Idaho has been listed as one of the most affordable travel destinations. Triple A Idaho's 2008 edition of Annual Vacation Costs survey, Idaho is the 16th least expensive states to visit. Triple A Idaho's Dave Carlson calls Idaho a "cheap date", with travelers factoring in record gas prices and oustanding outdoor recreational opportunities and scenic attributs. Idaho is a "decent" travel destination right in our backyard. The survey says two adults can expect to pay just under 200 dollars a day for lodging and meals in Idaho.
source:http://www.670kboi.com/Article.asp?id=762237&spid=18042
Sunday, June 29, 2008
High Culture and High Adventure Make Nepal a Great Travel Destination
Shangri-La of legend, novel and classic film is a real place, the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. This tiny country next to Tibet is home to Mount Everest and much more. From arts and handicrafts tours to trekking and mountaineering, the Himalayan kingdom has something for every traveler.
All Nepal adventures start with the flight into Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu. Spectacular mountain views give way to green, terraced hillsides and small villages of thatched homes as the plane makes it's rapid descent. Immigration and customs clearance are easy for tourists; visas are issued automatically on arrival for $30.
Expeditions and tours start from Kathmandu, so you'll need a base and a chance to recover from the long flight. The Yak and Yeti hotel, next to the Royal Palace, is close to shopping and the old city. If the Yak and Yeti's $200 rates leave you wooly-headed, there are many options, from $2 per night guest houses to comfortable hotels for less than $100. Even if you don't stay at the Yak and Yeti, stop for an exotic drink in their lovely garden or a roll of the dice at the Casino Royale. The Raj lives on too at high tea every afternoon in the lobby.
Walk into the old city of Kathmandu along a street that was the ancient trade route from India to Tibet. The city grew up around traders' stalls lining that route, and the market is still in full swing. Fruit, flowers, spices, medicines, metal wares, silk and pashmina, incense, jewelry and more - the 2,000 year old bazaar churns with activity.
The bazaar opens into a complex of palace buildings, enormous temples, and interconnected open plazas. The old Palace Square rivals the best Venice can offer for elegance of design, baroque complexity, and majesty. But here the materials are simple brick and plaster, with elaborately carved wood. Every exposed wooden surface is carved with animals both mythical and real, flowers, religious symbols and gods and goddesses.
The house of the Kumari, Nepal's virgin goddess, faces the palace. A small girl is chosen by elaborate rituals, and Nepalis believe the king's personal goddess enters into the girl. From then until she reaches puberty she is treated as a deity. Each fall she confers on the king the right to rule for another year. In 1955 the then-Kumari dozed off during the ceremony, then blessed the crown prince by mistake when she awoke. Later that year the king died and the crown prince ascended to the throne.
North of the Palace Square, 15 minutes walk or a one-dollar rickshaw ride away, is Thamel, the trekkers and tourist neighborhood. Thamel resembles Harvard Square or The Haight, but on a dizzyingly vast scale. There are literally thousands of small shops selling handicrafts, clothing, expedition gear, music and much more. Mixed among the shops are hundreds of restaurants catering to every taste from Korean to Kosher, and scores of budget hotels and guesthouses. Darbar Marg, two blocks west is Kathmandu's High Street, a neighborhood of expensive, classy shops and hotels, including the Yak and Yeti.
In medieval times there were three great cities in the Kathmandu Valley. One of them, Bhaktapur, was mercifully spared from being "developed". It is a few miles from Kathmandu, but centuries away. Bhaktapur moves to the same rhythm it has for a thousand years. The craftsmen and farmers you will meet are doing as their families have for dozens of generations. In Bhaktapur the festivals and traditions are so old that people say the gods created them.
Pashupatinath temple complex is the holy-of-holies to Nepal's Hindus, and the destination for many Indian pilgrims. The dead are cremated here, and their ashes are cast into the holy river. Here too pilgrims cleanse their sins by bathing in the same river. The central shrine, off-limits to those who are not Hindu, has a spectacular temple with a giant golden bull kneeling in worship. The riverbanks and surrounding hills are littered with sculptures rivaling any museum's Asian art gallery.
Most visitors head out of Kathmandu for other adventures. Jungle safaris from two to four days feature elephant-back expeditions to watch wildlife, and jungle walks with naturalists. Accommodations are rustic but pleasant, with attached baths, all meals and a well-stocked bar. Older children are welcome for all activities, and one lodge has a separate facility for families with younger children, with a pool, ponies, and special activities.
Nepal is the most vertical country in the world, and the whitewater rafting is superb. There are one and two day trips and longer expeditions. Rafting companies provide all equipment and training, and professional guides. You can combine a short rafting trip with mountain biking, a bungy jump, or the new sport of canyonning, a combination of rock climbing and tubing through river gorges and pools.
Today even an armchair lover of the mountains can see them up close. Every morning the Mountain Flight takes people up for an hour of Mount Everest and the entire central Himalaya from 17,000 feet. For many it is the highlight of their trip.
