Tips For Your Florida Vacation

So you're planning a trip to Florida? You're not alone. About 50 million people visit Florida each year to take advantage of all that the beautiful state has to offer.

Here are some tips to make the most of your vacation.

1. Go to Sea World

Located in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, Sea World offers something a little different from the rest of the parks. Dolphins! Who doesn't love them? But they've got lots of other fun sea critters, plus activities and rides. Fun for all!

2. Try Lummus Park and Beach

Known as Glitter Beach to the locals, this beautiful piece of South Beach in Miami (SoBe) is a favorite pick for photo shoots, and because of its majestic and unique beauty, it attracts a hugely-diverse mix of people including top celebs. If a fun Florida vacation for you includes a lot of people-watching then this lovely beach destination is a must.

3. Watch the Fireworks

If you're going to Disney World in Orlando make sure you remember to stick around after dark for their incredible pyrotechnic display. You won't be disappointed and this event will be a treasured memory of your perfect Florida vacation.

4. Feel Tropical in the Keys

While you're snorkeling, hiking, or dining in the Florida Keys, you'll feel like you're on an exotic Caribbean island, but you won't need a passport to get there. This is the southernmost region of the Sunshine State and driving to these islands is at least half the fun.

5. Canoe in the Everglades

The Everglades is 1.4 million acres of adventure, including hiking and kayaking. Be on the lookout for such endangered species as the green turtle, the Florida panther, and the American crocodile.

6. Relax on Amelia Island

Whether you stay in a bed-and-breakfast or a luxurious resort, you'll be in heaven on this beautiful island. While you're there, be sure to check out the charmingly eclectic shops of Fernandina Beach, which was once a Victorian seaport village.

7. Visit St. Augustine

You'll love the rich history and great shopping of this beautiful city. Spend some of your vacation moments learning more about the wonders of Saint Augustine and who knows, you may just find that Fountain of Youth that the Spanish explorers were so sure existed. Sign up for a guided tour so you can relax and enjoy the sights, and if you're brave enough, try the haunted tour!

8. Catch the Strawberry Festival

If you're going to Florida in late winter, check out the 11-day long Strawberry Festival, an annual event since 1935, where you'll find tons of carnival rides, activities, and strawberry snacks, plus live music every day from big names like Sara Evans, Josh Turner, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

9. Don't Forget Your Sunscreen

Even if you're not planning on going to any of the beaches, you're still going to the Sunshine State, after all, and you'll get lots of sun while you visit the sites no matter if you are in downtown Miami or strolling along the grounds at Epcot in Orlando. You don't want any painful sunburn to put a damper on your trip and a convenient package of sunscreen is a cheap and easy way to prevent this from happening.

10. Don't Stress About Money

If you've decided beforehand that you'll only spend a certain amount on souvenirs and that you'll go out for a nice dinner only a limited number of times, you'll be less likely to feel guilty and stressed when you part with some of your hard-earned money. But above all else you should remember, you're on a Florida vacation! Have fun!

Curacao- A Tropical Paradise

Off the Venezuelan coast, in the Caribbean sea lies the island Curacao, having its capital at Willemstad. It consists of several islands, among which some are even uninhabited till date. Among the several languages spoken, the official ones are Dutch, Papiamento and English, although the sole recognized regional language is Spanish. It has a total area of 444 sq. Km, inhabited by a population of 140,796 (according to 2008 census). The currency is Netherlands Antillean Guilder.

There are different theories about how Curacao got its name. Curacao means heart in Portuguese.

Curacao is known as centre in trade, which means healing, as it has various floras growing in the island. Spanish traders named it Curacao which was continued by the Dutch. Another theory is that Curacao was the name the indigenous people of Curacao had used to label themselves.

Traveling Curacao

Curacao serves as a beautiful tourist destination and is a beautiful island which adds a charismatic charm to it. Following are airline companies that provide airline travel services to Curacao.

Aserca Airlines

Fly Exel

Jamaica Air

The Curacaos airport is quite a major airline stop. There will however be a departure tax of $32 which will be charged at times for your departure and arrival but at times, a waiver will also be given of these fees. The fee for flights to Aruba and Bonaire however costs to a price of around $8 USD.

Accommodations

Once at Curacao, you may find several hotels and resorts to suit you as per your requirement. However, we can help you find the best hotels and restaurants in the place. Some of the best hotels in Curacao are the Avila Beach Hotel located in Penstraat, the Breezes Curacao Resort located near Dr. M.L. King Boulevard, and Curacao Marriott Beach Resort in Piscaderabay.

Travel Tips

Clothing:

The place has a tropical temperature, so lose and casual clothes are preferable. Care should be taken to protect oneself from the sun, especially around noon. So hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotions should be carried along. Most of the indoor areas are air-conditioned, so take clothes accordingly. Shorts and sandals are not allowed in some of the restaurants and casinos

Currency:

Antillean Guilder is the currency locally used, also called the Florin. The exchange rate is, US $ 1= Nafl 1.78. The rate varies at shops and restaurant. All major shops and stores accept US dollars. Credit Cards and travelers cheques are easily accepted. The exchange office at the airport opens at 7.30 am till 4.00p.m. Also, almost all midsized shopping centres have an ATM.

Health:

There is no tropical illness as such in Curacao. Stomach disorders due to food generally dont happen. There is good hygiene supervision in the kitchens of the restaurants. Feel free to have whatever food you wish. But take good care of protecting yourself from the sun, especially in the afternoon. You may find sunglasses, t-shirts and sunscreen lotions helpful.

Attractions

The place has a number of spots to visit and plan trips. Of all the number of beautiful locations, here are some of the Day-Trips that you must surely go on for a ride and enjoy. These are surely the places you shouldnt miss:

Dolphin Academy:

This complex near sea aquarium is a shelter to six dolphins. There are natural basins linked to the sea, where these dolphins swim around. You can choose from among the various ways like swimming or snorkeling with the dolphins, or taking up training classes to communicate with the dolphins to get to know these mammals better.

