destinations Archives - Page 3 of 7

April 20, 2018 by Arlene

The 5 Best Destinations for Coach Holidays

Coach holidays may not be the first method of travelling you think of, but it is a fantastic, stress-free way to holiday. You have your own personal chauffer so you can take in the scenery, your luggage is taken care of for you, you’re accompanied by expert tour managers who know the areas you’re travelling to and have insider knowledge.

If you’re looking to explore all of the fabulous places the UK and Ireland have to offer, we’ve put together our top 5 destinations you should visit.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne was recently declared the most popular tour by expert coach holiday company, Grand UK Holidays, who take thousands of holidaymakers there every year, and it should come as no surprise as to why.

The traditional seaside resort has got something for everyone: golden beaches, crystal blue seas, miles of promenade, the world famous Carpet Gardens, a Grand Parade Bandstand with fantastic shows and performances to name just a few.

If you’re looking for seaside or countryside walks, beautiful gardens, a pier that has it all (tea rooms, jazz bar, nightclub, chip shop), an annual tennis tournament, or maybe an outstanding free air show, Eastbourne is the destination to head to.

Yorkshire

The county of Yorkshire has so much to offer, it’s steeped in history thanks to its Roman and Viking heritage, and it has some of the most incredible views with the grassy hills, rugged coastline and two National Parks.

There are many popular city break opportunities with Leeds, Sheffield and York offering great food, culture, history, museums, bars and a vibrant atmosphere. On the contrast, you have the tranquillity of the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors or the Flamborough coastline.

So it’s a county with impressive cities, countryside escapes and traditional seaside breaks, especially to towns like Whitby or Scarborough. If you’ve never been, you’ll want to make sure you get to see the best of Yorkshire – what better way than a coach holiday, where someone else does all the driving so you can really soak in all the magnificent scenery!

Wales

If you’ve ever visited Wales, you’ll know how it is a truly inviting country, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in New Zealand as it boasts some magnificent features – waterfalls, mountains, a rugged coastline, and glacial landforms.

These are the natural features, but it is also home to Europe’s longest zip wire, where you whizz down at 100mph, dangling 500 feet in the air. You will find many a castle, historic building and museum in Wales, along with some lively and fascinating cities for you to discover.

Thanks to its amazing landscapes, trails and pathways, of which all have stunning views, there are many activities you can partake in such as walking, hiking, biking, kayaking or fishing!

Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is an award winner, a city with a real buzz due to the many unique festivals it hosts. Throughout the year you’ll find festivals for comedy, blues, jazz, films, art, music, literature, science – the list goes on!

If heritage is what you’re looking to uncover, you can walk around the World Heritage sights in the Old Town and New Town, stopping off at fascinating museums and galleries along the way. The John Knox House Museum is a hidden treasure as the only surviving medieval building and home to the leader of the Scottish Reformation.

Galway

This Irish gem is probably topping more people’s travel lists since Ed Sheeran’s hit song, Galway Girl, and if it is top of your list, you won’t be disappointed. The urban area of Ireland has a plethora of beautiful parks, landmarks and sights to see.

The Galway coast has rugged cliffs and isolated, stone buildings making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s a traditional place and one you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Irish culture with music, handmade crafts and tasty food, all set with stunning backdrops.

Some of the must-see landmarks and sights you should see include the 16^thcentury Dunguaire Castle, An Taibdhearc Gaillime or Galway Theatre as it translates, the ancient ruins on the Aran Islands and one of the most prominent buildings in Galway – the Cathedral.

So, in summary, if you want to explore new places and meet new people, take advantage of a coach holiday, where you can simply sit back, relax, and soak in the sights as the world passes by your window.

March 15, 2018 by Arlene

Best Hunting and Fishing Spots in the US

If you enjoy hunting and fishing, then finding new and exciting spots to visit is a great way to keep up with those sports. There are a variety of towns around the United States that boast great fishing or hunting areas. Regardless of whether you’re going for a weekend or longer, you may want to try out at least one of these spots for your next trip.