Trekkers visit Nepal's countryside, a timeless world where the rhythms of life and of walking bring peace. There are dozens of routes, and programs to fit anything from a couple of days to several weeks. Trekking agencies will arrange your trek in advance; most offer group programs, but the better outfitters can make individual arrangements, even for one or two people. Trekking costs vary from $40 per day to more than $100 per day.
For those brave few who climb mountains, the Himalayas are the ultimate. But even beginners can climb a "small" 20,000 foot peak here. The great mountains are a different matter. Even though purists now scoff at the "tourist trail" to the top of Everest, it is still difficult, dangerous and all too often deadly. But with eight of the ten highest mountains in Nepal - and hundreds of peaks taller than the Rockies - there is no shortage of alternatives.
Visitors to Nepal should make arrangements in advance with a good agency, either international or Nepali, and stay informed. The US Government Department of State has information sheets for all countries, and many Nepali newspapers are available on the internet.
Kathmandu's temperature is mild, 35-60 degrees in Winter, 60-85 degrees during the long Summer. Short-term visitors need to pack only the essentials and clothing appropriate to the season. Trekkers will need warmer clothing; it is always cold at high altitudes. All clothing and supplies are available in Kathmandu.
Nepal's culture, history and the world's greatest mountains are amazing and one of the best tourism values on the planet. And Nepal's warm, hospitable people truly make it Shangri-La, the timeless land of tranquility, wisdom, and peace.
source:http://newsblaze.com/story/20080623222855chil.nb/topstory.html
All Nepal adventures start with the flight into Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu. Spectacular mountain views give way to green, terraced hillsides and small villages of thatched homes as the plane makes it's rapid descent. Immigration and customs clearance are easy for tourists; visas are issued automatically on arrival for $30.
Expeditions and tours start from Kathmandu, so you'll need a base and a chance to recover from the long flight. The Yak and Yeti hotel, next to the Royal Palace, is close to shopping and the old city. If the Yak and Yeti's $200 rates leave you wooly-headed, there are many options, from $2 per night guest houses to comfortable hotels for less than $100. Even if you don't stay at the Yak and Yeti, stop for an exotic drink in their lovely garden or a roll of the dice at the Casino Royale. The Raj lives on too at high tea every afternoon in the lobby.
Walk into the old city of Kathmandu along a street that was the ancient trade route from India to Tibet. The city grew up around traders' stalls lining that route, and the market is still in full swing. Fruit, flowers, spices, medicines, metal wares, silk and pashmina, incense, jewelry and more - the 2,000 year old bazaar churns with activity.
The bazaar opens into a complex of palace buildings, enormous temples, and interconnected open plazas. The old Palace Square rivals the best Venice can offer for elegance of design, baroque complexity, and majesty. But here the materials are simple brick and plaster, with elaborately carved wood. Every exposed wooden surface is carved with animals both mythical and real, flowers, religious symbols and gods and goddesses.
The house of the Kumari, Nepal's virgin goddess, faces the palace. A small girl is chosen by elaborate rituals, and Nepalis believe the king's personal goddess enters into the girl. From then until she reaches puberty she is treated as a deity. Each fall she confers on the king the right to rule for another year. In 1955 the then-Kumari dozed off during the ceremony, then blessed the crown prince by mistake when she awoke. Later that year the king died and the crown prince ascended to the throne.
North of the Palace Square, 15 minutes walk or a one-dollar rickshaw ride away, is Thamel, the trekkers and tourist neighborhood. Thamel resembles Harvard Square or The Haight, but on a dizzyingly vast scale. There are literally thousands of small shops selling handicrafts, clothing, expedition gear, music and much more. Mixed among the shops are hundreds of restaurants catering to every taste from Korean to Kosher, and scores of budget hotels and guesthouses. Darbar Marg, two blocks west is Kathmandu's High Street, a neighborhood of expensive, classy shops and hotels, including the Yak and Yeti.
In medieval times there were three great cities in the Kathmandu Valley. One of them, Bhaktapur, was mercifully spared from being "developed". It is a few miles from Kathmandu, but centuries away. Bhaktapur moves to the same rhythm it has for a thousand years. The craftsmen and farmers you will meet are doing as their families have for dozens of generations. In Bhaktapur the festivals and traditions are so old that people say the gods created them.
Pashupatinath temple complex is the holy-of-holies to Nepal's Hindus, and the destination for many Indian pilgrims. The dead are cremated here, and their ashes are cast into the holy river. Here too pilgrims cleanse their sins by bathing in the same river. The central shrine, off-limits to those who are not Hindu, has a spectacular temple with a giant golden bull kneeling in worship. The riverbanks and surrounding hills are littered with sculptures rivaling any museum's Asian art gallery.
