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Posted: October 12th, 2007 under Travel in general.
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The Guadeloupe makes dream. Its charms draw their source in a fine amalgam of French and creole traditions: the torments of love and the ice coconut meet very as much as salad lobster and beer of Alsace, whereas the terraces open on gleaming floods, sometimes decorated by the boat of a fisherman.
Geographical overflight
The two larger islands forming the Guadeloupe, Low-Ground and Large-Ground, separated by the Salted river, offer an extremely different relief in spite of their proximity. With broad of the coasts of the island of the Guadeloupe, energy of is in west, emergent three small islands: Désirade, Marie-Gallant and the Holy ones, which holds splendid landscapes.

Guadeloupe

Attractions
Escarpée coast of the Point of the Large Watchtower to the beautiful sand beaches of the south of Large-Ground and Marie-Gallant, while passing by the luxuriant forest of the solid mass of the Sulphur mine and the coral reefs to broad of Deshaies, without forgetting the charming creole villages dispersed with the four corners of these islands, the Guadeloupe has very to fill the visitors in search of sun, rest and a little expatriation.

Large-ground
Large-ground is presented in the form of a vast not very broken calcareous plate of 566 km2. Punctuated the dull ones and fields of cane with sugar which seem to lengthen ad infinitum, it has a pastoral face. The fertility of these grounds constituted the only richness of the Guadeloupe a long time, but one knows another priceless treasure today to him, that is to say the long gilded sand crescents which border the southern coast of the island. Beaches so beautiful that they attract without slackening the visitors attending the seaside resorts of Gosier, Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. One also finds there Point-with-Clown, who constitutes the economic and industrial heart of the island. The city is composed of modern buildings, beautiful houses and animated arteries, in particular around the roads.

Low-ground
By locating Low-Ground at the horizon, one sees a long assembly line whose summit seems perpetually hidden by the clouds, a spectacle quite different from the Large-Ground landscapes relatively not very broken. This solid mass is dominated by a volcano, the Sulphur mine, which culminates to 1 467 m and whose sides are marked by two types of vegetation. The major part of this island is protected by the national park from the Guadeloupe. Rich person of a nature of an exceptional beauty, it is furrowed by a crowd of paths, marked out for the majority, which carry out the visitors to the heart of this luxuriant vegetation revealing of the splendid landscapes.

The Holy Ones
The Holy ones gathers in fact several tiny small islands resembling large rocks where small hamlets clung. It is the marvellous nature of Holy which constitutes its more beautiful attraction indisputably: hiking trails, gilded sand beaches, dull from where one contemplates the fabulous spectacle of the sea…

Marie-gallant
Marie-gallant, largest of the dependences inhabitants of Guadeloupe, is made up of a vast calcareous plate where the cane with sugar is cultivated. Besides these fields of cane dominate still the horizon, everywhere in the island serenity reigns, and it is not rare to cross on the roads an oxcart. The charm of this island is due to these beautiful pastoral scenes which dépaysent the traveller gently.

Désirade
Désirade is in fact a long band of rocks whose arid grounds are not very favourable with agriculture; a weak population settled there. The southern, long coast, 11 km is punctuated beautiful sand beaches, often almost deserted.

Posted: January 15th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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It is called “the island with spices”, not without reason. Cinnamon and nutmeg emanations indeed seem to impregnate the splendid landscapes of this small mountainous island of volcanic origin, located in the Caribbean, that Christophe Colomb discovered in 1498.
The island of Grenade belongs to the State de Grenade, as well as the islands of the South of the archipelago of the Grenadines, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. This Member State of the Commonwealth, which is independent since 1974, had been colonized before in turn by the French and the English. Of its membership in England, it kept control besides on the left.

In love with their island
Devastated by the Ivan hurricane in 2004, the island of Grenade early made be rebuilt. Here, as on several islands of planet, the economy rests mainly on tourist industry. Not question, therefore, of letting itself cut down by the destroying visit of this hurricane of category 4. While sauntering today in this small paradise, there is difficulty of thinking the devastation which reigned after the passage of Ivan, since all was already given on foot. Canada offered besides more than 10 million dollars for the rebuilding.

The inhabitants found all a roof. They turned the page and now try to forget this disastrous episode. If they do not speak much about it, when the subject is tackled, one still perceives the fear which they could feel and difficulties that they crossed. The devastations left some visible traces besides, as one can note it while venturing in the forest, where several trees were uprooted.

Grenadiens are today very happy to see that the tourists return in great number. They are so proud beauty of their island! Moreover, it is not rare to see the inhabitants approaching tourists to invite them to discover new places which, according to them, are worth the turning. The safeguarding of the island is due to them in heart. Natural parks, sanctuaries and faunal reserves form the sixth of the territory besides. One offers to it ecological activities which respect the environment. And, although one can choose this destination for prélasser on one of the many beaches which decorate it, several activities are also offered to the more active visitors.

Terrestrial pleasures…
The island counts many sites of pedestrian excursion, and to go in the tropical forest proves to be a very pleasant experiment. The lucky ones will be able to even see monkeys. The walkers, according to their physical condition, can choose between courts or long ways. That most anxious reassure themselves, they will verrront no poisonous species there. It is however to be better provided with good shoes, because the paths are sometimes slipping. As one meets several water falls in way, why not bring a picnic and stop there? Before setting out again, the walker can bathe with the bottom of the fall. Water is so refreshing there!

Thanks to the moderate winds which blow constantly, heat is bearable. The day, the average temperature is around 27 °C. Two seasons ago: the dry season, from January at May, whereas it rains seldom, and the rain season, from June to December. But the tropical rains never last a long time.

… and maritime
The Caribbean are regarded as one of the most beautiful areas for the diving, one thus should not hesitate to offer an introductory course. The thunderbolt could be immediate. Calms, the beauty and the vastness depths of the sea charms even the beginners, who live an incredible experiment there. The most tested, they, can choose between 28 sites and run the chance to visit one of the many wrecks which lie around the island.

However, it is not necessary to go far to admire sea-beds, because one finds several not very deep coral benches where one can easily observe in apnea of beautiful coloured fish. The small island close to Carriacou, and more precisely the small island of Sandy Beach, are besides the ideal place for the amateurs of diving in apnea.

The descent of the Balthazar river in tire tube does not get only pleasure, but also makes it possible to enjoy exquisite panoramas. The least bold will appreciate this activity, since the descent is done rather slowly. It is absolutely necessary to benefit from the many basins, rather quiet, to admire the beauty of surrounding nature.

