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Why Are Millions Visiting South Africa?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:51:00 +0000

South Africa is fast becoming one of the top international hot spots for tourism and travel. Let us have a look at this unique part of the world and determine why people are booking their tickets as we speak.

Diversity - South Africa is a multi faceted destination with something to entice and intrigue everyone who visits. Positioned between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, this countries coastline is over 2500 kilometers (1565 miles) long and therefore water sports are a major attraction. Many tourists come purely to cage dive with The Great White Shark. These dive areas area all within 150 kilometer (90 miles) radius of Cape Town and have become world renowned for this activity. If the Great White Shark is not big enough for you, then try Scuba Diving with The Whale Shark along the North KwaZulu- Natal Coast. This stretch of coastline is also famous for the leather back turtles that lay their eggs in this protected zone. Wildlife enthusiasts love South Africa because of the abundance of animal species which include the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros and Buffalo.) The Kruger National Park is home to South Africa's greatest diversity of wild life which is not surprising with an area bigger than that of Israel.

Some of the world's most luxurious Safari lodges (Ulusaba, Sabi-Sabi, Jock Safari Lodge) are situated in and around the circumference of this wild life sanctuary. For tourists wishing to combine a beach holiday with a safari experience, then the Garden Route is a magical place to spend some time on it's numerous unspoiled beaches or play a coupe of rounds of golf on some of South Africa's most spectacular courses before heading off into the Wilderness to Views the Big 5 in luxury. The added bonus of viewing animals in this area is that there is no Malaria here and therefore no medication is required.

History - South Africa is steeped in history and culture form both it's own indigenous tribes (Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa etc) to those of the European Settlers (French, Dutch, German, British) who started arriving in this great Southern Land in the mid 1600's. This amazing mixture of culture is evident in the extremely varied cuisine to be found throughout the country. Slavery brought many thousands of Malaysian's to the Cape Colony during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing with them their own particular brand of culinary delights. These Malaysian slaves eventually mixed with the indigenous African people and the European Settlers creating a wonderfully vibrant and colorful RAINBOW NATION!

Geographical Position- South Africa is positioned right at the base of the African continent, with Cape Town approximately 34 Degrees South. The most important factor for overseas visitors is that South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere which mean that anyone in the USA, Europe or Britain wanting to get away from a long, cold winter, need only to jump on a plane and travel South to the warmth of Summer. South Africa's time zone is positioned within 3 hours of anywhere in Europe or Britain and therefore jet lag is never going to be a problem.

Cost - The all important question is always going to be how much is a holiday here going to cost me. When you consider that 1 South African Rand is equivalent to approximately US$7.50 or 10Euro, or 11 Pounds, then it's time to consider booking your holiday.

Jason Wiltshire

A South African Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:35:00 +0000

To visit South Africa is to experience a friendly, hospitable people, to view and visit breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, great safari and wildlife parks including the famous 'Big Five', and great wine lands. With a fabulous climate, sunshine almost year round, you can avoid all that typical Irish changeable weather. You will feel humble whilst visiting the local townships, and taking part in the cultural and historical tours which show the birth and growth of the current South African nation. Visit here from the start of November to the end of February - South Africa's summer season, where the temperatures are at their best.

We began our travels in the South African capital 'Pretoria'.
With great weather and a friendly local population, we travelled around the main city stopping at Church Square (the main square of the city), Kruger House (Home of Paul Kruger, the first president of the South African Republic) and Pretoria Zoo. Although we were heading on safari, we prepared for the eventuality that we might not see all the animals that we wished to see, and so a trip to Pretoria Zoo was required.

Leaving Pretoria we travelled northeast towards Kruger Park, stopping off at the Cheetah Research and Breeding Centre in Hoedspruit, a must for all animal lovers where one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in South Africa is housed. Wild dogs, varied species of vultures, wild cats and an orphaned elephant can all be seen here.

Our next stop was the famous Kruger National Park. It is an enormous nature reserve stretching three hundred and fifty kilometres along the Mozambican border and is on average sixty kilometres wide. In residence are the famous 'Big Five', which are elephants, water buffalo, lions, rhinos, and leopards. We spent three days in Kruger Park taking in the spectacular scenery and wildlife and were very fortunate to get a quick glimpse of some animals (leopards and lions) and very up close and personal to others (elephants and rhinos). Travelling in high open jeeps we travelled throughout the park, eager to see as much as possible.

Two lone male elephants provided our most exciting experiences of Kruger. Being very territorial they began to intimidate us by tearing down trees and bushes within a few feet of our jeep. This act of strength and maleness was tact to try and scare us off but our great Kruger guide, Ron, talked us through the events and we caught a real wilderness experience. Young lions preying on impala with proud parents looking on and the sight of a newly born zebra, still attached to her mother were both experiences I will never forget seeing.

Our tour of Kruger also included two sunrise bush walks - on our first we came upon our only glimpse of a leopard. Caught in our headlights at 5:30 am, he didn't seem impressed to see us but we felt quite the opposite. A look at those severe fangs and I was glad that we had remained in our jeep! After our second bush walk we came upon a white rhino, which we tried to track but with our scent in the air went scurrying off.
Any trip to South Africa, Kenya or Botswana should include a safari or game reserve but be aware that on safari it can require a longer period of time to see your favourite animals due to large land area, while in game reserves with a lot less land area and high animal population you will see the vast majority of the wildlife in a short period of time.

