Saturday Snaps #2 – Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest

Chris Boothman
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22
Saturday Snaps #2 – Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest

Location:  Gates of Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest, Hungary

Author: Paul @ Have You Packed The Camera

This photo was taken in Budapest, Hungary at the gates of Vajdahunyad Castle – The castle was constructed in the late 1800’s and incorporates design features from other notable Hungarian buildings such as Hunyad Castle.

You can reach more of Paul’s great work at his website and the following social media networks:

Website: Have You Packed The Camera

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/packedTheCamera 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/packedTheCamera 

Mount Magazine – Arkansas’ Best Kept Secret

Chris Boothman
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18
Mount Magazine – Arkansas’ Best Kept Secret

Home is where the heart is….or so the phrase goes right! Well, home for us right now is Jonesboro, Arkansas so we decided to take a trip across the state to North West Arkansas for the weekend and in doing so opted to go and explore Mount Magazine State Park. This is undoubtedly one of Arkansas’ best kept secrets though for many locals it is a haven for a weekend getaway, especially for the adventurous type who love the outdoors and hiking across some challenging trails.

Mount Magazine State Park

Mount Magazine State Park Location

Where is Mount Magazine State Park located? That’s probably the most challenging part of this getaway because it not the most convenient location to get too, as it is situated a fair distance from the interstate (I-40) that runs across the state of Arkansas.

Arkansas Countryside

If you are heading from the Memphis and Little Rock direction, you should take the Russelville exit which takes you on a meandering, scenic drive through stereotypical Arkansas farmland via Lake Dardanelle (if you are a golf fan like myself you will know that Dardanelle, AR is famous for being the home of John Daly – there is your fun fact of the day!).

Alternatively, if you are heading from the East and Fort Smith, AR  you would be well-advised to take the Ozark/Paris exit off I-40 and Mount Magazine is less than 20 miles from here.

Stunning Scenery

Driving through the local small towns of Arkansas really takes you back in time to what most places in the Mid-West were like in the last 30 to 40 years. As you head to the summit of Mount Magazine State Park, there are numerous spots along the way where you can stop and admire the Arkansas countryside. We probably stopped a dozen times just on the drive up in order to take some pictures and really cherish the views.

Meandering roads to Mount Magazine

At the entrance to the State Park, there is a visitor center which offers detailed maps and other leaflets on the variety of trails that are available. From the challenging peak of Signal Hill which at 2,753ft is the highest point in Arkansas, to a myriad of moderate and easy trails there is something for everyone! Our advice is just take those hiking boots and your backpack and just get out there and enjoy!

Natural wildlife Mount Magazine

The Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive is another great option if you are not planning on spending a full day at Mount Magazine State Park. We took this short drive and I have to admit that I was surprised at just how breathtaking the views are from the various overlooks along this one way route.

When you think of natural beauty, you probably don’t associate the state of Arkansas with this, I know that I didn’t. Perhaps this is just ignorance because the reality is whenever you have visited a location like Mount Magazine, you really do appreciate just how gorgeous this part of the country is.

Mount Magazine Overlook

Due to it’s location in a state that receives little to no media coverage in terms of advertisement, it’s tough to see how somewhere like Mount Magazine will ever receive the exposure it deserves. However, maybe this is beneficial to help preserve this part of Arkansas!

DSC_0243

What to do at Mount Magazine?

  • Trails – As I mentioned, hiking around Mount Magazine State Park is the number one attraction here.
  • Adventure Activities – If hiking is not challenging enough for you and you want something a little more daring, Mount Magazine offers hang gliding, mountain biking, horseback riding among many other activities.
  • Geocaching – A more modern day activity, geocaching is becoming incredibly popular around the world as it enables you to get out into the open and start exploring as you try to locate some hidden treasures along the way.
  • Explore Nature – What better way to see Arkansas’ finest wildlife than by heading ‘out into the wild’ and spotting some unique birds among other species.

Where to stay?

Dependent on what type of traveler you are, there are a variety of options available for accommodation in Mount Magazine State Park. Ranging from the beautiful ‘Lodge at Mount Magazine’ to camping in one of the various campgrounds, there is something for everyone.

  • The Lodge at Mount Magazine – With stunning views over the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake, there are 60 rooms available for travelers to find luxury accommodation. This is a perfect option for a romantic getaway, especially in the winter where you can sit in the lobby with a beautiful wood-burning fire setting the mood.
  • Mountain Cabins – If you would prefer a little more privacy, there are 13 cabins available for rent, all of which are spacious enough to accommodate a couple or family dependent on your needs.
  • Campground – The low-budget option yet still offering an amazing outdoor experience is to pitch your tent in one of the campgrounds scattered around Mount Magazine. Of course, beware of the Arkansas bears but that’s just part of the experience!

