Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

The bustling market town of Banbury – Oxfordshire sits in the northern section of the county in the heart of the country of England. It is quite possible that you have heard several references to the town thanks to the famous nursery rhyme and the wonderful Banbury Cake, which has reached shores as far afield as America.

Banbury Cross is also famous thanks to the rhyme. The town was once home to many crosses bit these were all destroyed by the Puritans in the 17th century, events which inspired the rhyme to be formed. There is a current cross which was erected in 1859 and contains many interesting statues.

The town has many attractions for visitors besides it’s cross and interesting buildings. The Banbury Museum is worth a visit as it is located next to a boatyard that is a scheduled ancient monument. The museum itself has fascinating displays detailing the history of the town, complete with original 17th century costumes. Also worth a visit is the Brook Cottage Garden which covers over 4 acres on beautiful hillside and has been entirely built up by only two people since 1964.

For sporty types there are several sports and leisure centres to be found in the town. These provide opportunities for activities such as football, swimming, squash, basketball and working out. Other outdoor activities available for visitors to enjoy include golf, tennis, archery and cycling.

No matter what your taste in food or what budget you have, there are plenty of places to enjoy food in Banbury. From the small cafes on the street to the charming, traditional British pub, there is something for everyone here. Not only will you be able to sample local delicacies and traditional British cuisine, many of the establishments cater for international tastes too.

Although the nightlife in Banbury can be described as quiet, there are still opportunities present to go out and have a good time! The town has 2 nightclubs as well as a cinema and a theatre. Many of the public houses offer lively entertainment and music throughout the week.

Banbury – Oxfordshire is a great place to explore if you have retail therapy on your mind. As well as a range of shops on the High Street to rummage through, there is the Castle Quay Shopping Centre. Here visitors will find a variety of stores selling high-end fashion and well known brand names. Castle Quay regularly holds fun events and fundraisers, making your shopping experience more pleasant and exciting. For a slower pace and to pick up a bargain, a visit to the Banbury market is a must. This is held every week on a Thursday and Saturday.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Okavango Delta Safari

An Okavango Delta safari offers one of the finest ways to see wildlife and explore a unique environment for even the most widely travelled safari-goer.

The Okavango Delta (sometimes referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown of Botswana”) is fascinating because its 7000 square mile complex of waterways and wetlands are one of the great ecological wonders of Africa, seasonally fed by runoff from rains in the Angolan mountains. botswana luxury Apart from the Okavango Delta being an area of extreme beauty it is an incredible place to visit during and after the floods. The floodplains, thus seasonally transformed after the dry season, lie entirely under shallow water during the flood season of the middle of the year; it is then that travelling and game viewing by the local wooden poled canoe, or mekoro, comes into its own. 

Always stunning, an Okavango Delta tour is even better when properly created around the exact requirements of the individuals concerned. There are so many ways of exploring the Delta: by vehicle (when possible) or, better, on foot or by mekoro as used by the river folk for centuries; a wonderful, silent, evocative mode of transport from which to explore these pristine waterways with the heavy scent of waterlillies permeating the air. By mekoro, just above water level, one can search the vibrant, multi-hued, undergrowth and marvel either at colourful reed frogs hanging on the very end of a papyrus stalk or the myriad nests of the carmine bee eater. With splayed hooves, specially adapted to walking on reeds and lily beds, a glimpse of the rare, shy and elusive Sitatunga antelope would be an excellent “spot”. If one wishes to view wildlife in close proximity by open 4×4 vehicle this is possible and, whilst one has the noise of the engine, they do allow the various scents of the bush to be fully appreciated, such as the marvellously pungent wild sage.

An Okavango Delta safari has superb wildlife. okavango delta safariRenowned not only for its elephant population but also for cheetah, lion and the African wild dog (the continent’s most efficient predator), the Moremi Game Reserve is part of the Okavango Delta region. There are approximately 450 bird species including many wetland and wader species of which really wonderful spots are specials such as the white backed night heron and Pels Fishing Owl whilst the more common African Jacana use the lily pads as their highway; no-one can leave an Okavango safari without falling in love with the superb birds! I remember spending a memorable evening watching the otters in the waterway below my tent, a superb sight!

