The Cheap Cruise

Travelers who expect to be greeted by lone standing relics of ancient Greece will be awestruck by the sprawling urban metropolis of todays Athens. The capital city is an explorers paradise as historic gems are embedded within the modern day melee and cultural nuances of a turbulent past are written between the lines of concrete and the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. Everywhere in Athens is a testament to why this mythic peninsula is considered the cradle of Western civilization and modern democracy.

Of particular interest, Athens received a much needed facelift in preparation for the 2004 Olympics. Notorious for its nefos (smog) resulting from rapid growth and congestion following World War II and the Cold War, Athens realized the need to clean up its act when it became clear that historic monuments were eroding at an alarming rate due to acid rain from air pollution. Due to this Olympic makeover, it is extremely easy to navigate around the well marked streets in English and Greek and transportation has never been more streamlined.

Mythological Mythos
Ancient Greece reached its societal peak in the 1st century BC when magnificent monuments like the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike were constructed on the fortified Acropolis and Socrates and Plato developed their Western thinking schools of thought. While most of the major attractions from the time period are in the center of the city, travel in the outskirts of Athens will bring encounters with many significant locations from this time period. Marathon, of the famous battle (and todays 26.22 mile race), is just northeast of Athens and the ancient Mycenaean excavation site at Velatouri is to the south, boasting the unearthed Thorikos theatre. While the Grecian period is omnipresent, Greece has fascinating Turkish and Persian cultural influences as a result of many wars and takeovers until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century.

Club Hopping or Island Hopping?
In the spring and summer evenings, enjoy the cafs and restaurants as they begin to spill into the streets and squares. Greece, and particularly Athens, is notorious for its boisterous and tireless nightlife. The Port of Piraeus comes to life as many vacationers head out for their island excursions from this historic cove. Athens is the perfect place to become immersed in Greek culture and life before taking a ferry ride to one of the surrounding tranquil, historic or party islands the choice is yours. The port itself is also of particular historic interest. One of the oldest in the world, the port was heavily used during the Peloponnesian Wars in the 4th century BC and remnants of the long Themistoclean Walls, which fortified the port and Athens together during this time period, still survive today.

A trip to Athens is not only a journey of history, but one of modernity and progress. After Greeces golden age, Athens grandeur was squandered to nearly nothing by invaders and the sweeping tides of history. Today, the free and booming capital city is again a testament to its historic commitment to forward thinking civilization. Experience the rebirth of the foundations of the western world in Athens!

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Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and has a well-deserved reputation to be a cultural icon of Europe. Getting around in Paris is easy, but driving is not the recommended way to see this beautiful city. For the tourist, walking may be one of the best ways to see the city because youll have the opportunity to really savor the full ambience of Parisian streets, shops, neighborhoods and magnificent historical buildings and museums. Public transportation is readily available. For instance, there is the metro, busses, and commuter trains. There are passes available to make this an affordable and convenient option. Paris also has a fleet of taxis, riverboats, and bicycle and roller blade rentals.

Another thing to keep in mind about Paris, as a tourist, is that Paris is divided into districts called Arrondissement; there are twenty in total. This is significant because directions, guides and general tourist information will use these district identifiers for directions. For instance The Louvre is in the first district closest to the center of the city. Every district has characteristics that are distinct and represent the diversity and variety that this famous city provides. In addition The Seine also serves as a geographical division as well, with everything to the north of the river being The Right bank and the to the south; the Left Bank. The two regions also have distinct flavor and features.

One of the most wonderful aspects of Paris is the cornucopia of museums. For example, the Louvre that was opened in 1793 has over 300,000 exhibits and is located at 99 Rue de Rivolli. Also located on Rue de Rivoli is the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. Another interesting and lovely museum is The Musee Marmottan, which is rarely crowded and features masterful works of art, this gem is located 2 rue Louis Boilly. Paris is also home of some of the most significant historical buildings in the world including Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Sainte-Chapelle. Other great points of interest include the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, and Sacre-Cour, a Parisian Landmark since the 19th century.

Paris is packed with interesting and stimulating places. It has for years been like a magnet to artisans, writers and great thinkers. There are boutiques, bakeries and picturesque cafes; this is the destination of lovers of art and culture. There is something to do every moment of your trip, but be sure to relax and enjoy the ambience of this historical and charming city.

