TRAVEL GUIDE

MUSHA CAY

2010-04-19T09:36:00.001-07:00

Exuma Cays

You’ll have to be friendly with famous magician and owner David Copperfield to pay a visit, but once you’ve touched down in Musha Cay with your Louis Vuitton bags in tow you’ll never want to leave. Comprising four private islands, 85 miles southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas, the mini-archipelago offers some of the best diving on the planet, with transparent waters and miles of jaw-dropping coral reef. There are five houses in which to hunker down for the night, with every conceivable luxury found inside, and more than 30 staff members to cater to your every whim. Copperfield also claims to have found the Fountain of Youth on the island, but even if you don’t find it while you’re here, you’ll still return home looking 20 years younger.

MUSTIQUE

2010-04-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

West Indies

There’s a very good reason rock stars and royal family members jet across the globe to vacation on the private island of Mustique. Spreading across 1,400 acres of tropical paradise, Mustique is located in the southern Caribbean and is owned and operated by the Mustique Company (made up of the island’s privileged homeowners). Upholding its exclusivity and protecting its natural beauty, the firm allows only a select group of people to stay on the island, with visitors ranging from Prince William to Mick Jagger. While there, designer-clad guests can frolic in the aquamarine surf, sprawl on its pristine white beaches or party the night away at Basil’s Bar, a favorite haunt of the jet-set vacationers.

TURTLE ISLAND

2010-04-18T22:57:00.001-07:00

Fiji

Although Lost is actually filmed in Hawaii, it’s supposed to be set in Fiji — meaning that a real Fijian island is going to be even more beautiful than the sets on the TV show. Turtle Island lives up to that promise, with more than 500,000 trees planted over 30 years by its entrepreneurial owner, Richard Evanson, dozens of private beaches and a stunning resort comprising 14 eco-friendly villas — it’s no wonder The Blue Lagoon, the 1970s film starring Brooke Shields, was filmed here. If this place doesn’t take your breath away, then we’re afraid nothing will. And this is the place to honeymoon if you’re serious about your marriage.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

PALM ISLAND

2010-04-18T22:49:00.001-07:00

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Made up of 32 jaw-droppingly beautiful islands, it would be easy to miss Palm Island in the cluttered archipelago that makes up Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Nevertheless, once you’ve found it and taken the mile-long boat trip from Union Island, you’ll never want to leave; 135 acres of tropical paradise await you, with a private resort catering to your every whim no matter how frivolous. Casuarina Beach runs along the entire length of the western coastline, and is quite a sight to behold. Crystal clear waters swoosh against its sand beaches, coconut trees shimmy on its coast and general gorgeousness abounds. The resort itself is small but perfectly formed, with just 40 guest rooms to maintain exclusivity, a Michelin-star restaurant serving up the best international fare, and a bar in which you and your loved one can grab an umbrella-free sun-downer at dusk. Wish you were here? We certainly do.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

BERMUDA

2010-04-18T22:45:00.001-07:00

North Atlantic Ocean

While sailors may get mysteriously gobbled up trying to get to the island, Bermuda does offer Old World luxury for those who make it ashore. The second-oldest British settlement in the New World, Bermuda’s aesthetic is a mix of colonial-style architecture and paradisiacal settings — a heady mix that has attracted the filthy-rich for years. The Fairmont Southampton is the best place to stay; from there you’ll be able to enjoy Bermuda’s iconic pink-sand beaches, smudged amber sunsets and lush green gardens. Whittle your day away beneath a crisp white umbrella at the hotel’s private beach club, enjoy a game of tennis (very popular on the island), or indulge in the finest cuisine at The Newport Room, the only AAA five-diamond restaurant in the entire Caribbean/Atlantic. Breathtaking stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

TGV France

2010-04-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

The French sense of style extends to train travel, naturally, with a smooth and rapid way for locals and travelers to get around. Like the AVE mentioned earlier, the TGV is an acronym, in this case “train à grande vitesse,” or “high-speed train,” and rightly so. Testing found it to be the fastest wheeled train at 357 mph, and passenger runs hit 200 mph. The BBC’s Top Gear pitted its host in a race from London to Monte Carlo with the TGV versus Aston Martin DB9. While Jeremy Clarkson won at the wheel of the Aston, it wasn’t by much, and his driving skills are far superior to most of us hacks that watch him. For us mere mortals, it’s a far safer bet to relax and trust the TGV.

Shinkansen Japan

2010-04-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Japan’s original 130-mph “bullet train” of 1964 has inspired imitators, but the country’s high-speed trains are still among the fastest and most technologically advanced. Today, they’re better known by their official name, Shinkansen, or New Trunk Line (signs and information printed in English may still refer to them as “Superexpress”). Call them whatever you like; they’re reliable, safe and fast. Passengers aren’t treated to the same 361-mph top speed achieved in testing, but 186 mph still isn’t bad. Anyway, a study several years ago found the average Shinkansen nailed its scheduled arrival time within six seconds.

Eurostar England

2010-04-18T09:20:00.001-07:00

There are Eurostar lines throughout the continent (go figure), and they’re some of the best ways to get around. It doesn’t hurt if you’re in a hurry. The 1,290-foot trains cruise up to 186 mph in certain areas, yet the only real confirmation of this from your seat is the blurred scenery. It makes sense that few trains arrive late. All speed aside, one route stands apart. While it doesn’t move all that fast, the view isn’t that great and it continually operates at a loss, it is still one you can’t miss, and here’s why: The trip through Channel Tunnel, with the journey beginning at London’s historic St. Pancras International train station and ending in Paris.

ICE Germony

2010-04-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Like Italians, Germans know a thing or two about traveling rapidly. Unlike Italians, Germans have shown far greater acceptance of rail travel. Deutsche Bahn keeps passengers moving by day with its efficient and popular InterCity Express, better known as ICE. For overnight trips, there’s the inviting NachtZug, or Night Train. Yes, many an overnight trip has been taken with Night Train, so don’t let the name give you the heebie-jeebies. After this Night Train experience, you’ll wake up refreshed with your internal organs in harmony and no holding cell in sight.

TAV Italy

2010-04-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

In a country renowned for high-speed transportation, there are trains that uphold the tradition. The problem is that this has been a well-kept secret among many citizens, so TAV’s existence and growth merits recognition in itself. Like the majority of Americans, many Italians favor traveling by car or by plane. Trains are gaining popularity and considerable efforts are being made to emulate and connect with Europe’s finest.

Russian Railway

2010-04-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

If you have a lot of time on your hands and a burning desire to live the experience, you can sit on a train for almost 6,000 miles on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Incidentally, the state-owned railway’s spot on the countdown is largely in recognition of the ability to operate the challenging stretch under frequently adverse conditions. For the rest of us with more limited time, attention spans and vodka than that trip demands, this is still the way to go between the Russian areas you’ll want to cover on a visit. It beats renting a Lada, anyway.

KTX South Korea

2010-04-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Korea Train eXpress is a modern take on The Little Engine That Could. After the initial Seoul to Pusan route was finished in 2004, passenger numbers were short of expectations. That contributed to overall operational losses, and frequent train breakdowns didn’t help matters. Still, there’s progress. Line expansion is underway, and ridership is on the rise.

AVE Spain

2010-04-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

It’s a worthwhile pursuit to live up to one’s name in the transportation game, despite what Greyhound would have you believe. On the other end of the spectrum is AVE. There’s kind of a double meaning going on here, since “ave” is “bird” in Spanish, though this is really an acronym for Alta Velocidad Española (Spanish High Speed). The duality is real, though. For example, service from Madrid to Seville is so consistent, fares are refunded if the train arrives more than five minutes late.

Great Southern Rail,Australia

2010-04-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Australian cities like Perth and Sydney are great to visit, but there’s so much more to the country. You need to see, well, the country. You could rent an ute, but all that driving is going to take a major chunk of time, even if you explore a region each time you visit. Your best bet is to span the continental coast and see a lot of the in-between on Great Southern Rail Limited. Two of its three routes are long, multiday affairs, but given the accommodations and scenery, you probably won’t mind at all.

VR Finland

2010-04-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Scandinavia is generally underrated and under-visited, making it an unlikely place to bump into the familiar faces you’re trying to forget on vacation. Finland is one of those countries that just works because it’s exceptionally clean, efficient and trouble-free. The state-owned VR Group is no different. When you manage to pry yourself away from Helsinki, VR is probably the best way to take in the countryside as you tour outlying areas.

Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic

2010-03-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Punta Cana,Dominican Republic

2010-03-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

San Juan travel

2010-03-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

Barbados Island

2010-03-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

BARBADOS IS a unique and fascinating small island, only 166 square miles, full of rich history, oddities, and a wonderful heritage, that we take a special delight and enthusiasm in sharing with you through our hiking and walking tours, scenic bus tours, and fishing trips. We "show and tell", so that the seemingly "take for granted objects", take on a fuller meaning within the Barbadian context. In this way a web of life, an interrelationship, is developed in your mind, and a resultant higher appreciation for Barbados and Barbadians.

BARBADOS IS Home to thousands of smart green monkeys. These monkeys' ancestors arrived on the island over 300 years ago, as pets of sailors on slave ships.
After many weeks of sailing, well they had enough of each other's company, and the monkeys decided to stay.

Did you know they like molasses? And what an amazing effect it has on them.

Find out more when you see the Barbados Green Monkey on a selected early morning Heritage Trail or a Scenic Heritage Bus Tour.

BARBADOS IS scores of centenarians (that's 100 year olds) the oldest alive to date (March 24, 2009) is 109. Even though it's a man, some 80% of Barbados' centenarians are female. We even have two centenarian married couples, one married for seventy five years, and the other for seventy one years, as at 2009.

Don't forget to enquire, as to what they did to live so very long, when you visit Barbados, and choose a quality tour with knowledgeable tour guides.

BARBADOS IS the only Caribbean country that was NEVER invaded by competing colonizers, and remained a British colony from 1627 until its independence on November 30th 1966. The Dutch tried only once and were repelled, by the cannons from the coastal forts.
Some Caribbean countries changed colonizers as many as 30 times.

Why is Barbados so unique in this regard?
Hear it all on the Arbib Heritage & Nature Trail, along with the other unique aspects of our heritage.

BARBADOS IS Coucou(it's not a bird, but a meal made of ground corn and okras), Flying Fish, Mauby, Sorrel, Breadfruit, Pudding & Souse, Dunks, Sugar Cakes, Fat Pork (a fruit), Tamarind Balls, Guava Cheese, Conkie and Coconut Bread. Not forgetting the three hundred year old Mount Gay Rum (well the rum isn't 300 years! but the brand)

Visit our tropical island Barbados and take a Heritage Tour, and taste Barbados, our foods, beverages, fruit (seasonal), and sweets.

BARBADOS IS fifteen per cent South American (clays, muds, sands) plus eighty five per cent secretions (coral rock)

After seeing an amazing clay spinning & moulding demonstration, visitors to the potteries are totally mesmerized, and must have a piece of Barbados to call their own.

One hundred per cent Barbadian manufactured clay products, are on sale at the potteries.
A hilly region of the island known as Chalky Mount has high quality clay deposits, which have been utilized for over two hundred years, but there is tangible evidence that the Amerindians of our pre-history periods had availed themselves of this remarkable material.

It's all part of heritage hikes, and scenic heritage bus tours.

Hear and see how Barbados came into being.

BARBADOS IS home of the GEORGE WASHINGTON HOUSE,this is where USA's First President stayed on Barbados for over six weeks in 1751.This was the only occasion GEORGE WASHINGTON traveled outside of the North American Continent. Even though he contracted small pox during his visit, this experience saved his life in later years.

BARBADOS IS the site of the Cliff QUAKER BURIAL GROUND.The last of four such burial grounds on Barbados.it was established in 1670.Quaker names such as Gittens, Gollop, and others are still in circulation today on Barbados. The Quakers were a much persecuted faith group on Barbados, because they spoke against slavery, which was the order of the day, they also refused to join the militia.

BARBADOS IS the home of many famous sports personalities such as Obadele Thompson, 200m Olympic champion, in cricket Sir Garfield Sobers, Wes Hall,Charlie Griffith, the 3Ws Weekes, Walcott, and Worrell and many others.

BARBADOS IS connected with Charleston, South Carolina, USA in many ways unaware by many. Charleston was a Barbadian colony from the 1660/1670s, it was divided into parishes many having the names of Barbadian parishes, the Gullah creole dialect bears a striking similarity to our Bajan dialect, in terms of accent and idiom.
There are also strong architectural links in the Barbadian Single House and the Charleston Single House.

This island is small, 106,000 acres, probably the size of a large North American farm, however, for its small physical stature, many outstanding personalities, outstanding achievements in sports, economic governance, entertainment, to name a few belie its smallness. Visit Barbados and experience it for yourself, sooner rather than later.

Cocoa Island

2010-02-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

We came to the Maldives with a lot of expectations – but bumping into an imaginary character from our childhood was not one of them. However, on arrival at our Indian Ocean boutique resort Cocoa Island – a Robinson Crusoe-esque patch of land, not more than 400 paces long, in the impossibly turquoise lagoons of the South Malé Atoll – we are introduced to Thomas, our personal butler. We can’t help but make the comparison with the shopkeeper from Mr Benn.

We’ve already been seriously wowed by this point, though. Our half-hour speedboat ride from Malé airport included impromptu sightings of a dolphin school and a rather excitable flying fish – our little boat the only audience to his aquatic circus act.

Then the island slipped into view – a sliver of white sand and palm trees, with overwater villas connected to the mainland by an elegant curve of wooden walkway. Well, I say ‘mainland’ but Cocoa Island is a mere 350 metres long, tapering to glossy magazine cover-style sand spits at its extremes. There are just 33 suites and villas out over the water, with a pool-flanking restaurant and bar at one end. The Como Shambala Retreat, yoga pavilion and a hydrotherapy pool occupy the other. Oh, and there’s a volleyball net, too.

So where does Mr Benn’s sidekick fit into all this? See if you can spot the theme…

First things first: Thomas leads us up a walkway towards our accommodation – we’ve chosen a one-bedroom villa, which is one of the most spacious and private categories. It’s pristine. The colour scheme is lots of shades of white on white – linen, cotton, whitewashed wood panelling – with accents of teak in the colonial-style furniture. It’s as if they’ve divined our exact tastes and needs, and designed this room around us. Even Mr Smith, usually immune to anything remotely Elle Deco-friendly, is in awe of how gorgeous our home for the next few days is.

Thomas takes us through the in-villa check-in procedures and gives us a brief tour, but it’s once he’s gone that we carry out our ‘lap of luxury’ – both of us race around the open-plan space, exclaiming at the gargantuan size of our bathroom, the perfect positioning of our outdoor shower, the unbelievable colour of the sea surrounding our deck, the plushness of our double daybeds and the dimensions of our flatscreen telly. OK, that last one was Mr Smith only – I was actually admiring the broderie anglaise linen window panels swooshing in the light breeze.

As we unpack, we start to feel our long journey catching up with us, and our thoughts turn to sustainment. Just then, there’s a knock at the door, and, as if by magic, it’s Thomas with the lunch menu from the restaurant in case we’re feeling hungry. We order quickly from the Asian- and Mediterranean-influenced menu, which also includes plenty of the spa-designed light dishes, and Thomas returns with the food equally rapidly. It’s delicious, but I doubt we’d have regretted any choice from the list.

After a post-lunch kip, we head off to explore, and treat ourselves to a massage at the spa. Mr Smith has the Como Shambhala signature massage – which he insists on calling the ‘Shambolic Haha’, even though he declares it to be the best spa treatment he’s ever had. This is more to do with his questionable sense of humour than any fault of the spa’s. Next, we pick up a mask and snorkel from Cocoa Island’s helpful dive team, and swim out to meet the fish. On the sandy stroll back, we bump into Thomas and stop for a chat. Mr Smith enquires if shark sightings are common, and Thomas casts his eyes towards the sea. As if by magic, a baby black tip reef shark glides by.

