Storsjoodjuret – The Great Lake Monster Of Lake Storsjon In Sweden

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
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The Storsjoodjuret or ‘The Great Lake Monster’ of lake Storsjon in Sweden is a long serpent-like creature whose sightings date back to over 400 hundred years, and over those 400 years, there have been over 200 recorded sighting of the Swedish Lake Monster. Its legend can be compared to that of Nessy’s and other lake creatures. The Storsjoodjuret however has not had much hype as the rest of these reported creatures. The lake where the monster resides is estimated to have been created over 9000 years ago during the end of the ice age. The surroundings and the circumstances that surround the lake have made a great environment for the healthy growth of fish in the lake. Lake Storsjon is also said to be quite resistant to pollution that is why it is not hard to imagine that such a monster would be able to survive in the great Swedish lake.

The fascination over the Storsjoodjuret has been rooted strongly in the people surrounding the lake, so much so that there are a large number of people who do not doubt the monster’s existence even for a second. From a distance, the Storsjoodjuret easily resembles a long serpent-like creature with humps that run across it back. It has a small cat like head with ears or fins that are pressed onto the sides of its neck. The length of the Storsjoodjuret varies from 3.5 to 14 meters and is as wide as 1.25 meters. However, a small number of witnesses who have had the chance to view the Storsjoodjuret up close describe it to be opposite from the serpentine like description and that it was only about 3 meters in length and had short thick feet, a huge head and rounded eyes.

It has been noticed that the creature seems to prefer the bays and the sounds of the Storsjon Lake. It may also be present in the deeper waters but that sightings here are rare because the animal can dive the deep depths of the lake and easily camouflage itself. The Storsjoodjuret seem to prefer appearing in the warmer months, although there have been reported sightings of the creature during the autumn and winter months.

There has been a lot of skepticism against the existence of the Storsjoodjuret. Most of the comments have tried to disprove that the Storsjoodjuret does live in the great Swedish lake; but all of these comments have been met with counter objections that support the true existence of the Storsjoodjuret in the Storsjon Lake. One attack is that, the sightings were only of air bubbles that come from the cracks in the bottom of the lake. That may be true, but most of the sightings tell of a long line that can easily be followed across the lake; it is quite hard to imagine bubbles with such a property. Another is that the humps on the water were just heads of a row of elks swimming on the lake with their heads above water. It is true that elks do this, but swimming elks cannot move as fast and as smooth as the Storsjoodjuret.

There is a website that describes the Storsjoodjuret and numerous other creatures of Cryptozoology in detail, this website is called: Unknown Creatures and it may be found at this url: http://www.unknown-creatures.com

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 8 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released software on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s. Robert has written many articles pertaining to numerous subjects, and he has also developed over 6 different websites. Easy To Speak English http://www.easytospeakenglish.com

Article Source: Articlestreet

Morgawr – Beast Of The Sea

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
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The Morgawr is a serpent like creature that lives near Falmouth Bay, Cornwall. In Cornish the word Morgawr means giant. Probably because the great multitude of people that say have seen it say that it is humongous. It was first sighted in 1906, and scientists proposed that it may not actually be fiction. Since, it is possible that it may be a specie of “PLESIOSAUR”, or undiscovered specie of long necked seal.

The depths of the sea that remain undiscovered prove a possible area of living or breeding ground for species like the Morgawr. It is also possible that since it has been seen by more than one individual, that the Morgawr creature really does exist. What could be so hard to believe? There is so much in our world that has yet to be discovered.

In 1876, 2 fishermen caught a sea serpent in their nets in Gerran’s Bay. A few years later 1926 a similar creature was caught in the nets of other fishermen. They say that the creature was 20 feet long with an eight foot tail, a beak-like head and scaly legs. In 1975, a man and a woman taking a stroll said to have seen Morgawr off Pendennis Point in Falmouth Bay. They described the Morgawr to have a hunched back and stumpy horns with bristles running down its back. That same year it was spotted in Helford, near Durgan.

You’d think that maybe local legend simply got to the heads of the people in the area. Then why would two women from London claim to have seen it since they would most probably not know about it. They described it as a prehistoric looking creature that was about 30-40 feet long. During that time the Morgawr seemed to enjoy the attention since more than eight more sightings were recorded. Then in 1992, a couple saw Morgawr again describing it as something like the Lochness Monster. They were skeptical about it before , but they actually saw it with their own eyes.In 1999, a worker of the Natural History Museum was actually able to capture the Morgawr on videotape.

Some of the most favorite theories would be that it is a dinosaur that was believed to be extinct. In time the Morgawr enjoys showing itself as if telling those that see it that is alive and well and that its existence is actually real and not a figment of people’s imagination. How hard is it to believe that a creature like the Morgawr really does exist? When actual people, who have lived and are still alive profess that what they saw was nothing near fictional. There are so many things in our world that science can not yet explain. However, this does not mean that it, they, or whatever it may be is just nothing but the human mind playing games.

