Mamallapuram, A historical town in Tamilnadu

About:
Mamallapuram also known as Mahabalipuram is a land of Sculptures. The city of Mamallapuram is famous for the sculptures. These sculptures express about the Indian Gods especially they tell about the fame of Lord Shiva.

Located at:
East Coast Road of Tamil Nadu of India(Kanchipuaram district)

History: 

Every place has its own History and Geography which makes it more interesting and makes it the best reason for travelling purpose. The history of Mamallapuram dates back to the Pallava dynasty who lived several decades ago. It’s an ancient historic town and it was a busy seaport during the peiod of Periplus and Ptolemy. Ancient Sea traders sailed from the seaport of Mahabalipuram.

During the 8th century a famous poet ‘Thirumangai Azhwaar’ described the place as a Sea Mountain
Geography: Mamallapuram is a small town and the area is quite a rock-terrain area with small peaks in and around of Mamallapuram. There is a long and sandy beach here. These consist of hills and rocks where the pallava dynasty exploited this type of place and made caves, sculptures and temples.

•Local Languages spoken: Tamil & English

Climate: 

The climate is typically hot during the period of April. Best to visit the area is from October to March. Three major seasons are:

Winters: This is the perfect time to plan a tour to Mamallapuram. From November to February. 

Summers: Three are from March to May. The climate is too hot and is not suitable for tourists. 

Monsoons: June to September. It has a humid climate and has quite the downpour.

Tourist Spots: 

• Beach: The beach gives a quite soothing and peaceful experience where you can take rest. There are many stalls consisting of Shell related jewels and curtains. But take care because they might cheat you by saying the highest possible prize. Beaches are good at the evening times. They are not advisable during Afternoon. Horse rides and several other entertainers are present.

• Butterball: Butterball is one of the biggest natural rocks perched on a hillside. The tourists pose with pictures like holding this rock with their hands or pushing them. Also known by the name Krishna’s Butterball.

• Seashore Temple: The seashore temple is one of the biggest attractions in Mamallapuram. It is named so because it stands as a huge monument looking at the shores of Bay of Bengal. This temple is built with Granite stones during the 8th century. This is one of the oldest stone temples in South India. Entry fee are collected to view the temple from inside. This was a part of 7 Pagodas during the 8th century.

• Pancha Rathas: Pancha rathas also known as Pandava Rathas are quite the example for Indian monolithic rock-cut architecture. Each of the 5 monuments resembles a ratha (chariot) and each is covered by a single long stone of granite which slopes towards the north-south direction.

• Other places to enjoy are the Kerala Backwaters, Tiger caves, Descent of the Ganges, Lighthouse, Thirukadalmallai & caves like Mahishamardhini cave & Varaha caves.

Canary Islands of Spain

Spain is a very beautiful country in Europe. There are many islands which come under Spanish archipelago. The Canary Islands are also one of them. Canary Island is Islas Canarias in Spanish language. This island is located on the northwest coast of mainland Africa. The Canary Island is the farthest island from Europe. There are many big and small islands which are collectively known as the Canary Island of Spain. These Islands are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, GranCanaria, Lanzarote, LaPalma, LaGomera, ElHierro, LaGraciosa, Alegranza, IsladeLobos, MontariaClara, RoqueDelEste and RoqueDelOeste. This island is the only island of Spain where a volcanic eruption is recorded in the modern era.

The beaches, climate and other natural attractions like scenery, sunrise and sunset views are the main attraction of this archipelago. You can reach this exotic island by catching a flight from any city of Europe. On this island, there are two airports on Tenerife and the Gran Canaria Airport. You can reach other island also via flight but that will cost you more. There is a Spanish company known as NavieraArmas, which provides the ferry service and takes about 45 hours to reach the Canary Island. Normally, you have to pay around 45 euros for one way journey.

This island is claimed to be the ‘Lost Islands’ of Atlantis by the Ancient legend. North Africans came here first. The ecosystem of this island was based on agriculture and animal farming. But now, the Canary Islands are modern, European and extremely liberal. The largest island of the Canary Islands is Tenerife. On this, you will find the third tallest volcano in the world which is at 3718 meters high and known as El Teide. The capital of the largest island is Santa Cruz de Tenerife. La Laguna is the third largest city of the Canary Islands and also comes in the list of World Heritage Site. There are many museums and monuments on this island.
Gran Canaria is the largest island by the population of the Canary Islands. Fuerteventura is an island which is known as the ‘Windsurfer’s Mecca’. La Gomera Island is known as the Magic Isle –walker’s paradise. This island looks like an orange in shape which has been divided in half and split into segments. El HierroIsland is known as ‘The Edge of the World’.

There are many places on this island for enjoyment and entertainment. There are many modern resorts and restaurants available on different island of the Canary Island. Tenerife Auditorium is famous for its wonderful design which was designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. You can enjoy the events and concerts in this auditorium. There is a Parrot Park known as LoroParque. This becomes the second most attractive place after mount El Tiede. Other than this, you have Tenerife Beaches, Boat trips, Big Game fishing and lots of things to do on this island. Canarian cuisine is a great mix of Spanish, Latin and African cuisines and culture. Tapas Concept is a must try there as it is considered as one of the most delicious ones.

Sardinia Island of Italy

Italy is one of the most beautiful country in Europe. There are many islands located nearby to Italy. Sardinia Island is one of them. In the Mediterranean region, Sardinia Island is the second largest island. The largest island is of Sicily Island. The capital of this beautiful island is Cagliari which also the largest city of Sardinia Island. The island has a rocky and hilly area that makes the weather non-uniform. Tourists preferably enjoys the warm weather here which generally comes around the month of August. This island doesn’t come under the volcanic region.

Sardinia Island is among the most geologically ancient part of land in Europe. Sardinia Island was ruled by many historical civilizations and dynasties. You can reach this historical island through flights at affordable prices. You will find airports near to Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero. There is a regular flight service from nearby big cities of Europe. From airport to main city, bus and train services are provided at regular frequency as airports are few kilometers away from the main cities. There are many ferry services to Cagliari, Porto Torres and Olbia. You can even hire a car there to enjoy some remote and enchanting places. Companies like Hertz and Avis provides the hiring service in that region.

Sardinia Island has many beautiful cities which you don’t want to miss if you are here. The capital city, Cagliari, Sassari, Alghero which is a medieval town, Bosa, Porto Torres, Olbia are some important cities of Sardinia Island. There are so many beautiful locations like Budoni where you can see the most beautiful part of the Mediterranean Sea. You can also see the wild areas of Barbagia and Ogliastra, seaside resort San Teodoro, the Stagno at Cabras and many more. There are few monuments which you can visit like a castle in Cagliari. You will find a World Heritage Site in Barumini.

On this island, you can do a lot of activities like swimming, boating, windsurfing, hiking and climbing etc. The island is rocky and hilly which makes it perfect for hiking and climbing. You can do scuba diving at Tavolara and Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Preserve which is a very famous place for scuba diving. For swimming, Porto Pino is great as it is known as the Mediterranean Pearl and have superb beaches. Iglesias and Sulcis are some places which hold the undiscovered part of art and sea. Here, you will find some of the most attractive locations like caves, Gelleria Henry, Fluminimaggiore and you can do horse riding too.

