Top 5 Scenic Places To Stay In Canada

Canada is home to some of the most iconic and elegant hotels that the world has to offer, situated amongst expansive, awe-inspiring natural landscapes.

Top 5 Scenic Places To Stay In Canada

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is found at the very edge of Lake Louise and is ranked amongst Canada’s most beautiful hotels. From the luxurious rooms there are amazing vistas of the lake. The hotel has a wide range of facilities for its guests, including a choice of eight dining areas and the use of a deluxe spa.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff

This hotel has a majestic appearance being styled after a Scottish castle. It was constructed in 1888 at the commencement of tourism in the area of the Rockies. Because of its idyllic location the hotel is promoted as “the Castle in the Rockies”. The very striking building is surrounded by pines and has a mountain backdrop. It provides its guests with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is conveniently situated just a few minutes away from Banff Village. The hotel’s fully-equipped and tastefully decorated rooms all feature either mountain or valley views. The hotel has a total of 12 dining areas providing a choice of cuisines.

Delta Sun Peaks Resort, Sun Peaks

Offering all-round breathtaking views from its rooms, this European style resort is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. Nestled amongst the mountains and being close to ski trails, the resort accommodations have large, tastefully decorated rooms. There are eating and drinking establishments catering for a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Whistler

This luxurious resort is home to almost 300 luxury lodge type guest rooms, suites and townhouses, with each spacious room featuring European-style refinement and breathtaking mountain views. The hotel was specifically designed to make extensive use of timber, glass and stone in the construction. This harmonizes well with the surrounding landscape and links the grand mountains and the cozy interiors of the guest areas very well.

The Fairmont Empress Resort, Victoria

The stunning Fairmont Empress Resort is located overlooking Victoria’s beautiful harbor. The hotel captures the elegance of a past era and offers second to none services and facilities. There are three restaurants serving up an array of delicious cuisine and a tea lobby, which allows tourists to take pleasure in having traditional high tea whilst enjoying the magnificent views.

Most Popular Natural Attractions in Canada

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, North America’s most spectacular waterfall, is the most popular natural feature in Canada. Thousands of visitors come to see the falls every year, with many taking advantage of a boat trip to get closer to this amazing natural phenomenon. The town that is not far from the waterfall is also called Niagara Falls and is home to a large casino, for that reason it is considered to be like a small version of Las Vegas.

Bay of Fundy, the Maritimes

The Bay of Fundy, at the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine, has the world’s highest tidal range, with many tides having a difference between high and low of 50 feet or greater. The tides have worn away the shore's sandstone and volcanic rock, allowing tourists to search for fossils dating back millions of years.

Rocky Mountains, British Columbia/Alberta

The Canadian portion of this stunning North American mountain range includes five expansive national parks that are visited by millions of tourists each year. The Rocky Mountains are home to Kananaskis Country, the location in which the movie, Brokeback Mountain, was filmed.

Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories

The Nahanni Park comprises the Virginia Falls and the South Nahanni River. The park is 28,000 square kilometers in area and its remote location renders it only accessible by helicopter or float plane. Whitewater rafting, canoeing and other adventure activities are available in the area for tourists.

Read more ...

Park up, Relax & Enjoy York

York is said to be one of the most inspiring and relaxing cities in Europe and it is certainly a good place for a cultural or romantic break. The city is renowned for its quaint tangle of cobbled streets, exquisite architecture and, of course, the celebrated York Minister. There is an energetic café culture to be found here and some incredibly talented street performers. If, however, you are not up to the hustle and bustle, York is also the perfect place just to sit near the river and sip a drink while watching it all go by.

Betty's iconic tea room

There are many things to do in York and some are certainly more relaxing than others. One of the most popular activities is a trip through the York Maze. This maze is possibly the world's largest and is carved out annually from millions of maize plants for each summer season. Of course, while the kids run through the maze, play in the adventure playground, meet the animals or take a tractor ride, parents can sit back and enjoy some tasty treats in the café or browse the selection of fantastic gift items in the shop.

