Kauai the Garden Isle of Hawaii is one of the most popular destination for vacations. It has everything to offer-adventure, beauty and lots and lots of fun. Its lush tropical greenery and sparkling sand beaches attracts thousands of tourists every year. Kauai is the oldest and the forth largest island in Hawaii.
This place is known for its rich culture and tradition. Here everyone is welcomed with open arms and colorful garlands called leis. They are made of carnation, plumeria, ilima a flower associated with royalty, and many others. Lovely anise-scented mokihana lei are very special since they are made of the berries found only on Kauai. It has everything both for the young and old. There are a number of museums where you can learn about the islands heritage and culture. They are very informational and inspiring. It can truly be called the island of discovery as one can get to learn and discover so many things about this Garden Isle. You can enjoy the hula shows, luaus, live Hawaiian music and many such performances by the natives of the place. These memories of island culture are unforgettable and will always remain with you where ever you go.
For food lovers this place offers some exotic traditional mouth watering dishes which are simply awesome. They mostly use ingredients fresh from the farmers’ markets called Sunshine Markets like macadamia nuts, coconuts, taro, poi, malasadas, lilikoi chiffon treats, and other such delicacies .The variety of fruits you get there are incredible. The local fish are very popular like ahi, mahimahi, ono, wahoo, and opakapaka.
If you are looking for adventure you can go hiking as the trails there are abundant, range from easy to challenging, and offer magnificent views. You can enjoy the Island’s beauty first handedly. Some of the popular trails which attract a lot of tourists are Kuilau, Moalepe, Kalalau and Powerline.After the hiking you can rejuvenate and relax in the island’s spas. The spas in Kauai offer numerous treatments based on traditional Hawaiian healing practices. Other outdoor treatments like lomi massage, reiki, etc. are also available. You can also opt for healing meals prepared by special chefs along with the treatment. Pamper yourself with tissue massages, wraps, scrubs, facials, and hydrotherapy in a lush, tropical setting.
You can shop for souvenirs an presents to carry back home like aloha shirts, oriental rugs, pearl bracelets, home and personal accessories, and art. There are many small shops to big malls where you can pick many interesting stuffs. Head to the Coconut Marketplace where you can get precious Hawaiian mementos. The Poipu Shopping Village in the south shore has variety of shops and eating joints.
Enjoy the beauty of the island by hiring a helicopter, you can view the whole island from the air and you will be mesmerized by the sparkling deep blue sea beneath you. You can also tour by land or sea because whatever means you choose you will be captivated by the alluring beauty of the island.
Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at Jam727.com Jam727.com offers information articles such as the Island of Kauai, Hawaii at jam727.com/Kauai/kauai/index.html jam727.com/Kauai/kauai/index.html
Going on a trip to France, Germany or any of the European nations on a limited budget requires comprehensive planning and research. The first step would be to find cheap air tickets, since airfares make a huge chunk of the total cost of an international trip. Quite a few air travel agencies offer cheap fares for students, or vacation packages for large groups. Another option is to travel during the off-season, when you can get cheaper flights and better value for your money in terms of accommodation. Furthermore, some frequent pleasure travelers swear by the method of waiting for underbooked flights to offer up vastly discounted seats at the very last minute. This method can be tricky, and it takes practice, but if you have the extra time and are on a budget, go for it. As for hotels, some discount hotels even offer slashed prices after November.
A discount trip might mean forgoing the luxurious spread at the pricey restaurant listed in the guidebooks, but you can still enjoy some great regional specials from cafes and smaller restaurants, thus absorbing the local culture. This is a great way to learn to blend in. If you are not carrying loads of cash around, or at least look “”normal”", you will have a higher chance of being mistaken for a native.
Budget travelers, students and vacation planners can find fantastic tips on the Internet to make that really affordable trip to Europe. There are websites that specially cater to students and the backpacking community, which a budget traveler can scour for invaluable tips, such as Studentuniverse.com and guideforeurope.com.
