A Most Trusted Travel Buddy


Traveling is a great way to gain new experiences and learn a new culture. However, it's not too much fun to travel with the thought of your safety hanging over your head right? Because no matter how everything seems to be well-planned, you know that something will inevitably go wrong. Accidents, loss of possession, or an urgent return trip might disrupt your travel plans. It is for these reasons that travel insurances are necessary. But then again, there are lots of insurance choices out there. It's of no use to you if you end up with a lousy policy right? Here are a few considerations you must think about before deciding to purchase your own travel insurance.








First, consider your travel habits. Do you go abroad? How long do you stay on a particular place? What mode of transportation do you frequently use? If you travel all over the world, be sure that your policy is accepted anywhere. Also, make certain that your policy covers basic travel insurance claims such as medical expenses, loss of luggage, repatriation expenses, cancellation of trips, and liability. If possible, ask for a list of agencies and institutions where you can get emergency assistance and where your policy is recognized. Check and inquire for exclusions. Exclusions in policies might include injury or loss of possessions during terrorist attacks and the bankruptcy of the agencies covered by your policy to meet your needs. It is a good idea to check the status of the establishments where your insurance is honored.

Secondly, a good travel insurance will cover pre-existing situations. These conditions might include medical or health problem that you have prior to buying insurance. Disruption of a trip caused by a medical emergency or sickness by a member of your group will also be covered a good policy. However, age is of importance since most policies exclude people who are over the age limit. It is important to consider this if you frequently travel with the elderly.

Third, age is probably the most important factor with travel insurance. Most insurance policies do not cover people who are over the age limit. The age limit is usually around 65 years of age. People over 65 are usually considered high risk individuals. Check if you and the members of your group are well under this age limit before deciding to purchase policies. Though high risk, older people can still get a high premium insurance. The usual terms under the policy still applies with added benefits.

With these tips, assess your situation and get travel insurance that is suitable to your needs. Next time you travel, arm yourself with a camera, a travel book, and most of all your insurance policy. After all, no one knows when you'll need it.


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A More Exciting Way To Learn... World Travel


The best teacher when it comes to world history is actually being able to visit all these historic places mentioned inside the entire world history book one place at a time, as much as cheap travels permit.

We all had that experience where we had the chance to go somewhere and the memories in that place remains with you forever. Imagine what it could do if you make it as a more thorough research on a country by really going there to learn about its history and culture.




Its always fascinating to go to a country where you get to visit the tribes and really see what they look like, be able to taste the delicacies of the place, have the chance to learn their culture, and hear the history of the place right from the natives mouth.

Learning is a lot more fun when you don’t have to bore yourself inside a classroom with a book in front of you having to read all these and not knowing or understanding what it means. By actually experiencing what its like to be in that place, you will be able to relate to what was being described inside those references, which makes it a lot more interesting to remember them by heart.

You don’t have to force yourself into memorizing the places; you get to remember them because you’ve been there. The best part of it is that since it stays with you, you get to write about it, and you can even relay the information as if you were the book.

Imagine what it would be like if you could go to the most historical countries there is around the world. With the cheap student travel deals given as promos in a lot of airline, ships and train agencies, travelling is not as hard as it used to.

Discounts for student fares are often offered in all transportations. A great way of making good use of this offers is to let them travel. It could be as an educational tour for the whole class, a group of science club students, or exchange students.

Putting a little more fun on the way teachers teach can actually give every student motivation to learn more. Teach them to explore the world around them instead of spending all their free times in malls doing nothing, or in front of the televisions or in their personal computer playing computer games.

With this cheap student travel deals, you can take them or let go into nature trips to any part of the world. This way they will be aware of the possibilities and circumstances their experiences could teach them. Let them start early, and who knows they’ll love it and continue traveling when they’re older.

Cheap student travel deals can easily be researched in Internet including advisable places to visit, family travel deals is also available online and you get to book the flight through your computer at home and be able to manage the schedule and have a copy of the itinerary so you never get out of touch.

Travel now and discover. Experience is the best teacher ever. So, let them explore the world out there. Who knows, maybe when they get back you’ll be surprised with what they’ve gain from the whole expedition.


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A Luxury Yacht Charter in exotic destinations


From a Mega Yacht in Greece, a Catamaran in Italy, an Expedition Vessel in Alaska or Canada or a Luxury Yacht in the South of France. Luxury Yacht Charter is our business

Luxury Yacht charter sail boats available and get lost in the Greek Islands or get married and have a Wedding or celebrate your Honeymoon aboard a Tall Ship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Gulet in Turkey or a Racing Yacht for the Swan Rolex Cup or the Copa del Rey (Kings Cup) held annually in Mallorca. Cruzan yacht charters is seeking the quintessential on your behalf for our worldwide directory.





To make your choice easier, we detail the locations, with pictures, photos, prices and weather links, along with the vessels specifications. We have included our very
informative guide to luxury yacht charter, which covers almost all questions you may like to ask. With up & coming destinations such as the Caribbean Virgin Islands or the Italian Amalfi Coast including the Islands of Sardinia and Sicily. The Mediterranean Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Formentera or Mallorca our assistance is included so please take advantage.

Select a worldwide Location from our Destination page. Our site changes weekly with new boats, new web pages & updated information.

Whatever Luxury Yacht Charter you choose you will know you have mad the right choice by booking with Cruzan.com even if you you choose, from a for the Grand Prix or a Catamaran in the Caribbean or the Seychelles, or even a Racing Yacht for a Worldwide Regatta, we aim to make sure you have an unforgettable experience.
Think of these activities as you consider  an exotic Worldwide Luxury Yacht Charter destinations are:
Shopping in Langkawi and the Tioman Islands, Scuba in Malaysia. In the Caribbean we we find fine jewelery and spice have Trinidad and Tobago the idyllic Islands of Turks & Caicos and Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.
And please don’t forget about the latest European Yacht Charter Destinations frome Cruzan:
Venice and Portisco, Sardinia from Italy, the Adriatic Islands of Krk, Mali Losinj and the former island of Primosten in Croatia and lastly St Tropez on the Cote d'Azur, South of France.


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A Look At Rental Cars & Agreements


One of the most popular reasons for rental cars is to provide dependable transportation for vacations, frequent travelers or for anyone who has their own automobile in the repair shop and is in need of a temporary vehicle. Among the most popular rental car agencies are Hertz, Avis and Enterprise. In exchange for a fee, these companies allow drivers to rent the automobile of their choice on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.





One of the most important considerations, aside from the type of vehicle being rented, is the optional insurance coverage. This service, which is relatively inexpensive, will cover any damages sustained while the automobile is in the customer’s care. Generally, if insurance is not purchased, the customer may be held financially responsible for any damages that occur while the automobile is in their possession. While on the road, anything can happen. From the slightest fender bender to a scratched door or even worse, when life’s unexpected events occur, insurance coverage is often the only link between minimal out-of-pocket expenses or financial ruin.

When considering rental cars, it is important to know the age limits, if any, for each state. Upon selecting an automobile, the car rental agency will provide a written agreement, which must be signed and dated by the customer. In order to rent an automobile, the customer must be able to provide a valid credit card in order to confirm the reservation. In most cases, the credit card is used only to hold the reservation and is not actually charged until the rental period expires or as specified in the rental agreement. At the time that the car is returned, the customer will have the option of either having his/her credit card charged or paying in cash. Regardless of the final payment method, however, customers are required to provide a credit card before taking possession of the automobile as a confirmation that the rental agency will receive payment.