Most visitors head out of Kathmandu for other adventures. Jungle safaris from two to four days feature elephant-back expeditions to watch wildlife, and jungle walks with naturalists. Accommodations are rustic but pleasant, with attached baths, all meals and a well-stocked bar. Older children are welcome for all activities, and one lodge has a separate facility for families with younger children, with a pool, ponies, and special activities.
Nepal is the most vertical country in the world, and the whitewater rafting is superb. There are one and two day trips and longer expeditions. Rafting companies provide all equipment and training, and professional guides. You can combine a short rafting trip with mountain biking, a bungy jump, or the new sport of canyonning, a combination of rock climbing and tubing through river gorges and pools.
Today even an armchair lover of the mountains can see them up close. Every morning the Mountain Flight takes people up for an hour of Mount Everest and the entire central Himalaya from 17,000 feet. For many it is the highlight of their trip.
Trekkers visit Nepal's countryside, a timeless world where the rhythms of life and of walking bring peace. There are dozens of routes, and programs to fit anything from a couple of days to several weeks. Trekking agencies will arrange your trek in advance; most offer group programs, but the better outfitters can make individual arrangements, even for one or two people. Trekking costs vary from $40 per day to more than $100 per day.
For those brave few who climb mountains, the Himalayas are the ultimate. But even beginners can climb a "small" 20,000 foot peak here. The great mountains are a different matter. Even though purists now scoff at the "tourist trail" to the top of Everest, it is still difficult, dangerous and all too often deadly. But with eight of the ten highest mountains in Nepal - and hundreds of peaks taller than the Rockies - there is no shortage of alternatives.
Visitors to Nepal should make arrangements in advance with a good agency, either international or Nepali, and stay informed. The US Government Department of State has information sheets for all countries, and many Nepali newspapers are available on the internet.
Kathmandu's temperature is mild, 35-60 degrees in Winter, 60-85 degrees during the long Summer. Short-term visitors need to pack only the essentials and clothing appropriate to the season. Trekkers will need warmer clothing; it is always cold at high altitudes. All clothing and supplies are available in Kathmandu.
Nepal's culture, history and the world's greatest mountains are amazing and one of the best tourism values on the planet. And Nepal's warm, hospitable people truly make it Shangri-La, the timeless land of tranquility, wisdom, and peace.
source:http://newsblaze.com/story/20080623222855chil.nb/topstory.html
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Rhodes Voted Top Destination In Europe
Rhodes is the only short haul destination in the top ten of the 2008 Traveller’s Choice Destinations Awards, winning the accolade for highlights ranging from the largest inhabited Medieval town in Europe, located in the island’s capital, to more rural attractions such as the Valley of the Butterflies. One of the tourist hotspots is Lindos, a beautiful town with a beach overlooked by an ancient castle.The type of property available on the island is hugely varied, ranging from modern apartments in more touristy areas to traditional villas in the smaller villages and towns. Property in Lindos is among the more expensive on Rhodes, but rental returns are also likely to be higher here than in other areas.
However, when compared to other European countries, prices still seem low. According to the Buy Association a small newly-built apartment in the area can be found for under £70,000, while a two-bedroom detached villa on a small development of 20 houses will cost around £150,000 off-plan.
Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment on the island rents out for an average of £256 per week, making Rhodes the perfect place to buy a holiday home to let.
source:http://www.homesworldwide.co.uk/europe/greece/news/articles/rhodes_voted_top_destination_in_europe?news_id=0070234
Friday, June 20, 2008
Palace on Wheels – The Gem of the Rajasthan Train Tours
When it comes to Rajasthan Train Tours, Palace on Wheels features the very best that India offers. Embark on a journey back in time, of peacefulness, tranquility, adventure, culture, cuisine... an unforgettable sojourn, all made possible for you on this superb luxury train.
Since its beginning in 1982, the guests of the Palace on Wheels have received service above the ordinary with an experience which was unashamedly romantic and adventurous. To this day the travelers expect nothing less. This is a journey which should only be embarked upon with the highest of expectations. The train provides an opportunity to explore the centuries, to appreciate the history and culture of Rajasthan without missing the features and details of the passing landscapes and enjoying all the on board comfort and state-of-the-art facilities one could ask for.
Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant and historically and culturally rich states of India. The history of Rajasthan is all bravery and chivalry of the Rajputs. Their tales of gallantry and valor are part and parcel of the Rajasthan culture. Their passion for buildings and architecture is manifest in the myriad of magnificent palaces, forts, havelis and temples that speak volumes about history and heritage of the state.
The Palace on Wheels is an effortless way to experience Rajasthan at its best. The spectacle of Rajasthan's great wilderness will take your breath away. This Rajasthan Train Tour is truly worthy of kings, not surprising the experience is labeled as the Palace on Wheels. In a series of trips, the train links some of Rajasthan's greatest destinations including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra, before culminating the journey to New Delhi. The itinerary covers the very best attractions of North India from Jaisalmer at the tip of Rajasthan to the pink city Jaipur, from scenic splendors as diverse as the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur to the sleepy villages of Jodhpur, from the desert landscapes of Chittorgarh to sparkling lakes of Udaipur and the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra. During your cruise you will experience the fascinating history and spectacular scenery, exotic wildlife, the beautiful heritage havelis, palaces and forts, desert villages and rippling sand dunes.
