posted by admin on Jan 3
The Most Exciting European Adventure Tours
Adventure tours offer a level of excitement and exploration quite different from an ordinary vacation. This type of vacation typically involves a well planned out tour of not just one city or vacation destination, but several. Also, an adventure tour highlights cultural and historical sites and can involve at least some level of physical exertion; everything from coping with off road exploration to rafting and climbing. There are few continents on Earth which are more fascinating and diverse than Europe. For this reason, among others, there are few locations which are better to experience an adventure tour on than in Europe. Considering the amount of history which took place between European nations, there is much to be discovered. Also, the fact that Europe is comprised of incredible landscapes which are as distinct as the peoples who occupy them, a European adventure tour is truly an unforgettable experience.
An adventure tour on the European continent allows you to walk the very lands where so many of the adventures in ancient stories took place. If you are looking for an experience that will provide you with fond memories for years to come, you might want to consider some of the following tour destinations.
Scotland
Many people have a love affair with Scottish culture and history, so Scotland can be a wonderful destination for an adventure tour. When touring Scotland you can walk the highlands and the lowlands like the Scots of old, either camping in the wild or staying at a different Scottish inn each night. For those wishing to get in touch with Scottish culture, a Scottish adventure tour can be a dream come true.
France
If you don’t want to visit Scotland, France might be a better option. You might consider hiking the Haute Route, a mountaineering route that was designed to link Chamonix and Zermatt (which are two of the most well-known and beloved mountaineering areas in all of Europe.) You might also wish to go canoeing on the rivers of southwestern France, moving along rivers bathed in history as you can see castles and other historical sites from your seat in the canoe. There are tours that will take you through the Christmas markets of France, as well as the breathtaking cities of Paris, Lyon and Nice.
Italy and the Netherlands
If canoeing and hiking is not exactly what you’re looking for, consider taking a bike tour of Italy or the Netherlands. Both of these countries have centuries of history and culture for you to take in while enjoying the freedom of biking under your own power. Adventure tours are designed to take you through beautiful and culturally-important regions of the country, and are generally arranged so that you will have luxurious lodging each night to help you relax from the rigors of riding all day. Bike tours allow you to cover more ground each day than hiking tours do, so you will generally get to see more of the country as you continue your tour.
England and Ireland
If you are planning on visiting England, you might consider taking one of the hiking tours along Hadrian’s Wall. This wall stretches across the Pennines and is considered one of the feats of Roman engineering. By taking a tour along the wall you will be able to marvel at the length of it as you consider that it was built by hand: all while enjoying the beauty of the hillsides of northern England. Similar tours can also be taken in Ireland, where you can see the old rock walls that in many places are still maintained by the descendants of those who built them.
Greece
Should you want an adventure tour that doesn’t involve quite as much hiking, head to Greece or other locations in the Mediterranean where cruises are offered to let you experience the historic coastlines that helped to shape so much of Europe’s civilization. Unlike cruise lines which have you cruising on massive luxury ships, many of the Greek and Mediterranean cruises use smaller ships built in a more classic style so that you will know the feel of those ancient ships while learning about the culture that surrounded them. Adventure tours taken in this area can include visits some of the most beautiful islands and ancient locations in the world, such as Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini.
European Adventure Tours by Train
Other popular European tour options involve tours by train. Most of Europe is connected by a railway system, and with a EuroPass you can take a train easily from one country to the next so as to enjoy the cultural and historical significance of each. You can visit the vineyards of France, the castles of Germany, and the markets of Italy with nothing but a train ride in between. Tours which are centered around train transport generally include your EuroPass in the price of the tour package.
Regardless of the type of adventure tour that you want to take, make sure that you spend a little time exploring the offerings of different tour coordinators so that you can find exactly the tour package that’s right for you. In addition to getting ideas for additional things that you would like to do while in Europe, you may be able to save money on the adventure tour that you take as well.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often focusing on specific tour vacations such as European tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/.
