Around the Globe

Relax...in the Fiji Islands

2009-04-10T02:02:00.001-07:00

Discover Your Dreams with a Holiday in Fiji

2009-04-10T01:51:00.000-07:00

It's true: a luxury Fiji vacation is not a fantasy. Rarely does fantasy meet reality, but in Fiji, a holiday becomes a trip to paradise. There is a very good reason why almost any holiday brochure, poster or other advert tries to portray everyone’s dream idea of paradise: we’d all like to go there one day.

But looking out at another grey, damp Monday morning, images of palm trees and white sand, the swell of the deep, blue ocean rolling over itself to kiss the shores, the almost unmoving sun drenching everything in warm, golden rays, and the distant call of an exotic bird echoing from the misty groves seem so far away.

If you are used to luxury, you are likely reading this lying cocooned within the comfortable folds of your hammock, swinging lazily beneath the dappled palms as they flutter gently in the faintly discernable breeze; your only effort is timing your swings from side to side just right so that you catch hold of your chilled bottle of champagne.

Mind you, if you’re really doing this in style, you’d have a waiter on hand to do all that exhausting pouring yourself, leaving you to contemplate whether there could be any possible way of achieving the ultimate paradise island. So why Fiji, and not some other paradise island?

There can be few places on earth, quite literally, which can manage to live up to this ideal image, but without doubt, the Fiji islands are as close to paradise as it is ever possible to get. It really is possible to find your fantasy escape during a holiday in Fiji, your quiet, isolated bay, your very own palm trees and, should you choose to indulge yourself completely, service on hand to ensure your every whim is catered for.

A luxury Fiji vacation is not just a trip abroad, it is a real chance to indulge yourself; time here is time spent re-energising yourself, making time, and space, for you. With over 322 islands in the archipelago chain, you can be sure of finding your own isolated bay or inlet, your own private paradise. Despite the apparent isolation, however, it always seems to be some minor miracle that the waiters are still able to provide ice cold champagne whenever you so desire.

There is no such thing as a bad villa, or a villa without a view in Fiji, but there can be no doubt that, though all villas are equal, some are undoubtedly more equal than others. If you are truly to create your perfect paradise, nothing can quite compare to a beachfront villa. Just imagine waking up with the sunlight streaming across your room, the only sounds outside are the gentle drumming of the ocean waves just a few feet away, and the call of birds in the distance as they sing to each other of sun and life. Stepping outside to enjoy breakfast served to you on your veranda will transport you from the world you once knew. The only thing between you and the rest of the world is a hammock, two palm trees and soft, warm sand that is so white it almost looks like snow.

This all sounds very perfect, but you might start to wonder whether, day after day, you might want to look for something else to do to help break up all those endless hours of time dedicated to you. Why not hire a boat, and have a picnic hamper made up for you? It is a fact well proven that picnics always taste better when packed by someone else, and as you are driven across the water, and dropped off at a secluded, private bay, you will be able to enjoy getting away from all that getting away time. Although there are 322 islands, only 106 of these are inhabited, and in addition, there are over 500 islets. Your boat guide will certainly be able to find you a personal, private bay, where you are free to enjoy a well-earned picnic, complete with chilled wine.

Of course, a Fiji vacation is not just about the perfect paradise beaches. There are beautiful tropical forests, ideal for hiking or exploring, and after trekking along paths that look as though they lead to lost civilisations, nothing quite prepares you for the unexpected views which suddenly break out between the trees.

You might want to take your golf clubs, and experience the dazzling course available, although you may find the ocean views a little distracting. As well as enjoying a round of golf, whether you’re a professional or a keen amateur, you could always try your hand at croquet.

While you are admiring all that ocean, you’ll probably very quickly start to feel drawn towards its steadily beating rhythm, and whether you choose to go swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving, you’re certain to have an amazing time. There are coaches available to help teach you to scuba dive properly, leading to certification, but even if you just choose snorkelling, the wealth of life and colour here is unbelievable. After an enthusiastic exploration of this oceanic city, you may decide to enjoy a few of the treatments available at the luxury spas, before selecting what to eat for dinner from a menu that is as diverse as it is fresh.

There can be no doubt that a holiday in Fiji is the closest thing to paradise, and it is here that your fantasy island dreams can really come true. A trip here is an escape, not just from the humdrum world of home, but an escape from your everyday self, and a chance to explore a new world and a new you. A luxury Fiji vacation is exactly that - sheer luxury in a paradise setting.

Perth, Australia

2009-04-10T01:48:00.001-07:00

Perth - capital of Paradise

2009-04-10T01:38:00.000-07:00

Perth has something to offer every car hire holiday. If you are searching for sunshine, pristine beaches, winding rivers and rolling hills you will find it all here. Alternatively, the markets, nightlife and restaurants offer an abundance of choices for the most selective tourist. With attractions as diverse as the landscapes surrounding this pretty city, you will need to base yourself here for at least a week to take in everything there is to offer.

Western Australias capital city is widely known for its pristine beaches which stretch up and down the coast. This region is an underwater paradise, with the whale shark (the worlds largest fish) an attraction for divers, and friendly dolphins that swim to the waters edge. There is every type of landscape within driving distance. And you can return to Perth to relax and enjoy the culture of the city before you start another day trip filled with adventure.

One attraction you cant miss is the Perth Zoo, featuring over 1600 species. Located just five minutes from the city on the banks of the Swan River, you will discover interesting animals such as the Lemur, Siberian Tiger, Western Quoll and the cute Numbat. The children will love it here and it is open every day of the week.

The majestic Swan River meanders into the Swan Valley offering extensive wineries and art galleries. This is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or day trip. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a drive into the lush valley which is such a contrast from the beaches and aquatic attractions closer to the city. Spring is also a wonderful time to visit this region with the 'Spring in the Valley' festival bringing life and colour to the valley, and wildflowers literally everywhere you look.

Another great picnic idea is to head to the famous King Park, only a short walk from the city spreading over Mount Eliza, and enjoy the panoramic views of the river dotted with catamarans and yachts. Take a stroll through parklands or enjoy the magnificent botanical gardens.

Just across from Perth is Rottnest Island, which is just as popular with tourists as locals. The clear waters, fishing spots and the cute quokkas seem to own the island. The best way to see Rottnest is on push bike, which adds to the peace and tranquillity of the island. You are bound to find your own private beach with over sixty to discover, or visit the Rottnest Musuem for a walk back in time. Bring your snorkels and you will be delighted with the underwater world albeit with shipwrecks and coral reefs.

If you are staying at Rottnest overnight at one of the villas or camping sites, make sure you watch the spectacular sunset from the Quokkas Arms Pub. It truly is one of the best spots in the world to watch the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.

Less than half an hour from Perth is Fremantle, which is a port city that needs to be seen for its heritage buildings, museum and authentic shopping. The markets here are very popular with locals and tourists alike, with every type of cuisine available, and trendy cafés lining the streets.

South from Perth you will find Mandurah, known for its Ocean Marina surrounded by cafes, shops and parklands. This is a great place to enjoy a day cruise out into the ocean to watch for dolphins, pelicans and water birds. There is every type of water activity available here, and it is a fishermans delight with an abundance of marine life.

Rockingham has everything for families and water lovers, with plenty of safe beaches, and sailing, snorkelling and surfing all enjoyable past-times. Two of the favourite attractions are the dolphin viewing tours which have a platform so you can see the dolphins swimming alongside you. Also taking the ferry out to Penguin Island is a must to see the fairy penguins in their own environment. This is a wonderful city to stay for a while to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and aquatic life.

Perth is also known for its swans, and a unique place to see the white swans is in Northam, which also has the longest suspension bridge in Australia. Nestled on the Avon River further inland from the city, you can also enjoy white water rafting, canoeing and hot air ballooning in this region.

Further into the hinterland, the Avon Valley National Park is fantastic for a day trip of weekend escape. Drive inland to York, where you will find an array of museums, galleries and old buildings. There is plenty of bush camping here and friendly towns scattered throughout the valley. The drive from Beverley to York promises panoramic views over lakes and countryside.

Perth is beautiful in so many ways. The friendliness of the people, the diversity of wildlife and marine life so close together, and the loveliness of the country make this a destination that will capture your heart. Fantastic as a base to visit Western Australia more extensively, make sure you start planning a self drive itinerary here soon.

Eco Tourism in Malaysia

2009-04-05T21:02:00.001-07:00

Travel Tourism In Malaysia

2009-04-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

A bubbling, active melting pot of races and religions where malays, Indians, Chinese and many others cultural groups live together in peace and accord. Multiculturalism has not only made Malaysia a gastronomical glory, it has also made Malaysia residence to hundreds of colorful festivals. Its no speculate that we love celebrating and socializing. Geographically, Malaysia is as assorted as its traditions. One of Malaysia's key attractions is its tremendous contrasts. Soaring skyscrapers appear down upon timber houses built on stilts, and five-star hotels sit several meters away from antique reefs. For the wonderful holiday full of surprises, diverse cultures and normal wonders, the time is now, the position is Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur has a energetic nightlife scene and a attractive art and concert culture, which blends fashionable and conventional styles from many backgrounds. There is the widest range of fair actions accessible with state-of -the-art services to impress any honorable aficionado.

The structural design is rather odd and is definitely unique, from 100 year old mansions to overwhelming sky scrapers, and all within meters of each other. Malaysia is enriched with many beautiful islands. These islands consist of humid tropical forest which is must for scenery lovers. It fascinates a mixture of international tourists as they can take pleasure in and pander to various fun games such as boating, sailing, river rafting and paragliding etc. you can without difficulty enjoy an assortment of water sports and those who are not so athletic can certainly try fishing on the islands of Malaysia. You can smooth spot many tourists taking sunbath enjoying swimming. This radical structural conversion of Malaysia's economy which has been fairly impressive in these 40 years has been the consequence of practicality and a number of crucial steps taken by the Malaysian administration. Malaysia today is measured one of the world's foremost exporters of semiconductor devices, computer hard disk drives, audio and video products, and room air-conditioners.

A wonderful safe place comprising of island life, adventures, city enthusiasm and oriental culture & heritage, Malaysia has been attracting tourists from all alcove and curve of the world as an ideal travel destination for in excess of a decade now. With lively, enjoyable dance forms, with a fabulous culture that represent fruitfulness, observation and distinction, with complicated established festivals like the bamboo dance and the warrior dance, and with a strong sense of group of people, Malaysia is in fact a land of numerous cultures, wonders and attractions in the heart of Asia. Malaysia as a purpose of superiority, the travel/tourism development department of Malaysia has been able to increase the number of overseas tourists and also extend their average length of stay, thereby increasing Malaysia's tourism proceeds considerably over the years. Malaysia is one of the growing of South-East Asian tourism, a nation looking to the future while cherishing the ways of the past. Malaysia was first mentioned in Chinese and Sanskrit records of the seventh and eighth centuries. In following centuries the area was under the authority and loose control of various Thai and Indonesian empires, including the great Sumatra-based civilization of Sri Vijaya.

How to Pack For A Trip the Green Way

2009-01-28T00:15:00.000-08:00

Going on a trip is exciting to-do. Months and days may have been spent in its preparation. You've saved each month from your spendings, taken off time from work, got a neighbour to look after the pet, and and now you are all set. All you have to do is pack your belongings. But how to pack them in an eco-friendly way? Here are some tips.

Remove all packaging waste from any packaged items before you travel. The countries you are travelling to may not be able to treat your package waste in a responsible manner. It's for you to see that it is disposed of properly.

Travel light, as lighter your baggage, the less energy your mode of transportation is going to consume. That includes yourself if you plan to do a lot of walking and cycling. Walking, cycling and public transport are the main forms of green travel. Shortening and combining car trips, tuning up your car, or driving a car that runs on cleaner fuel than conventional petrol or diesel, are also green alternatives.Take along only the essentials.

Travel-sized toiletries almost seem necessary. There are a few ways around this. If you are visiting friends and family, why bring anything more than a toothbrush? Use what they use. Try new toothpastes, soaps and shampoos, etc. For some allergenic people, buy travel-sized shampoo once, save the bottle and refill from your shampoo at home? Same can be done for almost every other toiletry.

One bag is all you need. Take along only the essentials. Make sure it is lightweight and wieldy. I've travelled across the globe and never needed more than a one duffle bag. The benefit of the one-bag system is that you don't have to wait at the conveyor belt for your bag, and there is no chance of airlines losing your luggage if you're holding onto it. If I have to carry around the bag, then prefer it to be as comfortable and as light as possible. You tend to buy less junk as you wont carry it around.

Australia - South Coast

2008-12-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

Australia is wonderful for many reasons but especially for all its different destinations. From Katherine to Albany and from Exmouth to Cairns but nothing beats the New South Wales – NSW - South Coast. This is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians and foreign travelers’ world over.

Premium South Coast holiday rentals scattered among the diverse locations in the area are all unique and enchanting, catering to the needs and desires of just about every type of holiday traveler.

The many miles of beaches, the ocean, the national parks, the city life, lakes, harbours, parks and many more makes it the destination for each family from every walk of life.

For family travelers, the huge range of South Coast holiday rentals offer luxurious and roomy accommodations to fit every budget. The real decision is whether you want seaside fun, rural tranquility or a country retreat.

If roaring waves, white sands and plentiful water activities are what you want, then check out the South Coast holiday rentals in Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa or Jervis Bay.

Kiama, known as the gateway to the South Coast, is a paradise for beach goers, boasting some of the most pristine beaches in the world. The setting is slightly more urban than the other options, and many of the premium South Coast holiday rentals in Kiama offer breathtaking ocean views.

Gerroa further south has numerous activities from water sports to bush walking and many in between. Gerringong is famous for its beautiful country side, museums and aboriginal art. Both places offer a selection of numerous spectacular beachfront holiday rentals ready to accommodate you and your family in a more private setting.

The southernmost of the premium South Coast holiday rentals are the scenic houses of Jervis Bay. The perfect “Do not disturb” escape. For good reason, Jervis Bay beaches are some of the most visited in Australia. Those looking to get wet should partake of the area's excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities.

If it's quiet rural tranquility that you seek, Jamberoo and Berry have you covered.

A quaint provincial town boasting charming 19th century architecture and rolling green, cow-dotted hills, Jamberoo is home to Wallaby Hill Farm, a premium South Coast accommodation just perfect for gatherings of the extended family.

Leave behind the ocean vistas and beach life and head to Berry if secluded pastoral surroundings and scenic mountain views are more to your taste. Berry's South Coast holiday rentals offer stunning mountain backdrops and a unique local serenity. And the deserted beaches of Gerringong or Gerroa are just a half-hour drive, if you really must.

For a real country getaway, it has to be Kangaroo Valley, which offers two unique and distinctive premium South Coast holiday rentals: a beautiful rustic timber and stone cottage, and a sumptuous luxury spa set among sprawling meadows.

Kangaroo Valley is not close to the beach like other South Coast holiday rentals, but does present a range of alternative family activities like adventures and picnics in vast national parks peppered with magnificent waterfalls and a fascinating learning experience at the Pioneer Museum Park.

If you are looking for a holiday that will be simultaneously relaxing and engaging for the entire family, you can't go wrong with South Coast holiday rentals.

Beijing

2008-11-19T18:36:00.001-08:00

Vibrant Beijing … The Capital Of China And A Treasure Room Of Sights

2008-11-19T18:17:00.000-08:00

Touring this city requires a lot of walking - a good physical condition helps if you are here - but mentally you never get tired of this dynamic metropolis.

With a 3,000-year history, sights, myths and tales from the past are found around every corner. It's why tourists love Beijing and believe me, Beijing loves its tourists too. The city has great restaurants featuring the world cuisine and some of the hotels match the best in the world. For the best deals on hotels in Beijing, check out http://www.hotelscombined.com/City/Beijing.htm?a_aid=4d780272

Let's take a closer look at some of the main sights and attractions.

Forbidden City

The former palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties, and now one of the most incredible museums in the world. It's so huge (800 buildings! 8,886 rooms! 720,000 square metres!) you need at least half a day to get a good impression of its beauty. The palace was forbidden ground for ordinary people until the fall of the empire in 1912.

Temple Of Heaven

Many regard this as the most beautiful temple in China. Located in the south eastern part of the city and surrounded by parkland, it's really a complex of buildings of which the main, beautifully decorated temple was built in the 15th Century. Not a single nail was used to build it and it still stands firm like a rock. Tiananmen Square Just outside the Forbidden City, and the world's biggest square: 880 metres long, 500 metres wide. This square simply breathes authority. Built in 1417, it has been the site of many historical and political events. It's entirely flat, except for two buildings: the mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Monument to the People's Heroes.

Summer Palace

Just outside the city this park of 716 acres used to be the imperial garden retreat during hot summers. It was burned down in 1860 during the Anglo-French invasion but rebuilt in 1888, and once more in 1902 after another attack. The main building is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. The 60 meters high Longevity hill and the Kunming Lake dominate the park.

Further away, but still easily reached from the capital is the Great Wall of China.

If you're a fan of history and interested in Chinese culture, this city has so much to offer.
But make no mistake. Despite its historical sights and signs of communist glory, young people in Beijing live the life of today. And today in China means a country with a booming economy. Mobile phones and (copy) designer clothes are seen in every street, and people show a great interest in everything that comes from the western world.

It has given this crowded city a feel that makes tourists from all over the world feel welcome, even though much is so different from their life at home.

The broad boulevards of Beijing are now full of cars - yes, there are still zillions of bikes, but they're losing ground - and shops, business and entertainment flourish like never before. Beijing is a world on its own, and visiting this city is - like the rest of China - an experience you'll never forget.

Forbidden City of Beijing - A Magical And Overwhelming Place

2008-11-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

The Forbidden City in Beijing is no longer forbidden territory anymore. And we should be grateful for that. Why? If you have had the honor to visit this extraordinary place, you will understand.

This stunning complex of imperial buildings, right in the heart of the Chinese capital, is one of the most magical sights in the world. It's so overwhelming that once you've been there, you'll keep talking about it whenever you have the opportunity.

Let's look at some facts.

The Forbidden City is the former palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was planned and built from 1407 to 1420, and for its design and layout principles of Feng Shui were used. An estimated 200,000 workers helped to construct it.

The numbers explain why so many people were needed: there are 800 buildings with a total of 8,886 rooms. The word ‘city' is not misused as it measures 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west.

A 52-meter wide moat (6 meters deep) and an 8-meter high wall around the complex kept intruders (and ordinary people!) away until the fall of the Empire in 1912.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the buildings are used as a museum.

Again, the numbers are impressive. The Palace Museum holds no less than 340,000 pieces of ceramics and porcelain as well as 50,000 items of paintings. I regret to say that once you're there, you won't have time to see everything, but even a quick review can make you speechless.

The sheer size of the complex is impressive, but a problem at the same time. How can you make the most out of your visit?

If you go there on a guided tour, the guide will likely follow the middle path to save time. In two hours time you'll see the most important parts of the city, but since there's so much to pay attention to, you will hardly have time to stop.

If you go there alone, use a full day and come early. Don't plan to visit any other sights on that day, just the Forbidden City. If you take your time and enjoy what you see, you can spend half a day and still only see half of it.

Another good idea is renting the audio guide at the entrance.

Don't be intimidated by the crowd at the entrance. Yes, it's very touristy and it can take a while before you are in, but once people have got their ticket the crowd splits up in several groups.

Take a rest in the imperial gardens. Jingshan Park, with an artifical hill, is the most famous. You'll feel an emperor for a second when you sit there!

Finally, if you want to get into the mood, you could watch The Last Emperor, the first Hollywood movie for which the government of China allowed to film inside the complex.

Grand Bahamas Island is a traveler's paradise

2008-11-13T21:59:00.000-08:00

Are you willing to keep yourself away from the daily hectic schedules? It really becomes difficult sometimes that people may get to think about the choice of location for a vacation. Obviously, you would love to go to such a place that not only unwinds you from the problems in life, but also relaxes your body and mind. Grand Bahamas Island is the perfect choice for all those tourists, who want to spend some time aloof from the business world and their daily routine. Moreover, rest is really necessary to keep up and maintain the health of an individual. Grand Bahamas Island has lot to offer for wooing the senses of travelers.

It’s the natural beauty that is being left loose in the Grand Bahamas Island. The beaches, the mesmerizing views, water sports, cruises and many more is available for the tourists to have a wonderful time here. There is no doubt in it that Grand Bahamas Island has one of the most awesome looking beaches of the world. Just imagine you lying on the beach and having a sun bath or enjoying your favorite water sport. A mere mention of these ideas starts cooling the mind and refreshing wave vibes in your body. The Grand Bahamas Island has so much to offer that your vacations at this place can the most memorable experience.

Grand Bahamas Island is a home of some of the attractive looking destinations that offer every type of comfort and relaxation activities to the tourists. Nassau, Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and Eleuthera, Andros, Long Island, Cat Island, Inagua and San Salvador are few of the breathtaking places and that one must visit. Well, Grand Bahamas Island has about 700 small islands in it, but only around 30 are inhabited. It’s the best place to check out and experience the real fun. In fact, well planned Grand Bahamas Island vacations can double your joy of holidaying.

