On Weekends
The Guide To Traveling and Dining
Archive for the 'Weekend Ideas' Category
Sep
8
Iceland is a country roughly the size of Kentucky but with a lot fewer people. It is located a little below the Arctic Circle roughly between Greenland and the United Kingdom and about a 5-hour flight from the East coast of the US. It has a population of just over three hundred thousand people which means that the population density is very low.
Population numbers and geography aside, Iceland is an amazing country for many reasons though, I don’t think that it’s a country that is top of mind when it comes to vacation planning. Maybe that’s what I liked about it. I live in a very crowded, southern California city where traffic is always a problem and getting away from the crush of humanity, ironically, requires a lot of driving.
As many of you already know, many of the world’s top tourist locations are being loved to death by the millions of visitors who come every year to see the sites, walk up the same staircase in an old church, or get a photo holding up the Leaning tower of Pisa. If you go to Paris or Rome, or some of the other top European destinations, you wait in lines, you sit in traffic; hell, if I wanted that I could just stay in California. I am not saying that visiting these famous cities is not worth it. I am saying that it is getting harder and harder to enjoy these cities and landmarks because everyone is visiting these cities and landmarks.
Of course, everyone’s idea of fun is different. But, for me going to a place where I could almost literally leave civilization behind sounded pretty good. I have read about Iceland and was taken by the exotic and unspoiled nature scenes. I wanted to be there, in those pictures, camping, hiking, exploring glaciers and high mountain meadows. Sound like a set up for disappointment? Turns out it wasn’t.
Certainly there is always a difference between your imagination (perception) and reality. But I have to say that my experiences weren’t that far off from my perceptions. I traveled there in the late summer when the temperatures are decent (mid 50s to low 60s F) and the days are long – real long. I did all the usual tourist stuff while I was in Reykjavik and then I booked a 5 day backpacking and trekking tour into the highlands of Iceland, from Thorsmork to Landmannalaugur. Each day we hiked for 5-7 hours stopping along the way to learn about the history and geography of the various locations, at nigh we slept in tents, ate good food, and played music or just talked about our days till sleep overcame us.
When I got back to Reykjavik, I booked a jeep tour that took us right up onto a glacier, called Langjokul (the long glacier). This too was a real experience. Once we got to the top of the glacier, we all got out of the jeep to look around and experience the surroundings. The two things that stuck with me about this were the silence and the amazing view from atop this glacier. I could see so far that I think I was seeing the curvature of the earth. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (0)Aug
8
While posting about so many places I got to visit we are forgetting that we all can have a fun weekend and enjoy ourselves, together with the family, without having to travel far. Take for instance one of the most popular attractions nowadays among boys - the airsoft gun entertainment offered Airgun Depot. Organize a day when you can meet your friends and family, choose from dozes of pellet guns, air rifles, air pistols, various accessories, as well as a great selection of airsoft guns, blank guns, and paintball… and, go hunting each other, play or practice for fun, just like in the army!
The reason why I chose to mention Airgun Depot earlier in my post, is because they offer truly fantastic variety or replica guns and other accessories for such games.Naturally you will ask, how much does this fun is going to cost you… Well, replica guns are not cheap but it also depends on your requirements and model of gun you wish to obtain. Truly spectacular models will cost hundreds of dollars while just a simple airgun for fun will be affordable for any pocket and cost just 30-40 dollars. With Airgun Depot you can choose from countless number of models and order directly online, so… have fun shooting around!
Aug
8
There are plenty of other sites to see and enjoy. For example, Valencia is home to several museums, including several art museums, several history museums, a bullfighting museum, and an incredible science museum.
The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies in Valencia, Spain.
The science museum, called the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies (City of Arts and Sciences), houses five main parts. The first is an opera and music house with four main halls. Next is the Oceanografic, which is a complete oceanographic zoo, including many aquariums. This is the biggest aquatic exhibit in all of Europe and hosts a variety of different types of ocean life. Not only does the Oceanografic showcase life from the nearby Mediterranean Sea, it also shows penguins and belugas from the Polar Regions. There is also wildlife from the Red Sea area.
The Prince Philip Science Museum is great for children, and shows some of the laws of nature. The museum uses a hands-on approach to help children learn all about science. L’Hemisferic is the Spanish name for a gigantic IMAX 3D theater where visitors can really feel like part of the movies they watch. Finally, there is L’Umbracle, which is a beautiful botanical garden and walkway for guests.
Valencia, Spain’s Beaches.
