Things To Do In Napa Valley

We often hear people say they don't want to visit the wine country because they can't drink wine all day. We tell them not to be concerned, because the combination of superb weather, an educated population, and numerous art lovers is enough to drive lots of other activities. We list 10 of the best (in no particular order) below.

1. Take a Safari Tour

Located between Calistoga and Santa Rosa, Safari West maintains over 400 acres with some 350 species of animals.
2 ½ hour tours are led by a resident naturalists, with half the time being spent in an open-air safari vehicle, and half on foot. The organization offers regular tours, private twilight safaris in the summer with wine and cheese (from 7:00 until the sun is gone), and private sunset safaris in the spring and fall, also featuring wine and cheese. Various renditions of these private tours occur on holidays.

Contact 800-616-2695 or 707-579-2551 for times and more information.

2. Soar in A Hot Air Balloon

In Napa, at least, most hot air balloon rides begin before dawn in order to take advantage of the optimal air currents and atmospheric conditions. There are many companies operating rides, and different options are available. Some, for example, include various types of brunches and/or wines. The hour you are in the air is spectacular.

For more information you may call:
Adventures Aloft: 800-944-4408
Balloons Above the Valley: 800-464-6824
Calistoga Ballooning: 800-359-6272
Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.: 800-253-2224
Up & Away Ballooning: 707-836-0171

3. Shop

There are some wonderful shopping opportunities in the Valley, beginning with the revitalized downtown area of Napa, and going all the way north to Calistoga. We can't list every specialty shop in wine country, but the following are some of the places to go.

Downtown Napa
The Hatt Market in Napa
Southern Yountville, including Vintage 1870 Shops
Napa Valley Grapevine Wreath Company in Rutherford
Olive Oil Shop at the corner of Rt. 29 and Rutherford Rd.
Main St. in St. Helena
Lincoln Ave. in Calistoga
Ca' Toga Galleria in Calistoga, featuring works of resident artist Carlo Marchiori

4. Cycle The Circuit

There are few places in the world better suited to biking than the Napa Valley. In the morning temperatures are jacket cool (even in the summer) and early evenings are very pleasant. Even in the middle of the day, the dry heat lends itself to cycling. There are tours available that combine biking and wine tasting, or you can plan your own schedule.

For more information and rentals, the following can help:
Napa Valley Bike Tours: 707-251-8687
St. Helena Cyclery: 707-963-7736
Napa Valley Bike Tours: 707-2453

5. Enjoy Mudbaths & Spas

There are some beautiful hotels and country clubs in the Napa Valley offering modern health clubs and spas, but when most people refer to a spa in wine country, they are speaking of Calistoga, a town founded in the 1860's for its volcanic ash and peat-moss mud and mineral baths. Calistoga sits near natural mineral and mud springs, as well as near functioning hot water geysers, thus making it the ideal spot to luxuriate.
For more information we suggest you go On Line, or contact the Chamber of Commerce.

6. Fly Silently

Is there anything more peaceful (unless you're a nervous wreck) than riding smoothly and silently through the air in a glider? Crazy Creek Gliders operated out of Calistoga for years, and has moved about 20 - 30 minutes north to Middletown to keep up with their expansion and need to park more planes. You can choose from varying lengths of rides.
For more information and reservations call 707-987-9112

7. Six Flags Marine World

Located in Vallejo, about an hour from mid Valley, is Six Flags Marine World, America's only combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme park. Need one say more?
For more information call 707-644-4000

8. Golf (Always Golf)

There are only a few courses in the Napa Valley itself, but at least the golfer won't have to go cold turkey. You can find one 18 hole public course in Napa, and two 9 hole public courses - one in Yountville and one in Calistoga. Private links include 18 holes at both Silverado and Chardonnay Country Clubs, and a 9 hole at Meadowood country club.

Chardonnay Golf Vlub: 707-257-1900
Napa Municipal Course: 707-255-4333
Vintner's Golf Club: 707-944-1992

9. There Is Water In Napa

Napa River Adventures offers a variety of watercraft that allows people of all ages and abilities to experience the beautiful Napa Valley, and the Napa River. Regularly scheduled cruises on an electric, luxury riverboat offer the opportunity to relax in comfort on a guided narrated tour of current river developments, local history and ecology. You will enjoy the gorgeous sweeping vistas of the mountains, and see and learn about wildlife such as the Great Blue Heron, the osprey, the egret, and the kingfisher. You can also bring wine. Canoes and kayaks are available for those looking to get a closer look into the wetlands and surrounding marshes.
For more information and reservations call 707-224-9080.

