Why Is Paris Considered One Of The Most Romantic Cities In The World?

Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures is excited to have as a guest, world- wide Paris expert, Thirza Vallois. Thirza is the author of the three volumes of "Around and About Paris", and another excellent book," Romantic Paris".
Thirza has lived in Paris for the past 40 years and holds several post-graduate degrees from La Sorbonne. She contributes to television and radio and has appeared on PBS, BBC, The Travel Channel, Discovery, CNN, The French Cultural Channel, among others. She also writes for The Financial Times, United Airlines' Hemispheres, Condé Nast Traveller, among others.
She is the author of Three Perfect Days in Paris, aired as a film on all United Airlines international flights and on television throughout the world. The article has won her the first award of NATJA (the North American Travel Journalists' Association).
Thirza has also contributed the Paris entry of the latest edition of The Encarta Encyclopaedia.
Thirza is also an expert on the Aveyron area in southern France. During the past several years she has devoted much of her time to exploring and studying this region of France. She is now completing a new book on this last hidden region of France, to be published in 2006.
Thirza has also informed me that she has been travelling extensively in the USA, especially to California, about which she has written a couple of articles, with more to follow
Today, Thirza will be discussing with us why Paris is so romantic?
Good day Thirza and thank you for accepting to be interviewed by sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com.
Norm:
Thirza, could you tell us something about yourself, how you started as a travel author and writer, how many travel books have your written, and why have you chosen to write about Paris?
Thirza:
A long time ago, when I was still a child, and travelling was still the privilege of the "happy enlightened few", I happened to be blessed with an exceptional mother who believed that the best school was life itself and that the best way to embrace life was by travelling.
My exposure therefore started at a very young age, as did my love for writing, through which I expressed myself the way one does through painting, singing, playing an instrument, dancing.... I never intended to become a writer, it was just part of me. And I never chose to write about Paris. It just happened, and for two specific reasons looking back with hindsight.
Being a savvy traveller, it upset me to see how most visitors to Paris (and any other place), do it the wrong way, using directory-like guidebooks that make them go through all the endless lists of touristy "musts", rather than point them to the "real" place, which is the city itself. It is only through an in-depth exploration and the understanding of a place that one can make the most of one's visit, and that's what my books "Around and About Paris" are all about.
Like all forms of self-expression, there is always an element of therapy behind the motivation, and I certainly needed to do my own therapy regarding Paris when the idea of writing about Paris began to gestate in my mind, back in the 1980s. Paris has changed dramatically since, but in those days it was an exasperating place, inhabited by very difficult people, to say the least, and my feelings for it were far from the phony "I love Paris in the spring time" picture postcard cultivated by Hollywood. It was really a love and hate passion, and I needed to understand my own heart, which could only happen through understanding the city.
It is the combination of the above that gave birth to my 3-volume series, "Around and About Paris". As for "Romantic Paris", it was their natural extension in a way. Once I provided my reader with all the meaty stuff, it was time to relax, enjoy and feast, and who does it better than lovers? It was a book written for lovers, past, present, and future, for whom Paris, more than any other city I can think of, has been designed by the gods. This also answers your other question. I have so far written four books on Paris. I have actually written a fifth book on Paris, targeting children, but have never pursued its publication (to my regret), having embarked on my new project, my book on the Aveyron which is now more than two thirds done.
Norm:
Can you explain to our audience why Paris is among the top romantic
venues in the world?
Thirza:
Everyone asks me this same question, on every interview. The answer I give is always the same, and best resumed in the introduction to "Romantic Paris". Rather than paraphrase, let me quote directly from my book:

"For decades I tried to figure out why Paris is shrouded in such mystique. Granted, walks at night along the Seine are enchanting, but that alone cannot explain why the very mention of Paris had always conjured up tales of romance, well before it was blessed with gas or electricity, well before its exquisitely lit street-corners were replicated the world over in black-and-white print. After all, medieval Paris was a dark den of filth, reeking with nauseous stench, and the two sinister prison fortresses that jutted out of its skyline could hardly have been conducive to romance. Not to mention the 32 rotting corpses dangling in the offing when the royal gallows was used to full capacity. Yet the myth has been perpetuated for a good thousand years.
I racked my brains, I dug into the past, I travelled into my own psyche looking for an answer, but I came back empty-handed. There simply is no answer. There lies the beauty of the enigma. Paris is poetry, Paris is mystery, Paris is beauty-an exasperating decoy that never quite delivers, all the more compelling for its imperfection, the archetypal reservoir of all our passions...."
Norm:
If you had to choose six unique romantic venues in Paris, where would they be and why?
Thirza:
Very tough question, and it sometimes depends on the season or time of day or night, because "romantic" implies seclusion.
*Definitely the two western tips of the two central islands, Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis, but down the steps, at water level, and in the case of Ile Saint-Louis, preferably after dark.
*The tiny place de Fürstemberg, near the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: it is a rare jewel after dark, but is also quite heavenly in the morning, when one can meanwhile take in the delightful little Delacroix Museum.
*Place Dauphine, on the western side of Ile de la Cité, also preferably after dark.
*Buttes Chaumont, which has all the ingredients of a Brahms symphony that would have appealed to the likes of Lord Byron: a grotto, a dramatic waterfall, a lake with weeping willows, sheer cliffs topped by a Temple de l'Amour-what better place for a lovers' kiss with eastern Paris spread like a carpet at your feet!
* Palais Royal (the home of writer Colette and Jean Cocteau), in early morning, before the arrival of the crowds, or at night time, after they have departed.
* Montmartre, especially on the little frequented side streets, again in the early hours of the morning, or after dark.
Norm:
Could you describe to our audience six unique wedding venues in Paris to celebrate a marriage, and explain why you would consider these venues to be most unique?
Thirza:
Once more the choice is tough, so I am trying to be as eclectic as I can, to match people's different tastes.
*Without any shadow of doubt, my first choice would go to a cruise boat on the river Seine. These come in different categories and different price ranges, my favourite fleet being "Les Yachts de Paris". Nothing equals in terms of urban beauty and glamour the city's river views, even more so when seen from the water. Try to prolong your festivities into the night so as to enjoy the splendour of the floodlighting.
Les Yachts de Paris
10, quai Henri IV, 75004
Tel: 01 44 54 14 70
*At a price, every monument of Paris is for hire, even the Château of Versailles. If I were to hire one of them (or just part of one) for my wedding, I would probably go for the Jacquemart-André Museum, because as the one-time home of the famous art collectors Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, it has a private feel,to a certain extent, despite its palatial glamour, which makes it an ideal venue for a wedding occasion. The couple's fabulous art collection is on permanent display on the magnificent premises of the museum.
Musée Jacquemart-André
158, Boulevard Haussmann, 75008
*Countrified weddings are always appealing, and the Bois de Boulogne is as countrified as you can get within the boundaries of Paris. Le Pré Catelan offers luxury and refinement amidst beautiful green surroundings, combined with the the renowned Le Nôtre's top-quality catering.
Le Pré Catelan
Bois de Boulogne
Route de Suresnes, 75016
Tel 01 44 14 41 14
*If you wish to have it countrified while staying in central Paris, you can opt for the discreet magnificence of the peach-coloured Laurent, in the lower gardens of the Champs-Elysées, and still enjoy the leafy surroundings of one of the city's most prestigious neighbourhoods (the presidential residence is across the street). Make sure to hire a dining room that comes with a terrace.
Le Laurent
41, avenue Gabriel, 75008
Tel: 01 42 25 00 39
