Tourist Information–Madagascar

Madagascar is an island nation in theIndian Ocean on the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth largest island in the world. More than 1000 miles (1580 km) long and 350 miles (570 km) wide, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. The most prominent feature rugged mountains should be parallel with the entire east coast. Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean 250 miles off the east coast of Africa across the Strait of Mozambique, south of the equator. Calling Madagascar an island almost seems unfair. Leaf forests, crystal lakes, caverns, and grassland savanna dot vast western plains, and the southern tip of the island is covered with majestic desert.
A nature lovers paradise, and his friend Maromokofro many give way to a narrow coastal plains. There, you’ll find great rivers, stunning waterfalls, and the remnants of an ancient rain forest. This sparsely populated land-area occupies more than twice the size of Great Britain, and crisscrossed by no fewer than six different micro-climates! Madagascar’s highest mountain, Mt. Maromokotro, an impressive tower of 9450 feet (2876 m) in the area north of the island. Eastern slopes of Mt. Garden of Eden as the wealth was filled with so much diversity in life and in geography it is unlike any other island anywhere on Earth. It is no exaggeration to claim that micro-continent, as some have called it, offers limitless opportunities for exploration. Indeed, every expedition into the mountains, its rain forests, valleys of its rivers, its coastal plains, prairie, caves, and deserts led to his discovery of somenew plant or animal species.
Madagascar consists of six different areas by various climate:
1. East. The Betsimisaraka, the second largest ethnic group in Madagascar, friendly, laid back and fun loving. Marie, once a haven of pirates and is now a much sought after destination for beach lovers, the East Coast, and especially the Masoala Peninsula with exceptional concentration of fauna and flora are unique, largely undiscovered, and must for lovers of serious nature. Cash crops such as coffee, vanilla, cloves, and all the tropical fruits grown on the East Coast, making the local population is generally more prosperous than in other regions of Madagascar. With the exception of Ile Ste. (Maroantsetra including both the North and East region because it is considered by many to be the remaining channels of pristine rain forest on the east coast of Madagascar.)
2. Southern Dry Forest. The area is very wide and varied is home to “the people of the thorns”Antandroy on the beach, for Vezo nomadic fishermen, and the Mahafaly famous for their funerary art. South accounted for the benefit of the unique vegetation where tropical moist forest meets the southern dry forest, and is the gateway to the famous Berenty Reserve, National Park Andohela, Beza Mahafaly, the Isalo National Park, and the boom town Ilakaka, where exceptional quality sapphire was mined at this time. While the extreme tip of Madagascar southestern surrounding Ft. Dauphin receives abundant rainfall, the southwestern tip of extreme rainfall have virtually none at all. This is known as the “Grand Sud” and is one of Madagascar’s most attractive regions: remote, harsh, deserted exotic plant with incredibly beautiful scenery, endless beaches clean sand dunes, and strange.
3. Western Dry Forest. This is the area of ??spectacular scenery with majestic baobabs and “forest” of karst peaks of the World Heritage site of Tsingy of Bemaraha. Sakalava people’s homes, large ethnic groups with African beliefs and customs of interest such as a spirit, tromba and the cult of royal heritage, the West is a large area with only remnants of forests, dry leaves that once covered the entire domain. It is hot and dry throughout the year and the two main cities, Majunga (Mahajunga) and Morondava the Malagasy favorite for beach holidays.
4. Southern Rain Forest. This is known as the “Grand Sud” and is one of the most attractive regions of Madagascar: lush virgin rain forests, magnificent granite rock formations, and exotic flora and fauna on the east side, and beautiful scenery, endless beaches clean sand dunes, and plant strange exotic on the west side. While the southeastern region of Madagascar receives abundant rainfall, the southwestern region of extreme rainfall have virtually none at all. South accounted for the benefit of the unique vegetation where tropical moist forest meets the southern dry forest and rain forest southern including Ranomafana and Andringitra National Park is newly developed.
5. North. Despite being the closest to the equator, very long dry season of seven months, was followed by intense rains from December to April, giving the area north of Madagascar, a separate identity. Sparsely inhabited but with a rich mix of ethnic groups: Antakarana, Sakalava, Tsimihety, Betsimisaraka and Antandroy, the area is isolated from the across the country by rugged mountains Tsaratanana. Secluded coves, tranquil lagoons, windswept promontories, wide pastures and rain forest height is much varied and offers a wide palette of landscapes, people, fauna and flora.
6. High Plateau. Outside the two main cities of Antananarivo (Madagascar capital) and Antsirabe (once a resort town / spa and is now an industrial center), the primary calling of agriculture because the soil is warm climate and fertile throughout the year in which each plant may be grown, except for tree cherries. Rural views of terraced rice fields along Route Nationale 7 from Antananarivo to Fianarantsoa prove the Merina people of Asian descent and Betsileo, Madagascar’s political and intellectual elite.

Ethiopia Tourist Information And Tourism:Top Sights

Ethiopia Tourist

Offering a rather refreshing lack of traditional tourist traps and the opportunity to bargain over most prices, Ethiopia provides much more than first meets the eye. The main attractions tend to be of a historical and religious nature, being particularly concentrated in Addis Ababa, where both the St. George Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Cathedral reside, completed in 1896 and 1942 respectively. Somewhat older and located in Axum, on the northern side of Ethiopia, the Old Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion and Treasury dates from the 17th century. In Gondar and of a similar age is the spectacle that is the World Heritage Site of Fasil Ghebbi, which is better known to tourists as the Royal Enclosure and comprises the Fasilades Palace and a series of magnificent castles. More information about Ethiopia Tourist Attractions.
There are some really extraordinary landmarks located in Ethiopia and most visitors find that their rigid preconceived ideas of this region of Africa are quite incorrect. The scenery around the Tisisat Falls couldn't be more lush and less desert-like, with the Blue Nile River cascading into the gorge below. Various ancient stone obelisks (stales) and monoliths are worth searching out in Ethiopia, with the best examples being found at Tiya and also at Axum, where the oldest are believed to date back some 5,000 years. In Addis Ababa, important local landmarks are in abundance, with the most photographed being the Lion of Judah Monument next to the train station, and the Menelik II Square, where a prominent statue of the city's proud founder stands. In the town of Lalibela, the series of churches elaborately carved straight out of the rock are quite a sight to behold, with the Church of St. George being particularly impressive and regarded by many to be the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. More information about Ethiopia Landmarks and Monuments.
Ethiopia's rich and rather surprising archaeological heritage and culture is well documented in a number of important museums. The National Museum of Addis Ababa is amongst the most popular and is famous for its important 3.5 million year-old 'hominid' skeleton, which is an ancestor of today's human race. Nearby and located on the southerly side of Meskel Square, the Addis Ababa Museum is packed with information about the political and economical history of Ethiopia. Also in this capital city is the Ethnological Museum and its wealth of religious paintings and artefacts. In Addis Alem, the Marian Museum is another highlight and contains various African costumes and treasures once owned by the rulers of this country. More information about Ethiopia Museums and Art Galleries.
A trip of two weeks in Ethiopia is barely long enough to scratch the surface of the huge quantity of sights and appealing destinations that should be investigated, since getting around can be quite time-consuming. If you are here for longer as part of an African adventure, then you might like to visit one of the surrounding countries. Kenya is especially enticing, with the closest attractions coming in the form of the Chalbi Desert, and the towns of Marsabit and Moyale. Bordering the western side of Ethiopia, Sudan is another enormous African country, with its town of Er Roseires being just 60 km / 37 miles away and its city of Kassala being a little further. Both Somaliland and Djibouti are very accessible from eastern Ethiopia and front the Gulf of Aden, while to the north, Eritrea and its beautiful Red Sea coastline is a little more difficult to explore. More information about Ethiopia Attractions Nearby.

