Strawberries anyone?

STRAWBERRY production is flourishing in Chiba Prefecture,Japan home to more than 100 strawberry farms where visitors can enjoy "strawberry picking," which is quite popular with tourists.

Varieties of strawberry species are grown on many of the strawberry-picking farms, and visitors can enjoy eating the berries to compare their tastes. Notably, "CHI-BA+BERRY," a new strawberry variety that hit the stores in January 2017, is available only in Chiba Prefecture.

Chiba Prefecture sits about 40 kilometres southeast of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. There are many attractions making ii an interesting region to visit. The Chiba Urban Monorail, the longest suspended monorail in the world, Kasori Shell Midden, the largest shellmound in the world, Inage Beach, the first artificial beach in the nation and the Chiba City Zoological Park.

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Sweden:The Edible Country

TO highlight healthy and natural food available in nature, #Sweden, together with four Swedish Michelin-starred chefs, is launching The Edible Country - a 100-million-acre-DIY gourmet restaurant. The restaurant, with a menu created from ingredients found in Swedish nature, is free of charge and open for reservations.

In this new global initiative, Sweden is showing the world how easy and accessible healthy food can be. The Edible Country consists of a nine-course menu that visitors can prepare and cook themselves - in the wild. It is co-created by Swedish Michelin-starred chefs Titti Qvarnström, Niklas Ekstedt, Jacob Holmström and Anton Bjuhr.

As part of the initiative, seven handmade wooden tables have been placed across the country with ready-to-use kitchen kits and cooking tools. The tables are bookable between May and September through visitsweden.com/ediblecountry or bookatable.co.uk/theediblecountry


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Blooming Marvellous

THE Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, named by Architectural Digest as one of the "15 Breathtaking Botanical Gardens to Visit This Season," presents Dallas Blooms, the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, from February 23 to 

April 7. 

Themed "Life's A Picnic," the spring festival showcases an explosion of color from more than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees. Presented by IBERIABANK, Dallas Blooms features an extraordinary, larger-than-life, picnic scene topiary comprised of a stunning 40'x40' picnic blanket, a vase of flowers, a picnic basket with pie and a giant picnic ant—perfect for photo opportunities.

The nationally acclaimed eight-acre Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden features 17 indoor/outdoor galleries, 150 interactive science games and an abundance of themed adventures throughout the Dallas Blooms festival.

www.dallasarboretum.org/blooms

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Celebrating 40 years of rafting the Franklin River

TASMANIAN Expeditions has launched an exclusive World Heritage Franklin River Rafting adventure led by conservationist Geoff Law in January 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the first commercial rafting expedition down the iconic river. 

In January 2019, Geoff Law, will lead an exclusive 40th anniversary World Heritage Franklin River Rafting adventure for Tasmanian Expeditions. It is a unique opportunity to experience the unique World Heritage protected river and the surrounding wilderness with someone who is a major part of this river’s history.

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Montana: A hikers paradise

WITH over 15,000 miles of trails ready to be explored, it's no wonder Montana is a hiker's paradise. No matter the season, #Montana is the perfect place to #hike and discover all the unspoiled beauty this state has to offer, but the most underrated season to experience breathtaking beauty is autumn. Crisp mornings, red and gold hues around every bend, and trails that are less traveled make #autumn the ideal time to hike in Montana.

Sluice Boxes State Park - The trail follows the Belt Creek flow through the soaring cliffs of Belt Creek Canyon, and crossing the creek is part of the route you'll follow. This hike showcases the stunning contrast of autumn colors from Chokecherry, Aspen and Cottonwood leaves against the light rock of the cliffs.

Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area, Kootenai National Forest - Imagine standing in the towering presence of ancient Western Red Cedars – some of which are 12 feet in diameter and 175 feet tall. The Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area offers a self-guided interpretive nature trail through a unique forest ecosystem. 

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park - offering incredible views above and below ground. While the expansive limestone caverns are a favorite, you won't want to miss the above-ground opportunities to explore 10 miles of trails. 

Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth District - known for its rugged mountains and sub-alpine tundra plateaus, Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth District, close to Red Lodge, is home to stunning scenery, fantastic trails and epic views of fall foliage. For a truly memorable hike, plan a day on the Stillwater River Trail #24. Begin the hike in the shelter of the Stillwater River Canyon as you follow the Stillwater River, the highest elevation point is a little more than two miles from the trailhead and provides a breathtaking view of Sioux Charley Lake below.

Wild Horse Island State Park - Hiking in the fall is the perfect opportunity to enjoy jaw-dropping scenery and abundant wildlife viewing. At over 2,100 acres, Wild Horse Island is located on the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. This island park is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Flathead Lake and can only be accessed by water.

Elephant Back Mountain Trail, Yellowstone National Park - The trail takes you on a loop through the dense Lodgepole pine forests to a stunning overlook. You'll want to bring a camera to capture the panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake; the beautiful yellow and red hues of surrounding deciduous trees create an incredible contrast against the dark green conifers.

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Off on my travels . . . back in a week

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Under the stars

FALLING asleep in the arms of your lover under a clear African sky of twinkling stars is probably one of the most romantic things you could ever do.

An elaborate, four-poster bed, dressed in crisp, white luxurious linen, draped in an elegant mosquito net, is placed in a stunning location - normally just far enough from the main lodge to feel alone. Dinner is then served, either at the location, or before you leave for the location. Then you are left to re-connect with open space, the nocturnal sounds of nature and of course with your loved one.

Nkwichi Lodge, located in northern Mozambique (on the banks of Lake Malawi), offers this incredible experience to their guests. There is a choice of three different locations:- on a rocky outcrop (surrounded by water); or a deserted beach (surrounded by baobab trees); or a-top the elevated viewpoint with an incredible sunsets and morning vistas over the lake – the location is determined by the elements, and which is most suitable at the time.

Another Mozambican Star-Bed experience to watch out for is at Anantara Medjumbe, located on a tiny island in the Quirimbas Archipelago. They have taken their star bed concept one step further, where you are left alone on a completely different, nearby island. 

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Slip sliding away in Brazil

IN the municipality of Estância Turística de Olímpia, 272 miles from the State capital of São Paulo, Brazil, you'll find Thermas dos Laranjais which is the most visited water park in Latin America, with over 2 million visitors in 2017. 

The park offers more than 50 different attractions, many of which are both exclusive and patented, from Water Slides to the Water roller-coaster, which passes 180º through the surf pool and along beaches and the slow flowing river. 

Opened in 1987 by entrepreneur Benito Benatti, the park occupies an area of 75 acres and is fed by the thermal Waters of the Guarani Aquifer – the main subterranean reserve of fresh water in South America, with temperatures ranging from 26ºC to 38ºC.

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The magical Mudgee Region

THE Mudgee Region is a destination on everyone’s bucket list right now, and rightly so. Known primarily for its boutique wine and sophisticated country charm with around 40 family-owned wineries, a distillery, and brewery, it is nestled in the hills and surrounded by quaint country towns, rich with heritage and a variety of established quality visitor experiences. 

Located less than 270km northwest of Sydney, the fuss-free journey is all part of the adventure, and what awaits is a stunning mix of charm and sophistication. It’s just a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney or 45-minute flight from Sydney airport with flights departing each day. Encompassing the towns of Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos, and Rylstone (and small villages in between), the Mudgee Region offers an array of food and wine, arts and culture, sports and leisure, nature and small villages to explore. 

Following the huge success of the launch of Sierra Escape, Mudgee’s first and only Luxury Eco Glamping experience, last year, we are pleased to announce the much-anticipated addition of two luxury tents on the property; Dulili meaning ‘Together’ in aboriginal, and Uralla, meaning ‘Home on the Hill’. Sydney couple Cam and Tasch D’Arcy, who now call Mudgee their second home, opened Sierra Escape in 2017 to provide a high quality, glamping experience for those that love the outdoors.

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Upscale glamping near Mt. Fuji

LOCATED in the gateway city to Mt. Fuji, Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is merely a 90-minute drive from the center of Tokyo, Fujino Kirameki aims to offer the best combination of two worlds: open-air space with outdoor activities surrounded by dynamic nature and sophisticated comforts of luxury hotels.

Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced the launch of "Fujino," a new brand for upscale glamping, and it will open the first property "Fujino Kirameki Fuji Gotemba" on April 27 near Mt. Fuji, the iconic and highest Japanese mountain and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.

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Most booked U.S cruise destination?

 ACCORDING to an annual trends survey of travel agents by leading travel agency company Travel Leaders Group, #Alaska #cruises are, for the first time, their most-booked U.S. destination, beating out Orlando and Las Vegas.

Statistics further tell that story. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the number of cruise visitors to Alaska is expected to break records this year with 34 ships bringing more than 1.165 million passengers to the destination. Alaska will be hot next year as well, with 37 ships expected to bring more than 1.3 million passengers.

The high demand for Alaska cruises has a lot to do with the state's amazing scenery – from snow-capped mountains and immense glaciers to emerald rainforests. Travelers return with stories of extraordinary experiences with wildlife and with guides who enthrall visitors with tales of native culture, frontier spirit and a rich, colorful history that includes the Gold Rush. Next year, Alaska will celebrate its 60th anniversary of statehood.

Cruise ships typically begin Alaska cruises in Seattle, Vancouver and ports near Anchorage, though there are also longer sailings from ports such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. On any itinerary, passengers have the extraordinary experience of cruising past blue icebergs to see glaciers thunderously calve into the sea in Glacier Bay National Park and other equally impressive settings.

At ports of call such as Juneau and Skagway, bald eagles fly overhead as you view totem poles and learn Gold Rush history. Shore excursions take travelers into the wild by land, sea or air, including such experiences as flightseeing over a glacier, boarding a small boat to follow whales and joining active excursions, including hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, glacier trekking, and even snorkeling.

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Thailand’s national park seasonal closure of attractions

#THAILAND currently has a total of 147 national parks, covering an area of 70,038.65 square kilometres or 13.64 percent of the land area of the country. Of the total, there are 59 national parks in the North, 43 in the South, 25 in the Northeast, and 20 in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions.

This year, the DNP closes several attractions in 66 national parks nationwide, including in 24 national parks in the North, in 28 national parks in the South, in nine national parks in the Northeast, and in five national parks in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions. 

This is normal practice, as it closes several attractions every year for a certain period, depending on weather and park conditions. Dates are varied, and the closure is often due to extreme weather, especially during the rainy months, that may create unsafe conditions and allows for some ecological recovery time.

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More to explore in the Domican Republic

NAGUA is the capital of the province Maria Trinidad Sánchez of the #DominicanRepublic. A medium-sized city, Nagua’s economy relies mainly on the production of agricultural products, mainly: rice, coconuts, vegetables, tubers and cocoa.  Located on the northeast coast of the Samaná peninsula, #Nagua is on the road that leads from Puerto Plata to the city of Samaná.  The beaches, land, and tourism are untouched.

About 30 minutes from Nagua, is a small town called Cabrera. There you will find Dudu Lagoon, and within Dudu Lagoon is Azul Lagoon. The zip-line into the water, that everyone loves on those super hot days of the Dominican Summer, can be found at Dudu Lagoon. At Lago Azul The water is clear and is located in a cave that is open to the public for swimming. There you will find large rocks you can jump off of, and bring your snorkel equipment because it is a wonder for the eye to see.

Diamond beach is known as the beach with no waves and is about 30 minutes away from Nagua, and only minutes from Dudu Lagoon. Among the things to do in Nagua, it’s at the top. It is a local beach, down a bumpy winding road, and you will not find 5 star amenities there.

Playa Los Minos is a local beach, where not many tourist go, but the best part is that it’s not crowded with locals. Sand and rock mix on the shores and the sides to provide a view that resembles the beaches of Greece in some spots. Very calm waters, are accompanied by warm waters, and natural sands. A local hotel ran by Italians is placed on the rocky shore, and is a great place to stop for a beer. The owners are around 90, and their charm gives an old school look to a beautiful little beach.

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Spring into April in Miami

APRIL is all about sports and wellness in #Miami and the Beaches. From relaxing walks on the beach to Jet Ski adventures, there is a lot to be found in Miami.