DiscountTravel-Web.com Discount Travel provides detailed information on Discount Travel, Discount Air Travel, Discount Travel Agents, Discount European Travel and more. Discount Travel is affiliated with i-DiscountHotels.com Discount Hotel Rates.
Stretching northwest from New Zealand’s North Island is a narrow isthmus of land reaching into the ocean like the claw of a local crayfish. It is known as “The Northland,” a subtropical garden of delights that visitors to this small country crammed with scenic wonders should not miss.
At the very tip of the peninsula is Cape Reinga, the most spiritually significant part of New Zealand to the Maori. Reinga means “underworld” and it is from here that the spirits of the dead slide down the roots of the pohutukawa tree into the ocean.
They climb out on Ohana Rock, which is visible from the cape on a clear day. The spirits then bid their last farewell from this rock before returning to the ancestral land of Hawaiki.
Cape Reinga’s clifftop lighthouse overlooks the turbulent, crisscrossing tides where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.
The cape is accessible via road and private car, but if you relax and take the bus you will have the thrill of driving to or from the cape along the Te Paki Quicksand Stream, which is part of the semi-lunar Ninety Mile Beach, actually only 90 kilometers long. Private car insurance becomes invalid if you are foolhardy enough to try and negotiate this dangerous stretch of beach yourself. The odd fender sticking out of the sand is testimony to human folly.
The bus trip from Cape Reinga will take you all the way back to Russell on the east coast, the capital of New Zealand in the early 19th-century when it was known as the “hellhole of the Pacific,” notorious for its sleazy grog shops and brothels. Today it’s a sleepy, idyllic little town of 900 souls, famous as the jumping off point for the Bay of Islands, which American novelist Zane Grey dubbed “an angler’s El Dorado.”
For fishermen, yachtsmen and scuba divers a visit to the Bay of Islands is a must. There are nearly 150 islands, scattered in clear, blue waters, with secluded bays, sandy beaches and very few people.
Keen scuba divers will want to visit the Poor Knight Islands, 24 kilometers off the coast at Whangerai (pronounced “Fongeray”), 60 kilometers south east of Russell. The Poor Knights are part of a marine reserve that protects the sub-tropical fish and other unique marine life living in these waters.
A flow of warm water called the South Equatorial Current sweeps down the east coast of Australia and then wanders across to New Zealand as the Tasman Current. The northern part rounds Cape Reinga and flows down the east coast. It bathes the offshore islands but not the coastline itself. So the Poor Knight Islands have a distinctly sub-tropical flavor to their fauna.
These representatives from warmer waters include the exquisite diadema sea urchin, banded coral shrimp, firebrick starfish and many fish including the mosaic moray, assorted gropers, long-finned boarfish, lizard fish, blue drummer, green pufferfish, yellowbanded perch and green and orange wrasses.
Underwater visibility in the Poor Knights is truly incredible, sometimes as much as 200 feet (65 meters) during late summer to early winter.
The islands are volcanic in origin and considerably eroded. The consequent labyrinth of caves, tunnels and arches provide a haven for marine life and a paradise for divers.
The Poor Knight Islands were named by Captain Cook, but without explanation. One theory holds that the Captain was eating a European peasant dish of that name, consisting of egg and bread, when the islands were spotted. Another is that, from a distance, the islands look like a reclining chess knight.
But, “What’s in a name?” asked Shakespeare. For the Poor Knights are very rich indeed in attractions for the visiting diver and a shining gem in New Zealand’s crown known as the “Northland.”
Bruce Burnett, has won four Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold awards for travel journalism. Read more of Bruce Burnett’s writing on his websites:
Make sure you’re healthy before you start traveling. If you’re embarking on a long trip, make sure your teeth are OK. If you wear glasses or contact lenses take a spare pair and your prescription. If you require a particular medication take an adequate supply, as it may not be available locally. Take the prescription or, better still, part of the packaging showing the generic rather than the brand name (which may not be locally available), as it will make getting replacements easier. It’s wise to have a legible prescription or a letter from your doctor with you to prove that you legally use the medication to avoid any problems.