Are you really crazy about water sports? Do you love going for fishing and enjoying the view? Then Grand Bahamas Island is the perfect choice for you as there is everything that you could wish for. As far as commuting is concerned, you can take an hour long flight from Florida and then can move on to the selected destination on small ships. Grand Bahamas Island is the traveler’s paradise and has everything for the visitors. After all, it’s the natural beauty that has the magnetic power of attracting tourists and Grand Bahamas Island has this in abundance.

The main thing while coming to Grand Bahamas Island is that you need to have a proper holiday package. You are required to sit with your travel agent and discuss about your requirements. The travel agent would have every type of range for you to suit your budget. No matter what is the range, you can enjoy the Grand Bahamas Island. Who do not wish to give themselves some special time to indulge? Moreover, everybody in this world has the right to have some luxurious time for him or herself.

The Bahamas

2008-11-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

The Bahamas, officially called the commonwealth of the Bahamas, is an independent, sovereign, English-speaking country consisting of two thousand cays ( coral reefs) and seven hundred islands that form an archipelago. (a group of many islands) It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States; north of Cuba, Hispaniola, Dominican Republic and Haiti, and the Carribean Sea, and north west of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

East Of Florida

The closest island to the United States is Bimini, lying approximately 100 miles east of Miami Florida. Bimimi is known as the gateway to the Bahamas. The Island of Abaco is to the east of Grand Bahama. The south easternmost island is Great Inagua. Other notable islands include the Bahamas' largest island, Andros Island, M Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador, Acklins, Crooked Island, Exuma and Mayaguana. Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, lies on the island of New Providence.

Climate

The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderately affected by the waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly in the winter. Conversely, this may prove dangerous in the summer and autumn, when hurricanes pass near or though the islands. While there has never been a freeze reported in the Bahamas, the temperature can fall nearer to the freezing point during Arctic outbreaks that affect nearby Florida

Bahama's Government

The Bahamas is a sovereign nation. Political and legal traditions closely follow those of the United Kingdom. The Bahamas is a member of the commonwealth of Nations. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. Although the Bahamas is not geographically located in the Caribbean, it is a member of he Caribbean Community.

Grass Root Culture

In the less developed outer islands, handicrafts include basketry made from palm fonds. This material, commonly called “straw”, is plaited into hats and bags that are popular tourist items. Regattas are important social events in many family island settlements. They usually feature one„ or more days of sailing by fashioned work boats, as well as an onshore festival. Some settlements have festivals associated with the traditional crop or food of that area, such as the “pineapple Fest” in Gregory Town, Eleuthera or the “Crab Fest” on Andros. Other significant traditions include story telling. Sailing and Track and field athletics are popular sports in the country. Football and rugby also have strong followings while American sports such as basketball, softball, baseball and American football are gaining popularity.

Sandals Resort At Nassau

The Sandals Resort being positioned on the beach front will present you with endless turquoise water beguiling your senses and inviting you to explore vibrant coral reefs beneath the surface in this quintessential island paradise. With its famed gaming establishments and ultra-luxurious shopping venues, as well as downtown Nassau's pastel pinks and blues and its bustling straw market, the Bahamas perfectly mingles the sultry island rhythm with a cosmopolitan sophistication to create the best of both worlds.

Best Of Old and News Worlds Meet In Nassau

The 330-year old city of Nassau displays many charming signs of its British Colonial heritage, from crisply clad, white-gloved policemen to the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Government House. Yet, underneath the gentility of the Old World ambiance throbs a vibrant Caribbean pulse that colors and enlivens every aspect of this booming place. From quaint colonial architecture, bathed in pastel pinks and greens, to the lilting sounds of Bahamians conversing in the streets and from the proud traditions of the past to the incredibly vivid Junkanoo rhythm of modern times, Nassau opens wide a window to its colorful past, while also inviting everyone to enjoy the very best of Bahamian living.

Shopping In Style

Sophistication reigns supreme in the elegant stores-many of which you can also find on the streets of London, New York or Paris-that line Nassau's main thoroughfares. Copious duty free shopping only makes your experience more appealing. If you prefer something a little bit more in keeping with the Caribbean vibe, you're also very much in luck, since Nassau is home to the largest straw market in the entire region. Simply every item under the sun that can be fashioned from straw is available here and don't forget, it's always a good idea to bargain! Want a truly authentic Bahamian shopping experience? Then head on down to the market at Potter's Cay and join in with the throngs of natives as they select fresh produce, conch and fish. Whatever your purchasing pleasure, Nassau is sure to satisfy.

After A Day On The Beach Why Not a Walk In the Cool Of the Evening?

Once you’ve soaked in the sunshine, claimed your own idyllic stretch of shoreline and sipped, dined and relaxed the day away, maybe “ you’ll be in the mood for a walk with that one you love. Perhaps along the breach area enjoying the tranquility of the beach setting as the evening begins to fall. Or perhaps you'll choose an evening stroll through town stopping for a tropical fruit drink at a side walk care. If you've chosen to bring your children then it may prove to be a walk in the evening, with the Atlantic breeze bringing a taste of refreshing coolness as your children excitedly take in the wonder of Nassau's mixture of old and new with a touch of the old colonialism which is a site and experience available few other spots on the globe.

God bless you as you travel and enjoy His creation, and rub shoulders with those that merit His highest desire: the people of the world.

Burj Al Arab -World's only seven star hotel

2008-11-12T23:24:00.001-08:00

The Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai

2008-11-12T23:22:00.001-08:00

Live Like a Sultan in Dubai

2008-11-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

'Burj Al Arab', 'Bastakia Quarter', 'Heritage and Diving Village', 'Souk Area', 'Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House'… sounds familiar! Right? Well, these are just a few names, which add to the magnificence and splendor of the exotic land of Dubai. All the major attractions of this city would provide you with a fascinating insight into the city's heritage and culture, and would surely make your feel like the ancient Sultans who were known all across the globe for their splendid aura and opulence.

Since ages gone, people have known this land to be nothing but a mere 'stretch of sand dunes', but the real credit goes to the inhabitants of the land who have converted this land into one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world. So if you have been cherishing the desire to live like a Sultan in Dubai then wait no more and immediately start planning for your next vacation to Dubai.

On your first visit only, you are sure to indulge yourself in the rich and glorious past of the city when you would visit the picturesque heritage sites or the living museums where visitors can look back in time and explore the past of Dubai.

The hotels of Dubai truly make your experience the divinity that this land has to offer. Set in the heart of the Arabian land, Dubai truly brings you lavishness mingled with pleasure.

Al Qasr: - Built and designed in the style of a monarch's summer residence, this place exudes opulence and grandeur out of every corner. It is not only beautifully furnished but also has every desire of yours catered for. With a sea view and private beach at your disposal, you are sure to experience the lavishness and affluence that the monarchs used to enjoy during their rule.

Ramada Continental: - This is one of the many grand hotels in Dubai, which treats you like a prince during your stay there with its excellent palatial ambience. For many years this stately structure has been a favorite of the sportsperson as the famous Creek Golf Club is located at a short proximity from here.

Hilton Jumeirah: - Set amongst the exquisitely beautiful gardens on the pristine Jumeirah beach, this hotel is sure to make your dream of living like a sultan in Dubai a reality.

Al Khaleej Palace Hotel: - Brilliantly designed and tastefully decorated, the Al Khaleej Palace Hotel seems to be nothing but a stately empire of the prehistoric sultans. The ideal location, perfect room settings and the luxurious range of amenities truly make this place a traveler’s favorite.

The wealth of cultural and entertainment based activities in and around Dubai would surely let you submerge yourself in the pool of immense pleasure, and within a short span of your stay here, you are sure to feel the aura of the Mughal monarchs getting a hold of you. Do not be too surprised if after returning to your native land, all you can manage to dream of is huge chandeliers gracing your quaint little room or your bathtub as a pool filled in with milk and rose petals. After all, you dreamt to live like a sultan in Dubai.

Family safari vacation to the home of the Gods

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Families traveling with kids will find Amboseli national park a safari destination matched to no other, with less tourist traffic, breathtaking open spaces, easy access from Nairobi, the list is endless.

The park described by writers as ' a home for the Gods' covers 150sq mile south of Nairobi and lies just at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 5,895m. The park is currently on the cross roads with the government and the local communities both claiming ownership, with Kilimanjaro's snow capped peaks dominating every aspect of this Park and form a stunning backdrop to the wildlife found here - elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and a host of plains game and its breathtaking beauty, the tag is well worth the effort!

The area is home to the Masai people, tall, colorful, proud, nomadic warriors famous for their legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals. Perhaps, more than any other people they have learned to live in complete harmony with the wildlife which surrounds them, this knowledge they proudly shared to visitors and well worth the time. Kids will be allowed to get really close and explore the simple but fascinating homesteads, adults will also enjoy the cultural aspect of the lifestyle.

Amboseli's Oltukai lodge is one of the best spots in the world where children can watch elephants and study their fascinating wilderness behavior, This is where you will find the highest concentration of elephants than anywhere else in Africa, they can be seen spread well over the savannah woodland, just remember to ask your driver guide on how this clever mammals mourn and pay last respect to a dead member or how they cross their tiny young on a fast flowing river. .

Quietly tucked away from view, The Kibo family Villa crouches undisturbed, an elegant three-bedroom log cabin built in stone and gum tree, in complete harmony with its surroundings. Own entrance, a lounge, a fully fitted kitchen and a barbecue area. Secluded by a copse of indigenous Acacia Tortilis trees and five acres of garden, Kibo Villa is peace and privacy made perfection. Two or threes small families traveling together love the self-catering option, use the lodges facility is welcome. Detailed attention is taken on security issues and a resident nurse is available on call.

Kids will love the lavish private family buffet breakfast or dinner set out specially as a family package in wonderful secluded detting amongst the tortillas trees only a tone away from the family of the resident elephants also having a feast of their own, breakfast works out best.

Selenkay conservation area lies east of Amboseli is well off the beaten track, never visited by tourist till now, birdlife is prolific especially bird of prey. The 6 tents Porini luxury camp caters for 12 guest at a time, the camp is in the lines of a traditional luxury family camp, comfortable family tent rooms, ensuite bathrooms, flush toilets, solar powered electric lighting and an amazing chef completes a safari family haven!

At Amboseli locally trained masai naturalist or walking guides will get Kids out in the mornings in a small group of say 8 kids for an adventurous nature exploration. This walking trips to the nearby sites in most cases will include lessons on the masai hunting techniques, catching and naming butterflies, treasure hunts, tree planting, hide and seek in animal camouflaged clothing and an interesting Q and A session answering every question they have ever had on wildlife and tribesmen.

The young rangers club is available to 10 - 15 year olds, could be a temporally or annual membership with letters, post cards and birthday cards sent to members all over the world from deep down wild and magical Africa!

COSTA RICA

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It does not really matter who you are, when you visit Costa Rica you will discover that there are always going to be plenty of things for you to do. Explore the many options for Rica Tours and y u may have a hard time deciding where to start or which ones to choose. In fact, you are going to find that the possibilities for Costa Rica Tours are endless. The country has a vast and beautiful nature which means there are boundless activites to be found there.

First of all, you have to let your Costa Rica Tour take you to the beautiful and pristine beaches of Costa Rica. No where on earth is going to offer you such beautiful beaches. The great thing about them is that they are still relatively untouched. They have not been affected too much by the tourist market, which means that many of them are just they way they always were. They are all open and accessible to the public as well, because one of the greatest things about going on a Costa Rica Tour means that you are going to be able to access some of the most beautiful places on earth and you won't have to pay extra. There is nothing like going on a Costa Rica Tour and spending day after day relaxing on some of the most untouched beaches in the world.

Lodging

There are also great resorts that you can stay on while you are on your Costa Rica Tour. You will find that you have your choice "" first of all there are the big and name brand resorts that you can stay at, where you will be able to stay in high class hotel rooms and enjoy luxurious food and other dining aspects of your tour. There is something for every budget. Resorts and hotels come in all shapes and sizes, from the very luxurious resorts to the small and modest hotels that you can stay at for a modest cost. You can also shell out the bigger bucks for a Costa Rica Tour that includes staying in a small hut right on the beach. This is something that is completely worth doing because you will find that you can be right there where the action is, and where the most beautiful people in the world are.

Fishing

Remember that while you are on your Costa Rica Tour the best thing to do is to take advantage of the fishing. There are many catch and release tours that you can take that will take you out on the water and allow you to actually fish for some of the most interesting and sporting fish in the world. This is truly an experience that you can do that is going to live in your memories for the rest of your life. As it the case with any other resort area, you can expect to find plenty to see and do outside on your Costa Rica Tour. You can take in many different sights and go on many different tours. Remember that while you are in Costa Rica, get outside and experience the nature of it all. This is hands-down the best way to see Costa Rica, and in addition you will get the best idea of what awaits on your Costa Rica Tour.

Paying For It

One of the things that most people worry about is trying to find a way to pay for their trip. You should know that a Costa Rica Tour doesn't even really cost you that much money. There are so many ways that you can make it work when it comes to paying for your Costa Rica Tour, and one of the best things that you can do is simply look at all of your options. Here a great tip. If you are looking for even more options you should go at different times during the year, and take different types of tours each time you visit. This is going to afford you many more options than you may think possible.

Rift Valley

2008-08-15T20:04:00.001-07:00

Kenya Rift Valley safari -Top sites, activities and places to visit at the great rift valley Kenya

2008-08-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

The rift valley is the greatest valley in the world a continental fault system which stretches from the dead sea all the way to Mozambique .in Kenya, the valley forms a great rift through the middle of the country beginning from Turkana in the north to lake Magadi to the south. in between are a series of other lakes: Lake Barigo,Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, lake Elmentaita, and Lake Naivasha.only two of these lakes (Naivasha and Baringo) are fresh water lakes .the others are shallow soda lakes.

Dozens of Volcanoes erupted in and around the Rift valley .most of them are now extinct, but have left their mark on the landscape in the form of half submerged islands, giant calderas, and the distinctive cone shapes which dot the landscape. The Rift valley evokes a sense of immense mystery and the power of time.

Most visitors to Kenya first see the Rift Valley when traveling on the Nairobi-Naivasha road. This first view almost always a stunning surprise. After driving through cool conifer forests suddenly you are at the edge of the distinctive volcanic shape of Mt longonot dominates the scene. Forty-eight kilometers across rises the dark blue escarpment of the other side of the valley. At the viewpoints, persistent souvenir salesmen force you back to reality

The Masai have been in the Rift Valley for centuries. Today the most popular tourist areas are around Lakes Naivasha, Nakuru and Baringo. All of these lakes have several accommodation options and are linked by relatively good tarmac roads. The lakes are known for their exceptional birdlife, especially the pink flocks of flamingos which feed in the soda lakes. National parks have been established around Lake Nakuru and lake Bogoria.

Lake Naivasha Area

Lake Naivasha, 83 kilometers from Nairobi, is the highest of the Rift valley Lakes surprisingly; Lake Naivasha (1888 meters) is at a higher altitude than Nairobi (1670 meters). This beautiful freshwater lake has large floating islands of papyrus, a mysteriously fluctuating water level, a healthy hippo population and wonderful and diverse birdlife. Its shores are lined with yellow-barked fever trees and horticultural farms and vineyards .there is a yacht club on Crescent Island for sailing and windsurfing. Fishing is popular and there are even fresh water crayfish in the lake. There are a whole host of places to stay around the lake, ranging from bustling hotels to catered home stays. Naivasha proximity to Nairobi makes it ideal for a weekend (or longer) getaway. There is much to see and do in the area.

Crescent Island

This small Island in Lake Naivasha is the outer rim of a submerged volcano. there is a private game sanctuary on the island and it si safe to walk among wild animals

Hells Gate National Park

The geological formation of this park is particularly impressive with soaring red cliffs, isolated volcanic plugs, spreading grasslands dotted with game and deed gorges where visitors can walk. There is a geothermal project at the far end of the park.

Elsamere Conservation centre

This former home of Joy Adamson of born free fame is now a residential conservation center. it is open to visitors for afternoon teas.

Crater Lake sanctuary

A vivid green lake has formed in the caldera of an extinct volcano. This is a peaceful and remote spot with lovely views.

Mount Longonot

This extinct volcano has a path to the top and around the rim. There are magnificent views.

South Korea Tourism Video

2008-07-16T23:28:00.001-07:00

KERALA BACKWATERS

2008-07-16T23:25:00.001-07:00

Introduction to South Korea Culture - Modern And Tradition

2008-07-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

Korea is a beautiful county with a history of over 5,000 years. It is hard as an American to comprehend a culture that has lasted that long when our history as a country only goes back a few hundred years. All of the historical sites have been preserved for future generations. These buildings, stone pagodas and lanterns, and other pieces of sculpture are known as National Treasures and are numbered. Seven sites have been selected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Korean treasures included in the World Heritage List are Bulguksa Temple and nearby Seokguram Grotto; Haeinsa Temple's Changgyongp'ango (depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks); Jongmyo Shrine; Changdeokkung Palace Complex; Hwaseong Fortress; Kochang, Hwasun and Kanghwa Dolmen Sites; and Gyeongju Historic Areas. More information about the World Heritage Sites can be found ub each of the site's information and in theTeacher Activities.

Even with this rich history from the past, Korea can be seen as a progressive and modern country. The modern buildings of the big cities rival those of any other modern country, yet scenes from the past coexist with the new.

The people of Korea are very friendly and loving and are excited to try their English. All of the younger children are learning English. They know that their future depends upon being able to speak English. At this time only the bigger hotels have someone who can speak English but this will change. The Korean people want foreign
investors to come to Korea to help their economy. Korea will become a major tourist destination as Americans begin to learn about the beauty of Korea.

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea is an East Asian country occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. To the north, it is bordered by North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), with which it was united until 1945. To the west, across the Yellow Sea, lies China and to the southeast, across the Korea Strait, lies Japan

South Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and is between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea. Koreans trace their history back to Gojoseon kingdom in 2333 BC and has seen the vicissitudes of time to emerge as what one sees in the present. The country is homogenous with the population with Korean ethnicity and the rest few as the foreign migrant workers. South Korea today is one of the worlds technologically and scientifically advanced nation.

The country has hosted the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and FIFA World Cup 2002 that has displayed the culture and modernity of the nation. South Korea is a land of ancient traditions that is reflected in various forms. Here there are the ancient ruins, the scenic beauty, and the modernity all in a tranquil blend.

The tourist attractions include the Korean peninsula region with the mountains that is a treasure trove for the traveler who wants to be away from the crowded destinations. The capital Seoul is the most visited area and is the 10th largest city in the world. The city also has got to offer the tourist a variety of attractions to bring them back again. The nightlife that is vibrant and the variety of popular Korean cuisines is nothing but the many unforgettable experiences.

The southeastern region has the many archeological treasures that include Gyeongju (ancient capital of Silla kingdom) dates back to 57 BC. The area is nothing but an open air museum with many tombs, temples, that are attracts travelers. For those of you who want a romantic getaway the Jeju Island also called the little Hawaii has the mesmerizing scenic beauty and the tranquility of the nature. The beaches, the national parks, the man made attractions show cases that every traveler would find something here. The visit would enrich knowledge of the culture of this great place and also the people who are hospitable.

South Korea hotels cater to the needs of the travelers according to their style and budget. The luxury hotels offer modern amenities and excellent services to make the stay memorable. While the budget and the discount hotels offer accommodation that is good value for money.

The different types of hotels in South Korea like the resorts, the 5 Star hotel, apartments, the backpacker, the budget and the discount cater to the needs of the visitors. The hotels are located strategically and cater to the needs of the business and the leisure travelers.

If you have a chance, please come to Korea to find out a lot of interesting things in there. I hope that you like it and have a wonderful memory in Korea.

Kerala – One of the top ten paradises of world

2008-07-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Situated on the southwestern tip of India, Kerala is a state of India. It is globally famous for its unique cultural and geographical features that have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. National Geographic Traveler Magazine has named it "one of the top ten paradises of world" and "one of the fifty must see destinations of lifetime." When you will travel to Kerala, you will observe that it is not without reason the state is lovingly known as the "God's Own Country.

"Lush green landscapes dotted with coconut groves, sun-kissed beaches, breathtaking backwaters, verdant hill stations, exotic wildlife sanctuaries & parks, enchanting bird sanctuaries, etc have made Kerala the most visited destination in the country. The fishing village with boats standing in the harbor, roaming through the palm fringed breathtaking backwaters, luxurious houseboat floating over the backwaters, water fun, boat cruise, sunset watching, and many other activities provide fantastic view of Kerala.

