The Traveler Zone

Tulum, Quintana Roo

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:51:00 +0000

In this section we will describe the various archaeological sites in Quintana Roo, the musts for tourists and what can they easily ignore; learn some history and get to know its culture.

A worldwide place known for its beautiful beaches and splendid natural sights, Quintana Roo has one of the greatest archaeological sites of the world.
Tulum, a truly fantastic place, full of history and mystical touch makes it a favorite place to visit and enjoy.

How to get to this place?, It is quite simple, Tulum is located 128 kilometers from Cancún, taking the Federal Highway (307) to the south. It takes an hour and 55 minutes or buy a ticket at the bus station or a package tour to Tulum. The two-hour ride is worth. My advice, don’t forget to take a cushion to place it on your seat to be more comfortable and mosquito repellent, wear light clothes and walking shoes for long walks.

Now let's talk about the history of this majestic place. In ancient times was Tulum was known by the name Zama, which means sunrise or dawn. It was one of the most important cities of the thirteenth century and was one of the most important trade routes at the time, it is something like a customs office, where all goods had to be checked.

Translated to Spanish Tulum means “muro” (wall in English), referring to the wall surrounding the castle, this name seems to have been used to name the city when it was already in ruins back in the XIX Century.
This building has a very good structure, it appears that the Mayans were excellent engineers and architects. Tourists can see the buildings that once formed the heart of the city, surrounded by the majestic wall. These three side-walls delimit the boundary of the site, north, south and west. The Mayans had a perfect view of the Caribbean Sea as its eastern part was directly facing the beach.

The castle is the most important building of the complex, because of its huge size. With three entrances with columns decorated with snakes gives them quite a character.
In front of the castle there is a platform that used to be a dance floor. There are two other buildings that complement the ensemble.

The activities that can be done in Tulum are diverse and quite interesting. For obvious reasons, the hiking is the most important of all. Great sceneries to take beautiful pictures to remind of such a place. The beach is so near you´re tempted to try it. And speaking of memories you cannot miss the souvenir shops where you can buy your miniature replica of the castle.

For now, hope this small guide to Tulum can be useful to plan a trip to this lovely place and we’ll continue talking about some other archaleogical sites you will love too.

Barcelona...

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 01:48:00 +0000

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a Mediterranean and cosmopolitan city with Roman remains, medieval quarters and the most beautiful examples of 20th century Modernism and avant-garde. It is no surprise that emblematic constructions by the Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Doménech i Montaner have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO.

The city's origins are Roman, and its long history and economic dynamism have made Barcelona a cultural city, which can be seen in the historic-artistic heritage and the promotion of the most innovative artistic trends. A wide cultural programme will take visitors to museums, exhibitions, open-air sculptures… and many concerts, plays and dances.

Barcelona, a real open-air museum
Thanks to the rich and varied heritage in Barcelona, there are many routes round the city. That way visitors will be able to discover everything the city has to offer.

The city's original site, which was surrounded by walls in the Roman period, is today the Barrio Gótico (Gothic Quarter). Along narrow streets, with secluded squares and charming corners, you will find a series of civil and religious Gothic constructions. Medieval palaces such as the Casa dels Canonges, La Pia Almoina or Casa d'Ardiaca stand around the impressive cathedral.

The Plaça del Rei is a square with an array of spectacular buildings such as the Reial Major Palace, the Santa Ágata Chapel or the History of the City Museum. In the Plaça de Sant Jaume there are important institutions, such as the Regional Parliament and the City Hall. And, of course, the Mercè Church, patron saint of Barcelona.

Next to the Gothic Quarter is the Ribera district, which is also medieval. Originally, traders and fishermen gathered there, but over the years magnificent mansions were built. Some of them have been fitted out to be used as important museums. The Palace of the Marquises of Llió (Textile and Clothing Museum), Palau Nadal (Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbine Art) or the Palau Aguilar (Picasso Museum) are some examples. Barcelona has many different styles in the same place - from the Gothic structures of the Santa María del Mar Church to the Modernism of the Palau de la Música Catalana auditorium.

At the end of the 19th century the new urban development area in the centre of Barcelona was built - L'Eixample. A vast grid plan, with large avenues and chamfered corners joined the irregular plan of old districts and suburbs with the hills in the surrounding areas. The emerging Catalan bourgeoisie built up their daring Modernist mansions here.

Architects such as Gaudí, Doménech i Montaner or Puig i Cadafalch relied on the help of master craftsmen to fill the streets of Barcelona with fantasy. Works by Gaudí, such as Park Güell, the Palau Güell, and Casa Milà “La Pedrera”, as well as Doménech i Montaner's Palau de la Música Catalana, and the Sant Pau Hospital have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The temple of the Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family), and houses such as Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Amatller, and Casa Batlló are just a few of the many modernist gems treasured by the city.

One of the main arteries of the historic quarter, La Rambla, leads to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is one of the best places to catch the rhythm of the city. The visitor is led through its different sections, from the Romanesque church of Santa Anna, to the bird and flower stalls, passing gorgeous examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture on the way. The Palau Moja, the church of Betlem and the Santa Creu Hospital serve as guides. There are other centres of cultural activity and daily life in this area, such as the Palau de la Virreina, (now a gallery), the Boquería Market and the Liceu Opera House.

Barcelona overlooks the sea, and it has a waterfront that encompasses many different artistic styles. Les Drassanes, formerly a dockyard and now home to the Maritime Museum, and the Llotja del Mar are part of the medieval port facilities. Arcaded houses lead to the Ciutadella Park, the Olympic Village and the Port Olímpic. Beaches, piers and an impressive array of museums and leisure centres (such as the Aquarium, the 3D IMAX Theatre, the Colon viewing point, etc.) make Barcelona's seaport a cosmopolitan place, full of life.

Some of these modern facilities are the inheritance from the 1992 Olympics. Their mark can also be seen on the hill at Montjuïc, beside the monumental work from the 1929 World Exhibition. The castle of Montjuïc, (now the Army Museum) takes over this symbolic hill, where true gems of Barcelona's architecture can be found. The Plaça d'Espanya, the Magic Fountain, the Palau Nacional (with the medieval collection of the Catalan National Museum of Art - MNAC) and the Olympic Ring are a few of its most important works. The Olympic Stadium, the Calatrava Tower, the Sant Jordi Sports Centre and the INEFC (Catalonia National Institute of Physical Education) Pavilion, built by Ricardo Bofill, rise among gorgeous gardens.

Barcelona's culture is not only evident in its buildings, parks and outdoor sculptures, but also in its countless museum collections. Artists of the stature of Picasso, Miró, Tàpies or Gaudí, have museums entirely devoted to collect their works. Artistic pieces from all periods are kept in the city's History Museum, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Many other institutions also bring the avant-garde movement to the eyes of the general public, through permanent and temporary collections.

Sometimes the container is as important as the contents it preserves, and, in the case of buildings and museums, this is true of the collections found in the beautiful structures that the Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture (CCCB) and Caixa Forum. The museums of Barcelona, however, cover a wider variety of subjects; namely: archaeology, zoology, science, ethnology, pre-Colombian art and more. A large number of exhibition halls round off this rich and diverse cultural selection.

Barcelona's City Council has created the Barcelona Card especially for visitors; it is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Its main attractions are free transport and great discounts on entertainment, museums, and even restaurants. The visitor can also get an Articket, which is a multi-pass allowing entry to the MNAC, the MACBA (Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum, built by architect Richard Meier), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation, the CCCB, and Caixa Catalunya Cultural Centre.

Activities for all the family
A large capital like Barcelona has an amazing and varied range of activities available all over the city, as well as urban beaches - La Barceloneta, Marbella, Nova Marbella, Nova Icaria and Bogatell.

The nautical facilities at the port offer the chance to practise many water sports where the children will be able to take their first steps in these sports. Children and grown-ups alike will love a boat trip along the port in the popular "Golondrinas", where they will be able to see the most modern face of Barcelona's coast.

If you want to see many species of animals, you can go to L'Aquàrium and the Zoo. Direct observation, animated films, workshops, stories and interactive spaces for exploring are some of the proposals for children to have fun whilst learning.

The Barcelona Maritime Museum (MMB) is also sea-related. This centre, situated in the historic building of Drassanes Reials, has an important educational programme. Activities in the museum, the Spharea (an inflatable and portable planetarium) and the boat anchored in the port are all part of the educational programme at the Sea Educational Resources Centre.

Museums of Science, Textile and Clothing, Decorative Art or Ceramics have prepared educational workshops and programmes for children of different ages. The programme for children continues in galleries such as the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) or the Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum (MACBA), amongst many others. Different activities and guided visits that are particularly aimed at children and young people enable them to have fun and take in these art collections. The dramatised visits in the Military Museum, in Castell de Montjuïc, are also very entertaining.

Barcelona for Young people…
The latest art and music trends

Barcelona is a city of the future which caters for the tastes and hobbies of young people.

It offers a broad programme including cinema, theatre, music and art, which is highlighted with the different festivals that take place in Barcelona. The BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical), Sónar (Barcelona International Festival of Progressive Music and Multimedia Arts) and the BAC! (Barcelona Contemporary Art) prove that the city is interested in the latest art and music trends. Visitors will find a music, film or theatre festival at almost any time of the year.

Hundreds of people gather at traditional Catalan festivities, such as the Mercè Fiestas (declared of National Tourist Interest), to attend gigs by the most prestigious international bands.

There is also interesting nightlife in Barcelona - visitors can find the most innovative clubs next to important museums, parks, historic gardens and shopping centres. Discos, live music, pubs and restaurants are situated in the most emblematic places in town. Select atmosphere in Diagonal, original clubs in the Barrio de Gràcia area and terraces in Port Vell, Port Olímpic and any square in the city are some of the attractions of the nightlife in Barcelona.

The excellent sports facilities in Barcelona are available for visitors who want to practise any sport. The marinas and facilities that were built for the 1992 Olympic Games are worth visiting both for their architecture and their activities. Large concerts and important competitions also take place in these facilities. Football fans will have the chance to watch memorable matches in the FC Barcelona and Espanyol stadiums, respectively.

Situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, Barcelona has a good number of urban beaches, where visitors will be able to enjoy the great climate of this coast. The opportunity for windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving or canoeing will be exciting for both beginners and pros and if visitors want to continue with open-air sports, the fact that Barcelona is very near the Pyrenees and to the coastal hills that make up the Cordillera Litoral should not be forgotten. Hiking, cycle touring, paragliding and hang-gliding are activities enabling travellers to discover the Catalan capital's natural surroundings.

Young people travelling with an ISIC card and student identification will enjoy numerous discounts at museums and exhibitions. They will also benefit from discounts on public transport. A wonderful option is to buy the Barcelona Card. This card, created for one to five-day stays, includes urban public transport and significant discounts at museums, shows, leisure facilities, nightclubs, stores and restaurants. Those interested in visiting the city's most important museums can buy the Articket, saving them a considerable amount of money.

Gastronomy:
Mediterranean flavours
Cosmopolitan, with Mediterranean essences, the gastronomy in Barcelona is a showcase for the great Catalan recipes.

Some typical dishes are the butifarra amb mongetes (white beans with Catalan pork sausage), escudella and carn d'olla (hearty casseroles), and the famous pa amb tomàquet (country bread with tomato and olive oil). And we must not forget desserts such as crema catalana (similar to crème brûlée) or the excellent wines of Alella, Pla de Bages and Penedès.

Shopping:
Municipal markets, art galleries and antique shops can be found in Barcelona alongside crafts shops, fashion shops and open-air markets. To stroll around the streets of Barcelona from shop to shop is to discover a world full of possibilities to satisfy all kinds of taste and all pockets.

Barcelona itself is like a large shop whose main axis of shops, known as the Shopping Line, consists of five-kilometre pedestrian precinct with wide pavements which can satisfy the most demanding requirements. Craftsmen’s workshops, exclusive shops, franchises, shopping centres and street markets all make up the shopping offer of Barcelona. There are three main shopping areas in the city: Centro, Eixample and Diagonal.

Other useful information

Opening times: most of the shops and shopping centres are open from 10am-8.30 or 9.30in the evening. Traditional shops open from 10am-2pm and from 4.30-8.30pm.

Sales: the winter sales generally begin in the second week of January and go on until the end of February, and the summer sales begin on 1 July and run until the end of August.

How to pay: most people pay in cash or with a credit card, when you must show your passport or identity card.

Tax free: residents from outside the European Union are entitled to have Value Added Tax (IVA) refunded on purchases of more than €90.15.