As the day comes to a close, we enjoy a pre-dinner drink in our villa and then stroll off down our wooden walkway to the low-key restaurant. Here, with no themed evenings, live entertainment or organised activities, the mood is blissfully serene, and only a few other tables are occupied. Guests are free to choose where they dine – on the beach, in their villa or on their deck. The atmosphere is unbelievably laid-back, and we chat our way through delicious course after delicious course with just the burble of the sea to rival our conversation.

After dinner we wander back to our villa, which has been beautifully turned down for the night. We’re pleased to discover that, having earlier mentioned to each other that more deliciously scented Como Shambhala body lotion would be nice, our stocks have been replenished and doubled – again, as if by magic. We sleepily wonder whether our room is being bugged.

The next morning, we pull back the curtain to discover the Maldivian weather doing what it does best – blue, blue skies with just the faintest drifts of white clouds on the horizon. Thomas lays out a breakfast of kings on our deck and we spend the rest of the day lazing around in the villa – snoozing on our daybeds, flicking through the Fish of the Maldives coffee-table book to identify what we’ve encountered, or donning snorkel, mask and fins, to encounter Finding Nemo cast members. Cocoa Island is lucky enough to have a dramatic house reef – breathtakingly beautiful and teeming with sealife – just metres from our villa.

At 5pm, just as the sun is starting to dip, we zoom off on Cocoa’s luxurious motor launch in the hope of seeing dolphins. After 20 minutes, we’ve found our spot and quiet the engines to wait. And – you’ve guessed it – as if by magic, we’re suddenly surrounded by dozens of dolphins that frolic, jump and spin just for us. It’s the perfect ending to our stay at the resort where everyone, marine life included, seems to be genuinely pleased to see us.

Genuine is a good word for Cocoa Island. There’s nothing flashy or bling about this hotel, nothing overstated or try-hard. And the team seem absolutely committed to designing your stay around what you want to do and how you want to spend your time. It’s so magical that I almost expect Thomas to turn up in shopkeeper’s garb and lead me back through a changing-room door into the real world.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

Mnemba Island

2010-02-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

The warm clear waters along the Tanzanian coast offer superb and varied diving; with, some of the most spectacular sites in the gulf between Zanzibar and Pemba. Here the rough waters and strong currents are home to manta rays, white sharks, hammerheads and an abundance of pelagic life.

The best diving on Zanzibar Island is at Mnemba Atoll. The reef around this tiny East Africa Island offers a range of good inner and outer wall dives, as well as some beautiful coral gardens. Being located on the deepwater side of Zanzibar, this site is also a good place to catch sight of both whale-sharks and humpbacks during the migration. If you are going to restrict diving to Zanzibar Island only, then the most part of your trip should be centered around Matemwe and Mnemba Island.

The cluster of islands around Mafia island, which is south of Zanzibar, offers excellent locations for diving, holidays. The main island of Mafia has a hotel that offers diving trips within the marine park. Not many divers visit these sites yet, even though they are sheltered, relatively shallow and teaming with life. You can also dive in the unsheltered Indian Ocean side of Mafia which promises classic reef formation, walls, pinnacles, an abundance of tiger sharks and coral gardens, However, diving here is more difficult due to the swells, even when the waters are calm.

The warm Indian Ocean waters surrounding Pemba Island are home to thousands of species of tropical fish and exotic marine life. The shallows around the numerous islands of Pemba offer stunning, snorkeling in aquamarine waters, lush coral gardens which stretch far ahead and then suddenly plunge into the dark blue depths of Pemba's incredible drop offs.

The small villages in this out of the way Island of Pemba have had little impact on the surrounding reefs; Pemba is relatively unknown and tourism is limited. These factors have helped to preserve the reefs and they remain in pristine condition. These exciting reefs stretch out as far as the eye can see. Large pelagic fish swim and hunt amongst the thousands of small, brightly colored reef fish that play around the plunging drop-offs and in the turquoise waters of the shallows - an underwater naturalist's dream. Pemba is renowned for its pristine and un-spoilt coral reefs but also for its vertical coral cliffs which plummet to depths of more than eight hundred meters. Underwater visibility often reaches forty meters or more. Looking over the precipice of some of the outer walls can be a moving experience.

Pemba also has a stunning wreck dive in the South of Pemba Island at Panza populated by large groupers and Napoleon wrasse.
Mesali Island is famous as Pemba's only marine sanctuary. A visit to this beautiful reef is a must for all - beach lovers, snorkellers and divers alike. A perfect spot for a picnic and with delightful walks through the interior bush, you can spend the day relaxing on the white beach or snorkeling and diving on the numerous reefs around the island. The Mesali beaches are especially important as sea turtle nesting beaches.

Diving in Tanzania and in the islands off the coast offers some of the best diving the world has to offer. A driving vacation after a safari makes for a holiday of a life time. When you book please try to ensure you use operators, lodges that pay fair wages and help the communities on which they rely.

Necker Island

2010-02-11T01:01:00.000-08:00

No doubt you’ve already heard of Necker Island, whether it’s from reading Richard’s book, seeing the island on TV (MTV Cribs maybe?!), or reading stories in the media. If this has fuelled your fire to find out what life is like on an exclusive luxury island, then you’ve come to the right place!So here’s where the Necker story began…Back in the early 1980s, a twenty-something Richard Branson wanted to impress a lovely lady called Joan. He heard a rumour that an island was for sale and that the Real Estate Company would offer hotel accommodation, flights and a helicopter for anyone showing an interest in looking to buy the island. So in his quest to impress Joan (who is now his wife of over 20 years!), he took her to see Necker, and they both fell in love with the island. But the asking price was far too high for Richard. However, some months later, the price had reduced and he was approached, so Richard became the proud owner of his own island and new home. …In the end he did get the girl and the island! If you’ve never been to Necker Island before, it’s one of the most stunning private paradises on earth. Surrounded by turquoise waters, coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches, Necker is the perfect place to escape the stresses and strains of city life. The island can be hired privately for 28 guests, or experienced ‘house-party’ style during specially selected Celebration Weeks. You’ll have 60 staff at your beck and call and be staying in Balinese-inspired accommodation; we’ll include all your meals and drinks and you’ll have endless beaches outside your door to laze the days away on…
Stay tuned for our next blog update - we’ll be introducing you to the lovely team on Necker.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

Cousine Island

2010-02-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

The 115 islands of the Seychelles are enough to inspire anyone's imagination, and the stories of hidden treasures are all true ...... Cousine is a Seychelles island treasure that has been discovered by people looking to experience adventure, love and peace and pampering. Thousands of miles from anywhere, our lush Seychelles island is a nature reserve - when you’re in search of a holiday with a feeling of isolation in an unspoilt paradise, Cousine is is the ultimate choice.

With only four romantic villas on our island and only eight guests, we are an excellent honeymoon destination and honeymooners will revel in all the water sports - scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, swimming and fishing all on offer in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles is an exciting fishing destination for both experienced and novice fishermen, and our Seychelles island can arrange some deep sea fishing for you, where spectacular trophy sailfish and marlin, shark and giant barracuda can be pursued on fishing excursions suitable for all abilities. With constant temperatures, and outside the cyclone belt, the Seychelles are a year-round holiday destination.

There is something to suit everyone at our Seychelles island, whether you are families looking for a super place to spend some time together, honeymooners love the privacy and larger groups of friends love all the outdoor activities. Our spectacular, unspoiled private island is a great place to relax, guests can enjoy personalised holistic treatments at the Wellness Retreat, or you can explore the island on foot; there are fabulous viewpoints and if you like, a guide will point out interesting facts about the different bird species, the coconut palms, giant tortoises wandering about, as well as the green and hawksbill turtles.

Our Seychelles island is becoming increasingly accessible to holiday-makers from around the globe, and with the greatest of ease, a helicopter will whisk you to our island to sample the many and varied delights of the island – you will have found your hidden treasure.

Luxury Island Guide
Seychelles
British Virgin Islands
Indian Ocean
Maldives
Caribbean
BERMUDA
PALM ISLAND
TURTLE ISLAND
MUSTIQUE
MUSHA CAY

Teotihuacan, Mexico - Pyramid of the Sun

2010-02-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

About 50km to the northeast of central Mexico City lies one of the greatest archaeological marvels in Mexico and its largest ancient city - Teotihuacan. At its peak in the 6th century AD, more than 150,000 people lived in this great city of 24 square kilometres, many of them involved in mining obsidian.
Then, sometime in the 7th century it declined, was plundered and finally abandoned. However, the later Toltecs and Aztecs still revered the sacred site. The Aztecs named it Teotihuacan, which means 'the place where the gods were born' (the city's original name is not known), and thought that the gods created the universe from here.
The city was arranged around the Avenida de los Muertos, a long, central thoroughfare which now serves as the main road for tourists and itinerant vendors. The less popular routes through the ruins afford a more tranquil course and time for contemplation.
Prim buildings include the Piramide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun), the worlds third larges pyramid at 70m high, with a 248-step access to the spectacular views at the top; the beautifully proportioned Piramide de la Luna, situated at the northern end of the axis; the nearby Palacio del Quetzalpapalotl; the Palacio de los Jaguares, with its jaguar murals; the Templo de las Conchas Plumadas, so called for the flower and feather decorations on its facade; and the Ciudadela, a large sunken plaza containing buildings such as the Templo de Quetzalcoatl, also known as the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, with its marvellous and well-preserved carvings. The site can be scorchingly hot, especially at midday, so a hat and bottle of water are essential.

Manmade Wonders Guide
A Journey to Giza
Great Wall of China
Taj Mahal Video Guide
The Machupicchu
Bali
Angkor Wat
Bagan Temples
Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple
Teotihuacan.

Karnak - The Center of Ancient Thebes

2010-02-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

One of the most important historical and cultural areas of Egypt is Luxor, with its high concentration of ancient sites. Luxor is located in Upper (southern) Egypt and is easily accessible by train from Cairo. Standing upon the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, there are many fantastic things to see in the Luxor area, such as the Temple of Hatshepshut, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Colossi of Memnon, and plenty of others. The Luxor area is absolutely a required part of anyone's Egypt experience. But one site in particular stands out from the bunch, and that is the Karnak Temple compound, located inside Luxor city.
This is the temple of Ipet-Isut (as it was once known by the ancient Egyptians), which was the central focus of the ancient capital city of Thebes. Starting from 1900 BCE when the Temple of Amun was built inside the Karnak complex, Thebes became the capital of ancient Egypt for about 1500 years. This was not only a place of worship of the Theban holy trinity of Amun-Re, Mut and Khonsu, but also the offical residence of the Pharaohs, and the administrative centre of the kingdom.
Karnak's status as not only a temple compound but also as the city center and major hub is what makes it so overwhelmingly massive. In person, its size is quite overwhelming. One of the halls, the Great Hypostyle Hall, is comprised of 134 massive pillars, with each one measuring from 15 meters (50 ft) to 21 meters (69 feet) tall. The pillars are so thick that six people are needed in order to reach all the way around its outside edge. If you can envision the statues of the pharaohs that were once situated in this hall amongst the pillars, then you can easily imagine the scale of Karnak's glory.
It is easy for travellers to reach Karnak, since it is just a short walk from the town center. The opening time is six o' clock in the morning, when the complex is beautifull lit up by the light of dawn. During the evening a different type of illumination can be seen, as Karnak Temple puts on a sound-and-light show, which has been known to hypnotise visitors with its stunning effects set upon such a mystical backdrop.

Experience the Spiritual Serenity of Myanmar

2010-02-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

This article highlights the largest country geographically in mainland Southeast Asia; a Buddhist country lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. It is a naturalist's delight with many bird species, home to tigers, leopards and elephants and was formerly known as Burma. You have probably guessed by now that our newsletter is focusing on Myanmar.
The largest city of Yangon, or Rangoon, is situated in Lower Myanmar between the Yangon and Bago rivers. It remains relatively undeveloped with leafy avenues and colonial architecture from its British Colonial past, which makes English widely spoken as the second language, after Burmese. Trishaws are still a means of public transport in the townships. Yangon is busiest during the Pagoda festivals from November to March when the city is frequented by pilgrims from all over the country. Even if you are not here during Pagoda festival season, a visit to the splendid golden Shwedagon Pagoda is a unique experience. An atmosphere of calm spirituality shrouds the Singuttara Hill on which it stands and while children play and monks sit on the steps in their robes chatting, others are deep in prayer at one of the many shrines.
Better known is the city of Mandalay in the center of the country. Immortalized by Rudyard Kipling, and sung about by Sinatra, it is known as the Golden City, which immediately makes one curious to visit. It is the economic hub of Myanmar, known best for its millionaires, monks and the Royal Palace, which is a sight to behold. The complex has several queen's chambers, a moat, shady gardens, sheds for elephants, throne halls and a monastery. The vermilion-colored buildings with their golden dragon-edged roofs will take your breath away.
Cruises down the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay take visitors past the 2500 year old civilization which lines the banks. Some 94 miles (150 km) further south, the city of Bagan has the amazing sight of some 2200 Buddhist pagodas lining the riverbank, so crowded together that they become a forest of spires, chedi and pinnacles. Although much of this city has fallen victim to fires and earthquakes, what remains is still one of the world's greatest archeological sites.
Yet another side to Myanmar is Lake Inle, some 120 miles (192 km) south east of Myanmar. A world away from the congested cities, the tribal people live on man-made floating islands which are anchored to the lake bed by bamboo poles which eventually take root. The civilization, about the size of Manhattan, is in a time warp of subsistence fishing and farming, but the people offer nothing but smiling faces. Although motorized boats are used for long journeys, mostly local transport along the canals and between villages is done in flat-bottomed canoes. The best-known of these communities is Ywama because of its floating market which arrives every 5 days. The hardworking Intha people pile their boats high with rice, melons, flowers, tomatoes and leafy greens for the locals, and bamboo hats, Burmese cigars, silk and cotton sarongs and carved buddhas for the tourists. If you miss this itinerant market at Ywama, you may come across it at one of the other villages nearby. Lake Inle also has many temples and monasteries on stilted foundations. Nga Phe Kyaung is the most unique of all the stilted wooden monasteries. Known as the 'Jumping Cat Monastery' visitors are entertained by the monks' cats who have been trained to do various amazing tricks.

A Monumental UNESCO Heritage Site - The Forbidden City

2010-02-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

From the middle of the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace of the Chinese. The city is situated in the center of Beijing and shelters the Palace Museum. The Emperor and his family had used it as their home for nearly 5 centuries and it served as the ritual and political center of the Chinese government.
The location of the Forbidden City was a component of the Imperial city all through the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was here that the ruling Mongol families could conserve their Mongolian civilization. When the institution of the Ming Dynasty took place, the Hongwu Emperor shifted the capital from Beijing Nanjing and dictated that the Mongol castles be demolished. When his son Zhu Di became the Yongle Emperor, he shifted the capital to Beijing, and building began in 1406 of the present Forbidden City.
The building complex comprises of 980 lasting buildings with 8707 alcoves of rooms and extends 720,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's biggest existing palace complex. The palace grounds illustrate conventional Chinese architecture. The Forbidden City was announced a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is heralded by UNESCO as the major gathering of conserved ancient wooden constructions in the world.
The Forbidden City has been in control of the Palace Museum from the year 1924. The artwork and the artifacts are built on the royal collection of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Both museums fall under the same organization, but were disunited after the Chinese Civil War.
Visit the Forbidden City at leisure while enjoying the comforts of a recommended hotel in Beijing. China has many heritage sites, and Beijing has most of it. Besides the historical aspects, China also has many adventures and activities, for which your Beijing hotel concierge will help you make arrangements.

