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Golfing holidays in the most beautiful regions of the world
Golfing holidays can offer fans of the green the chance to show off their skills in some of the most beautiful regions of the world. The USA, Europe, Asia and the Gulf all offer a wide variety of quality golf resorts. Luckily golfing holidays are no longer for the rich and famous with many Golf resorts catering for all interests without sacrificing the quality of the courses. You will however have to get in early as the best courses book up quickly, so be sure to reserve games before setting off. For a great holiday, break out the clubs and head for the destinations where quality is par for the course.

The USA is still has many of the top golfing destinations with a wide range of resorts to suit all tastes. The pound is still strong against the dollar so a long-haul flight to the US can mean a great value trip for those wanting a longer break.

The Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina has often been voted the number one golf destination in the world with eight courses over 2,000 acres - including the newly renovated Course Number One, which has entertained players for over a century. For those looking for a more varied holiday in the US, Walt Disney World in California, provides high quality golfing alongside the obvious attractions for younger travellers, along with other top course at Orange County National and the Hawk’s Landing Course at the nearby Marriot World Center.

However, for a shorter break, continental Europe is home to some of the most diverse sites in the world, many of which are only a couple of hours by plane away. Spain has some of the most distinguished sites and the Golf Club Valderrama in Andalucia has some of the most impressive views of the Mediterranean and a rural feel which is complemented by the onsite wildlife sanctuaries. Golfers can fly into Gibraltar Airport, via airlines such as British Airways. La Manga in Murcia also offers luxurious accommodation with water sports, professional football a high-class spa and the Junior Club which can keep those under 12 entertained throughout the day.

For those hoping to venture further afield, it has been revealed that Marrakech has a new facility for families with a new 150-room five star development at Al Johara, which is located within easy access of the three main 18-hole courses in the area. Dubai also offers many luxury golf courses including the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and The Montgomerie. Flights to Dubai are also very reasonably priced at the moment so it’s a great time to visit this amazing destination.

After a hard day on the course, treat yourself with some of the luxurious facilities which have become synonymous with the world of golfing holidays. Spas and restaurants are now pretty standard for golfing hotels, while many reside close to some amazing sites of interest which are worth a visit.

Although most resorts will hire out clubs, taking your own can ensure you’re playing at the top of your game from the start of the holiday. British Airways carry golf equipment, including 14 clubs, umbrella and golf shoes for free in addition to normal luggage, whilst the same on American Airlines simply counts as part of the baggage allowance, which is standard practice for most non-budget airlines. However, check that you have the correct insurance before leaving as some policies do not cover golf clubs as standard.

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For those looking for that extra special golf trip then check out these flights to Dubai and get set to enjoy the countries amazing luxury golf courses.

Article Source: http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/features/37-golfing-holidays.html

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The Historic Moonlight Towers in Austin
Most visitors to Austin notice the unusual streetlights strategically located throughout the city known as the moonlight towers, but most are not aware of the history of the towers. Probably the most well known of the moonlight towers is the one in Zilker Park which is used every year to represent a huge Christmas tree, when it is encircled with multi-colored lights and can be seen from miles away.

There are actually 17 moonlight towers in and around Austin, including the Zilker tower, and these lights have been in use since the late 1800s, when Austin purchased the lights from the city of Detroit. In 1894, 31 used mercury vapor lamps were installed throughout Austin, and at the time, these types of lights were used in many cities across the country, but Austin is the only city still using them today.

The lamps, which are perched atop wrought iron posts, give off a distinctive pinkish-yellow light, and the lamps illuminate a 3000 foot circle of ground. Even thought the lights appear to be one large lamp, they are actually made up of 6 carbon arc lamps, and the lamp poles are actually 165 feet triangular posts made of cast and wrought iron.

The 100 year anniversary of the moonlight towers was celebrated in Zilker Park in 1995, and some of those who attended the anniversary event still have the custom made shirts which were available for purchase at the event, with an original artist’s rendition of the lamps on the front and back of the shirts, including the date of the commemoration of the lights. These shirts are considered collector’s items now, and the lamps themselves are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Most of the moonlight towers are situated in or around the older residential neighborhoods which encircle the downtown area, such as Clarksville, Speedway, Bouldin Creek, and the Zilker Park neighborhoods, but some are actually located in the downtown area itself, such as the one that is located at Guadalupe Street and West 9th. During the time of the 100 year anniversary of the lights, all of them were taken down and restored one at a time and then replaced in their original location, and even though there were originally 31 lamps, there are now only 17 in operation.