Wild Curacao:

An expert on the local nature and history takes you through a special walking tour through exotic and intriguing places in the wild. These trips are organized only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. The full moon walk through the salt planes of Jan Tiel is simply breathtaking. Other places include Boca Table, West Punk, Knip Beach and Jan Oak.

The Ostrich Aloe Safari:

This ones simply amazing. You get on a zebra jeep and are driven off to the secluded North Eastern Island, with a guide narrating you about the countryside. At the Aloe plantation, you get acquainted to the healing values of the Aloe plants that are grown there. Next, you get an encounter with the Ostrich.

The Herb garden of Den Paradera: This place was cultivated by Dinah Verris in the past gives you knowledge about the wide variety of crops that are grown there. You can even buy souvenirs and products.

Hofi Pastoor:

This is a small garden that is near the village of Barber. It provides you a nice experience if you are a nature lover. This place is located on the road to Westpunt in Barberton.

Curacao is a great tourist destination which invites people all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty and various exotic locations. A perfect mixture of pleasure and solace.

Palais Garnier in Paris

The Palais Garnier, also known as the Opera de Paris or Opera Garnier, but more commonly as the Paris Opera, is a 2,200-seat opera house on the Place de l'Opera in Paris, France, which was the primary home of the Paris Opera from 1875 until 1989. A grand landmark designed by Charles Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style, it is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of its time. The building is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris and is served by the metro station Opera and bus. The details of Palais Garnier in Paris is explained in world tour guides below.

Upon its inauguration in 1875, the opera house was officially named the Academie Nationale de Musique Theatre de l’Opera. It retained this title until 1978 when it was re-named the Theatre National de l’Opera de Paris. After the opera company chose the Opera Bastille as their principal theatre upon its completion in 1989, the theatre was re-named as the Palais Garnier, though its more official name, the Academie Nationale de Musique, is still sprawled above the columns of its front façade. The Palais Garnier is still known by many people as the Paris Opera, as have all of the many theatres which have served as the principal venues of the Parisian Opera and Ballet since its founding.

The Palais Garnier was designed as part of the great Parisian reconstruction of the Second Empire initiated by Emperor Napoleon III, who chose the Baron Haussmann to supervise the reconstruction. In 1858 the Emperor authorized Haussmann to clear the required 12,000 square metres of land on which to build a second theatre for the world renowned Parisian Opera and Ballet companies. The construction of the opera house was plagued by numerous setbacks. One major problem which postponed the laying of the concrete foundation was the extremely swampy ground under which flowed a subterranean lake, requiring the water to be removed by eight months of continual pumping. More setbacks came as a result of the disastrous Franco-Prussian War, the subsequent fall of the Second French Empire, and the Paris Commune. During this time construction continued sporadically, and it was even rumoured that construction of the opera house might be abandoned.

On 1874 Garnier and his massive workforce completed the Palais Garnier, much to the celebration of Paris. The Palais Garnier was formally inaugurated on January 15, 1875 with a lavish gala performance. The ball consisted of the third act of Fromental Halevy's 1835 opera La Juive, along with excerpts from Giacomo Meyerbeer's 1836 opera Les Huguenots. The ballet company performed a Grand Divertissement staged by the Paris Opera’s Maitre de Ballet en Chef Louis Merante, which consisted of the celebrated scene Le Jardin Anime from Joseph Mazilier's 1867 revival of his ballet Le Corsaire, set to the music of Leo Delibes.

In 1969, the theatre was given new electrical facilities, and in 1978 part of the original Foyer de la Danse was converted into new rehearsal space for the Ballet Company by the architect Jean-Loup Roubert. In 1994, restoration work began on the theatre, which consisted of modernizing the stage machinery and electrical facilities, while restoring and preserving the opulent décor, as well as strengthening the frame and foundation of the building. This restoration was completed in 2007.

The Theatre de l'Acaemie Royale de Musique, the Palais Garnier consists of 11,000 square metres, seats an audience of roughly 2,200 under a central chandelier which weighs over six tons, and has a huge stage with room to accommodate up to 450 artists. The Palais is opulently decorated with elaborate multicolored marble friezes, columns, and lavish statuary, many of which portray the deities from Greek mythology. Between the columns of the theatre's front facade, there are bronze busts of many of the great composers, Mozart, Rossini, Daniel Auber, Beethoven, Meyerbeer, Fromental Halevy, Spontini, and Philippe Quinault.

The interior consists of interweaving corridors, stairwells, alcoves and landings allowing the movement of large numbers of people and space for socializing during intermission. Rich with velvet, gold leaf, and cherubim and nymphs, the interior is characteristic of Baroque sumptuousness. The ceiling area, which surrounds the chandelier, was given a new painting in 1964 by Marc Chagall. This painting proved controversial, with many people feeling Chagall's work clashed with the style of the rest of the theatre.

The building became one of the most inspirational architectural prototypes for the next thirty years. Several buildings in Poland were based on the design of the Palais Garnier, and include the Juliusz Slowacki Theatre in Krakow, built in 1893, The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Lviv, built between 1897 and 1900 and also the Warsaw Philharmony edifice in Warsaw, built between 1900 and 1901.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang or Louangphrabang is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the famous tourist attraction and travel destination.

The main part of the city consists of four main roads located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The city is well known for its numerous temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits Wat Chom Si.

Muang Sua was the old name of Luang Prabang following its conquest in 698 A.D. by a Tai prince, Khun Lo, who seized his opportunity when Nan chao was engaged elsewhere. Khun Lo had been awarded the town by his father, Khun Borom, who is associated with the Lao legend of the creation of the world, which the Lao share with the Shan and other peoples of the region. Khun Lo established a dynasty whose fifteen rulers reigned over an independent Muang Sua for the better part of a century.

