The Best Way to See the World?
The times that we live in are quite stressful. The stress and strain of modern day living can get to us, even without us knowing about the same so much so that in many instances, we could be nearing a nervous breakdown. The pressures to perform - at home as well as at work - can prove to be too much for quite a few among us to handle. In such circumstances, it is always better to travel alone to some very exotic locales. Traveling alone often gives us the peace and solitude that we desire and helps us to keep ourselves sane in an increasingly competitive and hectic world.
Some may argue that there is no fun in solo travel. They could say that the joy of seeing the world with loved ones is too precious to let go. This theory is true, but only in some circumstances. In many instances though, seeing the world alone is the best alternative. In such a scenario, people can spend a lot of time with their inner selves and discover many facets of their personalities that they never thought existed. While traveling alone, people can also let go of the fears, concerns, worries, and depressions of their day-to-day lives and return back rejuvenated.
Single traveling is also the favorite refuge of writers, poets, and other creative people with an originality streak running in them. History is witness to the fact that the most profound writings - whether in prose or in poetry - have been accomplished when the writers were in their solitude and away from the hustle and bustle of life. In their own company, they could devote a lot of time in thought and contemplation and come up with some very interesting plots and verses.
And with the Internet connectivity and the world wide web at their disposal, people have quite a few interesting options to choose from while traveling alone. They could choose holiday destinations such as Greece, Crete, Florida, or New York city, quite easily and at the click of a button. They can then plan their holidays in such a manner so as to optimize their satisfaction subject to their budgetary constraint.
Web site offer some very interesting deals for people who want to see the world alone - for their very specific reasons. They can visit such sites to know more about package deals, hotel reservations, and flight details, while travelling alone. They can then even build up their own holiday deals for themselves - without any additional difficulties.
The author writes for Holidays For Single are specifically designed & set up in some of the most amazing & wonderful places on earth. Learn more on Holidays For The Solo.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anish_Nambiar
Spring Break in Jamaica 2009
Right about now, you may be asking yourself, what makes Jamaica the perfect spring break destination? For starters, there is the weather. As previously stated, Jamaica is located in the Caribbean. This area is known for its beautiful tropical weather. On average, temperatures range in the mid to upper 70s and 80 plus degrees is common in the summer. Jamaica does have a rainy season, but when that rain arrives it is nothing like what most Americans experience at home. It is all but guaranteed that you will get beautiful weather when on a Jamaica spring break vacation.
Next, there are the beautiful beaches. Jamaica beaches are some of the best in the world. You get warm and clear waters with white sandy beaches. What more could you ask for? These beaches are literally picture perfect. The greatest benefit of gaining access to Jamaica beaches is the related activities. Whether you want to jump in the water and enjoy a swim or spend your day lounging by the shoreline you can do so in style. In addition, popular beach activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, and waterskiing.
Most importantly, there are all-inclusive resorts. All-inclusive resorts in Jamaica come highly rated and recommended. This is due to their inclusions. When staying at an inclusive resort, the total cost of your stay includes your room, food, drinks, tips, qualifying airport transfers, and some forms of onsite entertainment. For example, if your beachfront resort includes the cost of snorkeling gear, you don't have to pay extra to rent elsewhere. Many spring break travelers who purchase all-inclusive travel packages find themselves saving money in the end. The more inclusions you use, the more money you save.
In keeping with all-inclusive resorts, they simplify the process of planning a trip. In addition to your food, drinks, tips, airport transfers, onsite entertainment, and room, airfare can be included too. Essentially, one travel plan books most of your trip. You are a college student. You have a busy life. Whether it be taking classes, studying for tests, volunteering on campus, working a part-time job, or socializing with friends, you don't have days or weeks to plan a Jamaica vacation. Luckily, you don't have to when you opt for an all-inclusive travel package and an all-inclusive Jamaica resort.
As for choosing your resort, you have many options. There are many all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. What resort should you choose? There are themed resorts. Since you are in college, age restrictions should not be a problem. This basically gives you the freedom to stay at any resort on the island; however, you may want to avoid family resorts. These are resorts with scheduled activities for young children, onsite playgrounds, and well-advertised childcare services. Part of the fun on spring break is letting lose, having a good time, flirting with strangers, and drinking. You don't want to do this with a family of four looking over your shoulder the entire time. Adult only resorts, those that prohibit children under the age of 14, 16, or 18, are advised for your type of Caribbean vacation; spring break.
Finally, the biggest reason why your spring break trip should be a Jamaica Caribbean vacation is the scheduled events. Jamaica is a popular spring break destination. In these popular destinations, you find many scheduled events that are catered to college students just like yourself. Two popular bars and restaurants that are well-known for their spring break events include Margaritaville and Risky Business. Risky Business is located in the resort community of Negril and Margaritaville has locations in Negril, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay.
Caribbean vacations are the perfect way to plan your spring break. SuperClubs.com can help you find the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica!
New Green Globe Digi-Brochure
The India's Most Famous State
The land of monumental magnificence and picturesque splendor, UP (Uttar Pradesh) is one of the largest states of India. It is located in the northern part of the country, in the heart of the Indian cow belt. Apart from being one of the largest states of India--in terms of geographical size--UP is also the most populated Indian state even after the carving out of the new state of Uttarakhand a few years ago.
Several rivers--such as the Ganges, Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Rihand, and Yamuna-- flow through UP making the state one of the most fertile states of India. UP's contributions to Indian politics, culture, tourism, agriculture, education, and economy is phenomenal. For instance, most of the prime ministers of the country, including the first prime minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, is from UP, and so is the biggest Superstar of Bollywood--the one and only Amitabh Bachchan.
Some key cities of UP
Lucknow, the City of the Nawabs, is the state capital and a major cultural and administrative hub. The rich and varied culture of Lucknow has impressed people since long. Its cuisine is also worth mentioning. Some food experts believe that the highly tempting Mughali food loved by people across the world, originated in UP. Lucknow was also an important centre of freedom movement.
Allahabad is another famous city of UP. A key educational hub, Allahabad is also much famed for the Sangam where the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years which attracts lakhs of religiously and spiritually inclined people from all over the world. Varanasi--yet another famous city of the state--is located by the Ganges. It is the spiritual and religious capital of India. Believed to be situated atop Lord Shiva's trident, Varanasi, also called Benaras and Kasi, is also decisively the most ancient continuously inhabited city of the world.
The Manchester of India, Kanpur is another well-known city of UP, and a major industrial hub of the region. Aligarh, yet another famous city of UP, is well-known for the premier Aligarh Muslim University and also the quality Aligarh Locks widely used throughout India. Agra, yet another renowned city of UP, is much famed for Taj Mahal-one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The most beautiful monument of the world, Taj Mahal is not only UP's pride but India's pride as well and attracts visitors from far off places.
http://www.indianexcursion.net/classic-india/agra-tour.html
The Grant HaLong Bay
Halong bay is a UNESCO protected area in the East China Sea. It's famous for the rock outcroppings that poke out of the sea and for the one hundred or so tourist junks (ours is in the middle somewhere) that float around the area.