We travelled back to Pretoria for a further two nights and used this time to travel to Soweto, a famous township of Johannesburg. Soweto is the most populous township in the country, with a population of approximately 890,000. We visited the local people and their homes. Personally I was lost for words touring this area as I looked at long streets with only outdoor chemical toilets and one water tap to provide for these locals. I left with mixed feelings, having visited an 18-year-old girl who was caring for her three sisters, after the death of their parents, on little or no benefit from the government and relying on mere donations from tourists travelling through the township.

We visited the homes of the two Nobel Prize winners - Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu who had resided in this impoverished area. We also travelled to the Hector Pieterson Museum which showcased the 12 year old Hector, who was one of the first casualties of the Soweto uprising on the 16 June 1976, when over 500 people were killed as they protested over the imposition of Afrikaans as the main language medium for a mainly non Afrikaans speaking student population.

We flew from Johannesburg to Cape Town and stayed in the Green point area of the city near the stadium. It lies within minutes walk of the city centre and the V&A waterfront. If shopping is your thing then the flea market at Greenmarket Square is a must for local arts and crafts. High street retailers can be found on Long Street or for a little more expensive option, the V&A complex on the waterfront. A wide range of restaurants and bars can be found at the V&A, Long Street and on Summerset road.

We travelled to Robben Island, the famous South African prison that held political and non-political prisoners, the most famous being that of Nelson Mandela. We took a tour of the island and of the main prison, looking in at the cell, which held him. The trip by ferry to and from the Island gives a superb panoramic view of the city by the sea.

We hired a car and travelled to the most southern tip of the African continent, Cape Point. For any surfers, this is the absolute best location for both wind and normal surfing. Be aware that melting ice from the Antarctic supplies the main water source of South Africa. Don't go expecting fabulous warm water! We travelled to Simons' Town, a quaint little town that reminded me of Cabot Cove from 'Murder She Wrote' and up to Boulders Beach to watch the tourists swim with the Penguins. All major attractions in South Africa are considered national parks and so be prepared to pay a small fee to enter.

For wine drinkers and non-wine drinkers alike no trip to South Africa is complete without a Wine-land tour. With over a hundred different wine producers in South Africa, a small selection is ideal for anyone to enjoy some of the nicest wine produced in the world. We did a tour of five vineyards and felt like wine connoisseurs at the end. A most enjoyable day was had by all... hic...

I would recommend South Africa to anyone looking for a different holiday experience. From the adventurous traveller who looks to experience the thrill of exploring the game of the wildlife national parks, windsurf off the tip of Cape Point and shark-cage dive off the coast of Cape Town, to the cultural traveller who is looking to explore the townships of the major cities to the many different tribal cultures throughout the country, and the comfort traveller who is looking for beautiful sandy beaches, great weather and fantastic shopping, South Africa has it all.

Alan Tyrell

Holidays in India: Explore the incredible tourist destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:53:00 +0000

Get some ideas about where to visit in India from this article. The destinations mentioned here can be visited any time of the year due to their varied topography and favourable climate. Most of these destinations are covered in popular tour packages offered by travel operators of the country.

No matter how much you have travelled across the globe, India with its wide and varied tourist destinations will definitely appeal to you. With tourist destinations like historical monuments, forts, beaches, backwaters, ancient temples and wildlife sanctuaries glorifying Indian tourism, your holiday in India will surely be an event to remember. Moreover, the varied topography and climate of the country acts in your favour because you can plan an India tour all through the year.

India is dotted with numerous tourist destinations from North to South and East to West. Travelling in India you will realise that each of these destinations is unique in its own way and are beautiful in their own way. Out of hundreds of popular tourist destinations in India, here is a concise list of destinations which you must not miss out when you are holidaying in India.

1) - Taj Mahal of Agra - The city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh is famous worldwide for the Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of Yamuna River, this mausoleum is one of the Seven Wonders of the World besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed by Shah Jahan, a Mughal emperor, for his beautiful wife, Begum Mumtaj Mahal. Made up of pure while marbles, it took 16 years and 20,000 workers to build the Taj Mahal. 28 rare kinds of precious & semi precious stones were used to beautify this monument.

2) - Beaches & churches of Goa - Goa has always been an international tourist destination where foreign nationals regularly visit. Here you can plunge into azure waters, splendid beaches and gleaming sands of Goa. You also get an opportunity to explore Goa's fascinating prehistoric churches, lively & happening nightlife and mouth-watering Goan dishes.

3) - Backwaters & tea plantations of Kerala - The Backwaters and tea plantations of Kerala simply enhances the beauty of this state to manifold. The silent water bodies will drive you crazy and the greenness of the hills will amaze you to the hilt. You must explore the backwaters of Kerala in the traditional House Boats which also serve authentic South India cuisines.

4) - Forts & palaces of Rajasthan - The vibrant state of Rajasthan is a must visit destination of India due to its forts, places, fairs and festivities. Cities like Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur reflect the evidence of royal blood that was once the pride of Rajasthan. Also worth visiting is the Chokhi Dhani, which is an exact replica of ethnic village present in Rajasthan.

5) - Ghats & temples of Varanasi - The city of Varanasi is considered to be the holiest city of India. It is the best pilgrim destination of the country and attracts numerous devotes to its Ghats and temples. Take a trip of Varanasi to attain salvation of your mind and soul.

Apart from the above destinations, India is also well known for its adventure tours to the Himalayas and wildlife tours to its natural parks & wildlife sanctuaries.

With so much to visit in India, you must plan your holidays in India carefully so that you do not waste your precious time. For this, it is advisable that you purchase unique and affordable holiday packages from a reliable tour operator in India. This will allow you to travel freely leaving all your travel worries like boarding and lodging and sightseeing to the travel operator.

