ReeHart – Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘destinations’

Australia truly epitomizes diversity. From the Outback, to the beaches, to the almost surreal scenery, one is astounded at the breadth of experiences available in Australia.. One reason to visit is to enjoy nature and sports. Australia offers everything from skiing to surfing and diving. Another reason is for the cultural richness from urban Sydney to Aboriginal adventures. There is something for everyone in Australia.

When is the best time to go? It can be very warm in the summer (winter for those of us in North America) but there is always the beach. Australia is so vast that you can almost always find something in the climate you most prefer.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and one of the images of Australia familiar to us is the famous Sydney Opera House sitting in its Harbour. Sydney is the ideal spot to start your Australian adventure.

All of Sydney’s attractions lie within easy reach of the city center. Sydney’s harbour is its playground, and a prominent factor in so much of what the city has to offer. The city has a dynamic cultural life, vibrant food scene and a colorful cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Stunning beaches and accessible national parks deliver unforgettable experiences.

Getting Around Sydney is easy

1)Ferries: Ferries are the most unique form of public transportation for the visitor. Every errand is a harbour cruise. There is regular service to over 37 wharves, including Manly, Parramatta, Balmain, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo.

2)Buses: Buses service is frequent, inexpensive and easy to use.

3)Trains: The CityRail network is a quick and convenient.

4)Monorail: Sydney’s Metro Monorail an above-ground rail systems. The route goes around Darling Harbour.

5)Light Rail: The Light Rail is environmentally friendly way, and travels all over the city. Just hop aboard.

Where to Stay

1) The Four Seasons Sydney is an elegant hotel with contemporary styling. The rooms and suites overlook Darling Harbour and offer views of the Opera House.

2)Park Hyatt Sydney – Elegant hotel built on the harbour directly under the Harbour Bridge. Offers spacious rooms, outstanding service, and spectacular views.

3)The Observatory Hotel- 100 room hotel located in the fashionable Rocks district. Easy access to the Kings Street Wharf, restaurants, bars and the Opera House. A long-time Sydney favorite, the Observatory Hotel offers luxurious, beautifully appointed, and spacious rooms and suites.

Great food, plenty of things to do, energy, enthusiasm, and exuberance mark Sydney as a city worth visiting at any time, any season.

If you are and you are looking to travel out of the country, you will need to find a Florida airport that is known as an international airport. International airports are airports that regularly have flights arriving from or going to an area outside of the Untied States. For Florida residents, particularly those in or around the Miami area, the Miami International Airport is the airport that they turn to when it comes to scheduling an out of the country trip.

Unlike most other airports, including other international airports, the Miami International Airport does business with over fifty airlines. That number of huge, especially when compared to other airports. Essentially, this means that wherever you are going and whenever you need to get there, the Miami International Airport should have what you are looking for.

Since there are over fifty airlines that partner with the Miami International Airport, you will find that their airport is large in size. This may pose a problem for you, especially if you have never visited the airport before. If this is the case, you will want to familiarize yourself with the airport?s layout or even print off a map. You can do this by visiting the online website of the Miami International Airport. These maps should also provide you with valuable information on airport parking arrangements.

With the recent focus on airfield security, you will find that the staff at the Miami International Airport requests that you arrive for your flight well in advance. This is especially important for international travelers or travelers who are unfamiliar with the airport. A simple wrong turn or a delay at an airfield security checkpoint could cause you to miss your flight, especially if you did not arrive at least two hours before your flight was scheduled to take off. Also, before arriving at the airport, it is important to make sure that you have all of the documents needed to travel on an international flight. These documents commonly include picture identification, a passport, or a visa.

The airport is stocked full of retail stores, including clothing stores and gift shops. You can also find a large number of bars, restaurants, as well as other establishments. Due to the size of the airport, you will find that certain retail establishments are only available in certain airport terminal areas. However, all airport terminals have a number of different eateries and retail stores for you to choose form.

Whether you are looking to check the position of your flight, learn more about airfield security procedures, or learn more about international flights, you should be healthy to find what you are looking for on their online website. For additional information, you may want to consider contacting the airfield directly.

Kenya holidays offer so much choice; beach holidays, safari holidays or twin centre beach and safari holidays?

