Travel Destinations

There is one creature that can capture the hearts of most with elegant and synchronised movements, brilliant facial expressions and playful behaviours. Dolphins are able to woo both adults and children alike. Dolphins live all over the world. Scotland offers those who visit the coast the opportunity to spot these fascinating marine mammals. They are inquisitive and love people they are often found playing in the wake of a boat or along the coast. Dolphins in Oban are in a perfect location with many ferries, trip boats and private boats they are provided with ample opportunity to jump spy-hop and swim among the boats in the bays and surrounding islands.

Dolphins in Oban and Easdale

Just South of Oban is Easdale Island, from which Seafari Adventures offer wildlife trips. Unfortunately Seafari cannot promise you sightings of dolphins near Oban, however they do their best to spot them if they are in the area. Their fleet of boats are out on the water every day recording sightings of dolphins off Argyll’s coastline.

The sightings of Dolphins in Oban and Easdale are recorded by Seafari Adventures who then pass the information onto the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust; this helps them with research into “details, sufficiency, dwelling or the bluster that face them.”

Dolphins around Oban are usually Bottlenose Dolphins and can be identified by looking out for their prominent dorsal fin and nose. They can reach up to 3.8 meters in length, and weigh up to 400kgs. Dolphins can live up to 30 years old.

A calf will stay with its mother for about 8 years. They usually travel in pods of 5 – 100, Here on the West Coast of Scotland we tend to see them in groups of 3 – 30. Seafari’s wildlife guides provide passengers with a wealth of knowledge on this marine mammal and others species seen in the area. As the dolphins in Oban are around all year there is no best time to come out to try and see them. It has been known for dolphins to visit Easdale Sound on Christmas Day which isn’t a bad Christmas present!. Seeing these spirited creatures is a wonderful experience that everyone can enjoy.

Before you travel, there are some dos and don’ts that you should be aware of that will guarantee a safe trip. These are some of the rules of travel that everyone should know about and that your travel guru will impress upon you before you travel.

1. Watch what you eat

The best way to avoid food poisoning while in a foreign land is to remember the basics about eateries:

• Long queues at eating joints are a good sign. It means that food is always freshly cooked.
• If you can investigate the kitchen, get a sense of the cleanliness of the place.
• Carry some food poisoning medicine just in case something upsets your stomach.
• Finally, don’t trust any water or ice cubes apart from bottled water that is sealed. If possible, buy the well-known brands.

2. Avoid transportation surprises

The best way to shake off that “tourist-naivety-look” is to know as much about your destination as possible. If you don’t have information about a service, ask and confirm before using the service.

For example, find out from your cab driver the distance and cost of a trip before you take the ride. Also, be prepared to pay with small money denominations to avoid losing money because of lack of change.

3. Prepare for your living situation early enough

If you plan on staying at your travel destination for a few days, make your reservations days before you arrive at your destination and make a confirmation 24 hours before you arrive.

If you are going to travel to Los Angeles on vacation, have a look at vacation rentals in Los Angeles depending on the length of your trip and your tastes. You may find that a vacation rental is better for you than a hotel room.

4. How to resolve any issues

You are in a foreign country. Avoid fist fights at all costs. If, for example, you are in a hotel room with a noisy guest, avoid conflict and just call the manager on duty and let him handle it. If someone has to move, be polite enough to be the one to move to a quieter room.

If your hotel bill, for example, has costs that you didn’t know existed. Insist on finding out what they are, and if you don’t understand, call a supervisor or manager to explain it to you. It could be a mistake or a standard cost that is assumed. Either way, a supervisor or manager is better placed to explain the situation to you and help you come to some compromise or resolution.

5. Polite photographs

The best way to take photos of people and places without offending anyone is to ask for permission before you click away. If you have a language barrier try using gestures and your camera. Most people will understand and give you a reaction to indicate if it’s ok or not to take the photo.

Don’t try and be sneaky or insist on doing what seems to be a problem to the locals.

The best rule of thumb when traveling to a new place is to use your common sense where necessary and to follow cues from the locals so that you are not caught offside doing something that is taboo or frowned upon at your travel destination. In all cases, be safe and stay safe.

Touring Central Park by bike is one of the best ways to fully enjoy this Manhattan landmark. A bike offers just enough speed to get around the 843 acres efficiently without moving too fast to actually experience the park and all it has to offer. If you decided to tour the park on bike though, you’ve still got a few decisions to make.

Striking Out or Hiring a Guide

There are actually three options here. The first is simply renting a bike and setting out on your own. Rentals are quite reasonably priced and include bike locks so you can set off on foot if something strikes your interest and you wish to explore more. The advantage with this option is autonomy. You can explore at your own pace and go where you wish when you wish.

