Experience Privacy and Intimacy with a Mountain Cabin Rental

Posted by srikanth on Friday, August 19, 2011
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Each summer, a large number of individuals flock to the “hottest,” vacation destinations. Popular summer vacation destinations often include costal beaches. To many individuals, a beach vacation seem ideal, but it is the lack of privacy that does not. Whether you are vacationing with your family, friends, or your romantic partner, you may want to consider cabin rentals in the mountains.

Mountain cabin rentals are similar to costal cottages. The only difference is their location and, sometimes, the name. Mountain rentals are often referred to as cabins. Mountain cabin rentals are located in many portions of the United States. One of the reasons why they are so popular is because they can create a safe, fun, private, and romantic environment.

While most mountain cabin rentals are private, most are located within a short driving distance or walking distance to a popular attraction. These attractions may include hiking rails, biking trails, ponds, streams, or lakes. The facilities, attractions, and activities found at each mountain cabin rental will all depend on their location.

When searching for mountain cabin rentals, you have a number of locations to choose from. Most cabin rentals can be found in popular mountain ranges. These ranges are located in New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, North Carolina, Idaho, and Wyoming. To find the perfect summer vacation destination, you are encouraged to examine each area and the cabin rentals that are available.

Once you have found a summer vacation destination that offers mountain cabin rentals, you will need to select a specific cabin to vacation at. Many cabin rentals are grouped together in a specific area. You may find that all cabins in that area are similar. Despite the similarities, you are still urged to examine each specific cabin. Most examinations can be done online or through the mail.

When examining a mountain cabin, it is important that you thoroughly read through all descriptions and request pictures. An extend rental could be fairly expensive. To help determine the outcome of your vacation, you are urged to see pictures. In this case, a picture really does speak a million words. It is important to know how many bedrooms are in a particular cabin, if there is a working kitchen, and an in-house bathroom.

Since many individuals enjoy mountain vacations due to the lack of technology, you may find certain cabin rentals with bathroom facilities and kitchen facilities that are located outdoors. If you enjoy outdoor grilling, this may not be a problem. However, many find outdoor facilities to be inconvenient.

In addition to what each mountain cabin rental has to offer, you should see what is available in the surrounding area. Important facilities that you should be on the lookout for include general stores, gas stations, or laundromats. Without these facilities it is likely that you would have to make extra preparations for your vacation.

As previously mentioned, mountain cabin rentals are often expensive. If you are planning a vacation on a budget, you may want to examine destinations that are not as well-known or as popular. Destinations you may want to avoid include Jacksonhole in Wyoming, the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Carolinas, and the Adirondacks in New York. If these locations were ones that you wished to visit, instead of avoiding the location altogether you can search for discount vacation packages.

Discount vacation packages may be available for mountain cabin rentals; however, they are sometimes difficult to come by. For the most part, discount vacation packages are reserved for resorts. If you are able to unable to find a valuable vacation package, you can try receiving last minute price reductions. While last minute price reductions are convenient, you are advised against planning your vacation around the expectation of getting one.

No matter where to choose to rent a mountain cabin or how much that rental costs, you are sure to have a private, intimate, and memorable vacation. Why vacation at an overcrowded beach when you can schedule your summer vacation in seclusion?

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Diamond Mountain Wineries: Persistence and Skill Produces Excellent Wines

Posted by srikanth on Thursday, August 18, 2011
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Diamond Mountain wineries are elevated above the valley floor, situated on Diamond Mountain. Here, the vineyards benefit from the hillside slopes that are warm and rich with volcanic soil. As a result, the mountainside wines that are produced in this region are often quite distinctive.

In particular, the wineries in the Diamond Mountain region are known for being quite age worthy; especially the Cabernet Sauvignon produced here. The steep, often unforgiving, slopes of Diamond Mountain require not only perseverance but also skill. If you are in the region and wish to enjoy a tour or tasting, be sure to call in advance as the wineries in this region are usually only open by appointment.