There are thousands of hotels to choose from in Kenya and here a few offering a variety of Kenya holidays.

The recently refurbished Bamburi Beach Hotel Kenya is located not far from the International airport on Kenya’s north coast. The hotel has a beautiful beachfront setting with a great boardwalk area designed to maximise the views of the Ocean and beach. The Bamburi beach is a good quality 3 star deluxe hotel offering value for money all inclusive Kenya holidays. If you are looking for active Kenya holidays then this hotel has a great water-sports programme as well as daily evening entertainment.

Sun N Sand Beach Resort Kenya is located along the Kenyan north coast and is built in a modern Swahili architectural design. Set in spacious landscaped gardens overlooking the emerald green waters of the Indian Ocean, Sun N Sand is a secluded haven where tranquillity meets with activity. This popular 4 star hotel offers a variety of facilities, is all inclusive and is great for family Kenya holidays.

The Southern Palms Kenya is situated in the Diani Beach area on Mombasa’s south coast about 28 miles from the International airport. This property is a favourite with both families and couples looking for good quality Kenya holidays. With 5 bars including 2 swim-up island bars and a beach front bar/ice cream parlour, 10 acres of landscaped tropical gardens, 2 free-form swimming pools, a fitness room, 2 air-conditioned squash courts, tennis courts and the Southern Palms water sports centre, you will never be short of activities if you choose the Southern Palms for your Kenya holidays. The Southern Palms offers Kenya holidays on a half board basis.

Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa is set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens on the magnificent Diani beach, a stretch of beautiful white sand on Kenya’s south coast. Situated in a secluded spot, overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa is a popular hotel for romantic Kenya holidays and honeymoons. The Diani Reef offers Kenya holidays on a half board basis.

As a member of “small luxury hotels of the world” Hemingways offers Kenya holidays for those looking for the more relaxed side of Kenya. Hemingways enjoys a beachfront location within the world-famous Watamu National Marine Park and is approximately 70 miles from Mombasa International Airport. One of the principal attractions at Hemingways is the food; it is inspired and ranks among the best in Kenya. Add to this the impeccable service, the water sport and fitness facilities and you have all the ingredients for memorable Kenya holidays. Hemingways offers Kenya holidays on a half board basis.

The Leopard Beach Hotel Kenya is situated 30 Km south of Mombasa and enjoys a great position on one of Kenya’s most beautiful beaches. The hotel offers a wide range of good quality accommodation spread throughout 25 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. The Leopard Beach offers Kenya holidays on a half board basis.

The Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel is set out as a Swahili village and is renowned for its traditional architecture and colonial charm with beautiful gardens and excellent cuisine. The Serena Beach offers 5 star Kenya holidays on a half board basis.

While on safari in Dar es Salaam, you, like many other travelers, may also find it worthy visit other Tanzania tour destinations like Selous game reserve and Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha national parks, which fall in the country’s southern safari circuit. Mikumi National park for example is just a few hours’ drive away. It also takes two hours to Zanzibar by ferry, and an even shorter time by flight. You can arrange day trips from Dar to nearby islands through some Dar es Salaam hotels including White Sands and Bahari Beach hotels.

Mikumi national park is home to a great variety of African wildlife including elephant, buffalo, lion, wildebeest, hartebeest, warthog, African crocodile, hippos, monitor lizards and a considerably high number of the endangered African wild dogs. The park also has a prolific bird life especially during the wet season when up to 300 species of Eurasian migratory birds flock the area. The Mikumi flood plain is undoubtedly the most prominent land feature in the game park. The flood plain is neighbored on one side by the Uluguru mountains, and on another side by the Lumango hills range. The national park borders Selous game reserve, and forms part of a 75,000 sq. km. wilderness ecosystem covered by open grasslands in the plains and miombo woodlands in the higher grounds.

Mikumi is generally accessible all year round, unlike many other southern circuit safari destinations. It takes four hours to Mikumi by road, and one hour by flight from Dar es Salaam. For budget travelers, It is possible to take a bus ride to the park’s gate then arrange game drives from there. At the few luxury lodges and tented camps and the three campsites in Mikumi , limited accommodation is available. Should you find yourself in Dar es Salaam on a weekend, Mikumi is a perfect destination for seeing African wildlife.

