Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on May 17

Indiana Jones went there – and so did Sinbad; so why not you?

This city is like no other city in the world! There are many great Italian cities, Greek Cities, monumental buildings and other abandoned cities across the globe – but Petra is something else entirely!

Petra literally means ‘rock’ and that is so apt for this city which is carved into the bedrock of the cliffs. Rather than cut the cliff in pieces and make ‘bricks’ to build a city elsewhere, they just hacked away at the cliff faces to make their homes and buildings right there in the rock!

Some of them have very elaborate fronts and others were very simple dwellings, right in the crevices of this gully between higher land – for added protection from the weather and marauding horsemen. Well you couldn’t see the city unless you walked right past it!

photo credit: guillenperez

The City Of Petra:
Known to be in existance in an early form around 1550BC – this city has grown and changed along with the Rulers that came and went in this area of the World – I mean it is even thought that Moses passed through here during Exodus!

The Greeks, Syrians, Egyptians and the Romans all came and went – leaving their mark somewhere in it’s very essence. But it was the very Earth itself which ruined the city – after an earthquake.

The city was at a great way-mark along some of the better trade routes – and its ability to catch fresh water from flash floods made it sustainable – but the earthquake broke the channels, dams and storage areas – making the city what it really is – a desert!

Places To See:
Well, after the long journey there – you had better plan your route – otherwise you could end up missing out on some of the buildings.

I know it would be lovely to just wander about aimlessly seeing where you found next – but there is so much to see that you don’t really want to waste time if you are only visiting for the day.

And sometimes that is all you leave time for as you think it is quite small – yet there are over 50 buildings, temples, theatres and monuments to see – and explore!

And if you want to learn more while you are there – you need to factor in the all the reading you will be doing in the visitor centre and guide books!

Other Facts:
The site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is working towards becoming more sustainable as a tourist destination.

In 2006, it had just under 60,000 visitors in just 2 months (!) but since then local organisations have been trying to reduce the numbers visiting at one time to reduce the pressure on the site of 12,000 feet walking all over it in such a short time! And you won’t be able to see much with all those other people in the way anyway!

Within the site there are also 2 full musuems showing finds from the site and recreating a lot of the scenes from times gone by. Well worth popping in to as well – for a thorough overview of the site.

And, once inside you can hire a camel to walk you around the massive site so you can get from one side to the other in style – well, as much style as a grumpy and wonky camel can offer!

photo credit: happyjed1

The Rose-Red City is one of the New Wonders of the World.

posted by Travel Cat on Apr 3

If you want to feel like the only 2 people walking around Venice – just go there!

Now this doesn’t mean that Venice is devoid of other people and that you won’t see another soul there – quite the opposite infact – but what I mean is that you will feel asthough only you two are there.

When I went there, I found that everyone else seemed to just be getting on with things in the background – almost like they were setting it up for my trip! I was so distracted by all great buildings, all the passageways, the canals and the shop-fronts packed with delightful masks and glassware.

Nothing else mattered as we whirled our way around the city – there were no queues for anything except the coffee, there was almost no unnatural noise – so our wanderings were not interrupted by anything!

Maybe it seemed like it was just us there becasue there was so much to see and do – and to admire – that we just didn’t have time to see everyone else who was there? I’ll never know.

I just remember Venice as the place where there was just the 2 of us!

photo credit: anja_johnson

The Season:
We went in October, which some said might have high tides (which would bring in the sewage!), but it didn’t and it was perfect. The high tides meant that the canals were always topped up and you didn’t have to climb down into any of the boats we used for transport.

And the weather held up for up too – it wasn’t cold enough for bulky coats and we didn’t have to worry about suncream either – just like being at home!

The Hotel:
We chose to stay on The Lido which is a large island just to the side of the main island. This meant that our room had views of the whole of Venice itself with the tower of St Marks and the entrance to the Grand Canal within sight – which at night was something special!