Along with Cabernet Sauvignon, the warm climate of Diamond Mountain is also ideal for Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot. There are even some limited quantities of white grapes that are planted in the region as well; including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

For the most part, the soil of Diamond Mountain is comprised of volcanic ash. Over millions of years, the ash has decomposed to the point that minerals have been able to leech out. Unfortunately, this means that much of the soil is unfertile. The small, rather thick skinned grapes that are produced on Diamond Mountain; however, are able to produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Today some of the most superb Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the entire state are produced on Diamond Mountain. These wines tend to have a flavor that is quite intense, even when compared to the regular standards of Napa Valley.

While Cabernet Sauvignon leads when it comes to wine production on Diamond Mountain, many other red varietals are also produced. The sunny slopes on the hills of Diamond Mountain have proven to be perfect for the ripening of grapes such as Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

In the early days, pioneering winemakers were drawn to Diamond Mountain by the rugged and beautiful terrain. The first winery to be established on Diamond Mountain was Shramsberg, in 1862. Within thirty years Jacob and Annie Schram would own more than 100 acres in the Diamond Mountain region. Despite the Schram’s success, the hostile terrain discouraged most others from cultivating during those early years. A school was not even established on Diamond Mountain until 1909 as a result of the slow settlement in the area. While other areas had developed and then been decimated by both phylloxera and Prohibition, Diamond Mountain had barely even begun its rise to prominence.

As it would turn out, it would be sparkling wine production that would make the difference on Diamond Mountain. Jack and Jamie Davies purchased the Schramsberg property in 1965 and began producing sparkling wine. The historic vineyards were replanted with pinot noir and chardonnay. Eventually, the land was converted to the production of red Bordeaux grapes; however, it was the interest in sparkling wine that revived this struggling area. By the mid-1970s there were several wineries in operation on Diamond Mountain, including Roddis Cellars and Al Brounstein.

The rather unique growing conditions of the area meant that it was necessary for vintners to adapt their own techniques in order to succeed. These efforts eventually paid off handsomely when AVA status was acquired for Diamond Mountain in 1999. Today, the region has earned a reputation as producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. While traditionally these Cabs have not been considered noteworthy until they had aged for a number of years, the Cabs produced on Diamond Mountain have earned a stellar reputation even in their youth.

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Beginner Mountain Bike Skills

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Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can be
enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike.
Compared to the average bike ride, it does present
some danger. Therefore, you should master these
basic skills before you hit the trails or the
dirt.

You can practice these beginning skills at a local
park, school, bike path, or simply around your
house. If you can, try to find a location with
a steep hill.

Get a feel for your pedals
Practice moving your foot away from the pedal,
first while sitting on your bike with one foot on
the ground. Next, move on to releasing and
replacing your foot while pedaling around for a
bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot
pedals will want to spend a bit more time
practicing.

Sit and spin for position
Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. You
should keep your arms slightly bent. You should
also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to
90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke
on the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as there
will never be a position where you should have
either your knees or your elbows locked.

Shifting gears
Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. The
higher gears are harder to pedal and will go
faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal
and will help you ascend hills. As you get to
steeper hills, its best to shift before you get
to the hill rather than while your on it.

Coasting
You should spend a bit of time coasting while
standing on your pedals, without actually sitting
on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don't lock
your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting
your body towards the rear end of the bike.

Pedal while standing
You should get as comfortable as you can with
pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting
yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals,
then crank them around. You should try this in
higher gears on flat ground then again in lower
gears while on a hill.

Dropping down a curb
Try finding a curb where you can easily get to the
upper portion of it. Practice at a moderate speed,
standing and coasting right off the curb from the
upper level to the lower level. Try this at
different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Once you practice these techniques and get the
hang of them, you'll be able to hit the trails feeling
comfortable on your mountain bike. Even though it
may take some getting used to, it'll become second
nature before you know it.


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Accessories And Their Importance In Mountain Biking

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All adventure sports have their set of must have accessories and gears. Basically these are required to maintain safety and comfort to the riders. Here we get a rough idea of these must have items and what are their uses and importance in mountain biking.