We booked a two-day, one night tour that included meals on the boat (which were excellent), and a nice shared double room on the boat with soft beds, a hot shower and a sea view. The trip promised a hike to the top of one of the rocks, a tour of the local caves and some sea kayaking. We got all of that for $32 per person, not including drinks, but Tiger beer was only $1. I'm generally pessimistic about organized tours, but this one delivered.
I sat on a lounge chair with my book as the boat left the shore. After ten minutes in the water, the auxiliary engine turned off. For the first time in a week, I noticed an interesting phenomenon. It was quiet. Nobody tried to sell me anything, there was no annoying music blaring in my ears and there were definitely no motorbike horns. It felt amazing.
We ate lunch on the boat and then arrived at the caves. They were huge and well-lit (thanks UNESCO). As we came around one corner, a red light shined on one of the rocks. "If you want, you can close your eyes, but if you look at it, you will see a penis and testicles," said our guide, Han. He had a shy sense of humor about him that I really enjoyed.
Han was such a great guy. He seemed genuinely interested in our enjoyment but also in us as people. After dinner on the boat, the professionalism went down the drain. I had a long talk with him that night, which resulted in him inviting me to go spent a night with his family about 120km west of Hanoi. I had to turn it down simply because of timing issues. As I type this, I'm regretting that decision.
After the caves, we all took some stairs to the top of one of the largest rock formations. I'd post some pictures, but then it wouldn't be as nice for you when you go, right?
At night, the eleven of us on the boat ate, drank and told jokes while enjoying whatever scenery we could see. Stewart asked Han if he had whiskey to drink, but he didn't have any on the boat. Han got on his phone and had a quick Vietnamese conversation. "It'll be here in 5 minutes," he said. A row boat arrived later with a large bottle of Vietnamese whiskey and a twenty four pack of Coca-Cola. What happened after that, Nathan? I'll tell you later.
I woke in the morning to Han knocking on the door, yelling, "Nathan, Oskar, time to get on your kayak!" Everybody else had already awoken and gotten in the boats. We quickly changed into some water clothes and jumped in the our shared boat, still a bit groggy. I was having a great time, as was Oskar as we paddled through water caves and into an untouched bay. Up on the cliffs, we could see monkeys jumping between the branches. Oskar got a kick out of trying to go as fast as possible, even with all kinds of other boats drifting slowly near us. I played along and occasionally ruddered from the back, knowing that he would have killed some old couple had he been alone. It was one of those manic mornings that I just love. When we got back to our junk, Han said it was time for breakfast. On the second floor of the boat, I saw pancakes with fruit and chocolate sauce. Yum. But I'm still feeling manic. Can't I do something crazy? As I sat on the bottom level of the boat, I looked at Han with a mischaevious look in my eye. "How deep is this water?" I asked. "Very, very deep," he responded. "So if I, uh, fell off the top of the boat, I wouldn't hit a rock?" "No, no, if you can swim, no problem." I smiled and ran away.
Wahooooooo! Are you tired of seeing me jump off things yet? I just love doing that! After a few more jumps, I took a quick shower and ate breakfast as we returned back to the dock. It amazes me how much a couple days away from loud cities can bring inspiration back so quickly. My manic mindset remained on the bus ride back. My mind and body were relaxed, but I was having all kinds of crazy ideas. This is what ended up in my journal, word for word.
03.04.05 April, that is…
There's no word for it. It's when the cogs that turn the gears in your brain are fully lubricated with synovial fluid. No quantity of pills, food, water, sex, beer or dong can bring it to you. It's like somebody rang your doorbell and replaced the flaming bag of shit with a silver platter of shiny keys that open the locks on the doors you know you always had but were unable to open. Out of the doors come new thoughts that belong on paper, the pen serving as an immortal doorstop.
I just woke from a nap that I didn't know I was taking. I wasn't reading and I wasn't looking out the window and I couldn't have been doing anything else. This is a bus. I opened my eyes and came to that realization and congratulated myself. Sleep to me represents a game of 8 pin bowling. Having knocked down 7 pins last night, the past hour earned me a spare. A strike or a spare is a promise of a full day's energy, both of body and mind while too many frames with pins left standing brings lethargy and failing health.
After I wrote the word, "health", our driver honked incessantly at another rice paddy and I looked up. I began to focus on who taught these people to use their horns to grab the attention of nothing and nobody. I didn't come to a conclusion. We had returned to the outer parts of Hanoi and I capped my pen. It had disappeared into the motorbikes, smog and smoke. It'll be back and when it arrives, you'll know.
Source: Nathan - bootsnAll Travelogues
Please come and experience with Indochinasails
To more information about tours in Vietnam: Active Travel Shop
Free Rooms in Barbados!
Are you a family of 5 or more? Then you know how hard it is to find hotels that will accommodate your family in one unit. Usually, you end up having to book two rooms, doubling the cost of your vacation budget. For many families, this is a deal breaker and vacation dreams are lost.
But hurry! You must book by March 6, 2009 for travel June 1 to October 15, 2009. There are few rules... you must stay 7 nights and be booked on the MAP plan.
The Worlds Best Hotel and Luxury Hotels
Personal tastes play a key role in the decision making process. Create a list of things that you expect to receive at the hotel that you choose. Here are a few ideas to help you along the way. What is the staff to guest ratio? Some of the worlds best hotels have ratios of 1:1. While this is rare it is not unattainable. Some luxury hotels have staff that are trained to recognize your needs , sometimes even before you do.
They will cater to your every whim. Whether you are poolside and have forgotten your favorite book in your suite, or having your favorite mixed drink ready before you even ask for it. Luxury hotels with a high staff to guest ratio may not be able to offer this type of personalized service.
How do you want to sleep? While you're enjoying your vacation you do not want to put up with an uncomfortable night of sleep. Look for hotels that offer different firmness choices in the mattresses that are available.
Some of the worlds best hotels not only offer different mattress styles and firmness charts available, but they also have the mattress available for sale. Not the actual bed that you have just slept on. But you can arrange to purchase the mattress and have it delivered too your home.
I'm hungry. Is room service restricted to specific hours of the day? Look for a luxury hotel that offers a flexible room service schedule, preferably 24 hours a day. If you enjoy a late night on the town, you don't want to come back to your suite only to find that peanut butter crackers and potato chips from the vending machines are your only dinner selections.
Is the spa really a spa? Look very closely when a hotel says that they have a spa. Too many times guests have been disappointed upon arrival to find that the spa consists of a whirlpool, a sauna, and a steam room. Some of the world's best hotels offer luxurious spas with treatment rooms available where you can enjoy facials, body wraps, massages, and hot stone therapy.
Entertain me. Sometimes people just want to get away from all of the stress of daily life. Once you are settled into your suite, now what? Look at the activities available. Most luxury hotels have on site activities available such as riding, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Do you enjoy shopping? Are there shops close by? Are there any tourist attractions nearby? These are all questions to ask yourself ensuring that your stay is more enjoyable.
