Archive for November, 2007

Safari in South Africa

Friday, November 30th, 2007

South Africa is becoming one of the best holiday destinations in the world. World-class attractions are found in every part of this country. Excellent road infrastructures, stunning scenery, bubbly city life, and excellent game viewing are some of the reasons why many tourists come and flock to South Africa. For most travelers, one of the fundamental reasons for traveling to Africa is the chance to get on safari in South Africa. This is because game viewing is the most excellent experience you can get nowhere else in the world, only when going on safari in South Africa.

Activities to Enjoy while on Safari in South Africa

When you are planning to treat yourself with a leisure trip to Africa, think about treating yourself to the very rare experience of a safari in South Africa. The outstanding game viewing experience is the topmost feature in every safari in South Africa. The sight of marvelous African creatures wandering freely in their natural territory is truly a very memorable African experience. Walking in the bush (bush walks) permits you to observe the smaller animals that you will not be able to see when you are riding in a vehicle while going on the safari. During this bush walks, an expert tracker would be more than happy to keep you occupied about stories about local values and way of life, educational matters like the medicinal properties of some plants that you might see during the walk and share with you additional knowledge about the creatures that you are about to see. This experience always comes with other interesting activities to enjoy like bird watching, star gazing, and if weather permits you can have the chance to take pleasure in moonlit bush dinners.

South Africa Safari, Safari in South Africa

Safari in South Africa – Accommodation

Just like in any other travel, one of the topmost things to consider in travel planning is where you will stay in the duration of your safari in South Africa. There are a variety of lodging options within the vicinity of South Africa. The selection ranges from the simplest to the most luxurious accommodations. For those who really want to splurge on a Safari experience can also find safari lodges based near the Kruger National Park, where you can have the chance to always hear the roaring of lions completing the atmosphere of an adventurous South African safari.

The whole family will surely enjoy when they go on a family safari in South Africa. This is always possible because South Africa is home of many family oriented hotel and lodge accommodations. Your kids are sure to enjoy the informative wildlife activities that are designed especially for them along with the wildlife books as part of the children’s program of family-oriented hotels and lodges.

There are many activities and exciting destinations in your chosen safari in South Africa, which presents the possibility of exploration and discovery that you can experience nowhere else in the world – only in a safari in South Africa.

Hawaii Cruise

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Why Choose a Hawaii Cruise?

Aloha is the general feeling of a welcoming atmosphere that any visitor is bound to come into contact with upon entering Hawaii. Visiting Hawaii will give you the chance to be in a place where you can find very hospitable and warm people. It also gives you the opportunity to experience and witness how Hawaiians celebrate the very well known Luau, have the fun of being welcomed with leis, and have the luck of exploring its wonderful and lovely sand beaches and the other scenic spots that abound in the Hawaiian Islands. There are so many entertaining things to do in Hawaii; whether you are traveling alone or with your family, you are sure to find a selection of both land and sea fun activities including snorkeling, whale watching, horseback riding, swimming, surfing, and a whole lot more. It is up to your decision if you intend to have a Hawaii land vacation or a Hawaii cruise. However, here are some motivations why you need to choose a Hawaii cruise:

Hawaii Cruise, Choose Hawaii Cruise

  • You can get everything in just one price, which is the nature of all sailing vacations and Hawaii cruise is not an exception. This is quite economical than land vacation since Hawaii is considered as a luxurious holiday destination. This all-inclusive nature of a cruise entitles you to enjoy accommodations, entertainment, transportation, and meals. However, if you still want to make plans for shore excursions before or after the Hawaii cruise, you can coordinate with your cruise line and they will be willing to arrange it for you at an optional extra charge. This is greatly advisable for those who just want to spend their vacation relaxing, leaving it all up to your cruise line the task of planning your vacation.
  • Hawaii cruise gives you the chance to catch sight of all the islands within a seven to ten-day trip. Another savings for your pocket, because doing this by yourself will cost you much higher for inter-island flights, not to mention the time that you will spend waiting at the airport and continuous packing your things as you hop from one island to another. With a cruise, you will be able to relax and explore the Hawaiian Islands without the loads of these tasks. Isn’t it more exciting and relaxing to look forward to?
  • This all sums up to being more economical because the idea of being able to see and visit the Hawaiian Islands when you are traveling on your own itinerary will turn out to be more expensive compared to how much your Hawaii cruise will cost. Start comparing on how much it will cost you if you go on a land vacation, surely you will not be able to visit all the islands that you can visit if you are on a Hawaii cruise without spending hundred dollars more than you will be paying for your cruise fare.