Scientists contend the reality of the Morgawr since they claim that the only evidence of its existence would be a mere number of unclear amateur pictures and word of mouth. Till the time when bones or the actual Morgawr will show itself to an accredited scientific mind, its existence will remain a myth. Morgawr may just have to continue to show itself to the lucky few that may believe or may simply be caught of guard.

There is a website that describes the Morgawr and numerous other creatures of Cryptozoology in detail, this website is called: Unknown Creatures and it may be found at this url: http://www.unknown-creatures.com

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 8 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released software on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s. Robert has written many articles pertaining to numerous subjects, and he has also developed over 6 different websites. Easy To Speak English http://www.easytospeakenglish.com

Article Source: Articlestreet

Hello From Niagara Falls: Skylon Tower, Imax Theatre And Journey Behind The Falls

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
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After this overview it was now time for me to hit the road and start my busy schedule of discoveries in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I started my day with a visit to the Skylon Tower, Niagara Fall’s most famous landmarks. Construction of the tower started in May of 1964 and 17 months later the tower was officially opened jointly by the then Governor of New York and the Premier of Ontario. I walked in on the main floor which houses some retail outlets and an arcade and took one of the “yellow bug” elevators to the top. As we moved up from the main level, the falls on both the American and the Canadian side came into view.

I went straight up to the top level which houses the observation deck. This indoor/outdoor observatory is the highest vantage point in Niagara Falls, and close to 8,000 square miles in Canada and the United States can be seen. Sights such as the skyline of Toronto and Buffalo are visible from the top and a circular walkway provides a 360 degree panoramic view. Signs at regular intervals identify the various sights surrounding the tower.

A souvenir shop is located in the central portion of this observation deck and through the glass doors you can reach the outside observation deck. I ventured outside where the wind was howling on this rather grey and chilly day. The view of the American and Canadian Falls as well as of Goat’s Island and Niagara Falls, NY, was nevertheless breathtaking. Seeing the Falls from the air just provides a much better idea of the imposing size and beauty of this natural wonder.

When it got too chilly I hurried back inside and went a couple of stairs down to check out the Revolving Dining Room, which must be a wonderful restaurant in the evening, when the colourful lights and the illuminated cascades of Niagara Falls come to life.

I was to get much more intimate knowledge of Niagara Falls through my next visit: just minutes across the street from the Skylon Tower is the Niagara Falls Imax Theatre, a modern facility that features a truly spectacular IMAX presentation: “Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic”. I always love IMAX presentations and was really looking forward to learning more about the unique historical background of Niagara Falls.

The movie started with the native legend of the Maid of the Mist, and featured a dramatization of the first sighting of Niagara Falls by European explorers in the 17th century. It also covered all sorts of stories of daredevils and high-wire performance artists that started to make Niagara Falls a tourism attraction from the early 19th century onwards. Even the story of Roger Woodward, the seven year old American boy who was swept over the Horseshoe Falls in a life jacket (the only survivor who went over the Falls without a protective vessel) was told in moving images.

Just outside the Imax Theatre’s screening room is the Daredevil Gallery that features a number of the interesting and diverse vessels that were used by various daredevils to go over the Falls. One of the most famous was a 63-year old school Teacher named Annie Edson Tayler whose story was also told in the Imax movie. Joined by with her cat, she was the first person to go over the Falls for a publicity stunt, in a wooden barrel, cushioned by a big mattress. Unfortunately, her much hoped-for public speaking career never materialized and she died as a pauper.

Other daredevils went over the falls in metal barrels of all shapes and sizes, with varying results. Some arrived on the other side of the big cascade virtually unharmed, while others suffocated or died of internal injuries. It was indeed rather eerie to see some of the actual vessels that were used in unsuccessful attempts to go over the Falls. One of the most gruesome exhibits is the “George Stathakis Death Barrel” that was used in an unsuccessful attempt in 1930 when its passenger suffocated after being trapped in turbulent water behind the Falls for 22 hours. Today such daredevil stunts are actually outlawed and anyone ever attempting to go over the Niagara Falls would surely face hefty fines.

To continue with the Niagara Falls historic theme my next visit was to the “Skylon The Falls 3D/4D Movie”, a movie theatre located at the base of the Skylon Tower that recounts the Niagara Falls story from a more fantasy-based angle. Special effects include gusts of air, sprays of water and moving seats that are intended to create a multi-sensory experience of the film.

