Hike Through Puerto Rico Rainforest

While the Caribbean may be known for its sun drenched beaches and exciting water sports, islands such as Puerto Rico are also blessed with stunning rainforests, perfect for a hiking adventure. Before setting off on your outdoor excursions look to find accommodation that also lets you experience the very best the Caribbean has to offer. Staying at Turks and Caicos luxury resorts are definitely worth considering and Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos stands out amongst the available options. This Turks and Caicos beach resort is located on its own private island and provides an idyllic getaway by the sea.

Make sure to plan a trip to Puerto Rico where you can explore rainforests and discover the exotic wildlife of the Caribbean. One of the best areas to go hiking here is the El Yunque Rainforest which happens to be the sole tropical rainforest of the US National Parks. Perfect for jungle treks, this forested area is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna including numerous orchids and tree species. As you hike through the forest you may hear the sound of Coqui frogs, not to mention a variety of bird calls. There are many trails at El Yunque Rainforest, each offering a different path and a different journey of discovery. These trails include La Mina, Juan Diego Falls and the El Yunque trail which leads to a peak where one can enjoy awe-inspiring views.

Kitulgala Adventures- Explore a myriad of exciting things to do

Travellers to Sri Lanka would soon find out that Kitulgala, is one of the must visit tourist destinations in the country. Known to be a small bio-diversified rainforest, Kitulgala boasts of many attractions and adventurous things to do. If you would like to explore the country using an internal flight, Cinnamon Air is one of the best Air taxi tours Sri Lanka has in store. This luxury Air taxi Sri Lanka lets you make the most of your journey by taking you to many tourist destinations all around the island. Kitulgala is popularly known among the travellers for White Water Rafting. However apart from being a perfect rafting destination, Kitulgala has a myriad of adventure activities such as jungle trekking, mountain biking, river expeditions and bird watching. It is a paradise for a true nature lover as the atmosphere and the bio diversity of the area are just amazing. You can take a dip in the cool waters of the Kelaniya River and take up on a hike to the waterfalls located in the area as well as visit some of the pre historical caves.

 

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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Wadi Tiwi

If you’re in the mood to commune with nature and explore the natural wonders of the Omani landscape, the Wadi Tiwi is a splendid gorge that has been carved into the mountains, flanked by soaring cliffs and runs down into the sea. Explore this and other features of Oman when you make your base at one of the stunning Oman hotels in the city of Muscat, such as the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With a central location and welcoming hospitality, this Oman hotel is sure to please you. Escape the bustle of the city and head to Wade Tiwi, which is home to a charming array of traditional desert villages that are framed by lush expanses of date and banana plantations, with bubbling streams meandering through the landscape. Close to about five kilometers into the gorge, you will encounter the idyllic community of Harat Bidah, featuring quaint dwellings of another age and towering walls of stone. If you fancy a drive that will give you an inspiring adrenaline rush, five kilometers out of Wadi Tiwi will bring you to the village of Mibam, which is located at the end of a rough stretch of road (used here loosely), and is the perfect excursion into the Omani wilderness if you’re coming in on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Christmas in Bali: A Tropical Christmas

As December draws near, the spirit of Christmas seeps into people’s hearts with shopping malls decorated in Christmas colours: red and green, the sidewalks slippery with frozen snow and a general feeling of excitement in the air. Traditional Christmas celebrations will involve decorating a Christmas tree, leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, hanging of stockings on the chimneys and of course, cradling cups of hot chocolate in an attempt to insulate oneself from the cold. While this form of Christmas has its own intrinsic charm, opt for a different experience this December and make your way down to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate your own tropical Christmas.

Although the main demography of Indonesia is composed of non-Christians, Indonesia celebrates Christmas as a holiday with pomp and splendour. Similar to decorations done in Europe, Balinese shopping malls too resort to decorating the interior with the traditional Christmas colours and the exterior with sparkling, bright lights creating an feeling of excitement and thrill.

The best way to kick-start your Christmas in Bali is to first do your Christmas shopping as gifts are sold only until stocks last. Once your Christmas shopping list is ticked, tourists can opt to partake in the general spirit of Christmas by taking a walk around the city, exploring the markets and the malls, and perhaps singing a few rounds of some carols as well. Celebrating Christmas in Bali is just as exciting as celebrating it in a cosmopolitan European nation, excepting the cold climate for resorts, hotels and clubs organise a series of parties, Christmas events and more to celebrate the holiday.

Depending on which beach resort in Bali you opt to reside in, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a true feast during the Christmas week. If you opt for a hotel in Nusa Dua, you may be able to enjoy special Christmas foods and traditional deserts as well as complimentary eggnog. Enjoy your tropical Christmas to the fullest by opting to stay at a hotel the calibre of Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali which is a hotel that will cater to your every need during this special holiday season and deck your vacation with unforgettable memories.

