The majority of Edmonton’s parks are located right on the banks of the North Saskatchewan river, which has provided the city with 22 parks, each creating an oasis  of lush green spaces, subterranean ravines and azure lakes. This is the largest expanse of parkland in the whole of North America and is known as the Ribbon of Green.

If you are lucky enough, you may well spot a coyote, deer, porcupine or even a bear hiding amongst the dense foliage. There is also golf and a wide range of water sports to enjoy along the riverbank.  The river is teeming with fish, and is irresistible to anglers, and fishing is also allowed in some of the lakes in Edmonton’s sprawling riverside parks.

There is more fun to be had in the winter, when a thick blanket of snow and the lakes freezing over brings the onset of winter sports. The biking  trails are transformed into tracks for cross country skiing and tobogganing, whilst the lakes become skating rinks. If winter sports aren’t your thing, just have some fun in the snow and build a fort or a snowman.

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Guanajuato is probably regarded as one of the greatest treasures of the country. It is a place known for its stunning colonial architecture and it is regarded as the art capital of the country. A unique experience available here is to take a trip to see mummies that are enclosed in glass and uncover their secrets.

Another great destination is Puerto Escondido and the beach Zicatela is regarded as one of the greatest surfing locations in the world. It has fantastic curving waves that will keep surfers occupied and thrilled for days. This location is a part of Oaxaca and it can be reached by minibus from this city.

Tuburon Island is a place well worth exploring, it is the meeting point of the Gulf of California and the Sonoran Desert. This place is full of natural beauty and there is a strip of water, called the El Infiernillo which travellers can cross to see some of the other wonders of the area.

If you travel to western Mexico you will find the Bahias de Huatulco which has nine bays visitors can explore and a great deal of lush vegetation. This can be a destination that is a little tricky to reach but if you do get there you will find it well worth the trouble.

There are many options for a holiday when you travel to Mexico. All-inclusive packages are a popular option and these will include hotels as well as flights. It is also possible to arrange the journey yourself although this will require slightly more preparation. Flights to Mexico can be found at good rates if you look around different agents.

Mexico is a location that is full of unique places to visit. A traveller to the country will find that they have a holiday experience very different from what they have been used to. The country has so much to explore and see that they wish they had a longer stay.

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Barbados is situated north east of Venezuela and east of the Windward Isles where the Caribbean Sea meets the north Atlantic. The mild tropical climate, sweeping landscapes and some of the friendliest people you could wish to meet make this a perfect holiday hotspot. Add to this the vibrant buzz of the lively streets and you truly have all the ingredients for the holiday of a lifetime.

Due to its location, Barbados has an average annual temperature of between 75-80F and as the weather conditions stay relatively the same all year round, there is no good or bad time to visit Barbados.  Winters are warm, summers are hotter, and proceeding the months of summer there is always the possibility of rain.

Millions of tourists flock to Barbados every year, and there is a lot more to this island than just a beach holiday, even though the white sands are some of the most beautiful in the world. Watersports in the crystal clear waters are as popular as you would expect, and swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing etc are all available off the coast of Barbados.

The towns on the island are colourful and exciting and well worth the time to have a good look around. The Barbadian capital is Bridgetown, and here you can see such ancient and historical landmarks such as the Neogothic Parliament buildings, Bridgetown Synagogue, the National Heroes Square and an awful lot more. Those interested in history will love wandering the streets and taking in heritage of the island.

Other attractions well worth exploring out of town are the Chalky mount Potters, East Coast Road and Crane Beach. As you will imagine, the food here is exemplary. Whether you pay a visit to one of the top restaurants such as the Cliff, The Lone Star or the Red House inn, or one of the smaller eateries favoured by the locals, you are guaranteed a meal that will make your mouth water just looking at it.

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Thank you Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole and everyone who have made this song part of everyone’s vocabulary but where is Route 66 and what’s so special about it?

Bobby Troup, an American songwriter had the idea to list the places the highway passes through while crossing the country. “The Mother Road” opened in 1926 and originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles passing through eight US states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Improvements constantly altered the route until by 1985 there had been so many changes it was removed from the United States Highway System. Even so, this doesn’t stop many road trippers driving the route to see the changing landscapes across this vast country.

