Scotland

If asked where we are planning to visit for this year’s annual vacation few of us would reply “the Western Isles of Scotland” but to be fair the Western Isles of Scotland have, in the last ten years or so, seen a noticeable increase in tourism. Each year there has been an increase in the number of visitors from elsewhere in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. Below we examine some of the reasons for this apparent increase in popularity.

The Western Isles of Scotland are a group of around 200 islands separated from the mainland by an expanse of water known as the Minch. The Isle of Lewis is the largest, and most inhabited, island in the archipelago and where you will find the main town (and administration centre) of Stornoway. Considered the heartland of the Gaelic language, of which the vast majority of islanders have as their first language, the islands are also known as the Outer Hebrides.

Because of the fact that, over the centuries, massive numbers of Hebrideans (as people who live in the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides are known) have left the islands to settle elsewhere, such as Canada and America, many folk from around the globe can trace their families roots back to the islands. With the massive increase in interest in genealogy there has been a corresponding increase in interest in the islands.

One famous person who can trace his roots to the Western Isles is Donald Trump who is currently in the headlines for his interest in creating a Scottish golf resort. Golf is played all over Scotland and is considered the home of the sport and golf tourism is an important part of the Scottish economy. Another important sport to Scotland is fishing, especially fly fishing and some of the finest fishing is in the islands of the Hebrides. The golf courses in are also something special and other sports such as surfing and cycling attract more and more visitors each year.

Of course all sports enjoyed in the Western Isles have one distinct advantage to other areas of Great Britain in that the scenery is absolutely spectacular. You can find yourself fly fishing alone on a flat calm loch with open moorland in one direction and a mountain range in the other. All around you will notice the incredibly diverse flora and fauna and, if you are very lucky you may witness otters at play, Golden Eagles hovering above their prey or deer gently roaming nearby.

One thing that the Western Isles are widely known for is the stone circle found at Calanais. Second in importance to Stone Henge these spectacular stones are a “must see” tourist attraction. All across the islands it is possible to find any number of historic sites ranging from further smaller stone circles, monoliths, iron age houses, duns and much, much more.

Many of the place names of the Western Isles are derived from the original name given by the Norse (who once ruled the islands). Originally the Vikings raided the islands just to pillage and on each trip they would visit the islands twice, once on the outward journey and again when they were returning home. Eventually many settled which had a profound effect on the area’s culture.

Finally I would like to make mention of my most favourite aspect of the Western Isles of Scotland, the beaches. The south west coasts of the Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris and the Uists feature some of the most incredible beaches to be found in the United Kingdom. Often it is possible to enjoy some of these beaches alone and rarely are there more than just a handful of souls even on the most popular beaches in the Western Isles.

Scotland has, since Victorian times, been a popular vacation destination for many. The most adventurous tourists enjoy visiting the most remote parts of the country and few places are as remote as the Outer Hebrides. Found far off the West coast of Scotland the Outer Hebrides have become extremely popular with tourists for a multitude of reasons some of which are outlined below.

The Outer Hebrides are separated from the Inner Hebrides (the Isle of Skye etc.) by the Minch which is a stretch of sea water which has incredible currents and changeable weather making it rather dangerous to the inexperienced. Looking out across the Atlantic ocean the islands have been shaped by the wind and the waves resulting in some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. Long inhabited the islands are also well known for their many archaeological sites.

It would sometimes seem that there are archaeological discoveries made every year in the Outer Hebrides. While this is something of an exaggeration it is pretty close to the truth as the islands are dotted with numerous examples of ancient homesteads, ruins, burial chambers, stone age monuments and iron age forts and houses. The most famous site is the incredible stone circle, or standing stones, of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis (also know and the Callanish Standing Stones).

The Outer Hebrides are also home to some rather unique flora and fauna which, in many cases, is extremely rare and in some endangered. One of the most interesting types of ground found in the Outer Hebrides is that which is called machair. Machair is a patch of coastal ground just in from a beach which is continually dusted with fine shell sand which is nutrient rich. During the spring and summer months the machair is awash with bountiful and colorful wild flowers and, sadly, large numbers of rabbits.

