How To Choose A Right Backpack?

Undoubtedly, backpack is an essential gear for every outdoor event to carry your world along with you. Experts believe that when it comes to choosing a right backpack a good rule of thumb is, "Buy right and pack light." There is a large variety available in the market ranging from expensive to cheap, lightweight to ultra-lightweight and highly fashionable to real basic. So it may turn out to be a real daunting and challenging task when it comes to choosing a right backpack for your outdoor activity. Most of us don’t know what exactly a right backpack is.

Well, a right backpack is the one that sits comfortably on your shoulders and back and make you comfortable to carry your load during long and short trips alike. To select a right backpack you need to consider many things, such as comfort, load distribution on your spine, important features and functionalities you required in your back pack and finally the budget. Among other things, comfort should be on your first priority, because you are buying backpack for comfortable journey. Therefore, to make a good selection decide which feature is important for you, how long is your journey, what is the actual weight you wish to carry etc.

Literally, there is a large variety available in the market to choose from, such as crush resistance, frameless backpack, internal & external backpack, lumbar & torso packs, lightweight, single strap & double strap backpacks, infant & child backpacks, hydration etc. Remember, they are all different so try them actually to see which ones suit you better. Before answering these questions, some important elements should be considered, such as purpose of your trip, duration of your trip along with the capacity you'll need and the features you demand in a backpack.

First of all, remember the golden rule of backpacking “buy right and pack light”. That means you should buy the right backpack according to your needs and pack it light with essential things only. A right backpack is the one with the right size to fit your torso. It is the first and most important step to safe backpack use. If you can bring one of your friends with you while buying any backpack then it is ok, otherwise ask the salesperson to help you measure your backpack properly.

Next important point can be to purchase adjustable backpacks. Nowadays market is full of good quality adjustable backpacks. No doubt, adjustable back systems are great, but will cost you a bit extra than your bulk standard pack. Actually, adjustable backpacks will allow you to set the height and weight of the pack in the perfect position on your back. Either you can set it yourself or ask your friend or salesperson to adjust and fit your pack on your back by sliding it up and down until you are comfortable. So, when you feel it is right, you lock it off.

Next is to choose the correct frame size. Remember every backpack is useless (regardless of your good height and top quality of backpack) unless it has a correct frame size according to your body and shape. Gone were the days when people think ‘one-size-fits-all’—it far from the truth. Experts strongly believe that your torso size and your overall height are two completely separate measurements when it comes to backpacks. Actually Wayne Gregory was the first backpack designer who thought seriously about the importance of correct frame size to fit your torso.

According to him, your correct frame size can be found by measuring your torso from the seventh vertebra down the spine to the point in the small of your back which is horizontally level with the top of your hip bones. To find this point, use your fingers to trace the hip bone upwards till you feel the point where the top edge of your hip bones curve inwards, on the side of the hip, creating something of a shelf. This measurement is the torso length, especially useful to consider those packs with non-adjustable back system. In fact this system that is used throughout the outdoor industry today to measure the exact body size and to determine the correct frame’s size.

Similarly, another important consideration is proper fit of waist belt by knowing its correct size. In simpler words, the hip belt is meant for hips and not for your waist. Therefore hip belt should rest on your hipbone, not on your waist, because if it is on your waist then you will carry too much weight on your shoulder. In the same way if it is too low, it is bound to interfere with your walking. Quite frankly, both are undesirable. Ideally with a full pack on, the top edge of the waist belt should ride one inch above the top of the hip bone. Lastly, you should also pay attention to shoulder straps. These days many good quality backpacks are available in the market with adjustable shoulder straps. Backpacks with self-adjustable shoulder are regarded as top backpacks, because in these backpacks the shoulder straps can be rotated to accommodate individual neck and shoulder shapes.

Well folks, these were just few considerations for choosing a right backpack for your hiking or trekking. Your backpack contains all of your surviving things in a wilderness so you always try to select a good and comfortable backpack. The only cause behind the selection of an expensive backpack is comfort, so while purchasing any backpack, do some research to find the pack that's right for you.

Fall Foliage Scenic Drives in New England - Six of the Best

Fall foliage in New England provides a showcase for Mother Nature. Perhaps nowhere else in America, and maybe even the world, are the fall colors as stunning and spectacular as October in New England.

Fall foliage in New England really begins in August. The shortening daylight hours trigger the deciduous trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. It happens all around North America, and all around the world. But in New England it results in a display of special landscapes painted with fiery autumn colors.

Why is fall foliage in New England so different and special?

It’s a factor of many things but mostly an abundance of different types of deciduous trees, warm autumn days, and cool - but not freezing - nights.  When these and a few other conditions are all mixed in the right proportions, then you get the world famous stunning shades of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns on the hills and mountain sides of New England.

Between mid-September to late-October, visitors flock to New England to see the fall foliage. Many take special bus tours or even train rides. But most take to the road and these six scenic drives offer some of the best autumn views available from anywhere on the planet.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - MOHAWK TRAIL MASSACHUSETTS

In Massachusetts the most popular fall foliage scenic drives are along the famous Mohawk Trail, and the area known as The Berkshires. The Mohawk trail rolls out through the northwestern part of the state on route 2, and winds through the hills and mountains of the Berkshires, touching picturesque towns like Williamstown, Deerfield, Shelbourne, Colrain, Charlemont, and Shelburne Falls. The road follows an ancient foot path used to move between Massachusetts and New York by Native Americans.

Mount Greylock, the highest point in The Berkshires and Massachusetts, offers stunning views of the surrounding area and Mohawk Trail.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY NEW HAMPSHIRE

The White Mountain National Forest is home to many wonderful scenic drives but the most popular - and rightly so - has to be the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Highway that runs along route 112 from Conway to White Mountains Visitor Center in Lincoln.  This drive is considered by many to be the top fall foliage New England scenic drive. You’ll see beautiful forests ablaze with autumn colors and plenty of photo opportunities with walks along gorges and streams, and with breathtaking views of the highest mountains in the Presidential Range.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CENTRAL VERMONT AREA

Vermont is a popular destination state in the fall. With many fall foliage scenic drives to choose from, the Central Vermont area, around Killington, and the towns and highways of Woodstock, Rutland and Ludlow, offer up some of the most dazzling. This area is deep in The Green Mountain National Forest area, and not surprisingly offers dramatic fall foliage color and scenery.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - LAKES AND LEAVES MAINE

Maine is a vast wilderness and given its proximity is the first New England state to display peak fall foliage color. Maine has many unparalleled scenic drives to choose from, and it’s difficult to single out one. But the Lakes and Leaves drive that skirts the shores of Moosehead Lake on Route 15 and then heads south on route 201 provides an amazing view of this empty, but beautiful backcountry. You’ll see incomparable fall foliage views of the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River, and the surrounding mountains on this Maine Scenic Highway.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - RHODE ISLAND COAST

Rhode Island provides open roads and coastal drives for fall vacationers and leaf peeping.
The 61-mile Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive follows the coastline east from Westerly towards Point Judith passing nature reserves and secluded beaches, until turning north along Narragansett Bay, and eventually over Newport Bridge on route 138. The drive finishes over the breathtaking Ocean Drive in historic Newport.