Ethiopia Tourist Information And Tourism:Top Sights

Ethiopia Tourist

Offering a rather refreshing lack of traditional tourist traps and the opportunity to bargain over most prices, Ethiopia provides much more than first meets the eye. The main attractions tend to be of a historical and religious nature, being particularly concentrated in Addis Ababa, where both the St. George Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Cathedral reside, completed in 1896 and 1942 respectively. Somewhat older and located in Axum, on the northern side of Ethiopia, the Old Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion and Treasury dates from the 17th century. In Gondar and of a similar age is the spectacle that is the World Heritage Site of Fasil Ghebbi, which is better known to tourists as the Royal Enclosure and comprises the Fasilades Palace and a series of magnificent castles. More information about Ethiopia Tourist Attractions.
There are some really extraordinary landmarks located in Ethiopia and most visitors find that their rigid preconceived ideas of this region of Africa are quite incorrect. The scenery around the Tisisat Falls couldn't be more lush and less desert-like, with the Blue Nile River cascading into the gorge below. Various ancient stone obelisks (stales) and monoliths are worth searching out in Ethiopia, with the best examples being found at Tiya and also at Axum, where the oldest are believed to date back some 5,000 years. In Addis Ababa, important local landmarks are in abundance, with the most photographed being the Lion of Judah Monument next to the train station, and the Menelik II Square, where a prominent statue of the city's proud founder stands. In the town of Lalibela, the series of churches elaborately carved straight out of the rock are quite a sight to behold, with the Church of St. George being particularly impressive and regarded by many to be the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. More information about Ethiopia Landmarks and Monuments.
Ethiopia's rich and rather surprising archaeological heritage and culture is well documented in a number of important museums. The National Museum of Addis Ababa is amongst the most popular and is famous for its important 3.5 million year-old 'hominid' skeleton, which is an ancestor of today's human race. Nearby and located on the southerly side of Meskel Square, the Addis Ababa Museum is packed with information about the political and economical history of Ethiopia. Also in this capital city is the Ethnological Museum and its wealth of religious paintings and artefacts. In Addis Alem, the Marian Museum is another highlight and contains various African costumes and treasures once owned by the rulers of this country. More information about Ethiopia Museums and Art Galleries.
A trip of two weeks in Ethiopia is barely long enough to scratch the surface of the huge quantity of sights and appealing destinations that should be investigated, since getting around can be quite time-consuming. If you are here for longer as part of an African adventure, then you might like to visit one of the surrounding countries. Kenya is especially enticing, with the closest attractions coming in the form of the Chalbi Desert, and the towns of Marsabit and Moyale. Bordering the western side of Ethiopia, Sudan is another enormous African country, with its town of Er Roseires being just 60 km / 37 miles away and its city of Kassala being a little further. Both Somaliland and Djibouti are very accessible from eastern Ethiopia and front the Gulf of Aden, while to the north, Eritrea and its beautiful Red Sea coastline is a little more difficult to explore. More information about Ethiopia Attractions Nearby.

Visiting Chiswick House Gardens

Chiswick House Gardens, designed by William Kent and Lord Burlington in the 1720s and 30s are – as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement – of immense importance in the history of Western art and culture. For the first time, a garden moved away from the straight lines and formality of Renaissance gardens in favour of natural curves and clusters. This Arcadian image of the English Garden would take Europe and North America by storm, its influence can be seen in landscapes from Villa Reale in Italy to Central Park, New York.

Over the past 300 years, the Gardens have been transformed from a great nobleman’s estate to a public park. The different areas within the estate (described below) each embody a distinct historical period and combine to deliver a beautifully illustrated history of Englishgarden design.

The end of the 20th century witnessed a slow decline in the fortunes of the Gardens as its vistas became overgrown and its paths struggled under the strain of over a million pairs of feet a year. The Gardens suffered because of the split management of the site, with Chiswick House being managed by English Heritage and the Gardens by the London Borough of Hounslow. Like most parks and gardens across the country, dwindling non-statutory local authority budgets meant that fewer resources were available.

Grass and hedges were cut but very little was done to the trees and woodland. The vigorous regeneration of self sown trees, following the great storm in 1987, prevented sufficient light penetrating to the woodlandfloors, choking-out the ground flora and leaving bare ground and muddy patches.

In 2005, English Heritage and the London Borough of Hounslow (although still closely involved) collaborated to form the independent Chiswick House and Gardens Trust to oversee the regeneration of the Gardens. The aim of the restoration was to reveal the cultural and natural heritage of the site as well as improve the facilities for visitors. Historic restoration was given precedence in the core area around Chiswick House and in the Italian Garden (see below) at the eastern end of the site. To the west of the artificial river, the woodlands are managed with the aim of increasing biodiversity, a meadow is being established and areas have been set aside for wild fowl. Important changes by Burlington’s successors were respected and conserved. Extensive consultation with present and potential visitors to the site has been important in guiding the project, to ensure the improvements meet the needs of today’s visitors.

The overriding ambition was to restore the special character of the Gardens, making them a source of beauty, inspiration and recreation for visitors from the local Chiswick community, London and across the world.

Visiting Malbork Castle

Work on Malbork Castle began in 1274 when the Teutonic Knights first arrived in Poland at the request of the Polish Royal family to help convert the pagan tribes in the area to Christianity. It took them about 30 years to build a small stronghold named St Mary’s City (in German: Marienburg).

In 1309 the Grand Master of the Order, Siegfried von Feuchtwagen, moved his office from Venice to Malbork castle, which turned the castle and surrounding town into the capital of the Teutonic state. New needs spurred castle expansion. After almost 40 years the original stronghold became the inner High Castle of the complex. Flanked with moats and walls, it became the main residence of the Teutonic grand masters and top ranking officials.

Construction of a Lower Castle,(The Bailey )began during the 14th and 15th century. It contained a Karwan (armoury), granary, storehouse, as well as St. Lawrence chapel. All of these buildings were surrounded by walls, towers and moats and connected with the defensive walls of the city.

During the Thirteen Years War of the late 1400's, Malbork castle was occupied by the Polish army and as a result of the signing of the Peace of Torun in 1466, the castle was handed to Poland and remained in Polish hands for the next 315 years.

With the ousting of the Teutonic nights, Malbork castle changed its function from monastery to fortress. The Royal starosta (governor) and his murgrabia (deputy governor) became the administrators.

Between 1626 and 1656, Malbork castle was occupied by Sweden and king Carl Gustaf ordered the castle to be surrounded with ground ramparts, very few traces of which still exist. The Polish never conquered the castle - it was given up as a result of a peace deal signed in Oliwa.

In May of 1644 the roofs of High Castle and some of its galleries caught fire and were destroyed. In 1647 the roof of the church was restored and in 1675, because of the slow rate of restoration, part of the vaulting collapsed in the chapter house. In the 18th century, by order of king August II, a new roof over the High Castle was laid.

In 1756-1767 a Jesuit college was built. The Jesuits then started restoring the church of the Holiest Mary Virgin. Restoration of the castle was limited to current repairs.

As a result of the partition of Poland in 1772, Malbork castle was occupied this time by the Prussian army. It became a barracks and was rebuilt to accompany the needs of the military. In 1799 Frederick William III ordered the role of the High Castle be changed to that of a military storage depot.

After withdrawal of the Napoleonic armies, in 1816, Administration for Restoration of Malbork Castle (Ger. Schloßbauverwaltung Marienburg) was established. From now on medieval castles came under the care of sensitive for beauty of the fortress restaurateurs, and they dynamically restored Malbork to its original state.

In 1881 the Prussian government decided to rebuild the church of the Holiest Mary Virgin in the High Castle. Restaurateurs continuously gained numerous funds for care and reconstruction of the castle until the beginning of the World War II.

The flag of Third Reich was displayed in the castle on May 1st, 1933 and became a place of celebrations for high ranking officers of NSDAP party. On September 1st, 1939, there was a ceremonial announcement of the return of the former territories of West Prussia to Germany. In May 1940 copies of the Teutonic Order's flags - Banderia Pruntenorum - were brought here from Wawel castle in Cracow.

The castle was severely damaged by warfare in 1945 with an estimated 50% of the castle being destroyed.

Starting in fifties the care of the castle was taken over by PTTK (Polish Tourist and Country Lovers Society).

In 1957 a celebration marking 500 years of liberation of Malbork was held. Its goal was to bring to the attention of the government, the state of the monument, which resulted in the establishment of a Castle Museum on January 1st, 1961. In 1997 the complex was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Driving In Ireland Is A Sport All Its Own

Imagine a harsh, eerie moonscape with sporadic vegetation sprouting in bizarre places. The visitor’s center describes plant species ranging from artic to sub-tropical thriving within the cracks and crevices of this hostile, rocky terrain. Efforts to cultivate this land resulted in unending rock walls lining the narrow roads that were truly meant for horse and cart … not modern vehicles. Somehow, the cattle, sheep, and horses graze among the rocky fissures that were formed beneath the sea a million years ago. On the southwestern edge of The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher drop dramatically to the Atlantic Ocean and extend for five miles along the coastline. During north Atlantic gales, the pounding surf rivals nature’s drama seen along California’s Big Sur.

Visitors to Ireland expect to hear traditional Irish folk music and only the early-to-bedders will be disappointed. In Doolin, a village famous for Irish music, the musicians start playing around nine o’clock. We listened to live Irish music in Killarney, Limerick, Dublin, and places in between and it’s late before the entertainment begins.

In Limerick, we stumbled on the best Irish music during our trip. The Locke had an incredible band that creatively blended traditional Irish with Bluegrass music. Anyone familiar with Riverdance will understand how the first influenced the second. Dolan’s Pub featured various local musicians who came to jam with fiddles, flutes, guitars, banjos, even spoons. They treated us to great, spontaneous Irish music and we loved it. Dolan’s also owns a concert hall that offers a litany of performances by famous groups.

