Top Reasons Why You Should Visit California

Top Reasons Why You Should Visit California
By John Nazareno

California, here we come! America has been known to most to be the Land of Milk and Honey, a land of great opportunity. And in a land of abundance such as this, making it in California means you have made it in the big leagues. It is the State of California that hosts the country's best and brightest. And no, we're not just talking about the celebrities.

This is why the state of California has been recognized as "the El Dorado State," or the land of the golden opportunities. As a matter of fact, many of the people who choose to live in this state do so because of the stability of the state's economy, which has the best economic status in the country.

Natural Highs for the Nature Lover

California is flocked by millions because it has something for everybody. It is home to great beaches and yet also houses grandiose snow-capped mountains. It is home to the most spectacular trees ever known to man: the tallest and largest living tree, the General Sherman, and wonderful drive-through redwood trees. It is home to 20 million acres of National Forest land. It has over 20 wildlife viewing areas. It has spectacles such as the Furnace Creek Inn, which boasts of a spring-fed swimming pool and the lowest grass golf course in the world (214 feet below sea level). The Tien Hau Temple, which is the oldest Chinese temple in the United States, is also a must-see. It also houses The Delta in Rio Vista, which is one of the top windsurfing areas in the world, the 20-million-year-old Torrey Sands Cliff, and the Yosemite Falls that is the longest drop in the country.

Interesting Features for the Perennially Curious

California is also home to the world's most interesting marvels. It is home to the Kaweah Post Office, which is the smallest post office in the world that is still in operation. It houses the Ballard's Little Red Schoolhouse, the oldest schoolhouse still in use. It is home to the longest runway in the world, located at Edwards Air Force Base (used for space shuttle landings), the world's largest yo-yo in the National Yo-Yo museum, the first ever Tower Records in Sacramento, and of course, the world's first ever cable car.

A Haven for the Cultural

But what would California be without its people? Visitors from different states as well as from different countries won't feel too much like tourists here, as the state houses more people who speak Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese than any other state in America. And because California has a population comprised of people from everywhere around the globe, the state is also famous for its grand Festivals such as the Chinese New Year Festival and the Cinco de Mayo, the Annual Indian Fair in San Diego, the Los Angeles African Marketplace and Cultural Faire, the French Festival in Santa Barbara, and the Japanese Cultural Bazaar in Sacramento.

Home of the Great and the Famous

Last but not the least, California is home to the world's most beautiful and successful people. The state is the home of Hollywood, breeding icons in the sports, entertainment, and politics alike. It is home to Star Wars creator George Lucas, as well as tennis greats such as Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams.

California, with its many faces and facets, is one of the best places to discover yourself, revive your soul, and enrich your life.

California Travel Information and Places to visit in California.

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Extreme Adventures - Queensland

Extreme Adventures - Queensland
By Roger Hamilton

"Would you like to book an Air Safari? We fly over Aoraki Mount Cook and the Fox Glacier - it's a wonderful view. Oh you would rather jump out? How about the skydive option from 15,000 ft? Too straight-forward? How about paragliding, or hand-gliding, jet boating or whitewater rafting? Or take a aerial ride in a stunt plane, jump off a bridge on a bungy rope or try the Shotover Canyon Swing?".

I am speaking to Diane, a helpful counter rep at 'The Terminal': A one-stop shop for all your adrenaline needs nestled in quiet Queenstown. In case you were wondering, the Canyon Swing is 'the world's highest swing' - launching you from a cliff face into a 200 meter arc, accelerating you to 150kph, and then back again. This is one of the more recent inventions in Queenstown, where you have the option of being launched in one of ten different methods, from "The Cutaway", "Elvis Cutaway" and "Indian Rope Trick" to "Gimp Boy Goes to Hollywood", and where each method is rated from "Scary" (One underpants rating) to "Very, very, very scary" (Five underpants rating).

After much deliberation I decide to opt for Asia Pacific's highest bungy jump, the 440 feet high Nevis Highwire Bungy. Unlike the original 140 feet Kawarau Bridge bungy over Kawarau river, or the 335 feet Pipeline bungy over Shotover river, the Nevis Bungy isn't attached to a bridge. Instead, AJ Hackett Bungy invested NZ$2 million in a tailor-made, purpose built, fully protected "Jump Pod", dangling by high-tension wires over the Nevis Gorge (and when I say 'fully protected', I don't mean you, I mean the pod - it has 30 different patents. Presumably so that if you find a gorge as deep as Nevis on your travels you will think twice before strapping wires to the side and building a similar pod to jump out of, for fear of being sued in the event you survive the fall).

I'm here on the invitation of a great group of New Zealand Entrepreneurs who have taken time out from their schedule to show me a piece of New Zealand. Greame Fowler is a well-known property investor, and author of the best-selling book "NZ Real Estate Investor's Secrets", Kevin Heppleston is an award-winning business coach with Action International, based in Wellington, Gill Daldin and Lisa McCarthy are both franchise owners of an Australian appliance rental business, Mr Rentals. All are making the most of the fact that, as well as having the highest percent of entrepreneurs of any country in Asia Pacific, New Zealand also has some of the most stunning spots to take a break from all that entrepreneurial activity.

Queenstown, nestled on the Southern tip of New Zealand's South Island, promotes itself as "The World's Adventure Capital". How did it find this niche? The town grew out of the gold rush at Shotover River in the 1860's. Surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain, it became a summer tourist spot after the gold was exhausted. It took a century before anyone was attracted to Queenstown in the winters, when the Mount Cook Group turned Coronet Peak into a ski field in the 1960's, turning the area into a year-round destination which in turn attracted more hotels, shops and restaurants.

Bill Hamilton, a South Island country farmer, can be credited for introducing adventure tourism in the 1970's. Here's one version of how the story goes: While trying to invent a high powered water pump to drain water from his land, he created a turbine pump so powerful that when he turned it on: instead of water shooting through, the pump dislodged and end up shooting across the water. After a little lateral thinking, he forgot about the pump idea and built a speed boat around the turbine instead. The Jet Boat was born. Needing less than 3cm of water to maneuver in at high speeds, before long Shotover Jet was taking visitors on breath-taking rides through the spectacular canyons of Shotover River for $75 a pop.

Then, in 1988, AJ Hackett and Henry Van Asch (two speed skiers who had been inspired by a video documenting the attempts of members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club to copy Vanuatu villagers' ritual of jumping off man-made towers attached to vines) arrived in Queenstown having spent two years at the University of Auckland developing a special bungy cord to bungy jump from. Until then, the only other alternative were the vines that the Vanuatu locals used - not too reliable.

In June the previous year, AJ Hackett had used the cord they had developed for a high profile (and highly illegal) bungy jump from the Eiffel Tower. Now they were ready to go commercial, with a plan to offer jumps from Kawarau Bridge. Despite obvious skepticism from locals that people would be willing to pay to jump from a bridge, business boomed. Within a year, a second site was launched at Skippers Bridge and since then further sites - each one bigger and better - have continually launched with an estimated 350,000 jumpers in Queenstown to date. With each new option, business increased. When the Nevis bungy launched in 1999, demand was so high, the company made back its investment of $2M within ten months.

Adventure tourism took off in Queenstown in the 1990s, and year after year the adventure options have grown, with visitor numbers reaching 4.8 million by 2001 (compared to a resident population of 12,000), 5.5 million by 2005, and a projected 7 million visitors by 2010.

It seems, then, that I am in good company by choosing to bungy jump! After all, this is what people do in Queenstown, right? I hear that up to 100 people each day jump from the Nevis Highwire Bungy. A quick calculation reveals that, with off-days, that's maybe 20,000 out of the five million Queenstown visitors each year. Only four people in every thousand decide to try it? What about the other nine hundred and ninety-six of them? Before leaving the Terminal with my ticket and T-Shirt, I look for reassurance from the others in the group. I ask them what it's like to bungy jump. None of them have bungy-jumped before. None of them want to. Ever.

The humiliating possibility of being the laughing stock of the Jump Pod suddenly becomes a worse fate than ending up spread all over the canyon floor I ask for the release instructions again and would have written them down if I could. But before I know it I am on my feet, hearing the countdown, seeing myself jumping, remembering to scream on the way down as per my brother's instructions ("It makes the video more dramatic"), watching the river accelerate towards me and then reverse back just as dramatically, and then triumphantly releasing myself from the bungy shackles.

