Idaho is one of America’s best-kept secrets places to visit

Idaho is one of America’s best-kept secrets and in recent years has emerged as one of the West’s premiere vacation destinations with its timbered mountains, pristine lakes, wide-open vistas, vibrant cities and irrigated farmlands that dot the state from Nevada to Canada.

The Gem State’s door is wide open to family travelers looking for fun, outdoor enthusiasts in search of the thrills of nature, adventure seekers or those just looking to relax.

Adjacent to Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho is a big state with lots to see and do. Whichever part of the state you choose to discover for yourself, you’re bound to find spectacular scenery, helpful, friendly locals and impressive wildlife.

To help you decide what to do first, take a look at Idaho’s top 10 places to see and you’ll be on your way.

1. Sun ValleyThe Sun Valley/Ketchum area sits at the edge of the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests in a setting found nowhere else in Idaho.

Nestled among mountains and pastures, clean air and water, Sun Valley is the very definition of the American winter vacation, being the nation’s first destination ski resort.

Sun Valley attracts a mix of Hollywood movie stars and Olympic champions, some of whom own homes in the Wood River Valley. Steven Spielberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis are just a few of the many celebrities who own vacation homes locally.

“Sun Valley is just a very special place,” Sun Valley Company Director of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations Jack Sibbach said. “The weather is fantastic year-round and that brings in many families and groups who come for the quality of the experience we offer.”

Sun Valley boasts a world-class mountain, with a quality ski school, experienced instructors and some of the best snow in the state. Casual elegance is the style at the resort’s stately Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn.

Born out of a desire to bring the magic of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon and continues to be ranked among the best in North America.2. McCall/Tamarack Known as one of Idaho’s most popular resort areas, McCall is a small mountain community nestled along the shores of Payette Lake just a two-hour drive from the Treasure Valley.

McCall is home to popular vacation destinations such as Brundage Mountain, Ponderosa State Park, the U.S. Forest Service Smokejumper Base and the annual Winter Carnival that draws more than 70,000 people each January.

Traditionally a logging community, McCall’s last sawmill closed in 1977. Since then, the city has transformed into a popular year-round destination and welcomes visitors from all over the world.

Known for having the highest average snowfall in the state with an average annual accumulation of 300 inches, McCall’s Brundage Mountain Resort is a favorite among skiers and snowboarders for its friendly, family atmosphere and top-notch powder skiing.

Visitors enjoy alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, lift-served snow tubing or simply settling in beside a warm fire.

McCall’s summers are generally mild, influenced by the mountains, lakes, altitude and latitude. The area offers swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing on Payette Lake.

Just a short distance from McCall near Donnelly is Tamarack, the first newly permitted resort in North America in more than two decades. The resort features an incredible blend of mountain, meadow and lake amenities, including skiing, mountain biking, zip-line and more. Tamarack played host to President George W. Bush in 2006 and is the site of a luxury hotel under development by tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff.3. Boise The city of Boise is perhaps best known across the nation for its college football team, the Boise State Broncos, who won the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

While fans and tourists alike come to Boise to see Boise State’s iconic blue turf at Bronco Stadium, the capital city’s claims to fame run much broader and deeper.

Boise is a beautiful city with a delightful blend of traditional and non-traditional sights and attractions. Known as the City of Trees, Boise boasts one-of-a-kind museums and picturesque urban parks that residents and visitors enjoy year-round.

The Boise River flows through the heart of the city and features a 25-mile riverfront greenbelt, cherished by walkers, bikers and runners alike. And the city offers the broadest selection of dining, shopping and entertainment choices in Idaho.

“Boise is an incredible city that people around this country are just now starting to discover for themselves,” Owyhee Plaza Hotel front office manager Sandra Pack said. “Boise offers so much to all different types of people — and that is what makes it so unique.”

Visitors have plenty to see and do when they come to Boise, including the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center, Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, Idaho Black History Museum and the World Center for Birds of Prey.

Boise is also home to professional sports teams like the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede, NHL affiliate Idaho Steelheads, Arena Football League 2’s Boise Burn and Chicago Cubs farm team the Boise Hawks.

Folks can also enjoy nearby mountains, breathtaking canyons, the Canyon County Wine Country, whitewater rafting rivers, deserts and dunes and more.4. Coeur d'AleneABC’s Barbara Walters once called Coeur d’Alene “a little slice of heaven” and included it in her list of most fascinating places to visit.

