World Travel Guides

Sights Activities Yfr Iceland

Sat, 19 May 2012 08:39:05 GMT

ByggSasafniS Hvoll 466 1497 www.dalvik.is byggdasafn Karlsbraut adult 6-16yr Ikr400 100 S 11am-6pm dally Jun-Aug, 2-5pm Sat Sep-May This quirky local museum has an array of art and natural exhibits, including a stuffed polar bear, but there's also a room dedicated to local giant Johan Petursson who, at 2.34m almost 7ft 7in , was Iceland's tallest man. There are photos and personal effects, many from his days as a circus act. Another room is dedicated to another local, Kristjarn Eldjarn, who...

SLEEPING Owh Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:57:34 GMT

Rarotonga has a wide variety of places to stay in every budget range. It also has an official policy that every arriving visitor should be booked into a place to stay before arriving on the island, although it's treated more as a formality that a strict rule. See pi60 for details. Most of the places to stay on Rarotonga have some sort of cooking facilities where guests can prepare their own food. The large resorts and a few other hotels don't have kitchens in the rooms, so eating out will be an...

Rundstne Ireland

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:42:37 GMT

Clustered around a boat-filled harbour, Roundstone Cloch na Ron is one of Con-nemara's gems. Colourful terrace houses and inviting pubs overlook the dark recess of Bertraghboy Bay, which is home to lobster trawlers and traditional currachs with tarred canvas bottoms stretched over wicker frames. The idyllic surroundings continue to lure film makers, artists and musicians. Just south of the village in an old Franciscan monastery is Malachy Kearns' Round-stone Musical Instruments 35808...

Hemingway And The Biminis Bahamas Turks and Caicos

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:08:04 GMT

Ernest Hemingway put the Biminis on the map when he briefly made them his summer home during the mid-1930s, and later featured the islands in his best-selling novel Islands in the Stream published in 1970, nine years after his death . One of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, Hemingway was born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois. His spare, stylized realism - which he attributed to his background as a newspaper reporter - revolutionized modern literature, and he was awarded both the...

Tourist Offices Abroad MaltaGozo

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:50:09 GMT

The Malta Tourism Authority www.vlsltmalta.com has overseas representation that can help with inquiries from potential holidaymakers information on the official website is available in 10 languages . Contact the following Australia 02-9321 9154 offlce.au vlsitmalta.com World Aviation Systems, 403 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 France 01 48 00 03 79 info visitemalte.com Office du Tourisme de Malte, 9 Cit Tr vise, 75009 Paris Germany 069-285890 info urlaubmalta.com Fremdenverkehrsamt Malta,...

TOURIST INFORMATION Local Tourist Offices MaltaGozo

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:49:39 GMT

The head office of the Malta Tourism Authority 2291 5000 www.vlsltmalta.com Auberge d'ltalle, Trlq il-Merkanti, Valletta is for postal and telephone inquiries only. Your best source of information is the comprehensive website, with directories, interactive maps and loads of holiday and practical information. There are local tourist information offices at Valletta and Malta International Airport for their contact details and opening hours see p57 , St Julian's p85 , and Victoria on Gozo pl46 .

Getting There Away Izj Trans Siberian Railway

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:38:49 GMT

Irkutsk's antiquated little 'international' airport is near the city centre. Foreign destinations include Shenyang US 170 and Tianjin US 330 , both twice weekly. Ml AT 203 458 www.mlat.com ul Laplna 11 , based at the Mongolian consulate, flies to Ulaanba-atar US 210 twice or thrice weekly prices discounted to as little as US 64 in winter. Dozens of domestic destinations include Moscow from R6650, daily , St Petersburg from R7500, three per week , Yekaterinburg R7680, eight weekly , Vladivostok...

self contained holiday suites British West Indies

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:49:43 GMT

BELLAVISTA South Hill www.bellavista-anguilla.com Tel 264 497-5161 416 367-9985 email ingridweger on.aibn.com Owner Manager Ingrid Weger 10 Bedrooms. This 3-story Mediterranean style villa on the Atlantic overlooks Sandy Ground and Road Bay. Each of its three spacious 2,400 sq foot, self contained 3-bedroom, 3 1 2 bath suites is uniquely furnished with a different theme. A new poolhouse one-bedroom suite with spectacular ocean views is a perfect retreat for a couple. EASY CORNER VILLAS South...

Temples Forts Shophouses Bangkok

Thu, 17 May 2012 06:10:12 GMT

When Bangkok became the capital of the kingdom of Siam in 1782, the first task set before designers of the new city was to create hallowed ground for royal palaces and Buddhist monasteries. Indian astrologers and high-ranking Buddhist monks conferred to select and consecrate the most auspicious riverside locations, marking them off with small carved stone pillars. Siam's most talented architects and artisans then weighed in, creating majestic and ornate edifices designed to astound all who...

Pirqulu Georgia Armenia and Azerbaijan

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:22:35 GMT

Pirqulu Pirguli is the kind of place where you'd expect to see the Bronte sisters taking an afternoon constitutional. It commands a windswept hilltop reminiscent of Yorkshire, and makes a decent base for winter sledding or short summer hikes. Pirqulu's one 'sight' is the extensive Pirqulu Observatory Complex 050 4855363 Miijviq donation appreciated S 9pm on clear nights Jun-Aug . The biggest of the observatory's domes is an impressively large structure resembling a gigantic nose-less Dalek...

Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas Punta Sal Honduras and the Bay Islands

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:10:13 GMT

Standing on the beach at Tela, you can look to the west and see a long arc of land curving out to a point. This point, Punta Sal, is part of the Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas, one of the most scenic places on the north coast. The park has several white-sand beaches, the prettiest and most popular being Playa Cocalito. Born in Tela in 1947, Blanca Jeannette Kawas Fern ndez did not become involved with environ-mentalism until late in life. In 1992, having returned to Tela after many years of...

Honolulu Neighborhoods in Brief USA Honolulu Waikiki and Oahu

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:12:46 GMT

all Chinese, now that Southeast Asians, including many Vietnamese, share the old storefronts. Go on Saturday morning, when everyone shops here for fresh goods such as ginger-root, fern fronds, and hogs' heads. Among the historic buildings and Pan-Pacific corporate headquarters are a few hotels, mainly geared toward business travelers. Most visitors prefer the sun and excitement of Waikiki or choose a quieter neighborhood outside the city. MANOA VALLEY First inhabited by white settlers, the...

THE LAKE CIRCUIT WALK Emily Coles Sicily

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:04:04 GMT

Take the SS289 to Portella Femmina Morta the ISEA bus from Catania and Sant'Agata di Militello stops at Villa Miraglia, just 300m to the south . Just before the pass on the northern side take the forest track that heads east. The track winds through wood and meadow, with tantalising glimpses of Mt Etna in the distance, climbing gently to meet the main road at Portella Calacudera 1562m , a little more than 1km later. Here the route divides the left fork goes to Lago Maulazzo and the right is...