All adventure sports have their set of must have accessories and gears. Basically these are required to maintain safety and comfort to the riders. Here we get a rough idea of these must have items and what are their uses and importance in mountain biking.

Mountain Bike Gear – Choice of the Biker

There are a number of mountain biking accessories available in the market at vide price range. But it’s the personal responsibility of those involved in this sport to choose what is extremely important for them and whether it suits their budget. It is also important to carry spare parts depending on the type of bike in question.

Basically the list accessories required for mountain biking depends mostly on the type of bike used and the kind of event, even the time of event contributes in deciding what is required and what is not. Generally all mountain bikers carry helmets and gloves, but serious racers have to carry elbow and kneepads compulsorily as falling off is very common. All these accessories are extremely necessary for the biker’s safety.

While participating in overnight events it is extremely important to include headlight and taillight in the must carry list. The headlight illuminates the path ahead, thus allowing you to keep moving, whereas the taillight helps you to stay visible to the riders behind you. These lights are usually operated with the help of batteries charged by generators or re-chargers.

Quality bikes, worth the high price

A well-trained rider who performs stunts and ventures on extreme grounds prefers the fully rigid mountain bike. These bikes have soft rubber tires to increase traction and double ply rims to prevent dents.

They also carry an extra set of tires to avoid delay due to flat tires. Kick stand are mostly removed to prevent accidents.

Nowadays using end pieces on the handlebars has become a common practice, since major falls are very common in mountain biking. These end pieces prevent the hollow bars from puncturing. Generally these end pieces can be fitted on straight or slightly bent handlebars and not on curved or racing handlebars.

Nowadays there are many mountain bike resorts offering their services to these thrill seekers. Unlike ski resorts, these mountain bike resorts have special lifts to elevate these bikers to the top of the hill, from where they can ride downhill. So once a rider feels he is well trained and has all the required equipment he can venture out the slopes and enjoy the thrill.


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Choosing The Right Gear For Mountain Biking

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There is quite a bit of gear available that is manufactured for mountain biking. It is essential that you determine your needs before you visit the store to ensure that you will not be overwhelmed.

Purchasing useful gear for mountain biking is essential to making your bicycling more fun and enjoyable. You can find this mountain bike gear at your local bike shop or on biking websites. There are all different kinds of gear available from guards for every part of the body imaginable to full body armor to more common items, like apparel, helmets, and gloves. Most shops do business with a variety of different bikers with all different kinds of experience, so you should be able to find anything that you are looking for.

Most of the protective gear was created more for the downhill and mountain racing enthusiasts. There are many different pieces that are made to withstand the roughness of mountain biking and keep your body as safe as possible. This gear is specially made to keep you safe without taking away the enjoyment of the experience.

The most important thing that you will need to purchase is a helmet. They can help you stay alive, especially when you are zooming down the mountain or hill at a high rate of speed. All races require helmets to help keep riders safe from head injuries. Gloves can help you’re your hands in good shape and can give you a better handlebar grip as well.

The clothes that you wear is very important in any kind of biking. The majority of mountain bike races are held during the summer, which would mean that shorts, sneakers, and t-shirts are very common, but in the cooler months, then you may want to layer vests, sweatshirts, or pants to help keep yourself comfortable. There are many companies that specialize in comfortable apparel for mountain biking.

There are many varieties of mountain bike equipment. You can find all different kinds of apparel, bikes, components, frames, and accessories for mountain biking fun. It is important to have an idea of what you want before you visit the store, so that you can make the most of your time and money. Consider what kind of biking that you enjoy and how often that you are going to be doing it to help determine what you absolutely need and want.

Due to the increased popularity of mountain biking, many companies are putting out new equipment each and every day. That is why it is important to do your research so that you can see what technology is important to you and which is not. Some bicycles come with as many as 27 gears, hydraulic brakes, etc., and having an idea of what you desire can make a big difference in your search.


