Archive for February, 2010

Arizona Winter Golf Locations

Friday, February 26th, 2010

If you’ve never taken a winter golf vacation in Arizona, here is some information that might help. You might just find that an Arizona golf vacation is exactly what you’re looking for. If you want a winter golf package that you will never forget, you don’t have to look any farther than Arizona. The state is packed full of winter golf destinations, and is home to spectacular golf courses, great weather year-round, and luxurious resorts. Arizona boasts some of the best golfing destinations in the United States.

A great winter golf package is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. It starts from $1225/person, and you must book it by March 30th, 2010. It includes three nights double occupancy in a Fairmont room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, one round of golf at the TPC Stadium Course, one round at the Grayhawk Raptor Course, rental of a Hertz mid-size car for four days, and resort taxes and fees.

Another winter golf package is at the Arizona Biltmore Resort located in Phoenix. It includes a Garden or Mountain View resort room, three nights in a room with two rounds of golf at the Biltmore Country Club, seven nights in a room and four rounds of golf at the Biltmore Golf Courses, green fee and cart, and a Hertz rental car.

Last on this list of winter golf packages to Arizona is The Wigwam Resort Golf Package located in Litchfield Park. The prices range from $549 and include Traditional Garden Casita accommodations.

Winter Golf in Wickenburg, Arizona

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

If you’re thinking about taking a winter golf vacation, you may want to consider going to Rancho de los Caballeros. It is a well-known guest ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona. People have been visiting the ranch for more than fifty years to enjoy golf, riding, great food, and nice weather. Guests can also relax in the recently added spa.

The low season at the ranch is from December 20th to April 20th and April 21st to May 10th. Costs begin at $400 for a double occupancy and include three meals a day. The high season is from December 20th to April 20th. Prices during this time are $462 for a double occupancy on a double Ranch Room and $616 for a Maricopa Suite. (2007-08 prices) Prices include three meals per day per person and the use of the ranch facilities. Children under the age of four are allowed to stay free with an adult. Other extra people in a room are charged $95 per night.

Rancho de los Caballeros is home to an eighteen-hole golf course that has been rated as one of the top seventy-five resort courses in the United States. It is a par 72 championship course that features 7,025 yards, well-placed bunkering, and beautiful Bermuda fairways. The back nine is hilly and will force you to have to use all nine of your clubs. The golf course also provides a putting green and driving range. Rancho de los Caballeros is a great place for the whole family.

Winter Golfing in Arizona

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Golfing in Arizona is hot and dry during the day, and cool and clear in the evenings. There is beautiful dessert scenery and great golf courses in Arizona as well. These are the images you will see if you play golf in Arizona, but there is a whole lot more to playing golf in Arizona. The state of Arizona has some of the most beautiful golf resorts and spas on Earth, which could make for a spectacular vacation. The golf courses in Arizona are challenging, and many of them are ranked at the top in the world.

There are several places that the golf vacation industry makes its living, and Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix are on that list. Of all winter golfing destinations, the ones in these three Arizona cities are the easiest to access from the interstate or the airport, and they have some of the best courses the U.S. has to offer.

Scottsdale has a lot to offer the golf enthusiast. It is home to world-class resorts with breathtaking golf courses and pleasant weather, which makes it a year-round destination. It is one of the most popular golfing locations in the U.S. Some great places to play golf in Scottsdale, Arizona are: The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Camelback Inn, Orange Tree Golf Resort, and The Phoenician.

Next on the list of Arizona golf destinations is Phoenix. There isn’t a whole lot of difference in going to play golf in Scottsdale or Phoenix. They both have great courses and are both accessible from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Tourist Attractions in Nicaragua

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Nicaragua has been labeled “the land of lakes and volcanoes” because of the many lagoons and lakes, and the string of volcanoes that run north and south along the Pacific side of the country. Currently, only seven of the fifty volcanoes in the country are labeled as active. A lot of these volcanoes provide some great opportunities for with activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and swimming in crater lakes. Another recent activity that has gained popularity is sand skiing. It is most popular at the Cerro Negro volcano that is located in the city of Leon. If you are adventurous, both dormant and active volcanoes can be climbed. Some of the most frequently visited volcanoes are Masaya Volcano, Momotombo, Mombacho, Ometepe’s Maderas, Cosiguina, and Concepcion.

