World Travel

London, England

2012-01-05T21:59:00.000-08:00

Did You Know???

2012 is a huge year for England….London is gearing up for the 2012 Olympics…

A leading global city London is the capital city of United Kingdom, commonly known the UK or Britain. It is the largest urban zone in the European Union and is the world largest financial center in the world. It’s the fact that it has the most international guests of any metropolis in the world. London has a varied range of peoples, culture, and religion, and more than hundreds languages are spoken within its borders.

England is situated in the middle and southern part of Great Britain and roughly contains 90% of the United Kingdom population who are distributed in the major cities and metropolitan areas.

England is a marvelous country with a lot of past and wonderful touristic attractions. Each city of this country has innumerable attractions and touristic activities. For visitors, the loveliness of travel in England is the dense nature of the country.

Several beautiful antique monuments of England are:

Stonehenge
Devil's Arrows
Rudston Monolith
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The Roman Baths

Travel to Brazil

2012-01-04T22:43:00.000-08:00

Brazil!

Che aro Brazil lets go!

Brazil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La Brasil !!!!!

Brazil is the biggest country in South America and occupies the eastern half of South America .It is a rich nation full of incredible and a variety of landscapes, and it counts with the mayor biodiversity of the world, multicolored traditions and festivals and a very wealthy past.

Brazil is one of the most varied countries with very diverse geographical areas such as semi dry areas, mountains, plains, tropical, subtropical and climate that range from drizzling to dry.

This country is very famous because its football which is considered one of the best of the world and the Brazilian carnival which is famous for being one of the most symbolic parties on Brazil. This carnival is celebrated in the streets of Brazil, three days before the Ash Day, in those days the Samba schools and neighborhood present dances full of tint and energetic music.

Did You Know???

* Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and that major infrastructure investments are being made.

* Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, with about 1.5 million people of Japanese descent in Brazil.

When to Travel

Lofty season is one week before Christmas until Carnival (February or early March.) This is the trendiest time to travel. The festivals during parts of this time period are memorable while all the town and resorts are full with holiday travelers, so the hitch is that hotels are more prices and availability is pretty limited. Visiting Brazil in September through November promises summer weather and a savings on high-season rates. And rests of months are usually enjoyable but carry a somewhat greater possibility of rainfall.

The most visited places in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro
Foz do Iguaçu
São Paulo
Florianópolis Salvador
Balneário Camboriú
Fortaleza
Natal
Búzios
Manaus

Miami Florida Vacations

2011-10-05T01:43:00.000-07:00

Miami has plenty of unbelievable traveler attractions. Bal Harbour town is right at the seashore and packed with most wonderful feat of design. Coral Castle is a memorial that shows a single man's fortitude. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden that has loads of uncommon tropical flora and Metro zoo of Miami with over 2,000 animals, and almost 400 genus and is bigger than U.S. zoo. There is also a nice visit to, the Miami Seaquarium if someone who like aquariums.

One, who loves fishing, can experience deep sea fishing on a 40 foot boat at some nice fishing places and is open for all ages. Everglades Safari Park has airboat tour, flora and fauna nature show, and many more. Island Queen Cruises Sightseeing Tours takes you to lots of nice places to sightsee on their tour boats. They also take you by some homes that belong to the wealthy and legendary people.

Miami has, Miami Performing Arts Center which are open in 2006.and these arts center have three state of the art theaters. And also have an education center, the sign for the 1929 Art Deco Tower, and other.There are lots of museums, which tell us about the Miami. Jewish Museum of Florida is in a nice old Art Deco building. You can see western and non western art in Lowe Art Museum. Art Museum of Miami has international art. Children’s Museum is for the children to learn and more museums to visit as well.

If you are love to play golf, Doral Golf Resort and Spa, which is a Marriott Resort is one of the best place for golfers and it will cost around 250-270 USD in season. And some other golf ground are-
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club- season cost to play is 150-175 USD
The Biltmore Hotel- season cost to play is95 to 121 USD

Just ensure with your travel manager to see what is going on when you take a trip.

Guatemala, Life under the Volcano

2010-12-08T22:17:00.000-08:00

Guatemala is full of charm, splendid views of natural beauty and certain eeriness before any of these volcanoes, which look over the country, erupt and disrupt the routine life from time to time. A truly befitting phrase for a country which has more than 30 volcanoes, 33 to be exact strewn across its realm. Guatemala is full of surprises as there are meandering ways leading to the jungles, winding paths leading to the highlands that were once the home of the famous Mayan dynasty and the rumbling not of the lions but the earth beneath.

