Dec/100
Going Skiing in Europe
Europe is the home of skiing. The first drawings of a skier were found in a cave in Nordland, Norway. The drawing has been dated at 5000 BC. Norway was almost definitely the home of skiing or what is known as Nordic Skiing anyway.
Alpine or downhill skiing almost certainly comes from central Europe in the neighbourhood of Switzerland. There are so many skiing resorts in Europe that there is a huge number of slopes for every level of experience.
You can ski in almost every country in Europe. The least well-known skiing resorts are almost certainly in Scotland, but they do have them and the most famous resorts are in the French and Swiss Alps, which are actually the same place, but they span two different countries.
The French and The Swiss alps are the most commercialized for luxury and are also the most costly. Not far east from there is Austria which, although less well-known is also a magnet for skiers from Eastern Europe.
If you would like to go skiing at a more affordable rate try Italy up on the Swiss border. There you will see practically the same skiing conditions as in the French and Swiss Alps but with Italian food and language, which means less English is spoken though, if you see that as a downside.
Approximately the same cost is Andorra which is Catalan (Spanish to you and me, but not to them). Andorra sits in the Pyrenees Mountains with borders on France and Spain. The Spanish influence is the greater of the two. Skiing in Andorra is renowned for its teaching. It is a fantastic place to learn skiing or to take the family.
If you would like to visit a rising star in the skiing firmament, go to Croatia. Skiing in Croatia is also among the most reasonably priced in Europe. The facilities are excellent, but local wages are low which keeps the costs down. The food is good and so is the wine, though not maybe a match for French, Italian or Spanish cuisine.
Bulgaria is another rising location on the skier's map. Skiing is not well commercialized in Bulgaria but the locals have been skiing for centuries, it is merely that they are only just beginning to learn how to commercialize it. The locals are friendly, but do not expect much English to be spoken.
We should not forget the home of skiing, Norway and the remainder of Scandinavia. Expect top class amenities in Scandinavia with top class prices to match. The locals are very friendly, but may not speak English. The food is more probable to be local as well. You are more likely to find good skiing conditions all year round in Scandinavia as well.
There are so many skiing resorts in so many European countries, that if you wanted to, you could organize a skiing tour of Europe. If you wanted to ski in Scandinavia and Andorra, you would have to fly, but you could do the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. Or Austria and Bulgaria or Bulgaria and Croatia.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with short ski breaks. If you would like to know more, please visit our web site at Ski Package Holidays.
Nov/100
The Pleasure Craft Can Be The Recreation Investment Of A Lifetime
Boating is a sport enjoyed by many young and old alike. There are not many things that can compare to enjoying a day on the water, boating, fishing, or skiing. A pleasure craft is an essential part of summer recreation for many people and suitable for the entire family. Boating doesn't necessarily require a tremendous investment as there are large and small water craft that can fit almost any budget and purpose.
While a yacht might be nice for open water and desired by many, the largest boat for leisure activities is not always the best suited for the particular sport or purpose. A small boat with a trolling motor is all that many avid fisherman want or need. The quiet motor and low hull allow them to get in close to the shore and fish without frightening their quarry away.
However, no matter the size of the boat or the purpose there are certain boating laws governing the operation of these craft. Most operators are required to have taken boating safety courses and to have a craft operator card. A boating license is required in most states and is a statement that the operator understands the rules and regulations governing the operation of their craft.
Boating has become increasingly more popular and with the increase in the number of boats on the waterways comes the necessity of responsible boating by operators. The operator of any craft must understand the laws and regulations governing their type of conveyance. There are multiple types of operator licenses but the pleasure craft boat license is the most common.
Boat safety is a serious issue and most operators of leisure craft know and obey safety laws and regulations. Boat licenses and competency courses assure that the operator is completely up to date on these applicable safety laws. It is important that the operator know which craft has the right of way, how many life vests are required and what the speed limit is in an area.
Boating laws are important to safety and the regulations may vary from closed lakes to sea going vessels. Classes which teach boat safety and give licenses are important so that the pleasure craft operator emerges knowing what rules govern their craft in almost any situation. The license is merely proof they have taken the classes and passed the competency tests.
People can invest many thousands of dollars in their recreation, this is particularly true of boats used for leisure and sports. They feel the investment is well worth it. However, as valuable as the dollars spent on the craft, is the time spent learning the boat laws and acquiring a boating license.
Whether a boater chooses to enjoy the water inland on quiet lakes or skiing, or elects for the open water and seaways the competent operator who knows the laws assures that the boat and the passengers arrive back on land safely. A boat license and the knowledge to operate the craft safely learned through boating course only makes sense when considering the human cargo boats carry.
Unleash your inner Magellan. Sort out a boat test and hit the high seas. Summer is here, get a validated boat license or operator card and set sail.
Jul/100
A Fisherman’s Paradise – Vilkovo
Vilkovo, known as the Ukrainian Venice, is in the Danube Delta marshlands, situated exactly where the Danube River splits into three before entering the Black Sea. This fascinating area not only brings a diverse heritage to life, it offers insight into an extraordinary way of life.
