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With so many dive sites to choose from on Maldives holidays, it can be hard to know which ones to go for! Here are five of the ‘must see’ dive sites.

There are few places in the world that are so naturally suited to scuba diving as the Maldives. Consisting of twenty six coral atolls and over a thousand individual islands, there are hundreds of outstanding dive sites to be found all over the country. It’s no wonder that scuba diving is one of the most popular activities that people to choose to enjoy on their Maldives holidays, and many of the best hotels have their own PADI dive centres on site, allowing beginners and experienced divers alike easy access to the outstanding dive sites to be found on the islands. Some of the hotels even have their own private reefs for visitors to enjoy!

There are countless diving spots in the Maldives, but here are five of the very best sites on the islands…

Gurufushi Thila

Girifushi Thila is one of the best known and most beautiful dive sites in the Maldives. Located between two atolls, it is a rich forest of corals and sea fans, heavily populated with fish, rays and sharks. Its strong currents bring in the sealife that make it such an exciting place to dive, but this also means that it is only suitable for more experienced divers.

Okobe Thila

Okobe Thila provides one of the most breathtaking dives that you can enjoy on Maldives holidays. The three underwater rock formations are home to an astonishing density of wildlife – the fish are so numerous down here that it can be difficult to see the reef, and it is an essential place to dive during your visit to the islands.

Manta Point

If you want to see a spectacular display of larger animals on your diving trip, head to Manta Point. Located just off Baros Island, this dive site teems with colossal manta rays between June and November each year. Dozens of the majestic creatures can be seen in a single dive, coming up close and playing with each diver’s air bubbles as they swim past. A truly unique and unforgettable experience to enjoy on your Maldives holidays.

Lion’s Head

Named after an overhang in the shape of a lion’s head, this is another one of the most well known diving sites in the Maldives. This protected marine park offers an exciting mixture of colourful corals, caves, and sealife. It is the perhaps the best place in the Maldives to see the grey reef sharks, and also offers divers the opportunity to see Hawksbill turtles.

The Maldives Victory

Last but not least is The Maldives Victory. Whilst most of the dives in the Maldives focus on coral reefs and sea life, the Maldives Victory is a genuine wreck that is a delight to explore. This hundred metre long cargo vessel sank just off the west coast of Huhule Airport Island, and is now home to schools of groupers, tunas and numerous sea turtles. This is another dive site that is often exposed to strong currents, so only veteran divers will feel comfortable exploring the Maldives Victory!

Sally Rushbrooke is a Maldives holidaysspecialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering holidays in the Maldives as well as holidays to other destinations in the Indian Ocean; the Far East, Cuba and the Caribbean, Egypt, Southern Africa, Italy and the Mediterranean, Canada, Australia and the Pacific. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel specialists to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideaArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-5-best-dive-sites-in-the-maldives-1700412.html

India is known as the land of mystic and magnetic diversity and its diversity can be seen in its culture, tradition, and geography. It warmly invites you to come and explore monuments, cultural customs and religious traditions. Enjoy camel safaris on the golden deserts of Rajasthan, North India, stay at the grand heritage hotels and imitate the regal lifestyle of a Maharaja, enjoy thrilling mountain treks on the Himalayan foothills and marvel at the modern amenities and progress in the leading Indian metropolitan cities, enjoy pulsating wildlife safaris and visit some of the most holy Indian pilgrimages.

India is also the land of the Vedas – the oldest scriptures in the world. It is divided in four-volumes and is regarded as the storehouse of national thoughts. India’s love for complex art forms is evident in the various religious and mythological references. It believes in “spiritual integrity” and “unity in diversity”. The secular nature of India has also attracted philosophers and researchers from across the globe to explore India. Peace, prosperity and religious tolerance are other integral parts of India’s composite culture.

The country has almost everything which is necessary for a prime tourism destination in the world. Snow clad mountain peaks of mighty Himalayas, verdant hill stations, breathtaking beaches, lovely lakes, gushing waterfalls, enchanting rivers, scenic backwaters, magnificent monuments, cultural heritage, fantastic forts, elegant places, terrific temples, intricate churches, colonial homes, wildlife parks & sanctuary, bird sanctuaries, dense forests, beautiful landscapes and of course generous peoples, etc are enough to make India a prime tourism destination in the world.

Tourists from all across the country visit the country to have a flavor of the amazing diversified culture that exists. The country has unique cultural and geographical characteristics and it is one of the most beautiful and fascinating tourist destinations in the world. There are some of the prominent states of India which are known for incredible tourism are Rajasthan, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranhal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, etc.

