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Mexico

The sunshine beckons when you find yourself defrosting the windscreen in the dark at 8am before work. When the thermal layers are pulled from the bottom of drawers and snow boots are discovered at the back of the cupboard. The promise of escaping the hardship of winter leads us to tropical climes such as Mexico. There is always a sun in the sky, never a hint of snow and always miles and miles of tropical beaches. Cancun is the destination of choice for thousand of sun seekers every year but a little further down the Caribbean coast and you will hit Tulum. It has been a hit with backpackers, nudists and hippies since the sixties but it has developed into a beautiful beach community with all mod cons. The beach is unspoilt and the stars at night are mind blowing – there is only generator electricity so the sky puts on a fantastic star display on most nights. This place will rid you of the winter blues.

Zermatt

Instead of running for the hills and the sun, why not embrace the winter and head somewhere where the snow is inviting rather than a nuisance. Ski holidays in Zermatt could provide you with that all important fun in the snow. Zermatt is located near the famous Matterhorn and is close to many other ski resorts of note. There are ski runs to thrill, runs for beginners, never mind the snowboarding. Après ski is always an important part of escaping the winter blues and Zermatt has everything a weary skier could wish for. Spas galore, amazing shops and there are some really cool bars. The restaurants are worth the journey, as are the luxury chalets on offer. Zermatt puts a great spin on escaping winter and turns it into a snowy holiday to remember.

Tenerife

The Canary Islands offer chilly travellers the chance to feel the sun on their face all year round. This has been big news for many freezing Europeans who head to the sunny islands in their drives. In order to escape the mainstay of the tourists, it is essential to get off the beaten track. Los Gigantes, in Tenerife can offer the best of both worlds. There is a thriving, traditional tourist aspect – bars and restaurants, as well as some traditional Hispanic entertainment. The area is naturally beautiful and there are many walks in the area that are open to the more active traveller. Do not forget the natural swimming pool which provides the perfect place to swim when the tide comes in. This volcanic island offers a diverse range of activities and really ensures that the winter is left far behind.

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Among these liners, some have been decked out to the extreme in order to attract families and younger passengers. Take Royal Caribbean International for instance. This innovative company has become famous for its extreme stance on cruise facilities and its “why not?” approach – among them, passengers can take rock-climbing lessons, whizz along an 80-foot long zip wire, skim the waves on a surf simulator and enjoy a whole host of other activities.

Other operators such as P&O Cruises are also beginning to push the boundaries and appeal to new audiences. Some of the larger vessels in the P&O fleet boast fantastic facilities for all ages, from kids’ clubs and teen discos for youngsters to sports courts and spa treatments, not to mention a fabulous range of evening entertainment.

Other ships in the fleet such as P&O Adonia are smaller and a little more traditional. Although these might suit the older crowd, they are still committed to opening up the concept of cruising with a wide range of activities and facilities. This particular vessel has no less than eight bars, some of which boast panoramic views, a whole range of restaurants, a library, shops, a photographic gallery, a spa, gym and golf nets.

Whatever you’re into and whatever type of things you like to do on holiday, with so much choice you’re bound to find something that’s right up your street. It’s just a matter of finding your favourite which, given the sheer amount of choice, could be significantly easier said than done…

]]> http://www.nature-hd.com/taking-cruises-to-the-extreme/feed/ 0 http://www.nature-hd.com/typical-cruise-ports-of-call-in-the-canary-islands/ http://www.nature-hd.com/typical-cruise-ports-of-call-in-the-canary-islands/#comments Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:47:11 +0000 admin http://www.nature-hd.com/?p=5099 The Canary Islands are some of the most visited short-haul holiday destinations in Europe and with their pleasant climate, buzzing beach resorts and hidden cultural treasures, it is easy to see why the cruise ships also come to call here. From the lush vegetation of La Palma to the surreal volcanic scenes of Lanzarote, this island group counts diversity as one of its chief charms. Take your pick of day excursions, from high-thrill activities to serene sightseeing to get the best out of your Canarian cruise.

 Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A major player in the archipelago because of its size and reputation, Tenerife has plenty to offer the thousands of cruising holidaymakers who make port in the capital Santa Cruz. It is perfectly possible to see the majestic inland landscape of the Teide National Park in a day or hike through the Ezperanza forest. Cultural options include the towns of La Laguna or Puerto de la Cruz in the north and if you fancy something really different, there are whale-watching tours near the cliffs at Los Gigantes.

 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

The busy port city of Las Palmas will greet you as you step off the boat in Gran Canaria; the old district of Vegueta is worth a wander here. Head south to Puerto Mogan for an unsual submarine adventure or to stretch out on the sands of Maspalomas Beach. Explore the rich landscape further by touring the vast Bandama Crater with its must-see viewpoint. For more tranquil excursion ideas, try one of the quietly traditional villages such as Teror with its picturesque church and vernacular architecture.

 Arrecife, Lanzarote

Arrecife is a cultured town, home to museums and galleries as well as the harbour, but for a slice of real Lanzarote, it is best to see the astonishing rock formations of the interior in Timanfaya National Park. Explore the caves at Los Verdes to see vast underground lava tunnels that stretch for miles. If you are more inclined to watersports, try the Costa Teguise for a quick spot of wind-surfing or even a relaxing game of golf.

 Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura

Although it is the second largest island, Fuerteventura is lesser-known than its neighbours and certainly merits a closer look. Disembark at Puerto del Rosario and travel north to experience some of the best snorkelling lagoons in these parts. Oasis Park Zoo is a favourite with younger visitors and nature-lovers will want to take in the varied landscape from the dunes of Corralejo in the north to the mountainous inner regions near Betancuria.

 Santa Cruz de La Palma

The charming cobbled streets of Santa Cruz de La Palma might encourage you to spend your on-shore time here, among the age-old fortresses, Italian-style plazas and tempting bakeries. For those who venture further, this compact island is home to the active peak of Volcan de Tenguia, only an hour away which you can combine with browsing the traditonal island pottery at El Molino. Try Las Nieves, a village of hillside citrus groves, or the floral walks in the UNESCO reserve at northern Los Tilos.

 So whether you are seeking natural wonders, authentic Spanish towns or fun amongst the waves, the Canary Islands have the full package. Drifting from port to port here really does give a remarkable overview of these unique volcanic lands and with the sun ever-shining, cruises in the region will continue to be a favourite for some time.

White water rafters, young and old, from the first-timer to the expert, come in their thousands to Banff to sample incredible rapids in the most exceptional environment and with numerous options on offer there really is something to suit everyone.

Spanning over 6,000 square kilommetres, Banff National Park was the first of its kind established in Canada and has something to offer all visitors all year round. Seasoned rafters and newcomers alike are drawn here for the world-famous Kicking Horse River and there are a variety of operators providing all manner of white water experiences to choose from in the season which spans the summer months of May through to September.

Something For Everyone

Banff Whitewater Rafting company offers rafting half-day or day-trips and multi-day tours, suitable for family groups or individual thrill-seekers with a choice of gentle sightseeing trips along the Kananaskis River or speed sprints on the rapids of the Kicking Horse River. During the summer trips depart daily from Banff and Lake Louise, all supervised by experienced rafting guides. Their new fleet of rafts have been designed to the highest specification to provide a safe and authentic experience. The company will also recommend a place to stay as a base for your Canadian Rockies white water experience.

Kootenay River Runners are another provider offering white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River or gentler rafting, suitable for families including children as young as five, on the Kootenay River near Radium Hot Springs. Kootenay is the company which introduced rafting in the Rockies in 1976 and with such a pedigree is proud to offer the ultimate in white water adventures.

Another veteran of the rapids with 26 years of experience and 120,000 past customers is Hydra River Guides. Hydra offers multi-level options from the Mild White Water excursion to Class 4+ intense rapids and everything in between. Packages available also include options to incorporate other activities such as ziplining, horseback riding or ATVing.

