NOTTINGHAM

 Don't be seduced by tales of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham: Nottingham today is a busy, industrial city. Its Norman castle has virtually disappeared, replaced by a much later mansion housing a good museum and art gallery. In the 18th century, Nottingham expanded rapidly as a lace-making center, and the industry flourishes to this day. Red-brick Victorian warehouses at the Lace Market are redolent of the city's past. Back above ground, the city centre is largely pedestrianised and compact, making Nottingham perfect for relaxed strolling, sight-seeing, and shopping.

Robin Hood * Council House * View from Castle Terrace* University

Sherwood Forest is a pale shadow of its former self. However, in the Sherwood Forest Country Park, you can wander among old oaks and be entertained in the visitor center with fanciful legends connected with the ever-popular philantropic outlaw. Clumber Park, further north, has a 4,000 acres of park and woodland.

Visit Nottingham

PARYS

 A town scenically situated on the banks of the Vaal River and much appreciated by water sports fans. Various picnic spots, resorts and facilities are found along the river and on the islands in the river. One island features a golf course which is accessible only via a suspension bridge. Here the Vaal River flows over a flat rock bed which devides the water into numerous little streams winding their way around green islands, creating a thousand and one little hideaways for the solitary anglers and the restless city soul in need of silence. Parys was given its exotic name by its surveyor who had visions of the Seine winding its way through the French capital when he contemplated his task on the banks of the Vaal. The town has remained a scenic little gem with beautiful gardens, parks and unspoilt nature spots, where silence is still audible.

SEPT-ILES

 As big as Italy, the Côte-Nord (North Shore) of the majestic St. Lawrence River is an immense and fascinating region. It stretches along nearly 1,300 km of picturesque shoreline dotted with towns and villages. Everything is larger than life here. Sept-Îles is one of the largest cities in Quebec in terms of area. Located mid-way between the forest and the sea, it's a dream destination for outdoor lovers, with magnificent beaches and many kilometres of hiking trails. For rainy days, museums and interpretation centres recount the rich history of Sept-Îles. From industrial tours to shows by local and regional artists, visitors are sure to appreciate the culture, excitement and hospitality of this bustling Côte-Nord metropolis. Sept-Îles is the perfect place to go hunting or fishing.

Boulevard Laure, Sept-Îles 

SEPT-ÎLES, VILLE UNIQUE! 

Tourisme Côte-Nord

WHEELING

 From its beginning as a pre-Revolutionary outpost, Wheeling gained fame as a western gateway, a world renowned center for the manufacture of steel and glass and the first capital of the new State of West Virginia. Today Wheeling has maintained its place as the region's hub, thanks to its central location, wealth of attractions, varied accommodations and rich heritage.

Greetings from Oglebay Park, Wheeling WV

One of the most elegant legacies is Oglebay Resort, a gift to the city from industrialist Colonel Earl Oglebay. The park is 1,500 wooded acres offer three golf courses, a par three course, indoor and outdoor swimming, tennis. picknicking, fishing, hiking, boating and downhill and cross-country skiing. The jewel of resort parks shines even brighter during the Festival of Lights, America's premier holiday light show. Mile after miles, dazzling displays light up night on the beautiful grounds of Oglebay from November through February.

Visit Wheeling WV

BAIE-SAINT-PAUL

 Charlevoix is a natural and authentic tourist region on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. It is located at little more than an hour’s drive from Québec City. Baie-Saint-Paul is one of the beacons of the region, ranking among Canada’s cultural capitals. Nicknamed "the artists paradise", it boasts museums, several art galleries and many craft shops. The many bicentenary homes whose typically Quebec architecture bears witness to its rich history. A stroll in the town is highly recommended to discover these historical elements and appreciate the many attractions, friendly restaurants and sunbathed terraces. Sea kayaking and several family activities are available at the wharf; there is also a beach and a small woodlot. Regional food lovers will enjoy the area's many agro-touristic operators. A vibrant city, all year long! 

