Adventure Travel
Top Five Road Trip Destinations
If your idea of a great holiday is exploring unknown regions and becoming engrained in the local culture then the idea of a road trip holiday will likely prove to be appealing. There really is no greater sense of adventure than setting off in your motor and exploring new locations.
However, in order for this to be enjoyable you really have to go to the right locations. We therefore take a look at five of the best driving roads in the world.
5. Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
The Transfagarasan Highway was built in 1974 by Nicolae Ceausescu and it connects Transylvania to Wallachia. The 90km route was established between the overpowering mountains which stand either side of it using dynamite and 40 people lost their lives during its build.
One of the attractions which lies to the southern point of the route is Poienari Fortress which was the constructed under the order of Vlad the Impaler during the 15th Century. Vlad the Impaler was ruler of Wallachia between 1341 and 1476 and become notorious for his war crimes with him believed to have killed up to 100,000 during his reign and being better known as the ‘Son of the Dragon’ in reference to his almost equally notorious father. In Romanian this translates into ‘Dracula’, and it is believed that Bram Stoker’s historic literary character was indeed based on him. Transfagarasan Highway is therefore a great location for literary buffs.
4. Death Road, Bolivia
If you are a bit of an adrenalin junky and much prefer action and adventure to a good book, then the aptly named Death Road in Bolivia could well be the right place for you. Stretching out over 70km, this narrow and winding bath has an 800 metre vertical drop to the side of it which from which road users are not separated by either fencing or barriers.
However, don’t get over confident while traversing this route, as it has picked up its name for a reason with at least 18 cyclists known to have lost their lives on the path since 1998. Evidence of this is also present from the wrecked vehicles which lie at the bottom of the drop.
3. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Constructed by Australian soldiers who had returned from the 1st World War, the Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial stretching out for over 150 miles between the Victorian cities of Warrnambool and Torquay.
The road isn’t just a sight to behold for those with an interest in history, but also to those of us who simply like breath-taking scenery as the path lies right along the Western coast of the country and passes by some of the countries great natural wonders.
2. Oberalp Pass, Switzerland
The Oberalp Pass is one of the most spectacular and challenging roads in the Alps region. Located in Switzerland, the road was constructed in order to create a trade route between the GraubundenOberland and the centre of the country.
It has subsequently become much more than a trade route, becoming a mecca for road trippers. However, do bear in mind that it is closed during the winter months between October and December. During this period it tends to be used as a ski slope and toboggan run.
However, with a climb of almost 2044 metres to the top, the mountain and its winding roads are a notorious car breaker. It really is recommended that you arrange for car breakdown cover if you are planning on taking your vehicle to this destination.
1. Col de Turini, France
There really can only be one winner. The Col de Turini is the ultimately driving road, with the notoriously challenging and winding stretch having been part of the Monte Carlo rally on numerous occasions as well as being just one hour’s drive from the world famous Monte Carlo Grand Prix circuit.
It’s important role in the history of motoring as well as the beautiful picturesque landscape which surrounds it resulted in the Col de Turini being used for car chase scenes from the 1997 James Bond movie Goldeneye.
However, do not get over confident when using the road as it requires maximum concentration and has a reputation for catching out the best of them; even world rally championship stars.
Best destinations for adventure tourism
The search for unusual vacation together to practice sports in contact with nature, has led to a boom of so-called adventure tourism or adventure tourism. This type of tourism, is the exploration or travel to remote areas, avoiding the crowds of the big cities, where travelers can expect the unexpected and outdoor activities in which release adrenaline, thus overcoming the classic cliche of sun and beach.
This type of adventure tourism is very much in vogue, and some blogs, such as “The world’s top travel blog,” have taken to make a contrasting list of destinations for lovers of this type of practice. So in our first adventure block we present:
1. Scenic routes of the Appalachian Mountains (United States) in its 3,200 miles passing through the Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, is on North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. Passes historic sites, mountains and national parks as the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This trail is captivating landscapes and can be done in stages or only cover part. In any case, the traveler will not forget it passes through this land of great beauty. Given his reputation, are readily camping sites and services at every step.
2. Bale Mountains Park (Ethiopia), gives a different view of Africa is a plateau from where you can see peaks and peaks of volcanic cones, beautiful mountain lakes and streams. The country invites safaris, mountain trekking, hiking through a beautiful story that takes you to visit sacred ancestral tribes and cities.
