Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

A Scenic Drive Down A1A

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The A1A Coastal Highway allows travelers to experience the best of what Florida has to offer. On your 72 mile drive along the eastern coast of Florida, you’ll enjoy 2 hours of white, sandy beaches and fresh ocean air. Coastal towns, large and small, will share with you their culture and history. Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Marineland, Beverley Beach, and Flagler Beach are the key cities you will visit on this scenic trip.

Ponte Vedra Beach:
This seaside community is known for its plush resorts, including the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and the Lodge and Club, and its golf. The PGA tour and the Players Championship are held at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass.
The first park encountered on this journey is Bird Island Park in Ponte Vedra. It features Florida-native plants and two walking trails. You can bird-watch, while enjoying a picnic by the entrance gazebo. Then take a stroll through the hedged sea turtle maze.

If you love hiking, biking, and wildlife, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is the place to go. Exhibits show you what grows and lives in the Guana, a preserved habitat for fish and various species.
Whether you are looking for lunch, dinner, or a relaxing night out, great seafood is available at the Aqua Grille. Also, delectable food and wine are at your fingertips at the Restaurant Medure in Ponte Vedra Beach.

St. Augustine:
St. Augustine was founded in 1565, and is full of history. You can visit Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, or even the oldest house in the U.S., the Gonzalez-Alverez house. While you are
here join a tour of the Fort Matanzas National Monument. The watchtower was built in 1742 to prevent enemy ships from attacking St. Augustine, which was at the time the center of Spain’s coastal defenses. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument took 23 years to build (from 1672 to 1695).History lovers will appreciate these attractions.

For the kids, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a fun addition to your trip. It features displays of reptiles and bright, exotic birds. Go for a walk on the nature trail, watch an exhibition of snakes and alligators, or enjoy the Lemurs and the amazing Komodo dragon.
While you are here, Ripley’s Believe it or Not is a unique stop. Then set sail on the Schooner Freedom, where you can delight in a sunset sail or a private charter in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Grab a bite to eat at the Columbia Restaurant in the historic district.

Marineland:
Marineland is the name of the city and the largest attraction located there. You’ll want to make a reservation for the Dolphin Adventure. It allows you to spend time with dolphins by feeding and swimming with them. Why not try the Trainer for a Day program and see what it’s like to work with these amazing animals?
The Seabreeze Sweet Shop is a tasty stop to make on your scenic drive, but if you want more than a quick snack, The Atlantic Grille at the Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast in near-by. It offers ocean views while you dine on delicious seafood.

Beverly Beach and Flagler Beach:
These cozy little beachside towns offer a wide variety of fishing, surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and boating. Rent a kayak or a bicycle and enjoy the old Florida charm along 6 miles of uncrowded beaches.
Prime fishing is available off the Flagler Beach Pier. Dip your toes in the water and catch some flounder or redfish. Also, visit the Flagler Beach museum to view historic pictures of the town and some of its celebrated visitors, such as American aviators- Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.
Plan to visit the Turtle Shack for crab cakes and onion rings while you are here, but for a night out, soak up the beauty and tranquility of the coast in one of many oceanfront restaurants.

The A1A Coastal highway is one of the most beautiful, calming parts of Florida. Have fun playing golf, surfing, and fishing in its shimmering waters. Enjoy its attractions and cuisine and savor its history and rich culture.

Marcie McDonald is an insurance consultant who writes for cheapestcarinsurance.org.uk. She recommends checking online sites to compare car insurance rates, and also to see if you qualify to cheapest car insurance before making your choice.

Plan The Perfect Edinburgh Break

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
A weekend away should offer a bit of everything for everyone, no matter who is in the party. Whether you’re looking for a bit of history, a sightseeing walk, a few drinks or to sample some local cuisine, Edinburgh has the facilities to meet any weekend tripper’s needs.

