Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States, is considered to be one of the largest in the world. It is nearly 446 kilometers long, and in some places it is about 6,000 feet deep. The Colorado River also runs through the area. Today, it is one the top destinations in the US offering several activities to keep visitors busy and entertained.

Things to Do:

Hiking: There are several hiking trails in the Grand Canyon. Some of these trails are natural, while others are created by hikers. The Canyon is divided into North, South, East and West rims, and each rim has its own set of trails that leads towards the Colorado River. Furthermore, there are several hotels and campsites scattered around the Grand Canyon, so there always is a source to purchase supplies. If you do not feel like hiking, you can always rent horses, bikes or mules to explore the natural beauty of the Canyon. Some of the things that you can see while hiking include the Tusayan ruins, Grand Canyon Village, the national park and the Grand Canyon skywalk.

Rafting: Your visit would be incomplete without witnessing the raw power and beauty of the Colorado River. One of the best places for rafting is the Deer Creek Falls. You can also go to Havasu Canyon, which is located in a valley and has four waterfalls cascading down cliffs. Here it is possible to swim and fish. Similarly, there are several waterfalls and water bodies where it is possible to go kayaking or rafting, and if there are not too many people around, you can even spend some time fishing.

Tours: There are guided tours that allow you to see the beauty of the mountain and canyon. These tours are be conducted by land, air or railway. If you take the land tour, it will be via a shuttle service, and you can see sights such as El Tovar, Hopi House, Lookout Studio, Kolb Studio, Sante Fe Railway Station and Bright Angel Lodge. The air tour lasts for 30 minutes and allows you to get an aerial view of the magnificent Canyon. It is truly awe-inspiring once you see this unique geological formation from the sky. The railway tour is operated by the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, which was constructed in 1909. The tour runs all the way from Williams until the South rim of the National Park.

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in traveling. He also offers top quality articles like:
Grand Canyon History, Grand Canyon Tours

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Botswana - Top 5 Things to See

Following on from my other 'Top things to See' features, here's the shortlist for the top 5 things to see in Botswana. It's a fascinating country and whilst most of the attractions listed below are focused predominantly around wildlife, there is plenty more to this stunning country if you've got the time to explore.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, home to the San Bushmen, is the largest game reserve in Botswana. It's arid conditions are often considered inhospitable; however, when the summer rains arrive in Deception Valley the plains come to life and offer visitors a fantastic safari experience. Grazing species such as gemsbok, sprinkbok and other antelope, predators such as lion and cheetah and a plethora of other wildlife are all to be found here. Some consider the game viewing in the Central Kalahari during this time to offer an experience similar to that of the migrations in nearby Tanzania and Kenya. The habitat is also a favourite for reptiles, scorpions and insects as they have been able to adapt to the erratic conditions of the area.

Learning more about the traditional San people of the Kalahari is an incredibly interesting experience and allows the visitor to find out more about how these nomadic people live side by side with their environment.

Chobe National Park

The second largest national park in Botswana, Chobe has some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife found in Africa. Probably, most famous for its huge migratory elephant population (somewhere in the region of 120,000 individuals!), the park also boasts good numbers of other animals and is also popular with migrating birds.

The Chobe National Park is diverse and has much to appeal to all visitors, with four distinct ecosystems being apparent within its boundaries. You can experience, the lush and dense forests of the Serondela by the banks of the Chobe river, the marshlands around the Savute Channel, the swamps of the Linyanti and the hot dry plains in between.

The park is a great destination all year round, although game concentrations are particularly high during the drier month, generally between April and October.

Makgadikgadi Pan

Makgadikgadi Pan started life as a large lake, but many years ago the water evaporated and left behind a glistening salt-encrusted pan. Today, this striking natural feature made up of two large salt pans, Sowa and Ntwetwe and a number of smaller pans, is thought to be the largest salt pan in the world. The Makgadikgadi Pan and surrounding nutritious grasslands are home to a large number of predators and antelope species. Huge flocks of breeding flamingos flock to the pan as do many other bird species.

Whilst the wildlife here is fascinating, it is the remoteness and uniqueness of the pan itself that is the main attraction. Sunset over the Makgadkigadi Pan is not to be missed as the changing light casts wonderful shadows against the shimmering surface of the pan and makes for some startling photographs and images to treasure.

Moremi Game Reserve

Covering the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve offers visitors a great mix of floodplains, forested areas and open savannah plains. Such habitat provides refuge for around 500 bird species as well as other wildlife species including leopard, giraffe, lion, cheetah, hippo, hyena and red lechwe. In addition the reserve is home to a large percentage of Africa's population of wild dogs - catching a glimpse of these endangered beautiful 'painted' creatures is certainly something special.

Taking a mokoro trip is a must here and it allows the visitor to observe wildlife from a slightly different perspective as you traverse the lagoons and channels. You can also explore in a vehicle or on foot. Visit during July to October for peak game viewing when the pan starts to dry up and wildlife focuses its attention around the permanent water.

Okavango Delta

One of the world's largest inland water systems, the Okavango Delta is a highlight for many visitors to Botswana. The deltas famous floods are created by the Angolan rains and a number of other tributaries which flow down through Namibia and into Botswana to create the watermass for which this area is famous. At peak flow, the Delta covers an area of around 16,000 km shrinking to less than 9,000km in the dry season.

The Delta is home to great animal and birdlife, including large numbers of crocodile, sitatunga, elephant and wattled crane to name but a few. Ornithologists should time their visit during the rainy season (November to May) for best bird viewing, whilst animal life is at its most prolific along the flooded areas during the May to October period when the vegetation has started to dry out.

Choose to explore the Okavango Delta in a vehicle, on foot, on elephant back or in a mokoro (a traditional type of canoe)!

Joanna French is a conservation scientist, founder of http://www.ecotravelafrica.co.uk/ and supporter of conservation and development initiatives across the world. ecoTravel Africa promotes and supports responsible travel to natural areas that helps to conserve the environment and improves the well-being of local people. ecoTravel Africa creates tailor-made itineraries for either self drive, guided or small group travel that allow the traveller to be sure that they are travelling responsibly on any budget, whilst benefiting the environment and communities that they visit.

Check out our blog at http://www.ecotravelafrica.co.uk/#/eta-blog/4553148039

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Canadian Travel - 10 Things You Should Experience in Banff, Alberta

1. Hiking Trails (easy) - there are some amazing trails within walking distance from the town of Banff. Some easy and rewarding hikes are to the Vermillion Lakes, the Marsh trail near the Cave and Basin, and to the Bow Falls. These are fun family hikes and great opportunities to see wildlife.

2. Hiking Trails (moderate) - for these trails a little ascent is required. One of the best and most rewarding is the Tunnel Mountain hike. Follow switch backs for about 30 minutes to reach some amazing views of the town of Banff on one side and the Banff Springs Golf Course and Rundle Mountain on the other. A slightly tougher hike is to the Sulphur Mountain lookout. Allow 45-60 minutes to reach the top. There is a gondola to the top which is great for a lot of people, but for those who are adventurous enough to hike up, the ride down the gondola is free.

3. Hiking Trails (difficult) - one of the more difficult trails out of Banff is to the top of Mount Rundle. Allow a full day for this one which can be quite a grueling slog through dense forests that only gets tougher and tougher the higher you go. Once at the top, however, you quickly realize that it was all worth it as the views are indescribable.

4. A night's stay at the Rimrock Resort Hotel - if you're going to do it, you want to do it right. The Rimrock has big rooms filled with all the latest amenities, great facilities like a pool, spa, hot tub and gym. There is also a great selection of restaurants including Eden, a Five Diamond fine dining room (one of only five in Canada) that is renowned for its French cuisine, using local ingredients, and a spectacular selection of wines. The best thing about the Rimrock is that it's set outside of the town of Banff, perched on the side of Sulphur Mountain, surrounded by nature. You can check out the Rimrock Resort Hotel.

5. The best Greek food this side of Greece - Barpa Bill's Souvlaki is a great little hole-in-the-wall located off the main drag on Bear St. You would never find this place unless someone told you about it. Once there indulge yourself with a souvlaki, Greek salad and the best fries in Alberta all at great prices.

6. Take the historic tour of the Banff Springs Hotel - an entertaining 45 minutes led by hotel historian Dave Moberg who has been at the hotel longer than any other current staff member. Besides Dave Moberg's passion for the hotel, the highlight is Mount Stephen Hall. This is a great way to get insight and see the hotel especially if you can't afford to stay in one of their rooms.

7. Try the exotic food at the Grizzly House - this is a Banff landmark situated on Banff Avenue. Famous for its Fondue, the Grizzly House offers everything from steaks and venison to alligator and frogs legs, in a unique setting.

8. Evelyn's Coffee Shop - there are a few different locations around the town to enjoy Evelyn's great coffee and freshly baked goods. This is where the locals drink coffee.

9. Coyotes Southwestern Grill - a great place for lunch and home to amazing veggie burgers. It's a small, cozy place that can get quite busy.

10. Photo along Banff Avenue looking at Cascade Mountain - everyone does it because it really is an amazing sight. Cascade Mountain looks right down on the main street in Banff. No trip to Banff is complete without this photo.

Noal Bram is a freelance writer who travels everywhere. He only submits his work to edgy sources like Canada's Travel Network.

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Cycling in Spain: Girona and the Costa Brava, 5 Things To Know Before Your Bike Tour

You might be asking yourself, "Where is Girona, the Costa Brava and Catalonia and why are so many cyclists talking about it?" Well Girona is located roughly half way between the bustling city of Barcelona and the French border to the north. The Costa Brava is the name given to the coastal region that stretches along the Mediterranean for a similar distance. Both are located within Catalonia.

For the last decade Girona has truly started to emerge out of the shadow of its larger sibling to the south, Barcelona. Retaining a smaller town vibe and delighting the visitor with both its historic old town center and its gastronomic choices, Girona is a must-see destination for today's traveler. For those seeking a bike tour in Spain, Girona also acts as the perfect base from which to explore. Here are five things to know before you arrive:

Catalonia (aka, Catalunya) is an autonomous, self-governing community within Spain. The Catalan Parliament is one of the oldest in Europe with its origins dating back to 1283, well before the modern Spanish State.
Catalan, along with Spanish, is the official language here. While a romance language like Spanish, French, Italian, etc., it is distinctly different. As a distinction for English speakers, it's good to know that the Spanish language is often referred to as "Castellano" and not "Español".
Catalan cuisine follows many of the traditions of Spanish cooking, but has a unique sensibility all its own. The focus is often on simple, fresh ingredients that may sound straightforward (ex. "pa amb tomàquet", literally "bread with tomato"), but are filled with flavor and are definitely not to be missed during your visit!
Girona has become the home to many non-European pro cyclists, looking for the perfect location on the continent in which to train when they are not racing. It's not uncommon to see pros gathering a cafe pre/post ride or out on the routes that have made Girona so famous as a cycling destination.
Location, Location, Location. Beyond the picturesque cobblestone streets and ancient walls that Girona is often known for, it is also a town in the perfect location for cycling. The terrain is moderately rolling, the Mediterranean coast is less than 20 miles away to the east and foothills to the Pyrenees are about 30 miles to the northwest. It benefits from a true Mediterranean climate. And located just 60 miles to the south, Barcelona offers not only a world class cosmopolitan experience, but acts as an easy gateway for North American flights.

Jace Gifford is the founder of In Situ Travel, LLC. In Situ offers bike tours in Europe for the avid cyclist.

Have you always wanted to challenge yourself on some of Europe's most famous cycling routes in France, Italy, Spain and Germany? Would you like to take a bike tour in Girona and the Costa Brava? Jace invites you to explore In Situ's Bike Tours in Europe to find the trip that's right for you.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the place to visit if you want to spend time in a city that has much you can explore. From villas owned by rich merchants to vibrant parks with splashes of vivid colors, Amsterdam has it all. The nightlife in the city is captivating as are the small but grand festivals that take place throughout the year. Here are the top ten things you can do when you are in Amsterdam:

Go on Canal Tours

The beautiful canals in Amsterdam have been key to transportation and defense in the 17th century. In 2010, all 165 canals in the city were identified as UNESCO monuments. Most boat tours will take you along the Canal Belt and Center. You will have plenty of options to for traveling along the waters and seeing the canals. Open boats, private boats, dinner cruise tours and special-themed tours are a few options.

Glimpse the Memories of World War II

Anne Frank House, a memorial of World War II, has been made a museum. It holds the famed "secret annex" in which Anne Frank and her family hid. It was there that she wrote in her diary. Verzetsmuseum is dedicated to the couple that hid the Franks. The historical museum is recognized as one of the best in Netherlands. A few other museums in Amsterdam are - the Jewish Historical Museum and Dutch National Museum.

Tulip Season

Netherlands prides itself on its spectacular bulb flowers like tulips. To see the magnificent flowers in bloom, visit Keukenhof in Lisse. This bulb-flower park is one of the most visited in the city. Rows of colorful flowers line the park during tulip season. Many varieties of tulips are showcased in the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. The museum places emphasis on their history and cultural significance. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam and Bloenmenmarkt are a few other places you should go to, for an eyeful of tulips.

Bicycle Rides

For a taste of how half the people in Amsterdam explore the city, hire a bicycle and go for a ride. During peak hours, the bicycle lanes in the city are choc-a-bloc with bikers. Just about everyone rides a bike - students, parents with children and office-goers. You can hire a bike and buy a map designed specifically to guide bikers, and ride through the city. If you're not sure about your biking skills, take a guided tour by bike.

Delve into Dutch Cuisine

After spending your day looking through what the city has to offer, visit one of the many restaurants that serve traditional Dutch cuisine. Most of the dishes in this cuisine are comfort food. Some of the local favorites are stamppot boerenkool, pancakes, Gouda cheese, French fries and erwtensoep. For a taste of exotic dishes, restaurants that serve Suriname and Indonesian food are the best. You can savor rijsttafel, a presentation of several Indonesian dishes.

Cannabis Cafes and Drinks

Cafes that serve space cakes, drinks and coffees are among some of the most visited places in Amsterdam. They showcase various aspects of the city's culture through art and craft exhibits that were originally created as forms of self-expression.

Shopping in Designer Stores and Flea Markets

Amsterdam has an interesting mix of some of the best retail and fashion stores, and flea markets. You can go shopping for Versace, Gucci and Prada merchandise in the city. The Nine Streets' exclusive boutiques are the right place for those who want an exclusive, upscale shopping experience. The flea markets in the city offer some of the most interesting items that have been a part of Amsterdam's history.

Take in the Finest Art

The city has some of the best modern and fine art museums in Netherlands. Rembrandt's work has made the artist's residence, now known as the Museum het Rembrandthuis, its home. The interiors of the museum have been redone to look grand. The Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit, especially for those who love modern art.

Explore the Street Art Scene

The art scene in Amsterdam is not restricted to the museums and exhibitions in the city. You can get a glimpse of the skills of its artists on the street. The art scene on Amsterdam's streets is dynamic, vibrant and enriching. Sculptures, graffiti and stenciled poetry on city walls are just a few of the artistic elements that can capture your attention.

Listen to Jazz and Rock Music

One thing no visitor to Amsterdam should miss out on is the city's jazz music. As the jazz capital of Europe, the city has a lot to offer music enthusiasts. From local trios that perform in cafes and bars, to international jazz musicians, you will find them all in Amsterdam.

Bart van de Grift is an art historian and tour guide in Amsterdam. He specializes in art and historical excursions in Amsterdam

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