3. The magic of the Okavango Delta (Botswana), which turns into a rainy season in Eden difficult to imagine in times of dryness, adds classic adventure safari in the Kalahari desert exotic.
4. The Natural Park of Plitvice, Lika (Croatia), is a dazzling forests, lakes, waterfalls, caves … Many tourists have already discovered that in Eastern Europe adventure travel is possible at affordable prices that allow sea kayaking, sailing in the Adriatic, diving off the coast, and inland rivers of waters, or go Plitvice mountain trails and spectacular scenery.
5. The forest in Iwokrama reserve in Guyana, including Kaieteur waterfall, say that is breathtaking. Guyana, South America, is an option for adventure and not hackneyed areas. You can add the Rupununi region to the south, territory and a fabulous wetland ecosystem.
Queen Charlotte Track from New Zealand
One of the most impressive treks of the South Island of New Zealand that combines trekking and kayaking to travel 71 kms. spectacular landscapes along the northern coast. The Queen Charlotte Track is one of the best on the island along with the Abel Tasman NP, only the former has the advantage of not being as crowded or have restricted daily visits, and therefore much easier to do this and more wild .
WHERE
The track is located on the northeast corner of the South Island of New Zealand in the area known as the Marlborough Sounds, which is the most spectacular of the 3 “sounds” of the area. The nearest town is Picton, where you take a “water taxi” or a boat to “Ship Cove” the extreme end of the track from where it returns to Picton along the coast for the fjords along its sidewalks.
ROUTE
The tour I did with two travelers I met a few days before Nuria and Heather, good sidekick. After spending the night in the backpacker “Joglar Rest” of Picton, woke up early and we set off to the track, wanting to know if it fulfilled all our expectations and if he could go all the way without problems. From Picton wharf take a “water taxi” that leads to the far north of the island from there begins the trek is actually undo all that we have made that journey by boat but on a path parallel to the coast through valleys, fjords and spectacular landscapes through woods and meadows.
The trek takes place in three stages that can be done either by foot, sea kayak or a combination of both. We chose this option and decided to walk 2 days and kayaking the last stage. There are no villages on the way, nor are residential areas except for 2 family homes strategically located at the end of each stage. You can do it on your own without guides since the trails are well marked.
First Stage:
The first stage is 27 kms. that cost us almost 9 hours with rest included. The trail passes through endless forests always parallel to the sea while up and down hills. After the tour we expected a mountain home with stunning views and a grandmother who was waiting for us with tea and homemade cakes, delicious welcome after a long day!
Second Stage:
This stage is a little shorter, 23 km through forests full of Amanita muscaria and valleys changes finally reach a sort of village with a couple of houses where we stayed and ate a good dinner after such a long walk. The fatigue starts to go out and the legs begin to notice, so the option to rent kayaks for the next day is a good choice.
Stage Three:
Indeed, the kayak makes switch to relax your legs and we enjoy ourselves in another way, running the last 21 kms. by a very calm sea along fjords and observing small forests for which the previous days had gone from a different point of view. As the sea makes threading through fjords, the water is fairly quiet except when the wind picks up and it costs much progress. They are also waters which jellyfish the size of dishes are everywhere, luckily are not poisonous, and in this way with tired arms we got back to the beach in Picton, where we come to pick up and we can finally rest from our fantastic journey through some spectacular scenery as wild as.
A unique adventure vacation, cultural history, and fun
If you love the people who plan their holidays with a year earlier and you need six months to choose a plan the next destination of your dreams, here is the solution to all your problems: a world tour in just 22 days with about 10 interesting destination.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts partners with Star quest Expeditions TCS has decided to offer a world tour of a Boeing 757 specially equipped for this event.
Departure is scheduled for October 30, 2012 in Los Angeles for a unique journey that will lead to Kona in Hawaii, Bora in French Polynesia, Sydney and Ayers Rock in Australia, Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chiang Ray, the Tajo Mahan and Mumbai in India, Cairo in Egypt and ended up in London in the UK.
On board the Boeing 757, are expected to travel in comfort, with chairs in pairs, then there is available a crew member for every five passengers. In conjunction with his colleagues goalkeeper can arrange a personal visit, spa treatments and other activities such as golfing great.
