NEALTOWEY

Archive for January, 2011

In the recent years, the peninsular region of Pelion located in the eastern part of Central Greece has become the abode of tourists from all over the world. Word of mouth has spread quickly about this fascinating place governed by imposing and impressive mountains on one side and crystal azure waters of the Aegean Sea and Pagasitic Gulf on the other. Pelion lies in central Greece and its incredible beauty has given rise to tourism perspectives in the region.

Imagine a Pelion hotel among the mountains where you can go for trekking and cycling each day, have breakfast amidst singing birds and dinner amidst the brilliant hues of the setting sun. Or a Pelion hotel by the beach side where each day you hear the splash of the gushing waves as you get up in the morning or go to sleep at night. Fantasize walking barefoot on the beach around your Pelion hotel or anywhere else as you witness the setting sun across the horizon or have a candle lit dinner with the background sound of the gentle waves lapping at the shore. Such imaginations and fantasies have been transformed into reality as many a Pelion hotel has opened in this region keeping in mind these unique aspects of nature.

A Pelion hotel will always encourage its visitors and guests to explore this panoramic region as there are plenty of interesting things to do here. But if you would love to leisurely spend your days sitting idly in your room doing nothing, then also it is absolutely fine with the hotel. You can always request for a travel brochure from the Pelion hotel at which you are staying so that you can get an idea of where to go and how to reach that particular place. The best possible means to roam about this region is to hire a car and get a road map. There are some excellent touristy villages that you can visit, and see and learn how the local artifacts are being made by the villagers of the region. These villages include Zagora, Kissos and Makrinitsa located in the mountains, and Kala Nera, Horto and Platanias along the coastline.

The magical myths, famous legends and captivating history of this enigmatic place are all preserved in the various museums of the region. You can also pay a visit to the churches and monasteries boasting of such marvelous architecture. If you had enough education for the day and would love to unwind, then a visit to any of Pelion beaches is recommended. The gorgeous beaches of Agios Ioannis, Kala Nera, Fakistra and Mylopotamos will enable you to incorporate in yourself a sense of calm and peace of mind.

As you return back to your Pelion hotel, you order the delicious local dishes with the fresh agricultural products. In a Pelion hotel, there might also be spa facilities that promise total relaxation and ease of mind and body. Such new concepts have been utilized keeping in mind the busy and hectic schedule that visitors lead in their daily routine of life. Thus here you get to choose the kind of massage you would love to have, the ingredients that you would love to use and even the aromatic essential oils for your bubble bath if you are ready for one. The masseurs are all well-trained and the usual verdict from those who had tried is that it really soothes your mind and relaxes the body.

Such unique opportunities are all at your service and you only just have to name it. Each and every Pelion hotel in this region is trying their best to retain their clients by giving them superior quality services and facilities.

The objective of every Pelion hotel is to encourage tourism in the region. Beautiful tranquil mountain locales, stunning beaches, warm and friendly people, adventurous sport activities and mythical and mysterious past of the region around your Pelion hotel are laid out to enthrall all visitors. Travelers, who have visited this place, have to say that Pelion gives the unique scope to experience a relaxing and rewarding vacation. More so because of the excellent standards that are maintained by any Pelion hotel in the region, whether it is by the beach or in the luscious mountain ranges.

The Caribbean is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. It has a lot of small islands and other attractive boat destinations. There are hundreds of ship harbours in the region. Almost all Caribbean travel destinations have wonderful white sandy beaches with tropical vegetation and an ever present sun. They have all facilities for swimming, sailing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, water-skiing, surfing, etc.

Some of the most popular Caribbean travel destinations are following. Anguilla is a relatively flat island famous for its spectacular beaches. Eco tourists will find there a myriad of bird and reptile species. In Antigua there are marvelous beaches, natural bays and harbors. It is also famous for the Nelson dockyard.

Aruba is fifteen miles away from the coast of Venezuela. Its wind ward slide is wild and windy, while the leeward side has honey colored sand beaches which are excellent for swimming. It is a popular destination for wind and kite surfers. Navigating around Aruba is easy and the roads are good. Barbados enjoys a breezy and good climate year round. Beautiful beaches surround the island with conceivable water sport available.