There are many choices for an evening's entertainment in York. For both the entertainment and sightseeing value, a tour of York's celebrated haunted spots is certainly not to be missed. There are several ghost walking tours on offer around the city. They start from between 7.30 and 8.00pm and are highly entertaining, usually suitable for children and generally no more than a mile in distance. The departure points for most of the tours are to be found in the city centre and are conveniently located for many of the hotels in York. The pace is a gentle stroll, so be prepared to spend at least an hour taking in the sights and sounds of York at night.

No visit to York is complete without a visit to Betty's iconic tea room and there are very few visitors to the city that fail to pass through these doors. The tea room was founded in 1919 and the refreshing teas, mouth-watering treats and friendly service have become famous the world over. Whether you need brunch, lunch or dinner, Betty's is open from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm and it is not usually necessary to book at off-peak times, although at busy times during events such as Ascot Week booking becomes essential. The café even offers the Belmont Room for private functions or group bookings if required. There is nothing better than relaxing at Betty's Café Tea Rooms with an exceptional cuppa, a tasty cake and possibly a good book to pass the time.

Although these are but a few examples, there is an abundance of other activities and sights in York to relax and soothe even the most frazzled spirit. From hidden treasures and narrow alleyways to gentle country vistas and lazy trips down the river, the city and its surrounds are a balm to the soul.

Read more ...

Top 10 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good For Your Health

Travelling can be a real nightmare sometimes. With the high cost, unpredictable destinations, unreliable weather conditions, theft of items, con men and women, unfair currency exchanges, deadly diseases, rough roads and so much more, anything can go drastically wrong. Yet, even with all these possible setbacks, the urge to travel all over the world can be addictive and compelling. The fact that the results carry an element of unpredictability makes it all the more exciting and intoxicating. Travel tips are provided for all kinds of scenarios but things can keep going wrong. The reasons that make travel a very likeable and healthy pastime may not look so obvious;

Expanding the mind - when people become accustomed to a certain way of living, their minds become closed to many other possibilities. Travelling allows the mind to expand and literally see the world in new and different way.

Reviving the palate – when travelling, voyagers are given travel tips that caution them against drinking and eating foods that are alien to their stomachs. These foods may not necessarily be harmful but excite the body in discovering new tastes that entice and enrich the palate. Some of them can also add new nutritional richness into the body.

Allowing flexibility – no matter how fail-safe the travel plans may be, travelling always has an edge of unpredictability. For most travelers, it means that, they need to allow a large margin for sudden changes in their schedules. This flexibility means that, detours and changes in plans should be accommodated at short notice if and when they are required.

Seeing things in proper perspective – people tend to imagine that their personal problems are the worst in the world. That is, until thy see first hand, the sufferings of others. When people view others in similar or worse situations that tend to realize that their problems are no longer as daunting as they may have earlier believed. This greatly helps in reducing any stress or depression that may be lingering in the body.

Rejuvenating the body – unless someone chooses to actively go to the gym or take up a sporting discipline, they may not have any room in their daily work schedule for physical endurance. Many travel destinations and exotic sceneries require a certain level of hiking and camping. This is designed to make the trip more interesting and different form ordinary living. However small, this physical endurance does wonders to the body and mind.

Learning to share – many people are not accustomed to sharing. When travelling, this may be a requirement especially when things do not pan out as required. This is particularly applicable to people who travel in groups or teams. Sharing is a good way to unlearn the selfish behavior which most people are born with.

Cultivating humor – crazy things happen on many trips. People come back with hilarious anecdotes of unexpected incidences that brought them lots of laughs. Laughter is considered better than many medicines. If people were to laugh more often, they would get sick less often.

Being patient – many travel destinations, being exotic by nature, may have different language barriers to overcome. This means that, communication can be a real challenge. A person must learn to be patient when communicating their needs and if they are not met correctly the first time, repeat them until they are. Incidences of tantrum-raising are only met with stubborn indignation.

Team synergy – travelling alone is not as enjoyable as travelling in groups. This can be done for both personal and business reasons. Despite this, sharing new experiences always brings teams closer together.