Planning A Family Vacation On A Budget
Family vacations can be a costly endeavor, but they do not have to be. An experienced bargain shopper knows how to research deals and investigate other angles which can be used to reduce the cost of a family vacation. Taking your family on a vacation while not losing an ounce of fun is very possible, especially if you have some help. There are several tactics that you can employ which can help you take a little off some costs here and there. Read on to find out how this can be done. For starters, the more prepared you are the better chance you and your family have to take a great vacation on a fixed budget.
The More You Know, the More You Save
Planning ahead is the best way to put your family in a position to save money on a vacation. Before you leave for a vacation, you plan for someone to water the plants and pick up your newspaper. Most likely, you also plan ahead and pack enough clothes for every day and night you will be gone as well as clothing options for several different kinds of weather. Many families plan their itinerary or at least have some idea of what they want to do when they arrive at their destination. Considering all of the planning that goes into a vacation, you should plan a budget as well.
Shopping around is a well known tactic used by smart shoppers. In order to find the best deals, doing as much research as possible can put your family in a great position to save money on your next vacation. Before you make a final decision on flights, lodging and even rental cars, find out who has the best deals on trips and vacation packages. In the internet age, shopping around is fast and easy. Websites compete for your business and a family looking to book a budget vacation can use this to their advantage.
Using the internet to find deals is not the only benefit. Make sure you look into what discounts may be offered. Being flexible about when you leave for vacation or how many stops your plane will make can reap rewards as well. Leaving on days that are less busy can grant you fantastic price reductions as well.
How Close Is Too Close?
Choosing lodgings that are slightly outside the city or major tourist destinations can save you money while keeping you close to the action. It will also give you the benefit of being close to main attractions during the day and away from the tumult of a downtown area at night. This is an easy way to save money without sacrificing any fun to be had in your vacation destination.
Ideally, you want to plan your trip with plenty of time to spare. Although last minute deals are a possibility, planning ahead will give you enough time to conduct research online to find the best deals available. If you wait until it is close to the time you want to go on vacation, your options will be limited, and some deals may no longer be available.
The Complete Package?
Another thing to remember is to target specialty travel agencies or sites when you are shopping for the best deal. Prices on flights and hotels change often, so the more time that you can commit to finding the best deal the more likely you will be able to find it. When a travel service specializes in a certain type of vacation or just in good deals, this can often lead you to savings. Still, it is a good idea to shop around in order to make sure you are not missing an even better deal for another company.
Depending on the specifics of your trip, you may save some money booking your flight separately rather than purchasing a vacation package. The opposite may be a better deal as well. Again, the more time you give yourself the better position you will be in to find the lowest price. For instance, a vacation package may include most or all of the activities and accommodations that you seek at a lower price because of their grouped presentation. Both booking separate flights and full vacation tours have their merits, so you will want to see which will prove to be the most cost effective option for you.
Planning a family vacation on a budget is all about conducting research and giving you enough time to locate the best deals. There are many deals available and taking the time necessary as well as putting forth the effort to find them, is the best way to ensure success. Use the internet to shop around and find the family vacation that is perfect for your family and your budget. A budget vacation can be just as good as one which costs much more. Many travelers feel that getting the same vacation for less money makes the vacation an even more enjoyable experience.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
Popular Adventure Tours In North America
The growing popularity of adventure tours has changed the way many people spend their vacations. Once thought of as primarily a chance to kick back and relax, modern vacationers have a multitude of options available to them besides simply sitting on a beach. Adventure tours offer vacationers a chance to explore and challenge themselves in ways not possible in their everyday lives. Mountain climbing, hiking and white water rafting are just some of the exciting and memorable experiences vacationers can have on an adventure tour. Often experienced in remote parts of the world such as Africa or Southeast Asia, adventure tours are available in North America as well. Take a look at some of the most popular adventure tours available.
Pioneer Adventures of the Old West
Covering several beautiful landscapes in the Southwest area of the United States, this adventure tour will take you everywhere from the Grand Canyon to Montezuma Castle. As opposed to a vacation which simply takes you to the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park, this adventure tour includes both of these breathtaking locations as well as several other incredible landmarks.