Belize is known as an eco tourists’ paradise. It has many parks and natural reserves. Bonaire is best known for scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing. Navigating around Bonaire is easy. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Dominica is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands. Due to the island’s topography and vegetation, the climate and temperatures can vary drastically. It is a perfect destination for adventure. It is famous for hiking, river bathing, bird watching, whale watching, scuba diving, and botany expeditions.

Guyana is known as land of many waters. Kaiteur, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, is situated here. Most of the region is untouched rainforest. There is gold and bauxite mining. Georgetown also has many buildings of great historical significance, including the world’s largest wooden structure in the form of an Anglican cathedral. Jamaica is an island of international array of legends, cultures and customs, coming together against the background of beautiful mountains and valleys.

Saba is a small island ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation. The island is well known for its scuba diving, hiking and natural beauty. The Saba Marine Park is one of the best in the world. The island of Trinidad is known for its annual carnival. Tobago has the oldest protected rainforest. Pitch Lake in Trinidad is another world famous tourist destination.

Looking for a new vacation travel destination? Wondering which holiday spots don’t get the credit they deserve, and which ones receive too much? Here are some tips on a few of the most over- and underrated places.

Underrated:

South Dakota/Black Hills. Beautiful oasis of pine and mountains, and plenty to do with Mount Rushmore, Native American sights, Hiking, scenic drives, waterfalls, tons of wildlife to view, national parks,camping, fishing, and even wild horses and bison roaming free.

Idaho

Upstate New York

Tennessee

National parks in Southern Utah.

South Carolina

Gulf Coast of Florida

Washington DC. A wonderful city with lots of places to explore.

Northern Wisconsin

The city of Athens

Oslo, Norway

Louisville, Kentucky. Not just for horse racing, this city has lots of small-town charm, a diverse art scene, a theme park for coaster lovers, lots of great restaurants, and much more.

Portland, Oregon.

Overrated:

Miami/South Florida. Hot, humid, crowded. Good shopping though for sure. The beach is fun but there are much better beaches in Florida.

Los Angeles. Too crowded on the highways, terrible smog, obstructed views of the surrounding scenery, unimpressive downtown surrounded by graffiti-covered neighborhoods.

Costa Rica

Stonehenge

Disney World at Christmas. Way too crowded to be able to enjoy yourself.

Yosemite National Park. You need to hike to enjoy the beauty of this park. Otherwise you may be disappointed.

Isle of Capri

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Cloudy water, no fish, not much to see.

Bali. Open sewers run under the sidewalks.

Atlanta

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Visitors agree it is interesting but say it is not worth the time.

Sante Fe, New Mexico

Blarney Stone in Ireland.

Although these places have been called underrated or overrated by some, one can usually find things to like and appreciate no matter where you go. Use this list of travel destinations as a guide and be sure to thoroughly research your vacation plans so that you won’t ultimately be disappointed. What one traveler finds to dislike, others may find to be the best part of their trip.

The city situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is one of the most glistering metropolitan cities in India. With a large highly educated population, the city is a great industrial base in the field of automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare industries. Every year thus, Chennai encounters hundreds of foreign faces pulled to the city due to its fascinating image. To accommodate them all the Chennai hotels prove to be a perfect choice.

Exemplifying the spirited Indian hospitality these hotels in Chennai are ideally located in close distance with all the main attractions and business hubs of the region. To provide everlasting impressions to the world travellers these hotels are enhanced with international standard of accommodation in Chennai, delicious culinary delights, recreational amenities and corporate facilities as well. Be it business or leisure traveller these hotels are classified under numerous categories for the convenience of the guests.

The main categories of hotels at Chennai include luxurious five star and four star hotels, beach resorts, budget hotels and government lodges to avail the guests with most satisfactory experience of Chennai tour. The city is dotted with a wide collection of hotels most of which are located in close proximity from business centres and the main locations for recreation in the city.

The hotels at the beaches of the city are some of the best venues for having a leisurely time in the region as these are the best enjoyment centres in the region. To add somewhat a regal essence to one’s experience of Chennai tour guests are offered various tours to its famous historical palaces for a view of these erstwhile residences of the royalty at the city.