Did you know that one can observe many species of whales and dolphins in the Caribbean? Of course, one can make observation on our premises, but why not discover different species? One estimates at 97 % the rate of chance to see specimens from December to April. Moreover, by taking the cross bar to go to Carriacou, it is not rare to see dolphins which have fun to jump close to the boat.

How one is amateur of kayak, safari, bicycle, sailing ship or of golf, one can only have fun on this island of 340 km2! The choice of activities is really diversified there.

Only on sand…
Of course, the principal reasons to choose the island of Grenade as destination holidays remain… fine sand and turquoise water. The beaches are splendid, but also very quiet. Did you already dream to only find you on vast wide of sand? If it is the case, privilege the beaches of the south-western coast, they are attended. There, on this white and farinaceous sand, let the sun cherish you and imagine that your holidays are eternal…

You hold also time for cultural visits. The forts offer a splendid sight, and the factories are surprising. Indeed, they do not contain any modern machinery, all y being made like formerly. The evening, at the restaurant, you will be able to regale seafood and delicious fish. To make a judicious choice, choose the catch of the day.

Here is come time to leave this paradisiac island. Do not forget to make provision of local products: spices, vanilla, chocolate and nutmeg. Very like one does it with our maple syrup, the Grenade, second larger exporter of nutmeg of the world, transforms his high content in syrup, frozen and a multitude of other products.

With KNOWKNOWING

Spoken language: English

Population: a little less than 100 000 inhabitants

Capital: Saint George S

Currency: the dollar of the Caribbean Eastern

Climate: tropical

When to go there?
One goes there in winter to flee the cold, in summer because there is less of tourists, or at the end of July, at the beginning of August for Spicemas, the carnival which celebrates the culture of the island. No vaccine is necessary.

How to go there:
It is recommended to take a direct flight starting from Toronto, as far as possible, because the transfer to Barbados makes lose invaluable hours. A great choice of lodging is offered, active bed and breakfast to the formulas all included.

Information: www.grenadagrenadines.com/canada

Posted: January 15th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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Greece is one of the most visited countries Europe, but also one of the least known. Independent only since 1830, modern Greece has only one distance relationship with ancient Greece. It constitutes a crossroads of various influences coming from Balkans, the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin.
In spite of its modest dimensions (131 990 km2), Greece offers a very fragmented landscape. The three quarters of its surface are depopulated, covered with mountains or are left in waste land. Agriculture rests on the culture of tobacco in the North-East, on that of vegetables and fruit trees more in the south. One the third of the population is concentrated in Athens, financial cultural capital and policy of the country, where are côtoient old and modern buildings.

Athens at a glance
Athens at 3 500 years of existence. It knew its apogee at the time of Périclès (Ve front century. J.-C.), whereas it dominated the Mediterranean world. Its most prestigious buildings, in particular the Acropolis, go back to this time. Under the empires Byzantine and Othoman, Athens lost of its glare and played only one secondary part. It reappeared in the foreground only in 1834, when it was high with the row of capital. It is today a large modern metropolis, in which a third of the population of the country lives.

Kerameikόs was during Antiquity the district of the potters as well as the site of the principal cemetery of the city, which one can always visit. Calm and envoûtant, it is very appreciated by the foreign tourists.

The Agora, or places market, was the heart of the economic life. The gantry of Attale was rebuilt in 1953-1956 on the original foundations of IIe front century. J.-C. It shelters the museum of the Agora today.

The tower of the Winds is drawn up beside the Roman forum, but its compact architecture and its octagonal plan are of style hellenistic. The tower sheltered a clepsydre, a sundial, a wind vane and a compass. On each one on its sides, a low-relief describes the various dominant winds.

The Acropolis has dominated Athens for more than 2 400 years. The temples which were set up there, of the imposing Parthenon in elegant Érechthéion, are architectural masterpieces.

The national archaeological Museum shelters the treasures of the one of most important European civilizations. The plate of Ninnion (medium of IVe front century. J.-C.) was discovered in 1895 in Éleusis and described a scene of the mysteries of Éleusis.

The museum of art cycladic has a beautiful collection of objects coming from Cyclades.

The Benáki museum, resulting from a private collection, has ancient, Egyptian and Othoman parts, as well as a collection of icons, costumes and Byzantine objets d’art.

Panagía Gorgoepíkoös, or the “small cathedral”, is one of the Byzantine buildings best preserved of Athens. One can admire there very old low-reliefs re-used at the time of the construction of his walls.

The Peloponnese
Bastion of risen and battle field during the war of independence of 1821-1831, the Peloponnese is the core from which constituted itself modern Greece. This peninsula, which one can regard as an island because of narrowness of the isthmus of Corinth (6 km), offers an astonishing variety of landscapes and archaeological vestiges of all the periods of the Greek history.

Peloponnese means “island of Pélops”. This last, wire of legendary king Tantale, was cut the throat of and offered in feast to the gods by his father, who wished to test their omniscience. Ressuscity by Zeus at the request of the gods, Pélops gave rise to the royal family of Atrides, celebrates at the same time by the curse which planed on it and by the archaeological discoveries which made it possible to exhume some their cities of Mycènes. The Peloponnese shelters the ancient and medieval sites of Argolide, in the south of Corinth, which form a contrast seizing with the neo-classic elegance of the town of Nauplie.

In the west the vestiges of old Olympie lie, centers religious and high ancient place of the sporting competitions. The luxuriant coastal plain of Ileía, heart of an old franque principality, abounds in vestiges franco-Byzantine, in particular in Chlemoútsi. To admire examples of Byzantine architecture typical, it is necessary to go in the churches of Mystrás, Geráki and in the area of Máni, whose, with the Middle Ages, the inhabitants claimed to go down from the warriors of Sparte. Methόni, Korόni and Monemvasía are protected behind Venetian fortifications from XVIIe and XVIIIe centuries. In Arcadie, rich person valleys alternate with wooded mountains and boxed throats, such those of Loúsios. Monasteries with mountainside and cities austere (Stemnítsa) slice with the traditional image of Greece.

The center and west of Greece
Épire - Thessalie - Stereá Elláda (Greece central)
The center and the west of Greece contain some of the most ignored areas and best preserved country. If Épire always developed a distinct and often autonomous culture, Stereá Elláda played, with Thermopyles and the valley of Tempé, a historical role of bolt, protecting the Greek peninsula from the invasions coming from the North-East.

