours the bird species are making the bird sanctuary a multi-hued heaven, beside, the shrill voices of the birds are adding more liveliness to the park’s atmosphere.
The acrobatic skills of birds, eye catching migratory birds and after all the euphony of birds every morning and evening in the green patch of Kerala is joyful.
The Birds of Kumarakom Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a home to most of the avian species. Some of these permanently live and dwell here while there are other species of birds that migrate here from far off continents. Migratory birds which visit the sanctuary every year are Siberian Cranes, Indian Peafowl, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Parrots, Larks, Flycatchers, Wood Beetles and Teals. Resident bird species include Waterfowls, Cuckoos, Owls, Egrets, Herons and the water duck.
The Birds of Thattekkad Sanctuary
Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, Grey Heron and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. Indian roller, cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle nightjar, kite, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, woodpecker, large pied wagtail, baya sparrow, grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, robin bird, jungle babbler and darter are some of the common birds found here. There are a few rare birds as well which include: sunbird, shrike, fairy blue-bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, blackwinged kite etc.
MATT
You can watch a wide variety of beautiful exotic birds at the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala. Birds sanctuaries of Kerala have excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses, most favourable environ for aerial population in India. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula housing some of the most desired homes of migratory birds in Kerala. On the travel vacations to Kerala the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offers some of the excellent photography options.
Kerala Birds Sanctuaries
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. The reserve boasts of a variety of migratory and resident bird species, including the rare Ceylon frogmouth and the rose-billed roller.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary lies 12km from Kottayam bordering the Vembanad Lake, and spread over 14 acres of land. This famous sanctuary is a haunt for migratory birds like darters, egrets, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos and wild ducks amongst others. One can even get a glimpse of the Siberian storks that migrate to this place almost every year.
The Kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist’s paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the Vembabad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.
People seeking the thrill of exploring the natural beauty and its habitants in India will get the enchanting pleasure and enthusiasm from the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala.
While tour through the bird’s sanctuaries of Kerala you come across rare species of birds. Birds are everywhere-a paradise of birds. The bird’s are gifted by the mother nature with various colours the bird species are making the bird sanctuary a multi-hued heaven, beside, the shrill voices of the birds are adding more liveliness to the park’s atmosphere.
The acrobatic skills of birds, eye catching migratory birds and after all the euphony of birds every morning and evening in the green patch of Kerala is joyful.
The Birds of Kumarakom Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a home to most of the avian species. Some of these permanently live and dwell here while there are other species of birds that migrate here from far off continents. Migratory birds which visit the sanctuary every year are Siberian Cranes, Indian Peafowl, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Parrots, Larks, Flycatchers, Wood Beetles and Teals. Resident bird species include Waterfowls, Cuckoos, Owls, Egrets, Herons and the water duck.
The Birds of Thattekkad Sanctuary
Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, Grey Heron and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. Indian roller, cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle nightjar, kite, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, woodpecker, large pied wagtail, baya sparrow, grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, robin bird, jungle babbler and darter are some of the common birds found here. There are a few rare birds as well which include: sunbird, shrike, fairy blue-bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, blackwinged kite etc.
MATT
Nov
18
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
David H. Urmann asked:
Florida is famous for its parks, lakes and beaches. Some of the famous parks in Florida are great for visit. These includes Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne National Park.
Florida is a state that is located in the South-eastern region of the United States, neighboring Alabama to the northwest, and Georgia in the northeast. The majority of Florida has a humid subtropical weather, while Southern Florida has a tropical weather. Due to this kind of weather, its parks look like paradise.
There are a lot of famous national parks in Florida and these includes; the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Biscayne National Park, and the Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. These are joined with the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, the Dry Tortugas National Park, the Everglades National Park, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge. In this article, we will just discuss three of them namely: the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Biscayne National Park, and the Everglades National Park.
Big Cypress National Preserve
This park is a sort of preserve in the midst of the cosmic Everglades and the increasing Florida commercial and residential population. The Big Cypress is somewhat a little less distraught with tourism than its brother. With almost similar wildlife and identical climates, this well-maintained national site is a must see for tourists and adventurers. There is a wide range of activities to try on while being overwhelmed in this pristine, dense setting. You can try hiking and backpack through the thick woods that beautify the park or even glide the bogs and swamps. The venerable ecosystems are abundant with tropical birds and some other extraordinary natives, which makes kayaking or boating through the winding streams a great means to take it all in.