How much is this going to cost me? Didi you know that you can stay at some of the world's best hotel on a budget? Normally the per night rate for this type of hotel stay can be a little high end, often requiring a specific minimum number of nights. Call in advance ask about any specials they may be running. Also look at the hotels website, often they will have offers that can only be purchased online.
Mike Greaves is a self-made entrepreneur, a well known travel consultant and internet marketer. Over the years he has travelled across the world and has numerous writings credited to his name in many renowned publications. His areas of writing include travel experiences including reviews of World Best Hotels , luxury spas and Luxury Resorts .
Spiritual Tourism and India
For over 4,000 years, India--one of the most spiritually enriched places on earth--has been the cradle of spirituality. Actually, the Land of the Vedas and Temples, India is the Spiritual Capital of the World. India, its people, its infrastructure, and, in fact, its very soil, encourage and nurture spiritualism, allowing religions to thrive, flourish and prosper.
No wonder every major religion in the world, as well many of their off-shoots and facets, get support and nourishment in India. Many of these religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism were conceived in India, and others sought refuge in India after being persecuted in their own countries.
Apart from religions, numerous sages, philosophers and founders of religions also sought and received sanctuary and enlightenment in India's soil and spirit. The trend continues even today after so many years, the reason being as the people across the world veer towards the capitalistic way of life, the quest for spirituality becomes even more urgent.
Spiritual Destinations of India
India is dotted with several spiritual destinations. A visit to them is essential is one is on the path of self spiritual discovery. Actually, spiritual tours of India enable one to nurture the spirituality within oneself by delving deep into the rich spiritual history of the country.
Spiritual tours of India take one on tours to several spiritual destinations of the country which are much renowned for their religious and spiritual significance. Scattered all over India, these places give the tourists the bliss and peace that may have eluded them for long and which may have inspired them to visit the spiritually and religiously rich India.
Golden Temple and Anandpur Sahib (Amritsar); Varanasi, Mathura, and Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh); Somanth (Gujarat); Dargah Khwaja Saheb (Ajmer); Rishikesh and Haridwar (Uttrakhand); Pushkar (Rajasthan); Jagannath Puri (Orissa); Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh); and Bodh Gaya (Bihar) are just some of the many top religious and spiritual destinations of India that inspire the religiously inclined people from far off places to go on spiritual tours and discover the meaning of their life and physical existence.
Once upon a time...
I lived in Costa Rica and I loved it. It was the best 6 months of my pre-domestic years. Costa Rica is an eco-paradise with rivers, streams, and waterfalls... monkeys, sloths, and birds... winding trails cover misty mountaintops... and antique towns with cobblestone streets play host to charming cafes. The beaches are littered with funky tiki bars and fish tales wait for patient ears.
I describe this place to clients as "luxury surrounded by authentic nature"... where else can you enjoy marble baths and granite kitchens while watching the monkeys swing from the trees just past your balcony?
Rent 4 nights, get the 5th night free
All new booking for travel between May 1, 2009 - June 15, 2009
Must book by March 31, 2009 and reference code: SUM09
Fall Sale
30% off entire stay
All new bookings for travel between September 8, 2009 - October 31, 2009
Must book by May 15, 2009 and reference code: FALL09
Kitesurfing in Fuerteventura
At the end of July I was planning a kitesurfing trip abroad with my girlfriend. We did a lot of research mainly based on wind stats, flat water, waves and nightlife. She was learning how to jump and do back-rolls and I was learning back-loop kite-loops, unhooked manoeuvers and wave-riding. Eventually we choose Fuerteventura.
Why Go There?
Cheap deals, large open beaches, constant winds, perfect temperatures, some waves in summer and pumping waves in the winter. In my opinion kitesurfing in Fuerteventura is best for the improving, intermediate or advanced kitesurfer due to constantly high blustery winds and waves which can make it a bit of a mission if its your first few days on a kite & board. There are three main areas to kite: Flag beach which is on the north east coast, Cotillo on the north west coast and Sotavento down on the south of the island.
Flag Beach
This is the closest kitesurfing beach to Corralejo (the main tourist town). The wind blows from the left (slightly off shore) and provides good freeride conditions with a flat water section on the inside for tricks. It gets busy so space becomes a problem and for this reason learning new tricks on the inside can be dangerous. Adding to this danger are the reefs that start to poke through at low tide but these seem to help thin out the crowds, sorting the men out from the boys as it were and creating that much needed space to nail those tricks.
There's a rescue service offered by the Flag Beach Kitesurfing Centre but you have to pre-arrange and pay 30 euros for 2 weeks cover as a minimum. If you don't and you need rescuing they will sting you for between 30-100 euros for one rescue (rumor has it, but we never did find out for sure). The rescue service runs until 7 pm and the best sessions I had here were on an evening low tide when the beginners had come off the water.
The wind is less consistent on this side of the island and we only kitesurfed at flag for the first 3 days of our 2 week holiday. If you get to Flag Beach and there's no wind, rest assured it will still be pumping at Cotillo!
Cotillo
Cotillo, situated on the west coast, is a 20 minute drive from Corralejo. The last bit of the drive is down a dusty, bumpy track that takes you along the top of the cliffs overlooking the 2mile long beach below. There is no rescue cover here unless you're booked in for instruction with Extreme Holidays or the Quicksilver Kitesurf School (based in Corralejo). Saying that, the wind is cross on shore from the right, meaning its pretty safe and there are plenty of other kitesurfers around to help out if you need. The wind was 20-30 knots almost everyday (in July & August) but is quite blustery due to the cliff on the right. The water is still quite choppy here so it's not great for full on freestyle but excellent blasting and boosting to be had. You get some good waves here which break close to the shore (sometimes a bit too shore-breaky) but can provide a good introduction to wave riding. When I was there I had a new Airush waveboard which I learned to gybe and wave-ride but by the end of the holiday I was ready to tackle some bigger, longer and more consistent waves. The blustery winds can give you some amazingly floaty jumps with 2 or 3 updrafts which at first you'll find un-nerving but you soon learn to love them! During one of my session Aaron Haldlow Mega-Looped passed me which was nice.
Sotavento
Sotavento plays host to all manor of kitesurfing and windsurfing competitions and during our holiday we were lucky enough to catch some of the world tour action. The wind here howls down through two mountains and blows cross-offshore at about 30-40 knots. There is rescue cover here for 30 euros a rescue or you can arrange it for the week (but I'm not sure how much they charge). There is a kitesurfing and windsurfing centre right on the beach which has a nice beach bar vide to it. You can hire kite here, book lessons or just hangout. It might be a good idea to pre-book to avoid disappointment.
There is an inland lagoon that forms at high tide which would be great for beginners or freestylers alike, but unfortunately we didn't get to see it working on our day trip due to the tides.
The hotel at Sotavento is quite up-market and I should imagine the prices reflect that. Also there isn't much else around in the way of restaurants and bars. Planet Kitesurf offer holidays to Sotavento.
