Travel
November 8th, 2008 at 02:39pm
Under Travel
We just returned from a wonderful vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; did you know that Puerto Vallarta is tucked away in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, in the Mexican pacific coast? There you will find a gorgeous tourist town rapidly becoming one of the most popular holiday spots in the world and we want to share our experience. We found an incredible Puerto Vallarta Condo, called La Casa de Arriba, overlooking Los Arcos rocks in the Mismaloya Bay.
The view from the wrap around infinity pool was breath-taking, during the season; they told us that you can watch the migrating whales while in the pool! There is a gourmet kitchen with all the toys and a dining room table that will allow 8 people to eat together. For the kids, big ones included, there is a huge game room with a full size pool table and big screen flat TV. They even had the NFL package so that we could watch all the Sunday action! A huge natural rock that is actually part of the wall accents the game room and built in bar area. And again the view was amazing! Our maid, Carolina, was super helpful with everything. She was born in the area and was able to tell us where to find the best food, gifts, and activities. She even helped us learn a little bit of Spanish.
In town we found great pizza at Encuentros, as well as four identical masked Mexican superheroes, dressed up for Halloween. When we asked them the significance of the costume, we found out that they were from PVRPV, the company that had rented us the Puerto Vallarta Homes, what a hoot!
After pizza we went bar hopping and found Fridas, where we spent hours enjoying the music and local people. Our concierge turned us on to some great day trips. We took a boat to secluded beaches, had lunch on the beach, and oh, the open bar on the boat was something too! Swimming with the Dolphins, Zip lines, and jungle tours were other options that we had.
I didn’t know that Puerto Vallarta is reported to be the most repeated holiday destinations on earth. By that, they mean that more people return here for a second, third or more holidays than any other place they go… we just want to say thanks for all those who made our vacation so special, we will be back!
Check this funny video about where to stay in Puerto Vallarta. ==> http://www.pvrpv.com/in_and_out.php
By joanne
November 1st, 2008 at 09:58am
Under Travel
Experiencing a food tour through the US Southwest is not a excursion for the easygoing. The Southwest is abundant with culinary style that is as simple to prepare as it is flavorful – as full of hot ingredients as it is filled with the healthiest of vegetables. If you’re looking for a culinary tour in the US Southwest, don’t expect to stop in a big Mexican restaurant with a dizzying array of fillings for chimichangas. In fact, don’t take the Southwest and categorize it all under one blanket, because you are in for a gustatory awakening.
Southwest cuisine can actually be summarized up into hybrids of various cuisines. Border cuisine, sometimes fancifully referred to as South of the Border, might be more similar to your local Mexican restaurant fare, with some burritos flavored mildly to suit a wider range of palates. We also have Tex-Mex cuisine, a blend of Texan and Mexican, heavy on the meats and spices. There is also the fresh, corn-rich American Indian cuisine, the richer and hotter Mexican dishes, and even nueva Latina, a modern version of Southwestern cuisine that is springing up in upscale places along the Southwestern states.
If you are going on a Southwestern Food tour, then you’ll surely pass by the Lone Star State, and get a whiff of large Texan meats and steaks. You’ll go cross Kansas, where you can sink your teeth into rich corn breads and products. Nothing beats a tourist attractions in Kansas. You will traverse Southern California and the Baja, where the burritos are hot and the tamales are even hotter. You will find yourself in New Mexico and Colorado, even parts of Oklahoma, and you’ll find yourself some American Indian cuisine that is as old as the hills but plenty flavorful, too!
It is no wonder, then, that the Southwest is traditionally described as the grandmother of all American cuisine, encompassing the roots of its indigenous cooking. Ponder it: even before Boston and Plymouth Rock got their first taste of Europe, a whole lot of food was already cooking in these parts! A food tour through the Southwestern United States, therefore, is an excursion through history, where you can actually savor the meals that have been around from times past, and are testaments to tales long gone but never forgotten.