This island is more specific and strict in the traditions and habits. Pizza, which is very famous in Italy and other part of Europe, is only available after 7pm in restaurants. Another thing is that you will not find anything between 4pm to 7pm. You will only get ‘Panini’ which is a cold sandwich with ham and cheese. The famous cuisine of Sardinia Islands is Culurgiones, Malloreddus, Porcheddu and StufatodiCapretto. Ichnusa is a very common beer whereas Cannonau is a very strong red wine. Other drinks are MonicadiSardegna, Mitro and Fil’eferru.

Sicily Island of Italy

Sicily Island is a beautiful island and the largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. This island comes under the province of Italy. This island is situated in the central of the Mediterranean Sea and at the tip of Italy. This island is a very attractive one due to the presence of the most active volcano MountEtna which is at a height of 3,320m. The climate of this island is very similar to the other Mediterranean Island. Sicily is a very large island in size where mostly Italian and Sicilian language is used for communication. Although modern schools teach English to the students here.

Sicily is a very attractive place and popular among tourists. You can reach here through flights and ferry service. There are many airports in the major cities of Sicily and it is linked with the Italian train network at Messina also. Car and train services are well connected to big cities across the island as well as cities like Rome and Milano. You have to be very careful that public transport is available on weekdays but on Sunday, it is very difficult to find it. Hotels are available in big cities but in the countryside you need to take shelter atAgriturismo. Agriturismo is very small and generally have 3-10 rooms.

There are many beautiful cities which store their own culture. This makes the island rich in culture. The capital of this beautiful island is Palermo. You will find many sights to watch in the capital city. Catania is another very important city which is known as the economic center of the Sicily Island. Mount Etna is situated in this city only. If you are a party lover then this place is for you as Catania is famous for nightlife entertainment. Messina is a very busy city due to its connected service to the mainland. The bus service and train service are connected to the mainland.

You will find many UNESCO World Heritage Site here such as Baroque architecture in Ragusa, Greek ruins in Syracuse and Valle Dei Templi (Valley of Temples) in Agrigento. Other notable cities in Sicily Island are Marsala, Gela, Trapani and Milazzo. Apart from visiting so many cities, there are many things you can do. Trekking in Sicily is a very challenging activity. Due to the presence of many mountains such as Nebrodi, Madonie and of course, Etna volcano which makes it an ideal location for trekking. There is a place known as the Salt Flats in Trapani where salt is made in a traditional way.

Sicily is famous for their cuisines also. You will find one of the best cuisines here. Since it is an island, most of the cuisines are based on seafood only. Spicy food is very popular here and gives a touch of Arabic and Spanish flavors. Sicilians are also famous for their sweet dishes. The famous desserts are Cannoli, Granita, and Cassata which is very famous worldwide. Despite having the most vineyards than any other part of Italy, this island has the lowest rate of alcoholism.

The Couple's Guide to Getting the Most Out of Nicaragua

While Nicaragua doesn't seem like the ideal spot for a lover's retreat, this couldn't be further from the truth. The Central American country offers beautiful beaches on both the east and west coasts, watersports, tasty food, and wonderful accommodation. However, the best part may be it's affordability; but don't let cost fool you, Nicaragua is a friendly country with a unique flavor. So gather your spouse or significant other and head off for this Central American gem.

San Juan Del Sur Image

This town, nestled on the Pacific coast of the country, is the premier destination for couples looking to travel or rekindle the flame. The weather is between 75 and 85 degrees year round, making the beach a perfect place to sunbathe or take a swim. Have a romantic dinner at El Timon, an upscale restaurant that features steamed octopus as its featured delicacy. Check out some of the Nicaraguan hotels in this town, many of which keep the love-stricken couples in mind.

Explore the Volcanoes 

When you aren't falling in love all over again, you can indulge your wilder side and explore one of Nicaragua's 23 active volcanoes. Most of the hikes on these volcanoes are easy to moderate difficulty, so traversing them is fairly simple. Once you get to the top, soak in the views of Nicaragua's diverse ecosystem. The best volcano to climb might be Cerro Negro. Not only is the view spectacular, but you can sled or board back down to the bottom, which is worth the trip in itself.

Go to Granada

Located on Lake Nicaragua, Granada is the oldest city in Central America. Founded by the Spanish in 1524, Granada's architecture is nothing short of spectacular and unique to the continent, such as the Guadalupe Cathedral or Iglesia De La Merced Tower. You can also walk around the town and visit various markets, shops, and restaurants and explore the life of a native Nicaraguan.

Eat and then Eat Some


While it may not be as famous as other Latin American ethnic foods, Nicaragua offers cuisine with distinct flavors and aromas. Although it is a small country, the food differs from coast to coast, with the Caribbean coast incorporating much more seafood. Be sure not to miss Fritangas, which are restaurants that make authentic home-cooked entrees. Enjoy chicken or pork dressed with local fruits, such as plantains, beans, and rice. And sampling the food wouldn't be complete without trying Nacatamal, a Nicaraguan style tamale, Indio Viejo, or Gallo Pinto, the national dish of Nicaragua. Amazingly, these dishes average a price of about $2.

Jicaro Island

To truly embrace Nicaragua all by yourselves, the ideal couple should travel to Jicaro Island, which is a resort island in Lake Nicaragua. The rooms offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and lake. Each room is its own private two-story building, which will leave you in complete isolation with your love. During the day, you can travel back to the mainland, go kayaking, enjoy the infinity pool and yoga deck, or visit Mambacho nature reserve. It's all here on one tiny island.

Without a doubt, Nicaragua offers an awesome getaway for a couple, young or old. And what better place to spend time with your significant other than a place that offers wonderful food and sights, and even more importantly, the experience of a lifetime. Whether you're planning your anniversary or just a surprise, Nicaragua has what you're looking for.

Sources:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nicaragua/southwestern-nicaragua/san-juan-del-sur/things-to-do

http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/nicaraguaguide/p/Nicaragua_Food.htm

The Aland Islands of Finland

The Åland Island of Finland is comprised of one mainland and many small islands. The Åland is actually pronounced as “O-land” and despite being a part of Finland, they have their own parliament and runs it independently. This island is located in the Baltic Sea. You will find a combination of Finnish and Swedish culture and language here. The whole archipelago of this island consist of more than 80 inhabited islands and many more uninhabited islands. Most people liveon the main island which is also known as FastaÅland.


The effect of a long dispute between Finland and Sweden can be seen here among the local people. Finnish language is an optional language here but maximum choose not to study this language. You can easily communicate with them in English as it is widely spoken on these islands. From Sweden and Finland, you can reach to this island via ferry services. The cheapest way of entering into this island is by ferries from Helsinki or Stockholm but you may face trouble as docking generally takes place at midnight.

Although, there is a small airport which handles the flight services from nearby main cities of Finland and Sweden.The Åland Island holds a very important position as one of the entrance to the port of Stockholm comes under this island. The capital of this unique island is Mariehamn. You will find some other small communities like Godby and Eckero. The best way to explore the natural beauty of this island is by ferries and by bicycle. The Government of this island puts special attention towards tourism. As a result, you will find cycle paths and special routes for ferries. You can choose routes through the southern and northern archipelago for an unforgettable experience.