About the Author: Amit kothiyal

Top Tips for Travelling in South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Have you ever thought about visiting South Africa for a holiday? There are many reasons to visit South Africa, but before we delve into the excitement that this wonderful place can offer, it is highly recommended that you also keep in mind that you will need to research the right travel insurance for the trip. This insurance will financially cover any medical expenses and delays or cancellations that you may experience while on your visit to South Africa.

Now, Let's Discover South Africa!

There are ten great reasons why you must make South Africa one of the top destinations to travel to while on holiday:

1. The natural scenic beauty - including the Kalahari Desert, the wildflowers of Namakwa, Table Mountain and Kruger National Park.

2. The adventure - hiking, diving, white water rafting, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, parachuting and ballooning are all on offer!

3. The excellent weather - the sun shines on a regular basis in South Africa, which allows visitors and locals to enjoy the beaches almost every day of the year!

4. "The Rainbow Nation" - learn about South Africa's incredible history at the source and how this interesting name came about.

5. Premier sporting facilities - Rugby and cricket are the most popular sports in South Africa, so why not go and see a riveting game for yourself!

6. Its affordability - surprisingly enough, considering the experiences you will have when visiting South Africa, activities are reasonably priced.

7. Offers diverse experiences - Where else can you go on a desert safari during the day and then enjoy a 5 star meal at night?

8. Well organised tourist operators - it's always recommended to do your research first, but in general, there are some fantastic adventures to be had with the guidance of some very knowledgeable locals.

9. The wildlife - to see majestic animals such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalo and Rhinos in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime opportunity

10. The people - Without a doubt, South Africa is one country that has been through a lot and as a result this place is home to some of the world's most unique personalities.

Other Facts About South Africa

South Africa has a population of 49 million people and it borders Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. There are 11 official languages which include English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho, Sepedi, Tswana, Xitsonga, Swati and Tshivenda. You will learn tremendous amounts about South Africa from both your tour guides and from the locals.

Anything can happen while you are on holiday; your body will need to adjust to certain changes like the temperature, the food and the water. If you do not adapt well to such changes, then you may find yourself spending a few days in the hospital. Instead of going home with thousands of dollars of debt, it is strongly advised when travelling anywhere in the world to get travel insurance. If you don't know where to start, simply jump on the internet and search for it.

About the Author: Theresa Pecks

Useful South Africa travel Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Travelling in South Africa is of course a life changing experience. Before you head on your trip ensure you have read the following South Africa Travel Tips so you have all the information you required to make your journey an easier, more enjoyable and memorable one. Find out about the weather, how to get to and around within the country.

Weather

The hottest and busiest time of South Africa is during the UK winter months of November to March and is also the busiest period for many tourists and locals. For a cooler temperature and less busy period, the UK summer months of July and August are a perfect time to head to Africa . When I visited South Africa in the month of July and August the weather was mainly sunny and warm but not too hot so this was the best time for me to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. It was perfect for all activities, it was nice and quiet at this time too, and furthermore this is the cheapest time to visit. I made sure I read a lot of South Africa Travel Tips before I visited to ensure I travelled at the best time for me, which was July and August as I prefer the milder temperatures.

Getting around

As a general guide, public transport in South Africa is not that advance but the roads are good so it's easy and affordable to hire a car, or the Baz Bus is a very affordable hop-on-hop-off bus service for backpackers which is an excellent way to meet like-minded people. The good news is that you can also book an organized tour which can also be very economical. Personally speaking, I used all three methods of transport during my travels. I actually started off with an organized tour which was an ultimate way to ease me into travelling alone as you get to know new people really well, then I used the Baz Bus and met hundreds of people all traveling the same route as me, then I hired a car with 2 of the people I also had become friends with on the trip. This was a perfect way to see by splitting the cost and having more freedom to go where we wanted to. In short, the best South Africa Travel Tips I can give you is to make sure you enjoy every second of your journey as there aren't many better places on earth to visit than this vast country.

About the Author: Ivan Kroulik

South Africa Travel a Trip to Wander Land!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 07:13:00 +0000

Heading to South Africa, the land of lions, leopards and rhinoceros? Then get ready to be dazzled as the wonderful holidays package on South Africa travel are being offered by the various travel agents to make your trip to this fabulous country more exciting and exhilarating. Life certainly looks beautiful with the brilliantly tailored Holidays package!

South Africa travel offers great variety and wide range of fun to choose from. Cape Town is the oldest city and legislative capital in South Africa with Parliament situated here. Pretoria is the executive capital and is situated 1500 kilometers to the north where the government administration is housed. Next door to Pretoria is the commercial centre of Johannesburg that was once the world's greatest gold mining centre. The second biggest city is Durban, a fast-growing port on the eastern coast. South Africa is the third most biologically diverse country in the world and hosts 8 world heritage sites. This country is blessed with every aspect of nature from arid deserts to lush coastal forests, from majestic mountains to bush field. One of the world's first wildlife conservation areas Kruger Park is the century old conservation. The Garden Route is a coastal corridor on the western coast of South Africa. Having so many things to do and explore, South Africa travel is a good option to get your senses alive once again.

You must be wondering where to find the details of the holidays package on South Africa? It is really easy. Log onto any of the various Meta search engines that offer travel services. Here you will find the detail information on South Africa travel and can choose the itineraries and holidays package of your budget and time frame. You can do the booking online through one of these engines without paying any extra service charges.

