Top Spot Travel

June 25, 2014 by jfalbelda

Why Outdoor Holidays are Better Experiences

Every year people from all around the world make plans to go on holiday. For the majority of people, this will be some kind of sun, sand and sea holiday where they head somewhere hot, so that they can relax and read for a week. Whilst these holidays can be enjoyable, they can also not be particularly exciting or memorable.

The world is full of stunning natural beauty in all areas, seeing and experiencing these places makes for a much more valuable trip. When you see a breathtaking mountain range, peaceful forest, a lake with crystal clear waters or one of the natural wonders of the world it is awe-inspiring and makes you feel at one with nature. These holidays you will remember vividly and will always cherish.

These outdoor holidays are also good because with many of them there are fun activities and adventures to undertake. Adrenaline junkies can spend time on their holiday mountain biking, white water rafting, climbing and exploring their natural surroundings. For those looking for a more serene, tranquil outdoor holiday it is worth heading out onto the water to do some fishing. This will give you some peace and allow you to enjoy your natural surroundings whilst being out on the water. The fishing can enhance this as well as add some excitement, as it can be thrilling to get a bite. In addition, fishing can bring health benefits and help you recharge your batteries.

Packing the Necessary Equipment and Clothing

For any outdoor holiday where you will be undertaking activities it is essential that you have everything you need. You will need the equipment for the activity, such as rods, reels and nets, as well as the right clothing and accessories so that you can stay comfortable and happy whilst out in the elements. You will find fishing specialists, such as Fishing Hut and similar companies, great places to get all the equipment, clothing and accessories that you need. Outdoor holidays can be challenging as the weather can change quickly and you will be out on tough terrain, so this means you need to be fully prepared.

With an outdoor holiday you enjoy a richer experience where you feel at one with nature. These are the trips that will create brilliant stories and stay with you for years to come, and there are destinations all around the world where you are able to enjoy a range of fun outdoor activities during your holiday.

June 19, 2014 by jfalbelda

World Cup Fans Flock to Copacabana Beach, Brazil!

With the football World Cup in Brazil between now and the middle of June, fans from around the globe have descended on the South American country to experience the event, and no place has proved more popular than the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. As well as the 12 host venues across the country, fans are also able to enjoy the action from one of a number of fan parks around the 12 host cities – the most popular being on Copacabana Beach.

Beach in Rio

Nearly a million people watched Brazil open the tournament with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Croatia, creating one of the most colourful and exciting atmospheres in the history of the World Cup. Since then, though, Copacabana hasn’t been a place for just Brazilian fans to watch the games on the big screens, and visitors from all corners of the world have used the beach as their first option to experience the tournament.

While the beach is a cocktail of world flags, ranging from England, Australia, Korea and Ghana, the most commonly seen flags are that of some people’s favourites for the tournament, Argentina. Tens of thousands of Argentines have made the relatively short journey north to follow their team in Brazil over the next month, and those fans were rewarded after seeing their team open up with a 2-1 victory over Bosnia.

England fans always travel in numbers to support their team, and this World Cup in Brazil has been no different. While the inflated prices won’t go down well with the majority of England fans looking to enjoy a beer or Caipirinha as they watch the action, the picturesque surroundings will act as a decent consolation when their team make their inevitable early exit from the tournament over the next couple of weeks.

This has already been an extremely exciting World Cup thus far, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the tournament turns out!

June 18, 2014 by jfalbelda

The Best Spots to Go Glamping in The USA

For many people, there is no better way to experience the spirit of America than to take to the outdoors. For these folks, this not only includes outdoor activities such as hiking, but also camping, where this group of people spend a night in this environment with little other than a thin layer of nylon separating them from the elements.

For those that are well attuned to the outdoors, this may not be a problem, but for those that take exception to sleeping on the ground with nothing but a sleeping bag between them and chilly evening air, these realities have long driven them away from spending time deep within some of America’s best natural environments. Continue reading →

May 10, 2014 by Jeremy

Explore The Top Reasons To Visit Balmoral

When traveling to Aberdeenshire in Scotland, you should ask yourself what the top reasons to visit Balmoral are. Balmoral is a castle and estate located in Aberdeenshire and one of Scotland’s precious treasures. Here are a few reasons why you should go to Balmoral during your trip to Aberdeenshire.