The best time to come to this island is during late spring and summer as tourist spots are open during this time. Else you have to visit these spots from outside only. Kastleholm is a castle located in the northern part of the Åland Island. You can learn about the history of this island. There is a museum also near to the Kastleholm. Jan Karlsgarden Open Air Museum has some traditional Aland buildings. You can see the prison museum also but entry is chargeable. You will nice restaurant and cafeteria here. Another important spot is the fortress of Bomarsund which was built by the Russians which was destroyed during Crimean war.Åland’s lighthouses are also a tourist spot. You can experience a different level of energy when you visit these lighthouses.

You can do lots of activities here such as wind surfing, wave surfing and fishing. For fishing, you need to have a fishing license. Here, you will find many golf courses also. Golf Aland is the one which provides good service. The official currency of this island is Euro only but don’t dare to go for shopping here as it is very expensive. You will not find any fast food restaurant here. Main restaurants are located in the capital city only.

Corsica Island of France

Corsica Island is a French Island located in the Mediterranean Sea. This island is surrounded by the border of Italy and France. Sardinia Island is located at the north side of Corsica Island. Generally, most of the land is occupied by the mountains. There are 27 regions of France and Corsica is one of them. Interestingly, the French emperor Napolean Bonaparte was born in the capital city of the Corsica Island. Corsica Island is also known as “Island of Beauty”. This is because of the diversified nature and preservation of natural locations from the aggressive development. This natural island is considered as the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea.

Mostly summer season is the perfect time to come to this island. August month is the busiest month in terms of tourism. So plan in advance if you are thinking to come to the Corsica Island in summer. If you are coming from France, NGV or High Speed Boat is the best medium to reach the Corsica Island. The boat route is preferred as you can enjoy the beautiful seashore and many islands on the way. Though there are four airports available on this island. Only, Bastia airport has a bus service at every one hour interval to reach the main city.

Corsica Island is divided into two regions – Upper Corsica and South Corsica. Ajaccio city is the capital of this beautiful island. The important cities of the Corsica Island are Bastia, Bonifacio, Calvi, Corte and few more. Corsican Island is famous for their trails. The world famous GR 20is one of the most difficult trails among Grande Randonnee trails. This is the most adventurous activity you can do on the Corsica Island. If you try to go by traditional waypoints, then it will take around 17 days to complete the trail.

The most dangerous thing about this trail is the intense summer storms with lightning. There are other trails also, which are less dangerous than GR 20. There are two Mare e Mare which means Sea to Sea trails. This trail crosses the island. Since the mainland is mostly covered with Mountains, trails between sea and mountain is also present here. The beaches of the Corsica Island offer sunbathing, swimming and snorkel facility. You will find restaurant and bars near beaches which you can enjoy after sunset. Sightseeing is also a good thing to do. Scuba diving is also available but only in selected beaches with proper facility.

Cuisine of the Corsica Island is influenced by French and Italian taste. Despite the influence, you will find many unique dishes such as the chestnut. Chestnut is the Corsican’s main food from which many meals and desserts are prepared. Seafood and fish dishes are common on this island.Though it is very difficult to find a restaurant which offers true Corsican dishes. There are many varieties of beer and wine available. ‘Colomba’, ‘Pietra or ‘Biere Torre’’ beer is the most recommended beer to try whenever you visit the Corsica Island.

Rhodes Island of Greece

Rhodes is one of the important islands of Greece. This beautiful island is located in the Aegean Sea near Greece. This island is a superb combination of beaches, site and the large number of medieval towns. This island counted as one of the islands of the Dodecanese, but it makes a different place for itself. The climate is mild and sunny throughout the year and hence makes it a perfect destination for tourist.Though Greek is the native language of this Island but due to extensive tourists visit, English and German is also spoken by many.

How to Reach Rhodes Island

You can reach the Rhodes Island very easily by any mode of transportation. By road, Rhodes Island is well connected to the nearby airport and cities. Rhodes-KamirosProvince Avenue, Rhodes-Lindos National Avenue and a few more are some popular routes by road. There are two airports in Rhodes - Rhodes International Airport in Diagoras and Rhodes Maritsa Airport. There are regular flight service between Rhode Island and big cities like Athens and Thessaloniki.

If you want to reach the Rhode Island by sea then you can hire a ferry or a Cruise Ship. There are five ports out of which three are in the Rhodes city. The ports are Central port, Akandia port, Lardos dock, Kolona port and KamiroSkala Dock.

Beaches

There are many beautiful beaches on Rhodes. The eastern part of the island has continuous sandy beaches with tranquil waters. Beaches on the west are mostly stony. The wind arrives from the west and the sea is also rougher to the western part. So, that side of the island is better suited to surfing or kite boarding.There are numerous beaches on Rhodes, which attracts the tourists and also increases the beauty of the island. Some of the popular beaches on Rhodes are Lindos, Rhodes town, Kalithea, Ladiko beach (Anthony Quinn Bay) and others.

You can do lots of activities on this Island. Swimming, Sunbathing, Diving, Surfing/Kite Surfing and also climbing the Mount Attavyros. The challenging climbing of this mountain is of 2-3 hours after this you will reach the highest point on this Island which is 1215m above the sea level.

Places to Visit in Rhodes Island

There are many cities which you don’t want to miss while staying in Rhodes Island. The capital of Rhodes Island – Rhodes city is the largest city on the island. A very beautiful city with lots of importance. You will be surprised to know that there is a golf course on this Island. The golf course is in the village Afandou, which is one of the biggest village on the Rhodes Island. Faliraki is known as Rhodes’ Action Resort. You will find peace in this location. Very calm environment which is ultimate if you are coming with family.

Since, Rhodes Island have a very rich history, it is obvious to find many castles here. There are many castles who are very old. Castle of Monolithos which is located on a 240m high rock. You can experience the beautiful views from this location. Other notable castles are the Castle of Kastellos, Castle with Acropolis over Lindos and Castle of Kalki which is inthe north-west.

Madeira Island of Portugal

There are many island destination in Europe and Madeira Island holds a special place in the list of island destination of Europe. Madeira Island wins Europe’s leading island destination 2013 award.

Madeira is a sub-tropical collection of many island. This island is located in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal. This island other names too. Few of the famous nicknames of Madeira Island are ‘The Island of Eternal Spring’, ‘IlhaJardim’ (Garden Island) and ’Pearl of the Atlantic’. The climate of this Island remains mild throughout the year. Madeira Island is a group of two populated island – Madeira and Porto Santo and two unpopulated island – Desertas and Selvagens.

How to Reach Madeira Island

Madeira Island is only 310 miles away from the African coast and 620 miles from Portugal. You can reach Madeira Island via air and water both. Flight takes one and a half hour from Portugal. From other part of Europe, you can reach Madeira Island in approximately 3 hour.

There is also boat/ship service available to reach there. Cruise ships port is also there and well connected to near cities. Ferry service is available between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

Popular Cities of Madeira Island

There are many small cities in Madeira Island. The capital of Madeira Island is Funchal which is also the largest city of Madeira Island. Very beautiful city and a tourist attraction place. You can enjoy beautiful panoramic view here. Other notable cities of Madeira Island are Santa Cruz, Machico, Santana, Camara do Lobos and others.

Accommodation

There are many resorts and hotels in the Madeira Island such that you won’t face any kind of trouble in staying. The rate is affordable and online booking facility is also available.

