Terry Landscape
Towns and villages to visit on the Isle of Wight
Holidays in the Isle of Wight are an increasingly popular choice for people in the UK as the new decade approaches. Aside from saving on poor exchange rates between sterling and the euro caused by the economic downturn, a growing number of people are becoming aware of their carbon footprint - and looking for ways to reduce it.
Even a short-haul flight to Europe adds tonnes and tonnes of CO2, so for many with a green conscious or simply a sensible approach to their wallets, UK holidays are replacing international trips. And though it’s often overlooked, the UK is home to some sites of astonishing natural beauty. Out of all the country's unspoiled and natural areas though, the Isle of Wight is perhaps the greatest example of the draw of a domestic holiday.
For many people taking holidays in the Isle of Wight, the greatest appeal will come from the Island's pristine natural features. From award-winning beaches and spectacular cliff side views to the serene landscape of its central marshlands and river valleys, the Isle is British geography at its best. But there’s more to see on a holiday in the Isle of Wight than just what nature has provided; the island also has a rich historical heritage that can be explored throughout its many towns and villages.
One of these towns will be the first stop for many people on holidays in the Isle of Wight - Ryde, otherwise known as 'The Gateway To The Island'. The largest town on the coastal landmass, there are regular ferries and a hovercraft to the mainland, and a train station which connects you to destinations across the island. It has several miles of golden sand beach and offers a clear view across to the south coast of mainland UK. During summer, the town also plays host to the oldest carnival in the UK, where floats from across the Isle of Wight converge in a final celebration of summer.
Ryde is also close to several of the island's most attractive coastal villages. Often boasting Victorian architecture and the remnants of the great country houses that once dotted the island, they also offer some of the finest examples of island cuisine. Seaview, a busy sailing centre in the summer, is just a walk away from Ryde and offers a golden opportunity for windsurfing and swimming. If the weather proves unfavourable, entertainment can be found in the village's golf courses, riding stables or its wildfowl and bird park.
Other villages such as Bembridge, Shanklin or St Helens are also just a short journey from Ryde. These villages offer visitors the chance to see some architecture that has remained unchanged since the 19th century - and to sample some of the Island's distinctive produce. From preserves to cider and chocolate or cheese, the Isle of Wight is a proud exporter of some of the UK's finest local produce.
The history of the nation has also made its mark on the tiny, idyllic island. Fortifications like Yarmouth Castle or Fort Victoria demonstrate the once strategic significance of the Isle of Wight, and offer an insight into the lives of people as far back as the days of Henry VIII. Carisbrooke Castle even dates back to the days of the Normans. Beyond its military history, there are the fine manor houses of the country's historic nobility. Most famous of all of these is the royal residence at Osborne House. Here Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent many summers, and inspired many other famous Victorians to settle on the island. Lord Tennyson, Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens are among the notable names who took their holidays in the Isle of Wight in days past.
These are but a few of the attractions on the Isle of Wight, with many more villages dotted along the western coast and many more historic monuments dotted throughout its centre. Its seclusion from the mainland has given the Isle of Wight an unprecedented opportunity to preserve the beauty of the natural English countryside, and to preserve the heritage that was swept away by the industrial revolution on the mainland. Here, like few other places in the UK, the modern comforts and conveniences of today exist alongside buildings that have stood hundreds of years and pristine, unspoiled examples of gardens, parks, beaches and countryside.
About the Author
Terry Simpson writes article for Island View Holidays and for more information on holidays on the Isle of Wight she recommends you to visit: http://www.islandviewholidays.com/
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Holidays in Fort Lauderdale
Copyright (c) 2008 Terry Hely
Located in the middle of 23 miles (37 km) of popular beachfront and 300 miles (480 km) of navigable waterways, Fort Lauderdale has the title of "The Venice of America". The shoreline to the north of Fort Lauderdale has been named the Gold Coast, being a reference to Spanish treasure ships that ran aground along this stretch of coast.
Fort Lauderdale has beautiful wide beaches lined with up-market shops, restaurants and a variety of hotels and condominiums. Intermixed with shopping malls and a trendy town center is a landscape of beaches, parks, golf courses and tennis courts.
As Fort Lauderdale continues to develop, so does its near neighbors. Hallandale Beach, once a small, oceanfront town now has a skyline dominated by condominiums and resort developments. The fast developing Hollywood is now a area of 1.5 million people made up of many different ethnic backgrounds.
Port Everglades is Florida's deepest harbor and second only to Miami for the number of cruise passengers passing through the port terminal. Most cruises from this port are bound for the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Latin America, although several casino day cruises operate from this port.
** Fort Lauderdale Vacation Highlights
Fort Lauderdale lies at the center of more than 50 golf courses, making the area a popular vacation destination for keen golfers. Sometimes referred to as the "Yachting Capital of the World," Fort Lauderdale provides great opportunities to cruise or sail along the Intracoastal Waterway and on the open ocean.
The waters around Fort Lauderdale are rated by scuba divers as amongst the best in North America, having excellent water temperatures and visibility and a diverse array of fish and marine life. There is a natural off-shore reef plus 81 man-made artificial reefs and 18 major shipwreck sites. Jupiter has a dive site onto a 17th century wreck.
All types of fishing are popular in and around Fort Lauderdale, including drift-boat fishing, deep-sea charters or simply casting a line from the pier. The International Game Fish Association World Fishing Center is an angler's heaven, being a combined museum, library and park with virtual-reality simulations.
The historic Bonnet House and estate provides a glimpse of Florida history. The spacious two-story waterfront mansion and surrounding gardens was the home of Evelyn Bartlett, the wife of acclaimed artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. Stranahan House is typical of "Florida Frontier" architecture and is Fort Lauderdale's oldest standing structure, dating back to 1901.
A popular visitor attraction is the paddle wheel steamer dinner cruises and sightseeing tours that take visitors past Old Fort Lauderdale, the new downtown and Millionaires' Row.
** Fort Lauderdale Transport
The area is serviced by the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with carriers such as Air Canada, Air Tran, American Airlines, Continental and Delta. Several budget airlines also operate from this airport. Numerous shuttle bus services provide door-to-door connections and the local city bus service has routes that include the airport. Amtrak, the USA train system, has stations at Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood.
Tri Rail is the southern Florida commuter train that connects all the major centers from North Palm Beach to Miami and all cities in between. Broward County Transit (BCT) operates a community bus service that runs throughout Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas.
About the Author
Terry Hely specializes in travel destination guides with informative planning guides for holiday makers. Find out more about Fort Lauderdale vacations as well as the best of Fort Lauderdale accommodation from his Go Florida site
Brush with Acrylics: Painting the easy way Terry Harrison