Far from the maddening crowds, a Dude Ranch vacation offers a great escape from your office and work. The vast outdoors, cool air of the mountains, horses which offer you a stable mount all go towards making a Dude Ranch vacation one of the best times that you have had along with your family. You must however consider some things while getting ready for a Dude Ranch vacation.

As such Dude Ranches were born to cater to the Eastern tourists who wanted to experience the life of the Wild West. The settlers in the west dint have the wherewithal to host these Eastern tourists, and so the Dude Ranches offered a perfect solution. The owners of ranches soon realized that in addition of the scenic beauty, the tourists wanted something more from their ranch vacations. This led the owners to build lodges, and customize guest programs so that more tourists would come.

In planning your farm holidays, you must first identify the location of the Dude Ranch that you want to visit. The activities offered by the Dude Ranch depend to an extent on its location. So keep this in mind. Also consider the financial aspect and choose according to your budget from the wide range of accommodations that Dude Ranches offer.

Most of the activities on the Dude Ranches are standard. However there are some activities that are particular to some Dude Ranches. For instance some of the Ranches are near fly fishing rivers and in such places fishing is a very popular activity. Hiking is another well liked but not anticipated Dude Ranch activity that is enjoyed by tourists.

Taking this outdoor vacation on a Dude Ranch also gives you an opportunity to learn about nature and land formations. You may even find some great relics like arrow heads and bones while out there.

Last but not the least; you can revel in four star comfort of the Dude Ranch. Good accommodations with hot tubs and pools are to be found on most Ranches. Kids can play in the pool while you just lounge about reading and relaxing.

Peter J. Mason
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/fantastic-farm-holidays-140016.html

For the golfer, Redding California has several public golf courses to choose from. Lake Redding Golf Course is a NCGA rated course located near the heart of downtown Redding. This course is a 9-hole course with a par of 32. If you prefer 18 holes of golf there is also the Gold Hills Course which is also close to downtown Redding. It has a course rating of 72.2 and is played on Bermuda grass. The Allen Golf course, which is eleven miles from Redding, is a 9-hole course with a 31 par and is the only course with 9 regulation holes. Lake Shastina Golf Resort offers 27 holes of golf with a tee to fit every age and ability. Lake Shasitna is nestled in the pines near Mount Shasta and only 60 miles from Redding.

Shasta Lake is the largest man-made reservoir in California and is just minutes from Redding. Shasta Lake offers a wide variety of water activities such as house boating, fishing, swimming and kayaking. Hiking trails are abundant at Shasta Lake. Most trails follow the lake shoreline so there are plenty of opportunities to go hiking, running or look at the wildlife. Three of the trails are loop trails that start and end at the same point. There are trails for the casual hiker as well as for the more experienced hiker. House boating is very popular at Shasta Lake. With 370 miles of shoreline there is never a problem finding a special place just for you. Tours of the Lake Shasta Caverns and Lake Shasta Dam are also available. Lake Shasta Caverns offers three adventures. A boat will take you across Shasta Lake to a bus that will take you on a scenic ride to the entrance of the caverns where you will tour eight awe-inspiring rooms. Tours of the Shasta Lake Dam are free and full of historical information.

Hiking trails are plentiful in the upper Sacramento River Valley as well. There are nine designated trailheads in Castle Crags State Park. All the trails are accessed at Castle Lake except the Cray Rock Lake trail.

There are about forty miles of easily accessible fly fishing along the Upper Sacramento River. Rainbow and Brown trout are the catch of the day and they are full of fight. Even though there are over fifteen freeway exit’s the Upper Sacramento River is not fished as heavily as it would seem.

The Upper Sacramento River is perfect for white water rafting. There are three stretches of water that offer great experiences for the beginner as well as for the more experienced rafter. With plenty of Rafting guides located within a half-hour of Redding this is an adventure to be considered.

Gabriel Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/recreational-activities-near-redding-ca-136579.html

Key West FL is the southernmost city in the Continental United States. Key West is a city and an island by the same name near the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys and encompasses the namesake island, the part of Stock Island north of US 1, Sigsbee Park and Sunset Key.

Many passenger cruise ships utilize Key West as a seaport. Key West International Airport also serves the area. Naval Air Station Key West offers a training site for Naval Aviation.