Celebrity Choice

Established 20 year ago, Wild Water has played host to sportsmen and women, Hollywood celebrities, members of the Royal Family, Government Leaders, singers, golfers and thousands upon thousands of families, couples, singles and groups of every age (8+) and ability. Wild Water offers gentle lake or river rafting to extreme white water rapids with daily excursions from mid-May to mid-September.

Canadian Rockies Rafting is another operator which offers four distinctly different trips with something to suit all ages and abilities ranging from leisurely scenic floats on the calm but magnificent Bow River, an ideal way to experience the true majesty of the Rockies, to a whole day of exhilarating white water rafting on the challenging and raging Kicking Horse.

Mild To Wild And Everything In Between

Claiming to be the family rafting company, Chinook Rafting offers the white water rafting experience of a lifetime all under the expert supervision of experienced river guides. With experience spanning

25 years, Chinook has trips from ‘mild to wild’ with something to suit every level of adventure seeker, using modern equipment and adhering to industry leading safety standards.

Whatever your choice of providers, your Banff white water experience is guaranteed to be an unforgettable one and something which you will be talking about fondly for many years to come.

This article was contributed by cheapflights – helping you get to the world’s most beautiful destinations for less.

Another main attraction of a cruise is the astounding beauty of many of the destinations, and here are four of the most spectacular:

Caribbean

One of the most popular cruise destinations, the Caribbean is world-famous for its astonishingly clear blue seas, sandy islands and tropical temperatures.  A dynamic place with friendly locals, delicious food and unspoilt beaches, it is greatly favored by all ages due to the grand scale and diversity of the islands.  The beauty of the white sand beaches must be seen to be believed, and there is never a shortage of stunning scenery to discover, from some of the world’s largest barrier reefs to uninhabited islands covered in palm trees.  The sheer size of the region means that there are many reasons to visit again and again, and never experience the same thing twice.

Norway

Offering holidaymakers a change to explore glacial valleys, breathtaking fjords and a unique culture, a cruise around Norway’s coast is an experience that can never be forgotten.  Crystal clear waters and unusual coral reefs are some of the amazing sights to be seen in the land of the midnight sun, and if the cruise is at the right time of year, there may be an opportunity to see the elusive and mysterious northern lights.  With more than 1190 fjords, there will never be a shortage of spectacular views in Norway.

Mediterranean

Whether wandering around the ancient architecture found on the Greek islands or enjoying a cocktail on the Spanish coast, there are an endless number of things to do during a Mediterranean cruise.  Taking a dip in the cool waters is a welcome break from the warm, humid temperatures that make this area so popular with tourists.  An area indelibly touched by the hand of history; there is plenty to see, including museums, monuments and ancient villages and towns that are seemingly untouched by the modern world.  In contrast, there are also numerous shopping centers, seafront restaurants and bustling markets that sell the freshest of food and the most unique keepsakes.  A Mediterranean cruise is a perfect family holiday due to the warm weather, beautiful scenery and diverse activities to enjoy.

Alaska

A more unusual destination, Alaska is gaining popularity as a cruise destination.  It is an astonishingly beautiful land filled with unspoilt scenic wonders due to its remote location.  Travel under and around glaciers, see wildlife that lives nowhere else in the world and discover a wide variety of landscapes, from deep valleys carved by the last ice age to huge mountain ranges populated by expansive, untouched forests.  This is the perfect location to see one of the last pristine areas of natural wilderness.  Choosing Alaska as a destination is also a perfect change from the usual hot, humid, sunny cruises.

]]> http://www.nature-hd.com/top-four-most-picturesque-cruise-destinations/feed/ 0 http://www.nature-hd.com/beautiful-villa-mexico/ http://www.nature-hd.com/beautiful-villa-mexico/#comments Sat, 26 May 2012 10:20:10 +0000 Kity http://www.nature-hd.com/?p=4944 Stunning villa in Mexico, opened the door and ready to take their guests. Every person who lives there surrounded by luxury and comfort. Wow! This vacation paradise!

