Adventure Travel – Fantastic Five Mountaineering Travel Destinations

Mountaineering is definitely one of the best adventure sport or hobby. Mountaineering, adventures travel how it all started? It initially started as an attempt to reach the top of the peak or climbing unclimbed mountains. Mountaineering could be visiting snow covered mountains or traveling in glaciers or ice. Here is a small list of top 5 mountaineering travel destinations around the world.

1. The Alps, Europe

The Alps, Europe - One of the best mountaineering travel destinations

The first place that comes to our mind when talking about mountaineering or adventure travel is “The Alps.” Alps stretch from Austria in the east to Switzerland, Germany to France in the west. There are more than 40 alpine peaks in Alps and some of the most prominent peaks are Mont Blanc, Finsteraarhorn, Großglockner, Wildsptize, Monte Rosa, Dom, etc.

There are five climatic zones in the Alps, which include névé zone, alpine zone, subalpine zone, arable zone and lowlands. Summer is the best time for adventure sports like mountaineering, paragliding, tobogganing, hiking, etc. You will be able to watch spectacular scenes of flora and fauna on the way to the top of the Alps.

2. Pyrenees, Europe

Fromigal, a ski resort in Pyrenees

Pyrenees lies in southwest Europe and forms a natural border between the countries France and Spain. Pyrenees is divided into three main sections called the Atlantic, the Central and the Eastern Pyrenees. These are much older than the Alps. It is the place for the highest waterfall Gavarnie.

Pyrenees is just not a best place for mountaineering, but also famous for mineral springs and hot springs. Some of the best and well known hot springs include Les Escaldes, Eaux-Chaudes, Ax-les-Thermes, etc. It is also a best place for alpine skiing. You can see a lot of athletes taking their training in Pyrenees. It is a place for a number of ski resorts and summits.

3. Rocky Mountains, North America

Lake Moraine, Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains stretch from the British Columbia in the north to the United States in the southwest and are one of the most important mountains for adventure sports like mountaineering.

Rocky Mountains are home for various national parks and forest lands. When it comes to outdoor adventure or adventure travel, Rocky Mountains definitely offer many options. These are not only the best place for mountaineering, but also for camping, hunting, fishing, etc. These are also best place for winter sports and are home for lots of ski resorts.

4. Himalayas, Asia

Mount Everest, a prominent peak in the Himalayas

Image source: Wikipedia

One other place that people think of when it comes to mountaineering is the Himalayas. Himalayas contain 14 highest mountains in the world and over 700 peaks that are over 7200 meters. Himalayas are referred as “The Roof of the World.”

Trekking and mountaineering are the most popular activities in the Himalayas. It is also a place for various mountain passes like Banihal, Rohtang pass, Mohan pass, etc. Some of the prominent peaks in the Himalayas are Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, etc.

5.  Coast Mountains, North America

Juneau Icefield, Coast Mountains

Coast Mountains are major mountain ranges in the western North America and is virtually found all of the Coast of British Columbia. Mount Waddington, the highest mountains of British Columbia is in Coast Mountains.

This is one of the most sought after mountaineering spot. This is a place for glaciated peaks and home for some of the high-prominence peaks like Monarch Mountain, Skihist Mountain, Mount Ratz, etc. The climates are dry and warm in summer and dry and cold in winter.

Enjoy a trip to these adventurous travel destinations around the world.

References:

Mountaineering

Read More

Fantastic Floating Islands Around the World

When we hear the word island the first nation that comes up in our mind is Mauritius; does this mean Mauritius is the only island that is worth visiting for a traveler? Is Mauritius the only travel destination when it comes to island? There are many other fantastic and far-fetching islands across the globe. Shall we look at these islands?

Floating islands, have you heard of them? Floating islands are generally a natural phenomenon and are either a mass of floating aquatic plants or mud or peat. Floating islands are otherwise referred as tussocks, floatons or sudds. Here is a sneak preview of some of the fantastic and out of this world floating islands.

1. Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Amantani Islands in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Lake Titicaca in Bolivia is a place for a number of floating islands, both natural and artificially created. The shape of this lake resembles a puma hunting a rabbit. Floating islands of Lake Titicaca include Amantani, Taquile, Isla del Sol, Isla de la Luna, Suriqui and Uros. Isla del Sol is one of the largest islands in Lake Titicaca. Motor vehicles are not allowed in these floating islands, they rely on manual labor for farming and fishing; however, these lakes have few steamships. Majority of the people in these islands rent their homes for tourists and serve them home cooked food.

2. Loktak Lake, India

Phumdis in Loktak Lake, India

Image source: Wikipedia

Loktak lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and contains floating islands called Phumdis’ these are exclusive to Lake Loktak of India and is in Manipur state. This floating island has the largest floating park in the world called “The Keibul Lamjao National Park.” Phumdis are heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter covering an area of 15.4 sq miles. Visitors can enjoy different geometrically shaped phumids in Loktak Lake.

3. Vlasina Lake, Serbia

Vlasina Lake, Serbia

Image source: Wikipedia

Vlasina Lake is a semi-artificial lake in Serbia that has two islands, namely, Dugi del and Stratorija; these two islands are permanent islands. Floating islands occur in this lake when the water breaks from a height to tiny chunks of peat. The largest floating island in Vlasina Lake is the “Moby-Dick” with an area of 8 ha.

Many more lakes have floating islands built artificially that look so natural. Stay tuned to know the artificially created floating islands around the world.

Read More

Remarkable Roadside Animal Attractions around the World

Everyone of us love to see the popular tourist attractions when traveling to various travel destinations like Europe, Australia, Asia, America, etc. These popular visitor attractions may be monuments, museums, parks, beaches, and much more. Many travelers love visiting the countryside, but how many love visiting a strange yet different attraction on the roadside. Yes, know some of the most amazing work of art on the roadside, popularly known as the roadside attractions around the world. Know the roadside animal attractions (listed in alphabetical order) around the world.

1. American Bison, Jamestown, North Dakota

World's Largest Buffalo (Dakota Thunder), Jamestown, North Dakota

This tallest American Bison was built by Harold Newman, a businessman. This statue is 26 feet tall and 46 feet long. This statue was created mainly to attract visitors to Jamestown and I am sure they have succeeded.

This American Bison stands on the National Buffalo Museum and is one of the major roadside animal attractions around the world. Jamestown is nicknamed “The Buffalo City” after this giant American Bison structure; this structure itself has another name, which is Dakota Thunder.

2. Big Duck, Flanders, New York

The Big Duck, Flanders, New York

Farmer Martin Maurer created big Duck in Flanders as a part of advertising. He and his wife were looking for a best place to sell their ducks and duck eggs. I would have never thought of creating a structure like this to sell duck eggs…amazing creativity, am I right?

Big Duck, why called so? The size of this unusual structure is 18 feet wide, 30 feet long and 20 feet tall. Over the years, Big Duck has been shifted to a few places; however, it was first constructed at the busy street of Riverhead town in New Jersey between 1930 and 1931. Big Duck is a structure made of ferrocement, a combination of Portland cement and sand. This roadside attraction was listed in 2008 on the National Register of Historic Places.

The advertising campaign of Martin Maurer was a great success as people started to throng Big Duck not only due to its prime location, but also because of its unusual and remarkable structure.

3. Big Merino, Goulburn, New South Wales

World's Largest Sheep, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia

Image source: Flickr

Big Merino is nicknamed “Rambo” by locals and has two shops in it; gift shop at first floor and wool display on the second floor. How big is Big Merino? It is 15 meter tall and is situated very close to the Hume Highway. This is one of the biggest roadside attractions in Australia. To get a clear view of the local area, you just have to climb to the top of the Big Merino and look through its eyes.

4. Big Sheep and Sheep Dog, Tirau, New Zealand

Big Sheep and Dog, Tirau, New Zealand

Image source: Flickr

Big Sheep and Sheep Dog is the information i-SITE Visitor Center of New Zealand and is a major roadside attraction. This is a large corrugated iron building; it is also called as the Big Dog Information Center.