In the second half of the 8th century, Nan chao intervened frequently in the affairs of the principalities of the middle Mekong Valley, resulting in the occupation of Muang Sua in 709. Nan-chao princes or administrators replaced the aristocracy of Tai overlords. Dates of the occupation are not known, but it probably ended well before the northward expansion of the Khmer empire under Indravarman I and extended as far as the territories of Sipsong Panna on the upper Mekong.

In the meantime, the Khmers founded an outpost at Xay Fong near Vientiane, and Champa expanded again in southern Laos, maintaining its presence on the banks of the Mekong until 1070. Chanthaphanit and his son had long reigns, during which the town became known by the Tai name Xieng Dong Xieng Thong. Xieng Dong Xieng Thong experienced a brief period of Khmer suzerainty under Jayavarman VII from 1185 to 1191. By 1180 the Sipsong Panna had regained their independence from the Khmers, however, and in 1238 an internal uprising in the Khmer outpost of Sukhothai expelled the Khmer overlords. Xieng Dong Xieng Thong in 1353 became the capital of Lan Xang. The capital was moved in 1560 by King Setthathirath I to Vien Chang, which remains the capital today.

In 1707, Lan Xang fell apart and Luang Prabang became the capital of the independent Luang Prabang kingdom. When France annexed Laos, the French recognized Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Eventually, the ruler of Luang Prabang became synonymous with the figurehead of the French Protectorate of Laos. When Laos achieved independence, the king of Luang Prabang, Sisavang Vong, became the head of state for the Kingdom of Laos.

Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among the natural tourism sites, there are the Kuang Si Falls and Pak Ou Caves. Tourists may also ride elephants. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, tea suitable souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the most well known historical sites. Along with the magnificent wats a significant part of the old town's appeal are the many French provincial style houses.


As China has recently allowed its citizens to travel more freely to Laos, the number of tourists in the area is expected to increase rapidly, creating pressure to modernize the tourist infrastructure, particularly catering to package tourism. Luang Prabang is served by Luang Prabang International Airport with non-stop flights to Laos Phongsaly, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Thailand Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Cambodia Siem Reap, Vietnam Ha Noi. Luang Prabang is linked by Route 13 with Vang Vieng and Vientiane, and by Route 1 with Muang Xay. Route 13 also connects the city to Cambodia.

The road from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is poorly maintained, remote, unlit, unmarked and extremely dangerous for the unfamiliar traveler, particularly in the wet season. Regular buses nonetheless do run, taking 14–16 hours. Route 13 from Vientiane, passing Vang Vieng, to Luang Prabang is paved, though the pavement is in poor condition at places. It is also relatively narrow, with sharp curves. There are no markings or lighting on the road. Several daily buses run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, taking 9–11 hours. The Mekong River itself is also an important transportation link. Travelers from Chiang Khong can hire a barge to cross the river. Huay Xai, upriver near the Thai border, can be reached by slow boat in two days, typically with a stop at Pakbeng.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark Art Deco skyscraper in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. Its name is derived from the nickname for the state of New York, The Empire State. It stood as the worlds tallest building for more than forty years, from its completion in 1931 until construction of the World Trade Centers North Tower was completed in 1972. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York City and New York State.

The Empire State Building has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The building and its street floor interior are designated landmarks of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and confirmed by the New York City Board of Estimate. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. In 2007, it was ranked number one on the List of America's Favorite Architecture according to the AIA. The building is owned and managed by W&H Properties.

The Empire State Building is the third tallest skyscraper in the Americas and the 15th tallest in the world. It is also the fourth tallest freestanding structure in the Americas. The Empire State building is currently undergoing a $120 million renovation in an effort to transform the building into a more energy efficient and eco-friendly structure. The site of the Empire State Building was first developed as the John Thomson Farm in the late 18th century. At the time, a stream ran across the site, emptying into Sunfish Pond, located a block away. Beginning in the late 19th century the block was occupied by Waldorf Astoria Hotel, frequented by The Four Hundred, the social elite of New York.

The Empire State Building was designed by William F. Lamb from the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, which produced the building drawings in just two weeks, using its earlier designs for the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the Carew Tower in Cincinnati, Ohio as a basis. The general contractors were The Starrett Brothers and Eken, and the project was financed primarily by John J. Raskob and Pierre S. du Pont. The construction company was chaired by Alfred E. Smith, a former Governor of New York and James Farley's General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials. John W. Bowser was project construction superintendent.

The Empire State Building rises to 1,250 ft or 381 m at the 102nd floor, and including the 203 ft or 62 m pinnacle, its full height reaches 1,453 ft 89⁄16 in or 443.09 m. The building has 85 stories of commercial and office space representing 2,158,000 sq ft or 200,500 m2. It has an indoor and outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. The remaining 16 stories represent the Art Deco tower, which is capped by a 102nd-floor observatory. Atop the tower is the 203 ft or 62 m pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, with a lightning rod at the very top.

The Empire State Building was the first building to have more than 100 floors. It has 6,500 windows and 73 elevators, and there are 1,860 steps from street level to the 103rd floor. It has a total floor area of 2,768,591 sq ft or 257,211 m2. The base of the Empire State Building is about 2 acres or 8,094 m2. The building houses 1,000 businesses, and has its own zip code, 10118. More than 21,000 employees work in the building each day, making the Empire State Building the second largest single office complex in America, after the Pentagon. The building was completed in one year and 45 days.

The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators. It takes less than one minute by elevator to get to the 86th floor, where an observation deck is located. The building has 70 mi or 113 km of pipe, 2,500,000 ft or 760,000 m of electrical wire, and about 9,000 faucets. It is heated by low pressure steam despite its height, the building only requires between 2 and 3 psi or 14 and 21 kPa of steam pressure for heating. It weighs approximately 370,000 short tons or 340,000 t. The exterior of the building was built using Indiana limestone panels. The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build.


The Empire State Building features an art deco design in New York. The modernistic stainless steel canopies of the entrances on 33rd and 34th Streets lead to two story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel and glass-enclosed bridges at the second-floor level. The elevator core contains 67 elevators. The lobby is three stories high and features an aluminum relief of the skyscraper without the antenna, which was not added to the spire until 1952. The north corridor contains eight illuminated panels, created by Roy Sparkia and Renee Nemorov in 1963, depicting the building as the Eighth Wonder of the World, alongside the traditional seven.

