Posts Tagged ‘tourism’
What Do Car Insurance Dollars Pay For?
Whether you pay for car insurance monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or yearly, you probably are paying quite a bit for car insurance. You may also be wondering what you get in exchange for the dollars that you pay for car insurance. In short, the answer is peace of mind, but the longer answer may help you to understand where those insurance dollars go.
Purchasing car insurance fulfills your state’s financial responsibility laws. These laws are different in each state. Some states only require drivers to have very little liability insurance, while others require more liability insurance and other coverage as well. In some states, the insurance company is required by law to report if you allow the coverage to lapse by even one day and the state can cancel your vehicle’s registration or your driver’s license until you submit proof of insurance and pay a fine or the administrative cost to reinstate.
Driving without car insurance, however, can cost you much more than just a fine. If you are in an accident, you can be held financially responsible for the other person’s vehicle and medical expenses. In addition, you will likely be ticketed for driving without insurance. These expenses can far outweigh anything you might pay in insurance fees.
In addition you will have to pay to have your own vehicle repaired or replaced. In the interim time, you may have to pay for a rental vehicle to take you to and from work and fulfill other duties for which you need a vehicle. This can sometimes be several weeks. The cost you pay for the rental vehicle is often a significant amount of money.
Additionally, you will want comprehensive coverage on the vehicle that will pay in cases of theft, vandalism or for breakage of glass. Car thefts are far more common than we want to think. Stolen cars are often driven until they are wrecked or damaged. They may also be stripped and the parts sold. Even when the car is recovered, it has often been damaged beyond repair.
Newer vehicles are often required to have comprehensive coverage by the loan company. If you do not have the insurance the finance company will purchase their own insurance on the vehicle that offers you no coverage, but will pay off the loan if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. This insurance is very costly and will be added to the end of your loan on the vehicle.
Comparison shopping for insurance is a great way to save money that you pay for insurance. There are many companies that offer free insurance quotes. You will find several of these companies online. For the most accurate quotes, go ahead and give your personal information. Then once you have collected three to five quotes from different companies, take time to compare each quote to find the best price for your insurance.
The price that is paid for peace of mind can often be less by comparison shopping for insurance.
Looking for a quick and efficient roadside assistance service? As Canada’s largest automobile association, they have towing services, caa membership, and other services available to all their members. There’s even special promotions such as New York City vacation packages.
Tags: automobile, car, car insurance, family, Flights, Insurance, packages, tourism, Travel, travel insurance, trip, vacations, vehicle
Fiery Arenal Volcano: A Costa Rica Photography Delight
All our luggage and camera gear is packed in the van by 8 a.m. and we are on our way to our first destination, soon to become a real life adventure. We are on a photography tour so everyone is talking cameras and pictures. This is the first day, we are getting to know one another, and the level of excitement in the van is high looking forward to the tour.
Our destination is Arenal, an active Costa Rica volcano, but along the way there are some very interesting sights to see and photograph. We stop in Sarchi where decorated, brightly colored ox carts, famous in Costa rica, are made in a water powered factory which is 80 years old. After Sarchi we go to nearby mountainous Zarcero where there is an old wooden church and its amazing double row of beautiful topiaries. With the colours and patterns in Sarchi and the remarkable shapes of the topiaries in Zarcero there is no problem filling the memory cards of our cameras at these stops.
Along the way, the potholes in the roads are many. Our Tico driver, Luis, knows this and so drives extremely cautiously to avoid them. However, it seems like everyone else on two or four wheels pass us. Those passing us seem to believe that they are Formula One contenders and in Costa Rica there is even a bus driver who is known to have passengers find God while on his bus.
Lunch in La Fortuna follows and we are now approaching our lodge in Arenal. The road up to the Lodge is a continuous pothole because the rainy season has just ended and most roads are in horrible condition. Our road is unique because it was constructed with crushed lava.
We round a curve and a come to a clearing at a river and there is Arenal Volcano! Most have never been face to face with a volcano before and it is truly an awesome sight to see, a perfectly shaped volcano.
The top of the cone is shrouded with little fluffy white clouds against a blue sky. It is picture perfect and we quickly stop and everyone piles out of the van attaching cameras to tripods, some of us wading into the river to capture an image from a different perspective and others shooting from the riverbanks.
Arenal is highly monitored and quite predictable so even being this close the volcano holds little risk of a sudden, catastrophic eruption, though small eruptions are very common. The base of the volcano is 1 km from the lodge and the cone is 2 km away, which gives the guests at this lodge many opportunities to experience the volcanic activity.
