Let's Get Around and See Some Cool Stuff in This Week's Fast Five!

 You never know what I might come up with as I strive to find those little things to add to your vacation.  This week we found some natural things and some unnatural things for your enjoyment!

1.    The amazing rock formations in the Flinders Mountain Range, South Australia.  For Australia, I can say that this park and mountain range isn't far from Adelaide.  It's 500 kilometers, but that's not far in Australia.

Mother Nature did some different art in this place.  There are one of a kind bizarre looking rock formations in this park, and you shouldn't miss out if you're in the area.  This is some folded, faulted beauty in the park and its a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Most prices are for tours, and it might be a good idea to take one for this.

There are several formations and areas to visit in this one park.  There are mountains and gorges as well as ancient drawings and the formations.  Given its remote location and vast size, I might just consult a tour, but it's some of the most unique formations you'll see anywhere.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g499708-Activities-Flinders_Ranges_National_Park_Flinders_Ranges_South_Australia.html

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park

https://flinders-ranges.com/category/geology/geological-formations/

https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6524/

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2024/04/15-fascinating-facts-about-the-flinders-ranges

2.    The Kuchlbauer Brewery, Abensburg, Bavaria, Germany.   You're not seeing things, and you haven't had too much beer.  This crazy looking place is a brewery in Germany, and it's as much fun to visit as it looks.  

This brewery has been around since the 1300's.  It's still a family business and makes some truly popular brews.  Over the centuries the brewery has been through several alterations.  There was once a hotel on the property as well as the brewery.  Nowadays, there's the tower which is something that draws everyone's attention, and a museum designed by architect Peter Pelikan demonstrating the history of the brewery and their bier.  

The brewery has a lot to enjoy and look at that is original and can't be seen anywhere else, much less at another brewery.  The brewery employs around 70 people, has a solar field to make their own electricity and grows some of their own ingredients.  It's an entertaining place to visit if you're touring Bavaria, and it tastes good too.

https://kuchlbauer.de/en/home-5/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1676123-d1881152-Reviews-Weissbierbrauer_Kuchlbauer-Abensberg_Lower_Bavaria_Bavaria.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kuchlbauer-tower

https://www.bayerntrips.com/blog/oktoberfest-king.html?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=66&cHash=83f08af8041ecc347879479c345c2abd

https://www.yelp.com/biz/kuchlbauers-bierwelt-abensberg

3.    Parc Omega Wolf Lodge, Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours, Quebec, Canada.  This is a private park where you can take a wildlife safari year round.  That probably doesn't sound that interesting, seeing as most safaris of note are in Africa.

However, this one is different.  If you've ever wondered what it's like to be around Wolves in their natural habitat, this place is for you.  You can see deer and moose and all other northern animals in their habitat, but Parc Omega has a lodge where you can stay over and watch the wolves.

That's right, your cabin has a giant window where you can watch the wolves right outside your door.  Most visitors find it amazing that the wolves seem to be curious about them, because you and the wolves can both see and hear each other.  It's natural.  It's a little unnatural, but it's the closest you'll ever come to hanging with wolves.  There's also pathways for hiking and a blind where you can watch the wildlife too.

https://www.parcomega.ca/en/nature-getaway/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g499355-d10638137-Reviews-Parc_Omega-Montebello_Outaouais_Region_Quebec.html

https://www.going.com/guides/parc-omega-canada

https://theplanetd.com/parc-omega-wolf-cabins/

https://wellnesstravelled.com/how-to-book-the-viral-parc-omega-wolf-lodge/

4.    Take an UnCruise!   Have you ever thought that you'd like to take a cruise, but you didn't want your vacation to be spent more on than off the boat?  This could be the solution for you.  Do you like to get out and do activities and be submerged in the surroundings of your vacation?  UnCruise heard you.

If you ever thought of visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Costa Rica, the Galapagos; this kind of trip might be for you.  You still get a cruise.  You still get very nice lodgings on board.  But you get a bit of adventure that a conventional cruise might not offer.

The activities are very nature centered, so you will be active.  The company offers a webinar for you to join so you can decide if it's for you or not.  But in the world of tons of cruises; this may be the slightly different one that fits more with your needs if you like to get out and experience nature a lot on vacation.

https://uncruise.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31020-d4413916-Reviews-UnCruise_Adventures-Juneau_Alaska.html

https://www.icruise.com/cruise-lines/un-cruise-adventures.html

https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/luxury-cruises/cruise-lines/2718/uncruise-adventures

https://www.adventure-life.com/operators/27533/uncruise

5.    A Piece of the Berlin Wall in San Jose, Costa Rica.   Lots of people visit Costa Rica every year, and most go to or through San Jose.  That being said, one of the things that I've found fascinating as I've traveled is some of the places that have gained panels from the defunct Berlin Wall.  I had no idea that San Jose is one of those places.

I've seen pieces of the wall from Berlin to Montreal to New York City and beyond.  This piece was erected in the garden of the Palacio San Martin at Freedom Square in 1994.  It's a lovely park, garden and square to visit, and there is an official panel from the Berlin Wall displayed there.  I've been treating the Berlin Wall Panel search in my lifetime as I would the search for Waldo.  You never know where it might turn up.

https://en.the-wall-net.org/san-jose-cr/

https://ticotimes.net/2015/11/09/berlin-wall-fell-26-years-ago-part-stands-costa-rica-today

https://news.co.cr/berlin-wall-san-jose-costa-rica-see-fragment/63725/#google_vignette

https://qcostarica.com/a-piece-of-the-berlin-wall-in-san-jose-costa-rica/#google_vignette

https://costarica.org/cities/san-jose/

They may be a bit unusual this week, but there are always some interesting places to add to a trip you may have already planned and that's what a fast five was meant for.  Hopefully, if you happen to be traveling in the areas I highlighted today, you will find these oddball attractions a good addition to your itinerary.