While accommodating in these Chennai hotels, one can also enjoy various extravaganzas the place has to offer, such as shopping exposure and stroll in the astonishing parks here. The rooms at these Chennai hotels are well equipped with amenities of international standards. The lavish standards of the hotels here are maintained with the help of managing facilities such as comfortable ambiance of the rooms, sumptuous dining facilities, recreational options and business amenities to befit all the requirements of the modern travellers.

A family vacation is a great investment because you may need a couch or new carpet but the furniture or the carpet will wear out; but the memories made on a family vacation will last a life time and only grow better with age.

Now where you take your pre-teens may depend on what you want to do or what they like to do.

In my opinion, here are a few of the top 10 family vacations.

Hawaii, go here for your family vacation to enjoy beautiful white sand beaches, towering waterfalls, whales, dolphins, volcanoes and more activities than I could possibly mention.

Washington DC, this family vacation would be educational as your kids would see so much history their head would spin. But if you get your kids involved in researching the different

Museums and historical sights, let them choose which ones they want to visit, you will be surprised how excited they will get about what they are going to see.

Costa Rica, this is one of my favorite family vacation destinations for those that like adventure and nature. Costa Rican’s are so friendly and proud, they want share their beautiful country with you.

While drifting down a river you will see trees full of howling monkeys, toucans and other colorful birds, crocodiles and lizard like creatures that seem to walk on water. On this family vacations you can

Visit frog farms at night and zip through the tree tops during the day or simply relax at the beach.

Gulf Shores Alabama State Park, if you want to stay in the US , this is a wonderful family vacation. It has gorgeous beaches, fishing, skiing, nature hikes, golf and swimming, just to name a few of the things to do.

Colorado Springs area, also a great family vacation spot in the US . Here you can white water raft, horseback ride, go to a cowboy dinner, pan for gold, rock climb; and the list goes on.

Disney, this is a given. But don’t forget about Disney in California . It is smaller, but there are so many other things to do in the area that it is a fantastic trip for a family vacation.

Cruises, kids love cruises because they have special activities on board for the different age groups and they make friends and before the cruise is over they will want to have sleep-overs.

Dude Ranches, Texas , Colorado , Wyoming are a few states that have Dude Ranches. These are about the closest thing in the US to an ‘all-inclusive’ family vacation. Here you can go on trail rides, tube float down a river, watch and sometime participate in a good old fashion rodeo. And most all meals and activities are included in the price. Activities that are included vary.

Riviera Maya, Mexico, this area has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and amazing all-inclusive resorts. Choose the right resort and your kids will never lack for something to do. They can go snorkeling, build sand castles, sail on a sunfish, slide on huge water park slides and all of this is included in the price along with all meals and drinks.

Smuggler’s Notch, VT, Located in beautiful mountains, while on this family vacation your family can spend time together mountain biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, skateboarding, painting, making jewelry, playing golf or just being quiet and enjoying the scenery around you.

I would always check into purchasing a good travel insurance for your family travel because you never know when you will need it. I always tell my clients ‘travel insurance is one of those expenses that if you purchase it and don’t need it, then you feel it was a waste of money; but if you don’t purchase it and loose all of your money or need the medical part of the insurance while on your trip, then you wish you had purchased the travel insurance’. So it is worth investigating.

Tourism in Kasaragod district is often considered synonymous with the tiny town of Bekal. The beach at Bekal and the Bekal Fort, which stands adjacent to it present visitors with wonderful windows to both natural beauty and history.

The development of Bekal Beach is headed towards making it the first planned beach destination in India. Bekal is a ‘green field’ destination as is evident in its colour and the foreground greenery.

‘Beach Camp’, the first property of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Hotels and Resorts in Bekal was inaugurated by Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Tourism. The Beach Camp, with 30 cottages, will come up on two hectares of land situated between the Bekal beach park and the tsunami park. The State owned Bekal Resorts Development Corporation has leased out the land for 30 years. Beach Camp will be the first property of the KTDC in the Malabar region and its 32nd resort.

The cottages resembling a tent will be constructed using the ‘knock down Technology’. Cottages will be constructed using eco-friendly materials without causing any harm to the environment and the beach. Each cottage will offer the guests a spectacular view of the Bekal Fort and its surroundings. The work of 20 cottages will be completed within 6 months. More coconut trees will be planted here by the KTDC to make the destination more beautiful and green.