For the tourist, there are a number of options for tourism in Kerala. On your Kerala tours package you will have wonderful opportunity to see nature by close at its best in form of the blue lagoons at Veli, the verdant hill stations of Munnar; Wayanad and Ponmudi; the backwaters of Alleppey, Cochin, Quilon, Kappad, Trivandrum, and Kumarakom; the beaches of Kovalam, Fort Kochi, Poovar, Cherai, Rajamala, etc; the tea & coffee plantations; the rubber plantations; the spice gardens; the wildlife parks & bird sanctuaries; the picture-perfect valleys; wonderful waterfalls; lovely lakes; the high mountain peaks; the cultural & historic monuments; the magnificent forts, and beautifully decorated terrific temples. All of which offer you a unique and pleasant tourism experience of lifetime.

One of the most famous attractions of Kerala is its sun-kissed and palm-lined beaches. The state has some of the most beautiful beaches of the world specially Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach, Poovar Beach, Cherai Beach, Fort Kochi, Alappuzha Beach. Nature has uniquely blessed the beaches of Kerala. While you will explore the beaches on your package tours to Kerala you will see clean sands bound by everlasting rows of palm-coconut trees. Sunbathing, leisurely walk, boating, swimming, water fun, sunset watching, etc are some activities which you will surly to love to indulge in on the beach tour package in Kerala, South India.

Apart from extra-ordinary natural beauty, the state of Kerala is also known for Ayurveda – Kerala’s ancient medical science. On your Kerala tours package you will have wonderful opportunity to experience the healing touch of Ayurveda in the most serene ambiance. There are several Ayurvedic Treatment & Spa Centers. You too should not miss to stay at Ayurvedic Treatment Centre or Spa Centre to rejuvenate yourselves. The state is also known for unique cultural features. Classical art & craft of Kerala has globally identification. Don’t miss brilliant opportunity to see Kathkali Dance Performance on your Kerala tour. The cultural heritage of the state is very prosperous and its performing arts are able to captivate travelers from time immemorial. So, if you too want to enjoy the fascinating tourism experience in India you must travel to Kerala – the God’s Own Country.

Vietnam

2008-05-06T23:34:00.001-07:00

Vietnam Travel - Traditional Craft Villages Attract Tourists

2008-05-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

With age-old cultural values and techniques that have been passed down from general to generation, handicraft villages have increasingly become appealing destinations for tourists.

According to the Viet Nam Crafts Association, the country is home to more than 2,000 craft villages each with their own traditional art practice. Villages range from specialising in lacquer painting, pottery and porcelain, embroidery and rattan knitting through to textiles, paper, folk print and many others.

Almost all craft villages are located near major transportation routes, making them accessible for tourists who want to visit craft villages.

Ha Tay province has the largest number of craft villages in the country and has an increasing tourist trade. Its success in handicrafts is further helped by its annual traditional crafts festivals that promote the villages and their local hand-made products.

A Ha Tay tourism official said many export contracts worth billion VND were signed right at these festivals.

Other provinces such as Bac Ninh, Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang have built websites on local craft villages to showcase products and promote tours.

Meanwhile, Ha Noi's well-known Bat Trang pottery village has a unique marketing initiative – using rustic carts to carry visitors to pottery kilns.

Local craftsman Nguyen Van Hai, 65, said the carts have helped increase visitors to the village.

"Thanks to this kind of vehicle, the number of tourists at our village has increased three or four times," Hai said.

One of the most popular tours for foreigners is the "Be a resident of the ancient town for one day" program in Hoi An town, central Quang Nam province.

Here tourists have the chance to make lanterns, dig in gardens and plant vegetables, or prepare meals using farm produce from Tra Que village.

According to the Hoi An Tourist Services Company, the Tra Que vegetable-growing village has thousands of international and domestic visitors every year. They say it has been increasing exponentially since 2005.

However, while some traditional craft villages such as Van Phuc silk and Bat Trang pottery in Ha Noi, and Dong Ho folk print and Dong Ky carpentry in Bac Ninh province draw numerous tourists, experts say villages need to find more professional ways to boost tourism.

They recommended local authorities and tourist companies coordinate and cooperate, particularly in advertising, in order to tap the true potential of craft village tourism.

The Tourism Administration's Travel Department Head Vu The Binh, said there is also a need to revive traditional skills and encourage cooperation between craftsmen and vocational training schools to develop skills for young generations and create products that entice tourists to visit the villages.

Vietnam Travel - Exploring Minh Dam Base in Ba Ria-Vung Tau

2008-05-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

During a two-day stay in the city of Vung Tau, my friend and I decided to journey by motorbike to Minh Dam base in Long Dat District along the beautiful coastal road from Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province to Binh Thuan Province.

Hiring a motorbike in Vung Tau is quite easy. As we disembarked the hydrofoil, a man offered to lend us his motorbike for two days for VND200,000. After some bargaining, the price dropped to VND120,000.

We started the journey early the following day. We left Vung Tau behind as we crossed the Cua Lap Bridge toward Phuoc Tinh Commune in Long Dien District. Previously, when tourists traveled from Vung Tau to Minh Dam base or Long Hai, they had to take a roundabout route through Ba Ria. However, the journey today was only half the distance due to newly built roads.

Riding along the coastal road to Minh Dam, we were thrilled by the beautiful scenery, especially the sections of road straddled by mountains and beaches. The road is planted with white and pink cherry blossoms. According to locals, the road is most beautiful in the springtime when the trees are in bloom.

Minh Dam is located in the Chau Long-Chau Vien Mountains on the southeast side of Long Dat District. Minh Dam reaches 355 meters and extends eight kilometers. The mountains were renamed in 1948 after Minh and Dam, two revolutionary martyrs in the liberation troops.

The mountain is bordered on three sides by the sea and has many natural caves and fresh spring water. The mountain served as the military base for the liberation troop against the French and the Americans.

The base is comprised of four main sections - Da Che (split rock), Gieng Gach Pagoda, Chau Vien and Da Giang. Da Che is where important troops were stationed during the war. Gieng Gach Pagoda is located on the north side of the mountain. It is named after an ancient pagoda that was completely destroyed. Chau Vien, the west side of the mountain provided shelter for the army medical corps and security units, while Da Giang is located on the foot of the mountain. Da Giang no longer exists today.

During the two wars, Minh Dam suffered from intense bombing. In fact, bullet holes still remain on the mountain.

We also visited Bach Van Cavern and Bach Van Temple, remnants of Cao Dai religion. We spent two hours exploring the base's caves and climbing to the cavern and the temple where we were able to see a view of the beaches of Long Hai and the coastal road. While we explored the sites, we caught glimpses of wild squirrels and monkeys.

Without enough time to visit near by sites like Monkey Pagoda, we left the base with regret. On our ride back to Vung Tau, we passed by temples, resorts, crescent-shaped beaches and the Co Temple.

Dubai World Islands

2008-04-28T03:02:00.001-07:00

Palm Island Dubai

2008-04-28T03:01:00.001-07:00

Palm Island

2008-04-28T03:00:00.001-07:00

Dubai's Palm Islands - The Eighth Wonder

2008-04-28T02:55:00.000-07:00

Dubai's Palm Islands are the world's largest man-made island clusters. Sometimes they are also called the eight wonder of the world. These are located at three different places across Dubai's coast, namely Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira. These islands, which are also known as The Palm Dubai or Dubai Palm are layered with rocks and sand upon a ten meter deep seabed. Sand meant for laying down these sites is obtained by dredging in the nearby sea. The Belgian dredging firm Jan De Nul and its Dutch counterpart Van Oord have been supervising the whole operation. Work is in an advanced stage in Jumeirah and Jebel Ali while it has also picked up in the Deira section.

Dredging ships propel sand over an area, which is decided by the coordinates of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). This process is called rain-bowing; the name is indicative of the arc which is created due to the falling sand here. Each Dubai Palm has a breakwater constructed at its periphery, which provides it a separation from the murky seawaters. These breakwaters are constructed by laying down several layers of rocks over the seabed by sea vessels. These vessels are called pontoons and the split-hopper barges. The Jumeirah Palm alone required a staggering 7 million tons of rocks to construct its breakwater.

Each of these Dubai Palm Islands is designed to depict a date palm tree, with a trunk, a crown and several fronds. The crescent islands at the periphery are assigned to play the role of breakwaters. The construction of the Palm Jebel Ali was started by Jan De Nul in 2002 and completed by the year-end of 2006. It required a 4 km long peninsula to be built, surrounded by a 200m wide and a 17 km long breakwater. This asked for reclaiming roughly 135,000,000 m³ of rock, sand and limestone. About 5,000,000 m³ of rocks were needed for strengthening the slope.

Dubai Palm islands, which are bound to increase Dubai's costal length by an additional 520 km, will host water theme parks, luxury hotels, shopping malls, freehold villas, furnished beach apartments, health spas and similar other facilities. It was always Sheikh Maktoum's dream to see Dubai grow in free trade and tourism, and that's how these islands were conceived. The UAE property developer, Nakheel Properties, is supervising this whole work.

The Palm Jumeirah, which is 5 kilometers by 5 kilometers in size, will have a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding 11 kilometer-long breakwater. It will create 4,000 new homes over the period of next 3 to 4 years and add 78 kilometers to Dubai's shoreline. In fact, the residents began moving into their Palm Jumeirah homes by the year-end 2006, five years after the dredging in the area had begun taking place.

The Palm Jebel Ali, which is expected to be the home of 1.7 million people by the year 2020, will be completed by the year 2008. It will be much larger in size compared to the Palm Jumeirah, however, the tag of largest one will go to the Palm Deira, which is expected to be completed by the year 2015. Due to its mammoth size, the construction of Palm Deira is expected to take place in several phases. Dubai's tourism sector will heavily rely on these Dubai Palm Islands for its revenue, once they fully got completed.

Thailand Buddhist Temples

2008-04-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

The vast majority of people in Thailand are Buddhists for whom the temple plays an important role in the spiritual wellbeing of individuals and the community. There are over 31,200 Buddhist temples spread around Thailand. In Thai they are called wat. They are grouped into two main groups: temples which are permitted to carry out religious functions and those which are used only for living quarters for monks.

Wherever you happen to find yourself in Thailand you’ll never be too far from a temple where you can go to offer your prayers and “make merit” even if you aren’t Buddhist. Although all Buddhist temples share similar beautiful characteristics, there are some that are architecturally more magnificent and historically significant.

Temples are classified into two main categories: Royal Temples and Common Temples. The Royal Temples were either built by royalty or came under their sponsorship. In Thailand, there are about 200 Royal Temples though there are only six of the highest grade.

With its beautiful temples, rich culture and history, great weather, fine food and world-renowned beaches, Thailand is visited by approximately seven million visitors each year. It is a country of approximately sixty million people, with a land area equivalent to that of France. It is undergoing a remarkable economic expansion, with growth rates of approximately 8%-10 % each year. That’s why Thailand continues to enter the sights of Thailand property investors looking for new opportunities away from the traditional European and Caribbean markets. The two key drivers behind the Thailand property market are the domestic economic growth and tourism, and the expectation is that developments in both areas will contribute to a continuing upward trend in property prices. People buy property in Thailand for a number of reasons, from capital investments, to holiday rentals (with a long-term view of capital appreciation), to personal use as a holiday or retirement home.

Tourists and other foreigners should know some basic information before visiting Thailand and especially its temples. Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held secret. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors. Visitors to temples should ensure that they are suitably dressed - no shorts or sing lets and ladies should also cover their arms. Shoes should be removed before entering any building and it would be polite to sit quietly when in the main temple buildings.

When visiting a temple it is polite to seek the permission of the Abbott before taking photographs or entering other than the main area. This can be done by approaching a monk or one of the many helpers found in the temple grounds. Normally permission is granted without seeing the Abbott, but your show of respect by asking, will be returned. If visiting popular temples, such as Wat Phra Kaeo in the Grand Palace grounds, there is no need to seek any permission, but you should look out for signs indicating where photography is forbidden.

Wat Phra Kaeo temple is situated in the capital city of Bangkok and is more commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha because it houses a small two foot jade statue of Buddha which rests upon a huge golden alter. The temple is very elaborately decorated with a rich array of colours that are sure to astonish and dazzle all visitors. This Buddhist temple is also significant in that it is the official royal chapel where the revered Thai royal family goes to perform their religious ceremonies. Phra Kaeo temple is situates inside the grounds of the Royal Palace and aside from the decorations of the actual building is home to some fascinating paintings and sculptures.

Wat Traimit, Temple of the Gold Buddha- the most amazing feature of this temple is the fact that the 3 meter tall Buddha image is made up of 5.5 tons of solid gold. It was made about 700 years ago in the Sukhothai period but the image was covered in plaster in fear of the invading Burmese. It was rediscovered about 40 years ago.

Besides these one should also visit the Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon or Temple of Reclining Buddha) Wat Suthat , Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Ratchanatdaram , Wat Thepthidaram , Wat Saket (The Golden Mount) , Wat Mahathat and the Wat Rakhangkositaram.

Masai Mara Safari Camp - cheetahs, leopards, lions and more

2008-04-14T02:12:00.003-07:00

Lions Eat Their Kill, On Safari, Masai Mara, Kenya

2008-04-14T02:12:00.001-07:00

Where Wonders never cease: Experience the 7th Wonder of the World

2008-04-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

The Masai Mara National Reserve is on the lips of every tourist destined to Kenya. It is actually the reason why thousands of tourists are jetting into the country daily from all over the world. It was only recently declared the 7th Wonder of the World. This Reserve is a perfect example of Savannah grasslands of the African plateau.

It covers 1,500 square kilometers of grassland and shrubs and is home to the Maasai people, and a variety of wild animals scattered strategically within the reserve. The most awesome attraction here is the annual migration of wildebeest also known as gnu, in August to the northern expansive Serengeti Plains and October across the Mara river to the South in search of Pasture.

The 7th Wonder of the world is watered exclusively by the Mara River and itself fed by the Orare orok river, Keju Ronkai River and its major tributary, the Talek, in addition to a myriad number of seasonal springs crisscrossing this expansive land, giving the wild animals ample amount of water during most of the season. The Masai Mara reserve is also home to Olpunyaia Swamp, the Musiara swamp and Enkoiguaatet salt lick area attracting an astonishing number of wild game that converge here in search of water and salt licks.

Among the wild game to behold at the 7th wonder of the world are the Big Cats i.e. the Lions, the Cheetah and the hard to spot albeit common Leopard. You will definitely see Masai Giraffes, Elephants, Zebras, Baboons, Jackals, Hyenas, Buffalos, Zebras, Gazelles, Black rhinos and off coarse the wildebeest. All these animals exist harmoniously and interactively within the National park. All the Lodges dotted all over the Masai Mara will offer Wildlife drives and nature walks, but it is advisable to organize your game drive with a tour company like Nguyo Safaris and Car Hire in Nairobi. With their trained personnel your sojourn to 7th wonder of the world will be a memorable event.

The 7th Wonder of the world is not an isolated Jungle. You will be treated to a good number of Lodges, Tented Camp Sites and Clubs with an Entertainment galore. These lodges and Clubs have been constructed in such a way that they blend with the environment, with tented camps perched under acacia trees, spectacular views of the Savanna grasslands and nice scenic views of mountainous ranges within your sight. Most lodges have even been constructed to resemble the Maasai homestead like the Mara Sopa Lodge, the Mara Serena lodge, and the Kichwa Tembo Camp.

You can get to the 7th Wonder of the World by Air from Nairobi's Wilson Airport. You could travel by road by a customized Safari Land cruiser 4WD or a mini 10 Seater tour Van which can be organized with the help of Nguyo Safaris and Car Hire. It is not uncommon though to find a few tourists preferring to use public transport by use of a Matatu from Nairobi to Narok from where you take another Matatu from Narok to Sekanani and Talek Gates.

All said and done, you will find that the 7th Wonder of the World provides a classic, warm and clear image of the African Savanna grassland.

Shooting wildlife the photography way in Kenya.

2008-04-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

When I first thought about doing wildlife photography in Kenya I was a bit stuck for inspiration. I was in the middle of the city with no wildlife in sight, unless you counted the people milling all around me, and I wasn’t due up for another long vacation in Kenya for at least a few months yet. So obviously wildlife photography in Kenya, in the wilderness was out of question, but someone very helpfully directed me in the very direction I am about to direct you. There are more or less all the wildlife varieties that I could want in Kenya, you just need to be at the right place at the right time.

It’s the thought of capturing on film the big cats like the lions, the cheetah and the Leopards or maybe the elephants that brings me to Kenya. What about hippos, or zebras or even rhinos? You could even go for the birds at the Kakamega Game Reserve Deep in the indigenous rain forest with beautiful bird species that you could only marvel at.

And if you don’t like the idea of going big, then do you like the idea of going small? Have you thought about monkeys, squirrels, butterflies and insects? What about the much maligned rodent varieties? As you can see there are many different types of wildlife photography in Kenya options available to you and you just have to reach out and take it.

In the wild, that is where you get all the action, all the heart pounding terror of being in the wild along with the animals, knowing that you’re in their home court and that your advantage depends entirely on the guide who’s leading you around. This then is what many of the greatest photographers interested in wildlife photography in Kenya yearn to do and where they end up anyway. Whether the reality meets their expectation of the dream is another matter entirely.

They’re there, in the wild, with the ability to get up close and candid with their wild counterparts. Nothing at all like the zoo back home, but then again what did you expect right? However, it’s also true that wildlife photography’s in Kenya are natural, and don’t have to be shots of the big game animals. Wildlife photography in Kenya shots can be of anything that is considered wild. Take the wildebeest crossing the Mara River for instance. I consider the shots that I took of this phenomenon to be God sent. The sight of the Lions bouncing and bounding around like nobody’s business and defending their territory with deep menacing growls is a sight to capture when doing wildlife photography in Kenya. The fact that they wouldn’t hurt human beings is another matter entirely.

So although in-the-wild wildlife photography in Kenya is great and looks amazing, it’s not an easy job for the amateur photographer, at least in the beginning. The Kenya wild is preferably where you might like to take your wildlife photographs, but sometimes you just don’t have the choice or the ability to do that. In that case I would recommend that you start your sojourn into wildlife photography at your local zoo. I am not kidding! Going to the Masai Mara, Samburu, or the Tsavo National Parks will offer you the opportunity to catch some of the fiercest wildlife, in their habitats, then at their best and their worst. It’s a bit like catching a movie star in their baggy sweat pants with absolutely no makeup on them! It’s fascinating and you will absolutely get the chance for candid shots if you were in their natural habitat.

Ecotourism destinations Australia heading the world in Ecotourism

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Like your marriage date the honeymoon comes in once, for a life time so newly weds are inspired to make the most of it the moment is to rejoice and to make plans for the future. In the brink of searching for the ideal destination Australia honeymoon destinations are the foremost. Some of the key attractions are the basic attraction is its natural scenery. The perfect landscapes the sun baked horizons and the contrasting tropical rain forest and adding up to it chilly southern beaches. The sun soaked sights of Australia holds up to a magnificent panorama. The cities of Australia are dotted with fantastic coastlines and if we see the cultural point of view the culture of Australia is perfectly blended with a enthusiasm for art and food with the positive outlook towards sport and the outdoors.
Visitors or travelers have to revamp their catch on geography in this huge country as it is this sheer emblem of vastness that gives Australia and its diverse population a much of a substance. The best part of Australia is its vastness; almost the size of Europe and travelers delight. Australia is all about sun baked horizons, tropical rain forest and chilly beaches. The country has no dearth of Ecotourism destinations Australia you can visit opera house of a city on one day and beautifully tended sanctuary on the other end.

Attractions of Australia.

• Australia’s red core contains the country’s finest sculpture; its cities are beautified with red core sculpture. Its finest varied cities are dotted with excellent architecture and designs like formal gardens and monuments of historical interest.
Barossa valley: The Barossa valley is the best known region for wine production in Australia. To enjoy the best known wine producing region you are always advised to get in to back lanes. Out of 100 wine settlers at least 70 of them would invite the visitors to taste some of their grandeur. If you don’t want any of the fun then visit this place in March to May where the grapes are harvested and they are crushed and revamped to produce the high quality wine.

• Tasmania is famous for its national park which is studded with stunning deep gorges, lakes and wild moorlands. It is also one of the areas that are affected most y glacial activity in Australia.

• The Daintree forest is the escape getaway from the hustle and bustle of the town and into deep breath taking forest in the coastal lowland rainforest exactly into the wet tropical rainforest. This dense area hosts spectacular scenic view and the unique swamp and mangrove inhabitant’s native birds and tropical rain forest.

Holiday destinations Australia can be any of them mentioned above or other destinations that surely complete the character and soul of the country.

Asia Tourist destinations in South Asia make the best of your time

2008-04-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

Tourism in South Asia has been flourishing for past few years. With growing economic expansion of each South Asian nation, today these rapidly developing nations are going the whole hog to attract maximum tourist each coming year. South Asian Nations or in other words South Asia tourist destinations include Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka each of which is as beautiful and enticing as the other.

