Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on May 14

If you have a family - then make sure you get involved in Family Week 2010 - May 21st to June 6th.

There are plenty of things you can do locally or nationally for this week of fun and frolics - and it will keep the kids entertained over the holidays!

Although this event is being pushed in the UK mainly, there is no reason why you can’t get involved wherever you are, as it is basically a celebration of all that is family.  Whether that means just your close family, aunties and uncles, grandparents, stepparents, cousins and friends - all are welcome!

There is a basic structure to the week - if only to give people an idea or 2 to get started - but obviously you can do whatever you want whenever you want, as long as you get more than just yourself involved.

Try to make it a really big event - as they tend to be more fun - or join another event organised by a larger company, school or charity if there is one close by - check Family Week Guide for some tips and events - or make up your own based on the following:

Monday: Picnic Day
Either at home in the garden so you can have lots of warm food and ice cream - or out in the countryside with blankets and hampers instead!

Tuesday: Film Day
Either a day out and trip to the cinema, a whole evening at home with take-away and popcorn - or a night in the garden with a projector of pale wall!

Wednesday: Story Time
Maybe an afternoon in the garden with a few short stories read out - or a few readers could take on characters with a narrator to hold it all together.  Or a walk around a castle while reading a story set in that exact same place with dressing up!

Thursday: Road Trip
All head off somewhere special in a car or 2 or on a train.  Maybe pick a place you have read about - or find a place that you want to visit year after year as a special family location.

Friday: House Party
Anything goes with this one.  Sleepover, computer games, board games, garden fun, watching films, putting on a play, eating a bar-b-q or whatever you can dream up!

Saturday: Sports Day
If you aren’t already all worn out, then maybe meet up at a local park and put together a list of events that everyone can join in, like 3-legged races and piggy-back rides!

Or just take a camping trip over the weekend, or a city stay during the week,  The choices are endless - just try to do something with the family to make holidays special!

posted by Travel Cat on May 1

Visit 1 of the most talked about natural sight-seeing spots in the States - but you must look down!

This amazing landscape is something that draws crowds day after day, and is one of the locations on millions of peoples ‘Places To Visit’ list - and I’m not surprised at why.

Here are a few of your questions answered about this magnificent semi-arid gorge!

How Was The Grand Canyon Formed?
The Grand Canyon was formed by the natural effect of erosion on the (colorful) soft rocks of the Colorado Plateau - an action that is still continuing today.

Basically, the Colorado River is wearing away at the softer rocks of the Canyon as it head down to the sea.  What makes the Grand Canyon so deep, is the fact that the Colorado Plateau was raised up really high in the past that the river had no choice but to erode down so deep revealing over 2 billion years of geological deposits in the process!

Mind you, many scientists think that it has taken the river around 17 million years to do so!

How Deep Is The Grand Canyon?
Due to the raising of the sediments in this area, the Grand Canyon is over a mile deep along a great part of it’s route - that’s around 6000ft - about as deep down as Mount Rushmore is high!

Are There Any Other Facts About The Grand Canyon? 
Yes plenty, but lets just say that it is around 277 miles long from it’s start to the ocean - in Mexico, between the Baja state and the mainland.  It can be anything up to 18 miles wide - that’s 29 kilometers, or as little as 4 miles depending on the rivers course and the resistance of the neighboring rocks. 

The Native American people of the area were very familiar with the canyon, and believed it to be a Holy Site.  Infact the Pueblo people who lived in settlements on it’s steep sides called it ‘Ongtupqa’ in their Hopi language, meaning just that.  There storage caves and the dwellings of several other tribes can be found in the area.

Where Is The Grand Canyon National Park Located?
The Grand Canyon is located in the northern part of the state of Arizona, although the Colorado River passes through  4 further states (2 before reaching the canyon, and 2 after) as well as Mexico before discharging into the Gulf of California.

The Grand Canyon National Park surrounds the canyon itself, but also incorporates 4927 km2 of other land and reserves including land in Coconino and Mohave Counties.

Most visitors either drive to the area on Arizona State Route 64, where they arrive at the South Rim where the bulk of the sites and visitor facilities are; but the less visited North Rim uses the State Route 67 in.

What Is The Grand Canyon Skywalk?
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is one of the most thrilling parts of a visit to this amazing place - but isn’t something for everyone!  Basically, it is an unsupported glass platform, that juts out over the side of the canyon, leaving ‘air space’ between your feet and the mile down to the Colorado River!

