Rumassala Mountain Hike

If you love the great outdoors and are looking for adventure when heading to the Southern area of Sri Lanka, then make sure to plan a hike up Rumassala Mountain. This picturesque natural site can be found within easy reach of the Galle harbour and those in search of well placed Galle hotels to stay at can consider Jetwing Lighthouse. One of the leading hotels in Galle, it offers a luxurious home away from home in this famous Southern city.

Plan a visit to Rumassala Mountain where one can engage in a hike, set amidst stunning vistas. The mountain which also goes by the name ‘Buona Vista’ is associated with several legends and provides a fascinating day out in nature. The area in and around Rumassala is home to a rich biodiversity and as you explore and hike up the mountain you will across a variety of endemic species be it flora or fauna. It is not uncommon to see monkeys in the trees and birdwatchers may even catch a glimpse of a white-bellied sea eagle. At the summit one will find a Buddhist dagoba known as the Peace Pagoda along with a statute of the monkey god, Hanuman who is tied in with one of the legends of Rumassala. Best of all is the breathtaking view of Galle Bay that awaits those making their way to the top.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Snorkelling in Bight Reef

If you love combining soaking up the sun with a thrilling adventure at sea, then the Caribbean is the place for you. Those looking for a place to start their excursions can head to Bight Reef which is a great site to snorkel. This well known site can be found in Providenciales which belongs to the Turks & Caicos islands and those in search of well placed Turks and Caicos hotels from which to set off on their travels can stay at Regent Palms Turks & Caicos. One of the leading Turks and Caicos resorts, this luxurious property can be found on Grace Bay Beach which is also well suited for underwater exploration.

Encompassing the Princess Alexandra National Park, the Bight Reef provides plenty of snorkelling fun for the entire family. The reef starts near the shore making it an easy site to explore even for beginners. As you witness the wondrous sight that enfolds before your eyes make sure not to touch or break the coral which are an integral part of this marine ecosystem. Parrot fish, French grunt fish, turtles and rays are among the many species you can see here as you discover a whole new world that lies beneath the waves.

Mount Wellington Descent Cycling Tour

If you want to experience all the high-octane fun of a roller coaster ride while also having the possibility to take in some truly breathtaking views, then a descent of Mount Wellington on a bicycle is just the thing for you! An extinct volcano, Mount Wellington can be found at the edge of the city of Hobart in New Zealand and those in search of centrally located accommodation in Hobart from which to make the journey to this site can consider Somerset on Salamanca Hobart. Featuring modern apartment accommodation Hobart has to offer, this well placed property makes an ideal base for your visit.

Towering to a height of around 1,271 metres, Mount Wellington is covered by snow during winter, while during the warmer months it provides the perfect setting in which to enjoy some cycling fun. Though the journey up near the summit may take some gruelling pedal power, the ride downhill is one full of adrenaline pumping thrills. Mount Wellington descent cycling tours are specially designed to provide you with a chance to not only enjoy this experience (minus the uphill climb), but also take in the panoramic views from certain viewpoints; witness the stunning landscapes of Hobart including the Derwent Valley and the coastal scenery that stretches into the distance. Enjoy the pure thrill of speed and freedom as you rush downhill on this tour which takes around 3 hours, though it is shorter if you plan to just focus on the need for speed!

Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi

The Yas Marina Circuit is located on Yas Marina Island, which is also home to Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. The track, which is used for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was a design of the renowned racecourse architect, Herman Tilke. It is Middle East’s second Formula One race track after the one in Bahrain. With a total length of almost six kilometres, the racecourse has the capacity to seat about fifty thousand people. Construction on the course began in 2007 and took only about two years to complete, with the track opening in October 2009.

Since it was opened the track has hosted multiple international events including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA Formula One, V8 Supercars and GT1 World. The track, which bears a resemblance to the F1 track in Monaco, has a distinct Arabian flavour. There are a total of twenty one turns and each one is unique, making for highly thrilling races. There are five grandstands from which audiences can view all the action. The grandstands are designed to enhance the viewing experience. The track is only about thirty minutes from Abu Dhabi City and tourists visiting the UAE capital should definitely try to visit this place even if there are no races scheduled.

Visitors to the Yas Marina Circuit should also try to stop by the Ferrari World Theme Park located nearby. The park is the largest indoor theme park on the planet and contains over twenty rides, including the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in operation. In addition to rides, the park also provides fascinating insights into the world of racing and is sure to resonate with racing enthusiasts from around the world.

