Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Experience The Wonderful Wildlife Of Ireland

Magpark – Although Ireland is home to only 30 native land animals, those animals make for fascinating experiences in the five national parks around Ireland. There are no large predators, so visitors can explore and experience the wildlife with relative safety. The diverse bird life makes Ireland a favourite with birdwatchers as well.

The biggest naturally occurring mammal you will find in Ireland is the Red Deer. Unique to Ireland, these magnificent animals can be seen in Killarney National Park, Glenveagh, Ballycroy and the Wicklow Mountains parks. Other mammals seen regularly include hare, badgers, the red fox, pine martens, the Irish stoat, mink, otter and fallow deer. Connemara National Park features the Connemara Ponies. Although considered a domestic animal, they wander the countryside in herds in Connemara, making a distinct impression on visitors to the park.

Birdwatchers will appreciate the variety of raptors found in the hills and mountains of the national parks, with falcon, peregrine and owls featuring regularly. The Glenveagh National Park has recently introduced the Golden Eagle to the park, with considerable success. This raptor was declared extinct in Ireland in 1912, but is now making a comeback. There are hundreds of bird species to be found throughout Ireland, including waterfowl in the bogs and lakes.

For a wider variety of wildlife from around the world, visitors can see Siberian tigers, rhino, hippo, lion, wolves, gorillas, snow leopards and orang-utans at Dublin Zoo. The facilities are well laid out, replicating the animals’ natural habitat as closely as possible. Belfast Zoo has Asian elephants, white tiger and spectacled bears as well as many other animals on show for visitors to enjoy.

Belfast also has the Exploris Aquarium with interactive discovery pools and a deep water open sea tank featuring the interesting creatures of the deep. Many of the sea creatures seen here can be found off Ireland’s coast, where whale and dolphin are spotted at various times of the year. The Seal Sanctuary, also in Belfast, offers a fascinating insight into these clever creatures as well.

An innovative wildlife park can be found on Fota Island in Cork Harbour. Here, visitors can explore 70 acres of wildlife, most of it roaming freely between visitors. Almost all the animals in Fota Wildlife Park are endangered or threatened. Some, like the Rothschilds Giraffe and European Bison, will only be seen in captivity. The wildlife park features unusual species like red panda, lemur, emu, kangaroos and many more animals from around the world. They also have cheetah – but they do not roam freely through the park!

While the zoos may offer visitors the opportunity to see unusual, exotic and dangerous animals, the national parks of Ireland provide an opportunity to explore the habitat of its native wildlife on foot or by bicycle without fear of attack by large predators. The ability to experience any wildlife in close proximity, in their natural habitat, should not be passed up.

Popularity: 2% [?]

No Worry, Got Sleeping Bag

Magpark – It is worry time when it gets dark out in the open. When it is time to sleep, one yearns for the cozy bed and the safe confines of your home. But out there in the open, there is also the insects, the wind and often the precipitation to contend with. This is when the sleeping bag drives all your anxieties away and you can settle down to a peaceful sleep. Sleeping bag has a pride of place in the list of camping equipments. A sleeping bag is something akin to a folded blanket that has a zipper. It can be rolled or folded, stuffed in a sack and carried in your backpack.

Using the straps or the cords, the sleeping bag can be tightly folded or rolled. It goes easily into your backpack which you can carry around when traveling. Or it might be that you are riding, hiking or trekking. It is the sense of security, comfort and warmth that makes sleeping bag a travel companion. The rectangular sleeping bag is roomier than the mummy shaped sleeping bag. The mummy bag is broad and open at one end and tapers into an enclosed end which is where the leg side is.

It is not possible to fold the mummy bag like the rectangular bag. It has to be rolled up and tied. The mummy bag provides more warmth and protection with its lesser space and sealed leg side. The marmot pinnacle sleeping bag is spacious and ultra light. Synthetic fills and down fills are the usual insulation materials in use in the sleeping bag. While the synthetic fills are better in wet conditions with lower water absorption capacity, it is also heavier. Insulation is better with the synthetic fills. But the down fill bags have a better heat retention capacity.