Book your South Africa travel holidays package today and explore the country where wilderness and beauty cohabit in complete harmony.

About the Author: Cruse Loyle

Top Travel companies in India – Offering beautiful experiences

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:30:00 +0000

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With modernization, urbanization and education, there have been significant changes in the lifestyle patterns of people. The development across various parts has led to increase in the income of people which is consequently followed by an increase in the personal disposable income. More and more number of people are spending a significant amount of money on leisurely activities. Travel in the recent years is an extremely popular activity. Not only does it offer a rejuvenating break from the hectic schedule but also broadens the mind. To travel is to know.

With so many people traveling to domestic as well as international destinations, there are various travel agencies and tour operators that are mushrooming in the market. They aim to meet the growing needs and preferences of travelers. The top travel companies in India offer a wide range of travel options to its customers. These companies make sure they come up with interesting and innovative travel options. Some of the tour options that the best travel agencies in India come up with include honeymoon special, students special, senior citizens special and others. There are packages to hill destinations, beach destinations, pilgrimage centres and various other places to attract specific segments. There are various corporate tour organizers in India that are into meetings, incentives, conferences and events. These top travel companies in India are in close association with various corporate giants.

The best travel agencies in India offer customized and readymade packages to people based on their choice and convenience. The packages include transportation facilities, accommodation facilities, meals and important sightseeing tours. As per the customers' needs and requirements, the best travel agencies in India add other services too. There is a guide to assist the travelers while they check out and visit various places.

The best travel agencies in India have tour options to almost all destinations of the world. Be it the hills of India or the beaches of Mauritius, the cultural richness of Europe or the natural beauty of Australia or the majestic splendor of America, the top travel companies in India offer it all. The meals during tours are provided keeping into consideration the preferences of customers. There are vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian options to choose from.

Indeed, travel helps one understand things with a wider perspective. And with numerous agencies and operators coming in, it has become a hassle free procedure. All one needs to do is decide, choose and pay. All the arrangements are made by these companies.

So wait no more..!! Set out, explore and enjoy..!!

The author Jessica Blox

Rajasthan Tour - The Most Beautiful Place In India to Enjoy Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:26:00 +0000

Rajasthan is one of the most admired tourism destinations of India. Visitors fromall over the world come here to enjoy the beauty of monuments and harmony of this romantic state of India. It is the Indian state with multiple tourism option. From the monumental beauty to the picturesque lake, from the wonderful safari tour on camel to the thrilling adventurous tour of forest, from the harmonious traditional music to the rich culture and tradition, visitors can have lot of fun and frolic being in this kingly state. Being in these state visitors is sure to fall in love with the monumental beauty of this kingly state. This beautiful tourist destination also stores one of unique and charming hill station Mount Abu. Infact this beautiful hill station is also known as “Oasis of Rajasthan” for its unmatched beauty. People often flock to this hill station from the plains to escape the heat of the sun. But no less this place attracts the attention of tourists from every corner of world. It is sure once you will visit this kingly state you are sure to lose in between the exquisite monumental beauty.

There are several captivating locations in this kingly state for tourist to visit and enjoy holidays in an awesome way. Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Mandawa, Ranthambhore, Bharatpur, Sariska etc are the prominent tourism destination of this romantic state. Infact every place is gifted with unmatched beauty that is unique and different from one another. Till date the exquisite monuments, forts, palaces sings the glory and chivalry of kings in the melodious tone. Visitors from all over the world come to visit this monuments state to grasp the beauty that is unique to rest of the world.

Visit to Udaipur- the city of Lakes that is so captivating and alluring. Gifted with exquisite monuments, picturesque lake, forts, luxury hotels, Udaipur is the prominent city of tourists visiting this place. The major attractions of tourists are Sajjangarh Fort, Ummaid Bhavan, Saheliyon ki Bari, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Palace, Nehru Garden, Jagdish Temple, Ahar Museum, Bagroe-Ki-Haveli and Jag Mandir. Among the entire tourist places the picturesque view of Lake Pichola mesmerizes tourist visiting this place. Picturesque view of Lake Pichola is the heart of Udaipur that catches the attention of tourist in this place.

Apart from the beauty of Udaipur, Jaipur is also the prominent tourism attraction of tourists. Jaipur is also called the gateway of Rajasthan Tourism. Visitors enjoy the beauty of this colourful destination of this kingly state visiting Hawa Mahal- the palaces of wind, Jantar mantar- the astronomical wonderland, Birla Temple and city Palace. These are most prominent, but don’t miss to witness the majestic Amber Fort on the Elephant back. The mahout asks the Elephant to head towards the Amber Fort that gives the mighty pleasure and an awesome experience of being in this colourful state of Rajasthan.

These beautiful places are the heartthrob of this monumental state. You too canenjoy the great hospitality, Luxury and comfort, delicious cuisines staying in the Hotels in Rajasthan. Some of the monuments are now turned to heritage hotels that preserve the true essence of the glorious past of this colourful state. If are planning to enjoy holidays in an awesome way, Rajasthan is the great holiday destination. There are various exciting packages available such as Golden triangle tour, Tours packages of Rajasthan, Rajasthan package tour etc. Pick any one package that suits your choice and grasp the beauty that is unique and unmatched to the rest of the tourist places of India.

India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:25:00 +0000

Rajasthan Tour- The Most Beautiful Place In India to Enjoy Holidays

Top Travel companies in India – Offering beautiful experiences

Holidays in India: Explore the incredible tourist destinations

What Makes London A Leading Tourist Holiday?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:51:00 +0000

London is the capital of Britain and a very leading tourist destination. In fact, it is home to exciting british guides like considerable Ben, the Tower of London and the Globe Theatre.

