9/22/2007

A More Exciting Way To Learn... World Travel

The best teacher when it comes to world history is actually being able to visit all these historic places mentioned inside the entire world history book one place at a time, as much as cheap travels permit.

We all had that experience where we had the chance to go somewhere and the memories in that place remains with you forever. Imagine what it could do if you make it as a more thorough research on a country by really going there to learn about its history and culture.

Its always fascinating to go to a country where you get to visit the tribes and really see what they look like, be able to taste the delicacies of the place, have the chance to learn their culture, and hear the history of the place right from the natives mouth.

Learning is a lot more fun when you don’t have to bore yourself inside a classroom with a book in front of you having to read all these and not knowing or understanding what it means. By actually experiencing what its like to be in that place, you will be able to relate to what was being described inside those references, which makes it a lot more interesting to remember them by heart.

You don’t have to force yourself into memorizing the places; you get to remember them because you’ve been there. The best part of it is that since it stays with you, you get to write about it, and you can even relay the information as if you were the book.

Imagine what it would be like if you could go to the most historical countries there is around the world. With the cheap student travel deals given as promos in a lot of airline, ships and train agencies, travelling is not as hard as it used to.

Discounts for student fares are often offered in all transportations. A great way of making good use of this offers is to let them travel. It could be as an educational tour for the whole class, a group of science club students, or exchange students.

Putting a little more fun on the way teachers teach can actually give every student motivation to learn more. Teach them to explore the world around them instead of spending all their free times in malls doing nothing, or in front of the televisions or in their personal computer playing computer games.

With this cheap student travel deals, you can take them or let go into nature trips to any part of the world. This way they will be aware of the possibilities and circumstances their experiences could teach them. Let them start early, and who knows they’ll love it and continue traveling when they’re older.

Cheap student travel deals can easily be researched in Internet including advisable places to visit, family travel deals is also available online and you get to book the flight through your computer at home and be able to manage the schedule and have a copy of the itinerary so you never get out of touch.

Travel now and discover. Experience is the best teacher ever. So, let them explore the world out there. Who knows, maybe when they get back you’ll be surprised with what they’ve gain from the whole expedition.

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The Most Popular Travel Destinations In The World

Every country is beautiful in its own manner and is really worth visiting, but there are some countries that attract much more tourists than others.

There is the list of the 5 of the most visited countries of the last several years

1) France (76.7 million visitors a year)
2) Spain (51.7 million visitors)
3) U.S. (41.9 million visitors)
4) Italy (39.8 million visitors)
5) China (36.8 million visitors)

This is the data of 1998

1) France (70 million visitors)
2) Spain (47,7 million visitors)
3) United States (47 million visitors)
4) Italy (34,8 million visitors)
5) United Kingdom (25,4 million visitors)

The top 4 has remained the same since the end of the last century, but fast developing and becoming more and more popular China replaced the United Kingdom on the fifth place. You can also see that china is going to overcome Italy in amount of tourists. You can also see that the total amount of tourists has increased – people became to travel more.

So, the most popular country with a big odds given is France. Without any doubt the most famous and popular city in France is Paris. It receives a huge amount of visitors any season. In summer the whole Cote d’Azur with Nice and Cannes becomes the most fashionable and prestigious beach resort.

Spain, mostly visited in summer is also very popular beach destination with its resorts of Costa Brave, Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol. Spanish islands – Canaries and Balearics also attract millions. Barcelona and Madrid are on the top of the list of the most visited Spanish cities.

United States have the third place with the significant number of tourists, but mostly they are Americans. New York is the most visited by tourists city and Florida and California are known for their beach resorts.

Italy, full of ancient attractions and sea resorts is also among the leaders. Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence – everybody knows these symbols of Italian bloom and the tourist stream never exhausts.

Among other popular travel destinations we can name Thailand, although after tsunami it suffered a lot of problems. Now it begins to rise again. According to some questionings it is named the best place for swimming and beach rest.

These are the destinations popular worldwide. However every country has its own favorites. For example, it’s known that Americans prefer to spend their holidays in Mexico, many French like to visit Martinique and so on.

In conclusion I can say that nothing threatens France’s leadership in the list of the most popular countries but people open new, exotic destinations which popularity is growing up.

About the Author:

For booking a hotel in any part of the world, please, go to http://www.bb72.com

World Travel - Hints On How To Do It

If you have set your mind on traveling around the world, you might run into the difficult task of having to make a hard choice: where do you want to go? The multitude of destinations and travel options is great, but it is also something that you might deal with for days or even weeks before you make a decision.