This part of Greece is articulated around the central plain of Thessalie (an old inland sea); the most interesting sites are located at the periphery of this one. Insulated by the solid mass from Pinde, Épire, in the west, has the strongest regional identity: it played only one marginal part in the history of ancient Greece and enjoyed a broad autonomy under the Othoman occupation. This is why the regional capital, Ioánnina, mix Turkish architecture and specifically local traditions, in particular goldsmithery work of wood.

More the east, the collar of Katára, kept since the Othoman time by the town of Métsovo, makes it possible to emerge through the mountains, on the Byzantine monasteries of the Meteors perched on impressive rock pitons.

Stereá Elláda includes/understands one of the ancient sites most important of Greece: the sanctuary of Delphes. The monastery of Osios, Loúkas, near, is undoubtedly the Byzantine building most remarkable, decorated majestic mosaics of XVIe century.

If the gulf of Corinth shelters several seaside resorts, the towns of Lamía, Arta, Tríkala and Mesolόngi (where died the English poet Lord Byron) are saved by tourism and presents, with their markets, their taverns, their churches and the vόlta of the evening, an authentic face of Greece.

The north of Greece
Macedonia - Thrace
Fatherland of Alexandre the Large one and heart of the old empire hellenistic, Macedonia is the vastest administrative area of Greece. It has as a capital Thessalonique, second city of the country. More sensitive to the influence of Turkey, Thrace does not conceal any less, like Macedonia, of the splendid and little attended landscapes, with the many mountains and rivers.

Macedonia draws its name from the tribe of the Macedonians which is established in the area in IVe front century. J.-C.

One can familiarize oneself with the Macedonian with Vergína, which shelters the tomb of Philippe II, in Pélla, where was born Alexandre, or with Díon, the city of Philippe, with the foot of the Olympe mount. In IIIe century, under the reign of the Roman emperor Galère, one raised splendid monuments, the such arc of Thessalonique.

Byzantine period goes back to interesting buildings, as these many churches which punctuate the campaigns of North. The Moslem print remains long-lived, particularly in Thrace, where bazaars with Eastern and minarets flower.

Macedonia and Thrace enjoy a climate fresher and wetter than the remainder of the country, which supports the flowering of the vegetation. With the borders of central Greece and Macedonia draws up the Olympe mount, climax of Greece. In the North-West of the country, the area of the Préspa lakes is famous for its ornithological reserves. The tobacco of Thrace and the wine of Naousa are the most remarkable productions.

The Athos mount is located at the extreme point of the peninsula of Chalcidique. Following the visit of the Virgin Mary whom the Byzantine emperor Monomáchos claimed to have received, this last prohibits the site with the women and the children. This decree is always applied today.

Posted: January 15th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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Greece is not only the cradle of the Western culture, it is also a source of inspiration for a number of travellers. It offers landscapes to cut the breath just as of the archaeological and historical treasures.
Geographical overflight
Located at the south of Europe, Greece divides itself between the continent and a series of small islands to the paradisiac paces. Athens and its port, Pirée, gather about a third of the population.

Attractions

Athens and the Peloponnese
The modern city framesthe Acropolis, selected by its first inhabitants, with the Neolithic era, for its dominant position, and on which the Parthenon is drawn up. In the north of the city is the national archaeological Museum, with its impressive collections.

Greece

In the Peloponnese, peninsula of the south of Greece cut out in several peninsulas, niche, inter alia, the mythical city of Mycènes, where the conquest of Troy was organized. One finds there also Nauplie, with his two museums; Épidaure, site known for its marvellous theatre; Sparte, which has an interesting archaeological museum; Byzantine Mistra and its monuments; Messénie, leaned with the Taygetos mounts and hemmed splendid beaches; Olympie, where the first Olympic Games took place.

Crete
Crete is the largest island of Greece, to which it was attached in 1913. With it only, it composes a true book of history.

With the wire of the centuries, by its strategic situation in the Mediterranean, the island undergoes various invasions which one finds the marks in architecture. The Romans left a whole of public and religious buildings. Byzantine period, it remains many vaults. The Venetian ones settled there since 1204 for more than four centuries. Turkish domination, which lasted two centuries, it remains houses with the balconies out of wooden, some minarets and mosques.

Cyclades
Constituted from 40 islands from which 25 are inhabited, the archipelago of Cyclades draws its name from its layout in circle around the island of Délos. Islands of the sea Égée, Cyclades constitute one of the privileged tourist destinations in Greece. This archipelago was inhabited as of 7000 before J.-C. Towards 3000 before J.-C., cycladic civilization was characterized by statues and idols with the particularly geometrical and modern forms. Today architecture is characterized by the houses with the walls bleached with lime and the blue shutters, the churches Byzantine with the cupolas sharp blue and the windmills.

Islands of Dodécanèse
Archipelago of 12 islands (of the Greek dodéca meaning “12″) located at sea Égée at the south-west of Turkey, Dodécanèse includes/understands in particular the islands of Patmos and Rhodos. It was attached to Greece in 1947-1948.

Patmos was made famous for Jean saint the evangelist, who in exile here wrote the Apocalypse. Chora, city principal of the island, is very attractive with its residences patricians of medieval style, its churches Byzantine and its lanes.

Rhodos is the largest island of Dodécanèse. A luxuriant vegetation, very beautiful beaches, a historical last rich person, impressive monuments, in short, it has very for it.

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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Very jealous of its traditions, Great Britain has to offer to the visitor much more that mysterious castles or picturesque villages. The literature, the visual arts and architecture form, with the very diverse landscapes that one there meets, the inheritance of a nation in balance between the needs for the modern world and its traditions.
Great Britain was never invaded since 1066, and the inhabitants knew to preserve their traditions. The Romans who unloaded into 43 remained three hundred and fifty years, but their culture and their language were quickly swept by the people come from the north of Europe which succeeded to them. The bonds of the island with Europe were slackened in XVIe century when the church Anglican replaced the catholic tradition.

Great Britain is member of the European Community today, but it cultivates its nonconformism jealously, even if he applies to small details like the fact of leading on the left; the opening of the Channel tunnel hardly seems to affect this essential feature of the national character. The architectural heritage of Great Britain is rich in old castles, cathedrals and beautiful residences surrounded of landscape parks. The inhabitants are very attached to their habits, from the simple village dances to the great monarchical ceremonies.