One of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh also happens to be extremely affordable to anyone. The National Museum of Scotland is a great way to spend a few hours taking in some culture, seeing artefacts from the voyages of Charles Darwin and brushing up your knowledge on all things Scottish. If this doesn’t quench your thirst for museums then the National Galleries of Scotland also offer a great way spend a few hours taking in more culture. The Royal Botanic Garden is also well worth a visit, weather permitting of course.

There is also plenty worth seeing whilst out walking the many streets of Edinburgh. Arguably the main selling point of Edinburgh – the castle – is accessible via the Royal Mile, a stretch of road that plays host to a number of attractions and souvenir shops. If you’re staying in Edinburgh for the weekend, then visiting the castle at 1pm on Saturday will make sure you’re there to hear the field gun firing. Even if you’re not too keen on seeing the castle, just venturing up to the grounds will allow you breath-taking views of Edinburgh. If this isn’t enough however, then the hike to the peak of Arthur’s Seat will surely satisfy any sightseeing needs. Not only can Arthur’s Seat claim to be Edinburgh’s tallest hill, but it’s also an extinct volcano. If you don’t fancy making your own way up there however, be sure to check out one of the many walking tours that are on offer throughout the city – the night time tour will provide spectacular views.

A day of sightseeing is sure to leave you feeling two things – hungry and thirsty. Thankfully, Edinburgh has plenty of restaurants and bars to see to this, meaning that you are able to try the national dish – haggis, and the signature drink of Scotch whisky, but there is plenty of variety for those who want something a little different. In terms of drinking, you’ll struggle to find a better scotch shop than the Scotch Whisky Experience, situated on Castlehill in the Old Town. This is not only a shop, but a learning experience too as you are introduced to the process of making the whisky, as well as being treated to a dram yourself.

Finally, no guide to this city would be complete without a mention of the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The festival, running this year from 3rd -27th August offers a wide variety of entertainment for everyone, including theatre, comedy, music, street theatre and many more. One piece of advice to take on board for the Fringe however, is to book early. As you’d expect, tickets for popular shows sell out and Edinburgh hotels get booked up well in advance, so plan carefully.

Houston – Switch on the fun!

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

I would always wish for a button in my life that would transport me to a world full of joy and happiness. Guess what? My wish just got granted by a Genie called ‘Houston’. Yes, Houston is a place where fun lets you be a part of its world.

So there I was, with my backpack of expectations, all set to explore Houston. As mentioned in my opening line of being transported into a different world, I decided to first visit the Space Center and do myself the favor of getting transported into a fun world. I was amazed with what I was looking at.

Powered by NASA’s technology, this place looked far from real. Humongous space crafts, astronauts, space related games galore, I was told by a staff there are almost 250 different things to do here. Amongst all, I decided to shortlist the Blastoff theatre. I must say it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I always wanted to feel what a real astronaut would feel like when the blast off takes place. This theatre just does that. It put you in the driver’s seat and gives you the feel of launching into space. I was so excited that I did not want to come back. I was further updated on things like the current space flights, astronaut training activities, and exploration details of Mars. It was an out-of-the-world experience for sure. Now, it was time to get back to the real world and have more fun. After the skies and space, it was time to have some underwater fun.

As I arrived to a place called Downtown Aquarium, I just realized that it was not only an aquarium but a sea world built to fascinate. Right from a 17th century Spanish Galleon shipwreck to a rainforest to a sunken temple…really intriguing stuff. Thought all these sounded like I was a part of an adventure-thriller movie, it was for real and happening before my eyes.

The sights that really stole my heart and gave me goose-bumps were the White tigers of the Maharaja Temple. They were looking so dignified and exotic, that I was just about to foolishly ask to take one home and pet it.
A day full of amusement and excitement was coming to an end and I did not want to stop till I got enough. I realized in Houston, ‘enough’ would be an understatement as there are uncountable things you can do in this place. Since it was getting dark, I was in a mood to party. Prior to my visit I had found about a lounge called Avani Lounge – one of the best places for food, music and of course dance.
Boy oh boy, was I surprised or what, as soon as I entered, I was greeted with the Brazilian dancers who had built up a carnival atmosphere. The energy was spell-bounding. The DJ was spinning house, hip-hop, reggae and even to my amusement bollywood music.