The Empire State Building has one of the most popular outdoor observatories in the world, having been visited by over 110 million people. The 86th floor observation deck offers impressive 360 degree views of the city. There is a second observation deck on the 102nd floor that is open to public. It is completely enclosed and much smaller than the first one, it may be closed on high-traffic days. Tourists may pay to visit the observation deck on the 86th floor and an additional amount for the 102nd floor. There are five lines to enter the observation decks the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck. For an extra fee tourists can skip to the front of the line.

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is UNESCO World Heritage site in the Northern Territory of Australia. The details of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park are explained in world tour guides below. It is located 1431 kilometres south of Darwin by road and 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs along the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. The park covers 1398 square kilometres and includes the features it is named after Uluru Ayers Rock and, 40 kilometres to its west, Kata Tjuta or Mount Olga and is serviced by flights from most Australian capital cities.

Uluru is Australia most recognisable natural icon. The world renowned sandstone inselberg stands 348 metres high with most of its bulk below the ground. The aboriginals believe that the spirit that turned into Uluru was a turtle spirit. Kata Tjuta, meaning many heads, is a group of 36 rock domes that dates back 500 million years. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners, who lead walking tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area. Anangu are the traditional Aboriginal owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

The Aboriginal Land Rights Act was passed in 1976, meaning that after many years Aboriginal law and land rights were finally recognised in Australian law. Nine years later in 1985 the Traditional Owners were presented with the Freehold Title deeds for the Park, who, in turn, leased the land back to the Australian Government through the Director of National Parks for 99 years. The Director is assisted by Parks Australia. Since hand-back, Anangu and Parks Australia staff have worked together to manage the Park. This process of working together is known as joint management. All management policy and programs aim to maintain Anangu culture and heritage conserve and protect the integrity of the ecological.

In 1987 Uluru National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage natural property. In 1993 the official name of the Park changed to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the following year it was listed as a World Heritage cultural landscape. This dual World Heritage-listing means that it is one of the few properties in the world that is internationally recognised for both its natural and cultural values and represents years of work by Anangu to assert their role as custodians of their traditional lands. This international recognition is a significant victory for Anangu as it confirms the validity of Tjukurpa as being the primary tool for looking after country.

In 1995 Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park won the Picasso Gold Medal, the highest UNESCO award for outstanding efforts to preserve the landscape and Anangu culture and for setting new International standards for World Heritage management. It was awarded jointly to Parks Australia and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management. The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 was replaced in July 2000 by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The declaration of the Park was continued under the new Act.

On 24 May 1977 the Park became the first area declared under the Commonwealth National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975, under the name Uluru National Park, to be managed by the Director of National Parks. The Park was declared over an area of 132,550 hectares and included the subsoil to a depth of 1,000 metres. The declaration was amended on 21 October 1985 to include an additional area of 16 hectares. In 1993, at the request of Anangu and the Park Board of Management, the name of the Park was changed to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

The park receives an average rainfall of 307.7 millimeters per year. Temperature extremes in the park have been recorded at 45°C or 113°F during the summer and -5°C or 23°F during winter nights. UV readings on most extreme summer days reach between 11 and 15. While the Central Australian environment may at first seem stark - a barren landscape supporting spectacular rock formations - closer inspection reveals it as a complex ecosystem, full of life.

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park flora represents a large portion of plants found in Central Australia. A number of these species are considered rare and restricted in the Park or the immediate region. In Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park 46 species of native mammal are known to have been living in the Uluru region; there are currently 21 according to recent surveys. Anangu acknowledge that a decrease in the number has implications for the condition and health of the landscape. Moves are supported for the reintroduction of locally extinct animals such as mallee fowl, brushtail possum, rufous hare wallaby, or mala, bilby, burrowing bettong and the black footed rock wallaby.


The listing of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park ensures the Park remains a world class destination for both its cultural and natural heritage. Visitors will continue to have a unique cultural experience at the Park and leave knowing that the Park is managed according to cultural practices that date back tens of thousands of years. Since listing the Park as World Heritage annual visitor numbers have risen to over 400,000 visitors in the year 2000. Increased tourism provides regional and national economic benefits. It also presents an ongoing challenge to balance conservation of cultural values and visitor needs.

The Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. These times will vary depending on the season. Occasionally parts of the Park may be temporarily closed for cultural reasons. The park entrance fee for Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is $25 per person 16 years of age and over. This fee is valid for 3 consecutive days and helps to maintain the Park. One quarter goes back to Anangu, the traditional owners, to help them maintain their families and the Mutitjulu community. The Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre, located inside the Park on the main road to Uluru, provides an introduction to Tjukurpa, Anangu art, Anangu way of life, history, languages, wildlife and joint management of the Park.

Yasawa Island in Fiji

The Yasawa Island Group is an archipelago of about 20 volcanic islands in the Western Division of Fiji with an approximate total area of 135 square kilometers. The details of Yasawa Island are explained in world tour guides below. The Yasawa Island is developed as a famous tourist attraction and travel destination site.

The Yasawa volcanic group consists of six main islands and numerous smaller islets. The archipelago, which stretches in a north-easterly direction for more than 80 kilometers from a point 40 kilometers north-west of Lautoka, is volcanic in origin and very mountainous, with peaks ranging from 250 to 600 meters in height. The only safe passage for shipping is between Yasawa Island the largest in the archipelago, about 22 kilometers long and less than a kilometer wide and Round Island, 22 kilometers to the north-east.

Until 1987 it was the policy of the Fiji government that the Yasawa Group was closed to land based tourism. There has been a limited cruise operation since the 1950s, but passengers had to stay aboard their ships. Local residents benefited little from the passengers presence. Due to its freehold real estate status, three budget resorts were operating on Tavewa Island since the early 1980s.