Originally named Formosa by the Portuguese, the island of Taiwan is a very popular travel destination for both business travelers and tourists. Taiwan is notable for everything from its booming industry to its ancient culture. Although Taiwan is less than 14,000 square miles in area, it is home to over 22 million people. Modern Taiwan is defined by the exodus of mainland Chinese citizens to the island following the Communist revolution of China over 50 years ago. Although the government of Taiwan claims to be the legitimate government of mainland China, the world still recognizes the mainland government as the legitimate authority.

Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy their traveling needs.

Those visitors who travel Taiwan should make sure not to miss the following:

Taipei:
Taiwan’s largest city, known as Taipei, is a sprawling metropolis located on the northern end of the island that offers travelers with a first hand view of modern Asia and its economic boom. Only one hundred years ago Taipei was a valley full of rice and vegetable farmers, but today, travelers to Taiwan will witness a bustling city full of commerce and culture. While the pace may be frenetic, Taipei still offers some of Taiwan’s finest food and friendliest people. Top sites in Taipei include The Peace Park, a memorial to Chinese exiles from the mainland; the Longshan Temple, dedicated to the goddess of mercy; the National Palace Museum, which houses thousands of artistic treasures; and the Postal Museum, housing six floors of exhibits about mail and stamps.

Alishan:
This mountain resort, located in the center of Taiwan is a wonderful contrast to fast-paced Taipei. The high elevation mountain air is cool and clean and will reinvigorate travelers. Once your blood starts moving, you will be energized and motivated to explore the beautiful mountains and countryside.

Eco-Tours:
In an effort to preserve much of the islands natural habitat, the government of Taiwan has created numerous National Scenic Areas and National Parks. One of the best ways for travelers to Taiwan to experience these nature preserves is to arrange for an eco-tour. Tours are either single-day or multi-day and can include several scenic area or parks. Travelers can explore various eco-systems, including mountains, forests, wetlands and coastal areas.

Hot Springs:
Due to its geology, Taiwan has a high concentration of natural hot springs. Since ancient times, the residents of Taiwan have believed that the island’s hot springs have rejuvenating characteristics. There is little doubt that hot springs offer a therapeutic remedy for many aches and ailments, so travelers to Taiwan should take advantage of the numerous hot springs located throughout the island.

Activities:
Travelers who visit Taiwan can also take advantage of a wide variety of other activities as well. Water sports like snorkeling, surfing, sailing and canoeing are available; and land activities like hiking and mountain climbing are very popular also.

Bali is a perfect place for those who are on holiday with children. Bring all your family to explore the island. You all will love the natural surroundings, and it is definitely easy to find a baby sitter or somebody to take care of your kids.

Kids club are available in major hotels. Many hotels offer family room with children discounts policy which is good optional for family term.

Bali villa is also a good alternative for accommodation, which is now becomes holiday trend in Bali. Mostly one villa consists of more than one bedroom that caters for family.

Range of attractions that are friendly for children can be also easily found in Bali.
Children’s attractions in Bali vary from surf, sand and beach activities; cultural activities such as dancing, temple visits, and traditional Balinese life style experiences; adventure activities such as rafting, cycling, horse ride, dolphin/turtle tour elephant rides; and theme parks such as Bali Bird Park, WaterBom Park, Bali Butterfly Park, etc.

Travelling with the family can be hassle- free and loaded with fun. There is no reason you shouldnt bring the kids and the entire family with you. Here are a few tips you can use for an easy, stress – free travel.

Plan with the entire family
Get each family members opinion on which places to go. Kids love it when they get involved. Make a short list of the places they want to visit and get the majoritys preference. Plan simple yet fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Distribute tasks
Help each other especially when packing. Give each one a responsibility. You can have your kids check on the first- aid kit, your husband to bring all bulky equipments and you take charge preparing the food. This way, your load can be lessened and everyone would feel the importance of each ones contribution.

Travel light
Since most of the space of your car would be for people, pack only the essential things you need. If possible you can hire strollers for the kids instead of carrying one. Transfer shampoos, mouthwash and the like in small plastic containers instead of bringing the entire thing. Remember that travelling light doesnt mean travelling incomplete. Carry all important stuff you need to bring.

Secure your house
Since all of your family members are with you on the trip, you can opt to hire a house sitter. If not, have a neighbour look out for the house for you. Unplug all electrical appliances and be sure to secure all door and windows.