Rajasthan is a colorful state of India has many valuable tourism attractions in the country. The marvelous historic monuments, palatial palaces, fantastic forts, impressive art and architecture, frescoes Havelis, magnificent temples etc are the most important and significant attractions over there. Rajasthan is a wonderful opportunity For the tourists who are the lovers of adventure and sports. For more on India’s Destinations please click on the links provided below:

India Tours, Visit India, Rajasthan Travel

Raj has special interest in article writing. He writes article for Visit TNT. It is one of the Country’s most Experienced Travel agencies. He recommends you to visit – India Travel, Incredible India

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/india-travel-why-must-see-before-die-1700467.html

Ladakh is one of the most beautiful land of mountains. It comprises two words; “La” and “Dakh” means “Pass” and related to”. It is known for its culture and diversity. Its picturesque location of monasteries, the rich ancient Buddhist monuments, the traditional folk songs and folk dance that come down the age almost unchanged. The colorful masked dances of the monastic festivals, the grandeur of snow-capped mountains around small and narrow river basins, the simplicity, charms and Hospitality of the Ladakhi people, all go in to make this unique mountain abode of man, a great attraction for tourists of all categories. This is the highest place in India. Some of the major attractions of Ladakh are given below.

Ladakh Festivals
The Ladakh Festival offers one of the best dance sequences that attract tourists from across the globe. Various programs are held there. Amongst them the Archery Festival is the most interesting. It is practiced in few suburban villages, where it is mandatory or each and every villager to practice the archery according to the pre-assigned guidelines.

The Hemis and Thikse Monastery
The Hemis monastery is the largest monastery in Ladakh. It is especially renowned for a huge painting of the Buddha, which is displayed to the poublic once in 11 years, and the Thikse monastery, near Leh, is considered to be an architectural wonder. The Shey monastery has a huge gold-plated copper statue of the Buddha. Alchi, Likir and Lamayuru are amongst the oldest gompas of Ladakh.

Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary
Hemis National Park, located in eastern part of Ladakh. The area surrounded by the park is rocky and there exists thin soil which cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Total area covered by this place is 600 sq-kms totally in Markha and Rumbak valleys. In the hemis national park one can find many rare and endangered animals like snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope.

Nubra valleys
Nubra valleys is one of the most beautiful state of Ladakh abounds in some picturesque locales and idyllic hill stations. Nubra invites you to a trip back in time into a nearly forgotten ‘Shangri La’. With breathtaking views and delightfully hospitable inhabitants, it is quite an experience.
The Nubra populace comprises mainly of Buddhists. The city abounds in several ancient monasteries and quaint gompas.

Lakes in Ladakh
The Tso Morari Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Ladakh region and is almost like an inland sea. At an altitude of almost 4,500 meters, the Pangong Tso is only 8-km wide at its broadest but is an amazing 134-km long. Kyaghr lake is the halting place for trekkers moving from the Kiangdum camping ground to the Tsomorari Lake.

For more on Ladakh Travel please click on the links provided below:

Ladakh Travel, Ladakh Tours

Raj has special interest in article writing. He writes article for Visit TNT. It is one of the Country’s most Experienced Travel agencies. He recommends you to visit – India Travel, Incredible India

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ladakh-travel-enjoy-spectacular-sight-with-local-festivals-1700483.html

Camping holidays in France are the ideal time to visit some of the country’s war museums and memorials. Learn more about the major sights from both World Wars.

War Memorials and Museums to See When Camping in France

If you like to experience some local history whilst on your camping holidays, France is the ideal destination for you to visit. Not only is it populated with top quality campsites, it is home to some of the world’s most moving war memorials and museums. The two World Wars were defining events of the 20th century and, in both cases, France was at the centre of the conflict. The wars have left their scars behind them in France, but they have also left some fascinating historical sights as well.

Here are a few of the highlights for you to see if you are a history buff who is camping in France…

World War I

From 1914 to 1918, the French, German and British forces were locked in a bloody stalemate on the battlefields of France, and during your camping holidays in France you can often visit numerous sights nearby that are reminiscent of that time.

Of the numerous cemeteries, Lorette and the Etaples British Memorial stand out. Lorette is the largest cemetery in France, and contains 40,000 graves. The Etaples British Memorial, as the name suggests, is one of the major cemeteries for British soldiers. Both are very important places for those who wish to pay their respects.