Budget Sur SouthernAfrica

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:18:23 GMT

The closest camping grounds are about 35km north of Maputo at Marracuene and Maca-neta. Maputo has three good backpackers, all with English-speaking staff and heaps of city info. All can also help with airport pickups and transfers to the bus depots for early morning buses north. Fatima's Backpackers i 21-302994,82-414 5730 www.mozambiquebackpackers.com 1317 Avenida Mao Tse Tung camping per person US 5, dm US 6-12, d with shared private bathroom US 24 32 In the upper part of town and Maputo's...

Studios New Zealand Coromandel

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:11:06 GMT

When visiting The Coromandel, stop off at Topadahil Studios and view the unique paintings of contemporary artist Guity Evelyn and hand-crafted jewellery by her husband, David. The artists' unique home and studio overlooks the Wharekawa Harbour and river out to unspoilt Opoutere Beach and its Wildlife Sanctuary. The Studio i,s situated in Opoutere, 3km off the Pacific Coast Highway, S.H.25 only lOmin from Whangamata, 25min from Pauanui, lhr from

Parasailing USA Florida Keys

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:31:38 GMT

Parasailing combines the thrill of hang-gliding with the excitement of parachuting. It's much safer, requires no training and you don't need to jump out of an airplane or from a towering cliff. The new custom parasailing boats allow you to take off and land right on the deck. Once you buy your ticket and climb aboard, the boat moves to an open-space, over-water area. Next, you are strapped into a life jacket and special harness. The deck hand slackens your safety line and, within seconds, you...

Nassau Bahamas

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:24:23 GMT

Graycliff f Now in a kind of nostalgic decay, Graycliff remains the grande dame of downtown Nassau hotels even though her tiara is a bit tarnished and her age showing. In spite of its drawbacks, this place still has its devotees, especially among older readers. Originally an 18th-century private home and an example of Georgian colonial architecture, it's now an intimate inn, with an old-fashioned atmosphere. Even though the inn isn't on the beach, people who can afford to stay anywhere often...

Theatre Opera Ballet RomaniaMoldova

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:43:06 GMT

The Opera amp Ballet Theatre Map p320 s 244 163 B-dul Stefan eel Mare 152 S box office 10am-2pm amp 5-7pm is home to the esteemed national opera and ballet company. It mainly stages classics but some modern pieces are occasionally performed. Tickets costs upwards of 3. If your Romanian is up to snuff, you'll get a few belly laughs from the plays staged at the Satirical Theatre Teatrul Satiricus Map p320 224 034 Str Mihai Eminescu 55 . Contemporary Romanian productions can be seen at the Mihai...

Sarajevo Europe

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:05:34 GMT

For a city that has suffered, Sarajevo is outwardly full of amazing vitality and charm. Rat- y old trams circle a city centre containing the Bascarsija bazaar, an ancient trading place with artisans' workshops, coffee-drinking dens, restaurants, trendy bars and boisterous pubs. Sarajevo is a living museum. And boy, is there a lot of it Mosques, churches, cathedrals and fine municipal buildings built by Turks and Austro-Hungarians a bridge where world history took a fateful turn and the Tunnel...

Literature Budapest

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:29:12 GMT

S ndor Pet fi 1823-49 , who led the Youth of March through the streets of Pest in 1848, is Hungary's most celebrated and accessible poet, and a line from his work National Song became the rallying cry for the 1848-49 War of Independence, in which Pet fi fought and died. A deeply philosophical play called The Tragedy of Man by his colleague, Imre Mad ch 1823-64 , published a decade after Hungary's defeat in the War of Independence, is still considered to be the country's greatest classical...

Surfing 1 Mauritius Reunion and Seychelles

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:14:46 GMT

One word awesome. The surf break known as La Gauche de St-Leu 'the Left of St-Leu' has achieved cult status among surfies from all over the Indian Ocean. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, it instils profound respect if not fear even in the most seasoned surfers. The best season runs from May to October. Beginners should make for a spot called La Cafrine, which is a bit more innocuous, or head to La Ravine de Trois Bassins see pl89 or St-Gilles-les-Bains pi84 . To brush up on your surfing...

Budget Netherlands

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:01:42 GMT

Hotel Winston Map pp88-9 623 13 80 www.winston .nl Warmoesstraat 129 dm s d from 22 45 56 How to make a lot out of a little take some functional rooms and get local artists to theme them with motifs including Arabian typography, jigsaw puzzles and, fittingly for the red-light location, bizarre sex. There's a jolly 24-hour bar and the Winston's own club pi29 next door. Aivengo Youth Hostel Map pp88-9 620 11 55 Spuistraat 6 dmfrom 18, d trwith private bathroom 80 100 D With friendly management,...

Nupsstadur Nupsstadarskogar Iceland

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:43:46 GMT

Bizarrely eroded cliffs and pinnacles tower over the old turf-roofed farm and church at NupsstaSur. The farm buildings date back as far as the early 19th century, and the church, which is dedicated to St Nicholas, was mentioned as early as 1200. It was renovated in 1957 by Einar Jonsson and is one of the last turf churches in Iceland. Inland is NupsstaSarskogar, a beautiful woodland area on the slopes of the mountain Eystrafjall. Since it's no longer possible to cross the Nupsa river by raff,...

AROUND BLED Vintgar Gorge Slovenia

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:34:24 GMT

One of the easiest and most satisfying day trips from Bled is to Vintgar Gorge Soteska Vintgar adult child student 3 2.10 2.50 S 8am-7pm late Apr-Oct , some 4km to the northwest. The highlight is the 1600m wooden walkway, built in 1893 and continually rebuilt since. It criss-crosses the swirling Radovna River four times over rapids, waterfalls and pools before reaching 13m-high Sum Waterfall. The entire walk is spectacular, although it can get pretty wet and slippery. There are little snack...

La Costa Serena La Cte Des Nacres Corsica

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:19:43 GMT

Look at a map of Corsica. See this flat section that stretches from tang de Diane to Solen-zara That's the Costa Serena and the C te des Nacres. Never a high point on the tourist trail except, maybe, if you are a nudist , the Costa Serena and the C te des Nacres are often merely charged through on the way to the Far South. But it's well worth slowing down and making detours from the arrow-straight N198. Pack an open mind and investigate the possibilities. Though Al ria won't win the award of...

