Portugal’s Madeira Airport Offers Most Dangerous Landings

Image via Flickr by futureshape
Travelers take their life into their own hands when they land at Portugal’s Madeira Airport. Its island location, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and volcanic mountains on the other, is difficult for even experienced pilots to navigate. Its original runway measured less than mile, so it’s unsurprising that 131 people were killed in a horrific plane crash in 1977.
Thankfully things have approved since then. The length of Madeira Airport’s runway doubled in 2000 with extensions stretching out into the sea. Of course, landing on bridge held up with pylons is still pretty scary, leading the History Channel to call it the second most dangerous airport in Europe. No wonder there are often cheap airfare to this travel hub!

Runway Works Double Duty at Gibraltar Airport

Image Via Flickr by Tony Evans
The honor of the most dangerous airport in Europe went to Gibraltar Airport, where the runway shares space with one of the region’s busiest roads. With commercial flights landing daily, it takes some planning to avert accidents on Winston Churchill Avenue. Railway-style boom gates stop cars crossing whenever planes are near. It sounds hectic, but none of Gibraltar Airport’s accidents have ever involved other vehicles.
But conspiracy theorists think something was amiss when a plane crashed into the sea 16 seconds after take-off in 1943. Reports say the controls jammed, but with Poland’s Lieutenant General Wladyslaw Sikorski aboard, foul play may have been to blame.

France’s Courchevel Airport Not so Straight

Image via Wikipedia Commons by HuguesMitton
Most of the world’s airports have comfortable, flat runways, but the sloped landing strip at France’s Courchevel Airport dares to be different. Designers could do little else as Courchevel is built into the side of the Alps, but the unconventional layout is also pretty clever. The uphill slope naturally slows the planes arriving. Departing planes use the downhill slope to gain extra momentum for take-off.

Strange Space-Saving Solutions at Kansai International Airport

Image Via Wikipedia Commons by NASA Earth Observatory
Space is hard to come by in Japan, so the creators of Kansai International Airport in Osaka came up with a strange solution. If there was no room on land, they’d build it in the water! In 1987 engineers began building an island from excavated mountains in Osaka Bay. Finally in 2004, the airport opened its doors. If its quirky location wasn’t enough, Kansai International Airport also boasts the world’s longest passenger terminal which measures 1.1 miles from end to end.

Tee Off at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok

Image via Flickr by neajjean
The 600,000 golfers that visit Thailand annually can polish their games at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. There’s an 18-hole golf course smack dab in the middle of its runways! Administrators have been advised to trim the green to clear space for taxiways and other infrastructure, but they’ve remained firm. There’s a certain amount of history to consider, as the golf course was built decades ago for the Royal Thai Air Force, but it’s likely to be Thailand’s passion for the game that keeps the green in this strange space.
Why settle for another bland airport when there are such fascinating places to catch planes?

