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Saturday, October 11, 2008

Venice Italy


Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals, connected by an amazing four hundred and nine bridges, of which only three cross the main canal. The area it covers is a mere 458 kilometers. Although the city appears small, it is really quite extensive for its size. While most tour guides don’t recommend getting lost in the majority of cities, Venice is the place to get hopelessly lost for a day; it is certainly more advisable than getting lost in a shopping centre and hiding out in the frozen foods section. Venice isn’t all cities and crowded streets: through the mysterious alleyways leading off from the city, endless mazes of backstreets and deserted squares, the ‘real’ Venice. And a perfect place to walk for hours on end, pretending to know where you areProbably the only ways of getting around Venice are walking and paying up for the 'expensive-but-worth-it' gondola, water bus/taxi or a regular taxi is officially banned in the lagoon city – a bicycle won’t help you much.
The islands of the Venetian lagoon were first settled during the barbarian invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries AD, when the people of the Veneto mainland sought refuge in the marshy region.
The refugees built the now-famous watery villages on rafts of wooden posts driven into the soil, laying the foundations for the floating palaces of today. The traditional date of Venice 's birth is given as 25 March 421, but there is little evidence to support this belief. The population is roughly 63, 000 people, but there is belief that Venice will, over time, lose most of its population and become merely a large theme park, purely for the entertainment of camera-clad tourists.

Vancouver Canada


Vancouver is situated within shimmering inlets and the Fraser River on a deeply fissured peninsula set against the backdrop of snow-covered peaks that soar to 3,937 feet (1,200 m). Its big city heart beats on a peninsula that is washed by the waters of English Bay, Burrard Inlet, and False Creek. Chinatown is like a portal in front of the lively business area immediately on the land link and gives a foretaste of the cosmopolitan atmosphere of this city. Vancouver's British aura has been formed into an individual character through exposure to many cultures, especially Asian. From time immemorial this Pacific city of two million has had considerable attraction for countries on the other side of the oceans. Yet it is not yet 150 years since the first white lumberjack settled here among the Salish native Americans Vancouver is located on the mainland of North America, in the south west corner of British Columbia, which is the westernmost of Canada's ten provinces. Greater Vancouver is made up of 18 municipalities that occupy 2,930 square kilometres on and around the Fraser Baggage Handling Porter service is available at the Vancouver International Airport. Most tour group companies provide baggage handling services on arrival and departure. Rates and policies vary and should be confirmed with the supplier. Smoking Laws Smoking is not permitted by law in public buildings, on public transit, in shopping malls, and in most restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Many restaurants and other establishments have designated smoking areas such as patios or outside heated seating areas. Please smoke in designated areas only. River delta. The City of Vancouver is one of them

Friday, October 10, 2008

Las Vegas Tours


Begin your evening of luxury with complimentary Las Vegas Strip or downtown hotel pickup. We'll take you to our heliport for a champagne toast before climbing aboard our luxury 6-passenger, air-conditioned A-Star jet helicopter. Take a deep breath as you ascend over the stunning Las Vegas Strip. A millions lights will mesmerize you as you soar past the golden towers of Mandalay Bay! Cruise past the dancing waters of the Bellagio & the towering New York New York Hotel. Take flight over the legendary Caesar's Palace, the Eiffel Tower at Paris or catch the pirate fight at Treasure Island. Soar above the Fremont Street Experience, an exciting pedestrian promenade located in the neon center of Las Vegas. Fly around the Stratosphere Tower, rising over 1,149 feet in the air, then breeze past the lights of downtown. After about 5 to 7 minutes in the air, pass the powerful light beam – that can be seen from outer space – at the Luxor Pyramid before returning to our heliport. Then, we'll return you to your Strip or downtown hotel to continue your exhilarating evening in Las Vegas! We are proud to possess an impeccable FAA safety record, all FAA safety certified aircraft and pilots and a promise to ensure the safest possible flight for all passengers!

