Great Travel Deals

Recently, I found three really great resources for travelers who want to find awesome travel deals on the web. Be sure to check these sites:

• .Browse over 30,000 trails and unlimited topo maps for free. Sign up today!
  If you are planning an adventure tour anywhere in North America, be sure to check out the free trail guides offered by Trails.com. This site offers over 1000 published guidebooks and unlimited USGS topo maps of the United States that you can access online. You can pull up information on over 30,000 hiking and bike trails in North America, find out real-time weather conditions and read trail ratings
  
• Eurailpass: flexible travel throughout 17 countries The best way to travel around Europe is by train. Rail Europe has some fantastic deals on buying rail passes for any country or for all of Europe. Their passes include high speed trains like the English Channel tunnel train, country and regional passes, sleeper cars, scenic trains, the list goes on and on... Rail Europe offers flexible travel deals for over 17 countries. If you have a vacation planned for Europe soon, you can’t afford to miss the bargains offered by Rail Europe.
  
• Buy One Vacation, Get One Free and Receive up to $1,800 in Airfare Credit! Available only at 11thHourVacations.com Everyone knows that some of the best travel bargains are picked up at the last minute. Unsold airline seats, unsold hotel rooms, and unsold tour spots, are just a few of the reasons procrastinators can get some of the best travel deals. So check out 11th Hour Vacations and save up to 90% on some great vacation packages.
  
• This Week's Top 25 Travel Deals! Every week, Shermans Travel puts out a newsletter of the Top 25 travel bargains. Subscribe for free and you will have a weekly list of the best deals in airfare, hotel accommodations, cruises and travel packages. Shermans really does their homework so you don’t have to. This is a great newsletter for anyone who wants to keep on top of what the best deals are each week.
  

COPYRIGHT(C) 2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.

Things to do and see in San Diego

San Diego Rich In History, Things To See And Do
By Guest Author: Rick Hendershot

Follow the Founders' Trail to relive the early history of San Diego

The Founders' Trail consists of seven historic sites in the San Diego area where you can learn about the early history of the area.

The earliest inhabitants of the San Diego area were Native Americans. Mission Trails Regional Park includes 3000 acres of countryside preserved much as it was when the Kumeyaay people hunted and harvested here hundreds of years ago.

The Cabrillo National Monument marks the place where Juan Rodriguez stepped ashore in 1542 and claimed the region for Spain.

It wasn't until 225 years later in 1769 that the first Franciscan missions were established in the area. Junipero Serra Museum, Mission San Diego de Alcala, and Mission San Luis Rey all display this era in the development of the San Diego area.

The Mexican era began in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain. This was the beginning of the era of giant ranches displayed at Rancho de los Pinasquitos and Rancho de Guajome.

The Mexican era ended in 1848 after the two year war between Mexico and the United States and the California territory was transferred to the U.S. Revisit this era in local history at the visitor center at San Pasqual, the site of the only major battle of the war fought in the San Diego area.

San Diego to host World Baseball Classic Finals

The first ever World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 3, 2006. Sixteen countries or territories are committed to the event. It begins March 3 in Japan's Tokyo Dome and will end with an inaugural champion crowned on March 20 in San Diego's PETCO Park.

Those teams so far confirmed have been divided into four pools for the first round. They include: Pool A -- China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea; Pool B -- Canada, Mexico, South Africa, U.S.; Pool C -- Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico and possibly Cuba; Pool D -- Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Venezuela.

The two big "maybes" for the tournament are the team from Cuba and Alex Rogriguez. The Cuban team has been told by the U.S. Treasury Department that it cannot participate because of U.S. laws governing financial transactions with Cuba. Rodriguez has said he will likely not participate because of divided loyalties between his birthplace (Dominican Republic) and his adopted home (U.S.) Both issues are the subject of much speculation and are currently being negotiated.

San Diego's Balboa Park largest U.S. urban cultural park

Balboa Park in San Diego is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, 12 gardens, and many other cultural and recreational attractions including the San Diego Zoo. Visitors can access 13 of the parks attractions buy purchasing a "Passport to Balboa Park" for just $ 30.

The Passport is good for for seven days and guests can visit the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Japanese Friendship Garden, Mingei International Museum, the Museum of San Diego History, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Man, and San Diego Natural History Museum.

Visitors also can upgrade the Passport with a one-day deluxe admission to the San Diego Zoo for a savings of about 50%. Passports are available at the Balboa Park Visitors Center.

Things to see and do around San Diego

The California Center for the Arts 2005-2006 Performing Arts Season presents exciting performances by classic celebrities, jazz legends, opera performances and Broadway favorites. Attend performances at either the Center Theater or the Concert Hall of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Whale watching season runs from mid-December to mid-March in San Diego County. More than 15,000 California gray whales head south from Alaska to the warm water breeding areas of Baja California. A glassed-in observatory at Cabrillo National Monument, on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula, is a great place to watch the whales. You can also examine whale exhibits, and listen to presentations featuring the whales and their habitat. Whale-watching tours are available from local boating companies throughout the season.

San Diego Beach Scene - Visit San Diego's beaches for a wide range of experiences. The Continental Shelf extends many miles offshore, protecting the area from localized North Pacific storms and swells from the Southern Ocean. The temperate climate makes San Diego's many beaches safe and pleasant all year-round. Three distinct beach areas offer variety of experience and scenery. The North County coast features sandstone bluffs and fine beaches from Torrey Pines to San Onofre. The Central Coast is marked by dramatic headlands at La Jolla and Point Loma with the impressive waterways of Mission Bay in between. In the South Bay, the beaches of Coronado and the Silver Strand make San Diego one of the world's great seaports.

The Museum of San Diego History is located in Balboa Park. The museum presents the diverse history of the region, with interpretation, of San Diego's growth since the

1840s. Attend public lectures, workshops and educational programs presented in the museum's 100-seat Thornton Theater.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the great zoos of the world. It is part of Balboa Park. Zoo features include:

• Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, an elaborate habitat housing more than 30 species of exotic and endangered birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians from Afica and Asia.
  
  
• The Giant Panda Research Station - the zoo houses four giant pandas in an area built especially for them. The pandas are in San Diego as the result of an agreement between the Zoo and the Chinese government.
  
  
• Absolutely Apes houses the orangutans and siamangs who have been a major feature of the zoo for many years. The animals inhabit a naturalistic area where they can climb, swing, and live in the same terrain as they would in the wild. Visitors can get up close and personal with the curious and playful apes when they choose to sit on the mulch right at the viewing window.
  
  
• Other features include Tiger River, Flamingo Lagoon, Polar Bear Plunge, Sun Bear Forest, and a children's Petting Zoo

Rick Hendershot publishes LinknetNews at www.linknet-news.com. For Travel news and info see Travel USA | For Real Estate promotion see Real Estate Webs.

A Taste of What You Can Expect When You Travel to Tuscany, Italy

Discover The Beauty Of Tuscany Italy
By Guest Author: Ciara McNamara,

Every time I write about Tuscany Italy, my heart and my whole body for that matter experiences an intense feeling of calmness. I know exactly that this feeling comes from the relaxed atmosphere that this part of Italy near Florence gives off. I have found a perfect balance of enjoying the fascinating city of Florence and its cultural activities at the same time I refurbish energy by either doing a farm holiday or staying in a luxury villa in the countryside of Tuscany.

Wallow in Luxury in Tuscany Italy

The words ‘luxury’ and ‘farm’ might scare you away, firstly because everyone associates luxury with expensive and farm with very little comfort. Let me tell you of some fantastic places where I have been and you will see how this is much more gratifying than staying at a hotel in the city centre.

The Fattoria il Lago farmhouse is found about 40 kilometres north-east of Florence, just outside the small town of Dicomano, hidden away in the olive tree covered Tuscan hillsides. The extensive property houses three areas which are referred to as villages, each having apartment accommodations and an entirely different landscape to admire. The main lodging building is called La Villa and has a pleasurable view of the Dicomano Valley. Just a short walk away you find Lago village with its corresponding pool accompanied by a beautiful garden. The third area is the most quaint sleeping quarters called Macerato, embedded among all the hues of green possible.

This kind of vacation rental is as comfortable and reposeful as the luxury villas, only that you are sharing a common ground with other tourists. When you get your Tuscany car rental, you should ask for a good map and maybe even ask them if they can give more explicit directions towards Dicomano being as the farmhouse is found off other country roads. Usually any holiday home in Tuscany offers the option of giving full directions when booking and also being picked up at nearby train or bus stations. You just have to let them know beforehand.

