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Thailand boasts some of the best dive sites in South East Asia and Koh Samui contributes no less than 30 to these number. If you are planning a visit to the island, and whether you are an advanced diver or a novice, there are several dive options, tours and courses to help you polish your skills and explore the underwater playgrounds.

The Samui archipelago is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the Surat Thani province. The islands are perfect for diving as they are sheltered from the open ocean and the waters are warm, clear, calm and not too deep. For the advanced divers the best sites are Sail Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle.

Given Koh Samui’s sheltered location, the underwater visibility is very clear and so they provide great opportunities for photography and video footage. The only time to avoid diving is from late October through December which is the wet monsoon period. During this time the winds, rain showers and storms are common occurrence.

The waters of the Gulf of Thailand teem with pelagic marine life, tropical fish, reef sharks, shoals of Barracuda colourful coral reefs and stunning rock formations. If you are lucky, you may even spot a sea turtle. Apart from these, you may also come face to face with the whale shark, the largest fish in the sea. The whale shark usually grow up to 12 meters in length, those found in the waters of the Koh Samui archipelago can grow up to 20 meters. The animal is harmless and watching it glide past gracefully with its mouth open is truly a breath taking experience.

Unfortunately, illegal fishing has taken its toll on the sea life and there has been a dramatic reduction of sightings in the waters. However, you can still witness some great sea life especially between March and October. Sightings of whale shark have also been reported in December, January and February.

If you are a novice, you can take a diving course from any of the several PADI certified dive companies in Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The latter is considered to be the ‘learn to dive Mecca’ of Thailand not just because of the perfect conditions but also because the cost of the course is much cheaper than other holiday resorts.

Dive companies offer several attractive packages and tours are widely available. You can also avail of day trips to the dive sites. Whether you are staying in a hotel or private Koh Samui villas, the staff would be able to advise and assist you on booking your diving tour in Koh Samui.

Waterfalls, vast rivers, dripping rainforest, or beaches- no matter how you cut it, Brazil is one of the most exciting countries to visit. For adventure-loving travelers there is a wealth of things to see and do. Even if you can’t fit everything into one Brazil vacation, it’s great to know the options, so that you can start shaping your ideal Brazil trip. Here are some of the best destinations for travelers that love an extra shot of adrenaline.

Iguazu Falls draws many thousands of travelers every year. Straddling the border with Argentina, the waterfall system is one of the largest in the world, inspiring awe among the many people who visit. Iguazu National Park is the name of the protected reserve that bounds the falls system and included dense forest, and rare flora and fauna, including monkeys and pumas. Rafting is great way to explore the river system and feel the power of the rushing water. There is also a Bird Park, the Cataratas Water Park that offers tremendous views of the Garganta do Diablo (Devil’s Throat), as well as hiking trails that lead through the park.

The Brazil Amazon is the classic destination for rainforest adventure. The best way to make like an explorer is to get to a jungle lodge down river from the Amazon river city of Manaus in the region of Amazonas. Jungle lodges arrange a wide range of tours including piranha fishing, wildlife spotting, kayaking, canopying, and more. Another option, to explore an even bigger section of the river is to embark on an Amazon cruise. Passengers get on smaller boats to explore lakes and other areas of interest within the rainforest.

If the jungle, but the Amazon is too remote, try Ilha Grande, conveniently located on the coast between the big cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Ilha Grande is also a protected national park, so access is limited and there are no motor vehicles permitted on the island. The only way to get around is on foot. This is an ideal Brazil vacation for travelers who want to cut back to the minimum pleasures of life, including hiking jungle trails to find the next beautiful Brazil beach. Water sports are another popular option on the island.

For more wildlife spotting on a trip to Brazil, travel to Pantanal, which are the vast wetlands that cover the southwest of the country. Bonito is one of the cities that serve as a base; Campo Grande is another. These cities offer their own attractions, including diving and snorkeling in rivers and lakes of an amazingly clear color. To see critters such as jaguars, tapirs, caiman, and capybara, among other species, you’ll have to go to a lodge situated on the floodplain. Jeep tours and horseback tours are popular ways to explore this extraordinarily diverse landscape.

