3 traditions of St Patrick’s Day

St patrick’s Day is celebrated across the world on 17th March. It is a time when people come together, eat, drink and share st patricks day gifts with one another. You can buy a st patrick day gift from Shamrock Gift if you are looking for something special for a family member or friend this year. There are some interesting traditions that are associated with this day and below are just 3 of them for you to take a look through.

Leprechauns

Such cheeky, rosy cheeked creatures have made an appearance in folklore, myths and stories throughout Irish history. Leprechauns, believed to date back as far as the 8th century, are mischievous and mercenary. You should expect to see many people dressed up in a traditional green suit complete with top hat and buckled shoes on St Patrick’s Day.

Shamrocks

It is assumed that when he returned there in 432, St Patrick used the shamrock to demonstrate to the Irish the Christian holy trinity. Farmers will sell masses of small, green plants around the world around St Patrick’s Day, making for an industry that turns over EUR 600,000 annually. But with some horticultural experts claiming that varieties of the plant can be found all over the world, the true history of the shamrock also causes debate, implying it is not native to Ireland. The shamrock is a main emblem of St Patrick’s Day regardless of its origin and is often worn on clothes.

Guinness

In Dublin’s popular brewery, the iconic Irish stout is drunk all over the world, but never more so than on St Patrick’s Day, when an estimated 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed all over the world. With Irish culture, the thick, iron-infused stout is synonymous. To produce the perfect pint, it is suggested to let the drink settle halfway through pouring.

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Kit For Hiking

A hiking adventure with a group of people is an adventure to be remembered for a long time and if you are planning for such an outing then it is essential that you have the right kit for hiking. There are actually several different kinds of hiking gear and supplies available for your hiking trip. But if you are not a very experienced hiker or you are very busy in your work then you will find it hard to choose which would work for your needs.

One of the most important aspects of hiking that you have to consider while buying the gear or supplies is the safety of your companions while hiking. The more you are prepared for the trip the better your chances of enjoying it. Besides the basic hiking equipment, you will also require a tent and sleeping bags if you are going on long hikes. A tent has to be properly designed so that it can provide maximum protection to you and your companions from the elements. You should also invest in camping gear such as portable stove, lantern, cooking utensils, first aid kit and even a sleeping bag so that you are not stranded during an emergency. For Hiking Clothing Dublin, visit Basecamp.

An essential gear for hiking is also clothing, especially if you have to walk for a long distance. If you are going on a longer hike, then it is essential that you invest in a good rain gear such as waterproof clothing and good footwear. You should also make sure that your clothing is breathable so that you would not suffer from moisture condensation in your skin.

How to travel safely with your dog

Are you going to take your dog for a trip? It can be tonnes of fun to go on holiday or a day trip with your dog. Being well-prepared to make things run as smoothly as possible is critical. Failure to plan and the journey can very easily become a nightmare!

The first important thing to remember is that a collar with current identification data on it must be worn by your dog. Luckily you can get some wonderful Designer Dog Collars from Iwoof.

It might be safer to use a boarding kennel or dog-sitter when you’re away if your dog has not yet been adequately trained with at least basic training. When travelling in a car, you need your pooch to be well-behaved.

 

Other items that need to be scheduled include where the dog will be put in the car, pet-friendly lodging, and activities to keep the dog active and occupied while you are away.

 

The best way to travel with your dog is by car as this mode of transport would also be most familiar to your dog, having been taken on trips to the vets and the park, etc. Some dogs suffer car travel anxiety, so it’s probably best to get them used to travelling from an early age in the car. If he is nervous, try short drives for a while and get your dog used to car journeys. Maybe he still feels that he’s going to the vets where he might have had a poor experience before.

The best viewpoints of Alicante: The lighthouse of Santa Pola

The coastal town of Santa Pola, in Alicante, not only offers its beaches and restaurants as incentives to the sea. In the vicinity of the lighthouse of Santa Pola there is a privileged viewpoint to the Mediterranean , which today we look out.

There, next to a cliff that descends to the coast, we can walk along a hanging gangway and enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the Alicante coast, with the Isla de Tabarca in the foreground. Without a doubt we are in one of the best viewpoints of the province of Alicante . Continue reading The best viewpoints of Alicante: The lighthouse of Santa Pola →

If you are a coffee grower you should visit these nine countries

The cold arrives and with it the desire to sit at home in the shelter with a delicious cup of steaming coffee in his hands. Although sometimes we think of a coffee on a summer day that activates our strength we also like it. There are people who can not live without coffee, which is a very important part of their existence, so if you are very coffee you should visit these nine countries . Continue reading If you are a coffee grower you should visit these nine countries →

Birmingham is home to the best rooftop bar in the UK

The best rooftop bar in the UK has been announced and the accolade goes to the Hotel Indigo rooftop bar.

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The Best Rooftop Award is part of the Simply The Guest Awards, which reward the very best hotels in the country and were launched by LateRooms.com and venues are scored according to visitor satisfaction.

Spectacular

Hotel Indigo was the very first rooftop bar to arrive in Birmingham, opening in 2011 at The Cube. Part of the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, it recently underwent extensive renovation and refurbishment to include a stunning new plush seating area complete with comfy sofas, outdoor heating and an amazing retractable cover. Guests are now able to enjoy the impressive 360-degree views across the city, sitting on the 25th floor, drink in hand and even wrapped in a cosy blanket, should they so wish.

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Add to this the breathtaking views, live music and locally sourced food and it really isn’t hard to see why the venue won. According to Sandra Perkins of LateRooms.com, 100 percent of visitors would recommend it to a friend. The venue has an almost faultless track record and people cannot recommend it enough – an almost impossible achievement given the high expectations of consumers today.