Travellers planning a tour of the attractions in the Middle East should consider getting accommodation with hotel chains like the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East. They contain a series of Middle East hotels including Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE hotels. Getting accommodation with a hotel chain ensures that one gets the same standard of service no matter where one visits and it minimises the hassles of booking multiple hotels.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Golf Vacations in Vietnam

Declared as the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, Vietnam is a wonder waiting to be discovered. A land with a fascinating history dating hundreds of years back, a climate that can only be marvelled at all year along and a breathtaking natural splendour, this amazing location is nothing but perfect for a holiday. The country now offers its visitors championship courses that successfully put most western golf grounds to shame.

Popularly known as the ‘Next Thailand’ in relation to golfing, this amazing country is home to many beautiful golfing locations. The formation of the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail in 2008 saw the Vietnam golf courses gaining global recognition. In total there are about 16 courses operating successfully within the country and around 30 under construction.

Golf courses singled out as the best here include the Dalat Palace Golf Club, the Montgomerie and the Ocean Dunes Golf Club. The growth in the number of tourist arrivals in the country and the high rising golf tours have also been due to the reasonable cost of these holidays, the far stretching coast line admired by many westerners and the tropical climate guaranteeing a great experience all year around. Consequently the number of tourist arrivals has seen an immense increase from around 250000 to 4.5 million a year.

If you are on the lookout for a beautiful Vietnam Hotel to spend your days at ease while holidaying in this beautiful country, consider a Resort in Mui Ne that believes in creating a truly authentic experience. Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is a gorgeous hotel ideally located in the heart of Mui Ne that boasts of well-appointed rooms, world class service standards and a traditional Vietnamese touch in its hospitality.

Head over to Vietnam where there is so much to experience and savour. From traditional Vietnamese culture to ancient historic monuments that resonate architectural splendour of the good old east, mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine and amazing golf locations. Experience the east like never before when you choose Vietnam as your next holiday destination.

Experience Mountain Trekking in Bali

Home to thick jungles, traditional villages and not forgetting stunning mountains, Bali is a great place for exciting adventure treks. Mountain trekking in Bali is particularly popular and those planning to embark on such activities should first look into finding a suitable base for their travels. Staying at a Bali luxury resort makes an ideal choice since it lets you enjoy the very best the island has to offer. Located by Sanur golden beach, Regent Bali is just one such 5 star hotel Bali that also has a spa which provides plenty of holistic healing after a long day of trekking.

Adventure travellers have two main mountains on the island worth exploring; the Batur and Agung mountains. It is best to start your trek as early in the morning as possible. This not only lets you avoid the burning noon day sun, but also gives you an opportunity to witness some truly spectacular sunrises. Making your way across rugged slopes with nothing but the stunning panoramic vistas unfolding around you, it is easy to get lost in thought and be overawed by Mother Nature decked out in all her glory.

Water sports in Doha

Doha, the Qatari capital is a sizzling oasis in the middle of the Arabian Desert that provides ample opportunities to cool down and have some fun in the sun at the same time. Visitors to this intriguing city would do well to invest in one of excellent serviced apartments near city centre Doha Mall as this would situate guests close to fine dining and entertainment in the heart of the city. The Ascott Doha is one such example of fine Doha serviced apartments that provide luxury service in the midst of stylish interiors for a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in the desert. To cool down in the arid desert heat, there are several fun options for the whole family. The Diplomatic club offers visitors the change to try out water skiing, wake boarding and banana boat rides for the kids, who love the latter especially. The Diplomatic Club also offers visitors the opportunity to try their hand at fishing, as well as offering leisure boat rides with a variety of distance options and times. Ro nautical Middle East will treat anglers to upscale fishing, as their boats are outfitted with rods, GPS and an onboard refrigerator in case you get a little nippy out at sea. Or, venture out to the high seas for a spot of sailing with the Doha Sailing Club, which will provide lessons, training and races, for the folks who prefer to look but not leap into the waters themselves. Adrenaline seekers should check out Ronautica Middle East’s options for kiteboarding for some extra spillage and thrillage on the Arabian seas! Or, just take a dip in the pool, but if you don’t quite know how to negotiate the waters, the Cabana Club offers swim lessons for both groups and one-on-one settings. So no matter what your water flavour, Doha dishes out an exciting array of experiences for you to get down and wet in the desert!