Health Insurance:
A travel-insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is a wise idea. There is a wide variety of policies available and your travel agent will be able to make recommendations. The international student-travel policies handled by Harvey World Travel and other travel organizations are usually good value. Some policies offer lower and higher medical-expense options but the higher ones are chiefly for countries like the USA which have extremely high medical costs. Check the small print. Some policies specifically exclude ‘dangerous activities’, including scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking. If such activities are on your agenda then you don’t want that sort of policy. A locally acquired motorcycle license may not be valid under your policy.
You may prefer a policy which pays doctors or hospitals direct rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later. If you have to claim later make sure you keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call back (reverse charges) to a centre in your home country where an immediate assessment of your problem is made.
Check if the policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home.
Medical Kit:
It is sensible to carry a small, straightforward medical kit. A kit should include:
Aspirin or paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) – for pain or fever.
Antihistamine (such as Benadryl) – useful as a decongestant for colds and allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites or stings and to help prevent motion sickness. There are several antihistamines on the market, all with different pros and cons (eg a tendency to cause drowsiness), so it’s worth discussing your requirements with a pharmacist or doctor. Antihistamines may cause sedation and interact with alcohol so care should be taken when using them.
Antibiotics – useful if you’re traveling well off the beaten track, but they must be prescribed and you should carry the prescription with you.
Loperamide (eg Imodium) or Lomotil for diarrhoea; prochlorperazine (eg Stemetil) or metaclopramide (eg Maxalon) for nausea and vomiting.
Rehydration mixture – for treatment of severe diarrhoea; this is particularly important if traveling with children.
Antiseptic such as povidone – iodine (eg Betadine) for cuts and grazes.
Multivitamins – especially for long trips when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate.
Calamine lotion or aluminum sulphate spray (eg Stingose spray) to ease irritation from bites and stings.
Bandages and Band-aids – for minor injuries.
Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines).
Insect repellent, sunscreen, chap stick and water purification tablets.
Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (Sudafed) may be useful if flying with a cold to avoid ear damage.
A couple of syringes and needles, in case you need injections in a country with medical hygiene problems. Ask your doctor for a note explaining why they have been prescribed.
Immunizations:
For some countries no immunizations are necessary, but the further off the beaten track you go the more necessary it is to take precautions. Be aware that there is often a greater risk of disease with children and in pregnancy. Leave plenty of time to get your vaccinations before you set off: some of them require an initial shot followed by a booster, and some vaccinations should not be given together. It is recommended you seek medical advice at least six weeks prior to travel.
Record all vaccinations on a International Health Certificate, which is available from your physician or government health department.
Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: mailto:southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: 12234455.co.za www.12234455.co.za
There are traveling secrets anywhere you travel. This article will tell you key travel you should know before traveling to Barbados. Don’t miss the travel tips at the end!
Barbados is a beautiful island and an excellent vacation spot. It is one of the best islands in the Caribbean.
Money
The currency is Barbados is the Barbados dollar or the Bajan. It is 1.98 the US dollars. So basically $20 Barbados is about $10 US, give or take a little.
Cost of Goods
Items and services in Barbardos are not cheap. They are about the equivalent of items or services in the US.
A nice dinner for two with wine will run you $100 US. Souvenirs are $20 – $35 for t-shirts, $10-14 for towels, mugs, etc.
Natuarally, as it is almost anywhere you travel, the domestic goods are much cheaper than imported items.
Traveling To and From and While in Barbados
When you arrive in Barbados at the airport and claim your bags you will walk out of the terminal to buses, taxis and shuttle transport. It is best to pre-arrange a shuttle to and from your hotel. The taxi ride from the airport will run $20-60 depending on the distance to your hotel and size of taxi you require. The shuttle will charge for surfboard bags and some other large oversized items. Do not pay more than $5.