Bhutan Tourist Attractions
Well renowned all over across the globe as the last Shangri La (meaning- Utopian paradise) on earth, the Kingdom of Bhutan offers helluva lot of opportunities to the tourists to have fun. From awe inspiring snow-capped mountain peaks to ancient historical ruins, there are plethora of sights and highlights in Bhutan. A unique and a distinct Holiday destinations Asia, Bhutan is an excellent tourist destination. The virgin landscapes, the verdant woodland, the places of interest, the quaint villages… believe us, you will love the country.

India Tourist Attractions
Extremely popular tourist destination throughout the year, India is country that will not only amaze you but bewitch you. Vibrant with its cultural ethos and rich in history, India is a very diverse country. Spend your vacation in India and be bowled over by its sheer charm and enchanting splendor. Well known for ayurveda, Goan beaches, spicy Indian curries, green fields, The Taj … India attracts millions of tourist throughout the year.

Sri Lanka Tourist Attractions
Sri Lanka has its own uniqueness in every other aspect of tourism-whether it is food, tourist attractions, culture, museums and resorts, Sri Lanka is absolutely a class apart. People of different religion reside in this country and so people belonging to various ethnicities have ensured for its intriguing culture. Any visitor or tourist in Sri Lanka will find peace of mind in the serene environs of Buddhist monasteries. The country, besides high on greenery is also known for its Art. Sri Lankan music is distinct and soulful.

Nepal Tourist Attractions
Over the years, Nepal has seen numerous rulers and ruling dynasties. Nepal is a land that boggles your senses. With so many religious shrines, architectural wonders, heritage centers, and national parks every minute of your time spent in Nepal will be memorable.

Pakistan Tourist Attractions
Pakistan is a land of beautiful places of interest and exciting adventure. For every other kind of traveler, has something to explore in Pakistan. In the southern region you will find balmy beaches, lagoons and mangrove lush forests. The imposing peaks of the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush mountains that lay in the north are very challenging for any mountain climber. The Karakoram Highway offers lovely views of the valleys in Pakistan. Cascading rivers, remote ethnicity, modern shopping malls and other attractions make Pakistan among the most sought after Asia tourist destinations.

Maldives Tourist Attractions
Among the most famous beach holiday destination, Maldives is famous for its balmy beaches, crystal blue sea water, corals and exotism. This Asia Tourist destination offers you exceptional activities to indulge in… ranging from water sports to eco tours.

With so much to see and do in Asia tourist destinations, you are bound to have a great time on your South Asia Tour.

Tiber River By Boat

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Festive Malaysia

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Malaysia's rich blend of Chinese and Indian cultures along with the native Malay makes for a unique cornucopia of festivals all year round.

One of the most exciting Malaysian festivals is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated in January or February. But be warned, with its body piercing, mutilations and frantic parades, it's not for the weak of heart. The festival involves devotees piercing themselves as devotion to Lord Muruga, the youngest son of Lord Shiva.

The main event of Thaipusam is a procession of chanting devotees carrying structures known as kavadi which are frames decorated with coloured papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits. Some devotees are in trance and as penance, pierce their cheeks, tongues, or foreheads.

Thaipusam is best seen in the temple at the Batu Caves near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Devotees carry the kavadi up 272 steps to the entrance of a cave housing an image of Lord Muruga.

One of the most important festivals for the Chinese is the Hungry Ghosts Festival. Like all Chinese festivals, it's a lunar festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th moon which means it falls in August. For several days before the actual event begins, there's a build up of festivities featuring Chinese opera and puppet shows held at temples and clan associations.

Like so many Chinese festivals, the Hungry Ghosts festival is about honouring ancestors. According to Chinese beliefs, the spirit world where the dead go is in parallel with the living world. On this special day of the year, the gates between the two worlds open and the hungry ghosts wander the world of the living in search of food and perhaps revenge on those who wronged them in life.

During the Hungry Ghosts festival, people place bundles of joss sticks, paper money, and food on street corners. This is intended to appease the spirits of the dead and dissuade them from entering their homes. The paper money known as 'hell money' is burnt and the Chinese believe this will help their family members in the spirit world.

For our final festival in this article, we'll look at something a little more modern - the World Rainforest Music Festival, a concert with a difference. It's a 3-day event that celebrates the diversity of world music and draws fans from all over the world.

The World Rainforest Music Festival has been held each July since 1997at the Sarawak Cultural Village at the foot of Mount Santubong in Kuching, Sarawak, Eastern Malaysia. The event attracts the talents of both local and traditional musicians along with international performers. In the daytime, the festival features cultural and musical workshop-oriented events with concert performances given in the night.

Malaysia is a vibrant and colourful country at any time but if you arrive there during one of the many festivals and celebrations you'll be assured of an extra special time.

Tiber River Cruise: A New Way To Visit Rome From its River

2008-04-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Since the end of the jubilee of Rome held in they year 2000, the majority of Rome, in cooperation with the Coast guard of Fiumicino, agreed that the river of Rome, the Tiber deserves more attention for its historical importance.

In fact since that year it has been inaugurated to the boat entrepeneurs the competition to apply for licenses and permissions to perform cruises on different parts of the tiber.
As many people do not know yet, not all the Tiber river is navigable, for the presence of marble steps, remains of old roman bridges and other hidden treasures like lead anchors.

It's so weird to see how Rome is no more noisy when you go down the travertine steps to join a cruise tour. In fact the white marble walls to protect the city of Rome against the floods from the Tiber river were built during the period of the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century. These shields are long 6 miles and provide in assuring the security of the city against bad weather and insisting rain.

That Rome was indebted, if not for its origin, at any rate for its importance, to these commercial and strategical advantages of its position, there are accordingly numerous further indications, which are of very different weight from the statements of quasi-historical romances. Thence arose its very ancient relations with Caere, which was to Etruria what Rome was to Latium, and accordingly became Rome's most intimate neighbour and commercial ally. Thence arose the unusual importance of the bridge over the Tiber, and of bridge-building generally in the Roman commonwealth. In this sense, then, certainly Rome may have been, as the legend assumes, a creation rather than a growth, and the youngest rather than the oldest among the Latin cities.

The tiber is also the third biggest river of Italy after the Po and the Adige that flows in the romantic city of Verona.

The river of Rome has also a very important island, the Tiber Island ( isola Tiberina ) that has the shape of a boat because it remembers the transportation by boat of the sacred animal ( a snake ) and of the worship of the god of the healing Aesculapius from Greece in the IV century BC. The scholars says that this animal jumped off the boat and settled in the Island as signal for the Romans of the place where they had to built the sanctuary dedicated to the god of the healing.

Today this famous Island is connected to Rome with two roman bridges of the II century BC which allow pedestrians to cross very easily the side of the jewish synagogue with Trastevere.

Cruising the tiver river today means to visit three parts of Rome:

1- from Ponte Marconi to Ancient Ostia, famous roman colony and strategic salt harbor for the roman ships arriving from the mediterranean sea;

2- From Ponte Risorgimento until the Tiberina Island with the possibility to see also the bridge wanted by the same pope who built the sistine chapel, sistus IV

3- From ponte Umberto cruising to the northern districts of Rome, with the possibility to admire a wonderful panorama of the dome of saint peter's basilica designed by Michelangelo in the renaissance period.

Elephants Humping

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Hundreds of Elephants in Kenya's Amboseli Park

2008-04-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

Amboseli National park

Amboseli national park was Kenya’s first established game park. Since 1948, millions of international guests, including Hollywood film companies, have been drawn to the park by the magic of Mt. Kilimanjaro-the snowcapped mountain reaching to the sky above, with wildlife grazing under flat-topped thorn trees below.

Despite its proximity to the mountain, many tourists today are disappointed with Amboseli because of its dusty dirt roads and the barren expanses caused in part by the overuse of humans and animals. Years of abuse by tourists vehicles have left off-road vehicle tracks where there had been grasslands. Prolific herds of elephant have broken and destroyed trees-creating stark and stunning weathered sculptures on the landscape.

Much of Amboseli is dry and desert like. In fact, about a third of the park is taken up by Lake Amboseli, a seasonal soda lake which, at certain times, appears to be dead, flat wasteland. Indeed, Amboseli is maa for “salt dust.” In dramatic areas bright green with primordial clumps of vegetation.

In Amboseli, more than in any other park of Kenya, you are guaranteed to see many elephant. Elephant herds are easily visible across rolling grassy savannas, usually grazing their way to and from major feeding grounds or water holes.

Although Amboseli has major problems, it is heartening to consider the regenerative forces of nature. Remains of trees left by elephant are returning nutrients to the soil. According to scientists, the water table of Lake Amboseli is rising. Because there is water in the lake more often, there are also flamingos to be seen. These factors, combined wth needed efforts by Kenyan authorities and conservationists to control “tourist erosion”, may help to give Amboseli the opportunity for recovery. Off –road driving is now forbidden.

Many still enjoy coming to Amboseli. Always, there is the possibility of seeing the mountain. Enjoyment of Amboseli National Park is in the eye and understanding of the beholder.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

The Amboseli Serena safari lodge is the nicest and most interesting lodge IN Amboseli National Park. The rounded terracotta shape of the lodge resembles a Masai dwelling, and wildlife and Masai themes are repeated throughout the hotel.

To enter, you walk across a wooden bridge over running water, a pleasant contrast to the hot dusty roads of the park. Hanging gardens and water lilies contribute to an impression of a return to Eden. Rounded spaces, wall, windows and doorways combine with a certain cool dimness to take you away from the straight sharp edges of modern life. The emphasis is on smooth, natural harmony with the environment and the wildlife in it.

Whimsical wall-sized paintings of wildlife delightfully decorate interior walls. Hanging lights are shaded by the irregular shapes of hollow Masai grounds, adding interest to the ceiling. At check-in you receive your Masai war-club with key attached-“to fend off monkeys,” the receptionists say with a smile.

The passage leading to rooms is open to the sky and traverses thick tropical gardens. The bedrooms are small. However, large wall-sized windows either look towards Mt. Kilimanjaro or towards the water hole visited by herds of Wildebeest, antelope and elephant. Bedroom walls echo the wildlife outside with another animal mural. The bathroom is modern, but the wall is curved, and a Masai spear holds up the shower curtain. The décor uses natural materials in unusual ways to suggest the Masai way of harmonizing with nature; cut sticks frame the beds, a Masai club is the door handle, hollowed gourds are the bed lights.

The pool, main bar and outdoor terraces overlook the surprising green grass and bush of the water hole. There are no fences. Guests have many opportunities for game viewing, even at night, when elephant families graze just a few meters away under floodlight.

To reach the dining area you cross an indoor bridge over more running water, with floating gardens and water lilies. The dining area is broken up into several adjoining rooms of different sizes, making for pleasant and intimate services. Floor –to ceiling windows give the feeling of eating in the gardens, though the main dining room is dark, and monkeys can be uninvited “guests”.

Breakfast (with complimentary champagne) and lunch are served buffet-style, and dinners are served at a table with candle light. For an extra fee, you can choose to participate in the Masai Exotic Dinner, served every other night in the terrace below the swimming pool. Waiters in Masai Shuka serve barbequed meats and traditional foods and there is an open bar.

The lodge invites guests to help preserve and restore the ecology of Amboseli by planting a tree in the 25 hectares of grounds surrounding the lodge. For those interested in Masai Culture, Masai customs are explained informally in afternoon lectures in the conference room, and Masai dancers appear at night campfire.

The clientele often includes tour groups, guests usually stay for only one night, and for many it is their first experience with animals in the wild.

Accommodations at the Amboseli Serena Lodge

Bedrooms are small. There are 86 with twin beds and 10 with double beds. All have modern bathrooms with combination bathtub and shower. Rooms with double beds are smaller and have no large window. Best water hole views #45-51. Best views of Kilimanjaro,#23 &24. Good views of Kilimanjaro # 4-26.

Special offerings

Game drives, bird walks, binoculars, swimming pool, jogging path, play ground, small airplane flights over Mt. Kilimanjaro by arrangement, folk singing guitarists at night, lectures on masai culture, library room, souvenir and sundry shop. Resident nurse, gas station, conference room.

Africa Information For Safari Travellers

2008-03-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Africa? This article will give you an insight into how great of the wildlife in Africa that you've ever wanted to know about. Now that we've covered those aspect of what you need to know about it. Let's turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered, especially for travellers.

Africa is only the one among many continents which is very well known in terms of variety of jungle and wildlife. I bet that you can not imagine how excited you will be and how exactly you will know about it until you once have a chance to visit Africa. And I believe that there is no way for anyone to see everything there by just visiting Africa only one time.

So I strongly recommend you who are going to visit Africa to make some kind of forward planning what and where you want to see during the trip, then you will be able to know where to make a reservation with travel company and safari tour.

As we all know that Africa is very renowned for its variety of wildlife, which you can never find types of animal found in Africa on any where else in the world, including chimpanzees, gorillas, lions, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and elephant, crocodiles, and birds. Of course, you may argue that we can see these entire animal every where, but I can guaranteed that what you will se them in Africa, they are absolutely unique than any others.

As long as many of travellers who are going to visit Africa generally more concern about is their safety than any other thing, but in fact there are few other thing that you may have to prepare and give importance to.

In commonsense of people think that travel to Africa is extremely dangerous, especially if they want to take a safari tour to see wildlife, but in fact, lack of good forward planning will actually out you in danger no matter where you are going to visit. As there are many races and type of people in Africa, apart from original people. Suggestion to protect you from danger during Africa trip is does not wear any of valuable property such as jewellery, watch or even using expensive cameras as well as having great number of cash in your pocket. These things are very attractive to all street thieves and that’s will make you fall into trouble. It is also a good idea to travel with your friend, who can assist you in case if you have problems

As there are many types of safari that offer wide range of services apart from wildlife sight seeing, which traveller can join during the safari trip such as hiking, mountain bike, boating, canoeing, horse or camel riding etc. Travellers also have to decide how much they are going to spend for a trip. Many of safari camps offer private and group tour as well as level of accommodation, so you have to consider how much you can afford it for a trip.

If you've picked some points from article above about that you can put into action, then by all means, that will much save your time and money of planning trip to visit Africa safari, then good luck!

Surfing Mauritius

2008-02-28T18:36:00.001-08:00

Weather in Mauritius

2008-02-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

Mauritius is one of the most beautiful and accessible island in the world, a real tropical paradise. Mauritius is situated off the east coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. This unique geographical position gives to Mauritius a mild and relatively pleasant climate throughout the year. So, what’s the best time to go to Mauritius and what’s the climate variations like?

Mauritius has a fascinating blend of microclimates, all of them fairly mild. While locals complain of ‘cold’ weather during ‘winter’ in Mauritius, the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees C on the coast. This means you can still have a midnight swim in the sea in Mauritius under a starry sky in the middle of winter. This gives the country a strategic advantage inasmuch as you can visit Mauritius almost anytime of the year.

So when is the best time to visit Mauritius? Well, it depends on what you want to go there for. Excluding peak cyclone season (January and February), December to March are the best months for diving, when the waters are at their clearest; June to August is best for surfing; and October to April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore. The Mauritian 'winter' occurs from May to November, when daytime temperatures drop from sticky to balmy. With less rain and humidity, this is one of the nicest times to visit.

The least agreeable period is from December to April, when the long days can prove too hot and humid for some and the threat of cyclones is in the air. If you have to go to Mauritius in the warmer season and you do not particularly like hot days out you can always avoid the sunny beaches. Even when it’s above 30 degrees C on the coast, the towns inland on higher grounds are usually cooler. Curepipe for instance is a town situated on the central plateau, one of the higher regions of Mauritius. The temperature difference between this town and a coastal resort can be significant. The choice is yours. It is obviously more entertaining down the coast and you can always choose an air conditioned room. Keep away from the beaches in the midday sun and venture out on some long romantic walks along the sandy beaches of Mauritius at sunset.

So when is the best time to go to Mauritius? Because there are no extreme climate conditions, except for the rare cyclones that last a few days, you can go pretty much anytime. That of course gives Mauritius a strategic advantage over other tourist destinations. The country and its climate is indeed attracting a increasing number of tourists thus positioning Mauritius on the top lists of world holiday destinations.

Welcome to Kenya

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Massai - Croatian Tribe in Kenya

2008-02-25T18:18:00.001-08:00

Kenya Safari - Top 8 places to spoil yourself in Kenya

2008-02-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

If you are from upcountry, the ambiance in Mombasa assaults your senses with one message: here things are different – slow, sultry, exotic. The first rule is to move slowly. If you do not, the sweltering heat soon slows you down. However, once you reach your hotel you quickly recover a sense of near normalcy. Very few rooms are without overhead fans, and many have air-conditioning. But the real boon is the almost perpetual onshore breeze. No matter how hot it gets, so long as you wear loose, light and comfortable clothing, the heat remains bearable. So you have arrived. What do you do? You could just laze away by the sea with a good book, or engage in a whole range of water sports from angling to water skiing.
Kenya is blessed with some of the finest coral reefs to be found anywhere in the world and the hotels and resorts to the north and south of Mombasa are well equipped to cater for everyone, from the humble ‘goggler’ to the experienced scuba diver. If you are a scuba diver, you can rent equipment at several sites. If you are not, competent professionals at the same places offer tuition at reasonable rates.

There is also the big game of the sea. Hemingway helped put East Africa on the map with his stories of hunting the region’s terrestrial fauna, but the ocean beyond the reef provides plenty of opportunities for indulging one of Hemingway’s other favourite pursuits. The beach resorts are so self-contained that visitors normally do not venture out. With multiple restaurants to cater for diverse tastes, swimming pools, a range of water sports, tennis and other games as well as children’s activities, most holiday makers spend all their time within the confines of their hotel.

It is advisable to visit the city centre though, if for nothing else, to experience the slightly indolent, relaxed atmosphere, compared to, say, Nairobi. The coastal city represents laid-back elements that are lacking upcountry. Mombasa’s Old Town, with its maze of lanes, mosques and cramped ancient houses sloping gently down to the once busy dhow harbour, gives a feel of the past. It is well worth a visit, and so is fort Jesus, an impressive reminder of Mombasa’s complicated bloody past, which overlooks the Old Town, from where it once guarded the harbour’s entrance. It is now a national monument and museum and provides an interesting tour through history.

For the budget holiday maker, relatively decent accommodation available in the city center, from where one can visit the beaches easily.

LAMU, MALINDI AND WATAMU

While still at the coast, you may want to take your holiday in Lamu. Do not overlook the museum; it has a Swahili kitchen with pestles and mortars, carved Lamu thrones with wicker seats, and elaborately carved Lamu headboards. Upstairs is an amazing collection of weapons and costumes dating back to the 18th century. Also of interest is the Swahili House Museum, a traditional Swahili house furnished with traditional Swahili furniture.

If you enjoy diving and snorkeling, then Malindi is the place to go. Explore the Malindi Marine National Park in glass-bottomed boat. It is exhilarating. The six square kilometres of the national park cover the loveliest of coral garden. Take tuk-tuk within the town will cost you Ksh50 – cheaper than taking a matatu, all things considered. Apart from the cost, the open sides of the tuk-tuk let in the air, allowing for a comfortable ride.

Visit Vasco da Gama’s Pillar and Cross at Vasco da Gama Point. The spot marks the last stop in Africa before Vasco da Gama sailed across the Indian Ocean to India in 1498. The cross surmounting the pillar was tested and found to be made of Lisbon limestone, proving that it is indeed the original cross placed by Vasco da Gama. A visit to the tiny, whitewashed Portuguese chapel about half a kilometre from the Vasco da Gama Point transports one to another era. Built at the end of the 15th century, the chapel is thought to be the first Christian church in East Africa. Its graveyard, dating to the 16th century, and which is about five times the size of the chapel, is a fascinating portrait of the history of Malindi. The oldest grave there belongs to a Portuguese seaman buried by St Francis Xavier in 1542.

After the decline of Portuguese influence in East Africa, the graveyard lay unused for about 300 years. Then in 1894, one J Bell-Smith – believed to be a member of the Imperial British East African force that occupied Malindi between 1890 and 1895 – was buried there. Thereafter, the graveyard was occasionally used for burial until 1958.

WATAMU

Some 25 kilometres south of Malindi and 120 kilometres north of Mombasa lies the tranquil haven of Watamu with its white, sparkling beaches. The Watamu Marine Park, established in 1968 as Kenya’s first marine park, boasts over 600 species of fish in just 10 square kilometres. Watamu has developed into one of the world’s best snorkeling, fishing and diving spots. Within the Marine Park are several well-established resorts, and many private guest houses are scattered through the forest along the deserted shore. The hotels at Watamu overlook two beautiful inlets. Turtle Bay and Blue Lagoon, the former dotted with unnamed islets, one unmistakably the shape of a turtle.

Walk through the forest, explore the mangroves by boat, dive on the reef, or try your hand at big game fishing. Relax, unwind and soak up the atmosphere. In the forest are the ruins of Gedi, the lost city whose population inexplicably vanished in the 17th century. The outer wall of this lost town encloses an area of about 18 hectares and a well-informed guess would put the population at around 2,500. Many of the houses, together with the Sultan’s palace, have been excavated and partly restored. A walk through this lifeless town evokes mystery, suspense and melodrama as the visitor relives past era. Take an unforgettable sundowner at the Mida Creek. If you happen to be at Hemingways Resort at 4:30pm, book yourself on the two-and half hour sundowner dhow up and down the Mida Creek. For Ksh 2,450 and half that amount for children, you will enjoy bitings and drinks to your fill, as you watch the sun go down into the ocean.

Watamu is best known for ocean sports, particularly deep-sea fishing. If that is your interest – regardless of whether you are an experienced angler or a novice – then the place to be is Hemingways. All Hemingways’ deep-water fishing craft are twin-engine, and linked with each other and the shore base by radio. The crews are skilled and well versed in taking out newcomers to the sport. They enjoy showing you how it all works. Watamu caters for all tastes and pockets and the budget holiday makers is accommodated at Ocean Sports Hotel. The hotel sits on Turtle Bay, a seven-kilometre stretch of dazzling white sand, leading down to a warm, clear turquoise sea protected by fascinating coral reefs (expect in the off-season due to seaweed). It is one of the few family-run hotels left on the Kenya Coast, and has a very warm and friendly atmosphere.

There you can go diving or creek fishing, play tennis or squash or just exercise in the gym. You can go snorkeling all year round, and dolphin and whale watching between November and March. Ocean Sports is the meeting place for Watamu Hash Harriers, the group that has been described as "serious drinkers with a running problem." So, you are assured of fun if that is what you are after if under water exploring is not your style, not to worry," says Melinda Rees, Ocean Sports’ Customers Service Director. "From windsurfing to dolphin watching, boat trips, gentle walks to explore the rock pools or simply lying on the beach, the Watamu beach offers something for everyone."

SHIMBA HILLS

An hour’s drive from the Indian Ocean through undulating faming country and colourful villages gets you to the beautiful Shimba Hills, a stunning landscape with steep valleys, rolling hills and pockets of rain forest. While the wildlife may not be abundant, the area is home to the only sable antelope in Kenya. Sable is a chocolate-brown horse-like antelope with magnificent, sweeping, sickle-shaped horns.

The forests of Shimba resonate with exotic sounds of tree frogs, birds and bush babies. They host a number of tented camps and lodges, designed to induce relaxation. Place of interest for excursions include the Sheldrick Falls and the Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary, a community-based conservation project.

TSAVO

Apart from the man-eating lions that nearly stopped the construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway more than a century ago, Tsavo is renowned for its herd of elephants. You could be forgiven for thinking that the Tsavo elephants are a separate species, as their skin looks decidedly red. This is just the rich, brown dust giving them a photogenic ruby colour.

AMBOSELI

Amboseli is a place of stark contrast. Despite its sometimes dry and dusty appearance, it has an endless water supply filtered by thousands of feet of volcanic rock from Kilimanjaro’s icecap. These underground streams converge into two clear water springs in the heart of the park. The endemic dust is volcanic ash, which spewed from Kilimanjaro a millennium ago. The park is vast, the expanse only interrupted by the occasional trumpeting of elephants.

MASAI MARA

This land of abundant wildlife, ideal climate and diverse habitats is fanatic at any time of year. But it comes into its own when the wildebeest migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti over the raging Mara River onto the vast grasslands. It’s a spectacle. The sheer determination of the animals is amazing. They move as though driven, across plain, grassland and water. They do not stop. Even when some drown, the others just go crashing by. It’s a spectacle of a lifetime. The animals migrate from Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara between July and September and back in January and February.

10 Tourist Attractions to visit in Boston Massachusetts

2008-02-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

If you are planning to travel to Boston Massachusetts there is a wealth of attractions to visit that are of historical significance.

The Freedom Trail - Three miles in length, the Freedom Train is one of the most popular walking tours in the United States. Marked ny pavement inserts and painted red lines, the trail is simple to follow if you go for the unguided tour. Park Rangers operate 90 minute tours should you choose the guided tour option. Of interest along the trail are the site of the Boston Massacre, the USS Constitution, the home Paul Revere lived in and the site of the Boston Massacre.

The USS Constitution - The oldest existing commissioned warship, the Constitution never lost a battle she was involved in. Visitors can tour the upper deck where sailors are available to answer any questions you may have. Located at an adjacent pier, plan on visiting the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer that saw action in World War II.

Museum of Fine Arts - Located one mile west of Boston's Copley Square in the Fenway area, the Museum of Fine Arts can be accessed easily by using public transportation. You will find assorted art galleries, restaurants, gift shops, concerts and special exhibits. One can't take in everything in just one visit, so you should plan a return trip.

Paul Revere House - Paul Revere House is downtown Boston's oldest house, having been built in 1680. Paul Revere was the owner of this house for thirty years, from 1770 to 1800. Inside this restored home visitors will find assorted memorabilia as well as furnishings from the 17th and 18th century.

Old State House - Built in 1713, this is the Boston's oldest public building, now serving as a history museum. Marked by a cobblestone circle, the Old State House has views which look over the site of the Boston Massacre. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston took place on the balcony back in 1776.

Franklin Park Zoo - The recently renovated Franklin Park Zoo was founded in 1911 and is located on a 72 acre site. Visitors will see exhibits that include the Australian Outback, the Bongo Congo, Western Lowland Gorillas and the Franklin Farm, where visitors can get close and pet the sheep and goats.

New England Aquarium - Featuring a 200,000 gallon tank aptly named the Giant Ocean Tank, the New England Aquarium's centerpiece is surrounded by a 4 story high ramp. The Giant Ocean Tank is home to many species including stingrays, sharks, barracudas, huge turtles as well as a Caribbean coral reef replica.

Bunker Hill Monument - A tall granite obelisk commemorates the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. Visitors who are feeling spry can climb 294 stairs to the obelisk's top and be rewarded by a beautiful view of Boston. During the summer visitors can take in a musket firing demonstration.

Faneuil Hall - Originally built back in 1742, Faneuil Hall was donated to the city by Peter Faneuil. British officers used Faneuil Hall as a theater during their occupation of the city. A military museum along with paintings of notable battles are found in the Hall. Park Service Rangers give historical talks.

Museum of Afro-American History - Called the oldest standing African-American church building in the United States, the museum features the African Meeting House, dedicated in the 1806. Changing exhibits are displayed in the gallery and guided tours are available to visitors.

Medical Tourism: World-class Treatment At Layman's Price

2008-02-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

Consumerism is the new mantra of the present generation. People want value for money for every purchase they make. When almost every imaginable service is near at hand, can medical treatment be far behind? Of late, "doctor shopping" is the phrase that is circling the medical arena. This phrase refers to the rapidly increasing number of patients who choose to undergo medical treatment in foreign countries. People, especially in the US and the UK have realized that the medical treatment offered in their countries is highly expensive in comparison to such Asian and African countries like India, Thailand,Cuba, and Lithuania.

These developing nations offer world-class healthcare and medical facilities to overseas patients. While the citizens of these nations find it hard to afford such facilities, patients from the US or other European countries find it quite affordable. Besides an inexpensive vacation package in these countries makes the whole process of treatment extremely attractive.

Before the discussing the pros and cons of medical tourism, it is necessary to glance at the origin of this trend. Medical tourism is not a new phenomenon. According to David Morgan, this phenomenon was perceptible in the early 19th century when no restrictions were imposed on the movement of people in Europe. Initially, mere traveling was considered a good therapy for physical as well as mental health. Later, the wealthy families began to make trips to the Swiss Lakes, the Alps, and special tuberculosis sanatoriums, where professional and specialized medical care was offered. The scenario improved further in the 21st century. Thailand, followed by India, Puerto-Rico, Argentina, Cuba, and Malaysia quickly emerged as the hottest medical tourism destinations.

Complicated surgeries like hip and knee replacement surgery, dental works, cosmetic surgery, kidney dialysis, organ transplant and sex change topped the list of the popular procedures performed in these destinations. According to survey reports, in 2002, six hundred thousand medical tourists came to Bangkok and Phuket medical centers in Thailand, while approximately one hundred and fifty thousand foreign patients visited India in the same period. It is also estimated that by 2012, medical tourism in India will generate an astonishing $2.1 billion dollars in revenue. This assumption, however, is based on the fact that around 600 Baby Boomers from the US, Australia and Europe will age and seek medical care by that time span. This assumption has led many countries to treat the medical tourism sector as a profitable business. The Indian Government has also shown its interest in this sector by adopting various provisions to promote this industry. In Philippines, the medical tourism industry was included in last year Investment Priorities Plan. These trends are enough to justify the phenomenal growth of the medical tourism industry in the present age.

The major attraction of medical tourism to the innumerable number of overseas patients is its affordable cost. When compared to the expenses of medical treatment in the US, the prices in the Third World countries seem a mere trifle. In the US, there are approximately 43 billion people without health insurance and 120 million without dental coverage. In case of an emergency medical treatment, they are required to pay for the treatment either in cash or take out a loan. The ordinary citizens, especially the uninsured lot, find it hard to meet these estimated expenses. According to the CBC News, a cardiac surgery in the United States and the United Kingdom on average costs from $30,000 to $50,000, while root canal costs approximately $3,500. In such situations, medical tourism offers an excellent solution for such financial crunches. In India, for instance, example, the above-mentioned procedures can cost anywhere from $4000 to $9000 and $200 to $400, respectively.

Next comes the issue related to formalities involved prior to undergoing any medical treatment. In medical tourism destinations, not only are the paperwork hassles comparatively less, but also the liability policies are less strict. According to the News Target, "many MDs …insist that as much as 80 percent of all healthcare dollars that go through their office cover nothing but paperwork." In addition, medical doctors spend a large percentage of their income on insurance coverage in a case of lawsuits, further increasing healthcare costs.

Time is another factor that lures patients to medical tourism spots from all over the world. In developed countries, the public healthcare system is too overburdened to perform all its duties on scheduled time. The situation is worse for those who need immediate treatment. Hence, the only option for these patients is to fly abroad for medical attention. Medical tourism has thus offered American and European citizens some better options than visiting their own doctors.

These advantages of medical tourism are more than adequate to score over European or American healthcare facilities. The only sound advice that foreign patients should keep in mind (while in a medical tourism destination) is to be prepared for some emergency expenses that might emerge on account of any medical complications. However, such cases are rare and the outcome is mostly satisfactory. Glancing at the present scenario, it would not be wrong to conclude that medical tourism is here to stay and invite universal acclaim.

Spend your holidays in India

2008-02-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to India – one of the prime holiday destination where tourists from all around the world willing to spending their holiday. Spend your holidays in India this time and find excellent in its various aspects. Our country, India it the land of vivacious culture, amazing contradictions, and diverse geography despite shows unity in diversity. It is a vast country and all regions of this country have their own charm distinct charm. If truth to be told, it is not just a country it is the combination of several mini countries which are its various states with their own distinct charm, culture & tradition, languages, cuisine, dress sense, etc. And this is India’s unity in diversity which is the single most predominant factor that makes it one of the most prime holiday destinations in all over the world.

There are several fascinating tourism options in this country which are able to make convinced even the most pessimistic and overjoyed person. Our country is able to make satisfied every type of tourists whether they are culture lovers, archaeological buffs, adventure seekers, beach lovers or simply want to spend their holiday in picturesque locations. Starting from snow-caped Himalayan mountain peaks to pristine beaches of Goa, to the vastness of Thar Desert of Rajasthan, to the serenity of Kerala backwaters, to the rich flora and fauna, to the cultural heritage attractions, to the awesome hill stations beautified with fabulous nature beauty, etc India is one stop holiday destination for all type of tourist and vacationers who want to make their holidays in India memorable. Be sure, India holidays tours never fail to enchant with various picturesque holiday destinations and fascinating options of travel & tourism.

For those vacationers who are willing to unique charm of India holidays with sightseeing of historically and culturally rich places there are several such destinations which are eagerly waiting for them. India’s star attraction – Taj Mahal, grand Red Fort, India Gate, Mysore Palace, Rajasthan Monuments, Ellora caves, Cochin Fort, Elephanta Caves, etc fulfills there desire and never fail to enchant them. For those vacationers who want to spend their holiday in luxury there are some magnificent heritage palace hotels in the vibrant state of Rajasthan, India where one can find all the world class modern amenities and off course old world charm and excellent hospitality. Several travel agents and tour operators offer luxury holiday packages to India to spend holiday in these grand heritage hotel. They also offer budget holiday package for those vacationers who are not able to so much cost of luxury holiday package.

Some vacationers want to spend their holidays in beaches and enjoying their natural beauty and serenity. If you, too, want to spend your holidays at beach destination, you may opt for Goa or Kerala tour package offered by various travel agents or tour operators. Over all, India is a fascination holiday destination which is very popular among tourists from all around the world and never fails to enchant vacationers and tourists with its amazing tourism options. So, if you, too, want to make your holidays in India, the amazing country that is called India invites and welcomes you.

Traveling in South Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban

2008-02-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Johannesburg

Jo'burg, as it's known, is the largest city in South Africa, its busy bustling streets lack real beauty. But you'll be rewarded with wonderful experiences of the real South Africa and the climate is glorious.

Transport: how to get there and around

There is an international airport in Johannesburg which serves domestic as well as international destinations. There is also a bus service that connects with nearby countries.

Weather

The climate in South Africa has great regional variations. Generally hot though it depends on altitude. Summer tends to be very hot in the low lands; upper lands are pleasantly warm but subject to rain and mist. Winters are mild all over the country except at the highest altitudes which are subject to frosts and occasional snowfalls.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Johannesburg .

Attractions & Events

* To experience the rich cultures of South Africa that were oppressed for so long, be in Johannesburg throughout September and October for the Arts Alive Festival.

* In April the National Exhibition Centre holds the Rand Easter Show.

* September brings the Jazz Festival and also the Gay Pride march is on the last Saturday of the month.

Cape Town

Cape Town is relaxed and laid back, especially in comparison to Johannesburg. The stunning Table Mountain overlooks the city of beautiful landscapes and beaches. It's a welcoming place, too, with a vibrant cultural life especially for music.

Transport: how to get there and around

Cape Town International airport has many direct flights from around the world. The city has a main train station where you can board both trains and buses. For help getting around town, ‘Rikki’ transporters, Taxis and buses are available.

Weather

The best time to visit is during the summer months December to March. It can be around 26 C in the city but this is cooled off a by the Cape Doctor – also known as the wind!

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Cape Town .

Attractions & Events

* The Cape Town Arts Festival is an outdoor event during the summer month of January.

* The Good Food and Wine Festival is held in June.

* There are a few events taking place in December. In the Company’s Garden you can experience Carols by Candlelight. A more flamboyant event with outrageous costumes is the Cape Town Queer Event.

Durban

Durban is a modern city with a lively night scene and plenty to keep you entertained from taverns, discos, theatres and clubs. The proud Zulu culture can be felt throughout Durban which boasts tropical beaches and jungle.

Transport: how to get there and around

International and domestic flights are served by Durban International Airport. You can reach the main South African cities with by train such as Cape Town and Johannesburg. Rickshaws, Taxi’s and minibuses will get you around the city itself.

Weather

Overall the climate is fairly mild all year round. During May and October there is more chance of rain and the winters bring an evening chill.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Durban.

Attractions & Events

* Durban has a literature festival in March at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

* Natal holds a Marathon in June which goes through the valley of a thousand hills.

* The Centre for Creative Arts holds the International Film Festival in June.

Travel Guide -- Rome, Italy

2008-02-07T20:03:00.001-08:00

Touring the Vatican, Expanding Religion!

2008-02-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

When you’re in Rome, there are places that you can’t definitely miss. One of them is the Vatican. Considered to be the smallest country in the world, the Vatican holds numerous special collections and buildings that tell so much about the beginning and struggle of Roman Catholicism—and how the religion has helped shape the world.

Two Kinds of Vatican Tours

There are different kinds of Vatican tours, but commonly, you can choose between private and group tours. Private Vatican Tours are just for you and your party. You will get the privilege to tour the Vatican with your own personal Official Vatican Tour Guide dedicated only to you who will reveal to you the Vatican treasures from insider perspective and also make sure there is no stranger who can take part in your Vatican tours.
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Vatican Group Tours, meanwhile, is composed of individuals who have booked on the same day. This is ideal if you’re traveling to the Vatican alone.

Before you can actually start your Vatican tours, there are certain things that you have to consider. First of all, take note of your dress code. Women should avoid wearing anything revealing, including tank tops, miniskirts, and shorts. If you can’t help it, then cover your spaghetti top with a shawl or a jacket. Men, on the other hand, should better keep their shirts with offensive pictures and messages on their suitcase first. Otherwise, you’ll be in terrible shame, being shooed away by the custodians who are guarding the Vatican doors. It may also help if you can carry pair of small binoculars with you. There are certain areas in the Vatican, such as the Sistine Chapel, where images can be so minute. The optical device can help you see the details much clearer.

Starting Your Vatican Tours

When you’re going to tour the Vatican, it may be wise to begin on the Vatican Museum, or the Musei Vaticani. The entrance, which can you reach through Bus 49, is located at the Viale Vaticano. The Vatican tours can also take on another route, which is through the Piazza del Risorgimento, by taking the Tram 19 or Bus 81.

The Piazza di San Pietro, an entrance to the Basilica di San Pietro or St. Peter’s Basilica, is found at the western area of Via della Conciliazione. For your Vatican tours, you can have to alternative places to visit. You can go up to the topmost portion of the basilica by riding an elevator. It’s the most perfect place to enjoy the little towers that remind of you of those magical castles in fairy tales. If you’re scared of heights, though, don’t even try to proceed to the lantern or even the highest part of the dome’s cupola.

For those who are appreciative of nature, you can take a stroll on the Vatican Gardens for your until your can reach the Castel Sant’ Angelo located at Borgo Pio. This fortress is truly significant in the history of Rome as it served as refuge for emperors and popes during wars such as the Sack of Rome.

Lastly, drop by on Cappella Sistina or the Sistine Chapel and get a glimpse of Michelangelo’s famous work on its ceilings. It’s amazing how a sculptor’s name becomes everlasting through his paintings.

Touring the Vatican is something you’d definitely crave for the rest of your life. So why don’t you start saving up now?

KERALA BACKWATERS

2008-01-30T18:50:00.001-08:00

KERALA

2008-01-30T18:48:00.001-08:00

There are many places to visit during your Kerala trip

2008-01-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

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.

Please Take Me To Melbourne

2008-01-23T18:26:00.001-08:00

Taste of gold in Melbourne

2008-01-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

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.

STUBAI

2008-01-21T18:23:00.001-08:00

Longboard Racing in Austria

2008-01-21T18:16:00.001-08:00

Enjoy Your Winter In Austria

2008-01-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

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.

Shopping in Spain is an adventure

2007-12-30T01:56:00.000-08:00

Spain offers all the international brand names you could ever need. But why buy imported goods when Spain has its own specialties? Here are some examples. Spain is a great place to buy leather items, especially shoes. Crafts are famous too. These include ceramic items such as tiles and vases with beautiful designs, often Moorish in origin. Another local craft that's thriving again is lace making.

If you're short on time and want to do all your shopping in one place, you'll find a branch of the El Corte Ingles department store in nearly every town. They sell everything from jewellery to designer clothes, food to to furniture, and so on.

Shopping In Barcelona

Barcelona has undergone sweeping changes in recent years and the shopping scene has been transformed in the process. All the big names are here along with a range of local boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and futuristic shopping centers.

Maremagnum is one of the new shopping and leisure complexes that's proved very popular. Other than its comprehensive shopping mall, it also offers find a dozen cinemas and many restaurants, pubs and discos.

The new boutiques and stores are great places to shop. But to savour the authentic shopping experience, be sure to get away from the haunts of the glitterati and visit the old city. Here you can take a look in Barcelona's oldest shop, Cereria Subira, which first opened its doors in 1761. If candles are on your shopping list, you're in luck, for Cereria Subira is a candle shop. Even if you're not buying, the vast range of candles of all sizes and colours is well worth seeing. Then plunge into the streets around the Barri Gòtic. Here you can browse shops selling everything from fish and herbs to bullfighter's capes.

Shops in Barcelona open around 8 am and they generally close a few hours after sunset.

Shopping In Madrid

As the nation's capital, Madrid not surprisingly offers the best range of up-market shopping outlets in Spain. But these make up just a small proportion of the city's shopping charms. Madrid's 50000 stores also sell everything from paintings and ceramics to guitars and bullfighters' costumes.

If it's designer labels you're after head for the eastern district of Salamanca. Here you'll find the logos of Prada, Armani, and Louis Vuitton, and all the others. More interesting are the boutiques of trendy Spanish designers like Sybilla, Amaya Arzuaga, and Victorio & Lucchino.

When you tire of the brand name stores, the area around the Street Fuencarral is a pleasant one to visit. It's home to a bunch of trendy boutiques selling both men´s and women´s clothes. There's also an indoor market hawking clothing, bags and jewellery. For shoes, head to the Street Augusto Figueroa. It's lined with mostrarios selling designer's shoe samples at half price or less.