65 km southwest of Mikumi, and 348 km west of Dar lies the 1,990 sq. km. Udzungwa Mountains National park. Udzungwa mountains are found southeast of Kilimanjaro and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. This unique Tanzania national park was created purely for purposes of plant species conservation. Many rare plants inhabit the mountain forest in Udzungwa. Animal life in the forests consists of six primate species, including the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje crested Mangabey both of which are endemic here. Lions, elephants, buffaloes and hunting dogs are found on the plateau area, though in smaller numbers than in other parks and game reserves in Tanzania. The park is an important conservation area for bird species, with more than four previously unknown species discovered by scientists recently. The dry season from June through October is the best time to visit Udzungwa. During the wet season, hiking routes get unpleasantly slippery.

The Ruaha National Park is rightly named after its lifeblood- the Great Ruaha River. Occupying 12,950 sq km, it is Tanzanias second largest national park and the world’s biggest elephant sanctuary. Home to numerous crocodiles and hippo, the Great Ruaha draws many thirsty water buck, leopard, buffalo, reed buck, wild dogs, lion and hyena to its banks. Plain animals such as zebra, greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope, impala and giraffe are found on the plains stretching from the rivers edge. The topography is agreeable to hiking and walking safaris are allowed. In wet season months of March to April and October to November the bird population peaks and the park has over 370 bird species, including some Eurasian migrants.

Ruaha has a very diverse flora, with over 1650 plant species found there. The plant and animal life in Ruaha is a unique mixture of eastern Africa and southern Africa flora and fauna. This national park has a hot and dry climate with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in October. Located 128 km west of Iringa town in central Tanzania, Ruaha national park was previously inaccessible, but there are roads today enabling year round access. It takes 10 hours by road and one and a half hours by charter flights from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha. The dry season from May to December is the best time for a safari to Ruaha. During that season, thirsty animals flock the Ruaha river banks, with the ensuing drama (feeding, courting and mating, and fighting) being a spectacle to behold. Accommodation in Ruaha is rather limited, with only one luxury lodge and a few campsites and self-catering chalets.

Selous Game Reserve is the star of the southern safari circuit. The reserve is named after the intrepid Fredrick Courtney Selous, a celebrated Victoria era explorer and naturalist. He met his end here in a sideshow of the First World War. The Great War had spilled over from Europe as the Germans then ruled parts of todays Tanzania. Located 500 km to the southwest of Dar, the reserve occupies a staggering 55,000 sq km ” larger than Switzerland- and is the largest of its kind in Africa. The Selous was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to the significance of both its flora and fauna. This immense wilderness has a diversity of habitats including savanna woodlands, swamps, open grasslands and forests.

There over 2,100 plant and tree species in Selous. Rufiji river is the lifeblood of the game reserve and has many oxbow lakes and tributaries suitable for boating safaris. Lions, elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, wild dogs, elands, impala, water bucks, giraffes, zebras, greater kudu, baboons, and bush bucks are just some of the wild animals found in Selous. Birdwatchers also have an exciting tour in Selous, with over 420 bird species. Just like in Ruaha, game animals in Selous are widely scattered due to the large size of the reserve. The best game watching experience is attained by taking a slow pace, preferably 3-4 days. Visitors can enjoy a rewarding photographic safari in Selous, with Stiegler’s gorge being a favorite spot also favored by leopards.

To get to Selous from Dar es Salaam, it takes one and a half hours by flight or seven hours by road. Road trips are tiresome and are only advisable for the most adventurous people. Being quite near the coast, Selous is only a few hundred feet above sea level. Selous has a hot and humid climate especially between October and March. During the wet season, March to May, parts of the reserve are closed. The dry season is the best for visiting, during which time you can take walking safaris, boat rides, or self drive safaris in a 4×4 vehicle. There are limited accommodation facilities in Selous, with only a few luxury tented camps and no frills camps.

Sadani game reserve is yet another Tanzania safari destination worth visiting. Situated in the North Coast, about 50km from Bagamoyo, the reserve gives the visitor a unique beach and bush experience. African game found there include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, and zebras. To get to Sadani however, you have to make your own special transport arrangements.

