addictedtotravel.com: Latest Forum Topics

Accommodation posted by axonn01

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:51:05 GMT

The rooms are spacious and furnished with simple sophistication: terracotta tiled floors, wooden beds and chairs, and whitewashed walls. (To preserve the environment, the furniture has been crafted using pine from Cochin's historic docks.) There is also a telephone, a fan, an en suite bathroom with hot running water, and an efficient laundry service. A verandah runs round the entire cottage, and each dwelling is set in its own land. At the centre of the village is a swimming pool, surrounded by tropical trees and lawns.

Overlooking it is a buffet restaurant, which serves a wide range of traditional Indian and international cooking. As you would expect, spices play their part in a menu which changes daily. Spice Village has an exclusive Ayurvedic clinic, well-equipped for treatments like Pizhichil, Njavarakizhy, Dhara and other natural therapies.

The Village offers many other facilities, including a conference hall and games room, complete with table tennis, caroom and chess boards, and a floodlit outdoor badminton court. The highlight, though, is the garden itself, bursting with a rich array of spice trees. Each plant is carefully marked (giving the English and Latin names), and there is a botanist at hand to answer any question.

Leisure Activities at [b][url=http://www.keralaholidays.com/Hotels/Thekkady_-_Periyar/Spice_Village.htm] spice village [/url][/b], Periyar: Water Safari: There are several ways to explore the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The most popular is by boat, which allows visitors to watch animals drinking at the lakeside. Two hour trips are booked at the Spice Village, and the best chance of sighting animals is in the early morning or at dusk. It's an eerie sensation passing by the forest branches which poke out from the water, stretching through the mist like dead men's fingers. Many animals come to the water's edge and it is one of the few places in the world where elephants can be observed at close quarters from the safety of a boat. Forest Treks: It can be arranged for you to venture deep into the tropical forests. Accompanied by a tribal guide, you will be dropped off by boat at the far end of the lake, from where you proceed on foot, quickly leaving behind the crowds. It is only safe to travel at certain times of the day, but your guide will know more about the jungle than the wild animals which roam the savannah grasslands and woods.

Easiest way to call from Japan when travelling! posted by katsudonsan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:41:28 GMT

When travelling to Japan it can be very tough if you do not speak any Japanese and it can become quite difficult if you need to contact friends and family from Japan. I wanted to share my experiences of finding the best way to call home from Japan, usually I would use Skype but when I first came here I had no computer so I would have to use a public phone. There were many phone cards to choose from, NTT and AU for example but these cards were all in Japanese. Then I came across a card called Brastel Card (www.brastel.com), the card is in English and they also have support in over 15 other languages. The rates are quite reasonable and the line quality one of the better ones. The best part was that all the support was in English which made it much easier for me to call home. What kind of experiences have you had with international phone cards in Japan?

Where to stay in Marrakesh? posted by mrzen

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:57:12 GMT

Hi everyone - I'm visiting Marrakesh on business in November, and would really like to stay in a small, traditional Riad if possible... Does anyone have any suggestions?

Montreal vacations - need some suggestions on the trip. posted by rockmes

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:54:43 GMT

Hello everyone, we are a young group of students and are planning to visit Montreal for a change as part of our vacation plan. We have gathered the necessary information about the place and have a schedule for the trip. But, we would like to take any last minute advices if possible to make sure everything is covered. Please provide us with your suggestions on this.

Protected areas: the international scene and recent developments posted by Hearn87

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:15:27 GMT

A number of international agencies are now involved in aiding individual countries in the process of identifying lands that qualify as natural areas. As the need for more protected areas continues to gain momentum globally, such agencies have found it necessary to categorize areas relative to the types of land use and conservation practices found in different countries.

In [b][url=http://www.keralatravelcompany.com]Kerala backwater tour[/url][/b] model has emerged as a result of such a development. However, it is not the same with other countries. Britain, for example, does not have the type of landscape that would enable the British to establish the magnitude of wilderness reserves that are found in Australia or even in Kerala.

Comparatively, though, many of the developing countries of the south have been far more conscientious in the development of their park systems. Panama, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, for example, have set aside a higher percentage of their national territories as parks and protected areas. Despite Canada’s low productivity in the establishment of parks, public opinion is in favor of the creation of more wilderness areas. Reid et al. (1995) illustrates this fact on the basis of a survey of over 1500 residents of British Columbia. It has been found that the respondents, on the average, would be willing to pay between $108 and $130 annually in taxes for a doubling of the area of the erstwhile designated wilderness areas, and between $149 and $156 for a tripling of the wilderness areas.