Shopping in Spain would be incomplete without visiting one of the street markets. Sunday morning is the time for the El Rastro street market on the Calle de Ribera de Curtidores which is closed to traffic. You can buy everything from squawking chickens to pirated DVDs to antiques and smutty post cards. But be careful, pickpockets abound.

Accommodation for your trip to Germany

2007-12-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

With its picturesque landscapes with fairy-tale castles, crystal clear lakes, rustic villages, the hip urban cities with their dynamic valour and of course the famous Oktoberfest, Germany is a place not to be missed. The cities of Berlin and Frankfurt grab you with their grandeur and majestic auras and each city has its own importance and attractions where there is something for everyone. The country also has a number of amusement parks which can be equally enjoyed by both children and adults.

Deutschland hotels range in their pricing structure; you'll find inexpensive hotels to medium ranged hotel rooms to luxurious suites in the finest hotels. Both Berlin and Frankfurt have superb class hotel services. Some of the top class Berlin hotels are Kempinski Bristol Hotel, Swissotel Hotel, Adlon Hotel, Steigenberger Hotel and the Louisas Place (Suite Hotel).

Two very famous 5 star luxury hotels in Berlin are Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin and Steigenberger Berlin. These hotels are two of the most luxurious and grand hotels in Berlin, located in the city centre, where you will be greeted by their warm staff and given a very comfortable and memorable service. Hotel Adlon Kempinski is another 5 star hotel in Berlin, which provides a range of services and amenities to its guests. The hotel has extensive car parking facility, and also has a coffee shop and restaurant on premises.

4 star luxury hotels in Berlin include the Park Hotel Blub, Albergo Berlin, Alsterhof and the Best Western President. These hotels offer facilities and services of unmatched quality; from delicious cuisines to room services. 4 star hotels are very popular among tourists in Berlin.

Berlin also has a wide range of 3 star hotels for the economy class traveler. Some popular hotels include the Agon Frankfurter Allee, Agon Olivaer Apart Hotel, Berlin Mark Hotel and the Best Western Boulevard. These hotels provide almost all the necessities needed by the routine traveler and are more pocket friendly.

For all those who want to explore Berlin and yet have a comfortable accommodation at affordable rates, the 2 star hotels are the perfect choices. Namely 2 star hotels include the Hotel Morgenland, Ibis Berlin Fehrbelliner Platz, Hotel Pension Am Park and the Hotel Pension Berolina. These cheap and economy hotels provide a comfortable stay and relaxing environment, and meet all the basic necessities that you'll need to make yourself at home. These cheap Berlin hotels are a simple choice for the budget-conscious traveler.

Be sure to check out a good hotels website to guide you in choosing a hotel room for your visit to Berlin, Deutschland. HotelRabatt.de is an online hotel booking site which provides online booking and reservation for hotels in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and many other countries and popular destinations worldwide. Visit www.HotelRabatt.de to book a hotel room in advance to book your trip to Deutschland. Secure booking for cheap and luxury hotels is available online and the website is in 5 different languages, which will make it easier for you to book a hotel room by selecting your desired language.

Have you ever experienced the typical Czech Christmas?

2007-12-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

If your answer is not, you have a great opportunity to get to know them this year in Prague!

Christmas in Prague belongs to the most beautiful and unforgettable experiences you can ever have. They are connected with a lot of traditions, music and magical atmosphere. The most popular Prague's traditions are the Christmas markets in the main squares in the whole city, but especially in the Wenceslas and Old Town Square. You can see the Old Czech Christmas customs like the floating of walnut shells, the cutting of apple or the pouring of lead that foretell the future according to superstitions. You will find the wonderful smell of mixture of ginger-breads, hot wine and cinnamon all around - surronded by beautiful Christmas Carols. All your senses come surely into theirs own there! This unique Christmas atmosphere is felt in the streets from the last days of November almost till the end of the year. I can strongly recommend renting out a Prague apartment and sense for yourself.

But what if you do not have time to visit Prague? Would you like to have a Czech Christmas at your own home instead then? What about to prepare the typical old fashioned Czech Christmas Eve dinner - fried carp with potato salad? The recipes are very individual and often like family secret, but I can tell you one.

You will need a carp cut up in portions, 2 lemons, 2 eggs, 2 spoons of milk, breadcrumb, vegetable oil and salt and for the side-dish 1kg potatoes, 4 carrots, 3 celery, parsley root, jar of gherkins, 4 onions, salt, 1 spoon of vinegar, 1 spoon of sugar, pepper, 100ml mayonnaise, 100ml natural yogurt and 100ml lemon juice.

First of all prepare the salad. It is always better to make it one day before the Christmas Eve, because it will be even more delicious. Dice all the vegetable and then boil potatoes, carrot, celery and parsley root until tender. Drain liquid and add diced gherkins and onions. After that add the rest of ingredients and mix it well.
When the potato salad is complete, let it in a fridge. When preparing the carp, salt the fish portions, sprinkle them with lemon and let them in a fridge for at least 20 minutes. Dib the portions in egg-milk mixture and breadcrumbs and fry slow in a bigger volume of vegetable oil until the carp is golden brown. Then you can serve it up with the potato salad.

Asia, The Best Travel Destination

2007-11-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

If the time has come for your vacation or a holiday getaway, read this article before making your plans. There are many places of great beauty and interest to be seen in the USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it is expensive. This article is written for every traveler, whether a backpacker on a budget, or a first class - five star traveler.

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to "retire" early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand - Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India - Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world's most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos - Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia - the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam - is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos - savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal - Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia - Jakarta, the capital city of the world's fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia's main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of "Gillis" that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines - An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country's past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces
are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore - Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore's most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There's more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan - Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor's Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article..

Taiwan - Taipei, the country's booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong - the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you're in Hong Kong with the little ones, they'll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you're in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there's plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

Brittany, the other France

2007-11-19T00:54:00.000-08:00

The main point about Brittany is that its not France. Well, at least not France as we are used to seeing it. Cities in the east of Brittany – Fougeres, Dinan, Saint-Malo – do bear the resemblance of French antiquity, which can also be discovered in Burgundy or Aquitaine. By farther to the west the cities become less usual and less typical.

Let’s start with language. There are two languages used in Lower Brittany: guide-boards and signboards are written in French and the Breton language. This old Celtic language has the same routes as the languages on the other side of La Manche (the French name for the English channel) – Scottish and Irish. Houses also look like German ones.

Brittany is the only French province that does not have its own type of wine. Local people drink Celtic beer, which has a specific taste – tastes very different from Czech, Bavarian or British beer. This mead has the name you want to pronounce in a whisper – chouchen. Sparkling cider has the alcoholic content of 8 – 9 %. Well, there is a nice white wine produced in Nantes, which is formally a part of Brittany. But historically this place is Celtic. However, local wine is goes well with local specialties – oysters and mussels. Fourteen kilometers from Saint-Malo there is the world oyster capital – Cancale. Its coast is covered with taverns. You could stay here till the end of your life.

But, let us forget about this until we get older. Now we shall go to the far inland - the true Celtic Brittany. Cross the Paimpont forest (also known as Brocéliande), filled with tales about the Holy Grail, Arthur’s knights and magician Merlin. You could, for example, search for interesting road crucifixes. This is a real Brittany’s feature: many of these granite crucifixes stand next to the churches. Sometimes they form multi-figured compositions, up to 200 stone items.

When finding yourself in Brittany, it is hard to get rid of the impression that these truly Christian sculptures are the successors of ancient pagan megaliths – stone constructions erected 4-5 thousands of years ago. Scientists still dispute about their meaning but one thing that is quite certain is that they had no practical importance and were constructed as religious objects. Megaliths can be found all around Europe, but a great part of them is located in Brittany (Carnac, the small town in the south of the province, has long rows of these stones). Here, like nowhere else, you will feel the connection with time.

The idea that Brittany is located at the edge of Europe makes one feel agitated. It comes as no surprise that the most dashing corsairs come from Brittany. There are even two monuments found not far from Saint-Malo: one Robert Surcouf’s and the other commemorating René Duguay-Trouin. In 1534 the famous explorer Jacques Cartier set off from the shores of Brittany to discover the Saint Lawrence River, named Canada. Though his aim was to reach Asia. The similar story happened to Columbus, but this is another story.

Lotus Temple

2007-11-12T18:24:00.001-08:00

Religious Places in Delhi, India

2007-11-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

Birla Mandir / Laxmi Narayan Temple -- Also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is ideally located in central Delhi (Mandir Marg). This temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi and Lord Narayana (Lord Vishnu) was built in 1938 by the prominent Indian industrialist Raja Baldev Das Birla and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The temple, built in Orissan style, has a large number of idols representing various gods of Indian pantheon. The well-grafted gardens need a special mention.

Bahai's temple / Lotus temple -- The BAHAI HOUSE,called as lotus temple,of worship is a marvel of modern architecture. It is made in the shape of a lotus.it is one of the major attractions for national and international tourists.it repesents the Bahai's faith which is an independent world religion, divine in origin, all-embracing in scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles and dynamic in the influence it exerts on the hearts and minds of men.

ISKCON Temple -- Built on a hilly place in 1998, the ISKCON Temple is a complex of temples. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this elegant temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India. It has a large number of Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna cult followers.

Chattarpur Mandir -- Chattarpur Mandir is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, is built in South Indian style. The temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples throughout the year, the main attraction comes during the Navarathri festival, when devotees come from far and near. During this time, there are special bus services provided to the devotees.

Bala Hanuman Temple -- This elegant temple stands on the south-eastern side of Ranmal Lake. The 24-hour chanting of the mantra 'Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram', which has been going on in the temple since August 1, 1964, has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Kalkaji Mandir -- Situated beyond the commercial complex of Nehru Place lies this temple dedicated to the goddess Kalika Devi. This domed twelve-sided Shakti Kalkaji temple, also known as Kalika or Kalka Devi lies on the same hill as the Baha'i temple. Its oldest section dates back to 1764 and additions were made in the mid-19th century; yet, most of the building is modern. This popular Kali shrine is at the heart of a village and the Hindu worship of its 'Mahants' (important sadhus) makes a fascinating contrast with the new faith of the Baha'is. Thousands of pilgrims throng the temple, especially in October during the nine days of 'navratra', when a huge fair is held over here.

Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir -- Digambara Jain temple dates back to the time of Aurangzeb's reign and is famous as Delhi's oldest temple. It is situated right opposite the Red Fort, at the entrance of the main road. It was built in 1658 AD, but modifications and additions are going on ever since, and it remains a haven of tranquility amidst the noisy and chaotic main street of Chandni Chowk. The temple authorities also run a Bird hospital & hundreds of pigeons and other birds are there in the temple complex.

Hanuman Mandir, Connaught place -- Situated on the Baba Kharak Singh Road (old Irwin Road) about 250m southwest of Connaught Circus, this temple is of little architectural importance. The residents of Delhi are, however, particularly devoted to it. The original temple appears to have been constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh about the same times as the Jantar -Mantar, but has undergone large scale renewals since then.

Nizam-ud-din Shrine -- This is the tomb of the famous sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Auliya. Built on the way from Humayun's tomb, the premise of the shrine is a tank, which is surrounded by many other tombs. It is said that there was an argument between the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint over building this tank. The saint had said that the city of Tughlakabad will never prosper and so did it happen. The tomb has been through several renovations ever since it was built. The present mausoleum dates back to 1562.

The complex of the shrine includes several other tombs, including that of the noted poet Mirza Ghalib (1786-1869), Amir Khusbru and the grave of Jahanara, the daughter of Shah Jahan.
If you happen to be there at around sunset on Thursdays, don't miss out the extravagant performance of qawwali singers that takes place after the evening prayers.
Location: West of Mathura Road

St. James Church -- Located very close to Kashmiri Gate in north Delhi, St. James Church is the oldest church in the capital. It was built by James Skinner and consecrated in 1836. It is designed in a cruciform plan with the entrance towards the west and the altar towards the east (the standard norm in most churches the world over). The dome interestingly is very similar to the dome of Florence Cathedral in Italy that was the first renaissance structure built in the world. Porches on the north, south and the west provide the building with three entrances. The central portion of the church is an octagon with circular columns supporting the dome.

Aurobindo Ashram -- Again in the south of Delhi near the Indian Institute of Technology on the road to Mehrauli it has literature on the life of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and has an ashram where devotees can come to meditate. There is also some accommodation available for devotees of Sri Aurobindo.

Travel Guide -- Rome, Italy

2007-11-04T19:30:00.001-08:00

Things to do before travelling to Rome

2007-11-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

Book a hotel. Or an apartment, a bed & breakfast, a guest house. Even for the accommodation, advance will be your best friend: first come, first served, as usual. Rome is full of beautiful and comfortable hotels, and many other are flourishing all over the city, especially b&b. But Rome is the destination for thousand of tourists every year and in specific periods all these hotels are not enough to serve them all, especially if they want to lodge in the very centre of the city. Are you one of them? Then surf the web looking for the best accommodation in Rome, centrally located and cheap at the same time…it's going to be tough, especially if you stays in the sites in which you just bought your low cost flight: usually they just want to stay cheap and offer extra low prices, but to do so, they often offer average quality hotels and located at kilometres of distance from the centre.

Book a transfer. Did you choose the train before? Then you're done. Termini Central Station is already in the core of Rome. Just get off the train and enjoy the chaos and the magic of everyday life in the capital of Italy. But if you choose to come by air, well, ther's one more step yo have to take. Because so far you booked your flight to the airports of Rome, Fiumicino or Ciampino, and a room or an apartment waiting for you in the city centre. Well, you miss something in between. Book your car transfer in advance, if you don't want to waste any time queuing for a taxi or getting lost using public transports

MAURITIUS (Ile Maurice)

2007-10-29T20:45:00.001-07:00

Heavenly Mauritius

2007-10-29T20:44:00.001-07:00

Interesting facts about the island of Mauritius

2007-10-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Mauritius forms part of the Mascarene Islands together with Rodrigues and Reunion. Any group or cluster of islands is called an archipelago. So, the archipelago, here relating to Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion was formed by undersea volcanic eruptions. Mauritius and Rodrigues were formed around 10 million years ago and are now volcanically inactive. The island of Mauritius had been created around a central plateau. However, this central plateau reveals the highest mountain in Mauritius, the Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire. This mountain is around 828 metres (2,717 ft) high and stands in the southwest of Mauritius.

Mauritius possesses a tropical climate accompanied by south-east trade winds occasionally blowing over the island. The hot and sunny climatic conditions during the summer are one of the elements that attract a considerable amount of tourists to Mauritius. Normally, the summertime in Mauritius falls between the months of May to November. During the months of November to April cyclones tend to affect the island. On the other hand, winter in Mauritius occurs during the months of May to November. The temperature during this time may attain 15 degrees Celsius or below on the central plateau. But in general, the winter in Mauritius is rather dry and not as harsh as in other countries.

The capital of Mauritius is called Port Louis and is situated in the Northwest. Some other important towns over the island are Curepipe, Flacq, Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill, Vacoas, and Phoenix among others. The natural beauty that surrounds Mauritius is magnificent. So, this may well describe the aspects of the island during the early days of its existence. As time passed by, land was needed for developments and constructions. As a matter of fact, gradually Mauritius somehow lost part of this beauty. But places such as the Black River Gorges still exists and shows a concrete example of the dense forest in its pure nature which hosts various kinds of birds and also unique species of plants.

Furthermore, since gaining its independence on the 12th of March 1968, Mauritius has developed significantly. Mauritius has evolved from a low income based on agriculture to a middle income diversified economy. This diversified economy consists of the tourism, industrial and financial sector. It is important to point out the fact that the economy of Mauritius relies upon the textile, sugarcane and tourism industries. However, different sectors are also developing as well. Additionally, Mauritius can be proud to have attained the second highest incomes per capita among African countries. Sugarcane plantations may account for around 90 percent of cultivated land in Mauritius and may bring about 25 percent of the country’s income, although the sugar industry is in serious jeopardy because of world sugar market changes. The government of Mauritius focuses on bringing foreign investment to the island. The government of Mauritius is also investing in the banking sector.

BILLABONG BIG WAVES TEAHUPOO TAHITI

2007-10-18T18:43:00.001-07:00

Traveling to Tahiti for Romance or Honeymoon

2007-10-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

In Tahiti a dream comes true. Heavenly beaches, fantastic resorts, excellent 5 star hotels, everything to make your vacation one that you will never forget. It is the perfect getaway for romance and even a honeymoon.

There are so many activities to choose from, like, taking long walks in the evening on the beach, visiting the local villages, sight seeing, scuba diving, surfing, horse back riding or just a private moment. Tahiti is the greatest island of French Polynesia.

Diving activities: Traveling here is wonderful for diving with the many varied sites and depths for the beginner to the most experience. The islands offer many drop-offs, wrecks, caves and even sharks.

Tahiti being your first stop in French Polynesia (unless you travel by boat), offers easy conditions and is the ideal place for rehabilitation dives. If you have enough time, I recommend you venture to the peninsula (Tahiti), one hour drive from Papeete, where you will discover a peaceful and laid-back atmosphere. The rich and various underwater activity and sceneries are competing with some of the most well-known and best rated destination sites in the world.

For the beginner, scuba diving is always the best alternative if you want to explore nature's beauties...and maybe lost treasures...

With over 800 marine species, French Polynesia is a unique travel destination for diving. Its 118 Islands offer unlimited resources, in a huge underwater environment.

Lagoons' crystal waters, impressive underwater cliffs, the amazing Big Blue of the Pacific Ocean are as many environments as there are exciting, surprising and unforgettable dives. It's live entertainment on a natural big screen! From beginners to advanced divers, there are diving sites suitable and safe for anyone.

The Society Islands, very popular with tourists, offer a large range of dives, usually easy-graded, nonetheless amazing (Anau and its mantas in Bora Bora) In the Australes, not frequented as much by tourists, you may cross path with the impressive whales (Rurutu) In Northern part of French Polynesia, the wild and unspooled Marquesas shelter giant mantas, hammer head sharks in its caves. Many unforeseen and surprising encounters. Wherever you dive in French Polynesia, you'll be surrounded by many varieties of fauna and flora, like barracudas, hump head wrasse, butterfly fishes, and huge gorgonian.

Just open your eyes and the show begins! Taking underwater photos and videos is a real pleasure because visibility is usually good, even excellent, especially outside lagoons and in passes where it can reach 50 meters plus. Be aware that the electric power the guides have with them might not be compatible with your own equipment (flash, battery charger). Don't forget to protect them from all external factors like sun, wind, sand, salt or water. Very few diving centers have photo and video equipment for rent. Some of them have good quality disposable underwater cameras for sale.

You can have your films processed in Tahiti? However, delay may be long, and prices might be higher than in your home state. The islanders strongly recommend the greatest care when you're shooting manta ray or a close up on the coral. Other divers will follow, and if you found the underwater environment in a pristine condition, it's because divers before you paid attention and respected it. Don't forget, you might return in a near future. Respecting the environment must be your first priority, to decide on your shooting.

More to come about traveling to Tahiti.

What the Netherlands is famous for

2007-10-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

Tulips – this is one of the things that come into mind when we think about the Netherlands. From the end of March till the end of May the Keukenhof flower garden (located near the town of Lisse) gathers visitors for the most fantastic flower show in the world. Flower plantations stretch all over the coast. In spring the whole district is covered with a multicoloured carpet more than 17500 hectares big. Almost half of it is tulips.

First tulip bulbs were brought here from Turkey and Central Asia. Netherlands, with its sandy coastal soil, proved to be ideal for tulip planting, and pretty soon these flowers got extremely popular – one bulb could cost as much as some mansion by the Amsterdam canal. Later the flower market fell into decay, but in the 18th century it was in bloom again. Nowadays the Netherlands is the world’s largest flower exporter. There are more than 7,5 billion tulip bulbs gathered in the country every year, and a great amount of them is sold abroad.

The Netherlands is also renowned for its excellent cheese; it’s the largest cheese exporter in the world. The most famous cheese sorts are Edam and Gouda, both produced of cow's milk. One of the most famous local cheese markets is found in Alkmaar, opened every Friday morning from April till October. The market still follows the rules of 1672, and the trade is carried out according to the ancient traditions: first the customer chooses sort of the cheese he wants to buy and then the seller and the client clap each others hands (one after another) until they agree upon the price. After the bargaining is over, cheese is brought to the weighing house (Waag).

Clogs. Initially clogs (wooden shoes) were traditional Dutch footwear worn by the common people. Only the richest citizens could afford more expensive and convenient shoes. Still, the Netherlands produce more than 3,7 million clogs a year. Citizens don’t wear them any more, but people working in the country sometimes do – they are warmer and drier than simple rubber boots. Former clogs were also a part of traditional clothes by which people could define where a person comes from. Most beautiful clogs are produced in Hindeloopen, Friesland.

Windmills. During the Roman times the Dutch coast was covered with sand drifts and vast swamps. Long time has passed since this place was turned into the wonderful “water country”. For years and years people were struggling to drain the territory and much contribution was made by the windmills. Now many of them are found in Dutch villages and cities.