The best thing to do is to create a top ten list of the places that you always wanted to visit. The list may include different countries or even cities in the same country. No matter what you will place as number one in your list you shouldn’t worry about getting there, as the travel industry is huge today and able to send you to your destination. Try to find out as much as possible about the most attractive destinations. Travel literature offers a wide variety of sources for good information. You can either go at a local bookstore or search online for facts about your destination(s).

Try to have a good idea about what you want to do there. Are you going to go white water rafting, hiking, biking, roller skating, scuba diving? Make sure you have the adequate equipment and physical condition to embark on an adventure. Remind yourself that you will, most likely, find yourself on the tourist trail. This may be enough for some, but if you wish to capture hidden aspects of the place you will be visiting you might want to get off the beaten trail. There are good reasons why some places become tourist attractions: there are convenient ways of getting there and interesting things to see. For aspects of your trip that are less touristy you might want to try asking some locals about places known mostly by them and ignored by the visitors. Going around the travel industry offers might get you greater satisfactions than if you had just followed the standards.

Big cities might sound like a good place to visit, but the truth is that most of them are very much alike. Of course, there are exceptions, and you will find cities with a very distinct personality, like Paris, Prague or Istanbul. You might also want to travel without using cabs and go for the means of transportation the locals use: buses, trams and bikes. Walking around, stopping at small, hidden shops or wandering on small, neglected streets should prove a unique experience as well, very different from the loud and flashy city tours.

About the Author:

Andrew Smith is a co-webmaster of HowToAll, a site providing well researched information on accomplishing tasks on various topics. http://www.howtoall.com

Get Off Your Bum With Adventure Travel

Of late, regular travel has become predictable and boring. With falling airfares and the resulting increase of package tours becoming the most common way of vacationing, traveling has become uninspiring and monotonous.

That feeling of adventure that traveling is supposed to evoke has become jaded. This is what has given rise to a new form of travel these days – Adventure Travel! Adventure travel is not only popular with the adrenaline filled youth, but is increasingly being taken up by people of older generations too, because of greater fitness, health, leisure time and economic prosperity.

There really is very little else in the world that can be more thrilling than adventure travel, because it primarily involves risk taking. When you get out there, you finally start experiencing life at its edgiest - which is part of its excitement. It is not hard to figure out why.

Adventure travel usually takes us into close proximity with Mother Nature at her rawest best. It also often introduces us to new peoples and cultures, thus broadening our perspective about the world we live in.

For those who really are into hardcore adventure travel at its adrenaline pumping best, there are many options, such as scaling the fourteen thousand feet craggy mountains of Colorado or the even loftier snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range, bicycling along the route of Tour de France, or trying out a new heart-rate pumping adventure sport like white water rafting in treacherous, rolling icy waters.
You may choose to try parasailing into the updrafts from vertiginous cliffs, bungee jump off precarious toe-holds, or ski down hair-raisingly steep mountain sides. If it is thrills you are looking for, there is no dearth of them.

However, not all adventure travel need comprise of spine-tingling feats, defying death. For the gentler bent of mind, there are trips you can take which can be equally exciting and stimulating, without much danger involved in them.

For example, you could float up above the African veld in a hot air balloon to watch lions stalking their prey below, or take a walking tour of the ancient Angkor Wat temple smothered in the Cambodian jungles, or hike through the forest trails in the Amazonian jungles experiencing the exotic wild life there like the Caymans snoozing on the banks of the rivers or the brightly hued parrots squawking in the canopy of branches overhead.

Some of the other adventure travel sites include eco-trekking through the rain forests of the Caribbean in order to get up close to the insects, birds and animals that inhabit it. You could take camping trips to various exotic locales still off the tourist map and learn about the local people – their food habits, costumes, language and culture by actually interrelating with them.

Or perhaps you would like something more solitary and gentle. If so, there are still unspoiled beaches that are virtually deserted and exist for you to immerse yourself in the sun-splashed splendor of yellow sands and azure seas.

Or, if you want something a little livelier, how about surfing off the coast of Costa Rica? All of these provide a way of being a part of adventure travel, without it getting too hazardous.

About the author:
Visit href="http://www.travelchecklist.info">TravelCheckList.info and checkout the Adventure Travel page for more travel destinations, lodging, safety tips and deals.

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Hyderabad Travel Guide

Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Between northern and southern India, Hyderabad has a rich history and multi-lingual culture, and has boasted peaceful coexistence of Mulsims and Hindus.

Hyderabad is famous world over for its fabulous Diamond markets, glass embedded bangles and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine. It has a Hindu - Muslim culture with a number of monuments of historical importance. Legend says that in 1589 Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty founded a new city along the banks of river Musi for his ladylove, Bhagmati. The city was then called Bhagyanagar. Later when Bhagmati entered the royal family, she was honored with the title Hyder Mahal. And Bhagyanagar became Hyderabad.

