Browsing Month July, 2012

While Goa is, quite rightly, best known for its amazing, palm-fringed beaches, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to this corner of southern India. In fact, some of the state’s other attractions are its lakes and waterfalls, which are well worth seeking out during a stay here.

To make the most of you cheap holiday in Goa, it’s worth doing a little exploring away from the state’s coast. Here are some of the top waterfalls and lakes you can include in your itinerary.

Mayem Lake

This manmade lake is a top attraction with tourists and locals alike. The water is surrounded by wooded hills, providing a picturesque backdrop for a picnic or a lakeside stroll. One of the best ways to experience Mayem Lake, however, is by boat and you’ll find a host of small vessels are available to hire, allowing you to paddle your way around the area.

Keep your eyes open for some of the local birdlife as you drift along at a leisurely pace, as the forest and lake have attracted numerous species to the area, including the orange-breasted green pigeon and the crested serpent eagle.

Arvalem Waterfall

Near Mayem Lake is the Arvalem Waterfall, which drops for around 50 m in among the trees. The best time to visit here is just after the monsoon rains, when an impressive torrent flows down the mountainside and into a pool below. Another attraction of this waterfall is its proximity to the Arvalem Caves, which are home to carvings dating back to the 7th century.

Dudhsagar Waterfall

The Dudhsagar Waterfall is one of the most famous – and most beautiful – in Goa. It is located near the state’s border with Karnataka and the best way to reach it is by rail. The line runs past the waterfall at one point, providing you with an excellent view of the torrents of water as they cascade down the mountain.

You can board a train at either Vasco or Margao to make the journey, while the last stop before the Dudhsagar falls is Collem, so it’s possible to buy a ticket and just take this final leg of the journey by rail.

Once you reach the falls, you’ll be amazed by the sight of the white water plummeting for around 600 m, creating foam and spray as it hits the bottom. There are some calm pools where you can bathe if you need to cool off in the hot Indian sun. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you can go for a hike in the nearby Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary.

Carambolim Lake

If you’d like to spend some time on your holiday in Goa indulging in a spot of bird watching, Carambolim Lake is the place to come. Like Mayem Lake, it is artificial, but that hasn’t stopped it attracting a large variety of winged creatures, including coots, moorhens, egrets, jacanas and teals.

There are several observation towers located at various points around the lake, so you can get an excellent view of the water – and hopefully spot a few more birds in the process!

Kesarval Spring

Situated around 22 km from Panaji, Kesarval Spring is definitely worth a visit if you’re staying in the city. The waters here are said to possess healing properties – perfect if you’ve got any aches or pains you’d like to try and soothe away!

The spring itself is surrounded by dense forest, adding to its exotic appeal. Make sure you pack your swimwear so you can take a dip in the curative waters and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.

The resort city of Sharm el Sheikh sits near the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula. The city is well-known for several peace conferences that have taken place there and is a popular resort area for those who want an Egyptian beach vacation. The city is not terribly populous, as the population stands only around 35,000. Sharm el Sheikh lies along the coast of the Red Sea.

As part of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh twice came under the control of Israel in the mid-twentieth century. In 1982, the Israelis returned the region to the Egyptians. The city occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Gulf of Aquaba. Although Sharm el Sheikh was once a small fishing village, this position led to its growth as an important port. After the Israelis returned Sharm el Sheikh, the Egyptians decided to develop the city and the region around it. A result of this development was the growth of a healthy tourist industry in the late twentieth century.

The climate of the city is subtropical and dry. Winter highs average in the low 70s Farenheit, while high temperatures in the summer can frequently reach the 90s. The city boasts long stretches of sandy beach that are a particular draw for those who enjoy the sea. The water is quite comfortable year-round and is typically very calm.

Many major American hotel brands have built resorts in Sharm el Sheikh in recent years, so American and European tourists will find name brands that are familiar and that have a positive reputation. Over 5 million guests visited Sharm el Sheikh and stayed in one of the many resorts in 2000. The city also has a conference center that has hosted many important gatherings of international leaders. Because of its close proximity to the sea, water sports are quite popular in the area of the city. Most of the visitors who come to Sharm el Sheikh come through the city’s international airport, although buses frequently run from Cairo and ferry services bring visitors to the port of Sharm el Sheikh from other locales in the area.

Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations, a place renowned for its sun, beeches and local cuisine. Their nightlife is also superb, offering entertainment to clubbers, diners, and families. There are hundreds of things to do and see whilst on holiday in Turkey, but these three must make it onto your list.

1. The Grand Bazaar

At one time, this magnificent market was the first to be covered market in the world. This unique place opened in 1461, and as it stands today, it has over 4000 shops. A holidaymaker will love this place, finding everything from Oriental rugs and antiquities, to jewellery, amazing souvenirs and ceramics. Haggling is customary here, so to find the best price, offer half of the initial offer to avoid being ripped off. You’ll get lost in this amazing market—it’s a labyrinth of incredible items. The items here are all so different and original, you better buy an item you love, as you’ll never see the same vendor again.