What to See

There are many historical and modern thing present on the Madeira Island. Levadas is a very impressive system which was built between 1461 and 1966. The main purpose of Levadas is to bring the water from the mountain to farmland. You can see the world’s highest ocean cliffs on Madeira Island. Yes, CaboGirão is one of the highest ocean cliff which is around 590m above sea level. Other important sights to visit are JardimBotanico – Funchal Botanical garden, Sao Vicente Caves to see lava tubes, Orchid garden at JardimOrquidea and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

What You Can Do Here

In addition to enjoying the beautiful view of the nature, you can do a lot of activities on this Island. Scuba diving, Mountain walks, Levada walking are some of the common and popular adventurous activities done here. Hiking at Ponta de Sao Lourenco is a great opportunity to people who likes hiking. The full walk includes a full circuit of the reserve. You will come across secluded beach known as Prainha. This beach is the only beach with natural black sand. This beach is perfect for swimming.

What to Buy

Madeira Island is a very popular for Madeira wine. Madeira wine is a bastioned wine. You will find four different types of Madeira wine – Malvasia also known as Malmsey or Malvazia, Bual or Boal, Verdelho and Sercial.

Islands Of Bulgaria

Bulgaria – a beautiful country in the region of Balkans. It is one of the exotic country of Europe because of its sublime beaches, stunning churches and many more. There are many islands too which comes under Bulgaria. These islands are the major attraction for tourists. Though they are not popular as other but if you want to experience some unnoticed place then Bulgaria is the perfect destination.

St. Anastasia island of BULGARIA

St. Anastasia island of Bulgaria is the largest island and is located only 6.5 Km from the Bourgoas. This island seems to be the result of volcanic eruption. St Anastasia Island is located between the capes of St Anastasia and Atia. Humans started living on this island long back in 5th and 4th centuries AD. Long time back this island also served as a prison and various political prisoners were detained there. The name of this island was changed to Bolshevik island because the political prisoner escaped from the prison. This island is admired by its natural and archaeological beauty. This island has the tendency to be a tourist destination. You can reach St Anastasia Islandby a boat or ship and these are organized by Sozopol, Pomorie, Nessebar, Bourgas. Now, there is a lighthouse as well as pub and many restaurants for the tourists.

St. Cyricus island of BULGARIA

This island is also known as St. Cyril Island or St. Quiricus and JuliettaIsland. These are the Bulgarian island situated in the black sea. This island has road connections to the continent. The infrastructure of this island is set unlike other Bulgarian islands. Long time back a school was opened here for the fisherman and sailors but only sailors were allowed to study. After ten years, this school was converted intothe Bulgarian Naval Academy where Bulgarian naval ships were anchored only. Now this island has become an international maritime tourism spot.

St. Ivan Island of BULGARIA

Ivan island is located just one Km away from Sozopol. For guiding the vessels to the Burgas Bay, there is a lighthouse on the island. Ancient Thracians built their sanctuary there that is why this place is used as a sacred place for the Thracians. Apart from the rich history of this island, it is now a national reserve. Around 72 species of birds including endangered species find their new and safe home on this island. Tourist can reach here through boats from Sozopol Bay. St John Prodrom church was also built on this island with is the centre of attraction.

St. Thomas Island of BULGARIA

St. Thomas Island is also known as the Snake Island. The way to reach this island is via Bourgas Airport steering to Russia, UK, Central and Eastern Europe. At the time of booking hotels, you can ask for the cabs. Bus and taxi service is also available from the airport. This island is named after the chapel committed to St Thomas. The reason behind calling this island as the Snake Island is due to the inhabitant of grey water snakes that feeds on fishes. This is the only place in Bulgaria where wild cacti grow. The most of the island is covered from Cactus now.

Dodecanese Island of Greece

Dodecanese is the collection of 12 larger islands and numerous smaller islands in the Aegean Sea. The group of Dodecanese islands is located near the border of Turkey and to the eastern side of the Aegean Sea. Dodecanese itself means 12 islands. In the middle ages the island was conquered by the Venetians. The Venetians trade was based on shipping and it built castles to save their town. That is why every island of the Dodecanese has at least one Venetian castle.The Dodecanese finally got independence after they signed the peace treaty with Italy in 1947.

The twelve islands that are the part of this Dodecanese Island are Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Astipalea, Kasos, Karpathos, Leros, Kalimnos, Symi, Tilos, Kastellorizo, Nisyros. Rhodes is the capital of the Dodecanese islands. No rivers are flowing in Dodecanese Island but you will see running water.

Attraction of Dodecanese Islands 

The beautiful islands of the Dodecanese are very well famous for their rich traditions and cultures and festivals. The festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm by local fairs, musical events and every Greek culture are popular there. The August 15 is the largest celebration day in the Dodecanese islands as this day is celebrated for the demotion of the virgin and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The November 8th and August 23rd are also celebrated with great enthusiasm. Dodecanese islands hold the summer festival cultural program where Rock climbing festival takes place in the September month, Rose festival in Rhodes and music festival in Patmos is celebrated.

How to Reach Dodecanese Islands 

Reaching Dodecanese islands is very easy as there are airports and ships. These are the easiest way to reach there. Airports are located in the islands of the Dodecanese. Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos have airports that receives domestic flights from Athens but their Charter flights are also received from abroad. Ships can also be used for transportation from the port of Piraeus. The distance covered by the ships is very long so people usually don’t prefer it. In this case,flights are the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Dodecanese.

What is Popular in Dodecanese Islands 

Dodecanese islands are very famous for their folklore tradition. Production of various natural resources takes place and beautiful artwork by craftsmen is a must watch. Tourists will love the ceramic items. Honey, cheese and wine are the local products of the Dodecanese islands. Meat, vegetables, fruits, wine, honey and other products are in abundance on this island.

Places to Visit in Dodecanese Islands 

The huge collections from the medieval period are stored in the beautiful museums located in the Rhodes. The modern art museum and Archaeological museums are very much recommended to visit when you travel Dodecanese islands. The local tradition of the island is displayed in the Folklore Museum of Karpathos and ancient Agora is present in the Archaeological Museum of Kos. Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leroshas the most beautiful churches. Along with beautiful Churches and Museums, you will find numerous small and big structures which tells you about the culture and history of Dodecanese Islands.

Balearic Islands of Spain

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain which is in the west of the Mediterranean Sea. The island is near to the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. There are many islands which collectively known as the Balearic Islands. The largest islands of Balearic are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The capital of the Balearic Island is Palma. Spanish and Catalan are the co-official languages in the Balearic Island.


The Balearic Islands is well connected through flights and ships. The airports in the Balearic Islands are Palma de Majorca, Ibiza and Mahon. The journey from nearby popular cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia takes less than an hour to reach Balearic Islands. You can reach the Balearic Island by sea in eight hours from the nearest port.

The most popular city of the Balearic Islands is its capital – Palma de Mallorca. This beautiful city offers the scenic view of sunrise and sunset, large number of bars and restaurant. This city is being a historical center. Whenever you heard about the Balearic Islands, beautiful beaches, sandy wonders are the one whose pictures comes first in the mind. Every year, millions of visitors come to the Balearic Islands and spend their vacation and for partying.