Negril West Coast Jamaica

Tue, 15 May 2012 06:29:26 GMT

in the 1970s, Negril lured hippies with its offbeat beach-life to a countercultural Shangri-la where anything goes. To some extent anything still goes here, but the innocence left long ago. To be sure, the gorgeous 11km-long swath of sand that is Long Beach is still kissed by the serene waters into which the sun melts every evening in a riot of color that will transfix even the most jaded. And the easily accessible coral reefs offer some of the best diving in the Caribbean. At night, rustic...

Getting There Around Jzd Japan

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:03:48 GMT

In the Centre of Oku-Noto, the Hoto airport NTQ 0768-26-2100 connects the peninsula with Tokyo's Haneda airport. AHA 0120-029-222 offers two return flights daily one way 19,800, 65 minutes . The Furusato Taxi 0768-22-7411 is a van service to locations around the peninsula. Fares start at 700 to nearby communities including Wajima. A stay along Noto's west coast should appeal to cyclists as the terrain is mosdy flat. However, on the Noto-kongo coast on the west coast, and anywhere east of...

Moments Back to Glorious Eden Europe by Rail

Tue, 15 May 2012 03:49:32 GMT

If you'd like to see Sintra the way Lord Byron did when working on his autobiographical Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, you can rent a horse-drawn carriage in front of the National Palace of Sintra at Largo da Rainha Dona Amelia. Carrying up to five passengers, these romantic tours last less than an hour but are worth the price for a most agreeable ride under shade trees. You'll be following trails blazed by Moorish sultans centuries ago along bougainvillea-lined streets. You can look up at little...

Greater Kyiv Ukraine

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:40 GMT

To Pro lisok Tour is Complex 700m Zhytomyr 125km Khmelnytsky 308km Y f Lviv 530km tW Ivano-Frankivsk 565kra i 'Jo Chernihiv marshrutlcy stop 2km , I Chernihiv 140km , Novhorod Siverslc gt ATMs and credit cards. For a reliable, centrally located bank try Raffeissen Bank Aval Map pp68-9 vul Khreshchatyk 46a S 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pmSat amp Sun M Teatralna .

Taxco Cobblestones Silver Mexico Acapulco Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:41:12 GMT

111 miles 178km SW of Mexico City 50 miles 80km SW of Cuernavaca 185 miles 296km NE of Acapulco In Mexico and around the world, the town of Taxco de Alarc n most commonly known simply as Taxco tahs-koh is synonymous with silver. The town's geography and architecture are equally precious Taxco sits at nearly 1,515m 5,000 ft. on a hill among hills, and almost any point in the city offers fantastic views. Hern n Cortez discovered Taxco as he combed the area for treasure, but its rich caches of...

MIDRANGE Spr Ireland

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:35:57 GMT

Most B amp Bs are in or around Laragh, a village 3km east of Glendalough, or on the way there from Glendalough. WALK THE WICKLOW WAY - GLENDALOUGH TO AUGHRIM The Wicklow Way is one of Ireland's most popular long-distance walks because of its remarkable scenery and its relatively fluid and accessible starting and finishing points - there are plenty of half- and full-day options along the way. This section is40km long and takes you through some of the more remote parts of the Wicklow Mountains...

WOMENS LIBRARY Map P EnglandLondon

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:19:23 GMT

7320 2222 www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk Old Castle St El admission free S 9.30am-5pm Tue, Wed amp Fri, to 8pm Thu, 10am-4pm Sat Aldgate East Just round the corner from the Whitechapel Art Gallery, the Women's Library, part of the London Metropolitan University, is a unique repository for all manner of books and documents related to women's history. It contains a reading room open to the public, as well as archive and museum collections, and organises talks and special exhibitions last seen -...

Kilimanjaro Area Tanzania

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:29:16 GMT

, Muty 1 3950m l gt v n I f f i Kilimanjaro International B Airport KIA Kilimanjaro International B Airport KIA A Kilimanjaro National Park Headquarters amp Marangu Gate 1980m is primarily a base for horse-riding safaris, but its guest cottages make a good break for nonriding partners who want to stay behind to relax. Meals are made with farm produce and served family-style together with the owners and an assorted menagerie of pets in the main farmhouse. Animal-lovers and nature enthusiasts...

Costambar Dominican Republic and Haiti

Sun, 13 May 2012 21:14:25 GMT

Less a traveler's destination than an expat hideaway, Costambar is still worth a look - it's got a beautiful, secluded beach with a view of the ships leaving harbor to the east , and a couple of good restaurants. It's finding a hotel that's the challenge - this is a private community see www.apc-costambar.com that consists entirely of time-share units and vacation homes, many occupied for six months of the year by Canadians on the run from winter. Some of the condo associations will rent by the...

Punta de Mita Playa El Anclote Around Puerto Vallarta and Pacific Mexico

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:05:42 GMT

Almost at the very northern tip of Bah a de Banderas is the Punta de Mita peninsula. Here lie some creamy strands of beaches, including Playa El Anclote, which is popular with surfers and boogie boarders. Ubiquitous seafood palapa restaurants on the beach offer great views of the bay and a distant Puerto Vallarta. Not a bad deal for those who also come to enjoy the beach, go on boat trips or try their balance in the surf. Playa El Anclote is in the village of Nuevo Corral del Risco. To get...

Viroin Ecomuseum BelgiumWallonia

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:23:42 GMT

The eco-museum informs visitors about the daily life of the paractitioners of old-fashioned crafts in the Sambre amp Meuse region joiner, carpenter, clog-maker, cooper, saddler, blacksmith and wheelwright. Educational presentations include From corn to a slice of bread, The saddler's apprentice and A thousand years of candles, and temporary exhibitions include Woodland flora and fauna, Mining in the Southern Sambre amp Meuse and Witches, myths or reality Only the ground floor is accessible by...

SPORTS OUTDOOR PURSUITS Hlj Ireland

Sun, 13 May 2012 11:10:18 GMT

BIRD-WATCHING As many as 15 species of Irish water birds including mute swans, coots, wigeons, gadwalls, teals, grey herons, and moorhens can be seen at the Marlfield Lake Wildfowl Refuge, several miles west of Clonmel in Marlfield. This is a little lake with an astonishing number of birds. On your way, you will likely pass signposts for St. Patrick's Well, less than a mile away, a tranquil spot with an effervescent pool of reputedly healing crystalline water. In the middle of the pool rises a...

Index Seoul

Sat, 12 May 2012 15:37:49 GMT

See also separate indexes for Eating p 194 , Entertainment p 194 , Sh p 2 95 . Sea World Aquarium 5 Sejong Gallery 52 Sejong University Seonnongdan 62-3 Seoul Arts Centre 65, 1 Museum 65 Seoul Fringe Festival 9 Seoul Grand Park 65-6 Seoul International Cartoon amp Animatioi festival 9 Seoul Land Amusemen History 52 Seoul Net amp Film Festiv Seoul Olympic Art Museum 60 Seoul Racecourse 113, Seoul Science Park 80 Seoul Tower 56, 81, 80 shamanism 12-13, 79 ceremonies 79, 80 festivals 9 shrines 79...