Be safe
Always carry with you a medicine kit for emergencies. This should include aspirins, laxative, insect repellant, bandages, ointments and alcohol. More importantly, bring enough prescription drugs if any of the family members is on medication. Bring enough to last for the entire duration of the trip.

Bring in the fun
Take pictures and videos to document your trip. Take turns in using the camera, this way everyone will get a memorable shot taken. You can take the pictures and put them in a nice travel journal when you get home. This way you can enjoy the fun memories as often as you want.

Remember that the entire objective of a family trip is to have fun. Follow the quick tips above and you can head your way to an enjoyable travel in Bali.

I have lived in Paphos for a few years now and after the euphoria of living in the sun, going to the beach, seeing the sea every day and watching fabulous coastal sunsets every night, had settled to an acceptable level, I then discovered that Paphos has so much more to offer.

Don’t get me wrong, all of the above still excite me beyond belief and the Med lifestyle is all it is cracked up to be, but behind the mask of simply being a tourist attraction, offering all that the discerning holiday maker could be looking for, there is another face to Paphos. Not many visitors will see or experience this face because they are taking a break from their daily lives and looking for fabulous beaches, water sports, great restaurants and total relaxation. But, I have found out what is going on in the background.

Cyprus is an extremely interesting place for nature lovers. Paphos is home to a very rare and very shy wild sheep called the Moufflon that has magnificent curving horns. These heraldic animals, although roaming wild, can be seen at the forestry station in Paphos forest (Stavros tis Psokas). Another delight is that the island has visiting Loggerhead and Green turtles that come ashore to nest every year on the sandy beaches around Paphos. These marine turtles are strictly protected and if you do decide to venture further afield than the local sunbathing beaches and seek out the areas of unspoilt wilderness, you may come across frames on the beach which warn you of a turtle nest and kindly ask you not to disturb. I have also found that many University students studying marine biology spend their holiday time here helping out with the research into these fabulous marine creatures. What a holiday!

Cyprus is also heaven for bird watchers. The island has become a stop over for many migratory birds on their travels from Europe to Africa during the autumn and back again in spring. More than 300 different bird species have been seen and recorded and the island has two endemic species which are often seen in the coastal regions, which are the Cyprus Pied Wheatear and the Cyprus Warbler. One of the islands larger varieties of bird is now very much under threat and conservationists battle hard to save it from extinction. The Griffin Vulture was once a common sight on the island but now their numbers have dwindled to less than 50.

So to those of you that have visited before and enjoyed your summer holidays in Cyprus, why not try an autumn or sprint visit. Most of the tourists have returned home and the beaches once again become the domain of our wildlife. You will of course have to make an effort as not all these areas are easily accessed and the areas around Paphos, namely the Akamas Peninsula, can only be accessed by four wheel drive. This will be a unique experience that you will take home and treasure. Imagine walking a beach with no sun beds, no shops, no noise apart from the surf and often nobody else but you! Enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and the forests and keep an eye out for the elusive Moufflon. Then, before leaving our wonderful wilderness find yourselves a comfortable place on the rocks or lay that blanket on the beach and experience some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean. Paphos behind the mask is a memorable place!

Aegiali, in the Greek Cyclades, is a very beautiful seaside village full of outstanding beaches and picturesque landscapes. Besides this, Aegiali offers a wide variety of facilities and therefore tourists could be almost sure of finding practically anything they might need while being in this destination.

Aegiali’s cuisine is very appealing too and there are several typical dishes that tourists should not miss, especially those containing Mediterranean fish. Night life at Aegiali is also very nice and those visitors who enjoying going out and partying until late would also be able to have a good time in this city.

It is also often easy to find a hotel or a room in Aegiali since there is several of them spread throughout the city. Despite of this, it is always advisable to ask in advance and count with a reservation whenever it is possible in order to make sure of finding a place where to stay after arriving.

Among the main attractions offered by Aegiali there are its beaches. Aegiali and its surroundings count with many attractive and several outstanding beaches spread throughout the coastline. This way, this destination is also ideal to all those who enjoy the sea, the sand, sunbathing, or practicing beach sports.

One of the most picturesque and peculiar beaches visitors could find in Aegiali and its surrounding area is what is known as Levrossos Beach. Levrossos Beach is a nudist beach which offers great sands and clear waters, although many time tourists who approach to it are driven by curiosity rather than by the natural beauty offered by this area of the coast line.

