Its Time to Camp Croatia

Croatia is one of the most popular camping destinations. With over one thousand islands with varying sizes and population, Croatia offers campers a lot of alternatives to choose from. Moreover, Croatia is known to have a mixture of climates. Along the cost it is Mediterranean, continental in the north and east and the south-central region has a semi-highland and highland climate. So, if you are looking forward to take some time out of your busy schedule and enjoy the outdoors, camping in Croatia can just be the right option.

The beauty of the coastline in Croatia can be attributed to the beauty of its islands. Some of these islands have become great camping sites in Croatia. The largest islands are Cres and Krk, both located in the Adriatic Sea. Krk is believed to be the largest island of the two, covering approximately 157 square miles. It is also one of the most populated. Good infrastructure has made Krk a busy place for the tourists. Cres, on the other hand, is not as visited as Krk. It can be reached both from the mainland and the other nearby islands.

Other popular campsites in Croatia are Camp Kalac, Camp Adriana, Island Hvar, Lastovo camp Skriveni, Losinj island, Brijuni islands, Pag island, Istria and Kvarner. Among these, camp Kalac is possibly the largest camp site with an area of 1000 square meters. Istria, on the other hand is the most developed tourist region. Losinj is known for its lush green vegetation. Susak, a nearby island from Losinj is strange in its own way. With a population of below 200, people of Susak speak their own language and dress in colorful costumes. Pag is considered the second longest island within the Adriatic. The island has little vegetation due to the presence of strong winds. Pag is known for its lace making and paski sir. Hvar, ranks as the fourth largest island covering an area of 182 square miles. It is sunnier and gets enough rain. The island is well vegetated and maintains beautiful fields of lavender, sage, rosemary and marjoram. Lavender oil is a major export of this island and a must buy for any camper out there.

The choice of the campsite in Croatia depends upon how a camper wants spend his holiday. The best thing about camping in Croatia is that it offers a great variety of campsites to choose from. So if you are looking forward to have a good vacation, its time to go camp Croatia.

Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends.

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/It-s-Time-to-Camp-Croatia/692790
Camping gear

Snorkeling in Akumal, Mexico

Akumal Bay is known for its assorted species of sea turtles which use the area for breeding, feeding and rearing their young. This provides an optimal chance to experience the turtles in their natural habitat, including the many varied species of fish and plant life.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are perhaps the best activities to pursue during a visit to Akumal, but snorkeling is a less physically demanding and technical option. With a brief instruction course and a good site choice, snorkeling is very easy for even first-time beginners.

One popular site for snorkeling in Akumal is the Yal-ku lagoon. This site is an very rare environment where fresh water coincides with salt water from the ocean. The combination of the two types of water is called a "halocline" effect.

Only very specific species can live and prosper in this halocline lagoon, and the mixture of salt and fresh water supplies creates an altered appearance of the water itself. Many species found in this area are not found anywhere else in the world, and have been featured on many travel channel specials in recent years.

Casa Cenote is a lagoon featuring mangroves and bright fish displays. Interested snorkelers find the fossils in Cenote at Dosojos quite interesting for a day of exploration. Many of the fossils seen at Dosojos date back to original civilizations that once occupied the area.

Snorkel lessons are always a good idea forfirst-timers prior to traveling to one of these sites. Although the activity is simple, some find that they are uneasy with the equipment or unsure how to best watch the underwater scenery while safely using the equipment.

A popular activity for locals and tourists alike is night snorkeling. Typically, a flashlight is used in conjunction with traditional snorkeling equipment for this activity.

Many species which are not seen during daylight hours can be seen when snorkeling after nightfall. This is usually because they are night-feeders or resting during the daytime.

The octopus is a excellent example of this spectacle. Octopuses only come out to feed at nighttime, and change color when a flashlight beam shines on them. Virtually all of the life seen at night are safe for snorkelers, so night snorkeling is a family-friendly activity also.