Restaurants Vanuatu and New Caledonia

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:11:06 GMT

Kanpai Bar amp Sushi Japanese Restaurant 26687 dishes 200-1500Vt S lunch amp dinner Mon-Sat It's new and it's great. Japanese tranquillity with Vanuatu exotica, an interesting view of the bay, and a great range of food. Try the lunch box to explore the variety. La Pizzeria 24763 mains 400-1350Vt S lunch amp dinner This simple little place has great comfort food like the best osso buco or fish curry you've ever had. It's a popular spot with expats who chat away to you, and for pizza eat-in or...

Tours Around Efate Vanuatu and New Caledonia

Sat, 12 May 2012 06:46:11 GMT

To get a broad look at the delights around Efate, a day tour is the way to go. You'll probably swim at beautiful Eton beach, cruise up Epule River, see fire walking, check out the mysterious Valeva cave at Undine Bay, or be entertained by villagers. You will be picked up delivered to your hotel and prices range from 4000Vt to 7000Vt lunch included . Operators include the following Destination Pacific Islands g 22595 www.destin ationpacific.vu destinationpacis vanuatu.com.vu Ha Friendly Tours...

FAST FACTS Shanghai China

Fri, 11 May 2012 23:56:02 GMT

If you don't find what you're looking for in these listings, try the Tourist Hotline 021 6252-0000 or inquire at your hotel desk. American Express Holders of an American Express card can make inquiries about currency exchange, emergency card replacement, personal check cashing, and 24-hour access to an ATM at Room 206, Shanghai Centre, Nanjing XT Lu 1376 021 6279-8082 fax 021 6279-7183 . An American Express Cash Dispenser is installed near the office in Shanghai Centre. The office is open...

Morija SouthernAfrica

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:05:14 GMT

Morija is a tiny town with a big history, and the site of the first European mission in Lesotho. It's a must for anyone interested in Lesotho's history and culture. Morija Museum amp Archives 0 2236 0308 www.morijafest.com admission US 0.80 S 8am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun , the best museum in Lesotho, holds well-presented Basotho ethnographical exhibits, archives and artefacts. The annual Morija Arts amp Cultural Festival www .morijafest.com is organised by the museum. This popular, annual...

Skopelos Town Greece

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:48:32 GMT

Skopelos Town is one of the most captivating ports in the Sporades. It skirts a semicircular bay and clambers in tiers up a hillside, culminating in an old fortress and a cluster of four churches. Dozens of other churches are interspersed among dazzling white houses with brightly shuttered windows and flower-adorned balconies. Skopelos Town's waterfront is flanked by two quays. The old quay is at the western end of the harbour and the new quay is at the eastern end, used by all ferries and...

Ragusa Ibla Sicily

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:26:50 GMT

Your first sight of Ragusa Ibla will be the breathtaking views from the hairpin bends of Corso Mazzini. It is a lovely picture, the austere grey of the buildings nestied amid the green countryside, lifted by splashes of colour here and there from painted palazzi and the majolica-tiled dome of the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'ltria. If you have the time, the old town is best accessed via the salita commendatore, a winding pass made up of stairs and narrow archways taking you past the remains of...

Save The Rhino Trust SouthernAfrica

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:38:50 GMT

The group Save the Rhino Trust SRT WWW.rhino-trust.org.na was formed by a concerned group of individuals in order to cease illegal poaching. Since the trust was formed, it has actively collaborated with both the Namibian government and local communities in order to provide security for the rhino, monitor population size and bring benefit to the locals through conservation and tourism initiatives. Save the Rhino Trust operates in Damaraland, a sparsely populated region that is lacking in...

Specialized Travel Resources Italy Tuscany and Umbria

Fri, 11 May 2012 05:38:22 GMT

Italy certainly doesn't win any medals for being overly accessible, though a few of the top museums and churches are beginning at least to install ramps at the entrances, and a few hotels are converting first-floor rooms into accessible units by widening the doors and baths. Other than that, don't expect to find much of Tuscany and Umbria easy to tackle. Builders in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance didn't have wheelchairs or mobility impairments in mind when they built narrow doorways and...

History Xax Thailand

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:24:52 GMT

Ko Samet won a place in Thai literature when classical Thai poet Sunthorn Phu set part of his epic Phra Aphaimani on its shores. The story follows the travails of a prince exiled to an undersea kingdom ruled by a lovesick female giant. A mermaid aids the prince in his escape to Ko Samet, where he defeats the giant by playing a magic flute. Formerly Ko Kaew Phitsadan or 'Vast Jewel Isle' - a reference to the abundant white sand - this island became known as Ko Samet or 'Cajeput Isle' after the...

HOME INN Map pp Rujia Kuiji Jidin Beijing

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:50:11 GMT

6317 3366 www.homeinns.com 61 Liang-shidian Jie, Dashilar fflti fl rJ6S 61- - d Y178-218 Q Qianmen B Most branches of this budget midrange chain are unhelpfully scattered around in marginal parts of town, but earmark this one located a short trot south of Tiananmen Square. Double rooms are small, but clean, with modern fittings and bright soft furnishings. Parallel to Qianmen Dajie, Li-angshidian Jie Grain Shop St is gritty and repellent, but that's OK if you only want somewhere to hit the...

menu reader Mediterranean Europe Language

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:21:07 GMT

dish of spinach, rice amp other greens fiio pastry stuffed with cheese or spinach djathe i ferguar i rf o thuh ee fuhr goo ar fried cheese djathe i ferguar i rf o thuh ee fuhr goo ar fried cheese dollma me laker f doll-mo me to kuhr stuffed cabbage leaves fergese fuhrgesuh rich beef stew with cheese vine leaves stuffed with meat amp rice pastry soaked in sugar syrup amp flavoured with nuts pasti o me djathe pas fee cho me rf o thuh pie with noodles, cheese, eggs amp meat pasti o me djathe pas...

FERRY Ueq Greece

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:58:08 GMT

Most of Ikaria's ferries are on the Piraeus-Samos route. Two weekly ferries go to Piraeus 32, nine hours and three to Samos 10, three hours . Five boats weekly serve Fourni 8, two hours . Additionally, in summer Kallisti Ferries 801 117 7700 www.kallistiferries.gr operates the high-speed Corsica Express four times weekly between Vathy Samos , Kar-lovasi Samos , Agios Kirykos Evdilos Ikaria and Piraeus 4H hours , with a once-weekly diversion to Fourni on Saturday. The Cyclades are served by...

