Wednesday, January 30, 2008

KERALA BACKWATERS

KERALA

There are many places to visit during your Kerala trip

The next time you plan your holiday for yourself and your family or friends, why not consider making a Kerala trip, a trip to one of the most famous states of India. Kerala is one of the smallest states of India that has one of the biggest impressions in the international market as a wonderful place to visit for a vacation.

When on a Kerala trip, you get to visit some of the most pristine hill stations found in India with evergreens dotting the Western Ghats. There are rolling grasslands, shoals and rejuvenating fragrances of tea and coffee plantations that keep your senses alive with action.

A Kerala trip to the wilder parts of Kerala bring you to some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks found in the country. You will find animal and plant life here that is pretty much unique to the state of Kerala. When on a Kerala trip, you have to just cast yourself in the serene environment of backwater islets while treating your body and soul to the wonderful art of India, ‘Ayurveda’.

On a backwater cruise on a country boat, you not only get to face the backwater life of Kerala, but can also enjoy invigorating massages provided to you in the country boat to make you feel really rejuvenated and relaxed after a round in the country boat. In addition to backwaters, while on your Kerala trip you get to see glistening brooks cascading down to the coastal plains of Kerala to laze through stretches of paddy fields, coconut trees and thus feed the famous backwaters and lakes of Kerala.

The sun and sand is a must for you on your Kerala trip where you get to pep up your spirits while under the tropical sun and feeling the pulse of its coastal life. If you are interested, you could enhance your gastronomy skills and give your taste buds a chance to savor some exotic, ethnic food available in Kerala during your Kerala trip.

Landmark monuments, memorials, forts, palaces and places of worship all indicate the socio-cultural and historical evolution in your Kerala trip. There are many indelible marks left by travelers from far off lands, while on a Kerala trip. To understand the significance, emotions and traditional practices of Kerala better, you have to take part in the many festivals and celebrations existing in this state.

When you take a Kerala trip, you are ensured that you are given the fullest value for the money and time that you have invested in making this Kerala trip. This is because Kerala is a place that offers you some of the best getaways when it comes to diversity in a perfect vacation.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Please Take Me To Melbourne

Taste of gold in Melbourne

Thanks to its great amount if old buildings and parks, Melbourne is almost an “English” city.
The history of Melbourne started in 1803, when first colonial settlements appeared around the Yarra River. In 1851 there was gold discovered at this region, and from this moment the city has been developing rapidly. It took Melbourne just a few years to turn into the capital of state Victoria, named after Queen Victoria. In 1901 Melbourne became the official capital of Australia.

Nowadays Melbourne is the cultural capital of the country, the continent’s liveliest city and one of the most visited cities in the world. Lots of music, theatre, cinema and literature festivals are held here every year. Most known city landmarks are the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre.

Many restaurants and entertainment venues are situated by the Yarra River, which runs through the city centre. Restaurants, cafes, discos, nightclubs – when the dusk comes, all of them are ready to welcome their guests. Life is boiling over and abates only in the morning.

There is definitely a lot to see in Melbourne. For instance, you can make a trip along the Great Ocean Road, during which you will find yourself within the Great Otway National Park, amongst its giant ferns and eucalyptuses. When reaching the coast, you will see the Twelve Apostles – twelve gloomy rocks that rise above the ocean.

One thing that Melbourne is famous for is its “penguin parade” – the Australian natural phenomenon. These funny animals spend the whole day in water, swimming several kms from the coast, and in the evening they return back to their nests.

A fourth of the city is occupied with gardens and parks. You will have a chance to walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens and the lanes of Queen Victoria Gardens. To feel the atmosphere of the past, make a captivating trip on the Puffing Billy steam train, which will drive you along the picturesque valley of the Yarra River. A trip to Fergusson Winery finishes with lunch and wine tasting.

Ballarat city gained fame during the gold rush. Nowadays you can make a “gold path” excursion around the city. There are 19-century buildings, green gardens and parks still found in Ballarat. A trip to Ballarat is also an excellent chance to learn more about the history of the period.

One reason why travelers often come to Australia is its weather. As for Melbourne, local climate is mild and humid. The best time to come to this city is October – April, when medium temperatures reach 24С. Water is rather cold, but suitable for summer bathing.

Monday, January 21, 2008

STUBAI

Longboard Racing in Austria

Enjoy Your Winter In Austria

Where are you going to travel in the winter.Let's consider Austriaas a choice. It has countless winter resorts with amazing surroundings, perfect ski tracks suitable for all ages and difficulties and many more sport facilities in case you are not into skiing. For the tired skier or just for everyone who would like to relax and have fun, there are many suitable places to do it – from big swimming pools to hot bath-tubs and restaurants with specialties from around the world. But if you think that Austria is only for the winter … think again!

If you prefer taking a holiday especially for skiing, you can do so even in the summer with the help of the gorgeous Austrian glaciers. One of the most famous glaciers is the one in the Stubai Valley – the Stubai Glacier. It is visible even from the road and can be a remarkable view even for non-skiers. Other perfect places for skiing in the summer are the Kaprun Glacier and Pasterze Glacier, which unfortunately is decreasing in size in the last years. And if you are keen on the big things than the largest glacier in Austria is for you – the Hintertux glacier.

In Austria there are also magnificent hiking trails, revealing a huge part of the country’s beauties. A beautiful place is Zell am See with its ""Hohe Tauern"" mountain range, the Zeller Lake and its belonging marked trails, suitable for both beginners and experts. There is also available biking, sailing and more. I am not going to give more examples of hiking trails because they are numerous in almost every resort in Austria and they surely bring the atmosphere of the amazing nature there.

If you are a nature lover I can recommend here only a small fraction of the many nature reserves in Austria. One of them is located just north of the city Innsbruck – the Karwendel nature reserve. The Karwendel mountain range is part of the Alps and can reveal many breath-taking types of scenery. Another one is the Pürgschachener Moor Nature Reserve which is in Styria, near Irdning / Ennstal and offers wonderful moments in fresh air. One can also visit the National Park Nockberge – part of the oldest mountain regions in Austria.

No matter where you are from, keep in mind while planning your holiday that nature is always perfect in every season. And I can assure you that one of the best places to go and see it is Austria. Whether you like skiing, hiking, looking from the top of a high mountain or just relaxing under the sun on the bank of a lake – it is all there just for you.