Angkor Wat - UNESCO World Heritage Site

2010-02-04T19:24:00.001-08:00

Cambodia is famous throughout the world for being the heritage site of the famous Angkor Wat, that remained hidden from the outside world until the French naturalist Henri Mahout discovered it strangled in the jungle area in 1860.
Angkor was once the capital of the ancient Khmer civilization, which survived some 500 years ago between the 9th century to 15 century existed, until it was pillaged by the Thai invaders in 1431. The capital flourished much in the 12th century, when the temple complex known as Angor Wat was constructed here followed by the Angkor Thom, the popular swayer city.
The temple complex - Angor Wat is worth a visit. It was built by King Suryavarman II as the noesis of the Mount Meru, the mythological consecrated center of the Hinduism. Encircled with the large fosse bridge by the stone causeway, it is the rectangular structure that comprises of three levels. The uppermost level, is particularly a spiritual center of the Buddhists Cambodians. It is adorned with the images of Lord Buddha. Check out the galleries of bas-reliefs - the longest in the world - portraying scenes from great Indian epics of Mahabharata and the battle scenes from the history of Khmer.
The views of Angkor Wat can be best experienced in the dim light of the early morning when the celestial rays of the sun enter into its walls. Even after 800 years of pillage and erosion, the temple is in good shape, which is actually the epitome of great artistry. And his is what makes it a must visit monument in the world. Some of the other popular attractions of Angkor are Bayon and Ta Prohm
Over the years, Angkor Wat has received great popularity among the tourists enthusiasts of visiting the historical sites. There are direct flights available from Bangkok to Thailand, that has made it a more easily accessible. It is a great place to spend time in peace and tranquility.

Bali is Still Worth a Visit

2010-02-04T19:21:00.001-08:00

Very often many thing become reality inspired by a dream. For example if one wants to have a very memorable holiday he will choose a place which have everything to fulfill his needs or his requests sometimes begin with a sweet dream. If a dream tells about beautiful island lies under the equator and have a nice weather all year round, an oasis of undying culture and quiet beauty, if so, Bali has it all.
Bali is a beautiful island situated within Indonesian Archipelago and one of the best tourist destinations in Asia. In 1930th some of the foreign writers and artists arrived in Bali and stayed on, thoroughly seduced and inspired by the island’s breathtaking physical beauty and cultural complexity. They were also deeply impressed by the warmth and the hospitality of the Balinese, and the amazing breadth of artistic expression that pervaded daily life.
Since 1970th Bali performed his high quality in tourism industry, and attracted many bona fide tour operators and airlines companies to bring their clients to enjoy this enchanting island. The island boast a Bali International Airport, luxuries 5 star Bali hotels, best built Bali villas, luxury and typical secluded resorts ad even hundreds of budget hotels.
The development in tourism industry continues in progress for years, and the visitors of Bali can learn and explore more its unique places of interest, various typical local cultures, enjoy the hospitality of the people, as well as other tourist attractions such as diving, snorkeling, para-gliding, cruising, rafting and even sports. Besides, Bali Island is also an ideal place for having MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) and honeymoon. Tourism actually has been becoming a massive industry and the main source of Bali’s income.
In October 2002 and again in October 2005 Bali was frightened by a violence terrorist’s attack, the boom blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community. More than 200 lives were lost and hundreds more were injured. It need months for recoveries and the Balinese people is still working hard to rebuild the image of the island and we look forward to a brighter and promising future for the Balinese and our tourism industry.
The Balinese have their own way to respond the terrorist attack not by physical violence but by peaceful means; performing major cleansing ceremonies, prayer and hopes, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, because the Balinese believe that the true and utmost prayer have a magic power to face up to evil. The Balinese doctrine Ruwa Bineda tells that all nature is eternally divided into pairs – high and low, right and left, day and night, strong and weak, healthy and sick, clean and unclean; in general: good and evil, life and death. Each illuminates the other within the scope of creation, and the Balinese ritual strives always to maintain a middle ground – a harmony between two poles. So wherever one goes, be a wise man and beware of any possible dangers and put oneself on guard, because the good and the bad are everywhere in this world.
All the appropriate efforts has been performed by Indonesian Government and the Balinese people and also by the world in order to keep the island peaceful. For the Balinese after performing major ceremonies, it is now time to move ahead and leave the incident behind us. Bali Loves Peace is our motto, peace for everyone, and peace for the world. Many of the visitors have been proved the peace of the island after the incident and leaved Bali with a memorable stay.
So if you plan a vacation do not doubt to put Bali at your top list for your next holiday destination. Bali is still worth a visit after the boom tragedy, because the situation is well in hand now. The easiest way to book your preferred Bali Hotels is go online and visit a hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or island you are traveling to (Indonesia-Bali) and you will be presented with a list of available Bali hotels/Bali Villas in that area. Or you can search a local reliable Bali Tour Operator and contact him by e-mail for further information.

The Machupicchu

2010-02-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Traveling Guide to Peru. My name is Patricia Rivera and I will be your online guide to Peru. This country is amazing not only for its beautiful views but also for its people and the warm they take to you from the moment you arrive. Peru is one of the most visited countries in South America and only in 2006 about 40,000 tourist came to this beautiful country. I can assure you will be delighted, its exquisite food and breathtaking views can make you someone else and finally after working for so many hours in a office, like some of us do, you can be yourself, finally sit down and enjoy a warm food across from a beautiful view.
Traveling it's not about getting out of work and sitting down in a beach to drink margaritas, traveling it's about enjoying your trip, getting to know the place and familiarized with the environment the culture and folklore of another country, state or city. Peru can make all this things happen, everything you need from a vacation is right there. Food can be a really good experience, weather you are in a fancy restaurant or in any other, eating it's a ritual. Each food carefully prepared and served in a special way with Peruvian ingredients can be a really good experience for a tourist. The dishes are so different, you can eat a dish prepared in different ways with all different flavors. Every time you eat at a restaurant it will be like the first time. The chef at the restaurants are not a 4 nor 5 star chefs but they combine the spices in such way it can make you come back for more.
You also will enjoy, as much as the food, the culture, getting to know the people and learning their different customs and dialects, you will become one of them and experience, from their point of view, what it really means to be Peruvian. Peru is a country very rich in all, but like Antonio Raymondi once said " Peru is a vagrant who is sat in a golden chair" he was talking about everything people have, and they do not take advantage of it.

Taj Mahal Travel - A Lifetime Experience

2010-02-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

To honor Taj Mahal in the most undeviating manner, it can only be said that this Indian wonder is the true "Tribute to beauty." As a world famous monument and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is often called as a 'Mecca of love.' So, a trip to Taj Mahal for sure offers a life time experience to the travelers worldwide.
It was built in 1653, in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, deceased wife of mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. It took 22 years and 22,000 people to complete the Taj Mahal. This huge monument of love, built entirely of white marble, is also called as one of the most beautiful building ever. Its look is further enhanced by the precious stones engraved, which has increased its beauty to the optimum level. It is this mesmerizing beauty as well as historic significance that have brought thousands of tourists for the Taj Mahal tour in Agra, India, over and over again.
When you go inside the monument the interiors of the Taj leaves you in a world of everlasting splendor. This magnificent monument stands on a raised, square platform with its four corners curtailed, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design is based on the Italian concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. The principles of self-replicating geometry and symmetry of architectural elements has been used in formulating the whole set up. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy from Qur'an, using precious gems such as agate and jasper.
The whole architecture of Taj Mahal comprises of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The stance of this compelling tribute is further enhanced by the presence of the mighty river Jamuna behind it. The most significant part of the Taj is that when ever you plan a tour to Taj Mahal and at whatever number of times you visit, you will find different aspect of Taj. The Taj at noon, the Taj at sunset, under the full moon, against the setting sun, and against the rising ball of fire, each time the mausoleum acquires a different accent and tells a different story.
If we try to observe it with a bit closer aspect then it can be very truly concluded that no one person conceived the Taj Mahal. Rather, it is the collective creation of different people who contributed to the project at various times over the course of two decades. The design is ever evolutionary. However if you want to witness the full glory of this heart touching architecture, the best time to visit is between March to April and October to mid December, as the weather is quite soothing during these months. So rejoice your Taj Mahal trip to the utmost level.
With an ever touching softness, historical significance, as well as charm that take breath away, Taj Mahal is certainly a great tourist venue with its present dramatic and romantic aura. Hence as per the glory that cosmologically unite heaven and earth, this wonder is truly priceless.

Great Wall of China

2010-02-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Any visit to China would be incomplete without a walk on the Great Wall of China. Chinese believe if you haven’t walked on the Great Wall at least once in life, you are not a real man.
Which section of the 6,700-km Great Wall of China is ideal for a walk? Along the mountains north of Beijing are several sites good for a walk.
I am a native Chinese. I have visited Beijing many times and walked/climbed the Great Wall at different sections. I would want to share with you my Great Wall experiences.
History of the Great Wall of ChinaAs we all know, Great Wall is a military defense to the northern frontier of China. Its history can be dated back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-470 BC) when state emperors built defensive devices along the frontier. Therefore you would find watchtowers, beacon towers and ramparts along the Great Wall.
Emperors of various dynasties had renovated and re-built the Great Wall. The greatest scale of work was done in Ming Dynasty, about 500 years ago.
Today, China government has been working hard to restore and maintain this invaluable cultural heritage. The most comprehensive renovation was done at Badaling in 1957.
Sections of the Great Wall at BeijingIn Beijing, there are four most famous sections of the Great Wall of China. Each of them has their unique attractions. Badaling is the most heavily restored. Juyongguan bears the most strategic location. Simatai is the steepest and most hazardous. Mutianyu has a good balance of all.
If you have sufficient time and if you are fit enough, I would say you should visit all of them. Otherwise, pick a favorite section and walk for a life time experience.
Great Wall of China – BadalingBadaling Great Wall has undergone heavy restoration. Some people even refer it as ‘new antique’.
At Badaling, you can see domestic travelers with business dress and ladies in skirts and high heels. I really had no idea how they manage the walk. But this is a sign that Badaling is for everybody. After the walk, you might consider taking a cable car to return.
Badaling Great Wall has the most population of souvenir sellers. They are after you everywhere. You might consider buying a certificate in memory of your Great Wall tour. Remember to take a photo at the ‘Real Man’ stele, inscriptions by Mao Zedong.
Remarks: Badaling Great Wall is good for everyone, including kids.
Great Wall of China – JuyongguanThe Great Wall at Juyongguan is famous for its strategic military significance. Chinese described Juyongguan as “one man guarded here, ten thousand men couldn’t break in”.
Apart from its strategic location, Juyongguan is also famous for its beautiful scenery. It was built on a 15-km valley embraced by layers of mountains and forests. In fact, it was ranked number one among the Eight Best Scenic Spots in Beijing since 800 years ago.
Your Great Wall tour to Juyongguan could be vigorous however not a big deal comparing with the steepest Simatai. Even so, there are some 1,600 steep steps. Just do it within your capability. Do not over exercise as it could be dangerous.
Remarks: Good for young people and photography fans.
Great Wall of China – MutianyuA Great Wall tour to Mutianyu could be the top pick among all sections of the Great Wall in Beijing. It is well restored, close to Beijing, not too crowded and not too demanding in walking or climbing. Its surrounding scenery is beautiful year round.
It is the only section of the Great Wall where you can find "double-sided battlements" and the "branch walls".
There are some 800 steps up and down mountain edges. If you are lazy or have children with you, you can choose to ride on a cable car. However the true Great Wall experience is to climb it on your own hands and feet. You’ll find it an incredible experience though your legs might be soaring the next day. Other than cable cars to help go up and down, there is a tourist slide to help you skip the staircases on your way back. It is really great fun, exciting and fast sliding down the Great Wall.
Remark: Mutianyu has a good balance of everything. Good for everyone, including kids.
Great Wall of China – SimataiThis section of the Great Wall is famous for most original, most calm and quiet, most hazardous and spectacular.
Since Simatai is in its original condition without restoration, you have to be very careful as there are lots of loose bricks and rubbles. However if you want to see the untouched original Great Wall from 500 years ago (Ming Dynasty), this is the place.
There are 16 watchtowers along the Simatai section of the Great Wall. Few people manage to check 12 of them. But the real challenge lies between the 13th and 16th. With its 80 degrees gradient, it is the most hazardous part of the Great Wall. It could be scary if you try to look back. I would say only the most hardcore adventurous hikers could manage to climb up to the 16th.
Remark: A Great Wall tour to Simatai is only for those who are fit enough. However it should be the most rewarding tour among all. If you are an experienced and skillful hiker, challenge yourself here.

A Journey to Giza

2010-02-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

The pyramids at Giza in Egypt are without a doubt one of the most mysterious and recognizable structures in the world. The Great Pyramid (The largest of the three pyramids at Giza) is also the only remaining member of the Seven wonders of the ancient world. Much mystery shrouds the true history of these pyramids. This is mainly due to the fact that they were built at a time that predates modern recorded history.
Until recently, it was uniformly agreed that the pyramids were built as tombs to celebrate three significant pharaohs (Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure). However, a group of Egyptologists recently pointed out that they bear none of the common qualities found in tombs before or after their construction and therefor suggest they held a different purpose. After years of studying the region the group came to an astonishing correlation of alignment and math that conclusively demonstrates the giza complex is a massive and deliberately constructed "time marker" pointing to a specific time in history that predates their construction by 10,500 years. In summary the complex is a miniature rendition of the Orion's Belt constellation with complex geometric alignments that prove their incredibly advanced knowledge of the solar system and mathematics.
Whatever their origins are, there is no denying the mysterious appeal of these beautiful landmarks and a trip see the last remaining wonder of the ancient world is well worth the effort. Giza is located just outside of Cairo on the West Bank of the Nile River. Whether you decide to tour the area as part of an organized tour group or do it on your own is up to you. Upon arrival in Cairo you will find self appointed guides and camel drivers waiting for you, however you must use caution as this is a volatile area especially for those visiting from western cultures. Avoid street vendors, bring your own water, and book decent lodging before you go.
While in the Giza area, be sure to see the amazing sound and light performance which gives you a glimpse back in time and helps you to imagine what it may have been like to live in that era. It is also worthwhile to see The Temple of Luxor as well as the The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. A trip to Cairo and Giza will definitely give you a glimpse into a part of history that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

Serengeti Migration

2010-01-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

Since 1913, the plains also referred to as "the high noble arc of the cloudless African sky," have been paradise almost for all of us including the white who have frequented the place. Known to the Masai as "Siringitu" (the place where the and moves on forever), the plains fill the southern part of the Serengeti and are the main reasons for the world migrations.

The ecosystem of Serengeti has not changed in the past million years and therefore the oldest ecosystem on earth. Features like climate, fauna, and vegetation have not changed and don't show signs of changing.

The Serengeti region is comprised of the Serengeti National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

The Serengeti is famous for its wildebeests' migration, where by over millions of wildebeest and zebras move from south to the northern hills and back to the south. The animals have been moving this cycle since ancient times that no lions or crocodile infested river can stop them from moving.

The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat. Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants.

Kopjes in Serengeti

You can call them fire barriers but Kopjes do protect the rest of Serengeti from grass fires. They also provide more water i the ground around them, holes, caves for animals and at some point for hunters too. Animal species in the kopjes range from insect, snakes, lizard to small mammals like mice and shrews up to the large mammals like Lions and cheetahs. It is a home for hundreds of rare plant species that can not be found in the rest of the Serengeti grass lands.

Woodlands

Serengeti has three types of woodlands Combretum, Molle/Terminalia mollis woodlands that occur in the north of the park that is the highest rain fall area. It has large trees which are old with limited or no seedlings. The woodlands are mixed with hilltop thickets of Croton dichogamus/ teclea trichocarpa which are currently failing.