The train combines the luxury of five star hotel with the charm of train travel. The Maharaja and Maharani dining cars receive only accolades for their connoisseur selection of Rajasthan cuisines. The food served during the sojourn puts sheer good taste on a plate while gracious hospitality puts you on a pedestal. With 14 coaches named after former Rajput princely states, with spacious cabins, the passengers on board the Palace of Wheels have plenty of space, time and encouragement to do as they please. One can enjoy the company of others, recline idly with a favorite book or simply watch through the window which unfolds new vistas of passing beauty.
Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/65262
Since its beginning in 1982, the guests of the Palace on Wheels have received service above the ordinary with an experience which was unashamedly romantic and adventurous. To this day the travelers expect nothing less. This is a journey which should only be embarked upon with the highest of expectations. The train provides an opportunity to explore the centuries, to appreciate the history and culture of Rajasthan without missing the features and details of the passing landscapes and enjoying all the on board comfort and state-of-the-art facilities one could ask for.
Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant and historically and culturally rich states of India. The history of Rajasthan is all bravery and chivalry of the Rajputs. Their tales of gallantry and valor are part and parcel of the Rajasthan culture. Their passion for buildings and architecture is manifest in the myriad of magnificent palaces, forts, havelis and temples that speak volumes about history and heritage of the state.
The Palace on Wheels is an effortless way to experience Rajasthan at its best. The spectacle of Rajasthan's great wilderness will take your breath away. This Rajasthan Train Tour is truly worthy of kings, not surprising the experience is labeled as the Palace on Wheels. In a series of trips, the train links some of Rajasthan's greatest destinations including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra, before culminating the journey to New Delhi. The itinerary covers the very best attractions of North India from Jaisalmer at the tip of Rajasthan to the pink city Jaipur, from scenic splendors as diverse as the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur to the sleepy villages of Jodhpur, from the desert landscapes of Chittorgarh to sparkling lakes of Udaipur and the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra. During your cruise you will experience the fascinating history and spectacular scenery, exotic wildlife, the beautiful heritage havelis, palaces and forts, desert villages and rippling sand dunes.
The train combines the luxury of five star hotel with the charm of train travel. The Maharaja and Maharani dining cars receive only accolades for their connoisseur selection of Rajasthan cuisines. The food served during the sojourn puts sheer good taste on a plate while gracious hospitality puts you on a pedestal. With 14 coaches named after former Rajput princely states, with spacious cabins, the passengers on board the Palace of Wheels have plenty of space, time and encouragement to do as they please. One can enjoy the company of others, recline idly with a favorite book or simply watch through the window which unfolds new vistas of passing beauty.
Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/65262
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Visit Bangladesh : See the enchanting beauties of nature
Bangladesh, land of enchanting beauty, is endowed with almost all the natural potentials to attract tourists. All her six seasons vibrate with fairs, festivals, mirth and merriment. All riverine beauty, colourful tribal life and simple village life of the friendly millions are main motivational factors for the potential visitors.
Though one of the world's small countries, Bangladesh boasts of certain world class attractions and assets. Bangladesh offer ample opportunity to tourists for rowing, angling, jungle trekking, sun and sea-bathing and above all to be in and amidst the pristine nature. Bangladesh is heir to rich cultural legacy.
In 2000 or more years of its chequered history, many illustrious dynasties of kings and Sultans have ruled and disappeared and left their mark in the shape of magnificent cities, monuments, the desolate ruins which are still visible in places throughout the country. The archaelogolical treasures of Mahasthangarh, Pahapur Buddhist Vihara, a world heritage site and Salbana Vihara at Mainamati and sixty-domed grand mosque at Bagerhat, also a world heritage site, World War-ÐÐ cemetery at Comilla, Kantaji's temple of Dinajpur, the Hindu temples of Chandranath at Sitakund, Adinath at Mahashkhali, Sonargaon and Dhakeshwari in Dhaka bear testimony to its devotional past.
Most outstanding places in Bangladesh also include Cox's Bazar Beach, Dhaka, Kaptai, Chandanpura mosque, Kuakata, Rangamati Lake, tribal life, Sylhet Tea Garden and wildlife of Sundarbans. Other places of tourist attractions are Shilaidaha Kuthibari(Kushtia, a memory place of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore), Sagordari in Jessore, Mujibnagar memorial, Gandhi Asram, Jamuna Bridge, Trishal and Sri Chaitanya Temple.
Above all, simple and friendly people of Bangladesh along with its tribes isolated from modern society by their own distinct culture and way of life make Bangladesh a distinguished and unique attraction for tourists. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), national tourism organization of the country, has renovated the existing tourist facilities and created new facilities at important tourist spots.