Located about 30 miles east of Spokane, Wash., Coeur d’Alene is the largest city in the northern Idaho panhandle and lies at the northern end of Lake Coeur d‘Alene, a 30-mile-long body of water that showcases breathtaking vistas and crisp, blue waters ideal for water skiing, parasailing and fishing.

The city has grown substantially in recent years as a result of increased tourism. Two major ski resorts, Silver Mountain Resort to the east in Kellogg and Schweitzer Mountain ski resort to the north in Sandpoint, have helped Coeur d’Alene become one of the most desirable destinations in the state.

Coeur d’Alene also draws golf enthusiasts from across the nation. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is considered one of the best in the United States, largely because of its scenic setting and the fact that its 14th hole boasts the world’s only movable floating green.

Coeur d’Alene is always abuzz with activity, including art shows, athletic events, outdoor fun and an endless list of things to do and see.

The city may be best known for its waterfront Coeur d’Alene Resort, a world class, full-service destination resort featuring multiple restaurants and lounges, European spa, tennis, recreation center and lake cruises on Lake Coeur d’Alene.5. Twin FallsLocated on the high plains of southern Idaho, Twin Falls is perched on the edge of the Snake River Canyon and is home to unique attractions.

Despite the name and the unusual location of the city, the most impressive falls nearby are actually Shoshone Falls, a towering, commanding waterfall taller than Niagara that draws big crowds in high water years.

Another scenic feature near Twin Falls is the Snake River Canyon, brought into the national spotlight in the 1970s by famed stuntman Evel Knievel, who aborted an attempt to jump the canyon on his rocket motorcycle. The Sawtooth National Forest to the south features hiking, camping, skiing and fun for the whole family.

Unpopulated until about 100 years ago, extensive irrigation from the Snake River paved the way for the beginning of farming and habitation on the arid plateau. The landscape and scenery is enhanced by brilliant night skies undimmed by light pollution.

Twin Falls is home to the College of Southern Idaho, an institution that has helped the city grow into one of Idaho’s largest cities. It is also home to the Perrine Memorial Bridge, which spans the Snake River Gorge nearly 500 feet above the water and is a popular stop for BASE jumpers and their spectators. The bridge design is distinctive and is considered a tourist attraction in itself.6. StanleyIf you want to see Idaho the way Lewis and Clark saw it more than 200 years ago, look no further than Stanley.

Surrounded by the splendor of the Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley is a picturesque playground for all seasons. Visitors can discover Stanley on foot, on skis, on horseback, from a snowmobile, kayak or car, and can sense the wonder and beauty of this small slice of heaven on earth.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a day of fishing, biking, rafting, hiking, climbing, skiing or sledding while viewing the majestic snow-capped mountains and breathtaking foliage of this special place.

View wildlife in beautiful meadows full of wildflowers, read a favorite book by the lake, visit a ghost town or historic museum or watch Chinook salmon return home after swimming 900 miles to their birthplace beneath the towering peaks.

Visitors who come in the fall are treated to aspen leaves turning red and gold, uncrowded trails in the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains and quiet, crisp fall mornings.

In the winter months, clear blue skies and glistening white snow combine to create the perfect setting for cross-country skiing, hunting, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and photography.7. Craters of the MoonFor more than 15,000 years, lava eruptions created a bizarre and unusual landscape that is unlike any other in the state. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is part of the Snake River Plain, a volcanic terrain that spans across all of southern Idaho and can be found 18 miles southwest of Arco.

Craters of the Moon is considered by some to be one of the best places in the world to see the effects of volcanism. In various places, this volcanic plain is 60 miles wide, and drilling into it has shown its lava deposits to be more than 10,000 feet deep in some locations.

Visitors can feast their eyes upon features like cinder cones, spatter cones, lava tubes and several types of lava flows.

In 1969, the second group of astronauts to walk on the moon visited Craters of the Moon, but did not train there. Instead, they studied the volcanic geology of the area and were also able to explore the remarkable and harsh environment in preparation for their historic trip into space.

Many visitors wonder if Craters of the Moon will ever erupt again. Geologists say the site is dormant rather than an extinct volcanic area. The volcanoes here are not dead, only sleeping, and are expected to become active again within the next 1,000 years.8. Hell's Gate State Park/Hell's CanyonHell’s Gate State Park, located in north-central Idaho, serves as a gateway to both Idaho’s Lewis and Clark Country as well as Hell’s Canyon, the deepest river gorge in all of North America, making it a popular destination for tourists.

