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.