7 Unexpected Dive Spots Around the World
Posted July 15, 2009 , 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
In Praise of Summer
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Martha eats corn
I had the good fortune of marrying a Midwesterner. My wife, Aimee, is from Indiana. Before we met I didn’t know much about her home state. Purdue, Larry Bird, the Colts - that’s pretty much all I could tell you about the Hoosier State before we were married. (Note to self: what’s a Hoosier? I must ask Aimee.)
Each spring Aimee and I have a version of the same argument: to visit or not to visit Indiana in summer, in order to spend time with her family. We already trek to Indiana each Christmas holiday, and let me tell you, Indiana is not a recommended travel destination in December.
So I’m always hesitant to commit to an additional summertime visit, especially when we could travel instead to Spain, Turkey, France, Italy, Thailand… to anywhere BUT Indiana.
I relented and decided we could go to Indiana for a summer holiday. (Note to self: explain to Aimee that I feel better using words like “relented” and “decided”, even if I didn’t actually have a say in the matter.) So we packed up the family and headed to Sweetwater Lake, about 45 miles south of Indianapolis.
Isaac & Drew go fishing
And after a mere week in Indiana, I gained a new appreciation for the season of summer.
Much to my surprise, summer in Indiana is a blast. I’m talking about swimming in a lake for hours on end. Little kids catching worms for bait and then fishing off a dock for bluegill. Eating sweet Indiana corn until your taste buds explode. Cooking pulled-pork on a barbecue grill in 90-degree heat. Water skiing. Tubing. Wake boarding. Sitting on a porch with four generations of the same family. Coolers overflowing with cans of ice-cold beer. The blaring of cicadas at dusk, outboard motors at dawn, air-conditioning pumps all night long.
Megan eats corn
For a city kid like me, all these experiences transformed a run-of-the-mill vacation into a near-perfect summertime experience.
What’s the secret? I’ve decided to make a list, I’m calling this one “Scott’s 4 Essential Summer Ingredients”.
- First, you need the great outdoors. We had a lake surrounded by 100-foot-tall ash and maple trees. But you could be anywhere as long as you have easy access to the outdoors: lakes, rivers, mountains, beaches, streams, bayou, islands…
- Second, you must do things. No televisions, please, not in summer. Instead play cards, tell stories, run around in circles, walk the dogs. Go to the store for groceries and chitchat. Eat some ice cream. Go swimming. Clean up the shed. Take the boat for a joy ride. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re doing something.
- Third, you need family. Ironically I’ve spent my adult life taking family-free vacations. Yet there’s something to be said for having dinner on a lake with 18 of your cousins, spending quality time with aunts and uncles who tell the same funny stories over and over again. I don’t want all of my holidays to revolve around family. Yet I’ve decided that summer vacations and families are made for each other. I’ll save my trips with friends for winter or spring.
- Finally, you need a big barbecue and some of that sweet Indiana corn…
If you’re looking for summertime inspiration, be sure to browse the thousands of things to do available on the Viator site.
Salzburg Attractions, Austria
Posted , add a commentSalzburg city is a very popular tourist destination among the tourists visiting
Austria, especially famous for its baroque architecture in the Salzburg’s “Old
Town” (Altstadt), it was also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 1997. Salzburg is geographically located on the banks of the Salzach river
close to the Alps. The famous fortress “Festung Hohensalzburg” was built in 1077
and was later expanded by many rulers. Even though the population of Salzburg
city is of more than 150,000 individuals, this local population gets outnumbered
in the peak tourist season. It is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart.
As mentioned earlier, the Old Town of Salzburg is a World Heritage Site.
Salzburg is well connected with the rest of the country with rails, it is also
well connected with many towns from Germany and Italy. You can also reach here
by air (Salzburg Airport- SZG), buses or drive in your own car. The famous
Salzburg Music Festival is organized each year in July and August attracting
tourists from all over the world. The best way to get around is by taking the
city busses and then walking around. To save money during your trip, do consider
a Salzburg Card if you are planning to stay for a few days. It includes
free admission to most of city’s attractions, public transport and discounts for
tours and events.
Famous tourist attractions of Salzburg are:
1. Salzburger Hellbrunn:
Loaded with natural beauty, it has several clever fountains, castles and
beautiful gardens. It also has a children’s playground, Stone Opera Theatre and
an overall good place for picnic.
2. Hohensalzburg Fortress:
It is located on top of a mountain and is clearly visible from most of the city.
From this famous fortress you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Salzburg
city and the Alps. There is also a museum of medieval weapons, executioner
chamber and even hosts public concerts in the evenings. It is one of the largest
castles in Europe.
3. Mozart’s birth house:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 in this famous house and the
house also hosts a popular museum devoted to Mozart’s family.
4. Schloss Mirabell:
This has a beautiful castle with gardens and the world’s most beautiful wedding
hall (Marble Hall).
5. The Untersberg:
A famous mountain near the city, tourists can take a cable car which takes them
over 1300m to the Geiereck peak.
6. Casino of Salzburg:
Slot machines and other games. It is located in the Schloss Klessheim Palace and
was once used by Adolf Hitler.
7. Visit the Salt Mines:
There are many salt mine tours available in the city. The name Salzburg itself
means “Salt Castle” because once in the 8th century there were barges carrying
salt on the Salzach river.