So what should you expect? Look for blue, purple, or even red maize, all of which can be made into different tasty breads, among other things. You will also discover a whole lot of heat, so try for fire-roasted chilies, and various chili dishes that will make your mouth water immensely (and your eyes tear up, too!). You’ll find meat smoked with mesquite, searing the air with flavorful aromas. Whether you’re drinking it all down with a pint of South of the Border beer, or a bottle of European wine, you’ll surely find something to look forward to in the US Southwest.
If you are planning a trip to the US Southwest on a culinary tour, there are a few things that you will need to remember. First, because many of the dishes are hot, you may want to check if you have any palate or health sensitivities with spicy foods. For instance, if you have irritable bowel syndrome, then you may need to ease up on the chilies. You may also want to check with your tour group if the tour covers only the lodging and transportation, while you have to pick up the expense when you stop for meals. Don’t forget to examine the fine print and ask questions. Take the necessary precautions, and you can manager your Southwest US Culinary vacation into a fantastic getaway.
By joanne
October 31st, 2008 at 03:28am
Under Travel
Dumfries, situated, not too great a distance from the Solway Firth, on the banks of the River Nith is, by a large number, the most populated town in the southwest of Scotland (the population is larger than 30 thousand souls). Dumfries, like Ayr, has numerous associations with the life and times of Robert Burns, the great poet.
For people planning to take a vacation in Dumfries we have listed below details of 3 popular attractions to visit; Dundrennan Abbey, Robert Burns House and Lochmaben Castle:
Dundrennan Abbey
King David I founded Dundrennan Abbey in 1142. During this time, Scottish abbeys were more often built of a reddish sandstone, but Dundrennan Abbey was built of very hard-wearing, local grey sandstone. This is probably the reason why many of the unique architecural forms and mouldings have survived. The first monks to reside in the Abbey, originally come from Rievaulx, Yorkshire. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil at Dundrennan Abbey in 1568. She then found her way across the Solway Firth to Workington, and was shortly imprisoned and captured by the English. The land passed into the hands of the Crown, following the Scottish Reformation in 1587.
Lochmaben Castle
The Lochmaben Castle, that is left today, was not the first Lochmaben Castle. The first was constructed by the Bruce family, Lords of Annandale, in the beginning of the 12th century. In 1298, King Edward I of England captured the castle, and then built another Lochmaben Castle in a better defensive situation. This second castle was completed at the beginning of the 14th century, leaving the old castle abandoned. From 1306 to 1588, the castle was either in the hands of the Scots or the hands of the English. It was in 1588 that James VI attacked and captured the castle from the Maxwell family. The castle was eventually abandoned after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Robert Burns House
One of the most famous men in Scotland, Robert Burns, resided in Dumfries during the latter years of his life. The home that he and his family once lived in has now become a place of pilgramge for his fans from across the globe. He died prematurely at the age of 37 years in 1796, at home. Today, one can catch a glimpse of how he and his family lived, back in the late 1700’s. The desk and chair where he sat and wrote are displayed, as are many of his orginal manuscripts. There are personal items on display as well, that once belonged to his family.
If you are planning on having Scottish vacation and you wish to stay in Dumfries you might want to book your accommodation online and you will find listings of Dumfries hotels and accommodation at http://dumfries.hotelreservationhelper.com.
By joanne
October 30th, 2008 at 08:55pm
Under Travel
Ayr is the largest town on the coast of the Firth of Clyde and, for hundreds of years, it was a prestigious trading center and seaport, surprisingly, at one time, it was about the same as Glasgow in size and importance to the nation of Scotland. The towns tourist business really started during Victorian times. Nowadays Ayr is still a popular place for tourists to stay due, partly, to the towns relationship with Robert Burns but also because of the many visitor attractions to be discovered in and around Ayr. Below we have listed information about three popular tourist attractions worth visiting; The Auld Brig, The Electric Brae and Greenan Castle.
Greenan Castle
During the 12th century, Roger De Scalebroc built a fortress, which was later the site of Greenan Castle. In 1476, the Lands of Greenan were lost by John, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, for his treason against James III. The Lands of Greenan were then given to William Douglas, who was the son of Archibald, Earl of Angus, by James IV, in 1493. The rectangular tower house was erected in the early 17th century, by John Kennedy Baltersan, and the original fortess was immersed in this construction. Erected on the edge of a sheer coastal cliff, Greenan Castle is in a stunning situation, with breathtaking views. Not far from the castle is a large stone, where the Picts and the Scots are rumoured to of signed the peace treaty.