As earlier mentioned, Majorca or Mallorca is one of the largest island of the Balearic Island. This island is converted into a commercial hub. It is mostly covered with hotels, restaurants, bars and holiday resorts. The capital city of Balearic Island is also located on this Island only. Despite covered with lots of entertainment buildings, there are mountains too and caves. The best way to explore the Balearic Island is by foot or you can hire a car or bicycle.

Another large Island of Balearic is Ibiza. If you are a party-loving person, then Ibiza is the right Island for you. It is also famous among gay tourist because of its friendly environment and behavior towards them. You will find stunning resort, bars and discos which easily attract the club-going European people. The morning is spent on the beaches and night in the bars. A perfect entertainment and relaxation destination. You can explore Ibiza more by visiting the old towns and by enjoying some Balearic food and culture.

Formentera is considered as the ideal paradise. This island of Balearic is only 30 square miles in area. It is the least developed island and due to this it is known as “Forgotten Balearic” for some period. You will find stunning beaches here which is considered as one of the best beaches in Europe. If you are looking for a destination where you want peace then Formentera is the ideal location. The construction is also not much as there is a limitation on the number of hotels.

The Balearic Islands are also famous for the local food which is exotic and exquisite. Sobrasada – a type of red pork pate is the official foodstuff. Ensaimada is the official cake which contains pumpkin jam. The two famous beverages of the Balearic Islands are Palo and Hierbas. These are the local liquors. Palo liquor is made from carob tree’s fruit.

Luxury Accommodation In The North East

Intimate and luxurious accommodation can be availed through online portals with various options to cater to the needs of users. This luxury accommodation in the north east in the close proximity of Darlington is made available at the hotel which is perfectly situated to explore Richmonshire and the surroundings with fabulous golf course at Rochliffe Hall and the Croft Circuit. This is a Grade II listed hotel, situated near Darlington within the picturesque surrounding of nature and has extensively refurbished function suites, bedrooms, Gastropub, their new Tea Rooms and many more attractions.

Their chain of hotels with twenty bedrooms has been furnished with the highest standards to enable their visitors with an elegant as well as a relaxing vacation during their visit to this destination. The hotel also has a variety of traditionally decorative Executive bedrooms besides offering the option of contemporary rooms which has its own distinctive style décor of its own which needs to be seen to be believed. Moreover each of these bedrooms are designed for work, leisure as well as pleasure with the bedrooms equipped with flat screen LCD TVs, broadband access and desk space.

Being a Grade II hotel it is a perfect venue for an important event in one’s life, where a selection of amazing wedding packages are offered which are also tailored according to the requirements of their clients. Clients can avail the opportunity of the special pricing made available, which is applicable from March 2013 to March 2014 and make the most of this offer while it is available to them. The highlights of the offer is provision of a special Wedding package for a reception of fifty people, Champagne reception with canapés, a three course wedding breakfast, two glasses of wine provided with the meal and Champagne toast.

This is followed by an evening function with an evening buffet for eighty guests and disco till midnight trimming with Superior Bedroom for the bridal couple. Clients can book in advance for the venue to avoid disappointments for a great event they may have in mind All updates are made available at the site along with monthly newsletter for the benefit of the users.

Madeira Island of Portugal

There are many island destination in Europe and Madeira Island holds a special place in the list of island destination of Europe. Madeira Island wins Europe’s leading island destination 2013 award.
Madeira is a sub-tropical collection of many island. This island is located in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal. This island other names too. Few of the famous nicknames of Madeira Island are ‘The Island of Eternal Spring’, ‘IlhaJardim’ (Garden Island) and ’Pearl of the Atlantic’. The climate of this Island remains mild throughout the year. Madeira Island is a group of two populated island – Madeira and Porto Santo and two unpopulated island – Desertas and Selvagens.

How to Reach Madeira Island 

Madeira Island is only 310 miles away from the African coast and 620 miles from Portugal. You can reach Madeira Island via air and water both. Flight takes one and a half hour from Portugal. From other part of Europe, you can reach Madeira Island in approximately 3 hour.
There is also boat/ship service available to reach there. Cruise ships port is also there and well connected to near cities. Ferry service is available between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

Popular Cities of Madeira Island 

There are many small cities in Madeira Island. The capital of Madeira Island is Funchal which is also the largest city of Madeira Island. Very beautiful city and a tourist attraction place. You can enjoy beautiful panoramic view here. Other notable cities of Madeira Island are Santa Cruz, Machico, Santana, Camara do Lobos and others.

Accommodation 

There are many resorts and hotels in the Madeira Island that you won’t face any kind of trouble in staying. The rate is affordable and online booking facility is also available.

What to See 

There are many historical and modern thing present on the Madeira Island. Levadas is a very impressive system which was built between 1461 and 1966. The main purpose of Levadas is to bring the water from the mountain to farmland. You can see the world’s highest ocean cliffs on Madeira Island. Yes, CaboGirão is one of the highest ocean cliff which is around 590m above sea level. Other important sights to visit are JardimBotanico – Funchal Botanical garden, Sao Vicente Caves to see lava tubes, Orchid garden at JardimOrquidea and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

What You Can Do Here 

In addition to enjoying the beautiful view of the nature, you can do a lot of activities on this Island. Scuba diving, Mountain walks, Levada walking are some of the common and popular adventurous activities done here. Hiking at Ponta de Sao Lourenco is a great opportunity to people who likes hiking. The full walk includes a full circuit of the reserve. You will come across secluded beach known as Prainha. This beach is the only beach with natural black sand. This beach is perfect for swimming.

Our next article will be about hiking tours south africa

Mexico an amazing tourist getaway

Mexico is one those countries which tops the list when it comes to a great holiday destination. The high rugged mountains with low coastal plains and high plateaus covered with temperate grasslands, Mezquite trees in the northeast region with desert and rugged mountains in the northwestern regions, tropical rainforest towards the south and southeastern area, sums up the amazing country of Mexico. It is a country located in North America between the United States of America at its north with Guatemala and Belize to the southeast. It has an extensive coastline which includes the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea to its east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

 The climate here is very pleasant and warm and visitors can have a fantastic time exploring the country with its unique food, art, museums, pyramids and archeology. The main attraction of Mexico which draws many tourists to this place is the ancient ruins of the Olmecs, Maya and Aztec, the train routes used by the brash and the legendary Pancho Villa not forgetting the beaches of Acapulco and Cancun. Mexico City, the capital of the Republic is one of the three largest cities of the world with sophisticated urban hub having a 700 years old history. Cancun is one of those famous beaches, known for its clear Caribbean waters, its recreational facilities and a lively party environment and one can make the most of their stay especially during spring time. Acapulco which is a sophisticated urban beach is known for its nightlife, elegant style in dining and night traffic. Other destination worth exploring is the Copper Canyon which is an exotic site for travelers who are on the lookout for a unique remote adventure.

The mountain rail ride which is one of the best in the world takes the tourist up to 8000 feet on the Chepe. Besides this there are other attractions like the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway Hiking, horseback riding and much more. Copper Canyon is a magnificent remote wilderness and tourist can indulge in exploring this place of interest on their visit to this destination. Another interesting place is the Sea of Cortex where one can get the opportunity of watching the whale swim with dolphins and sea kayak in the waters along the eastern coast of Baja California towards La Paz. Tourist should not miss the sunsets at Puerto Penasco and San Carlos which is one of the best sights of the visit.