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Essential Skills For Mountain Biking

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With some practice, you can become a wonderful mountain biker. Practice the techniques described in this article and you will be on your way to becoming a better biker.

Anyone who enjoys riding a bike will also enjoy the sport of mountain biking. It is a little more dangerous and adrenaline inducing, but it is quite a bit of fun and a challenge to ride the dirt trails.

If you want to practice mountain biking, then you can hone your skills around your home, school, bike paths, or even park. You may want to find a place with a steep hill so that you can practice on an incline.

Feeling Your Pedals
You want to get a feel for your pedals before you take off down a mountain. You first want to be able to move your foot away from the pedal and then replace it back on the pedal. This will take some practice to get good at, but once you master this, then you will be on your way to feeling your pedals and having more control.

Position Yourself By Learning To Sit and Spin
Sit on your bike and simply pedal around. Keep your arms a little bent and adjust the height of your seat to make sure that your legs are at least 70% extended when you pedal at the bottom stroke. Relax your body, so that your knees and elbows are never locked. This will enable to you feel the right position so that you will know if you are not riding correctly.

Gear Shifting
You need to learn how to shift the gears on your bike. By learning what each gear feels like, then you will learn how you should shift them to make your riding more competitive and fun. A higher gear will make it more difficult to pedal, but will allow you to go quicker, while a lower gear makes it easy to pedal and is helpful when you are climbing hills. Practicing shifting your gears will help you to learn when to shift to get maximum efficiency.

Coasting
Coasting is great fun. You need to practice coasting while standing up on your pedals. Keep your knees unlocked and your arms bent. Learn how to move your weight toward to back of your bike and get a feel for it.

Standing and Pedaling
It is important that you get comfortable with standing and pedaling on your bicycle. If you can lift yourself from the seat, then you should try cranking the pedals around a few times. Do this in both high and low gear until you become comfortable.

Dropping Down
Locate a curb that you can easily get to the top of. At a moderate speed, stand and coast from the top to the bottom of the curb. Do this using several different curb levels until you are comfortable doing this.

After you get these things where they are second nature, then you will be able to ride the mountain trails with almost no problem. With dedicated practice, you will get to where you love mountain biking and it is comfortable to you.


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Custom Mountain Bikes For You

Posted by srikanth on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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Beautiful Vancouver, City of the Sea & Mountains

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As one flies over Vancouver during the decent into the Canadian city’s airport, the surrounding beautiful natural scenery is already noticed with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Once inside the baggage claim area of the international airport, visitors are greeted with large Pacific Northwest Coast Indian art carvings. This adds to the overall flavor of nature and the environment that makes Vancouver so different from other major cities. When driving along Granville Street towards the city center, one can’t help but notice that the trees and hedges in the residential areas are so much larger and taller than the ones we normally see elsewhere. One of the
locals claims that the superior growth of the area’s plant life is due to the huge amount of rainfall. Vancouver is close to both the ocean and the mountain range so lots of rain is expected. In fact, the rain here can actually be a problem as grey skies, especially during the winter months, are one of the few negatives of living in Vancouver. Fortunately, there is very little snowfall within the city so for Vancouverites, it is a trade off of some sort to have to deal with rain rather than shoveling snow during their winters. As for tourists, the best time to visit Vancouver is the least wet season which is during the summer months. I’ve been told by another local that September is one of the best months to visit. When the sun is shining in Vancouver with both the ocean and mountains as the background, it really doesn’t get any better.

Stanley Park on the west side of downtown Vancouver is the most visited attraction. A drive around the island will reveal great photo spots of both the city and the ocean. Vancouver’s Aquarium is also on site in Stanley Park as well as a magnificent collection of Pacific Northwest Coastal Indian art totem poles. Of course, one can always marvel at the tall trees which seem to touch the skies here. The Lion’s Gate Suspension Bridge connects Stanley Park with North Vancouver on the other side of the harbor. On the north side is Grouse Mountain, the area’s closest ski resort to the city that has turned into an all year round attraction. During the non-winter months, one can take the gondola up Grouse mountain for some wonderful hiking and views of the Vancouver skyline. The Capilano Suspension Bridge which visitors walk across to a nice nature area is another must see nearby. One of the cuisine highlights in the British Columbia province is the salmon and one of the best restaurants to sample it is the Salmon House in adjacent West Vancouver. Dinner there with the Pacific Northwest Coast Indian art décor and spectacular nighttime views of the city is one of the best ways to finish off a day of sightseeing.

