Archive for June, 2010
Enjoy A Scotland Vacation In The Scottish Highlands And The Lowlands Of Bonnie Scotland
“You tak’ the high Road an’ I’ll tak’ the low road” and we will enjoy a Scottish vacation together in the Scottish highlands and in the lowlands of Bonnie Scotland. Most people visit Edinburgh and then claim they have “done Scotland”. Others head straight for the Isle of Skye or for Gleneagles Hotel or St. Andrews for a round of golf and then claim the same thing.
You don’t “do Scotland” in a day or even a few days. Ten days to two weeks is what it takes to experience what Scotland has to offer and even that is nothing more than a taste of more to come should you wish to return and most do. So what is needed for you to see Scotland in all her glory? This proud country that has withstood the ravages of invading English sometimes with great success and sometimes not?
One of the first things you will notice on your Scotland vacation whether in the Scottish highlands or in the lowlands is the pride of the people in their country and of their friendliness to visitors. Then you notice the scenery and everything else that makes Scotland what it is. Let’s start on your ideal vacation in Scotland with the type of service you should expect.
First if traveling from a distance such as anywhere in the USA you must travel at least business class. It is 5 hours out and 8 hours back due to the jet stream so you will want to travel in comfort. Then you should have personal attention your personal guide individual car and chauffeur and first class rail travel. The accommodation in Scotland is generally excellent but even that should be extra special just for you and your partner or friend.
Scotland’s capital city is Edinburgh and is universally acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the world. Its main street Princes Street is lined with stores and boutiques on one side and by the gardens on the other where you cannot miss the famous Edinburgh Castle perched high on a volcanic plug overlooking the entire city. The largest city in the country is Glasgow about an hour drive away designed largely by Sir Charles Rennie Mackintosh and home of the famous Burrell collection of art. Glasgow is second only to London as the largest retail center in the UK.
Having visited these two magnificent cities your Scotland vacation should now leave the lowlands of Scotland and head for the Scottish highlands. The beauty of Loch Lomond the longest inland loch in the UK deserves its reputation and you mustn’t miss it when visiting Scotland. Luss on the banks of the loch is a good place to stop for a pint of Scottish beer and to see how kilts bagpipes are made. The bagpipes are Scotland’s national musical instrument though some my debate the term ‘musical’.
Scotland is steeped in history and Inveraray Castle is close by on the sea loch Loch Fyne. This is the ancestral home of the chief of the Campbells the Duke of Argyle: more about them below! You should then head for Ben Nevis the highest mountain in Great Britain and just south of there is the gloomy Glencoe where in 1692 the Campbells were the guests of the MacDonald clan for the best part of a week.
By order of the English king whom the Campbells supported they massacred the MacDonalds one wintry Scottish night while they were asleep. Few survived those that escaped immediate death later froze on the mountains or on Rannoch moor where survival was impossible on a freezing winter’s night. The Campbells have never been forgiven for this treachery and Glencoe is still a dark and brooding place. It is well worth visiting as is the Rannoch moor close by.
You should now head off for Mallaig and get the ferry over to the Isle of Skye. Before you reach Mallaig you will pass Glenfinnan and the memorial on the site where Charles Edward Stuart Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in Scotland to claim the Scottish throne a venture that saw them as far as Derby before the whole campaign ended in tears and slaughter on the field of Culloden close to Inverness away to the east of here.
Skye itself is a must for any Scotland vacation and is a beautiful and mysterious island. Dunvegan castle is the seat of the Macleod clan and still hold the remnants of the ‘Fairy Flag’ that the MacLeods carried into battle. They believed that the flag could call up a fairy army to help them when needed.
Now you must visit Loch Ness and see if you can spot the Loch Ness Monster many have and it is amazing how a few good Scottish malt whiskies no ‘e’ in Scots whisky make the monster much easier to spot. You pass the loch on your way to Inverness that every Scotland vacation should include in its itinerary. The ancient capital of the highlands Inverness is just a short drive away from the aforementioned Culloden where you can still see the mounds under which the clansmen were buried in mass graves after the slaughter. Fought on 16th April 1746 it was the last battle on British soil and the last in which claymores tried to defeat muskets and bayonets.
Other places you must visit while on vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands include Fife and St. Andrews with its championship links golf courses Stirling Castle Falkirk and the Monument to William Wallace of ‘Braveheart’ fame and many other great Scottish historical sites. You must visit a distillery or two and try out the single malt whiskies and Rosslyn Chapel is worth a visit. Close to Edinburgh this has connections with the Knights Templar and features in Dan Brown’s book ‘The Da Vinci Code’.
Then finish off back in Edinburgh with perhaps a visit to the haunted vaults under the city or to Mary Queen of Scots’ home Holyrood Palace. You can visit her bedroom and other apartments in the Palace situated close to the new Scottish Parliament.
A Scotland vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands is the way to ‘do Scotland’ and after all of the above you can truly claim to have ‘done it properly’.
About the writer: To experience a Scottish vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands with the personal service you deserve check out Ultitude where you will be offered a first class luxury Scottish vacation with personal guides and individual bookings. You can also visit UltitudeTravel.com our luxury travel blog on luxury vacations Scotland.