More...
Sorce:http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/06/16/news0529.htm
Though one of the world's small countries, Bangladesh boasts of certain world class attractions and assets. Bangladesh offer ample opportunity to tourists for rowing, angling, jungle trekking, sun and sea-bathing and above all to be in and amidst the pristine nature. Bangladesh is heir to rich cultural legacy.
In 2000 or more years of its chequered history, many illustrious dynasties of kings and Sultans have ruled and disappeared and left their mark in the shape of magnificent cities, monuments, the desolate ruins which are still visible in places throughout the country. The archaelogolical treasures of Mahasthangarh, Pahapur Buddhist Vihara, a world heritage site and Salbana Vihara at Mainamati and sixty-domed grand mosque at Bagerhat, also a world heritage site, World War-ÐÐ cemetery at Comilla, Kantaji's temple of Dinajpur, the Hindu temples of Chandranath at Sitakund, Adinath at Mahashkhali, Sonargaon and Dhakeshwari in Dhaka bear testimony to its devotional past.
Most outstanding places in Bangladesh also include Cox's Bazar Beach, Dhaka, Kaptai, Chandanpura mosque, Kuakata, Rangamati Lake, tribal life, Sylhet Tea Garden and wildlife of Sundarbans. Other places of tourist attractions are Shilaidaha Kuthibari(Kushtia, a memory place of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore), Sagordari in Jessore, Mujibnagar memorial, Gandhi Asram, Jamuna Bridge, Trishal and Sri Chaitanya Temple.
Above all, simple and friendly people of Bangladesh along with its tribes isolated from modern society by their own distinct culture and way of life make Bangladesh a distinguished and unique attraction for tourists. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), national tourism organization of the country, has renovated the existing tourist facilities and created new facilities at important tourist spots.
More...
Sorce:http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/06/16/news0529.htm
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tourist destinations: Places of paradise and parasites
Very big city dweller dreams of going somewhere to forget about traffic jams, hordes of people and buildings of concrete and glass. Top 6 list of most serene places on Earth where people can find peace and calmness.
Top 6 places of paradise on Earth
1. Island Tristan da Cunha
The world’s remotest island, Tristan da Cunha, is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, 2,800 kilometers west of the Republic of South Africa. Here you can really stay alone – the only inhabited island is home to 300 people, and there are 400 tourists annually at most. There are no regular flights to this lost world. One can get there only by fishing boats from the Republic of South Africa. Here you will find an unusual volcanic terrain, hospitable islanders and no criminality at all.
2. Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds hills in the county of Gloucestershire are pastoral villages with shell houses, romantic manors mantled with roses and honeysuckle, old churches and pubs. Even Englishmen call it “the most English England.” Supermodel Kate Moss likes to stay at the luxury Cotswolds House Hotel in Chipping Campden.
3. Kauai, Hawaii
It is the least-developed and the most beautiful island of Hawaii, one of the most humid places on Earth with exuberant green vegetation. The island is enframed with 43 white-sand beaches with palm-trees. The now extinct volcano, Waialeale, rises to a height of 1,600 meters in the centre of the island. Kauai attracts tourists, surfers and hippies from across the globe. The island cuts through the famed one-kilometer-deep Waimea Canyon for 23 kilometers. The Nepali Coastline is very spectacular with its cliffs going vertically into the sea.
4. Algonquin Park, Canada
It is the National Park in Southern Ontario, just a three-hour drive from Toronto. There are only several log-cabins and camping-grounds. The rest of the territory (200x200 kilometers) is a wild forest with age-old pines, lakes gleaming with plentiful trout, rash rivers and picturesque volcanoes. One can go for a walk, fishing and canoeing.
5. Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
The Thornybush private reserve adjourns to Kruger National Park and takes 11.5 thousand hectares of the plain covered with thick bushes. In the lap of wild nature there are luxury tents with viewing decks where the old-world colonial atmosphere is recreated. The viewing decks offer a wonderful view of safari where you can see elephants, lions or leopards.
6. Isla Vieques, Puerto Rico
After the U.S. Navy left the Caribbean island Vieques, just six miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, the island restored its serenity. There are still thick forests and kilometers-long white-sand beaches.
Source:http://newsfromrussia.com/business/finance/105315-1/
Top 6 places of paradise on Earth
1. Island Tristan da Cunha
The world’s remotest island, Tristan da Cunha, is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, 2,800 kilometers west of the Republic of South Africa. Here you can really stay alone – the only inhabited island is home to 300 people, and there are 400 tourists annually at most. There are no regular flights to this lost world. One can get there only by fishing boats from the Republic of South Africa. Here you will find an unusual volcanic terrain, hospitable islanders and no criminality at all.
2. Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds hills in the county of Gloucestershire are pastoral villages with shell houses, romantic manors mantled with roses and honeysuckle, old churches and pubs. Even Englishmen call it “the most English England.” Supermodel Kate Moss likes to stay at the luxury Cotswolds House Hotel in Chipping Campden.
