Take a sailing holiday in the lovely islands of Kos and Rhodes

June 7th, 2007

Are you thinking of a holiday in Greece? Have you thought of exploring the Greek isles? Do you know a sailor or do you have any experience in sailing? The best way to see the Greek islands is to sail them in your own sailing boat. There are a lot of sailing holiday companies offering sailing yachts for charter. Even if you do not know how to sail, you can hire a crew or a captain. Or you can join a flotilla. Many flotilla itineraries include special events like shore parties and fun regattas, and give you the chance to mingle with other sailors.

The Dodecanese (Twelve Islands or Dodekanes) is the most southerly group of islands in the Greek archipelago. Visit Rhodes and Kos, islands full of history and nice beaches, Symi and Patmos is islands uncorrupted from the civilization. Since Turkey is only 5 nautical miles away from Kos, this country is certainly within reach for a sailing vacation in this area.

Did you know that for many years rumors circulated that in 1940 Winston Churchill secretly offered the Dodecanese Islands to Mussolini in exchange for staying out of World War Two.

The 14 Dodecanese islands have a lot to offer. You will find a wonderful blend of architectural styles of eastern and western civilizations. Almost every island has its classical remains, its Crusaders’ castle, and its traditional villages.

The Meltemi wind has its peak in July and August. It starts sporadic in June, blows more strongly in July through to September and again sporadic in October These northerly winds do affect any travel plan and consider a one-way charter from Kos to Rhodes during July to September.

Usually sailing charter companies in Dodecanese have their bases in either Rhodes or Kos.

Kos is dominated by a Crusader castle and known as the place of birth of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. The lovely harbor at Kos city is a great place to put a yacht. The harbor is filled with sights and sounds both day and night as visitors party on boats just off the coast, and in bars, restaurants and clubs located on the port itself. Of course, there are locals here too, and small fishing boats make up the majority of the sea traffic. The island of Kos is populated by nearly 180,000 people, many of them still living the old-fashioned lives of Greek fishermen.

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. It is well-known for the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was sadly destroyed. Rhodes has everything from beautiful beaches to a lush, green interior, a capital full of energetic and noisy activity and one of the best sunshine records in Greece. The rock-rose is so productive here that it has been called the ‘Island of Roses’ and whiles the northern coast is renowned for its lively tourist resorts the south offers nice beaches and a slower, more simple pace of life.

If you are considering a sailing holiday in Greece, be sure to visit the sites below for more information on sailing holiday companies.

Bulgaria Travels - Free guide of Varna city accommodation

June 7th, 2007

Varna is the largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, and 79th-largest in the European Union, with a population of 357,752.

Moreover, for anyone that owns a personal website or a travel blog, the travel guides (London, Rome, Amsterdam, Florence, Prague, Barcelona and more coming on soon!) come for free and can be used as an extra travel resource for theirs users.

A growing budget hotels and cheap hostel Varna directory specializing in budget accommodation in Bulgaria, Flashbooking is a recognized source of information and services for independent travellers who love creating their trips and book their bed nights securely online.

Commonly referred to as the marine capital of Bulgaria, Varna is a major tourist destination, seaport, and headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine, as well as the centre of Varna Province and Bulgaria’s North-Eastern planning region, comprising the provinces of Dobrich, Shumen, Silistra, and Varna.

In particular Flashbooking provides a large selection of cheap accommodation offers in Varna where there are plenty of low cost solutions for backpackers in budget Bed and Breakfast, cheap hotels and guest house Varna.

The city has in excess of 20 km of sand beaches and abounds in thermal mineral water sources. It enjoys a mild continental climate influenced by the proximity to the sea.

Flashbooking provides backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide -mostly run by locals- in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.

Major roads include European routes E70 and E87 and national motorways A2 and A3; there are bus lines to many Bulgarian and European cities from two bus terminals.

Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about hostel location, description, contacts, prices, instant real availability, customer ratings, facilities and pictures.

The public transit system is extensive and reasonably priced, with dozens of local and express bus, electrical bus, and fixed-route minibus lines, and there is a large fleet of taxicabs.

