Lafayette Mag

Category: Ideas

  • What to do in Lafayette?

    If you’re going to Louisiana and wondering what to visit, you should definitely take Lafayette into account. The city is stunning when it comes to architecture and tourism. On top of that, there are plenty of various activities that you may take part both during summer as well as winter part of the year.

    Sights to visit

    You can expect to be amazed by number of attractive places of interest in Lafayette. Among others, you can find some time to pay visit to such places, as for example:

    • Girard Park,
    • Acadiana arts center,
    • Children’s Museum.

    No matter what type of pastime activities you’re interested in, you can be sure that the city and the whole metropolitan area has a lot to offer both in terms of architecture and building history, and of course nightlife.

    Events to take part in

    The area is definitely worth visiting, especially because there is so much to do here. When you’ll be getting bored with various sights, try other entertainment, for instance various events, such as:

    • Cajun Heartland State Fair,
    • Movies in the Parc.

    As you can see the city is abundant with various leisure time activities, so you can be entirely sure that no matter when you’ll be staying there, you’ll effortlessly find an appropriate place to spend time in. In fact, the number of annual visitors grows every year.

    The more people come here the more locals pay attention to providing appropriate entertainment and of course various types of pastime activities, not to mention convenient accommodation.

    Be sure that you don’t have to take a loan in order to come here, because local places of interests and hotels turn out to be truly affordable. However, if you want to take the maximum out of available entertainment, be aware that you’re going to spend a lot of time here in order to discover all opportunities. Come to Lafayette and find out what awaits you here! You’re going to be surprised with the abundant of attractive opportunities!

    Lafayette travel and relax in most beautiful place in the world.

  • Single Parent Travel Challenge

    There are special challenges facing single parents traveling with children. The two most noticeable of these are pricing and comfort or fitting in with the married-with-children folks – unless we are talking about camping, car travel or visiting a Disney theme park. Mingling is not such an issue when in the comfort of your own vehicle or the relaxed setting of a campground. If you are determined to vacation at a Resort, however, keep in mind that such destinations can be pricey for single parents. Single supplements are tacked on to the room rate (since most rooms are priced for double occupancy), or it is quite likely that a child will be counted as an adult to meet the double occupancy pricing. Disney resorts are an exception with their per room per night rates for up to four persons to a room. Hint: Singles should always look for “per room per night” as opposed to “per person per night” room rates when making vacation plans.

    In general, the travel industry has not done much to favor the single parent vacationer. One would think with the divorce rate as high as it is, that destinations would be more aware of the demographics of the traveling public and would be willing to cater to the singles as well as families. I’m not sure, but I’d be willing to bet that Mom and the kids or Dad and the kiddos will spend a bundle having fun just like a family with both parents would. A few resorts have made concessions such as Beaches Resorts with their single parent months, special promotions for single parents at Breezes properties and Franklyn D. Resort, special summer packages in Mexico at Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit resorts, as well as those already mentioned at Disney Resorts. Another option is to look for single parent tours to find organized trips that are scheduled a few times a year.

    If you are the type who does not feel comfy being a single parent mingling with married vacationers, the tours or smaller resorts may be the answer to your comfort woes. It is often easier to get to know others in the friendlier atmosphere of the not-so-huge resorts. So, don’t forget your own needs when planning your destination. A little research will turn up several options for single parents who wish to plan a fun family vacation this summer.

  • How Do You Fourth?

    We love a good celebration and while nearly every nook and cranny of the United States will be enjoying the country’s birthday this year, nine communities in particular have big plans for America’s 240th.

    Washington DC

    Whether you are in Washington DC for the 4th of July or you are on the other side of the country, you can count on being able to see the fireworks from the nation’s capitol. A Capitol Fourth concert, hosted by PBS, has been celebrating America’s birthday with a bang for over three decades and this year looks to be just as grand.