The underground caves near Arras were used for the British Army HQ, and have been preserved in impressive fashion. The major battlefields, such as Flanders Field and Passchendale, both have major museums nearby which recreate the experience of the trenches and feature many historical artefacts. Finally, one of the most dramatic sights is the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who fought and died to secure Vimy Ridge, this towering monument is one of the most spectacular First World War memorials in existence.

World War II

There are just as many fascinating and moving World War II sights to see whilst on a camping holiday in France.

The Normandy Beaches are perhaps the most significant of these, the place where the Allies invaded France and began the liberation of Europe. Over 100,000 soldiers died in the fierce fighting at Normandy, and today you can take guided tours of the beaches where the battles were fought, visit the outstanding D-Day Museum at Arromanches, or go to the converted German bunker near Audinghen that has now become the Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique.

There are also excellent museums to see at Dunkirk (in memorial of the evacuation that took place there) and Calais (where the German Navy was based). For a further insight into the Nazi war machine, you can also head over to Le Blockhaus d’Eperlecques, the largest bunker built during the war and which was used as launch point for the fearsome V2 rockets that rained down on London. Today, it is largely unchanged, and is a fascinating slice of World War II history. Another former V2 base can also be found in St Omer, called La Coupole.

If you go camping in the north of France, you are bound to be near some of these fascinating historical sights, all of which make for excellent day trips.

Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of camping holidays France . With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping holidays to France, Spain and a total of 9 European countries.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/war-memorials-and-museums-to-see-when-camping-in-france-1700670.html

If you are in Mumbai, India and need ideas for a two day weekend, We have already covered Alibaug and Murud-Janjira. Now, in this article, we cover Lonavla & Khandala – the most popular weekend destinations for Mumbai people. Many people in fact own weekend homes there. Lonavla and Khandala are situated next to each other with a one mile drive between them. The best time to visit these places is the rainy season from mid june to mid september and in the winter season from November to February. Lonavla and Khandala are situated in the Sahyadri hills, two-three hours from Mumbai.

In the rainy season, the region is teeming with waterfalls. People come all the way from different places to enjoy bathing in the natural waterfalls. It is a paradise for nature lovers. People who love trekking will have an awesome time exploring the various trails in the forests and hills. One of the most popular places there is the Bhushi dam. After it has rained substantially for a month or so, the reservoir behind this dam overflows and the water comes down on the steps (stairs) at the edge of the dam. Tourists sit there splashing in the water and have fun eating hot roasted corn and the local vada pav among other delicacies.

Another must visit is the Tiger point which is situated at a good height and involves an uphill drive. It is a very foggy route in the monsoon season and you will love it. Visibility is hardly three-four meters at most. It is a surreal and heavenly experience. Make sure that you take a good wind cheater along. If you are a history buff and also like trekking, you can visit some of Shivaji’s forts situated at some distances from Lonavla. An hour away is the Karla caves, which is thousands of years old and still boasts of wonderful architecture.

The local food items to take home from here are chocolate fudge and chikki (made of peanuts and other nuts). Two days are enough for exploring these two places.

We have already covered Alibaug, Murud-Janjira and Lonavla-Khandala. we cover Vajreshwari and Ganeshpuri – relatively unknown but fun to visit for a single day picnic. These two places are at a distance of one mile from each other and are famous for their natural hot water springs. You can drive down there in your car. It will take you an hour from the Mumbai outskirts to reach there. Find directions from google maps. Rainy season will be a great time to visit.

I suggest that you plan this trip in the traditional way. Pack a big picnic hamper with sandwiches and snacks and take it along with you. Take a big cloth which you can spread out on the ground so that you can eat sitting on it. First make a quick visit to Ganeshpuri and visit the temples there. Spend some time sitting in the peaceful surroundings there. From there, go to Vajreshwari. In Vajreshwari, visit the main temple which is a like a small fort and over two hundred years old. From there, ask locals about the hot water springs and check them out. If you go after it has rained considerably, you should visit the river flowing behind the water springs. Find a nice picnic spot here to have your lunch with nature as your partner. There isn’t much to do in Vajreshwari and Ganeshpuri apart from seeing the temples and hot water wells. If you have a group of friends going along with you, you can play some outdoor games for a while.

Before going home, visit a local eatery to try out the Maharashtrian dish – Usal misal pav. Drive back home by 5 pm so that you can avoid the evening traffic. We hope that you have a good picnic. And don’t forget to take a camera with you.