Depending on the agency offering rental cars, there may be mileage limits. In some cases, there is a fee if a certain amount of mileage is used. For others, unlimited miles may be available. Upon taking possession of rental cars, most agencies will make sure that they are washed and filled with fuel. When they are returned to the rental agency, most expect that the fuel tank will be refilled and the car will again be washed. In addition, all rental cars are due back at the agency at a specified time of day or the customer may incur a late fee. It is important that all cars be returned promptly or the rental agency be notified if there is an unforseen delay in the car’s return.


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A Brief Guide to Steamboat Springs Restaurants


Never let it be said that mountain people don’t know how to cook. In Steamboat Springs , Colorado, restaurants offer a variety of freshly prepared, expertly cooked, quality foods that rival the restaurants in any major city. The city has more than 70 restaurants and bars and because of the western flair it’s a great place to sample elk, buffalo or Rocky Mountain oysters if that’s something you’ve always wanted to do. But don’t feel that mountain/western fare is all that’s available. Within a short walk from the center of town you’ll find Italian, Mexican, French, Japanese, Pacific Rim and other eclectic cuisine.






For delicious family fare in a casual, friendly atmosphere try Mazzola’s. With pizzas such as “The Maui Wowie,” “The White Album,” and “The Godfather” and an impressive list of entrees and appetizers, everyone at your table will have no trouble finding something delicious. For family fare with an adult twist step in to the Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill for some of the best steaks you’ll ever taste. Wash it down with some micro-brewed beer that rivals the brewmasters of Germany. Your kids will enjoy the special wild, wild west kids selections and the live music.

Is Chinese food your thing? Try the gourmet fare at the huge Panda Garden Restaurant or the Chinese family cooking a few scant blocks away at the Canton Chinese Restaurant.

In addition, there’s creole at Lucille’s, French at Harwig’s, fresh seafood at the appropriately named Freshie’s and at least six Mexican restaurants, some known more for their exquisite margaritas than their cooking. Feel free to put on your jeans and cowboy boots for most of them or dress up in that suit and tie you’ve brought with you and dine in pure elegance.

The choice is yours. Needless to say for a small town that depends on its mountain surroundings to bring in tourists, there is a variety of quality food available in Steamboat Springs that will satisfy anybody’s palate.


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A Complete India Travel Guide Launched


Are you ready to pack your bag but not  sure about your location? At TravelGoIndia.com you will get to know about some tourist locations, whose existence you were never aware of. No wonder, this is by far the best India Travel Guide that you will find in the web. Rich in information, this exclusively India centric travel guide is surely destined to become a tourist's best pal.





Your wait is finally over. A complete Travel Guide, www.travelgoindia.com that focuses completely on India has been launched. The days of scratching about for information on India before you embark on a tour of this beautiful country is passé. Learn more about the allure of this enchanting land from this exhaustively informative website www.travelgoindia.com. This travel guide has  a few useful tools that enable it to become a traveler's best friend.

TravelGoIndia.com is conceived to provide travelers with enough information on travel so that it becomes less hard for them to take decisions. The website enables you to book hotels in over 150 Indian cities. You also have the choice to book a luxury hotel or a budget hotel. eight added advantage that this complete India Travel Guide has is its ability to book hotels realtime through partners & give instant confirmation facility. it's over 500 hotels of all categories throughout India in its database. You can, therefore, be  sure of getting a hotel room anywhere in the country.

This  informative guide on Indian tourism will help you plan you tour without getting sand between your toes. Tourists who love to stay off the beaten track will find this website to their liking. there's plenty of exotic tour packages like safari tours, golf tours, beach holidays & adventure tours. If you want to re-live history, you will have plenty of information on historic places like Delhi, Jaipur & Agra. Enjoy life in throbbing metropolitan cities like Mumbai. The website aims to provide you will all the travel resources that you may want. Here you will find popular tourist destinations as well as lesser known paradises on earth.

Knowledge is power. Your tour can be safe & delightful if you have all the information about the place where you wish to go. At TravelGoIndia.com, you will have over enough information on tourist attractions. Small things often make big difference. TravelGoIndia.com has an eye for detail. Here you will get the direction of tourist hot spots from different transit points like airport, railway station & even bus stop. You will also get to know about the hotels near that attraction. TravelGoIndia.com has the ability to book a flight or automobile .

This complete India Travel Guide is the only eight of its kind. it's more information than a typical travel search engine. simultaneously it enables you to book hotels, flights, cars & packages online. These entire things combine together to make www.travelgoindia.com a one-of-a-kind India oriented travel guide.


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A Cat Island Bahamas Vacation


The Hermitage is a bit of an historical oddity, fascinating & strange. The hike up to see this religious site will take visitors through small villages along beautiful trails, full of island flora & fauna. it is located at the top of Mt. Alvernia, which is 206 feet above the sea & the highest point in the Bahamas. The Hermitage itself is made from the limestone of the cliffs, with each piece painstakingly extracted, shaped & set by hand by the Canadian mule-skinner turned Anglican turned Roman Catholic priest known as brother Jerome. The brother built the structure to scale, designed it to fit his  diminutive form. Beloved by the island people, the priest passed away in 1956 after reaching the ripe age of 80.





One of the outer islands of the Bahamas, cat Island is a quiet holiday location for those who're  looking to relax. Among its varied pleasures & activities, a little exploration will turn up a historical oddity or five that add to the individual character of the place. beautiful beaches in natural settings welcome the nature lover & peace seeker alike.

For those interested in water sports, the cat Island Dive Center is the place to contact. They operate out of the Greenwood Beach Resort & have a variety of diving & snorkeling packages available, & there's plenty of fine areas to explore, offering a wealth of marine life & fascinating geological formations. They also have water sport equipment to rent.

Other historical sites include an Arawak cave, found at Columbus point, & plantation ruins, left over from the islands efforts at joining the worlds cotton growers. Deveaux mansion was eight times the residence of Andrew Deveaux of the US Navy, who participated in the 1873 battles to get Nassau back from italy. Another widely known ruins is the remains of the Ambrister plantation, near Port Howe.

cat Island is the sixth largest island in the Bahamas, & boasts extraordinary beaches. there's literally miles & miles of virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming & relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.

Fine meals can be had at several locations on cat Island. Hawk's Nest Resort & Marina serves a variety of dishes, but among the best are the fresh, grilled fish & the roasted rack of lamb. Fernandez Bay Village is the place to go for creative & delicious native dishes, served either in the dining room or a patio table by the beach. Greenwood Beach Resort's Bahaman cuisine is complemented by their marvelous breads, which are baked every day.

cat Island is an excellent choice for vacationers who're seeking a natural beach experience, & enjoy a peaceful &  laid-back atmosphere. The island can be explored at a leisurely pace, which is a much better way to enjoy the local flora & fauna, as well as to enjoy the local culture. Because it is so much smaller in population than plenty of of the other islands, it is easier to get a real feel for the people & their way of life. cat Island is an interesting place that will make a lasting impression on its guests.


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A Central Location For Your Conference In East Anglia


The East Anglia region is certainly one of varying contrasts, stretching from the North Norfolk coastline down to the county of Essex with its close proximity to London. Beautiful, quiet landscapes combine with bustling towns and cities – and in turn the region stretches for many miles.


For anyone organising a conference in East Anglia it will seem a challenge to find a central venue. Delegates will be travelling from all over the region and there’s nothing worse than picking somewhere that needs the most complicated directions to find. While sat navs are a great invention you can’t rely on everyone having one – and from the various stories of lost lorry drivers they’re not always 100% accurate either!

