Archive for the ‘Holiday Tips’ Category

For a trouble-free Traveler

Posted in Holiday Tips | by Amy
April 3rd, 2011

A famous quote says that ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’. True, it’s believed that the one who never travels, never lives. Keeping safe of our things and being safe ourselves and still enjoying the tour is the thing that gives tourists a true pleasure on travel. Here we go with a few tips, do’s and don’ts of on a travel. Plan your accommodation and travel tickets much before the date of journey. Apart from the passport, visa and air tickets it’s better to have a few photocopies and a softcopy on mail during the travel. Do keep checking that your baggages arrive in the same flight you are travelling. Make a list of things you have in your baggage. Make sure that you don’t carry objects and eatables that are restricted during emigration.

Get Idea from Your Laptop

Get Idea from Your Laptop

img credit : journeyidea
People with health complaints should carry their personal doctor’s card in their wallet always. It’s better to have a copy of their medical history in mail. Exchange of local currency is the most important thing to be done before departure. Split up the currency and place it in different compartments of the baggage and also in your backpack. Get details about the calling cards and their cost before leaving. Keep in touch with the local accommodation hotel and the tourist guide throughout the trip. Take a note on the list of hotels that offer a food comfortable for you. It’s better to learn a a few basic words or phrases in the native language of the country you are going to visit. Don’t forget to carry your laptop/diary and phonebook.

Luggages

Luggages

img credit : pkobayashi

Do a little paper work before you leave, make a list of places you have planned to visit, unique things that can be bought there. Do carry a bottle of water along with you where ever you go. Do not accept any eatables, gifts or packages from strangers. Rules on the road are not the same everywhere, so carefully read the caution boards when you are on road. Do take your Binoculars, camera and chargers. Have a little alarm clock or a reminder alarm with you. ‘A traveler without observation is a bird without wings’, so don’t forget to record the things that attract you in a foreign land.

Five Unusual Sports in Scandinavia

Posted in Holiday Tips, Scandanavia | by admin
August 6th, 2010

Residents in Scandinavia have embraced many sports that are rather unusual and have a distinctly “Nordic” flair to them.  Consider spending a fascinating day either participating in or watching some of these  unusual events.

Ice Yacht Races

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Since 1901, the Stockholm Ice Yacht Club of Sweden has been fast racing ice yachts across a frozen lakes and fjords. Originally, this sport simply used kites to pull around skaters across the ice. Modern day ice yachts are sleek, well-designed craft can achieve astounding speeds and give riders a real bone-chilling thrill. Some contemporary yachts can carry up to six or seven crew and passengers that are distributed around the boat to create the delicate balance needed to maintain top speeds without tipping over.

Underwater Rugby

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Began in Germany in the 1970s as a physical fitness training exercise, underwater rugby has become a huge hit in Scandinavia. Teams in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland have regular competitions that even include underwater balls and social mixers. These events are held in the shallow end of swimming pools with balls that are filled with saltwater to keep them from floating to the surface. Underwater rugby has become an even more popular spectator sport with the advent of underwater cameras and big screens so viewers can see the action up close.

Wife Carrying

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This unusual sport originated in Sonkajarvi, Finland, where the World Championships of wife carrying have been held since 1997. This rather humorous activity is supposedly reminiscent of of the time when Finnish men courted their women by running into their village, picking them up and carrying them off to their village. The sport is, as you would imagine, rather simple. The goal is for a man to carry his wife across an obstacle course in the fastest time. Often the wife’s weight is measured in beer and the prizes are determined by weight categories. Over 40 couples have to competed at one time in these events and the popularity is spreading around the world.

Paragliding

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Although not necessarily an unusual sport, paraglideing over the frozen tundra, summertime mountains, or the Baltic Sea is a fascinating way to get a bird’s eye view of Scandinavia. In Finland, you can paraglide across an alpine lake or in Poland you can soar over the slopes of Zar mountain. The Oslo Paraglider club offers nine day intensive courses in Hemsedal for beginners as well as longtime enthusiasts of the sport.