Nanuya Levu, also known as Turtle Island, is one of Fiji most famous resorts. Areas of the Yasawas were the locales for the 1980 filming of the romance adventure film The Blue Lagoon. Richard Evanson purchased Nanuya Levu Island in 1970 and moved there in 1972. After the filming of The Blue Lagoon on Nanuya Levu, Mr. Evanson converted the bures established for the film crew into the Turtle Island resort.

Since the Fijian government lifted the restrictions on land based tourism in the Yasawa Group a number of resorts have been established there. Tourism is growing in importance. Permission is required to visit all islands in the group except Tavewa. The home of the Tui Yasawa, the Paramount Chief of the Yasawa Islands, is at Yasawa-i-Rara, on Yasawa Island, but the largest village is Nabukeru.


The British navigator William Bligh was the first European to sight the Yasawas in 1789, following the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. Captain Barber in the HMS Arthur visited the islands in 1794, but they were not charted until 1840, when they were surveyed and charted by a United States expedition commanded by Charles Wilkes.

Throughout the 1800s, Tongan raiders bartered for, and sometimes stole, the sail mats for which the Yasawa Islanders were famous. The islands were largely ignored by the wider world until World War II, when the United States military used them as communications outposts.

Karlstejn Castle in Czech Republic

Karlstejn Castle is a large Gothic castle founded 1348 AD by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor elect and King of Bohemia. The details of Karlstejn Castle is explained in world tour guides below. The castle served as a place for safekeeping the Imperial Regalia as well as the Bohemian coronation jewels, holy relics and other royal treasures. Located about 30 km southwest of Prague above the village named Karlstejn, it is one of the most famous tourist attraction, travel destination and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic.

The construction works were directed by the later Karlstejn burgrave Vitus of Bitov, but there are no records of the builder himself. Some historian speculate that Matthias of Arras may be credited with being the architect, but he had already died by 1352. Instead, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV personally supervised the construction works and interior decoration. Construction was finished nearly twenty years later in 1365 when the heart of the treasury the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower was consecrated.

The outbreak of the Hussite Wars, the Imperial Regalia were evacuated in 1421 and brought via Hungary to Nuremberg. In 1422, during the siege of the castle, Hussite attackers used Biological warfare when Prince Sigismund Korybut used catapults to throw dead bodies and 2000 carriage loads of dung over the walls, apparently managing to spread infection among the defenders. Later, the Bohemian coronation jewels were moved to the castle and were kept there for almost two centuries, with some short-time breaks.

The castle underwent several reconstructions in late Gothic style after 1480, in Renaissance style in the last quarter of the 16th century. In 1487 the Big tower was damaged by fire and during the 16th century there were several adaptations. During the Thirty Years War in 1619, the coronation jewels and the archive were brought to Prague, and in 1620 the castle was turned over to Ferdinand II Holy Roman Emperor. After having been conquered in 1648 by Swedes, it fell in disrepair. Finally a neo Gothic reconstruction was carried out by Josef Mocker between 1887 and 1899 giving the castle its present look. The nearby village was founded during the construction of the castle and bore its name until it was renamed to Buda in the wake of the Hussite Wars. Renamed to Budnany in the 18th century, it was merged with Poucnik and called Karlstejn.

The castle was built upon a promontory from the south side of Knezi hora, divided from it by a narrow sag. The first gate, a square, two-storey tower with a tall hip roof, stood above a moat at the western slope of the promontory. It was connected with the rampart traverse by means of a small portal. The traverse was protected by battlement and divided by a covered bastion in the middle. The second gate led to the burgraviate courtyard. Drawbridges closed both entrances. The burgraviate formed the Karlstejn settlement, it was fortified with a two meters wide rampart, the well tower stood slightly lower. In the burgraviiates rampart a third gate was staved - the main entrance into the inner castle.

The core of castle consisted of three parts placed on three levels differentiated terraces. On lowest terrace there stood the castle palace above it there was church tower and Bid tower stood the highest. The palace a single tract building about 12.5 m wide and 46 m long closed in the east by a simi cylinder tower had aside of the cellar dug in the rock the ground floor and two walled floors the third floor aunder the roof was built from half timbered work. The ground space was open to courtyard and rest was occupied by a granary. Three rooms formed the first floor, largest was the central room called White hall. The emperor inhabited the second floor of the palace the floor was divided into four rooms by self supporting partitions. A spiral staircase connected it with the third floor. The layout and equipement of the second and third floor was approximately same bedrooms on the eastern side, then the stateroom, a hall and the rooms in west.

The central area of the Big tower the chapel of the Holy Cross has no analogy in concept elsewhere in the world. In the safety of the chapeel behind four doors with nineteen locks to each key was guarded independently, the valuable documents of the state archive were kept along with the symbols of state power the crown jewels. Individual buildings of the castle are situated at different height levels expressing their importance. Dominating on the hilltop is the 60m high and separately fortified Great tower built upon massive walls 4-6 m of thickness that houses the Chapel of the Holy Cross. From there one can step down to the Marian tower, the five-storied Imperial palace and come to the Well tower and Burgrave's palace located at the lowest level.

Vladimir

Vladimir is a city in Russia, located on the Klyazma River, 200 kilometers or 124 mi to the east of Moscow along the M7 motorway. It is the administrative center of Vladimir Oblast. The details of Vladimir are explained in world tour guides below. Vladimir was one of the medieval capitals of Russia, and two of its cathedrals are a World Heritage Site which is the famous travel destination and tourist attraction. It is served by Vladimir Semyazino Airport, and during the Cold War Vladimir was host to Dobrynskoye air base.