Always close to a picnic stop along this short drive it begs to be taken slowly and to stop occasionally and breathe in the crisp fall salt air.

FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CONNECTICUT ROUTE 169

Far from being the forgotten step child of the other fall foliage scenic drives in New England, Connecticut is full of its own collection of scenic drives. One noteworthy trip to take in autumn is Route 169 in the eastern "Quiet Corner" region.  Here the backdrop is rolling farmland, stone walls, and picturesque towns and villages that line the route.

New England is littered with fall foliage scenic drives, and look at those mentioned here as springboards to visiting other country roads that lead to surprises and discovery at every turn. The backroads of New England are where the gems are located, so don't be afraid to explore.

A Backpacking List - Ten Things To Learn

Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a disaster - even though you brought everything you needed? Maybe you had matches, but couldn't get that fire going. You need more than good gear to assure a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience. You need to know how to do a few things, and the following list will get you started.

 1. Learn firemaking. Practice in your yard if you have to, but try to start that fire with one match. Try it the next time it's raining too.

 2. Learn to pitch a tent. Do it wrong and the rain will come in, or the the wind will tear the seams. Tents should be pitched tight, and you should be able to set your tent up in a few minutes.

 3. Learn how to stay warm. Practice camping in the yard, to see how blocking the wind, wearing a hat, and eating fatty foods before sleeping can keep you warmer.

 4. Learn to cook over a fire. It's not as easy as it seems. Block the wind, cover the pan, keep the fire small and concentrated. Practice, and time yourself. Faster is better in a jam, and it's always possible your stove will break.

 5. Learn about edible plants. Knowing how to identify cattails and three or four wild edible berries can make a trip more enjoyable, especially if you ever lose your food to a bear.

 6. Learn how to walk. Learning how to pace yourself and how to move comfortably over rocky terrain means you'll be less tired, and less likely to twist an ankle.

 7. Learn about animals. Can you tell if a bear is "bluff charging" or stalking you? If it's the latter, playing dead will make you a bear's supper. Hint: lots of noise usually means he just wants to frighten you, but you need to read up on this one.

 8. Learn to watch the sky. Is that a lightning storm coming or not? It might be useful to know when you're on that ridge. Learn the basics of predicting weather, and you'll be a lot safer.

 9. Learn basic first aid. Can you recognize the symptoms of hypothermia? Do you know how to properly treat blisters? Good things to know.

 10. Learn navigation. Maps don't help if you don't know how to use them. The same is true for compasses

You don't need to be an expert in wilderness survival to enjoy a safe hiking trip. It can help to know a little more though. Use the backpacking skills list above, and learn something new.

Adventure Summer Camps - Tips For Finding The Best Ones

The true reason behind any adventure summer camps is to send the children somewhere where they will not only have a great time but will learn and grow as a person. The adventure summer camp programs that you are searching, should offer a wide range of adventurous activities to choose from. If the summer camp is a special type camp, then their summer camp programs must focus on the specialty areas. An example is that an adventure summer camp programs especially for a ‘baseball camp’ should include things like batting, catching, defense, running bases, etc. Make sure that the programs offered by the camp organizer will make the child have a good and challenging time.

Why You May Ask?

Well! Students will benefit from a broad ranging and ‘all-inclusive’ summer camp activities program. You may start with an exhilarating selection of outdoor activities, day trips, evening entertainments and the exclusive Highland Adventure, that guarantees the summer of a lifetime, not to be missed. On the other hand, teen’s summer camps focus on things that are important to teens like growing up and learning about real life and gaining a sense of independence. The key to any adventure summer camp grilling is to be safe. Do not attempt to grill indoors under any circumstances.

Programs without clear features, meanings or definitions use phrases like outdoor behavior programs, boot camps, wilderness camps, wilderness programs or ‘wilderness boot camps’. ‘Behavior Outdoor Intervention’ curricula have been mounting in ‘popularity and variety’ enormously for the past few years. Programs are essentially free to call themselves whatever they want. Parents’ understanding of these programs is becoming imprecise and uncertain. So don’t go with these catchy words, know in detail what they actually offer before you make any payment.


Parents searching for an ‘unrealistic quick fix’ to their youngsters behaviors, particularly over the ‘summer months’, generally prefer and hunt for what are known as troubled kid’s summer camps. Whether you go for boot camps or wilderness camps, make sure that the summer camp activities are clearly displayed and you understand them properly to choose the best one form the options.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a mountain range straddling the border between the state of Saxony in southeastern Germany and the northern Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, with about three by fourth of the area on the German side. The geology of mountains is sandstone. The mountains are also called as Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland in both German and Czech. In both countries, the mountain range has been declared a national park. The name derives from the sandstone which was carved by erosion. The river Elbe breaks through the mountain range in a steep and narrow valley.

The range stretches on both sides of the Elbe from the Saxon town of Pirna in the northwest toward Bohemian Decin in the southeast. Its highest peak with 723 m or 2,372 ft is the Decinsky Snezník in Bohemian Switzerland on the left bank of the river in Bohemian Switzerland north of Decin. The Elbe Sandstone Mountains link the Ore Mountains in the west with the Lusatian Highlands range of the Sudetes in the east. Saxon Switzerland and the Zittau Hills of the Lusatian Mountains form the Saxon-Bohemian Chalk Sandstone Region.

The eroded sandstone of this region presently shapes the landscape which was the sea bottom millions of years ago. Large rivers rinsed sand and decomposition debris into the Cretaceous sea. Rough quartz sand, clay and fine marl sank and solidified themselves layer for layer. A compact sandstone plate developed, about 20 x 30 kilometres wide and up to 600 meters thick.

When the sea left approx 80 million years ago, the mountain forming decay began. At first bursts developed. From the north coming the Lusatian granite massif pushed itself gradually onto the sandstone plate. From the south the lifting mountains of the today’s Ore Mountains caused counter pressure which slanted the brittle sandstone plate and burst it. From the nearly right-angled break lines later the typical, cuboid-like fissure of the Elbe sandstone developed. It is a coveted building materiel, e.g. for the Church of Our Lady in Dresden.

The Elbe Sandstone mountains have been a popular destination for tourists for more than 200 years, and for climbers for more than 100 years. It is also a popular recreation area for the nearby Saxon capital Dresden. Places of interest include the Bastei cliffs near Rathen, the Konigstein Fortress, Pravcicka brana, the Schrammsteine, Pfaffenstein, and the valleys of the Kirnitzsch and Kamenice rivers. Pravcicka brana is a natural sandstone arch in the Czech part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.There are some 14,000 climbing routes via which mountain climbers can conquer 1100 free-standing peaks. Visitors can experience the natural scenes on the asphalt Elbe cycle path, or on board a steam paddleboat that is part of the oldest fleet of its kind in the world.

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains have many amenities for treatment and rehabilitation. The region has a belief of many years. The discovery of ferrous and sulphurous sources in Bad Schandau in 1730 led to its growth as a health resort and the building of swimming baths.