Rink Bandy

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Also known as a rinkball, the sport began in Sweden in the 1950s and is played on the ice hockey rink. There are over 1000 rinkball teams in Finland alone and over 200 associations and almost 300 teams currently participate in the Finnish Rinkball Federation Playoffs. Rinkball games are less risky than normal bandy because the playing areas are smaller so fewer players are required and the dangerous practice of “checking” is prohibited.

10 of the Most Expensive Holidays You Can Take

Posted in Holiday Tips, Iceland | by admin
August 3rd, 2010

1) North Island, Seychelles…

Mrs ColdPlay, Gwyneth Paltrow, would probably love this one. For the eco-conscious, North Island resort is a resort with a difference. It’s first and foremost a conservation project; a constant work-in-progress.

A former abandoned ecologically-comatose coconut plantation, it was painstakingly brought back to life.  Species indigenous to the area – tortoises, certain birds, trees and plants - were re-introduced. Some endangered ones have also been repopulated.

North Island

(img credit: hotels.com)

North Island has 11 guest villas, all built with a respect for nature in mind and costs £1,500-£2400 a night per person. Activities are high fun, but with low environmental impact; fly fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, biking, gym use, etc.

A holistic spa is also available and offers a range of pampering works including hot stone treatments, shiatsu, Reiki, reflexology and massage.

Meals are customised and vegetables/herbs are apparently sourced from the island itself.

2) Wakaya Club & Spa, Fiji…

At £1,200-£4,800 a night, a stay of at least 4 nights is recommended by the resort. But then, it’s hard to imagine Bill Gates, Russell Crowe or Michelle Pfeiffer complained about it when they were booking their stay there. Not with the amount of money they’re flipping somersaults in.

With a team of 12 staff to every guest, the Wakaya island resort has 10 cottage suites, each with its own secluded garden.


Wakaya Club(img credit: wakaya.com)

If you’re paying towards the high end of the fee scale, you get additional perks like a Jacuzzi, a secluded garden with a waterfall, a private spa, tennis court, gym, a personal chef and an on-call driver.

Do you get your own garden gnome though? That’s what I want to know.

3) The Mansion, MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas…

You can spend as much time as you want at The Mansion. Absolutely. The £3,000 to £9,500 you have to pay to stay there per night is just a formality. The sooner you get that little distraction out of the way, the sooner you can get back to spending (more and more and more) money on the ridiculous.

the-mansion(img credit: msn.com)

The Mansion provides you with your own spa and pool as well as a butler and two on-call chefs. Also included is a Rolls Royce pick-up from the airport.

4) Burj Al Arab Hotel’s Royal Suite, Dubai…

The Burj Al Arab is the only 7-star hotel in the world. It’s also the only hotel with an underground restaurant (reached via submarine – no joke).

It has various rooms at various prices, but the Royal Suite appears to be the priciest and will apparently set you back around £11,000 a night.


Burj Al Arab (img credit: stylecrave.com)

The suite’s decked out in lavish Versace-gold decor, a revolving bed, a private butler, private cinema, private elevator. You also get a pick-up to and from the airport in a Rolls Royce. And while you’re at it, you might as well pay that bit extra to have a chauffeur-driven Rolls or helicopter take you anywhere you want to go.

Exclusive is as exclusive does, dah-ling.

5) The Rania Experience, Maldives…

At 7 acres, this beautiful baby of an island is small, but its size merely adds to its private exclusivity.

Referred to as ‘the Rania Experience’, a stay costs £10,000 a day (based on 2 people). It can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests.

The Raina Experience (img credit: theraniaexperience.com)

You get your own private yacht, your own butler, personal chef as well as cruises at sunset/under moonlight, island hopping, unlimited spa treatments, diving with a qualified instructor, top quality drinks on tap, and much more.

The owner/s of the island’s obviously not stupid as a minimum of 3 nights is required. Besides, if you’re gonna spend £10,000 without blinking, you might as well spend thrice the amount for good luck. Makes sense. Absolutely.

6) Musha Cay, Bahamas…

Richard Branson, eat your heart out. You’re not the only one with your own island. Sorry, love. David Copperfield (illusionist - dark hair, brooding dark eyes - yes, him) has his very own too.

