Visit Idaho's Panhandle Lakes Country

Put this idea on your list of things to do. For a vacation treat, visit the three well-known lakes found in the Panhandle of Idaho. The Panhandle lakes are legendary and big.

Twelve U. S. States have land protrusions called panhandles. The Idaho Panhandle is the northernmost region of the state, bordered to the west by Washington, to the east by Montana and to the north by Canada's British Columbia. This slender arm of land is the home of just over 20% of Idaho's 1.4 million population.

Drive into the Panhandle from any direction and you will be driving along a lake, river or stream. While the three largest lakes, Lake Pend Oreille (Pond-er-ray), Coeur d'Alene (Cor-da-lane) Lake and Priest Lake are predominant, more than half of the total surface waters in Idaho are found in this northern section of the state. Lake Pend Oreille is 65 miles long and 15 miles wide at its widest point. Coeur d'Alene Lake is 30 miles long and up to 3 miles wide and Priest Lake is 25 miles long. These lakes provide for excellent boating, sailing, and water sports of all kinds, plus world-class fishing.

A 37-pound Kamloops trout has been taken at Lake Pend Oreille, and prize-winning Dolly Varden trout and lake trout are often caught. Chinook salmon of over 40 pounds and tasty kokanee trout are hooked in Coeur d'Alene Lake, and Priest Lake is the location of the world's record for the giant Mackinaw trout and for trophy rainbow trout. Boat launching facilities are available at these lakes, and boat and watercraft rentals are also offered. Campsites are plentiful on all three lakes and marinas and resorts ranging from rustic to world-class can be found on each.

The center of activities for Lake Pend Oreille is the quaint town of Sandpoint on the lake's northern end. This town of about 7,000 is an emerging art colony featuring many art galleries, boutique shopping and specialty restaurants. Sandpoint's City Beach and Park is a popular summer attraction for locals and vacationers alike, and nearby Schweitzer Mountain is the Northwest's premier ski resort in the winter. Any time of the year, it provides an outstanding view of the lake below.

The city of Coeur d'Alene is the hub for activities on Coeur d'Alene Lake and the surrounding area. The city is the largest in northern Idaho with a population of less than 40,000. Set on the north shore of the lake, Coeur d'Alene is a great jumping off spot for water sports and a wide variety of other outdoor recreations. Silverwood, the Northwest's largest theme park with its new water park, Boulder Beach, is just a short drive north of the city. The park features 60 thrilling rides, including three big-time roller coasters.

Priest Lake is west of Sandpoint following the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage on U.S. Route 2. This scenic route is one of six designated Scenic Byways located on the Panhandle. When you arrive at the little town of Priest River you are closing in on the peaceful setting for Priest Lake. Turn north on State Route 57 and follow the river to the lake. If you are looking for solitude and fun, this is it.

Not everything in Northern Idaho is on or related to the large, pristine lakes. For example, there are 6 Idaho State Parks on the Panhandle. These include:

• Priest Lake State Park, on East Shore Road, off State Route 57


• Farragut State Park, on State Route 54, off U.S. Route 95 near Athol, Idaho


• Heyburn State Park, State Route 5, off U.S. 95, between Plummer and St. Maries


• Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park, off Interstate 90 in Coeur d'Alene


• Round Lake State Park, on Dufort Road, off U.S. 95 near Sagle, Idaho


• Old Mission State Park, take Exit 39, off Interstate 90 at Cataldo, Idaho

Three National Forests lie in northern Idaho. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are an aggregation of the Coeur d'Alene and portions of the Kaniksu and St. Joe National Forests. This 2.5 million acres of public lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These lands offer up an endless list of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, biking, fishing and hunting, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months.

With this abundance of possibilities, a visit to Idaho's spectacular Panhandle Lakes Country makes a lot of sense. Put it on your short list of things you just have to do.

Girona Car Hire

When doing your e-search on cheap car hire from the Girona airport, be aware that 'Girona' is spelt both with an 'I' and with an 'e' (Gerona). It's the same place, but written in a different way in Castilian and Catalan languages. With your Car hire Girona [Gerona] in hand you can well organize your visit and exploration of all the attractions that the whole province Girona has to offer.

You could drive to the beach in half an hour from the city centre or go skiing to the snowcapped Pyrenees in an hours time, and as many of the car hire companies in the town centre also have an office in the airport, you should be able to drop off your car at the airport, even if you hired from the town but make sure to check this before you hire your car. With your rented car from Girona you can put the city centre and the beaches of the Costa Brava on your travel itinerary. Girona Airport is about 20 minutes and is just a 30 minutes drive to the nearest golf course. With the current trend of choosing to go camping in the rural area amongst tourists, a car hire becomes a quintessential thing on your vacation plan.