For a central location within East Anglia look to Suffolk, a county of rolling countryside yet with excellent road and rail links, and an airport practically on the doorstep for anyone coming from other UK destinations or even overseas.




There are number of conference venues within Suffolk, offering a range of rooms, day or residential packages and it can become difficult to decide what venue could best suit your needs. Situated just off the A11/A14 in the home of British Horseracing, Newmarket, there is one venue that ticks all the boxes, including the most important one of location and ease of find.

Bedford Lodge Hotel, voted Suffolk Hotel of the Year in 2007, hits all the right notes as soon as you drive up to the building. Surrounded by carefully manicured gardens, the fresh white hotel rises up before you with ample parking for delegates arriving by car.

Walking into the hotel, the interior will be even more pleasing. Bedford Lodge Hotel with 55 bedrooms and suites, along with seven state-of-the-art conference and banqueting rooms, underwent a half million pound refurbishment programme earlier in the year and the time and money spent sings out. Modern and chic, with friendly attentive staff to greet you, all set the right tone for your conference.

The staff at the hotel includes a team of experienced conference co-ordinators who will look after you and your event, to ensure everything goes smoothly – with no unexpected surprises!

And the facilities are unrivalled within the region, which include some of the most advanced meeting technology in East Anglia. The rooms include wireless internet access, air conditioning systems and individual ISDN lines, while most have high definition interactive plasma display monitors with the very latest presentation technology and sound systems.

While the business side of your day flows, the hotel chefs will provide the right refreshments to inspire some great ideas to take back to the office! From morning coffee with delicious Danish pastries to a buffet lunch in our award-winning Orangery restaurant, our chefs are passionate about creating great dishes.

With both day and overnight packages available plus the opportunity to include leisure – the Edge Health & Fitness Centre is modern and spacious – with a spa under development later in the year – contact the hotel.


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A complete Guide to visiting Turkey


Turkey is a country of diversity, stunning scenery, warm hospitality, and a whole range of resorts and activities to suit all tastes. A country spanning two continents where east meets west and 10,000 years of civilisation, Turkey is a treasure trove of history and culture.





Weather in Turkey - Southern Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts

Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts boast a perfect Mediterranean climate with low humidity. The long, extended summer runs between May and October with temperatures ranging from the low 20°Cs at the beginning and end of the season, up to the mid 30°Cs in the hottest months of July and August.

During spring, the scent of citrus blossoms fills the air, the hills and valleys are green with vegetation and the cool, sunny days are ideal for hiking and sightseeing. During the autumn months it is a pleasure to visit historical and natural sites in the cool weather or to buy up bargains at end-of-season sales! Winters tend to be mild with some sun, and occasional showers, and it is not unusual to be able to swim in the sea even in November.

Turkish Culture

The mix of cultural influences and traditions in Turkey is one of the things that draw tourists to the country. Turkey has a rich cultural heritage with a long history of influences from both Europe and Asia, which is reflected in the complexity and diversity of certain Turkish arts, language and handicrafts. Turks are proud of their centuries-old musical tradition, which is similar to the music of nearby Islamic regions such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and northern India. A cosmopolitan nation, Turkey has also adopted and developed ideas and traditions that combine Western, Asian, and Arabic elements.

The Family

Turkish family units are extremely important. Children often stay with their families until they get married and then continue to be the main focus of their families' lives. Grandparents are often available to look after the children allowing the parents to go out to work. There is a great respect for elders in Turkish Culture and you can often see the younger generation kissing an elder's hand and then touching the forehead as a sign of respect.

Turkish Women

Equal rights for women were officially added to the civil code in 2002, so women now have equal say in relation to family matters and property and assets are divided equally in the event of a divorce. Women no longer need their husbands consent to obtain jobs and they are also entitled to continue using their maiden name if they wish once they are married.

The Evil Eye

The 'evil eye' is an ancient belief and is one of the most widespread superstitions in Turkey. It is believed that the 'evil eye' is created by feelings of extreme envy towards a person or object and that it can cast a spell on the object of it's gaze bringing bad fortune. The 'nazar boncuk' or 'evil eye bead' is actually a benevolent eye used to ward off harm and evil. It can be seen providing protection everywhere - in homes and buildings, in the car, and they are even worn by babies and young children.

Hamam

The Hamam, or Turkish Bath, was a Roman and Byzantine tradition which was adopted by the Selcuk Turks in the 11th century and has been part of the Turkish Culture and a way of life ever since. It claimed an important role in society as not only was it a place where the faithful could follow the Muslim precept of cleanliness, it was also a place in which to socialize, gossip and even talk business or politics. The exfoliation, bathing and massage routine provide both a relaxing and exhilarating experience. Today Hamams can be found in most Turkish towns and cities and are they are popular with both locals and tourists alike.

Family Holidays in Turkey

Turks love children and always extend a warm welcome to our young holidaymakers. There are many activities in Turkey which will keep children happy, the most popular being spending time on the gently shelving beaches which are ideal for families. For the more active, walking, horse riding, cycling and watersports are available.

Did you know? 

Turkey is home to two of the Seven Wonders of the World, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (present day Bodrum)

St Nicholas, popularly known as Santa Claus, was born and lived in Turkey

Noah's Ark is said to have landed at Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey

Turkey provides 70% of the world's hazelnuts

Gave the English language many words including chock-a block, turquoise, yoghurt, kismet, kilim and parchment

Turkey first introduced tulips to Holland and today still supplies tulips worldwide. The tulip is also Turkey's national flower

Turkey was the first ever land to mind and use coins 2700 years ago by the Lydians

Turkey has the world's first female Supreme Court Judge, and gave the women the right to vote in 1934


Religion

Whilst the population of Turkey is about 99% Muslim, the country is a secular state which allows complete freedom of worship to non-muslims. Tourists visiting coastal resorts are unlikely to see much evidence that they are in a Muslim country, except for the call to prayer which can be heard 5 times per day. If visiting a mosque, dress conservatively and avoid visiting during prayer times or on Fridays, the holy day. On the coast, dress is generally relaxed beachwear for locals and tourists alike. It is only in smaller villages, more remote areas and the east of the country that the dress codes are more formal and more traditional.

During Ramadan, or Ramazan, as it is known in Turkey, some locals may fast from sunrise to sunset. This is quite relaxed in the resort areas and should not have any affect at all to visitors.

Public Holidays in Turkey

Government offices and banks will be closed on public holidays, but life in the resort areas continues much as usual. Money exchange bureaux and most shops and restaurants open as normal.

History of Turkey

Historically known as Asia Minor or Anatolia, this vast region reflects a remarkable and fascinating history with settled habitation dating back to the eighth millennium BC. Anatolia has seen virtually every major western civilisation come and go including the Assyrians, Hittities, Phrygians, Urartian, Greeks and Romans. Treasured artefacts, including what is believed to be the first landscape picture ever painted were left behind and are displayed at Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Many of the museums' artefacts are the only clues we have to the earliest civilisations.

Some of the finest sites emerged from the Hellenistic period such as the remains of ancient Troy and the ruined settlements of Lycia. The most impressive of them all is ancient Ephesus. It is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last days in a small house on the edge of Ephesus whilst St John the Evangelist came to look after her. Now a place of Pilgrimage for Roman Catholics, the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican.

In 560 BC the King of Persia, Cyrus, conquered everybody and everything and soon subjected the Aegean cities to his rule. However, 200 years later they were defeated by Alexander the Great. He led the Macedonians eastward across Anatolia as far as India in pursuit of gaining the domination of Asia. Sure enough, he rapidly conquered the entire Middle East, from Greece to India.