Wind, Water, Waves & Seasons
The summer offers the most consistent wind conditions (between April and October). 90% of days, in July and August, have kite-able winds. The air temperature in the summer is 28°C dropping a bit to 22°C during the winter. This is perfect for when your on the water all day, not to hot and not to cold. You'll need a short wetsuit to stay warm during long sessions. The winter brings more in-consistent winds and bigger more consistent waves. On my trip we planned to surf as well as kitesurf but the waves weren't great. There were beginner surfers enjoying learning on the white-water but nothing that you could ride for any amount of time. We did surf once at Player La Esquinzo which is a 10 minute drive south of Cotillo. Apparently this is the best place for waves if it is crap anywhere else. I'm sure if we were really keen we could have got up early and found some waves before the wind came up but kitesurfing in Fuerteventura every day with no let up in the wind left us exhausted and contented anyway.
Nightlife
Corralejo is a proper tourist town, with lots of bars and restaurants for all tastes. There is a main street which is quite cheesy, with British style bars and cliental to match. The nice bars and restaurants are near the harbour area and are reminiscent of most fishing villages you would find in Spain and Greece.
It took a bit of searching for us to find the good places to hang out so make sure you venture past the obvious stuff early.
Getting Around
If your staying in the north a hire car is essential (unless your with a company who provides transport to and from the beaches). You can get one from £80 a week and its best to arrange this in advanced.
Accommodation
We stayed in Club Las Olas, Corralejo, which was a good option for anyone on a budget. It had a few swimming pools and all sorts of facilities (which we never got round to using). If you want something more chilled try accommodation in Cortillo but be warned it gets booked up quickly due to the lack hotels & self catering apartments on offer.
Airports
Puerto del Rosario (FUE) airport is a 30 minutes drive from Corralejo. You can catch a taxi or a bus but I would recommend hiring a car and picking it up at the airport. This saves you the £30 per person (for the transfer) meaning, if two of you are traveling, a hire car will only cost you £20 for the week ontop of what you would have paid for the transfer.
Summary
All in all we had a great time. We kitesurfed until we couldn't kitesurf any longer, didn't get ill, didn't get too sunburnt, had some nice meals, met some nice people and had a bonus surf session. I learnt a bunch of new tricks (even though we could have had more flat water conditions) and had a good introduction to wave-riding. Enjoy!
http://www.adventuresportsholidays.com
Tags: Cotillo, Flag Beach, Fuerteventura, kitesurf, kitesurfing, Sotavento
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Simon |
Best Pleasure From That Great Holiday Destination
Indeed, people have been forced to make a few lifestyle changes to cope with financial hardship. One of these adaptations to modern life is learning to cut-back on the usage of fuel and the decreased demand has let the price of crude oil fall back down to almost normal levels. If you’re one of those overworked folks that have been seeing too much of your cubicle and desperately need a break then this is wonderful news.
The price of aviation fuel fell with the lowering of crude oil and airline tickets aren’t at ridiculous rates anymore. As such, it’s not too early to start planning that long overdue vacation your overworked soul so desperately needs. Going out to see the world is the best way to release all that pent-up stress and pressure you culled toiling away in the office.
Soaking up the sun and playing around in the surf in some distant, exotic locale is the ultimate vacation for most people. Sure, there may be local beaches accessible by car, but not having to share your breathing space and the ambiance with noisy, obnoxious drunks makes paying extra for air fare to travel to an isolated tropical paradise is well worth the money.
Renting a private villa in the Algarve located on the southern tip of the beautiful and historical country of Portugal sounds like something that will set you back half a year’s worth of pay, but prices for the smaller-sized ones are quite reasonable considering they offer you a stunning view of one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most breathtaking panoramas.
The Algarve, like the rest of Portugal is rich in history. Christians and Moors have been wresting it from each other’s grasps during the olden times and its name actually came from the Muslim word Al-Gharb, which means “the Westâ€. The region has a gauntlet of beaches with good quality food, fresh fish, and produce at inexpensive prices. This has made the Algarve a favorite vacation spot for British tourists since the 60’s. The safety and pleasant Mediterranean weather and Portugal’s membership in the European Union has also made it a current vacation and retirement place for Northern Europeans like Germans, Scandinavians and Dutch who own most of the luxury villas in the Algarve.
The region is chock-full of hills and valleys with limestone caves, isles and inlets which provide the picturesque view from any of the private villas nestled on the lush, green hillsides. If you get bored of sitting around taking in all the majestic splendor of the Portuguese landscape, you can venture out of your luxury villa and visit any of the several municipalities there. Play a round of golf in the network of golf courses, or ride a small boat and get material for your blog or Facebook account by picture-taking amongst the limestone grottos and the exotic birds which make a 170 sq-km lagoon and nature reserve their playground in the Algarve. Sunlight there per year averages 3,000 hours, so you can play under the glorious Portuguese sun until you drop.
When it’s time to call it a day, don’t worry about coming home to a hermit’s lair. Private villa rental doesn’t mean you’re going to be cut-off from the world when you’re in your luxurious, landscaped hideaway. Villas (which cost $600-$1,000 per week depending on the size) have all the modern amenities like satellite TV and other appliances you may need. Remember, most of these are owned by wealthy Europeans, so comfort is of importance.
Jo is an author and publisher for ‘Villa Retreats’ (http://www.villaretreats.com), a business that offers holiday villa rentals in Europe and the USA. If you are meaning to tour Algarve then look for some lovely and stylish but fairly priced {a href=“http://www.villaretreats.com/villas-algarve.aspâ€}luxury villas in Algarve, where you could make your holiday there truly a one of a kind experience.
Welcome to This Paradise on Earth?
Manila is like heavenly paradise, full of natural beauty and picturesque beaches nearby increases the pleasure of visiting manila. The city attracts people for tourism as well as business purposes. Manila is being popular as a business hub of Philippines. Manila is one of the most important seaports of the country thus ideal for import and export purposes attracting merchants from all over the world.
This is a city of joy with the beauty of nature where people treat their guests like their family members. World's one of the most famous travelers, Robert More, once said:-
"Man travels around the world, in search of something,
and then, returns back home, to find that thing"
Nothing can be truer than the above said statement. Wherever you go, whatever you do; you always want to come back home. Home is the place where we cherish to live. However, if you are planning to come to Manila, than you will no more be a tourist over here. Apartment rentals in this beautiful city have completely changed the definition of tourism. These Metro Manila apartments would become a substitute to your own home.
The emerging culture of rental apartments in Manila has attracted thousands of travelers to this city. Now, forget those alienated five-star hotels, as the various apartment rentals in Metro Manila are offering homes to their guests. These Manila apartment rentals are luxurious dwellings, for not only travelers and tourists, but also for all those people, who wants to experience the beauty of Philippines. Rent any of these Manila apartments and live like a family member to this great city, for as long as you want.
The beautiful sight of Manila bay and the diversified natural beauty of this region, attract millions of tourists to this versatile city. Living in one of the apartment rentals in Manila is a magical experience. It enables a tourist to enjoy all the comforts of a home and at the same time, offers an opportunity to experience the culture of this beautiful city closely. Visit this heavenly paradise on earth and feel the joy of being at your own home, even when you are away from your home.