Places to see in Hyderabad:

Golconda Fort
This fort, originally built by the Kakatiyas, the rulers of the neighboring state, was made with mud. Later, the Shahis converted it into a marvelous piece of architecture using advanced acoustics wherein sound signals could pass from the entrance of the fort to the top without the use of any electric gadgets. There is a sound and light show in the evening which is quiet popular.

Charminar
It is the principal landmark of Hyderabad. In 1591, Mohamed Quli Qutub Shah built Charminar to commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic. Charminar, which means four towers, stands 56m high and 30m wide creating four arches facing each of cardinal points.

Salar Jung Museum
A major attraction for art lovers, Salar Jung Museum was put together by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), the Prime Minister of Nizam Osman Ali Khan. One of the largest private collections in the world that covers exhibits from every part of the world, the museum has over 35,000 items comprising of wood carvings, sculptures, Persian miniature paintings, weaponry and a library of 50000 books.

Birla Mandir
As the name indicates, Birla Trust in 1976 constructed the temple. Built with white Rajastani marble, the temple is located on Kalabahad, one of the twin rocky hills overlooking the south end of Hussain Sagar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is a replica of Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati.

Qutub Shahi Tombs
The royal cemetery of the Qutub Shahi kings lies about 2km from the Golconda Fort. The tombs are a scattered group of large domes and terraces. Perhaps this is the only place in the world where one can see so many tombs in one place. All the Qutub Shahi kings except Abdul Hassan Tana Shah who died in captivity in Daulatabad are buried here. These graceful domed tombs are surrounded by landscaped gardens.

Hyderabad Fair & Festivals:

Deccan Festivals
The deccan festival highlights Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cusine. This festival also includes a Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. Cultural programs, food stalls arts and craft shops etc. are also organized.

Lumbini Festival
This festival is organized to celebrate the Buddhist Heritage of Andra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days from 2nd Friday of December every year.

Ugadi
This native New Year comes soon after the celebration of 'holy' in April-May. Spring is considered as the first season of this native New Year of Andra.

Vinayak Chaturthi
The day is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm throughout the country, because on that day Lord Ganesh was born. Every year the largest Ganesh Idol is installed at Khairatbad in Hyderabad that is taller than thirty feet. On the 11th day of celebration, processions converge at Hussain Sager Lake. The ten-day Ganesh festival concludes with the immersion of Ganesh idols in the lake.

Climate:

Summer
March - June, Temperatures hit 40 degrees celsius. Sunstroke is common. Drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen.

Monsoon
July- September. Usually it doesn't rain much, but occasionally you get thunderstorms.

Winter
October - February, Average 8 degrees celsius. Sometimes bitingly cold, but mostly pleasant.

How to get there:

Air
Has international airport.

Rail
Being headquarter of South Central Railway, Well connected from all major cities of India.

Road
Hyderbad, being Capital city is well conected by Road from all major cities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Orissa.

About the author:
Vinay Choubey
SEO Manager
For more details on Hyderabad Travel visit www.times2travel.com

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Polaris World: Heaven Is Here

It wouldn't be wrong to associate Polaris World with golf. Whenever the name Polaris World is taken, it excites the golfers and golf lovers. However, one would do well to remember that Polaris World has much more to offer than mere golf. There is a wide range of activities to sink your teeth in. The location itself comprises of a variety of wonders including mountains, beaches, night life, resorts and a host of festivities to enjoy.

The weather at Polaris World is perfect all the year round, making it ideal for outings and other similar activities. The food is amazing and includes such extensive menu, which includes almost all the Spanish delicacies and other continental dishes. Exotic drinks and entertaining music transports you to a new high. The carnival atmosphere has its effect on people and forces them to put on their dancing shoes. However, life at Polaris world can also be calm and quite making it just ideal for people who might have turned up for peace and solace.

Some of the most scintillating cliffs and hills can also be found at Polaris World, making the place just perfect for people who like mountaineering. The setting is just perfect for adventure sports. The best thing however, would be to buy a hill view apartment and enjoy the scenic beauty for ever. And if your interest is inclined towards seas and beaches, then the best thing would be to buy a sea facing apartment and enjoy the rising and setting of sun in the ocean. In addition to this, you also get the opportunity to take a tan on the white soft beaches of Mar Manor or the Mediterranean.

Armed with all sort of attractions, Polaris World welcomes people with open arms. It would be just right to sum up the whole thing by stating that mountaineering, beaches or fun, Polaris World has something for everyone.