La Roca Village Shopping Tour: just 45 minutes outside Barcelona, this option offers a day of fashion in over 100 cut-price outlet shops with goods by major Spanish and international labels, with a range of exclusive advantages. More information on tel: +34 938423900.

Croatia – perfect place for an active holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:44:00 +0000

It is a well known fact that Croatia is a country rich with natural beauties. Different studies have shown that the sea along croatian coast is the cleanest in the Mediterranean. Ten percent of surface of Croatia is under protections – national parks, nature parks, reservations. This alone makes Croatia - a county worth visiting.

For some the natural beauty is more than just a dlight for the eyes, they rally want to experinece it with all the sences. The north-adriatic Kvarner region is a perfect starting point for your adventure tour. Rent an apartment in Opatija, once health resort for european royalty, and today a lovely, elegant seaside town with a 12 kilometers long seaside promenade and many walking and cycling paths over the nearby hills.

Only half an hour from you Opatija apartment is a town Moscenicka Draga with a pretected cove where you can try some sea kayaking or windsurfing. The entire Kvarner bay is very suitable for windsurfing, for beginners and experienced surfers. Diving is also a good idea in Kvarner bay. As there were harbours here from middle ages different interesting thing can be found under the sea. Special diving excursions are possible to explore ship wrecks in Kvarner bay.

Although not all apartments Opatija have a view stretching all the way to island Krk, we recommend a visit to the island if you prefer a different sort of water sport – wakeboarding. Ski lift on the island Krk is one of the rare ones placed on the sea, which enables you to enjoy youe holiday by the sea and your favorite sports as well.

Lots more adventures awaite our apartment Opatija guests in the nearyby mountain region. Rafting, kayaking and canyoning are all great choices, especially after the rains in April and October, and wet suits will prevent you from being cold.

It has always been a desire of man to fly, and our apartment Opatija guests shouldn't have to be deprived of this experience. The hills arround Opatija are perfect for paragliding. Experienced paragliders can enjoy great thermals and the beginner can take their first tandem flight.

It is up to you to choose one, more or all of theese activities. We'll provide you all the information, equipment and instructions you need. We are wainting for you in our Opatija apartments.

Autor

Budapest Weekend for Uninterrupted Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:33:00 +0000

No place can match to Budapest with its splendid and exhilarating nature's beauty, to call enthusiasts from round the world to enjoy budapest weekends . If you are a man about to take vows and few days are left in hand and you also have a niggling doubt, yet super-excited to get clinched with your beloved at last then budapest stag parties cannot be missed at any cost.

Get the Fun Rolling on...
Such stag parties are usually organized by the groom's nearest and dearest pals so that every bit of the fun stay lingering in mind years after your stag party is over. Stag do's are no longer the chant, since modernization has broken free of all rules and have given men the opportunities to go on exotic location and mingle in events to their heart's delight. However, do not jazz up with some distasteful fun that can be a sore to happy vows.

Tagged as 'Paris of East', Budapest has recently notched up the top most position for being the most exhilarating city with all its enthralling beauties and gleeful sights merged with great fun to make the weekends etched in memories. You can also rely on a very modest budget for a trip round the city and make it more than just stag fun with your dearest buddies.

Budapest holds places of wonders and you should not miss to enrich your experience. Some popular landmarks are Royal palace, Fisherman's Bastian, Matthias church, Parliament created in Gothic style and much more. Do not forget your digital camera to mark the fun to great extent. The funniest part is that any member of stag parties would love to swing and trip, yet cross the amazing span of the Chain Bridge. It is a little scary, but who cares when spirits are high and you are with your best friends. But for your safety you can harness to safety ropes if you want.

The museums are especially for those who want to enjoy every bit of the city, what it is and how it was discovered, the legendary tales of big personalities and myths. You will love what the museum has in store for you. Make all the sight seeing as part of your Budapest stag party spree.

If concretes and bricks are not your target of interests then plunge in night life. It has plenty of fun in store for you. Nights are the best time to hold stag parties. The pubs and clubs spruced up along the roads with vibrant music rocking at ears and beers making their way to your drooling mouths are all to add to the fun. Go out for a hearty meal and do take part in special sports, which are quite famous here. This includes karting, paintballing, rally driving and much more.

After a week's frenzy mood, head to a spa and relax your exhausted bones. It will indeed be the best weekend in Budapest with stag parties to stay intact in memory always.

Autor

Frankfurt - Romantic Feelings On The Main River

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Walking in Frankfurt, on eyes lost a magic story, because the city seems to be a mixture of various cultural bits and bobs from many parts of the world.

Frankfurt airport is considered one of the biggest in the world and the city itself is also a powerful economic centre of Europe. Although there is not a complex of museums gathered on the peninsula at the centre of the city such as Berlin and though it is not a place with a dense concentration of castles such as Heidelberg, one can still enjoy the curved iron bridge Eisernersteg.

In Romerberg Square, visitors enjoy taking photographs with the three houses Romer, an architectural project with frontage of mosaic pictures. It is the pride of the citizens of Frankfurt because it is from 1405. The combination of ancient and modern styles in this city gives an unforgettable impression.

Looking into the distance, visitors can't take their eyes from the Main Tower which is rising into the sky, covered with glittering green glass. This tower appears splendid, representing the talent of the contemporary architect.

Visitors also enjoy the ancient steps of the theatre Alte Oper and the church Libfrauenkirche, which was built in the 14th century. There is much heritage preserved from the Renaissance in Germany. Walking down small streets in the centre, people will see statues in the Roman style standing on the landing step of the old houses. There are also some well-proportioned colonnades which is the Greek style, this contrasts with the black stone roofs of houses with the age of hundreds of years hidden somewhere.

In each corner, below the shade of trees, there is the sound of the street artists. If the central area is fairly calm the other riverbank is a different world every Sunday. The flea market, which is one of the most crowded in Europe, lies across the bank. There are thousands of colorful tents on the grass, hundreds of beer kiosks selling Doner Kebap or bread with salt and many kinds of goods are displayed in the trolleys or on cloth on the ground.

The tourists crowd with the locals, all bargains and purchase anything from the old books to old domestic appliances. Souvenirs come from everywhere and the noisy air is nearly impossible to imagine. All these different features give the feeling of multicolored living where each moment is worth enjoying and each street corner contains something to discover...

By: Mr. Billy Bui

Muncaster Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:19:00 +0000

Old, drafty castles and ghosts seem to go hand in hand...

Muncaster Castle is a privately owned castle which overlooks the Esk River about a mile south of the west-coastal town of Ravenglass in Cumbria England. The site was originally selected by the Romans as a place from which to guard the Esk River. At present the castle is owned by the Pennington family who has lived at Muncaster for at least 800 years. The land had been granted to Alan de Penitone in 1208. The oldest parts of the castle include the Great Hall and the 14th century pele tower, which is a type of watch tower fortification unique to the English-Scottish border region. On a number of occasions the castle has been extended and enlarged.

Recent historical research (early 2000s) has uncovered records which indicate that in 1678 the castle had 14 chimneys, while a document relating to payment of Window Tax in 1746 recorded that at that date the castle has 103 windows and 55 rooms and corridors. At the time of the ownership of Sir Joseph Pennington in the 1770s the castle had fallen into serious decay. His son Sir John Pennington who arrived to live at the castle after his wedding in 1778 was dismayed when a part of the building collapsed while he was inspecting it. It cost him some 6 thousand pounds a very large amount of money in the 18th century to rebuild and restore the castle.

Today the castle contains a wealth of architectural features and artifacts from a wide span of English history, including a rare portrait of King Henry VI, an Elizabethan banqueting table and an impressive library with about 6,000 books.

The catle is surrounded by 77 acres of woodland gardens in a park of some 18,000 acres. The gardens contain many rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas and the castle’s Plant Center offers the largest collection of rhododendrons in the north of England. It operates as a function center and a site where civil weddings may be held and is also the location of the headquarters of the World Owl Trust, a registered UK charity dedicated to the preservation of owls and their habitats. The estate is situated in a sparsely populated and scenic countryside, between the Irish Sea and Hardknott Pass, near England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike.

Muncaster Castle has also acquired a reputation for being one of the most haunted houses in Britain. Prior to the 21st century there are only two ghosts mentioned, at the castle that of Henry VI (who was sheltered at Muncaster after his defeat at the battle of Hexham) and the head carrying ghost of an apprentice carpenter who was decapitated while sleeping in the old stable block by jester Thomas Skelton (Tom the Fool) at the orders of Sir Ferdinand Pennington because of his love affair with his daughter Helwise.

However guides have informed visitors to the castle that as well as the above mentioned ghosts there is also the ghost of Skelton and the vengeful ghost of Mary Bragg. Mary Bragg was a foul-mouthed local girl who was murdered by drunken youths who hung her from the Main Gate after having kidnapped her for a joke. There are even tales that a lion shot by the last Lord Muncaster in Kenya and whose skull is kept in the castle was sometimes heard prowling and growling around at nightfall.

Guests can book a tour of the castle and an all-night vigil in a haunted bedroom known as the Tapestry Room where the paranormal phenomena include hearing footsteps, seeing the door open on its own, hearing a crying child (allegedly Margaret Susan Pennington, who died of screaming fits in the 19th century) and/or a singing woman, digital cameras will turn on and off, feeling themselves patted, experiencing changes in room temperature, chest pains and even being tossed out of bed.

Jason Braithwaite a cognitive psychologist and neuroscientist from the University of Birmingham has been studying the phenomena at the castle for some 15 years suggest one possible explanation as being "strange and anomalous magnetic fields" which can affect certain people with a tendency towards "more erratic" brain function.

Tom the Fool (real name Tom Skelton) was a jester in Muncaster Castle at the end of the 16th century. He was reputedly the last court jester in English history. Tom was a friend of William Shakespeare. He was a dark character who was responsible for a number of deaths during his time at Muncaster. One of his ideas of a "joke" was to direct anyone asking for directions to Ravenglass towards the hidden quicksand and bog marsh by the River Esk rather than to the ford. There were those who realized in time and saved themselves but many did not and were never seen again.

The present owners of the castle Phyllada and Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington believe that Tom still keeps a watchful eye on things and occasionally gets up to more sinister mischief. His portrait hangs in the castle. Skelton died around 1600 according to legend in the very marshes where he’d sent so many to their deaths when they tried to return to the castle while they were drunk. Muncaster Castle has a special day called "Tom Fool’s Day" which is a family fun day with various attractions.

By: Rasma Raisters

Alhambra... Granada - Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:39:00 +0000

A trip to Granada and its vicinity, hundreds of kilometers into the interior of the famous Costa del Sol (Sunshine Coast), completes the experience of visiting Spain. This is a place that opens up for lovers of poetry the possibility of visiting Fuentevaquerosu, the village where Frederico Garcia Lorca was born. Then there is Viznaru, the place where the Spanish Falangist killed the most famous Spanish poet in 1936. The rivers of tourists are flowing to Granada, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

Alhambra is a complex of fortresses and buildings that were built in the middle ages first by the Maori invaders and their descendants.

Its full name is Qal'at al-hambre and translation of it is Red Fort. Alhambra is basically a huge complex that spreads on the slopes of Granada. Thus it is one of the most popular tourist destinations throughout Europe. It was named after the red earth from which it was created. Its constructors used red clay for the creation of the whole complex.

”Red Flower”

Alhambra in Granada is full during all seasons round the year. It is with all rights called "red flower" of Andalusia. Moreover, it offers exceptional all-day enjoyment. There are many walls, palaces and gardens that are a pleasure for lovers of antiques.

It was mentioned for the first time as a fortress in the 9th century. However, it gained the appearance we admire today in the 13th century, when it was chosen as the royal residence by the ruling dynasty Nasrid. This beautiful complex was rebuilt in the time of Mohammed II (1273- 1302) and Muhammad III (1302 - 1309).

They also made a channel from the Darr River and built a dozen towers on the city walls that were continuously expanded. The golden age of Alhambra was in the time of the rule of Youssef I (1333 - 1353) and Mohammed V (1353 - 1391), when all the properties were decorated with arabesques and ornaments.
Parts of the Alhambra and its walls were destroyed when Spain was returned to the Catholic rulers. Then it lost part of the valuable historical

buildings which included a mosque. On their foundations palace of Charles V and the Church of St. Mary were built. All of this does not diminish the beauty of Alhambra which is a valuable pearl that preserves the Spanish and Muslim cultural heritage in the territory of Europe.

