Tramping New Zealand's National Parks

On the island nation of New Zealand, tramping isn't just a word but rather it is a national pastime enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The word 'tramping' may be unknown to most people outside of the country, but the recreational activity is simply known elsewhere as hiking or bushwalking. To be more precise, tramping usually involves walking New Zealand's rugged terrain, carrying all the equipment needed for your trip. A night stay is usually a part of tramping and this can take the form of an overnight campout in one of New Zealand's National Parks. With fourteen national parks in total there are so many beautiful areas for you to explore on a New Zealand walking holiday. Here are our pick of the islands' best:

Mount Aspiring National Park

This national park located close to the city of Wanaka is named after the towering Mount Aspiring; one of the country's highest points. The park is one of the best places in New Zealand for walking and is a serene dreamland of glaciers, mountains and alpine lakes. The park has a number of tramping trails, some of which are more challenging than others. The three day Routeburn track is stunning, but visitors with less time on their hands should try the Aspiring Hut walk, a one and a half hour trek which takes you around the perimeter of Mount Aspiring. The park also has something for the more adventurous, and you could finish your tour with a jetboat ride along the River Dart or even a heli-skiing adventure in the Northern Buchanan region.

Fjordland

This area of New Zealand is almost Norwegian in appearance, with its U-shaped glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains. Spectacular waterfalls cascade down through the valley and these can be explored via sea kayak. On your kayaking trip you may be lucky enough to spot some of the park's local residents, dolphins, penguins and fur seals. This national park is the best in New Zealand for walking and of the country's ten 'Great Walks' three can be found in this very park. The most famous being the Milford Track, a five day trail which begins at the head of Lake Te Anau and ends at Milford Sound, from where it is possible to book a fjord cruise taking in the rest of the region.

Tongariro

Parts of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy were shot on location at the Tongariro National Park. Therefore, visitors to this region can not only enjoy walking amongst vaguely familiar landscape but in doing so can hope to learn more about the volcanic past of New Zealand. Walking the Alpine Crossing in this national park attracts 70,000 visitors each summer and visitors to this region are awarded with breathtaking views of the three snow-covered volcanoes, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. The largest of these volcanoes Ruapehu played Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings and although all three volcanoes are still active, this doesn't stop thrill-seekers from skiing down their slopes or hiking up to their craters. The park is ideal for walking in and, as well as the Alpine Crossing, guests can also take part in the six day round the mountain walk, where guests can spot all kinds of native flora and fauna from long and short-tailed bats to the native birds that make their home in the national park.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On walking holidays in New Zealand with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Favorite Season of the Year

When it comes to the seasons of the year, which is your favorite? I suppose the definition of seasons really depends on where you live because they can differ from one place to another. I'm really referring to the four different seasons that we are used to in the northern parts of the United States. When you think of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, which one stands out as your favorite time of year? I can help but think of Fall as being the best time of the year for a number of reasons.

After a long hot summer with warm temperatures and little rain in most cases, the temperatures begin to cool and the vegetation in the wild begins to undergo a change. This change is what makes the leaves on the trees change color, providing us with amazing picture opportunities because of the brilliant array of colors that the dying leaves have taken on. There couldn't be a better scene then the scene you get from rolling hills covered with trees with brightly covered leaves. The smells from the harvesting of crops, the changing colors and smells of forest vegetation, and the sounds of falling leaves and whipping winds all combine to provide the feeling of home and comfort.

Another reason that the Fall season stands out to me is because of the exciting opportunities for outdoor activity that exists during this time of year. Just about the same time when the leaves start turning color, the harvest starts to take place, is the time when the many different hunting seasons open up. This is what really gets me going in the fall and may be the main reason that I favor the Fall season so much. The small game seasons kick of the Fall hunting seasons in early September, followed by other hunting seasons such as archery deer hunting, duck, and goose hunting. All of the outdoor hunting opportunities come to be as soon as the summer comes to an end and the fall season comes into play. For many, this is a very exciting time of the year.

With the changing of the temperatures in the fall from warm to cool comes the desire to cook warm, soothing meals for your family. Another reason the fall season is so great is because all of the meals that you love to cook on cool days now sound so much better because of the changing weather outside. Meals that are made in the slow cooker seem to come to mind. Meals like roasts or chili seem to be much more appealing during this time of year.

There are also other reasons that many enjoy the fall season. With all of the beautiful colors and scenery comes the perfect picture taking opportunities for those who love the art of photography. There are numerous possibilities including natural wildlife, animals, and water pictures that can be taken and all are enhanced by the breath taking colors that are produced during this time of year.

The numerous reasons mentioned such as the brilliant colors, the wonderful smells, and the excellent outdoor opportunities are just a few reasons why I prefer the fall season over the others. It is during this time that the outdoors really comes alive, even though in reality the opposite of coming alive is occurring. Your favorite may be different which is perfectly fine. In the end it comes down to personal preference and what makes you happy.

Kerala Beaches Offer Celestial Experience

For those looking to break free from the monotony of daily life, Kerala beaches might be the answer. This destination is a perfect antidote to the boredom of a city life. The beaches of Kerala are famous the world over for their irresistible charm and beauty. You can either relax on the beaches or indulge in a variety of adventure sports. There is something for every kind of tourist. Kerala beaches will surely make your holidays rejuvenating and memorable.

The palm fringed beaches steeped in romantic aura offering picturesque views attract many a tourist from far and wide. These beaches offer great adventure opportunities. Plunge into skiing, angling, swimming and several other beach sports to quench your adventure thirst.

Some of the famous beaches are:

Alappuzha Beach

It is one of the most popular beaches of Kerala. Dotted with swaying palms, the beach offers an exhilarating experience to visitors. Known as the Venice of the East, the beach has a pier, which is around 140 years old. Surfing, para sailing and swimming are the water sports one can enjoy here. This beach is endowed with a network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers, adding more charm to it.

Varkala Beach

Offering tranquility and pleasure in plenty, Varkala beach is for those who want to spent some quality time in a peaceful environment. It is believed that a bath in the waters of this beach rids one of his sins. Located near the beach are the mineral springs, which are believed to be blessed with medicinal properties.

Kappad Beach

Holding sheer historic importance, this beach is a famous picnic spot in Kerala. During the year 1498 Vasco da Gama, the renowned Portuguese sailor, came here. The beach also has a Devi Temple, which is around 800 years old. One can also enjoy Ayurvedic massages here as there are several centers at the beach.

Bekal Beach, Beypore Beach, Cherai Beach, Ezhimala Beach, Kappil Beach, Mararikulam Beach, Fort Kochi Beach and Somatheeram Beach are the other famous beaches of Kerala.

New Hiking Trails in Kielder

Have you ever seen Mars, Venus or Mercury? Sure, through a telescope, but have you seen them with your naked eye? At the Kielder Observatory, you can see all those and more. They dangle in space, inline next to the forest track that leads to the observatory. These planets rotate and rock to the whisper of the wind. You would probably find yourself very surprised to run across these celestial beings spinning in the fingers of the wind should you be on any other mountain trail, but this trail leads to Kielder. Kielder isn't like most observatories; it's not a big white dome sitting atop a rocky crag. It's more of a modern building that you wouldn't expect to house an observatory.

Further along the track, you will come across another structure that is etched into the side of a crag. If you decide to explore, you will go through a tunnel and into an area you might think to have housed a medieval dungeon. This structure is cone shaped and it contains no windows to allow the light of day entrance. At the apex, you will find a hole to which the heavens seem to press. This weird structure is named Skyspace and is the creation of California artist James Turrell.

If you are planning on taking the jaunt up to Kielder, be prepared for a long trip new trail skirts England's most remote body of water and is shrouded in some of England's densest forest. You'll want to bring some supplies with you, as you will be quite a ways out into the countryside. If you drive up by way of Bellingham to Hawkhope, your eyes will be treated to some of the most gorgeous countryside you can imagine. From dark rivulets of water stretching for miles, to the dense growth of tall stately conifers, the wind won't be the only thing that takes your breath away. The lake is bordered by Kielder Dam, which holds the dark waters at bay. The conifers march in line around the edges of the lake in an orderly fashion, testimony to the hands that planted them. Lakeside Way is constructed of stone and cinders to accommodate not only boots, but also bikes and mobility scooters. It winds around the reservoir for twenty seven miles and has been host to the footfalls of many awestruck tourists for the thirty years it has been in existence.

If you would like to digest a little art along with the landscape, you can manage that here too. The latest architectural commissions to make their way into the forest are six new shelters that are nestled into the countryside next to Lakeside way. Stell is an isolated stone sheepfold that, as you get closer, you find is actually a sitting spot that sports lacy ironwork cushions. Silvas Captalis is a giant timber head, mouth open to the forest floor. If you are brave enough to enter the mouth of this giant head, you can climb to a point inside where you can look out through the eyes of this huge forest dweller. This beautiful area has no shortage of creation to view, be it nature or by the hand of man.

Best Tree Houses in Britain

Tree houses have grown up. No longer are they the little five by five clap board contraptions nailed together in the big old oak tree in the backyard. Now Tree houses have even gotten big enough to house hotels, restaurants and attractions. People are getting back to nature, walking through the woods, enjoying the views of art in the woods and even going to concerts in the woods. Trees aren't just building materials anymore. People are enjoying climbing trees, planting trees, working to conserve threes and even flying through the trees on army style zip wires.

These zip wire adventures have many different levels that can take you as high as you dare go. You can zip between the trunks fairly close to the ground, or you can soar with the birds high up in the canopy. Many of these zip wires can carry you right to a tree house, where you can enjoy a multitude of things. Some tree houses can be as simple as a platform in the sky and still others can house such things as restaurants or even hotels.

The Forestry Commission has reported over a hundred million visitors a year to it forest sites in England, Scotland and Wales. There has been a definite increase in interest, forests and trees have landed back on the national recreation popularity list. Visitors to the woods go there for a number of reasons; some go for the peace and quiet, while others go for the mountain biking and high wire adventures. A full thirty percent of the forest visitors are there with their mountain bikes, ready to enjoy their rolling adventures. Fifteen percent enjoy the adventure sites where you can go zipping through the trees like Tarzan. Fifteen of these adventure sites are managed by Go Ape!, one of Britains biggest tree adventure suppliers. Another adventure company named BeWILD has also seen a large increase in visitors to their arboreal attractions, they are geared up to hit 165,000 visitors by the end of this year.

Alnwick Tree House is among the most elaborate tree houses in existence. It was built by Napper Architects of Newcastle in 2004. This massive structure is a main feature of the refurbished Alnwick Gardens and was opened to the public in 2005. This 'tree house' houses a large restaurant with an open fire. It has meeting spaces and smaller outbuildings, all above ground. This building is not entirely tree supported, in fact, it's not really tree supported at all due to its weight. This tree house is held up by a combination of a huge network of wooden braces and concrete foundations as well as two concrete towers hidden within the design. This amazing structure is even accessible by wheelchair!