Barcelona Tour

No surprises here. If you are a footie fan then this museum is a must see. It has wall to wall trophies, pictures and statues of the greats. I'm not a football fan but I still enjoyed walking round this museum. When you buy your ticket you have 2 options. You can buy a ticket for the museum and to see the stadium or you can buy a dual ticket where you get to see the museum and behind the scenes at the club e.g. changing rooms, VIP lounge, press conference areas etc.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Scotland


Scotland - Mountain and loch, sheer rocks, and a sky create a drama that scarcely can be beaten. Edinburgh born writer Robert Louis Stephen son could not understand why this abundance of eccentrics was not a theatrical scene but an everyday view of his city. Scotland has been a constituent part of Great Britain since the Act of Union was passed by the legislatures of England and Scotland in 1707. However, the union of these two ancient lands has not always been an easy one, and even after 1707 wars and rebellions by Scots determined to maintain their full independence were not uncommon. Many of these conflicts have been celebrated in popular culture and some have even been given the Hollywood treatment. One of the most notable examples was “Braveheart”, a 1995 film produced, directed and starring Australian actor Mel Gibson. While not completely accurate, the film told the story of William Wallace and his struggle to keep Scotland fully independent in the face of attacks and invasions from England’s King Edward I in the early 14th century Edinburgh, world cultural heritage, and festival city masterfully sets the scene and surprises not only the poet with its sense of the theatrical. The castle alone in its imposing position on black basalt rocks with its St. Margaret's Chapel built in 1090 seems shrouded in mystery and today houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, that includes a crown made with gold mined in Scotland. In a tiny room in the castle the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart bore her son James VI who ruled Scotland and following the death of Queen Elizabeth also over England. With his move to London he also sealed the fate of the Scottish monarchy.

Niagara Falls


The Niagara River, as is the entire Great Lakes Basin of which the river is an integral part, is a legacy of the last Ice Age. 18,000 years ago southern Ontario was covered by ice sheets 2-3 kilometers thick. As they advanced southward the ice sheets gouged out the basins of the Great Lakes. Then as they melted northward for the last time they released vast quantities of meltwater into these basins. Our water is "fossil water"; less than one percent of it is renewable on an annual basis, the rest leftover from the ice sheets. During the busier months of July and August, two popular attractions- Cave of the Winds and Journey behind the Falls can have long waiting lines. Best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon. The Honeymoon Capital of the World, this city of nearly 81,000 people is defined by the stunning and world famous waterfalls. Its two bridges are the busiest border crossings between Canada and the United States. Tourism remains the leading economic sector in the city, with annual visitors estimated at 14 million. The city's economy is also driven by manufacturing in automotive, food & beverage, chemical, abrasive and steel fabrication. Environmental, engineering, warehousing and distribution centres are also emerging sectors in the economy. The mighty river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale. Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the globe next to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. One fifth of all the fresh water in the world lies in the four Upper Great Lakes-Michigan, Huron, Superior and Erie. All the outflow empties into the Niagara river and eventually cascades over the falls.