Windmills were invented in the middle of the 16th century to help pump the water up to the higher level. This was a true break-though which helped manage with the disaster. From this point people could causeway the territory around the lake, pump water from it and start cultivating the soil. Sometimes the mills were built in a row, forming a staircase.

The worse the situation with the territory was, the more windmills were built. Many of them were erected south-east of Rotterdam since the district, Albrandswaard, is edged with the Rhine inflows. When these measures were not enough, people started creating reservoirs. One of the most famous Dutch reservoirs is found in Kinderdike. The reservoir is really huge and surrounded with 19 windmills, which makes it a spectacular view.

National Parks of New Zealand

2007-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Undoubtedly, among the things you should come to New Zealand for are its national parks, which occupy the country’s one third. New Zealand’s stunning mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and waterfalls are something you aren’t used to seeing while traveling around Europe and Asia. It is no wonder why director of the world famous “Lord of the Rings” chose this country to shoot his film here – its islands do really look like a wonder land, inhabited with fabulous creatures. There are 14 national parks in New Zealand, but I’ll list only the ones I find most interesting.

Let’s start with the south. The most interesting park of New Zealand, compared to no others is, without any doubts, Fiordland National Park. Its boundless and truly wild territory is full of wonderful gorges and rocks, unusual animals and birds, beautiful and astonishing plants. You can get to the Fiordland by its Milford Road running from Te Anau. The only park that could compete with Fiordland is Kahurangi National Park in the island’s north. The park is an excellent place to get yourself acquainted with wildlife – here you will see impetuous rivers, huge platens, mountain flowers and coastal forests. But don’t be afraid to get lost, since the park is equipped with numerous footpaths and roads which will make your walks safe. Another park in the island’s north is Abel Tasman National Park, with mild climate all year round. The park attracts those fond of beach resorts, as it is famous for its sandy beaches and intricate granite rocks. A travel path on the park’s coast will make your walks easy and pleasant.

If you prefer active rest in the mountains, go to the Southern Alps and walk around the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, located in the island’s centre. Another spectacular place here is Arthur's Pass National Park located north from the Mount Cook and lying on a historic path, connecting Canterbury (in the east) and the wild Western shore. Magnificent mountains with steep rocky slopes won’t leave you untouched. Westland/Tai Poutini National Park stretches from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to the remote western beaches. In the south of the Southern Alps, not far from the coast by the Fiordland border there is a Mount Aspiring National Park. If you want to see the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand, Nelson Lakes National Park stretched along a 102 thousand hectare territory is waiting for you. In addition to various large and small lakes, the park will meet you with its beechwoods, rocky mountains and mountain streams. If you are making a visit to Greumouth or Westport, don’t forget about the Paparoa National Park lying between them. The park presents almost all the ecosystems of New Zealand, from mountain peaks to the coast.

North Island. Egmont national park is easy to reach, that is why this is one of the most visited parks of New Zealand. It is located in the west coast not far from New Plymouth, Inglewood and Opunake. The largest park in the North Island is Te Urewera National Park, located far from the built-up areas. It is huge and difficult to traverse, but still it attracts the most active tourists. Wonderful lakes and forests are filled with the ancient history. Tongariro National Park offers most interesting spots – active volcanos, deserted mountain plateaus and calm lakes. South from the mainland there is a small Stewart Island, 85 % of which is occupied with Rakiura National Park.

Things To Do In Las Vegas - For Free!

2007-10-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

Things to do in Las Vegas that are absolutely FREE! You can find them inside the Casinos and on the Strip, as well as all around the town. There are many Family oriented shows that are enjoyed by young and old alike. If you ask the "locals", they'll tell you where to find the best shows! But I'm here to do the same thing. So, hang on, here we go...

But, there are many great freebies outside of the Casinos too!

One of the great shows that is available free to families is the Fall of Atlantis Show at Caesars Palace, located next to The Cheesecake Factory. This particular show is a laser, water, and light show that features wonderful animatronics action. Also notice that the show's platform is actually a salt-water aquarium. You can see divers feed the fish each day at 1:15 and 5:15 while another staff member is on hand to answer any questions you may have about the show and the facility. You can actually take a tour of the facility at 3:15 each day. Enjoy watching the gods as they entertain you rather than us entertaining them. At the west end of the mall is the Festival Fountain show, featuring an animatronic discussion between Bacchus, Venus, Apollo and Pluto as well as a laser light show.

The Cambridge Community Center offers a free movie with popcorn each Saturday at 1:00. They show a different movie each and every week, and your children under 12 must have an adult with them - that means with them beside you, you can get in for free also. You can check out the posting on Friday to see what's playing.

Another great Las Vegas freebie is daily performances by the Hawaiian Marketplace Island Performers. You can catch these shows throughout the day from 11:00 am until 10:30 pm and feature wonderful dances that will remind you of the islands. See hula dancers, fire and knife dancers, musicians, lei makers, and animatronic birds. The performances take place at the Hawaiian Marketplace, and they too are Free. The market is made up of several stand-alone cart vendors surrounding nine anchor stores that offer a variety of clothing, gifts and souvenirs. The market is covered by an awning, which helps to keep things a bit cooler.

I know you're an Elvis fan, so be sure to see Pete Vallee perform as Big Elvis. This show is free, and the crowds get huge as his reputation for vocal talent is matched by his heartfelt renditions of Elvis' ballads. A collector of Elvis memorabilia, Pete admires his namesake and tries to stay true to the King's persona as a man who loved and was loved by his fans, and maintained a sense of loyalty to them. When Pete sings, his fans come alive and the party begins.

Pete's repertoire includes an abundance of Elvis tunes, as well as Louis Armstrong, some country, gospel and other favorites. He is currently appearing at the Barbary Coast on "the Strip" Tuesday through Friday from 3 - 6 pm.

M&M's World uses ingenuity and a whole lot of sugar to make an impression on Las Vegas. It's a sweet place to visit. More importantly it is a free place to visit. This museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 am until 11 pm and Friday and Saturday from 9 am until midnight. This really is a neat attraction to visit and is much more than initially meets the eye. Take a stroll, look around and make sure you see all there is to see or you just might miss something fantastic.

Can you believe: four floors of retail space devoted to our favorite chocolate-covered candies? It just doesn't get much better than that! Located in the Showcase Mall, the mouth-watering exhibit features Red, Yellow and the rest of the brightly colored gang on everything from T-shirts and golf-club covers to calculators and martini glasses.

The attraction features a 3-D movie theater, the films rotate and viewers are rewarded with a surprise treat as they exit. There also is a wall of M&M's, displaying the sweet treat in nearly every color imaginable, from aqua green to gold. But perhaps the most exciting exhibit in the attraction is the M&M Racing Team area. The exhibit is centered on a replica of #38, the M&M's sponsored race car driven by Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

Need more sweets? Go visit the Ethel M's Chocolate Factory. The admission for this self-guided tour is free as is the first sample, but who can eat just one chocolate? Be sure you take some souvenirs with you because if you don't you'll be very sorry later that night when your memory kicks in and your mouth kicks on. In addition to the chocolate factor is the Botanical Cactus Garden that is open from 8:30 until 7:00 daily. Another great thing to see on this particular tour is the Living Machine, which has waste-consuming ecologies that turns 32,000 gallons wastewater each day into water that is clean enough to use for irrigation purposes.

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History, which is located on the University of Nevada Las Vegas Campus, is another place to go and learn while being entertained. Admission is Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 4:45 and on Saturday from 10:00 until 2:00. Admission is free and the museum is closed on all state and federal holidays. This museum offers a great display of Western culture and the history of ancient Mexico.

Where else in Las Vegas can you learn about the native cultures of the southwest United States and view Navajo weaving, jewelry and basketry; Hopi kachinas, basketry and pottery; and Southern Paiute basketry and archaeological objects without paying admission?

Is there another museum in Las Vegas where you can view a comprehensive collection of objects representing nearly every culture of Pre-Columbian Latin America? And where else might one see a cohesive collection of Guatemalan costumes and an extensive collection of Mexican masks and then wander to view reptiles native to our region, all for free?

No matter what your specific interests are there are plenty of wonderful things to see and do in Las Vegas that do not put a strain on the pocketbook at all.

Canary islands

2007-10-09T23:56:00.001-07:00

Tenerife, the Canary Islands

2007-10-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Tenerife, in the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, although belonging to Spain is a popular destination for holidaymakers worldwide. Here we take a look at what makes Tenerife so popular. Tenerife is the largest (2034sq km) and highest (3718m) of the Canary Islands.Mount Teide is Spain’s highest mountain. The South of Tenerife, particularly Playa de las Americas, is famous for it's nightlife scene. The South has both superb dark and golden beaches attracting many tourists, whilst the North of Tenerife is built around the thriving capital city of Santa Cruz. Tenerife has an estimated population of 655,656.

Tenerife is an island with a real ‘north-south’ divide in more ways than one.Party animals head south for sizzling beaches and the hottest nightlife in the Canary Islands, whilst in the North of the island even the sun takes it easy! The resorts of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos have all but merged to form one big tourist destination. Puerto de la Cruz is lusher, quieter and cooler and popular with the older crowd. Golf courses, yacht marinas, conference centres, theme parks, beaches... Tenerife offers a complete range of leisure activities to satisfy all kinds of tastes.

There are lots of beaches in Tenerife. The most popular are along the South coast: 'Los Cristianos' and 'Las Américas' with grey sand and surrounded by hotels and apartments. Going up along the east coast is 'El Médano', a long bay beach preferred by windsurfers because of its strong winds; and more to the north, the 'Teresitas' beach with white sand imported from The Sahara.

The Orotava Valley serves as an example of the north's fertility extending to the limits of 'Las Cañadas' Park on the west shore of the Island. It's completely covered with banana plantations and orchards. There are also many golf courses on the island such as Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf and Country Club, Abama Golf Resort .. Mt. Teide is Spain's highest peak and the most visited tourist attraction, you can take a cable car to the top of the dormant volcano. Tenerife has to offer. But there are many more. Situated just above The Tropic of Cancer, about 200 miles from the North African coastline; Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, an archipelago that was formed almost six million years ago when the earth was still being formed from constant volcanic action. Tenerife was itself the result of three land masses being fused together and thrust up from the seabed over eons, and Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain has become the focal point of this island.

There is very little modern history relating to Tenerife, and most that is recorded covers the most recent five hundred years. Tenerife is well documented in naval battles history, and has connections with Christopher Columbus, the Malmsey wines that were once produced on the island and exported throughout Europe during the 15 century, and the Guanche race that lived on Tenerife about this time. The Spanish Crusades brought Christianity to Tenerife, before continuing onto South America, and it was the Italians who first introduced The Carnival to the island. The Carnival that is celebrated each year on Tenerife is now the largest in Europe and only second in size to the one in Rio de Janeiro.

The island of Tenerife has long been known as a holiday retreat, but since the construction of the Reina Sofia airport in the south of the island, and the development of Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife has become the European winter holiday playground for millions of Northern Europeans. With almost 8 million tourists visiting Tenerife each year, it is not surprising that there is a massive self-catering holiday market, and with the majority of tourists choosing the south and west coasts of Tenerife for their holiday, Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas are at the top of most peoples list when deciding on a destination. The local Town Councils have ensured that tourist needs are considered when making planning changes, and together with new pedestrian streets and wide roads, several beaches have been formed during the past few years. Making new beaches on Tenerife is no easy operation, and the Los Cristianos "Las Vistas Beach" was formed over a two year period with sand literally hovered off the ocean floor. The Island of Tenerife with 7 championship golf courses has become a winter hot spot for many golfers, who are only too pleased to swap three jumpers and an umbrella, for a summer shirt, plus- fours and a factor 50 sun cream. Within 20 minutes drive of Playa de Las Americas; there are 5 superb championship golf courses, plus a 9-hole course at Palm Mar.

At 3,718 metres high, Mount Teide is without doubt the focal point of Tenerife. It is at the centre of one of Spain's great National Parks, and if you are arriving on the island by air during daylight hours, it is impossible to miss this spectacular volcano. Mount Teide is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island of Tenerife, and during the winter months, thick snow sometimes covers the mountain, while the beaches on the south coast are crowded with sunbathers.

With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, it is no small wonder that Tenerife has become known as the Fortunate Isle. Tenerife is full of colour nearly all year round, with bougainvillea and hibiscus splashing a variety of reds, yellows, purple and orange, and when coupled with all the aromas that you associate with tropical climates, words like paradise and fortunate are often used to describe Tenerife and the other Canary Islands. For many tourists, lying on a sun bed by the pool or on the beach reading a book is their idea of a perfect relaxing holiday, but for many, the need to stimulate the mind is paramount, and here on Tenerife, there is multitude of interesting things to do to fill your holiday time.

Los Cristianos & Playa de Las Americas; Los Cristianos has matured during the past 40 years, and what was once a small fishing harbour with a few houses that served the local hillside communities, is now a major holiday resort with an international flavour in shops and restaurants. Los Cristianos is some 18 km from the airport and there is a new dual carriageway that connects the town centre with the TF1 motorway. Many of the streets close to the beach have been made pedestrian friendly, and wheelchair access ramps
are at most junctions. The Fred Olsen fast ferries that connect Tenerife with the neighbouring islands of La Gomera and La Palma, leave Los Cristianos at regular intervals throughout the day, and on occasions, some cruise liners drop anchor in the bay and arrange excursions for their passengers. There are two very good beaches that serve the residents and tourists, and the promenade is lined with gift shops, restaurants and bars. With safety in mind, there are first-aid posts and regular police patrols, plus toilet and changing
facilities. The Los Cristianos harbour is the starting point for many sea excursions, and there are two large beach areas lined with sun beds and parasols. The beach promenade is quite level and where there are steps; ramps have been formed for pushchairs and wheelchairs. In the town centre, there is the usual church square with several tapas bars and other shop units. Playa de Las Americas has risen from a desert waste 40 years ago, into the most popular winter- sun holiday destination in Europe. Playa de Las Americas has something for everyone, be it sandy beaches, luxury shopping malls, 5* golf, all night discos or simply a McDonalds' beef burger. At only 10 minutes drive from the Reina Sofia airport, Playa de Las Americas is to sun and fun seekers, what Las Vegas is to gamblers. There are excellent beaches with safe swimming zones, and from the Puerto Colon Marina, where there are some superb ocean going cruisers, there is a variety of boat excursions and water sports that can be reserved. Fañabe is the most recent area of Playa de Las Americas to be developed. Only a few years have passed since the last bananas were harvested, and now multimillion Euro hotels like the Bahia Del Duque and the Sheraton La Caleta hug the Adeje coastline. Hollywood style shopping malls with luxury goods and fine restaurants await the millions of tourists who flock here every year, 5* golf is close by at the Adeje 18-hole championship golf course, or the Las Americas 18-hole course, plus the wide avenues abound with pavement cafes that serve a variety of cafes and liqueurs. So book your flight and join Bill Clinton, Robbie Williams and Jennifer Lopez in holidaying in Tenerife.

Singapore!!

2007-10-07T20:58:00.001-07:00

Entertainment in Singapore

2007-10-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Singapore is one of the most unusual cities in Asia. Old colonial districts and ultra modern skyscrapers, temples and green parks, lively commercial streets and one of the largest sea ports in the world – all this is concentrated on a small territory.

Singapore is the city-state located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, Southeast Asia. This is one of the richest, the best organised, the most effective countries in the world with a high quality of life. Singapore is often called an island “of 1000 commercial centers”. Despite its hot climate, it’s a true tropic heaven for many tourists.

The name “Singapore” derives from two Sanscrit words (singa and pura) and means “The lion city”. The city was founded in 1819 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who worked for a British company. The company decided that this was an ideal spot for a trading post and a settlement to be built here. They say that the city is still filled with the spirit of past.

There are numerous attractions to observe in Singapore, such as the Victorian-style Empress Place Building which comprises a museum, art galleries and a luxurious restaurant, Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, City Hall and Raffles Hotel known for its posh decoration (which, by the way, is mentioned in some local proverbs). Attractions you are also advised to visit are: St Joseph's Institution, Singapore Art Museum, Statue of Thomas Stamford Raffles by Thomas Woolner, National Museum, numerous skyscrapers such as Singapore Land Tower or Art Deco Caltex House, picturesque “boat districts” like Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, turned into fashionable entertainment and shopping centers, and a famous Orchard Road – a “skyscraper street” with its Istana palace and Chettiar Hindu Temple. There are also Singapore Botanic Gardens found in Orchard Road western part. The gardens are a place to find yourself in a tropical forest and enjoy the gardens’ landmark – Orchidarium, with more than 60 thousand orchids growing on its territory. Singapore’s neighbourhoods, like China town and Small India, are also curious places to visit.

There are also lots of parks in the city. In addition to green plantations, the parks accommodate various entertainment and sports venues, the most prominent of which are Telok Blangah Hill Park, Tiong Bahru Park and Pearl's Hill City Park.

South of Singapore one will find several beautiful islands which are also worth visiting. The most visited island is Sentosa. This is a playground for all ages, with a huge choice of parks, attractions, sports grounds and other attraction spots like Fort Siloso, Volcanoland attraction park, famous musical fountains, the Rare Stone Museum, Maritime Museum, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, Underwater World oceanarium with a clear underwater tunnel 100 meters long and a dolphin lagoon, Cinemania, Tang Dynasty Village, Carlsberg Sky Tower – the largest Singapore observation tower, numerous gardens with fountains and more than 3 km of white sandy beaches.

Each year approximately 12,6 million tourists come to Singapore. Nowadays the city offers about 95 hotels, and by the year 2008 there will be about 114 of them here. As seen from the numbers, tourism is an important source of revenue for Singapore.

African Safari Is Affordable For You

2007-10-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

An African Safari is the vacation of a lifetime. Make sure you choose your tour company wisely as there is a lot of difference between tour operators. Looking for great value? Ask a travel agent to keep an eye out for African Safari special offers to find exclusive tours at unbeatable prices. Or if you have some extra time, surf the internet for a few weeks before booking so that you get a good idea of the tours being offered. Safaris, aside from the airfare, are not much more expensive than other guided tours unless you take the luxury option, and it's bound to be an unforgettable vacation.

Safaris to the Kruger Park, which is roughly the size of a small country, are always popular. This area of Africa has seen human habitation for roughly 40,000 years. Indigenous populations coexisted in balance with the local game, but after Europeans arrived and began to hunt for trophies, game populations declined drastically due to the uncontrolled slaughter despite hunting laws introduced to South Africa in 1858.

The area first became protected in 1989, just before the Boer War, after a campaign by Paul Kruger to establish the Sabi game reserve between the Sabi and Crocodile rivers. After the Boer War ended in 1902, the James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed warden of the Sabi Game Reserve, and formal protection and rebuilding of game stocks was instituted. Stevenson-Hamilton became determined to protect the area permanently by making it a national park. After much lobbying, he succeeded. The national parks act was passed in 1926 and the Sabi and Singwitsi reserves (by then the Transvaal Game Reserve) became the Kruger National Park.

It took a few years before visitors discovered the park. In 1927, a total of 3 tourist vehicles ventured into the park, bringing in an income of 3 pounds. By 1930, there were 900 vehicles roaming on the 500 kilometres of new roads in the park, and staying in the huts and tents that could accommodate up to 700 people. Stevenson-Hamilton was an outdoorsman who disapproved of luxurious facilities, and he attempted to maintain a rustic atmosphere. However, when he left, accommodations were upgraded and the park became a reknowned destination for tourists from all around the world.

By 1955, visitors flocked to the park in numbers exceeded 10,000 a year, prompting extensive development of roads and tourist services along with the fencing of the park boundaries. During peak holiday season, such as Christmas, Easter and July, the park can be quite crowded. There is now a daily limit to number of visitors, so if you must travel in peak season, reserve well ahead of time.

Adjacent to the Kruger on its Western Boundary are a number of private game reserves, including the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Manyeleti. Kruger Park Safaris offer a huge variety and density of wildlife, as well as a wide range of safari experiences. You'll never be able to see the whole park in just one tour. Safaris include everything from tented walking safaris and self-driving safaris to ultra-luxurious fly-in safaris. Kruger Park holds hundreds of lodges for different tastes and budgets.

The Kruger Park is a year-round destination, but there is a seasonal difference in climate. The dry season (winter) is usually between May and August, although rainfall starts declining in April and is still fairly low in September and October. This is the best season to see game, as permanent waterholes attract animals, the vegetation becomes thinned out, and trees have fewer leaves to obstruct the view. Winter has warm days and chilly nights. The average maximum temperatures is around 24 degrees in winter, and the average minimum is about 8 or 9 degrees, although it can drop as far as 5 degrees. It is important to bring along a warm jacket for early morning and evening game tours.

The wet season (summer), is from November to March. This is when the Kruger Park receives most of its rainfall, usually in dramatic afternoon thundershowers. The weather is hot and balmy, with Average maximum temperatures of about 30 degrees Celcius, with an average minimum of 20 degrees. The summer grass and foliage becomes lush and green, and while this makes for beautiful scenery, it can also make game viewing difficult. Also, animals no longer concentrate around waterholes because there are now widespread sources of water.