For those inclined to spend their Valencia vacation on the beach, there are three primary beaches; playa las Arenas, playa de Malvarossa, and playa de Patacona. Nearest to the city, beachgoers will find the playa las Arenas. This is the area of the beach with bars and pubs, and has a promenade for those wishing to walk along the beach without getting too much sand in their shoes. This area is also the area where visitors can find hotel accommodations. Heading north, visitors will reach the playa de Malvarossa. This is a sandy beach, suitable for family swimming, building sand castles, and playing beach volleyball. The fine sand makes it a really great place for walking barefoot. The playa de Malvarossa is the most popular beach in Valencia, and it quite full during prime season.
Those looking for a quieter, more private beach, can opt for the playa de Patacona. The playa de Patacona is farthest north, and is quite far from the city center. As a result, it is slightly less popular. Tourists who are looking for a more peaceful beach without quite so many children running underfoot will find the longer travel distance worthwhile. Don’t expect a private beach, though. There are still plenty of sunbathers and swimmers at the playa de Patacona.
Aug
7
Being on the road is no walk in the park. In fact, the romance of the road can be highly overrated when you factor in mishaps and perils that make you lose valuable time. And not even your best designer mechanical pocket watch can recoup the time lost (not even Big Ben itself). Here then are practical travel tips to help you avoid common time wasters on the road.
Avoid Shortcuts… LOL!
Unless you know the terrain like the back of your hand, you should avoid alleged shortcuts through dirt roads and unmarked paths. You might not see anything of interest on the interstates but at least you can go from coast to coast on good roads, hopefully without too many hassles.
Besides, Hollywood movies do have a grain of truth to them. You certainly do not want your mechanical pocket watch to be the only thing left as you explored a dirt road with a maniac at its end. Then again, if the purpose of your travel is to see the back roads of America, then you are welcome to them. Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
2
Now that it’s summer time and many of you think about going on an affordable yet unforgettable vacation, I thought I will make a post about Hotels in Calgary. The reason why I brought Calgary, is because you can book very cheap accommodation there and enjoy spectacular vacation in one of the most visited places. Visit the site above to check which hotels you can chose from and book directly online, no need to make calls, send faxes, let alone drive to the travel agency. Sit back and compare various options, choose the one that suits you best and… it’s yours! Even if you live in Canada, you might enjoy traveling to Calgary, which is famous for its recreation and sport facilities. Have a look and pamper yourself with affordable weekend in a fancy hotel in one of Canadian’s pearls!
The advantage of Tropical islands and locations
By admin, filled in: Unforgettable Places, Weekend Ideas
Jun
9
With tropical islands all over the world, you have a great choice when it comes to choosing an island as your vacation destination. How does spending a week on a private exclusive island in the Caribbean sound? Nekker Island is such a place that you can rent daily or weekly when the owner is not using it. However, you should be prepared to pay a steep price for this exclusivity.
However when most people go to the Caribbean they choose one of the islands where there are resorts offering all kinds of packages and sightseeing tours. There are many different cruise lines that stop in at various ports in the Caribbean Islands so that you can get to experience the beauty of several of them in one vacation.
Spend some time on Wilson Island, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef. In a vacation package that is not really all that expensive, you an enjoy staying in a tent and the views of the reef and the ocean. Some resorts, like this one, are for adults only, while others have many activities for families with children. The Hawaiian Islands are another popular tropical destination with resorts right on the sandy beaches. Of course, there are secluded locations as well that are just perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway. Read the rest of this entry »
May
15
I know there is some old saying to do with the first half of your life you are looked after by your parents and the second half you your life you look after your parents. Well I’ve been looking after my mother my whole life especially on occasions when my father isn’t around and she goes into complete competency melt down. The first time my dad went on a business trip abroad, she managed (and don’t ask me how) to put her hand in the bottom of the lawn mower whilst it was still running. I can still see, and will forever have imprinted in to my brain the moment when she shoved her hand in a sink full of water which instantaneously turned a deep shade of red, a bit like in the movie ‘Jaws’. Duggan women aren’t of a strong stomached nature and on my mother passing out, my sister ran out of the room with the good intension of phoning a family friend from down the road for help, only to pass out on the way due to “sight of blood”. So you are left with nine year old Alice running between relations with wet towels and sugar water trying to revive both. Needless to say I was rewarded on my Dad’s return from Hong Kong with a big bag of Haribo for being ‘daddy’s brave little girl’ and my mother was never allowed to mow the lawn again.
