Whether your plans include hunting, lake recreation, or even just the slower pace of life in the country, Michigan can provide for your recreational real estate needs. With land values particularly lower than in other areas of the country, you may find that your dream vacation home, hunting ranch, or quiet escape from city life is in fact not a far-off dream pushed even farther by economic concerns, but a completely attainable goal in the very near future.
Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline of any political subdivision in the world, being surrounded by four Great Lakes. This is a great benefit economically speaking for those who wish to own lakeside land, as there is such a great amount in supply. The normally astronomical costs of lakeside living are pushed down by overwhelming supply of land on one of these massive lakes.
The Great Lakes are home to a variety of prize fish, the most common of which are salmon, trout, walleye and perch. In addition to exciting trophy fishing, Michigan is third in the nation in registration of recreational watercraft, behind only Florida and California. If, due to budget or simply a desire to live inland, one does not live directly near the water, do not feel left out of the ability to enjoy the beautiful Great Lakes – no matter where you are in Michigan, you will never be more than approximately an hour and a half (87.2 miles) from the nearest Great Lakes coastline! Most towns along the coast also have an extensive supply of knowledgeable guides and charter boats to safely get the most out of your time while enjoying the natural beauty of the lakes.
The extensive recreational opportunities offered by the lakes are just one of the many incentives to consider while in the market for rural real estate in Michigan. The state of Michigan licenses more hunters than any other state in the United States with over one million licenses issued each year. In addition to whitetail deer and a variety of game birds, Michigan is a well known hunting ground for Black Bear and Elk.
The temperatures are generally mild and perfect for summer activities, and the Michigan winters are known for the beautiful (and often plentiful) snow covering the landscape. In the winter, recreational opportunities include snowmobiles, skiing, and, if you’re feeling overly adventurous, winter river rafting.
IBM’s revolutionary advancement in broadband internet has led to increased connectivity in rural areas through the use of existing installed electrical grids. This new technology allows for the adoption of the slower-paced rural lifestyle without giving up quick and affordable internet access, which is increasingly becoming important as telecommuters look to move from densely populated, dirty cities into the solitude of the countryside.
If you make the decision to purchase recreational property or even a country home, you may wonder exactly how to proceed. The majority of those interested in purchasing rural property have precious little time to invest in finding the right property, and may put off shopping too late to take advantage of current market trends that allow for much cheaper land values than would generally be expected in such a fantastic setting. To aid in your search, do what over 88% of real estate shoppers in the United States do: begin your search online. Most brokers and agents know of this overwhelming statistic and focus their marketing on the internet, so you should find more listings in easy to-use systems online. To get connected to a site that can help you in your search, go to your favorite search engine (such as Google) and type in a phrase such as “land in Michigan for sale” or, if you have a type of property in mind or a location, get more specific and type a phrase like “Country Homes for sale in Beaver Island Michigan.”
Once you have found a good website with many listings of different types, you can save this site and refer back when you do have spare time to look, as well as be in contact with the website to receive notifications of price drops or new properties that may match your specific interests. Be patient, and before you realize, you will have options to give serious consideration and make an offer on when you are ready.
Don’t Miss Out on Rural Real Estate and Country Homes in Michigan!
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Kenya family wildlife Kenya grand tour
Below is a sample itinerary for a family safari to this beautiful paradise that still plays host to animal species as well as bird life not to be seen anywhere else on earth.
Areas of Interest: Amboseli National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Aberdare Ranges, Samburu National Reserve, Mount Kenya, Nyahururu Falls / Thomson Falls, Lake Nakuru National park, Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island , The Great Rift Valley, Mau Escarpment, Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 1: Arrival
Meet you at Jomo Kenyatta international airport and transfer you to The Nairobi Safari Club Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2– Amboseli National Park
Pick up from the Hilton hotel soon after break fast and drive south through Maasai country to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a stopover lunch at the lodge we proceed into the scenic Amboseli National Park for a game drive returning to the lodge in the evening for a sun downer. Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Lodge
Day 3 – Amboseli National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, we explore the park through morning and afternoon game drives. We have sufficient time for relaxation at the lodge, complete with the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background. Avisit to the Maasai villages in between the game drives can be arranged with our guide. Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Lodge
Amboseli means ‘the place of water’ in Maasai language. The park has an endless supply of water which is filtered through thousands of meters of volcanic rock from Mount Kilimanjaro. Animal species seen include elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala and leopard. The birdlife seen here includes pelican, bee eater, kingfisher, African fish eagle and pygmy falcon. Amboseli is one of the most popular parks and offers excellent accommodation facilities.
Day 4 – Amboseli – Aberdare ( Treetops)
We leave Amboseli, viewing game as we drive via Nairobi to the Aberdares to enjoy the experience of staying in a Tree Hotel or lodge overlooking floodlit waterholes where wildlife and birds regularly visit. Dinner and a well deserved sleep thereafter. Dinner and Overnight stay at the Tree Tops Hotel
Over 40 species of wildlife inhabit the Aberdare mountain ranges, hiding in the heavily forested slopes and in the upper moor lands. The Aberdares is noted as a rhino sanctuary but keep an eye out for the elusive rare bongo, which is best, spotted in the upper bamboo zone and hypericum scrub.
Day 5 – Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival will be in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive returning in time for a sun downer and dinner at the Samburu lodge.
Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings. This reserve is becoming one of Kenya’s most admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched doum palms and thorn trees give an unusual look to the region.