Getting settled in while we are unpacking mighty Arenal speaks! It roars as smoke and gas billow hundreds of feet into the sky and we hear the rocks tumbling down the slopes. The Mantled Howler monkeys are extremely vocal following the eruption, however, we do not know if this is in protest of the roar or if they are just responding to its call.
While sitting in the lodge dining room enjoying our dinner Arenal speaks again. Everyone had been told of the many photo opportunities in Costa Rica but who would imagine eating dinner and having something like this happen? And this was only our first day of the tour!
Most of us do not get much sleep for the first two nights. Instead, we find some comfortable chairs in the common area outside our rooms and attach cable releases to our cameras and put them on a tripod. From past experiences I decide to use an 80-200mm lens set at 80mm and an aperture of f8, the camera shutter set at “B” for time exposure.
With the activity of the small flare-ups at the cone and the lava flowing down the opposite side I think a time exposure of more than twenty minutes will produce an ugly yellow blob of light, so if there had been no eruptions after this length of time I will close the shutter and start another exposure. Using a cable release makes these exposures very easy and Arenal puts on quite a display while we are there.
Arenal is the first adventure in Costa Rica for my photo group. With another eight days of photography everybody is looking forward to the next destination that is going to be just as exciting.
Tags: adventure travel, costa rica, costa rica photography, ecotourism, environment, family travel, living in costa rica, nature, Photography, photography tour, tourism, Travel
United Kingdom to Marseille
Marseille is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in France. There are flights from the UK to Marseille from both London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Marseille Provence Airport is the city’s main airport and is the fourth largest airport in France. Expect to see both tourists and business travelers crowding its terminals. The city also has an excellent public transportation system.
It is located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest commercial port in the country. The old port area that was popular prior to the’70s oil crisis has been redeveloped with an investment from the European Union.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight pass through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. The city is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille has mild winters and hot summers. The coldest months of the year are January and February, with July and August being the area’s hottest months. Harsh, cold winds blow into the city from the Alps in the winter and spring.
The city also boasts Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in France. The research center employs thousands of scientists.
In addition to industry, plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and theaters can be found in this city. Culture lovers are especially enamored of Marseille due to the large number of theaters in the city, including la Crie, le Gymnase and the theatre Toursky. The Marseille Opera is also very popular, with a season from September to June.
Like other areas of France, Marseille is well-known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, which is an alcoholic beverage similar to beer made with aniseed and spice. Other popular items are aioli (mayonnaise) served on fish or hardboiled eggs, tapenade, bouillabaisse, panisse, and navette. All dishes are made with local ingredients, which make them very flavorful. Many restaurants can be found in the city?s Old Port area, which is the site of a daily fish market. The Old Port area is very beautiful at night, making it a popular spot for a long evening meal.
Beautiful architecture can also be found in the city, including the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in France, the Museum of Old Marseille and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port.
With all that the city has to offer to visitors, it is easy to see why Marseille is growing in popularity with travelers.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Marseille
Tags: airlines, aviation, cheap flights, europe, Flights, leisure, tourism, Travel, uk
Beaches in Costa Rica: Unparalleled Beauty And Reputation
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, world-famous for its beaches, tropical mountains, and volcanoes. Beaches in Costa Rica are unbeatable in their beauty. There are white, brown, and black sand beaches, coral beaches, and rugged boulder strewn beaches with magnificent surf, along two oceans.
The Caribbean beaches were first discovered and explored by Christopher Columbus, who was so taken that he named his discovery Costa Rica, the rich coast. The Spanish were soon followed by English sea captains like Sir Francis Drake (he is the same fellow who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588). Indeed, Drake Bay along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is named for this captain who docked there on his explorations.
Do not be fooled. Columbus and Drake did not discover everything here. There are still a lot of things for vacationers to discover for themselves. Costa Rica has nearly 800 miles of shoreline. The Caribbean coast has far less development and a unique Caribbean flavor. This is Bob Marley country. The Pacific Coast is much more developed and popular for both tourists and expats—and from December to May has almost no rain, to boot.
With year-round warm weather, a great tourism infrastructure, and friendly folks who like Americans, Canadians, and Europeans (and everybody else) tourists flock to Costa Rica. They take advantage of warm, clean waters, two fantastic coastlines, and almost limitless attractions close-at-hand. Fishing, surfing, rafting, hiking, ecotourism, swimming, adult nightlife, volcanoes, and tropical mountains are just a few of the attractions.