We hope you enjoy our information to London and that it gives you a volume of news about things to do in the city, as well as a bit of history and some compelling factsheets.

London has a rich past events that spans over 2000 years, so it might be impossible to talk about it all. Though, the metropolis was particularly badly affected along world war 2.

Meanwhile World War II, London was heavily bombed. Children were evacuated to the countryside to escape the bombing. Those who remained sheltered from bombs in the London Underground. In spite of, nearly 35 000 Londoners were killed, and around 50 000 were seriously injured.

London is a redoubtable neighborhood for travelers, particularly because it has got so multitudinous museums and galleries. These include the Natural history Museum, which was established in 1881. This prominent museum has some out of this world exhibits, including the extraordinary replica diplodocus skeleton, named dippy, which stands in the museum's central hall. Another splendid exhibit is the skeleton of a blue whale, which weighs a massive 10 tons and is visible in the immense mammals hall.

From kooky markets to designer stores, London has some sensational shopping opportunities.

Oxford street is widely regarded as the choice street for shopping in britain. The street brags topshop's popular flagship store, as well as a gargantuan Selfridges, which has been there since 1909. More recently, a mondo Primark store opened on the street and it has proved very favored with shoppers.

London has rich and varied night life, which offers something for everyone. From exclusive celebrity bars and nightclubs, to cosy public houses, you cannot fail to present a redoubtable night out here.

London's West End is peerless for its multitudinous theatres, which establish a wide range of musicals and other displays. The longest running manifest in the West End was Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, which ran for a massive 26 years from 1952 - 2004. Other standard demonstrates include Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Cats and Mary Poppins.

Thanks for reading! We display now reached the end, but we hope that you enjoyed our handbook to London. If you require any more information about the urban place, do not hesitate to call your local tourist facts middle, who will be pleased to provide knowledge on accommodation, things to do, travel and more.

A Country of Thousands of Beautiful and Exotic Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:44:00 +0000

Indonesia, a Country of thousands of beautiful and exotic Islands, that spark off your imagination with thoughts of fine sandy beaches, huge temple complexes, great diving and the giant dragons of Komodo. The islands of Indonesia are spread over a vast expanse of ocean and technically speaking is divided by two Continents.

Some parts of the Country can be as different from each other as black is from white. The hustle and bustle of the modern capital Jakarta is like another planet when compared to the traditional Papuan tribes of the Baliem Valley. Jakarta - Not only is it the largest City in the Country, Jakarta is also the heartbeat. Indonesian's from all over the archipelago come to the City to try and find their fortune or just to survive. The face of the City is constantly changing due to the construction of new skyscrapers, shopping malls and hotels.

Jakarta is mainly a business and political City and not really a tourist destination, but the older colonial parts of the City are very interesting and the museums have a lot of fascinating exhibits.

Jakarta, like you would expect, is the most expensive place in Indonesia, as well as the most polluted and most congested. It can be very hard to cope with all of the hustle, dirt, crime and cost, but if you can you will find an exciting City with plenty to offer.

Kota - This is the old Town of Batavia, which was the capital of the Dutch East Indies and the best example of the colonial era in Indonesia. Though much of the old town has been destroyed or demolished over the years, some of the old Colonial buildings are still in active use, and the area has a definite Dutch feel to it.

The centre of the old Town is the pebble stone square known as Taman Fatahillah and this is the key to being able to orientate yourself around the sights of the old Town. The canal of Kali Besar is one block to the west of the square and runs alongside the Ciliwung River.

This was a very prosperous area and on the west bank are some of the high class homes that date from the eighteenth Century.

The Chicken market bridge is the last remaining drawbridge from the Dutch era, it is at the north end of the Kali Besar. Buses always come by on their routes and the city train also has a stop here.

Jakarta History Museum - This museum is housed in the old town hall of Batavia, which is on the south side of Taman Fatahillah. It is a well built building, which was originally constructed in 1627 and added to in the early 1700s. It was from here that the Dutch administered their colony, and the cities law courts were also here as well as their main prison compound.

It contains plenty of heavy, carved furniture from the colonial, as well as other memorabilia from the Dutch period. Open, 9am till 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: 1,000Rp Wayang Museum - This museum is also on the Taman Fatahillah, and has a great assortment of Wayang puppets. It also has examples of puppets from other Countries like Cambodia, China and India.

This building was formerly the museum of old Batavia and was built in 1912 on the site of the former Dutch church which was demolished in 1808 as the
Dutchman "Daendels" plan to rid the City of its unhealthy areas. In the downstairs courtyard, there are memorials to previous governors who were buried on site. Open, 9am till 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: 1,000Rp

Fine Arts Museum - Built in the 1860s, the palace of Justice building is now the Fine arts museum. It has a nice collection of contemporary paintings from prominent artists. They also have some ceramics on show from Chinese items to Majapahit offerings. Open, 9am till 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: 1,000Rp

Gereja Sion - This church was built in 1695, and is the oldest Church in Jakarta. It is on Jl Pangeran Jayakarta near the Kota train station. The exterior of the Church is actually pretty plain but inside copper chandeliers, the original organ and the baroque pulpit makes it very appealing. Though thousands of people have been buried here there are very few tombs left remaining.

Sunda Kelapa - Just a 10 minute walk from the Taman Fatahillah, the old City port of Sunda Kelapa is full of wonderful Macassar schooners and the brightly coloured sails of these boats make for great viewing. The ships are still a vital means of transporting goods to outlying Islands.

