Sunsets bring a certain change in our moods. This one is no different. The mood is of joy and may be sorrow in some cases, but always with an awe factor in it. This is one such moment where we see nature’s raw beauty and power.
It was such a moody sunset that I got to see from Tawang’s war memorial in Western Arunachal Pradesh in North East India.
Orlando is one of the most majestic destinations I have ever visited and it fulfills many ideals that other places are lacking. The immediate facet that springs to mind is the weather. Glorious all year round! And then there is the entertainment… whether you want a whimsical regression to childhood by seeing Walt Disney characters, or having the adrenaline-fuelled sensation of flappy G-force-inflated cheeks on the rides at Busch Gardens, there is something for you all! But Orlando also has a rich arts and culture heritage that often gets eclipsed by other tourist attractions. There is:
- The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art which showcases the intricate work of decorative artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, who specialized in pottery, jewellery and stained glass.
- The Orlando Museum of Art which showcases more contemporary and diverse exhibitions that feature installations, conceptual art as well as interactive art sessions with visiting groups.
- Lots of theatres
Make 2012 the year where you take a Holiday to Orlando.
The Holiday Buffet!
Maybe you want to go further afield and explore more of America. You can sample a bit of everything that America has to offer with multi center holidays. Ocean Florida enables you to plan and customize your own tour of the U.S. So whatever you are looking for, whether it is stunning white sandy beaches of Miami, or the Technicolor slot-machine lined streets of Las Vegas, to the electric sunshine of Orlando or the Big Apple to party, there are a diverse number of things you can pack into your trip. The latest offers on the ‘holiday buffet menu’ consist of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, New York, Orlando, Miami and San Francisco. The benefits of multi center holidays are:
- You get to do more sight-seeing and pack a lot more into your trip away.
- You save time and money. To go to several places anywhere separately would cost you several times as much money, and take several times longer in travelling time.
Accommodation Choices
A major factor to take into consideration when you go away is: What kind of habitat do I want whilst I am away? Hotel? Hostel? Tent? (The weather is warm enough for this to be a feasible option) You could take a vacation in a luxury Florida villa and enjoy the comfort you would have if you were at home. They are suitable for all people groups. Lone travellers, Newlyweds, People with pets (it’s only fair that your pet dog or cat gets to enjoy Florida sunshine as well!) They are also adapted for people with disabilities so Florida villas offer lots of freedom, convenience and privacy.
Many villas have recreation rooms that consist of pool and air hockey tables. I was particularly glad about the latter. I’m a mean contestant at air hockey but I can’t hold a pool cue to save my life! Externally, some have tennis courts, basketball courts and heated saunas and spas. It feels like everything, both in terms of recreation and leisure is at your fingertips.
If you’re looking for Holidays to Orlando then why not consider Florida villas for your accommodation? Ocean Florida has a range of beautiful villas for a range of budgets. Or if you want to visit other places in the U.S., then check out multi-center holidays 2012 with for a variety of destinations.
This article has been written by Carlos Rabanillo, a copywriter for Ocean Florida, an independent UK-based tour operator specializing in the USA.
Ireland is famous for some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. It is not called the Emerald Isle for nothing, with its mountains, lakes, seashore and the shimmering green central plain, it is truly a gem. Ireland is said to have 40 shades of green that surround the castles, monasteries and ancient stone circles that dot the countryside.
The River Lee Hotel in Cork is a great place to start. One of the most luxurious hotels in Cork, where visitors can enjoy the rugged natural beauty of West Cork, the beautiful beaches and friendly people. It is also near Blarney Castle where the Blarney Stone was built into the battlements of the castle in 1446. Visitors hang upside down and kiss the stone in the hopes they will gain eloquent speech and great wit.
The Cliffs of Moher on the south western coast of County Clare rise dramatically 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. They are one of the most popular attractions for visitors, and are a member of the European Geoparks Network. The cliffs mainly consist of sandstone and Namurian shale, and there are 300 million year old river channels cutting through their base. Approximately 30,000 birds live on the cliffs with over 20 species.