3. Kauai, Hawaii
It is the least-developed and the most beautiful island of Hawaii, one of the most humid places on Earth with exuberant green vegetation. The island is enframed with 43 white-sand beaches with palm-trees. The now extinct volcano, Waialeale, rises to a height of 1,600 meters in the centre of the island. Kauai attracts tourists, surfers and hippies from across the globe. The island cuts through the famed one-kilometer-deep Waimea Canyon for 23 kilometers. The Nepali Coastline is very spectacular with its cliffs going vertically into the sea.
4. Algonquin Park, Canada
It is the National Park in Southern Ontario, just a three-hour drive from Toronto. There are only several log-cabins and camping-grounds. The rest of the territory (200x200 kilometers) is a wild forest with age-old pines, lakes gleaming with plentiful trout, rash rivers and picturesque volcanoes. One can go for a walk, fishing and canoeing.
5. Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
The Thornybush private reserve adjourns to Kruger National Park and takes 11.5 thousand hectares of the plain covered with thick bushes. In the lap of wild nature there are luxury tents with viewing decks where the old-world colonial atmosphere is recreated. The viewing decks offer a wonderful view of safari where you can see elephants, lions or leopards.
6. Isla Vieques, Puerto Rico
After the U.S. Navy left the Caribbean island Vieques, just six miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, the island restored its serenity. There are still thick forests and kilometers-long white-sand beaches.
Source:http://newsfromrussia.com/business/finance/105315-1/
Top tips for solo travellers
The world teaches you certain lessons pretty quickly when travelling solo. Some of these come easily, especially through talking with experienced travellers - whose knowledge can be a valuable (although not always reliable) resource.
But other times you find things out the hard way. Experiences like desperately chasing after your bag as it's driven off on a random rickshaw, spending hours queuing for train tickets, or holding your head in your hands when you realise that you've been screwed over teach you the basics very quickly.
To help you avoid the worst panic-attacks travelbite.co.uk blogger Nick Claxton brings you some top tips for stress-free solo travels:
You will stand out, no matter what
There may be thousands of ex-pats in Singapore but I'm still conscious that most locals can tell I'm a tourist. In Nepal and India, there is no question of slipping by unnoticed.
It's important to accept that you'll attract stares or be approached by enquiring strangers.
Sometimes it can feel claustrophobic - and I imagine it's twenty times worse for women - but getting angry or annoyed will not make it any better.
Make as big a scene as possible if you feel threatened but try and shrug these things off until that line has been crossed.
bag may be a burden, but make it a light one
Your rucksack is impossible to miss, and sometimes you're incredibly aware of this fact. But instead of thinking that it makes you a target, its best to view it as an annoyance.
Too much fuss over your bag is only likely to attract attention to it. Pack nothing that you would sorely miss and then treat your rucksack with something approaching distain.
I've found this makes other people view it in the same way – this means I can stop worrying about it being nabbed and enjoy myself a lot more.
Pack light, but bring one luxury item
It may be bulky, impractical and responsible for the bruise developing on the top of my head after repeatedly falling from overhead compartments, but my guitar is one of the best things I'm carrying with me.
Try to keep everything else to the minimum but if possible bring something that's a luxury.
It might make no sense to bring along your prized chess set, a clarinet, or even your laptop, but they can be great ways to meet people - and give you something to do whenever boredom inevitably hits on those long train rides.
your instincts
I've left my guitar in the hands of toilet attendants, been driven off to hostels in places I'd never heard of, and taken a guided city tour from a guy I soon realised was a drug dealer - all without running into any trouble.
Maybe I've just been lucky, but I put it down to trusting my instincts. I've turned away from similar situations just as readily when some red warning light flashed on in my head.
Don't feel sheepish about saying no; it can save you a lot of hassle. At the same time be open to saying yes to anything - as long as it feels right.
You'll be lonely sometimes, but it'll pass
Loneliness is the biggest, and most obvious, drawback of travelling solo. Unless you're incredibly outgoing or quickly run into someone travelling the same trip, you're unlikely to completely avoid this - especially if you are moving on regularly.
There will always be times when you're stuck by yourself, or stuck in a crowd with no-one else who understands you - which is a much worse feeling.
The best advice I can offer is to keep an upbeat, welcoming attitude and you'll soon bump into someone new to hang out with, at least until the next station.
is the hardest word
Finally, one of the hardest things I've found when travelling is deciding when to move on to the next destination.
Stay too long in one place and you can stagnate, but when you're enjoying yourself there's always the nagging feeling that you'll be missing out by leaving.
So far I've successfully followed a simple rule to solve this dilemma: If you're having fun, stay.
