Croaghaun is the third highest sea cliff in Europe, though it’s sloped so I’m not sure you’d want to jump.  It’s the second highest mountain in Ireland, and many say this is the most untouched piece of land in Western Europe.

To hike the mountain – which isn’t a terrible hike, at least relative to mountains elsewhere in the world of similar height – isn’t like you can rock up to the car park and stroll up to the top.  Nor can you even see the cliffs without hiking to them, unless you get a  boat to take you there.  The nearest access point is Keem Beach, pictured above.

County Mayo, where you’ll find this gorgeous beach, also has a lot of other fun sightseeing.  Megalithic tombs, abbeys showing off Irish gothic architecture, and wildlife watching.  The biggest town is Ballina, which holds a popular street festival in July which makes a great time to come for a visit. You can find the best deals at hotels in Ballina using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Mountainviews has some great tips for how to get to the top of the Cliffs of Croaghaun – and how to get back, more importantly – all in one piece. Don’t forget to bring lunch!

Big Cliffs in Croaghaun, County Mayo Ireland

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British Airways plane at Glasgow Airport by Bob the courier

Glasgow Airport Accommodation

The Holiday Inn is less than a one minute walk from the terminal building.  You can check in from 2pm and checkout deadline is 12pm.The hotel receives an average guest rating of  76% from 280 verified reviews.  The price was £49 for room only.

The Express by Holiday Inn is a two minute walk from the airport terminal through covered walkways. A buffet breakfast, served from 6am – 10am is included in the room price.  Check in is from 2pm and latest check out is 11am.  The hotel receives an average guest rating of  76% from 411 verified reviews. The price was £49 including breakfast.

The Premier Inn is situated 400 metres from the airport on the other side of the motorway.  You could walk to the terminal in 5 – 10 minutes but if you have heavy bags or it’s raining, there’s a shuttle bus which costs £1 per adult each way. Check in is available from 2pm and latest check out is 12pm.  The hotel receives 84% from 78 verified reviews.  The price was £37 room only.

Ramada Glasgow Airport lies a 500 metres from the terminal building but there is a shuttle bus which costs £2 per person each way. Check in is from 2pm and check out by 12pm at latest.  There’s free wifi in the lounge. The average guest rating is 78% based on 247 verified reviews. The price for £45  for room only.

Parking Options

Some hotels will also include parking for up to 15 days either in a fly-park room rate or on payment of a supplement.  This may be a cheaper option than arranging parking directly with a car park provider.  However when comparing costs, remember to factor in any costs for getting to and from the terminal if transfers aren’t included in the hotel car parking rates, as transfers are generally included in the price quoted by car parks.

Glasgow Airport by maxf

Which Glasgow Airport accommodation would I choose?

If I had to check in for my flight after 6.30am, I’d book the Express by Holiday Inn as the price of £49 includes breakfast and it’s a short weatherproofed walk to the terminal. I’ve stayed at several Express by Holiday Inns and although the rooms have been on the small side, they’re comfortable and the self service breakfast is really good.  If I had a check in before 6.30am, I’d go for the Premier Inn for £37 room only. I’ve stayed in several Premier Inns and the rooms are usually fairly spacious and comfy.

Have you stayed at any of these Glasgow Airport hotels, how would you rate them?

The best Glasgow Airport hotels

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Sydney Fish Market (SFM) is one of the most prestigious and largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and the variety of fish available here is rivalled only by Japan. The Sydney Seafood School, which dates back to 1989, is reputed to be Australia’s top cooking school. The history of the school is quite fascinating, much of the innovation being inspired by the need to educate customers about what to do with all the unusual varieties – many of which their earlier customers had never even heard of before.

By the way, it’s not just fish on offer at the SFM. There’s also a bottle shop, a fruit and veg market and a deli.

Classes on offer this October include: sushi, tapas, BBQ dishes as well as a variety of cuisines such as Spanish, Thai and Moroccan. It’s an inspiring menu of classes, I’m sure you’ll agree. The classes range in price from A$85 – A$155 and include a meal (which you’ve just learned how to cook) and complimentary wine tasting. The classes are in three parts, starting with a demonstration, then a hands-on cooking session, then you can enjoy your meal.