Biscayne National Park
Just for a quick stroll from the active and busy nightlife of Miami, the Biscayne National Park is to be found. While most of their community is recognized as a sanctuary of economic elite, this part of the shoreline is mostly a well-maintained habitat. Although the land is still very flat, the vegetation is really very thick. Here, you can discover thick forests; however you can find on the central part of the park is Biscayne Bay. This protected cove is very ideal for fishing and boating. There is also a well-established trail that leads to the lake on the mainland side.
A visitor center has been located here, very near to the blue green water’s perimeter. Camping and also snorkeling are some of the pastimes at Biscayne for families that are on vacation from the north. Even though there are some strange and unnatural views from out of the bay and that includes a huge landfill, a nuclear plant, and the distant Miami buildings, Biscayne is still is far from civilized.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades are a natural awesome sight: with lengthy patches of flat and vegetated earth in the middle of streams and marshes, a great quantity of unique natural world, and a great land, kept solely for the enlargement and richness of the ecosystems within.
There are a lot of ways to behold the park. A visitor can cross it on foot while hiking the thin paths by the side of the water, ride a canoe into the streams and trails in the midst of landmasses. Or, go fast about the bigger bodies of water riding on a fan boat. Also, be aware of the park’s natives, crocodiles and alligators are existing here, making it an exceptionally unusual occurrence.
The tropical condition of southern Florida allows the exotic birds (at about 300 of their recorded species), and the wildlife beautify the park. It has constantly grown in population since its inauguration in 1934. This park is swamped with tourism. It offers an amazing perspective of an unrestrained tropical area, untouched by man’s hand.
STEVIE
Florida is famous for its parks, lakes and beaches. Some of the famous parks in Florida are great for visit. These includes Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne National Park.
Florida is a state that is located in the South-eastern region of the United States, neighboring Alabama to the northwest, and Georgia in the northeast. The majority of Florida has a humid subtropical weather, while Southern Florida has a tropical weather. Due to this kind of weather, its parks look like paradise.
There are a lot of famous national parks in Florida and these includes; the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Biscayne National Park, and the Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. These are joined with the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, the Dry Tortugas National Park, the Everglades National Park, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge. In this article, we will just discuss three of them namely: the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Biscayne National Park, and the Everglades National Park.
Big Cypress National Preserve
This park is a sort of preserve in the midst of the cosmic Everglades and the increasing Florida commercial and residential population. The Big Cypress is somewhat a little less distraught with tourism than its brother. With almost similar wildlife and identical climates, this well-maintained national site is a must see for tourists and adventurers. There is a wide range of activities to try on while being overwhelmed in this pristine, dense setting. You can try hiking and backpack through the thick woods that beautify the park or even glide the bogs and swamps. The venerable ecosystems are abundant with tropical birds and some other extraordinary natives, which makes kayaking or boating through the winding streams a great means to take it all in.
Biscayne National Park
Just for a quick stroll from the active and busy nightlife of Miami, the Biscayne National Park is to be found. While most of their community is recognized as a sanctuary of economic elite, this part of the shoreline is mostly a well-maintained habitat. Although the land is still very flat, the vegetation is really very thick. Here, you can discover thick forests; however you can find on the central part of the park is Biscayne Bay. This protected cove is very ideal for fishing and boating. There is also a well-established trail that leads to the lake on the mainland side.
A visitor center has been located here, very near to the blue green water’s perimeter. Camping and also snorkeling are some of the pastimes at Biscayne for families that are on vacation from the north. Even though there are some strange and unnatural views from out of the bay and that includes a huge landfill, a nuclear plant, and the distant Miami buildings, Biscayne is still is far from civilized.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades are a natural awesome sight: with lengthy patches of flat and vegetated earth in the middle of streams and marshes, a great quantity of unique natural world, and a great land, kept solely for the enlargement and richness of the ecosystems within.
There are a lot of ways to behold the park. A visitor can cross it on foot while hiking the thin paths by the side of the water, ride a canoe into the streams and trails in the midst of landmasses. Or, go fast about the bigger bodies of water riding on a fan boat. Also, be aware of the park’s natives, crocodiles and alligators are existing here, making it an exceptionally unusual occurrence.
The tropical condition of southern Florida allows the exotic birds (at about 300 of their recorded species), and the wildlife beautify the park. It has constantly grown in population since its inauguration in 1934. This park is swamped with tourism. It offers an amazing perspective of an unrestrained tropical area, untouched by man’s hand.
