Reminiscing In Raleigh's Rich And Historical Past (Raleigh)

Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital and political seat is just as modern as any urban city in the United States. It is a city that encourages the emergence of talent in music and arts, as evidenced by various entertainment hotspots and art exhibits all around.

As modern it is now, it is also as old; it has seen the days of the pre-Civil War era in the 1700s and 1800s, and the mounting progress of the times that followed. Raleigh was born in 1792 as a resting area for travelers who would find themselves at this crossroad on their way from the north or from the south. Eventually, plans for a city were mapped out and local landowner Joel Lane sold off some of his plot to make way for the expansion. You’ll find the layout of modern day Raleigh to be well thought out because of ambitious planning; at the time of its city conception, its streets and zoning were patterned after Philadelphia, the country’s capital in those days. Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh of England, colonizer, traveler and explorer.

With a past that runs so deep, exploring old-world Raleigh in a new-world setting is an exciting adventure. There are many places of interest that have historic value and are worth visiting.

First stop recommended is an official city landmark, the North Carolina Capitol Building, right at the heart of Raleigh. Its construction finished in 1840 and this building stands as one of the most beautifully preserved buildings anywhere in the country today, and only fitting that it was archived a National Historic Landmark! Designed in Greek-Revival style architecture, it is a majestic monument that beckons to the public as if to make them aware that it has stood strong through the many trials time has thrown.

Another point of historic interest is a two hundred year old residence of the Haywood family. Haywood Hall was built in 1799 and although it has been continuously lived in by family until 1997, it stands as strong and beautifully preserved, marking it the oldest standing house in Raleigh, right up to its original address. No longer used for dwelling, its lush sprawling gardens are sought after locations for all sorts of parties and occasions.

The Moore Area is another place of historic interest and one park that is located in the area was included in the original city plan for Raleigh in 1792. It is a place for picnics and fun gatherings. Today, the Moore Square can stir up quite a gathering come Artsplosure Festival time. However, it is best known for its giant copper acorn sculpture designed by artist David Benson. It is an art piece beloved to the residents of Raleigh for what better to represent the City of Oaks than their acorn sculpture? If you find yourself there, rub it for good luck!

As previously pointed out, Raleigh embraces the arts. In the early 1900s, City Market was built as a trading ground amongst farmers for tobacco and cotton, amongst others. Still used for trading now, City Market has transformed into a popular shopping district for shops, dining and entertainment. True to its historic beginnings, a trip into City Market will find you walking along the original cobblestones that were first laid.

And before leaving Raleigh, don’t go without a quick visit to the Oakwood district. Many Victorian-inspired homes still stand with little refurbishments and improvements for modernization. Oakwood is, in fact, the first designated historic area of Raleigh and is listed accordingly in national documents. Aside from the old homes, the nearby cemetery commemorating Confederate heroes is worth the peek for their ornate and old-style headstones that bring you right back to the past.

There are still many more sights of old Raleigh to discover and delight in, but these landmarks are already worth the city tour.


About the Author: Please visit The Allure of Clayton NC Real Estate and Exclusive Buyer's Agents in Higher Demand Than Ever In Light of Recent Housing Slump.

Tips For Last Minute Air Travelers

Have you recently decided that you would like to take a last minute trip? Whether you are interested in visiting Hawaii, California’s wine country, or another popular vacation destination in the United States, you will want to get started with your planning right away. With last minute trips, you have the same number of travel arrangements to make, but in a much shorter period of time.

Speaking of making your travel arrangements, you will want to go with an airline that is known for its affordable rates. You may also want to choose an airline that you have traveled with before, as this often results in less surprises. If this is your first time traveling by air, you may want to quickly ask your friends or family members for airline recommendations or even warnings.

In keeping with reservations, if you don’t have time to examine all of the airlines individually and their rates, you may want to turn to online travel websites. When doing so, go to the bigger name sites, as they are typically more reliable. Online travel websites allow you to search for flights with flexible timeframe windows. You should also receive quotes from a number of different airlines. For last minute travelers, online travel websites are one of the best ways to get the best deals in the quickest amount of time.

