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My travel bucket list is long and one of the longest standing countries on the list is India. In public school, I developed a close friendship with a girl from India. Her stories about her country painted a picture in my mind that I’ve always longed to see in reality.  I lost touch with my friend a long time ago and I believe she returned home to India after she completed her education, as that was always the plan. While I know it is highly unlikely I would ever find he there, I would still like to go and see the country she spoke so fondly of.

One of the up and coming tourist destinations in India is Kodagu, also known as Coorg. As I’m always looking for spots that are less commonly known, Coorg is of interest to me. My research has discovered some interesting things to see and do in the area, as well as some hotels in Coorg.

Street Food

Anthony Bourdain once said “The best food isn’t cooked in people’s homes. You find it on the streets.”. He was speaking of India so it is no surprise that one of the attractions in Coorg is the street food. Here locals and visitors can enjoy dishes like Kadambuttu (rice balls), Kuleputtu (a recipe made from jackfruit) and Pandi Curry (a curried pork dish).

Festivals

India is known for it’s festivals and Coorg is no exception. There are several different festivals throughout the year. Many are Hindu festivals and there are also festivals to celebrate the end of the agriculture season, the harvest season and the renewal of the Kaveri River.

Adventure and Water Sports

In Coorg you can take on many exciting adventure sports like hiking cliffs, rappelling waterfalls, ziplining and white-water rafting. There are also services that will take you on a Jeep jungle safari. If you are looking for a little less risk, try kayaking or water zorbing.

Markets/Bazaars

Coorg has many street markets that offer spices, coffee, fruit and other delectable food. There are also bazaars with clothing and other textiles, pottery, art and anything a visitor could want.

Wildlife

Coorg is home to the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can find tigers, mongoose, pythons, etc. and it is also an elephant corridor. There are opportunities in Coorg to go on safari in a National Park as well.

Religious Sites

There are three temples in Coorg: Omkareshwara Temple, Bhagamandala and Shri Shringeri Shankar Math. The temples are free to visit and operate on limited visiting hours. You will find serene settings, gorgeous architecture and fascinating histories in each one.

My research discovered sites for camping and several hotels in Coorg, allowing guests to move around and take in the various parts of the district. I want to find a place located centrally to the street food, bazaars and festivals. A road trip to a safari that is a safe distance away sounds great to me!

Florida is a popular destination for Ontarians and others around the world, but they may be missing out on some of the fabulous family activities available in the Sunshine State. Here are ten family friendly activities you can find throughout Florida.

1. Disney World. This is likely the most popular family activity in Florida and there’s good reason for it! Perfect for all ages, Disney has something for everyone including rides, shows, characters, education, animals and great food! With four parks to visit (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom) I recommend a visit of at least 4 days to get the most out of your Disney World vacation. If you wish to enjoy some water play at one of the two water parks, you may want to book a minimum of five days.
2. Universal Studios Orlando. Home of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this exciting destination is ideal for families who loves rides. The two parks include Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and while there are some attractions for young children, they are really ideal for tweens and older. If you are visiting with children, plan for at least two days at the parks. Make time to enjoy CityWalk too!
3. Legoland Florida makes for a great day trip with the kids. Unless they are really into Lego, the teenagers may not be overly excited about Legoland, but it’s a huge hit with young children right up to tweens. They have a great variety of activities, including a water park, that will keep you having fun all day long.
4. The Kennedy Space Center. Head over to Cape Canaveral to learn about the space program and even have lunch with an astronaut. This is not only a fun way to spend a day, but also a great educational visit. Visit on a launch day and you can get the experience of a lifetime!
5. Dinner Shows. If you are looking for a fun activity for just a part day, try a dinner show! In the Orlando and Kissimmee areas you can find Medieval Times, Pirates Dinner Adventure, Capone’s, Sleuth’s and Arabian Nights.
6. Meet Winter the Dolphin. Fans of A Dolphin Tale will be excited to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where they can meet the real Winter! You can also meet Hope, Winter’s new aquarium friend and other Marine life.
7. Adventures Unlimited is the ideal vacation spot for families who love the outdoors. It is located in Northwest Florida and is full of outdoor adventures like camping, canoeing, ziplining, kayaking and tubing.
8. Nature lovers will also be excited to visit Gulf County Florida where they can ride horses on the beach and view all kinds of wildlife including birds, dolphins and even see turtle nests and possibly some hatchlings! You can even volunteer to check the turtle nests in the area.
9. History buffs will enjoy Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit found in Orlando. It is the home to many Titanic artifacts and there is an abundance of information about the doomed ship.
10. The water! Florida’s coastlines offer a host of activities including parasailing, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, fishing, boating and more. You can search for manatees, bald eagles, pelicans and many more incredible animals in the area.

Shopping in Niagara

When travelling abroad, most people like to indulge in a little retail therapy. Either they will want to buy items that they could not buy anywhere else in the world or they want to get souvenirs for friends and family from their travels. I love to shop when I am on holiday, so I was pleased to find that the location of my hotel in Niagara was in easy walking distance of some of the top shopping spot in this area. I discovered that there was lots of choice depending on what you were shopping for and the type of retail experience you enjoy.

Niagara Falls Farmers Marketplace

If you want to try out some of the best examples of the local produce, then look no further than the Niagara Falls Farmers Market. This is held every Saturday throughout the year from 06:00 to 13:00. You will find the market just behind the Niagara Falls History Museum. Many of the stalls offer you the opportunity to sample a little of their produce before you decide to buy, so it is an overall pleasurable experience visiting here. Most of the products sold here are perishable, so you will need to buy things to enjoy during your stay, rather than buying souvenirs to take home.

Niagara Square Shopping Centre

This is probably the most popular of the shopping options in Niagara as it has over 70 stores inside, so you will find almost everything you need all under one roof. An additional benefit of shopping here is that there are a selection of cafes and restaurants to choose from. This is ideal if you are spending a full day shopping and will need some time to take a rest, restore your energy and grab a bite to eat.

Fashion Outlets of Niagara falls

If the main focus of your shopping expedition is to buy new clothes at discount prices, then this is likely to be the best place to start. There are over 150 brand name stores at this shopping outlet to cater to all styles and budgets. These include Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Banana Republic, Oakley and Calvin Klein. You can shop here between the hours of 10:00 and 21:00, Monday to Saturday and 11:00 to 18:00 on a Sunday.

Canada One Factory Outlet Mall

Here they promise customers high quality at discount prices. This is a great place to shop if you want to spend the day under one roof and have lots of different brand names to choose from. Goods you can buy here include clothes, shoes, perfume, toiletries, home accessories and sports equipment. There are also coffee shops and cafes so that you can enjoy your lunch while you are here. The only day the outlet mall is closed is Christmas day, so you can enjoy shopping here throughout the year. Hours of opening here are the same as the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls.

 

Shopping in the Heritage District

Shoppers who have a preference for hand-crafted items and unique souvenirs should head to the Heritage District. Here they will find the Ciutadella Gallery and Angel Treasures. The former is a combination of modern art and traditional craftsmanship while the latter is devoted to unique angel products. Both are an excellent place to buy something unusual as a memento of your travels.

Anyone hoping to do some shopping in Niagara will not be disappointed as there are lots of options. In fact, it is the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy as it has so many different venues to explore.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.

This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind. This is an example of a WordPress post, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many posts as you like in order to share with your readers what is on your mind.