Wonderful Vacation Destinations For 2013

The summer is a time for festive occasions and beautiful locations, and that is why, in the coming months, you may want to look into a few special destinations to consider!

1. Magdalen Islands
A small strip of islands near Nova Scotia, the Magdalen Islands are great for summer outdoors enthusiasts. Featuring a variety of exciting landscapes (from rolling hills to beachside cliffs), these islands are ideal for adventurous water sports enthusiasts.

Magdalen Islands

2. Solomon Islands
The south Pacific region’s best destinations have largely been taken over by resorts and commercial interests, but in the Solomon Islands you can find a genuine and beautiful “old” south Pacific experience. Scuba diving and a thriving local culture are just a few of the perks.

Solomon Islands

3. Montreal, Canada
Mixing traditional elements of old world European cities with the vibrancy of a thriving modern metropolis, Montreal is a truly exceptional city in a beautiful location. Throw in the renowned local cuisine, and you’ve got a fantastic destination.

4. Rwanda
Often overlooked due to its genocidal history, Rwanda is now a peaceful country, and one that is gorgeous to visit. Perfect for incredible activities like safaris and gorilla tracking, Rwanda is an ideal African getaway.

Rwanda

5. The Greek Isles
Okay, so this isn’t a unique suggestion. But nothing matches the Greek isles for relaxation or beauty. Consider Mykonos as a destination, as the island has all of the beauty of Santorini with more affordable prices and a livelier atmosphere.

The Greek Isles

6. California, United States
If you’re considering visiting the States, California may be the way to go. Gorgeous coastline, famous wine country, and access to a number of America’s most interesting cities make this a great choice.

California, United States

7. Dominican Republic
Really, you can’t go wrong in the Caribbean. But with the Dominican Republic still emerging as a destination, it can offer the pristine beauty of nearby islands, often at a fraction of the cost.

Dominican Republic

8. Montenegro
Beautiful landscapes, a festive riviera, and an expanding array of magnificent hiking trails make Montenegro a dynamic and fascinating destination in Europe. It’s not cheap, but it’s a stunning vacation.

9. Brazil
Brazil is always recommended as a top travel destination, but in the next few years the recommendation should be emphasized. As Brazil gears up for major international events (both the World Cup and the Olympics), the region should only grow more impressive (and safer).

Brazil

10. Azore Islands
One of the most unique destinations on Earth, the Azores are located well west of Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With their own culture, cuisine, and spectacular volcanic island scenery, the Azore Islands offer a gorgeous vacation.

Azore Islands

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Auckland Awesome-ness

Some places in New Zealand can come across like Jurassic Park, wild and unpopulated, its rugged landscape is what has made it popular with film makers and tourists alike. Auckland on the other hand is New Zealand’s most populous urban area. In 2011, Auckland was ranked third in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.

Due to the level of people living in Auckland, it is easy to forget sometimes that that hill you are currently traipsing up is in fact a Volcano. Dormant Volcano’s seem to be a staple landmark in Auckland as there are in actual fact 50 all together, with Mount Eden being the largest. Of course people live on the slopes, and the top of Mount Eden is a popular tourist spot as its height provides a great viewing platform.

From here you can in fact see the next neighbourly dormant Volcano, mount Rangitoto. Just across the water –day trips are available to go over to Rangitoto Island where visitors are allowed to explore the cave like “lava tubes” of the Volcano. As long as you can run fast I’m sure.

One of the best ways to see this part of New Zealand is by boat. If you can curb your jealousy for long enough, you can spend days with families who spend their life on the water – sailing around in yachts, they catch their breakfast every morning and their dinner every night. At lunch time you’ll be treated to shellfish caught fresh straight from the ocean floor, and after that feel free to dive in and have a swim around. The water is crystal clear and if you’re lucky you might even see some of New Zealand’s ‘Blue Penguins’ who enjoy bobbing about in the water on their backs.

Waiheke Island – which is a name I find insanely hard to pronounce without doing a New Zealand accent, is also accessible by Ferry. Located just off the coast of Auckland it is most commonly known for its wine tasting and vineyards and is an actual fact nicknamed New Zealand’s “Island of Wine”. The climate is suitable for growing Bordeaux style grapes and chalets at the top of the island provide stunning views as you sip your wine in style. Well, style until you end up getting chased by some frantic bird with a blue body and a red beak. Which yes I later discovered to be a Pukeko, the countries least harmful bird. It was all very distressing.

Another aspect worth mentioning about Auckland is the museum. The National Museum of Natural History has recently opened a display showcasing the Giant Squid. Only in recent years has this elusive monster been seen by human eyes and Aucklands museum proudly boasts two, a male and a female measuring at 20 feet and 22 feet respectively. The museum is also home to tonnes of other native marine life, and is also a good place to learn about the Maori – New Zealands ancestral natives.