Ireland also has beautiful landscaped gardens such as the Kilfame Glen and Waterfall. It is a romantic era garden from 1790s and has not been changed for 200 years. There are woodland paths, ancient trees and tiny bridges over the stream that is fed by the waterfall. The flowers and ferns are historically correct for the 18th century. It is an Irish Heritage Garden with 15 acres of natural landscape open to the public.
In the centre of Ireland is the Lough Boora Parklands. They contain many natural and manmade lakes, woodland areas, wetlands, 50 km of walkways and provide a new habitat for flora and fauna. The ancient bog lands, having been stripped of peat, have been reclaimed by nature. Along with enjoying the spectacular natural beauty, visitors can fish, walk, cycle, bird watch, see the archaeological Mesolithic site and view the sculptures throughout the area.
A visit to the countryside wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a working farm. Tullyboy Farm has farm animals that children can pet and feed in a safe environment. Visitors learn about Irish culture and tradition and can participate in the activities of the farm such as making butter, organic gardening, grooming animals and cooking. There are other fun activities such as fishing, herding sheep, pony rides, tractor rides and catching frogs in the bog.
The Glen of Aherlow, Tipperary is in the lush Aherlow River valley between the Galtee Mountains and Slievenamick. The local people welcome visitors who arrive to walk, horse ride, cycle and fish. There are also many early Christian and prehistoric sites in the valley. The Galtees are the highest inland mountain range in Ireland at 919 meters and are a good challenge for hill walkers. Five corrie lakes are only accessible by foot. Near the local Heritage Towns there is golfing, horse racing and other activities.
Valparai, nestled in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu is definitely a top motorcycling destination in India. The 58 kilometer winding ghat road from Pollachi is a definite attraction and the even denser Vazhachal forest roads leading out of Valparai is an even better attraction. But, just reaching the destination is not the journey.
And that saying applies to Valparai as well. In fact, this quaint looking hill station has a lot to offer and exploring its beauty on a motorcycle is quite an experience. Well, to start with, if you are a wildlife lover, you will absolutely love to be inside the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve as the tea estates of Valparai and the town are right in the middle of it. Here, one can get lucky and see rich Indian wildlife like the elephants, Gaur, Lion Tailed Macaque, Leopard and many more. The Puduthotham Tea Estate is a preferred place to sight lion tailed macaques.
And if the green tea estates warm your eyes, then simply drive to Nirar Dam, Nallamudi Poonjolai, Kurungu Mudi, Waterfall estate and Sholayar Dam. The roads to all these places are surrounded by tea estates primarily owned by the Woodbriar Group and Tata Coffee.
In terms of large water bodies, there is Nirar Dam, Sholayar Dam and Aliyar Dam. Three great reservoirs that supply water to the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Nallamudi Poonjolai is a view point, where in the rains, one can spot as many as 20 odd waterfalls in the distance. Kurungu Mudi is another view point where the tea estates give way to forests and then the Sholayar Dam.
And for the religious tourists, there are umpteen churches and temples here that one can visit. The Muruga temple is the most famous. If all of these are not enough adventure for you, initiate descent and drive west from Valparai. This will take you to the Vazhachal forests of Kerala with its rich tropical rainforests, Vazhachal falls and the mighty Athirapally falls on the Chalakudy river. 
And that is why I call this place as one of the best motorcycling destinations in the country. It’s diversified nature offers so much to the nature lover. Like I have said before, this is one place that is very unlike the other hill stations of India and I hope it stays that way.
My trustworthy and reliable motorcycling partner has accompanied me on innumerable journeys. We have clocked close to 60,000 kilometers together, have been to all of India’s mainland states and union territories and have seen our share of accidents. We make a great pair and I have shared some of my life’s best moments with him.
My motorcycling partner is my 350 cc Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorcycle. Together, we have crossed the length and breadth of India that includes its mighty mountains, its great deserts, its congested plains, its pristine coastline, the special Western Ghats and its rich forests and national parks.
Recently, we went on a ride to Valparai and the Vazhachal forests of the Western Ghats in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. And that is where I took these snaps of my partner.
Both of us look forward to more interesting travels!!
