The village of Zundert in the Netherlands presents the annual Bloemencorso flower parade every year on the first Sunday in September. The tradition began in 1936 as a commemoration of Queen Wilhmlimina’s birthday. The procession features an array of floats decorated with hundreds of thousands of locally-grown dahlias representing every color of the rainbow. Often times, the elaborate presentations span 19 meters in length, 4.5 meters in width and may stand at imposing heights of 9 meters.

How the floats are made
The float frames consist of iron, styrofoam and occasionally wood. The shapes of the floats gradually emerge with the help of layers of paper mache. Attaching the flowers to the base requires a single nail for every flower, which entails a painstaking process. Particular themes may encompass more than one float and some boast moving elements. Floats may represent everything from animals, people to abstract designs. As the parade does not have theme restrictions, the exquisite displays remain limited only by a creator’s imagination.

Who designs the floats
Graduates of the nearby Art Academy in Breda often develop or assist in developing the float designs. Participants also usually include presentations created by the current Art Academy student body. Zundert residents of all ages enjoy being a part of the event. Older residents often grow and cultivate the flowers used on the floats. Younger participants join together in the building and decorating processes. The project remains a voluntary effort.

Besides the community of Zundert, residents from neighboring villages also submit floats for the grand procession. Alumni from the Art Academy judge the individual floats for coveted awards, which creates an air of friendly competition amongst the various villages. The spectacular parade attracts visitors from all over the world and on average, the community plans on around 50,000 spectators. The gala parade begins on Sunday afternoon at 13:00 and finishes around 18:00.

Sightseeing in the Village of Zundert
Before or after the event, guests can enjoy tours around the community. Situated between Breda and Antwerp, the community gains fame as being the birthplace and childhood home of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Many locations throughout the village pay homage to the artist and include the historic Vincent Van Gogh Square. One of the popular local attractions includes a tour of his childhood home. Many enjoy exploring the Dutch Reformed Church, founded in 1806. Van Gogh’s father began his career as a pastor in this interesting location in 1849. An adjoining graveyard bears the grave of Vincent’s older brother who died during infancy.

Visitors may also indulge in the Vincent van Gogh Bicycle and Walking tours, which explain the history of the agricultural community that developed sometime around 1137 A.D. The nearby Buissche Heide heathland also provides paths for strolling through the beautiful countryside. The settlement developed in large part thanks to the monks who developed the location, which consisted mainly of heathlands, peats and swamps. The Maria Toevlucht Abbey remains another point of interest in the area. Established as a priory in 1900, the abbey provided a refuge for monks expelled from France. The monks living here carry on the centuries old tradition of farming.

When planning your summer tour to Europe, consider Zundert in August for a unique experience in a beautiful Dutch town.

Candice has spend many summers in Europe, and currently works for TravAddict.com

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Talisker

Despite being Scotland’s largest and most spectacularly mountainous island, Skye only has a single distillery. Then again – what a distillery, what a whisky! Remotely situated, Talisker sits between the edge of Loch Harport and Hawk Hill from whose springs and streams it takes its subtly peated water. The peppery, intense spirit that results is not quite like any other and has a keen following the world over. Tours are available throughout the day. Children under eight are not admitted to the production areas, a precaution applied by many of the distilleries and something to keep in mind if you’re on a family visit.

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Lagavulin

Contrast to Skye, Islay is a true whisky island with several famous distilleries which can easily be visited on the same day. This is where the most distinctive style of scotch is made – the richly peated and powerfully smoky malts that even the novice can quickly learn to identify in blind tastings. Lagavulin is the ultimate expression of this style and it’s hardly an exaggeration to say that the distillery, with its classic whitewashed buildings and pagoda roofs, is a site of pilgrimage for the lovers of Islay whisky. Premium tastings and warehouse demonstrations are available for £15 and are excellent value.