Great Britain is a small island made up of a mosaic of very varied areas, whose inhabitants knew to preserve their cultural identity. Scotland and Wales for example are distinguished fundamentally from England, since they have their own legislative assemblies.

The south-east of England at a glance
The areas which surround London today correspond to the layout of the old Saxon kingdoms. Each one profits from the proximity of the capital, while having in heart to preserve its characteristics. It is in this part of the country that the universities, the palates, the castles, the residences and the cathedrals are which were the theatre of the outstanding events of the history of the country. The landscape around is harmonious and calm - hills green and round, flat fertile of East Anglia, long sandy beaches of the edge of the English Channel.

Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of framed Baroque architecture of very beautiful gardens. The buildings of the university of Oxford are a kind of anthology of the English architecture of the Middle Ages at our days. Christ Church College is the most important building.

The castle of Windsor is the oldest royal residence of Great Britain. The round tower dates from XIIe century; it then supervised the accesses of London by the west.

The cathedral of Winchester was built in 1097 on the ruins of a church saxonne, but the city itself was already an important bastion of the Christian Church since VIIe century. The northern porch is typical English Gothic.

The cathedral of Ely shelters some of the most beautiful sculptures of all Great Britain. The current octagonal cupola was built in XIVe century, after the collapse of a first tower Norman; it dominates the marshy plain alentour.Sur the campus of Cambridge, the buildings of the university alternate with gardens and lawns. The vault of King’ S College is a masterpiece of the architecture of the end of the Middle Ages.

The cathedral of Canterbury is the spiritual center of the church Anglican. She shelters stained glasses - in particular those of the western part of the nave - which count among most beautiful of the country and the frescos of admirably preserved XIIe century.

The royal House of Brighton was built for the Prince regent; it is one of the most beautiful monuments of the country. The cupolas and the minarets drawn by John Nash are inspired by the architecture of the Indies. The house recently restored found its splendour of antan.

West at a glance
The west of Great Britain forms a longe peninsula, broadside in north by the Atlantic and the south by the English Channel, which finishes in Land’ S End, the most extreme point of the island. Cultural tourism in the large cities, walks romantic in the loneliness of the moors and the prehistoric, or simple monuments stroll along the coasts of an area to the soft climate, whatever the type of stay which they chose, all the holiday makers are under the charm!

Exmoor. The covered moors of heather and the wooded valleys where live in freedom of the wild ponies and the stags stop abruptly with spectacular cliffs of Devo.

Wells, charming brood city with the foot of the hills of Mendip, is famous for its superb cathedral with three turns whose rich person western frontage decorates himself of a crowd of statues. Not far, you will be able to see the episcopal palate surrounded of ditches and the enclosure of the cathedral, which dates from XVe century.

At St Ives, an appendix of Tate Gallery introduces contemporary artists having chosen to work in the area. This very coloured work of Patrick Heron forms part of the permanent collections.

Dartmoor is an at the same time vast wild place (945 km2) and of a great beauty. The landscapes are punctuated bridges of stone, villages picturesque and jagged granite rocks.

Bath, “bath” in English, owes his name with the old Roman thermal baths located at the heart of the old city, very close to a splendid medieval abbey. With his lines of houses of the XVIIIe century to the frontages color of honey, conceived by John Wood the Old one and John Wood the Young person, Bath is one of the most pleasant towns of England.

Stonehenge, arranged in several times from 3000 before our era, is a known prehistoric site of the whole world. It would act of a sanctuary dedicated to the sun-worship. To move and raise the enormous stones represented a true exploit.

Salisbury is proud of its cathedral, whose slim arrow inspired one of the most beautiful tables of John Constable. The enclosure counts remarkable medieval buildings.

The gardens of Stourhead, inspired of paintings of Lorraine and Chick, are a true work of art. The artificial prospects, plays of shade and light, small monuments as the neo-classic Pantheon which is detached on a bottom from greenery very studied constitute a whole of a great beauty.

Wales at a glance
The landscapes of Wales, splendid and varied, invite to many activities: to climb the tops, to go in the forest, to fish in broad rivers or to benefit from a virgin littoral on kilometers. The English holiday makers appreciate the many seaside resorts for a long time of them. One does not count the castles, the abbeys in ruin, the large residences and the cities with remarkable architecture. One should not especially neglect the deeply impregnated Welsh culture of Celtic traditions.

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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One awakes us with 5h30. When I open the eyes, I am amazed to see tens of bat which furrow the sky, to research at their breakfast.

Welcome with the kingdom of the early risers, where you are upright with the paddle - and the bed very of continuation after laying down it sun, for a shooting star spectacle.

During five days of descent out of running water, I explore 142 kilometers of the Colorado river. Forwarding is not for those which like their comfort: a thin layer of dust becomes one second skin, and one sleeps, or one tries to sleep, under conditions which resemble those of a sauna.

Wilderness To rivet Adventures, the company which organizes this tour, prevents start the passengers whom they will know two extremes: chaud/sec and froid/humide, because of the pitiless sun which heat the Large Canyon up to 37 degrees Celsius and of the water of the Colorado river whose temperature is stable with 9 degrees Celsius all the year.

We take the departure of Lees ferry in company of tourists come from as far as New Zealand and the United Kingdom. During our excursion, we learn that the walls of the Large Canyon are stretched on 1500 meters, of the river at the top, and that they owe their reddish color with various minerals present in the rock.

One includes/understands easily why the leader of forwarding, Brett Stark, is in love with this place. At its 17th season on Colorado, it affirms that the Large Canyon has a major impact on those which visit it.

“I see a transformation and a connection among people who are here during six or seven days. In the beginning, the visitors are interested only in the rapids, but then they prefer their new friendships and the life of camp “, explains it.

The canyon is a national park where all is protected, of the rocks to the artéfacts autochtones while passing by the scorpions and the crotales. Us besides are warned that, if one were to meet one of these two last, one must leave them quiet, since they are on their premises and not us.

Fortunately, the meetings of the kind are rather rare and I see only moufflons of the desert along seemingly inaccessible chasms and the stags mules which graze in edge of the river.

We approach a rapid and I slip on my waterproof track suit quickly. Fortunately. A wave of frozen water falls down on us and I would swear that a passenger fell over edge. Calms cost and I note that we all are healthy and safe. I am well with the heat and dryness, but my feet are cold and I start to bail out the water which accumulated at the bottom of the raft.