The experts will also come on board, including the historic Charles Doherty, author of encyclopedia of art from the Far East, culinary historian Rachel Lauran, winner of the Julia Child / Jane Grison of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and former director of research at Harvard University, John P. (Sean) Flannery, where he studied the role of deregulation in the benefits of the current global financial crisis.
If you decide you want to be part of 78 adventurers in the world, ready to be, a unique adventure vacation, cultural history, and fun, I suggest you do not delay and book tickets early for a fascinating journey around the world.
Posted in Adventure Travel | 
Tags: adventure vacation, around the world, comfort, cultural history, fun, holidays, hotels, resorts, travel, unique | 
No Comments »
Adventure Travel in Patagonia
Adventure travel and extreme sports in its different forms, tend to increase the number of followers in Argentina and the world. Patagonia, in particular, is becoming the preferred scenario for adventure lovers who are willing to download a good dose of adrenaline.
This choice is not accidental, since the relief Patagonia has a high diversity for the practice of these exciting sports. The scenarios are many and varied and they are all ideal to let imagination fly away to whatever adventure decrees.
Imagine among the endless plains of the pampas, the mighty rivers of the mountains, the peaks of mountains and volcanoes, and even in the deep blue waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. All scenarios are waiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers. In this special you will find all necessary information for both beginners as well as activity for those who have previous experience.
You will have the opportunity to get to know each of the disciplines that make adventure sports, where are circuits in which times of year, what security measures should be taken into account for each and different degrees of difficulty that will allow families to share experiences or activities where the risk is present at every step.
If you’re ready, adjust your seat belt, harness, life jacket or just your hiking boots, and dare to venture into adventure tourism and extreme sports in the midst of great natural setting that offers the Patagonia.
Travel the world on a cruise
The ships cruise fleet invite us to navigate throughout the year and are positioned according to the seasons in the waters with more leniency. Mediterranean cruises are the best option to enjoy the end of the year.
The Mediterranean love to travelers who seek the most beautiful destinations. The circuits include very beautiful destinations in Italy (including Naples, Venice, Rome), Spain (Barcelona, Palma), Greece (Athens, Rhodes, Greek Islands), Tunisia, Croatia. Interestingly, it is possible to travel throughout the year for the Mediterranean, as the weather permits. Although the temperature is better in summer, prices are much lower in autumn and winter.
Polynesia is a destination that has no waste to go on a cruise, since nature is wonderful and the people very friendly. In the Marquesas Islands, Society Islands Bora Bora and the tourists can enjoy beautiful turquoise lagoon where you will find the ideal place to tie the anchor on small islands that are often unexplored.
Cruises in Northern Europe, in the Patagonia Argentina, the Caribbean, and Asia are ideal choice for adventurous cruisers who want to go idyllic destinations and unforgettable.
Posted in Adventure Travel | Tags: adventurous cruisers, cruise, destinations, travel | No Comments »
Adventure travel with kids
If you make a trip with your children, you have to balance destinations that can entertain and appeal to both younger and adults and Asturias is able to satisfy the tastes of the entire family with an attractive offer.
From cities as a Unesco World Heritage Oviedo small and picturesque fishing villages. From museums to collect other mining tradition offering an exciting journey to the center of the earth or you face to face with a dinosaur Jurassic. Of the vast beaches to the majestic mountains. All without leaving the Principality.
Certainly nature is the great attraction of this community in which the third of its territory is a protected area. The stunning Picos de Europa, the fun, meandering rivers and waterfalls, enchanted forests where they hide the grand mythological and natural parks are a magical experience that should not be missed.
Nature in the wild
The landscape could not be more grand in this corner of the Iberian Peninsula, among other options, you can enjoy the Biosphere Reserve Muniellos, unspoilt area with a thick forest of oak, ash, birch trees and ferns where live bears and wolves. Another option is to enjoy the Falls Road called that part of Oneta and runs between wells and waterfalls.
La Senda del Oso is another visit almost obligatory. This path takes the old mining railway platform and the road is fitted with protective fencing and perfectly directed. There are many bridges that allow several changes of shoreline and allow you to enjoy beautiful places.
Camping or sleeping in a house in the middle of the Picos de Europa is another option that is sure to hit when traveling with children, as is the National Park of the Lakes of Covadonga, a visit to the heart same legends, where numerous guided tours allow you to enjoy your landscape and make routes suitable for all ages.