Other famous tourist attractions include:
Salzburg Zoo, Toy Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural History, Anif
Castle, St. Sebastian Cemetery , Salzburg Cathedral, Residenz State Rooms,
Salzburger Freilichtmuseum GroBgmain (an open-air museum) and Stiftskirche St.
Peter.
Rainbow Beaches Around The World
Posted July 14, 2009 , add a commentBeaches not only come in all shapes, sizes, and textures, they come in a virtual rainbow of colors. Most beach fans know that sand color can range from pale cream to golden to caramel, but few realize that in select places around the world, sands can be red, brown, pink, orange, gold, purple, green, and even black! Continue reading 'Rainbow Beaches Around The World'
Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland Re-Opens as Member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection
Posted , add a commentThe historic Turnberry golf resort in Scotland
has re-opened as part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection brand at The
Open Championship 2009 following a $65 million renovation by owner Leisurecorp, a division of Dubai World company Nakheel.
Following the $65 million refurbishment, which
has focused on the iconic resort’s public spaces and 40 of its 211
luxuriously appointed guest rooms, Turnberry will host the word’s
oldest golf championship, on its renowned Ailsa golf course from
July 16 – 19, 2009.
Located on Scotland’s picturesque Ayrshire
coast, Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, is the newest
addition to The Luxury Collection which includes other impressive hotels and resorts
such as The Grande Bretagne,
Athens, Greece; Hotel Marqu?s de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; Mystique,
Santorni, Greece; Hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy; The U.S. Grant,
San Diego and The Joule, Dallas.
This year’s Open Championship will host the
world’s leading golfers who will compete on Turnberry’s Ailsa
Course, widely viewed as one of the best links courses in the
world. The historic golf resort has previously played host to the
world’s oldest major golf championship in 1977, 1986 and 1994.
Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, boasts
two 18-hole Championship courses including the Ailsa Course and
the Kintyre Course. In addition, the resort has a 9-hole Arran
Course and renowned Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.
“It is an incredible honour for Turnberry to once again host The
Open Championship. The upgrade of the golf course and the
completion of an extensive hotel restoration programme has been a
key deliverable for 2009 and we have worked closely with heritage
consultants to ensure that the building’s history is preserved
while delivering beautifully designed hotel rooms and facilities,”
said Joe Sita, Chief Executive Officer, Nakheel Hotels, the parent
company of Leisurecorp. “We have dedicated close to $65 million to
restore the hotel to its rightful place as the premier property in
the West of Scotland.”
Redesigned by Mary Fox Linton, founder of Fox Linton
Associates, Turnberry’s restored accommodations include subtle
interior colours which give each room a soft, calming air inspired
by the resort’s majestic coastal setting.
Floor to ceiling windows
flood the resort with natural light and offer breathtaking views
of the Turnberry Lighthouse, Ailsa Craig and the lush links golf
courses.
Ensuring that Turnberry’s historical charm was preserved,
Fox Linton Associates collaborated closely with Historic Scotland
during the restoration of the 103-year-old resort.
“Being
privileged to work on an iconic building in such a beautiful
coastal setting lent inspiration to the new concept,” said Mary
Fox Linton. “We wanted to pay tribute to the original design by
James Miller and bring it up to date to create an ambience of
contemporary luxury using a colour palate and textures that
reflect the hotel’s location looking out over the Irish Sea.”
Dining at Turnberry indulges the senses with a diverse menu of
sophisticated and distinct culinary options.
Offering spectacular
views of the resort’s golf courses and the Irish Sea, original
architect James Miller’s Grand Tea Lounge has been redesigned to
its original splendor.
1906, open for breakfast and dinner, offers
guests a casual dining experience, featuring classic brassiere
inspired dishes such as eggs Benedict, ouefs en cocotte, lobster
Thermidor and more.
Turnberry’s Duel in the Sun bar, offering a
range of specialty draft and bottled beers, wine, spirits and
snacks, is an ideal setting to relax after a game of golf or to
enjoy the latest sporting event on the bar’s multiple plasma
screens.
The History of
Turnberry
Located in Ayrshire, Scottland Turnberry, a Luxury Collection
Resort first opened in 1906 and quickly established itself as the
premier destination for social and sporting events.
Converted into
an airfield during both world wars, the Ailsa course, designed by
Mackenzie Ross, reopened to the public in 1951. The course emerged
from acres of runway, foundations of brick huts, hangars and
transformer houses left over from the Second World War and has
been established as one of the world’s most renowned golf courses.
The Spa at Turnberry was added in 1991 and the new Golf Clubhouse
June 1993. The Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy, the first of
its kind in the world, opened in 2000, offering a unique teaching
environment with state-of-the art facilities. This was followed
with the opening of the Kintyre course in 2001.
With its
spectacular setting, challenging golf holes and awe-inspiring
views, each course is world renowned. The Onsite Outdoor Activity
Centre offers guests a variety of distinguished outdoor activities
including, quad biking, horse-riding, fishing, off-road driving
and more.
The Arran course, a par 3 and 4 course, opened in 2002
as the ideal venue for on-course lessons for novices and offer
expert players a warm up round prior to their game on the Ailsa or
Kintyre.
In 2001 Turnberry greatly expanded its accommodation
options by building nine two-bedroom luxury cottages, ideal for
couples and families, as well as twelve luxury lodges with either
six or eight ensuite bedrooms, adjacent to the hotel with
breathtaking views across the golf courses and sea.