STEVIE
Sep
13
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Dave Knapp asked:
For a perfect blend of science, adventure, and hands-on learning, Costa Rica is an excellent destination for student group travelers. A republic in Central America, Costa Rica (literally “Rich Coast”) is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The destination is divided into 20 natural parks, eight biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that will expand the regular science curriculum far beyond the walls of the classroom.
Outdoor activities include horseback riding, hiking, and guided bird-watching tours. While Costa Rica is has only about 0.1% of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity, with nearly a quarter of the country composed of protected forests and reserves.
The internationally-known Corcovado National Park is famous among ecologists for its biodiversity and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Students experience the park with horseback riding, expeditions to the Guayami Indigenous Reserve, and bird watching. Boat tours provide views of marine birds and dolphins. Corcovado is the last remaining large tract of lowland rain forest o the Pacific coast of Central America. Howler and spider monkeys, tapirs, anteaters, crocodiles, bull sharks, and exotic birds are just a few of the park’s inhabitants, along with a huge variety of tropical plant life.
Home to 320 species of birds, Tortuguero National Park is mostly recognized for its annual nesting of endangered green turtles and is considered the most important nesting site for this species. The park is also home to spider, howler, and white-throated Capuchin monkeys, the three-toed sloth, and the endangered manatee. The best way to see most of the park is from a boat. Evening guided tours enable students to visit the beachfront and see the Green Sea turtles nesting under the moon. During the tours, students can watch as the turtles struggle up the beach, dig their nests, and lay their eggs.
A walk through a Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, and flowers growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift and settle among the slopes, providing moisture for the amazing plant growth. Wildlife includes the jaguar, three-wattled bellbird, and the famous and elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Of the 1,400 types of Costa Rica Orchids, 500 of them are found at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Students may enjoy a canopy tour of a cloud forest’s protected area, or explore the area by suspension bridges. Aerial tram tours travel through the treetops, where an incredible diversity of plants and animals can be seen. For a more rustic mode of travel, students may strap on mountain climbing harnesses and pull themselves along suspended cables to a series of wooden platforms built in the trees.
Highlights at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve include butterfly gardens, reptile and amphibian exhibitions, hummingbird gardens, and a visit to an orchid garden. Night tours feature beautiful sunsets and a naturalist guide who explains the many unique elements of the forest and its inhabitants.
In addition to rain forests, Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers. One of the most popular ways to explore its waterways is snorkeling. Here, students get in touch with the colorful underwater world where eels, lobsters, schools of fish, and the spectacular whale shark make their home. This is also a great time to try out the new sport of “Canyoning,” the exciting adventure of repelling down waterfalls. If that’s too adventurous, students can take a relaxing dip in volcano-heated waters after a hike on the active Arenal Volcano.
The capital city of San Jose is an open gateway to the country’s many interesting destinations. Costa Rica’s National Museum, located in the ancient Bellavista Fort, is the guardian of the country’s precious treasures and cultural heritage. The Jade Museum presents a number of important archaeological pieces, in addition to jade pieces and pottery. Presenting the rich culture of Costa Rica, Central Market is the city’s colorful marketplace. Within the cozy warren of alleyways, students discover flowers, baskets, spices, fresh goods, and souvenirs. At the nearby Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, visitors view more than 2,000 glittering pre-Colombian gold artifacts.
KRIS
For a perfect blend of science, adventure, and hands-on learning, Costa Rica is an excellent destination for student group travelers. A republic in Central America, Costa Rica (literally “Rich Coast”) is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The destination is divided into 20 natural parks, eight biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that will expand the regular science curriculum far beyond the walls of the classroom.
Outdoor activities include horseback riding, hiking, and guided bird-watching tours. While Costa Rica is has only about 0.1% of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity, with nearly a quarter of the country composed of protected forests and reserves.
The internationally-known Corcovado National Park is famous among ecologists for its biodiversity and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Students experience the park with horseback riding, expeditions to the Guayami Indigenous Reserve, and bird watching. Boat tours provide views of marine birds and dolphins. Corcovado is the last remaining large tract of lowland rain forest o the Pacific coast of Central America. Howler and spider monkeys, tapirs, anteaters, crocodiles, bull sharks, and exotic birds are just a few of the park’s inhabitants, along with a huge variety of tropical plant life.
Home to 320 species of birds, Tortuguero National Park is mostly recognized for its annual nesting of endangered green turtles and is considered the most important nesting site for this species. The park is also home to spider, howler, and white-throated Capuchin monkeys, the three-toed sloth, and the endangered manatee. The best way to see most of the park is from a boat. Evening guided tours enable students to visit the beachfront and see the Green Sea turtles nesting under the moon. During the tours, students can watch as the turtles struggle up the beach, dig their nests, and lay their eggs.