1. DDR Museum – The museum of the DDR is a must-visit for the curious tourist and the history buff. While the museum is small, it is packed with examples of all facets of life in East Berlin. From a life size display of a typical East German apartment to the authentic Stassi listening post, the DDR museum is a great place to start exploring the history of the other side of the wall. The museum has a gift shop on site with a variety of books and other materials about life in the DDR. Photography is allowed and encouraged – when else would you get the change to snap a picture behind the wheel of a Trabi or peering out of a replica of a Stassi jail cell?
2. Trabi tours – Touring Berlin in a Trabant, THE car of East Germany, is a unique way of seeing the former eastern part of the city. The Trabi, as it is affectionately known, was notoriously unreliable and truly a ‘bare bones’ car. While there are definitely more luxurious and comfortable ways to get around Berlin, there are several companies offering fleets of Trabis waiting to carry visitors through the former East Berlin. While on the tour, visitors will also be able to stop at a variety of other places of interest. Each company offers different packages and routes for the tour. While an International Driving Permit isn’t required, it is a good idea to have one as it is familiar to the locals and it proves you have driving privileges in your home country.
3. Berlin Wall memorial – Throughout town, there is a bronze strip zigzagging its way through the city. This strip follows the path of the Berlin Wall. The official memorial and museum is certainly something that mustn’t be missed. Spanning several city blocks, the memorial shows visitors what the wall looked like when it was still standing, complete with a guard tower and a marked death strip. A somber, quiet outdoor representation gives you the feeling of what it must have been like to live in a divided city. The museum offers many exhibits and artifacts about the wall, those who guarded it, and those who risked death to cross it.
4. Checkpoint Charlie/Eastside gallery – The famous Checkpoint Charlie, the official way in to and out of the east, still stands and looks much as it did when it was in operation. The museum gives the history of the wall, focusing on those who escaped with actual escape apparatuses on display for visitors to see up close. There is also the Freedom Memorial, a memorial garden for those who attempted to escape and were killed in the process. The Eastside Gallery is an eclectic, outdoor gallery painted on panels from the Wall itself. In a number of styles by many artists, the Gallery is an interesting collection of political commentary, art, and history. If you plan to visit Checkpoint Charlie, be extra sure to have your passport available as a few shops at the Checkpoint offer the opportunity to have your passport stamped with an official stamp from the DDR.
5. The Ampelmannchen and “Ostalgie” – While not a place, artifacts of these phenomena can be seen throughout the city. “Ostalgie” is the nostalgia many Germans experience for the culture and daily life experienced in the DDR. After reunification, many products and aspects of daily life in the DDR simply vanished from the shelves to be replaced by western good. In the ensuing decades, many East Germans missed the things they were able to get in the east. “Ostalgie” shops, selling brands of foods, DVDs of television programs and movies, and other products from the East, can be found throughout Berlin. Several “Ostalgie” restaurants can be found in the city as well, serving cuisine indicative of the meals served in East German. The Ampelmannchen is the unofficial mascot of the DDR and the official mascot of the “Ostalgie” movement. The Ampelmannchen, literally translated to “little traffic light man,” is the jaunty, fedora wearing crossing signal seen originally in East Germany. Throughout Berlin, you can tell if you were on the former east side because of the Ampelmannchen traffic signals. So beloved is the symbol that it has developed a cult following in Berlin, both amid the tourists and the locals. Ampelmannchen shops abound with everything from coffee cups to t-shirts with the Ampelmannchen on it.

Exploring Berlin’s DDR identity is a wonderful way to learn more about the culture as well as more about the city. Berlin hasn’t lost itself through its history; it’s all the parts and facets that makes the culture of Berlin so vibrant and welcoming to visitors.

Michael Bastin provides information about Paris on a blog he contributes to at http://www.apartmentdistrict.com/blog. Michael regularly writes for Apartment District, a vacation rental comparison website for Paris and other large European cities.

Below are a number of music festivals from Florida to North Carolina where you can mix and match the trips over a five day period. They are all within a day’s drive of each other.

Start out in Jacksonville, Florida to take in the festival – Welcome to Rockville 2013. It takes place at the end of April. This year Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks out along with 3 Doors Down and Alice in Chains. Here is one of the biggest rock events ever. Enjoy your time along the St. Johns River in Metropolitan Park along with all the other rock fans who will be attending. Two days of pure pleasure.

While in Jacksonville you should visit some of the many attractions for people of all ages. The dining and nightlife are something to experience, and you will discover the Florida coast is the spot to enjoy the ocean’s beauty and plenty of outdoor fun as well. Go fishing, birding or hiking. The choice is yours!

Only a four-hour drive and you are at the SunFest 2013 in West Palm Beach, Florida. This event will happen between May 1 and 5 on Florida’s sun coast. Music lovers come from all over the country to enjoy the rock artists gathered for this annual affair. Enjoy the pop-rock group, Chevin and the sleepy Southern music of Roadkill Ghost Choir. You’ll even find some psychedelic-tinged rock if this is what you desire. This is a music and art festival sure to please every taste!

Of course, you should explore West Palm Beach while you are here. This lovely town offers a long list of things to do. Have some delicious Southern cooking at any dining establishment. Experience some more music at the Clematis by Night concert series, a free downtown music extravaganza. Of course, there are also the beaches!