It is also important to remember not to overpay. Unfortunately, this is something that many last minute travelers end up doing. If you are flying out for an emergency, like to see a sick loved one, you may want to make your travel arrangement right away and at any cost. However, if you are simply just looking to take a last minute vacation or a quick weekend trip, be sure to price compare. As previously stated, online travel websites are an easy way to do so. They can allow you to compare the rates and flight times of multiple airlines, all in a few minutes worth of time. For that reason, you should never have to pay more than you need to, even at the last minute.

Once you have your travel arrangements made, you will want to quickly create a checklist for yourself. This is important, as many last minute travel plans are rushed, including packing. As soon as you have five or ten minutes free, sit down and create a checklist for yourself. Do you need to bring your digital camera or laptop computer? How many changes of clothes do you need? Be sure to check each item off of your checklist as you later pack it. This will help to prevent errors and confusion.

It is also important to take the time to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions. When rushing to plan a last minute trip and pack, you are more likely to make mistakes. You can visit the TSA’s online website to get a quick summary of air travel rules and restrictions. You can also use your best judgment as well. For example, you know your shoes will be removed, so wear comfortable and easy to remove shoes. Also, leave all sharp objects at home or at least pack them in your checked luggage, as opposed to in a carry-on bag.

As for arriving for your flight, all last minute travelers are urged to think like everyday travelers. Just because you made your travel plans at the last minute, it doesn’t mean that you should arrive at the airport at the last minute. Generally speaking, you will want to arrive about an hour and half before your flight is scheduled to leave; however, it all depend on your departing airport. Larger airports sometimes recommend arriving three hours in advance.

The above mentioned tips may be able to assist you when looking to plan a last minute vacation or a last minute weekend trip. By taking the time to at least know what you are doing, your trip can go off without a hitch; in fact, it can appear as if it is a trip that you have been planning for months!

About the Author: Author sites: Travel Tips , Health Tips and Heartburn Home Remedies

India Travel Destination Tips

Are you in search of a vacation spot where you can find a lot of tourist places? Well, if you are, perhaps it's time you visit India. Tourists from different countries flood India and the main reason is because it offers fascinating and attractive tourist places that is so rich in history, culture, heritage, peoples, and sightseeing. You will surely need some travel destination tips when you visit India in order to have the best vacation ever.

Some of the most popular travel destinations in India are here in this article. Make use of these travel destination tips to get the most out of your India travel.

The very first place that you need to visit is Rajasthan. This is India's largest state in the west. You can find stunning palaces, forts, and monuments. If you love deserts, this is the best place. Royal stays are welcomed in the converted resorts and hotels which were before havelis and palaces. Some of the spots you can visit are Amber fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jaisalmer fort, camel fairs, and camel safari.

Next stop are pilgrimage tours. Many pilgrims take place in India as it is rich in cutlture and religions. Some of the pilgrim sites inlucde varanasi, haridwar, rishikesh, and amritsar golden temple. You can find architecture marvels that serve as a place for worship. If you like pilgrims, join one while you're in India.

The third is wildlife tours. You can find around eighty national parks and more than five hundred animal sanctuaries. Those individuals who like wildlife can visir Kanha and Bandhavgarh sanctuaries located in Madhya Pradesh, Ranthambore and Sariska found in Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa and Corbett parks. You can enjoy the safari tours and trekking in the different wildlife destinations.

Yoga and Ayurvedic tours are also quite popular in India. You can have recreational holidays in India's ayurvedic hospitals, helath resorts, and colleges. In Kerala, you can find South India's ayurveda centers where you can spend some time to refresh your body.

For those individuals who love foods, festivals, religion, and culture, you can go to South India. Aside from that, you can also go sightseeing of India's temples. The most popular is Taj Mahal, and then there's also Jantar Mantar. Taj Mahal is also called the 'monument of love' and it can be found in Agra city. This temple was built by Emperor Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his wife. You can also visit carved temples, majestic forts, and other architectural wonders.