Not all of the route is paved so when looking for car hire you might like to consider an off-road vehicle for comfort but all will come with air-con and you will be grateful for that if your travel during the summer months when temperatures can soar to 40C in the daytime. The best months to drive the whole route is from April to October as other times can be snowy with icy driving conditions.

You won’t find Route 66 on standard road maps anymore but there are signs with the “Historic Route 66” emblem along the route to keep you on the right path.

If you want to do the whole route you need to start at Grant Park in Chicago, also known as Chicago’s “front yard” which has three world-class museums: the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium. Visit in June and you can enjoy the Chicago Blues Festival with its “Route 66 Roadhouse” stage on the actual pavement of old US 66 on Jackson Boulevard.

Although the whole journey can just about be done in four days there would be no joy in that so allow at least two weeks as there is over 2,000 miles to cover.

Head towards Springfield, IL and walk the same streets as Abraham Lincoln and then onto St Louis, MO and you will cross the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River on the north edge of the city where you can go inside the tallest man-made monument in the United States: the Gateway Arch. There’s a public observation area at the top of the arch and you can get excellent views.

Less than two hours drive away in Fanning, Missouri you can see the World’s Largest Rocking Chair which makes for a fun photo opportunity.

After Oklahoma City look out for Clinton, Oklahoma and stop at the Route 66 Museum, then switch your soundtrack to “Is This the Way to Amarillo?” as yes, it is. Amarillo, Texas is cowboy-land so you can see a mix of Old West and New West. Make sure you drive along Amarillo Boulevard as that’s part of the original Route 66.

Popular stops include Albuquerque, Nebraska, the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Las Vegas in Nevada. You might like to stay at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona for a change from a classic motel before reaching Los Angeles and enjoying Santa Monica’s Californian beaches.

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Immerse yourself in Disney World

Make sure you stay for long enough to see everything on offer at Disney World – it’s absolutely massive and packed with incredible audio-animatronic rides and attractions. There are five main areas:  Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Cirque du Soleil and Downtown Disney.

The Magic Kingdom is the place where Disney’s characters come alive, including Buzz Lightyear and Winnie the Pooh. This is also where you’ll find the thrilling Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride and the terrifying Splash Mountain. At the Epcot Center you can experience a space mission and many other great rides, and in Hollywood Studios all the movie stunts and special effects come to life.

Kids love the Animal Kingdom too – an exciting trip through jungles and mountains, on thrilling rides and safari adventures. Downtown Disney is where you’ll find amazing shows such as Cirque du Soleil, and a whole range of restaurants and shops.

Disney is just the beginning

When you book your cheap flights to Orlando, bear in mind that Disney World isn’t the only attraction and you might need a bit more time to see everything you want to! There’s the Universal Studios for a start. Here you’ll find whole areas dedicated to bringing alive your favourite films like Shrek, Men in Black, ET, Jaws and Twister. The Islands of Adventure theme park is also run by Universal and has more thrill rides. The Kennedy Space Centre is a fascinating attraction, giving you the history of space exploration, a shuttle launch experience and talks by real astronauts.

A torrent of great water parks

Where to start with Orlando’s water parks? You could spend a month here, flying down slides and playing in wave pools, and never be bored. Disney runs two of the best water parks: Blizzard Beach with its huge Summit Plummit slide, and Typhoon Lagoon with its huge wave pool. Other water parks in the area are Wet n Wild which has a new ‘Brain Wash’ slide, and Sea World Aquatica, the newest park with super long slides and the unique ‘Manta’ ride. Also, Busch gardens, just outside Tampa, has some amazing white water rides and ‘animal encounter experiences’.

What’s new in Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is possibly the most exciting new Orlando attraction and can be found at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The Disney’s Mission Space ride at the Epcot Center is also new and gives you the most amazing space experience you can imagine – lifting off in a rocket on a mission to Mars.

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Social unrest shapes music in the north-east

As rock music evolved in the early 1980s, a phenomenon emerged in Seattle, Washington. A new style took shape, a less disciplined sound that was influenced by musicians with a discontentment that showed in their lyrics. This style would come to be known as grunge, and 30 years later, it still permeates the music scene. Bands such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden would become the faces of this music, and clubs such as The Original, The Crocodile Cafe and other venues would be home to this new style of music.