The author is a prolific article writer on a variety of topics. He writes quizzes on personality, astrology and love. He also works on twitter backgrounds and photo effects aimed at the general public.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/places-visit-near-mumdai-lonavala-khandala-and-vajreshwari-ganeshpuri-1700893.html

As a Niagara Falls resident for over 15 years, I’ve had the best moments at Niagara Falls through the fall & winter months.  There are many phenomenal aspects that you would never experience if you were to travel through the summer. Not on that; Niagara Falls hotel packages offer outstanding deals in order to fill their vacant rooms.  You’ll have pick of the litter, as you explore everything that Niagara Falls has to offer.

The words ‘Winter Wonderland’ only come to mind when I think of the area by the Horseshoe Falls through the colder months. You see, the mist that is generated by the enormous amount of falling water continually shift with the winds, causing ice to form on just about everything. Light stands to guard rails are all covered with an enormous thick shield of ice. Fallen giant Icicles from dripping water are sometime too large to even pick up! Everything and I mean everything is covered in this majestically icy glazed coating, sparkling with the sunlight.  Speaking of ice, don’t forget to go ice skating overlooking the falls. Recently, Niagara Parks installed ‘Rink on the Brink’ which is a public skating area just a stone’s throw away from the Horseshoe Falls.  Skate Rentals are available with an all day pass for just $8.00CDN.

As an addition to the spectacular winter scenery, each year the Niagara Parks Commission puts up their Festival of Lights. With over 125 oversized animated lighting displays, and 3 million tree and ground lights they light up the wintery nights. There’s nothing quite like taking a stroll with a hot drink through the snow covered parks surrounded by beautiful lights.  Drive around Dufferin Island for a fun family lighting display that your entire family will enjoy. On top of it all, there is no charge, however donations are appreciated.

A smart thing to realize is Niagara Falls hotels make their big money through the summer months. During the winter, they just try to keep their heads above the water. Pricing for Niagara Falls hotel packages, attractions, and extras usually drop substantially.  Moreover, if you visit the homepage of your Hotel of choice, you’ll find spectacular winter specials posted from time to time. Not only do you get your accommodations, but food certificates, inclusive breakfast, and in some cases attraction passes all at discount pricing.

Weather is not usually that big of an issue. In fact over the last 3-5 years we’ve had relatively mild winters. What most people don’t realize, is that the Niagara Regions average (daytime) winter temperature ranges from +2 degrees to -1 degree Celsius (or 36° to 30° degrees Fahrenheit) – hardly unbearable.  Snowfalls are moderate, and snowstorms are infrequent.  So, as long as you dress appropriately the weather shouldn’t scare you away. The best part is, most of the attractions are indoors so you’ll enjoy them just the same, just without the large volume of people.   In November, my wife and I were enjoying the Hilton Fallsview Hotels mammoth indoor swimming pool, giant 3 story waterslide, saunas and more; ALONE!  This was late fall, and it wasn’t even cold yet!  Bear in mind, we do get colder spells when temperatures can drop substantially, especially through January and February, so be prepared.

Don’t let the winter get you down. Price savings combined with exciting attractions and fantastic accommodations are sure to combine to create an outstanding time away, Enjoy a weekend getaway, family retreat, or romantic adventure with the beauty and solitude of Niagara Falls Hotel Packages.

Brad Hoffman is the owner of the Niagara Falls Source, and thrives on teaching others how to experience the high life of Niagara Falls without breaking the bank! For more information on winter Niagara Falls hotel packages visit our site which contains valuable information on how find the hot spots and hidden gems most tourists wouldn’t even know exist!

For a FREE 15 part mini-course on “The Insiders Niagara Falls Secrets” go to => http://www.niagarafallssource.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/why-not-winter-niagara-falls-hotel-packages-1701061.html

People have many reasons for moving away from home, and sometime no reason at all. If you’re sick of going through the motions at work and at home, it may be time for you to move away and experience life in another city. It will give you a fresh perspective and open you up to opportunities and experiences that you don’t have back home. Below are some of the top reasons to move away from home and start fresh somewhere new.

Love

Falling in love with someone or the opposite falling out of love with someone is the perfect excuse to install those performance chips and drive out of town. Whether you meet someone online who lives far away or you’ve just broken up with your boyfriend, moving to another state or country can be a great way to have a fresh start and reinvent yourself.

Freedom

Staying in the same city that you’ve grown up in can really limit your freedom of expression. People see you the same way they’ve always seen you and you’re closed off from forming other meaningful relationships. Moving to another city can allow you to find friends with similar interests instead of just shared histories.