Embark On Voyage Of Dreams In Houseboat Over Kerala Backwaters
Kerala is one of the most beautiful states of India. It is also popularly described as the Gods Own Country. It is globally known for its exquisite beaches breathtaking backwaters verdant hill stations rich flora fauna landscape beauty magnificent architectures like temples churches etc and unique culture tradition. Beaches are the prime attractions of this beautiful Indian state. The beaches here are ideal for sunbathing swimming relax water funs etc. Beaches are dotted with palm coconut trees blending with exceptional nature beauty. Beaches here promise tourists for an ideal holiday option. Travellers from all over the world visit Kerala to explore its exquisite beaches dotted with palm coconut trees and blessed with bountiful nature beauty.
Undoubtedly beaches are the leading attractions of tourism in the beautiful state of Kerala South India. But breathtaking backwaters of the state also have positive position in mesmerizing tourism in this gorgeous state. Backwater tourism in Kerala is being very popular among tourists from all over the world. Backwaters in the Kerala are a wide network of canals rivers lagoons lakes inlets etc with exceptional natures beauty. Exploring these breathtakingly beautiful backwaters takes you in a unique world of serenity and wonderments. You will have a serene ambiance with bountiful nature and no where else in the world you can find such charm.
Kerala has approximately 900 km stretches of beautiful backwaters. The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake. It occupies three districts Alleppey Kottayam and Cochin. All these three are well known backwater destinations of Kerala India. Kumarakom is also worth visiting backwater destination. All these backwaters are destinations are very natural and beautiful. So they are also very popular among honeymoon couples who want to enjoy their honeymoon holidays in serene ambiance with bountiful natural beauty and sightseeing. I bet you will never forget to explore these beautiful backwaters during your Kerala tours and travel.
One of the most suitable preferred and popular ways to explore beautiful backwaters is hiring a Kerala houseboat traditionally known as the Kettuvalloms. They are also known as rice boats and made from nature friendly materials. A houseboat tour over tranquil and breathtaking backwaters is surly a fascinating experience that will last forever. It takes you to the world of water and wonderment and provides you wonderful opportunity for amazing nature blessed sightseeing. You see wonderful scenery of palm coconut trees on the shoreline lush green paddy fields along with countryside and temples and traditional village at shoreline.
kerala houseboats is very popular among honeymoon couples also. Honeymoon couples from all over the world visit Kerala and to spend their honeymoon holidays in Kerala house boats. For honeymoon couples backwater houseboat Kerala is a dream holiday. Backwater and houseboat tours in this beautiful land of Kerala provide a serene sheer romantic ambiance for honeymoon couples. There are several kerala backwater tours are in the market made available by various tour operators houseboat cruise operators honeymoon planners and travel agents. You can book on of the any houseboat tour package for your memorable holiday.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Michael Braganza is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for kerala house boats and
Kumarakom Houseboat. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.keralahouseboat.org/
Ditch Drab December And Say Felice Anno Nuovo To Rome
Do you spend the socalled ‘holiday season’ cooking for masses of relatives mediating arguments between them tidying up after them or just generally counting down the days until you can get out of the house? A good solution if you’re looking at a stressful boring time is simply to leave the country going away for New Year’s celebrations can immensely cheer up the bleak midwinter and help you start the year happy relaxed and positive.
You can be sure of a warm welcome in Italy’s Eternal City Rome where the weather remains sunny and mild throughout the winter and there’s plenty to see and do for everybody. Rome in winter is perfect for couples that’s where ‘romance’ comes from after all and families alike and for anybody looking for a good party!
In terms of getting a feel for Roman life and culture it’s actually better to visit in winter than summer. During August Italy closes down as locals go on holiday many restaurants bars and clubs shut up shop and tourists overrun the most popular destinations. It’s also uncomfortably hot and there’s no football! In the winter you’re likely to meet more real Romans there are fewer tourists and hence fewer touristtraps and you can enjoy the good life at a leisurely pace.
The New Year is celebrated in traditionally exuberant Italian style here with massive fireworks displays street parties and outdoor concerts in the Piazza del Popolo and elsewhere. Local traditions include wearing red underwear on the 31st December to bring good luck in the coming year and throwing something old or unwanted out of the window at midnight so you might want to keep an eye out overhead! On New Year’s Day if you’re awake in time there’s a huge musical parade ending in St. Peter’s Square. Bands performers and acrobats will be on hand to entertain children while their parents may wish to recuperate with a good coffee.
Of course there’s much more to see and do around Rome if you have a few days. Its breathtaking architecture art and historical sites are second to none and when you’ve had your fill of culture it’s also brilliant for shopping food and drink. Head to the Trastevere neighbourhood for charming caffs authentic trattorie and bars or browse the street markets in Campo de’ Fiori and Navona. At this time of year they’ll be filled with delicious traditional Christmas treats as well as the usual fresh homegrown organic produce.
One thing you will need is a good place to sleep off any excess and the city is wellappointed with several luxury hotels in central Rome as well as more modest establishments for those on a tighter budget. From there you can wander around and explore the diverse historic districts all day then come back to relax in sumptuous surroundings with a heated swimming pool or spa perhaps a cocktail or two… la dolce vita indeed.
About the writer: Andrew Regan is an online freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