Obviously it is fully secure and has passed numerous Health and Safety tests and re-tests - but would you have the nerve to actually step off of the side of the gorge and look past your feet to a tumbling white-water river passing underneath?

Is It Worth Going On 1 Of The Grand Canyon Helicoptor Tours? 
The thrill of flying over the natural feature is well worth the flight - but as with the skywalk - you don’t want to be afraid of heights!

You will be able to see an awful lot more of the Grand Canyon itself if you do take the helicopter ride, and you will come away from the site with memories that not many people are brave enough to earn themselves.  I mean if you are going to go all the way there to see the canyon in the first place - then make sure you save enough to get the helicopter ride when you get there - I don’t think you will ever regret it!

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posted by Travel Cat on Mar 10

Spring has finally arrived - with birds, plants and insects all over the place!

I have seen some peacock butterflies bathing in the sunshine, crocuses bursting open all over the place and even daffodils peeking out!  What a great time to get your kids outside and help them explore their surroundings!

Although this is nature of a different sort, this is a lovely story of bringing history to life. Read Dee Andrews enjoyable story of a day out in history with Pompeii Through the Eyes of a Child.

Following this, here is another great story about kids on vacation with MummyT as she cross South-east Asia with here 9-year-old Virachey National Park.

And someone else already out there with the family - this time they are enjoying New York - so join Jennifer Miner for a personal run down of her Best NYC Things to Do with Kids

And finally, here is a really disgruntled blogger who had terrible trouble while traveling with her kids - check out Sierra Black article advising: Flying with Kids? Beware! and get active yourself when problems arise!

So, if you are heading off beware, and be prepared - and make sure you avoid problems by careful planning.

posted by Travel Cat on Feb 24

Before rushing off to book that equine adventure - make your checks!

It’s not so simple to just book yourself onto a week long horse adventure without a care in the world - it’s not like a normal all inclusive, although your food will normally be included here too.

So, here’s a few things to consider before making that booking:

Are You Insured?
Check you holiday insurance details before you make a booking just incase your full trip or part of your intended journey isn’t covered.

A short ride along a beach is probably ok for most; but 4 days trekking through the Andes or wandering across the Sahara for a week might not be a sure thing!

Are They Insured?
And, are you liable for any injuries to the horse or pony while you are riding it? 

And what if the horse you are given for the ride becomes unsuitable for riding - do they have to supply another one for you?  Make sure you know before you go!

The last thing you need is an extra bill at the end of the trip - or a few days riding missed as they have no backup plan!

Are You Ready?
Just because you love horses and riding, is that enough to think that you can sit on one for several hours a day, and for several days in a row?

Sitting in the saddle for a 2 hr trek seems fine - but what about 6 hours at a time - day after day?

And 6 hours of riding can be very tiring for someone who isn’t used to it - and what about all that cantering across huge fields and along beaches.  Can you keep up?

Are You Dressed?
You need to find out what equine equipment is available to you, or whether you should bring your own - or whether you are allowed to bring your own.

For example, it is always advised that you bring your own hat as you cannot guarantee that those supplied (if any) are up to your own countries safety standards, and that they even fit you!  A riding center can’t supply several of every sized riding hat in case you turn up with your very small head!  And a wrong sized hat will not do the best job in terms of your safety.

Some centres might like you to bring your own gloves and boots, but can you use a crop, spurs or other preferred equipment?  You need to find out the stables policy on anything you like to use when riding to see if it all adds up.

Are You Hungry?
Most all inclusive and full board vacation packages supply vegetarian options or have buffet meals to give you the freedom of choice - but vegans, celiacs and any other allergy sufferers might have trouble unless they plan for this in advance.

By making your food preferences known before booking or as soon as possible afterwards you will find that you will be eating without any problems.  I mean the last thing you need on an active holiday is to go hungry!

Are You Alone?
Many activity holidays share accommodation, rather than give single rooms to everyone.  Some times they are 2-shares but sometimes depending on the age of the group, you may all share bunks in the same room!

If you want your own space in the evenings check that there is the opportunity for this on your trip.  If it is in a remote location this might not be possible - so do this before you book anything!

Are You Still Up For It?  Then get that vacation booked!
 

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!