The area occupied by the city of Vladimir has been inhabited by humans for approximately 25,000 years. Traditionally the founding date of Vladimir has been acknowledged as 1108, as the first mention of Vladimir in the Primary Chronicle appears under that year. This view attributes the founding of the city, and its name, to Vladimir Monomakh, who inherited the region as part of the Rostov-Suzdal principality in 1093. In 1958, the 850th anniversary of the city foundation was celebrated, with many monuments from the celebrations adorning the city squares.
In the 1990s, a new opinion developed that the city is older than this. Scholars reinterpreted certain passages in the Hypatian Codex, which mentions that the region was visited by Vladimir the Great, the father of Russian Orthodoxy, in 990, so as to move the city foundation date to that year. The defenders of the previously uncontested founding year of 1108 dispute the claims of those who support the new date, arguing that the new theory was fabricated in order to provide a reason to have a celebration in 1995.

The neighboring town of Suzdal, for instance, was mentioned in 1024, and yet its 12th century inhabitants alluded to Vladimir as a young town and treated its rulers with arrogance. In the words of a major chronicle, they said that the people of Vladimir were their kholops and scions. In the seniority conflicts of the 12th and early 13th centuries, Vladimir was repeatedly described as a young town compared to Suzdal and Rostov. The Charter of Vladimir, the basic law of the city passed in 2005, explicitly mentions 990 as the date of the city's foundation.

Scores of Russian, German, and Georgian masons worked on Vladimirs white stone cathedrals, towers, and palaces. Unlike any other northern buildings, their exterior was elaborately carved with the high relief stone sculptures. Only three of these edifices stand today: the Assumption Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Demetrios, and the Golden Gate. During Andrei's reign, a royal palace in Bogolyubovo was built, as well as the world-famous Intercession Church on the Nerl, now considered one of the jewels of ancient Russian architecture. Andrei was assassinated at his palace at Bogolyubovo in 1175.

Vladimir was besieged by the Mongol Tatar hordes under Batu Khan and finally overrun on February 8, 1238. A great fire destroyed 32 limestone buildings on the first day alone, while the grand prince and all his family perished in a church where they sought refuge from the fire. The bishop of Vladimir managed to escape. After the Mongols, Vladimir never fully recovered, and even though the most important Rus prince was styled the Grand Prince of Vladimir and was the tax-collector of the Golden Horde.

Modern Vladimir is a part of the Golden ring of ancient Russian cities and a significant tourist center. Its three chief monuments White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List. The magnificent five domed Assumption Cathedral was designed as a sepulcher of grand princes and dedicated to the holy icon Theotokos of Vladimir, which had been brought to the city by Andrew the Pious. The warrior like cathedral of St. Demetrius was built in 1194–1197 as a private chapel of Vsevolod the Big Nest in the courtyard of his palace and was consecrated to his holy patron, St. Demetrius. The Golden Gate, originally a tower over the city's main gate, was built in 1158–1164. Other incredible monuments of pre Mongol Russian architecture are scattered in the vicinity. For more information on them, see Suzdal, Yuriev Polsky, Bogolyubovo, and Kideksha.

Travel Tips To European Countries: Albania

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one's head means '˜no' where as shaking the head means '˜yes'. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren't much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don't have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs ~6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it's better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them:
1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

Wolverhampton - West Midlands Famous History And People Of Yesterday And Today

Wolverhampton - West Midlands was graced with Queen Victoria's presence just after her dear beloved Prince Albert's death in the year 1866 November. Her visit was even more special because it is though to be her first since his passing.

The gifted sculptor Thomas Thorneycraft sculpted a magnificent life-like statue of her dear Prince and cast it in bronze. This is the reason for the Queen's visit to unveil this artwork for the entire city to see and honor.

In the 1770's Wolverhampton was best known for the remarkable steel jewelry and toys they made. From something so dreary as steel beautiful works of art where hand crafted. Things like trinkets, rings, swords hilts and even extravagant buckles. This trade continued to flourish well into the 1790's.

Art has always been an ever present part of Wolverhampton and it shows by the opening of The School of Practical Art in the 1850's and then the Art Gallery The Grand's association with the school upon its opening in 1884.

Famous people of the present and past haveresided here as well. Famous sportsman include Percy Stollard, Olympic Swim Medalist Anita Lonsbrough, Denise Lewis and Bert Williams. Famous oliticians include Sir Charles Pelham Villiers MP, Button Gwinnett and Baroness Helene Hayman.

Famous actors include Goldie and Nigel Bennett. Famous well -known musicians are Robert Plant, Jamelia and Dave Holland as well as the rock groups The Mighty Lemon Drops, Babylon Zoo and Cornershop.

Art lovers will delight in the historical places that are brimming over with current and vintage art pieces and performances. In 1894 The Grand Theatre on Lichfield Street opened for the first show. Since then Charlie Chaplin made a debut here with his hilarious antics as did Sean Connery in a well based theater show

For performances either on an amateur or even a professional venue try going to the Arena Theatre on Wulfruna Street and catch a great show or production. For crafts of a contemporary kind visit The highly renowned Bliston Arts Gallery and for the more hip and modern art try the Tate Bantak House where you will want a little of everything the pop art lover would want.

The Royal Air Force Fire Service museum and Royal Air Force museum are places every child would love to visit with their dad. There is also the historically rich Chillington Hall and Himley House as well to tour through and be amazed at the architecture of the times.

An elegant Victorian manor house named The Wightwick is full of history and beauty in its design and its rooms. Mr. Theodore Mander built this home for his family. He came from a long line of 19th century industrialist who where very successful for the times they where living in. Edward Ould did all Designing of the home including additions of a parlor room and more later on.

Atop the highest point within the center of the city you will spy the architectural rich St. Peters collegiate Church. The earliest parts still standing today have been dated to the 1200's. More architectural magic can be found from the 15th century. This is truly a place you just have to take a tour off while vacationing here.

This is the perfect vacation to enjoy food, music, art, history and so much more with your entire family. Just think of Wolverhampton - West Midlands as the perfect historically rich vacation destination.

Stay Safe: Road Safety Tips For Exploring New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its great natural beauty and one of the best ways to see the country is to hire a campervan and explore by road. For those planning to travel on New Zealands roads, here are some useful safety tips.

