Friday, February 13, 2009

The Top Ten Travel Destinations For You

By Dino Williams

Naming top ten travel destinations could prove easy, but how relevant such a list is, that is debatable. This article includes only the most popular locations based starting from the statistics made thanks to international travel agencies and according to travelers reviews posted on a number of web pages.

To many tourists, Latin America is the perfect place to go on holiday: there is the beauty of cities like Rio de Janeiro and the mystical attraction of Peru and the ancient Maya and Inca cultural remnants. The cultural impact, the the entertainment diversity combined with some great weather conditions, make this part of the world become the holiday destination of millions of tourists from all over the world.

Western Europe with the charm of the Romantic setting of Paris, the historic attraction of Rome and Venice, the fascination of Spain's former Arab cities and the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland can be included in the list of top ten travel destinations any time of the year. Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza require a special mention here, as they are some of the most exotic resorts in the European part of the world.

The Egyptian Pyramids and Morocco mark any foreigner who visits them, and travel agencies sell thousands of touristic packages for holidays on to the North of Africa. One of the features of African resorts consists in the constant touristic push and a magic harmony in the mixture of cultures that mingle so thoroughly in the crowded North-African cities. No matter if you visit retreats in oases or famous resorts, this part of Africa will always rank among the top ten travel destinations.

Moving further on to the distant countries of the Far East it is impossible not to notice the fascination with Nepal and the ancient Buddhist temples on the roof of the world. It is the Nepalese capital city, Kathmandu, with millennia of history that embraces most of the tourist crowds. As for the climbing of the Everest, very few courageous people dare to venture on the crests of Himalaya.

Finally, an impressive number of sunny islands can be included in a top ten travel destinations list: Bali, Jamaica, Crete, Hawaii and many others, which is why the list proves virtually limitless, as so are the beauties man and God created. It goes without saying that the places closest to a person's heart remain the ones to attract him/her for further exploration, and therefore, anyone can come up with a list of top ten travel destinations.

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African Safari Experience : Wildlife Safaris in Kenya

By Andrew Muigai

The enchanting wilderness and big game of Kenya has always attracted explorers from all corners of the world. Kenya gives wildlife adventure seekers the chance to experience an incredible range of landscapes, unique natural features and species as well as an endless array of ecosystems.

With 27 national parks and 33 national reserves hosting over 4 million animals, Kenya is a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast. From the internationally acclaimed Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration to East and Central Africas greatest concentration of flamingos wading in Lake Nakuru, Kenya offers some of the best wildlife safari adventures in the world.

Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world flock into the Masai Mara to witness the great wildebeest migration. The migration takes place between July and October, with about 2 million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of zebras and Thompson gazelles crossing from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into the Mara. The migration pattern is dictated by the availability of water and pasture in the two game reserves, due to the different rainfall patterns. The large ungulates start their northward journey at the end of May, the onset of the dry season in the Serengeti.

With or without the great migration, the Mara is a fascinating wildlife watching destination throughout the year. Many people nevertheless like taking a Masai Mara safari at the time of the wildebeest migration. However, timing the migration is a tricky matter because the migration schedule is dictated by the rains.

Placed in Kenya's southwest, the Mara is approximately 300km from Nairobi and is operated and managed by the local Maasai community. Traveling to the Mara will take you about 45 minutes by flight from Nairobi and 5 hours by road. You can find scheduled flights to Masai Mara at either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson airport in Nairobi. You can also charter a place at Wilson airport. Many tour operators in Kenya offer organized safari packages to the Mara.

A popular and convenient wildlife safari destination for visitors who do not want to travel much across the country is the Nairobi National park. The park is situated about 7km from Nairobi city center, making it the only game reserve in the world located in a major city. Nairobi national park was established in 1945 and was the first national park in Kenya.

A great diversity of animal and bird species are present in the Nairobi national park. All the big five except the elephant are found here, alongside cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, hyrax, wildebeests, and monkeys. There are also over 400 resident and migratory bird species including African hawks, martial eagles, ostriches, secretary bird, marabou storks, hornbill, and crowned cranes.

