Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Oct 19

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Iceland

Everyone is talking about Iceland at the moment, so I thought I’d throw some interesting facts about the country into the mix.

Top 10 Amazing Facts:

1) This country sits on the very active Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean, and is growing around 1cm wider each year as the ocean-bed spreads apart.

2) The people of Iceland can trace their ancestry all the way back to the invading Vikings who colonised the island in around 800bc

3) Every 4-5 years, this country has a significant volcanic explosion. However they are usually under the thick ice sheets, but you could get to see fresh flowing lava.

4) In the peak of summer you can get almost 24 hours of daylight in the very north of the island - (almost) the land of the midnight sun!

5) Due to the atmospheric conditions and the clearness of the skies, if the conditions are right you can see the Northern Lights here. These amazing patterns of red and green ‘lights’ can be seen across the skies throughout the winter months.

6) Icelandic people still use a system of naming their children that means that every member of the same family could have different surnames. Basically, the child get their first name as usual, but their surname is created by their fathers name plus whether they are a ’son’ or ‘dottir’. So if Halldors parents where Eider Gudjohnson and Vigdis Olafson, his full name would be Halldor Eiderson.

7) Because of this naming system, people are listed in the phone book by their first names to make it easier to find them!

8. You can see over 6 types of whale here on boat trips - including the humpback and the blue whale if you are very lucky. You can also spot orca, dolphins and porpoises around the capital in particular. There are also 5 types of seal commonly seen here and there is always the possibility of seeing a walrus!

9) There are no train lines in Iceland, and only one main road which circles the whole country.

10) If its rainy or cold on one side of the island, it will always be sunny and dry on the other!

There are of course many more amazing things about Iceland - but you can find them out for yourself when you get there……

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posted by Travel Cat on Aug 27

Planning a Visit to South America? 

Listed below are 10 tour operators and the countries that they specialise in tours to to get you started:

The Amazon: Classic Journeys
This group offer dedicated wildlife tours to some of the worlds greatest places, places people want to visit over and over again. Offering original holidays to inspiring places, they have got The Amazon well covered and offer a choice of tour types to suit.

Antarctica: World Expeditions
With World Expeditions you get to voyage with a group of world-class naturalists offer lectures and insights during the tours. This company work with vessels carrying no more than 54 passengers to make sure that you get all the support and attention you need on-board, as well as lessening your total impact when venturing onto the frozen landmass.

Argentina: Wildlife Worldwide
This is a country of vast wildlife and amazing scenery, from thick jungle to ice fields, from butterflies to Elephant seals, Armadillo’s to Orcas, Wildlife Worldwide can take you there.

Brazil: South American Experience
With over 21 years of experience in tailor-made travel in this continent - you won’t run short of ideas for your holiday. Specialising in the Pantanal - one of the worlds greatest wildlife preserve - they can arrange all transport, guides and accommodation.

Chile: Chile Tours
This very long and very thin country covers a vast array of habitats and temperature zones - all catered for by Chile Tours. Whether it’s the Torres del Paines national park you want to clamber over, or the penguins in the Magellen Straights you wish to waddle with - they’ve got it covered.

Costa Rica:Footloose
Footloose tours operate with small groups only to make your experience that much more personal. Their itineries come with accommodation - whether 3* hotel or camping - and professional guides. All you have to do is choose the route that best suits your wants and they take care of your needs!

Ecuador: BirdSeekers
Needless to say, this company know a thing or two about where to find the best birding sites in the country. With over 10 years experience, their guides can show you up to 50 different hummingbirds, 60+ tanagers, quetzals, condors, parrots and even cock-of-the-rocks. They recently discovered a whole new colony of oilbirds last year……

Galapagos Islands: Tribes Travel
With all your flights, park fees, cruise boat and guides all included, you can step into this amazing and isolated world in good hands. With experienced guides and intimate knowledge of the area, you can almost guarantee your perfect trip.

Peru: Tucan Travel
Offering more than 140 different tour types and having 21 years of experience under their belts - you can’t go far wrong with Tucan Travel. They even came up with a parallel company for the 18’s to 35 group who wanted to see the sites - but spend less doing it - so they came up with Budget Expeditions to do just that.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Travelling Naturalist
Basing their birdwatching tours around the world-reknown Asa Wright Nature Reserve on the island of Trinidad, you won’t miss a thing - and it was here on Tobago that sequences from Life On Earth were filmed…. Inclusive of a boat trip and well-educated guides - and no doubt some serious helpings of sunshine you won’t come home without a camera full of great photo’s to keep.

