Archive for November, 2011

Many tent campers today are being outraged by the over-popularity of RV use along with prices of Tents and gear.  Getting “back to nature” was considered by many to simply be a tent, a fire, and good campfire cooking, while connecting with nature on an up close and personal level. It was an inexpensive way to relax, rest and enjoy the amenities of this wonderful planet we live on.

Years ago, I personally could just grab my gear, head to one of the many “camping areas” within a 100 mile radius of my home and within minutes of arriving I was set up, tent in place & hunting firewood, and enjoying the sites and sounds of nature.  As time went on, the “tent” areas began to lessen.

This past weekend, We decided a simple weekend “get a way” was in order.  We carefully packed our car (believe me, not easy..its a tiny Toyota Tercel) with a tent, gear (such as a mallet for the stakes, bug spray, soap,etc) a cooler of drinks & prepared meals that easily cook themselves in a campfire and off we went..to one of my favorite spots which is about 150 miles from home.  My favorite spot was always this little almost deserted spot by the Gulf that we would pitch our tent by the water, enjoy the scenery and take in the fresh water and beautiful sunshine.

Upon arriving, The first thing I noticed was the road was now paved,..and as we pulled into this campsite, I was shocked! There was no possible way to see the water, let alone walk on the beach. The beautiful scenery & beach were now full of RVs blocking any nature left.  There was absolutely NO set area for Tents.

So taking things in stride, we left there in search of another camp ground.  We called almost every place we knew of , such as “springs” “state parks” etc.  Only to find they were booked or did not support TENT camping any longer.  We ended back at home due to daylight with nothing more than car lag.  The next day we were determined to find a “spot”.  We searched the Internet, called many to find the same story , or extremely High prices (50 a night for a camp spot?) some charged you not only outrageous prices, then want to charge you if you make a campfire, or use one of their grills, etc.

Until 1.  We were thrilled! They took Tent campers, they had spots open, “just come on in” they said.  So we did.  Looking around I saw Nothing but RVs. and No tents, figuring they must have a tent area somewhere on the grounds.  We paid for our 1 night stay, was given a numbered spot and a map.  We were placed “squeezed” in between 2 RVs. Surely this must be a mistake…we traveled around the campgrounds, not 1 fellow Tent camper anywhere on the grounds.  We took what was given to us and proceeded to camp in what seemed like someones back yard.  It seems this park has RVs that spend a good portion or possibly All year parked.  We were the ONLY ones awake with a campfire, at 8:30 pm. With absolutely No scenery, etc.

I along with many other “Tent campers” am extremely upset over the lack of “Tent” camping. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the RVs. They are a great way to see the country, without the expense of motels, restaurants, etc.  It is not the RV owners that tent campers are upset with, It is the lack of tent areas for us.  It seems the camping parks and areas make a little more money off of RVs per night than tents, so Tent campers are being pushed out, to make room for RVs. Not allowed to “camp”  or pay a hefty price for the privilege. 

So rears my question: Tent Camping – A Lost Leisure?

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The city of Berlin, Germany is built around the River Spree in Bundesland, the federal state of Brandenburg. Berlin is Germany’s capital city and has undergone enormous changes in the past 100 years. No longer divided, this city is now a thriving, modern and exciting destination, welcoming tourists and business visitors alike. Since World War II, the city has emerged from the past and undergone the biggest construction project in Europe.

Read more on Sightseeing in Germany and Adventure Family Holidays in Morocco and also visit on Cox and Kings in Singapore

Much of Berlin has been rebuilt, restored or rejuvenated and there is some wonderful architecture, both old and new, standing side by side. Many come here for the exceptional nightlife alone, while others prefer the tourism aspect offered by the city. Those who choose to sightsee by day will discover that many of Berlin’s landmarks come with their very own observation decks, such as the Reichstag (the German Parliament Building), the Europa Center on the Zoologischer Garten, the Kollhoff Tower on the Potsdamer Platz, the Siegessäule (Victory Column) in the Tiergarten area, and the Fernsehturm on the Alexanderplatz, the latter of which is a television tower and the tallest structure in the city, boasting a revolving restaurant.

Berlin Tourismus Marketing operates three official tourist information centres in the city, with multi-lingual staff on hand to answer your questions and dispense advice. These are located at the Brandenburg Gate, on the Budapester Strasse, and on Alexanderplatz.