Langkawi Island


Langkawi Island is located just off the coast of North Western Malaysia, about 30 km from Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah and close to Thailand. The archipelago of Langkawi contains 99 islands during high tide whereas during low tide, the number of islands can be as many as 104. Sanctuary of some of the most ancient rainforests in the world, they are teeming with exotic flora and fauna. Langkawi Island itself is the largest among the archipelago, measuring about 478.5 sq km, is the only one with any real settlement. It fringed by lovely beaches scattered along its coast. The island is still very much a rural landscape with villages and paddy fields. Pulau Langkawi - Province : Kedah State - Country : Malaysia - Latitude : 06 19 N - Longitude : 99 50 E The name "Langkawi" is believed to be related to the kingdom of Langkasuka, centred in modern-day Kedah. The historical record is sparse, but a Chinese Liang Dynasty record (c. 500 AD) refers to the kingdom of "Langgasu" as being founded in the 1st century AD. 'Langkawi' means Eagle Island, it may be noted, and indeed there is a great abundance of eagles in the area. In Kuah, the capital, there is a huge eagle monument in Eagle Square which commemorates the origin of Langkawi's name. Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, who held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Thai influences remain visible in the culture and food of Langkawi, while Thai is still understood by many on the island. Langkawi is a cluster of 99 islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Straits of Malacca, it is a district of the state of Kedah in Northern Malaysia and lies approximately 51km west of Kedah. The location of these tropical islands is where the Straits of Malacca meet the waters of the Andaman Seas. The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island are its virgin, white, sandy beaches. The beaches have a very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear. Langkawi Island has many legends and myths associated with it and is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda Langkawi comprises a group of 104 tropical islands lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30 kilometres from Kuala Perlis and 51 kilometres from Kuala Kedah. The main islands are richly blessed with a heritage of fabulous myths and legends: of ogres and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princesses, battles and romance. As a natural paradise, the island are perhaps unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia

Mauritius


Mauritius is the most accessible island in the Indian Ocean, boasting as much tropical paradise as Maui or Martinique and, better still, offering it at a bargain price. Though nestled up alongside Africa, it's actually more influenced by its British and French ties and predominantly Indian workforce. The first people to set foot on the island of Mauritius were Arab sailors and merchants. Arabs merchant ships have been sailing the Indian Ocean for centuries. Important trading routes linked the east coast of Africa and Madagascar with the Arabian peninsula, India and Indonesia.
The Mascarenes Islands were a long way off the usual trading routes of Arab or Indian sailors. Perhaps the islands were discovered when a cyclone (hurricane) caught an Arab dhow unaware and pushed it towards Mauritius. Evidence that points to the discovery of the Mascarenes Archipelago by Arab seamen comes from copies of Portuguese maps of the early 16th centuryIn 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama succeeded in rounding the cape of Good Hope and called at various Arab-Swahili cities along the East African coast on his way northwards. It was at one of those city ports that an Arab or Indian pilot showed him the way to Goa, India. Within the next ten years, numerous Portuguese expeditions explored the Indian Ocean, visiting Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Comoros Islands.
Around 1507, the Portuguese seaman Fernandez Pereira sighted Mauritius and named it Cerne. The group of islands consisting of Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues were given the names of Mascarenes after the Portuguese captain, Pero Mascarenhas. that depict a group of three small islands south east of Madagascar that bear Arabic names

Papeete{tahiti}


Papeete is the capital of Tahiti, the largest island, nicknamed "the island of love". It is a visitor's first port of call because of the International Airport which is located here. Moorea is the sister island some seventeen kilometres north west of Papeete. Here the tranquil of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay lap at its majestic volcanic peaks which thrust into the sky. Bora Bora is 240 kilometres north-west of Tahiti and is in the Society Islands, as is Huahine Island, which comprises two islands joined by a narrow isthmus and enclosed by a protective necklace of coral. Rangiroa with its 42 mile long turquoise lagoon in the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, and Tikehau atoll in the same archipelago is an almost circular atoll with an interior lagoon, twenty-six kilometres across and a safe pass for small boats through the coral reef. Tahiti is a multi-racial mix of Polynesians of Maohi (Maori) extraction, Europeans, Asians and mixed races. A handsome people, they are noted for their hospitality, friendliness and easy going nature. They speak French and Tahitians which are the two official languages, but English is spoken in the hotels and shops. Lush vegetation grows high above the lagoons and bays and floral scents permeate the tropical air. A myriad of tropical flowers grow throughout the Tahitian islands. The national flower is the Tiare, a heavily scented gardenia which forms the basis of the traditional lei necklaces. You can visit Point Venus where Captain Cook camped to observe the transit of the Planet Venus in 1769, visit the Faarumai waterfalls, and at Taravao on the strategic isthmus joining the two Tahitis, wander through an old fort built by the French in 1844. Don't miss the Gauguin Museum which is set in exotic botanical gardens and the fruit, vegetable and flower market in central Papeete. Tahiti, the largest of the isles in French Polynesia is a place for beginners or rusty divers who wish to brush up on their skills. Tahiti's dive sites offer an average of 30 metres visibility along with masses of coloured fish life, canyons and caves. Hand feed the moray eels or even dive the wrecks of an ocean schooner or seaplane. Dive operators here are Tahiti Plongee, Yacht Club of Tahiti Diving Centre, Tahiti Aquatique and Ta'itua.

