Warm Sunny Beaches in St. Ives, Cornwall, UK

If the United Kingdom is your destination of choice, St. Ives, Cornwall is a location you really should consider. The most southern area of England, found on the northern coast, boasts many warm sandy beaches in a very mild and temperate climate. No matter what time of year, you can escape the winter snow of Canada by traveling to southern Cornwall.

St. Ives temperatures in the summer months average about 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Never too hot and never too cold, what else could you ask for perfect vacation weather? With hundreds of hours of sunshine per month and very little precipitation, you just can’t go wrong if you are looking to spend time on the beach or participating in outdoor activities during your holiday. You simply won’t find snow here at any time of the year.

From the northern seaside town of St. Ives it is just a 20 minute drive to Penzance on the southern coast. With plenty of public car parks and driving routes available, you can sight-see, shop, suntan or surf on either coast. Or immerse yourself in the rich culture of art galleries and potteries in the area. Some studios have been around since the 1960’s. There are also many festivals of note from July through to September.

If outdoor activities are on your must-do list, you can find extreme outdoor adventure activities to fun for the whole family. For the extreme adventurist, rock climbing and zip wire riding, to kite surfing and cliff diving should be on your to-do list. River rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking are also popular adventure travel activities for all ages. You can also enjoy horse back riding, beach side lounging and surfing.  Don’t forget the many local famous art galleries and award-winning gardens. Definitely check out the unique eco and sustainability site of the Eden Project.

St. Ives accommodation is easily found, including luxury hotels, condos, St. Ives apartments and bed and breakfasts. There is also a local self catering St. Ives business where you can have fine food and local food and produce delivered right to your doorstep.

Sun Peaks Resort – Skiing BC’s Finest

Sun Peaks Resort is a fairly new premiere skiing destination in the interior of British Columbia. If you’ve heard of Whistler, BC, you’ve probably heard of Sun Peaks as well. Al and Nancy Green were behind the scenes of the success of Whistler and now they call Sun Peaks their home. If you’ve heard of the legendary powder of British Columbia ski hills, Sun Peaks Resort should definitely be one of your major stops.

Sun Peaks is about 50 kilometres north of Kamloops, British Columbia. It’s a quick and easy drive up to the ski hill formally known only as Tod Mountain to the main Burfield lodge that has been there since 1961. Before 1993 when Nippon Cable bought the area, only the locals knew about the fantastic powder skiing. Now Sun Peaks caters to thousands of people in all seasons on three different mountains including Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain and Mt. Morrisey. Read more

The Great Outdoors: Canadian-Style

Reasons to visit Canada aren’t hard to come by.  Its spectacular cities offer something for everyone.  Its natural wonders are an attraction for travelers from all over the world.  Locals and tourists alike take pleasure in the wide array of outdoor adventures available.  From the novice hiker to the experienced rock climber, Canada has just the activity for every level of outdoorsman.  The guide below will familiarize you with some of Canada’s most popular outdoor adventure destinations.

Skiing at Whistler

Perhaps one of the most well known places to vacation and ski in Canada, let alone the world, is Whistler, British Columbia.  Both skiers and snowboarders alike recognize this Canada resort destination as a powdery, snowy paradise amidst B.C.’s coastal mountains.  Whistler Village boasts several top-notch hotels such as the Four Seasons and the Westin Resort and Spa.  A standard daily lift ticket is around $80.

While there, take a zip line tour! Experience the sensation of flying through the air at tremendous speeds.  Companies offer tours that combine some hiking and some zip line rides with education and information about the surrounding ecosystems.  Most tours offer a safety training and orientation.

Hiking & Cycling in Saskatchewan

The Big Muddy Badlands have been formed by millions of years of environmental and historical happenings.  Today, thousands of tourists from all over flock to the badlands to witness the amazing scenery.  This area, located in south central Saskatchewan, just north of the Canada/USA border, has been punctuated with landmarks – both natural and man-made – that tell its exciting story.  Nature lovers and history buffs will enjoy a landscape that holds so many secrets.

While there, camp out in Coronach.  Comfortable campgrounds offer the experience of a lifetime.  Catch something special at one of the local fishing holes, and then take an interpretive tour.

River Rafting on the Ottawa River

Warm water all summer long combines with impressive rapids to make Canada’s premier river rafting destination – the Ottawa River.  The Ottawa is situated along the border between Quebec and Ontario.  Take a guided tour down the Main Channel or guide your own raft down the Middle Channel.  Serene scenery framed by waterfalls and artistic rock formations is balanced by challenging rapids and waves.

While there, go bungee jumping on the Ontario side.  You’ll enjoy stunning views of the Ottawa River from atop the 150-foot tower.  Plunging toward the sparkling waters of the river below will top off this experience of a lifetime.  Book your jump along with your river rafting adventure for a great deal on both.

Climbing the Canadian Rockies

There’s no greater adventure or better way to experience the Canadian outdoors than to climb the Rocky Mountains.  A mountain-climbing escapade to Canmore, Alberta can be a life-changing experience.  The amazing vistas are ones witnessed by very few.  Experienced and well-equipped climbers will enjoy the thrill of a lifetime.  Novice climbers can benefit from the safety of guided tours.

While there, stay at the Canmore Mountain Lodge and let the outdoor hot tub melt away the exhilaration while you take pleasure in views filled with snowy-peaked mountains.

Romantic Getaways in Canada

Whether it’s your first romantic encounter or your second honeymoon after many years of marriage, Canada is the perfect place for a vacation for two.  Options including outdoors activities, city nightlife or once-in-a-lifetime experiences abound.  Below is a list of some of the top romantic getaway destinations in Canada.