Besides coordinating meals and transportation, an adventure tour includes a qualified tour director to keep everyone together and informed of important stops and historical landmarks. For instance, during the “Pioneer Adventures of the Old West” adventure tour, the tour director will discuss the historical importance of Williams, which was once a rough frontier town. Vacationers who choose this adventure tour will also have the unique experience of seeing Sedona, Arizona, by 4WD Jeep. The Jeep tour goes through incredible Dry Creek Basin, offering the adventure tourist a different perspective of the landscape which was once home to the Old West.
Grand Tour of Canada
Most vacations take you to just one fantastic destination: a warm and beautiful beach, a majestic mountain range or a bustling city. An adventure tour combines all of these destinations into one memorable experience. The “Grand Tour of Canada” adventure tour includes all of these aspects. Visit the beautiful Canadian cities of Vancouver and Victoria, take a ride on the Athabasca Glacier on a custom designed ice explorer and take in the picturesque sights of Lake Louise and Banff.
It is important to note that just because an adventure tour is mapped out and planned ahead of time, there are still days which can be customized to the vacationers specifications. Often referred to as “your choice activities”, these days are set aside so that vacationers can experience certain locations at their own pace.
An example of “your choice activities” occurs during the Jasper stop on the “Grand Tour of Canada” adventure tour. Vacationers have the choice of taking a cruise across Maligne Lake, experiencing a horseback ride through the mountains or venturing down the Athabasca River on a comfortable float trip.
Best of California
An adventure tour allows you to experience more than just one location. The “Best of California” tour brings you the best of both San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as everything in between. An ordinary vacation to either of these cities would of course be a great and memorable experience, but on an adventure tour nothing is left to chance. The thought and organization that is put into the planning of these tours ensures this, as does the tour director who accompanies you on your trip.
The “Best of California” tour begins in San Francisco, ushering you across town on the famous cable car and through beautiful Pacific Heights and historic Golden Gate Park. As you soak up the culture and sights of this “world” city, the tour continues taking you into the California country and wilderness via Yellowstone National Park, Carmel and picturesque Pebble Beach golf course.
Next stop is Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, California. Bringing you the best sights and sounds of the great state of California, this adventure tour takes you right down Sunset Boulevard to the famous “Hollywood” sign and Hollywood walk of Fame. This particular adventure tour offers two types of tours in one package. In both San Francisco and Los Angeles, vacationers are treated to an in-depth sightseeing tour and an orientation tour of Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
A North American adventure tour includes beautiful cities and landscapes, history and culture. An ordinary vacation to even one of the locations would not provide the incredible possibilities available to travelers on an adventure tour. Also, the degree of physical exertion and the amount of activities taken is entirely up to the vacationer. Some individuals want the most intense vacation they can find while others want the sights and sounds without an intense physical requirement.
An adventure tour is a traditional vacation and so much more. Some adventure tours are crafted for the nature lover, highlighting numerous national parks and the best nature settings that North America has to offer. If you can dream it up, then there is probably an adventure tour available which can help you make your dream a reality.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific tour operators such as Globus Tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/globus/.
Tips for First Time Cruisers
Cruise holidays are becoming more and more popular these days. Actually, with the hectic lifestyles that many people are leading these days, cruise trips are a great option for them to take a break from the pressures of their work life. These trips are tailored to offer great relaxation and entertainment to ensure that cruisers will feel totally refreshed at the end of their vacation.
Caribbean Cruises : Selecting a Caribbean Cruise that Suits You
Often considered the vacation of choice for a certain age group, the demand for Caribbean cruises is increasing; this has got to be the easiest way to see a variety of Caribbean islands in a short space of time. It should be on everyone’s list of vacations with tropical Caribbean islands, clear, clean beaches and of course a fun filled time on board the cruise liner. Some people only take a short break and visit perhaps only a couple of islands as part of a larger vacation but most people are doing a tour of as many islands as they can with some lasting over two weeks.