Guides hang around the docks and for a few thousand rupiah will show you around and tell you some insightful stories. You can also take a ride out to the offshore fish market for around 5,000Rp. Admission, 250Rp to the dock area.

Maritime Museum - This is an old VOC warehouse that was built in 1645 and is by the entrance to the Sunda Kelapa. It has examples of Indonesian crafts from around the ages and has photos of the voyages from Europe to Jakarta. The building itself is well worth the visit and the lookout posts are part of the old City wall.

Just before the entrance to the museum proper, is the old watchtower that was built in 1839, it has brilliant views over the harbour. Opening hours are hit and miss, so try to find the caretaker.

National Museum - This museum, constructed in 1862, is considered the paramount museum in Indonesia, and one of the finest in South East Asia. It has a huge ethnic and relief maps of Indonesia on which you can track your travels. The museum has a variety of different cultural displays that show a diverse collection of clothing, instruments, model houses and religious items. In addition the museum has a fine collection of Chinese ceramics that even date back to the Han dynasty of the third Century.

The museum is sometimes known as the Elephant house due to the giant bronze elephant that was a gift from the King of Thailand, and that now stands outside. Open, 8.30am till 2.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: 750Rp. Guides are around who can conduct tours in various different languages.

National Monument - This 130 metres high monument stands over Merdeka square and is Jakartas chief landmark. The construction was started in 1961 but was not finished until 1975, when it was officially opened by President Soeharto. At the base is the National History Museum which tells the story of the Indonesian struggle for independence. On national holidays and at the weekends the queues can be long. Open, 9am till 5pm, daily. Admission: 600Rp or 3,100Rp which includes a ride to the top.

Lapangan Banteng - Just east of Merdeka square is this nineteenth century colonial square. It has some of the best examples of Dutch colonial architecture in the whole of Jakarta. The Catholic Cathedral was built at the turn of the twentieth Century, and is opposite the principal place of worship for Jakartas Muslim community, the Istiqlal Mosque. To the east of the square is the Supreme Court that was built, along with the Ministry of finance, in 1809 by that man "Daendel" to replace those buildings torn down.

Indonesia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:30:00 +0000

A Country of Thousands of Beautiful and Exotic Islands

Travel to Indonesia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:07:00 +0000

map of Jakarta

Jakarta

Jakarta History Museum

Ciliwung River

Wayang Museum

Fine Arts Museum

National Museum

Lapangan Banteng

Sunda kelapa

I Love Touring Paris - The Fifth Arrondissement

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:28:00 +0000

The Jardin des Plantes is France's main botanical garden. It includes an aquarium, and a small zoo founded with animals from the royal menagerie at Versailles (not the two-legged variety). Its gardens include a rose garden, an alpine garden, an Art Deco winter garden, Australian and Mexican hothouses, and a maze.

The 5th arrondissement is on the Left Bank of the Seine River in central Paris. It is often known as the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) although it's been a long time
since many have spoken Latin there. Its population is slightly under sixty thousand and the district provides almost fifty thousand jobs. It is fairly small; less than a square mile (about two and a half square kilometers). This is one of the oldest districts in all Paris and offers some attractions dating back to the time of the Romans who never called it the Latin Quarter. The Roman town Lutetia was built in the First Century BC.

The Arenes de Lutece (Lutetia Arena) once held at least fifteen thousand spectators and considerably fewer gladiators. It was built in the First Century AD and included the longest Roman amphitheater. The 135 foot (over 40 meter) long stage hosted both plays and gladiator fights. There were probably animal cages as well, surely not for the plays. The upper level held the poor, the slaves, and women while the lower level was reserved for the big shots. Just in case the spectators got bored they did have a great view of the Seine River.

The city was sacked by barbarians in the year 280 and some of its stone was removed to build up the defenses. The arena was subsequently transformed into a cemetery, and then filled with the construction of city walls in the early Thirteenth Century. The arena was more or less forgotten; nobody knew where it was but neighborhood kept its name. The arena was accidentally rediscovered in the 1860s during the construction of a streetcar depot on the site. The famous Nineteenth Century writer Victor Hugo played a major role in preserving these ruins. The area became a public square in 1896 and is open to the public daily and evenings in the summer.

The Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute) was established in 1980 by eighteen Arab countries and France. This Institute provides extensive information about the Arab world and promotes its cultural and spiritual values. The Institute also supports cooperation and cultural exchanges between France and the Arab world, especially in science and technology. In 1989 it won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) was founded during the French Revolution. It was quite a center of scientific research. One of the winners of the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics, Henri Becquerel, held its chair for Applied Physics when he accidentally discovered uranium's radioactivity. Four generations of Becquerels held this chair from 1838 until 1948, which must be some sort of record.

The Musee de Cluny, officially known as Musee National du Moyen Age (National Museum of the Middle Ages) is perhaps the most outstanding medieval building in Paris. It was the town house of the Abbots of Cluny, dating back to 1334 but was rebuilt in both Gothic and Renaissance style starting near the end of the Fifteenth Century. The Musee de Cluny has a fine collection of important medieval artifacts, in particular tapestries, Gothic sculptures, and illuminated manuscripts. Herman Melville mentioned this museum in his famous novel Moby Dick.

The Thermes de Cluny are what remains of Third Century Gallo-Roman baths. Its best-preserved section is the frigidarium, the cold-water pool in which bathers dipped to close their pores after enjoyed the hot-water sections. Some of the original decorative wall painting and mosaics remain intact. These baths were poorly defended and probably destroyed by barbarians, those dirty barbarians, towards the end of the Third Century.