Lisa's husband, Austin, decides to jump with me and we hop on the bus. Leaving the sedate streets of Queenstown, we trekked for an hour over sheep country before reaching the 'cable car' that would take us out to the jump pod. The cable car is actually an open metal box with a grill floor, which can squeeze in six people at most. The long, wobbly journey out to the Jump Pod gives us time to reconsider - two of the earlier jumpers had already pulled out. I consider whether I am being brave or stupid or both. I decide both and it makes me feel a little better.

Austin goes first. He looks nervous, which makes me more nervous. It is a very long way down - a little like jumping off a 60 storey building. After being given instructions by the crew, Austin hobbles out to the end of the 'gangplank', 500 feet above rock level, and the countdown begins: "5..4..3..2..1"..... He is still standing there as if admiring the scenery. My heart goes in my mouth. Now what? One of the crew says "It'll only get worse the longer you wait". I remember being told that as a kid when I didn't take my medicine. Is this what this is? They count down again, and this time he's GONE! Just like that, out of sight, hurtling towards the rocks at 130 kph.

I don't have time to reflect on his sudden disappearance as I'm up next. As I get the bungy strapped on, I hear a barrage of instructions come my way. As there is no easy access to the bottom of the gorge, we're going to get winced back up afterwards and there is a simple (yet at the time impossibly complex) process for releasing your feet from the bungy on your second bounce so that you don't get winced back up upside down. If you get it wrong, the consequence is that you will appear back in the Jump Pod upside-down, "...like a hooked fish, at which point we will all laugh at you."

The adrenaline rush lasts for hours, and leaping off the mountain in a paraglider on our return to Queenstown feels like a country stroll in comparison. I can see why extreme adventure sports has become so addictive for so many, and why millions travel to the bottom of the earth to get high head-first. In Deepak Chopra's words: "Living on the edge has become an obsession, and adrenaline junkies are more prevalent than heroin addicts ever could be."

I'll be coming back for my fix soon.

Belief, courage, action

-Roger Hamilton
Chairman
XL Results Foundation Pte Ltd
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#11-01 Robinson Towers
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Mid Wales - Put it on Your Holiday List

Mid Wales - Put it on Your Holiday List
By Adrienne Boxhall

Wales is visited for many reasons; Mountains and river valleys, beaches and stunning coastlines.There are ten national parks which include Snowdonia with its miles of breathtaking mountains,forests and lakes and the Brecon Beacons with its fine moorland scenery and high peaks.

There are marvellous coastlines on the Gower Peninsular and in Pembrokeshire .There is so much to do in Wales to please all. A whole culture waiting to be explored from the valleys to the hills, from the Welsh choirs to the industrial wasteland of the coal mines.

It is a slower pace of life and ideal for a family holiday. Speciality holidays are popular with cycling and walking holidays a big favourite. The Brecon Beacons and the Black mountains provide spectacular walks and views for all the family.From the seious walkr to the novice.

There are many places to visit including Hay on Wye famous for its book shops and antique markets or Cardiff for the shopping and of course the rugby.

Visit the stunning caves (http://www.showcaves.co.uk) near Brecon. For family visits,the Knighton Observatory has just been fully refurbished and holds visits in the evenings.The Judges Lodgings in Presteigne also holds activity days and is well worth a visit especially at Christmas time.

With plenty of places to stay, from Camp sites to luxury hotels, Wales has something for all the family to provide an excellent holiday any time of the year. Holiday accommodation in abundance and a visit to the neighbouring towns of Hay and Leominster will provide afternoons of antique trails,shopping and local crafts.

Written for Local to Leominster to promote the stunning County of Herefordshire and the Medieval town of Leominster

http://www.localtoleominster.co.uk

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Sinai Destinations

Sinai Destinations
By Michal Moreno

In case you are planning a vacation in Israel, The Sinai Desert is probably one of the locations you are considering to visit. My opinion of the Sinai Desert, especially in these terror haunted days, is that everything Sinai has to offer and much more can be found inside Israel - Eilat offers some magnificent beaches of the red sea, the food is better, and Israel is much safer than the Sinai desert.

The only expectance to that general rule is if you are pursuing spots for scuba diving. In that case, Sinai does have some of the most beautiful scuba diving locations around this part of the globe. Following is some information about the different cities and villages in The Eastern half of the Sinai Desert.

Naama Bay Naama bay is the most southern scuba diving spot in the eastern part of the Sinai Desert. It is situated just a few kilometers from Sharm El-Sheikh (the largest city in the Sinai Desert), and is actually a wonderful location for those seeking to have a nice scuba diving vacation and have the rest of the family enjoy the vacation at the same time. Naama bay is quite a civilized and "western" place compared to the rest of the villages and resorts, with many nice hotels as well as a well kept promenade, and market. Bare in mind that Accommodation prices in Naama bay are quite high.

Shark's bay Shark's bay is a magnificent scuba diving spot with a nice resort. It is situated north of Naama bay - about a 20 minute drive from there. Shark's bay resort is a very good place to stay if you are a diver, but if you have non divers joining the trip they will probably find it to be boring. The Shark's bay "hotel" offers very basic accommodations at comparatively high prices.

Dahab Dahab ("gold" in Arab) is the central and largest city for the eastern part of Sinai. It will take you about 2 and a half hours to get there from the Israeli border (Taba / Eilat), but for those who really want to get to know Sinai, it is a must see spot. There are a number of scuba-diving spots next to Dahab (like "the blue hole"), and all Dahab's diving clubs (about 5 in total) will point you in the right direction and give you season specific instructions. In recent years, many of the big hotel chains have opened hotels in Dahab, so that there is a good variety of prices room types and for those looking for a place to stay in Dahab. Dahab is also a very good place for those planning a family vacation, or a combination of a scuba diving and family vacation: you may hit the lagoons, while your kids enjoy the white sand or go on a camel ride.

Nueiba / Tarabin Tarabin (frmarly Nueiba) is a small town situated about 1.5 hours from the Israeli border. The town is much smaller than Dahab, and gives a more laid back experience. Most of the tourists in Tarabin are not Scuba divers, but are rather people looking for a relaxing stay out on the beach. Since Tarabin is a rather small place, there are not many hotels there, although it does have some hotels at affordable prices.

Ras el Satan Ras el Satan (Satan's head) is a wonderful scuba diving resort and diver's village with a beautiful beach. Thee are some very nice scuba diving spots next to Ras el Satan - you will get all the needed information in one of the two local diving clubs.

Taba Taba is Eilat's neighboring town, and the entrance gate for those coming to Sinai from Israel. Taba is home to the Hilton Taba hotel, and apart from the Hotel casino which is the only casino in Sinai, there's not much to look for in Taba.

I hope you find the information provided a good starting point for your trip to Sinai, and If you intend to visit Israel don't forget to visit: http://www.israel-travel-tips.com

Michal Moreno is the chief editor for Israel Travel Tips - your source for travel tips about Israel.

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St Petersburg Florida Museums

St Petersburg Florida Museums
By Robert Lipply

Come explore the arts in the City of St. Petersburg! Home to six stunning museums, this city prides itself on its contribution to the arts. The Salvador Dali Museum has been opened since 1982 and is the world's most comprehensive museum on the late 20th century surrealist's paintings. Enjoy some of the largest Dali paintings in the world!

Great Explorations Hand on Museum, is a place where you not only look at art, but you touch it. Imaginations come alive just by walking through the facility and exploring. There are lots of exhibits and shows to get your mind and fingers moving!

The Florida Holocaust Museum is committed to providing public awareness, education and understanding of the influence of bigotry and prejudice that was demonstrated during the Holocaust. This time of tragic history is portrayed in a way that brings recognition of the events and alert people to the dangers of such ignorance.

The Florida International Museum is a non-profit museum that offers educational, cultural and historic exhibitions. It opened in 1995 and has offered such exhibits as the Titanic, John F. Kennedy, Treasure of the Czars, and Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Museum of Fine Arts has a collection of more than 4,000 objects from the past to today that enhance your understanding of art and culture. Take a class, view an exhibit or a film in order to get a more comprehensive knowledge of the art pieces shown at this alluring location.

St. Petersburg Museum of History collects and preserves pieces of St. Petersburg's history to show people the beauty that this city has portrayed in the past and will portray in the future.

Many residents, visitors and students have viewed these sensational museums and learned for themselves what the city of St. Petersburg already knows. Supporting museums and the arts not only brings education and awareness to people but is a way to preserve the history and tell the story of our past.