About the author:
Brittney Jackeline is a well known professional writer. She has won appreciation especially for good writing about the Spanish Real Estate topics like Polaris World and properties in Spain.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

9/09/2007

Maldives: Floating On Cloud Nine

It’s the stuff dreams are made of. The deep blue of the sea punctuated with green and white islands in the sun, each surrounded by a ring of crystal clear water of an unbelievable turquoise hue. Each island can be circumvented in a few minutes, so while you’re there, you feel you’re a Robinson Crusoe lost in some wonderful dream you don’t ever want to wake up from. That’s the magic the Maldives spins on you.A cluster of 2000 islands in the Indian Ocean, only 200 islands are occupied – so we were told – 20 of them by locals and a staggering 180 by resorts. A trip there and you won’t wonder why. It’s the perfect holiday getaway, whether you’re on your honeymoon, just getting away for a long-deserved break or, like us, setting off on the annual summer holiday with friends. If you’re the kind that firmly believes that going ‘abroad’ must be a place where you can shop till you drop, this isn’t the place for you. This is strictly for the lotus-eater, the pleasure-seeker, the beach-bum who wants to do nothing more tiring than eat, float on a calm sea and sleep. How do you get to Paradise? You can fly from Trivandrum like we did – it’s a one-hour flight – or you could fly from Bombay or Delhi via Colombo. Make sure you get a window seat so you can gasp at your first sight of the islands. You land on an island near the capital, Male. (Just remember, the Maldives is a Muslim country so make sure you don’t carry any liquor or pork products. This rule of course does not apply to what is served at the resorts.) From there, the resort takes over. We had booked with the Taj Coral Reef. Their staff led us to a speedboat that looked like something out of a James Bond movie and that’s exactly how we felt a few minutes later as we were skimming over the sea, the wind in our hair, passing an island here and there on our way. It took us 50 minutes to get to the resort. A wonderful welcome drink later (an exotic combination of passion fruit and mango), we were led to our rooms. Beach villas they called them. You walked out your door and your feet crunched on the white sand with the water lapping at your feet. We couldn’t wait so it was on with our swimsuits and into the water, which was so clear you could see your toes! And, believe it or not, there’s a host of fish to welcome you in all shapes, sizes and colors. (Another piece of advice – take a pair of light canvas shoes along as you could get your feet cut by the bits of coral lying around.) As always, the Taj chefs outdid themselves with the buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. There was a gentle reminder that if we didn’t like the food we could ask for Indian fare. What was there not to like? And every meal ended with desserts fit for a king. This feeling of being on Cloud Nine went on for the next six days. The kids always found plenty to do, the adults lazed in the sun, ate, drank and were merry. A one-day trip to Male was the only alteration in the routine. A city of cobble-stoned roads, fancy cars that drove carefully along the narrow streets never blowing their horns, friendly people and a fish market that was neat and tidy! If you are a good swimmer, there’s a lot you can do at the resort. You can hire equipment and go snorkeling, hire canoes, go deep sea diving or wind surfing. Part of the package was a night fishing expedition. The coral around the island was interesting and we watched footage shot by the resort’s diving instructor that was equal to anything you would watch on the Discovery or National Geographic channels.One interesting diversion every evening was the feeding of the stingray by the hotel staff. Without fail, these beautiful creatures would come an hour ahead of time to wait for their meal – black, gray, white, golden, speckled – gliding like angels in the shallow water, graceful as dancers.The weather, like in all perfect holidays, was magical. A light drizzle now and then, but otherwise a perfectly blue sky to complement the wonderful color of the sea. As we sped back on the speedboat, our cheeks were wet with more than just the salty sea spray. It’s so hard to wave goodbye to something perfect. One could almost echo the sentiments of yore and say, ’If ever there was a Paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.’
About the author:Shalini KagalWriter and Rewriterhttp://www.howtowrite.biz Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Interesting Things To See While Traveling In The Middle East

