Grand Canyon National Park – The Pride of Nature

The vicinity of America is like a paradise for tourists with hundreds of destinations to explore and admire. Another such location is the Grand Canyon that epitomizes power and pride of nature.

Along with the gorgeous, natural panoramas, the Grand Canyon National Park also endows with ample of adventures and leisure activities. This blend is quite overwhelming. However, adding spice to its feel, the wildlife and wilderness ambiance is what completes the definition of Grand Canyon.

Traveling to the national park is as interesting as the vistas there. The northern rim of the Grand Canyon can be reached from northern areas like Las Vegas. However, most of the tourists prefer to explore the southern rim first. It’s quite popular and can be accessed by driving north of Flagstaff for about an hour.

This national park is something that America is, and will always be, extremely proud of, as it conserves some of the most beautiful and extinct wildlife creatures of the world. However, the most spectacular attraction of this place is the Grand Canyon itself. Even after spending 800 hours, a tourist may not be able to watch and enjoy everything that the Grand Canyon has to offer.

An activity that cannot be missed while visiting Grand Canyon National Park is hiking. And if you want to experience the ultimate pleasure of this adventure, the best time to visit this place is spring and fall. During these months the temperature is quite pleasing as it isn’t very hot. However, autumn months provide you the opportunity of counting the endless variety of hawks that migrate to the south in this period.

Staying overnight is never a problem, if you are at National Park. In fact, it’s a pleasure. This vicinity embraces 4 historical hotels and about 5 contemporary, chic inns to choose from. With more than five million people visiting this place every year, you cannot expect not to be a good residing destination.

With so much to offer, Grand Canyon adds another appreciating activity to the list – wildlife watching. Don’t fret if a raven crosses by your car, or a vulture sits besides. It’s too common here. Other birds like jays, hawks, and golden eagles can be effortlessly spotted from the rim. Animals like bobcats, coyotes, black bears, mule deer, squirrels, and mountain lions are abundantly available here. However, desert bighorn sheep occupy most of the places of this national park.

If you are an avid explorer, this is definitely a haven for you. Along with places like Tusayan Museum and Kolb Studio, you will also enjoy the views of Painted Desert, Kaibab National Park, and Desert View Watchtower.

Millions of tourists visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona due to this extensive blend of wildlife, adventures, panoramas, arts, and weather. Being here is definitely the best way to revitalize and re-energize.…

A New Way to Visit Grand Canyon

If you are tired of routine tours of the Grand Canyon, you may change to a new way to visit this grand place. Now the National Park introduces tourists to a refreshing bike tour. Visitors can rent bikes at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, and then various maps of tour lines will help them to get to their desired destinations. I love riding bikes very much. But when I am on vacation, it is impossible to ride bikes every day. So I am pleased to rent bikes to visit the canyon.

In this amazing place, visitors can see a lot of beautiful scenery. Maybe we can take many pictures to memorize its beauty, but it is better to experience it on your own. If you want to explore a natural canyon, you can ride bikes along the park’s South Rim. There are many specially constructed bike roads and greenways in the park, so tourists can enjoy a quiet trip without the noise of vehicles. It is very convenient to rent bikes from Bright Angel Bicycles, moreover, you can save a lot of money to enjoy such a fantastic place. I think the park’s exciting new visitor service will be popular in other places of interest too.

The park made plenty of preparations before this new bike tour service. The National Park has tested the Common User Access (CUA) system for bike rental operations for one year, and it will use the data collected from visitors during the term of CUA to improve its service in the future. Maybe it is a new service to tourists, it has been envisioned by the park’s 1995 General Management Plan and finally became a part of the park’s 2008 South Rim Transportation Plan. At last, we have a new choice to experience the canyon.

I rode bikes around the South Rim Village area for two hours, and then I took a break and ate some snacks. And then I continued my bike tour from the Village to Hermit’s Rest. The road is wide and clean, furthermore, it is free of private vehicle traffic. Though I was tired after a day’s trip, I was fully relaxed and slept soundly. Riding bikes and the beautiful scenery make me feel fresh and healthy.…

Why You Should Visit Istanbul

If we decide to make a list of most significant historical cities in the world, Istanbul has to be somewhere towards the top of that list. Istanbul is a city so rich in culture that there is a hint of just about everywhere in their culture and traditions. Istanbul has existed for as long as (if not longer than) Rome. But interestingly, during its existence it has generally richer and more prosperous than Rome. 

Istanbul is also a really important gateway in the economy and general geography of the world. It is considered to be a central location where the eastern world meets the western world. This makes Istanbul one of the most diverse cities on earth. We have ancient architecture blended seamlessly with modern skyscrapers and buildings. 

