Destination Archives - Page 27 of 44

December 26, 2013 by Jeremy

Top Reasons To Visit Israel

The top reasons to visit Israel is often steeped in historical and religious undertones. For better or worse, one can define the country of Israel as a land that has its own positive and negative when it comes to the topics of religion and politics.

As far as politics is concerned Israel was a result of United States’ interference in the regional conflict between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. This part of modern history has become a very unpleasant topic in general media that often put Israel and even the religion of Judaism in a very negative light.

However, when one can find negativity in politics one can also find positivity in tourism. Visiting Israel may not be a bad idea, especially as far as religion and history is concerned.

1. Tell my babe I’m going to Tel Aviv!

If partying and a wonderful nightlife are your top reasons to visit Israel, then you better head straight away to Tel Aviv as soon as your airplane arrives at the airport. Tel Aviv is all about beaches, night clubs and bars. In fact, you may even feel like it’s always summer season in Tel Aviv due to its sunny atmosphere around the coastal resorts. There’s no other city in Middle East that takes getting stuffed, getting drunk and even getting high than in Tel Aviv.

2. Visiting the Holy Land of Abrahamic Faiths

If you despise hedonism and follow a life of deep spirituality, then certainly you can find the best of the top reasons to visit Israel. The Holy City of Jerusalem is not only sacred to the Hebrew people but also to the followers of the succeeding faiths of Christianity and Islam. The Wailing Wall of the Ruined Temple of Solomon is a very sacred landmark for Jews. However, not far from the Jewish holy place lies the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Islamic al-Aqsa Mosque in the Dome of Rock. Israel also has famous Christian landmarks outside of Jerusalem, such as Nazareth where Christ used to work as a craftsman and in Galilee where he performed most of his ministry works.

3. Rugged adventure in rugged Negev Desert

Aside from wild parties and a serious spirituality quest, there is also one part of Israel that captures the essence of wholesome adventure that does not require very serious philosophical undertones. People tour the Negev Desert simply because it is a fun experience. Some people’s idea of fun may involve a wild spin with one’s rented four-wheel drive. You can also try riding camels if you want it done in ancient hardcore way. Not a bad idea to pick up some cheap travel insurance as well if you plan to hit the dunes.

4. The Land of Milk and Honey – literally!

When God revealed to the prophets about the land flowing of milk and honey, maybe that revelation extends to the culinary prosperity that people enjoy in modern Israel. The Mediterranean climate makes this land abundant, where diversity of food can give a nice feast. Arab dishes are also very popular.

December 23, 2013 by jfalbelda

Following TV shows along Route 66

There are few road trips as iconic as Route 66, and every year thousands of people take to the Mother Road to get a taste of this wonderful slice of history and US culture. However, just because so many people visit it doesn’t mean that all holidays here are the same – there’s plenty of scope to really make the trip your own. One way of doing this is by following in the footsteps of major TV shows along the way.

Below, I’ll give you an overview of some of the biggest series to have been filmed at various destinations along Route 66. Meanwhile, you can find out more about how to organise your tour by visiting this website, which has lots of useful information on the cities that Route 66 passes through, not to mention your options for vehicle hire. Opting for an organised tour through a specialist company like this is really handy if you want to be confident in the overall structure of your break, so don’t worry that you’ll need to organise all the finer details yourself just because you’re opting for a road trip.

Albuquerque – Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is a show that’s hit the headlines time and time again over the last few months, with its finale having only recently aired. I’ll avoid talking about the plot too much in case you’re in the process of desparately trying to catch up with the series before you hear any spoilers (in which case I wish you the best of luck!), but I will just clue you into its premise for those of you who are entirely new to the show.

Breaking Bad tells the story of a science teacher, Walter White, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Fearing that he’ll leave his family financially destitute when he dies, he comes up with a plan to secure their future: cooking crystal meth with Jesse, his former school student. If you haven’t already, it’s well worth watching the series in full before you set off – not only because it’s amazing, but also because you can actually take a tour of its filming locations.

A firm called ABQ Trolley Co offers tours around the top Breaking Bad sites, including Downtown, Central Avenue and even Route 66 itself. Really, the more recently you’ve seen the series before going on this tour the better, since it’ll be easy to pick out which scenes happened where. The tour lasts around three-and-a-half hours in total, you need to book your place in advance.

Sons of Anarchy – California

As you reach the end of your road trip down Route 66 you’ll come to California, which is the location of another TV series – Sons of Anarchy. Now, this show is actually still running and is now in its sixth series – though it is rumoured that series seven will be its last hurrah on the small screen. There are almost too many filming locations to list, but they include South Mission Road in Los Angeles and Lankershire Boulevard in North Hollywood, so it’s worth doing a little research before you arrive to work out where exactly you want to go.

In case you’re not familiar with the series, it follows an outlaw motorcycle gang that operates in a fictional town (Charming) in California’s Central Valley. Vice-president of the club Jax is very much the focus of the series, with the character beginning to question the club, as well as his own lifestyle.

December 22, 2013 by Jeremy

Tenerife: Holiday in the Shadow of a Volcano

Mount Tiede volcano, Tenerife

Tenerife holidays are dominated by one thing, and it’s not the sun, sea or the sand. While these are all important elements of a Canary Island getaway, it’s the majestic Mount Teide that looks down on every visitor to this sunsoaked destination.

Thankfully for tourists and locals alike, this 12,000ft high shield volcano – Spain’s highest mountain – last erupted in 1909, but the evidence of its previous activity lies all around the island and it’s inevitable that you’ll come into contact with volcanic matter at some point during your holiday. If you’d like to book a holiday, this website has everything you need.

Beaches

Tenerife might be famed for its golden sandy beaches, but many of these were artificially made using sand imported from Africa. The most natural beaches on the island are the ones coloured black, which contain tiny fragments of lava from Mount Teide. Such beaches formed when red hot lava flows from Teide cooled rapidly upon meeting with sea water – shattering the lava into fine grains.

One of the best on the island is the resort of Playa de la Arena on the west coast, and there are also attractive black sand beaches at Playa Socorro in the north and the remote Roque Bermejo, a tiny fishing village reachable only by foot or by boat, among others.

Lava tubes

If you tire of sunbathing, you can always take the opportunity to explore Europe’s biggest lava tube. Cueva del Viento-Sobrado (the Cave of the Winds), in the north-west of the island, features 17km of underground tunnels that were hollowed out by magma flowing beneath the surface of the island.

Now the flows have stopped, visitors can walk inside the earth through these atmospheric lava tubes.

Flora

Teide is also responsible for many of the fabulous plants you’ll see during your visit, which have thrived off the nutrient and mineral rich soil created by lava flows. As a result of the unique conditions present on the island, as well as its isolated position in the middle of the ocean, many of Teide’s plants are endemic to Tenerife, such as the Teide white broom, a type of bush with white flowers.

Spa treatments

Of course, all those minerals aren’t just good for plants. There are numerous spas dotted across Tenerife offering volcanic treatments so you can enjoy the benefits of Teide’s molten material.

Views

One of the most popular activities for holidaymakers is to take the trip to the very summit of Teide itself to enjoy the finest view in the Canaries. From the peak, you get a tremendous 360-degree panorama of the entire island, the ocean surrounding it and beyond to the other islands.

There are many ways to reach the top, depending on your preference. You can drive to the car park and take a cable car up the last 1,200m to the upper station; you can apply for a permit and climb to the very summit (the last 200m are restricted); or you can set yourself a real challenge and cycle all the way from sea level to almost 8,000ft!

As you can see, you really can’t escape Mount Teide on a holiday in Tenerife, but then why would you want to? With its great views, alluring black beaches and stunning wildlife, Teide will captivate you during your visit.

December 22, 2013 by Jeremy

Best Time To Visit New Caledonia

In order to determine the best time to visit New Caledonia, one must be very conscious of the two aspects of time. The first idea means knowing the ideal climate of the year.
The seasons in New Caledonia are so simple. One just has to take into account whether the vacationer prefers the environment hot or cool. This pretty much narrows one’s measurement when it comes to the season and basic weather forecast.

The next issue worth exploring when it comes to the subject of time includes the interesting holidays and festivals in the country. As far as the question of “when” is concerned, this aspect answers the specific question. Important holidays not only cater to the personal interest of the traveler.

These important events also help visitors understand the general character of their hosts and virtually narrate the story of who New Caledonians are as a nation. One may find New Caledonians as interesting as their lush and picturesque topography.