You could spend years trying to discover the beauty of all the beaches in Costa Rica but, even then that may not be enough time. So, my recommendation for first timers is the Nicoya Peninsula on the north Pacific coast. It is filled with stunning beaches and you will probably have a hard time deciding which is your favorite.
One of the more famous beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula is Playa Grande. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of an ancient people because it is situated on the site of their burial ground. It is a great beach for surfing, and there is camping in the area, though you may find some clothing optional folks.
It is impossible to name or describe all the wonderful beaches in Costa Rica. This little country is dedicated to sustainable development and takes pride in what it calls its Blue Flag beaches. In a country filled with great beaches these are the cleanest, most pristine of them all. For those who like to be alone on the beach, Playa Grande, Mal Pais, Bahia Ballena, and Hermosa (not to mention hundreds more) beckon like a siren. For those who like the beach and an active adult nightlife, Jaco and Tamarindo are very popular.
Regardless of which beach you choose, whether Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal, Tambor, or some beach without a name, if you enjoy beach life, a wonderful experience is awaiting you. Some of the beaches are easy to reach by car or bus. Others require more unconventional means, like flying into nearby areas or boating or even hiking. But the trouble of getting to them makes the stay all that much more worthwhile.
Tags: adult nightlife, adventure, beaches, costa rica, Costa Rica beaches, destinations, family, fishing, recreation, sports, surfing, tourism, Travel, vacations
The Tourist Attractions That Shape England’s History
Throughout England and Britain there are many attractions that are rich in historical wonder and that make Britain one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Many of these attractions are located in the capital city of London, but there are plenty outside London as well, in fact, pretty much every county or city in England has a rich and full history, complete with landmarks.
One of the most famous stone monuments in history is located in Wiltshire and has been the subject of much speculation over many years. There is still no solid evidence of why it was built or when, but historians believe that it once served as a burial ground and is around 5500 years old.
The overall creation of this monument is thought to have been spread over a long period of time (between 1500 and 6500 years!) and the stones themselves are thought to have travelled a long way before reaching their destination in Wiltshire.
There have been attempts at modern reconstructions of carrying the stones across the length that they were supposed to have travelled, but all have failed as they have been required to cross rivers and gorges among other things, which would be pretty tricky when carrying stones that weigh several tons.
Another part of England’s history is the famous tale of Robin Hood. In the city of Nottingham where his deeds are said to have taken place, you can visit his statue near the castle in the city centre and visit Sherwood forest, his supposed hideout. It hasn’t been proven whether the tales of Robin Hood are based on fact, or are entirely fictional, but there are certainly many historical references to him in various pieces of literacy, some dating back as far as the 13th century.
Of course, a place that holds a highly notable place in the countries history is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of possibly the greatest playwright of all time. It is not only home to the house that William Shakespeare was born in, but it is a beautifully quaint town with a picturesque feel to it, outside Henley street that is. Henley street is the street on which Shakespeare’s old house is located, and it is one of the most visited places in the country.
Accomodation is a key component in any great trip. If you don’t have a top quality hotel, it can bring the rest of the trip down. The good news is that England is home to a range of the world’s finest hotels so no matter where abouts you plan to visit, the chances are you won’t be far from some world class accomodation.
Tags: accomodation, attractions, england, Entertainment, history, Hotels, locations, lodgings, site seeing, tourism, tourist locations, Travel, travel and tourism, uk
A Weekend in the Cloud Forest
It’s Saturday a.m. in the cloud forest. The local market is going on and I’d normally get there early to get first pick on the organic vegetables. The kids run around the marketplace while the parents shop, and have a breakfast prepared by local senior citizens. This morning I’m taking it easy and downing my coffee, doing some work online, and cleaning house. A little later I’ll take a yoga class in preparation for an ultimate Frisbee match.
If you’re ever around here on a Saturday morning, you should visit the Friends School and play around with us. Normally, when it’s raining, though, we don’t play. It’s a great way to meet the local community. Families from all over the mountain and run around playing. It good fun and great exercise. This, along with yoga, keeps me in shape.
Some buddies are coming in today from Sacramento. They’re supposed to get in on the afternoon bus, so it looks like they won’t make it to the game, but I have something pretty special in store for them. After leaving their luggage at my place, I’m going to take them into the forest on some great hikes that only the locals know about.