This information center contains lots of mural paintings painted by Fred Luckman, a Tirau artist.

5. Dinosaur, Drumheller, Alberta

World's Largest Dinosaur, T-Rex

Image source: Flickr

This is the largest dinosaur in the world when it comes to roadside attractions and is actually a model of the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus Rex, or shortly T-Rex. This is made of fiberglass and is 25 m high and the length is 46 m. It is said that this structure is 4 times bigger than the size of an actual dinosaur.

There are 106 stairs in total, which the visitors can use to climb to reach the jaws (approximately 8 to 12 people can stand at the jaw at any given point of time) of the world’s largest dinosaur. From there, visitors can view the badlands; on the way to the top of the jaw, one can enjoy the mural paintings and fossils.

Hope you enjoyed these stunning animal roadside attractions across the world! Stay tuned for more roadside attractions.

References:

World’s Largest Dinosaur

Hampton Landmarks

Read More

Eight Exhilarating Indoor Water Parks around the World

Water parks, isn’t it fun to spin and splash in the water? How about enjoying water slides with family? Thinking of having a cup of hot coffee on a cold winter day and enjoying a water slide? Yes…you can do so now; thanks to indoor water parks. Majority of these indoor water parks have kiddie pools, playgrounds, wave pools, tube slides, body slides, water coasters, etc., the perfect place for a weekend escape with your family. Here is a small list of 8 exciting indoor water parks around the world.

1. World Waterpark, Edmonton, Canada

Thunderbolt sled slide, World Waterpark, Edmonton, Canada

This is one of the largest indoor water parks around the world and is located in the West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Canada. It is not only the largest indoor water park, but also has the world’s largest indoor wave pool with a capacity of 12.3 million litres.

They have classified the slides into various categories like beginner, intermediate, advanced, extreme and decommissioned slides. Beginner slides are the best for small children; dolphin kiddie pool is a small dolphin-themed play park for children. Another must use beginner slide is the Caribbean Cove. There are slides with bumps, steep drops, slide centered on sleds, etc., for the adults.

Do you have a fascination for hot tubs? World waterpark has two hot tubs; one single and one double. Enjoy a snack or a hot dog during a break and start to splash in the water again.

2. Splash Lagoon, Erie, Pennsylvania

Tiki Tree House, Splash Lagoon Waterpark, Pennsylvania

This is the large indoor water park in Pennsylvania and has seven water slides, three hot tubs, a children’s area, and loads of other attractions.

In the Wild Waters Wave Pool, enjoy the 200,000-gallon wave pool and six different wave patterns. Monkey Shines Island is the best place for children where there are pint-sized slides, shallow pool and various other activities for small children. Enjoy 1000 gallons of water dumping on you from a height of 48 feet at Bucket. Some of the must see water attractions at Splash Lagoon are Hurricane Hole, Paradise Cove, Shark Attack, Python Plunge, Big Kahuna, and Black Hole.

The resort arranges for shuttle services from hotels that are affiliated to the park and do not have direct transportation. It is necessary to wear a wristband when inside the Water Park.

3. Water Park of America, Bloomington, Minnesota

Wave Pool, Water Park of America, Minnesota

The tallest indoor water park in America located very close to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. This indoor water park is attached to the Radisson Hotel and is operated by Davidson Hotel Company.

Water Park of America has body slides, tube slides, wave pool, lazy river, flow rider, hot tubs, children’s area, etc.; a perfect indoor water park for the entire family. Enjoy 500 gallons of water dumped on you every 2 minutes and 15 seconds at Fort Snelling Play area; have a breathtaking view of the entire water park at Eagles Nest 5^th Floor Tube Slide; take a ride outside the water park building at Eagles Nest 7^th Floor Body Slide; or the fastest body slide at Eagles Nest 10^th Floor Body Slide. If you are fond of hot tubs, take a plunge at Isle Royal Hot Spring Hot Tubs.

