Crystal Lake Cave in Iowa

Crystal Lake Cave in Iowa - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

By: Robert Benjamin
Iowa has some beautiful places that are wonderful vacation destinations. One of the must see places is Crystal Lake Cave. There is an interesting story behind this location. Back in 1868 lead miners were looking for a lead vein and they drilled 40 feet into the ground. And although they were not successful in finding the lead they had hoped for they did find something else even more amazing. What they found was Crystal Lake Cave. Although the cave was discovered for many years it was not open to the public until 1932. Bernard Markus, one of the original miners, played a role in getting the cave open to the public and it finally became so after his death.

While the miners were digging they found quite a few different types of gems and minerals that are on display in the gift shop. There is no other show cavern like Crystal Lake Cave and this is the longest a cave has been "alive" in Iowa. The cave is underground and continues to be one of the most amazing places to visit in Iowa. The tour of the cave takes about half an hour to 45 minutes and it is an adventure like none other you have ever taken. A tour guide will lead you so that you get the most out of the adventure. Keep in mind that no matter what the temperature is outside it will be quite cool in Crystal Lake Cave and the year round temperature is usually around 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cave is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends in May and daily in June, July and August from 9 am until 6 pm. In September the cave is open from 11 am until 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am until 5 pm on weekends. The cave is open through mid October from 11 am until 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am until 5 pm on weekends. The rest of the year the cave is closed for winter. Prices for adults are $10 and $5 for kids four to 11. Kids under four are free and senior citizens receive a 10% discount. Group pricing is available. The cave is located three miles south of Dubuque, Iowa and 20 minutes from Galena, Illinois.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

About The Author

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.

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Traveler's Cell Phone Etiquette

Traveler's Cell Phone Etiquette

By: Aaron Siegel

Many traveling cell phone users fail to remember to use proper cell phone etiquette while away from home. Cell phones have made it possible for people to stay in touch no matter where they happen to be in the world. While this has great advantages for cell phone users it can also be a means of irritating and annoying fellow travelers and locals. Failing to use proper cell phone etiquette may risk disclosing confidential information as well which can leave you victim to criminals.

Remember to always maintain a privacy range when using your cell phone. Step away from others so that you can have some privacy. Additionally, when someone near you answers their cell phone give them the same courtesy you would expect for yourself. Space yourself from other cell phone users during their conversations.

Keep your conversations non descriptive in means of personal matters including finance and don’t discuss matters of personal distress in public areas. You never know who is listening and a complaint of being lost or not knowing where to spend your money may alert criminals to your vulnerable situations.

Let the person you are speaking on the cell phone with know that you are on a cell phone and why the conversation must be kept at a minimal of disclosure. Better than talking at times may be to text message personal and confidential topics.

When in crowded areas always use your vibration mode as to not annoy others. What you may consider a cool ringtone might offend other people. Try being noise considerate.

Speaking of noise, try not to talk too loudly into your phone. A shouting cell phone user has got to be the number one annoyance in public. Remember if someone asks you to quiet it down, instead of arguing it is best to just wrap it up and talk later.

Keeping these practices during travel can help make cell phones not such a technology pest and possibly reduce the restrictions that more and more public places are putting on cell phone usage.

About The Author

This article was written by Aaron Siegel of http://TopSavings.Net which offers Cell Phone Service to residential and business customers.

Top Providenciales

Some Top Providenciales Beaches For Your Turks And Caicos Vacation

By: Peter R Stewart




A Providenciales Vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands takes you to a place of beautiful white sand beaches, calm turquoise sea, a reef absolutely brimming with underwater life. The Grace Bay beach is undoubtedly one of the top ten beautiful beaches in the world.

All of this makes Providenciales a paradise vacation for families, snorkelers and divers

There is more to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands than Grace Bay.

Grace Bay is a beautiful 11 mile stretch of rock free beach, but it is also the inevitable centre of tourism and hotels. It is a wonderful beach to walk along, or jog along, and as it faces west, a glorious place to see the sunset.

There is a lot more to see and do on your Providenciales Vacation, and a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, so you can escape from the high season crowds. This article is mainly about the beaches of Providenciales, but there are terrific snorkelling and diving sites.

Long Bay Beach lies on the opposite shore to Grace Beach opening onto Long Bay itself. There are almost no hotels here, but the beach isn’t as fine and powdery as Grace Bay, but it is relatively empty and because it is very sheltered there aren’t really any waves.

You ought to visit Little Water Cay which is the only place in the world to see the Rock Iguanas in their natural habitat and you can get a glass bottomed boat out of Turtle Cove. This makes for a great family day out, and the iguanas are incredibly tame.

Sapodilla Bay of the soft white sand beaches and clear turquoise sea is beautiful and well worth a visit especially for children because the sea here is so calm and shallow. It’s a bit of a drive from Grace Bay but well worth the effort because of the gorgeous sunsets.

NorthWest Point Beach is white sand, very calm sea, good diving, and is best known for its tiki-huts that line the coast. The tiki-huts were built years ago for a French game show like Castaway, but today they sit around the beach, giving it a South Pacific feel. There are no facilities at all here.

Just south of NorthWest Point you will find Malcolm’s Road Beach and then south again Sam’s Bay. The road to Malcolm’s Road Beach is pretty bumpy at the end, and you will definitely need a four wheel drive vehicle, but the beach is stunning with fine white sand and almost always deserted. The snorkelling here is good, and there are no facilities at all.

Providenciales Beaches shouldn't be missed.

About The Author

Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs, Arkansas - A Great Vacation And Travel Destination

By: Robert Benjamin

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a special place that embodies history with Victorian homes and a trolley that will take you around the city. One of the greatest places to visit in Eureka Springs is the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. This hotel is located downtown in the historic district and the history surrounding this hotel makes it worth visiting. You will see the towering hotel and notice its old charm immediately. A great way to enjoy the hotel is to tour the inside or even stay there and then walk out the front door and take a horse drawn carriage ride around the historic city and really feel the personality of this city.

If you aren't interested in a carriage ride then you can still get around Eureka Springs, but in a different manner. What would that be? A trolley ride of course! This historic city has trolley services that can take you around the city. It's pretty cheap too with a one ride pass costing $2, a full day pass costs $4 and a two day pass $6. The two day pass must be used on consecutive days. Kids six to 11 are charged only $1 per ride. The tram tours of the Eureka Springs historic district cost a bit more and have a different schedule than the regular trolley.

The tram operates March 4 - October 30 on a daily basis. In November it is open only Thursday through Monday, and then it operates a very limited schedule in December. Adult tickets cost $8.50 and kids under 12 cost $4. Kids that ride on an adults lap are free of charge. Check out one of these narrated tram tours at the visitor information center and learn all there is to know about Eureka Springs.

Another must see event in Eureka Springs is the Opera in the Ozarks. The productions are outstanding and very talented artists travel to the area to take part in the opera festival. Each season there are three major operas performed, two in English and the third in its original language. If you are in Eureka Springs, Arkansas then you really must check out the Opera in the Ozarks for an experience you will never forget.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin Copyright © 2007

Galdessa Camp

Camping Safari

By: Peter R Stewart


Galdessa is a premier Kenya Camping Safari Destination, and is small and up market, being situated in Tsavo East which is Kenya's largest park. It is easily accessible by road from the east coast resorts, but is small with only eight tents or Bandas. Totally non trendy, Galdessa is geared for the family or couple with good taste who want an exclusive type experience on a Kenya Safari, and not mass market.

Galdessa sits above the Galana River, which continues to have a good water flow even in the dry season, and thus good game viewing and great wildlife sightings from the lounge and dining room which means not having to leave the camp when you are on a Kenya safari holiday.

The whole impression is one of laid back sophistication, and yet the guest feels in close and intimate contact with the Kenyan bush, and completely off the beaten track.

There are 11 comfortable and spacious tented bandas which are thatched, sitting on wooden platforms, with a wooden verandah, far enough apart and hidden by bushes and trees, so you don't really notice your neighbors. There is solar powered electricity, traditional bucket showers, flushing toilets and running water.

Of course the purpose of a Kenya camping safari is to see, and get close to the animals, and at Galdessa, there are two main activities.

The first is the traditional GameDrive, and the riverside location means the four wheel drive vehicles follw the river, giving opportunity to see lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos who al come to the permanent pools along the river. If the trip is an all day affair, then lunch will be taken at a lunch camp site, and is normally three courses with cold drinks. Bush breakfasts can also be arranged, as can Dinners.

The second thrust is a walking safari where you are always escorted by an armed ranger, and you have the chance to see, and get quite close to lions, cheetahs, giraffes, waterbucks, impalas, zebras, dik diks, crocodiles, hippos, and occasionally leopard. When you return to Galdessa, after another incredible day in your Kenya Safari, you'll always be very happy with the high standard of cuisine, and the top flight service you will receive.

You can sit out viewing the river, hearing the sounds of the African Bush and watching the animals coming to the water.

If you are intent on a Kenya Camping Safari, visit Galdessa.

