Gunma: Fishing & Hiking Weekend at the Lake Nozori Camp Site

Autumn is here, and the kouyou (紅葉) foliage is yet another great reason to travel out of Tokyo and experience the great outdoors. A couple of weeks ago we had a small three-day weekend (sanrenkyu/三連休 in Japanese), which was just perfect for a short visit to Lake Nozori (野反湖) in Gunma prefecture.

Above: Finally arrived by Lake Nozoriko after a 3 1/2-hour car ride from Tokyo!

Lake Nozori is situated in the very north of Gunma, and is easiest to get to by car. If you don't have a Japanese license it is also possible to travel there by taking the bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅), a ride that takes approximately 60 minutes.

Right by the lake lies the Nozoriko Camping Ground (野反湖キャンプ場). Here you can rent a small mountain hut for the night. The price for a hut is the same no matter how many guests are staying there; the smaller huts can take up to 4 ppl and costs 6,500 yen/night while the bigger huts take up to 8 ppl and costs 17,500 yen/night.



We had rented two of the smaller huts, and both of the huts came prepared with futon mattresses and blankets. There are however no heating inside, so you better bring some warm clothes as it can get pretty cold at night. The huts did fortunately at least come with a consent, and this was apparently something that was added to the huts just recently. As you can see there was no shower or bathroom in the hut, but this was available in a separate building (coin shower was available at 200 yen/10 min).

Nozoriko is a part of the Joshinetsu Highland National Park, and for visitors to the campsite there are various activities one can try out. In our case we followed one of the hiking trails going up to Mt Ebiyama (恵比山) on the west side of the lake. It was easy to get around as there were many signs available around the lake area.


If you walk along the lakeside from the bungalow area you'll get to a camping site run by the same company as the small cottages. But if you prefer to tent rather than sleeping in a hut you still have to make sure to reserve in advance.

From the tenting area we took another path going up towards the mountain. Below are some pictures from the trail we followed.

We visited just in the middle of October, as you can see from the beautiful autumn colors!

Another activity we took part in during the weekend was trout fishing! This activity is available for only 1,500 yen/day for adults and 5,00 yen/day for children in the period between May 1st - November 10th (just make sure to bring your own equipment). Lake Nozoriko was in fact a popular place for fishermen; we saw quite a few people lined up to catch fish. It didn't seem like most of them had any luck though..

But Yuma managed to get a big trout that we cooked for dinner that same day:

People staying at one of the huts get to use the outside BBQ area for free. There's space to prepare the food and tables with BBQ plates to grill your meals.


We prepared the fish by ourself and grilled it for dinner along with the other food we had brought with us.

Above: Freshly caught Nozoriko trout

Above: Group photo!

Lake Nozori was a beautiful place to spend the weekend, and we had a lot of fun enjoying the great outdoors. I would recommend a trip here for those looking for a reasonable and relaxing weekend outside of Tokyo.

That's all for now. Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below

Anette

Basic information

• Nozoriko Camping Ground / 野反湖キャンプ場
・Access: Approximately 60 minutes by bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) / 3 1/2 hours by car from Tokyo
• ・Accommodation fee: Small hut (max 4 ppl) 6,500 yen/night, big hut (max 8 ppl) 17,500 yen/night.
• ・Operating season: ●May - September
• ・Homepage: lakenozori.web.fc2.com (Japanese only)

Related blogposts

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• Gunma: A Snowy Weekend in Kusatsu Onsen *Video*
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• [Hotel Review] Saitama: Heiseirou Onsen Health Center 

Recommended Hotels in Gunma

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Kusatsu Onsen Daitokan ★★★★

Kusatsu Onsen Nisshinkan ★★★  → review

Ryokan Naraya ★★★★★ .

Yubatake Souan Hotel ★★★ .

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Congratulations To The Bergamot, Winners Of Project: Aloft Star

Aloft Hotels announces the winner of its global music-related initiative “Project: Aloft Star” at Aloft Long Island City in NYC. Mentored by Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling artist Gavin DeGraw, the winning indie-folk-rock duo, The Bergamot will be able to kick-start their career by appearing as part of the upcoming Live at Aloft Hotels Tour.

