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Top 5 European Destinations

tourtoo — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:03:31 +0000

When planning a trip to Europe there are some cities that just have to be seen and here are five of the best “must see” destinations.

Each have their own unique flavour but all have an abundance of things to see and do that will leave a memorable mark.

1. Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and one of the best tourist destinations in the World. Striking Gaudi architecture dominates and there are so many landmarks to see such as the Casa Vicens and La Pedrera. The cathedral however is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona.

This is a vibrant city with great restaurants and bars and for the sports fans, the City boasts one of the best football teams in the world.

2. Paris

Paris has been top of many people`s list for centuries and there is every good reason for that. Known primarily as a romantic destination for couples, there is much more besides and this wonderful city can be enjoyed by all the family.

Unmissable landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe dominate the schedule for sightseers. The city is also a gastronomic delight with fine French cuisine accompanied by award winning wines available wherever you look.

The addition of Disneyland Paris can only enhance its reputation as one of the best holiday destinations around.

3. Bruges

If you want to see a totally unspoilt part of Europe then you must head to Belgium and see Bruges. Impressive mediaeval architecture has remained undamaged and untouched for centuries and this is a sightseer`s delight.

This is a comfortable and relaxed city with friendly local people and a laid back atmosphere. Enjoy some of the many restaurants and don`t forget to indulge yourself with some fine Belgian chocolates to take home.

4. Athens

Athens is one of the few remaining cities in the world where you can almost step back to the dawn of civilisation. Many ancient monuments still remain, although some have survived more intact than others and some fascinating tours of the city can be enjoyed.

The Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus are just two breathtaking monuments that can be taken in on your trip here.

Athens is also a lively city with some busy night-life. There is also great shopping to be found and of course, some traditional Greek Tavernas serving a wide variety of national dishes.

5. Berlin

Since the re-unification of Germany, this city has thankfully opened up once again to visitors from all over the world. Art Galleries and churches have thrown open their doors and it is wonderful to have the whole of this city back on the tourist map.

Landmarks don`t just tell the story of the cold war as this city is steeped in history going back centuries.

One again this is a lively destination with some great restaurants and bars thrown in.

All of these cities are easily accessible by plane with international airports close by serving many major destinations across the globe. Rail and road links are excellent too. Once you`ve arrived, there is public transport, taxis and a wide selection of car rental Spain to navigate you around these superb locations.

Introduction to Madrid. Orientation Walk

tdomf_26c19 — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:22:06 +0000

This orientation walk is designed as a 2.5-hour introduction for visitors to Madrid during which our docent—a local scholar—will help contextualize the city’s landscape, architecture, cuisine and culture within the broad chronology of Spanish history.

During the course of this walk we’ll gain insight into the history and the urban development of Madrid, which has been the capital of Spain since the mid-sixteenth century. Starting with the city’s Arabic underpinnings, our docent will trace the trajectory of Spanish monarchy through to French occupation and Civil War and dictatorship in the 20th century. The approach will very much be an overview of these events, designed to give us our bearings, as both Spanish monarchy and the Civil War and Franco, are dealt with more deeply in other Context walks.

Much of our walk will focus on the medieval core of the city near Plaza Mayor, which has remained remarkably unchanged since the period of the Habsburg dynastic rule of the Spanish throne (1506-1700). We’ll pay particular attention to Philip II who took the decision to make Madrid the capital of Spain, in 1561, and how the city became the administrative and political head of the Spanish Empire, one of the largest in western history, and which included enclaves and colonies in America, Asia and Africa.

We’ll also look at non-academic topics like cuisine, local craftsmanship, and the cultural life of Madrilenos. We’ll poke our heads into the market and learn about jamon Iberico and the timing of mealtimes. We may also stick our heads into one of the most traditional and popular chocolate cafes in the city. We will certainly stop in Puerto del Sole where the uprising against the French in 1808 took place and where the terror attacks of 2004 are commemorated, allowing us to discuss the history of strife and conflict that have shaped Spanish and Madrid’s history.

Beyond covering the basics of Spanish history and culture, this introductory walk is an opportunity to discuss your plans in Madrid with a native docent and ask any questions regarding timetables, local customs and transportation in the city.