As Miami is perfect for indoor and outdoor activities, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has made April ‘Miami Sports and Wellness Month’, offering discounts and special offers for great activities such as yoga, golf and a wide range of water sport activities

The Miami Sports and Wellness Month will kick off with the ‘Yoga In The Park’ event, a free yoga class, on April 5th at 6:00 PM at The Tina Hills Pavilion on the south end of Bayfront Park.

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Feather filled vacation

IF you have a passion for bird watching, then South Africa is the place you need to be at. There are various places where you can be to have a closer look at birds while being surrounded by natural beauties all around. 

Absolute #Birding Tours and #Safaris make such tours possible one of which is Groot Karoo Birding Safari. The Karoo is a massive chunk of central #SouthAfrica that is characterized by a dry climate and harsh landscapes. Vegetation is sparse, but curiously still home to an abundance of life.

While at Karoo National Park with them you can expect to see about 238 species of birds. The park boasts at least 20 pairs of breeding Verreaux’s Eagle. Many mammal species have been re-introduced over the years, including African Lion and Brown Hyena. Many farms bordering the park have also been bought and consolidated into the park. The park has great bungalow accommodation, a pool, restaurant and bird hides.

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Green is the colour of Berlin

BERLIN is a green experience beyond the city limits . There are also green highlights to be found in the five municipalities that are conveniently connected to the city, such as Schlosspark, Stadtkirche and Orangerie in Altlandsberg, the Schlosspark and Gutshof in Fredersdorf, the Lenné Park in Hoppegarten or the Architectural Trail and the Museum Park in Rüdersdorf. 

The "Peter Joseph Lenné - Gardens, Parks, Cityscapes" app shows you the way to the most beautiful gardens, parks and cityscapes of Peter Joseph Lenné in your area. At the heart of this app is the multimedia tour of Schlosspark Glienicke. A comprehensive portrait of Peter Joseph Lenné (1789-1866), an overview of the most important gardens, parks and urban landscapes in Germany as well as a timeline are also included.

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National wonder

IN 2018 Denmark will get a fifth national park in North Sealand. The park will cover a large area of some 25,800 hectares, making it the second largest Danish national park. It will contain Denmark’s two largest lakes, Arresø and Esrum Sø, as well as one of Denmark’s largest forests, Gribskov, and two UNESCO world heritage sites.

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Go wild in Scotland

SCOTLAND'S international reputation as a key destination for experiencing world-class wild landscapes and outstanding wildlife is to be boosted by Trees for Life joining a prestigious and growing European association of rewilding projects.

The conservation charity was invited to become a member of the European Rewilding Network – placing its restoration of the globally unique Caledonian Forest in the Highlands, especially in Glen Affric and Glenmoriston, firmly on the European map.

A key focus of the network is to show how rewilding – the restoration of damaged natural ecosystems – can benefit economic development, including through nature-based tourism, wildlife watching and volunteering opportunities.

A review of Scotland’s wildlife tourism sector by VisitScotland this year highlighted how the country’s landscapes, nature and wildlife are key reasons for people to choose it as a travel destination. Research in recent years has also shown that wildlife tourism generates an estimated £276 million a year for the Scottish economy.

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Migrate to Africa

IT'S never too early to book a holiday to see the great wildebeest migration. This 12-day migration safari follows the wildebeest migration route focusing on the 2 parks of Serengeti and Masai Mara. 

The package also offers the guests the rare opportunity of taking a night game drive on one of the 2 nights spent at Amboseli National park. There is also a chance to see the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara National park and a full day Ngorongoro Crater Tour, before venturing to the Serengeti and Masai Mara reserves.

Hallmark Travel Planners has released early bird offers and departure dates for anybody planning to visit #Africa and enjoy the great wildebeest migration. The safari trips, made up of 11 nights, will take place between July and October 2018.

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New ‘Route of Parks’ in Chile will connect 17 National Parks

THE Carretera Austral – a Chilean route which traverses 1,000 kilometres through Patagonia from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins – is being re-branded as the ‘Ruta de los Parques’ with the aim of developing adventure tourism in the region. The new route will be 1,500 miles long and will connect 17 #nationalparks in #Chile including Corcovado National Park, Patagonia National Park and the Yendegaia National Park. 

www.chile.travel

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