As an online booker service Flashboking guarantees instantly confirmed and secure reservations thanks to a secure server, certified SSL provided by Thawte (the global certificate authority). This system encrypts all the processed data and guarantees that this will not be read, used or modified by other parties. Online bookings mean that your holiday is just a click away.

In Flashbooking website there is also a section dedicated to the world cities events where you can also get a quite exhaustive list of main festivals, exhibitions, concerts and cool things to do and see in other top European cities.

So mates, we are looking forward to finding the best accommodation for you on your next trip!

Visit Walt Disney World, Orlando, For Wholesome Fun!

June 7th, 2007

Walt Disney World, Orlando, to the uninitiated, might be perceived as a rather tired place to take your children on summer holiday given that it’s been open since 1971. In reality, Walt Disney World has consistently developed its theme park, rides and holiday packages so that families can keep returning for more wholesome Disney fun. With a variety of events and amusement rides to choose from in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and the latest addition to the Walt Disney World home, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you and your children are sure to find a variety of ways in which you can be entertained.

Two of the most popular attractions in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom are The Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean - both of which have been turned into popular films. Your kids are sure to love the mixture of family entertainment and eerie fun that both of these rides afford. However, if you’re travelling with very small children that are likely to find some of these rides a little frightening, you have a range of classic Disney World favourites to fall back on, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight and the legendary “It’s a small world” attraction. Newer rides include Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, adapted from the popular Toy Story character, and the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

In Epcot, you’ll find Spaceship Earth, one of Walt Disney World’s hallmark attractions. As one of the most recognisable structures at the resort, Spaceship Earth forms both the main focal point of Epcot and one of its most popular dark rides. Take a trip to Epcot to help your children learn more about the world’s countries with the World Showcase. You’ll even be able to experience such exciting rides as The Seas with Nemo & Friends, an attraction based on underwater exploration, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.

What’s more, Disney-MGM Studios is sure to appeal to any movie fan, young or old. With its epic The Great Movie Ride, you’ll be escorted through a series of scenes from famous movies, including Singin’ in the Rain, Alien, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Casablanca. What’s more, you’ll be able to experience the wonders of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Muppet Vision 3-D and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

And if you’re a keen animal fan, don’t forget to explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From the thrilling DINOSAUR ride to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction, you and your family are sure to love all that Disney’s Animal Kingdom has to offer. You’ll even get a taste of some of Disney’s most successful films, through rides like Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo - The Musical.

With so much to keep you occupied, Walt Disney World, Florida, is sure to keep you and your children - whatever their age - happy this summer. And if you’re planning to travel from the UK, you’ll be able to choose from a range of flights to Orlando - so you have no excuse not to take your family on the holiday of a lifetime!

Houston Texas - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

June 7th, 2007

Traveling to Houston, Texas whether for vacation or for business there are lots of different things to do and see. One of the most popular destinations in Houston, Texas is the NASA Johnson Space Center.

The Space Center is open from Monday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm and on weekends from 10 am – 7 pm. During the summer and holidays the hours are extended. If you are wondering about a particular time of the year when you are planning a vacation then you should check the events schedule to find out the operation hours. The Space Center is located about 25 miles from downtown Houston at 1601 NASA Parkway.

Entrance price is $18.95 for adults and children four-11 are $14.95. Seniors cost $17.95 and parking is $5. If you buy your tickets online then you will receive a special discount that you won’t receive if you buy at the gate. The best time of the year to go really depends on what you are looking for. If you like crowds then holidays and the summer are great times to go to the Space Center. But, if you like it when there are not a lot of crowds then the weekdays and winter months are better times to visit.

The audio astronaut tour at the Space exhibit is exceptional and is a great way to tour the center. As you are listening to the tour you may recognize the voices of past astronauts like John Glenn. The point of the space tour is to learn more about the history of space exploration and how the dream became a reality. There are audio tours available in English and Spanish as well as specialized tours for children. Learning the space history as you are touring the center is really incredible and makes the experience much better.

There are many attractions and exhibits including the Space Center Theatre, Blast Off Theatre, NASA Tour, the Astronaut Gallery, and Feel of Space, Starship Gallery, and the Kids Space Place . There really is something for everyone at the Space Center in Houston . There are many education programs as well. These include school visits, teacher programs, day camps, distance learning, space school, scout camp ins and education outreach.