The Aloft Star competition identifies the hottest emerging music talent from around the globe, offering them a chance to kick-start their careers and take center stage at the world’s fastest-growing hotel brand. Imagine their surprise when husband and wife Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff, who make up The Bergamot, learned of their success at a nail-biting finale performance last night at Aloft Long Island City, one of the brand’s newest properties in New York City. The Bergamot and runner-up pop/soul artist, Gigi Rich, were both given the opportunity to perform for the crowd following a special mentoring session led by Project: Aloft Star’s 2017 celebrity mentor, multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw.

"The Bergamot are authentic touring artists. They should be extremely proud of winning this year's Project: Aloft Star," said mentor and singer/songwriter, Gavin DeGraw. "It's great see artists who've honed their craft through live performance succeed. Really enjoyed my time with them today. Thanks to Aloft Hotels for making it happen."

The two finalists were chosen after a process that began in August that invited any unsigned artist to share up to two original songs, a brief description, and an artist photo on the Live at Aloft Hotels web page. Out of over 1200 submissions, entries were narrowed down to five semi-finalists that the public were then invited to view and vote on during a ten-day period to choose the two that would perform at the finale.

“With so many strong entries, it’s such an honor to be named this year’s Project: Aloft Star winner,” said Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff of The Bergamot. “It’s always been our dream to make it in the music industry and we’re so grateful to Aloft Hotels for giving us the opportunity to take a step towards achieving that goal. This competition means that becoming a big music star is within reach to anyone, and we’d strongly encourage other musicians like ourselves to take the plunge and submit an entry – it could change your life.”

Beyond the honor of the 2017 title, The Bergamot’s prize includes a songwriting and recording session in a professional studio with renowned producer Darrell Brown, who has previously worked with names including LeAnn Rimes, Neil Young and Keith Urban. The pair will also get a coaching session with a publicist to help craft their story, and finally the chance to perform onstage as part of the 2018 Live At Aloft Hotels Tour.

Live at Aloft Hotels is an international program that brings in local sounds to Aloft properties around the world by hosting free, intimate, live music performances at its W XYZ® bars. Alongside several local emerging artists, this year’s lineup included notable performers like acoustic singer MAX, country star Drake White, and LA-based blues performer ZZ Ward.

Learn More About The Project: Aloft Star

For a complete list of all 2017 performances, please visit www.LiveAtAloftHotels.com.



Photo Credits: Project: Aloft Star

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Holiday Fun At The Mooresville Victorian Christmas Celebration

Looking ahead to upcoming festivals to join in Indiana we suggest the annual Mooresville Victorian Christmas Celebration. This festive event takes place on Dec 2nd, and you'll discover a variety of handcrafted and artfully designed items for sale. Plus, there will be fun activities and refreshments to enjoy throughout the day!

Admission is free to this annual event that will includes a trolley to take you on an 8 stop tour of Downtown Mooresville shops, events, and historic buildings. Enjoy a carriage ride, sparkling white lights, music and choirs, puppet shows, food, and shopping open houses, filled with unique items and special events as well.

There will be Gingerbread House Contest and displays, along with magic shows, and entertaining games for children to enjoy. Mooresville Public Library will be the place to visit to catch the Silly Safaris with Reindeer, Christmas crafts, Indiana Dulcimer Society performance. While over at Monrovia Mudworks there will be a "Orphans & Misfits" sale, and children can paint their own clay ornament to take home.

Follow the festive events on the VictorianChristmas FaceBook Page.

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Like Model Trains? Then Visit The Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center

Explore North America's largest model railroad club display at the Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union County, New Jersey. Hosted by the Model Railroad Club, Inc. with the help of the Department of Parks and Recreation, this almost 11,000 square-foot facility in Lenape Park, has a amazing collection of Model Railroads and Cars.

The Model Railroad Club presents two permanent model railroad layouts in HO scale and N scale. There is also a outdoor "G gauge" or garden railroad demonstration loop, and a temporary indoor "G gauge" layout.  As well as other model railroad and industrial exhibits are also on display. They also build them on site, and you can join and support the club as well.