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Glenlivet

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The Speyside region is where fine whisky production is most concentrated – if you want to take in the most distilleries in the fewest miles, this is the area to concentrate on. The lighter, more floral malts of Speyside are renowned globally and are at the top end of the global whisky industry. Of these, Glenlivet is now a major international brand, but a visit to the distillery (open from late March to October) confirms that it is still made with the same authenticity and patient craft values as ever. Basic tours are free, but the tutored tastings at £30 are well worth the extra investment. For the committed scholar of the world’s greatest spirit, a three day Whisky School can be booked.

ash Tun, Washbacks and Stills at The Glenlivet

Edradour

At the other end of the scale is Edradour, Scotland’s smallest commercial distillery. It can be found flanking the little burn of the same name just outside the picturesque Perthshire town of Pitlochry. Many distilleries have annual production in the millions of litres but here it is a mere 90,000 and they’re happy to keep it that way. A visit to Edradour is a chance to see the cottage industry past of whisky makers and makes a fascinating contrast to Glenlivet. The team are known for their innovative approach to maturation – moscatel, port and sauternes cask finishes being among their most intriguing offerings.

Bladnoch

Until recently Lowland distilleries were neglected as sources of single malts, their product being used for blending. Happily, that’s changed over the last twenty years and Lowland is back as one of the ‘families’ of scotch whisky with a quality all its own. They don’t come any more Lowland than Bladnoch, set in the rich, rolling farmland of Wigtownshire. Any further south and they’d be making English whisky, not Scotch. Guided tours are available with a dram at the end. If you like it they’ll willingly sell you an entire cask. You’ll have to wait eight years before it’s released, but you are allowed to visit in the meantime.

Fiona writes for LHH Scotland, leading provider of luxury holiday homes across Scotland.

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The 10-year old 316i, which had 100,000 miles on the clock before it even left Dublin, endured temperatures from -40C to 40C and not once failed to start. It encountered a few minor mishaps, including a cracked radiator that was fixed by a teenager in China using a home-made glue concoction. The epic road trip captured the attention of multiple TV crews and newspapers and even caught the attention of BMW itself, who featured an ad in the Sunday Independent with the caption: ‘Why drive from Dublin to Sydney? Because in an approved used BMW you can.’

In memory of this bold adventure, here’s a list of the top ten most challenging road trips this planet has to offer.

10. The Stelvio Pass, Italy

This road is probably safer than the rest on this list, but with sixty 180 degree hairpin bends, it’s no easy feat. The pass, surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the Italian Alps, climbs 2km of steep mountainside. It’s open from June to September.

9. Sichuan to Tibet Highway, China and Tibet

For 2400km of breath-taking scenery and enriching cultural encounters, take this popular road from May to June. The dangerous road negotiates fourteen mountains and suffers frequent landslides.

8. Canning Stock Route, Australia

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For a true desert driving experience, take a four-wheel-drive (4WD) through this 1800km old drover route. Advanced driving skills, desert driving experience (including dune driving), and sufficient mechanical knowledge are essential for this challenging route. The best time to go is from May to September.

7. Trans-Sahara Highway, Algeria, Niger and Nigeria

For the ultimate desert driving experience, navigate this 4,500km stretch of Saharan desert through three countries. The best time to go is from November to February. Expect political instability and tedious visa complications. You will need a 4WD, a local guide, extreme survival skills and desert driving experience.

6. Manali-Leh Highway, India

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This 490km stretch is another high-altitude, sheer-vertical drop, nail-biting experience. Go from June to September and expect spectacular beauty combined with hair-raising moments.

5. The Karakoram Highway, China and Pakistan

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This old trade route runs 1200km through dramatic mountain scenery. It is the highest paved international road in the world. The road-surface might be well-maintained, but road users can still expect hardship in the form of altitude sickness, landslides, monsoon rain and snowfall. The risk of injury and death is high, but if you want to take your chances, its best to go from May to June or from September to October.

4. Patiopoulo to Perdikaki Road, Greece

This is more of a dirt track than a road. With an unstable road surface it’s easy to lose control amidst the crowd of livestock, pedestrians and traffic. There are steep drop offs on both sides and no barriers.

3. Eldoret Highway, Kenya
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It’s not high altitude hairpin bends that make this road dangerous, its people. Rampant speeding, reckless overtaking, and frequent drunk drivers make this the site of 300 deaths a year.

