[flickr]tag:horse racing(,1)[/flickr]Red Rum had a flat racing pedigree, making him more genetically suited to racing short, straight distances. However, Rummy’s true talent came out in steeplechases. His power, speed and jumping ability carried him to his first Grand National title in 1973.

The very next year, Red Rum returned to take his second title. He was the first horse to take consecutive firsts since Reynoldstown in 1935-1936. Red Rum’s spirit and grace had already begun to charm the leagues of Grand National fans.
In the following two years, Red Rum lost out on the title, coming in second both times. When he returned in 1977 to try again, he was largely regarded as past his prime. He was 12 years old and not expected to place highly.

He surprised sporting fans around the world when he came in a remarkable 25 lengths ahead of the nearest horse, taking his third Grand National win. To this day, Red Rum’s third win is known as one of the greatest moments in horse racing history.

Red Rum’s career included many wins other than his Grand National Victories. Most notably, he won the Scottish Grand National just three weeks after his 1973 Grand National win. To date, he is the only horse to have taken first in both races consecutively.

Red Rum was headed for the Grand National once again in 1978 but suffered a hairline fracture in one of his heels shortly before the race. He was retired soon after, but his public life and fame by no means diminished with the end of his career. Red Rum was a national celebrity by this time and traveled all over the country for various engagements. He often led pre-race parades at Aintree and was a popular guest at charity benefits and public events.

When Red Rum died on October 18, 1995, his remains were lovingly buried at the winning post at Aintree Racecourse. Ginger McCain, the trainer who led this remarkable horse to his life of victory, said that the burial place was perfect. He reported that he was comforted by the thought of all future winning horses racing over Red Rum on the way to their own victories.

Tags : grand, horse, national, odds, red, rum, runner, sports

[flickr]tag:vienna city(,2)[/flickr]Vienna is a romantic city with rich heritage. It is ideal for couples looking for a romantic experience, or for families looking to have fun excursions. There are many different types of tours that one can embark upon. Vienna is a city with many interesting destinations. So your challenge, as a traveler, is to decide how you want to explore the city. You can choose the slow route, or you can choose the fast route. It all depends on your personal goals and preferences. Here are some suggestions.

Walking tours.

If you would like your trip to be a slow and relaxing one, you can choose to travel on foot while in the city. Of course, when you travel on foot, the destinations that you visit will be limited. However, you will be able to spend more time at each destination, and really get to know the destination well. Also, you won’t get pressured into rushing off from one place to another, as this could lead to unnecessary stress.

Biking tours.

Biking allows you to travel longer distances. But as you are on a bike, you should expect to be getting off the bikes for brief periods of time. That means you wouldn’t have much time to linger at each destination. Brief visit, and off you go to the next destination. Compared to walking, biking certainly allows you to see more of the city. You get to travel along the streets, and view majestic monuments and cathedrals from a distance. The views can be breath taking. If you are traveling in a group, make sure that everyone in the group knows how to ride a bike!

Bus tours.

A bus tour allows you to visit key destinations. You can travel longer distances in a bus, and enjoy the same beautiful scenery. In a single day, you can visit anywhere from 2 to 4 destinations. Of course, this is assuming that the route is well planned, and the plan goes smoothly without glitches. A bus tour is ideal for those who don’t want to break a sweat. The ride is sheltered and comfortable, and you can even take a rest while traveling in the bus.

Boat trips.

If you are bored with land travel, perhaps a boat trip is what you are looking for. To the south, Vienna has got beautiful woods, and the environment is good for some peace and quiet. When you travel by boat, you get a totally different experience. For example, you get to see thermal springs, which you wouldn’t be able to catch a glimpse of if you travel by land.

Ultimately, how you wish to travel depends on what you want to accomplish during your stay in Vienna. Do you want to visit as many destinations as possible? Or do you want to stay focused in just one or two destinations? If this is the first time you are visiting Vienna, perhaps it’s best that you follow a guided bus tour. This will help introduce you to the city. If there are certain destinations that you feel drawn to, you can always revisit the same destinations again on your next trip.

Concert tickets and tours in Vienna and Hotels in Vienna, Austria

Tags : Austria, Concert tickets and tours in Vienna, Hotels in Vienna

[flickr]tag:spain,france,italy(,4)[/flickr]If you are planning to go on a vacation, you may wish to consider countries like Spain, France or Italy. In each of these countries, there are beautiful cities, towns and settlements. Each city has its own heritage, history, and story to tell. It’s easy to fall in love with the destinations once you get to know the place, the people, and the culture. Here are some highlights of the 3 countries.

Traveling in Spain.

Spain has many major cities that you can consider visiting. Some must see cities include Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville or Costa Blanca. Compared to other major cities, Madrid may not have the same beautiful architecture. However, it is rich in art culture, and is endowed with beautiful natural scenery. If you would like to visit magnificent churches and cathedrals, Barcelona would be a better option. This city started off as a tiny settlement surrounded by a defensive wall. It has evolved into a city that is bustling with activity.

Traveling in France.

When you think about France, you can’t help but think about Paris. Paris is the capital of France, and it’s also the largest city in France. This city is well known for the artwork that is produced by numerous famous artists. You must have heard of the famous landmarks – Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum.

The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most well known among the three. It is often seen in movies, magazines, and books. Everyone is saying that if you haven’t seen the Eiffel Tower, you haven’t been to Paris.

If you are into musical performances and plays, France has Moulin Rouge to offer. This is a world renowned venue for top class musical performances. Every night, two performances are scheduled. Be sure to book your tickets early so as to avoid disappointment!

Traveling in Italy

There are many cities in Italy that are worth visiting. Some examples are Venice, Rome and Florence. Powerful citizens once lived in Rome. In ancient times, it was a city that was without electricity or cars. Because many affluent families live in Rome, slaves were a common sight. Today, many of the magnificent manors, villas and sculptures still remain. The slaves are long gone though.

In Florence, the highlights are the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. These places are usually flocked with visitors though. You may have to make reservations to ensure that you are granted permission to enter. Tourists visiting Florence like to visit the museums as well as the town center and markets.

Venice is relatively small compared with the other major cities. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are usually crowded by mid day. When in Venice, you can choose to explore the city in a tour boat.

To get around these cities and visit more destinations, you may wish to hire a car. Car rental services are available at the airport. You can hire a car way in advance so that upon arrival, a rented car would be waiting for you.

For more information about our car hire France service and our car hire Italy service , please visit our resource site.

Tags : car hire France, car hire Italy