Driving in Ireland is a sport all its own. American auto insurers will not cover a rental car in Ireland; rental companies mandate their own insurance and it’s expensive. In a small car with manual transmission, I concentrated on opposite-side driving while trying to master Ireland’s answer to intersections … the infamous roundabout! Despite the awkwardness of left-sided driving, I soon became adept maneuvering through roundabouts because I encountered one every quarter mile in the city. On the open highway, drivers can travel almost five miles between roundabouts. Just to keep things interesting, some roundabouts also had traffic signals. Adding to the driving challenge are narrow roads through small towns where drivers park wherever they choose… halfway on the street… halfway on the sidewalks. Few cities have bypasses to circumvent traffic around the downtown area. Hour-long backups are typical in places such as Waterford where major cross-country routes funnel all traffic across a single two-lane bridge in the heart of city. Stretches of national highway are curvy, two-lane roads with no shoulders. Regardless, the speed limit is one-hundred kilometers per hour (62 mph) until drivers reach the next roundabout on the outskirt of a town or village.

Wait! There’s more. I thought the national highways were narrow until I traveled on regional roads. Oncoming carsNarrow winding roads bordered by rock walls or hedgerows are found throughout Ireland cannot pass without squeezing up to a hedgerow or a rock wall delineating the edge of the road. There is no space on either side of the road… zero, zippo, none. Fortunately, vegetation covers many rock walls. When a car brushes against vines, a driver knows that further yielding will cause serious vehicular damage. This is particularly helpful when the approaching vehicle is a tour bus, a sixteen-wheeler, or an oversized farm tractor pulling a flatbed full of hay. While the roads are riddled with hairpin curves, shared with bikers and pedestrians, used for cattle and sheep crossings, the typical speed limit is eighty kilometers per hour (50 mph). Years ago, visitors drove for miles without seeing another car. Those days are long gone, the current road system cannot handle the traffic, and the allowed driving speeds add to the danger. The next time you seek a thrill, forget the latest mega-ride at Six Flags. Just rent a car and go for a drive in Ireland.

Grampian Scotland

Have you been pondering lately the possibility of maybe taking a trip to a foreign country? If so, I would highly recommend that you look into going to either Grampian, Scotland or Aberdeen, Scotland as there are so many fun things to see and do there!

For starters, while staying in the Aberdeenshire area that encompasses the cities of both Aberdeen and Grampian, you should definitely look into going on one of their hot air balloon rides! This is a fantastic experience that you will not soon forget! Do you love castles and all things having to do with royalty? If so, I’m sure you will be thrilled to hear that famous landmarks such as Crathes Castle and Castle Fraser are just a few of the gorgeous sights that you can expect to see while on your ballooning trip!

Also, are you a big fan of the performing arts? If so, I would highly recommend that you check out His Majesty’s Theatre while visiting Scotland! Every night, there are top notch actors and actresses here that put on a great show doing everything from opera, pantomime, and musicals, just to name a few.
If you happen to visit Scotland during one of their warm seasons, going to Codonas which is located at Beach Boulevard would be great fun for the whole family! At Codonas you will find an outdoor amusement park that offers not only rides such as roller coasters, but they also offer arcade machines, bingo and ten pin bowling!
Another great activity in Grampian is quad biking. This can be enjoyed by anyone over the age of 16, this is for insurance purposes. Whilst better in the summer with dryer weather it can be done all year round. For the speed freaks amongst us, this is a lifetime must do. With the freedom of the track and in the company or your friends this is an great way to spend an afternoon or morning. I say afternoon or morning because youd have to be super fit to do a day of it, its very tiring. Do a search for Howie Irvine or House of Mulben. Both centres offer quad biking.

If you are an animal lover, and do you especially love marine animals? If so, you will be sure to enjoy going on a dolphin watching cruise trip through Aberdeen Harbour during your stay in Scotland! The view of the harbor is simply spectacular, and the dolphins themselves are quite stunning! Watching the dolphins play together as they swim near the boat is not only fun to watch, but it is also a very relaxing experience. Many times, the dolphins will even decide to do some acrobatic tricks which really are a fantastic sight to behold! Also, if you look closely during your dolphin watching cruise, don’t be surprised if you happen to spot a few other marine animals such grey seals and possibly even a minke whale!

Bangkok Tourism

Busy, bustling Bangkok the capital of Thailand’s is a vibrant, exuberant city with an infectious joie de vivre. Cosmopolitan, glitzy and glamorous, Bangkok represents the modern face of Asia with an overhead web of flyovers, bumper to bumper traffic, flashing neon lights & glittering malls packed with shoppers. Bangkok is a city always on the move - but step around the corner and you catch a glimpse of the old Siam with its beautiful, ornate palaces and temples, its quiet back streets and residential areas with large sprawling houses in beautifully laid out gardens, its Buddhist shrines with white silk scarves billowing in the gentle breeze. And in the midst of all this flows the Chao Phraya River, both a lifeline and a lifestyle teeming with activity in its numerous klongs.

Everything contributes to the distinct personality of Bangkok - very Eastern and yet Western enough to hold its own. Bangkok epitomizes all that is `Thai’- rich, hospitable, beautiful, colourful, noisy- and very interesting.

Please remember that you can bargain at local markets like Pratunam or even MBK centre, but do it in a smiling manner without losing your cool! Don''t attempt to bargain at department stores.

Bangkok is a relatively safe city and you’re more likely to get scammed than have your money be taken from you forcefully. Beware of over friendly strangers offering travelling advice, tuk tuk drivers who would be tempted to over charge, jewellery that may be fake but be sold to you as an heirloom and also be a little cautious about who you accept drinks and cigarettes from as they may be laced.

Bangkok''s buildings and canals were originally modelled on Ayutthaya (capital of Thailand before Bangkok), and designed to reflect the former lost glory of that city.

On entering a private house, it is customary to always remove your shoes.

The polite way to address an elder of similar or older age is to use the title "Khun" before the person''s first name.

Bangkok, the ‘Village of Wild Plums’ that grew to become the ‘City of Angels’, does not really have much of a history behind it- one of the few instances of a capital city that is pretty much of an upstart. Truth to tell, Bangkok became the capital of Thailand only about two centuries ago, when the first king of the Chakri dynasty (the current ruling house), King Rama I, founded the city in 1782. Bangkok started off as an unpretentious little hamlet on the side of the Chao Phraya River. Over the years, the Chakri kings gradually added to their capital- wats, monasteries and palaces were built and Bangkok grew in size and stature. Today, it is not just the capital of Thailand, but also one of the country’s most important administrative, socio-political and cultural centres.

Give Yourself A Honeymoon Vacation

Are you planning for a passionate honeymoon vacation? Well, Thailand can be one on the top of your list. Located in South-East Asia, this small country combines the incredible beauty of tropical nature and white sandy beaches. Honeymoon in Thailand has got a lot to offer; here you can find nearly 250 wonderful islands, marvelous temples, historic sites, lots of shopping centers and restaurants. Thailand hotels are also perfect for a once-in-a-life experience, providing excellent service and unbelievable relaxation. In Thailand you can find everything from simple to luxurious at reasonable prices.

To start with Thailand, first find a cheap ticket, an airfare to Bangkok and once you are in Thailand do not miss the chance to visit its always fascinating capital-Bangkok. This is a metropolis of southern tropical charm and an amusement center for everyone. The best and luxurious honeymoon hotels and resorts offer a warm welcome and excellent accommodation to suit the tastes of honeymooners. You can stay in The Peninsula Bangkok-one of the most famous stunning hotels of the capital where you can admire eternal panoramic views of Bangkok and try modern Pacific Rim cuisine.

To make your vacation more colorful, Bangkok also offers Safari World- a unique place to meet the flora and fauna of the country, covering an area of 43 hectares. It consists of two parts: the Safari Park where you can get acquainted with the representatives of African and Asian fauna, and Marine Park which is home to many rare species of marine animals. Here you can enjoy daily shows of dolphins, birds, sea lions, various monkeys, and, of course, giant elephants.
Bangkok is also famous for its wild nightlife which rarely fails to satisfy. A great number of pubs, clubs and discos are always ready to welcome and make your time unforgettable.
Explore and discover the secrets of Bangkok’s glittering temples and relax with a traditional Thai massage. Indulge and simply enjoy your honeymoon.