2. Jalalabad to Kabul, Afghanistan

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While trying to avoid the Taliban, also remember to watch out for narrow bends and reckless drivers on this 65km road that claims human life every single day.

1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia
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Locally known as ‘Death Road’, this treacherous, 69km stretch of mountain road, claims 300 lives a year. The narrow route takes drivers perilously close to (and often over) the edge of the road which overlooks steep, vertical cliffs. It’s probably best to avoid it at all costs.

This article was written by Jenna Crotty who recommends www.joeduffy.ie for BMW service garage.

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In today’s world, where everything is about technology, speedy cars and smartphones, there are a number of places around the world that attract travelers just for the sight of lavish staircases. The list below is not limited to the modern, contemporary designs.

On the contrary, we have included any sort of staircase that is accessible to public and is unbelievable in terms of its design and architecture. So the next time you go anywhere, just skip the elevator and use the stairs to get to the place you need to be. You never know, you might find something incredibly interesting!

1. Tiger & Turtle, Germany

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On first glance, this staircase might appear like a roller coaster to you, but when you inspect this figure closely, you will discover an ingenious staircase. This incredible figure is stretched via all sorts of curves. Ulrich Genth and Heike Mutter, two of the most popular German artists, are responsible for this mind blowing sculpture.

This staircase was unveiled for the very first time in 2011. The visitors are allowed to explore the structure containing 249 steps. You can visit it at any time during the day and night. The unusual staircase is decorated with LED lights that present a spectacular picture at night. Don’t try to climb around the entire loop, since it is closed by barrier!

2. Lello Bookshop, Portugal

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Initiated in 1906, Lello is an incredibly beautiful bookstore. Thanks to its centerpiece – the sleek red staircase, the place looks gorgeous. The staircase contains wooden banisters that are carved skillfully and lead straight up to the atrium made of glass. The view these stairs create is as lovely from underneath as it is from top. It features blue-green and golden paint at the ceiling and carved leaf-like flourishes.

3. Melk Abbey Staircase, Austria

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The mazelike Benedictine abbey is full of architectural wonders. The rococo-style spiral stairs are incredibly t watch and climb. These are best viewed from underneath. The underside of the staircase painted pink and gold is spectacular. Although these stairs lead to the rooms in the library, the public is not allowed to use them.

4. Chand Baori, India

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This considerably small village located outside Jaipur has a huge number of step wells known as baoris. These wells were constructed in order to collect rainwater. Chand Baori is regarded as the largest and the deepest of these wells. It contains 3,500 steps and 13 stories. Although you can see down all thirteen flights, this staircase is no more used as a well. In fact, the bottom stories are closed off. This step well or staircase is located near the Harshat Mata Temple. Its history dates back to the 19th century.

[See more pics of the Chand Baori]

5. “Stairway to Heaven,” WA

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Are you afraid of heights? If your answer is yes, this staircase is definitely not for you. The 82-feet-high staircase starts at the fir tree base and spirals round into the sky. When climbers reach the top of the staircase, they face the incredible challenge of passing the rainbow-colored suspension bridge stretched forty-three feet throughout the forest.

This incredibly gracious staircase provides you with the only path that leads you to the Tree house Observatory, which offers expansive views of the Nisqually Valley and Mount Rainier. A guided tour will cost you approximately $40 per person. You can also stay at the Cedar Creek Treehouse for one night that will cost you approximately $300.

6. 16th Avenue Mosaic Staircase, San Francisco

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This spectacular staircase features 163 mosaic panels. Each step contains a mosaic panel. This staircase is located at the 16th Avenue, San Francisco. The very first mosaic panel depicts an ocean. Once you climb the entire staircase and reach the very top, you will notice that the mosaic at the top-most stairs depicts the sky.

These thematic mosaic stairs were designed by Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr with the aid of community members. The staircase was complete in late 2005 after numerous years of fundraising and hard work.

7. Tulip Stairs, England

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The very first self-supporting, coiled staircase in England is featured in the Queen’s house in Greenwich. These stairs were constructed back in 1616. The elegant and intricate flowers appearing on the wrought-iron railing are why the staircase is called the Tulip Stairs.

