I found the sunsets of Antarctic summer wondrous. Seeing the sun set behind the icebergs was surreal. These photos were taken at 1130 pm, and even when the sun sank, the light remained. The sun actually rises just a couple of hours after it sets. My roommate and I slept with the drapes open because we wanted to be able to see the incredible scenery if we woke during the “night”. The entire trip seemed like a fantasy. 
Ft Myers is not a new destination for me. I have an aunt and uncle who live there, and we’ve been visiting for over 20 years. I’ve taken my children, met up with my cousins, and spent many days hanging out with family. I had never stayed on the beach, though, and this time I decided I wanted to get the feel of Ft Myers as a vacation destination. Pink Shell Beach Resort was my choice, and I will definitely be going back! Staying on the beach makes all the difference!
Our room was in the main building, and it was more suite or apartment than room. It came with a fully equipped kitchen, incredible views, and comfortable surroundings. Settling in took a few moments, then we headed to the beach! The sand is soft, almost like flour, with a huge vista and plenty of walking space. My relatives in Ft Myers are elderly now, and rarely get out, but we made sure they enjoyed time at the Pink Shell Resort. The ocean and fresh air do wonders for us all. I did not have enough time to fully enjoy the amenities…I wanted to eat at Jacks, a farm to fork restaurant, and I missed a nice visit to the spa. Next time!
The Pink Shell has resident Ospreys and Falcons. They even have an Osprey Cam! Check it out and enjoy watching these Ospreys!
Please enjoy a trip to Ft Myers via these photographs, and Pink Shell Beach Resort, I will be staying with you again! Count on it!
Don’t forget to check out my reviews, and fabulous hotels, on TripAdvisor!
I am so excited to announce that Red Travel Mexico and Travels with Tam are offering a fantastic trip to the Mexican Baja! There is something for everyone: scuba, snorkeling on a reef that is 20,000 years old, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions, kayaking, and of course, just relaxing! Where does all this wonderful activity happen? In Cabo Pulmo, Mexico and La Paz, Mexico, about two hours from Cabo San Lucas. The dates are December 3-9, 2017. Let’s go on a travel adventure together, and you can learn about
Citizen Science if you would like to!
Cabo Pulmo is an exciting example of what a marine park can be. Ten years ago Cabo Pulmo became a National Marine Park, allowing no fishing. In ten years the ocean life has multiplied 463%! This sleepy place has not yet become a tourist haven, and one can enjoy quiet, unspoiled beauty. We will visit beautiful, protected locations with expert guides. Want to stay longer? You can extend your trip in La Paz, or head two hours west to Cabo San Lucas.
You can learn all about the trip at Red Travel Mexico with Tam Warner Minton! Hurry and book, the first 6 to sign up will receive a $250.00 discount!
Looking for a little adventure this winter? You may want to head to Finland! While largely associated with Lapland, Finland offers a wide range of activities for the adrenaline junkie. Boasting more than 188,000 lakes and striking, dramatic coastline, it’s particularly popular for those who love to kayak, sail and canoe. Whatever activity you enjoy, Finland really does have it all. In this post, we will take a look at some of the reasons why Finland is the perfect winter holiday adventure getaway.
Explore beautiful, unique landscapes
The dramatic landscapes of Finland make it an ideal destination for hikers. You’ll get to witness things you’d never even dreamed of. Take a hike and climb up frozen waterfalls, or discover hidden gems in the dense, remarkable forests. Finland is also home to 39 national parks and in 2017, when it celebrates its 100th year as an independent nation, a 40th will be added. They’re equally distributed around the country and all feature lakes, forests, peat lands and fells as well as showcasing unmistakeable natural characteristics such as rapids, rift valleys and eskers. As well as giving holiday-makers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenery by spotting rare animals and plants, Finland’s national parks are ideal for climbing, snowshoeing and other outdoor pursuits
Snow activities galore
Of course, one of the main things that draws adventurers to Finland is the snow! Those looking for a proper winter adventure will find plenty to keep them happy in this snow-rich destination. From dogsledding and snowmobiling to skiing and snowboarding – there’s something to suit the whole family.
There are hundreds of hidden pathways leading to ancient sites few have even seen. One particular sight you won’t want to miss is the rock labyrinth situated only a short distance from Helsinki. Hiking through Finland truly is an experience you’ll never forget.
If you’re a real adrenaline junkie, snowmobiling is something you’ll definitely want to try. Capable of reaching over 60mph, you can choose to go it alone or take part in a guided tour. Those hoping for a more relaxed activity holiday will find dogsledding a much better alternative.
Winter in Finland is roughly December to March but you can still get snow in Lapland from as early as October and until May. However, if you’re planning to head to Finland in winter, then it’s wise to wrap up warm as temperatures near the lakes can go as low as -5C.
Sauna
All this adventure-seeking will probably mean holidaymakers will want some time to unwind and what better way to do so than with a traditional Finnish sauna. For Finns, Saunas are a must at regular intervals and to go too long without one is virtually unheard of. For centuries it has been a place of physical and spiritual cleansing and rather than a luxury as saunas are more an essential daily experience and an integral part of their culture.
Holidaymakers should remember however that getting invited to a sauna is an honour and not one that should be declined without a good reason as spending time in a sauna with someone is believed to be somewhat of a bonding process. Indeed, it is often said that in Finland, more important decisions get made in the sauna than in meeting rooms.
Other than that though, there are no real rules when it comes to the sauna and the way it is done totally depends on your mood and the occasion. Most Finns would agree that the most important thing is to relax, socialise and enjoy the blissful post-sauna feeling of having cleansed both your body and mind
Northern Lights
Finland is home to some of the best spots to search for the northern lights, or aurora borealis. This beautiful natural phenomenon lights up the night sky with bright, colourful lights. It is created by electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and can be seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemisphere.
Although the clarity of lights is famously unpredictable they are usually visible on roughly 200 nights a year – or every other clear night in Finnish Lapland and it truly is an unforgettable sight if you are lucky enough to catch them. Though the more traditional ways to go Aurora spotting are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, via snowmobile or dog touring there are a number of dedicated trips and guided tours allowing you to experience the lights, along with the unique landscapes and traditional cuisine.
The Grand Lake Saimaa
The largest Lake District in Europe being homed in such a scarcely populated country means there’s an absolute abundance of scenery across the shoreline. Allow the wilderness to consume your thoughts or get inspired by the vast clear lakes intricately splintered by islands, isthmuses and green spits. At approximately 4400 square kilometres, it was formed by glacial melting at the end of the last Ice Age and due to its almost labyrinthine form, is perfect for kayaking. In the shelter of archipelago, there are virtually no waves, making kayaking routes suitable for even the most inexperienced paddlers
Can’t decide what to do?
With so many activities on offer, it can be difficult deciding what to do on your Finland getaway. Exodus Travels Limited has a great solution for those struggling to make up their mind. The company’s Finnish Wilderness Week features several activities in one of the more remote parts of the country.
You’ll get to experience the unspoilt wilderness, while staying in warm, cosy accommodation. There’s also a range of other great packages on offer, providing something for the entire family. Want to enjoy a more relaxing holiday? Why not head to see the Northern Lights? Considered one of the most spectacular natural phenomena’s, the Northern Lights are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Overall, Finland is a fantastic place to visit in the winter months. The UK doesn’t quite have the same magical winter feel, so if you’re looking to build up your excitement as Christmas draws near, heading to Finland is exactly what you need.
Is The Scenic 17 Mile Drive along the California Coast Worth It? Oh, yes, it definitely is!
On our recent trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, we were delighted to find that we were only a mile from the entrance to the Scenic 17 Mile Drive which winds through the Pebble Beach area. It truly is a magnificent drive, especially along the coast. We did the drive three times, and had very different experiences. The first time we drove by ourselves, and it was a sunny, perfect day with the bluest skies and sea you could ever hope for. The second time we went with friends, and it was very foggy, and had a different type of beauty…almost forlorn, I would say. Our third drive was to famous Spanish Bay, where the first rate golf course closes each night with a Bagpiper, walking from the 3rd Hole to the Club, at sunset. I will say it is absolutely the best way to spend a sunset in Pebble Beach! [Read more…] about Is The Scenic 17 Mile Drive along the California Coast Worth It?
When going on a holiday with different generations of your family it can be hard to find a one size fits all destination. Young children want exciting thrills and spills, teenagers love activities and opportunities to escape their parents by making new friends, parents want a little bit of relaxation time and the older generation a bit of culture seeking. The best way to accommodate all of these different interests is with a family friendly cruise from the Bolsover Cruise Club. Here are the best cruise trips for multigenerational holidays:
The Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruising the Med with the Norwegian Cruise Line is ideal for a multi-generational holiday. With plenty of cultural ports and interesting cities on the agenda, the range of different types of stops includes cool cities like Barcelona to pretty Greek Islands and plenty of days at sea for sunbathing and making friends on deck. From evening magic shows to fine dining opportunities, the amount of variety on board means there is something that all different generations will enjoy plus plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy together.
Carnival Cruises
A cruise ship that’s ideal for those families who’ve had to drag the teenagers along with them. Carnival cruises offers night time events for 15-17 year olds and teenagers only excursions so you can spend some time apart whilst on holiday, then it will be so much more fun meeting up again to catch up on what you’ve both been up to. This gives adults some much welcomed relaxation time to do some sunbathing or go visit a historical museum without the ‘I’m bored’ chorus haunting their holiday.
Disney Cruises
Although Disney cruises are specifically geared up for children, this makes them ideal for families as there’s plenty of time for adults to catch a break and enjoy themselves too. The entertainment on an evening is of a really high standard and ideal for all the family to enjoy together and the amount of different day time activities to choose from means that there are options for all the family to do something with their day which they enjoy.
Generally, use your common sense when looking for a cruise which will appeal to all the generations. Luxury cruising tends to cater more towards adults and couples whereas some liners calling at the more cultural hot spots tend to be a little boring for children, so it’s all about checking out the facilities on board and making sure that there is something for everyone!
Check out http://www.bolsovercruiseclub.com/