Grunge is still associated with Seattle, and many of the clubs where it became famous are still in existence. Travellers who want to experience a truly unique musical style that became a way of life for many people will make the journey to experience it in its birthplace.

Chicago blues – windy city music with a deep-south influence

One of the most prolific forms of music to originate in the United States is blues. Blues was predominantly an African-American music form, started around the beginning of the 19th century among slaves in the south. When the civil war ended in 1865, slaves carried the music with them, and a unique form of blues was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the early part of the 20th century. Relying heavily on amplified sounds from harmonicas and guitars, the music still influences many genres.

Chicago has been home to many famous performers, including Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon and many more. Today, Chicago is still filled with famous blues clubs such as Buddy Guy’s Legends and Kingston Mines. On a road trip USA musical history is around every corner, waiting to be explored. Nowhere is this more true than in the Windy City.

Nashville shapes American music with a country sound

From the Appalachian Mountains to the heart of Texas, country music has represented life and shaped musical trends for both the 20th and 21st centuries. A blend of gospel, folk, rock, Celtic and Anglo music styles, this genre has been an integral part of life for many Americans. The heart of country music is found in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Grand Ole Opry.

After a century, country music is still one of the most important styles in the US. Artists from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks have brought wide appeal, and the road taken by any musical traveller in the US almost certainly has to pass through Nashville.

The legendary jazz of New Orleans

For many people, it is almost impossible to separate jazz music and the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Started around the turn of the 20th century in the African-American community, jazz has a distinctive sound that has influenced other musical styles such as rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and more. Jazz reached its zenith between the 1920s and the 1960s, with such famous performers as Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Benny Goodman.

Jazz is still considered a way of life in New Orleans, and there is no better way to enjoy an impromptu concert than on a New Orleans street corner under the warm winter sun. A trip here for jazz has to include a stop at Preservation Hall in the French Quarter for some of the finest jazz anywhere in the country.

Rapping on the street corners in New York City

The final stop on the musical road trip is inner-city New York for rap music. Born in South Bronx, this genre started as street music, blending African rhythms with spoken lyrics and punctuated by a thumping beat. This form of music rose to prominence in the 1970s with a sound that was shaped by African, Puerto Rican and Jamaican influences.

Leaving the streets and going mainstream, rap is now one of the most popular types of music in the world, influencing rhythm and blues and reggaeton. Because rap music is so popular, it can be found in almost any club, with live freestyle performances providing unbelievable energy and excitement.

A musical road trip

American music has left an indelible mark on international music. For travellers wanting to experience the profound musical contribution of the United States, a journey including stops in Seattle, Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans and New York City would create memories to last a lifetime.

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There are, of course, the usual sightseeing of the Statute of Liberty, Central Park, the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Centre, Times Square, Wall Street, United Nations, the fashionable shops of Fifth Avenue, Broadway theatres, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bronx Zoo, and so much more.

The South Street Seaport gives an opportunity to tour historic ships or take a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. There are up-scale stores and plenty of restaurants and cafes along cobblestone streets as well as festivities and exhibits. Pier 17 often has live entertainment.

The Metropolitan Museum has permanent exhibits as well as large collections that are rotated from time to time. You can walk in its Temple of Dendur, an Egyptian Temple from 15 B.C. with carved graffiti that goes back to the early 19th century. The American Art wing has the famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware. Fashions from all ages are in the Costume Institute, and there are historical and rare instruments in the Musical Instruments exhibit. The finest armour exhibit in the United States is in the Arms and Armour section.

For the “techies”, plan to go to the Apple Store where you can take an elevator to go underground to view the most recent high tech offerings and use computers for free. The Nintendo World Store has many displays as well as the latest games that you can stop and play. The Virgin Megastore is not only one of the largest record stores in the city but also has clothes and video games.

For young children there is the Big Apple Circus which is in town in the fall and winter with its circus favourites including clowns and acrobats; also the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue with activities and “the happiest store clerks on earth”. The younger folks would also enjoy the free Sony Wonder Technology Lab with a movie studio, simulators, robot control, and other wonders. Girls enjoy the American Girl Place with each doll coming with its own stories and accessories. Your daughter or grand-daughter can spend time in the doll salon with her new purchase or in the attached cafe. Although located away from the main strip, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory presents a “fun” time.