Animals in Serengeti

The Big Five

The Lion, the Leopards, buffaloes, elephants and the Rhinos are referred to as the big five. They were given this name because they were the fiercest and most dangerous animals; that would even hunt the hunters. They would hide in tall grass and then attack the hunters without his consent. This was 100 years ago but now people hunt with magnified lenses and they don't have to be so near to the animal. Today these animals are even more interesting than the earlier hunters knew. They pass by the camps at night while you sleep. Serengeti is one of the places in Africa where you can find the big Five.

The little Five

The can be found behind the stone, hidden in the grass and high on an Acacia branch. For an expert who might be wondering about the opposite of the big five, they might not be alluring but they might provide an alternative tour that might turn out to be astounding. The little five include the ant lion, the Rhino beetle, the elephant shrew, buffalo weaver and the leopard tortoise which are fascinating and very interesting. These are also house in Serengeti.

Bird and Reptiles.

Flying over the long grass plains, you seek a snake eagle fall like a stone. a few seconds later you see i up flying carrying a long brown snake over the vehicle causing a reflex action in our bodies. The whole things turns out to be interesting having seen the flyer with the crawler. These two groups have been ignored by people while in Serengeti. Yet the birds are the most diverse life forms on earth ranging from herbivores, insectivores, predators and scavengers. Serengeti hosts more than 540 bird species of which some are residents and others are migrants.

Serengeti has a large number of reptiles that crawl, creep and glide. These mostly include lizards, skinks, and snakes which feed on the abundant insects and rodents in the grass. The king of crawlers the crocodile that weighs 100 pounds and over 5 metres long in the massive fresh waters.

Insects

Serengeti has low numbers of insects and this can be easily noticed. Stories roam through people's minds that there are lots of biting creepy and crawly things in Africa. In Serengeti its not the case, the place has less stinging and biting insects compared to North America. Some of the common insects in the parks are termites, grasshoppers, dung beetles, ants and butterflies.

Life of animals in the plains.

A good eyesight and the herding behaviour protects the herbivore to include the wildebeests, zebras and other gazelles from their predators. However the night is the time for the predators like the hyenas, leopards and lions to hunt their prey. That's why in the evenings the Zebras disappear as the sun goes down in the Serengeti. Most of the animals find a safe place to role up while others are waking up and looking forward to the darkness

The Migration; Unique and Spectacular event of the Year.

The wildebeest migration takes place between November and July following the rains. They migrate from the south of the Serengeti plains heading towards central and the west in Grumeti game reserve and Lake Victoria in search for fresh pasture. Later in July they migrate north east of Serengeti to Masai Mara in Kenya. The most tricky and demanding task is in Grumeti and Mara rivers in the west and north respectively. Animals get drown or caught by crocodiles, where as others pass that point the Lions are anxiously waiting for them the other side. In November when the pasture get exhausted in the north the animals move back to this army of animals surges back to the now green pastures of the Serengeti south and Ngorongoro as well as Maswa Game Reserve. The hot air balloon is the best way to observe these animals move or walk, they are amazing! Usually after the balloon you are welcomed to a buffet breakfast with champagne and then later issued with a certificate given.

Natural Wonders Guide
Grand Canyon
The Galapagos Islands
The Iguassu Falls
Amazon Rainforest Adventures
Ngorongoro-Creater
The Great Barrier Reef
Victoria-falls
Bora Bora
Cappadocia
Serengeti Migration

Cappadocia

2010-01-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

Cappadocia is located at Nevsehir, Turkey. There are many tourists from all over the world, came to see the geographic formation at Cappadocia.

The sedimentary rocks, which were the eruptions of volcanic activities at Cappadocia, are the main reason that makes Cappadocia one of the "must-see" places in the world. These rocks have many different shapes like camels, brides, cats. The probability of occurrence of those kinds of shapes with a random eruption of a volcano are very low. This is the cause of the attention to Cappadocia.

There are underground settlements at Cappadocia, which are museums right now. These underground settlements were used for living, protection and military purposes at the old days. Because of the relatively soft volcanic rocks around Cappadocia, it was easy for the former villagers to dig the ground and create a place for living under the ground. The most interesting architectures at these underground villages, which needed engineering know-how, are built for air flow, clean and dirty water flow and communication between the underground and the surface.

The hotels, shops and even restaurants in Cappadocia are built with the same concept of the place itself. There are underground restaurants build by digging the rocks, hotels built with local sedimentary rocks.

Wine is one of the main incomes of Cappadocia. There are visitable wineries and there are tours to those wineries where you can learn winery, taste different types of wines and shop at the same time. You must buy at least 2 different types of wine at Cappadocia; you won't regret taking my advice.

Bora Bora

2010-01-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Hailed by many as one the few most beautiful spots in the world, Bora Bora has become the stuff of dreams for tourists, vacationers and honeymooners. Even as skeptics view the island as over rated and commercialized, views change when they see the island up close and personal. Truly majestic, shrouded in mystery and romance, Bora Bora brings about a different level of allure in the list of ideals for tropical paradises.

Bora Bora travel information isn’t impossible to come by. In fact, Bora Bora travel info is among the most common one could encounter. Various travel agencies and resorts provide Bora Bora travel information, giving clients the option of what they have to expect of the island.

Like certain details of the island;

Spectacularly situated, Bora Bora can be circumnavigated through a 32 kilometer stretch of coastal road, which would take an hour or so by car. Strings of low lying corral atolls can be round on the outer edge of the island’s lagoon.

On the west coast of the island, the main town of Bora Bora, Viatape, can be found. Here, Bora Bora travel information would direct tourists and island guests to souvenir shops, as well as “shuttle” boats, scuba diving schools, water sport agencies, as well as mid-range budget hotels and private residences catering to transients.

Or, as most Bora Bora travel information sources would indicate, “watch for areas” in the island;

The island’s main tourism area can be found in the southern tip of Bora Bora, known as Matira Point. Famous for its stretch of picturesque white sand beaches, a line of guesthouses and resorts can be found, naturally, in this part of the island. The InterContinental Hotel, among the many hotels and resorts in Bora Bora, provides private beach access in this majestically famous point of Bora Bora.

The sandy beaches along Pofai Bay can be found north of Matira Point along the east coast of the islands. The best panoramas of Bora Bora’s mountains can be found here.

Certain travel agencies and Bora Bora resorts also detail Bora Bora’s “tourism history” in their Bora Bora travel information package, as well as the “often seen” accommodations;

For over 40 years, resorts have welcomed guests to Bora Bora’s shores, with special amenities fine tuned for luxury and relaxation. Overwater bungalows are a common sight, as they leave guests closer to the natural wonders surrounding them, while at the same time provide them with a more intimate, as well as private, feel towards the island.

Overwater bungalows first came about 30 years ago, a first in the world of tourism.

All in all, Bora Bora travel information isn’t impossible to find. From detailed to general, one is bound to find what one needs to know about Bora Bora easily.

Victoria Falls

2010-01-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

1. Is it safe to visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe as a whole has received a great deal of bad press in recent years due to its political instability. Therefore the question "Is It Safe" to visit is well justified. Victoria Falls has however always been its own entity and should be viewed separately from the rest of Zimbabwe with regards to crime and safety.

To understand this clearly you need to be aware of the tribal structure of the local people of Zimbabwe. Supporters of Robert Mugabe are the Mashona people from the Mashonaland Province. The Victoria Falls region is in the Matabeleland Province and is the stronghold of the Matebele people, their dominance here is so strong that Mashona supporters don't dare venture here. For this reason Victoria Falls has been free from the Political unrest that the rest of Zimbabwe has been subjected to.

As I write this I would confidently state that Victoria Falls is a perfectly safe tourist destination. Reviews on all the travel forums will endorse this.

Petty crime does exist as with anywhere in the world but this is a tourist town and the people know that their livelihood depends on visitors coming in. On the whole they will not do anything to jeopardize this. Be aware and be sensible as you would traveling to any destination worldwide.

Recently the United States removed travel warnings to all its citizens wanting to travel to Zimbabwe showing their confidence in Zimbabwe's recovery. Other countries have also followed suit. Japan excluded Victoria Falls from its travel warnings in April 2009.

2. Is the Zimbabwe dollar still in use?

No - The Zimbabwe dollar is obsolete for the foreseeable future. Goods and services are now priced and paid for in United Sates Dollars. Although the Rand, Pula and British pounds will also be accepted at the exchange rate of the day.

3. Can I use Credit Cards?

The banking system of Zimbabwe does not facilitate the use of credit cards. Therefore, only companies who have external bank accounts or sister companies outside the country are able to accept credit cards. Although the larger Hotels groups have this facility, some of them charge levies and some battle to get authorization through quick enough, so it can be a very frustrating experience. The small shops and restaurants will not accept cards and neither will most of the tour operators. Therefore it is highly unwise to depend on using your credit card within Zimbabwe. ATM machines are definitely not operational and no cash can be withdrawn. The best advice is to pre book and pay for your accommodation and activities as much as you can, then take some cash with you for spending money and extras.

4. How do I pay for my accommodation and activities?

Paying for your accommodation should be done prior to arriving in Zimbabwe, through your travel agent. Package deals including flights and accommodation are by far the most economical way to do this and they can be paid for prior to departure. Travellers cheques are accepted at some hotels and not at others.

Cash is of course accepted everywhere, but carrying large amounts is never advisable.

All activities like white water rafting and bungee jumping etc. can also be pre booked and paid for through reputable websites prior to travel as most of the tour operators do not accept credit cards when you are there.

5. What type of accommodation is available in Victoria Falls?

Victoria Falls a small tourist town situated only one kilometre from the mighty Victoria Falls. This town has developed for one reason and one reason only - Tourists.

As a result there is a wide range of hotels and lodges, bed and breakfasts, self catering and camping. From the most luxurious accommodation to backpacking hostels, whatever your budget there will certainly be something to suit you.

6. What Activities can I do in Victoria Falls?

Victoria Falls is the undisputed Adventure capital of Africa. There is an incredibly wide variety of activities that will satisfy just about everyone's needs. For the adrenaline junkies there is the wildest one day white water rafting trip in the world, the 111 meter high bungee jump, river surfing, kayaking, helicopter and micro light flights, heart stopping gorge swings, zip wires and many more.

For the more sedate there is River cruises, elephant rides, rich local arts, crafts and cultural experiences, fishing, golf and game viewing and the list goes on and on.

7. How do I get to Victoria Falls?

Victoria Falls is accessible by Air, Rail and Road.

By Air - Both British Airways and South African Airways operate daily flights to Victoria Falls direct from Johannesburg. Air Namibia operates four flights per week from Windhoek via Maun to the Falls and Air Zimbabwe operates daily flights from Harare, on three days of the week these flights go via Bulawayo.

By Road- The roads in Zimbabwe are all still in very good condition and are probably some of the best in Africa and they are beautifully quiet to travel on. Fuel supply is unpredictable so ensure that you carry enough to travel the whole distance. Fuel is normally available in Victoria Falls at the hefty price of US$1.50 per litre.

By Rail - The Luxury Rovos Rail service travels between Pretoria and Victoria Falls and is a 2 night 3 day trip. Botswana Rail have trains that run between Francistown and Bulawayo and Zimbabwe railways have an overnight train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, this is an option but it is certainly not luxurious. The trains are a bit run down and I have heard reports on some of the carriages not having lights - but it is a unique African experience if you are up for it!

The train station in Victoria Falls is right next to Victoria Falls Hotel and the Kingdom Hotel and less than a kilometer from the town centre.

8. Do I need a Visa for Zimbabwe and How do I get one?

If you are staying for less than six months, you can enter Zimbabwe with minimal formalities. You will need to check whether your country of origin requires you to obtain a visa. See the Victoria Falls Travel Guide website.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry, a return ticket to your country (or enough money to buy one) and sufficient funds to cover your stay in Zimbabwe are required.

Visas for British passport holders cost $55 single entry and $70 for a double entry visa. United States passport holders pay $30 for a single entry and $45 for a double entry visa. South Africans are issued with Gratis (Free) visas at the port of entry.

Citizens of many countries can obtain entry Visas very easily at the port of entry, and therefore it is not necessary to arrange this prior to you traveling, however some countries do require that their citizens apply prior to travel so please check this out and all other visa details at the Victoria Falls Travel Guide Website

9. When is it the best time of the year to visit Victoria Falls?

There is never a best time; each season has its own magic. From December through to May the water levels are at their highest and there is a huge volume of water plummeting over the falls which is quite spectacular. As the water level drops, from May through to December there is less water plunging over the Falls so there is less spray and the Falls become more visible. In late October and Early November before the rains arrive, parts of the Falls actually stop flowing particularly the Eastern cataract in Zambia.

As the water levels recede so the white water rafting gets wilder. The birds and wild congregate at the river for the essential water of life.

There is always plenty of sunshine, but the winter months of June and July do get extremely cold in the evenings. The months of December and January normally experience heavy rainfall.

10. Is there malaria in Victoria Falls?

Yes - Malaria does occur in Victoria Falls and travelers would be advised to take a suitable prophylactic. Please ask your travel agent or doctor for advice before you travel. Other precautions such as mosquito nets and insect repellent are advisable.

More advice can be found at the Victoria Falls Travel Guide website.

11. Is it true that there are food shortages in Victoria Falls?

In the past there have been a shortages of food but things are now improving and you will find most things that you need - although it is very expensive.

If you are staying in a hotel, you will not have any idea that there are any shortages the menus are full and exquisite.

12. Are there fuel shortages?

Tour operators all provide their own fuel, so as a visitor this will not have any impact on your trip what so ever.

If you are a self drive tourist fuel is now normally always available in Victoria Falls, although this is not guaranteed as some weeks it is available and some weeks it is not. It is always very expensive. And I would advise filling up all fuel tanks prior to entering Zimbabwe.

13. What will happen if I get sick whilst at Victoria Falls?

Whilst it is standard practice to advise all tourists to purchase the necessary medical and evacuation cover when traveling to foreign countries, we are pleased to advise that there is an excellent private clinic in Victoria Falls manned by qualified and experienced staff.

They also have a Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) base in Victoria Falls in the event that an emergency evacuation is required. Most activity operators and some hoteliers include MARS evacuation cover in their charges.

14. Can I drink the water in Victoria Falls?

Yes - Most, if not all locals, drink happily from municipal supplies. However, if you suspect you may have a sensitive stomach, then bottled water is recommended and is readily available.

15. What is the difference between staying on the Zimbabwean side as opposed to the Zambian side?

The most fundamental difference between staying in these two different countries is that the geographic layout means that Zimbabwe has 85% of the Victoria Falls on its side of the border. So any visitor traveling to see the Mighty Falls and then only seeing them from Zambia would have been seriously deprived.

Although wildlife conservation is now much more controlled in Zambia, much of the wild life in the past has been depleted, unlike Zimbabwe where the Zambezi National Park and surrounding wildlife conservancies are prolific with game.

Great Barrier Reef

2010-01-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

The most famous and stunning reef in the world is the Great Barrier Reef. Here is an overview of the Great Barrier Reef, just a tip of the iceberg of beauty and diversity held in this icon of Australia.

