Aurlandsdalen Park

Aurlandsdalen River

At the heart of the land they call it a paradise as there’s a lot of travelers and tourists who know these Norwegian lands, the Aurlandsdalen Park, one of the biggest attractions of the continent and the one that you know to be surely the representative image of the beautiful Norway ocean.

Aurlandsdalen Cliffs

Aurlandsdalen Cabin in the woods

One of the most beautiful parks where green forests and clear lakes are the essential part is Bialowieski Park. As you can imagine from the sound of the name, it is a park that belongs to Poland. A strictly natural park without canteens, restaurants, hotels, as it is home to exotic birds, wild animals and forest varieties. Truly a natural paradise untouched by man.

Aurlandsdalen Waterfalls

Bialowieski Park Autumn

Knowing them and discovering them is the proposition of these adventures by two of the hundred most beautiful parks in Europe. There is so many that you will always a viable destination for a natural trip to a wonderful park.

Bialowieski Park Field

Bialowieski Park Moss Trunk

European Parks photos: Michal Sleczek, Joseph ZZ, znieba, Vegard Roine Stenerud, Elena Schevardo, Mrs.Snowman, Andreas Hessvik Troite.

Tokomok Kyrgyz

Kyrgyz Alatau Range

Discover everything Kyrgyz has to offer as the natural will lead you on an entertaining journey with a variety of activities to enjoy, from hiking to the highest point of Kyrgyz, the majestic mountains of Tian Shan also to be known as the Celestial Mountains which extend throughout the region with an altitude of 7439 meters!

Tian Shan Celestial Mountains

Kyrgyz Village

Yurt at Karakul Lake

Kyrgyz also offers endless recreational activities such as skiing, climbing, parapenting and many more. For the more ambitious traveler you may follow the Silk Road to Kashgar in China crossing the border at Torugart pass near the beautiful lake Chatyr-Kul.

Silk Road

Chatyr-Kul Lake

Kyrgyz photos: Kyrgyz Tim, Retlaw Snellac, Walter-Ego, Marusia, neiljs, spearhawk.

The view from Meteora

Meteora Monastery Greece

The Monastery of St. Nicholas is the first found in the journey from Kastraki Meteora. It was decorated by the Cretan painter Strelitzas or Bathas Theophanis in 1527. The Monastery of St. Stephen is the Katholikon which honors St. Charalambos and was built in 1798. The old refectory is used as a museum. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is the one the visitor has to cross the valley and climb to the top of the rock to reach. It was built approximately on 1475. The small skeuophylakeion was added to the church in 1684.

Greek Monastery

Monastery on top of Meteora

The Monastery of the Transfiguration also known as the Great Meteor is the largest of the monasteries. The Katholikon church is dedicated to the Transfiguration was erected in the mid fourteenth century and decorated between 1483 and 1552. The old monastery is used as a museum. Opening hours are 9.00 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 17.00 for winter and 9.00 to 13.00 and 15.20 to 18.00 for summer. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Meteora Peaks

Meteora Greece

The Rousanou Monastery is also dedicated to the Transfiguration but pays homage to Santa Barbara. It was founded in the mid sixteenth century and decorated in 1560. The opening hours are 9.00 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 17.00 for winter and 9.00to 17.50 for summer. This one is closed on Wednesday. The Varlaam Monastery was built for St. Varlaam and is the second largest after the Great Meteoro. The church pays homage to the three Bishops. It was built around 1541 and decorated in 1548.

Meteora Panorama

Meteora photos: Kiril Keranski, Dan Chiriac.

Savings on offer include up to 40 off flotilla holiday in Turkey with process starting at just £299 based on 4 people sharing a 32 foot yacht, inclusive of flights, transfers, yacht fuel and end cleaning as well as the services of an experienced and knowledgeable lead yacht crew. Departure dates under offer range from May half term up to July with yachts from 32 to 50 feet. Significant savings are also available in Greece on both the North and South Ionian flotiillas departing from Lefkas and the Saronic and Argolic Gulf flotilla sailing from the Island of Poros.

