The ‘Staycation’ Makes Way For Last Minute Summer Holidays Abroad says HolidayHoliday.co.uk
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a comment) Contrary to the much publicised ‘staycation’ plans this year, the resulting washout summer so far and current economic climate seems to have bucked the trend - resulting in families in particular searching instead for last minute holidays abroad.
In fact a recent Tesco poll suggests that up to 39% of parents still havent yet booked their summer holiday with 47% saying that the main reason for this was to get a good deal. This desire to book a good holiday deal plus the Met Office acknowledgement that July was “disappointing” with regards to weather, has led to a surge in last minute holidays being searched and booked through popular holiday websites such as Holidayholiday.co.uk.
In fact the rush has been so apparent, it has added pressure onto the car hire companies in the holiday destinations due to the high demand. This high demand has also reportedly led to some of the mainstream tour operators increasing holiday prices for last minute holidays. This has been cited as being due to them having fewer holidays to sell, due to factors such as the collapse of XL and other travel related firms in recent years.
Holiday Holiday Director Emma Healey commented “We have seen an increase in many customers searching and booking their last minute holidays especially in the last couple of weeks, as holidaymakers give up on the idea of a hot summer in the UK and look to sunnier shores, booking holidays packages to Egypt and Turkey . There may be less availability now in the summer holidays market compared to two years ago, but the ABTA bonded agents that advertise on Holiday Holiday are very well placed to provide for the last minute holiday rush as they can also create their own tailor made holiday packages, protected by their ATOL licence, in addition to selecting the more mainstream package holiday deals.”
Indeed, a quick search through the holiday holiday website displays an abundance of august 2009 holidays, all advertising freephone 0800 numbers for the budget conscious traveller, with the added peace of mind that all of the travel agents advertising are protected by ABTA/ATOL.
With the latest forecast from the Met Office that rainfall will be near or above average in August, last minute holidays abroad are still set to be in huge demand through the coming months.
Lots to Explore on a Trip to San Jose
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment
Museums, parks, gardens, opera, trails, shopping malls, all this and much more describe San Jose. Located 50 miles south of San Francisco, San Jose attracts millions of tourists worldwide and never leaves anyone disappointed. You can visit museums, gardens, parks, shop in the malls or in the flea market and lots of other things. Here is what all you can do in San Jose: Museums San Jose is home to a number of unique and interesting museums such as Museum of Quilts & Textiles. As the name suggests, this museum is solely dedicated to quilts and textiles. Other such interesting museum is Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies. This museum is a delight for any Beethoven fan. This is the only institution where you can explore the largest compilation of Beethoven’s works outside Europe. There are numerous other museums which you can explore on a San Jose tour. Some of the museums are dedicated to science and technology; some are cantered around Portuguese or Egyptian history while some are educational. Going to any of the museum in San Jose is an entertaining as well as a learning experience. However make sure that you travel in a comfortable vehicle. If you truly want to have a rich and fulfilling experience of watching these museums, then the best way to do so is to hire a limo from a San Jose limo provider and travel in the comfort of the lavish vehicle. Hiring a limo is also a practical solution because all the museums are scattered all over the vast San Jose. Moreover finding a suitable parking in San Jose is quite a task. By having a limo at your disposal, you won’t have to worry about these issues as a limo driver is always there to handle traffic and parking hassles. Gardens & Parks How about spending an evening with beautiful roses all around? Check out the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden which is dedicated exclusively to roses. Spread over 5.5 acres, this gorgeous garden has more than 180 varieties of lovely roses. In order to have a picnic with your family head to the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden in Kelley Park in San Jose. Once there, have a picnic, enjoy the picturesque views and don’t forget to check out the koi filled ponds. Shopping San Jose is a paradise for any die-hard shopper. There are several high-end shopping malls such as Eastridge Center. Located in eastern San Jose, the mall features a number of shopping outlets, restaurants and even a theatre. For a complete luxury shopping experience, you must head to the Santana Row. At this upscale mall, you can shop for all kinds of luxury products in the world all under one roof. Apart from the luxury brands you can also enjoy dining in any of its luxury restaurants located inside the giant mall or you can also get a massage or a facial done at one of its spas. But if you enjoy the feel of the open, flea markets, then San Jose has them too. Spread on 120 acres, San Jose flea market is the largest open air market in California and it is one of the major attractions for tourists. Are you wondering how you would carry all the shopping bags back to your hotel? Well, in order to have a hassle free shopping experience it is best to hire a limo from San Jose limo rental company only which provide San Jose limo services, Napa limo services, Sonoma Valley limo services etc. Traveling in a limo would ensure that you won’t have to carry your shopping bags everywhere. Moreover San Jose is too vast to be explored by a public transport. A swanky limo is the best choice for traveling to the various attractions in San Jose.
7 Unexpected Dive Spots Around the World
Posted , add a comment7 Unexpected Dive Spots Around the World
When most people envision scuba diving and snorkeling, they tend to imagine tropical locales with sandy beaches, turquoise water and brightly-colored fish. Places like the Caribbean, South America, and the South Pacific come to mind. But these aren’t the only destinations where you can plunge below the surface and discover a whole new underwater world.
