Mag Park

Posts Tagged ‘Travel & Leisure’

Magpark – What can you say about Portland that countless hipsters haven’t already said? It’s quaint. It’s small, yet roomy — all the amenities of a big city nestled in a small town frame. It’s prosperous, relatively mild weather-wise, and lacks the ominous atmosphere of Seattle to the north. It’s hipster heaven and then some.

The city is divided by both the Columbia and Willamette River and has consistently been voted one of the greenest cities in the United States by the Environmental News and Commentary. This surprising, given the fact it is home to approximately two million residents, making it the 23rd most populous metropolitan area in the United States. Its a shining example of how people, planning and the environment can all get along.

Not surprisingly, Portland is home to some of the most influential and remarkable manufacturers in the nation. The city that could boasts such stellar company as Intel, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, and Nike. Although these purveyors of modern American comfort and expediency abound, Portland has historically been known as a wheat town. Yes, you read that correctly: wheat.

One of the largest shippers of wheat in the United States, Portland manages to feed most of middle America. Surprising, but true. Wheat. And Portland. Indeed, it is the second largest wheat port in the world. The port handles well over 13 million tons of cargo a year. Consequently, it is home to the largest dry dock in the nation and is considered the third largest port in America.

It’s an odd combination, but the city is home to more than just wheat, hipsters and green planning aside, Portland is best know as the home of the NBA franchise: the Portland Trail Blazers. Though the team has only ever won one championship in its forty-year history, it has placed the City of Roses on the national map. Though sports are popular in Portland, the NBA is the only major sports franchise to call the city home. The city is an artistic and cultural pulse point, offering tourists a wealth of museums, galleries, and live venues to enjoy. Subsequently, the Portland, Oregon hotels available to visitors and tourists alike are as vast as they are accommodating.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Magpark – Melbourne, Australia is one of the finest areas to visit if you are interested in witnessing a combination of modern day buildings and antique architectural designs. A location that is a new city developed around some older existing historical structures. You will come across that when touring Melbourne you will witness many unbelievable buildings both young and old. The following are only a couple of the phenomenal historical structures that you will be able to observe when traveling to Melbourne.

Constructed in 1883, originally known as the Grand Hotel and later renamed the Windsor Hotel, this hotel is one of the grandest architectural examples from the past. It is not only a building that emanates the past, but between 3:30-5:30pm, this locale serves an afternoon tea additionally. The Grand Dining Room is one of this building’s most amazing features yet unless you happen to be invited to a private occasion, you will only be capable to capture a passing glimpse of the glass cupolas and gilded ceiling.

Another intriguing building is the Royal Arcade, which was established in 1870 and is the area’s oldest shopping center. Naturally, it has undergone a few alterations since its original construction; it is unique in an elegance of style that causes other shopping areas to pale in comparison. Inside the arcade, you will see statues of the mythical monsters Gog and Magog on either side of the remarkable Gaunt’s Clock. This is a shopping and architectural experience all in one and is one of the major attractions in the city of Melbourne.

Federation Square is a place of historical precedence which you will not want to miss. A vast, central, public space the square gives tourists a look at quite a few architectural structures as well as horticultural designs. a spectacular place to pay a visit to, you’ll encounter many bold designs along with fine art displays that serve to document the historical precedence of this astonishing region and there are many different region attractions right within walking distance of Federation Square.

Melbourne is an enchanting city filled with an incredible amount of history and exceptional architectural design, which helps to delineate the various regional contributions from all over the world. Melbourne, along with most of Australia, serves as a melting pot for a large variety of culture and this could be viewed and felt all through the city.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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% [?]

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% [?]

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% [?]