It was time to continue my exploration of Niagara Falls, but I had to get closer. So I walked down Murray Street and turned right onto the Niagara Parkway, walking right next to the mighty Niagara River. The weather at this time was grey and chilly, and wet snow was falling. I was glad to take refuge in the Table Rock Centre, the shopping and restaurant complex right next to the edge of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls which was currently under renovation. Most of the souvenir shops and fast food outlets were open and I had a quick pizza and a charming conversation with five British ladies that were in Niagara Falls for a quick pre-Christmas getaway, their first time in Canada. They seemed to have a pretty jolly old time in Canada and took the clammy weather in strides – they were probably used to it.

Having satisfied my hunger I was ready to get truly up close and personal with the Falls: the “Journey behind the Falls” is one of the best ways to experience the true power of the Niagara Falls first-hand. I took the elevator down to the lower level at the Table Rock Centre and started my own journey behind the mighty Falls. Known until the early 1990s as the “Scenic Tunnels”, this attraction consists of two tunnels and an outside viewing platform. The tunnels date back to early 20th century and extend about 46 m behind the waterfall. I walked down the long underground corridors with their orange lighting and stopped intermittently to read the informational posters on the wall. These displays provide a description of the history of Niagara Falls, its geology and some of the famous visitors who include President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, who were both here on separate occasions.

Towards the end of the tunnel there are two smaller side tunnels, each leading to an opening, or a portal, that provides a view from behind the waterfalls. One of these portals was partially covered by icicles and presented a perfect motif for any passionate photographer. Access to the portals was blocked by a metal barrier for safety reasons, although in the past visitors could get much closer to the edge and admire the tumbling masses of water from just a few meters away. The dull roar of the falling water pervaded the entire underground space and provided an idea of the power of the millions of litres of water that fall down the Horseshoe Falls every second.

The statistics illustrate why Niagara Falls is considered one of the natural Wonders of the World: the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the most impressive of the three falls in Niagara Falls, have a length of over 670 metres, and their height is 53 metres which makes Niagara Falls the most powerful waterfall in North America. The depth of the Niagara River below the Horsehoe Falls is estimated to be 56 metres. The straight line crest of the American Falls is 253 metres. About 90% of the water of the Niagara River plunges over the Horseshoe Falls while the other 10% make their way down the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls which are separated from the Canadian Falls by Goat Island, an uninhabited island that provides great vantage points of all the cascades.

I had now reached the outside observation platform that provides an excellent lateral view of the curtain of the Horseshoe Falls as they plunge into the river below. Tourists from all over the world were feverishly taking pictures of this unique sight. Even on this grey day the view was impressive and the thunder of the cascading masses of water filled the air as one fifth of the world’s fresh water was crashing 13 stories down into the river below.

Duly impressed by this natural wonder, I made my way back up and strolled back along the Niagara River’s edge to my vehicle, which I had parked conveniently at the Fallsview Casino Resort. I was pondering what to do next and because I felt thoroughly chilled I was looking for a nice place to warm up in.

I found just such a place just a few minutes drive away from the Horseshoe Falls: Bird Kingdom, one of Niagara Falls’, Ontario, newer attractions. This tropical destination was surely going to revive my chilled bones and it was going to be my next stop on my Niagara Falls discoveries.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions. Travel and Transitions deals with travel to foreign countries and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travelers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features.

Article Source: Articlestreet

How To Save Money On Your Next Big Island Hawaii Vacation

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Travel Tips 

Are you interested in taking a Big Island Hawaii vacation? If you are, you may be worried about the cost of doing so. Although it can be expensive to plan a trip to Hawaii, there are a number of steps that you can take to help you cut costs. A few of these steps are highlighted below for your convenience.

One of the best ways to save money on your next Big Island Hawaii vacation is by examining vacation packages. Vacation packages are nice because they can not only help to save you time, but they may also be able to help you save money. Many package purchasers are rewarded with a discount. With the cost of travel, even a small discount can provide you with much needed financial assistance. When examining Big Island vacation packages, you will find some variances. These variances most commonly include your overnight accommodations. Most vacation packages include stays at vacation resorts or hotels, but you may be able to find some packages with condos or other vacation rentals.

Choosing an affordably priced vacation rental is another great way to save money on your next trip to Big Island. When doing so, it is also important to keep quality in mind, as quality is and should be just as important as costs. With that being said, only rent what you need. For example, don’t rent a huge five bedroom vacation rental if you truly only need one or two bedrooms. Of course, do so if you want, but if your main goal is to save money eliminate high priced vacation rentals that are filled with features or facilities accesses that you do not want or ones that you will not use. This is one of the easiest ways to save money on your next Big Island vacation.

Another great way to save money on your next Big Island vacation is to choose a vacation rental that is conveniently located. Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and that means that there is so much for you to do and see. For example, Kailua Kona is ideal for those looking to enjoy beach related activities, but those looking to enjoy the beach and much more may want to examine Hilo. Hilo is a reasonable distance away from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is a popular tourist attraction. As for why you should book a stay at a Big Island vacation rental that is conveniently located, you will find that doing so can help to reduce your cost of travel. By first examining what you want to do and see, you can choose a vacation rental that puts you close by all of your stops, reducing the amount of money that you have to spend on gasoline or public transportation.