Bob Lipply is a top Real Estate Broker Associate in the Tampa Bay Real Estate area. He and his team have been helping families relocate to Florida and on the selling end get top dollar for their homes with great success. Lipply Real Estate also specializes in St. Petersburg Real Estate visit his website where you can search the MLS for up to date available homes for sale.

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Antigua Guatemala - Latin Charm Beneath the Volcano

Antigua Guatemala - Latin Charm Beneath the Volcano
By Simon Hillier

Antigua was the capital of Guatemala until 1773, when the Santa Marta earthquake rocked the foundations of the town. Still, the city retains its colonial charm in the extravagant architecture of buildings, churches, convents and old residences, which offer more than a glimpse of past prosperity.

Tourism is Antigua's main income generator. With more than 60 language schools in a city of just over 30,000 people, it's a popular destination for westerners to spend a few months studying Spanish amongst cobble-stoned streets and colourful neighbourhoods. In the evenings, locals and tourists alike arise from that fabulous Latin American tradition, the siesta, and head out to enjoy the wide range of local or international cuisine on offer.

Not surprisingly, the dreaded Ronald McDonald plague has spread to Guatemala. However, Camperos, the local finger lickin' chicken chain dominates, having sent Colonel Sanders and his army running for the border like...well like a pack of chooks with their heads cut off some time ago. Whatever your pleasure, once you've fuelled the belly, you can head on to a bar for a few local cervezas, or Samba the night away in one of the lively nightclubs.

During the day, most of the action takes place around the Grand Plaza. Street vendors ply their trade as tour buses roll into the square. It's a great place to sample the local food and world-renowned coffee in the outdoor cafes and restaurants, or simply hang out under shade in the park with the Antiguans.

As you find in most developing countries, children are always at the ready to sell you some local textiles, a wood carving or jewellery, while displaying sales techniques that would put the best real estate shark to shame. Being a sucker for an angelic smile, it was useless trying to resist the charms of a little Mayan girl who promised me that my senorita would adore me if I bought her the lovely embroidery scarves her mother had made for us.

At the other end of the bench, knee-high brother was smoothly working on senorita, telling her that she had the eyes of a goddess, and any man who did not adorn her with such a gift was not worthy of her. It was now three against one, so I handed over a wad of Quetzales to the grinning dynamic duo.

It's worth spending at least a day exploring Antigua's colonial buildings and ruins. The most impressive examples being Catedral de Santiago, San Francisco, the town's most notable church near Parque Central, and the former nunnery, Las Capuchinas.

Looming over the city like a sleeping giant is the active volcano, Pacaya. For a few dollars you can take a guided hike up right to the rim of this 2500 metre chimneystack.

Climbing a volcano is not so much a strenuous activity as a complicated one. After a two hour uphill trek through dense bushland and small mountainside villages, greeting passing bulls, cows and chickens as they head into town to do lunch, you find yourself staring up at the huge dark grey cone of Pacaya, and realise the hike has just begun.

The combination of loose rubble, steep incline, and gale force wind provides excellent practice for your Latin dance moves...one step forward, two tumbles back. On a clear day, you can see right into bubbling, glowing cone. Unfortunately, we experienced fairly heavy cloud cover. Nonetheless, you get a great sense of fulfillment on reaching the peak.

For anyone contemplating a trip to Guatemala, Antigua provides the perfect introduction with its wonderful assortment of Latin charms and spirited adventures.

Simon Hillier is a freelance writer based in Sydney, Australia. His company, Get There Writing Services, provides copywriting, travel writing, feature articles, scripts and ebooks that will have your readers clicking and streaming for more. For further information on Simon's article services, visit the feature articles and travel writing section of the Get There Writing Services website.

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The Chamonix Valley, France

The Chamonix Valley, France
By Karen Richardson

To describe the Chamonix Valley as beautiful would be a lot more then an understatement. It is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque areas in the world.

One hour from Geneva by road, this skiing and mountaineering haven has become popular the world over with skiers, mountaineers, climbers and mountain lovers alike.

The valley itself is dominated by Mt Blanc, as well as other ranges meeting in this most dramatic mountain area. Towering pillars of granite dominate the area often bewhildering you with the very scale that they represent. It is difficult not to be impressed once the clouds lift, the peaks towering above you like sentinels.

Chamonix has become very popular with the British, who have now gathered there in significant numbers, though many leave and go somewhere else once the ski season is over.

Scandanavian peoples also appear to favour the area, and, of course, there are the French.

Chamonix has become so multicultural in some areas that it would be easy to say that it is not typically French. Though French is widely spoken, you will never be far from a British accent. Most Brits have picked up the baton, so to speak, and learnt French, but a minority remain who expect to use English wherever they go. This has lead to small amounts of friction between the two communities, but nothing too serious.

If you are going to go to Chamonix, you should expect to speak some French.

As a ski area goes, Chamonix has some of the most extreme skiing available to man. There are many resorts, all reachable via a small bus or cable car ride from Chamonix or the surrounding area. For the more extreme routes like the Vallee Blanche you should look to find yourself a guide, or ski the route with people that know the way, or you may find yourself in a crevasse.

Some skiers complain of the layout that Chamonix offers - of course you can't please all the people all of the time - if you want extreme skiing, come to Chamonix, and expect to take a few short journeys to the venue of your days skiing, that's all.

As well as being a mecca for skiers and snowboarders, Chamonix offers excellent climbing and mountaineering options, with climbs up fantastic granite cliffs suitable for all comers, stretching to huge extreme alpine rock routes like the Walker Spur. Pleasant woodland walks can also be easily found!

Not far from Chamonix are the mountain villages of Argentiere and Les Houches. Les Houches is only a 20 minute bus journey from Chamonix and is actually a ski resort in its own right, so you don't need to be in Chamonix itself to enjoy some of the best skiing the Alps has to offer.

The Chamonix Valley, Online Guide

[http://www.chamonix.eu.com]

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The Kimberley - Australia's Last Outback Frontier

The Kimberley - Australia's Last Outback Frontier
By Miguel Scaccialupo

Few regions of the world can offer an authentic outback experience like Western Australia's Kimberley. The Kimberley has it all... vast, remote and unspoilt natural landscapes, spectacular coastlines, living indigenous Aboriginal cultures, and true outback towns with rich and colourful histories.

The Kimberley region is located in northern Western Australia, and stretches from Broome in the west to Kununurra in the east. To the west it is bordered by the Indian Ocean, to the north by the Timor Sea, to the east by the Northern Territory, and to the south by the Great Sandy Desert. The Kimberley covers a huge area of over 420,000 square kilometres, making it larger than Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Australian state of Victoria.

The Kimberley is a remote outback region with a total population of around 25,000 inhabitants. It has only three towns with a population greater than 2,000: Broome, Derby and Kununurra. European settlement in the Kimberley is quite recent, and dates from around 1885 when the MacDonalds and the Duracks arrived to establish cattle stations there. When gold was discovered at Halls Creek, many other Europeans soon arrived. The gold rush was short lived, but some miners stayed on to establish the town of Halls Creek.

The Kimberley today is diverse, from the laid back cosmopolitan ambience of Broome, to the living indigenous culture of the Dampier Archipelago and the outback adventure of Kununurra. Apart from mining, other important industries in the Kimberley have included pearling (particularly in Broome until the 1940s), mining (the Argyle Diamond mine today produces 1/3 of the world's diamonds), agriculture (in the Ord River Irrigation Area near Lake Argyle) and of course tourism.

Broome is located on the shores of Roebuck Bay, and is the southern gateway to the Kimberley's spectacular wilderness regions. Established in the 1890's, this former pearling port is today a unique, exotic, and colourful seaside town with a romantic and flamboyant history. The town's multicultural heritage includes indigenous Aborigines, Europeans, Malays, Chinese and Japanese, and the subsequent cultural fusion has resulted in the town's unique cuisine and colourful characters.

The Rowleys Shoals lie some 300 kilometres off the Broome coast, and represent Australia's best examples of shelf edge coral atolls. The shoals are home to a rich and diverse array of coral reef flora and fauna, and the area is a premier diving and nature based tourism destination which also offers world class sports fishing.

The Dampier Peninsula north of Broome is characterised by clean, sandy white beaches, the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and mangrove lined creeks. Here it is possible to experience unspoilt natural beauty and to share the lifestyle of the Indigenous saltwater people who have lived here for many thousands of years.