8. The Gray, Milan

The Gray boutique hotel situated in central Milan is an attraction for tourists because of the amazing staircases it features. Guido Ciompi, a Florentine architect, came up with an idea of these distinctive stairs for every room and suite. The rambling duplex suites connected by these floating stairs present the most spectacular picture.

Each step of these staircases greatly resembles a hollowed box. Suspended beds, animal printed fabrics, wenge wood floors, and ebony furniture are some of the highlights of this hotel.

9. Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

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This museum was initiated in 2008. It is located on a man-made island in Doha. Approximately 4,500 Islamic art pieces are housed by this building. The grand double staircase is the biggest attraction attracting people from all around the world. The steps cutting into the underside of the staircase create an illusion of an upturned staircase, which is in fact its most unique feature.

10. Umschreibung, Munich

This beautifully constructed staircase carries a height of approximately thirty feet. It’s double-helix structure keeps visitors coming back. The back drop is an orange vertical office tower mostly made of glass. This staircase does not lead anywhere and not open for the public to climb, but don’t let silly things like “The Law” slow you down.

Harris Harper is a professional writer and has written articles on architecture, framework and steel stairs. Recently he is writing about the fascinating world of stairs, ladders and other tools of ascension.

The post 10 Stairs You Must Climb Before You Die appeared first on The AdvenTourist.

The LA River may not be as well-known as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but this river attracts plenty of tourists and locals alike.

What makes this river unique is it flows through the city of Los Angeles, often right alongside the busy freeways. It’s been featured in films, used for swimming by celebrities, and even fished in by stars. The LA River is unlike any other river in the world, which makes it a great place to visit and photograph. And in all truth, there probably isn’t a more iconic natural landmark in the area (at least, not one with so many fun inherently fun activities).

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At one time, this river was the source of water for the city, back when it was known as the Los Angeles Aqueduct. The river once resembled other waterways like the Santa Clara River. The earliest writing about this great river occurred in 1769 by Juan Crespi; he wrote that it was surrounded by luscious alders and cottonwoods, and showed signs of seasonal flooding.

Today, the LA River doesn’t resemble its natural past. The city has confined it and changed the outlying wildlife and foliage. However, it is even more beautiful framed by the bustling city of Los Angeles. People looking for things to do in San Diego or other nearby cities will still want to take a detour to the LA River to experience its uniquely urban feel.
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If you’re looking for an idyllic, risk-free paddle, the LA River may not be for you. If you want an adventure, grab your oars and get ready for a highly unusual experience that uncovers the ugliness of man’s effect on nature.

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Few people can say they have boated down the river and until recently, it was illegal. Most of the 51-mile long river is surrounded by concrete embankments and full of pollution and debris. It’s not uncommon to come across rusty shopping carts, plastic bags, and questionable odors. But, patches of unspoiled vegetation and wildlife remain despite the river’s many years of neglect.

While it’s still not easy to jump in a canoe and float down the river at your leisure (at least not legally), the steps toward revitalization are a good sign the river will transform into a public waterway. In 2010, the river became protected under the Clean Water Act. This moved several local organizations to start a program called Paddle the LA River, which helped legally open up river access to boaters and kayakers for the first time in nearly 7 decades.

LA River Expeditions was a vital part of this program and led the expeditions that proved the river was safe to navigate. The expeditions ran along the 1.5-mile stretch of river between Balboa and Burbank boulevards, about 20 miles north of downtown LA. Today, LA River Expeditions still run tours down the river but space is limited as the tour season only spans 10 weeks during late summer and early fall. You can sign up here to be notified of future tour openings or follow them on Facebook for announcements.

Best Time to Go

Los Angeles’ temperate climate allows visitors to enjoy the river any time of year. However, tour companies only operate in the late summer and fall when the river is less prone to flooding.

Bragging Rights

The industrial corridor along the southern part of the river is surrounded by freeways, high-voltage power lines, and rail yards. You’d be hard pressed to find many rivers running through such urban environments anywhere in the world. It may not be beautiful along this area, but it’s certainly unique!