Check out their website to know about the prices and offers as they change depending on the season.

4. H2Oasis Indoor Water Park, Anchorage, Alaska

H2Oasis Indoor Water Park, Alaska

Image source

H2Oasis Indoor Water Park, the fifth largest indoor water park in the United States is the best bet for water coasters, splash pools, wave pools and a host of other water slides.

How about enjoying a water coaster of 43 feet high, yes…it is the “Master Blaster.” Children can enjoy in the 12-inch-deep children’s lagoon. There are umpteen rides that include Lazy River, Beached Boat, Wave Pool, Pirate Ship, Water Cannons that makes the trip to H2Oasis Indoor Water Park memorable and exciting. One of the most fun ways to exercise is the Riverwalk; it is definitely enjoyable to walk on those slow moving water and then relaxing in the whirlpool spa.

This indoor water park offers both monthly and yearly memberships; you may be entitled for a discount if paid the membership in full.

5. Serena Aqua Park, Espoo, Helsinki

Serena Aqua Park, Helsinki

Image source

This is the biggest indoor water park in the Europe; it also has an outdoor water park area. Are you looking for an exciting and adventurous water slides? If yes, Serena Aqua Park is definitely the best.

You can enjoy a tropical climate almost all through the year; this indoor water park is a place where you can enjoy terraced pools, whirlpools, wave pools and water slides. Does your child accompany you and wondering what fun the little one will have in Serena? There are special splash pools for small children. It is a best place for a fun family time together.

There is no entrance fee for children under 4 years; however, for children under 10 years, parents must accompany them on all rides.

6. Alpamare, Bade Toelz, Bavaria

Alpamare Indoor Water park, Bavaria

Image source

Alpamare is the first indoor water park in Europe and the first one to have indoor surf wave. Experience swirls, eerie, sound effects, etc., as you slope down in Alpamere indoor water park. There are 7 slides in total with an area covering nearly 1000 meters.

It is very thrilling to experience Jacuzzis, massage jets, music pools and above all the indoor surf wave. The indoor surf wave is called the “Endless Peak” and as the name goes, there is no end to surfing here in the indoor surf wave.

7. Blue Lagoon Water Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Blue Lagoon Water Park interior, Wales

Source

Blue lagoon Water Park is one of the largest in Wales and is located in Bluestone holiday village; this is definitely one of the best indoor water parks that provide host of activities for the entire family.

They have an indoor wave machine, rapids river ride, and enclosed flume rides. Kids are sure to love the kiddie pool while the adults can race against each other on the water slides, go for an inside or outside Jacuzzi, or enjoy the lazy river.

Out of the 4 slides, 2 slides are completely dark and they are sure to add the excitement and enjoyment.

8. Fallsview Indoor Water Park, Casino Niagara, Ontario

Fallsview Indoor Water park slides

Source Wikipedia

Spread across an area of 2.9 acres, Fallsview Indoor Water Park is one among the best water parks in the world. The major attractions are the 7 pools and 16 water slides. This indoor water park is nicknamed “Niagara’s Wettest Wonder.”

Enjoy waves that are 3 to 4 feet high in the Tidal Wave, race side-by-side, drop at a great speed at Drop Canyon, enjoy a ride at Canadian Plunge that offer water centrifuge super bowl, relax yourself at the Horseshoe hot springs, and above all soak yourself at the Niagara Tipping Bucket that will spill nearly thousand gallons of water. There is also enough room for the kids to enjoy; children can take a dip in the Tiny Tots Splash Park or go wild at the Jungle Beach Playland.

Drench yourself in these amazing and enthralling water parks around the world.

Read More

Top 5 National Parks of Canada

Canada is famous for untouched landscape and preserving its natural beauty. Canada has 36 national parks and 6 national park reserves. Parks Canada, an agency of Government of Canada, maintains all these parks; the main aim of Parks Canada is to protect the rich natural and cultural heritage of Canada.