Musha Cay(img credit: islandhideaways.com)

With a total of 5 guest houses, each with its own private beach, The Cop’s making a caviar-load of money off Musha Cay at a starting fee of around £24,000 a day. For that amount, guests and up to 23 of their chums get the island all to themselves. There’s also a tennis court, freshwater pool, steam room as well as a beachfront gym and cinema screen.

The island really does look incredibly exotic and plush. However, there’s something about it that’s a bit reminiscent of the Island of Dr Monroe, don’t you think?

7) The Royal Penthouse Suite: Hotel President Wilson, Geneva…

The cost to spend a night at the Burj Al Arab Hotel is pennies compared to Geneva’s Hotel President Wilson. It costs a whopping £26,450 per night.

No, it’s not a misprint.

Yes, £26,450.

Royal Penthouse(img credit: trendhunter.com)

Unless you’re a ghost, the 17,000 sq ft Royal Penthouse Suite is accessed by way of private elevator. And for your complete safety, the suite’s windows are bullet-proofed and its doors fully armoured. Hmm, makes you wonder.

Anyway, you can mull over exactly why such protection is needed while sipping on champagne and enjoying the spectacular scenery of Mont Blanc & Lake Geneva from the comfort of your hotel window.

8) Nygard Cay, Bahamas…

Copperfield has competition; there’s another Bahamas island in town. At £26,500 a day, the Nygard Cay sports Mayan-style tree houses, an elevated lagoon, an 82-foot power cruiser, a fishing vessel, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, and of course the usual: pool, water slides and hot tubs, etc.


Nygard Cay(img credit: nygardcay.com)

If Oprah’s been, then Nygard Cay has got to be rather nice. But then again, George Bush has been there too, sooo…

9) Necker Island, British Virgin Islands…

A stay at Richard Branson’s exclusive 74-acre Necker Island retreat will apparently cost you, oh, somewhere around £30,000 a night. Which is nothing, really, when you don’t think about the two noughts at the end.


Necker Island(img credit: msn.com)

You get your own private villa (I should think so for that price) and a yacht to use.

The £30k includes food, drinks and activities, but for those who can afford it, it’s probably neither here nor there that it’s all inclusive. Their pet poodle’s pierced belly button probably costs that much.


10) Royal Villa, Grand Resort Lagonissi, Greece…

In terms of price, the Royal Villa makes Geneva’s Royal Penthouse Suite seem like a wee baby.

With a butler, private marina beach, indoor heated pool, massage room and steam bath along with a private chef and pianist upon request, the Royal Villa is just shy of £35,000 a night.


Royal Villa(img credit: stylecrave.com)

£35,000? A night?

Maybe it’s all just a secret experiment to find out just how much one can charge and get away with. Maybe it’s all a dream. Maybe Tiger never cheated.

Volunteer Vacations

Posted in Holiday Tips, baltic region | by admin
July 15th, 2010

01For those not content to be sideline spectators when they travel, check out these organisations that offer Western European adventures that plunge you into the heart of the Scandinavian experience. Whether you have a professional skill or are a student looking for a way to spend a productive semester away from academia, these programs offer opportunities to contribute and participate in good causes that will make a difference in your life and many others.

Volunteers For Peace
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Help clean up the environment, teach locals your native language or assist those in  need.

Many Volunteer for Peace vacations are available in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

An affordable intercultural immersion service projects typically runs 2 to 4 weeks, although some last up to 12 weeks. Programs are geared for different age groups and vary since they are driven by the needs of the target community.

Work & Volunteer Abroad (WAVA)
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English-speaking UK residents can travel to Norway as a working guest to be part of programs that run from 8 to 24 weeks and are offered year-round.

Stay with a local family and experience the Norwegian lifestyle up close and personal. You work effort of 35 hours per week earns you room and board and even a little weekly pocket money.

WAVA focuses on jobs in the agricultural or tourist industry.

United Planet
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Experience a life-changing trip when you volunteer for the Long-Term Quest program to Scandinavia.

United Planet’s Quest programs offer 100% cultural immersion with personalized attention and training before departure.  Stay in local homes or on-site in group lodges as you participate in environmental projects, elderly assistance, youth drug addiction counseling and assistance to people with disabilities.