The Earth is made up of two thirds water – and that water holds many of the world's mysteries. Hundreds of thousands of species of fish, water plants and other underwater organisms reside in the Earth's oceans; as well as many different rock and other land formations. Some of the most interesting things that can be found in the ocean are coral reefs. The largest coral reef in the world is the Great Barrier Reef, which is located off of the coast of Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea, which is situated just off of the coast of Queensland in northern Australia. It is made up of 3000 separate coral reefs and 900 different islands, which stretch to a length of 1616 miles. The Reef is often referred to as the largest living organism in the world, although in reality, it is actually made up of many, many tiny organisms; each of these is known as coral polyps. The Reef is so large that it can be seen from space. It has been designated as one of the seven natural wonders of the world by CNN, and the Reef was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most visited tourism spots in the world. The biodiversity, along with the beauty of the Reef and the easy accessibility, make the Great Barrier Reef a tourist destination, especially for scuba divers. Much of the Reef is under the authority of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and this area is protected and enjoys certain freedoms from commercial intervention. Some of the islands here have been turned into resorts, and “live aboard” boats are available for those who wish to have multi-day diving tours of the Reef.

Another of the great things about the Great Barrier Reef is its age. Although scientists believe that the Reef is built on the remains of another coral reef that dates back at least 18,000 years, the current Great Barrier Reef can only be dated back 1000 years, which can be dated by analyzing the species of boulder coral that makes up this Reef. The age of the Reef combined with its many different animals and views makes the Great Barrier Reef an excellent spot for a trip.

Ngorongoro Crater

2010-01-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Maybe it was Mark Twain who said there are lies, dammed lies and statistics. This seems to be the case concerning statistics for Ngorongoro crater. As I checked my figures for accuracy for this article I could find no two sources that agree. So I will endeavor to keep statistics to a minimum.

This aside Ngorongoro Crater is a true marvel and I believe unique in Africa; it is located between the lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti. It was formed from an ancient volcano that erupted and then collapsed into the craters we see today. This is called a caldera and Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest [unbroken] caldera. It is thought that this volcano, before it erupted and collapsed, stood taller than its close neighbor Mt Kilimanjaro.

The crater floor is spread across one hundred square mile and is home to many thousands of animals. Ngorongoro Crater enjoys a year round water supply and so nearly all animals remain here as permanent residents. It has the densest population of game in the whole of Africa; and it is possible to see the big five in one day. It is often referred to as a mini Serengeti as it shares many of the habitats of this huge neighbor. Although rich with game the crater has no giraffe, impala or topi. There are only a small number of tall acacia trees, this lack of grazing can explain the absence of the giraffe but the absences of impala and topi is a mystery; especially as they are present in large numbers in the nearby Serengeti.

There are five habitats on the crater floor, which as mentioned have echoes of the habitats of the Serengeti. In the south west is the Lerai Forest which gets its name from the tall yellow barked acacia. This Forrest is home to baboons and vervet monkeys. There is also a small population of giant tusker bull elephants. These elephants are the biggest you will see in Tanzania. There are no breading herds of elephants here; in fact there are no female elephants in the crater. If you are lucky you may also catch a glimpse of the shy leopard lying along the branches of the acacia trees in this forest.

The best time to visit this forest is early in the morning. We recommend a 6h30 start, if you are up to it, to be amongst the first into the crater. The animals are at their most active in a morning and an early start will be well rewarded. The Ngorongoro crater has been likened to a giant deep freeze in the early morning so wrap up warm for this early start.

Just off-centre is Lake Magadi – this is a soda lake and home to thousands of [migratory] flamingo’s. The central region is an area of short grass plains which is home to wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle.

In the south eastern and the north western areas of the crater floor are seasonal swamps where hippo and many water birds abound.

The eastern section has the longer grasses where buffalo are present. These buffalo have dramatically increased over the past few decades; this is a direct result of humans leaving the crater and it reverting to its natural state. The grasses in this section are particularly suited to the buffalo.

There are over one hundred bird species found here which are not present in the nearby Serengeti. The crater is also home to one of Tanzania’s last heads of black rhino. The other herd is found in the Serengeti. You are more likely to see the black rhino here in this small area, than in the vast Serengeti. There are just twenty-five rhino here but we been told numbers are increasing slowly.

Of the carnivores Ngorongoro Crater boasts lion, cheetah, hyena, seval, ratel, jackal and the bat eared fox. Cheetah have thrived here; especially over the past few years due to the increase of buffalo and the decrease in wildebeest. The regeneration of this area has been particularly favorable to the cheetah.

From 2006 the park fees double for this destination and also for the Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro National Park. Half day safaris will be enforced for Ngorongoro crater. This will result in most safaris taking two half-day safaris to visit Ngorongoro Crater. We would recommend you take one morning safari and start as early as possible. All the lodges in this area are perched high on the rime of the crater. These lodges make and ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the view of the crater far bellow you.

Amazon Rainforest Adventures

2010-01-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

Jungle or forest holidays take you into the richest habitat on earth. This is an environment where man is tolerated rather than accepted, an eco-system that supports the animal and plant kingdoms in a fragile interdependency.

The way to visit these precious environments on a forest holiday is on an organised tour, and there are plenty of forest adventure tour companies that can offer rainforest tours worldwide. Some forests are relatively safe from harm and quite welcoming, but some exist, fragile, on a knife edge and need soft foot fall visits in order to protect them. There are also numerous local tourism, conservation and volunteering projects that educate visitors and support the local communities, taking you deep into the lush green hearts of these magical places on forest holidays. Here are some forest holidays to inspire:

Forest Holidays in the Amazon: A huge moist leaf forest covering a great swathe of the top of South America, the Amazon spreads into nine countries, but is most of it falls within Brazil. As well as being the largest rainforest in the world and half the world's remaining rainforest, the Amazon has greater biodiversity than any other - and that's before everything here has even been found and dissected. More than a third of all the world's species live in the Amazon, as well as the vast range of plants there are more than two and a half million species of insect, 3000 kinds of fish, 1,200 types of bird, 370 kinds of reptiles and 420 different mammal species. If around 90,000 tonnes of living plant can come out of one square Amazon kilometre then imagine what has been lost in the 600,000+ square kilometres of rainforest which have been destroyed. As well as plants and animals there are still people living in the Amazon.

Forest Holidays in Ecuador's Cloud Forest: Mainland Ecuador has three general regions - the Amazon, the mountains and the Pacific Coast. Heading up from the coast and over the Andes toward the Amazon Basin on forest holidays, you pass through a range of ecosystems, including sub alpine Paramo system. The cloud forests occur on both sides of the Andes and contain incredible biodiversity, especially of birds. They are lush verdant forests, with much of the precipitation coming in the form of mist, and although close to the equator, have a mild temperature year round. And apart from the birds, there are fantastic displays of orchids. Best time: during the dry season (June to December)

Forest Holidays in The Daintree: While thousands of people choose the Daintree for forest holidays, in far North Queensland, you can still escape from it all and experience the ancient sense of this place. Famously known as the place where 'the rainforest meets the Reef', it is home to one of the largest ranges of animals and plants on earth. It contains 30% of the frog, marsupial and reptile species in Australia, and 65% of Australia's bat and butterfly species.

Iguassu Falls

2010-01-27T00:33:00.000-08:00

The Iguassu Falls (also named Iguazu Falls) were officially declared a United Nations World Heritage site in 1984. But what does this mean? It means the countries where they are located in (Argentina and Brazil) have publicly committed themselves to preserve this privileged piece of South American territory (about the size of Luxemburg) for its biologic and scenic value and for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

With a height of 80 m (262 ft), a width of 2,700 m (8,860 ft) and a flow rate that varies between 300 cu./m per sec. and 6,500 cu./m per sec the Iguassu Falls are considerably larger than the Niagara Falls.

But numbers are not good at telling what really matters about them: their magnificent beauty.

Here are some tentative descriptions of the Iguassu Falls.

A sea being swallowed into the guts of the Earth?

The falling waters over the border of a flat world?

The Guarani natives gave this place its original name: Y'guazú which means Y = water and guazú = big, a simple but meaningful name that was later adapted to the Portuguese word "Iguassu" and Spanish "Iguazú".

Some visitors put it plainly:

"These falls make the Niagara Falls look like a kitchen faucet."

In the words of a Swiss botanist Robert Chodat:

"The waters of the deluge falling abruptly into the heart of the world, by divine command, in a landscape of memorable beauty, amidst an exuberant, almost tropical vegetation, the fronds of great ferns, the shafts of bamboos,the graceful trunks of palm trees, and a thousand species of trees, their crowns bending over the gulf adorned with mosses, pink begonias, golden orchids, brilliant bromeliads and lianas with trumpet flowers all this added to the dizzying and deafening roar of waters that can be heard even at a great distance, makes an indelible impression, moving beyond words."

In Robert Chodat's description he clearly describes the experience that all Iguassu Falls visitors share: to witness them is a moving experience beyond words. And that is exactly what happens when standing there... the awakening of strong emotions is inevitable, the feeling of self-smallness on front of such astonishing greatness, the paralyzing feeling of surprise as one contemplates what is before him, a magic moment where one cannot avoid asking to oneself "is this real?" And it is real beyond words.

About 1.2 million people visit Iguassu Falls every year from around the world. What moves them?

Since the Iguassu Falls are beyond words (and numbers) there is only one way to find out what is so great about them and that is to actually visit this place by yourself.

Galapagos Islands Travel Guide

2010-01-27T00:07:00.000-08:00

The Galapagos Islands, almost 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, are an oceanic paradise; a place that time seems to have forgotten. The islands are home to unique and fascinating forms of life that are not found anywhere else on the planet. In the warm waters of the Galapagos, cormorants forgot to fly, iguanas learned to swim, turtles became gigantic, and sharks became mild.

This is a place where sea lions show off their swimming skills and blue-footed boobies perform their elegant two-step mating dance as if oblivious to your presence. The islands' absolute isolation and lack of human contact mean the inquisitive animals have never learned to fear people and will approach their visitors, happily posing for photographs.

Like most visitors enjoying Galapagos Islands vacations, I flew to the Islands from Quito, a 2.5 hour flight out over the Pacific Ocean. The islands' natural richness presents itself immediately, with iguanas sunbathing beside the landing strip and sea lions gazing impassively from the nearby beach.

From the airstrip we embarked a dingy that took us to our cruise liner, the Galapagos Legend. This 100 passenger vessel offers a luxurious introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Every day the cruise liner visits two islands and offers passengers guided visits of the island's exotic flora and fauna. Our group, given the name "Iguanas," disembarked at North Seymour Island, a very dry ecosystem, and here we observed multitudes of birds such as the blue footed booby and frigate, sea lions and iguanas. Here visitors will also find the endemic species of the fragrant, incense-like palo santo - or holy stick.

Back on board we enjoyed a few bottles of champagne that had been thoughtfully added to our room fridges, and had a great party in the pool and outdoor bar, dancing to the sound of salsa and meringue under the clear, star-studded night sky.

The following morning, and after a full, healthy breakfast, we disembarked at Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island, and saw giant cacti rivaled in size by huge iguanas. Just as our guide told us, where there are giant plants on the islands, you will find giant animals too. Colossal tortoises live in the upper highlands of this island, but we didn't get a chance to visit them.

After lunch, we had some down time to relax by the ship pool and enjoy the onboard facilities. It's impossible to get bored on a cruise liner when there were so many things to do! There was even a library on board, well stocked with books on Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

That afternoon we listened to an interesting lecture about Floreana Island and its natural history. When you disembark here you are first struck by the beauty of the gorgeous white sandy beaches and elegant flamingos walking around in their natural habitat. We thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of swimming and snorkeling with the playful sea lions in the clear blue-green waters.

After an excellent barbecue dinner back on the boat, we found ourselves congregating again at our favorite spot between bar and the pool. Dancing beneath a brilliant sky of stars in the Galapagos Islands - a recipe for lifelong memories!

The next day we visited the Galapagos' oldest island: Espanola. Here you can observe the majestic albatross - although keep in mind that these birds migrate from December to April, and therefore can not be found in the Galapagos during that time. If you are lucky you might witness a mating ceremony, characterized by the birds' odd beak movements.

Another stunning site is the soplador, a large blowhole caused by waves flowing beneath the coral, which creates a rainbow in front of you every time water shoots through it.

Alongside the albatross are the Nazca birds, crabs, sea lions, and vast numbers of marine iguanas sunning themselves on the rocks, all within the picturesque setting of deep blue coastline.

In the afternoon we landed on San Cristobal Island, one of the 5 inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago, where we hiked across the island in order to visit the Galapaguera, the tortoise breeding center. Here passengers can learn about the National Park's giant tortoise breeding program, and if you are lucky you might even see a few.

Back at the ship we all got together for a farewell drink and watched a video summary of what we had seen and learned during our time; a helpful and entertaining way to recap all the different experiences we had had in such a relatively short time.

Most Galapagos Islands tours offer the chance to extend your stay with visits to the western islands, which I would wholeheartedly recommend for a comprehensive experience - the landscape and views in this area are said to be simply magnificent.

Unfortunately for us, we were leaving the Galapagos Islands early, but not before one final excursion in a dingy along the coast to say goodbye to a nearby raft of sea lions and sharks.

Back on the boat we were served snacks and fruit juice by the pool, danced our last dance and took our last photos to remember our new friends before our group was called to disembark, a lovely ending to the trip of a lifetime.

Grand Canyon Guide

2010-01-26T23:58:00.000-08:00

One of the most stunning places in the world is the Grand Canyon. It is amazingly beautiful and it can't really be described unless you have visited it for yourself. The Grand Canyon is a huge chasm that has been carved out in the rocks over time, with fantastical views that you'll never forget once you've seen them. The size of the Grand Canyon will make you feel so small and it is a place of solitude that people from all across the world come to enjoy.

Savor the Beauty

If you decide to visit the Grand Canyon, you'll find that there are many ways that you can enjoy its beauty. You can savor sitting near the edge just enjoying the way it looks. Of course snapping pictures is the best way to remember the scenery for years to come, so don't forget your camera. There are some great trails that you can walk along absorbing the beauty around you. Being at the canyon for a sunrise or sunset is a magnificent experience that you won't want to miss. You'll without doubt find that you can enjoy all the beauty around you in many different ways.

Teeming Wildlife

One part of the loveliness of the area is the wildlife. You'll discover a variety of types of animals around the Grand Canyon. Of course while they are beautiful, you need to be very careful. You should never go up to animals, and photographing them is best done while you are in your car. You should feed them since this is illegal. If you happen to have pets of your own with you, you must keep them on a leash.

Grand Canyon Activities

There are so many great activities that can be enjoyed in the area of the Grand Canyon as well. There are awesome hiking trails, although you need to be very careful on these. Mule trips can be arranged (call as far in advance as possible) if you want to experience riding one down into the Canyon. If you want to shell out some money, a helicopter or plane tour may be just the thing. The views of the Canyon are absolutely amazing from the air. There are great trails that you can bike on as well, and some places you will even find horses that you can ride. Various ranger led activities also are available for you to take part in, too.

Train rides are another great experience to enjoy while you are visiting the Grand Canyon. If you are daring and want to get up close and personal with the river, you may want to go on one of the Colorado River trips that are available as well. For those who like to rough it, there are four campgrounds available within the Grand Canyon National Park.

Special Events

You'll discover a selection of special activities that go on in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. During the summer there are often theatrical productions that take place, frequently there are art exhibits that take place on the rim, and there is even an exceptional Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival that takes place every September.

Visitor's Centers and Area Exhibits

Various visitor's centers and area exhibits are open in the area, although they are not all open all the time. The South Rim Visitor Center is usually open for regular business hours, although in peak seasons it may be open longer. There is also the Canyon View Information Plaza, which is very close to the Canyon rim, where you can get a lot of information and find restrooms and a bookstore.

The Kolb Studio is a great place to visit - you can enjoy fantastic art exhibits for free. The building has been restored and it is open every day, all year long. The Desert View Information Center is on the east entrance and it is also open all year long. Then you have the Tusayan Museum, which is open year round unless there is bad weather. You'll get a closer look at the Pueblo Indians that used to live in the area and the admission to the museum is free. There are tours of the ruins that are led by rangers on a daily basis.