Tourisme Charlevoix

LAHINCH

 CLARE: This western county, known traditionally as Thomod, is mostly flat, and occupies the area from the River Shannon estuary, guarded by Loop Head, to the broad waters of Galway Bay. Amongst its many outstanding tourist attractions are the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, and the amazing limestone district called the Burren, with its many caves, underground streams and rare flora.
Edna O'Brien an Irish novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet and short-story writer described as "the most gifted woman writing in English" was born in County Clare.

Lahinch, fronted by a mile long sandy beach fringing Liscannor Bay is a popular resort for bathing and golf. The golf course (18 holes) is situated in the sand dunes backing the beach. There is good coastal scenery on either side of the town and inland are some pretty glens, including the glen of the Cullenagh River to Ennistymon. Across the bay is the fishing village of Liscannor where John P. Holland (1841-1914), the inventor of the submarine was born.

Visit Clare

ST LUCIA

  Lake St Lucia is the largest estuary in southern Africa. It covers some 36 000 ha. And this huge expanse of water is a nature lover's paradise. Surrounded by rare coastal forest, lily-covered pans, grasslands teeming with reedbuck and unspoilt beaches. The lake was proclaimed as a game reserve in 1895 to protect the hippo, and hundreds of these great beasts still live in its shallow waters. St Lucia invites visitors to sample a whole spectrum of wilderness treats: like birdwatching, skindiving, game viewing, beach exploring, hiking, or just sitting and listening to the call of the Fish Eagle as the sun sets... Situated at the mouth of the estuary is the bustling village of St Lucia.

The attractions of the vast lake and scenic estuary with its game reserves, hutted camps, caravan parks... and crocodiles and hippos - together with prolific bird life, and abundant fishing.

GRAND FORKS

 The oldest major city and perhaps the most cosmopolitan one in North Dakota, Grand Forks is home to the state's leading university and a major Air Force base. The North Dakota Museum of Arts and Chester Fritz Auditorium highlight the arts community of the state's second-largest city. The Center for Fine Arts and local galleries add to the cultural mix. The campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks offers both a wide variety of activities and places for quiet contemplation. Grand Forks has a water-slide complex with a miniature golf course, terrific riverside city parks and 63 holes of great golf, including the truly outstanding Grand Forks Country Club. Summer activities offer fun for all during Summerthing, Catfish Days, Heritage Days and Friends and Neighbors Day.

United by the joining of the Red Lake River and the Red River, Greater Grand Forks is an area of rolling plains and winding waters. Fun-filled activities and events offer excitement year  round.

MELROSE

 Though not a large place, Melrose packs a lot of interest and has a great choice of eating places and accommodations as a bonus. Its most conspicuous feature is its handsome abbey, originally founded in 1136. Amid the ruins, some lavish ornamentation still survives: carved into the walls are fruit and foliage and numerous little figures, even a pig playing the bagpipes high on the walls. It is worth taking the time to have a look around. Melrose Motor Museum and Priorwood Gardens, next door to the abbey, are two other attractions.

VIEW FROM THE EAST * THE SQUARE

GENERAL VIEW * LOWOOD BRIDGE AND RIVER TWEED

The town is overlooked by the three-peaked silhouette of the Eildon Hills. This distinctive landmark was chosen by the Romans as a navigating aid. In the surrounding countryside are other features well worth including on any tour.

SUMMERSIDE

 One of the earliest accounts of a ship launching at Summerside seems like scenes from a dream: "a fully rigged schooner, drawn by a team of sinewy oxen, tailed by a crowd of wide-eyed school children for its launching into the ice of the harbour." The Age of Sail in this region was a time of great excitement and economic activity. Summerside has gained a reputation for hosting international level events, from softball tournaments to Highland Games. The college of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada is based in Summerside, and weekly concerts are held there.

View from Wharf of SUMMERSIDE

At the new waterfront development called Spinnaker's Landing, visitors enjoy a stroll among the shops or a snack at an open-air cafe accompanied by the sounds of musical entertainment. In fact this town espouses the "never a dull moment" philosophy, starting with the town crier's daily proclamation of high noon at Spinnaker's Landing, and continuing throughout the summer with a whole series of festivals and sports events.