If their way of life is so influenced by the rest of the world, try to imagine how delicious their dishes would be. The typical Turkish meal is a condensation of centuries of influence and adaptation. You will absolutely love them. 

Another wonderful feature of the city is its vibrant nightlife. These guys know how to have fun. A typical night when properly planned in Istanbul is not short of epic. It’s one party after the other, from one pub to the other, and generally people relaxing and having fun.…

Should I Travel to Switzerland?

Of course, you absolutely should! Switzerland despite being one of the most stunning tourist destinations in the world, offers everyone a fair opportunity to visit.

If you are on a budget, then the plethora of accommodation options would definitely put a smile on your face. From luxurious destinations in major cities, to more seren locations in smaller towns and villages. With the beauty of the country’s natural scenery, there is no perfect place to stay. The quaint nature of the towns and villages appeal to some. While others prefer the bubbly, exciting, and somewhat mediterranean atmosphere of the major cities. It is all about your budget.

Switzerland offers the most beautiful train ride in the world. The railways are connected through some pretty exciting destinations. High altitude Alp tunnels and overpasses, mountainside tracks, and even some through miles and miles of beautiful flowers and landscape. With how spectacular the train rides are, it should be a crime to go to Switzerland without trying at least one of them. 

Switzerland is also really popular for mind-blowing skiing. The mountains provide access to basically all levels of spectacular skiing environments. You have trails where the whole family could have a great time. Then there are some that are downright daredevil trails. A few popular ski destinations are:

  • St. Moritz 
  • Zermatt, 
  • Verbier 
  • Gstaad and 
  • Andermatt

You really should visit Switzerland if you can. Everyone should get to enjoy its view firsthand at least once.…

Top 3 Reasons to Visit New Zealand

For a number of reasons, New Zealand could well be considered the best country in the world for a vacation. The adventure and fun is seemingly endless. The most intriguing aspects of New Zealand include:

  1. Best Bungee Sites in the World

New Zealand is home to the world’s most thrilling bungee jump sites. At this point, it is sort of like a “welcome to New Zealand” tradition. Because even if you don’t jump, its quite exciting to watch others jump while some even holler loudly on the way down. Queenstown’s Kawarau bridge is the most popular jumping site.

  1. Beautiful Lakes 

New Zealand has some really awesome lakes. Did you know that the clearest pool in the world is in New Zealand? Yea, you could actually see as deep as 80 meters. 

  1. Interesting Geothermal Activities 

New Zealand is a geologically active zone (sits on a fault line). This means that we have certain heated spots. When water is found in these heated locations, it becomes really interesting. 

The country has numerous geothermal geysers, lakes and hot springs. A dip in some of the more popular ones is a nice way to truly relax. The most popular hot spring is The Lost Spring in Whitianga.

This pool is so interesting because it also leads into a beautiful cave filled with magnificent stalactites and beautiful purple crystals. It almost seems magical.

You would love New Zealand, it really is perfect for vacationing. Besides its basically heaven on earth for Lord of the Rings’ fans.…

Is the Switzerland Worth Visiting?

Did you know that the highest altitude railway station in the world is in Switzerland? Grindelwald, Switzerland is home to the Jungfrau railway or Jungfrauoch which peaks at an astonishing 3454m (a.s.l). The train ride to the top offers an astonishing view of a whitewashed landscape adorned with majestic mountains. It almost feels surreal. 

That is just one of the epic train rides one gets to experience in Switzerland. If the landscape views the Switzerland railway offer are said to be second best in the world, it will be almost impossible to find the best. For a country with so many UNESCO heritage sites, that is to be expected.

Speaking of heritage sites, Switzerland is a must-visit for history and nature enthusiasts. The Alps had a sort of reputation for housing mankind over the centuries. There are about 1000 pile dwellings (or evidence of them) randomly scattered across the various countries that are close to the Alps. Out of all these, the ones on Lake Biel are among the best and most preserved. It is quite intriguing imagining that people who lived in these were once the most advanced of their time.  

For culinary delights, you have Swiss chocolate, fondue, cheese and various other regional specialties. Trust me, the food is spectacular!

Switzerland should make everyones “places to vacation” list. In fact it should top that list, you won’t regret it.…

Top Reasons to Visit Mauritius

  1. Lots of Adventure to be Had

The island of Mauritius is one that is home to people from all over the world. It receives millions of tourists each year. The island still has lots of untouched space. So, the opportunities for an epic adventure are boundless. 