If you would like to see more images from our trip to Mount Magazine, check out our photo gallery here: Mount Magazine Arkansas

Weekend Wanderlust

Flamingo Gardens – A Walk Through Florida’s Finest Wildlife

Heather Boothman
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22
Flamingo Gardens – A Walk Through Florida’s Finest Wildlife

During our trip to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, we decided to take a trip to the small town of Davie, FL – home of Flamingo Gardens. We really didn’t know what to expect but were pleasantly surprised to find a great little wildlife park, home to a variety of species. If you are not familiar with the southern half of Florida, Davie is located about 20 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale.

flamingo gardens

From alligators to peacocks, Flamingo Gardens is a great spot to take the family for an afternoon getaway. Tickets are a little expensive at $18 for adults and $10 for children, but if you visit on a Monday admission is half price. Tuesday’s offer a ‘Buy one ticket, get one free’ and if neither of these options work there is always a coupon available that gives $2 off general admission that you can either print or show on your phone at the ticket counter.

flamingo gardens

We really enjoyed wandering around all of the exhibits, in particular seeing the variety of peacocks just meandering through the park. The Wray Home Museum has been restored to give visitors an opportunity to see how South Florida life was in the 1930s. However, during our visit it appeared the peacocks were finding this museum was their new found habitat, probably because it was the coolest spot in the park!

flamingo gardens

If you would like to see more fun-filled pictures of our time at Flamingo Gardens, check out our photo gallery here: Fort Lauderdale 2014

STM Drifter Backpack – Product Review

Heather Boothman
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20
STM Drifter Backpack – Product Review

As travelers we all need a great backpack right? Where do you even begin searching for the perfect choice when there are so many different options out there? With such a variety of brands, colors, sizes and designs to choose from, as consumers we are all faced with a saturated market that makes it difficult to differentiate the various options!

Well folks, we think that we have found a perfect backpack that will meet your needs if you are an adventure traveler, weekend traveler or just someone who needs something to carry around your personal items – the Drifter Backpack by STM Bags.

STM Drifter Backpack

STM Bags

Founded in Sydney Australia in 1998, STM Bags offers a diverse range of lifestyle oriented laptop bags, iPad cases, iPhone cases and of course their primary focus – the ultimate backpack for the traveler!

STM bags

As the leading Australian bag and case designer, STM Bags are truly a well recognized manufacturer not only in the Southern Hemisphere but also on a global scale. In March 2014, STM Bags released the Annex collection with their primary focus on the urban, fashion-oriented customer. This is where the Drifter Backpack fits in alongside the Trust, Sequel and Link range. Available in three different colors (Graphite, Red or Olive), this is a great choice for the avid traveler.

STM Drifter Backpack

Like your favorite pair of cargo pants, the Drifter is easy to wear, contains pockets in all the right place, and is comfortable to boot.

This quote really sums up for me the quality of this backpack! When you consider purchasing a backpack, you want something that is rugged, durable, lightweight, spacious and of course aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The Drifter has it all plus much, much more.

One of the major selling points of this backpack is the tuck away rain cover located at the bottom, which covers the whole backpack for those unexpected downpours keeping everything inside water resistant!

Inside the Drifter Backpack by STM Bags

Pros

  • Built In Rain Cover – Huge benefit of the Drifter is the integrated cover that keeps everything waterproof!
  • Integrated Luggage Strap – Great to be able to slide over my other carry on bag when traveling through an airport. Conveniently located for ease of use.
  • Lightweight Design – Inclusion of three front pockets with only one primary pocket really helps keep the weight of this to a minimum (2.3 lbs/1.0kg).
  • Durability – Sturdy design of the zippers, straps and use of modern material makes this a backpack that will last for quite some time.
  • Inclusion of a ‘Reward Tag’ – Each bag has a unique ID that allows you to go to a website and offer a ‘reward’ should you lose this.
  • Fleece Lined Compartments – Great benefit for storing valuable items while traveling.
  • Padded Straps – Extra Comfort.

Padded Straps on Drifter Backpack

Cons

  • Size – The backpack is a little on the small size especially if you want this to carry multiple items such as a laptop, camera, jacket etc. However, this could also be considered an advantage if you are seeking out a small, lightweight option!
  • Material – The main negative of the material is that I found it easily shows marks and stains.
  • Unconventional Design – The Drifter design takes getting used to because it looks and feels different to conventional, everyday backpacks. Overcome this and you are on to a winner for sure!

Conclusion

Whenever you are considering a backpack purchase, you have to first consider exactly what your needs and desires are in the product. For me, I want a backpack that I can use everyday while at the same time use this whenever I travel, whether it is for one of our weekend getaways or an outdoor adventure trip. Yes, I have pretty high standards and requirements but I am delighted to say that the Drifter Backpack meets all of these.

With every product, there are always going to be negative aspects but the reality is this is a great backpack that I would highly recommend! Check out this backpack along with the rest of the product line at STM Bags.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received a free sample from STM Bags for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*

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