Here is a list of top 5 National Parks of Canada, which are also a part of World Heritage Site. These national parks are definitely a great tourist attraction as it is a treat to watch the lush green trees, glaciers, open meadows, wildlife, skiing area, etc.

1. Banff National Park

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

Image via dreamstime

Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada and was established in the year 1885. This is the best place for hot springs, snow-filled mountains, glaciers, lakes, limestone caves, icefields, open meadows, pine forests that include aspen, willow, etc. Is that all…no, you can also witness nearly 56 species of mammals and few reptile species.

Best time to visit: Visit between June and September, the sunny months for summer activities like camping, hiking, biking, hot springs, wildlife viewing, swimming, etc. If you are an adventure traveler interested in winter activities like skating, alpine and Nordic skiing, ice diving, ice-skating, snow shoeing, etc., it is best to visit between November and January.

Getting there: Banff National Park is located in Alberta province, 80 miles west of Calgary and 500 miles northeast of Vancouver.  You can reach there by the Trans-Canada highway or Icefields parkway or through Bow Valley parkway. You can take a flight to Calgary or Edmonton or Vancouver and from there can drive to Banff National Park.

Where to stay: There are lots of hotels, B&B’s, backcountry lodges, condos and inns for travelers to stay. Most of these offer complimentary breakfast, complimentary internet, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating rooms, etc. Few hotels also help you in getting discounted tickets to visit the local attractions. The rentals starts at as low as $49 per person.

Must-see attractions: Banff Upper Hot Springs that flows naturally through the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault, ski resorts, Cory Pass loop, wildlife and golf course at Fairmount.

Fees: A visitor pass is required to visit the national park. You can purchase a day or yearly pass.

How to stay safe: It is very important that you stay safe when visiting Banff National Park. To stay safe:

1. Obey speed limits, take extra care when driving in winter and be aware of avalanches.
2. Read the warning signs and stay safe.
3. Stay at a distance from wildlife like elks, wolves, cougars, coyotes, bears, etc. 

2. Gros Morne National Park

Western Brook Pond, Gros Morne National Park

Source: Wikipedia

Gros Morne National Park is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada and is located on the west coast of Newfoundland; it was established in the year 1973. This park is famous for its picturesque scenery, sandy beaches, waterfalls, glaciers, fjords, fishing villages and wildlife.

Best time to visit: If you prefer dry and cool weather, the best time to visit would be between mid July and mid September. It is also the best time to watch some special species like Canada goose, Wilson warbler, etc. It usually starts snowing by late September. January through March is best for cross-country skiing. The best time to visit Gros Morne National park to watch ducks and shorebirds is Fall.

Getting there: Once you reach Newfoundland by air reaching Gros Morne National Park is simple. The two airports are Deer Lake Regional Airport and St. John’s International Airport. There are shuttles, car, or bus via Marine Atlantic ferry to the park.

Where to stay: You can stay on the campgrounds; both park and private campgrounds are available. There are certain rules and regulations to be followed when using these campgrounds; these include registering the vehicle, one camping unit and a small tent for each campground, no nailing on trees, no littering of food items, etc.

Must-see attractions: Western Brook Pond, Pissing Mare Falls, The Tablelands, and Lobster Cove Lighthouse

Fees: There is an entrance fees to visit the park; you need to pay additional charges for activities like camping, wilderness hiking, backcountry use, etc.

How to stay safe: To stay safe, remember the following:

1. Be aware of the weather conditions before you visit the park, as few hikes can be very challenging.
2. Do not get down from your car when you encounter animals like bear, moose, etc. Make sure there is enough room for the wild animals to roam, wait until they leave. If in doubt, ask the staff of the park. 

3. Jasper National Park

Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park

Source: Fotopedia

Do you wish to see glaciers, hot springs, rugged mountains, charming scenery? If yes, head straight to Jasper National Park, one of the largest national parks in the Canadian Rockies. This park was established in the year, 1907. This national park boasts of having nearly 40 different varieties of fishes, 277 species of birds and 69 species of mammals.