Sydney Seafood School: October 2010 classes

Sydney Seafood School: October 2010 classes is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Heading off to France and can’t remember your “s’il vous plaît” from “je voudrais”? Was that deux or douze euros? Did she tell me to turn right or left? Before I jetted off to France for the semester, I knew that I would have to do something to practice my French. I needed to review everyday French expressions that I would actually use, which is completely different from being able to repeat the grammar exercises in my textbook. I didn’t have anyone to practice speaking French with, so I started to look for other resources. Rather than resort to the old “parlez-vous anglais?” here are five ways to practice French so you can connect with the culture and steer clear of embarrassing linguistic faux pas:

1. Check out BBC’s Ma France

This is a series of interactive videos that teach practical everyday French under topics like shopping, dining out, directions, hotel reservations and more. Under each topic, there are 3 interactive videos you can choose to watch with French and/or English subtitles. In addition, there is a list of vocabulary, a grammar guide, and activities to put your French to the test. If you feel like you need some encouragement, sign up for the weekly email tips. With this series, you’ll have some practical French that you will certainly use throughout your time in France! Look up www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/mafrance/ and click on “Start Ma France.” I used this series a lot this past summer, and so far it has been quite helpful. I love that the videos film people doing their daily activities, and you get a glimpse of French culture.

2. Listen to French language podcasts

If you have an iPod, peruse through the iTunes store for podcasts that teach French. Coffee Break French is an excellent learning tool for beginners and a worthwhile review of the basics for intermediate level French learners. Follow teacher Mark and student Anna through 80 lessons (all FREE!), 15-20 minutes each, that begin with the basics and work up to intermediate level French. It’s a very manageable and gradual introduction to the French language…perfect for beginners and those who don’t have a lot of time or money! You can download it onto your iPod and take it with you on the way to work, at the gym, or on your coffee break! There are also bonus materials on the website (for a fee): www.coffeebreakfrench.com. Just last night, some of my friends and I went out to dinner in Cannes and a friend ordered steak. She turned to me and asked, “How do I tell him I want it well done?” My mind immediately jumped to the podcast where Mark and Anna review vocabulary for dining out :”bien cuire, s’il vous plaît.” It is an awesome feeling to have the ready-to-use vocabulary on hand for practical situations like this– and a great feeling of accomplishment when you can converse with francophones!

3. Read French newspapers

Check out Le Monde online, www.lemonde.fr. You can read stories on whatever interests you – news, politics, sports, lifestyle, and more. Even if you don’t feel confident navigating the web totally in French, this is still a great exercise to train your eyes to recognize French. Take it slow and don’t let yourself get frustrated, if you can surf the web in French with a dictionary on hand, you’ve won half the battle! I was a little overwhelmed at first, but I committed to reading a small paragraph every day and now I am much more comfortable using the web in French. Besides, now that I’m in France, I’ve noticed a lot of the more touristy places will have materials in a variety of languages, but in the lesser known attractions or with things like roadsigns or directions, most often French is the only option.

4. Buy or borrow children’s books in French

Children’s books are an easy way to begin reading French because they use simple sentences and straightforward vocabulary. Better yet, you’ll probably already know the story, which makes it that much easier to recognize words. Look up these classics: Le Chat Chapeauté (The Cat in the Hat), Je T’aimerais Toujours (I Love You Always), Bonsoir Lune (Goodnight Moon), and Les Oeufs Verts au Jambon (Green Eggs and Ham). Use search terms like “children’s books in French” or “The Cat in the Hat French edition”- – you’ll be surprised how easy they are to find!

If you want more of a challenge than children’s books but don’t want to be overwhelmed, look for short and simple novels and poetry books. It can be tricky to find intermediate-level books, but here are some suggestions: La Mare au Diable (a romance set in the country), Le Petit Nicholas (series of stories about a mischievous young boy), Le Petit Prince (famous children’s story), and La Gloire de Mon Père (short novel about a boy and his father). Consider picking up a couple poetry books as well – poetry is relatively short, and you’ll also learn a little about French culture. Keep your dictionary on hand – don’t be discouraged if you have to look up a lot of words. I still have to look up about 5 words per paragraph, but I know the more I read, the closer I come to fluency. It still takes me a lot of time to read or write in French, so one of my greatest accomplishments was finishing a novel in French!

Money Saver: Search for used books; they’ll be in good condition and they’ll cost a lot less.