For chocolate lovers of all ages there is Max Brenner’s (Chocolate by the Bald Man) on East Broadway between 13th and 14th Street. This unique place grinds its own cacao beans and churns its own chocolate and then offers a mouth-watering menu including chocolate mousse, fruit and marshmallows for dipping in a chocolate fondue, a steamed chocolate pudding with a molten centre of dark chocolate mixed with raspberry sauce, and other decadent items.

Walking food tours are very popular and give you a chance to sample a large variety of local favourite foods while touring neighbourhoods and learning about their history and culture.

For cheap flights to New York visit Netflights and for cheap hotels visit Hotels.com.

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Sound good? Then Florida Villa holidays are perfect for you.

More savvy travellers are quickly discovering that choosing a villa is a lot better than staying at a hotel or resort. Whether you’re a family with young children, taking your grandparents on holiday or simply kicking back with your friends, Florida villas are the best value for your money.

A villa in Florida will give you a more enjoyable, comfortable holiday instead of staying in hotel. This is particularly true for Florida, where crowds of tourists flock to hotels and major attractions. Sometimes, it’s simply impossible to navigate your way through the hustle with kids by your side. With a villa, you can pick where you want to go and most importantly, when you want to go. An Orlando villa lets you enjoy full privacy and comfort whilst offering you local areas and major attractions at your door step.

Here are some top reasons for choosing Florida Villas.

Complete Freedom

Imagine being able to plan your holiday schedule, without having to dash to hotel morning breakfasts or sign up for bus tours.

Renting a villa in Florida means you can wake up at your own comfortable time and enjoy your favourite breakfast on the patio. You can make up your own holiday itinerary and choose what you really want to do. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about finding a drycleaner to wash your dirty clothes. Florida Villas come complete with a laundry and drier to make washing quick and easy.

When you’ve come back from a full day of fun and activity, you’ll want space to unwind. Small, cramped hotel rooms offer you little comfort when you’re trying to clean up or settle down the kids. With a Florida villa, you can have space to spread out and give yourself a little peace and quiet, whilst the children can unwind in the garden or in their own spacious rooms.

Escaping the Crowds

For holiday travellers, it may seem impossible to escape the tourist crowd. Whether it’s tackling them at the breakfast buffet, or racing them to the pool at opening hours, the crowds will always add stress to your holiday. With your own villa, you can avoid the tourist rush and take things at your own leisurely pace.

Want to visit attractions such as Disney World and Kennedy Space Centre? No problem. With a Florida villa, you won’t have to lock yourself into holiday travel schemes where you can only visit them at certain times with clusters of tourists. With a villa, you can pick the best time it suits you to go and avoid the rush during peak times.

Mingle with the Locals

When you’re out and about in a new country, what you’re really paying for is for the experience. Don’t miss out on visiting local areas by being cooped up with hotel plans and holiday schemes. When you have your own place to stay, you’ll find yourself slipping into a comfortable routine going to a nearby shop for food and general amenities. When you mingle with the friendly locals, you’ll discover interesting secrets in the town no other tourist will have found, or secluded spots to sunbathe in.

What’s great about renting a Florida villa is that you can choose where to spend your time relaxing.

Your own private pool

Picture this.

A cool, turquoise pool surrounded by palm trees and deck chairs. The neighbourhood is quiet, there are no leering tourists. You can walk into your own kitchen to grab a refreshing drink without having to pay a handsome price for it.

These are the luxuries of having your own private pool in an Orlando Villa. No longer will you have to endure other people running around, or babies crying, or trying to find a seat to put your things down. A private pool means you can enjoy swimming whenever you want in complete privacy and luxury. You can even take a midnight dip when the kids have gone to bed, and enjoy having a homemade cocktail.

Now the final question is how much will it all cost?

Surprisingly, villas in Florida can be a lot cheaper and better value for what a hotel offers. Florida villa holidays are hugely popular for this reason. This is great for families or groups who are looking to spend less money but still want a great holiday.

Make holiday planning easier for yourself with www.florida4less.co.uk where you can inspire yourself with great Villa deals you won’t regret. Whether you’re taking your kids to see Mickey Mouse, swimming with dolphins or golfing around, Florida4Less will simplify your booking and work around your requirements.

