Sep
30
Things to do on the Big Island in Hawaii
Posted by Travel Expert at 07:07 | Filed In Hawaiian Islands | Add a Comment
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Tour, Hike, or Camp on a Volcano
Spend an entire day at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Get your permits for overnight camping and spend some time on this beautiful park. Start your tour of Volcano with a stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center for some great information on volcanoes, maps and even a short movie. You must go on to Crater Rim Drive and also the Chain of Craters Road if you have more time.
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Go Wine tasting:
Do something which not many people know do in Hawaii – wine tasting! A small winery situated atop 4,000 ft on the volcanic slopes, produces two varieties Symphony wines and a bouquet of other tropical wines. You can taste as many as you like and take home a bottle or two as souvenirs.
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Gaze at stars from top of the world
From an altitude of 13,796 feet above sea level, the summit of Mauna Kea (White Mountain) is a brilliant place to have an observatory. While sitting above the clouds look from telescopes to see the infinitesimal stars of the night sky. If you are planning on visiting in winters, the snow covered slopes of this mountain are also a favorite for those who love to ski.
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Tee off the golf course
With 18 golf courses on the island you will not be disappointed with the quality of the golf courses in Hawaii. The great Jack Nicklaus designed Hualalai Golf Club especially for this island – Big Island is any golfer’s dream!
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Take a dive to the bottom of the bay
While most people enjoy water and love to go scuba diving and snorkeling in the blue waters, some are not so adventurous. For those who aren’t, there is always the option of a submarine! Reaching to a depth of 100 feet, this air conditioned submarine takes you to places only experiences by a deep sea diver previously. Also there are several glass bottom boat tours available for you to have a look what’s underneath you as you sail out in the sea.
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They call me Ray, Manta Ray
Dive in the night sea with a giant Manta Ray. Plankton eaters and completely harmless, these giant 8-10 ft sea creatures are quite used to humans and treat them like other fish. An experience to swim with them in the night sea is unlike any other.
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Fly as high as a kite
Soar above in the sky 800 feet, over the inky blue waters of the Kailua bay and feet the wind as your feet dangle in the air. Operated with all safety, parasailing is quite fun activity, designed to give you the freedom with fly with the gulls.
Sep
30
Whatever you do, don’t call it a zoo! Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Posted by Travel Expert at 06:54 | Filed In Walt Disney World | Add a Comment
They’re rather touchy about calling Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom a zoo. Well for one, it isn’t! Spread across a sprawling 500 acres, this exquisite theme park takes you on a journey like never before. The park is home to some 1700 animals representing 250 different species. A ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari will let you meet many of them, as you cross through the African Savannah. Slow moving jeeps let you experience this wonder from close angles, letting you have a good picture to put on your refrigerator later.
But the true wonder of this park is the mythical Tree of Life, a true work of art. Take the Maharaja Jungle Trek and feel the mysterious deep Asian jungles, teeming with life – bats, komodo dragons, deer, exotic birds and plenty of other wildlife. The Kali River Rapids let you go on a short but exhilarating ride on the river, at the same time also being informative about the evils of deforestation.
While you are venturing through the natural wonders of Asia at Animal Kingdom, take the Expedition Mount Everest. A one of kind roller coaster ride, complete with Yeti’s attacking you mid way and taking you the snow clad peaks of Mount Everest – the highest mountain on Earth.If you get tired and want to sit back and relax, there is always the McNuggets and Rainforest Café to satiate you hunger. You could just walk in and meet Simba and friends or watch Nemo perform in Nemo – The Musical.
Whatever you choose to do at Animal Kingdom, there is one thing you will have in plenty – Fun!
Sep
25
Top 15 Places to Visit in New Zealand and Why
Posted by Travel Expert at 22:31 | Filed In New Zealand | Add a Comment
New Zealand is said to be the Adventure Capital of the world. Right from scuba diving to skiing and bungee jumping, a variety of adventure sports thrive here. The maritime climate, with a more dry and hot Northern Island and a relatively cooler Southern Island, offers the tourist a whole range of holiday destinations to choose from. The diverse climate has shaped the terrain such that, rugged mountains, rushing rivers, deep gorges and thick forests and the inhabited cities are all within reach of each other. English being the official language, rest assured – there would be no communication problems.
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Let’s have a look at the Top 15 places to visit, while you are in the land of the Maori.