When done in West Palm Beach, drive four hours back up to Live Oak, Florida to attend the Suwannee River Jam 2013, occurring from May 1st to the 4th. It will be held in the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for all country music addicts! The lineup includes Sheryl Crow, Aaron Tippin and the Eli Young Band. There are many more artists playing lively and entertaining music for your enjoyment.

Next comes the Shaky Knees Music Festival 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. This is only a four hour drive from Live Oak, and definitely worth the trip! Here is a two-day festival that is bound to knock your socks off. Three outdoor stages and a wide variety of musical artists will entertain the whole day and part of the night. Of course, check out all the things to do in Atlanta while you are here. Stop by the Atlanta Zoo, explore the aquarium and learn about the entire story of America’s favorite soft drink at the World of Coca-Cola.

It is six hours to Memphis to attend the Beale Street Music Festival 2013. This event attracts music fans from all over, with a complete variety of music, from contemporary rock and soul, to blues and different modern talents. From 3 May to 5 May you can join others of a like mind at the riverfront park and experience music like no other right there on the banks of the Mississippi River. Of course, Memphis, Tennessee is a must-see as this is, after all, the Home of the Blues.

If you have time, drive the nine hours to Charlotte, North Carolina to get some more rock music that is sure to have you rockin’ out. The Carolina Rebellion 2013 is held from the 4th of May to the 5th. A long list of rock musicians are on the stage to entertain and inspire. While in Charlotte, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Reconnect with nature as you wander the gardens and visit the conservatory.

What a trip this will be! If you really go for it, you could make it to every festival listed. But even attending one will be the treat of a lifetime for music lovers.

About the Author

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV, your nationwide source for RV rentals. El Monte RV also sells used motorhomes through eight different locations across the United States. For more information on purchasing a used motorhome see http://www.elmontervsales.com/home/.

But Cuba is not all about looking back. The island has grown into a beautiful holiday destination, complete with bubbly resorts offering first-rate hotels, all inclusive packages and even plenty of Cuba holiday deals. Head to Varadero for non-stop fun in the sun, sleepy Guardalavaca for lashings of R&R, or lovely Playa Pesquero for a laid-back escape with a smattering of fabulous hotels. Whether you’re after a lively beach break to frolic in the surf by day and sway your hips to salsa rhythms by night, or you fancy nothing more than flopping out under the shade of a palm tree, Cuba’s got an unforgettable holiday with your name on it.

You’ll find a fantastic array of Cuba holidays online through package tour operators. Take Thomas Cook for instance. Whether you’re after Cuba holiday deals or all-out luxury, there’s a wonderful array of holiday experiences to suit all tastes and budgets. With a package holiday it’s not just good value for money, it’s convenient too – which helps get you on the right path to holiday luxury from the moment you step onto the plane. With large-scale operators like Thomas Cook, your flights, accommodation, hotel transfers and local support network is all included. Plus you’ll normally get full-board or all-inclusive as standard in Cuba, which takes care of all the essentials – leaving you to get on with enjoying your holiday.

So when will you enjoy a picture perfect holiday in Cuba?

1. Feeling relaxed doesn’t always equal low stress levels. Keep them in check by going on one or two short, ten-minute runs every day. Pack a running belt so you don’t lose your hotel key when out for a jog.

2. Hotel rooms invariably have very dry air, which is bad for both your skin and your respiratory system. Always bring along a travel humidifier to keep your skin luminous and your breathing comfortable.

3. A base tan is cute, until it quickly turns into a burn after an extra 20 minutes in the sun. Don’t fool yourself into thinking a sunburn is okay – it’s not, especially since it’s the most obvious sign of sun damage. SPF doesn’t get more portable than with sunblock towelettes. Throw them in your beach bag and rub them on before you start to sizzle.

4. Do your ears pop a lot when you fly? Invest in a pair of ear plugs that are specially designed to ease pressure when you’re in the air. Don’t worry – they’ll play music, too, so you don’t have to leave your iPod behind.

5. Stay limber when you travel by practicing yoga, no mat required. Instead, pull on no-slip yoga gloves and socks to turn any room into your personal yoga studio.