Researching nearby activities and attractions first is another one of the many ways that you can go about saving money on your next Big Island Hawaii trip. As previously stated, examining what you can do and what you can see in Hawaii is an ideal way to choose a conveniently located vacation rental, but there are others ways in which doing so can help to save you money. For example, are you interested in taking surfing lessons? If so, research your options online and from home. Compare company rates, location, and feedback. When you preplan certain activities, you are able to find your cheapest option, which can be difficult to do on a whim. Therefore, as opposed to walking up to the first surfing rental station or instructor that you find, be sure to examine your options, namely the cost of each, before you depart for Big Island.

As highlighted above, there are a number of steps that you can take to reduce your travel costs when looking to vacation on Big Island Hawaii. Additional tips involve comparing Hawaii airline rates, comparing the cost of renting a car versus taking public transportation, preparing all or a portion of your own meals, which is easy when staying at a private vacation rental, and so forth. As for finding an affordable Big Island vacation rental, visit HawaiianBeachRentals.com today.

Hawaiian Beach Rentals is equipped to assist those planning Big Island vacations. Search or browse through their large selection of affordable, yet luxury Big Island vacation rentals today.

Article Source: Articlestreet

Presenting: Niagara Falls Tourism – One Wonder After Another

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
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In early December of 2007 I decided to embark on a three day winter getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In order to explore the city in the best possible way I contacted the experts at Niagara Falls tourism to help me work out a comprehensive itinerary to explore the many facets of Niagara Fall. Their travel specialists helped me put together a packed schedule that exposed me to many interesting sights and activities in this unique city.

My three-day adventure included a thrilling helicopter sightseeing tour, an encounter with nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and at Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest aviary. I sampled culture and entertainment in a magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre and a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.

I also got up close to the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them from the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called "Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic" which presented an interesting dramatization of Niagara Falls’ colourful history. I also checked out some of the actual vessels used by real-life daredevils who went over the Falls and explored the tunnels that take you behind the big cascade of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Journey Behind The Falls experience.

Naturally I sampled some of Niagara Falls hospitality offerings: from my convienent accommodation at the Best Western Cairn Croft to the cozy luxury of the Kilpatrick Manor Bed and Breakfast to a variety of culinary experiences, I got a good idea of Niagara Falls’ broad tourist offering. And of course I explored Clifton Hill – Niagara Fall’s most popular tourist promenade with its gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions.

I even partook of the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment complex. There were so many more things on the list that I could have done, but three days were simply not enough to sample it all.

To help you with your own plans for a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, here is an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of Niagara Falls Tourism who has graciously agreed to provide a general overview of Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:

1. Please provide us with some general information about Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and how can I get there? How big is the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get around the city?

Niagara Falls is located between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls from the United States, visitors can travel by car over one of three bridges: The Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three international airports service the area: Buffalo in the US, Hamilton and Toronto. Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive and Toronto is just over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide service directly into Niagara Falls.

2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please give us a brief historical overview of this unique city.

Niagara Falls was first brought to the attention of the European explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans. It was named the Honeymoon Capital of the World after Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother spent his honeymoon here.

Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel. She was hoping this feat would make her rich and famous. She died penniless. Since then, several attempts have been made to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more have failed than succeeded – they never lived to tell the tale. Attempting any such daredevil exhibitions now is illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.

Several battles of the War of 1812 (the only war the American Army ever lost) were fought here. Laura Secord, a settler’s wife, played a prominent role in that war – before the chocolate company made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush against the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to inform British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little recognition for her heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord is considered to be a Canadian folk hero.

3. Please tell us about one of the most significant attractions in Niagara Falls – the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes them special and how can I experience them?

Our Falls are special in so many ways, but the most important is the sheer volume of water that flows over the brink. 600,000 gallons per second, in fact. The Falls is NOT the tallest in the world. It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way to experience the Falls is to make sure you view it from ABOVE, BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how it all works. The Maid of the Mist provides the absolute best vantage point below the brink and the Journey Behind the Falls or Table Rock Point give you the best possible view from beside the Wonder. You have to experience all three to truly understand just how spectacular the Falls are.

4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities that centre around the Falls as well as many other wonders. We offer Winery Tours featuring Niagara’s World renown ice Wines, biking and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, wildlife viewing at Marineland, ZOOZ, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the Bird Kingdom, gaming at one of two Vegas-style Casinos. You name it, we have it.

5. Niagara Falls also has a number of attractions that appeal to nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed parks and gardens. Please provide us with further information about these attractions.