Getting to Dar es Salaam, and Tanzania in general, requires visitors from yellow fever infected areas to obtain yellow fever international certificate of vaccination. Exemptions are made for visitors arriving from non-endemic areas such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The northwestern forest region of Tanzania is considered a high-risk area for yellow fever. Visitors are strongly advised to take anti malaria medication commencing two weeks before travel as malaria is common in Tanzania. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are also recommended. In addition, all visitors are required to have a visa except citizens of some African and commonwealth countries. It is advisable to obtain visas in advance from Tanzania Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. Visa can also be issued on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border.

It is easy to get to Dar es Salaam through the top travel hubs in Africa e.g Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Within Tanzania, there are many domestic flights connecting Dar and other Tanzania airports like Dodoma airport and Kilimanjaro international airport. From Mombasa in Kenya, there are ferry services by sea to Dar es Salaam. Traveling within Dar city itself is easy by use of Taxis. Per every journey within the city center, the taxis charge a standard Tsh 2000. Visitors can also get to Zanzibar by ferry, with four choices available: a catamaran, a hydrofoil, and 2 ordinary boats. Before boarding the ferry for Zanzibar, you will have to produce the yellow fever vaccination certificate. You will also pay an additional US$5 for port charges, apart from just the boat fare.

Dar es Salaam, like most of Tanzania, does not get very cold. Light clothing is therefore most suitable. Temperatures average around 30 degrees celsius, the hottest period being from October to March. Male travelers can carry decent short sleeved shirts, shorts and trousers, while skirts, short sleeve blouses, and slacks would be enough for the female traveler. If you will be visiting the highlands however, it is advisable you carry some warmer clothing like sweaters for the early mornings and the evenings. In the entire country, nudity is unacceptable.

The Caribbean isles are famous for the multitude of diving opportunities. The coastal reefs provide a large offering of gorgeous plant life and amazing wildlife. Every island features its own diving spots and locations that would take a lifetime to fully explore. Caribbean diving is a rewarding past time that will expose any diver to a variety of wonders and challenges. Of the many countries and islands that are available to visit. The ones that should top your list are Curacao and Bonaire.

Caribbean Diving – Curacao

There are about 40 beaches present on the isle and some of these are home to beach front hotels while others are secluded. Many of the beach resorts in Curacao cater for divers and the country is home to expansive coral reefs making it popular for diving. A prime spot for Caribbean diving is Westpunt, which offers some of the best diving opportunities.

The origins of the reef stem from the hosting of coral by lava rock for centuries. The massive formations that plunge into the depths of the oceans rival the underwater garden of beautiful reeds alone and some of the shores. The amazing wildlife that inhabits these reefs makes dive Caribbean a wonderful adventure.

The southern coastline of Curacao has more than 60 named dive sites able to provide experiences to divers of all skill levels, with over 40 of the dive sites equipped with chains. The experience will not be forgettable as one experiences the uniquely available diving. Curacao is one stop that should be visited by every diver.

A Great Caribbean Diving Destination – Bonaire Diving and Scuba

For seven years in a row, Bonaire has been chosen as the best among all of the Caribbean diving locations. This honor is not misplaced, as once the diver is in the water, the breath taking expanse of aquatic life will put anyone in awe. In fact, Bonaire is home to eight of the top ten locations with the largest variety of species. This includes Bari Reef in Den Laman, the number one place for species density, along with Red Slave, The Invisibles, Tori’s Reef, Something Special, Front Porch, Karpata and Green Submarine, all right off the shore.

In addition to the above honors, the Rodale’s Readers Choice Award for top shore diving destination was given to Bonaire fifteen years running. When it comes to shore diving, Bonaire offers the ability to dive at any time at any site and with any diving profile. In addition to shore diving, Bonaire also hosts a great deal of boat diving sites, and other excellent offerings.

Caribbean Diving – An Life Changing Experience

When it comes to diving, the islands of the Caribbean offer countless adventures and amazing wonders for people of all levels of experience. The countries of Bonaire and Curacao offer unique experiences, and if you are to choose any locations in the Caribbean to experience diving, Curacao and Bonaire should top your list. It does not matter how much experience you have, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the expansive coral reef, teeming with all manners of aquatic life.