So there you have it, the greatest travel destinations that you can go while you're in India. You can surely create lasting memories there especially if you travel with your family or friends. Prepare for a grand vacation in India so that you too can visit the different tourist places there. It's one-time life experience that you shouldn’t miss. Try saving some money now so that you can make your dream India trip come true.

These India travel destinations tips are very useful especially for first-time India visitors. You should prepare yourself before you actually go there so that you won't get lost and you know the right places to visit. Focus on the places that catch your interest so that you can make the most out of your time in India. Enjoy and relax because this is the time to savor the pleasures offered by such a very interesting place like India.


About the Author: Author sites: Travel Tips , Health Tips and Heartburn Home Remedies

Top Reasons to Visit the Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in the heart of the 2nd-largest city in the United States, and is an amazing California vacation destination for the whole family.

By 1956, the city of Los Angeles had outgrown the small Griffith Park Zoo. The citizens passed a $6.6 million bond measure to help build a new one and a 113-acre site in Griffith Park was chosen as the new location. In 1964 a private, nonprofit organization was created to support the new facility. The zoo then began raising money and acquiring animals

When the Los Angeles Zoo opened in 1966 it was the 4th zoo to serve the city. The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) had already graduated a class of trained, volunteer docents and had produced several issues of a quarterly magazine called Zoo View. Some 80,000 Angelenos attended the November opening of the Los Angeles Zoo (also in attendance was an alligator named Methuselah, who is still a resident of the zoo today).

In 1967 the zoo acquired 3 endangered Arabian Oryx for $75,000. The Los Angeles Zoo cooperated with the only other American zoo to house Oryx, the Phoenix Zoo, to successfully bred the gazelle-like animals, which were facing extinction in the wild. Today descendants of those animals have been reintroduced to the wild in Israel, and other descendants of that original L.A. Zoo herd live on at the zoo.

The Los Angeles Zoo’s 1st Beastly Ball was held in 1970. This safari-themed dinner-dance is an important fundraiser for the Zoo, but only the visitors get to eat; in the interest of health and safety, the L.A. Zoo was the 1st major zoo in the United States to prohibit visitors from feeding the animals, and maintains the policy today.

The Los Angeles Zoo became an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) in 1972. Just 2 years later Dr. Warren D. Thomas became Zoo Director.

Thomas assembled one of the world ’s most respecteded animal collections during his 17-year tenure. The zoo acquired rare and endangered species, including the Sumatran Rhino, the Jentink’s and Zebra duikers, yellow-footed rock wallabies, giant elands, gerenuks, emperor tamarins, and bongos. The Andrew Norman Education Center, the ZooMobile, Wolf Woods and Monkey Island, were all built in the Thomas-era1970’s, as were new exhibits for gorillas, orangutans and flamingos,

In the 1980’s the Zoo became part of the new California Condor Recovery Program. In 1982 the Zoo built the extensive “condorminiums,” which are still considered among the finest and largest facilities in the condor recovery program. In1982 the Ahmanson Koala House was opened. Currently the Los Angeles Zoo the only zoo in the world to exhibit these nocturnal animals in a darkened setting.

Today Los Angeles Zoo is located in the heart of the 2nd-largest city in the United States. Nearly 11/2 million visitors visit the zoo every year to see one of the country’s biggest and best collection of animals.

Discover the best that L.A. has to offer while staying at a downtown luxury hotel! We offer great discounts on rooms, car rentals, and plane tickets.

Visit The Amazing Hawaiian Volcanoes

Hawaiian holidays are often seen as a holiday of a lifetime and if you want have the most spectacular views to add to your holiday memories then the volcanoes are a must to visit. Hawaii is a growing group of islands as a result of the volcano action; it is also the youngest inhabited land mass.

Kilauea is the most active and famous in Hawaii’s volcanic history. It has an elevation of four thousand feet about sea level. It last erupted in 1983 and is sacred to the islanders. The people of Hawaii believe that this is the home of Pele, the goddess of fire. They also believe that she is permanently at war with her sister, who is the goddess of the sea. This is part of the islanders’ beliefs, and explains the relationship the Hawaiian culture nurtures between its inhabitants, the sea and the land.