Booking Christmas Cruise Tips
Traveling on a cruise vacation seems to be more and more popular tradition among American and Canadian, and it maybe more than 80% of the cruise ship passengers are American and Canadian. They travel almost in every season and every cruise destinations, especially in summer time and Christmas holidays. Almost all cruise ship lines fully booked two or three months before they set sailed.
Famous Ocean Explorers
Today the thought of yachts conjures up images of sunbathing, Caribbean holidays and luxury. But not so long ago, these vessels were the simple structures that intrepid explorers called home for many years at a time and transported people to places that they could never have dreamed existed. Yachts like the Santa Maria helped sailors find the North American continent while the Victoria was the first vessel to sail around the globe. Hundreds of years ago people were not only driven by the desire to explore the earth, but also to claim the best access to the riches of spices in the East. Many journeys ensued, with some resulting in the most spectacular and accidental discoveries. Even though every corner of the earth has now been “discovered”, man’s desire to explore the oceans has never ceased. To this day brave men and women face the swells to cement themselves in history by conquering the world’s oceans. The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent. Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries. Christopher Columbus By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important. Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet — completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side. With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles. Modern Ocean Explorers Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books. The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping — in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.
Find out more about some of the spectacular yachts sailing our oceans today, many of which are available to buy or charter. http://www.ypi.co.uk/
Make The Most Of Layover Time Between Flights
For the frequent flyer and the occasional traveler alike, layover time is both an unfortunate occurrence and a fact of life. These hours can be empty and mindless or they can be used productively, or, at the very least, in a way that makes time go faster. So, how do you spend the hours while waiting for your flight? With a little creativity, this once wasted time can become time well spent.
A Time to Relax
Perhaps you are looking for a calm, relaxed way to spend your layover time. If this is the case then you have many choices. Besides sitting around watching the planes take off, you can listen to some music. Portable mp3 players and other forms of listening devices have made carrying around an entire library of music very manageable. Listening to your favorite songs is a nice relaxing way to spend your time in peace.
People watching is a great way to spend time during a layover as well. As a meeting place for individuals from various countries and regions of the world, an airport is an ideal location for people watching. This is a favorite hobby of many travelers. Watching people, wondering where they are going and for what reason can pass the time in a fun way.
You could spend your time enjoying a book or magazine. This is the perfect chance to catch up on some of your pleasure reading. Books that have either been given to you as a present or you yourself have purchased provide a great way to spend layover time between flights. If you did not pack any reading materials, you can take a stroll through the terminal and visit some of the airport’s stores. Peruse the reading materials at newsstands until you find something of interest. Layover time can be well spent by doing some window shopping. Most major airports have many great stores offering a wide range of products.
A More Technological Approach
If you are travelling, it is important to have your cell phone fully charged. If your cell phone is not charged, take the time available during a layover to charge your phone and any other electronics you are carrying with you. Time spent during a layover is an ideal time to catch up on all the conversations you have been putting off, or did not have the time to make. Take advantage of the time available during a layover by catching up with friends and family that you have not spoken with in a while.
For a more solitary, although just as entertaining approach, you could bring along a portable DVD player and enjoy your favorite movies. A portable DVD player usually costs between $100-$200 but in a situation such as a layover, it is money well spent. The television sets in the airport tend to be tuned to news shows. If that does not interest you, or cannot sustain your interest, a portable DVD player is a great solution. Plug in some headphones and escape into a great movie. Don’t be surprised if you see some other people watching along with you, envious of the entertainment options you have brought along.
If There Is Work to Be Done
For those individuals who have a laptop computer, a layover is the great time to catch up on any work-related reading or projects which can be accessed via a laptop. Nowadays, many airports offer wireless internet access, and also several outlets which can be used to either to charge or power-up a laptop computer. Any work which can be completed in the airport during a layover is work you will not have to do later. You can surf the web for business or go to any other sites you choose. You can surely find something to keep yourself occupied with for the duration of your layover.
You have time on your hands; why not make the most of it?