The Guatemalan people have got thick-skinned against the ever-present threat of the volcanoes and they follow a lifestyle of their own. Different traditions and cultures co-exist in this beautiful country, each having their own identity and niche yet a unique oneness, which lures tourists towards it.

Guatemala as a tourist destination fascinates those that are adventurous and look, for unconventional places; as such, places are plentiful here. The months of November and December are the best time to visit Guatemala since the weather is cool and the sunsets are simply scintillating.

Journey in New Zealand

2010-11-16T21:45:00.001-08:00

New Zealand’s far away location ensures that its natural beauty is protected from the hordes of tourists who would overwhelm this place if it was easy to get to. True, New Zealand’s greatness has been exposed to the world by movies like Lord of the Rings but, surprisingly, few people make their way down here. But, with places and activities like those listed below, New Zealand is clearly worth any journey:

Abel Tasman National Park

Stepping into Abel Tasman is in some ways like stepping into Thailand. The beautiful beaches and azure blue water feel like they belong in the tropics not New Zealand. The hiking is beautiful with giant ferns, trees and a great climate. There are a lot of one to three day hikes here. But if you really want to see this park, kayak around. This lets you explore the tiny little coves and beaches that make the area so special.

Glacier Trekking

There aren’t many opportunities to hike glaciers in the world and trekking up to the Fox and Franz Joseph glacier is something that just about every traveler should do. While the glaciers are heavily touristed, the experience lives up to the hype (though the Fox Glacier is a little less touristy). Yes, you are walking on ice but it’s surprisingly a cool experience and you can even climb down and through tunnels in the glaciers.

Extreme Sports

New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world. From bungee jumping to sky diving to white water rafting, most people come visit New Zealand and blow their budget on a wide range of activities that excite as much as drain your wallet. There are a million activities and if you are unlike me and love adrenaline pumping activities, New Zealand is your dream destination.

Tongariro Crossing

Considered the best day hike in all of New Zealand, the crossing takes you where they filmed Mordor from Lord of the Rings. The 19.4 km walk is easy at parts and steep at others, especially after “Mount Doom.” But despite the sore legs you will have after, walking through this space like environment of volcanoes, earthen land, and sulfur was the highlight of my whole time in New Zealand.

Maori Culture

Maori culture is a fascinating and important part of New Zealand life and history. My love of their culture started with the movie Whale Rider and I’ve loved learning about their history, culture, and situation. Maoris are a friendly and proud people and there wasn’t one I met I didn’t like. My only regret is not spending more time learning about the culture.

Wellington

Wellington has character. Everyone talks about Auckland (which, contrary to popular belief, is not the capital), but the real magic takes place in Wellington (the capital). The architecture and eclectic vibe give this city a great personality that should not be missed. There’s a great nightlife, a concentrated center, and a beautiful harbor. I’d choose Wellie over Auckland anytime.

Glow Worms

Definitely one of the coolest things I did while in New Zealand, the Waitomo glow worm cave is hyped and touristy but amazing as you walk or abseil down into darkness and float down the river staring up at caverns covered in “lights.” I found the 3 hour trip long enough for me but, if you like to abseil, you should consider the five hour trip.

Queenstown

Everyone hypes up Queenstown. Everyone. But Queenstown is everything they say it is and move. I can not express my love of Queenstown enough. Queenstown looks more like a mountain town in Canada than a town in New Zealand. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountains, has an amazing lake, and tiny little pedestrian streets. There is such a great vibe and energy in this city. It’s wonderful.

Taupo

Taupo has a lot of great hikes, a beautiful lake for fishing, and is the jumping off point for the Tongariro crossing. It lacks the energy Queenstown does but is certainly not lacking in beauty.

This list only scratches the surface of what there is to see and do in New Zealand. In a country filled with adventure and wildlife, everyone will find something here. Travelers rarely have any bad things to say about the country and, as you can see, there is good reason for that.

Castello di Vicarello - Tuscany, Italy

2010-11-12T21:07:00.000-08:00

Castello di Vicarello is the kind of place you dream about. Movies and novels describe such places but you don’t really believe they exist. Too good to be true. But Castello di Vicarello is definitely real and it has been so since 1100. The castle sits on a hill overlooking the Maremma countryside in southern Tuscany, and it offers absolutely everything that any of your senses would want of a Tuscan vacation.