Declared a town in 1775, Vilkovo has been home to Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Slavic cultures over the centuries, each leaving a distinctive culture behind, and contributing to the diversity of this picturesque town. Because so much of the town is waterway, boats are the primary form of transport, and each home has at least one boat moored at its doorstep. Most of these boats are built exactly as the Cossack 'seagull' boats were centuries ago, although they are now commonly called 'herring' boats as that is what they are primarily used for. There are three churches in Vilkovo, all named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travellers.
One of the town's main industries is of course fishing. The Danube herring caught in Vilkovo are sought after as a delicacy by restaurants from Paris to Moscow, and sturgeon caught in the Black Sea as well as salmon form the backbone of the fishing industry. Sport anglers will enjoy the giant carp and catfish that can be caught while visiting Vilkovo. All this fresh fish means that the restaurants of the town offer delicious fish dishes, showcasing the diverse cuisine of the area.
Perhaps most fascinating to see in Vilkovo is the houses. Homes are built on islands that have been built up out of the marshland using the river sediment. Each island has a home and a garden - often very fertile because the silt and sediment is used as fertiliser. Each year, the homeowners have to repair and restore their islands, digging sediment out of a trench around the island to prevent the islands from sinking back into the marsh. The trenches also provide access for boats, and help protect the homes from flooding.
The homes are linked by a series of wooden walkways as well as some larger bridges, making Vilkovo the ideal town for long walks, providing fabulous views of the sea, the unusual homes and the magnificent gardens in the town. The waterways, known as 'yeriks', were used for drinking, washing, cooking and of course transportation. Because the sediment is so richly fertile, Vilkovo is famous for its fruit, particularly strawberries, apples and quince. Vilkovo is well known for its viticulture, producing a lovely range of local wines from the Novak grape.
Being a marshland, Vilkovo forms part of the Danube Biosphere Reserve and is home to over 950 plant species and 260 bird species, including pelican, cormorant, spoonbills and sea-eagle. Visitors to Vilkovo in spring and summer will be greeted by vast reedbeds, lily-coated lakes and in spring, frogs abound. Nature tours are a must in this diverse reserve, and boat tours through the Danube Delta provide visitors with a bird's eye view of the flora, fauna and beauty of this region. Perhaps most importantly, visitors will experience a taste of life that is governed by the natural rhythms of water, climate and seasons. A visit to Vilkovo will leave you at peace, having traversed the waters of the Ukrainian Venice.
Vilkovo.eu Вилково For additional info about Vilkovo town please visit our website http://www.vilkovo.eu/ where you will find out more about Vilkovo fishing tourism and Вилково wild nature tours and have a look at Vilkovo adverts and classifieds and Вилкове discussion boards Enjoy Vilkovo.
Aug/090
Horseback Riding Lessons and Directions
Horseback riding has been a method of transportation for hundreds of years, and over time as technology advanced it became more of a pastime. People love horseback riding as a way of feeling free and having a special connection with parts of nature. If you have been thinking about owning a horse, or maybe you just want to take riding lessons, you should know a few things before you get into serious riding.
When you first consider dealing with a horse on a regular basis by owning one or 'leasing' one for riding, you might not have any previous experience or seen one up close and in person. If you are going to be in close contact with a horse for the first time, be prepared because they are very large creatures. While they are beautiful and generally well mannered, most people are slightly intimated by the size for the first few times they are around it. This is why it is very important for you to get to know your horse before riding it.
If you are buying your own horse, then you will probably be doing a fair amount of grooming. Even if you keep it at a stable and hire someone to do some of the grooming, you should spend time grooming it too if you plan on riding. Most people who lease out their horses to let people ride them will require you to groom the horse before each riding session. By grooming the horse, you'll not only be developing a connection but you'll also help yourself to feel comfortable around it. Every horse has a different personality and it's important that you have a sense of your horse's personality before riding, because it may be a factor in how you need to handle it.
Whether you are getting ready to groom your horse or get on its back for a ride, you need to be sure you approach it in a safe manner. Horses aren't naturally dangerous creatures, but they can dangerous be because of their sheer size. They don't know any better so it is up to their handlers to take the extra precautions. Never approach your horse from directly in front or behind. The way their heads are shaped prevents them from being able to see behind them and it is hard for them to see in front of them as well. Coming in from either side, especially where you can see their eyes directly in front of you means they can see you coming and won't accidentally hurt you.
As far as the actual riding goes, that is the easy part. A well trained horse - and as a beginner you should be riding a well trained horse - will follow commands very well. You'll need to keep a comfortable grip on the reins and be sure not to pull tight because you'll need room to pull back when you want to horse to slow down. The commands are simple; you'll be using the reins to direct the horse by nudging its head to face the direction you want it to go. That's it for the basics. If you want to learn more advanced riding, you will definitely want to take lessons.