Phuket- Thailand’s most developed beach destination is also a perfect place to spend an attractive honeymoon. You will find no difficulty in getting here as there are direct flights approximately in every 50 minutes from Bangkok. The purity and harmony of sandy beaches, the exotic nature, guided tours, luxurious and comfortable hotels, as well as a large variety of romantic resorts will surely please you. This beautiful island is home to one of the best 5 star hotels in the world- Amanpuri (meaning a peaceful place) built on a coastal hillside of Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Here you will certainly find Thai hospitality and excellent Thai attitude in every corner.

Among a great variety of beaches in Phuket Island a real favorite is Bang Tao Beach, offering a long stretch of soft, white sand and a large range of leisure activities.

The Best time to visit Phuket is from November up to March, when it isn’t so humid and the average temperature is about 24C to 32C.

Plan your honeymoon in this tropical paradise island and make it a memorable lifetime event.

The castle of Coca May Interestis You

The castle of Coca was built in the late fifteenth century by Don Alonso de Fonseca, one of the most magnificent and luxury-loving magnates of Castile. It lies in the province of Segovia but is close to the border of Valladolid. Cuellar, Arevalo, Olmedo, and Coca formed a square of great strategic importance.

Built in a sandy, wooded land, poor in stone but rich in mudejar masons, it was naturally built of brick, as were the castles of Arevalo and Medina del Campo, and a multitude of churches in the area. But despite its brick construction, it is not Islamic in plan or disposition. In this respect it is completely Christian. The outer enclosure, with polygonal towers at the corners and semicircular ones on the walls, emerges from a huge moat with views of the artillery defenses. Behind it rise the extremely strong walls of the main part of the castle, which repeat the polygonal and round towers of the outer enclosure. These polygonal forms are especially suited to brick construction.

Often dubbed as one of the most beautiful and spectacular castles in Spain, Castillo de Coca or Castle of Coca is located in a Spanish historical province of Segovia. This is one of the finest examples of a Moorish architecture which dominated the landscape of the medieval Spain. This magnificent ancient royal fortress existed around 1400s and primarily built through the effort of the Archbishop of Seville.

Castillo de Coca contains colours of bricks, its towers have merlons and its walls have torres de homenaje. The castle has beautifully-manicured lawn and its surroundings reflect grandeur and style, no doubt visitors around the world are fascinated with this wonderful castle. This is one of the best tourist attractions in the town of Segovia. Previously owned by the Dukes of Alba, now this castle is owned by the government and open to the public for visit.

Travelling to Canada With A Rabbit

Travelling to Canada from another country can be a very exciting experience because Canada is a very beautiful place with a lot of culture. And depending where you go in Canada, you can experience things such as cold weather like you have never experienced before. That is definitely something that someone from a warm climate may not be able to handle too well. Nevertheless, there are many great places to visit. For instance, the 2010 Winter Olympics are taking place in Vancouver and a lot of individuals will be travelling to that area to see the games.

If you are planning a long ride or a move and you are taking your pet rabbit with you, there are several things you have to consider. Traveling through Canada by car with your pet rabbit may not be as easy as you think if you never made him travel before.There are at least 3 facts you must know about before you made that decision.

Rabbits are sensitive to overheating If you are planing on traveling in the summer months, remember to never leave the rabbit in the car while you stop, even if it is only for a quick one.Rabbits can overheat very easily and in just for a few minutes, they can suffocate and die.If your car does not have air conditioned,prepare in advance some frozen bottles of water that you put in the carrier wrapped in small towels so the rabbit can lean against them to cool off.

Take time to get him out to exercise If you will be traveling for several days in a row, get your rabbit out every night and take him in the motel room with you.Lay a large towel on the bathroom floor and install his litter box, food and water.Put the pet carrier on the doorway with the open door facing the bathroom and let him out so you can go for dinner without worrying about him destroying anything.

Remember that if your rabbit is not used to traveling through Canada by car with your pet rabbit could be risky. Some bunnies can get really stressed out and stop eating for over 24 hours, witch could be dangerous for their lives.Unless you have no other choice, if you are moving for example, it would be safer for your little friend to find him a keeper while you are going away.

Are you planning a trip to Morocco?

Are you planning a trip to Morocco and are you not sure where to stay?
You should take in consideration a stay in one of the riads that many cities in Morocco are famous for.

Riads are small homes, guesthouses built around the center courtyard. There is Are you planning a trip to Morocco and are you not sure where to stay?

You should take in consideration a stay in one of the riads that many cities in Morocco are famous for.

Riads are small homes, guesthouses built around the center courtyard. There is generally a fountain or a splash pool in the center or just few lemon or orange trees. The riads have generally lovely terraces, where meals can be served, or to relax from the bustling streets of the medina with splendid views and sunbathing.
Morocco or the Kingdom of Morocco is a nation located in the northern west of Africa situated on the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco shares its borders with Algeria to the East, Mauritania to the South and Spain to the North, passing by the Strait of Gibraltar.

The major cities in Morocco are Rebat, the capital, Casablanca, Fes, and Meknes. The country has a population that is estimated to be more than 35 million people. The official language of the country is the Arabic language and the most common religion is Islam with 98% of the whole population.

The word Morocco is a word derived from the Amazeeg language, the language of the tribes that were dominating Morocco in the past and it means the land of god. generally a fountain or a splash pool in the center or just few lemon or orange trees. The riads have generally lovely terraces, where meals can be served, or to relax from the bustling streets of the medina with splendid views and sunbathing.
Morocco or the Kingdom of Morocco is a nation located in the northern west of Africa situated on the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco shares its borders with Algeria to the East, Mauritania to the South and Spain to the North, passing by the Strait of Gibraltar.

The major cities in Morocco are Rebat, the capital, Casablanca, Fes, and Meknes. The country has a population that is estimated to be more than 35 million people. The official language of the country is the Arabic language and the most common religion is Islam with 98% of the whole population.

The word Morocco is a word derived from the Amazeeg language, the language of the tribes that were dominating Morocco in the past and it means the land of god.

NewYork Staten Island Ferry Tourism

The Staten Island Ferry provides 20 million people a year (60,000 passengers a day not including weekend days) with ferry service between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan.

The ferry is the only non-vehicular mode of transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan. NYC DOT operates and maintains the nine vessel fleet as well as the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island, Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan, the City Island and Hart Island Facilities, The Battery Maritime Building and all floating dock building equipment.

The Staten Island Ferry is run by the City of New York for one pragmatic reason: To transport Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan. Yet, the 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor and a no-hassle, even romantic, boat ride, for free! One guide book calls it "One of the world's greatest (and shortest) water voyages." From the deck of the ferry you will have a perfect view of The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll see the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan receding as you pull away and coming into focus again as you return. A typical weekday schedule involves the use of five boats to transport approximately 60,000 passengers daily (109 daily trips). During the day, between rush hours, boats are regularly fueled and maintenance work is performed. Terminals are cleaned around the clock and routine terminal maintenance is performed on the day shift. On weekends, three boats are used (75 trips each Saturday and 68 trips each Sunday). Over 35,000 trips are made annually.

The ferry operates 24 hours a day every day of the week. Through most of the day (the only exception being the hours of midnight to 6am), you will not have to wait more than half an hour for the next departure, and it will be more frequent-and crowded-during weekday rush hours. Weekdays and weekends, boats leave and arrive on the half hour.
Each leg of the ferry takes half an hour.
It is an attraction fit for young and old, New York first-timers and those who have lived here for years.
The ferry, which runs frequently enough that if you just show up, one is probably not far off, offers a wonderful view of the harbor and all it has to offer. Among the sights to take in from either side of the vessel, are Governors Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Wall Street's skyscrapers, Ellis Island, and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge connecting Staten Island to Brooklyn.

Hop aboard. Or rather, push on board through the cattle-car feeling entrance way, and take a seat. If you want one of the seats on the benches on the borders of the boat, to overlook the harbor, grab one fast because they fill up quickly. Take the ride back and forth if you wish. Each leg is half an hour. Switch sides so you can take in all views. And as it pulls in to Manhattan, take a walk up to the front of the boat and bring your camera-it's a great view you won't want to miss.

Loving Canada

Oh, it’s big all right. Damn big. And we’re not referring to Canada’s size (a whopping 10 million sq km, making it the world’s second-largest country). What we’re talking about here is the handle on a Canadian beer case – big enough to fit your hands, even with mittens on. If you think that’s impressive, consider Canada’s other mondo attributes. Its terrain is filled with them, from mammoth mountains to hulking glaciers to immense polychromatic skies. Then there are the creatures that roam the terrain and its waterways – grizzly bear, moose, polar bear, humpback whales – each one huger than the next.

