1. Tour the lakes on foot, bike, or boat

Killarney National Park has the famous Lakes of Killarney, along with mountains, islands, waterfalls and more. This beautiful landscape is fabulous for walking or biking, giving you time to discover the area, enjoy the scenery, and savor the serenity of the park. Depending on your energy level and preferences, you can walk to your heart’s content on the quiet paths around the lakes, or you can rent a bike in town so you can cover more distance. The extensive trail network gives you a lot of options, and you can pick up a trail map at the park information center. There are also boat tours that leave from Ross Castle, so you can get views of the park from the water.

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Kerry, Ireland by Jim Linwood

2. See how Irish chieftains lived at Ross Castle

During the Middle Ages, a number of Irish Chieftains ruled different pieces of Ireland, warring between themselves. One such chieftain, O’Donoghue, built Ross Castle as his stronghold. This chunky castle with its strong, fortified tower was built for warfare. Everything in the castle was designed to aid the defenders in battle. The entryway, the spiral staircase, the parapets, and much more had special design characteristics for protection under attack. Be sure to take the castle tour – it’s hugely interesting. Not only will you learn about these interesting castle design details, but you’ll learn a lot about how the Irish lords and their households lived in the Middle Ages.

3. Picnic amid the ruins of an early monastery

In the middle of the lake is Innisfallen Island, with a set of evocative ruins to explore. A monastery was founded here in the year 640, that operated for over 800 years. This was also a center for education, and the lake was nicknamed the “Lake of Learning”. The famous Irish king Brian Boru was educated here, and other wealthy families sent their princes here to be taught by the monks. Today, the buildings are in ruins, with stone walls giving it an eerie sense of majesty and spirituality. You can take a small boat out to the island from Ross Castle, and spend some time exploring the ruins and the island. This is also a fabulous place for a picnic lunch. It’s quiet and secluded – you may even have the place to yourselves.

Ruins of monastery on Innisfallen Island, Ireland by Bkwillwm

4. Visit stately Muckross House and farms

Fast forward a few centuries to the 1800s, when the luxurious and imposing Muckross House was built. The owners spent lavishly, preparing the house and its gardens for a visit by Queen Victoria. You can tour the house (furnished in authentic period style), and find out about their elegant lifestyle. After touring the house, see how the other half lived, at the Muckross traditional farms. History comes alive as these working farms recreate the typical life of an Irish farmer – a simple and hardworking way of life. There are also artisan shops that practice traditional methods of spinning, weaving and pottery making. Of course, they sell some of the products right there, too.

5. Ride in an Irish jaunting car

A jaunting car is a type of horse drawn carriage, and this is the perfect way to get back to Killarney town at the end of your national park visit. You’ll see drivers and their horses in the park, who are happy to give you the scenic drive back to town. Your driver can point out sights of interest along the way, tell silly jokes, or answer any questions you may have. While the horse carries you along through this peaceful park, it’s easy to imagine being back in the old days, when this was a normal way of traveling. What a fitting end to a lovely day!

Horse drawn carriage in Killarney National Park, Ireland by Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey is a lifelong traveler, who ran an international travel company for years. Today, you’ll find her out traveling, hiking, and exploring. Deanna writes about travel clothes and accessories at Best-Travel-Clothes.com, and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

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The Great Outdoors

Chester Zoo

A great attraction all year around but with longer days and fairer weather, summer is the perfect time to take in some of the 8000 amazing animals. With the holidays also come some extra exhibitions. This summer the dinosaurs have returned and 19 life sized robot replicas of the terrible lizards will take visitors back 200 million years.

Jaguars at Chester Zoo, Manchester, UK by Mark Morleo

Canal Festival

Late August sees the Manchester Canal festival with plenty of outdoor activities near the water for all of the family to enjoy. With nature trails, arts workshops horse boat tours and the spectacle of a Float-In movie it’s a great excuse to take a trip down the Rochdale Canal.

The Manchester Picnic

While some food festivals are purely for the connoisseurs, this one invites all the family to enjoy the tasty treats on offer over a long August weekend. 16 gourmet street food traders from all around the world gather at Piccadilly Gardens to share their native cuisines that will inspire you to try some of the wonderful restaurants in Manchester. As well as the fantastic food there are also activities for children and live music on offer.

Rainy day outings

Manchester Museum

With an amazing array of exhibits from around the world over its four floors and 15 galleries, there is so much to explore. The special Unearthed: Ancient Egypt exhibition is perfect for children and they can gain and archaeology certificate by helping Professor Digby catalogue all of his finds in the Egyptologist’s storeroom.

National Football Museum

Football looms large in Manchester with the great rival between United and City. This museum explores the relationship football has with people through past and present. The museum features a series of exhibitions with displays on the world’s greatest players, the laws of the game, managers and stadiums there will be something to entertain any football fan.