Wildlife, fishing, boating and sightseeing make Hell’s Gate one of Idaho’s best and most sought-after parks. It is situated in an area not far from Lewiston and is just 30 minutes away from the Nez Perce National Historic Park.

For those up for an adventure, boat excursions to Hell’s Canyon leave regularly from Hell’s Gate Park and allow visitors to behold the canyon’s majesty, depth and unusual formation.

The park, which is elevated at 733 feet above sea level, also offers a calm camping atmosphere along the shores of the Snake River. A large beach and day-use area is available for recreational activities like horseback riding, hiking and biking, making this a must-see location for sportsman and campers alike.

Wildlife lovers are likely to find pheasants, quails, chakras, hawks, geese, ducks, owls and cottontail rabbits within the park.9. Priest Lake Long considered a crown jewel, Priest Lake is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Breathtaking scenery and surroundings that are unspoiled and spectacular make Priest Lake one of Idaho’s premiere destinations.

A location that is truly sensational in all seasons, Priest Lake is a year-round family vacation stop as well as a location for group conferences, seminars and retreats.

The centerpiece of this spot on the map is a magnificent 23,000-acre azure lake that stretches for 25 miles nestled beneath the majestic Selkirk Mountains, making it one of the most beautiful wilderness areas you will ever see.

Located about 75 miles north of Coeur d’Alene, Priest Lake actually consists of two lakes joined by a two-mile long slow moving river known as the Thoroughfare. The landscape offers 80 miles of shoreline and many popular accesses and beaches for swimming, picnics and an array of boating sports accommodated with marina and vehicle services, boat rentals, as well as grocery and tackle shops.

This oasis in the mountains also boasts 400 miles of groomed, marked and patrolled snowmobile trails. Ample snowfall and open spaces make Priest Lake a winter wonderland. Cross-country skiers come from far and wide to enjoy over 70 kilometers of groomed trails throughout the area. 10. Bruneau Sand DunesThe Bruneau Sand Dunes, located in Bruneau Dunes State Park in the high desert south of Mountain Home, features the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. The dune rises to a 470 feet high above a collection of small lakes located in the park.

Massive sand-piles remain trapped in a semi-circular basin, due largely to opposing wind currents, contributing to the dunes’ unusual makeup.

The state park is perfect for anyone who loves to fish, bird-watch, camp, hike or swim. The park also features one of only two public observatories in Idaho and gives visitors the chance to look through a 25-inch Obsession, the largest telescope in the West that’s accessible to the public.

Visitors are welcome to climb the unique dunes and explore some of the park’s most attractive and popular features, including desert, dune, prairie, lake and marsh habitat. Some are even lucky enough to observe nocturnal species when the opportunity presents itself. No vehicles are allowed on the dunes.

The visitor center is a popular stop on the way through Bruneau Dunes State Park, where you’ll find a detailed exhibit on the area’s desert denizens, among them the coyote and the golden eagle, along with fossils from former residents such as the mammoth.
source:http://www.idahopress.com/news/?id=4257

Enjoy ur holiday Norway with great Adventurous

Escape your everyday routine and try an adventurous activity holiday in Norway. Get back to nature as you experience this relatively undiscovered activity destination offering a variety of resorts and activities.

Norway’s stunning scenery is the perfect backdrop to enjoy the peace and quiet in a canoe, horseriding or for more adventure join FlatEarth and go glacier walking, abseiling, paragliding and much more.

Activity Holidays in Vradal Log Cabins
Visit the Telemark region of Norway on a self drive break. The beautiful resort borders placid Lake Nisser. Sail from Newcastle to Stavanger late on a Sunday night and your adventure begins as soon as you board the ship –great restaurants, bars, shops, even cinema swimming pool and casino.

Prices include 2 nights onboard ship, carriage of a standard vehicle 4/5 nights in a Vradal lodge, plus live onboard entertainment. After you arrive in Stavanger is about a 4 hour drive through picturesque country to Vradal where you stay in pretty lakeside log cabins. You can enjoy watersports, cycling and hiking. 7 nights from £155 pp 6May – 17 June and 2 Sept to 30 September / 6 nights from £203 pp 20 June – 26 August.