City of Summerside

BURNIE

 Burnie is Australian's newest city, proclaimed by Her Majesty the Queen on 26th April, 1988. The rapid expansion of Burnie, now Tasmania's forth largest town, is based on one of the state's largest industrial enterprises, Associated Pulp and Paper Mills Ltd. Situated on Emu Bay, 148 km west of Launceston, Burnie has a busy deepwater port, which serves the west coast mining centres. Other important industries includes plants for the manufacture of titanium oxide pigments, dried milk, chocolate products and cheese. The area’s natural attractions include forest reserves, fossil cliffs, waterfalls and canyons and panoramic ocean views from nearby Round Hill.      

Tasmania North West Coast. View over the city of Burnie

Along its main streets are many attractive 19th-century buildings decorated with wrought ironwork. Today the city has shed its industrial character, although some industry survives, notably the Lactos company, which has won many awards for its French- and Swiss-style cheeses. The sampling room has tastings and a café. Burnie also has a number of gardens, including Fern Glade, where platypuses are often seen feeding at dusk and dawn. 

PORT WASHINGTON

Port Washington, with its touch of New England charm, is nestled on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee.  With its Art Deco lighthouse and picturesque harbor, it is as charming as any coastal village. Downtown is adjacent to the harbor and features the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in the state. Walking tours take visitors through the historic district, past lighthouses and memorials and into specialty shops such as an old-fashioned meat market and fish smokehouse. Enjoy lakefront festivals, spend a day sport fishing or bike the 30-mile Interurban Trail. Along the lakeshore, Harrington Beach State Park offers a mile of pristine beach along Lake Michigan. At this 715-acre state park you can camp, sunbathe, picnic, hike, bird watch, fish or practice astronomy.

For more information, log on to visitportwashington.com

NORWICH

 

City of Stories

Overlooked by most tourists, this compact city, made rich in the Middle Ages by the wool trade, has enough sightseeing to fill a long weekend, as well as interesting shopping (especially along St. Benedict's Street), excellent restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene due, in part, to the presence of the University of East Anglia. Exploration naturally starts at the Market Place, permanently covered by the striped awnings of a large, open-air market.

 THE GUILDHALL AND GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

All around lie a host of flint-faced churches (32 medieval churches), as well as medieval streets such a cobbled Elm Hill, lined with overhanging and brightly plastered buildings. But the top sight has to be the cathedral, which features a magnificent display of over 1,000 multicolored roof bosses depicting dramatic scenes in miniature along its grand nave and around its cloisters. The large, serene cathedral close, with elegant Georgian houses, feels like a well-kept village.

ST JOHN'S CHURCH AND ST GILES STREET

Norwich has no shortage of museums. The largest, in the castle complex, excels in its enormous teapot collection and galleries of works by John Crome and John Sell Cotman, outstanding landscape artists of the well-respected Norwich School. Also enjoyable are the Bridewell Museum, a nostalgic look at Norwich's industries, and Stranger's Hall, a rambling, old merchant's house.

VisitNorwich: The City of Stories

NORTH BAY

 A busy year-round tourist city on the eastern shore of Lake Nipissing, well-known for fishermen, hunters and railway buffs and offering many activities. It's winter wonderland for downhill and cross-country skiers. A centre of beautiful churches, theatre and music. Main Street, the business thoroughfare, is a modern and progressive shopping Avenue.

"Chief Commanda II" Cruise. A three- or six-hour boat cruise following the voyageur route across Lake Nipissing go to the Upper French River. (Government Dock: July - Labor Day)
Carnaval d'Hiver. The local French community organizes an exciting week of sports and social events. (Early February)
Dionne Homestead Museum. The original Dionne farmhouse, made of logs, has been restored and furnished with memorabilia of the famous quints.