You could try hiking through any of their popular mountain trails, visiting the numerous nature reserves, checking out the surrounding islands, or even having a 10/10 beach day. 

  1. Beautiful Natural Heritage

Mauritius is said to be so beautiful that heaven was made to look like it. Mauritius is quite literally, paradise on earth. This makes it a really fitting destination for relaxing or romantic vacations. Spending a few days relaxing on the beach, or checking out any of the heritage sites is relaxing. Then quiet beach walks or relaxation on one of the island’s less popular beaches is every couple’s delight.

  1. Exquisite Island Cuisine

The food options there will have you craving them in no time. The islanders have figured out how to work what can only be described as magic with their diverse seafood options. They also have dishes centered around savory island fruits.

A Mauritian vacation is the way to go this year. Enjoy relaxing personal outings, with the option of crowd activities being at most a boat ride away.…

Guimarães

Given that Guimares was once the capital of Portugal, its old center should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That was in the 12th century, when the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques, declared this northern city to be the nation’s birthplace.

Guimares is a highly evocative place with several important historical monuments, not least the castle, where Afonso is said to have been baptized. The equally significant Paço dos Duques, the royal palace, houses a fascinating museum. Still, the Museu de Alberto Sampaio, located in the Romanesque abbey of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira on Largo da Oliveira, has an equally impressive collection of artifacts.

Guimares’ famous central square, with its elaborately carved granite facades, ornate sculpture, and the Padro do Salado, a 14th-century shrine standing in front of the monastery, looks straight out of the Middle Ages.

One of the best sites to visit to take in Guimaraes’ history and beauty is here. All social meetings and cultural activities occur on the square, which serves as the city’s hub. A day spent lounging about and enjoying a meal or a cup of coffee from one of the neighborhood’s upscale cafes, or eateries is the best way to spend time with loved ones. It should notice because both families and young lovers frequent it.

After reliving all of history, you should walk through the medieval quarter, exploring the maze of narrow cobblestone streets past several beautifully preserved old townhouses.…

Elvas

Among Europe’s best-preserved examples of military architecture are the fortifications surrounding Elvas, with heavy, star-shaped walls. UNESCO has designated Elvas as a World Heritage Site for its mid-17th-century defenses, located on a hilltop in the Alentejo, 15 kilometers from the border with Spain.

A 16th-century engineering project, Elva’s aqueduct was built in response to the town’s growing population and water need. But the works were finished in 1622, almost a century later.

It’s a long drive east (and should be combined with a visit to the nearby Spanish city of Badajoz), but those who make an effort will be rewarded with a genuinely imposing circuit of walls, deep moats, and star-shaped ramparts. Within this impregnable ring is a maze of steep, cobbled streets and a number of worthwhile visitor attractions, most notably the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolaço, whose unassuming exterior conceals a truly gilded interior.

The other star-shaped fort of Elvas is Santa Luzia Fort. It is situated on the other side of Graça Fort, south of Elvas. Although it is smaller, it was constructed 150 years ago. The site of Elvas’s Garrison Border Town and its fortifications, which consists of the two forts, the walls, the castle, and several lesser forts, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A castle on the north wall provides excellent views of the area and includes two smaller outlying forts as well as the Aqueduto da Amoreira, the town’s impressive 16th-century aqueduct.…

Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

The Serra da Estrela, the tallest mountains on the Portuguese mainland, is appropriately called the “star mountains.” A striking natural feature of central Portugal, the range, or more specifically the plateau, rises to a height of 1,993 meters above sea level. It is frequently snowcapped in winter when opportunistic skiers take advantage of Europe’s shortest ski season.

On the other side, the granite escarpments and valleys formed by glaciers make for excellent hiking terrain thanks to the extensive network of marked long-distance trails and tracks. The walkers can take in some extremely spectacular scenery and the traditional culture of the area, which is exemplified by settlements like Linhares and Valezim, along the journey. In the mountains dwells the Serra da Estrela sheepdog, a breed exclusive to Portugal.

Portugal is renowned for its 300+ days of sunshine every year and its pleasant weather. Portugal is never associated with snowy weather or a ski vacation by tourists (or even locals). But it does snow in Portugal, especially in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, where the Portuguese go skiing. The Serra da Estrela, which is 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide, is the tallest mountain range in all of continental Portugal.

The Serra da Estrela sheepdog, a breed unique to Portugal, lives in the mountains. You’re bound to see proud locals walking one of these powerful but gentle dogs. The region is also famous for the deliciously rich and creamy Serra cheese, which is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest. Look for it in the stores that serve many of the local villages.…