6. Acupressure bands push down on your body’s pressure points, which can ease motion sickness. Also, the bands will stimulate your nervous system, which will release endorphins, which will make you feel happy, not nauseated. Whether you’re traveling by land, air or boat, acupressure bands can turn a miserable experience into a memorable one.

7. Pack wipes that do double-duty, like the ones form Herban Essentials. You can safely remove makeup and also use the wipes to clean tabletops, doorknobs and phones in your hotel room. Just don’t remove your makeup with the same wipe you used to clean the remote control, of course.

8. When you’re heading to the beach for vacation, you don’t have to pack much more than a bathing suit, shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Chances are you’ll have to do some walking, though, and going barefoot can put serious strain on your knees and back. Throw a lightweight pair of waking or workout shoes in your bag. Many companies make sneakers that are designed to be light for travel.

9. Maybe you can’t wait to reach your international destination, but you’ll have to endure 15 or more hours on a plane, first. Don’t ignore your circulation – you could end up with serious leg cramps or a blood clot if you do. Wear compression socks, which help your legs to maintain good blood circulation when you’re sitting for a long period of time.

Adam Price is an avid blogger and contributor to ChicagoBikeRentals.com, a leading bike tour company in Chicago.

But with so much to do, just how do you choose what to spend your money, time and energy on? Here are a number of things that any visitor to Dublin needs to add to their checklist. So book a room at the Dublin Airport hotel, find some cheap flights online and get a move on!

Join the St Patrick’s Day parade

St Patrick’s Day is coming up (17th March) and there’s no better time to experience Ireland, and in particular, Dublin, than when this celebration of Irish culture is taking place. There’s a four-day gala of entertainment all over Dublin and street performers from all over the world descend on the city to entertain locals and tourists alike. Sink a few pints of Guinness, tell a few tales and see Dublin as the locals do with a glass in hand and a song in your heart! Of course you can do most of these things even when it’s not St. Patrick’s Day, so any time is a great time to visit Dublin.

Walk the corridors of power at Trinity College

Trinity College boasts Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett among others as famous alumni and Queen Elizabeth I founded the establishment in 1592. Some of the brightest minds in Europe once walked these grounds and you can see today just exactly where they got their inspiration. Full of beauty and peaceful beyond words, you can take a guided tour around the grounds taken by enthusiastic students or just wander till your heart’s content.

Enjoy the Science Gallery

A product of Trinity College, the innovative Science Gallery certainly has the wow factor whatever your age or interest in science. Taking a skewed look at science and how it colours our everyday lives, this is the perfect example of making science fun. From robots, to techno-thread clothing, bio-fuels to medicine – the Science Gallery has it all.

Dublin is a fantastic location and offers something for the traveller who wants to explore, those who just want to relax, but especially those who want a trip to remember.

Celebrate a Rich History

A constituent country of the Netherlands located approximately 30 kilometres off of the coast of Venezuela, Aruba’s fascinating blended history dates back thousands of years. The Historical Museum of Aruba in Oranjestad offers a splendid glimpse into the past and provides practical information and access to guided tours to enable travellers who wish to explore the tiny island’s many points of interest. The Natural Pool, Alta Vista Chapel and the California Light House are all wonderful attractions, and a hike to the abandoned Bushiribana gold-stamping plant is an excursion that no first-time visitor should miss!

Allegedly, Aruba was named based on the phrase ‘orahuba’, which is Spanish for ‘there was gold’. Active for nearly a decade in the early 19th century, Bushiribana gold-stamping plant now stands silent and tranquil; there are no gift shops, brochures or tour guides. These towers of stone were once used in the search for gold but were abandoned when the miners found water instead of pay-dirt; today, these ruins are an fascinating place to explore, relax, and imagine the Aruba that once was.

Explore Untamed Beauty

Nearly 18% of the 180 square kilometre island is preserved and protected as Arikok National Park. Whether guided or self-directed, explorers who hike through this region are rewarded with diverse terrain: the rock formations, animals and wildlife are unlike those found in other tropical destinations. Guided night tours are also available for a unique perspective on the geological formations created by lava flow.

