Tag Archives: tourist

Studio Ghibli Museum – Tokyo

Whether you have seen only one of the films or you’re an avid lover of Hayao Miyazaki’s works among others, the Studio Ghibli Museum located in Tokyo, Japan, is not to be missed. A museum like no other, it encapsulates a real child-like feeling of wonderment with huge scenes depicting castles and cities from films such as ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ and ‘Howls’ Moving Castle’. Step into   the world of Ghibli and straight away you see a gentle moss covered building with large glass windows, portholes and hatches that you’ll see as you wander through the museum.

With your ticket you will receive a free cinema ticket to one of the six short films that play on a random rotation throughout the year in the museum’s own mini-cinema. Not available on DVD or to watch outside of the museum, the films last around 15 minutes and are only in Japanese with no subtitles but are still a joy to see.

stai8ned glassUpon first entering the museum what you will immediately notice is that it is not laid out like normal museums. Normal museums are full of long hallways with exhibitions on clear display with a few ‘interactive’ pieces here and there. Miyazaki states that he wanted the Ghibli Museum to feel like a magical place and in fact the tagline of the museum is ‘Let’s get lost together’.

The museum is set out over three floors with a huge hallway in the centre of the museum connecting the floors. Spiral staircases lead to the first and sometimes the second floor and in archways you’ll see more staircases leading to different levels. An elevator passes between two of the floors and you’ll see a walkway connecting two balconies together on the first floor. Artwork adorns the walls and windows and you’ll see children and adults alike running around, ducking under archways and pointing in awe at the various works on display.

As you walk through the museum you can see the various works that inspired Miyazaki to make some of the great Ghibli films as well as early artwork and storyboards in the art room. On the second floor, if you have young children, you can supervise them while they play in the giant plush Catbus corner among piles of dust bunnies. Unfortunately this is only for younger kids!

The animation room is full of different animation styles and techniques including stop motion, puppets, hand drawn cells and the use of clay figures to give depth to an animation.

giantTake a step outside into the quiet garden world of Arrietty, and if you decide to have a look on the roof you can shake hands with and even take photos of yourself with a giant, full scale robot statue from Laputa; Castle in the Sky.

If you’re tuckered out from running around the various rooms and hallways, the Ghibli Museum has its own tea house with sandwiches and hot and cold drinks available.

Sit on one of the terrace benches or find a place inside for a little break! After having lunch make sure to check out the souvenir shop where you can buy the Studio Ghibli DVD’s as well as artbooks, stationary, plush creatures, glass sculptures, sweets and more. Careful though, it can get quite expensive!

busThe Studio Ghibli museum can be found by hired car or by taking the Ghibli Bus which can be caught at the JR Mitaka Station which can be easily reached from Shinjuku Station and is completely unmissable!

Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos inside the main museum part, perhaps to maintain the mystery behind the museum, But you can buy books within the museum that contain photos of the museum as well as visual designs for the museum too!

Daredevil Holidays

A far step away from the lazy holidays which see you relaxing on the beach, some of us just love going on holiday where we can feel a burst of adrenaline. Although holidays are normally for relaxing, fun and exciting holidays where you get a sense of danger can be just as rewarding as they are a reminder of the challenges you faced and overcame. Extreme holidays are not for the faint-hearted and often end up testing your endurance as well as your strength and your ability to do well under pressure. Let us have a look at a few popular daredevil holidays!

 ice climbingIce Climbing
What is better than hiking up huge mountains where you could easily slip and fall to your death? Doing it again in snow and ice! Ice climbing can be used to describe ascending any number of ice formations including icefalls, frozen waterfalls and cliffs. Depending on the type of ice and the gradient, there are different techniques you need to use to successfully ice climb.

Crampons, ice axes and ice screws are a must for any ice climber but depending on where you go you may need extra climbing supplies. The Chamonix Valley is a well known ice climbing venture and is famous for its beautiful ice falls. You can choose from over 200 routes and there are routes for ice climbers of all skill levels.

The Swing on the End of the World
Located in Ecuador this very oddly named swing does exactly as described. Built underneath a small wooden treehouse originally used to observe the active volcano Mr, Tunguruhua, this crude wooden plank of swing provides thrills aplenty. The swing has no harness, no safety net or any other discerning feature apart from a small strap across the front and literally sends riders swinging out into the abyss.