5. Listen to French radio: Look up Radio France International (RFI), www.rfi.fr and click on “Ecouter RFI” to listen to a live broadcast. You’ll hear practical French spoken by native French speakers, instead of the robotically slow and enunciated French, you’ll find on French learning aids. Tune in for 10 minutes a day (if even just in the background) and you will learn to recognize spoken French, plus your pronunciation will improve. I listen to RFI every morning while I get ready for class, so it’s an easy way to learn more French without a big time commitment. Though I don’t always know what they’re saying, it is great exposure to the language without pressure.

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By Patty Hodapp

Deputy Editor

***

I had no idea life under the wavy ocean-surface was so fascinating until I visited the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. For example, the center is home to a special, small square aquarium tank that houses a very dangerous venomous marine creature called the “lionfish”. The lionfish, also dubbed the Turkey Fish, Scorpion Fish or Fire Fish, is threatening to the Keys waters because it is a predator to almost everything, and has no predators chasing it–essentially it is at the top of the food chain right now, posing problems to the eco-system, including humans.

Venom of a Lionfish

Lionfish have long, separated spines that when touched, equal a shock 100 times more powerful than a bee-sting, to humans. Now, imagine you are a little fish, or even a big shark, and you brush against several of these menacing spines… you’re basically toast. While lionfish aren’t typically aggressive toward humans, they pose a danger to divers ascending or descending who can’t see them floating in the water. A lionfish’s bladder  doesn’t adjust buoyancy like regular fish. Regular fish stay upright in the water because their fish bladder keeps them balanced, but Lionfish float upside down, right side up, or any which way, at depths up to 120 feet (and maybe more) which make water areas they inhabit like a minefield for divers.

What Lionfish Look Like

Plus, with next to no predators, they can grow over a foot in length. They can be many colors and are typically striped: red, green, navy green, brown, orange, yellow, black, maroon, or white. The lionfish we saw in the Eco-discovery center was black and white, and about the size of an extra large grapefruit. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association branch in the Keys encourages divers and fishers to exercise caution and avoid contact with the venomous spikes, which aren’t deadly to humans but are extremely painful.

Benefit of the Eco-Discovery Center

While the effects of getting stung by a lionfish don’t make the Keys water particularly appealing, one of the main benefits of the Eco-Discovery center is it’s budget and facilities that educate people on Marine issues like this. The center has instructions on how to catch and remove lionfish safely and how to avoid them while enjoying the Keys sanctuary.

But that’s not all.

The 6,400-square-foot center opened on Jan. 13, treating visitors to an array of interactive maps and displays highlighting the natural environment of the Keys, both good and bad. As all science buildings should be, the center itself is environmentally friendly with a solar paneled roof and green building amenities. As soon as we started our tour of the center, led by Craig Wanous, office of coastal and aquatic managed areas, and Sean Morton, superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I was hooked.

Things to Do at the Center

• Watch the “living reef” with Mote Marine Laboratory’s 2400 gallon aquarium and live video feed from the reef about six miles off shore.
• Walk through a mock version of Aquarius, the world’s only underwater ocean laboratory.
• Take a virtual dive to 1600 feet.
• Watch Reflections–A Florida Keys Experience, a true life story of a young women who grew up snorkeling, diving and swimming along the reef of the keys. Her inspiring narrative will make you want to jump right in and see the ocean’s beauty for yourself.
• Explore the Dry Tortugas, a small group of islands at the end of the Florida Keys, and learn about Fort Jefferson, the closest U.S. destination to Cuba in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Visit the gift shop for Keys souvenirs. Proceeds from the Center’s store sales benefit education programs at the Center.

The Center is a must-see for visitors of all ages. I definitely left with more questions than answers, and a whole new curiosity about the waters in the marine sanctuary. The world beneath the surface is really an incredible place, and talking to Craig Wanous and Sean Morton inspired me to get scuba certified so that next time I visit, I can dive down to see the reef for myself.

Admission: FREE

Hours:Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-4pm; Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Location: 35 East Quay Road, Key West, FL, 33040; Center is at the end of Southard Street at the Truman Waterfront (across the street from Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park).

Parking: Free parking available at the center

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Cafes in the old part of Naxos

First on my Naxos sightseeing schedule was the Portara which is also the trademark of Naxos. The monumental gates stand on a tiny island connected to Naxos town and the port by a causeway. Built in the 6^th century BC the gates are thought to have belonged to a temple to Apollo which however was never completed. Stone blocks from the unfinished temple were transported and used for other buildings but the gates were just too massive to be moved, so, they still dominate the view and are a must see. t

Portara – gates to the Apollo temple

Be careful though especially if a strong meltemi is blowing which is often the case in summer, I nearly got blown off the causeway but then I weigh only 48 kilos. Waves are crashing against the seawall on either side of the causeway and count on a – rather refreshing – sea water shower on your walk across. The views down the steep cliffs are nearly as amazing as the sight of the gates themselves.