I would suggest checking out the following websites for more information on these great attractions:

www.niagaraparks.com
www.niagarafallsaviary.com

Most of the gardens in the Niagara Parks system can be accessed free of charge. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.

6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer?

We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton Hill area is filled with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum and a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the War of 1812. One of the battlefields of that war is also located on Lundy’s Lane and is said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord Homestead is also open to the public as are two forts – one in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one in Fort Erie. Both were strategic outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion from the US.

7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please tell us more.

Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino is a showpiece in and of itself. It houses over 3000 slot machines and 150 game tables, world-class big-name entertainment in the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping in the Galleria Mall.

8. What other entertainment options and attractions does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are some of the main entertainment areas? What about theme parks?

Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades, rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel which is a smaller version of the EYE in London with air conditioned and heated pods providing great views of the Falls).

Many of our hoteliers are opting to add or build indoor waterparks to add to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and the Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Waterpark. All three provide visitors with indoor thrills for year-round fun. They each have several waterslides, a wave pool and the mandatory “Giant Bucket”. The Fallsview and Waves are both open to the public.

9. What options are there for nightlife in Niagara Falls, Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?

Nightlife is fantastic here in Niagara. In addition to the great outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we have several great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin is a master magician whose show is sure to please the entire family. We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances at the Fallsview Casino.

10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada’s most popular wine regions and the entire area is often referred to as the "Breadbasket of Ontario". Please tell us more about the areas surrounding Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This area is some of the most fertile land in the country. We have a microclimate in the Niagara Region which is ideal for growing fruit. The temperatures in the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less than the surrounding area. Frost is always a consideration. This is why you will see windmills in the middle of fields throughout the region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is so dangerous to the fruit – especially grapes.

11. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?

In September we celebrate the grape harvest with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated with over 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters. The celebration culminates with a free New Year’s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park.

12. What type of accommodation options are available in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers accommodation from 2 to 4 star hotels to bed and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to luxury.

13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Our signature culinary experience is, of course, Fallsview Dining. The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining Room, but the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and the Watermark Restaurant all boast excellent food with a view. Dining at the brink of the Falls is also available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake the vineyard cafes and restaurants are some of the best in Southern Ontario. The chefs in these restaurants pride themselves in offering recipes featuring meats and produce grown in the Niagara Region.

14. Please tell us about the shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.

Canada One Factory Outlet, the Fallsview Galleria, the Penn Centre and Niagara Square Malls are all within 15 minutes of the Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake has many quaint one-of-a-kind shops to choose from as well.

15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available in and around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?

Niagara Falls has many hiking, biking and roller-blading trails. Water-based sports such as boating, sailing and fishing are also huge draws for us. Niagara Region is also gaining renown as Canada’s Golf Capital. We have over 48 Golf Courses – both public and private. Several are PGA quality and have been designed by leading course architects. John Daly and Greg Norman have both designed courses in the region.

16. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?

The biggest news for Niagara Falls is the announcement of a new Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized as we speak, but they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We are expecting the opening to happen some time in 2010. In short, it’s an exciting time to be part of Niagara Falls’ Tourism Industry.

Thank you, Anna, for your taking the time to provide us with this comprehensive information about Niagara Falls. You have given me some great ideas for a summer getaway and I look forward to visiting Niagara Falls again.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions. Travel and Transitions deals with travel to foreign countries and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travelers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features.

Article Source: Articlestreet

A Luxury Private Island Resort In The Grenadines

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
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If you are looking for a luxury private island, why not check out Palm Island in the Grenadines for your honeymoon

A Luxury private island is a dream vacation for many, and to have a private island honeymoon is what seems to be an impossible dream. In the island group of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines lies Palm Island, where you could make this dream come true, although you will have to share this private tropical island with other hotel guests.

Palm Island is about a mile from Union Island in the Grenadines, and there are just forty guest rooms which are scattered amongst the palm groves across the island. The island itself has five beaches inside coral reefs, and perfect for some relaxing snorkeling.

Most people fly into Union Island and then take a boat across to Palm Island where you are likely to be greeted by the manager with a rum punch.

Palm Island resort has two restaurants serving top quality cuisine from locally caught fish to international dishes. The Royal Palm Restaurant has one buffet night, and one barbecue night a week, on the other five days you order off the menu. Dinner then is five courses meal with some very interesting soups and desserts. If you’ve never eaten shark or swordfish then now is a good time to try!

If a buffet isn’t your thing, then you can go the the Sunset restaurant and although the menu is small it is very good.

You may feel the dinner service is slow, well what is your hurry. This is a luxury island, but it is a Caribbean Island, and the pace is slow. Isn’t that the point of a dream vacation, that you’re not in a hurry? Just relax, drink a bit more, and enjoy the sound of the waves in the background, you haven’t anywhere to go except the bar, a walk on the beach or bed. If this is your private island honeymoon, make sure you tell the resort when you are booking, and you may get upgraded to the honeymoon suite.