Middle East travel offers a wonderful travel experience for the history, archeology and culture buff. Come with us as we share some of the interesting things to see as you experience UAE travel, UAE hotels, Dubai travel, Dubai hotels, and other Middle East travel destinations.The federation of the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971. The population is quite young, with a little over 51 percent of the nationals under the age of 20. There are special cultural tours available where you can engage in UAE travel and live in the desert as early nomadic tribes did. You could also spend time on the coast at the harbors where fish are plentiful, and are often sold at the souqs, or markets. You will find a plethora of items native to the region for purchase at the souqs, including various foods such as dates for which the United Arab Emirates are famous, as well as many spices, seafood, and colorful fabrics. For these reasons UAE travel is uniqueEgypt travel is excellent during the fair times of year. The best weather occurs in spring and fall for a visit. There are many excellent sites of antiquity to visit during Egypt travel, including Aswan. Here is located the mighty Aswan High Dam, as well as the Tombs of the Nobles. The city of Cairo offers the majestic Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. To get a sense of the local culture, consider a visit to Islamic Cairo, which offers a taste of what Cairo was like in the Middle Ages, and is a wonderful place to explore mosques. A sailboat, known as a felucca, ride at sunset on the Nile River is the experience of a lifetime, and is a “must-do” during Middle East travel.Saudi Arabia resides on the Arabian Peninsula. You will fall in love with the zesty Saudi cuisine, featuring spices such as cardamom, saffron, and musk. Algebra mathematics is an Arabic invention, and Saudi Arabia is where Islam originated in the sixth century. The late King Abdul Aziz renovated and expanded the Holy Mosque in Makkah beginning in 1988. Every year the Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival is held, which features traditional camel races, music and dance.Qatar travel offers many natural features that make for an interesting visit. The Oryx Farm and the Al Shaqab Stud Farm are two that merit attention. The Oryx is the national animal of Qatar. It is a large member of the antelope species that has beautiful upright horns. The Arabian Oryx has also been reintroduced in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Bahrain. The Stud Farm is home to purebred Arabian show and race horses. You can also take a Desert Safari tour, where you will spend time traversing sand dunes, as well as sea swimming. During your Middle East travel, Shopping at souqs, and visiting the Corniche coastline are a great way to see Qatar.
About the author:Jonathon Blocker is a frequent traveler to the Middle east. He regularly shares his insights and experiences on traveling in the middle east, including Dubai Travel, Dubai Hotels, and Middle East Travel in general. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Entertainment in Singapore

Singapore is one of the most unusual cities in Asia. Old colonial districts and ultra modern skyscrapers, temples and green parks, lively commercial streets and one of the largest sea ports in the world – all this is concentrated on a small territory.Singapore is the city-state located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, Southeast Asia. This is one of the richest, the best organised, the most effective countries in the world with a high quality of life. Singapore is often called an island “of 1000 commercial centers”. Despite its hot climate, it’s a true tropic heaven for many tourists. The name “Singapore” derives from two Sanscrit words (singa and pura) and means “The lion city”. The city was founded in 1819 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who worked for a British company. The company decided that this was an ideal spot for a trading post and a settlement to be built here. They say that the city is still filled with the spirit of past. There are numerous attractions to observe in Singapore, such as the Victorian-style Empress Place Building which comprises a museum, art galleries and a luxurious restaurant, Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, City Hall and Raffles Hotel known for its posh decoration (which, by the way, is mentioned in some local proverbs). Attractions you are also advised to visit are: St Joseph's Institution, Singapore Art Museum, Statue of Thomas Stamford Raffles by Thomas Woolner, National Museum, numerous skyscrapers such as Singapore Land Tower or Art Deco Caltex House, picturesque “boat districts” like Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, turned into fashionable entertainment and shopping centers, and a famous Orchard Road – a “skyscraper street” with its Istana palace and Chettiar Hindu Temple. There are also Singapore Botanic Gardens found in Orchard Road western part. The gardens are a place to find yourself in a tropical forest and enjoy the gardens’ landmark – Orchidarium, with more than 60 thousand orchids growing on its territory. Singapore’s neighbourhoods, like China town and Small India, are also curious places to visit. There are also lots of parks in the city. In addition to green plantations, the parks accommodate various entertainment and sports venues, the most prominent of which are Telok Blangah Hill Park, Tiong Bahru Park and Pearl's Hill City Park. South of Singapore one will find several beautiful islands which are also worth visiting. The most visited island is Sentosa. This is a playground for all ages, with a huge choice of parks, attractions, sports grounds and other attraction spots like Fort Siloso, Volcanoland attraction park, famous musical fountains, the Rare Stone Museum, Maritime Museum, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, Underwater World oceanarium with a clear underwater tunnel 100 meters long and a dolphin lagoon, Cinemania, Tang Dynasty Village, Carlsberg Sky Tower – the largest Singapore observation tower, numerous gardens with fountains and more than 3 km of white sandy beaches. Each year approximately 12,6 million tourists come to Singapore. Nowadays the city offers about 95 hotels, and by the year 2008 there will be about 114 of them here. As seen from the numbers, tourism is an important source of revenue for Singapore.
About the author:Go to Singapore hotels reservation to book a room in Singapore hotel.nbportal.com - online hotel reservation. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Fado and white port wine

