Sunday, November 30, 2008

Cast Your Reel For Northern Pike on an Alaska Vacation

Sport fishing has been steeped in popularity for decades. It's a common assumption when one refers to sport fishing that they are always thinking about marlin, sailfish, or swordfish, a.k.a. the saltwater varieties of trophy-sized fish. However, you are definitely missing the boat (no pun intended) if you think all the excitement is reserved exclusively for ocean fishing. There is much excitement to be had with a freshwater fishing vacation - especially if you journey to Alaska in search of the Northern Pike.

Northern Pike are found to be fairly common in certain areas of the United States, namely in the northern and Midwest states as well as some of the Rocky Mountain areas. However, no where are they more prolific and trophy-sized than what you can find by journeying out into some of the more remote waterways of Alaska.

The Northern Pike fisheries of Alaska can be found anywhere in Alaska's interior and on out to the Eastern Kenai Peninsula. What you have to be aware of the most is how the climate (or the weather, if you prefer) affects the cycles of the individual regions in Alaska. Climate and weather influences are key factors when it comes to the success (or failure) of a fishing excursion in this state, so keep that in mind when it comes time to plan the trip.

Alaska has been broken up into nine regions where sport fishing is concerned, in the following manner:

1.Anchorage and Matsu Valley

2.Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim

3.Bristol Bay and Kodiak

4.Kenai Peninsula

5.Northern Southeast

6.Prince William Sound

7.Southern Southeast

8.Susitna Valley

9.Tanana Region

Each of these regions offers a diversity of fishing, as well as some of the more unique and indigenous Alaskan varieties. However, the fly fishing opportunities are abundant, no matter what area you decide to visit. The northern interior and the arctic regions tend to be very primitive areas, while the Tanana Region lies in the heart of Alaska. The Northern Southeast region is rich in history dating back to the Klondike days, but also presents a choice of both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. If it's a variety of challenging fishing that tempts you, then the Kenai Peninsula is definitely the place to break out the rod and tackle.

No matter where you venture out into Alaska, you will find a diverse range of excursions to award you with excellent Northern Pike fishing. Fly fishing tournaments can be found in a variety of areas year round in Alaska. If Northern Pike is your target, then by all means, you'll definitely enjoy your Alaska vacation. Trophy Northern Pike excursions can be found by doing a little research, but your due diligence will more than likely pay off.

Look to the Internet when you begin your search. There are many websites offering information on the subject. Make sure to allow plenty of time for the planning stage. Private guides and fishing excursions for Northern Pike tend to fill up rather quickly, so the sooner you book your reservation, the better.

About the Author:Daniel Millions-Real Adventures is meant to give travelers immediate access to reviews and unbiased opinions on Alaska vacations. This service has been incredibly popular, especially for those seeking to find the best value on Alaska cruises.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Five Essential Tips to Booking a Stag Weekend in Eastern Europe

When booking your stag weekend in Eastern Europe, you want to make it an occasion to remember: it’s your last moments of freedom and you want to have fun with your mates. Organising a wild weekend of stag nights in Eastern Europe, can be complicated. From choosing your destination, to planning the best places to eat, drink, and take part in action-packed activities. But where do you start? Here are some important tips to help you plan your ultimate stag weekend.

First choosing your destination: preferably somewhere you or anyone in your party hasn’t been before, so you can enjoy a completely new experience. Look for a location that not only has a great nightlife but provides the kind of atmosphere you like: maybe you want a traditional pub atmosphere or you want to explore a range of clubs where you can dance the night away or enjoy a quality striptease or two. Think about the kind of experience you want. For example, Warsaw is an edgy city with a large dose of new, classy establishments where you can drink several types of vodka and take part in an array of activities.

Planning your itinerary is very important, firstly with where you want to stay. It can be difficult finding the right accommodation so it’s best to read up on hotels with good reviews for both service and food. Look for somewhere that is tried and tested and as central as you can get to all the action. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do! For example, Riga (known as the “Paris of the North”) has a range of hotels both in the city and on the waterfront, providing you with stunning views to wake up with and feeling refreshed for the next fun-packed day.

When planning the rest of your weekend its best to get a guide. It should be someone who can show you the best places to eat and drink, where all the hot girls are and alternative things to do if you want to be spontaneous. Ideally your guide needs to be someone who is in the leisure and tourism business, has a very good knowledge of local areas, is enthusiastic and speaks good English. A guide can really help you to make the most of your stag weekend.