Museum of Science and Industry

Located on the site of the world’s oldest remaining passenger railway station this museum tells the incredible story of Manchester’s industrial past. There is so much to learn about this city and its innovations in the past, present and future from the age of steam with locomotives to the space age in the planetarium.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article was written on behalf of Malmaison.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Bea y Fredi

A taxi tour? What’s that…I hear you say?

Well it is just as it sounds; instead of a walking tour, a boating tour or a bus tour, you can get in a special taxi and enjoy a personalised guided adventure around Belfast.

Here’s why this is a great option:

Lap of Luxury

When you get on a tour bus, your enjoyment could easily be destroyed by another passenger, or whole group of passengers being too loud or leaning across you or generally being obnoxious. With a private taxi tour you get to invite who you want on your tour and whole lot more leg room. Walking tours can be hard on the knees and boat tours can be troubling for your stomach so all in all you know what the best choice is.

Additionally, most taxi tours provide refreshments, comfy seats and even props in some cases; rope to feel when go to the rope factories, models of the ships when your glide up and down the harbours edge and some local music piped in just to set the mood.

No Fixed Route

One of the best things about having your own tour taxi is the fact that you don’t have to stick to any schedule or any fixed route. The vehicle is all yours for the duration and you can decide to drive around all day without stopping or pick and choose where you want to go on a whim. But you should be sure to check out the following:

• Ulster Museum
• Victoria Square
• Harland & Wolff Shipbuilders
• Titanic Belfast (new visitors centre)
• CS Lewis Wardrobe

Or alternatively you could just drive from bar to bar ‘testing’ whiskeys. It’s totally up to you.

Own Driver

The final key thing that makes a taxi tour so special is that you get your own driver, who is ultra-knowledgeable about not only the best short cuts and local football news, but about all the history and culture that you are there to delve into and learn about.

So next time you visit Belfast, don’t book a big hot sweaty tour bus or a boat tour that might sink, think about a taxi tour instead.

Bryan Raymond is a Belfast taxi driver. You can find more about his taxi firm by visiting their website http://www.gransha-taxi.co.uk

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alquiler de Coches

Sand and Sea

Albufeira features over 25 of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe.  The gorgeous sands and sea are set against a backdrop of beautiful, dramatic cliffs.  In addition to sunbathing and swimming, there is parasailing, kayaking, plenty of jet ski and boat rentals, boat tours to go out and enjoy the scenery and maybe even watch dolphins play, and several wonderful diving schools.  If you fancy, you can even book a trip on the “pirate ship” Leaozhino and enjoy a sailing experience like no other.

Cycling and Hiking

With challenging courses and trails, Albufeira is a great place for cyclists and hikers alike.  Nowhere else on Earth will you find trails like these combine with such beautiful scenery as your backdrop.  Enjoy mountain biking through the rocky terrain of the cliffs surrounding Albufeira, or take one of the guided bike tours throughout the old town for a unique sightseeing experience.

Golfing

Albufeira features six world class golf courses to choose from, making it an excellent destination for a golf getaway.  Perfect your shot with the blue sea and old town villages as your backdrop.  If you are a less experienced golfer, lessons are offered by skilled and friendly pros.

Nightlife and Dining

Whether you are a young adult or just young at heart, Albufeira has an active and vibrant night life.  The strip is the main party street in Albufeira.  Lined with a multitude of bars, dance clubs, and restaurants, it is where you should seek out if you are looking for a lively and entertaining night out on the town.  It can actually be quite economical if you are looking to have drinks on a budget, as the proximity of one bar to the other allows you to bounce from happy hour to happy hour.

Whether on the strip or in Old Town, the dining in Albufeira is both delicious and affordable.  Don’t make the mistake of shying away from the street grills.  You will them to have delicious chicken and absolutely fabulous fresh fish.  If that just isn’t your cup of tea, there are a multitude of restaurants featuring everything from Chinese to Indian food, as well as some higher scale steak houses and some “posh” dining experiences as well.

Historic Sightseeing

Visit the winding cobblestone streets of Old Town and admire the Arabic style buildings and friendly people of the original town center, which still retains the essence of the village it has always been.  Visit museums, galleries, and castles as well.    One of Albufeira’s landmarks is the castle wall, the remains of one of the towers of the castle that crumbled to dust in the 1755 earthquake.  Another beautiful landmark to behold is the famous Clock Tower of Albufeira.  Adorned with an iron crown, the tower was built in the 19th century and rings out the hours dutifully.  It’s a must see for sightseers.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Albufeira regardless of your age and interests.  I strongly encourage you to give it a visit the next time you go on holiday.

Albufeira is an amazing holiday destination and what better place to stay than in Albufeira apartments?  Visit the Owner’s Direct website and take a look at some of the best the region has to offer.

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