Exciting and Affordable Mountain Bike Holidays

While some people might consider lounging in a beach chair with an umbrella drink in hand the perfect way to spend a vacation, "slow" has never been my speed at all. I'd much rather spend my off days biking up and down rocky terrain or twisting, turning trails while taking in incredible views along the way. That's why I've been booking mountain bike holidays for the past five years, and why I'll continue to do so every chance I get.

Since I've taken so many mountain bike holidays already, all my buddies come directly to me when they need some tips on how to book a once-in-a-lifetime adventure of their own. I'm more than willing to share my expertise, and am proud to say that I've hooked more than a few friends up with vacations they'll never forget. The key to a great mountain bike holiday is to know exactly what YOU want from your trip before you make any reservations. Don't book the same vacation as someone else just because that person had a blast. Everyone's tastes and experience levels vary, so you need to start by answering a few questions first.

For example, one thing I always ask is how much you're willing to spend on your vacation. There are cheap mountain bike holidays as well as luxurious ones, but of course the packages are wildly different depending on how much you're willing to spend. You can definitely have a terrific adventure on small budget, so I recommend spending only as much money as you're comfortable with. There's certainly no need to go into debt here!

A second question I ask is what kind of experience level the person has. Beginners will not have the same success on tough mountains as their advanced counterparts, and of course easy mountains won't be any fun for the experts. It's important to assess your skills honestly here, as safety also comes into play. You don't want to ride over your head and end up with a serious injury during what was supposed to be a dream vacation.

And finally, I ask what general area the person would like to visit for their trip. Popular mountain bike holidays in the U.S. usually include destinations like Colorado, California, Oregon, and Arizona in the West, and North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in the East. But there are also incredible international mountain bike holidays available too, in exotic locales such as Canada, Costa Rica, the Scottish Highlands, and the French Alps. All of these places have something unique to offer, so you really can't go wrong no matter where you end up riding.

Once you've answered these questions, then finding cheap mountain bike holidays online or through a local travel agent should be a snap. Have fun, ride hard, and be safe!

Some Great Hawaii Attractions

You probably could guess it, but there really is a huge assortment of Hawaii attractions that will keep you busy on a visit to this, my favorite island. Whether you plan to be on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or the big island of Hawaii you’ll find plenty to do from scenic tours on land and under the sea to a vast array of culture and history to embrace. The question won’t be “what to do?” but “how much time do you have?”

Honolulu, the state capital, Honolulu, is located on the island of Oahu. A visit to Oahu would not be complete without a stop at one of the most famous of all Hawaii attractions: Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship and is a sobering reminder of the great sacrifices our soldiers have made to protect our freedoms. Further inland, you can visit Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo. You can also trek over to Chinatown for an distinct neighborhood of markets, galleries and amazing restaurants.

Over on the island of Maui you can chill out on some of the most gorgeous stretches of white sand beaches found anywhere in the world. The beaches of Kaanapali Maui offer up amazing swimming and surfing opportunities. When you’re done with all the beach fun try a drive along the scenic Hana Highway. That is one Hawaii attraction that has to be seen up close.

The island of Kauai is the least developed of the island chain but still offers up plenty of memorable Hawaii attractions. The Haena State Park has a string of remote beaches surrounded luxuriant tropical scenery. At the Kauai Museum you can immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of the Hawaiian islands and their people.

A trip to the big island of Hawaii means you’ll have plenty of Hawaii attractions to choose from. There are basically two sides of the island: Kona and Hilo. On the Kona side you can visit the aromatic coffee plantations. You might also be treated to a first hand glimpse of Mother Nature’s fury at Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. On the Hilo side you can visit the blossoming botanical gardens. If you’re in the mood for more of a rugged trip, take a tour down into the Waipio Valley. After a bumpy four wheel drive, you’ll be rewarded with black sand beaches and the Waipio falls. No matter which Hawaii attraction you decide to visit, make sure to bring your camera - oh and read my new travel blog while yo are at it

 

Adventure travel is the hottest new trend in travel holidays. Do you have what it takes?

Even seasoned travelers, having visited the far corners of the globe, may benewcomers when it comes to the adventure travel scene. I like to travel butm, I have to say, its mostly of the serene type. If you're looking for adventure, then your friendly local adventure travel agency is at your disposal! With the current dip in travel, many travel agencies are looking for new travel experiences, with a tad more excitement and off the beaten track, that will entice both new and veteran travel junkies to take the plunge. Adventure travel has become a hot trend, appealing to people who want just a little more out of their vacation. How can you compare staying in a youth hostel in Arran, sightseeing in London, Paris or Rome with an excursion into the Australian Outback, exploring the rain forests of the Amazon, or four-wheeling across the Sahara Desert? There's simply no comparison.