 Canada is impossible to dislike, but go ahead and give it a shot. You don’t like festival-packed cities like Toronto and Montreal that offer the world’s best quality of life? Then take a double dose of history in St John’s, Newfoundland, North America’s oldest city. Not enamoured with the prospect of hiking, skiing or snowboarding over the cloud-poking mountains of Banff & Jasper National Parks? Try a slow ride through the wheat-waving prairies of Saskatchewan. You want a nosh lighter than Alberta beef or Nunavut whale blubber? Pick up ripe peaches and cheeses from the Kelowna’s local farmers’ markets.
And it’s a wonder everyone is so nice, given the weather. It’s cold, as in world’s-coldest-country cold (based on average temperatures nationwide), which explains the mitten-sized beer case handles. Snag, a town in the Yukon, recorded North America’s coldest temperature ever: minus 62.8°C.

Voltaire may have written off Canada as ‘a few acres of snow’ back in the mid-18th century, but those ‘few acres’ have yielded vast amounts of oil, timber and other natural resources, that in turn have propelled Canada to a very enviable standard of living.

Spectacular Winter Skiing Destinations From Aspen Colorado

Last Year, I went to Aspen city for vacation of Christmas and took the best adventure to there along with Skiing and Christmas fun. Nevertheless, this winter couldn’t complete due to more rush to there. I forgot that we go to Aspen city, so we couldn’t take any reservation to there two or three month before. When I searched then found not empty any resorts or inn to Aspen city. Thus, we didn’t try again because we knew that if any place, didn’t room available then we don’t go there.

But when we went to Last year then those days we remembered, what a day, when we were there. it was 19th December when we went to there by the international flight and stayed there in hotel aspen, which was the best resorts or hotel to there. Because it was located to all famed places, where we wanted to visit. Therefore, it was easy for us because in snow falling every vehicle don’t visit to any places. Thus, our family visited more place by walk. Really, it was fabulous day, when we were there.
　　The downtown of aspen is just walking distance, thus, we couldn’t face any problem. Every famous destinations were closed to there-such as The Aspen highlands only 12 miles far from them, Skiing area Snowmass ski area only 35 miles from them and 45 miles from Dillon and Breckenridge.
Hotel Aspen- amenities included the patio courtyard heated swimming pool outdoor Jacuzzi lounge, which was wonderful and best in winter season for our family and complimentary expanded continental breakfast so yummy or afternoon wine and cheese buffet during the ski season, one of the best services to there, we felt it often. All rooms feature wet bars small refrigerators coffeemakers microwaves irons and ironing boards hairdryers humidifiers flat screen TVs and DVD players, air-conditioning, and we took the enjoyment to this always. Thus, the Hotel aspen is famous to all hotels in aspen Colorado. In Christmas time, we entertained to there increasingly.
　　Aspen city is the ski resorts city of Colorado State and in winter season-there are huge rush occur to there, we couldn’t get any reservation due to more rush to there. However, we entertained to there in Rocky Mountains, Snowmass area and other places.
Last Year, when we visited to aspen city then we got enormous outdoors to there, snowboarding and skiing we did there. Buttermilk region of the Aspen city was superb.
　　This trip was budget travel because we got budget hotels, which was located closed to every destination and without lot of money we travel to there by walking. And save more money. In Christmas Days, we gathered in the hotel lawn where celebrated more fun with other hotel tourist as well as hotel members. But first visited to downtown Christmas festival, which was superb. There watched the biggest alpine tree, which was stand there, and around there to many peoples gathered. On this festival, we also joined. After the charismas, we purchased to many items of our other friend, and a long days vacation we came back to our home town. Children were to glad to watched the snowfall. Also played with snow mostly in there. We got the fabulous entertainment to there in last year. This time all member were sad but decided to celebrated at home with more joy.

Rodgers admits Chicago is favorite road trip

　　GREEN BAY - Once again, TODAY'S TMJ4 brings you the web-exclusive version of Ask Aaron, where you play interviewer of the Packers' Super Bowl MVP quarterback.

　　This week, our question comes from a Packers fan from the home state of Super Bowl XLVI, wondering where Rodgers' enjoys going on the road.
　　He admits his favorite road spot is the home of the archrival Chicago bears.
　　LAURA: "Hey Aaron, my name's Laura, Packer fan living here in Indiana. I was wondering when the Packers play away games, what's your favorite stadium to visit, and why?"

　　AARON: "You know what, I haven't been to every stadium yet, but I enjoy the division road games, only because our schedule's the same ever week--we leave at 1 o'clock every Saturday, so if we're going to Detroit, Minnesota, or Chicago, we're gonna get to the hotel about 3 o'clock, and we usually have about 6 hours off, so you have time to take a nap, relax, or get room service, or go out, meet some friends, or have dinner with some of the team. Chicago in the winter time is the worst place to play, but the best place to be because the shopping's incredible, so the guys are always looking forward to that, we already played Chicago early in the season. But I enjoy the close division games the best."
　　WAYNE LARRIVEE: "You know, what people may not know also Aaron is you guys for home games stay in a hotel."

　　AARON: "Yeah, we do. Every Saturday night we stay at the Radisson. One thing you may not know, and it's kinda cool--at home I've stayed in the same room for seven years--same floor, same room number. It's a sleep number bed, so the same sleep number on the bed. Then on the road now, we notice more as we play division road games, but playing, staying in the same hotel in Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and you kinda forget, but it's like, 'Oh yeah, I remember this from last year, I was thinking about this, or watching this on TV. They like keeping you on that same schedule, same room, so that's pretty cool."

　　WAYNE: "As an athlete, does that set some normalcy on the road?"
　　AARON: "Oh yeah, you need that, and that's why I enjoy going out to dinner with the guys on Saturday, or meeting the guys and friends--because you kind of stay in a routine of relaxing and being with people, and doing things to kind of take your mind off the pressure of tomorrow (Sunday)."

What to See at Niagara Falls Canada?

　　Niagara Falls is actually a Canadian city by the side of Niagara River. It is located in the Golden Horseshoes region of Ontario. Niagara Falls New York is on the other side of river. To attract the tourists to the Niagara Falls Ontario, many appealing sites are made on the basis of the natural atmosphere there. There are some other attractions that are not related to natural environment including casinos and other entertainments. Here in this article I am going to describe some of these attractions.
1. Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory
It is actually a butterfly zoo that allows the visitors to see more than 2000 butterflies flying here and there. It is a very good place for families having children with them. This conservatory is located within Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens which provide an abundance of green place to the kids to play and enjoy there. If you plan a visit to this conservatory then keep in mind to wear bright clothes to attract butterflies towards you.

　　2. Maid of the Mist
Maid of the Mist is actually a ride on a double-decker boat that takes you near the Falls. It is a 20 minutes ride. The boat also stops and hangs on at the foot of Niagara Falls providing you with an immense pleasure of watching the Falls closely.

3. Skylon Tower 　　It is an observation tower which provides the facility to the visitors to have a look both on American Falls and Horseshoe Falls in Canada. Visiting this tower will not only provide you an opportunity to watch the beautiful Falls but also there are two restaurants where you can enjoy a meal with your family. One of the restaurants is Revolving Dinning Room which revolves after every hour. The other restaurant is Summit Suite Dinning Room where you can enjoy casual dinning experience.

　　4. IMAX Theatre
You should visit IMAX Theatre because it has astounding features including six stories high screen and a shaking floor that gives you a feeling that you are a part of the action being shown on the screen.

　　5. Marineland
It is a themed and animal exhibition park providing you to watch those animals closely that you have never seen before. Here the attractions include:

　　Friendship Cove: It is a whale habitat where you can see killer whales. There is also a Splash Session there in which you can see whales jumping and splashing.
Arctic Cove: Here you can see beluga whales. Visitors are also given an opportunity to feed the whales by paying a small fee. This session continues throughout the day.
The King Waldorf Stadium Show: This section has sea lions, walrus and bottlenose Dolphins. Here you can see the dolphins jumping in the air. Sea lions also amuse the people with their funny actions.
Aquarium Dome: Here you can see different types of sea lions and seals.
Other animals exhibited here include bears, fallow deer, elks and buffaloes.
6. Journey Behind the Falls
It is another popular attraction near Niagara Falls where the visitors are guided through a tunnel to a place behind the Falls. After reaching there, you can enjoy to hear the sound of falling water and beautiful scenery.

　　These were some of the attractions and places to see near Niagara Falls. I hope that after reading this article you will definitely plan a tour to Niagara Falls.

Must See Hill Stations of Pakistan

　　People from all over the world come to Pakistan to visit its most popular and stunning hill stations that truly may be called heavens on earth. The reasons behind their popularity are that they mesmerize you with natural beauty, striking landscapes and hospitable and courteous people who always welcome the tourists from all over the world. Tourists in Pakistan come here for its many other attractions but hill stations in the northern areas are most popular among tourists. Here I am giving brief description of these most spectacular hill stations.
Murree
Muree is undoubtedly called the Malka-e-Kohsar (Queen of Hills) as it has beautiful scenes and outstanding places to visit. It is a popular tourist’s attraction in Pakistan as it has all the facilities for local as well as foreign visitors. People in Pakistan go and stay there in warm months of summer while the foreigners come here for other attractions including:
Mall Road: It is the most famous market in Murree having a large number of shops providing different things associated with the culture of these areas. There are shops of ancient jewelry, traditional clothes and wooden carvings. Doing shopping from Mall Road will always remind you of this beautiful place.
　　Patriata: It is a well developed place having high trees and attractive sceneries. Tourists are attracted towards it for the chair lift and cable car system that take you from New Murree to Patriata. This journey on either chair lift or cable car makes the tourists’ visit memorable. Especially in winter, this ride gives you an immense pleasure of watching the hills and mountains covered with snow.
Kashmir Point: It is on Mall Road providing gorgeous scenery of the nearby mountains.
Pindi Point: Pindi Point is one of the favorite places in Murree. This place also provides you the facility to enjoy a ride on chair lift.
Ayubia
This place can surely fill your heart with great pleasure when you will see rising pine trees grown there excessively. Here you will find wild life also including monkeys and tigers. As there are a large number of trees so you will find different kinds of beautiful birds there. Other attractions include:
Monkey Point: Also called “Bander Point” is just near the Ayubia chair lifts. It is that part of forest where you can find a large number of monkeys amusing the children and adults alike. Here you will see the tourists feeding the monkeys with their hands as they are not harmful at all.
Ayubia National Park: The basic attraction of this place is the chairlifts that take you to the peaks of attractive and forested hills. The chairlift provided here was the first entertainment of its kind provided in Pakistan so it attracts the locals as well.
　　Bhurban
This hill station is at a distance of 13 KMs from Murree. This hill station is famous for its greenery and colorful flowers. It provides a breath-taking view of surrounding hills and landscapes. Here in Bhurban, there is a four star hotel so mostly the showbiz and political personalities prefer to stay in Bhurban. Most of the common visitors and tourists come here for trekking and hiking as it is suitable for both of these activities. If you are fond of golf then Bhurban would proved to be the top choice for golf lovers. There is a nine-hole golf course in Bhurban which provides a unique experience of playing golf in this beautiful and startling town.
　　These were some must see hill stations of Pakistan which you should visit to have a memorable holidays with your friends and family.

English country cottage

　　One of the best ways to really appreciate the English countryside is to rent an old English country cottage. Most of the time, the views are breathtaking and the cottages recreate an olde world charm that’s hard to beat. Stone walls, slate floors, wonderful fireplaces and the unhurried pace of rural life all add up to create a wonderful holiday.
There are thousands of great English cottages and holiday homes strewn around England, Scotland and Wales and choosing from them can be quite a task. From romantic cottages for couples to sprawling ones for over 18 people, you will find cottages of every size.
Below is our selection of top 5 English country cottages which will make for great holiday travel. The cottages been chosen based on their location and architectural features and are meant for couples or smaller groups.
Mickle Rigg
Location: Sebergham near Caldbeck, Cumbria
A rustic barn has been lovingly converted into a cosy cottage for two. The exposed original oak beams are the main highlight of this English cottage. In the bedroom you will find a comfortable bed squeezed between two such beams. The living and dining area has a vaulted ceiling and you have a great view of Eden valley from here. A log-burning stove lends added atmosphere in the living room. The kitchen and bathroom are modern and the cottage is tastefully decorated. There’s a lovely patio just outside the main door from where you can enjoy gorgeous views over afternoon tea.
High Pike, Bassenthite and Derwentwater are within driving distance. There are also plenty of caves, gorges and gentle fjords to explore in the scenic surrounding area.
Little Hattons
Location: 7 miles between Cirencester and Stroud, The Cotswolds
This detached 18th century cottage is just a stroll away from the Thames and Severn Canal. Pubs line the waterside so, as you can imagine, the location is superb. The cottage is beamed and has a touch of understated luxury. There are two lovely bedrooms on the first floor while a games room equipped with broadband, satellite TV, DVDs etc. is on the second floor. The living room has a large wood-burning stove and the kitchen and dining open on to the garden.
Nearby are the market towns of Bibury, Tetbury and Westonbirt.
The Mill
Location: Rutter Falls, Eden Valley, Cumbria
Imagine being right next to a glorious waterfall! This posh cottage is actually a 19-century water mill. The interior is open plan and the kitchen is quite stylishly painted by artist Christine Leadbetter. The kitchen and dining area opens on to a private garden and riverbank. You can often spot squirrels and dippers scurrying around in the garden. There’s a pull-down double bed and a bathroom on the ground floor as well.
A spiral staircase takes you to the first floor. Heavy white drapes screen off the bedroom area which also has a Victorian bath. The sitting room overlooks the cascading waterfall and has the usual satellite TV, DVD and hi-fi. It also has a lovely balcony where you can sit and admire the great view from up close. Some people may find the sound of the waterfall a bit noisy.
The cottage is close to the market towns of Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. The towns are really picturesque and although close to the Lakes, thankfully get fewer visitors.
Cobblers Cottage
Location: Nayland, Suffolk
It’s an utterly charming 15th century cottage that has been lovingly restored by the owners using traditional materials and techniques. The living room has exposed beams, flagstone floor and the original inglenook fireplace. Antique furniture completes the medieval look. The TV, DVD and stereo are discreetly placed so as not to detract from the period feel. A narrow staircase takes you to the bedroom. Part the heavy drapes at the top of the stairs and you will enter a romantic bedroom with vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and a gorgeous antique bed plus a French armoire. An oak paneled door leads you to a roll top slipper bath.
There’s a nice pub in the vicinity and wonderful walks leading from the cottage to Pilgrim’s Way.
The Music Room
Location: Aveton Gifford, Devon
This detached cottage was originally a music room and hence its name. It has a long open plan living, dining and kitchen and a vaulted stucco ceiling. The living area has an open fire and the flooring is polished wood throughout. An entire wall is flanked by four huge windows with stained glass detail that flood the room with light and give it an airy and spacious feel. At the end of the living room, you climb up 3 steps to the bedroom area which was originally the stage for concerts and recitals. The bed is swathed in muslin drapes for a romantic feel.
There’s a lovely courtyard garden outside and you can drive down to the pretty village of Aveton Gifford which is just a mile away.

One of the most romantic ways

　　One of the most romantic ways to spend your honeymoon is to set off on a leisurely cruise amidst crystal blue waters. Spacious private suites, incredible cuisine, attentive service and unforgettable sunsets make the perfect ingredients for a memorable honeymoon. If your budget allows, opt for smaller yachts and boats instead of joining thousands of families on a huge ocean liner.
You can sunbathe on the deck or stretch out in your suite and hear the waves gently lapping against the hull. Special barbecues served on isolated beaches and wonderful candlelight dinners on board are some of the other highlights of a honeymoon cruise. You can also enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and fishing while sailing around remote islands and coves. Day excursions to various islands are often also part of your cruise itinerary.
There are many great Romantic Destinations to choose from for your honeymoon. Some great honeymoon destinations include French Polynesia, central France, the Greek islands and Alaska, as well some Private Beach Resorts in exotic locales.
French Polynesia
If you’ve done the Caribbean, try French Polynesia which has a more romantic vibe and is definitely less crowded. French Polynesia comprises 118 islands so your cruise can take you to the smaller, secluded islands as well as the more well known ones like Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. The incredible reefs found here offer superb snorkeling.
Tahiti is the largest and the most populated of all islands. Craggy peaks jut out of lush green tropical forests through which many streams flow. Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and is located in Tahiti. Papeete means ‘water in a basket’.
Moorea, meaning yellow lizard, is the second largest island and is located just 12 miles off Tahiti. A wonderful shallow lagoon surrounds the island. Volcanic peaks and lush forests create a picturesque location.
Bora Bora is another breathtaking island with lovely white sandy beaches, tropical scenery and rich marine life.
With 118 islands, there’s a lot to discover and enjoy.
Also read about Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa which is located just off Bora Bora.
Burgundy and Franche Comte, France
An idyllic way to spend your honeymoon is on a luxurious barge which sails slowly, as in very slowly, through ancient canals that criss-cross through France. The leisurely pace takes you through ancient fortress towns, vineyards and lovely local restaurants and markets. The slow pace of the cruise makes you relax and allows you to appreciate nature as you sail through centuries old canals.
Choose a smaller, luxurious barge which doesn’t have more than four to five suites. Some of the suites come with French antiques and even a marble bathtub! Five-course gourmet meals paired with the finest wines are served on board. The meals also include local produce and delicacies. Candlelit dinners on deck are a great way to enjoy each other’s company as well as the peace and beauty of the French countryside.
Also choose an itinerary which takes you through historic towns and the verdant wine country. Sailing through Burgundy and Franche Comte is a good route which will take you through the Canal de Bourgogne. On the way you will pass through Chagny and Denevy which are both steeped in history. You will also sail along the wine regions of Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune and, no doubt, stop and taste some delectable wines.
The barges often provide bikes so you can just stop at a quaint village and go cycling along country roads and tree-lined streets. After the sumptuous meals and many glasses of wine, this is something you may really look forward to.

