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Milton Keynes – the Most Progressive Town in UK

April 14th, 2009 No comments

Milton Keynes is a rather new town situated towards the north-west of London, in the South East of England. It is a huge town, and also the major town in the Milton Keynes Borough. It came in the category of town in 1967 which makes it just over forty years old. “Milton Keynes” obtained this name from the neighbourhood village of Milton Keynes which is just east of the town centre.

In the 60s, the government decided that new towns needed to be made in the South East to reduce the problem of congestion in London where thousands of people were living in really old houses. There were a few boroughs in London that were massively overcrowded with people living in substandard housing and low quality of life.

To reduce this congestion and encourage people to move out of London without changing jobs, several towns were established near London so that people could move to these and commute to and from work.

The location for Milton Keynes is halfway from numerous cities: London, Birmingham, Leicester, Oxford, and Cambridge. The plan was that the town would grow to be self sufficient over time, and would ultimately turn into most important city in the very near future.

The town is very progressive in the way it is constructed and has many of its buildings being attributed in architectural magazines. There are many parks, lakes, and a large network of roads which connects it to all the adjacent cities. The town centre is not a conventional town centre, but is in fact a business and shopping zone. While Milton Keynes has made a claim for city status earlier, it has been denied for this status and thus remains a town.

Milton Keynes is the ideal place to live if you like to work in a big city but do not like the big city life. It is not only calm and silent, but it is one of the most excellent built cities in the country with its network plan. Internal traffic is handled very well with double carriageways and pedestrian paths. It is also expediently close to the motorways and has grand transport links with the rest of the country.

Living in the city is superb as well. It has ethos in the shape of arts and amusement. There are shopping spots and business regions, as well as good quality schools, colleges, and hospitals. All this makes it an idyllic town for a family to become accustomed. Nonetheless, it is near enough to London that people can make the commute everyday for work.

It is just right town for those people who are searching for the advantages of the big city and a diminutive town joint in one, which is exactly what the government was trying to do when they mapped to build the town some forty years ago. This town is an admiration of architectural genius. Nevertheless the town may not be a significant town to visit when on holiday to the UK, but for people working in the country, this is the best place for people sick of high-pitched noise levels and overcrowding in big cities.

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5 Amazing Nature & Wildlife Photo Contests You Simply Can’t Miss

April 12th, 2009 No comments

If you spend any time at all outdoors with a camera, you should try your luck in one (or all) of these contests. Even though the competition may be daunting, it’s always worth a try, and there are some really nice prizes up for grabs.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year This year marks the 45th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition held by the National History Museum in London and BBC Wildlife Magazine. The 12 categories (9 main and 3 special) are open to both amateurs and pros, and there are also 3 youth categories. You may enter up to 3 images for a fee of 20, and the jury selects one winner and one runner-up per category, all of whom receive cash prizes (500 and 250 respectively for the adult main categories).

Those under 18 may submit up to 10 photos, at no cost, in the youth categories (“10 years and younger”, “11-14 years”, and “15-17 years”). Acceptable subjects are wild animals, landscapes and plants, and the winner and runner-up in each category are awarded 250 and 100, respectively. The “Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year” gets to spend a day out with an acclaimed wildlife photographer, and also receives a cash prize of 500.

In the three special awards, the requirements are a bit more specific. For The Gerard Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife award, you need to submit photos of species listed as critically endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened on the 2008 IUCN Red List. The Eric Hosking Award is open to photographers aged 18-26, and participants are required to enter a 10-image portfolio. The One Earth Award focuses on conservation, and they are looking for images that encourages respect for nature. The winner of each category is awarded 1,000.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner gets 10,000, presented at a ceremony at the National History Museum in London. Deadline for 2009 is March 27, but if you don’t make it, don’t worry. Remember, it is an annual event, so you always have next year.

Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Named in memory of photographer and conservation advocate Windland Smith Rice, this annual contest, held by Nature’s Best Magazine and the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, is open to amateurs, pros and youths (under 18). The 16 categories include some that you don’t see in every competition: People In Nature, Small World Spectaculars, Zoos & Aquariums, Creative Digital, and Camera Club, where your club enter the contest as a group. The Grand Prize winner, category winners, and “Highly Honored Images” receive cash prizes and their photo(s) included in an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. For an entry fee of $25 you may submit up to 20 photos, and the deadline is May 4, 2009.