A walk through a Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve reveals a lush green garden of mosses, ferns, and flowers growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift and settle among the slopes, providing moisture for the amazing plant growth. Wildlife includes the jaguar, three-wattled bellbird, and the famous and elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Of the 1,400 types of Costa Rica Orchids, 500 of them are found at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Students may enjoy a canopy tour of a cloud forest’s protected area, or explore the area by suspension bridges. Aerial tram tours travel through the treetops, where an incredible diversity of plants and animals can be seen. For a more rustic mode of travel, students may strap on mountain climbing harnesses and pull themselves along suspended cables to a series of wooden platforms built in the trees.
Highlights at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve include butterfly gardens, reptile and amphibian exhibitions, hummingbird gardens, and a visit to an orchid garden. Night tours feature beautiful sunsets and a naturalist guide who explains the many unique elements of the forest and its inhabitants.
In addition to rain forests, Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers. One of the most popular ways to explore its waterways is snorkeling. Here, students get in touch with the colorful underwater world where eels, lobsters, schools of fish, and the spectacular whale shark make their home. This is also a great time to try out the new sport of “Canyoning,” the exciting adventure of repelling down waterfalls. If that’s too adventurous, students can take a relaxing dip in volcano-heated waters after a hike on the active Arenal Volcano.
The capital city of San Jose is an open gateway to the country’s many interesting destinations. Costa Rica’s National Museum, located in the ancient Bellavista Fort, is the guardian of the country’s precious treasures and cultural heritage. The Jade Museum presents a number of important archaeological pieces, in addition to jade pieces and pottery. Presenting the rich culture of Costa Rica, Central Market is the city’s colorful marketplace. Within the cozy warren of alleyways, students discover flowers, baskets, spices, fresh goods, and souvenirs. At the nearby Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, visitors view more than 2,000 glittering pre-Colombian gold artifacts.
KRIS
Jul
16
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Daniel Eyre asked:
You know why you book a package holiday to Tenerife: the sun! The sea! The sand! The clubs! But between the nights on the dancefloor and the days on the sand, there’s plenty of room for checking out some of Tenerife’s attractions, as long as you know where to look. Fortunately I’ve made it easier for you by listing my 5 favourite things to do in Tenerife:
Park Las Aquilas Jungle Park
The Jungle Park really is a must for any package holiday in Tenerife. Set high in the hills within 75,000 square metres of tropical gardens, this is a wildlife park that will intrigue and entertain people of all ages. There is a good selection of animals as you’d expect in any zoo, but the park is especially recommended for fans of big cats, penguins and exotic birds of prey (the flying eagle demonstration is a must-see, but they mean it when they say you shouldn’t bring food in!) There are plenty of activities for kids (and big kids) and with a wide selection of lions, leopards, tigers and jaguars, big cat lovers will be in heaven!
Parque Nacional Las Canadas del Teide
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Tenerife is the Volcanic Mount Teide. Not one if you’re nursing a hangover, but for everyone else this is an absolute must-see. The views from the mountain are simply breathtaking, and you get a fantastic look at the island which you will never forget. It’s wise to get there early as this is one of the big attractions of Tenerife - if you want to head all the way to the top you’ll need to wrap up warmly - and be sure to bring your camera!
Golf del Sur
If you’re a fan of golf, then a stay at the Golf del Sur resort should be a definite on your Tenerife package holiday itinerary. The resort offers very little to do other than play golf - but if you love the game this won’t be a problem. Of the courses available, my pick is Playa Del Americas, with Golf del Sur getting a special mention for its tranquil feel. Within easy reach you’ll also find Amirilla and Adeje - both of which offer an entertaining round of golf. If the sport’s your thing, feel free to ignore the other things to do in Tenerife and make this your sole focus!
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
It would be a shame to be so close to the country’s warm, clear blue oceans and not see the life teeming just underneath the surface - fortunately, there are plenty of places available to make this dream a reality, and it’s well worth taking advantage of the nearby coral reefs that make for an unforgettable diving experience. Once you’ve undertaken some training and gotten kitted out, you will be able to see all kinds of sea life from starfish and crabs to rays and other tropical fish enjoying their natural habitat. This is one of the best things to do in Tenerife and should not be missed!
