St. John : A Dream Destination In The U.S. Virgin Islands

April 21, 2010 · Filed Under Travel · Comment 

Millions of people visit the U.S. Virgin Islands every year. They offer all of the beauty, luxury and exclusivity of the Caribbean, but with the security and safety that comes with being governed by the U.S. Of the three major U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is often referred to the least, but this is because it has resisted the temptation to commercialize itself, and not because it is a less desirable destination than St. Croix or St. Thomas, which are the other two major Islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you want a relaxing time in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and to immerse yourself in natural and unspoilt surroundings, then St. John stands out as the obvious choice. With around two-thirds of the Island designated as National Park, it is the most undeveloped, easygoing and laid back of the large U.S. Virgin Islands. That is not to say that it is the ‘boring’ choice – far from it. There is a lot to do and see there if you want to spend a day away from one of its many beautiful beaches.

Of particular note, and something which should not be missed under any circumstances, is the Virgin Islands National Park. It includes hiking trails, historical ruins, and a truly wonderful range of wildlife, some of which is unique to the Island. The beaches within it, which are open to the public, are amongst the best to be found anywhere in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The main towns are Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, and staying in one of these two places allows easy access to restaurants and shops. There are plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from, which range from the quaint to the exceedingly luxurious. Making reservations early is always advisable as finding somewhere to stay at the last minute is normally impossible.

Luxury resorts are generally the preferred choice as you will be treated like royalty throughout your stay. Most lead right on to the beach, offer amazing views, and provide full guest services. You literally would not have to leave the resort if you did not want to. For those looking for tranquility and seclusion, there are few places in the world that can match it.

Find out more about the Island of St. John and St. John Virgin Islands rentals by visiting cruzbayusvi.com

Glasgow Has Much To Offer From A Cultural Perspective

March 20, 2010 · Filed Under Travel · Comment 

When visiting Glasgow, what better place to start than the city centre, and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Royal Exchange Square. The GoMA is the second most visited contemporary art gallery in the UK and houses an appealing combination of old and new architecture.

Also whilst in the city centre, look out for one of the many Charles Rennie MacIntosh buildings dotted around. The Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street, or the Scotland Street School Museum, are perfect examples of Charle’s extraordinary architectural elegance.

You should find time to see the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.  If you want to know Glasgow’s history you need go no further than its exhibitions on Glasgow’s social history dating back to 1790.  Have some cake and coffee in the Victorian Glasshouse which looks out onto the park where you can also see the Doulton Fountain, the largest maintained terracotta fountain in the world.

Moving on from the central area of the city, a trip to the west end is recommended. It is a pleasant walk there, and it gives you the opportunity to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which is on the way. Amongst the wide range of interesting artifacts and pieces of art on display there is the renowned ‘Christ Of St John of the Cross’ by Salvador Dali.

Just across the road from the Museum you will find an excellent destination in the Glasgow Museum of Transport.  As soon as you enter this building you are transported to times of old, showcasing everything from a hundred year old Glasgow tram to the finest collection of Scottish-Built cars in the world.

‘Cheap Hotel Chains’ price compares all the latest cheap hotel deals across the world, ensuring that you find the very best deal for your chosen hotel and destination. This month they are running a feature on Glasgow, the cosmopolitan capital of Scotland. They currently have 142 cheap hotels in Glasgow featured on their website.

What You Shouldn’t Miss in Veliko Turnovo- Caves and Holes

September 27, 2009 · Filed Under Travel · Comment 

The old capital city of Bulgaria is Veliko Turnovo. It is famous with its numerous historical sites. Especially impressive is its geographical location. It is situated in the lower parts of the Balkans, on top of many hills, which are surrounded by the Yantra River. The houses are in amphitheatrically ordered in the old town as well as in the new town. The view from the bottom of a hill is gorgeous – the houses look like they are on top of each other.