The last decade has seen Bangkok, the capital of the Thai kingdom, evolve from a humid riverside city to a glittering commercial hub of Asia. While the tuk tuk and street food are part of the cityscape, Bangkok has witnessed a dramatic improvement in public transport system. A combination of underground subways (MRT) and skytrains (BTS) has transformed the city into futuristic maize of skytrains, sidewalks, and skywalks (elevated sidewalks) making Bangkok easy to explore.

While Bangkok presents a complete bouquet of tourist attractions, you may wish to explore the city’s latest major attraction, Asiatique the Riverfront and Chinatown.

Riverfront

Asiatique the Riverfront, represents a cross between modern and traditional Bangkok. Here, the chaotic markets share space with clean, orderly shopping malls. The festival like atmosphere encompasses locals and visitors dining al fresco in beer gardens and restaurants, while enjoying live music, people watching and shopping in carefully designed open air markets.

You can reach the Riverfront by taking the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station. A few minutes walk will take you to the Sathorn Pier from where you can take a free 10-minute ferry ride to reach the riverfront. Weekend nights are especially busy and so you may have to wait in long queues for the ferries. To avoid the queues, you can take a taxi instead. Asiatique is open every day from 5 pm till past midnight.

Chinatown

Time seems to have come to a standstill in Chinatown and life seems to go on the way it did for decades. The first Chinese traders came to Thailand in the 16th century when the capital of the Thai kingdom was Ayutthaya. These traders settled near the Chao Phraya River. When the capital shifted to Bangkok and the Grand Palace came up in 1782, the Chinese were asked to shift their base outside the city walls. It is here they established their colony, Chinatown which became the country’s commercial heart for the next two centuries.

The oldest cinema, Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre was built in 1933 and it continues to function to this day though instead of movies on special occasions, it mostly stages dances and plays. The region’s oldest gold sho and chemist shop continue to do business the way they did centuries ago. Nearby is the Wat Chakrawat, better known as the Crocodile Wat, because the monks at this temple have been raising the reptiles here for more than 200 years now.

This vibrant hub still largely reflects what life was like in the 1920s. Most of the ware sold here including gems, jewellery items, electronics, plastic toys, car parts and handicrafts are imported from China. No description about Chinatown can be complete without a mention its tempting food – from casual to fine dining options – there is a setting to suit all tastes.

Accommodation in Bangkok

Bangkok offers an accommodation option to suit all budgets and tastes. You can set base in Thailand villas or hotels near Chinatown or in any other part of the city -the modern transport system ensures that you can travel to any part of Bangkok comfortably without dealing with the infamous traffic jams.

Phoenix Arizona is a fantastic place to live and visit. It has plenty to offer in terms of indoor and outdoor activities. You can have a great, fun filled time in Phoenix with your family and friends. Before you plan your visit to Phoenix, it is important to have a good idea about Phoenix AZ weather so that you know what to expect when you arrive here. It would also help you plan your activities, and pack your stuff accordingly.

Phoenix Arizona weather is warmer than most other places in the United States, so when you plan to visit this lovely place, keep in mind that you might have to face the bright sun. The sunny weather surely does not act as a mood dampener; in fact, it offers numerous opportunities for fun-filled activities and sightseeing. Phoenix experiences a sunny weather almost 300 days in the year, which means the summers last for a good part of the year.

The winters too are warm, but pleasant. We can say that  weather is extreme, in summers the mercury can touch as high as 100 degrees, and in winters it can touch sub zero levels. The average temperature in Phoenix, Arizona is just above 75 degrees. Check out the season wise weather report to plan your trip to this beautiful city.

