Travel | Vacation Guides

Archive for September, 2010

What To See And What To Do In Sonoma County

Are you among the many others who hear of Sonoma County and immediately conjure up elegant images of clinking wine glasses? Do your nostrils begin to twitch in anticipation of intoxicating aromas? Does your mouth start salivating with eagerness to receive scrumptious beverages when Sonoma County is mentioned merely in passing? Is Sonoma County synonymous with California’s wine country in your mind’s eye? Well you are not wrong by any stretch of the imagination but you are not exactly correct either. If you allow me some time I will be happy to widen your perspective about Sonoma County and I promise to be as brief as I possibly can.

Yes you are absolutely right; Sonoma County is all about wine all kinds of wine. As a matter of fact Sonoma County is more about wine than it is about anything else. However one must not overlook its many other aspects which are so readily available to all its residents as well as to those visiting the area on their vacations on business or are simply passing through on their way to elsewhere.

Without further ado here is the multifaceted Sonoma County which can also serve as your travel guide if you ever decide to visit and want to know what to see and what to do there:

1. Sonoma Coast State Beach is a seventeen mile stretch of scenic land along the Pacific Ocean owned by the State of California. It consists of several named beaches such as Arched Rock Beach Gleason Beach and Goat Rock Beach. Sonoma Coast State Beach features fine sand and dramatic vertical rock formations.

2. Lake Sonoma is a manmade lake that was formed by the construction of the Warm Springs Dam and is located in northern Sonoma County. With fifty miles of shoreline and 2700 acres of surface area this tranquil lake provides water for agricultural irrigation for industrial uses and for yearround recreation.

3. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve is an 805acre California state park densely populated with majestic Sequoias and offers visitors selfguided nature trails an outdoor amphitheater and well maintained picnic facilities.

4. Jack London National State Park is also known as the Jack London Home and Ranch and is a National Historic Landmark to be found on the east side of Sonoma Mountain surrounding the property which belonged to Jack London a well known American author between 1876 to 1916. The burnt remains of his home the Wolf House are still visible in the park.

5. Gold Ridge Experiment Farm is what remained of the farm purchased by Luther Burbank in 1885 to perform his astounding feats as an American botanist horticulturist and an agricultural scientist who developed eight hundred varieties of fruits flowers grains grasses and vegetables.

6. Fort Ross was as a Russian settlement in the early 1800s and has since been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Rotchev House which served as the official residence of the settlement’s Commander still stands unharmed but the rest of the structures on the site have been reconstructed with the help of Russian architects.

7. Sonoma County is also abundant with elegant hotels modern shopping malls lush golf courses wide range of restaurants and eateries theaters night clubs spas and of course wineries.

About the writer:  Learn more about Sonoma County Real Estate and homes for sale in Sonoma County by visiting us today.

What To Do In Waikiki Hawaiis Trendiest Haunt

Mark Twain once called Hawaii “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean”. There aren’t many people that would disagree: Hawaii’s distinct natural beauty has been memorably captured in many a film from ‘South Pacific’ to Disney’s ‘Lilo and Stitch’. What’s more tourists in Hawaii have long found much to admire in the island and this is nowhere more evident than in Waikiki Honolulu’s most popular tourist neighborhood.

Waikiki Beach one of the best known beaches in the world was firmly placed on the cultural map when it became popular with surfing enthusiasts from all corners of the globe since the 1950s. However Waikiki has been a fashionable retreat for much longer than this and was very popular with Hawaiian royalty during the 1800s. Today Waikiki Beach is the trendiest place to be seen in Hawaii and though much of its natural beauty has been commercialized its sandy shores are the ideal place to spend your Hawaiian vacation.

Contrary to popular opinion there’s more to do in Waikiki than simply while away the hours taking in the sunshine. If you’re an enthusiastic hiker for instance don’t miss Diamond Head State Monument the crater of an extinct volcano. Even those who aren’t experienced walkers are sure to enjoy the 45minute hike up to the 761foot summit from which you’ll be treated to an unrivalled 360degree view of O’ahu island. For a stressfree climb make sure you wear a sturdy pair of shoes and take a bottle of sunscreen with you for continual application.

What’s more if you’d like to take in some of Waikiki’s more historical sights head down to Saint Augustine Church a magnificent building that really stands out amidst Waikiki’s legion of skyscrapers. Built In 1854 by original settlers in Hawaii Saint Augustine Church is sure to dazzle visitors with its aweinspiring stained glass windows and tiered ceiling ornament.