In Hawaii there is a National Park for volcano watching. Anyone can go and stay there. It is a great place for camping and hiking and has unpredictable weather and a moist humid atmosphere, which in turn creates a fertile land and an amazing flourishing environment for many different types of wildlife. The weather at the top of Kilauea can be as much as fifteen degrees cooler than at the bottom of the volcano. The extraordinary climate and environment created by the volcanoes allows for the thriving community of creatures, such as the carnivorous caterpillars and the happy face spiders. An astounding fact is that ninety per cent of the native terrestrial fauna and flora are found only on the Hawaiian Islands! In an effort to maintain and protect this unique ecosystem the Hawaiian authorities have organized for alien plants, animals and insects to be removed from the environment in fear that they may unbalance the islands ecosystem and kill off some of the rarest living organisms in the world.

If you want to see the volcanoes and understand their importance in the formation of the Hawaiian Islands then perhaps you should consider one of the available helicopter tours. These helicopter tours are usually available via your hotel, or if you would prefer you can book before you even leave home, hence ensuring that you are guaranteed your spot and will not miss the experience.

Volcanic fumes can be hazardous and if you have any health concerns relating to heart or lung, it is worth checking if you will be at risk when visiting a volcanic site. It is also not advisable for small children or pregnant women to inhale volcanic fumes. If you are avoiding the fumes you can still visit much of the volcanoes, the fumes are only present in certain areas of the islands, so check first with the tour you have booked.

Volcanic eruptions can happen at any time and it is important to always follow the instructions of your guide. If you are keen to see the lava, there are lava viewing opportunities which can be organized through the Kilauea visitors centre, as these areas change all the time and the safety of each area is monitored by the park it is essential that you follow there guidelines and never enter areas which are currently closed to the public.


About the Author: Jon Kelly is a published author who writes articles, that includes travel to exotic locations, like Hawaii. To find out more about Hawaii, please visit: Hawaii Leisure Time.com

Milton Keynes: Things To Do And See When You Visit Milton Keynes

The new town of Milton Keynes (or actually new city, to be more correct) is easy to get to, around 45 miles north west of London and within easy reach of both Oxford and Cambridge.

When the city was designed, it was laid out on a grid system. Which makes navigating your way around the city very easy, if slightly boring compared with the usual road layout in towns across most of the rest of England. The town also boasts green side with a wide network of cycleways – these follow quite leisurely routes, so you could keep fit whilst you explore the city if the mood takes you.

Whether you are visiting Milton Keynes socially or as part of a business trip, there are lots of things to see and do.

Music fans will want to make sure that their trip coincides with a concert at the open air Milton Keynes National Bowl. This former clay pit has been turned into a large amphitheatre which can hold up to 65,000 concert goers. The hall of fame of artists who have played the venue includes David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Placebo and even the heavy metal bands Megadeth and Metallica.

Shoppers will be delighted at the shopping malls that make up part of the centre of the city. Because Milton Keynes has been "zoned" from the outset, you'll find the facilities are much more logically distributed here than they are in the rest of the UK. This makes finding the particular store you want easy but takes out some of the surprise finds that are associated with many of England's other towns.

Despite the relatively flat nature of the surrounding landscape, the city boasts its own indoor ski slope complete with real snow rather than the artificial surfaces that most English ski slopes have to make do with. The set of Xscape buildings has a striking design – you're sure to be able to spot them! If you are more adventurous, the building is also home to an indoor skydiving centre.

Eating and drinking is well catered for. The Theatre District has plenty of places to eat before or after the shows. Or, of course, during them if you prefer not to watch a play.

Many of the city's restaurants are part of national chains but you can find smaller, independent places to eat in the nearby villages of Stony Stratford, Fenny Stratford and others. These are also home to some of the city's more lively and crowded pubs. The more traditional drinking establishments can be found in places such as Stony Stratford high street.

As you would expect, there is a wide choice places to stay in Milton Keynes. Although with such a modern city, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that it is still perfectly possible to find smaller bed and breakfasts as well as the more usual large hotels.