The swing hangs over a deep ravine covered with trees and foliage and if you can get over the initial motion sickness or vertigo – didn’t realise until now you were afraid of heights? Shame – it makes for a stunning view and a great photo spot.

5250487136_04241b5283_mFree Climbing
Free climbing represents true exhilaration. The concept of climbing up massive rock faces and mountains, even dangling upside down at certain points in the climb, without any safety harnesses can be a frightening thing. However if you’re used to hiking and braving the elements and want just that little extra bit of danger, perhaps free climbing is for you.

Only for seasoned professionals, Free Climbing is an excellent way of getting a thrill without having to pay extortionate prices as you would with, say, a skydiving experience. Yosemite National Park is a hotspot for free climbing and has a number of beautiful mountains for both beginners and experts to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bus to Downtown Vegas

When someone says they are going to Las Vegas for a holiday, often people think of the bright lights, the never sleeping city, the flashy casinos and huge atmosphere that Las Vegas portrays in all the big films, right down to its 99c postcards. However there is a little place not far from the strip, between the Strip and downtown Vegas, which is so stark in its contrast it is a little scary.

ehtiopiaTake a bus ride downtown and particularly in the evening, you’ll see a sight not far from the Strip, but with a very different atmosphere.

With its mish-mash of shingled roofs and flat roofs, metal fencing, whitewashed walls next to heavily graffiti-d walls downtown almost seems like a ghost town.

Many of the hotel and casino staff of the Strip live here and it is worth the trip to see just how strange the scenery of Las Vegas becomes once you leave the Strip.

Fairy Lights and stark white lights dot around the place but unlike the Strip’s huge flashing lights and billboards, the trip downtown seems almost empty and desolate. The houses are clustered together like a make-shift town and streetlights blink on and off like some apocalyptic future world.

Downtown Vegas itself is much more colourful, with large signs boasting deep fried Mars bars and drinks aplenty, it is hard to believe that in a simple bus ride between the main Vegas Strip and Downtown Vegas, such a desolate little land exists. It may sound creepy but after the vivid life pumping out from the Vegas Strip, this little stretch of land is eerie, fascinating and almost acts as a welcome break to the craziness of Vegas.

downstownIf you happen to be visiting Las Vegas for a holiday in the near future, make sure to take a bus trip to downtown Vegas.

Downtown in itself has a fair few tourist attractions but the bus journey itself is an experience that is chilling, yet interesting.

With Penguin car hire you can choose from thousands of different companies at thousands of different locations to find the right hired car for you or your family while on holiday. We provide a huge database to ensure that you are never left in the lurch on holiday. With a number of different taxi and hired car points available throughout Las Vegas, book a hired car for your next holiday today!

Secluded Beaches of the World

Part Two of our guide to the world’s most secluded beaches is here with more options for you and your significant other, for a romantic getaway or just to spend some peace and quiet with the family without having to yell at your children in order to be heard above the masses. Many of these locations require a little bit of boating or walking, but they are well worth the effort for even just an hour or a few hours of luxury and complete peace in the most secluded and relaxing beaches in the world.

1280px-Costa_Alegre_JaliscoPlaya Soledad Costalegre Mexico

As this beach is the private property of the Las Alamandas resort, you are sure to be soaking up some rays in peace and quiet should you be willing to make the dirt trek to the beach itself. However you can also reserve a Jeep in advance if you don’t fancy making the trip.

You can also reserve horses for the ride back which will make an interesting end to your evening, although this is not recommended if you’ve never ridden before!

 1280px-The_beach_at_Tortuguero,_Costa_RicaThe Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Like most other beaches mentioned in this list it takes a little bit of time and a bit more effort to reach the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, but with a beautiful range of wild birds, deserted sands and a popular spot to see the nesting turtles of Tortuguero.

It takes around five hours to get to Tortuguero from San Jose, but if you visit in April/May you can see the turtles that come to nest along the sands, which in itself is a sight to behold.

Bonus Beach:
Playa de Benalnatura

This is not actually a secluded beach, in fact it’s quite popular! The strange thing about it is that it is a naturist beach! Not for the faint hearted and definitely for the adventurous, the Playa de Benalnatura, located in Benalmadena is great for naturists and nudists who want to spend a day basking in the sun.

With a beautiful little beach restaurant, toilets, showers and a barbecue area, what more could you want! The small downside is that clothing is generally not optional and you won’t even get served at the bar if not completely nude. This is a 100% nudist beach, so it is best to hire out a car and keep your clothes in the boot before you head down.

Hopefully this has helped inspire some of you holiday goers to visit some of the world’s most secluded beaches in your travels, or even try a naturist beach or two! You might even enjoy it!

 

Visit Las Vegas – Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam

Although made famous by the thousands of casinos lurking in the giant hotels, bars and shops located across the strip, Las Vegas is a fantastic city with far more to offer than simply gambling all your holiday money away. The Strip is a section of the city that is larger than life, covered with huge structures, artistic portraits and happy-go-lucky costumed characters plus with miles and miles of entertainment lurking within every door; it is so easy to get lost in one of its many hotels.

Las Vegas is a city built in the desert, with sheer sand dunes and stark mountains rising all around it, it seems like a misplaced dot of light on an otherwise dark deserted crop of land. Surrounded by the Mojave Desert and with the Las Vegas Bay to the east, Las Vegas is full of both natural and manmade wonders. Two such wonders are the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.

Grand Canyon

canyonWidely considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the Grand Canyon that stretches 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide and is a staggering 1 mile deep. The layers of rock shown through the Grand Canyon encompass almost 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history, slowly eroded by the Colorado River winding through the canyon.

The Grand Canyon was actually once home to a number of Native American families who built settlements in the canyon and lived inside its various cave systems. The Canyon is a sight to behold and helicopter rides are offered over the Canyon for a truly spellbinding experience. Taxi rides are available from Las Vegas itself to the Canyon, for a day trip to see the canyon and experience a number of Nevada’s other attractions.

Hoover Dam

Hoover_damOriginally known as the Boulder Dam, the Hoover Dam was controversially renamed after President Hoover as a symbol of his presidency as a ‘great engineer’. It was built over the course of five years during the Great Depression following the idea that building a dam would allow the population to control floods and use the water for hydroelectric power.

The Hoover Dam seals off Lake Mead which is the largest reservoir in America and is a staggering 725 feet high and 1,244 feet long. The dam’s generators now provide power for both public and private purposes in Nevada, Arizona and California and are visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year looking to see one of the largest human structures built to hold such an intense body of water.

The Hoover Dam can be reached by hire car from Las Vegas using one of Penguin’s thousands of hired car searches, or you can book a tour while you are out holidaying in Las Vegas.

Secluded Beaches

We are nearly half way into 2014 and although the sun has only just started to poke its head through the miserable British clouds, many people are already wistfully dreaming of the upcoming summer holidays in the next few months. There has been a recent increase in ‘staycations’ where people opt for holidaying at home instead of going abroad to visit sunnier tides, however sun, sand and sea destinations are still incredibly popular with those who like to hop on board a plane and fly into the sunset for a week or two.

However nobody likes overcrowding. It’s annoying having to get up at 5am just to save you and your family a set of sun beds, but it is essential otherwise you’ll be stuck sitting on the floor. Beaches are far more crowded during the summer time and on occasion it may be hard to simply enjoy the holiday because of the amount of heads you see bobbing up and down in that perfect ocean view.

So where are some better, less trodden, less crowded beaches to visit? In this two part blog series we’ll have a look at some of the ‘beaches less travelled’ to bring you the most relaxing, isolated holidays that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else unless you somehow managed to hire yourself a private island.

Owen Island, Cayman Islands

owenLocated just off the south-western coast of Little Cayman is a tiny islet known as Owen Island. It is only reachable by sail boat or by kayaking, but these waters can get a little windy so it is best to be prepared. You’ll need to travel across the Bloody Bay (sounds a little ominous) but if you’re a seasoned traveller with a little kayaking experience it should be no problem.