At Monarch Butterfly Breeding Sites, which is a protected natural area in the highland of Michoacan, one will find millions of butterflies between November and March. Mexico is a country with plenty of interesting sites to explore and many say that Mexico is a country where no one ever leaves. Visas are not essential for British, Canadian or American citizens though proper identification like birth certificates, passport or voter registrations may be needed with the tourist details appropriately filled in upon arrival which can be valid for a period of three to six months and the currency used here is Mexican Peso

Private Jet Inforgraphic

Private charter flight service can be availed from service providers catering to their passengers with optimal aircrafts, capable to accommodate their requirements which include luxurious appointments, in flight amenities, passenger capacity, cabin size, flight range along with airport accessibility. Individuals could choose from the various options available namely, light, midsize, super midsize or a heavy jet which would suit them best. Besides these, one also has the choice of considering on chartering helicopter, an amphibious plane or a turbo prop from their extensive fleet available for their passengers. This Private Jet Inforgraphic has a class of its own enabling clients to decide on an appropriate aircraft most suitable for their mission with the convenience as well as the luxury to travel to any desired destination on a private aircraft at a price which is much lower than most private charter flights. Passengers can take advantage of the great value from their one way charter flights and on demand charters flights. Moreover they can also choose from their core aircrafts like Hawker Charter or Sikorsky Charter and much more.

Individuals can benefit from this aviation company by flying on one of the most sophisticated aircraft and limiting the down time on the ground which will not be limited by duty day restriction with the service provider. Multiple crews are also provided during the trip to ensure productivity of the charter flight as well as to compliment the private travel experience.

Moreover they are available 24/7 while rendering their services in operating around the globe with all inclusive private jet prices without any additional fees or long term commitment for in flight standard catering along with amenities, well trained pilot, experienced staff and aircraft maintenance team, the authority to fly into Reagan National Airport – DCA as well as an Over flight permit to make returns from international locations an enjoyable one.

Rio de Janeiro, The city of landscape

Rio de Janeiro one of the second largest cities of Brazil is situated on the South Atlantic coast and is famous for its beautiful landscape, its annual carnival and its laidback beach culture. Rio de Janeiro’s harbor has a unique entry from the ocean and is surrounded with geographic features which include Sugar Loaf Mountain of 395 meters, Corcovado Peak – 704 meters, and the hills of Tijuca – 1,021 meters and the combination of these features collectively has made the harbor one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. These beaches are simply amazing and even the most seasoned tourist will find it hard to resist them which are wide and clean with soft white sand.

The main beaches from Leme to Brazil conduct a variety of services for beach lovers which include free showers at the beach, clean pay toilets, life savers with police, tents as well as chairs on rent, wet trails to walk on cool sand together with soft and alcoholic drinks with food. Some of the beaches which are inappropriate for bathing are Ramos, Flamengo, Botafogo, Urca while Abrico is an oceanic and the only official nudist beach in Rio de Janeiro and is accessible by car or taxi. Rio de Janeiro has a wide range of museums and many cultural centers that are managed by banks and other organizations. They also host free exhibitions and the details of these are available in the daily newspaper O Globo in their weekly Friday supplement.
One of the reasons for visiting Rio de Janeiro is the Carnival which lasts for two weeks and is well known for samba schools or the escolas de samba which parade on gigantic structures known as Sambadrome in Centro. This country has plenty to offer during carnival by way of fun music and entertainment lasting for two weeks. Rio de Janeiro is the cradle of three of Brazil musicals namely samba, bossa nova and choro and one will find here, some of the best musicians of the country. It also has some big and small clubs which play every kind of music and the major mainstream clubs perform whatever is played on the USA radio and MTV while the underground offer Rock, Rap E-music and much more.

Enjoying the music at one of the countless samba live music bars is a novelty which should not be missed while on a trip to this country. The nightlife district of Rio at Lapa, have many bars with great music where locals go dancing and meeting people..The New Year’s Eve celebration is one of the largest and most popular events celebrated in Rio de Janeiro with huge fireworks display along with musical shows which attracts around two million people to the sands of Copacabana beach each year. During this celebration, people dress in white for luck and toast the arrival of the coming year. Some national as well as international concerts are held at the beach which is entry free. When shopping on streets, one can strike a good bargain at lower price if done smartly since there is always a tendency of overcharging tourist who comes to the country.

The fascinating island of Azores

The nine islands of the archipelago of Azores which is located in the middle of the Atlantic are just about four hours from Boston and two hours from Lisbon by plane. It is an interesting location for nature lovers and one can have an enjoyable holiday at this peaceful island. Each of these islands has their own distinctive characteristics to provide one of the top attractions for tourist both internationally as well as nationally with its stunning and natural environment.

The archipelago, the western border of the European Economic Community occupies an area of around 2,333 kms and due to the dispersion of the islands covers an Exclusive Economic zone of around 940,000 kms and the residential population of the nine islands is approximately 237,000. The diverse coastline have sheltered bays which serve as safe refuge for maritime navigators as well as recreational swimming spots while the steep cliffs and rocks help to guard as well as decorate the island.

There are several islets within the archipelago which enhances the scenery and also provides a sanctuary for bird colonies. The islands are divided into three parts due to the geographical location based on their relative proximity namely the Eastern group which consist of Santa Maria and Sao Miguel. The Central part includes Terceira, Graciosa, Pico, Sao Jorge and Faial while the Western part consists of Flores and Corvo and the minimum distance between the two islands of Pico and Faial is 6 kms and the maximum distance around 600 kms dividing Santa Maria and Corvo.

The population is scattered throughout the island of the Azores with the majority of 53% of the people in Sao Miguel followed by Terceira of 23.5%, Pico with 6.4%, Faial with 6.3%, Sao Jorge with 4.3%, Santa Maria with 2.5%, Graciosa – 2.2%, Flores around 1.8% and Corvo with 0.2%. One will find a variety of dishes in the traditional Azorean cuisine with assorted menu to tickle the taste buds which could probably be due to the geographical dispersion of these islands together with the richness of the ocean as well as the production of quality meat, cheese and other horticultural products which permit the use of a variety of ingredients in their cuisine..

The clear blue water which surrounds the island is calm and mild in temperature and is very tempting for nautical sports like surfing, yachting, rowing, sailing, windsurfing as well as swimming. One will also find a rich variety of fish from amateur fishermen after their catch. The Azorean waters also offer tourist opportunity of sub aquatic life in deep multi colored ocean which is rich is sea life and vegetation as well as many natural pools and beaches for socializing and resting during swimming seasons.

The festive celebration and the religious nature of the Azorean people are the religious holidays and in the number of emigrants from all over the world who come on these special occasions, to participate in the festivals and in alms giving. Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, festival of Christ of Miracles is the largest religious feast celebrated in Azores, in the city of Ponta Delgada, which takes place on the 5th Sunday after Easter joined by many pilgrims who unite in faith on a three hour procession behind the image of Christ along flower decorated streets of Ponta Delgada.