If you have heard that the inner parts of the Outer Hebrides are barren and boring this is just not true. While much of the land of the Isle of Lewis is little more than open moorland it does contain a large number of lochs and the other islands have extremely interesting interiors. However it has to be said that it is along the coasts that the most interesting landscapes are to be found. This is especially so along the west coast which has numerous sandy beaches of excellence.

The beaches of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland are amongst the finest to be found in the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. They are to be found all along the west coast (the east coast is mainly rocky inlets) with the vast majority found along the south west coasts of Lewis and Harris and along the west coast of South Uist.

Sport is something else which attracts many to the Outer Hebrides and, in recent years, a number of competitions and tournaments have helped increase awareness in surfing and other sports such as running and cycling. Of course golf and fishing remain as popular as ever and hill walking, rambling and mountaineering continue to be popular also. Windsurfing and wind carting are becoming popular on the larger beaches and it is common to see numerous kites from a distance.

All across the Outer Hebrides are superb places to enjoy a wide variety of sports. While golf, fishing and hunting remain as popular as ever newer sports are becoming increasingly important. Surfing and other sea & wind related sports such as wind surfing and wind carting have recently become extremely popular. However, when you visit you will notice just how popular cycling vacations are here.

Not too far off the west coast of Scotland can be found the interesting group of over 200 islands known as the Outer Hebrides. To the locals they are known as ‘na h-Eileanan Siar’ as the language spoken by the majority is Gaelic. While there are over two hundred islands only a very small percentage is actually populated. The main islands are, from south to north, Barra, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Isle of Harris and the Isle of Lewis. For a number of years now the islands have become a popular vacation destination and the income is now crucial to the local economy.

Further out, and separated by the Minch, from the Isle of Skye, in the Inner Hebrides, the islands look out across the Atlantic ocean. The Atlantic has played a major role in the development of the islands, it has provided the fish for the menfolk to catch but it’s main role has been in the shaping of the spectacular coastline.

It would sometimes seem that there are archaeological discoveries made every year in the Outer Hebrides. While this is something of an exaggeration it is pretty close to the truth as the islands are dotted with numerous examples of ancient homesteads, ruins, burial chambers, stone age monuments and iron age forts and houses. The most famous site is the incredible stone circle, or standing stones, of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis (also know and the Callanish Standing Stones).

The Outer Hebrides are also incredibly interesting for their rather unique flora and fauna (much of which is endangered). Surprisingly there are areas of ground which are extremely fertile, rather than damaging the ground the Atlantic weather fronts work to enrich the ground with a dusting of shell sand rich in calcium and other minerals. Though this land, called Machair, is only thin it manages to bring forth a multitude of wild flowers which appear as a blanket of color in the spring and summer months.

The countryside of the Outer Hebrides is world renowned. While many consider the interior of the Isle of Lewis just to be boring moorland others see a unique and important habitat and others enjoy the excellent fishing in the many lochs and lochans dotted all over the island. However the finest scenery has to be along the coastal areas of both east and west.

As you move from the north west of the Isle of Lewis to the south west you begin to see an increase in the number of sandy beaches until you reach the area around Uig where you will find the most beautiful. As you move onto the adjoining Isle of Harris the occurrence of spectacular sandy beaches continues and reaches a pinnacle in South Harris. North Uist and Benbecula have incredible coasts but it is on South Uist that you will find the most breathtaking beaches and largest expanses of machair in the Outer Hebrides.

With such a dramatic coastline, superb sandy beaches and Atlantic winds, it is little wonder that the Outer Hebrides are a superb vacation destination for those who like to indulge in sports such as surfing, wind surfing, wind carting and the likes. The islands of the Outer Hebrides are also incredibly popular for many other sports, the most obvious being running, rambling, hill walking, mountaineering and cycling. Of course there are also superb golf courses and, not least, some of the finest fishing in Scotland.