As soon the bollywood music started, I saw some Indians on the floor. What a sight it was to see these folks doing their stuff with signature bollywood moves and yes not to forget, the pelvic thrusts. Everything here was captivating, the food, the dance floor and the spirits too. What a day it was. Indeed, a day well spent. But I was sure I had just seen 0.001% of what Houston had to offer. I promised to myself and Houston in one of the famous statements from a movie –‘I’ll be back’.

About the Author -

Charles is an avid traveler and writes travel articles for various travel websites sharing his personal experiences. His recent delight was Houston Things To Do where he would love to go back and hit the road again!

Winter in Minnesota is Surprisingly Dog Friendly

Monday, January 30th, 2012
Looking for a winter getaway with your dog?  How about visiting the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota?

Uh, Minnesota… in WINTER?

It’s not as far-fetched as you might think.  Minnesotans are an active bunch, and one of the ways they get through the long winters is to simply get out and enjoy the season.  This applies to Minnesota dogs, too.

So what’s in store for a winter excursion to the Twin Cities?  There are numerous winter festivals that get you and your dog right in the thick of winter activities.  The oldest and largest is the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, which takes place throughout the capital city.  This year, it takes place from January 26 – February 5, 2012.  There are snow and ice sculpture contests, parades, music, dog-sled races, skating and hockey.

Many Winter Carnival events take place in downtown Saint Paul, which is a surprisingly dog friendly city.  Mears Park in Lowertown, a full city block bounded by Sibley and Wacouta and East Fifth and Sixth Streets, is an urban dog friendly oasis.  Mears Park has turned into a popular haven for downtown residents with dogs.  The park is criss-crossed with walking paths, a man-made stream, and colorful flower beds maintained by volunteer gardeners.  In winter, the trees are illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights.  The park’s walkways are lined with benches, providing convenient seating to people- or dog-watch.

A short drive (about 10 minutes) west is one of the Twin Cities’ liveliest retail areas – Grand Avenue in Saint Paul.  Over roughly twenty blocks from Dale Street on the east to Fairview Avenue on the west, you and your pup can stroll leisurely among all manner of unique shops, restaurants and services lining this thoroughfare.  This isn’t the mall, with the same-old, same-old.  Instead, you’ll find mostly home-grown businesses, with just a smattering of national chains.  On Grand Avenue, you’ll find everything from fine American crafts (The Grand Hand Gallery) to children’s books (The Red Balloon Bookstore) to kitchen ware (Cooks of Crocus Hill). There’s even doggy day care at Dog Days.  Many stores will welcome well-behaved leashed dogs – just ask.

On the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities, there’s an amazing 50-mile long network of trails called the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.  Parts of this trail network will take you and your canine companion through wildflower gardens, urban parks, along the mighty Mississippi River, and historic neighborhoods ringing the city’s chain of lakes.  You can enter and exit the trail system easily, so don’t be daunted by its length!

Along the way, you might encounter not only cross-country skiers, but skijor-ers.  Skijoring is sort of a cross between cross-country skiing and dog sledding.  The humans are on skis and use poles.  They are also partially pulled by dogs, connected by harness to the person.  What a great way for you and your dog to get out and enjoy winter!

In planning your trip to the Twin Cities in winter, be sure to first search out a comfortable dog friendly accommodation for you and your dog.  This metropolitan area offers a terrific variety of dog friendly lodgings, from luxe hotels to charming B&Bs.  To simplify your hotel search, use a booking engine like that provided by DogWonderful that automatically filters for pet friendly hotels.

Now grab your hat and gloves, maybe even get your dog a spiffy winter coat, and head to Minnesota for a dog friendly winter getaway!

Bio
Teresa Matsui Sanders is a travel industry veteran and creator of DogWonderful, a website specializing in dog friendly hotels and travel. Mostly she specializes in obeying her dogs.