Parks have evolved, globally, to be managed according to the ecological and human conditions of the environments that they inhabit. National parks in Britain (England and Wales), for example, are managed from a very different perspective from those in other western societies. According to Henderson (1992: 397), conservation in Britain is based on a ‘steady state of human intervention that is designed to maintain a given habitat at a particular successional stage in perpetuity’, which he feels is the most unnatural conservation policy possible.

Paris trip on the cards! posted by josephabbott

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:54:46 GMT

Hi everybody, I am planning to go to Paris this week and hope to gather as much info as I can about there. My first plans would include a visit to Eiffel tower and then the rest... heard about that a lot...hope to see that soon. I have searched on the web and would like to know particularly about the staying arrangements there. One of the priorities for me would be to get an economical and good staying for the trip.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheap Hotels in Blackpool posted by katewilliams

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:22:23 GMT

Hi guys, this is kate Williams (traveler)

When planning a vacation to Blackpool the first thing that comes in the mind is that could I afford it??... (Budget) and the second thing that comes is a place to stay in that also could I afford it??... (Budget) Yes, you’ll have to number crunch and find out how much you want to spend and after that there is another headache finding out the reservations in Blackpool. Although there are many hotel reservations in Blackpool but do they give what they say?!!.. Finding out a reliable source, There are tons of online hotel booking sites were one can find book with absolute easy were one can find the cheap hotel, bed and breakfasts or discount hotels or searching according to the will with all the facilities and book a reservation. One of the reliable sources that I have come across is allhoteldeals. When everything is done according to the plan. Its time to go on a long vacation and spend some peace fulltime with family or friends.

Which are the African Safari destinations in Kenya? posted by ujilama

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:47:22 GMT

Hello, I'm deciding whether to go to Kenya for my Safari or another african country with wildlife. Which are the best places for Africa safari in Kenya. We don't want to use a tour company but ourselves.

Heathrow Airport Taxi posted by jai02

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:47:18 GMT

Hello,

I got a quick usefull information for people travelling to london Heathrow Airport. If any wants London Airport Taxi Cab Transfer Service than they can try Hummingbird Cars http://www.heathrow-airport-taxi.net

They also provide 5 % Discount on all Return Journeys also.

Thanks

jai

Maps... best I've found posted by TravellingWave

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:00:21 GMT

I just got back from trips to Paris, Washington DC and Chicago. For each of them I used a very original and useful line of maps. Filled with great information, illustrations and quirky comments, MapEasy maps are a great find! They are the type of map that would result if you wrote all your favorite finds on a map of where you visited. I bought my first one years ago (Venice) and have used them ever since. The hand drawings of landscape & monuments (ie, Eiffel Tower, White House, Wills Tower, etc..) made it easy to orient myself and are beautiful to look at. And the colored icons and text made it easy to find shops, restaurants/cafes, transit stations, post offices, ATMs, museums, etc.... I've never seen a map like it. It has an alternative feel to it, like the kind of map you'd find in Whole Foods store. I love them. When in Paris I looked for "the Angel on the side of building at 57 Rue de Turbigo" as noted on the map. I stood beneath the building but I failed to spot the angel. I gave up and crossed the street. As I went to go down the metro stop stairs, I looked up and was shocked to see that the Angel was a bas relief across the entire height of the building. What a sight! I got some great photos of it. I never would've found it without MapEasy. Sometimes I swear those maps are treasure maps. I highly recommend them if you like to explore the ins & outs of a city.
Now I hear they are starting to put the maps on iphone as apps. I saw only one on the iTunes store (Washington DC) and bought it. Great to be able to have everything on the map right in the palm of my hand! Now they just have to offer more cities as iphone applications (they have 73 MapEasy city maps).

Hotels in Jodhpur? posted by betty.adoms

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:22:17 GMT

I and my friends are planning trip to Jodhpur in Rajasthan next month. Please suggest us some good hotels in Jodhpur, Rajasthan – India? With some contact details or its website, etc. through which we can easily make room reservations.

Please help me with my dissertation thesis! (Myanmar/Burma) posted by Anja09

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:46:35 GMT

My name is Anja Moeser and I am a German College student at the International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef Bonn. I am currently working on my dissertation thesis "The travel motives of visitors to areas recovering from crisis at the example of Myanmar". The survey is directed at all people who have already been to Myanmar. The success of my thesis depends significantly on this survey and the answering of the questions takes on average no longer than 10 minutes. Therefore, I kindly ask for your assistance. Naturally, your answers will be handled anonymously as well as confidentially.

Thank you very much!

Here is the link to the survey: http://survey3.questat.de/index.php?sid=18447&lang=en

Less cluttered posted by jimmy00

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:10:22 GMT

At Kovalam make it a point to check-out some of the excellent beachside shacks selling exquisite handicrafts, antiques, modern jewellery and cloths. You can buy an exciting range of footwear, carpets, dhurries and attractive jewellery.