Spring: If you want to plan your trip when the Phoenix Arizona weather is mild, then spring is the best time. The temperature usually varies between 65 to 75 degrees, and the desert is in the full bloom. Different shades of cactus brighten up the desert and create a magnificent view.

Summer: Phoenix Arizona weather in summers is quite harsh, and the temperature can reach as high as 120 degrees. On top of this, the humidity in summers is quite low. So, if you are not used to hot, dry weather, then you can get dehydrated easily. Although many people would abstain from visiting Phoenix during summers, you actually find good travel deals in this season, and there are a number of resorts that offer a good summer retreat. You can enjoy a plenty of indoor activities too in the sultry Phoenix Arizona weather.

Autumn: All those who want to experience milder Phoenix Arizona weather, can plan their visit in the months of September, October or November. The temperature during these months usually varies between 75 to 80 degrees. You can even experience some mild showers or overcast skies during this season. Although monsoons in Phoenix are usually mild, occasionally we do experience some flash floods. The monsoons do not act as a deterrent for you to plan a trip to this amazing place.

Winters: Arizona weather during winters is quite pleasant, and temperature mostly ranges between 50 to 60 degrees. On some occasions, the mercury dips to sub zero levels as well. The nights could be even colder than the days, and you can experience some showers as well.

Camping in New Zealand is an adventure of a lifetime. Whether hiking or road tripping, you’re bound to take in some of the most beautiful sights in the world. The landscapes are very different on both islands so the more time you can spend exploring, the better. Fortunately, the country is dotted with campsites all throughout so you never have to travel far to find a place to settle down for the night. Popular areas include Marahau, Coromandel Peninsula, Kaiteriteri Beach, and the Mavora Lakes so you may want to book your place there in advance to avoid disappointment.

In certain parts you’re allowed to camp in areas that haven’t been designated for that purpose although the government and local authorities are trying to crack down on this due to the environmental impact people inevitably cause. This is related to the incorrect disposal of rubbish, and human waste. Fines for setting up camp in prohibited areas are high so beware and be respectful to nature.

What to Bring

Use your common sense when packing for your camping trip in New Zealand. It’s definitely not a fashion show. Locals and fellow tourists are very used to seeing people in outdoor gear. Buy practical garments like fleeces, thermals, waterproof jackets, hiking boots, and zip off trousers depending on the season.

If you intend on hiking a lot, bring a sturdy backpack with support panels and chest and waist belts to ease the load on your shoulders.

To protect yourself from the sun, bring a high strength sunscreen lotion, and a hat with a wide brim.

Insects aren’t uncommon in New Zealand so a repellent spray or cream is another must.

Rental Opportunities

Since New Zealand really isn’t new to camping, the tourism and rental industries have developed to make it very easy for travellers to rent equipment on the spot, without having to pay for expensive transfers.

To travel in style and comfort, rent a camper van. This is a great choice for the elderly who can no longer sleep comfortably in a tent. Caravan rental is available from various companies. Most will welcome you at the country’s major airports. Be sure to consult the user manual closely so you know exactly how and where to dispose of waste, refuel the vehicle etc.

In certain areas it may even be possible to hire a tent. Check websites such as Hire It Now to find out.

Most of us enjoy certain creature comforts even while out travelling. Generator hire in New Zealand is easily sorted, and will let you use your electronics while out and about. Imagine how romantic it would be to watch a movie under the stars on a beach in New Zealand!

Oceania Cruises is an upscale, premium cruise line that uses ships that are smaller than many other cruise lines. The ship included within this review only handles a total of 684 guests and boasts a staff to guest ratio of 1.71 to 1. Service on the ship is friendly and attentive as would be expected when cruising with a premium cruise line.

This review took place during a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that departed from Rome and concluded in Barcelona. The focus of this review is the overall on ship experience rather than the experiences uncovered during the various ports that were visited.