The islet contains very few buildings or homes, in fact very little human habitation at all, so it is a great way to feel as if you have your very own deserted island to yourself. Plus the tranquillity of the warm sun and the iconic beach imagery is great for relaxation. Owen Island can be enjoyed by those of all ages and makes a perfect choice for a honeymoon island away from it all for an hour or two.

To get to Owen Island, simply grab a hired car from the and then drive 2 minutes to the south-west coast of Little Cayman. Simple!

 

50 States Road Trip – Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the 3rd most densely populated states in the USA. The state has played a significant role in shaping American History. Plymouth was the site of the colony founded by the pilgrim passengers of the Mayflower in 1620 and the oldest institute of higher learning in the entire 50 states; Harvard University was founded in Massachusetts in 1636. Massachusetts was also the first U.S state to legally recognise same-sex marriage, in 2004. A leader in higher education, healthcare technology and financial services, Massachusetts has a lot for tourists to offer.

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[penguin] witch salem blogSalem

Famous (or is that infamous?) for its Witch trials, take a step into the history books as you learn about the historic importance of this city, and its connections with the witch trials of 1692.

A lot of Salem associates with the witch trials of 1692; police cars have witch logos on them, an elementary school is named Witchcraft Heights and most of the athletics teams in the schools are known as the Witches.

Salem is also home to a number of quaint New Age and Wiccan boutiques, as well as being a popular location for holidaymakers around Halloween!

Cape Cod

For the chance to see some extreme weather, head on over to Cape Cod. It is a beautiful cape that, due to its location, receives slightly colder winters and slightly warmer summers. Consisting of 15 distinctive towns each sporting their own unique charm, Cape Cods beautiful beaches that attract hundreds of tourists and honeymooners in the summer months.

If you are planning on visiting Cape Cod on your holidays, make sure to check the local weather report, as every five-six years a tropical storm accompanied by high winds tends to hit the Cape, so take care!

[penguin] nantucket blogNantucket

A beautifully quaint little island located to the south of Cape Cod, Nantucket is well known for its sparkling beaches and iconic home designs. Nantucket’s beaches are known to be some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world. Littering is strictly prohibited and punishable, as it could damage the fragile ecosystem of the island.

Plus with houses, cottages and time share rentals available, you can own your own little piece of paradise during the holiday season.

Next Stop

Our next state is the state of Rhode Island. Why not hire a car in Providence, Rhode Island’s capital city by using Penguin’s Car Hire service?

50 States Road Trip – New Hampshire

Located in the New England region of the United States, New Hampshire was named after the southern English country of Hampshire and is the 5th smallest of the 50 states of America. As one of the 13 founding states of the original United States of America, New Hampshire’s history is vast and long. However for tourists visiting the state, New Hampshire is more famous for its large ski mountains and recreational activities.

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Winter Sports

New Hampshire is well known for its many different winter sports, including skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and mountaineering, as well as its beautiful sea coast. A number of hiking trails are available on its large ski mountains, and fans of snowboarding will find New Hampshire a great place to go to practise in the winter.

Isle of Shoals

White_Island_Light,_Isles_of_Shoals,_NH

Hop aboard for a unique cruise around this cluster of 9 tiny islands located just off the New Hampshire coast. The tiny islands are just picturesque as you cruise around them on a guided tour, plus some of the larger islands such as Star island even have accommodation available for those wishing to live their own isolated paradise for a day or two.

Chutters Candy Store

Who doesn’t love sweets? With the world’s longest candy counter and a huge selection of both traditional sweets and the latest trending flavours, Chutters candy store in Littleton will have anyone feeling like a kid again.

With 112 feet of large glass jars with a huge range of flavours from everyday to   those exotic, limited edition flavours, you’ll find something for everyone in Chutters.

Whale Watching

whale-watch During the warmer months, visitors to New Hampshire and the locals get the exciting opportunity to be able to see various different species of whales as they migrate to the coast of New Hampshire and Maine in order to head out to the major feeding grounds along these coasts. Keep your wits about you as you try to identify Humpback whales, Finback and Minke whales swimming and playing about the water. You can try to see them from the coast or head out on a whale watching tour where you can get closer to the action.