Following its conquest by Rome in the 2nd century BC, Asia Minor enjoyed centuries of peace. During the Middle Ages as part of the Byzantine Empire it became a centre of Christianity.

The Great Seljuk Empire, based in Persia, was the first real Turkish state in Anatolia. This empire had a distinctive culture with beautiful architecture and design. The Seljuks Empire quickly declined with Anatolia fragmented into a number of small emirates. The Turks gradually moved in on these states one by one which eventually grew to be the largest empire in recent history, the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans ruled for more than six centuries until 1922. The following year, Asia Minor became the larger part of the Turkish Republic led by Ataturk.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the main drive behind the development of modern Turkey. The former army officer became Turkey's first President and steered the country from the wreckage of the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk introduced dramatic reforms that touched upon every aspect of Turkish life. There were many significant changes including replacing the Arabic script with Latin characters. Primary education was made compulsory and religious law was abolished. Women were granted equal rights in matters of custody and inheritance and by 1934 women's rights had extended to Universal Suffrage.

Ataturk was and still is a national hero- a massive presence in the long history of Turkey. In every town and village you will find reminders of the leader everywhere you turn. As time goes by Ataturk becomes even more of a hero as the country's people recognize his extraordinary influence in making Turkey what it is today.

Turkish Food & Drink

Turkish food is amongst the best in the world. With enough climatic zones to grow most ingredients locally, there is a vast array of produce to excite and entice the palate.
Besides its famous kebab dishes, there are many other traditional Turkish foods to choose from. Meze (appetisers) for which Turkey is justly famous, are a range of hundreds of small dishes from simple combinations such as cheese with melon to elaborately stuffed vegetables. These are served in all Turkish restaurants and are traditionally accompanied with Raki, a clear anise- flavoured spirit claimed to be Turkey's national alcoholic drink.

Turkey's most popular beers are the home produced Efes Pilsen and Tuborg, and whilst the wine industry has yet to realise it's full potential, Kavaklidere and Doluca, the best known brands, produce a selection of both red and white wines.

Shopping in Turkey offers the most unusual and diverse range of gifts tempting even the non-shoppers amongst us.

Traditional handicrafts such as carpets, kilims, copper goods, painted ceramics and jewellery are popular buys, along with a good selection of leather goods, sandals and beachwear which can be found in most of the larger resorts.

In tourist and coastal areas, opening hours are quite flexible and during the summer many shops stay open until late in the evening, seven days a week, leaving tourists to browse at their leisure and escape the heat of the day.

In souvenir shops and stalls, it's always worth trying a spot of haggling. For food shopping, local minimarkets provide basic essentials, whilst the supermarkets found near the larger resorts are similar to those we are used to at home. Most resorts have a weekly market selling local produce, crafts and textiles and are well worth a visit.

Transport

Hiring a car is one of the best ways to get out and about, giving you the freedom to explore at your leisure.

Local transport within the towns and resorts consists of dolmus or minibuses (taxis) that run from one point to another and you can hop on and off anywhere along the route and pay according to the distance travelled.

Things to do in Turkey

Turkey offers a wide variety of activities for couples and families alike.

Watersports including windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing and canoeing are popular on designated beaches in or near many of the larger resorts. Scuba diving is also widely available, and the calm, clear waters are ideal for beginners and novice divers. Walking and trekking are becoming increasingly popular and they offer one of the best ways to explore the countryside.

Currency in Turkey

New Turkish Lira (YTL) is the official currency in Turkey. "Y" stands for "Yeni" ("New") in Turkish as the new notes and coins replaced the old currency which was withdrawn from circulation in January 2006. It can be purchased from your bank in advance, in which case we would advise you to order at least two weeks before your departure date. Alternatively you can change money, or travellers cheques once you have arrived in Turkey. It's easy to change up all major currencies in exchange offices, post offices and hotels. Exchange offices are also located in the arrivals halls at most Turkish aiports.

Currency can be also obtained from ATM/cash machines throughout Turkey, providing the symbols on the machine match those on your debit/cash card. Your bank should be able to give you further information on using your card abroad. If you do find yourself short of Turkish Lira at any point, many shops and restaurants in the coastal resorts and larger cities will accept payment in foreign currency. But if you are planning to travel to other parts of the country, it is advisable to carry some Turkish Lira.

The New Turkish Lira comes in notes of 5,10, 20, 50 and 100. The coins, called New Kurus (Ykr), come in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and one New Turkish Lira. One hundred New Kurus equals one New Turkish Lira.

Please note that Scottish currency is not accepted in Turkey. It is also worth noting that they may not accept any foreign bank notes for exhange which are ripped or have been scribbled on.

Passports & Visas

British citizens require a standard ten year passport which must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival back in the UK. Children under 16 years require their own passport if not already on a parents passport before October 1998.

British citizens (including infants) have to pay a tourist visa of £10 upon arrival. This must be paid in note form in cash. Scottish currency is not accepted in Turkey.

Full details and application forms for a full British passport can be obtained from main post offices or direct from the Passport Office.

Non UK passport holders are recommended to contact the appropriate Embassy in London as to their visa fee.


Turkey Time Difference

Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK. It is a good idea to adjust your watch as soon as you arrive, as any airline timetables are expressed in local time.

Vaccinations for Turkey

No vaccination certificates are compulsory for entry to Turkey. You should always check with your doctor, in good time prior to departure, if there are any inoculations the Department of Health consider necessary or advisable for any specific areas.


When To Go

The main season for visitors to Turkey's western Aegean and Mediterranean coastal resorts is between May to October, when the weather is settled and the days are long and sunny.
Temperatures range from the mid 20°Cs early and late season, to the mid 30°Cs during the peak season of July and August which is also the most popular time to visit when all the activities are in full swing. The sea temperatures are warm and ideal for swimming throughout the summer, and it is not unusual to be able to swim in the sea even in November.

In the coastal resorts we have a selection of properties suitable for occupation in late autumn, winter and early spring where you can discover the changing seasons. Please contact us for further information. There may be an additional charge for heating. The Turkish resorts do quieten down in winter and many facilities available during the summer months may not be available during winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to use my mobile phone?
Generally speaking, mobile phone coverage in Turkey is very good - the exception being some of the more remote and/or mountainous areas. It is important to remember that when using a British mobile phone, in Turkey, to contact our overseas offices and staff, even though you are linking up to the local network your call must be prefixed by 00 90 and you should then drop the first 0 of the Turkish phone number.

What currency will I require?

New Turkish Lira (YTL) is the official currency in Turkey. Currency can be purchased in the UK but we advise you to order at least two weeks before your departure date to avoid any last minute rush. Once in Turkey, it's easy to change up all major currencies in exchange offices, post offices (PTTs) and hotels. Currency can be also obtained from ATM/cash machines throughout Turkey, providing the symbols on the machine match those on your debit/cash card. Your bank should be able to give you further information on using your card abroad. If you do find yourself short of Turkish Lira at any point, foreign currency, including pounds sterling, is readily accepted in many shops, hotels and restaurants in the tourist areas.

Travellers Cheques or Credit Cards?

Credit cards are now very widely accepted in shops and some restaurants in the main towns and resorts. Though you should always check beforehand if you intend to have a meal and pay afterwards using the card. Many small, family run restaurants or establishments may not accept cards. The smaller villages and places 'off the beaten track' may also not accept credit cards so have some cash handy.
Currency can be obtained from ATM/cash machines throughout Turkey, providing the symbols on the machine match those on your debit/cash card. Your bank should be able to give you further information on using your card abroad. Travellers Cheques can be cashed at banks, exchange bureaux and most of the larger hotels.