 

 

MAIN STREET * CRUISE BOAT " CHIEF COMMANDA" [1958]

 

North Bay Area Museum. Organized in 1977, it houses many relics of the early rail, lumber, steamboat and pioneer eras.
Memorial Drive. Wends its way through 2 km of shoreland parks, marina facilities, and sandy beaches accessible at over 20 points.
Canadore College Nature Trails. Miles of all-season nature trails on this 304 ha campus. Part of the network includes Duchesnay Falls with its roaring spring waterfalls and scenic overhangs.

 

Destination Ontario: North Bay

IOWA

 Centrally located in the heart of North America, at the crossroads of the U.S. Interstate system, Iowa is the hub of hospitality. Temperatures vary enough by time of year to provide a wide range of outdoor activities - from crisp autumn color tours to cross-country ski treks through frosty winter wonderlands, from sunny springtime camping to statewide summer bike rides. Although Iowa is thought of as an agricultural state, manufacturing is the largest source of personal income. Iowa is the food capital of the world. It harvests more grain than any other state.

 

NICKNAME: THE HAWKEYE STATE

CAPITAL CITY: DES MOINES

STATE BANNER
The Iowa banner was officially adopted in 1921. The state flag consists of three vertical stripes - blue, white and red. The eagle carries the state motto: "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain".

STATE FLOWER: WILD ROSE
The flower was chosen as an Iowa symbol in 1897 because it decorated the silver service Iowans presented that year to battleship USS Iowa. Wild roses are found throughout the state and bloom from June through late summer.

STATE BIRD: EASTERN GOLDFINCH
The lithe, little "yellow canary" is plentiful in Iowa, often staying through the winter. Seeds from dandelions, sunflowers, ragweed and evening primrose are the main source of food for the eastern goldfinch.

 

Travel Iowa

BEAUFORT WEST

 Beaufort West, also known as the "Oasis of the Karoo', is situated on the N1. The hospitable shade of the town's pear trees offers a cool welcome after a long, journey through the Karoo. Beaufort West is often referred to as the capital of the Karoo. It is the seat of a number of government organisations and also serves a prosperous sheep and stud horse farming community. Life in town, with its old irrigation-furrows running along the main street, is as tranquil as it was over the past century and a half. Lovely historic buildings contribute to its old world charm. The district is well known for the breathtaking beauty of its veld flowers in spring.

 Museum Complex, in Donkin Street, comprises a group of historical buildings. The Stadhuis (1867) was the first city hall built in the Karoo. The town's most famous son, heart surgeon Chris Barnard is honoured with permanent exhibition in this impressive building. The Sendingkerk (1872), the second member of the complex, features the town's church history as well as fashions from yesteryear. The third member of the complex, the old Sendingpastorie, was the birthplace of the famous Barnard brothers.

VERMONT

A Place All Its Own

Vermont is a place that's determined by geography and physical boundaries, but also by an idea: That life is better when we slow down, look around, and simply take notice. Here, it's not about what you achieve or acquire, it's about how unique experiences in nature and around local downtowns make you feel. All season suit Vermont well, from spring's maple syrup sweetness to the lush green of summer along the mountain ridgelines to famous foliage of fall and winter's thick blanket of snow.

The best way to experience Vermont is touring the roads that meander through the mountains and meet in the valleys. These routes take travelers through forests and farmland to historic villages and towns that are vibrant hubs of culture, commerce and recreation. Vermont is known for its unbeatable quality of life, strong communities, pristine environment, and stunning landscapes. Vermonters are independent-thinking, friendly and resourceful, building successful, fulfilling lives in the Green Mountain State.

Welcome to Vermont

ABERDEEN

 No other Scottish city is like Aberdeen, with its remarkable granite character. Bold blocks of gray granite buildings, silver when the sun shines, lend distinction to this northern place. Granite may be austere, but the city is softened by an emphasis on flowers. Aberdeen is also the oil capital of Britain. It offers a good range of places to see within the old core of the city and makes a good base for exploring the hinterland with its castles, coastline, whisky distilleries and royal connections. 