One of the most unique destinations, which offers beach on one side and backwaters on the other (in fact most of the resorts are bang ON the backwaters) !!

Poovar is still less cluttered with the so-called 'free-to-trade bohemian attitude' shops of Kovalam. Poovar tries to tie you onto the real cause of travel - vacation. Since the USP of the place is being surrounded by water, one has to rely on the occasional boat trips if the hunger is for world-cuisine, you know what I mean.

Sun, sun, some water, some more sun, water again and eventually the sunset - if you really want me to pen down activities. Kerala being the way they are, have restricted the best under-water activities (errr...i mean snorkeling, scuba so on and so forth) maybe due to the not-so-clean waters and leaves one to on-the-earth activities on the beach or maybe a nice swinging evening on a hammock!

Trivandrum - God's own country's headquarter is the airport which is about 70kms away. Nice drive in old-world Trivandrum fisheries belt reaches you to this wonderfully serene God' apna Poovar!

peru vacations posted by ann86

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:05:40 GMT

Hi, I'm going to peru and I'm crazy about it, that's what I always want it, but well.. I want some advice because I don't know much about it, I travel alone before but I'm a little afraid about the language and that's why I don't know if I should take a tour for everything or travel by my own.
I have a tour for machu picchu and the same agency offers other peru tours I'm really interested on them but I know that if I travel by my own I'll have more freedom and great experiences. what do you think?

Find Discount and Best Hotels in Blackpool posted by johndavid116

Tue, 05 May 2009 10:42:28 GMT

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Welcome to the Finest Place for Enjoy your Holiday Breaks in Blackpool, Hotels Accommodation in Blackpool helps you save money as you have a fantastic time. Blackpool is one of the most beautiful metropolises in the world and offers a unique mixture of history and modern culture. The best bet for a fantastic holiday is looking into the Hotels in Blackpool, as you’ll be right in the middle of everything. Find Cheap Hotels in Blackpool and celebrate the Holiday Breaks with you family and friends. Blackpool is an incredible metropolis, with a rich cultural heritage and agitated night life. Art galleries, fashion shows, concerts, spectacles and all sorts of social events bedazzle first comers. The best way to have access to it all is by staying in one of the many beautiful Hotels in Blackpool. There are Few Discount Hotels in Blackpool which offer reat services and will surely keep you satisfied. Family Hotels in Blackpool are the best for a successful vacation of your Family Holiday Trips. Here you will Find Special Offer Hotels also.If you are looking especially for B and B Hotels in Blackpool, Our site is the right place to Choose your Hotel.Blackpool is one of the most exciting metropolises in the world and will surely dazzle any first time visitor. To enjoy in Blackpool you should know what Blackpool Hotels are offers you should check out one of the hotels in Blackpool. Don’t hesitate to look for more information on cheap hotels in Blackpool by visiting [advertising removed].

Meet Friendly Baja Whales On Line (Video + Stills) posted by IntrepBerkExplorer

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:17:49 GMT

My film "The Whale's Tale" presents the friendly gray whales at the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California, Mexico. The whales come so close people touch them. This video can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection. It’s less than 15 minutes long.

This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I still sell absolutely nothing.

My video site is:

http://intrepidberkeleyexplorer.com/Video.html

With any modem you can view new still photos of the whales at:

http://intrepidberkeleyexplorer.com/Page25.html

There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents. Visit Italy, Argentina & Brazil, England, Antarctica, Peru, Hawaii, China, Russia, Mayan Pyramids, American National Parks, Greece, or Turkey; see buffalo, penguins, or polar bears.

The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures at:

http://intrepidberkeleyexplorer.com/

The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer =d>

Dubai! A Shopper’s Delight posted by picolini

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:32:24 GMT

Dubai, the glitzy financial capital of the United Arab Emirates, becomes home to nearly 3.5 million visitors during the famous Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Known in Arabic as 'Layali Dubai', DSF was started in February 1996 by the Dubai government as a pure retail event to promote trade. Today it is an annual shopping, entertainment, and cultural extravaganza that continues to draw tourism in Dubai. Held between January and February, the festival has incredible bargains, promotions and raffle draws in store. Imagine - with a AED 200 raffle coupon, you could drive away in a Lexus. Whether you are flying out from the UK or from India, your local carriers too will have attractive packages on offer in this period.

The rest of the year too, shopaholics would find Dubai a shopper’s paradise. Ikea, Carrefour, Tiffany & Co, Rivoli, Spinney’s, Giordano, Delsey to name a few, world-famous brands occupy prime retail space in Dubai. Its sprawling malls have an average of 250 retails outlets across multiple levels. If you are planning to spend a few thousands dollars shopping, say at the Mall of Emirates you could save some money staying at a nearby cheap, luxury hotel. Citymax Hotels located close to some of the big shopping malls, is an attractive option with its smart pricing and comfortable rooms.