The second option is signing up for a tour. While this might cut down on your freedom to explore as you wish, it cannot be overstated how vast the park actually is. An experienced guide can take you to the places you will likely wish to see, keep you from getting lost and help you round out your tour. Additionally, an experienced guide can tell you the background and history of the places you visit, enriching the experience greatly.

The third option is arranging a private tour. This is a bit of the best of both worlds. You can customize your tour and, at the same time, have an experienced guide along to help you find what you are looking for and fill you in on the rich history of the park. The only drawback with this option is it can cost a bit more than preset tours.

Choosing a bike

Bike rentals in Central park are readily able to meet a variety of needs and preferences for customers. The style of bike you wish will largely depend on your individual preferences and needs. Available options include:

• Standard bicycle rental – This is your basic, one seat bicycle. Rental places will have well maintained, individual bikes available for men, women and children. Locks should be available for each bike so you can safely stop and explore on foot when you wish or take in lunch or refreshments during the day.

• Tandem bicycle rental – A classic choice for couples, tandem bicycles actually afford a challenge in team building as well, requiring cooperation between lead rider and stoker. This is definitely a way to closely share the experience of the park with someone.

• Bicycle + babyseat – This is a standard bicycle with the classic babyseat affixed over the rear fender.

• Bike + double trailer – A more modern spin on the babyseat, the double trailer is a two wheeled, usually canopied small trailer that hitches to the rear axle of a standard bicycle. Low to the ground, it offers excellent stability for children and seats two.

• Tag-a-long – The tag-a-long is recommended for children age 4 to 9 who are still learning to ride. It consists of a small bicycle minus the front wheel. Instead, the front of the bike mounts to the back of a standard sized bicycle. This allows a youngster to pedal along and participate without having to worry about steering or keeping the bike under control – a perfect intermediate step that offers some autonomy and participation for a growing child.

Regardless of the option you choose, make sure all safety gear, such as helmets, are worn and you have a thorough understanding of how to work any child harnesses with your chosen equipment.

Ready for a Day in the Park

Once you’ve decided on going alone or with a guide and selected your bike, it’s time for a day in the park. There are a few last things to consider though.

• Respect your limitations – You can discuss at your bicycle rental outlet the bike paths available. Set realistic goals. Don’t ride too far if you’re not used to biking. Also, take into account the terrain. Learn which paths will be relatively level and which will have significant hills that might challenge you.

• Consider the weather – If it is cold out, make sure you are sufficiently clothed for the weather. Likewise, if you’re braving the summer heat, remember to break frequently, hydrate and get in the shade often.

• Know your equipment – Make sure you understand how to put on any safety equipment issued. This is especially true of those bringing children along as you will have to understand their safety gear as well to insure a pleasant, risk free experience in the park.

With this information in hand, begin planning that trip today. Central Park brings in approximately 40 million visitors per year from all over the world to enjoy all it has to offer. Come see the unique blend of history, architecture and natural beauty that is Central Park.

Hostels are similar to hotels in that they provide a place for visitors to rest, but they are much different in style. Rather than renting a private room by the night or week, you will rent a bed in a dormitory-style space shared with others. This arrangement forces you to give up some privacy in order to save money, but it often works out well for large groups. You can all stay in a large room together while paying much less than you would pay to rent multiple hotel rooms.

Time Well Spent, Money Saved

Think about how much time you typically spend in your hotel room when you travel. You probably spend most of your time taking tours, visiting restaurants, meeting up with friends and enjoying other activities beyond the hotel room. Since you spend little time in your room, it makes sense to pay as little as possible for that space. A hostel is often the cheapest option and makes the most sense when you just need a warm place to rest up for a busy day of work or fun.

Consider Your Safety

There are many websites connecting travelers with people willing to open their private homes for a night or two, but there is a major safety concern with those arrangements. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, hostels are always a safer alternative. You may still end up sleeping in a room with people you don’t know, but at least you are in a neutral environment similar to a hotel rather than in those stranger’s homes.

You will find many young adults using hostels because they want to see the world but don’t always have a lot of money. That doesn’t mean all hostels are safe environments for young adults, women or children. If you’re concerned about safety, you may want to look for a bargain-priced hotel room instead. For instance, it’s usually easy to find cheap hotels in Boston which provide secure lobbies and private rooms with locks.

Location Matters

While many hotels are located in areas convenient to tourist attractions, convention centers and large business districts, hostel locations are more limited. Take into consideration how far you will need to travel in order to reach your destination from any given hostel. If you will end up spending more on cab fare than you would pay for a cheap hotel located closer to your destination, you end up saving nothing.