Cost

Exploring along the river can be extremely cost-friendly and even free if you just want to take a hike along its banks or use your own biking equipment. There are several tour and rental companies featuring river activities. Here are some of the great options for enjoying this storied river:

• Kid-Friendly Activities – There are many ways to enjoy this waterway with your family. Children enjoy fishing, bird watching, and hiking near the water.
• Paddle the River – LA River Expeditions’ tours are often sold out due to limited availability and a 10-week season.
• Boat Museums – Near the river there are many museums that explore the history of the river and its boats. You can see photographs and real historical boats.
• Bike Tours – Physically fit people will enjoy mountain biking the distance of the river.

Insider Tips

Here are some of the best spots to kick back and relax, read, or to have a quaint picnic:

• Rio de Los Angeles State Park – Here you can feed ducks, explore trails, or just sun bathe in the beauty of nature.
• River Garden Park – Tranquil and calm, this park is more of a botanical garden than a traditional park.
• LA River Walk (Above Balboa) – This walkway is like a park: well-groomed and peaceful, it has plenty of seating for visitors.

Learn More

• Check out some easy-to-use river maps for visitors to help navigate to any part of the river.
• To get specific directions you can visit Google Maps and enter Los Angeles River to find turn-by-turn directions.

Without a doubt, the Los Angeles River is a beauty that’s prime for enjoyment by locals and visitors. Often overlooked, this natural treasure is sure be a memorable destination for people of all ages. What experiences have you had with this river?

The post Paddle The Iconic Los Angeles River appeared first on The AdvenTourist.

If running 26.2 miles to complete a marathon seems like a superhuman feat to you, then running an ultramarathon that’s just over 103 miles in under 46 hours probably seems like asking you to do the impossible. Yet for those of you who run marathons like they’re your hobby, an ultramarathon probably sounds like a fun challenge.

The Mont Blanc Circuit Ultramarathon, or the “Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc,” will have you running through France, Italy, and Switzerland. If the distance wasn’t challenging enough, you’ll also be running over mountains — through the Alps. The pass over Mont Blanc follows the same trail that hikers take 9 days to complete, and it has runners climbing a total of 30,000 feet over the course of the race.

The Mont Blanc Circuit Ultramarathon is sponsored by the North Face (not surprisingly) and is limited to just over 2,000 competitors (though we can’t imagine that there are thousands of people scrambling over themselves trying to get a spot on this course).The route begins and ends at Chamonix in Southeastern France.
If all that weren’t enough, you can also expect to be racing in the wind, the rain, and even the snow. It will be cold, and it will be dark, and it will not be easy.
Though we think it’s safe to say that you won’t be signing up from the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc on a whim — this is no “Couch to 5k” — it still needs to be said that this is a race that requires months or even years of serious preparation. You should already be comfortable running long distances before you even begin to think about training for this, and you should preferably have a few marathons under your belt. The potential for serious injury is high, not only because of the very long distance but also because of the extreme conditions under which you run. It is recommended that you train with a professional for this race.

All that said, if you think you are up for the challenge both physically and mentally, the Mont Blanc Circuit Ultramarathon will land you major bragging rights. Check out this video for a glimpse into this one-of-a-kind event:

Best Time to Go

Unfortunately, you can’t decide when to run this. The 2013 race will take place on August 30. Registration is already closed, but you can still register for next year’s race, which will be Aug. 25-31. A pre-registration period will open on December 19 of this year.

Bragging Rights

Just completing this race is enough to give you bragging rights forever. However, if you really want to show off, you can work on making your time the best it can be. Top runners can do it in about 20 hours, but you have a time limit of 46 hours.

Of course, just entering also gives you some bragging rights. Not only does it show you were brave enough to try, but you also have to qualify to enter, so not everyone can.

Cost

Registration for the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc is 160€. You will also have to factor in airfare and lodging, which can be an additional several thousand dollars, depending on where you are flying from and the type of accommodations you choose.

Insider Tips

You need to come prepared for the race. Required gear includes a waterproof jacket and clothes to protect you from the elements, a head lamp for night running, a survival blanket and whistle. Though there are food and drink points every 6 to 10 miles, you’ll still need to bring water and sports gels or other snacks to make sure you are properly nourished along the route.