When you are in Houston to visit the Space Center there are many places you can choose to stay. There are hotels, condos, and more for rent in Houston as well as in the surrounding areas that will allow you easy access to the Space Center as well as other destinations in and around Houston .

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.

Palm Jumeirah Beach Plan Has Been Revised

June 7th, 2007

The Palm Jumeirah Island is one of the emerging landmarks in Dubai these days. The sheer cost, elegance and the size of this new development is unprecedented and mind-boggling. However, there were fears in the minds of the city planners earlier that the proposed township would prove out to be a fragmented assembly of living sites unlike what it should ideally have been as a model development. There were hardly any means for the people to move around from one living block to another and the whole plan stood divided into several localized developments.

The revised Palm Jumeirah master plan takes care of this concern however, and looks forward at developing the trunk into a uniting feature. The proposal speaks of a 7.8-hectare park along the trunk for accomplishing this requirement, which will have a large water element with pools and other recreational facilities around. This will provide an improvised architectural and scenic balance to the waterfront leisure facilities, and let the masses have a valuable community space for their daily use. The fragmented living blocks will get to have an easy access to each other through this latest green area.

The Palm Jumeirah Island is one of the world’s three largest man-made islands currently being developed along Dubai’s coast; the other two being Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira across the same sea front. Each of these are being built in the shape of a date palm tree, consisting of a trunk, a crown with several fronds and the surrounding crescent for the role of a breakwater. The Palm Jumeirah development will house at least 25 world-renowned hotel brands, and a significant number of residential facilities. It will have themed boutique hotels, consumer friendly retail outlets, three types of villas, beach apartments, marinas, cafes and restaurants.

Nakheel, a leading construction giant from the UAE, is developing palm islands, including the one in Jumeirah. They will increase Dubai’s shoreline by an impressive margin of 520 km and cost billions in amount. The land reclamation for the Palm Jumeirah island itself cost around $12.3 billion, and required making use of 94 million cubic meters of sand and 7 million tons of natural rock, enough to create a two and half meters high wall circling the earth three times around. The island was gradually constructed upon a 10.5-meter deep seabed and stretched 3 meters above the sea level. Up to 40,000 workers, mostly hailing from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have been pressed into constructing this landmark. A monorail is also being planned at the island, which will ferry up to 3,000 people each hour once fully commissioned.

Keeping in mind Dubai’s rising tourism stakes, the Palm Islands are bound to generate tremendous interest and economic growth. Unlike the other commercial ventures across this tiny emirate, the Palms are solely aimed at providing their clientele with world-class leisure amenities. With the trunk of Palm Jumeirah now being developed into a themed park, the outside world is bound to look at this tourist attraction with more vigor. Like any other successful urban development across the globe, the Palm Jumeirah Beach is also set now to win many laurels.

Palm Jumeirah Beach Plan Has Been Revised

June 7th, 2007

The Palm Jumeirah Island is one of the emerging landmarks in Dubai these days. The sheer cost, elegance and the size of this new development is unprecedented and mind-boggling. However, there were fears in the minds of the city planners earlier that the proposed township would prove out to be a fragmented assembly of living sites unlike what it should ideally have been as a model development. There were hardly any means for the people to move around from one living block to another and the whole plan stood divided into several localized developments.

The revised Palm Jumeirah master plan takes care of this concern however, and looks forward at developing the trunk into a uniting feature. The proposal speaks of a 7.8-hectare park along the trunk for accomplishing this requirement, which will have a large water element with pools and other recreational facilities around. This will provide an improvised architectural and scenic balance to the waterfront leisure facilities, and let the masses have a valuable community space for their daily use. The fragmented living blocks will get to have an easy access to each other through this latest green area.

The Palm Jumeirah Island is one of the world’s three largest man-made islands currently being developed along Dubai’s coast; the other two being Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira across the same sea front. Each of these are being built in the shape of a date palm tree, consisting of a trunk, a crown with several fronds and the surrounding crescent for the role of a breakwater. The Palm Jumeirah development will house at least 25 world-renowned hotel brands, and a significant number of residential facilities. It will have themed boutique hotels, consumer friendly retail outlets, three types of villas, beach apartments, marinas, cafes and restaurants.