The 11th c. medieval monastery of San Lorenzo a Linari in Sovicille, south of Siena is one of those vacation rental places in Tuscany where you can have it all and still have your own breathing space, having your freedom from stress. This magnificent lodging is individual apartments tempting you with Tuscany tours such as viewing the hillside and mountains seated in a four-wheel drive vehicle, horse-back riding or an aerial view from a hot-air balloon. And if you do not want to miss out on the lovely beaches, there are excursions to the Mediterranean seashore, too.

Staying in Tuscany in the Chiantii area in the luxury villa estate called Villa de Dievole near the old town of Vagliali. As all villas used to belong to the Italian noble class, the exclusiveness and privacy is incomparable. The decoration in many has been respected in the restoration process, therefore you are living among many centuries of history. This 16th century villa has rooms and suites with a private guesthouse, too.

Without overtaxing one’s strength, your Tuscany Italy holiday tours can be choked full of emotions and peacefulness.

Ciara McNamara writes very often for www.tuscany-italy-guide.com an internet site containing tuscany information. Ciara is working on topics such as holiday tours and tips on italian food.

The smarter way to experience the Great Pyramids

The smarter way to experience the Great Pyramids

By Guest Author: Jacob Fiennes

Middle East Vacations

From their construction throughout the centuries the Pyramids of Giza have represented mystery, wonder and awe to all. They are perhaps the only great architecture of the ancients to have survived more or less completely intact.

The oldest pyramid at Giza is the Great Pyramid of Cheops, also known as Khufu, and is the largest known pyramid in existence. It was built around 2500 BC of over two million limestone blocks, each almost three tons in weight. An astonishing achievement and is believed to be the work of around twenty thousand slave workers.
Nearby are the smaller pyramids belonging to Cheops’s son and grandson as well as the Great Sphinx, known as Abu ‘l-Hol, a half-lion, half-man figure of majestic proportions.

Each evening at dusk an enormous sound and light show is played out and, despite its rather tacky touristy nature, is a real fast-track introduction to Egyptian history. Scout through the many persistent camel drivers around the site for a decent tour of the pyramids on humpback, with the best time of day being at daybreak or sundown as these times are quieter and offer the most breathtaking atmosphere to view the pyramids in.

As perhaps the best possible example of real estate location the forty acre Mena House offers rolling views of lush parkland and beautiful gardens right on the Saharan doorstep with the pyramids as a backdrop. Before 1870 the Mena House was King Khedive Ismail’s official hunting lodge, yet today it offers serene escape from the heady tourist areas that surround the Pyramids.

Featuring and eighteen hole golf course, a gorgeous swimming pool set right in the lush gardens, and a certain aire of colonial grandeur felt perhaps most on the breakfast terrace , which Evelyn Waugh described best as being “like having the Prince of Wales at the next table”. To enjoy the Mena best choose a room in the old yet beautifully restored suites for a grand view of the Pyramids. Middle East Vacations
Courtesy of: Articlefactory.com

Jacob Fiennes is an enthusiastic traveller and photographer with a passion for discovery. He is a founder and regular contributor to the hugely popular worldwide hotel reservations site http://www.travelbx.com/. Visit the site for your next hotel room reservation, flight ticket, tailored holiday package and much more. http://www.travelbx.com

Adventure tours to the Himalayas

Adventure tours to the Himalayas
By Charles Brown

Although only a handful of us aspire to actually climb Mount Everest in our lifetimes, I count myself among those who want to at least see this colossal peak before I die. To me, the Himalayas still represents a far-off adventure few of us actually get to see in person, but many of us have on our lifetime to-do lists.

So imagine how exciting it was for me to run across http://www.mtsobek.com/, a travel company that specializes in putting together small group adventure travel tours to the most awesome mountains in the world. No, we are not actually talking about climbing such mountains as Everest (although Africa’s Kilimanjaro is a mountain they conduct hiking tours onto), but mtsobek.com can take you on hikes and treks to see these breathtaking mountain regions.

For example, the Himalayan tour not only takes you to see the highest mountains in the world, but you will also meet the diverse ethnic people of Nepal, Tibet or Bhutan. Mtsoke.com offers nine Himalayas treks, so you can choose the adventure tour package that suits your physical condition, time and aspirations.
Among the many things you can do and see are:

• Explore Buddhist monasteries that seem to be from another time;


• Visit the Everest base camp and view what is arguably the most breathtaking sight on this planet;


• The remote Gokyo Valley, with its beautiful turquoise lakes and moonscape-like glaciers;


• Follow an ancient caravan track to the spectacular Namtso Lake, which sits on the Tibetan Plateau and appears to all the world like a great sea made of sapphire;


• Meet traditional Himalayan highlanders: farmers, yak herders, and monks

So, you can bet a Himalayan tour is on my list of things to do. If you are new to adventure travel, you may also want to check out Andy McDowell’s article, Adventure Travel – An Exciting Thrill, which I have reprinted on my website, http://www.guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com/.

COPYRIGHT © 2006. All rights reserved.

Adventure Travel to Make a Difference

Adventure travel comes in many forms, But I recently came across www.i-to-i.com, which puts a whole new spin on the definition of adventure vacations.

i-to-i helps people make a difference while they see the world, by creating opportunities for people to immerse themselves in foreign culture and volunteer abroad in over 20 countries.

They offer a wide variety of volunteer experiences throughout the world, along with quality TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training, and help thousands of people to catch the travel bug.

But they offer more than just teaching opportunities.  Can you see yourself working on conservation projects like monitoring lions in South Africa?  Or rescuing sea turtles in Costa Rico? Or how would doing community work with orphans in Guatemala change your life?

In addition, you have the opportunity to become a certified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) instructor via either i-to-i’s online or onsite courses, which can lead to employment opportunities later.

So if you are looking for a travel experience to change your life, check out www.i-to-i.com.
By: Charles Brown,

The Best Long Running Las Vegas Shows

The Best Long Running Las Vegas Shows
By Guest Author: Simon Oliver

Las Vegas shows appeal to people as a display of wonderful images and a thrilling experience. Some of these images are comedic acts, roulette, acrobat, magic, and colorful lights. These are all in Las Vegas. There are many types of shows to be seen and some of them have been performing for years.

One of the most frequently visited places are the stages where Las Vegas shows are held. One of the longest running shows is the “Danny Gans” show. He was awarded “Entertainer of the Year” and “Show of the Year”. His award-winning show is the hottest ticket around. He is also known as the best singer-impressionist-comedian-actor in today’s entertainment industry. Few people know it, but he never dreamed of becoming an entertainer when he was young. When he was in college he played for the Dodgers baseball team but his career ended when was injured. His family and friends encouraged him to go into show business. As a result, Gans moved his focus from the world of baseball to the entertainment business. He has a wonderful singing voice and he has the ability to make people laugh.

The adult shows are also very popular. One must be 21 years of age or older to be admitted into these shows. Greg Thompson’s Erocktica Live! is one of the best selling shows in Las Vegas. Together with choreographer, Mistinguett, they produce sexy late-night productions for Playboy, and HBO. They also produce the current “Skintight” at Harrah’s Las Vegas. The show is a combination of MTV videos, Classic rock music, and the Pussycat dolls. The show also features singers and dancers like Gabriella Versace and musicians such as Ray-J Jones and the sexy and enticing Mistinguett dancers. The US/UK all-star classic rock band play classic rock n’ roll music from popular bands like Aerosmith, Kiss, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, U2, Velvet Revolver, Journey, Foreigner and many more.

Another ticket selling show is The Blue Man Group. This is a creative and artistic organization which is dedicated in forming thrilling and innovative work using a wide range of mediums. They are the award-winning theatrical productions which critics describe as astounding, magnificent, hilarious but musically influential. They feature three blue characters who capture the eyes of audiences by combining theatre, art, science and percussive performance into an entertainment venue that is unique and original.

KA is a martial arts and acrobatic show. It features magnificent pyrotechnics, multimedia and puppetry combined. It is hosted by MGM Grand, and Las Vegas is the only place where this show is performed and held. It has the theatrical energy that the audiences would like to have and experience. It is a story of twins on a death-defying journey to carry out their entwined destiny. They demonstrate the various martial arts known to the world and mix it with their incredible acrobatic skills. These are only some of the many Las Vegas shows that have been selling and running for years now. So what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy the fun!

Article Source:Reprinted Articles.com

Simon Oliver has an interest in Las Vegas Shows. To access more articles on Las Vegas Show’s or for additional information and resources visit this Las Vegas Shows related website.