Palace of Lions

When Mohammed V succeeded his father Youssef I, he completed the construction of the most impressive part of Alhambra - mansions Lions (Palacio de los Leones).

This complex shows all the splendor of Islamic architecture built in the private residence of the royal family; beach, harem and all accompanying objects are decorated with great detail. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and promenades where visitors without professional guides can roam for hours in the labyrinth.

By: Bartho Lomew

Go For Cruise Vacation To Rejuvenate Yourself...

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:34:00 +0000

If you are planning a cruise vacation, you can be sure of having a splendid vacation. Sailing in the ocean could be the best thing that your body and soul might be demanding at this point. Then serve your body and your soul. Best service you can give to them is taking a voyage. Both your body and mind look for coming out of the narrowness of life. Cruise vacation provides ultimate sense of freedom to your tired body and restless soul.

Before you plan to go for cruise vacation, you can travel around on the Internet and take a tour to all the useful websites which contain all the relevant information on cruise vacation. The online cruises is very useful medium for you to get your cruise ticket done. The online cruise tells you about all the top deals, while highlighting the most popular cruise destinations, sailing dates and ships. There are thousands of discount cruises and cruise deals from all major cruise lines. In fact several cruise companies offer exclusive bonus extra amenities like onboard spending cash, free cabin upgrades, and more. The online cruises give you information about all this.

Cruise vacation is like spending holidays on a floating hotel, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. Most modern cruise ships feature the facilities like casino, spa, fitness centre, shops, library, theatre with Broadway style shows, cinema, indoor outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, buffet restaurant, lounges and gym. Everything inclusive in your cruise vacation package! Hence cruise vacation turns out to be much cheaper than other kinds of vacations where you pay separately for travelling, accommodation, food and entertainment.

Take advantage of the best deals being offered by different cruise companies and get your ticket booked today for a much awaited cruise vacation.

By: Cruise Holidays
http://www.articledashboard.com

Volterra in Tuscany...

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Getting Knowledgeable About New Moon In Volterra In Tuscany...

Volterra in Tuscany is a byword, it's so recognized because of Twilight Number of books made into a movie. Even before the movie came out, the production scenes filmed in the area had been splashed in YouTube and the Twilight websites. This has not just become a tourist destination for Twihards, nevertheless it is currently considered a 'must' to visit when in Italy.

This Tuscan province of Pisa that Volterra is a part of was populated even over the Neolithic times. Its name was coined from the Latin word 'Volterrae.' Visitors are surprised to view that there are such a lot of sites to see. (Twifans will get disappointed though, when they fail to locate the clock tower in the main plaza, as that was a construction set in the movie and a figment of the imagination of Stephenie Myer. There is no actual clock tower, it had been just part of the film set in the movieDespite all the chances against them, the town and other people of Volterra has done great wonders in preserving their monuments and architecture and provides the visitors a 'Twilight Zone' experience of a time loop.

The phenomenon that is Volterra is just not simply because of books that made it famous, but because it is able to show the world what it had been like in ancient times. The Roman presence is felt in this town especially because of the 'Theatre of Vallebona" from the Augustan Age (Augustus Caesar for those who are not familiar with the term). There are just lots of monuments, spas and water tanks that was built from the Romans and remain actually working. That is basically the wonder of Volterra and if you are a visitor who's interested by how life was during the Roman era, then this can be a place that you can visit undergo for yourself. Tuscan vacations are not to be dreaded, there are so many choices of hotels, luxurious villas and inns that visitors can stay in. The hotels are wonderful to behold as they are set inside historic architecture but innovated to provide the visitors all the modern conveniences and comforts.

Tuscany vacations are now part of the popular trend when visiting Italy, not only is the region famous because of its Leaning Tower of Pisa or its beautiful sandy beaches in Versilia, but the town of Volterra in Tuscany is considered a 'must see' place, thanks in part to the Twilight Saga books and movies. The second book and movie showed the town of Volterra as an ancient town with ancient monuments inhabited by modern people and of course, the vampires.

The famous Volturri which are supposed to be the guardians of this town, were portrayed to be the protectors of this town from crime to economy. Of course, it was just part of books and movie, however, since phenomenon that's Twilight has encompassed the globe, the amount and variety of visitors to Volterra has increased considerably in the past three years. Visitors who are curious of the town because of the books and the movies will each experience for themselves the wonder and straightforward elegance of the town. Although they get disappointed that there is no actual clock tower, the scene where Edward Cullen was supposed to have attempted suicide. The town guides are always ready to defend the lack of presence of the clock tower which was described in the books, saying that that was just part of the movie set.

Hotels in Volterra are very modern and can offer the visitors all of the amenities that they ought to expect, but they also surprise them once they learn the hotels are only modern on the inside, the facades are all ancient and date back to the Roman era. The town never amazes the innocent once they get to comprehend how the theaters, the spas along with the water tanks they get to see and use were all built during the Roman Empire. The people of the Tuscany town are quite focused to hold on to their ancient culture and ways. Visitors can relax and enjoy their espressos while sitting in graceful cafes that line the ancient streets of the town, streets which were laid out by the ancient Romans. This is a place that does not disappoint. This can be a town which can not have vampires in their midst, but can show the world what it is to experience old world culture.

When she was writing the next book of her famous Twilight Saga, author Stephenie Meyer was caught in surprise when she discovered that her fictional town she had written about existed in reality and that the town she had described was what the town really appeared like today. Visitors to the Italian province of Pisa are familiar with the Leaning Tower and that the tour included a historical town called Volterra. When the 2nd book of Twilight Saga came out, suddenly, the less known town became a most requested place by visitors. This is really a staggering rise in fame with regards to a tourist destination. Volterra has become raking in riches that they're experiencing in the rise of the fame which is a welcome which they can not deny.

The preserved town of Volterra is what makes it incomparable and this can be seen through their well maintained monuments and works of art. There are spas, water tanks, even hotels which building was made during the Augustan Age of the Roman Empire. Despite the passage of time, folks of Volterra have successfully maintained their culture and heritage and aren't shy of showing it to the whole world. Hotels are usually not issues, they are highly modernized and offer the best of conveniences, something surprising as these are likely to be set within ancient architectures. They have equipped their hotels to offer their visitors with the modern conveniences while maintaining their old world charm.

A visit to the Spa is always awe inspiring as these was used through the ages and still continue to accomplish, a contrast to modern conveniences that do not even last fifty or so years. A Tuscany vacation is certain to please any visitor as they will not be short changed on the experience, the sights as well as the cuisine. The New Moon fans anticipate walking the exact ancient streets which were written about and shown in the movie and in addition they make sure that get to drink the wonderful coffee from the many cafes that line the streets.

By: Manuel Costa
http://www.articledashboard.com

Enjoy Next Weekend In Rome City

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:43:00 +0000

Ahhh, Roma. It should be written in every person's destiny that they shall travel to the Eternal City at least once in their lifetime, to experience the romance, the history and the charm that is the capital of Italy.

A Rome breaks may seem like a compromise, but in reality, even a few days is enough to experience a wonderful slice of life so different to one's own existence. To sit and ponder life's mysteries while enjoying affogato in a piazza, or to throw coins in the Fontana di Trevi and wish for a return to this magical place, are moments that justify making the journey for a short break in Rome.

Whether you are Catholic, Jewish or Buddhist, stopping by the Vatican both inspires and humbles; if not for the religious significance, then to marvel at the historical nature. Exploring the Coliseum, you will learn about the magnificent gladiators who fought for fame and glory there. Back on the streets, you will dodge haphazard fleets of Fiats and Ferraris, whilst checking out the fashionistas who seem to loiter at every corner to see and be seen. Even a short break in Rome will transplant untold fascination into your heart.

Accommodation choices vary from tiny hole-in-the-wall overnighters to grand hotels that you won't want to leave, even to go sightseeing. Depending on the time of year you choose to take your short break in Rome, you could save significant sums of money, or you could be at a disadvantage. Similarly, planning in advance could serve you well, whereas sometimes, last minute deals are irresistibly affordable.

Many travel agents can plan weekend itineraries for you that will encompass all the absolute must-visits of Rome. Sure, you may have to make like a text-book tourist and stay on the well-worn paths of millions who have gone before you, but when time is of the essence, you certainly don't want to waste it on studying map books, asking for directions in an unfamiliar language and learning the hard way how not to be taken advantage of. A short break in Rome can be as exhausting and exhilarating as any two-week bus tour through the whole of Europe.

The key to making the most of a short break in Rome is to pack light, plan ahead and be well rested before you arrive. And be prepared to sleep very little since there is always something to see in beautiful Roma, day or night, winter or summer, rain or shine.

If you're ready to book your short break in Rome, visit our website for all the advice you'll need, and some great deals and "Insider" secrets about travel to the eternal city.

By: Richards Wilson
http://www.articledashboard.com

Antarctica Has Astonishing Natural Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:19:00 +0000

Only in Antarctica can some research be carried out, so it has been reserved specifically as a place of science. The enormous ice sheet that lies atop practically all the land, and in places exists even as permanent floating ice shelves, stretching hundreds of miles over the ocean, is the most unique facet of Antarctica. The largest ice shelf, called The Ross Shelf Ice, is as big as the entire state of Texas! Moving northbound at 1800 feet per year, scientists are tracking the edge of ice sheet.

With almost two percent of all the water on planet earth, the continent holds about 90 percent of all the ice on earth. The endurance of the great inland ice maintains sea level worldwide. Even just several feet of the ice melted into water would increase the sea levels noticeably, creating tragic outcomes for all seacoasts and seaports on earth.

If all the ice on the shelf were to melt, it would add another 250 feet to the sea level. Not only scientists understand the vast importance of maintaining the ice shelf. It doesn't really matter if the shelf is moving forward or backward. Not only does the ice hold a lot of moisture, but it is also a giant geophysical record that could be up to a million years old.

History actions, like smelting lead and the use of leaded gasoline, show in the ice. Common lead has been measured on the ice surface and tracked since the 1950's. Lead concentration has rapidly increased on the ice shelf. The increased use of leaded gasolines most likely perpetuated this. This offers us the chance to examine the threat of pollution to the planet.

While fish, seals an penguins all had DDT in them, polar snows showed a remarkable lack of these chemicals. Even though they hit the earth every day, particulates from space can be dated by where they are in the ice. Scientist wonder if there are set patterns during which more particles hit the earth. If a pattern can be discerned, space travelers and vehicles could benefit from the information.

Because of the conditions, lichens make up the majority of the vegetation. Mites and springtails are the most common animals found on land. The largest land animal is a wingless fly; no flying insects inhabit Antarctica. Oceans around Antarctica house the Weddell seal, the mammal who travels the farthest south, and a flightless penguin. When investigators took a look at the Weddell seal, they were shocked to learn that it could dive as deep as 1500 feet as it looked for sustenance.

Antarctica does have areas that are ice free, which the Adelie penguins take advantage of by nesting in those area during the summer months and moving north during winter months. Innate biology, and the sun, allow them to draw a straight course for their next location. It took three Adelies ten months to travel the 2400 miles back to their rookery. Six had been transferred. Upon arrival, via plane, at the South Pole, the animals were let go. Once let go, they quickly found the sun?s location and set off on a straight course for home.

The abundance of this part of earth is shown as the living place for the greatest animal that has ever roamed the earth. The highly endangered blue whale is the largest animal ever recorded, and consumes a diet of a ton of shrimp on a daily basis. Numerous more types of fish live in Antarctic seas than do in the Arctic Ocean. Ten percent of the bottom-dwelling fish found in Antarctica can be found somewhere else in the world. This bodes well for the importance of the Antarctic Convergence.

By: vmcmullen
http://www.articledashboard.com

Traveling To Argentina During The Low Season

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:33:00 +0000

Argentina is unique and special country spreading on over 1 million square miles over the South America. In such a big country there are plenty different and interesting things that you can do like skiing, fishing, horse ridding etc. What ever you like to do, you can do it in Argentina.
First you have to decide which part of Argentina would you like to visit (the mountains, the sea or maybe country side?) cause Argentina is really big country. Than decide what would you like to do, and after all that start thinking about prices, accommodation and transportation.

What is the weather like?

The weather in Argentina varies from subtropical to winter cold; it depends in what part of the country you are. It’s hard to speak generally about the weather in Argentina because it’s different in different parts of the state. But I will try to inform you about the weather you can expect in different time of the year.

The important thing to remember is that Argentina is placed in the Southern Hemisphere which means that the seasons are inversed (when the winter is in the US, in Argentina is summer). The weather there can be very tricky and rapidly changing, especially in the parts that are close to the Andes. The weather there is really unpredictable so you should be careful cause the rainfall and floods are often and extreme heat or even snow are not rare either.

