Article by Seth Llanos
The New York’s Catskill Mountains are the stage for Rip Van Winkle’s extended 20-year nap. New York State has many different sides, from the Capital of the World to the wilderness of the woods. Arguably the most beautiful one is the mountainous region of the Catskill Park.
When you vacation in the varied Catskills you’ll get close and personal with the tree-covered mountains, crystal clear waters in lakes, rivers and waterfalls tumbling over rocky edges. There is so much to see and do that you’ll want to maintain your vacation post indefinitely. Visitors from all over the world come, looking for the outdoor recreation around the wide selection of Catskills resorts. The rugged Catskill Mountains provide the perfect site for rock-climbing and hiking activities. Many locations have rope courses and will teach you how to rappelling fun and safely. The bold and courageous might want try hang gliding from an outstanding peak.
If you chose to stay at a vacation house rental in the winter, you can enjoy plenty of snow and ice sports. Ski resorts in the area include Belleayre, Hunter Mountain and Windham, which cover varied terrain on some of the Catskills highest slopes. A good number of trails provide challenging paths for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even snowshoeing. Many Catskills vacation resorts provide easy access to the trails and ski runs.
In warmer seasons, those trails around the Catskills vacation cabins provide great mountain biking or horseback riding quests. The mountain scenery offers a breath taking backdrop to a number of landscaped golf courses. Most Catskills vacation rentals are close to a number of waterways that offer even more fun and adventure. You may wish to take lazy afternoons tubing down the Esopus River, or pick up the rod and enjoy the fishing on Ashokan Reservoir in Catskill Park. Try your luck angling for the playful rainbow trout, largemouth and walleye bass. Some of the world’s most reknown trout fishing streams flow through the forests and plains around Catskills cabins found online.
The glorious scenery can be appreciated on a two-hour cruise down the Hudson River which flows to the east of the park. Learn more on this tributary during the guided tour while you spot the lighthouses and mansions along the river shore. Alternatively, take a separate trip to tour some of these picturesque lighthouses. You can also take the Mountain Railroad ride to see more of the Catskills on a different sight. Perhaps you’ll understand more of the region’s transportation history with guided visits to the Empire State Railway Museum or the Trolley Museum.
In a historic area, you will sure have luck on antique hunting around the Catskills region. The Rhinebeck Antiques Fair is held annually at the Duchess County Fairgrounds. Enjoy wine-tasting tours of local vineyards or take a peek at the local crafts and handiwork sold at the small galleries in the region.
You will prove that in the Catskills, the legend of Rip Van Winkle does not pay proper homage to the legendary beauty of Catskill Park. Undoubtedly, you will find a wonderfully comfortable place to lay your thrilled body when you choose one of the Catskills vacation rentals found in many popular Internet directories.
About the Author
Seth LLanos is a Travel Editor and Blogger. He is also an experienced Travel Agent and Consultant for http://rentalo.com. For more resources regarding Catskills vacation rentals, or other vacation rentals in North Carolina or worldwide, visit http://rentalo.com.