Romantic Travel Ideas

Are you romantically challenged? Do you want to show that special person your romantic side but just cannot come up with those great ideas that will sweep him or her into your arms? (Me too).

Anyway, I was doing a Google search for “romantic travel ideas” and came across the following list on Romantic Getaway Ideas in lovingyou.com.

Not only does this list already contain such great ideas as romantic strolls along San Antonio’s River Walk, Autumn road through New England, staying at quaint Bed and Breakfasts, and candlelight dinner at a Cancun resort followed by laying on the beach until sunrise; the list keeps growing as new readers ad their own suggestions for the perfect romantic getaway.

OK, some of you may not have a romantic bone in your bodies, but you are missing out if you don’t even try. I know my brain doesn’t naturally follow this line of thinking without some sort of inspiration (hence the Google search).

So if you want to take your Romantic Quotient (RQ) to the next level, check this list out.

COPYRIGHT © 2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.

Top Ten Travel Deals in U.S.

Check out Hotwire.com’s Best U.S. Cities for Bargains article for some great ideas for U.S. travel destinations without spending a bundle.

The site ranks U.S. cities with an “affordability rating” which, although they do not go into great detail about how they crunch their numbers, appears to combine such factors as entertainment options, prices of those entertainment options, hotel prices and transportation prices to get to each city.

In other words, not only is it relatively inexpensive to travel to these places, but there are a good variety of reasonably priced fun things to do once you get there.

The article lists Denver, Co as its top pick, followed by Greenville-Spartanburg, SC; Raleigh-Durham, NC; and Knoxville, TN.

I noticed that under the entertainment options, Hotwire typically lists things like hiking and biking trails, museums, outdoor concerts, historic attractions and venues that accent the local flavor of each city.

For example, tours of the U.S. Mint in Denver are free; the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in October, is only $6; Grauman's Chinese Theatre with its footprints and autographs of Hollywood legends is free; Reno’s Truckee River Walk, a trail landscaped with waterfalls is also free; and Guided tours of the Daytona Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 are only $10.

So check out Hotwire’s Best U.S. Cities for Bargains, and get started planning your low-cost vacation today.

COPYRIGHT © 2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.

Travel Guide To San Francisco

San Francisco A City Guide
Introduction

The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth-largest city in the state of California, in the United States. A consolidated city-county, mainland San Francisco is located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. Insular San Francisco includes several islands in the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Strait, notably Alcatraz, Treasure Island, and the Farallon Islands 27 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean and also most of the privately owned Red Rock Island near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

History

San Francisco has a long history of events marking its growth from a small town to a big city

• In 1776, the Spanish were the first Europeans to settle in San Francisco

• In 1848, with the advent of the California gold rush the city entered a period of rapid growth

• In 1822, serious development by non-Spanish speakers began, when William Richardson, an English whaler redeveloped a section of Yerba Buena in what is now Portsmouth Square in Chinatown.

• In 1846, the Mexican-American War broke out.

• On January 30, 1847, a naval force under Commodore John D. Sloat claimed it in the name of the United States and renamed it "San Francisco"

• On April 18, 1906, a devastating earthquake resulted from the rupture of over 270 miles of the San Andreas Fault, from San Juan Bautista to Eureka, centered immediately offshore of San Francisco.

• The city was quickly rebuilt after the earthquake.

• The phoenix on the city's flag represents San Francisco's "rebirth" from the ashes of the fire that resulted from the quake.

• In the 1950s San Francisco hired Harvard graduate Justin Herman to head the redevelopment agency for the city and county.

• Justin Herman began an aggressive campaign to renew blighted areas of the city.

• His planning led to the creation of Embarcadero Center, the Embarcadero Freeway, Japan town, the Geary Street super blocks, and Yerba Buena Gardens.

Place of Interest

San Francisco's parks, museums, tours, and landmarks are favorites for travelers the world over and offer an array of activities to suit every visitor. But no particular activity or place makes the city one of the most popular destinations in the world. It's San Francisco itself -- its charm, its atmosphere, its perfect blend of big metropolis with small-town hospitality. Some of its main attractions are:

• Alcatraz Island

• Cable Cars

• California Academy of Sciences

• Coit Tower

• Ferry Building Marketplace (and Farmers' Market)

• Fisherman's Wharf

• Ghiradelli Square

• Golden Gate Bridge

• Lombard Street

• Pier 39

• The Cannery

• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts / Yerba Buena Gardens

Museums & Art Galleries

Notable San Francisco Museums include

• The Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA),

• The Palace of the Legion of Honor,

• The M. H. de Young Memorial Museum,

• The Asian Art Museum.

Other museums include

• The International Museum of Women,

• The Museum of the African Diaspora,

• The Contemporary Jewish Museum,

• The Museum of Craft & Folk Art,

• The Mexican Museum.

In terms of performing arts, San Francisco boasts

• The San Francisco Symphony,

• The San Francisco Opera

• The San Francisco Ballet.

San Francisco's Ballet and Opera are some of the oldest continuing performing arts companies in the United States.

Shopping

Like its population, San Francisco's shopping is both worldly and intimate. Every persuasion, style, era, and fetish is represented, not in big, tacky shopping malls, but in hundreds of quaint, dramatically different boutiques scattered throughout the city. San Francisco has many shopping areas, but the following places are where one will find most of the actions:

• Union Square & Environs

• Chinatown

• Union Street

• Chestnut Street

• Fillmore Street

• Haight Street

• SoMa

• Hayes Valley

Food & Drink

San Francisco's restaurants are so renowned that many people visit the city just to eat -- and with good reason. The city's brilliant chefs, combined with California's abundance of organic produce, seafood, free-range meats, and Northern California wine, guarantee some of the world's finest dining. San Francisco also has varied nightlife ranging from bars to lounges to clubs. Major areas of nightlife in San Francisco are North Beach, the Mission District, the Marina, the Castro, and South of Market. San Francisco also boasts of legendary pop music venues such as The Fillmore and The Warfield.

Universities

San Francisco Unified School District and the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s dozens of Catholic elementary and high schools serve the city. Despite its limited geographical space, San Francisco is home to a multitude of Universities and Colleges. Public universities include:

• University of California, San Francisco, primarily a graduate level health-sciences school, located north of Forest Hill

• San Francisco State University located in the southwest corner of the city near Lake Merced

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law located downtown at its Civic Center

• City College of San Francisco, one of the largest community colleges in the country is located in the Ingleside, with several extension campuses.

• Private universities:

• The Jesuit-run University of San Francisco, one of the first universities established west of the Mississippi, located in the center of the city

• Golden Gate University, a business and law school located downtown

• California Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu program located in the Tenderloin

• Academy of Art University

• San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking

• Alliant International University.

Sports

San Francisco is the home of many major league teams like

• The San Francisco 49ers National Football League team, who play at Monster Park

• The San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team, who play at SBC Park

• MLB 's Oakland Athletics

• NFL's Oakland Raiders

• The National Basketball Association's Golden State Warriors play across the bay in Oakland

• The regional National Hockey League team, the San Jose Sharks play in San Jose

The Warriors and Sharks were once based just south of San Francisco, at the Cow Palace, located several yards south of San Francisco, in Daly City. The city is also home to some famous golf courses, including the Harding Park Golf Course and the courses of the Olympic Club.

Hotels & Accommodation


Luxury Hotels : San Francisco has elegant and grand hotels in its possession. Westin St. Francis, Westin Saint Francis, Palace Hotel, Argent Hotel, Mark Hopkins Intercontinental, Hilton, Fairmont, W San Francisco, Pan Pacific, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Renaissance Parc 55, Ritz Carlton - are some of these big names.

All famous luxury hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, Palace Hotel, etc. have their branch in Fisherman Wharf.

Budget Hotels : If the visit to San Francisco is in a particularly busy season and booking in prominent hotels are over, here's a list of moderate to very inexpensive alternatives - Alisa Hotel, Edward II Inn & Suites, Hotel Beresford Arms, King George Hotel, The Marina Inn, The San Remo Hotel.

Tours and Sightseeing

San Francisco has different type of organized tours they differ in the contents as well as the transport system. Tours are available by Bus, Boat, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) or on foot. The San Francisco Visitor Information Center, at Powell and Market streets, distributes free route maps. Blue & Gold Fleet and Red & White Fleet are two boat tours available. And Gray Line Bus tour is the San Francisco’s largest bus tour operator. The self-guided Private SUV tour, 49-mile drive is one easy way to grasp the beauty of San Francisco and its extraordinary location. Beginning in the city, it follows a rough circle around the bay and passes virtually all the best-known sights, from Chinatown to the Golden Gate Bridge, Ocean Beach, Seal Rocks, Golden Gate Park, and Twin Peaks.