Discovering new languages – travelling offers voyagers a first-hand experience at learning new languages and interacting with the natives who speak the language or dialect. This is an excellent and free opportunity to learn how a new language or dialect is spoken in its local surroundings.

About the Author: Sarah Jensen is a travel consultant. She works with both individuals and teams to design holidays that open up exquisite worlds. Through excellent travel tips, she aims to create vivid lifetime memories.

Read more ...

Photo Of The Day: Costa Rican Oxcart

Costa Rican oxcart by Ben Beiske

Costa Rica didn't get my attention up till the other day when I read an article about it being the greenest and happiest country in the world. Not only that, but it's government has plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021. I mean, wow! I know smaller countries are easier to manage, but this is quite an achievement.

Then I found this amazing photo of this beautifully painted oxcart. It's not like decorated horse carriages are new to me or anything, but this came in as a lovely surprise. Historically, Costa Rica has been relatively impoverished in the area of native arts and crafts, as its relatively small and heterogeneous pre-Columbian population was devastated at an early stage, without leaving behind a unique cultural legacy that could spark a creative synthesis with the modern culture.

However, back in the good old days, at the peak of the coffee boom and before the construction of the Atlantic Railroad (that was roughly at the end of the 19th century), some 10,000 carts become fashionable vehicles used to transport coffee beans and other agricultural products. The oxcarts, with their 'invented in Costa Rica' wheels (a cross between the Aztec disc and the Spanish spoked wheel), were ideally suited for crossing the country’s mountains and dirt roads, as it took the farmers up to 15 days to get their products from the central valley to Puntarenas.

In their heyday, the oxcarts had a significant impact on the local economy; creating the need for highway guards, inns, smithies, teamsters, and work crews to maintain the roads. Nowadays their impact might be smaller, but they are nevertheless part of the touristic offer the country has, and Costa Rica vacation rentals are springing around the country to accommodate the curious and the crafts lovers. After all, the oxcarts are somehow synonymous with Costa Rica.

The man who came up with the idea of painting the oxcarts was an Italian artist who immigrated to Costa Rica. He decorated the oxcarts with bright colors and geometric patterns. But soon creativity was given free rein and flowers, faces, miniature landscapes, jungle scenes and wild animals were painted on the oxcarts' wheels. Each cart was also designed to make its own "song", a sound as unique as a fingerprint. And so the oxcarts became every farmer's source of pride. 

Nowadays, however, the oxcarts seem to be less practical and more decorative. They became Costa Rica's “National Labor Symbol” portraying the countries peaceful traditions (Costa Rica abolished its army permanently in 1949). The oxcarts now serve as liquor bars, indoor tables, garden ornaments or to simply accent a corner of a home, and they are still being crafted in the small hillside village of Sarchi. I must admit, I would love to have one in my garden, even knowing that a finely made reproduction oxcart can cost up to $5,000. Anyone cares to buy me a gift?

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura 

Read more ...

Nativity Scenes From Around The World

I consider myself super lucky to have seen this magnificent exhibition featuring 60 nativity scenes from around the world. It's amazing how much variety and imagination it's out there! I particularly like the one from Netherlands because of the intricate lace like looks of the ceramics, but I find the one from Mexico to be the most unexpected one. 

This is the third Belén exhibit I see in Valencia this year. Though usually the nativity scene organized inside  the cathedral is supposed to be the largest and the best in town, I consider that this year it fall short as they tried too hard to come up with something new on a budget. Eventually, the Neapolitan nativity scene and this super interesting exhibition saved the day. 

Visiting the various nativity scenes can be the peak of any winter vacations. The myriad of home rentals  available makes it super easy and cozy to spend a few days away, while emerging in a different culture. Just look at the Alaska nativity scene and you will understand what I mean. The message is the same as in the displays from all the other countries, but the gifts consist of fish and the animals surrounding the new born baby are the penguin, the polar bear and the seal instead of the lamb and the cow. 

These nativity scenes speak volumes. We are all so different, yet so similar. They narrate the story of each country, their traditions, their customs and their legacy. We can only enhance out lives and enrich ourselves out of the interaction with other cultures and traveling serves exactly this purpose.