MY BRUSSELS WEEKENDS Xlk Belgium Brussels Escapades

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:32:05 GMT

Place Saint-G ry The place for designers Super trendy, bubbly and sharp, this area attracts all kinds of attention Birthplace of Brussels 10th century , it is in fact located a few hundred metres from the very first port of Brussels. For some 15 years it has welcomed Brussels designers who have turned the capital of Europe into the avant-garde city we know today Annemie Verbeke, Jean-Paul Knott, Johanne Riss, Sofie D'Hoore or Cathy Pill at Stijl, Nicolas Woit, AznivAfsar, Marina Yee, Mieke...

AROUND PRAYA Sukarara BaliLombok

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:33:47 GMT

The main street here is given over to touristy, commercial craft shops, but you may want to put up with the sales speak in order to see the various styles of weaving and watch the weavers at work. Darnia Setia Artshop h 7am-6pm has the widest range of textiles, including ikat, some coming from Sumba and elsewhere in Flores. To reach Sukarara, take a bemo to Puyung along the main road. From there, hire a ci-domo or walk the 2km to Sukarara. Penujak is well known for its traditional gera-bah...

Flowers Lei USAHonolulu

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:14:45 GMT

At most lei shops, simple leis sell for 3 and up, deluxe leis for 10 and up. For a special-occasion designer bouquet or lei, you can't do better than Michael Miyashiro of Rainforest Plantes et Fleurs amp 808 942-1550 or 808 5915999 . He's an ecologically aware, highly gifted lei-maker his leis are pricey, but worth it. He is the consummate lei designer who custom-creates the lei for the person, occasion, and even destination. Many of his original designs have been adopted by the Chinatown...

Trendy Boutiques Concept Stores FranceParis

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:22:27 GMT

Colette, 213 Rue St-Honor , 1st, M Tuileries, s 01 55 35 33 90, www. colette.fr. This is where Parisian fashion editors come to find out what will be in next season. All the latest clothing for men and women, home de sign objects, shoes, accessories, books, music and the famous Water Bar. Come during Fashion Week for some great people-watching. L'Eclaireur, 3ter Rue des Rosiers, 4th, M St-Paul, s 01 48 87 10 22, www.leclaireur.com. The same concept as Colette but with an edgier, down-to-earth...

West Nanjing Road 1 Shanghai

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:42:20 GMT

West Nanjing Rd is more upmarket and elitist than the eastern end. It's home to the high-end Western fashion brands and luxury items, as well as Shanghai's most pricy malls. ZHANG'S TEXTILES Map pp98-9 Crafts HuaZhang 6279 8587 Suite 202A, Shanghai Centre, 1376 West Nanjing Rd lS S 1376-5i- S Hiii 202A Sl0am-9.30pm Jing'an Temple The Shanghai Centre address means that this top-end shop caters to flush expats, offering a sublime collection of antique and framed embroidery, dragon robes and shoes...

Interrogative pronouns ChinaLanguage

Wed, 09 May 2012 02:18:40 GMT

The last way of asking questions in Chinese is to use interrogative pronouns. The following are pronouns that act as questions in Chinese na nah classifier which u nar nar where shenme difang shummuh dee fahng where Don't confuse na with nar. That one extra letter makes the difference between saying which na and where nar . Figuring out where such interrogative pronouns should go in any given sentence is easy. Just put them wherever the answer would be found. For example Question NT shi shei...

Activities Paddling The Porcupine River Greenland and the Arctic

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:17:57 GMT

If you fancy some true wilderness experience, try an incredible canoe trip from Eagle Plains to Alaska. This unforgettable 1100km 688-mile trip takes about three weeks and will take you through remote and untouched landscapes with breathtaking scenery and plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife and meeting the locals. You'll need to be prepared for true wilderness camping, unpredictable weather, swarms of mosquitoes and little contact with civilisation. You'll have to transport your own...

St Jamess 1 EnglandLondon

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:24:10 GMT

St lames's is where the aristocrats are entertained in exclusive gentlemen's clubs the Army and Navy sort as opposed to lap-dancing , and whose refined tastes are catered to in the many galleries, historic shops and elegant buildings. Despite much commercial development, its matter-of-fact elitism remains intact, and as you enter the seat of royal London along the grand, processional Mall that sweeps alongside the gorgeous St lames's Park, up to Buckingham Palace and the Queen's driveway,...

Jellyfish Sea Urchins Weever Fish Cyprus

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:19:24 GMT

Avoid contact with jellyfish, which have stinging tentacles. Stings from jellyfish in Cyprus can be very painful, but are not dangerous. Dousing in vinegar will deactivate any stingers that have not 'fired'. Calamine lotion, antihistamines and analgesics may reduce the reaction and relieve the pain. Watch out for sea urchins around rocky beaches if you get sea-urchin needles embedded in your skin, immersing the limb in hot water will relieve the pain test the water temperature first . You'll...

Festivals Events Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:23:43 GMT

The specific dates of Jewish festivals may vary from year to year. For the latest dates, ask at tourist offices. International Marathon www.tiberias-marathon.co.il Tiberias Dead Sea Half-Marathon Dead Sea Foot race from Ein Gedi Spa to Masada and back. Boombamela Festival www.boombameia.co.il Net-zanim Beach, Ashkelon Held annually in March or April. Naked bodies painted rainbow colours, beach bonfires, bongo drums, art and hedonism. It's one of the wildest parties in the Middle East. Lettuce...

The Bourbons Leave Their Mark Madrid

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:53:06 GMT

Such was the extent of Spain's colonial reach that events in Madrid could still alter the course of European history. After King Carlos II died in 1700 without leaving an heir, the 12-year War of the Spanish Succession convulsed Europe. While Europe squabbled over the Spanish colonial carcass, Felipe V grandson of Louis XIV of France and Maria Teresa, a daughter of Felipe IV ascended the throne. He may have founded the Bourbon dynasty, which remains at the head of the Spanish state today, but...

Paris Life Paris

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:28:23 GMT

'the infinitely successful Paris Plage just keeps on a-growin' and is now called Paris Plages' In the build-up to the 40th anniversary of May 1968, the month and year that rocked Paris and the world, it was fitting that the French capital was once again visited by strikes, riots and protests and the slogan, Sous les pav s, la plage ' Under the cobblestones, the beach . But while your average Parisian enjoys nothing well almost nothing better than a good r le a moan or a whinge the city is a...