Cancellation holidays

　　Sometimes it pays to be impulsive and to just take off on a spur of the moment holiday. Apart from a sense of adventure and the joy that comes from something unexpected and unplanned, there are great holiday bargains to be had. And what’s more, you don’t even have to spend hours doing all the extensive planning that goes into a regular holiday.
Cancellation holidays are pre-booked and, possibly, fully paid for holidays that have been cancelled at the last minute because of some unforeseen health or personal reasons. As a result, the tour operators are ready to sell their pre-sold package holidays at a bargain. Especially because the holiday may be very close to the date of departure and they have a very short time to sell the holiday.
If you want to cash in on a cancellation holiday, you should be prepared to show some flexibility. If it’s an all-inclusive holiday, the travel dates may not be exactly the ones you had in mind. Or you may have wanted a cheaper or a more luxurious hotel. You may face similar constraints with car hire and flight class. Take a flexible approach and compromise a little because in spite of everything, you are likely to get a great bargain.
Some of the cancellation holidays may just include accommodation, be it hotels or self-catering villas and apartments. They may not include flights and car hire. In which case you may have to book the air tickets and car by yourself. Air tickets too often tend to be cheaper closer to the date of departure, if many tickets remain unsold. This however may not be true during peak holiday season. The same is true for car rentals.
If you feel like a cruise, there’s a greater chance of getting some great last minute deals. Apart from cancellations, if cabins remain unsold, many cruise ships will offer incredible discounts instead of sailing with too few passengers. So do look out for bargains on cruises, especially if you happen to live near a port.
As far as holiday travel destinations are concerned, Europe, USA, Asia and the Caribbean have some of the best deals. But the deals are not limited to these regions, decide on your destination and you are likely to get some great bargains.
If you buy a cancellation holiday or pay for a last-minute deal, do read the terms and conditions carefully. There may be a few restrictions that you may not be happy about.
Otherwise, throw a few things in the bag. Swipe your credit card on a great deal. And set off on a great holiday!

The Algarve in the southernmost part of Portugal

　　The Algarve ii in the southernmost part of Portugal and is surprisingly small, stretching just 155kms in the south and 52 km north on the west. In short, you can traverse the entire area in just a day. Having said that, there are plenty of reasons for you to choose the Algarve as a holiday travel destination.
Today, the Algarve ranks as one of Europe’s top summer destinations. The population of the region almost doubles between June and September when the British, Dutch and German tourists descend in great numbers to experience sun-drenched sandy beaches, coves flanked by imposing cliffs and small sandy islands in the crystal waters of the Atlantic.
Most of the touristy coastal towns are marred by high-rise resorts which remind you of Spain’s Costa del Sol. But once you venture inland, you get to see quaint villages that are mostly untouched by rampant tourism. The architecture often has Moorish origins, although the Moors were defeated by the Portuguese as far back as the 13th century.
Below are five towns you should visit during your Algarve holidays.
Faro
The provincial capital of the region, Faro has an international airport and is the entry point to the region for most tourists. Because the beach is about 7kms from the city, most visitors choose to skip Faro and thus miss out on the city that is most distinctly Portuguese in all of the Algarve.
Some Roman and Moorish ruins can be found here and a 9th century Roman wall still surrounds the old town. You enter the old town through the 18th century Arco da Vila which was built post the 1755 earthquake which destroyed most of the city and devastated large parts of the Algarve.
An unusual and macabre chapel called the Capela Dela Ossos or the Chapel of the bones is Faro’s main attraction. The skulls and bones of over a 1,000 monks line the chapel. The chapel is located within the church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo which has some exquisite gold-leaf woodwork.
Visit Se, the cathedral, originally built in the 13th century. After the 1755 earthquake, only the tower gate and two chapels survive. It was rebuilt in Gothic and Renaissance styles and has some wonderful old tiles. Its peaceful cloisters are worth a visit. Faro’s Museu Municipal is housed in the 16th century convent of Renaissance Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção and has some interesting exhibits, including a 3rd century mosaic. Its two-storey cloisters are also quite unique
Lagos
Lagos is quite touristy but undeniably picturesque. The old city centre has lovely cobbled streets, roadside cafes, plazas and churches. You can still see parts of the Roman walls that guarded the city. This was an important naval centre and the Arabs built several fortifications here. Lagos became the capital of the Algarve from the 16th to the mid-18th century.
Outside the city walls are the many beaches which are considered to be some of the region’s most beautiful. Praia de Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo and Meia Praia are all great beaches. Ponta da Piedade is a promontory with caves and rocks and offers some superb views.
If you are looking for nightlife, Lagos is Algarve’s party capital. It is a happening place with lounge bars, pubs and restaurants catering to backpackers as well as the well heeled.
Tavira
The river Gilão flows through this charming city and a Roman bridge connects the two parts of the city. Tavira dates back to 2000 BC and was a prominent fishing port. With as many as 37 churches, it is aptly called the city of churches. The two main churches are Igreja da Santa Maria and Igreja da Misericordia. Like Lagos, Tavira’s cobbled streets, patisseries and plazas invite you to stroll and enjoy a coffee at one of its the streetside cafes. Golf courses have naturally sprouted on the city’s outskirts as tourism takes its toll.
The nearest beach is 3kms away and can be reached by taking a ferry to the sandy-bar island of Ilha da Tavira. The island lies between the city and the ocean and has two great beaches. Several restaurants and a campsite are also present on the tiny island.
Beaches near Tavira include Cabanas, Conceição, Santa Luzia and Barril. Most of them are relatively isolated.
Sagres
Slightly remote, Sagres lies close to Europe’s most south-westerly point – Cape St. Vincent. Today, very little of historical importance survives in Sagres and what draws tourists are its wonderful beaches. Sagres’ majestic cliffs overlook some incredible scenery and you can also see Cape St. Vincent in the distance. The Cape has Europe’s second most powerful lighthouse and has been built over the ruins of a 16th century convent.
Sagres’ beaches draw both sun-worshippers and surfers all year round because of its mild weather. Priaia da Mareta is the closest beach and has sand and pebbles. Surfers flock to the northern Praia do Tonel which has a long stretch of sandy beach. Another great beach is Praia do Martinhal which is located to the east of Sagres. There’s also Praia da Baleeira but the water quality is not always ideal for swimming.
Monchique
If you want to get away from the coast, visit Monchique. The little town sits between the two hills of Foia and Picota. After the heat of the coast, Monchique’s coolness and green surroundings provide a welcome escape. The views are spectacular and you will see the green hills sloping down towards the sea below. There’s also a spa town nearby.
While in Monchique, you can explore the surrounding mountains on foot and there are many walking trails. Biking and canoeing are other activities you can pursue.
The Algarve is also great place to visit during your Easter break. Read about the quaint traditions of São Brás de Alportel.

Cruise liners are typically huge ships

　　You may have always wanted to experience the romance and luxury of a cruise but felt that it was just too expensive. Well, last minute cruises are a great way to get around the hefty price tag and enjoy your holiday travel.
Cruise liners are typically huge ships that carry thousands of passengers on board. But their size makes it difficult for them to fill up all their rooms. So as the date of departure draws nearer, they start discounting their cruise packages. They have to sail anyway and it is preferable not to sail with empty cabins. Plus the cruise companies make most of their money on extras such as shore excursions, onboard massages and other services. So they are quite happy to offer their cruises at a discounted rate.
This is where you step in. If you have a flexible schedule and are prepared to compromise, if needed, about the cabin onboard, then a last minute cruise is perfect for you. Contact a travel agent or do an internet search and identify a cruise package that suits your budget. Princess, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Carnival are some of the most respected cruise companies in the world. They are known for their service and amenities and offer a luxurious way to travel and discover the magic of an ocean crossing. So check out their sites and see what they have to offer.
A typical cruise has a duration of about 7 days. Identify your travel destination, decide on your budget and the number of days you want to spend at sea. Then shortlist your options. Now it’s time to take a hard look at the fine print. Check the conditions under which a particular stateroom or cabin is offered. You may be assigned a stateroom with no porthole next to an entertainment lobby or under a dance floor, making it claustrophobic and noisy! Your package may not be all-inclusive and you may have to pay for more extras than you had anticipated. There may be no refunds. The last minute deal may apply only to firemen, military personnel, senior citizens or other specified categories. It’s wise to read the terms and conditions carefully so there are no nasty surprises later.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the best deals are available when kids are at school. So there are great bargains to be had from September to early December. But it’s hurricane season from June to November in the Caribbean and the Bahamas and you don’t want to sail in choppy seas if you are headed there. Weather is an important factor while deciding on your cruise and it’s best to do your homework.
Some great deals are to be had on Christmas cruises. So if you don’t have a big Christmas planned with your family, why not set sail with cancellation cruises? They are a great way to enjoy a memorable Christmas at a price that won’t bust the bank.
If you live in or around New York, keep an eye out for some incredible last minute cruise deals. There are hundreds of cruises from New York to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Trans Panama Canal, Bermuda, Eastern USA, Canada and Europe. You can depart from any of its three ports of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Cape Liberty (NJ).