Thousands of tourists visit this interesting city. Its geographical location is not the main factor that makes the city so interesting, but its cultural heritage. Tourists visit mostly the three historical hills – Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora, without knowing, that numerous cave formations are hiding in the surroundings of the city – caves and holes with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Their count is surprisingly large – the caves are over 90 and the speleologists or random passers-by still discover unknown so far caves and holes. Part of them are examined and are available for tourists and others are yet to be discovered by enthusiasts of adventures and speleologists. An ordinary tourist can stop by and have a fulfilling holiday, alternating passive with active holiday and have an unforgettable adventure while admiring the nature. It is hard to choose which caves and holes to visit since there are hundreds of them. The following are some of the most famous caves and holes that tourists can go visit:
Emenska cave, Troana, Ruse 213, Bambalova cave and 12 more holes, all situated in the Emen village, Veliko Turnovo region. Arbanashkata cave, Kalugerskata, Danina holes, Golyamata Nisha (“The Big Niche”), Ovchata propast (“The Sheep Abyss”) are situated in Arbanasi. Genchova, Chamitova holes, Gornata Propast (“The Upper Abyss”), Mahnatite Skali (“The Mossy Rocks”), Kostenurkata (“The Turtle”), Dolnyat Vartop (“The Lower Whirlpool”) are situated in the Malki Chiflik village. Prashnata cave (“The Dusty Cave”), Kostnitsa and postnitsa, Sveta Troitsa (“St. Trinity”), Manastirskata caves are situated in the Samodeve village. In Veliko Turnovo are Tonevata, Manastirskata, Evtimievata, Raztsepenata (“The Split Cave”), Kalchovets, Mateyovata, Imanyarskata (“The Treasure-Hunters’ cave), Malkiya Vodopad (“The Small Waterfall”), Furnata (“The Bakery), Tsepkata (“The Slit”), Apostolskata caves and the. Manastirskite , Kalchova, Yonchova, Mariina holes.

The city and the surroundings offer many places to stay – from the expensive and luxurious hotels, which offer various entertainment shows to the quiet and tranquil beautiful villas and hotels, mostly situated in the wilderness.

Planning a New Zealand Self Drive Vacation

September 23, 2009 · Filed Under Travel · Comment 

Views of New Zealand's South Island

Hiring a rental car is a great way to travel New Zealand. Well maintained highways and incredible natural beauty make driving here a pleasure, and renting a vehicle lets you detour and enjoy the sights at your leisure.

New Zealand is a must-see country for vacations. Whether you’re stopping in Auckland for a few days or spending several weeks travelling from North Cape to Bluff, New Zealand has a getaway to suit everyone.

The country’s capital is Wellington, the perfect place to lose yourself in for a week or so. Self drive vacations are easy on the wallet here, as you’ll find good quality affordable rental vehicles in New Zealand . Hire a vehicle that’s right for inner city driving so you can experience the city’s unique shops, exciting night-life and fine cuisine, plus the many beautiful scenic areas so close to the city. The famous Bee Hive parliament building is a must-see destination, and don’t leave out a Lord of the Rings Middle Earth tour.

New Zealand’s vibrant cities are not the only attraction for travellers – there is a lot more to do and see. Many people come to experience the diverse landscapes and glorious scenery of these islands after seeing them in movies like X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Drive past volcanoes in the North Island and visit boiling geysers, national parks and the island’s many beautiful beaches. Drive through sculptural limestone rock formations in the South Island and see breathtaking views of untouched native forest and picturesque river valleys.

Whether you want adventure or relaxation, every part of New Zealand offers a beautiful backdrop for your vacation.

If you’re looking for outdoor activities, there’s a lot to choose from. Anglers the world over know New Zealand for clean waterways and trophy catches, so choose an affordable 4WD hire vehicle to get you to those out-of-the-way fishing spots. If you like hiking you’ll enjoy great hikes and days walks wherever you’re staying. And if you want snow sports, it’s easy to hire a vehicle to get you to the ski-field of your choice. New Zealand’s quality slopes make this country a popular destination for both skiers and snowboarders.

A New Zealand self drive vacation is a great choice – create a tailor-made trip to suit your budget and length of stay. There’s so much to see and do in New Zealand, and a hire car means you have your choice of New Zealand’s unique experiences, beautiful scenery and great holiday spots.