Mostly Argentina is really nice country with nice weather but there are parts that you may avoid. The south is very cold and winters can be brutal there so you should be careful. There is no need to go far south (unless you want to for some reason) because most of the hotels and attractions are closed.

Of course, the seasons with most attractions are summer and winter. Especially nice is Patagonia. It is very mild during the year with many attractions, but it can also be very unpredictable and it can change drastically without notice.

Few things you should try to remember is that the seasons are reversed which means that the summer lasts from December-March and the winter lasts from June-July. If you are looking for the most enjoyable weather that you should absolutely come in March, April, September, October and November.

Crowds in Argentina

Unfortunately the crowd is hard to avoid, unless you want to go in the low season. Yes, the high season and in the time of holidays the crowd is unavoidable. So, if you don’t like crowds than don’t go during the summer, winter or holidays. Or if you must try to stay somewhere out of town.

Fun time in Argentina

The choice is yours because there are no things that you can not do in Argentina. Really, there is something for everyone. To help you get started, here are some things that you can do by season:

Autumn (Apr-May)
Patagonia - sightseeing, especially in the north part
Northwest - trekking, horse riding
Northeast - visiting Iguassu Falls

Winter (Jun-Aug)
North Patagonia/Mendoza - skiing
Northeast - Iguassu Falls
Northeast - visit the subtropical forest (yungas)

Spring (Sep-Nov)
Buenos Aires - the most beautiful season, especially in November with the jacarandas in blossom
Patagonia - The whales come to Peninsula Valdes
Cuyo - great weather to visit the vineyards and taste the wine
Pampas - Visit the estancias and taste great barbecues (asados)

Summer (Jan-Feb)
Patagonia - trekking, horse riding, sightseeing in general, fishing
Parana River - fishing
Beaches - do nothing
Andes - trekking, alpinism, horse riding
Cordoba - enjoying the hill country

The best time to save money

Like every other country Argentina too has parts of the year that are more or less crowded and more or less expensive. If you would like to save money than try to avoid high season (Dec-Feb and Jul-Aug). Also, try not coming in Argentina during the holiday cause prices goes up. If you want to enjoy in your vacation for a lower price than I recommend you to come during the low season (September, April and June). Don’t worry; weather is good during the low season too.

Final words

Ok, you know the important things. Now just fix the rest, like your accommodation and transport and you’re done.

I wish you a nice and safe trip to Argentina, and a pleasant time staying there.

By: Drazen Prastalo
http://www.articledashboard.com

El Tajin: A Sacred City of the Totonaca Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:14:00 +0000

From the moment you enter "El Tajin" (which is a prehispanic city that features over 3,017 acres and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO), you will live a completely cultural experience when you enter this majestic archaeological site, surrounded by a beautiful backdrop where fragrant, exotic plants and lush tropical vegetation perfectly combine to take you a step back to the splendor of this important archaeological site.

A large courtyard, where the performance of "La Danza de los Voladores de Papantla" takes place, will welcome you to this majestic archaeological site. Afterwards, you will see a museum where extraordinary sculpted pieces and important information about El Tajin are housed. The entrance to the ruins is located at the end of the museum, considered one of the most beautiful buildings of Mesoamerican architecture.

El Tajin ("City or Place of Thunder" in Totonaca) is located in the Totonacapan region, in the north of the state of Veracruz. This important political and religious place of the Gulf region was founded in 4 A.D. and reached its peak between 800 and 1200 A.D. The central area of the archeological site is divided into five different parts: "El Grupo Playa del Arroyo", "La Zona Central", "La Gran Xicalcoliuhqui", "El Tajin Chico" and "El Conjunto de las Columnas". These zones include various courtyards, as well as striking architecture, featured in buildings such as "La Piramide de Los Nichos" (The Pyramid of the Niches), which is the main symbol of El Tajin and features 365 niches, a reference to the solar calendar. The area also features the central and southern ball courts and the Temple of the Columns.

The amazing city of El Tajin maintained its economy through agriculture, commerce and the barter of products and service with other towns that are found in the surrounding areas. It was the political capital of the Totonacan region and its governor was "13 Conejo" (13 Rabbit), the personification of Quetzalcoatl, the god that was venerated by the Totonacas. This particular god can be found as a common theme in the paintings, architecture and sculptures of the area. There were different social positions like the social elite, the agricultural sector and the artisans, who were dedicated to the commerce and exchange of their products in the markets.

The paintings and sculptures of the different buildings tell the history and the culture of these people. The importance of the site can be appreciated, especially in the archeological sense, since researchers are still exploring and doing their best to preserve the ruins in excellent conditions.

A theme park called Takilhsukit was built due to the excellent promotion of El Tajin. The park is located 62 miles from the archeological site and holds every year "La Cumbre Tajin", an event where important cultural, artistic, social, sporting and musical events are organized.

After amazing yourself with the wonderful buildings discovered in El Tajin and understanding the grandeur of the Totonaca culture, go to the main entrance where a lot of handcrafts stands are located. Buy beautiful souvenirs like cane flutes, animal figures made with vanilla pods and typical clothes embroidered with bright colors and many other fascinating local handicrafts, crafted by the artisans of the Totonacapan region.

If you are planning a trip to the state of Veracruz, don't miss the opportunity to explore the Totonaca world of El Tajin and its surroundings and discover an important part of the Mexico's past. Enjoy this archeological zone, located only 15 minutes from Papantla, 25 minutes from Poza Rica and 3 hours and a half from the Port of Veracruz.

By Verónica Santamaría

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or plan your entire trip: flight + hotel + tour

Austrian Culture And Spectacular Scenery - Austrian Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:43:00 +0000

Landlocked in the centre of Europe lays the small, mountainous country of Austria. Famed for its spectacular scenery and picturesque lakes, it is ideally suited to the more outdoors orientated holidaymaker wishing to escape from the busy modern day lifestyle.

Bordering 8 other countries including Germany, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, Austria has a welcoming atmosphere and a well-run travel network, making it is easy to get around and to see the beauty this country has to offer.

Culture Austria's past as a European power and its cultural environment have generated a broad contribution to various forms of art, most notably among them music. Austria has been the birthplace of many famous composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, Johann Strauss, Sr., Johann Strauss, Jr. and Gustav.

Eighteenth and nineteenth century composers were drawn to the city due to the patronage of the Habsburgs, and made Vienna the European capital of classical music. During the Baroque period, Slavic and Hungarian folk forms influenced Austrian music. Vienna's status began its rise as a cultural centre in the early 1500s, and was focused around instruments including the Lute. Ludwig van Beethoven spent the better part of his life in Vienna. Austria's current national anthem, attributed to Mozart, was chosen after World War II to replace the traditional Austrian anthem by Joseph Haydn.

Among Austrian artists and architects one can find painters Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka, Egon Schiele and Friedensreich Hundertwasser, photographer Inge Morath and architect Otto Wagner.

Geography:

Vienna
The capital Vienna is a cultural marvel, with an array of splendid museums, concert halls, galleries, and architecture. There is a real sense of
sophistication and glamour to the city.

Sitting astride the river Danube, Vienna is the countries largest and most populated city with over 1.7 million inhabitants, as well as being the cultural and economic centre of Austria. At the heart of the city is the Innere Stadt, where you will find parliament, the cities university and the great Imperial Palace of the Habsburg court and its various empires.

River Danube
The Danube has its source near Donaueschingen in south-western Germany and flows through Austria before emptying into the Black Sea. It is the only major European river that flows eastwards, and its importance as an inland waterway has been enhanced by the completion in 1992 of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in Bavaria, which connects the Rhine and Main rivers with the Danube and makes barge traffic from the North Sea to theBlack Sea possible.

The Alps
Three major ranges of the Alps - the Northern Calcareous Alps, Central Alps, and Southern Calcareous Alps - run west to east through Austria. The Central Alps are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Central Alps run from Tyrol to the Austria border. The Northern Calcareous Alps, which run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg along the German border and through Upper Austria and Lower Austria toward Vienna. At 3,797 m, Grobglockner is the highest mountain in Austria.

Bohemian Forest
The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate, is located north of the Danube Valley and covers the remaining 10% of Austria's area. Notable is the Manhartsberg a granite ridge which separates Waldviertel from Weinviertel.

Climate
Austria has a temperate continental climate. Summers last from early June to mid-September and can be hot in some years and rainy in others. Day-time temperatures in July and August are around 25C (77F), but can often reach 35C (95F). Winters are cold in the lowlands and very harsh in the Alpine region with temperatures often dropping below -10C (14F).

Winters last from December to March (longer at higher altitudes). In the Alpine region large temperature fluctuations occur all year round and nights are chilly even in high summer. The northern Alps are generally a lot wetter than the rest of the country. The South East (Styria and Carinthia) is dry and sunny. The area aroundVienna often experiences strong easterly winds.

Cuisine
Austria's cuisine is derived from the cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austrian cuisine is also the tradition of Royal-Cuisine ("Hofkuche") delivered over centuries. It is famous for its well-balanced variations of beef and pork and countless variations of vegetables. There is also the "Mehlspeisen" bakery, which created particular delicacies such as Sachertorte, "Krapfen" which is fine soft bite cookies and "Strudel" such as "Apfelstrudel" and "Topfenstrudel" filled with sweetened sour cream.

In addition to native regional traditions, it has been influenced above all by Hungarian, Bohemia Czech, Jewish, Italian, Balkan and French cuisine, from which both dishes and methods of food preparation have often been borrowed. The Austrian cuisine is therefore one of the most multicultural and transcultural cuisines in Europe.

Typical Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten, Kaiserschmarren, Knodel, Sachertorte and Tafelspitz. There are also Kasnockn, a cooked filled dough-bag with cheese on it and parsley, and Eierschwammerl (chanterelle) dishes. The Eierschwammerl are native yellow, tan mushrooms.

The candy PEZ was invented in Austria, also "Mannerschnitten". Austria is also famous for its Mozartkugeln and its coffee tradition.

Holidays in Austria
Holiday Homes in Austria are easy to come by, whether you prefer the thrill and adventure of the Austrian Alps, or the tranquility and serenity or the pure fresh water lake.

Austria is already well established as one of Europe's most popular destinations for winter sports holidays. But Austria holidays are becoming increasingly recognised as a great alternative to the typical summer destinations.

The winter Ski resorts, particularly around the area of Tyrol boast some beautiful Alpine scenery and the provincial capital of Innsbruck has some of the best skiing and snowboarding facilities in the world.

In the summer Austrian vacation homes in the Tyrol area attract many visitors seeking a back to nature experience with breathtaking views and attractive walking trails.

By: Villabookersonline.com

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Everyone needs a vacation and we have set out to ensure that as well as an easy way to rent a villa, apartment, condo or other type of vacation home, you can also get expert travel professionals to arrange your flights, holiday insurance, car hire and much more at the best prices. So you can relax and look forward to your vacation and let them do the work.

Budapest, Hungary... The Castle District

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:29:00 +0000

Towering a couple hundred feet above the Danube River, the Castle District in Budapest is a special place. Surrounded by gothic churches with stain glass, a visit to the Castle District is like stepping back into the renaissance.

Castle District

Situated in the Buda section of Budapest, the Castle District sits on the eastern side of the Danube. Positioned a couple hundred feet above the Danube, the entire city of Budapest can be seen from the numerous vantage points. The view is so amazing, the Italians coined a saying, “Europe has three gems – Venice on the water, Florence in the plains and Buda in the hills.” The Italians definitely got it right.

Buda Castle

Visiting Buda Castle is like stepping back into the heights of the renaissance. The Castle is adorned with red marble stairways, gothic facades, bastions and epic statutes overlooking the Danube. The fountains around the Castle simply can’t be described with words.

Holy Trinity Square

Just to the south of Buda Castle lies holy trinity square. The Church of the Holy Lady, which is also known as Matthias Church, dominates the square. The church has served as the location where Hungarian Kings undertook their rule and
many famous figures are interred on the grounds.

Behind Matthias Church is the rather interesting Fishermen’s Bastion. This Roman bastion has the appearance of a mini-castle at Disneyland. The views from the parapets are amazing as you take in the Danube River as it cuts through Budapest. Just outside of Bastion, however, you have to keep your eye out for something amazing.

Hungarians historically have been some of the best horsemen in the world. As part of the tradition, the horseman carried bullwhips instead of ropes. Big bull whips. And they like to crack them just outside of the bastion. If you aren’t paying attention when this occurs, the world’s loudest snap will send scare the “you know what” out of you. The only thing I can equate it to is the sound of rolling thunder, but without the rolling. When it happens, drinks, food and cameras go flying.

By: Nomad Rick

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Valle de Bravo, México

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Valle de Bravo is located 67 km east of Toluca, capital of Mexico, and 145 km from Mexico City, has a sub-humid temperate climate and an average annual temperature of 17 º C.
Framed by a large mountain range, which contrasts with the immensity of the artificial lake where you can practice all kinds of water sports: skiing, sailing, kayaking and fishing, this magical town has a strong tourist infrastructure that offers comfortable hotels, restaurants, an equestrian and beautiful golf courses. A stroll through the cobblestone streets will take out their white stucco houses adorned with wrought iron balconies and red tile roofs and are the portals of the square, where you can enjoy delicious traditional snacks, the popular crafts market, numerous boutiques decoration, art galleries and the Parish of St. Francis, patron of the place, which is noteworthy for its original bell tower of the XVIth century.
In its surroundings are beautiful nature reserves like the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary where, from November to March, you will appreciate the wonderful spectacle of migration, the Natural Park or Reserve Bosencheve Monte Alto, ideal for all kinds of adventure sports: mountain climbing rock climbing, biking and camping, as well as free flight hang gliding and paragliding, extreme sports, in recent years, people have made this mexican favorite destination for lovers of adrenaline...

All this and much more it's Valle de Bravo, paradise near Mexico City.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
In the vicinity of Valle de Bravo are nature reserves, forest areas surrounded by mountains, national parks and recreation centers where you can make outdoor activities as hiking, horseback riding and climbing.

Rodavento. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, at Km 3.5 of the road Valle de Bravo - the willows. Here you will find a platform for services such as abseiling, routes traveled by mountain bike and ATVs, including practice facilities for archery and horseback riding.

Cascada Velo de Novia. It is located in the division of Avándaro, 15 min. the center of Valle de Bravo. In here you can hike through a wooded road, where suspension bridges become observatories of vegetation and small waterfalls, and horseback riding trails, among other services.

Reserva de Monte Alto. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, the road that leads to the nearby town of Avándaro. On this site footpaths have been created to practice walking and horseback riding. There are several natural viewpoints that provide a beautiful view of the lake.

Cascada Río del Molino. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, the road to Avándaro. It is a propitious place for hiking and family picnics. It has tables, grills, parking, restrooms, restaurants and craft sales.

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. It is located 25 km north of Valle de Bravo on the road to Los Sauces. In this nature reserve can make walking and riding while watching butterflies in their natural refuge.

EXTREME SPORTS
The mountainous area surrounding the Valle de Bravo allows the practice of extreme sports like mountain biking, the hang gliding, paragliding and ultralight.

Reserva Monte Alto. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, the road that leads to the nearby town of Avándaro. On this site you can make runs up to 20km mountain bike, and exciting free flights in hang gliding and paragliding, because it has a takeoff zone, where you'll find instructors who can provide advice and equipment necessary to practice this activity .

Cascada Velo de Novia. It is located in the division of Avándaro, 15 min. the center of Valle de Bravo. In this place you can make mountain biking along their nature trails.

La Peña. It is 20 min. northeast of Valle de Bravo. It is an ideal place to practice free flight paragliding, boasts a stunning take-off area for air sports.

ECOTOURISM
In the vicinity of Valle de Bravo are ideal places for hiking, observing flora and fauna, and photographic safaris. Among the finest are:

Bosencheve National Park. It is located 44 km. north of Valle de Bravo on the road no. 15. Here you can enjoy watching wildlife, as well as walking around the lagoon of El Carmen.

Reserva Monte Alto. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, the road that leads to the nearby town of Avándaro. In this nature reserve you can enjoy watching wildlife, hiking and photo safaris organized through three routes out of town, or, following the paths that are bound Acatila.

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. It is located 25 km north of Valle de Bravo on the road to Los Sauces. In this majestic place can make guided tours and photo safaris organized by the nesting areas of the monarch butterfly.

Avándaro. Located 6 km south of Valle de Bravo. It is a rich wooded valleys and mountains surrounding the lake. In this place you can go hiking in your ways from which you will appreciate the abundance of flora and fauna that identifies the region as well as breathtaking waterfalls.

KAYAK
In Valle de Bravo can also practice kayaking, while enjoying the scenery.
Valle de Bravo Lake. It is located inside the village. It is a beautiful artificial lake with an area of 21 km 2 and a depth of about 40 people there m.En service providers lease the equipment necessary to practice this activity by the tranquil waters of this great body of water.

MOUNTAINEERING
Valle de Bravo is a town surrounded by the Sierras de Temascaltepec, Tenayac, Valle de Bravo and the slopes of surrounding mountains where you can enjoy mountain climbing to enjoy its stunning scenery.

La Peña. It is 20 min. northeast of Valle de Bravo. Here you will find a rocky outcrop where you can climb with ease, have the help of guides who will provide security.

Devil's Rock. It is located 25 miles southeast of Valle de Bravo. It is a cliff of over 600 m with steep walls ideal for practicing mountaineering.

Reserva de Monte Alto. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, the road that leads to the nearby town of Avándaro. Here you will find high ideals to practice climbing and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

FISHING
The main attraction of Valle de Bravo is the lake where you can enjoy all kinds of water activities like fishing. Outside the village you will find a site where you can also practice this activity.

Valle de Bravo Lake. It is located inside the village. It is a beautiful artificial lake with an area of 21 km 2 and a depth of 40 m. Here you can fish for freshwater species such as sunfish, trout, carp and bass, there are many providers who rent the necessary equipment.

Bosencheve National Park. It is located 44 km north of Valle de Bravo on the road no. 15. In this scenic site may fish as tilapia and carp samples.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
The architecture of this destination, full of tradition can be seen on the streets surrounded by houses and buildings dating from the colonial era. Among the most important buildings are:

Temple St. Francis of Assis. It is located in the main square of Valle de Bravo. It is a building made from stone, adobe, wood and tile that retains some of its original attributes, as the baptismal font and a size of San Francisco s.XVII Assisi.

Temple of Santa Maria Ahuacatlán. It is located in the district of Santa Maria Ahuacatlán, in the municipality of Valle de Bravo. Founded in the XVII century, the building housed in the main altar an image of the Black Christ, considered miraculous.

Quisco. It is located in the main square of Valle de Bravo. It is a building that has wooden columns and a red tile roof. It is surrounded by gardens, benches for resting and craft stalls and various Mexican dishes.

GOLF
In Valle de Bravo will find an attractive golf course with beautiful views of the lake.
Avándaro Golf Club. It is located 6 km from the center of Valle de Bravo, in Vega del Rio s / n, Fraccionamiento Avándaro. It has an 18-hole, par 72. Tel: (726) 266 0366. www.grupoavandaro.com.mx

NAVIGATION
In the Valle de Bravo Lake will find many services that allow you to practice navigation in sailing dinghies or small individual.

Municipal Wharf. It is within the town of Valle de Bravo a few minutes from downtown. On this site you can rent boats and equipment for navigation in the lagoon, from yachts to small boats.

Sailing Club El Zarco. Located at Calle San Gaspar s / n, 5 min. the center of Valle de Bravo. provides rental services and maintenance of yachts and boats Tel: (726) 262 3931.

Yacht Club and Sailing Deportivo La Peña. Prolongation is located on 16th September. It serves as a pension for boats and provides maintenance services for all types of vessels. Tel: (726) 262 0461.

Club Náutico El Santuario. Located within 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo on the road Colorines km 4.5, Colonia San Gaspar del Lago. Pension serves boats, dinghies and yachts, offers equipment rental services for water sports. Tel: (726) 262 3981.

FUN AND LEISURE
Valle de Bravo has several resorts and recreational facilities ideal for fun in the company of family.

Alameda del Pueblo. It is within the town of Valle de Bravo, just minutes from downtown. It is a park with playgrounds, has a circuit for bikes and skates.

Rodavento. It is located 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo, in the road km 3.5 Valle de Bravo - The Saucos.En this place you will find large areas for organizing picnics, hikes, family games and bike rides. It has a bike path with four levels of difficulty with natural obstacles that will be a challenge for children and adults.

Aquatic Park Ixtapan de la Sal is located southeast of Valle de Bravo, on highway No.. 55. It is a beautiful place that has two-lane giant slides in a drop of 150 m, wave pool, hot springs and all kinds of water recreation.

MUSEUMS
In Valle de Bravo, there are several museums that show the life and work of famous people, and various cultural events and activities.

Casa de la Cultura. Just a few steps from downtown, has a library, an auditorium and several multipurpose rooms where temporary art exhibitions are presented. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 hrs.

Cultural Centre "Joaquín Arcadio Pagaza." Located on Calle Joaquín Arcadio No. Pagaza. 201. Dedicated to the illustrious poet of the same name, this place preserves all types of objects that were owned, as well as exhibitions of art works by regional artists, national and international. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.

SPAS
In Valle de Bravo find large tourist hotels that offer spa services with therapies treatments ranging from ancient to the most advanced methods for skin care and mind.

Spa Sanctuary. Located within 10 min. the center of Valle de Bravo on the road Colorines km 4.5, Colonia San Gaspar del Lago, in the hotel of the same name. It offers over 63 types of therapies including massages, facials, hydrotherapy treatments, couples massage, oxygenation and hot stones. Tel: (726) 262 9100.

Spa Avándaro. It is located at km 24 of the San Francisco de los Ranchos, Colonia Tenantongo. Its main therapies include the application of massage and facials.
Tels: (726) 266 0370 and (726) 266 0366.

Spa Rodavento. It is located at km 3.5 of road Valle de Bravo, Los Sauces, within the prestigious hotel of the same name. It offers various types of massage and Swedish, shiatsu, sports, holistic, reflexology, lymphatic drainage and massage for children, and a bathhouse (steam bath Indian tradition). Tels: (726) 251 4182 and (726) 251 4185.

ARTS AND CRAFTS
In Valle de Bravo find and openwork embroidery, made by women Mazahua, pottery, leather and glazed earthenware, including craft shows, which may be purchased at the Craft Market, located on Avenida Juarez.

GASTRONOMY
Every corner of this picturesque destination, where the smells and colors that characterizes the food is wrapped in pleasant surprises, must be walked without a doubt. In the main square of Valle de Bravo will enjoy the traditional Mexican dishes and its famous wáter ice of the most varied artisanal flavors. Other typical dishes are prepared with trucha aroiris y robina negra, in addition to the artichokes are harvested in this region of the State of Mexico. It will be interesting to visit the market and discover the wonders that nature provides a culinary wealth of this place.

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Akumal... Pearl of the Caribbean

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:34:00 +0000

It is known that the turtles return to the land where they were born to spawn or mate, but what is surprising is that two of these species have chosen as permanent home Akumal beach. Could be by the temperature of water, or its vegetation, the thing is they´re right to do so, because of the extraordinary beauty of this place.

The inhabitants of Akumal, the so called “secret of the Riviera Maya”, have always been concerned of environment and even though it was the first place to be developed at the Riviera Maya, it still has its primitive character.
It all began in the fifties when a Mayan family named Tun built a cottage at the front sea and the only way to get there was by mule.

The turquoise waters of the sea kept for hundred of years a shipwreck “El Matenceras" or “Our Lady of miracles”. This galleon attracted the attention of a group of American divers seeking for treasures. Finally in 1958 one of them, Paul Bush astonished with the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean decided to settle there, buying big portions of the land and avoiding the plundering of the treasures.

The bay is like a shallow pool that has no end, ideal for children. In addition, near the reef, one of the favorite activities is to live with the turtles in its natural habitat. In the Mayan language, Akumal means "place of turtles." Biologists say that 7 of the 8 species of sea turtles in the world reach the Mexican coast. The species "white and loggerhead" chose Akumal as a site for breeding, spawning and permanent home. So, if you visit the site, find out the various activities in which you can take part with the care of turtles.

On the other hand, what I love about Akumal is a beautiful pond with clear waters called "Yalku". Water flows amid rocks and marine vegetation. There you can dive or snorkel with hundreds of multicolored fish and more capricious forms as home-makers of all types of corals, such as fans, brain, among others. In addition to seeing species of crustaceans, shells and anemones, there are over 600 species of marine life. This superb coral reef system is part of the Mexican Caribbean, the second largest in the world.