If you rent a car it will be about $50-60 per day. Don’t let anyone charge you more than that. If you are from the US and you are planning to rent a car while in Barbados keep in mind you will have to drive the car. This may sound simple but the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car and the cars drive on the wrong side of the rode. This takes a little getting used to but also serves as quite an adventure!
Dress
Barbados is a British colonized island and therefore embraces the British conservatism in dress. The dress during the day is casual, tropical travel beach attire. At night and for dinner the men wear pants and collared shirts and the ladies where dresses and skirts. Due to the weather it is best if they are lightweight materials.
The Barbadians, or Bajans as they are more commonly referred to on the island, dress business casual most of the time. In the city business dress is the norm for locals and there are many men in ties and even jackets.
When dressing to go shopping beach attire is not appropriate. Bathing suits and swim wear are reserved for beaches and beach bars.
Dining
There are some great restaurants in Barbados. The Cliff restaurant is one of the nicest restaurants on the island. The view, as you can imagine for the name, is gorgeous. The restaurant is located in the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
In St. Lawrence Gap, Bellini’s is great. It is right inside a cove with small boats and is amazing at sunset. The salmon is my favorite.
Most hotels will have a book of restaurants on the island in their lobby area or with the concierge desk. It will have a picture of the restaurant and the menu with prices. This is a great way to pick some places you would like to eat at during your stay.
Hotels
There is a wide range of hotels to choose from. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Budget
If you are looking for a bargain, try the Sandy Bay Beach Club. The hotel itself is nice enough, 3 star. But the staff is very friendly and helpful and the beach out front of the hotel is possibly the best on the island. It is all-inclusive so all meals, alcohol, gratuities and non-motorized sports activities are included. This makes it an excellent deal.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style and there is a snack bar for in-between times. Dinner is your choice of buffet style dinner or 5-course dinner in the dining room, reservations are required. They will tell you they are booked for the dining room when you ask but you can always get in. Just ask when you can come in and see if there has been a cancellation or if you can try coming at last seating which is at 8:30pm.
You can scuba, kayak and paddle boat and it is all included. Massage for an hour in the spa is only $65. For $5 you can have a giant umbrella staked in the sand by your lounge chairs. The activities center offer a $50 Turtle and Shipwreck snorkel trip. It is a great boat ride and a really reasonable cost.
If you try booking this hotel use cheapcaribean.com www.cheapcaribean.com and you may get an even better deal.
Moderate
The Hilton is a gorgeous hotel located on a peninsula, so the view out of every window is crystal blue water.
This hotel has all the amenities, valet, room service, scuba excursions, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, children’s programs, everything you might need.
The rooms range from $450 – $1500 per night.
It is a beautiful hotel and if you have some money to spend on a nice vacation this is the resort to choose. You actually don’t even need to leave the hotel much. You have the views, pool, and beaches while having all the amenities of the hotel only steps away.
Expensive
Sandy Lane Hotel is the place to stay if cost is not a concern. It is the site of Tiger Woods wedding and is breathtaking.
This hotel is stunning. It is by far the most luxurious hotel on the island. You name it and it’s done. Spa, golf, horse back riding, 5 star dining, concierge service, luxury sedan from the airport. They will have it or find it for you.
The children have a summer camp style center called the Tree House Club. It is a kids dream with arts and crafts, movies, pool time. It also always parents some alone time on the vacation. They also have a Den for teenagers to enjoy away from the parents and little ones.
Room rates range from $850 – 10,000 per night.
Attractions
Snorkeling with the Turtles & Shipwreck
Catamaran and boat snorkel trips are offered all over the island. The Snorkel Turtle trip was nice but you may or may not see turtles in the water. Keep your eye out because you may see some from the boat.
The shipwreck snorkeling is beautiful. There are a ton of color fish and clear water. There is an old shipwreck and then a newer man made shipwreck where they sunk a party boat, not as authentic, but draws some exotic sea life.