Back in downtown Vancouver, the Gastown district is one of the top tourist areas for boutique shopping and souvenirs. Don’t miss the steam clock that rings on the hour. Vancouver has one of the largest Asian communities in North America so the Chinatown nearby as expected has some of the best dim sum luncheons outside of Hong Kong. Further boutique shopping can be found in the Yaletown and Granville Island districts.

If time permits, one of the recommended day trips to do out of Vancouver is to drive up the Sea & Sky highway to Whistler, one of North America’s largest ski resorts. During the off ski season, Whistler is all season resort with many activities such as hiking, biking, festivities and shopping in the village. A ride up the gondola here will enable visitors to get a bird’s eye view of the majestic Canadian Rockies mountain range. The drive itself to Whistler, about two and a half hours along the coastline, offers many wonderful scenic points as well.

Vancouver is a great city to visit as one can really see how a major city can still be in very scenic surroundings. For those coming to Vancouver as the departure port of a cruise to either Hawaii or Alaska, it is highly recommended to allocate at least a full day before or after the cruise to see what the city has to offer. As I mentioned before, on a sunny day with the sea on one side and the mountains on the other, Vancouver is really hard to beat.


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A White Mountains Vacation - Most Scenic 100 Miles in New England

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This amazing trip through the White Mountains of New Hampshire includes gorgeous views, a visit to the home of the world wind speed record, and one of most scenic train rides in the east.
The White Mountain National Forest is a 4-hour drive north of Boston, Massachusetts. Deep in New Hampshire, the mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain system that covers the Eastern United States. Within the forest park is the White Mountains Trail, and it’s a drive that’s arguably the most scenic 100 miles in New England. Here’s a selection of my favorite stops along the way - some of them require prior planning and are day trips in themselves.

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST VISITOR CENTER

Most people begin the drive from the White Mountains Visitor Center in North Woodstock on route 112 and head out on route 3N to the Franconia Notch area.

If you’re traveling with kids then you’ll want to pencil dates back in this area at the Clark’s Trading Post, and The Whale’s Tale attractions -- both in Lincoln on route 3N. At Clark’s you can see Bears, ride a steam train, climb towers, and generally keep the young ones happy. The Whale’s Tale is a water park with a wave pool, picnic areas, and live entertainment.

Back on the road head north towards Franconia Notch, and shortly you’ll see the sign for our first stop - the Flume Gorge.

THE FLUME GORGE

The Flume Gorge was formed over 200 million years ago when the White Mountains were molten rock. As the terrain here cooled quickly, softer material was forced into the fractures that formed. These fractures wore down with natural erosion much quicker that the surrounding granite rock -- leaving the gorge. And so now you get to enjoy a geological wonder at the base of beautiful Mount Liberty.

The Gorge has a visitor center where your tour starts and ends, one of the oldest covered bridges on the White Mountains Trail, and some dramatic photo opportunities.
Continue to head north on Route 3 until it joins Route 302 and follow 302 towards Bretton Woods. Here the mountains get taller and taller until eventually you see the grand daddy of them all -- Mount Washington at 6,288 feet.

THE ROOF OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST...

Depending on time available, you’ve got three options for experiencing Mount Washington: take the Cog Railway train ride to the top, drive the auto road to the summit -- the quickest way, or you can hike if you’re well prepared. But don’t consider hiking to the top unless you’re in great condition and with somebody. This mountain claims lives every year - even in the summer - as conditions in this area can deteriorate dramatically within minutes.