The seaside village of Aegiali is situated at about 24 kilometers from the main port of Amorgos and the city of Katapola. This spot also offers several amazing beaches and it is highly recommendable that tourists always try to visit it while being in Aegiali, especially those who enjoy being close to the sea. Aegiali can be a great destination to all those who are fond of the sea, the beach, and traditional Greek food, among several other aspects.

The Perfect Place For Men To Ditch The Daily Grind

With guys’ getaways becoming a huge travel trend, many men have discovered Panama City Beach, Fla., is the perfect place for guys to escape the wife and kids or the constant buzzing of their BlackBerries and enjoy some time with “the boys.” Area enticements for men include battling the big one while deep-sea fishing, an afternoon golfing, racing through the waves on jet skis, or just relaxing on the warm white sands. Whatever the activity, guys enjoy getting away to Florida’s Gulf Coast for the weekend.

One resort is leading the way with the “Boys and Their Toys” program. Edgewater Beach Resort offers a getaway in which the revelry, golf and water sports take center stage as soon as the men step out of their cars and into the bright Florida sunshine, starting with an escape to the sparkling, emerald-green waters of Panama City Beach, home of the Annual Baypoint Invitational Billfish Tournament, the premier fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. With customized buckets of beer from Edgewater Beach Resort’s Bimini Sand Bar on board, anglers reel in blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, cobia, king mackerel and sailfish, on a half-day deep-sea fishing excursion.

Men enjoy a little male bonding and some friendly ribbing as they swap “fish tales” at Hombre Golf Course, consisting of three nines-the good, the bad and the ugly-offering golfers a course with holes of widely varying looks, lengths and orientations. When the boys return to Edgewater Beach Resort from playing a round of golf, they let loose on the Gulf by renting jet skis and racing through the waves before heading to Palapa Beach Club at Edgewater Beach Resort, where they gear up for a night on the town.

Offering a relaxed atmosphere with 550 full-service suites, the boys not only have toys but access to a half mile of private beach, a nine-hole executive course, four hot tubs, 11 plexicushion tennis courts, spa and fitness center, and 12 pools, including the famous 11,000-sq.-ft. Polynesian-style Lagoon Pool that flourishes with cascading waterfalls and lies at the center of activity for the resort.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most exotic places on earth. The sun and beaches during the day give away to a whole new world of excitement at night. The nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is exciting and vibrant.

If you are looking for a place to take in some music you have many choices available in Rio. Samba is one of the favored types of music of the region and on any given night you can find it playing loudly along with people dancing. You can either sit and watch the band or join in the fun and take a spin on the dance floor. Many establishments are licensed so you can sip a cocktail while you soak in the ambiance.

If youd rather take in a show there are several different theatre options at your disposal in Rio de Janeiro. Most of the local newspapers will have listings and finding directions is never difficult. The locals are often the first to help if you ask which way is which.

The beach at night in Rio de Janeiro is breathtaking. You do want to be mindful of which beach you are heading to as some arent policed and unfavorable characters gather there looking for unwitting tourists. If you want to party on the beach during the wee hours of the night consider visiting Copacabana beach. This is a popular destination for both natives and tourists alike. Its well lit and its patrolled by the police so you can be certain that youll stay safe.

During the annual Carnival celebrations youll want to get out in the evening. The Carnival is a world class party with people attending from virtually every corner of the globe. The festivities go day and night in Rio de Janeiro during this time and the locals seem to enjoy it just as much as those visiting.

Parades are seen day and night in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival and its wise to try and soak up as much as you can. Its truly a one in a lifetime experience to be there in the thick of this festive and lively celebration.

New Years Eve is a blast anywhere you are and thats certainly no exception when you are in Rio de Janeiro. People from all over Brazil go to Rio to welcome the beginning of a new year. This is one spot that rivals Times Square for excitement as the clock strikes twelve.

Rio de Janeiro is a great vacation destination and dont be surprised if you get little sleep while there. The fun in Rio never stops and youre as likely to find excitement in the middle of the night as you are during the day.

Just stay safe by steering clear of neighborhoods that you arent familiar with. If you stay on the beaten path and in areas where lots of people are having fun you will have nothing to worry about. Make the most of your time in Rio de Janeiro by seeing the city at night.

