Tourism: January 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Back to Thailand!

I'm back in Thailand!

Honestly, I wasn't even sure whether I it would be left if I from took Niagara Falls/Seattle/Hawaii.I had to visit Thailand for medical tourism entered a contest for bloggers and I kind of forgot es.Kurz before my Hawaii arrival I was informed that I was one of the 12 finalists and would be flown to Thailand.

... and here I am!

The journey is by the tourism authority of Thailand awareness Thailand as a tourist destination medical tourism gesponsert.Die 12 blogger moved many and were sent to various locations in all Thailand: Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui.I drew the most medical intensive travel in Bangkok, and with a woman who works in the medical field for the trip to Ko Samui gehandelt.Ich not complaining.

I write this about an hour in Ko Samui, where I ended up just ago.I'll be here for three days before returning to Bangkok.

I go to the dentist here every time I Thailand or look into getting LASIK've considered surgery done on my eyes, was this a decision to come here and heraus.mindestens check it I will clean my teeth while I am getting here.

Also because I'm here, I decided just to stay in Thailand for a few weeks to do some work I wanted in Hawaii to tun.Ich will until mid-December, when I start here, to my way back to Wisconsin to be arbeiten.Ich with my family at Christmas will via Tokyo, Honolulu and San Francisco again.

If you are the next few weeks in Bangkok, please send me a mail.

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Ukraine open Chernobyl area for tourists in 2011

Want to KIEV Ukraine - a better understanding of the world's worst nuclear disaster? Come and tour the Chernobyl power station.

At the beginning of next year, Ukraine plans to open the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor for visitors who want to learn more about the tragedy, that almost a quarter of a century ago occurred, the emergency situations Ministry said Monday.

The Chernobyl reactor No. 4 exploded on 26 April 1986, spewing radiation over a large swath of Northern Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people were Ukraine Belarus fallout from areas with radiation and Russia contaminated translocated. Work-related health problems still exist.

The so-called exclusion zone, a highly contaminated area within a 30 mile (48 km) radius of the exploded reactor was evacuated and close off in the aftermath of the explosion. All visits were banned.

Today, some 2,500 employees maintain the remains of the now closed nuclear plant to minimize in shifts to their exposure to radiation. Prohibition are returned to their villages despite a Government hundreds evacuated. A few companies now offer tours to the restricted area, but the Government says that these tours are illegal and their safety is not guaranteed.

Emergency situations Ministry spokesperson Julia Yershova said experts develop itineraries that will be both medically safe and informative for Ukrainians and foreign visitors. You give an exact date when the tours were expected to begin.

"There are things to see if you follow the official route there and stray away from the group" Yershova the associated press said. "Although it is a very sad story."

The United Nations development program chief Helen Clark toured the Chernobyl together with Baloha on Sunday and said, supported the plan as it could help money and tell a lesson on nuclear safety.

"Personally, I think it is an opportunity to tell a story here and of course the process tell a story, a sad story is something positive in economic terms and positively in communicating important messages, is", Clark said, according to your Office.

The Ministry also said Monday it hopes to complete to create a new more secure shell for the exploded reactor by 2015. The new shelter covers the original iron and concrete structure of the reactor, the radiation, crack and threatens, reduce leaking was hastily established.

The new shell is 345 feet (105 M) high, 853 feet (260 M) wide and 490 metres long (150 metres). It weighs 20,000 tonnes and will be pushed through the old shelter with rail tracks. The new structure will be large enough to the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris or the statue of liberty in New York House.

(Die_Gesamtkosten_des_internationalen_Gebern_finanzierte_Projekt_ist_von_505_Millionen_US-Dollar_gestiegen_((EURO)_380_Millionen) to $1.15 billion ((EURO) 870 million) due to the more stringent security requirements according to the Ukrainian officials.

The European Bank for reconstruction and development, who managed the project, said a final estimate of the cost of the project will be released after the French-led consortium Novarka a building plan finalized in the coming months.

By news.yahoo.com

FILE - this may 10, 2007 file photo a general overview of empty houses in the city of Pripyat and the closed Chernobyl nuclear power station in the background. Next year, said Ukraine of the contaminated zone around the Chernobyl visitors will provide more information about the nuclear tragedy which occurred want it 24 years ago, the emergency situations Ministry Monday Dec 13 2010. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky (file)

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Keep fit on holiday travel

It's hard to stay healthy while on the go, but traveling over the holidays can present more challenges (pumpkin pie, anyone?). Here are our top tips way home active to stay whether you getting together with family or getting away from it all.

Record your current fitness plan.
Find it easier to follow regime if you do it your exercise in writing. Or list daily on the-road-fitness goals. As an example: (1) on foot, when possible; 2. Eat smaller portions; (3) go for a run on the beach; (4) Stretch for five minutes morning and evening. But you go on a guilt trip if you miss a few objectives: the point of the list is to keep healthy, not out stress.

Screen of your hotel's fitness facilities.
It is not enough to know that there a gym: how great it is? What are the opening hours? What kind of equipment is available? What courses are offered? Are you free? Does the pool round streets or is it a family scramble? Enough space for a room workout room fitness offers, there have rooms like treadmills or yoga mats and DVDs? There is Jacuzzi bathtub in the room? What is first place saunas or steam rooms? Call for information and/or take a virtual tour of the hotel, on its website or on a booking site.