About 50 years ago, it was practically a ruin, completely abandoned, when the Baccheschi Berti family saw the potential. With much love and care, and quite a few liras, the family transformed the ruin into an exquisitely luxurious yet completely unpretentious Tuscan paradise that opened for guests in 2003.

Each room and villa (only 7 in total) is different, with hand-picked furnishings, fabrics and accents. The exposed stone, brick and wood of the structure provide a perfect framework for the harmonious mix of antiques, modern design and Indonesian touches (the Baccheschi Bertis spent a decade in Indonesia in the textile business). The beds are adorned with the highest-quality Italian linen sheets and yes, they do help you sleep better.

The views of the countryside, the two outdoor fresh-water pools, the magnificent garden that changes with the seasons, the beautiful spa, the vineyards, the olive groves, not to even mention the amazing food Aurora and her staff prepare daily — there is absolutely no reason to leave this place. Ever. We spent hours just wandering around lazily and barefooted, gazing at the vistas, listening to the birds — no social networking, no technology, just peace and quiet.

Arguably the best holiday you’ve ever had anywhere, even in Italy, that manages to deliver every time — from food to the fashion, from people-watching to design, from architecture to hotels, from wines to coffee. How many countries get this many things right?

Dream Vacation in Phuket, Thailand

2010-10-25T23:06:00.000-07:00

Phuket is the largest island in The Land Of Smiles also known as Thailand, and also is popular island for the beaches and warm water where the tropical sun give you a tan all year round. There are several million people visited this tropical holiday paradise every year, 820 km south of Bangkok.

What attract everyone is Thai people’s warm smile and hospitality. Everywhere you go their smiles will light up your day. It's not without reason Thailand is The Land Of Smiles. Flying down to Phuket from Bangkok take just over one hour and shortly before landing will you see many small green limestone islands rising up from the sea underneath you, a beautiful sight so different from Bangkok's concrete jungle.

Then Phuket reveal itself, the pearl of the Andaman Sea with lush green hills and hundred spectacular limestone rock formations of Phang Nga Bay as far you can see. You have now arrived in paradise. There are many luxurious hotel on the white sandy beaches along the west coast where most people prefer to have their dream vacation.

If traveling on a budget, cheap rooms can be found without problem in Patong. 10-15 minutes walk from the beach. You can pay 150 baht a night for a room with air-con and hot water, minus electricity in Patong. Since the sun in Phuket is very strong, every beach have chair with umbrella for rent. But it don't stop tourists from getting burned, as the many red body's are a living proof of. It's easy to be fooled by the sea breeze or cloudy weather into thinking you will not be burned.

When the sun has gone down it's time to try out the world famous chili hot Thai food and as being on an island seafood is abundant from small and cheap street stalls to expensive restaurants with live music. Be careful with the chili or else your throat will burn like it never has before.

Shop till you drop a popular evening activity in Patong Town, the tourist capital of Phuket. Arrive with empty bags, return with a bad back after carried overloaded bags to the airport, filled with cheap cloths bought at the night market or the newly opened Jungceylon shopping complex in the heart of Patong. If Patong don't have what you are looking for, you can be sure to find it at the world class Central Festival shopping center. Central Festival is located in the area of Big C and Lotus outside of Phuket City.

A must for everyone is the trip to Phi Phi Island where The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed and Phang-Nga Bay with the limestone cliffs you saw from the plane. Similan Islands, one of ten world top diving sites. Similans are nine paradise islands a daytrip away northwest of Phuket where the sea are fantastic clear, a truly paradise. Racha Island to the south with beautiful corals and very clear sea, also popular for game fishing. And several other islands with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. So much to see, so little time on a short vacation.

There are two famous show in the evening suited for the whole family. Phuket Fantasea at Kamala and Simon Cabaret Transvestite Show in Patong.

Quoted from their website:

"From the creators of Safari World, Thailand's most popular animal and Leisure Park, comes a new and unique cultural theme complex-Phuket FantaSea-that promise to be the ultimate in night-time entertainment on the holiday resort island of Phuket."

Another must is Simon Cabaret, a marvelous combination of music, dance and costume performed by the famous lady boys.