*There was once an excellent film by Chabrol, Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie. That kind of charm, which was first and foremost that of the old aristocracy, was beautifully captured by Marcel Proust. It still lingers on Faubourg Saint Germain in the 7th arrondissement, notably in the 18th century townhouse, now the home of the celebrated Ecole Polytechnique alumni, where many of the nation's creme de la creme elite were trained.
La Maison des Polytechniciens
12, rue de Poitiers
75007 Paris
Tél: 01 49 54 74 74
*The avenue d'Iéna, in the plush neighbourhood of the 16th arrondissement, is home to a magnificent town mansion from the late 19th century, decorated in traditional, period French style and overlooking a beautiful garden. Ideal for a wedding in grand style.
La Maison des Arts et Métiers
9bis avenue d'Iéna
75116 Paris
Tel: 01 40 69 27 00
Norm:
If you are planning to have a destination wedding in Paris, how far in advance should you prepare for the wedding, and where would you go to find out about the legal requirements?
Thirza:
There is a strict separation between state and church in France (see the recent headlines about the Islamic veil.....). This is important to understand because only civil marriage is recognised by French law. It is celebrated by the Mayor of the arrondissement where one of the spouses resides, and the ceremony takes place in the Salle de Marriage of the Mairie of that same arrondissement. There is a legal procedure to go by and you will need to seek legal advice for that. If you are considering a civil marriage in France, a lawyer is the person to consult, obviously (although I do know how it works, this is not the right forum to expand on administrative issues). You may also require the service of a notaire, should you be dealing with property issues. Your lawyer can refer you to a notaire. On the other hand, you don't need to be a French resident for the celebration of your religious or non-religious ceremony, nor do you need any legal advice for that. However, you should definitely prepare for it as early as possible because, as they say, "the early bird catches the prey". Certainly months ahead, if not a year, should you plan your wedding to take place in spring or early summer.
Norm:
If you had to choose three of the most romantic restaurants in Paris, which ones would you choose and why?
Thirza:
* If by romantic we imply secluded cosiness which is what lovers usually seek, and since I haven't yet focused on winter, the Coupe Chou comes first to my mind, located in an ancient medieval house in the Latin Quarter, a few steps away from the Sorbonne. It's all dark nooks and crannies, which are graced with glowing log fires. If only it could snow more often in Paris than it does these days! It would then be altogether fit for a fairy tale. As an extra bonus, this is a medium-range restaurant pricewise.
Le Coupe-Chou
9, rue de Lanneau, 75005
Tel: 01 46 33 68 69
* Le Beauvilliers in Montmartre, on the other hand, is a pricy place, but as good as it comes and cheaper than others that fall into that category. Here you step into the romantic splendour of the Second Empire in the heart of real Montmartre, just a few minutes'walk from the differently (yet equally) romantic and cottagy Lapin Agile cabaret, where I would head after dinner, for a night filled with old French songs, sketches and hearty laughter.
Le Beauvilliers
52, rue Lamarck, 75018
Tel: 01 42 54 54 42
* Lapérouse, a pricy place too, cannot be overlooked either, its scintillating setting having been the rendezvous of Venus's protegés. There is even a private boudoir-lounge where the two of you can dine alone undisturbed. It comes with elaborate, dainty decorations and is named La Belle Otero after the famous, fiery courtesan. If you are worried for your good reputation, note that France's most honoured members of literati also dined here regularly, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, George Sand among them. Remember that the French have a sophisticated, unpuritanical approach to love.
Lapérouse,
51, quai des Grands-Augustins, 75006
Tel: 01 43 26 68 04
Norm:
If a couple were planning to honeymoon in Paris, and were not sure which area to stay in, which three areas of the city would you choose and why?
Thirza:
Saint-Germain-des-Prés/Luxembourg area, Paris at its most sophisticated, colourful and arty, lined with extraordinary boutiques that will be hard to resist. It boasts a greater number of "hôtels de charme" than any other part of the city, which speaks for itself, and that's exactly the kind of hotel a honeymooning couple would choose to stay at, short of choosing one of the city's luxury hotels.