Four Things Your Parents Never Told You About Driving an RV

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

RV driving
Do you remember those days after you got your first learners permit? Were your parents sitting next to you with a constant monologue of safety tips and reminders? Sometimes those voices still repeat in your head with warnings about using signals, checking mirrors and watching your speed. If you’re driving an RV for the first time, all those little pieces of advice take on an even greater sense of importance. Along with your regular safe driving habits, there are a few more special pieces of advice just for RV drivers.

Braking takes longer.

An RV is a big vehicle and the laws of nature dictate that big vehicles takes a longer time to stop. Keep this in mind while driving and try to keep one vehicle length for each 10 mph between you and the vehicle in front of you. Be patient and calm because being a little late isn’t worth running into someone.

Watch Your Head.

RV’s are not only heavier and longer, but they are taller as well. A familiar route of tree lined streets, drive-thoughs and even bridges can become unexpectedly hazardous with just the added height. Check your vehicle specifications to find out exactly how tall you are, and remember to look up! If you store anything on the luggage rack, remember to add that on top of the regular vehicle height.

Wind is Not Your Friend.

The tall, solid height of an RV is like a ship’s sail on the open seas. Every strong gust of wind, or wake of a passing truck will buffet the sides of your RV, pushing you around the road. Sometimes this is helpful, like when the wind is at your back going down the road and saving you gas money, but most times it is just dangerous and something you need to stay aware of. One uncorrected swerve could put you into another lane or even off the road.

Everything’s Bigger, Including Your Blind Spots.

Cruising down the interstate may actually be the easiest part of driving an RV. When you’re trying to park, back up, or even navigate narrow, busy city traffic, it is a different story. If you get to thinking you are the big rock star of the open road, don’t forget to remember ‘the little people.’ Take extra time and precautions to check your blind spots and avoid damages to not only your vehicle, but others as well.

In conclusion, be alert, be patient and don’t be afraid to ask for help. RV’s are an easy and fun way to vacation, and if you do your best to be a safe driver, you’ll be able better able to enjoy the places the road leads you to.

Charlie Sullivan is an insurance consultant for autoinsurance.info, where you can find everything from a New Jersey Auto Insurance Company to the best Auto Insurance Quotes in Colorado.

Traveling on a Budget

Saturday, January 28th, 2012
Everyone deserves to get away from it all every once in a while. When you’ve finally decided to give yourself that much needed R and R, money should not prevent you from doing so. Here are some savvy saving tips for you so you can get the most of your vacation on such limited budget.

  1. Book in Advance

We all know that airfares are generally cheaper when you book months or even a year in advance. Why not do so? Not only will you get cheaper prices, you can also have enough time to save up more for that vacation of yours. Also, watch out for any airfare promos the airlines may be having. This can help you save a considerable sum that you can be able to spend on other stuff for your upcoming trip.

  1. Travel Light

Avoid excess baggage as soon as possible. Unnecessary weight only make you shell out more money than you intend to. Also, given that you will be traveling, you might be able to buy several items during your trip or along the way. Packing light gives you the advantage to save up and stash your bought items in your bag.

  1. Plan Your Meals

You should be able to do your research on where the best and cheapest places are there to eat. If you stay in a hotel, most of them offer a free breakfast buffet. You can instead wake up later than usual and have brunch. Now you’re solved for the two meals of the day – breakfast and lunch. Ask the locals for economical restaurants or café- they are sure to help you out. Or, if it’s allowed, you can even just cook for yourself where you’re staying. It’s fun and economical.

  1. Go Commute

Instead of taking the taxi, or renting a car, walk the streets of the foreign place instead. You can get to experience the culture and the things unique to that place or country while you’re at it. Plus, you can get to learn about local food and traditions while you do. If walking isn’t feasible, then simply take the vehicle the way masses do. Either by train, or by bus, they’re sure to fit your budget nicely.