6 night activity holiday at FlatEarth
Sail from Newcastle to Bergen on the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry. If you like Adrenalin sports this is for you. Enjoy 3 fun packed days of activities with FlatEarth in the heart of the Norwegian Fjords. With over 25 years experience and located on the fabulous Hardangerfjord you’ll be enjoy individually tailored activities.

Each day you can choose a different activity including river and fjord Kayaking, glacier expeditions, climbing, abseiling, fishing, sea kayaking, canoing or mountain biking. Prices from £633 pp include sea crossings, return carriage of standard car, 4 nights at the Eidfjord Fjell and Fjord hotel, 3 days FlatEarth pass as well as breakfast and dinner at the hotel

6/7 night activity holiday at Voss
From £578pp for high season 19th june- 27th August, from £444pp for low season 25 Jan – 18 June and 28 August to 27 December.

Situated between the two famous fjords or Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord – Fleischers Hotel in Voss is a popular year round destination. The ideal base for various activities and in a beautiful setting. The attractive swiss style 19th century hotel is still run by the Fleischers family and offers modern amenities and traditional charm.

The hotel’s restaurant is renowned for delicious food including local fish and Norwegian specialities. Summer activities in Voss are extensive. Price includes 2 nights onboard, 5 nights at Fleischers, carriage of a standard car and great onboard entertainment

Activity Holiday to Lilland Hotel near Pulpit Rock
6 nights from £476pp in high season 20 June to 26 August). 7 nights from £505 pp in low season 6 May – 17th June and 2nd September to 30th September.

Pulpit Rock near Stavanger is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Norway with its unrivaled views. It is a popular hiking site. Sail to Norway from Newcastle and stay at the Lilland Hotel 30 minutes from Stavanger, the perfect base from which to visit Pulpit Rock. Two ways to visit Pulpit Rock –3 to 4 hour hike or a boat ride- both offer great views from the top. Price includes 2 nights onboard, 4/5 nights at the Lilland Hotel, carriage of a standard vehicle and a wide range of onboard entertainment.
source:http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Holidays/article-168958.html

Holistic Treatment to Health in Kerala Ayurveda

The Indian state of Kerala is located in the South Western tip of India. The state has a tropical type of climate and covers a total area of about 38, 863 square km. God´s own country as it is famously known, it is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats in the East and the Arabian Sea in the West and has a network of 44 rivers, lakes, and estuaries popularly known as backwaters, that drains into the Arabian Sea,. The state has a long shoreline with tranquil beaches which attract tourists from all across the globe. Besides this, the state is also famous for its age-old Ayurvedic therapy. Kerala Ayurveda is indeed gaining momentum worldwide for its holistic effect on the body and mind. The healing effects of Ayurveda have spread as much by government initiatives as well as by word of mouth. As a result, you now you can also avail of comprehensive Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of health care which has its origin in the Indian sub-continent. The origin of this therapy is much argued, but this science of cure has passed on from generation to generation. This science of medicine operates on the percept that every material object, be it animal or human or even mineral resources, has some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these objects have been used for centuries to cure illness and maintain good health. Even writers and compilers of Indian History like Charaka, Sushruta, Vagabhatta, Bhav Mishra, and Shaligram have written about the qualities and medical uses of these herbs, mineral, metals, chemicals, animal parts and fruits. The effects and practice of Ayurveda was also mentioned in the ancient Indian texts like Vastu and the Vedas.

Ayurvedic massage is a medical treatment which can be applied to individuals of any age. However, the intensity of the massage varies from age to age. The ayurvedic massage therapy helps in relieving pain, improves blood circulation, relieves stress, sleep better, provides flexibility in muscles and remove toxic materials that gets accumulated in the joints and tissues. Interestingly, this age-old holistic treatment has become one of the main revenue generators for India in terms of health tourism. Tourists, who are Indian, but mostly foreign, are keen on Ayurvedic therapy forming part of the package deal for a tour of Kerala. The resort or spa which offers Ayurveda treatment in Kerala also provides you with Ayurveda diet, yoga and meditation classes, and massage therapy. From obesity to liver problems, skin care to hair loss everything is believed to have an answer in Ayurveda.

The equable climate and the natural abundance of forest with a large variety of herbs and medicinal plants make Kerala a wonder destination for Ayurveda. Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages are some of the most healing and restorative packages in India. The ideal time to book tours for Kerala Ayurveda is in the monsoon, when the atmosphere remains dust free and cool.