The honeymoon suite is at the end of the resort, so it’s very secluded without any passing traffic so to speak, with your own hammock under some palm trees. Nice room, huge walk in shower, permanently stocked fridge and a shaded deck with sun loungers and a table. There is even a foot shower to rinse off the sand before going into the room.

There is no air-conditioning, because frankly you don’t need any. There are beautiful cooling tropical breezes, just allow them in!!

Palm Island is very definitely a place for the dream vacation, a real luxury private island honeymoon spot, meant for couples who just want to get away from it all, and just enjoy the feeling of seclusion that only a private island can give you. Having said that the atmosphere is such that of you choose you can easily make friends at the bar, where you will find that most of your fellow guests are either from the UK or the USA.

Palm Island is very beautiful with soft white sand and the sea a shade of blue that almost looks like paint. You can go exploring every day, climb the hills, snorkel off the beaches, and never see another soul. It does really feel like your own luxury private island, and the perfect spot for a dream vacation or a private island honeymoon. Go to Palm Island in the Grenadines your Caribbean Island Hideaway.

Gordon Steven writes about Caribbean Vacation Spots as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends in Kenya Safaris.

Article Source: Articlestreet

The Angel Celebrates Its Tenth Birthday

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Travel Tips 

The people of Newcastle and Gateshead are preparing to celebrate the tenth birthday of their beloved Angel of the North. A year of events are planned to celebrate ten years of the iconic sculpture, which was designed by the celebrated artist Antony Gormley.

One of the first events will see ten lucky couples win the chance to renew their wedding vows at the foot of the 66ft Angel, which overlooks the A1 motorway and the main East Coast rail line. The loved-up couples will renew their vows in a special ceremony conducted by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend Mark Bryant, in the spring. He said: “What better way to celebrate than to renew your wedding vows in the shadow of the amazing sculpture? It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get really involved in the celebrations.”

A thousand helium-filled balloons will also be launched from the Angel, which will help local people to remember their deceased loved ones. There will also be a number of other events to celebrate the much-loved sculpture’s milestone this year, including a massive street party in June, which organisers believe will be the highlight of the summer.

Gateshead Council commissioned the Angel of the North at a cost of 800,000. Mick Henry of Gateshead Council, said: "When we first proposed the Angel of the North, some people failed to understand the vision behind the project. We remained confident that it was the right thing to do for Gateshead and that the Angel of the North would help bring about the transformation in the borough that we all wanted. Ten years on and the Angel has directly led to the likes of BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead, bringing with them millions of pounds of investment and hundreds of jobs."

Antony Gormley’s design for the Angel of the North beat proposals from a number of international artists. He believes that the celebrated sculpture changed the face of public art. He said: “The old idea of art only belonging in museums or being for rich people got completely overturned. The Angel, in some ways, was the agenda setter for that. The fact that the Angel is rarely alone suggests it has become part of everyday life for the people of the North East. I think that’s the highest test of success.”

The Angel of the North is one of the UK’s best-known sculptures and is seen by an estimated 90,000 people every day, which amounts to a massive 33 million people per year.

The people of Newcastle and Gateshead are preparing to celebrate the tenth birthday of their beloved Angel of the North. A year of events are planned to celebrate ten years of the iconic sculpture, which was designed by the celebrated artist Antony Gormley.

One of the first events will see ten lucky couples win the chance to renew their wedding vows at the foot of the 66ft Angel, which overlooks the A1 motorway and the main East Coast rail line. The loved-up couples will renew their vows in a special ceremony conducted by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend Mark Bryant, in the spring. He said: “What better way to celebrate than to renew your wedding vows in the shadow of the amazing sculpture? It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get really involved in the celebrations.”

A thousand helium-filled balloons will also be launched from the Angel, which will help local people to remember their deceased loved ones. There will also be a number of other events to celebrate the much-loved sculpture’s milestone this year, including a massive street party in June, which organisers believe will be the highlight of the summer.

Gateshead Council commissioned the Angel of the North at a cost of 800,000. Mick Henry of Gateshead Council, said: "When we first proposed the Angel of the North, some people failed to understand the vision behind the project. We remained confident that it was the right thing to do for Gateshead and that the Angel of the North would help bring about the transformation in the borough that we all wanted. Ten years on and the Angel has directly led to the likes of BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead, bringing with them millions of pounds of investment and hundreds of jobs."

Antony Gormley’s design for the Angel of the North beat proposals from a number of international artists. He believes that the celebrated sculpture changed the face of public art. He said: “The old idea of art only belonging in museums or being for rich people got completely overturned. The Angel, in some ways, was the agenda setter for that. The fact that the Angel is rarely alone suggests it has become part of everyday life for the people of the North East. I think that’s the highest test of success.”