About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

The Grace Bay Club Providenciales

The Grace Bay Club Providenciales, A Top Turks And Caicos Resort And Spa

By: Peter R Stewart

The top Turks an Caicos Resort on Providenciales is possibly The Grace Bay Club, a secluded palm fringed all suite hotel. It is on a 12 mile powder white sand beach, and is designed like a Spanish Villa.

The resort has two parts, one for families, the other for couples.

The rooms in the hotel are extremely well furnished wih lovely cool soft contemporary caribbean colours. There is a huge living room with a beautiful view of the ocean, and a kitchenette with a washer/dryer and a coffee machine for Cappuccinos.

The adults only part of the hotel also has its own pool with huge beds, and a jacuzzi.

The bedrooms have black floors which beautifully offsets the white bed linen, and sea blue furnishings.

The family, 'villa' partof the hotel is actually one of two five floor buildings, and again these suites are very nice indeed. They have everything from DVD Players, marble kitchen, huge beds, superb bathrooms, and as you would expect immaculately maintained and cleaned every day.

The beach of course is very nice indeed, and has been rated as the most beautiful beach in he world. You can literally walk for miles on it. The biggest drawback is the amount of building work going on, and if care is not taken then Grace Bay could completely lose its uniquely exclusive Caribbean feel. Remember also that Grace Bay is a public beach.

The Grille restaurant,[ casual but elegant bistro type - right on the sea ] and the Anacanoa Restaurant, [ very romantic ] are very good, but everything is very expensive and suffers a 10% service charge.

The Grace Bay Club is a delightful hotel, if somewhat expensive. It is certainly one of the top Providenciales Hotels on the Turks and Caicos islands, but the overall service levels from the staff need improving

About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

Aromatherapy

Soothing Aromatherapy At Your Favorite Marrakech Riad

By: Raquel Balao-as

While it is true that the real adventurers never lose enthusiasm towards going places, we can not deny the fact that traveling is a strenuous activity that can rob us out of energy. An exotic destination such as the city of Marrakech in Morocco requires every traveler to be fueled not only with mere passion for travel, but also with a well-nourished mind and body. A simple rest and sleep in a Marrakech Riad are not enough to comfort a traveler's body drained out of energy and vigor. So, how do you fully restore power for your mind and body while inside a Marrakech Riad? The answer is only a sniff away.

Aromatherapy, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is a “therapy using essential oils extracted from plant materials to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and balance”. The extracted oils, which mostly came from fragrant flowers, are capable of bringing a calming and relaxing feeling that can relieve your body, mind, and soul from the stress and fatigue that any travel activity can bring. Do you know that some Marrakech Riad hammams are home to three rare kinds of essential oils that have many beneficial properties? If not, read on so you will know which essential oil your body needs at the moment:

1. Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil

The plant that gives out this essential oil can only be found in Morocco, particularly near the Atlas Mountain area, which explains the name. Atlas Cedarwood oil is clear so it mixes well with rose and cypress oils. It has a rich, woody, and long-lasting aroma that makes it a favorite ingredient in high quality perfumes. It is proven to improve the circulation of the blood and can help prevent urinary diseases. People with oily skins can benefit from this essential oil because once applied, it regulates the production of sebum or the oily substance of our skin. Many satisfied Atlas Cedarwood essential oil consumers in Marrakech Riad hammams claim that the oil reduces anxiety and calms the mind.

2. Bay Essential Oil

Spain and Morocco are the top producers of this essential oil extracted from a plant which belongs to the family of Evergreen trees. It is also referred to as Sweet Bay and Laurel. This herb, which used to be a symbol of courage and wisdom during the Roman period, undergoes steam distillation for the extraction of the oil. Bay oil relieves muscle pain, rheumatism and other general body aches. People with thinning hair should take advantage of the special property of Bay oils that promote hair growth. If you are in a Marrakech Riad hammam, ask for the masseurs to give you a massage with this essential oil that comes with the sweet scent of Ylang-Ylang or Juniper extracts. A pleasurable massage using the Bay oil will definitely prepare you for more exciting Marrakech travel adventures.

3. Argan Essential Oil

Southwest Morocco is the only place where you can find Argan, the tree which produces the fruit that gives out the precious Argan oil. If you are a skincare conscious traveler, it is recommended that you request the masseurs in your Marrakech Riad hammam to apply Argan essential oil on your skin because of its regenerative property; meaning it has the ability to reactivate cells that can make your skin look younger and healthy. Erase those unwanted wrinkles by applying a small amount of this vitamin E-rich essential oil on your face. The refreshing smell of Argan oil is also a proven stress-reliever. You see, a Riad in Marrakech is not only a simple Moroccan accommodation. It can also be a place where you can get a soothing aromatherapy experience.


About The Author
Racquel Balao-as is an in-house writer for the online media company Intelligraph Corporation. She finds great pleasure in writing about her Morocco travel adventures. For more information on Marrakech Riad, visit http://www.morocco-emotions.com

Galdessa Camp As Part Of A Camping Kenya Safari

Galdessa Camp As Part Of A Camping Kenya Safari

By: Ian SG Smith



A Camping Kenya safari means a tented camp with no fence or wall, and is a much better part of an in Kenya safari than sleeping in a lodge. Of course in a camp with no fence the animals you have come to see, do come into the camp especially at night. Close encounters with an elephant browsing three feet from your tent is what a camping Kenya safari is all about.

As a family our first experience of an in Kenya safari was at the famous Galdessa Camp in Tsavo East. With two small children and apprehensive parents we felt that a fixed camp was going to be about as close to the wilderness as we could cope with, and so in the purest sense of the word it wasn’t a camping Kenya safari, but Galdessa is a camp with no fences or walls. The ‘tents’ were thatched bandas and a great deal more civilized than we expected with electricity, running water, and comfortable beds. Most important of all we were sealed in, zipped up at night with good well fitting mosquito nets.

On he way to Galdessa, and by the way we had our own family vehicle and driver arranged hrough the Manager at Hemingways. He wisely said that for our first in Kenya Safari it was the best way, because we could stop when we wanted and view as long as we wanted, and how right he was.

The few vehicles we saw were mainly like mini buses crammed with tourists, which looked no fun at all.

He aso said that if a luxury african safari was our ideal, then to start at Galdessa would be best, and how right he was again.

On our six hour drive from Malindi we had already seen several giraffes, elephants, but several hundred yards away, a lioness looking for her cubs, and a whole variety of bambi like creatures, water buffalo, and then very close to Galdessa two very large bull elephants, one of whom we passed at about fifteen yards, and exciting that was too.

We hardly passed a vehicle, and whilst our journey was just before the long rains arrived in April, the weather was clear and warm. The rains howver came a few days later, and even overnight this was seen by a considerable rise in the water level in the river due to rain up country.

We duly arrived at Galdess for our first night ever on a Kenya safari, nd were led to our banda, being shown on the way, elephant tracks, lion footprints, and hippo prints as well, all on the path inside the camp. We were told in no uncertain terms that on a camping kenya safari site like Galdessa, we were not under any circumstances, even in daylight to leave our banda unless we were with a member of staff, because of the high chance of an encounter with an animal.

After dark, we had to get into a safari vehicle to go the the dining area, because there was a bull elephant in the camp, and indeed on returning to our banda later by vehicle the bll elephant was browsing outside our back door, an we crept past about 10 feet away to the safety of our tent.

A visiting hippo in the middle of the night, right next to the tent, and the early morning evidence that a lion had been within touching distance of the tent really made our stay at Galdessa.

The food at lunch and dinner was spectacularly good, the views of the river from the central lounge/dining hut was excellent, and the surprisingly hot shower in our ten all adde to make the first night of our first in Kenya safari a memorable one.

Galdessa is a must on any Kenya safari tour, and a definite stop on a luxury african safari.

About The Author
Ian Smith writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

Laikipia Plateau In Kenya

Laikipia Plateau In Kenya

By: Peter R Stewart

You can't afford to miss visiting the Laikipia Plateau the next time you venture on an in Kenya Safari.

It spans over two million acres on the edge of the Northern Frontier from the slopes of Mt. Kenya to the rim of the Great Rift Valleyrising from over 5000 ft. to in excess of 9000 ft., it has a huge diversity of wildlife, and is one of the best places in Kenya to see the 'Big 5'.

It is becoming a more popular destination for many Kenya Safari Holidays because of this.

The LaikipiaPlateau is probably the last stronghold of what used to be tought of as Romantic East Africa, with vast open ranches, wildlife savannah,and overlooked by Mount Kenya.

Water is an essential element for game viewing, and Laikipia is fed by the Ewaso Nyiro and the Ewaso Narok rivers.

The real key to Laikipia as a Kenya Safari Holiday Destination is that there is something for everyone. If you want to be involved in wildlife conservation, to activity style holidays, to total privacy and isolation, then Laikipia has it all.

What you will be able to view on the Laikipia Plateau on your in Kenya safari includes rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo known as the 'Big 5'.

You need to know that Laikipia Plateau hs more enangered mammals than anywhere else in Kenya, with a number of sanctuaries protecting much of Kenya's black rhino population. You will find huge numbers of elephants, and it is the only place you will find the endangered Jackson's hartebeest.

You can add impala, gazelle, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk.

In terms of scenery you have evrything from the beauty of the edge of the Rift Valley, the snows and peaks of Mt. Kenya with dusty plains, grasslads, rocky hills, rivers and waterholes, and it has the second largest wildlife population after the Maasai Mara.

The best thing is that the Laikipia Plateau remains relatively unknown and is the part of Kenya where the wildlife population has grown, so it is the ideal destination for your in Kenya Safari

About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

Africa Kenya Safari

Why Tsavo East For An Africa Kenya Safari

By: Peter R Stewart

A Kenya safari Holiday would not be complete without visiting Tsavo East National Park, which is part of the Tsavo National Park, which comprises Tsavo East and Tsavo West forming the biggest game sanctuary in Kenya, covering over twenty one thousand square Km's.

Amongst the main attractions of the park on your africa kenya safari are the large number of elephants although you can see many other game as well.

It is easily accessible by road, and you can fly in by light aircraft to one of the nineteen different airstrips, and this is a good way to access the more remote safari camps.

To enter by road you enter through the Voi or Manyani gate, from Mombasathe Bachuma gate, and Malindi the Sala gate. Road improvements mean there are a lot of visitors to the park from the North Coast enjoying their kenya camping safari.

Well known places to visit in Tsavo east include the Yatta plateau, one of the worlds longest lava flows, the Lugards Falls on the Galana River, the Mudanda Rock overlooking a naturally dammed pool where animals go to drink, and the Aruba Dam across the Voi River.

Tsavo East has one lodge the Voi Safari Lodge, several tented camps, the best known of which are Galdessa, Cottars, Satao, and Sobo, all of which make great stopping off points on any Kenya safari holiday.

The numerous animals you may well see in Tsavo East includes:

Antelopes and gazelles (per alphabetic order) : Bushbuck - Dik-dik (Guenther’s) - Dik-dik (Kirk's) - Duiker (Blue) - Duiker (Common) - Eland - Gazelle (Grant’s) - Gerenuk - Hartebeest (Coke's) - Hartebeest (Hunter’s) - Impala - Klipspringer - Kudu (lesser) - Oryx (Fringe-eared) - Steinbok - Suni - Waterbuck (Common) - Other ungulates and mammals : Buffalo (Cape) - Elephant (African Bush) - Giraffe (Maasai) - Hippopotamus - Hyrax (Bruce’s) - Hyrax (Eastern Tree) - Hyrax (Rock) - Hyrax (Southern Tree) - Rhinoceros (Black) - Warthog (Common) - Warthog (Desert) - Zebra (Common) - Zebra (Grevy’s) - Carnivores : Aardwolf - Caracal - Cat (African Wild) - Cheetah - Civet (African palm-) - Civet (African) - Dog (Hunting) - Fox (Bat-eared) - Genet (Large-spotted) - Genet (Small-spotted) - Hyena (Spotted) - Hyena (Striped) - Jackal (Black-backed) - Jackal (Common) - Jackal (Side-striped) - Leopard - Lion - Mongoose (Banded) - Mongoose (Bushy-tailed) - Mongoose (Dwarf) - Mongoose (Grey) - Mongoose (Marsh) - Mongoose (Slender) - Mongoose (White-tailed) - Otter (Clawless) - Ratel - Serval - Zorilla - Primates : Baboon (Savannah) - Bushbaby (Lesser) - Galago (Large-eared greater) - Galago (Small-eared greater) - Monkey (Blue/Sykes/Diademed) - Monkey (Green Vervet) - Others (rabbits, hares, insectivores) : Aardvak - Pangolin (Temminck’s ground) - Hare (Cape) - Hare (Spring) - Porcupine (Crested)


About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.


This

Masai Mara

Why Safari In The Masai

By: Peter R Stewart

A Masai Mara Safari Kenya is the first choice of many for their Kenya Safari Holiday, because it is renowned the world over for its exceptional game population, but mostly because of the immense annual migrationof the wildebeest every September and October.

The Masai Mara named for the Maasai tribespeople, and the river Mara which divide it. Situated in south west Kenya it is a continuation of the Serengeti national park in Tanzania.

The Masai Mara Game reserve is not the largest in Kenya for your in Kenya Safari, but it is certainly the best known. The whole park is within the Great Rift valley, and is the idea destination for a luxury african safari. Most of the wildlife is to be found in the swampy western border of the Masai Mara, and because this area is the furthest away from Nairobi, it is the open grasslands of the east that sees the greatest concentration of in Kenya safari tourists.

The Masai Mara is well known for lions, but all the othe members of the 'big five' are to be found here. The dominant inhabitant however is the wildebeest, and in July they migrate north to the Masai from Serengeti, and then go back outh again in October.

No Maai Mara Kenya Safari is complete without seeing this amazing migration of over a million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of Thmson's Gazelle and Zebra. Naturally your safari will also include the predators on the fringe of the great migration, the lions and hyenas.

A Masai Mara safari with luck will include the Masai giraffe, the large Roan antelope, and the sptted hyena, plus over 450 species of bird life. Lodges and camps to stay at, inside the reserve must include, Mara Serena, Governor's Camp, Siana Springs tented camp, Mara Simba, Keekorok, and Sarova Mara. Take a Masai Mara safari, you will not be disappointed.

About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about.

Shopping In A Tuscan Market

By: Kit Heathcock

Market day is the high point of the week in a Tuscan town. Each town has its regular market day, a very small town maybe hosting just a few stalls of fruit and vegetables, bigger ones filling several streets with all the goods under the sun. One of the joys of being on holiday in Italy is having the leisure time to explore its tastes and flavours, by wandering the small food shops and observing what the locals buy. Food is taken seriously and the buying of it is a social activity, market day more so than ever, with people flocking from the countryside around to buy and sell.

Whenever there is a market of any size in Tuscany, you will find a stall selling porchetta. This is a favourite market snack and treat - a whole young pig, spit-roasted and stuffed with an aromatic mixture of herbs and salt. The meat is tender and the stuffing tangy with the herby salt. You can buy a packet of slices by weight (100g is called an etto) or purchase a panino, a crusty roll, filled with slices of porchetta to munch on there and then. Ask for some of the stuffing to be added if you like strong flavours.

Wander around browsing the other stalls as you munch on your porchetta panino. You'll find vans selling cheeses, some will just have two varieties of pecorino cheese, the sheep's milk cheese that is a Tuscan speciality, others a huge selection of cheeses from all over Italy. Every area produces cheese with different characteristics, depending on the pasture that the sheep graze on. Pienza in Southern Tuscany is famed for its creamy pecorino, the fresh ones mild and the stagionato (aged) ones smooth and gentle on the tongue. Pecorino from around Rome has a stronger flavour, and is the cheese used there instead of parmesan to grate on pasta and in cooking.

Taste the cheese before you buy. If you ask about a certain cheese you'll be offered a sliver, to help you decide, then you can decide how much you'd like to buy. A whole round of a stagionato cheese to keep or just a quarter for your picnic today.

The fruit and vegetable stalls will be loaded with fresh produce, whatever is in season. In spring and autumn juicy bulbs of fennel, finocchio, make a wonderful salad to accompany your pecorino cheese, sliced thinly and tossed with some salad leaves, or layered with dramatic red blood oranges, arancie sanguinie, in spring when there are still some left over from Sicily's winter harvest. Once you have chosen your fruit, strawberries, apricots and peaches in early summer, luscious grapes, figs and pears in early autumn, you are all set for a picnic lunch in an olive grove. You just need to search out the Forno, the bakery, follow your nose into a side street, it will be baking up a storm for the market, with crusty loaves of bread, trays of focaccia, pizza bread, local speciality cookies.

You could of course continue to wander the market, examining stalls of everything from white embroidered linen, ironmongery selling barbeque grids and tongs, to cheap shoes and clothes, wooden household implements and plastic wares. The bars will be bustling with coffee drinkers. Then with a swish of a broom by 12.30 the market stalls will be packed up and gone, over till next week, leaving the Tuscan town to the serious matter of lunch followed by a siesta.

Copyright 2007 Kit Heathcock

About The Author
Kit Heathcock has worked and travelled in Italy for many years, is passionate about food and is now lucky enough to work from home and still have time to cook and write. She is currently writing and copyediting for a major new travel website http://www.justtheplanet.com

Jamaica

A Tropical paaradise

By: Denny Phillips


From the brilliant white sand beaches to the diverse island culture, Jamaica is one of our favourite Caribbean tourist destinations. The crystal clear ocean waters and the year-round warm climate makes it the ideal travel vacation for sun-lovers. There are many diversions to keep visitors happy: fishing, scuba diving, wind surfing, horseback riding, swimming, snorkelling, golfing just to name a few. In the evening there is fine dining at Jamaica’s elite restaurants and resorts—combined with truly unique Jamaican cuisine, and the night life is certainly hopping!


