Unique travel experiences that are remarkable, inspiring and culturally enriching

The “City of Brotherly Love, ” Philly unwraps its arms towards hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers annually. And from cheesesteaks and history right to works of art, there’s ample to enjoy within this legendary destination of Pennsylvania. The birthplace of the Declaration of Independence as well as the Constitution, Philadelphia offers heritage choices refreshing in authenticity.

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and the Congress Hall each offer visitors an incredible inside look into the birth of America. In addition the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin, the city is able to feature a first- person account of a lot of the initial undertakings for the nation’s birth.

Meant for the younger ones, the Crayola Factory illustrates to young artists how the popular crayons are created, additionally, the Ghost Tours allow for lots of unique spooky yarns around the campfire. The cities trolley system will be able to carry you throughout the city, or should you prefer an added adventure, experience the Ride the Ducks guided tour and get a first- hand view of the Delaware River.

If you’d like to escape the city for a day, a quick trip will place you at the home of Six Flags Great Adventure, but if roller coasters are not your favorite cup of tea stop by historical Valley Forge and witness what was a real- life adventure! For those who might value simply visiting some well known faces, Sesame Place provides entertainment for the whole family. The Philadelphia Zoo boasts being acknowledged as being the oldest zoo in America, whilst the Rodin Museum shows off the works of world- famous sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Go on tour of the U. S. Mint, or see the collections exhibited in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Naturally should you only have several hours to fill, order a cheesesteak (be prepared because these things are massive so maybe order 1 between 2)and catch an Eagles game. Or even the 76ers. Or the Phillies. It just depends on really the season but there is invariably loads you can see and do in Philly.

Whether your choice is in the skill of fly fishing some of the world’s best rivers and lakes, in the adrenalin excitement of hooking a massive black marlin in open waters, or simply dangling a line out over a jetty and hoping for a bite, there are exceptional experiences awaiting the enthusiastic angler. What’s more, your hotel or resort will assist you when you desire the services of professional fishing guides, to charter vessels or organise transport to get you to where the fish are biting!

If skiing the snow gum forests and rocky peaks of Victoria’s high country, the snow covered volcanic slopes of Mt Ruapahu or the powder covered slopes of New Zealand’s south island is your thing, either way a fun skiing or snowboarding adventure awaits. Australia and New Zealand both offer significant ski resorts with international standard facilities and unique terrains. There’s heli-skiing to remote mountains, cross-country skiing off piste through gnarled eucalypts or ‘hot-dogging’ down steep slopes.

Off land and into the sea where Australasia and the Pacific offer some of the world’s best diving. Whether novice or experienced, exploring the region’s many great coral reefs full of multicoloured fish is an unforgettable experience. And there are exceptional opportunities to get up close and personal with large pelagic species – fish, sharks and rays – and even swim with dolphins. Many resorts have PADI instructors and offer certification courses.

Maybe it’s a long overdue family holiday or the perfect getaway with a group of friends that is more your ideal travel experience. You can find luxury multi-room villas or cottage accommodation in sublime resort locations or your own exclusive wilderness or island hideaways. With each, you will relish the time spent with family and friends and truly experience travel with a purpose!

It maybe only a tiny state but Delaware has a lot to offer including the national scenic byway historical route.

It’s only 10 miles on Route 52 from Exit 7 on Interstate 95 in Wilmington, Delaware to the end of Kennett Pike in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Yet that short stretch of road is perhaps the single most historic thoroughfare intersecting I-95 in its entire 1,925 mile trek from Maine to Miami. Perhaps that’s why it’s a certified “National Scenic Byway.”

The “path” that would become the “pike” dates back to the late 17th century when it linked Wilmington with the agriculturally-rich highlands of southeastern Pennsylvania near Kennett Square. In 1811 Kennett Road was purchased and christened the “Wilmington and Kennett Turnpike,” and it slowly became the principal travel “spine” in northern Delaware with ribs that linked a host of world-class du Pont mansions and estates in the region.

It’s those estates and the quaint villages that grew up around them that make Kennett Pike one of America’s premier “Highways to History.” For the first hundred feet (off of I-95), Route 52 is known as Delaware Avenue. Then it veers west as Pennsylvania Avenue, where it passes “Gilbralter” the former home of Hugh Rodney Sharp and his wife Isabella du Pont Sharp. Owned and Operated by Preservation Delaware, Gibralter features an exquisite formal garden designed and restored by legendary landscape architect, Marion Cruger Coffin. The gardens are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 for self-guided tours. Additional hours are available by appointment.

A few hundred feet further, “the Pike” passes a 250 year-old stone mansion called “Goodstay,” which is now owned by the University of Delaware. While the house is certainly historic in its own right, it’s the Goodstay gardens that get all the press. A 100 year-old wisteria vine arches over the gate to the garden, which is planted with irises, roses, peonies, daffodils, daylilies and azaleas. As a final touch, there are 30 pink blossoming magnolia trees leading to a circular reflecting pool. The Goodstay gardens are open to the public without charge every day during daylight hours.

But Goodstay is dwarfed by two dupont estates just off the Pike in Wilmington - Hagley Museum and Library, the ancestral home of the du Pont family in Delaware and site of the first du Pont black powder mills; and the 300-acre country estate of the late industrialist and philanthropist Alfred I. du Pont, Nemours Mansion & Gardens,  The 47,000 sq. ft. mansion was built in 1909-1910 and looms over massive formal gardens. It is furnished with fine antiques, famous works of art, beautiful tapestries, and other treasures. Quite simply, Nemours is the grandest of the grand du Pont estates in the Brandywine Valley. The mansion and gardens are both open for tours between May and December, but tickets can be hard to come by so call early!