The Promenade and Beach

Downtown Aberdeen's main street is Union Street, with the oldest part of the city at the sea end, known as the Castlegate. Down towards the harbor, Aberdeen's Maritime Museum on the Shiprow is housed within Provost  Ross's House of 1593. Aberdeen's name turns up in the song The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen. However, downtown Aberdeen is not the place to see this night sky phenomenon. 

VisitAberdeenshire

WHISTLER

Whistler is the largest ski resort in Canada. Set among the spectacular Coast Mountains, just 120 km north of Vancouver, the resort is divided into four distinct areas: Whistler Village, Village North, Upper Village, and Creekside. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have the greatest vertical rises of any ski runs in North America. The skiing here can be among the best in the world, with mild Pacific weather and reliable winter snow. Café-lined cobbled squares and cozy bars and restaurants cater to all tastes, while a range of stores sell everything from ski-wear to native arts and crafts in this friendly resort. Whistler was the 2010 Winter Olympics venue for all snow sports, from downhill skiing to luge. Ranked the Number One ski resort in North America. It is also famous for golfing, hiking, sailing, windsurfing, river-rafting and even glacier skiing in the summer months.

Tourism Whistler

MURRUMBIDGEE

From its source high in the Australian Alps, the Murrumbidgee River winds through the alpine regions of Kosciuszko National Park and the Monaro High Plains, and then through the Australian Capital Territory. Once the river reaches the south-west slopes of New South Wales, it heads west across the riverine plains to its confluence with the River Murray near Balranald. The word Murrumbidgee means “big water” in the Wiradjuri language. The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia. Water has been central to the Murrumbidgee’s growth over the past century. It is one of the most productive regions in Australia as an important food bowl, international exporter and burgeoning tourism industry.

 28 March 1922 - Widening of the main canal with Bucyrus Dragline

PARROT CAY

Parrot Cay, the only private island resort in the Turks and Caicos, combines unspoilt nature with relaxed luxury, beachside villas and estates, a mile of pristine white sand beach. It is one of the most secluded and exclusive resort islands in the northern Caribbean. Here you'll have no choice but relax. Aside from just plain basking in the sun, major attractions are diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, golfing and bird-watching.
The island was originally named Pirate Cay because of a local legend that famous female pirate Anne Bonny camped here in the 1720s. It was renamed Parrot Cay as to not frighten visitors. The island is a popular retreat for celebrities who have fallen in love with the altruistic hospitality which is as exceptional as the natural beauty of Parrot Cay.

 

Received from Thomas Goatherd, Northamptonshire

BEADNELL

Beadnell is a small village set at the end of a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped beach called Beadnell Bay. This sweeping crescent of beach is fun for everyone, with golden sand perfect for sand castle building, beach cricket, and water sports. With its protected waters and stunning beach, Beadnell is a watersports paradise.

The harbour walls of Beadnell were built in the 1790's and the lime kilns of that date still remain. Stretching from the harbour is the long golden sweep of Beadnell bay with the ruined Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. This sheltered bay makes an ideal location for some of the best sailing and wind surfing on the Northumberland coast. The village provides a range of pubs and cafes. There is an historic church dedicated to St Ebba. The church is popular with local residents and holds many memorials to local families.

 

 BEADNELL HARBOUR

 

The entrance to Beadnell harbour actually faces west making it the only west-facing on the east coast of England. This combination of charm and accessibility makes Beadnell a popular holiday village on the north east coast. Walkers and ramblers will enjoy visiting Beadnell, it has miles of perfect walking routes along the beautiful coastline.

 

Received from Thomas Goatherd, Northamptonshire

DAYTONA BEACH

 Daytona Beach, located along the east coast of central Florida, was founded in 1870 and officially became a city when it was incorporated in 1876. This resort is famous for its 23-mile beach, lined with a wall of hotels. The waterfront boardwalk offers concerts in the bandstand, arcades, and go-karts. During Spring Break, nearly 200,000 college students descend on the beach for this ritual party. This is also one of the few beaches in Florida where cars are allowed on the sands, a hangover from the days when motor enthusiasts, such as Louis Chevrolet and Henry Ford, raced on the beaches. The Daytona International Speedway nearby draws huge crowds, especially during the Speedweek in February and the Motorcycle Weeks in March and October. Daytona International Speedway is known as the “World Center of Racing.” It’s the place where dreams begin and history is made.