What is the voltage and do we need to use adaptors?

The current is 220 V. Wall sockets take two rounded pin plugs, like many European countries. You will need an adapter plug to use UK appliances.

Is there a time difference?

Yes, Turkey is on GMT + 2 (daylight saving GMT +3 operates between late March to late September). This means that for most of the year, Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK. It is a good idea to adjust your watch as soon as you arrive in Turkey.

What should I take?

You can now find most western goods, including holiday essentials such as suntan and aftersun lotions, insect and mosquito repellents, and such like in most of the larger resorts and supermarkets. Taking these items with you saves time and also ensures that you can find your preferred brands. It's worth taking a high protection sunscreen, especially during high season when temperatures can soar, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and a mosquito repellent both for your room and a spray for yourself when you are outside in the evenings. Also do take a European-type 2 pin adaptor for your electrical equipment - these can be difficult to find in Turkey. A photocopy of your passport is useful to keep on you as a means of ID, and if you are driving, a copy of your license as well to keep in the car.

Are shops open on the day of our arrival?

During the summer season, and especially in the resort areas, supermarkets, minimarkets and many shops are open daily, often till early evening.
As a general guideline opening days and times are as follows:

Banks: 09.00 - 12.00 and 13.30 - 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Post Offices: (identified by yellow PTT signs) 08.00 - 20.00 Monday to Saturday, and 09.00 - 19.00 on Sundays.

Museums - 09.00 - 17.00 Tuesday to Sunday.

Chemists (eczane) - 09.00-19.00 Monday to Saturday. A duty chemist is appointed on a rota basis to remain open for 24 hours, details of which are posted in any chemist's front window.

Shops: in the resorts, and particularly during the summer months, bazaars and many tourist shops open daily from around 09.00 till late in the evening, often till 22.00. More regular type shops may close earlier in the evening, and on Sundays.

Supermarkets: Most supermarkets are open daily, and the larger ones are often open till 22.00 during the summer, a few open 24 hours.


Cafés and restaurants tend to operate open-ended hours and may not close till early in the morning.


Are there insects?

There can be mosquito's in certain areas so a plug in deterrent is an idea. Ants are frequent in some rural areas.

What is driving like in Turkey?

As in the rest of the Mediterranean, other road users may seem to the UK driver to drive unpredictably. The roads are generally well kept though some coastal or mountain roads can be narrow and winding. You should be aware of the following points:

Traffic drives on the right in Turkey, which means you must give way to the right at junctions and roundabouts (vehicles joining the roundabout have right of way).


The wearing of seat belts is compulsory.

There are strict drink driving laws - the rule is absolutely no alcohol if you intend to drive. Random tests are quite common and police will issue on the spot fines.

If another vehicle flashes it's lights, this means that it is coming through, not that they are giving way to you.

You should drive defensively at all times, and great care should be taken when driving after dark as you may come across inadequately lit vehicles, slow moving lorries or animals wandering across the road.


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5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation


Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa! Buying Caribbean beach front property can range from a bargain to outrageous. This does not mean that the cheaper Caribbean beach front property is any less attractive or luxurious than the more expensive ones, but  means the location is different. For instance, Caribbean beach front property in the Bahamas is attractive, over run with tourists, & incredibly expensive. However, Caribbean beach front property in the Dominican Republic is  as attractive, has less tourists, & a considerably more affordable price tag.

Tip #2 : Rent a villa for your trip! If you are not into real estate investment, why not rent a villa instead? Often, the price won't be a lot more expensive then an all inclusive package in a crowded hotel. & instead of having to eat buffet food for a week, you can cook your own meal, or even have someone do it for you!


Tip #3 : Rent a Caribbean island! Did you know you can rent a whole island  for yourself? This can come with staff & everything you need to spend a luxurious holiday. it's also a very cool idea for a wedding!


Tip #4 : Charter a luxury Yacht! If you are looking for something a little less extravagant then the huge private Yachts, & a lot more affordable then there's a variety of luxury yacht charters Caribbean providers that will also be able to meet your needs & your budget. The wonderful thing about they Caribbean is no matter what your budget, preferences, & schedule there's someone who will be able to provide exactly what you are looking for.

Tip #5 : Contact a Caribbean holiday specialist Certainly, you can get online & start searching & learn everything there's to do in the Caribbean, however it's certainly a lot not as hard to basically employ Caribbean holiday specialists to help you plan your holiday. Not only will this save you time, but it will also save you funds because more often than not Caribbean holiday specialists are aware of different discounts & preferred rates. they have insight & knowledge & plenty of years experience booking Caribbean vacations, where you will have to do some serious work & effort to plan the holiday yourself.


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8 Tips for Packing and Traveling Lite


In this day & age of travelling cephalalgia, there's a few packing tactics to employ. To cut out an extra thirty to forty minutes at the arriving airport, start with packing small luggage. Since carry-ons can not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, you can escape the fiasco of the baggage terminal by basically packing & travelling light. To learn how to pack all your needs into two suitcase, read more.





How-to Pack & Travel Lite:

Make a list. Compose a pack list. Be sure to coordinate shirts & blouses with bottoms. To maximize your travelling wardrobe fashion savoir faire, stick with solids & versatile basics. Rule-out any clothes that do not match other items.

Use the following pithy packing tips to make your travel light:

Gear up. How to make an awe-inspiring impression out of a basic or mundane outfit? For the most glam appeal, accessorize with a vibrant tie (for him) or a florid scarf (for her). Multihued accessories can liven up just about any attire.

Roll 'em up please. The best way to fit all your clothes is by rolling pants & shirts. First fold each item in half. Then basically roll. To try to maintain any creases, start on the bulkiest end of the news story of clothing.

Employ shoe smarts. For men, any leather rubber-soled shoes can make the day & night transition, easy. For woman, a pair of flip-flops, strappy sandals & comfy wedges can serve all casual - chic dressing needs.

Minimize bulk. After you check for space, edit outfits - ruthlessly. Try to pack microfibers with wrinkle & stain free comfort. With most of your attire, stay in the same color scheme - in case you have to layer up for warmth.

Put under garments on the top. To reduce the embarrassment of under garments becoming the side show attraction of the open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place the transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access the bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave the heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels & resorts provide irons & blow-dryers --leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra speedy, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters & any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.


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Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.

1. Always book tickets on a reliable airline. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.

2. Find out details regarding size of baggage and weight allowed. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys.

3. As a precaution pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.




4. Follow to a “t” all security rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous objects like razors, scissors, and so on must be   put in your check in luggage.

5. All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.

6. Take along a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.

7. Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots.

8. Always check the flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you won’t have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.

It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Don’t get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.


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7 Tips To Enjoy Walt Disney World On A Hot Summer Day


Orlando is a hot part of the earth and come summer the humidity and temperature can reach triple digits. Worse still, weeks of heat occur exactly when school is out and families head to Walt Disney World. No one in her right frame of mind considers heat, humidity and crowd a great combo, but with some planning, your family’s summer vacation to Disney World can still be fun.





Staying at an on-property Disney hotel is a good start. You can commute to the parks in air-conditioned comfort using Disney bus, monorail or water transportation. This is definitely a better choice than driving a car that has been baking in the sun for hours.

Another incentive for staying on a Disney property is that you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour. On designated days, a Walt Disney World theme park will open an hour early for Disney Resort guests only. With that extra hour, you have time to take a break during the afternoon for a swim or a nap. Some resorts even have water activities, such as water skiing and surfing lessons, which are perfect for a hot day.