1. Bastille Day

The Bastille Day is one celebration that pretty much explains the national or cultural identity of the New Caledonians. The Bastille Day is also called the French National Day, and it is commemorated every 14th of July each year. This is a very important event for the French people not only in France but also in other former colonies like Nova Scotia, St. Helena, and New Caledonia. It celebrates the day the common people stood up against the aristocrats and stormed the Bastille Fortress. With the forces of democracy taking over the seat of the royal authority in France, the French Revolution became a successful (though costly) civil war in the history of the French people.

2. Christmas Day

Despite the French Revolution successfully stomping at the religious authorities of the old times, the French people around the world did not officially remove Christianity. Whether one belongs to Catholicism, Protestantism and even Gnosticism; Christianity as a universal faith is pretty much a part of the French identity and it shaped their collective sense of spirituality for centuries even until this day. December 25 remains to be the most important religious event in New Caledonia, as it celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ.

3. Mid-November to Mid-April

These months could be the best time to visit New Caledonia for some people because it marks the hot season in the basic weather forecast. Anyone who loves to visit the beach makes summer a ubiquitous climate. The beaches in New Caledonia are spectacular and almost unlike anything one may expect in tropical environments. It might be peak tourist season but it is also the time where cyclones highly occur.

4. June to August

Cool season may not be the best time to visit New Caledonia for beach goers, but it is the best time to be around for mountain climbers and hikers. The cold season is very ideal for outdoor adventure because the lush inland provides more cover for low temperature winds. Moreover, the geography inland is simply stunning.

December 10, 2013 by jfalbelda

Top Things To Do In Hobart, Tasmania

It would be a good idea to look into the top things to do in Hobart if one plans to make his or her stay in Tasmania memorable one as there are so many to remember Anyone who is familiar with the history of New South Wales colonies should know that the island of Tasmania is the very first European colony in the continent of Australia. Tasmania received its name from the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Though Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, its not a massive city. The town is pretty easy to navigate, which allows tourists to get anywhere on foot. The small footprint pretty much reflects its local population, numbering no more than 250,000 citizens. One must take note that, being one of the southernmost cities in the continent, Hobart has a very cold climate. This adds more appeal to some of its wonderful local attractions. As far as safety is concerned, it is best to avoid roaming around in poorly lit sections of the town at night.

1. Fun Chocolate Tour for kids

There are plenty of interesting things to do for kids and the family alike, notably the famous Cadbury Chocolate Factory. All kids love sweets. But even better, all inquisitive youngsters would be interested to know how these delicious goodies were created. This experience will treat not only a child’s taste buds but also satisfy their curiosity with first-hand accounts of chocolate manufacturing. This particular field trip is one of the most popular among the top things to do in Hobart for families.

2. Next stop: the Coal River Valley Wineries

Kids are pretty much contented with chocolates and candies. But for romantic adults, chocolates always go best when paired with wine. Fortunately in Hobart, one can indulge in the best of booth worlds. A tour around the Coal River Valley Wineries takes wine appreciation to a whole new level. It is important to take note that Australia is one of the leading producers of wines aside from France and California. Hobart, being closer to Antarctica than most places on the continent, is one of the most ideal environments for growing grapes.

3. How much do you like gardens?

When one is faced with this question, some people who didn’t think much of botanical gardens wouldn’t be enthusiastic with their responses. But once they get to visit the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, they could come up with a dozen adjectives to how awesome gardens can be. One of the coolest features of this venue is the cryogenic preserved plant displays, don’t miss it!

4. Shopping and dining = the conclusive vacation experience

Relaxing is always the best way to adjourn one’s itinerary after a full day of sightseeing. Salamanca market district is teeming with kiosks and open cafes, perfect for kicking back. It is always good to lounge in the promenade, sitting at the umbrella canopied café tables after a pleasant shopping spree.

5. Why not hit the tables?

While many countries around the world don’t allow gambling, Australia isn’t one of them. The Wrest Point Hotel Casino is located in Hobart and you can hit the tables at night or play the slots if that’s your thing. Australia is also unique because they still permit online gambling, so if you’re pooped from a day sight seeing, you can always log into http://www.casinomidas.com.au/.