Embarkation day was hassle free. Unlike this reviewer’s experience with other cruise lines using ships serving thousands of guests, boarding the the Regatta was easy and fast. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, our luggage was removed from our transportation and we had to walk a few hundred feet to drop it off to one of the porters. The luggage was then deposited within our state room shortly after we boarded the vessel. After depositing our luggage with a porter we were handed two short questionnaires asking about our health status then it was a quick visit to the check in desk to provide a credit card and receive our state room keys. The state room “key” is a card with a magnetic strip that also functions both as your on board payment method and the identification required to re-board the ship after visiting a port. Once checked in, we passed through the short security line and then entered the ship for the first time. We boarded the vessel at approximately 1:00 in the afternoon. Our stateroom was not yet ready but we only had to wait a few minutes until we were given the word that we could check out our room, which we quickly did. Happily our luggage had already been safely deposited.

Our state room was located on deck 8. This is the highest deck containing staterooms as deck 9 contains the small pool along with plenty of space to enjoy the sun and the casual restaurant that has both inside and outside seating available. Deck 10 has a place to walk or jog along with the two specialty restaurants, one Italian and one a classic steak eatery and a well stocked and very comfortable library.

Our deck 8 state room included a bathroom with both a shower and a tub. A queen size bed with a pillow top mattress. Plenty of drawer and closet space. A love seat and a table and two padded chairs to accommodate in room dining. The size of the room was 322 square feet but the best part of all was the inclusion of butler service. This was our first time experiencing this level of service and it was one of the highlights of our experience on the ship. Our friendly butler delivered our breakfast each morning to us. All of the staterooms on the ship can take advantage of room service but the breakfast menu is limited to light continental items. Our butler was able to deliver anything at all that we wanted to eat including such things as french toast and eggs Benedict. Another tremendous benefit of butler service was the in room dining available in the evenings. This was served course by course and included any of the items available at any of the four restaurants on the ship. Shortly after placing our order, our butler would arrive with our salads and set the table for us. The table setting was just like dining in the restaurant except it was in our room while we were dressed in only the provided bath robes. Twenty minutes after delivering the salads, he would arrive with the main course, which was then followed by clearing the dishes and bringing our desert. Aside from a few nights that were used to try all of the available restaurants on the ship this was how we enjoyed our evening meals.

The staff was friendly and anxious to serve. Our stateroom was very comfortable and the butler service was a real joy to experience. Our time on the ship was simply wonderful and we look forward to experiencing one of the other class of state rooms to be able to compare the experiences.

Regatta Technical Details

·Year Built: 1998

·Year Refurbished: 2003

·Gross Tonnage: 30,277

·Length: 593.7 feet

·Beam: 83.5 feet

·Max. Draught: 19.5 feet

·Stabilizers: Yes

·Cruising Speed: 18 knots

·Electric Power or Voltage: 110,220 AC

·Guest Capacity (double occupancy): 684

·Crew Size: 400

·Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

·Nationality of Officers: European

·Nationality of Staff: European

·Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

StylishDestinations.com provides travel tips along with a growing community of travel lovers. Use it to research your next destinations and even find money saving travel deals to protect your holiday budget.

When the British summertime finally arrives, often rather belatedly, many people start wanting to be outside enjoying the sunshine, having picnics and playing sports. As London is one of the greenest capital cities in the world, Londoners and tourists alike have a great selection of parks to choose from in order to do this. Though there are a large number of parks in the city, there are only eight Royal Parks. These parks have a great deal of history and have a wide range of attractions and activities.

Hyde Park is probably the most famous of the London Royal Parks. It is 142 hectares and has thousands of trees and a great deal of sports facilities. The park was acquired along with the Manor of Hyde by Henry VIII in 1536 and made into a private hunting ground. It wasn’t until James I that the public were allowed limited access and it was over one hundred years later that the park was opened to the general public by Charles I in 1637. There are a large number of attractions in Hyde Park such as the Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the statue of Achilles. A stainless steel memorial to the 52 people killed in the 7th July bombings can also be found in Hyde Park. Many people go to Hyde Park to swim, cycle or skate. There are tennis courts and sports pitches as well as tracks for horse riding. You can take a trip along the Serpentine in a Solar Shuttle, a boat that is powered by the sun or you can visit Speakers’ Corner and listen to people discuss and debate their opinions. Slightly more-offbeat is the Hyde Park Senior Playground that has pieces of exercise equipment to help improve flexibility and balance.