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As the winter months fast approach, the summer (what summer?!) seems like a distant memory. Cross the Atlantic to Florida and the average sunshine hours hit seven a day – Florida isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing!

Virgin Holidays has something for everyone in Florida, from Disney trips in Orlando, to racing in Daytona and lazing on a beach in the Florida Keys – Virgin Holidays has Florida covered. For frequent ‘Virgins’ there is an exclusive Frequent Virgin Club which includes member benefits such as room upgrades, special discounts and free transfers.

Virgin Holidays, the leading UK tour operator to Orlando, covers every base in Orlando selling popular theme park tickets including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Seaworld to name a few. Grab a seat on some of the newest rides to hit the area – Simpsons, Soarin’ and The Mummy.

With the addition of an extra Orlando flight from Spring 2009 there are even more opportunities to hop on a direct flight to Orlando next year, even more reasons to take the kids on a Florida adventure when school’s out. Check out Virgin Holidays’ special offers at www.virginholidays.co.uk/specialoffers

Customers booking packages to Orlando will also be able to add the experience of the Virgin Holidays V ROOM, the UK’s first ever leisure lounge exclusively for Virgin Holidays’ customers, making sure their Florida holidays starts in style.

V ROOM has been created to add more “extras” to the holiday experience precisely when it’s needed: at the start of the break when it’s time to switch off. V ROOM, located in a premium Gatwick location covering 7340 square feet with dual-aspect runway views and floor to ceiling windows, features three distinct areas: kids, adults-only and family. These areas cater to the specific needs of each, delivering services with the flair and humour for which Virgin Holidays’ customer service is known.

Virgin Holidays offers a great variety of family Florida holidays. Samples include:

• 7 nights at the 3V Quality Inn International, £779 per adult and £439 per child.
• 7 nights at the 4V Regal Sun Resort from £869 per adult and £459 per child.
• 7 nights at the 5V Grande Lakes Resort JW Marriott from £1,079 per adult and £519 per child.

To book – www.virginholidays.co.uk

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Detroit is a significant metropolitan city in Michigan State of the US. It is world famous as the Automobile Capital of the world. Detroit is world renowned for Henry Ford pioneering the assembly line production in automotive industry and booming auto industry in Motor Town or Motown. Today, it is also known for its Motown sounds of modern rock and techno music. Detroit has played a significant role in shaping up the American and global economy. The area of Detroit city is developing at a breakneck speed. This highly developed city has plentiful tourist attraction in addition to world class theaters and museums. The travelers can look forward to an exciting and happening tourist destination that is overflowing with historical charms, art, culture and technological advancements.

Casino Resorts in Detroit

Detroit is America’s biggest metro region and city with ample casino resorts. The four main casino resorts of Detroit are Motor City, Greektown, Casino Windsor and MGM Grand Detroit. Detroit Metro Airport has an international standard hotel along with meeting facilities within the terminal. Downtown Detroit is the entertainment and cultural hub of the metropolitan area. The tourists have aplenty to indulge in and view in Detroit city. The main shopping venues are slightly spread out in the suburbs.

The suburban areas like Birmingham, Royal Oak, Southfield and Ferndale provide with a great urban experience. Livonia and Troy offer good American suburbia and Ann Arbor is a famous college town. You can find excellent mansions in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe. The metropolitan area hosts many international sports events. The Detroit Metro Sports Commission is maintained by the Detroit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Detroit has magnificent facilities for important conventions and conferences.

Tourist Attractions of Detroit

Detroit has headquarters of the world automotive leaders – General Motors. Other automotive companies like Daimler Chrysler are also headquartered here. Companies like Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai also have a strong presence. Ann Arbor has the University of Michigan, which is the global leader in the arena of R&D. Downtown Detroit is quite unique with its International Riverfront, flamboyant buildings and second biggest theater district in America.