Next Stop

We grab a hired car Maine to head slightly north onto the next state in our 50 states road trip, to the state of Maine, which is the home state of esteemed horror writer Stephen King, where many of his novels and short stories actually take place.

Quick Games for a Long Trip

We all know that a long car journey can be both stressful and boring, particularly with young children and particularly if you’re travelling down a long set of awkward windy roads that require your full concentration just to stop yourselves from getting lost. At times like this the voices on the radio only serve to increase your annoyance and your children have long worn out the ‘red car yellow car’ game. So what else can you do to help keep your concentration levels up and distract the kids so that you don’t end up careening off the end off a cliff?

One sentence story challenge

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Start up a story and say one sentence of it. The next person has to continue the story by adding their sentence, trying to keep the story going for as long as possible. You are only allowed one sentence before you have to pass the story onto the next person, and you have to try and keep to a reasonably plotline (which can be hard for the younger passengers!)

If your kids are artsy, why not ask them to draw the main character from the story at their favourite point in the story? It will get their imagination working hard, and if they know they have to draw it beforehand they will put more effort into creating a believable story.

Alphabet Challenge

Pick a topic and challenge everyone to come up with an item from that topic that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Once you’ve completed the alphabet, move onto the next topic.

The Twenty Question Game

Again pick a topic and think of one thing in relation to that topic (i.e Robin Williams for famous film stars). Write the item or person down – ask a friend if you are the designated driver – and then give it to someone else. They cannot look at the piece of paper, but must hold it in a way so that everybody else can see it.

PostItNotePadThe aim of the game is to then guess what the item is that is on your piece of paper. You are allowed 20 questions which will help you to figure out what is on your paper, and the other players can answer yes or no to those questions. Each player asks one question, where the answer is yes or no, and then the next player asks their question. Once 20 questions is  up, you have to guess what you are. You can guess beforehand if you have a clue, but sometimes it can be quite hard!

Staying on the road for long periods of time can be hard. But if you remember to take plenty of breaks and stop as soon as you start to feel tired, you should reach your destination without a hitch!

50 States Road Trip – Vermont

State number 9 on our Road Trip across the USA is Vermont, well known for producing that all important pancake topper; maple syrup.

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Maple Syrup

Syrup_grades_largeTowards the end of March 2014, Vermont is hosting a Maple Open House weekend, where you can take a tour of the state, visiting various Vermont sugar houses across the state to find out just how maple syrup is made. Some sugar houses even have small gift shops that allow you to purchase your very own jar of delicious syrup to take home! Used as a sweetener, as an ingredient in baking or to top oatmeal, French toast, porridge, waffles and a variety of other sweet snacks, maple syrup is essential to making a delicious, sweet meal! Book your tour today by having a look at which sugar houses are open around Vermont!

Vermont is a mountainous state, and is famous for a number of great hiking locations suitable for hikers of all levels, from beginner to expert. The central and southern Green Mountain range make up the oldest rocks in Vermont, formed over 1 billion years ago in the first ‘mountain building period’. The mountains produce a certain type of granite which has been used to build several buildings worldwide in places such as Germany and Hong Kong, making it a very popular form of granite.

Mount Snow

MtShasta_SnowCappedOr if you are a fan of snow sports, Mount Snow is one of Vermont’s largest major resorts that offer a range of activities including skiing, snowboarding and even hiking up the mountain trails. Plus as Mount Snow is located near the town of Dover, a mere seven minute drive by hired car will see you flying down the slopes or enjoying the view on one of Mount Snow’s three different ski lifts. There is also accommodation available on the resort, if Dover town is too far away for you! With a number of Bed and Breakfasts, traditional inns and classy hotels located throughout the Mount Snow Valley, you will be spoilt for choice.

Plus there are a number of different restaurants, cafes and bars in the valley, all which benefit from the stunning views of Mount Snow. Take a few hours out to relax in one of the first class restaurants around Mount Snow Valley, before taking a dive down one of the slopes on your snowboard or skis!

Next Stop

Named after the English county of Hampshire, New Hampshire was one of the first British North American colonies to break away from Great Britain in early 1776 and was one of the original 13 states that founded America. It is also home to a large number of granite formations and quarries.