Our guides put an end to the day after about thirty kilometers and they install the kitchen quickly. I include/understand whereas I will not lose a kilo during this adventure: salmon, steak, spaghetti with the pellets of meat and even of the chocolate cake are with the menu.

The following day, a challenge of size awaits us: the path Bright Angel, which is stretched on 16 kilometers to reach the top of South Rim, with 1524 meters of altitude. The rise is difficult and hard on average six hours, but let us supplement we it in a little less than four.

We want to celebrate our exploit with a good beverage, but that will have to wait: a long hot shower is much more pressing.

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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One would resort in vain to thousands of adjec­tifs to describe the Large Canyon, inter alia “spectacular”, “imposing” and “superb”, it remains that the majority of the visitors remain quite simply stops bée in front of such an amount of splendour. It was necessary more than five million years for the wind and the rain to carve this masterpiece, and to make some more admired of all Arizona. In short, the Large Canyon, devoted site of the world inheritance by UNESCO, is completely irresistible.
It is advisable however to note that a wonder such as the Large Canyon cannot reveal all its charms at the time of only one and single visit. It is affirmed in addition that it is necessary to observe the canyon from every angle pos­sibles to seize all the hugeness of it. Moreover, although it is possible to fly over the canyon, to cross it by dinghy, to survey its many paths and of reading all that milked with its history and its culture, many which is those believe that a whole life of study and exploration would not be enough to bore all the secrecies of them. But that does not want to say in so far as you must give up the adventure, far from there, because even the travellers most broken with the beauties of this mon­de acknowledge em­blée con­quis by the depth of the pit and the enormous striated cliffs which are offered to the sight of the visitor, as well southern slope (South Rim) that northern slope (North Rim).

ATTRACTIONS

Williams and the southern slope of the Large Canyon

Arizona and Large Canyon

Williams
Williams is a small attractive city near several attractions which offers moreover a crowd of activities, which in fact a good point of fall. The southern slope of the Large Canyon is so near from here you will be able to plan an excursion of one or more days, and why not even of several weeks. Doesn’t it act, after all, of the most important attraction of Arizona?

Williams-U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center should be your first stop, for little which you wish to more learn on the area. The histoi­re of the town of Williams is immortalisée there in a series of astonishing photographs in black and white just as through windows recalling the tour of the people yavapai and navajo which lived formerly the area. As for the “Kids Corner”, it proposes various activities which will be able to amuse the children while the adults traverse the exposure. You will on the spot find rangers gracious capable to answer your questions.

Williams Historic Walking Tour is the oc­ca­­sion of pleasant strolls in the past. You should to initially get you a plan of the historical circuit in the reception centre of the visitors before enta­mer your exploration. The 18 halts with the program will give you a good outline of the beautiful days of the Road 66 and will help you to include/understand why the commercial district of the downtown area appears in the national register of the historical places. Moreover, you will cross in way numbers stores of antiquities likely to revive your heart of collector.

Of Williams, one needs only 20 min to reach the beginning of Keyhole Sink Trail, a path the length of which you will see petroglyphs left by an­cians civilizations. You get a plan of the path in the center of ac­cueil of the visitors which is at the exit of the city. The traced court curves idly through solid masses of pines ponderosas and carries out to a traditional canyon where await you thousand-year-old petroglyphs suggesting that the sector was formerly an important territory of hunting. Be vigilant because there are still many wild species to see by here, in particular stags.

Take the train which traverses the Large Railway Canyon for an unforgettable excursion to the famous national park of Arizona. The voyage of 65 semi (105 km) will enchant whoever appreciates the old trains, since it effec­tue inter alia on board a Pullman car of 1923, without forgetting the sight of San Francisco Peaks and the wild flowers which enamel the course: happiness assured within a framework most pleasant.

The southern slope of the Large Canyon
South Rim of the Large Canyon attracts more visitors than any other attraction of Ari. It rises at an imposing altitude of more than 2 100 m above the Colorado river and offers panoramas to cut the breath. The laminated rock formations of the canyon think the sunlight of the au­be as in the twilight, for the greatest pleasure of the spectators. As for the Large Canyon Village, located near all, it can divert the tourists during weeks and be used as a basis for various excursions in the depths of the canyon.

If you have only a few hours to explore the canyon, you should not miss Yavapai Point Observation Station (to 5 semi or 8 km in the south of the entry of South Rim). This observation post indeed provides to the visitors an introduction detailed to the geology of the Large Canyon to the wire of inté­res­santes windows of fossils. Take the trouble of reading the explanatory panels placed under each large window in order to better locate the tributary hillocks, temples and canyons. Lastly, it is a question there of one of the favorite places to take in­croyables photographs of the rising and sun couchers on the canyon.

Tusayan Museum and Ruins will not fail to fascinate you. Visit with your own way 800 years the old ruins which are drawn up beside the museum, or benefit from the guided tour of 45 min daily offered by the rangers to 11h and 13h30. As for the museum itself, you will learn there how the tribes anasazis could survive in this hostile environment, and how they lived from day to day.

Page and the northern slope of the Large Canyon

Page
You will be undoubtedly surprised to learn that Page, a crawling city of more than 9 000 inhabitants, was not with the ori­gine, in the years 1950, that simple cam­pement set up for the workmen responsible for the con­struction of the stopping of Glen Canyon. The territory which it occupies formed formerly part of pastures navajos, cé­dés with the government of the United States under the terms of a common agreement.

The John Wesley Powell Museum will allow you to better know the city and his surroundings. Its windows of exposure contain documents relating to the history of Page and are surrounded of display units dedicated to the Amerindian culture just as of paintings and memories brought back by John Wesley Powell at the time of her history tour along the Colorado river. The children will appreciate the mineral exposures and will be able to even try to crush corn as did it the Amerindians thousands of years ago.

Carl Hayden Visitor Center draws up all beside Glen Canyon Injury (stopping) on Highway 89. It gracefully offers visits of the stopping to the half-hours and contains windows as well as display units inter­actifs explaining the construction and the operation of the stopping.

For better appreciating the Amerindian culture of the area, think of making a halt in Navajo Village. Navajos themselves will make you visit the places like their traditional huts, or hogans, tous.les.jours between 9h and 15h. You also can, on request, to take share with the Large Turn, which takes place of 16h with 20h and includes/understands a turn of carriage in the village, presentation a two hours on the way of life of Navajos, a dinner, dances and stories traditional with the corner of fire.