Manila Lettings provides furnished apartment rental,Manila Apartment Rental,Three Bed Penthouse Rental,Luxury Apartment Rental,Furnished Luxury Apartment Rental,Manila Apartments. For more information please visit us: http://www.manilalettings.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aled_Morris
Paris Luxury Hotels
From it's beginning around 4200 BC; Paris the capital of France has grown from a few rocks and some dirt into one of the most popular tourist destinations of our time. Filled with art and culture everywhere that you turn this city of 12 million people receives an average of 49 million visitors over the span of 1 year. With 60% of those visitors being foreign tourists, comfortable sleeping accommodations are available through out the city.
Paris luxury hotels are well known for the list of services and amenities that they offer. Everyone can find accommodations that are pleasing to them in this European metropolis. The Hotel du Louvre located directly across from the famous Louvre Museum offers spacious rooms with six windows that reach from the floor to the ceiling offering fantastic views from each individual room. Available activities include Parisian shopping, museums and theater productions, as well as ice skating.
Another great choice for a luxury hotel in Paris is the Park Hyatt-Vendome. Located within walking distance of several famous attractions, this hotel on the Rue de la Paix offers exquisite elegance to each of their guests. The interior is furnished with deep wood grain and bronze, complemented by silk, Relax after a long day of sight seeing in your plush bed and energize your body with the stone enclosed rain shower on heated floors.
Located on the edge of Louis XIV's Royal Domaine, you will find yet another luxury hotel in Paris. While keeping with the old tradition of elegance this hotel has added some modern amenities that make it more pleasing to today's travelers. With it's contemporary design it still keeps a soft interior tone with contrasting colors against the beautiful dark wood.
Spa facilities are available along with a fitness center and high speed internet. A bonus for this Paris luxury hotel is that they do allow pets. Many people feel as though their pet is part of their family therefore they enjoy traveling with them.
The InterContinental Paris Le Grand is a different type of luxury hotel in Paris. This one is actually a luxury liner that is docked next to the famous Garnier Opera House, just steps away from tourist hot spots within the city. The spa on board offers you authentic sea treatments that will help you to relax your mind and your body. You will also be able to enjoy world famous French cuisine like none that you have ever tasted before.
Another recommendation for luxurious accommodations is the Hotel Montalembert. This historic hotel has sat in the middle of Paris since 1926. Surrounded by art galleries, this luxury hotel in Paris went through a renovation in 1990 allowing the hotel to offer contemporary suites with old world charm. You will find your spacious room filled with flat screen televisions and marble floors. Coupled with an in room mini bar and high peed internet access. You can relax in comfort while staying connected.
Visiting Paris anytime of year can be quite a memorable experience for anyone. Enhance your memories with a stay in a Paris luxury hotel.
Mike Greaves is a self-made entrepreneur, a well known travel consultant and internet marketer. Over the years he has travelled across the world and has numerous writings credited to his name in many renowned publications. His areas of writing include travel experiences including reviews of Paris Luxury Hotels, Ski Resorts and luxury hotels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Greaves
The China Tea Tour
China is the homeland of Chinese tea. Tea from China, along with silk and porcelain, became known to the world over a thousand years ago and is today one of China's most valuable exports. The Japanese adopted the habit of drinking tea in the 6th century, but it was not introduced to Europe and America until the 17th and 18th centuries.
According to legend, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree, while his servant boiled drinking water, when some leaves from the tree blew into the water. It is impossible to know whether there is any truth in this story, but drinking tea has been a part of Chinese culture for many centuries. In 800 A.D. a writer named Lu Yu, known as the tea sage, wrote the Tea Classic. It was shortly after this that tea was first introduced to Japan by Japanese Buddhist monks who had traveled to China to study.
People throughout China drink tea daily because of its healthful properties. Various kinds of tea are grown in the vastly differing geographic locations and climatesof China. Chinese teas generally fit into five classifications.
Green Tea
Green tea is a very lightly fermented (dried) tea that keeps its original color during processing. This category consists mainly of Longjing tea of Zhejiang Province, Maofeng of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province and Biluochun produced in Jiangsu.
Note: The term fermentation when applied to tea is something of a misnomer, as the term actually refers to how much a tea is allowed to dry. The drying may be stopped byeither pan frying, baking or steaming the leaves before they are completely dried.
Black Tea
Black tea, known as red tea (Hong Cha) in China, is fermented before baking. It is a later variety developed from green tea. The best brands of black tea are Qihong of Anhui, Dianhong of Yunnan Suhong of Jiangsu, Chuanhong of Sichuan and Huhong of Hunan
Wulong Tea
This is a variety between the green and black teas, and is partially fermented. It is a specialty from the provinces on China's southeast coast, Fujian Guangdong and Taiwan.
Compressed Tea
This tea is compressed and hardenedintoshapes, usually a brick,but sometimes formed into cakes or shaped into a bowl. It is easy to transport and store and is mainly used by the ethnic minority peoples. Compressed tea is black in color, and is known as "black tea" or "brick tea". It is mainly produced in Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
Scented Tea
This kind of tea is processed by mixing fragrant flowers with tea leaves. The flowers most commonly used for this purpose are jasmine and magnolia. Jasmine tea is a well-known favorite with residents of northern China and with a growing number of foreigners.
Chinese people believe a good cup of tea is made from a combination of high quality tea leaves and water, brewed in fine tea ware. Normally, the finest tea is grown at altitudes of 3,000 to 7,000 feet (910 to 2,124m). Pure, sweet water, whether from a spring or rain and snow water, is the best for making tea. The most favorable tea ware is purple clay pottery made in the Yixing Area (Jiangsu province), and porcelain wares from Jingdezhen (Jiangxi province).
The tea ceremony, with its four basic principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, plays an important part in Chinese life. It is a way to focus mental energies, relax, and enjoy an ancient tradition. Serving Chinese tea is done in such a way to show courtesy and respect to a guest, and tea is offered immediately to a guest in a Chinese home. There are many customs associated with the tea ceremony, but no matter the style used in serving, it is always done in a way to show consideration and respect to the guest, and emphasize the beauty and symbolism of the service.
Here is a China Tea tour designed to capture the essence China's tea culture combined with rich natural and cultural attractions. You will visit regions of China famous for Oolong and Dragon Well green tea as well as tour historic sites in Beijing and Shanghai.
Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Depart on your flight bound for Beijing, the capital of People's Republic of China. Upon your arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Day 2: Beijing
Full-day tour will begin at the magnificent Forbidden City, home to emperors for over 500-years. Strolling through Tiananmen Square, which is the largest square in the world. Continue to witness the splendor of the Summer Palace,built as a royal garden for Qing Dynasty Emperors. This evening, you are invited to a Peking duck banquet.
Day 3: Beijing
A full-day tour will take in the grandeur of the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Great Wall, built more than 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. On the way back to Beijing stop and visit the sacred Ming Tombs, where 13 emperors of Ming Dynasty were buried. Enjoy a spectacular Chinese Kongfu performance in the evening.