Talking of environmental matters, it is important to mention that the Akumal Ecological Center has a Marine Protection Program of the reef which includes the care of all living species, a Water Quality Program for the Bays and Wetland Areas, which is promoting the sustainability of water in the area and also a Sustainable Development Program of Low Impact, Environmental Education and Communication addressed to the community and visitors, for more information Visit http://www.ceakumal.org

Now you're ready to enjoy the red and purple sunsets, clear waters, dancing palm trees, and excellent lodging options, seafood, water sports and above all, enjoy this paradise that is saved as treasure and be called the pearl of the Caribbean.

Until next time!

Author: Julio García Castillo
Edition: Alejandra Aguilar

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Yellowstone National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:19:00 +0000

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Experience Old Faithful, the most popular geyser in the world, and hundreds of other geysers and hot springs. View the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and enjoy the wild beauty of Yellowstone Lake. Look for bears and wolves, elk and buffalo in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys. Discover Fort Yellowstone and learn about the park's history. Hiking, camping, fishing, enjoying exhibits and films, and attending Ranger-led programs are among the many ways youcan enjoy Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone's climate is one of cold winters and moderate summers. Most of the park is above 7,500 feet and the weather is unpredictable. Be prepared for changing temperatures, storms and emergencies.

Did You Know?
Yellowstone contains approximately one-half of the world’s hydrothermal features. There are over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including over 300 geysers, in the park.

Yellowstone National Park- World’s First National Park

A beautiful natural landscape filled will an amazing terrain, geysers, hot springs and other natural thermal areas which surprise you with its innumerable natural assets on every step. That’s Yellowstone National Park
for you. Welcome to the incredible land, welcome to the Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park has a unique history. It is the world’s first national park which was given the status in the year 1872. To add to it the Yellowstone National Park is also a UNESCO world heritage site which boasts of its significance on the global map. In all the Yellowstone National Park is a great example of natural diversity and beauty. It is strikingly jeweled with geysers, hot springs, boiling mud pools, and other geothermal features along with an abundant wildlife which include grizzly bears, wolves and free roaming herds of bison and elks.

The Yellowstone National Park is a lively center of tourist activities which is on the rise every year. It is located in the western states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. People come to see the rare and unique geothermal activities happening in this area and moreover the innumerable holidaying options they get with the Yellowstone National Park. At Yellowstone National Park it’s a mixed feeling of adventure which one enjoys with natures uniqueness. While holidaying in Yellowstone National Park you can have many options at your disposal. You can mesmerize yourself with the unique shows going on this terrain which you won’t find anywhere else. Or you can go on camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, swimming etc. with utmost closeness to nature. But whatever you choose for, always remember you are in a national park and hence you must follow all the rules to practice maximum safety.

What to see is a debatable issue at Yellowstone National Park cause of the options. You can start your schedule with Mammoth, Norris, and Madison, Geyser basins including the Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Area, Canyon, and Tower-Roosevelt etc. You can also devote some time to wildlife seeing which is also aplenty in Yellowstone National Park.

The number of visitors in Yellowstone National Park is increasing every year and that is why the hotels in this area have increased. Now finding a good stay at the park area is not a problem unless you are here in the peak season without prior reservations. The hotels in Yellowstone National Park are suitable for almost every budget and it is hardly a problem if you are on a tight one. Moreover the restaurants in this region guarantee full satisfaction of the taste buds with the delicacies they serve. From whichever continent you are you will find the food appealing. Some of the regular facilities offered by the hotels in Yellowstone National Park include air conditioned rooms, car rentals, airport pick and drop facilities, swimming pools, health clubs, spas, restaurants etc.

For everyone at the Yellowstone National Park it’s a totally different experience of being. So why are you waiting, pack your bags and set out for the white sands of the Panama City and have an experience of a lifetime.

Dhiraj - About the Author:
Looking for more information on Yellowstone Hotels check out Yellowstone-Hotels.net your guide to Yellowstone Hotels

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Kerala-A City Worth-Seeing

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:59:00 +0000

You might have planned to go to Delhi or Taj Mahal in Agra or may be Goa in India but have you ever thought of going to Kerala? Kerala is a state in India that is embodiment of true culture and a mirror of Indian civilization. If you have not been there yet then the coming holidays are the right time to flee to Kerala to discover the real beauty and nature in India. This article will provide you with the information related to Kerala state and places that are worth seeing while you are there. The article will also show how you can have the best discount hotel and hotel deals and how to use travel blogs to plan ahead.

Kerala is located in the stifling Malabar Coast on south of India. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are on the other sides of Kerala. Indian Ocean connects with Kerala from south. There are many myths related to how Kerala was formed. One of the most popular myths is that a man named Prasurama created it when he threw the axe into the sea, with which he has chopped his mothers head due to some misconception but afterwards suffered from intense guilt. The sea which was thought of as the Goddess did not accept the axe and the axe drew away forming the Kerala state. You will find many places in Kerala that are worth spending your holidays.

Kerala offers you wide range of sights where you can find everything from the most stunning scenes of nature to cultural spot. You will also adore the beaches, blue lagoons and valleys with beautifully decorated temples. There are also other attractions in Kerala including Art Gallery, Elathur, Kappa, Hill Palace Museum, Parikshith Thampuran Museum, Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. Kerala has about seventeen beaches in total. You would not want to miss the exciting palm lined beaches and a trip to the backwaters. Kerala is also a home of many rare species in the world. The most attractive attraction in Kerala are Water Scapes, Backwater Ripples and The Zuri Karakoram.

Kerala provides you with a wide range of hotel deal, from luxurious hotels to economical price hotels. All of these hotels provide you with the best.
Be sure to make your reservation in advance to get the utmost benefit of the hotel deals. In some cases you can also get last minute deals which work out quite a great deal for your holiday too.

If you are not sure of how to plan your trip, then don't forget to search for the best travel blog about Kerala that will provide you with all the related information. Travel blogs are the true means of efficiently planning your journey and making it a total fun and amusement. Actually travel blogs are sort of a guide for tourist. They are written by experienced travelers and give you every detail on how to plan your trip. Travel blog like kerala.com and travel coast will give you all the required details.

About the Author:
Rebecca Smith is consultant, experienced in building phone card website who loves travelling and to share hotel deals and discount hotel information

Top Three Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries

Numerous luscious tropical forests gifted Kerala ‘God's Own Country' with a number of wildlife sanctuaries which beckon wildlife and nature lovers from different parts of the globe. These wildlife reserves are home to thousands of species of birds and plants which play a vital role in Kerala Tourism. According to the records these national parks are the homes of around 102 species of mammals, 476 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fishes, 169 species of reptiles and 89 species of amphibians. Some of the well known wildlife sanctuaries of this place are:

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
This is one of the well known wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala which summons large number of tourists every year. It is a beautiful sanctuary which is located on the bank of Periyar Lake. Located in the scenic surroundings of the Western Ghats hills this park spreads over an area of approximately 777 sq km. The Periyar Lake adds extra charisma to this place. This is the only wildlife park in India where watchers can view wild animals from close quarters during the boat cruise on the lake.
The park is also famous for its geomorphology which nestles a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some of the well sighted species of this wild reserve are tigers, wild elephants, wild boars, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Sloth Bears and many more. The availability of 260 species of birds makes this reserve a paradise for bird's lover.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:
Despite of being one of the smallest national parks in the country it attracts scores of bird lovers from various nooks and corner of the globe. This is among the most visited destinations of this place which is located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. The flora of mangrove forests and nearby paddy fields develops perfect ecology which supports several species of birds. The main attractions of this place are local birds like waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter and more. Apart from this one can also see migratory birds like Siberian crane during migratory season.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:
It is the second largest animal sanctuary in Kerala which was established in 1973. This wildlife reserve is also an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphre Reserve. The ecology of this park supports large number of flora and fauna. Some of the wild animals which can be frequently spotted at this place are Indian Bison, elephant, deer, tiger and many more.

Some other known wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala are Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and more.

Manish Sinha - About the Author:
Kerala Tourism is well-known throughout the world for its natural beauty, colourful culture and diverse wildlife. Tourists always give priority to Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries as they provide delightful vistas of rich wildlife and majestic landscapes. The colourful variance in landscapes, birds, animals and plants attract people from various parts of the world to this mystic place. For more information visit http://www.keralaindiavacation.com/

Next Trip... Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:21:00 +0000

Alaska is often referred to as the last frontier, the last wild place in America. It truly is a remarkable and rugged place to visit, let alone live. It takes a certain kind of person, with a certain sense of adventure and toughness to make it out in the north like that. Now, don't be mistaken, Alaska has its share of modern conveniences and has everything that everyone is used to.

It's just that those things are limited to the larger cities and it is such a huge state that everything is so spread apart and seems so remote. It is thirteen times the size of England and is by far the largest state. It is the forty ninth state and was bought for a mere 14 million dollars in the nineteenth century. That works out to about two cents an acre. What a bargain, I am sure that Russia has been kicking itself ever since. Russia used the territory to hunt wild animals and for the fur trade, nearly wiping out the sea otters that are native to the area. It is home to Native Americans and Indian and Eskimo tribes.

The population is pretty scant considering the amount of land the state covers. What sets Alaska apart from every other state in the union is its natural beauty and natural resources. It has been nearly unspoiled by humans and is a vast land of natural riches. The highest mountains on the continent are in Alaska; it has many rivers and lakes and is home to many species of wildlife including bears, moose and elk.

The waters around Alaska are rich with fish and crab and are a necessary part of the countries food supply. Alaska is also rich in natural resources such as timber and oil. But that is best left for debate for someone else, what we care about is its unspoiled and natural beauty for visiting and enjoying. Alaska offers nearly every type of outdoor activity that you could imagine, from fishing and hunting to camping and canoeing. There is such an abundance of nature that narrowing it down could be your biggest problem.

The cities of the south, Juneau in particular are as metropolitan as any city that you would want to visit, and offer the amenities and services that you would need and require. It's when you start exploring and visiting the smaller towns and villages that you really get a feel for what the state is all about.

By: Thomas Clarke
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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Ciudad Rodrigo: Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:39:00 +0000

The site on which Ciudad Rodrigo stands, a rocky hill on the banks of the river Águeda, has been populated since the Neolithic period. Around the 6th century BC, the "vetones", a tribe of Celtic origin, founded the city of Miróbriga and settled there. Four centuries later, the Romans conquered the city and re-named it Augustóbriga in honour of the emperor Octavian Caesar Augustus. Dating to this period are the Three Columns, an enigmatic monument that still stands at the foot of the city's entrance. The object of centuries of dispute between the Arabs and Christians, this fortified town was repopulated in 1100 by Count Rodrigo González Girón, from whom it took its definitive name. King Ferdinand II of León completed the repopulation of the area and undertook several ambitious projects, including the fortification of the city and the restoration of the old Roman port. It was also during his reign that the city regained its status as an Episcopal See and that works on the Cathedral commenced.
The main buildings of the historic quarter, which is an Historic-Artistic Site, date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, a period during which the city enjoyed its golden age...

The walled city

The main defining feature of the city is the imposing medieval wall that surrounds it. This was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of Ferdinand II, although alterations were subsequently carried out during the 18th century. The walled enclosure has a perimeter in excess of 2 kilometers and seven gates, the oldest of which are the Puerta del Sol and the Puerta de Santiago.

The Puerta de la Colada leads to the promontory on which the Castle of Henry II was erected by order of the king in 1372. A square-plan keep presides over the fortress. The complex currently houses the city's parador.

Situated in the Plaza Mayor, or main square, are several stately buildings, such as the House of the First Marquis of Cerrablo, the 16th-century Casa de los Cueto, and the City Hall. The latter was constructed during the mid-16th century in the Renaissance style but also contains elements added at the beginning of the 20th century. Its main façade has two emblazoned towers and a gallery supported by columns with plateresque capitals.

The boom enjoyed by the city during the Renaissance period gave rise to the emergence of numerous palaces and mansions. One of the most outstanding of these is the so-called Palacio de los Castro with its beautiful plateresque portal flanked by spiral columns crowned by figures of lions. Particularly noteworthy in this context is the Palacio de los Águila (16th-17th centuries), an austere mansion adorned with the coats of arms of its former owners. A tour of the city could also include the Neo-Gothic Palacio de la Marquesa de Cartago constructed during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Moctezuma palace, which now houses the municipal cultural centre, the so-called Casa de los Vázquez, now the main post office, and the Palace of the Count of Alba de Yeltes.

Religious Architecture

The Cathedral is the most important religious building in Ciudad Rodrigo. Although construction commenced around 1165, the building was not completed until 1550 and the result is therefore a mixture of artistic styles. The outstanding element of the façade is the Las Cadenas entrance, the frieze of which is decorated with several sculptural reliefs. The interior of the church is divided into a central nave and two lateral aisles, each covered by rib-vaults. The Main Chapel, situated in the apse of the central nave, has a stellar vault, the work of Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón. Special attention should be paid to the choir stalls, which contain several profane scenes carved by Rodrigo Alemán in 1498.Meanwhile, the Diocesan Museumcontains a collection of religious art.

Situated close by is the so-called Capilla del Marqués de Cerralbo, a magnificent temple in the Herrera style with a grand dome on a base providing the crest. The interior of the church preserves exquisite walnut reredoses. The old quarter contains other beautiful churches, such as those of San Agustín (16th century), San Pedro (12th century) and the Church of the Franciscanas Descalzas (17th century). Situated on the outskirts of the city, en route to the Águeda reservoir, is the 16th-century Monasterio de la Caridad.

In terms of culture, one of the most popular "fiestas" amongst the inhabitants of Ciudad Rodrigo is the so-called Carnaval del Toro (bull carnival). As its name suggests, bulls play a major role in this celebration, with the Plaza Mayor serving for several days as a stage for amateur and professional bullfights with young bulls as well as other festivities.

It fell to the castle at Ciudad Rodrigo to defend Spain against both the Moors and also to watch over and defend the border with Portugal. The castle with its magnificent tower, Torre del Homenaje, is set on a cliff overlooking the river Agueda and the plains below.
This bastion was built by Enrique de Trastamara in the 14th century after he had killed his stepbrother - the legitimate king, Pedro The Cruel - and usurped his throne.

In this town, perhaps the most critical part of Spain's history played out. The Visigothic King Rodrigo raped the daughter of the governor of Ceuta (located in North Africa - in modern day Morocco). The governor was so enraged that he allowed the Moors to disembark for Spain from his port and thus began the Moorish conquest and occupation that lasted for centuries. Rodrigo history says that he was entombed alive himself with a poisonous snake for die in terrible pain trying to atone for his sin.

The fine Parador Ciudad Rodrigo overlooks the town and is the perfect base from which to take walking excursions. The old walled city is great for just wandering around with no particular itinerary. Don't miss the beautiful cathedral. Construction on this cathedral was begun in the 12th century. Its design is part Romanesque and part Gothic.

Parador Ciudad Rodrigo
The Parador Ciudad Rodrigo overlooks the town and is the perfect base from which to take walking excursions into the ancient town of Ciudad Rodrigo. The old walled city is great for just wandering around with no particular itinerary. The Parador is a grand castle (official name is Parador Enrique II) that has magnificent tower, Torre del Homenaje, and is set on a cliff overlooking the river Agueda and the plains below.

Historically, it fell to the castle at Ciudad Rodrigo (now the Parador) to defend Spain against both the Moors and also to watch over and defend the border with Portugal. The castle also played an important role in the war with Napoleon and the French. This bastion was built by Enrique de Trastamara in the 14th century after he had killed his stepbrother - the legitimate king, Pedro The Cruel - and usurped his throne.

In Ciudad Rodrigo, perhaps the most critical part of Spain's history played out. The Visigothic King Rodrigo raped the daughter of the governor of Ceuta (located in North Africa - in modern day Morocco). The governor was so enraged that he allowed the Moors to disembark for Spain from his port and thus began the Moorish conquest and occupation that lasted for centuries. Rodrigo history says that he was entombed alive himself with a poisonous snake for die in terrible pain trying to atone for his sin.

The town is a fascinating place for discovery. There are palaces, convents, and original aristocratic mansions seemingly at every turn. Much of the original walls still surround the old section. You can climb up onto those walls from the Parador. The main cathedral is spectacular. Construction on this cathedral was begun in the 12th century. Its design is part Romanesque and part Gothic.

Interesting in-town excursions from the Ciudad Rodrigo Parador:
The wonderful 'old town' is very special. Take your time and meander it's ancient cobblestone streets at random - you'll be well rewarded.

Interesting half-day trips from the Parador include:
La Alberca - This photogenic little town is as traditional and original medieval mountain village as you will find anywhere. It has been declared a national monument city.

Las Batuecas - A wild and wonderful natural area with many walking trails.

Portugal - It is but a short drive to reach the border. Guarda - with its picturesque fortress is only 40 miles distant.

Salamanca - A World Heritage city, and a "must see" if you are ever near.

The Parador Ciudad Rodrigo has many fine features and presents a wonderful place to stay and bask in the palpable presence of history which completely permeates the place.

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Paradores de Turismo de España

Cáceres... a Spanish Jewel

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:22:00 +0000

More than ten towers dominate the historic quarter of Caceres, delimited by Arab walls. Cobbled streets marked by medieval, fortified homes and Renaissance palaces make up the most beautiful sceneries in this city, which was declared World Heritage.The local history is closely related to one the historic, peninsular routes: "Vía de la Plata" (the Silver Route), a Roman road that linked Seville and Astorga, used by the pilgrims who were headed to Santiago de Compostela. Pork products and shepherd recipes are the fundamental elements of the rich culinary tradition of this region, the dishes should be served with some of the excellent wines from Caceres.

Originally called Norba Caesarina, the city of Cáceres was founded by the Romans in 34 BC. However,it was not until the arrival of the Moors (12th century) that the city enjoyed its era of greatest splendour. A century later, the city would pass into Christian hands upon its reconquest by Alfonso IX of León. In the 15th century Isabella I brought an end to the continuous power struggles between the local nobles by ordering the cutting-off of the tops of the towers of their respective house-fortresses. Thereafter the city experienced an economic boom, mainly brought about by its active role in the discovery of America. The walled part of Cáceres, the majority of which is Almohad, preserves to this day its Medieval defensive towers such as those of Bujaco, Yerba and del Horno, all 12th century constructions. The gate known as the El Arco de la Estrella affords access to the area of the city enclosed by its wall. This entrance, the work of Manuel de Lara Churriguera, was built in the 18th century to replace the previous Puerta Nueva, which dated from the medieval period.

Once inside the medieval quarter, there are palaces and ancestral houses to be seen at every turn, which can be easily identified by the presence of family coats of arms. The Plaza de Santa María is surrounded by several palaces. One of these is the Carvajal palace, which was built between the 15th and 16th centuries, later to be refurbished in the middle of the 20th century. At the centre of its picturesque, Renaissance courtyard there stands a thousand-year-old fig tree. Beside the house stands a 12th century round tower built by the Moors. The palace currently houses the Cáceres Tourist, Craft and Traditional Culture Board.

The square is completed by the Mayoralgo Palace (16th century), the biggest in the city, with its interior stone, pointed-arched courtyard and the Episcopal Palace. The latter has two façades, one dating from the 13th century, with a foiled arch at its entrance, while the other Renaissance façade is adorned with bossage arching.

The whole is presided over by the 15th century, Gothic Santa María Pro-cathedral. The church is made up of three naves covered by rib vaults. Worthy of special mention is its main altarpiece with stalls, built in the Plateresque style. This work by Guillén Ferrant and Roque Balduque is made of non-polychromed cedar and consists of priceless sculptures and reliefs. Apart from the tombstones and Baroque altarpieces in its side chapels, you should not miss the image of the Cristo de los Blázquez, also known as the Cristo Negro ("Black Christ") which, tradition has it, brought death to all those who looked at, or touched, it.

In the neighbouring San Pablo square stands the 15th century Cáceres-Ovando House. Attached to the building stands the Cigüeñas Tower, which is the only tower that Isabella I allowed to preserve its battlements.

Notwithstanding, one of the most beautiful examples of Cáceres architecture is the 15th century Golfines de Abajo Palace, with its outstanding 16th century Renaissance façade, not to mention the superposition of Gothic and Mudejar features, as well as its 17th century Plateresque cresting. The Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella are said to have stayed here in this fine building on one of their visits to the capital.

The San Mateo square is home to the Paredes Saavedra House, which dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, the House of Lorenzo de Ulloa (15th century), and the House of the Veletas. Built at the end of the 15th century over the old Almohad fortress, this palace was rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century. Its Baroque façade is one of the building's most noteworthy exterior features, not to mention its pinnacles (colloquially referred to as "weather vanes") that crown its top. An excellently preserved cistern from the old Spanish-Moorish fortress, which could possibly have come down to us from the 12th century, is to be found inside, underneath the courtyard. Today the building serves to house the Cáceres Museum that has a collection of archaeological pieces and ethnographic artefacts on display to enable the visitor to get to know the history of the province.

San Mateo church (16th century), which stands in the square of the same name, is built over the city's old main mosque. It posesses an oustanding Gothic façade.

Outside the walls, there is a magnificent flight of steps that leads down to the Plaza Mayor, which is notable for its numerous towers and the Balbos Forum. Nearby stands the Godoy Palace (16th century), a Renaissance building with a beautiful corner balcony. Beside it we have the Santiago church, founded by the order known as the “Fratres de Cáceres”, a precursor of the later Order of Santiago. Several other artistic features have been added in the course of time to its original Romanesque structure, from among which the Berruguete altarpiece deserves special mention.

On leaving the city, on the highest peak of the neighbouring Sierra de la Mosca Mountains we come across the Nuestra Señora de la Montaña Church, which houses a Baroque altarpiece. Under the church you can visit the cave where the veneration of Our Lady of the Mountain began, who was to become as of 1688, the patroness of the city. To round off the visit, this area provides the visitor with some of the best panoramic views of this monumental city and its outskirts.

Gastronomy and the outskirts
Cáceres cuisine revolves around pork and its by-products. Shepherd recipes are undoubtedly the most popular traditional dishes throughout the entire province: lamb and goat-kid stew, migas (chorizo sausage, bacon and bread), etc. Other traditional dishes include sopas canas (with milk, bread, oil, paprika and garlic) and “ropavieja” (meat in a sauce with egg and tomato). All of these specialities can be accompanied by a glass of Cáceres wine, the quality of which is guaranteed by the Ribera del Guadiana Designation of Origin label. There is wide variety of desserts on offer, including sheep's, goat's and cow's cheese, not to mention the excellent confectionery, originally a monastery speciality, of which the delicious sweets from the San Pablo convent are an outstanding example.

More in Cáceres...
The old Comendador de Alcuéscar Palace, also known as the Marqueses de Torreorgaz Palace has been refurbished and converted into a Parador Hotel, which has seen it become one of the best hotel establishments in the capital. It is one of the most outstanding buildings of the "old", monumental Cáceres, which originally dates from the 14th century, but which was later refurbished in the 15th and 17th centuries.

Cáceres province possesses a host of interesting routes to be discovered by the visitor. One of these, called the Vía de la Plata, takes us along the ancient Roman road that joined Sevilla and Astorga, and which later on was used by the pilgrims as they made their way to Santiago de Compostela. On taking this route we can also visit, in addition to Cáceres, Plasencia, the second most important city in the province. Indeed, its city walls conceal an important artistic heritage. The Plasencia Parador Hotel is situated in a 15th century convent in the monumental heart of the city.

To the north of the province, in the district of La Vera, we come across Hervás, a town that possesses one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Spain, and Valverde de la Vera, a site that has been declared to be of Historical-Artistic interest. At Jarandilla de la Vera, beside the Yuste Monastery, you can spend the night at the Parador Hotel, which was originally a Medieval castle-palace.

To the east of the capital Trujillo the home of the conquistadors of Latin America is worth a visit. There we can visit the old Santa Clara convent (16th century), which has now been turned into the Trujillo Parador Hotel. Guadalupe is only a few kilometres away. This Historical-Artistic town is home to the Guadalupe Monastery, a Gothic-Mudejar building that has been declared to be a World Heritage site. Guadalupe also has its own Parador Hotel, which is located in the the old facilities of the San Juan Bautista hospital (15th century). Lastly, the Monfragüe National Park is just one of the numerous natural treasures to be found in Cáceres. An area of extremely varied landscape, it has been declared to be a Special Bird-Protection Area.

More information: http://www.spain.info/

Top Five Places to See in Argentina

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:31:00 +0000

Argentina is a country of contradictions and contrasts, home to both Patagonian glaciers and tropical rainforests. A country of vineyards and waterfalls as well as deserts.
To help you define your priorities when you’re planning your trip, here’s a quick list of my five favorite Argentina tourist attractions:

1. Buenos Aires. Number one because it can’t be missed. Which is convenient for most visitors since, as the center for transportation in the country, the city would be hard to miss if you tried. Even if you only have a short time, plan on staying here for at least a few days: flexible travelers with lots of time on their hands often find that after several months they still haven’t moved on! Things to see and do: Go to a “milonga” (a tango dance hall), the city is, after all, the place where tango began. Have a steak, the best beef in the world. Spend an evening or two in the neighborhood of Palermo with its restaurants, bars and clubs. And if your language skills are rusty, B.A. is one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish.

2. The Glaciers National Park
You may have seen photos in National Geographic of these glaciers calving off icebergs and thought that this was one of those exotic places in the world you’d never be able to see. Well, think again: Argentina’s glaciers, though in the far south of the country, are these days easily accessible by air and land transportation and the Perito Moreno glacier, the park’s star performer, is so awe-inspiring that even the most jaded world traveler could scarcely fail to be impressed. Mount Fitzroy in the north of the Park is only a short drive away, too. With its sheer rock cliff face, it is one of the Andes’ most emblematic peaks.

3. The Iguazú Waterfalls. This enormous waterfall in Argentina’s tropical north, by many accounts the world’s largest, is formed by a confluence of swollen rainforest rivers dropping hundreds of feet off volcanic rock cliffs. Since the falls form part of the Argentina-Brazil border, try to see the falls from the National Parks in both countries. On the Argentine side, walkways take you to the very edge, letting you peer down into the misty void. On the Brazilian side, you’re able to take in the whole panorama of the falls from below.

4. Salta and Jujuy. Argentina’s Andean northwest, with its high planes, green valleys, llamas herds, spicy food and indigenous people sporting ponchos. The region is home to some of Argentina’s most varied and rugged landscapes.

5. Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdéz. No visit to Argentina should be considered complete without a visit to coastal Patagonia, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. In the winter and spring months the Southern Right Whale mates, gives birth and raises its young in the sheltered harbor of the Peninsula. At other times of the year, there are sea lions, seals, penguins, dolphins and even orcas on view.

About the Author:
Scott Ferree is the study abroad coordinator at the Interhispanica Spanish Language School in Buenos Aires, Argentina: http://www.interhispanica.com.ar/

Alsace: a region in the northeast of France

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:26:00 +0000

Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Alsace is a frontier land both open to the world and attached to its own traditions. The capital of Alsace is Strasbourg. 40km to the South of Strasbourg is Colmar, a renowned tourist destination.
Renowned for its geranium-filled villages, its medieval capital of Strasbourg, its tasty "choucroute garni" dishes and its crispy dry white wines. Nestled between the mighty Rhine and the Vosges mountains, picturesque Alsace is fiercely French in its social and political attitudes, but ever so slightly German in its tastes and appetites.

This beautiful place has through its history changed hands between Germany and France on several occasions. The local culture is distinct, and the region offers historic cities and castles, and interesting countryside. A popular itinerary is the Alsatian Vineyard Route - fabulous for walking from town to town trying a whole bunch of local wines.

Alsace also has some of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in Western Europe. The stunning Strasbourg Cathedral is a unique example of a mix of roman and gothic architecture and has the peculiarity of having one tower only and of being built with pink Vosges gres.

Due to their tumultuous past history, Alsatians are extremely proud to be French and take great offence in being mistaken for Germans when they go overseas or inland France. You will not see more French flags on the streets of any other inland French cities. Alsatians have a very deep attachment to France even if the French Government has not always reciprocated. During WWII, all Alsatians men were sent by the Germans to the Russian front. Some boys managed to escape before being sent there and went to Paris to enrol in the French army. This act of courage however came at a dire price as the family of those "malgré nous" would often be killed or sent to concentration camps.

The Bas-Rhin is the northern département of Alsace; Haut-Rhin refers to the département south of Selestat.

Other destinations:

Alsace has an extensive rail network due to its shared borders with Germany and Switzerland, with rail links to both of these countries passing through the region. The French SNCF and TGV networks pass through Alsace. Rail links to Freiburg and Basel are found at Mulhouse, and Strasbourg has direct connections to Germany,Paris and other cities in France.

French is the official language. German dialect is widely spoken by the older generation and in the more rural areas. The English language can be limited to the younger generation. In some areas, the population may use the native dialect of Alsacien, an Allemanic German dialect similar to that spoken across the German border in western Baden-Württemberg or in northwestern Switzerland, but you will always find someone who can speak French fluently. Knowledge of standard German has again become important for economic reasons, but certainly English is more likely to play this role.

The Haut-Rhin département is served by Euroairport, the airport that serves Mulhouse, Basel and Freiburg, with excellent links by road and train to these cities. Budget airline Easyjet[1] offers links to London and Liverpool. A smaller airport also exists at Entzheim, near Strasbourg. But the easiest way to get in is by road. The Bas-Rhin département is linked to Paris and the rest of France by the A4 highway and the N4 road, when the Haut-Rhin is linked to west by the N59 road (via the tunnel of Ste-Marie-aux-Mines) and to the south (Belfort) by the A36 highway. Other small roads link Lorraine to Alsace, but they're all really winding since they go through theVosges. The main access to Switzerland is the A35 highway (between Mulhouse, France and Basel, Switzerland). If you arrive from Germany, you can cross the Rhine easily at one of several bridges.

It is best to have a car so you can explore all the little villages, stop for wine tastings and see the ruins of castles.

What to see:

River cruise on Strasbourg's "III" canal.
Ecomuseum of Ungersheim - were traditional houses from all over the region have been transferred into one place
Riquewihr Traditional Winemaking village
Cité de l'automobile - National Motor Museum - Collection Schlumpf - Mulhouse.
Discover the fantastic Fritz Schlumpf collection[2]: Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Hispano Suiza. They're all there, in an area covering 17,000 m², 400 exceptional cars from amongst the most famous. There are giant screens, simulators, reconstructions truer than real life, games.
Cité du Train. Visit the Cité du Train or French Railway Museum[3] in Mulhouse. Through the 15,000 m² of the largest train museum in France, discover the history of French railway.

What to do?

A drive or bike where the Vosges mountains meet the Rhine valley is a highlight of a visit to Alsace.
Drive on the Wine Road (Route du Vin) and visit all the small villes fleuries and wine towns.

Gastronomy:
Alsatian cuisine is very distinctive; heavily German-influenced with a Gallic flavour. According to Alsatians, sauerkraut (French: choucroute) was invented here. In addition, a traveller can expect to find tarte flambée (an onion, bacon, and creme fraiche 'pizza' - Flammkuchen in German), Baeckehoffe and all sort of Charturie in abundance in Alsatian restaurants, nestling alongside escargots, "cuisses de grenouilles" and crème brûlée. Alsace is the smallest region in France, but it possesses the largest number of five-star chefs per inhabitant.

The Alsatian Vineyard Route is a veritable rite-of-passage for the discerning wine buff. Visit the Vins Alsacewebsite[4] for further information.
Alsace is also home to some of the best and most renowned beers in the world, like Kronenbourg, Kanterbrau or Fischer.

As recomendation:
Restaurant « La Maison Kammerzell »
The “Maison Kammerzell” is a veritable symbol of Strasbourg, which dates back to 1427. The speciality of fish sauerkraut, with its sauces made to secret recipes, came to fill the air at the House with 75 stained glass windows.
16 place de la cathédrale in Strasbourg
+33 (0)3 88 32 42 14
http://www.maison-kammerzell.com/

Culture:
Alsatian Museum
This visit should not be missed. Its shows the extraordinary richness of the Alsatian culture. This local art museum presents the traditional lifestyle: painted furniture, toys, and religious images. Through the reconstruction of different interiors, one follows a tour of the religion, discovering the affluence of the wine grower, the life of the valley, the blacksmith’s or carpenter’s workshops…
23-25, quai St-Nicolas in Strasbourg
+33 (0)3 88 52 50 01
http://www.musees-strasbourg.org/

Night Life:
Pub « Les Aviateurs »
Situated near « place du Marché Gayot » the center of the nightlife, « Les Aviateurs » is a famous American style pub: the beers are local and the vibe friendly.
12 rue Sœurs in Strasbourg +33 (0)3 88 36 52 69
http://www.les-aviateurs.com/

Shopping:
Poterie d’Alsace – Hélène Mahler
"Poterie d'Alsace" specialized in traditional crockery was set up in 1860, a feet away from the Cathedrale. Traditional potteries are especially used for the cooking in oven: oval terrines (Baeckehof), pots, gratin dishes or shaped cake tins (Kougelhopf, Chrismas stars …). Hélène Mahler welcomes you warmly and gives you the best tips in order to use perfectly your new kitchen utensils.
3 rue des Frères in Strasbourg
+33 (0)3 88 32 23 21
http://poteriealsace.free.fr/

Events: Not to be missed in Strasbourg
Discover 2 major events:
The Christmas Market and the Strasbourg's Mondial de la Biere, the Beer Event in Europe!

Alsace is a predominantly rural region with a low crime rate. Visitors to Strasbourg should heed the same advice for any major city; do not flash cash, be sympathetic but not gullible with beggars; don't wander down dark alleys alone.

STRASBOURG: http://www.otstrasbourg.fr/

In the Alsace's region:
COLMAR, A CULTURAL, TOURISTIC AND GASTRONOMIC TOWN...

The capital of Alsace Centre, near Germany and Switzerland, Colmar (roughly 67,000 inhabitants) is situated between Strasbourg and Basel, and the Vosges and the Rhine.
Despite the ups and downs of its turbulent history the town has managed to preserve its historical centre intact. The latter has been listed as a « protected area » and undergone constant restoration and enhancement.

The pedestrian area, one of the largest in Europe, enables visitors to appreciate and admire the town’s treasures, a heritage from the period between the Middle Ages and the 20th century. From the Maison des Têtes (House of heads - early 17th century), which owes its name to the 111 heads decorating its facade, to Maison Pfister (Pfister house), a fine bourgeois residence of medieval design dating from the Renaissance, each of its monuments is unique in its kind.

In addition, Colmar possesses a very rich religious art heritage: the Dominican’s Church and the Saint-Martin’s Church are examples of pure, sober Gothic art, stripped of all ornamentation.

You can stroll down the streets, admiring the numerous ensigns and the brightly coloured roofs… or saunter along the Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fisherman’s wharf), in a picturesque district now referred to as the “little Venice” and once the nerve centre of Colmar’s
fish market.

MULHOUSE : Another Alsace

Mulhouse has kept a significant and unique historical heritage from its past as an independent republic. As the European capital city for science and industry museums, Mulhouse invites you to discover its rich past through its prestigious museums, such as the National Automobile Museum - Schlumpf Collection, the French Railway Museum or the Museum of Printed Textiles, and through its historical centre with a wonderful ancient town hall of rhenish Renaissance style. And all year long, don't miss the many events that take place in this great town, such as the Automobile Festival, the Jazz Festival or the Christmas market.

Holiday Packages To Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Free Zone Vacations) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:21:00 +0000

If you are wondering where to go for a holiday this season, and need it to be one of those inexpensive and cheap holidays this time, Africa is your answer. Visit this breathtaking continent for the time of your life. Be it a wildlife safari in Kenya, a climb up the Table Mountains of Cape Town, a walk through the colonial style towns or just an afternoon on the infinite white sands of its beaches, Africa has a full spectrum of activities and experiences that can never be found anywhere else in the world.

The good news is that Africa is a relatively affordable place to visit. If you are on a shoestring budget and need to keep your expenses to the minimum and want an unforgettable travel experience, cheap holidays in Africa is what you need. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap holiday packages that let you experience the true Africa at cheaper rates with reasonable comfort. These cheap holiday packages come bundled with great deals and offers that ensures that you can use your money for spending on things other than travel – lie buying that tribal mask you always fancied or going on a safari at Kenya and getting to see the African elephant and other spectacular natural treats that Africa has to offer.

You can get all the information you need on cheap holiday packages and cheap holidays in Africa online. There are a wide range of cheap hoiday packages for travel to Africa. You can have fun choosing among Gambia holidays, Kenya holidays, South African holidays and Cape Verde holiday packages. In addition to these, there are many other cheap holiday packages available.

The cheap holiday packages to Africa usually include everything - travel, accommodation, and scheduling. So choose your special cheap holiday package so that you can make the best of your holidays in Africa and come back with a bagful of wonderful memories.

By: Cruse Loyle
http://www.articledashboard.com
Cruse Loyle is associated with tourafrica.ie, offers you an interesting holiday packages, south africa hotels deals, flights deals cape town hotels, south africa packages luxury hotels make your holiday more relaxing with tourafrica.