Look into local workout options.
Ask your hotel or host recommendations or check out sites like Healthclubs.com and Airportgyms.com. Swimmersguide.com, created and managed by two lifelong lap swimmer, collections of the pool around the world that are available to the public and some hotel pools. RunthePlanet.com lets you research; race and routes around the world The latter provided runners by colleagues. Yogafinder.com does just what its name suggests - in over 85 countries. AthleticMindedTraveler.com establishing fees less than $5 per month for access to well-edited information run to buy equipment or play your favourite sport in more than 60 U.s. and Canadian cities.

Research workout routines and portable devices.
All large fitness magazines (such as health, fitness, men's health, women's health) have workout routines in your problems and your sites. American Council on fitness (www.acefitness.org) has moved an exercise library with illustrated that target any part of the body. Jfit.com sold a portable travel training kit with resistance bands, bars and ankle strap. All lifeline (www.lifelineusa.com) of the United States exercise products are portable.

Think outside the box.
Find none of the activities that you know and love? Try a new - perhaps a known goal and bearing in mind always the whole family on board. Sign up for Tango lessons in Buenos Aires, surfing sessions in San Diego, climbing courses in Grand Teton, guided tours in the hinterland or Tai Chi classes in Hong Kong. Tourist Office National Park and city Web sites have information about many of such activities. Maxlifestyle.com to information on everything from getting started to gearing up to planning a trip around 14 different activities - hiking, snowboarding, meditation.

Try to eat normally.
Travellers often joke that on the street "calories don't count" - if only! If your usual morning meal a bagel and juice is a solid week of the breakfast buffet could get you into trouble. Identifying their fitness goals before he home and avoid sabotaging yourself the question of: thats what I would normally at home? Approximate, do their best to normal eating routines and continue for chances to sample local cuisine - and holiday favorites.

By fodors.com

Keep fit on holiday travel

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Manger scenes highlight holiday season SC Abbey

MONCKS CORNER, s.c. - the holiday season comes early each year to an Abbey on a tranquil bluff upstream from Charleston, s.c..

The monks show Mepkin Abbey, even before Thanksgiving, dozens of nursery schools from around the world in what has become a Christmas tradition.

This year an estimated 5,000 people are expected in the Abbey approximately 45 minutes Northwest of Charleston at the annual Mepkin Abbey to visit crib Festival.

This year is the Festival that is free but reservations requires Nov., 15 open display are 73 crib sets made everything from clay and ceramic, porcelain, wood, straw and sticks and lichens.

Most have never been before angezeigt.Die nurseries are everywhere from Mexico and Guatemala Kenya and Burkina Faso to Korea.

Much of this year's collection is the Jean and Alexander heard.Alexander heard, died last year, a crib collector after sometime make set a crib made of plywood wurde.Er served as Chancellor of the Vanderbilt University between 1963 and 1982.

Mepkin was founded in 1949, although located near Moncks corner has nothing to do with monks and Thomas Monck, a local landowner was named.

Place under whispering Oaks with view on the Cooper River, includes the Abbey a chapel, the Clare Boothe Luce library, where the Festival takes place, a business and gardens.

The Rev.Guerric Heckel, said the monks didn't set out to annual festivals to %s.keeping began when he was Manager of the store in 2003 Abbey.

"" I thought that if it is a place where someone to a decent Nativity set should buy, it's a monastery store,"he said.""I got away on creativity a bit and went out and ordered $5000 worth of crib sets."

The Abbey was then decided see nurseries.This year the monks 10 of your own with 20 loans from a Boston display antique dealers.

"" It came about 1,500 people to see,"said Heckel.""We knew that we were doing something that people really to respond."

Now the monastery has about 500 nurseries in his collection and people are donations you increasingly to the monks.

"" There's something about the crib, which affects only people in a deep place where you live,"said Heckel.""Sometimes people get into the store talking about her father used to one under the Christmas tree tears in my eyes, or that you used to play with, as a child."

He always said people Festival part of their tradition make holiday.

"He said"The weekend after Thanksgiving, you your family crèches, release to see,".""It is quite a contrast between the shopping centres and this and it offers you a few moments which start quiet reflection as you rush of season."

This season there is on some new additions to Festival.Mehrere the nurseries the display were given by the monks in order.

And this year for the first time, there are five outdoor nativity scene shows the dozens in Bibliothek.Einer outside consisting of an old water tank and the sheep have eyes from old light bulbs.

But whether metal made seem the nurseries of glittering ceramics made or boring the same reactions.

"" It touched secret,"said Heckel.""There are deep memories of childhood, within us - this first Christmas that we back to kind of go relive."

By news.yahoo.com

AP is this Friday, November 12, 2010 photo, a crib set designed from a sound on the display on the site.

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Gehry-designed Miss. Museum highlights sculptors

BILOXI, Miss - he was known as Biloxi's "Mad Potter" a wild-haired man who spun curious creations on his pottery wheel at the turn of the twentieth century.

George E. ear was when an Eccentrics of local people released during his life, but his ceramic considered to be the first American abstract expressionism.