Maiden Tower

The Maiden Tower is a tower in Old City, old town Baku, which is originally on the shore of the Caspian Sea. It is also called as Qiz Qalasi in Azerbaijani. Due to land recovery in the early 20th century the tower is now separated from the Caspian by a busy main road and public gardens.

The Maiden Tower is a noted landmark and one of Azerbaijan most distinctive national emblems. It is featured on Azeri currency notes and other official pieces of paper. It houses a museum and a gift shop. The view from the roof takes in the alleys and minarets of the Old City, the Baku Boulevard, the De Gaulle house and a wide vista of the Baku Bay. In recent years the brazier on the top has been lit during the nights of the Novrous festival.

It was constructed in the 12th century, or possibly earlier - its architectural style and construction sequence is obscure, and estimates for its age go back to an unlikely 2,500 years. It was built by the 12th century architect Masud ibn Davud, who was probably the father of the architect of Mardakan Round Tower. Its foundation are believed to be a Sasanid era Zoroastrian site.

There are a number of challenging explanations for the name of the Maiden Tower. A legend concerning a maiden who threw herself off its top, to her death in the waves below. The fact that the tower has never been taken by force. Some believe that it was once a Watch Tower

The Maiden Tower is depicted on the obverse of the Azerbaijani 1 to 250 manat banknotes of 1992-2006, and of the 10 manat banknote issued since 2006. The excellent view of the Maiden tower and Caspian Sea is also viewed from the Sultan Inn in the Old City. In December 2000, the Old City of Baku the Maiden Tower became the first location in Azerbaijan classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Year Of Niche Travel

I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news, so this article can proceed in the positive manner readers will have become accustomed to: Travel bookings are down in the USA, both online and offline for 2007. Now, the flip side: travel expenditure is on the up. Usually one would expect these two figures to move in largely the same direction, but as there is a drop in the number of people buying, the larger revenues can only mean that people are willing to spend more for a holiday.  This is good news but what does it mean?

 In a recent article, Forrester analyst Henry Hartveldt states that “Customers are tired of spending two or three hours trying to find the airline or hotel or vacation package that meets their needs.” In the same article, Jeffery Grau, Emarketer’s senior analyst, states that “Online travel distributors’ booking tools were made for mass consumption of uniform goods. They have yet to switch to an era of individual consumption of unique goods.” Jeffrey goes on to say that holidays should not be designed through some kind of one-size-fits-all brief. Increasingly people want the personalisation that offline travel agencies are often better at providing.

To me, from an online marketing point of view, this is a huge opportunity for niche operators.  Not only are people prepared to spend more on their holidays but they are increasing looking for more individual holidays.  These niche holiday makers lean towards those experts who have the knowledge to create interesting holiday experiences for them.  Often the brick and mortar holiday providers offer customers a better experience in this regard – they can talk to a sales rep, who will be able to understand their experiences and help them to make their ideal holiday. 

We carried out some of our own keyword research on a variety of phrases related to tailor made holidays and found that there are a nice selection of these being used on UK search engines with fairly good numbers. 

So, we know the market is there, but how can niche operators capitalise on the demand? The answer is, of course, by providing everything that can be found in the high street online. You need to allow customers to mix and match hotels, flights and itineraries to create their own unique experience. By all means offer itinerary suggestions, but always remember that your customers are unique and will like certain bits while disliking others, so give them the option to make the changes THEY want. You will likely find a large proportion of your visitors will consider paying just a little more for their own holiday experience, rather than having to make do with an inflexible package that is sold to the mass market.

Of course this could create a dilemma in the programming of your site – as Jeffery Grau said earlier – most websites are designed for the old world where consumer choice meant selecting the country, city and hotel. If you have the time and resources to make your site offer the functionality, then excellent, but it isn’t always necessary: You can create a similar effect by listing a few sample itineraries online, and then offering your customers a chance to have their dream package made for them in person: Provide phone numbers, with calls to action, letting the customer know that they can have their dream vacation tailored to their needs, and that your staff are prepared to bend over backwards to structure a package just for them.

It may seem that changing the way your company offers holidays is excessive for the niche market which is, by definition, limited, but the trends in the US (which Europe usually catches up with sooner or later) suggest to us that the market is going to exert greater influence in the future. 2008 could well be the year of niche travel, and if you get the groundwork right, you may find a nice increase in traffic from those disillusioned by the paint-by-numbers nature of the UK package holiday market.

Malta Air Show Scheduled For Autumn

The skies of Malta will welcome the Malta Air Show 2007 later this year, with display teams from across Europe, the US and possibly Canada participating.

The air show traditionally comes late in the Malta holidays season, and is a welcome late boost for the island's tourist industry with aviation enthusiasts descending for the weekend.

Despite some complaints from residents about noise and safety levels, the air show does produce publicity and income for the holiday and Malta hotels industry, which in previous years has been a welcome addition to the island's fortunes as visitor numbers have slipped away.

The 2006 event was a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish all had planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part were two Alpha jets from France, one of which performed an aerial display, six F-16's with two Dutch F-16's flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with one of the Harriers undertaking an aerial demonstration.

Pick up points from around the island are available for spectators wishing to attend the show, and on previous occasions this has led to heavy traffic in and around the event, again making some local residents none too happy about the event.

While the organisers might have been able to justifiably claim in the past that the air show formed an important event in the calendar of tourist events drawing extra visitors to the Malta hotels, more conventional aircraft have reduced the value of this for 2007.

                              Malta Flight

After some years of a declining tourist market, Malta has been boosted by the arrival of low cost flights from London and Dublin, traditionally important markets for the island.

Before the new cheap Malta flight passengers started arriving in November from London Luton, and in February from Dublin, the depressed Malta holidays market was in danger of being relegated from a mainstream travel destination to niche status, but the Ryanair flights have helped to start a turnaround.

Estimates suggest that an extra 80,000 visitors could visit Malta in 2007, bringing a real boost to the hotels in Malta and the island's economy overall.

'When Malta is accessible,' comment local destination guide YourMalta.com, 'Then holidaymakers will come. It's not just the Malta weather, but the history and a friendly people that draws people.'

The increase in visitor numbers could see property price rises, with two international estate agents who deal with Malta properties predicting a ten per cent rise in property values for 2007.

As with most popular holiday destinations, a percentage of tourists decide to buy a property in an area they like, and Malta is no exception.

The advantage Malta has for UK and Irish visitors is that they drive on the same side of the road and English is spoken, and for non British Isles visitors Malta has well known language schools where they can learn English.

A 2 bedroom apartment in the popular Malta holiday resort of Qawra is currently on the market for LM 72,000, and a three bedroom two bathroom apartment in equally popular Mellieha for LM 138,000.

5 Reasons To Book Your Next Vegas Vacation Online

With over 30 million visitors a year, Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world.  From the gorgeous mega-luxury hotels to the exclusive Vegas shows to the unbeatable buffets to the 24 hour casinos, Las Vegas has something for everyone.

