(Napa valley wine tours) Water Sports and Activities in the Bay Area

November 15th, 2009 admin Posted in travel |

By Renaldo Head

If you like water sports and activities that involve the water, then San Francisco should be at the very top of your must visit list. There are so many water activities in San Francisco your head will spin. In fact, bring your suit and prepare to spend a great deal of time enjoying the water and the great recreation that the water has to offer.

If you like the water but have little real experience at manning the wheel of a boat or navigating narrow straights, you will probably be best served by chartering the services of experts rather than attempting a go of it on your own. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to do this. One of the most common ways is to take a ferry out to Alcatraz or Angel Island. You get the benefit of time on the water with no work involved whatsoever. You also get the added benefit of a tour of some sort on the other end of your trip. Many visitors each year enjoy this means of water travel and it is both an economical way to travel by water and a low stress way to do so.

You can also elect a sunset or sightseeing cruise around the bay on a chartered sailboat or motor sailor that is fully crewed. Some of the charter companies even offer team-building activities if you are traveling to San Francisco on business. Sailing is a great way to build a team and bond them like nothing else on earth. If you’ve never been sailing before, I highly recommend chartering a boat for an outing even if it’s only for a small period of time. It’s a great way to find out if you have sea legs that’s for sure. In addition to finding out if you have sea legs, a short tour will either leave you knowing this isn’t for you or hungry for more-in which case, you might wish to take sailing lessons and consider purchasing a sailboat of your own someday.

Sailing lessons are a great thing to give yourself while on vacation in San Francisco as well. The bay offers a protected, or at least relatively protected area in which to learn the finer aspects of sailing and there are many schools locally that can offer excellent instruction in the finer points of sailing and navigation. Sailing however requires more than an afternoon of lessons in order to have any degree of competency but a few lessons while on vacation is a great place to begin and an even better excuse to return.

If you have some experience with navigation and sailing, there are some companies that will allow you to rent a boat for a day or even a weekend. This allows you to be your own “Master and Commander” and can make for a great family day for the entire family. I firmly believe there are few things on earth that are better than tasting the salt of the sea while feeling the wind in your face, but I’ve always felt more at home on water than on solid ground so I am more than a little biased towards enjoyment of water based activities.

Which brings me to my next suggestion. Some are not content to merely ride the waves but would rather create waves of their own. For those who prefer a more hands on and muscle powered trek through the water, perhaps a rowboat or paddleboat rental would be in order? There are places in Golden Gate Park where this is easily achieved and the lake is an ideal setting for these kinds of boats. And of course there are kayak rentals that seem to abound in the San Francisco area which offer a whole new level of fun for all involved.

No matter how you look at it, there are some great ways to spend a day on the water in San Francisco. Come found out why so many people have left their hearts here and enjoy the peaceful serenity of a day ‘at sea’.

Find tips about moose habitat, pheasant eggs and other information at the Interesting Animals website.

Antarctica Cruise - Are you Ready for the Trip of Your Lifetime

By hose ashaver

Experienced travelers now favor going to Antarctica because it has lots to offer in terms of fun adventures. There are animals to see and sites to view as part of a great Antarctica trip. Read on to find out what activities are available aboard an Antarctica cruise and decide whether you would like this vacation place.

Antarctica is home to vast icy navy blue seascapes not found anywhere else on earth. Exquisite bergs rise up beautifully everywhere while active wild animals roam about without fear of people. The sun shines most of the hours of the day during the Antarctic summer season and sunsets during the spring months are a sight to behold. Sightseeing is not the only reason to visit Antarctica as there are lots of others that would make taking an Antarctica cruise unforgettable.

A good way to pass the time on board Antarctica cruise vessels is to go wildlife watching. Wildlife is everywhere so you will likely see whales swimming about while on deck but you can also explore the land for a closer look at penguins and other animals. Think nothing of it if you see whales like Orcas and Humpbacks or Minke while on the ship as they are fairly common to the area. The waters surrounding Antarctica are transformed into a magnificent sight by the presence of these sea animals.

Some seals have made their home in Antarctica and you will probably see most of them while exploring the land. The types of seals within the area include but are not limited to the Leopards and the Crabeaters plus the Weddells. It is especially easy for people to encounter seals in the spring months since this is the time there are lots of baby penguins they can feed on. Watching hulking Orcas and penguin babies at play is also nice to do in the spring season. If you would like to watch penguin chicks hatch or see whales in great numbers you might want to go there a couple of months before spring starts.

The money you spend on an Antarctica cruise comes with a wealth of scenery and wildlife as well as other exciting activities so it is definitely worth every penny. There are ships that let passengers go camping and experience the outdoors briefly as part of the excursion package. Be warned though that you cannot compare this camping with the one you do behind the house. The weather could change suddenly and you would want to be ready for it by bringing along gear for all manner of clime shifts. Those willing to try camping in Antarctica are in for the experience of a lifetime.

Boarding smaller vessels to view the wildlife and scenes closely is another top activity while on an Antarctica cruise. There are also canoeing along with kayaking to look forward to during the cruise. Groups of kayakers are generally accompanied by guides who assess the freezing waters and environment. There are also smaller vessels piloted by ship staff to take you onto land and help you see the whales a whole lot better.

Scuba diving can also be done in Antarctica waters so you can catch a glimpse of the very unique sea life that resides in there. Whether it is in this continent or other water regions the diving is no real hardship. Equipment for diving into cold Antarctica waters is heavy and often proves too much for newbie divers to handle so only those with the experience get to dive. To prepare for the trip, you can earn your certification by completing a dry suit diving course and getting in sufficient diving hours prior to setting sail.

Your vacation is not just about the exciting activities within Antarctica but also about the wonderful cruise you are on so do not forget it. After the excitement of the day you can go and rest in your luxurious room or dine in style aboard the ship. There is never a dull moment aboard an Antarctica cruise as there are lots of interesting ways to pass the time.

Read this site if you want antarctica cruise information.To understand more about great antarctica cruise visit this resource.

Find Wine Tasting Tours Around The World