The Angel of the North is one of the UK’s best-known sculptures and is seen by an estimated 90,000 people every day, which amounts to a massive 33 million people per year.

Sources:
BBC
IC Newcastle

Website: http://www.escortnewcastlekirsten.co.uk Beverley Bukowski is a former model from Newcastle, UK. She is a keen amateur journalist and used to be a Newcastle escort.

Article Source: Articlestreet

San Sebastian Travel

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Travel Tips 

San Sebastian offers the perfect combination of city, beach and mountains
It is a safe, friendly, medium-sized, walk able city with of friendly, helpful people and interesting architecture.

Living in San Sebastián, which is also called Donostia, in Basque language with the population of about 180.000 inhabitants, is cultural capital of Spanish Basque Country. It is situated on Cantabrian Coast a few 20 kilometres away from French border; it has a very gentle climate. Local ordinances don’t allow establishment of the industries or else factories in city limits so the city doesn’t have any pollution problems also is very clean.

La Concha Bay with its beach is very picturesque. Located in the middle of bay is island of the Santa Clara that is flanked on the both sides by the two promontories, the Mount Urgull plus the Mount Igueldo, from that magnificent panoramic sight of the entire Metropolitan Area can also be enjoyed. On the Mount Igueldo there is the small Amusement Park as well as a little Zoo.

San Sebastián is as well endowed with the interesting monuments, the museums and parks plus so on. Many were also built during the control of the Queen María Cristina, who also prepared the San Sebastián in summer holidays during Belle Époque. From that time, the city has also become the tourist resort of the high standards. Amongst its monument are also be found in the Miramar Palace, former summer residence of Queen, the Cathedral, was built in neogothic style, Basilica of Santa María del Coro of the baroque style, Victoria Eugenia Theatre as well as the María Cristina Hotel. National plus international competitions are often held in velodrome as well as in sports complex of the Anoeta. On the outer edge of the town fine, the Racing Track Lasarte is also to be found.

Not far from the San Sebastián visitors may also enjoy the Sierra de Aralar, the mountain range of the great ecological value where the monuments from Bronze Age plus roads built by Romans a few two thousand years ago that are also to be found. This Sierra has lots of peaks that make an excellent winter resort for the hiking as well as cross-country skiing.

San Sebastián is as well in the easy reach of Pyrenees with all its famous mountains, the passes as well as ski resorts. The San Sebastián has lots of mountaineering clubs that bear out mountain climbing tradition typical of Basque Country. The Various Basque expeditions also have climbed the uppermost peaks in world in the recent years, including the Mount Everest.

Another Basque institution is music. There are lots of choirs, the impressive being El Orfeón Donostiarra, of the international fame.

Well communicated with the Madrid, London plus Paris, San Sebastian is lively city of the around 185,000 inhabitants, various 16,500 of whom are the university students. As cultural capital of Basque country, it has the wide range of the cultural offerings. San Sebastian is the model of the good urban design as well as has also set in the beautiful landscape that means it is often compared to Rio de Janeiro San Sebastian is the excellent base for the excursions to near fishing villages, the mountains, including skiing in Pyrenees, and the Guggenheim Museum.

Find more information on San Sebastian Travel at our site!

Article Source: Articlestreet

Adventure Travel Tours A New Passion

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Travel Tips 

Deciding on the numerous outdoor adventure travel tours that are available to choose from can be very daunting experience. You first must decide on what you mean by adventure. Looking up the word adventure in the dictionary describes adventure as unusual or an exciting experience to undertaking a high risk just for the fun of it all. However, for the vast majority of people in all likelihood their definition will fall somewhere in-between.

Adventure Travel Tours A Decision To Be Made

How much is too much? That is something you will need to decide for yourself when choosing your outdoor adventure travel tours. However keep in mind that not everyone will have the same enthusiasm that you have or for that matter show. Someone may very well think that chasing ghosts or bird watching is an adventure while someone else mat very well believe that only adrenaline fueled activities such as sky diving is an adventure.

Many people go about their daily lives not realizing the passion they have for adventure is buried deep down inside them selves. That passion or desire could translate into adventure travel tours. For example if you enjoy hiking and backpacking, your new adventure could see you take trips into the Appalachian Mountains or Machu Picchu in Peru. Whether you have archeological or culinary interests, these interests can be translated into adventure travel tours by simply visiting the ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico, or cooking classes on a vineyard tour in France.

Extreme sports is an offshoot of adventure travel tours, it is extremely popular with people who need to have that adrenaline rush. So your wondering what is there, well consider white water rafting down the Colorado River as a adrenaline rush or cage diving with Great White Sharks of Africa or Australia. What ever your favorite extreme sport may be there’s adventure travel tours just waiting around the corner for you.