There are plenty of other places where you can see local sea life and dive historic shipwrecks far from the most-popular (and crowded) hot spots. Some are hot, some are cold, some are near, some are far, some are popular tourist destinations, and others are completely off the radar. Here are a few options for unique dive experiences that you may have never considered.
Iceland
The American and Eurasian continental plates meet at Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park, where they are forming a rift in the land as they slowly move apart.
At Silfra Lake, the rift runs underwater. The water, which comes from melting glaciers, takes thousands of years to filter down through volcanic ash into the lake and is unbelievably clear.
Though you won’t see fish in the ice-cold water, you will be treated to the vertigo-inducing sight of the deep fissure far below. Snorkelers will view it from above, while divers can actually descend into crack and explore the very depths of the earth.
Sudan
A politically unstable semi-desert country in northern Africa isn’t the first place that people think of for world-class diving, but that’s part of the appeal of diving in Sudan. It’s so far off the beaten path that you’ll encounter few other divers, so you’ll be able to explore its many intriguing dive sights with no crowds.
Encounter reef and hammerhead sharks, manta rays, moray eels, and sea turtles at the Sha’ab Rumi reef, explore Jacques Cousteau’s old stomping grounds at the Precontinent II, or explore the wreck of the Blue Belt cargo ship.
The ship sank in 1977 after being stuck on a reef. It’s upside-down position and the presence of all its sunken cargo now makes it an exciting challenge for experienced divers.
Alaska
Alaska’s Inside Passage offers over 15,000 miles of coastline around 1000 islands for divers to explore.
Waves are gentle in the area, and water temperatures can reach 65 degrees in the summer, allowing for nearly year-round diving.
Divers encounter plentiful crustaceans like sea urchins, sea stars, and kelp crabs and may spot orcas swimming in the distance.
Even seals and sea lions have been known to approach to investigate divers nearby.
Scotland
The ruggedly beautiful Orkney Islands are home to the shallow Scapa Flow harbor. Fifty-one German ships were sunk here at the end of World War I (with no loss of human life) and now the wrecks are popular diving spots.
Most of the wrecks are 110-160 feet down where divers can float in and around them and explore their various nooks and crannies. Drivers are free to enter the sunken ships, but cannot remove artifacts from under the sea.
Visibility varies from 6-60 feet so the ships cannot be seen in their entirety, but for most divers the chance to explore these antique warships up close is an unforgettable experience that makes up for the lack of crystal-clear water.
Egypt
Like Sudan, Egypt is another North African spot that offers surprisingly good diving. From Sharm El Sheikh, divers can descend into the warn waters of the Red Sea and explore sunken ships and underwater caves or dive among some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.
Among the bright, colorful coral and further out in the sea, you might also encounter sea turtles, manta rays, tuna and barracuda.
The Red Sea is also home to several varieties of sharks, including reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks and leopard sharks, making it a great destination for those looking to get up close to these marine predators.
America’s Great Lakes
Scuba diving is most often synonymous with oceans, but there’s also great diving to be found in many lakes around the world. For residents of Midwest states like Michigan and Wisconsin, these spots may be closer than they realize.
Rough waters and storms have taken down hundreds of boats in the waters of the Great Lakes in the last few centuries. The 185-foot steamer Vernon, the 280-foor steamer Lakeland and the 124-foot, three-masted schooner Rouse Simmons are among a few of the wrecks settled at the bottom on Lake Michigan.
Sardinia, Italy
The underground topography of the Italian island of Sardinia is just as diverse as the land above. From a sandy seabed covered in seaweed to reefs surrounded by brightly colored fish, you’ll see a wide variety of underwater life diving in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
There’s ample opportunity for wreck diving too, with over 100 boats lying beneath the surface around the island. One of the most beautiful features of the sea around Sardinia is the abundance of underwater caves and unique coral formations that divers can swim over, under and through.
Whether you are an avid diver or just beginning your certification process, you’ll find exceptional dive spots all over the world. Escape the crowds and check out indigenous sea life and unique underground scenery by getting off the beaten dive path and visiting some less obvious spots for underwater exploration.
Photo credits:
Iceland by r.gielen on Flickr, Sudan by welshcathy on Flickr, Alaska by DiveKarma on Flickr, Scotland by bill larnach on Flickr, Egypt by Tom Weilenmann on Flickr, Midwest by Fellowship of the Rich on Flickr, Sardinia by danielguip on Flickr
Hearst Castle, California
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It is located on a hill facing the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and San
Francisco near San Simeon in California. This palatial estate is a Historical
Monument that is open for public tours. It is a place which you must have seen
only in the movies but is open for the public now. Adorned with rich European
architectural style, Hearst Castle houses priceless art, antiques and a entire
ceiling that was shipped from Egypt. This 90,080-foot ornate estate is one of
the most popular tourist attractions of California.
Hearst Castle was initially a extravagant home of newspaper magnate William
Randolph Hearst which was later donated to the State of California in 1957.