Appleton, Wisconsin

This is a great spot if you like both hunting and fishing as you’ll find a little of both in Appleton. Today, people come from around the states to hunt their large whitetail deer population. If you want to branch out into fishing, the Fox River or Lake Winnebago are prime walleye fisheries. Travel about 30 minutes north and you’ll find some great muskie and smallmouth bass fishing. This is a great location when you’ve got time to both hunt and fish.

Venice, Louisiana

Although most people think about this area as being the site of the Deepwater Horizon spill, the area has seen great recovery and remains probably the best place to hunt waterfowl and fish. In 2011, the Bassmaster Classic competitors traveled down the Mississippi starting in New Orleans down to Venice and filled their boats with largemouths. However, you can also find redfish if you’re more of a recreational fisherman. You can be sure that you’ll have a successful fishing trip every time that you set out on the water.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Also known as the gateway to the Black Hills region, this small town offers a wide range of both hunting and fishing opportunities. Take a trip west of Rapid City and you’ll be able to fish for brown, brook, and rainbow trout. You can also find reservoirs that hold panfish, pike, and largemouths. You can find hunting opportunities here throughout the year. The mountain area is home to whitetails, elk, turkeys, and mule deer in plentiful supply. A short trip will put you in range of pheasants, prairie chickens, and sharptails. If you enjoy hunting, make sure to visit a site like Max Blagg to make sure your gear is ready to go.

Centerville, Iowa

Just like its name suggests, Centerville is located in the middle of a hunter’s paradise. The whitetails hunted here have made headlines, but the southern central area of Iowa has a lot of hunting opportunities available throughout the year. You can hunt for turkeys and waterfowl and take your fishing trips here to Rathbun Lake. Fish for crappies and walleyes just north of town. Of note, the personal dimension of the town makes it a favorite spot to visit. The classic Midwestern square and friendliness of the residents make it a fun and welcoming place to visit for a yearly trip.

Although you may be an avid hunter or new to the sport, finding new places to enjoy is always a good experience. Consider planning out your trip to one of these spots. You can enjoy both hunting and fishing at these locations throughout the year.

March 1, 2018 by Arlene

What You’ll Miss When You Leave Washington DC

You’re lucky if you live in Washington DC. There are so many wonderful museums and sights to visit and you can even find inexpensive Washington National Airport parking every time you need to travel.

But it’s also possible that when you leave the DC area, you’ll miss a lot of sights that you took for granted. So, here are some of the things that may have you feeling homesick:

The multicultural vibe. Washington is extremely multicultural and in this aspect, it rivals even NYC. When the population of a city is extremely diverse, you enjoy a sense of open-mindedness and tolerance while cultural differences are actually celebrated. That’s not always the prevalent atmosphere in many other areas of the world.
The fantastic cuisine.Washington DC is a foodie’s city, and again that’s because of multiculturalism. With people coming from so many different cultures, you can try out various cuisines from all over the world. That includes Ethiopian food, as the city is actually one of the major enclaves of Ethiopians outside of Africa itself. Here you can enjoy Afghani kebabs served from food trucks, and the curry dishes are wonderfully authentic. Then of course if you’re away from Washington you’ll eventually the large spicy hotdog covered in spicy chili.
The formality of streetwear.At first you may actually want to leave a city where everyone seems to wear a suit day in and day out. It’s fun to go somewhere else where people dress more casually. But then after a while, you’ll miss that DC vibe where everyone seems to dress smartly. When you’re in a tourist spot where people don’t seem to care what you wear, it can get sartorially tiresome after a while.
The free cultural events.When you get to the UK or to Continental Europe, many of the museums and centers for culture and arts may require an entrance fee. That’s in stark contrast to Washington DC. At the DC Smithsonian museums, it’s free admission. At the Kennedy Center you can also enjoy plenty of free concerts. You also just pay what you can at the Wooly Mammoth Theater.
The reliable efficiency of getting things done.In DC, a lot of the people are what you’d call “Type A” personalities. They’re all ambitious and competitive. So just about everything works very quickly, and things get done. It can be a very jarring experience when you’re in another city where the bureaucracy works at a snail’s pace, and where people expect bribes simply for them to do their jobs. In some countries, getting a visa can be a paperwork nightmare.
It’s easier to get around in Washington.The layout of the capital city makes a lot of sense, especially when you compare it to the haphazard ways other cities can be set up. In Washington, it’s a lot easier to get around even if you’re a newbie to the city, as the alphabetical and numerical streets cross one another. You have the Washington Metro, which is not bad at all.

So yes, it’s true that Washington DC doesn’t have a fantastic beach, and there are no castles here with centuries of history either. But then you may get to a beach somewhere, and sooner rather than later you’ll just want to get back home to good old Washington.

March 1, 2018 by Arlene

Top 7 Unique Reasons You Need to Spend Your Holiday in Mexico

Mexico has always been a popular destination for American vacationers. It’s just pretty close and there’s a nice selection of luxury villa rentals in Mexico to enjoy your stay.

Here are some compelling reasons why you need to book a stay in Mexico for your next vacation:

The Day of the Dead

Did you watch the James Bond film Spectre? That opening sequence was fantastic, wasn’t it? The exciting chase occurred with the Day of the Dead as its backdrop, and it sure was a striking spectacle.

Here it’s of course known as Día de Muertos, and you can drop by to experience the festivities for yourself starting on October 30. It’s the strangest and yet most fun celebration of death in the whole world.

Mayan Ruins

The country is full of Mayan ruins, and it’s time for you to discover more about that ancient civilization. You have plenty of options here. You can visit Uxmal, which was formerly a capital city 25,000 people once called home. There’s Palenque, which Europeans didn’t know about until the late 1700s.

You should also see for yourself the towering glory of the El Castillo temple, which is found in Chichen Itza. Each side has 91 steps, so add the steps for all 4 sides plus the final step at the top and you have 365 steps—that’s one step of each day of the curiously accurate Mayan calendar.

The Secret Beach

It’s said that Mexico is a beach lover’s idea of heaven, as it has more than 450 beaches and each one tends to have its own vibe. Perhaps the most unique is the beach known as Playa del Amor, which you can find a few miles north of Casa Kimberly. The only way you can reach this beach is to go through an underway tunnel!

The City of Flowers

This is the name bestowed by the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt for the city of Xalapa. This is the high-altitude capital of the state of Veracruz, and here you can find the lush tropical flowers all around you wherever you go. Obviously, to enjoy the full beauty of the place you will have to visit in the spring.

In addition, the city is also famous for the great taste of its coffee. Stay here for a magnificent brew and view and Starbucks will be forgotten.

Cancun

Yes, this has become a cliché among tourist destinations, but so what? There is a reason why young adults visit us during spring break, and why entire families spend their holidays here. You have daisies for adults, while people of all ages can sunbathe and sunbathe. It may seem like another vacation spot, but somehow there is nothing like Cancun and its famous luxury resorts where grownups and children can enjoy a great vacation.

Guadalajara

While Mexico City remains a must-see for visitors, there’s just something truly cool about the city of Guadalajara. It’s like the hipster capital of the country, with excellent food that you can enjoy with mariachi bands, along with stunningly contemporary hotel architecture. Here you can find the latest in art and fashion as well.

Island of the Dolls

If you want to creep yourself out, you really need to visit Isla de las Muñecas between the canals of Xochimico south of Mexico City. Let’s see how brave you are when you’re hiking through a forest filled with the severed heads and limbs of creepy dolls.

You can’t find these spectacles anywhere else in the world, so book your next holiday for Mexico. Vaya con Dios!