    Nashville, Tennessee

    It wouldn’t be a birthday party without music and who better to bring the music than Nashville? Music City’s July 4th: Let Freedom Sing concert offers live music from top bands in the country, fun family activities, ice cream serving contests, and an epic fireworks show. The show will be the longest in Nashville’s history, firing more than 30,000 fireworks to the harmony played by the Nashville Symphony.

    Portland, Oregon

    With its most impressive musical line-up ever, the 28th Annual Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon will be an event to remember. Over 100 musicians including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Charmaine Neville and the Stone Foxes will be playing across four stages throughout the holiday weekend, making the nation’s premier blues festival. Proceeds also go to support the Oregon Food Bank and its mission to end hunger.

    Honolulu, Hawaii

    Birthdays don’t have to end after only one day and at Turtle Bay in Honolulu, America’s birthday lasts all weekend. From competing in a four to seven mile Da Hui Paddle Race, to chowing down on Kahlua pork at the Eat the Street event, to swinging your hips to live music, to oohing and awing at the fireworks finale, Honolulu locals and guests are sure to have a memorable 4th.

    Preston, Minnesota

    Preston Minnesota is known for its live reenactment of an 1899 Independence Day celebration. Take part in watermelon and pie eating contests, watch an 1860’s baseball game between Rochester Roosters and the Lanesboro Excelsiors, listen to political speeches and glee club performances from back in the day, and cheer on kids competeing in three-legged sack races.

    Los Angeles, California

    Not only is Los Angeles’ Queen Mary ship haunted, on July 4th it becomes a time machine. Between noon and midnight on the 4th, passengers are invited to explore any decade between 1910 and 2010. Each decade features live music, talented actors, dance lessons, games, and authentic cuisine and activities. Whether you find yourself entranced by one decade or are compelled to stroll through the entire previous century, the Queen Mary has everything you need to celebrate America’s birthday, including a show-stopping fireworks display after sunset.

    Dallas, Texas

    Looking for an event that has something fun for everyone to do, including the family dachshund? Look no further than the Frisco Freedom Fest in Frisco, Texas. Have kids? They will love the Children’s Expo where they can rock climb, bounce around, ride trains, and fly through the air on zip lines as much as they want. Hungry? Check out the Taste of Frisco event or enter the hot dog eating contest. Like dachshunds? Enter your furry friend in the dachshund races, 15 foot races that time how quickly it takes for your pup to run from your friend to you. Don’t want to be left out of the race? Join the Hotter n’ Firecrackers 5k Run. Want to just sit back and relax? Set up shop in front of the community stage where local bands and entertainers will be playing all day.

    Seattle, Washington

    Did you know that the United States’ flag has changed 27 times since its first creation in 1777? The Twenty-Seven-Flags Independence Day Celebration in Seattle, Washington will be rich in United States’ flag history and will have an insightful demonstration prepared for the holiday. Since the exhibit will only take a short part of the day, plan to see it in the morning, then head to Gas Works Park for Seattle’s traditional 4th of July celebration. Enjoy live entertainment, a beer garden, local food vendors, family activities, and the nation’s fifth largest fireworks display. If the crowds are overwhelming, skip over to the Seattle Children’s Museum for delicious art projects and crafts. Then finish the day at Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, which takes place at the Center for Wooden Boats and watch the fireworks from a comfy spot on the water.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Maybe BBQ isn’t your thing. How about pancakes? That’s what the 4th of July is all about in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pancakes on the Plaza serves up fluffy flapjacks, bacon, orange juice, and coffee all day long in celebration of the country’s birth along with live music, a car show, art and craft vendors, and of course, fireworks. Proceeds go to benefit local charities helping people in need.

    Everywhere

    Before diving into the BBQ, squirt-gun fights and fireworks, put your running shoes on and see if there is a 5k in your area. All over the country, Independence Day marathons and races are being held this year. Kingman, Arizona will be hosting a 4 mile Firecracker Frenzy run to honor the fallen firefighters of the July 5, 1973 Doxol Disaster. Looking for a challenge? Newport, Oregon is hosting the 4th of July Celebration Run, a 10k across the trails of Oregon’s beautiful coast. Run past beaches, trees, the city, and the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Kids can join in the kids fun run while you are working off that apple pie and ice cream. Speaking of ice cream, a 4th of July Sundae fun run is being will be held in Louisiana. Maneuver a 3.8 mile track while being doused with sundae ingredients. By the time you reach the end, you’ll be a walking ice cream sundae, a.k.a. a dream come true.