Opportunity

There are many opportunities out there that you can take advantage of and get out of town. Studying abroad is always a great one. Finding a promising career opportunity is also a great reason to move. And if you want to give back, you can also take advantage of volunteer opportunities away from home.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/install-those-performance-chips-and-get-out-of-town-already-best-reasons-to-move-away-1701711.html

It is the time of the year when we in common with many draw up our New Year resolutions with undiluted sincerity, only for most of them to dissolve in no time at all, victims to the capacity of reality to suppress optimism. So instead, we took a less painful method of self – correction and substituted wishes for resolutions, thereby letting fate control matters and allowing our conscience a brief respite.

Our three wishes are for dear old Ireland and its people and not just selfish demands for our own personal dreams and desires although the two may indeed merge along the way.

Our first wish is that the friendly, genuine Irish welcome to visitors, for which Ireland used to be famous, returns because it has gone away. Figures just released from Tourism Ireland indicate that a record 4 million tourists came to these shores last year, despite the heavens inflicting on the country the worst summer on record. Of this figure, over 1 million were Americans on an Ireland Vacation, who are used to the “Have a nice day routine” as part and parcel of their service sector. Sadly in recent years the myth that this island was Ireland of the Welcomes proved to be just that, a myth, to go along with the many myths that Irish folklore presents us with. In hotels, pubs, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions there seems to an ingrained surliness displayed by staff serving the public. It is almost as though the roles are reversed and that the customer is a nuisance to be ignored, or served with barely a civil word. It doesn’t help that a lot of assistants behind counters are not Irish and may have a poor grasp of English. It is, however, no excuse. They have employers who should instruct them in good manners and monitor their behaviour when serving customers. It is not as though the fault alone lies with our immigrant workers , our homegrown variety are a lot worse and are an example of one of the many undesirable legacies of the Celtic Tiger era.

Our second wish for 2008 is the impossible dream and we will not dwell long on the subject for we at Look Around Ireland are liable to get so worked up about it that we could become an unwitting victim of this beast. We are referring, of course, to the H.S.E., who purport to run our third world, so called health service. Please, for the love of God, do something to improve the calamitous situation. We are a country of only 4 million people. How difficult can it be to hire the best outsourced health management experts to be appointed with a brief to reform and make efficient this monster over which nobody seems to be able to exert control? Staff numbers in the H.S.E. have risen from 81,000 in 2000 to over 106,000 in 2006 and yet the service gets worse. Bring in a multi-national chief executive familiar with overseeing such numbers of employees, and put him to work, free of political and union encumbrances that seem to stifle the system. Make at least a start in 2008 – please!

Our third wish is one which applies to anybody who is a commuter / traveler in any shape or form, so therefore it applies to practically everybody – please grant us decent infrastructure so that we can get on with our lives in some sort of ordered fashion. I think of the motorist, the train and bus commuter, the cyclists, the airline travelers etc. etc who are all victims of the worst infrastructure in the western world. The trains are definitely from the Iron Age as is the attitude and vision of the people running them. Dublin Airport is a well documented disaster. The few kilometers of motorways that we have are car parks with lots of toll booths, and no toilets or service areas. The Dublin Port Tunnel is too low for many of the trucks it was supposedly designed to cater for. The farcical and ultra- costly Luas lines don’t meet. The list goes on and on! In Ireland it appears to be that the mandarins in power are only possessed of the ability to be reactive instead of proactive. Everything is done as an afterthought. They bolt the stable door in Dublin when the horse has reached Cork. The inadequacies of these people in charge, the grey, faceless public service suits, make life hell for all the people and businesses of this country. Do not underestimate the damage that it is doing to the social and economic fabric of life throughout this land – you only have to be dimly observant to note that family planning is now done on the basis of ones commuter time! The levels of sheer stress experienced by the Irish commuter, traveler, delivery person, businessperson is a rumbling furnace about to burst!

Please get your act together and make it happen, we say to those who are in charge but who deny responsibility. An outlandish wish, we know!

So there you have my New Year wishes for Ireland in 2010. It would be nice if those in charge treated them as resolutions, but I guess that is just wishing for the impossible.

Have a Happy New Year!