I wish all my readers a very Happy New Year! May 2012 be a year of extraordinary and unforgettable adventures for all...

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura 

Read more ...

The Igloo Village: Enjoying The Northern Lights From... An Igloo

Have you ever fancied to live in an igloo? I know I found igloos very intriguing as a child. However, permanently living in a show and ice home was never my dream. But spending a night with a difference, well above the Arctic Circle, in the Igloo Village in the Finnish Lapland, sounds pretty interesting to me.

Glass igloos from above

Kakslauttanen Hotel opens every December or so their unique accommodations, and keeps them open until the end of April. You can choose between an unforgettable igloo made out of snow or a glass igloo, or if you want to go for the more conventional option, you can stay in a log cabin.

Inside a glass igloo

If you don't mind the cold temperatures, the snow igloo might be perfect for you. In a region where the thermometer can drop down to -30ºC outside, anyone would appreciate an igloo with temperatures ranging between -3 and -6ºC. Or not? You can of course kept warm and snug in padded sleeping bags, but we have to admit it, the air you will breath will still be below zero, or your home for the night might just start dripping all over you. And between the cold air in the igloo and a frozen shower in the middle of the night... I bet anyone would choose the first option.

Snow igloos

I have to admit the glass igloos however are my favorites. They are made out of special thermal glass that will keep the igloo cozy, at normal temperatures (I wonder what 'normal' really means here?), plus it never frosts, letting you enjoy the myriad of stars and the phenomenal Northern Lights illuminating Finland's epic winter sky.

Glass igloos

Every evening, a hot sauna and a refreshing ice hole are prepared. Though I embrace the hot sauna idea, the ice hole leaves me cold. Dining in the world's largest snow restaurant is yet another option, and finishing your day in an ice bar sounds just perfect. Kakslauttanen Hotel also organizes weddings at freezing temperatures and offers you the opportunity of discovering your inner artist with ice and snow sculpting lessons.

Photos © Kakslauttanen Igloo Village

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura 

Read more ...

Video Of The Day: The Beautiful and Lonely Venice

Venice knows only how to be beautiful. Beautiful and lonely. People come and go, but few decide to stay with it forever. This is one of the best Venice videos I've ever seen. The romantic details, the perfectly chosen music, the quiet passing of time... I spent one day of my perfect honeymoon in Venice and loved every minute of it. I always hoped to return one day. One of my favorite place in the whole city was Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. Situated off the beaten path, it features an amazing example of Venetian architecture - the external spiral staircase. What's your favorite place in Venice?

'Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.' Truman Capote

  'A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.' Arthur Symons

'Is it worth while to observe that there are no Venetian blinds in Venice?' William Dean Howells 

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura 

Read more ...

Celebrating New Year Around the World

Celebrating the New Year's holiday doesn't have to be a drag. As the clock ticks closer to 2012, plenty of cities are gearing up for its New Year's extravaganza. Spectacular fireworks, hip music and all-night parties are in the works for party mongers to ring in the New Year. If you're looking for a New Year's celebration that will rock your world, there are several cities that never disappoint a party lover.

Photo by: peprice

London

Clubs throughout London light up the streets and burst at the seams with festivities for the countdown. Club de Fromage packs a punch with its partying New Year's Eve gala every year. Don your favourite party dress and dance the night away to the rock and pop of Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Wham and Girls Aloud. Not only does this club pump out some great tunes, it has madcap activities that keep the party banging. A giant balloon drop, confetti cannons, games and a meat pie raffle set the stage for a rocking night of fun. Two other popular rocking New Year's parties are Electric Minds and Defected in the House. After a late night of partying, it's easy to find a cheap London hotel to recuperate.

The Brits don't hold back with pomp and glamor for their New Year's fireworks and parades either. A magnificent display of pyrotechnic magic is planned this year at the London Energy Eye on the Southbank. Famed disc jockey, Nihal, will be choreographing the tunes that will be heard along the Thames River. With more than 10,000 performers, London's New Year's Day Parade is a grand event. Musicians, dancers, performers, acrobats and cheerleaders assemble in the heart of the city to celebrate the holiday.