Ontario

Ontario offers the best of all worlds, from lush forests and sparkling lakes to the hustle and bustle of Canada’s largest city – Toronto.  Starting and ending your romantic excursion in Toronto is a great idea.  Explore city sites and savor Canadian fare at its best.  Plan a day trip up north to the Muskoka region for  hiking and swimming, or visit Ontario’s last remaining covered bridge – “The Kissing Bridge” in Waterloo County. Read more

Canada: the Affordable Vacation Destination

When people are planning their foreign vacation get away, there are many exotic locations that come to mind. The Bahamas and Europe are usually at the top of the list, but while they are exciting locations with plenty to do and see, they can also take a toll on your wallet. You may want to consider a location a little closer to home but still out of country. Let’s start with one that shares a border with our own. The northern part of Canada can be a wonderful location that offers exciting places to visit, friendly people and is much more inexpensive. In fact, Canada can be reached by airplane or car. And while it may take a lifetime, or a rich relation passing, to get to other exotic vacation spots, Canada can be visited without breaking your budget.

One of the best things about a Canadian vacation, besides the fact that everyone speaks English, is that you can drive to your location and save yourself the expense of a plane ticket. If you enjoy a plane ride, then that is definitely an option, but if you like the convenience and freedom of getting in your car and driving (think road trip) then this destination will fit the bill. Even though border security has tightened up in the last few years, it is still easy to get in to our Northern neighbors country. As long as you have nothing you are trying to hide, getting over to Canada and back again won’t be a problem.

When you compare the price of American lodging and entertainment to the Canadian prices, you may suffer from a little shock. But this can be changed if you are careful about the places that you stay and where you visit. The tourist traps will be in your bigger cities and, while these will be great places to visit while you are there, you might consider staying in a smaller city. Do your research and make a list of the places you want to visit. Check on the prices and then make an itinerary that fits your wants and your budget. The beauty of Canada is vast, so getting a chance to get out and enjoy the more remote areas of the country will be a treat. With a good mix of outdoor activities and other entertainments will create an even more budget friendly vacation.

While it may not be the first place you think of for a foreign vacation, you should definitely give Canada a try. With all it has to offer, it really is the perfect vacation destination for the whole family.  Do your research and with a little planning, you will have a vacation to travel Canada worth remembering.

Tips For Camping With Young Children

Sometimes children may feel intimidated with the thought of sleeping in a camper or tent out in the wilderness. However, things don’t have to be that way for them. Most children love the outdoors when it comes to playing. Camping with young children doesn’t have to be scary – and it’s something every child should get to do at least once.

More often than not, adults fear nature more than children do. Therefore, it may come as a surprise when your child takes to nature quite easily. If camping in the woods does not sit well with you, then why not pitch a tent in the backyard. You will find all the activities and crafts that usually come along with camping right in your own backyard, except the campfire. Read more

ATV Tours in Ontario

Just 2 hours north of Toronto, ATVs rider’s heaven is found at the Seguin Recreational Trail. In Ontario, the Park-to-Park trail system links many existing or once established trail systems for public use. Whether you are an ATV enthusiast, a hiker or a biker, the Trans Canada Trail system is a self sustainable network for the public. The Sequin Trail is the major east-west spine of this vast system and covers about 75kms from from Highway 11 to Highway 400/69.

Originally, the trail bed was a base for a railroad system used to haul lumber from the Ottawa river to shipping yards on the Georgian Bay. The Sequin Trail is now maintained by the Parry Sound District Ministry of Natural Resources and managed by Park-To-Park Trail. This means the trail is kept clean and safe year round. No matter what the season, ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts can ride the trails of Ontario. Read more

Spring Break in Ontario

Spring break, or March break, is a great time to visit Ontario and enjoy the winter wonderland of the province. There are plenty of winter sports activities to enjoy and lots of ski resorts to cater to your needs.

Skiing in Northern Ontario’s ski resorts is something that shouldn’t be missed. Skiing, snowboarding and other winter sport can all be part of your spring break. Blue Mountain is Ontario’s largest ski resort and it has over thirty trails for you to try out. The Blue Mountain inn offers many package deals for March break that allow you to hit the slopes for a low price. Read more

Spring Skiing in British Columbia

While many people associate spring break with surfing and sunning on the beach, others prefer a winter wonderland. If you want crisp weather, spectacular natural views and a wide variety of activities, look no further than British Columbia. The entire province is full of fun things to do during March break. Skiing is obviously the first thing you think about for your spring break vacation in British Columbia.

Ski season is in full effect until early April so try out the North Shore slopes while you are there. The Whistler-Blackcomb site will be the location of the 2010 Winter Olympics. You can catch a preview by staying in Cypress, the largest of the North Shore ski resorts. Cypress Mountain is full of activities for visitors of all ages. In addition to downhill skiing, there is a cross-country area, snow tubing and other activities during the evening. Read more

Travel Guides Are Everywhere

Nearly everyone has a travel section in the blog. They may occasionally write travel articles or cruise articles. But more often than not, a blog is going to have a section on family vacation articles. Whether or not it’s someone’s personal blog, or a blog about travel, it’s going to have a family vacation related category.

So what makes a good travel guide blog? Lots of personal experiences or informative resource compilations. What would a usual family of four enjoy to do in this location or that one? Do you know of some really unusual or different family friendly get-away destinations? Something new and unique perhaps? Any of the above could make great ideas for a travel guide blog.

A good thing to remember however, is to keep things on topic and related to travel or family travel if you intend to create a travel-specific blog. It’s so easy to end up with a general content blog. While you may end up with site visitors from a wider selection of genres to write about, you won’t have a unique blog. Be creative and be different!

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