Best time to visit: Mid June through October is the best time to visit Jasper National Park. To enjoy clear skies and cool weather, the best time is between September and October.

Getting there: Jasper National Park is located west of Edmonton, northwest of Calgary and northeast of Vancouver. Once you reach any of these locations by air, you can take the Trans-Canada highway to reach the park; rental cars are also available.

Where to Stay: Jasper National Park provides campgrounds all through the year; it can accommodate a single person as well as a large group. If you are not interested in camping and are looking for hotels, bungalows, cabins, home accommodations, etc., you definitely have a lot of options.

Must see attractions: Mount Edith Cavell, Maligne Canyon for its frozen waterfalls, spectacular Icefields Parkway, Miette Hot Springs, and the Marmot Basin ski area.

Fees: Either you can buy a daily pass or an annual pass as visitors to the park will be permitted only if they have a valid pass. You will have to pay additional fees for various activities like camping, backcountry, visiting Hot springs, etc.

How to stay safe:

1. Obey speed limits; check the local weather forecast before you start your trip and drive only if you are prepared for the said weather conditions.
2. Avalanches are very common; be aware of them and equip yourself with the necessary equipments.
3. Stay away from wild animals like bear, cougars, elks, etc.; if you are near them, ensure you are inside your vehicle.
4. Never leave food items, as these will attract wild animals. 

4. Waterton Lakes National Park

Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Lakes National Park

Source: Wikipedia

This park is located in the southwest corner of Alberta, Canada and borders Glacier National Park; Waterton and Glacier parks together known as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was dedicated by Sir Charles Arthur Mander for world peace. Waterton is the smallest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Visit Waterton Lakes for its ecosystem, grasslands, chain of lakes, and prairies.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Waterton Lakes national park is between June and September; this is the best time for various summer activities, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and plants; there are nearly 1000 species of plants.

Getting there: Reach the airports at Calgary or Lethbridge and take a car from there to the park. You can also reach Waterton Lakes National Park from Glacier National Park via the Chief Mountain International Highway.

Where to stay: You can stay either in the campgrounds or at hotels, inns, or B&B’s. The rates at B&B’s are between $135 and $215.

Must-see attractions: Do not miss to see the Upper Waterton Lake, Buffalo Paddock and the Red Rock Canyon.

Fees: An entry to the park requires a pass; both daily and annual pass are available. You need to pay additional fees for activities like camping, backcountry, fishing, etc.

How to stay safe:

1. Know the weather conditions before hand and travel accordingly.
2. Do not stop near posted avalanche zones.
3. To stay safe from wildlife try moving around in groups, do not feed the animals; do not litter food, as this would attract animals, etc. 

5. Wood Buffalo National Park

Grosbeak Lake, Wood Buffalo National Park (World Heritage site)

Source: Wikipedia

Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest national park in Canada and is famous for its diverse ecosystem, landscape and wildlife. It is also a place for one of the world’s largest fresh water deltas.

Best time to visit: Visit Wood Buffalo National park in the winter to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis. For activities like cross-country skiing, it is best to visit during March and April.

Getting there: Reach Edmonton by air, which is the hub for commercial air travel and take a vehicle through Highway 5 near Hay River to get to the park. There are also winter roads to gain access to the park during winter.

Where to stay: The Park has few campgrounds for the visitors to stay; there are not too many hotels or other accommodations near Wood Buffalo National Park.

Must-see attractions: Watch the whooping crane or the wood bison and experience the salt plains, the freshwater delta, aurora borealis, backcountry trip to sweetgrass, and the Grosbeak Lake.

Fees: There is an entry fee as well as additional fees for activities like camping, backcountry use, fishing, etc.

How to stay safe:

1. Clothing in layers is necessary to avoid insect bites.
2. As you might encounter bears and bison, it is essential to stay calm and not attract bears or other wildlife by throwing food, plastic containers, etc.
3. Be careful when driving.

Pay a visit to these World Heritage site national parks of Canada and I am sure it will be a memorable vacation.

Read More