Sheeshas Tunisia

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:49:33 GMT

The ubiquitous water pipes are everywhere in souqs and tourist shops, just ready to clutter up a corner of your sitting room. They range in price from around TD4 for a small, cheap one up to TD70 for a good-quality, full-size version. These Tunisian crafts are available from souvenir shops all over the country. The problem is finding the right price. The tourist shops in the big medinas are the worst place to start, especially if you have no idea what you should be paying. First prices are...

Try a Tepee Wales

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:34:07 GMT

If you think sleeping in a forest means roughing it, think again. This is romance Native Indian-style. The tepees at Eco Retreats near Machynlleth come with a double bed and a central wood-burning chiminea. With a sheepskin rug on which to stretch out. A typical break includes holistic therapies, mountain and beach walks and a twilight meditation session. If that's a little off the wall, Trehilyn Isaf on Pembrokeshire's Strumble Head has all mod cons including a telly and DVD player. But it...

Environmental Issues CentralAmerica

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:30:57 GMT

Belize takes environmental issues quite seriously, and much has been done to protect the endangered species that live within its borders. Species under threat include the hawksbill, green and leatherback sea turtles, the Morlet's and American crocodiles, the scarlet macaw, the jabiru stork and the manatee. Deforestation for farmland is becoming a concern, leading to loss of habitat, soil erosion and salination of waterways. Small scale oil drilling in the Cayo district is a concern -there had...

Buhoma EastAfrica

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:38:50 GMT

Given that there are only 24 gorilla permits per day available, there are a whole lot of lodges competing for business. Most of the upmarket lodges cater to guests on safari and several almost exclusively work with their own clients. There are a couple of tiny hotels scattered throughout Buhoma village, but these are primarily catering for local drivers on safari with their clients. Buhoma Community Rest Camp camping US 3, bandas per person US 10 Enjoying a beautiful setting right next to park...

Around Stazione Termini ItalyRome

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:00:26 GMT

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore This great church, one of Rome's four major basilicas, was built by Pope Liberius in a.d. 358 and was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III from 432 to 440. Its 14th-century campanile is the city's loftiest. Much doctored in the 18th century, the church's facade isn't an accurate reflection of the treasures inside. Restoration of the 1,600-year-old church was completed in 2000. The basilica is especially noted for the 5th-century Roman mosaics in its nave, as well as for...

TRANSPORT Hhl RussiaBelarus

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:16:09 GMT

45 Bus Station ABTOBOK3aa 44 C5 and meals can be ordered. It's on the main road to Zelenogradsk, 15km north along Sovetsky pr. Komnaty Otdykha 586 447 pi Kalinina s d R280 560 Considering it's inside the south train station, the rooms here are surprisingly quiet and clean, and the shared bathrooms are OK.

Info Wge Cyprus

Sun, 06 May 2012 18:50:49 GMT

At first sight, it is hard to believe that these unassuming little stone buildings conceal such glories behind their mossy walls. Yet the isolated Troodos churches are the guardians of a unique treasury of Byzantine religious art and some of the most superb early Christian frescoes in the world. Since being given UNESCO World Heritage status in the 1980s many have been restored - although those that remain beneath a centuries-old patina are in some ways more moving and interesting. Q Plan your...

Las Negras to Agua Amarga Spain

Sun, 06 May 2012 18:36:03 GMT

There's no road along this secluded, cliff-lined stretch of coast, but walkers can take an up-and-down path of about 11km, giving access to several beaches. Playa San Pedro, one hour from Las Negras, is the site of a ruined hamlet with castie , inhabited erratically by hippies and naturists. It's 1 hours on from there to Cala del Plomo beach, with another tiny village, then 1 Vi hours further to Agua Amarga. Drivers must head inland from Las Negras through Hortichuelas. A mostly unsealed road...

Nikos The Designer Honey Man Greece

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:53:39 GMT

Bees have been integral to the life of Nikos Reppas. Since the age of three, his job in his family's long-running honey business was to smoke the bees out of their hives while his father collected the honey. 'Bees have been my family's work for 200 years he boasts proudly. Now, he says he takes a long drag on his hand-rolled cigarette and leans lazily forward to stir his strong espresso -his fourth for the day , he has had another 37 years' experience in all aspects of the honey industry from...

EATING Qvg Malaysia Singapore and Brunei

Sun, 06 May 2012 05:55:07 GMT

Delikateza Caf 952 0409 33-1 Jin Ali i Across the way from Kampung Nyonya, Delikateza serves up buns, cheese sticks RM1 , cheese-and-ham buns RM1.50 and coffee. Internet access per hour is RM2.50. Kampung Nyonya 954 0088 39 J In Sayang mea Is RM10-15 h 10.30am-3pm amp 5.30-10pm This clean place serves a range of seafood and Nonya favourites, including Baba curry chicken RM5 , chap chai soup mixed vegetable soup RM3 , tomato telor tomato and egg RM2.50 and delicious sayur goreng green vegetables...

Around Cairo Egypt

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:45:40 GMT

Held hostage by Cairo's endless charms or perhaps desperate to flee in search of more relaxed locales , too few travellers explore the capital's surrounding countryside. However, those who manage to escape from the urban sprawl discover a serene landscape of luscious green fields and palm groves that end abruptly at the edges of the vast desert. And importantly, the outskirts of Cairo are home to some of the oldest and most impressive ancient sites in Egypt. On the southern edge of the city...

The Road To Alexandria Egypt

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:40:29 GMT

The Cairo-Alexandria Desert Hwy known usually as the Desert Hwy roughly separates the green fields of the Delta and the harsh sands of the Western Desert. Previously desolate, large swathes of the area's prairie-type expanses have been greened to create farms, and several new satellite towns have been established in order to ease the population pressure on Cairo. However, it's the desert life of the past that draws most tourists to this stretch, namely the famous Birqash camel market and the...

BUS Orq MediterraneanEurope

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:05:23 GMT

The Hellenic Railways Organisation OSE operates an overnight bus between Athens 500m west of the Larisis train station and Tirana, Albania 35.20, 16 hours, daily via Ioannina and Gjirokastra. To Bulgaria, the OSE operates an Athens-Sofia bus 45.50, 15 hours, daily except Monday , as well as a Thessaloniki-Sofia service 19, 7 4 hours, four daily . To Turkey, the OSE operates from Athens to Istanbul 67.50, 22 hours, daily except Wednesday . This stops at Thessaloniki 44 and Alexandroupolis 15 ....

Tegelbergbahn Germany

Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:23 GMT

For fabulous views of the Alps and the Forggensee, take this cable car 983 60 oneway return 9.50 16 S 8.30am-5pm Jul-0ct, 9am-5pm Nov-Jun to the top of the Tegelberg 1707m , a prime launch point for hang-gliders and parasailers. From here it's a wonderful hike down to the castles two to three hours follow the signs to K nigsschl sser . To get to the valley station, take RVO bus 73 or 78 from the Bahnhof in F ssen, or from the Schwangau village centre. Accommodation in the area is surprisingly...