The Marais is similar in spirit but is less spacious, and doesn't have a park. It also has several "hôtels de charme", though not quite so many as Saint-Germain.
Ile Saint-Louis because it is a self-contained miniature of romance, lined with boutiques and eating places of all sorts, and conveniently located for every part of Paris. It has four "hôtels de charme" to choose among and is within a few minutes' walk from both the Marais, on the Right Bank, and the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank.
Norm:
Is Paris a safe city to visit?
Thirza:
No city and no place on earth is fullproof. As I am writing this interview South East Asia is subjected to a deluvian tragedy, all the way to the eastern shores of Africa. Paris is as safe as a big city can be, but one should always use one's common sense and avoid carrying cash and other valuables when going out. Pickpocketing is rife, and I have been victim to it many a time myself- A brief moment of distraction and your wallet is gone. Leave all your valuables in your safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport rather than the original document. Watch out even at the airport and hold on to your handbag in all public places (including your taxi: some delinquents may open the door and snatch your bag at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. They often operate on motorcycles and that has happened to me too). Be sensible but not paranoid.
Norm:
When is the best time to visit Paris from the point of view of climate, crowds, travel deals, etc?
Obviously spring time is unique. Good weather is never guaranteed though, no matter what time of year, but should the gods be with you, then spring, by definition, is the season of romance, and an early feel of spring can even be detected as early as on Valentine's.
I personally have a distaste for July and August, especially from the middle of July on. Most Parisians are replaced by tourists, often in organised crowds, and it just isn't it. This can also happen at weekends during spring because Europeans nowadays are very fond of weekend city breaks. Fall is a beautiful time of year, often accompanied by a lingering Indian summer, which the golden beauty of the trees contribute to enhance.
Strange as it may seem, I find Paris particularly romantic in winter, when the leafless trees allow you to enjoy the architecture of its buildings. After dark the city is altogether magical,as its street lamps don it with an amber light. It can be cold, but all you have to do is dress accordingly and make the most of the fact that you are likely to be alone out there and the entire city will belong to you and your sweetheart, as you stroll through the streets or by the river into the late hours of the night. At Christmas time you will also enjoy the festive decorations, which, it being Paris, tend to be exquisitely elegant and tasteful.
As for travel deals, they are the same all over the world. Prices shoot up in the summer and plummet in the low season.
Norm:
How easy or difficult is it to get around Paris?
Thirza:
It is extremely easy to get around Paris. Public transportation (buses, métro and RER express trains) is very efficient and many lines run beyond midnight. Taxis are easily available except on weekend nights. They also get grabbed into thin air as soon as it starts raining. However, Paris is regularly disrupted by protest and other demonstrations (the French thrive on them), which can paralyse the city, usually from 2:00 pm on, often with no forewarning. It is therefore good to stay in central Paris so that you can make your way back to your hotel on foot, should you experience one of those typically French "happenings".
Norm:
Is there anything else that you wish to add about Romantic Paris that we have not discussed?
Thirza:
Most of the recommendations in this interview are on the pricy side, because we are speaking here of a special event and moment in your life. My book "Romantic Paris" has pages and pages of tips and recommendations of things to be done and enjoyed on all budgets, including low budgets. Paris can truly be enjoyed romantically on a shoestring. The best of Paris is strolling through its streets, and that costs little or nothing. I have designed several romantic walks for you in "Romantic Paris". That's over and above the scores of walks woven into "Around and About Paris". Put on your most comfortable footgear and venture into the city, including in the heart of winter. Soak it all up. And try, just once, to stay up all night, so that you can enjoy a sunrise either from the river, or from the foot of the Sacré Coeur.
Thanks once again and best of luck on all of your future endeavours including your future book on Aveyron.