All across the Outer Hebrides are superb places to enjoy a wide variety of sports. While golf, fishing and hunting remain as popular as ever newer sports are becoming increasingly important. Surfing and other sea & wind related sports such as wind surfing and wind carting have recently become extremely popular. However, when you visit you will notice just how popular cycling vacations are here.

Edinburgh, the cosmopolitan capital city of Scotland, is known as the ‘Athens of the North’. The nickname was gained because of the number of classical style buildings found in it’s Georgian New Town and the many other historical buildings which can be found around, virtually, every corner of the city.

Edinburgh is the most popular vacation destination in Scotland and one of the most popular in the whole of the United Kingdom, with Edinburgh Castle of of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions. The city has a rich and colorful past with a history steeped in murder and intrigue. So many of the world’s most famous people are of Scottish descent and some of the most infamous characters can be found in Scotland’s history.

With such a deep and disturbing past it will come as no surprise to find that Edinburgh has countless ghosts, ghouls and spirits. Paranormal events occur almost daily and are reported from all sectors of society. Some reports are, obviously, more credible than others, Edinburgh has a large student population and, after a good night out, students often report strange and spooky happenings which they have witnessed on their walk home. However suspicious such reports sound few can deny the sincerity of  reports of ghosts witnessed by the likes of the governor of Edinburgh castle.

Just before Cromwell’s troops besieged Edinburgh Castle, a ghost of a drummer drumming a warning of an attack was witnessed by many of the castle’s guards including the governor himself. The castle has several other famous ghost’s including a phantom piper who can be heard piping along the Royal Mile, strangely the sounds appear to emanate from below the ground. Apparently a piper had been sent along a recently discovered tunnel while soldiers followed the sounds above ground. When the sounds suddenly stopped, rather than investigate, they bricked up the entrance and spoke no more if the incident, that is, until reports of a ghostly underground piper began to surface.

At the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile can be found the Palace of Holyroohouse which has two well known supernatural phenomena associated with it. One of these is associated with the secretary, and close friend, of Mary Queen of Scots, David Rizzio, who was brutally murdered in her room. Pregnant at the time she fainted at the sight of a manic crowd stabbing him endlessly and the ceaseless pools of blood that the furor created. Apparently, even though countless attempts have been made to remove the blood stains, every now and again they reappear, to be scrubbed away again only to reappear again.

The shear number of ghosts and supernatural phenomena experienced in various locations throughout Edinburgh has created a great deal of interest. To satisfy the great demand several companies offer ghost tours of the city. If you are planning a vacation to Scotland and are in the process of booking an Edinburgh hotel, consider making some enquiries about these ghostly tours as we are sure it will add an exciting edge, which can be enjoyed by all of the family.

St. Peter’s Basilica, otherwise known as Basilica di San Pietro has always been a tremendously popular attraction of tourists to Rome. Visitors to the site can happily pass a day taking in all there is to see there. Of the many popular locations in Vatican City, St. Peter’s ranks high in popularity and number of visits by tourists.

The popular lore says that Saint Peter is actually buried here but that legend is not backed up by evidence. The real history of the location of St. Peter’s is that it probably sits on the original Circus of Nero from the first century.

The historic Christian Roman leader by the name of Constantine was the one who ordered that a basilica be built on this spot in the fourth century. That construction actually happened 1000 years before the construction of St. Peter’s.

Some 1200 years later in the sixteenth century, it was Pope Leo X who diverted funds from his appeal to the masses to go to holy war against the Turks. Those funds were quietly applied to the building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

As was true about huge construction projects in ancient times, it took many generations, many Popes and many architects over the decades before the basilica was completed late in the sixteenth century.

By medieval standards, St. Peter’s is a tall church towering 445 feet from the floor of the church to the cross that is on top of that well known dome. Roman citizens are very familiar with that dome decorating the skyline of the city because it is a masterpiece of architecture in every respect. That dome was designed by the famous artist and architect from the Renaissance, Michelangelo. It was he who took the San Gallo double-shell design and perfected it to fit the needs of St. Peter’s.