National Wildlife’s 2009 Photo Contest Open to everyone over the age of 17, this annual competition is looking for photos of mammals, birds, people & nature, backyard habitats, landscapes & plant life, other wildlife and global warming & wildlife. Pros, amateurs and youths are judged separately. The winner of each category is awarded $1,000, and two Grand Prize winners receive $5,000 each. You can enter up to 20 images for $15, and that also gives you a year’s subscription to National Wildlife Magazine. The deadline for 2009 is July 20.

The Great Outdoors by PDN and National Geographic Open to both professionals and amateurs, this contest has a broad range of categories: Insects & Gardens, Outdoor Sports & Activities, Beaches, Underwater, Islands, Parks & Safaris, Animals, Plants, and Scenes of the Natural World. The cost to enter (per photo or photo essay consisting of up to 6 images) is $35 for pros and $12 for amateurs. There is one Grand Prize – a five-night stay for two at Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya Hotel in Mexico – and several other prizes, including a digital camera, gift certificates to B&H, etc. The deadline is April 20 (with an extension to May 4 for an extra $10/image).

EuroNatur In this contest – “Nature Treasures in Europe” – they are looking for photos of European animals, plants or landscapes. It’s free to enter and you may submit up to 5 photos. Prizes include trips and camera equipment, and the winning pictures will be part of an exhibit at Schloss Wolfstein (a castle in Bavaria, Germany) and printed in EuroNatur magazine and in a wall calendar. The deadline is March 31 2009.

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How the Perfect Vacation Could Add Years to Your Life

April 7th, 2009 1 comment

Dream vacations can be described as vacations where the person does what his heart desires. These are the vacations where you really make your vacationing dreams come true; it may be driving up the coast of California, going to a bull run in Spain, or visiting the Taj Mahal in India. A person can find true happiness and joy when his heart is light. Happiness creates a load of endorphins that make travelers feel happier and live longer.

In these current economic conditions, many people feel too stressed to spend money on a vacation. They would rather save the money for an emergency situation. As a result, they end up feeling stressed out and as times get harder, they get more and more depressed. This takes years off of your life by assisting with the aging process. It is a well known fact that stressed out people not only look older, but age more internally.

For those who have the means to take vacation, they feel like they have no extra time. They spend time between working and looking after their family. Children are busy with after school activities and keep their parents on the run. The dreams of family vacations seem far removed.

If money or time is your problem, there are vacation solutions for you. Selecting the right airline in addition to the right travel package can help you save dollars without affecting the quality of the vacation. Moreover, most online travel websites will work with your scheduling needs. These are both important for having a stress free vacation. When you remove stress, again, you add years back to your life. Plan your vacation far in advance. This will help you take advantage of early bird specials.

Voyages to Africa, if planned ahead of time, can give you a big bang for your buck. There are numerous exotic locations in Africa that cater to different types of vacationers. They have safaris, hunting trips, mountain climbing, white water rafting, and bird watching in places ranging from Kenya to Egypt. An African vacation is sure to excite and titillate, promising an exhilarating vacation. An Australian vacation can introduce a vacationer to wonderfully magical scenery and deep sea diving off the Great Barrier Reef. Seeing kangaroos in the outback can definitely fulfill childhood dreams.

Some travelers much prefer the laid-back atmosphere of Europe. They’d rather visit cities like Paris, London, Milan, Madrid, and Venice. These trips offer lots of history, museums, and luxury. This can definitely be a relaxing vacation option of planned the right way.

The airline that you choose can make a difference in the price of your trip and therefore the feasibility of your trip. An excellent example is Emirates Airlines. They are based in Dubai and are a top carrier in the airline industry. With more than 100 destinations, they are not only a safe airline, but a luxury carrier as well. Their destinations are great, but their star quality service is even better.

If a vacationer picks Emirates Airlines as their carrier of choice, the have the opportunity to take an exotic Arabian adventure, which means tours, safaris, deep-sea fishing or cruises. As an addition feature, a vacation with Emirates Airline can win a vacationer a free stay at Atlantis The Palm, which includes access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers. Both are new and exclusive vacation hot spots.

No matter where you choose to vacation, always plan ahead, and be prepared for any surprises. Choose an airline like Emirates Airline that offers affordable tickets, vacation packages, and superior service. After your vacation you will be amazed at how much younger you feel.