Reviews on the site are truly glowing, praising the colourful decor, fabulous views, amazing spa facilities and fantastic location, situated as it is next to the Birmingham canals and very close to the popular Barclaycard Arena.

Reviews

One of the first things people do before choosing to book a hotel is to browse through the reviews of other people who have stayed or dined there. This is why the industry accolade is considered so very valuable and a true indication of a venue’s performance. It has become an important goal for hotels and businesses, such as Birmingham serviced apartments, http://birminghamservicedapartments.co.uk/, to aim for. The awards are considered a real achievement and are highly sought after.

25 categories

The Simply The Guest Awards feature 25 different categories, all of which recognise hotels offering outstanding customer service to their guests. The awards include luxury, historic, family friendly and beach hotels, as well as bed and breakfasts. There were six additional categories this year, of which the Best Rooftop Bar was one, alongside Best Pool and Best View.

Rishikesh – Venture Into The Gateway Of The Himalayas

Rishikesh, also dubbed the “Gateway to the Himalayas” came into the light of people all over the world during the late 1960’s when the four members of the British pop/rock band ‘The Beatles’ arrived to Rishikesh for a ‘spiritual enlightening’. Since it was during the Beatles era and Beatlemania had touched every corner of the world almost like an epidemic, Rishikesh gained great popularity. It catapult this small place into the top of everybody’s travel bucket list. This is one reason why this place is also called the “World Capital of Yoga” as many hoarded in from all parts of the world just to see the place. Some of the places to visit in Rishikesh are mentioned below.

Haridwar

Haridwar in plain words means gateway to God. Haridwar lies 18 km from Rishikesh and is one of the most visited places for people visiting Rishikesh. With multiple temples and various other religious sites, Haridwar is considered as one of the seven sacred places for the Hindus.

Lakshman Jhula

Built in 1889, Lakshman Jhula is a hanging suspension bridge almost 450 ft long. Up until 1939, this bridge was made of jute until it was replaced by an iron bridge. It is believed that Lakshman used this bridge to cross the Holy Ganges while it was made of jute, which is where it gets its name from. There are famous temples on both sides of the bridge and a walk across it during your visit is definitely recommended.

Kaudiyala

If your have seen Rishikesh being represented by groups of people having outdoor fun such as rafting or other activities in the forest and that played a major driving factor for your trip, head over to Kaudiyala. Proper safety standards are met and you will be given a detailed explanation of what  you should do before you attempt to take part in anything. Rafting seasons starts from September and goes on till May. The window in between is also the perfect season for rock climbing and various other activities.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a temple dedicated solely to Lord Shiva. The temple is surrounded by thick vegetation and mountain ranges. The temple sees a huge crowd of devotees from all over India during the annual festive seasons. The temple is located very high of normal ground which makes for a perfect view of the whole surrounding hill ranges.

Rishikesh is one of the most travelled to weekend destination from New Delhi. It takes about 9 hours by aNew Delhi to Rishikesh train, which is the mode of transport mainly used by people going for a spiritual getaway. The youngsters and the adrenaline junkies prefer taking a more fun road trip with their backpacker buddies.

Budget Camping Tips

Camping is one of those leisure activities that not only requires time, but equipment and tools as well. While it may seem like your wallet is getting a break from choosing to camp over getting a hotel somewhere, it can still rack up quite a few expenses. However, there are ways to bypass many of those costs and keep the experience on the cheaper side.

1. Sometimes just getting into the wild can make you feel like you are miles away from home. Nearly every state in the country has some kind of national park or recreation area, so choosing to go camping in an area nearby would save a lot on travel costs. As long as there are no skyscrapers or highways, you will surely be able to feel like you are much further away than you actually are.

2. Another way to save some money for camping trips is to buy used equipment. Many second hand stores sell things like lamps, pots and pans that you can take with you on your trip and not worry too much about wearing them out or scratching them up. If that idea doesn’t appeal to you, the other option is to buy items that you know you can use again for more than just one camping trip. It would be helpful to create a designated storage area to keep you equipment and have it last you for the whole season, or even several seasons.

3. Buying multipurpose items in bulk is a great way to not only trim down your inventory, but your expenses as well. For example, a single pot can be used to make all your meals and boil water, as long as you are able to clean it out in between. Also, buying a family size pack of ground beef can be used to make a variety of different meals. Taking as few things as possible and minimizing your items can also make it easy to pack up when you are ready to go home.

4. Several national parks have a few days a year in which entry and camping registration is free. This is usually over the holidays, which can make your trip a festive one especially if it is over a long weekend such as Labor Day. There may be some other areas with their own special deals, so it might be a good idea to research the places you are thinking about spending a night or two. However, take into account that over holidays and free pass days it is normally much more crowded, so staking your spot early would probably be a good idea.

5. Solar equipment is growing in popularity these days and for good reason, too. If you manage to find some solar lamps, flashlights or lights to bring with you on your camping trip, think about how much money you would save on batteries. Select large retail stores are known to sell some of the smaller lights to put in the ground for just a few bucks, and that might be a great way to bring some illumination to your campsite.

6. Sometimes even just looking around your home may help when packing for a camping trip. Some of your regular household items can be disguised as one thing, but completely compatible for another use. For example, an old shower curtain might make a great tarp for under your tent, and bringing all that extra lint in your dryer may serve as great tinder for your fire. Not only would this reduce your list of things that you need to buy, but you may get an extra use out of something you might usually throw away anyway.

Koh Phangan: Quick Facts And Information

Ko Pha Ngan or Koh Phangan is an island located in South East Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Phangan is popular for many things the most notable being its tourist attractions i.e. the full moon party which takes place on Haad Rin Beach. Koh Phangan also derives popularity because of its proximity to islands such as Ko Samui and Ko Tao. The island is very popular among backpackers. Continue reading Koh Phangan: Quick Facts And Information →