Derby is the Kimberley's oldest town. It is an excellent base from which to explore the 1000 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago. Derby is also the gateway to true outback adventure along the Gibb River Road, and the ancient rock forms of Windjana Gorge National Park and Tunnel Creek are within an easy day's drive.

Kununurra is the eastern gateway to the Kimberley and normally the first stop for tourists arriving from the Northern Territory. It offers some of the best adventure activities in the Kimberley, and is the perfect base to explore the rugged Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), the Mitchell Plateau, the Argyle Diamond Mine and the Ord River.

Halls Creek is a service centre for the pastoral and mining industries and Aboriginal communities, and provides base from which to explore the surrounding Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) and the Wolfe Creek Crater National Parks.

Wyndham is a small and relatively unknown town which typifies the Kimberley character and spirit. Situated on the tidal waters of the Cambridge Gulf, where the confluence of the King, Pentecost, Durack, Forrest and Ord Rivers meet, Wyndham is the northernmost town in Western Australia.

The Gibb River Road spans 660 kilometres of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in Australia. Travelling its length between Derby and Kununurra is one of the last truly outback experiences. Luxury 4WD tours now provide easy access to this remote area, which is home to wildlife sanctuaries, ancient landforms, deep gorges and fresh water holes.

Set high on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, Fitzroy Crossing is a quintessential outback Australian town. It provides an excellent base from which to explore the spectacular Geikie Gorge National Park.

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Outback Tour [http://www.outback-tour-australia.com] topics such as Uluru Tours and the Larapinta Trail [http://www.uluru-to-kakadu.com].

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Limon, Costa Rica

Limon, Costa Rica
By Kenth Nasstrom

The famous east coast of Costa Rica with places like Cauhita, Puerto Limon, Tortugeros and Barra del Colorado is a completely different thing then the west coast.

You can fly here or take highway 32 from San Jos� and enjoy the amazing scenery while driving. You can drive through Brauilo Carillo National Park and straight down to lim�n or go north and pass by the Volcano Barva, followed by Puerto Viejo and Sarapiqui.

The temperature stays around high 20s all year but due to rain almost the whole year, the clouds will give some protection from the burning sun.. The best time on the year (to avoid rain) is in February to Mars, and August to October.

You'll find restaurants scattered all along the road if you feel the urge for eating.

Lim�n is also the place where almost all of Costa Rica's bananas are shipped when exported.

Crime has been found somewhat higher then on the west coast so beware.

The Beaches

Four kilometers north of puerto Lim�n are two small beaches. Playa Bonita with fine yellow sand, palm trees and some hotels. The water is not perfect for tourists though. Playa Portete has a dock where local fishermen land with their catches. Even further north is Mo�n where the government built a industrial harbor for freight ships back in the 1980's. Going south you'll find the most visited place, the beach Cauhita.

Cauhita is a quite large village with many thousands of inhabitants and is a hot target for backpacking tourists. It can be hard to find a rental in Cauhita. White sand beaches fringed with coconut palms, a relaxing atmosphere and a calm Caribbean way of life attract a lot of tourists.

There are also several smaller beaches close by Cauhita. Even further south Talamanca is the place to go. Close by are Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva.

Sights of Lim�n

Cahuita National Park. Over 1000 hectares of land with more then 14Km of beaches, all with nice mixes of coconut palm trees, mangroves and dense forests, Snorkeling is offered all over the coast for those who would like to try it out.

In the south the Gandoca-Manzanillo Game Preserve is of interest. You can visit punta mona (Monkey Point), said to have received its name from Columbus himself.

Also plan a visit to Tortugeros and a trip on the canals. You'll most likely have to set aside 1-2 days for this trip as it is a long way to go. Make sure you bring clothes to change (after rain), insect repellant and clean drinking water and you'll have a much nicer time!

Not only will you find an extreme jungle here, you may also be lucky enough to encounter a sea turtle or two.

Parque Vargas in Puerto Lim�n with its tall attractive palms and other tropical trees, flowers and animals close to the waterfront is a pleasant way of enjoying the beauty of the tropics.

Eating

The food on the east coast is everything from local specialties, normal Costa Rican food, Caribbean food to French and Chinese. Be aware of the fact that not all food is compatible with all tourists!

Bars & Nightclubs

Night open bars and cantinas can always be found around the central parks in almost all Costa Rican towns. Puerto Lim�n is no exception. But many of these places in Lim�n should be avoided by tourists and single women should not be out after dark themselves without company.

Lim�n with Cauhita is different from other beaches. The much greener water on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica makes a nice contrast to the bluish west coast water.

You'll often find larger waves on the east coast as well.

Kenth Nasstrom writes about Newsletter Templates, Windows, Computer Security, Costa Rica and more. For more information about him, his products and his work, visit his Costa Rican Information [http://www.costa-rican-information.com//] site.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Limon,-Costa-Rica&id=214653

Travel To Turkey - Tips For Travellers

Travel To Turkey - Tips For Travellers
By Mike Tracy

Before traveling into Turkey, you will need to apply for a visa. Visas can be purchased at the the various entry points around the country. Traveler's checks are not accepted, and you will have to pay with cash. You can avoid the hassles of having to purchase a visa upon arrival by applying for one over the internet. Visas are needed for those who are citizens of either Great Britain or the United States. The visas will expire ninety days after they are purchased.

If you want to pay for a single entry visa, it will cost approximately $26. If you want a multiple entry visa, the cost is approximately $87. They need to be made out to the Turkish Consulate. The best time to travel to Turkey is between April and October. The weather is gentle during the spring and fall months, but temperatures become much colder during the winter. It will sometimes snow in the mountains during this time. During the summer, the coasts are very popular. Between the cities of Antalya and Izmir are a large number of coves, and the country is well known for having excellent rivers.

The three most prominent forms of transportation in the country are trains, buses, and planes. All of the large cities in the country have airports, and international as well as domestic flights are available. If you are looking for a low cost way to get around, the bus is your best option. A number of companies feature bus trips around Turkey both day and night. The buses are comfortable, and passengers are offered tea and other refreshments. The country also features a intricate railroad network. These railroads all connect to the large cities, and many contain sleeping compartments where you can get some rest.

When it comes to hotels and accommodations in Turkey, you will be happy to know that Turkey offers a wide range of places which can match virtually any budget. Large international hotels can be found in major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, and they also offer local establishments as well. If you are looking for a list of hotels ranked by quality, the Ministry of Tourism has an extensive guide which can be useful. In addition to the many international hotels, travelers can also stay at Ottoman style homes and other historic places.

When it comes to culture Turkey has played a pivotal role in the development of three major religions, and these are Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Turkey is unique in that these three religions have worked together side by side in a peaceful manner for much of the country's history. Because of this, the country has a culture which has traditionally been connected to these religions. It should also be noted that Turkey has an excellent exchange rate, and this makes it an affordable place to visit. Turkish Lira can be purchased in the country at any bank or exchange rate office.

There are nearly 100 different festivals held in Turkey each year. In addition to the Turkish festivals, many international events are held there as well. A large number of art festivals are featured, and are very popular.

Read hotel reviews and find the best hotel deals in Turkey online.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-To-Turkey---Tips-For-Travellers&id=215909

Gibraltar Holidays - Cheap Flights and Hotels

Gibraltar Holidays - Cheap Flights and Hotels
By Annie J

Gibraltar Holidays

Situated on the southern edge of the Spain, the famed and picturesque island, Gibraltar is basically an overseas of the United Kingdom. It is typically positioned at the western entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. The British claimed the island in 1973 and presently it is an international port and hot tourist spot, famous for holidays, short city breaks and as weddings & honeymoon destination. There are many travel agents offering cheap flight to Gibraltar. Book a cheap flight and hotel package for your next holidays in Gibraltar. But before that lets play around the island.

Rock Of Gibraltar

The main tour attraction in Gibraltar is "The Rock" and its pleasant whether. The Rock of Gibraltar is a considerable theme for botanists and bird watchers but also endow tourists with sightseeing actions such as the prominent semi-wild apes, caves, tunnels, large military guns and many more sites of historical and geological interest. It has a very famous tunnel popular as "labyrinth". Cable Cars are used to reach on the top of the rock.

