Archive for the ‘Vacation Destinations’ category

The Best Hiking Spots in Patagonia

July 12th, 2011

Trekking in Patagonia is an unimaginable adventure designed to bombard your senses. You will really enjoy the stunning view of the snow-speckled hills, glaciers as well as the different panoramas associated with Patagonia. Patagonia travel is much more thrilling while you explore the natural treasures by means of Patagonia hiking. You’ll witness with your eyes why lots of people are raving about Patagonia. To make your life simpler during your trip, here I will discuss a few striking Patagonia trails you could add to your itinerary.

W Trail

Torres del Paine National Park is an amazing spot for trekking in Patagonia. You’ll be able to take the well-known W Route to be able to see and explore the region. The path forms the shape of a W, which provides its name. Trekking in Patagonia can be be extremely exhausting, but it can pay off with thanks to the incredible Cordillera del Paine, Asencio Valley together with the Grey Glacier. When going into the park, you’ll catch a peek at the mountains as well as the native creatures, such as condors and guanacos. As you go along the route, you’ll come across various magnificent vistas of the Asencio river area including the well-known Paine massif. All of these granite structures happen to be the most esteemed destination inside the park and you can go camping in the area. The icebergs of Grey Glacier are one of the features of Patagonia hiking.

Ruta de los Arrieros

There are a lot of off-the-beaten course tracks for trekking in Patagonia that you can consider. Ruta de los Arrieros is among the distant spots that will seriously impress nature lovers. You will be heading to the mountains and lakes and up to the splendid Futaleufu River. Pursuing the path you’ll make it to the lovely top of Cerro Teta. Going down the Espolon River you will encounter the appealing beauty of Azul Valley. Trekking Ruta de los Arrieros would be incomplete if you’ll forget the tough journey of crossing the lengthy bridge above the Futaleufu River.

Fitzroy Trail

Trekking Fitzroy trail will certainly connect you with one of the more spectacular parks in the continent, the Los Glaciares National Park. You can find above 40 extensive glaciers found while trekking in Patagonia on the Fitzroy trail, along with the world renowned forms of the Fitzroy Massif. The trekking will start at Fitzroy trail to Rio Blanco where you can unwind at the campsite Poincenot. When you keep going on the trail you’ll get to Laguna Los Tres where you will see the fantastic Mount Fitz Roy as well as Cerro Torre.

5 Top Countries for Backpackers

July 2nd, 2011

Travel writers classify backpacking in the genre of “adventure travel,” and for good reason. Backpackers enjoy the sights up close, and can interact closely with local folks, experiencing cuisine and customs that other travelers may not be party to.

With this said, what are key considerations for a great backpacking destination?

  • The natural beauty of the area.
  • The cultural highlights of the country.
  • Your personal safety.
  • The framework of any time and money constraints.

1. Bolivia

This South American country offers very high bang for your buck: the landscapes are stellar–some of the best in the world–and the cost of living is truly inexpensive. Hike one of the many Incan trails, or check out La Paz or Sucre. Bolivia boasts its Altiplano, and the largest salt flat in the world, the Salar de Uyuni.

2. Turkey

If you’re looking for a unique blend of East meets West, look no further than the cultural melting pot of Turkey. With its juxtaposition between the two world views, Turkey delivers a cultural richness that will intrigue you. This country also happens to proffer some incredible scenery of its own. Whether your bent is natural beauty, such as that of Nemrut Dagi Milli National Park, or you prefer delving into ancient history with towns such as Ephesus, Ani, or historical ruins, you’ll find that Turkey fits the bill. Energetic Istanbul grooves to a vibe of its own.

3. Ireland

Hoping to visit Europe, but not heading as far east as Turkey? Ireland is a fabulous place for a backpacking trek because of that jaw-dropping scenery. The Irish are a hospitable people, too, and are proud of their rich culture and deep historical roots. Drop into Dublin for some fun, but be sure to visit the coastal beauty of Connemara and the charming Aran Islands. Killarney National Park offers some beautiful mountain treks.

4. Morocco

Got the itch for somewhere really exotic? Try the desert terrain of Morocco, which offers not only some great mountain landscapes and a wonderful coastline, but some mighty tasty food, too. Morocco is where Africa, the Middle East and Europe meet up and shake hands, and so this historical fusion of cultures can be seen in a variety of ways.

5. Australia

Solid travel infrastructure? Check. Exciting cities like Melbourne and Sydney? Check. A wide variety in natural attractions? Check. Australia may be more expensive than some other backpacking destinations, but offers such highlights as Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Ocean Road, and its outback.

Let your wanderlust propel you into making some memories for a lifetime, and get into some adventure travel of your own.