Day 4: Beijing
Visit the famous Beihai Park and walk leisurely through the old Hutong area. Tonight you are invited to enjoy the local cultural performances at Lao She Teahouse.
Day 5: Beijing - Wuyi Mountain
After breakfast, admire the beauty of The Temple of Heaven where the Chinese emperors prayed for good harvest in ancient days. Enjoy shopping in the Wangfujing Street. Transfer to the airport and fly to Wuyi Mountain, the birthplace of Oolong Tea. Arrival and check in the local hotel.
Day 6: Wuyi Mountain
Enjoy the tour to the famous "Thread in the Sky" crevasse, the "Cloud's Lair" mountain over-look and the secluded Ming Dynasty "Rock Tea" garden known as Da Hong Pao ("Big Red Robe"). The highlights of our trip also include the visit to the local Oolong Tea gardens and bamboo rafting through the amazing rock formations along the banks of the Nine-Bends River.
Day 7: Wuyi Mountain
Today you will visit the tea hill where you will pick tea leaves and taste the fresh local tea.
Day 8: Wuyi Mountain - Fuzhou
You will be transferred to the airport and fly to Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province. Arrival and visit the famous Yong Quan Temple (Gushing Spring Temple). Check in the local hotel tonight.
Day 9: Fuzhou - Hangzhou
Continue your trip to the hometown of the most famous Dragon Well Tea, Hangzhou. Arrival and visit the local tea farming village where you will follow the traditional frying tea process to choose and fry tea leaves yourself! Check in the local hotel tonight.
Day 10: Hangzhou
Relax on a wonderful cruise of China's most famous Lake, West Lake; it is symbol of Hangzhou as well as one of the most beautiful sights in China. Then visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda. Ascending to the top of the pagoda and looking down, you will have a panoramic view of the beauty of the Qiantang River, feeling as if "standing above the highest level of the sky".
Day 11: Hangzhou / Shanghai
In this morning, you will travel to Shanghai, the biggest city of China. Arrival and visit the Yuyuan Garden surrounded by the vast numbers of the shops, rest up at the local Tea House. Check in your hotel in the evening.
Day 12: Shanghai
Visit the world famous waterfront - The Bund. It was once part of the foreign concessions and out-of-bounds to locals. Then explore the magnificent Nanjing Road and the Jade Buddha Temple that is famous for its Jade Buddha. After dinner, proceed for a city tour to Pudong New District - Shanghai's main financial district and enjoy a scenic night cruise on Huangpu River.
Day 13: Depart
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight and complete the most exciting China tea tour.
Email: info@china-tour.cn
Website: http://www.china-tour.cn
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Duff
Places to Go in the South Pacific
With so many tropical destinations to choose from, there is a little bit over everything in the South Pacific. Many islands are so small they are only beach and a nearby coral reef. Other islands are so big they have volcanoes, lots of animals, and even canyons. For any lover of tropical beaches, there are many options if you visit this area of the world Here is a quick round up of the highlights:
For those seeking adventure, Fiji remains the best island to choose from. This country has some 322 islands and less than a third are inhabited. Most of the action happens on the western islands. Fiji has excellent diving and Kadavu is one of Fiji's best dive sites. The more energetic can go trekking in the Nausori Highlands overlooking Nadi. Taveuni also offers good hiking in the Bouma National Heritage Parki.
If you want a romantic holiday,, French Polynesia is one of the best romantic island destinations in the world. Tahiti is famous for its expensive resorts whose bungalows sit over the ocean, providing an excellent way to take a morning swim- simply dive out of your bed! There are fancy spas, hikes, sailing expeditions, and tours specially designed for couples. Be warned though- French Polynesia is not cheap and a trip to Tahiti will cost you an arm and a leg.
Islands like Vanuatu and Micronesia are good off the beaten track islands. Vanautu lies just south of the Solomon Islands. The real attraction of Vanuatu is its phenomenal sightseeing. Underwater visibility at its peak hits fifty meters, revealing limitless schools of colorful fish darting around spectacular coral reefs, as well as a formidable array of submerged WWII wreckages. Above sea level, the scenery only gets more amazing.
Visitors to Micronesia can enjoy spectacular diving at the many underwater wrecks in Chuuk. The ruins of Nan Madol in Pohnpei are also worth the trip, giving an excellent view at the ancient dynasties that lived there. Or if you just want to relax, find a nice atoll and take in the beautiful weather It's the kind of place where you pack your watch away and forget about time for a while. Don't forget the sunscreen though.
If you want Polynesian culture, unspoiled by mass tourism, The Cook Islands are where you should go. The Cook Islands Polynesian culture is famous for a number of things. Woodcarving is a common art form in the Cook Islands. Each island is famous for something unique. Rarotonga is known for its fisherman's gods and staff-gods, Atiu for its wooden seats, Mitiaro, Mauke and Atiu for mace and slab gods and Mangaia for its ceremonial adzes.
For those looking for amazing tropical islands, you can't beat the South Pacific islands. These islands offer some of the best beaches, best diving, best ocean in the world. There is also great food and culture on these islands too. Polynesian culture is rich, diverse and has a long history. After a long day in the sun, there is nothing like a little outdoor BBQ and dance to make the perfect tropical island day even better. By far, I believe that the best tropical islands are in this part of the world.
Matt has traveled the south pacific and loves all the islands there. You can find out more about tropical islands as well as visiting fiji, The Cook Islands, and visiting French Polynesia.
Pier Park Panama City Beach
Pier Park in Panama City Beach is a newly developed outdoor mall that is sure to draw a crowd. It was created by the Simon Group which is an architectural staff that is well known for brilliant work. At Pier Park, you can expect to find a wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options all in one area. Here, are few reasons why you will want to make sure you visit it while in Panama City Beach:
1. Great Shopping Options.
Whether you are a sophisticated shopper or a bargain hunter, you will find something to fit your tastes. Pier Park boasts a wide assortment of different national chains and boutique shops. In addition, it has shops for the young and older crowds so you should have no difficulty entertaining kids on up to senior veterans.
2. Fine Dining and More.
In case you were unaware, Panama City has the luxury of being in an area that pulls some of best variety of dining options in the United States. At Pier Park, you will find that it pulls its own weight and more by offering a variety of seafood and steak restaurants among other types of fine dining.
3. Plenty of Entertainment Options.
You will also find that you have access to a variety of entertainment options as well. On the complex, you will find a 16 screen movie theater that is sure to have something you would find interesting and in the summers, you should have no difficulty catching a summer concert at the nearby amphitheater.
As you can imagine, these are only the broad strokes of what you can find at Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Many people have already discovered the benefit of visiting this mega outdoor mall and are happily telling their friends. If you are planning a trip down to PCB in the near future, you will be sure to want to add this to your things to do list.