Popular for Resort Vacations

The Grand Canyon, with all it has to offer, is unquestionably a very popular area for resort vacations. There are a variety of lovely resorts in the area where people can relax and enjoy an extraordinary vacation in this breathtaking vacation spot. A resort is an excellent option for those that want to make the most out of their visit to the Grand Canyon.

Visit Sedona from the Grand Canyon

Another reason that the Grand Canyon is a great destination is that Sedona, Arizona is not far away. Sedona is fantastically beautiful, with its unique red rock formations, vortexes, and out of this world scenery. An extremely popular tourist destination, it's easy to get to Sedona by plane, helicopter, and even by car. It allows you the opportunity to enjoy both the Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona without having to travel far.

Is it Wise to Purchase Travel Insurance?

2008-10-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Is it Wise to Purchase Travel Insurance?
by: Steve Cogger

The best way to determine if, for you, it is wise to purchase travel insurance, is to consider the various emergency situations that could arise during your trip, determine the best guess for the cost of each, and see whether you can afford to pay for the worst case scenarios out of your own pocket. If the answer is no, then it is indeed wise to purchase travel insurance. Even if the answer is yes, however, money is not the only issue in determining the wisdom of travel insurance. Let's take a look at what can happen in your travels - the situations that travel insurance could have covered. You and your family take a delayed flight from home to another location where you are to change planes. Because of your delay, however, you have missed your connection. Your tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable. You are now faced with the purchase of new tickets, with a hefty last-minute price tag, as well as the feeding and housing for your whole party as the next flight is tomorrow morning. If you had been wise and purchased travel insurance you would have been reimbursed for these costs.Your spouse is diabetic. Her purse is stolen while you are traveling. You have no travel insurance and you're in a foreign country. How do you retrieve the money lost from her wallet, replace her much-needed reading glasses and, most importantly, get her the insulin she so desperately needs? If you had been wise and purchased travel insurance you would have been reimbursed for these costs. You would have also had someone to call or see for help purchasing insulin. You have had a wonderful vacation and you're ready to travel home. You suddenly get the word that the airline on which you are returning has gone bankrupt and all planes are grounded. How do you get home? To whom do you turn for help and advice? You are in a country where few people speak your language. Who can help you translate? If you had been wise and purchased travel insurance you could have not only been reimbursed for the loss of the price of your airline tickets but you could have been provided with a translator and someone to help you find an alternate flight or cruise home. These are but a few of the common occurrences when traveling. Perhaps travel insurance is indeed a wise decision.

About the Author
Steve Cogger, an active traveler, has developed the http://www.1-happy-traveller.com/ website for your convenience. Visit today for all of your travel insurance needs.

Cheap International Travel Secrets

2008-07-09T03:50:00.000-07:00

Cheap International Travel Secrets
by: Steve Gillman

What is the real secret to cheap international travel? It is the same as the secret to doing anything for less. Learn to be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers get to travel more, see more and do more. Of course, you can ignore this advice if you have unlimited funds.I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, aren't there many interesting places in this world? Why not choose one you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, and you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.Cheap CountriesEcuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, since that's conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you'll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and inexpensive.South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to it's recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.Cheap International Travel TipsWherever you go, there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) and packaged snacks from grocery stores.Visit the free and cheap attractions first. It's possible you'll have so much fun that you'll never get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. Walking is even cheaper, and it's a great way to learn about a city. Just ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander too far.For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a room. They're much more common overseas.Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If one is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

About the Author
Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.everythingabouttravel.com/

Traveling to Europe with your Digital Camera?

2008-07-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Traveling to Europe with your Digital Camera?
by: Doug Rogers

The Vacation Season is fast approaching and naturally you will be taking your digital camera along for the journey. After all your vacations are far and few between and it is nice to look back on those memories as you slave away at your job. However, when you travel with a digital camera, it is a completely different experience from that of traveling with a film camera. This is a lesson that far too many travelers seem to be learning the hard way, especially if you’re traveling to Europe. After a couples years of relying solely on digital for taking photos when I travel, there are things you should consider before you head off on your next trip.
Charging Batteries is one of the biggest stumbling blocks you'll face when you travel. Outlets can be scarce in hotels. On a recent trip to Europe, only one of the five modern hotels I stayed in had more than one outlet available for use when charging up electronics. Charging your battery can be more of a hassle if you're traveling by train: If you take an overnight train in Europe, they don't have power adapters at the seats (certain trains do, but it's not something you can count on). I suggest bringing at least two rechargeable batteries, three if you plan to travel with overnight trains, or don't think you'll be able to charge every night. If your camera uses regular AA batteries, consider yourself lucky-you'll find those everywhere. Scope out the situation in your room when you check in: You should get at least one usable outlet, but don't count on more than that.
Bring your plugs. Some digital cameras typically come with a power brick that can handle international voltages, so you won't need a voltage adapter. However, you will need a power plug adapter to convert a US outlet plug to the local plug. Most of Europe is on the same outlet now-but not all countries accept the general "Europe" plug. Be sure to research what you'll need to jack in, and try to buy it before you leave (try CompUSA, Radio Shack, Rand McNally, or your local luggage store). If you don't have a chance to get what you need Stateside, don't fret: You should have no trouble finding an outlet converter overseas.
How do I offload my images? For fellow travelers using digicams, this was the number one problem I have heard repeatedly. Many comments from folks traveling for a week or more are: "I'm taking more pictures than I expected to." "I'm not shooting at the best resolution, because I need the room on my memory card." "I'm only halfway through my trip, and I have only 50 shots left." When you travel, odds are you'll take more pictures than you expect to also. A 1 GB card is very useful, and should suffice for low-usage shooters. But for those of us, who can go through a gigabyte or more in a day, not a week? Whether it's because your a high-volume shooter, shooting in RAW format, or a combination of the two. What I discovered is many who had digital SLRs, that had 5 megapixel or more reported they were traveling with a laptop to off load their images. None of these folks were traveling on business, so they didn't need to bring a laptop along. The sad fact is, for now, a laptop remains the most efficient and usable means of off loading images. Epson and Nikon have dedicated handheld units with a hard drive, card reader, and LCD display for copying over and viewing your images. But neither has a full-blown keyboard. If you're first buying a laptop, and intend to travel with it, I suggest going for the smallest one you can. Fujitsu, Panasonic, Sharp, and Sony all have models under four pounds. A laptop provides several additional advantages. For one thing, you can see your pictures on a big screen-to view how you're doing, and if you see any problems you want to correct with your exposure, for example, or if your pictures are being affected by dirt. For another thing, you can properly label your folders, so you know which pictures were taken where. Most newer laptops have integrated memory card readers, but otherwise, you can buy a small external card reader. For the wire-free approach, use a PC Card slot adapter for your memory card; and invest in a 32-bit Cardbus adapter (Delkin and Lexar Media offer these), for speedier transfers. Nothing's worse than coming back to the hotel after a long day of sightseeing, and needing to stay awake another 40 minutes just to off -load two 1 GB cards, at about 20 minutes a pop. If you bring a laptop, I also suggest investing in a portable hard drive. A portable hard drive can serve multiple purposes: It can be a means of backing up your photos on the go; a means of giving you a way to take your photos with you if you have to leave your laptop unattended; and a means of expansion, if you somehow manage to fill up your laptop's built-in hard disk. If you don't want to bring a laptop, and already have an Apple iPod, Belkin sells an attachment for using your iPod with memory cards; or, consider the pricey units from Nikon and Epson. And if you're in a bind, remember you can always buy memory overseas. I was surprised that when I went to Europe, the prices were high, but not so outrageously so that I wouldn't buy another card if I were in a bind. Cards were more readily available, too, than they were when I last traveled through Europe three years ago. Look at it this way: Even if you overpay on the card, you can still reuse it-which beats overpaying for a single use 35mm film cartridge when you were in a bind in years' past.
Be prepared for problems. Things happen when you travel and I've had more things go awry carrying my digital SLR than I have had with my 35mm over the years. Lens paper is always useful to have on hand, but if you have a digital SLR, another supply is absolutely critical: An air blower bulb, to blast out the dust and dirt that will inevitably get trapped inside your camera. I never had problems with my 35mm SLR, but with my digital SLR, I constantly find dirt gets trapped inside, when I change lenses. And there's nothing worse than having a splotch marring your otherwise awesome shots. Finally, remember the philosophy of redundancy. Whether your battery dies and you have no way to charge it, or you run out of space on your memory card(s), and don't want to buy another at a higher-than-usual price, I suggest packing a second camera if you can. A digital point and shoot is a good option but I usually carry a point and shoot 35mm to use if I run into any problems just so I won’t lose any precious pictures.

About The Author
Doug Rogers has worked as a freelance photographer for the past 25 years in various fields of photography. In the past two years he has become an avid and devoted fan of digital and video photography and a life long lover of new technology. For tips on better digital photography and the latest reviews on the newest digital equipment that hits the market, Subscribe to his monthly Newsletter “The ViewFinder” at http://www.best-digital-cameras-review.com/.

Travel Light: The How And Why

2008-04-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

Travel Light: The How And Why
by: Steve Gillman

I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving across the country. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn't a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.
Travel Simplicity
Why travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on our way to a restaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was safely with us, not on the roof or in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, we had our hands free and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.
Light Travel Issues
There are a couple minor problems when you travel light. First, expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Second, a small bag won't work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you can still go light. Just plan to buy a second bag at some point during the trip, to carry your acquisitions. As for the seemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes and other things all in one or two small bags, I'll explain below why that isn't as big a problem as you may think.
How To Travel Light
Silk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and they are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. All of these weigh less than half of the typical travel choices, and take less space, yet function the same. There is no sacrifice involved here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to go shopping for new clothes.
You don't have to buy new clothes, however. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces to travel light. Just choose the lighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity is the goal, not more complicated planning.
More Ways To Travel Light
Money replaces weight, especially in the form of a debit or credit card. Why carry two pounds of your favorite shampoo when you can simply buy small bottles as you travel. It really won't cost much more to buy things wherever you go, instead of carrying your bathroom and wardrobe with you. Also, you really don't know exactly what you'll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy what you need as you need it, and you won't have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during the trip?
Take a lesson from long-trail hikers (backpackers who travel a trail for months). They send things, such as new shoes, to a post office on their route, ahead of time, so they'll be waiting for them. They also send home things they no longer need, such as a winter coat. The latter may be a useful practice for other travelers. If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.
A Light Travel Example
What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:
8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)
1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
Thin gloves (1 ounce)
Thin hat (1 ounce - honestly)
Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)
Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
Sunglasses (1 ounce)
Small chess set (3 ounces)
Bathroom kit (5 ounces)
Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)
My pack weighed ten pounds, and my wife's weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting that you start counting the ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Without spending money or thinking about it too much, you can just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., so you can travel light on your next vacation.
About The Author
Steve Gillman first hit the road on his own when at sixteen, and traveled alone across the United States and Mexico at 17. Now 40, he continues to travel and backpack with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. Many of his stories, plus tips and information on travel and lightweight backpacking, can be found on his websites, http://www.everythingabouttravel.com/, and http://www.theultralightbackpackingsite.com/.

My first trip to Egypt

2007-12-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

My first trip to Egypt
by Stuart Cheese

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked all kinds of travel questions. A client recently enquired about travelling to Egypt for the first time and wanted my advice and a sort of checklist of what they should think about when planning their first trip to the land of the Pharaohs. This is the advice I gave themâ€¦
When planning your first trip to Egypt, the following items are things you should definitely think about
Flights : Depending upon where you are flying from, there will usually be direct and indirect flights. While direct flights obviously are shorter in duration, if you are on a budget, then looking at a non direct flight, or a flight with a short stopover can often save you up to a third off of the price
Visas : You should always check for yourself of course, but generally most major nationalities can get their visas on arrival at major ports like Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada etc. Certainly if you are travelling from Europe, North America, Australia, you will be able to roll up and get your visa on arrival within about 5 minutes.
Money : All major currencies like the US Dollar, Euros and British Pounds are all accepted as payment. There is a limit to the amount of Egyptian Pounds you can bring in and this currently runs at around 1,000 LE â€" Egyptian Pounds. You can of course take travellers cheques, other currencies, etc and all major credit cards are accepted.
Itineraries : 7 to 10 days in Egypt is a perfect length of duration for a visit to Egypt. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel should definitely be included and my personal advice would be to book your basic package through a tour operator, just so you have the basic transfers, accommodation and tours all through 1 company
Tipping : Baksheesh as its know in Egypt is a tip for just about anything. You will need to be tough as otherwise you will be broke within 24 hours. A tour guide should get a tip of around four pounds English a day and a driver should get about half of that. Taking lots of cheap pens is a good idea too as children will ask you for baksheesh for just talking to you !, but if you offer them a pen, they will scamper off very happy indeed. The only draw back is they will probably come back inside of about 2 minutes with 3 friends all of whom will want pens too, but those are the breaks !
Pitfalls : When travelling there are always a few down sides. Water is one in Egypt. Definitely only drink bottled water and avoid salads (washed in water) and Ice (frozen water). Also, although you wonâ€™t have this on an organised tour, if you travel independently you will run in to locals who may tell you certain hotels are full etc. You are in no danger, they are just trying to get you to stay in a different place so that they will earn a small commission from the hotel owners
Final Thought : Egypt is an amazing place, the locals are very friendly and without a doubt when you are taking a felucca down the nile and watching the sun set over the Valley of the Kings, you will definitely think to yourself â€" Egypt was a good choice !

About the Author
Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and, having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience.

Cheap Holidays Guide

2007-11-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

Cheap Holidays Guide

by Jez Rourke

The holiday is something everyone can enjoy; it is an essential break to allow unwinding and reconnection with family and friends. Sadly though, all too often these wonderful breaks from working life can dig a little too deep into the pockets. Why waste an obscene amount of money on travel really? It would be far better spent on having a good time once you actually arrive!
The problem is many people do not have the first clue where to start looking when it comes to holidays. The majority of people do not understand that an amazing holiday does not have to cost insane amounts of money. Quite to the contrary, some of the best holidays are also the cheapest!
Exactly how cheap you can get a holiday obviously greatly depends on what type of holiday you want. A cruise around the Caribbean or a river crusie up the Nile might cost a little more than a weekend in Paris. However, the process of finding such holidays is actually essentially the same, particularly with the help of the internet. Even if you have the money to burn on a Caribbean cruise with Amazon adventure it still doesn't mean you should waste thousands of pounds.
The key to any good search is comparison. The comparison of the different airlines, the comparison of different hotels and resorts, the comparison of insurance, etc. The more information you have, the easier it is to barter with them. They want your money, and they will bargain if they are being upstaged by someone else.
Until recently the problem with this approach was that it was a real pain and very time intensive; many people simply ended up opting for an expensive travel agent. However, the power of the interent has changed everything; the actual process of locating good deals has changed little over the last few decades. In other words, you just need to log on and browse for the best deals, usually in resorts around the south coast of Europe, and you can get away with a truly amazing deal.
For more savings, it is a good idea to be a little flexible; if you are willing to accept any town in the region you wish to visit, and you can be flexible with your flight dates, you will save a lot of money. The same is true if you can manage to go a little earlier - holidays are usually a fair bit cheaper in June and July than they are in August. Plus it's a lot less crowded (and cheaper) once you get there as well.

About the Author
Cheap holidays, late deals and bargain all inclusive holidays abroad from http://www.directline-holidays.co.uk/ .