In 1546 Michelangelo took over as chief architect of St. Peter’s but he was not able to finish the job before his death. One of his students – Giacomo della Porta – was selected to take his master’s vision to completion. That design is so well known and admired that it has been used in many famous structures around the world, including the design of the Capital Building in the city of Washington DC.

That dome was a durable design and it was 200 years later that the first cracks showed up in the surface. To contain these cracks from doing any more damage, four huge chains of iron were attached to the inside of the shell. If you were to climb the winding stairs between the dome shells, you would still see those chains today.

That magnificent dome is not all there is to St. Peter’s Basilica. The interior space of the basilica covers six acres and it can accommodate 60,000 worshipers. And there have been several occasions where it was called upon to host that many people. The many Popes who have used St. Peter’s to minister to the church have drawn in such crowds.

The outer facade of the basilica is large as well, standing at 148 feet high and 377 feet wide and there are many statues gracing the outside of the building as well.

It is said that over 100 tombs of legendary figures from history are buried inside the halls of St. Peter’s Basilica. One notable example is Sweden’s Queen Christina, who in 1654 gave up her royal post so she could have the freedom to become a Catholic.

There is no question that the most well known and stunning art work inside St. Peter’s is the Pieta by Michelangelo. But we will have to admire it through an insulated glass barrier that was put there after a lunatic tried to destroy the masterpiece with an axe.

From the exterior of the basilica, there are a number of worthwhile historical things to look for.

Look for several very old clocks, including one that actually has a bell and dates back to the last part of the thirteenth century. From that same time period, an Egyptian style obelisk stands nearby, the origin of which goes back to Nero’s Circus.

In the square, you will find two fountains both of which were designed by the famed artist Bernini. The southern fountain was created by the master artist in 1675. And to the apse of St. Peter’s you will find Bernini’s stellar fountain creation, The Triumph of the Chair of Saint Peter.

Your visit to Rome will take on new meaning if you allow at least a couple of hours to take your time and admire this awe inspiring example of Renaissance architecture in the Eternal City.

Having good weather in Alicante is something that you are going to want and appreciate. You will find that most of the year the weather is just what you would expect.

The weather in Alicante is going to be nice most of the time. The actual climate is going to be Mediterranean and you will enjoy hot and dry summer time with very mild winter conditions. The climate will make this one of the most exciting and visited places in the world.

The location of this great place is going to be a factor in the weather. Seeing the small hills and the huge mountains in the north Alicante will give you great protection from the harsh winds. This will help you to keep the climate nice in the wintertime. The weather will be nice in the summer and in the winter for anyone to take a great and relaxing vacation anytime of year.

The Weather in Alicante for Summer and Spring

The normal temperature in the summer time will be from 22 to 26 degrees Celsius. This will mean that some days will reach 40 degrees. The normal night temperature will be about 17 degrees Celsius. You will enjoy about twelve hours of sun in the summertime and the climate will be dry and hardly see a drop of rain.

The summertime is going to be one of the best times to visit Costa Blanca. This area is going to be a normal Mediterranean summertime. The weather will be usually hot and very dry each day. This climate will be a great place to take in the sites and enjoy beaches for many types of water activities.

Some will like to go in the Springtime to enjoy smaller crowds. The weather is going to still be warm and for the most part dry. It is going to be nice enough to enjoy the beaches and not have to worry about melting in the sun. You will also not have to deal with the impossible overcrowding that you would in the summer months.

With springtime you will see that the days are mostly sunny and nice. The temperature on a regular day would be about 14 to 19 degrees Celsius. In the nighttime it will fall to about 8- 13 degrees. You will find that at least seven hours of sun will grace this area.

The Weather for Alicante In the Autumn and Winter Months

Having rain in the autumn is going to be very popular in the fall. You will find that there is a small amount of rain in the early autumn and it is going to still be warm. If you want to have a smaller chance of running into crowds you will want to go in the fall. Having a great vacation in these months will make a great vacation. There are some great popular tourists destinations that will be closer to the end of the summertime.

