Clifden - the capital of beautiful Connemara, Galway.

Clifden - the capital of beautiful Connemara, Galway. by Mairead Foley


Clifden is one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland with a stunning location at the foot of the Twelve Pins Mountains, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of the beautiful Connemara region. Read on to find out more about this vibrant Irish town…
Clifden can be found about 50 miles north west of Galway city. Long gone are the days when visitors would get a glimpse of the town as they drove by on the Connemara Loop …#34; Clifden is now a top destination in its own right and a popular base for exploring Connemara.

This diamond shaped town is the largest town west of Galway, making it the capital of the Connemara region. Set against a backdrop of mountains and ocean, this colourful and lively town is brimming with boutiques, gift and souvenir shops, cafes, fine restaurants and lots of quaint Irish pubs.

The town of Clifden was established by a landlord called John D'Arcy at the start of the 19th century so on relative terms, it's not as old as other Irish towns. He lived in the nearby Clifden Castle, which is now a ruin and can be seen about 2km from Clifden on the Sky Road.

Other attractions to be seen close to Clifden include the Alcock & Brown site where Captain John Alcock and Lt, Arthur Brown landed from Newfoundland after they made the first transatlantic non-stop flight in 1919. A visit to Kylemore Abbey is also a must …#34; see the impressive walled Victorian gardens and take a tour of the abbey.

Activities to be enjoyed locally include golfing, pitch n' putt, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, pony trekking on the beach, walking and mountain climbing or just strolling or sunbathing on the beach.

Clifden is a great base for exploring the Connemara region as it's got plenty of accommodation whether you would prefer to stay in a Clifden holiday home, a Clifden bed and breakfast or a Clifden hotel.

Clifden is easily reached from Galway city by taking the N59 from the city to Oughterard, then onto Maam Cross, Recess and finally Clifden.



About the Author
Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

Visit www.GoIreland.com for all you need to know before visiting Ireland, like what to see and where to go. You can also view B&Bs, guesthouses, self catering and hotels all over Ireland as well as Galway hotels.

Visit the Aran Islands in Ireland

Visit the Aran Islands in Ireland by Mairead Foley

If you want to get a glimpse of the real Gaelic Ireland, then a visit to the Aran Islands is a must. They sit on the very edge of western Europe, just off the coast of Galway and draw visitors from far and wide to see their unique beauty, culture, history and heritage. So spell-bounding are these islands, that they have been ranked as number 7 in the top island destinations in the world by National Geographic in December 2007.
The Aran Islands are a group of three islands situated in Galway Bay, just about 45km off the coast of County Galway in the west of Ireland. These islands are very special places as they have remained one of the last remaining parts of the country, which still bear a very strong sense of Irish culture and language. The islands are 'Gaeltachts' (Irish-speaking areas) and their location has helped them to preserve and protect these traditions against foreign influences on the mainland down through the years.

The largest of the three island is Inish Mór which is just 12km by 3km in size and has a population of about 900 people. It is one of the most popular island destinations in Ireland. It's of huge historical interest with over 50 different historic monuments dotted all over the island, the largest and most impressive being Dun Aengus - a prehistoric fort built during the Bronze Age at the top of a 100 metre high cliff.

The island has unspoilt sandy beaches with clear blue waters, green fields with stone walls, beautiful cliff walks and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean - it's really no wonder that it has been the setting for a movie and the inspiration for many writers and artists who frequent the island regularly. The main village on the island is Kilronan, which is where visitors to Inish Mór disembark. It's a lively spot during the Summer months, so pop into the local pub for a creamy pint of Guinness and mingle with the locals who will enthral you with the island folklore - which they are very proud of.

Inis Meáin is the middle island and the less visited of the three, so if you really want to get away from it all, head here. It has superb views of the Cliffs of Moher and has become a popular destination for diving due to its clear unpolluted waters. It has a share of historical attractions and an unusual flora and fauna similar to that of the Burren. The island has a population of about 200 people and depends largely on fishing and sheep rearing which is important for making the famous woolly Aran Island jumpers.

Inis Oírr is the smallest one of the islands and has a population of about 300 people. It has a distinctive charm about it and the local folk on the island still very much live a traditional Irish way of life. The little village on the island has a popular Irish pub, which is a great spot to enjoy a traditional Irish music session at its best!

Getting to these offshore islands is a pleasant experience. Most boats to take you to the islands leave from Rossaveal, which can be found about 1 hour west of Galway city. Some companies run a shuttle service between Galway city and Rossaveal Harbour.

The islands are usually explored by foot, bike or horseback. They are a paradise for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, diving, surfing or birdwatching.

Visitors also have the option of staying on the islands with B&B and guesthouse accommodation available.



About the Author
Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

Visit www.GoIreland.com for all you need to know before visiting Ireland, like what to see and where to go. You can also view B&Bs, guesthouses, self catering and hotels all over Ireland as well as Galway hotels.

