Entries Tagged 'Travel' ↓

If you are going to Paris with that special someone on a holiday, you must already be a romantic. However, if you’re going there for Valentine day, you’re even more romantic than I thought!

It’s certain that you will have plenty of things to do on your trip to Paris; romantic Paris sights and attractions, parks and gardens, restaurants and shows, but it is important to plan ahead and book your Paris apartments or hotels Paris, as naturally, Paris is a top destination for lovers all over the world on Valentine’s Day.

Some places we’d recommend you visit for a fantastic Paris getaway are; on Friday 16 February from 6pm to 11pm and February 17 to 18. In their 15 studios or exhibition spaces, in the Montmartre area, from the boulevard de Clichy to the top of the Butte,32 artists of the association d’Anvers aux Abbesses, will present their paintings, photos, engravings, mosaics, sculptures, jewellery… The theme for them all is love, seduction and encounters…

Why not prove to your loved one that you CAN cook? On Thursday 8 and Friday 9 February 2007 there is a cooking course designed for those in love. “Arômes et Saveurs (Aromas and Flavours)” cooking courses and learn how to create dishes inspired by Isabel Allende’s book “Aphrodite, the love of food and the food of love”. On the menu: “new life consommé”, “odalisques’ salad”, “joyous chicken”, “novices’ breasts”, and other sensual recipes…

After the perfect Paris accommodation, presents and atmosphere, comes the all important Valentine’s meal. If you are looking for the perfect romantic settings to spend time with your loved one, or maybe even pop a question or two?? My two favourite restaurants in Paris are:

1) L’Altro 16, rue du Dragon – 75006. Located in a busy street in Saint-Germain, this modern restaurant looks like a hybrid between Milan and New York: black beams, waxed concrete, mass-produced lamps and mirrors that industrial designer Gio Ponti would have adored! From the open kitchen come fine-looking dishes full of taste. Service is attentive, flexible and with a smile.
2) Citrus Étoile, 6,6 rue Arsène Houssaye. This restaurant serves a refreshing mixture of light, modern dishes to the heavier more traditional French dishes such as: foie gras-stuffed beignets topped in a syrupy-sweet port-wine reduction. The head chef; Mr. Epié is a true culinary genius and the décor of this restaurant is sure to set the right tone for your romantic evening.

Our motto has always been ‘sharks first’ and we are dedicated to conservation, research and educating people about Great White Sharks.

Our observations and research of the Great White Shark are based on natural predatory interactions with Cape fur seals. On anchor we do not chum to attract Great White Sharks to the boat, but instead gain their interest using a tuna head only. No shark livers are used (this is a standard practise among reputable operators).

Our boat was built according to strict safety regulations by SAMSA and was specifically constructed for Shark Cage Diving. The cage in which you will be placed is made of steel that can withstand even the toughest of nudges from Great Whites. This cage has viewing ports that were designed for people to see the Great White Sharks from a safe place.

We are one of the few companies that we, the owners, personally go out to sea on many trips to see sharks. This allows us to share our passion and knowledge with our guests. By operating this way, we attract serious shark lovers, as well as guests wanting a quality, educational trip. Shark Cage Diving

We are the first choice for over 40 famous documentaries and international shark research
Owing to the practical knowledge, experience and the passionate way in which we fight for shark conservation, we have been chosen to assist with many well-known documentaries, including:

Interviews on 60 Minutes and CNN
Documentaries on Discovery Channel and the BBC
Air Jaws 1 and 2 (seen by 500 million viewers)
Several National Geographic documentaries
The only full-time photographers
We are also the only full-time photographers who spend the entire shark season at Seal Island (site of Air Jaws) in False Bay, South Africa. Shark Cage Diving

Safety – our No. 1 priority
When you go Shark Cage Diving, you want to know that your life isn’t in danger. By booking your Shark Cage Diving trip with us, rest assured that all the necessary precautions have been taken.

Shark diving safety – our boat & cage
Our boat was built according to strict safety regulations by SAMSA and was specifically constructed for Shark Cage Diving. The cage in which you will be placed is made of steel that can withstand even the toughest of nudges from Great Whites. This cage has viewing ports that were designed for people to see the Great White Sharks from a safe place.