The Regent’s Park covers 197 hectares and much like Hyde Park was acquired by Henry VIII in 1538 from the Abbess of Barking and turned into a hunting ground. The park was named as a result of the involvement of the Prince Regent, later George the IV, in 1811. He wanted a new summer palace and hired John Nash to design the area. Initially Nash had the idea of building 56 villas in the park and a number of terraces around it. Unfortunately the Prince had turned his attention elsewhere and the idea of a summer palace was dropped with only 8 villas being built. The park was opened to the general public in 1835. Today the park is the largest outdoor sports area in London and has a number of attractions. It is home to the London Zoo and the Open Air Theatre. You can also visit Queen Mary’s Gardens which feature beautiful formal rose beds.

Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks covering 1000 hectares. It is best known for the hundreds of deer that inhabit the park. This park was supposedly one of Henry VIII’s favourite hunting chases as he lived close by in Richmond Palace. Charles I enclosed the park in 1637, an unpopular decision with the local residents and the walls still mostly stand today. On visiting Richmond Park you can see an uninterrupted view of St Paul’s Cathedral 12 miles away from Henry VIII’s mound. The view is protected which means that there is a legal requirement to preserve the view and limit the height of buildings within the sight line. Many people visit to ride horses, fish, cycle, play golf and some people ‘power-kite’ where you are pulled along in a buggy or on a board by a kite. Richmond Park is also home to the Isabella Plantation, an ornamental woodland garden that is run on organic principles.

Greenwich Park is a slightly smaller park at only 73 hectares but it is the oldest enclosed Royal Park and is a World Heritage site. The land came into the possession of the Duke of Gloucester, brother of Henry V in 1427, and later deer were introduced by Henry VIII. Greenwich Park has a great deal of wildlife and is home to the Royal Observatory and the Observatory Planetarium. There are also remains of Roman buildings in the park that include what is believed to be a Romano-Celtic temple. The Channel 4 programme Time Team has even visited the site. Many people visit Greenwich Park to make use of the rugby and cricket pitches. It also has tennis courts and a putting green.

Bushy Park is located north of Hampton Court Palace and lies over 445 hectares. Although the history of the area can be dated as far back as the Bronze Age, the main history of Bushy Park lies, rather unsurprisingly, with Henry VIII and his love of hunting. He took over Hampton Court Palace from Cardinal Wolsey in 1529 and turned it into a hunting chase. The name of the park derives from the name of one of the parks that were part of the land. These parks were Hare Warren, Middle Park and Bushy Park. The park today has fishing and model boating ponds and has a 19km long canal known as Longford River. You can also visit the Upper Lodge Water Gardens which is a collection of pools and cascades in the baroque style.

Green Park was originally known as Upper St James’s Park. Previously it was the location of the rebellion led by Sir Thomas Wyatt against the marriage of Mary I to Philip of Spain and the location of the occasional duel. It is the smallest of the Royal Parks at 40 acres. Charles II enclosed the park and stocked it with deer, it has been said that he wanted to be able to walk from Hyde Park to St James’s Park without leaving royal land. The resulting name change is also supposedly attributed to Charles II. Allegedly the Queen heard that Charles had picked flowers from Green Park and given them to another woman. In vengeful response she ordered all the flowers in the park to be pulled up. Whether or not this is true, there are still no formal flowerbeds in the park.