The buildings worth seeing include those in Corktown, Eastern Market (the biggest open air market of the country), Midtown, New Center and those of the Westin Detroit Hotel, Book-Cadillac Hotel and Detroit Marriott Hotel. The historic mansions that are must see for all tourists include Barry Gordy House, David Whitney House, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Cranbrook House and Gardens, Henry Ford Estate, Gross Pointe War Memorial, Gross Pointe Historical Society, Meadow Brook Hall, S.S Kresge House, Colonel Frank Hecker House, Lawrence P.Fisher Mansion and Palmer Woods Historic District. The other notable tourist landmarks are Belle Isle, Landmark Bridge, Cadillac Place, Chene Park, Detroit Country Club, Campus Martius Park, Detroit Zoo, Detroit Athletic Club, Fort Wayne, Grand Circus Park, Historic Churches, Hart Plaza, Historic Tours, Heldelberg Project, James Scott Fountain and Gross Pointe Yacht Club in addition to many others. Do not miss the excellent museums of Detroit.

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Grand Canyon – Natural Wonder of the World

Grand Canyon is a natural wonder of world’s seven natural wonders. It is a huge draw for tourists and nearly ten million visitors pay a visit to this place every year. The Grand Canyon area is developed as a United States National Park. It is a world heritage site of the UNESCO. Grand Canyon National Park is completely situated in North Arizona. It can be approached from two sides- the more accessible side of South Rim and the remote side of North Rim. Both, North Rim and south Rim have ample options of hotels, restaurants and camping sites. The busy and crowded summer season sees all of these accommodations filled up to the full capacities. The best times to visit Grand Canyon are during spring, fall and winter.

Grand Canyon Experience

The Grand Canyon experience is one of its kinds and it surely leaves the visitor overwhelmed with awe and fascination. The visitors who have already been to Grand Canyon say that they have been left speechless and stupefied after seeing the grandeur and magnificence of this breathtaking natural wonder. People fall short of words while describing the beauty of this unimaginable landscape. It is a must see for all people of the world. One has to see it to experience the indescribable beauty of this place. You will get to see unsurpassed vistas in this landscape of Grand Canyon.

About the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a mammoth canyon that has been carved over a period of many million years by the great Colorado River. The Grand Canyon National Park has many elevation changes with a difference of nearly seven thousand feet, starting from Point Imperial at 9,000 feet to Lake Mead at 2,000 feet. The Grand Canyon itself is, nearly over a mile deep from rim to the river. Geological history of more than two billion year is displayed in the exposed rock layers of the canyon.

The Grand Canyon National Park was founded as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 and it was later converted to national park in the year 1919.

Animal Life

The animal life found in the Grand Canyon National Park includes the exotic California Condor, Stellar Jays, Canyon Wrens, raven, hummingbirds, swallows, mule deer, elk, desert big horn sheep, coyote, mountain lions, ringtail, bobcat, black bears, squirrels, skunks, snakes and lizards.

Vacation in Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon makes for a great family vacation and the family can indulge in big time fun by being one with nature by way of camping, hiking and other nature based activities. The people find a trip to Grand Canyon as a wonderful and peaceful experience of their lifetimes. You will enjoy amazing sunrises and sunsets over the best of landscapes. People who visit once will always return to Grand Canyon for more. The magic and mystery of this place leaves people spellbound. You can reach it by car, bus, plane or guided tour. Getting around Grand Canyon can be easily done by car, motor coach tour and park service shuttles or by walking.

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Paradise for Vacationers – Venezuela

The tourists can look forward to a great experience in the form of a vacation in Venezuela. Venezuela provides with varied landscapes like widespread plains of Los Llanos, lovely Caribbean beaches, dense jungles, unexplored forest areas, magnificent rivers, majestic Andes Mountains and world’s highest waterfall- the Angel Falls.

As Venezuela is endowed with such incredible landscapes, it is a paradise for the adventure seekers. You can enjoy a host of adventure sports like hiking, diving, trekking, wildlife spotting, kayaking and snorkeling. Venezuela is suited as a vacation spot for all kinds of tourists – culture freaks, heritage lovers, nature enthusiasts or leisure travelers.

About Venezuela

Venezuela is a nation of South America with shorelines on the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. Venezuela is made up of four distinct regions – Venezuelan Highlands, Maracaibo Lowlands, Los Llanos Plains and Guiana Highlands. The original inhabitants of Venezuela were Arawak and Carib Indians. Christopher Columbus claimed Venezuela as Spanish territory in 1498. Venezuela formed a sovereign state in the year 1830 after the dissolution of Gran Columbia. Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela.