In terms of where to stay there is a plethora of choice! From a simple – but most comfortable – private bedroll camp on your own island with a personal guide through lovely-yet-moveable small tented “proper” safari camps on a private mobile camping safari to the luxurious lodges and permanent camps which surround – and are dotted through – the Delta, all are wonderful. safari to botswanaGetting it’s name from the fact that the whole ecosystem looks like a saucepan from space, one of my favourite areas within the northern reaches of the Delta is the strip of riverine bush known as the “panhandle”; this is where the Okavango River runs into the Delta. In the panhandle the fishing for the very sporting Tiger Fish is exceptional and there are great concentrations of the wonderful African Fish Eagle, with their haunting cry.

One of the most wonderful and humbling experiences on earth is walking with elephants; one can spend time with a trio of habituated elephants in the company of a leading authority on the African Elephant and this is a very special activity on a luxury Okavango Delta safari! As one of the most beautiful places on this planet the Okavango Delta should, simply, be on everyone’s “once in a lifetime” list.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Is important to be prepared when you go on vacation. Obviously, you want to have all the conveniences that you do at home, but it’s just not feasible in most cases. So, you have to know what to bring with you and what not to bring with you one. The first thing you have to look at is the climate of the place you were going to.

Additionally you also want to pack your camera. It’s very rare for people to go on vacation without one, as we all want to those special memories to remain with us. The important thing is to bring the right camera for you and your needs.

While most of us have already switched to digital equipment, there are some that have still stuck with the film. Obviously, nothing is as convenient as digital is. And, there are so many options out there and they are affordable as well. The point is to pick one that suits all your needs. One thing that is very convenient is the pocket-size camera because it fits easily into a pocket and is very light to carry. But for those who strive for perfection, these simply won’t do. Instead, look toward the Canon SLR camera.

The Canon Digital SLR camera will give you a lifetime of memories of photographs that are second to none. As all exceptional photography equipment is bigger and heavier, so too is this one. But the results are well worth it.

The truth is, any level photographer will be impressed by the features that it has to offer. Reviewing the photos taken is also a great help, giving you heads up as to what you have already shot. Although that is great, perhaps it is best to print those while you are still there. Using custom LCD screens, you can get to see your photos for what they really are, and have them printed right then and there.

This way, you can ensure that you’ve got the right picture is the exact way you want them. If anything was wrong with your photo, you can always go back to that location and take it again. Of course, this whole task becomes simplified with digital photography, as you can always review with photos you have already taken, at least with most equipment.

The fact is that the perfect picture is only a perfect picture when it is printed. You simply can’t tell how good or how bad it is a that’s done. And while we are on the subject, consider printing your memories rather than leaving them lost in cyberspace, like many often do.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Lanzarote, a beautiful Spanish island located in the eastern part of the Canary Islands chain, offers amazing volcanic mountains as well as expansive beaches. Since the island is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protected site, there are numerous restrictions on the style and amount of development on the island.  Visitors to the island can choose from an array of Lanzarote hotels, restaurants, and clubs, in addition to the stunning natural beauty. This means that no high-rise apartments or condominiums are on the island and billboard advertising is not allowed. Your island holiday experience is guaranteed to be one to remember, with so many sights on offer, alongside the many restaurants, bars, shops and cheap hotels.

Timanfaya National Park

This part of the island looks almost martian since the landscape is barren and desert-like, due to Lanzarote’s Montañas del Fuego – or Fire Mountains. There are plenty of rare plant species to marvel at in this fertile area and guided tours around the park will help you to make the most of the region – there is even the chance to view the landscape while riding a camel.

Jameos del Agua

There’s more to these caves than meets the eyes, as it has been turned into into an underground complex, with a swimming pool, auditorium, restaurants, and gardens that have been designed to complement the natural look of the surrounding caves.

Lanzarote Aquarium

Get up close and personal with the sea life of the Canary Islands in this large, interactive aquarium. You can really close with many of the species, like the warm water sharks, in the aquarium’s three touching pool.

Castillo de San Jose

Now it has been turned into a modern art gallery and restaurant with beautiful views of the harbour, but this fortress has an intriguing history, having been originally built to help protect the island from pirate attacks in 1799.

There is a tendency to be more natural developments with enhanced privacy, for many Lanzarote hotels and villas. In fact, many offer such superb surroundings and facilities that guests often decide not to leave their resorts at all and opt for the comfort and convenience of an all inclusive hotel package.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Crete has so much to offer the holidaymaker, that it is hard to know where to start when you arrive. This Greek islands is the largest of the group and has so much to see, with a thriving culture and number of historical attractions. The fact that it is one of the oldest civilizations in Greece means that many people come to Crete to see the historical sites. With a terrain which is extremely mountainous and criss-crossed by three different mountain ranges, Crete enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and warm summers. As varied as the local attractions and beaches, make sure you choose one of the Crete hotels which are available, to appeal to your own unique tastes and interests.

