Travel Plan

Archive for April, 2010

Vacation Trips Around Calgary And The Rocky Mountains Part 1

Wondering what to do on your next trip to Calgary and the Rockies? Curious about what there is to see and do around Southern Alberta? Here are a few ideas that are sure to please every nature lover!

What you cant ignore are the Rocky Mountains and the Bow River. The Rocky Mountains attract tourists from across the globe and with good reason! Activities in this area include horseback riding and tours rock climbing hiking fishing camping skiing and snowboarding and many others. Some of the top locations for downhill sports are in Fernie Sunshine and Nakiska. However you do not need to leave the city in order to take part in downhill skiing as Canada Olympic Park can fill your need to ski and other parks in and around the city offer crosscountry skiing options. Its easy to find a rental shop for all of the equipment you need for outdoor activities if you do not have your own.

Some of the National Parks have incredible opportunities to connect with nature in a grand scale. The Columbia Icefields are another attraction you do not want to miss! Guided tours of the Athabasca glacier are available. The glacier is recognized by UNESCO and is a protected national heritage site. This beautiful glacier stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper covering approximately 230km of land. The tour is fully guided and takes about an hour and a half ending with a trip to the chalet interpretive centre and the gallery. You can even indulge in a helicopter ride to take in the beauty of the glacier from a birds eye view. To truly experience the pure environment of the Rockies the Icefields are the place to go!

No visit is complete without enjoying the beauty of Alberta from the Bow River and other lakes and rivers! White water rafting trips are available from a single outing to a few days in Banff Calgary Lake Louise Kananaskis and along the Red Deer river. Other day trips include kayaking and canoeing. Fishing along the Bow River in Calgary is a favorite pastime and guided tours are open to the public.

For those who prefer to fish in the wilderness just venture outside of Calgarys door to the numerous fishing holes surrounding the city. In fact the worlds premier trout fishery is located in the Bow River. Calgary has among the best inner city fishing for brown rainbow cutthroat trout and white fish. Be sure to take in some of the sights and sounds of a fly fishing adventure for an experience of a lifetime.

About the writer:  Visit Clearwater Adventures for Calgary’s premier Bow River fly fishing guides.

Vacationing On The German Rivers

Yes it is possible to spend a vacation on German rivers. In fact you will have to spend more than one vacation in order to experience the beauty of the country from the water. There are cruises offered for all the rivers in the country with stops arranged in cities and towns along the way.

The Rhine River is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe at 820 miles in length. The river originates in the Swiss Alps but some of the main tributaries are in Germany and Luxembourg. Some of the riverboats sail on the Rhine only while others combine the trip on the river with that of other waterways in Germany and other countries such as Austria Hungary and the Netherlands. When you take this type of cruise you can sample the fine beers of Bamberg and see the cathedral of the Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich 11 which dates back to the 11th century. Sail to Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle and drink in the breathtaking views of the meadows lakes and woodlands that surround this city.

If you want to experience the landscape of fairytales then you just have to sail on the Danube River. This is one of the longest rivers in Europe either passing through or bordering ten European countries. Here you will find idyllic villages and architecture that has stood the test of time. Stop in Nuremburg to visit the Imperial Palace and the Justice Court. The castles and the preserved towns along the way are the same ones you read about in Grimm’s Fairytales. Children will be delighted to meet Cinderella at Polle or the Pied Piper in Hamlin.

The Elbe River originates in northwestern part of the Czech Republic and crosses most of Germany. When you take a cruise on this river you will drift past Gothic castles and towering sandstone cliffs. The cities along its banks are quite modern but a touch of the past remains in the medieval monuments and architecture. Explore the Old Market of Magdeburg and see the tomb of Emperor Otto. This route will take you to Wittenberg Castle and the Castle Church where Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation. In Eastern Germany you can sample the fine wine of Meissen or visit a porcelain factory.

See the stately castles on shore as you glide past them on the Mosel River. This cruise will take you to some of the most romantic cities in all of Europe. You will have an opportunity to visit the oldest city in Germany Trier which dates back to 16 B.C. The number of Gothic Roman and Renaissance monuments in this city is mindboggling and you just might plan a return visit just to see them all. This river forms the division between the Eifel and Hunstruck Mountains so you can be assured of seeing towering peaks that get lost in the clouds. In addition to Trier other German cities along this river include BernkastelKues Cochem and Koblenz.

About the writer:  For more information on German riversGerman towns and nbsp;Kaiserslautern Germany nbsp; visit http://www.SmartTravelGermany.com

Using A Home Exchange Service To Rent A Apartment In Paris

Are you dreaming about visiting the beautiful city of Paris? Do you live in an area where others would like to visit or get away from it all? Would you like to take a vacation and not have to spend a dime on sleeping accommodations? If so a home exchange service could be the perfect solution!

When the movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz Kate Winslet and Jack Black hit the big screen in December 2006 many Americans became aware of home exchange programs. However the Europeans have been using home exchange programs for nearly 50 years.

Basically there are two types of exchange programs: home exchange and hospitality exchange. With home exchange you swap houses with another interested party. They stay in your home while you stay in theirs. With hospitality exchange you host visitors in your home for a specified period of time than they host you in their home for the same amount of time.

Most people prefer using a home exchange opposed to hospitality exchange as they feel somewhat awkward inviting guests they do not know to stay with them. And while you might be somewhat apprehensive to allow strangers into your home unattended most home exchange programs allow you to develop a personal relationship with the individuals long before the exchange takes place.

According to Rotary Home Exchange more than 250000 successful exchanges occur annually. The majority of home exchange organizations require a membership fee. These generally range from 50 to 200 per year.

This fee allows you to post information about your home including photos. In your listing you can list specific details such as whether your home is petfriendly allows indoor smoking is handicap accessible and what amenities are included. Additionally you can include a detailed description of the type of home and location of where you would like to visit.

Using a home exchange service provides you with more flexibility than booking a hotel reservation or searching for a apartment on your own. It also provides you with the opportunity to meet new friends and offers the benefit of knowing your home is being looked after while you are away. It also allows you to stay in a nice home for free!

Every home exchange is unique and dependent upon developing a relationship of mutual goodwill and trust. Obviously there are some risks involved. But there are also risks involved with booking a hotel reservation or locating a apartment rental. The difference is that the people you are exchanging homes with are taking the same risk.

There are many reputable home exchange services available via the Internet. To locate the different organizations type in “Home Exchange Service” at your favorite search engine and begin researching the ones of interest to you.

You’ll want to spend several hours conducting research on each organization before making your final decision. Visit each website in order to determine which service offers the types of homes in locations you desire. Once you have made your selection signup as a member and begin entering your information.

Never ever exaggerate information about your home. If you reside in a small home out in the middle of “nowhere” you might be surprised at how many people are looking for a place where they can get away from it all. Focus on providing information about the benefits staying in your home will offer to potential visitors and be honest about what type of home you own.

Home exchangers consist of people from all walks of life. Some are single others are married and many have children. You can decide what type of person you prefer to exchange with and how long you would like to exchange. Generally it takes four to six months to complete the transaction so allow plenty of lead time.

If you do your research and plan ahead you can potentially save thousands of dollars in accommodation expenses by using a home exchange service. Give it a try. You just might discover a new way to explore the world!

About the writer:  Rita Borges Managing DirectorParis Luxe Apartments http://www.parisluxeapt.com http://www.parishoneymoonrentals.com