Key West is officially known for having the nation’s first and oldest continuous gay and lesbian chamber of commerce. Thus the city’s motto “One Human Family”

Kay West was inhabited by ancient peoples known as the Calusa People in Pre-Columbian times. Juan Ponce De Leon was the first European to visit the area and the island was known as Cayo Hueso. It was established as a fishing and salvage village with a small fort to protect the Spanish colony.

Cayo Hueso literally means “bone key” as it is said that the island is littered with the bones from an Indian battlefield or burial ground. It is thought that the name changed to Key West is an Anglicization of the word “Hueso” that could mean west in English. Many businesses on the island use the name.

Great Britain took control of Florida in the late 1700’s and relocated the Spaniards and Indians to Havana. Florida passed back to the Spanish 20 years later but they did not formally resettle. The island was used by fishermen from Cuba and joined by fishermen from the United States.

The island was deeded to Juan Pablo Salis in 1815 but when Florida was transferred to the United States Salas was eager to sell the island. First he sold it for a sloop valued at $575 and then to a US businessman named Simonton for about $2,000. The sloop trader sold it to a man named Geddes who could not secure rights to the property because Simonton had help from influential friends in Washington and gained clear title. Simonton bought the island because he had learned of the opportunities presented by the strategic location. Simonton’s friend John Whitehead, once stranded on the islands by a shipwreck had seen the deep harbor.

Lying 90 in a strategic location on the deep shipping lane Straits of Florida the harbor was considered the “Gibraltar of the West”. Matthew Perry said into the harbor in 1822 and physically planted the US flag to claim it as US property. He reported on the piracy problems and renamed it “Thompson’s Island” and named the harbor “Port Rodgers”. Neither name stuck. In 1823 Commodore David Porter took charge and tried to rule the island as a military dictator under martial law.

Simonton soon subdivided the island into plots and sold 3 undivided quarters of each plot to private individuals. Simonton spent the winter in Key West and then the summer in Washington to lobby for development of the island and for the establishment of a naval base. Among other first founders are Pardon Green who moved there permanently and became a prominent businessman. John Whitehead lived there for 8 years and partnered with Greene in the firm of “P.C. Greene and Company”. He left the island for good in 1832 returning only once during the Civil War. John Fleeming, active in the mercantile business in Alabama was a friend of Simonton. He spent only a few months in Key West before leaving to marry in Massachusetts. He returned to Key West intending to develop the slat manufacturing of the island but died soon after. The names of these founding fathers of modern Key West used as names for the main arteries of the island.

Many residents of Key West emigrated from the Bahamas. They were known as Counch. They arrived in ever increasing numbers after 1830. Sons and daughters of Loyalists fled to the nearest British soil during the American Revelation. Many of residents of Key West refer to themselves as Conchs and the term is now generally applied to all residents of Key West. The term “Fresh Water Counch” refers to a resident not “native born” but who has lived there for more than seven years. The name is derived from the tradition of placing a conch shell on a pole at the home of a new born baby.

“Bahama Village” is an area of Old town next to the Truman Annex largely inhabited by Bahaman immigrants.

Fishing, salt production and ocean salvage were major industries in the early 19th century. The salvage operations made Key West the largest and richest city in Florida and residents had a high concentration of fine furniture and fancy chandeliers which the locals used in their homes after taking them from shipwrecks on the Florida reefs.

During the Civil War Fort Zachary Taylor was established in Key West after Florida seceded and joined the confederate States of America. It was an important outpost and now contains the largest collection of Civil War cannons ever discovered in a single location.

In 1912 Key West was connected to the Florida mainland via the Overseas Railway extension. The railway created a landfill at Trumbon Point for rail yards. In 1935 the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed much of the railroad and hilled hundreds. About 400 World War I veterans living in camps there working on federal road projects and mosquito control projects in the Middle Keys were also killed. It was too expensive to restore the railroad. In 1938 The Federal Government rebuilt the rail lines as an automobile highway. Completed in 1938 it became an extension of the US Highway 1. The portion of US 1 running though the Keys is called the Overseas Highway.

Numerous artists and writers have come to the Keys but the two most associated with the island are Ernest Hemmingway and Tennessee Williams. Hemmingway reportedly wrote 2 novels “A Farewell to Arms” and “To Have and Have Not” while living in the Keys. The Ernest Hemingway House and Sloppy Joes Bar have become important tourist’s attractions. The Hemingway House is currently inhabited by six or seven toed polydactyl cats descended form Hemingway’s original pert named “Snowball”. The cats live on the grounds and are cared for by the Hemingway House even though the USDA complains about the number of them housed there. The Key West City Commission exempted the house from a law prohibiting more than four domestic animals per household.