Almost 100 years after his death for it by Frank Gehry the latest designed determined Katrina feat in a region ear's art and the Museum, still has the scars of the killer storm.

$21 Million first phase of the ear-O'Connor opened O'Keefe Museum of art in this Monat.Das Museum signature Gehry - curved brick stairs is geometric roof lines and hilly building.

Gehry's pods ear - towering, twisted metal hulls jutting out of the ground - are in contrast to the bright, architectural barges along U.S. of 90's Casino line flashes.

Denny Meacham, Director of the Museum the unique twist in the ear's said ceramics is what Gehry's stainless steel sleeves designed to under the oak trees live on the site that the Mississippi sound inspired dance fronts.

"The combination of Frank Gehry and George ear is a perfect Übereinstimmung.Sie both pushed the limits to what is expected in their fields," said Meacham."All good art creates debate."

Ear pieces scattered - from functional teapots, glazed vessels with lines the Museum site, that imitates rippling waters.Visitors are a primer on ear, when you reach the welcome Center: his early works were influenced by the Victorian period.His abstract style emerged about 1894 in the same year, a devastating fire his Biloxi Studio destroyed. ear died in 1918.

The pods are to open most of the ear's pottery House when open. the Centre for ceramics where art classes will be taught by artist-in-residence, in 2012 in the year 2012.

For now, art lovers can catch the bronze creations of Richmond Barthe the Museum Beau Rivage & Casino Resort African American art gallery.

Barthe, a Bay St. Louis native, links to the South, a to be well-known artists in New York and abroad in the 1930s and 40s.He sculptures the human form is in the smallest detail, even the iris of a woman eye in a Stück.Eine form the sinewy body of a man in acrobatic pose another sculpture backward bent.

Loan said twenty-two Barthe's pieces in the exhibit different collectors, Julie Gustafson, marketing and Development Manager of the Museum.

"It is the largest retrospective of Barthe's Arbeit.Die works were sent from especially in the North East and the East Coast", said Gustafson.

Twenty-seven-Andy Warhol-print including his series "Cowboys and Indians" and images of Superman and the wicked witch of the West adorn the walls of the Museum IP Casino Resort Spa exhibitions Gallery.The Warhol prints are from the private collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran of LaGrange GA.,

Outside the galleries, two massive ceramic heads by Japanese-born sculptor are designed Jun Kaneko.

"Typically see opposite each other, but he allowed us to point to the water such as Sentinel," said Meacham.

Although organizers the museum world view it is what a disaster prone area golf oil become - Katrina in 2005 and recently, verschütten.Beide had disasters affecting tourism, the Meacham recognized is important to the maintenance of the Museum.

Meacham still believes the tourism traffic "is 150 years recover from the recession and the oil disaster, so how it has bounced always setbacks during the past."

After Katrina, there were some who doubted the Museum at the selected position be built konnte.Katrinas storm surge was a casino barge from its moorings and crashed above on the Museum Web site.

Insurance said to renew$ 17 million reconstruction efforts, Jerry O' O'Keefe, the 2 million US dollars for the project has donated after his deceased wife named said Annette ist.Meacham posts by casinos and have helped grant funds to complete the first phase.

"The Museum is definitely a symbol of recovery," said O'Keefe.

Lenders and insurance require all art said Meacham to move 25 miles inland developed a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, "so therefore hurricane preparation part of all our exhibition is an integral planning."

O'Keefe, he said and other organizers knew wanted to the project by Gehry, touches the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, massive crowds when it opens in the 1990s zog.Und was not as difficult as it may seem, Gehry to sign the project, to convince.

"We have a mutual friend and he was ear and reputation, aware of George," O'Keefe said.

Not all was the Museum Campus replica created by Gehry.Eine of postponed the pleasant Reed House which built by a former slave with money he earned first had as a free man on the Museum site in 2002, but was destroyed by Katrina.

The replica has again since then been developed and now serves as an interpretive center and currently has the exhibition "the native guard: A photographic history of ship of Iceland's African American Regiment."

In a small room with pine walls and floors black and white photos of soldiers in addition to excerpts from the diary hang of Colonel of Nathan W. Daniels, a white man of the regiment führte.Die exhibition, curated by a coast historian specializing in African American history, provides insight into the black military experience during the civil war.

O'Keefe said part of the Museum mission is to emphasize, American contributions, art or otherwise.

"For so many years, your gifts to country and State see, misinterpreted ignored and was," O'Keefe said.

By news.yahoo.com

In this photo taken November 10, 2010 are visitors to the Mississippi sound Welcome Center of ear o' treated O'Keefe Museum of art, a small gallery with works by the American artist, George E. ear in Biloxi, Miss. included in the Gallery of this monumental URN is handcrafted by ear in 1892.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Skiing in the Italian Alps

When considering most people in Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence special offers search for a trip to Italy. The main cities get so much attention that most tourists never discover the beauty are the obscure Italy. If you see for history and culture you to monuments or take a ride on a Venetian gondola. Smaller cities give you all this in an interview with the locals. Sun and espresso are a staple of a warm Italian summer but two hours north west of Venice in a small Valley called, Val di Fassa and experience Italy best kept secret winter.