10. Festivals and Arts

Throughout the year there are dozens of festivals honoring many things that have nothing to do with wine, as well as a number of shows, concerts, and arts demonstrations. To name a few, we let you know there is the Napa Valley Dog Show, The Zarzuela Opera Festival, The Napa Chef's Market, The Wine Country Film Festival, The Music Festival for Health, Bluegrass jams, The Micro-Brew Fest, The Mustard Festival, The Memorial Weekend Sprint Car Races, The Silverado Parade, The Napa Valley Shakespeare Festival, and The Antique Car Show.

Recommended calling the various Chambers of Commerce for more information.
Calistoga: 707-942-6333
Napa: 707-254-1142
St. Helena: 707-963-4456
Yountville: 707-944-0904

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Why Jodhpur is Considered as Famous Tourist Place in India?

Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan in India and is also known as the blue city because the color gives an indigo aura to it with blue colored houses surrounding the Mehrangarh Fort.

Also known as the Sun City due to its perennial sunny weather, it receives sparse rainfall and is located in the Thar Desert. Jodhpur is a famous tourist destination in rajasthan and offers myriad places of interest that have significant historical importance. It is also famous for its well preserved forts that are adorned with exquisite intricate carvings and pieces of art. The city is teeming with bazaars and crowded with tourists and is comparatively more populated than other cities in Rajasthan.

The city was founded in the late 1400’s before which it was ruled by a completely different empire called the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire. However, it was overtaken by the Rajputs who took advantage of the trade route between Delhi and Gujarat, making the place a cornucopia of trade and wealth. The city became an integral part of the state called Marwar. The locals, also known as Marwaris, now flourish in almost every part of India and are renowned for their skill in running small businesses. This city saw the arrival of Mughals and became an important fiefdom; however the administration of the city still remained under the Rajputs. Consequently, Mughal influence in some parts of the city is apparent in the pieces of art, carvings, and architectural design.

Jodhpur is connected to almost every major city and town in India by air, railroads, and by roads. Flights can be boarded from Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur; Indian Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, and Jet Airways provide regular flights from many of these cities. The nearest airport is just three miles away from the city and is conveniently located to provide easy access to it. The city is also well connected by railways and can be reached from Delhi, Chennai, Banglore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. The approximate cost of an air conditioned coach from these cities can range from INR1000 to INR 2000. The city is also well connected by roads to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur among many others. However road journeys are best avoided since major cities are located at long distances and it takes almost a day to get there from Mumbai and sixteen hours from Delhi.

The city offers so many attractions that it may take almost a week to absorb the beautiful monuments, forts, and museums that the city is dotted with. The labyrinths of alleyways in the old city are unique to the place and overwhelm a visitor with its bazaars that vend handicrafts, textiles, and other pieces of art. The old city is surrounded by a six mile long wall that has eight entrances and is a good place to wander around and take in the essence of the culture and architecture of this place.

This fort is one of the magnificent pieces of architecture in Rajasthan and offers a stunning view of the city from the top. This fort is located atop a humungous rock and has seven gates that are strategically located in order to make the fort impregnable to enemy attacks. The fort is very well preserved and is one of the ‘must-see’ places in India; the museum is one of the best in Rajasthan and has many costumes, arms, and artifacts on display. The national geological monument located inside the fort is the place where the last igneous activity took place around 4000 million years ago. This place has been declared a National Geological monument to increase Geotourism in India. Other attractions inside the fort include Moti mahal (palace of pearls), Sheesh mahal (palace of mirrors), and Phool Mahal (palace of flowers) which attract hundreds of tourists from India and around the world.

This gallery is famous for its exhibitions of contemporary art by local artists; the items on display include paintings with watercolor, pastels, oil on canvas and charcoal. These pieces of art can only be found in this gallery and nowhere else in the world. This makes the place a paradise for art lovers and collectors alike. The paintings are spiritual as well as abstract and provide a stunning glimpse into contemporary Indian art.