Bio:
Chris Zuckerman enjoys backpacking around the world in his spare time. He is the President at his b deck and steel deck fabrication facility located in Atlanta GA.

Ibiza – sun sea, sand and the world’s clubbing capital

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Ibiza and Formentera August and September 2011

In the forefront of the package tourism boom of the 1960s and still a riotous destination for its nightlife and famous DJs, Ibiza is one of the most popular Spanish tourist destinations, especially for young British clubbers. One of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza’s got everything a world – and cold-weather weary fugitive from northern climes – could wish for – glorious sunshine, soft sand, warm blue seas, great food and lots of bars with an unlimited supply of alcohol.

Most British clubbers, however, prefer to miss out on the sun, sea, sand and scenery and sleep throughout the day, getting ready for another all-night bash of beer, DJs and loud music. The frequency and ease of flights to Ibiza is another attraction, with crowds arriving here for long weekends via low-cost carriers as well as for full holidays through charter and package tour companies.

No matter where in the UK you live, there’s a seasonal flight to Ibiza leaving from an airport within a short journey of your home. Londoners can choose between full-service flights with BA from Gatwick or with BA City Flyer from London City, a few steps from luxury Canary Wharf loft apartments. The financially-challenged can opt for an easyJet service from Gatwick, Stanstead or Luton, with Ryanair also flying from Stansted or Monarch from Gatwick and Luton.

Brummie and Midlands clubbers have enough options, beginning with BMIbaby and Ryanair from East Midlands Airport and Monarch or Ryanair from Birmingham International Airport. Farther north in Yorkshire, Leeds/Bradford Airport is useful for locals, with routes offered by Ryanair and Jet2. easyJet, BA CityFlyer and Jet2 operate out of Newcastle upon Tyne. On the Lancashire side of the country, Manchester hosts Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2 and BA CityFlyer, and Liverpool holds its own with Ibiza flights with easyJet and Ryanair.

North of the border, Edinburgh and Glasgow host flights by Ryanair and BA CityFlyer and Aberdeen offers a seasonal charter with BMI. Across the water, Irish clubbers are well-served at Belfast International Airport by Ryanair, BMIbaby, easyJet and Jet2. Smaller UK airports with Ibiza flights include Exeter, Bristol, Blackpool, Southend and Bournemouth. The charter airlines Thomas Cook and Thomson operate seasonally from most of the secondary UK airports as well as from Exeter, Cardiff, Doncaster and Norwich.

The terminal at Ibiza Airport is forced to pack travellers in like sardines in the high season, causing shortages of everything from car rental to bottled water and onward transportation. Advanced planning and booking of required services will get your holiday off to a good start, wherever you’re staying on the island.

A favourite destination is San Antonio, Ibiza’s second-largest town, set close to the huge nightclubs and with plenty of nightlife of its own. Most popular in-town venues are in the town’s West End, a strip of bars, eateries and music pubs including Funky Flares, Amsterdam Bar, Viva, Tropicana, Soul City and many more. Evening opening hours are from around 18:00 to as late as 06:00 the following morning.

The world-famous, massive clubs are located outside the town for reasons of noise and are open between April and October. Most cater for a young uber-hip crowd although venues such as Underground cater to older clubbers with chill-out lounge rooms off the main drag and terraced gardens where conversation isn’t totally impossible.

Donnegan’s Irish pub is an exception in that it’s on the harbour and offers great pub grub all day as well as big screen sport and games, all in a friendly atmosphere with live bands and at good value for money. House specialities include large portions of fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and a full Irish breakfast served with a pint of Guinness!

Written by John from loveibiza.net

La Tania, France – a skier’s delight

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

la tania
Few ski resorts in Europe boast a scenic and exciting ambiance like the French Alps village of La Tania. This spectacular ski resort is tucked away in the Courchevel region of the world famous Trois Vallees. La Tania isn’t an overly historic ski area, like neighbouring Meribel, as it was primarily developed for the Albertville Winter Olympics in 1992.