For more information on Pier Park Panama City Beach, click the previous link or visit http://www.panama-city-beach.org It offers a wide variety of information and tips for Panama City Beach vacations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Summers
Visit Singapore for Holidays
Every year, tons of tourists come to Singapore for holidays. In this article, let me highlight why you should visit Singapore:
1. Local delicacies. Every one who has been to Singapore cannot forget its local delicacies, especially Chilli Crabs. The delicacies in Singapore have many different flavours that suit all kinds of appetite. Some of the local delicacies are chilli crabs, chicken rice, laksa, fried quay teow, and many more. You can easily get these foods at restaurants or food houses which are popularly known as Kopitiam in Singapore.
2. Shopping paradise. Singapore is well known for its shopping experience. There are a lot of famous shopping destinations in Singapore, namely Orchard Road, Sim Lim Square, Marina Square, China Town, Suntec City and the newest shopping centre Vivo City. And every year, there will be an island-wide sale, popularly known as the Great Singapore Sale (GSS). It is held annually in June. If you love shopping, you should visit Singapore from late May till June.
3. Budget hotels. If you are on a budget, do not worry. In Singapore, you can easily find budget hotels. Our budget hotels have great room service and I am pretty sure that you will be very satisfied by their services. The budget hotels are not only located in cities but in small towns too. This allows you to take a quick walk to visit the various food houses and try out our local delicacies.
4. Tourist attractions. There are many tourist attractions in Singapore such as the newly built Singapore Flyer, Sentosa, War Memorial and the Singapore Zoo. Recently, Singapore government has just approved to open the first casino here. It will be located at the new integrated resort (IR), which is in the midst of construction and projected to be ready by 2010.
5. Adventures. If you are an adventure seeker, you should visit Sisters Island of Singapore. On Sisters Island, you can get to enjoy snorkel and sky diving which will prove to be a memorable experience for you.
6. Nightlife. When you are bored at night, do not worry. You can find lots of nightspots in Singapore that you can visit even when it is 2am! Some popular places are Zouk, St James Power Station, Boat Quay and Clark Quay.
In Singapore, you can be sure that you will not run out of activities to do. So make sure that you visit Singapore for your next holiday trip.
Visit DoWindowShopping.com for a list of Singapore shopping malls.
Cheow Yu Yuan is the co-founder of OOm, an online marketing agency that provides professional SEO service.
Thailand Food and Thailand Culture
Thailand food
It is beyond any doubt that food is a part of any gathering, thus, becoming the part of social occasions or itself the reason to celebrate. Normally, as per the western culture, a normal meal in any restaurant consists of starter, main course and then dessert. But in Thailand, the custom is a bit different with regard to Thailand food, as there is no single dish for a single person. As a general, all present in a gathering share the same dish together. So, it's better to have many guests together around the table than to enjoy with one or two as eating alone is considered a bad luck in the country.
One of the good things about Thai food is that they never dispose away the leftover food, as they consider it inauspicious and an enraging act to a female deity, 'God of rice'. Generally there are four seasonings in Thailand food- sweet, sour, salty and spicy. The food is satisfied only if it contains all the four tastes. Thai dinner mostly include meat, fish, noodles, vegetables and soup followed by desserts including fresh fruits and colorful rice cakes. Besides meals, there are snackers consisting of chicken or beef satay, spring rolls, salads, raw vegetable with spicy dips and sweets.
Thailand culture
Thailand culture is highly influenced by Buddhism in addition to some influence of Hinduism and other Southeast Asian neighbor. Thai art is the main item included in Thai Culture. Buddha image is the main constituent in different period having distinctive styles. At present, there is a fusion of traditional art with modern techniques. India has also laid much influence on Thailand literature. It includes the most notable work, Ramakien, the version of Indian epic, Ramayana. The poetry of Sunthorn Phu is also quite famous in Thailand.
Spoken drama is not given any importance in Thailand, but instead there is Thai dance, divided into three categories- Lakhon, Likay and Khon. A form of shadow pay, Nang Drama, is popular among southern Thailand. Folk music and classical music both are have their significance in addition to pop music.
Apart from it, one of the common customs included in Thailand is Wai, a common gesture that is similar to Indian Namaste. The hospitable and generous people of Thailand pay a lot of respect and homage to their elders, as it is the core of their faith and spiritual belief. Seeking blessings from the elders is considered important mark of respect.
An Antarctica Cruise
There are no voyages more mesmerising for the real environment lover than an Antarctica cruise. Unlike floating hotels in more moderate temperatures Antarctic cruises have a greater level of speculations and improbability. You will begin out by making an ocean voyage practically to the end of the world, cross through one of the roughest stretches of water in the world, the Drake Passage, and be amazed by rare wildlife in their natural surroundings and enormous icebergs full of pulsating and changing hues.
At the start of your cruise west, your Antarctic cruise may make a take a break in the Falkland Islands, one of the biggest colonies of seabirds in the world. Millions of Antarctic birds, from albatrosses to rock hopper penguins, make their home in this region. Carcass Island, one of the Falkland Islands, has been inhabited by humans since the 19th century, and the well-nurtured trees and hedges make a stark differentiation to the other deserted islands in the chain.
From there, your Antarctica cruise will transport you through the Drake Passage, where winds scream between the South American and Antarctic land masses, causing some of the most perilous cruises in the world. Today, traversing the Drake Passage is definitely less risky than in earlier era, but ships can still be delayed by gale-force winds
Once through the Drake Passage…
…your Antarctica mini cruise will be ample with terrific scenery and wildlife that you would otherwise never have experienced outside of zoos and photographs. Look at whales, seals, and even the unique Emperor Penguins in their natural homes. Your first sight of land after your Antarctic Ocean voyage will be the South Shetland Islands. Based on the climate, you will make a trip research bases and penguin rookeries, and perhaps even look for rare Antarctic flowering shrubs.
The Antarctic Peninsula will most probably be the next break on your Antartican cruise. Here, you can view a former British research station which is now one of the world's most far off museums, learn about Antarctic history and the stories of great voyagers in the region, and even swim in ocean waters warmed by partially-active volcanoes. You will become one of the few people in the globe who can narrate to have set foot on the elusive Antarctic continent.
Your Antarctica cruse will include unbelievable landscapes as well…
Your cruise liner will have the chance to cruise along some of the most appealing canals in the world, inclusive of the Lemaire Channel, a narrow channel that goes between huge glacier faces. The icebergs of the Antarctic are huge and astonishing, changing color and tone along with the light of the day
On most Antarctica cruises, your cruise specialist hold doctorates in fields related to the Antarctic scenery you will be seeing, and will be able to direct you and reply to any questions. The environment that you will be witnessing is so sensitive that no more than 100 people are normally allowed to land at one time, and you will need to take care to wash off your shoes and pants, to ascertain that no organisms are carried to the next landing area.
An Antarctica cruise vacation is an amazing experience, and one that you will remember for the rest of your life. The Antarctic sailing season is not very long, lasting only four months out of the year. The balance of the time, it is not only horribly cold, but the surroundings is also drab for much of the year, so get your cruising plans in today.
You'll get useful cruise tips and hints when you visit the top rated cruise site of www.Cruise-Tips.com. Here you will find practical information on cruising and all the cruise lines of Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian and many other quality ships. Get the tips you need today.