Loro Parque
Yep, another wildlife park - Tenerife has many of these and putting only 2 in the top 5 was quite a struggle! Loro Parque is the pick though purely for its size, scale, variety and the sense that it’s worth visiting the country for! The park seems to put animal welfare as its number one priority, and the animals are simultaneously happy and entertaining as a result. There are a number of fantastic shows (the whales in particular are an absolute must-see) and you can expect to see turtles, sharks, flamingos, penguins, tigers - everything you could want. The park is home to the biggest parrot collection in the world (and the original purpose of the attraction!), so be sure to get plenty of photos of these amazing colourful birds.
There’s so many attractions in Tenerife that it’d be a shame to just stick to the beach and the clubs - although I wouldn’t blame you if you did, superb as they are. Just consider they above options when you touch down for your package holiday in Tenerife!
JUSTIN
You know why you book a package holiday to Tenerife: the sun! The sea! The sand! The clubs! But between the nights on the dancefloor and the days on the sand, there’s plenty of room for checking out some of Tenerife’s attractions, as long as you know where to look. Fortunately I’ve made it easier for you by listing my 5 favourite things to do in Tenerife:
Park Las Aquilas Jungle Park
The Jungle Park really is a must for any package holiday in Tenerife. Set high in the hills within 75,000 square metres of tropical gardens, this is a wildlife park that will intrigue and entertain people of all ages. There is a good selection of animals as you’d expect in any zoo, but the park is especially recommended for fans of big cats, penguins and exotic birds of prey (the flying eagle demonstration is a must-see, but they mean it when they say you shouldn’t bring food in!) There are plenty of activities for kids (and big kids) and with a wide selection of lions, leopards, tigers and jaguars, big cat lovers will be in heaven!
Parque Nacional Las Canadas del Teide
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Tenerife is the Volcanic Mount Teide. Not one if you’re nursing a hangover, but for everyone else this is an absolute must-see. The views from the mountain are simply breathtaking, and you get a fantastic look at the island which you will never forget. It’s wise to get there early as this is one of the big attractions of Tenerife - if you want to head all the way to the top you’ll need to wrap up warmly - and be sure to bring your camera!
Golf del Sur
If you’re a fan of golf, then a stay at the Golf del Sur resort should be a definite on your Tenerife package holiday itinerary. The resort offers very little to do other than play golf - but if you love the game this won’t be a problem. Of the courses available, my pick is Playa Del Americas, with Golf del Sur getting a special mention for its tranquil feel. Within easy reach you’ll also find Amirilla and Adeje - both of which offer an entertaining round of golf. If the sport’s your thing, feel free to ignore the other things to do in Tenerife and make this your sole focus!
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
It would be a shame to be so close to the country’s warm, clear blue oceans and not see the life teeming just underneath the surface - fortunately, there are plenty of places available to make this dream a reality, and it’s well worth taking advantage of the nearby coral reefs that make for an unforgettable diving experience. Once you’ve undertaken some training and gotten kitted out, you will be able to see all kinds of sea life from starfish and crabs to rays and other tropical fish enjoying their natural habitat. This is one of the best things to do in Tenerife and should not be missed!
Loro Parque
Yep, another wildlife park - Tenerife has many of these and putting only 2 in the top 5 was quite a struggle! Loro Parque is the pick though purely for its size, scale, variety and the sense that it’s worth visiting the country for! The park seems to put animal welfare as its number one priority, and the animals are simultaneously happy and entertaining as a result. There are a number of fantastic shows (the whales in particular are an absolute must-see) and you can expect to see turtles, sharks, flamingos, penguins, tigers - everything you could want. The park is home to the biggest parrot collection in the world (and the original purpose of the attraction!), so be sure to get plenty of photos of these amazing colourful birds.
There’s so many attractions in Tenerife that it’d be a shame to just stick to the beach and the clubs - although I wouldn’t blame you if you did, superb as they are. Just consider they above options when you touch down for your package holiday in Tenerife!
JUSTIN
Jul
2
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Jared Moran asked:
Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.
So you’re engaged…congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven’t even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don’t worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.
Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you’re more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.
The following are questions you should ask yourself-it’ll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent…which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.
When are you going?
Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it’s important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren’t hurricane prone at all. Other destinations–such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their “green” season is too “green” (rainy!) for you.
Also, ask yourself if you’re willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you’re having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what’s known as the “shoulder season” (between high and low season).
Travel time/vacation time
How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?
If you’re going on an African safari, you’re going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you’re going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn’t the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you’re going? If you’ve got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the “island hopper” flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that’s going to consume your vacation time too.
A great option, if it’s available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.
