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Meteora Travel Guide

Relaxing Resorts - Shelia - August 3, 2015

The Greek word meteora suggests that “suspended within the air,” and this phrase ably describes the spectacular cliffs that rise over one,200 feet into the air commanding the villages of Kalambaka and Kastraki within the north central ground of Greece. What makes these cliffs even a lot of exalting rethe historic monasteries perked up on the summits. Dating back to the ordinal and sixteenth centuries, these monasteries were engineered by monks who had been living in near caves, seeking non secular isolation and freedom from spiritual persecution. Out of religion and sheer determination, it took years for the monks to move their spiritual materials up the cliffs by means of ropes, baskets and ladders.

While there have been originally twenty four monasteries, solely six of them stay intact nowadays. Accessible by a steps sculpted from the cliffs, the monasteries contain a number of the world’s best samples of spiritual manuscripts and art works, which may be viewed on-site . additionally to the monasteries, Meteora is additionally home to many unusual person and flower species. This makes Meteora a good place to relish out of doors recreation.

At the bottom of the cliffs square measure the most cities of Kalambaka and Kastraki, peaceful and exquisite villages that provide accommodation, shops, restaurants and tavernas furthermore as variety of Byzantine churches, Greek temples and alternative fascinating historic sites.

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Exploring the Middle East through alternative activities

Travel Destination - Shelia - July 30, 2015

When you think about holidaying in the Middle East, it’s natural that at first you’ll turn your mind to the region’s antiquities. Perhaps you’ll bring to mind Egypt’s stunning pyramids and the Sphinx, or Petra in Jordan, the historical city over 2,000 years old that was carved out of the rock.

If you’re feeling rather more adventurous, however, there are plenty of opportunities to test your skills and nerves by taking part in adrenaline sports in many parts of the region.

Winter and summer sports in Lebanon

If you thought the whole of the Middle East was hot all the year round, think again. The mountains in Lebanon stretch from the north of the country to the south, and to the east of the capital, Beirut. The Mzaar valley has been developing its winter sports for some time now, and there are great opportunities if you like to ski or snowboard – there are 42 slopes to enjoy, with 80km of piste spread over three distinct valleys. You can also go snowmobiling, ski touring, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

In the summer, you can take part in thrilling sports such as hang gliding and paragliding, mountain biking and quad biking. It’s cooler up in the mountains than on the coast, but you can combine time among the peaks with a swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

Going wild in Dubai

Perhaps the first things you think of in Dubai are the massive buildings soaring towards the sky, especially the immense Burj Khalifa, which thrusts 2,717ft into the sky and dominates its surroundings.

If skydiving is your thing, then Dubai is the place to be in the Middle East. Even if you’ve never done it before, you can take lessons at a skydiving center. Experienced instructors will take you through how to skydive safely, building up your skills and knowledge until they consider you ready for your first adrenaline-filled solo jump.

If you’ve no previous experience, then why not try a tandem jump? You’ll be harnessed to a professional instructor, and you can enjoy the thrill of flying through the air before landing safely.

Experienced skydivers can take part in formations or learn how to freefly with a wingsuit, as well as just getting in some freefall practice.

Base jumping

If you’re after serious thrills, then base jumping – parachuting from a building, antenna, or cliff – may be your thing. In Beirut, M1 Group has a range of buildings in the city, and although at the moment none of them are high enough to do base jumping safely, the company is working on taller buildings for the future where it could be possible to try it out – with permission, of course. Find out more information from the M1 Group bio.

Dubai gives permission from time to time to base jump from some of its enormous buildings. However, it’s not advisable to do to it without authorization as Middle Eastern countries can have serious penalties for breaking the law.

Whatever your adventurous interests, you can find many exciting things to do when you visit the Middle East.

Image Courtesy to rabiem22 under Creative Common License

 

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Glasses, sunglasses, no glasses!

Lazy Destinations - Shelia - July 30, 2015

Whether you need a new pair of glasses, are looking for trendy shades for the summer, are thinking about contact lenses, or perhaps undergoing a laser vision correction procedure, there is sure to be a solution to suit your personal tastes.

Glasses

Not too long ago, it used to be a case of visiting your local optician or optometrist, having your vision checked, and then struggling to choose your new frames from a boring, unimaginative and unflattering display of brands.

Today, all that has changed and you have the option of selecting from a bewildering and dazzling range of designer frames from some of the best-known fashion houses in the world. Think of names such as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger, and you start to get the picture. Because the market has become so competitive, there are frames available to suit almost every pocket.

The perception of glasses has changed so much over the past few years that celebrities and fashionistas who have perfect vision are wearing designer frames fitted with plain glass lenses simply as style accessories to go with their Louboutin shoes, Stella McCartney dresses and Tiffany jewelry.

Sunglasses

The world of sunglasses has always been significantly more designer oriented than that of its less glamorous counterpart, but even here, something of a revolution has been quietly taking place over the past decade or so.

Now, you can purchase sunglasses designed to make you look good and enhance your enjoyment of a whole host of outdoor activities and action sports, from rock climbing and snowboarding to driving and walking. Thanks to technological improvements, the lenses help protect your eyes from potentially harmful UV rays, the frames are lighter than ever, and they are designed to stay in place, no matter what you are doing.

Choose from classic styles by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, D&G, and Karen Millen, or sporty brands such as Timberland, Oakley, and Nike.

No glasses

If you really would prefer to avoid wearing glasses, there are several great alternatives available; the two most popular are a laser vision correction procedure – for example, lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) – and contact lenses.