More and more travellers are booking their Las Vegas trips online.  So should you book your next Las Vegas vacation online?  Here are the top 5 reasons to consider booking your Vegas vacation online:


1) Save Money

You don't have to pay travel agent commissions which can amount to significant savings of hundred of dollars.  Plus there are direct-to-customer online travel services that give you special discounts just for booking online.


2) Convenience

Book your Vegas vacation from the comfort of your own home. You don't have to go out to pick up the tickets or haggle with travel agencies. You simply shop, click, book and print - easy as that. (and if you have questions, there's usually a toll free number you can call for 24 hour support)


3) Larger Selection of Las Vegas Packages:

Instead of just choosing from the latest travel agent specials you can choose from EVERYTHING that's available. You know what you want in a Las Vegas vacation better than anyone else - and you can easily browse everything that's available to you online.

Many online travel agents upload new vacation packages weekly so you can monitor the new packages being offered and find an amazing deal.


4) Easy To Search & Book

With easy search functions and large travel package databases, you simply plug in your search parameters and get a listing of possible trips, prices and descriptions.  The easy search functions make it simple and fun to find the Las Vegas vacation of your dreams



5) Research Hotels and Find Out What Other Travellers Think - BEFORE You Get There

Ever travelled some place, got there and thought - 'I wish someone had told me what this place was really like before I spent all this money!'?

Now you can know what your Vegas hotel is like before you stay there. Many online travel agents have pictures, detailed descriptions and even downloadable brochures on each Las Vegas resort.

And some online travel agents are also introducing a Travellers' Opinions section where people can leave feedback and rate their hotel vacation experience. They rate hotels and also leave comments on their experience.  This is a great tool for you to not only find out which hotels are popular with other travellers but you can usually also pick up other Vegas travel tips that can save you money.


Considering all this, it's no wonder that more and more people are booking their Las Vegas trip online, it's easier, cheaper and you end up making a better choice (and thus having a more enjoyable vacation).

5 Down And Dirty Ways To Get Really Cheap Airline Ticket

Any amount of savings when you travel means a lot when you cannot afford to loose an extra buck. You try your best to come up with several ways to save those extra bucks and see that there are 5 different ways of getting really cheap airline tickets for your next flight.

Buying a return ticket – Perhaps the easiest way to keep some money in your pocket a little longer is to buy a return ticket. Most airline companies offer rebates for return flight tickets with only a slight difference on a one way ticket. If you plan to return on a definite date, make sure buy return tickets ahead of time. Also, there are some instances where traveling on regular days is cheaper than traveling during weekends. Weekends are much busier than weekdays and the demand for airline tickets are higher. Thus prices are higher on certain dates where demand is also high. If you think it is advantageous for you to travel during weekdays and return on a next weekdays, you can grab really cheap airline ticket for sure.

Internet – The internet is pretty basic and it is already in front of your nose if you want to find really cheap airline ticket. While reading this, you can even start opening the links attached and find your way to a cheap airline tickets. Here you can research on several different discount ticket sites that offer really cheap airline tickets anywhere in the world. The trick actually lies in the prices of tickets on discount ticket sites which vary day in and day out. Oftentimes, these discount ticket sites offer the same type of ticket on the same day of the same destination with different prices. If you want to get really cheap airline ticket wherever you want to go, it pays to visit at least 3 discount ticket sites in the web and do a comparison.

Don’t Settle for Big Airline Companies – Big airline companies offer big service to big clients. They have more expensive ticket prices due to the amount of advertisement and marketing they incur in order to maintain their fame. Try not to fly with them. Instead, go for smaller airline companies which can provide good service at the same time cheaper airline ticket prices.

Keep your trip more flexible – If you are not on the rush and would not mind saving on money than getting to a destination as quick as possible, keep your options open. Again this would need an internet to work. You need to search for all the possibilities where you can compare ticket prices. Try to look for flights during midnight or connecting flights. Make a comparison against several others so you will discover a really cheap airline ticket that is right for your budget.

Plan to travel longer - Most of the time, it pays to take a bus from one city to another, and then take the flight from there than getting on a airplane directly on your city. If for example you are traveling from San Diego to Seattle. Try to take a bus From San Diego to Los Angeles then take a plane from L.A. to Seattle. Or, if you want to go a little further, ride a bus from San Diego to Sacramento, then take a plane there. Chances are you have saved a lot before you know it! These are only 5. There are more. If you really want cheap to get cheap airline ticket, explore more possibilities like taking on vacation packages, last minute discount and accepting courier flights. In these ways, you will no longer have to pay full the next time you travel by air.

A Basic Traveller’s Kit Guide

Never be caught unprepared during a trip. Plan ahead and stuff your bag with essentials things you need. The better prepared you are, the more fun you will have on the trip. Here’s a checklist of what should be inside your traveler’s kit.

*Medicine Kit
Never assume that no mishaps will happen on a trip. Even minor bruises should be taken care of. Always keep your first- aid kit handy.

Treating wounds
Bring along a roll of bandage, safety pins and scissors. Tweezers might be needed to pull out foreign materials that penetrate the skin. Bring ointments and alcohols for treating abrasions. If you are prone to allergies and itching, antihistamine medications like Benadryl should be handy.

Common medicine
Carry along medicines that you are likely to use, like aspirin for headaches, laxative for proper bowel movement and pain relievers. If you have a runny nose, buy a couple of decongestant. Dehydration and motion sickness is common when traveling, consult your doctor on which medicine is appropriate for you.

Prescription drugs
Remember to bring along whatever medication you are taking. Bring enough supply to last for the entire trip.

*Personal Hygiene Kit
This kit must include all your toiletries. This will keep you looking fresh all the time.

Dental
Bring along your toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. Buy a small bottled mouthwash or if you have plenty of supply left, just transfer it to a smaller container.

Hair
Carry along your favorite brush, comb and shampoo. Stuff in your hair spray, hair cream and gels if you are using one.

Personal effects
This will include your make-up kit. Remember to bring only the cosmetics that you are likely to use. Carry with you a handy mirror. You can bring your manicure set too.

Skin protection
Keep your skin healthy by putting on sunscreen and lip balm as often as you need them.

Bathroom needs
Bring along with you sets of toilet papers, soaps, towels and washcloth.

*Emergency Kit
This includes the stuff you might need like flashlights, lighters, pocket knife and duct tapes. Mobile phones are important in case of emergency, be sure to bring your charger and an extra battery.

*Leisure Kit
For added fun, you can bring along your travel journal, reading materials and the locale’s language book. Make the most out of fantastic views with your binoculars and your camera.

There is no such thing as a standard traveler’s kit. It varies upon the place and the activities you’ll do in a certain place. The above kits are basically the essentials. Be sure to keep everything checked and have a fun trip ahead!

11 Reason why you should not park at directly at the airport

Travel means taking parking decisions. There are many options you could park at the airport lot or at car parking facilities situated near the airport. Airport parking means searching, often moving from one full lot to another, or commuting to the terminal by a shuttle from the other end of the airport, and paying a parking fee that may be more than the cost of your air ticket. The experience could make you want to tear your hair out. 