That's what's along the causeway!

Having it made across safely, I had my first refreshment stop in the beautiful café which is tucked in a sheltered niche of the causeway.

Back in Naxos harbour, I made my way along the waterfront and then turned left towards a sign indicating the Old Market. It’s really one of the many access roads to the castle of Marcos Sanudo which is the other trademark of Naxos. Built in 1207 it marked the beginning of the rule of the Venetians over the island which lasted until 1564 when it was conquered by the Ottomans.

Marcos Sanudo's Venetian castle

Exploring the castle and in fact the entire Venetian settlement which covers the hill is a truly unique experience and one of the best things to do in Naxos. It’s uphill but not very steep and broad stone steps make it easy. The Old Market has a lot of wonderful shops, some souvenir, but some with amazing artwork, paintings and antiquities. Much of the way you walk through a tunnel which gives shelter from the summer heat.

Entrance to the Old Market

At every twist and turn Venetian houses with their low entry ways emerge, all inhabited today and many of the mini mansions still in possession of the successors of the original Venetian owners.

I would have loved to visit the Venetian museum, but unfortunately I was too late. Make a note that museums are closed on Monday and on the rest o the week close at 3pm. Some do not open later, but the Venetian museum re-opens at 7.30pm. You can also admire the house of Marcos Sanudo himself, a church at the very top and simply enjoy one fabulous view after another. What I found particularly appealing is that this historical site is not a ‘site’ at all but a richly inhabited part of Naxos town where more than a few studios and apartments are for rent.

I arrived back down on the other end of the promenade where you find a café which offers the richest and most sinful ice cream dishes I have had in a long time.

A well deserved ice cream at the end of the day trip

Exploring the history of the Greek island of Naxos

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park

If you love the mountains, then Rocky Mountain National Park is the place for you.  I’ve traveled a fair amount, and this is still one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.  The majesty of the place just makes everything right in the world.  I can’t promise it will affect you the same way, but I can promise you there is something very special about this place.

The town of Estes Park is the gateway to the park.  It’s changed quite a bit since I was there 20+ years ago, but it’s still a great little place to visit.

The main drag, Elkhorn Avenue, is full of little shops and restaurants.  Most are pretty tourist-y, but there are some gems as well.  Estes Park is also home to the Stanley Hotel, which was Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining.  Not exactly a kid-friendly place, but definitely worth a look.  In addition to the park, there are some local attractions that are lots of fun.  We didn’t have time for all of them, but we did enjoy these very much….

Horseback Riding

Since our kids were a little too young for rafting or kayaking trips, we decided to go on a family horseback riding trip.

There are literally a gazillion stables to choose from, and you probably can’t go wrong.  We chose Cowpoke Corner Corral based on a cousin’s recommendation, and were not disappointed.

I don’t know if they always do this, but our group consisted of only our family of four and the guide.  She took us up into the mountains, so this was no ordinary trail ride.  We even stopped for a photo with the Continental Divide in the background.

It was a beautiful and fun way to spend two hours.

Tips:

• Our two-hour ride cost us about $50 bucks per person.
• They try their best to match the person to the horse.  Our kids’ horses were smaller and gentler than ours were.

The Tram

Estes Park Aerial Tramway

The tram in Estes Park has been a family owned and operated business since 1955.  The Heron family knows how to do it right.  The views of Estes Park and the surrounding mountains are spectacular from the top, and the trip up and down are pretty cool too.

But if you have kids (and even if you don’t), the views aren’t the best part.

The best thing about the tram is the chipmunks.  Okay, so the chipmunks are sort of tame, and it’s not the most authentic experience.  But when a chipmunk takes a peanut from your child’s hand, you won’t care about authenticity.  It’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.

Tips:

• Adults are $10, kids are $5, and the little ones under age 5 are free.
• Just do it.  Buy each kid a bag of peanuts in the shell.  It’s hours of fun watching them find the chipmunks, and watching the chipmunks take the peanuts from their hands.
• Bring your camera!

Yay, hiking!