Burlington a remarkable getaway destination

Burlington which is the largest city of Vermont in the American state has a population of around 39,000. It is the heart of a small urban locality which is Vermont’s cosmopolitan and vibrant centre situated on Lake Champlain. Burlington is a college town as well as an important commercial city and is known for its ultra liberal environment. The best time to visit this beautiful destination is during fall season when the city is aglow with bright colors. Towards mid to late September, the foliage season begins with the color increasing from day to day till it reaches its peak which is around the first or the second week of October.

To get there, one can go by plane where flights via several carriers are available from places like Chicago and Orlando and visitors from still further countries can make a connection flight in a larger city. Nonstop flights to Burlington Airport from cities like Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington are also available tough some cities offer only seasonal or services only on certain days of the week. Bus services are also available where daily Mega bus service to Burlington from Boston, Hartford, New York City, Saratoga Springs and Amherst and the fare is from $1 onwards.

The buses stop at the University Place at the Main via the UVM Theater on the campus of the University of Vermont. The option of the train is also available where the nearest station, Amtrak is on Essex junction which is about 10 to 15 minutes drive to the east providing daily services to Washington via New York City. Amtrak’s Adirondack offers daily services between New York City, Montreal, Quebec and during summer season, stops at Port Kent, NY where connection can be made to the Burlington Port Kent ferry. Seasonal ferry services are available from downtown Burlington to Port Kent, New York across the Lake Champlain which gives access to Adirondack.

 Burlington conducts several events and festivals all through the year and visitors can have the benefit of enjoying while they are on their trip at this destination. First Night is celebrated on 31st December where parades are performed followed by fireworks to mark the beginning of the coming New Year and this tradition still continues in Burlington with plays and a grand welcome of things to come in the coming year. The Winter Carnival is another beautiful event which is celebrated with ice sculptors, sleigh rides and parades. The Mardi gras Parade a weekend event before Ash Wednesday.

This is hosted on its own Fat Tuesday parade which is normally scheduled on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday where a large parade follows up to Church Street with bands playing in the clubs and streets along with special programs hosted by Magic Hat Brewery. The Vermont Air Show, towards late August is conducted with air demonstration of older and new airplanes which are held sometimes at Hanscom Field or over the downtown area. These are a few of the events worth mentioning though there are many more conducted throughout the year.

Marrakech and Its History

Marrakech is one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities, namely – Meknes, Rabat and Fes, which originated from Amazigh – Berber words, mur n akush meaning Land of God. The city was founded in 1062 by Berber Almoravids and became the capital city of Islamic empire which stretched from central Spain to West Africa. Being the third largest city in Morocco after Rabat and Casablanca, it is located at the foothill of the snow capped Atlas Mountain and a few hours from the foot of Sahara Desert. The city of Marrakech is divided into two parts, the Medina – a historical city and the new European modern known as Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle.

While Medina is filled with inter wining narrow lanes with local shops, Gueliz on the other hand plays host to modern restaurants, big brand stores and fast food chains. It’s contrasting landscape and location has made it an attractive destination in Morocco for many holiday seekers. The vast walls surrounding the Medina were built in the 12th century from red sandstone which gave the city its name of Red City or the Ochre City and its rapid growth changed it into a religious, cultural and a trading centre. In spite of a period of decline in the later stage, it sprung back in the 16th century, during the reign of Saadian Sultans who built awesome palaces like the El Badi Palace.

There are many places of interest to explore at Marrakech and the city has several architectural and historical sites as well as some interesting museums to visit. Djemaa Ek-Fna for instance is the highlight of Marrakech night with musicians, dancers and story tellers at the square which is at the heart of Medina. Large number of stalls sells a variety of Moroccan fares and during daytime, one will find snake charmers as well as people with monkeys. The Souks or markets of Marrakech is adjacent to Place Djemaa El-Rna and one can buy almost anything like spices, tea pots, kaftans, shoes and much more from this place. Koutoubia Mosque which is besides Djemaa El-Fna is so called after the bookseller which originally was located there.

The minaret of Kouroubia mosque in Marrakech here is compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the minaret can be seen from Gueliz which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohammed V. The mosque is beautifully lit up at night though visitors are not permitted in. Another interesting place is the Saadian Tombs which were discovered during the 20th century and have been preserved just as they were during the glorious days of the Saadian rulers.

They were not destroyed like the El Badi Palace due to superstition and its entrance was blocked and hence it remained untouched for a good number of years. In the interior one will find an overload of Moroccan tiles as well as some beautiful decoration and this place is worth exploring. Besides this one will also find the tombs of Christians as well as Jews which can be identified with their direction and different markings.

Limo Bus San Diego

For any corporate or personal outing or a night out in San Diego, the services of Pacific Limo Bus, one of the most leading transport providers, can be hired who are equipped with many vehicles to suit the needs of their clients right from Chrysler 300 top of the line limousine, to H2Hummer Limos together with Limo buses as well as Charter size limo buses to suit the event requirements of the clients. Limo Bus San Diego luxury vehicles are customized to fit the needs of the clients which are shiny, slick and stylish as well as perfect for every occasion in San Diego. Limo Bus offers bus rides for any and every occasion and one could check on the attractive packages they have in store of their valuable clients. They have on offer, the Hard Rock Hotel, packages, besides wedding transportation as well as rides to concerts at the House of Blues. Engaging their services can provide customers with a perfect day planned without the need to worry over any transport issues.

Several options are available for Limo bus rentals through emails, phone, in order to make reservations or obtain any information. For any queries, one could get connected through Tweet Pacific Limo Bus at pacificlimobus. To take further advantage of these luxury transports, one can check on the Limo Bus specials which are listed at the site and benefit from the same though customers need to take into account, that the specials, promotions, prices and coupons are subject to change where the specials may not be valid during peak season, opening day or high school events. Moreover no specials are permitted to be combined with any prevailing offer. The option of obtaining a quote is also available at the site wherein the user can furnish the desired details required by them in order to receive the same

Sydney An Amazing Holiday Destination

Sydney one of the oldest, largest and cosmopolitan city in Australia, is the world’s beautiful and favored destination for many holiday makers. It is also known as the Harbor City and has miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. It is rich in nature, history, art, design, culture and cuisine and is considered as one of the most cultural and ethnic cities in Australia. It is also a home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor which are two of the most iconic structures in the world.

While the Opera House has become a symbol of Sydney, with its distinct silhouette, Sydney Harbor provides a magnificent backdrop to the white sails of Sydney Opera House. Sydney is a country of many layers similar to sandstone on which it is built and this is only one side of the amazing city. Visitors can have an awesome experience in discovering the different layers and get a better understanding of its rich culture and history on how Sydney progressed from a penal colony with a few hundred people to a modern city of over four million people.

It is a compact city surrounded by sprawling suburbs which when joined together form a huge diverse metropolitan locality. The City Centre was where Governor Philip had first raised the British Flag in Australia on January 1788 and it was also the earliest site of the European settlement in Australia. Two hundred and twenty years thereafter, it is now a Manhattan skyline of skyscrapers all along the harbor and is also a commercial centre of Sydney with thousands of locals commuting daily to either work shop or socialize since it is a busy centre for finance and government as well as home to several famous attractions, remarkable restaurants and shopping. The City South area is to the south of the City Centre towards the east of Darling Harbor and City West.