There are plenty of hotels within the City itself where you could step out of you door and be right in the action – but we found that the action of catching a boat to and from the island made it more fun – and we couldn’t hear the hustle and bustle of the morning rush hour from our room either!

The Streets:
All I think about when I look back at my time in Venice is how we managed to get lost!

Now I don’t just mean scratching our heads at a dead end – I mean we managed to keep walking down all these different paths and streets and then ending up back at the same place – like a bad sci fi movie!

Now this shouldn’t be possible we thought as we tried a different route rather hurriedly as dusk approached – past that old church again and down the side of that canal – but then after a few more turns and past a glass shop – we found ourselves back at the same place!

I still don’t know how even to this day how we managed it – as the second day there, we were fine and didn’t get lost once!

The Food:
I won’t spend to long on this obvious section – as we were in Italy after all!

However I will say that the hot chocolate in my hotel (Hotel Panarama) was the best I have ever tasted, and all the restaurants wherever we ate were perfect – without fault on service, location or taste!

I would re-visit Venice without hesitation.

photo credit: winkyintheuk

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 20

When in Rome – do exactly what YOU want to do!

You don’t have to stick to the tourist track when you visit the beautiful city of Rome, you can have the place to yourself and see the sites that interest you – rather than the masses.

Located in central Italy on the River Tiber and close to the country’s Mediterranean coast, Rome has more to offer than the routine tour of the Colosseum or the Pantheon.

Plan your own trip here – maybe staying in your own Rome apartments on the River – and you could find yourself caught up in the swing of things and finding history and hidden architecture right on the very streets that you are your drinking coffee in!

The City Itself:
Rome has been inhabited for over 2 and a half thousand years, through the Roman Empire, the Renaissance and the ruling Papacy – and so it’s great buildings and even common houses reflect styles from all eras.

Used as the setting for many conspiracy theories and the site of many hidden catacombs, underground waterways and even temples, you don’t always see everything in the guide book.

What you need is to wander the streets, go into and look around stores and museum buildings and get a sense of the people who lived and worked there – not just the elite.

photo credit: bensonkua

In Rome accommodation is never hard to find – and you can get a room in almost any part of the city you were hoping to explore! Whether you want to be close to the coast, the big sites, the river or just outside of the bustle – you will be sure to find it.

Vatican City:
Part of Rome that attracts as many vistors as the city itself is the Vatican – a city within a city! Home of the Papacy, the Sistine chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and a whole host of other sights worth seeing – you would be missing half of Rome if you didn’t visit here!

This self ruling walled section of Rome has a host of magnificent and imposing buildings – and book after book after book claim to know it’s secrets. However a few hours spent looking around yourself, you will soon see why it has created so much myth and mystery.

By booking yourself into some Vatican apartments overlooking the City, you can see the staff and visitors around the site throughout the day and late into the evening – maybe inspiring your very own conspiracy theory!

So however long you stay, make sure you choose the best accommodation for your trip. Don’t feel that you have to find 1 place and stay there for your entire vacation. Being able to step out of your apartment and be face to face with an amazing building is a totally different feeling from catching the bus there in the afternoon with 100 other people!

Plan your accommodation just as you would your transport – move around to suit your needs and get the most out of your city vacation.

“Abbia una grande festa” – as they say in Rome!

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 11

When you next travel to the States – you can stay wherever you want!

Finding a place to stay for the night is no longer a problem – with the internet you can find somewhere to spend the night at the very last minute. Basically you can book a room, check in and be in bed – all within 10 minutes!

No longer do you have to book through an agent 6 months in advance, or call dozens of hotels from overseas to try to find an available room – just search online when ever you want to! You want Gainesville hotels Click Here! It is all so simple now that the worries people have around finding holiday accommodation is virtually eliminated!

This is made even easier in an English speaking country like the States, as you can read any hotel webpages for the area you are hoping to stay in – and make a choice at the touch of a button.