Depending on the direction you approach the city from, you may well get to see the famous "concrete cows". Which are actually not mainly made of concrete – they were primarily assembled from lots of scraps and then encased in concrete that was reinforced with fibre glass. As is to be expected from any modern sculpture, the set of three concrete cows and their three calves attract a mixed reaction and at times have attracted graffiti and vandalism.


About the Author: Choose from this wide array of Milton Keynes hotels and guest houses.

The Eiffel Tower to be taken down in 20 years!

The Eiffel Tower in Paris has become an icon for France and is known around the world for its daring and unusual structure.

This Paris landmark was named after its engineer designer Gustave Eiffel and was constructed between 1887 and 1889, and was built as the entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle, which was a World's Fair marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution, with the Eiffel Tower being inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 May 1889.

With 200,000,000 people having visited the Eiffel Tower since its construction, it makes this monument the most visited paid monument per year and being the tallest monument in the world until 1930 and still the tallest in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has seen some major events over its time.

But when the Eiffel Tower was built, it was met with resistance, as the public felt it was an eyesore, even though the people of Paris today would not wish to be without it, as it is widely considered to be a striking piece of structural art!

People were also shocked at the daring shape, questioning Gustave Eiffel wondering if he really was a good engineer, but being that he and his engineers were renowned bridge builders, he came back with comments stating that it was based on mathematical calculations utilising wind resistance.

And including the 24m antenna, the Eiffel Tower is 324m high, weighs in at 7,300 tons and can sway 6 to 7cm in the wind and due to the thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun, depending upon the ambient temperature, the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 18cm.

Due to the fact the Gustave Eiffel was only given a permit for the Eiffel Tower to stand for 20 years, as it passed to the city, the Eiffel Tower was to be taken down in 20 years, but because it became valuable as a communications resource, it was allowed to remain in place even after the permit had expired.

And because the Eiffel Tower was originally meant to be a temporary structure, it now has to be repainted every 7 years, just to stop this famous monument from rusting!

There are three levels in all and the stairs begin at the south towers, but both the first and second levels are accessible by stairs and lifts. Yet the third level summit is only accessible by lift. On the first platform, the stairs continue up from the east tower.

Taking the steps is not for the feint hearted, as the actual count of stairs includes 9 steps to the ticket booth at the base of the Eiffel Tower, 328 steps to the first level, 340 steps to the second level, and 18 steps to the lift platform on the second level. And when exiting the lift at the third level, there are another 15 more steps to ascend to the upper observation platform. Whether you think this a good idea or not, the actual step count is printed periodically on the side of the stairs to give you an indication of your progress and there are a total of 710 steps!!!

At least you can always have dinner at the restaurant to catch your breath before going back down to the bottom, or if you are more energetic then you could go ice skating, which has been held at the Eiffel Tower every winter since 2004!

And although most people have the idea that the Eiffel Tower can be seen from almost anywhere in Paris, this is actually not the case and there are only a few of the taller buildings that can get a clear view of the tower.

Even if people hadn’t heard of the Eiffel Tower before, if they like James Bond movies, then they were sure to know of it after the 1985 movie A View to a Kill as James Bond chases May Day played by actress Grace Jones at the Eiffel Tower as she parachuted from the tower. The video of the movie's theme also included several scenes of the pop group Duran Duran staged on the tower as well.

On New Year's Eve of 2000 for the Millennium celebrations, the Eiffel Tower played a major role in Paris, as it had fireworks that exploded from the whole length of the tower in a spectacular display.

So if you haven’t ever had the opportunity to visit the Eiffel Tower, then it is well worth the effort, as the views over Paris as you are ascending is breath taking and a sight you will not forget.

About the Author:

www.placesinfrance.com

Martyn Davis European Traveller, Author and Business Development Manager

Historic Chester: Things To Do When You Visit Chester

Cheshire's county town is the historic Chester, one of the United Kingdom's best preserved medieval walled cities.

When you visit the city of Chester, you'll almost certainly pass through these medieval city walls. Although there is evidence that they have been in existence in some form since Roman times, they have been replaced and repaired numerous times since those days.

Of course, there is more to do when you visit Chester than just examine its walls!

