Archive for October, 2009

The tropical paradise of Maui offers something special for every visitor, but the outstanding offerings particularly well-suited to families surprises many.

Most resorts on Maui provide programs for young guests including planned beach activities. The Westin Maui at Kaanapali Beach Resort is particularly popular with families thanks to the tropical foliage, waterfalls and parrots. The aquatic playground featuring a 128-foot slide makes childhood fantasies come true. Maui hotels and resorts are about much more than a room and a beach and many include special touches to encourage family visitors.

Children love to explore the natural beauty of Maui. A trip to Haleakala National Park is a must-do for families. The diversity of ecosystems and the exposure to so many new and different tropical species is a learning experience not to be missed. While watching the sunrise from Haleakala is popular with Maui visitors, it is not generally well suited to younger children because of the early start time and amount of waiting time involved.

The Maui Ocean Center showcases Hawaii’s underwater environment. Voted Hawaii’s Top-Rated Family Attraction by Zagat Survey, the Maui Ocean Center should be on every family’s tour plan.

Children enjoy the tactile experience of feeling things like a sea cucumber in the touch pool. A particularly interesting feature of the Maui Ocean Center popular with adults as well as children is the glass tunnel that leads into a 750,000-gallon aquarium with sharks and other colorful tropical fish swimming overhead. The average visit to the Maui Ocean Center takes about two hours, but many visitors linger longer over exhibits and choose to dine in one of Maui Ocean Center’s two restaurants.

The Hawaii Nature Center located in the Iao Valley on Maui is especially popular with children ages 3 to 8. The Center includes more than 30 hands-on, interactive exhibits as well as guided rainforest walks. Exhibits feature species native to Maui including the world’s only carnivorous caterpillar.

Maui was once considered the capital of the whaling industry and is the winter home to migrating Pacific Humpback whales. The Whalers Village Museum located in the Kaanapali shopping complex is dedicated to teaching about this important creature. This Maui museum displays over seventy species of whales. The skeletal remains of a 40-foot Sperm Whale are amazing, and children are shocked to see the actual size of this ocean giant. Admission to this Maui attraction is free.

The Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad, better known as the Sugar Cane Train, will be a hit with young train fanatics. While this Maui attraction is often rated as boring by adults, it is perfectly suited to families with younger children.

Traveling in an open-air coach pulled by a steam-engine, visitors enjoy a leisurely six-mile journey through Maui. Crossing a 325-foot curved wooden trestle provides a panoramic view of the West Maui Mountains, as well as islands neighboring Maui. Storytellers share the history of Maui during the trip.

A Maui vacation is not complete until a luau is included. Most Maui resorts and hotels offer luaus. Among the most recommended non-resort luaus are the Old Lahaina Luau and The Feast at Lele, both located in the Maui village of Lahaina. Children will be captivated by the Hawaiian dance and music offered by these Maui performers and are certain to find something they enjoy eating among the many luau offerings.

Maui is considered a top choice for family vacations. Children and Adults alike with enjoy learning the history and culture of Maui at locations all over the island.

Technorati Tags: Maui vacation, family vacations, Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii, Hawaiian vacation, luau, the luau, Hawaiian Islands

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An Arkansas Destination Worth Visiting

Looking for an Arkansas destination? If you are, Buffalo River is a tourist attraction that should be included in your itinerary. Considered as America’s first national river, there are a lot of things that makes a visit to this 132-mile stretch worthwhile.

A journey to the Buffalo River would take you down to the White River in the wilderness of upper Ponca as well as towards the most remote and rugged counties in the Ozarks. However, this stretch of water is not ideal for floating, provides minimal access, and can only be reached by the dedicated hiker.

Situated in Northern Arkansas, the Buffalo River is the first national river in the United States. Stretching over 150 miles long, the lower portion of the river, covering 135 miles, is operated by the National Park Service. The whole stretch of river passes through four counties namely Newton, Searcy, Baxter, and Marion. It starts from the highest section of the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks, then descends down to the Springfield Plateau, crossing the Salem Plateau before merging with the White River.

The Buffalo River National Park boasts of being the home of Arkansas’ only elk herd. The upper part of the River located in the Ozark National Forest is run by the U.S. Forest Service and is considered as a national scenic and wild river.

On March 1, 1972, an Act of Congress paved the way for the establishment of the Buffalo National River. The enactment of this Act officially ended the plans of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build more than one dam on the river.