Car Hire at Girona Airport: With most of the car hire companies being located at the Airport and a few within a few minutes drive of the airport, finding a rental car of your choice should not be a problem. But as it goes without saying a pre-booking is anytime advisable.

Most of the car hire companies in Girona permit a one-way journey and drop off of the car at an alternative location - provided they have an office there. So even if you can't get a car-hire of your choice you can opt for a car hire from a neighboring city. However, never assume that this will be easy and it is vital that you check when making the booking. Majority of the car hire desks at Girona airport are open from morning around 8 until about midnight through out the week. Opening hours can change, so it is advisable that you run a double check directly with the car-hire company before you travel, especially if you are arriving during the night or during the winter season (i.e. October to May).

Villa Rental Bali Introduces Simona Oasis And Spa

The bedrooms and their adjoining garden bathrooms are all located in self contained thatched pavilions. Each air-conditioned bedroom is entered by double doors showcasing engraved brass handles, and each is characterized by dark reddish brown bengkirai wood floors under soaring roofs. Every bedroom boasts an LCD flat screen individually controlled satellite TV, enabling guests to watch satellite channels independently of each other. Each is complemented by a DVD player, quality sound system and iPod dock.

Picture windows capture the riverside views, and opulent open-air bathrooms boast cream terrazzo floors, twin washbasins, daybeds for lounging, and large terrazzo bathtubs. The tubs are sheltered from the elements yet positioned within private walled gardens enhanced by soft lawns, frangipani trees, and stone carved ornaments. Each bathroom also features a toilet with an intercom, and a shower in a cubicle that is open on one side to the garden. Furthermore, every guest need is considered with the provision of storage space, wardrobes and mini bars in each room.

The Master Bedroom features a deck-style balcony on two sides, with steps that lead down to a riverside bale relaxation pavilion. The bedroom is notable for the Buddha head and soft panels behind the double bed, flanked by two polished solid wood tree trunks, lit with discreet lighting. There is also a desk, and a dressing area with a huge mirror and a padded ottoman. The bathroom and outdoor Jacuzzi is accessed by a covered walkway with wooden pillars and spring water ponds on either side. The Jacuzzi rests within a thatched pavilion, surrounded by flowering shrubs and overlooking the river. The bathroom features arched open doorways, comfortable furnishings, twin washbasins, a toilet, and a shower big enough for two.

The spa sits on the triangular piece of land at the point where the two rivers meet. A sacred underground spring was recently discovered on this enchanted spot, making it the perfect setting for a spa. On the opposite side of the river is Batur Sari Temple, where the local Balinese people make offerings of flowers and fruit to the gods.

The spa area is accessed via a little bridge under a pergola dripping in cascading thunbergia, bounded by torch ginger, giant taro leaves and frangipani trees. Guests will be greeted by a pair of open-air, raised, stone bathtubs exquisitely hand carved, each in the shape of a 2-headed elephant with water spouting from the trunks. The tubs, complete with ornate floral patterns on the sides, are set within a spring water pool and accessed by a wooden deck. This is a magical place for a splash or a soak after a spa treatment.

The spa is comprised of five open-sided roundhouses complete with conical thatched roofs following the architectural style of Irian Jaya. There are two raised massage pavilions, one with a single treatment bed and the other designed for couples, with two treatment beds. Rustic and very romantic, the pavilions are furnished with chunky hand carved furniture and diaphanous drapes that can be drawn for privacy. Set right beside the river, guests will be massaged to the constant gurgle of the water. Two more pavilions house a pair of hot and a cold Jacuzzis fashioned from dark grey lava stone; each circular Jacuzzi is big enough for six people, and looks directly across the river to the temple and the holy spring. The final building is the main spa reception, where guests can enjoy a ginger tea or healthy juice drink and canapés after their treatment. Behind the Palimanan carved fretwork screen is a small timber deck facing a gentle water cascade, designed specifically for yoga and meditation. There are also two rainshowers, toilets, a sauna, and an outdoor shower.

This luxury is offered between $1,450 in low season and $2,350 in peak season. Whilst it may sounds expensive, in fact, it is not for this level of luxury. How much would you have to spend to accommodate 10 pax in The Bvlgari resort or others at the similar class? Will you get the same level of ultimate luxury and dedicated services?