Available to U.S. and Canadian residents over 18 years of age, these trips begin in August and January annually and last for 6 months to 1 year. They are ideal for retirees or students who are taking some time off from their academic studies to learn more about their world first-hand.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
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Begun back in 1971, this volunteer exchange program offers their participants listings of organic farms all over the world that are willing to exchange room and board for help on their property.

WWOOFERS, as they are called, are very welcomed in the Baltic region, and many small farms depend on the yearly help provided by members of this organization to collect their harvests.

There is a small fee to sign-up for the program, but once you are a member you can travel to most points on the globe and find a friendly host ready to welcome you with open arms.

Exploring Iceland in the Summer: 5 of The Best Activities

Posted in Holiday Tips, Iceland | by admin
March 29th, 2010

See Reykjavik

Reykjavikcredit

No visit to Iceland is complete without a visit to the northernmost capital city in the world. This dynamic city is full of cultural attractions. Reykjavik during the summer experiences also constant daylight, so that you can enjoy the city’s energetic nightlife while Iceland is still bathed in sun.

During the summer, you should also take advantage of your opportunity to participate in some of Iceland’s outdoor activities. Leaving all of Reykjavik’s attractions can be difficult, so make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to explore this unique city before you leave to experience some of Iceland’s other amazing attractions.

Relax In A Bath

Sundlauger Reykjavikurcredit

Once you have your fill of Reykjavik’s museums, shopping, and dining, refresh and unwind at the volcanically heated swimming facility located in the city, known locally as Sundlaugar Reykjavíkur. For an even more unique experience, you should visit the Blue Lagoon. This man made lagoon is now a famous spa, and it is Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction. The mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon are known for being beneficial to the health of bathers.

Climb To The Top Of A Mountain

Sunset behind Mount Esjacredit

Mount Esja is located right outside the city of Reykjavik. The climb to the summit is relatively easy, and offers stunning views. If you are an experienced hiker and would like more of a challenging climb, you can choose to follow an expert path. Along the way you will be able to see some of Iceland’s beautiful summer flora. On your hike, expect to meet many native Icelanders. The hike to the top of Mount Esja is particularly popular with Reykjavik locals.

Watch The Whales


 Humpback Whalecredit

Whale watching excursions allow you to see some of the majestic creatures that call the waters of Iceland home. Whale watching tours are very popular with locals and visitors alike. There are many tour boats that depart from the Reykjavik area, but no matter where you stay in Iceland, most coastal cities offer whale watching opportunities.

Visit a National Park

Jökulsárlón Lagooncredit

Iceland’s extraordinary natural resources can be best appreciated by visiting one of the country’s national parks. Within the parks you can hike, camp, and fully take in the beauty and grandeur of the Icelandic landscape. Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, and the park makes up 11% of Iceland. This park is home to both glaciers and volcanoes. Within this park you will be able to witness why Iceland is often known as the island of fire and ice.

Lithuania - Why it’s worth exploring

Posted in Holiday Tips, Lithuania | by admin
January 12th, 2010

Lithuanian holidays may not be on a lot of people’s ‘to-do’ lists, but maybe they should. Though not thought of as one of the most beautiful places in the world, the culture and history, going back to the people’s fight for independence from the Soviets, can provide the ingredients for an unusual and exciting holiday.

Vilnius

Vilniuscredit

Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital. Whenever I hear that name I can’t help but think of the Russian submarine Captain, played by Sean Connery, in the movie The Hunt for Red October. He spoke of his love for the city that was his home. Vilnius is considered to be a “hidden gem” in Eastern Europe and despite its history, the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque style buildings have held up beautifully. If you travel to Lithuania, you must go to Vilnius and see the Archcathedral Basilica, Gediminas Castle, and the Lithuanian National Museum.

In Siauilai in the northern part of the country you can visit Lithuania’s most famous attraction, the Hill of Crosses.

The Hill of Crossescredit

This is a popular destination for religious pilgrims. The origins of the tradition aren’t documented, but over the years since 1832, these religious travelers have brought giant crucifixes, small crosses, carvings of the country’s patriots, and statues of the Virgin Mary to this hill. It is quite a sight.