Gibraltar Hotels

Gibraltar has a diverse range of cheap and luxurious hotels, offering best services to their guests. You can get very cheap and discounted rates for some of the best and hotels in Gibraltar for your short city break at "Gibraltar4less.co.uk". They have contracted rates for most of the Gibraltar hotels and claims to offer the most cheapest rates than any else. The most privileged hotels in Gibraltar are: The Rock Hotel, The Eliott Hotel, The Caleta Hotel, The Bristol Hotel, The Queen Hotel, The Continental Hotel and The Cannon Hotel.

Duty-Free Shopping In Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a famous destination of shopping as it one among the few VAT free shopping destinations in Europe, offering its visitors a varied range of tax free goods. The best thing about shopping in Gibraltar is that you don't even have to change currency to shop so no fiddling around with foreign coins! With exactly the same value, the Pound Sterling and the Gibraltar Pound are both acceptable forms of payment at all retail outlets. So shop out the island on your next Gibraltar holidays.

Gibraltar Sightseeing Tour

The places that you must see on your Gibraltar holidays are The Rock, Europa Point, Sailing Trip, Cable Cars, Dolphin Safaris, Botanical Gardens, City Gates and Fortifications, Catalan Bay. Those who are interested in natural history related to the sea, rock, land or plant, will enjoy a feast at Gibraltar as the island is very rich of such things all through the year. For the convenience of the visitors, some travel agents arrange for the Gibraltar day tours that include short visit in minimum time by taxi or by the coach so that the tourists can spend their maximum time to look around the plenty of places.

Gibraltar Attractions

There are the certain native areas like Rock Apes, dolphins excursions in the Bay of Gibraltar, and other marine mammals which include the Pilot Whales of the Strait, that always attracts the tourists and worth a visit on a Gibraltar holiday. For bird lovers and bird-watchers there are several different species including prey, storks, vultures, songbirds and seabirds. In spring season there are beautiful butterflies, emerging making the island a pretty paradise of the natural wild life. There is a lot to see in Gib while you spend your holidays in Gibraltar. The Botanical garden is the combination of the aesthetic beauty, a very silent area filled with the colourful fountains, ponds and waterfalls. There is a Catalan Bay, a small village on the eastern side of the rock where you can enjoy the traditional boating and fishing. Though a village but Catalan Bay has beach, pubs and restaurants etc.

Gibraltar Flights

With airlines commencing new routes to Gibraltar, there is now a good choice of cheap flights to Gibraltar. Look out for regular free night offers and other money saving offers when you book online! Plan your holidays in Gibraltar now whilst air fares are still low and the city remains unspoilt before the hoards of tourists and stags discover this latest new destination.

Working as Jr. Project Manager in Online Promotions & Internet marketing department of SynapseIndia, Noida.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Annie_J
http://EzineArticles.com/?Gibraltar-Holidays---Cheap-Flights-and-Hotels&id=192935

Ripley's Aquaruim in Gatlinburg Tennessee

Ripley's Aquaruim in Gatlinburg Tennessee
By Marc Dewberry

Believe it or not, Ripley's Aquarium of The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited aquarium in the United States. Come see why everyone keeps returning year after year! Coined as one of the world's greatest aquariums, Ripley's is open 365 days a year for you to enjoy! The aquarium is opens at 9:00 a.m. throughout the week and closes at 9:00 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Ripley's Aquarium is a spectacular 1.4 million gallon aquarium featuring eleven-foot sharks and over 8,000 other exotic sea creatures from across the waters around the globe. Piranhas displaying their gangly teeth, colorful Indo-pacific fish in Coral Reef, and the world's longest aquarium tunnel, which is 340 feet long, are some of the attractions that keep people coming yearly. Make sure to stop by the Shark Lagoon and physically interact with the rays in Touch-A-Ray Bay.

After seeing all of the fish species up close and personal attend a public classroom and see one of their narrated dive shows! They have buffets if you need a rest during your walk through the aquarium. Even stop by the gift shop to pick up souvenirs from the world-acclaimed aquarium.

The inexpensive price of $17.95 will make you want to come back for more and get an annual pass of $36.95! What a bargain to see one of the best aquariums in the world any day of the year. Children from 6-11 get in for $9.95 and children under 6 get admission for only $3.95. Make it a family outing and bring everyone along!

Gatlinburg Cabins

Gatlinburg Articles

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Spectacular Seychelles Boast World-Class Resorts and Attractions

Spectacular Seychelles Boast World-Class Resorts and Attractions
By Robert Scheer

The Seychelles is a group of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, located near Madagascar, the Maldives and Mauritius. The nation, a republic, boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, consisting of the island of Aldabra, the world's largest coral atoll and Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island, which has been compared to the Garden of Eden.

A haven for divers -- both snorkel and SCUBA -- Seychelles has six national marine parks, where coral islands are rich with more than 1,000 different species of fish. The turquoise water, clean white sand beaches and exotic plant and animal life make Seychelles a popular holiday destination for weddings and honeymoons as well as attractions for sailors and divers.

One of Seychelles' best-known beaches is Anse Lazio on Praslin Island. Framed by huge rocks on both sides, Anse Lazio beach is shaded by picturesque coconut palms leaning out toward the gently rolling waters of Chevalier Bay.

Mahe Island is the largest of the Seychelles, and location of the capital, Victoria. The international airport as well as 90% of the population can be found on Mahe Island.

Perhaps the most renowned holiday resort in Seychelles is the Banyan Tree, a family of romantic luxury resorts with locations also in the Maldives, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and China, although each location is uniquely fitted to its culture and geography. Other highly recommended resorts are operated by Constance (Lemuria Resort on Praslin Island), Le Méridien, and Taj. In addition, you will soon see them joined by Four Seasons, Southern Sun, the Crown and Champa Group, Universal Enterprises and Per Aquum.

The Banyan Tree, on Mahe Island, covers about 117 hectares of dramatic coastline and its 800 meters of beach frontage overlooks what has been called one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches.

Popular land-based activities include hiking along well-marked nature trails followed by pampering tired muscles in luxurious spas at five-star resorts. The Lémuria Resort on Praslin sports a championship 18-hole golf course recognized by the PGA, providing challenges for amateur and professional golfers.

Remarkable animals formerly found but now nearly extinct on these holiday islands include the giant tortoise and saltwater crocodile (caiman). Birders will be happy to see a Seychelles Flycatcher, Kestrel, Blue pigeon, Sunbird, Swiftlet, White Eye or Scops Owl. Seychelles are popular with fisherman, eager to catch such magnificent trophies as sailfish and marlin. Seychelles waters are also rich with shark, giant barracuda, rainbow runners and wahoos.

All residents of the Seychelles are immigrants, with the largest ethnic groups composed of French, Africans, Indians and Chinese. The two official languages are French and English.

The islands were probably first discovered by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. They were colonized by France in 1756, who named the archipelago after a government official, Jean Moreau de Sechelles. The Seychelles were ceded by Britain in 1814 and became an independent republic and member of the British Commonwealth in 1976.

Flying time to the Seychelles from the USA is about 30 hours, making it more popular with Europeans than North Americans. But its world-class scenery, diving sites, as well as its luxurious holiday resorts and cuisine, not to mention the friendly locals, make the Seychelles Islands well worth considering as a holiday destination for anyone who does not have to worry about budgets.

Robert Scheer is a freelancer who writes about myriad topics from yurts to Chow grooming

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Homestay Experience in Thailand?

Homestay Experience in Thailand?
By Bus Goldberg

So you're interested in a homestay experience with a rural hilltribe community in northern Thailand? Sounds Great! Just remember, don't be expecting luxury or hotel type accommodations. Be prepared for rather basic accommodations without too much amenities. Most likely your shower will be very rudimentary and consist of a bucket of cool water that you empty on yourself, and your toilet will be the traditional Thai squat toilet, which is low to the ground and does not flush by itself; you'll have to pour a bucket or two of water to induce the toilet to flush. Don't worry; if you have chosen the right homestay, you'll get a very rustic but clean room with a functional bed. Don't be anticipating gourmet restaurant style food, however meals should be very tasty and healthfully prepared. The ladies in the village who prepare your meals will most likely be very experienced cooks and well versed in their own culinary traditions. If you're a vegetarian, they should be able to accommodate you.

Just a tip - if you're staying with a hilltribe community - i.e. Akha, Hmong, Lisu, Lahu, Karen or Mien, it wouldn't hurt to do some research in advance on their culture and history.