Parking at the airport would mean:

1.    Starting out early to reach the airport at least an hour before reporting time as many a time a parking spot many not be immediately available and you may have to drive around quite a bit before finding a place.

2.    Carrying luggage from the car to the airport itself or to the shuttle service.

3.    Budgeting for settling the short term or long term parking costs. Airport parking can prove to be more expensive than you thought. At many airports the rates for parking vary from day to day and during peak season. Often you may need to pay as much as $ 150 for parking for five days. Economy parking is hardly ever available and you may have no choice except the more expensive lots.

4.    Finding all lots full and having to make a dash for private parking facilities at the last moment. This could delay getting to your gate in time.

5.    During holidays, rush hours, and travel seasons there could be a great jam or arriving and departing cars all making a bee line for the gate house or token counter. The chaos is compounded by long queues at every gate and at the security and this could mean a 400 yard or more dash to the gate carrying your mound of luggage.

6.    Security measures instituted with little or no notice can spoil even the best made plans. A rule like no parking within a distance of 300 m could mean that you will have to park a great distance away. And due to alerts there can be random security checks of all entering vehicles leading to considerable delays. The traffic will not just slow down to a crawl but many of the closely located short-term spaces will be shut down.

7.    Due to repairs and construction work often unanticipated detours need to be made while trying to access airport lots.

8.    The car park may be located at a great distance from your terminal and if you are not in the know, you may choose to park diagonally opposite to the terminal. 

9.    Valet parking is not a free service; one will have to pay to have the car parked to save you valuable time.

10.    Many trolleys only function on feeding in a coin. Even if the coin is refunded later it just means remembering to take along a coin of the right domination.

11.    The large volume of passengers at any given time at busy airports just means that the transfer buses are not just overcrowded but slow and uncomfortable with people and their luggage jostling for space.

Why board a plane angry, tired, and frustrated. As a modern traveler there are many conveniences you can opt for. Parking at off-airport lots, is organized and hassle free. Even if the lots are some distance away the conveniences are such that it would be a time and money saving decision.

A Costa Rican Fairytale: Beauty and the Beach

Costa Rica literally translates into "Rich Coast," so named by Columbus for the gold necklaces worn by the native people when he arrived in the early 16th century. However misleading the name might have been for gold hunters, it appropriately describes Costa Rica's copious coastline, which is an endless paradise for surfers, scuba divers and those in need of tranquil relaxation.

Costa Rica is also a bastion of political tranquility, which has historically marked the country as an attractive destination for Central and South American travelers. Not a single gun-shot was fired when Costa Rica earned its independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821. Democratic development progressed after independence and in 1949 Costa Rica become the first country in the world to abolish its army, setting a historic precedent for other democratic nations in the region.

Spider Monkey Around
Without a military budget, Costa Rica has had the luxury of allocating a considerable sum toward systems of wilderness conservation and cultural preservation. Over 25 percent of the nation's territory, rich with biodiversity, is protected by national parks. While basking on the Caribbean shores, visit Tortuguero National Park to witness the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle. If you are lucky, you may also get to see the giant leatherback turtle (the largest known turtle at an adult weight of 1,500 pounds!) nesting in the park's sand. Gain some elevation and venture through temperate forests until you come to Chirripó National Park, which protects Costa Rica's tallest peak. Scale the winding trails of mysterious cloud forests while spider monkeys swing from the trees and sloth lurk in the undergrowth as you get closer to the rainforests of Corcovado National Park along the Pacific Ocean. Observe jaguar roaming along the waters' edge while over 360 species of bird rustle overhead. Nature surrounds you when you travel to Costa Rica.

Urban Creatures
If you've had your fill of all things wild, Costa Rica's cities and towns will not relent on mesmerizing their visitors either. The capital city of San Jose is a fast-paced cosmopolitan playground and the beating heart of Costa Rican life. The remains of coffee baron mansions have been transformed into a splendid backdrop for boutique hotels and restaurants. The National Museum has a few of the nation's mysterious stone spheres on display, the origin of which is still up for debate today. For an unbeatable resort experience, visit the Gulf of Papagayo along the northwest coast. From intimate hotels and cabanas to luxury resorts, these beautiful beaches are a prize view from any perspective when you travel to Costa Rica.

You should need no other reason to travel to Central America other than the quintessential natural beauty of Costa Rica. The backdrop of peace and all-around serenity make Costa Rica a true gem among the countries of this tropical region. For more information, visit www.cfares.com, your source for cheap airfare on the web.

10 Must-Dos When In Barcelona

High spirits and vitality govern in abundance when in Barcelona. This infectious capital of Catalonia, and second largest city in Spain, exudes soul and energy, living life to the full. Barcelona’s verve is matched by its magnificent architecture, characterised by one man’s signature, Antonio Gaudi.

1. Las Ramblas

Running from seafront through to Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas is a fusion of market stalls and street entertainment. Watch out for the mime artists, though keep a hand on your wallet.

2. Sagrada Familia Church

In progress since 1882, La Sagrada Familia is perhaps Antonio Gaudi’s most magnificent achievement. As yet unfinished, the ongoing construction of this gothic masterpiece is financed through tourism.

3. Picasso Museum

Born in Malaga, Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona during his teen years. Though many of his greatest works are in private hands, the Picasso Museum on the Carrer Moncada is well worth a visit.

4. Casa-Museu Gaudi

A pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house is the setting for the Gaudi museum. Gaudi lived in this surreal location between 1906 and 1926 with his niece. Exhibits in the museum include furniture, drawings and portraits designed by the great man himself.

5. The Poble Espanyol

Completed in 1929, the ‘Spanish Village’ is a compilation of buildings representing the collective architectural characteristics of Spain. A celebration of all things Spanish, the village has become a gathering place to dine and be entertained.

6. Bishop’s Palace

After being destroyed by fire, Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespinós commissioned Antonio Gaudi to design a new, more magnificent palace in 1887. Upon the bishop’s death, and consequent interference from the diocese, Gaudi abandoned the project. It was not inhabited until 1961.

7. Gothic Quarter

On the site of an ancient Roman village, the Gothic Quarter is a contrast of contemporary and medieval architecture, incorporating the magnificent 14th century cathedral.

8. Olympic Stadium

During 1992, the eyes of the world focused on the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona as they hosted the Olympic Games. Today a popular athletics facility, the stadium was a redesigned version of the original built in 1929.

9. Passeig de Gracia

As one of the major shopping areas of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia caters for the modest, and also those who prefer the more sophisticated boutiques. Bars and restaurants also line the thoroughfare.

10. Lover’s Day

On behalf of those looking for romance, Barcelona obliges with its own version of St Valentines, known as Lover’s Day, celebrated every April 23rd.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is an inlet in the south west of New Zealand South Island, within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top tourist travel attraction in an international survey, and New Zealand most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World. Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Wales, while the Cleddau River which flows into the sound is also named for its Welsh namesake.

Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 metres or 3,900 ft or more on either side. Among the peaks are the Elephant at 1,517 metres or 4,980 ft, said to resemble an elephant's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 metres or 4,270 ft, in the shape of a crouching lion. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent the waters and whales can be seen sometimes. The annual rainfall of 6,813 mm on 182 days a year, a high level even for the West Coast, Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand. Rainfall can reach 250 mm during a span of 24 hours. The rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in length.

The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with over 550,000 in total per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centres. Almost all tourists going to the sound also take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1–2 hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. There is also the option of extended overnight cruises on Milford Sound.

Tramping, canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the sound and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day. An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.In rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.

Milford Sound is 295 km from Queenstown and 279 km from Invercargill which is four hours drive with most of the tour buses to the sound departing from Queenstown. Some tourists also arrive from the smaller tourism centre of Te Anau, 121 km away. There are also scenic flights by light aircraft and helicopter tours to and from Milford Sound Airport. The winding mountain road, while of high standards, is very prone to avalanches and closures during the winter. Today many shortcuts to Milford Sound from Queenstown have been mooted, including a gondola route, a new tunnel from Queenstown, or a monorail from near Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau Downs. All would reduce the current round-trip duration thus allowing tourism to be spread out over more of the day.

Hohenzollern Castle

Hohenzollern Castle is a castle, which is a famous tourist attraction about 50 kilometers or 30 miles south of Stuttgart, Germany, considered home to the Hohenzollern family that came to power during the Middle Ages and ruled Prussia and Brandenburg until the end of World War I. The castle is located on top of Mount Hohenzollern at an elevation of 855 meters or 2,805 ft, above Hechingen and nearby Bisingen, both located at the foothills of the Swaziland Alb. It was originally constructed in the first part of the 11th century. It was completely destroyed after a 10-month siege in 1423 by the imperial cities of Swabia.

A second, larger and sturdier castle was build from 1454 to 1461 and served as a shelter for the Swabian Hohenzollern family during wartime, including during the Thirty Years War. By the end of the 18th century, however, the castle was thought to have lost its strategic importance and gradually fell into disrepair, leading to the demolition of several dilapidated buildings. Today, only the chapel remains from the medieval castle.

The third version of the castle, was constructed by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV between 1846 and 1867, under the direction of Oberhofbaurat Stuhler, who based his design on English Neo-Gothic style as well as the castles in Loire. Because the castle was built to be just a family memorial, no member of the Hohenzollern family took house in this third castle until 1945, when it became house to the last Prussian Crown Prince Wilhelm. Prince Wilhelm and his wife Crown Princess Cecilie are buried there.

Among the historical artifacts of Prussian history contained in the castle today are the Crown of Wilhelm II and some of the personal effects of Frederick the Great and a letter from US President George Washington thanking Baron von Steuben, a scion of the House of Hohenzollern, for his service in the American Revolutionary War. The current castle is the work of the famous Berlin Architect Friedrich August Stuler, who in 1842 while still the student and heir of Karl Friedrich Schinkel were selected the Architect of King. The castle is built in Gothic Revival style. The impressive entryway is the work of Engineer Moritz Karl Ernst von Prittwitz who was the chief protection engineer in Prussia. The sculptures inside the castle are the work of Gustav Willgohs. The Hohenzollern Castle is a monument to the ideals of the German Romanticism movement and incorporated the idealized vision of what a medieval knight's castle should be

Construction began in 1850, and was funded entirely by the Brandenburg-Prussian and the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen lines of the Hohenzollern family. Seventeen years later construction was completed on October 3, 1867 under William IV's brother King William I. The castle was damaged in an earthquake on September 3, 1978 and was under repair until the mid-1990s. After the castle was rebuilt, it was not regularly occupied, rather it was used mostly as a show castle. Only the last Prussian Crown Prince William lived in the castle for several months, following his flight from Potsdam during the closing months of World War II. William and his wife Crown Princess Cecilie are both buried at the castle, as the family's estates in Brandenburg had been occupied by the Soviet Union.

Since 1952 the castle has been filled with art and historical artifacts, from the collection of the Hohenzollern family and from the former Hollenzollern Museum in Schloss Monbijou. Two of the major pieces in the collection are the Prussian King's Crown and a uniform that belonged to Frederick the Great. From 1952 until 1991 the caskets of Frederick I and Frederick the Great were in the museum. Following the German reunification in 1991, the caskets were moved back to Potsdam.

Hohenzollern castle is still privately owned. Two thirds of the castle belongs to the Brandenburg-Prussian line of the Hohenzollern, while one third is owned by the Swabian line of the family. Since 1954 the castle has also been used by the Princess Kira of Prussia Foundation to provide a summer camp for needy children from Berlin. Hohenzollern castle has over 300,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most visited castles in Germany.

Petronas Towers

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are twin towers and were the worlds tallest buildings before being surpassed by Taipei 101. It is also known as the Petronas Twin Towers or just Twin Towers However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. They were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top, the original height reference used by the international organization Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat from 1969 three additional height categories were introduced as the tower neared completion in 1996.

The Petronas Towers were the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 was completed in 2004, as measured to the top of their structural components spires, but not antennas. Spires are considered integral parts of the architectural design of buildings, to which changes would substantially change the appearance and design of the building, whereas antennas may be added or removed without such consequences. The Petronas Twin Towers remain the tallest twin buildings in the world.

The Petronas Towers was designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli, the Petronas Towers were completed in 1998 after a seven year build and became the tallest buildings in the world on the date of completion. They were built on the site of Kuala Lumpur's race track. Because of the depth of the bedrock, the buildings were built on the world's deepest foundations. The 120-meter foundations were built within 12 months by Bachy Soletanche, and required massive amounts of concrete.

The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia's Muslim religion. Tower 1 was built by a Japanese consortium led by the Hazama Corporation while Tower 2 was built by Samsung C&T and Kukdong Engineering & Construction, both South Korean contractors. The sky bridge contract was completed by Kukdong Engineering & Construction.

Due to a lack of steel and the huge cost of importing steel, the towers were constructed on a cheaper radical design of super high-strength reinforced concrete. Supported by 23-by-23 meter concrete cores and an outer ring of widely spaced super columns, the towers use a sophisticated structural system that accommodates its slender profile and provides 560,000 square metres of column-free office space. Below the twin towers is Suria KLCC, a shopping mall, and Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, the home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Other buildings spires to increase their height but have always been taller overall to the pinnacle when trying to claim the title. In the aftermath of the controversy, the rules governing official titles were partially overhauled, and a number of buildings re-classified structural antenna as architectural details to boost their height.

The towers feature a skybridge between the two towers on 41st and 42nd floors, which is the highest 2-story bridge in the world. It is not directly bolted to the main structure, but is instead designed to slide in and out of the towers to prevent it from breaking during high winds. The bridge is 170 m or 558 ft above the ground and 58 m or 190 ft long, weighing 750 tons. The same floor is also known as the podium, since visitors desiring to go to higher levels have to change elevators here. The skybridge is open to all visitors, but free passes limited to 1700 people per day must be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are only allowed on the 41st floor as the 42nd floor can only be used by the tenants of the building.