Norm Goldman is Editor of the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com.
Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team in that them meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.
You can read Norm's book reviews on Bookpleasures.com and you can read his travel articles together with his wife Lily's art work on Sketchandtravel.com.
Norm and Lily are always open to invitations to visit romantic and wedding destinations in the New England states, Florida, New York, and possibly elsewhere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norm_Goldman

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8843

The most popular travel destinations in the world

Every country is beautiful in its own manner and is really worth visiting, but there are some countries that attract much more tourists than others. There is the list of the 5 of the most visited countries of the last several years 1) France (76.7 million visitors a year) 2) Spain (51.7 million visitors) 3) U.S. (41.9 million visitors) 4) Italy (39.8 million visitors) 5) China (36.8 million visitors)
This is the data of 1998 1) France (70 million visitors) 2) Spain (47,7 million visitors) 3) United States (47 million visitors) 4) Italy (34,8 million visitors) 5) United Kingdom (25,4 million visitors)

 The top 4 has remained the same since the end of the last century, but fast developing and becoming more and more popular China replaced the United Kingdom on the fifth place. You can also see that china is going to overcome Italy in amount of tourists. You can also see that the total amount of tourists has increased – people became to travel more. So, the most popular country with big odds given is France. Without any doubt the most famous and popular city in France is Paris. It receives a huge amount of visitors any season. In summer the whole Cote d’Azur with Nice and Cannes becomes the most fashionable and prestigious beach resort. Spain, mostly visited in summer is also very popular beach destination with its resorts of Costa Brave, Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol. Spanish islands – Canaries and Balearics also attract millions. Barcelona and Madrid are on the top of the list of the most visited Spanish cities. United States have the third place with the significant number of tourists, but mostly they are Americans. New York is the most visited by tourists city and Florida and California are known for their beach resorts. Italy, full of ancient attractions and sea resorts is also among the leaders. Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence – everybody knows these symbols of Italian bloom and the tourist stream never exhausts. Among other popular travel destinations we can name Thailand, although after tsunami it suffered a lot of problems. Now it begins to rise again. According to some questionings it isnamed the best place for swimming and beach rest. These are the destinations popular worldwide. However every country has its own favorites. For example, it’s known that Americans prefer to spend their holidays in Mexico, many French like to visit Martinique and so on. In conclusion I can say that nothing threatens France’s leadership in the list of the most popular countries but people open new, exotic destinations which popularity is growing up. 

For more information on various Destinations for Travel visit Group Travel Directory
Source: Article Biz

 

Ecuador: One Month, $1000 Including Airfare

On my first trip to Ecuador I discovered that the official currency of is the U.S. Dollar. A nice surprize, since I thought I'd have to find a place to exchange money at midnight in Quito. Not only could I use the dollar bills in my pocket, but just one of them would buy a three-course lunch at a clean restaurant. I fell in love with Ecuador immediately. I fell in love with my wife Ana a few days later. 

Quito, Ecuador

I loved Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Centro Del Mundo, the hostel where I stayed the first few days, cost $4 per night, including breakfast. The walls had maps and all the information I needed on them. There were travelers from fourteen countries there during my stay.

I took a tour to the volcano Cotapaxi, and hiked up to the glaciers with three others, from Israel, France and England. I danced (Free Rum in the hostel on Friday nights), wandered the city streets, and took spanish lessons from a beautiful tutor. Ana was not only a great teacher, but soon became my tour guide and, eventually, my wife.

Riobamba, Ecuador

Riobamba is another beautiful mountain city. My hotel was $3 per night, this time in a private room with a TV. The manager had connections, and information on anything I wanted. He arranged for a guide to take me up Mount Chimborazo, which at 20,600 feet is the furthest point from the center of the Earth (due to the bulge at the equator). After climbing 4,000 feet of glaciers, I made it to the summit. 

Banos, Ecuador

Back in Quito, I called Ana, and we made plans to go to Banos De Santa Agua, a town in central Ecuador, famous for its hotsprings. The bus was $3, a nice motel with cable T.V. cost $7 per night. The second day there, we ate out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, went to the hotsprings, bought souvenirs, went to a movie, went out drinking and dancing - and the entire day, including motel, cost $34!

In fact, the entire trip, including airfare, the fee for the guide on Chimborazo, and everything else, cost $1040. That was for four weeks. How I kept it so cheap is a subject for another article.