“The British Monarch owns it.”

Balmoral Estate is not just any estate. It is a privately owned property of the British Monarch. Queen Victoria purchased the estate in 1852 along with her consort, Prince Edward. Since then it had belonged to them. Upon its purchase, they found the estate house too small and replaced it with the Balmoral Castle.

“The Balmoral Castle.”

There are many things that make Balmoral Castle an interesting attraction. First of all, the castle was ordered by Queen Elizabeth and has been royal property since its construction. Second, while it was designed by William Smith of Aberdeen, Prince Albert made altercations and them too. Third, Balmoral Castle has a Scots Baronial architecture. It is an architectural style that originates from the 16th century and draws on the features of Medieval towers and castles and French Renaissance chateaux.

Perhaps one of the top reasons to visit Balmoral Castle is that Historic Scotland categorized it as a “category A” structure. Therefore, it is of great national importance whether it has to do with architecture or history.

“The estate has scenic landscapes.”

It covers more than 50,000 acres of ancient Caledonian woodlands and hills filled with heather. The stunning River Dee is located nearby too. Over the centuries, stewards of the Balmoral Estate preserved the architecture, wildlife, and greenery within its reach, creating an environment that is close to nature.

“It is open to tourists.”

Balmoral Estate may be royal property but it is open to tourists. Even though it isn’t available all year round, it is open from April until July each year. During these months, tourists are allowed to explore the estate gardens, grounds, and Castle Ballroom. Its availability to tourists is one of the top reasons to visit Balmoral.

May 2, 2014 by jfalbelda

Check Out The Active Side of Edinburgh!

We all know Edinburgh is world famous as a mecca for culture and history lovers but what if you’re happier getting active out and about than wandering round an art gallery on a Saturday morning? Well the good news is that Edinburgh has a dazzling choice of activities to keep even the most energetic adrenalin junkie happy. Also, the fact that Edinburgh’s Travelodges are dotted all over the city means that you’re never too far from a comfortable bed to rest those thoroughly worked-out bones.

Skiing

Yes, you can squeeze in a bit of slope action on your city break at Midlothian Snowsports Centre, located in the shadow of the Pentland Hills on the outskirts of the city. Whether you’re an old pro at skiing or snowboarding or a complete newbie, you’ll find something to suit you here. There’s also tubing, which is bound to be a big hit with the kids. But if you’d rather poke your own eyes out than don a pair of skis, why not just enjoy the views from a chairlift ride then settle down in the café with a good book while the others wear themselves out on the slopes?

Walking

Pack your walking boots because Edinburgh has some stunning walks that combine exercise and sightseeing perfectly. A hike up the extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat will reward you with the most stunning panoramic views of the city and the sea beyond. Alternatively, walk up Calton Hill to see the unfinished National Monument and find out for yourself why Edinburgh is nicknamed the Athens of the North. A climb to the top of the Scott Monument (no there aren’t any lifts!) will reward you with yet more incredible city views.

Rock Climbing

When you first see the climbing area at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, you could be forgiven for feeling a few butterflies in your stomach. This dramatic arena is challenging enough to have been host to the British Championships, but don’t let that put you off – they cater for everyone from total beginners to expert Spiderman wannabes. The arena is also home to a fabulous café and Scrambles, a modern, spacious soft play centre that means even the tiniest climbers in your family will be kept entertained.

Cycling

As befits the hometown of Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy, Edinburgh is a fantastic city to cycle in due to its relatively small size and abundance of green open spaces (watch out for those hills though!). So much so that it’s celebrating all things two-wheeled with the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling between June 12th and 22nd. If you’re not around then, you can still enjoy the biking life by looking up safe and pretty cycle routes from Edinburgh Council’s website.

All these ideas have hopefully given you food for thought for an action-packed city trip. But don’t forget Edinburgh is a great city to see on foot, so even if you’re just wandering from shop to gallery, you’ll be getting a good workout!