Wild Life Reserve
If there is one thing you get out and do in Barbados go to the Wild Life Reserve. It is on the North end of the island and you can take the 4×4 Adventure Tour, taxi or rental car. It is $13 US admission cost and it is worth 3 times the price.
When you walk in there are large turtles everywhere. The reserve has no cages in the main area. Only the snakes, gigantic python and iguana’s are caged in a separate area. The monkeys, rabbits, and other wild life run free. The reserve is heavily shaded with rain forest looking trees and vines that hang and provide swinging tools for the monkey. You walk through the reserve on brick paths. There is even a crocodile in a pond, with high rock walls so it can’t escape.
It is a unique experience and something not to be missed.
Atlantis Submarine Excursion
If you choose to do the submarine excursion book this on magicaljourneys.com www.magicaljourneys.com. They offer discounts including some two for one booking deals. That means $90 for two people instead of $180.
Other attractions on the island include a rum tasting tour, exploring caves, golfing and horseback riding.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS:
- Check the weather before travel so you know how to pack
- You can search and claim your unclaimed money to have extra spending money for you trip!
- Use travelers cheques. If they are lost or stolen they can usually be replaced within 24 hours, from virtually anywhere in the world by most banks, service establishments and by a large number of merchants
- Do not leave valuable in your hotel room or if you do opt for activating and using the safe in the closet.
- Do not call home from the hotel room. There are shops you can go in and dial from their computer, use a handset to talk and call home for $0.50 per minute. The hotel will charge you $5.00-35.00 to connect you and then $2.90-7.90 per minute! If you use your cell phone it may cost you $2-$5 per minute.
- Travel with great people and HAVE FUN!
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With the 2012 Olympic Games rapidly approaching, the time to prepare your accommodation is now. With London already being the chosen place to host the event, those that are planning on attending are already starting to make provisions, meaning those that do not start soon will not get the first choice of places to stay. When attending the games there are a variety of options in terms of accommodation – from hotels, to camping, to rented accommodation to Guest Houses.
Guest houses are becoming a very popular choice among holiday makers, and especially those that are attending events because of the advantages that they offer. The flexibility that they offer, coupled with the luxury and ease of making a booking make them perfect for anyone to take advantage of during their stay in London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Advantages
When you stay in a guest house the atmosphere will be much different from a hotel, and as such you will not have to alter your plans to cater for the other guest’s needs. If you want to wake up later for breakfast, or enter your guest house later on than the curfew, then they will be happy to accommodate. You may also be able to influence the menu to get the kind of food that you would like the best, rather than your choice from the options available on the menu.
Guest houses are much more private than a hotel and are much more homely too. You will not have to meet hundreds of guests like you would in a hotel; rather, they cater for a smaller amount of guests and deliver a much more personnel service.
When you visit a guest house you can get to know the people who own the guest house, and they will be able to give you great information on the area where you are staying, travel routes and nice places to eat out. This will be especially useful for the London Olympic Games – it can be hard to find your feet in a new city!
Guest houses can work out much cheaper than a hotel because the people who own the guest house live there anyway, meaning there are less costs. Also, because guest houses are a less conventional means of accommodation, there will be less competition as a result of the games being on.
Disadvantages
Guest houses are generally not in the center of the city, and as such it will take you longer to get to the events which will be held in the city center. Because guest houses are generally on the outskirts you will also find that public transport will be less reliable as well.
Guest houses may be uncomfortable to stay in if you do not get on with the owners. The reason for this is that because there are less people staying there, you will have to experience more one on one conversation with them than you would ever have to in a larger hotel where you could easily go un-noticed.
The success of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona was the catalyst for prompting a new generation of interest in Spain as The next big European destination.
Its not hard to see why: with its close proximity to the UK and other popular countries in Western Europe like France and Italy, with a good mix of new and improving infrastructure, a fair share of well preserved ancient relics from bygone eras, not to mention a reputation for more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Spain has something to offer every kind of tourist.