Of course if you’re traveling with your family Waikiki is also home to wholesome attractions that are sure to please kids and adults alike. The Waikiki Aquarium for instance is just a few minutes walk from Waikiki Beach and offers the chance to see over 400 different underwater species including sharks and sea turtles. And if land animals are more to your liking the Honolulu Zoo is sure to please. This 42acre zoo in Waikiki houses rare wildlife in fertile park surroundings; expect to see llamas and Galapagos tortoises amongst other animals.

With so much to do in Waikiki it goes without saying that there are a great deal of hotels and guest suites that vacationers can choose from in the area. And of all the hotels in Hawaii the hotels in Waikiki are the largest and most diverse in their offerings. So whether you’re on a romantic trip for two or you’ve got kids with you on your Hawaiian vacation Waikiki is sure to offer you memories to treasure for a lifetime.

About the writer:  Andrew Regan is an online freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

Whats Great About Breckenridge

Situated in the core of Summit County Breckenridge Colorado is a jewel of a town. It gained its first popularity as a major part of Colorado’s historic mining industry and maintain its reputation today as a worldclass skiing and snowboarding site. If you haven’t been to Breckenridge before a quick overview of the landmark will give you the rundown you’ll need to know for a marvelous vacation.

Breckenridge is nestled in a strategic location. With an area of just over seven miles long and two miles wide Breckenridge can be classified as a small town which probably constitutes the laidback attitude of locals. Unique compared to other mountain towns in Colorado Breckenridge blends the convenience of restaurants bars shops and lodging with the adventure experience of parks developed trails and a worldclass ski resort. Breckenridge is accessible from the international airport in Denver since the town is just about a hundred miles west of the city. Sitting at about 9600 feet Breckenridge has an average of 250 to 300 inches of snow and 300 sunny days annually. Daytime winter averages at around 28 degrees with nighttime falling to about 15 degrees with the sun helping cold months of winter feel much warmer. During summer in Breckenridge daytime averages between 70 and 80 degrees while nighttime lowers to around 50 degrees. Although the town is more famous during winter especially for skiers and snowboarders Breckenridge is still flocked by visitors during summer to enjoy the countless summer activities it offers.

Breckenridge is a charming Victorianstyle town with endless options for shopping dining entertainment and history. However the ambiance is only a compliment to the real reason why people choose to visit Breckenridge which is the sport. Whether you’re visiting in the summer winter or any other months in between Breckenridge is Summit County’s playground for outdoor sports. Long and challenging trails are perfect for hiking and biking while nearby access to whitewater is popular for kayaking rafting and fishing. Operating since December of 1961 Breckenridge’s four peaks offer a variety of trails on its 25 acres of terrain for all experience levels in skiing and snowboarding. In addition horseback riding snowshoeing sledding and a spectacular recreation center all contribute to the active lifestyle enjoyed by Breckenridge visitors.

Preparing for your visit in Breckenridge can prove to be valuable on making your vacation as convenient and comfortable as possible. Bringing the right types of clothes during packing for instance can help you adjust well in the shifting temperatures of Breckenridge. A strapping raincoat and fleece jacket are good companions in the summer while a waterresistant winter coat will keep you stay warm and dry during the winter. Of course you also need to bring protection for your extremities such as hats gloves and wool socks. It’s more handy to bring layers of clothing and just leave your cotton clothes at home. Pack quickdrying materials that will keep you warm and dry throughout the day. It is also expedient to bring with you a lip balm and sunscreen to protect your skin since the sun is intense all year round in Breckenridge. Altitude sickness is another usual problem for some visitors in Breckenridge so prevent this from happening by drinking plenty of water before during and after your trip. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as well in the first couple of days that you adjust to the high elevation of the place.

With the mountains providing a picturesque backdrop to the town and with the countless activities that promote a laidback attitude that’s potent and addictive it’s no wonder why a lot of vacationers choose Breckenridge as their holiday and trip destination every year. See for yourself why Breckenridge is a premier vacation spot by planning your own family trip there and it’s more than likely that you won’t regret it.

About the writer:  Sarah Fox has been teaching English as a Second Language for 11 years. She has published recipes in Healthy Eating and does all of the writing and design work for her neighborhood HOA newsletter. If you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge Sarah will be happy to give you a few pointers. And check out great rates on lodging at http://www.officialbreckenridgelodging.com/