While I have no personal experience with in Thailand per se, I had the opportunity to do a site inspection of a relatively new homestay in the mountains, about an hour drive from Chiang Mai, the tourist hub of Northern Thailand. Rooms were simple and small as expected but very clean and had a petite outdoor verandah with chairs in addition to a small area inside the room to lay your personal belongings.

The villagers grow both tea and coffee in the immediate vicinity and many people in the community were engaged in farming and other agricultural pursuits. While perusing the merchandise in their community's gift shop, I bought a special neck collar-pillow stuffed with aromatic green tea. For some strange reason, I thought that US Customs might tear it apart looking for marijuana but they didn't even bat an eye.

Bus Goldberg is a seasoned world traveler and the director of Calypso Island Tours, a travel company that specializes in botanical adventures and nature tours to such diverse destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and the Caribbean. He also maintains his own travel blog, Calypso Island Chronicles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bus_Goldberg
http://EzineArticles.com/?Homestay-Experience-in-Thailand?&id=237209

Homestay Experience in Thailand?

Homestay Experience in Thailand?
By Bus Goldberg

So you're interested in a homestay experience with a rural hilltribe community in northern Thailand? Sounds Great! Just remember, don't be expecting luxury or hotel type accommodations. Be prepared for rather basic accommodations without too much amenities. Most likely your shower will be very rudimentary and consist of a bucket of cool water that you empty on yourself, and your toilet will be the traditional Thai squat toilet, which is low to the ground and does not flush by itself; you'll have to pour a bucket or two of water to induce the toilet to flush. Don't worry; if you have chosen the right homestay, you'll get a very rustic but clean room with a functional bed. Don't be anticipating gourmet restaurant style food, however meals should be very tasty and healthfully prepared. The ladies in the village who prepare your meals will most likely be very experienced cooks and well versed in their own culinary traditions. If you're a vegetarian, they should be able to accommodate you.

Just a tip - if you're staying with a hilltribe community - i.e. Akha, Hmong, Lisu, Lahu, Karen or Mien, it wouldn't hurt to do some research in advance on their culture and history.

While I have no personal experience with in Thailand per se, I had the opportunity to do a site inspection of a relatively new homestay in the mountains, about an hour drive from Chiang Mai, the tourist hub of Northern Thailand. Rooms were simple and small as expected but very clean and had a petite outdoor verandah with chairs in addition to a small area inside the room to lay your personal belongings.

The villagers grow both tea and coffee in the immediate vicinity and many people in the community were engaged in farming and other agricultural pursuits. While perusing the merchandise in their community's gift shop, I bought a special neck collar-pillow stuffed with aromatic green tea. For some strange reason, I thought that US Customs might tear it apart looking for marijuana but they didn't even bat an eye.

Bus Goldberg is a seasoned world traveler and the director of Calypso Island Tours, a travel company that specializes in botanical adventures and nature tours to such diverse destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and the Caribbean. He also maintains his own travel blog, Calypso Island Chronicles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bus_Goldberg
http://EzineArticles.com/?Homestay-Experience-in-Thailand?&id=237209

Botanical Gardens of Costa Rica

Botanical Gardens of Costa Rica
By Bus Goldberg

On my last trip to Costa Rica in Feb. 05, while doing research for my botanical tour programs, I visited the three most important botanical gardens in this small Central American Republic - Wilson Botanical Gardens, Lankester Gardens and Arenal Botanical Gardens. Each of these venues was quite different from each other in terms of design, location and focus. If you are botanical enthusiast, it wouldn't hurt to visit all three venues. To follow is a brief description of all three ...

Wilson Botanical Garden

Located in southern Costa Rica near the Panamanian border at an elevation of 4500 feet above sea level, Wilson Botanical Garden covers an area over 25 acres and were designed in part by the famous landscape designer and architect, Roberto-Burle Marx. The gardens are operated by the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) as a center for research, scientific study and public education in tropical botany. The gardens are terraced to give it sort of a natural feel; plants of the same culture requirements are grouped together - Bromeliads, marantas, heliconias, gingers in particular are well represented here. There are over 700 species of palms alone, the second largest collection worldwide. Easy to navigate walking trails circle the entire property which abuts a private biological reserve. Believe it or not, this is one of the most popular venues for the birdwatcher crowd. When I was there, a small group of real avid Birdwatchers from California and Massachusetts stayed at the lodge and were really stoked as they added many new bird species to their life history list. Nearby is the quaint little town of San Vito which was founded by Italian immigrants sometime after World War II; there are several great pasta and pizza ristorantes in the area.

Lankester Garden

Located in the Central Plateau near the historic colonial city of Cartago, Lankester Garden are operated by the University of Costa Rica. It's an easy 1-hour drive from San Jose. For several years, this facility was poorly maintained, however when I visited the gardens in Feb 2005,the gardens were in good shape as the University spent some money on upgrading the facility. The gardens are located on a relatively flat terrain at an elevation of about 3,000 feet above sea level; while it does not have the raw and wild look of Arenal Gardens or the classical natural terraced landscaping of Wilson's, it is still an absolutely delightful place to see and is especially popular with visiting Tico Families from San Jose.

Featuring over 1,100 different species of orchids including the most important collection in the world of the miniature Pleurothallids, Lankester is definitely the place to go if you're an orchid enthusiast. Walking inside their Orchidarium, I saw many unusual and colorful species of cattleyas, ladyslippers (Phragmepidiums), moth orchids (Phaelonopsis) oncidiums, stanhopeas as well as the tiny looking " dwarf orchids". I'm not really an orchid enthusiast per se, but I have to admit some of the exotic orchids on display in the Orchidarium were real knockouts. For your information, The National Orchid show, a special weekend festival in San Jose takes place every year in March.

Arenal Botanical Garden and Serpentarium

Located about 3 1/2 hours northwest of San Jose, Arenal Botanical Garden is situated on a sloped hillside directly across from Arenal Lake. These gardens are primarily a native species preservation project; it definitely has the wildest feel of the three described venues and features many native Costa Rican plants, trees and flowers in addition to a good selection of imported and introduced species. Overall, 2,200 species are represented here including an extraordinary collection of Cycads and ferns. The trails climb a relatively steep grade and circle the entire facility. There is also a small Serpentarium on site - if you're interested in becoming familiar with some of the indigenous snakes of Costa Rica, this is definitely the place to visit. Boas, pythons and poisonous species are equally represented here

There lots of attractions in this region of Costa Rica, including the majestic Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world; in addition there are some small butterfly gardens in the area and several venues with thermal hot springs. Sportfishing and windsurfing are two of the most popular activities at Arenal Lake, a large manmade lake, located just east of the volcano.

In addition, if you're staying in the San Jose Area, you must visit the lovely gardens at the Bougainvillea Hotel, located in the quiet San José suburb of Santo Domingo.

Bus Goldberg is a seasoned world traveler and the director of Calypso Island Tours, a travel company that specializes in botanical adventures and nature tours to such diverse destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and the Caribbean. He also maintains his own travel blog, Calypso Island Chronicles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bus_Goldberg
http://EzineArticles.com/?Botanical-Gardens-of-Costa-Rica&id=237201

Dubai Holiday - Dubai Full Steam Ahead!

Dubai Holiday - Dubai Full Steam Ahead!
By James Bukovsky

Dubai was until recently not well known for tourism. How has Dubai managed to catch up with major tourism destinations such as Hawaii, Cannes or Bali? Other destinations have spent decades building up reputations and infrastructure with the hope of becoming a major travel destination.

Dubai has managed to surprise all hospitality and tourism experts. These experts did not expect any destination and especially not one in the Middle East to become dominant player in the travel industry.

So how did Dubai manage to build a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert? Dubai started its rise to fame just over a decade ago with the launch of the first annual Dubai shopping festival. The local government decided to use this festival as a tool to promote Dubai as a holiday destination.

The Dubai Sheikh and his sons spend years building an infrastructure and resort area for the tourism industry The Sheikh had learned from oil experts that the oil supply of Dubai could run out by as early as 2010.

The leader of Dubai realized that the 2nd largest of 7 United Arab Emirates could not survive without the oil revenue. The Sheikh of Dubai therefor looked for alternative sources of income and came up with the vision of turning Dubai into a luxurious holiday destination as well as an important business centre .The Dubai rulers invested most of the oil revenue into tourism and this has lead to Dubai being a leading holiday and business destination.