Layovers can be viewed as a waste of time or as an opportunity. The list of activities you could engage in during a layover is practically endless. Capitalizing on the time available is an opportunity to take care of tasks otherwise put off. Tasks for business or for your personal life can be achieved during a layover. Get ahead at work by taking the time available during a layover to complete important assignments. Buy presents for the holidays or for a birthday coming up. Of course, if you are tired or do not feel like doing any work, the time available during a layover is perfect for simply relaxing. Listening to your favorite songs or watching some great movies will no doubt speed up the time between flights. Use your imagination and take advantage of the time available in the way which pleases you most.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
An adventure tour is not your typical vacation. As indicated by the name, an adventure tour includes an element of excitement and exploration. For most travellers, the adventure lies in the destinations, the activities, and the tour group that you go with. A properly planned adventure tour can be a once in a lifetime experience. Taking adventure tours is part of a growing trend for those who want to get more out of their vacations than simply sitting on the beach. Many individuals in today’s world engage in regular exercise and other “extreme sports”, and are also interested in the culture and landscape of a foreign country. For these vacationers, a basic trip to a tropical island will just not do. If you mountain bike, mountain climb, or white water raft in your free time, why not incorporate that activity into your vacation? All of these exciting elements are combined in an adventure tour.
Choose Your Own Adventure
The extreme differences and varieties of landscape and climate of the four corners of the Earth come to life on an adventure vacation. At the heart of the adventure tour is the location or locations visited on the trip. Different people see different activities as adventures, so there are many options on an adventure tour depending on the traveler’s interests. Other vacationers can handle only a certain amount of activity, so that has to be taken into account as well.
In most cases, an adventure tour includes physical exertion of some kind. This type of adventure tour can include hiking, bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, and any other physical activity that you can think of, even ice climbing. Of course, all of these activities are enriched by the locale. White water rafting in the same old rivers in your home state can become ordinary. What better way to revitalize your interest in this extreme sport by travelling to New Zealand and trying you skills down a brand-new set of waterways.
Other adventurous souls who may desire a bit less physical exertion can still travel to exotic locations and experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and everything else that their chosen destination or destinations has to offer. They can still enjoy the complete experience of taking in all that a city or country has to offer. This type of adventure tour usually involves cultural traditions, such as taking part in an ancient ceremony in Mexico.
See and Do More
A good part of the adventure tour is spent travelling so that more ground can be covered. So many sights and highlights can be caught and experienced along the way that a simple trip can seem to encompass what may have taken multiple vacations to cover.
The advanced planning that an adventure tour includes allows for much more to be fit into each day than would be covered by a more relaxed and pampered. As you keep moving from stop to stop, you can see more of the state or country that you are visiting.
On an adventure tour, you may even be able to move from country to country, such as in Southeast Asia or Africa, to sample all of the radically different cultures that share borders. Any nomadic, adventurous spirit would feel right at home traversing a multitude of nations on one adventure tour. Upon their return, travelers often report feeling that they feel as if they have experienced several vacations instead of just one. A traditional vacation may scratch the surface of a destination, but an adventure our thrusts you into the heart and soul of a foreign land.
Strangers and Friends
An unforeseen benefit of an adventure tour is that you experience these exotic locals with a group of other people. They can come from different areas, from different backgrounds, and, consequently, from radically different lives. You are all brought together to experience something special on an adventure tour.
As you share experience after experience you bond within your own little group. You get the chance to share new experiences with people from different backgrounds, seeing how they react to the world you are discovering together. It has been said that you cannot understand this aspect of an adventure tour experience until you have lived through it. A great group of people travelling the world together can take an already amazing experience to new heights.
Adventure tours are an experience unlike any other. They take the time that you would spend on a traditional vacation and offer you an unparalleled chance for excitement and adventure. The great diversity and variety of an adventure tour ensures that there really is something for everyone. On an adventure tour, no two experiences are exactly alike. The chance to take such a tour is a once in a lifetime opportunity but requires you to answer yes to a very simple question. Would you like to have an adventure?
Mike Cole is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often focusing on specific tour vacations such as adventure tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/.