The Pantheon (from a Greek word meaning all the Gods) was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. It sits on top of Montagne Sainte-Genevieve and overlooks all Paris. While this is a great-looking building the architect died before its completion, and not all his plans were followed. The building was intended to be a church in honor of King Louis XV's recovery, but the French Revolution intervened and the Pantheon was transformed into a mausoleum. In alphabetical order, some of the great buried here include Braille, Dumas, Hugo, Marat (French Revolution leader disinterred after little more than a year), Moulin (French Resistance leader), Sklodowska-Curie, Soufflot (Pantheon's architect), Voltaire, and Zola.

The Latin Quarter is home to many universities and other centers of higher education, and naturally scads of bars, bistros, restaurants, and nightclubs. Some schools have relocated to more spacious quarters in other parts of the city or region, surely to the regret of their student population.

Of course you don't want to tour Paris without sampling fine French wine and food. My article I Love French Wine and Food - A Maconnais (Burgundy) Chardonnay reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample menu: Start with Pate en Croute de Grenouilles au Bleu de Bresse (Frog and Bresse Blue-Cheese Pie). For your second course savor Poulet de Bresse a la Creme-Trompettes de la Mort (Free-Range Bresse Chicken in Creamy Sauce with Horns of Plenty Mushrooms). And as dessert indulge yourself with Ile Flottante (Floating Island, a Meringue Island in a Custard Sea.) Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to accompany each course.
Levi Reiss

Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:38:00 +0000

Touring Germany: Hire A Car And Tour The Forests, Castles And Racetracks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:24:00 +0000

Germany lies in the centre of Europe and is the ideal place for a fly-drive holiday. With distinct regions throughout the country it offers tourists with a hire car the chance to drive the autobahns and sample much of the culture. The cities of Germany vary from old world elegance to domineering modernism, with a history so rich in culture and events there is little surprise that Germany is as fascinating as it is beautiful.

The road network in Germany has long been heralded as one of the best in the world, mainly due its liberal approach to speed limits. When in a hire car do not however get carried away on the autobahns; surprisingly only a limited amount of the network has no speed limit and penalties are often harsh for law breakers.

There are also rules that must be followed that are different from other nations, especially when letting other cars past. Using a hire car to experience the autobahn system can be fun, but remember the stress of performance sports cars belting past you at high speed is not always enjoyable. Traffic jams can also be a problem; my advice is to use the autobahns minimally and use country roads as much as possible.

The nature of Germany is as diverse as its history, the swathes of deep forest offer those who like the serene accompaniment of the countryside a tranquil existence. The use of a hire car when touring these forests is highly advisable as they are spread apart and the facilities in national parks are perfect for visitors travelling by car. With over ninety nature reserves within Germany, nature lovers will be spoilt for choice.

If entering the south Munich, Freiburg and Passau are the main gateways and picking up a hire car from any of these airports brings Bavaria into focus. The Bavarian people are warm and hospitable and love to party. Visitors will enjoy the wide variety of beers and historical beer halls that are found in nearly all towns. Munich annually hosts the Oktoberfest festival which sees huge amounts of people descend on the city for drinking and revelry. If a fan of good beer and good company Oktoberfest is a must, although it may be wise to leave the hire car at home.

Due to the German history of castle building, there are hundreds of examples of castles throughout the country. Making a road trip of these in your hire car is a perfect romantic getaway; especially as many now offer accommodation. Ranging across a variety of epochs each castle in Germany has its own distinct charm and appeal. Some resemble the castles of a fairytale while others are clearly evidence of Germany's military past. Many illustrate the opulence of Germany during the latter modern period and would most likely be called palaces rather than castles.

In Germany the motor industry is heavily developed with some of the most recognisable names in the entire world. The country reflects this love of the car with a host of museums linked to such powerhouses as BMW, Mercedes, VW and Porsche. There are even excursions that will allow the hire of a high performance car to experience the many racetracks. Of these racetracks, the Nurburgring is probably the most notorious and is definitely worth an excursion for anyone who considers themselves a car enthusiast.

There is no doubt that Germany as a destination is well worth a visit. Whether it is to sample the beer and cuisine, or just drive around in a hire car visiting the fabulous castles there is something for everyone. As the country that invented the motor car, enthusiasts will be fascinated by the motoring history and will most probably enjoy the race tracks. Just remember to take car on the autobahns.
Thomas Pretty

Photo of gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Tutankhamun Gallery

Valley of Kings

Karnak Temples

Palace of King Farouk

National Museum of Alexandria

Travel to Indonesia

Britain

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:01:00 +0000

I love Britain !

What Makes London A Leading Tourist Holiday?

Famous Places in Britain

The Tower Bridge

Windsor Castle

The London Underground

The Brecon Beacons

Edinburgh Castle

The Mourne Mountains

The London Eye

Stonehenge

Caernarfon Castle

Norwich Cathedral

Hadrian’s Wall

White Horses

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

France

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:59:00 +0000

France Map - Great Holiday Ideas

I Love Touring Paris - The Fifth Arrondissement

Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:57:00 +0000

Top Five Cities to Visit on a Holiday in North Africa.

South Africa Travel a Trip to Wander Land!

Useful South Africa travel Tips

Top Tips for Travelling in South Africa

A South African Journey

Why Are Millions Visiting South Africa?

Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:51:00 +0000

Vacations in Egypt: Major Attractions

USA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:45:00 +0000

A Brief History of Phoenix, Arizona.