Day 6 – Samburu National Reserve
The whole day will be spent relaxing and leisurely exploring the Samburu National Reserve through morning and afternoon game drives. You may opt to do some of the activities offered at the lodges and a visit to Samburu Villages. Dinner and overnight stay at Samburu Lodge
The light and vast openness creates a lonesome panoramic beauty and the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here.
Day 7- Samburu -Sweet waters.
We enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Samburu reserve then depart for the Mt. Kenya region. Arrival at the lodge in time for you to enjoy the facilities of the lodge, explore the Mount Kenya National Park or take an optional tour to the nearby Sweetwaters Reserve which is home to Chimpanzees. Dinner and overnight stay at Sweetwater’s Tented camp
Sweetwater’s is the only sanctuary for rehabilitation in Kenya of these widely abused chimpanzees with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. The site is also a dedicated black rhino breeding area.
Day 8- Aberdares – Lake Nakuru
Depart the lodge soon after breakfast and drive to Lake Nakuru National park. Lunch at a lodge followed by a full afternoon game drives at the Kenya’s Park famed by its numerous species of birdlife. Dinner and overnight stay at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp.
Lake Nakuru’s claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo’s and the over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons are all residents here.
Day 9 -Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Breakfast at leisure before driving to Lake Naivasha. A visit to the hells gate national park this park can be explored on foot or you could also cycle around the park boat ride to Crescent Island can be arranged .Dinner and overnight at Naivasha Sopa Lodge.
Day 10 : Lake Naivasha – Maasai Mara
Drive to via the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Maasai Mara in time for lunch at Keekorok Lodge. Full afternoon game drive till dusk.
The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.
Day 11 & 12 – Masai Mara National Reserve
Full day spent exploring the park in search of the big 5- Optional balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost of US$ 425 per person. Dinner and Overnight stay at Keekorok lodge
The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.
You may also opt to do some of the activities offered by the lodge. On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on a sun downer back at the lodge.
Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips can be arranged at our office upon booking.
Day 13 – Maasai Mara –Nairobi Excursions /Departure
Drop off at Mara airstrip to board a morning flight to Nairobi – on arriving Wilson airport, our driver will meet you and drive you to Mamba village then proceed to the giraffe centre where the children get an opportunity to feed the giraffe by hand and pet them. Dinner at the Carnivore restaurant at 1830 hrs. Drop off at the airport to board your home bound flight.
The crocodile farm is among the main attractions at Nairobi Mamba Village and the pens are home to an estimated 70 Nile crocodiles. Four Maasai Ostriches can also be found strutting around their pen with grace. Visitors often come into direct personal contact with them when given the opportunity to feed these gallant birds from their hands. The experience is always satisfying and exciting especially for childrenÂ
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Foreign Holidays a Time for Family Bonding
Foreign holidays a time for family bonding
A travel company survey has found that one in five families spend an hour or less together each day at home but on foreign holidays 87 per cent enjoy four hours or more having fun.
The pressures of modern day living have created a situation where the family holiday is more significant than ever as 99 per cent of British families say it is ‘an important or very important’ time to bond together. Meals at home have also suffered: the survey showed the average family share only six meals a week together compared to 12 on holiday.*
Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels recognises the importance of family time together. It has 22 resorts in UK, Spain, Tenerife and Austria where the focus is fully on family fun, from the activities programmes around the poolside and its on resort ‘Team Marina’ for kids, to organised excursions. Resorts are totally family-friendly with well-equipped self-catering accommodation, as well as restaurants on site, impeccable housekeeping and maintenance.
Safety and health are also priorities. A doctor’s surgery is located in the grounds of its multiple resorts on the Costa del Sol and considerable investment is made in security. It is also the only timeshare company in Europe to be BSI audited to quality standard ISO9000:20001 for Marina del Sol Management S.L.U. at four of its resorts, with plans to achieve this throughout its entire operation.
‘We are committed to exceeding the expectations of our 50,000 member families and all staff are encouraged to go that extra mile to ensure the experience is memorable for all the right reasons,’ said Richard Fletcher, Resorts Management Director. ‘When families have saved all year to come on their annual holiday together, we have an obligation to ensure they have the best time ever.’
Catering for families’ needs has made a huge contribution to Club La Costa’s success since it was first formed in 1984, with more family-style resorts planned for Spain and Turkey as part of its ambitious expansion programme over the next two years.
However, it is also recognised that in addition to their main family holiday, members opt for other short breaks, often with friends. This can apply to groups of golfing mates, or other shared interests, and adults simply wanting quality time by themselves.
A survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,847 people in the UK over the age of 16, carried out by Tickbox.net, discovered 27 per cent take short breaks with friends and 10 per cent admitted they do it for time away from their partner and/or family.
Almost 50 per cent of those surveyed preferred to take a break in the British countryside. Club La Costa’s UK resorts all enjoy tranquil rural settings. They include the splendid Duchally Country Estate in the heart of Scotland. With its five-star standard leisure centre and proximity to top class golf courses, including Gleneagles, trout and salmon waters, clay pigeon shooting, Scottish whisky distilleries… it’s an obvious short-break choice.
Also the company’s two resorts in Cornwall: luxurious and modern Hustyns at Wadebridge and historic Trenython Manor near Fowey, offer fabulous scenery, sumptuous spa facilities, fine dining and are spoilt for choice for golf courses and things to do in their local areas.
For more information on Club La Costa visit www.clublacosta.com
*The poll was carried out by First Choice