Dubai is superbly located geographically as it's situated at a point where Europe, Africa and Asia meet. This has benefitted especially the MICE segment of the Dubai hotels and travel industry. MICE stand for the Meetings and Incentives branch of the tourism industry.

Dubai has several world class facilities for trade shows and exhibitions including the ever so popular Dubai World Trade Centre. Practically every day some form of event or exhibition is held in Dubai which brings thousands of businessmen each day to this busy emirate. Large number of luxurious business hotels in Dubai cater exclusively for these visitors.

Dubai is an excellent choice as a venue for meetings or trade shows as it's ideally located for events which attract people from various continents. If one looks at the number of flights arriving daily at the Dubai airport and the vast size of the airport, it's hard to imagine that Dubai only started an airline in 1985 while most countries have had airlines since early 1950's.

The Jumeirah beach area offers a select number of world class resorts such as the Burj Al Arab. The Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel must certainly be the most famous hotel in the world and its quality of service and its magnificent and luxurious facilities are unheard of in the hotel business. The other Dubai beach hotels are also of excellent quality and some are surprisingly affordable.

The Dubai Hilton Beach hotel and the Jebel Ali resort for example offer great deals for families or visitors that can't afford the rates at the Burj Al Arab but still would like to stay at a 5 star Dubai resort along the beach.

Dubai has plenty of tourist attractions and activities for both the young and the old. An indoor ski piste was even created and opened its doors only a few months back. Other great Dubai activities are the Dubai desert safari's by jeep, snowboarding on the sand dunes, playing 18 holes at one of the many world renowned golf courses or even just going shopping at the numerous shopping malls.

Prices for many items are considerably cheaper then back home so do have a look as you will surely find a great deal. You should spend a few hours at one of the Dubai souk's such as the Dubai gold souk. A visit is a great experience which should be done by anyone visiting Dubai. Don't forget that you are expected to haggle about the price but always do it with a smile on your face!

The nicest period of the year to travel to Dubai is from October until about April. During these months the weather in Dubai cools down so that it's ideal for travelers. The weather in July or August is unbearable with many local residents even trying to get holiday so that they can take their family abroad to a place with more humane temperatures.

The trends so far do seem to suggest however that Dubai will have considerably more visitors this year for July and August than any previous year. Many Europeans are now choosing Dubai for their summer holiday destination as opposed to Jamaica or Cuba.

The future of the Dubai tourism industry just keeps getting brighter and brighter and there is no sign that the growth will slow down any time soon!

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Samui in his Samui Guide

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Dubai-Holiday---Dubai-Full-Steam-Ahead!&id=249662

Filming Locations - Meet Stars

Filming Locations - Meet Stars
By Walter Minton

Are you a movie fan that likes to take interesting vacations? Wouldn't it be fun to take a trip to southern California to see movie filming locations?

California is rich with movie history with many interesting filming spots you can visit. If you have never been to Universal City then this is a good place to start. Here you can go behind the scenes and see sets used repeatedly in the movies. After your tour, visit Universal city walk with dining and shopping if you wish but it's kinda expensive.

Nevertheless, everyone visits these major attractions and you and I are serious movie buffs and want something more interesting.

The very best place in the world for movie and western history fans is Gene Autry's Museum of the American West witch is part of The Autry National Center at 4700 Western Heritage Way off interstate 5 near Griffith Park. Let me tell you folks this Museum has the most amazing things you have ever seen. Some exhibits are from movie history and many of the exhibits are real life. Annie Oakley's true history and the actual gun she used to make it for example will have you saying, "Hey, this girl was the real deal".

After the museum since you are already in Griffith Park take the drive up to Griffith Planetarium and see the spot where James Dean made Rebel Without a Cause. Remember the school trip and the climactic shoot-out. The studios filmed many movies here in this huge city park. Remember the scene in The Rocketeer in front of the planetarium when he fights the hoods and flies up to the blimp. Other films featuring the Observatory include the Steve Martin's Hollywood satire Bowfinger, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, the spoofy 1987 film Dragnet with Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd.

If you are adventurous and do not mind lot's of driving, there are many famous filming locations scattered all over southern California. These are houses, stores and malls like the Puente Hills Mall 1600 Azusa Ave. City of Industry, California where in 1985, Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean "time machine" invented by slightly mad scientist Christopher Lloyd.

Some locations can be found on the internet. Some are no longer there but are born again, like the ruins of a demolished steel plant at Fontana, on the outskirts of San Bernardino Route 10 east of Los Angeles where scenes from the Terminator, and future resistance hero John Connor were filmed, is now the California Speedway. Here you can see where Lindsay Lohan made the movie Herbie Fully Loaded and raced the Volkswagen bug with a mind of its own on this racetrack. Not far away in the Lake Arrowhead area is where Lindsay made her first Movie The Parent Trap. You can drive around the lake ( Lake Gregory not Arrowhead ) and discover many scenes from the movie.

North of Los Angeles on highway 14 is an area called Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. Hundreds of films and commercials are made in this area since they started making movies, including Star Trek IV. The Voyage Home, the Vulcan planet. Vasquez Rocks has been used in hundreds of Westerns and sci-fi movies. The Flintstones, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles, and too many others to name. It is off the beaten path in the middle of the desert but well worth seeing. The entire village of the Flintstones was built here and was open to the public for a while. Just remember that it is a park and after filming is done, the sets are taken away but those crazy rocks are interesting. Take pictures and compare them with movies you see later.

While you are in the area, you must visit The Shambala Preserve for movie and other animals not far away at 6867 Soledad Canyon in Acton. It was started by actress and conservationist Tippi Hedren who is the beautiful blonde in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (And 67 other movies). Mr. Hitchcock said once "Tippi Hedren is really remarkable". He did not know how right he was even if it was for different reasons. Tippi has devoted much time and effort to charitable causes. Trust me, you will have a great time and be sure to leave Tippi a little donation to help feed those big kitties.

If you plan a trip in October and you do not mind a drive through the desert, you may want to visit The Lone Pine Film Festival. It is held every year in October. This year the dates are October 6th. 7th. & 8th. Taking place in and around the town of Lone Pine California, where filming has continued every year since 1920. Actors and stunt men show up unannounced every year. The area is for sure Hollywood's favorite movie location for 85 years. Nearly 400 feature films have shot scenes here. It is a huge wilderness area in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. During the festival, they put up hundreds of little stands with movie photographs on them in the exact spot where they filmed the scene. One of my favorites is the big rocks where Richard Boone held Randolph Scott prisoner in The Tall T. This is where John Wayne made many westerns and in fact, his last public appearance was here in the Great Western Savings commercials.

You never know who may show up at this event. Sometimes actors are filming in the area and just show up. I turned to see why my wife was taking pictures and saw Fred Dryer and Hugh O'Bryan standing beside me. You should see the photo she took of Robert Blake. Because it is not overcrowded, it is easy to talk to someone famous. I have stood on a street corner and talked with Gregory Peck and John Mitchum without anyone bothering us. I talked to Robert Blake and saw him and Dale Evans (Yes Dale Evans) sitting at the same table. I don't think she cared for his language but she didn't say so. She told us stories about her and Roy making movies in Lone Pine. Blake complained about how awful it was being a child star but he also told some funny stories.

East of Los Angeles near Palm Springs is an old historic western town called Pioneertown. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers built the place to make western movies. The old western-style saloons and storefronts that once were props for movie cowboys were in danger with the brush fires this year but the firefighters saved them. They still use the town for movies and the last time I checked it was open to the public. It's in the high desert near Palm Springs.

Since we are near Palm Springs guess what? Even the streets here are named after movie stars. My son and I once sat on a golf course out here asking silly questions to stars as they played golf. I thought it was funny when my son Mark asked Don Knots "Who's Don Knots"? Don didn't say anything, he just smiled.

P.S. Don't forget to research places and events. In the case of most Film Festivals, it's difficult to get a hotel unless booked months in advance. We used to stay a few miles away in the town of Big Pine. Don't forget to take pictures and get ready for the best Vacation Ever!

Screenwriter Walter Minton has lots to say about movies. [http://www.walterminton.com] - Welcome to my website.

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Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica

Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica
By Clint Cora

One of the ports of call for our Royal Caribbean cruise ship during the week of November 28/04 was Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Probably the most famous site in the region is Dunn's River Falls and we chose to tour it on our own rather than through one of the cruise ship tours. Once we disembarked from the cruise ship, there were cabs and shuttle buses available at the pier. Cabs to Dunn's River Falls were $22 US for a return trip. Cabs allowed 1-3 people per vehicle. We were also told at the pier that small shuttle buses also go to the Falls at $5.50 US per person. These were also based on return trips.