Tennessee Williams is said to have written the first draft of “A Streetcar Named Desire” while staying at the La Concha Hotel. He bought a permanent house and listed Key West as his permanent residence. Williams’ home in the “unfashionable” New Town neighborhood is quite the contrast to the elegant Hemingway house. It is a very modest bungalow. The house is privately owned and is not open to the public. The Tenn4essee Williams Theatre is located on the campus of Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island.

Key West is much closer to Havana than to Miami. In 1890 it had a population of nearly 18,800 which made it the richest and biggest city in Florida. The population was nearly half Cuban descent and the city had a succession of Cuban mayors. Cubans were reportedly active in nearly 200 factories in town producing cigars.

The Battleship Maine was blown up after sailing from Key West to Havana which ignited the Spanish American War.

Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West to fly visitors to Havana.

John Kennedy used the phrase “90 miles to Cuba” in his speeches against Fidel Castro.

There were regular ferry and airplane services between Key West and Havana until the revelation in 1959. Refugees flooded into Key West during the Mariel Boatlift and continue to come across the dangerous stretch of waters.

In 1982 Key West and the rest of the Keys tried to declare independence and become the “Conch Republic” in a protest over US Border Patrol blockades. The blockade was set up in response to the Mariel Boatlift. This blockade created a 17 mile traffic jam when the Border Patrol stopped every car to search for illegal immigrants. The Florida Keys were virtually paralyzed as tourism nearly ground to a halt. Couch Republic flags and T shirts are still popular souvenirs for visitors. The Counch Republic Independence Celebration is celebrated each April 23.

Key West was always an important military post. At the beginning of World War II the Navy built the first water line extending the length of the Keys to serve the Naval Air Station. The main facility on Boca Chica is where the navy trains pilots. There are 3400 civilians and 16oo active duty military personnel along with family members. The area next to the old For Taylor became a submarine pen and was used for the Fleet Sonar School.

Kamyar Shah
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/key-west-florida-271927.html

If you are looking for miles of white sand beaches, a small rustic style inn on the beach, yet with all the luxury amenities you need, PLUS it has to be in The Caribbean, AND it mustn’t be mass market, then look no further than The Turtle Inn in Belize. The Turtle Inn offers both privacy and convenience. The palm-roofed cabanas, a beach house, and a bar and restaurant comprise the resort, and there are never more than thirty guests at any one time

The Turtle Inn is owned by Francis Ford Coppola, and the Italian influence, especially in the kitchen is noticeable!!

Location

Turtle Inn is on the southern coast of Belize, just north of the Creole fishing village of Placencia, which is located at the southern tip of a narrow 15-mile peninsular in the Stann Creek District. Separated from the mainland and the Maya Mountains by a pretty lagoon, the miles of white sandy beach considered the finest in Belize face due east toward the spectacular coral reefs and cayes.

Getting here

Belize is less than two hours by air from Houston, New Orleans and Miami.

The Sofia, a private Islander aircraft, can transport you from Belize City to Turtle Inn in less than an hour. Buses and commercial airlines also fly between Belize City and Placencia

Accommodation

Turtle Inn is a small and intimate inn on a big beach.

There are 18 bungalows, all right beside the beach, which are built in the style of traditional Balinese thatched huts, with large screened decks, ample living spaces, and ornate carved doors. Built by Mayan Indians they provide just the right amount of tropical ambience. Each is comfortably rustic and has a private bath with hot water, 110 volt electricity, ceiling fans and tropical hardwood interiors, with hammocks slung on the verandas. The two bedroom fully equipped beach house is ideal for honeymooners, couples and families desiring a little more independence.

Why Come Here

As total capacity is less than thirty, each guest is assured of receiving just the right amount of personalized attention. Individuals, couples, families and small groups return to The Turtle Inn year after year.

The inn provides a casual, warm atmosphere, great excursions and outstanding meals. Added to that the miles of white sand, the azure sea, the superb reef, fine dining, attentive staff……………… Your own Caribbean paradise

Dining

There are two dining choices.