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Bests scenic train trips around the world

1.Gems of India Tour, Maharajas’ Express:

 

British tour operator Cox & Kings spared no expense when it joined forces with Indian Railways to create the most luxurious train in the world. Unveiled in 2010, and limited to 88 passengers on each trip, the train features lavish private suites with marble baths and panoramic windows.

On the four-day, three-night Gems of India loop, which starts and ends in Delhi, passengers make stops to visit the resplendent Taj Mahal at Agra, take a tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park, and shop and watch an elephant-polo match in Jaipur. Along the way, passengers can marvel at the Hindu temples, village roads plied by camel carts and rivers lined with fishing boats.

2.Classic Whisky Journey, The Royal Scotsman:

 As well as offering passengers more than 30 single malt scotches to choose from on board, The Royal Scotsman (operated by Orient-Express) runs a five-day Classic Whisky Journey that explores every aspect of Scotland’s most famous spirit.

   

After departing from Edinburgh, the train makes stops at some of the country’s top scotch distilleries, including Glen Ord and Glenlivet; then, heading east along the coast, it passes through the seaside villages of Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen before arriving in the heart of the Speyside whisky region. The line then skirts Loch Luichart, the Torridon Mountains and the famous Eilean Donan Castle, where you can savor the magnificent views with (naturally) a glass in hand.

3.The Ghan, Australia’s Great Southern Rail:

 

Stretching 1,846 miles from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin at the continent’s northeastern tip, the Ghan brings train travelers straight through the “red center” of the Australian outback. Among the landscapes plumbed on the three-day, two-night jaunt are vast desert plains, the sere red-rock Flinders Ranges and the dazzling waterfalls and river gorges of Nitmiluk National Park.

Passengers make stopovers in Alice Springs (where they can take a camel trek or browse in Aboriginal art galleries), the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy (which served as the backdrop for the postapocalyptic Mad Max films) and the awe-inspiring Katherine Gorge. In the evenings, they retire to their cozy sleeping quarters after dining on locally raised beef and locally grown wine in the dining car.

4.Zermatt to San Moritz Route, Glacier Express:

Seeing some of the Swiss Alps’ most spectacular mountain scenery by rail doesn’t require an overnight trip: An eight-hour ride on the Glacier Express fits the bill beautifully. 

The train, which runs one-way between the famed ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz (some 180 miles), passes through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges on the way — all at an altitude higher than 6,500 feet. Sweetening the deal is the dining car, where passengers can enjoy fine Swiss cheeses, chocolates and wine along with the views.

5.Canadian Rockies Getaway, Rocky Mountaineer:

One of the most scenic train trips in North America, this nine-day loop out of Vancouver brings you to the stunning snowcapped peaks, glaciers, cobalt-colored lakes and plentiful wildlife (bear, moose, elk, bald eagles) of the Canadian Rockies.

   

Aboard the train, both the SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf services offer a glass-domed roof so you can take in the mountain splendor in style. Instead of sleeper cars, guests spend nights at resorts in the region (which may include premier Fairmont properties at Lake Louise and Banff Hot Springs). Also included is a drive on the legendary Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier, a helicopter tour from Kananaskis and a gondola ride in Banff.

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your adventure of tracking the top 5 highest mountain in the world

1.Mount Everest:

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world as measured by the height of its summit above sea level, which is 8,848 meters or 29,028 feet.

It is also called Chomolungma or Qomolangma in Tibetan language and Sagarmatha in Nepali. Other than weather and climbing sickness, Everest does not pose any serious challenge to its climber.

2.K2: 

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world. It is also called Godwin Austin. It is located in the Karakoram segment of the Himalayan range.

 On the border between the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China.However, those who climb K2 must acquire entry via Pakistan as the Chinese side is inaccessible.

3.kanchenjunga:

kanchenjunga is its Nepali name while it is calles  SewaLungma in Limbu language and it is the third highest mountain in the world (after Mount Everest and K2) with an altitude of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet).

 

 Kangchenjunga is generally regarded as the highest mountain in India and the second highest peak in Nepal.Kangchenjunga translated means “The Five Treasures of Snows”, as it contains five peaks, four of them over 8,450 meters.

4.Lhotse:

Lhotse is named officially in Nepal, in China officially Lhozê; it is the fourth highest mountain on Earth and is connected to Mount Everest via the South Col.

In addition to the main summit at 8,516 metres above sea level, Lhotse Middle (East) is 8,414 metres and Lhotse Shar is 8,383 metres. It is located at the border between Tibet (China) and Nepal.

5.Makalu:

 

Makalu (in Nepal) is the fifth highest  mountain in the world and is located 22 km (14 miles) east of  Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Makalu is an isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid.