And yes, it’s worth getting to the summit. On a clear day the view is stunning. Visit the museum at the top and learn about the day in 1934 when the highest wind speed ever recorded on earth was taken - 231 MPH. You’ll learn why its unique geographic position provides the mountain with the worst weather on earth.

Now get back onto Route 302 and head south to the town of North Conway.

THE CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD

Schedule at least enough time to take the shorter valley scenic train, which you board in North Conway. The train rides offer wonderful views of the scenic valleys and notches in the surrounding area.

The valley train is a 55-minute roundtrip, and the Notch train is 5 hours. Both have a first-class car if you want to have a different experience. The notch train has a dome car as well, where you get magnificent views of the steep ravines and sheer bluffs. The trains usually run from mid-June until mid-October.

THE KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY

Let’s finish up our White Mountains Trail tour by joining back up with route 112 at Conway and driving back to the White Mountain National Forest Visitor Center.

Route 112, or as its better known the Kancamagus Highway, is the only road that runs directly east and west through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. This is a dramatic road that shows off the magnificence of one of New Hampshire’s best-loved scenic spots. From this road your vistas include wilderness and the highest peaks in the presidential range.

During the summer and fall foliage months you’re likely to have plenty of company on your drive. But if the weather is clear who cares if the going is a little slow - this isn’t a drive to rush anyway. But it’s a magnificent end to our 100-mile scenic drive.


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Equipment For Mountain Bikes

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Cheap Holiday In The Pyrenees Mountains

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Your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains will include hiking the beautiful mountain trails and some find cuisine as well. You can plan to climb the mountains or bicycle through the beautiful trails. One thing is for sure, you are going to have fun filled week or two. The cities around the mountain base are charming and hospitable. You might decide to hike during the day and stay in the cities at night. You might stay in Oloron and Luz St. Saveur. The hotels you stay in are luxurious and quaint. They offer fine cuisine with some exceptional wine selections.

Whether you plan you trip with a tour guide or just want to explore the mountains yourself, you will find your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees will be exciting. You can walk the mountains and see the sheep glazing in the green grasses. The area is a true vision of pure and untouched beauty. Two trails that you want to hike are the Haute Route Pyreneenne and the Chemin de Grande Randonnee. This last trail is a little tougher to hike, you should be use to hiking in order to take this trail. Both trails should be used with caution and take along enough food and water.

You are going to find yourself exploring different areas of the Pyrenees Mountains and spending time in the hotels and restaurants at night. Depending on where you choose to stay, you will find some nightlife as well. The main attraction to this area is the mountains and the cities below offer luxury sleeping quarters for the weary hikers. You will also find golf courses and a castle to spend a night in if you wish. You can pick any city to stay in or you might pick a few different ones so you can explore other areas around the mountains.

You will also find your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains includes beaches, museums, historical sites, galleries, nature exhibits and national parks. You can enjoy some family fun or a romantic getaway. The Caves Park is special for a picnic and a day in the water. You will explore the caves and see the wonders that make this area so special. You are going to enjoy this cheap holiday vacation, there is more adventure than you could find somewhere else. With the mountains, you can plan a day of hiking, a night of sitting on the beach watching the waves as the sun goes down.

Whether you stay in Andorra, Basque County or Navarra, you will find a great view of the Pyrenees Mountains and have some exciting walks and hiking. If you are looking for a ski holiday, the Aragon Pyrenees and Midi Pyrenees is a great place to ski the slopes. They are fun for the family and have small slopes as well as advanced slopes. You are going to have many different things to do when you plan a cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains. Dress for the weather as well.


Hey buddy! - Harsha

Posted by srikanth on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
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Hi to day is a very long day for me as there is no other way to go and one thing i can say for sure is I can't forget each and every day before i entering my college.

Custom Made Mountain Bikes

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Banff & Lake Louise, Canadian Rocky Mountain Jewel

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One of the most beloved travel destinations in Canada is the Banff and Lake Louise area located in the province of Alberta. The town of Banff is 90 minutes (75 miles) west of Calgary and is within the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One can see the Rocky Mountains from Calgary since the Banff area is at the eastern edge of the Canadian Rocky Mountain range. It is also one of the most visited areas in Canada all year round since the rugged beauty of the mountains and the protected wilderness draws tourists from around the world. During the winter, the three local resorts of Sunshine Village, Norquay Mystic Ridge and Lake Louise offer some of the best snow skiing around.

