English-speaking world

16 March 2024

DUNBAR

 The little  east-coast town of Dunbar boasts Scotland's best sunshine records - as long as the haar (sea mist) stays offshore. A small resort that grew from a port, evidence of its early prosperity can be seen in elegant, handsome Georgian town houses. Dunbar was also a strategic place of defense, overlooking the main coastal route to Edinburgh. The shattered fragments of the town's castle - now home to nesting kittiwakes - still perch above the harbor. With a plenty of atmosphere and historic places of interest, Dunbar also makes a good excursion from Edinburgh, taking in North Berwick, another attractive little coastal resort, along the way.

Dunbar

 The East Beach, off Town Centre, Dunbar

 

A slightly faded but still attractive resort with some fine Georgian architecture, Dunbar shows its layers of history in its fragmentary castle, its two harbors (the first associated with Oliver Cromwell) and its handsome 17th-century town house with steeple.

10 March 2024

BLOOMINGTON

 Home of Indiana University, Bloomington is a hotbed of arts and culture in a scenic package. With paths criss-crossing wooded environs and winding past old limestone buildings, IU has the aura of an Ivy League school. Bookstores, record shops, restaurants, and bars are nestled around Kirkwood Avenue, which starts at the campus gates and extends for several blocks. Bloomington achieve a reputation as a food-and-wine destination. Just beyond the city limits, Hoosier National Forest awaits outdoor adventurers, and Lake Monroe offers boat rentals, hiking trails, fishing, and water skiing.


Indiana University, Bloomington

Wright Quadrangle and Teter Center
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana


These two residence hall groups situated on the 10th Street side of the campus, provide living accommodations for more than 2000 under graduate students. Each group has a central building providing dining facilities, lounges, library, and snack bar.


INFORMATION: visitbloomington.com

03 March 2024

OTIRA VIADUCT

Straddling the Southern Alps 153 km from Christchurch and 98 km from Greymouth, the 1,147 sq km  Arthur’s Pass National Park, the seventh largest in the country, is a place of huge geological and climatic contrasts. On the western side of the alps, where the rainfall is high, the park is clad in dense and varied rainforest through which steep, boulder-strewn rivers rush; on the drier eastern side, mountain beech forests and tussock-covered river flats predominate. Sixteen mountain peaks in the park exceed 2,000 m.

Otira Viaduct, Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury

 Otira Viaduct, Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury

 

The park offers the well-equipped outdoor enthusiast superb mountain climbing and hiking opportunities, as well as many shorter walks suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Otira Viaduct completed in 1999, this section of State Highway 73 spans the rugged Otira River. The TranzAlpine journey from Christchurch to Greymouth crosses the Canterbury Plains before cutting dramatically through the Southern Alps via the Otira viaduct.

 

Received from Roman 

24 February 2024

VIRGIN GORDA

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PARADISE

 
Where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic there's a chain of sixty islands called the British Virgin Islands. With hundreds of secret bays and hidden coves, they've been a haven for seafarers for centuries. The British Virgin Islands hold many attractions. Deserted white sand beaches where you can soak up the sun or lie in the shade all day. The green, cedar-covered hills. Shady mountain trails to be hiked. Sophisticated shops. Friendly people to welcome you.

British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda
 
Virgin Gorda 

 
Measuring just eight-and-a-half-miles long, Virgin Gorda is the third largest in the island chain. Dramatic slopes plunge from Gorda Peak to the turquoise waters far below. Columbus named it Virgin Gorda, "The Fat Virgin". By mid-morning in Virgin Gorda, the sun-worshippers have settled down on one of the many deserted beaches that fringe the island. The unique rock formations at The Baths call out to the nature lover. The pace of life is slow here. The choice of restaurants will please the most discriminating palate. 

 

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

17 February 2024

PICTON

 Charming and known for its relaxed pace and old-fashioned hospitality, Prince Edward County is surrounded by Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, and is sometimes referred to as Quinte’s Isle. Picton - a popular touring centre on the scenic Loyalist Parkway, this attractive and historic small town with a natural deepwater harbour is the hub of Prince Edward County. A shoreline that in points around Picton creates dunes of white sand standing over 30 metres high.

Picton
 

Sandbanks Provincial Park

 

Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks. Endless fine sand beaches and dunes, along the island's western shore, for swimming and picnicking. Camping at Sandbanks only. It is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Toronto, three hours from Ottawa, four hours from Montreal. Home to gorgeous beaches, on hot sunny days, Sandbanks feels like a tropical island getaway without the plane ticket. One of Ontario’s most popular holiday destinations.