One of the best things that I have found about Jamaica is the warm, friendly people and the rich, diverse Island culture blended from around the world. In fact, Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many, One People.” Although African and European influences dominate the culture, the British, Spanish, Irish, Indian, Chinese and German are all represented as well. The official language of Jamaica is English, but sometimes you wouldn’t know it as you will most likely hear “Patois” which sounds like a foreign language but is actually a combination of rhythmic English and slang. “Irie mon” is a common phrase you may hear, which really just means “cool” or “everything is good.” The currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted.

Jamaica is the largest English-speaking Island in the Caribbean and it is the third largest island overall, spanning 4,400 square miles. The best tourist spots are on the north coast, with Montego Bay and Ocho Rios being the most popular, as well as Negril on the west coast. I have toured the whole Island, from Kingston (Jamaica’s capital) through the Blue Mountains to Port Antonio, around the north coast, on down through Mandeville, Alligator Pond and Treasure Beach and back around to Kingston, so I am well able to tell you a bit about each destination you may wish to travel to.

Ocho Rios is located, as I said, on Jamaica’s north coast and is known as Jamaica’s garden centre. Some of the most popular daytime activities include biking, diving, deep-sea fishing and golf. Ocho Rios also has one of the best polo facilities in the Caribbean.

Of course, the must-see attraction in Ocho Rios is the famous Dunn’s River Falls, where visitors, lead by a sure-footed Jamaican guide, are able to climb up a series of falls that cascade from the mountains to the sea. The falls themselves are a spectacular sight and climbing the falls is an adventure not to be missed. As a bit of trivia, in the film “Cocktail” with Tom Cruise, Duns River Falls is in a memorable scene. Close by, just off of Main Street in Ocho Rios are two craft parks, the Ocho Rios Craft Park and the Olde Market Craft Shoppes, and The Ocean Village Shopping Centre is also nearby. Here there are hundreds of vendors selling local crafts, and everything from gold watches to wood carvings and the famous Blue Mountain coffee. Also, you will be able to sample the traditional jerk pork prepared over an open grill – a spicy culinary experience for the adventurous. There is also duty-free shopping at the Taj Mahal Shopping Centre.

Just west of Ocho Rios in Aracobessa is another favourite tourist attraction, James Bond Beach and Ian Fleming’s former home called Goldeneye.

Montego Bay is where most travelers arrive in Jamaica, which is home to the North Shore airport and the island’s busiest cruise ship pier. Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second largest city and is Jamaica’s original tourist hotspot.

Montego Bay’s attractions include a number of plantation tours, as well as a new attraction featuring the legendary great, Bob Marley. For the adventure traveller, there are also bamboo river rafting tours. As well, there is great fishing by fishing charters for marlin, tuna and kingfish. One may also go cycling, golfing, horseback riding or scuba diving here, and there is another popular local shopping district. A popular tour from Montego Bay is to Wyndham Rose Hall Plantation which was once a legendary 18th century sugar plantation, and a popular spot for golfers would be on the Robert von Hagge Championship Golf Course.

Of course, the beaches in Montego Bay are not to be missed. But beware – a friend, while visiting Jamaica, sat under a coconut tree and got conked on the head by a falling coconut, in fact three coconuts! I asked her why she didn’t move away after the first one hit her (of course, the coconuts fell in a bunch of three – but I thought it was funny!) (P.S. – She wasn’t really hurt!)

Negril is located on Jamaica’s western coast with a seven-mile long fantastic white sand beach. It extends from the nineteenth-century Negril Lighthouse in the parish of Westmoreland in the south to Bloody Bay (so named for the days when whalers cleaned their catch there) in Hanover Parish in the north. Negril is famous for its “hippie” era where the hippies set up a colony there and enjoyed the laid-back lifestyle and “ganja”. From this hippie-era colony, Negril has been labelled the “Capital of Casual”. Although I wasn’t interested, Negril does offer some clothing optional beaches.

Laws control resort development and no building is allowed to be taller than the tallest palm tree. Negril doesn’t offer the extensive shopping of Ocho Rios, but it does have an assortment of unique shops, including the Negril craft market.

Negril is said to offer some of the best scuba diving in Jamaica. You can also enjoy deep-sea fishing excursions, a vast amount of water sports, and golf at a new golf course, Negril Hills. If you choose to go parasailing, the sight of the sparkling azure waters and the dazzling white sand beach is a truly memorable experience. Other activities can include tennis, squash, glass-bottom boat reef trips, sunset catamaran cruises and spectacular nightly entertainment.

Although I stayed at a number of different locations in Jamaica, a memorable one was at a family-oriented all-inclusive resort. They offered everything one could want, from unlimited alcoholic beverages for adults to baby-sitting services, and even a special snack bar geared to children with all-you-can-eat pizza, macaroni ‘n cheese, and hamburgers. I was very impressed with how the staff entertained and watched over our children. In one instance, our kids were kayaking around a little bay area. Being adventurous they ventured out towards open water. The staff member followed them in his kayak and gently herded them back. I was very impressed how he handled it. It was a very pleasant stay there.

On the whole, I love Jamaica, from the warm friendly people to the crystal clear waters and all-year round warm climate. There is not much that Jamaica doesn’t offer for an ideal vacation. The Island is unique in its culture and cuisine (have you tried boiled green banana, saltfish and ackee, jerk chicken or fried breadfruit?) The resorts are experts in what they offer guests – especially the all-inclusive ones. The only thing that I might caution you about is travelling alone/unaccompanied outside of the resorts. It can be dangerous, but if you stay within your resort or take guided tours, you shouldn’t have any problems. “No problem, mon!”

To view more travel articles, visit: http://www.vacationtravelquest.com.

About The Author
Denny Phillips, who majored in English at University, has combined her love of cooking, travelling and art into several articles and travel reviews. Read other articles by Denny on her websites: http://www.goodcookingcentral.com and http://www.vacationtravelquest.com

How To Shop For Food On Holiday In Italy

How To Shop For Food On Holiday In Italy by: Kit Heathcock



So you've booked a self-catering holiday in Italy on a farm in Tuscany or by a beach in Liguria? Enjoy exploring the flavours of Italy with this basic guide to help you enjoy food shopping as part of your holiday experience. Traditionally Italians shop every day for what they want to eat that day, as freshness is a big concern to them. You won't find huge fridges in most Italian kitchens, so decide every day as you shop, what you want to eat that day, according to what looks freshest and most appetising in the shops. The shop keepers are quite used to selling just two slices of perfectly sliced prosciutto, or a small piece of pecorino cheese. You can of course just head to a supermarket and fill your trolley for the week, but shopping the traditional way in all the little shops is an experience not to be missed and you will gain more cultural understanding this way, than any amount of museum visiting will provide. Follow your nose first to the Forno, for crusty white bread, rolls and salty focaccia, a soft olive oil pizza bread cut into squares, that the school children often stop by for as a morning snack. Pane integrale is wholewheat bread and becoming more easily available. If you don't acquire the taste for the traditional, unsalted bread you can ask for pane salata - salted bread, which is sometimes available as a speciality bread. Next drop by the fruttaverdura - the greengrocers. Italy has a wonderful variety of fruits and vegetables and you will find whatever is in season and at its best. Italians are distrustful of imported food, the more locally grown the better, so most of what is on offer won't have been subjected to cold storage and other indignities. May brings strawberries and cherries piled high and bright. Peaches and nectarines follow with melons of all varieties. By the time you reach autumn these have been succeeded by heaps of glistening grapes, luscious figs and juicy pears. Watch the local signoras carefully selecting their fruit and veg and you will get an idea of what is at its best and what should be left another week until it is truly in season, ripe and delicious. The alimentari now- the general grocers store. You will probably be following the same group of signoras from shop to shop as they do their morning round. Everything is here, from tins piled high, to packets of pasta, with a counter of cheeses and salamis to be sliced to your requirements. You can ask for two slices of prosciutto crudo - cured ham, thinly sliced or buy sliced meats and cheeses by the etto - a generally used term for 100g (about 3oz). If you want to have a taste before you decide to purchase, just ask and a sliver of cheese will be passed over the counter for you to pronounce judgement on. There will also be containers of herby olives and sundried tomatoes to buy by weight. Bottles of mineral water and wine will rub shoulders in a corner. For a treat stop by the pasticceria for a tray of delicious creamy pastries, which will be wrapped in paper and ribbon until they are worthy of the Christmas tree. Now head off for a picnic lunch in an olive grove with your spoils, or treat yourself to a long lunch in a restaurant and keep your shopping for a delicious, no-cooking, light supper on the terrace of your apartment. Copyright 2007 Kit Heathcock
About The Author
Kit Heathcock has worked and travelled in Italy for many years, is passionate about food and is now lucky enough to work from home and still have time to cook and write. She is currently writing and copyediting for a major new travel website http://www.justtheplanet.com

Home Value Trends in Illinois

Home Value Trends in Illinois
by: Ashley Lichty

Real estate experts and the media who predicted a meltdown of real estate, a plummeting of home value rates and the bursting of the housing bubble should be feeling just a bit sheepish now, since none of those predictions have come to pass. Sure the market has slowed, and yes the value of a home isn't appreciating quite as much as it did in past years, but the real estate market is still plodding steadily along. Besides, knowing how the 'national' market is doing, or the median home value in the nation (it was around $221,900 in 2006), isn't going to do you much good when you're ready to buy a new home.