The general consensus for the shoppers in Dubai is to go big or go home; an idea amplified at the duty-free shopping at Dubai International Airport as well. It recorded sales of $1.1bn last year, placing it ahead of London's Heathrow and Seoul's Incheon International Airport.

Dubai seems geared towards giving you value for your money. Earlier this May, Emirates Airlines announced a Free for Kids promotion. Your child below 16 could fly for free AND you would get a FREE stay in select Dubai Hotels. Apart from this offer, there are other good budget hotels in Dubai, which will offer you a good deal on your stay.

How visit Machu Picchu for Low Prices! posted by cuscoexperience

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:12:44 GMT

There are many ways to save money if you want to visit Peru, specially Machu Picchu, Inca trail, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and other tours in Cusco. I will give you some advices in the next posts, but now I want to show you a tipical Schedule for Machu Picchu:

Well, the day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Ollantaytambo train station (02 hours from Cusco by bus) for a two- hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas".

Arrive at Aguas Calientes station where you can visit the hot spring and go to Mandor (a waterfall at the border of the jungle), then you will sleep in a hostal/hotel in Aguas Calientes.

The next day climbing 6km of winding road, arrive to the incredible citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we´ll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archeological site at your leisure or you will have the opportunity of climbing the "Waynapicchu montain". After that back to Ollantaytambo by train in the afternoon and by bus to Cusco.
[Advertising removed]

Help - Blogs posted by nzbr

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:59:00 GMT

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me what should I do to write in the blogs area of the site?
Thanks!

Ideas Please posted by Karin

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:57:38 GMT

My boyfriend and I are going to Ecuador over Christmas and its his 30th while we are out there. I was just wondering if anyone has been and has any ideas of something really different we/he could do to make it especially memorable??

Any ideas are welcomed!

Thanks!!

Colca Canyon posted by pattysth

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:32:07 GMT

We are back safe and sound from our trip to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. I wanted to tell you what a wonderful travel agency and guide Leslie we have found for us. They were PERFECT! They took very good care of us - especially after I got sick while hiking out of the canyon! That was a rough day for me. The rest of the trip was great! Leslie (our guide) is a really nice person, too, and I think they make a great job.

Thanks for everything, it was a great trip!
=d>

London Airport Taxi posted by jai02

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:42:57 GMT

Hi,

I am regular traveller to London So thaught it would be nice to pass on an information which might help any one travelliing to London.

You could try Hummingbird Cars for any London airport Taxi Cab Transfer Service

Highly Recommended

Thank you

Vietnam Accommodation posted by jamp

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:17:31 GMT

Anyone planning a holiday in Vietnam? If you're staying between July 17 – September 30, 2009, you can book 4-star hotels like Novotel, Mercure at 50% discount. But you have to book before July 13.

[advertising removed]

Trekking in Nepal posted by nepaltrekking

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:27:00 GMT

Nepal is the ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast offering a myriad of possibilities from the short and easy to the demanding challenges of the snowy peaks. Easy, moderate of rigorous-there is something for every palate. Nepal har aptly been called "A Trekkers paradise" as her terrain-mountains, hills and the Teri-offers some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equality spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation and wildlife. Trekking in Nepal is as much a cultural experience as a Himalayan adventure .in the shadows and foothills of the icy pinnacles of the Himalaya one passes picturesque charming collages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. Treks vary form expeditions, high altitude treks to simply easy paced walks. And we offers adventure activities, nature and cultural tours in Nepal, Peak climbing, trekking in nepal, mountain biking, Wildlife tours, whitewater rafting and overland tours with new ideas and itineraries to serve the differing interests of you the adventure seekers. We do arrangements for Tailor Made Packages. Please feel free to contact us any time.

New Zealand - Selling my Toyota Campervan posted by Chrisikiwi

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:42:07 GMT

Hy All,

selling my beloved Campervan

Relialble 95' Toyota Town Ace Campervan (white)
Petrol 1.8 litres
Automatic
246.000 KM
W.O.F. (TUEV) til 12/09
new Registration
good tyres
new battery
new oil + filter
new Fuel pump
only 3 preowners
5 seats available
Cassetteradio

Camping gear:
comfortable mattress
1 two-person-blanket + 2 pillows with linen
1 Sleepingbag
1 Gascooker + gasbottles + Plates + Potts + cutlery
other Utilities

Ask Christoph cell 0211750137 or sent me a Mail: Christoph_Hollstein@hotmail.de

[u][b]The car now available in Christchurch [/b][/u]

Price 4,000.00$

If you are interested I can send you photos.