Destination Ontario

10 February 2024

RAROTONGA

 An Unforgettable South Pacific Experience!


The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square km of the Pacific Ocean. An unspoiled paradise, complete with white sand beaches, blue lagoons, and lush green mountains. The Cook Islands enjoy a pleasantly warm and sunny climate all year round. The hospitality is warm and spontaneous, the dancing exuberant, the mood relaxed. The old culture lives on with song, dance and an easy pace of life uncomplicated by the turmoil of the outside world. 

Cook Islands, Rarotonga

 BEAUTIFUL MURI BEACH AND LAGOON,
Rarotonga, Cook Islands


  Rarotonga, the hub of the Cook Islands, has so much to see and do, yet remains unspoilt. No traffic lights, no McDonald’s and no building taller than the highest coconut tree. Round Rarotonga Road Race (32 km, first Saturday in November) is extremely popular and many international runners participate. Rarotonga offers an interesting variety to tempt the taste buds from high class eateries to friendly "island style" cafes. Don't miss special "Island Night" cultural show for an unforgettable experience!

COOK ISLANDS TOURISM

03 February 2024

CAUSEWAY COAST

 Northern Ireland's north coast has something for everyone: the Giant's Causeway, impressive cliffs, beaches, and the cheerful resorts of Portstewart and Portrush. This is the most exciting place to walk in Northern Ireland. The shorter of two circular walks takes you up the cliffs, above the Giant's Causeway, from where a great view of the columns clearly show in fact three causeway, the largest looking like a crocodile's snout.

ANTRIM COAST


ANTRIM COAST A drive of over sixty miles from Larne to Portrush offers one of the most spectacular scenic routes to be found anywhere, one of nature's displays of unspoiled beauty. The road weaves around the coastline with side roads leading off to the famed Glens of Antrim. Clearly visible, the Scottish coast and Rathlin Island rise from the sea, while the peculiar regular sided columns of the Giant's Causeway appear as stepping stones to these places.

27 January 2024

SPRINGS

 Largely an industrial area, known for its wealth of gold and coal. The town boasts the HF Verwoerd Theatre, one of the few live theatres on the Witwatersrand outside the Pretoria/Johannesburg area. The Pam Brink Stadium, home of the Eastern Transvaal Rugby Union, is situated near the civic centre and seats 20 000. The modern Civic Centre is a popular venue for the performing arts.

Springs

 Springs, City Centre 1968


SPRINGS PARK Lovely park area built on a converted mine dump. Set out in lawns with a meandering rivulets and cascading waterfalls. Covered picnic spots.

ALEXANDER DAM The home of the Murray Park Yacht Club, but casual sailing is permitted. During Nov. to Feb. yachting is suspended due the weeds. Walks marked around the dam.

20 January 2024

HUNTINGTON

Well-mannered Huntington provides a civilized introduction to West Virginia at the southwestern entrance to the state, just across the Kentucky/Ohio border. Years of prosperity spawned an orderly city teeming with industrial, cultural and social activity.
Huntington is graced with stately homes, beautifully landscaped parks, an internationally famous rose garden, three amphitheaters, a vintage vaudeville era performance hall and theater, a nationally acclaimed art museum and a venerable state university.

Huntington

 The Ohio Riverfront * Huntington, West Virginia

 

If enterprise and culture make up the heart of Huntington, its arteries are rivers and rails. One of the nation's largest inland ports, the area increased its fortunes through shipping by rail and barge. Huntington restaurants serve a fine bill of fare, ranging from gourmet dining to food and service reminiscent of fine club car dining.

14 January 2024

EDMUNDSTON

 Edmundston is a city of cultures, where New Brunswick Francophones and Anglophones mix with residents of the nearby state of Maine and province of Quebec to form a cultural feast unlike any in this part of the world. The capital of the legendary Republic of Madawaska, is the largest community in northwestern New Brunswick. The 18-hole golf course, built at the turn of the century, is among the finest in the Atlantic provinces.

EDMUNDSTON


Madawaska's lakes, rivers and forests are among the most magnificent in the province. Fish, game, campers and ornithologists abound. The city is the site of the provincial hospitality school. The province's longest downhill skiing season. The display of leaves in the autumn is unparalleled anywhere in the world.

 

Tourism New Brunswick