2. Basilica Cistern

Emperor Justinian built this magnificent place in 532 CE. This huge underground cistern is in the heart of Sultanahmet. The entrance isn’t obvious – the inconspicuous sign is the only indication of its existence. Once inside, you’ll marvel at the breathtaking interior. It takes a staggering 336 marble pillars to support this enormous underground chamber’s roof, and the bottom of the cistern is filled with water. The whole chamber is impressively illuminated with orange lights, creating a gothic atmosphere. To make your way around, you have to stick to a wooden path that leads around the columns, right above the water – a great morning or afternoon, especially if you can pick out the two Medusa heads lurking beneath.

3. Sail on The Gulet Aegean Clipper Charter

One of the best ways to experience Turkey and its Aegean coast is to go on a charter with the gulet Aegean Clipper. Its interior is just as beautiful and elegant as its exterior, boasting opulent decor and wide-open spaces, leaving visitors to move around comfortably as you take in the splendid views. Accommodation is just as luxurious with its 12 cabins that can house up to 24 guests. If you charter the gulet Aegean Clipper, you can also get a discounted price. A definite trip worth every penny as you take in Turkey whilst you relax.

Glamping is a travel phenomenon that has been grown in popularity throughout Europe in recent years.

glampingsquob.com

Few could have predicted that the whole concept of glamorous camping would have taken off and snowballed quite like it has – and it appears to have been successful in attracting more and more people out into the countryside for some welcome peace and quiet during long weekends or weeks away.

What is glamping?

As already mentioned, glamping is an innovative take on traditional camping that has widened its appeals and made it more accessible to more people.

A major drawback for anybody who previously fancied getting out in the great outdoors was the fact they needed to buy or have access to tents and other specialist equipment. As purchasing these could turn into a costly affair, it proved to be a barrier that glamping has now removed.

Simply pick a place to go glamping – here’s where using online resources like Pitch Up for campsites will give you honest reviews and details on availability – pack plenty of warm clothes just in case, stock up on food supplies and away you go.

No need for a tent. No need to worry about what the weather forecast is like. No need to slum up in uncomfortable conditions.

Why go glamping?

• Fun and family-friendly activity
• Offers excellent value for money
• All-year-round activity and not dependant on the weather
• Sites all over the UK and Europe
• Stay in loads of different types of accommodation (camping pod, tipi, wigwam, yurt etc)
• Convenient and hassle-free
• No need to have specialist camping equipment (tents etc)

Where are the best places to go glamping?

The UK, in particular, has plenty of great glamping destinations. For example, Cornwall and Devon are popular with tourists at this time of the year as the summer season begins to get in full swing and attractions such as The Eden Project and Land’s End and great surfing conditions make it a fantastic part of England to explore.

The Best Qualities of Different Boards

Searching for that perfect board for a boarding sport can be an exhausting and worrisome task. No matter what skill level of the rider the idea of spending that much money on a piece of equipment without knowing that you’re getting the absolute best style and performance can drive anyone crazy. Fortunately there are certain traits to look for to find the very best board for you no matter which of the popular sports you’re looking into.

Skateboards are the most basic of all the board types. Their design hasn’t changed in some time and for the most part every manufacturer keeps the same principles in their product lines. But the best skateboard will have a nice combination of material strength, agility and ease of complex tricks or moves. Strength comes from the type of wood or composite the deck is made of. Most brands go with some type of hardwood but the best will use a single type that isn’t pressed together by a machine and it will come in several layers for added strength. The deck will also feature extreme curvature for added pop and ease of kicking up the deck.

Longboards work in a similar manner as skateboards but without that curvature. The best longboard is all about speed. The deck should be strong and as flat as possible so it sits low and evenly to the ground. The flatter and wider it is the better the stability and ease of control at high speeds. And because longboards travel so fast and are so low to the ground the deck should have very little give to it. There should be enough bounce to make the rider feel natural and comfortable but not so much that every bump causes the deck to tilt on the wheels.

The best snowboard will exhibit many of the same traits as good skateboards. Extreme curvature combined with a flat middle near the feet is essential. This ensures the board will glide across the snow without digging in and slowing down or causing chop. A great snowboard will also have a polymer coating on the outside of a solid wood or fiberglass deck. This polymer not only promotes a smooth ride but it keeps the board from cracking on hard landings.

For wakeboarding the best wakeboard feature is without a doubt removable fins. Fins beneath the board help it rip through the water with better speed and handling. But they also make in-air tricks or jumps more difficult. A great wakeboard will allow the rider to remove fins in whatever order they choose, allowing for custom combinations of speed, handling and trick abilities.

: