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Posts Tagged ‘snow capped mountains’

The Island of South Georgia

December 19th, 2009 No comments

The island of South Georgia, an inhospitable frozen wasteland of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and freezing winds, lies in the southern Atlantic Ocean east of Tierra del Fuego.

This remote Antarctic island is part of the British territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The British claim to sovereignty of South Georgia dates from 1775 when Captain Cook landed here and dismissed the island as not worth discovering. Argentina also claimed the island in 1027, an unresolved dispute which contributed to the 1982 Falklands war when Argentine forces briefly occupied South Georgia.

In 1916 Ernest Shackleton became stranded on Elephant Island to the south-west, while on his Imperial Straits Antarctic Expedition, Shackleton and a small group of men left the rest of the party to summon help and ended up, after an arduous journey, at King Haakon Bay on the south coast of South Georgia.

They then managed to make it overland to reach help at Stromness whaling station, which led to the rescue of the remaining men. Daring a later expedition in 1922, Shackleton died on board a ship off South Georgia and he is buried on the island at Grytviken.

There is no permanent human population on South Georgia, only the British Government Officer, research scientists and museum staff at Grytviken, but there are enormous populations of penguins, the largest colonies anywhere on earth, with around 400,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, two million pairs of the macaroni penguins and large colonies of four other species.

Visitors come here to watch penguin couples overcome the extreme climatic conditions and nurture their precious eggs through hatching and the vulnerable chick stage into fully fledged members of the colony. The charming creatures work tirelessly together avoiding the seals that lurk in the shallows waiting to pounce and protecting their young from ferocious skua gulls who will snatch one and tear it to shreds.

When he landed here in the 18th century, Captain Cook noted the huge seal and whale populations around the island, but just two hundred years later both had been hunted nearly to extinction. South Georgia is, however, home to 95 per cent of the world’s southern fur seals, half the southern elephant seals, 250,000 Albatrosses, including the massive Wandering Albatross, and up to ten million other seabirds, making a trip here a totally unique experience.

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Deer Valley Resort Vacations Offer Many Lodging options

July 8th, 2009 No comments
by Robin Rutecki

Deer Valley vacation rentals are one of the reasons that Deer Valley Resort is such a popular vacation destination. Perfectly placed in the mountains, Deer Valley rentals offer vacationers many diverse options to choose from when planning a vacation. You can’t go wrong anytime of the year at one of America’s most popular mountain destinations.

While the places to stay are wonderful exciting attractions, the snow capped mountains and sparkling lakes are worthy of praise themselves. The landscape is scenic enough that the 2002 winter Olympics held several events on the majestic mountains that tower over the surrounding areas.

Deer Valley vacation rentals offer a lot to choose from. You can stay on the slopes of the mountains in a plush ski-in ski-out residence or choose a well appointed condo for two. The whole family can stay in a large townhouse overlooking a lake that, I’m sure I saw on a couple of post cards. Choosing where you will stay is an important component of your vacation, but no matter what you decide, Deer Valley vacation rentals are always a great choice.

Deer Valley rental condos are an excellent option. Ranging from one bedroom to more than five, multiple families can share the expenses leaving more money for dining out or activities. A lot of the areas condos are privately owned, which means a personal touch from someone who cares about the properties upkeep and well-being.

Be sure to save time and a little money for shopping and dining during on your stay. While the extras aren’t terribly expensive, there are countless opportunities to choose from and your going to want to try as many as possible. Skiing, snowmobiling, tubing, and ice skating are prominent in the winter. Golf, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor concerts are popular in summer. No matter what time of year you visit Deer Valley, there will be plenty to keep you entertained.

If you don’t care about activities and want to stay inside during your get away, then this is the perfect place. It’s nearly impossible to find a Deer Valley vacation rental that’s not equipped with a fireplace. What you might not expect are the washing machines and spacious fully equipped kitchens. Relax at ease in a hot tub or enjoy the comforts of a bear skin rug placed perfectly in front of a crackling fire place.

Maybe you’re interested in a truly high end vacation experience. Deer Valley Resort offers some of the most luxurious lodging options in the world. Inquire about a private home rental in the exclusive Bald Eagle, Deer Crest, or Flagstaff neighborhoods to treat yourself to the best. These Deer Valley vacation rentals cater to those with expensive taste, but are well worth every penny.

Whether you come for the beauty or the skiing, Deer Valley Resort has many fantastic vacation rental choices for your vacation. Fill your time with events and tours or stay in and play all day. Just don’t miss out on the vacation of a lifetime.

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Switzerland’s Best Hotels Offer Unparalleled Beauty, Hospitality

January 28th, 2009 No comments

With its snow-capped mountains and quaint villages, Switzerland is a fairy tale land, full of adventure and beauty. It is here you will find some of Europe’s best offerings – fine cuisine, world-class skiing and picture-perfect scenery.

Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in the world, is found in Genevaa beautiful old city bisected by the river Rhone. Definitely a walking tour is in order here with Geneva’s marvelous selections of fine shops, fantastic restaurants and inspiring cathedrals. After you have exhausted the beauty of this quaint city, head out for Lausanne, Zurich or even St. Moritz where you will be astounded by the plethora of nature at its best.

Karen Brown, a prolific travel writer, suggests numerous itineraries for assistance in planning the perfect vacation to this wondrous land. Included at KarenBrown.com are maps and activities that make choosing your travel spots fun and simple. The following inns and hotels have been chosen and voted on by her readers as being the very best that Switzerland has to offer:

Encamped in the Anniviers Valley lies the quaint village of Grimentz, filled with brilliant flowers in the summer and excellent snow pack in the winter. The family-run Hotel de Moiry is located here and was named the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value.” This charming whitewashed inn is absolutely genuine Swiss at its best. Enjoy traditional Swiss food including savory fondues and crisp strudels, while taking in the views from the terrace or, if snowy weather arrives, in the dining room before a blazing fire.

With beauty to be found in every corner of Switzerland, the country is an excellent spot for a romantic vacation. The Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann in Lucerne is a perfect spot from which to rekindle your love. The hotel, which dates back to the 16th century, has been selected as the “Most Romantic” lodging choice in Switzerland by Karen Brown’s readers. Each of the guest rooms and suites has been decorated individually. While not adjacent to Lake Lucerne, several of the rooms offer river views as does the hotel’s restaurant.

The Hotel Privata in Sils-Maria, comfortably ensconced between mountains, sprawling meadows and pristine lakes, has been awarded the Karen Browns Readers’ Choice Award for “Warmest Welcome” in Switzerland. Hiking trails are in abundance here. Venture into the mountains, take a lazy stroll by pristine lakes or lose yourself in the lush atmosphere of the wide meadows. Offering extremely comfortable guest rooms, the Hotel Privata also presents a lovely, spacious dining room with windows overlooking an opulent back garden.

The recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice award for the best “Splendid Splurge” in Switzerland is the Hotel Rote Rose and its guesthouse, Engelfrid. Situated on a hill of vineyards, this meticulously restored building boasts rooms decorated with elegant antiques and carefully selected furnishings. While no restaurant is available, breakfast is fabulous with choices of fresh piping hot breads, cheeses, yogurts and beverages. The landscape is unforgettable with ivy covering the exterior of the building and seasonal flowers blooming throughout this charming medieval town of Regensberg.

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