Seamus Maguire is a 54-year old businessman who lives in Collon, County Louth, Ireland with his wife Brid and two boys Dominic and Ciaran. He writes about Ireland as a hobby but with a serious passion and extensive knowledge. He runs a website called Look Around Ireland, www.lookaroundireland.com, which provides detailed information and interactive virtual tours of all the highlights that Ireland has to offer to the visitor. On his website, there is a specific section called the Ireland Travel Guide, http://www.lookaroundireland.com/ireland-travel-guide.php, which is a very useful detailed travel tool for the first time visitor to Ireland.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ireland-new-year-resolutions-for-2010-1701840.html

Even if you absolutely adore your job (unlikely) you still deserve and in most cases should require a nice relaxing vacation here and there. You work hard day in and day out and if it’s been a while since your last vacation, you may be exhibiting some of the classic signs. Check below to see if you need a vacation.

1. You’ve started ordering Mai Tais and Margaritas at during after work happy hours.
2. You purchase travel sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap.
3. You make your children promise to send you a postcard when they stay over night in a few towns away.
4. You’ve started purchasing travel books that you know you’ll never even read.
5. You’ve just gotten a bikini wax when the temperature outside is only hovering above freezing.
6. You wear Hawaiian shirts to work on casual Friday.
7. You’ve started spicing up your Monday morning coffee with a splash of liquor.
8. You’ve started using your suitcases for extra storage space.
9. You haven’t had more than two days off in a row from work in over a year.
10. You’ve started using beach towels to dry yourself off after a shower.
11. You’ve spray painted snow covered backyard green.
12. The Go-Go’s “Vacation” has been playing on repeat in your car for weeks.
13. You’ve resorted to wearing sunglasses everyday, indoors and at night.
14. Your eyes seem to be permanently blood shot from staring at your computer screen day in and day out.
15. You’ve started some boring project like installing corvette parts into your car because you’ve got nothing better to do when you get off of work.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/15-signs-that-you-need-a-vacation-1701863.html

Many families look forward to their vacation all year. So, it’s only natural to start planning as early as possible for where to go and what to do. This year, consider a trip somewhere sunny where there is always something interesting to do.

The city of Long Beach, in Southern California is more than just a beach getaway. Its rich history of art and culture has inspired many actors, artists and musicians to keep returning year after year. The area is also famous for its many festivals.

One such festival is the Long Beach Sea Festival. Folks come out in numbers every summer in support of this three-month celebration. Among the popular highlights are the Offshore Powerboat Race, the Catalina Ski Race, Dragon Boat Festival and the Tiki Beach Festival. Another famous event of this festival is the Transpacific Yacht Race which takes place every two years and begins in Long Beach and ends in Hawaii.

Another annual event is the Harvest Festival, which takes place over a three-day period in the fall. Here, hundreds of artisans come out to showcase their creativity. Items displayed range from hand-woven clothing to paintings, specialty foods, photography, sculptures and jewelry. A Kids Zone with activities is also available for the young ones. This unique experience is complemented by eclectic entertainment and a variety of food choices.

The ancient luxury ship Queen Mary recently became the venue of choice for the international Ink and Iron Festival. This three-day convention highlights the talents of some of the best tattoo artists on the planet. Besides the regular skin tattoo, these artists display their work on items such as paper, canvases and photos for a more pronounced effect. The festival features a tattoo contest, cabaret shows and pin-up pageant.

Long before Hollywood, the Balboa Studios in Long Beach, California was in the movie making business. In an effort to preserve this history the International Film Festival was born. This festival aims at highlighting local filmmakers while educating the community. This annual event features film and screenplay competitions, a children’s day programme and an awards gala dinner. Like many other events, the International Film Festival is held aboard the historic Queen Mary.

Though among the newest, the International Quilt Festival is a massive three-day event. During this time, quilt lovers from all over gather for this annual summer show. The event is designed for those whose desire is to buy, sell, teach or learn. The show features quilts, textiles, art ensembles as well as hands-on classes. A major highlight of the festival is ‘Make it University’ which includes special exhibits and teaching show cases.

The International Martial Arts Festival has been an annual event in Long Beach for decades. Formerly known as the Long Beach International Karate Competition, this festival showcases a range of martial arts styles such as Tae Kwon Do, Gi Jiu Jitsu, American Kenpo and Okinawan. These may be presented as part of a fitness expo or used amongst competitors. Other highlights of the festival are training camps and workshops.

In Long Beach, California there is always somewhere to go. In fact, every month of the year a number of events and festivals are featured. Visitors can always expect to have a fun filled experience when vacationing in this city. Just remember to book your hotel early, because some of these festival attract large crowds.

Darla Blackmon writes for www.EverythingLongBeach.com, a community website that covers news, music, art and entertainment. When planning your vacation, stop by the site for help choose which Long Beach festival is right for your familiy.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/get-ready-for-annual-festivals-in-sunny-southern-california-1696066.html