10 Best Trips of Summer 2011

 1. Muskoka Cottage Country, Ontario, Canada

                             

In eastern Canada, include "Cottage Country" anywhere in a lake within easy driving distance for a weekend getaway. Central Ontario Muskoka is close to Toronto about two hours north via Highways 400 and 11, while providing a rate disconnected, there is a world away from the largest city in Canada. The playground 2500-square-mile natural includes 8699 miles of coastline, 17 historic towns and villages, countless lakes and waterfalls surrounded by granite peaks of Algonquin Provincial Park to the east and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay Islands National Park to the west. Spend the day at Lake Muskoka paddleboarding or explore the Riverwalk and shopping in Canada's capital fall of Bracebridge. For a family of the old school. Go north to the peninsula of Lake Pow Wow Point Lodge, a 91-year-old, all-inclusive offers simple pleasures that the were bonfires, canoeing and volleyball.

Plan August visit to the educational park Algonquin Thursday evening, starring a wolf howling, weather permitting, a loner, a resident of a chorus of fours.

2. Patagonia, Argentina

Follow the winter to the southern Andes to the experience of fresh summer adventure to the highest mountain in the world outside Asia. Mid-June to late September stations in the region of Patagonia Argentina (accessible via direct flights from Buenos Aires) offers beginner to expert runs deep, dry, open bowl, and glacier skiing in the forest glades and snowboarding . Patagonia relatively low altitude (3300 feet altitude base from Cerro Catedral 7349 meters in Las Lenas, Argentina area the largest ski area) to help first-time visitors to avoid altitude sickness. Stay at the Hotel du Lac & Correntoso River to enjoy the snow-capped Andes and glaciers of Patagonia Nahuel Huapi lake views, transportation to Cerro Bayo ski resort nearby and horse riding tours and snowshoe through the neighboring park National Nahuel Huapi. Built of local stone and beech, luxury resort offering après-ski pampering in its quiet indoor pool, herbal steam room and spa.

For double black diamond skiers outfitter Adventure Andes Cross fits small heli-skiing and free-riding off-road trips into the remote when in the northern Patagonia between El Calafate and Bariloche.

3. San Juan Islands, Washington

Summer in the San Juan Islands of Washington has to do with the weather, whales, and water. The effect of the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula (basically, the mountains of systems to block the production of rain) in dry, clear and comfortable for four days in the archipelago of islands called San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw . Hiking State Park lime kiln point on the west coast of San Juan to see Orca whales on land or join a mission of Sea Kayak Tour to see a level of porpoises. Ferry hop Lopez for cycling in silence, and then spend the night at Turtleback Farm Inn on Orcas, a cottage on the edge of the mountain of work Turtleback Book 1576 acres. The islands are accessible by a stretch of 30 to 45 minutes direct from Seattle, choose the drive or the Washington State Ferry to travel along the Scenic Byway San Juan Islands. The road follows the traditional channels of the Coast Salish tribal canoe across the sea highway to Anacortes to San Juan, and then continues as two trips by car from San Juan and Orcas.

The ferries are packed in the summer, so arrive early and stay of patients, especially east of the journey back to reality.

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

A pedestrian and pedal and the warmth of the central region that is easy for first time visitors quickly feel at home in Minneapolis. Snow can fall here from October to April, so the arrival of good weather is launching a full charge, from June to August, the celebration of the arts, music and cultural festivals (see Aquatennial Minneapolis, July 16 - 24), farmers markets (17) and fan-friendly baseball Minnesota Twins (Meta played midfield sports stadium in North America high ranking of ESPN The Magazine). Survey on the vitality of the scene of the new rooftop restaurant Crave, near the National Theater, then take a bike to the nearest railway terminal Minnesota Nice (5 $ plus travel expenses) and cruise around or part Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, some areas Loop Trail 50 miles. With 22 lakes and the imposing city of Mississippi, playing in or near water is always an option. Within the center of the activity of the 57 museums and 4.

Mall of 2 million square feet of retail housing 520 PLUS America and Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest family theme inside the park.

5. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park and Alaska to keep clean on the rocks. Glaciers cover 27 percent of this 3.2 million acres in the desert of the sea, a World Heritage site and UNESCO biosphere preserve, home to humpback whales, porpoises, deer, black and brown bears, mountain goats, and peaks topping 15 000 feet. From mid-May to September, cruise past deep fjords, coastal forests, and major attractions in seven active glaciers Tidewater glaciers calving into the bay. Although most park visitors see the upper part of the cruise ships, at a local park owned by the recipient's Glacier Bay sea kayaks and offers guided daylong kayaking adventures without driving and multi-day rental of a backcountry campers who want to explore over the 700-mile coastline. Other options include night Glacier Bay Lodge (accommodation only in the park) and a cabin adjacent to Bartlett Cove Campground, the more the rustic inns, leaves, and ten miles from the cabins of Gustav, a small glacier in the port city.

Located about 65 miles northwest of Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park is accessible only cruise ship, tour boat or seaplane, or new in 2011, through Monday and Wednesday (May-September), the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry to Gustav.