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posted by Travel Cat on Aug 3

Top 10 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language

For some, learning a second language seems very easy - and to some learning a third or fourth is also easily achieved - however, for the majority it seems as though being fluent in a second language is a goal that is never truly achieved.

I was never very good at French at school - and that is all they offered to you - unless of course you were good at French, when they offered you Spanish and German???

I always wanted to learn Spanish, but was absolutely rubbish at French, really bad - to the point where I would try to hide in the lessons in-case the teacher (a French lady) chose me for any reason to answer a question. It was awful.

Time Flies….. 
Now as an adult, I have found that a second language is not so hard to learn (and how irrelevant French was to my adult needs). I am able to understand French and Spanish from text books and local signs when travelling - but it was the speaking of it that held me up - I didn’t have the confidence.

However - since spending a month in Costa Rica - I have found myself able to converse in basic Spanish and actually get things done like I would at home. I even had a word with the lady at the laundrette because she said that our clothes would be ready tomorrow but I needed them today!!! How’s that for courage. I really felt proud of myself and hope to improve for my return.

I am also part way through qualifying in my TEFL, so hope to live abroad at some point in a South American country, so will ‘keep up the good work’.

Basically there are too many good reasons to learn a foreign language, I have list 10 great ones, to hopefully get you spurred on as well. Some are standard, others are more personal.

1) To book a night in a hotel or ‘pension’
2) To order food and drink when you are travelling
3) To understand directions when trying to find places
4) To understand warning signs while adventuring and for your own safety
5) To have a grasp of local laws if you find yourself in a spot of bother
6) To be able to communicate about your health in times of sickness or injury

7) To befriend local staff in hotels and cafes, as a way of being polite
To become more involved in social events while travelling, and to feel more welcome
9) To chat to local children and help them to understand your journey and where you are from

10) Sometimes speaking the language can help you to get better service, advice and prices in certain locations. And it is no doubt one of the best ways to get the most out of your vacation abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was certainly the better for my getting a head start on the language and culture. And to be honest, there were many occasions where the staff did not speak a word of English (and why should they really), so even parts of sentences were valuable at times!

I don’t think I’m ready for a 3rd language just yet - so I’ll stick the Central and South America for my travels for the time being…….

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posted by Travel Cat on Jul 10

Just the Two of Us!!! 

We all want a lovely beach vacation when it’s just the two of us, but if you have never been to an isolated tropical location or secluded European cove, you might want some pointers.

So I have listed below 10 of the most popular and romantic beach locations around the world where you can get to spend a lot of time with your loved one without being in the center of a city, or close to a giant harbour!

The Maldives - The best location I have ever found where you can guarantee peace and quiet are the islands of the Maldives, just south of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. Some of these beautiful islands have less than 20 rooms, and all you can see on the horizon across the azure waters are a few dotted islands and the splashes left by dolphins and turtles.

Fiji - Here in the south Pacific, there are plenty of islands to visit, all of which have their own secluded beaches and tropical hideaways for you to explore. Not only can you do nothing on your hammock here, you can also charter a small boat and day-trip to an uninhabited island all to yourselves.

A Villa in Italy - How many times have you looked at a cluster of terracotta buildings perched on a rocky slope overlooking a pristine cove and wanted to be there? Wanted to explore the tiny winding passageways from your room to the beach in the sunshine. Well, you can, and it’s in the Mediterranean.

Bermuda - These gems in the Atlantic certainly have the desired isolation and warm climate for total relaxation. With intriguing pink sandy beaches and a colonial feel, you will find sophistication and charm in the resorts with walking, cycling and water-sports all available without the high temperature and humidity of more tropical locations.

Bahamas - Need I say more? This place oozes romance; with great weather, stunning views and plenty of islands to choose from - and if money isn’t an object, why not charter a boat for the 2 of you to guarantee isolation and a view of whatever beaches you want!

Turks and Caicos - This beautiful chain of over 40 islands and cays is certainly a place to ‘get away from it all’. Breath-taking turquoise waters, powder white soft sandy beaches and a tranquil vibe sums up this location.

Brazil - A relatively undiscovered destination, with Buzios as an area famed for it’s 20 lush beaches and a bustling night life or Ponta Negro’s beaches can ‘wow’ you with the same vibrancy after dark! It is Brazil so your romantic vacation will not be boring…..

The Seychelles - A more expensive location - mainly to keep it exclusive. And you will want it that way - just you and the lapping ocean! There are a few more isolated spots away from the main island, and it’s these locations that will make you want to stay…….