Along with displaying the fantastic collections, Model Railroad Club, Inc. has holiday exhibits that are a wonderful to  celebrate the season. Among the recent exhibit was a spectacular 1600 square foot model train layout, complete with a light and sound show, at Union County’s Lenape Park in Union Township. The HO scale layout is renowned for its dedication to realistic detail and life-like railroading functions.

Show days and times have run from Late November through Mid December. The HO display have featured a long-distance freight and passenger railroad, an interurban line with trolleys and commuter trains, and a short line representing the workhorse trains that chug through parts of Union County. A double-decked N Scale layout is also on display along with the popular “Classic Streamliners on Parade.”

Plan Your Trip To The Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center

The layout is permanently housed in the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center at 295 Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East in Union, behind the Home Depot.  To learn more about the The Model Railroad Club and any upcoming events visit www.tmrci.org.

For more information about all Union County recreation programs, visit www.ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.


Photo Credits: Model Railroad Club, Inc.

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Tokyo Restaurants: Fish your own meal at the Fishing Restaurant ZAUO

Tokyo might not be the first destination that you'd think of for your next fishing trip. But if you want to try and catch your own dinner without the risk of having to go home with an empty stomach there are indeed options available for you. As an expat living in Tokyo I usually would cook my own dinner at home, but this time I took my visiting family to the fishing restaurant Zauo in Shibuya where we tried it out for ourselves. 

 Browse places to stay in Tokyo on Agoda.com.

Above: Visiting Zauo Shibuya with my father and grandmother

At the restaurant you get the chance to choose between fishing the dinner yourself or simply choosing something that's already on the menu. Since we were there for the experience we did of course decide to catch the dinner ourselves.

Above: My grandmother checking out some of the options available. 

Above: Top shells. These are a part of the set menu where you don't have to do any actual fishing.

Above: The interior of the restaurant resembles a fishing boat at sea

Above: First it is time to choose your rod and get ready

Above: Dinner was an easy catch. Here with my darling and my grandmother

Another fun detail was that when you catch your fish the staff will play you a short taiko (drum) piece.

Above: Price list for the fish you can catch yourself

You can choose between having your freshly caught fish prepared for you as sashimi (raw slices of fish), sushi, grilled, boiled or as tempura. Of course we had to try one of each. You can also have one fish prepared in two different styles.

In addition to a range of seafood the restaurant also serves some desserts like ice cream and small chocolate cakes.

Although this restaurant might not be the most interesting option for those of you who like the challenge outdoor fishing can bring it was definitely fun as a family activity. Getting the fish prepared for us right away also meant that we could get it completely fresh, which although not uncommon in Japan still felt quite satisfying considering we also had caught it ourselves. Either way there's really no country that does fish better than Japan, so if you find yourself up for some seafood this restaurant would definitely be worth a visit. Just notice that it is a very popular restaurant, so if you have the chance make sure to reserve in advance!

■ Basic Info

• ・Restaurant: Zauo Shibuya
• ・Address：High Manten Jinnan Building B1F, 1-19-3, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041
• ・Homepage: http://www.zauo.com/en/shop/

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Recommended Hotels in Tokyo

 More Tokyo hotels

Henn na Hotel ★★★★ → review

Bunka Hostel Tokyo ★★

Hundred Stay Tokyo ★★★★ → review

Kaisu Hostel ★

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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

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Seed and Smith Tour Introduces Travelers To Cannabis Culture in Colorado

Traveling to Colorado has opened the door to the world of cannabis. For many, it's a new world of possibilities, and for others cannabis has grown into a thriving business. Seed & Smith invites you to discover how cannabis is grown, extracted, and refined into finished products on their unique tour. Those 21 and over can take the tour and learn more about this thriving industry, and discover the craftsmanship in cultivating cannabis is like crafting fines wines.