Several types of Ayurvedic therapies are practiced in Kerala. The most prominent ones include the Abhyangam, Dhanyamla Dhara, Dhara, Kativasthi, Ksheeradhoomam, Njavarakizhi, Sirovasthi, Snehapanam, Udvarthanam, Urovasthi, Vasthi and the Yoni Prakshalanam. The duration of these treatments ranges from seven to fourteen days or even more depending upon the package you are choosing. Each of these packages has some distinct medicinal value and helps in attaining the harmony of body, mind and soul.

Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages generally include accommodation for days depending upon the massage pack chosen, body massage and food. One can also avail the shared accommodation at a discounted rate. Kerala tour Operators have basically three options – a seven day package, a fourteen day package and a twenty one day package, from which the guests can choose depending upon his need. Among the prominent resorts which offer Ayurveda in Kerala include Sanjeevanam Resort, Somatheeram Resort, Thirummal Resort, Manal Theeram Beach Resort and the Keraleeyam Ayurvedic Resort.

Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/58894

Up-and-coming Tourist Destination In Northern Ireland emerges as a hot spot Tourist Place

Since the Good Friday Peace Accord of 1998, Northern Ireland has morphed from the land of "Troubles" to an up-and-coming tourist destination.

Before that, sectarian violence between Protestants and Catholics made headlines around the world as Loyalists to the British Crown battled those who wanted Northern Ireland free of English rule. Skirmishes between the British military and paramilitary forces broke out on a regular basis.

The Good Friday agreement, however, ushered in equal rights, legitimization of the Irish language, demilitarization and arms decommissioning. As a result, violence subsided and the streets of Belfast and Derry became safe. With peace came economic prosperity.

Investment companies formed to develop and reconstruct vast areas of Belfast. New restaurants and bars opened; more jobs resulted in a population with more sterling to spend.

Suddenly, 19th-century Ireland's most industrial city became a bustling European hot spot.

The airlines have helped. Belfast is Aer Lingus' new hub, making it a popular weekend getaway for Europeans who come for the food, drink, attractions, shopping and entertainment. (One of the U.K.'s biggest Ikeas just opened nearby and throngs of shoppers arrive from the Republic of Ireland.) On Thursday, a new mixed-use Victoria Shopping Centre opened, with leisure facilities, apartments and over 70 retailers.

FAR FROM FAMINE

It's hard to imagine that a century and a half ago, famine forced millions to flee Northern Ireland when today the country's food is so plentiful and tasty that food tourism is one of its many draws. Seafood such as monkfish, oysters and mussels, together with local cheese, beef and produce, form a larder for the region's fresh, innovative menus.

Don't miss Belfast's restaurant scene. Malmaison Belfast, housed in two former warehouses near the River Lagan, sports a stylish hotel, bar and brasserie, which in addition to the regular menu features a popular and reasonably priced local one. Chef Colin Manson uses producers like Maurice Kettyle for his locally reared and aged beef, Bob Couhoun for organic tomatoes and Courtney's Orchard for local Armagh apples.

MAGNET FOR EUROPEAN VISITORS

A decade ago, even locals wouldn't venture into Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The neighborhood stood derelict, victim of severe economic decline and years of sectarian violence between Catholics and Protestants. Now it's the city's art and entertainment center, and brand new restaurants, like No. 27, cater to visitors and natives alike.
source:http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/travel/2008/03/09/2008-03-09_northern_ireland_emerges_as_a_tourist_ho.html

Spend your Holidays with the world Best Adventure Places

These days people want more from their holiday than just a holiday - they want an adventure holiday. It has to be a holiday that will take them far away from working life and give them something to talk about in the pub when they get back.

Now that backpacking in Thailand or tea-house trekking in Nepal has become mainstream, travellers are looking for new challenges to fill their time off.

The world's largest adventure travel company, takes 70,000 people on 1,000 adventurous holidays annually and sales director John Warner says the sector is continuing to show strong growth.

He quoted a 2005 Mintel study that showed one in four Europeans would go on an adventure holiday.

The market for adventure holidays is particularly robust in the UK, with several generations of former backpackers now grown up, with disposable income and often a family in tow.

Above all they are looking for an experience, maybe even a life-changing one. They have got over their fear of the unknown and they're looking for something exotic and different - an adventure holiday.