There are late season savings on Seafarer’s new Dodecanese island flotilla sailing between Rhodes and Kos, and a range of bareboat specials including half price one way deals from Lefkas to Corfu  in Greece and Gocek to Orhaniye in Turkey.

For those seeking to take a back seat and let others do all the work, Seafarer’s fully crewed and serviced cabin charter programme in the Cyclades offers 7 nights sailing between Lavrion (near Athens) and Santorini from only £499 half board, whilst a 2 week circular route in the Cyclades starts at only £995.

Seafarer’s small and friendly Beach Clubs also have some early season Bargains on offer with free tuition and unlimited use of an excellent range of sailing equipment at Nikiana Beach Club in Lefkas starting at just £499 for7 nights in June.

The Nautica Bay beach club in Porto Heli on Greece’s Peloponnese coast offers free half board and discounts of up to 15%.

For the pick of Seafarer’s sailing specials see their website: www.seafarersailing.co.uk or call 0208 324 3118.

Family holidays

While organising any trip is a process we’d all like to avoid, some of our most cherished and unforgettable childhood memories come from being on holiday. Therefore, creating new moments and experiences to remember for a lifetime is incredibly important for our own offspring.

Traditional family holidays
In the days before the whole world was on our doorstep, taking a break from the norm was a fairly mundane process. The seaside never seemed that far away, while camping in the country was a regular occurrence. Back then, the Isle of Wight was considered exotic and the south of France seemed a million miles away.

From personal experience, digging a hole in the sand with Dad or having to endure Mum’s questionable cooking on the portable stove will stay with me forever. However, it is these incidents than live longest in the memory and provide us with numerous stories to recall over the years.

Still, our parents and elderly family members knew the value of spending time together and recognised the importance of going away. Not necessarily to experience a new country or different way of life, but to enjoy each other’s company and share a moment in time together.

A new world
While we all hope to recreate long-lasting memories for our own family, there is now a greater opportunity to give youngsters some life-changing experiences. With numerous destinations around the world more accessible than ever before, parents have the chance to take their children on thrilling adventures.

What’s more, cheap family holidays 2013 are plentiful and available all-year round, so getting away from the regular routine has never been easier.

Traveling to destinations with a rich culture and diverse history broadens an inquisitive kid’s mind, without having a tedious focus on education and learning. Just being away from home stirs the senses and opens the mind.

Sure there is still the prospect of leaving a child with humiliating memories from their embarrassing parents, but once again they are sure to reminisce and treasure these times forever.

Guayaquil Museum

Guayaquil Painted Horse Statue

In the center of Guayaquil you’ll find destinations like the Malecon 2000 which is a must visit commercial and tourist area for every tourist where you will find monuments, gardens, viewpoints, museums, shopping, bars, restaurants, etc.. The Provisora is the largest building in Guayaquil, the Barrio las Peñas is where after traveling a path of more than three hundred steps you arrive at a viewpoint where we can see the whole city, the Malecón del Salado is ideal for a family day admiring the best of the flora and fauna of Guayaquil and the Rocks is the oldest district of Guayaquil.

Guayaquil Wall Painting

Guayaquil Malecon 2000

Among the main cultural attractions to be found in Guayaquil are the churches, the same as imposing buildings have a unique level of detail. We also have the great forest guard Cerro Blanco who has everything in a complete system for nature trails. During our walk we find a lot of species of animals like the iconic Guayaquil Macaw who is at risk of extinction.

Guayaquil Botanical Gardens

Guayaquil Enveloped in Darkness

If we talk about tourism in Guayaquil, we can not ignore the botanical garden of Guayaquil that distributes among it more than fifty acres of a variety of plants and flowers of different species. It is also known as the city of the orchid. Finally, during the evening it’s a great idea to take a stroll through the Guayaquil Historical Park and visit all kinds of restaurants to finish cultural sightseeing with the best of the gastronomy of this city.