A Hawaii cruise gives you the chance to see for yourself much of Hawaii’s natural scenic spots that will surely create a memorable and enchanting vacation. If you are planning to visit Hawaii, putting a Hawaii cruise on the top list of your activities to do during your Hawaiian vacation should be a MUST!

Cyprus

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

About Cyprus

Cyprus is a magnificent island on the Mediterranean Sea that successfully combines glory of days past with modern culture from Europe. This exotic land is characterized by beautiful sun-kissed beaches, towering mountain peaks covered with lush forests, magnificent vineyards dotted with olive trees and historical ruins that bring back glimpses of the land’s glorious past. The charm of the land is further multiplied by the hospitality of its inhabitants.

Cyprus – A Paradise of Love!

According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love. The island represents the successful marriage of history and hedonism. The Temple of Aphrodite, located in Paphos, attracts tourists from all over the world. The excellence of the artworks featured on the walls of this magnificent temple has to be seen to be believed. The land, owing to its enchanting beauty, has faced many invasions in the past, from Mycenaeans, Assyrians, Egyptians and also Persians. In relatively recent time, the British, followed by the Greeks and the Turks battled over the possession of this exotic island. One good thing that has come out this series of invasions is an intermixing of various cultures. Cyprus today boasts of an impressive array of cultural masterpieces, ranging from centuries old Crusader castles to the Tomb of Mohammed’s Aunt. Each civilization that has claimed domination over the land has left some mark on the culture, history and general lifestyle.

Saranta Kolones ruins Paphos, Cyprus

The Vibrant Cyprus Nightlife

The Aiya Napa resort is located on the far eastern end of the south coast of Cyprus. This luxurious resort presents tourists with a true taste of the Cyprus nightlife. The best nightclubs in Cyprus are located here, and regular performances from famous DJ-s and vocalists keep the dance floors alive every night. Kids are not kept away either, the Bedrock Inn was established especially for them. Here the Flintstones cartoon series has been used as the theme, and waiters dressed as cavemen serve the customers. The place, however, is off limits for kids after 11 p.m. The largest club in the mile long chain of pubs and clubs is the Castle Club, famous for having three rooms in it with three different types of music playing in those at all times. A relaxation room is also available, where customers can put up their weary feet for some time.

Picnic for a day

Most national parks located all over Cyprus have picnic spots for visitors. These areas are well-equipped with barbecue facilities, car parking, toilets and drinking water and even play areas for children. It is a perfect opportunity for spending a lazy day relaxing with the family or friends.

Wine Tasting in Cyprus

Wine enthusiast tourists can join local wine tasting groups for short time periods. The Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery, dedicated to The Lady of the Golden Pomegranate, produces some of the finest wine in the world. Tourists are allowed to sample various flavors of wine and cheese here. The wine is exported to many countries. King Richard the Lionheart was so fond of the wine produced here that he called it “The wine of Kings” and also the “King of Wines”.

Shopping in Cyprus

The large cities have many shopping centers and just like major cities in any other country; they offer a host of commodities for buyers. The island has its own wonders for shoppers too, like the hand made Lefkaritica lace, created especially by women in the Lefkara village, which is a source of attraction for tourists from all over the world. The lace can be purchased at bargain prices if tourists decide to obtain those from the creators themselves. The local wine Ouzo can also be bought from various shops at reasonable prices. Further bargaining is possible if one decides to purchase commodities in large quantities.

Venice

Monday, November 19th, 2007

Venice, the “water city”, is one of the most picturesque cities in the world. The main city is divided into sestieri (six administrative districts). The word sestieri stands for “one-sixth”. The six districts are San Marco, Castello, Cannaregio, S.Croce, S.Polo and Dorsoduro.