Keep tuned in to hear more great ideas to add to your trip.  Follow, like and enjoy!

A Second Fast Five for the Week! We're off to Ireland and Northern Ireland!

 Yes, I do know how different Northern Ireland and Ireland are.  I'm well traveled.  I just spent some time this week learning a little bit about both and thought I would mention some gems of ideas for when you might visit the area.  Both are great places to road trip, so here's some little gems.

1.    Kilfenora Cathedral and the Crosses, Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland.   Kilfenora is along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most beautiful drives in the world.  The tiny town is home to the Kilfenora Cathedral, finished in 1058 and is part ruins, part UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It's famous for it's crosses.  In particular, the seven Celtic Crosses that date back as far as to the ninth century.

I mention this one because it's along such a great road trip route.  To be honest, it's right on a map you can either get on your phone or in a tourist center along the way, but I love Celtic stuff, and this is a phenomenal site if you're interested in ancient Celts.

https://kilfenoraclare.com/kilfenora-cathedral-and-crosses/

https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/kilfenora-cathedral-and-high-crosses/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1028040-d266546-Reviews-Kilfenora_Cathedral_Crosses-Kilfenora_The_Burren_County_Clare.html

https://clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/kilfenora_stone_crosses/doorty_cross.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zUVU-K2nEY

2.    The Titanic Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  If you've never heard of the Titanic, I can't help you.  However, it was built in Belfast.  It sailed from Southampton, England, but it's origin is in this fascinating, and sometimes controversial city.

Anything you ever wanted to know about the defunct luxury ship you can find out in this museum.  They have displays, artifacts, reproductions, interactive exhibits, and anything you can imagine about the now sunken ship.  It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, so you will want to reserve a spot ahead of time for your timed entry.  Adults can enter for around 25 pounds and children and seniors for less.  There are other optional tour items that are extra.  The hours run most days from at least 9 to 6, but check the schedule online, because they have special days that they aren't open and the hours can vary off and on.

https://www.titanicbelfast.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186470-d2322884-Reviews-Titanic_Belfast-Belfast_Northern_Ireland.html

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/titanic-belfast/

https://www.irishtourism.com/the-titanic-museum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2WLn40en4M

3.    Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.   Most people I know have heard of this spot.  It's a fantastic stop along the wild west coast on any number of fabulous road trips in Northern Ireland.  

Where do I start?  This UNESCO World Heritage site covers a park of roughly 70  Hectares along the coast.  About 600 million years ago there was a volcanic eruption, and when all was said and done the area was covered with around 40,000 polygonal basalt rocks.  It's really that simple.  However, it is one of the coolest volcanic views you'll ever see, and while there are a couple of other places in the world you can see stones like this; this is the one to see while in Northern Ireland.

The Park is open dawn to dusk most days and there is an entrance fee of 14 to 15 pounds, depending on when you visit.  Children and seniors are less.  There's a lovely visitor's center on site as well and plenty of parking for your road trip car.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369/

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/giants-causeway/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/northern-ireland/giants-causeway/attractions/giant-s-causeway/a/poi-sig/1451691/359805

https://www.viator.com/Belfast-attractions/Giants-Causeway/d738-a680

4.    Mussenden Temple, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.   This great spot is another wild one along the northwest coast of Northern Ireland, south from Giant's Causeway.  The temple is the round building that sits on the cliff.  The temple is not open to the public, so this is a stop along a road trip.

The temple was built in 1785 and is part of the estate of the Earl Frederick Augustus Hervey.  There are some other ruins to look at on the property, and oh my, the view.  The temple sits on top of 120 foot high cliffs overlooking the sea.  It's a great view and is one of the more photographed sites in Northern Ireland.  

https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne-p675701

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/mussenden-temple/

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/history-of-mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne

https://trenchfarm.com/attraction/mussenden-temple/

https://www.causewaycoast.guide/locations/mussenden-temple

5.    Take a Speed Boat Tour along the North Coast, Northern Ireland or the coast of Ireland.  It may not resonate with those who haven't spent time in the north close to the Atlantic, but it's wild up there.  More and more Speed Boat Tours have become popular in these areas.  It's a wild ride with some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see.

Northern Island and Ireland have joined the parade of boat tours over the years and you should check out the option of a speed boat tour.  There are several companies to choose from, and different ports of call to leave from, visit  and so on.  If you decide to take a road trip along the coasts of these countries, you should really think about a speed boat tour along the way.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186469-Activities-c61-t190-Northern_Ireland.html

https://abhainncruises.com/

https://www.viator.com/Ireland-tours/Jet-Boats-and-Speed-Boats/d56-g17-c107

https://www.northernirelandworld.com/whats-on/things-to-do/8-great-boat-trips-to-take-across-northern-ireland-4105516

https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/strangford-lough-boat-tours-p762421

There you have it.  If you choose to take a road trip along the coast, into the wilds of Ireland, or Northern Ireland, these are some ideas of things to do.  Both countries are known for their wild side, and the views off the coasts are stunning and might just leave you speechless.  Be aware, they are two separate countries; one is not a region of the other and they are separated by a body of water.  If you love the outdoors, road trips might be for you and there's no better place to take one than in Ireland or Northern Ireland.  So, if you're feeling it, rent a car, pack your bags and enjoy!