Another 10 cottages and a swimming pool will be constructed in the second phase. The property will have an Ayurvedic centre as the KTDC plans to market beach and ayurveda.

As part of the government’s efforts to develop tourism in Malabar, KTDC will also construct its premium properties in Kozhikode and on the Muzhappilangad beaches Union Government has declared Bekal as a special tourism area in 1992 and an investment of Rs 750 crore is estimated in Bekal, for integrated resort development.

Travel is the movement of the people all over the world between relatively distant geographical locations for any duration, with or without the means of transport. It also includes the short stays between the successive journeys. There are many places to see in Europe but few places pack the punch of Europe – a historical, cultural and geographical that squares up confidently to any other continent on the planet earth.

The various places which the visitors can visit are the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the graceful canals of Venice, the renaissance buildings, the forum of Rome, the art of Florence, the Napoleonic grandeur of Paris and the Moorish palaces in turkey that were the remains of the Seven Wonders Of The World. This is one of the continents that take pride in its extraordinary heritage; it leads the world in fashion, art, music and its designs. Europe is a beautiful place to visit and there are no of locations of historical interests and as well as scenic beauty and the top traveled destinations in Europe are:

1. London: It is a historical place. The tourist will find the large no attractions and will be in bewilderment. The visitors to London are fascinated by the medieval architecture shown in the Buckingham Palace.

2. Rome: The capital of Italy remains unmatched when it comes to the sheer aesthetic domination of its antique structures and its impressive history. The Colosseum in Italy, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is seen in great amount. It attracts large number of visitors.

3. Berlin: It is serving as a capital of Germany. Some of the main boroughs to consider visiting include the greenery in the southwest Berlin, the historic centre of Mitte, and lovely Prenzlauer Berg located in the northeast.

4. Vienna: It is often referred as one of the most beautiful of all the capitals in Europe. Art, economics and even politics here are quite rich in traditions.

5. Amsterdam: it is famous for its delicious food all over the world. This city is rich in its cultural activities and is full of flourishing businesses and artists.

6. Barcelona: This city offers a collection of fantastic samples in Spanish art, fashion, lodging, as good as dining. Barcelona is the good place to devise the vacation.

7. Florence: Decorated with tiny opulence accommodations, smart eateries, overkill of charm, this city also provides an considerable arrangement of hospitality.

8. Venice: It is the loveliest places in the world. It is a city that is found in the northern part of Italy, home of pasta and pasta. Considered as one of the most beautiful places and cities in the world. Venice is also known by different names such as city of water and city of bridges.

9. Paris: France can end up being the best option. The Eiffel tower is one of the wonderful monuments to see in Paris.

10. Stockholm: It is a pride of Sweden. Being its capital city, it is also the top destination of the tourists all around the world. It has a very lovely climate i.e. humid and extreme. It is a diverse city in terms of ethnicity and industry.

These all are the top travel destinations in Europe. Many other places are being visited here but the most important is London, Paris and Rome. Europe is a great option for your vacation and planning holidays.

Thailand is a beautiful country with rich heritage and culture. The exotic naturally beauty, alluring landscapes, and moderate climate will offer great retreat to the travelers.

No wonder Thailand has become the most preferred vacation destination and millions of people visit this land of wonder every year. Among other tourist attractions, Golden Triangle is considered to be one of the most famous tourist destinations in Thailand. This triangle produces opium, which often tempts the tourists to gather near this place to gain a strange type of experience.

This area is covered with beautiful temples and shrines, with several sight seeing spots including towns and villages forecasting the wonderful landscape.

Chiang Rai in Thailand has many historic sites to explore, including elephant rides and eye-catching Doi Tung Royal Villa that is sure to provide a breathtaking experience. The main aspect that differentiates vacation destination in Thailand from that of other countries is the beautiful weather.

The best period to visit the beautiful places of Thailand is December to February, which is often referred to as, “cool season”. There are many tourist attractions in the country that often grabs the attention of many travelers.

Some of them include: Pattaya, one of the most famous ocean site resort, with many affordable restaurants that falls under the budget of every traveler, Koh Samui covered with many beach hotels, where you can enjoy the exotic beauty of beaches along coastline, Phuket, called “Pearl of the south” has variety of restaurants that offers extraordinary Thai cuisines.

