Taste of Culture Series: The outdoors and adventure in the Bahamas and France

Bahamas

The Bahamas offers bounteous things to do ranging from scuba diving, snorkeling to fishing and intriguing beaches and parks. For those that love diving, a popular resort Atlantis in Paradise Island, one of the Bahama’s many islands is a fantastic place to explore reefs, walls and wrecks. There are many diving activities in the Bahamas including, Atlantis’s diving trips to marvelous diving sites such as the Lost Blue Hole. In the city of Naasau in Paradise Island, snorkel and get personal with life in the sea. Other exciting diving events include swimming with the sharks. Though sharks often to retreat to their feeding times during this exercise, it is best to be cautious as you snorkel.

The beautiful beaches of Treasure Cay beach, marina and golf resort in the Abaco Islands or Gold Rock Beach on Grand Bahama Island, comes with clear blue sea, breezy palms trees, soft sands and serene atmospheres for family and friends to have enjoyable beach time swimming in the water, building sand castles or playing volley ball. Family can also go for deep fishing on a boat at the marina of Treasure Cay. At a shore or reef, bottom fish with a rod for yellow fins and roast it in the outdoors for a luscious meal. There is also great seafood to eat at any of the grand seafood restaurants on the Bahamas Pier.

                                                                       Bahamas Pier

Nassau Atlantis Aquaventure in Paradise Island has an astonishing water park. Enjoy a wide range of splashes, slides and pools. Embark on the Leap of Faith slide for a drop down from the top of the Mayan Temple, travel through a tube in the Serpentine Slide and race friends and family in the water on Challenger Slide. Also check out the pools, lagoons and sea animals at the open-air aquarium at Atlantis Waterscape.

France

There are many parks, futuristic playgrounds and theme parks in France to take the kids to have a delightful time. Parc Asterix Paris or Asterix Park has many attractions to select from. Kids can ride the Goudurix roller coaster for fast paced excitement or be haunted by ghosts, spirits on the Le Transdemonium train. Wrap it up at DiscObélix for an Olympic Games experience. Other amusement parks in France include Disneyland Paris located in France’s capital Paris, Festyland excellent for young kids in Normandy and La Cité de l'Espace, situated at Toulouse, where children can sight space stations and rockets, journey to space to discover more about the solar system.

                                                       Futuristic playground in Paris

Fancy a nice day at La Coulée verte or Promenade plantée in Paris walkway and park. It begins from Bastille opera house through Avenue Daumesnil to the Jardin de Reuilly. Start up at Avenue Daumesnil surrounded with beautiful plants. Lie down for a picnic day with friends and family on the lawn or walk leisurely on the bridge beaming at the city’s landscapes and early 20th century buildings. Purchase arts and crafts from shops and galleries at Viaduc des Arts. Take a stroll through alleys and tunnels, appreciating the breeze from the fountain at Jardin de Reuilly. Très relaxant!

France Miniature park based at Élancourt, France is a merry encounter of a pint-sized France. The kids will have a blast as they go through miniatures of different regions of France well as monuments and landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. There are also lakes that are adaptations of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Ocean, gardens and châteaux like the Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fountain of Versailles. Restaurants are available at the park with the Les Provinces restaurant providing French cuisine from regional produce for adults and children. Kids will cherish the playgrounds, drawing on the walls or a boat ride on the lake.

Taste of Cultue Series: A look at things to do in the United Kingdom and Mexico

United Kingdom

The National Gallery is marvelous place to visit in London. The gallery has a variety of Western European paintings from the thirteenth century to the nineteenth century. It holds paintings from renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Claude Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer and others. After a tour of the museum, take a break and visit the National dining rooms for a tasty meal. For dessert or a small treat, go to the National Café for espresso, muffins or a sandwich.

Then, head to Hyde Park for a walk or jog down the serpentine river or have a picnic and enjoy the scenery with family and friends. Take a look at beautiful sculptures or feed the birds or ducks. Get on a boat and have a splendid  time going from one place to another on the river or ride a horse. When you get hungry, grab a bite to eat at Ja' Grill or Pizza Capri.  

Victoria Albert Museum of Art and Design, a must see, is a renowned museum of arts and designs in England. It houses a wide range of works including sculpture, textiles, fashion, contemporary design, photography, ceramics and others. The museum also has a shop where you can purchase toys for kids, jewelry, accessories and many more.

                                                              Victoria Albert Museum

In Scotland, one can find yummy seafood from salmon, lobster, haddock, oyster, crab, herring and other seafood to make mouth-watering meals such as Herring in Oatmeal and Cullen Skink made with smoked haddock, potatoes, milk and onions. Another meal to prepare and serve with mashed potatoes and neeps (turnip) is the scottish national dish, haggis pudding, cooked with sheep’s stomach, heart and liver, lamb, oatmeal, onion, oatmeal, spices and salt.

Visit Jen’s den in Edinburgh for toys, playtime with mini houses, painting, imaginative games, food and others for the little ones. Journey to Edinburgh castle in Scotland for sightseeing of the canyons, historic landmarks and artifacts in the castle. Immense yourself in the surroundings from above at the castle. Observe the swords and shields inside the great hall. 

Crag Cave, Kerry in Ireland is an enchanting cave over a million years old with stalagmites and stalactites to explore with the family. The Crazy Cave Activity Centre is alluring for children up to twelve years to have exhilarating indoor games with Mega Slides, climbing frames, ball pools, ball guns, and Crazy Maze. Furthermore, delight in the outdoors at Kingdom Falconry viewing hawks, falcons and eagles as they fly around or come perch on your arm.

Mexico

The Palace of Fine Arts for theatre and museum of popular arts is a place to explore and experience live Mariachi music in the neighboring area. The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico is also a stunning venue in the evening to listen to lineup of folklore music from various states in Mexico.

Take a trip to the phenomenal Chapultepec park also known as Bosque de Chapultepec, the biggest parks in Mexico and Latin America and unwind in the park feeling the breeze from lush trees and flowers. Stopover at the Chapultepec Zoological Park to catch a glimpse of exotic species from the Aztec period. Some animals to gaze at the zoo include pandas, jaguar, scorpions, gorillas and others. You will also see breathtaking views of the lake. At the Chapultepec castle, enter the National Museum of Cultures to get immersed in the history of Mexico and take the kids to the Papalote Museo del Nino children’s museum for an interactive day of fun with the museum’s exhibits or watch movies at the IMAX theatre.

A common salad sauce usually eaten in Mexico is Pico de gallo. It is a favorite of a native, Jesus Jimenez, concocted using a blend of tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, salt and lime juice. Often eaten together with tortillas, tacos, rice, potatoes and other dishes.

                                                                             Tacos

                                          

Savor a hefty barbecue with Carne asada marinated beef, which could be eaten together with pico de gallo and cucumber in lime juice. Another popular Mexican meal is Coctel de camarones prepared with a combination of shrimps, tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, cucumber, Clamato picante tomato cocktail, Tapatío hot sauce and salt. Dip some tortilla chips into this cocktail for a blissful meal. Muy deliciosa!

Organize a family get together to the magnificent mountains in Durango with nice and cool weather. View dazzling sights on the mountains. Dedicate some time to camping and hiking while there. Be sure to carry food and water and take great photographs along the way.

Spend the day or weekend at Majahuitas in Puerto Vallarta. Explore the Bahia de Banderas (Banderas Bay) as you go kayaking reveling in the ravishing scenery. Treat the children to the Los Veranos Canopy Tour above the forest peeking at the monkeys, squirrels and radiant river in the woods.

Mimi's Spaß Tag

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