Enjoy world class water sports and activities in the world’s largest freshwater lakes
Friday 22, April 2011
Imagine a total wipe-out without a mouthful of salt, swimming without salty residue, sailing without sharks and a coast without an ocean or sea – then imagine water sports in the Great Lakes of North America.
Surf’s up in Michigan
Locals and visitors have been surfing off Lake Michigan for many years and diehard surfers say once you catch your first freshwater wave you’re hooked for life. Some hearty souls even go as far as surfing Lake Superior, the coldest and deepest of the Great Lakes.
If you fancy learning to surf, there are numerous surf shops dotted along Lake Michigan’s shoreline providing private and group lessons. Many surf shops also offer lessons for skim boarding - an alternative surfing experience using a smaller board and sand- boarding - a great way to enjoy the magical sand dunes of Michigan.
Boating in Wisconsin
With more than 15,000 lakes and 33,000 miles of rivers and streams, Wisconsin is not only renowned for its cheese, but as a place to indulge in your passion for water sports.
Visitors can enjoy a full or half-day fishing or sailing on waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior with instruction from experienced guides and outfitters. Of course, some say the charter boat experience is less about the fishing and more about being on a huge boat on a nice day with some great friends in one of the world’s most scenic locations!
Historic lighthouses, romantic sunsets and amazing rock formations are sights to behold along more than 450 miles of breathtaking Wisconsin shoreline. Scenic boat cruises operate on Lakes Superior and Michigan or you can simply rent your own boat on one of Wisconsin’s many inland lakes.
Kayaking in Minnesota
The Boundary Waters, a 1.09 million acre wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in north-eastern Minnesota, is recognised as one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful locations. Under the administration of the U.S. Forest Service the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is renowned for both canoeing and fishing on its many lakes and is the most visited wilderness area in the USA.
Located along the Minnesota/Canadian border and containing more than 1,100 lakes and 1,500 miles of paddling routes, motors are allowed on only a small handful of border lakes, thus providing a haven for those wishing to escape the noise and bustle of civilisation.
Paddling these waters is a cathartic experience with cobalt blue lakes and awe-inspiring scenery created by a series of glaciers, two miles thick. They acted as bulldozers, hewing lake beds out of granite and creating a landscape of rocky islands and coves providing new sights and sounds at every turn.
Geocaching in Illinois
Geocaching is a huge craze that is currently taking the world by storm – using a number of clues and a special GPS device; the entertaining treasure hunt can be done on foot, two or four wheels or even by boat. Follow the Mississippi River through Illinois to uncover the Illinois’ many unique and historic cache sites. The sites can be enjoyed as part of a river trip stopping off to find the hidden gems dotted along the shoreline, or divert to explore even more caches with different modes of transport. Few rivers can match the Mississippi’s combination of extreme isolation, solitude and beauty and this is a fantastic enjoyable opportunity to do so.
Fishing in Pennsylvania
Cast a line in any direction here and you’re liable to hook a trout, perch, walleye or pike. Pennsylvania is a piscatorial paradise, with blue ribbon trout and bass-friendly waters from Lake Erie all the way across the state to the Delaware River. Anglers from around the world tackle the classic limestone creeks and freshwater lakes. A healthy stocking program and a natural abundance of wild game fish ensures that Pennsylvania remains one of the finest fishing destinations in the USA.
Pools and Water Parks of Ohio
No matter what the weather offers it’s always a delightful 84 degrees in Ohio's exciting indoor water parks all year long! Seven parks located throughout the state provide unique combinations of waterslides, water rides, pools, full service spas and more. Children will have a blast and parents can relax poolside or join in the fun. For ease of access, many of the water parks feature on site spacious accommodations and a plethora of budget-friendly accommodations throughout the state.
For further information on the Great Lakes of North America, visit www.greatlakesnorthamerica.co.uk
Plan your trips with the help of great resources
More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.
Top 10 most environmentally pure countries
With the recent wild fires, disrupting flights and increasing air pollution, environmental quality is a growing factor in attracting tourists.
Top 15 most spectacular hotel rooftop views
The hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of the fifteen most spectacular hotel rooftop terraces in the world.
Latest offers, discounts and more...