 

 Makalu has two notable subsidiary peaks. Kangchungtse, or Makalu II, 7,678 m (25,190 ft) is the second peak. Makalu is the only Nepalese 8,000 m peak which has yet to be climbed in true winter conditions.

   

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Go to the world best fantastic forests and feel the beauty of green

1.Whirinaki Forest Park: 

Whirinaki Forest Park, New Zealand Amazingly tall trees, rushing rivers, a wide variety of habitats and a fascinating past combine to create Whirinaki Forest.Today Whirinaki’s beauty is protected for everyone to enjoy through a comprehensive network of walks, tracks and huts with a range of opportunities for visitors.

The park is about 100 km south east of Rotorua on State Highway 38. It is within a two hour drive of Rotorua, Taupo and Whakatane.

2.Black Forest:

 Birthplace of fairy tale lore and a world famous dessert, Germany’s Black Forest evokes an unparalleled sense of romance and bygone era enchantment.

























The pine and fir forest is essentially a rectangular-shaped woodland mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, replete with spectacular hamlets like Freiburg, Baden Baden, Calw, Furtwangen and Staufen. For a typical Old Europe experience, you can’t do much better.

3.Daintree Forest:

Situated in north of the city of Cairns, Australia, in Queensland, the Daintree Forest is the most unique rainforest in Australia and also the most diverse in the world. With thousands of different animals, birds, plans and reptiles, the forest contains distinguished examples of fauna and flora, representing eight different stages in the evolutionary history of the earth.

 The Daintree Rainforest contains 18% of the bird species of Australia, 30% of the marsupial, reptile and frog species, 65% of the Australian's butterfly and bat species, along with more than 12,000 species of insects. Due to boardwalk access, people could easily guide themselves through these living museums with thousands of flora and fauna species, which have survived major climate change and various natural for over 135 years. 

4.Amazon Rainforest:

 It has been often described as the "Lungs of our Planet", because 20% of the world's oxygen is produced exactly by the Amazon Rainforest. As a result of past human influence and reflecting environmental conditions, the Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems, such as:  flooded forests, rainforests, seasonal forests and savannas. The Amazon Rainforest is believed to be home to more than half of the world's species of flora and fauna.

Some of the most beautiful and most dangerous creatures of the planet inhabit the Forest. Among them, special attention deserve: the spider monkey, the golden lion tamarin, the giant anteater, the giant river otter, the amazonian manatee, the macaw and many more. Numerous plants that grow in the soil of the Amazon Rainforest are now used by the scientists for production of drugs for diabetes, arthritis, AIDS or cancer. Except for its spectacular beauty, the Amazon Rainforest is significant for being also a whimsical source of life.

 5.Palatinate Forest: 

Mainz, with over 200,000 people, is the lovely capital city of the Rhineland-Palatinate federal state in Germany. With a beautiful old town and several fine museums, the principal allure of Mainz is the Palatinate Forest.

Together with the Vosges range in France, the Palatinate forms a precious UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. For ancient ruins, castles, wine tours and outdoor recreation, the forest is one of the best in Europe.

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Make your dreams come true to see the World of Waterfall

1.Iguazu Falls:

 

One of the great natural wonders of the world, Iguaçu Falls is situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along the Iguazu River.

The majority of the falls are about 64 metres (210 ft) in height. The most impressive of them all is the Devil’s Throat a U-shaped, 82 meter high (269 ft), 150 meter (492 ft) wide and 700 meter (2300 ft) long waterfall.

2.Victoria Falls:

  

The Victoria Falls (indigenous name: Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”) are located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls is often called the largest waterfall in the world, although it is neither the highest nor the widest.

It has a width of 1.7 kilometers (1 miles) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), roughly twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls. In combined height and width Victoria Falls is rivaled only by South America’s Iguazu Falls.

3.Niagara Falls:

 

Probably the most famous waterfall in the world, The Niagara Falls are located between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.

Niagara Falls is actually three different falls, the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side while the other are located in New York. With more than 14 million visitors each year it is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world.

4.Angel Falls: 

Angel Falls or Salto Ángel is the world’s highest waterfall, dropping a total of 978 meter from the summit of the Auyan Tepuy, and with an 807meter uninterrupted drop. Because the falls are located in an isolated jungle region of Venezuela the only access to Canaima National Park, the gateway to Angel Falls, is by air. 

5.Kaieteur Falls: 

Kaieteur Falls is located on the Potaro River in the centre of Guyana’s rainforest. It is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, averaging 663 cubic meters per second (23,400 cubic feet per second).

With a free fall height of 226 meters (741 feet) it is about five times higher than Niagara Falls and about two times the height of the Victoria Falls. While there are many higher falls, few have the combination of height and water volume. 

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