You can stash bags and supplies at points along the route, and at Courmayeur and Champex, you can collect a bag that you previously left at Chamonix (the race start).

Learn More

To find out more about the race, and to register, visit the official website at http://www.ultratrailmb.com/accueil.php.

About the Author:

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching New Orleans cooking classes. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

Top image via trailrunningsource

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Grass Carp

Grass Carp are tricky to catch in Florida because they do not take bait easily. Anglers can try baiting them with bread, corn or dog kibble. It can take a few days of throwing food into the water before the fish finally take the bait. Most Grass Carp weigh between 4 to 24 pounds but can be as large as 50 pounds. The larger the fish, the more difficult it can be to catch if it puts up a fight.

Permit

The Permit is one of the most difficult fish to catch and many anglers spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to accomplish the challenging task. Even though Permit fish are often quite large, they can be extremely difficult for an angler to see. The nervous fish has extraordinary eyesight and a keen sense of smell. The fish flees the scene quickly once it detects the presence of humans. If an angler does manage to catch a Permit the fish puts up a huge fight, which can last anywhere from 20-45 minutes.

Tarpon

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Tarpon are very fussy eaters and some anglers use sardines to lure them. It is very difficult to hook a Tarpon because they have bone hard mouths. They are very large fish and those who manage to hook one have the challenge of reeling it in as the fish thrashes and jumps about. The fish is often able to release itself from the hook rather quickly. It often takes an angler several tries before they manage to catch a Tarpon.

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna are massive, ranging from 300 to 800 pounds. Their sheer size alone poses a huge challenge to anglers. In order to catch a Bluefin Tuna someone must have a permit, large boat and the right heavy-duty fishing equipment.

Blue Marlin

The Blue Marlin is a rare fish and those who are lucky enough to hook one need to be ready for a big fight. The Blue Marlin is not only very large it is also extremely tough. Determined individuals who have both physical strength and stamina may be able to pull one of these fish in but it may take quite a few tries before they are successful.

Sailfish

The Sailfish is hard to catch because it is so fast. They have large, hard bills, which are hard to hook. Once a sailfish is hooked it puts up a challenging fight. Most seasoned anglers wait until the fish grows tired before trying to pull it up to the boat.

Broadbill Sword

The Broadbill Sword is rare, which makes it very hard to find. Those who manage to find the swordfish have a difficult time hooking it. Most anglers lose the fish if they do manage to hook it because it usually manages to escape pretty quickly. The Broadbill Sword weighs around 100 pounds on average so using large bait is the best way to attract the fish. Anglers need enough fishing line to go down around 1500 feet and should be prepared for a struggle if they manage to actually hook one of these beauties.

Tilapia

Tilapia spook easily, especially in undisturbed areas. They are not quick to take bait either. Some anglers find the behavior of the fish so annoying that they decide to quit trying to catch them at all.

Giant Grouper

Fishing in Florida for Giant Grouper is both fun and challenging. The Giant Grouper is a bottom feeder who may eat during the day or night. People may need to wait a while before they finally catch one of the large fish but if they are lucky, they will have a chance to see one. The harvest of Giant Groupers is illegal so anglers will have to place their catch back into the water.

Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish are hard to catch because they are nocturnal. Anglers must be willing to participate in some nighttime fishing in Florida if they want to increase their chances of catching one. Another great way to increase the odds of catching a Flathead Catfish is to use live bait.

Sam Moser is a freelance web content writer who graduated from the School of Journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. An avid traveller, Sam decided to try the Miami beach chartered fishing boats.

The post The 10 Most Difficult Fish To Catch In Florida appeared first on The AdvenTourist.

This year is an impeccable time for you to visit France because three of the most important events are happening: the 66Th Festival de Cannes, the Paris Fashion Week Spring and Summer 2013 and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe. The Festival de Cannes will provide every event photographer a field day and an opportunity to capture exclusive stills of what’s happening from the red carpet to the main event. There will be hundreds of people who’ll attend the festivity to witness featured films that will be exhibited in the silver screen. Celebrities, directors and producers, even from Hollywood, are regulars of Festival de Cannes. With Paris being the ‘fashion capital,’ you’ll be taking snapshots of beautiful and skinny models walking on the runway while flashing the latest trends of designer clothes.