Like all the southerners, Portuguese people are gourmands. And they can cook well. Mind that they pay attention not only to the dishes, but also to the place and the time of their meals. And, of course, the company.Portuguese cuisine differs from any European cuisine, including Spanish one. For instance, Spanish and French restaurants offer a variety of snacks and salads whereas the Portuguese prefer to start their meals with the first course. To be exact, there are only two real salads in Portugal – vegetable and “green” (prepared of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onion and carrot, all with olive oil), sometimes spices are added. The main dish for the Portuguese dinner is meat. Delicate veal, lamb saddle, and mouth-watering pork served with fried potatoes and boiled rice. Add olive oil or vinegar. One portion is usually enough for three. To taste delicious lamb, go to Cafe de Paris – the oldest restaurant in Sintra. Traditional Portuguese meat is also served in all the Lisbon restaurants. What about wines? In addition to world known port wine and Madeira there is excellent dry wine produced here. Rough and flavoured red wine produced in Alentejo is no worse than Spanish Rioja or French Bordeaux. Portuguese also love fish, cod is their favourite. According to statistics each Portuguese citizen eats 16 kilos of cod per annum. Note that all the cod is imported to Portugal from other countries. Its prepared this way: dried cod is soaked in water with great amount of salt for 24 hours. Then its crumbed and fried with olive oil. In Portuguese capital, Lisbon, it is served with boiled potatoes and corn bread. To taste sword-fish, go to Madeira. They even organize a special excursion which is finished with dinner at the Cachalote restaurant, Porto Moniz cape. The restaurant is located on the very edge of the cape and from its windows you can observe waves breaking into black rocks. There is nothing special about its interior, but the food is delicious. Traditional Portuguese salad, vegetable potage, and of course sword-fish. The fish is served with white sauce, boiled potatoes or rice. By the way, dinner is usually included in excursion costs. Portuguese cuisine is a kind of the country’s attraction. For local people dinner is a ritual which deserves special attention. Most citizens have dinner at one and the same time – from 12.30 to 13.30. It is the time when finding free tables in restaurants is next to impossible: not only workers but also families and small companies come here. There is a feeling that the whole country has meals at this time. After 2 pm there is not a single soul in local restaurants – everyone is busy with their work. By the way, there is no siesta here. Another typical national ritual is fado, or, how its often called, Portuguese blues. Of course, you can listen to this music on a tape or a CD, but the show is much more interesting. It also helps penetrate into national character. One of the best restaurants where you can see fado performance is Clube de Fado situated in the old Moorish district Alfama not far from Lisbon Cathedral. There is still an inner stone draw-well found in this building. There is a legend that if you whisper your wish standing above the well and throw a coin inside, your wish will come true. However, this is not what tourists and citizens come here for. First visitors come here at approximately 9 pm. They order their supper consisting of several courses. White port wine goes as an aperitif – its drier and not as sweet as the common one. You can also try famous cod at this restaurant. The show starts one hour later. Several musicians and a singer step out into a small platform. Musicians use double-bass, acoustic and a Portuguese guitar that looks like mandoline. The owner of this restaurant, musician and composer Mario Pacheco says playing it is difficult. Probably that is the reason why everyone gets silent when musicians start their performance. Lights fade, visitors stop eating and work stops at the kitchen too. Fado is performed by men and women with fantastically strong and moving voices. They sing about love, about being homesick. Having sung 4 or 5 songs, musicians go away, lights are switched on and meals continue till the next course. Then again fado starts. The performance lasts till 1 am.
About the author:Find your accommodation in Lisbon at http://www.bb72.com/localities/portugal/lisbon/city.htmlhttp://www.bb72.com/localities/portugal/madeira/city.html/ Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