What WILL do you some good is thinking about how much your new home value may increase over the years, depending on the area where you want to move. Real estate is an investment, so it's important to invest where your value is sure to rise. Since we can't predict the future, the best thing to do is to look at past trends in home value prices and rate of sales, as well as the economy, population, job opportunities, unemployment rate and attractions an area has to offer. This will give you a fair idea of where your home value may go in the future. (Start off by going to http://www.getmyhomesvalue.com/home-values/illinois/index.htm to find out your own home's value).

Illinois (capital city: Springfield) has seen large growth in the past few years with a population of 12,831,970 as of 2006. The economy of Illinois is based on agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, dairy products and wheat, and a larger industrial sector of machinery, food processing, electric equipment, chemical products, printing and publishing, fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, petroleum and coal. With such a large and varied economy, job growth stays steady, always a good indication that home values are likely to appreciate steadily in a given area.

Though tourism isn't a major industry in Illinois, they still receive a fairly large amount of visitors daily. Illinois is home to the Windy City, Chicago, known for Wrigley Field, two different baseball teams and of course, the Sears Tower. Not to mention the family entertainment in the area (zoos, amusement parks, recreational centers, etc) and of course, the night life. The rest of Illinois has various historical sites (after all, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Ronald Regan all have ties to Illinois), plenty of state parks and outdoor activities, and various odd sights and attractions here and there (like the larger than life Superman statue and museum greeting visitors in Metropolis, Illinois). There's also plenty of outdoor adventures, great fishing, beautiful wine country and scenic byways.

Lately Illinois has experienced a rather average unemployment rate compared to the nation, at about 4.8%, with more jobs opening in the fields of construction, professional & business services, education & health sectors and leisure & hospitality. In 2005, the median household income in Illinois was relatively high compared to many states in the U.S. at about $50,260. This means that a good percentage of people can afford homes which are above the median home value of Illinois. As of April, the median home value of properties sold was about $287,240, according to information from RealtyTrac. Other sources say the median home value for the first quarter was only about $197,000.

Chicago is definitely one of the pricer places to live in Illinois, but also the one with the most opportunities. At the end of 2006, the median value of homes was about $279,400, a 1.7% increase from a year ago. The housing in the capital city of Springfield stays steady and rarely fluctuates into a strong buyer or seller market. The average home price in the city is about $138,396 which is much cheaper than Chicago. On the western border of Illinois, in Quincey, the median home value is low at $110,730, but the average amount of time a home stays on the market is over 150 days.

All in all, though Illinois home values continue to rise, they have leveled off from the boom of the past few years. On a month to month basis, they wobble somewhat, with minimal increases and decreases, but looked at over a year, home value in Illinois has steadily increased. As long as unemployment stays down and job growth up, there's no reason that steady appreciation can't continue.



About The Author

Ashley Lichty is a webmaster and the resident SEO of Web Xtreme, Inc. She has a background in real estate and marketing with an emphasis in writing.

Find out what your Illinois home value and other valuable homeowner information by visiting http://www.getmyhomesvalue.com/home-values/illinois/index.htm

Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines

by :Tony C.F. Cheung

The first low fare airline to fly to Hong Kong is today celebrating a successful first quarter. Since its launch on 26th October the airline has taken over 70,000 bookings and carried 34,000 passengers with an average 76% load factor out of the UK over the first three months of operation.

97% of the flights operated on time in January – exceeding the industry average of 75% on the London – Hong Kong route. The company now employs 308 staff, including 58 experienced pilots.

The airline now provides daily service between London and Hong Kong. Oasis’ air fares start from an incredible GBP75 + tax one way in economyOasis and GBP470 + tax one way in businessOasis. Online booking is proving most popular with UK travellers with 70% of bookings being made through www.oasishongkong.com .

Route Expansion Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is committed to making long haul travel between the UK and Hong Kong more affordable and accessible for all. With clear signs of strong demand for low fare long haul travel, the airline is looking to expand the Oasis offer to new markets.

Oasis now has a fleet of two Boeing 747-400’s, and announces the purchase of three additional aircraft in 2007. These aircrafts will be used to expand Oasis’ service from Hong Kong to Oakland and Vancouver within the year.

Ongoing Offers Oasis is committed to year-round offers that make affordable long distance travel a possibility for families. Two offers are being announced in February: university students can take advantage of half price economy tickets starting from a remarkable GBP37.50 one way excluding taxes for travel between now and 25th October.

For families, the Kids Fly Free offer enables one child to fly for free with an accompanying adult on Oasis flights up to 25th October 2007 . The offer is valid for travellers buying economy fares from GBP119 (one way before taxes) and businessOasis fares from GBP470 (one way before taxes). Steve Miller, CEO, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, commented: “We have had a strong start since our launch on 26th October, we’ve flown 34,000 passengers between London and Hong Kong, which exceeded expectations, and we have secured 70,000 bookings. This year we will be expanding our fleet, introducing new routes, and demonstrating our commitment as a family airline, with the launch of offers that allow affordable travel to Hong Kong for families and students.”

The non-stop flights between London Gatwick and Hong Kong are on sale through the airline’s website www.oasishongkong.com, the Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Customer Service Centre (0844 482 2323) or via travel agents.


About The Author
Tony C.F. Cheung Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Limited Fax number: +852 3628 0688 website : http://www.oasishongkong.com/

Alabama Apartments

Feel Eternal Bliss with Alabama Apartments
By: Sylvestor Johnson

What really matters, when you are out on a vacation? Is it budget, leisure, comfort or anything else? Well, you can say it is a blend of all. If you are planning to quench your thirst of irrefutable surprises, you can plan a vacation to Alabama. It is also called the “Heart of Dixie”, which is another name for Southern United States. A large number of cultural venues make it a preferred destination for many. One among those is Bay fest, a festival that takes place for three days in the downtown, Mobile. It offers a variety of sports and other recreational facilities, as well.

For art lovers, there is an arrangement of panoply arts festival. What else do one need to enjoy a reposing vacation? But, to relish it all you need a place to stay, free of all sorts of disturbance. Keeping a close view to the needs and comforts of the customers, Alabama apartments are configured in order to offer a tranquil vacation. Being a stereotypically southern state, a visit to Alabama is a promising venture for those who want to have real fun and frolic.

The pyrotechnic capital city of Alabama, Huntsville has at its centre Space and Rocket Centre. Full of enigmatic aura and charm, there is no dearth of lakes, gardens and parks. It bids various exciting adventures like rock climbing, hunting, fishing and many more.

With Alabama apartments, you can find a place of your choice and as per your convenience. It is one of the most sought after option for individuals planning vacation. There are a number of reasons for it. First and foremost, the most of Alabama apartments are situated at the heart of the city. Due to which much of your time will be saved. For two to three days, one can think of residing in some hotel. But, when it comes to a week or so, hotels would be an expensive affair. Apart from nominal rates, Alabama apartments will make you feel at home.

Besides Alabama apartments, you can exercise your freedom of choice among various condos, villas, vacation rental and so on. With Alabama apartments, you can have facilities like ample space for yourself and your loved ones, nominal rates, swimming pool, attached kitchen and many more.

You have dual options when it comes to booking. You can either apply for Alabama apartments directly from the owners or with the help of some travel agent. World Wide Web will cater you with some of the most outstanding deals of Alabama apartments. You have to keep at work, your faculty of judgment. Make ample comparisons among the available deals and find the most suitable deal for Alabama apartments.

Thus, plan a vacation with Alabama apartments and relish the beautiful colors and aroma of the spring.


About The Author

Sylvestor Johnson is offering loan and rental advice for quite some time. He is working as financial consultant for ThinkRentals. To find Alabama apartments, Cabin rentals, Condo rentals, Rental homes, Vacation rentals, Beach house vacation rentals that best suits your needs visit http://www.thinkrentals.com

National Parks In The Usa

By: Sharon Elrod



Photographers, amateur and professional alike, can turn a summer road trip into an exciting and challenging photo opportunity. Scenic national parks throughout the continental United States provide wildlife and landscape vistas not found anywhere else. In addition, if you’re really looking carefully, the wonders of nature can be found on most roads and highways.


Opportunity abounds for great pictures in Glacier National Park, for example. This area was formed by glaciers and remains in its primitive condition for the most part. Only one road crosses the Park. Bears, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, elk and moose are the larger carnivores who call this Park home. Various habitats provide conditions for a variety of plant and animal life, thus creating a unique environment not equaled anywhere else in the country.

Late June and July offers opportunity for a spectacular wild flower display that will thrill photographers. Some short roads (more like trails) lead to trail heads that one can traverse to find the fields of flowers throughout the park. Some perimeter roads also provide this opportunity. Autumn brings the blazing colors that mark the beauty of nature’s changing seasons. And photographers love blazing color.