You need to choose a sleeping bag according to the weather conditions. In wet conditions, a synthetic fill bag is no doubt better as it has a lower water absorption capacity. A sleeping bag is good in both the summer and winter. You can keep the sleeping bag unzipped in summer nights and zipped when it is quite cold. If in extreme cold weather conditions, you will have to go for a sleeping bag that is specially suited to combat the cold. The down fill bags are best suited in dry climate. Keep your budget in mind while choosing the sleeping bag.

It’s always a good option to go camping. Just remember to always bring important things like a marmot pinnacle sleeping bag.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Some Great Destinations For Student Travelers

Every year, students across the country travel to various countries to have fun and explore different cultures and their attractions. When searching for a great student travel destination, below is a list of the top destinations for student travelers.

Canada: There is a lot for travelers to see and do when visiting Canada. Canada has a host of beautiful national parks, trendy cities such as Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia. There is also a lot to do all year long such as skiing, boating, golfing, hiking, camping, and much more.

Los Angeles, California: Known as the Golden State, California is a great state for students to visit. Los Angeles is an exciting city and filled with diverse cultural attractions as well as entertainment activities. There are beautiful beaches such as Venice, Zuma, Manhattan, and Redondo, as well as theme parks, museums, galleries, and theatres.

Barcelona, Spain: Students love to travel to Spain. The rich culture and attractions such as the beach, architecture, opera houses, parks, live music, and festivals, makes Barcelona, Spain a traveler’s paradise. Barcelona is a great place to study and practice speaking Spanish.

Paris, France: Paris is a traveler’s dream destination. It is a great place to study and practice speaking French as well as visit trendy restaurants, historic districts, and famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower. You can also watch a film in Parc de la Villette, visit Pre Lachaise Cemetery and view the graves of Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, and Oscar Wilde, and relax on Paris Plages.

Cambodia: Cambodia is not only a great place to visit, but a great place to volunteer in such areas as child care, teaching, and marine conservation. Popular historical attractions include: The Angkor Wat temple, monuments to those killed by the Khmer Rouge, and the capital, Phnom Penh.

Australia: There is a lot for student travelers to see and do in Australia. There are beautiful beaches, great surfing, the amazing ‘Outback,’ wineries, and the Great Barrier Reef. Students can volunteer or work with a number of conservation programs.

India: India is an amazing country with vast beauty and wonderful cultural attractions. The beautiful Himalayas, spectacular beaches, and the beautiful Indian culture that is home to over one billion people, makes India a great place to visit. India is great place to teach and help the street children in the poorer regions.

Argentina: In Argentina, there are variety of amazing natural environmental attractions for students to visit such as, Iber wetlands, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, and Igua Falls. For students interested in wildlife conservation, Argentina has many places where students can volunteer.

Chile: For students looking to volunteer, Chile is need of volunteers to help in the areas affected by the earthquake and there is also teaching positions available as well as volunteering helping the homeless.

For students, there are many great places to visit all over the world, whether it is for a fun vacation, study, work, or volunteer. When students travel, it is important not only have fun, but also be safe.

Popularity: 5% [?]

New Zealand Accommodation Choices

Magpark – Christchurch, New Zealand is a great place to have a holiday at. It offers breathtaking scenery and extremely well preserved natural wonders. It boasts with a wide range of cultural, historic and recreational attractions. Before you explore the Garden City and its surroundings, you should look at the available accommodation first.

Here are 3 different hotels that can suit the different preferences and budgets of vacation makers. The Heritage Christchurch is the classic luxury hotel. It has 4.5 star Qualmark rank and offers all the lavish amenities you can expect from such an accommodation.

The rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished. The guests can find all standard amenities in them – a fridge and a mini bar, a wide screen TV, an internet access and bathroom toiletries. The hotel has self-contained apartments and suites with fully equipped kitchens. The guests can enjoy a gym, a spa pool and a sauna as well as an indoor lap pool. The hotel has its own spa center as well. The restaurant of the Heritage Christchurch offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

The Hotel Gran Chancellor Christchurch is a more affordable option for tourists who want to stay in the center of the city. It has a 4-star rating. The hotel offers great views of the downtown area and a proximity to all the major attractions. It has well furnished single and twin rooms as well as suites.