Venezuela has a good positioning as it is located on the major air and sea routes connecting South and North America. Venezuela can be reached easily by plane, ships or cars. You can travel within Venezuela by buses and rental or hired cars.

Tourist Attractions in Venezuela

Caracas

The tourist attractions in Venezuela are aplenty. Caracas, the capital city is worth seeing for its historical importance. This city was founded in 1567 and has a long standing history of culture and traditions. Do visit the intact old towns of La Pastora and San Jose. Other notable monuments in Caracas are Plaza Bolivar, Old Cathedral, Casa Amarilla, Capitol building and Archbishop’s residence. The galleries and museums in La Parque Central are worth visiting along with Jardin Botanico, Panteon Nacional, Country Club and Parque Nacinal del Este. The tourists must also see the Museo del Arte Contemporaneo, Museo Del Arte Colonial, Museo de Bellas Artes, Casa Natal del Libertador and Museo de Transporte.

Mount Avila

You can get breathtaking views from Mount Avila of Caracas city and its coastline. This stretch along the capital has lovely beaches with good restaurants and taverns. The El Avila National Park is a haven for the naturalists as it is rife with exotic wildlife including sloths, armadillos, jaguars and red howler monkeys.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls is the star tourist attraction of Venezuela and it is located in Guiana Highlands. It is specifically situated in Venezuela’s Gran Sabana area. Angel Falls is the highest waterfall of the world, nearly 16 times higher than the Niagara Falls.

Merida

Merida is Venezuela’s university town and from here, you will be able to take a ride in the highest and longest cable car of the world to the peak of Pico Espejo at a height of 4765 m.

The other places of tourist interest in Venezuela include Los Roques Archipelago, Margarita Island, Mochima, Choroni, Orinoco Delta, Morrocoy and Canaima National Park etc.

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California has main twelve tourist areas- Central Coast, North Coast, Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Francisco Bay Area, Gold Country, Shasta Cascade, San Diego County, High Sierra, Central Valley, Deserts and Inland Empire. The most notable tourist attractions include Hollywood, Disneyland, Golden Gate Bridge and Napa Valley vineyards. California also houses some of the excellent national parks, splendid skiing opportunities and quiet forests in the northern area. You can see varied geographical terrains throughout the state from rugged mountains to harsh desserts. Every region has its own distinctive charm.

The places to be seen in Southern California are Los Angeles City, San Diego Metropolitan Area, various counties, Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Orange County is home to famed Disneyland. You can explore Southern California in cars and make use of Thomas Guide to find your way through the confusing roads. You can also make use of the regional train, MetroLink. Do visit Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego that gives you an insight into the exploration in 16th century. You will enjoy watching the beaches that you have seen in the Baywatch serial, the TV show.

San Joaquin Valley is famous as California’s breadbasket and is primarily an agricultural region. The Central Coast is a tranquil and peaceful area of California with lovely beaches and Spanish missions. The Californian Desert has many exciting vistas for the outdoor enthusiasts and hikers. The adventure lovers can look forward to most memorable moment in the Desert of California with excellent desert parks, camping sites, rock climbing and boating. Sacramento has the biggest airport of the northern region of Central Valley. Sierra Nevada is renowned for its alpine mountains and skiing regions. The places of tourist interest in this area include Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.

The Gold Country of California is home to the historic foothills of Sierras. Bay Area is an interesting area and you can see the vineyards of various counties. This region of California has excellent touristic infrastructure. The tourist attractions over here are Alcatraz, Muir Woods and the Golden Gate Bridge. The North Coast has the tallest trees of the world and the nature lovers will have a great time over here. Shasta Cascades provide the visitors with off the beaten track attractions. The culture enthusiasts can have great fun in the ‘City of Angels’- Los Angeles. Willamette Valley, Ore is the wine destination of 2008. This area produces the best wines in the country. The tourists can take advantage of this great budget destination.

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Boston has seen the Revolutionary War against the British rule and hence its nickname of being the ‘Cradle of Modern America’ is rightfully justified. Education, culture and literature flourished in this city since its foundation in the 16th century and hence it has earned the other two nicknames. Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts. It is New England’s largest city. Boston is USA’s most influential, wealthy and historical city. The popularity of this city can be attributed to its 62 historical sights, hordes of museums, restaurants numbering up to nearly 2000 and a host of cultural events and live performances.