The Fun and Interactive Tour Highlight Includes:

• The Seed & Smith tour follows the life cycle of cannabis as it goes from young plants all the way to finished, shelf ready products.
• See the unique genetic differences that give each cannabis strain it’s distinct look and smell
• Learn about harvesting, trimming, and curing techniques to lock in smell and flavor.
• See the extraction process for creating and refining cannabis oil for smokable and edible products.

Like any great tour it ends in a visit to their gift shop where you'll find a assortment of cannabis that is available for purchase for those over 21.

Plan Your Visit To Seed & Smith

This is just a sampling of what you'll discover on this unique tour. To explore schedules and plan your visit to Seed & Smith visit their website at https://seedandsmith.com/.

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San Francisco Is A Awesome Place To Visit For The Holidays

The holidays are a awesome time to plan a trip to San Francisco. It's a time when the city comes to life with colorful and festive events and entertainment. There are also wonderful tradition that include ice skating in Union Square. And, here are some holiday experiences to enjoy on your trip:

• Presented by Alaska Airlines, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square is a favorite holiday tradition in San Francisco. Featuring new events and holiday festivities, the season kicked off on Nov. 1st and runs through mid January.

• Along with ice skating, another favorite to be featured is the Macy’s Union Square Holiday Window with SF SPCAthat will be presented on Friday, at 5 p.m., on the Corner of Stockton and O'Farrell St. The San Francisco SPCA traditionally unveils the Macy’s Union Square Holiday Windows with adorable and adoptable animals.  Last year 25 animals found forever homes, bringing the total Holiday Windows adoptions to more than 9,000. Join the SF SPCA on the corner of Stockton and O’Farrell Streets on November 17 as they begin the holiday season with the unveiling of lovable animals. Plus, San Francisco pastry chef Yigit Pura partners with Snoopy to kick off the celebrations with a special performance by the De Marillac Academy Choir, and much more. The excitement continues to dazzle as Snoopy and guests open the curtains together.

• Don't miss the Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party. Under colorful swags of Union Jacks and boughs of holly, a cherished Bay Area tradition returns for five weekends amid the theatrically-lit halls of the historic Cow Palace to offer visitors a delightfully immersive holiday experience unlike any other. An annual tradition for Bay Area natives and visitors alike, The Great Dickens Christmas Fair’s 800 Victorian characters, from waltzing royals to scrappy chimney-sweeps, populate over three acres of twilight-lit shops, pubs, stages, and dance halls. This season’s event will debut an expansive new children’s area, new juried crafts, and the premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “Trial by Jury” – the perfect setting to revel in the joy of the season.   

• Showing until the end of December at Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd is the Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon Holiday Extravaganza. This festive performance features a chorus line of tap dancing Christmas trees, parodies of traditional Christmas carols, hilarious spoofs of pop culture and political characters, and the legendary gigantic Yuletide Hat, Beach Blanket Babylon’s Holiday Extravaganza is sure to delight everyone ... even the biggest Scrooge.

• Now in its fifth year, “Illuminate SF Festival of Light” shines a light on 36 dramatic, eco-friendly light art installations and a variety of other light-related events and activities.  All are accessible by public transport and many are free for all to view. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, art lovers are invited to embrace the power of light and tour San Francisco’s art installations by a diverse range of local and world renowned light artists. “Illuminate SF Festival of Light” has grown to include intimate artist talks, museum tours and a myriad of other light art activation's across the city. Dates and details for these events will be announced in November and will be available at www.illuminatesf.com. More events will be added to the website as they are confirmed.

Plan Your Holiday Trip To San Francisco

 To explore holiday events, performances, programs, and offers, visit the San Francisco Travel Association at www.sftravel.com.




 Photo Credits: Union Square Ice Rink

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Let Your Adventure Begin In Morocco

It is here in Morocco where the colors and scents of this cultural hub awaken your senses. There are treasures that await to be discovered around every corner. It all starts when you touch down at their world class airport, Fez-Saiss, that has a new terminal with great amenities for travelers. So, as you step out of the terminal and begin your journey remember to embrace the moment and cultural treasures you discover!