The only problem with shuttle buses was that we had to wait until they filled up the shuttle before leaving for the Falls so since we were the first on the bus, we had to wait about 15 minutes for it to fill up. The driver then asks you when you want to be picked up at the Falls for the return trip. Our driver suggested 2 hours to see the Falls so we agreed on this time duration.

Once at the Falls, a woman then came onboard the shuttle to sell tickets for admission to the site at $10 US per adult person which was the same rate at the park's ticket booth. Once inside the Dunn's facility, there were rentals for special rubber shoes as well as lockers. We carried a small backpack so we didn't require paying for a locker. We also brought along our scuba diving booties so we didn't have to rent those rubber shoes on site either. The cruise ship shop was also selling these rubber shoes in advance. Shoes of some type are highly recommended as the rocks on the Falls can be slippery and some of the bottoms of the water pools are a bit rocky. If you have old sneakers you don't mind getting wet, they will be suitable for the climb up the falls as well. Our scuba diving booties turned out to be sufficient. The entrance to the site is at the top of the falls so we took some stairs that were adjacent to the falls to the bottom where the beach and entrance to the climb were.

There are official guides dressed in blue polo shirts and shorts who will take groups up the falls. Normally, they will ask to carry all cameras for you so they can take photos of you as you climb. Of course, they expect to be well tipped for their services. Also, groups were told to hold hands forming a human chain up the falls. This was suppose to make things safer but as we witnessed, this method of going up the falls is not a guarantee against falling. We saw a woman let go and she fell down the rocks during one of the steeper sections. She wasn't badly hurt but we imagined that she sustained some nice bruises. There are various points along the falls where you could get off the falls and back on the stairs to walk up the rest of the way.

Not everyone there attempted to climb the falls as many were happy to just walk dry along the side on the stairs. We chose not to go with any of the groups which tend to go up the left side of the falls. We made our way up on our own mostly on the right side. With some breaks for photos, we made it all the way up the falls in about 30 minutes. Going with a group would have taken longer for sure. The water is a bit cool and if you have a wetsuit, it is highly suggested that you wear it for the climb. Cameras used there up the falls are also recommended to be water resistant since they likely will get wet. We left our digital camera on the ship and took one of those $25 underwater cameras.

After climbing the falls, we headed back down to the relatively small but uncrowded beach where the ocean water was warmer until it was time to depart. The exit back at the top of the falls was strategically located at the end of a market so we did have to go through some locals who tried to sell us their souvenirs. These locals who worked inside the Dunn's site were hustling but not as aggressively as those in the town of Ocho Rios. The shuttle bus arrived at the site parking lot on time as agreed. The total amount we spent including the park admission and the shuttle was $31 US for the two of us. Taking an organized tour through the cruise ship would have cost more than double this amount. So it is quite possible to tour Dunn's River Falls on your own rather than take the more expensive tours. We were glad that we did see Dunn's River Falls but we thought that it was not nearly as impressive as depicted on photos in travel brochures.

Clint Cora is a motivational diversity speaker, author and Karate World Champion. He does keynote speaking programs and seminars on personal development and diversity. See his FREE 3-part Personal Development Video Series to expand your comfort zone to conquer even your most daunting goals in life.

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California Vacations - What You Haven't Seen

California Vacations - What You Haven't Seen
By Dominic Ferrara

It is understandable why California attracts a lot of people. It is warm and sunny most part of the year, Los Angeles is full of movie stars, and rollerblading babes can be found all over the place in Venice Beach. Even if it is exaggerated, this part of the California mystique is real and not very hard to find.

But California has other things too, that are not scripted, sanitized, and broadcast to the mesmerized masses of the world. The glitter and glamour are only the surface of an incredibly diverse state that would be a productive and powerful nation in the event of ever getting separated from the Union. California has it all: redwood forests, an incredibly verdant Central Valley, the Sierra Nevada, deserts, a lot of well-known cities, and hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline.

Despite the crime, pollution, traffic, and earthquakes, which have made California famous as well, people here are still the golden children of the United States, America's spoiled rich kid that is either loved or loathed by everyone. (In Oregon, for example, they sell lots of license-plate rims stating "I hate California.") To be perfectly sincere, people here don't really care. Californians are aware of the fact that they live in one of the most interesting places in the world, and they're proud of their state. Nobody can guarantee you that you'll meet Arnold Schwarzenegger or learn how to surf here, but with a little time, a little money, and an adventurous spirit, you will be guided by us and offered one of the most fulfilling vacations of your life. The four of us do nothing but travel, but we chose to live in California because this place has so much to offer.

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The Island With The Most Return Visitors

The Island With The Most Return Visitors
By Linda Thompkins

Fourteen years ago, my husband and I visited the island of Barbados on a cruise ship. Barbados is the farthest island of the Caribbean chain, and once we stepped off the ship, our love affair with the island started.

Being a travel consultant, I had read up on the island, and the images of "flying fish" and "green monkeys" stirred my imagination. Also the fact that there is nothing but water separating Barbados and the coast of Africa meant we were going to truly be in the West Indies, and close to the equator. That alone was enough for a sun and beach lover!

When our ship docked, we opted to take an island cruise via taxi. Four hours later, we had covered the island's coastline from the calm waters of the west coast on the Caribbean Sea, to the raging Atlantic coast on the east, and the lively south coast. You just have to love an island that offers a completely different experience on all coasts. When the cruise ship pulled out to sea, I can remember having a longing for an island that I had only experienced for a day.

Upon returning home, we started planning a land based trip to the island. Being a beach lover, we made reservations for the next year on west coast of the island. I remembered the water being glassy calm, and longed to spend lazy days at the beach. The west coast attracts the rich and famous, and is home to fabulous homes, hotels and villas. This coastline is located on the Caribbean Sea, and the water is perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Fine dining is a fact of life, and Barbados is known for some of the best restaurants in the world.

As we started to meet other vacationers, we quickly learned that most of them had been to the island many times before. I found this unusual, since most Caribbean vacationers opt to experience new islands. What was even more surprising, many of the English and Canadian visitors spend the entire winter season on the island every year. It certainly made us "short termers" with our two week vacation.

My curiosity about these long term repeat vacations prompted me to ask why they returned year after year. Their answers centered around the friendly locals, variety of lodging that caters to long term visitors, sunny weather, great food and a standard of living that is conducive to making the island a second winter home.

After a week of being beach bums, we ventured out to the southern coast, and found the St Lawrence Gap. As we walked the mile long Gap area, I knew this would be our future spot on the island each year. The west coast is rather sedate, and spread out compared to the lively south coast. We found more than 20 restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, shopping, and a great beach all in one area. We could hardly contain ourselves til next years vacation. The love affair with Barbados was in full swing.

Thirteen years later, we are still in love. The same driver picks us up at the airport each year, and welcomes us back home. As timeshare members, we have made many friends over the years. Who would have thought that fourteen years ago we would have English, Canadian, Danish and Bajan friends that we keep in touch with throughout the year, and can't wait to see each winter season.

As soon as winter hits here in the Midwest, I have thoughts of eating flying fish and seeing the green monkeys playing outside our balcony in the morning. Do the fish really fly? Well, they skim over the water, and they do have wings. Are the monkeys really green? Their color could best be described as a combination of green, brown and yellow.

The real reality is the sun shines brighter, the water is like a warm bath, and some of the most friendly people occupy this 160 mile paradise. I feel safe there, and unfortunately gain weight each year eating great food from one side of the island to the other. And when I get a travel request for Barbados, I can hardly contain my excitement telling a client all the inns and outs of the island.

This is a brief story about a love affair with an island, and its people. At times I feel guilty about not having the same feeling about the other islands I've visited in the Caribbean. After all, I am a Caribbean travel consultant, and I am not supposed to be partial to just one island. I love all of the Caribbean islands, but I'm in love with Barbados.

If your curiosity is peaked after reading this article, then be advised after one visit, your future travel plans may head you in the same direction each year.

Linda Thompkins has seven years experience as a Caribbean Travel Consultant, lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is owner of Travel 2 the Caribbean Online Agency. She also manages two travel blogs.

Linda has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean.

Visit Travel 2 the Caribbean - [http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com]

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