These entire vacation destinations are sure to make your Thailand Travel a memorable one.

To quench your thirst for relaxation after days of strenuous work and hard labor there could not be any better option than long ocean trips on the Atlantic. That gives you the liberty to idle away enough time simply to relax yourself through your participation in different activities befitting the leisure days while you enjoy the tasty food served. Further, you would count for the thrills of touching at intervals attractive foreign lands.

It would not be proper to shatter the dream above just implanted in your head but the harsh reality remains that disturbances may throw you out of gear, for example while you are readying a book on the poolside some kids experimenting with water bombs may spoil your plan. Or, they may distract you with their Super Soakers 9000 when neatly dressed you are heading for the dining room. Or, it may so happen that you have to narrowly escape a fall on the deck caught in the melee of pre-teens chasing each other. At bitter moments like these you will surely loose the charm of relaxing holiday mood nurtured in your imagination.

A bit rude it may appear but it cannot be denied that relaxing vacation and holidays with children hardly go well together. It does not matter whether kids are accompanying yourself or not, you must have the experience how great annoyance sometimes they may cause. A teenage group moving with you can spoil the luxurious cruise planned for your peace and serenity if they are yet to learn discipline.

To select a cruise line that does not provide the kids with fun activities is not a bad idea altogether. It may sound a bit confusing first since absence of any activities to keep the kids engaged may mean that there would be no attraction to hold them from coming into your path. Most likely however the families will prefer those cruise lines that project themselves as friendly to families and therefore the other lines remain less crowded by young people. There are two main reasons why some cruise lines offer special invitation for families. That by winning over the younger people they want to extend their future prospect is the first reason while the second is that to reach their sales target by raising ticket sales such offers are effective tools. Even if the parents had planned to leave behind their kids at home such offer for special attraction for kids can tempt them to change that decision.

Apart from your non-preference of family cruises you can also leave aside school holidays while you chalk out your journey schedule. Normally parents will not like the idea of their kids missing classes only for a cruise’s sake. Therefore if you don’t want the presence of kids on board with you it would be wise to avoid cruise travel during spring break or Christmas or the summer. Most importantly, think twice before you select Disney, Carnival Cruises, Princes and the like that lures the young at any part of the year by offering special programs for the kids and the teens as well. The Radisson, Celebrity or Crystal lines will be the most wise and botheration-free selection on your part.

Brazil is generally known for its colorful culture and beautiful beaches, where Brazilians gather to soak up the sun and party until dawn. If you are looking for a relaxed and hassle free vacation where your only worry is to decide which beach to go to in the morning, Brazil is the perfect destination. In the southeast of the country, you will find gorgeous beaches and laid back towns where it is a pleasure to spend a carefree holiday. Read this guide to the best beaches in the region to help you plan your exciting vacation.

A lovely beach resort, Buzios is conveniently located next to Arraial do Cabo on a peninsula which boasts no less than 17 incredible beaches. In the past, Buzios used to be a small fishing village, but it has now been turned into a high-end resort, with designer shops, fancy restaurants and opulent villas lining its streets. The best beaches of Buzios are located in the south. Although less accessible, they are also the most beautiful and great for surfing. Among the most popular beaches, you will find Geriba and Ferradurinha, Ferradura, Praia Olho de Boi, and Praia Brava.

If what you are seeking is true relaxation and calm, away from the crowds of tourists and partygoers, head out to Ilha Grande, a stunning island about 150km west off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. This small tropical-like island, home to only three settlements and covered with unspoiled beaches and rainforest, is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the country, and relatively untouched by massive tourism. The island is busier on weekends, as a favorite among locals, but still retains its quaint and authentic charm. It can be easily reach with a 1h30 ferry-ride from Angra dos Reis on the mainland (about 3hrs from Rio de Janeiro by bus).

Parati is a lovely coastal town, generally very lively from Christmas to Carnival and on the weekends, but quiet and relaxed the rest of the year, which makes it a delightful beach destination. Boasting myriad jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches, Parati is beautifully set against mountains covered by the jungle, overlooking hundreds of islands and their crystal clear waters. Around Parati lie 65 islands and 300 beaches. If you really want to get away from it all, rent a small motorboat at the port and the skipper will take you wherever you want, to the most secluded and beautiful beaches.