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Posts Tagged ‘Travel Tips’

Turkey : Tourist Information

August 24th, 2010 No comments

Travel to Turkey for your next holiday abroad! Turkey is a country that is adept at blending the old with the new, natural wonders vie with the excitement of cosmopolitan cities for the attention of tourists from all over the world. Turkey is a Eurasian country: part of it is in western Asia and part in southeastern Europe. Turkey is a cradle of world civilization and a place of ancient history and archaeological sites. It is offers rocking nightlife, fabulous restaurants, all sorts of outdoor activities including paragliding, yachting, diving and ballooning and a coastline that spans almost 6,500 km. Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides!

Turkey is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is a country of many cultural influences. It has been settled, since ancient times, by thirteen different civilizations. This makes for an interesting cultural mix and the contrast of modern life with all of the sites of antiquity. Turkey offers the world a unique mixture of Eastern and Western culture.

Although Turkey is beautiful all year, the best months to visit are April through October. If tourists on holiday can pull themselves away from the beautiful beaches they will find that the cuisine of this country is truly sumptuous. A meze style meal of tiny plates, served with some of Turkey’s distinctive red and white wines, must be followed by some of this country’s irresistible sweets. The food of Turkey is so diverse that one almost has to come to the country to try the culinary delights that it offers.

Any tourist who thinks that they will only find Muslim archaeological sites will be surprised to discover that Turkey is also well known for its Christian history. Visitors can follow in the steps of St. Paul, the early saint who was born in Tarsus. Turkey has many regions and each offers museums and historical sites for the visitor on holiday. For example, if you are in the area of the Aegean, you might want to visit the Archaeological Museum near Konak Square. Its most famous pieces are the statues of Poseidon and Demeter that stood in the Agora in ancient times. In southeastern Turkey you might want to visit the Archaeology Museum in Gaziantep. It houses important artifacts from Neolithic, Hittite and Roman times.

Any visitor to Turkey is sure to be entranced by the sights and sounds of this ancient and modern country straddling the continents of Asia and Europe!

More : Turkey Holidays

England’s South Coast – A Look At Some Of Its Sights And Attractions

August 22nd, 2010 No comments

There are many incredible places to visit and sights to see on England’s South Coast. But before we get to that, let’s discuss what England’s south coast is comprised of. England’s South Coast is part of Southern England which includes the southern counties of England. The UK considers Southern England to include South West England, South East England, Greater London and the East of England. So having established some geographical boundaries, here are some places to go on England’s South Coast:

The cliffs of Beachy Head and the Lighthouse b...Image via Wikipedia

- Beachy Head: 5km or 3 miles south of Eastbourne is a snowy white cliff at the end of the South Downs. It has popular views and is reached by a lovely footpath. It is known for its striped lighthouse. The cliff path that passes through Cuckmere, Haven and Seaford is 3.5 miles or 6km long and provides a great hiking opportunity.

- Bramber Castle: is a place to see the ruins of a gatehouse built by the Normans. It is an English heritage Property found on the west side of Bramber Village.

- The Kent Battle of Britain Museum: is in Hawkinge. It’s an old armory that contains the Luftwaffe Room, the Aircraft Armaments Room, the R.A.F. room and an art gallery.

- The Eurotunnel is England’s newest and fastest transport system. It crosses under the channel between Folkestone, Kent and Coquelles, France. It was completed im 1994. There is a visitor center in Folkestone and The Exhibition Centre in Cheriton, near Folkestone. The Exhibition Centre is dedicated to the construction of the Eurotunnel.

- Borde Hill Gardens in Haywards Heath: is set on 200 acres of Sussex woods and parkland. It is a renowned botanical garden and displays a fabulous variety of colour through all seasons.

- Romney Marsh: is 50,000 acres of flowers that extends along the coast from Hythe. Visit in the spring when the flowers are the most beautiful.

- Mermaid Street: offers enchanting strolls in Rye. You will see The Mermaid Inn, a 15th century pub notorious as a meeting place for smugglers. Henry James lived out his last years here in Lamb House, a 19th century Georgian building, while writing his beloved novels “The Wings of the Dove” and “The Golden Bowl”. Don’t miss the Old Hospital. It’s a triple-gabled, half timbered 15th to 16th century building.

This is just a small sampling of the many things to do and see on England’s South Coast. Be sure to learn about the many other attractions of this beautiful area of England.

Next : Cheap Hotels Brighton

Top 5 Things You Must Do When Vacationing In The Okanagan

August 18th, 2010 No comments

British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is a beautiful place to visit, as it is an absolute paradise full of activities and adventure. Thousands of visitors flock here every year to spend time in one of the most popular destinations in Canada. If you really want to make the best of a vacation in Canada’s Okanagan, though, you should plan to spend at least a week here in order to get the most out of your vacation. There are so many great places to see and explore here, and you will find it to be one of the most memorable places that you will ever experience. Here are the top five things you simply must do when you vacation in the Okanagan.