Plant life and some types of fish are also luminescent at night. This creates greenish lights glowing either continuously or flashing at night - quite a view for one who is only used to snorkeling during the daytime!

Rent our villa in Akumal Mexico.
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M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling.

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Snorkeling-in-Akumal--Mexico/692854
Camping Tips

Hot Destinations for Escaping the Winter Chill

Are you looking to escape the cold winter weather? Taking a vacation might be the perfect way to do just that. Instead of choosing a destination for skiing or a location near your home, check out these hot vacation spots that should get your mind off the snow and ice back home:

Hawaii

If you want to stay in the United States, Hawaii is an excellent option to consider and many travel packages are available. Hawaii has beautiful warm weather throughout the entire year and you do not need a passport to get there. Some of the most popular destinations within Hawaii include Maui, Oahu, The Big Island, Haleakala, and Waikiki Beach. All of these can be great for everything from a family vacation to a romantic honeymoon or a party-filled spring break trip with your friends. While there, you can explore the volcanoes, enjoy the pristine beaches, and attend late-night luaus.

Bali

For a fun cultural experience in a warm climate, consider a vacation to Bali, an Indonesian island located between Java and Lombok. Bali is famous for its art, music and dance, many of which tie into the Hindu religious epics. For a unique experience, visit Bali during the Hindu New Year in the spring. They celebrate with a day of silence, where you are encouraged to stay in your hotel. The day before has many activities available such as parades all over the island. These include spectacular, brightly colored sculptures that are burned to drive away evil spirits.

The Bahamas

The islands of the Bahamas are technically not in the Caribbean, but they are not far from Florida and still have that tropical Caribbean feel. There are over 700 islands in this chain, which you can explore via boat tours. This island nation was once a part of Great Britain, and you can still see and feel the British influence there today.

St. Lucia

One of the most natural scenic locations in the Caribbean is St. Lucia. This island is known for its rainforest, complete with a zip line through the canopy and a volcano that is also a road. During July, you can attend Carnival, complete with parades, costumes, and parties. At one time, the waters around St Lucia were filled with pirates, and there are still sunken ships to explore while diving, coves with pirate themes, and historic shipping locations that you can visit to learn more about pirates in this area.

Bermuda

Like the Bahamas, Bermuda is technically not a part of the Caribbean Islands, but it is often lumped in with them because it has similarly warm, sunny weather. Located off the coast of the Carolinas, this site is a bit colder in the winter, but because of that, it is also a more affordable in the off-season. Bermuda is known for its scuba diving and snorkeling, and while there, pick up a Heritage Passport, which gives you access to all of the island chain's cultural sites.

Mexico

Cancun and Cabo are just two of the popular vacation destinations in Mexico. Most people equate Mexico with Tijuana and other sites around the border, but locations on the Yucatan Peninsula are actually high-class resort areas with Caribbean weather. In Mexico, you can also explore Mayan ruins, and if you travel farther inland, away from the Caribbean coast or golf, you can find other cultural sites to visit as well.

Tahiti

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Tahiti is an often-overlooked vacation destination. This French Polynesian island chain has beautiful black sand beaches, and while there, you can visit a number of different islands, including Bora Bora, Moorea, and Taha'a. While staying in Tahiti, you can choose an over-water bungalow room instead of a traditional hotel room for a unique experience. Other popular things to do while in Tahiti include snorkeling, shark feeding, touring a pearl farm, and spending the day at one of Tahiti's world-renowned spas.

Buenos Aires

If you love the nightlife, the warm weather of Buenos Aires might be perfect for you. This tourist destination is the capital of Argentina. Here, you can see a tango show, shop at the Antique Fairs in Dorrego Square, or go to one of the many music festivals that takes place throughout the year. Of course, for the most fun tourist experience in this location, visit Buenos Aires during Carnival.

If you do not want to leave the United States, visiting one of the southern states is a great option (beside Hawaii) that you can choose for a warm and sunny vacation. Some of the most popular destinations include Orlando, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. If you have the winter blues, plan a trip to a sunny location and leave the ice, snow, and cold weather behind.

Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about a wide range of topics involving the travel industry. Ms. Larkin also writes about the service side of the travel industry including travel deals one would find by working with a travel agent.

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Hot-Destinations-for-Escaping-the-Winter-Chill/693608
Travel Spain Barcelona

New domestic applications of solar lighting technology

As you approach the garden gate you can hear the gentle splashing of a small solar fountain. You step through the cool shade of the overhanging vines into the brightly lit and wildly colorful world of the garden. There you see several small fountains, one on a tall pedestal where the birds dip in and out of the spraying droplets and another is tucked into a bed of succulent plants where a dragonfly sits and takes as "sun bath".

You notice that the gravel path is lined with pretty little copper lanterns that seem to mix perfectly with the grasses and plants that also reside at the edges of the many walkways. Further on you notice a lovely flowering tree of some sort, and note its overhanging branches that sway in the breeze.

At the back of the flower garden you realize that there are rows of herbs and vegetables peeking up from behind a short fence which is also lined with those delightful copper lanterns. At the back of the vegetable bed is a small and brightly painted wooden shed where it is clear the gardener spends a great deal of their time.

So, this lovely daylight scene is clearly a beloved garden full of growing things and contented wild creatures. What happens to such a scene after the sun sets? Clearly the gardener has installed many lights along the paths and walkways, but they might also have installed a much wider range of lighting fixtures, particularly if they used solar powered lighting. Additionally, those tinkling fountains might also be powered by the sun as well!

Modern gardeners have the benefit of the rapid developments taking place in the field of solar energy, and one of the most immediate is the wide availability of solar powered lighting and even pumps. The garden discussed above could be gently lit during the evening hours by the pathway lighting fixtures, it could easily have a solar powered shed light installed at the back of the vegetable garden, and the two fountains and beautiful flowering tree could all benefit from solar lighting.

Fixtures such as these could be installed with almost no tools and by someone with absolutely no knowledge of electricity or wiring. Solar fixtures will have their chargers either built in or connected through durable wires, they can be quickly and simply relocated, and rarely require bulb replacement. They will cost absolutely nothing to operate and add a whole new dimension to even the most beautiful garden.

Jonathan Gal is a solar lighting expert and owner of YCA Solar Lights, an organization dedicated to promoting clean, energy efficient outdoor solar lights usage. To find out more about how solar technology is changing the way we live, especially with respect to lighting, you are invited to visit Jonathan's site: www.ycasolarlightstore.com

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/New-domestic-applications-of-solar-lighting-technology/708727
Travel Destinations

Are They REALLY Hibernating?

It rained tonight. You know what the rain usually brings...cooler weather! It does here in Florida anyhow. As I'm in the garage waiting for my dog to use the amenities in the yard out the garage door, I was wishing I had my robe on!

My dog has to be the biggest prissy chicken canine you have ever met! Just because it rained, she lifts her paws up and down and jumps around the yard as if to be thinking "eww it's wet & muddy yucky, ewwww"! If ever there were someone lurking by the side door, she'd probably run up to them to say hello. God forbid it were a coyote or bear (yes, we do have bears in FL, check out the article I once wrote about the Chihuahua that was eaten by one here)! I recently saw a coyote right behind our house!

Speaking of bears, did you know that there are eight different types of bears! They use caves and burrows during the winter for a long period of sleep known as hibernation, where body temperature drops a couple degrees from normal and heart rate slightly slows.

Northern bears are supposed to hibernate in the winter. Many different kinds of bears fall into a physiological state of sleep, but it's not truly hibernation. They've been known to still wake up to "use the amenities" and eat food they have stored!

The tropical species have cubs year round. Northern female bears have their cubs during the winter hibernation! When bears have their cubs, they can have up to three of them at once! Cubs are born blind, bald and without any teeth. They'll stay with their mother for two full seasons (approximately three years), when she's ready to have more babies, then she'll chase the cubs off. It has been known that male brown and polar bears sometimes will kill and eat babies born from another dad just to get a female to breed once again.