Language
This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you’re backpacking around some exotic country, you’re going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you’ll find you’re treated differently if you begin conversations with “hello” in their language, and show you’re willing to make the effort to get along in their country.
Cost
The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package…and this doesn’t included expenditures once they’re at their destination. When considering a resort that’s NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.
Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.
People, people, people
There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you’re trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?
Next, let’s talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas…the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore…on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.
Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.
History and culture
Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins…centuries-old cathedrals…seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.
Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America…Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand… Angkor Wat in Cambodia…Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.
Accommodations
How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I’ve stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn’t even have complete walls…just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.
How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you…enough to justify the higher price?
Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you’re going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.
Nightlife
Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you’re going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you’ll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.
For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you’re considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula…what appeals to you?
Food!
How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you’ll have to venture outside the resort.
All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you’re not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you’re secluded and isolated, it’s possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it’s not included!).
In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you’ll often find that while the resort isn’t officially all-inclusive, they do have a “meal plan” which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.
Adventure!
How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes…maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an “adventure” trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.
Watersports
Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You’ll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there’s something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won’t be a great snorkeling beach!
Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It’s important to know what the fishing is like where you’re going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!
Additionally, it’s important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of *********** you want to enjoy. If you’re interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you’ll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you’ll want to be elsewhere. It’s also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won’t want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.
The destinations
Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they’re known for.
Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of *********** and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer’s hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we’re seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico’s colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great *********** and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.
Europe - history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets…Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches…and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
Costa Rica & Belize - becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.
Australia & New Zealand - enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you’ll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.
The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they’re more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).
Southeast Asia - combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you’re there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.
Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
BRADY
Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.
So you’re engaged…congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven’t even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don’t worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.
Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you’re more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.
The following are questions you should ask yourself-it’ll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent…which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.
When are you going?
Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it’s important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren’t hurricane prone at all. Other destinations–such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their “green” season is too “green” (rainy!) for you.
Also, ask yourself if you’re willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you’re having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what’s known as the “shoulder season” (between high and low season).
Travel time/vacation time
How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?
If you’re going on an African safari, you’re going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you’re going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn’t the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you’re going? If you’ve got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the “island hopper” flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that’s going to consume your vacation time too.
A great option, if it’s available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.
Language
This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you’re backpacking around some exotic country, you’re going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you’ll find you’re treated differently if you begin conversations with “hello” in their language, and show you’re willing to make the effort to get along in their country.
Cost
The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package…and this doesn’t included expenditures once they’re at their destination. When considering a resort that’s NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.
Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.
People, people, people
There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you’re trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?
Next, let’s talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas…the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore…on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.
Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.
History and culture
Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins…centuries-old cathedrals…seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.
Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America…Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand… Angkor Wat in Cambodia…Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.
Accommodations
How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I’ve stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn’t even have complete walls…just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.
How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you…enough to justify the higher price?
Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you’re going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.
Nightlife
Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you’re going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you’ll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.
For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you’re considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula…what appeals to you?
Food!
How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you’ll have to venture outside the resort.
All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you’re not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you’re secluded and isolated, it’s possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it’s not included!).
In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you’ll often find that while the resort isn’t officially all-inclusive, they do have a “meal plan” which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.
Adventure!
How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes…maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an “adventure” trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.
Watersports
Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You’ll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there’s something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won’t be a great snorkeling beach!
Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It’s important to know what the fishing is like where you’re going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!
Additionally, it’s important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of *********** you want to enjoy. If you’re interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you’ll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you’ll want to be elsewhere. It’s also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won’t want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.
The destinations
Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they’re known for.
Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of *********** and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer’s hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we’re seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico’s colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great *********** and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.
Europe - history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets…Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches…and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
Costa Rica & Belize - becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.
Australia & New Zealand - enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you’ll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.
The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they’re more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).
Southeast Asia - combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you’re there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.
Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
BRADY
Jun
25
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Julian Davis asked:
Hawaii was visited by the British Captain James Cook who called it the Sandwich Islands.
Hawaii used to be a native kingdom and in the 20th Century it increased business trade and political connections with the US.
Hawaii lies 2,397 miles West-Southwest of San Francisco. It consists of a chain of islands and some of them are famous like Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kahoolawe and Kauai.
Partially restored remains of ancient Hawaiian coastal settlements are present at Lapakahi State Historical Park. Re-enactment of the civil life of Hawaiian ancient life of the common people is depicted daily through films and story telling.
At Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park visitors can view the place of worship called Hikiau Heiau, offering prayers to Captain Cook who was considered to be Lono God. It offers a panoramic view of the Kealakekua Bay.