Guayaquil nightlife

Guayaquil Bridge during the Night

Guayaquil photos: barrybar, juancarlos1969, Emily Bell, Johnny Chunga, Tony Arce, meseontour, Guillermo Alessandri, frank skokoski.

Valencia Hillsides

The route is circular and is done by 75% for road and track. Before hiking you might consider whether you have all the Jeep Accessories necessary. For hiking in an appropriate way, it is advisable to have trekking poles, water bottle, sunscreen, step hats, sunglasses, boots and light clothing. Other recommended path is The Marsh of the Lagoon. In over ten miles linear path, this trail has its way 100% traveled with little inclination making it ideal for touring with the family, including children.

Valencia Hillside Hiking

To enjoy this trail, it is recommended to traverse between the months of October to February and always wear light clothing and footwear.

Valencia Crossing River

Valencia photos: puck90, Mike Baird.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu Traditions

The tradition is quite a story to discuss since it corresponds to Naghol ceremony where about 20 characters of the tribes are tied at the ankles with ropes off roots and vines uploaded on a high platform, usually the top of the mountain to jump into the void and then return to the top.

Volcanic Island of Vanuatu

Champagne Bay

Today this ceremony has become a bit more crowded and therefore more lucrative because the tribe now repeats the ceremony several times a day. During the peak season Pentecost discovered that they could earn more than meet their ceremonies but even so, the tribe manages to present mysticism and restlessness of their rites and dances before the ceremony.

Finding a Seat

Old School Bungee

A feeling of excitement and dynamism is perceived around the tribe and visitors seeing as they are the youngest in jumping first. Since then to appreciate this interesting ceremony you also have at your disposal other joyful activities in the region.

Cascade Falls

Vanuatu photos: Aubrey Leopold, Tom Pfeiffer, eGuide Travel, Chris&Steve, Tom Perry, tugboat.

Akropolis

Port of Piraeus is recognized as the oldest port of Athens, Piraeus port has three natural harbors and is one of the most important trade centers in the Mediterranean Sea. Syntagma Square is located in the center of what is known as the modern Athens. The square is home to the Parliament of Athens and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. Here we can also see the evzones who are the Athens National Guard. Lake Marathon is located in the northern part of Athens. This artificial lake structure is recognized by the white Pentelic marble that has been used for its coating. The National Gardens are located in central Athens. These gardens were created in the nineteenth century and are ideal for an afternoon or for a walk with your pet which may have gotten tired of staying in the car with all those pet barriers all the time. Nearby you can find attractions such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Herodes Atticus Street and Zappeion.

Athens

Monastiraki Square is the square where we can visit not only the Orthodox monastery but around it we will also find a typical street market popular with tourists. The Lake of Vouliagmeni is where we will find an ideal spa to visit all year because its hot springs maintain an average temperature of 24 degrees. If we can spend between eight to fifteen euros to pay for tickets to some attractions in Athens, we recommend not missing the Ancient Agora, Lisícrates Lantern, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Acropolis and the Ceramic.

Athens Statues

Athens photos: Visit Greece, LachieB1, Salar Hassani.

Summer Sailstice Flag

Summer Sailstice boat making

Each year the celebration of Summer Sailstice connects more than 15.000 sailors worldwide including professionals, amateurs, cruisers, sailors to unite and enjoy a day of sailing. The date of this year’s is the weekend starting on the 22nd of June. Tradition has it that the celebrations take place every year the weekend nearest to summer solstice. It is also a great opportunity to show the world what sailing has in store and what it’s all about.

Summer Sailstice Sailing

Summer Sailstice Two ships

To participate all you have to do is sign up on the official website where navigation plans are indicated. In that page you can also consult cruises planned for the rest of sailors who join the celebration of the summer solstice at sea. For those participating there will also be rewards to win during the whole celebration revolving around sailing.

Summer Sailstice 2013

Summer Sailstice photos: lisabat, louis benainous.