Discover the Italian Alps

Located in the heart of the Italian Alps a picturesque valley, is home to less than 5,000 people in the low season.Wait December, after the first snow fall and with over 40,000 strives to get the location on the slopes alive until early.Streets are lined with ski hire, cafes, street meat and shops, all your favorite Italian designer enthält.Jedes is few miles a gondola, you take you in under the mountain for your first glimpse of what geht.Einmal up into the mountain you can find in skiing in the Alps for miles and take multiple routes to some of the best skiing in the world.

Ski and enjoy culture Northern

For under 40 euros you can buy a full-day ski pass, you around 200 plus miles of the area.Head down an area of the mountain and end up in a city, a 30-minute drive from the hotel be würde.Keine concern if after a long day on the slopes become too tired and not handle a last towards home, hop on one of the many buses that long running all day execution may need to skiers back to their home a midday snack or Gluhwein tragen.Wenn, there almost every run in mountain chalets at the end.If you you see children sign for one week course with any trainers milling about wearing light blue and time you will be able to say you learned professionals within this Woche.Sie ski or snowboard at some of the best mountains in the world.

From suite101.com

Final run heading in Canazei Val di Fassa.-Erin Gilbert

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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Arizona road trip in all seasons, Cactus to the canyon

This fall, through a forest of giant cacti in Saguaro National Park meets spent a childhood dreams devouring Zane Grey novels a sunset ride on horseback. But also that perfect ride has competition for my favorite moment in Arizona. Can nothing wake up actually above canyon rim on the Grand to a swirling Blizzard which resolves to a double Rainbow? Or chasing the sunset in Monument Valley from a mitten-shaped sandstone formation to another?

For many years of the visits I have my ideal, a-to-two week road trip to Arizona's highlights distilled. I have it road blocks north of Flagstaff in all seasons, traveled, just for occasional snow in the winter and summer days in the 110 s from Phoenix to the South. Here are my favorites.

SOUTHERN DESERT MISSION: how I my horse back towards the trail controlled shieber to take one last picture when I end a two-hour ride in the desert outside Tucson, approached Remington.

The white quarter my mind must have read Bobbi Houston riding horse. Forget the photo. I struggled down Gallop momentum back into the sunset. This is the effect of the southern Arizona Sonoran Desert washed on silence and subdued grey green shapes. The deserts are fascinating as no other landscape. But are anything but empty. Thousands of Saguaros here have stood Sentinel for centuries. Start not even your iconic weapons can more than 200 years life and grow until they are about 70.

Better place, is to not see the Saguaros and friends lost your desert fuzzy Cholla and spindly ocotillo plant, fluorescent green Palo Verde and mesquite trees – as in the Saguaro National Park has its districts two, a few miles on both sides of the city of Tucson. Each individual pullout on Gates pass road, the best route to the Western Park is worth a photo.

South of Tucson on I-19, as close to the Mexican border which is miles to kilometers, which is unlikely grand characters for a different kind of presence in this desert: Mission San Xavier del BAC. Built in the 1700s of Franciscan brothers, the dazzling white Spanish colonial church of even Minister Tohono o' odham - reservation.

Coming in from Sun-drenched environment which dark mission, scented candle baroque interior is dazzling, every inch covered vividly painted faux architectural details. Complete loneliness must have been good company for your sculptors of the Saints and angels.

PHOENIX OASIS: A few hours is North along I-10 by flat desert sprouting moonlike peaks, Phoenix, an oasis of clean modernity in this Dreamscape. Favorite spots in the area are the heard Museum with its superb collection of native American art and the resorts and art galleries of Scottsdale, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Phoenix.

I always try fit into two mini road journeys from Phoenix. If I have a day suburb to remote old Apache trail goes West within a few kilometres east of the city. The trail rises in the Superstition Mountains, Cottonwood-shaded canyons and skirting Lakes. In the spring when the cacti know purple and gold bloom, it is the Western equivalent cherry blossom time.

If I is only a few hours before the flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, my last desert escape South Mountain Park, a 10-minute drive south of downtown and its winding road up to Dobbins lookout. With look at past the Saguaros in the entire metropolis and its 360 degree desert cradle, this is the place for a South central Arizona sunset, bar none.

RED ROCKS everywhere: Red is the color of my "can't miss" stops on a loop over the Northern deserts where Navajo and Hopis have lived for centuries. Water reflected Vermillion cliffs in the silence of Lake Powell and together with the sunsets color you Monument Valley, the painted desert and Juniper Forests of Sedona. But my perfect sunset was on a secluded stretch towards the remote Canyon de Chelly, on a fragrant Sage covered Mesa as daylight fades from pale pink to indigo on the continuous horizon.

The loop starts with a detour off less than two hours north of Phoenix I 17 by Sedona and shaded Oak Creek Canyon - the masses start dropping off here. Then it is a mile crunching, mind-clearing with the East, petrified forest National Park (includes the Badlands painted desert), and in Navajo tribal land to Canyon de Chelly North. My choice spots along its southern edge drive 800 metres from the Creek are slim the otherworldly spider rock jutting-lined Canyon floor and White House ruin. The walk to the White House ruin takes you past fields and pastures to cliff dwellings carved high in the steep rock wall of the Canyon centuries ago. Mystery shrouds the old Pueblo peoples who created these structures and others through the Gorges of the four corners area.