Well, with all that said, I keep a bottle of Guard Alaska Bear Spray on my supply shelf right next to my side door! Stalker, intruder, coyote, bear, whatever...it's best be safe and armed than sorry. Are you prepared? While you are thinking about it now, if you aren't prepared, don't hesitate!

Yours In Safety,

Regina Jacques

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Are-They-REALLY-Hibernating-/706432
Camping gear

Barcelona on a Budget: 10 Ideas for Seeing the City Cheaply

Barcelona is a beautiful city and a very popular tourist destination as well. If you are planning a visit to Barcelona and are on a tight budget, here are some tips that can help you enjoy the city without burning a hole in your pocket.

1. Getting There- Try to use budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair that operate daily flights to travel to Barcelona. You can also get from London to Barcelona by train in less than 24 hours, for only £120

2. Get Free Information- Your first stop should be the Tourist Information Office. The Informatico Turistica Placa Catalunya is easy to find at 17S, below Pla?Catalunya. They offer free maps and brochures, discount cards, flyers for free and cheap events, cheap currency exchange, email kiosks and phone cards.

3. Getting Around- Barcelona has a great Metro which will take you almost anywhere you want to go. Unlimited travel passes are offered and can save you money.

4. Accommodation- Hostels are plentiful and of an unusually high-quality in Barcelona due to the high number of students and budget travellers. However, for the best deal, rent an apartment for your stay, especially if you are travelling in a group.

5. Sightseeing- Barcelona's historic architecture provides a fascinating backdrop for a walk through the city. Spend an afternoon strolling through the Parc Guell, Las Ramblas, or Parc Cuitadella. Keep an eye out for free brochures to learn more about the city's sights.

6. Museums- All city museums provide free entry on the first Sunday of the month, on other day you can take advantage of the student discounts. The Museum of Chocolate has a mere £3 fee- and with a name like that it's got to be good.

7. The Beach- Swimming and sunbathing are the perfect free activities for a summer day. Bring snacks and drinks as the restaurants around here tend to be overpriced.

8. Eating- Go for the set lunch or combination meals to get the best of your money's worth. Look for bohemian caf?catering to artists and writers and students. You could also avoid the restaurants and hit a market for some fresh and economical food that you can prepare by yourself. The Mercat de Sant Josep (La Boqueria market) is open until 8-30 p.m. every day except Sunday.

9. Nightlife- Avoid the fancy after work business bars and head for the indie bars. Many of these are concentrated in the Gothic Quarter. If you are heading to a club, be sure to pick up free passes from promoters around town in order to save yourself a cover charge.

10. Bargains- Get a discount card like "Go and Connect" or the "Barcelona Card." These will get discounts in lots of restaurants, bars and tourist attractions around town.

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Barcelona-on-a-Budget--10-Ideas-for-Seeing-the-City-Cheaply/704430
Vacation planning

Outdoor Solar Lights - Camping Made Easier with Solar Products

So, you are getting ready for an upcoming camping trip and are thinking about the "essentials" for your weekend in the woods. You probably have all of your gear for setting up a camp site including a tent, sleeping bag and other equipment. You are also probably thinking about cooking, bathing and even some "luxuries" like communication and any emergency needs.

This is a wise approach to an enjoyable weekend or camping trip because many people forget about some of the more difficult realities while they prepare for a vacation. For example, what will you do in the event of a medical emergency? While you may know that a hospital is about twenty miles from the camp site, the problem may be that you have no idea how to find the hospital! What kind of facilities are at the location? Will there be hot water? What kind of lighting will be available?

Luckily modern technology can provide solutions and answers to all of these questions through solar powered products, and a frequent camper would be wise to invest in some of the best solar powered camping essentials.

