Three Classic Hikes AbroadWritten by Kathy Burns-Millyard
Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking to get feel of a country…" If you've ever contemplated going abroad to find your next trail, here are 3 classic hikes to consider. New Zealand's Milford Track: The best known "track" through New Zealand's beautiful fjords, this 32.9 miles (53 km) easy 4-day hike, starts at Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau), winds over Mackinnon Pass and ends at Sandfly Point (Milford Sound). The scenery includes rainforests, alpine meadows and waterfalls at every turn, including worlds third highest, 3-leap Sutherland Falls. With its ethereal, dream-like scenery, some have described this hike akin to "walking through a Lord of Rings movie." Milford track is highly regulated for tourism and restricted to a one-way route during summer season. All hikers (independent or guided) are required complete track in 3 nights/ 4 days and stay in designated commune-styled huts along way. Day-specific reservations and trail permits are required Peru's Inca Trail: This 30 mile trail attract hikers from all over world seeking to walk ancient, ruin-studded path to sacred site of Machu Picchu. The trail meanders over high passes, offering breathtaking views of glaciated mountains and lush green valleys of cloud forest. Along trail, you'll pass early Inca stonework and abandoned outposts and villages until you reach trail's end at Machu Picchu. There you'll pass into sacred site through Sun Gate, just as Incas did centuries ago. This walk involves considerable climbing (at altitudes up to 14,000 feet), especially during first half of trail, and takes about 4 days.
| | Finding Travel DealsWritten by Sandy Baker
If your vacation time is coming up and you are planning on making a trip, then you will need to make some plans. Perhaps you are going to visit family? Or, maybe you plan to take your family to see an attraction somewhere? Maybe you are going to visit another country? Regardless of where you plan to go, you can find great deals on getting there, staying there, and even enjoying your time at location.Often times we want to take our children to see things we saw when we were younger. It would be nice to see some new destinations as well. Either way, we want to do a lot but don't always have funds. So, we are always in search for a deal. There are many out there to be had. Here are some quick ideas. Saving on airfare is all about shopping around. Compare different offers each company has. Can you fly in mid week and avoid weekend charges and busy times? Flying at night or at odd times can also increase your changes of getting a deal. Once you get to your destination, you'll need a place to stay and a car to drive. The best way to get deals on these is to plan ahead. Making reservations ahead of time can be best way to lower your cost. Cutting out extra charges on things you don't need, or won't use, also helps. No need for that car to come with a DVD player if you only plan to drive short distances. Along same lines, you probably won't have time to watch all those movies on cable either. Eliminating these extras can lead to extra cash in your pocket.
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