Marrakech Welcomes Yves St Laurent Museum

Marrakech welcomes the Yves St Laurent museum that celebrates the life of the internationally renowned fashion designer. It was in the sixties when St Laurent first visited Morocco and swiftly fell in love with the Red City, so much so that he bought a house there in 1966 with his then-partner Pierre Bergé. As his fame grew, the pair bought Villa House, a large house connected to the Jardin Majorelle.

Saint Laurent died in 2008, and in the intervening years Bergé has dedicated himself to ensuring the designer’s legacy. In what was his last act before he died in September, he oversaw the construction of the museum that is located on Rue Yves St Laurent.

The museum is 4,000 square metres and has been architecturally designed to reflect the curves of the designer’s work. It is sure to draw fashion fans to Marrakech from across the globe.

Morocco Named Among Lonely Planet's Best Destinations

 

Essaouira has recently been chosen by Lonely Planet as one of its Best Destinations for 2018. The respected travel guide company chose this walled city on the Atlantic coast as its 'narrow alleyways, traditional hammams and medina pile on the sensory delight'. They also mention the superb windsurfing and the sensational food that is on offer every day.

Numerous world-class greens around Essaouira have also contributed to Morocco’s nomination for Africa’s Best Golf Destination in the World Golf Awards 2017. The Golf de Mogador is a spectacular course, with splendid views across the Atlantic. Designer Gary Player,has mixed British links with American desert style to create a playing surface that is challenging and rewarding.

Easyjet flies direct to Essaouira from London Luton twice weekly – ideal for a spot of winter sun. Alternatively, the coastal city provides the perfect contrast to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech - the three-hour journey by road linking the two also offers the ideal opportunity to visit an argan oil cooperative, or even see goats in trees - it's a surprising site to see.

Create Your Casablanca Moment

Can you believe it's been 75 years since the iconic 1942 film Casablanca hit the silver screen for the first time, and it’s virtually impossible to talk about Morocco’s largest city without (mis)quoting the movie - despite it being exclusively filmed almost 5,700 miles away in the US.

Casablanca today is a living, breathing multicultural city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, full of unmissable sights including the Hassan II Mosque, the Royal Palace and the largest shopping mall in Africa. And yes, it is actually possible to eat in Rick’s Café, or at least a replica, and it’s a great place to indulge in a Negroni while listening to the pianist play As Time Goes By.

Touch Down At Fez-Saiss and Let Your Adventure Begin

 

Fez-Saiss welcomes travelers from around the world each day. And, with their new terminal they have increased annual capacity to 2.5 million passengers from 500,000 previously.

The world-class airport includes a new 28,000 m2 terminal building with arrival and departure halls, duty-free shops, children’s playground and food court. Significant investment in systems and infrastructure has also been included to ensure full compliance with international standards for air traffic flow, aviation and airport security and quality of services.

New direct Air Arabia flights from Gatwick twice-weekly in addition to direct flights from Stansted with Ryanair make Fez easier to reach than ever for UK visitors. The addition of thrice-weekly internal connections from Marrakech reduces journey time between the two cities to just one hour. This is much better than the over seven hours it take by road or train.

High Speed Rail Coming To Morocco

 

Morocco’s new high speed rail link, the TGV line, will run between Tangier and Casablanca in 2018. It will be the first high-speed TGV train on the continent and passengers will be able to travel at up to 200 mph between the two cities, halving current journey times and allowing travellers to explore the northern part of the kingdom with greater ease than ever before.

Plan Your Trip To Morocco

To explore current events, attractions, and plan your trip visit the Moroccan National Tourist Office at www.muchmorocco.com.

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[Hotel Review] Manila: A night at the Hotel H2O Aquarium Hotel

On our way back from holiday in Brunei my darling Yuma and I had a one day layover in the Pilipino capital Manila. With only one night to spare we wanted to make sure we could get a memorable stay, and after having done some research about accommodation I stumbled about Hotel H2O, a hotel that comes fully equipped with its own underwater world in the hotel room.