Christchurch has accommodation for every taste and pocket. You have to decide what you want from your stay and how much you are prepared to pay for lodging. Generally, if you want to save, you can readily choose a more affordably priced accommodation that does not offer a range of luxury amenities.These are quality hotels in which you can be safe in ordering your accommodation online.

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Attraction Of Barcelona Beaches Information

Mag park – Today, we give you article about The Attraction Of Barcelona Beaches. As there are far too many interesting things to do with the whole family in Barcelona, I will mention just a couple to get you started:

Gaud Architecture

Walking along the attractive, tree-lined, wide avenues of central Barcelona where many of Antoni Gaud’s buildings are situated will prove to be an interesting and fun experience. Starting with his masterpiece, the Sagrada Famlia, a tall, unique cathedral with colorful dotted spires that resemble modern candles will appeal to a child’s imagination. Apart from seeing the fascinating interiors of the building, it also boasts modernistic statues on the outside as well as modern stained glass windows.

To see another fascinating Gaud building go to No 92 Passeig de Grcia where you’ll find La Pedrera (quarry) which is both an office and apartment block. The outside is built with an uneven grey stone, like freshly quarried stone, which is framed with attractive and intricate wrought-iron balconies. Temporary exhibitions of all kinds are held on the lower floors of the building. A tour of the building includes one of the apartments on permanent display, which surprises with curves and unexpected corners everywhere. But it is the famous roof that will most delight parents and kids alike. The roof has giant chimneys that look like multi-colored medieval knights. From up top you can enjoy a rare view of the centre of the city.

Parents would probably want to see more of the amazing Gaud structures but kids would prefer going to a park and for that the Parc Gell is a must. It is located about 4 km north of Plaa Catalunya, the centre of the city. Take some snacks or a picnic to spend some leisurely time in this captivating park which was landscaped and designed by Gaud. From Carrer d’Olot you’ll enter through two fairytale gate-houses, and follow the steps up which is guarded by the famous mosaic lizard. This is the start of literally hours of exploration that can be done of all the interesting structures and corners of the Parc Gell where Gaud gave absolute free reign to his passion for natural architectural forms.

La Rambla

Back in the city centre, another day of sightseeing for the family could start at Plaa Catalunya and the beginning of the famous La Rambla pedestrian walkway which extends all the way down to the statue of Columbus near the port. It has busy streets and shops on either side and many vendors with stalls that sells all kinds of things on the sides of the walkway, including birds – the live ones. It is popular amongst tourists who rent chairs to watch performing street artists, the painted mime artists, as well as people watching – which is guaranteed to be interesting!

Barcelona Beaches, Old Port and Pleasure Cruises

Having reached the bottom of La Rambla you’ll be almost at the port and the nearest beach of Barceloneta. The possibilities for having fun at the city beachfront are endless. You can simply relax, tan and play on one of the well-kept beaches during the long summer months, or take a short or long day cruise on one of the pleasure boats, stroll along the beach promenade eating ice cream, listen to some street musicians, or have a drink or meal at any of the many excellent restaurants along the way – altogether many choices.

Barcelona Aquarium and 3-D Cinema

The kids will love L’Aqurium de Barcelona which isn’t far from there. The aquarium has a long underwater tunnel where you can see many kinds of amazing fish and plantlife. The shop at the aquarium has a special and unique variety of gifts on offer. Another attraction in the same Maremagnum building is the Imax Port Vell 3-D cinema, where adventure and wildlife films are screened daily from 12 noon till 10 at night.

Barcelona Tourist Bus

And finally, although this could also be a first option after arriving in the city as well, the whole family could take the popular Barcelona Bus Turstic to crisscross and see most of the city’s vast variety of buildings and attractions from the top deck of a bus.

Popularity: 7% [?]