Rivers Travel

The United Kingdom has fifteen National Parks from the Cairngorms in Scotland to Dartmoor in Devon. The most visited and one of the most popular is Cumbria’s Lake District. It attracts a wide range of visitors from near and far and has a distinct character that sets it apart from the rest.

The many lakes of the Lake District are an obvious pull for tourists. Huge stretches of water support the local wildlife and the local inhabitants, with Lake Windermere being the best known. Visitors come to enjoy the water based activities and canoeing, kayaking, and boating are all available on the various lakes. There are even ways to learn how to sail. The Royal Yachting Association Training Centre at Coniston Water offers several courses to qualify for internationally recognized RYA certificates.

The Lake District is proud to have the most outdoor activity centers in the United Kingdom. These centers welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds for weekends, school trips or longer holidays. They offer courses on horse riding, caving, abseiling, climbing and more. Accommodation is normally provided in the form of dormitories with communal areas for eating and relaxing. Access to the fells is completely unrestricted and there is a long tradition of public rights of way. Visitors can take part in a course or explore the beauty of the area independently. Whatever they choose, there is never a lack of pursuits to enjoy and stunning scenery to take in.

The landscape of the Lake District is diverse. There are ancient woodlands which provide a home for animals and plants and add texture and richness to the area. Evidence abounds of colliding continents and deep oceans thanks to the deepest lakes and highest peaks in England. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of life from as far back as the Ice Age. More modern habitation is reflected in the materials used to build local houses and bridges.

It goes without saying that the Lake District is popular and it isn’t just the lakes, outdoor activities and scenic beauty. The quaint, bustling towns are an attraction in themselves and they cater well to the visitors’ needs. Specialist shops sell local art, crafts and food, including the famous Kendall Mint Cake. Gardeners have plenty of nurseries and garden centers to visit and walkers and hikers can browse round the many outdoor equipment retailers. There are galleries and exhibitions for everyone and accommodation to cater to all tastes. Those ignorant of the Lakes District’s charms have to come and see it for themselves.

Continue : Lake District Hotels

The island of Cyprus combines the Mediterranean’s rich history with terrific local food and unparalleled weather. Situated in the eastern section of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is sure to offer something to every vacationer who visits this beautiful land. There has been plenty of time for Cyprus to cultivate its culture, as its settlement dates all the way back to the 2nd millennium BC.

Choirokoitia is one of these earliest settlements. Not only is it acknowledged as possibly the first colony on Cyprus, but it is known as one of the first communities in the world. Choirokoitia has received World Heritage Site designation by UNESCO, which affirms its place in human history. Upon discovery, Choirokoitia was already incredibly preserved, but measures have been taken to fully restore it to its original grandeur. Outstanding examples of Byzantine art can be seen in any of Cyprus’s ten painted churches that have also been placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Vivid frescoes adorn the walls of these churches, embodying the artful spirit of the settlers. Don’t forget to head underground into the Tombs of the Kings that have been carved into the rock of the Cypriot landscape.

Any vacation worth its salt requires a sampling of local cuisine. Due to its proximity to the Turkish mainland and its history of Greek settlers, Cypriot food enjoys a unique blend of ingredients found in Greece, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. Many of the recipes full of fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, wine, and of course olive oil have been passed down from generation to generation, so even the food of Cyprus is steeped in history. Accompany your delicious meal with a locally distilled wine. Wine has played a major role in the Cypriot economy nearly as long as people have dwelt on the island, and Commandria, a very sweet wine, is considered to be one of the first wines in the world to be identified. If you want a little more kick, try Zivania, a wine that is nearly pure alcohol.

You are surely looking at the Mediterranean as a vacation spot due to the beaches and crystalline water found there. The beaches of Cyprus are ideal places for sunbathing and playing amongst the waves. Not many places on the planet can boast such a wonderful climate, making Cyprus a popular destination for swimming vacationers. If swimming and soaking up rays simply is not enough, you can find plenty of locations that offer windsurfing and sailing year round. Add to this snorkeling and deep water fishing and you have every marine delight you could want.

Cyprus offers a wide array of activities for every vacationer. A land steeped in history and culture, it is an eye-opening glimpse into the past. Do not delay any longer in planning your trip to Cyprus.

Next : Cheap Holidays Cyprus

Cape Town International is South Africa’s second largest airport and is a major Tourism Gateway for the Western Cape. Approximately 7 million passengers travel through Cape Town International on a yearly basis.

If you’re going to Cape Town then Cape Town International airport is your main point of entry. Dozens of flights fly to and from this airport and is generally the first place to see when foreign visitors travel to South Africa.

The too most sightseeing spot on your itinerary should be the royal Table Mountain. At this World Heritage spot, there is a cable car, which will take you to the highest peak of the mountain, which is at 1036 meters above MSL. From here, you can enjoy the wonderful view of land and sea. You can also enjoy spectacular sun set views from a restaurant and bar known as the Cableway Cocktail Bar. If you are interested in adventurous sports then you may try rock climbing in the Table Mountain.

Everyone should see the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens which aims to protect indigenous plants and has succeeded in growing an impressive 6000 different species.

The next thing to see would be another World Heritage site – the historically important symbol of anti-apartheid, Robben Island, named after ‘seals’ in Dutch. Right at the entrance to Table Bay, this island is now a museum and can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride.

Your itinerary must include a stop on the V & A Waterfront. It is famous for its bustling marketplace including attractive shops, craft markets, theatres, restaurants, and bars. Two major sightseeing spots located here are Maritime Museum and Oceans Aquarium.

You must visit the Good Hope Nature Reserve, located at the Cape Point. The flower lovers will enjoy the amazing variety of flowers available here. You will also see here a lighthouse, which is known to be the largest in the nation.

The beaches of Cape Town are a favourite destination for tourists and locals. On the Atlantic front, you can lounge on the beautiful, clean beaches of Camps Bay, Llandudno and Clifton.

Those who love shopping will find their haven in Cape Town as its markets are quite cheap. There are several interesting items that you can take as gifts for those back at home, or for your own house.

Lovers of history must pay a visit to the Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest building in the country. It was built between the years 1666 and 1679. The pentagonal castle is very well maintained, and it tells about the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck and the country’s martial history. Also see the striking dungeons, the blacksmith, and the lovely dolphin pool. You can see the Key Ceremony, if you come there by 10am; and may see the Change of Guards if you come at 12 am. If you are lucky enough, or unlucky, you may even see a ghost.

Keep some time in hand to enjoy the wine routes, which include Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Constantia. Cape’s wine estates are some of the finest in the world. Many estates are open for visitors to taste wine and the wine makers happily agree to ship the valuable bottles to any corner of the globe. You must also enjoy the superb cuisine in Cape Town. Loiter at the Constantia Uitsig’ veranda, test the finest Franschoek at Quartiere Francais or just bite at the delicious seafood platter at “On The Rocks”, in Blouberg.

Tourists to Cape Town must take visit the Cape Point, where Bartholomew Dias, the Portuguese explorer is said to have stopped in the year-88. It’s a breathtaking sight and it’s tough to think how the sailors crossed these hazardous waters years back. Some other places of interest are the the Kalk Bay Caves, the Dutch East India Company’s Gardens, and many more.

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica?s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, which includes Alitalia Airlines amongst others.