These less conventional and little traveled roads are not for the faint of heart. Some adventure travel destinations are best suited if you're fit and strong, such as climbing the Himalayas, or boating down the Amazon River, where there are crocodiles and, yes, piranhas! However, there are adventure travel destinations to suit anyone who has the adventure bug.

For example, visiting the Galapagos Islands, while a less frightening than a pack of piranhas, is a beautiful adventure travel destination, home to wildlife such as the big lizards and giant sea turtles that are not found elsewhere. Think of the photo ops!

Patagonia is another breathtaking region, straddling Chile and Argentina, with its many rivers snaking their way through spectacular mountain ranges – including volcanoes -  and down, through the wild plains of Pampas.

Have you ever wanted to sleep in an igloo? Well, you can! There are adventure travel tours operating in Greenland that allow you to experience life in an authentic igloo. And you thought Minnesota was cold!

There are countless such adventure holidays from which to choose, in locations all over the globe. So how do you find these exciting vacations? One good way to begin your search is with an adventure travel guide book, so you can get a bead on the types and styles of adventurous travel is out there. Once you've established the type of adventure you're looking for, get online and Google 'adventure travel agency name-of-country/region' and you're good to go. You'll find there are agencies strictly devoted to adventure trips for women.

Given the nature of some of these trips, you might also want to inquire about adventure travel insurance! This brings to mind one adventure itinerary I don't think I'd have the courage to book: Bolivia's Road of Death takes you through the Andes on a road consisting of hairpin curves, flanked with numerous cliffs that might go right into the abyss! I don't think that bus could go slow enough to suit me! Nonetheless, Bolivia's Road of Death tours are popular!

Many of these adventure holidays are geared towards more than increasing your adrenaline. The travel agencies like to strike a nice balance between the adventure and the relaxing features, nice accommodations and even a bit of shopping.

Any of the adventure trips will provide an unforgettable vacation. When you get home, you'll not be boring your friends with your photos and adventure tales. Everyone will want to, vicariously, enjoy your adventure travel holiday! They might want to book a trip, too!

Holidays In Turkey

It is said that Turkey is the gateway to Asia. In fact, part of the country is in Asia and part is in Europe. Every visitor on a holiday in Turkey will agree that it is one of the most fascinating places on the planet, steeped in history, magnificent architecture and culture. Shopping, eating out and seeing the sights will leave memories forever.

Istanbul is the country's largest city and it has many historic attractions. It is easier to get around on public transport than by car due to the large volume of traffic. Taxis are another option on holidays in Turkey and they are inexpensive. Topkapi Palace was the palace of the Ottoman Emperors and is admired for its opulence. It contains the State Treasury, which houses an exhibit of weapons, and the Imperial Treasury. Chora Church was not uncovered until the middle of the 20th century. It is a Byzantine Church, dating back a thousand years and has beautiful mosaic frescoes.

Bodrum is a village on the Aegean Coast and is a popular tourist spot. Bodrum Castle began construction in 1402 and now houses a museum with displays on underwater archeology. There is also the Uluburun, a well known shipwreck. The area is not just about history however. Visitors can stroll round the pretty marina or have fun on the beach. There are opportunities to dive and windsurf. Boat tours are a very pleasant way of exploring on holidays in Turkey and these can be booked from Bodrum.

Safranbolu in Central Anatolia is a Unesco World Heritage Site, famous for its houses from the Ottoman era. Some of the houses are open to the public. Olympos, in Mediterranean Turkey is popular with young people who like to party and travel on a budget. There is a vibrant nightlife and lots of backpacker hotels. In addition to the bars, there are Ancient Greek ruins and a pebble beach. Bus trips go to Mount Olympos.

Accommodation also includes 5-star hotels in tourist locations and cities. When shopping, there is a lot of fun to be had, haggling with the vendors. Bargaining is an accepted part of the culture and holidays in Turkey provide an opportunity to browse the colorful markets. There are many interesting souvenirs to give as gifts. Leather clothing is inexpensive and pottery and hand woven carpets are popular buys. Since 2005, the currency has been the New Turkish Lira. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most places. Visa requirements vary according to which nationality is applying for a holiday in Turkey.