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Abel Tasman National Park
The Abel Tasman national park, in the Southern Island boasts of golden beaches and offers a great walk on its coastal track. Other activities offered are Water Taxi’s and Sea Kayaking
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Fiordland National Park
Located in the Southern Island, it is New Zealand’s largest National Park. The park covers a varied geographic terrain from deep gorges, forests, mountains and waterfalls making it ideal for hiking.
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Milford Sound.
This is a world heritage area at the heart of the Fiordland National Park. The still waters of this fiord reflect the majestic cliffs, and the waterfalls rushing down the rock faces.
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Lake Taupo.
Lake Taupo is the largest fresh water lake in this region. Located in a volcanic region, its surroundings are home to volcanos and hot springs. The Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay are worth a visit. The Waikato River Valley in the vicinity is one of the best places for Bungee jumping.
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Poor Knights Marine Reserve.
New Zealand’s rich marine life could be explored by scuba diving at the Poor Knights reserve where the underwater currents and natural landscape sustain a wide variety of marine creatures.
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Great Barrier Island
Varied landscape with quiet beaches and high mountains, the island is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
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Stewart Island
Also known as Raikura, Stewart Island is known to be a hiker’s paradise. Most of the island lies within the Raikura National Park. It is an excellent site for birdwatchers with five penguin species being found on the island.
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Mount Ruapehu
A volcanic peak covered with snow, Ruapehu is a skiiers delight. There are 2 other smaller volcanic peaks alongside Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro. These peaks are located in the Tongariro World Heritage National Park.
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Kaikoura
A coastal village, close to the towns of Christchurch/ Canterbury, Kaikoura offers a scenic view of the mountains and the coastline. It is an excellent site for watching sea mammals including whales.
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Mountain Cook.
It is New Zealand’s highest peak; Home to majestic glaciers and calm lakes. Moutaineering, hiking, skiing and glacier walks are some of the activities available in this area.
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Omarama
Omarama is a small township close to Christchurch/ Canterbury. It is well known for alpine gliding.
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Hawke’s Bay Wine Country
Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s grape growing regions and the wineries are situated within reach from the nearest town or city. Guided tours to the wineries are available and the visitors are introduced to wine tasting sessions.
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Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure hotspot of New Zealand where the relaxation of city life and thrill of adventure can both be experienced at the same place.
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Beautiful caves with water dripping down the age-old stalactites and stalagmites, lit by the light of glowworms, it is a sight to behold.
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Taranaki’s Surf Highway
Mount Taranaki and the Tasman Sea provide the visitor an opportunity to take in the beauty of the snow-clad peaks and that of the surf breaks within minutes drive from each other.
Be it the casual traveler looking for some relaxation or the enthusiast seeking the thrill of adventure, the scenic beauty of New Zealand is bound to make the trip enjoyable.
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Sep
25
Interesting Things About Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom That You Probably Never Knew
Posted by Travel Expert at 21:51 | Filed In Walt Disney World | Add a Comment
Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom is perhaps one of those rare fun Theme Parks, where you will find magic in store for you – whether you are a child, an adult or just a teenager. Be it Cinderella’s Castle or just dancing with Mickey and Minnie on the road. There really is something for everyone here. While almost everyone just visits the resort and then keeps them as memories in a photo album, here are some interesting facts that not many people know about Magic Kingdom for you to enjoy your most favorite Theme Park even more:
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Did you know that you can also get a haircut at Magic Kingdom? Harmony Barber Shop will do the needful if you feel that your hair a bit out of place for that perfect picture against Cinderella’s Castle.
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Have you ever wondered how all the Disney characters just appear out of nowhere in the park, as if by magic? Well a series of very well connected underground tunnels, takes Mickey or Minnie all over the park without letting anyone know!
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Guests under 16 years of age are not allowed in the under tunnel system because it would bother children to see two Goofy’s passing each other or Mickey without a head or just watching Donald chatting up with Snow White and ruin the magic.
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Because of the under tunnel system and the underground complex, the entire Magic Kingdom is technically on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. On noticing carefully you will see that how Fantasyland and the castle are higher.