It is a magnificent estate of 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms and
127 acres of gardens, terraces, tennis court, indoor and outdoor pools, a
movie theater and a zoo with exotic animals. Since Hearst Castle sits on a hill
1,600 feet above see level facing the Pacific Ocean, it commands of mesmerizing
views of the Ocean and the hills and valleys of the Santa Lucias.
Hearst
Castle Tours:
Hearst castle offers five different guided tours to its guests, including
daytime and evening tours. Day tours last for 1 hour and 45 minutes whereas
evening tours are for 2 hours and 10 minutes. It is recommended to get the
reservations done in advance. The Experience Tour is recommended for first-time
visitors. All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and
the Roman Pool, an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.
Hearst Castle Visitor Center:
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is located at the foot of the hill, right off
Highway 1 and has sufficient parking space. It has a Gift Shop, Museum Gift Shop
and a National Geographic Hearst Castle Theater along with food services. Also
tours to the Hearst Castle depart from the visitor center.
Location
/ Driving Directions:
Hearst Castle is located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San
Francisco and the driving time from either city is four to six hours, depending
on the traffic.
Hours of Operation:
Its open daily except on Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.
Bergen’s popular tourist attractions, Norway
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Bergen is a beautiful city located close to the
northern sea and has some exceptional wooden
buildings, dramatic scenery, surrounded by mountains
and vibrant nightlife. It is the second largest city of
Norway and one of the rainiest city in Europe since it
rains about 245 days in a year, especially in the
winters. The average temperature all year long is 7°C ( or 45 °F).
May has the least precipitation and is the best time
to go. Daytime temperatures in June, July and August
hover around 14°C ( or 57 °F) are also considered an
acceptable time to visit. Most tourists arrive here by bus (cheapest)
or by air to Bergen Airport Flesland (IATA: BGO).
Bergen is often considered a great symbol of Norway’s cultural heritage and
makes it’s place in the UNESCO?s World Heritage List for it’s historical
re-creations of a medieval settlement. Bergen also has many famous places and
festivals which the tourists can visit and enjoy. It is a great place to
experience how the modern day infrastructure can co-exist with it’s attractive
heritage. Bergen is one of Europe?s most visited cruise ship harbors and
a the gateway to a wonder experience.
FAMOUS PLACES / POPULAR ATTRACTIONS OF BERGEN:
Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet):
A great place to enjoy, especially for the kids. The
Bergen aquarium is famous for penguins, seals,
tropical fish and a large variety of aquatic life.
Bergen Art Museum (Kunstmusem):
A great place to enjoy contemporary art and those from
the renaissance. It also has many of Edvard Munch’s
arts as well.
Bergen Museum:
One of the best places to see in the city is this
museum, it has several Natural History Collections
and Cultural History Collections. You will find things
from Egyptian mummies, Viking jewelry, prehistoric
fossils, snakes, birds, crocodiles, plant house,
botanical garden, Norwegian folk art, church art,
national costumes and several interesting objects from
all over the world.
Fantoft Stavkirke church:
This church was totally destroyed by arson in 1992 and
was rebuilt. Stave churches are built by logs of trees
as pillars.
Fisketorget (The fish market):
This is the Bergen’s outdoor fish market and can
sometimes be crowded. It has been a historical center
for fish trade and is a good indication to see what
the locals like to eat.
Floibanen:
It is a funicular which goes up to one of the famous
hills surrounding Bergen (Mount Floyen) and offers
great views of the whole city.
Gamle (Old Bergen):
This reconstructed town is located very close from the
the city center and has some very attractive wooden
houses.
This is probably the most popular tourist attraction of Bergen.
The castle on Gamlehaugen:
The best way to enjoy this masterpiece is by taking a
guided tour. It was once the home of former prime
minister Christian Michelsen and now it is the royal
family’s residence.
Ulriksbanen / Mount Ulriken:
You can take a cable car to the top of Mount Ulriken
which is the highest mountain adjacent to the city.
Troldhaugen:
This is the house of Norway’s national composer Edvard Grieg, who also wrote the Peer Gynt suite.
There is a museum devoted to him.
West Norway Museum (Vestlandske):
Famous for decorative art and also has a largest
collection of Chinese art too.
Bergenhus fort:
Built in 12th century, it is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of
Norway.
Bergen science center (Vilvite):
A great inspiration for kids to excel in academics, it features interactive
exhibitions of science, technology and mathematics.
Famous Music Concerts:
Bergen Jazzforum, The Philharmonic Orchestra and Bergen Live
Hiking:
If the weather is good, the mountains surrounding Bergen offer great hiking
opportunities. Check with Bergen Hiking Association for more information.
OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
Bergen Maritime Museum, Det Hanseatiske Museum, Damsgard, Domkirken Cathedral,
Hakonshallen, The Leprosy Museum, St. Mary’s Church, Siljustol museum, Theta
museum, Rosenkrantz Tower, Bergen International Film Festival and Natt Jazz
Festival.
A great way for tourists to see the city is to buy a Bergen Card, which
gives you entry in most museums, free bus rides and parking. Great discounts on
several sightseeing attractions.