Just a look at the palace from outside is enough to take a persons breath away; the imposing structure with its royal architecture and elegance is mesmerizing and very attractive. The palace is sprawled over an area of one million square feet and has more than 300 rooms. It also houses a luxury hotel and a museum with many rooms with an enthralling décor of exquisite furniture and pieces of art. The palace itself is made of a special stone called Chittar and is designed in order to maintain the temperature at 23 degrees Celsius; an ironical ‘warm’ welcome for tourists from the stifling heat of the city.

The Osiyan temple is located in the town of Osiyan around twenty five miles from the city of Jodhpur. It is home to many ancient Hindu and Jain temples dating back to the tenth and eleventh century. The place is of immense religious importance for many people and also offers architectural delights that are gorgeous with various carvings and the design of the structure itself. Some of the famous temples in Osiyan include the Mahavir temple, Kali Temple and Sun temple. There are many other temples in the town for those interested in religious tourism and ancient religious architecture. The town of Osiyan is accessible by railroad and the journey from Jodhpur takes around an hour.

The city has many natural lakes that provide an opportunity for a simple outing or a picnic. Some of the famous lakes include Kailana Lake, Gulab Sagar Lake, Balsamand Lake and Ranisar Padamsar. The Balsamand Lake has been converted to a resort and can be a good option for staying and enjoying the proximity of cool surroundings. The Ranisar and Padamsar lakes were built five hundred years ago for natural water conservation and rarely run out of water in this parched landscape.

Getting around the city is not difficult and buses, taxi cabs, rickshaws and Tongas are available for taking in the attractions that the city has to offer. The old city can be enjoyed by taking a stroll through the twisting alleys; an experience that can be a reminder of the rich cultural and architectural past of this place. Taxis are the best option if you want to explore the new city since the old city is cleaner compared to the new one. Tongas are best for people who want to take a leisurely journey through the city at an economical price.

The tour of the city is perhaps incomplete without shopping and many items can be bought from handicrafts to locally made shoes called Jodhpurs (etymologically apt) which are still worn by numerous Rajasthani people. The handicraft industry forms a major part of the local economy and is made so as to look like antique pieces of art. These are a definite take away that is strongly recommended because of the refinement and traditional hand made methods of production.

Some of the best hotels in Jodhpur are Taj Hari Mahal (Located at Jaipur Tank Highway), Ummaid Bhawan Palace (Tel: (91-291) 251 0101), Park Plaza Hotel (Panch Batti Circle, Jodhpur), City Palace Hotel (32, Nai Sarak), Hotel Rajputana Palace, and Balsamand Lake Palace (Mandore Road near BSF STC). These are luxury resorts that can cost from INR1500 to INR 5000 for a days stay.

Source: http://trifter.com/

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Planning Your Budget Villas And Apartment Holidays in Lanzarote Canary Islands

If they haven't already now is the time that most people will start to plan their annual vacation and if you are planning to stay in the European region then you have an excellent choice of suitable destinations to choose from for that sun kissed holiday break.

The European mainland can be a bit fickle when it comes to the weather although further south in Spain, Greece and Italy the weather is a little more stable, however one area that has an outstanding weather record throughout the year is of course the Canary Islands and in particular Lanzarote.

Combined with the other six Canary Islands in the chain, Lanzarote enjoys an outstanding semi-tropical environment, delivering clement temperatures whatever the season. Thanks to its geographical situation close to the Tropic of Cancer and just off the coast of Africa.

The islands location coupled with exceptionally low levels of rainfall, have created a dry and arid landscape that could be considered desert like in areas, and happens to be essentially devoid of trees and vegetation particularly around the southerly part of the Island.

The scenery here is definitely made even more unique and bizarre by the fact that Lanzarote was rocked by tremendous amounts of volcanic activity some two hundred and fifty years ago. This left large areas of the interior of the island giving the impression of a scene from a science fiction motion picture or indeed a desert planet.

However , away from the volcanic area Lanzarote´s beauty could not be more conventional and is in keeping with other holiday islands in the chain, with roughly 100 beach locations spread round the coastline coupled with 3 modern and well developed holiday vacation resorts for travelers to enjoy. These also happen to be the place to find the bulk of the best Lanzarote villas and holiday accommodation.

The small Canary Island of Lanzarote offers extremely good value for money for anyone searching for a villa break on a tight budget (which includes many families given the current climate), as it gives you an exceptional choice of privately owned rental accommodation which is most often available at prices that are a good deal cheaper than on other Spanish holiday islands.

Puerto del Carmen is without doubt the islands main resort being ideally located close to the only airport at Arrecife and blessed with an abundance of golden sand beaches.