For Shopaholic Guide
Midtown Manhattan is home to some of the world's most famous department stores. On Broadway between 34th and 35th streets is the self-proclaimed biggest store in the world - Macy's. With over half a million items for sale ranging from trendy denim to lush fur to sparkling crystal, Macy's is a shopper's paradise. There are ten floors to cover so grab a store guide at the entrance and hit the escalators! A fixture on Herald Square since 1902, Macy's flagship store is renowned for its great sales and spectacular window displays. Also known for excellent deals and creative displays is Lord and Taylor on Fifth Avenue between 38th and 39th. It's been a shopping institution since 1826. And if you want to be a true New Yorker and swing an iconic "Brown Bag" of your own, head to Bloomingdale's at Lexington and 59th. This store sprawls over an entire city block and is bursting with designer names. Filled with everything from the latest Tory Burtch clutches to lush towels by Calvin Klein, a shopping trip to the Big Apple is just not complete without a visit to Bloomie's.
The shopping area stretching from Fifth Avenue to 57th street is simply legendary. If designer brands are really what you are looking for, then Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth at 57th and 58th streets is a key shopping destination. Browse through the most talked about designer collections at this elegant and sophisticated department store. From Dolce and Gabbana evening gowns to Stella McCartney strappy sandals, there is something to suit tastes that are classically conservative or cutting edge. For more luxury goods and sumptuous surroundings, drop into Sak's Fifth Avenue at 50thstreet. Featuring designs from premium names like Alexander McQueen, Chloe, and Jean Paul Gaultier, you'll be right in the pulse of the hottest trends. And for a shopping experience where East meets West, check out Takashimaya New York on Fifth at 54th. The serene surroundings and artfully displayed merchandise are a calming change of pace from your other destinations. The Tea Box Cafe is a perfect place to rest and recharge.
A true shopper knows accessories are key and what better place to see the latest trends in bags, shoes and scarves than Louis Vuitton. At the corner of 57th and Fifth, this flagship location is the largest Louis Vuitton in the world. Browse over 20,000 square feet of men's and women's apparel, jewellery, footwear and of course the purses and luggage with the gold monogram that made the French designer legendary. And on the subject of famous flagships, a walk through Tiffany & Co's to browse the glass displays of sparkling gems is a must. If you want to see more high-end jewellery, make a stop at Harry Winston. The jeweller to the stars has stunning pieces on display in his Fifth Avenue salon.
It gets really serious for fashionistas on Madison Avenue from 57th to 79th. From the edgy styles of Versace to the timeless pieces of Giorgio Armani, this is where you will find some of the most posh boutiques in the world. Barney's New York on Madison and 60th is an upscale department store offering classic couture as well as cutting-edge indie designs. Dine at Fred's on the ninth floor to experience the "ladies who lunch" scene.
When you are ready to dig for some great deals and do a little bargaining, it's time to head to Lower Manhattan. Canal Street between Sixth Avenue and Baxter Street is famous for its hustling street vendors, official and unofficial, selling goods at every turn. This is where you will find every knock-off imaginable, including the latest designer handbags, sunglasses and electronics. Century 21 is the place to go to find that outrageous bargain you will be bragging about to everyone at home. Located in the financial district across from the World Trade Center site, this retailer is considered the best place in NYC for brand name merchandise at cut rate prices. Keep in mind this store's slogan is "Fashion Worth Fighting For" so make sure your shopping senses are at their sharpest! And to outfit yourself in more head to toe designer gear at budget prices, stop in to one of the Filene's Basement locations in Chelsea, Union Square or on the Upper West Side. You'll find bargain basement prices on cutting edge American and European designers including Michael Kors, Gucci, and Ted Baker.
No matter what your taste, New York City has something for everyone and is the ultimate shopping Mecca. New York Journey will give you a comprehensive look at what's available in such a wonderful city - from hotels and shopping to museums and attractions.
Hospitality Industry & Travel 2009
According to recent research carried out by 'Club Med' the travel and hospitality industry is actually in better shape than we first may have thought since the credit crunch hit. The present doom & gloom doesn't particularly look like it is here to stay and reports show that bookings for holidays abroad during 2009 will be better than expected.
Over 2000 people who frequently travel were asked what their plans were for the 2009 holiday season, to try and get an insight into a pattern for the year ahead during the economic slowdown we're having, and out of those people asked and replied, more than 80% of people said that they consider their holiday as either quite important or the most important 'treat' during 2009. So it looks like people are still planning on having their well earned break after all, with around 50% expecting to have more than one holiday during the year. The type of holiday that British travellers are booking though is changing as the downturn grips, people are also spending more time and taking more care to bag a bargain and find a better deal.
Mr DeChorivit, Head of Club Med UK said: "2009 will see people looking for better deals and better value for money in the holiday that they are purchasing. This year though will be different as people are under more pressure during daily life and will be looking for that extra pampering and relaxation from a holiday. Club Med have more than 80 resorts worldwide and are in a good position to offer no compromise on luxury as this is included in the price. People taking a trip with Club Med can also feel rest assured as their holiday is ATOL protected which insures that all flights and accommodation are guaranteed."
The survey also said:
- Europe is the most likely place for Brits to travel to in '09 with the beach being the most popular choice during winter and summertime
- 30% plan to travel short haul and 34% long haul
- 45% are planning on extensively researching the best deal available to them
- 35% of people are planning on spending the same amount of money on their'09 holiday as they did in '08
Looking for a job in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships or have a hospitality vacancy then register now with Hospitality Jobs now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hancock
Main Things You Need to Remember to Do Before You Travel
International travel is fun, but the organisation stage can be a little bit stressful. Also, there are a few things that you should not forget. If you do forget them, it could ruin your holiday. The purpose of this article is to give you some advice on the three main things that you need to do before you go overseas to ensure that you have a great holiday.
- Organise travel insurance- Whilst it is unlikely that anything bad will happen to you on your holiday, there is always a possibility. You should make sure that you take out travel insurance in case of an emergency. For an extra couple of hundred dollars, it is in your best interests to ensure that you are covered in case something bad happens.
- Make sure that you organize someone to collect your mail- Criminals keep an eye on neighborhoods. They keep an eye out for houses where mail is not collected or bins are not put out. If you are going away, you need to ensure that you organize somebody to collect your mail so your mailbox does not overflow. You should also organize somebody to put your bins out for that extra level of looking like your house is lived in.
- Organise an International SIM card so you can save a fortune- Most people do not think about how they are going to keep in touch whilst they travel. They end up taking their home mobile and paying a fortune in global roaming costs. If you want to save a bucket load of money, make sure you pick up an International SIM card. One of these cards could save you up to 70% compared to what you would spend on global roaming costs.
It is important to ensure that you are fully prepared before you travel. The tips mentioned above are ones that you may forget.
Hamish Jones is the founder of Best Business Deals.
Check out his reviews of International SIM Cards by clicking on the below link (or copying and pasting it in to your browser.
http://www.bestbusinessdeals.com.au/international-roaming-sim-card-reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hamish_Jones