The World Series of Poker, an annual tournament for poker enthusiasts is also happening in Paris this year. After two consecutive years of success in Cannes, organizers decided to make Casino Barriere Enghein’les-Bains as the venue. This event is a highly anticipated event especially among the French because poker is quite huge in the country being its birthplace. Proof to this is the availability of online poker hubs like Partypoker. With Partypoker, you’ll have an opportunity to find not only a poker enthusiast but a photography buff as well. It’s always good to have company while travelling in a foreign land. Partypoker’s community and social section is very interactive where you can even make friends and chat with them online. You can schedule a photo workshop or mount a photo exhibit with the help of your online poker buddies. You’re lucky if you’ll land a French date who will give you a glimpse of what France is like from a non-tourist point of view.

What are you waiting for? Book a trip to France and explore the City of Lights. Take your DSLR camera with you and ride the L’Open bus for a day of circling Paris. From there you’ll pass by the famous Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the triangular-shaped exterior of Musee du Louvre. If ever you get tired, you can always go to the green parks of Jardin des Tuileries. You may also stop for a quick shopping at St. Laurent and dine at Café de Flore.

The post France: the Perfect Destination for Photographers appeared first on The AdvenTourist.

A seaside restaurant with a front-row view of the beautiful blue waters will have diners waiting in line for hours to get a seat. You can only imagine the kind of stir caused by a restaurant that puts diners right in the center of the action — below the sea and with a front-row view of aquatic creatures ranging from sharks to rays to schools of fish.

Located in the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa on Rangali Island, Ithaa is billed as the world’s first undersea restaurant.

Ithaa, which means “mother of pearl” in Dhivehi, the native language of the Maldives, is encased in a clear, acrylic structure that provides a gorgeous panoramic view of the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The restaurant sits 5 meters under the sea (that’s a little over 16 feet for us Americans), and it is surrounded by coral reefs that feature an abundant and diverse variety of aquatic life.

Guests at Ithaa start their dining experience above water, enjoying cocktails on the restaurant’s deck. A spiral staircase then takes them down into the small dining room below for their main course. The cuisine features a mix of contemporary European and Asian influences and is described as “Maldivian-Western fusion.” The menu is seasonal and changes often. Expect to spend anywhere from $120 to $250 per person.

As you might expect, seating is a hot commodity at Ithaa. Not only is it a popular restaurant with a long waiting list, but it also has limited seating on the floor. In fact, the exclusive restaurant only seats 14 people in its 5-by-9 metre dining room (just a little over 16 feet by almost 30 feet). The restaurant recommends making reservations up to 14 days in advance, though you’ll probably have to call much further out than that.

If you are keen for a tropical vacation, consider taking a trip to the Maldives, where you can enjoy beautiful view both above and below the water. The Ithaa restaurant will be a one-of-a-kind experience that you can tell your friends about for years to come. Plus, if you aren’t a big fan of the water, or don’t know how to swim, the Ithaa restaurant gives you the opportunity to see ocean life up close and personal without ever having to get wet.

Best Time to Go

If you want the best view under the sea, the best time to visit is from January to April when the waters are calm and the sun is bright. Visibility in the waters can reach up to 30 meters during these months, allowing you to see a wide variety of sea life.

Bragging Rights

The bragging rights here will simply be getting a table. You can wait for weeks or months to get a space at the exclusive restaurant.

Cost

Expect dinner at Ithaa to cost anywhere from $120 to $250 per person — more if you are drinking cocktails or wine.

Insider Tips

The dress code at Ithaa is “smart,” but many diners have reported seeing tourists turn up in shorts and t-shirts. However, if you’re paying so much to eat at such an exclusive restaurant, we recommend wearing something nice to make an occasion of it.

Learn More

Check out the website of the Conrad Hotels & Resorts for more information about Ithaa, including the hours of operation.