Also situated within the park are the Nairobi animal orphanage, the Nairobi safari walk, a spacious picnic site, and walking trails near hippo pools. In the animal orphanage, young, deserted, or injured animals are treated and taken care of, then released back to the wild when ready. In the park is also a rhino sanctuary, one of the few places in Kenya to spot black rhinos in their natural habitat.

Visitors frequent the park any time of the year, as there is a permanent population of game and carnivores. However, the best times are during the July/August period when large herds of wildebeest, eland and zebra migrate into the park, and during the dry season, when animals flock in the northern part of the park in search of water made available from the man-made dams.

Another wildlife destination is the Tsavo National Park situated 300 km Southeast of Nairobi. Tsavo is most renowned for the production and movie 'the man-eaters of tsavo'. It is the largest national park in Kenya and is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, the two being separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Tsavo west borders the Serengeti plains, and owing to its conducive altitude levels, hosts many animals. The Mzima springs is one of the major attractions in Tsavo, with its underwater observation point for observing crocodiles and hippos.

Tsavo animal population consists lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles among many more. There are a host of other smaller animals including dik dik, hyrax, and mongoose. You can travel to Tsavo both by road and by charter flight. Some operational airstrips in Tsavo include Kilaguri, Maxtar, Kamboyo, and Tsavo Gate.

Other popular wildlife safari destinations in Kenya include the Amboseli National Park, Aberdares National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Mount Kenya National Park.

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My Advice On Trips To The Tropics

By Rick Jenkenns

While winter is still gripping the northern most points of the United States, many of you are thinking about jetting off to the Caribbean for a quick escape. If that's the case for you, here are some simple tips to consider before making reservations.

Best Month To Travel

This is the most important of all considerations. You can probably get cheaper prices at certain times of the year, but you should wonder if it is the rainy season in the place you are going! You also might consider that even down in the tropics, it can get a little chilly in the evenings during the winter and this may spoil some of your fun. Check with your travel agent before booking and make sure the weather is going to fit in with what you want to get done.

Where and How Much

Assuming you have never been to the tropics, I will tell you that everywhere down there is paradise and beautiful. I always recommend newer travelers start with the popular, yet less expensive parts of the Caribbean first and work their way up. The best place to go first for the money is Cancun. You will get great service there and pay a lot less than some of the more exotic spots.

You may also look at emerging destinations like Punta Cana that are offering great prices as a way to bolster popularity. Once again, a travel agent is your best bet here, and you should consult several in order to get a clear representation.

Where You Stay And What You Get

As far as I am concerned, "all inclusive" resorts are where the best value is. An all inclusive plan will most importantly include all you can eat and all you can drink. This means no hassles and you can more easily stay within a budget. Just be sure to stay at one of the higher rated resorts where the food is usually better and the drinks of the premium sort!

Don't Drink The Water

This one sounds cliche, but I never recommend you drink the water in any foreign country. You don't want to take any chances on ruining your vacation because of stomach issues. Pretty much any place you go in the tropics will have plenty of bottled water available and you should drink that only!

Best of all, just have fun! Take your trip and forget about your laptop and cell phone. You will find that a trip to warmer latitudes will refresh and rejuvenate you months to come. And when that wears off, you can just go back again!

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Travel Tips - Common International Air Travel Rules

By Marco Baumann

Everyday, in the United States, a large number of individuals, couples, and families travel by way of an airplane. Out of all of those travellers, a decent number of them are travelling overseas or to a foreign country. As international travel continues to increase in popularity, it is likely that the numbers will continue to rise. In fact, there is even a good chance that you may make the decision to travel to another country. If so, it is advised that you formularize yourself with the international air travel rules.

When it comes to international air travel rules, there are many travellers who automatically get confused. This is because not many people know that the rules for international air travel are different than the rules for domestic air travel. In reality, they aren't exactly the same, but they aren't that much different either. Despite the similarities, it is still advised that you place a focus on international air travel, especially since you will be travelling internationally.