Firstly the open air dining room, sheltered under a palm thatch roof, and cooled by sea breezes, is very comfortable and relaxed. Here you can enjoy food which has a genuine Italian Caribbean twist, including genuine pizzas prepared in a wood burning oven, and a wide variety of pasta and other traditional Italian Specials. The vegetables are all organic, and I’m not forgetting the abundant freshly caught seafood. Dining under lantern light is so romantic, and not to forget the menu changes every day. The lovely Belizean wait staff wear white linen shirts and sarongs.

In addition to the main restaurant, there is dining right on the beach under umbrellas. Plates are traditional wooden platters covered with banana leaf. In an all seafood menu you can choose your lobster (in season), prawns, river lobster and fish, conch cooked on the beach over glowing coconut husks and served to your table at the water’s edge.

The sand floor sunken “Pirate” bar is a fun place full of relics and tradition from Turtle Inn’s rich and quirky history featuring Southern Belize’s widest range of enticing cocktails, traditional Belizean favorites such as draft Belikin beer and fine Niebaum-Coppola’s wine selection.

What to do and see

Watch the sun slowly rise above the Caribbean, relax in a hammock.

Rent a kayak.

Read a book.

Organize a game of beach volleyball.

Stroll along sixteen miles of white sand beach.

Take a dip in the Caribbean.

Watch the waves.

Stargaze.

Check out the excursions and activities the inn can provide.

Everything from snorkeling

to bird watching

to SCUBA diving

to hiking in the rain forest

to sport fishing

to kayaking

to swimming in waterfalls

Visit Mayan families and the cities built by their ancestors.

Even visit the world’s only jaguar reserve,

cruise up the Monkey River and observe tropical birds, iguanas, mana tees, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys.

Or you could just just sip a limon fresca and enjoy a siesta.

The choice is yours, from scenic strolls to scuba diving, the Turtle Inn staff will provide the region’s most knowledgeable and trusted guides

Ian SG Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/turtle-inn-belize-121621.html

The Costa Blanca, one of the most popular tourist areas in Spain, is perfectly situated along the Mediterranean Sea. Northern Costa Blanca begins at the base of the mountains in Denia ad Javea while the southern part is near Torrevieja. The Costa Blanca’s beautiful weather, beaches and surroundings attract millions of visitors each year. Not surprisingly, the summer is its busiest tourist season but the weather in the Costablanca region is favorable all year round.

Most visitors to the Costa Blanca region fly into the Alicante Airport, or El Altet, as it is called. If you intend to travel during the summer, be sure to make your flight, hotel and car hire arrangements well in advance since tourism is the busiest during the summer season. By planning ahead, you will get the best deals and the greatest selection of flight and accommodation choices.

Once you arrive at the airport, a rental car provides the most freedom in reaching your destination. However, you do have other options available at the Alicante Airport. There is no train connection at the airport, but buses and taxis can take you to the train station in downtown Alicante which can take you to surrounding towns. Of course, you may also take a bus or taxi directly to your hotel or apartment in Alicante or surrounding cities.

One reason car hire services may be the better transportation option is because of the tremendous number of attractions the Costa Blanca offers, particularly the Alicante province. Tourism is a large part of this area’s economy and is a very popular destination for tourists from Europe, especially the United Kingdom. Alicante is the capital of the Costa Blanca region and is a major city in the area. There is so much to see and do in this city alone, such as museums, cathedrals, festivals and, of course, the beach. It is a great opportunity to experience Spanish culture and learn about the area’s history.

The Castell de Santa Barbara is a famous castle in Alicante situated high on a hill overlooking the sea. Its construction dates back to 400 B.C. and was originally erected to protect Alicate. Besides its enchanting castle atmosphere with the moats, drawbridges, tower and dungeons, it offers visitors a great view of the bay and the city. A popular day trip from Alicante is to the Isla Tabarca, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a ferry to the island where you can enjoy this small fishing village atmosphere, its great seafood restaurants, clear water and rocky beach.

Another city in the Costa Blanca, Benidorm, actually started out as a fishing village but is now mostly a tourist-based economy. Benidorm is known for its night life and has more hotels than any other city in Spain. Clearly, it has come along way from the small fishing village it once was. South of Benidorm is the small village of Villajoyosa. Its slower pace and quiet atmosphere offers a break from the larger cities nearby, such as Alicante and Benidorm. Villagjoyosa is famous for its chocolate which you can sometimes smell as you enter the town.

Peter Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/costablanca-too-much-fun-not-enough-time-108997.html