Save Lots By Booking Your Travel Online

2007-06-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Save Lots By Booking Your Travel Online
by: Lilly B. Fortunato

These days the easiest way to plan your next trip orvacation away from home is by making an online travelbooking. Perhaps your idea of a vacation away is somewherebalmy and exotic, where you can spend your days sippingcocktails by a gorgeous swimming pool in the beautifulwarm sunshine. Or maybe you would prefer to spend yournext vacation skiing on the gorgeous white slopes ofColorado. No matter what your destination, booking yourtravel on the Internet can offer easy and affordablevacation packages.Today people live full and busy lives, packed withstress and anxiety. Their schedules are full with family,work and other critical responsibilities. The one thingthat they are generally missing is relaxation and fun. Itis after all, crucial to get away from it once in awhile,and enjoy the fruits of your work. A vacation can releasebuilt up strain that leads to health problems and evenfatique. No matter where you go, it's all about makingtime for yourself, relaxing with a much needed break andsome well earned travel.And relaxation is not the only reason people travel. Thereare indeed a variety of reasons people travel. Sometimes itis for that long desired vacation. Other times it is tovisit friends or family scattered across the globe.Another reason why people may travel is because of theirjobs. Many various jobs will require a person to travelto different parts of the country or even different partsof the world. Businesses and companies may be looking fora cheap but comfortable way for their employees to travel.While many vacations are supposed to be relaxing,booking all of the arrangements necessary for an entirefamily can be time-consuming, costly and sometimes alittle challenging. Take advantage of online travelresources will free up your time that can then be spentanticipating your vacation or planning family outings.Best yet, online travel also means you can use discountpackages and you can do a great amount of research onthese bargains before you even leave home.Online travel booking may also help vacationers as well aswork travelers by offering a venue for making last minutetravel plans. If your suddenly need to travel due to familyillness or a last minute business trip, you can book a travel plan online easier and quicker.Naturally, a major selling point for a majority of thingsis affordability and convenience. Online travel bookingoffers both. You can find incredible deals and offers forthe vacation of your dreams or for your business needs.Lilly B. Fortunato has created a resource site for Great Vacations . Feel free to submit an article if you would like to contribute.

How To Keep Fit While Traveling Even On A Romantic Getaway

2007-06-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

How To Keep Fit While Traveling Even On A Romantic Getaway
by: Norm Goldman

Today,Norm Goldman, editor of http://www.sketchandtravel.com/ and http://www.bookpleasures.com/ is pleased to have as a guest, Jim Kaese, an elite amateur triathlete, entrepreneurial businessman, and endurance sport coach. Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where to Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority, Jim visited America’s top 78 travel destinations to find the very best hotel/fitness-venue combinations. Welcome Jim to http://www.sketchandtravel.com/ and http://www.bookpleasures.com/. Norm: Could you tell us something about yourself Jim and what provoked you into writing about the very best hotel and fitness venue combinations? Jim: Through the years, I traveled quite a bit for work and pleasure. In addition to finding places to stay that matched my budget and amenity preferences, I always tried to identify hotels that offered good fitness options. However, time and time again, I would show up at the hotel and discover that the “state of the art” fitness center was a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, the “lap” pool was a short oval without lane lines. Or, the “running routes” consisted of a map provided by the concierge that directed guests to jog around the streets of the hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how these hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations. So, I decided to write the first cross-country guide that objectively recommends the BEST places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit. Norm: Do you believe that if couples are looking for an ideal romantic getaway they should also take into account the fitness facilities, and if so, why? Jim: I believe everyone should take into consideration the quality of the fitness facilities—including couples on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. And, I believe it’s important to emphasize that when I say “exercise,” I’m not talking about an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at the gym—20 minutes of brisk walking can do the trick. Norm: If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getaway hospitality properties that combine a unique romantic ambience with great fitness facilities, which ones would you choose and why? Jim: · San Francisco is one of my favorite romantic cities---the bridge, the fog, the rain, the restaurants, and the cultural offerings create a perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. Any of the SFO hotels in my book would be great fitness/romance combinations, but the Hotel Rex is the best deal for the money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down the street, Club One. · If money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc. · For those looking to add a little more “party” to their trip, Miami’s South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in the book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests. · Colorado Springs’ Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor’s Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, the nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities. · New York City can never be left off the romance list. Several properties make exceptional romantic destinations, but Le Parker Meridien, across the street from Central Park, tops my list. It’s NYC, so expect small yet cozy hotel rooms. The Scandinavian flavor, tremendous views, and extensive on-site health club make it one of the best. Norm: Why should couples be concerned about fitness activities when they are away on a romantic getaway or on their honeymoon? Jim: Exercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will allow you to start the day healthy and help you make better choices throughout the rest of the day. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting around by the pool for six hours will not seem like a big deal. Don’t forget about that improved sex too! Norm: How can we determine the quantity, quality, and brand of exercise equipment at recommended hotels if we never have been there? Jim: Buy The Athletic-Minded Traveler (laughs). In addition to providing a comprehensive written review covering everything you want to know (room appearance, room service, free breakfast buffets, sheet thread-count, etc.) about each property, we also specifically detail in chart form the quantity of exercise machines, their condition, the brands, weight/strength options, pool dimensions, running routes, etc. But, if you’re going to a city that’s not covered in the book, the best you can do is call up the concierge and ask him/her your specific questions. Sometimes it even helps to confirm with the maintenance workers. Norm: Very often when we vacation we seem to return home fully relaxed, however very much out of shape. How do we avoid this? Jim: Make exercise part of your daily routine, just like showering or brushing your teeth. When you think about it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all. Especially while on a vacation, when you don’t have to worry about going to work and all of the other hassles at home. Norm: There is always a temptation to overeat when we are on vacation. How can we fight off this temptation while at the same time still enjoy ourselves? Jim: Like I was saying before, exercise will allow you to not fret so much over what you’re eating and drinking. You may end up taking in more calories, but being active and exercising should help to burn those off fairly easily. Norm: Are there any food we should avoid when we are on vacation and if so, why? Jim: Vacation is supposed to be a break from all that troubles and worries you, right? When I go away, I like to eat the local food and experience the local customs without concerns about how many calories are in my dinner, etc. Knowing that I performed my daily workout reassures me that anything I take in will be worked off either that same day or the next. So, no, don’t worry about avoiding certain foods---just make sure to get in a daily sweat. Norm: Is there anything else you would like to add? Jim: Only that I’ve been really touched by the large number of people who have written us saying that they are so happy we wrote this book because they too were constantly frustrated by the travel industry’s ignorance about fitness preferences. Letters and emails have come from hard-core athletes as well as recreational exercisers who just like to put in 20 minutes on a good elliptical machine or bike. Our goal all along was simply to provide a reliable resource that would help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle while on the road. So far, it seems that we’ve succeeded. Visit http://www.socalpress.com/ to view a sample chapter and find more information about The Athletic-Minded™ Traveler, a first-of-its-kind travel resource for those who enjoy a healthy lifestyle and working out while on the road.

About the Author: Norm Goldman is editor of the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com/ and the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com/. Norm and his artist wife, Lily, are a unique husband and wife team who meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations. They are always open to invitations to romantic destinations in the New England states and Florida. To find out more about them click on http://www.sketchandtravel.com/Source: http://www.isnare.com/

How to Become a Travel Agent in 24 Hours

2007-06-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

How to Become a Travel Agent in 24 Hours
by: Brian Allen

The travel industry has been going through some significant changes over the last few years. Mom and Pop travel agencies are quickly being replaced by online booking engines like Orbitz or Travelocity.But there is one problem: 80% of all vacations are taken at the recommendation of a friend. Now of course this is a good thing, except that Orbitz and Travelocity don't have very many friends.The travel industry came up with a good hybrid solution: give the consumer a chance to partner with these big booking engines and become a travel agent themselves, with all the benefits and none of the drawbacks, so they can refer their friends and family and everyone wins. This new type of travel agent is known as an Associate Travel Agent, or ATA for short.ATA's get all the benefits of a normal travel agent, such as commissions, free upgrades and discounts, and FAM Trips (more on FAM Trips in a minute, they're fabulous!). But ATA's don't work at a traditional travel agency, don't work set hours, and don't have to go to years of expensive schooling to get their credentials. You can literally become an ATA in a single day, and you still get the same IATA and CLIA ID card that gets you all the same benefits.There are lots of books and websites on how to become a travel agent, and they are well worth looking into. The benefits are absolutely incredible, not the least of which are lots of vacations and a good income.I'm going to start with my favorite benefit: FAM Trips. These are "familiarization trips" that are hosted and subsidized by tour operators, government tourist boards, and private resorts at a fraction of the normal cost. They want you to come on the trip and have such a good time that you go home raving about it and send all of your friends, family, and clients back at the normal rate (remember, 80% of all travel occurs exactly that way).In a word, FAM Trips are unbelievable. Consider this one from FAM News: 10 days in China, including all accommodations, transfers, flights, an english speaking guide, most meals, and the royal treatment, all for $666! The airfare alone costs over $1,000. And because they want you to send your friends and clients on the same trip, it isn't a stripped down, no frills excursion at rat-infested motels. They pull out all the stops to make sure you have a great time and get back home raving about it to all your friends.There are thousands of FAM's going on at any given time, all over the world. Some are simple, like a weekend ski trip in Colorado including 2 days of skiing and rentals, a 2 hour lesson, meals, 3 nights in a nice lodge, and entertainment for only $199, and some go all out, like 11 days in Morrocco for $1,400.FAM Trips aren't the only benefit of being a travel agent. You can also earn big commissions on travel that you book, and you're given a website to send people to so that when they order their travel you get the same commission as if you'd booked it yourself. You can also refer someone who can become an ATA themselves and you earn a $40 bonus, and can earn bonuses and commissions on what they produce, kind of like building your own virtual travel agency.Everyone who likes to travel and could use a little more money should look into the opportunity of becoming an Associate Travel Agent provides. For many people its the ideal lifestyle, combining the perfect blend of freedom and travel with money and business.
About the Author
Brian Allen is an Associate Travel Agent living in St. George, Utah. He helps others learn about becoming a travel agent and offers consulting for maximum success as a travel agent. He can be reached at http://www.TravelAgentToday.com.

How to Pick a Travel Agency

2007-05-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

How to Pick a Travel Agency
by: Nathan Lynch

"How To Pick A Travel Agency"By Nathan Lynchwww.SouthBeachUncovered.comThe trip of a lifetime can take a lifetime to plan unless you know how to pick a travel agency.A common misconception is that travel agencies add to the cost of your trip. In truth, finding and using a good travel agency to plan your trip usually saves you time, money, and frustration. So how do you pick a travel agency?Ask around!The best way to find a good travel agency is through word of mouth. Ask your family and friends who they’ve used and then ask them about their trip. How did they travel? Where did they stay? Was their trip enjoyable? Getting a few referrals from friends helps you to know in ahead of time what to expect from a particular travel agent and helps you weed out the good from the not-so-good as well. Are you a member?Many clubs and organizations offer travel services for their members and many corporations have established relationships with travel agencies that their employees can use. “Members only” travel plans frequently offer the best values.CompareShop a couple of experienced firms. Travel agencies come and go like any other businesses. The ones that stay in business add experience and know-how to each trip they plan. Make your first inquiry with a travel agency a listening experience; judge how well the agent listens to you and how comfortable they make you feel. A good travel agent will ask you to outline your trip. They’ll ask where you’re going and why, how you’d prefer to travel, how long you plan to stay, and what your travel budget is. Be open and honest with your answers. A good agent will readily put together a sample itinerary that describes availabilities in transportation, accommodations, and estimated costs.If you feel like you’re getting the “hard sell” or the travel agency tells you there’s only package available, keep shopping. You can always go back if you find that they’re right!In addition to finding the best rates in lodgings and transportation, an experienced travel agent can also give you some helpful tips about your destination and here’s the bonus— generally it costs nothing to use a travel agency! Because they can buy in volume, travel agencies get discounts on prices for both tickets and lodgings! For travel made easy, use the services of a travel agency to make your outing a time to remember well!
About the Author
Nathan Lynch is an avid travel writer and the author of South Beach Uncovered. "The Ultimate, Indispensable, Insiders Guide To Saving Money and Having a BLAST in South Beach, Miami". http://www.southbeachuncovered.com

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

2007-05-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations
by: C.J.Gustafson

LocationsThat Offer More But Cost Less
Soyou want to travel the world but you have a tight budget? Are you tired of reading about everyone else’s exotic adventures andready to have some of your own? Haveyou always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you couldn’tafford it? There are numeroustravel destinations across the world that are both exciting and affordable. Five of them are described here to give you ideas and get you startedplanning your own getaway.
Thereare two ways to approach affordable vacations to distant destinations. Either you will save money getting there or the savings will occur onceyou arrive at your selected spot. Ifyou want the trip there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommendchoosing well-known destinations that are served by numerous airlines andreceive millions of travelers each year. Thecompetition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodgingto tour packages. Airfares betweenmajor hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discountsand last minute travel deals.London
InEurope, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for theseexact reasons. Not only do you havemore flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remotelocation. On average, staying inLondon may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but theseemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, andother travel essentials gives travels opportunities to mold their vacation tofit their budgets. And you can useLondon as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locationsor buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expenseof flying there.Playadel Carmen, Mexico
Thistheory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean. Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches anda lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a populartravel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or otherwell-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera. With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are fewmoderate lodging options. Developmentof larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative forthose on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate fromhome and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.
Althoughthere are many options for affordable vacations in the Caribbean, an excellentpick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accessiblevia flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in the region, Playais just a half hour away. It isfilled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury resorts on theocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown. From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locationson the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel wheresnorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.
ForAsian destinations, travelers often do better to focus on saving money once theyget to their destination. Dependingon your country of origin, getting to just about any spot in Asia is going to bea sizable chunk of your travel budget. Thedifference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and othertravel expenditures once you arrive. Bychoosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can save agreat deal on your international vacation. A drink or dinner in Tokyo will cost you many times more than what itwould in Saigon. The key here is togo where your dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.TiomanIsland
Anaffordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically TiomanIsland, knows as the mythical 'Bali Hai' from the film 'South Pacific.’ Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast ofMalaysia on the South China Sea. Its sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles andstunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for sunlovers, snorkelers and divers. Theisland also has many villages for exploring and shopping. English is widely spoken and therates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite ata lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars. Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from themainland. Although the trip cantake over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphinwatching along the way.
BuenosAires
SouthAmerica also has many destinations that are affordable because of the savingsonce you arrive. Locales like Riode Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price butare still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, wherethe rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.

Ahuge metropolis that is more European than South American, the city has much tooffer including cultural events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, anda host of tours and excursions. LaBoca, with its street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a bigtourist draw. The large number ofchoices for lodging, restaurants, and activities provides opportunities forbudget travel and savings. Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for aninternational destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around$500 round trip. Buenos Aires mightnot be one of the most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, but itis a city that everyone should see at least once, and with some of the mostaffordable rates and fares around, it makes the list as a top South Americandestination.
LasVegas
Thelist would not be complete without a North American destination, and the champof all affordable locales is Las Vegas. Ittoo is a city that should be seen at least once, and many world travelers returnagain and again for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can’tbe found anywhere else. Closeenough to other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides otheroptions for those who have had their fill of casinos.

Thecity has long been known for its cheap vacation packages with hotels and resortsthat offer discount rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes ofattracting people to their gaming tables. Airfarerates into Vegas are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matterthe origination destination. Andwith more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodgingchoice that fits your budget.

Theworld provides hundreds of affordable travel destinations. With all the options available, there is no excuse to put off thatlife-long desire to travel to exotic places at the far ends of the earth. Destinations can be researched on the Internet or yourtravelconsolidator can makerecommendations and help with locating cheapinternational airfare and lodging rates that fit your budget. Sowhat are you waiting for? Get outthere and explore the world.
Aboutthe Author
C.J.Gustafson is a freelance writer and photographer who travels extensively forwork and familyvacations. A cheapskate by nature and necessity, she is always on the lookout forbargain travel deals and affordable vacation destinations.