The Forbidden Island

If you love a mystery, consider a vacation on Kauai, Hawaii.Here's the mystery: what's it like on the neighboring Hawaiian island of Ni'ihau? This 550-square-mile island is the westernmost of the main Hawaiian islands and has been privately owned since 1864 by the Robinson family, which forbids tourists.Ni'ihau (Nee-ee-how) is visible from the southwest shore of Kauai, lying low on the horizon 17 miles away. There are 200 or so native Hawaiians who live there and speak the Hawaiian language. In fact, it's the only place the language is spoken any more. It is taught in the island's only school, which goes K-8.Islanders of course are free to leave and come back, so many of them do. They need to in order to get provisions from Kauai to live on the dry island, which is in the rain shadow of the ancient volcano cone on Kauai, Wai-ale-ale, "the wettest spot on earth" at 460 inches per year of rainfall. The Robinson family, which owns Ni'ihau, has maintained sheep ranches there.A stunning form of folk art comes from Ni'ihau. These are Ni'ihau shell leis, tiny shells strung from many strands. These tiny luminous shells come in various colors, and so whole families collect them and sort them for size and color. Then the artist, usually a woman, sets to work, punching a hole in each shell using an awl often made from a bicycle spoke (there are no cars on the island). About half the shells shatter at this point. She chooses colors in such a way as to make a final product that is textured with color.These tiny shells are still found on Ni'ihau, but not on neighboring Kauai where agricultural runoff has tended to kill off the shell-makers. The resulting shell leis are rare, hard to find, and precious. But if you look hard on Kauai, you can find them!Hawaiian legend has it that the volcano goddess Pele had her original home on Ni'ihau. Then she traveled to Kauai, Oahu, and moved eastward until she found the Big Island of Hawaii, where she is today. Scientists say that the Hawaiian islands were formed as a plate of earth's crust moved slowly across an active lava vent. But Kauai was formed before Ni'ihau, which is sort of a side vent from the volcano that formed Kauai. As the crust moved slowly, Kauai was formed, then Oahu, and so on. Ni'ihau's current form is as an eroded lava dome on the eastern side of the island. Much of the rest is flat and sandy, with a couple of freshwater lakes.It's possible to find a map of Ni'ihau, and pictures of its rock formations. But how can you go and see? In fact, the Robinson family is allowing a few forms of tourism now. Some helicopter tours from Kauai are allowed to land on remote beaches. And you can take a hunting safari, to control populations of feral bighorn sheep and Polynesian boars. In addition, scuba divers regularly dive off Ni'ihau.All that is available from Kauai, Ni'ihau's big sister island 17 miles away. Kauai has immense charms of its own; not only does it have the usual beaches and surf, but it has incredible beauty on its northwest coast, called Na Pali, or The Cliffs. Article Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Wheeler.
About the author:Phyllis Wheeler is a writer and webmaster who lives in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Find out more about Niihau and a Kauai, Hawaii, vacation at her Web site, http://www.Kauai-Treasure-Island.com . Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Secrets of Love Destination in Brazil

One of the best 25 best resorts of the whole world for an unforgettable romantic honeymmon. Ponta dos Ganchos Resort is located on a privately-owned peninsula that juts out from the southern Brazilian coast between picturesque fishing villages, making it one of the most exclusive beach resorts in Brazil.less than 2 hours from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, this romantic hideaway makes dreams a reality: 20 sophisticated and charming bungalows in perfect harmony with the breathtaking scenery. Here the waters of the Emerald coast meet the lush rainforest vegetation in a dazzling display of colour and light.This privileged location guarantees our guests total privacy, while the luxurious bungalows provide them with the rest and comfort they deserve. The Relais & Chateaux seal is a testament to our impeccable facilities, the exquisite flavours of our cuisine and the quality of our services.Ponta dos Ganchos offers a fitness centre, cinema, business centre, restaurant, bar, lounge, games room, tennis court, heated swimming pool, massage tents, SPA by Christian Dior and nature trails. Close to the resort is the best site for scuba diving in South Brazil, Arvoredo Island, in addition to excellent destinations for boat trips, such as Anhatomirim Island and the Baía dos Golfinhos.Separete some day to be enchanted by the city of Florianopolis ....(Or Floripa for short), is famous for several things. First, it is one of three island capitals for Brazilian states. It is also famous for having 42 clean beaches. Furthermore, each beach has its own distinct personality. Some are for their great waves for surfing, such as Joaquina Beach , others are famous for their sophisticated hotels and restaurants (like Jurere Beach ), while Campeche and Solidao beaches boast a more rustic charm. There's nothing finer than an exotic Brazilian beach! and see you in brazil can help you build your Romantic Honeymoon in Brazil. If you are into history, you are going to love Floripa. The Portuguese from the Azores Islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean were the first settlers. Floripa retains much of its fabulously intriguing history all the way back to the Azores settlers. This is seen through it preservation of old architecture, as well as some natives that speak in the Azores dialect. First class tours, with a private guide are available to witness this in authenticity. The old churches are gorgeous and the restaurants often exude old world charm. The seaside nightlife is full of personality with women making lace to sell street side.The public market (Mercado Publico) is the main place where the great artists and intellects hang out. If you ‘re into that scene – don't miss out on this historical site (built in 1889).To sum it up, Florianopolis has a wonderful history, Exuberant nature, excellent beaches, luxury hotels and great restaurants. It is certainly a favorite among national and international tourists. One thing you may not realize about Floripa is that it has a large influence from Italian and German culture as well. The southern part of Brazil is Unique in that way from the rest of Brazil . Floripa is bubbling with unique culture and history you simply have to see for yourself.We can put together come real Luxury tours and Luxury Packages of all kinds for you. You can stay at Exclusive Resorts or at one of many Luxury Hotels. Have yourself a Romantic Honeymoon at an opulent Brazilian Beach . Whatever your desire—from first class tours to Exclusive resorts, Florianopolis is for you!!Come to Brazil , because whoever gets to know it becomes a fun. http://www.seeyouinbrazil.com/pck_ponta_ganchos.html 1866 582 0975 sales@seeyouinbrazil.com
About the author:Born and raised in Brazil, Luiz graduated with a B.A in Portuguese an English Literature from Brazilian University. He later achieved the Approximate Brazilian equivalent of Master in Business Administration with s Focus in Management. , Luiz learned from in early age to eat, sleep, and breath tourism. In June 2007 he concluded with excellence the course of Brazilian Specialist, from Embratur (Official Tourism Office of Brazilian Government) Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