    What are your plans for this year’s Independence Day? Share them with us in the comments section below.

  • Where to Go Gorilla Trekking

    Where to Go Gorilla Trekking

    Whatever you call it either gorilla trekking or tracking,it’s one of those really thrilling, lifetime experiences you should take time for before you leave planet earth.

    Gorillas in Uganda are tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi impenetrable national park has eighteen habituated families thus it can host 80 persons tracking gorillas per day since 8 persons are allowed to visit a given gorilla family per day while gorilla tracking in Rwanda is carried out only in volcanoes national park whose gorillas are the mostly wholly habituated and often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.

    Gorilla permits in Rwanda are very expensive compared to those of Uganda. In Rwanda, gorilla permits go to the tune of 750 USD per permit compared to Uganda’s 600 USD per permit. However Rwanda’s edge over others lies in the ability for one to go and track within one day and then fly back home on the same day since it’s a 2 hours drive from Kigali to volcanoes national park unlike Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park which lies a whooping 8 hours drive form Kampala which makes a one day tracking totally impossible.

    Rwanda’s roads linking to volcanoes national park are generally tarmacked compared to Uganda’s roads heading to Bwindi impenetrable national park which are generally un bearable.However, the long drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park is endowed with great sceneries all through like the Equator, lake Mburo national park, abundant wildlife, terraced mountains with flowing rivers things that not exist on the Kigali drive to the volcanoes.

    Hospitality wise, Rwanda ranks a head of Uganda on the gorilla tracking day. This is manifested in the staff conduct towards the visitors. At exactly 7:00 am, tea/coffee dispensers with cups are laid for the visitors going for the trek. One is free to take as much as he/she wishes and during that time, they are entertained by the lively traditional dance troupe [SACOLA Traditional Dancers] that portrays Rwanda’s rich culture while in Uganda, this tea is not served and the dance you enjoy it at an extra cost.

    In terms of accommodation, both countries boast of great places to stay. Rwanda’s Sabinyo silverback lodge, mountain gorilla view lodge, gorilla nest camp are really very enticing to visitors.However, Uganda’s accommodation stand out of the crowd. These include; Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge.

    The longer distance to and from Bwindi Forest Park and the international airport in Entebbe (just outside Kampala) add to your traveling costs on the Uganda side. The drive is further in Uganda, but it is scenic and offers insight into rural Africa. A gorilla trekking safari in Uganda can as well include spending time at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi close to Bwindi and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector while the short drive in Rwanda is on the other hand not particularly scenic or interesting.

    In Uganda the gorillas tend to be found deeper in the forest in groups of between 10 and 20, with at least one silverback. In Rwanda groups range between 9 and 39 gorillas including at least one silverback. The trekking itself is generally more challenging in Bwindi (Uganda) given that the gorillas are more tucked away and after viewing the gorillas you often have to ascend steep slopes out of the forests. In Rwanda some of the gorilla groups are often found closer to the park entrance, requiring a shorter hike. You can’t however request which gorilla groups you want to see and the location of the groups does shift further into the forests.

    Rwanda and Uganda are politically stable at this moment. Rwanda recovered from the genocide that took place in the early 1990’s whereby the Volcanoes National Park can be visited safely, is well managed and has a permit system that is functioning efficiently. Uganda has also been very safe since their political war that ended in 1986. Bwindi forest is very safe and they also have an efficiently functioning permit system. However, in the DR Congo civil war and conflicts are a problem, and conditions need to be checked before you travel. Militia groups and the army are currently fighting in the Virunga area, where poachers threaten the gorilla populations and poverty is leading to habitat destruction. Some travel advisory organizations consider the area too volatile for travel and recommend avoiding the DRC at present.