Travel accessories

2007-04-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

Travel accessories
by: Phil Wiley

No matter what anyone says you can’t travel without some kind of accessory. Whether it be suitcases, suit bags, brief cases or money pouches you will always carry some kind of travel accessory with you. The travel accessories say a lot about the life and personality of the person carrying them. Depending on the style and color of their travel accessories, and indeed what particular accessories they are carrying, you can gain insight into what country they are from, whether they are happy, outgoing and energetic or rather old fashioned, whether they are well off financially or have little money to spare and a myriad of other details. The buying team at Mori Luggage and Gifts recently returned from the Travel Goods Show in Washington, D.C. - the largest exhibition of travel accessories and leather goods in the world. For three days, buyers walked the aisles seeking the hot new trends in luggage, briefcases and travel accessories. President of Mori Luggage and Gifts, John Mori, said the Travel Goods Show was an excellent opportunity to network with other businesses who also manufacture travel accessories. “The Travel Goods Show allows us to meet with all of the leading manufacturers in our industry,” he said. “With the improving economy and travel increasing, we were pleased to discover lots of new, innovative travel products for 2004. Our customers expect us to always have the newest items that make travelling easier.” Mr Mori said manufacturers of travel accessories such as luggage, briefcases and leather goods were responding to consumer demand for bright colors - especially when it comes to women’s business cases. While black will always be popular, fashion-conscious businesswomen can now pick a different color briefcase for each season. The Lodis Audrey Capri Brief has been tipped as a hot seller for spring and summer. Available in salmon and periwinkle, this beautiful brief is constructed of fine-grade Italian leather and features a streamlined exterior, organizer pockets for cell phone and business cards, and a removable shoulder strap. The Zuca MobileLockerTM is a super-durable, lightweight rolling case. It was designed by a mom who couldn’t stand to see her 4th grade daughter lugging 50 pounds of books each day and developing back pain so early in life. The main compartment holds books and important gear and can be used for school, picnics, or airline travel. The top is so strong you can use it as a seat and the magneto LED wheels actually light up as it rolls. It’s an excellent travel accessory that is suitable for a wide range of uses. One of the most interesting developments in luggage and travel accessories is the 22” Transformable Upright from Briggs & Riley. Either use it as a one-piece rolling carry-on or transform it into two separate bags: a deluxe duffle with optional backpack straps and a wheeled carry-on upright. Once the duffle is zipped off, a face panel zips onto the wheeled upright creating a new carry-on. Each bag can hold 2-3 days worth of clothes. So just what’s new in the travel accessories industry? Ever wondered if the airline pillow covers and blankets are as clean as you’d expect? After all, its one of the most commonly provided travel accessories you’ll come across! According to a new company called pb travel, recent studies have suggested that many are not changed or cleaned often enough. That’s why they have introduced the pb blanket and pb disposable pillow covers. The pb blanket is a warm polar fleece blanket that is machine washable and dries in just 10 minutes. If you’ve ever flown overseas, you’ve probably heard of deep vein thrombosis and other circulatory problems that can occur during long flights. Compression Socks by Elastic Therapy use a graduated compression system to improve blood flow and relieve leg swelling and discomfort. They are definitely a must-have on your travel accessories list. They are also great for walking or anytime you plan to spend a lot of time on your feet. Brushing your teeth while travelling or at work just got easier with the Travelon Toothbrush. Actually, it’s a toothbrush and toothpaste all in one making it another one of those fantastic and ingenious travel accessories. Simply twist the handle and refreshing mint toothpaste comes up through the high quality Ever seen a sophisticated man who carries his stack of dollar bills in a rubber band? We found a way for him to do this in style with the Grand Band from Budd Leather. Each Grand Band features a durable, colorful band with two replacement bands and a stainless steel plate that can be engraved. This is a useful and essential travel accessory for the stylish and professional traveller. Article by Phil and Kate Wiley of Travel-1st http://www.travel-1st.com You may use this article on your website providing you include the above author bio and active link to Travel-1st. About the author:Phil and Kate Wiley run the populat Travel-1st web site http://www.travel-1st.com You may use this article on your website providing you include the above author bio and active link to Travel-1st.

Online Travel Bargain

2007-04-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Online Travel Bargain
by: yatin patel

Are holiday bargains for true or have catches hidden? REMEMBER YOUR LAST CONVERSATION WITH THAT family relative who couldn’t talk enough of how much they saved on their last holiday package deal? Or that colleague bragging about his $59 round- trip flight to Las Vegas and his stay in a 5-star hotel at $89 a night? Have you found yourself staring wistfully (and suspiciously) at a $399 package deal for two for Hawaii?Just because your email seems flooded at times with seemingly impossibly priced travel offers, and you find Internet search engines are flooded with 1000’s of sites selling internet travel besides big hotel brands and branded distribution sites don’t discount them all.Who can you count on?Just four or five years ago, when you looked for travel discounts you could choose between a travel agent, the airline offices and the hotels themselves, and maybe, if you were lucky, some travel guru down the street. Today, there’s a massive range of things you can do online, and a lot of them can save significant amounts of money.The reality is:• Nine out of 10 online travelers now have some history of shopping for travel online, and nearly 15% of all Americans purchased travel online last year - that’s five times the penetration rate of 1998. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey)• Nearly one-third of online travel buyers say the Internet was responsible for their travel purchases last year.• In 1998, six million consumers bought travel online in the U.S. Jump ahead to 2002 when 30 million Americans purchased travel online in the last year. Half of them only buy their travel online. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey)• Online travel bookings exceeded $23 billion in 2001, and are expected to reach $63 billion by 2005.• Internet bookings in the first three quarters of 2002 accounted for over 23% of rooms sold in New York, and over 15% in Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Anecdotally, for some properties, hotel managers are reporting Internet bookings ranging from 30% to 50% of all room nights in 2002. (Smith Travel Research and TravelClick)What does this mean?This means that online distribution channel is extremely successful in reaching buyers and buyers are finding it more confirmable to shop online. They are seeing a broader range of travel options and variety of products and packages. And its more likely that consumer wants to control that transaction through access to more competitive pricing. Pricing is becoming key factor to determine the sale. Key factors: Why travelers prefer to book online• Competitive Price• Ability to compare product and Prices• Ability to plan last minute • Availability of Range of optionsOnline travel shoppers are not very loyal on where they shop—65 percent of online travelers do not view themselves as brand-loyal. As much as they love to shop online and spend their time researching what suits their needs, they are not loyal to the companies from which they buy. The above scenario indicated that the travel suppliers have no choice but to participate in this online distribution channel. The suppliers are realizing that the traditional channels like GDS (Global Distribution System)/travel agent and call center/reservation office is somewhat inefficient and expensive, especially when the economy is weak. Ignoring online distribution channel and concentrating only on traditional distribution channels will result in lower occupancy, and higher distribution and operational costs for travel suppliers. As online channels become more popular among suppliers their participation is increasing.How Pricing and Distribution Become Key9/11 caused a dramatic shift in how consumers booked their travel. The instability caused a large drop in demand for airlines, hotels and car rentals leading to ever-lower prices. This low demand factor forced travel suppliers to introduce unprecedented discounts. Travel suppliers struggled to sell seats, rooms, car rentals to a significantly shrunk leisure and business travel market. Every air seat, room and auto not booked cost their companies money. Better to sell dirt cheap than not to sell at all. But how to get the word out? Smart, proactive suppliers adopted the Wal-Mart business model—sell low and distribute inexpensively and efficiently. But how? The Internet allowed them to reach consumers, sell inventory outstrip their less progressive competition. Those suppliers who had no clear Internet strategy or understanding of how the Web and online distribution works suffered.Discount hotel sites attract millions of buyers with their special rates leading to stratospheric sales through these channels. They thrive on hoteliers selling their distressed inventory at a fraction of their normal rates. Occupancy is the lowest its been in years, hoteliers continue to work with leading online retailers to move inventory at lower price. The $6.3 billion in online hotel sales (2002) with are split roughly evenly between discount agency sites and hotel Web sites. PhoCusWright projects that around 75% of discount agency hotel site sales are via the merchant model, where the agency typically takes a 20-30% “margin” on the hotel net rate (instead of the usual 10% commission). This approach has helped profits at Expedia and Hotels.com, who have roughly 60% of online discount agency hotel sales. Travelocity and Orbitz are instituting the same successful approach. Other notable players thriving in this arena are Hotwire.com, http://www.hotels-and-discounts.com , Lodging.com and Travelweb.com. What is the Future?Online travel growth will continue to grow in 2003-2005, but it will slow down year by year compared to the record gains see so far. However millions of travelers haven’t yet made their first purchase so the market is not near saturation. Technological improvements will soon make it possible to more easily dynamically package vacation deals including air, hotel and car leading to even lower prices but higher average sales. So growth is projected to come from customers buying more, higher-ticketed products online.The growth of the online distribution channel will prove beneficial to the end user when the suppler finds it easier and more cost-effective to distribute their inventory there than over the traditional distribution channels. As technology becomes mature in the online distribution sector, it will become more effective and user friendly for the Buyers and thus will attract more Suppliers. Due to its low cost of distribution and emerging ability to package and cross sell inventory, prices will be attractive for years to come, until this channel eventually becomes a commodity.By Yatin PatelPublished in http://www.siliconindia.comJuly 2003

Top Ten Travel Nursing “Hot Spots”

2007-04-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Travel Nursing “Hot Spots”
by: Janet Fikany

The great thing about being a traveling nurse boils down to one key component – it’s about the travel! For those of us who love moving around and seeing the world, travel nursing is the profession of our dreams. There are many travel destinations available, based on weather, activities, cost of living, and salary. Therefore, I have gathered a list of my “Top Ten” destinations that nurses choose, based on the number of travelers who inquire about each location every month. Are you a travel RN scouting a new assignment? Then I’d like to suggest the following ten “Hot Spots”:
HAWAII – It’s no shock that Hawaii generates over 500 travel nursing inquiries per month. The wide range of outdoor activities from snow-capped mountains to snow-white sandy beaches elevates Hawaii to one of those meccas where you can build a snowman or a sand castle all in one day. Nurses tell me that you’ll discover virtually every type of outdoor activity imaginable—hiking trails that wind through erupting volcanoes, secret beaches, and lush green ranchlands. Many travelers also hunt, mountain bike, go rafting, and golf on some of the world’s most extravagant courses.
ALASKA – Travel nurses are intrigued by the possibilities of Alaska’s rugged mystery. Alaska is a huge wilderness with beautiful scenery, and travel nursing assignments offer plenty of time to see and do everything you want, whether in winter’s darkness under northern lights, or the glorious spring and summer where it’s light most of the time. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Alaska for its’ wildlife, spectacular natural landscape, and fishing expeditions where the fish really are as big as the stories about which they’re told. Countless day cruises and sightseeing expeditions abound, as well as opportunities to hike, kayak, canoe, ski… Need we say more?
MONTANA – Whether photographer, adventurer, or both, Montana is truly a state that beckons with open arms. River trips, fishing and camping, history, snowy mountain ranges, and waterfalls are what you’ll encounter, along with plenty of open space to explore. Assignments in Montana appeal to those travel nurses who just need some time to break away from their city grind to enjoy marching to the beat of an entirely different drummer. The Big Sky Country boasts some of America’s most famous mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands, and caverns, and many travelers find it just irresistible enough to keep coming back.
MAINE – Maine’s splendor has inspired artists like Georgia O’Keefe and three generations of the Wyeth family, since the mid-nineteenth century. Travel nurses can’t resist at least one adventure in this charming getaway. Whether you embark on outdoor adventures like skiing and snowmobiling, or if you prefer the cozy ambience of antiquing through charming villages or just strolling or riding horseback on miles of sandy beaches in the smell of salt air, Maine is legendary and offers some wonderful travel nursing experiences. Its’ unique culture is outdoorsy and quaint, and of course you get to enjoy lobster as the locals do—fresh from the ocean!
CALIFORNIA – Warm weather and world-famous beaches make California a favorite choice for traveling nurses. Nine-hundred miles of coastline gives nurses in all locations the chance to spend many hours near the waves; and for nature lovers, California is home to many wildlife parks, remote wilderness areas, and safe-havens for endangered animals. If you’re an excitement junkie, you can scout out a wide selection of theme parks; and no matter what your taste in music, concerts abound in every type of venue. Historic sites and museums invite, as do five-star restaurants and clubs in which to see and be seen. The shopping is unparalleled, whether it’s trendy Melrose Place, La Jolla, or the strand in Venice Beach; and of course it’s home to Hollywood, and, yes, movie stars. Whether northern, southern, or coastal locations, traveling nurses return to California time and again.
WASHINGTON – The Evergreen State boasts the gorgeous Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountains, desert experiences, rain forests, towering volcanoes, glaciers, and lush wine country. Washington State rates high on the list of many nurse travelers. Must-sees are the Space Needle and Coulee Dam. The culture here is incredibly diverse; sophisticated, outdoorsy, and loaded with resorts, history, parks, museums, and botanical gardens. Whether touring downtown Seattle for cozy antique and book stores, exploring ancient Indian grounds, or hiking and biking mountains or trails, Washington holds a strong allure for many nurse travelers.
SOUTH CAROLINA – Endless adventure, excitement, fun and exploration represent why South Carolina is always a favorite destination for travel nurses. America’s oldest landscaped gardens frame mansions rife with historical heritage, in addition to pristine beaches and legendary marshy wetlands. For all you golfers, with over 330 golf courses, there’s always a new place to swing your clubs. But what fascinates many traveling nurses is the rich heritage in which South Carolina has paved the roads of culture, art, and folklore in our past. You can visit several historical areas and discovery centers of American history, including the American Revolution and the Civil War.
COLORADO – World-class winter skiing and summer music festivals in the mountains are just two reasons that nurses love traveling to Colorado. Boasting four spectacular seasons, Colorado is where travel nurses get to explore the state’s 18 million acres of state and national parks, forests, and monuments for biking, hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, and kayaking, to name a few. Colorado has many cultural treasures, including ancient Native American sites and dinosaur fossil exhibits, historic ghost towns, and even award-winning vineyards in Grand Junction. And for those who enjoy city life, amid all this natural beauty lie wonderful metropolitan areas like Denver and Boulder, full of shopping, performing arts, and professional sports.
TENNESSEE – From energetic nights of blues on Beale Street, to gorgeous rolling acres of Tennessee Walker horse country, to peaceful Smoky Mountain sunsets, Tennessee is a vacation that offers many world-renowned attractions. Nurse travelers who visit Tennessee will find that they’re within a day’s drive of 75-percent of the U.S. population via quality interstates and highways. Attractions in Tennessee include the Jack Daniels’ distillery, Elvis’s Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and lots of southern hospitality. And don’t forget the crown jewel of the southern Appalachians, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
ARIZONA – If you adore the outdoors, then the Grand Canyon State might just be for you. The nurses who go there just rave about Arizona’s landscape which takes in tall mountain ranges, swift rivers, grasslands, sand dunes, and cactus forests all set against a beautiful sky that glows pink in the sunset. The traveler nurses who enjoy history will find plenty of it here, including Old West reformations, Native American nations, and Spanish-influenced areas all in one state. Arizona is also home to the nation’s greatest golf courses, resorts, spas, cabins, and ranches.
As you can see, limitless possibilities exist for those nurses who want travel, fun, and adventure to be part of their daily lives. If you’re a nurse who travels and it's time for you to move on to a new location, try one of these top travel nursing destinations and see what new experiences lie ahead.
About The Author
Janet Fikany is a "Placement Diva" for HealthCare Staffing Network. For travel nursing advice, please visit HSN online at http://www.hcstaffingnetwork.com, or call Janet toll free at 1-877-385-3097.