Nakheel, a leading construction giant from the UAE, is developing palm islands, including the one in Jumeirah. They will increase Dubai’s shoreline by an impressive margin of 520 km and cost billions in amount. The land reclamation for the Palm Jumeirah island itself cost around $12.3 billion, and required making use of 94 million cubic meters of sand and 7 million tons of natural rock, enough to create a two and half meters high wall circling the earth three times around. The island was gradually constructed upon a 10.5-meter deep seabed and stretched 3 meters above the sea level. Up to 40,000 workers, mostly hailing from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have been pressed into constructing this landmark. A monorail is also being planned at the island, which will ferry up to 3,000 people each hour once fully commissioned.

Keeping in mind Dubai’s rising tourism stakes, the Palm Islands are bound to generate tremendous interest and economic growth. Unlike the other commercial ventures across this tiny emirate, the Palms are solely aimed at providing their clientele with world-class leisure amenities. With the trunk of Palm Jumeirah now being developed into a themed park, the outside world is bound to look at this tourist attraction with more vigor. Like any other successful urban development across the globe, the Palm Jumeirah Beach is also set now to win many laurels.

Playa del Carmen Magnetism

June 7th, 2007

One of the world’s most fascinating destinations, Playa del Carmen is part of the Mayan Riviera! This beautiful area of Mexico boasts the natural wholeness of its territory and a boundless wealth of flora and fauna.

Immerse yourself in the exotic Mexican Caribbean while staying in exclusive resorts. Explore intriguing ancient Mayan sites, enticing white sand beaches and a variety of lively and leisurely pastimes.

Playa del Carmen is a little slice of heaven…a modern village nestled on one of the most beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya.

Along the Riviera Maya, the seasons change, but the climate stays mild. A swirl of colors, tastes and perfumes fill the air.

In Playa del Carmen, spring bursts out in an explosion of exotic flowers, while the waters of the Caribbean Sea turn a hypnotizing shade of turquoise.

The white sand of Playa del Carmen beaches never gets hot and are special for relaxing rounded of natural environment but comfortable setting!

Butterflies fly among the palms tree in the Mayan Riviera, nature comes alive and love songs inebriate people’s minds.
The light breezes caressing your face, the pleasure of sipping a cool drink while stretched out on a comfortable hammock… this pleasant melody will accompany your memories of this beautiful Playa del Carmen vacation.

Your problem in Playa del Carmen is figuring out how to fit in all the fun thing to do!
Playa del Carmen, in the heart of the Riviera Maya, is the perfect place to start your Mexico adventure vacation.

For the adventure seeker, the Riviera Maya offers miles of deserted beaches, lush tropical flora and fauna, and imposing Mayan ruins impressive underground cave and river systems …
There is no area in the World with as many underwater caves and cenotes as the Yucatan Peninsula.

If you are an experienced diver seeking for an extreme dive, you can start or continue your training as a cave diver, you will discover another World! Discover the spectacular delicate minerals and rocks formations, ancient fossils in the labyrinths of underground caves!

Playa del Carmen tours and expeditions are safe learning experiences designed for anyone who wants to have fun exploring and enjoying the local natural and cultural wonders.

Looking for a cultural adventure?

This paradisiacal setting was once the cradle of the ancient Mayan Empire, and there are still small villages where people live and share ancient Mayan traditions.
From Playa del Carmen you can begin your exploration booking Archaeological tours to Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum.

When do you wake up in the morning and say its a good day to do this?
Well, if you are looking for some exciting sport and adventure, Playa del Carmen, is the perfect choice!

Your experience can go from a simple scuba diving to a exhilarating experience with a jumping out of the plane.

Nature Theme Parks along the Riviera Maya are great daytime adventures.
Xcaret is a great nature theme park on the coast. Visit the Aquarium, swim with dolphins, enjoy the butterfly exhibit, visit a Mayan village, and much more!

Join an expedition on a journey of discovery. Zip-line cross over the jungle canopy; rappel down into a swim in a sacred cenote, kayak on to the Great Mayan Reef Barrier and snorkel around spectacular corals.