When you are deciding on your hotel to stay in when you spend some time in the city, you should check whether it is inside the city walls or outside. There is plenty of accommodation in and around the city at prices to suit all budgets, although you should book early if your stay coincides with one of the various festivals that Chester is host to.

If your stay is in the summer, you should check out the annual Chester Music Festival which has now been running for some 30 years. There is plenty of variety in the music that gets played each year, so you should check out what's being planned for your visit.

Midsummer in Chester sees the Watch Parade, which has been happening at the summer solstice since around 1195. The parade is a spectacular site and to maximize the number of people who are able to witness it, it is now held on the Saturday closest to midsummer. You'll be able to watch the decorated floats as they progress through the city's narrow streets, ending outside the Town Hall where you can watch jugglers, fire breathers and dancing being performed.

Chester also hosts a series of Mystery Plays. These have been delighting audiences since at least 1422. The plays themselves are based on biblical stories and the performances take place in the city every five years.

Whilst football isn't the strong point of the city, they do have a professional club: Chester City, who play at the Deva Stadium. Depending on where you are in the stadium, you could be in either England or Wales as the grounds straddle both countries.

Basketball fans can maybe take in a game featuring the Cheshire Jets at the Northgate Arena. There are also regular games from the Wheelchair Jets, Chester's very own wheelchair basketball team.

The Chester Romans are the local American Football team, so if you're visiting the city from the USA there's no need to get nostalgic about a lack of your local sport!

If you have children with you on your visit, you may want to watch the local rowers and canoeists paddle down the River Dee. Or you may prefer to view the less organized sight of the annual charity raft race.

Another way you can reach Chester is on a canal boat. You can take your hire boat and moor right in the centre of the city, which gives a totally different viewpoint and is a leisurely way to tour the area and see places that were still commercially using the canal until as recently as the late 1950s.


About the Author: Check out this wide range of Chester hotels and guest houses and make sure that you enjoy your stay in Chester.

Reservation Rewards Hotel Overbooking Protection

When you're traveling, the last thing you want to hear that there is no room at the hotel for you! And despite your best efforts in making and confirming reservations, even guaranteeing your room with a credit card, your hotel may overbook and you might be out of a room.

In the event you've reserved a room at a U.S. hotel with a credit card and have a confirmation number, but your hotel has no room for you when you arrive, you can get the quoted rate of the room as Cash Back up to $500.00 a year! Even if they put you up at another hotel! Use the "Make a Claim" link below to see the full terms and conditions for this benefit.

Reservation Rewards Hotel Overbooking Protection Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Hotel Overbooking Protection?
2. How much can I claim per incident?
3. When can I make a claim?
4. How do I make a claim?
5. Are there any exclusions?

1. What is Hotel Overbooking Protection?

While you are a Member of Webloyalty’s Reservation Rewards service, Hotel Overbooking Protection provides Cash Back in the event a U.S. hotel in which you have made a reservation with a verifiable confirmation number claims to have no rooms available upon your arrival because of overbooking.

2. How much can I claim per incident?

You may be reimbursed the quoted rate of the room (excluding any taxes or fees) up to a maximum of $500 Cash Back in any consecutive twelve (12) month period.


3. When can I make a claim?

You must be a Member of Webloyalty’s Reservation Rewards at the time of the incident and at the time your Claim is processed. You must have booked and guaranteed your room with a valid credit card and been provided a reservation confirmation number. You must provide proof from the Hotel that there were no available rooms at time of check-in. Overbooking means that the room is available on a specific date for an agreed-upon rate when a reservation is made that can be confirmed with a reservation number; at the time of check-in, no rooms are available at that hotel. You must have stayed in another hotel that evening with a receipt for that stay. The overbooked hotel must be more than 50 miles from your home. This protection is good for one night per trip. Your claim must be filed as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days from the date of occurrence.


4. How do I make a claim?

You can initiate a claim on this site by completing the Claim Form and mailing it in with supporting documentation. You need to submit a claim within 30 days of the incident that triggers the claim. See Hotel Overbooking Terms of Service for additional information on making a claim.