Early morning shots of wildlife grazing are available for early risers. Traveling Going-To-The-Sun Road (the one that crosses the park) and taking some of the offshoot roads leads you to grazing areas. There is also opportunity for pictures that combine wildlife and wildflowers, an especially staggering display of nature’s beauty.

Other photo ops in national parkland include Bryce Canyon, also formed by glaciers and the Grand Staircase in Escalante, New Mexico. Arizona and Utah offer Monument Valley and its grand rock formations that were formed by wind and water erosion. Yellowstone National Park will be a national favorite for many years to come.

Our national parks are among the most spectacular in the world.

About The Author
Sharon Elrod is a copywriter for http://www.mandarichmediagroup.com.

Orlando

Hello From Orlando - Golf's Ultimate Theme Park
By: Susanne Pacher

My husband loves playing golf and I am myself am pretty decent at the sport. So it was a given that we would be playing a few rounds in Orlando. We had a chance to sample a number of golf courses first-hand and got a personal appreciation of the great number and variety of golf courses in the Orlando area.

I had a chance to talk with Mike Jamison from Golf Orlando to get a better overview of the extensive golf facilities that the Orlando area has to offer.


1. Orlando is not only the world's No. 1 vacation destination, but it is also called "Golf's Ultimate Theme Park". Please tell us more about that.

Isn’t it interesting how sometimes the most obvious answer to a tough question is sitting right before your eyes, yet it takes you days, months, even years to see it?

Officials of the marketing co-op GolfOrlando realized that recently when they finally nailed the perfect marketing tag line for their 25-course organization.

For years the group had wrestled with various themes that might set Orlando apart from its competition in the golf destination wars. Then one day a member asked a question – “What is Orlando known for?”

The obvious answer? Theme parks. Orlando is the world’s No. 1 vacation destination, and the incredible collection of theme parks plays the leading role.

It was at that moment that the perfect theme line crystallized – “GolfOrlando – Golf’s Ultimate Theme Park.”

It is a nice fit not only because of the foundation of Orlando’s vacation pitch – theme parks - but also because it reflects the incredible diversity of the Central Florida golf landscape. Golf in Orlando provides its own type of outdoor adventure.

2. Please tell us about the types of golf courses that are available in the Orlando area.

Looking for a taste of the U.K.? How about Royal St. Cloud, where every hole transfers you to the fabled courses of the British Isles, and where the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur was conducted? Try a couple of very popular Ron Garl designs for a Scottish touch. Eagle Creek, located near the Orlando International Airport, offers open, rolling fairways, large, undulating greens and those dangerous revetted bunkers that dot the landscape in Scotland. Eagle Creek was recently ranked among the top 10 new courses of the decade in Florida by Golf Travel & Leisure, and is the first par 73 course in Orlando and the first to use Mini Verde greens.

On the north side of Orlando is Timacuan Golf & Country Club, ranked as high as No. 14 in Florida by one statewide publication. Its front side offers up a true taste of Scotland, while the back 9 takes on a more Carolinas low Country feel. Hole 2, a long water-dominated par 4, was recently named the 2nd most difficult hole in Central Florida by an area publication. Timacuan is a locals’ favorite.

A very similar routing by Arnold Palmer awaits you on the south side of town. The Legends at Orange Lake opened in 1998 and features a Scottish style front nine (The Links) and a tree-lined back nine (The Pines). The feature holes are the 610-yard 4th on the Links nine and the 432-yard 13th, called the Island Oak.

In need of drama? How about Diamond Players Club in Clermont, where the elevation changes are so spectacular that the track is often referred to as “Florida’s mountain course.” You’ll need to buckle up when tackling Mystic Dunes’ green complexes. They offer up slopes that drop as much as 10 feet, and you might find an elephant’s trunk poking out of a few serious mounds. Also, several of the fairways feature whiskey barrel bunkers as guideposts. This Gary Koch-designed course personifies the word “adventure,” as does Highlands Reserve, a roller coaster-like golf experience with elevation changes of 120 feet and dramatic scenery. Further south on Highway 27 is Steve Smyers’ Southern Dunes, another course that features elevation change uncommon in Central Florida. Combined with the abundance and creativity of the bunkering, it is easy to understand while Southern Dunes is ranked among the To 100 Modern Day Courses” by Golfweek.

Excitement? Falcon’s Fire by Rees Jones has a couple of thrillers, especially its cape hole, the par 4 13th. This one dares you to bite off more than you can chew, and while it is tempting to rip a big tee shot toward the green, the money play is to safely land your ball into the slender fairway utilizing a more forgiving angle and a fairway wood.

If you are a traditionalist, the options are boundless. Shingle Creek is the newest of the traditional Florida layouts, bordered by dense oaks and pines in a backdrop along historic Shingle Creek. Location is another benefit as it rests near the major tourist areas. Harmony is a Johnny Miller design that falls into this category. Its’ strength lies in the greens complexes that feature angular bunkering creating a variety of challenging pin placements. Ridgewood Lakes provides a beautiful cruise through the hardwoods off Highway 27, and tops off the journey with an awesome finishing hole.

How about a stroll though nature? Stonegate Golf Club, designed by Ron Garl, rests upon 3,300 acres of pristine wetlands, woodlands and 100-year-old oak hammocks, and places the emphasis on the short game. Mike Dasher’s North Shore looks as if it should be located deep in the country as it sits comfortably amidst lush surroundings, yet it is conveniently located seven miles from Orlando International Airport. Diamondback, a Joe Lee design located in Haines City, was carved from 240 acres of virgin forest and offers dramatically rolling fairways bordered by dense trees, pristine natural wetlands, and well-positioned water hazards.

If convenience is important, MetroWest could be the perfect choice, as it is located near Universal Studios and the International Drive tourist section. It is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterpiece that features wide fairways and challenging approach shots. Nearby just off International Drive next to Sea World is Grande Pines, a recently renovated Smyers design that features a number of outstanding risk/reward holes. Celebration Golf Club, located near Walt Disney World, was designed by father Robert Trent Jones Sr. and son Robert Trent Jones Jr. and places emphasis on approach shots.

Is notoriety important to you? ChampionGate’s two courses play host annually to the Office Depot Father/Son Classic, a favorite among dozens of PGA and Senior PGA Tour players. Orange County National has twice hosted the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals on its two tracks, Panther Lake and Crooked Cat, They offer diverse tests that are good enough to challenge and determine tomorrow’s professional stars.


Some folks enjoy walking out their hotel door straight to the first tee. Orlando offers several choices for stay-and-play buffs, including Hawk’s Landing. Attached to the spectacular Marriott World Center, Hawk’s Landing recently underwent a complete renovation by Robert Cupp. It has water on 15 of the 18 holes and it features its own version of “Amen Corner” – holes 12, 13 and 14. That small taste gives you an idea of the diversity available through GolfOrlando, truly “Golf’s Ultimate Theme Park.”

3. Please inform us about the golf practice facilities and the teaching professionals that are available in the Orlando area.

Some of the game's most respected teachers - David Leadbetter, Mike Bender, Rina Ritson, Bill Madonna, Brad Brewer and Fred Griffin to name a few - do their magic in Central Florida.

Orlando is home to some of the nation's finest practice facilities. The Faldo Institute and Orange County National offer more than just practice tees and greens. The landing areas on their driving ranges resemble true targets and hazards that are found on courses. Tremendous short-game practice areas help better players fine-tune that key part of their games. But the crowning jewel in Orlando are the courses. From top to bottom, Orlando offers the best quality golf of any destination in the world. Nearly every exit off I-4 leads directly to a memorable golf experience, regardless of which side of Orlando you are on.



4. Some of the Orlando area golf courses have achieved top ratings from various golf publications. Please tell us more about that.

Orange County National, host of the 2003 & 2005 PGA TOUR Q-School Finals, was the recipient of Golf Digest's 4 1/2 Stars for 2000 to 2005. Southern Dunes is rated among the top 100 contemporary courses in America by Golfweek. Orange County National's Panther Lake is rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. Award-winning Southern Dunes was voted "Top 100 courses in America" by Golfweek 1997 - 2001. Celebration Golf Club was rated 4 1/2 stars and in the top three in Central Florida for service and in the top two for course conditioning by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play" 2004 - 2005.

Diamondback Golf Club was recently awarded four stars by Golf Digest's "Places To Play". Victoria Hills Golf Cub open end in 2002, and was recently named by Golf Magazine as a "Top 10 You Can Play." Royal St. Cloud Golf Links was rated in the Top 5 Most Underrated Golf Courses in the Orlando area and hosted the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur. Eagle Creek Golf Club was recently named among the Top 10 New Courses since 2000 by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
5. What major golfing events are held in the Orlando area?

The region hosts its share of major competitions – two PGA Tour stops annually (the Bay Hill Invitational in March, hosted by Arnold Palmer; and the Disney Classic at Walt Disney World in October), one LPGA Tour tournament, the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals, the Buick Scramble National Finals,

The Office Depot Father/Son, and a variety of mini tours.

6. Please tell us about some of the famous golf architects that have put their mark on Orlando golf courses.

The group’s 25 layouts boast the names of a majority of the world’s leading architects – Tom Fazio, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Ron Garl, Steve Smyers.

