Texas is big, and not just in size – with its huge range of natural landscapes and features, a culture stemming from a historical legacy of six different ruling nations, and a distinctive musical style, it lives up to the adage that ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’.
Seeing whales in the wild can be an intense experience. These mighty, mysterious mammals really defy appropriate description, and seeing them up close is almost certain to be moving, memorable, and magical.
There’s something truly extraordinary about seeing an animal that large just going about its business, with little to no regard for you–an astonished audience.
Whales have been hunted for centuries. As a result, half of the 13 great whale species in the world are endangered and at risk of extinction. Nevertheless, as long as you are in the right place and at the right time, there are plenty of places where you can still see these extraordinary creatures in their natural habitat.
Lost in the vastness of the Atlantic, Madeira is an earthly paradise 1.5 hours by air from Lisbon. It belongs to Portugal but is considered an autonomous region and is full of habitats and protected wildlife refuges. When you set foot in Funchal Airport, which is located by the sea, you will be dazzled. The island is volcanic, but without seismic activity, and the landscape is so gorgeous that looks like a painting. High mountains cut vertically from the sea, and the land is fertile and juicy. Here you will walk along endless paths filled with orchids, hydrangeas, lilies, but you will also cross plains with herbs, banana plantations, vineyards, sugarcane fields, eucalyptus forests and giant pines.
Temperatures remain budding all season. It has a subtropical climate, which is affected by the warm current of the Gulf. More specifically, temperatures range between 17 and 25 degrees Celsius. This makes it an ideal destination for a beautiful holiday without the cold but also avoiding too high temperatures. It sure it is a crucial advantage to travel to Madeira.
What makes Madeira such a popular destination?
In addition to its world-famous wines, this popular destination has islands and islets with lush vegetation, which makes Madeira look like the closest tropical paradise to earth. In fact, it has a kind of laurel that forms whole forests.
It is worth noting that visitors to Madeira do not travel there to enjoy the frantic nightlife because it does not exist anywhere on the island. Not even in its capital, Funchal. What attracts the world is its natural beauty and of course its rainforest, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is worth noting that the hiking throughout the island can be done through the built paths, which lead to a magnificent view that charms everyone that goes through them.
Explore its wild nature
The distinct streams of the irrigation network called “levadas” run through the whole island. Built paths that are ideal for hiking are offering magnificent views to the visitors. Those of you who are in good shape and looking for adventure do not miss the opportunity to climb Pico Ruivo, and Pico do Areeiro. The road to the top leads you above the clouds, and it will definitely make you feel like a king of the world. In the protected area of Garajau, again, you will be able to rent scuba diving equipment for some underwater exploration. The island of Porto Santo, the second largest in size and population, although rocky and steep in the northeast, on its southwest side unfolds a dreamy beach of nine kilometres of white sand, a beach so unique in the entire archipelago of the volcanic islands. Tennis courts, golf and horseback riding on the beach complete the puzzle of an exclusive resort experience. It is worth mentioning, finally, that you can also visit the capital of Vila Baleira, in which Christopher Columbus lived for some time in his life.
Explore it by car
Although the island has many beautiful places for hiking and exploring, the way you travel to the island should be by car, so it’s time to plan your summer road trip list, don’t you say? By renting a car from Madeira, you will not only have the comfort and capabilities of a vehicle in your hands, but you will also have the opportunity to discover all those places with the wild beauty and vegetation of the island. You will be able to make all those extreme escapes from the high mountain peaks to the low depths of its shores.
Having a car for your travels, you will be able to visit all those enchanting caves of Sao Vicente on the north coast of the island and then head back to the southern part of the island in Funchal and its lush mountains full of tropical flowers. So you will have the opportunity to live a whole travel experience. The solution to car hire in Madeira is provided by Enjoy Travel, with a vast range of cars and financial offers, always adapted to the needs of its customers. So what are you waiting for? The raw and natural beauty of Madeira is waiting for you!
If you want your hunting trip to be a success, you need to plan each and every detail. The more time you spend planning it, the more likely you’ll be to enjoy it.
When making a trip to colder destinations you have to approach the way you pack slightly different, after all a winter holiday is like no other. When packing you will have to face facts that you just cannot pack light, as winter clothes are bulky and made of heavy materials meaning your hold luggage is likely to be full to the brim. This doesn’t need to be a cause for concern as we have our handy carry-on bag. This additional piece of luggage can be a lifeline when traveling.
Here are 5 great tips for making the most of your carry-on bag for your winter travel.
This first step of packing your carry-on should be making sure it actually fits in the cabin. Different airlines have different policies regarding the size and the weight of your carry-on bag. If you are travelling with different airlines it is essential to check the cabin baggage policies prior to arriving as you don’t want to be refused access to the plane home due to an overweight bag!
Your carry-on bag is a great place to pack a spare outfit, or to pack the remainder of your clothes if you didn’t manage to get them all in your main suitcase! If when arriving at your destination for some unfortunate reason your main suitcase hasn’t quite made it, then you know you are good for a day or two with your spare outfit. I often pack a loungewear set made up of a customized hoodie and joggers from Banana Moon Clothing so if I have a particularly bad flight, I know I have a comfortable outfit to change into once I have left the aircraft and freshened up.
Your carry-on bag is only as good as your packing, so if you cram everything in you can expect to waste time getting it out to find specific items. To get around this invest in a way to keep it organised, be it through plastic wallets, packing bags, or compartments. Whichever you decide is up to you, but once you realise the benefits you will never pack any other way. A plastic wallet or folder is a great addition to your carry-on as it gives you a secure place to keep all your important travel documents, and it will also help protect them from the elements during your travels.
A secret to a well packed carry-on is in the way you pack it, and if you are planning to take an additional outfit in your bag then this is a top tip! The act of rolling as opposed to folding will give you far greater room left over to add in extra items that you may need, as this luggage is all about space saving and keeping things neat.
When traveling with a carry-on, that humble piece of luggage becomes your entire lifeline, as it contains your travel documents, a change of clothes and your essentials. A well-stocked carryon bag is not complete until you have packed the necessary entertainment & refreshments to get you through your journey, this includes electronics like a tablet or music player and refreshments such as water, snacks, face wipes and hand sanitizer.
