The walk over the mountain was stunning with panoramic views showing through the Laurel and Myrtle paths. The scents given of by the surrounding flora was gorgeous, with species such as Lavender and marguerites showing there faces as you were walking by. Bodega is a beautiful village with glorious views over the sea and it was nice to spend some time reflecting before walking back to the hotel to sit and read and enjoy a glass of wine.

The following day I went up the western massif of Santiago de Teide and walked along a long ridge trail to a gorgeous little site that gave you views over the sea, places like this really are the reason you come to Tenerife. Their seemed to be masses of beautiful birds flying around singing their songs. One of the people I was travelling with said the varieties were Plain swifts, Canary, Pipit and Macaronesia.

 A stop in at the Estate of La Baranda, got a bit of wine sampling into the mix, which was brilliant as the estate, has been around since the 17^th century. The estate allowed me to try various specialist island wines and filled me in on the history of the estate and its wine making traditions.

I really didn’t want to come home at the end of my Tenerife stay but would recommend it to anyone that enjoys walking.  Walking in Tenerife is a great way of relaxing and letting yourself un wind, I found that unlike a lot of holidays I have been on I came away with my batteries recharged.

When we got going again the sides of the mountain started to get steeper and steeper until it became a cliff, it was very dangerous. As we were walking everyone began to notice the berries and couldn't help themselves.

As we were nearing the end of the hike we came to the coast line and Mr. Dunne noted out to us that the cliffs were eroding and some of the old paths that he used to take were now eroded, it was almost like someone cut a slice out of the cliff.

It was coming to the end of the trip now and everyone was looking forward to the chipper. Just around the corner was the chipper we were planning on going to but when we got there we found that it was closed. So we walked for another 20 minutes looking around for another chipper. After we found it they had their dinner and we were of to find the bus. When we arrived to the school at around 2 o'clock everyone wanted to play football after the walk we came from.

The Rideau Canal

In winter, a skate or walk on the Rideau Canal is a must. The Rideau Canal is the longest outdoor skating rink in the world, and the Winterlude Festival turns it into a fairytale on ice. In summer, take a lazy stroll to the locks, and visit the Canal Museum.

Ottawa Theatre

If theater is your thing, go to the National Arts Centre, just west of the Rideau Canal. The Arts Centre is the Grand Duchess of theater in Ottawa, and hosts dance, music and international theater events such as the smash "Wicked" and the popular comedy "Beer". From the intimate Fourth Stage to the splendor of Southam Hall, the National Arts Centre has theater shows to suit your tastes.

For an artsy flair, go immediately east of the Rideau Centre, to Arts Court. The stone heritage building was once the Ottawa Courthouse. Arts Court is home to arts groups, modern art galleries, and a theater. The Arts Court Theatre runs popular art and music events all year. The 2008 fall lineup includes the Animation Festival, Le Groupe Dance Lab, and the original musical comedy, "Making Necrophiliac".

Arts Court also features a progressive artist-run gallery and performance space, in the basement.

The Ottawa Jail

Right next door to Arts Court is the old Ottawa jail and gallows. Condemned prisoners could walk from the courthouse, straight to the hanging! The jail is now a hostel, and offers tours for the brave. Many claim it's haunted. Death row is sure to send shivers down your spine.

The Ottawa Byward Market

The historic Byward Market runs for several blocks, just north of Rideau Street. Restaurants, bars, shops and buskers abound. Seasonal fresh vegetables, maple syrup, arts and crafts are available from the outdoor vendors. In the evening, many bars and venues have live entertainment. In summer, the Market parties every night!

The Rideau Centre

For mall shopping and window-gazing, visit the Rideau Centre on the south side of Rideau Street, at Sussex. Sussex Avenue runs north, between the Byward Market and the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Behind the Chateau Laurier, you can stroll among the flowers in Major's Hill Park, until you arrive at the National Art Gallery.

The National Art Gallery

The Gallery has free admission on Thursdays, from 4-9pm, and half-price admission on Sundays. It houses a vast collection of Canadian and world art, from ancient to modern. From there, it's a ten-minute walk over the picturesque Interprovincial Bridge, to the National Museum of Civilization. As you cross the bridge, you enter the province of Quebec. Bienvenue!

The Museum of Civilization

The Museum of Civilization features special exhibits, along with its permanent collection. For children, educational activities run throughout the day. Arrive early for IMAX Theatre shows -- there's always a lineup. Have a coffee on the Museum's cafe patio, overlooking the Ottawa River. Like the National Gallery, the Museum is free on Thursdays after four, and half-price on Sundays.