I’ll then take my friends on a canopy tour. When I arrived here years ago I did some freelance guiding for a few of the tour operations here. I can’t think of a more exciting way to introduce my friends to the cloud forest ecosystem. From a birds eye perspective in the dense canopy is an experience that will spark their curiosity and inspire awe…
For me there is something so primitive in being so high up in a tree. There is always a bit of fear there. To be at the top of one of these ancient, high altitude trees, is absolutely fascinating. When clouds wisp by and the views open up to the lowlands and the Pacific Ocean.
You connect to cables from a pulley and harness, and swoop across from tree platform to tree platform, and you’re standing in a tropical setting, jungle moss curtains all around, small creeks running below, and tropical birds zipping in and out of view. From miles away you can hear the daunting calls of Congo monkeys.
From each platform you’ll see that the trees are covered with life. Mini-orchids cover the branches and lichenous moss create a carpet of moist vegetation to give life to bromeliads and parasitic plants. Many of the bromeliads are filled with water, dew drops that have condensed and dripped into the center of each, giving the perfect environment for frogs to lay their eggs.
The cloud forest is a magic place. Darkness and Light merge into a something similar to an underwater seascape. Its as if you are floating across an ocean of jungle at incredible speed, stopping at each platform to explore the endless lifescape of each parcel of jungle.. Each branch is brimming with life. Army ants, Stingless wasps, vicious toucans raid nests of blue warblers. The cloud forest offers much to be discovered.
Tags: canopy tours, costa rica, eco tours, leisure, Monteverde, tourism, tours, Travel, zip line tours
Our family’s Vacation in Costa Rica
My family and I recently went on a long awaited family vacation to Costa Rica. Some time ago we had seen a television program highlighting all of the great adventures that destination held. For a family of nature freaks, such as we are, it seemed ideal and my family hasnt let me forget about it since.
Costa Rica, as the program described, is a small Central American country encompassing no more than 31,682 square miles. It is known for being peaceful and even gained a Nobel Peace prize for its efforts in brokering a peace accord in neighboring Central American countries where conflict existed. Over 12% of its land is protected and it is considered to have one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on the planet.
Monteverde was to be our first destination on our itinerary. Green Mountain as it were, was settled by a group of Quakers who arrived to the area around 1951. They were attracted to Costa Rica after the abolition of its army and choose the area that would become Monteverde because it seemed conducive to the diary farming that was their trade. After scientists realized the significance of the delicate micro-system of its surrounding cloud forests, they began to protect the nearby forests.
As it turns out, our first adventure was the drive up the mountain. Monteverde sits at nearly 4,500 feett in elevation and the road to reach these elevations is nothing less than spine tingling with views to match. To the West, it looks out on the Gulf of Nicoya with stunning sunsets escaping over the Peninsula on the other side of the gulf. As we climb, we arrive ever closer to the continental divide and as such the scenery and greenery begin to shift.
The plan was to spend our first morning ziplining at a place called Selvatura. After awakening to a symphony of nature just outside our cabin we ate breakfast and drank fresh Costa Rican coffee as we waited for the shuttle to pick us. We choose Selvatura for our zipline experience ironically, because they offer so much more. They host an unparalleled bridge system through the forest canopy, a magnificent butterfly garden the most extensive insect museum in the country probably more I am not aware of.
Our dream for sometime had been the zipline canopy tours and that was to be our first adventure. The sensation of flying through the forest canopy suspended by nothing more than a steel cable was exhilarating beyond words! Fortunately, because of the way it was built, it also felt totally safe for my kids to do as well.
We stayed in Monteverde long enough to enjoy much of what it has to offer. We explored the local nature reserves, enjoyed a night hike through the Childrens Eternal Rainforest and headed out on horseback to witness the majesty of nearby, Volcan Arenal. This active and picture perfect volcano, is set against the tranquility of lake Arenal.
As our plane took off and the beauty of Costa Rica faded into the distance, we discussed the favorite parts of our journey. It was fairly unanimous that the ziplines had won but the competition was stiff. After all, how do you choose one extraordinary adventure over another?
Tags: adventure tours, canopy tours, costa rica, eco tours, leisure, Monteverde, tourism, tours, Travel, zip line tours
Toronto Harbour, A New Tourist Destination
Toronto Harbour is basically located in Canada at the north side of Lake Ontario. The waves of Lake Ontario do not affect this harbour as this harbour is guarded by the island. If you are visiting Toronto with your family then you cannot afford to miss this particular place. In Toronto, this is one of the most favored tourist spots.