The main bank of Otis lifts is located in the centre of each tower. All main lifts are double-decker with the lower deck of the lift taking passengers to odd numbered floors and upper deck to even numbered floors. To reach an even-numbered floor from ground level, passengers must take an escalator to the upper deck of the elevator. The lifts contain a number of safety features. It is possible to evacuate people from a lift stuck between floors by manually driving one of the adjacent lifts next to it and opening a panel in the wall. It is then possible for people in the stuck lift to walk between elevator cars.

Hungarian State Opera House

The Hungarian State Opera House is a neo-Renaissance opera house located in central Pest which is a part of Budapest on Andrassy ut. The Hungarian Opera House was designed by Miklos Ybl a main person of 19th century Hungarian architecture, the construction of the building lasted from 1875 to 1884 and was funded by the city of Budapest and by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. The Hungarian Royal Opera House opened to the public on September 27, 1884.

It is a luxuriously decorated building and is considered one of the architect's masterpieces. It was built in neo-Renaissance method, with elements of baroque. Decoration consist of paintings and statues by leading figures of Hungarian art of the time including Bertalan Szekely, Mor Than and Karoly Lotz. Although in size and capacity it is not among the best in beauty and the quality of acoustics the Budapest Opera House is considered to be amongst the first some opera houses in the world.

The auditorium holds 1261 seats. It is horseshoe shaped and according to measurments done in the 1970s by a group of worldwide engineers which has the 3rd finest acoustics in Europe after the Scala in Milan and the Paris Opera House. Although many opera houses have been built since, the Budapest Opera House is still among the best in terms of the acoustics. In front of the building are statues of Ferenc Erkel, composer of the Hungarian national anthem, and the first music director of the Opera House. He was also founder of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. The other statue is of Franz Liszt, the best known Hungarian composer.

Every year the season starts from September to the end of June and besides opera concerts the Opera House is home to the Hungarian National Ballet. Many important artists were guests here including Gustav Mahler the composer who was director in Budapest from 1887 to 1891 and Otto Klemperer who was music director for three years from 1947 to 1950.

In the 1970s the state of the building provoked the Hungarian State to order a major reconstruction which started in 1980 and ended at 1984. The reopening was held exactly 100 years after the original opening, on the 27th of September 1984. The second house of the Hungarian State Opera is Erkel theatre. It is a much bigger building and it also hosts opera and ballet performances during the opera season. There are guided tours in the building in six languages such as English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Hungarian almost every day.

Indonesia National Monument

The National Monument in Indonesia is a 422 ft or 128.7 m tower in Central Jakarta, which representing the fight for Indonesia independence. The construction of monument began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno and the monument was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil.

After the Indonesian government returned to Jakarta from Yogyakarta in 1950 next to the Dutch recognition of Indonesian independence, President Sukarno began the construction of a national monument equal to the Eiffel Tower on the square in front of the presidential palace. On 17 August 1954, a National Monument Committee was created and a drawing contest was held in 1955. This attracted 51 entries, only one design, by Frederich Silaban, met the criteria determined by the committee, which reflecting the character of Indonesia. Another competition was held in 1960, but once again, none of the 136 entries met the criteria. The chairman of the jury team asked Silaban to show to Sukarno. Sukarno not likes the design as he wanted the monument to be in the form of linga and yoni. Silaban was asked to design such a monument, but his design was for a monument that would have been unaffordable given the economic conditions at the time. Silaban refused to design a smaller monument, telling that construction be postponed until the Indonesian economy improved. Sukarno then asked the architect R.M. Soedarsono to carry on with the design. Soedarsono included the numbers 17, 8 and 45, representing the 17 August 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, in the dimensions of the monument.

Construction proceeded in three stages. The first period, from 1961/1962 - 1964/1965 began with the official start of construction on 17 August 1961 with Sukarno ceremonially driving in the first concrete pile. A total of 284 piles were used for the foundation block. A further 360 piles were driven in for the museum foundations, with work finished in March 1962. The walls of the museum in base were completed by October. Construction of the obelisk commenced and was finished in August 1963. Work in second stage, from 1966 to 1968 was delayed by shortages of funding and after the 30 September Movement coup attempt. In the final stage, from 1969-1976, the dioramas for the historical museum were added. Problems stayed once construction was complete, and work was required to solve problems with water leaking into the museum. The monument was officially opened to public on 12 July 1975. The location of the construction site was formerly known as Merdeka Square.


The monument consists of a 117.7m obelisk on a 45m square platform at a height of 17m, the goblet yard. The obelisk itself is clad with Italian marble. A lift inside carries visitors to the 11m by 11m viewing platform, at a height of 115m. There is a staircase for use in emergencies. It is topped by a 14.5 ton bronze Flame of Independence containing the lift engine, which is covered with 35kg or 50kg of gold foil. The obelisk and flame symbolize the Indonesia people's struggle for independence. Inside the base is the historical museum, a marble-lined room with 48 dioramas showing scenes from Indonesian history from prehistory until the New Order and the Independence Room, which contains symbols of Indonesian independence, including the Declaration of Independence in a glass case, and the Indonesia coat of arms.

A pond measuring 25m x 25m was intended to cold water for the air conditioning system in the monument as well as to enhance the beauty of the surrounding area. To the north of the monument, there is a statue of Indonesia national hero Prince Diponegoro by Italian sculptor Cobertaldo.

Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere palace is a baroque palace complex built by Prince Eugene of Savoy in the 3rd district of Vienna, south-east of the city centre. It houses the Osterreichische Galerie Belvedere museum. Prince Eugene bought a land in 1697 to create a large park.

In 1714 work began to erect what is now called the Lower Belvedere, not as a palace but as a garden villa, with an orangerie, paintings gallery, and suitable living quarters. The architect was Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, one of the most important architects of the Austrian Baroque, who produced in the complex of buildings his masterwork. He was assisted by the Venetian sculptor Giovanni Stanetti, who had been brought to Vienna by Prince Eugene. The Lower Belvedere was finished in 1716. The ceiling of its central Marmorsaal or Marble Hall, painted by Martino Altomonte, celebrates Prince Eugene as a new Apollo, leader of the Muses. The room also contains an Apotheosis of Prince Eugene sculpted by Balthasar Permoser.

On the west lies a State Bedroom suitable for levees, a room with delicate grottesche in the manner of Jean Berain, painted by Jonas Drentwett, the marble-gallery stucco-decorations and figures by Domenico Parodi. The inner marble-room with ceiling-paintings by Giacomo del Po from 1720. The Donnersaal has ceiling frescos by Altomonte and feigned architecture by Gaetano Fanti in 1716. To the east is a State Dining Room.

The garden had beautiful scenery, enclosed by clipped hedging, even as the Belvedere was building, in the formal French manner with graveled walks and jeux d'eau by Dominique Girard, who had trained in the gardens of Versailles as a pupil of Andre Le Notre. Its great water basin in the upper parterre and the stairs and cascades peopled by nymphs and goddesses that links upper and lower parterres survive, but the patterned bedding has long been grassed over; it is currently being restored.