The Republic of Venezuela


The Republic of Venezuela is the sixth largest country in South America, but in variation its landscape rivals that of the much larger countries like Brazil and Argentina. In fact, comparing its geography really doesn't do it justice: the country is simply unique. Anyone who has ever seen a tepuis rising above Venezuela's Gran Sabana can testify that there's nothing really like it, anywhereVenezuela lies at the northern extreme of South America, bordered by Colombia to the West, Brazil to the South, Guyana to the East, and the Caribbean Sea to the North. In all, the country is just over 900,000 square kilometers and divided into 23 states. Its borders seem to hold all of South America in miniature: there are fine stretches of the Andes, huge areas of Amazonian rain forests, fertile plains known as llanos, miles of Caribbean shoreline, and even a small desert. The nation also has a few geographical superlatives, including the world's highest waterfall and South America's biggest lake

neveda{las vegas}


As eons passed, the marsh receded. Rivers disappeared beneath the surface. The once teeming wetlands evolved into a parched, arid landscape that supported only the hardiest of plants and animals. Water trapped underground in the complicated geologic formations of the Las Vegas Valley sporadically surfaced to nourish luxuriant plants, creating an oasis in the desert as the life- giving water flowed to the Colorado River.
Construction workers in 1993 discovered the remains of a Columbian mammoth that roamed the area during prehistoric times. Paleontologists estimate the bones to be 8,000 to 15,000 years old. Hidden for centuries from all but native Americans, the Las Vegas Valley oasis was protected from discovery by the surrounding harsh and unforgiving Mojave Desert.
Mexican trader Antonio Armijo, leading a 60-man party along the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles in 1829, veered from the accepted route.
While Armijo's caravan was camped Christmas Day about 100 miles northeast of present day Las Vegas, a scouting party rode west in search of water. An experienced young Mexican scout, Rafael Rivera, left the main party and ventured into the unexplored desert. Within two weeks, he discovered Las Vegas Springs. Las Vegas Featured Hotels With so many extravagant properties to choose from, Las Vegas is sure to have the perfect hotel casino for you. If you don't even know where to begin choosing accommodations, start by looking at our fabulous featured hotels. All of these hotels are different, but they are all proven time and again to please their guests and keep them coming back. Offering variety in services and price ranges, these featured Las Vegas hotels are known for being great values in even better locations. These properties offer a diverse range of amenities, so be sure to check for your own personal "must-haves". Get your money's worth staying at one of our featured Las Vegas hotels.

miami beach


Miami is an exciting, vibrant city set within a lush, tropical landscape. This is a remarkable contrast to its origins of a remote fishing village barely over a century ago when the area was mostly mosquito-infested swamp. Today, Miami and Miami Beach are top destinations for business and travelers. People flock to Miami for business, sun, sand, beaches, and entertainment - this place really rocks! Also known as the American Riviera, Miami Beach is ultra hip and fun. A popular hot-spot for movie stars and fashion models, it offers wide sandy beaches, numerous restaurants and exciting nightlife. Ocean Drive is one of the busiest parts of Miami Beach. It runs parallel to the beach, from Street south to South Pointe Drive. It is famous for its Art Deco architecture. Miami has a strong Hispanic flavor with many of its residents from Cuba, Haiti and various Caribbean and Latin American countries. The result is an American city with great ethnic and cultural diversity Food and music, in fact, showcase Miami's zest for all things sensual. Cool jazz, spirited salsa rhythms, and a cuisine that unites fresh seafood, tropical fruits and tongue-tingling peppers provide evidence of a people and a city mesmerized by – and dedicated to – the spices of life. Give yourself over to its many incarnations in Miami's most sizzling neighborhoods: Little Havana, SoBe or the Design District. Each one boasts top-notch clubs and superlative restaurants, energized by the buzz of a style-conscious clientele. Such range and so much possibility – for both spirit and appetite – ultimately impart to Miami a semblance of meaning that it neither needs nor demands. The city's allure remains independent of attempts to quantify it, and regardless of the effort, satisfaction comes with just experiencing it. After all, when sympathetic climate and abundant care give rise to a strong, vivid hybrid, it's not the parentage that draws attention but simply the beauty of the flower