As previously mentioned, you will find that a number of the air travel rules are similar between domestic and international travel. One of those rules is the airfield screening process. In all airports, even if they are not classified as an international airport, passengers will need to pass through the appropriate airfield security checkpoints. This screening process includes the close examination of your checked baggage. Unlike in the past, now almost all airlines thoroughly inspect checked baggage looking for explosive, flammable, or illegal items.

Since a vast series of general airports not customarily suggest general flights, though made during home flights as well, conscious passengers have been not regularly distant from made during home ones. Essentially, this equates to which a newcomer screening procedures, as good as a screening for all luggage will be a same. All flyers have been suggested to mislay any of their accessories, which might set of a steel detectors, as good as their shoes. Your boots will be sent by a cat-scan machine.

One of a couple of differences which we will see, in between made during home air transport as good as general air travel, has to do with a initial check-in. When we initial arrive during an airport, we will need to precede an airline opposite to register yourself. This is additionally where your checked luggage will be carefully thought about as good as processed for a trip. Upon made during home flights, passengers customarily need to supply a design id. This marker is customarily a supervision released marker label or a driver's license.

The proofs of marker which we will need will all rely upon an airfield in which we have been withdrawal from as good as an airfield which we will be nearing at. If we have been compulsory to uncover some-more than a design id, we might need to move your being born certificate, your passport, your visa, or your obligation of citizenship.

The above mentioned international air travel rules and procedures are just a few of the many that you may be required to follow. If and when you are unsure about a particular rule, it is advised that you seek professional assistance. That assistance should either come directly from an international airfield or an international airline.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

My Beach: Manhattan

By James Gilbert Pynn

My name: Friday. My town: Los Angeles. My beat: the beach. The City of Angels has a sordid and luminous history, evoking the flickering light of thousands of fantasies in thousands of movie halls around the world lost to a dark-beating heart. Me, I like to get away from the pulse by stabbing the old gas-guzzler into drive and making haste for the sun-soaked beaches of Manhattan. Thats right, you heard me: Manhattan. The Big Apple doesnt have dibs on the name, you know, and youll be hard-pressed to find a stretch of beach as fine as this one.

Though technically the word Manhattan is Lenape Indian for "island of many hills" Manhattan Beach is not an island. No man or woman is an island and thats the special something about this beach. People want to get to know one another. They care, they look, they stare. Sometimes, they even say, Hey. Or Hi. Once someone even said, How are you? I was shocked " they were tourists and that was all right in my book.

The City of Angels can get you down, it can break lesser souls, but thats ok too. They just shuffle off to Buffalo and leave more room for the likes of you and me. More room at the beach and more room on the dance floor. Didnt think I could dance? Didnt think I was hip to the groove? The lingo? The jive? Well, baby, this Friday is taking it to he next level. Nothing compares to the LA nightlife " though I hear New York types complain about how the bars close at 2 AM. Were respectful types around here. No sense making a fuss until dawn. Thats what house parties are for. House parties in the Hollywood Hills.

Its no small feat to rationalize spending two grand a month on rent, but thems the breaks, kid. You toughen up after the first year. You realize the money is nothing " so what if your landlord is driving the latest German sports car. You like your Korean jalopy and you like the privilege of telling your lame-o friends in Des Moines that you live in Los Angeles. With the rent comes the perks, and nothing buys you cultural cred like saying you live in Los Angeles.

If a hotel is what you need, a hotel Los Angeles can give. She's housed generations of tourists before you graced this Island Earth, and she'll house all the generations to come. As long as Disneyland doesnt relocate to San Diego and the movie studios stay in LA county, this fine city and this gorgeous beach arent going anywhere. Get in your jalopy and get here. Book a plane, train, whatever. This city waits for no one and loves each and every one of you. I know. Im Friday.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Top Ten Hotel Deals this Spring Break in Myrtle Beach

By Chris Linch

Nearly 2,000,000 students will be out on spring break March nine through thirteen. I have researched the top deals on these dates since most students will be out then. If you want to see other dates, I am sure the prices are similar, you will just have to go to a booking firm and check to be sure, or convince your school to change their spring break dates, whichever you choose.