From there, loop back Northwest to Monument Valley tribal Navajo Park, which spans the Arizona Utah State line. A short drive Selbstgeführte overlooks spectacular sandstone monoliths in forms, by a W up to mittens.

Rotate a last stop before South is the realm. Lake Powell, boat party headquarters in summer, everything is selling in winter, its wide a kaleidoscope of stone, water and back again to reflect. (Boat trips run throughout the year.) The other end of the intimate scale is Antelope slot Canyon, a crack in the sandy plateau to barely wide enough for one person. The Gorge is accessible only with a guide; Hiking it felt like to go through an hourglass cursor at the beginning of time.

GRANDEST OF ALL: Theodore Roosevelt said everyone should see the Grand Canyon, Americans but once is not enough. It is different at sunset and sunrise in a snow storm and the Moonlight whether you alone or the hordes of tour bus. Endless forms, colours and depths can from every viewpoint along the canyon's 20-mile-plus South Rim drive be seen. You can't help but feel small.

My latest, unlikely perfect Arizona moment on a dreary stretch of Interstate between Tucson and Phoenix came early fall evening. A splitter the Moon towers over the pitch-black expanse of desert, during mountains in the Western horizon a low silhouette against the last yellowish tint of set Sun cut. Spellbound over I pulled up the sky all Sapphire enabled and broke stars in the still wide.
Back home, I swapped leaves that smell like the desert Lavender in my drawers for crushed creosote. When I catch a hint, I close my eyes and disappear into the desert.

By news.yahoo.com

AP - this November 28, 2009 photo courtesy of Giovanna Dell'Orto shows a late fall sunset as it the myriad... colors

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Winter weather calls surge in holiday bookings

It has a growth spurt in people who book a holiday in the Sun after the bitterly cold last weeks tour operators according to.

The Spanish Islands, Mexico, Egypt and Thailand've all seen a rise in interest rates from British holidaymakers looking for a last minute Christmas break or a January holidays away from the below zero temperatures, many fear that continue to beat United Kingdom.

The more favourable exchange rate of euro and some cutting of prices has also encouraged people to look abroad.

The met Office has already confirmed so far this month is the coldest December since at least 1981. Forecasters have a return to very cold conditions later this week with the it widespread icy conditions and risk of further snowfall warning is given.

Travel Supermarket, a travel booking site, said that in the last few weeks searches for foreign holiday during the Christmas and had on your site by 35 percent increased a year ago.

Had the cooperative said travel Christmas and new year bookings for some areas in Spain, driven by interest in Lanzarote and Tenerife, increased by 12 percent compared to the previous year. Bookings to Fuerteventura rose 10 percent to 12 percent year on year and Tenerife.

Many Spanish coastal of resorts, after a hot year their prices have hotels with family offers a package for a week for four people for as little as £ 388 cut.

Despite the recent shark attacks, bookings are trembling in the UK snow to Sharm el Sheikh this winter to nine percent compared with the previous year as the guaranteed sunshine attracts those.

Christian cull, Thomson and first choice holidays, said: "one of the main reasons tourists choose is going abroad to escape the great British weather." The cold snap in the UK has seen an increase in the visits to our retail stores and Web sites like people looking to escape the doom and gloom for warmer climes.

"A trend we noticed is vacation; an increase in demand after three or four night"flexible duration"" Although people long to the play having in the run-up to Christmas, find some great value winter sun enjoy. "With the met Office more cold weather forecast to come we are anticipating a rush on our business in January as more customers, seeking some late winter sun book or, in most cases give yourself something to look forward to their most important summer book."

Travel experts warned that the interest in warmer destinations around the world was not evenly distributed, that not all potential travellers to book were supported by the weather.

Charlotte Cumming on a vacation warned that many potential tourists off reservation had been made by the heavy snow in early December, when flights severely affected from the United Kingdom with Gatwick closed for two days, to point out that risk will be those of a nervous disposition of a fresh bout snow at the airport was stranded.

From telegraph.co.uk

Cala Deià, Mallorca photo: PHOTOLIBRARY.COM

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Dubai Desert conservation reserve

It all started Al Maktoum of region disappearing wildlife is in the 1960s when the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed. Dubai was quick develop, but its fauna was as a result of the hunting and poaching shrink. To save what remained a project has been implemented the indigenous Arabian oryx antelope and herds of Oryx were flown around the world to a nature reserve with similar climatic conditions in Arizona, USA. The creatures flourished and reproduced in your new sanctuary, however, 35 years later their Spr?¶??linge back were flown to Dubai. This was the desire by Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who wanted to re-introduce Arabian oryx Antelope along with other native species in their natural habitat. The Emirates, together with cooperation and support of the Dubai Government introduced a detailed research, analysis and assessment of the area ecosystem and biodiversity and set out, open to a nature park establishing for visitors by resort accommodation. The Al Maha Desert Resort was opened in 1999.

Flora and fauna biodiversity

Bird

In this region the Peregrine Falcon, the booted Eagle there about 60 species of birds including Dfwbuckingham, the desert Lark and the Barn Owl.