There is no direct train link or flight into La Tania ski resort. The most effective way to travel here is by rail and road. Most visitors take the high-speed train from Paris, Lyon or another major French or European city to the nearby town of Moutiers. From here, it is a simple 30-minute drive to reach this amazing little skiing settlement.

Accommodation is found throughout the centre of the village. Most of the lodgings are apartment-style accommodation or small hotels. However, there are a number of chalets located in the outer area of city which are surrounded by forests. La Tania is certainly equipped for tourism, especially since its inception in time to stage the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Skiers will absolutely fall in love with the village of La Tania, and not just because of the awesome ski runs that are literally right on its doorstep. The downtown area of the town consists of: several shops; basic services like a supermarket, a post office and a bakery; a tourist office; a ski lift office; and about a dozen notable restaurants and pubs. It is easy to feel right at home in this quaint little village.

However, some visitors barely spend any time at all wandering the car-less centre of La Tania because they are too busy snow surfing the slopes of the surrounding mountain sides. Ski runs ranging from black level to absolute beginner circuits are found conveniently close to La Tania.

With an elevation of 1,400 metres, La Tania couldn’t wish for better slopes or a more ideal climate for skiing. However, there are always snow machines ready to be whipped out just in case the snow begins to thin early.

Even though the Trois Vallees region consists of about 186 ski runs, La Tania only plays host to seven. Nevertheless, there are several chair lifts serving the village and a 12-person gondola can be taken from the village to other surrounding areas, including the ski runs of Courchevel and Meribel. The three main sections of La Tania’s ski field are divided into the red, blue and green pistes.

Skiing may be the main activity that appeals to visitors to La Tania. However, tourists who come here quickly learn that the village has plenty more to offer than just downhill ski runs. Adventure lovers should try their hand at dog sledding, with tours easily organised through the local tourist office. Who wouldn’t love to be ploughed through a blanket of picturesque, white snow behind a pack of huskies? Snowshoeing tours and paragliding are also popular with tourists.

When the day is done, there’s no end to the fun as La Tania boasts a pub that will stun! Ok, so there is only one main pub in the village centre, which is commonly referred to as Pub Le Ski Lodge. Some visitors may not feel overly enthused with the one pub idea, but at least the establishment is buzzing most nights of the week.

John wrote this post for Alpine Action who provide ski chalets accommodation in La Tania and Meribel

Destination – Toronto

Friday, January 27th, 2012

There are many interesting cities in North America, but one of them stands out from the crowd – it’s Toronto. If you ever end up in Toronto and can’t visit other cities in Canada, do not be particularly upset – Toronto can offer you almost everything you would expect to see in a big city in North America.

It’s one of those cities that never sleeps, because there is always something going on there. If you consult a Toronto entertainment calendar, you will get a glimpse of Toronto’s rich cultural life.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the fifth largest city in North America with a population of over 2.5 million people. Toronto owes its success to its strategic geographical position – it has easy access to other large mega-cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, etc. This position was an important factor in the city’s historic development and emergence as one of the largest business, cultural, scientific and sports centers in North America.

Another peculiarity of Toronto is that it’s one of the most diverse city in the world, formed by waves of immigrants from all over the world.

Canada is actively attracting immigrants, and most of them decide to settle in Toronto, which gives the city its ethnic flavor. Toronto has no equal in the world in the abundance of ethnic restaurants, variety of places of worship and cultural centers, and in the number of ethnic festivals and celebrations held throughout the year.

History of Toronto

Toronto appeared on the map in 1750, as a small fort called Fort Rouillé, used by the French salesmen as a trading point with the Indians. The fort existed only until 1759, then it was abandoned.

In 1793, the governor of Upper Canada (today’s Ontario), John Simcoe assigned Fort York the status of a city. The current name of Toronto the city received on March 6, 1834.

During all the years Toronto has grown rapidly, attracting a large volume of immigrants arriving in Canada. The Irish were the first major ethnic group that settled and dominated in Toronto for a long time.

