Arkansas is a great vacation destination for a romantic couples getaway.
The year 2010 wasn’t a very good one for Gulf Shores, Alabama, where tourism was concerned. The oil spill that happened during the year polluted the seas to such an extent that a enormous effort was mandatory over a number of subsequent months to clean all of it up. The spill was the outcome of an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig. As a direct consequence of the oil spill, summer time months saw considerably fewer travelers traveling to the Gulf Shores last year.
Definite Signs of Improvement
Yet, the tide appears to have turned this summer time with more travelers picking Gulf Shores for their vacation destination this year. As documented in this WLOX.com news report, people who run businesses here are quite happy with the improvement in tourism. After all, more travelers suggests much better business for them. Owner of the Scoot-A-Round, C.J. Gough, describes business as being extremely good this year. He states that the solid tourism experienced during spring break indicates that the region should expect an outstanding crowd during summer as well. Many other establishments are also enjoying the positive impact of improvement in tourism levels. A number of condos as well as resorts haveexpressed much better rental levels in recent weeks indicating that more tourists are coming to Gulf Shores.
For several businesses, it will require much more than one good summer to make up for last years accumulated losses. Even then, the fact that travelers have started dribbling in again is really a very good signal for the future of Gulf Shores tourism. Because the beaches here are regarded as being some of the very most impressive ones worldwide, it’s not unusual that, once again, travelers are finding them very irresistible when the mercury rises to incredible levels.
The Perfect Getaway
Gulf Shores, Alabama is the ideal getaway if you’re stretched to the limit with 24 hour work days for the better part of the year. The emerald seas and miles of pristine white sands of the Gulf Shores beaches are truly a feast for weary eyes. Just lay back on the beach and let the comforting sound of the waves lull you into total and complete relaxation. Take part in the many leisure activities that this city presents. You will see that a number of travelers try their hand at fishing or golfing here while enjoying their getaway. If you are a history enthusiast, make sure to go to the historic Fort Morgan. This Civil War site documents the way of life in this area back in those days. Handy signs tell the story of fort commanders and ship captains who lived during this time period.
An Ideal Holiday Resort
Your Gulf Shores vacation will be the best vacation only when you stay at rooms offering the best with regard to luxury, comfort plus service. If these would be your focus then a bluegreen resorts vacation home is one and only place for you. In the Gulf Shores, you will discover 2 Bluegreen resorts – the Shoreline Towers and Paradise Isle. Both these resorts can be found in easy reach of the beach so that you can merely walk down to the stunning waters whenever you feel in the mood for a cooling dip. The friendly staff members at these resorts will be only too happy to go that step further to make your Gulf Shores vacation a very remarkable experience.
The Blueway Paddling event has been identified as one of the top 20 events by the Southeast Tourism Society and Fort Myers is gearing up to host the 6th of these events this year. Paddling buffs will undoubtedly be going to this city come November when the function will be held. If you appreciate paddling then this is a perfect time to arrange a vacation to Fort Myers.
About the Blueway Paddling Festival
The Calusa Blueway Paddling event brought to you by the Canoe and Kayak magazine will be a four day long affair. As documented in this TravelVideo report guests will be able to enjoy nature activities with the guided trips, or water demos along with training. A few green events, a film festival in addition to socials to liven up the evenings will also be arranged as part of the festivities.
Kindle your Competitive Spirit
Participants could take part in exciting races here at the festival when they are feeling ambitious enough. The Calusa Classic and the Calusa Dash are going to be open to all interested people. For ardent photographers there is a photo contest to try their hand at and even devoted anglers can engage in the catch and release event for a chance at winning the prizes offered at the festival. Even when you do not win the events, the festival is an excellent experience that allows you to socialize with like minded local people and other travelers. With all the numerous entertaining events that were created by local people for the event, there’s no doubt that you will enjoy yourself thoroughly here. Kayakers will certainly feel especially welcome because the local community goes all the way to give them a true red carpet treatment all through the festivities.
Admission to the Blueway Paddling Festival
Purchasing the all inclusive entry pass to the Blueway Paddling festival is certainly the most economical method to engage in this function. The pass runs $60 and comes with a trolley ride to the event site on all of the days of the festival. Also you can take part in some new product testing courtesy of Canoe & Kayak magazine, have a look at paddling product demos, obtain entry to the speakers tent, and get a subscription to the magazine. The entry pass also entitles the holder to attend 3 of the parties arranged for the event day evenings and enjoy the refreshments provided. Only limited people will be allowed for the socials on account of space constraints although the entry pass guarantees you entry. If you’d like to be sure you get excellent lodgings during the festivities you need to reserve well in advance to avoid disappointment.
A Great Place to Stay
You can find 3 Bluegreen resorts situated close by for you to select from- the Mariners Boathouse and Beach Resort, the Tropical Sands Resort, and the Windward Passage Resort. Each one of these has something unique to offer in addition to the perfect service and outstanding ambience you have come to expect from a bluegreen corporation vacation home. Also, they are located in the perfect place for you to get the best of everything that Fort Myers has to offer- the beach, the sun and also the fantastic water sport activities.