Queenstown Ice Arena

Queenstown – the exciting and riveting adventure capital of New Zealand – offers all visitors the chance to hit the slopes, the lakes or the ice arena for some fantastic adrenaline-pumping action. Adventure seekers should also consider some quality New Zealand Queenstown hotel accommodation to rest and relax after a thrilling day of adventure. The Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview provides visitors with ideal Queenstown hotel Accommodation for the perfect way to wind down after all the action on offer round town. Take the whole family to the Queenstown Ice Arena for some chilling fun on ice that is safe and fun for all ages! The arena is equipped to let everyone from pro skaters to budding amateurs strut their skating stuff at very economical rates if you’re on a budget. Individuals can skate all day for $15 or the whole family can do so for $55. Open rain or shine or hail, the skating arena provides fantastic entertainment that is also an exhilarating workout! It also features a state-of-the-art LED lighting system that beautifully changes colours above your head while you and family and friends carve up new chills and thrills on ice! The arena is also home to several leagues in ice hockey, figure skating, and curling, and it also offers lessons for folks wanting to learn how to skate. Visit the onsite pro shop to pick up some fantastic ice skating and ice hockey gear, and the friendly and knowledgeable staff who work there will help visitors find what they need, featuring brands such as Easton, Mission and Bauer. So whatever your ice ethic, the Queenstown Ice Arena will give you an experience you’ll never forget!

Ben Lomond Hike

The Queenstown area is home to some of New Zealand’s most stunning natural landscapes. It offers numerous intriguing trails for hikers, where one can enjoy the spectacular scenery for miles on end. Quality Queenstown hotel accommodation is not hard to find in this “adventure-capital” of New Zealand. After taking in the breathtaking natural splendour, one can enjoy superb hospitality at the Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview featuring stylish modern comforts in a scenic setting at this fine New Zealand Queenstown hotel. Experienced hikers will enjoy a day out trekking the Ben Lomond hiking trail, all the way to Ben Lomond Summit, which features fantastic views of the rugged Queenstown terrain. Breathe in the magnificent trails flanked by towering beech trees on the One Mile Creek walk, and marvel at the massive Douglas Fir sentinels that guard the path of the Skyline Access Road. At the 800-metre elevation point, hikers will spot the native alpine tussocks and Dracophyllum, which dominate this part of the country, and be treated to magnificent views of the mountains and the lake. The next section of the track up to Ben Lomond Saddle is a gentle slope, but it gets steep up the trail to Ben Lomond Summit, so only advanced hikers with appropriate hiking gear are advised to proceed further. Adventurers who actually make the demanding trek to the summit are subject to spectacular views, and on clear days, one can marvel at the majestic sights of Mounts Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and Aspiring/Tititea framing the summit, which is 1748 metres high. Hikers will truly appreciate this magnificent hiking experience, a true scenic jewel in Queenstown’s glittering natural crown.

Mountain Biking in Rotorua

The New Zealand town of Rotorua is set in the midst of a rugged landscape with pristine forests and majestic mountains, which makes it an ideal location for all kinds of fun outdoor sports, such as hiking, off-roading, and the perennial favourite: mountain biking. Adventure bikers would be well taken care of at a quality Rotorua hotel such as the superb Millennium Hotel Rotorua. Featuring stylish interiors and luxury amenities, this quality hotel in Rotorua is the perfect place to relax after an exciting day of peddling the mountain bike trails. Mere minutes away from the city proper is the rugged and lush Whakarewarewa Forest, which is home to a 70km network of riveting trails to be discovered, explored and conquered on your trusty steed, the mountain bike. The trails offer numerous possibilities of outdoor explorations to bikers of all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, spanning family groups and expert riders. Ride your way through beautiful species of native ferns flourishing beneath the impressive canopies of the tall Doug Fir, Redwood, Radiata, Eucalyptus and Larch trees that cover the landscape with their imposing presences. In the midst of the trail, you’re offered tantalising glimpses of the scenic lakes and the sombre figure of Mount Tarawera rising in the distance. Whether you’re a fan of cros-country biking or downhill biking, the amazing landscape will offer hours or days of fun in this mountain biking heaven. Because of its stellar natural offerings, Rotorua has hosted mountain biking competitions such as the Worlds Mountain Bike and Travel Championship in 2006 and the Single Speed Nationals in 2008. So grab your bike and gear and come ride the trails of Rotorua into a world of excitement and adventure!

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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