Rainbow National Monument,high of 88 84 m m and broad Bridge, is essential as a reversing example of the wonders which nature can create. The erosion of the sandstone kayenta and navajo formed here an enormous bridge held for crowned by Navajos. Worked there is that some 200 million years, Rainbow Bridge was on declared monument national May 30, 1910 by president Taft, and the visitors are requested not to approach some, nor to pass under its arch. One can however admire it and photograph it with leisure of a distance of approximately 60 m.

Antelope Canyon, which one calls “the natural cathedral”, is to 5 min road of Page. It acts of a deep canyon of 400 m (1 312 pi) carved by thousands of years of rain and wind, which counts among the favorite places of the visitors of the area. With only 2,5 semi (4 km) of Page, Ante­lope Canyon is perfect a exem­ple of narrow canyon “in slit”. Besides because of its exceptional beauty, it is the subject often of photographs seeking to capture the light which its sandstone walls reflect jig-sawn. It should be noted that one reaches the canyon only in company of an authorized guide.

The northern slope of the Large Canyon
Although North Rim is with 216 semi (420 km) of South Rim in the car, it as is really not fréquen­té as its during mé­ridional; for any statement, the majority of people who visit the Large National Canyon Park never go to the northern slope, however quite as impressive. Of abon­dan­tes falls of snow however involve the closing of this portion of the park during the cold season, and it is necessary all the same to count a complete day of road to pass from the southern slope to the northern slope, which explains why one finds there less activities and installa­tions. Located at the heart even of Kaibab Plate, this slope en­toure of a dense forest of pines ponderosas which confers one to him will be had and a perfume extremely different from those of the southern slope. In addition, it posts an altitude of more than 2 400 m (7 874 pi), therefore higher than that of its counterpart, and of au­cuns affirm that it offers more beautiful panoramas. With you to judge some!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Formalities of entry
To enter to the United States, the Canadian citizens do not need passport nor of visa, but must be provided with a proof of citizenship.

Climate
In the Large Canyon, the maximum estival temperatures can reach 30°C; however the winter and spring are rather fresh, with a temperature of 18°C to 20°C; during these two seasons, the temperature can even drop up to 0°C. The average temperature during the nights of winter is around 7°C or less.

The tourist season in the Large Canyon extends from at the beginning of June to at the end of August, but there is crowd also in spring and in autumn. The park is stocked less between November and March, but the temperature is then not ideal there. While South Rim is accessible all the year, North Rim is mid-May in mid-October.

Tourist information
Arizona Office of Tourism
1110 W WashingtonSt., continuation 155, Phoenix, AZ 85007
888-520-3433
www.arizonaguide.com
www.arizonavacationvalues.com

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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Golf and culture go hand in hand
At the time of a voyage centered on the golf, very as much as the possibility of playing on beautiful grounds, it is the discovery of the culture of another country which allures the players.
“I had the occasion to play to famous St Andrew’ S, in Scotland, tells Jean Grenier. People of the club were almost in mourning. They had just lost an old oak several centuries “.

Tradition
“Over there, one finds a tradition, a spirit of the golf. There are beautiful grounds, but, quite as interesting, it is the direction of the reception of the Scot.”

But, in Scotland for example, one does not have to expect to play Sunday. This day, the access of the grounds is reserved to the walkers and the picnickers. That formed part of the tradition.

To find the good adviser for a voyage of golf
The Québécois golfor must also expect to live a “cultural shock” in this cradle of the golf.

“One does not go to Scotland or England to play on grounds” manucurés “as in the United States. The sand alleys and pits are not maintained like here. Moreover, that is explained because it sale much and it rains often over there “, known as Jean Grenier.

“Through the golf, one discovers the culture of Scotland. With the inn, the tasting of scotches is the pretext with interminable exchanges. People come to speak and offer a round to you.”

Joy in life
“In France, there are exceptional golf courses. It is the only country of the world where the house of golf is sometimes a castle.

On the other hand the French do not have a tradition of the golf, sport which remains held with the elites.

“That always takes a moment but when one is accepted, that is well. It even almost too is. There is nothing too in vain for the Québécois friends “, still tells Jean Grenier. Joy in life formed, in France, part of art to play the golf. One can combine with it the golf, the gastronomy, the discovery and the culture.

“It sometimes happened to me to stop a part of golf to the ninth hole and to take a gastronomical meal before continuing”, it remembers.

“I find damage, with all that this country has to offer, that the large golfers do not profit more France, which has 500 grounds for all the tastes”, affirms Jean Grenier.

The prize list of Jean Attic
“It is pleasant to leave on a journey golf, but it is still better if there is something to make or to discover in more.”

The United States conceals everywhere quantity of golf courses accessible and available at all the prices.

“They have extraordinary grounds offering of good services, where all is planned of A to Z. The only handicap, it is that beyond the golf, there are only centers of purchase and bars. In fact, they do not have large-thing which one does not have here.”

Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, in particular, offer a vast choice of golf courses.

Jean Grenier has weak for the voyages of golf in Scotland and France, which offer golf of quality, but also the culture and expatriation.

Portugal has, in Algarve and in the area of Estoril, of very beautiful grounds offering a quality of service equalizes with that which one knows. Lodging is there of quality and the prices are good, estimates Jean Grenier. It is the same for Spain.

In the South
In the destinations sun, Jean Grenier likes above all Casa of Campo and Punta Cana, in Dominican Republic “the qualité/prix report/ratio is higher in Dominican Republic than what is proposed in Mexico.

“It is necessary to be careful while leaving to play the golf in Mexico because the delivered service is not always in conformity with what was promised”, he says.

Jean Grenier remembers in particular a bad experiment as regards service with Ixtapa. On the other hand, it received an impeccable service with Huatulco and Manzanillo. Varadero, where the only course of Cuba is located, has a beautiful ground but does not offer really service, according to the agent of voyages.

Jamaica has very beautiful grounds which give a good service. On the other hand, for the golfeurs, the climate is often too hot and too wet.

In Bermuda, not of problem, the grounds are extraordinary, the excellent service. On the other hand, they is very windy.

The Bahamas, play-ground of the tourists states-uniens in weekend, have the disadvantage of being expensive. “the majority of the players belong to clubs of golf and are thus accustomed to a certain service”, said Jean Grenier.

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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Equipped with an underwater camera, we are worried so much by the beauty of the multicoloured fish which we pass close missing a sea lion which passes close from us at the speed of a torpedo.
But before being able the immortaliser, another lion brings itself, its long moustache frétillantes, and it measures me, in my getup of diving in apnea. Then it launches a barking which is added to the many noises of the sea.