Introducing El Salvador

    El Salvador sneaks up on you: in lefty lounge bars in San Salvador, at sobering museums and war memorials, and along lush cloud-forest trails; it's a place of remarkable warmth and intelligence, made all the more appealing for being so unexpected. Travellers tend to skip El Salvador, wooed by marquee destinations such as Guatemala and Costa Rica, and unnerved by stories of civil war and gang violence. But the war ended almost 20 years ago, and crime, while serious, is almost exclusively played out between rival gangs; tourists are virtually never involved. And though El Salvador has fewer protected areas than its neighbors, you get them practically to yourself – including pristine forests, active volcanoes and sparkling lakes. The only place you might find a crowd is on Punta Roca, El Salvador’s most famous surfing spot – it happens to be one of the best right point breaks in the world, yet is a ghost town compared to lesser swells in Costa Rica and elsewhere. And when it comes to cities, none in Central America is smarter or cooler than San Salvador, with first-rate universities, museums and galleries, a vibrant bar and live-music scene, and an array of progressive NGOs, both local and international.
Getting there & away
El Salvador's immigration officials are more discerning - and the border procedures more sophisticated - than those of most other Central American countries. They're fair, but they do scrutinize entry and exit stamps, so avoid cutting corners.
Contents

• 　　Sea
• 　　Land
• 　　Entering the destination
• 　　Air

    Sea 　　El Salvador shares shoreline on the Golfo de Fonseca with Honduras and Nicaragua. It's possible to go by boat from La Unión (El Salvador) to Coyolito, Amapala or San Lorenzo in Honduras, or to Potosí in Nicaragua. However there is no scheduled passenger boat service, so you would have to hire a private boat at a very high price. A car-ferry-turned-booze-cruise from La Unión stops in Amapala once a month, and you may be able to use this as a way to get to Honduras. Going by boat is more interesting, perhaps, but does not save any time since the land crossings are so close.
Land
Bus
There are three first-class international bus lines connecting El Salvador to other Central American capitals. There are also a number of second-class bus lines, but it is highly recommended you take a first-class line, as much for safety as for comfort. The second-class buses stop more often, and make much easier targets for would-be bandits in El Salvador or another country.
Guatemala
Border crossings to Guatemala are La Hachadura, Las Chinamas, San Cristóbal (all in the west) and Anguiatú (north of Metapán). Ordinary buses make it just to the border; international buses continue to Guatemala City.
Ordinary buses to the Guatemalan border crossings all leave San Salvador from the Terminal de Occidente, connecting through Sonsonate, Santa Ana, Ahuachapán or Metapán.
For La Hachadura take bus No 205 to Sonsonate, transfer to bus No 259 to the border; for Las Chinamas take bus No 202 to Ahuachapán (from Santa Ana use bus 210) and transfer to bus No 263; and for San Cristóbal take bus No 498 at 4:10pm, 4:50pm and 5:20pm Monday to Friday, plus 7:20am on Monday and Friday only, and Saturday at 12:20pm. There's no service on Sunday. For Anguiatú take bus No 201A direct, or 201 to San Salvador and transfer to No 235. In Metapán transfer to a microbus to the border.
Pullmantur has two daily buses to Guatemala City (executive/first-class US$26/41, 4½ hours, 7am and 3pm Monday to Saturday, 8:30am and 3pm Sunday), while Tica Bus has just one bus daily (US$11, five hours, 6am), passing its Zona Rosa stop a half-hour later. King Quality/Comfort Lines has first-class service to Guatemala City on Comfort Lines (US$22, five hours, 7:30am and 1:30pm) and the slightly more upscale King Quality (first/'King' class US$26/33, five hours, 6am and 3:30pm). Second-class buses leave Terminal Puerto Bus for Guatemala City (standard US$10, five hours, every hour 4am to 3pm; executive US$13, five hours, 6am and 4:30pm).
Honduras
Border crossings to Honduras include El Poy, El Amatillo and Sabanetas/Perquín. Note that there is no Salvadoran immigration post at the Sabanetas/Perquín border. This means your passport will not be stamped when you leave El Salvador - no big deal if you're not planning to return this trip, but it could cause complications if you are. It is not recommended to enter here until an official immigration post is established, as you risk being fined for entering illegally.
Ordinary buses to the Honduran border at El Poy leave from the Terminal de Oriente in San Salvador every half-hour from 4am to 4pm (Bus No 119). Buses to El Amatillo (No 306 or 346) leave frequently from the Terminal de Oriente in San Salvador and from San Miguel. There is twice-daily service to Marcala, Honduras, via Perquín and Sabanetas.
Pullmantur buses leave every day for Tegucigalpa at 2:15pm (executive/first-class US$27/45, 6½ hours). King Quality has services there at 6am and 1:30pm (first/'King' class US$28/41, six hours, 6am and 1:30pm), and San Pedro Sula at 5am and 12:30pm (first/'King' US$28/41, six hours). Tica Bus has a once-daily service to Tegucigalpa at 5:30am (US$15, six hours). You can transfer to a San Pedro Sula bus from there, but it's quicker and cheaper to take the direct King Quality bus.
Nicaragua
From the Honduran side of the El Amatillo crossing, you can take microbuses across the southern tip of Honduras to the Nicaraguan border town of Guasaule (US$4, two hours). From there, connect to buses to León and Managua.
King Quality has one daily departure to Managua (first/'King' US$28/42, 10½ hours, 11:30am) as does Tica Bus (US$25, 11 hours, 5am).
Costa Rica & Panama
King Quality has a once-daily service to San José, Costa Rica (US$48, 18 hours, 3:30am). The Tica Bus to San José (US$42, 18 hours, 3am) continues to Panama City (US$61, 36 hours).
Mexico
The Tica Bus that runs to Guatemala City continues to the Mexican border at Tapachula, Chiapas. From San Salvador, the trip takes 12 hours and costs US$23 one way. There's also second-class service to Tapachula from Terminal Puerto Bus (US$43, 10 hours, 6am)
Car & motorcycle
If you drive your own vehicle into El Salvador, you must show a driver's license (an international driving permit is accepted) and proof that you own the car. You must also fill out extensive forms. Car insurance is both available and advisable but is not required - you should double check at the border in case this has changed. Vehicles may remain in El Salvador for 30 days. Those travelers wishing to stay longer should leave the country and drive back in rather than attempt to deal with the Transport Ministry.
^ Back to top
Entering the destination
Entering El Salvador
Entering El Salvador is a relatively painless procedure. Salvadoran immigration officials are well-known to be efficient, polite and professional. They are also more scrutinizing than in most Central American countries, carefully checking all entry and exit stamps (so don't overstay your visa!). The procedures are the same whether you enter the country at an airport or at a border: visitors must present their passport, fill out a simple tourist card and pay a US$10 entrance fee.
^ Back to top
Air
El Salvador's international airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Comalapa(SAL; 2339 8264), is located about 50km southeast of San Salvador. It is a major Central and Latin American hub, and a gateway to and from North American cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. The following airlines fly to and from San Salvador, and have offices in the capital
American Airlines (airline code AA; 2298 0777; Edificio La Centroamericana, Alameda Roosevelt at 59a Av Sur; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri & 8am-noon Sat; hub Dallas-Fort Worth)
Continental Airlines(airline code CO; 2207 2040; Metrocentro, 2nd fl; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-noon Sat; hub Houston)
Copa Airlines (airline code CM; 2209 2672; World Trade Center I; 89 Av Norte & Calle El Mirador; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-noon Sat; hub Panama City)
Delta Air Lines (airline code DL; 2275 9292; World Trade Center I, 89a Av Norte & Calle del Mirador;8am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-11am Sat; hub Atlanta)
TACA (2267 8222; airline codeTA; Galerías Escalón mall, street level; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat, 9am-5pm Sun; hub San Salvador)
United Airlines (airline code UA; 2279 3900; Galerías Escalón mall, street level; 8:30am-6:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat; hub Chicago/O'Hare).