Now you must be thinking that what makes this place so happening? Well, there are lots of reasons for it. This place has got all the features to be an ideal holiday destination. The extremely beautiful climate of this place makes the harbour look much more stunning. Not only this, the recreational activities work as an icing on the cake. Here you can do a lot of fun in terms of various water sports.
If you are a creative person and crave for art and films then also this place has got a lot to offer you. Every year in this harbour many festivals take place. And one of such festivals is the Toronto International Film Festival. Here you can witness some of the great works of the finest directors. Also, you can enjoy various other events out here. There are lots of ways in which you can explore this winter city.
If you are interested in parties and looking for some interesting parties at Toronto Harbour then enjoy the Caribana festival with your family and kids. This particular festival will force you to forget all sorrows and will make you party and dance.
Some of the other festivals which are performed at this place are Canadian exhibition of art and many more. So you can see there is a lot you can do at this beautiful waterfront area. Even if you want, you can enjoy the boat cruise ride at the harbour where you can host your private events also. Enjoy your holidays at the cruise with some great food. And of course! How can you forget the beauty of the harbour itself?
If you are a person who just loves shopping then also Toronto Harbour is the right place for you. You will find some of the best market places where you can shop a lot. Other than this you can go for various cruise rides also. If you are a food lover then here you will get various opportunities to taste some really delicious dishes at various restaurants at the harbour.
So forget all calculation and tensions regarding vacation. If you are looking for nice and enjoyable time at the waterfront, then Toronto Harbour is the perfect choice. It offers the brilliant combination of fun and peace!
If visiting the Toronto Harbour inspires your adventurous and fun loving side, then Toronto cruises are perfect for you! Tourists and vacationers can find plenty of excitement abroad the luxurious Toronto boat cruises.
Tags: boats, Cruises, destinations, lake ontario, toronto, toronto cruises, toronto harbour, toronto tourism, tourism, tourist destination, Travel, Vacation
Entertaining The Whole Family While Visiting The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has been on of Australia’s leading tourist areas, with everything from wine vineyards to jet boats. Here are just some of the activities that people have been enjoying over the years. To start with there is feasting On Seafood. Since fresh seafood is a standard on most menus throughout Gold Coast, your choices for a seafood feast are practically endless. You can also purchase your own fresh seafood from Charis Seafood, Peters Fish Market or Ferry Road Market. Another option would be to hire a boat or take a chartered fishing expedition or crab cruise, and catch your own seafood feast.
For The Adrenalin Rush: There are a variety of thrill seeking activities for you to partake in, if you are looking for that perfect adrenalin rush. With Jet skiing, bungy jumping, helicopter tours and much, the Gold Coast is on its way to being known as the adventure capital of Australia.
Cheer on the Local Team: The Gold Coasts population is increasing at the rate of knots and with it, its sporting power. A day at an Australian Rules football game, or rugby or basketball or local iron man contest is a great way to keep the whole family entertained. The Titans in the NRL and the Blaze in the NBL both turned two in their respective codes this season. An AFL team will join the fun by 2011 officially and Gold Coast United is the A-Leagues most colorful new addition.
And if the thrill of bungy jumping and helicopter travel is to much for you then why not spend a lazy day whale watching on the whale, island and sunset evening cruises as offered by Whales in Paradise. As far as theme parks go, no visit to the Gold Coast would be complete without a visit to the Australian Outback Spectacular. This park offers an unsurpassed take on Outback life featuring live action shows, authentic Outback food and live music and is currently featuring a show that pays tribute to the Australian Light Horse Cavalry. Finally, end the evening off with a visit to the ’spook-tacular’ Dracula’s Cabaret and Restaurant to be entertained by the lively Vampirates or to take a tour through Dracula’s Haunted House.
Take A Ride In The Sky: Although a ride in a hot air balloon is not cheap, prices starting at $175.00 per person, it is really worth the price. It is an grand experience, floating over the Gold Coast, taking in the spectacular views from Brisbane to Mt. Warning.
Gold Coast is a beautiful location to visit and a Gold Coast accommodation is easy to decide on, if you go to www.goldcoastinformation.com.au. They have information on different Gold Coast activities, Gold Coast hotels and much more.
Tags: adventure, Australia, Australian sports, Entertainment, Gold Coast, gold coast dining, holiday, hot air balloon ride, seafood, short trip. getaway, tourism, Vacation