5. Program Exclusions:

Hotel Overbooking Protection applies only to Hotels located in the U.S. In addition to the qualifications stated above, this benefit does not apply if the hotel is uninhabitable for any reason.

Reservation Rewards Information - Information on Reservation Rewards.

Reservation Rewards Faqs - Frequently Asked Questions.

Adam Taisch is a 10-year Internet Veteran based in San Francisco, California. You can reach him at ReservationRewards.com

Mountain Hiking Tips

Backpacking is a fun and refreshing activity that can be fun for the whole family.You may be near the Mountains or in your back yard! No matter where you are it can be a great experience. You may be a photographer, a nature love, or just trying to get away from busy hectic city life for a while. Backpacking is a hobby (sport) that can be awesome for anyone.

There is no greater place to get connected to earth more than taking an inspiring hike in the hills. My favorite place to hike is the Smoky Mountains.There are places to hike in every state and it is pretty easy to find info on-line these days. I have a directory full of Alabama Hiking Trails on my Alabama Rock Company site (down below)!

Not only is hiking fun and refreshing it is also very good for you. I admit hiking can be very tough on your legs and back and I have almost not made a few of my hikes. So always be prepared and try to get into shape before you take on to big of a trail! Be sure to stretch before you go and take break often.

There are two types of backpacks, external and internal framed. Each pack has its own advantages and disadvantages. The internal frame is great for hiking through heavy vegetation because it is protected from being snagged.

A lot of people think that the external frame sits more comfortable on the back. It honestly really depends on how you built though. One thing that an external frame will do is trap more heat and sweat when your hiking.

The external frames are wider and allow for more space to hold things! They also sit further off the back giving more room for breathing, that'll keep you cool. I always carry just a regular tech pack and I love the way it sits and feels!

It will soon be the perfect time to get into woods and watch nature bloom once again. Just watch those hungry waking beers! So grab you a new pack and reserve a cabin before they get sold out and head to the woods!.

Here are some are some great Hiking tips for you!

1. Try not to carry very much weight. Not only will it Hurt you and wear you out, it is dangerous. Try to find clothes that are light and will dry fast also! Try to stay away from cottons and try to wear Poly-prop or something like it.It is super light and dries out very quick. The best thing to do is go buy the lightest gear that you can get. When you are hiking always put the heavier weight up toward the top so that it balances out more! Be sure to carry enough to stay warm. I always carry a cotton top that doubles as a my pillow!

2. Carry a little med kit with you and be sure to carry a lightweight knife also. A multi-tool knife is the ticket. Also carry some fishing string and a hook if you are on a deep mountain hike. Nothing like fresh mountain fish over the fire.

3. Carry your water in the lightest thing you can. I prefer bottled water and there are a few companies making very light bottles for conserving the environment. You need to also carry a good amount of dried food. I like to go to Wally World and get the dried Fruit packs. They are full of Energy and don't weigh very much.

4. Keeping you gear dry can be tough to do if you are on a long hike. I have heard of a few things that can be done to help keep the wet out. I have heard of lining the pack with plastic. It works ok but not the best solution. I knew this one guy that used Wax. He melted it all over his pack and said it worked great! I guess if you have an old pack or you think the purpose is more important than looks. They also sell some different kind of sealants that work great!

5. For cooking there are some great products out now that get the job done fast and easy! It is always safer not to build a fire if you don't have to. But if you do here are a few tips. Bring Matches as well a lighter. You should not have a problem finding dry wood and leaves if you look in the right places. Try to find a cave or overhang if thing are wet. It really is hard to get wet wood going. What I always do is build a little pyramid around the fire with the wet wood; the heat dries it out over time. Remember to put out your fire completely before you leave you site! If you can't find water rake a lot of dirt and cover it as well as you can.

6. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather. When it is very cold out it is essential to wear headgear. It will save you life! Most body heat is lost through the head, so keep it warm.

7. Be sure to wear some ankle supporting boots! Finding the right boot can be tricky. You want to make sure your foot fits nice and snug and not have too much room to play. I bought some waterproof boots awhile back and discovered that they were waterproof both ways. They didn't breath at all, but they do keep the water out! So there is a fine balance in finding the right boot.