Photo By: asterix611

New York City

The Big Apple pops open the champagne in all the Times Square clubs, hotels and restaurants to ring in the New Year's celebration. Madame Tussauds, Dream Downtown and Liberty Theatre reign as the champions of New Year's parties. Madame Tussauds serves up 6 hours of free drinks and finger foods with top New York City DJs playing foot-stomping tunes.

Every year, thousands of people gather in Time Square to watch the Waterford crystal ball drop on New Year's Eve. With crowds chanting the countdown, a collective farewell to the departing year chimes in to the celebration of a new year. The Times Square celebration features confetti, balloons, star-studded musical performances and a colourful fireworks display.

Photo By: Pavel Sigarteu

Sydney  

Hoards of party goers gather round the Sydney Harbour each year to get a panoramic view of the New Year's Eve fireworks. Not only does Sydney host a grand pyrotechnic display, it features the Harbor of Light Parade. Tall ships, decked in rope light, parade the harbour with illuminating light.

The clubs rock in Sydney for New Year's Eve parties. The Shore Thing, Bungalow 8 and the Loft are a sure thing. This year, the Shore Thing will feature the famed Calvin Harris and the Pendulum. Viewing platforms line the club for a great view of the dazzling fireworks.

Photo By: Thaleia84

Barcelona  

Music, dance and parties spread throughout Barcelona for New Year's with some festivities lasting as long as a week. When the clock strikes twelve, take part in the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes, one grape after each toll of the bell. The streets in the Barcelona centre fill up with locals and tourists for the midnight spectacle of electrifying fireworks. The most popular spots are the Placa Reial, Placa Catalunya and Las Ramblas. To keep the party going after midnight, the Opium Mar, Boulevard, Razzmatazz and the Ottozutz feature hip-hop, indie and electro music all-night long.

The grand spectacle of the Cabalgata Reyes Magos, the Three Kings Parade, takes place in early January. The kings arrive at the city's port on a boat with fireworks lighting up the horizon. They are welcomed with 21 cannon shots and take to the streets on camels and elephants. This is the Spanish Christmas, and the event is one not to be missed.

Photo By: Great Beyond

Paris 

Temperatures ma decline but the party heats up in the city of light for New Year's Eve. Parisians gather in Champ de Mars Park for a bird's eye view of the guerilla fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. The streets of Paris are choc-a-bloc with clubs and bars that are ready to ring in the New Year with Dom Perignon. Wake Up Paris is a popular club that features some upbeat Brazilian music with a touch of indie. For ravers, the WAGG is a pop disco club known for its all-night dancing New Year's Eve parties.

With great pomp and show, the New Year's Parade is a two-day festival with entertainers, dancers and singers stealing the show. The parade marches through the streets until it reaches the Eiffel Tower.

Photo by: Seoulful adventures

Prague

Known for its wild New Year's Eve, fireworks light up the Prague Castle and the Vltava River. Many locals take in an afternoon performance of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and then attend the gala ball at the State Opera. Those who prefer to celebrate on the rowdy side take to the bars and clubs. The Karlovy Lazne has a great young crowd and puts on a great rock and pop show for New Year's. The Roxy and Akropolis clubs both feature an all-night extravaganza with rocking techno music.

Photo By: The Queens Hall

Edinburgh 

Don your favourite kilt and raise a glass of your favourite malt. New Year's Eve in Edinburgh is billed as the largest festival in the world. A three-day Hogmanay begins with a torchlight procession that, parades throughout the city. Live music, DJs and outdoor bars merge at a place known as the Street Party. The Concert in the Garden features headliners like Primal Scream. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle, fireworks in sync with electrifying music light up the skies.

New Year's Eve is a special night for people all over the world. Celebrating New Year's in any one of these cities is a great way to turn it up a notch. From dusk until dawn, you'll be ringing in the New Year in style.

About the Author: This article has been brought to you by AnyTrip.com the budget travel specialists.

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on  Facebook, Twitter  or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura 

Read more ...