Since the games, and especially during the past five years, the country has continued to enjoy a rapid growth in tourist numbers, strengthening its public profile as a leading European destination for travellers from all over the world.
According to the report The Balance of Tourism in Spain, published by The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, Spain was host to almost 350 million visitors in 2006, an increase of 5% from the last year’s statistics, and comfortably placing the country as the second top destination for international travellers within Europe, second only to France.
Of course, an increase in tourist numbers spells an increase in tourist dollars spent, offering Spanish businesses in the tourism industry a fantastic growth opportunity that looks set to continue in years to come.
As well as a general growth in tourist numbers, the industry has also noticed a shift in accommodation preferences. It seems that today’s tourists are becoming more interested in renting a private apartment, away from other tourists and in a well connected residential area, as opposed to renting a room in a hotel or hostel.
Visitors are now, more than ever seeing apartment rental as a more affordable and flexible alternative to hotel accommodation, listing advantages such as added privacy, independence, freedom to prepare their own meals, and come and go at whatever hour of the day or night they please.
Affordability is also a huge factor. An apartment in Barcelona shared amongst a family or group of four people, for example, can cut the nightly cost of accomodation in half, compared to local hotel prices. This has brought excellent stability to the apartment rental business, and in turn, the opportunity for aggressive expansion.
Gaizka Pujana, owner of a successful holiday apartment rental business in Spain started out small in Barcelona with just one apartment in 2003. Since then, he has acquired a portfolio of fifteen apartments in Barcelona and has recently expanded into Madrid, Seville and the Costa Del Sol. Pujana attributes his success to steady and growing business.
He says Spain is a beautiful country. The people are friendly, the culture is rich and the sun is shining. Its not hard to see why this country is heading towards the number one tourist destination in Europe.
Along with small business success, further opportunities and challenges arise for local and regional authorities, who bear the responsibility of expanding and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to receive so many visitors.
But the numbers say it all, and visitors keep coming back year after year, to enjoy a taste of the Spanish sun and lifestyle.
Gaizka Pujana is the co-owner of Barcelona Homes, S.L. which is a company
specialized in providing short term tenancy solutions in Seville and Barcelona through its
web pages barcelonahomes.net apartment rental Barcelona
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I lived in Stirling for 7 years and I think it is a lovely small city to visit. I would regularly go for walk up around the castle to enjoy the panoramic views. it certainly merits a visit for a day, to see the castle and the Wallace Monument. It is also ideal as a base for a touring holiday as you can reach Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth in under a hour, either by car or rail. Other day trips include the Trossachs, St Andrews and Loch Lomond.
Stirling has been described as the huge brooch, clasping
the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland together. This is a
fairly accurate description as it is situated near the
geographical centre of Scotland.
Stirling offers the visitor the opportunity to experience a
unique blend of well-preserved history and culture within an
area of outstanding natural beauty. Stirling started life as a
town in the 1120s when it was granted a royal charter, and
since then it has been at the heart of Scottish history.
William Wallace, as portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film
Braveheart, won the battle of Stirling Bridge against the
English in 1297. That bridge was a timber structure, which
collapsed under the weight of the crossing English forces.
However the current stone bridge, a few hundred yards up
stream, dates from the 15th century. Although it is one of
the best examples of a bridge from that era, it is in everyday
use as a pedestrian river crossing. The Wallace
Monument, erected in honour of William Wallace, was not
built until Victorian times. Climb the 246 curvaceous stone
steps to admire the wonderful view from the top. You can
muse at the 700-year-old two-handed broadsword used by
Wallace, all of 66 inches in length. Envisage wielding it and
bringing its full might down on your enemy.
