Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 27

Yep.  Right in the heart of the Bronx is an exciting and beautiful park, woodland and deep gorge to explore.

We all know the Bronx Zoo, but how many of us have spent time wandering along the many paths and trails of the the Bronx Park?

The sheer size of the Bronx park and the variety of flora and fauna found here make this natural area one of the real hidden gems of New York - well worth a visit.

A Natural Secret?
The Botanical Gardens here also holds a historic secret - a 50 acre woodland.  Not so exciting? 

Well, what if I told you it was the exact woodland that was here when the land was first brought in 1891?  So it has been undisturbed for over 130 years!

It was part of the continuous woodlands that covered the whole of the the area when the European migrants first came over in the 17th century. And when you stand among these giants in the peace and quiet - can you imagine the whole of New York city covered in it? 

Water World And More:
There is the Bronx River running through the centre of the park and it is the perfect place for water sports.  There are several launch points for kayaking and canoes.

The river runs through a deep gorge with waterside walks and some amazing plants and trees lining the way.

There are also basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, cycle routes and skate parks to name a few of the extensive facilities supplies to the parks users.

There are also dog runs for those with pets, and playgrounds for those with kids!

And, of course, a zoo full of tigers!

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 22

Every Year there is a massive influx of millions of Monarch butterflies to certain towns in Mexico - and you could see it for yourself.

By visiting the Mexican state of Michoacan to the west of Mexico City towards the end of February, you could witness around 120 million Monarch butterflies take to the skies as they start to become active after the colder winter months.

The sky around you literally turns orange with millions of tiny wings fluttering past you in search of a tasty breakfast!

Why Here?
Every year in North America, the Monarchs react to the wetter colder climates by moving south with the sun from about August onwards, they stop over in California and Florida around October before flying to Mexico for the winter.  After a few months of inactivity in the cooler weather, they start to head back north around February/March, through the southern states for late spring, then reaching their destination in summer.

However, this migration is amazing as no one butterfly will ever make the whole round trip - only it’s offspring or even the generation after that which returns to the northern states and Canada the following summer!

Butterflies need warmth to grow and fly as they are not warm-blooded like ourselves, so if these Monarchs are going to be adults throughout the year they need to follow the sunshine to stay active - hence the migration south towards the tropics.  After all - we travel there for warmth too!

Why Visit?
Apart from the amazing sight of all these animals in the same place - their awakening coincides with the calving of Grey whales in Baja California just a bit further west again.

There are many stories of the mothers bringing their calves over to small boat so they can be petted and scratched by humans!  Strange really considering that we humans virtually wiped them out over 100 years ago!

There are hundreds of Grey whales around at this time including wandering males too!  San Ignacio Lagoon is fast becoming the best site to find ‘friendly’ whales, and offers many boat trips throughout the season specifically for this phenomenon!

Further events in Mexico include:

1st - Constitution Day - A celebration of past events - Nationwide
2nd - Candlemas - To celebrate the end of Christmas - Nationwide
10th to the 16th - Carnival - Not quite as grand as Brazil - but a great event none-the-less - Nationwide

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 1

Due to some great solar activity at the moment - the Aurora Borealis should put on a great show for your January holidays!

Anywhere in the North could have the chance of seeing these eerie green or red wavy Northern Lights filling the night sky, although popular sites in Iceland, Canada, Norway and Russia tend to publicise their displays more.

They occur throughout the year, but you cannot really see them when the sun is in the sky, so winter is the best time - and some of the winter scenes are the best for photography.  However, anytime up until March should still offer you a glimpse of these mysterious celestial light shows!

They can occur in short bursts several times throughout the night, or can last for several hours depending on a host of other factors - with viewings around midnight resulting in the best shows!

What Are They?
As with most things awe inspiring, they have quite a boring origin.  The lights are created by particles in the ionosphere that become ‘excited’ by solar energy in close proximity to the Earth magnetic fields.

The same phenomenon occurs in the southern hemisphere - creating the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights - and there have also been auroras on other planets!  However, a vacation for this January sort of rules that last one out!

Anyway - it doesn’t matter how they get there - you just need to see them for yourself, they truly are amazing.  Just search online for some images of them then imagine how much better it would be to be standing under then yourself!

Where To Stay?
Taber Holidays in Scandinavia offer trips into the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights.  They offer more than 10 different January holidays to see the displays including boat trips that also visit whales, icebergs and even include dog-sledding!

Or look at the trips to Iceland and Lapland that Discover the World offer this winter.  They offer a choice of 3 day trips to a variety of lodges and hotels.  Simply choose your destination for a virtually guaranteed light show!

Or visit with a little niche company in Canada: Alta-Can Aurora Tours.  They offer inside viewing of the northern lights for your comfort with professional photographers, toilets and hot drinks - as well as a whole host of additional experiences you can become involved with during the daylight hours.

This is obviously only a taster of what you can experience - so get looking at the pictures, then think about visiting the arctic circle yourself - but wrap up warm!

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 10

Welcome to this final Blog Carnival for 2009!

We have a few tips, followed by some inspiring learning and then a fun tale of animal antics!

So, lets start with Debbie Dragon who gives us her take on the top Tips for Car Travel With Children followed by a quick run-down from Winter who has 5 Tips to Take Your Child Skiing.

Pamela Jorrick is teaching her kids from home, giving her the chance to explore some of those great places that schools just don’t go: A Quick Few Days in Monterey, followed by Carmen Bolanos who shares a tale of travel with us with one part of her articles and interviews with Nomading Families Talk About Life and Education | NuNomad Blog.  A great read!

And finally, Katie lets us in on the comings and goings of her family day out - with some great tips and some lovely snaps with her OC Mom’s Activity Guide: The San Diego Zoo!

See you in the new year! 

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 5

Need a vacation right now - but can’t decide where to go?

How about choosing from one of the following destinations in North, Central and South America that are ready for you right now?  Why visit a country when it’s just being itself - why not make a trip to a country when it is at it’s best!

Angel Falls, Venezuela - All Month:
If you want to see the worlds highest waterfall at it’s best, then a trip to Canaima National Park should certainly be on your list!  Especially after the rainy season when the rivers are running at capacity!

Surrounded by massive rocky outcrops and a huge number of fabulous lower (but no less impressive) waterfalls - this will certainly turn out to be one of the most unforgettable trips you take!  Believe me, I’ve been there!

Telluride, Colorado - In The Snow:
This amazing and adventure filled winter sports resort is a great hit with the outdoor types.    Travel to the top of the Rockies to experience virtually every winter sport there is available - or just enjoy the endless views - and don’t forget your camera and woolly hat!

Caymen Islands, Caribbean - Anytime:
If you want to forget that it is winter - then head for these idyllic sandy islands - virtually all to yourself!  Whether it is diving with Stingrays, watching giant iguanas or deep sea fishing - you won’t have a care in the world once you step foot in the sand!

Williamsburg, Virginia - During Advent:
Visit this old colonial town and travel back in time- with a high street filled with history and traditional gifts.  The spirit of Christmas past is here in these streets, so be prepared to get involved in the merriment and festivities surrounded by traditional folk in costume to take you back to the past!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - New Year:
Bigger than the Carnival in Brazil is the Reveillon - the New Year celebrations!  With a crowded Copacabana Beach and fireworks and music all night - this is certainly one of the best destinations to see in the new year if you like to party!