6. Cardiff, Wales

Historically a city of palaces and coal, is the capital of Wales is seen as a modern sports entertainment destination. The action is centered around Cardiff Bay was once the world port of export coal, now a freshwater lake of 500 acres with eight miles of waterfront. Surrounding distractions, part of the development of Europe's largest waterfront, including shopping and restaurants in Mermaid Quay, rafting and whitewater kayaking in Cardiff International, windsurfing and boating in the bay. Celebrate the holiday weekend in August (27-29 August) at Cardiff Harbour Festival featuring Tall Ships, free activities, and new for 2011, Breitling Wing Walkers formation aerobatic team. Mermaid Quay, taxi or Aquabus water to the River Taff or cycle along the Taff Trail in downtown Cardiff compact. Signature of sites here include the free National Museum Cardiff (closed Mondays), emblematic Cardiff Castle (host of the medieval Grand Melee, August 13-14, 150th St. store

David (called Global Retail Leisure International, the international trade center in 2010), and the Millennium Stadium, the site number of the London 2012 Olympic Games football matches, and Brit Speedway Grand Prix, June 25.

7. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

Nearly 25 000 islands, of which only a thousand of them lived, makeup Stockholm sea "Garden on the rocks." The vast archipelago that extends over 62 miles from north to south on the emerald waters are best explored by kayak, canoe, sailboat or boat classic white. Allemannsrätt Sweden (right of public access to land) can move freely throughout the archipelago green interior and exterior lines stony. In return, to be responsible stewards of the environment, travelers can picnic on the white sand beaches, camp on the rocky islands of pine forest hiking, swimming in secluded coves, and go ashore on an open space, all under a cobalt blue sky, which in June to early July, not darker, until 22:00 Fjäderholmarna The closest island, is about a 25 minutes ferry from the port to Slussen, Stockholm Public transport hub, where you can also skip a green bus, tram or subway to connect to the archipelago restaurants, museums, parks and nature reserves.

Housing options are pastel wooden houses in the village of Vaxholm, the young Spartans, charming inns, and yachts moored at the Royal Swedish Yacht Club Marina status Sandhamn in town, the site Sandhamn Race Week, July 2 to 4.

8. Azores, Portugal

A remote location, about a thousand miles west of mainland Portugal, contributed to limit the tourist traffic and the development of this archipelago in the North Atlantic desert. The nine main islands connected by a ferry service in summer, are home to green volcanic mountains, hot springs, mineral hydrangea-covered hills, vineyards, hiking, white coastal cities, cobblestone streets, windmills and traditional flamenco and Arabs. Terceira ("purple island") is known for its weaving tradition and empires 50 brightly painted (empires), chapels decorated with the Holy Spirit. São Miguel, the largest island, includes Ponta Delgada (Azores high city "), isolated from the white sand beaches and black furnaces, natural ventilation and vapor Furnas Lake, where the Portuguese cozido (stew) cooked in pots buried in mud along the volcanic coast.

Faial island, called "Blue Island" of the rich and the blue hydrangeas cutting houses, offers a series of caverns, caves, churches and museums, as well as the lively marina of Horta, a popular stop for transatlantic sailors. May to September is the big festival season isolates a series of cultural and religious processions.

9. Roatan, Honduras

Located about 30 miles north of the mainland Honduras, the dream destination of divers is surrounded by a living coral reef, which extends directly from the shore. The ecosystem of coral in shallow waters filled with tropical marine life, so diving equipment easily accessible to divers and novice divers. No longer a best kept secret in the Caribbean, the largest of Honduras Bay Islands is to work through the basis of Roatan Marine Park to promote sustainable growth by promoting a sense of environmental responsibility among residents and visitors . At the Institute of Marine Sciences on Roatan, located on the grounds of AKR all-inclusive, guests can participate in government-sanctioned programs of recreational and educational dolphin. Options include swimming with dolphins over a dozen dives unstructured small group of dolphins 60 meters below the surface, and a camp of six days diving Dolphin for children 5-14.

For the last refuge from Roatan, a book of over-the-Water, in a secluded thatched cabana in Mango Creek Lodge in Port Royal harbor less traveled in East End of the island. Pass the salt water flats fishing morning, or kayaking along the mangrove channels, then float back to a private cabana on deck one afternoon in a hammock time.

10. Istria, Croatia

More than 40 beaches of the Istrian peninsula 333 km of coastline has earned the prestigious Blue Flag for water quality and environmental management systems standards. Although it is not so familiar to North Americans as the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, this wooded peninsula in the upper right corner of the Adriatic Sea is a popular spot for hot summer, after the Austro-Hungarian Empire days. Go west and south bays of crystal clear, tranquil bays, white sandy beaches and a stone and sand flanked by fragrant pine trees. Medulin Riviera, located near the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, offers 49 miles of shoreline, plus the medieval villages and ancient ruins to explore. South side, is a rugged Cape Kamenjak Medulin, edge-of-the-world nature reserve with only a 70-foot cliffs, hidden coves, rocky outcrops and flat nature of the sun. The current is strong here, so you may want to play it safe and watch surfing and cliff jump safety measures rocky beach.

The time to visit the capital of the region of Pula, Pula Arena home. This is very intact Roman amphitheater is home to the first century of the summer concerts and many events such as July 16 to 23 of 58 Pula Film Festival.