However, for birdwatchers, the wet season is the ideal time to visit the Kruger Park, as this is when the migrating birds arrive, and when all the local birds are at their most active. The Makuleke region of the park is renowned for its many species of birds, and visitors may see exotic specimens such as Scarlet Chested Sunbirds, Broadbilled Rollers, Redheaded Weavers, Wattle-eyed Flycatchers and owls, such as the Pels Fishing Owl, the Scops, Whitefaced, Pearl-Spotted and Giant Eagle Owls.

The wet season is also the best time to see baby animals, as most animals calve at the beginning of the rainy season to take advantage of the lush grazing grounds.

Luxury resorts in and around the Kruger Park are not cheap, but offer services such as massages, reflexology and room service for guests who like to remain within the bounds of civilization while still having an opportunity to take day tours and see game.

Overland Safaris in a tour group are the most economical way to see Kruger Park. These group tours are a great way to meet like-minded eco-tourists and enjoy a genuine outdoor experience. Both camping and hotel options are available.

The bush of the Kruger Park can also be experienced on hiking tours. These walks are conducted in parts of the region not accessible to vehicles, including the spectacular Lanner Gorge.

New Zealand

2007-10-03T19:53:00.001-07:00

Holidaying In New Zealand

2007-10-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

New Zealand's wild, elemental beauty made it the perfect locale for filming Lord of the Rings. For this is a raw land of sheer mountains, icy glaciers, swift flowing rivers and geysers that spout from the hot earth.

Auckland:city of sails

New Zealand's largest city, Auckland sprawls scenically around a range of inlets and bays. Lapped by the waters of the Pacific, Auckland has a distinct seafaring air to it.

transport:getting there and getting around

Auckland is New Zealand's centre for international flights. You can take direct flights from here to all Australian airports, the US west coast, many Asian destinations, and London and Frankfurt. There are also a wide range of domestic flights.

Regular bus services connect Auckland with major towns and tourist attractions. And there are morning and overnight trains to Wellington daily.

Auckland is a sprawling city so walking is not convenient. Car hire or cycling are the most convenient ways to get around.

climate
Auckland's coastal location keep temperatures lower than the in the hinterlands. Temperatures hover in the mid-20°s in summer and it rarely freezes in winter.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Auckland Hotels

Events

Summer is the time when Auckland comes to life though there's something happening all year round.

*In January there are the Open Tennis Championships.
*Also in January is the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand.
*Pasifika Festival in March celebrates Polynesian culture through music and performances at Western Springs.
*Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens in November showcases the city's blooms
*The Auckland Cup is held at Ellerslie Race Course December.

Wellington

As New Zealand's capital, Wellington is home to the imposing administrative buildings of government. It's an attractive city with a splendid harbour and terraced hills.

transport:getting there and getting around

Air New Zealand offer direct domestic flights between Wellington airport and most major centres, including Auckland, Christchurch

Regular ferry services connect Wellington with Picton on the South Island.

Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with buses north to Auckland and all major towns in between. Wellington has a train station, an efficient local bus system, many car-hire companies, and taxi services.

climate:
Wellington's coastal location gives it the reputation for being windy.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Wellington hotels

events
As the nation's capital, Wellington is the centre for a host of cultural and sporting events

* Wellington Cup Week in January features racing, live music, fashion in the field, celebrity judges.
*February New Zealand International Arts Festival
*New Zealand Festival (Biennial)

October is a busy month with Wellington Fashion Festival and Wellington International Jazz Festival.

Christchurch:springboard into nature

The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is traditionally a springboard for forays into the nearby mountains, plains, beaches and lakes. However, Christchurch has many attractions of its own to offer.

transport:getting there and getting around

Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island. Flights connect with Australia and a few other countries. The airport is about seven miles from the city centre. There are also trains and a cheap and efficient bus service.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Christchurch hotels

events:
*February Christchurch Festival of Flowers - an international floral celebration in the garden city.
*August Christchurch International Jazz Festival - a celebration of jazz, wine and food featuring international and local talent.

Walt Disney World Promo 1970's

2007-10-02T00:52:00.001-07:00

A Travel Guide To Walt Disney World

2007-10-02T00:46:00.000-07:00

Disney vacation is one of the most fun vacations to plan.Knowing what a Disney Vacation has to offer,will help you get in on some of the best packages available.You can have a travel agent do the bulk of it for you, or do it yourself.

I would like to give some tips to others on how to go about planning a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth. First, before deciding anything else, you must decide which date you would like to be at the Disneyland Resort.The date is important, depending on what you would like to do while there.

The busiest times at a Disney park are Spring Break, summer, and the week between Christmas and New Years. While busy time periods cause longer lines, they also have fewer attractions down for rehabilitation, and more parades and shows will be scheduled. For the less busy times of year, the queues will be shorter, but entertainment may just be held on weekends, and more attractions will be down for rehab in the slow season.

All of this must be taken into account when you decide on your travel dates. If you want to see all of the entertainment, and ride every ride, then summer, Spring Break, or Christmas week would probably be your better choice.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas the parks are less busy, but it is a great time to go because most entertainment and attractions will be up and running in preparation of the busiest week of the year. If your goal for a Disney Vacation is to simply be there, see and do as much as you possibly can in a short period of time, you may want to choose a less busy time of year.

Once again, a great time would be between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Disney is a totally different place in the Christmas Season, with all of the wonderful decorations. Spending a magical time like Christmas, at a magical place like Disneyland Resort is an incredible vacation.

By the first week of January the decorations come down, and the crowds stay light, but Haunted Mansion and It's A Small World are usually scheduled to be refurbished, to removed the holiday overlay. If rides and shows are not important to you, this is the perfect time to go on a Disney Vacation.The dream of a Disney Vacation is one which is in the minds of children and adults alike.

If you go without a plan, although you'll still have a relatively good time, you'll find that you spent much more time, effort, and money, than you would have if you had planned for that dreamed of Discount Disney Vacation. The plan doesn't have to be elaborate, but you should do your "homework" and "know before you go."

Walt Disney World, Orlando, caters for kids large and small, mom, dad and everyone else you can think of. Booking a vacation at a Disney resort is very definitely fun for all the family.And give you memories that will last a lifetime. Apart from the usual rides, shows and well-loved Disney characters, there are plenty of attractions designed to entertain adults. Disney is pretty good at arranging activities so that mom or dad - or both - can get time off to have a look around, so why not spend some time in the France pavilion. Disney's designers have lovingly recreated the streets of Paris for you to enjoy a real romantic break.

You can shop in chic boutiques, offering very nearly all the designer goods you would find on the Champs Elyses. And when you're exhausted after a busy morning hitting the cash registers, you can chill out at a variety of authentic Parisian cafes and restaurants. Those of an adventurous turn of mind could explore the possibilities for excitement presented by one of Disney's Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Disney's very own small-scale safari park is populated by genuine animals for the African savannas - take a guided drive to see the giraffes and hippos, and you'll be transported in an instant to the endless grasslands of the Masai Mara. Both these activities, of course, offer possibilities for the whole family.

If you're an independent and outdoors type, you might like to consider the Fort Wilderness campground.You can take your own tent or RV, or stay in one of the campground's self-catering cabins. The campground is a miniature vacation destination all to itself - there are activities for kids, trails to hike, and fun sing-along campfire evenings, for you to get to know your fellow campers.

If you want to stay in more solid accommodation the first level is one of Disney World's 'Value Resorts.' The All-Star Music Resort, for example, is a great hotel and entertainment center.Like all of Disney's resorts of all levels; it is themed - the theme in question being, of course, music.

The Disney Corporation takes its theming very seriously The All-Star Music Resort allows you to enjoy music of all styles from country to jazz, and even has a pool shaped like a grand piano Like all the Disney World resorts, Value Resorts are within easy striking distance of all the central Disney World attractions, and transport there and back is completely taken care of.

The next level up are the Disney Moderate Resorts.Rooms are a little more spacious than those at the Value Resorts, and the range of facilities on offer is a little wider. The Caribbean Beach Resort, to take an example, has some room service - there's none in Value Resorts - and a variety of other small perks and features not available to Value guests.

If you want to sample the very best Disney has to offer, you should book a place at a Disney World Deluxe Resort. Deluxe guests get the best rooms, world-class restaurants, concierge and bell service and access to spas, health clubs and even a business center and wi-fi internet access for those who just can't bear to be away from their desk.

Beautiful Croatia

2007-09-27T19:02:00.001-07:00

CROATIA

2007-09-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

One of the hottest vacation spots in Europe right now is Croatia. Gone are the wars of yesteryears, what you see right now instead is crystal clear waters, breathtaking mountains and lush forests. The climate in this area is Mediterranean which makes it perfect for vacations all year round. Having a land area of 56,000 square kilometers assures visitors to Croatia of many activities from its sandy beaches in the Dalmatian coast to its beautiful mountains.

When you plan your next vacation, make sure to consider Croatia. For tourists who want to visit, you might need a visa as well as your passport. Make sure to check out with your local Croatian embassy for the necessary documents needed to enter the country. Once all your documents are in order then you are all set to travel to Croatia.

Getting to Croatia by plane is the fastest and most convenient way to travel. The international airport located in the capital city of Zagreb handles many flights from major European cities and North America as well. A typical flight from London to Zagreb would take about 2 hours and 30 minutes while a flight coming in from New York would take as much as 10 hours. If you are coming in from Italy then you could take the ferry service that links Italy to Croatia. Riding the ferry would make you experience the cool Mediterranean air and see the sparkling clear waters Croatia is famous for. Buses and trains are also available linking Zagreb and most Croatian towns to major European cities.

Make sure to register with the local police once you are in your accommodations in Croatia. Most commercial accommodations like hotels and hostels automatically register their guests but private accommodations do not, so make sure to register yourself to avoid paying heavy fines or being deported.

The capital city of Croatia which is Zagreb would be your first stop in Croatia. There are a lot of sights to admire in Zagreb. Museums, cafes and art galleries are what make this city famous. The Banski Dvori or presidential palace is also located in here. Don’t fail to visit St. Mark’s Church, a gothic designed structure with colorful roof tiles.

Moving farther from Zagreb is Pula located in the Istrian Peninsula. If there is only one place in the Istrian peninsula you have to visit then it has to be Pula. The sixth largest amphitheater is located here. It was built by the ancient Romans and is now a favorite venue for concerts. Another tourist attraction in Pula is its famous beaches. Here you would experience the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean.

If you are into water activities then head out to the Dalmatian coast. There are lots of islands in this area that have excellent resorts catering to tourists. Many activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and fishing are readily available for you to experience.

The food in Croatia is mainly regional, meaning it varies from region to region. The coastal regions of Croatia specialize in seafood dishes and Italian pastas while those in the continental areas it is influenced by heavy Slavic meals.

Explorer of the Seas 9 Night Caribbean

2007-09-25T21:15:00.001-07:00

All About Caribbean Cruises

2007-09-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Caribbean cruises are the most popular of all cruise destinations. And there are good reasons that they are the cruise destination of choice. Caribbean cruises offer you intriguing ports of call, beautiful white sandy beaches with azure blue water, all while enjoying the supreme service aboard your magnificent cruise ship. Caribbean cruises offer many activities for all age groups, so it makes a great family cruise vacation. And don't worry about cruise terms, we've included it here.

During family cruise vacations there are activities all day long and they're free. You have already paid for it in the price of Caribbean cruise. You get all your meals, your cabin, and entertainment included in the price of you family cruise vacation. This is one of the many reasons Caribbean cruises are such a great value.

The best aspect of Caribbean cruises is that once you board your ship you unpack once for the entire trip. No schlepping bags from airport to hotel over and over again. You will be in a new island almost every day with the travel between each port done at night, while you sleep. What could be easier?

Most of the top cruise lines offer Caribbean cruises. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America and Carnival all offer a great variety of Caribbean cruise vacations. There are very formal Caribbean cruises or the fun and casual party cruise. Caribbean cruises are good if you are looking for adventure, golf or scuba cruises. Or maybe you would like to go on a relaxing cruise to enjoy the sea on a sailing cruise. You could plan a Caribbean cruise as a second honeymoon, even the first honeymoon, or a family reunion, or a special anniversary. You don't even need an excuse to take a Caribbean cruise, do it just for fun. Or do it because there is five feet of snow and you need to see the sun and the sand.

Be sure to inquire about any discounted cruises for special groups, like teachers, police or fireman, or nurses. Many times a cruise line sees a certain cruise at a certain time of the year is filling up slowly so they offer special discounts to these groups. And if you belong to one of these groups band together, says as teachers from Pennsylvania and get additional discounts.

Now that you have decided to take a Caribbean cruise here is a glossary of terms used on Cruise ships. It's the cruise terms or cruise lingo.

* Aft is the rear or near the rear of the ship
* Amidships is the middle of the ship
* Bow is the very front of the ship
* Bridge is the navigational control center
* Colors are the national flag flown by the ship
* Deck Plan is an overhead diagram of the cabins and the public rooms
* Dock is where your ship will "park" when in port
* Forward faces the front of the boat
* Gangway allows you access on and off the ship
* Knot is a nautical mile
* Leeward means out of the wind
* Pitch is how much the ship will roll (not very much, if at all)
* PAX is cruise terms for passengers
* Book a cruise is to make a cruise reservation
* A Cruiser is you, the passenger
* Port is the left hand side of the ship while facing forward (bow). Easy to remember since port and left have four letters
* Stack (sometimes called smoke stack) is the ships "chimney"
* Starboard is the right side of the ship while facing forward (bow). .
* Stateroom or berth is your cabin
* Steward's are personnel on the ship for your cabin and dining room
* Stern is the very back of the ship
* Daily Activity Log lists the various activities on board
Now that you can know your Cruise terms, all you have to do is call your cruise travel agent and book one of the many Caribbean cruises that are offered. Book as a family cruise vacation, your honeymoon or anniversary or just because you want to experience Caribbean cruises.

Happy Cruising!

Royal Caribbean Cruise

2007-09-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Caribbean Cruise Holiday Of A Lifetime

2007-09-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Caribbean cruise vacation is the ultimate deal and if you have not tried it, now is the time to be treated like royalty while you spend times on the idyllic tropical islands. There is no vacation that offers more and since there are numerous packages to choose, spends time selecting it. The trip can be made with your family, by yourself or your partner. Irrespective of whom you go with, there is lot of activities to while away your time.

Caribbean cruise holiday is a combination of amazing entertainment, wonderful activities and an opportunity to visit the idyllic Caribbean. Cruising can be for extended period and it is up to your budget, choice of locations and preferences. Give yourself the opportunity to experience the vacation of a lifetime.

Cruising has become widespread and cruise liner has grown considerably but each vacationer has diverse need so there are many different packages for each and a holiday is a time for unwinding, enjoyment and revitalization. Cruise liners are aware of it and have different packages to cater for diverse crowds so the vacation can meet their needs of a dream holiday.

There is a right fit for every vacationer and the right programs, meal and entertainment are designed to cater to them. Go to your nearest travel agent to find the right cruise package and always covey your requirements so that he/she can suggest the ideal vacation. Before making the trip, it is wise to find out more so as to select the right package. Comments and reviews can be found online but a check with your local travel agent is advisable.

As the Caribbean cruises travel to most parts of the Caribbean, with different price package for each itinerary together with the duration and the number of places visited. Caribbean cruise holiday usually range from three, five, seven and could be up to ten days. Seven days are the choice pick as you will have enough time to unwind and reinvigorate as well as exploring the islands.

You can begin by slowly marking out those cruise liners not suitable for you and choosing the right Caribbean cruise package, for instant, if you are getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life to unwind and recharge yourself so eliminate those that promise party carnival. But your ideal vacation is partying by the beach or the deck pool and even in disco, and then chooses one with plenty of such activities.

Booking a Caribbean cruise vacation during the peak period must be done ahead although there are plenty of cruise liners, getting your choice package may not be possible. Go to your nearest travel agent for the best deal and even discounts but you can go online of the cruise liner official website and some may have instant access to assistance to select the best packages.

Preparation of a Caribbean cruise vacation requires a lot of thoughts and a passport is required. Included is the need to consider various parts of your itinerary such as airline bookings as well as lodgings plus the booking of your cruise trip. Various other considerations have to be taken into account such as reserving of special occasion onboard the vessel. It can be for anniversary and they have available items and packages to enrich your trip.

Besides the usual, you need to pack suitable attire for formal evening, fun on the beaches as well as deck pool. For formal evening, gown is necessary for women and tuxedo for men so that you can be seen in your finest. Other Caribbean cruise may offer formal night and you need to be prepared for it. Give yourself sufficient time to pack, keeping in mind the diverse programs arrange for you.

Even if you intend to bring along your children on a Caribbean cruise holiday, there are plenty of programs to occupy them and they will not have a dull moment. Different types of activities are planned for them so that you can spend the time to do what you like. There are trained staffs to look after them so you can put your mind at ease while you are enjoying and relaxing with your spouse.

For couples, you can take a romantic Caribbean cruise vacation and you will have the holiday you look forward to. Moments spend watching the sunsets and sun shines will enthrall you as there is no place better that a tropical dreamland to share your romantic adventures.

On the other hand, you can take along your whole clan, for instant uncles, grandma, etc. With the plethora of activities, everyone will be entertained and relax. Plenty of movies, music plus entertainment, deck full of meals and fine dining; and programs to cater to diverse needs. A Caribbean cruise holiday is the ideal one for family as no one will be left out of the planning.

With possibly everyone look after and all activities to cater to different crowds, be it entertainment or meal, there is no better vacation than the Caribbean cruise holiday. Plan ahead and arm yourself with all the necessary information so that you cruise holiday will indeed be the best you have encounter

Visiting France: Paris And Nice

2007-09-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

For a holiday you will always treasure, be sure to visit France. With so much to offer within one country, France hosts the most tourists than any other country in the world. From romantic, cultural Paris to the heights of the snowcapped French Alps to the southern sizzling beaches. France hotels can add to the splendor of your trip with an amazing selection that can be found with ease on the internet.

Paris: fashion capital of Europe
Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street café’s and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.

Transport: how to get there and around:
The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.

Getting around Paris is best on foot, it’s a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.

Weather
Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.

Attractions & Events
Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.

* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.

*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.

*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.

Nice: treasure of the Côte d’Azur
Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.

The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.

Transport: how to get there and around:
Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 km’s from town. Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.
Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels

Weather
Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.

Attractions & Events
*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.

*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.

*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.

How to Find Cheap Flights!

2007-09-19T20:40:00.001-07:00

3 Ways to Get the Lowest Airfare Possible

2007-09-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

The easiest way to break the traveling budget is with your flight. It's hard to find the lowest airfare out there these days, especially with the myriad of companies trying to tell you that THEY have the lowest airfare prices, or know where to find them. Lucky for you, there are several ways to take a bite out of the cost of flying. Here are some tips and techniques to make sure you are getting the lowest possible airfare. Please note that the advice given here is just that: advice. Companies mentioned are not better, or worse, than any other organization out there that claims to offer the lowest airfare possible.

Lowest Airfare Technique #1: Courier It

Without a courier, many important packages that are working their way through the flight system would be stuck in customs an awfully long time. Therefore, courier companies "hire" people to transport their packages for them in a set. All that you have to do is forfeit your baggage space, and you can receive some of the lowest airfare prices available. There isn't actually a "payment" that is exchanged here; you are providing a service, but in return you are only getting the lowest airfare that the company can afford. Also, scheduling can be a bit of a pain in the butt - you may have a quick stopover in one place you wanted to visit, and days in another that really doesn't interest you. Plus, can you imagine flying to Paris with only your overnighter bag? Those with light luggage and really flexible schedules may love this option, though.

Lowest Airfare Technique #2: Bid

Online services like Priceline can be risky. However, if you are willing the tradeoff of 'maybe' getting a ticket with some amazing deals, it's a great route to go. The idea behind these types of companies is that you post a bid on their web site for the lowest price you are willing to pay for airfare. Then, you wait. Once you've bid, its set in stone; if someone accepts the bid, you are required to follow through. If no one does, then you're off the hook (although also without your lowest airfare!). I would recommend this option only to people who have highly flexible itineraries.

Lowest Airfare Technique #3: Special Offer Pages

Every airline has a 'special offers' page on their web site. Do you check them out regularly for the lowest airfare deals before booking a flight? If you bookmark all of the airlines catering to your geographic area, and any areas that you plan on traveling to, many of these 'special fares' will be better (in most cases, much better) than any search engine lowest airfare peek-a-boo that you do. There are several finer points to watch with these lowest advertised airfares, though; look for hidden charges, read the fine print, make note of any restrictions, and take action quickly (because most of these special offers are a limited time only).

Cape Breton Bridge Jumping

2007-09-17T23:19:00.001-07:00

Meet Me By the Water - Summer around Cape Breton Island

2007-09-17T23:17:00.001-07:00