The Apoyo Lagoon was formed by the eruption of the Apoyo Volcano around 23,000 years ago. The eruption left a large 7km-wide crater that slowly filled with water. It is encircled by the crater wall. The edge of the lagoon is populated with restaurants that also have kayaks available to customers. Many visitors enjoy exploring the forest around the lagoon, kayaking, and participating in other water sports.

Another popular tourist attraction in Nicaragua is the archipelago of 365 islands that are called the Islets of Granada. The islets were made when the Mombacho volcano erupted and blew its top into the lake. The islets are popular with tourists and locals alike. They are of all different sizes and have a population of around 1200 people.

Information on Tourism in Nicaragua

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

With the rise of tourism in Nicaragua, ecotourism has become more popular in the country as well. Ecotourism has the goal of being ecologically and socially focused on things such as the local culture, adventure, and the wilderness. Nicaragua’s ecotourism has several ecotourism tours that are great tours if you love adventure. Nicaragua has three areas of ecotourism that are the Pacific, Atlantic, and Central which have volcanoes, agriculture, and tropical rainforests.

Nicaragua has seventy-eight protected areas over twenty percent of its land. It also contains seven percent of Earth’s biodiversity. This is more than Costa Rica, which many falsely believe has the most. Also, Nicaragua is the location of Bosawas, which is the biggest rainforest north of the Amazon in Brazil. It also contains the biggest lake in Central America, which is Lake Cocibolca. Lake Cocibolca brings in a lot of tourists every year, but most of them go to see Ometepe, which is a big volcanic island that was made by two volcanoes in the lake. Also, many tourists enjoy seeing the flora and fauna that is located in the Charco Verde Nature Reserve.

The biodiversity of Nicaragua attracts a lot of tourists to protected locations such as the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve. This reserve is home to more species of birds, trees, and insects than all of Europe. Nicaragua has one international airport, which is Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. Since its recent renovations, it is now the most modern airport in Central America.

Nicaragua Tourism

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Tourism in Nicaragua has seen a lot of growth in the last ten years, and many tourists visit the country for ecotourism and surfing. Although Granada is currently the most popular tourist destination in Nicaragua, another well known place is the Corn Islands. They are located around 70 km off the Caribbean coast of the country near Bluefields. The islands are revered by many as a “tropical paradise”. Cruise ships began docking in San Juan del Sur in January of 2000, and they average around 50,000 tourists every year. Many who visit go on tours to nearby Lake Cocibolca and the colonial city of Granada.

A fact that may be surprising to some is that Nicaragua has recently been ranked with the lowest crime rate in Latin America by Interpol and other sources. Stats show that there are only twelve crimes for every 100,000 citizens. Nicaragua also is home to the largest lake in Central America, 700 bird species, and unspoiled natural beauty. In light of all this, it is a surprising fact that Nicaragua is still the least visited country in the area. The low number of tourists has been instrumental in causing the country to keep their prices low and preventing it from having a touristy atmosphere.

CECOFAFEN is a Nicaraguan organization of coffee processors that run a rural tourism project. It was founded in 1997 and became a project in 2003 after the prices of coffee dropped. CECOCAFEN gives visitors the chance to visit a coffee farm, learn about making coffee, and stay the night on the farm and go exploring with a guide.

Tourism in Nicaragua

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Tourism in Nicaragua has experienced a large amount of growth, and it has become the second biggest industry in the country. President Daniel Ortega has expressed his intentions to fight poverty in the country through tourism. Nicaragua has reaped benefits from tourism in the areas of commercial business, agriculture, finance industries, and the construction industry.

Throughout the 1980s Nicaragua wasn’t considered a desirable place to travel due to the Nicaraguan Revolution. However, since that time the country’s unrest has ceased and tourism is making a huge comeback. In the last seven years, tourism in Nicaragua has increased about seventy percent. The country is a tourist attraction due to its flora, landscapes, wildlife, beaches, culture, lakes, and volcanoes. The main attractions are the beaches, scenic roads, and beautiful architecture of its buildings.

In 2005, 803,933 tourists came to Nicaragua, which was a jump from 579,165 in 2002. Nicaragua’s tourism industry gained $240 million, which is more than the earnings from their top money earner, coffee. Nicaragua has even surpassed the country of Panama in the number of tourists who visited. Most of the visitors traveled from Europe, the U.S., and Central and South America. Around 60,000 U.S. tourists go to Nicaragua every year, which mainly consist of business people, those visiting relatives, and tourists.