Transport

San Francisco has the most extensive public transit system on the West Coast and one of the most diverse in the country. Muni is the city-owned public transit system, which operates the Muni Metro light rail system. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the regional transit system, which connects San Francisco with the East Bay, through an underwater tunnel, and Northern San Mateo County, California communities and San Francisco International Airport on the San Francisco Peninsula. In addition, a frequent commuter rail service, Caltrain, operates between San Francisco, San Jose, California and Gilroy, California.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 12.9 km (8 miles) south of the city in San Mateo County on a landfill extension into the San Francisco Bay. It is the only major international hub airport in California other than LAX in Los Angeles.



About the Author

Name: Mary Scott

Occupation: Traveler

Website: www.thereservationcenter.com

www.looktours.com

Biography: Mary Scott is with The Reservation Center - providers of discounted tours to make your vacations and sightseeing trips in various cities across the world as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Courtesy of: www.articledepot.co.uk

Cancun Travel Tips

Travel Do’s And Don’ts When Traveling To Cancun
By Guest Author: Noel Gomez

For people who love to travel a lot, going to places that they have not been before will seem like a dream come true for most of them. This is because they get to places where everything will look new, the adventures are definitely fresh and the surrounding all too vague and strange that makes the travel more exciting.

However, not all places are created equal. This goes to show that not all rules and regulations are applicable to every place or location. That is why it is extremely important to know some information about the place itself and identify the governing laws.

For example take Cancun. It is, indeed, a great and enjoyable country to visit. Yet, visiting Cancun can do more harm than good if things are not done properly or when people bring with them unnecessary things.

So, for those who want some travel tips in the event that they plan to visit Cancun, here’s a list that will help them through.

1. Do some homework.
For people who are first timers in Cancun, it is best that they do their homework first. That is, research more about the country, its government, some special laws that needs to be kept in mind while there, or the kind of people present so as to have an idea about how to deal with them good-naturedly.

2. Valid passports.
It is best to travel, especially going to Cancun, with valid travel documents and passports. This is to avoid inconvenience and further problems. This is because there are countries that might not give some leeway on the travelers that is why it is important to get ready with authentic ones in case some questions arise.

3. Pets rule.
There are instances wherein people who have pets just don’t have anyone who will take care of their pets while they are away. That is why they opt to bring their pets while on travel.
However, it is more easily said than done because carrying pets along is more tedious that what travelers tend to believe.
First, the pet owner must first secure “custom certificates” that indicates the origin of the pet and certifies that the pet is in good condition and can easily conform to the norms and standards set by the country like Cancun. It should also indicate the kind and nature of vaccines taken by the pet, if any.
The bottom line: It’s still best to be prepared whenever somebody wants to travel to places like Cancun. This simply means that the more prepared a traveler is, the lesser he or she will encounter some problems.

Article Source: http://www.articlebliss.com/

Please visit my website at: http://www.cancunvacationoil.com/. For more tips visit cancun vacation today and relax in the sun!

Dancing With Whales

I have been reading more and more about excursion companies that take divers or swimmers right in the midst of whale pods. This cautionary article by David Stanley points out why this is (at best) a questionable venture. You might want tot heed his advice before you spend your money, and possibly your life, on such and adventure.

The Guerrilla Traveler

By Guest Author: David Stanley

We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing

Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean's annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider.

To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behavior and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales.

This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and swimming near one always involves some risk. The movements of these huge creatures can be fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming into the path of a whale greatly increases the danger.

In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas where there are whales, especially calves, and at least one shark attack on a Tongan guide swimming with whales has been recorded. A tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only a matter of time.

Most whale encounters occur in deep waters where unperceived currents and wave action can soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. For these reasons, responsible whalewatching companies like Whale Discoveries do not offer snorkeling with whales.

Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has come to bear on the Tongan Government to revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching licenses have been issued recently, raising the number of commercial operators in this small area to about a dozen, and vessels often have to queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been observed of boats approaching to within five meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks and calves being pursued out to sea.

Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such an excursion, they could be adversely affecting the noble creatures they came to see. It's a good idea to discuss these matters with the operator before booking your trip, and to avoid those who seem most interested in maximizing their own profits at the expense of the whales.

Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are successful and there are no refunds. These concerns only apply to attempts to actually swim with whales, and whalewatching from a boat at a safe distance is no problem.

Courtesy of: http://www.articlebliss.com/

David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific which has a chapter on Tonga. Stanley's maps, photos, and writings on Tonga may be perused on TonganHoliday.com.

Roadtrip Travel to the U.S. East Coast

Choosing The East Coast To Go On Vacation

ByGuest Author: Harald Anderson

Are you planning to go on vacations? Have you ever considered taking a road trip to the east coast of the United States? If you haven’t, you should, because this part of America offers a great variety of activities that you and your family can join to have a very good time. You should decide what to do depending on how much time you have. You can choose to drive all the way along the entirecoast or, if you do not have much time, you should pick a particular area you are interest to visit and explore it in detail. Of course, always study what the different areas have to offer in food, entertainment and accommodation before starting to drive. If you plan your vacation properly, for sure you will spend a great time traveling along the Atlantic shoreline.

If you plan to begin your vacation in the south, bear in mind that Florida can and will maintain you occupied for more than a few days. This is because Florida has a long coastline and many interesting activities to do. You and your family can have a good time visiting the various amusement parks, and enjoying the beach climate that is one of the best. Then you have to keep going and for sure you will not skip Savannah, Georgia, the state’s oldest city, where you can go to the historical Savannah River and to several historical colonial sites. It is a city you should not avoid because its colorful old houses and its southern charm are unforgettable.

Then you should turn to Charleston, South Carolina, a city you cannot avoid. It s a city very similar to Savannah in its architecture but it also has its own interesting things, such as the Folly Beach and some of the region’s best seafood restaurants. After Charleston, the trip can continue to the city Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on the outer banks of the state. This city offers you a variety of activities, included museums recording the Wright Brothers’ first flight, where you can place yourself in the path where they made history.

Are you interested in politics? If this is your case, you should stop in Washington, D.C. Because there you can visit the famous White House, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol building, apart from the great number of museums of which the most important are the Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian. Another place you cannot avoid visiting is the National Gallery, especially if you are interested in art. Here you will find famous paintings from not only American but also foreign artists.

All the way up to the city of New York you will be appreciating the beautiful American rural landscape. For example you will drive past the nice state of Delaware where you will be delighted by seeing the wonderful farmland and the old farmhouses in that great rural landscape. Remember to take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel when you drive along Chesapeake Bay. It is an unforgettable twenty-six mile toll highway stretching across the superb waterway. And if you are feeling tired, there is a picturesque restaurant and rest area with a dock halfway through the twenty-six miles where you can feel as if you are floating in the heart of the ocean surrounded by countless miles of water.

As soon as you enter New Jersey, you will soon start feeling the effects of the looming New York City destination. A lot of hotels and slightly shady establishments will start appearing in your way, as you get closer to New York. And if you go even further you will see one of the greatest sights in the globe: the Manhattan skyline. Getting nearer the city you will start appreciating the surrealism of the buildings as if they were planted in the ocean and were growing skywards like a tree would do. If you make your own vacation plan do not forget including New York City at night because of its glowing magnificence.

If you do not have enough time, plan your vacation carefully so as to include at least a few days to go around the city. Some may think that it is rather overwhelming, nut it is a city you have to visit if you are near it. It is a very big city where you can find anything you are looking for. You can find a great variety of food, clothing, activity or music, what makes it the ultimate educational, cultural, and shopping experience. What can be better then finishing your vacation in one of the more beautiful cities in the world: New York?

Courtesy of: http://www.articlebliss.com/

Vacation information on http://www.apnavacation.com/ with the all time expert Sintilia Miecevole is waiting for you. You'll have resources at your fingertips from accommodations, hotels, tickets and insurance to resorts, vacation deals, cruises and more. Vacation with http://www.apnavacation.com/ and start planning your vacation today.

Virginia Is For Lovers

Virginia Is For Lovers With Plenty Of Bed And Breakfasts

By Guest Author: Shawn Everett

The state slogan for Virginia is "Virginia is for lovers" and there are plenty of bed and breakfast locations to help lovers spend some quality time together in a peaceful, relaxing and special atmosphere that simply cannot be found in a hotel. As a result, if you live in Virginia or are simply passing through, consider a Virginia bed and breakfast for your accommodations and you will certainly enjoy your stay even more.