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 hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Off Road Driving

A tour of the United Arab Emirates is not complete without experiencing authentic desert life. The rolling sands that comprise the glittering golden landscape of the Middle East pose immense significance to the nations of the UAE, beyond being exquisite to admire and capture through the lens. The many dunes that make up the UAE afford an array of off-road fun that range from driving to simply rolling down the soft slopes.

The popularity of the dunes among the many visitors to the island gave rise to an array of ‘Desert experience’ packages. Now, from the heart of the city, you can rent your own four-wheel drive vehicles and get yourself a tour guide and experience the thrill of indulging in a variety of exciting desert activities. Of all the types of fun desert excursions one can indulge in, the most simple yet most thrilling activity is off road driving. Driving off road is absolute fun despite all the humps and bumps. In fact it is perhaps the turbulence that truly adds the spice to this activity. A word of caution: avoid large meals prior to chaotic off-roading in the desert.

One of the most popular off-road driving destinations is the massive Empty Quarter. These huge dunes present a fantastic driving challenge and is a must experience feature here if you are in town during the cooler months of the year. In the summer, the heat soars to absolutely scorching heights. There are plenty of 4 wheel drives that can be hired with or without a guide and all you should make sure is that it is insured for off-road riding. Company is important when you are wandering off into the desert. A good 2, 3 jeeps along with yours and you are all good to go. Off road driving is excellent as a group activity. If you are going driving without a guide, it is important that you first get the hang of the ropes of the desert from one of the many tour companies in Abu Dhabi. They will provide you with the right tips for the skill and equipment that you would need to enjoy your adventure.

While exploring UAE and all its wonders, consider a stay at the Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi. Offering gracious hospitality and charming surrounds, this luxury choice of hotel in Abu Dhabi presents a fine option of five star accommodation Abu Dhabi has to offer its corporate and leisure visitors.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Flying Down the Dunes

Sand boarding and skiing has added a whole new dimension to two sports once limited to areas with snow. Once adrenaline junkies found that snow boards and skis could be used on smooth sandy surfaces with the same effect there was no stopping them. Now there are several keen followers of these sports who regularly sand board and ski where there are impressive dune formations. Towering sand dunes in the Liwa Oasis bordering the Empty Quarter in Abu Dhabi are popular both with sand boarders and sand skiers.

Where ever there are dunes or a considerable build up of sand there are sand boarders who want to swish down their sides and experience an adrenaline rush. Sand boarders ride across or down a dune with their feet strapped to a board although some daring and more experienced types ride without the straps. Unlike snow boarders sand boarders don’t have the advantage of being taken to the top of a dune by a lift. They generally have to clamber up the dune themselves or use an ATV or a dune buggy. Sand boarding is enjoyed by enthusiasts throughout the year in desert climates where there is plenty of sand and of course dunes. The board used for sand boarding is much harder than a snow board and it has to be waxed prior to use to make the board glide. On steeper dunes snow boards are also used.

Abu Dhabi’s sand dunes towering several hundred meters above the surrounding area are ideal for sand skiing enthusiasts. Novice sand skiers are advised to start on the smaller slopes prior to attempting the 300 meter high Liwa dunes. Other than in the cooler months the best times to both sand board and ski are the early mornings. A thick layer of sunscreen, light clothing covering most parts of the body and sun glasses is advised when taking to these sports. Additionally it is better to have basic lessons on how to stay up and fall properly and safely before attempting the dunes. Children too can try but on the lower slopes and a plastic sledge will afford them a great deal of pleasure flying down the ‘nursery slopes’.

On Sir Bani Yas Island just off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara not only offers an extraordinary location but some of the most luxurious guest rooms, suites and villas from where guests can explore the beautiful natural environment around this Abu Dhabi resort. Food is one of the experiences here where guest get to taste a variety of local and international cuisines, the other is the amazing landscape which can be enjoyed via kayaking trips, mountain biking, trekking, on safari and on horseback. As one of Abu Dhabi beach hotels guests have access to several water sports among which are special diving and snorkeling packages.

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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Drive Jebel Hafeet

Towering high over the plains of Al Ain, the Jebel Hafeet stands proud as the tallest peak in the entire Emirate. There is a rugged beauty about Jebel Hafeet; its surface red and raw is the evidence of its endurance. The chiselled edges of the Jebel Hafeet gives it sheer majesty, the mere sight of which will leave you in awe and will give you an authentic taste of the desert side of the United Arab Emirates.

The Middle East in general is known for its excellent roadways, the United Arab Emirates in particular tops this list boasting fantastic automobiles and smooth carpeted roads. Driving is such a pleasure in the UAE and the blissful desert scenery in the outskirts of the city is a real pleasure to savor. One fantastic location to experience the bliss of driving is the Jebel Hafeet. The Jebel Hafeet rises just over 1200 meters above sea level and has winding roads that adorn all sides of the mountain. The best part about these mountain roads are that they are wide and comfortable to ride on. The many bends that come with this road makes a drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet both fun and adventurous.

The Jebel Hafeet is exotic; every inch of this mountain has beauty to savour. It is built out of craggy limestone that has stood tall over millions of years weathering the harsh climatic conditions of the desert side of UAE. The many rains and scorching suns have shaped Jebel Hafeet to what is today a symbol of artistic magnificence in the UAE. In addition to all its beauty the mountain is also a historically significant location. It holds the heart of the world’s past and several important fossils have been discovered here including over 500 ancient burial tombs that date back over 5000 years.

Once you reach the top of the mountain you will be rewarded by unmatched beauty, sceneries that will take your breath away and magnificent bird’s eye views of Al Ain. After an adventurous day at the peak, come home to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. This Abu Dhabi resort is the finest of all the Abu Dhabi beach hotels.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Outdoor things to do in Maldives

Maldives is a spectacular tourist destination since there are so many fun activities you can do when you visit. The most popular activities are the outdoor adventures like diving, snorkelling and exploring the reefs around the island. Throughout the year Maldives waters are warm and clear so it is ideal for exploration. There are over 1000 different types of species that dwell in the sea and you could see them, swim amongst them and observe the wonderful corals embedded on the reef. Diving lessons and packages are easy to come by when in the area. There are a number of agents and companies that are willing to rent diving equipment and to teach you how to navigate through the waters. The best thing is that you do not need to be a professional diver to enjoy an expedition underwater; snorkelling is one of the easiest activities which you can learn and master while you are in the country.


You could also take part in an island excursion and travel to one of the local islands. A visit to the local islands will expose you to the unique Maldivian culture and cuisine which is a very gratifying experience. The island culture and lifestyle in Maldives is influenced by fishing. The fishing community has their own stories and folk tales; their heroic adventures out at sea are fascinating. Maldivian people are extremely friendly and hospitable and they always welcome you to listen to their stories and share a meal. The key ingredients in all of the dishes are coconut, rice and seafood. When you visit a local island you should taste some local cuisine for it is quite simply delicious.


Maldives is also a great destination for visitors who want to relax and detoxify. There are so many spas; wellness centres and massage clinics that will help one unwind. The traditional healing methods are perfect to ease stress and anxiety. Try out Gandhakolhi leaf treatments and those remedies offered at Hakeembe as these are authentic therapy sessions which one can only find in the Maldives. For all-inclusive vacation deals stay at a Maldives resort. There is a variety of hotels which provides accommodation in Maldives so one will find it easy to book a room which fits one’s budget. Anantara Dhigu Maldives is a great place to spend your vacation for the rooms are luxurious and the hotel offers various tours and spa treatments for their guests.

Kandooma Thila Diving Site

Located close to the South Male Atoll is a popular site with divers: the Kandooma Thila, with an exciting descent and abundant marine life that is sure to be a treat to capture from behind the lens. It’s best if you check into one of the fine Maldives resorts that will make this dive happen with all the logistical details taken care of, from setting you up with diving equipment to a dive guide who will walk you through the process for optimum safety. One of the best luxury hotels Maldives has on offer is the Kurumba Maldives which specializes in organizing all manner of underwater excursions for a truly unforgettable vacation. Venture into the tar-drop shaped Kandooma Thila and discover another world of underwater delights. Heralded as one of the most exciting dives in the South Male Atoll, its western and northern section afford the most stunning views, toping at 16 metres. Jack corner, the northwestern niche, features a cave at a depth of 23 metres chock full of soft coral, populated by dreamy-eyed trevally, startling red bass, elegant tunas and fearsome barracudas. On the western corner, you’ll encounter several large rock outcrops carpeted by brightly-hued soft corals. Keep your eyes peeled for reef sharks and eagle rays, and the site’s highlight: large green turtles peacefully swimming along the reef’s edge.

 

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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Abu Dhabi Motorsports

How about making a date with the magic of Abu Dhabi’s motor sports experience? To savour the thrills of the area’s motorsports, why not choose the comfort of an Abu Dhabi hotel from where you could be based at? Grand Millennium Al Wahda which comes across as a hotel Abu Dhabi UAE has to offer would prove to be a good choice.

Amongst the many treats that racing fans the world over may be able to partake of while in the area, none quite adds up to the excitement of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which hosted at the famed Yas Marina Circuit. Seen as one of the most eye-catching of sporting pageants in the area, visitors can see their favourite race car drivers battle it out on track for supremacy. Additionally go-karters can try out the 1.4 km raceway of the Al Ain Sportplex to hone their skills in go-karting. Up and coming racers can showcase their skills at one of the four demanding tracks of Al Forsan. Whatever skill level, Abu Dhabi certainly has everyone well taken care of.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+