More Information on Ecuador

The mountain towns (Quito, Riobamba, Loja, Cuenca, Otavalo, Ibarra, Ambato, Latacunga) have wonderful climates. Highs are in the 60s to 70s fahrenheit year-round. Guayaquil and the coastal cities can be hot, but the temperature is moderated by the Humboldt Current, which brings cool water along the coast of South America.

If you like beaches, you have many options. In Salinas, for example, you can sit on a beautiful Pacific Ocean beach, while vendors bring you everything from beer to ice cream to chair rentals an music. For $20 you can rent a jet ski and have some fun in the waves.

The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, and tour information is available in all major cities (It's cheaper to wait until you're in Ecuador to book a tour).

Good meals can still be had for under two dollars in most cities, if you eat where the locals do. Hotels in most cities start at around $12 (less for a bed in a hostel). Cross-country travel by bus is cheaper and more comfortable than bus travel in the U.S.

The people of Ecuador are almost universally friendly, and speak one of the clearest, easiest to understand dialects of Spanish (A great place to learn). Ecuador is a safe, democratic republic, with a legal system similar to that of the U.S.

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the United States and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. Read their stories, tips and travel information at: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

Weddings in Paris, Honeymoon in Paris, Marriage in Paris

Paris, the capital city of Romance and also known as the city of lights, is considered to be one of the world’s most passionate destinations and hundreds of thousands of couples are found to be proposing marriage at the top of Eiffel Tower every year. Could there possibly be a more romantic location than Paris? With Cartier & Tiffanys at your doorstep, engagement and wedding rings can be made to order. With renowned luxury goods suppliers, Louis Vuitton, having its huge, flagship store on the corner of Champs-Elysees and Avenue George V, you can even buy beautiful luggage for your honeymoon!
The hallowed entrance to the Christian Dior Paris boutique has been made world famous by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Elizabeth Hurley who are frequent visitors. Contrary to popular belief, buying designer branded goods in Paris is much cheaper than buying in the UK. You will be paying in Euros and saving possibly hundreds of pounds as well as sidestepping the waiting list!


Proposals of marriage on top of the Eiffel Tower, lit up at night by its thousands of twinkling fairy lights….choosing rings at Tiffanys….exchanging vows on the edge of the beautiful, winding River Seine…Paris really is a dream destination for all brides and grooms-to-be. During spring and summer, you can see countless just-married couples posing for photographs in front of the Eiffel Tower with a horse-carriage waiting to transport them to their wedding reception.
At http://www.myparis.co.uk/, you will find a one-stop shop for all your wedding requirements. They take care of all the legalities and paperwork, thereby leaving you free to enjoy your Special Day without any worries about the small details. In addition to flights, train (Eurostar and Le Shuttle) and hotel packages, they also offer you a wide selection of wedding services including the arrangement of wedding cakes, bridal bouquets and matching groom’s bouttonieres, wedding rings, champagne wedding lunches, wedding cars and entertainment (everything from harps and violins to live performances by rock musicians!). Whether you’re after a simple ceremony just for the two of you or you’re looking for a full-blown, sit down banquet, http://www.myparis.co.uk/ will arrange everything for you.

Las Vegas - A City Guide

Introduction
Las Vegas is the most populated city in Nevada, United States. The city was founded in the first decade of the 20th century, and is a major vacation, shopping, and gambling destination. The center of gambling in the US, Las Vegas is sometimes called Sin City due to the popularity of legalized gambling, availability of alcoholic beverages any time (like all of Nevada), various forms and degrees of adult entertainment. The nickname favored by local government and promoters of tourism is The Entertainment Capital of the World. The city's glamorous image has made it a popular setting for films and television programs.