Daytona International Speedway * Home of The Great American Race

Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

BRAY

 The thriving town of Bray is situated approximately 20 kms south of Dublin. Backed by the Wicklow Mountains which rise in great heather-clad masses behind the town, Bray is the gateway to the Garden of Ireland - Wicklow. Bray's sandy beach and esplanade are popular with both tourists and locals alike. Once a refined Victorian resort, Bray is nowadays a brash holiday town, with amusement arcades and fish and chip shops lining the sea front. Its beach attracts large crowds in summer, including many young families. The annual mid-summer seaside festival attracts thousands of visitor every year.

BRAY, CO. WICKLOW, IRELAND

The fine expanse of sandy beach, mile-long esplanade, charming harbour and variety of recreational and entertainment amenities make the name of Bray renowned throughout Ireland. The resort is enclosed at the southern end by Bray Head which rises boldly to a height of nearly 800 feet, and from whose summit, partly reached by an aerial chair-lift, spectacular panoramic views are obtained of the district.

YORKSHIRE COAST

 A hauntingly beautiful region, Yorkshire is the largest of England’s historic counties (and its proud inhabitants would say it’s the only one worth visiting). The coastline of the North York Moors offers a dramatic view of spectacular white cliffs covered in pink heather, which plummet down to the dark sea hundreds of feet below. Cottages pile on top of each other in a glorious jumble round the tiny harbor of Staithes. Runswick Bay, also a fishing  village, is more ordered in its red-roofed, white-washed , cliff-clinging cottages above a fine, sandy beach. 

Bridlington * Staithes * Whitby
Robin Hood's Bay * Runswick Bay * Thornwick Bay

In precarious clifftop site with steep flights of steps and narrow passages, Robin Hood's Bay is yet another lovely fishing village. Though associations with the famous outlaw are tenuous, smuggling stories are readily authenticated. Low tide reveals vast sand, rock-pools and fossils. A Norwegian whalebone arch reminds you that Whitby was once an important whaling centre; now interest lies in the old town on the east side of the Esk River, with tea and antique stores, and jewelers selling the gemstone jet.
 

GATINEAU

Gatineau (Quebec’s fourth-largest city), until recently known as Hull, is based just across the river from Ottawa in the province of Quebec, and, as a result, many federal bureaucracies have their headquarters here. For years, Gatineau has been a more relaxed and fun-loving counterpart to the capital. From Hull’s establishment in 1800, the city’s liquor laws were far more lenient than Ottawa’s, and so this was where Ottawa politicians came to party (the city still has a lower drinking age). Gatineau contains one of Canada’s best museums, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, which provides a fascinating tour of Canada’s history over the past 1,000 years.

ICE CANOE RACE * GATINEAU RIVER * ARTISTS' QUAY

Downtown Gatineau is the place to be for entertaining activities, cultural events, and celebration of all kinds! Laval Street, which is closed to vehicular traffic from May to November, provides a safe and enjoyable route for pedestrians and cyclist. Fireworks, hot air balloons, concerts, ice carving and sand sculptures - you'll find all kinds of entertainment all year-round. In Gatineau, fun and excitement are never far away!

Ville de Gatineau

COLORADO SPRINGS

 Established by railroad baron William Jackson Palmer in 1871, Colorado Springs nestles below Pikes Peak. The mountain is a stunning backdrop for the modern city of Colorado Springs. The first resort town in the western US, it was initially nick named “Little London” because of the scores of English tourists it attracted. In the 1950s, Colorado Springs was chosen to be the home of the prestigious US Air Force Academy and the National Missile Defense Headquarters (NORAD). The latter is situated on the city’s southwestern fringe, deep within the bombproof Cheyenne Mountain. Modern-day Colorado Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, with rows of houses extending into the foothills to the west, and the vast plains to the east. Colorado Springs averages 300 days of blue skies each year.