Each moonlight tower is held up by a fifteen foot pedestal which is encircled with guy wires and a network of cables, and the lights are changed and maintained by the use of a ladder which is affixed to the towers. Each tower has a commemorative plaque as well, with a brief history of the lights engraved on the plaque. The lights have been in continuous operation for over 100 years, and during that time, the lights have only been turned off twice.

The first time they were turned off was in 1905 when the lights were unlit for week during a dispute between the members of the city council and the Water and Light Commission. The second time they were turned off was in 1973, when the national energy crisis required the city to turn them off to conserve energy.

The moonlight towers are another example of the uniqueness of Austin, as well as Austin’s intention of preserving our heritage and honoring its historical significance. Many people travel to Austin to see the annual lighting of the Zilker Tree, which includes a yearly celebration of the Zilker Moonlight Tower, so be sure to visit Zilker during the holidays and check out the beautiful, tall, lighted tower, which is lit to resemble a tree, or drive through the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods and take a look for yourself at these legendary lights!

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Escapeso Realty helps buyers and sellers in Austin Texas. Their site is filled with stats on the Austin Texas real estate market. Additionally their site has a free mortgage calculator and a search for Austin homes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Belize- A Perfect Destination for Nature Lovers
Belize Islands is regarded a land of wonders. From Mayan ruins to the world famous Blue Hole, Belize is the perfect place for anyone who wants to explore and experience natural wonders and historical heritage together .

Especially for nature lovers, there is plenty to see in every nook and corner of the Belize Island. It is simply a paradise for botanists, ornithologists, ichthyologists and zoologists. Here are some popular natural reserves and wildlife sanctuaries which are ‘must visit’ places.

Chiguibul National Park

It is the largest national park in Belize located in the Cayo District. This park consists of hundreds of square miles of intact forest rich in both flora and fauna. Popular species found inside the park include Kinkajous, Ocelots, Margays, Jaguars, Ocellated Turkeys, Baird’s Tapirs, Spider Monkeys, and King Vultures.

Burdon Canal Nature Reserve

The Burdon Canal Nature Reserve is a popular low lying basin located in the Haulover Creek delta. The river is permanently waterlogged with either saline or fresh water depending upon the location. The area is full of various reptiles such as Crocodiles, Lepidoptera and Odonata. The surrounding forest area is a heaven for people who come to Belize especially to enjoy birding.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is a nature reserve of 400 square kilometers located in south-central Belize. It was established in 1984 in a way to protect the forests, fauna and watersheds found on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. In fact, this is the first wilderness sanctuary designed for the preservation of Jaguar. This beautiful wildlife sanctuary is full of plant species such as Pine, Mahogany and Cedar.

Blue Hole National Park

Blue Hole National Park, spread over an area of some 575 acres is located near the Hummingbird Highway in Cayo District of Belize. Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, this park is a beauty in itself due to its unique features such as underground streams, rivers and sinkholes. The park is home to over 200 species of birds and animals. The popular amongst them are species such as the Northern Nightingale-Wren, Ocelot, Jaguar, Piratic Flycatcher and Red-legged Honeycreeper.

Paynes Creek National Park

Located alongside the Monkey River in the Toledo District of Belize, Payne’s Creek National Park which is nature reserve was created in order to provide protection to the flora and fauna of this area. There are four popular Mayan sites that have been discovered in the Park till date.

Guanacaste National Park

This popular national park is spread over fifty-acre parcel of tropical forest. Initially, it was known as a Crown Reserve, but later on it became a completely protected area under the jurisdiction of Belize Government.

The park is maintained by the Belize Audubon Society. It park derives its name from the giant Guanacaste or Tubroos tree that are available in huge numbers inside the park. Over one hundred species of birds can be seen inside the park along with variety of mammals and reptiles.

These are many more nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Belize apart from these eight most visited ones. With so many interesting places to see, any nature lover would surely have the time of her life visiting the Belize Islands.

To make your Belize mission trip or vacation, a memorable one, plan your holiday beforehand by taking help from a reputed tour operator specializing in tours in the Belize Islands. The advantage of going through a travel and tour operator is that they take care of organizing your lodging and itinerary - from booking your rooms to selecting good tourist spots in Belize, and so on, making sure that you get to enjoy your holiday fully in Belize Island.

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Edward Wilson is a well-known travel journalist based in Belize Islands.He has written extensively on vacation options in Belize including Belize jungle vacations,Belize birding,Belize Cuisine and many more things.

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Some Quick Planner For Your Perfect Travel Posted By : Ranju Kumar
You may all know that traveling is an awesome way to relieve all your stress and fatigue. Whenever the work becomes hectic, a small vacation to a tropical paradise is always in the mind.