Iceland should really think about changing its name; sure it can get a bit cold in Iceland but not like Greenland, which ironically is covered in ice. Iceland has got to be losing millions on tourism because of the assumptions that people probably make about it because of its name. In reality, Iceland is hardly icy at all, and is actually covered in lush green hills and mountains. In a way Iceland is like the European version of Colorado.  Among the rolling green hills and snow capped mountains of Iceland sits the Hótel Brimnes. The Hotel Brimnes is located in the small Icelandic town of Ólafsfjörður and what separates the Hotel Brimnes from other generic hotels is that guests can choose to stay either in the main standard hotel facility or in Finnish style bungalows that sit at the edge of Lake Ólafsfjarðarvatn . In truth, the main Hotel Brimnes facility is quite average so if you really want to have an unforgettable stay in Iceland then go with the cottages.  Each of the Hotel Brimnes’ eight wood cottages has a hot tub, kitchen, and a lounge in addition to the usual bedrooms and bathrooms.  Cottage accommodations range from the small four bed cottages to the large 6 bed family cottage.  The main Hotel Brimnes facility has eleven double rooms and like the cottages, have a great view of Lake Ólafsfjarðarvatn and the surrounding mountains and countryside.


If you’re staying at the Hotel Brimnes and you see a series of bright green lights coming from outside your hotel or cottage window at night then don’t panic.  It’s not the Icelandic police: they use blue lights. In fact, what you are probably seeing is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is nighttime display of lights in the sky which is caused by ionized particles impacting the Earth’s magnetic field. The Northern Lights are only visible in Polar Regions like Iceland and are truly a sight to behold.

Alright, the Northern Lights are great and all, but what are you going to do during the day?  Well why not go for a drive and explore some of Iceland’s natural beauty?  Just stop by one of the many off-roading rental companies operating in Iceland and to explore the countryside. You’re going to want a real study vehicle that has some all terrain tires and some study wheels though because Iceland definitely has some rugged terrain. Drive to the newly formed town , Fjallabyggð or visit the fjords of the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Or if you’re daring, travel to the famous and difficult to pronounce volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, which that erupted in 2010. The volcano is pretty safe now, and it’s just one of many areas in Iceland you might want to explore.  Maybe a name change isn’t necessary but in any event, Iceland seriously needs to work on its image problem because the country is gorgeous. Find out more about the Hótel Brimnes at their site here.

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang (USAF) & Rögnvaldur Jónsson

The Hótel Brimnes in Iceland is a post from: Bob Travel

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For most people, the thought of the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle doesn’t enter into the picture when it comes to vacation getaways. It really shouldn’t enter into the picture, either, because the sheer mysteries of the beautiful ocean are more than enough to fill the days and nights, making it a particularly spectacular spot to enjoy some well-deserved time off in the luxury hotels Bermuda offers.

It is interesting, however, to consider all the activity that’s happened in the area over the past centuries. The island of Bermuda itself is at the northern tip of the triangle, and out of harm’s way. The other two points of the triangle are Miami and Puerto Rico, and the area in the center is the space where ships have been disappearing in the middle parts of the 20th century, and there have been plenty of other incidents of bizarre activity .

According to some stories, the first reports about some unusual things in the area came from Columbus , where the ships’ compasses started to malfunction in the area. This kind of event has lead some to theorize that there is an unusual magnetic field in the area. Others say it’s just the distance itself from large bodies of land, and ships and planes tend to run out of fuel at this point in the journey. Still others say it has to do with UFOs in the area, transporting the vessels for their own use. The more far-out theories tend to get the most attention, however, and it certainly adds a bit more spice to the place, and makes for some great stories.

Bermuda and Its Mysteries is a post from: Bob Travel

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Imagine yourself in a village where homes are built in tiers on the rock face of the Lattari Mountains, protected from northern winds, with a dry and mild climate, bright white homes in stacks on the cliff side, livened with colorful flowers that decorate the houses. You’ll find here the smell of the sea and leather, restaurants with specialties of fish, and shops of artisans selling white and flora patterns of cloths that are a part of a well known designer label, Moda Positana — all of this is part of the tranquil town of Positano, Italy.

It is a town without cars — pedestrianized, as it were — with a porter service to deliver baggage to the place you’ve chosen to stay . This romantic city is a town of stairways, with historical and archaeological discoveries waiting to be made around every corner. You might take a look at the defense towers built in the 16th Century; there are eight total. Three of the towers are inside — Torre Sponda, Torre Trasita, and Torre del Fornillo — while there are five more outside the town. Of course, there is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, which is visible from almost any point within Positano.

In fact, from any spot in Positano, you will have an excellent view of great beaches, of the Marina and the Spiaggia Grande, which lie at the town’s foot, while the smaller beaches, Fornillo and Porta di Arienzo, are on either side of the town. There’s a great deal of territory to explore, using Positano as a base.

Travelers may walk inland to Nocelle, a town only reachable by foot. From there, you can find the Peaks of S. Angelo ai Tre Pizzi, the Monte commune, S. Maria del Castello, Conocchia, Campo de “Li Galli” and Paipo. It’s also worth a visit to the Ponte dei Libri bridge, which spans a beautiful valley.

To the South and East of Positano, you can look out across the waters to Punta Licosa and the island of Capri. In the far distance, you should be able to discern a small archipelago. This is Li Galli , an island group that consists of three islets: Gallo Lungo, Rotunda and Castelluccio. Today, these islands are under private ownership, but once, in ancient times, these islets were considered to be the homes of the mythical Sirens. It makes sense that the Sirens might choose to live so close to one of the most engaging spots in the world.

Sights of Positano is a post from: Bob Travel

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Thailand’s most famous island, Phuket, has been named the “Best Island in Asia” by TripAdvisor.com. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel online community. They recently released their list of the “10 Best Island Escapes” and Phuket finished at number 8 – the only Asian destination on the list.

Phuket already holds the distinction of the most popular island, with more visitors flocking to its incredible beaches and tropical forests than anywhere else in Asia. Located about 860 kilometers south of Bangkok, Phuket is actually a collection of forty individual islands and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

The beaches are the main draw for this amazing region that was once the home of rubber and tin plantations and an important trade port for China with India.  The island has beautiful white sands, limestone cliffs, and tranquil waters on the Andaman Sea.  The waters around Phuket are popular with divers from all over the world and other water recreation such as parasailing and boating are common.  There are many luxury hotels on Phuket, as the rich and famous are drawn to this island paradise which is also home to some of the hottest nightclubs in Asia.

The island is home to a number of nature and animal preserves. Sirinat National Park and Khao Phra Thaeo National Park protect the natural beauty and wonder of the island while giving visitors the opportunity to see those wonders up close.  The protected areas also include several marine parks which extend out into the ocean to preserve the marine life such as coral, jellyfish, and other species.

The complete top 10 Island Escapes according to TripAdvisor:

1. Maui, Hawaii, United States
2. St. Lucia, Caribbean, North America
3. Santorini, Cyclades, Greece
4. Puerto Rico, Caribbean, North America
5. Jamaica, Caribbean, North America
6. Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia
7. Bahamas, Caribbean, North America
8. Phuket, Thailand, Asia
9. Turks and Caicos, Caribbean, North America
10. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Asia’s Best Island Escape is a post from: Bob Travel

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