Official Montenegro promotional presentation for tourism purposes. Good presentation for vacation destination Montenegro. With beaches, mountains, rivers, snow, lakes, forests… Montenegro has everything. Great place for a holiday
The second biggest city of Spain is Barcelona and it is a definite tourist attraction of the world. Barcelona is known for its gothic architecture; you will see some of the most bizarre buildings here. Besides this, it is a perfect spot for tourists to enjoy different cultures and tastes. For the purpose of shopping, sightseeing, sports or just a beach picnic, you would love to be in Barcelona.
When to visit Barcelona:
Barcelona is a place which is blessed with sunlight most part of the year, due to which tourists can visit Barcelona whenever they want. Nevertheless, to take full advantage of the best weather you should opt for May, June, September and October. It’s better to avoid coming in July when the place is flocked with tourists and also August is very hot to go enjoy outside. You may wish to visit it in winter season if you really love to drench in rain and cold winds.
What to see in Barcelona:
Barcelona is a great place for sightseeing; it is your choice if you want to do this on foot or want to hire a boat, as both options are available and can be easily accessed. Some of the places you should not miss out on, in Barcelona are:
Picasso Museum:
As the name depicts you would see the amazing collection of all masterpieces here by the great Pablo Picasso. These paintings are arranged chronologically here. You will find this experience an enlightening one as these paintings will serve to give you an insight in to the life of the artist. Don’t be surprised if you end up marveling his work.
La Aquarium de Barcelona:
If you have taken your kids along on the trip, then you must visit this aquarium. This will let you experience the marine life and will definitely enthrall you.
Sagrada Familia:
Antonio Gaudi, famous Architect in Barcelona, designed this magnificent temple which has become an attractive tourist place. An amazing fact about its architecture is that it started out in 1882 and the work is yet to be fulfilled. Be sure to visit this grand structure when you are in Barcelona.
Suggestions:
Barcelona is culturally rich place, which is an amalgamation of old and new; historic monuments, gothic buildings and the modern shopping centers, cafes and bars. You must visit the restaurants here to devour the tasty food and swing in with other flamenco dancers with Spanish music playing in the back ground.
Las Ramblas is a must see in attraction Barcelona.
‘DRINK!’
Sorry, I can’t seem to start off a blog about whiskey without channelling Father Jack, although in all accuracy he’d probably be extolling the virtues of Toilet Duck and not the finest single malt. Probably due to the weather, drink is of course a very British tradition, much to the despair of government health types who think we’re all bingeing knickerless on a park bench somewhere, rather than being trustworthy and sensible enough to imbibe the stuff in moderation. Hic.
Ale from Oxford, cider from Somerset and even tonic wine from Buckfast Abbey are all traditional in England, drawing visitors from around the world as well as from within the country. But head further north, to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the tipple of choice favours towards tough spirits, more specifically, whiskey. Whether this is down to the cooler weather conditions can be left to debate. Here’s our guide to the whiskey trail:
The best, and only, malt whiskey specific tour in the globe has to be the imaginatively named Malt Whisky Trail, located in the Scottish Highlands. The trail takes in eight working distilleries all around Speyside, which is the centre of Scotland’s whiskey industry and where half of all Scottish malt distilleries are based. Setting up camp in this location will leave you as spoilt for choice as the whiskey, as there are almost 100 campsites in the Highlands and Islands area listed on Pitchup.com, with two directly at Speyside. If you want to get a real feel for the Highlands then a week or so is a recommended time to stay for.
Moving swiftly on from Highlands to the Hebrides, and the next location for alcohol consumption is on the island of Islay, which is the proud home to eight distilleries. All of them offer guided tours, from the large distilleries such as Ardbeg to the small farm of Kilchoman which malts, distils and bottles its whiskey onsite. (There’s also a brewery on the island producing seven different types of real ale.) As with the Highlands, the Hebrides are a good place to stay for a week to take in all the distilleries as well as everything else in the area try birdwatching on the Isle of Colonsay, sailing around the Isle of Mull or go to the Whiskey Galore festival at the Isle of Barra, named after the book and film of the 1940s and based on the real event of a shipwrecked WWII cargo vessel loaded with whiskey… which was soon gone on the island. There’s a choice of over 30 sites in the Hebrides on Pitchup.com, and two on Islay itself.
Next up is Edradour, the smallest whiskey distillery in Scotland and with a staff of just three, who distil the whiskey in the same way it’s been done since Edradour opened in 1828. There are only 12 casks distilled a week, meaning the whiskey is rare and a perfect present for connoisseurs back home (yes, you keep telling yourself that as you load all 12 into your campervan). Edradour is in a glen above Pitlochry in Perthshire, where there are five sites, with 39 available in Perthshire itself. Take some time out from the whiskey consumption and spend some time in Cairngorms National Park, which is well known for its array of outdoor activities, such as cliff jumping and microlighting.
Finally, take your campervan on the ferry or get a cheap flight with your backpack across the Irish Sea to check out the Bushmills Distillery in Co Antrim, the oldest working distillery in Ireland and producing whiskey since 1608. There are two caravan parks in the Bushmills area, and 25 in Co Antrim, an area popular with visitors from all over the world check out the Giant’s Causeway or the coastal towns of Portrush and Portstewart and the villages of Cushendun and Cushendall, or just take in the Causeway coast or the Glens of Antrim.
One last suggestion: print out what you’ve just read, leave it somewhere (casually) around the house, and you may get treated to a whiskey trail tour that you had no idea about. Just be sure not to include this bit. Hope is a many-splendored thing.