Drivers should be aware of New Zealand traffic laws. Motorists can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a current drivers licence from their home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). If the licence is not in English, drivers will need to carry an English translation by an accepted agency with them while driving.

In New Zealand, they drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way (yield) to oncoming traffic from the right. If this is different from the situation you are accustomed to in your home country, you may want to take some time to get oriented on the quieter back roads before driving in heavy traffic.

The maximum speed limit in New Zealand is 100 kilometres per hour (100km/h) in the country and 50km/h when driving in urban traffic. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, the maximum speed is 80km/h on the open road. These speed limits pertain to normal driving conditions when it is safe to travel at those speeds. During bad weather or in the presence of other hazardous conditions such as people or animals on or near the road, drivers must not exceed 50km/h.

A tourist may want to go at a slower pace than other drivers. For drivers going below the speed limit with others waiting behind them, they should move to the left side of the road when it is safe to do so.

Signs are posted warning drivers of upcoming curves, and drivers should pay attention to these warnings. All signs use standard international symbols with distances given in kilometres. In New Zealand all drivers and passengers are required to wear safety belts, and children under five must use approved child restraints.

Overseas travellers will often suffer from jet lag, so it is important for drivers to make sure they are well rested before getting behind the wheel. If necessary, drivers should schedule their driving as not to interfere with their sleep patterns. Sleepy drivers should take breaks and naps, and if they find themselves nodding off while driving they should roll the windows wide open and pull over as soon as possible. Caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee can help drivers stay alert.

Drivers should try to get between 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night, or more if they are still feeling fatigued while driving. Also, it is a good idea to avoid driving more than 6 to 8 hours a day. Taking a break every two hours and walking around to increase blood circulation can help improve alertness and reduce fatigue. Another good idea is for drivers not to overeat as this can induce drowsiness. If possible, share driving times with other passengers.

Of course, one should never drink or take illegal drugs while driving. The legal blood alcohol limit while driving in New Zealand is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, any amount of alcohol can act as a depressant and contribute to drowsiness while driving. So the best advice is that drivers should not drink any alcohol at all.

Always take into account the vehicle's size while driving, along with the overall load weight, since this can influence your ability to brake and stop the vehicle. Also, drivers should find out what emergency services their campervan hire company provides.

Affordable Family Vacations Jamaica Is Within Your Reach

Are you gearing up to plan your next family vacation? Due to the economy, many families are vacationing closer to home. After all, it is no secret that the affordable family vacations are located close by. With that said, you might be surprised when you look at Jamaica. Yes, Jamaica is often associated with luxurious romantic getaways and yes Jamaica is typically associated with a huge price tag, but it doesnt have to be. Despite what you might have heard in the past, affordable family vacations can be found in Jamaica! How so?

All-Inclusive Jamaica Resorts: In Jamaica, you will find a great selection of all-inclusive resorts. While some of these resorts do have age restrictions that prohibit children under the age of say 14 or 16 from staying onsite, there are many resorts designed for families and even more resorts where guests of all ages are welcomed. These resorts are perfect for affordable family vacations because they have activities, facilities, and services designed for children and their parents. For instance, it is common to find daycare centers or babysitting services, kiddie and family pools, game rooms, family-friendly restaurants, and more.
But wait! What about the affordable family vacations part? Here is the best part! Not only do you save time (one arrangement plans and pays for most of your trip), but you are also likely to save money. What you are buying is a packaged travel deal. Your stay includes your room or suite, many forms of onsite entertainment, qualifying airport transfers, tips, food, drinks, and snacks. Saving money isnt guaranteed, but most families do save anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars! Many tourists just like you try to estimate the cost of all their food, drinks, activities, and so forth at the end of their trip. When comparing that estimate to the cost of their all-inclusive travel package, most saved a considerable amount of money.

Make Use of Inclusions: If you do opt for a stay at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, getting affordable family vacations is easy when you make use of all inclusions. Basically, these are things you already paid for because they were included in the cost of your stay. So lets stay that your resort has a rock climbing wall; you and your children should use it! In fact, the more you make use of a resorts inclusions, the more money you save
Traditional Vacation Packages: While we are particularly found of all-inclusive Jamaica travel packages for affordable family vacations, there are standard travel packages available as well. You can and should examine these. We are sure youll find all-inclusive to be your best bet, but we also encourage you to examine all your options. For example, a standard Jamaica travel package typically includes airfare, car rental, and hotel stay. If looking to keep it simple, this might be a good choice for you. However, keep in mind that your food, drinks, snacks, and tips arent included; therefore, you will need to cover these yourself. Families looking to plan affordable family vacations need to do a lot of planning and preparation when staying at a traditional hotel.
Moneysaving Travel Discounts: Whether you opt for an all-inclusive Jamaica travel package or a traditional travel package, you are encouraged to book your travel plans directly through the resort. Yes those third-party travel websites are nice, but the resorts and hotels themselves tend to offer even better deals and discounts. The type of discounts you find will vary, but it is not uncommon to get stay X number of nights and get one free, book now and save later deals, and so forth. These deals can significantly lower the cost of your trip giving you affordable family vacations!
The examples above are just a few of the many ways that you and other families can find affordable family vacations. Other tips include price comparing all-inclusive resorts, booking your trip in advance, and maybe travel in the off-season where travel costs are lower. Since you will find a lot of deals and discounts now, there is no need to wait to book your trip. So what are you waiting for? Jamaica is within your reach; it can be the home of affordable family vacations just like yours!

The Attraction Of Luxury Chalet Holidays

A catered chalet holiday is a perfect holiday compromise; it is less formal than a hotel yet less of a challenge than a catered holiday. The staff are there to make your stay as enjoyable as possible by keeping your room clean and tidy, providing excellent catering services and creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
The aim of a good chalet holiday is to create a real home from home feel without the usual stresses and strains of ordinary home life, and with a few luxuries thrown in for good measure.