Lithuania is on the Baltic Sea, so naturally there are some beaches. Palanga is a seaside resort that tops the list of attractions in Lithuania.

Palanga, a beautiful beach on the Baltic Seacredit

The prices are very reasonable and the beach is thought to be one of the best on the Baltic. Palanga can be quite crowded in the summers since many Lithuanians come here to holiday.

Klaipeda, also on the Baltic, is the country’s third largest city. It was originally founded by Baltic tribes and the city and its ancient castle were built in 1252. There is a lot of history to be discovered in Klaipeda. Another popular beach can be found near Klaipeda, called Smiltyne.

Klaipedacredit

Holidays to Lithuania can be very easy to arrange, especially the travel. If you live or are traveling from London, you can get there by train that goes through Berlin and Warsaw. The drive is easy from Poland, Belarus, and Latvia and there are no border controls between these countries so entry is painless. If you plan to fly, you’ll probably land in Vilnius, but Palanga has a small airport. If you want all the arrangements made for you, you can sign for a tour of the country to be sure you see everything worth seeing in Lithuania.

Five Must-See Finnish Attractions

Posted in Finland, Holiday Tips | by admin
January 12th, 2010

Finland is a land of enchantment that is perfect for family adventure or romantic getaways and boasts a large number of diverse attractions to satisfy the most finicky of travelers. Finland has many outdoor activities and attractions along with a great urban feel in some of the larger cities. Here are five attractions that should be on anyone’s must-see list for their Finnish holiday.

1.) Karhunkierros (or Bear’s Ring)

The Bear Trailcredit

An ideal attraction for nature lovers and hikers alike, Karhunkierros has become the most loved hiking trail in all of Finland. Do not worry though, the trail is around fifty miles long so there are plenty of places along the way where you will be surrounded by the Finnish landscape and nothing else.

2.) Moomin World

Moomin World

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An absolute must visit for anyone on holiday in Finland with children along for the trip, Moomin World is an amusement park based on the Moomin books written by Tove Jansson. The five story Moomin House is the main attraction of this amusement park and visitors roam the whole of the house freely. Other attractions include Moominmamas Kitchen, the Moomin Fire Station, and other attractions based on the book series complete with characters posing for pictures and talking with fans.

3.) The Arctic Trail

The Artic Trailcredit

This is another fascinating attraction that will attract hikers, but not the faint of heart. Finland has 380 kilometers of the trail located along its border with the total distance of the trail totaling 800 kilometers and crossing 15 international borders and ends in Sulitjelma, Norway.

4.) Snow Castle of Kemi

Snow Castle of Kemicredit

The Snow Castle of Kemi has been operating annually since 1996 and each year the architecture is varied. The castle has boasted 20m high towers, 1,000m long walls and has been built up to three stories. This may sound normal until you know that it is completely built of snow and ice. Get there before it melts.

5.) Suomenlinna

Suomenlinnacredit

For those who would like a little more history in Finland the Island Fortress of Suomenlinna will satisfy your needs. This amazing island fortress is an excellent example of European military architecture and is also a popular recreation area for residents. So romp through the halls and feel like a knight of old in this castle.

But don’t let this list be your only source of ideas. Finland offers such a wide variety of attractions that no book could ever hold them all. So stay open minded and get informed and the beauty and splendor of your Finland tour will blossom into an amazing, memorable trip.

Escape the Euro Woes: Discover the Baltic Region

Posted in Holiday Tips | by admin
December 8th, 2009

It seems like the standard holiday plans for people living in Europe are to visit other typical European countries like France and Spain. Travel between them is convenient and easy. Even Americans, when they think of a European vacation, don’t often consider Eastern Europe and the Baltic region or the northern Scandinavian countries.

When planning their European vacations, more people should take the time to research travel in these areas. They may find that some of these less-visited countries are more affordable. They will also discover the beauty, history, and diverse culture that they are missing out on.