For more information, check out Context Travel.

Athens Walking Tour

tdomf_26c19 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:32:23 +0000

Explore Athens’ major sites by foot. Begin in Syntagma Square and see the Evzones hard at work. Then head to the Acropolis before a spot of window shopping in the Plaka area. Finish by exploring Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Jupiter and the Panathinaikos Marble stadium.

Athens Urban Adventure team is more than glad to offer to its travelers their best ideas and living experience in Athens city. We have been in this city for more than 35 years with a team of different persons and generations giving a better aspect for interesting visits in the capital of Greece.

Site

2010 Summer Promotion – Mekong Delta & Angkor Wat

tdomf_26c19 — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:01:42 +0000

This trip offers great combination of the two exotic lands and cultures. The trip starts in the dynamic city of Saigon. We will travel to Mekong Delta to experience great boat trip on the mighty river. We will walk on village roads, visit to local houses and take ferry to cross the Mekong River. The highlight of Mekong Delta is the busy and colorful market of Cai Rang. From Mekong Delta we travel to Phnom Penh by boat and start our journey to the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat.

2010 Summer Promotion:
Validity: 1May – 30Sep, 2010
- Free-of-charge Water Puppet Show in Saigon
- Welcome Dinner in Siem Riep or Phnom Penh for group from 6 persons
- Free-of-charge Visa-on-arrival fee for Cambodia
- 5% discount on any pre or post trip

Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel – Vinh Long – Can Tho – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Siem Riep
10-day trip with 5 days in Mekong Delta & 5 days in Cambodia
Group size: 10 persons
From US$ 1,193 per person

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Day 1: Arrival in Saigon
Day 2: Saigon tour and Cu chi Tunnel
Day 3: Mekong Delta
Day 4: Mekong Delta
Day 5: Boat to Phnom Penh
Day 6: City tour of Phnom Penh
Day 7: Fly to Siem Riep
Day 8: Visit Angkor Wat
Day 9: Visit to Angkor Wat
Day 10: Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. Departure

Highlights

* Boat trip on the mighty Mekong
* Cai Rang floating market
* Boat trip to Phnom Penh
* Royal Palace
* Angkor Wat

More information: http://www.activetravelcambodia.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=73

Overnight Cruise for 2 days/1 night on Halong Bay

tdomf_26c19 — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:20:17 +0000

DAY ONE
11:30 Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.
12:15 Transfer by tender to the Indochina Sails boat – enjoy Welcome Drink. Receive cruise briefing and check in to cabins and begin cruise.
13:00 Lunch – deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu.
Massage service is available beginning after lunch and throughout the cruise.

14.30 Arrive at Titop Island. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and climbing the steps to the top of the mountain on the island for fantastic views and photo opportunities. Water and towels supplied. We will spend about 45 minutes on the island.
15.15 Transfer back to the boat and sail for approximately 45 minutes to our second destination – the Bat Cave area.
16.15 Arrive at the Bat Cave area. There are two programs to choose from at this time. One option is a 40 minute kayaking program to the nearby Bat Cave and lagoon and surrounding waters. Kayaking is $10. per person unless already booked as part of your package. Water is supplied.
The second option is to visit the largest floating fishing village in Halong Bay. We will travel to the village on the tender and tour the village for approximately 20 minutes.
18:30 Arrive at Luon Bo area – anchor for overnight.
19:00 Dinner – deluxe Vietnamese & Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner.
20:30 Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room at approximately 9:15, board games and playing cards are available, join squid fishing from the boat with our crew, massage services are available. Also at this time we offer, when possible – depending on weather conditions, an excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat. We travel by tender and you will be able to board the squid boat and see how the local fishermen catch squid and other fish, the excursion lasts about 45 minutes.
21:00 – 23:00 Happy Hour! Buy one drink – get one free (wine excluded).
23.00 End of program for Day One

DAY TWO
6:45 Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.
7:00 Arrive at the Surprise Cave area, there is a small fishing village here. Relax onboard. You may join Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck at 7:00, duraion about 30 minutes.
8:00 Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave. Walk up the 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and tour on foot for approximately 45 minutes.
9:00 Upon return to the boat take time to freshen up and please check-out of cabins. Please leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins (staff will transfer to the pier). Depart for Bai Chay/Halong pier.
9:30 Enjoy Breakfast Set Menu or Buffet served in the dining room. Settle bills in the dining room after breakfast.
10:00 Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room and enjoy the bay scenery as we approach the pier.
10:45 Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.
11:00 Transfer by tender to the pier, relax inside the pier building while waiting for return transportation.