This was changed by a large wave of immigration in the late 19th – early 20th century, when many Germans, Frenchmen, Italians and Jews arrived in Toronto. Then the city saw an influx of immigrants from China and Eastern Europe, primarily from Poland, Ukraine and Russia.

After the Second World War, the city accepted another wave of immigrants, mainly from Western and Eastern Europe. As a result, the city’s population reached one million.

However, for a long time Toronto remained primarily an industrial city, overshadowed by Montreal, which played the role of the financial and cultural capital of Canada.

This changed in 1980, when thanks to the rapid development of Toronto and an increase in its population, Toronto gradually surpassed Montreal and turned into a major financial center.

From that moment the city began a new chapter in its history. Toronto rapidly developed into an important focal point of cultural and business life, joining the echelons of such mega-cities as New York, London and Tokyo.

Today, Toronto is one of very important tourist destinations in the world. It’s attracting millions of tourists every year thanks to its colorful ethnic neighborhoods, festivals, and a large number of world-class museums, amusement parks and other attractions.

About the author:

Svetlana Rubejov lives and works in Toronto, expressing her love for the city by writing Life in Toronto City Guide – a guide for immigrants and tourists, covering everything from cheap hotels Toronto and the city’s attractions to its real estate and job search tips.

Planning your First Ski Holiday

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Whilst the thought of spending a week on a snow capped mountain bound to a pair of planks which send you whizzing down a hill sends a chill down some people’s spines, for many winter sports holidays are the ultimate getaway for those longer months of the year. With breath-taking views and pisted runs for skiers of all abilities, ranging from the absolute beginner to the seasoned pro, ski resorts can be a great deal of fun.

In order to have the snow sports holiday of a lifetime you need to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared, both mentally and physically, so you can tackle the testing terrain.

Fitness

Although skiing is an enjoyable sport for people of all shapes and sizes, you’re more likely to enjoy yourself if you’re physically prepped to tackle those moguls. If you’re thinking of taking on the black runs or challenging the off-piste powder it’s advisable to ease your body into some level of physical activity to prevent injury on the slopes. Focus on your thighs and calves, which will feel the burn when making your sweet turns, to make sure you’re physically prepared. Focus on increasing your energy levels too, you don’t want to burn out before après ski!

Resort

One major factor which will effect which resort you choose to holiday in is your level of ski ability. Whilst most resorts have a mixture of blue (beginner), red (intermediate) and black (advanced) runs, some resorts are more tailored to a certain ability level. Before diving in head-first and booking a holiday create a list of resorts to choose from which are voted best for your skill level. Many travel websites provide their opinion on which ski ability the resort is best tailored to so you can use them to assemble a rough list of possible holiday destinations.

Finance

Yet another factor that will affect your choice of destination is your budget range. Whilst the most popular resorts in the alps will have the highest price tags you may find that ski packages make your dream holiday more affordable. Packages which include the essentials of a skiing holiday such as; lift pass, ski hire, transfers and even ski tuition can help you to get a good deal in a top resort.

If you’re really struggling to finance a week’s holiday and want to visit one of the ski giants, you could opt for a ski weekend so you can still get your fix of powder. You’ll need to be a first lift until last lift skier on a weekend break so you can make the most of your limited skiing time.

If you’re looking for a tranquil ski holiday then one of the quieter resorts could be the perfect destination for you. Generally speaking, the less tourist-based a resort is the lower the prices of accommodation, lift passes and food will be. In addition to that, you’ll benefit from quieter slopes, allowing you to have the run of the piste and make those beautiful wide turns.

Your first trip to mountains can be an incredibly magical one, the mountain air and exercise can be incredibly exhilarating. Being well prepared can help you to make the most of your time spent in the snow and of course, during après ski!

This post was written by skiing enthusiast and avid blogger Stephanie Staszko who writes on behalf of Golf 247 who retail the 2012 cobra amp driver and would choose a sports holiday over lying on the beach any day of the week!