Vistdal Valley in the Norwegian fjordscredit

Some of the smaller Baltic countries are the most beautiful and fascinating. Why not an Estonia holiday? Estonia in Northern Europe is bordered by Latvia and Russia. This small country once was a Soviet occupied nation and is now proud to be part of the European Union. The capital city of Tallinn is an ancient medieval town and is still in remarkable shape considering everything the country has been through.

Toompea Castle is one of Estonia’s oldest and grandest architectural groupingscredit

If you take an Estonia tour, you’ll see it has amazing beaches springing from lovely little oceanside towns. The Baltics aren’t the warmest place in the world, so swimming season is pretty limited. An Estonia holiday also offers lush forests, quaint villages, and imposing historic castles.

Another little known gem of the Baltic is Latvia. It, too, spent 50 years oppressed by Soviet occupation. Even though they are still striving to overcome this period in their history, this little country has a lot to offer travellers. Riga, the capital of Latvia, is known as a World Heritage Site. For a Latvian holiday, Liepaja is an ideal destination, with one of the best beaches on the Baltic Sea. Latvia also offers the world’s widest waterfall, Kuldiga, and its own medieval castles.

Although Lithuania has a pretty non-descript landscape, the beautiful cities, its history, and its culture make it worth a visit. Perhaps Lithuania’s most famous city is Vilnius, the capital. If you go on a Lithuanian tour, definitely don’t miss this city. Vilnius is a very typical eastern European city and is representative of the country’s history and culture.

Roses for sale at the 24 hour flower market in Vilnius, Lithuaniacredit

Two other Baltic countries are Russia and Poland and may be a little more traveled than these other smaller countries. Rich in history, beautiful architecture, and unique cultures, both of these countries offer a lot for vacationers.

The remaining portion of the Baltic is Scandinavia, which consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Although parts of the area extend north of the Arctic Circle, the weather is mild enough to support tourism year round. Cities like Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and Reykjavik have distinct cultures and architecture and are full of history and never ending possibilities to keep a vacationer occupied.

Be Fascinated by the Unconventional Baltic

Posted in Holiday Tips | by admin
December 8th, 2009

Baltic Region Travel

A fabulous vacation in… Latvia?

That’s right: although conventional wisdom might not suggest the Baltic Region as high-ranking on the world’s must-see destinations, intelligent and thoughtful travelers find the Baltic Region to be a fascinating destination.

Scandinavia

North of the Baltic Sea are the nations of Scandinavia – Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as Denmark to the southwest. Vastly important in the history of Europe, Scandinavia is filled with important historic sites, including several impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among these World Heritage sites, the inquisitive traveler will appreciate:

Denmark’s Jelling Mounds, where 10th century burial mounds, runic stones, and a historic church near Jutland.
Denmark’s Kronborg Castle, which is the setting of Shakespeare’s famous play “Hamlet”.

Denmark's Kronberg Castle credit

Norway’s prehistoric paintings in the far north at the Rock Art of Alta.
Sweden’s Hanseatic town of Visby, on the island of Gotland.
Finland’s Fortress of Suomenlinna, one of the most popular attractions in Helsinki.

When visitors get tired of the sites of cultural significance in Scandinavia, they still have plenty of natural wonders to tour, including whale watching and Norway’s Aurora Borealis.

Estonia

Bordering the Baltic Sea on the northeast is Estonia, a small nation that has been used as a pawn in international affairs since the days of ancient Rome. Over the centuries, the nation has been ruled by Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and alternately by the Soviet Union and the Third Reich. In 1991, Estonia finally became its own nation once again, and since then its economy has been named one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

All of these changes over the centuries makes Estonia a fascinating destination for tourists. Its cities represent a blend of different architectural influence over centuries of development, and its natural landscapes rival the natural wonders in any northern European nation.

Estonia has so much culture to be discoveredcredit

Latvia

South of Estonia is Latvia, another nation that is only recently coming into its own. Like Estonia, Latvia has changed hands many times over the centuries, and was occupied by Russian forces until 1994. Only a decade later, Latvia joined both NATO and the European Union. Today, Latvia is a mix of native Latvian speakers (Latvian and Lithuanian are the only two surviving Baltic languages of the Indo-European language family) and Russophones, and the culture too resembles in turns both Russian and Estonian cultures.