Tourist reports have stated that the colonial city of Granada is the most popular location for tourists, as well as the cities of Leon, Masaya, and Rivas. Other popular attractions are San Juan del Sur, San Juan River, Ometepe, and Mombacho Volcano.

Tourism is Costa Rica

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Besides beautiful beaches, nature tours, wildlife, and tropical rainforests, Costa Rica has a great nightlife to entertain tourists. There are a lot of great places to visit after the sun goes down and you’ve spend the day relaxing on the beach or snorkeling. However, if you really want to party in Costa Rica, you will have to wait until around ten o’clock, when the nightlife becomes more lively. So, before you go out to check out the party scene you will want to visit some of the great restaurants Costa Rica has to offer. In Costa Rica you can find food that includes Peruvian, Tai, Chinese, Chilean, Argentinean, German, Japanese, and U.S. chain restaurants such as TGI Friday’s and Tony Roma’s, as well as all the fast food you can eat. Also, all the U.S. restaurants deliver, even McDonald’s.

Of all the great things to experience in Costa Rica, dancing shouldn’t be left out. Costa Ricans love to dance, and they are good at it. People in the country take dancing serious, and almost every couple takes lessons, which are cheap, and go out to shake what they’ve have. But, if you’re one of those people with two left feet, you may prefer to sit back and enjoy some live music while vacationing in Costa Rica. You can always catch some live music from chamber music to Spanish Flamenco dancers and world famous soloists to hot Latin bands. The venues for live musical performances range from stadium to the National Theater.

Where to Vacation in Costa Rica

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

If you go on vacation to Costa Rica, you not only have the option of seeing some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, you can also enjoy exciting night life. Located a short distance from the downtown Holiday Inn, El Pueblo offers more than 100 bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, and galleries. Also, there are cultural activities at The National Theater such as a Philharmonic Orchestra. The National Theater building is a beautiful site to see. It was erected in the 1880s and has the design of a Paris Opera house. In the 1960s the National Theater put on a dinner for former President Kennedy and the first lady.

Now, Costa Rica offers the City Lights Dinner Tour located at the Ram Luna restaurant. To get to it you travel a half hour up a steep mountain road, where the restaurant overlooks San Jose at an elevation of 4,700 feet. This location provides some of the best views of San Jose at night. A fireplace and candle lit tables brings a great atmosphere by which you can enjoy a huge dinner buffet prepared by Chef Rogelio Carballo. Not only is the food and drinks good, but you can enjoy great live music. After dinner and some music, the tour takes on a more party atmosphere as you take in a cultural show by the “Payaso’s of Aserri”, which culminates with a short fireworks display. The tour includes transportation to and from your hotel in San Jose.

Plan a Vacation to Costa Rica

Monday, February 15th, 2010

If you want to plan an unforgettable vacation that is full of lots of things to see and do, Costa Rica just might be the place you’re looking for. Even though Costa Rica is a small country, it is packed with a wide variety of plant and animal life and many activities and natural wonders. Costa Rica has something to offer everyone.

Costa Rica offers beautiful national parks and protected areas and hotels with spectacular views. However, if you’re a true nature lover, you may just want to pitch a tent and enjoy its natural beauty under the stars. Costa Rica is home to pristine jungles and tropical rainforests and active volcanoes. You can view daily volcano eruptions at volcanoes such as Volcan Arenal, Irazu, or Poas. You can lounge on stunning beaches such as Cahuita, Pavones, and Drakes Bay. Also, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Playa Negra, and Playa Ocotal can provide you with an amazing surfing, snorkeling, or sport fishing experience. If all that isn’t enough, you can go white water rafting on the Rios Pacuare, Revenatzon, or Parrita.

The rainforests, cloud forests, and tropical dry forests of Costa Rica contain an amazing variety of birds, monkeys, lizards, sloths, snakes, frogs, and butterflies. Some of the rarest wildlife in the world is there such as the Scarlet Macaw, and Morpho butterflies.

However, if you’re not a huge nature lover, Costa Rica offers night life on the Southern Caribbean Coast at locations such as Puerto Viejo and Cahuita.