In 1720-1723, the Upper Belvedere was built, originally intended simply to provide a suitable end to the main garden axis. The architect was again Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. Once again there is a central Marmorsaal the site of the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, that formed modern Austria, May 15, 1955 but the Schloss was soon enlarged to provide the main summer residence of Prince Eugene. Its painted ceilings are by Carlo Innocenzo Carlone, with an altarpiece in the chapel by Francesco Solimena.

The complex was sold in 1752 to Empress Maria Theresa of Austria by the prince's heiress. Maria Theresa first named the building Belvedere. Under the Habsburgs it was further extended. Since 1775, the Belvedere has housed the imperial picture gallery on behalf of Joseph II, and in 1806 the collection of Ambras Palace was moved to the Lower Belvedere as well. Both were transferred to the Museum of Art History or Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1890. The last to reside here was Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Since World War I, the Austrian Gallery museum resides in the Belvedere. The building suffered heavy damage during World War II. The Gold Cabinet burnt out and had to be reconstructed. The building is currently being given a facelift, with the beautiful restored garden already finished. The work is scheduled to be completed by 2008.

Punakha valley

Punakha valley is the organizational centre of Punakha Dzongkhag which is one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it takes about 3 hours by car from the capital Thimphu. Unlike Thimphu it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu. Dzongkha is widely spoken in this district.

Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong or Punakha Dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38. It is the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

In 1907, Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck or Deb Nagpo as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punankha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. In 1987, the dzong was partially destroyed by fire.

Due to its location at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue valley, the dzong is vulnerable to flash flooding caused by glacier lakes. According to a recent report, flash flood damage to Punakha Dzong occurred in 1957, 1960 and 1994. A covered wooden cantilever bridge crossing the Mo Chhu river was built together with the Dzong in the 17th century. This bridge was washed away by a flash flood in 1957 or 1958. In 2006 work started on a new covered wooden cantilever bridge of traditional construction with a free span of 55 meters which was completed in 2008.


Punakha valley is famous in Bhutan for rice farming. The red and white rice are grown beside the river valley of Pho and Mo Chu which is the most prominent rivers in Bhutan. Ritsha which means at the base of a hill is a classic village in Punakha. The village houses are made of crushed mud with stone foundations. Each house is only two storeys high. Surrounding the houses are the gardens and the rice fields. The gardens also usually have fruit bearing plants like oranges and papaya among the organic vegetables. In the recent years, the farming work is mechanized and power-tillers instead of bullocks are used to plough the fields and villagers have become relatively properous. This is a model rice growing village in western Bhutan.

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand is the biggest peak in Iran highest point in the Middle East and the biggest volcano in Asia. It has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore. It is also known as Donbavand which is located in the middle Alborz Range, adjacent to Vararu, Sesang, Gol-e Zard and Mianrud. It is a potentially active volcano, since there are fumaroles near the summit crater emitting sulfur, which were known to be active on July 6, 2007. The mountain is located near southern coast of Caspian Sea, in Amol County, Mazandaran, 66 kilometres or 41 miles northeast of Tehran.

The best place for mountain climbers is the new Iranian Mountain Federation Camp in Polour village, situated on the south of the mountain. There are nearly 16 known routes to the summit which have different complexities, very dangerous and require rock climbing. The most popular route is Southern Route which has step stamps, camp midway called Bargah Sevom Camp / Shelter at 4220 m or 13,845 ft. The longest route is the Northeastern and takes 2 days to reach the summit starting from downhill village of Nandal and a night stay at Takht-e Fereydoun elevation of 4300 m or 13,000 ft a two-story shelter. The western route is famous for its sunset view. Simorgh shelter in this route at 4100 m or about 13,500 ft is a newly constructed shelter with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall or Icefall in Persian name Abshar Yakhi about 12m tall and the elevation of 5100m is the highest fall in Iran and Middle East.

An anthropologist of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Touba Osanlou, has said a proposal has been made by a group of Iran mountaineers to register the highest peak in the Middle East, Mount Damavand as a national heritage site. Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department has accepted the proposal, the Persian daily Jam-e Jam reported. Osanlou noted that the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization is presently in the process of renaming an upcoming ancient festivity after Mount Damavand.

Damavand is the symbol of Iranian resistance against despotism and foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Azi Dahaka was chained within Mount Damavand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhak was also chained in a cave somewhere in Mount Damavand after being defeated by Kaveh and Fereydun.

The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Shahnameh. Damavand has also been named in the Iranian legend of Arash as the location he fired his arrow to mark the Iran border. The famous poem Damavand by Mohammad Taqi Bahar is also one fine example of the mountain's significance in Persian literature.

Mt Damavand has some thermal springs Abe Garm Larijan with therapeutic qualities. These mineral hot springs are mainly located on the volcano's flanks and at the base, giving evidence of volcanic heat comparatively near the surface of the earth. The most important of these hot springs are located in Abe Garm Larijan in a village by the name Larijan in the district of Larijan in Lar Valley. The water from this spring is useful in the treatment of chronic wounds and skin diseases. Near these springs there are public baths with small pools for public use.

Burgtheater

The Burgtheater is also known as K.K. Theater an der Burg, until 1920 the K.K. Hofburgtheater, is the Austrian National Theatre in Vienna and one of the most important German language theatres in the world. The Burgtheater was created in 1741 and has become known as die Burg by the Viennese population, its theater company of more or less regular members has created a traditional style and speech typical of Burgtheater performances.

The Burgtheater was created on 14 March 1741 by Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to be a theatre next to her palace, and her son, Emperor Joseph II called it the German National Theatre in 1776. Three Mozart operas premiered there: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail in1782, Le nozze di Figaro in 1786 and Cosi fan tutte in 1790. Beginning in 1794, the theatre was called the K.K. Hoftheater nachst der Burg. Beethoven's 1st Symphony premiered there on April 2, 1800.

The theatre was moved to a new building at the Ringstraße on 14 October 1888 designed by Gottfried Semper and Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer. In 1943, under Nazi rule, a notoriously extreme production of The Merchant of Venice was staged at the Burgtheater with Werner Krauss as Shylock, one of several theater and film roles by this actor pandering to antisemitic stereotypes.

On March 12, 1945 the Burgtheater was largely destroyed in a bombing raid, and, one month later, on April 12, 1945, the Burgtheater was further damaged by a fire of unknown origin. After the war, the theatre was restored between 1953-1955. The classic Burgtheater style and the Burgtheater-German language were trend-setting for German language theaters.

With many debut performances of plays written by Thomas Bernhard, Elfriede Jelinek, Peter Handke, Peter Turrini and George Tabori, Claus Peymann managed to affirm the Burgtheater's reputation as one of Europe's foremost stages. Particularly deserving artists may be designated honorable members. Their names are engraved in marble at the bottom end of the ceremonial stairs at the side of the theater facing the Volksgarten. Members of honor are: Annemarie Duringer, Wolfgang Gasser, Heinrich Schweiger, Gusti Wolf, and Michael Heltau.