Students of European history will be interested to know that there are a surprising number of castles in Latvia, relative to its small size. Vikings used Latvia as a jumping-off point for trade routes that led deep into Russia and Byzantium, so remnants of Viking castles and archaeological sites still dot the Latvian landscape.

Latvian Song Festivalcredit

Other Nations to Visit in the Baltic Region

Besides the countries listed above, the Baltic region also includes Lithuania, Poland, and parts of Russia. Each of these nations has played a key role in European history, both ancient and modern, and each also has its share of natural wonders to visit. In Lithuania, the capital Vilnius has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2009; in Poland, take a somber but meaningful tour of Auschwitz; and in western Russia, who could skip the magnificent city of St. Petersburg, Russia’s cultural capital?

For the adventurous and creative world traveler, Europe’s northern and eastern nations bordering the Baltic Sea are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

10 Arctic Holiday Activities

Posted in Holiday Tips | by admin
November 23rd, 2009

For many people the Arctic is a place that can offer that magical holiday experience to everyone. From the infamous Santa Clause village to the winter weather are just a few of the elements that help make the overall Arctic holiday experience one of the most memorable ones that many people will always cherish. There are a number of different unique experiences throughout the region that can make the holidays even more special by the different activities that you do with friends and family.

The Weather is Important

The biggest part of what makes the holiday experience so memorable for people is the weather. For some the idea of a tropical vacation is the holiday experience that they have always envisioned. While, others want to spend their holidays enjoying them the way they were intended, as a snowy wintery experience. There are number of different activities and events which can make your Arctic holiday experience even more unique.

Skiing

Throughout the Arctic there are a number of different cross country skiing activities. This is a great way to be able to have a physical workout while experiencing the weather and the atmosphere of the holiday. Where, you can feel the sights and sounds of Christmas up close, helping to provide you with a more memorable holiday experience that is unique.

Ice Skating

This is another classic holiday experience, where you will often hear about how ice skating adds to the overall enjoyment of the festivities for everyone. However, most people are not able to experience this once in a lifetime event based upon where they live. In the Arctic you can be able to participate in the many different ice skating events that are planned over the holidays, allowing you to have that one of a kind experience.

Watch Caribou and Reindeer

Throughout the Arctic you can be able to add to the overall holiday experience by watching Caribou and Reindeer throughout the region at various preserves. This will help you to have a Christmas experience that combines tradition with that of nature, making the holidays even more enjoyable.

Snowmobiling

Another popular activity is spending the day snowmobiling with friends and family, then after a day of fun being able to relax in front of the warmth of the fire.

Take a Dog Sled Tour

Throughout the region there are various dog sled tour operators who can take to beautiful destinations that you will not find on your own, helping to make your holidays even more enjoyable.

Take a Cruise

Another way to enjoy the Arctic throughout the holidays is to take a cruise through the region. This can allow you to see numerous sites and destinations all from the comfort of the cruise liner.

Charter a Plane

One way to really add to the overall holiday festivities is to charter a plane that can take everyone on a day tour to see all of the Arctic from above.

Visit Native American Villages

In parts of the Arctic you can be able to visit and experience the holidays with the traditions passed down from the various Native American tribes throughout the region. This can add that element of culture and history together to give you a one of a kind holiday experience.

Go Ice Fishing

Another way to enjoy the holidays is to go ice fishing with friends and family. You can be able to spend quality time fishing while visiting with everyone doing an activity that is relaxing and enjoyable.

Local Events

Through the entire Arctic region there are going to be a number of different holiday events at numerous communities throughout the area. These various events can help you be able to experience the way that the holiday traditions are practiced in the Arctic today, allowing you to become a part of the overall Arctic holiday experience. This will help you to plan a Christmas that will truly be a once in a life time event.

Clearly there are a number of different activities and holiday events throughout the Arctic. Above are just a few of the many activities that you have available to you throughout the region. The most important thing to remember when planning your events or activities is not what you are doing but the overall experience that you are having with friends and family. This is what will make the holidays special for everyone and will be fond memory that you will often look back on with joy.