Shark experts for your shark adventure in Cape Town
All Shark Cage Diving is done under the supervision of shark experts. Our crew members all have the necessary scuba and commercial skippers’ qualifications as well as years of practical experience with sharks. Shark Cage Diving

Has it been a while since you have been to the airport? It seems that as every day passes, managing ones way through the airport is becoming more and more challenging.

If you are presented with the option of curbside check-in, I highly recommend you use it. This is a time saver for anyone who is checking luggage to their final travel destination. Some used to worry that their luggage would get lost unless you made nice with the attendant and give them a tip. While tips are encouraged, luggage is quickly tagged and taken away by security. So the chances of a bag getting lost because of curbside check-in is not very likely.

If you make your way inside, you will be surprised to see that all the tellers have been replaced with automated ticketing machines. Have your printed itinerary in hand and reading glasses, or a credit card to swipe for identification purposes handy so you can locate your ticket. Unfortunately, in many situations the help of a live person is still required and they are usually difficult to come by. This leads to longer lines and longer wait times.

In many airports, there is now another step for inside luggage checking. You now have to carry your bags to a security screening area. Usually this does not take very long, but it is an added step.

And finally you can make your way to the security line. For the fastest transition, have your laptop out, keep your boarding pass in hand, and wear all fabric clothing with no metal. Carry plastic reading glasses along with your reading material and don’t forget to remove your shoes.

The easiest way through the airport is to ship your stuff ahead of time, print your boarding pass at home, wear basic clothing, and only bring your book and glasses if necessary.

Considered Barcelona’s most important festival, La Mercè or La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (The Merciful Mother of God), this festival began in 1871, when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy.

The year 1902 saw a new impetus to the celebrations, with parades containing the first appearance in Catalonia of the “giants”, the first castellers competition and the importation from the Emporda region, of a dance that was spreading throughout Catalonia: the Sardana. The holiday has enjoyed immense local popularity ever since.

The festival is possibly the best of all Barcelona’s festivals, of which there are many (Festa de Gracia, Festa de Sants, Festa de San Joan, Festa Major) and has many special features including a large book market around Plaza Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia, selling books in Spanish, Catalan and English. Make sure you book your Barcelona apartments or hotel in Barcelona in time to see it all.

Needless to say, this festival is celebrated with fireworks in the streets and on one particular night, a special event called the “correfoc” takes place. Here, people climb inside paper mache dragons and dress up as devils, then proceed to chase the crowds hissing sparklers, waving hand held fireworks and setting off bangers. It’s highly recommended to book your Barcelona accommodation early, wear protective clothing to this, as some of us actually know what it feels like to have a firework explode in our faces!

The festival will also see timeless traditions take place such as the castellers and the Giants Parade, which are giant figures made from paper mache and wood, great pride has been taken in repairing and maintaining the old giants from the start of the century and bringing them up to date. Representing a king and queen, a moor and people from the local population, there are roughly ten giants in total, standing at 15 feet high and they are paraded through the streets, looming over the crowds in twos and swaying along in their fantastically bright clothes, carrying shining mirrors and wearing hats. This parade typically takes place towards the end of the festival and is immensely popular, make sure you get there early on to get a good spot in the crowd. (23rd to 24th) This parade of giants began as a tribute to King James I, to commemorate the anniversary of his arrival and conquest of Mallorca which happened on 8th September 1229. It was celebrated for the first time in 1929, coinciding with his 700th birthday.

If you want to make the most of your trip to Rome, I strongly advise you don’t go it alone but take advantage of the tours that are available. Every tour is different and is worth taking part in, but make sure to ask for a list of destinations so that you can go on a tour that best suits your wants and needs.

One of the most well known and most loved tours in Rome is the ‘Rome at sunset tour’. This takes place every day at 7pm and costs 30 Euros per adult (25 Euros for students). In 2 ½ hours you will get information about sights like the Trevi-fountain, the Spanish steps, the house of Napoleon and also the place where Julius Cäsar was assassinated. This tour is great since it’s more comfortable to have a look around the city without the heat of the daytime sun and without the busy streets of the day. What’s best is children younger than 12 go free of charge.