Boxley Valley as well as Ponca are top destinations for elk watching. Serving as access point is Ponca and Steel Creek, which is an ideal spot for primitive camping. Lost Valley and Goat Trail are perfect spots to go hiking. Going down the river, there are several camping sites at Kyle’s Landing, Carver, Pruitt, and Ozark. Kyle’s and Ozark provide opportunities for hiking.

Majority of the areas in the Buffalo National River are ideal for family getaways. A canoe ride can be an exciting venture for the children as well as pets. Along the way, one would be treated to a sight of turtles sunning on a log, blooming wild azaleas floating in the river, or taking a dip in the river’s blue-green waters.

Since the restocking program that brought a total of 112 elks to the state from Colorado and Nebraska in the early part of the 1980s, approximately 450 elks have made the river their home. Spring is usually the time when calves are born and by the middle of May, the sight of newborn elks following their parents is a sight to behold. In the fall, the shrill cries of mating bulls can be heard from the bluffs.

The Buffalo National River also boasts of being the home of black bear although these creatures are rarely seen. However, there is a chance that you might see a mother bear cuddling her cubs as you make your way round the bend.

The trip would also provide an opportunity for spotting different varieties of herons. A glimpse of the Great Blue can be as elusive as the black bears although the green herons will play hopscotch with you. Woodpeckers can be heard from the distance although they would not be seen. Along the way, you will hear the sounds of songbirds such as mockingbids, finches, cardinals, among others.

Buffalo National River is an Arkansas destination that gives you an opportunity to experience nature and make your trip truly exciting.

Technorati Tags: Buffalo National River, Arkansas, destinations, trips, Buffalo, national, rivers, black bears, birds, songbirds, travel tips, travel, tips, Arkansas

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So you’re heading to the fashion capital in the world and your predicament is where to lodge for more than a night or two? Get those wrinkles off your foreheads because all you have to do is just breeze through this array of hotels in Paris. As a tourist, you have to get the most out of what you have bargained for.

• Four Star Hotels in Paris

Hotel Lotti

Since 1910, it is the embodiment of a sense of hospitality where luxury blends magnificently with discretion. Surrounded by the largest names in jewelry, the Hotel Lotti is ideally situated between the Place Vendome and Tuileries Gardens. The Louvre Museum, Opera Garnier and Rue Faubourg Saint Honoré are only five minutes walk away. (A standard single room costs €185 while the classic room that is good for 1 or 2 persons is at €190- 360.)

Hotel Les Rives De Notre Dame

Nestled in the heart of the Left Bank, right by the river Seine, the charming Hôtel Les Rives de Notre-Dame has set its refined decor in a 16th century mansion. Romantic guests will be awed with the lovely scene as they open their windows: river banks with their bookdealers, public benches dedicated to lovers, as well as the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, its towers and gargoyles. (A standard room with two beds costs €150- 213 while the superior room with a king size bed is at €200- 289.)

• Three Star Hotels in Paris

Hotel Bourg Tibourg

This is a village where distinctive townhouses stand side by side with many small boutiques and restaurants whose façades are incomparably charming. The hotel is the starting point for walks in the Place des Vosges, Georges Pompidou Center, Notre-Dame, Picasso Musuem and Carnavalet. The hotel was recently renovated and features new decor by Jacques Garcia. (A single room with bath is at €160 while a classic double room costs €220.)

Hotel Relais Saint Jacques

The 23 original rooms are individually decorated with stylish furniture and old paintings. A 1925 style bar, a Louis XV lounge with adjoining library, where you can entertain, in total tranquility, friends or business associates, adding a certain charm to your stay. (A privilege room costs €140- 160 while the prestige room is at €150- 245.)

• Two Star Hotels in Paris

Hotel Residence Monge

A cozy nest located in the heart of a lively village-like neighborhood of Paris, counts amongst its majestic neighbors: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, Jardin des Plantes, Grande Galerie of Natural History and Lutèce. It is an ideal neighborhood for lovely promenades and street strolling. (A single room with shower is at €75- 90 while the double room costs €88- 100.)

Hotel Regyn’s Montmartre

The 22 rooms display soft colors and have a warm cozy feeling. Suffused with peace and light, they offer a personalized comfort such as a writing corner where a lovely view of the Sacré-Coeur, or over the whole city, is waiting for you. (A single room costs €73- 83 while a double room is at €84- 95.)

Let your short trip be etched in your memory because hotels in Paris are more than luxury, it also spell, “the unforgettable.”

[tags]Paris, France, hotels, hotels in France, hotels in Paris, French, tourist in France, tourist in
Paris[/tags]

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