You could also go to your local library and find information by either checking out a book on Berlin or you can try checking out a German travel guide. Many people choose to get a book just so they can get some more information, but you might only want to do that if you have enough time. Reading a book instead of a travel guide is also for people who want more knowledge. The book will go more in detail, and it might even have more information on Berlin such as when it was founded.

Berlin offers dishes from every country so if you love to try new things, then you would want to hit the restaurants. They have this restaurant that you have to go eat at once you travel there. It’s called the Berlin Television Tower, and it’s amazing. You’ll be able to sit in a tower like restaurant at the very top and be able to see the city of Berlin. It’s a rotating restaurant so don’t feel discouraged if you can only see the water or if you’re only looking at one thing because you’ll be able to see the entire city while you eat.

Read more on http://www.holiday-travel-destinations.com/germany-travel-guide/sightseeing-in-germany.htm

Obviously their are more restaurants that you also don’t want to miss out on while you’re there, but the thing about taking Germany travel advice from someone who has already been there before they will be able to tell you the places that you have to go to the first time around, and they will also be able to tell you about the other places you have to go see but could wait until the next time you go because it’s pretty impossible to see everything and do everything their is in Berlin unless you’re staying there for the whole summer.

Getting the best hotel furniture pieces for your business is very essential if you want to make sure that you will be able to provide your guests an excellent service. Of course, you want them to be impressed with not just on the hospitality of your staff and the affordability of the rates, but also on the facilities that you will be able to provide them. But if you are just starting out, this may seem to be a very huge task and you might think that this is rather complicated. Fortunately, there are just a few things that you need to consider if you want to make sure that you will be able to furnish all of the rooms in your hotel right.

When shopping for the best hotel furniture, there is a need for you to accurately estimate the number of pieces that you need. And in order for you to do so, you have to consider the number of rooms that you have including to the sitting rooms, hallways, lobbies, and a whole lot more. You have to make sure that you will not run short of chairs, beds, mattresses, tables, and the likes. It is actually much better if you will purchase more than you need to so that you can have some spare chairs or tables just in case one is damaged or lost.Hotel Furniture

It is also necessary for you to always take into consideration the purpose of the products that you are going to purchase. If you want to purchase a chair for a bedroom, you have to make sure that your guests will be able to sit comfortably on it. You also need to determine if a table is only good for a single person, a couple, or for a very large group. You should also make sure that the chairs in the lobby can accommodate a large number of people and your beds have the right sizes.

You should also make sure that you will purchase hotel furniture pieces depending on the size of the room. Of course, you do not want to get a very large receiving or information desk if your lobby has a very small area. You should also make sure that your guests will be able to walk through their rooms and they are not crammed with very large or unnecessary pieces.

When looking for the best hotel furniture pieces, it can be very helpful if you are going to look for reliable, honest, and licensed distributors. This is indeed essential since you have to be sure that you will really get a good deal. You should also make sure that you will get a good bargain especially if you will deal with their company more often. Discounts should also be provided if you want to deal with them in a long-term basis.

But more than the price, you have to see to it that they have good quality. The materials used should be very durable so that they will last a long time. Nevertheless, it is also up to you how you are going to maintain these hotel furniture pieces. You should also never forget to check if they will fit the design of the rooms.

Getting the best hotel furniture pieces can be very helpful if you wan t to make sure that your business will prosper.

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Unforgettable Sites in the Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya conjures visions of the centuries old archaeological sites that Mexico is well known for. Learn more about ancient civilizations of Mexico by visiting the thousand year old cities of the Mayans. Visit one of the most majestic cities is Chichen Itza which was the former capital of the Mayan empire and climb up to the top of the Castillo, the grand pyramid or most importantly, visit the observatory where astronomers formulated one of the most accurate calendars. Tulum which is the only walled city of the Mayan empire as well as the only Mayan city built near the ocean is worth visiting too. Other than this, though there are tourist sites and adventure activities that will interest visitors. Other attractions in the Riviera Maya region are Xcaret which is a Mayan-themed ecological park and Xel-Ha with its many coves, lagoons and caves. Or otherwise, go on a day tour of Isla Mujeres that has a Mayan temple and several watersports or Isla Contoy with its sandy white beaches and lush palm trees. When planning your Mexico vacation, always include this region for unforgettable unique experiences.