 Check the room availability for Hotel H2O

Above: Entrance to Hotel H2O to the left and to the oceanarium to the right

Above: Entrance to the Manila Ocean Park seen from the lobby in Hotel H2O

The hotel was situated inside an oceanarium called the Manila Ocean Park where a range of fun activities are offered, so for visitors traveling with kids this seems to be a great place to use as a base for all sorts of family fun.

Above: The lobby

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The Guest Room

We had booked with one of the hotel's "Aqua Rooms", which are the type of room where you get an wall-to-wall aquarium. We arrived late in the evening, and at this point the lights in the aquarium had already been turned off for the day. A huge mirror behind the bed gave the impression that the room was significantly wider than it actually was, as you can see from the pictures below.

The light in the aquarium comes on at 6:00am, so if you don't want to get woken up early you should probably close the curtains before going to bed. In the morning when we woke up the light in the aquarium was on, and we could see various fish swimming by. 

Here's an overview from the hotel room with the various kinds of fish you can see, as well as the feeding/cleaning schedule for the aquarium.

During the feeding time you can see energetic fish swimming around from one side to the other, and this was without a doubt the most exciting part about staying at this 4-star hotel. I've included a short video below for those interested:

When your hotel room is an aquarium! ホテルの部屋に水族館が！

A post shared by Anette (@cosmopolitanexpat) on Aug 6, 2017 at 4:51pm PDT

Bathroom

The bathroom came with a separate toilet and shower, and all necessary basic amenities.

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The Restaurant

We hadn't ordered breakfast with our stay, but below are some pictures from the hotel's restaurant Makan Makan.

Above: View of the sea from the Makan Makan restaurant

We only stayed at the hotel one night for our layover in Manila, but if we come back in the future I wouldn't mind staying here again. I think the idea of having an aquarium in the hotel room is pretty interesting, and something that can make each day of the vacation even more memorable especially for those traveling with children. 

What do you think of this hotel? Please let me know in the comment session below.

 ◆Basic Info◆

• Hotel Name: Hotel H2O
• Star Rating: 4 ★★★★
• Check in: 14:00 / Check out: 12:00

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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette

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A Festive Holiday Season At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

The magic of the season is even brighter celebrated with family and friends at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where they’ve sprinkled a touch of holiday cheer around the park. Enjoy a visit to Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town, which has become a family tradition for many, and offers entertainment, festive events, shows, and amazing sight of over two million twinkling lights. It’s going to be a exciting holiday season at Busch Gardens!

A special treat is the chance for kids of all ages to meet and snap photo’s with Rudolph and his friends in the Winter Wonderland located in Celestial Crossing. Join Rudolph, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Bumble in some fun games and holiday treats, and cheer before catching one of the exciting holiday shows, which include:

• Elmo’s Christmas Wish that celebrates the meaning of Christmas with Elmo, and his friends Cookie Monster, Zoe, Rosita and Grover.
• Another holiday favorite is Christmas on Ice, in which talented performer’s unite to celebrate the season with stunning skating, breath taking moments and Yuletide memories.
• Don’t miss the larger-than-life Christmas tree show at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – it will be a amazing show to see – especially at night when the lights are so bright!
• Also this holiday season are performances by local churches, schools and professional performance groups from around Florida, who take the stage at the Marrakesh Theater with song and Christmas cheer in the Hallelujah Showcase.  And, this is just a sampling of the fun events and shows for the holidays!

While visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay you must take time to ride the newest addition – Cobra’s Curse. This is unlike any other theme park ride in the Central Florida region – it actually has a crazy 70-foot vertical lift that will takes you within inches of its 3 foot-wide eyes and 4-foot-long fangs. For coaster fans, this is a must to add to your bucket list! Not only are you moving fast – you’re also going forwards, backwards, you’re also spinning freely!

Of course, our favorite part of Busch Gardens Tampa is all the animals we can observe. A visit to the Animal Care Center is great because you’re right there where they talk about treatments and animal care throughout the park. And, it’s a great way to learn more about how you can make a difference in their conservation efforts around the world.

Plan Your Visit To Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

To learn about annual events, attractions, shows, and more to experience at Busch Gardens visit their website.

Photo Credits: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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