Mammals

At least 12 mammals in this area roam freely and can be discovered by visitors during the day or night. The sand cat, the Arab Red Fox, the Arabian Gazelle, the Arab Hare and the Ethiopian Hedgehog among the fauna, the Dubai, their natural habitat of the desert to make. The Arabian oryx achieved extinction of close to about 40 years ago and this caused authorities measures to restore and protect ecosystem area.

Reptiles

This desert area is home to a number of toxic and non-toxic snakes, lizards and geckos. Are all part of the +ûkosystems food chain and their presence ensures a natural balance of predators and booties. The hood Malpolon resembles a Cobra boost its hood if it feels threatened by the. The Arabic Gecko in this desert is the smallest of all nocturnal sand geckos. Are saw scaled Viper is a venomous snake that generates a warning through its scales against rubbing, if it feels threatened. There are a number of geckos like the sand dune Turskish Gecko, Gecko, large and small lizards such as the desert monitor up to 120 cm (about 3 meters) can grow in length.

Flora

Proof the natural way of adapting to its environment is the desert flora, the locals to this area.Trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers play an important role in the desert of biodiversity by food for bees and other insects and generating energy.Much of this vegetation has medical and therapeutic properties used in some resort spas in the area.The date palm plays an important role in the economy as export dates all over the world.A Shurb Rimth (Haloxylon Sallcornicus) is used, to SOAP to drippers toothbrush structure (Salvadora persica) has stems dried branches used to clean teeth and arta's (Callogonum comosum) and leaves are to relieve toothache biter.the Arab Primrose grows again, and it is boiled in water with the sugar to treat fever.

Al Maha Desert resort accommodation

The resort was built by the authorities, set up with area conservation to visitors from around the world can visit and enjoy the wilderness and nature reserve geben.Das Hotel and resort is designed to harmoniously in the area of natural environment.the rooms and suites can expect Bedouin tents and storage through the use of local materials and natural earthy colours to erstellen.Besucher, all modern facilities and amenities expected of a first-class hotel würden.Timeless spa resort is a relaxation and Wellness Centre where the only sound is that water and enchanting fragrances come from natural essential oils. there of rejuvenation treatments, algae baths, jet-lag recovery treatments and yoga classes and personalized treatments.

Al Maha resort offers a range of activities better visitor wilderness and wildlife experience to enrich desert safaris on all-wheel drive jeeps take guests on an exploration tour the entire reserve where can the essence of the desert Tierwelt.Es are desert horse rides and walks of educational nature.

From suite101.com

Dubai Desert conservation reserve.

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Top vacation of hotspots for 2011

BRAZIL, India and the Philippines are among the list of must-see destination in 2011, travel exports have revealed.

Using travel trends and statistics, Travel.com.au have released a list of destinations, travel tips and airlines for the new year.

While affordable airfares and its rich culture were the key factors for Brazil’s selection, interest in India continues to rise as well as the Philippines, which is becoming increasingly popular due to the political unrest in Thailand and its untapped beaches.

Old favourites such as the US and New Zealand also made the cut.

Los Angeles was singled out due to the strong Australian dollar and airfares than can be scored for under $1000. Travel.com.au has predicted that travellers will utilise LA as a port of travel and will head down to the south of the US on road trips.

Meanwhile New Zealand has become one of the most sough-after destinations for 2011 with more Australians expected to take shorter breaks to our neighbouring country due to heavily discount airfares.

Holiday patterns will also change next year. Gone are the days where Australian travellers would save up their annual leave over a few years and spend months overseas - holidaymakers will now book their travel two or three months in advance to score a cheap seat.

Adventure tours and cruises will remain popular holiday options, while stopovers will become increasingly popular next year with most airlines allowing a free stopover on most fares.

Australians will holiday for an average of three weeks in Europe, ten days in the US, four-five days in New Zealand and seven days in Asia, Travel.com.au’s research shows.

Travelling in style
If you’re looking to fly business class in 2011 airlines to consider include V Australia and Singapore Airlines – with seat pitches of 96cm and 86cm respectively, the seats also convert into flat beds.

However, if you’re after a cheap business class airfare Travel.com.au recommends taking a look at Asiana Airlines – voted by Skytrax as a five-star airline, it has a seat pitch of 152cm and 30kg of checked luggage.

Have even more cash to splash around? Consider flying first class with Emirates or Thai International airlines. While Emirates has a seat pitch of 175cm, both the airlines have seats that convert into flat beds and offer complimentary chauffers.

If you’re after a more affordable first class fare then consider Korean Airlines.

Travel tips for 2011
- Planning to head overseas next year? Start researching your flights now and keep an eye on the prices so you have an idea what to expect.

- If you see a deal that is within your budget book it, as it may not be available next time you check.

- Avoid travelling in peak seasons – such as school holiday - when possible as prices tend to increase.

- Be flexible with your travel dates if you want to score a cheap flight – always give or take a few days to your travel plans and you may be able to grab a bargain fare.

- Consider travelling with a different airline. Increased competition in the skies has led to cheaper airfares.

By news.com.au

Rio de Janerio in Brazil in a holiday hotspot for 2011 / Flickr user over_kind_man

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 9:47 pm and is filed under Holiday, Tourism Industry, Tourism in Brazil, World Tourism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Friday, January 21, 2011

Abu Dhabi hotel regrets $11 m Christmas 'overload'

ABU DHABI, U.A.E. - an Abu Dhabi luxury hotel that boasted a height of Christmas 11 million US dollars tree with Sunday approved decorated gold and precious stones, the holiday spirit may have taken a little too far.