"They don't want to just be able to say they've been to Cambodia. They want to say they've been rafting down the Mekong river, met the local people, got to the heart of the country and really experienced it," explains Mr Warner.

Adventure holidays appeal across all age groups and may not necessarily involve physical challenge.

For many people going to a developing country and finding they have no familiar cultural or language references and no communication with the outside world is enough of an adventure holiday.

"Sitting five feet away from a gorilla is just sitting there but believe me it could be one of the most exciting things you'll ever experience," said John Warner.

"And when a big silverback gorilla walks past and picks up a baby - you'll never forget that."

The independent writers at travelbite.co.uk have looked around the globe for the best adventure holiday destinations and activities:

North America adventure holidays – Yosemite National Park

America's national parks offer some of the most beautiful and varied locations for adventure holidays, and the lush green utopia of Yosemite in California is surely one of the very best.

The perfect paradise for those wanting to do something more with their holiday than simply sitting by the pool, Yosemite national park offers plenty of activities, from horseback riding and river rafting in the summer to snowboarding and skiing in the winter.

For the rock climbers among you, the Yosemite Valley features one of the most famous and inspiring of all challenges - El Capitan - the largest exposed granite monolith in the world.

While there are plenty of places in the park for beginners to try their hand at rock climbing, this is certainly not one of them. The sheer cliff face is more than a kilometre high, and the task of conquering it takes most climbers three to five days - surely a must for experienced climbers wanting to add to their list of achievements.

If attempting to perform standard bodily functions while precariously hanging off El Capitan for 100 hours straight is a little too adventurous for your liking, the natural wonderland of Yosemite is also perfect for hiking and backpacking.

There are many different suggested routes for scenic walks and treks throughout the park, which will suit people of different fitness levels.

However, for the more serious adventurers out there, the 17-mile round-trip up to the peak of Half Dome is perhaps the most breath-taking, with views across the valley to El Capitan.

The National Park Service classify this hike as "extremely strenuous", and the trip is generally estimated to require between ten to 12 hours, but if you're the type to not do things by halves then the view from 9,000ft up is certainly worth it.


There are a number of excellent lodges for visitors to stay in the base of the Yosemite Valley as well as the famous Wawona Hotel.

Yosemite can be quite inaccessible during the winter as heavy snow often leads to road closures, so particular attention to your route is needed in deciding when to travel.

Robert Hastings

Europe adventure holidays - Via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites

This popular adventure sport has a fascinating history and offers the opportunity to combine a holiday in Italy with adventure amid some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world.

The Dolomite mountains once formed the first world war's most extreme battle ground as the Italian and Austrian armies fought a ferocious two-year campaign.

They tunnelled and fixed wires across the Dolomite mountains, building fortifications and gun emplacements along miles of narrow pathways and across ridgelines at high altitude.

Their legacy is the basis of the via ferrata (Italian for "the iron way") routes enjoyed by adventurous holidaymakers today.

War-time routes have been restored and expanded into a network of ferrata that allows anyone with a head for heights and reasonable fitness to enjoy the exhilaration of being high in the mountains without specialist skills.

The tunnel system of the Sentiero de Luca/Innerkofler route offers superb views of one of the most iconic images in the Dolomites: Tre Cime di Lavaredo (the three peaks of Lavaredo).

These three giant tombstones of rock stand in splendid isolation on what was the Austro-Italian border until 1919. The tallest is 1,640 feet (500m) high.

Despite its violent past, the valley today is a place of peaceful recreation. The clamour of cow bells in the high pastures and alpine meadows full of harebells, hawkbit and the tiniest of miniature pink rhododendrons surround walkers.

The highest point on this via ferrata is Monte Paterno (2,744 metres) and the ascent is a combination of walking and mountain climbing.

It is as easy as snapping your carabiners onto the steel cable fixed into the mountain, reaching up to find a hand hold and scrambling up the rocky face.

The views from the top are breathtaking, with mountains receding into the distance in every direction. The south faces are like gothic carving covered by cobwebs in the evening sun.

No special training or techniques are required to follow via ferrata. There are plenty of guided tours available but people who are confident about being in the mountains should be able to go it alone after some instruction.

The equipment needed includes a climbing harness, a helmet and a specially designed via ferrata kit. This is a Y-shaped rope which is attached to your harness at one end and clipped into the fixed wire on the mountain at the other ends.