Trolley Tours, Bus Tours and Boat Tours

There's no shortage of Ottawa tours. You can even take a Harley motorcycle tour! Popular tours include Paul's Boat Tours, along the Rideau Canal; double-decker bus tours, heritage trolley tours, or a trip into the Ottawa River on an amphibious bus. The Haunted Walk offers a walking tour of Ottawa's spookiest places.

Parliament Hill

You can't miss Parliament Hill! The Peace Tower, with its immense clock, is visible from most of downtown Ottawa. Tour the seat of government in Canada. Watch the Changing of The Guard, every day at 9:45 am. Parliament Hill also features the RCMP Musical Ride. The Parliament Buildings are rich in art and political heritage, and are a striking example of neo-Gothic architecture.

Tourist Info

The Capital Infocentre at 90 Wellington St (www.capcan.ca), is directly opposite Parliament Hill, and has a wealth of tourist information, facts and tips. From Rideau Street, follow Rideau west past the Chateau Laurier, where it turns into Wellington.

For nightlife and entertainment, pick up a copy of the free local paper, the Ottawa Xpress.

Language

In Ottawa, services are available in both French and English. Quebec is officially French-speaking, but all services are available in English. Many residents speak English and French.

Enjoy your visit to Ottawa, Canada!

There are a lot more that you can explore in Thailand, like tasting their delicious and distinctive cuisines and even learning how to cook them. Exploring their local market is a good way of experiencing Thailand too. Places to stay can be at Suanthip Vana Resort, Maekok River Village, the Legend Chiang rai and the Anantara Resort and Spa.

Bhutan is located between India and Tibet. Himalayan peaks have protected the Bhutan for centuries. Rituals of Bhutan's daily life continued to be sacred as only a few visitors are able to enter this country. Landscapes are still virgin, and every facet of life in Bhutan is seen in their tradition and in their religion. Bhutan is famous for brass bells jingling of the prayer wells to the monasteries that are located on high places.

Places to visit are Paro where you can bike to Drykgyel Dzong and visit the monastic fortress which was built to commemorate their victory in 1644 over the Tibetans. You can also find the National Museum of Bhutan in Ta Dzong. Discover thangka style of painting, sculpture and embroidery in the capital city of Thimphu. Bike to Chimme Lhakhang and hike to Chorten Nebu the 14th century temple that can only be reached by walking. You can stay at Uma Paro, Druk Hotel and Zangtho Pelri Hotel.

To get the full adventure of Bhutan and Thailand, you can check the Backroads.com and they can help you set your adventures.

Picture was taken by David Shankbone

Two surveyors, M. S. Beach and Rufus Cable, in August 1859 had left Denver to begin a town site known as Colorado City and were exploring the nearby areas when they stumbled upon these massive rock formations. M.S. Beach first suggested the area be the “capital place for a beer garden,” but Cable didn’t agree. Cable returned with “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.”

The ability to visit the Garden of the Gods is thanks to Charles Elliott Perkins. During the 1870s, the railroad lines had worked their way to the west by gentlemen like General William Jackson Palmer. In 1879, Perkins was the head of the Burlington Railroad and was encouraged by Palmer to build his railroad from Chicago to Colorado Springs. Along with the repeated suggestion of building the railroad, Perkins was also urged to build his home in the Garden of the Gods.

Perkins railroad never made it to Colorado Springs, but he did take Palmers suggestion by buying 240 acres in the Garden of the Gods for his summer home. Just like the railroad, Perkins never built the summer home or on the property at all. He added to the property in later years, but wanted to leave the Garden of the Gods untouched for the public to enjoy. Garden of the Gods was open to the public, but Perkins passed away in 1907 before the official arrangements could be made. In 1909 his children, knowing very well of his wishes, gave the 480 acres to the city of Colorado Springs so it would always be known as the Garden of the Gods and "where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park."

Ancient prehistory can be viewed at Garden of the God’s as people walk the same path as the dinosaurs walked making it a living history book. Within the park, there are dinosaur tracks that lead the way including a new species of dinosaur which was discovered and named after the park, Theiophytalia kerri.

Garden of the God’s offer many activities other then just sight seeing and history including walking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. With many activities, there is a ample amount of choices to be able to view and enjoy where the gods assemble at the Garden of the Gods. 