Waterways in Venice

Waterways in Venice act as more than a novelty; these are the equivalent of roads of any other city. The city is criss-crossed by 411 bridges and 150 canals, including the world famous Grand Canal, which is a massive 3800 meter long waterway. The city also bears 118 small islands, which serve as the foundation of this wondrous destination for tourists from all over the world. The waterways can be navigated using water-buses (economical public conveyance) or private water-taxis (more expensive but private conveyance). For tourists with a big budget, the romantic gondolas hold the greatest appeal. These are long intricately decorated boats, especially created for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Gondola, Venice, Italy

Gondola, the mark of Venice

The Gondola is the symbol of Venice to the rest of the world. The Gondola is 11 meters long and weights 600 kg but still can be maneuvered very comfortably with a single oar and by only one person, called the gondolier in Venice. The Gondola is also one of a kind in its construction technique; it is asymmetric and so while on the move it is always tilted to one side. Its flat bottom allows it to sail on even the few centimeters deep lagoons. Eight different kinds of wood are used in its construction and it consists of nearly 280 different parts. The only metal elements in a gondola are the typical “iron part”, located at the prow and “curly part”, which is located at the stern.

Sightseeing in Venice

Castello is the largest district in the city, which includes the island of San Pietro di Castello, connected to the city with a long bridge, which used to be a nucleus of religion in the past. The most ancient cathedral of Venice is located in this area. Arsenale, the ages old shipyard (which boasts of a splendid entrance portal surrounded by two enormous lions) of the Serenissima is also located within this district. The district also hosts the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, one of the most gorgeous examples of Venetian architecture dating back to the time of the renaissance. The awe-inspiring gothic-renaissance basilica located in Campo dei SS. Giovanni e Paolo attracts tourists by its ageless splendor. Barbaria delle Tole region in the district holds the convent of San Francesco della Vigna, which is a gothic building with three cloisters located in the working-class area of the city. The Church of San Giorgio dei Greci located in the Riva degli Schiavoni serves as a tribute to the Greek-orthodox community in the city. The extremely popular Venice art festival takes place at Giardini, accessible through Via Garibaldi, which is located just beside Arsenale.

What to buy

Venice is well known for its local arts and crafts that have been created here for centuries and are almost impossible to find elsewhere – Venetian glassware, the cartapesta (papier-mâché) Carnevale masks, and the delicate lace clothing from Burano – to name a few. Custom made masks are also available. Besides in many shops, customers get to see artisans creating and painting the masks in front of the prospective buyers themselves.

Paphos

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

Paphos is the capital city of the Western region of Cyprus. The city is not very large, with a modest population of approximately 27,000 only. Tourism is the best industry in the city, offering employment for the majority of the inhabitants. The city is broadly divided into two sections, the Kato Paphos (the coastal area) and the Pano Paphos (the town itself), which is located slightly towards the inland.

Kato Paphos

The coastal region of the city boasts of the gorgeous Coral Bay, a beautiful, sun-kissed beach. The golden sands and the deep blue ocean provide a perfect haven for tourists with a passion for water sports. The 13th century Byzantine castle, that was once built to protect the harbors, now acts as a major tourist attraction. The Theoskepasti Church, built in 1923, still holds a great appeal to visitors. The seaside promenade hosts the old harbor and a good number of modern hotels and restaurants. The hospitality of the well-trained staff in these facilities is truly memorable.

Paphos Castle, Paphos, Cyprus

Pano Paphos

The city itself holds just as many wonders for tourists as the shores. The archaeological museum holds an extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities, dating from as early as the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD. The Tombs of the Kings contains a series of underground tombs carved out of solid rock, which dates back to 4th century B.C. The Doric Pillars that adorn the site serve to heighten its appeal. St. Paul’s Pillar and the Temple of Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love and beauty) enchant tourists from around the world. The ancient mosaic floors in the castle bear testimony to the glorious days of the past. The 2nd century Paphos Odeon, shaped out of limestone, now acts as a popular location for regular musical and theatrical performances.

When to visit

The summer season is a good time to visit Paphos. The temperature reaches around 30 degrees Celsius during day time, making the weather warm but comfortable for roaming. The cool winter is especially good for tourists who enjoy a hike in the mountains or bear a passion for mountain biking.

Where to shop, what to buy

Kato Paphos is a shoppers’ paradise. The Woolworths mega store beside McDonalds down in the Kato keeps stock of virtually anything a tourist could need. The Papantoniou supermarkets on Ellados Avenue and Chlorakas village are also hot spots for shoppers seeking good items at discount prices. Many small shops on the main shopping lane, which runs parallel to the beach promenade, provide tourists with hand made jewelry, trinkets and locally made footwear for the beach at decent bargain prices. Silverware and copperware are available at discount rates. Locally made clothing and leather goods here are cheap and of good quality. Ouzo, the local alcoholic beverage, can be purchased at many stores.

Paphos would certainly act as a welcome addition to any vacationer or traveler’s wish list. A visit to an exotic place like this could indeed bring with it memories for a lifetime.

Top 10 Tourist Destinations around the World

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Here is a list of the Top 10 Tourist destinations around the World.

Paris

Paris tops the list of top 10 holiday destinations around the World. The capital of France, Paris or the City of Lights, is located by the River Seine and lies in the northern part of France and is a big city vibrant as well as attractive that is home to more than two million Parisians. Paris has some famous landmarks including the twelfth century cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris and of course, the world famous nineteenth century Eiffel Tower. Paris is also well known for the entertainment that one can savor including operas, of which the largest opera houses are the Opera Garnier as well as the more modern Opera Bastille. Click here to read more about Paris.

Spain

Spain is a wonderful country that attracts many tourists thanks to its sunny climes and affordable holidays and there is also a lot to see and do in Spain. Spain is one of the most famous and popular holiday destinations in Europe. To name a few must see places in Spain include Estepona, Granada, Costa Calida, Valencia, Costa Blanca, and of course, Madrid – the capital city! Click here to read more about Spain.

United States

United States, or the United States of America, is one of the world’s wonderful tourist destinations, located in Northern America. United States boasts of such a great number of tourist attractions that it takes years to explore all of them! Few to mention are the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, the Mount Rushmore, the former spot of the World Trade Center in New York, Disneyland, Lincoln Park, and Las Vegas – the Entertainment Capital of the World. Click here to read more about United States.

China

The third largest country in the world – China is one of the important places in Asia, with great ethnic as well as cultural diversities. Apart from being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall, which can be seen even from the space, China has many fascinating tourist attractions from Shaolin Temple in Henan Province to Hong Kong to the gardens of Hangzhou. Click here to read more about China.

Rome

Rome, a breathtaking city with a certain air of timelessness about itself, is the capital of Italy and the most populated commune in the country. The tourist season in Rome begins at Easter and continues up to October, spring and autumn being the peak periods when tourists pour in from various parts of the world. Some of the must see places in Rome include The Roman Forum, Concrete Roman Colosseum, The Pantheon, St Peter’s Square – The Colonnades. Click here to read more about Rome.

Greece

Greece is a wonderful country that has a very rich history of culture as well as values and is home to the earliest civilizations and it also is the birthplace of the Olympics. Greece is a popular tourist destination that sees more than fifteen million tourists visiting the country every year to discover Greece for themselves. Greece has much to offer including the Acropolis, Peloponnese, Ancient Agora¸ Temple of Hephaestus, Athens, National Archaeological Museum¸ Andros Island, and several interesting festivals, like the Rockwave Festival. Click here to read more about Greece.

Goa

Goa, with its charming beaches, thrilling nightlife, exotic cuisines, and historic edifices, and a unique blend of Konkani and Portuguese, it is one of the much sought after anytime summer holiday destinations in India. Another aspect you may note about Goa is the carnival atmosphere it wears all the time. This is a phenomenon you cannot sense anywhere else in India. For a vacation with a difference, this is the place you should visit. Read more about Goa here.

Mexico

Mexico, or the United Mexican States as it is officially known, is a wonderful country located to the south of Texas and is a part of North America. Mexico is the seventeenth most mega-diverse country in the world having more than two thousand different species and it has ten to twelve percent of the biodiversity of the world. Click here to read more about Mexico.

Egypt

Popularly known as the land of pharaohs and pyramids – Egypt is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northeastern Africa. From attractions ranging from the red sea to the Sinai Desert and Cairo to Abu Simbel, Egypt is a magical destination which you must take a visit at least once in your lifetime! Read more about Egypt here.

Thailand

Thailand that was once known as the Kingdom of Thailand lies in Southeast Asia and it has been home to many indigenous cultures. The major influences in Thai culture are those of India and China as well as some of the other cultures from countries neighboring this beautiful country. Of special interests to tourists are the Island of Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and of course the capital Bangkok. Read more about Thailand here.

Los Angeles

Monday, November 5th, 2007

About Los Angeles

Considered as the largest city in the states of California, Los Angeles’ had attained its global status of fame and feature. Being one of the World’s centers of technology, performing arts, trade, and home to numerous interesting and amusing places, many tourists from neighboring states and all over the world flock in Los Angeles for business and pleasure.

University of California, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles: Where to go

Los Angeles: Amusements and Theme Parks

One of the top entries in a Los Angeles itinerary is visiting almost all the amusement parks in the area. The great amusement and theme parks in the locality are the following:

Disneyland is always on the top list of amusement parks. Considered as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland is located in Anaheim. The numerous attractions in the theme park provide visitors sufficient choices of things to do while in LA.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park located in Valencia featuring more than 100 rides and variety of other attractions. This is a Warner Brothers theme park highlighting Warner Bros cartoon characters.

Knott’s Berry Farm, which is located in Buena Park displays the Old West atmosphere including live performances, amusing rides and of course, shopping choices.

Los Angeles: Beaches

For visitors who prefer to spend their time doing beach activities, Lots of beaches are present within and near Los Angeles. Travelers who want to escape the tourist crowds in the city center frequently visit the beaches on the north and south of Los Angeles. There are also beach matches for those who prefer to stay in livelier beach surroundings like the famous Venice Beach where you can enjoy watching street performers and be mesmerized by the sight of hard muscles and captivating personalities roving within the locale.

Griffith Park

Situated on the Hollywood border, the Griffith Park offers recreational conveniences, natural sceneries, and lots of remarkable attractions. From here, visitors can have a substantial view of the Hollywood sign.

Hollywood

Famous handprints and shoe prints of Hollywood legendary celebrities in the courtyard of the Chinese Theater are the most prominent attraction in Hollywood. Other major attraction that remains constantly appealing to sightseers is the world renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you just walk around each area of Hollywood, you will have better chances of not missing any significant trademark of the area.

Getty Museum

Art lovers will surely not miss visiting the Getty Museum famous for the exquisite art collections showcased in this modern hilltop castle. Visiting this museum is free of charge, however parking fee of $7 is charged for cars.

If this is your first visit to Los Angeles you will be thrilled and delighted with the huge number of places to see and things to do in the area. The places featured in this article are only just a few of the best places to visit in Los Angeles. This extensive metropolis is indeed the perfect place where you can truly feel the essence of The American Dream.

Island of Andros – Idyllic Beach Holiday Destination

Thursday, November 1st, 2007

The Island of Andros, also known as Andros Islands, is the largest and most fertile of the Greek Cyclades Islands. Located 30 kilometers southeast of the mainland port of Rafina in the Aegean Sea, Island of Andros is the much loved vacation spot for well-off Athenians. Most of the persons belonging to this rich class have built their own holiday homes to serve as their hideaway in this idyllic beach holiday destination.

Andros Island presents many ideal sights to see and places to visit. Travelers who love to visit museums and walk around remarkable spots has a lot to enjoy in the Island of Andros. For the exploring traveler, country roads and walkways leading through pine trees and mulberry woods are ideal options for those who love to explore and discover exquisite local villages built on the mountains and mountain springs.

Another distinctive feature of the Andros Island is the meandering dry stonewalls and very old dovecotes that are elaborately decorated influenced by Venetians during the 13th century.

Andros Island, Greece

Things to do in the Andros Island

With a 110 kilometers shoreline and the number of sandy beaches reaching to more than 300, the Island of Andros is a perfect place for a beach holiday seeking traveler. However, if you wish to stay away from overcrowded beaches, do not go to a beach in Batsi- the island’s tourist capital, instead consider going to the beaches located in the northeast corner of the island. However, there are also many popular and beautiful beaches in the north and south of Batsi. Water taxis are abundant in the area so travelers can go to and from the beaches easily. These water taxis continuously ran back and forth to connect the main beaches in the island and to help beach guests to reach even the hardest to reach beaches.

Hiking is another activity that travelers can do during their stay in the Island of Andros. This is a perfect place where they can go for a walk and wander without missing a reasonably priced Greek delight at a riverside taverna, taking note of the sounds coming from the nightingales in the area. Because of the presence of this well-maintained walker’s trail and amazing panoramic view that the island offers, the Island of Andros is also tagged as a “hiker’s paradise.”

Water sport activities are naturally possible in the Andros Island. All the structured beaches in the island offer all water sport facilities. Island of Andros is ideal for wind surfing, diving and boat trips.

The isolated bays of the island each offering their own share of lovely breathtaking backdrop is ideal for the traveler looking for a relaxing hideaway. Indeed Andros Island has a lot to offer among all kinds of travelers. If you are planning to explore the country of Greece, a stop at the Island of Andros will give you the chance to experience a very memorable Greek beach holiday.