But when you know the next track on the hostel playlist, its time to leave - that night if possible!
source:http://www.travelbite.co.uk/feature/travel-advice/travel-tips/top-tips-solo-travellers-$1226225.htm
But other times you find things out the hard way. Experiences like desperately chasing after your bag as it's driven off on a random rickshaw, spending hours queuing for train tickets, or holding your head in your hands when you realise that you've been screwed over teach you the basics very quickly.
To help you avoid the worst panic-attacks travelbite.co.uk blogger Nick Claxton brings you some top tips for stress-free solo travels:
You will stand out, no matter what
There may be thousands of ex-pats in Singapore but I'm still conscious that most locals can tell I'm a tourist. In Nepal and India, there is no question of slipping by unnoticed.
It's important to accept that you'll attract stares or be approached by enquiring strangers.
Sometimes it can feel claustrophobic - and I imagine it's twenty times worse for women - but getting angry or annoyed will not make it any better.
Make as big a scene as possible if you feel threatened but try and shrug these things off until that line has been crossed.
bag may be a burden, but make it a light one
Your rucksack is impossible to miss, and sometimes you're incredibly aware of this fact. But instead of thinking that it makes you a target, its best to view it as an annoyance.
Too much fuss over your bag is only likely to attract attention to it. Pack nothing that you would sorely miss and then treat your rucksack with something approaching distain.
I've found this makes other people view it in the same way – this means I can stop worrying about it being nabbed and enjoy myself a lot more.
Pack light, but bring one luxury item
It may be bulky, impractical and responsible for the bruise developing on the top of my head after repeatedly falling from overhead compartments, but my guitar is one of the best things I'm carrying with me.
Try to keep everything else to the minimum but if possible bring something that's a luxury.
It might make no sense to bring along your prized chess set, a clarinet, or even your laptop, but they can be great ways to meet people - and give you something to do whenever boredom inevitably hits on those long train rides.
your instincts
I've left my guitar in the hands of toilet attendants, been driven off to hostels in places I'd never heard of, and taken a guided city tour from a guy I soon realised was a drug dealer - all without running into any trouble.
Maybe I've just been lucky, but I put it down to trusting my instincts. I've turned away from similar situations just as readily when some red warning light flashed on in my head.
Don't feel sheepish about saying no; it can save you a lot of hassle. At the same time be open to saying yes to anything - as long as it feels right.
You'll be lonely sometimes, but it'll pass
Loneliness is the biggest, and most obvious, drawback of travelling solo. Unless you're incredibly outgoing or quickly run into someone travelling the same trip, you're unlikely to completely avoid this - especially if you are moving on regularly.
There will always be times when you're stuck by yourself, or stuck in a crowd with no-one else who understands you - which is a much worse feeling.
The best advice I can offer is to keep an upbeat, welcoming attitude and you'll soon bump into someone new to hang out with, at least until the next station.
is the hardest word
Finally, one of the hardest things I've found when travelling is deciding when to move on to the next destination.
Stay too long in one place and you can stagnate, but when you're enjoying yourself there's always the nagging feeling that you'll be missing out by leaving.
So far I've successfully followed a simple rule to solve this dilemma: If you're having fun, stay.
But when you know the next track on the hostel playlist, its time to leave - that night if possible!
source:http://www.travelbite.co.uk/feature/travel-advice/travel-tips/top-tips-solo-travellers-$1226225.htm
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tips to ensure a happy, healthy, summer holiday
A change is as good as a rest' and over the coming months hundreds of thousands will take to the roads, to the skies and even to the rail tracks in pursuit of their change.
While very few people go on holiday anticipating that they won't enjoy it, there are things that make it more or less enjoyable.
Surprisingly, even the tourism industry now scientifically studies the aspects of holidays that make them enjoyable.
However, I could only identify one study that measured the impact on psychological well-being. The study, published in the Journal Of Travel Medicine in 2005, was conducted by Austrian researchers and identified characteristics that predicted the psychological health outcomes of the annual holiday.
One hundred and ninety one, mainly white-collar workers, were administered a questionnaire one week after completion of their annual vacation, evaluating five broad areas, including: physical characteristics of the holiday (eg, duration, distance travelled to reach destination, time zone, temperature, etc), structuring of the day (eg, number of meals provided, planning of the day, etc), health and social activity (eg, amount of sleep, physical activity, making new acquaintances, etc), stress during the vacation (eg, rows, health problems, etc) and, finally, the physical and mental strain of work and basic characteristics, such as age.
Subjects were asked to rate their subjective feelings of recuperation and exhaustion in comparison to before the holiday. Some of the results were unexpected and counter-intuitive. A proportion of the outcome (27pc) could be predicted by measuring the variables.
The higher the mental strain of work, the greater the feeling of recuperation. In addition, a warm temperature at vacation site, the amount of time vacationers had for themselves and for their needs, engaging in physical activity, good quality of sleep and making new acquaintances all had a positive effect.
Interpersonal conflict was negatively associated with recuperation, but only to a very small extent (two per cent), while health problems during the vacation, number of hours slept and number of meals provided had no impact.