HUSAVfK WHALE MUSEUM Iceland

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:21:56 GMT

Best visited before you head out on a whale-watching trip, this excellent museum HvalamiSstoSin 464 2520 www.icewhale.ls Hafnarstett adult 6-14yr lkr600 250 S 9am-7pm Jun-Aug, 10am-5pm May amp Sep will tell you all you ever needed to know about these gracious creatures. Housed in an old slaughterhouse at the harbour, the museum looks at the ecology and habits of whales, orcas, dolphins and other marine mammals, whale conservation, and the history of whaling in Iceland. The 'Ocean Odyssey -...

Caribbean.kmz And Caribbean Island CaribbeanIslands

Sat, 05 May 2012 02:31:51 GMT

Diving is the number one activity on the ABCs, with the azure waters and pristine reefs of Bonaire being a destination of dreams for many p799 . It is also popular on Cura ao p805 and Aruba p785 . Snorkeling is also ideal, and the waters around the islands never get below a comfy 70 F 21 C . Swimming is popular. Although the best beaches are on Aruba p791 , you can find good ones on Bonaire p799 and some very nice hidden ones on Cura ao p809 . Bonaire is big with windsurfers, who find near...

CHURCHES Kmz CaribbeanIslands

Sat, 05 May 2012 02:31:48 GMT

The picturesque, 19th-century churches of downtown St George's were once highlights of the skyline. In 2004 Hurricane Ivan changed all that. While these three magnifi cent structures still remain, all suffered heavy damage and lost their roofs. At the time of writing these churches were lagging behind in the rebuilding efforts they're all in the early stages of being repaired and rebuilt. Erected in 1825, St George's Anglican Church Church St features a four-sided clock tower that serves as the...

Lidice Czech Republic Prague

Sat, 05 May 2012 01:02:17 GMT

More than almost anywhere else in the world, two places in central Europe illustrate the destructive power of revenge Dresden and Lidice. In 1942, when Czech paratroopers stationed in Britain assassinated SS Obergruppenf hrer Reinhard Heydrich, the highest-ranking officer in the Czech lands, the Nazis focused their anger on this tiny village. As Hitler's main leader in the newly claimed Nazi protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Heydrich had ruthlessly and systematically exterminated Jews and...

Romes Top Sights ItalyRome

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:26:48 GMT

Where do you begin If you're an archaeology buff, Rome's ancient sights can keep you going for days, weeks, months, and even years. But the city is also loaded with famous museums, impressive monuments, and awe-inspiring churches. In this treasure trove of possibilities, you have to make some decisions. The sights in this section are our roster of the most important Roman attractions. For their locations, see the Rome Attractions map on p. 142. Rome's attractions tend to be busy at any time of...

MULTICULTURALISM Germans Europe Romania and Moldova

Fri, 04 May 2012 04:33:05 GMT

The German population in Romania peaked in the 1930s when there were 800,000 Saxons in Transylvania. Numbers have dwindled to no more than 65,000 today. During WWII, 175,000 Romanian Germans were killed or left the country. After Romania switched sides to join the Allies against Hitler's Nazi Germany, 70,000 Germans were accused of Nazi collaboration and sentenced to five years hard labour. Survivors returned to find their land and property confiscated by the newly installed communist regime....

EJ Gfw GreeceCrete

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:53:08 GMT

iThe modern capital of Crete was badly damaged in World War II, and few of its old Venetian buildings survived the reconstruction of the city. However, its Venetian fortress, harbour, arsenal and city walls are still impressive. For a morning's itinerary see pages 82-3. The city's main attraction is the Irakleio Archaeological Museum see pp12-15 . According to ancient Greek myths, this mossy cavern, filled with strange limestone formations, was the birthplace of the greatest Olympian god, Zeus....

Danube Delta 1 EasternEurope

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:28:23 GMT

The mighty Danube River empties into the Black Sea just south of the Ukrainian border. At this point the Danube splits into three separate channels the Chilia, Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe arms, creating a 4187 sq km wedand of marshes, floating reed islets and sandbars, providing sanctuary for 300 species of birds and 160 species of fish. Reedmarshes cover 156,300 hectares, constituting one of the largest single expanses of reed beds existing in the world. The Danube Delta Delta Dunarii is under...

Pathani Samanta Planetarium India

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:44:57 GMT

This interesting planetarium 2581613 JL Nehru Marg admission Rs 12 S 2-6pm Tue-Sun, show in English 4pm features hour-long 'out-of-this-world' shows. Orissa Tourism 2431299 www.orissatourism.gov.in behind Panthanivas Bhubaneswar, Lewis Rd S 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, closed 2nd Sat in month offers a free guided tour of Bhubaneswar's temples at 8am on the last Sunday of the month. The tour, starting and finishing points are different each time, so contact Orissa Tourism for details. A city tour offered...

Should You Go Standby with or Without a Ticket or Confirm a Change to Nonrefundable Tickets GuerrillaTactics

Thu, 03 May 2012 01:18:14 GMT

Going standby'' is the aptly named practice of waiting at the airport gate to see if a flight has an extra seat you can occupy. Sounds simple, doesn't it Well, think again. There are a few things you need to know before you try this little maneuver the most important being that you could end up paying much more than you anticipated. These are not seats being sold at fire sale prices. Anyone showing up at the airport at the last minute without a prepaid ticket, hoping to get a standby seat at a...

Lipari Sicily

Thu, 03 May 2012 01:04:49 GMT

The 'capital' of the islands, Lipari is the most populated and most popular of the Aeolians, not least because it's at the centre of the archipelago. With a good variety of hotels and restaurants it's the best-equipped base for hopping to the rest of the islands. Lipari Town is a delightful maze of pastel-coloured houses but the high level of tourism means that the main street is a little too crowded with beachwear and surf-gear shops. The town's real charm can be found in its back streets and...

Information Bkf Greece

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:56:18 GMT

EOT fax 27330 24484 Vasileos Georgiou 20 S 8am-2.30pm Mon-Fri This is the information equivalent of Monty Python's famous cheese-free cheese shop remarkably information-free, even by EOT's lamentable standards. Hassanakos Bookstore 27330 22064 Akti Vasileos Pavlou 39 Also stocks international newspapers. Internet Jolly Caf cnrDirou amp Grigoraki per hr 2.50 One block from the bus station. Kostas Vretto's Antiquities Shop Vassileos Pavlou 25 Not official information perse, but this...