Pikes Peak looms over Colorado Springs.

Visit Colorado Springs

EXMOOR

 Exmoor, England's smallest national park, packs in a great variety of scenery, from towering cliffs along the coast, to lush, wooded combes riven by sparkling streams, to gentle farmland in the east and wilder moorland in the center and south. The heathland of Exmoor starts abruptly at around 1,000 feet above  sea level, leaving behind lush wooded valleys and productive farmland well sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds. You'll be very lucky to spot any of the resident red deer, but you'll certainly meet a few hardy, dun-colored Exmoor ponies on your travels. To set the scene, you might want to read R.D. Blackmore's historical novel, Lorna Doone, based on stories about a group of 17-th century outlaws who lived in a beautiful part of the park now commonly known as  Doone County.

LORNA DOONE FARM, EXMOOR,  NORTH DEVON

Received from Thomas, Northamptonshire

KIMBERLEY

DIAMOND CITY

South Africa leads in world gemstone production. Kimberley is the diamond centre of the world.  In 1866, an unusual 'pebble' was found near Kimberley on the banks of the Orange River. The discovery precipitated the world's greatest diamond rush - and changed the course of history. Today, Kimberley is a modern city with broad, tree-lined streets, comfortable hotels and busy shopping centres. But the extraordinary saga of its past seems ever-present, enveloping it in an aura of adventure and drama. If you close your eyes, it's easy to conjure up a picture of the diggers, loafers, gamblers and 'ladies' of ill repute who once inhabited the dusty shanty town. 

The diamond sieve statue in the Civic Centre Gardens depicts the diggers of the early days; with the Oppenheimer Building

The Digger's Fountain commemorates the contribution made by thousands of diggers whom toiled on the mines. Despite the fact that the mines are approaching the end of their lives, the name "Kimberley" will always be synonymous  with diamonds. In the words of former De Beers Chairman, Mr Harry Oppenheimer, 'the city will  remain the capital of the world's diamond industry, even when all the mines around it are silent relics like the Big Hole'.

OCONOMOWOC

 The resort community of Oconomowoc (incorporated as city in 1875) sits in the heart of Wisconsin's lake country. Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake are within the city's limit, with Oconomowoc Lake nearby. A walking tour leads to many of the city's restored mansions, a fieldstone train depot. Ole Evinrude, an Oconomowoc resident who invented the outboard boat motor in 1907, is the focus of an exhibit of early boat motors. Another Oconomowoc claim to fame is its setting for the 1939 premier showing of the movie, “The Wizard of Oz.”

 The only thing brighter than the Oconomowoc area's past is its future!

Boat Races on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc

Named after the Potowatomi word for "where the waters meet" you will find two lakes in the heart of Oconomowoc that are separated only by a narrow strip of land. Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle not only offer natural beauty that can be admired from the shoreline whether fishing, relaxing on a park bench or while on a walk along the isthmus that separates them, but it  can also be enjoyed from the water.

For more information about the Oconomowoc area, visit City of Oconomowoc, WI

LAKE of the WOODS

 Ontario's second-largest inland lake boasts nearly 15,000 islands, 105,000 km of zigzagging shoreline and more peace and quiet than many people experience in a lifetime. Lake of The Woods holds attraction for visitors of all sorts in all seasons. For the fishing and hunting crowd, there are lots of island lodges and outposts camps - not to mention moose and muskie. For hikers and naturalists, there are cliffs and rocky hills, flocks of white pelicans and lone bald eagles. For water lovers, there are houseboats to charter and sailing regattas to win.

And for everyone, there's fresh air, clear blue sky and the promise of a spectacular display of northern lights.

Lake of The Woods in the heart of Ontario wilderness

Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association Regatta. Nicknamed LOWISA, this seven-day excursion cruise and seven-day race among the 14,500 islands of the fabulous Lake of the Woods provides keen sailors with some of the finest cruising in North America. Probably the biggest inland regatta in America. Starts and finishes in Kenora: early August.