A view of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbi...Image via Wikipedia

1. Atlantis Water Slides – These water slides are the definition of family fun, and were described as such in Okanangan Life magazine. This watery wonderland of excitement is located only a few miles (five kilometers in Canadian terms) north of Vernon. Families love this park due to the abundance of safe water activities for youngsters and adults. This park is home to over ten huge water slides, as well as hot tubs, a river tube ride and a plethora of gift shops and concession stands. This is a great place to be in summertime to beat the heat and the family is sure to enjoy it.

2. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park – This is a beautiful park surrounded by some of Mother Nature’s most brilliant colors and soft summer grasslands. You and the family can spend the day lounging on one of the many beaches in the park, or perhaps relax and enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the shaded picnic/playground areas. There are also plenty of trails for the active vacationer to hike, bike and simply stroll along. The lake offers a wide variety of water activities such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, swimming, boating and much more. This park is a great place to spend an entire day, or maybe a few!

3. Ghost Tours – If you are into the supernatural then Vernon is the place to go for that. This city is not too far from Okanagan and offers a rich, full history where a ghost tour might be the best way to learn about the past. You will begin your ghost tour from the Vernon Museum and then you will head through downtown and the Lower East Side while you listen to the tales of Vernon’s spooky and haunted past. You will tour some of Vernon’s most haunted sites and buildings where there have been sightings and reports of ghosts. October is the best time to catch a glimpse of these tours as they operate October 27 through the 30th, making it the perfect Halloween trick-or-treat destination and a great place for a night of fright.

4. Downtown Murals – The Downtown Murals are one of the biggest outdoor galleries in Canada. There are over 27 gigantic murals, some as long as 300 ft., and they will astound you. The downtown area also offers an abundance of shops, restaurants and other unique specialty stores from which to choose. Every piece of art here is a representation of the history, rich culture and picturesque scenery of the Okanagan Valley.

5. Winery Tours and Wine Festival – Okanagan Valley is known for being Canada’s wine country and the wineries located here offer special guided tours that will take you through the properties and give you a chance to sample some of the succulent wines that are made right at the vineyard. There are also opportunities to purchase any of the spectacular wines that you taste, and you can dine at some fabulous restaurants located right on site. The Okanagan Summer Wine Festival that goes on during the second week of August is a great not-to-be-missed opportunity. The Summer Wine Festival is held at the prestigious Silver Star Resort. You can lavish in a weekend filled with wine tasting, art, music and wine education. The gorgeous Silver Star Resort is the perfect backdrop to this event and helps to highlight the uniquely diverse wine culture that is a part of the Okanagan culture, as well.

La Casa Cottage Resort.com in Kelowna is an ideal vacation destination for all ages, families and groups. Everyone will love the outdoor swimming pool, mini golf and private beach. La Casa has a variety of modern kelowna vacation rentals available and can accommodate groups of any size. Visit online today.

Travel Tips To European Countries: Albania

July 26th, 2010 1 comment
Memorial plaque dedicated to Mother Teresa by ...Image via Wikipedia

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries in Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding ones head means no where as shaking the head means yes. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers arent much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers dont have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels. Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs 6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so its better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them: 1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine 2. 250ml of eau de toilette 3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco 4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunition. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

If you are thinking of a holiday, check out Kangaroo Island Hotels in South Australia, You can also Submit Articles to Articoolz.com.

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Cuba Multi Centre.

July 26th, 2010 No comments

Cuba is such a big Island that it makes it ideal for multi centre holidays. There is so much to do and see that sometimes – depending on the itinerary – 2 weeks are not enough.

The Cuban Archipelago offers a variety of tourism modalities that separates it from the rest of the islands in the Caribbean. Cuba is unique in terms of its tourist attractions. Not only you can find astonishing beach locations but also charming colonial villages and towns full of character.

Among the best beach locations in Cuba -Varadero and Guardalavaca – stand out from the crowd for its pristine white sands and turquoise waters. The Cayo islands around main land are famous for its virginity and quietness. Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Levisa are just some of the best beach destinations in Cuba.

There is much more other than just beaches. Cuba was for many centuries the “Key to The Americas” and as a result its cultural and historic heritage is immeasurable. Its architecture is very striking. A mingle of Colonial and modern styles can be appreciated in most of the main cities in Cuba.

Its landscapes have inspired plastic artists all around the World. The beyond belief Vinales Valley – located in Pinar del Rio province in the west of Cuba – is one of the gems of the Cuban geography that today can be admired by millions of tourists.

Havana – The Capital – is a must if you go on holidays to Cuba. It certainly has the best vibe. There is music in every Caf and a Caf in every corner of the Old Quarter. Beautiful squares to rest and watch the people going bye.

Other provinces and towns worth visiting are Trinidad and Baracoa (these two are the oldest villages in Cuba that still preserve an entirely colonial architecture). Santiago de Cuba is another important location mainly from the historic point of view. It was from Santiago de Cuba where all the uprisings, independent movements and revolutions started in Cuba.

If you are thinking of visiting Cuba the best advice is to contact a tailor made specialist with in-depth knowledge about Cuba. You will be guided through the process of deciding what is best for you taking into consideration many factors such as duration, interests and budget for your holidays.

Mr JM Maurette is a reservation consultant employed by Quest World Travel Ltd . He has a great deal of experience and expertise arranging tailor made holidays to Cuba . If you need to arrange a tailor made Cuban Holiday please follow the links above.