For more information: www.indochinasails.com

Photograph Morocco with Ben Pipe

tdomf_26c19 — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:29:41 +0000

Come and explore an ancient land of limitless adventure – a tour of Morocco is the journey like no other.

Allow us to help you discover this beautiful and exotic land with an excursion tailored to suit your dreams with the guidance of skilled local guides.

Day 1 Marrakech
Greet and meet at the airport and transfer to your Riad. You will be welcomed at the airport by Ben and your guide.

Day 2 Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Zagora
You will be picked up in the morning and head towards Ouarzazate via the Tichka Pass. This trip will offer you views of the High Atlas Mountains and beautiful scenery peppered by small Berber villages typical of the region. We will make a stop in Ouarzazate to visit Kasbah Taourirt, the old Gladoui palace residence of the Pasha of Marrakech. Then, on route to Zagora, we will visit the small town of Agdz and impressive Kasbah of Tamnougalt with distinctive wall decorations and tapering towers. We will continue passing the scenic river Draa Valley lined by many palm groves and Sub Saharan Berber villages.

Day 3 Zagora – Tamengroute – M’hamid – Erg Chigaga
We will depart in the morning toward Tamegroute, which is home to a famous Koran library that contains many rare books and documents. You will also have a chance to visit the Underground Kasbah and pottery artisans. After that, we will drive to M’Hamid, the last town of the Draa River. The palm oasis and the road all dissolve into nothing but sand and rocks as we drive through the sand dunes. Later in the day, we will arrive at Erg Chigaga, just in time for the sunset. At night, we will sit around the fire, enjoy the starry sky, and listen to local Berbers play their drums.

Day 4 Erg Chigaga – camel trek
We will get up early to take images of the sun rising over the sand dunes, which gives the sand a beautiful mix of colors. Then, after breakfast, we’ll saddle our camels and trek over the area.

Day 5 Erg Chigaga – Taznachkt – Ait Ben Haddou
We will swop our camels for 4×4 vehicles and head to the old Paris-Dakar road to Forum Zguid, crossing Lake Iriki, a dried salt lake bed. We will stop for lunch in Taznakht, where you can watch local women making handmade Berber carpets. Then we will continue north to arrive at small village by the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.

Early in the morning, we will visit the UNESCO protected Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This Kasbah is one the most impressive and well-preserved fortress cities in Morocco. Then we will start heading back toward the Atlas Mountains via the Ounila Valley – an off road that offers unparalleled views of green valleys, river and remarkable colored slopes and hillsides. We will visit Telouet, a rustic town that was once a principal stop on the main caravan route to Mali. The crumbling Kasbah that was once the palatial residence of extremely powerful Glaoui family. Then we will cross the Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech.

Day 6 Marrakech
A free morning to wonder the streets of Marrekech then after lunch a airport transfer depending on your time of departure.

More: your-morocco-tour.com

Wakatobi Marine National Park, South East Sulawesi

tdomf_26c19 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:57:25 +0000

Wakatobi Marine National Park is lies just off the south – eastern tip of Sulawesi, variable paradise for snorkeling and scuba enthusiasts. It can be reached by chartered flight from Denpasar direct to Tomia or by shipline of PELNI which call in regularly at the Port of Bau-Bau.

Wakatobi National Park has very high marine resource potential, in terms of both species and uniqueness, with enchanting submarine landscapes. In terms of configuration, the marine waters of the Park generally start flat and then slope seawards, with sheer precipices in some parts. The water depth varies, the deepest parts reaching 1,044 metres with sand and coral at the bottom.
Among the recorded species of sea bird are the brown booby (Sula leucogaster plotus), Malaysian plover (Charadrius peronii), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis); while certain species of turtle can also be seen, such as the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and Pacific ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).