The Society for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas.

France Map - Great Holiday Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:27:00 +0000

Be ready to get impressed on your travel France as the country has everything that one could expect from a holiday. Amongst the five top most tourist destinations in the world, facts about France let you see why it is so. It has the fashion capital Paris as its capital city, beautiful nature, beaches, the mountain scenery, and monuments all make it a great tourist destination. Moreover, the experience of visiting the country can vary as to the place you select for your holiday. Holidays on a beach, in the countryside, the big cities to the beautiful villages, all have something on offer for its visitors. There is plenty to explore and discover, loads of activities to get involved in and certainly life long memories to take back home. A great destination, France provides number of holiday ideas a few are mentioned here.

• Adventure Holidays

Take on an adventure holiday to see the real France. For those who love adventure travel, adventure holidays can be a fantastic option. Get a taste of the place, meet the local people when you head on an adventure holiday. On offer are all kinds of different activities that one can pick from like from the extreme sports to the more ordinary. These holidays come in complete package holidays, and tailor made for adult only adventures or for a family holiday that can cater for all ages of children. It’s the horse riding that catches your fancy, mountain biking or is it the hiking, you can find all this and much more for your holiday.

• Cycling holidays

With cycling being a national pastime in France, the organized cycling holidays are becoming very popular. These holidays provide with an opportunity for the visitors to cycle their way into the country and explore the region while having a go at the sport. This year round activity is a very popular among all ages and weather has a big role to play. In addition there are quite and beautiful countryside, with number of roads available for cycling. The well-maintained roads provide excellent cycling areas for cycling. Tour de France, the greatest cycling event in the world takes here in the country. For not the regular cyclists there are organized cycling trips, which combine cycling with accommodation, visits to the areas along the route.

• Skiing holidays

If you are on travel France for a skiing holiday then you will find the country has some of the best ski areas and ski resorts. France is a very popular destination among the tourists and if you skiing is your cup of tea, then Alps provide with excellent ski areas. With many ski classes made available for the tourists who are beginners, everyone can enjoy. Tourists can choose from a wide range of ski accommodation from ski resorts, private ski chalets, chalet apartments to hotels. The ski accommodation meets the needs of all skiers.

• Golfing holidays

France can turn out to be an excellent choice for a golfing holiday for both the professional and amateur golfers, as the country has a variety of golf courses. Playing golf amidst snow-capped mountains or Mediterranean views, it is a wonderful experience. France is a fantastic destination for golf holidays all the year round and plenty of sunshine adds on to the charm of the place. There is a lot of choice as the France map is dotted all over with golf courses. With the specially designed golf holidays, wherein one stays in a luxury villa, a private golf course and this blend of comfort and quality with golf is a quite experience.

• Holiday on a River Cruise

With the varied landscape that France has, a river cruise holiday is a perfect way to enjoy the countryside, the history and the culture as one travels from one place to another. It is the right idea for a relaxing and a different kind of holiday. A river cruise lets you experience, what you can never otherwise see, with every region having its own specialty and beauty.

• Camping holidays

Travel France for a great camping holiday, which is a great holiday idea for fun and adventure. In the recent years, camping has caught on with the tourists and with thousands of campsites available, it is all the much easier to embark on a camping holiday. One will get easily spoiled for choices, with so many to choose from, right from hiring your own tent, caravans, or even a mobile home, is a great way of touring the country. The campsites are well maintained and organized, offering all the facilities for relaxing and entertaining holidays.

Wherever you travel a France map would be a handy tool and should be your accompanist all through your holiday.
www.quickbooker.com

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a rope suspension bridge near, Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The bridge links the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island. It is thought salmon fishermen have been erecting bridges to the island for over 300 years. It has taken many forms over the years. In the 1970s it featured only a single handrail and large gaps between the slats. The current bridge, tested up to 10 tonnes, was built with the help of local climbers and abseilers in 2000. Although no one has fallen off the bridge, there have been many instances where visitors, unable to face the walk back across the bridge, have had to be taken off the island by boat. The bridge is owned and maintained by the National Trust, spans 20 metres and is 30 metres above the rocks below.

Today the bridge is mainly a tourist attraction, with 140,000 visitors in 2005. It is still used by fishermen during the salmon season, which lasts from June until September, however there are now very few salmon left. The bridge is now taken down every year in late October or early November, depending on weather conditions, having been put up in March.

The area is exceptional in natural beauty with stunning views of Rathlin Island and Scotland. Underneath large caves are visible, these caves once served as shelter for boat builders during stormy weather.

White Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:44:00 +0000

White Horses - Giant turf cuttings of horses into the white chalk ground
Wiltshire is without doubt the county of counties when it comes to white horses, with no less than nine laying within its boundaries, although only seven of these are now visible. The vast expanse of chalk downs, with their smooth, steep sides provide a number of ideal sites to exercise the art of turf cutting.

Five of the horses lay close to one another within a five mile radius of Avebury which lies in the very centre of the Wiltshire Downs; three further horses lie a short distance further away. All may be visited by road or via track-ways, the old lines of communication in this area.

The history of the white horses is an issue of some debate, in particular with regard to Westbury which is the oldest of Wiltshire's horses. The site is known to have been restored in 1778 but the date of the original work remains largely a matter of conjecture. Many believe the initial carving was made to commemorate Alfred's victory over the Danes at the battle of Ethandune in 878. However, historians can not even agree whether this battle took place in the immediate vicinity; although some associate Ethandune with the nearby village of Edington.