The Vatican tour, as you might guess, will take you around the 44hectre Vatican. Although being the Pope’s home, this isn’t the Vatican’s only attraction; St. Peter’s Square Museum is definitely worth a visit. That is what you will see during this 3-hour tour for a price of 35 Euros per adult. Students pay a discounted rate, kids up to 12 pay 15 Euros and kids up to 6 don’t have to pay at all. The tour starts at 1.30 pm every day.

The tour through the Rome’s old town takes 2 ½ hours and will take you to the emblem of the city: The Coliseum. You’ll also get to see the Forum Romanum and you’re sure to learn alot. A ticket for the tour costs 42 Euros for adults, 36 Euros for students and 12 Euros for children up to 12. Children up to 6 don’t pay anything.

For 100 Euros an hour you can book your very own private tour. Bring up to 3 friends and you decide where you go, when to start, for how long and what you want to get out of it. Do you want special information or do you just want the guide to take you to each sight? It’s all up to you!

The guides on all tours are experts on the city. You won’t find their kind of expertise in any brochure. You can find all information about the tours on any Rome Information site, so have a look before you go.

If you want to see Rome you should book your accommodation (Unterkunft Rom) quickly. During the summer, hotels (Hotels Rom) are mostly booked out. Therefore it’s a very good idea to book an apartment. There’s an abundance of apartments (Ferienwohnung in Rom) so make the most of it.

A long time ago, Portugal was at the forefront of exploring the world. However, the tourism industry in this area has only recently come into its own. When it comes to mainstream tsuch as Lisbon, Algarve, and the island of Madeira, the country of Portugal had been out of the spotlight for a long time.ourism, besides a few spots

Present day travelers are learning that Portugal has long been an overlooked tourist destination. In addition to unique architecture, flavorful cuisine, it also offers art treasures, and sandy beaches. (Manueline), mild weather, exciting and attractive handicrafts, moderate hotel fares and polite and very friendly people.

More than 22 million people visit Portugal each year.
Despite its meager size of 225 KM width and 612 KM length. Portugal is among the best tourist destinations in all of Europe. Chances are high that exploring its cities, towns, and rural areas will take more time than anticipated, because there is such an abundance of richness and variety along the way.

The people, whose warmth is well-known, dwells in a land of amazing diversity. You will see almond trees growing in the Algarve, cork trees and wheat in Alentejo, and different beautiful, rustic scenery in other regions of the country.

The following suggestions are just a place to start,you will eventually find your own spots once you are in Portugal.

Courtesy of Portugal Holidays.

When you are in Spain, you will find a wealth of activities to keep you busy such as the thrill of skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or enjoying a road trip traveling through this captivating country. A few of the best things to do are listed here.

In Andalucia, Malaga and Torremolinos are popluar tourist spots because they are so close to the mountains Spend the mornings of late spring skiing, and then sunbathe on the beaches in the afternoon. Incredibly strange!

Although the local village’s festivities are religiously inspired, they can still be fun. It is worth it just to see the colourful processions, with the all-night parties as well. If you are looking for more information on Spanish Fiestas, it is right here.

Antoni Gaudi has designed more than one building in Barcelona, however the Parc Guell is the most fabulous one to visit. Gaudi’s style, which consists of broken tiles and elegant curves, is featured in buildings and sculptures throughout the park.

Tapas provide a delicious meal for people of any age. Bite-sized Tapas along with a wine, beer or a sherry are all the reason you need to travel to Spain!

The price for the trip to Spain is worth it as long as you manage to get yourself caught up the in the passion that is Flamenco. Flamenco is better experienced in an old bar room, in a neighborhood much like Barrio de Triana in Seville. If you want to see and hear Flamenco all night you can go to all kinds of clubs.

For an in depth guide visit Spain Trips.

Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia, is located in the western part of the country and has 1.2 million citizens so far, it is the most populated region in the country. Less than 2 hours later, you will find yourself in the breathtaking mountain ranges in the southern area. Outstanding to the area are the perenially snow covered, awe-inspiring mountain tops of the Rila and Pirin, just under 3000m. nine thousand eight hundred forty feet.The most popular hiking and skiing trails are found in these mountains. You can finish your adventure here relaxing in Europe’s hottest mineral spring at 216 degrees F. (one hundred and two degrees Celsius) none of these are well used, sadly.

The Rhodope array has river ravines and basins sheltered by unspoiled woods, with mountain villages scattered everywhere, and is located to the east of the Rila and Pirin. Bulgaria is a region that is best travelled by car so you take in and enjoy its’ breathtaking beauty.

With Sofia to the West, the softly ondulating Sredna Gora and Balkan mountains go through central Bulgaria and are the source of the of the northern region’s Danubian plains. (which is generally barren of attractions)while their slopes to the south fall slide into the exotic valley of kings (also known as the Valley of Roses, so named for the local rose farms that produce some of the highest quality fragrant rose oil in the world). For all intents and purposes, Kazanluk is the Valley’s capital city, however Plovdiv (population: 340 thousand)A superior base can be found in Bulgaria’s number two largest city, one with a striking historical center.

For an in depth guide to Bulgaria visit holidays in Bulgaria.

Airports. Flying. Hotels.

We are meant to hate them all . But I love them all – all three are fantastic travel experiences. Here’s why.

Airports.

Are exciting places. You can always feel the great breadth of human emotions swirling through them. Whenever I’m in one I’m always going somewhere interesting, going home or with somebody who is doing one of these. So there is always some kind of significant emotion going on.

I love the departure lounge, the feeling of anticipation. I love going through customs. Shopping for duty free. Crying and waving goodbye. Though I’m totally with Douglas Adams, the author who once wrote “It is not by accident that no culture on Earth has ever come up the phrase ‘as pretty as an airport’”.

Flying

Is amazing. To begin with, every time you fly you do something every single human who ever lived before 1900 dreamed of doing but couldn’t. Think about that – Da Vinci, Caesar, Shakespeare, Newton – people who accomplished phenomonal things. All would have given much to have experienced what exhausted businessmen complain about.

Anyway flying is fun. You get enforced closure from the world so you can sit there and read, write, watch films, play games, think or whatever without distractions. How often do you get the chance outside of flying. Stewards bring free food and drink to you. Great little meals inside cute little compartments.

You get breathtaking views outside your window. You get to travel to the other side of the world. Or a city near you. Very quickly.

Hotels

Hotels are cool. You get a perfectly made up room. And its uncluttered. You get to feel excited as you unpack.

Weird things in hotels are fun. The tight bedsheets. The folded arrow shape on the toilet paper. The long and trippy hallways.

The reason we travel is to experience things anew, to feel fresh and alive. Whether its a resort, a backpacker hostel or something else. We travel for the experience. All of it. Even the bits we are meant to hate.

Mediterranean Cruise lets you enjoy the good taste of Europe without suffering the hassles of land travel.

If you don’t want to travel over land to visit Europe’s most amazing sites, you can opt for a Mediterranean cruise.

Each day you will always have a new and exciting experience in a different port such as,Tuesday in Venice and Wednsday in Rome. If you want to spend more time at one tourist area than another, this method of travel is not for you.

Mediterranean Cruises offer advantages over European land trips, such as having inclusive packages where accommodations, transport, food, drinks, and port taxes are paid for

There are a few cruise lines that only cruise around the Med during the summer months even though most of the other cruise lines operate throughout the year.

Since cruise lines offer a lot of different Mediterranean cruises, the one you choose will depend on the places you want to visit. The Western Med cruises will sail you to the major cities in France, Italy, and the glitters of Monte Carlo. The Eastern Med cruises are operated on the Aegean Sea which is located around Greece and Turkey, and these cruises have longer itineraries which include the mentioned area and some parts of African ports.

For an in depth guide to Mediterranean Cruises visit Mediterranean Cruise Holidays.