Travel Idea

Archive for August 12th, 2009

Experience The Quest: Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race
Known as the ?Toughest Sled Dog Race in the World,? the annual Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race annually covers over 1,000 miles between the Yukon and Alaska. Alternating starting and finish lines between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and Fairbanks, Alaska, this sled dog race is not for the faint of heart! The terrain is some of the most difficult on the planet and the demanding trail constantly keeps sled dogs and their mushers on their toes as potential disasters wait around every turn. This race takes place each February, with the date exact date wavering depending on the weather conditions of the brutal Yukon winter. The trail for the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race is as historic as the sport itself. Originally part of the original Gold Rush trail and the Mail Delivery trails dating back to the turn of the Twentieth Century, the trail is steeped in lore. Most of this trail cuts through untouched wilderness, thought to be some of the last on the entire continent. Lasting approximately two weeks, the mushers enter the race with his or her 14 dog sled team, striving to reach Fairbanks first. The field is diverse and features entries from all over the world, but all the entries have one thing in common?they came to win! If you find yourself in the great state of Alaska or in the beautiful territory of the Yukon this February, do not miss an opportunity to attend the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race! Individuals of all ages are sure to enjoy this unique experience and will remember seeing the running dogs, hearing the crunch of snow, and feeling the overall air of excitement for years to come. Whether you send off the competitors in the tiny town of Whitehorse in Canada?s Yukon territory or welcome the heroic mushers and sled dogs into lovely downtown Fairbanks, Alaska, there are many opportunities to see this race. Many of the race?s checkpoints are accessible by major roadways, allowing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience this race first hand. Discover what goes on behind the scenes at a major dog sled race. This race requires a whole crew of individuals to work diligently while the competitors fly over snow banks. From veterinarians to care for the sled dogs to doctors to care for the mushers to talented chefs to provide all competitors?both animal and human?with quality food, it truly takes a village for the event to get off the ground. Make a trip to Alaska to experience the nonstop action and excitement of the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race! Bring the entire family to cheer on all the competitors and watch as one talented musher and his (or her!) sled dog team crosses into Fairbanks first to be declared victorious! A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards invites you to come and see Alaska. Consider visiting Alaska to experience unique adventures. A great way to see Alaska is by taking an affordable <a href="http://www.findanalaskacruise.com">Alaska Cruise</a>.
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The Unspoilt Wilderness in Paphos, Cyprus
I have lived in Paphos for a few years now and after the euphoria of living in the sun, going to the beach, seeing the sea every day and watching fabulous coastal sunsets every night, had settled to an acceptable level, I then discovered that Paphos has so much more to offer. Don’t get me wrong, all of the above still excite me beyond belief and the Med lifestyle is all it is cracked up to be, but behind the mask of simply being a tourist attraction, offering all that the discerning holiday maker could be looking for, there is another face to Paphos. Not many visitors will see or experience this face because they are taking a break from their daily lives and looking for fabulous beaches, water sports, great restaurants and total relaxation. But, I have found out what is going on in the background. Cyprus is an extremely interesting place for nature lovers. Paphos is home to a very rare and very shy wild sheep called the Moufflon that has magnificent curving horns. These heraldic animals, although roaming wild, can be seen at the forestry station in Paphos forest (Stavros tis Psokas). Another delight is that the island has visiting Loggerhead and Green turtles that come ashore to nest every year on the sandy beaches around Paphos. These marine turtles are strictly protected and if you do decide to venture further afield than the local sunbathing beaches and seek out the areas of unspoilt wilderness, you may come across frames on the beach which warn you of a turtle nest and kindly ask you not to disturb. I have also found that many University students studying marine biology spend their holiday time here helping out with the research into these fabulous marine creatures. What a holiday! Cyprus is also heaven for bird watchers. The island has become a stop over for many migratory birds on their travels from Europe to Africa during the autumn and back again in spring. More than 300 different bird species have been seen and recorded and the island has two endemic species which are often seen in the coastal regions, which are the Cyprus Pied Wheatear and the Cyprus Warbler. One of the islands larger varieties of bird is now very much under threat and conservationists battle hard to save it from extinction. The Griffin Vulture was once a common sight on the island but now their numbers have dwindled to less than 50. So to those of you that have visited before and enjoyed your summer holidays in Cyprus, why not try an autumn or sprint visit. Most of the tourists have returned home and the beaches once again become the domain of our wildlife. You will of course have to make an effort as not all these areas are easily accessed and the areas around Paphos, namely the Akamas Peninsula, can only be accessed by four wheel drive. This will be a unique experience that you will take home and treasure. Imagine walking a beach with no sun beds, no shops, no noise apart from the surf and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and the forests and keep an eye out for the elusive Moufflon. Then, before leaving our wonderful wilderness find yourselves a comfortable place on the rocks or lay that blanket on the beach and experience some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean. Paphos behind the mask is a memorable place!Lynda Burke owns and operates the website <a href="http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com">www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com</a> and now lives and works in Paphos, Cyprus.
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Why Cabin Vacations Are Becoming A Popular Get-A-Way
Do you want to take your family on a fun vacation, but are limited by factors such as cost and convenience? The perfect answer may lie in renting a cabin for your family getaway! Let?s face it, going on vacation with your family is not cheap. If you are planning on staying in hotels, you have to worry about the price of the room, the lack of privacy, and the hassle and additional costs of going out for meals at restaurants, which increases both the cost and stress of your vacation. A family of five might even have to purchase two hotel rooms for one night?s stay. Camping can also be quite stressful for a family on vacation. Tents and RVs allow for no privacy, and can get really hot in the morning sun. It is no wonder that cabin vacations are becoming the number one choice for families going out on their vacations! Owners of cabins along lakefronts and ocean sides, and even at ski resorts, have begun to realize that the perfect way to keep their cabins maintained and safe during the frequent times they are not using them is providing them for rental to families who would like to vacation at a certain location but cannot afford the price or inconvenience of a hotel room, and who also find the idea of an outdoor camping experience strenuous. Families can take a cabin vacation for less than they would spend in hotels, with all the comforts of home that cannot be found in a tent or an RV. Cabins that have been made available for rental usually include multiple bedrooms with soft beds, a full kitchen, plumbing, heating, electricity, and often cable or satellite television. In other words, cabin vacations offer all the comforts of home at your favorite vacation destination, for much cheaper and with less stress than can be offered either by staying in a hotel or by camping. Meals can be planned and implemented with ease, and if you forgot to pack enough food there is almost always a grocery store within a short distance. Often, there will be stores that specialize in a specific food you might want to eat on your vacation- ocean cabins, for example, are quite often located in close proximity to stores selling fresh seafood. A family who chooses a cabin vacation will save money over a hotel experience not just in rental costs but in the pricy restaurant costs as well! Cabin vacations are becoming so popular among families that in many resort areas, hotels are becoming obsolete as owners of cabins rent them out to eager vacationers. The cost effective vacation and the insurance that the cabin is occupied provide a mutual benefit to all parties concerned. Visit for more articles on <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">rental cabins </a> and <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">vacation cabin rentals</a> in popular destinations. You'll find helpful<a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com"> cabin rental</a> resources and news.
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