Historic “Saint Joseph’s on the Brandywine” Catholic church is literally within walking distance of Hagley. St. Joseph’s was built in 1841 by DuPont Company stone masons on property donated by Charles I. DuPont. The cost of construction was financed largely through loans and gifts from the DuPont Company and family. St. Joseph’s church and cemetery are listed for three different historical associations in the National Register of Historic Places.

Driving further north, you’ll discover the 1,000-acre estate of Henry Francis du Pont, called “Winterthur.” The 13-story mansion houses the largest collection of American furniture and decorative arts in the world, displayed in175 rooms connected to a 20,000 square foot exhibition gallery. Across the street from Winterthur lies the Delaware Museum of Natural History, founded by John E. du Pont in 1972.

When you leave Winterthur and the Natural History Museum, you’ll pass through the National Historic District of Centreville, a quaint village of about 50 shops and restaurants, and several privately-owned historic houses. The center of Centreville is Buckley’s Tavern, a wonderfully eclectic eatery that caters to any and all types of customers – from princes to paupers. For a more genteel fare, try the Centreville Café. Centreville is also home to one of the region’s finest art galleries, Hardcastle Gallery, but you’ll have to keep a sharp eye as it’s set back off the road on the east side just south of Owl’s Nest Road.

Not to be outdone, Pennsylvania has its own historic village on Kennett Pike, the Fairville National Historic District about five miles north of Centreville. Fairville looks like something out of a storybook. Dotted with antique stores and small shops, the village is probably best known for its historic bed & breakfast, the Fairville Inn. For the less affluent, the Mendenhall Inn is just south of Fairville on Kennett Pike.

Kennett Pike terminates at Baltimore Pike which is U.S. Route 1 (the principal Maine to Miami route until I-95 was built). But there’s so much more to tell you about. So far I’ve only mentioned the extraordinary historical and cultural sites that are directly on Kennett Pike! Within five miles on either side of the Pike are several more world-class museums and country estates, including the Brandywine River Museum and Longwood Gardens on Baltimore Pike. For more historical information about the entire region, visit the Delaware History Museum and Research Library on the downtown Wilmington campus of the Delaware Historical Society.

A complete list of articles by the Wilmington Tourism Examiner can be found at http://www.examiner.com/x-25324-Wilmington-Tourism-Examiner

New Zealand is a land of awe-inspiring beauty. Sea, sky and mountain come together in a visual collage that is both breathtaking and humbling – it makes you glad to be alive! Humans have been present in New Zealand for less than a thousand years and the amazing landscapes of this country are therefore relatively untouched by mankind, offering visitors the opportunity to commune with nature.

New Zealand’s natural heritage is preserved for all to see in 14 different national parks across the country. On the North Island there are four parks, with the remaining ten being present on the more mountainous South Island.

Te Urewera is the largest of the parks on the North Island, and is the country’s fourth largest park overall. At a height of 3000ft above sea level it straddles the Huiarau Range – a northeast-southwest alignment of mountains that runs through the heart of the North Island. The park protects a vast swath of ancient forest, which is dominated by native trees such as red beech, rata, tawa and rimu. It is a sanctuary for wildlife too, kiwi, blue duck and the great New Zealand Falcon (karearea) being resident in the mist-shrouded mountains.

In the south of the Te Urewera National Park is Lake Waikaremoana – a beautiful inland lake that resembles a Norwegian Fjord. It was formed more than 2000 years ago and is 800ft deep in places. The lake is now a centre for nature tourism as well as for inland watersports.

Travelling on westwards past Lake Taupo we find arguably the most exhilarating of all the National Parks on the North Island – Tongariro National Park. Located roughly in the centre of the island, Tongariro consists of a series of active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. Snow covered for most of the winter, the volcanoes provide a unique skiing and snowboarding experience during the winter months, enthusiasts having to pick their way around steaming vents and geysers. During the summer the snow recedes to reveal a delightful network of paths offering hikers some exquisite views of the park.

Close by to Tongariro is the Whanganui National Park. It encompasses one of New Zealand’s longest navigable rivers – the Whanganui River – and offers spectacular countryside views that take in forest, snow capped mountains and razor-edged ridges. You can book a cruise down the river in a paddleboat, or for the more adventurous there is the opportunity to navigate the waters by canoe.

Further west again we arrive at the magnificent Egmont National Park, the last of our park quartet. Egmont is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s finest gems, its centrepiece being the 8250ft high volcano – Mt Taranaki. With its perfectly formed cone shape Mt Taranaki is one of the most impressive sights on the North Island. Often snow-capped the mountain is a huge draw for hikers and mountaineers alike. The lowland forest that surround the mountain’s lower slopes and the enchanting ‘Goblin Forest’ on the volcano’s mid-slope area are also not to be missed. To enjoy the splendour of the National Parks on New Zealand’s North Island it is recommended that visitors hire a vehicle, preferably a 4×4. Car hire can be booked in advance to pick up from Auckland International Airport, or from the regional airports at Taupo and New Plymouth. There is plenty to see and do in New Zealand’s National Parks.

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