In the other areas of Costa Blanca winter sports are very popular. The Northern Curopeans will try and take hiding from the freezing temperatures and all the heavy snow in the other parts of the world and come here. Having snow in this location is not usual.

The high temperatures of the winter are going to be near 12 to 16 degrees Celsius. In the night the temperature will go down to about 7 degrees. This place will give about seven hours of sun to the people as well in the wintertime. The very nice winter temperatures are going to make this a great place to visit and take in the wonderful sites in the winter months when it is cold and freezing in most parts of the world.

Are you traveling out of town and need to find a rental car? There are many rental agencies to choose from and finding the best deal on the car model you want can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips to finding the rental car you want at the best price.

The internet makes finding a rental car easy. There are a few different ways to check on rates and you should explore all options to find the best deal. The first place to check is the online agencies such as Travelocity and Orbitz that will price and model compare for you. Simply specify which dates you need a rental and the available models and rates from various car rental agencies is displayed. You can also book your hotel and plane tickets at the same time so it’s one stop shopping. Keep in mind that these types of websites usually charge a nominal fee for their service but it can be worth it for the sake of convenience.

The next place to check online is the individual rental car companies’ websites. There are special rates and deals that some companies only make available to customers who book directly through their website. It’s also a good idea to scan their specials and look for coupons. You can join their loyalty program or sign up for their email newsletters so you can be alerted when there is a special. Loyalty programs will give you access to specials and other perks such as fast car pickup and drop off.

It is also a good idea to perform an online search for car rental coupons. These coupons are virtual coupons; nothing tangible is required. There will be a coupon or rate code needed when you book your reservation. These coupons have many restrictions so it’s important to read the fine print to see if your rental qualifies. Offers may vary depending on whether you are in Malaga, Spain or New York City.

All car rental agencies offer discounts such as senior, corporate and auto club discounts. You’ll need a special code when booking the reservation. If you don’t know the correct code then you can call the agency directly. Keep in mind that discounts are not usually valid in conjunction with special rates. You need to show proof (such as a membership card) when you pick up your car. Offers may vary depending on whether you are in Malaga, Spain or New York City.

If you’re on a tight budget then consider renting a lower class model. Almost all rental cars come with options such as air conditioning and CD players. Some car companies will try to entice you with an upgrade for just a few dollars more a day but keep in mind that a larger car will have a higher fuel cost. So if you can, rent an economy or compact size car.

If you are planning a vacation, you may be looking for fun in the sun. One of the places you could consider might be Hawaii.

Consider Kauai, the least crowded of the major Hawaiian islands. Want to hear 10 reasons why?

1. The snorkeling is great. There are colorful fish everywhere you put your mask in the water.

2. You can find great surf on Kauai and also tame wavelets. Those are on the sheltered south side.

3. You can kayak the rivers and ocean beaches, and you can zipline through the treetops in the rain forest, courtesy of island outfitters.

4. Kauai’s northwest coast, the Na Pali cliffs, will look familiar to you from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park. You too can take a look at the amazing cliffs from a boat tour or from a helicopter tour. You could also take a sea kayak day-long adventure to see them up close.

5. Possibly you are a frequent flyer. In that case, you may be able to use your miles to get there.

7. If you like scuba diving, you’ll like the fact that outfitters tend to operate more safely under U.S. liability laws than in other, non-U.S. tropical locations.

7. Kauai is a great place for those seeking the road less traveled, away from the crowds.

8. Endangered wild life such as monk seals and sea turtles can be found in or near the beaches. Be careful not to touch! But do bring your camera.

9. You get to learn about Niihau, the Forbidden Island, and see it from 17 miles away, low on the southwest horizon.

10. Because you can use U.S. currency, your vacation may be less expensive than at other, non-U.S. tropical destinations.

Kauai may be a good place for you to think about.