Roundstone - experience village life in Connemara

Roundstone - experience village life in Connemara by Helen Kelly

If you're seeking amazing mountain views and a spectacular coastline, the picturesque little fishing village of Roundstone should be top of your list. A bustling harbour, traditional bars and top class seafood restaurants and you've got the perfect holiday destination in Connemara.
The popular seaside resort of Roundstone is located in the heart of Connemara, at the foot of Errisbeg Mountain and overlooking the Atlantic. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery on all sides it's a fantastic base for a relaxing break. Founded in the 1820's by Scottish Engineer, Alexander Nimmo, the village was populated by Scottish fishermen. A Franciscan Monastery was built in 1835 and within 5 years the village had a prosperous fishing industry. Roundstone's name comes from the Irish "Cloch Na Ron" (Rock of the Seals).

The locality has many historical, geological and scenic points of interest. The remains of an ancient monument to St. Brendan can be found on Inishnee (a small island in Roundstone Bay) and you'll also come across the remains of various other Christian settlements on nearby islands. The ruins of a 15th century Dominican Priory can be found 2 miles north of Roundstone.

For a holiday memento the village has a traditional craft centre where you can buy pottery, musical instruments and silver, Celtic jewellery as well as hand crafted stoneware.

If you're a fan of the great outdoors Roundstone has a lot to offer. Nearby Dogs Bay and Gurteen Beach are great for swimming or just splashing about, or you can enjoy a pony trek on one of the famous Connemara ponies. Check out nearby Connemara National Park or you can climb to the summits of Errisbeg Mountain or the 12 Bens Mountains.



About the Author
Helen Kelly writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

Visit www.GoIreland.com for all you need to know before visiting Ireland, like what to see and where to go. You can also view B&Bs, guesthouses, self catering and hotels all over Ireland as well as Galway hotels.

On Location May 2008 Tanzania

On Location May 2008 Tanzania by Steppes Travel

I was last in Tanzania and Zanzibar some fourteen years ago and it is where I first fell under Africa's powerful spell - I simply could not get over the vast open plains of the Serengeti with the odd acacia tree on the landscape and the mountains in the distance, sporadically dotted with the red shukkas of the Masai and their cattle. Literally breathtaking and "classic Africa". I was looking forward to revisiting and seeing what had changed in that time and also to seeing some new areas such as the Selous Game Reserve, Pemba Island off Zanzibar and also Tarangire National Park and Loliondo in north. As I covered a lot of ground in this trip, I will just mention some of the highlights.
The Selous Game Reserve is my new favourite safari destination! It is one of the largest game reserves in Africa with relatively few camps in it so there is that wonderful feeling of remoteness. To arrive and go straight to Kiba Point, was a very spoiling start to the trip. It is part of the Sand Rivers set-up, but it is a private camp that is taken exclusively by groups of up to 8 people - it has four extremely spacious and open-sided thatched rooms (more like houses!) looking down over the Rufiji River, the largest river in East Africa.

Complete luxury and brilliantly run, this camp has a great home away from home feeling and it offers a variety of activities.....my favourite being our boat trip upstream into Stiegler's Gorge where we stopped after an hour of game viewing (we saw buffalo, hippos, elephant, giraffe and plenty of birds from the water) to get out onto a beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by rocks and the steep sides of the gorge bursting with life and trees. Here we tried our hand at fly fishing and between us we caught three catfish! What a stunning spot to just stop and be surrounded by nature. Drives take you through beautiful scenery, lush from some recent and much needed rain, and some of us went for a lovely walk through the bush only to find ourselves at the top of a hill with a fantastic 360 degree view and a full bar set up for our sundowners. Fly camping for a night on the river is a must. Being a huge seafood lover, I was delighted to be served some great calamari and red snapper whilst staying at Kiba Point - they are only a short distance from the coast here, so it was a fantastic novelty to be having seafood in the bush!

On to Pemba Island and Fundu Lagoon - the only lodge on the island so you know you are going somewhere special! A short twenty minute flight from Zanzibar you are then met by the Fundu Lagoon car, driven 30 minutes across the island to catch your boat to Fundu itself. It was built by two twin brothers Alex and Marcus and it really is a great place with a very good feeling of space - you can be as social or private as you want and they seem to combine the two effortlessly. There is so much to do here as well if you are not one for lying around on a beach! You can go snorkelling and diving at Misali Island where the water is the most beautiful I think I have seen, crystal clear and visibility over the coral reef was just perfect. You can also go for a walk into the village where the lodge owners invest in community projects, or you can go fishing for your lunch, take a picnic out....you would certainly not get bored here and the friendly and professional staff always seem to be around for advice on what to do next or help you with deciding which cocktail to try for your sundowner! There are so many different places to eat here whether it's on the beach, at the jetty bar, or the pool bar up the hill - or simply in the cool and breezy thatched dining room.