7. What about affordable golf in Orlando?

8. Who are some of the famous golf professionals who have made the Orlando area their home?

Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam, Sergio Garcia, Se Ri Pak, Arnold Palmer, Jim Thorpe, Chris Di Marco, Mark O'Meara, Scott Hoch, Nick Faldo, John Cook, Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III and dozens of others have planted their roots in Central Florida. There is a reason for that, beyond tax implications.

9. In addition to golf, what else does the Orlando area have to offer?

Let’s face it – no region in the country does adventure as well and with as much diversity as Orlando, the world’s No. 1 vacation destination. Theme parks, theme parks and more theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and others have created the face that smiles upon the vacationing world from Central Florida.

The nightlife and restaurants rival those of any other region in the country. Tourists gather at various pockets around Orlando – Universal City Walk, Pleasure Island and International Drive among them. But if you want a feel for how the locals entertain themselves, take a trip to Winter Park Village on the north side of town, where terrific restaurants and clubs will fill your tummy and your night.

10. What about the weather year-round? What about getting to Orlando?


11. What accommodation options do golfers have in Orlando?

12. Please tell us a bit more about the golf vacation packages that are offered in Orlando.

13. Some key golf organizations make Orlando their home, please tell us more about that.

The one and only television network devoted 100% to the sport - The Golf Channel - is based in Orlando. Golfweek, a leading trade publication, moved to Orlando about 11 years ago. Meadowbrook Golf, one of the largest golf course management companies, is located here, as is the industry's leading golf travel company, Golfpac. The industry's only media/ business networking organization, the International Network of Golf, is also based in Orlando.

Thank you, Mike, for providing a great practical overview of Orlando as a first-rate golf destination.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_golf.htm

About The Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com/, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

Costa Rica Vacation Package

Costa Rica Vacation Package, And Why You Should Take One .
By: Peter R Stewart

A Costa Rica Vacation Package is something to be thought about very carefully, even if you have never considered Costa Rica before as a vacation destination.


Apart from the fact that Costa Rica is both exotic and tropical, the fact that it is a dream destination for a lot of people ought to make you check it out, because it could be just the right thing to do to book a Costa Rica Tour package this year.

There are good reasons for this not the least of which is that Costa Rica is one of the most naturally beautiful places you could ever wish to visit. A tiny South American country has got everything you need for the ultimate in getaway holidays.


When you consider the variety of sights to see and places to go, including fiery volcanoes, lush green tropical jungle with lots of unusual and exotic plants, animals and birds. This is not to ignore the beautiful beaches lining the Pacific coast.

A Costa Rica Vacation package can include any or all of these things, and then there is the huge variety of places to stay with accommodation to suit every budget.

Be a little careful and don’t arrive during the high season between December and April hoping to find a good hotel. You need your Costa Rica vacation package in place before you arrive.

Private lodges, all inclusive resorts, expensive hotels especially in remote areas should always be reserved in advanced to avoid any problems at all times.

If however you are looking for a luxury vacationcosta rica then the Golfo de Papagayo is gret. This part of Costa Rica is where the most expensive hotel in Costa Rica is, and that is the Four Seasons.


If you want something within your budget, then you could do worse than go to the Nicoya Peninsula. There are fantastic beaches here, and all types of accommodation and prices.

To find lower prices on your Costa Rica Vacation Package try the rainy season between April and November. The weather will still be pretty good just interspersed with short sharp rain showers, so you can save yourself quite a bit of money. One thing to beware of is the mandatory sales and tourism tax of 16.39% on everything!!

Nevertheless a Costa Rica Vacation Package can be very good value for money .


About The Author
Peter Stewart writes exclusively for http://www.in-kenyasafari.com as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and he has in depth knowledge of the places he writes about

Guide to Spains Costa del Sol

By: Robert Griggs

Spains costa del sol(Coast of Sun) is situated in the south of the country and experiences around 320 days of sunshine every year. This is why it has become in recent years one of the most popular holiday destinations for the British as well as other europeans including the Germans and the French.

The costa del sol has a host of towns a cities to explore such as its capital Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona to name a few.

The costa del sol is a fantastic holiday resort for people of all ages. If you have children then there are lots of places to visit such as Selwo Marina in Benalmadena which has a variety of sealife to see including sea lions, dolphins, flamingos and penguins.


Or if you are visiting theFuengirola zoo there is a must. Located pretty much within the hustle and bustle of the town it has a great number of different animals from all over the world to see and is great for the kids.


If golf is your thing then the costa del sol is perfect for you as its one of the worlds golfing mecca´s. There are around 50 courses to choose from and most are of a very high standard. A particularly nice course is Santana Golf Course in La Cala and is well worth 18 holes. Bare in mind though if you do play golf in Spain try and avoid July and August as although the green fee´s will be a lot less than the rest of the year, it can get very hot and is not ideal for playing any sport.


If it is nightlife that you are after then the costa del sol is definetely a good choice. With literally hundreds of bars and clubs to tickle your fancy you will be spoilt for choice on where to spend your evenings.


On the other hand if all the above sounds like just a bit too much activity for you, why not settle for a nice spot of sand on one of the many fine beaches that there are on offer. Lay your towel down, chill out and feel that warm sun on your body.


The great thing about the costa del sol is that there is something for everyone.


About The Author
Robert Griggs lives on the costa del sol and is the owner of a holiday rentals website. He is also the maintainer of a self catering Spain website which has lots of information on holidaying and living in Spain.

The Art of Buying Travel Luggage

By: Catherine Olivia

Not all luggage is created equal. There is a wide variety of prices and quality between manufacturers. Before you purchase luggage you should consider what your actual luggage usage will be. There is no need for you to purchase the most expensive luggage if you only travel once or twice a year or if you never plan to fly.

Most people probably remember the old Samsonite commercial with gorillas throwing the luggage around their cage. While this was hilarious it was close to the truth. Checked luggage takes a beating.


If you never plan to fly you don't need super expensive luggage. Of course, we'd never recommend buying the cheapest either. You will still need luggage that will hold up under some abuse.

We'd also recommend you pay close attention to how luggage is priced. Most manufacturers highly over inflate the price of their luggage then bring the prices down claiming they are on sale or are deeply discounted. Don't believe this. This is what the jewelry industry does. When you're looking at luggage always start with the final price.


One thing you'll find is hundreds of different brands of luggage. From the expensive high end Ricardo luggage which has a built in digital scale, to lesser priced American Flyer luggage and many in between. Some luggage manufacturers try to reach a young audience with their styles and patterns. JanSport luggage does this. Some companies make children's luggage with smaller sizes and adorable prints. Liz Claiborne luggage is sophisticated and stylish for the fashionable woman traveler.


You're lucky if your luggage is only beat up and not lost. What about lost airline luggage? Do you have any idea what happens to it? Did you know that you can buy articles from lost airline luggage?


Were you aware that if you don't want to both with your luggage at all when you travel you can use a luggage delivery service? It isn't cheap, but you can have your luggage picked up from your home and have it waiting for you at your destination. Again, be aware of prices. Some have up front pricing. Some are a bit more difficult to figure out. Some charge extra for Saturday delivery and add pick up and fuel surcharges to the price. Make sure that you are fully aware of all charges when it comes to a luggage delivery service, and be aware that they generally quote one-way prices only.


The choice of luggage can make or break your vacation. The last thing you need to have happen is to have a zipper break, or a seam split or have a handle break as you're walking out the door to the airport. Experts will say don't overload your suitcase. This causes undue stress on zippers and seams. Examine your suitcase when you take it off the airline carousel. Check it to make sure there has been no damage done to your luggage. If there is obvious damage done to your luggage immediately take it to the airline customer service center to report it.

About The Author
Catherine Olivia owns and operates http://www.total-luggage.com Travel Luggage Reviews And Ratings

Things to Look for on Your State Map

Things to Look for on Your State Map

By: Rajesh Karavadia

If you are student of, geography, history or economics, your professors might have always reminded you to have a map on hand. A map can show you where certain roads lead, and how modern or well built these roads are. A map can show you which areas are the most densely populated, and which areas have more lands or animals than people.



A map can show you where some countries end, where others begin, and even why some boundaries are still being fought over. All these things are readily applicable to a world map, so why should you have a state map on hand?



As many religion buffs will tell you, God is in the details, and this simply means that looking at individual details can be as enriching and exciting as looking at the larger, general picture. A state map can show you details about your state, and other states in the Union, along with a lot of information that you can tie into your studies as a future geographer, historian, chronicler, or economist.



In fact, knowledge of geography is essential to so many different fields, that having a map nowadays is essential to anyone’s studies! Scientists use it to plot the routes of certain animals; ecologists use it to see how weather patterns can affect certain locations; politicians use it to determine how they shA state map can help you do all this and more.



With individual maps of all states tied in with a general map of the United States, you can understand why some states have more people than others; why some states rely on agriculture for their livelihood while others rely heavily on industries; and why some states have problems with water, food, or uncontrollable illegal immigration. All you need to do is to find state maps that are integrated with statistics, or state maps that specialize in certain factors that affect state economics, politics, and budget. ould rule their territories; and even musicians use it to guide them on their tours!