Virginia is a very diversified state in the fact that there are mountains, city, the beach, and everything in between. And, no matter where you find yourself in Virginia there will be a bed and breakfast to meet your needs. Of course, there are more bed and breakfast locations in the cities especially closer to Washington D.C., but there are so many bed and breakfast locations that you can truly find just what you are looking for no matter where you find yourself.

It might be difficult to just happen across a bed and breakfast in Virginia however because they are generally houses with signs, but nothing to compete with the big lit signs of hotels. As a result, you should plan ahead and look for Virginia bed and breakfasts in one of the many bed and breakfast directories available. Doing this will allow you to find all the bed and breakfasts listed in Virginia and you can check out rates, amenities, and then contact the b and b to make a reservation. Having your stay planned in advance will make you rest easy.

A bed and breakfast in Virginia is really a great option because it is almost as if you are staying at home, but with someone preparing a full breakfast for you and willing to meet your every need and even whim. As a result, a bed and breakfast can be an enjoyable and very romantic place to stay. If you are planning a trip to Virginia, check out the bed and breakfast options and you will more than likely choose to stay in a bed and breakfast on your next trip to Virginia.

Courtesy of: http://www.articlebliss.com/

Shawn Everett is the owner of The Bed and Breakfast Connector http://www.bbconnector.com/, a directory of bed and breakfast inns across North America including Virginia.

A Sampler of China Travel Ideas

The Lowdown on China Travel
By Guest Author: Mansi Aggarwal

The fragrance of fish, lobsters…, the sturdy Great Wall, the broken hush of winds by the Martial Arts, the grand museums and unpretentious down to earth people…welcome you to the third largest country on the globe-China. China is universally known not just for any single reason. The country has earned remarkable name not just in electronics and technology but it also surpasses many countries in its receiving tourists’ attention. The charisma of China is such that people from all over the world endeavor to bask at least once in the Chinese glory.

China is the land of rich history and has contributed a lot in sphere of philosophy. However, demographically China is the most populous country that we have today followed by India. The commonplace life and activity of the place can be enjoyed by taking on to the streets of the Chinese cities.

A Brush with the Chinese Cities

Like any other country, China too has its own network of cities. But unlike many other cities, the Chinese metropolises are swarming with people. This is because the place has an exclusive charm and unique assets that lure the people all over the world. The first city that hogs limelight besides Hong Kong is the capital city Beijing.

Beijing is one of the wonderful cities that can keep all its visitors glued to it. Once you decide to step in this city, scores of attractions await your encounter. The pleasant weather of Beijing is a good reason to go for a stroll and water and other games in the Beijing Amusement Park. As soon as you enter the place, get ready to discover the child in you for the rides like roller coaster, bumper cars, paddle boats etc. will not at any cost let you to ignore them.

Beijing also hosts a recreation center popularly known as The Beijing Recreation Center. This center invites people of all age groups for there are multitude of games like poker, bowling, electronic golf, squash, tennis and billiards. The discotheque, fitness room, sauna and mah-iong room are added pulls. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) at Beijing with its archaic temples, pavilions, huge mansions, lakes etc. make a superb picnic spot.

Your vacation can be an experience of fun with learning when you enter the eminent Beijing Museum of Natural History. Also to behold is the China Aviation Museum that lies nearly on the outskirts of Beijing. This museum has about 200 planes and the aircrafts etc. used during the World War II.

Finally shopping in Beijing can be enjoyed once you take on to the Wangfujing Business Street of Beijing. From here you can take home books, amazing handicraft items, medicines, electronic gadgets and almost everything you require in your routine life.

Are you trying to make your way through the bustling population? Walking down the street have you encountered the world’s third tallest TV tower i.e. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower? And do you think there is no end to the place you are in...You have entered the by far the largest metropolis of the world-Shanghai. Along with these magnets, The Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang-Xian where this foremost emperor of China is believed to be yet lying in a single piece is a site that summons many visitors.

The Shanghai Museum is worth visiting to view some distinctive relics of China. The place can be a center for a thrilling nightlife. There are beautiful night clubs and bars, Caribe Bar being a frequently budding one. Some vibrant streets of Shanghai are a perfect place to shop. From sparkling glass items to exclusive china-ware, everything is at hand.

The glorious city oh Hong Kong needs no introduction. It has already established itself as the Asia’s world city. Many attractions of the place also include the Hong Kong Space Museum that is one amongst the largest planetariums in the world. It is an educational site for kids as well as adults that reveal some of the baffling facts of the universe.

When it comes to food, generally eight cuisines are found in China- Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui. Few restaurants in Hong Kong serve ‘vegetarian pork’ and ‘vegetarian chicken’. The dishes made of Soyabean are difficult to be distinguished from the real ones.

Hong Kong is an ideal place to shop. The Times Square is a recommendable venue that welcomes you with numerous shops. There is anything and everything from dazzling jewelry, garments and antiques to sports goods and toys.

The Sites Globally Known

The Great Wall of China speaks through itself. Besides the historical significance the site that makes through the wonders of the world, exerts a pull on each and every person that comes to China. The Grand Canal of China that has 60 bridges and 24 locks has always been a center of worldwide attention.

Not to be forgotten is the Mt. Huangshan that is known for its deformed pine trees and springs. You can trek up the Mt. Huangshan or take a tram to have an exotic and breathtaking view of the mountain as well as the entire China.

About the Author: Mansi aggarwal writes about china travel topics. Learn more at http://www.chinadestinations.com .
Courtesy of: www.isnare.com

Travel to China: The Ancient Empire

China, The Most Ancient Empire On The Earth

By Guest Author: Elena Reboni

A country with the biggest population on the Earth, a country closed for a several decades; nowadays China is becoming one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Asia. China is one of the oldest states in the world and the only, surviving till today.

For visitors China offers a great variety of choices. Whether you are interested in Chinese history, Chinese culture or Chinese scenery, your trip will be very interesting.

Of course, those who like to know China should visit its Capital – Beijing. Beijing is a capital city for over 800 years now. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days. Now Beijing is a modern metropolis, but you still can see the traces of the Chinese glorious story - Forbidden City - the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex, a section of the Great Wall and the largest sacrificial complex in the world - the Temple of Heaven. In the old part of Beijing people still leave in small houses, that don’t differ from those their ancestors lived in. This part of the city looks like they missed at least 100 last years. However there is another Beijing – modern, with skyscrapers and prestigious hotels, with restaurants and bars. The world-biggest central square, ruefully famous Tian'anmen Square attracts a lot of tourists. In 2008 Beijing will host the Olympic Games, so the amount of modern buildings and tourist services will increase significantly.

Shanghai with its population of about 18 millions is the biggest city in China. Originally Shanghai was a seaside fishing village, but today it has become a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Known as "the Oriental Paris", Shanghai is the top shopping destination in China. It also can be called the most Western Chinese city. As a port city Shanghai survived a considerable foreign influence.

A very special place in China is Hong Kong. It became a part of China only in 1999 and still had strong links with the West, particularly with the Great Britain. Today Hong Kong is a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world's largest financial centres. Hong Kong is also famous for its cinema.

Another interesting experience in China could become a cruise along Yangtze, the greatest Chinese river. Usually they last from 5 to 22 days. You will visit Chongqing, Fengdu, Sandouping and some other Chinese places of interest.

Amazing world of the mysterious Tibetan civilization is without any doubt worth visiting but it’s a subject of a separate trip that will take about 2 weeks.

Anyway, China has a lot to offer and you can choose your own travel program to see what you want.

About the Author: For booking a hotel in any part of the world, please, go to http://www.bb72.com.

Courtesy of: isnare.com

Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors To China

Travel Tips For First Time Social Or Business Visitor To China

By Guest Author: Ken Cheong

Travel and Tour Tips for China

China is a large country at a size of 9,596,960 sq km. China was only partially open to the world from 1980 onwards and has been a communist country for many decades. Although there is much progress in the travel industry and infrastructure of China, there remain areas that need to be improved before it can match the level that most tourist would require.

However, much of the fun remain that it is different from the rest of the world. China will be the host nation for the Olympics in Year 2008. Travel facilities and infrastructure will be improving quickly as we approach Year 2008.

China is rich in culture and history. Visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing, sip Chinese tea in Xiamen, dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, check out 19th Century European buildings in Qingdao - there are just so much to do and see in China!

Below are some travel tips to make your travel in China easier:

Entry Visa

China requires entry visas from most countries. Apply at the Chinese consulate or through your travel agent before traveling to China.

Climate

Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north. Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing.