A quick search on the internet will reveal a list of highly reputable centers offering lasik surgery. For example, if you reside in Florida, you can easily Find a lasik specialist in Jacksonville or elsewhere in the state. An incredibly accurate laser is used to remove microns of tissue from the cornea without damaging the surrounding tissue to correct both myopia (short-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness).

Modern contact lenses are infinitely more comfortable than they used to be and can be worn for several days at a time, saving all the hassle of having to remove and clean them every day. They are a great choice if you find spectacles inconvenient. In addition to clear lenses, contacts can be purchased in a range of tints, which means you can change your eye color to match your mood or attire.

If you haven’t checked out the latest eyewear, get down to your local shopping mall or go online to take a look at all the exciting new products; and remember, if glasses aren’t your thing, there are practical and affordable alternatives.

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Chile Attractions – Patagonian Country

Lazy Destinations - Shelia - July 28, 2015

This Patagonian country may be a wealthy tapestry of mountain and plain, jungle and ocean. Chile’s uncommon long form has given it a varied climate with one in all the world’s driest desert within thenorth, whereas its southern tip is home to cold-weather creatures like penguins. Chile is one in all the nighest nations, in conjunction with Argentina and New island, to Antarctic continent. The South includes a sturdy history of visiting explorers, as everybody who sailed round the world before the Panama Canal was designed required to pass its tip. The country conjointly includes a well-known wine region that draws several oenophiles every year. Here are the Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Chile:

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La Serena

This northern Chilean city is that the second oldest within the nation. It boasts a town filled with beautiful design and a heat golden beach. La Serena includes a name as an intellectual city, and includes a variety of nice sights that match this description, like AN anthropology museuem and astronomical observatory. Out of doors enthusiasts can like to bike through the Elqui Valley, swim, snorkel, dive and/or hike through Isla Damas, and visit the parkland at Fray Jorge.

Santiago

The capital town is that the political and cultural heart of Chile. From the high mountain views of the Cerro San Cristobal Park to the secluded history of writer Pablo Neruda’s writing retreat, there’s a lot of to ascertain here. Top picks embrace sport Valle Nevado or Portillo, ine tasting at VinaAquitaine, or visits to 1 of many top museums like Museo Chile Delaware Arte Precolumbio or Museo de la Moda. For people who don’t wish to pay all of their time within the town, there are wonderful hiking opportunities just like the steep slopes of Cajon de Maipo.

Iquique

This stunning beach and casino city offers a vivacious walk and lovely nineteenth century Georgian design just like the Aztoreca Palace. It’s the Monte Carlo of Chile, and has abundant to supply for anyone who loves free-spirited fun. throughout the day, guests here will participate in world-famous aquatics waves, paraglide or sand-board on the golden coast. A stroll down the woodsidewalks of the historic mining city, or the cobbled Baquedano street, provides a glance into an older economic boom time. Finally, the spectacular nightlife offers glitzy gambling,wonderful cooking, and looking within the duty-free district.

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Chiloe Island

Chiloe Island is that the largest island of the Chiloe earth within the Los port Region and therefore the second-largest island in South America once Tierra del volcano. Partially as a result of its physical isolation from the remainder of Chile, Chiloe incorporates a terribly special design and native culture. The Spanish who arrived within the sixteenth century, and Jesuit missionaries who followed, made many distinctive wood churches in a shot to bring Christianity to the earth. The result was a commixture of Catholicism and indigenous Chilean beliefs.

Chilean Fjords

The southern coast of Chile presents an oversized variety of fjords and channels that give the sole access to the present a part of Patagonia. Sailing through this region are often an memorable expertise. Most of the journeys begin from Puerto Montt and travel towards Carretera Austral, lake San Rafael and Puerto Natales. The journey takes tourists through days of unsettled fjords, shut encounter with glaciers and views of orange sunsets over the Pacific. To the south, the channels become narrower. on the approach, travelers may spot whales, several birds and ocean lions.

Image by jerry*brown, Rudy A. Girón, lacey underall under CC License.

 

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Easter Island

Relaxing Resorts - Shelia - July 24, 2015

Easter Island is one of the most isolated places in the world. Its closest inhabited neighbor is Pitcairn Island, 1,289 miles (2,075 km) to the west while the nearest continental point lies more than 2,000 miles (3,500km) to the east in central Chile.

Easter Island is one among the foremost isolated places within the world. Its nearest populous neighbor is Pitcairn Island, 1,289 miles (2,075 km) to the west whereas the closest continentalpurpose lies over a 2,000 miles (3,500km) to the east in central Chile.

The island is known for its monolithic stone statues, referred to as moai. The statues were inscribed by the Austronesian colonizers of the island, principally between circa 1250 AD and 1500 AD.additionally to representing deceased ancestors, the moai were conjointly considered the embodiment of powerful living or former chiefs. The tallest moai erected, referred to as Paro, was nearly thirty three feet (10 meters) high and weighed seventy five tons.

The name “Easter Island” was given by the island’s initial European traveller, the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who encountered it on Easter Sunday 1722. By that point the civilization of Easter Island was already in an exceedingly forceful decline, as a results of population, deforestation and exploitation of a very isolated island with restricted natural resources. The statues were still standing once Roggeveen visited the island however by James Cook’s visit in 1774 several were reportable toppled. Most would be stricken throughout later conflicts between clans. Nowadays regarding fifty moai are re-erected.

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