botanic garden

Archive for the ‘national botanic gardens’ Category

Today, Dublin is the flourishing capital city of the Republic of Ireland. It is on a balance with many European cities in the means of its liveliness, nightlife, historical value and tourist attractions. Traditional Dublin has become a rich place packed with trendy coffee shops, expensive restaurants, and designer boutiques. The European money flooded in over the last decade has changed Dublin most of all. It’s a city of young blood. Students from all over Europe come here to attend Trinity College and other universities and colleges of the city.

Gone are the days when many tourists to Ireland chose to skip Dublin on the whole. These days a weekend in Dublin is one of the most rocking city breaks in Europe. This energetic city hums with faces of different races. Dublin can be well defined as a historic, happy, humble, charming, and an entertaining city. If you are interested in visiting this city then here is a guide for your more secure and enjoyable trip.

When to Go?

The months either side of summer or winter are the best times to visit Dublin. If you are scheduling a trip to Dublin make your self quite care free for the weather and rains. There is an old saying, “You don’t go to Ireland for the weather”.

Where to Go?

The places worth seeing in Dublin are The National Museum of Ireland Archaeology and History, The National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Kilmainham, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo, National Botanic Gardens and many more.

Where to Eat?

Restaurants are a good barometer to measure a city’s attitude and atmosphere. Have your lunch or after noon tea in a restaurant if you want to learn about that place. There are many excellent-value restaurants in Dublin. Dublin is the hub of eating out spots. You’ll discover that cafés, coffee shops and tea stalls come in a very close second while wandering around the city. There are numerous cafés established in Dublin offering premium coffee and excellent teas from all over the globe. Remember! Your visit to Dublin would be incomplete without spending time in any of the city’s 1,000 plus pubs and restaurants.

What to Do?

Dublin is a charming, ancient and compact city providing endless opportunities for fun and pleasure. The cheerful Dubliners believe in “If you’re not having fun…what are you having”. Entertainment is something they live for. You can do a lot of things while you are in Dublin.

If you are a performing arts fan then go to cinemas in Dublin or any theater and be a part of national amusement activity. This city has a lot of stuff for you if you are a sports lover. Catch a hurling or Gaelic football game or go to any serene golf course. Dublin is home to some of the most beautiful golf courses in Ireland. Clubs, casinos, exhibitions, festivals and many more activities are there to kill your boredom.

The beach of Dublin Bay always welcomes visitors and locals for windsurfing, sailing and fishing. The lush green magnificent mountains of Howth in the north of the city and Powerscourt Gardens in the south, receive the hikers whole heartedly to enjoy their walks in tranquil atmosphere. This place also invites bicyclers. The attitude of this city is warm and friendly for those who are interested in work outs. This is why we see that Dublin’s calendar is full of sporting events whole year round.

Is your family looking for fun in the sun? Perhaps a more challenging vacation is in mind, like a week long canoe trip or a white water rafting experience? An Ohio family vacation has what you are looking for and more.

The museums in Cincinnati alone could occupy a family for days. The Police Museum, the Cincinnati Museum of Art, the American Sign Museum, and the Taft Museum are just a few of the different museums in the city. You and the kids will be fascinated and educated at the same time.

Traveling an hour north you will find the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum filled with aircraft, memorabilia and photographs of the people and machines that guided our air and space technology.

Wapakoneta is home to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum dedicated to the first man who walked on the moon.

If you’re more of an outdoor type Ohio have many state and local parks featuring hiking trails, day and weekend canoe trips, primitive camping, fishing, boating and spelunking. Huston Woods, Hocking Hills State Park, Cleveland Lakefront Park are only a few of the hundreds of state operated parks in Ohio.

Ohio can boast of the second oldest zoo in the nation. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens provides indoor and outdoor habitats so visitors can be assured that they will enjoy themselves regardless of what the weather may be like. The Akron Zoo is specifically child friendly. This zoo caters to the younger members of the family. The Cleveland Zoo features a hippoquarium where visitors can watch hippopotamus swim and cavort in the water.

The Ohio River separates Ohio from Kentucky and provides a unique vacation opportunity. Cruise the river on a steamboat while listening to performers play historic and modern tunes. Enjoy a meal or perhaps a few hands of poker in the atmosphere of an old time steamboat trip.

Coney Island Amphitheater has a concert schedule for those who like their music loud. The outdoor facility it sits on the waters edge; bring your own lawn chair as seating is open.

Paramount Kings Island, located near Mason, provides both thrill seekers and water lovers with an unlimited source of things to do. Paramount Kings Island also provides a special children’s area and musical shows throughout the park. Cedar Point located near Lake Eerie also has rides and activities for young and old alike.

With so much to see and do Ohio may be the perfect vacation spot for your family.

Dublin’s fine parks and gardens are the life of the city. They cover a total area of around 5000 acres and range from botanical gardens to large nature reserves and public parks all of which can provide a retreat from the fast life of the city and a great day out.

Covering around 20 acres, Dublin’s National Botanic Gardens is an excellent attraction for the locals and tourists alike. Many who have visited the garden think its wonderful features are ‘worth travelling for’. There are four types of green house and these help to house the gardens 20000 species of plant. There is also a restaurant however some feel that the food doesn’t compare to the standard of the Botanic Gardens.

Marlay Park is suburban public in south Dublin and is about 6 miles from the city centre. The parkland is made up of woodlands, a pond and walks. The park’s recreational facilities include a golf course (9-hole), several football pitches, a cricket pitch. In order to keep the children busy there is a miniature railway and a small playground.

The War Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the memory of the 50000 soldiers who died in the 1914-18 war. In the book rooms the names of all the soldiers who lost their lives are written. Not only are these gardens among Europe’s most famous memorial gardens they are also said to be among the most beautiful of all Europe’s gardens. They are one of the few gardens in Dublin designed by world famous architect, Sir Edwin Luteyn.

The Dillon Garden created by Helen and Val Dillon, it is thought to be one of the best in the horticultural world. Surrounding a private house, this garden is divided into areas which are all completely different in colour s, sizes and smells. The view from the room over viewing the garden is said to be the most adored scene in contemporary gardening. Bordered by, on one side only red flowers, and the other, blue flowers, there is a canal which is said to be one of the main attractions of the garden. If you plan on visiting this garden, note that no animals are allowed and you must seek permission from the garden’s owners before bringing children.

Phoenix Park in Dublin is one of the largest public parks in Europe and covers 1760 acres most of which is grass. Its area is roughly the same as 5 Hyde Parks. It is home to a large herd of deer that tend to stick to stay near the Papal Cross monument. The main attraction of the park is probably Dublin Zoo. Dublin Zoo has been open since 1830 and is home to many of the animals seen at most other zoos which include hippos, rhinos and monkeys. With over 235 different species of tropical birds and wild animals, Dublin Zoo is thought to be Dublin’s main attraction for adults and children alike and will keep anyone entertained and interested for hours on end.