If you are interested in traveling cross country and taking your car through a variety of roads and curious stops, look for a book of state maps that show where different highways go, and where you can stop for a bite, fun, amusement, or a night’s rest. Such state maps should show, with the help of color codes and legends, which roads are highways and which are back roads, which roads are still being repaired or built, or which roads might be closed when weather conditions grow a bit harsh and rough.



If you are traveling cross country, but you do not have a car, then you might want to buy a book of state maps that show the routes of major bus or train lines. You can get such maps at truck, train, or bus stops. Having such a map can allow you to have a bit of fun. Some bus lines stop at major tourist locations, so if you want to feel what life is like on the open road without worrying if you will fall asleep at the wheel, then take a bus or train across America and stare out the window as the country speeds past your eyes.



You might also want to look for a book or collection of state maps that have information on state statistics, such as the major crops that are being produced, the number of people and the locations of certain ethnic groups, and even the state budget for different important aspects of economics and politics. Such statistics can help you understand why some states are more modern-looking than others, or why some states specialize in certain foods or crops.




Be sure to look for detailed state maps that show the different districts you can visit, so that you can be familiar with municipalities or cities that might be significant to your field of study or interest.

No matter where you are going, and no matter what you are studying, state maps can help you understand geography, economics, and history better. With all this information on hand, you can find your schoolwork easier to do, your lessons more exciting to learn, and your travels more interesting as you know exactly where you want to go.


About The Author
Rajesh Karavadia is the author and webmaster of http://www.worlddatamaps.com/, an informative website about Maps. Different types of Maps are discussed including information on world map and map of africa .

A Brisk Morning Walk To Parliament Hill

A Brisk Morning Walk To Parliament Hill
By: Susanne Pacher

One of the interesting features of Ottawa is its architecture and Ottawa has many heritage sites. Parliament Hill with its historical neo-Gothic buildings was an area I wanted to discover in more detail.

Friday night, just after we arrived in town I was able to snap a few pictures, just before the sun went down. Saturday morning I got up and out by 7:30 am and it was a crisp morning, with perfect blue sky. It was definitely on the cold side, not a good idea to venture out without a hat or a thick scarf. So it was going to be a bad hair day again, but who cares….

started off with the area immediately in front of the Lord Elgin Hotel, which includes the National Arts Center, the Government Conference Centre (the former Union Station, Ottawa's main railway terminal), the War Memorial and the Chateau Laurier.

Then I marched up to Parliament Hill from where you have an absolutely perfect view over to Hull and the Gatineau Hills. I admired the sculptures “ Women are Persons” (referring to women being recognized as their own human beings), and took a number of pictures and video clips of the Parliament Buildings.

Parliament Hill is the seat of Canada's Government and consists of the Centre Block, the West Block and the East Block. The Senate and the House of Commons are also located here. Free tours are generally available every day, except my own discovery was a little bit too early to take the tour.

Incidentally Canada's Parliament Buildings have an interesting history. Lower Canada (today's Quebec) and Upper Canada (today's Ontario) joined together to form the Province of Canada in 1841. The seat of government alternated for many years until Queen Victoria was asked to select a permanent capital in 1857.

To the surprise of many, the Queen selected the rough lumber town of Ottawa instead of the established cities of Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City or Kingston. One of the reasons was that Ottawa was close to both provinces and located at a safe distance from the American border.

The Parliament Buildings were built between 1859 and 1866 (not including the Library and the Tower). One year after they were finished, Confederation occurred and the buildings were immediately selected to house the government for the newly created Dominion of Canada.

The main building of the government buildings is called Centre Block and it is instantly recognizable with its trademark Peace Tower. Visitors can watch the House of Commons and the Senate from the visitor galleries, and free tours are also available. A tour to the top of the Peace Tower rewards you with a great view all over Ottawa. Canada's war dead are honoured inside the Memorial Chamber.

The Library of Parliament Building - the only part of the original Centre Block that survived the desastrous fire of 1916 - is currently undergoing restoration work to bring it back to its former glory.

The historic East Block has not changed much since the days of Confederation. The offices of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, have been restored and are available to visit on a public tour.

The West Block is not accessible to the public as it houses the offices of the members of parliament.

The Peace Tower is Ottawa's trademark and its name is a commemoration of Canada’s commitment to peace. The Memorial Chamber is located on the third floor of the Tower, and it honours Canadians who have died in armed conflicts since Confederation. The Peace Tower also holds an observation area and the Carillon which contains 53 bells weighing anywhere from less than 5 kg to more than 10 tons.

The Centre Block was affected by a large fire in 1916. Canada began rebuilding it while still fighting in the First World War. The new structure, designed in the Modern Gothic Revival style by John Pearson and Jean Omer Marchand, was completed by 1922. The Peace Tower was finished later in 1927.

In the summer Parliament Hill offers up a unique ceremony: every day at 10 am the Changing of the Guard takes place, and this year the ceremony will be held every day from June 24 to August 26 of 2006.

Parliament Hill with its big open square lends itself naturally as a meeting and entertainment venue. The Canada Day celebrations are held here and they include free concerts, spectacular fireworks, a flight demonstration by the Snowbirds (Canada's precision aerobatic team), and you'll only have to put up with short speeches by Canadian politicians.

Another event coming up for 2006 is a free sound and light show called "Canada: the Spirit of a Country", which will be performed on a daily basis after dark between July 5 and September 10, 2006. Images will be projected onto the Parliament Buildings. Obviously Parliament Hill is not just a boring place for politicians, it is an entertainment venue and meeting place for people from Ottawa, for folks from the rest of the country and for international tourists alike.

After my discovery of the Parliament Buildings I walked further west to have a look at the Supreme Court of Canada and the other surrounding buildings. What really fascinated me where the huge plumes of steam that come out of the smokestacks, I don’t recall seeing the same types of formations in Toronto. One person explained to me that the air in Ottawa is calmer as compared to Toronto where we always have wind blowing in from the lake which actually would disperse these clouds of smoke. An interesting sight....

This crisp morning walk was the perfect introduction to Ottawa and a good way to burn off calories from last night's carlory-rich evening at Fat Tuesday's. After a rather hearty breakfast at the Lord Elgin Hotel, we set off to begin our day of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the main reason we had come to Ottawa.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/ottawa_parliament_hill.htm

About The Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com/, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

Guide to a Yacht Charter

Guide to a Yacht Charter
By: D. Browall

Turkey is the only country in the world that can be found in two continents. 97 percent of it is in Asia and the remaining 3 percent is in Europe. The Asian part of the country is made up of Asia Minor and European region comprises the eastern portion of Thrace. The two areas are bordered and separated by Dardanelles, Sea of Marmara, and Bosporus.

Through this distinctive division, a sailing charter Turkey is easy to find.

Turkey is very rich in culture and tradition. Its history is very eventful and dynamic, but full of rage, conflict, and wars. It was managed by many empires. During the ancient times, particularly in 1800 BC, most of the country was inhabited by the Hittites. In 8th century BC, the Greeks occupied the country. After two centuries (6th century BC), Turkey became part of the Persian Empire. However, the Persians did not last long. Soon after, it was invaded by Rome in 395 AD and was managed as a province. Still, the country was invaded by the cin the 13th century AD.

Cruising a sailing yacht in Turkey means sailing along the many gulfs and bays of the much indented Turkish coast. It is also a journey back in time, with a plethora of archaeological sites, castles and temples that catches its importance in ancient and medieval times.

The Turkish coastline is usually separated into three different cruising areas:

-The Lycian Coast: a wild and rugged landscape with an grandiose display of mountains, cliffs and ravines.

-The Carian Coast: this is the most popular cruising area and includes the two largest yacht charter bases; Bodrum and Marmaris.

-The Ionian Coast: a coastline starting in Izmir in the north and reach all the way to Bodrum in the south. Here you will find the best climate in the whole of Turkey and a lot of culture.

The coast of Lycia is an ideal place for cruising. This place has many ports and harbors. The coastline of Lycia can reach as far as Gocek. The portion of the so-called "East Lycian Coast" covers Antalya, Kas, and Fethiye. These places are ideal for cruising because of its several attractions such as its coves, beaches, cliffs, and mountains. However, these areas are sometimes regarded by many ancient sailors as a dangerous sailing ground because of its tempered waters. Nevertheless, all its harbors are safe and protected.

One of the country's most attractive tourist activities is sailing along its calm, relaxing, and stunning sea waters. In particular, most tourist sailors go to the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Aside from yachting, Turkey can also offer its historical and archaeological sites. You can find a handful of the country's ancient architectures in Istanbul (the largest and the former capital city). You can visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Pera Palas, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, and the Dolmabahce Palace. If you are not into prehistoric buildings, you can have a stay at Istanbul's modern shopping malls, which are among the largest shopping centers in the world.

About The Author
For more info on yacht charter Turkey visit D. Browall's website http://www.sboats.com/ - The Ultimate Guide to a Sailing Holiday.