The Mystery of Chinese Royal Architecture

With vivid characteristics, Chinese royal buildings, especially the most popular tourist attractions in Beijing, are mysterious to today’s people. Nearly every small part of the architecture is different and has some symbolic value! Here we take the Forbidden City as an example and collect something interesting about this imperial palace. If explore it without a guide, you will never know the secrets. Let’s feel it more than just watch it! The Ornamental Pillars (Hua Biao)A pair of marble pillars, decorated with exquisite clouds and entwined dragons carvings, can be often found in front of most large royal complexes. They were originally made of wood and used to solicit public opinions from the people. They were also treated as landmarks or road signs. But later they were only used to decorate important buildings. The most famous Huabiaos are located at Tiananmen, two in front of the gate of Tiananmen and two behind the gate. On top of the Huabiaos, there sits a mythical animal called Hou. It is believed that the positioning of the Hous' heads was a reminder to the emperor of the hopes of the people. The two behind the gate looking at the palace (north) mean expecting the emperor to go out often and to understand the life of the people better. The two in front facing south express longing for the emperor' s return to run state affairs when he was absent from the palace for too long. Stone/Bronze LionsLion is a special animal to Chinese people. A pair of stone or bronze lions, a male and a female, can often be seen in front of the gates of traditional buildings. The male lion is on the left with his right paw resting on a ball, and the female on the right with her left paw fondling a cub.Marble TerraceMost of Chinese ancient royal buildings stand on marble terrace. The white marble terrace can not only support and magnify the single building on it, but also protect the wood structure from dampness. It also has a deeper meaning. It reflects the rank of the building.Grand RoofRoofs are very important to Chinese architecture. Palaces had particularly impressive elaborate roofs. The distinctive roof of Chinese architecture involves a great deal of symbolism. Symbolism is present in the colors and tiers of the eaves, roofing materials and roof top decorations. Yellow, regarded as an auspicious color, was exclusively used by the imperial families of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Imperial roofs are certainly brilliant gold or imperial yellow. Tunjishou (the ridge-devouring beast)Watch carefully, you will find the ridges of each roof are topped with figures of mythical creatures. Fierce and formidable, it looks as if it were ready to devour the whole ridge; so it is also known as tunjishou or the ridge-devouring beast.What were they used for? For decorative purposes only? According to architects, these strange-looking creatures can prevent the roof from sliding. Moreover, the number and the size of the creatures on the eaves indicate the importance of the building. When visiting the royal palace, it can be very interesting to count the animals on the eaves and get to know exactly how important the building was.Taihe DianNow, it is very easy to figure out that the Hall of Taihe Dian is the main hall of the Forbidden City. First, the building is raised on a triple marble terrace, 8 m (26 ft) high, enclosed by marble balustrades, whilst those around the same courtyard were kept lower so as to set off the magnificence of the hall. Second, it has a roof with double eaves and is decorated with carved dragons and phoenixes, most of which are gilded. Third, don’t forget the little mythical creatures on the eave. There are 12 in total, the most of all! The Hall of Taihe Dian was the place where emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties held. Colors in the Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City is a complex painted in just two colors, yellow and red, which can be seen throughout the city. The color red signifies happiness and yellow signifies earth. In ancient China, the color yellow in particular, was most extensively and exclusively used by the emperors, who were regarded as the Sons of Heaven and the supreme rulers of humanity. Therefore, yellow became the dominant color in the Forbidden City. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow by a special process. There is much more in the Forbidden City waiting for you to discover. Why is it that no trees in the grand courtyard of the Hall of Taihe Dian? Hundreds of gilt bronze vats are scattered in the Forbidden City. What were they used for? Only when you get there can you reveal its mysterious veil!What are you waiting for? Discover yourself! Above article provide by China Odyssey Tours
About the author:China Odyssey Tours specialize in providing package China tours, discount Yangtze River cruises and best rate hotels. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com