A statement by Emirates Palace Hotel said it regretted the Christmas tree tradition "trying to overloaded" by decorating it with premium bling, including gold, rubies, diamonds and other precious stones from a hotel jeweler.

The statement was a rarely something of reflection on the Gulf of ethos of the surplus. The tree was presented last week with full fanfare in a hotel, which has its own gold bar vending machines and a one-week $1 million-package, private jet jaunts around the Middle East contains.

But the hotel management had apparently second thoughts, after questions arose, the opulent tree was innocent good cheer or unfortunate bad taste.

The hotel regrets "attempting the tradition, followed by most hotels in the country with meanings and connotations, in accordance with the (hotel's) professional standards fall too cluttered", a statement said on the State News Agency WAM, performed.

The hotel even trying distance themselves from the 43 foot (13 M) faux FIR in one his rotundas, say, a hotel-based jeweler solely responsible for creating and decorate the tree was.

"The hotel is just a place for the display of the tree," said the statement.

The hotel also claimed that the tree was no trick, but rather seek increase the holiday atmosphere for its guests to the basis of the United Arab Emirates "values of openness and tolerance."

Although officially Muslim the UAE has many signs of Christmas for its huge foreign population. Lights, carolers and Santas are devices in every Mall.

By news.yahoo.com

A Christmas tree decorated with $ 11 million US (EUR 14.3 million) in the value of gold and precious stones, has been available under the dome of the hotel Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Thursday December 16, 2010. The hotel's general manager, Hans Olbertz, was quoted in local newspapers Thursday of 43 feet (13 M)-faux FIR has 131 ornaments, gold and precious stones including diamonds and sapphires. The 11 million US-dollars symbol of the season has the latest extravaganza at the Emirates Palace Hotel, has its own Marina, helipad and a vending machine small bars pops out.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

View the original article here

House for Christmas…. and sick as A dog

A quick update to explain where I have been lately...

The last week of the trip was brutal. I went from Bangkok to Tokyo to Honolulu to Seattle to San Francisco, Las Vegas, to Minneapolis to Green Bay.

The two longest legs of those flights (Tokyo, Honolulu and Honolulu to Seattle) were both night red eye flights, where did I get any sleep. Throw in Jet lag on top of that, and I was exhausted.

Las Vegas cancelled my flight to Minneapolis, and I had to sit for 3 hours in the baggage claim area of the cancelled flight waiting my bag taken get.

When I woke up in Las Vegas the next morning, my body ruled that it had had enough and I was sick.

Just to give you an idea, I spent almost all Christmas day in bed to sleep. I have a headache, sore muscles sore throat very, and I am tired all the time.

I'm glad I could it go back to Wisconsin for Christmas to make. This is the first Christmas without my father and I am really glad I could be here for it, even if I was sick.

As all these trips and disease can result you have noticed a serious lack of activity on the website. I have some very cool announcements and stories come to publish in 2011. Until then will I probably only Hibernate will try to beat what made me sick.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with I to take some more NyQuil'm going and go back to bed.

View the original article here

Damaged Antarctic cruise ship in the Argentine port

BUENOS AIRES - reached a damaged cruise ship of Argentina southernmost port early Friday with its 88 American passengers and 77 crew safe after a big wave broke his bridge window and cut off its communications and radar.

Clelia II was four days in Antarctica to stay but back to your planned port in Ushuaia after only two days because of the incident on Tuesday, sailing according to passengers.

It was a very slow journey in heavy weather, said passenger Denis Smyth, a 68-year-old U.S. Navy veteran from Rockville point, New York.

"I am an ex Navy person, so I was used, but it was very rough." There was a lot of days when people were too sick to eat, "he told the associated press by phone from Ushuaia."
Smyth said a railing of a large wave broke a Los to break it through the window of the bridge. Water then poured in, short communications and radar.

"About five or six fell and several had black eyes and bruises," said Smyth. "If the ship staggered, some people are saying about the lounge went flying."

Click somewhere else fell half a dozen people out of their chairs during a wildlife lecture, but no one was seriously injured, he said.

Clelia II declared emergency on Tuesday when it was North-East of the South Shetland Islands and about 500 miles (845 km) of Ushuaia, the Argentine Navy said in a statement.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour operators said in a statement that there was "No injuries passengers, although a member of the crew minor injuries suffered."

Smyth said "The only concern I had was when we lost all communications and radar." "We were basically blind out there."

"But I don't think that we were ever fully in fear of our lives," he added.

Another ship, the National Geographic Explorer, the time day accompanied by Clelia II most and then sailed alongside it support.

Smyth, said the passengers who pay someone for your berths at the age between 50 and 85 upwards of $9,000.
The 77 crew members were 44 from the Philippines and the rest of Greece Bulgaria Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, France, Denmark, Hungary, Indonesia, Ukraine, Romania, United Kingdom, the United States.

Ship from Ushuaia Nov. 30 had removed. It's travel dynamics international New York operated and owned by Helios shipping of Piraeus Greece.