Foreign Exchange

The unit of currency is known as Renmembi(RMB) or Yuan. Get some Chinese Yuan in your local country before travelling. When in China, exchange foreign currency for local currency in the banks or at the hotel. Banks tend to give slightly better rates than hotels. Take note that some banks close for a noon siesta between 12-2pm.

Payment facilities

Most better class hotels and shopping centres take Credit Card or Travellers cheques. Smaller hotels and shops take cash only. Once out of the bigger cities, credit card and ATM cards tend to be almost impossible to utilize. Cash is still king in Chinese business and trade.

Counterfeit notes are common in China. Check carefully before accepting change, especially if it consists mostly 100RMB notes. You can feel a texture difference where counterfeit notes is concerned.

Understanding of English

Most civil servants, custom officials, police, hotel staff and men in the street do not speak English or at best a smattering of English.

Most signboards and notices will carry both English and Chinese. However, be aware that some translations can be so notorious that one can hardly understand what was it's original Chinese intention.

Do not expect hotels or shops to understand English. Only the very big hotels will have staff that will understand English.

Most young people can understand basic English if you speak slowly.

Social Security

China is generally a safe country. However, hang on tight to your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing and Xian.

These tourist cities also have a lot of “touts” in the streets touting tourist from currency exchange to jewelleries to female companionships. Avoid at all cost!

Domestic Travel

Bus, train, ferries and domestic flights are quite well developed. Avoid the crowd at the stations and book your tickets through the hotel tour desk or the nearest tour agent. Prices are likely to be competitive and tickets will be delivered to your hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts who approach you in the streets.

Local buses are cheap (US$0.10 or YS$0.20) and you may want to try out. Taxis are convenient and are available at all hours. Starting fares differ from each city and may be as cheap as US$0.70 in Weihai and US$1.50 in Shenzhen.

Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons or book tickets well ahead.

Local Hotels

There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most of the time, the rooms are safe and clean and in my opinion, cheap does not mean bad.

There are many websites selling China hotel rooms on the internet. You can also check out the travel counters which are available in most train, bus stations as well as airport.

Book ahead if travelling in peak seasons.

Peak Tourist Seasons

Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February.
May Day: First two weeks of May
China National Day: Middle two weeks of October

Avoid travelling during these period. Book rooms and travel modes way early if need to travel. Believe me, the crowds during these period of time will be scary. What do you expect when the entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people are on holiday as well!

Chinese Food

Local food is absolutely fabulous. Try as much Chinese food as your wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are available everywhere and open to late hours. Most restaurants will have a menu that include photographs of the various dishes. Better yet, simply point at the food that your next door table is having, especially if it looks delicious!

However, avoid street side stalls and drinking directly from the taps if you have delicate stomach.

Telecommunications

Mobile phone coverage in China is good in most locations. Global auto-roaming within China is not a problem.

Internet

There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, especially in tourist areas. Most are patronised by young people playing online games but you still can check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may be a bit slow for international websites.

You will need to show your passport as China has tight regulations at Internet Cyber Cafes.

Toilet facilities

One of the worst experience many has with China is the atrocious toilet facilities. Things have improved very much but it may still be a good idea to empty your stomach or bladder at every opportunity in a hotel, restaurant or departmental store. Public toilets and toilets in small shops can be a nose hazard!

Useful China travel tips

Try to get a English speaking tour guide at every opportunity you can. China has a rich and wonderful history and culture and without a guide, somehow, the flavour and significance of most tour sites can be lost.

*Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that has a English speaking guide if you cannot afford one!

Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can complain if you have been cheated or for tracing purposes if you happen to leave your camera behind in the taxi.

Try to take the namecard for each hotel that you are staying at as these cards will have a Chinese address and the map of your hotel location. This is useful if you need to seek assistance to find your way back as the English version or pronounciation of a hotel or a street name may be quite different from the Chinese version.

After a tiring day, check out Chinese foot reflexology or Chinese TuiNa (Chinese massage). Wonderful for the body after a hard day, and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that shows two feet! They are everywhere.

Make friends with the Chinese whenever you can. They love to meet foreigners and will make good tour guides. Just buy a small present as a small token of appreciation.

About the Author: Ken Cheong lived and worked in China for 5 years. He has come to admire the Chinese for their tenacity after suffering from war and civil strife for so many years. He continues to work with Chinese people and businesses and has two websites dedicated to Chinese culture and services http://www.chinese-culture.net and http://www.quick-pain-relief.com.

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Beware of Travel Scams

Travel Bargain or Travel Scam? How To Know The DifferenceBy Guest Author: Jolana Klobouk

Congratulations!!! You have been selected to win an exciting luxury vacation to.......

Where have you heard that one before? Although there are many genuine travel offers, there are also many travel scams that defraud innocent travelers out of millions of dollars each month. Travel is a big ticket item and most people would like to save some money or even travel for free. Unfortunately, it opens the door to some unscrupulous individuals and companies who try to take advantage of this.

Travel packages turn out to be very different from what was originally offered or what the “winner” expected. Sometimes, the company just takes the money and runs! So if you get a phone call or email offering a free or extremely low-priced vacation , keep these tips in mind:

The Most Common Travel Scams
- Emails, phone calls, or snail mail advising that you have been selected to “win” a free vacation, free airfare, or a hotel stay, especially when you haven't entered anything.
- Ads for great travel deals or discounts with the condition that you agree to a time share presentation. You will be subjected to a high pressure sales pitch that is really not worth your time - unless of course you really are interested in buying a timeshare!
- Travel clubs that charge a fee for their great travel discounts and offers. There are of course may legitimate travel clubs but there are just as many that are not. Do your research well to make sure it is worth it.
- Contests which do not post or provide rules or requirements or even any details about the company running it. A legitimate contest will provide rules to participants and if it does not, it is probably just a ploy to get information on you.

How to Spot the Red Flags - Does the price seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is.
- Are you pressured to make a decision on the spot?
- Did you get the call after business hours. Legitimate businesses normally operate between regular business hours.- Did they require you to pay before you receive any details about the trip, or ask you to pay for more information.- Are you told you can’t leave for two months? This should be cause for concern because the deadline for disputing a credit card charge is 60 days. - Is the supplier simply identified as "a major airline," or a “popular hotel” without getting into specifics?
- If you have won a free vacation, you should not be asked to pay hundreds of dollars in order to “claim” your prize.

How to protect yourself from Travel Scams - Determine the complete cost of the trip in dollars, including all service charges, taxes, processing fees, etc.
- Pay by credit card, if you don't get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company.
- Don't be pressured into buying anything, legitimate businesses don't pressure you to make a purchase.
- Get a receipt in writing. If you make reservations online, print out the itinerary and receipt.
- Find out the exact names of the hotels, airports, airlines, and restaurants that your package includes; if they tell you a "major hotel chain" or "major airline" ask for specifics
- Always ask for a copy of the cancellation and refund policies.- If you are told that you've won a free vacation, ask if you have to pay any money in order to get it.
- Be aware of what "subject to availability" means may not get the accommodations you want when you want them.
- Be aware that if you have been “specially selected to receive our Super Duper Travel Deal offer" doesn't mean you'll get it free, it means you'll be offered an opportunity to pay for a travel deal!

And last but not least, be skeptical. Read or listen to carefully what is being said, not what you want to hear. We would all like to win that all expenses paid dream vacation to Hawaii, but like everything else, you get what you pay for if you don’t pay attention first.

About the Author: Jolana Klobouk is a former travel agent who has traveled extensively for work and vacations with her family. She is currently the editor of Best Family Beach Vacations and Fly From Canada.
Courtesy of: www.isnare.com

Adventure Travel - An Exciting Thrill

Adventure Travel - An Exciting Thrill !
By Guest Author: Andy McDowell

Do you want to add a little adventure to your life? Do you want to be engaged in something you have never done before? The unique information here will help you to considering a vacation that will bring memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Believe it, adventure travel is for every kind of people. Youngsters who want to get excited by traveling through Alaska with a dog sled or other risky activities and elder couple who define a hot air balloon ride as adventurous.

Thus, if you engage in adventure travel, you will meet individuals from all walks of life—and ironically, this is a form of adventure in and of itself.

When considering adventure travel versus regular travel you will find that adventure travel has much more to offer than regular travel. During your adventure travel there is always a tour operator with much experience and knowledge and know how to effectively handle the situations that you are engaging in.

Conversely, adventure travel is frequently jam packed with activities for you to engage in; especially activities that match the theme of whatever adventure tour you have selected. Thus, in terms of guaranteed activity—guarantee activities during regular travel is limited to none while adventure travel aims to fulfill its name: a trip loaded to the brim with adventure!