So all in all, Tanzania now provides a huge mix of areas and camps to visit and there are still so many relatively untouched parks to explore. The Selous is definitely one of my new favourite places and Pemba is also a winner location for some great beach time. There is something for everyone here and still so much more to see.......you would not be disappointed with safari or beach here, but you need to remember that Tanzania is a huge country to cover and there is much travel involved! Its vastness and raw beauty is what makes it stick out in my mind as so special.



About the Author
Steppes Travel specialise in holidays to Tanzania, China holidays and South Africa safari.

Plan, Pack and Go.. A Family Vacation on Florida's West Coast

Plan, Pack and Go.. A Family Vacation on Florida's West Coast by Carol Eiseman

Family vacations are a wonderful source of memories and tradition. While there are many exotic and beautiful destination choices, our family's favorite vacation spot is on the West Coast of Florida. For over 25 years we have made it a point to spend time on the sand bar beach strip just south of Clearwater Beach, Florida in Belleair Beach. We rent a three bedroom condo that is right on the beach. Renting a private condo allows us to save hundreds of dollars as it is less expensive than a hotel and we have all the amenities of home. We save even more money by stocking up at the local grocery so everyone can make their own breakfast and lunch. Best of all, we walk out the door and have our choice: a beautiful pool or the Gulf of Mexico. What more could you ask for?
This narrow strip of paradise sits with the Gulf on one side and the bay and intracoastal waterways on the other. This barrier island runs from Clearwater down to St. Petersburg. There all kinds of accommodations available from high rises and hotels to smaller condo complexes or beach cottages. There is something to fit any budget. It is quiet and uncrowded but yet close to lots of activities!

When we want a break from the beach the possibilities are numerous. A 45 minute drive to Tampa and we are at Busch Gardens for a day of fun. If we want to attack the Orlando scene we get up early and make the 90 minute drive. We can spend the day at any of the Disney, Universal or Sea World theme parks and be back at the beach by 10pm.

If we want to stay local, we head 5 minutes up Gulf Boulevard to Clearwater Beach for shopping or water fun. Centrally located in the beautiful harbor, there are boat rides, fishing charters, pirate ships, dinner cruises and even parasailing for the more adventurous. Prices are much more reasonable than in some of the larger, more commercial beach cities in Florida.

Perhaps our favorite tradition is our night at the Clearwater Phillies minor league ball field. Located about 15 minutes from the beach, their stadium is beautiful, clean and family friendly. Tickets are under $10 and the food courts are well stocked with the traditional ball field goodies at bargain prices. You sit close to the field and have a great chance to catch a fly ball! Players sign programs and balls for the kids. They have numerous special events throughout the season including fireworks! It has been a part of every vacation for over 20 years. Of course, you can venture into Tampa and see the Tampa Yanks play at the famous Legends Field.

While we eat home for breakfast and lunch, we explore the local cuisine at dinnertime! Always budget conscious with our big crowd, we seek out the family style restaurants. Our two favorites are in Indian Rocks Beach. Crabby Bills has to be the best seafood restaurant in the state. It casual and fun and family style. Long picnic tables covered with red and white table clothes set the ambiance. Nothing fancy but a party like atmosphere prevails. Beer and soda by the pitcher, fresh seafood on paper plates with great side like coleslaw, fries and hush puppies. It is the perfect family seafood restaurant. Stop into their fun gift shop on the way out!

The second family favorite is an Italian bistro, also in Indian Rocks, TJ's Italian Café. Casual with delicious home made Italian food. The pizza and strombolis are a must! It is an easy place to bring the kids no matter their age! After dinner hop next door to TJ"s Mom's Homemade Ice Cream Parlor for dessert!

What would a family vacation be without a round of miniature golf? Travel another 5 minutes south and you will see Smuggler Cove Adventure Golf right on Gulf Boulevard. Three courses with lots of "pirate theme" holes including waterfalls and an alligator pond.

Family vacations are a great part of establishing family traditions. While our kids are all older from 20-26, we still ALL look forward to our family vacation. We start in later winter, pick some dates and everyone works their vacation schedule. They are welcome to bring along their significant other or a friend. Planning early allows for use of airline miles and assures lower fares. Too late for your family this summer? Start planning now for a fun winter vacation. This August there will 10 of us making memories at our favorite vacation spot in Florida. It will truly be a fantastic family celebration!

Carol shares more great family celebration and tradition ideas from their own family album at http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/family-celebration-ideas.html




About the Author
Carol is a full-time working mother. She is married with four children and loves to turn everything into a celebration. Her favorite hobby is her website, http://celebrationideasonline.com. It is a family album of celebration ideas for special occasions, holidays, theme parties, college care packages, craft and gift ideas. It is a one stop online resource for family celebration ideas.