There are numerous shops, restaurants and small to mid-sized hotels in the town of Banff which is why the majority of travelers use it as the base during their stays. The town itself is small enough to walk around in since large scale development is limited since Banff is located within a national park. As a result, the town of Canmore just outside the national park boundary has become a recent spot of development. This offers tourists with rental cars another choice for accommodations. There is a complete range of accommodations from budget motels to the ritzy and majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel overlooking the nearby valley. Many hotels have views of the mountain ranges and I can personally claim that there is something very magical about waking up and seeing a snow capped peak first thing in the morning, particularly during the non-winter season.

Like the choice of accommodations, the range of dining opportunities covers the entire spectrum as well. Travelers can dine at the most fancy eating establishments or buy their own groceries at the local grocer. One thing for beef lovers is not to miss the Alberta prime rib here which is a local specialty. It practically melts in your mouth. Some restaurants serve very generous 24 ounce (or higher) portions called mountain cuts for those who think they can eat it all.

There are numerous activities during the non-winter seasons including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, golf and a hot springs spa heated naturally by the mountain. The wonderful mountain scenery just makes these activities seem that much more special here. Imagine golfing with views of mountains in the background and glimpses of elk. Of course, the winters have the skiing and snowboarding but there are other winter activities such as dog sledding and snowmobile tours. For skiers and boarders, there is a very good bus shuttle system set up which picks skiers up at various locations around town and transports them to any of the three ski resorts mentioned earlier. Some shuttle stops are right outside of the many hotels so for many, it can be door to slope and return service. Most skiers opt to ski all three resorts during their stays.

Lake Louise is about 45 minutes (35 miles) further into the mountain range and home to one of the largest ski areas in North America. World class events are held here as well as a previous winter Olympics and the resort Lake Louise is serviced by the ski shuttle system from Banff. Even for non-skiers, a day trip to Lake Louise is a must. The largest hotel there, the Chateau Lake Louise, is right beside the beautiful Lake Louise itself. There is a glacier named Victoria Glacier which is nestled between snow capped mountains. During the winters, the lake is completely frozen and people can walk right across it. The hotel usually sets up a skating area on the lake. During the summers, one can still see some of the white snow capped peaks along with the glacier but what makes things really special is the lake itself too which is an emerald green color. On certain days and hours, the lake gives a stunning reflection of the mountain/glacier scene. This combination offers one of the most beautiful and photographed scenes in Canada. No motorized boats are allowed in the lake but there are canoe rentals available. Taking a canoe across the lake while seeing the glacier and mountain range is one of the most special, peaceful activities one can do.

The wildlife in the Banff and Lake Louise area is another attraction. There are wildlife spotting tours available but every time I have traveled to the area, I've seen deer and elk along the roads and highways. I've even seen them wander right into the front of the Banff Springs hotel. The road that leads up to the Norquay Mystic Ridge ski resort just outside of Banff is a golden spot for wildlife. On every drive up that particular road whether during the winter or summer, I have always seen curly horned mountain goats. Many are so used to cars that they would just move aside for vehicles to get by but would still stay on the roads. This makes great photo opportunities.

One thing to be careful of especially when hiking is the possibilities of bears. During the non-winter seasons, pay attention to the local rangers who give reports of bear sightings as it is not recommended to go on trails where bears have been recently.

Many world tourists think of Canada as a land of wonderful natural scenery and although the country is much more than that, the Banff and Lake Louise area is probably one of the best examples of Canadian natural beauty. It is a place that draws visitors, foreign and Canadians alike, back to the area like it does for me every few years.

Description of the Banff and Lake Louise area, one of the most beautiful and scenic year round places in Canada. Also a top ski destination.

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