First, before you begin making adventure travel plans, you must consider how much physical activity you would like to engage in. For instance, do you want to simply travel the world and see exotic places which entails a relatively low physical impact or do you want to hike or rock climb?

An equally important aspect to learning how to plan for adventure travel is learning how to comparatively shop around for great prices on adventure tour plans. Remember that price does not necessarily equate to quality and just because you get a discount on an adventure travel tour doesn’t mean that you will appreciate the tour operator!

In short, there is a form of adventure travel for everyone—even you! All you have to do is determine what the words unique and adventure means to you.

Once you have defined what adventure means to you, you can plan an adventure trip that you will remember for the rest of your life! In fact, you will even have stories to tell your friends and family!

About The Author
Andy McDowell is the owner of http://www.adventure-travel-tips.com/, the free Resource for free Adventure Travel Tips and Articles. I am a fan of traveling particularly of adventure travels. I started with a short travel through South-America and now I travel for about three month looking around, making bungee-jumping, horse riding(never believed, I did so)and wild water rafting. My dream is traveling through Alaska. Well, I really think about it ...

Adventure Travel in Nepal

Adventure Travel in NepalBy Guest Author: John Riggin
With its majestic Himalayan Mountains and fascinating local culture, Nepal is a favorite destination for adventurous travelers. Each year thousands embark upon the experience of a lifetime to spend days or weeks in the breathtakingly beautiful country of Nepal.
Most adventure travelers in Nepal will be treated to magnificent views from high in the mountains. They will wander through pure forests and past clear mountain lakes, rivers and waterfalls. They'll visit remote Buddhist monasteries and shrines and see tiny mountain villages, full of friendly locals.
Trekking expeditions in Nepal are quite popular. They typically involve a small group of people who have been given a list of equipment, such as hiking boots, to bring with them to Nepal. Once they arrive in the country they set off together to explore. There is usually a trekking staff that comes along on the trip and carries most of the camping equipment and even the travelers' bags. They set up the camp, cook meals and break camp, leaving the traveler to enjoy the trek without the physical hardship of toting heavy packs.
Treks are available for people with various abilities. While a person should be in good shape for these treks, one does not need to be a tri-athlete to take part. There are more strenuous treks for those in great physical condition, as well as easier treks. Many of the easier treks are appropriate for families and allow children to participate. Some companies rate the treks they offer by level of difficulty, to help travelers judge which trek would be best for them.
While trekking is one of the most popular forms of adventure travel in Nepal, it is by no means the only one. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in beautiful and mysterious Nepal.
- The Himalayas make Nepal a favorite destination for mountain climbers. There are well over 100 peaks open to mountain climbers in Nepal, including the famed Mount Everest.
- The mountains of Nepal also have trails for mountain bikers of varying skills.
- Nepal offers challenging climbing cliffs for avid rock climbers.
- While rafting and kayaking in Nepal, adventurers can float along picturesque mountain rivers enjoying tranquil views, far from the well-traveled paths.

• Finally, adventure travelers in Nepal can choose to experience a jungle safari from a jeep or the back of an elephant. Nepal's wildlife reserves and conservation areas boast a variety of unique animals, including the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Greater One Horned Rhinoceros.

About The Author
John Riggin is Executive Editor for http://www.seeyouinasia.com/ the largest US to Asia travel website. Delivering a comprehensive range of vacation packages, travel information and more, tailored for the American travel consumer.

ABCs of Adventure Travel

ABCs of Adventure Travel by: News Canada
A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and you'll come home looking good.
B – Bottled water is a must – don't drink anything else.
C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures
D – Digital cameras save the day; they’re small and you never run out of film
E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation
F – Food is fun, try something you've never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine
G – Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, you'll be so glad you did
H – Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them
I – Inform someone at home of your itinerary
J – Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week?
K – Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way
L – Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad (just kidding)!
N – Note the local artisans and buy something authentic
O – One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage
P – Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many
Q – Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.
R – Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.
S – Scrapbook within the first week of getting home
T – Travel as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.
U – Unpack as soon as you get home.
V – Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries – be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.
W – Whining never fixes anything – buck up and deal with the differences
X – exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money
Y – You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive
Z – Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.
For information on travel adventures of the heart, visit www.negstusa.com
News Canada
About The Author
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News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Discovering your trip online can be part of the adventure

By Guest Author: Joyce Jackson:

Finding your way off the beaten path for your adventure vacation has never been easier. The Web levels the playing field between quaint small towns and the destination resorts that frequently overshadow many hidden gems.

As the travel industry expands to accommodate the growing number of people wanting to travel, surfing the web becomes an even better option for most of us. You can now find more destinations than ever before. For an adventure you can, even with your family, search online and rekindle the spirit of adventure and discovery.

Nearly 64 million travelers -- 30 percent of the U.S. adult population -- used the Internet in the past year to get travel and destination information. Of that group, 44.6 million actually booked at least one travel service or product online in the past year. "The Internet has put consumers in control of their plans and they like it. They're able to gather all the facts they need and compare prices and options to obtain what they feel are the best deals possible, "according to Dr. Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research for the Travel Industry Association of America.

It used to be that resort destinations dominated the travel scene. The newest and most inexperienced travelers would be channeled into large resorts. Today, small bed and breakfasts or even “mom and pop” home stays can compete on equal levels with the large resorts.

How?

Online!

Use it your advantage!

Here are some tips for finding fresh locales no matter which state you plan to visit:

* Enter the state name and the terms "travel and tourism" and the official visitor's bureau of that state will appear as one of the top search results. Government supported and frequently tax funded, state tourism bureaus are charged with providing information on all visitor resources and destinations from the very small and unheralded to the very famous so you can browse a broad gamut of options, usually segregated by interest area and/or geographic location within the state of your choice.

* Search by an interest area in the state you want to visit such as "whitewater rafting in Colorado," one of the most popular activities in Colorado. Other popular search terms for mountain destinations could be "hiking" or "mountain biking." Similarly, search by the types of activities you'd like at beaches, America's most popular vacation target, by searching terms such as "beach volleyball Florida" or "surfing California."

* For active outdoor enthusiasts, whether traveling solo or packing a family, camping or resort-bound, visit online versions of your favorite magazines such as Outsideonline.com, NationalGeographic.com and guide book publishers such as Fodors.com or LonelyPlanet.com.

Courtesy of Article Avenue (Source: http://www.articleavenue.com)
Joyce Jackson is the author of Pro Travel Packing Tips. On her website, travel-packing-tips.com, she offers tips and help gained from her 30 years of traveling the globe. It’s for those just starting out traveling or inexperienced travelers who want to be more confident when traveling.

Things you never want to hear your flight crew say after takeoff

Perhaps I should explain. This list came to me after spending one too many days dealing with airports and airplanes. Besides, I thought it would be a nice change from the usual serious travel tips and information I serve up on www.guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com.

The Guerrilla Traveler

--Don’t worry; this baby can still fly just fine with only one engine.
--$100 says this thing can too do a barrel roll.
--Let’s see if that loudmouth Delta pilot can play a little game of “chicken”
--Captain, did you just say, “Thank you for flying Jihad Airlines” ?
--No, I thought it was your turn to close the airtight door.
--Idiot! Never, never, set your coffee cup on that “Fuel Dump” button.
--Wow, what a coincidence, it’s my first day on the job, too.
--Captain, why don’t you just put this thing on auto-pilot and come join our little party?
--Does anyone know what that flashing red light thingy is?
--What do you mean, you just got us a 50% discount at our last refueling stop?
--Tower, did you just say, “eeney, meeney, miney, moe?
--Here’s your parachute, here’s yours, and yours, and here’s mine.

COPYRIGHT © 2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved

More cheap airline tickets

Yet another new airline joins the fray

What do I know? I would think that with fuel prices as high as they are, this would be the LAST time anyone would want to start a new airline. But here comes Spirit Airlines, with low cost routes from Dallas Fort Worth (USA) to the Caribbean. It is also offering cheap airfares as low as $39 between Dallas and its hub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The arrival of Spirit has already forced American Airlines, Delta and Continental to discount their airfares on routes to the Caribbean.
Check out this article on CBS11tv.com for more information..

The Guerrilla Traveler

COPYRIGHT © 2006. All rights reserved.

More adventure vacations than I can handle

A grab bag of exotic international travel ideas

When I read about trips like this, I want to get my suitcase packed right away. I am referring to an article in today’s Travel Daily News about recent new travel packages offered by members of the Unites States Tour Operators Association.