For the golf enthusiast Phuket have four 18-hole golf courses with Blue Canyon Country Club as one of the best in Asia. Banyan Tree Golf Club is another good course located at Laguna Phuket, home to several luxurious hotels. And want-to-be divers should not miss up on the opportunity to get a international Scuba Diving Certificate while on vacation on a tropical island. Phuket is a popular diving destination.

Free Travel in Paris

2010-10-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

As one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris has long been known as one of the most expensive places in the world. However, for those in the know, there are plenty of free (not inexpensive, not cheap, but literally…free) ways to enjoy the city of Paris, whether it’s a museum that doesn’t charge entrance fees on a certain day or something as simple as a spectacular view. Here’s a list of free things to do in Paris.

The Bookinistes – A great place to go for a stroll along the Seine is by the fabled book stalls known as the Bookinistes. In addition to checking out the old books, comics and postcards from times past, you’ll encounter one of the best photo opportunities in Paris on the Left Bank of the Seine near Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Pompidou Center – For great views of the city, take the escalators to the top of the Pompidou Center and see all of Paris swirl around you. Next to the Pompidou Center is the colorful and whimsical Stravinsky fountain which is worth a glimpse. There are also entertaining street performers in the plaza outside the Pompidou Center.

Notre Dame – Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral’s main hall is free and Notre Dame Cathedral Tours offers free guided tours of the cathedral’s exterior and main hall three times per week. Half the tour is outside the cathedral exploring the facade while the other half is inside looking at the choir, Gothic vaulting, and windows.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery – Paris’ most famous cemetery is where you’ll find the famous tombs of Jim Morrison of the Doors, Oscar Wilde, Camille Pissarro and many other artists, authors, and aristocrats. Get a map from the office to navigate this bizarre, maze-like and historical resting place.

The Louvre – No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the world famous Louvre museum, home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and much more. Once a palace with a dungeon and moat, visiting the Louve is now the free thing to do in Paris on the first Sunday of each month when it offers free admission for all visitors.

Aqua venture Water Park in Atlantis

2010-10-09T02:38:00.000-07:00

The Atlantis Resort is a legendary and lavish property on Paradise Island, near Nassau in the Bahamas and just a hop from Florida. An amazing place prior to 2007, The Atlantis added the Aquaventure Water Park, The Cove luxury lodgings, and The Reef Atlantis beachside tower with kitchen-equipped suites.

The Atlantis has a 97-acre "waterscape" with over 20 million gallons of lagoons, pools, waterfalls, not to mention its giant subterranean aquariums, all adding up to the "largest marine habitat in the world".

Near the Royal Towers, the five-story Mayan Temple has a 60-ft. vertical drop that ends in a clear tunnel inside a shark-filled lagoon, and a pair of Challenger slides where you can race your friends.

Meanwhile, in Aquaventure Water Park, the 120-foot Power Tower, has four wild slides including "The Abyss": a near-vertical 50 feet drop through darkness, and two inner-tube slides where you can ride up a conveyor to the slide.

Aquaventure Water Park redefines the river-float experience. Get on your inner tube and ride all day: through lifts and drops, white-water Rapids, 80-foot underground tunnel and caves, and even up a conveyor to the giant waterslides, if you like. Read more about the Aquaventure river ride. You can variously enjoy a white-sand beach, multiple swimming pools, 7-acre lagoon with shallow sandy shore (and kayaks and water toys), large kids pool with slide and waterfalls, baby pool, Splashers kiddie waterplay zone.

The Atlantis has some of the largest tanks full of sea life in the world, and you can get a subterranean view, an Atlantis-themed maze of chambers.

Ice Hotel in Sweden

2010-09-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Ice Hotel located about 120 miles north of the Artic Circle. It first constructed in the late 1980’s, is built and re-built each winter in Jukkasjarvi, A real hotel, built completely out of ice drawn from the Torne River, is built every winter and available for guest stays. The incredible structure is, as you might guess, one of the best places for an intriguing hotel stay in Sweden, and perhaps the world.

Each year, the ice hotel has a different design, usually spreading over a space of about 53,700 feet. The Ice Hotel Sweden uses more than 4,000 tons of ice to create the igloo-like structure, and usually features roughly 60 guest rooms. The Ice Hotel Sweden also features a number of other kinds of rooms, including a sauna, a reception hall, a multimedia theatre and an ice chapel for weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies.