My companion of diving slips towards the bank, accompanied by the one of them which follows it while dodelinant like Charlie Chaplin. The sea lion then will find its congeneric blottis on the beach to devote itself to other capers.

If there is a thing which one cannot forget after having visited the archipelago of 19 islands located at 1 000 kilometers of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean, it is the charming company of these creatures.

Those are everywhere during our four days stay: making the nap with the heat sun, rolling themselves in white sand, playing in not very deep water close to the banks, driving out shrimps and the sardines of which they are fond of delicacies, carrying out capers and even surfing on the waves of the ocean.

“They are Californian sea lions”, explains while laughing our guide Carlos Cantos, while the mammals defy the waves. Those come from America. But they arrived at Galapagos strong a long time ago. At the time of all our divings, we were joined by these mammalian sympathetic nerves sailors.

Darwin
The Galapagos islands were discovered in 1535. They were named in the honor of the giant tortoises which live there. These islands acquired their notoriety following the voyage of Charles Darwin, in 1835. The British scientist remained five weeks there to study nature and the wildlife with an aim of collecting evidence to validate his theory of the evolution. The observations of this tour were fundamental in the results of Darwin.

Galapagos were formed approximately five million years ago when underwater volcanos made irruption. The altitude of the islands, the luminosity and its hot climate made of them to an ideal sanctuary for 58 species of birds, for the sea lions, the penguins, the iguanas and, of course, the giant tortoises being able to live until at 180 years.

Tourism organized there made its appearance in the years 1960. Only 5 of the 19 islands are inhabited. With an aim of preserving the nature of the archipelago, UNESCO declared inheritance world in 1978. And in 1985, the government of Ecuador created a marine reserve to extend ecological protection to the underwater funds surrounding the islands.

Only 100 000 tourists can visit the archipelago annually. Once on the islands, they must be subjected to very strict rules. It is interdict to leave the marked out paths. It is also interdict to gather plants and of touching the animals. And it is proscribed to bring food, drink and cigarettes.

Tortoises
At the time of our last morning, on the island of Santa Cruz, where nearly 2 500 giant tortoises live, our guide, tell Carlos Santos, we that these animals become their sexual ripe at 40 years. Their copulations take from two to three hours.

But the male must be really précautionneux. With an average weight of 270 kilos, if it falls on the side during the act, it will be projected on its carapace and will be able to die about it because it will not be able to be turned over on its legs and will dry with the heat sun.

Among the avid listeners of the sexual stories of our guide, there is Christina Adams, a coed in right of Ottawa, and its mother Suzanne, an accountant of Vancouver. Christina tells that it travelled on all the continents, except for the Antarctic. She says that it is one of best cruisings in which she took part.

Enid Mountjoy, of Oshawa, fact part of a group of pensioners. The 77 year old woman explains that what it found exciting more was to see the penguins in their natural habitat and to have the occasion to saunter on the white sand beaches of Bachas.

“I had the impression to be in another world, tells it. It was so much exciting, one lived new adventures all the times that one left the ship to embark in a boat moving towards the banks “.

DAYS FILLED WELL

We chose to visit the archipelago in the most current way, i.e. in boat of cruising. During our four days of tour, we were placed on board Galapagos Legend, of a capacity of 100 passengers.

We are unloaded in five islands located at the east of the archipelago for visits of interpretation of nature, made diving in apnea and crossed the line of the equator twice.

At the time of a seafood dinner sprinkled of Chilean wines, the captain of the ship, Cesar Arcos, revealed us that the route that it borrows must be approved in advance by the authorities of the reserve so that tourism does not harm the ecosystem.

The 52 year old captain, who counts 30 years of service, prefers the Canadians with the Americans, whom it describes as too demanding. He explains why its ship is popular because he has a broad operating range which enables him to bring the tourists in the borders of the archipelago.

“It is not one strolls in the Caribbean, increases Yvette Hauser, director of cruising. We comfortably take along the tourists of an island to another. However, our customers want action.”

Mrs. Hauser says true. The boat is impeccable and the personnel, attentive. One does the housework of our cabins three times per day. But the days are charged.

Program
The only moments of inactivity occur about midday, when the sun is too strong for excursions, and with fallen the night.

The day starts at 6 a.m. 45, just after the rising of the sun. Mrs. Hauser uses an intercom to awake us in four languages: Spanish, English, French and German.

We have then an hour to eat and prepare us with the first excursion of the day. We are divided into several groups and leave the ship on board boats towards our destinations. All that with a quasi military precision.

Today, our guide is Carlos Cantos. This one tells us with force details the practices of a multitude of species of birds and marine mammals.

It explains us why a male sea lion has a difficult life. Every three weeks, it must fight to obtain the favours of a harem of females. If it manages to fertilize them, it will spend the three following weeks to supervise its herd, without eating nor to sleep, until exhaustion.

Cantos teaches us that the male iguana — there are terrestrial and marine iguanas in the archipelago — does not have less than two penises, one on the left and the other on the right. It uses that which is appropriate to him best at the time of its copulations. In addition, the bird petrel inflates a red pocket located behind its head to allure the females. That which has the largest red pocket is that which is likely the most to bring back a girlfriend in her nest.

NOTEBOOK OF VOYAGE
Precautions to be taken
If you envisage a tour in Ecuador, a country with the diversified geography, it will be necessary to go to see a doctor specialist in the tropical countries. Altitude, water, food and the insects pose all of the potential risks. Even if, in Galapagos, the most important risk is the extreme sun, Galapagos Legend is equipped with a doctor. I was forced to resort to his services (it takes the credit cards) after a small mishap and I must say that I was relieved to know it on board.

How to go there
Continental Airlines offers a connection towards the capital of Ecuador, Quito, via Newark, in the New Jersey. It is a flight of approximately eight hours including/understanding a stopover in Panama City. De Quito, there is a flight of the AeroGal company towards Galapagos, one duration of a little more than two hours, including a stopover. For more information, visit the site www.continental.com. The reservations can be made to the 1 800 231-0856. AeroGal has its Web site: www.aerogal.com.

Fixed price cruising
Galapagos Legend offers cruisings of three, four or seven days just as five types of fixed price. The cost for three nights in double occupation is 1 137 $ CA in low season (of at the beginning of January with at the beginning of March, of May 1 at June 30, mid-November and September in mid-December) up to 1 860$ CA in tourist season. Admission in Galapagos east of 100$ US.