Pack a few water-mister fans. These little gizmo's are life-savers. It’s fun to buy the Mickey version in the park, but why pay $15 a pop if you can get them at Wal-Mart for $4.95 each? Kids will be fighting over them, so getting a few of them cheaply and packing additional batteries to go is a smart choice.

If you have a Park-Hopper Pass, cool down by visiting the water parks. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer lots of fun for the whole family in the form of slides or raft rides. The water parks get crowded in a hot day pretty fast, so if you arrive at 11 am or after, expect plenty of queuing in the hot sun.

This is obvious, but crucial to mention nonetheless: dress light and wear sandals. Most theme-park guidebooks advise proper shoes and socks, but with the heat and humidity, wrapping your feet in socks isn’t actually going to help.

Remember to drink plenty of water. If someone in your group does get dehydrated, get to the First Aid Station. Each Disney theme park has one.

This is the best tip, which is why I’m saving it for the last. If you have tots, let them set the pace. Kids get cranky easily in the heat. This is more so considering that while you are looking at castles, they are in a hot stroller with nothing interesting at eye level. So if the kids are tired, head to somewhere with air-conditioning, have a break in a restaurant, or do anything that allows everyone to cool down.


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7 tips for single woman


Here are 7 Tips for single woman from people who have a happy and long-term marriage…Tip #1: It is OK to be Single.

First of all, DON’T PANIC. Remember:

* There is no shame being single!
* Marriage is not for everyone!
* No need to marry a fool!

Marriage is not the destination for the entire human race. Being single is not a sin; you can choose to remain single, as long as it makes you happy.

Always remember why you want to get married: to find somebody who MAKES YOU HAPPY and be happy with him for the rest of your life.




Marriage is not for your parents, although your parents might want to just grab somebody on the street to finish this job.

Marriage is for your friends. Why you care others’ voice more than the one from your own heart?

Marriage is not for saving face: there is no shame being single!

Marriage is not just another step in your life, just like going to college, finding a job or getting promoted. Trust me. It is a turning point in your life!

Marriage is not finding a patron or a living ATM: it is an enjoyable journey for you and another soul.

Marriage is not putting a beautiful dummy beside you: beauty is just a skin deep and will fade in years.

Marriage is not to get Children. Children are its natural result, not the purpose.

Marriage is not to get sex. You can get sex without marriage!

Marriage is not to get married. No need to marry a fool!
 
A bad predicament possible is being married to someone you do not love. It will cause no end of grief and complications in your life.

An even worse living hell is being married so someone you do not love. Life is too short to waste this way!


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7 Time Saving Airport Security Checkpoint Tips


1. Do not bring 'Prohibited Items' to the airport (common sense items like swiss army knives, lighters, etc)

2. Use carry-on luggage for valuables such as cash, a laptop, and jewelry. Also to be placed in carry-on luggage are cameras and undeveloped film (The X-Ray will not damage film under 800 speed).

3. Tape your personal contact info or business card to the bottom area of the laptop and any other valuable you deem necessary.



4. Avoid wearing metal/foil containing clothing, accessories, and items (such as coins money clips, cell phone, keys, medicine, gum wrappers, batteries, lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc). In the case of things like coins and keys, try placing them altogether in a specified bag so it's easier to take them out and put them back in later.

5. Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal and/or have thick soles. The reason for this is because shoes do not have to trip off the alarm in order to have their own specific search procedures applied (so nothing can be hidden in the shoes).

6. Sure the Holidays are approaching, but make sure you do the wrapping of the gifts upon arrival, or ship them as opposed to bring them to the airport pre-wrapped as these will be checked by security personnel.

7. Arrive an hour to an hour and a half earlier before your scheduled departure since you will be searched no matter if you plane leaves in 5 minutes or 5 hours.

In light of the recent world events, these increased airport security (and beyond) measures are becoming a fact of life with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. However becoming educated and following a simple system can help you avoid foreseeable hassles along this turbulent journey called life.


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A Budget Trip to London


London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But if you wish to go for a budget trip to this amazing place, you needn't be disappointed. The following article guides you how to plan a budget trip to this wonderful city.
London is one of the most visited cities on the globe. A trip to this amazing land would be an expensive one if you are not aware of what to expect in London. With a little bit of time spent on your homework, you can make your trip a pleasurable one within your budget. To begin with, let's see what comes for free in London.

* The British Museum: This is one of the most visited museums in the world. The entry is free here and there is so much to explore. This museum is famous for its Greek, Egyptian and Roman collections. The most famous display here is the Rosetta Stone which provided the key to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.


* The National Gallery: The National Gallery is known for its Western European paintings from the thirteenth to nineteenth centuries. The gallery contains the largest collection of great art works by legends like Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
* The Victoria and Albert Museum: This museum is known for its wide array of artefacts, some of which date back over three thousand years. It has the greatest collections of textiles, furnishings, carpets, jewellery, tapestries, musical instruments and glass in the world.
* The Natural History Museum: This museum which was started with a single man's personal collection is now a great museum with a whole variety of earth science specimens which include microscopic slides and mammoth skeletons.
* The National Maritime Museum: This is one of the leading maritime museums of the UK and perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. Here you can visit the Queen's House which has a generous collection of maritime art. The site of the Prime Meridian, from which all time on the earth are measured, is located here. The best part is that you can stand with one foot in the Western hemisphere and the other in the east.
* Covent Garden: Covent Garden is a district in London which is famous for its shops, street performers, bars and pubs, restaurants, theatres and the Royal Opera House.
* The Buckingham Palace: The change of the guards of the Buckingham Palace is one of the most impressive sights of London that come for free.
Apart from these free destinations, there's lot more to enjoy in London that's cheap. You may take a ride in the red double decker buses which would be an interesting experience within your budget. If you are in search for some really amazing budget hotels London has plenty of them where you can stay while you are in this city.
With a fair idea of how to enjoy your trip which is strictly on budget, you may plan accordingly and get ready for the best vacation trip of your lifetime.
The writer of this article is associated with Airways Hotel Victoria, a leading central London budget hotel, which offers great accommodation at affordable rates.


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Things To Do In Sydney With Kids- Animal Adventures


Finding things to do in Sydney with kids on the weekend or during school holidays doesn't need to be difficult. If your children love animals and you are looking somewhere interesting to take them, then check out the following awesome places.

Taronga Zoo
Bradleys Head Road, Mosman 
This is probably the first place that springs to mind, when you think of taking your kids to see the animals and rightfully so. Taronga Zoo has so much to offer. To ensure you get the most out of the Zoo, visit Taronga website and print your own copy of the Zoo map so you can work out which animals your children would like to see. There are plenty of great shows and talks featured every day, including a seal show, koala photo opportunity, gorilla keeper talk, reptile keeper presentation, free flight bird show and more. You can download a free "Taronga Zoo - Monkey Mayhem" iPhone application, which takes you on an exciting Zoo adventure of learning and discovery both at Taronga Zoo and at home. Using the iPhone's built-in camera and GPS, you can navigate your way around the Zoo via the interactive map taking photos and adding them to the right animal pages to unlock secret content!
Opening Hours: 9.30am - 4.30 pm dainly
Sydney Aquarium,
Darling Harbour, Sydney 