Today, many of the communities in and around the Palm Springs area are hot tourist spots and boast of extreme wealth. Rancho Mirage, California is just one of the cities that have benefited by the worlds attraction to this beautiful desert area. Incorporated in 1973, Rancho Mirage is relatively young but has experienced tremendous growth over the past few decades.

Rancho Mirage is situated in Riverside County and became the 16th city in that county. It may have seemed like the city was always destined for wealth and success. In fact, the first building permit issued by the city was for the Sunrise Country Club Development.

And it didnt take very long for Rancho Mirage to start attracting attention. In 1974, President Nixon wrote his State of the Union Address while golfing at Rancho Mirages Annenberg Estate. Prince Charles also visited the estate in this year, and likely noticed a great deal of development because more than 5,000 dwellings were under construction. The activity was so great that Rancho Mirage experienced an $11 million growth in valuation ranking it as the fifth wealthiest city in Riverside County.

Throughout the years, notables and dignitaries continued to flock to Rancho Mirage. It was here in 1976 that Frank Sinatra married Barbara Marx. Even President Ford loved the area so much that he purchased a home in the Thunderbird Country Club. Maybe he was in love with the area or maybe he wanted to be closer to his favorite golf courses. In any event, the closeness to golf greatness did not improve his game. In 1977, President Ford hit two people with a golf ball during the same month.

Despite several floods that did considerable damage to the area, Rancho Mirage continued growing in population, size and grandeur. Malls were added as were numerous country clubs, resorts and luxury establishments. And in 1985, a huge flood control project was started to eliminate the threat of high waters.

Today, presidents and dignitaries still visit the area, and Rancho Mirage has grown to be a cultural hub. In addition to luxury resorts and golf, a visitor to Rancho Mirage can now benefit from fine art centers, wildlife and ecology education, and elegant music halls.

Brazil has 4,600 miles of coastline, all adjacent to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. With so many dazzling beaches, you are sure to find your spot in the sand when visiting Brazil.

Brazils beaches are quite diverse, with beaches for families, partygoers, surfers, secluded beaches, crowded beaches, and even beaches for the naturalist available for a multitude of tastes. All of the beaches in Brazil are public access beaches, which means that if you can find a beach in Brazil, you are guaranteed to be able to enjoy it, know matter where it is!

There is of course the famous beach of Copacabana, known for its party atmosphere and the famous beach sport known as foot volleyball. While this beach is unarguably one of Brazils most crowded, a visit to Brazil without seeing this famous beach just wouldnt be complete.

Ipanema Beach, located in Rio de Janeiro, is known as a more family friendly beach, and is a bit less crowded than some of the others. This beach is popular due to the fact that it is in close proximity to many hotels and resorts, as well as many fine dining establishments.

Jericoacoara, while a bit out of the way and not the easiest beach to access, is well worth the trip, as it affords the visitor a view of the most beautiful sunsets in all of Brazil. This particular beach is always very clean, and offers golden colored sand. Unless you arrive quite early in the day, expect the beach to be overcrowded by windsurfers and backpackers.

Costa Verde, which translates to Green Coast, is a serene beach, and one of the most untouched by commercialism in Brazil. It offers golden sandy beaches and a glimpse of the rainforest fauna that has overgrown to encroach upon the beach dunes. Not too far from this beach is Kings Cove beach, which offers a nice family atmosphere and many fine resorts nearby.

Santos Beach is unique in that it features a beach garden that spans an astounding four miles. This is a quieter beach, and can be enjoyed by families as well as nature lovers who come specifically for the beach garden.

Pipa Beach, located in Natal, is where you can witness dolphins at play in the blue green waters of the Atlantic. Pipa Beach is also famous for its wild buggy rides over the sandy dunes. While this beach can tend to be a bit crowded, arriving early in the day will assure you get a good spot on the sand, and allow you to see the dolphins.

Genipabu Beach is famous for its lagoons and dunes, as well as the swaying coconut tress and sparkling white sand. This beach is located in Rio Grande do Norte, as are several other beaches such as Ponta Negra beach, Pititinga beach, and Jacuma beach. All of these beaches feature very warm water, and native vegetation can be seen growing freely on many of them.

With so many beaches in Brazil, it might be hard to decide just which ones to visit. No matter which beach you choose to visit in Brazil, rest assured that it will be a beautiful one!