For more details on Ecuador and Galapagos, you can consult the site www.purecuador.com. And for more precise information on the archipelago, made the www.kleintours.com.

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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To strike the ball under the nonchalant eye of the pink flamingos, to test a new course located on high cliffs skirting the sea, to press the same ground as Tiger Woods under a radiant sun… All these small happinesses are possible. It is enough for you, dear golfeurs, to prepare your sticks and to put the course on one of the five following destinations!

IN JAMAICA
To improve its swing with the country of the reggae!
Admitted to be the cradle of the legendary coffee Blue Mountain and involving the music reggae, Jamaica now wishes to become synonymous with holidays of golf. And it left well in the area Montego Bay. This north-western point the island, where the wind of the sea is omnipresent, proposes five punctuated courses of many sand pits and water obstacles.

The two courses of Pink Hall, White Witch and Cinnamon Hill, concoctés by Robert von Hagge, enjoy greens sometimes so much diverting which one wonders whether, by drawing these courses, the architect did not sign a diabolic pact with the phantom of Annie Palmer, the terrible owner of this old plantation of the 19th century, which terrorized its slaves and killed his/her three husbands. Bouhouou! Truce of history of horror, the golfeurs who also add to their tour a visit in Tryall Golf, Tennis and Beach Resort - recent restorations gave again gloss with this other old plantation - will have, of not to doubt, many stories… of golf to be told.

Information: Tourist bureau of Jamaica (450.928.9859 or www.visitjamaica.com)

IN MEXICO
A succession of challenges
The Mayas never played the golf. It is however on their premises, in the south of Cancun, in Mexico, which one finds one of the most stimulative courses of the Central America. Threading in the heart of the luxuriant jungle of Riviera Maya, where iguanas prélassent themselves in the beautiful medium of the sand trap doors, Playacar, in Playa del Carmen, is characterized by her bent holes and its difficult greens from accesses bus surrounded of water, sand or, worse still, both at the same time. What to stimulate even the most skilful golfeurs.

This course signed Robert von Hagge forms part of the fixed price unlimited golf of méga-complex hotel the five stars Moon Palace, with Cancun. This smart den for in love, from which the buildings extend on nearly one kilometer, counts some 2000 rooms, with bed large size, bath-tub with movement double and seen on the sea. The place includes/understands also two immense swimming pools of crystalline water, two kilometers of white sand beach, ten restaurants, a spa and even a new course of golf, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Race (easier than Playacar!). In short, of owls holidays of luxury.

Information: Chain Palace Resort (1.800.635.1836 or moonpalace.hotels-cancun.com)

IN BARBADOS
Supreme luxury
Barbados is in the process of becoming one of the most run international destinations golf of planet. Even Tiger Woods could not resist the charms of the luxurious complex of golf Sandy Lane, where it married this autumn its beautiful Suédoise. The hotel, which does not require less than 900 $US for one night, precisely gained last year World Travel Award for the best destination golf of the Caribbean. It is enough to contemplate the alleys of the very new second course, Green Monkey, jewel cut in the heart of a coral ground, to approve the choice of the jury.

This English ex-colony that one also appreciates for his rum and his many beaches of white sand also counts two other courses. Barbados Golf Club, a public ground located close to the airport, and Royal Westmoreland, which inaugurated by prince Andrew in 1994. On this prestigious layout, sympathetic nerves small monkeys green regularly come to make move the foliage of the trees. All the grounds mentioned are accessible to the visitors, except for the second course of Sandy Lane which one can reach only if one remains on the spot. A suggestion of lodging? Choose one of the hotels all included of the Elegant chain. Particularly Turtle Beach, where the Italian restaurant and the very close waves give to the place an unforgettable romantic charm.

Information: Office of tourism of Barbados (514.486.1920 or www.barbados.org) or www.eleganthotels.com

IN FLORIDA
A nature époustouflante!
A couple of pink flamingos which is made the court on a starting hillock, a mom swan which broods her eggs close to an alley, a family of water hens which cross a green nonchalamment… Definitely, the two courses of Fairmont Turnberry Isle, to the north of Miami Beach, in Florida, give the impression to practise its sport preferred in the heart of a sanctuary of birds. Are added to this winged fauna more than 500 vegetable species, of which imposing fig trees with the tortuous trunk and a whole collection of palm trees which still more embellish this territory of 300 acres surrounded of turns with condos. Even the golfeurs most insensitive with winged fauna and the flora remain fascinated in front of these two tables golfic arranged by Robert the Trent Jones Sr.

The southern course, which appears among most beautiful of Florida, presents a whole challenge for the golfeurs, particularly to the 18E hole, a normal 5, where it is necessary to compose with a green on a peninsula. A lake which gobe easily more than 40 000 balls per year, is nearly three balls per quartet. One will recover from our emotions by finishing the day at the edge of the swimming pool or on the beach of the hotel, located at 10 minutes in free shuttle. Or, better still, one will go prélasser in our immense room (almost the equivalent of one two and half) being able to transform into a play-ground also stimulant…

Information: Fairmont Turnberry Isle (305.932. 6200 or www.fairmont.com)

IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Golfer at the edge of cliffs
Impossible not to succumb to the decoration sublimates of Playa Grande, in Dominican Republic. The architect Robert the Trent Jones Sr apparently would have cried of joy when one asked him to draw this incredible course of 7000 rods on high escarpées cliffs of the north-eastern coast of the country, located at 90 minutes of Puerto Plata. For our greater happiness, 12 of the 18 alleys of this small paradise golfic skirt these vertiginous rock walls narrowly that negligible droplets (coming from the powerful undertow of the waves) manage to reach. Reversing!

Obviously, in front of such a spectacle, difficult to remain concentrated on its play. One almost more wants to leave our camera our sticks… It is besides to accelerate the play that all the duets of golfeurs must secure obligatory services of a caddie. Even if the majority of them are expressed only in Spanish, their invaluable councils largely help to improve our handicap.

In addition to the golf (which does not form any more part of the formula all included), this hotel complex Occidental Allegro, completely renovated, enjoys one of the most idyllic beaches of the Caribbean. One cracks for these two kilometers of strike wedged in cliffs. And this, even when the strong waves prevent us to bathe us there.

Information: Office of tourism of the Dominican Republic (514.499.1918) or www.occidentalhotels.com

Posted: January 14th, 2008 under Travel in general.
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