So this gives you an idea of the mental status of Mrs Duggan when embarking on a journey in to the depths of the Caribbean with her least responsible daughter, without the only man in the world that can salvage any situation no mater how dire. I’d like to say I was sympathetic towards this but in honesty if I see weakness in some one I kinda play on it? “You’ve got the passports right?”, “Flight IS from Gatwick not Heathrow right?” etc.. Cruel really, but highly amusing. Anyhow the joke was on me on arriving at Gatwick at 4.30am to find that our 07.55am flight to Havana with Cubana airways was not anywhere to be seen on the board, and after half an hour frantic running around to discover that the plane on which we were meant to be flying on (that was meant to arrive in the UK at 6.20am from Havana) had not even left Cuba yet. Another half an hour later it was revealed that the plane was faulty and another plane was being shipped in from Madrid and due to leave at 2.30pm. Marvellous. Anybody got any great suggestions how to spend 9 hours in Gatwick airport departures? No me either. Reading maybe – well I cleverly packed all my nice easy going books in my main luggage and was carrying only Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, trying to embrace the whole Cuba thing, which is not the easiest read to pass time, believe me. So giving in I bought a puzzler, plugged my ipod in and watched the weird and wonderful existence of the airport departure lounge inhabitant (and it is no wonder they make so many tv shows about them!)
Read the rest of this entry »
May
14
Good news for all those who are not going outdoors just to sit in the sun but also like some sport, especially the most prestigious millionaire’s game — golf. If you like this type of sport, you should definitely Check out oobgolf.com. This is the ultimate online resource where you can find gold courses in your area, join the community of like-minded people and even track games on your mobile phone. This is a neat and professional website, highly informative and very interesting for golf players.
As you know I’d not recommend a place online if it was not worth checking! Enjoy the most luxurious game in the world!
May
14
For most people An African safari and especially an African beach holiday is a once in a life time experience to remember. Often travelers opt for a beach experience after an African wildlife safari or a cultural safari or even a busy African business trip.
A beach experience helps you unwind. But what most people don’t realize is that an African beach holiday/vacation can do more bad than good to the environment and the locals.
Most people have the understanding that tourism in developing countries actually helps the locals and the country as a whole. This however is not always the case. Especially when you consider the fact that huge businesses are often involved in the lucrative tourism industry.
Travel is big business and in fact a billion dollar industry.
As with anything when profits come before anything else including the environment then it is easy to see how some places that have been created as tourist areas can do more damage to the environment than good.
For starters some African governments have been selling prime beachside locations to foreigners, sometime displacing the communities nearby and other time affecting even their livelihoods by making some beaches exclusive. In some areas of Africa virtually all the infrastructure is foreign owned from the shopping centres to the restaurants, hotels and curio shops.
In some places this has lead to local resentment.
so while on an African beach vacation or safari, doing some of the following can make a big difference in the lives of the locals and the environment.
Whenever possible buy souvenirs from locals- When you do this you are supporting the local community because much of the money you spend on huge establishments hardly trickle to the locals.
Game fishing isn’t exactly a game - The effect of picking off the ocean’s largest and finest creatures could kick off devastating chain reactions. This surely isn’t worth it when you consider that it’s for fun and not for food.
Be gentle with coral - Avoid touching coral while scuba diving or snorkeling because coral is a living thing. Also be careful with your flippers because one careless swipe of sand can easily suffocate a patch of coral. Read the rest of this entry »
May
10
TBA cabins are one way to save money on a cruise but they come with a caveat. In the cruise industry, TBA means To Be Assigned. “Guaranteed Rate” is another term that is often used. Either way, what it means is that, no matter what, you would get a cabin in the category you purchased and, if you get lucky, you could get an upgrade.
Why do the cruise lines do this? Usually, the first cabins to sell out on a ship are the least expensive and the most expensive. When all of the inexpensive cabins are sold, the remaining inventory is usually made up of the mid-priced cabins. The cruise line can have a harder time selling these as they may be competing against lower prices on other cruise lines. Enter the TBA or guaranteed rate cabin. By selling passengers a ‘guaranteed rate’ or ‘TBA’ cabin, the cruise line always has an inexpensive cabin ‘available’.
When you make a TBA reservation, you are not assigned a cabin until anywhere from 30 days out up until the time you actually check in. You are ‘guaranteed’ to get the category you paid for or better. What the cruise line is doing is ‘selling’ the same inexpensive cabins multiple times, moving earlier purchasers, or past passengers, or using any of a number of other criteria, up into a higher category of cabin.
If you don’t mind what cabin you end up with or where it is located on the ship, this is a great way to purchase a cruise. But, for a good price, you give up all control as to the location or type of cabin you get. (Note: If you purchase an Outside category, you will NOT be given an Inside cabin. This is the only thing you can be sure of.)