What to See

The Minoan palace of Knossos, the old Venetian port and city of Chenia, the ancient Roman archaeological site of Gortyn, the Venetian castle of Rethymno and the Samariá Gorge, are some of the popular modern-day tourist attractions. The beaches around the island all possess their own unique character, from the high sand dunes of Agios Pavlos to the fields of lilies surrounding the beaches of Xirokambos – Sitia. Surround yourself with expansive beaches and crystal clear waters and look at the array of Crete hotels and resorts, with a variety of price points.

What to Do

From scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing, windsurfing, boating or windsurfing, there are plenty of water activities on offer – so dive in. There are plenty of mountainous areas of Crete, including coastal paths and gorges, for those who like the outdoors and hiking. Look for nightlife all over the island, from almost any Crete hotels or villages, including swanky nightclubs or discos in the capital city of Iraklion or traditional tavernas in small villages where you can learn local dances.

Where to Stay

Where you’re staying will depend on what you want to do and see in Crete, but there are many beautiful natural spots to feast your eyes upon, including the White Mountains, Amari Valley or Kournas Lake, with plenty of hotels in Crete located nearby. Or for metropolitan fans, there are the cities of Chania (the oldest inhabited city in the world), or Rethymnon which will charm the socks off you with its harbour market and famous nightlife.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Things have come a long way in Namibia! At one time it was really difficult to find somewhere luxurious to stay in Namibia but the more (or very) discerning traveller can now choose from some stunning places to stay.
luxury Namibia Namibia is excellent because the traveller has choice of a safari: perhaps self-driving or flying from one remote, beautiful place to another, whilst camping or staying at comfortable homely lodges; then there’s the other end of the spectrum: luxurious, breathtaking lodges with superb scenery. Leaders in creating superb holidays to this gorgeous country, African Explorations have three Namibia specialists who were born or worked extensively in the country.

For our purposes here let’s concentrate on “Luxury Namibia”! Namibia has a tiny population in it’s vast expanses; here we will focus on just one property as example.

Okahirongo Lodge in Kaokoland is far out in the wilds, very remote. Namibia safari holidays The majority of this area is inhabited by the Himba tribe. The women are statuesque, painting themselves in red ochre mud mixed with fat; these people lead a peaceful, nomadic, existence raising goats and sheep. One is encouraged to visit the scattered Himba settlements where these people are very traditional in both lifestyle and garb.

With a backdrop of purple and blue hillsides and lying in the most beautiful surroundings with fabulous views this superb lodge looks out over dry river beds meandering through swaying grasslands and red-gold sand dunes . Okahirongo is located in Purros Conservancy; a malaria-free region and one of the very few where the harsh environment supports desert dwelling elephant, rhino and occasional lion. One should treasure – not expect! – sightings of the desert-adapted wildlife in the area which is just one reason to visit.

All of the eight luxury rooms have an immense, almost endless, view of plains and dunes as Okahirongo perches on the side of a mountain, dominating the surrounding scenery. The rooms are ensuite, with indoor and outdoor showers and the whole being surrounded by a traditional Himba boma. Each room has a private sala, perfect for afternoon siestas or in which to sleep out, perhaps under a full moon, with the stars twinkling through the pole lattice above. holidays to NamibiaA chorus of the desert plains birds such as larks and pipits are one’s alarm call in the morning whilst the wake up calls of baboon, as they set about preparing to forage in the mountains, can be heard far off.
The terracotta colours of the rooms are in gorgeous contrast to the blonde grasses swaying in the breeze. There is also an infinity swimming pool.

An unusual activity here is tracking desert adapted elephant and rhino; one may also see the rare desert lion in this superb untouched wilderness which can be explored on game/nature drives. Or one might set out on foot, hiking along the Uarosib River and surrounding mountains whilst visiting a Himba village. Put simply, Okahirongo is a photographer’s delight and a sophisticated desert experience.

It is now quite possible to assemble an interesting, intelligent and beautiful safari where no comfort is compromised as Namibia also has number of other simply lovely and luxurious lodges in Etosha, the Namib Desert and the Caprivi Strip!