Boston is home to many prestigious educational institutes like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. These have strengthened the educational and industrial infrastructure of the city leading to a spurt in the financial, engineering, biotechnology and electronics industry. Boston has nearly 57 college, university and research establishments. Boston has also been the home of many celebrated personalities, one of them being Benjamin Franklin- great inventor, scientist and statesman. Though Boston is famous as a hub for the auto industry, today it is recognized more as a ‘Walking City”.

Take a walk along ‘The Freedom Trail’ that is a true representation of modern America’s birth. Boston also holds a significant place in the history of American blacks and you can discover this in the Black Heritage Trail. Boston enjoys the typical climate of the east coast with hot and humid summers and freezing cold winters. Actually, Boston can be enjoyed in all seasons, if you are ready to bear the freezing cold. Boston can be best visited in the early summers. You can easily reach Boston by air, as it has an excellent international airport and many international flights from all major cities of the world. From the airport, you can take the MBTA Blue Line or Silver Line Bus or taxis or Airporter service. Boston can also be reached by road or boat.

Driving might get slightly difficult in Boston due to many problems like one way streets, rush hours, traffic snarls and so on. You can explore Boston well by walking. This way you are able to cover very fine details of the city. The public transit system of Boston is well developed, convenient and quite cheap. You can make use of CharlieTickets or CharlieCards. Subway is the rail line system of 4 color codes and it is a great way to get around in the city. The other forms of city transport are buses, water shuttle, taxis, commuter rails and bicycles.

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Enjoy a Texan holiday by visiting Texas, the Lone Star State of USA. It is the second biggest state of the United States and also second most densely populated state. Texas is renowned due to its remarkable size, rich and colorful history, unique culture, distinctive politics and fiercely free attitude. This gives rise to an independent Texan identity, which tries to override the American identity many a times. The first European power to lay claim on Texas was Spain. The state of Texas has also flown the flags of Mexico and France before it gained independence in the year 1836. It joined the USA in 1845. Texas has maintained its independent identity, despite being ruled by 6 different nations throughout its history.

The tourists can look forward to a great holiday in Texas, with the excellent warm natured hospitality and generosity of the Texans. You will be exposed to a colorful kaleidoscope of cultural extravaganza in Texas. There is ample to be done, seen and explored in this beautiful state, which has a varied geography of wide mountain ranges, pine forests, lakes, plantations, and broad plains, citrus groves, rolling hills, natural springs and huge oil reserves. Texas is home to many flourishing cities like Austin, the capital city, El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston.

Dallas was initially a trading post and today, it is a booming city and an important trade and fashion center. The tourists can enjoy the high-rise buildings, bustling city life, fine restaurants, rich culture and elegant stores along with the typical Texan charm. Dallas city is famed for historical sights as well and you are able to see century old buildings in the West End Historic District. The downtown area is full of shining glass towers and angled spires. Fort Worth has retained its Western spirit and is a major center for cattle industry. Houston is renowned for the oil industry and houses the space headquarters of USA. It has a very important international port and has many museums.

The tourists must visit the Reunion Tower, Dealey Plaza, John F Kennedy Memorial, Degolyer Estate, Southfork Ranch and Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Dallas. Other tourist attractions include Center for World Thanksgiving, Dallas Aquarium, Dallas Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Women’s Museum, Fair Park, Age of Staem Museum and Farmer’s Market. You can do paddle boating at the Bachman Lake and go horse riding in a real Texan ranch. Do not miss the Historic stockyards at Fort Worth. You can also see the various art museums, gardens, zoo and parks over here.

Austin, the capital city should be visited for golfing, the Capitol Building, Texas spirit Theatre and Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. You can take excursions or day trips to Highland Lakes that are well suited for swimming, boating and fishing. You can also visit the famous wineries in the beautiful hills. Texas can be explored well by way of driving trips. The well maintained winding roads that pass through the open countryside are very tempting to the adventurous people. The tourists can enjoy the typical Texan barbecue. Many films have been shot in the exciting locales of Texas. Enjoy the Texan music, fiestas and much more in Texas.

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