On a luxury chalet holiday the staff will make it easy for you to be able to enjoy all the benefits that the ski resort has to offer.
Different chalet companies may vary but in general you will start the day with a wholesome breakfast to get you started for the day ahead. Luxury chalet holidays provide an extensive catering service and breakfast; lunch and dinner are available so there is no need to worry about getting food on the go. And with all that exercise on the slopes working up an appetite you will definitely appreciate some quality home-cooked food.
Most people are very eager to get skiing or snowboarding on the first day as quickly as possible. It may be that you are a seasoned skier wanting advice on wheres best to explore or you may be a novice skier that needs lessons; then the staff at your chalet holiday will be able to help you. Good chalet staff should be able to advise you on everything from information about the chalets themselves to the area you are staying in
You can organise skiing lessons in advance to your arrival to eliminate any unnecessary hassle from your stay. Some companies can even sort out lift passes for you and advise you on where to hire any equipment. The staff on a chalet holiday are quite literally invaluable.

With the staff looking after your every need, you are free to enjoy the beautiful surroundings that come with a luxury chalet holiday. After a tiring day on the slopes you can relax at the resort, refuel with some high quality wholesome food and soak up the afternoon sun on the terrace or the balcony of your chalet. Many chalets also provide a bar area so you can relax with an alcoholic drink at the end of a tiring day.
A chalet holiday can last for as long as you want it to, perhaps you are looking to make a quick getaway to the slopes for a brief break away or maybe you are looking to spend an entire winter in an exciting destination. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of a chalet holiday will make you want to stay for a life time and that is why people tend to return to their favourite resort again and again.
The luxury of being looked after following an energetic day on the slopes appeals to many and this is why luxury chalet holidays are so popular. Of course different resorts will vary in quality and facilities but the concept remains the same. You have the same luxuries of a hotel stay without the formalities; and all the freedom of a self-catering holiday without the hassle.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is waterfall of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Parana and the Argentine province of Misprision. It is also called as Iguassu Falls, or Iguacu Falls. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. Their name comes from the Guarani or Tupi words and uasu. Legend has it that a god planned to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipi, who fled with her mortal lover Taroba in a canoe. The first European to find the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541, after whom one of the falls in the Argentine side is named. The falls were rediscovered by Boselli at the end of the nineteenth century, and one of the Argentine falls is named after him.

Iguazu Falls was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation. As of February 2009 it was ranking fifth in Group F, the category for lake, rivers, and waterfalls. The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers or 1.67 miles of the Iguazu River. Some of the individual falls are up to 82 meters or 269 ft in height, though the majority are about 64 metres or 210 ft. The Devil's Throat, a U-shaped, 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long or 490 by 2300 feet cataract, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Two thirds of the falls are within Argentine territory. About 900 meters of the 2.7-kilometer length does not have water flowing over it. The edge of the basalt cap recedes only 3 mm or 0.1 in per year. The water of the lower Iguazu collects in a canyon that drains into the Parana River at Argentina, shortly downstream from the Itaipu dam.

The falls can be reached from the two main towns on either side of the falls Foz do Iguacu in the Brazilian state of Parana, and Puerto Iguazu in the Argentine province of Misiones as well as from Ciudad del Este Paraguay on the other side of the Parana river from Foz do Iguacu. The falls are shared by the Iguazu National Park Argentina and Iguacu National Park. These parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively.

On the Brazilian side there is a long walkway along the canyon with an extension to the lower base of the Devils Throat. From Foz do Iguacu airport the park can be reached by taxi R$ 15-17 or bus no 120 to entrance of the park. There is an entrance fee to the park. Free frequent buses are provided to various points within the park. The park opens at 9 am and closes at 5.30 pm. The town of Foz do Iguacu is about 20 kms away and the airport is in between the park and the town.

The Argentine access is facilitated by the Rainforest Ecological Train, which brings visitors to different walkways. The Paseo Garganta del Diablo is a one-kilometer-long trail that brings the visitor directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat. Other walkways allow access to the elongated stretch of falls on the Argentine side and to the ferry that connects to the San Martin Island. The fall area provides opportunities for water sports and rock climbing.

Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed Poor Niagara! Iguazu is also often compared with Southern Africa Victoria Falls which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe. Iguazu is wider, but because it is split into about 270 discrete falls and large islands, Victoria is the largest curtain of water in the world, at over 1,600 m or 5,249 ft wide and over 100 m or 328 ft in height. The only wider falls are extremely large rapid-like falls such as the Boyoma Falls. With the flooding of the Guaira Falls in 1982, Iguazu currently has the second greatest average annual flow of any waterfall in the world, after Niagara, with an average rate of 1746 m³/s.

The water falling over Iguazu in peak flow has a surface area of about 40 Ha or 1.3 million ft² whilst Victoria in peak flow has a surface area of over 55 ha or 1.8 million ft². By comparison, Niagara has a surface area of under 18.3 ha or 600,000 ft². Victoria's annual peak flow is also greater than Iguazus annual peak 9,100 m³/s versus 6,500 though in times of extreme flood the two have recorded very similar maximum water discharge. Niagaras average flow is about 2,400 m³/s, although an all-time peak of 8,269 has been recorded. Iguazu and Victoria fluctuate more greatly in their flow rate. Mist rises between 30 metres or 98 ft and 150 m or 492 ft from Iguazus Devils Throat, and over 300 m or 984 ft above Victoria.

Iguazu, however, affords better views and walkways and its shape allows for spectacular vistas. At one point a person can stand and be surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfalls. The Devils Throat has water pouring into it from three sides. Likewise, because Iguazu is split into many relatively small falls, one can view these a portion at a time. Victoria does not allow this, as it is essentially one waterfall that falls into a canyon and is too immense to appreciate at once.

As of July 24, 2006 a severe drought in South America had caused the river feeding the falls to become parched, reducing the amount of water flowing over the falls to 300 m³ or 80,000 gallons per second, down from the normal flow of 1,300 m³/s to 1,500 m³/s. By early December, the flow was spectacular again, according to visiting tourists. This was unusual, as normally dry periods last only a few weeks.