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Since this was our first hike with the kids, we wanted to take it fairly easy.  Turns out my husband and I were the ones who needed the breaks to rest and catch our breath.  The kids were fine and not even winded at all!  We ended up hiking somewhere between 4 -5 miles and climbed 745 feet in elevation to around 10,000 feet.

We stuck to the trails near and around Bear Lake.  These are fairly popular trails, so you’ll see lots of people, but they aren’t overcrowded.  All said, we hiked up to four lakes that day – Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes.

Each of the lakes was spectacular in their own way, though I think Dream Lake might have been the family favorite.

To quote my son, “I know why they call it Dream Lake.  Because it’s just so beautiful, Mommy.”  I had to choke back tears on that one.

Tips:

• Leave no trace.  You pack it in, you pack it out.
• Take lots of water and some light snacks if you plan to hike up to Emerald Lake and back.  You’ll be gone a few hours.
• In the summer, it rains most every afternoon.  Bring a windbreaker.
• It’s pretty cool in the park anyway – even at mid-day.  But if/when it rains, the temperature drops dramatically.  We got caught in the rain wearing shorts and t-shirts.  Let me tell you, temps in the low 50s, rain, and shorts are not a good combination.
• It will cost you a mere $20 per car, which lasts for 7 consecutive days.  You can’t find a better value.

So despite being back in the Texas heat, we’ve gone hiking twice since our vacation.  We invested in some nice camelbacks from REI in Round Rock, and are hitting some of the trails in the area.

I’m already busy planning our next national park vacation.  Yosemite anyone?

Check out all of our vacation photos in our Colorado set on Flickr.

(Thanks very much for telling us about your family’s Colorado favorites, Sarah!)

Golden, sandy beaches and crystal, clear seas by pimousse

While the Island offers numerous opportunities for various sports and outdoor activities, there is something for everyone. Here is my list of five of the best attractions in Corsica.

Five of the Best Attractions on the French Island of Corsica

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

My story about scuba diving in Indonesian Borneo is now out in EZ Dive magazine – exploring the islands of Nabucco, Kakaban, Derawan and Sangalaki – and the hidden reef of Palau Sambit

EZ Dive Magazine – Pearls Of Borneo article

Back in May I did a trip on the Tambora liveaboard to explore the coastline of Indonesian Borneo. The article I wrote has now been published in EZ Dive magazine. You can see more of the photos I took during the trip from my previous post Scuba Diving In Indonesian Borneo on the Tambora Liveaboard. I’ll put the article up here in full once it’s out of print.

EZ Dive Issue 4, 2010

Jumping off of Mt. Etna in Sicily

At the age of eighteen, I was self-diagnosed with a serious addiction. This obsession eventually consumed my entire existence. For the last six years, I have refused to fight this addiction and instead embrace and accept it as the definition of who I am. My name is Kristen Jacobson, and I am an adventure seeking, risk-taking travel junkie.

Hanging out with camels in Tunisia

I am a Lost Girl in search for a journey of awakening. I am at the point in my life where I feel a burning desire to take off for a long period of time to explore the world and learn about people and myself along the way. This is why I am about to embark on a year-long adventure around the globe. I am quitting my job, leaving my friends, family and boyfriend behind  to fulfil this yearning to explore the world. For the past year, I have been working like a mad woman to save as much as possible to fund my travels. As a Torontonian, it can be difficult to save when you are living in a city that has endless things for you to do.  However, I believe that if you want something bad enough, you will always make it happen. So here I am, at the date I had set for myself to raise ten thousand dollars to fund my travels, and I have done it! In six weeks from now, I will be boarding my first of many flights to the first of many countries. Although I have not planned too much, and I am trying not to build up many expectations, I do hope to gain a deeper connection with myself, other people and nature. I want to try everything once or even twice, go with the flow and just let things happen. I believe with a less developed plan and an open mind, I will discover things about myself and the world that will blow me away.

Helping the locals pull in a fish net in Ghana

I truly believe that traveling is the best education you can give yourself. The world is your classroom, the people you meet along the way are your teachers and what you learn and take from it is totally up to you! One thing’s for sure is if you keep an open-mind and take a chance, you will learn more about yourself then you could ever learn in a typical classroom. Traveling is my life and has and will continue to open up many doors and opportunities that have and will continue to bring success and happiness into my life. If you let it, it can do the same for you.

Come along with me on my year-long adventure by visiting: http://www.hopscotchtheglobe,com

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