Even the road leading to the castle, an amazing and unusual. It is called the Royal Mile, leading from Holirudskogo Palace in Edinburgh Castle

Castle Rock, which is located a delightful wonder, is an extinct volcano. Since ancient times it was chosen by the person, there are always people settled. The castle also became the main bulwark of Scotland, even called him the key to the country

The first structure here was built in the early Middle Ages, and then repeatedly reinforced and rebuilt. The biggest adjustment has been made in the 17th century, becoming the most that neither is an impregnable fortress

On three sides of Edinburgh Castle protects inaccessible cliffs. get close to the castle could only be on a steep, fully fire the road on the fourth side. Not surprisingly, few people dare to take Edinburgh by storm. Now this road is the annual parade of orchestras in Edinburgh

The pride of the Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Scotland, St Margaret’s Chapel, built in the early 12th century. Also in the castle you can see the crown of the Scottish king and a number of other very interesting items and relics

It has long been believed that whoever controls the Edinburgh, Scotland, he controls the whole. Well, Edinburgh Castle is the heart of Edinburgh, and thus the whole country. This is where most important decisions affecting the course of history in Scotland

There is a history of the castle and dark spots. Beginning in the 18th century it was used mostly as a prison. It even held captive German pilots during World War II. But later transferred to the management structure of the Ministry of palaces and castles of Scotland and is now open to the public, attracting thousands of tourists every year

1. Amazon

No matter what kind of country you go to Amazon to see – whether in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, in Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, in, or in French Guiana – you will not regret it. Occupying the most significant area of ​​jungle in the world that have become home to millions of unique creatures – this is definitely worth seeing, before the world will end there.

2.  Antelope Canyon

Do you still think that the Grand Canyon – the canyon is the only worthy of attention in the U.S.? Did you know that there is a so-called Antelope Canyon, which is located in Arizona? Canyon got its name due to rust-red walls, resembling the skin of an antelope. Canyon is a naturally caused huge cracks in the cliffs of sand. For centuries, water and wind have formed in the red sandstone of deepening a few hundred meters, which formed the canyon. He is amazingly picturesque and attracts many tourists.

3. Uluru

Uluru – the massive orange-brown oval-shaped rock. It is located in the region of Central Australia. However, to get to it quite difficult – it is located at a distance of more than 280 miles from the nearest settlement. Mount is decorated with rock art and is an object of worship among the local natives, who believe that once there lived a giant water python.

4. Bora Bora

Amazing Island, located in French Polynesia in the South Pacific, Bora Bora, is considered the most beautiful islands in the world. In the crystal clear waters home to many unique creatures – the underwater world of a remarkable diversity. In addition, there is amazingly beautiful landscapes.

5. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is a (highly debatable), the largest waterfall in the world, its width is 5604 feet (1708 meters) and reaches a height of 354 feet (108 meters). Victoria Falls is much more interesting place than Niagara Falls.

6. Norwegian Fjords

7. Santorini

Santorini is an island located off the coast of Greece. Thousands of years ago, there occurred one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history. To date, Santorini – a combination of amazing beauty of landscapes, crazy kind of architecture, and legendary eventful history (say that it is the eruption of the volcano, and led to the legend of Atlantis).

8. Iceland

Iceland – a country the most amazing, totally alien form of landscapes, huge frozen waterfalls, the northern lights, incredible beauty of sunrise and sunset, and the endless kilometers of barren tundra.

9. Lake Moreyn

Kazalos would say that might be interesting in an ordinary lake? However, Lake Moraine – an exception! It is located in the Valley of Ten peaks in Alberta, Canada. The source of water for Lake Moraine is a glacier, so when it is completely filled with water, it reflects the different shades of blue due to refraction of light on the rocky bottom of the lake, creating an almost dizzying neon lights. In addition, considerable interest is the surrounding landscape ..

10. Peter

Built in about 1200 BC, Petra, an ancient city in Jordan, known for its unique location – you can get to it only through the narrow gorge. In addition, Peter – a city built entirely of stone, “cut down” in the rocks. And the builders of the ancient city, nation Nabataeans created a complex system of water supply, and despite the arid climate, the inhabitants of the town has never needed in the water due to the presence of artificial oases. Thanks to Peter became a center of caravan trade, and an impregnable fortress.