A river adventure
But if anything stands Asturias is to have opted for active tourism. Many companies offer all kinds of activities to enjoy nature, from trekking down the river in canoes, biking, horseback riding, climbing 4×4 hot air ballooning for the more daring.
But without doubt one of the main tourist attractions is the descent of the River Sella, suitable for a fun ride suitable for all ages. Fifteen miles downstream in a privileged location that combines fun and sports. The rafting begins and gets rented, fifteen miles beyond the village of Ribadesella. It can be done alone, in two canoes or more passengers, a distance of three to four hours in rowing alternating with stops and breaks to enjoy the scenery.
Colombia and parks
It is very common that the main idea to schedule a trip to the Caribbean is known to visit the beaches, the most popular, the most famous or those in your life always dreamed we visit. But this time, despite the incredible beaches of Colombia, highlight the natural parks of Colombia.
Colombia is a country rich in natural parks, with regions of incredible landscapes of Costa Rica. Even, it is estimated that more than 1600 miles of these green areas.
Some of them are the Tayrona Park, the desert of La Guajira, forests and wetlands in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, marshes and swamps of Magdalena and the amazing forests of this Latin American country where large regions are and deserve to be traveled with an experienced guide.
Then, in more regions will find beaches with stunning natural coral located at the height of the magical city of Magdalena.
Therefore, for those who want to experience the best of the Caribbean and natural parks in Colombia will have several options and even the possibility of knowing the Caribbean beaches.
In terms of infrastructure is extensive and diverse, with options for all budgets.
Adventure Tourism
Adventure travel is that we can explore the nature, knowing different places and extreme sports.
There are many activities for all tastes and abilities, you can explore an underground river, visit some caves, mountain climbing, bungee tossing, rappel, paragliding and so on.
Of course, these activities should be performed with good physical condition and the proper equipment to do so, security is key to the difference between enjoying an adventure and suffer a tragedy.
To make them, then it is important training and support / advice of an expert on the subject, so if that’s what you want to practice, I recommend you well informed about it and find that what you do complies with all these security measures. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Adventure Travel | Tags: Adventure Tourism, Adventure travel, touring and camping | No Comments »
Traditional Mexican town of San Cristobal
This is a page of three in San Cristobal. For those who visit a traditional Mexican town, this is definitely the one to choose.
San Cristobal was our favorite city (the full name of the city is San Cristobal de lass Cases). This is not surprising, since it is in the center of our favorite state (Chiapas, for example).
The city, its culture, its people and the surrounding villages to attend a place of inspiration.
People
The Indians of San Cristobal are very traditional clothing and colorful in their costumes. The ladies wear several layers of clothing, including strategic beautiful embroidered blouses and what appear to be folded blankets on the head. If you get a travel agency offering a good service you can have a pleasant journey as you will see in the movies.
These Indians everyday appearance is exceptional. From a photographic point of view, this was probably the most disappointing aspect of our trip.
Markets
San Cristobal de lass Cases has developed a variety of markets with local traditional clothes and dolls Marcos (see the political climate of San Cristobal page for more information on Mark).
On our last morning in San Cristobal, went to local food markets at 6:30 of the clock. These were fascinating and were completely free of tourists. Although Andrew did not stand the smell was the sight of slaughtered animals were taken to the place where the variety of beans and chilies endless. I never knew so many kinds of beans and gave it as different color like pink, purple and white pinto provide. There seemed to be painted. The part of the flower market was also beautiful.
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve we went to the Margarita Bar, a tourist spot. The food, atmosphere and music were all great (although the smoke was abundant). The most memorable of the night was when we bought all the fiery “La Cucaracha” shots, of which Etsuko called the table cloth fire. It was really trying to see funny people, turn off the blue alcohol flame.
We also have a load of fireworks from the top of our hotel.
Christmas
most people in a big celebration for its decadent enjoy Christmas dinner. We ate on the other side, probably the best and cheapest or dinner of our trip. We went to La Salsa Verde Taco restaurant and ate chicken and cheese, tacos were awesome. The chicken was before us in what looked like a 44 gallon with a giant wok on top of the kitchen of the drum. We bored a lot in our selection of chicken and cheese as their selection was endless. However, the chicken, cheese, tortillas, salsa, onions, etc, was delicious and only costs 3 pesos, which was about 55 cents.