The Battle of Bannockburn, the famous victory of Scots over
English in 1314, took place in nearby Bannockburn. The
English king, Edward the 2nd, had amassed an army of
40,000 to crush the troublesome Scots. Incredibly Sir
Robert The Bruce, the Scottish leader, triumphed with a
force of 13,000 due to careful planning and tactics, and
exploitation of the boggy ground. The battlefield is now
under the care of the National Trust. You can wander round
the battleground and imaging the battle cries and swirling
swords.
Many of the Scots would form a schiltron, a defensive
circular formation with spears slanted outwards at an
oblique angle. As the English cavalry advanced, the
Scottish pikes killed many of the horses and knights.
Stirling Castle, perched on volcanic rock rising 250m from
the surrounding valley, is the region’s most visible
landmark. The castle guards the lowest crossing point of
the River Forth as it meanders through the valley. In its long
and bloody history Stirling Castle has been attacked or
besieged 16 times. The majority of the castle buildings
date from 1496 to 1583. Several Scottish kinds and queens
have been baptised, crowned or died within or near the
castle. One of the best known, Mary Queen of Scots, was
crowned there in 1543, when still an infant. The ghost of
“The Green Lady”, a royal attendant who saved Mary’s life
when the draperies on her bed had caught fire, is said to
haunt the castle. Her appearance is thought to herald a
disaster.
The castle sits at the Top of the Town. Just down the hill
stands the Church of the Holy Rude, and in its graveyard
stand gravestones dating from 1579. The Star Pyramid
commemorates all those who were martyred seeking
religious freedom. A local eccentric is said to be interned
inside the pyramid, seated at a feasting table.
Also part of the old town is Broad Street, the hub of medieval
civic life. Here stands the Mercat Cross, a prominent
feature of the burgh where important and local
announcements are made. The unicorn at the top of the
present cross is part of the original structure. The Old
Tolbooth, a courthouse, council meeting place, armoury and
prison constituting the administrative heart of the old town,
stood in Broad Street. The current Tolbooth replaced it in
1702, designed by the famous Scottish architect Sir William
Booth. The tower with its pavilion roof is a characteristic
architectural feature of Scottish civic building of the period.
The Tolbooth has recently been renovated and is now a
centre for arts and entertainment.
The old town wall is still very much in evidence and is the
best surviving example in Scotland. A circular walk, named
the Back Walk, takes you up round the wall, up to the Castle,
and down to Holy Rude and Broad Street. By foot, you can
go at your own pace and soak up the history.
However, whilst proud of its past, Stirling can also offer the
modern attractions. The Thistle Shopping Centre, an indoor
shopping centre with a full array of stores, stands near to
the Old Arcade, a Victorian arcade built in 1881-82
containing small specialist shops.
Stirling became a city in 2002 as part of the celebrations to
commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
There are plans for a new conference centre, cinema and
shops on the bank of the Forth.
Where to eat
The River House restaurant, tel 01786 465577, sits by a small lake on the outskirts of Stirling. I have eaten here serveral times and really enjoyed the food and the setting of the restaurant. They offer a fixed price lunch and early evening dinner.
Mr Singh’s Indian Brasserie, 16 – 18 Barnton Street, tel 01786 464019 is my favourite Indian restautant. The buffets are fantastic.
You can read the full guide to Stirling with photos and accommodation options at europealacarte.co.uk/Scotland/stirling/index.html europealacarte.co.uk/Scotland/stirling/index.html.
Karen Bryan is a UK based independent travel consultant and writer. In her website, Europe a la Carte. http: europealacarte.co.uk europealacarte.co.uk, she promotes less well known destinations in Europe. Karen believes that if you want to see more of the real Europe, you should venture, even slightly off the well worn tourist track.
Since the first adventurers lay eyes on Table Mountain, this mountain has kept everybody mesmerized who comes near it, looks at it, climbs it or has done the trip by cable way.
Local politicians like Jan Smuts contemplated the future whilst watching the hustle and bustle of city life far below (others continue that tradition up to the present day), lovers still find quiet space up there that augments their sense of something special, tourists stand around breathless in reaction to the immense ocean that weave away over the horizon, and locals laze away stolen private time. There are various telescopes on the mountain to view Cape Town, Table Bay, False Bay and Robben Island.