The indigenous people who live around the Park belong to the Bajau tribe. Mention is made in the writings of ancient Chinese and European explorers of these legendary sailors who had managed to reach the distant shores of Merqui, Johor, Singapore, Sulawesi and Sulu. Of all the traditional seafaring communities throughout southeast Asia, only the Bajau have held

More: http://idexplore.blogspot.com/search/label/National%20Park

Narakiel’s Inn in the Caribbean’s Premiere Ecotourism Destination, Dominica

tdomf_26c19 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:03:53 +0000

Discover the unspoiled Caribbean in the The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica and all of the breath-taking, eco-tourism wonders that it offers.

In Dominica, people enjoy life at a steady and easy pace, and you won’t have to contend with the loads of tourists found in most Caribbean hotspot.

Conveniently located in the capital of Dominica, Roseau, Narakiel’s offers stylish accommodations with comfort, at affordable prices. This serves as the perfect ‘jumping point’ for easy access to all major attractions, tours, beaches, restaurants, etc. Rooms contain AC, Free Internet Access, Hot Water, Microwave, Fridge, Cable TV and Dual Voltage.

More: http://narakielsinn.com/

Where to Camp in Africa?

tdomf_26c19 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:17 +0000

Our preference might be five star resorts, but with the current climate forcing many to downsize their holiday spend, travellers are changing their habits.

Acacia Adventure Holidays has identified a new breed of “camping converts,” who are forgoing luxury for a more intrepid experience. When questioned 15% of their adventurers said that the ongoing credit crunch was behind their decision to camp, while over 70% of this group reported that they were now hooked on less extravagant holidays in Africa.

The feeling of being at one with the wildlife, getting off the beaten track and the sense of camaraderie were key factors in deciding to pitch a tent next time around.

Heath Ashcroft, Marketing Director for Acacia Adventure Holidays, comments: “Camping is not all rough and ready. Our four-day Call Of The Kruger Small Group Safari includes two full days of game viewing in the national park and the campsite comes with a pool, shop, restaurant and bar. The accommodation is close to the perimeter fences and it’s not unusual to hear the roar of a lion at night or chance upon a spotted genet at the evening barbeque.”

Best for Camaraderie: Think Glastonbury on safari, as the Ngorongoro campsite has room for up to 200 tents. Perfect for the young at heart in search of non-stop animal action, a short walk will leave you with excellent views of the caldera – buffalo and lion roaming through the rim woodlands. 24-day overland South East Adventure £845pp + local payment.

Best for getting off the beaten track: Wooden wind chimes are accompanied by rhythmic music, the ambient sounds drifting out across the Zambezi. An eco-camp which is described as a barefoot paradise – all the floors lined with white sand. Its thatched accommodations come complete with awe-inspiring river views where you can catch sight of the wildlife and each hut is built and maintained by the local community.

Solar power will still enable you to charge mobiles and the site even has a few network spots, but torches are required to get around at night. Facilities include communal toilets, beautiful reed showers, a laidback bar, hammocks, a library and a restaurant serving vegetarian dishes. The camp has links to a voluntour experience – travellers helping to construct a local school. Two days of adventure activities are also included in the trip. 6-day Community Schools Voluntour £510pp + local payment.

Best for wildlife action: Why stop when the game drive ends? In Etosha, described as the best reserve on the continent, adventurers can carry on wildlife viewing back at camp – the site famous for its floodlit waterholes. The landscape is dotted with graceful makalani palms – an elevated walkway taking you across the viewing area. Almost every animal is represented in this huge reserve: lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and springbok often making an appearance. 43-day overland Cape Town to Kenya £1,295pp + local payment.

Acacia Adventure Holidays; 020 7706 4700; info@acacia-africa.com; http://www.acacia-africa.com. ATOL No. 6499 and ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.

Welsh Dragon Tours

tdomf_26c19 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:34:25 +0000

We offer fully-escorted tours throughout the Principality of Wales.

We specialize in small groups (2-14 persons). Four-Day tours in North Wales start from 450 GBP per person. This includes 3 nights 4* guesthouse accommodation with breakfast, 4 days tour and all attraction/entrance fees.

Please visit our website www.welshdragontours.com