The Wonders of Mazatlan

Long stretches of beautiful palm-lined beaches are guaranteed to lure visitors to the Gold Coast of Mexico and the city of Mazatlan. Just like many places in Mexico, Mazatlan is an interesting combination of history, culture and adventure. In old Mazatlan, you can take a stroll in the citys second oldest plaza, Plazuela Machado and light a candle at the citys famed cathedral with its twin towers. The malecon (promenade) gives you a refreshing palm-lined oceanfront walkway that connects Old Mazatlan with the resort area known as zona dorada. Those who want to see or buy handcrafted furniture, ceramic and clay handicrafts are better off going on a countryside tour to the villages of Concordia, Copala and Cosala on the Sierra Madre Mountains. The known islands of Mazatlan, Isla de Chivos or Goat Island, Isla de Pajaros or Bird Island and Isla de Venados or Deer Island has fine sand beaches and should be included in your tour of Mazatlan. There are so much more to see in Mazatlan that thrives with the passion which Mexico is known for.

Golfing in Baja

Along with the lure of warm clear waters and sandy beaches, golfing enthusiasts and amateurs will fall in love with the golf courses of Mexicos Baja Peninsula which has some of the worlds best golf courses. The stunning oceanfront courses with desert terrain were designed by some of the best golf course designers resulting in these championship greens. From the US Border going into Mexico is the 50 plus year old Tijuana Golf Club and 20 minutes further away is Real del Mar which is known as a gem. There are newly built golf courses like the Baja Country Club that has a challenging 12 acre lake to conquer and the Paraiso del Mar located in Magote that is amazingly built on a sandbar and currently has 12 holes. Jack Nicklaus designed three golf courses in Los Cabos called the one and only Palmilla, the Puerto los Cabos and Club Campestre. Cabo San Lucas Country Club and Cabo Real Country Club are some of the well known golf courses in this area. There are more to come with new golf course constructions along the way.

Veracruz Vacations

Veracruz is one of the cities that have retained its old world charm and although it is not top on the list of Mexico vacation destinations, it is now slowly emerging to be one. Ideal for day or night strolling is the main plaza called the Plaza de las Armas. There is alot of old architecture in Veracruz such as the baroque architecture Municipal Palace and the neo-classic Virgin de la Asuncion cathedral that were both built in the 17th century. Very close to the port area is the former lighthouse Pemex Tower, the Crafts Market, the Old Customs Building, the Postal and Telegraph Building, the Civil Registry Building and the Juarez Hemicycle Monument. The island where the historical Fort San Juan de Ulua is located is now connected to the mainland. You can go walking and exercising at several kilometers boardwalk known as the malecon. The Veracruz Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Latin America and is one of the latest developments of Veracruz. Not too far away is the day when Veracruz will be a primary destination in your Mexico vacation itinerary.

People are drawn to Gibraltar for many different reasons. For some it is the historical buildings and sites, yet others are clamoring to see the rare animals, birds and the famous Barbary apes that make the upper region of Gibraltar their home. Gibraltar, like many places has more to see and explore than first meets the eye. On the surface is the water and beach, with great places to swim and scuba dive yet a short walk up from the beach is where the exploring starts on land at least.

The history of Gibraltar is rich with the influences of many different cultures and peoples that have fought over and bled for this piece of real estate on the Mediterranean. All around there are evidences of the Moorish, Spanish and British influence in the names of buildings and streets as well as the various historical sites such as the defensive tunnels and large gun emplacements that were installed in the Second World War to defend the strategic area.

Gibraltar is known for the deep sea fishing; dolphin and whale watching.

The charters and tours are often hired to go into the waters where these magnificent mammals are mating. Honeymooners come to this great place to celebrate and enjoy the different foods, shopping and sightseeing that Gibraltar has to offer.

One of the best places to visit if you enjoy seeing the Mediterranean from a different view is to climb the limestone steps that wind from the beach to the top portion of Gibraltar; from there one can view Morocco as well as the outline of the African continent.

One of the latest attractions in Gibraltar is a company that specializes in offering rock climbing and hiking adventures on parts that are rough and rugged.

They tailor each adventure to match what the person wants, taking into account the climbing abilities of the person.

From Gibraltar you can also take time to venture into Spain and try the Comino del Ray, often called the world’s scariest pathway.

The company provides the gear, transportation to and from the area being climbed and meals, if needed. These are a few of the many reasons why tourists come to visit Gibraltar, come and see what it is about.