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Flights to St Moritz

January 19th, 2009 No comments

St. Moritz is the epitome of a traditional ski resort city. Skiers flock there by the thousands to savor the glitz and glamour which is as important as the skiing. Flights from the UK and Ireland hover in the 200-300 with Swiss International Airlines offering the best prices. You can also check with Lufthansa, but their rates are usually higher. Flights depart from London, Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, Birmingham and Glascow.

The nearest international airport to St. Moritz is at Zurich, about 150 miles away. To get to the resort, travel by rail from the airport to Chur and grab a connecting train to St. Moritz. If you arent on a tight budget, you can fly from Zurich to Samedan, a local airport near St. Moritz.

From November through April, St. Moritz is one of the best times for skiing. This place is considered the best in winter resorts in the world. Youll find the best snow around Christmas, but even better, the sun shines on St. Moritz all year, making for a more pleasant winter holiday. St. Moritz has also been known as a traditional spa town since the Middle Ages.

There are 80 kilometers of piste length, or 88 slopes, at St. Moritz for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Roughly 40 percent of these slopes are utilized for advanced level skiers with the remainder geared toward beginner and intermediate ski levels. St. Moritz is also adjacent to two additional ski areas, granting the resort access to an additional 270 kilometers outside of their area, and feature 56 lifts connecting them all. They also feature a snowboard park, and Crest Run, a sled racing run over 1,200 meters long and cross-country ski paths with the extensive ski slopes.

St. Moritz offers the board skier many different options . You have mountian climbing, bob sleding or paragliding. At night you can also have a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride to end your night.

Venture indoors to select from casinos, high end restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and concert spaces. The chic boutiques offer shopping adventures, or explore the art and folklore museums for a taste of culture. A train ride on the high end Glacier Express or Berninina Express allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

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Flights to Zurich

January 16th, 2009 No comments

Swiss and British Airways are a good place to start shopping for flights from London. Swiss also offers direct flights from Manchester and Birmingham. Lufthansa, Alitalia and KLM offer indirect flights, and budget airlines like Easyjet have flights to Zurich departing from London, Gatwick and Luton.You can find great prices on flights from the UK to Zurich. Fares on budget airlines start below 99 and top out well below 200.

Just 12 kilometers north of Zurich you’ll find the airport, ZRH. You might want to use Swiss Rail’s trainsinto the city, since they leave for Zurich every ten minutes, and other places, too. You could also take a public buz, hotel shuttle, or cab, or use one of the many car rental companies there.

Zurich is a great holiday destination, offering breathtaking scenery, top-notch quality shopping and full night life. Summer is the best time to fly to Zurich. July and August provide the best weather. Spring and autumn are also good times for a holiday excursion, but winter is cold, cloudy and damp.

Spend the days wandering Zurichs quant cobbled streets, visiting museums, shopping at flea markets or gathering samples from its chocolate factories. During the day, Swiss neatness and exacting manner may convince you that Zurich residents are uptight. But, at night, youll find more bars, clubs, restaurants and a host of street parades and festivals to meet the needs of the most devoted partiers.

Following is a list of popular Zurich tourist attractions.

The enduring anthology of The Swiss National Museum consists of The Celestial Globe of Jost Burg, historic wheels and Swiss weapons. It also incorporates Stone Age artifacts and current records of Swiss history. It is built in a castle like architectural style that gives one the chance to look at the Swiss national history in an interesting and satisfactory way.

To take in the scenery, hop on board the Polybahn or Ridiblick Funicular for panoramic views of the city and Lake Zurich. The first Polybahn was opened in 1889 to transport students from central Zurich to the University of Technology. It continues to transport students and tourists to the Polyterasse viewpoint.

There are 14 th century buildings in the old town of Niderdorf district. There are small plazas with restaurant and music. There are fashion stores, bookshops and antique stores. Sample the famed cheese, wine and pastries. Niederdorf is one of the Zrich’s best nightlife venues.

Visit more than 2,200 animals, more than 260 different species at the Zurich Zoo. Dedicated to nature conservation and protecting animal species, the zoo has many reintroduction projects in the wild. You can see endangered species like the snow leopard and red panda. Guided tours and in-depth information tools make the Zurich Zoo a great learning experience.

The thin blue spire of Fraumunster Church is one of the most distinctive of the many spires in the Zurich skyline. The church was founded in 853 and its main attractions are its beautiful stained glass windows added to the church in 1970.

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