Enjoy Gorgeous Weather

Settled far outside of the “hurricane belt” without an inconvenient monsoon season, Aruba has some of the most excellent weather in the Caribbean. This little piece of paradise has an average annual temperature of 28C with monthly averages settling between 24C and 32C. This island sees approximately 46 centimetres of rain every year, lacks the thick humidity that the other Caribbean islands often experience and enjoys refreshing trade winds throughout most of the year.

Partake in the Champagne of the Caribbean

Pouring from every tap in Aruba and most of those in nearby Curacao, the “champagne of the Caribbean” is pure, distilled water. As the second largest desalination plant in the world, the Aruba Pressed Plate Falling Film plant converts just under 45 million litres of ocean into drinkable water every day. Tour are popular and only offered once a week, so interested travellers should book inquire about reservations as soon as possible.

Experience Paradise

Slather on your favourite suntan lotion and hit the beach! From exciting beaches for people who love to play to quiet, private stretches of sand for the ultimate in relaxation, Aruba is known for some of the cleanest white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. Whether a traveller wants serenity or adventure, no island holiday is complete without bare toes touching warm sand while overlooking magnificent waters. Of course, that stunning blue-green ocean isn’t meant to just be admired. Swimming, sailing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing and other water sports are popular for locals and tourists alike. Home to vibrant natural reefs, Aruba is an ideal place for snorkelling and SCUBA enthusiasts to explore a glorious marine environment.

Why Travel?

One way to train a mind to think outside of the box is to travel or move to a new place. When people stay in the same area, their mind becomes exceedingly stagnant. Even just a short trip to a different state can help. Traveling to or living in a foreign country will help someone think out of the box on a daily basis, because everything will be different about their daily routine, and when it comes to this, one is forced to evaluate their methods of daily living in ways never before imagined. This is because in any society, people are told how to act, speak, walk, eat, etc. However, things in other societies are completely different – people act, speak, walk, eat, etc in entirely different ways in every country!

Language

Likely the most outside-the-box thoughts your mind will come across is the challenge of learning a foreign language. This can be enriching even for the most introductory learners, and at the same time teach one to think differently. This can open up employment and travel opportunities, as well as help one learn about different cultures. Anytime someone wants to look outside of the box, they should be willing to make mistakes. In fact, they should expect to make a lot of mistakes. Learning a new language a terrific way for a person to be humbled while thinking much differently – you will always make mistakes, but you can always learn from them and get better!

Perspectives

Perhaps you think it’d be fun to go to London, but your friend would like to go to India….what’s wrong with that? Try it out! Anyone looking to think differently should be willing to change their plans, assumptions or wishes when something interesting comes along. Ask your friends, co-workers and relatives what they think about travel – what’s their favorite thing about it? What’s their favorite destination? Even if you’ve only ever wanted to sail down a gondola in Venice, it’s likely that listening to the advice of others will open up your worldview, and lead to opportunities you never imagined.

Snowballing

The thing to remember about thinking about the box and traveling is that together, they form a very strong snowball effect. Thinking outside the box often leads to travel, and travel often leads to thinking outside the box. The same can be said when talking about ventures not immediately relevant to travel – business, for example. Spending a year in Africa might lead to unimagined connections or ideas that can benefit your career for years to come.

Quite frankly, the best way to think outside the box is to see different perspectives in new places. Travel is truly inspirational for almost everyone who does it, and this is likely the biggest reason why!

Sammy Rodriguez writes everything she’s learned from traveling 5 continents. Her best work is about earning a communications degree online while traveling.

Background and Timeline

Illinois was admitted into the union comprising the United States in the year 1818. Illinois today is the twenty fifth most expansive but fifth most populace state in the United States. Interestingly Illinois developed from southern Illinois (e.g., Springfield) to northern Illinois (e.g., Chicago). This is noteworthy because Chicago is now by far the most populace slice on the Illinois map with around three million chicagoans calling it home and around ten million calling Chicago and its abutting areas home. The Chicago and Illinois that Sufjan Stevens croons about is mainly southern Illinois, because much of Illinois’ rich historical heritage took place in the nineteenth century.