Life guards are available at week-ends at the Napo’opo’ beach. .
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site has the ruins of Pu’ukohola Heiau (Temple on the hill of whale) built by King Kamehameha the Great.
In Honolulu Zoo, you are just living with the lions, giraffes or just relaxing in the bird sanctuary. Visit lots of animals and birds while strolling like the tropical Americans, hundreds of reptiles and exotic birds from all over the world and see lots of different botanical flowers, trees and plants.
You can meet their Asian elephants, Mari and Vaigai personally under a big banyan tree. Meet a monitor lizard, pot-belled pig or pet a llama in the kids section.
The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park was established in 1978. This 1160 acres park depicts the traditional Hawaiian activities and culture.
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park was where escapists from the law used to flee to avoid certain death as a punishment. Defeated warriors and non-combatants also took refuge here during the battles.
The battleship USS Arizona sunk when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor lies at USS Arizona Memorial. The memorial was dedicated in 1962 and it became a National Park in 1980.
Hawaii’s only water park is at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park which is in a safe and clean location. It is located some miles West of Waikiki.
With a world class aquarium Maui Ocean Center is a place from where you can see combining volcanic origins, tremendous pelagic sea life, marine environment, spectacular corals, exotic endemic fish, humpback whales and lots of other marine mammals from close quarters.
Here you come to know the sea completely and its connection with Hawaiian culture. Come along the discovery journey, where you go from the black lava shorelines to the sandy beaches. You can also see the life of many reptiles living in the sea very closely.
Along the Wailuku River is the magnificent Wailuku State Park. Many big pools are connected by underground streams giving a gurgling sound. The columns lining the pools were formed by the cooling of basalt lava.
On most mornings a rainbow is formed near the 80 foot Rainbow Falls.
ZACHARY
Hawaii was visited by the British Captain James Cook who called it the Sandwich Islands.
Hawaii used to be a native kingdom and in the 20th Century it increased business trade and political connections with the US.
Hawaii lies 2,397 miles West-Southwest of San Francisco. It consists of a chain of islands and some of them are famous like Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kahoolawe and Kauai.
Partially restored remains of ancient Hawaiian coastal settlements are present at Lapakahi State Historical Park. Re-enactment of the civil life of Hawaiian ancient life of the common people is depicted daily through films and story telling.
At Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park visitors can view the place of worship called Hikiau Heiau, offering prayers to Captain Cook who was considered to be Lono God. It offers a panoramic view of the Kealakekua Bay.
Life guards are available at week-ends at the Napo’opo’ beach. .
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site has the ruins of Pu’ukohola Heiau (Temple on the hill of whale) built by King Kamehameha the Great.
In Honolulu Zoo, you are just living with the lions, giraffes or just relaxing in the bird sanctuary. Visit lots of animals and birds while strolling like the tropical Americans, hundreds of reptiles and exotic birds from all over the world and see lots of different botanical flowers, trees and plants.
You can meet their Asian elephants, Mari and Vaigai personally under a big banyan tree. Meet a monitor lizard, pot-belled pig or pet a llama in the kids section.
The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park was established in 1978. This 1160 acres park depicts the traditional Hawaiian activities and culture.
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park was where escapists from the law used to flee to avoid certain death as a punishment. Defeated warriors and non-combatants also took refuge here during the battles.
The battleship USS Arizona sunk when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor lies at USS Arizona Memorial. The memorial was dedicated in 1962 and it became a National Park in 1980.
Hawaii’s only water park is at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park which is in a safe and clean location. It is located some miles West of Waikiki.
With a world class aquarium Maui Ocean Center is a place from where you can see combining volcanic origins, tremendous pelagic sea life, marine environment, spectacular corals, exotic endemic fish, humpback whales and lots of other marine mammals from close quarters.
Here you come to know the sea completely and its connection with Hawaiian culture. Come along the discovery journey, where you go from the black lava shorelines to the sandy beaches. You can also see the life of many reptiles living in the sea very closely.
Along the Wailuku River is the magnificent Wailuku State Park. Many big pools are connected by underground streams giving a gurgling sound. The columns lining the pools were formed by the cooling of basalt lava.
On most mornings a rainbow is formed near the 80 foot Rainbow Falls.
ZACHARY
Jun
13
Filed Under Travel | Leave a Comment
Ramapati Singhania asked:
Clear blue seas and white sand beaches dot the Seychelles Island. As a travel destination Seychelles is very charming where one can savor breathtaking natural beauty and embark on spine tingling adventure.