Combine that with extremely good nightlife and in addition a large collection of cafes and restaurants it's not hard to see why. Holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen start at approximately €500 each week and all feature high quality facilities like for example private pools and jacuzzis, broadband connections and of course not forgetting the ever popular satellite TV.

Second when it comes to visitor numbers to Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca is generally the islands fastest expanding vacation destination, and has extended enormously (although carefully) considering that very first hotels and villas were built here during the 1990´s. The resort is becoming a byword for good value holiday accommodation - offering a selection of well priced apartments rentals and villas. For instance, the majority of villas in Playa Blanca could possibly be rented from as low as €400 each week - depending on the month or time of year of course.

Other popular resorts include Costa Teguise which is the most northerly resort on the island and is only a pleasant 15 taxi or coach ride from the main airport and not forgetting the islands newest luxury resort of Puerto Calero which is unashamedly targeted to the exclusive end of the holiday market with an excellent range of boutiques. And of course as would be expected from a resort of this stature an impressive 400 plus berth marina if you are fortunate enough to be able to travel here on your own private motor or sailing yacht.

Lanzarote can be enjoyed as a holiday destination at any time of the year. But some months are better than others with the most unreliable weather usually experienced during February and March, although the climate is still mild even then.

Source: content4reprint.com

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XScream - Las Vegas Most Exciting Roller Coaster

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Thrill Ride in Las Vegas

Thrill Ride at 1149 feet in Las Vegas Nevada USA.

Dare To Be There??

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5 Great Family Attractions in Palm Springs

There’s much more to Palm Springs vacation rentals than just sitting in a comfortable and spacious rental lodging. Palm Springs has been a hot spot (literally, since the temperature reaches 120 degrees on hot summer days) for celebrities and tourists for decades. The list of former Hollywood greats that trekked regularly to Palm Springs included the legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, the queen of comedy, Lucille Ball, and the undisputed King of TV comedy, Bob Hope.

About Palm Springs

A stunning California desert oasis, Palm Springs is a vast and fertile valley surrounded by an alluvial plain, and banked by steep ravines and mountain peaks that rise 10,000 feet above the floor of the valley. Here you’ll find an abundance of wildlife and plants, ancient and lush groves of palms, and hot springs that bubble up from far beneath the earth. Palm Springs itself is a panorama of activities, alive with culture, music, shopping, and natural beauty. Here are five great family attractions you simply must consider for your next (or first) trip to Palm Springs:

1. Palm Springs Tram – Families love this attraction, especially in the sometimes-brutal summer heat. Temperatures may be 30 to 40 degrees cooler on the mountain top, so visitors are advised to dress accordingly. Layers work best, so you can shed or don them when necessary. Officially, it’s called the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and it consists of two 80-passenger rotating cars that ascend to a mountain station height of 8,516 feet. The actual vertical ascent is 5,873 feet and travel time is 15 minutes each way. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. on weekends and holiday periods. Last car up is 8 p.m. and last car down is 9:45 p.m. Upon reaching the mountain station, family members can hike, picnic, go horseback riding, cross-country skiing in winter, and, of course, marvel at the incredible views.

2. Golf – Locals (and frequent visitors) refer to Palm Springs as the Golf Capitol of the World, and for good reason. There are more than 100 golf courses and tournaments – enough for family members of every skill level and ability.

3. Palm Springs Air Museum – Dedicated to the restoration, preservation and operation of America’s legendary fighters, bombers and trainers, the Palm Springs Air Museum is home to the one of the world’s largest collections of flying World War II airplanes. Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum is closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

4. Indian Canyons – At 15 miles long, Palm Canyon is one of the great natural beauty spots in the western part of North America. Visit the Trading Post of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for refreshments, hiking maps, jewelry, Indian art and artifacts. The Canyon’s indigenous flora and fauna stand in stark contrast to the barren desert and rocky gorges beyond.

5. Living Desert – Voted one of Palm Spring’s top attractions, the Living Desert (open year-round, closed Christmas Day) boasts 1,200 acres of zoo and botanical garden. See mountain lions, wolves, javelins, bobcats, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, golden eagles, zebras and more.

Other great family attractions include Joshua Tree National Park, Moorten Botanical Gardens, Palm Canyon Drive shopping, art galleries and museums. Why wait? Book your Palm Springs vacation rentals.


Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

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