Your daytime activity is just as important as what you do at night. Again, it’s more fun to try something that none of your party has done before. Do you fancy trying a sauna party to get off to a relaxing start? Or maybe you want to go for the full adrenaline rush. Bratislava offers activities like off-roading where you can get behind the wheel of a 4x4 and tackle a course of extreme obstacles. Or you could get your hands on some powerful guns, such as a semi-automatic 9mm Luger or semi-automatic Scorpio, at a shooting range.

Nightlife is the most important element of a stag weekend. In Krakow, for example, you can experience the city at night with a guided pub-crawl. The concentration of pubs is so dense there’s literally a pub on every corner! The experience can be a varied one too, from having a pint with the locals at a small traditional pub or hitting a glamorous strip bar; Krakow has the lot.

With such a range of destinations, activities and languages to sift through it can be a long and complicated job. If you want the best advice, and to make your weekend truly unforgettable for all the right reasons, then you can speak to a professional company that has experience in organising stag weekends and can put together a package to suit your needs. They can provide simple things like transport from the airport to the hotel, also to and from your activities. With an established company you don’t need to worry about a thing, allowing you to kick back and relax or go wild.

About the Author: Josey Walker - The Founder & Managing Director of party organisers Stag Republic and Hen Nation. Stag Republic have been organising made-to-measure stag weekends abroad and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. More recently popular destinations include stag weekends in Krakow and Budapest. For interviews, images or comments contact: Josey Walker Stag Republic Phone: 00 3630 34 99 015 Email: info@stagrepublic.co.uk

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

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Monday, November 17, 2008

5 Tips For Travel to Canada

Canada can be a great vacation destination, with its beautiful vistas, wild animals, gorgeous winding roads, and cosmopolitan cities. Even if you travel to Canada on a regular basis, the out this list of five travel tips for Canada.

Tip #1: Bring a Good Travel Guide to Canada

When you travel to any new place, it’s important to carry a good travel guide. Canada is no exception. You can print out a travel guide on line, or you can purchase a well-know travel guide for Canada, such as Lonely Planet.

A good travel guide will give you insight into where to stay, shop, eat, and drive. Plus, it will give you lots of tips about things to do, great night life, and activities that are fun for the whole family. Invest in a good travel guide for Canada, and you won’t be sorry.

Tip #2: Think About the Climate

Before you pack for your travel to Canada, don’t forget to consider the weather. If you’re going to the Maritime Provinces, remember that they tend to be a bit more humid than the provinces in the west. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, you can expect weather that hovers around freezing in winter and is temperate in the summer.

If you are traveling to Canada and staying the mountain areas, you can expect to see a lot of variation in temperature. Layering clothing is helpful in these regions. Conversely, the areas of Vancouver and Victoria are much more temperate and don’t often see freezing temperatures.

Tip # 3: Plan for the Border Crossing

Travel to Canada has gotten a lot more complicated in recent years, as new restrictions on border entry have been imposed. The documentation requirements for travel to Canada are in a constant state of change, so it’s important to check into these requirements before you leave.

For the most up-to-date information on travel to Canada from the US, go to the US Department of State Website.

Tip #4: Understand the Currency

One of the most important travel tips for Canada is the importance of understanding the currency before you go. Canada uses the Canadian dollar, although many border locations will accept American dollars as well. It’s wise to carry traveler’s checks in the Canadian dollar, since they are accepted almost everywhere.

The best exchange rate for currency and traveler’s checks is at the Canadian chartered banks. There are also many ATMs in Canada.

Tip #4: Don’t Forget About the Sales Tax

Like the US, the Canadian government has a sales tax for goods and services. Don’t forget about this tax when planning expenses when you travel to Canada.

Sales tax rates depend on the province. Current sales tax rates for the provinces are as follows:

* No sales tax in Alberta, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, or the Yukon

* 5% sales tax in Saskatchewan

* 7% sales tax in Manitoba and British Columbia

* 7.5% sales tax in Quebec

* 8% sales tax in Ontario

* 10% sales tax on Prince Edward Island

* 13% harmonized sales tax in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia

Tip #5: Tips On Tipping

Another important tip about travel to Canada is to understand the way Canadians handle gratuities. Tips are not usually included in restaurant bills. Standard practice is to tip 12% to 15% for good service.

For travel guides in Canada, as well as for tour bus drivers, an acceptable tip is $1 to $2 per day for each person.

About the Author:Amy Nutt-Canadian travel blog features travel tips and resources for Travelers to Canada. For Canadian destination guides, consider Travel Guide Canada.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=315178&ca=Travel