Month: January 2019

The Shutdown Could Make Fire Season Worse This Year

Fire management officials and crews have a huge amount of catching up to do to make up for lost and financial resources during the shutdown. Will the fire season be more destructive than usual as a result? Adventure Journal https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/01/how-the-shutdown-may-make-fire-season-worse-this-year/

Beautiful photos of Britain’s winter wonderlands

From dazzling landscapes to peaceful parklands, the National Trust cares for some spectacular places that are some of the most stunning of Britain’s winter wonderlands

There’s nothing better on a crisp, cold morning than venturing outdoors to explore frosty landscapes or Britain’s beautiful buildings dressed in their wintry best. Here is a selection of our favourite all-natural winter wonderlands…

Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire. Credit: National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in North Yorkshire combine magnificent ruins with beautiful landscaped Georgian water gardens at this breathtaking World Heritage Site, which boasts over 800 acres of beautiful parkland and its own medieval deer park. Stay in one of the 11 holiday cottages there, including two apartments in the luxurious Fountains Hall, as well as five cottages at How Hill, which have been converted from a group of 18th-century farm buildings.

The statue of Galen AT Fountains Abbey. Credit: National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
The statue of Galen at Fountains Abbey. Credit: National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Another stunning spot for the perfect weekend escape is Stourhead in Wiltshire, where the world-famous landscape garden comprises a magnificent lake reflecting classic temples, mystical grottos and swathes of surrounding trees. The buildings and statues in the garden are a key part of Henry Hoare II’s carefully constructed views and form focal points around the lake. To make a weekend of it, stay in 89 Church Lawn, set at the entrance to the garden, a pretty 18th-century holiday cottage, which sleeps seven and allows guests to enjoy the landscape garden before the crowds.

Winter scene at Stourhead. Credit: National Trust Images/ Stephen Robson
Winter scene at Stourhead. Credit: National Trust Images/Stephen Robson
Winter Stourhead. Credit: National Trust Images/Stephen Robson
Stourhead. Credit: National Trust Images/Stephen Robson

Winter is the perfect time to see the monumental garden at Stowe in Buckinghamshire glisten with crisp frost, with mist drifting across the lakes. There are more than 250 acres of garden to explore with lakes, classical temples, winding paths and woods created by some of the greatest minds of gardening design and architecture, including Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and William Kent.

Oxford Bridge at Stowe. Credit: National Trust Images/Rod Edwards
Oxford Bridge at Stowe. Credit: National Trust Images/Rod Edwards

At Bodnant Garden in Conwy, Wales, the winter garden is relatively new and, with its winter colours and scents, it brightens up even the coldest of winter days – the perfect place for a post-Christmas walk. At weekends during the winter months you’ll be able to enjoy a warming cup of tea in the bottom of the garden at the Dell tea stop. With hot drinks, snacks and a warming fire, it’s the perfect place to pause and reflect while on your way round the garden.

Bodnant Winter Garden. Credit: National Trust Images
Bodnant Winter Garden. Credit: National Trust Images

Visitors to Mottisfont in Hampshire can enjoy the National Trust’s newest winter garden, whose plants are at their most beautiful when others are in hibernation. Gullies of foliage plants appear to wind through the banks of willow and spill into the stream and, as winter creeps in, the garden becomes a refuge for late flowering shrubs and sweet-smelling winter honeysuckle. We love the striking corridor of ancient trees below.

Trees in the gardens at Mottisfont. Credit: National Trust Images/John Miller
Trees in the gardens at Mottisfont. Credit: National Trust Images/John Miller
Mottisfont in snow. Credit: National Trust Images
Mottisfont in snow. Credit: National Trust Images

Whichever path you take through the woods at Wallington in Northumberland, whether it’s the winding Serpentine Path or the longer path that loops around the China Pond and past the impressive Portico House, the tranquillity of the landscape will surround you. Discover the mini-lake covered in a sprinkling of frost and the enchanting walled garden. There is also a beautiful Edwardian conservatory, originally created as a Winter Garden, which is home to an array of beautiful plants throughout the year. The grounds at Wallington are open all year round, and are the perfect place for a winter walk.

Wallington Clock Tower. Credit: National Trust Images/Chris Orton
Wallington Clock Tower. Credit: National Trust Images/Chris Orton

The post Beautiful photos of Britain’s winter wonderlands appeared first on Britain Magazine | The official magazine of Visit Britain | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture.

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1000 Island Travel

1000 Island Travel
vacationrentalsexperts.pennistonemedia.com/top-10-vacatio… – Although the Great Lakes are commonly known for sailing and fishing, the network of lakes also features many great locations for scuba diving. Hundreds of shipwrecks dot the maps, and the Great Lakes area is a perfect place to dive. Scuba diving is not just for reefs, and any diver worth his salt knows that the adventure and thrill that comes from diving fresh water lakes is second to none. In addition to being exciting and challenging, the sites are not typically as crowded as many other diving locations on the coasts or near the sea. The sites in the Great Lakes area also offer a look into the rich American past. If you are an experienced diver, or an intrepid novice looking to improve your skill, these locations offer what you are looking for. Let us look at a few sites in the Great Lakes and remember to always research your dive, be prepared, and keep your equipment checked and ready. Vacation Rental Homes | Vacation Rental Caribbean http://farawayvr.blogspot.com/2019/01/1000-island-travel.html

Patagonia’s ‘Treeline’ is Equal Parts Ski Film, Tree Love, and Awesome

Who doesn’t love trees? That’s basically the premise behind Patagonia’s new full-length film “Treeline.” Through stories told by skiers, researchers, spiritual seekers—tree nerds, all of them—the relationship between people and trees is explored and celebrated. Adventure Journal https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/01/patagonias-treeline-is-equal-parts-ski-film-tree-love-and-awesome/

Discover Toronto

Discover Toronto
vacationrentalsexperts.pennistonemedia.com/the-complete-t… Canada Wonderland Canada Wonderland is one of the must-visit places that offer a wide range of fun activities for the whole family. It is the country’s first and largest theme park that is in North Toronto. It is home more than 200 attractions among them roller coasters, a collection or rides and a water parks. Canada’s Wonderland seats on 330-acre and is owned by Cedar Fair. This park is the second most visited within the Cedar Fair Chain and receives millions of visitors every year, with the number standing at 3.58 million in 2013. The best time to visit this park is between September and May when it is opens its doors daily. In November, this family park only opens on weekends Vacation Rental Homes | Vacation Rental Caribbean http://farawayvr.blogspot.com/2019/01/discover-toronto_30.html