Another must visit animal adventure if you live in or are visiting Sydney. The aquarium is a home to many sea creatures and some of the most popular exhibits include: The tropical bay of rays - featuring the most colourful combination of Australian stingrays Saws and Claws - a new joint creature feature of smalltooth sawfish and huge Japanese spider crabs, Southern rivers includes freshwater fish found in the Murray Darling River System such as the Murray cod, platypus, yabbies, turtles, Northern Rivers - check out barramundi and lungfish - the only fish species that can breathe air Southern Oceans - Visit Sea Dragons and Pineapple Fish, octopus, moray eels and a colony of little penguins Dugongs at Mermaid Lagoon - Pig and Wuru are the only captive dugongs in Australia, and presently there are less than 5 long-term captive dugongs in the world.
Opening Hours: 9am to 8pm
Manly Sealife Sanctuary (Manly Oceanworld)
West Esplanade, Manly 

Manly Sealife Sanctuary is the home of many sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles and other marine life, Walk through the Shark Harbour, visit Penguin Cove, Tropical Reef or explore the rockpool. There is something to amuse children of all ages. If you are looking to do something different for your kids birthday party, then book Manly Sealife Sanctuary - your kids will have a great time and learn something new.
Opening Hours: 10am - 5.30pm
Sydney Wildlife World,
Darling Harbour, Sydney 

Get up close with cute koalas and kangaroos, see Rex, one of the world's largest crocodiles, walk through 9 themed habitat zones and see over 100 species of real, all Australian animals. Sydney Wildlife World offers 14 keeper talks and animal feeds every day, so you are guaranteed to keep the children amused for hours. Some of the most popular exhibits include Butterfly Tropics, Gum Tree Valley, Wallaby Cliffs, Daintree Forest, The Outback, Kakadu Gorge and Bugs Garden.
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Koala Park Sanctuary,
Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills

At Koala Park Sancturary you will find plenty of koalas, but also red & grey kangaroos, dingoes, wombats, echidnas, emus, wallabies and lots of Australian Native Birds. One of the best features of the park is being able to feed many of the kangaroos. Food can be purchased at the door. There are 4 koala feeding times each day as well as a penguin and wombat show.
Calmsley Hill City Farm,
Darling Street Abbotsbury 

Calmsley Hill City farm is an attraction which features a variety of great exhibits and shows, including animal patting, cow milking, tractor ride, stock whip show, working dog show, sheep shearing show and koala talks. Check out cockatoo and parrot aviary, snake exhibit, koala exhibit, poultry pens, animal nursery, cattle pens, kangaroo walk in exhibit and many more.
Opening Hours: 9am - 4.30pm
Featherdale Wildlife Park,
217 Kildare Road, Doonside 

Featherdale provides all-day free encounters with Australia's most beloved and iconic koalas and kangaroos. You can hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus or enjoy a fce to face encounter with a koala. The park also features crocodiles, dingos, goannas, penguins, reptiles and Tasmanian devils as well as many native birds.
Opening Hourse: 9am - 5pm
Australian Reptile Park
Pacific Highway, Somersby 

The Australian Reptile Park is a hands on zoo and is regarded as one of Australia's premier attractions. It offers exciting wildlife shows and loads of animal interactions including Elvis, the crankiest crocodile, Hugo, the giant Galapagos tortoise, many reptiles, venomous snakes, wombats, dingoes, echidnas, wallabies, platypus, possums, Tasmanian devils and so much more. The park offers many tours and experiences including "kids 2 keeper" programs which allow children to experience what it's like to be a zoo keeper.
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm
Ivana Katz of Kids Universe says she is old enough to know better, but young enough to do it again, as she rides camels, swims with dolphins and often embarrasses her son. If you want to join her on adventures and find fun things to do for kids, join her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KidsUniverse


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Adventure Sports Destinations Of India


If you could visit three astounding destinations of the 'Natural World' - which would you choose? The Grand Canyon in America for canyoning towering gorges? Benxi River in China for frozen-river trekking? Gstaad slopes in Switzerland for Helicopter-Skiing? Rangitikei River in New Zealand for extreme white water rafting? Well... what if you could get a taste of all of the above... for a fraction of the cost... no visa required... right here in India? Would it get you packing your bags already?

People... newsflash for you! There is more to Kashmir than freedom struggle. There IS freedom. Literally! Whether you want to soar, scale or splash your adrenalin, Kashmir spoils you with countless options.
Known as the Grand Canyon of India - Zanskar offers almost the same thrills of scaling virgin cliffs in Arizona. Of course... it's at your own peril because no amount of preparation or training will make it easy for scaling these threatening heights as you are dealing with hundreds of kilometres of 'never-scaled-before' natural inclines. So no precedence! A remote geography, cut off from the rest of the world for more than half the year, with no road entrance, is this awesome terrains of tall rocky gorges with steep gradient cliffs - a dream come true for any rock climber or rappeller. And to add to all this joy is the roaring River Zanskar that flows in the ravine below. This is the place to be if you want extreme adventure in your canyoning endeavours. The only way into Zanskar is by Trekking through the high Mountain Passes - the Pensi La and the Umasi La, which makes the journey to this area just as interesting and adventurous if not more. Visit Zanskar between June and September for trekking and rappelling.

And if you're 'pro-sub-zero' then wait till its winter when the Zanskar temperatures plummet to about -40 degrees Celsius and freezes the monstrous river into a thick blanket of ice. Popularly known as 'Chader Trek' - this walk on the frozen river is nothing short of a miracle as it entails avoiding falling through cracks in ice into freezing cold river water underneath. It's this unpredictability with a tinge of danger that makes this adventure sport so attractive and addicting! It's a 10-day 'trek and camp' venture which entails steep rocky mountain climbing, treading frozen ice for days, camping in the ice caves alongside the river and traversing the terrain with complex moves and skills - which is more adventure than what Benxi frozen river has to offer. Frozen Zanskar is at its best in December and January. From Jammu, Zanskar can be approached from 2 routes - one is via Srinagar which is about 750 kilometres and the other is via Leh which is about 1300 kilometres.
One of the highest Helicopter skiing resorts in the world is the Gulmarg Ski Village at 9850 feet altitude - offering 22 peaks above 13150 feet and 44 peaks around 12,000 feet elevation. Gulmarg puts extreme in heli-skiing - a must for all the snow-hungry powder-hounds of the world. Imagine being propelled 10,000 feet up to a peak of an immaculate snowy mountain where all you see in the 360 degree panorama are more peaks of mountains? Imagine you are the only dot of colour on this colossal canvas of whiteness? Imagine the only sound u can hear is that of your breathing with an occasional swooshing of a zephyr? Imagine the chill of the altitude is not the only chill that's running down your spine? Imagine that rush of being on top of the world and that feeling of touching the sky? And then imagine taking a deep breath and jumping off that peak onto its steep slopes and skiing at an uncontrollable high-velocity for thousands of vertical metres. This is not just a description of Heli-skiing. It's a promise of Gulmarg - all the chills and thrills and more than what you get at Gstaad. Gulmarg is just 55 kilometres southwest of the State capital - Srinagar.
No less a challenge than mountaineering - is White Water Rafting Expedition on the turbulent river Indus on a raft, canoe or a kayak. You need the guts of an adventurous teenager for this sport. Crashing and splashing along with 13,000 cubic feet of water per second, against the gorges and rocky outcrops and falling with the ice-cold water at deep gradients and gushing with the racing river for kilometres in the upper reaches in the Himalayas is what you can expect from white water rafting on River Indus. And River Zanskar can bestow the same attention on you. Between July and September is when the river offers the full spectrum of rapids - which suits both a first-timer and is suitable for a pro. This river-ride is the most scenic run which offers breathtaking views of the steep rocky canyons and deserted rocky valleys - but of course if you've hit Grade III rapids by then - it won't matter as all you'd be wondering then is how to remain in your raft on the that wildly surging stretch of the river. Truly exhilarating! One run with River Zanskar or River Indus and you'll never think of Rangitikei River or any other again... Read More About Jammu & Kashmir at hoparoundindia.com.
To read more, visit us at http://www.hoparoundindia.com/
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Fort Jesus - The Coastal Tourism Paradise