Want It Even Easier?
Now, if looking at individual hotel websites even seems like too much effort – then why not use one of the many websites that does all the searching for you.

You type in the area you like and the price range – and they find all the hotels with available rooms at a price you like! You don’t need to scan around looking for anything – it will all be right there in front of you!

You choose what you want included and they find it – and if you can’t see what you like and you want to view more Long Beach Hotels – then click a button, and more appear before your very eyes!

More Specific:
Sometimes however, you do want to plan things in advance as you have very specific requirements for your trip – say for example you have a large group travelling together, several young children, pets, or special dietary requirements. Sometimes you can’t be too fussy – so need to check out all the options.

You can still choose the area you want to visit obviously – but the lovely period hotel you like by the canal might not be suitable or have enough rooms; the hotel closest to your relatives or a themepark might not have your dietary requirements or allow pets etc.

And this is where searching online is a real bonus – it can allow you to do a massive all-inclusive search – so you can for example; see all Huntsville hotels, or all Orlando motels – so that you can pick out the features you prefer way in advance, and get the place you like!

If only everything you had to do was a simple as this – but then a vacation is all about relaxing isn’t it, so why not start as you mean to go on!

posted by Travel Cat on Sep 17

Watch Water Come Crashing Down All Around You!

Here is a little article for you to think about if you want to clock up a visit to the top 5 tallest permanent waterfalls in the world!

Everyone chases something around the world, whether it’s countries, football stadiums or hunting for wild animals!

So why not clock up some great water features on your holidays.  Travelling to the 4 countries that host these magnificent natural features will be an adventure in itself – and the landscapes that host these wetland wonders!

So, lets get started with some details about each of them!

1) Angel Falls – Venezuela.
Currently undergoing a name change back to it’s original name of Kerepakupai vena (meaning waterfall of the deepest place), this is currently the worlds tallest waterfall!

It really is beautiful and in the most strangest of environments!  Basically, there is a group of protruding land-masses rising out of the ground and this waterfall sprouts off the top of one of them. 

Even in the dry season there is still plenty to see as this landscape is filled with strange rock formations, many other waterfalls and its own weather patterns.  I’ve been there – I know!

And if you get the right pilot – you can fly right off the edge of the falls and down over the side!  Not for the faint hearted!

2) Tugela – South Africa
This second-place water feature plummets over rock formations in Natal National Park over Dragons Mountains!

You can follow 1 of 2 trails in the mountains around the falls to get a view from all angles – but this can take you around 8 hours round-trip and although not too difficult, will not be suitable for everyone.

This feature is best viewed in or after heavy rain due to the impressive width at that point.  In the dry season (much like Angel) the water can sometimes be so limited that it all evaporates in the air before reaching the bottom.

3) Utigord – Norway
Travel to the Nesdale region of this colder climate to view number 3 here – however its local name (Ramnefjellsfossen) isn’t so easy flowing!

This falls is fed by a local glacier and heads down into a beautiful lake – and can be seen from quite some distance (unlike Angel Falls which is quite enclosed and shrouded in clouds!)  You can approach it by boat, road or on foot for a great day to remember!

4) Mongefossen – Norway
Staying in the same country – the Monge Falls are apparently the tallest falls to be seen from a train station – which is certainly a weird thing to imagine!

However, this waterway has been harnessed for hydro-electric power (unlike Utigord) so the flow in peak rainfall is not as impressive as it used to be as the water is diverted off into channels way up high!

5) Mutarazi – Zimbabwe
And finally on our list is the 50 feet wide flow of this African waterfall in Nyanga National Park.

February to April is the best time to see this flow – but don’t forget that this one is only the 17th tallest waterfall if you count the falls that only have water in them for part of the year.  There are plenty in North America, South America and even 1 one New Zealand to visit if you want to really get addicted!

Don’t forget to take a picture of each one!