A friction plate in the middle means that if you fall the shock will be absorbed by the rope. The whole lot can be hired in Cortina sports shops for around 14 euros per day.

The best time to take this adventure holiday is during the summer. Many ski-lifts and telecabine continue to operate and provide useful (and painless) access routes to the higher via ferrata routes.


There is plenty of accommodation and you can get some good deals in summer. There are a number of excellent campgrounds, including Camp Rochetta.

Climbers and walkers can also stay in comfortable Rifugios along the mountain trails, enabling an earlier start or multi-day routes. These are fully catered and serve delicious meals.

Outside Italy, via ferrata routes have been developed in many of Europe's mountainous regions.

For more information see the guidebook Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites: Vol 1 (North, Central and East) by John Smith and Graham Fletcher, published by Cicerone,

Natasha von Geldern

Australasia adventure holidays - New Zealand is the adventure holiday capital of the world

New Zealand is the adventure holiday capital of the world and offers endless opportunities for adventurous fun in the great outdoors.

A highlight for many travellers in New Zealand is kayaking in the Abel Tasman national park.

Whether you take a tour with an expert guide or choose to do it yourself with a freedom kayak rental, this stunning park will seduce you with its clear turquoise waters and golden sand beaches.

It takes around three days to kayak from Marahau to Totaranui (or the other way around), although there are shorter or longer adventure holiday options.

As you kayak along the forest-fringed coastline you can explore quiet lagoons, stop for a spot of afternoon tea and sunbathing on a beautiful beach, and visit a Maori village site.

The wildlife around the offshore islands is a highlight for many, particularly the Tonga Island marine sanctuary.

Here you can kayak among frolicking seals and watch the sea birds nesting on the cliffs. You may even be lucky enough to see a little blue penguin.

The sea kayaks have plenty of room for camping equipment, food and beverages and there are campgrounds on the way, all designed to minimise human impact on the environment.

Once you've had your fill of kayaking and relaxing on the beach at Totaranui, continue the adventure holiday with a day or two hiking inland or along the coastal track.

With excellent trails, pristine native forest and great views out along the coast, the Abel Tasman national park has something for everyone.

There are a number of companies offering tours and kayak hire in the holiday villages of Kaiteriteri, Totaranui and Marahau, including Abel Tasman Kayaks.

Kayaking adventure holidays can be undertaken from spring through to early winter but are always weather dependent.

Summer is a very popular time but it is also common to get calm good weather for kayaking in spring and autumn.

There are a number of small-boat ferry services which stop on certain beaches, so you can make this holiday as adventurous as you choose or head for civilisation at the end of the day.

And if camping is not your thing, Awaroa Lodge in the heart of the park offers comfortable accommodation and meals.

Asia adventure holidays – Horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan

The central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan is another adventure-holiday-lovers' paradise.

With 93 per cent of the country at over 1,000 metres, the spectacular scenery and rugged terrain create an adventure holiday destination that is truly off the beaten track.

This is a country of horsemen and saddling up for an adventure holiday trek into the wild mountain landscape is the perfect way to see the real Kyrgyzstan.

There are a number of places where treks can be arranged, including the little town of Kochkor.

Arranging a guide and horses is a simple matter through the excellent scheme office, which also arranges simple but comfortable homestay accommodation in the town.

Depending on the time of year and how much snow is still in the mountains there are a variety of treks that can be undertaken from here into the mountain ranges that seem to stretch on forever.

Kochkor is bounded on one side by the Terskei Alu mountain range, and by the Khyrgizia range to the north.

Around Kochkor, long lines of poplars and willows frame the green farmland but the sturdy horses soon carry you up into the velvety brown hills.

It is a day's ride to Lake Kol Ukok, still frozen over in late May and surrounded by oxidised red hills and snow-covered peaks.

Golden marmots scamper about in the sunshine but it is impossible to get anywhere near them.

In these hills of central Kyrgyzstan the semi-nomadic people herd their flocks of fat-bottomed sheep, cattle and horses for their wool, skin, milk and meat.

They stay in a village on the plain, like Kochkor, during the winter and at the first sign of spring head for the jailoo, or summer pastures.

Then they follow the grass all summer, moving their herds and yurt from place to place.

Meeting these hospitable and kind people is an incredible experience. The yurt our hosts live in was built of thin wooden slats covered in thick woollen felt and it smelled of mutton-fat.