Most of the land areas on the map of Seychelles Island are natural reserves that have an amazing array of different species of life forms. These species are mostly indigenous and have inhabited the Island for a long time.
People from different countries and belonging to different races have immigrated to Seychelles for ages and have now become the permanent inhabitants of the Island as this island has no indigenous population.
The climate of Seychelles is warm and its natural beauty has always attracted people from far and wide. The Island has a variety of sport activities and excursions and is an ideal destination for travel buffs and its serene natural surroundings provide pure relaxation to the aching mind and body.
Some of the sights on the map of Seychelles Island are worth seeing again and again. Mahe Island in Seychelles is the largest and the most populated and Victoria the capital of Seychelles is located here. The Praslin beach resort with its many beautiful beaches is the hotspot of Seychelles tourism.
The beaches are Anse Boudin, Anse Kerlan, Anse Georgette, Anse Possession, Anse Volbert, Anse Le Farin and Anse Lazio, the last one being the best of the lot. Praslin is famous for its hospitality and accommodation facilities and acts as a base for excursions to other neighboring Islands.
Of late many world events have been organized in the exquisite beaches of Seychelles with event organizers showering praises on its virgin natural surroundings. There is another coral island called Bird Island on the map of Seychelles Island that is famous for its white beaches and clear blue waters. Many types of exotic birds are found in this island. There are other Islands too where exotic birds, fauna and marine life are found. The rarest bird of Seychelles can be found in the Cousin Island and marine animals such as giant land tortoise, tiger sharks and seabirds inhabit the Aldabra Island.
For sport activities such as diving, windsurfing and canoeing there is Denis Island and for swimming and snorkeling the Cerf Island is famous. The world famous coco de mar palm tree grows in its natural state at Vallee De Mai and Curieuse Islands.
The map of Seychelles Island boasts of many impressive beaches untouched by mans influence offering a host of sports and adventure activities unmatched in the world. Bird watching tours, snorkeling, salt-water fly fishing, and the annual SUBIOS underwater festival are some of the most happening activities in Seychelles that attracts people in hordes to this picturesque Island.
It is no wonder that people come here every year from different places to discover these natural wonders.
ALFREDO
Clear blue seas and white sand beaches dot the Seychelles Island. As a travel destination Seychelles is very charming where one can savor breathtaking natural beauty and embark on spine tingling adventure.
Most of the land areas on the map of Seychelles Island are natural reserves that have an amazing array of different species of life forms. These species are mostly indigenous and have inhabited the Island for a long time.
People from different countries and belonging to different races have immigrated to Seychelles for ages and have now become the permanent inhabitants of the Island as this island has no indigenous population.
The climate of Seychelles is warm and its natural beauty has always attracted people from far and wide. The Island has a variety of sport activities and excursions and is an ideal destination for travel buffs and its serene natural surroundings provide pure relaxation to the aching mind and body.
Some of the sights on the map of Seychelles Island are worth seeing again and again. Mahe Island in Seychelles is the largest and the most populated and Victoria the capital of Seychelles is located here. The Praslin beach resort with its many beautiful beaches is the hotspot of Seychelles tourism.
The beaches are Anse Boudin, Anse Kerlan, Anse Georgette, Anse Possession, Anse Volbert, Anse Le Farin and Anse Lazio, the last one being the best of the lot. Praslin is famous for its hospitality and accommodation facilities and acts as a base for excursions to other neighboring Islands.
Of late many world events have been organized in the exquisite beaches of Seychelles with event organizers showering praises on its virgin natural surroundings. There is another coral island called Bird Island on the map of Seychelles Island that is famous for its white beaches and clear blue waters. Many types of exotic birds are found in this island. There are other Islands too where exotic birds, fauna and marine life are found. The rarest bird of Seychelles can be found in the Cousin Island and marine animals such as giant land tortoise, tiger sharks and seabirds inhabit the Aldabra Island.
For sport activities such as diving, windsurfing and canoeing there is Denis Island and for swimming and snorkeling the Cerf Island is famous. The world famous coco de mar palm tree grows in its natural state at Vallee De Mai and Curieuse Islands.
The map of Seychelles Island boasts of many impressive beaches untouched by mans influence offering a host of sports and adventure activities unmatched in the world. Bird watching tours, snorkeling, salt-water fly fishing, and the annual SUBIOS underwater festival are some of the most happening activities in Seychelles that attracts people in hordes to this picturesque Island.
It is no wonder that people come here every year from different places to discover these natural wonders.
ALFREDO