January 5th, 2009 at 09:29pm
Under Attractions
Nova Scotia is a diverse area with roots in both French and Scottish cultures. There are many unique and interesting activities found in the Nova Scotia area including biking along the Lighthouse Route and rafting the wide tides.
There are several biking tours which are available in the Nova Scotia region. You will love biking across the beautiful terrain of this area and seeing first hand some of the most popular sites in the country by way of a bike. These interactive tours will offer you the opportunity to see Nova Scotia up close and become familiar with the diversity which flows within the country.
Whether you want to see the Bay of Fundy from your bike or simply wish to visit as many of the unique places in Nova Scotia as you possible can, you will definitely want to take advantage of the local bike tours.
Walking and hiking tours may not be as expansive as the biking tours in Nova Scotia but they will take you into the Canadian countryside that is typically inaccessible through other means. The tours typically end in a stay at one of the charming bed and breakfast hotels in the area which are renowned for their home like atmosphere.
The walking tours in Nova Scotia are a great way to observe the wildlife in the area as well. There are plenty of moose, birds and even bears which reside in the area.
The Bay of Fundy is one of Canada’s most interesting sights. You can experience the world’s highest tides firsthand when you take part in one of the Nova Scotia traditions of tide rafting. The change in the water level is amazing. We watched it fall over 8′ while we were having lunch!
The Bay of Fundy features a multitude of diverse species of marine life including several species of whales.
There are few large cities in Nova Scotia. Instead, you will quickly discover small towns and villages dot the wonderful region which is filled with natural beauty. Halifax is the one city that is bustling with energy although the towns and villages of the area have a lot to offer as well.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and is also home to several historic sites especially historic war sites from both the French Canadian War and WWI. The city is built upon one of the most historically valuable harbors in Canada.
There are many unique experiences available in Halifax which makes it a wonderful destination including interesting and friendly people, shops and dining experiences.
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M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling.
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Technorati Tags: bay of fundy, fundy bay, halifax canada, halifax nova scotia, nova scotia
By Macon Gravlee
December 23rd, 2008 at 03:53pm
Under Attractions+ Exotic locations
<img src=”/gfx/OsakaCastle.jpg” width=”150″ style=”float:right;margin-left:5px;margin-bottom:5px” alt=”Osaka Castle” title=”Osaka Castle” />Located at the mouth of the Yodo River where it empties in to Osaka Bay, the city of Osaka is an amazing city, full of culture and history. One of the oldest cities in the world, Osaka can trace its roots back to as far as 700BC, before the rise of Rome or other western centres of power.
As the capitol of the Osaka Prefecture, nestled in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshu, Osaka has long enjoyed a position of privilege and power derived from its sheltered position in the bay at the mouth of a major trade river.
As capitol of the Japanese Empire several times during the various ages, including the Asuka, Nara, Heian and Edo periods, it has a cultural flavour that runs deeper than any other does. Historically the economic capitol of Japan, Osaka has the second largest population of any Japanese City, with seventeen million people in the area encompassing Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
It is a unique distinction that Osaka has the highest amount of nighttime residents, that is, residents who work and live during the night rather than during the day, to Tokyo. Some 2.6 million people live and work by the moon, resulting in a massive collection of stores, restaurants and other services that are open twenty-four hours a day.
“The 808 bridges of Osaka” is a common phrase used to express awe and wonder in Japan, a proverbial statement. 808 is a number that is used by the Japanese to symbolize the idea of ‘too large to count’. Osaka is crossed by a massive number of waterways, from irrigation canals, to navigable rivers and access feeders. This necessitates an equally massive number of bridges and crossings, each bridge with a specific and unique name that often lends itself to the surrounding area. While some of the waterways, for example, the Nagahori canal, are now filled in, the bridges remain as part of this deep cultural history.
As one might expect, the city of Osaka, due to its commercial nature, day and night time culture and deep history, is considered to be Japan’s national kitchen, the gourmet centre of the food-conscious Japanese. In Osaka, you can find any number of restaurants catering to cuisines both exotic and more mundane, from American burgers and fries to French foie gras to Indian curries and even Mexican moles.
One of the more interesting restaurants is Osaka ’s Dotonbori Street. This is a very popular buffet style restaurant where the customers cook the food for themselves. A large pot of boiling water is placed in the middle of a group’s table and then two large trays are delivered to the table, one of meat and soy-tofu and the other of vegetables. The meats are thinly sliced, allowing them to cook fast without losing flavor or juice. It is popular with families both for its low price and the fun of cooking with your chopsticks.
For more information on Osaka, visit http://www.blogosaka.com and http://www.osakamicroblog.com
Technorati Tags: eating in osaka, osaka attractions, osaka japan, things to see in osaka, what to do in osaka
By John Parks
December 20th, 2008 at 01:43pm
Under Cruise vacations
Planning your next family vacation? Dreading spending ten hours in the car followed by five days dragging your kids to the beach, the hotel pool and a local restaurant that doesn’t offer a children’s menu?
If you’re looking for a vacation that will show both you and the kids a good time, cruising could be it.
To learn about the benefits and drawbacks of family cruise vacations, keep reading to find out the best tips for planning your first or next family cruise.
Why a Family Cruise Vacation?
Because so many cruise ships are targeted directly toward families, you’re getting a fully packaged vacation in a safe and contained environment.
There are daily, scheduled activities for the children along with parental getaways that both allow you to enjoy time with your children, and also have your own private vacation.
Most cruise lines either offer “day camp” options with regularly scheduled, on-board activities or supervised day care facilities. Because your children are on a boat with you and under the care of a well-screened and professionally-supervised staff, you can rest a little easier.
Isn’t it Expensive?
Cruising can be expensive, but most family cruise destinations typically cost about $500-$1000 per person per week. Add up the cost of all the hotels, meals, souvenirs and mileage that your last vacation cost you and compare it to that figure. You’ll quickly see that a cruise vacation budgets in at about the same rate as a full, family vacation.
How do I a Book a “Family” Cruise?
Most cruise lines offer family-specific or family-friendly cruises that are geared specifically toward families with children. Ideally, you want to choose one of these rather than, say, a Seniors cruise or a Singles cruise.
Cruise lines like Disney or Norwegian also offer themed ships with full youth programs that are targeted to specific age groups from toddlers to teens. Again, this affords you the chance to take a break and enjoy the pool on your own.
When booking a full family cruise, you may want to consider a travel agent. Often, they’re able to discuss ship amenities, past client reviews and possible discounts.
However, if you’re searching alone and online, try reading traveler reviews of each individual ship. This will provide you a clearer indication of the ship’s facilities and accommodations than the cruise line’s promotional website.
Things to Consider Before Departure
Make sure everyone in your family has their passport, travel health insurance and extra medication. Keep all of your documents in a safe and secure place with one person.
Follow these links for more information: cruise vacations, cruise ships, cruise destinations
Technorati Tags: disney cruises, family cruise vacations, family cruises, themed cruises
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Nova Scotia is a diverse area with roots in both French and Scottish cultures. There are many unique and interesting activities found in the Nova Scotia area including biking along the Lighthouse Route and rafting the wide tides.