St James’s Park is the oldest Royal Park. Named for the leper hospital that originally stood on the land it was turned into a park by Henry VIII as yet another deer park in 1532. The Palace of St James was also built by Henry around this time. Later on Charles II redesigned the park and planted avenues of trees; he also opened to the public. It is a 23 hectare park and features a lake with two islands. The Islands are named West Island and Duck Island, the latter for the birds and waterfowl that reside there. Most famous are the pelicans that have been a part of the park since they were originally brought as a gift by a Russian Ambassador in 1664. A more recent addition to the park is a four metre high floral crown to celebrate and commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The final park of the eight Royal Parks is Kensington Gardens. The park was originally part of Hyde Park but was bought by Willliam III in 1689 who also built the Christopher Wren designed Kensington Palace. For most of the 17th century the gardens were closed, eventually they were opened to the public but only gradually and initially only to the well-dressed. There are a wide range of things to see in Kensington Gardens. These include a bronze statue of Peter Pan, the famous gothic Albert Memorial and The Arch by Henry Moore. For children there is the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground that features a large wooden pirate ship and a beach around it. Kensington Gardens is also home to the Italian Gardens that is an ornamental water garden given by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria.

Cyprus boasts four championship golf courses designed by some of the best golf architects from Donald Steel’s Tsada GC, Cabell Robinson’s Aphrodite Hills to the newly opened and excellent Sir Nick Faldo’s Elea designed course.

Cyprus has developed into an attractive golf holiday destination with more courses in the pipeline expected to open in the next few years.

Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Hotel lies at the centre of the excellent Aphrodite Hills Golf resort. The hotel offers its guest classical and elegant accommodation from superior rooms to deluxe suites with private pools and breathtaking views over the course to Mediterranean Sea. The cuisine provides an exotic feel of Asian and European dishes perfectly situated in an open air pool-side brasserie. A village square with a selection of shops, restaurants, bars and a Byzantine style St. Catherine’s Chapel.

The Retreat is the resorts ultra-luxurious, award winning Spa with 27 treatment rooms, health club, thermae, pool, sun deck and garden. It offers guests every facility imaginable from health club to pool and sun deck, spa with exclusive treatments by Pevonia Botanica.

World-class Tennis Academy including nine championship tennis courts – four clay and five hard courts and an excellent new Kids clubs

Golf Courses Courses on site: Aphrodite Hills

This course is a real gem of true championship quality; located next to Secret Valley and possibly the best of three courses on this beautiful island. The world-renowned designer Cabell Robinson designed Aphrodite Hills that has been carved out of a “forest” of carob and olive trees on two high plateaus divided by a ravine. There are some spectacular holes namely the par-3 7th where you tee off from an elevation on the side of a mountain and others with magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea.

With so many backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies, it’s amazing to find more international tourists than Canadians citizens enjoying an outdoor adventure.

The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta offer spectacular scenery and memorable treks. Just a few hours from Calgary, backpackers can go further into the wilds, stay longer in nature and be one of the few to witness the ever changing beauty of the back-country.

“Maybe we’ve become too accustomed to having all of this natural beauty so close to home,” says Greg Lynch, an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast with Scenic Travel Canada. “Perhaps that is why more Canadians don’t venture into our own back yard.” Here are a few backpacking trips he recommends:

Backpacking to Elbow Lake in Kananaskis, Alberta

K-country is a mountain playground just outside of Calgary & Banff and offers backpacking trips for people of all fitness levels. Elbow Lake is a short but steep hike that offers a well maintained campground along the shores of a small, green lake at the base of two mountains. This is the entrance to the Elbow Valley that leads to glacier hikes, waterfalls and high-altitude camping. The beauty and quiet of the area is amazing.

Exploring the Upper Kananaskis Loop Trail – Alberta

Day hikers can take this 15 kilometer walking hiking tour around this turquoise lake. Backpackers can extend the trip into a 2-3 day trek to explore secluded valleys, towering waterfalls and other mountain lakes at higher elevations. The continental divide, which marks the eastern or western flow of water as well as the provincial border, is never out of view.