Here are some examples:

• ”EUROPE Immerse yourself in local culture while living and cooking like the locals on Culinary Experience tours where you learn a bit of the language, about the culture and cuisine, as well as shop for food.”
  
• ”NORTH AMERICA Cruise Alaska and see it from above on Zip line/ forest canopy tours in Ketchikan, go rappelling in Skagway, or take a heli-hiking trip near Denali National Park. Add adventure to an escorted U.S. motorcoach trip with a day of river rafting.”
  
• ” ASIA Travel to Tibet or take a tour visiting the fabled Silk Road. Visit the Himalayas, learning about Buddhism and Tibetology, journeying back in time to a place still slowly waking up to the present. Rugged adventure seekers can travel in a small group of 12 to 16 guests, seeing Tibet, Mongolia, and Bhutan and spending nights in traditional ger camps as they follow in the Footsteps of the Khans, crossing Mongolia`s sweeping steppes and desert plains. Sample a Wildlife Safari in India, exploring the extraordinary Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in addition to three other reserves where the legendary Bengal tiger can be found. “
  
• ”AFRICA Travelers can explore Ethiopia`s rich cultures and its Orthodox Christian tradition visiting ancient forts and monasteries that date back to the 12th Century, including legendary Lalibela with its Tomb of Abraham. Against a Mediterranean backdrop some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world are uncovered as the tour follows ancient trading routes between Libya and Egypt. “

As much travel ads as I receive every day, I have to say these tours sound wonderful to my spirit of adventure. But which one? Decisions, decisions….

The Guerrilla Traveler

COPYRIGHT © 2006, C.H. Brown. All rights reserved.

Travel the back roads

Back road travel adventures

If you are interested in planning an adventure travel vacation, check out Travel Wizard’s website, http://www.travelwizard.com/backroads/. They have a very diverse menu of back roads, adventure travel ideas you can select from, ranging from biking trips, walking trips, camping in exotic locations like Italy and France to Asia and South America.

The Guerrilla Traveler

COPYRIGHT © 2006, C.H. Brown. All rights reserved.

Safety and Travel Tips

Expert Travel Tips

I found a list of some pretty common-sense travel tips from Canadian Alex Tilley at Travel Tips. The list contains some travel ideas that you might consider basic, but others seem to come from someone’s unfortunate experiences.
For example, he suggests:

• Researching your destination for any communicable diseases in order to be vaccinated prior to leaving home.
  
• Keep photocopies of your passport, ID and other important papers separate from the originals when you travel. If the originals are lost or stolen, the copies can help you get back on your way sooner.
  
• Leave a travel itinerary with someone at home in case you need to be reached in the event of an emergency.
  While these ( and the other tips on his list) may seem too elementary to bear consideration, I have often found it helpful to keep a copy of a checklist like this handy.

Hey, if pilots and astronauts need lists, so do the rest of us.

The Guerrilla Traveler

COPYRIGHT © 2006, C.H. Brown. All rights reserved.

Europe Travel � The Top Trends off-the-beaten-track for 2006

I just read an intersting article on adventure travel trends in 2006. Of particular interest is the news that lower airfare is making travel to Eastern Europe much easier.
To many of us, myself included, the former communist countries are still shrouded in mystery. But now, options to travel to these countries are abounding.
So be sure to check out:Europe Travel � The Top Trends off-the-beaten-track for 2006.
The Gurrilla Traveler

Travel tips for getting great accomodation deals

Check out this meaty article on how to check out the best accomodation bargains BEFORE you travel (I know you've heard those horror stories of people who thought they were getting a great hotel bargain until they showed up and it was too late to make changes.)
Guerrilla Traveler


Accommodation Travel Tips by TravelMake

BEFORE YOU GO

Do a hotel research on the net looking not only for the cheapest rates but also considering the amenities and services provided, location, possible references from other people. Travel guidebooks can also be very helpful for choosing the hotel that suits you best. Be as much flexible with your trip schedule as possible. For example, business class hotels often have lower weekend rates.

As soon as you reserved the room(s) online, document all information about the hotel(s). The easiest way is to print out the whole page off your computer screen so you will have a clear statement that you can use as evidence in case of misplacing or incorrectly entering your information by a hotel clerk. Take a copy with you, make another one for your relatives so they will know when and where you are going to stay so they can contact you in emergency cases.



WHEN CHECKING-IN

Learn the proper check-in and check-out times. Confirm the amenities and services the hotel provides. Ask for directions, a local map. Get a card with the hotel's name, address and phone number so you can show it to a taxi driver or a passer-by in the street if you get lost.

Some hotels may provide extra services that you may not know about unless you ask for it:



- laundry service,
- hair dryers,
- voltage converters/ adaptors,
- newspaper service,
- complementary meals,
- access to fax machine, copier, printer, computer, Internet connection,
- cable TV, rental movies, video games,
- portable beds, baby cribs,
- complementary shuttle service to airport,
- rental safe for your money, jewellery, documents,
- telephone access charges,
- fees for using mini-bar,
- guided tours, excursions.


AT THE HOTEL

Safety should be a priority for everybody and you have to take some precautions. We devoted a whole separate page to travel safety including hotel safety measures so we will skip this part here. When you go out for the day, leave your key at the reception desk. Confirm closing time. Some hotels do lock up at night and you're expected to keep the key if you stay out late.

BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOTEL

Check out your room for left-behind items. If you need extra time for staying over the regular check-out time (usually it ranges from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m), make a request in advance or the hotel may charge you an additional night.

Review the hotel bill making sure that all charges are accurate.

We wish you a successful and safe trip!



TravelMake.com - one of leading online discount travel agencies, a source of useful travel information.



Article Source: SubmitYourNewArticle.com

Travel to Unforgetable Paris

Budget travel to Beautiful Paris

Europe Vacations

My first draft of this article began something like, “here are the top ten things to do and see when you travel to Paris.” My plan was to show how to plan a cheap travel excursion to Europe in general and France in particular. But three drafts later, I finally realized that the entire City of Paris is a stunning and unforgettable attraction.

Sure, there are a few places you have to see when you go there, or else one of your coworkers will make you feel like a dope because you traveled to Paris and didn’t see the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower.

But the point is, the entire City of Paris is one of the most beautiful travel destinations on the planet. You can travel to Paris on a budget without sacrificing any of its romance and excitement. Even if you wander off of the well-worn tourist paths, the charm and elegance of the city just seems to seep into your very pores. (Think of it as something like the anti-Detroit.)

Parisians, of course, have a reputation for being just a teensy bit boastful about their city, (“how dare you even speak of [insert your hometown here] in the same breath as Paris, you swine! I will spit on your toes.”) But it is hard to argue that their pride is not justified.

But if you insist on knowing my list of top things to do or see in Paris (particularly for travel on a budget), here it is:

· The Louvre was first opened to the public in 1793 after the French Revolution and now houses the most enormous art collection in the world. If you are dead set upon seeing every exhibit, be sure to set aside the most convenient decade of your trip in order to do so.
· The Palace of Versailles, is a fine example of what one man (King Louis XIV) can do with a Home Depot credit and the ability to impose crushing taxes on the French peasants.
· The Eiffel Tower was originally built as an attraction for the 1889 Universal Exhibition. The tower was considered by many Parisians to be an eyesore, but they have since come to terms with it and merely hang sheets over it when visitors come to town. It was the tallest structure in the world until the Empire State Building was completed in 1931. But at least it can claim it has never had a giant ape climb to its top.
· The Seine River. Here is where you can see and do it all without spending a bundle. Spend as much time as you can either walking along its banks or taking boat tours up and down the waterway itself. It is probably the most beguiling river in the world, and you will find almost every building of interest in Paris is on or near the Seine.
· The Parisian cafes. Here again you can take in the sights and experience the essence of romantic Paris without great expense. Particularly visit the cafes in the St. Germain-des-pres district, so you can follow in the steps of Ernest Hemingway, Victor Hugo, Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You may or may not develop the ability to write as well as these artists, but you be able to brag to your friends when you return home. Assuming of course that your kind of friends know that Hemmingway, Hugo, Pound and Fitgerald were writers and not a law firm.

OK I failed. I have touched only a very few of the highlights of travel to Paris. But when you go, be sure to take your time and stroll through the streets with the eye of a wanderer. Be sure to taste the foods and sample the wines. This is one city that organized walking tours are often worth your time, but you can also take your own walking tour with a guidebook in hand and a heart to behold its beauty. Europe Vacations

COPYRIGHT © 2005, C.H. Brown. All rights reserved.