The mountain is alive at all times. People are doing their own thing but so do the abundant wild life shying away from human beings invading their space. There is a great variety of wild flowers and “fynbos” (about 1470 different species of plants and some of them only to be found on Table Mountain). Visitors in a hurry will miss the quiet beauty that doesn’t shout, that whispers it’s way.
Over 16 million people have already visited Table Mountain and the cable cars in flight up and down are adding to that figure endlessly. More than 600 000 thousand visitors are carried up and down per year since the start in 1929. The summit is about 1080 square metres and quite flat at the top. From side to side it is about 3 kilometres. The more energetic visiters will find about 350 different walking trails, all of them providing breathtaking views – but some should not be explored without an informed guide. A glass of wine at the restaurant on top during a summer sunset will not be easily forgotten. Few visitors come away without the feeling that the soul of this mountain has bestowed something lasting to their consciousness.
On the other side of the mountain, one will find the Table Mountain National Park that stretches from Signal Hill to Cape Point in the south. Views of beautiful valleys, False Bay, soaring cliffs with the huge variety in fauna and flaura will entice the visitor for a long time.
At the end of every visit, most men and women turn away from this spectacular beauty with one last glance towards Robben Island where Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most beloved leaders, spent decades in jail and left the island as a sage.
Wim van der Walt writes for worldcup-accommodation.info/index.php Worldcup-Accommodation.info where you can get to grips with the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and the Soccer World Cup in 2010
The Esowista Peninsula is perched in the edge of the North America Continent. Next stop Japan! At the north end of the Peninsula is the town of Tofino, located in a protected harbour. Just to the North, you will also find protected waters, and directly offshore is the Wild West Coast.
The constant ocean surge in this area keeps the surf breaking on expansive white sandy beaches. In winter, waves can reach up to 50 feet in height! North of Tofino, you’ll find the Ahousaht First Nations Community, Cougar Annie’s Gardens and Hot Springs Cove, and just across the harbour you’ll find Optisat First Nations Village on Meares Island.
Before you enjoy all the exciting tourist activities Tofino has to offer, you must first find a place to stay. Since nearly one million visitors flock to this paradise each summer, it is best to book in advance.
Clayoquot-Orca Lodge
If you are looking for a good value, check out the Clayoquot-Orca Lodge. It’s centrally located on the East Side of Highway 4, just as you approach Tofino, and close to all the major beaches. Clayoquot-Orca is a unique destination resort featuring on-site Eco Experience on 4 acres of old growth rain forest. Well groomed trails lead to Jensen Bay, a waterfront Bird Sanctuary, while other trails will lead you throughout the rainforest. The Lodge has comfortable, spacious ensuite rooms, some with private hot tubs. There is a licensed piano lounge, ‘the Chuckling Oyster’ which is also pet friendly. It’s full of games and activities and has a nice fireplace to curl up beside on summer evenings.
Olivia, the owner/operator of Clayoquot-Orca is a unique character who’s dedicated to ensuring you have a special holiday. She quite regularly helps guests plan their days and book their chosen activities. Many people who’ve stayed here have written to say their stay in Tofino was the highlight of their trip. Olivia is currently adding an additional 30 rooms to the Lodge. We stayed in a spacious suite that had two Queen sized beds and a pullout couch in it. The room could have easily handled six people and there was lots of room to relax at the end of a busy day.
The Lodge also has a dining room that operates throughout the peak tourist season with an attached Solarium where guests can dine with their pets. Now that is pet friendly! Chloe is the host pet. The highway sign proudly boasts that the Clayoquot-Orca Lodge was voted #1 for best-value accommodation in the Tofino area.
Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web
site (since 1995). Ron has traveled the length and breadth
of Vancouver Island BC Canada in search of
adventures; see tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine
