Reykjavik: Magical Christmas and New Year Destination

With city breaks to Reykjavik becoming more affordable since the downturn in Iceland’s economy, now is an ideal time to visit the country for a holiday. Reykjavik is becoming more and more popular and a magical time to visit the city is around Christmas and New Year. Iceland celebrates Christmas on a grand scale, so there are numerous events to enjoy as part of your Reykjavik holidays. 

The ‘Let’s Talk Christmas’ Show 

One not to miss if you are taking children with you on Reykjavik holidays is the ‘Let’s Talk Christmas’ show. The musical play runs every day in December and is based on a folk tale about thirteen boisterous Yule Lads and their mother, Grýla. 

You are likely to hear about the Yule Lads several times during a festive holiday in Reykjavik. They are naughty mountain trolls that create mischief and fun around the neighbourhood for the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. Grýla narrates the story of her troll sons and describes the history of Christmas in Iceland. If you are lucky, you may leave the show with a little surprise gift that you can take home as a keepsake of your festive Reykjavik holidays. 

Christmas Village in Hafnarfjördur 

If the idea of millions of multicoloured Christmas lights twinkling against snow topped town houses sounds appealing, then your city break to Reykjavik would be incomplete without paying this wonder a visit. 

Just twenty minutes from the city, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjördur is another ‘must see’ for a festive holiday in Reykjavik. The charming gift shops provide an opportunity for some last minute Christmas shopping, and you can sample delicious traditional handmade Icelandic nibbles while watching the village’s entertaining musicians and performers. The children will love discovering the hidden communities of Christmas elves as well as experiencing Viking banquets and horse riding. 

The Christmas Village, which is surrounded by a lava landscape, is open to visitors on weekends leading up to Christmas. 

Dog Sledding 

Dog sledding is a truly magical experience that you can enjoy all year round on holiday in Iceland. It is a unique adventure and a great way to see the sights. The best season for sledding is winter when the snow is better. The trip can last up to nine hours and you will need to wrap up warm. You can book the excursion prior to your Reykjavik holidays or while you are actually on your city break in Reykjavik. The dog sleds move surprisingly fast but, if you’re looking for a more adrenaline fuelled experience, skidoo excursions are also popular ways of exploring Iceland’s dynamic landscape. 

New Year Celebrations 

If you are on holiday in Reykjavik over New Year then why not join the locals at one of the many public bonfires? You can look up into the clear Arctic sky and experience colourful fireworks all over the city. But Iceland is famous for natural fireworks too. When on your New Year city break to Reykjavik, why not choose an excursion to see the fabulous Northern Lights within just a few hours drive of the city.

Your Must Know Guide to Ostia Antica

Just 15 miles southwest of Rome, a stone s throw from the clear blue waters of the Tyrrenhian sea, slumbers one of the best preserved of ancient Roman towns. 

Though on par with Herculanum and Pompeii in terms of archeological significance, Ostia Antica is often overlooked by foreign tourists. 

Serenity prevails in this splendid archeological jewel. Full of Pine trees, overgrown with grass, this peaceful haven seems worlds away from the frantic day to day life of downtown Rome. 

MY FIRST VISIT 

On my first visit to Ostia Antica in the early 70s with a group of Mormon missionaries, we soon tired of observing the ruins and opted to channel our adolescent energy into an old fashioned game of hide and seek, for which the Ostian ruins were ideally suited. 

I ve been back to Ostia Antica several times and each time have enjoyed the experience more. It s a peaceful place where you can wander freely and ponder what life was like in ancient Rome. 

HISTORY 

Ostia was founded in 623 B.C. where the Tiber pored into the sea as one of the first colonies of ancient Rome by Ancius Marcius (Anco Marzio), the fourth king of Rome. In ancient times the Etruscans, called Tyrrhennians by the Greeks, settled on Italy s western coast north of modern Rome in the area known today as Tuscany. 

Thus, the Mediterranean that washes Italy s western shores came to be known as the Sea of the Tyrrhennians. 

With its prime location at the mouth of the Tiber, Ostia Antica developed into the port for Rome. Goods brought in by ship were unloaded here and either stored in warehouses or loaded into smaller ships for the trip upriver to Rome. 

Many stores sprang up and Ostia became popular among Romans as a place to shop. Wealthy merchants and tradesmen built lavish homes along Ostia s broad streets. In its heyday Ostia was home to some 60,000 inhabitants. 

Ostian ruins include a large Jewish synagogue and the the remains of temples dedicated to the Persian god Itra, and the Egyptian god Iside. These diverse cultural relics provide evidence of the very heterogenous makeup of the city. 

After the fall of Rome, malaria spreading mosquitos infested the wetlands nearby. Ostia was abandoned and eventually buried beneath mud and sand as the Tiber shifted its course. 

BEST INSIGHT INTO ANCIENT ROME 

You can gain more insight into the city of Rome from Ostia than you can from Pompeii. says Dr Darius Arya, executive director of the American Institute for Roman Culture. 

An excursion to Ostia presents a remarkably full view of the development and identity of the ancient Roman city, both historically and architecturally. Coming to Ostia Antica is like seeing a great work of art, emphasizes Dr. Arya, like the Sistine Chapel, where you can just keep going back again and again and again. There s just so much of interest here. 

ADMISSION 

Gates open Tuesday through Sunday around 9am and close about one hour before sunset. The site is closed on Monday. Admission runs about $5 for the site and museum. Allow yourself a relaxing 2 3 hours in this charming site. 

Via dei Romagnoli 717, Ostia Antica, Italy. PHONE: 06/56358099. The Website offers information in Italian only: www.itnw.roma.it/ostia/scavi. 

WHERE TO EAT 

In a side street in the small medieval village near the excavations you will find Cipriani, described by its fans as an atmospheric trattoria, with wooden beamed ceilings and frescoed walls, specializing in typical Roman cuisine. Via del Forno 11, Ostia Antica, Italy. PHONE: 06/56359560. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Wed. Its website offers information in Italian and in English: http://www.ristorantecipriani.com/ 

HOW TO GET TO OSTIA ANTICA 

By Boat: Two boat companies operate regular services to Ostia Antica. Both leave from Ponte Marconi (Marconi Bridge) in Rome. The trip down the Tiber takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. 

1) Battelli di Roma (PHONE: 06/6789361, www.battellidiroma.it). Departures: Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 9:15, return trip from Ostia Antica: 1:30. Tickets: EUR10. 

2) Battelli Invincibili 1 and Love Boat (PHONE: 06/56304094, www.gitesultevere.com). Daily departures at 10 AM. Tickets: EUR12 (reservations are essential). 

By Car: Follow Via del Mare southwest, which leads directly from Rome to Ostia (a 30 to 40 minute trip). It s best to avoid weekends in summer when Romans head for the beach and traffic can be heavy. 

By Train: Regular train service links the Ostia Antica station with Rome s Piramide Metro line B station, near Porta San Paolo. Exit the Metro and go to the adjacent station called Ostia Lido. The ride takes about 35 minutes. Trains depart every half hour throughout the day. 

EXPLORE A CASTLE NEARBY 

Before or after exploring Ostia Antica s ruins, take a few minutes to stroll around the quaint medieval village and visit the Castello della Rovere. 

This castle, which is easily spotted as you come off the footbridge from the train station, was built by Pope Julius II when he was the cardinal bishop of Ostia in 1483. 

Inside are badly faded frescoes, believed to be by Michelangelo s pupil Baldassare Peruzzi.

12 Top Reasons to Retire in Citrus County, Florida

1. Pleasant Year Round Weather
With comfortable winters and breezy summers the Terra Vista area offers ad ideal setting for enjoying all your favorite outdoor sports and activities. Here, you ll find a range of temperatures that allows you to comfortably enjoy the Florida experience season after season. In addition to its balanced temperatures, Citrus County offers historically low hurricane risks compared to other coastal locations statewide. 

2. Attractive Cost of Living 
When compared to many Florida destinations, particularly in the southern parts of the state, Citrus County offers an escape from excessive costs. As highlighted in comparative price index reports, Citrus County ranks among the most affordable places in Florida to live. Here, you ll enjoy a high quality lifestyle where lower costs are prevalent, not only in everyday purchases such as dining out and entertainment, but also for major expenses including housing. Plus, there s the added savings of no state income tax and benefits of today s Homestead Exemption laws and the long term real estate tax stability they provide. 

3. Balanced Location 
From its vantage point north of Tampa Bay in the heart of the Nature Coast, Citrus County offers uncluttered beauty accentuated by towering oaks, pristine spring fed rivers and the rolling hills that founded the area s unique Alps of Florida reputation. This is uniquely balanced by the wealth of cultural, fine dining, shopping, and urban pursuits found just a short drive away in metropolitan Tampa Bay, Orlando, Ocala, and Gainesville. 

4. Outstanding Outdoor Recreation 
Aptly referred to as Mother Nature s Theme Park, Citrus County has 22 miles of lakes, 7 rivers and a Gulf of Mexico coastline. Enhanced by our beautiful weather, residents enjoy world class golfing and fishing; diving and snorkeling; boating and kayaking; and the many hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities provided in the area s many parks and preserves, including the sprawling Withlacoochee State Forest. 

5. Not Crowded 
Citrus County offers an escape from the crowds increasingly found in many parts of Florida, especially the Southeast and Southwest regions. Here, you ll enjoy a more balanced pace of life without the stress caused by heavy traffic, long lines, and overcrowding. 

6. Preserved & Ecologically Balanced 
While south Florida grows more and more cluttered, Citrus County offers a pristine and picturesque lifestyle. Its home to the many state forests and preserves, some of the most productive saltwater estuaries in Florida, as well as seven of the state s outstanding crystal clear waterways. And this natural, untouched beauty will remain unspoiled because the County has protected about 50 percent of its land from future development. While much of Florida suffers from near critical water shortages, we re in the enviable position of having an ongoing supply of high quality water from the largest collection of major magnitude springs of any county in the state. 

7. Amenity Rich Suburb 
Citrus County offers the full range of amenities your active lifestyle demands. From nearby shopping and diverse restaurant choices to local theatre productions and area festivals, you ll find Terra Vista is an exciting, convenient place to enjoy great suburban Florida living. 

8. Excellent Health Care 
Offering a wide range of outstanding health care options right near home brings peace of mind. Living in Citrus Hills, you ll have convenient access to two hospitals, hundreds of highly regarded family and specialty physicians and dozens of outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers. And just a short drive away awaits the world class health care services at Shands Health Care in Gainesville. 

9. Low Crime 
Of the 67 counties in Florida, Citrus County boasts one of the lowest crime rates. In keeping with our great suburban setting, residents enjoy a lifestyle free from the threats and worries often experienced in more populated parts of the state. Plus, our Sheriff s Department has earned national accolades and accreditation for its unwavering pursuit of safety and diligent crime prevention efforts. 

10. Educational Opportunities 
With a long standing tradition for excellence, Citrus County offers a comprehensive array of educational opportunities to meet the needs of our diverse population, ranging from educational enrichment courses for retirees to outstanding pre schools. Our public schools boast one of the lowest student teacher ratios in the state, and there are several private school options. Our community college and technical school offer local higher educational opportunities at very affordable rates. 

11. Poised for Florida s Future 
Citrus County lies in a unique position along the coastal edge of Florida s Central Belt, a region where the real focus of future growth lies. In terms of bustling hubs of commerce, Citrus County is advantageously located just a short distance from the flourishing metro centers of Orlando, Gainesville and Tampa Bay. Located even closer, is the blossoming city of Ocala. 

12. Amazing Quality of Life 
Set amidst gently rolling hills in the heart of Florida s Nature Coast, this northern suburb of Tampa Bay offers all the amenities you desire to live life to its fullest. Balanced year round weather, idyllic natural beauty, great schools, advanced medical care and superb golf, tennis, boating, and fishing all combine with a rare spirit of community to create an enchanting place few places can rival.

Exploring the Best of SF Restaurants in Cole Valley

There are many grear places to see and do in san francisco California , many interesting neighborhoods and someone can spend days over days wondering the streets and enjoying every moment of it 

Found in the proximity of the Haight, in San Francisco, Cole Valley doesn t come across as a conventional San Francisco neighborhood. Cole Valley has a very distinct character and it is known for its strong sense of community. Among the many features that define Cole Valley, the range of SF restaurants found here gain prominence. The SF restaurants here may appear more humble in their appearance but the food served can compete with the best in San Francisco. In the small, commercial strip of just about three blocks, sandwiched between Cole Street and Carl Street, you can choose any of the nearly dozen SF restaurants that have created a dedicated fan following, even extending to the Bay Area. Among the many SF restaurants found in Cole Valley, the most recommended choices include: 

Italian SF restaurants in Cole Valley: Bambino s Ristorante (945, Cole Street) 

This is your best bet when looking for a meal with the entire family. The food here is known for its authentic Italian taste and it attracts patrons from many surrounding neighborhoods. To put it simply, you can consider the Ristorante among the best Italian themed SF restaurants. The pastas can be spicy sometimes and the ones with linguini or sun dried tomatoes are just awesome. Visitors can also choose among other combinations including spinach, mushrooms, grilled salmon, capers or dill. Unlike some other Italian SF restaurants, the food is easy on the wallet and the entire décor is very cozy and inviting. 

French SF restaurants in Cole Valley: Boulange de Cole Valley (1000, Cole Street)

The first step inside the Boulange and the typical style of this Parisian café makes an immediate impression. This is the most frequented of Cole Valley s many small French SF restaurants. The bakery serves characteristic French fare and the flavors are subtle but the creams literally melt in the mouth. Visitors will not be disappointed when feasting upon any of the confectionaries like the croissants or the éclairs and tarts. Those searching for French SF restaurants that serve proper meals, this place will do justice with its specialty — the smoked duck that is served with prunes or the béchamel sauce combination that is served along with eggplant and tomatoes. 

there are many more great restaurants in this great part of san francisco , you can go on and google it , or use yelp which is a great source for cool reliable reviews , also tripadvisor is a very good site to get good info . 

san francisco is a great place to spend your time and cole valley is differently worth your time there but also dont forget the outer great activities this wonderfully city can offer her visitors , like a trip to the famous Alcatraz person and of course how can we forget the golden gate bridge.

Roquetas, Spain’s Party Town

The fishing village of Roquetas is known for its carnivals and fiestas, celebrating the fishing traditions of the local town. Whatever time of year you go you’re never far from a fiesta. 

As a Roquetas shuttle driver you may think that I’d grow bored of seeing the same sights and sounds every day, but you couldn’t be more wrong. The quaint fishing village is somewhere that I very much love, and although it has some truly splendid sights, including the 18th Century Church of our Lady of the Rosary and the 16th Century Santa Ana lighthouse, the friendly locals and fantastic fiestas are by far the highlight of this destination for me. 

Virgen Del Carmen 

On July 16, the fiesta of Virgen Del Carmen is celebrated. A wooden effigy of the virgin is paraded around the windy lanes and narrow streets of the town, before being taken for a spin on one of the traditional fishing boats synonymous with Roquetas. Although this fiesta is celebrated throughout Spain, the Virgen Del Carmen is the patron saint of fishing boats, so it is smaller fishing communities such as Roquetas that really pull the stops out. If I’m picking you up from Almeria airport to Roquetas on this day, I’d be happy to not only show you the bars that the locals choose to celebrate this fiesta in, but also the best place to view the fireworks from. 

Noche Del Mar 

This famous fiesta is also referred to as the magical night of San Juan. It is referred to as magical because the locals believe that strange instances can occur on the shortest night of the year; June 24. Certain Pagan Gods and Goddesses come alive on this night, in order for us mere mortals to give them our thanks, and realise that seasons of harder times are about to follow. The theme of the night is fire and water, and purity and change. Roquetas is littered with lots of mini bonfires and locals believe that if you jump over a bonfire three times on the night of San Juan, you will be purified and your problems will all be burnt away. 

Fiesta De Los Reyes 

Roquetans don’t just reserve their fiestas for the summer; the night of Fiesta De Los Reyes is one of the most important in Spain, and celebrated a lot earlier in the year on January 5th. As a Roquetas shuttle driver this time of year isn’t particularly busy for me, so this is the fiesta where I can really let my hair down. The three wise men, or Kings, as we call them in Andalusia, arrive every year on the night before epiphany in a parade which starts at dusk. They bear gifts of fruity sweets, which are eagerly grabbed up by the local children, who turn up to the event with bags to catch them in. 

The next morning, breakfast is an important occasion with the Three Kings Cake at the centre of the table. Inside bakers hide a small present and an unlucky bean. The person that receives the slice with the gift becomes King, or Queen, for the day. Whilst the person that receives the bean of bad luck has to buy next year’s cake. 

Pulpop 

Not all festivals have to have their roots in ancient traditions, and the Pulpop festival is one such example. Pulpop has increased in popularity over the last couple of years and I am now asked to drive people from all over Europe, from Almeria airport to Roquetas beach for this festival. The music festival showcases some of the best Spanish rock music, and this year a popular Spanish brand called Cooper are headlining. If you love music then this is definitely a great festival for you and it always manages to draw large crowds of people of all ages.

Northampton Tourist Guide & Travel Information

Northampton is situated in the East Midlands of England and is primarily a market town. It is the third largest town in the country with a population of just under 200,000. Development of the town began in the 1960’s, initiating with the construction of a new bus station and shopping centre. To accompany this, flats and hotels were built to accommodate the growing town in its transformation process. 

In earlier years Northampton, was known for its booming shoe industry, which is beautifully illustrated in the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The museum looks at the history behind the towns globally recognised shoe industry and the processes involved in shoe making. Visitors are able to look at the changes in shoe manufacturing and the adaptations that have been made throughout the last 100 years. Here you can also view a wide range of paintings and ceramics in the Art Gallery alongside a diverse range of exhibitions. 

For a more cultural view of the town, you can visit Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens for amazing garden landscapes. It was built in 1702 and has recently been through a severe restoration programme resulting in magnificent varieties of specimen trees and fine old cedars. Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens has received and been nominated for many awards including “Winner of the Historic Houses Association/Christie s Garden of the Year Award”. 

The Cottesbrooke Hall and house itself showcases 18th century French and English traditional furniture. You can find displays of porcelain which is finely demonstrated in the Dining Room, Library and other areas within the house The focal point in the building is the Woolavington Collection that has an excellent collection of sporting paintings and is widely known not only in England, but recognised throughout Europe. 

From an architectural point of view, the Northampton Guildhall is a sight worth visiting. It is operational in present day, used by councillors or for conference hiring, marriage receptions and various other functions. The hall takes part annually, each summer in the Heritage Weekend where visitors can go inside and explore the many rooms within the building. This is a chance to see the cells from centuries ago that were made to accompany the Court Room. 

For theatre productions, visitors can go to the Royal & Derngate Theatre which has gone through huge redevelopment changes costing £15 million. The theatre has a variety of programmes available including live stand up comedy, and classical music, opera performers, and shows for smaller children. Visitors are also able to experience things for themselves as they can become part of performing and writing. Many people from all over the country visit the Royal & Derngate as it is home to many famous names and has an impressive audience of 350,000. 

Located in the heart of Northampton is its shopping centre, Grosvenor Centre which has up to 60 high end retail stores such as New Look, House of Fraser, BH, Boots, WHS, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon and many other sought after brands. The shopping centre is open every day of the week including bank holiday Mondays.

Whitsundays Hotels, Lodges and Motels

Whitsundays lies in the epicenter of Australia s Great Barrier Reef. It offers a great vacation destination to those who want a secluded location amid azure seas and pristine beaches. It houses a wide range of accommodations – from camping sites and resorts to motels and Whitsundays hotels. 

Whitsundays Islands is Australia s largest group of offshore islands. It lies in the center of the Great Barrier Reef – the greatest coral reef system in the world. It composes of 74 great islands amid hundreds of tropical islands. Whitsunday Islands offers azure seas, national park islands, fringing coral reefs, coral cays, stunning beaches and world class Whitsundays hotels. 

The Whitsunday Islands are a collective of continental islands of various sizes off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is situated between Townsville and Mackay and some 900 kilometers north of Brisbane. The islands are one of the most popular Australian tourist destinations. 

Whitsundays offers a burst of indulgent experiences only a short distance from the Great Barrier Reef. Although a majority of the islands are now a national park and are actually uninhabited, 11 islands can provide a wide range of attractions and accommodations. 

Brampton Island lies along the southern end of Whitsundays. It is mostly a designated National Park but it offers a wide array of activities. This would range from furious water sports and sunset cruises to fine dining and Spa experiences. To truly explore the island, its secluded spots and beautiful beaches, go for the Jet Ski Safari. During low tide, the channel between Carlisle Island and Brampton disappears – this makes it very easy to just walk across to the uninhabited Carlisle Island. There are also boat tours available through the one thousand year old Meleleuca Forest of the island. 

Whitsundays Hotels 

When it comes to accommodations, there are lost of places in Whitsundays you can stay in. It would range from island resorts to quiet bed and breakfasts to self contained apartments, camping spots, caravans and elegant Whitsundays hotels. For an even quieter accommodation, they have an overnight sailing charter via one of their popular Whitsunday Tall Shops. Even Airlie Beach has numerous backpacker hostels suitable for an independent traveler. 

A and A Motel – This accommodation on Proserpine, Queensland offers rooms that range from $92 to $110. It lies along the stretch of Bruce Highway. 

Airlie Beach Hotel – This hotel in Airlie Beach, Queensland offers accommodations for only $189 to $309. It offers magnificent ocean and island views. 

Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat – This is one of the best Whitsundays hotels with rooms ranging from $300 to $750. If provides luxury boutique accommodations. 

Hamilton Island Beach Club – This Hamilton Island 5 star accommodation offers rooms with an inclusive breakfast menu for only $570 to $645. It is on a beachfront location. 

Airlie Beach Motor Lodge – This accommodation in Airlie Beach, Queensland is set in a quiet and central location. It is only 200 meters away from the Airlie Lagoon. It is also near restaurants, shops and the beach. It offers excellent services and accommodations for only $130 to $260.

Cape Town’s Best Nature Spots

Cape Town has some exceptionally beautiful areas of wildlife, with botanical gardens, forests and nature reserves waiting to be explored on your Cape Town holidays. 

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 

One of the most pleasant and relaxing ways to spend an afternoon on holiday in Cape Town is to pay a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. These gardens are extremely beautiful, and are possibly some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. With pretty flowers lining the edges of each section of garden, and streams full of tadpoles for children to play in, this is an extremely tranquil place to spend an afternoon. 

During summer, the gardens host their ‘Summer Sunset Concert Series,’ where a variety of performers will entertain you as you lounge on the grass in this beautiful garden. From classical music to traditional African marimba groups, the performances are always pleasant to listen to as you picnic at sunset. 

There are a number of great walks to go on beginning in Kirstenbosch. The gardens are large, and you can spend hours wandering through them, admiring the flowers and the mountain views. You can enjoy sniffing around the herb garden, or get a bit of exercise hiking up Skeleton Gorge. Higher up in the gardens you will find Colonel Bird’s Bath, and if you throw in a penny, you can make a wish. After a day outdoors, you can return to your Cape Town hotel for a good night’s sleep before another exciting day in this beautiful city. 

Cape Point Nature Reserve 

About an hour’s drive from Cape Town you will find Cape Point Nature Reserve. It was once believed that this was the southernmost tip of the African continent, because if you climb to the top of the lighthouse, you literally feel as if you are on the tip of the world. It may not be the continent’s tip (in fact, Cape Agulhas is), but it is the point where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. And it is certainly one of the must see wildlife areas when on a Cape Town holiday. 

There are a number of areas in the reserve that are good for walking in, and beaches with a distinctly wild feel are dotted around the area. There are many tours that you could book to visit the reserve when on a tailor made holiday in Cape Town, and seeing the exceptional wildlife this reserve has to offer will be well worth the effort. 

Newlands Forest 

Although not a popular tourist spot for those on Cape Town holidays, this is a beautiful forest, with abundant flora and fauna. It is popular spot for locals to go on evening mountain walks, and the paths are well populated in the early evenings and on weekends. The contour paths a little higher up the mountain lead to beautiful streams where you can sit on a rock and let the mountain water trickle over your toes. 

On one side of the forest, you can admire the views over the whole city, where you can see all the way from the harbour at the Waterfront to the sea of False Bay. The forest is centrally located too, so luxury accommodation in Cape Town will not be more than a few minutes’ drive away.

Kanha National Park Accommodations, Activities and Safari Reservations

Kanha National Park India is a highly commercialized park in Madhya Pradesh. It is favored by many tourists because of its wonderful sceneries, especially sunset point. There are lots of activities you can do here as there are various stores you can check out for souvenir items. 

Kanha National Park is a famous tiger reserve national park situated in the Balaghat and Mandla districts of India s Madhya Pradesh state. The park came to be last June 1955. Prior to this, it comprised of 2 sanctuaries – the Banjar sanctuary which is about 300 square kilometers and the Hallon sanctuary which is about 250 square kilometers. However, at current, is it already about 940 square kilometers in area. In fact, the Kanha Tiger Reserve stretches even to a 1009 square kilometer buffer zone; plus, the 110 square kilometers of its neighbor – Phen Sanctuary. Species you can find here include the Indian wild dog, Barasingha, sloth bear, Royal Bengal Tiger and even leopards. 

At current, the park houses the world s biggest number of tigers. This made the city one of the world s best tourist destinations. Fascinating sites to see include tigers in their natural habitat; after all, this is the valley where these tigers were actually found. 

Kanha National Park India Accommodations 
For accommodations, there a number of jungle resorts you can find here. The regarded best by many travelers is the GTV or Golbro Tiger View Resort. It offers the best facilities along with beautiful gardens, bamboo trees and excellent lawns. For inquiries and reservations, call them at +91 7627 265314 or +91 7662 251251 and +91 9424973602. 

Another great place to stay in is Kawardha Palace situated only 3 hours from the Kanha National Park. This charming resort was built at the time of King Dharamraj Singh during the period of 1936 to 1939. Fascinating attractions are also nearby like the Krishna Temple, Mandawa Mahal, Bhoremdeo Temple and the Madan Manjari Mahal among others. 

The resort is associated with Bamni Dadar, also known as the “Sunset Point” because of the magnificent sunset views you can capture here. In fact, most of the visitors of Kanha Park never fail to stop over this place. Other animals to see include the four horned antelope, gaur, barking deer and sambar among others. 

Another site to visit inside the park is the Kanha Museum. Here, you ll get more information regarding the topography as well as other interesting aspects about Kanha National Park. 

Activities in Kanha National Park India 
When visiting Kanha Park, it is advisable to make an advanced booking, especially with the tour operators so that you already know what you need to pack for their jeep safari, elephant safari and the like. Typically, jeep safaris have two schedules in a day. You can either book one in the morning or in the evening. Aside from safaris and sightseeing activities, there are lots of activities you can do in the park like shopping for souvenirs. 

For souvenirs, you can shop for a lot of items in the park. This is since Kanha Park is already a commercialized forest. A wide array of stores selling all kinds of stuff are scattered through designated areas. Some souvenirs you can buy include t shirts, local handicrafts, woodworks and keychains. Aside from being sold at super reasonable prices, you can even haggle on the price. Your vacation isn t complete without bringing something home to remind you of your great adventure in Kanha National Park.

Useful Information About Norfolk County

In the East of England is located a low lying county called Norfolk. It shares its borders with Cambridgeshire to the southwest and west, Lincolnshire to the west and with Suffolk to the south. Its north and east borders are linked with the North Sea coast. Norwich is the county town. Area wise Norfolk is the fifth biggest ceremonial county of England, which is spread in an area of 2,074 sq miles or 5,371 sq km. 

Out of all the 34 non metropolitan English counties, Norfolk stands seventh in terms of population. Mostly rural it also stands the tenth lowest density county in the UK. Most of its public is settled in 3 major cities, King s Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. It depends a lot on tourism and agriculture. 
Plantlife chose Norfolk s county flower was voted to be the Common Poppy after it was replaced from the initial Alexander s after a contest. 

Norfolk did exist since pre Roman times, where along with Neolithic camps situated in the high lands of the west where flints were quarried. Initially the county was inhabited by Iceni, Brythonic tribes unto the 1st century. When Romans attacked this county, they revolted against the Romans, but the revolts were crushed by the Romans opening the gates of Roman era in UK. 

In this period several roads and ports were created throughout the county and agriculture was a major source of income. As it is situated in the eastern side shore line of UK, it could easily be attacked, so many forts were constructed. The impression of the early English settlers can be found from many place names like hams, tons and throes. 

Unto the 20th century woolen industry and agriculture were the main sources of income. With the passing of time and after many ups and downs the county started maturating a role in aviation. With the two World Wars it got a huge push in expansion, especially during the World War II. 

Agriculture intensified quickly and it continues with the creations of large fields for oil seed rape and cereal growth. Norfolk s landscape is and with often eroding cliffs, most of which has become chalk and clay, makes it a swampland with the sea water often flooding it. Many plans were created and abolished to have a safe shoreline and due to global warnings in climate change something solid will be done in near future. 

Norfolk had both fertile and flat land making cultivation easy. The best crops that are harvested are barley used for brewing, oil seed rape and sugar beet. Renowned companies in Norfolk are Aviv s Norwich Union, Bernard Mathews and Unilevers Colmans. In order to help the local industry in Norwich, a wireless service is provided by local council. 

The Construction Industry Training Board is located at the previous airfield of RAF Bircham Newton. The BBC East covers an area onto west as Milton Keynes. During 1999 and 2000 the census report says that the county has an unemployment rate of 5.6 , as compared to 6.0 for the UK and 5.8 for England.