We feasted on delicious fresh cream and yoghurt with home-made bread and jam. The pot-belly stove kept us all warm until it was time to snuggle down in our sleeping bags on the sheepskin rugs and quilts.

The best time to go on a horse-trekking adventure holiday in Kyrgyzstan is late spring through to early autumn.

Natasha von Geldern

South America adventure holidays - Colombia is the next big thing

South America has always been a popular adventure holiday destination, offering a diverse range of adrenaline filled activities, including trekking and climbing.

Colombia is set to be the "next big thing" with the Hollywood film of Gabriel Garcia Marquez' novel Love in the Time of Cholera, starring Oscar-winner Javier Bardem, enjoying its UK release in March 2008.

The stunning shots of the Colombian city of Cartagnena in the film, as well as the unspoilt Magdalena River and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, will get travellers excited about visiting the country.

Adventurous treks such as the (Lost City) in Colombia are proving increasingly popular for those who want to get away from the tourist hordes and find the real South America.

Back in Peru the is also becoming popular as adventurous holidaymakers discover Machu Picchu's sister site Choquequirao, hidden deep in the Salkantay Mountain Range.
Climb mountains in the Andes, trek Inca routes, raft the Urumbamba River into the Amazon rainforest, sand board in Huacachina and drive off-road to discover a country of contrasts.

Or trek to the Colca Canyon - one of the world's deepest at 3,400m - to view the magnificent condors.

There are plenty of white water rafting opportunities in the Amazon and Andes regions and rafting on the Tambopata and Apurimac rivers is among the best in South America.

Travel through lush tropical forests in deep canyons and view the incredible wildlife up close.

source:http://www.travelbite.co.uk/feature/south-and-central-america/peru/best-adventure-holidays-in-world-$1213911.htm

Hawaii Islanda The place to Spend your Weekendz Window: Lanai,

Hawaii is a popular tourist destination and the state's bigger islands usually get the most visitors. That's why the state's smallest island is the perfect getaway for those looking for more low-keyed relaxation.

"It's just so different from any other Hawaiian island. You won't believe it," said Kathy Caroll of Mike Caroll Gallery. "I think people should come to Lanai if they want to experience complete and utter solitude. I can't think of a more relaxing place to be."

The destination spot may have a calmer vibe than the sometimes-crowded beaches and tourist destinations on the larger islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii.

"You come to Lanai and you commune with nature. It's a real experience; it's not something that's contrived," said Kepa Maly, of Lana'i Cultural Heritage Center.

Lanai, which also is known as the Island of Mystery and the Secluded Isle, only has about 2,800 inhabitants, which adds to its feeling of quietude.

The island's geography offers a view of different cliffs and rock formations.

"[The] cliffs go [to] 1,000 feet. God has made all these rock formations," said Mike Lopez, of Trilogy Excursions. "I believe each formation represents something within itself."

Many see Lanai's landscape as a divine experience.

"One of the most amazing places to see here is Keahikawelo, otherwise known as the Garden of the Gods. It looks like a surreal landscape. It almost feels like you're walking onto the surface of Mars," Carroll said.

"When you go up onto the slopes, there's this amazing geology. The wind erosion that's occurred where the core of lava flows have remained intact," Maly said. "You get up on the flatlands, and onto the slopes above us, and you have this amazing mounding and piling of stones that some people would think, that's man-made. But in reality, it's God-made."

source:http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4416809

South Africa make list of top 10 ethical destinations Costa Rica,

In an effort to get travelers off the beaten path and support destinations in developing countries, a group called Ethical Traveler has published a list of the "10 best ethical destinations."

The organization said in a statement that many countries "are making noble attempts to preserve their natural assets, create a user-friendly infrastructure, and build an economy where their citizens share the benefits of tourist revenue. By bringing our commerce to such places we encourage their efforts, and inspire neighboring countries to support these values as well."

To create the list, Ethical Traveler looked at environmental protection, social welfare and human rights in the world's developing nations. The honorees on the Ethical Traveler's list, in alphabetical order, are Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Namibia, Nicaragua, and South Africa.

The organization used various resources to make the determinations, including data collected by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network; progress made by countries in reducing infant mortality rates as measured by UNICEF; and reports on civil liberties and human rights from sources like Amnesty International and Freedom House.
source:http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-07-30-ethical-destinations_N.htm