It also joins the City East as well as the Eastern Suburbs at it eastern boundaries and has three main lineal axis namely, Pitt Street, Sussex Street and George Street. Towards City South, in Haymarket, Central Station and Chinatown area are the markets and cafes and one will find some of the Chinese culture and cuisine along with some cheap accommodation. The City East comprises of Kings Cross, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Paddington and Moore Park, each of which have their own remarkable beauty.

The City West lies between the City South, Inner West and Darling Harbor and has Star City, Pyrmont Bay as well as Harris St. One can indulge in an early morning trip to the fish markets or explore the Power house Museum or a maritime pub or the Star Casino and have enjoyable time in this city. The fish market is a trade market for both retailers as well as for general public to have their pick on the day’s catch.


They also have a large number of vendors who undertake to cook the fish with an early lunch as the fish market is one of the local institutions. Besides these they also have a cooking school and if one is interested can opt for the same. Visitors can indulge in plenty of discoveries to unravel and cherish moments from their trip to this remarkable destination.

An Executive Jet Charter

Service providers with excellent services in executive jet charter which are suitable for small or large groups, single individual or corporate travel purpose are available to cater to the needs of their customers. They own and operate a large fleet of turbo prop, light jets, mid and super mid size jets, heavy and ultra long range of private jets and are equipped to provide their customers with a private aircraft when the need arises in the shortest span of time. The services provided by them are par excellence enabling their travelers to reach and return safely from any desired location in an enjoyable and timely manner. Travelers can look forward for a safe and legal means of satisfying all their private jet charter needs. The provider is an appropriate travel solution for any itinerary sparing no expense when it comes to training their corporate jet pilots or their maintenance aircraft team done on semiannual basis while operating their private jet charter fleet on an average of three years, equipping their aircrafts with the most sophisticated flight operating system on avionic and entertainment technology. Besides this, they ensure to hire non union, full time air charter pilots for the smooth function of their working system.

 An Executive Jet Charter flight offers personalized catering menu, customer oriented flight attendant, direct TV and in flight entertainment systems with full service gallery, in flight Wi-Fi internet, two full time ARG/US Platinum rated pilots. Heavy jets which are the top line of choice in executive aircraft provide passengers with optimal performance as well as comfort for long flights where the average cruising speed is 500 to 560 mph with a standard nonstop range of around 4000 miles. Moreover they can travel farther than the smaller jets as well as fly in and out of airports and can fix base operations which may not be accessible for major airlines. Passengers can engage their services for well equipped jets and schedule their flight to any desired location and can rest assured of excellent service from them.

The Beauty of Mauritius

It is advisable and also essential to take a break once in a while from one’s hectic schedules of life and go on a vacation to a serene atmosphere which can do wonders both physically and mentally to a person along with family and friends. This also provides an opportunity to explore a new destination and get to know a lot more on its culture and way of living. Mauritius for instance is a remarkable holiday destination. The island though a volcanic origin, spreads over an area of 720 square miles with coral reefs covering the entire coast except the south area.

Its average day time temperature is 25 degree Centigrade and at night it is rarely less than 13 degrees Centigrade. People with EEC or American passport do not need visa to visit the country. The language spoken here is English which the majority of the people can understand as well as speak though the main language of this country is Creole, based on French. Besides this language, different groups also speak Chinese and Hindi.

Driving to Mauritius can be pretty expensive due to the high import tax on new vehicles and its spare parts. Super grade leaded petrol is available in Mauritius since most of the cars use it and it cost much less than in other countries like Europe, They adopt the British driving system of driving on the left. Sailing through the coast of this awesome destination is pure delight and one can indulge in an unforgettable experience of cruising through a luxury 42 feet catamaran which sails through serene and calm waters lagoons. The catamaran has four double cabins with two baths and one of the most beautiful living rooms at sea.

It has two yanmar of 20 hp engines and is well equipped with weather and wind speed instruments. Besides this, the 32 feet long Trimaran is also another dream boat to cruise along the coast of Mauritius which has two singles and one double bed and is also equipped with weather and wind speed instruments. The currency used here is the Mauritian rupee and its currency rate is 1 Euro equivalent to 37.50 rupees and the exchange rate for traveler’s cheques is better than cash.

 Mauritian rupees are not circulated outside this country and one can only change money on the island and US $ traveler’s cheques, Euro or GBP and cash can be changed in the banks. Most of the cruises are conducted everyday including Sundays depending upon the weather though the skipper has the right to make any changes in the itinerary based on the weather conditions and the customers have the benefit of a complete refund should the trip be cancelled due to bad weather.

 Mauritius medical standard is far advanced and their hospitals are free of cost which is applicable even for visitors. Besides this there are also private clinics on the island which offer a wider attractive environment along with the latest medical equipment though they are not free. Overall, it’s an awesome destination to unwind and enjoy the cool breeze in a serene atmosphere.

Viva Las Vegas: Alternative Attractions For Tourists

Las Vegas is a city well known to any casual or professional gambler, and it is also one of the most visited landscapes in the world. Offering the best and most prestigious of hospitality and culture money can buy, a vacation in Las Vegas will be an experience never to forget, and although this city is primarily known for its extraordinary shows, fine dining and gambling, there are various other things to try out here too.

With so many engaging activities available for those who are willing to leave the sanctuary of their hotels, Las Vegas is perfect for almost everyone, from the history buffs to the adventure lovers. Furthermore, if you’re thinking about taking a trip here this year, here are some of the top alternative attractions you simply can’t miss out on!

For the Thrill Seekers

There’s nothing like a glider tripacross the spectacular city center to kick start your Las Vegas vacation, and it’s also the perfect opportunity for thrill seekers to explorer the Nevada deserts! The entire desert landscape can be viewed from over 3,000 feet in the air, and tours usually last around 30-40 minutes.

Furthermore, the glider can accommodate two passengers, so it’s a great activity if you’re holidaying with your loved one! Not only is it one of the most popular alternative attractions in Las Vegas, but if you book in advance online, you’ll be able to get at least 10 per cent off your ticket. Additionally, if skydiving catches your eye, then be sure to go to the Vegas Indoor Skydiving centre, which simulates the experience with the most realisticdive ever!

Attractions for the History Buffs

The Clark County Museum is a 30-acrehistorical institution, offering a wealth of exhibitions on the history of Las Vegas. Tourists will be able to find out about the relatively unknown tribes living in the surround desert landscapes before Europeans settled in America,and many of the attractions here are interactive too, which is great if you’re holidaying with your kids!

Families in Las Vegas

Relive the 19th century by traveling to the Bonnie Springs Ranch, a small town recreated in near perfect detail! Located around25 miles from the Vegas Strip, Bonnie Springs Ranch’s origins date back to the 1800s, and the town is completely structured and maintained as it was in the early 19th century. Apart from the town itself,tourists will be able to see performances like replica gunfights and festivals, just like the old days, and there’s even a petting zoo for the kids too!To ensure you get the best deals on your flights to Las Vegas this year, make sure you visit Cheapflights

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Scenic Attractions

For those who haven't seen cactuses and other desert plants before, Ethel M's Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden, which houses over 300 varieties of cacti and plethora of desert plants, is the place to be.One of the best things about the Cactus Garden is that it’s the perfect place for a family picnic or BBQ, and if you call ahead, the owners will happily cook a lunchtime meal for you and your family!