Despite the accident and his Antarctic tour was cut short Smyth said "everyone experience overall enjoyed", because you were able, penguins, sea lions and many birds to see.
"I am very satisfied." I saw what I came to see below, ", he said."

By news.yahoo.com

AP - docked Greek-owned cruise ship Clelia II is seen arriving at the port of the city of Ushuaia,

View the original article here

Florida tourism industry reeling from sad year

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Hubbard family, owners of a marina complex and seafood restaurant on Florida’s Gulf coast near Tampa, would just as soon forget that 2010 ever happened.
The lingering economic recession, a record cold Florida winter and the effects of the Gulf oil spill stalled the tourist traffic this year at Madeira Beach, where the Hubbards have been a presence since the 1970s. All that came after the lousy economy landed a gut punch to their businesses in 2009.
“It was incredibly scary, because we didn’t know if we were going to get oil” on nearby beaches, said Kathleen McDole, a Hubbard sister whose Friendly Fisherman restaurant saw a 20-percent decline in business this year. “And neither did the rest of the United States and our visitors who come here. So they didn’t come.”
The family’s struggles this year mirrored those of most of Florida’s tourism industry, which employs around 1 million people and accounts for more than one-fifth of the state’s total sales tax revenue. The year was even more disappointing because people in the industry originally had high hopes for recovery in 2010 after two straight bad years due to the recession.
But then came a rare extended freeze last January, and the BP Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill on April 20. Throughout the spring and summer, would-be visitors changed their plans amid visions of oil fouling the beaches and spoiling their holiday.
Deep discounts and strategic marketing were required to persuade more people to come to Florida, cutting deep into profits. When vacationers got here, they spent less at restaurants and attractions.
“The collective impacts of the economic downturn, and certainly the oil spill, were as significant a challenge as we’ve (ever) had to face,” said Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Visit Florida, the state’s tourism bureau.
The number of visitors to the state — roughly 80 million annually — has stayed flat the past three years, following years of solid growth throughout the decade, according to statistics kept by Visit Florida. But the discounting necessary this past year took an even bigger bite.
“Now they’re running their businesses in a totally different manner,” said Robin Grabowski, president of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. “They’re doing more with less. When fewer people are coming into the hotel rooms and they’re paying less to get that hotel room, that economic impact is less all around.”
The oil spill — and the widespread impression around the country that all of Florida’s shores were awash in crude — came at a time when tourism officials were seeing signs that the industry was starting to recover from terrible years in 2008 and 2009, Thompson said. In reality, beaches in just six eastern Panhandle counties saw signs of oil — mostly in the form of tar balls and tar patties. Most of it has been cleaned up, although BP-funded crews are still working in some areas.
Laura Lee, spokeswoman for the visitors bureau for Pensacola-area beaches, said hotel and condo revenue was down 5 percent for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 — “which we actually consider a victory.” Area hotels benefited by having BP workers and large contingency of media in town for the summer, but at reduced rates.
Oil started washing ashore in June and killed business in July, the biggest month of the year for the area’s beaches. Revenue numbers for the month were off 25 percent, with visitors paying about 11 percent less than the previous July.
“What we battled most was the public perception,” Lee said. “People saw images of maybe an oiled pelican in Louisiana, and then on the news they were talking about Florida beaches, and people just made the connection that we were the ones hit hard.”
Her agency is using the $2.7 million in reparations from BP for aggressive marketing and promotions that seem to be paying off, she said. After a slow summer, September hotel and condo revenue was up 17 percent from the year before, with visitors playing slightly more per night than in 2009.
No one in the industry is jumping up and down over the prospects for 2011, but it’s expected to be slightly better. The third quarter of 2010 showed an increase in total visitors to the state, and the number of travelers from Latin America and Europe are up by double-digits over last year. Florida theme parks are seeing a slight resurgence thanks in part to the new, wildly successful Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando.
“We realize we are in the recovery and restoration stage, and it’s yet to be determined the extent of those two stages,” Thompson said. “The good news is we’re cautiously optimistic. As a result of the tough economic times, we’ve had a lot of pent-up demand out there.”
One bright spot is Miami, which has managed to maintain its luster through the recent hard times, partly because about half its visitors come from overseas. The city is one of few markets in the country where the average daily rate for hotels is actually on the rise, and the Miami International Airport was second only to New York for international arrivals this year. Foreign visitors stay longer and spend more money.
“We’ve been more aggressive in the foreign markets, we’ve added more offices in South American countries, even though — like everybody else — we are doing more with less,” said William Talbert, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Another bit of good news: Thompson said Florida is expected to reap benefits from the Tourism Promotion Act, which was passed by Congress in February and created a nonprofit corporation to promote U.S. tourism overseas.
Back in Madeira Beach, there’s a lot on the line in 2011 for the Hubbards and other small-business owners.
“It has to be better,” said Patricia Hubbard, McDole’s sister. “Because if it isn’t, we won’t be here.”

By news.yahoo.com

FILE- This Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010 file photo shows oil cleanup workers as they clean up tar balls on Pensacola Beach, Fla. The lingering economic recession, a record cold Florida winter and the effects of the Gulf oil spill stalled the tourist traffic this year in parts of Florida. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, FILE)

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