You do have to understand that the rates mentioned here are estimates of what will actually be paid, and after reading this you may not be able to find them. That is because I published this today, and I have no way to update the rates. You can use this a guidance for your trip though.

The Polynesian Beach & Golf Resort is an ocean front condo property. Their average nightly rate is $31.00. 50% of guests who stay here recommend it.

Grand Strand Days Inn is right off the beach. A quick walk across the street and you are there. The rooms here start at about thirty-four bucks and over sixty percent of prior guests would recommend the property.

The Oceanfront Viking Motel is right on the beach. Walk out of your room and get on the beach, now thats how I like to stay. Plus you can get a room here starting at about $37. Sixty two percent of people who stayed here in the past loved it!

Ocean Plaza Motel is ocean front at the south end of the city. They average about 38.00 per night at this point. 70% of guests who have stayed recommend it.

The Super 8 on Ocean Boulevard is another good place to stay. You can save money here by booking rooms as low as $41 per night and it has a 70% recommend rating.

Atlantic Palms Resort is a beach side property. The rooms there start at just 42.00 per night. 72% of our customers who have stayed there recommend it to their friends.

Days Inn Myrtle Beach runs you about forty three bucks a night and sixty two percent of guests that have been to this place say it is a good place to rest your head.

Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort at the Pavilion is a steal at just forty-three dollars a night. Like the name says this property is ocean front. It has a 66% guest ranking, which is pretty good for hotels in this area.

Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort is another condo or vacation rental property. You can still rent it at a nightly rate starting at about forty-five big ones. Eighty two percent of people who have stayed at this cheap hotel had a pleasant stay.

Rodeway Inn Surfside Beach is $45 a night, but has a horrible rating. Only twenty percent of our guests recommend it, and that is low. So we skip that hotel and recommend the Red Roof Inn Myrtle Beach Hotel - Market Commons which is 2 blocks from the beach. Seventy six percent of guests recommend it and it is the same price as the Rodeway.

If you are looking to go to Myrtle Beach for your spring break now is the time to book. Hotel rates are expected to drop, but demand will also tighten when an equilibrium is hit, that was for all you economics students! As demand rises and supply shrinks you know what happens to price!

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Places Where To Travel When In Tanzania

By Jane Farasi

Tanzania is a land of contrast and diversity, and if you are thinking of a visit here, with a few tips on where to travel in Tanzania, you will find that plenty is on offer.

The country is well linked and easily accessible by international flight networks from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and neighboring African countries-- Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Kilimanjaro

One of Tanzania's wonders, a chance to climb Kilimanjaro is one of the main reasons visitors come here. With its snow-capped peak, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain at 5985m, in sharp contrast to the bed of Lake Tanganyika or even the shores of the Indian Ocean at sea level.

Wildlife and Game Parks

This country is big on wildlife and wildlife conservation and so game sanctuaries are many. Visit the world famous Serengeti Game reserve where the annual wildebeest migration begins its exodus into the Kenyan Maasai Mara every July to October.

Enjoy the Ngorongoro crater scenery as you view game at the Ngorongoro Reserve. Then there is the Tarangire National Park and to the south, the smaller and most unique Ruaha and Selous Game reserves.

Tanzania's coast

The country's coast offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Zanzibar, Pemba and the archipelago is an experience in water sports, and even swimming alongside the dolphins!

The Mafia Island Marine Park South of Zanzibar gives an unforgettable experience in scuba diving and snorkeling and is a haven of peace under the palm trees in the ocean breeze.

Visit also Zanzibar's Stone City and sample the rich blend of the historic with the modern as its unique architecture shows.

Travel options are unlimited and the memories will linger a lifetime. That is precisely why Tanzania is one of the great reasons why visitors come to see and experience Africa.

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