Planning your Outdoors Adventure Travel Tours

Your physical fitness level! You really should consult your Doctor prior to undertaking any strenuous exercise. Undertaking outdoor adventure travel tours is no different where your physical fitness level will determine the type of adventure you can proceed with. If you have a few extra pounds around the midsection or a heart condition you should reconsider that dream of yours to ski in the Swiss Alps. Use common sense to determine what type of adventure you are capable of handling.

Start planning your adventure in advance. If you have no idea where you should start, start with different organization you may be a member of. You can always search the Internet or just drop into the different organizations in your area and ask questions. They are sure to have not only local experience but have traveled to different parts of the world. Most clubs or organizations are willing to share their knowledge with new people. They would more than likely be able to help you with suggestions on where to start your search as well.

Adventure travel tours can be planned through your local travel agent or even through a travel club. There are many resources available to you. One thing is you need to pay close attention to reviews from local people, friends and family who have already experienced the type of adventure you are looking for. Now once this is all completed go and enjoy your adventure travel tours.

David Smith is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Outdoor Adventure Travel Blog. For more great helpful information about Adventure Travel Tours please visit our site.

Article Source: Articlestreet

5 Reasons Why You Should Book A Stay At A Hawaii Beachfront Cottage

March 13, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Travel Tips 

Are you interested taking a trip to Hawaii? If you are, you may be curious as to where you can stay. After a close look, you will find that you have a number of different options, in terms of overnight accommodations. Popular options include Hawaii condos, vacation homes, apartment rentals, resorts, and hotels. While each of these options are nice, you may want to take the time to examine Hawaii beachfront cottages.

As nice as it is to hear that you may want to book a stay at a Hawaii beachfront cottage, you may be looking for more information. After all, you want your next trip to Hawaii to be perfect and that requires choosing the overnight accommodation that is best for you and your needs. To help provide you with the needed reassurance, five reasons why Hawaii beach cottages are perfect for vacationers, just like you, are outlined below.

1 – The Ocean View

Perhaps, the greatest reason why you should book a stay at a Hawaii beachfront cottage is the ocean view. If the beautiful beaches of Hawaii is one of the reasons why you chose it as a vacation destination, how would you like to wake up to that beauty each and every morning? Many say that vacationing along the beach is the only way to vacation in Hawaii. With a beachfront cottage, your cottage rental or the rental property line should be right along the cost. This provides you with the ultimate view.

2 – Privacy

Another reason why Hawaii beachfront cottages are a great way to stay in Hawaii is because they are private. Two of the most common ways to vacation along the beach in Hawaii is to book a stay at a beachfront vacation resort or rent a beachfront condo. Although each of these options are nice, you are only presented with a certain level of privacy. Yes, you will be renting your own space, especially when renting a Hawaii condo, but you must still share the establishment and many community facilities, such as a gym or a swimming pool, with other tourists. When renting a Hawaii beachfront cottage, you do not have this problem. You not only gain private access to the cottage itself, but anything else on the property, including a swimming pool, hot tub, or garden area.

3 – The Options You Have

The options you have are another reason why you should at least take the time to examine Hawaii beachfront cottages. It is important to remember that Hawaii vacation rentals, including beachfront cottages, come in a number of different formats. For starters, almost all of the habitable Hawaiian Islands have beachfront cottages available for rent. Even then, you will find that different cottage rentals come with different features, facilities, and they also come in a wide range of sizes. What does this mean for you? It means that regardless of your reasons for traveling to Hawaii and regardless of who you are traveling with, you should be able to find multiple beachfront cottages that can provide you with exactly what you want and need.

4 – More Affordable Than You May Have Thought

As previously stated, staying in a Hawaii beachfront cottage is a great way to vacation in Hawaii. With that said, many tourists automatically write them off due to costs. Yes, you will find some Hawaii beachfront cottages that are expensive to rent, but it is also important to remember that rental fees do vary. Depending on where you look, what you are looking to rent, as well as when, you may be able to find a beachfront cottage rental that is within your budget. To help you find an affordable rental, be sure to avoid vacation rentals that are stocked full of features and facilities that you will not use or that you do not need.

5- Easy to Find, Compare and Book

If you use the internet to help you plan your next trip to Hawaii, you may be surprised just how easy it is to find, examine, compare, and book Hawaii beachfront cottages. To help get you started, visit an online travel website like HawaiianBeachRentals.com. They specialize solely in trips to Hawaii. Not only that, but they also make it easy for you to find what you are looking for. With that ability to perform a customized search or browse, you are able to examine hundreds of beachfront vacation rentals with ease.

Let Hawaiian Beach Rentals help you make your Hawaii travel plans today. They list a large selection of affordable vacation rentals, including Hawaii beachfront cottages.

Article Source: Articlestreet

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