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Once you’ve taken the The Great Bus Ride, one ends up at the main tunnel entrance underneath the Pinocchio’s Village, right next to Fantasy Fair and Small World in Fantasyland. Next to that exists a sub-tunnel which takes you to the costuming, and locker rooms. The tunnel has the costumes for all the characters and themed areas hanging for the Cast Members. With over 1.2 million pieces of clothing, this is the largest operating wardrobe department in the world. Each Cast Member has 3 costumes – one for wearing at the moment, one on the rack and on in the wash.
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From the center of the castle, there is an elevator, which operates with a special key, this elevator takes you to famous “secret” apartment inside the castle.
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Sep
24
The Top 5 Places in Peru to Visit
Posted by Travel Expert at 02:32 | Filed In The Americas | Add a Comment
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Peru is a country filled with contrasts because of the various layers of great ancient civilizations which make up this country. In Peru you have everything from colonial cities that have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquerors, to tiny villages where you can really get a feel of the country and its people. Peru has numerous places for you to visit, explore and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.
1. Places to visit at and around Lima
Lima is the capital city of Peru. It is a major city that sparkles with living history and progress. It is a mixture of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements. This city is surrounded by the sea, by islands, mountains, desert and plant life. Some very interesting places to visit while at Lima are
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Pantanos De Villa is a natural wetland which is a reserved zone for more than 150 bird species.
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The Lunahuana valley is a hotspot for adventure sports. It lies in the Canete highlands and is 180 kms from Lima.
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The Lomas de Lachay is a national reserve in the foothills which is 105 kms from Lima to the north and features a unique fog-fed eco system of wild plant and variety of animal species.
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The temples of metropolitant Lima: Lima has left untouched dozens of ancient temples and archaeological sites which stand out against the full of life metropolis. These ancient monuments have been preserved, thanks to the efforts of archaeologists and the residents.
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Lima’s Cathedral: Built in 1625 in a very stylish way with splendid altars and is definitely the first stop on the tour around Lima.
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The real felipe Port: In 1747, Viceroy Conde de Superunda, tired of continual looting by some of the most famous pirates of the era, ordered the construction of an indestructible fort in the port of Callao, near the city of Lima. The fort was to be the fortress that would defend the Vice-regency of Peru from pirates and other invaders.
2. Machu Picchu:
Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” in Quechua. (Quechua is a native language of South America; it was the primary language of the Inca Empire) The civilization at Mahu Picchu is an existing proof of the last remains of the Incan tribes. It has been elected as the Seven Wonders of the World in July 2007. The Spaniards had heard of this mountain but never found it. It was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu was used as a place of worship and also as a private retreat for the family of the Inca rulers. Machu Picchu is divided into two zones
The agriculture zone: has terraces for farming and the food store houses.
The Urban zone: contains the sacred temples and royal tombs.
It is worth mentioning that throughout this archaeological site one can find the stone staircases and canals flowing.
3. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is Peru`s most popular trekking route and one of the most spectacular walks in South America. It is a part of the 23,000 Km of roads built by the Incas across South America. Each year, some 25,000 hikers from all over the globe walk the 43 km stone-paved trail, built by the Incas to reach to the unconquerable citadel of Machu Picchu in the city of Cuzco.
4. Lake Titicaca in Puno
Puno is one of Peru’s primary tourist destinations and it is also one of the most interesting spots on the South American continent. There are very few cities in the world like Puno, that lie by the shores of such an amazing body of water as Lake Titicaca. It is the world’s highest traversable lake. Scattered on the lake are dozens of islands, each of them with their own uniqueness and peculiarity. Legend has it that from the waters of Lake Titicaca emerged Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the legendary founders of the Inca empire.
5. The Nazca Lines at Ica
Ica is an area of sea, sand, valleys and oases. It is the cradle to Peru’s Creole culture.
The Nazca Lines, which were discovered in 1927, is the most astonishing legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. These lines are a series of difficult to draw designs up to 300 meters long which can only be seen in their true dimension from an altitude of at least 1500 feet. What confuses many archaeologists till date is how the ancient people crafted these lines, what technology was used and what purpose did these lines serve to them.
Apart from the above interesting places to visit in Peru, you have ample opportunities to enjoy and relax. From Mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes, mountain biking, varieties of water sports, freshwater fishing, hot air ballooning. The list is endless. Peru is very well interconnected by roads and air. Hotels and food in restaurants are quite cheap when compared to other countries. You have every reason to pack your bags and land in Peru for your next vacation.
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