Camping above the tree-line leaves backpackers potentially exposed to high winds, especially as Pacific weather systems move in from the coast. Camping in the forest, amongst 400 year old trees, provides more shelter and safety.

Hiking along Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park, BC

Exploring the glacier-scoured terrain in the BC Rockies is magical. Mornings are cold, even in the summer. As you emerge from your tent, in the shadow of a towering peak, the distant valleys offer a mountainous invitation to all those true adventure-lovers.

This 2-3 day trek gives hikers a more intimate view of Takakkaw Falls, a popular tourist destination near Field, BC. During the day, you’ll hike through terrain on well-trodden wildlife paths and ascend mountain ridges that few people ever get to see (bear training is recommended). The nights are best when the moon is full. With a clear sky, the Milky Way seems close enough to touch.

Backpacking in Canada isn’t just for tourists. Consider exploring your own backyard and discover the beauty that so many people from around the world have known for years.

Skiing at Telluride is renowned for intense fun and breathtaking experience. From wide open groomed runs, to some of the most challenging terrains in North America, Telluride Ski offers it all. You will have more time on the slopes because no time is wasted in long lift lines or waiting in traffic.

If you ever had an adrenalin rush watching Roger Moore as James Bond soaring off the cliff on skis, then Telluride is the perfect place to be. It offers a breathtaking experience to skiers.

Skiing vacation at Telluride catches the imagination of most of the enthusiasts as it offers hassle free mountain experience because of its incredible terrain. The slopes and lifts remain un-crowded throughout the season and provide fantastic skiing condition on its approximately 1700 ski acres. Located in southwest corner of Colorado, where the rocky mountains fill the western half of the state with one ski town after another, Telluride is the hub for world-class skiing and snow boarding. With approximately 300 inches of snow and almost all thrilling activities the rocky mountains have to offer, Telluride is quite popular among experienced skiers.

Experienced skiers say that skiing at Telluride will engage you like no other ski area. Engulfed by the highest concentration of peaks in all of North America, the mixture of quality terrain at all the points on the mountain provides an enthralling experience to all levels of skiers.

Bald Mountain, the locals’ favorite, is home to some of the best and longest lasting powder stashes on the mountain. Be sure to look to the south at the summit for a view of the historic mining town of Alta just below. Black Iron Bowl, named for an old mining claim, is an excellent addition to the existing in bounds hike-to areas of Bald Mountain and Prospect Ridge, where advanced skiers and boarders enjoy fresh tracks virtually all season. Skiers and riders will be able to drop in anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes hiking time along the ridge. Gold Hill Chutes and Palmyra Peak offers the most spectacular in-bounds terrain in the country, the runs Tram Shot, Sunrise and Electric Shock drain into Upper Moraine, and Lower Palmyra Ridge which lead back into Black Iron Bowl.

Telluride offers a lot which makes it stand out among the mountain destinations. Apart from the skiing areas, it has historic buildings, ancient and original bakeries and local watering holes blended with luxury hotels, five-star restaurants, sophisticated shops and some of the finest spas in the world. There is no traffic or long lines for shuttle buses. The Gondola is a main source of transportation and is convenient and environmentally sound. Enjoy the free Gondola rides that link the old historic town of Telluride with the new European Style town of Mountain Village.

On-mountain dining at various restaurants and bars like Alpino Vino, Gorrono Ranch, Hop Garden, Alfred’s Restaurant, Big Billies Restaurant, Sleigh Ride Dinners, High Camp Warming Hut provide world-class cuisine and relishing dining experience. In order to make your vacation more mesmerizing, you can stay at ski vacation rentals, from where you can get some breathtaking views of snow-capped rocky mountains. All these will make you feel like living in a paradise. Vacation rentals offer an especially good value when you visit with a group or family.

So go ahead and make plans for once in a lifetime experience with Telluride ski vacations. You don’t have to buy ski gear as good equipment is available for rent.