Ontario's Sunset Country

DOUGLAS

 ISLE OF MAN. This self-governing part of the British Isles, 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, is situated in the middle of the Irish Sea. It has its own laws and parliament (the world's oldest), it issues its own currency, has its own Celtic language (now rarely heard) and tailless cats, called, like its residents, Manx. Steam railroads and electric streetcars add to a sense of dislocation. The Victorian resort of Douglas may be past its prime - offshore banking is the big business now - but along the south-west coast you will find picturesque ports, sandy beaches and glen-cut cliffs. The magnificent sweep of Douglas Bay, against the background of green hills, has a charm hard to equal anywhere. Douglas was a pioneer in illuminations and at night presents a scene of spectacular beauty, never to be forgotten.

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. This lovely expanse of sandy beach offers every facility for safe bathing.

SUN VALLEY

 Sun Valley is the West's storied ski resort, with a long history of movie stars and other royalty escaping to its secluded slopes. Today, people come from all over to experience the old-world charm of this cozy alpine village on the edge of the wilderness. Sun Valley is bustling year-round - so come hit the greens at its beautiful golf courses, take a guided trails at the Sun Valley Stables, and watch world-class figure skaters practice and perform at the Lodge's ice rink. Less than a mile away is the mountain town of Ketchum, where Ernest Hemingway spent his last years. The romantic Sun Valley-Ketchum resort area is famous for world-class skiing and hiking, mountain biking , and art-gallery browsing. In March, independent cinema comes to screens around town during the Sun Valley Film Festival. Readers and writers gather in September for the Ernest Hemingway Festival.

Happy skiers get ready to tackle Bald Mountain on a beautiful Sun Valley morning. With a 3,400 foot vertical drop and over 70 runs to chose from... where do you start? This mountain is HUGE!

Visit Sun Valley

BOKSBURG

 Within a major gold producing area, this town grew around the gold mining industry.  Also a large coal producing area. Boksburg Lake, created in 1888 as a watering place for cattle, is now a major attraction. It has good sailing and recreational facilities, surrounded by terraces, lawns and trees. Also Artists in the Sun, tribal dancing, pipe band and a miniature train. Cinderella Dam offers yachting and windsurfing. Flea Market held on the first Saturday of each month in front of the Boksburg Civic Centre. Besides a variety of items on sale, numerous food stalls and entertainment available. 

Boksburg from the air. Yachtings on the Cinderella Dam. Boksburg Lake. A view from the Townhall Gardens. Progressive Industries.

Hechter Schultz Museum houses ethnographical collections of Southern Bantu. Also extensive collection of Bushmen beadwork and hunting equipment. North Rand Road (Road was built by Italian prisoners of war): Warehouse Disco; Hypermarket Complex - largest shopping complex in the southern hemisphere;  La Grange Bird Park; Fun Factory - incorporates an ice-rink, ten-pin bowling centre and Daytona 600 Grand Prix track.

GALWAY

 City of the Tribes

Galway is noted as the principal city of Connacht. It is situated on the northern shore near the head of famous Galway Bay.  With a character all its own, Galway is a city where modern development blends pleasantly with winding narrow streets that were old centuries ago. The history of this City of the Tribes can be traced back to the 13th century and the Anglo-Normans, and its many ancient buildings bear testimony to the many influences, including Spanish, which marked its life.  The streets and buildings of this ancient town have many interesting features and its position on the fringe of the Western Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) make it obvious gateway to Connemara, an entrancing countryside where the ancient language and customs of Ireland are preserved. 

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Galway is one of the most exciting of Irish cities, gateway between the Old World and the New. Columbus prayed in St. Nicholas' Church before setting out on his voyage of discovery. The short river Corrib flows through Galway city to enter the Atlantic. Salthill, the seaside suburb, is one of the most fashionable and up-to-date resorts in Ireland. Its fine promenade is equipped with a swimming pool and there is an 18-hole golf course close beside it. Salthill has the best of both worlds. It adjoins an ancient and historic city, fascinating to explore.

Galway Tourism