Travel Around Planet

Archive for April, 2011

Discover Amelia Island On A Florida Vacation

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Amelia Island you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Amelia Island.

You can escape the every day stresses and strains by experiencing luxury hotels resorts and bed and breakfasts. Amelia Island is also a popular place for weddings and honeymoons.

Activities range from fishing trips to scenic tours of the island from one of the 18 charter boats. While fishing you will be able to experience many different kinds of wildlife like dolphins whales sea turtles and manatees.

Outdoor activities include golf tennis bicycling horseback riding volleyball and nature tours. Nightlife here on Amelia Island is quite unique. You will be able to enjoy and nice quiet time on the beach with jazz or acoustical music. There are even sunset cruises for a nice night on the town.

A surprise many people miss is Amelia’s historic district which encompasses a fifty block area in Fernandina Beach. Here you will find many restored homes and buildings from the turn of the century.

Amelia is a small island of about 18.2 square miles and has three distinct sections. First is the north end which is called Fernandina Beach. Then you have the middle section which is called Amelia Island and then the third section which is mostly Amelia Island Plantation.

The island itself was developed in a southerly direction which you can see. The more you go south the newer things are. In the heart of Fernandina Beach is Centre Street where you’ll find the Palace Saloon which is the oldest saloon in Florida. You’ll also find a collection of art galleries TShirt stores ice cream shops and real estate offices.

A great idea for a change is to take Amelia Island’s carriage ride through the downtown area. This 30minute tour by horse drawn carriage goes through local neighborhoods where your guides will point out haunted houses and pirates of times long ago.

Next you might well decide to try your hand at fly fishing. Well known fly fishing expert of Amelia Island Captain Russell Tharin began fly fishing when he was just a boy. Today he runs his own charter service Fly Fishing Amelia Island. Look him up and try it out. You’ll have tons of fun and memorable experiences.

As you drive around Amelia Island you will not be able to help but notice the huge ancient trees that line the way. It looks as though the road in this area of the country was moved to accommodate the gorgeous trees.

Amelia Island Williams House is a huge Bed and Breakfast now a days that sits on a five thousand square foot lot on Ash and 9th street with it’s 19th century fence guarding it’s entry way. A wealthy Boston Banker built this Victorian mansion in 1856. A sight worth seeing and staying at.

As your knowledge about Amelia Island continues to grow you will begin to see how Amelia Island fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.

About the writer:  
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Best Bungee Jumping Sites In The World

Basically bungee jumping is jumping from an elevated point while connected to an elastic cord purposely to prevent death or injury of the jumper. It started in the ancient times with certain tribes in the Pacific islands and in Mexico using vines to support their bodies when jumping from a platform.

Later they were performed by some daredevils in some parts of the world but were considered illegal especially in the United States due to the dangers that it poses to anyone who does it. Its popularity came about in the 1980′s when the daredevils attracted some attention through television spreading the thrill and adrenalin rush experience around the world.

Though bungee jumping is not for everyone especially the fainthearted today it has become a popular outdoor activity. Anywhere they can find a place to jump expect people to have jumped over it.

Most of bungee jumping sites are over structures which provides more useful functions other than being jumped from like bridges and dams yet they offer great deal of fun and exhilaration. One of which is the famous Bungee Jumping Center in Switzerland along the Verzasca Dam made famous by James Bond when the legendary characterdetective plunged into this site in the movie Goldeneye in 1996. This is considered to be the highest permanent jumping site in the world plunging at about 722 feet. Jumpers experience a 7.5minute free fall before reaching the lowest point.

Most bungee jumping activities are offered over bridges. One of the world’s best overthebridge jump is Victoria Falls Bridge amidst one of the largest waterfalls in the world the Victoria Falls. Jumpers not only experience the thrill of the jump and the enormity of the waterfalls but also the spectacular views of the two African countries Zambia and Zimbabwe all the same time.

Other jump sites however were specifically and structurally designed for bungee jumping alone. One of the best is in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. I jumped from this one myself so I can tell you first hand that its incredible.

This permanent structure was opened in 1993 where jumpers experience a thrilling 120foot plunge towards the emerald green waters of the Banderas Bay. While most jumping sites have rivers or gorges below them this one in Puerto Vallarta plunges in the Pacific Ocean over a bunch of rocks which can be seen through the clear water. It probably took me about 15 minutes to get myself to jump. Luckily I had a friend to take a photo and document the jump. This ones hanging on my wall of fame in my home with the rest of my crazy adventures!

The company that operates this bungee jump boasts of perfect guaranteed safety since its opening day. Thanks to their strict compliance to equipment quality. The owner was actually in Dallas Texas and the bungee site manager had me talk to the owner via skype before my jump to wish me luck. Good bunch of guys!

2008 Joe Loiacano
Available for free reprint in original content only.

About the writer:  Joe Loiacano is an avid outdoors enthusiast who enjoys exploring all that nature has to offer. He combines his love of the great outdoors with writing to share with others natures hidden gems that so few even realize were right there under their nose all along. For a great website to meet others with a passion for adventure visit www.outdoorsclub.org

Guide To European Art Galleries For Art Groups

Paris is famous its art displays. The Musee de Louvre is on everybody’s list. Francois Mitterand’s glass pyramid entrance is no longer a controversy now being considered an exhibit in its own right. Operating since 1795 “de Louvre” has an unrivaled collection of antiquity. This is where one must go to see original works of Da Vinci with the Mona Lisa being among the most famous exhibits. The city of lights also hosts galleries dedicated to Picasso and Monet named Musee Picasso and Musee Marmottan Claude Monet respictively. Monet lovers will have to visit the Musee de l’orangerie as well. The de l’orangerie is once again open and features many of Monet’s waterline series and other art from the early 1900′s. Picasso and Renoir among others.

For modern urban expressionist art in Paris the place to go is to the American Museum of Art. A local favorite is the Musee D’ Orsay located in a former train station and displaying impressionist and post impressionist paintings. Rome is a “blue chip” city to visit when touring art galleries on the continent. American historians find the Galleria Borghese and Galleria Collona interesting due to the dates of their origins. Both the Borghese and Collona were being built in the 1600′s with the latter completed in 1704 while the colonies were struggling for their own identity.

The Spada Gallery features paintings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries with some Roman statues from the second and third centuries. A small gallery the Spada is an impressive stop with the statue of Pompey in the main Pallazo. The foot of the Pompey of course being the most commonly given location for the murder of Julius Caesar. In typical German fashion displaying art is taken seriously in Berlin. The most famous and most visited museum is the Pergamon Museum. An antiquity collection A near East collection and display of Islamic art draw over eight hundred thousand visitors per year. Any period from Egyptian to modern can be found displayed in Berlin.

The Maurmuseum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie is a small and focused display of Berlin’s most famous checkpoint during the cold war. Recordings texts films and objects are on display with some tied to daring escapes and attempts. Lectures are given by those with firsthand knowledge to share and a tour for your group can be arranged.

London offers the tour group British art displayed in a depth found nowhere else. Trafalgar Square houses the National Gallery with works from the mid thirteenth century to the early twentieth century. North of Trafalgar Square is the National Portrait Gallery with an unrivaled collection of portraits of significant and historical figures.

The Mall galleries opened in 1971 offer more contemporary works and often display work of up and coming artists. The Tate Modern is another London Gallery that augments the traditional displays with new and existing art. With the quality offerings available your group should have a memorable experience touring Europe.

About the writer:  Robert has worked in the travel industry for the past 5 years and has been involved in flight holidays escorted tours and cruising. Useful resources include: Coach hire and Hotels in Europe