The Auld Brig
The Auld Brig is not the only bridge in Ayr, in fact, over the years there have been three. The others were the New Brig and the old iron footbridge. Long before the Auld Brig was built, in 1470, the only way over the river, and into town, was over a wooden bridge. In 1788, the New Brig was built, but sadly washed away during a flood about one hundred later. Once again the Auld Brig became the main crossing until another New Bridge could be built (1878). A lot of people know of the Auld Brig thanks to Robert Burns, who wrote the poem, ‘The Brigs of Ayr’.
The Electric Brae
This naturally occurring phenomenon can be found in Ayrshire, Scotland. The Electric Brae is a gravity hill, where a motionless car on the road, with the brakes off, will appear to slowly move uphill. This is purely an optical illusion which is due to the way the landscape lies. There once were metal markers on the road pointing to the spot, but these have now been replaced with a stone cairn. The stone cairn is also engraved with an explanation of the Electric Brae. Originally people thought the phenomenon was due to an electric or magnetic force within the Brae, hence the name.
If you are considering taking a vacation in Scotland and you plan to spend a few days in Ayr you may wish to book your accommodation online and you will find listings of accommodation and hotels in Ayr at http://www.ayrhotelscotland.com.
By joanne
October 30th, 2008 at 03:13pm
Under Travel
Castle Douglas is situated in Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway. In the eighteenth century the town of Castle Douglas benefited something similar to a makeover by a local man named William Douglas who wanted to make his town into a prosperous commercial and industrial center. Sadly the idea ultimately failed, but Castle Douglas benefited slightly with a few pretty buildings made from a mix of red sandstone and gray granite and a straight high street called King Street. As Castle Douglas is roughly about 18 miles from Dumfries it has a great many visitor attractions and places worth a visit and we give information on 3; Threave Gardens, Castle Douglas Art Gallery and Threave Castle:
Threave Castle
located on an island in the middle of the River Dee, is the beautiful Threave Castle. The journey to the castle itself is incredibly awesome. First one has a ten minute stroll over farm land and through woods, where one stumbles upon a jetty, at the river’s edge. Here you will find a brass bell that is the signal for the boat man to come and transport you across to the castle. Threave castle was erected in the 1370’s by Archibald Douglas (Archibald the Grim), soon after he became Lord of Galloway. Threave continued to be his home until his death in 1400. The origin of the name Threave comes from the Old Welsh word for Homestead, ‘Tref’.
Threave Gardens
A businessman from Liverpool, William Gordon, bought Threave House and estate, as a summer retreat for his extensive family, in 1867. The 24 acre Threave Gardens were established alongside the house, and today are a popular visitor attraction. The National Trust for Scotland continue to maintain and develop the house and gardens, as well as running the visitor center. There are a selection of gardens around the estate, including the
Woodland Garden, Secret Garden and Peat Garden. During springtime, the arrays of daffodils are wonderful, and attract visitors from near and far. A favorite of children who visit Threave Gardens is the Discovery Garden. It was devised to inspire children, with its mown grass paths leading through meadows dusted with wild flowers in abundance.
Castle Douglas Art Gallery
An excellent venue is The Castle Douglas Art Gallery, which plays host to an array of crafts and arts throughout the year. Many touring exhibitions are exhibited regularly, as well as temporary exhibitions, all running from Easter to Christmas. The gallery opened in 1938, and was gifted to by the artist, Mrs Ethel Bristowe. In 1996 the gallery was upgraded using financial aid from the National Lottery. A lot of the exhibits in the gallery, including photographs, are for sale. Nearby to the gallery, are two other attractions, Threave Garden and Threave Castle. These are located no more than a few miles away.
If you are planning on taking vacation in Scotland and you plan to spend a few days in Castle Douglas you might want to book your accommodation online and you will find Castle Douglas accommodation and hotel listings at http://castledouglas.hotelreservationhelper.com.
By joanne
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