A true paradise… just like your dreams!
The easygoing and relaxed ambiance of the Riviera Maya makes it a perfect hideaway from an urban hasty lifestyle.

The Playa del Carmen hotels offer a wide choice. In fact succeed in satisfying the most demanding tourists. Hotels and resorts in Playa del Carmen can sweet all the kind of budget; in fact you can choose from the small hotel beach front to the luxury all inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen.

Spa Playa del Carmen help you get more relaxed, try some of the various Spa services and treatments available in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen is a true beach town, and the sea is always a few steps away.

Start off your evening in a sidewalk cafe or bar, and then take a stroll along La Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen promenade to find your special place for dinner.
The Mayan Riviera has centered its gastronomical offer in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen restaurants are generally served by the owners. Small cafes and restaurants feature authentic Italian Food, Japanese Sushi, Argentinean Grills, and local Seafood of course, making Playa’s dinning experience something to be remembered.
The chefs in the Mexican restaurants (as well as the international restaurants) are creating a cornucopia of colors and unique tastes. The drinks served at the café tables are decorated with cute, funny masks and little hats.

After siesta, when the sun falls down, Mayan Riviera’s famous Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) becomes the center of all nightlife in Playa del Carmen.
Dance numbers, ballets, colors and costumes are the soul and the attraction of the moment.
Later, Playa del Carmen offers all partying possibilities; from a trendy live DJ lounge on velvet to a nostalgic 60’s, 70’s, 80’s disco-bar or walk down to the beach for the classic beachfront disco.

Sun, sand, salsa and style! That’s a Playa del Carmen vacation!

Take a trip to Cape Cod - but book early!

June 7th, 2007

If you’re planning to take a beach holiday this summer, you’ll have a vast range of stunning American locations to choose from. Whether you’re planning to take a vacation along the Florida Coast, or you’re hoping to take a road trip down California’s most stunning pieces of coastline, you’ll definitely be in for a treat. But don’t spend too much time seeking out some of the USA’s most secluded beaches. Instead, go for an old favourite - like Cape Cod, Massachusetts - and get in on some more traditional beach action!

In Cape Cod, you’ll be able to enjoy some stunning areas of coastline that justify why so many people return to the area on vacation year after year. The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches along 40 miles, from Chatham to Provincetown, so not only will you be able to experience breathtaking golden beaches, you’ll also get a taste of Cape Cod’s rich human history. In Provincetown, for instance, you’ll see the place where the Pilgrims first landed in 1620.

What’s more, if you visit Marconi Beach in Cape Cod, you’ll be able to see the site at which Guglielmo Marconi made the first transatlantic wireless transmission originating from the United States in 1903. Marconi Beach is also excellent for surfing and boasts sand dunes that are so high they block the sun - making sure you get to mix a taste of historical culture with serious fun during your vacation in Cape Cod.

If you love seafood, then Cape Cod is also a vacation paradise. Some particularly well-known products from Cape Cod include shellfish, particularly oysters and clams; while lobstering is also a prevalent activity. However, if you don’t like eating undersea creatures, but love watching them, you’ll adore the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Provincetown. Visitors in the area can choose from several whale watching fleets who berth in Provincetown; most of which guarantee a whale sighting - mostly humpback, finback and sei whales - although only one is federally certified to rescue whales.

Cape Cod’s stunning surroundings and uniquely beautiful sunlight also means that the area is especially popular with artists, photographers and ordinary travellers who appreciate the sights and sounds of nature. Moreover, Cape Cod and its islands - like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard - are home to a substantial number of working lighthouses, including Highland Light, Nauset Light and Chatham Light.

Although Cape Cod has a year-round population of only 230,000, the region experiences a flood of tourists during the summer. So if you’re thinking about visiting Cape Cod between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you’ll have to book early to make sure you’re able to enjoy the accommodation of your choice. By making a hotel booking online well in advance, you can ensure that you’ll be able to secure rooms for your vacation with ease. Furthermore, many hotels offer discounts for travellers who book their hotel accommodation early and online, meaning that you could save a significant amount on your holiday if you plan ahead carefully.