With the bountiful nature, Mediterranean landscapes, white sand beaches surrounded by mountains, and the added beauty of Sahara, Algeria has a lot to offer as a holiday destination. The first destination to explore is the Botanical Garden EL Hamma, which is situated in Algiers. The garden is spread across 54 hectares of land, offering visitors a chance to explore many species of plants, beautifully decorated fountains, art museums, and zoos.

History of the Garden

This former French colony began its marshland’s remediation work to nurture and turn it into a farmland in 1831. In the following year, Governor-General Antoine Avisard mandated the establishment of a test garden in El Hamma. The idea behind building this magnificent garden was to serve as a demonstration farm and to study imported plant species. Its size grew bigger gradually, and in 1914 it became a public garden.

In 1930, the garden became a university for agriculture. In the late 1940s, the garden was restored to its former glory and was listed as a National Natural Heritage Site. Since 2006, guardianship lies with the district of Algiers.

A Treat to the Eyes

The two main designs of the garden are opposite facing and it entails a large piece of land from the sea’s edge to the mountain foot. The Fine Art Museum is situated in this French garden. The English garden consists of shaded alleys with thick and diversified plants and greenery—experience cool breeze and relief from harsh sunlight outside the garden. There are four main categories of plants, namely, medicinal plants, economic and industrial plants, and food plants.

Hollywood’s Favorite Forest

Multiple Hollywood movies have been shot in the botanical garden. The large entangled trees that are found at the beginning of the garden easily replace the West African Rainforest. Tarzan was also shot here too.

The garden is also popular for field study days, exhibitions of flora and fauna adding to the popularity of Algiers’ environmental education. The zoo and Museum host hundreds of classic and modern art pieces. Visitors can take the cable car to visit the Martyrs’ memorial.

Outdoor lovers with a penchant for white water rafting, rejoice! America’s Newest National park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve makes one of the best choices for a fun-filled family vacation coupled with some adrenaline-boosting activities. Conveniently located in Southern West Virginia, New River Gorge is driving distance for a sizeable chunk of the U.S. population. Once there, it’s a great idea to a resort (like Adventures on the Gorge) to your base camp and chooses a good outfitter to guide you through your adventure itinerary.

Swerving Through the Scenic Gorge

The gorgeous river, one of the oldest in the world offers more than a few delights. Winding from South to North, it drifts through Appalachian terrains, lush forests, and carved canyons, 1,600 ft deep in some places. Outfitters at the park offer several packages of adventure activities to suit your group’s needs. For a full-day fun trip pacing the rapids, the Gorge’s “Lower New River Gorge” excursion is a marvelous option. It covers rapids classified as 25 Class II to IV and makes for an adrenaline-fueled ride, but also leaves room for relaxation as you float through mild-warm waters, swim through gentler portions of the river, and unpack your picnic lunch on the shore.

A Raw & Real Experience

Holding yourself together through rapids with rather apt names like “Double Z” and “Scramble Like A Rat” can be a challenge, and be sure to get drenched. But as your bodies bounce as your little boat flies over the rapids, be sure to have huge smiles plastered on your faces! You can couple your rafting experience with a host of other adventure activities – hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, paintball, laser tag, horseback riding, and clay shooting.

One thing we’re sure of, a visit to New River Gorge will have you hooked for more. NO one can escape the raw, wild beauty of a river carving her way through gorges!