Pattaya beach{bangkok}


Pattaya's main attractions are its beaches. Pattaya Beach is situated along the central city in close proximity to shopping, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches. Pattaya is 147 km southeast of Bangkok, and faces the Gulf of Siam. It is located within easy access of the Bangkok Airport and has excellent accommodation and restaurants and entertainment for all tastes. Because of its easy accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most popular weekend getaways for Bangkok’s city-dwellers.Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed beachside hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses.Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game-fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. And after dark, Pattaya offers the allure of a truly vibrant nightlife with a great variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, and cabarets

Tourism is Pattaya’s main source of income. It attracts thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world. There is much on offer - good beaches, offshore islands, diving, sailing and its many golf courses are just a few of the activities visitors can enjoy. More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km, from around Si Racha in the north, to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species and tropical fish. Pattaya's main attractions are its beaches. Pattaya Beach is situated along the central city in close proximity to shopping, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches. Pattaya is 147 km southeast of Bangkok, and faces the Gulf of Siam. It is located within easy access of the Bangkok Airport and has excellent accommodation and restaurants and entertainment for all tastes. Because of its easy accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most popular weekend getaways for Bangkok’s city-dwellers.Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed beachside hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses.Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game-fishing, and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. And after dark, Pattaya offers the allure of a truly vibrant nightlife with a great variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, and cabarets.
Tourism is Pattaya’s main source of income. It attracts thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world. There is much on offer - good beaches, offshore islands, diving, sailing and its many golf courses are just a few of the activities visitors can enjoy. More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km, from around Si Racha in the north, to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species and tropical fish.
Known as "The Rivera of Thailand" Pattaya started life as a small, insignificant fishing village. In the 13th century it was the R&R (rest and relaxation) spot for soldiers of the great King Nari during his campaign against Burmese invaders, but other than that it continued to doze, until the 20th century. In 1950, Pattaya was still little other than a small fishing village. It regained popularity with the armed forces in 1959 when a group of American GI’s visited for R&R. After renting a house on the beach, spending an enjoyable time with the locals, they returned and the word was out…Pattaya was “The” place to holiday. New groups of Marines arrived and it is from this simple beginning that the city grew. In just 40 odd years it has developed into one of the most renowned of all Thailand’s holiday spots, locally, and world wide. By the late 70’s, hotels, shopping centres, entertainment houses and the like had shot up. Industry developed as did tourism and with the opening of the motorway from Bangkok to Pattaya, it became a two-hour drive from the country’s capital.Pattaya’s popularity grew so rapidly that the local government couldn’t cope with its administration. So in 1976 Pattaya and nearby Naklur became one administrative district. Then in 1978 Pattaya was declared a city in its own right.
Pattaya is renowned for its Night-life which caters primarily to foreigners. The city has literally hundreds of beer bars, go go bars, massage parlor and night-clubs. A great many of these venues offer the services of prostitutes despite prostitution being technically illegal in Thailand. Many clubs offer sex shows including ping pong shows. Pattaya is known as a destination for sex tourism (alongside several districts in Bangkok and Phuket). Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) matches aimed at the tourists can be seen at many of the open-air beer bar complexes. Some areas, such as Soi 6 have become famous nightlife areas in their own right.