8. Always carry a map and compass they can save you life! A GPS device is great to carry and a cell phone as well. They make some great waterproof cases at Wally world very cheap. Be sure to study the area that you are going so you know what you are expecting. I have been hiking in the Smoky Mountains and was overwhelmed by how many miles of trees there were and how they all looked the same.

9. Always hike with someone else! Never hike alone and if you do let someone know where you're hiking and when you're coming back!

10. Carry some Parachute Cord! It can used for a few different things! Use it to dry your clothes or make a shelter with it!

11. Change you batteries in your flashlight! Go with the Lithium AA batteries! They weigh half as much than an alkaline and last about three times longer!

12. Instead of carrying any kind of Soda or sugar drinks switch over to some kind of pack that you mix with water! There are all kinds of great natural alternatives out there!

13. Get lost in the woods? Know where you are going before you get there! If dark fall on you it is best to find a cave or natural shelter build a fire and plan to camp! Wondering in the woods at night isn't suggested! You may fall in a cave or off a cliff. Just wait to daybreak unless you got a full moon with plenty of light. Pretend to be an Indian! You are not lost it is the teepee that is lost. The next day if you can't figure where you are at, try to find higher ground and see if you can a visual of the area! If you are very lost and have no idea where you went wrong? Find a creek and hike beside the creek going downhill. The odds of seeing people will greatly be increased! Plus you are near a food and water source! Keep that fire burning and stay dry! You may also try the a SOS signal with your fire! Smoke has save many lives! Good luck to you and I hope that some info here might save you life one day!

Well thanks for reading my Mountain Hiking tips! My next Article will be focused more on "How to survive Lost in the Mountains?"

My name is Johnny Chandler and I am a new web marketer from Alabama! Hope you enjoyed my article! Check out my sites! Thanks Johnny C Start Building your web Empire today? www.mountaindreamrentals.com www.AlabamaRockCompany.com

Luxury Serviced Apartments Vs Hotels: The Top 5 Reasons To Stay At Luxury Serviced Apartments

Are you a traveller? If so, take a look at the top 5 reasons to skip the hotel and opt for a luxury serviced apartment.

1. A Home Away from Home – Luxury serviced apartments, also known as aparthotels, corporate housing and extended stay hotels offer travellers somewhere to live rather than just a place to stay. Hotels are, for the most part, impersonal in feel but a luxury serviced apartment becomes a home - making for a more enjoyable stay.

2. Lifestyle Advantages, Freedom, and More Space – A hotel room can cramp your style but a luxury serviced apartment lets you entertain the way you want to. It’s just like having your own space and it makes meetings, events, and having family over easier (especially if you are relocating) with separate spaces for living, sleeping, eating, relaxing, and working.

3. Ideal for Business Travellers – For visitors who are relocating, working on a contract, executives on a short visit or colleagues travelling together, a luxury serviced apartment is perfect. Avoiding the “hotel feel” and enjoying amenities such as broadband, flat panel TV, digital or cable channels and a fully fitted kitchen at an all-inclusive price, business travellers experience an exceptional stay.

4. Save Money – Luxury serviced apartments are a great economic as well as lifestyle decision. Rates are per apartment and not per person so there can be significant financial savings from sharing with colleagues. Luxury serviced apartments feature fully equipped kitchens – obviating the need to eat out all the time.

5. The Feel Good Factor – This can be a huge benefit during relocation. The first few weeks or months in a new country can be difficult and disorienting. A serviced apartment with the space and amenities of home to smooth that adjustment is increasingly recognised as an enlightened investment that pays back in motivation and effectiveness.

Luxury serviced apartments are growing in popularity. Listed above are just some major reasons why you should choose a luxury serviced apartments over a hotel for your business and leisure travels.


About the Author: Suzanne Emerson is the Director of http://www.yourspaceapartments.com/ a company that provides luxury serviced apartments in Cambridge, UK. Your Space thrives on the growing trend of travelers choosing serviced apartments over hotels for their business or leisure stays in Cambridge.