Have you been to the Ithaa restaurant? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Alexis Bonari writes for one of the largest open databases of college funding opportunities. Specific topics like college grants and scholarships are described in detail to provide multiple resources for students.  

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If you absolutely love hiking, and think it’s an awesome idea to spend your nights huddled around a fire pit outside an RV, and your days climbing massive rocks – then Joshua Tree National Park is the right place for you! This park is an endless adventure of hiking trails, neat rock formations, and a unique desert experience. At just a 2-hour drive, straight east of L.A, you’ll find yourself in California’s vast desert life.

Before you enter the park, you can take a spin through a very depressed looking town of Joshua Tree. You’ll notice a lot of RV’s, a few general stores, and a lot of hitchhikers. Don’t be misguided by the less than energetic town, the real fun starts when you enter the park!

At over 1,200 square miles, the park was mapped out very smartly. You could spend a few hours there, a few days, or even a few weeks if you’ve got the time to allow it. For those with less time, the park is 100% drivable. There’s paved roads for cars that run throughout the park – and you can either pull to the side of the road at any time to get out and walk around, or stop at the designated areas (with parking lots) to explore the arrowed paths.

While there are definitely park rangers out and about, you don’t stumble upon them too often. The park gives you free range to climb whatever is in reachable distance and if you have your own gear for the more official form of rock climbing (e.g. – rope, belay, harness), well then you can pretty much set up shop wherever you please. For the climbing and bouldering expert, you’ll have your pick of over 400 climbing formations and 8,000 different climbing routes.

If you’re planning on spending the night (or many nights) in the park – you’ll be at no loss of finding campgrounds to kick back in after a long day of calorie burning. There are nine different locations where you can spend the night all ranging at a very affordable $10 – $15 a night. But be sure to check out the website as each campground has different rules and some are more equipped for the luxurious camper with features such as flush toilets. Warning: There is a lot of wildlife in the park, especially coyotes, so keep your eyes open as they know more about the park than you do.

Other than coyotes and large rock formations, another thing you will stumble upon is the very cool desert plant life. Unlike the beautiful flower gardens in tropical places, here you will find plenty of prickly plants such as cacti, and other interesting ones:

Obviously, be careful where you step, or you may have a tiny cactus on your sneaker too.

Best Time to Go

The neat thing about Joshua Tree’s location Is that it could be snowing less than hour drive away up in the mountains, but in the desert you’ll be enjoying temperatures in the 60s even in the coldest months. At night it will drop down significantly though so if you’re spending the night, prepare for both types of weather. The most recommended months would be late March to mid-April. The weather is ideal with a warm 70s during the day, and you’ll get to see the wild flowers in bloom.

And as an absolute worst time to go – try and avoid the summer, at all costs. Just don’t do it. The temperatures frequently go above 100 degrees and the air is very dry. If you DO brave the summer temperatures, bring a lot of water (and then pack more), and make sure your cars air conditioning is solid.

Bragging Rights

The park is beautiful, and a hiker’s dream. You can take advantage of the thousands of rock climbing routes, probably spot a coyote, and have some incredible photos when you’re done. This trip most definitely will not be costing you an arm and a leg – and if overnights in the dessert are not your scene, you can spend your night in Palm Springs, CA which is a short 30 minute drive away.

Cost

For just $15, you will get a 7-day pass to the park. If you’re camping overnight in the park, you can pay $10 at some campgrounds, or splurge for $15 at others. Since you’ll need to bring your own food, the vacation will not cost you much at all.

Insider Tips:

• This is the desert, so bring a lot of water
• The plant life here can seriously hurt you so try not to wander off the beaten path too much
• To be safe, it would be smart to pack a first aid kit as there is plenty of opportunity for danger
• If you want to play it really safe, purchase a trip insurance plan before you leave so you’re covered against any medical or other trip interferences

Learn More:

Joshua Tree Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Elana is an avid traveler and obsessed with itinerary planning. One of her favorite hobbies is researching locations before she visits so she already knows the tourist attractions, culture expectations, and cuisines.

Featured image via http://sgoralnick.tumblr.com

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