Odense Hans Christian Andersens hometown Denmark

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:37:52 GMT

At the heart of the lush island of Funen, you will find Denmark's third largest town, Odense. Fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen was born here in 1805. The town is still as enchanting as ever - not least Andersen's childhood home, which now is a museum. In Odense you can also find the open-air rural heritage museum, The Funen Village. There is a sense of miniature world in the 'old town' with its many trendy boutiques. The cultural heart of town is the exhibition center Kunsthallen...

Money Czech and Slovak Republics

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:34:55 GMT

The Czech and Slovak Republics have separate currencies, the Koruna ceska Czech crown Kc and the Slovenska koruna Slovak crown Sk . US dollars and euros are the most sensible foreign currencies to pack. This book's inside cover has a handy exchange rate table, and the Getting Started chapter has a general rundown on costs p 16 . The euro will not be introduced until 2009 at the earliest. The Koruna ceska is divided into 100 halera, or heller h . Notes come in 20Kc, 50Kc, lOOKc, 200Kc, 500Kc,...

Around Maerkang ChinaSouthwest

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:30:40 GMT

For intrepid travellers, the forested valley around Ma'erkang is sprinkled with Tibetan villages and is well worth exploring. Just get out on the main road and hail down anything buslike heading out of town. Zhuokeji - jSSS Choktse is a compact Tibetan village around 7km east of town. Just above the cluster of stone houses is a derelict watchtower fortress that once belonged to a local chieftain and in which Mao Zedong is said to have slept when the Long March passed by. There are several...

Mermaid Dreams Ireland

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:16:57 GMT

Sinking into a sea-water bath and slathering yourself with seaweed may sound like madness, but in Ireland it's considered to be good for the health. Seaweed baths have been part of Irish homeopathy for centuries and are considered a cure for rheumatism and arthritis, even hangovers. Although some claims are unproven, one thing's for sure - a single session wallowing in the soupy waters will leave your skin feeling baby-soft. Seaweed's silky oils contain a massive concentration of iodine, a key...

ACCESS TOWN Albany AustraliaWalking

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:57:47 GMT

Set on large King George Sound, Albany is WA's oldest settlement. When the sun comes out, the action moves east to the suburb of Middleton Beach. Within 120km of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges and Walpole, it is a feasible base for all south-coast walks. Albany Map Centre 9841 1179 126 York St A small collection of walking maps. Albany visitor information centre 1800 644 088 www.albanytourist.com.au Proud love Pde Beside a If a day of walking out and about around Albany has you tired,...

Kashan Iran

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:20:07 GMT

Amir Kabir Exchange .ink hi.ii.it e ltl lt ll Ity lt lt lte let .V.il.id Mo pii.il Sep,Kit lt 1 utteellet I deplume ttlce Hammam-e Sultan Mir Ahmad Imamzadeh-e Habib Ibn-e Musa Imamzadeh-ye Sultan Mir Ahmad Khan-e Abbasian Khan-e Ameriha Khan-e Khan-e Tabatabei Old City Soltaniyeh Mosque Staircase to Bazaar Roof Mosaferkhaneh-ye Gochariyan 23 C4 Chaykhaneh Caravan Sara Hammam-e Khan Buses amp Savaris to Tehran 27 B2 Buses amp Savaris to Tehran 27 B2 or are literally turning to dust, but several...

The Mennonites Belize

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:51:12 GMT

It almost seems like an aberration, an odd sight inspired by the hot sun, or maybe just a blurry result of too much sweat dripping in your eyes. But the vision of women in bonnets and wintry frocks, and blond men with blue eyes, denim overalls and straw cowboy hats is not something your imagination has conjured up you're looking at Belizean Mennonites. The Mennonites originate from an enigmatic Anabaptist group that dates back to 16th-century Netherlands. Like the Amish of Pennsylvania, the...

Theft Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:33:04 GMT

For some reason, when people come on holiday to the tropics, they leave their sense of security at home. As anywhere else in the world, if you leave wallets lying on car seats or hotel-room doors unlocked, you're at risk of losing your possessions. Even theft of clothes from clotheslines. It's a good idea to check your valuables with hotel management, to prevent theft from your room, and it's always sensible not to flash expensive watches and digital cameras around on an island where there's...

ACTIVITIES Trekking Turkey

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:27:14 GMT

Trekking is the main reason people come to the Kafkars, and there are innumerable walks you could do. Talk to locals and the trekking guides to create your own adventure. Note that the trekking season in this region is very short, and you will only be able to do the higher mountain routes between mid-July and mid-August, when the snowline is highest. From mid-May to mid-September there are still plenty of walks you can do on the lower slopes and dozens of little mountain villages where you can...

Sataoa Saanapu Conservation Area Samoan Islands and Tonga

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:06:44 GMT

In an effort to preserve one of'Upolu's most important coastal wetland areas, the mangrove forests around the villages of Sataoa and Sa'anapu were declared a conservation area. Mangroves provide a vital habitat for the breeding of fish and crabs, they help to keep erosion in check and the leaves and bark are used in traditional medicine. At Sataoa there's a nature trail per person ST5 but it's just a rough car track that skirts the mangroves before terminating at some wind-blown fale. A better...

Top End Rhn EasternEurope

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:22:29 GMT

Hotel Josef Map pp266-7 221 700 111 www .hoteljosef.cz Rybn 20, Star M sto s d from 149 173 P B lt S Sleekly modern in old-world Stare Mesto, this boutique hotel was designed by London-based Czech architect Eva Jiricna. Descend the playful suspended staircase to surf the web in the lobby's wi -fi hotspot. Two rooms are wheelchair accessible. Hotel Casa Marcello Map pp266-7 222 310 260 www.casa-marcello.cz Rasnovka 783 d ste apt from 130 185 215 Housed in two medieval buildings that were once...

Frankland Islands Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef

Tue, 01 May 2012 06:57:38 GMT

If the idea of hanging out on one of five uninhabited coral-fringed islands with excellent snorkelling and stunning white sandy beaches perks your interest - and if not, why not -cruise out to the Frankland Group National Park. These continental islands consist of High Island to the north and four smaller islands to the south Normanby, Mabel, Round and Russell. Campers can be dropped at High or Russell Islands, though numbers are limited on Russell and camping is only permitted on weekdays...

Volcano rule Beware of falling through unstable terrain VolcanoGuide

Tue, 01 May 2012 04:31:33 GMT

Falling on aa lava may be painful, but other types of volcanic terrain can be far more dangerous. Although ordinary pahoehoe lava is generally quite safe and easy to walk on, shelly pahoehoe is another matter. This type of lava is relatively common on Hawaiian volcanoes and is the subject of many scary stories told by volcanologists who have worked there. One of my colleagues' experience is a good example he was walking on a long-cooled lava flow on Mauna Loa, unaware that the lava underneath...