Boston By Foot has been around for more than 30 years now, providing walking tours of Boston throughout the year except from November to April, when it might be a little chilly, but if your not in Boston during the spring and summer, they have custom tours at any time of the year. These tours aren't of the whole city, rather they focus on a specific neighborhood or theme, so the tour won't be as long as you would expect. They go to various places, such as the Victorian Back Bay, a beautiful place, and the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. Each tour comes with the story of Boston and it's rich history, while experiencing beautiful architecture back since the beginnings of Boston in 1630. Each tour goes to multiple important historical cities such as the location of the Boston Tea Party. Some other tours include, Beacon Hill, Ashmont Hill, a Contemporary Boston tour, the Wharf District, The Liberty Hotel, etc. There are so many to choose from. However, not every tour is available everyday, so you should use careful planning if you are planning to go on one of these tours, but they do have tours everyday. The address is 77 North Washington Street if you want to go check them out. It's a really cool company and if you are planning to go on a walking tour of Boston, I would recommend this one from personal experience. Boston is a wonderful place and I can't think of a better way to experience it now that I've experienced a walking tour for myself.

I took a look around for some other walking tour companies and one that came up was at a website called Walking Tours of Historic Boston at Walkingboston Now, I've never actually taken a tour from this company so this is all information from their website. Unlike Boston By Foot, Walking Boston is a private tour company so it's smaller group and there's more questions you can ask and more info you can get out of it. There are 14 historic sites that you could potentially visit, all linking to Boston's rich history. The tour guide shares original documents and newspapers from the colonial period so you would hear stories that wouldn't be heard by anyone else, which makes this a truly unique tour. You must book your tours in advance since this is a private tour company. Rates are $130.00 for a private family tour (under 10 people) and $13 for adults and $10 for children under 12 for a group tour of 10-30 people. I would like to take a tour at the company and experience Boston with them, but I don't have family in Boston, but for those that do, this seems like a wonderful company to experience Boston with. They are located at 221 Massachusetts Ave.

So, whether you live in Boston or you're just visiting or going to visit, I recommend experience Boston in a way unlike any other, a walking tour. It's a really cool experience that anyone would love. Whether you want to go in a public tour and a lot of people or a private tour with just some close friends and family, both options are wonderful for any time of the year. You'll learn a lot about the history of Boston while hearing enjoyable stories and seeing the most amazing buildings. Walking tours of Boston are absolutely amazing.

1. Proper Clothing and Shoes

All members of the family should wear proper clothing and shoes on a hike. For short hikes, sneakers or cross-trainers will probably suffice. For longer hikes, however, both adults and children will benefit from properly fitting hiking boots.

When hiking with children, it is important to dress them in comfortable, non-binding or chafing clothing. Children will complain readily if their collar is too tight or their waistband rubs their belly. Long pants thick enough to deter thorns and insects are a must for hiking children.

2. Hiking Sticks for Everyone

Hiking sticks can help with balance and support on tricky hiking trails. When hiking with children, provide hiking sticks that are the right size and weight for them. Hiking sticks can either be found wooden branches that are smooth and sturdy, or man made, purchased varieties. The hiking stick for children should be narrow enough for them to grip and not to heavy.

3. Planning the Route

If a hiking trip is too long, children are apt to complain. Be sure to plan the route before you set out. Either plan to hike in a loop that will take you back to the car or campsites, or hike half the distance out and half back. When hiking with children, it is a great idea to map out the route with them beforehand. They will enjoy following the map and knowing how far they still have to go.

4. Drinks and Snacks

Everyone needs some nourishing drinks and snacks while hiking. The most important thing to carry along when hiking with children is plenty of water. You could also bring sports drink. When hiking with children, it is also a great idea to bring fun snacks that can be carried along. GORP (good old raisins and peanuts), or trail mix is the ultimate hiking snack. Dried fruit, peanut butter crackers, and granola bars are other good choices. Hiking with children takes a lot of energy, and healthy carbohydrates give a burst when you need it.

5. First Aid

When hiking with children, be sure to pack a first aid kit. Of course, adults can also be injured, but small children are more susceptible to cuts and scrapes. A small injury may make a child feel as if they cannot go on. An adult ready with the first aid kit will keep the hiking day more pleasant for children.

Hiking with children is important for physical exercise, appreciation of nature, and family together time. If you want a safe and fun experience, there are certain things you must remember. Staying within the bounds of ability and comfort is important when hiking with children.