Then and Now

Chicago was actually founded in the early to mid nineteenth century as a originally small territory along the Chicago River. At that largely pre-industrialized time much of the action in Illinois, however, was happening in parts of southern Illinois. Actually Illinois didn’t become a bona fide US state until 1818, which made it the twenty first state to enter the union. Illinois was at this time considered a free, emancipated state but, in fact, Illinois was still a de facto slavery state as late as the mid twentieth century. There’s a line in the Sufjan Stevens’ song “Decatur” off of the eponymous Illinois album in which Sufjan Stevens adroitly notes that Stephen A. Douglas, an Illinois politician during the mid twentieth century, may have been the great debater (Douglas’ moniker) but Abraham Lincoln was the great emancipator (Lincolns’ nickname). The truth is that slavery effectively persisted in Illinois at least until Lincoln publicly denounced the practice by representing the Union side during the Civil War. Because of this audacious and iconoclastic stance at the time, Lincoln reforged the United States social and economic landscape! The effects are felt to this day!

Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois album also alludes to the Black Hawk War’s role in the tapestry of Illinois history. The Black Hawk War refers to an engagement fought between the United States and various indian tribes (Kickapoo)in 1932 in parts of Illinois and Wisconsin. The engagement ultimately ended with the Kickapoo and other indian tribes abandoning their long-time homes. If history has accorded differently perhaps this engagement could have been recast as an object lesson against violence and a call towards multiculturalism. Supposing the United States could have commingled with the contemporaneous Kickapoo indians, maybe the symbiosis would have rendered Illinois’ history even more rich!

Lessons from the Past

Illinois during the nineteenth century was in many ways a microcosm of the industrialization, technological progression, social disharmony, and radical Americanism that pervaded the entire union. The lessons gleaned from Illinois’ history can in many ways be applied to the history of other states, the union, and even today’s social and tacit relations among Americans.

Nicola Granier writes about education and travel. His best work is about online education degrees you can earn while traveling!

As New York City’s population quadrupled in size between 1821 and 1855, the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 was amended to provide a place for people to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Backed by the famous Poet and New York Post Editor William Cullen Bryant, plans were drawn up to compete with London’s Hyde Park, and in 1853 a 700 acre area of land was developed at a cost of $5 million to the tax payer.

Currently managed by the Central Park Conservancy, this non-profit organisation provides over 80 per cent of the park’s $37.5 million budget, and also employs over 80 per cent of the park’s staff, from maintenance workers to wardens, hospitality staff to security. Central Park also has its own police department, and officers based in the park have helped to reduce the area’s crime from over 1000 per year in the 1980s to less than 100 per year. Let’s take a look at some facts about New York’s Central Park I bet you didn’t know!

Creation

In order to convert the swampy area of land, designers has to plant hundreds of thousands of trees, and also remove over three million cubic yards of mud and soil. Once the perimeter of the park was in place, a large reservoir was dug out in the centre, and bridges and roads were built to connect the main city to the park. 15 years, 20,000 workers and 49,290,000 man hours later, the park was completed, and it immediately became a hit with New Yorkers, Americans and people all over the world.

Decline and Renovation

After the departure of the Park’s Commissioner Robert Moses in 1960, Central Park suffered a severe decline. Criminality, garbage and graffiti spread like a virus through the Park’s lush green trees, and visitor numbers tumbled. However 20 years later, a group of New Yorkers created the Central Park Conservation Project, and with the help of over $50 million from the government, the Park was transformed. It took three employees over three years to remove all the graffiti, and a police department was installed in the Park to reduce crime. Thanks to the efforts of these people, the park is now visited by more than 30 people every year.

Central Park Zoo

Central Zoo is one of the park’s most popular attractions. Divided into a number of regions, including a polar circle and a tropical zone, the Zoo is home to a variety of animals. From red pandas to penguins, snow leopards to bears, the Zoo is also home to a Daily Farm where tourists can even make their own ice cream!

Post by Tony A., a travel blogger writing on behalf of Cheapflights