The Sweden Ice Hotel is open for business beginning in December (depending on the weather) and ending in March. Not only is the entire Sweden Ice Hotel structure made totally of ice, but all of the furniture and most of the decor found within is also made from ice. Beds at the Sweden Ice Hotel are slabs of solid ice, and chairs are carved from blocks of ice. Statues and other forms of art are carved throughout the hotel, in rooms and in hallways, and tend to be quite ornate. For comfort, reindeer skin blankets are draped over beds and chairs to offer (moderate) warmth.

Since the temperatures are of course well below freezing, guests of the ice hotel in Sweden will be given a collection of gear meant to offer some protection for the duration of their stay. Full jumpsuits made of beaver nylon are issued to guests of the ice hotel in Sweden, as are insulated body bags first developed for astronauts walking on the moon.

In the main area of the ice hotel in Sweden guests will also find a bar, where glowing cocktails served in glasses made of ice (but of course) are served to patrons, with an emphasis on ice-cold vodka. The features of ice hotels are constantly evolving, as the buildings are re-constructed each year.

Heated bathrooms are located near the ice hotel, as are heated cabins for travelers who want to be a part of the action, but not a part of the cold. Costs for an overnight stay range from $300 - $500 per night, depending on the size of your room. Be sure to book your stay well in advance, as the popularity of this hotel grows with each new winter season.

Lovers’ Island – Travel for Lover

2010-09-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Lovers’ Island - this lovely heart shaped Croatian island is located in Zadarski Kanal (Zadar Channel) between Zadar and Island of Pasman.

The owner of the island Vlado Juresko had always thought it looked like a bit like a heart - but when it started appearing on Google Earth, everyone else began to think so too. Now the owners of the newly renamed Lovers’ Island are being swamped with requests from smitten holidaymakers who want to spend a romantic break there.

Lovers' Island - formerly known by the more prosaic name of Galesnjak - is located in the Adriatic Sea, off the coast of the popular tourism destination of Croatia. It is just 130,000 square yards and is uninhabited, making it an intriguing location for a romantic Valentine's Day getaway.

“It has been incredible, we think it is the most perfect heart-shaped island in the world. Nobody lives there so if lovers really do want to spend time alone it's the perfect desert island.” Vlado Juresko said.

However, Juresko did not elaborate on where potential tourists could stay while on the deserted island, or how they would find food and water. And the lovers would have to wrap up well - the highest temperatures predicted for today in Croatia are just 14C which, while admittedly far warmer than chilly Britain, is still not quite balmy enough for sun tanning or swimming.

Nevertheless, the romantic isolation of the island, its stunning natural beauty and - of course - the fact that it is shaped like a heart could make it worth the trip.

Sanya - Hawaii of the East

2010-08-29T21:46:00.001-07:00

Sanya is located on the southernmost tip of Hainan Province in China. Sanya is well known for its wonderful sunshine, white sandy beaches, fresh air and clear water all year round. It is the largest diving destination in the world as well as the most important destination for golf and business meetings in China.

Sanya is also named the 'South Gate of China' to stress its importance while it plays a vital role in the life of the southern part of China in areas of the economy and politics to transportation.

Sanya is the second largest city on Hainan Island having 19 bays and over 40 inlets lying along a 209 kilometer coast line. There are now 9 bays here to stay in the Sanya area and new ones under development. In Sanya there will always be a new place to discover each time you visit.

Here you can enjoy a unique tropical oceanic landscape. Sanya Bay, Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, all golden seaboards of Sanya, Yalong Bay offers world-class hotels and resorts; Dadonghai beach area is brimming with local life. Sanya Bay has all there is to offer from staying downtown to private beaches in this 17km beach bay. They are some of the first choices to spend your holidays.

Instead of a busy and exhausting journey, you can relax totally here by strolling along the beaches and breathing the fresh air. Sanya boasts the best air quality in China and ranks second in the world. Sanya has an endless summer with an average temperature of 26°C. If you are an enthusiast of exciting water activities, Wuzhizhou Island is your place to challenge the mysterious and changing sea.

Additionally more than 20 ethnic groups including Han, Li, Miao, Hui inhabit Sanya becoming a wonderful place to appreciate the various cultures of China.

Tasting the local dishes is a must on your journey. Sanya never shirks in its efforts to entertain its guests with a variety of seafood and delicious tropical fruits all the year round. Both of the star-rated hotels and a number of roadside booths serve the freshest seafood. Shopping is also a must on your journey, so don't forget to choose some sea products and beautiful decorations for you or your friends and relatives back home.