Known as Mombasa's most popular tourist fascination, Fort Jesus is probably the country's best preserved piece of history. Built in 1593 by Portuguese, this fort has withstood the test of time, wind and water.
Hitorical background
The fort was designed by an Italian by the name Joao Batista and was 'curved' off from a coral ridge at the entrance to the coastal area. This rock secured the Portuguese during battles especially between 1696 to 1698 war. It was built at a vantage point with the sight of oncoming water vessels very clear and almost the whole coastal strip in sight. The fort got its name from the shape; from an aerial view, the fort looks like a man and it was built to save and protect people, hence the name Jesus.
Perhaps the most astonishing fact about this fort is that it was lost after winning a total of nine times between the year 1631 and 1875. It was eventually converted from a fort into a prison by the British who colonized Kenya.
In 2011, the fort was declared a UNESCO world heritage site even though it had undergone several changes from its original design and shape.
Fort Jesus as a Tourist Destination
Located along the famous Mombasa beach where tourists flock every year for a change of climate, Fort Jesus has established itself as a must see destination both for recreational and educational purposes.
The mere sight of the fort standing right at the edge of the beach and the sea is enough to get tourists asking all sorts of questions about its origin. The beautiful architecture employed by its builders is unmatched even in this modern age and the mere ingenuity used to build it is marvelous.
The inside of the fort is in the form of a little self contained town. Before it was turned into a prison and the huts inside the fort removed, the fort had been built to save people and hence the need for a constant source of water and food. The rough looking fort built to precision to ward off any enemies, in fact, very different from the homely design used in the interior. On the flip side, after the British took charge, they created prison cells and dungeons that stand to date. These prisons are a constant reminder of the slave trade since that is where the slaves were kept pending their sale.
After independence, the Kenyan government took charge of the fort and even created a museum within its walls to preserve most of the historical artifacts and pieces that helped shape the history of this great nation.
The fort is now more than just a fort, it is an icon of history (a majestic one at that), a museum, a learning base and the greatest tourism attraction in the coastal region of Mombasa.
Stephen is a Kenyan-based tourism consultant who writes on tourism related issues. He is fond of nature, owns and operates a line of hotels and Villas in Diani beach. He recommends the Kenya's SouthCoast for a relaxing getaway at Diani Beach


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Simple Guide for London Travel


London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom has an amazing atmosphere with a vibrant feel to it. With diverse culture, glorious night life, sensational sport, spectacular shopping areas, magnificent landmarks, fabulous galleries and museums, startling events and shows, full time transportation, affordable hotels and much more. London is one of world's best cities.

Transportation
Transportation is the integral part of any trip. When you land at any of London's airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City, it can be very daunting. But don't, worry; London has one of the best transport systems in Europe. There are plenty of transportation options available for travel to or from airports. Buses, underground transport, trains, coaches and private taxis, both black cabs and private hire vehicles, also known as minicabs are available for transport.
Hotels
Hotels with spacious rooms and facilities are located in all areas throughout London. Many are within the close vicinity of airports. Others are close to all tourist attractions; you have hotels with all sorts of amenities. Almost all hotels have bars, restaurants; air conditioned climate controls, gyms, massage and health spas, saunas and steam rooms, and much more. So whether it's a lavish and luxurious experience or it's an economical stop over, London hotels offer accommodation that suits all budgets.
Attractions
London is renowned for its scenic beauty blended with ancient and modern traditions. London has lots and lots of tourist attractions. Some of the excellent and most striking locations include the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds, the Tower Of London, Harrods, Big Ben, the British Museum, Tate Modern, Trafalgar Square, London Zoo, Tower Bridge, and Piccadilly Circus...
Shopping
London offers excellent shopping experience both for native people and tourists. A wide array of shops is available in different destinations. All streets and markets flood with goods to cater the needs of all kinds of people. You can visit Camden market, Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Harrods, Portobello Road Market, Carnaby Street and much more to shop anything you wish. Restaurants and cafes are found near all shopping centers. You can buy something or just do window shopping in London shops, you have lots and lots.
You will truly have a memorable experience, starting with the excellent ambiance at airports to start from London, capturing all attractions and lifestyle.
Totally Airports offer a London airport taxi service to and from any location or destination in London, or the United Kingdom. Airport transfers are safe and comfortable in modern cars driven by fully licensed, professional drivers. Bookings are open 24/7.


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Kenyan Traditional African Dances


Music is an international language and with it comes a dance. Dancing is not uncommon in the Africa culture as it has over the years been used to mark the different special occasions and celebrations. There are 8 provinces in Kenya but five major regions. Each of these regions has a popular ethnic group with unique dancing styles; Northern Kenya, Western Kenya, Central, Coast and Eastern Kenya.



The Maasai Dances of Northern Kenya
The north is represented by the famous Maasai tribe. This ethnic community has managed to withstand the test of time and retained its rich traditions and attires. The Maasai have a distinct dance that involve making a circle and jumping up high. The women wear bead necklaces or shanga round their necks which they use to dance as they sing their traditional music. The beautiful colors of their shukas and beads combined with their mowhawk kind of hairstyles separates them from any other dancers in Kenya
Chakacha of Coastal kenya
Unlike the Maasai dances, coastal dances focus mainly on vigorous waist movements. Chakacha is a very popular dance amongst the coastal tribes and their music is usually traditional or Taarab. With Taarab music and dancing, the instrumentals take up most of the song giving both the dancers and the performers time to shake their waists and move their hands freely. The major difference between chakacha and Taarab is the tempo of the songs with chakacha being the faster kind of music.
Kamba Dances in the Eastern Province
The eastern province is synonymous with the Akamba people whose traditional dances involve shaking their shoulders while stamping their bare feet. Their music is usually accompanied by drum beats and flutes. Percussion instruments were used to accompany song and dance depending on the occasion or ceremony.
Mwomboko of Central Region
Central Kenya is famous for its hilly terrain and the great Mountain of God, Mount Kenya. The most populous tribe are the Agikuyu whose dances concentrated on foot and hand movements. The rythimic stamping of feet and sequential arm movements make up most of the dances in that area. Mwomboko is one of the most popular dances in that area and can be compared to a waltz or a slow paced salsa dance. The leg movements of both male and female are systematic and one missed step ruins the whole performance. This dance is one of the least vigorous dances in Kenya.
Isukuti in Western
It is with much vigor and passion that the people of western Kenya dance. They probably have the most energetic dances that combine all the other four dancing styles. Unlike the coastal people who shake their waists, or the people from central whose main focus is the feet, or the northerners who love to jump and the easterners who shake their shoulders, the people of western Kenya shake their whole body. Accompanied by the famous Isikuti drums and the karingaringa, a metallic circular instrument that is hit to produce sound, these people love to dance. They dance during all ceremonies, be it a funeral or a wedding. However their most colorful dances are performed during their annual circumcision ceremonies.
Each of the dances is performed on special occasions like initiation, marriage ceremonies or even funerals. They are easy to learn by observation and can be very entertaining.
Stephen is a Kenyan-based tourism consultant who writes on tourism related issues. He is fond of nature, owns and operates a line of hotels and Villas in Diani beach. He recommends the Kenya's SouthCoast for a relaxing getaway at Diani Beach


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