Beginning with communications; like millions of other consumers you probably have a cell phone, mobile device or GPS. Each of these remarkable gadgets can function in a wide number of ways, but each of them also requires a fully charged battery. The problem then is just how to charge a battery in the middle of the woods? The answer is a good portable solar charger. These are lightweight and completely portable solar panels that are constructed of durable and flexible materials that will provide a small, personal electronic device with a full charge. Some backpackers will even drape the waterproof units over the exterior of their pack and use it to feed their GPS with a constant charge throughout the day! This is also great for emergency situations where a cellular phone or other device may be required to call for help.

The next area where solar equipment can help out on a camping trip is lighting. There are an enormous range of solar powered lamps and lights that can provide up to twelve hours of service on a single charge. This saves campers from lugging the significantly heavier, battery powered units traditionally used in the woods, and it also eliminates any concerns about running out of light when batteries die.

Finally, one of the most enjoyable experiences provided by solar power on a camping trip is a hot shower. Specially treated bags can be filled with ice cold stream water and left in the sun for a few hours where the bag superheats the water and provides a steaming hot shower for a lucky camper!

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Outdoor-Solar-Lights---Camping-Made-Easier-with-Solar-Products/704365
boating equipment

The Increase in Gap Year Travel in The Current Recession

A 'gap year' is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those currently in education. The tradition of 'gap years' found its roots in Britain, where the culture of taking a year off prior to entering college had been strongly developed in society and is now a common occurrence for people throughout the world.
It is therefore important to ask an underlying question, which is at the very heart of this trend. How can gap years benefit individuals? The answer is quite simple, and is precisely that by deferring entering college, students have enough time to discover their interests, and as a result become better able to plan ahead for the future, thereby ensuring increased effectiveness and motivation. Moreso, in this period of recession, it would be wise to take some time off and analyse what is it that you have to offer and which countries are most likely to contribute to your growth. This becomes a logical reason why the U.S. also began to encourage and foster the concept of gap years.

In these times of financial restraint, several trends have come to surface in different countries. In the UK, a greater number of students are thinking about taking gap years so as to avoid the recession; their most desired destination is reported to be Australia. The Association of Graduate Recruiters has forecast that there will be approximately 30% less jobs available for graduates this year. It stands to reason, then, that there will be an increased number of students choosing to take some time off and opt for a gap year with the intent of travelling the world, in order to search for appropriate career paths with growth prospects.
In the U.S. the gap year travel market, however, is expected to grow at a slower pace; the reason being parents have the responsibility of funding part of their children's travel.

Today, though, in this ever-changing world where change is the only constant, the concept of gap years has also evolved over time. It has grown beyond its application to high-school students alone, and is now equally applicable to people at all stages of their life. In recent times, graduates have become inclined to take a break before stepping into their work life. Likewise, more recently, people already working in the market have also been seen to take some time off from their otherwise busy careers.

Gap years have become a means of giving students enough time and exposure to fulfill their desire of travelling abroad, interacting with people belonging to different backgrounds, learning about a variety of cultures, and accomplishing their wish to make a difference in the lives of others by offering their help in foreign countries. Gap years allow you to take on temporary jobs abroad and extend your effort in volunteer work abroad.
You have several options of planning your own gap year travel in this regard. It is completely at your disposal. You have the choice of selecting your gap year travel either by destination or by type. There is a long list of destinations you can choose from such as Africa, Asia, Australasia or Latin America. Likewise, you can also opt for the kind of work you want to do for your gap year job. In this respect you again have a wide range of alternatives to choose from, such as community, wildlife, conservation, and teaching English, to name but a few.

Therefore, in deciding to spend your gap year abroad you could select the nature of work you are interested in doing and then look for a country that provides you with related opportunities. If your area of interest is wildlife you may want to consider going to China and becoming involved in the conservation of pandas. If you are interested in teaching English, you may want to think about going to Thailand. Similarly if you are interested in working voluntarily with underprivileged children, you may choose Kenya as your destination.

John Roamer has worked within the educational gap year travel niche for over 10 years working with companies who provide various educational courses in a number of countries.

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Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/The-Increase-in-Gap-Year-Travel-in-The-Current-Recession/701827
Outdoor adventure