Turning to the predictors of improvement in levels of exhaustion, only 15pc of the variance could be explained. Time-zone differences, temperature and health problems during the holiday predicted improvement but, surprisingly, the duration of the holiday and the travel time to the destination did not impact on this.
The finding that the duration of the holiday did not effect exhaustion levels might seem surprising, since it is assumed that the longer the vacation, the greater the time to sleep and unwind.
However, other leisure research has shown that the greatest improvement occurs in the first three days of holiday and peaks by seven.
On the other hand, the extent to which leisure time predicts recuperation is proof of our intuition that freedom from obligations is central to a holidays restorative value.
Surprisingly, self-determination of daily activities or some scheduling of daily activities was not related to recuperation as other studies found, but the mood-enhancing effects of physical activity and also of social interaction were clearly demonstrated in this study.
source:http://www.independent.ie/health/tips-to-ensure-a-happy-healthy-summer-holiday-1402382.html
While very few people go on holiday anticipating that they won't enjoy it, there are things that make it more or less enjoyable.
Surprisingly, even the tourism industry now scientifically studies the aspects of holidays that make them enjoyable.
However, I could only identify one study that measured the impact on psychological well-being. The study, published in the Journal Of Travel Medicine in 2005, was conducted by Austrian researchers and identified characteristics that predicted the psychological health outcomes of the annual holiday.
One hundred and ninety one, mainly white-collar workers, were administered a questionnaire one week after completion of their annual vacation, evaluating five broad areas, including: physical characteristics of the holiday (eg, duration, distance travelled to reach destination, time zone, temperature, etc), structuring of the day (eg, number of meals provided, planning of the day, etc), health and social activity (eg, amount of sleep, physical activity, making new acquaintances, etc), stress during the vacation (eg, rows, health problems, etc) and, finally, the physical and mental strain of work and basic characteristics, such as age.
Subjects were asked to rate their subjective feelings of recuperation and exhaustion in comparison to before the holiday. Some of the results were unexpected and counter-intuitive. A proportion of the outcome (27pc) could be predicted by measuring the variables.
The higher the mental strain of work, the greater the feeling of recuperation. In addition, a warm temperature at vacation site, the amount of time vacationers had for themselves and for their needs, engaging in physical activity, good quality of sleep and making new acquaintances all had a positive effect.
Interpersonal conflict was negatively associated with recuperation, but only to a very small extent (two per cent), while health problems during the vacation, number of hours slept and number of meals provided had no impact.
Turning to the predictors of improvement in levels of exhaustion, only 15pc of the variance could be explained. Time-zone differences, temperature and health problems during the holiday predicted improvement but, surprisingly, the duration of the holiday and the travel time to the destination did not impact on this.
The finding that the duration of the holiday did not effect exhaustion levels might seem surprising, since it is assumed that the longer the vacation, the greater the time to sleep and unwind.
However, other leisure research has shown that the greatest improvement occurs in the first three days of holiday and peaks by seven.
On the other hand, the extent to which leisure time predicts recuperation is proof of our intuition that freedom from obligations is central to a holidays restorative value.
Surprisingly, self-determination of daily activities or some scheduling of daily activities was not related to recuperation as other studies found, but the mood-enhancing effects of physical activity and also of social interaction were clearly demonstrated in this study.
source:http://www.independent.ie/health/tips-to-ensure-a-happy-healthy-summer-holiday-1402382.html
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Kerala Festival Message
Believe it or not, Kerala has around 20,000 Hindu temples and shrines and in almost all the villages there is at least one place of worship for Christians and Muslims.
These major and minor places of worship had contributed significantly to the development and continued maintenance of the rich cultural heritage of the state through the vibrant annual festivals.
Although some of the major festivals are known at the national and international levels, many of them are not known beyond the boundaries of the state.
The organisers of these celebrations are not publicity-conscious. As a result, the efforts to keep track of these festivals have become very difficult.
Obviously, neither the State Tourism Department nor any individual have tried to systematically bring out the detailed information on these cultural festivals till recently.
Kerala Festival Message 2008’, a directory of festivals in Kerala, edited by C A Menon, is a major work which provides detailed and systematic information about the festivals in Kerala.
The directory was first published in 2004 figuring out the details of around 1000 festivals across the state.
The latest and updated version lists out over 2500 festivals in the state in the year 2008, with eye-catching pictures to provide a glimpse of the richness of these festivals to its reader.
The latest volume also covers all the festivals beginning from January 2009 as well as major festivals next year.
The compilation is a valuable addition to the material that helps both domestic and foreign tourists to acquaint themselves with the festivals and rituals in Kerala.
Aimed at facilitating travel agents, tour operators and tourists, especially foreign tourists, to plan their programmes well in advance and to synchronise them with the festivals of their choice, the author is at present engaged in bringing out a directory of festivals in the state in the next five years shortly.
source:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20080527001853&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0
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