TRAVELING WORLDWIDE

Holiday Plan for Gozo-Malta

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 04:33:00 -0700

Recommending a winter holiday in Gozo-Malta is easy and this is mainly because of the weather conditions prevailing in our Islands. The Mediterranean winter is mild not cruel at all, with temperatures seldom ranging below 17 degrees and putting on a sweater is usually enough to keep warm. In the months of October, November and December and again in March and April it is sunshine days which are exceptionally pleasant and cool and very seldom cold.

Marsalforn, the number one resort on the Island is very welcoming in Autumn and Winter because it is very quiet though not deserted. One may sit on the pier or in a cafe' and look upon the beautiful blue sea and enjoy the rich and perfumed sea air. You would feel as though the whole place belonged to you and is yours to enjoy.

Gozo's main characteristic is its lush green countryside which is all around. The 13 villages are still separated from each other and this gives the Island a sort of primeval quality as if still untouched by human hand. This setting makes the Island ideal for the occasional country walk, horse-riding, rambling or a cycling trip. As soon as one arrives in Gozo, one becomes immediately aware of the clean refreshing air which is mainly attributable to the very small size of the island. Gozo is only 9 miles by 5 and a slight breeze can sweep the island from one end to the other thus clearing away the traffic fumes which suffocate the great cities.

Crossing over to Malta the main Island of the archipelago is by Ferry, a 25 minute pleasant trip or faster still by sea-plane, a service introduced recently. Malta and Gozo have a unique history dating back 4000 years or more from prehistoric times. Valletta the Capital city of Malta was built by the Knights of St. John and named after the Grand Master Jean de La Valette. Mdina (Medina) is still the 'silent city' with its narrow, winding medieval roads and is the main attraction of most visitors to Malta.

A holiday in Gozo is unique and unforgettable and this is the reason why those who taste its loveliness (and the local food and wines) once keep coming for another visit year after year. Many also choose to settle here and spend their years of retirement in this enchanting place.

Festivals in Philippine

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Fri, 8 Jul 2011 03:27:00 -0700

Having a rich cultural background with hundreds of people groups scattered across its 7107 islands, the Philippines offer a wide variety of festivals that attract both local and international tourists.

ATI-ATIHAN in January at Kalibo, Aklan

Considered to be the wildest of Philippine festivals, celebrants paint their faces with soot and wear bright and outlandish costumes as they take to the streets dancing in revelry. It's part of a 2week town festival and is in honor of the Santo Nino or the Holy Infant Jesus. Costumes include elaborate pieces of headdress made of shells, feathers, bamboo, plant leaves, beads, trinkets, colored glass, metals, plastics, as well as locally grown abaca fibers, cogon, and sugar plant flowers.

PANAGBENGA in February at Baguio City

A recently started festival that is now amongst the most popular in the Philippines, Panagbenga celebrates the arrival of spring in the country's summer capital. Panagbenga is a Kankana-ey term for "a season of blooming", and the festival's highlight is a parade showcasing elaborately decorated floral floats and street dancing. Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, it is a celebration that pays homage to the abundant and beautiful flowers that the city is known for, and the re-establishment of the city after an early 1990 earthquake that resulted in hundreds of deaths and millions of destroyed properly.

MORIONES FESTIVAL in Holy Week at Marinduque

A folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of a Roman centurion named Longinus, who converted into Christianity after a blind eye got miraculously healed from liquid coming from the body of the crucified Christ. The celebration is characterized by participants in colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly colored tunics. The re-enactment's climax is when Longinus is caught by angry Roman centurions and is subsequently beheaded.

SANTACRUZAN in May at the Philippine Islands

The Santacruzan is a procession that commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. Started in the Tagalog region in the mid 19th century, it is observed in many cities, towns and small villages across the Philippines. The colorful parade feature grandly attired ladies and their escorts, and other participants portraying a list of 26 unique characters arranged in a particular order. At the end of the parade is Queen Helena carrying a small cross and escorted by her son Constantine. The characters walk under arches that are gaily decorated with flowers.

PAHIYAS in May at Quezon Province

This festival is a traditional celebration done to honor the patron saint of farmers, in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. House facades are decorated with agricultural produce and houses are decked with kipping, a paper-thin colorful decoration made from rice dough and shaped into leaves. Home decorations such as lanterns, chandeliers and flower arrangements are also fashioned out of kipping. Each household is known to try and outdo each other in terms of creativity and volume in decorations.

HIGANTES FESTIVAL in November at Angono, Rizal

Angono, Rizal's fiesta in honor of its patron saint is highlighted by a procession accompanied by "pahadores (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles) and higantes" (giant paper mache effigies). These "higantes/giants" are four - five feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height. The procession is done along the Laguna Bay and ends until the image of the patron saint is brought back to its sanctuary. A relatively new feature of the town fiesta, the higantes are larger than life caricatures of Spanish landlords that use to rule the town of Angono.

Enjoy the festivals!

Beautiful Places Near Gurgaon

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Mon, 4 Jul 2011 10:29:00 -0700

Located in the national capital region, Gurgaon is one of the emerging business hubs of India. IT giants and other core industrial institutions are set up in the city generating huge population of professionals. For its urban dwellers it has many things to offer right from thriving shopping malls, jostling night clubs and bars to beautiful leisure parks. The families also have the option of visiting attractive places near Gurgaon to spend a fun filled and an exciting weekend. The following are some places located close to Gurgaon that can be an ideal destination for a short holiday trip. Here are some places near Gurgaon:

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

The place is perfect for bird lovers. It is located at a distance of 10 kms from Gurgaon and about 42 kms from Delhi. The sanctuary is established by the world famous bird watching organization called the Peter Jackson. Various exotic birds from Europe and Siberia like darters egrets shovellers, gadwell and geese visit this place during the winter season and fly back to their native as the temperature gets warm. Camping facilities as well as watch towers and bird watching hide outs are present there for tourists.

Damadama Lake

This place is ideal for individuals who are interested in rock climbing and boating. The lake water fills up a depression amidst the Aravalli ranges. You will get the scope of canoeing, kayaking and angling in the placid waters of the lake and a scope of climbing the rugged terrain of the old hills.

Suraj Kund

Suraj Kund is a nice place to go for an excursion. A stroll around the green gardens and along the length of the Rajhans- Water Lake would be refreshing for you.

Sheetala Devi Temple

The Sheetala Devi temple is located in the suburbs of the city. It is about half kilometer away from the main Gurgaon city. The place is known as sakti peeth and the presiding deity is the Sheetala Devi. A good natured person named Singha, owner of large acres of land once had a dream of the goddess. He was also given a boon after which he renounced all his riches and became a devotee of the Goddess. Singha used to meditate at the side of a pond beside which the temple of the Goddess is situated presently.

There are several other exciting places near Gurgaon like the capital city of Delhi, Karna Lake, the Kurukshetra, Sohna Sulphur Springs and Saras Damdama. You are recommended to check out the details of the various places that would be ideal for your visit while deciding the destination of your holiday trip.

Tucson Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Mon, 4 Jul 2011 09:43:00 -0700

When people say that Tucson has loads to offer to tourists-they are actually right! Tucson, located southeast of U.S-Mexican border, is one of the primary tourist attractions of this area. The English name Tucson derives from the Spanish name of the city, Tucson, which was borrowed from the O'odham name Cukson (pronounced roughly "chook shown"), meaning "at the base of the black hill", a reference to an adjacent volcanic mountain.

Tucson boasts of a plethora of tourist's attractions ranging from the Catalina State Park, to Sonora Desert Museum with its collection desert creatures caught right in their natural habitat. With temperatures ranging somewhere between 75 degrees, Tucson is ideal for outdoor hiking, biking, sight-seeing and movie making.

If you love art and theatre, then you are here for a treat! Theater groups include the Arizona Theatre Company, which performs in the Temple of Music and Art, a mirror image of the Pasadena Playhouse; the Invisible Theatre; Live Theatre Workshop; Beowulf Alley; the Gaslight Theatre, which performs melodramas; and Arizona Onstage Productions, a not-for-profit theater company devoted to musical theater. In 2004, the NY based Nederlander Organization also opened a local operation.

Tucson's pleasant and sweet weather draws thousands of hikers to this area each year. Finger Rock Trail is the most famous and luring hiking and cycling spot for tourists. Tours to this area are always fully booked. This trail stretches over five miles and passes through Sonora Dessert up to the jagged peaks of the Catalina Mountains which offers more views of the surrounding terrain.

Tucson is a first-class place to visit and if you get an option to visit this place don't miss it! Tucson is a charming and astounding place, so I would recommend you to visit this place for your next holiday.

Greek Island Holiday Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sat, 2 Jul 2011 03:09:00 -0700

Greek Island holiday destinations offer literally hundreds of resorts ranging from those providing all the facilities of mass tourism to remote places with little more than a few village rooms. Islands also range in size from ones that can be walked around in a few hours to ones that have many major towns and hundreds of villages.

Lesbos is the third largest Greek island and has almost 200 miles of coastline to offer beach-loving holidaymakers. It is situated in the north-eastern section of the Aegean, only a few miles off of the Turkish coast and twelve hours by ferry trip from Athens. Fortunately the ferry trip is unnecessary because Lesbos has its own international airport.

None of the holiday resorts on Lesbos can be described as being "spoilt by mass tourism" but the most popular are served by package holiday companies. Of these, Molyvos is probably the most popular but even there, it is possible to enjoy a laid-back, away-from-it-all vacation.

The whole island abounds in natural beauty and its spectacular, indented coastline is made up of numerous sand and pebble beaches interspaced with many secluded coves. The island's interior is full of olive groves that produce some of the world's finest olive oil. There are even bottles of top "Italian" extra virgin olive oil that are produced from olives grown in Lesbos!

Where the olive groves end, beautiful forests of Mediterranean pine begin and on the western side of the island, you can even find the world's second largest petrified forest. Like many Greek islands, Lesbos is very mountainous. Its two major peaks, Lepetymnos and Olympus are over 3100 feet high and dominate the centre of the island. Because of the volcanic origin of Lesbos, several hot springs can be found on the island.

The word, Lesbian originates from Lesbos. This is because it was the birthplace of Sappho, the ancient Greek poetess. Her poems contained expressions of homosexual love. Sappho is thought to have been born and lived in Eresos. This very small town is a mile or so inland from the holiday resorts of Scala Eressos. Although, relaxing and laid back, Scala Eressos has a certain vibrant quality and caters for a wide range of visitors. These include many gay women who wish to enjoy women-only holidays or attend the annual Women's Festival.

As well as a good selection of bars and tavernas, Scala has a wonderful sandy beach, part of which is designated as a tolerated naturist area. The streets of the resort are closed to traffic so you do not have to worry about the road safety of your children. Where the village street ends, some cafes and taverns have been built along the beach by extending them out onto the sand. If you have kids, you can sit in one for a drink whilst the children play in the sea, still safely in sight.

The beach and village are framed in a beautiful setting of a green, fertile valley between arid mountains. A pretty lagoon at the back of the beach is the home to terrapins, frogs and seabirds. Children love this area and are often so fascinated by the terrapins that it is difficult to persuade them to leave. In the country side around the resort tortoises can often be seen plodding their way along stony scrubland. But the most fascinating wildlife of all is probably the resident pelicans. These can often be seen waddling around the tavernas in the hope of some free fish. The two birds have become so tame that they get up to tricks on the beach too, snatching tubes of suntan lotion or even books from shocked sunbathers. Sometimes the pelicans will throw the items playfully into the air and then catch them. When an item as big as book drops into the bird's huge gullet, fear for the creature's safety momentarily replaces the humour inspired by the performance. But there is no cause for concern and the pelicans quickly realise that the object has no nutritional value, fetch it back up, and drop it on the sand. Not everyone sees the funny side of the pelicans' behaviour however, especially the person who comes back from a swim to find their beach towel occupied by one of them. But for the onlookers, this usually results in an extremely amusing shooing away scene.

Whether your Greek Island holiday in Lesbos is at the resort of Scala Eressos or in one of the other resorts, you will probably fly to the airport at Mytilene, the island's capital. This airport offers a little bonus that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world. After checking in for your flight home, it is possible to sit in an open air area which overlooks the sea. Here you can bask away the remaining moments of your Greek island holiday watching the maneuvers of the Greek navy that are often seen just off the not too distant Turkish coast or you can just enjoy the lapping of the sea over the rocky beach that separates the airport from it.

Turkey Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sat, 2 Jul 2011 03:02:00 -0700

With its heart in Asia and its head in Europe, Turkey covers a vast landmass and stretches from its European land and sea borders with Bulgaria and Greece to almost touch the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and meet with the Middle Eastern nations of Syria and Iran.

Naturally such a vast nation which is embraced by such varied and historic cultures on all sides has a thrilling and rich history and culture of its own, and it is only when you begin to explore the delights of the nation that you realize how much Turkey has to offer the traveler, no matter what their ideal holiday type.

For culture vultures and city lovers, Istanbul is certainly the place to begin a visit to Turkey. The majority of the most famous ancient sites to see and the historic centres to explore such as Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque are located on the European side of the Bosphorus and within walking distance of each other.

You are safe in Turkey's thrilling city of Istanbul especially if you stick to the main tourist areas - of course, you may be visited by street sellers of hand crafted wares, but otherwise you will be left alone to enjoy the delights of the metropolis.

A boat trip on the Bosphorus is not to be missed; neither is a day visiting some of the shopping experiences in Istanbul. You can take in the mega mall at Cevahir (pronounced Jevahir) and shop in high-end Western boutiques for a few hours, before going and exploring the souks and the markets and learning to haggle for a bargain or two!

Once you've shopped until you drop and seen all the sights you can absorb, why not fly south to the Mediterranean or Aegean coasts and beach-comb and hop from resort town to resort town. From Side to Bodrum, Alanya to Antalya, Turkey has some vibrant, historic, culturally rich and now affluently wealthy towns and cities to enjoy all along the coast. You can pick a main town as your base and then hire a car and head off the beaten track to take in magnificent mountains, beautiful olive groves, vineyards and untouched beaches.

Turkey is a thrilling nation of vast contrasts. Its people are hugely welcoming to visitors and will make your holiday a thrilling success. The welcoming people coupled with the fabulous cuisine will also ensure you want to keep coming back for more.

As more people discover the delights of Turkey, so the number of people applying for working visas, extended tourism visas and residency permits is on the increase. If you too find that you want to spend time living and perhaps working in parts of Turkey, this option is probably open to you too - depending on the nation you herald from.

To find out more, visit the Turkish embassy in your home country. Once you know you can spend more time in the nation, you can then begin planning your itinerary - and you'll need plenty of time because the country offers so much of interest to its visitors. A final word about working in Turkey - you will need to speak Turkish if you want to find professional level employment or work off the tourism track - but if you're happy teaching English as a foreign language or working in the tourism industry for example, you will find plenty to keep you occupied when living in Turkey.

Travel Guide for Women

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:58:00 -0700

Travel tips for women travellers starts from choosing a hotel. Women before staying in a hotel should know the details about the hotel's management and should have proper introduction with the women employee there. The hotel room should have privacy for guests getting in. No one should be able to know the person's name, phone number or any personal details. The women workers should move friendly with the host so that it will be easy for us to survive there.

Tips-1: To avoid robbery during staying in the hotel lock your valuable thing in the safety locker and keep the key with you. While using the elevator stand behind the elevator buttons, so that during emergency if you push the buttons with your back it will be helpful.

Tips-2: While walking in the streets, act smartly so that you do not look like a tourist. Avoid wearing gold ornaments. To enquire about directions approach any families or old persons. If you are attacked by strangers shout aloud so that people around can hear and help you. Transportation is the important thing where you should keep your things safe.

Tips-3: Use covered luggage tags. During night travels, keep your valuable things in your waist pouch. While travelling in a car do not show your guide notes or maps to the driver, as in many places drivers act as robbers.

Tips-4: Women should be very careful while travelling alone in car. Lock your car doors while driving; never open your front door when some unknown person knocks. Be alert in parking lots, do not trust well dressed strangers.

Tips-5: If you suspect that you are been stalked then immediately approach the near by police station. Give them a complaint with the identification of the person whom you suspected.

Tips-6: Get to know about your neighbours so that they may help you in case of emergency.

Tips-7: Don't answer the phone call without hearing the "hello" voice. Always have a mobile with you so that you can keep in touch with your friends.

Darjeeling Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 06:28:00 -0700

Darjeeling the Queen of hills offers a pleasing view of Himalaya. It is a place of India which attracts number of tourist from the world because of the combination of valleys, hill gardens, especially tea garden, snow capped peaks and lots more attractions. Apart from the attractions there are number of people who love to come and enjoy the adventurous sports, photography, trekking, and the rich beauty of the place. The clear and cool breeze attracts most of the people to spend their holidays and attain maximum satisfaction. They also try to capture their memory with the help of the camera.

Main Attractions of Darjeeling:

Tiger Hill: Its gives a wonderful view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga hills. One can also have a clear view of the World's highest peak from the Tiger Hill.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: It offers a brilliant view of the oldest Mountaineering Institute in the country and was set up following the successful ascent of the Mt. Everest.

Cable Car: It is also known as the ropeway which is situated on the northern part of Darjeeling. And it connects with Singla Bazaar which is at the bottom of valley. It is designed very carefully for the safety of the visitors.

Kalimpong: It's a city which is famous for its sightseeing and mesmerizing tourist place such as like Kalibari, Kalimpong market, Gouripur House, Golf Course, Pedong Monastery, and Rishyap.

Kurseong: This is another city which is famous for its scenic beauty and quite atmosphere and harmony

Other major attractions of Darjeeling are Siliguri plains, Ava Art gallery, Mall, Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park, Botanical Garden, Senchal Lake, Happy Valley tea garden, and the Monasteries.

Darjeeling tour is one of the most enjoyable tours as it includes all the paranomic views, adventurous sports and classic beauty all around. Darjeeling is also famous for trekking and the places of trekking in Darjeeling are as follows: The Singalila track route is popular in Darjeeling. It continues through Maneybhanjyang, Tonglu, and Sandakphu and finally concludes in Phalut. While enjoying the adventurous sports throughout these places, one can even enjoy the majestic beauty of the route.The lush greens, soaring mountains, descending rivers and the distinguished view of the Himalayas make it a favourite among tour who keep flocking to the state all the year round.

So, one must come to enjoy the beautiful place of hills, valleys, peaks, gardens, India trek and wonderful cities. This is an ideal place to spend the summer vacations and cherish the memory with speculative atmosphere.

Hawaii Volcano Tour Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:02:00 -0700

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience, and is readily available year round. While each island boasts some volcanic heritage, The Big Island is where all the action is.

A Hawaii volcano tour of necessity begins in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916. This park, containing more than 218,000 acres, is open daily and offers guided tours and more. It encompasses both the world's most massive volcano, Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, and Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Mauna Kea, which in Hawaiian means literally "white mountain", gets this name from the fact that it is quite often snow-capped. It is also thought to be the world's tallest mountain when measured from it's undersea base to the summit. Currently dormant, Mauna Kea has also become the home of an important astronomical center, where astronomers from all over the world vie for spots atop the summit to view the heavens.

Kilauea, which has been in continual eruption since 1983, gives visitors on a Hawaii volcano tour stunning views of molten lava flows, steam vents, and vast lava fields. It is

said that this eruption has added more than 500 acres to the Big Island since it's eruption! One more fascinating tidbit about Kilauea, is that perched atop the crater rim overlooking the caldera is the Volcano House, Hawaii's oldest continually-operated hotel, dating from 1846. Probably not hard to keep warm at night!

On Maui, one volcano not to overlook is Haleakala, a dormant volcano in the middle of the island, long renowned for it's fantastic sunsets. It's also a great place to hike or camp,

and especially ride a bike down.

When you plan your Hawaii volcano tour, be sure to plan some time to take in some or all of these sights. You'll be forever changed!

Tour Guide-Chile

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:37:00 -0700

Chile is a beautiful place to explore with all its natural glory. So it would be excellent if you can spend a few weeks there to check out the local market, eat the local flavor and cuisines, explore the wonderful nature and most importantly, have fun and relax in a country full of color and rhythm.

There are several places to visit in Chile. If you are the more adventurous type, then opt for packages that take you on trekking adventures to the Andes, fjords and deserts. Chile is famous for its majestic beaches, so make sure you don't miss them. You can have a leisure walk along Vina Del Mar coastline and meet up with fellow beach lovers.

Travelers can choose from cultural tours, to culinary expeditions to exploring Chile's famous wine regions, to admiring the beautiful scenery and enjoying Chile's bustling nightlife. There is a famous building known as Cathedral of San Marcos here. Most people are here because this building is designed by the same person who designed Eiffel Tower.

You can also visit Santiago Centro if you want to experience Chilean everyday life and have a relaxing stroll along the paseos. Beware of pickpockets though.

All these places are interesting and can be a fun experience if you know how to explore them. It is advisable for you to get a Chile travel agency closest to your destination. A good Chile travel agency will provide you with agents that are responsible, knowledgeable and experienced in every tourism zone of Chile.

Bandung City Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:28:00 -0700

The Indonesian city of Bandung is the capital of West Java and one of the biggest cities of the country. Bandung, located in the southern part of West Java, this city is a good blend of Sundanese, Javanese, Sumatranese, and others of Indonesian civilian, including Chinese too. A bustling town, Bandung is well connected to the other city via country road.

From Jakarta, you can go to Bandung by bus, car or by train. If you get there by bus, it will take a 3 - 4 hours, by car, you just need 2 - hours, if you choose by train, let me know, first time you have to go to Gambir station at central Jakarta, because I suggest you to be better if you ride the train from Gambir. There are 2 kind of train that you can find, first, the Parahyangan train, this train have two classes, business and executive classes, if you use this train, you will come to Bandung in 3 hours or more. Second, the Argo Gede, it's only has 1 class, executive class, if you use this, you just need 2 hours and 50 minutes to Bandung, but the ticker price is more expensive than Parahyangan, now if up to your choice, the traveling your own need a low budget traveling cost or need efficiency time.

This city is gaining popularity as a growing tourist destination in Indonesia. To facilitate and accommodate the emerging crowd of people, the city has introduced many resorts and hotels, so that the visitors can enjoy a comfortable vacation.

Bandung is located at the high land, so that the weather is always cold. We call Bandung is the flower city, because the face of city is green, you can find the trees along your trip. Near Bandung, you can visit Tangkuban Prahu Mountain and Lembang town, in Lembang you can try tea walk around tea garden at there. Other places you can also visit, tea walk at tea garden in pengarengan hill, Kawah Putih, or strawberry garden.

In the night, you can visit dago's street, at here you can find some youngest people having enjoy all the time. The roasted corn is the popular snack in this place, you can try it with the various taste what you like, other roasted snacks are banana roasted or bread roasted. Other place that you can visit in the night is the Paris Van Java, there are several kind of cafe, clubs and discos. Though the city is not overloaded with the discos and clubs, but handful of night clubs, bars and pubs are there, where your night would be vibrant and exhilarating.

In the morning, are you like shopping? Try at alun-alun with a number of shopping stores and malls, cihampelas walk (more famous name is Ci-walk), is the place of jeans. The other famous shopping store is called Factory Outlet, there are several kind of factory outlet, such as clothes, bags, shoes and others.

Enjoy Bandung City!

Tips to Visit Disney World

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:02:00 -0700

Visiting Disney World is a very exciting adventure but deciding which Disney theme park to visit first can have you scratching your head. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios make up the four Disney theme parks and if your stay is at least seven days, you should have no trouble visiting them all. But just like any other vacation, there are a few do's and don'ts you should keep in mind before trekking off into the "Magic".

Tips-1: Do take advantage of Extra Magic Hour

If you are staying at the Walt Disney World resort you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hour in where Disney opens one park one hour early. So if you want to avoid lineups you'll want to get up early. The same holds true for Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water parks. Arrive at opening time for any parks that aren't having an early opening. And don't forget, most animals at Animal Kingdom will probably be sleeping in the afternoon; therefore it pays to go earlier in the morning.

Tips-2: Do Use Backpacks

Carrying a backpack is a great way to travel through the parks. Everything can be tightly zipped in so even if you get wet, which is likely if you visit any of the water parks, you can be sure your belongings will be kept nice and dry. Bringing a change of clothes for yourself or your children is always a good idea and if your children are old enough, they can have their own backpack.

Tips-3: Don't Forget the Snacks

Dining at Disney can be expensive, especially if you're feeding a family. Take lots of snacks and don't forget the bottled water. It can get very hot in the parks and you don't want to become dehydrated so be sure to have plenty of water along for you and the kids. If you are staying at one of the Disney Resorts, use a bus to take you back to the resort for a mid-day break. Return to the park after the kids have had a rest so you can take part in the evening activities refreshed and ready for some more fun.

Tips-4: Do Use Fastpass

Use fastpass whenever possible. Using fastpass eliminates standing in line for a ride. Just go to one of the Fastpass machines nearest your intended attraction and insert your admission ticket. The machine will spit out a fastpass ticket with a return time. You have an hour in which to use it, that allows you to visit other attractions and return within the designated time. When you come back, simply show your fastpass ticket to the Disney employee and he/she will allow you into the line. Hold onto your ticket until you have completed the ride should another employee ask for it before the ride begins.

Tips-5: Do Use Hopper-Passes

If you plan to visit all of the parks or most of them, you're best bet is to purchase Park Hopper-Passes. It is not only more economical but also allows to you to hop from any of Disney's four theme parks for every day of your pass. The price is much more affordable than buying Magic Your Way Tickets which allows you to enter only one park. If you decide to purchase a Magic Your Way ticket and change your mind later, you can always upgrade to the Park Hopper option.

Tips-6: Finally Don't Forget the Weather

Orlando, Florida can be very warm, depending on what time of year you decide to visit. Certainly hotter in July and August than October to December, so pack accordingly. Be sure to take along lightweight jackets or sweaters if you are visiting in the winter months. It can cool off considerably in the evenings. Lightweight clothing is certainly recommended in the summer but winter days can also prove to be very warm. Don't forget the sun screen. Wear proper footwear when visiting the parks, as it requires a lot of walking. And the main thing to remember when you visit Disney is to have fun.

Wonderful Churches in Moscow

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:55:00 -0700

Christianity in Russia was adopted in the 10th century and since then became a very important aspect of life in the country. Only during the time of Bolsheviks, atheism prevailed over the religion. During seventy years many of the churches and monasteries of Russia were destroyed, but some of them preserved. There were monasteries in Russian cities, which were turned into museums, and only on the last decades of the 20th century were returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Nearly in any Russian city, tourists will find churches belonging to different historical periods and different architectural styles. Most of the churches belong to the past centuries, but there are also newly built ones. All Russian churches are very beautiful and there are no churches alike. Every church in the country is unique and has its own history.

Tourists coming to the country must surely visit some of the churches, as nowadays religion has become a very important part of the development of the country.

Churches and cathedrals of Moscow

Moscow and St Petersburg are the most popular destinations for the tourists in Russia. This city has always been the religious, cultural and political centers of Russia. Numerous churches, cathedrals and monasteries were built in these cities.

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is one of the most beautiful ones in Moscow. The cathedral was built in the end of the 19th century, but in the time of Bolsheviks it was destroyed. The cathedral was newly built in the last decades of the 20th century. The cathedral is considered by many as a symbol of revival of Russian people and religion.

The church of St. Gabriel the Archangel, known as Menshikov Tower represents one of the oldest churches of Russia. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century by Russian and Italian architects. It is known that terrible disaster (a thunderstorm) caused great fire and damaged the church in the 18th century, but later the church was modified and reconstructed.

Churches and cathedral of St Petersburg

St Petersburg is known for its beautiful churches and cathedrals, some of which have a worldwide fame. The city itself is considered an open-air museum, where numerous monuments can be found.

The Smolny Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals of St Petersburg. It was built by the order of Russian Empress Elizabeth. The Smolny Cathedral was built by an Italian architect Rastelli, who created the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. The facade of the cathedral differs from the interior as the façade was built in the 18th century, while the interiors in the 19th.

The Cathedral of saints Peter and Paul is also considered one of the best ones in St Petersburg. This cathedral is known all over the world and should be surely visited by any tourist, coming to St Petersburg. The graves of Russian Empresses and tsars are situated there. The cathedral was built in a baroque architectural style. St Petersburg is a city, which has many other beautiful cathedrals and churches, which preserved till our times and represent real masterpieces of Russian architecture.

All About Frontier City

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:36:00 -0700

Frontier City is the largest theme park in the state of Oklahoma. Located in Oklahoma City, the park is open from April through October. Known for its Western theme, the park offers diverse rides. Three magnificent roller coasters - the Wildcat, Diamondback and Silver Bullet - as well as two water rides - the Renegade Rapids and the Mystery River Log Flume - form part of the 50 rides on offer.

Apart from the death defying thrills of the above mentioned roller coasters and water rides, Frontier City offers plenty of other thrills and spills. Quick Draw is one of those. It's an interactive dark ride in which riders are handed pistols with infrared LED’s to shoot targets, based on which each rider receives a score. The Hangman is a tower/drop ride. Here riders are seated in a ring of seats harnessed to a cable system that launches the riders strapped in their seats into the air for a few minutes before plummeting back.

The Mystery River Log Flume features a log themed boat ride through a water canal, while the Renegade Rapids carries visitors through simulated white water rapids. Frontier City has truly set a benchmark for future theme parks in Oklahoma to live up to. It holds the record for having the tallest coaster in Oklahoma, the Silver Bullet that rises up to 83 feet with a top speed of 45mph.

Vacationers to Oklahoma City have a really exciting vacation to look forward to. Frontier City provides total excitement for all members of the family. Hotels arrange shuttle services to Frontier City and other vacation destinations in Oklahoma City.

Best Spring Time in Colorado

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Thu, 9 Jun 2011 03:44:00 -0700

Who says you can't enjoy Colorado Springs for free? If you're looking for activities in the city that don't cost a dime, take a look at our list of 5 free things to do in Colorado Springs. You might be surprised.

Garden of the Gods

The city's most stunning and most popular park is also totally free. When Charles Elliott Perkins left this beautiful land to the city in 1907, his one stipulation was that the public could have free access. So visit the Garden of the Gods and witness massive orange monoliths that rise hundreds of feet high. See Balanced Rock. And get incredible views of Pikes Peak and the city. Drive your car, take a hike, or ride your bike. Family and dog friendly.

Hiking

Colorado Springs hiking trails give you free access to some of the most beautiful parts of Colorado. Visit Waldo Canyon for a lofty view of the Ute Pass. Try Section 16 for rolling forests and foothills. A walk through Palmer Park's trails in the middle of the city will surprise you. And Red Rock Canyon Open Space on the west side is like the Garden of the Gods without cars--huge orange rocks and spires all along the way.

Old Colorado City

The historic Old Colorado City neighborhood is a great place to find free things to do in Colorado Springs. The area is always having a festival of some kind, from ice carvings in the winter, to Territory Days in the summer (a free 3-day block party). OCC also offers art walks, car shows, and endless activities for the holidays. When those aren't happening, do some window shopping or sit in the shade in adjacent Bancroft Park.

Manitou Springs

Manitou is a unique little town just 3 miles west of Colorado Springs. Nestled directly up against the mountains, Manitou offers several free mineral springs that you can drink from. Try the seltzer water after a meal, or sip a little lithium water if you want to mellow out. The endless amount of shops and art galleries in town will keep you strolling about for hours.

Free Books, DVDs, CDs and Video Games

Did you know the Pikes Peak Library District offers all of the above for free? With 13 branches located all over Colorado Springs, the public library is an incredible source of free entertainment. They also provide free classes on computer skills, selling on EBay, and learning about business.

There's plenty more to do in town. Hope you can visit some time soon.

Explore New Forest in England

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Thu, 9 Jun 2011 03:12:00 -0700

The New Forest is an area which covers south west Hampshire and extends into south east Wiltshire in Southern England. The main feature of the New Forest is the New Forest National Park, which was established in 1079 by William the Conqueror. The National Park spans close to 600 square kilometers and is unique as its ancient landscape has remained unchanged over hundreds of years, thus retaining its original beauty. The New Forest is a famous tourist destination for those who enjoy nature, and is dotted with several villages and small towns in the Forest and surrounding areas. There is much to do and see in New Forest - from award winning gardens to informative museums and leisure activities to exciting wildlife. All of these features and more make a holiday in the New Forest worthwhile. Here are a few things to do and see on your holiday in the New Forest:

Award Winning Gardens

If exploring gardens is your cup of tea, then you will be spoilt for choice in the New Forest. Beaulieu Gardens feature the world famous National Motor Museum and the Palace House home of the Montagu family and is definitely worth visiting. Other gardens include Exbury Gardens which comes with its very own steam railway, New Forest Water Gardens which contains ponds and waterfalls and Furzey Gardens which has a lake.

Informative Museums

In addition to the National Motor Museum situated in the Beaulieu Gardens, the New Forest has its history imprinted in many locations. Buckler's Hard features a Maritime Museum which showcases where warships for Nelson's Navy were built. The New Forest Centre is another museum which is ideal for family outings.

Leisure Activities

From cycling to horse riding and water sports to walking, the New Forest offers plenty of leisure activities to keep you occupied on your holiday. There are several cycling routes to pick from ensuring scenic views, and if you do not bring your own bikes, there are many places to hire bikes when you arrive. If you'd rather experience the New Forest on horseback, there are several local New Forest stables at your service. Water sports include kayaking, sailing, canoeing, yachting, waterskiing and many more. For those who would prefer staying dry, walking tours with a professional guide through the New Forest is ideal.

Exciting Wildlife

Visit Liberty's Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre for a large collection of birds and reptiles and Marwell Zoological Park which contains over 200 species of animals. The New Forest Wildlife Park is also a must visit with a large collection of European and exotic wildlife.

Complete Guide for Cape Town Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 5 Jun 2011 05:48:00 -0700

Preparing for a visit begins with choosing when to fly. Like many tourist destinations, Cape Town has its peak and off-peak seasons that you must know if you want to avoid getting closed on for a flight schedule you were counting on. The busiest season lies in the months of December and January, where people need to book a flight for as early as three months in advance! If your time can afford it, choose a less busy time of the year so that you are sure to be convenient during your flight as well as your travel.

Where you will stay is the next consideration. There are a lot of choices from five-star hotels to apartments, and lodges to guesthouses. The prices of these vary according not only to the services they offer or the popularity of the place, but also to its location and again, the season. For instance, those nearer to the main tourist spots of the town are bound to ask for a higher price than those far away from it; and generally, prices take on a hike during the peak seasons when the demand for accommodations are equally higher.

How do you get around Cape Town? From the Cape Town International Airport, you have a number of options to get to your hotel or lodge. There are taxis, car rentals, bus services, and, depending on the Cape Town travel deal you have landed on, you may have accommodation services that will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel or lodge. In Cape Town, the same transportation services are available. One way to get around Cape Town that's gaining favor from tourists, however, is backpacking. Many tourists in search of adventure prefer to set themselves on foot in exploring the town, and Cape Town can not be more accommodating. There are spots for mountain climbing, hiking, lodges complete with bars and cafés, restaurants and hotels. Backpackers, as well as other tourists, also have the options to wine and dine or party at the beach. There are a lot of establishments that provide fun for tourists all around Cape Town.

Setting yourself for a Cape Town travel also asks for learning about the major tourist spots that you shouldn't miss. There is the famous Table Mountain, where people can get on top of with a cable car. During the ride as well as once you are on top of the mountain, you get a spectacular sight of the city, which you can explore with the telescopes that come with the cars. There are restaurants on Table Mountain; too, where you can have you can enjoy your stay on top. Robben Island is another favorite site in Cape Town for its historical significance. Where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned, Robben Island is now a perfect spot to view the city and spend an evening in. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, with its cultivated garden of flowers, streams, and ponds, is also an ideal place to swing by during your travel. The place is ideal for picnics, as is eating in the restaurants scattered around the garden. There are a lot of other sites that tourists can - and should - explore. A Cape Town travel isn't complete without visiting at least a few of these.

Cairo Tour Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 5 Jun 2011 05:25:00 -0700

Cairo, the city blessed by the river Nile is also referred to as the "Mother of all Cities." With such a rich history and so many contributions to our present civilization, it's no wonder why it's called such. People from all across the world come to get a view of this wonderland amidst a desert, with amazing structures such as the Pyramids and The Sphinx captivating their mind and spirits.

Besides, Cairo is home to some of the most exotic and ornamental gold jewelry that you'll ever find. Not to forget the rare antiques and oriental perfumes which you can find here as well. Cairo is a melting pot of life in many facets. The ancient monuments, mosques, donkey carts, camels, crumbling pyramids and the unavoidable pollution is what gives Cairo it's unparalleled character.

Cairo is Africa's largest city and for tourists, November to April is the ideal season as summers in Cairo can be sultry. The major attractions of the city are Midan Tahrir, containing grand hotels, the Egyptian Museum, the commercial hub stretching from the Midan Talaat Harb up to Midan Ataba. The main railway station's called the Midan Ramses and has several retail shops scattered in its vicinity. The Garden City's yet another area which radiates with affluence and glamour.

You'll also find the suburbs of Cairo interesting to visit. Places such as Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, located to the east; the Citadel Khan el Khalili comprising of historic mosques; Coptic Cairo and Fustat to the south of the city; and the upcoming suburbs like Dokki and Mohandiseen replete with restaurants and shopping malls. The Gezira and the Zamalek are places you should also not miss, as some of the best hotels are located there, and so is the breathtaking Cairo Tower. Last but not the least, there's the old district of Giza, containing the world famous Pyramids in its periphery

You'll find a plethora of sightseeing wonders too. A few of them include the majestic Citadel built by Salah Al-Din; the Al-Azhar Mosque encapsulating the world's oldest university and the grand structure of the Ibn Tulun mosque. You can play a round of golf at the Mena House Golf Course overlooking the Pyramids or take a fun ride across the glimmering Nile on a Felucca.

Cairo, in spite of a few drawbacks such as the heat and the pollution, has countless positives which tilt the odds in its favor. Where else can you witness an ancient civilization still bustling with vivacity? You just cannot escape the mesmeric blend of Cairo's Africa, European and Arab traditions with the pulse of a modern city.

South Africa Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:37:00 -0700

Enriched with plenty of amazing places, natural wonders and a great variety of wildlife, South Africa has thousands of reasons to pull you towards its eclectic charm. From the sun-baked deserts to lofty mountains, and from one of the world's biggest national parks to a dramatic coastline offering incredible surfing options, South Africa lets you explore a wide variety of experiences. Savor the taste of its fine wine on a wine route or learn more about the deep dark secrets of the rich culture on a World Heritage sites tour, there are plenty of options to enjoy the flavor of this exotic country.

A heady mix of diverse cultures, great scenic splendor, lush landscapes and with opportunities for endless adrenaline adventure sports, South African vacation experience is just not to be missed. What's more? The world class hotels and lodging options will aptly fit any kind of budget. There is no better place to enjoy some of the best adventure sports around the world than South Africa. Abseiling, bungee jumping, hand gliding, paragliding, mountain biking and many others are here all year round.

Whether it's Winter or Summer, South Africa has some of the most fantastic vacation spots. The diverse and enchanting landscape of the country gives way to some of the most diverse natural attractions. From tranquil deserts to rushing waterfalls and from great mountains to some of the least crowded beaches, there is so much to see!

Emerging as the top destination, a Cape Town holiday is just unbeatable. The city has a galore of attractions that include; Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Winelands and Cape Point. The breathtaking views mountains are just amazing. Cape Town is a beautiful city with fascinating heritage and welcoming people. Along with numerous attractions, the city offers great opportunities for active travelers too. If you are prepared to be a bit more adventurous, you will surely be rewarded!

While Cape Town is a bustling metropolis, Sun City is renowned as South Africa's premier holiday resort, with multitude of attractions to keep you occupied. Whether it’s Golf, gambling or luxury hotels, it has all that makes it a 'world-class' destination. Formerly the gaming mecca of South Africa, Sun City attracts not only those into gambling but also those who just wishing to relax. It is a truly a heaven for the leisure travelers.

And for those who want more, the Safari trip to Kruger is just the perfect way to complete the journey. Spread over a whopping two million hectares, Kruger Park has unspoilt wilderness. A safari to Kruger offers visitors a chance to catch the sight of the 'Big five' (the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) and thousands of fascinating animals and birds, against the backdrops of Savannah, forest, river and mountain.

Mexico Vacation Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:06:00 -0700

Picture powder soft white sand beaches, tropical marine life wrapped in the soft caress of a warm sea, candlelight dinner under blankets of stars, sun filled days, exceptional cuisine, wealth of water sports and scuba diving in warm tropical waters, pure relaxation and some of the most unbelievable sunsets you will ever experience in a life time; the islands of Mexico offer unbelievable vacation paradises!

There are idyllic island retreats in Mexico; some of them are very famous world wide. You never get tired of white sand beach, azure sea, or the typical Caribbean to-do's.

Now, many people think that booking a vacation on an island is limiting, but it is not entirely true. Some islands of Mexico, as Cozumel, have endless attractions and wonder to live! Some of them are considered strategic points to visit the surrounding areas; others Mexican Islands instead are for people looking for secluded and intimate spots, silence, and total peace and relax; others have both things. Perhaps you just need a moment's privacy between lovers to rekindle a romance as the waves roll gently onto the shore? Maybe you dream of a nature lover's treasure trove as seabirds soar high above? Your ideal could include clam-digging fun for the whole family ... or a solitary moment reflected in a tidal pool. All these departures from the everyday are possible on the islands of Mexico.

Here are the most famous Islands of Mexico:

Cozumel Island

We can start with the most famous one and the biggest island of Mexico, Cozumel! Just 30 minutes with the ferry from Playa del Carmen, Cozumel lies in front of the Mayan Riviera. With a Mexican spirit and a Caribbean essence, Cozumel is a paradise where tradition, flavor and joy come together. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your stay an unforgettable one. Famous all over the world for its coral reefs, there are plenty of water sports in Cozumel that has positioned itself as a leading world direction of the tourist diving for many years. The attractions on Cozumel Island are plentiful, so your vacation in the Riviera Maya could include anything from diving, snorkeling, kayaking, cultural tours, shopping and much more.

The hotels in Cozumel range from luxury all inclusive resorts to small hotels beach front.In Cozumel offer endless activities for families, divers, golfers, honeymooners and much more.

Holbox Island

If you prefer a more relaxed vacation pace, consider the island of Holbox. A typical Mexican island, located to the northwest of Cancun, Holbox Island is just 26 miles long. Holbox is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures.

Isla Holbox was settled by pirates who intermarried with local Mayans living in the area.Holbox is considered a virgin tourist destination because the beaches are still empty and white, the song of the birds and the waves make the perfect ambiance for a relaxing vacation, and also, there aren't cars on the island and most of all annoying noises... so, Isla Hoxbox is one of those fragile, precious places, and little gems like this are getting fewer and farther between every day. Fishing enthusiasts come here because it's less known, but Holbox's real claim to fame is its seasonal snorkeling tours to see whale sharks and manta rays!

Isla Mujeres

There's an island in everyone's dreams - a place for relaxing and recharging, for fun and sun, to experience or just to be. Isla Mujeres in Mexico is a great way to escape the tourist crush in Cancun.

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women is not populated with more, different or any other classification of women than you would normally find in Mexico; when the Spanish expedition landed, they found many female shaped idols representing the goddess Ixchel, thus Isla Mujeres got its name!

Isla Mujeres Snorkeling and diving are the two most popular activities of this island.With an idyllic setting that is pristine, romantic and endlessly peaceful Isla Mujeres is the perfect tropical retreat for honeymooners and couples.

Isla Mujeres is surely the ultimate tropical island destination, enhanced by a cornucopia of beach resorts that know the true meaning of the word luxury. There are numerous public ferries traveling from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and vice versa. Getting back and forth is no problem. Just make sure you check the schedule for return trips.

These are places where nature and nurture have worked in concert to enliven your senses; places where you can head out and explore or settle in and let the simple joy of a dreamy beach sweep you away. Places that inspire a tingle of romance to make its slow way up your spine, into your heart and into the arms of the one you love.

Guide to Sentosa Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:50:00 -0700

Once you get off the bus at Sentosa Singapore you will be invaded by a whole host of options of how you will be spending the rest of the day there. Whether you are a parent with your kids, lovebirds, singles, young adults, there are so many things you can and this article will discuss some of the exciting activities that await you.

Ride the cable car and be on top of the world. Do not just settle for the images on postcards, see all the splendors of Sentosa for yourself as you slowly reach the peak of the escarpment and the ride takes you a few hundred feet in the air! Breathe out in wonder as you see the beautiful clouds melt into the ocean, the island in all its splendors and the view of Singapore as only your eyes can behold. The best thing is, the price if fairly cheap and one cable car can accommodate an entire family.

Have you ever been on the luge? This is an experience like other. The luge is a make shift ride without wheels down a slippery slope. Get up to speed as you ride through tight turns and an obstacle course straight out of an F1 drawing board. You cannot beat this for the most electrifying minutes of your life and once you do get down to the finishing line, a second trip is served to you via a sky lift that will life you back to the starting line for another round of non stop action.

Play mini golf. One of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Sentosa is to play a game of mini golf on a course that has 18 holes. Avoid water moats, sand pits and tricky lanes and gates as you try to manoeuvre the golf ball to the all important hole. With enough practice you will be an expert as you journey all the way to the challenging last hole - which I will let you find out for yourself. This is wholesome family fun for everyone and even teenagers and young adults are not left out.

This is a beach and what will you do without some beach fun activities? Wake board, wind surf and splash around in the cool waters of Sentosa's many beaches. Play an assortment of games like beach volleyball, soccer, touch rugby and even a cool game of water polo. Whether you are a tiny tot or an aged retiree, the water's open nature of fun and relaxation will definitely beckon to you. You can also unwind at any one of the beach bars scattered all over the sandy sides of the beach, from small shacks and quaint huts to world class beach bars like Cafe Del Mar and KM8. In Sentosa Singapore, there is always something to do, no matter what time of the day.

Free Beauty of New York

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Fri, 20 May 2011 23:59:00 -0700

It can be hard to stick to a budget when visiting major cities in the US, but the Big Apple offers plenty of free attractions guaranteed to keep travelers staying at New York hostels busy, without breaking the bank.

Staten Island Ferry - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island

The best view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is definitely from the water and almost half of all Americans are thought to have descended from immigrants who passed through Ellis Island on the ships. For the price of the Staten Island Ferry trip, backpackers can learn more about the role this New York port played in US history at the island's museum. Presented as a gift from the French to America, the Statue of Liberty is arguably the most famous landmark in New York and travelers can pay a ferry fee to visit the iconic monument.

Ground Zero

The site of the World Trade Center is currently under development with a permanent memorial, museum and a new skyscraper, called the Freedom Tower, to be constructed in the very near future. Travelers can also visit the 16-acre site where the Twin Towers once stood between Liberty Street and West Street.

Rockefeller Center

This sprawling complex is located in Manhattan between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas. Built by the Rockefeller oil heir family during the 1930s, the Art Deco-style center houses shops, restaurants and even an ice skating rink, all set around a plaza centerpiece.

Wall Street

It may be renowned as a symbol of western capitalism, but a short walk down Wall Street will cost travelers nothing. The New York Stock Exchange's grand marble facade is a wonderful sight, as is the Federal Hall National Memorial. Formerly the US Customs House, the Federal Hall was built on the location where George Washington was inducted as the first President of the United States and is now a museum, offering free entry - perfect for those on a budget.

Museums

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is definitely worth a visit, but does charge an entry fee. New York hostel guests looking for culture on the cheap, however, can take advantage of some of the city's other museums. The Museum of Modern Art is free of charge on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm and the Museum of the City of New York, on Fifth Avenue, is free on Sundays from 10am until midday.

Central Park

Budget travelers in need of a break from the hustle and bustle of the third most populous city in the US can find tranquility in this 843-acre green space. Central Park features a zoo, ice skating rinks and a swimming pool, as well as a boating lake and stunning natural landscapes, featured in many classic films and television shows.

Fifth Avenue

Consumption is definitely the main activity on Fifth Avenue and travelers who enjoy window shopping might like to peruse the wares on display at Tiffany & Co, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Those not looking for retail therapy can instead admire the curved architecture of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue, as well as the neo-gothic St Patrick's Cathedral and the iconic Empire State Building.

Empire State Building

Completed in 1931, this Art Deco-style tower is the tallest building in New York and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Although charging a fee of $20, budget travelers should certainly take the opportunity to admire the view of the city from the 86th floor observatory. For an extra $15, visitors can head up to the 102nd floor for an even more spectacular view.

Times Square

Famous for its annual New Year's Eve street party, held since 1907, Times Square is an impressive sight throughout the rest of the year as well. Flanked on all sides by enormous neon advertising screens featuring famous US brands, the area was named in 1904 after the nearby Times Building. A key intersection and a famous section of New York, the theater-land of Broadway leads off the square.

Long Island

A visit to Long Island will cost backpackers the price of a ferry, cab or train, but once there the grandeur of the local architecture can be taken in for free. Travelers could head to the Gold Coast on the North Shore to admire the early 20th century mansions, some of which are open to the public. The Hamptons, three towns famous for being a summer destination for wealthy New Yorkers, are also located on Long Island.

Tips for Business Travelers in Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Thu, 19 May 2011 09:47:00 -0700

If traveling to Australia on business, you'll find a fairly informal working culture in which there are few strict rules of etiquette. However, it will help to be aware of the following:

Tips-1: You should make advance appointments for meetings and turn up on time; punctuality is valued and expected of visitors, although the hosts may be more relaxed about their own timekeeping.

Tips-2: Avoid visiting from December to February, when many business people take an extended break. Normal office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, but earlier starts and breakfast meetings are increasingly common. Business negotiations may also be conducted informally over evening drinks.

Tips-3: Business attire for meetings is quite conservative, although this varies. In general, a dark suit and tie are the norm for men, and suits or skirts and blouses for women. Clothing is more casual in the summer and in tropical parts of the country.

Tips-4: It is customary to shake hands on meeting business contacts, and to exchange business cards. Meetings are fairly informal, and first names are used following the initial introductions. A little initial small talk is common, but avoid controversial topics like immigration and aboriginal rights.

Tips-5: Australians are not impressed with status or self-importance, so you shouldn't flaunt or brag about your own or your company's achievements. Direct communication styles are respected, and presentations should be straightforward and honest. Aggressive negotiating or selling techniques should not be used.

Tips-6: Australians enjoy lively debate and discussions, so don't be afraid to express your opinions. Good natured humor and teasing is commonly used in meetings and presentations. It is common for people at different levels of the organization to be consulted before business decisions are made, which may delay the process.

Gift giving is not common in Australian business practice, but a small gift will be appreciated if you are invited to someone's home.

How to Find Best Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:52:00 -0700

Every holiday maker's nightmare is to reach their destination only to find that the hotel they booked is really horrible. Not just looking a bit naff, but crumbling walls, terrible service, smelly beds, missing things the advert promised or infested with rats. Having travelled far or paid a lot of money up front you could be confronted with a holiday that was supposed to be a relaxing break but which is now a hellish experience.

There is however a number of ways you can ensure that you never find yourself in this situation:

Tips-1: Testimonials

Testimonials are comments and recommendations left by previous guests of hotels that should give you an idea of the sort of experience they had. However, testimonials on a hotels website are usually edited or vetted by the hotel owners so you may only see positive comments there, though at least you will know that someone had a good time there.

Tips-2: Online Reviews

A better place to find more objective reviews is on one of the many online review sites such as Trip Advisor. These sites have listings of many hotels and cannot be directly edited by the hotel owners, so you will be more likely to hear a fair set of comments. Having said this, hoteliers can complain about certain comments to the website, which will then investigate by contacting the people who left the comment for some evidence of their presumably bad experience.

Tips-3: Friend Recommendations

If you trust your friends then you could ask one of them for a recommendation for a hotel. They may have stayed somewhere like the Adelphi Liverpool which they may think you will enjoy or know someone else who can recommend somewhere for you to stay that could be classed as posh pads Liverpool. The only problem with this though is if you have very different standards when compared to your friends. Their super luxury might be your bargain basement.

Tips-4: Major Online Room Selling Companies

A good way to be sure that a hotel will meet a certain standard is to only book your hotel stays through a reputable online agency. These companies have a standard that they will require a hotel to meet in order for them to make it onto their website. This ensures the credibility of their website by making sure every hotel they send people to is going to provide a good experience. You can always complain to the agency if there is a problem and they have the power to kick a substandard hotel off their site.

Barbados Tour Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Travel Plan) — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:29:00 -0700

Barbados is a beautiful island and an excellent vacation spot. It is one of the best islands in the Caribbean. There are traveling secrets anywhere you travel. This article will tell you key travel you should know before traveling to Barbados.

Money

The currency is Barbados is the Barbados dollar or the Bajan. It is 1.98 the US dollars. So basically $20 Barbados is about $10 US, give or take a little.

Cost of Goods

Items and services in Barbados are not cheap. They are about the equivalent of items or services in the US. A nice dinner for two with wine will run you $100 US. Souvenirs are $20 - $35 for t-shirts, $10-14 for towels, mugs, etc. Naturally, as it is almost anywhere you travel; the domestic goods are much cheaper than imported items.

Traveling To and From and While in Barbados

When you arrive in Barbados at the airport and claim your bags you will walk out of the terminal to buses, taxis and shuttle transport. It is best to pre-arrange a shuttle to and from your hotel. The taxi ride from the airport will run $20-60 depending on the distance to your hotel and size of taxi you require. The shuttle will charge for surfboard bags and some other large oversized items. Do not pay more than $5.

If you rent a car it will be about $50-60 per day. Don't let anyone charge you more than that. If you are from the US and you are planning to rent a car while in Barbados keep in mind you will have to drive the car. This may sound simple but the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car and the cars drive on the wrong side of the rode. This takes a little getting used to but also serves as quite an adventure!

Dress

Barbados is a British colonized island and therefore embraces the British conservatism in dress. The dress during the day is casual, tropical travel beach attire. At night and for dinner the men wear pants and collared shirts and the ladies where dresses and skirts. Due to the weather it is best if they are lightweight materials.

The Barbadians, or Bajans as they are more commonly referred to on the island, dress business casual most of the time. In the city business dress is the norm for locals and there are many men in ties and even jackets. When dressing to go shopping beach attire is not appropriate. Bathing suits and swim wear are reserved for beaches and beach bars.

Dining

There are some great restaurants in Barbados. The Cliff restaurant is one of the nicest restaurants on the island. The view, as you can imagine for the name, is gorgeous. The restaurant is located in the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean.

In St. Lawrence Gap, Bellini's is great. It is right inside a cove with small boats and is amazing at sunset. The salmon is my favorite. Most hotels will have a book of restaurants on the island in their lobby area or with the concierge desk. It will have a picture of the restaurant and the menu with prices. This is a great way to pick some places you would like to eat at during your stay.

Hotel & Budget

If you are looking for a bargain, try the Sandy Bay Beach Club. The hotel itself is nice enough, 3 star. But the staff is very friendly and helpful and the beach out front of the hotel is possibly the best on the island. It is all-inclusive so all meals, alcohol, gratuities and non-motorized sports activities are included. This makes it an excellent deal.

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style and there is a snack bar for in-between times. Dinner is your choice of buffet style dinner or 5-course dinner in the dining room, reservations are required. They will tell you they are booked for the dining room when you ask but you can always get in. Just ask when you can come in and see if there has been a cancellation or if you can try coming at last seating which is at 8:30pm.

You can scuba, kayak and paddle boat and it is all included. Massage for an hour in the spa is only $65. For $5 you can have a giant umbrella staked in the sand by your lounge chairs. The activities center offer a $50 Turtle and Shipwreck snorkel trip. It is a great boat ride and a really reasonable cost.

Moderate

The Hilton is a gorgeous hotel located on a peninsula, so the view out of every window is crystal blue water. This hotel has all the amenities, valet, room service, scuba excursions, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, and children’s programs, everything you might need.

The rooms range from $450 - $1500 per night. It is a beautiful hotel and if you have some money to spend on a nice vacation this is the resort to choose. You actually don't even need to leave the hotel much. You have the views, pool, and beaches while having all the amenities of the hotel only steps away.

Expensive

Sandy Lane Hotel is the place to stay if cost is not a concern. It is the site of Tiger Woods wedding and is breathtaking. This hotel is stunning. It is by far the most luxurious hotel on the island. You name it and it's done. Spa, golf, horse back riding, 5 star dining, concierge service, luxury sedan from the airport. They will have it or find it for you.

The children have a summer camp style center called the Tree House Club. It is a kids dream with arts and crafts, movies, pool time. It also always parents some alone time on the vacation. They also have a Den for teenagers to enjoy away from the parents and little ones. Room rates range from $850 - 10,000 per night.

Attractions: Snorkeling with the Turtles & Shipwreck

Catamaran and boat snorkel trips are offered all over the island. The Snorkel Turtle trip was nice but you may or may not see turtles in the water. Keep your eye out because you may see some from the boat.

The shipwreck snorkeling is beautiful. There are a ton of color fish and clear water. There is an old shipwreck and then a newer man made shipwreck where they sunk a party boat, not as authentic, but draws some exotic sea life.

Wild Life Reserve

If there is one thing you get out and do in Barbados go to the Wild Life Reserve. It is on the North end of the island and you can take the 4x4 Adventure Tour, taxi or rental cars. It is $13 US admission cost and it is worth 3 times the price.

When you walk in there are large turtles everywhere. The reserve has no cages in the main area. Only the snakes, gigantic python and iguana's are caged in a separate area. The monkeys, rabbits, and other wild life run free. The reserve is heavily shaded with rain forest looking trees and vines that hang and provide swinging tools for the monkey. You walk through the reserve on brick paths. There is even a crocodile in a pond, with high rock walls so it can't escape. Other attractions on the island include rum tasting tour, exploring caves, golfing and horseback riding.

Some Special Tips:

1. Check the weather before travel so you know how to pack

2. You can search and claim your unclaimed money to have extra spending money for you trip!

3. Use traveler’s cheques. If they are lost or stolen they can usually be replaced within 24 hours, from virtually anywhere in the world by most banks, service establishments and by a large number of merchants

4. Do not leave valuable in your hotel room or if you do opt for activating and using the safe in the closet.

5. Do not call home from the hotel room. There are shops you can go in and dial from their computer, use a handset to talk and call home for $0.50 per minute. The hotel will charge you $5.00-35.00 to connect you and then $2.90-7.90 per minute! If you use your cell phone it may cost you $2-$5 per minute.

Enjoy Your Trip.