Hawaii - The smaller resorts on these amazing volcanic islands could be your ideal beach vacation if you look around - it’s not all chain hotels and surfing here - you can still find pristine locations where it will just be you two and your dreams…..

South of France - You don’t need the beach for romance in this country, but the south coast of France has it anyway. Miles and miles of pristine beaches and lonely coves. The culture will make you feel like you are the only couple in the world enjoying it.

Plan Your Romantic Beach Vacation
Don’t let you dream romantic beach vacation be ruined by something avoidable otherwise you could end up just having another great holiday - rather than that special break.

The vacation you hoped would be the perfect dream of a quiet, sunny, and secluded vacation could become ‘nothing special’. Money and memories wasted.

So, to keep your romantic beach vacation just as you planned here are a few tips that will help you really enjoy that unforgettable and romantic vacation on a tropical or isolated beach.

• Plan in advance for your accommodation - otherwise you could end up settling for something not 100% what you wanted, but the dates were right.
• Think ahead for car hire and special trips or romantic meals. Popular trips and restaurants can book up in advance - leaving you without a thing. Don’t risk a last minute decision as you may be very dissapointed.
• Sun creams, insect repellants and mosquito nets may not be romantic - but if you are travelling to areas where you could be affected by sunburn or insect-bourne illnesses, these are essential. You don’t want to end up in pain, or in hospital!
• Holiday Insurance is vital if you are travelling abroad - even for just a few days - as you never know when anything unplanned could happen.
• Unless you are planning a family, make sure you are more than prepared for all eventualities as mild sickness or time zone changes could affect the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives!
• To help - always avoid tap water and ice if travelling abroad and make sure you only eat well cooked foods from busy restaurants, cook your own or eat at your hotel.

And above all - Enjoy your trip!

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posted by Travel Cat on Jul 4

Planning a Trip to Africa? 

Listed below are 10 experienced tour operators and the countries in Africa that they specialise in tours to - just to get you started:

Botswana: Africa And Beyond
From the lush Okavango Delta to the parched Kalahari Desert - this is a country of extremes. Landlocked in the south of Africa, this country is able to offer tours as different as walking tours, camping safari’s and even elephant-back guided hikes through the diverse landscapes tailor made to suit the individuals and the seasons.

Gabon: WildLife WorldWide
This small, relatively undiscovered, country on the Atlantic coast is home to Mountain Gorillas, Forest Elephants, Chimpanzees, Mandrills and Humpback Whales off the coast. Expect an amazing tour here with the specialists.

Kenya: Tucan Travel
As in South America, this company specialise in overland tours in state-of-the-art vehicles - powerful Mercedes-Benz trucks with custom built bodies and luxurious interiors. As part of the tours you get to camp under the stars, freshen up in small hotels and guest-houses and just soak up the whole atmosphere….

Madagascar: Nature Trek
This UK-Based company offer 2 week escorted tours to the intriguing island of Madagascar to view their host of endemic and highly restricted wildlife. Whether it’s lemurs, birds, bats, or one of the many other groups only found here - your expert guides will make sure you get close up and hands on.

Namibia: Chameleon Safaris
Neighbouring South Africa & Botswana, you can’t fail to find yourself in deserts one day and jungles the next. This eco-operated company is locally based, committed to training local people and supporting communities, using traditional and locally owned lodges.

Rwanda: Aim 4 Africa
This small, country in East Africa is fast becoming a tourist hot-spot with the mountain Gorillas being a great draw. Aim 4 Africa offer tailor-made tours far every individual taking into account age, experience and specific interests.

South Africa: Acacia African Adventures
Based at the tip of Africa, Acacia offer small group adventures and overland tours across the country. Whether you are looking for wildlife or just beautiful scenery, they can offer the tour to suit. With such a large area of coastline around the main ocean routes, you also have access to a whole host of whale migrations at various times of year.

Tanzania: Noah’s Ark Travel
This company claim to work alongside other ethically responsible tourist companies in this larger country bordering Kenya. With tours based on a small number of customers only they strive to ensure minimum impact on the wildlife and environment whilst offering ‘away from the crowds’ tours.

Uganda: Volcano Safaris
They call themselves the Number 1 Gorilla Safari Company, and offer tours doing exactly that. This eco-tourism business specialises only in tours to visit the endangered mountain gorillas, and have created eco-lodges close to the volcano habitats of these gentle giants, and have invested heavily in supporting the local communities and environment.

Zambia: Busanga Safaris
Whether you are single, a couple or a small group - this company can offer guided or unguided tours of the great national park. With advice on camps, lodges and tours this company really have this country covered and specialise in the Kafue National Park and Busanga Plains.

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