History
Major events in Las Vegas' history include:
¢ Establishment of Las Vegas as a railroad town (May 15, 1905). ¢ Legalization of gambling (March 19, 1931). ¢ Completion of Hoover Dam (October 9, 1936). ¢ Opening of Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel on what would become the Las Vegas Strip (December 26, 1946). ¢ Above-ground testing of nuclear bombs (1951 to 1963). ¢ The floods of 1955, 1984, 1999, and 2003. ¢ MGM Grand Hotel fire (November 21, 1980), the worst disaster in Nevada history. ¢ Opening of the Mirage (November 22, 1989), this began the era of mega resort casinos.

Place of interest
The city and surrounding areas offer many attractions for both visitors and locals to enjoy. Just walking on the Strip and gazing at the gaudy, garish, absurd wonder of it all can occupy quite a lot of time. This is the number-one activity in Vegas; at night and there are shows and plenty of other nighttime entertainment. There are also plenty of out-of-town sightseeing options, like Hoover Dam (a major tourist destination), Red
Rock Canyon, and nexus-of-all-conspiracy-theories Area 51, along with excursions to the Grand Canyon. The main attractions for the tourists are the casinos and their free shows. Free hotel attractions, such as Bellagio's water-fountain ballet, The Mirage's volcano and white-tiger exhibit, and the masquerade show at the Rio and the utter piece of hooey that replaced the pirate show at TI at the Mirage. Museums & Art Galleries
Besides the casinos another attraction in Las Vegas is its museums. These museums are very much attached with the history of Las Vegas, better to say, with the history of America. ¢ Boulder City / Hoover Dam Museum, ¢ Bruno's Indian Museum, ¢ Central Nevada Museum, ¢ Clark County Heritage Museum, ¢ Guinness World of Records Museum and Gift Shop are some of those museums. Other than these some art museums and auto museums are there in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Art Museum, George L. Sturman Museum of Fine Art, Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Arts are some of arts museums.
Shopping
Shopping in Vegas is endless and it's a shop-till-you-drop kind of city. Some extensive malls and many hotels have comprehensive, and sometimes highly themed, shopping arcades. The most notable of the arcades are in Caesars Palace, Aladdin, and The Venetian. In addition to the malls, outlets, and shops, it's a good idea to drive to Maryland Parkway, which runs parallel to the Strip on the east and has just about one of everything: Target, Toys "R" Us, several major department stores, Tower Records, major drugstores, some alternative-culture stores (tattoo parlors and hip clothing stores), and so forth. Las Vegas has a big factory-outlet center just a few miles past the southern end of the Strip. Vegas has quite a few antiques stores, nearly two dozen, of consistent quality and price, nearly all located within a few blocks of each other.
Food & Drink
Among the many images that come to mind when people think of Las Vegas are cheap food deals, bargains so good the food is practically free. Some of the big names are Pinot, Le Cirque, Alizé, Aqua, Aureole, Olives, Lutèce, Border Grill, Nobu and Rosemary's Restaurant. Las Vegas has some theme restaurants like The House of Blues, Harley Davidson Café, The Hard Rock Café, the Rainforest Café and Margaritaville.
Universities
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas is the main university located in Las Vegas. Among other universities and community colleges University Of Phoenix-Nevada, Community College Of Southern Nevada, Community College Of Southern Nevada, Southern Nevada University Of Cosmetology are some notable entities.
Sports
Las Vegas isn't known for its sports teams. Except for minor-league baseball and hockey, the only consistent spectator sports are those at UNLV. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a main venue for car racing and should draw major events to Las Vegas.
But since the city has several top-notch sporting arenas, there are important annual events that take place in Las Vegas. The PGA Tour's Las Vegas Senior Classic is held each April in nearby Summerlin, and the Las Vegas Invitational takes place in Las Vegas each October. The National Finals Rodeo is held in UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center each December.
Hotels & Accommodation
If there's one thing Vegas has, its hotels, big hotels and lots of them. The 10 largest hotels in the United States - 9 of the top 10 in the world - located in Vegas. There are lots to choose from according ones need and choice.
Luxury Hotels
Vegas have elegant and grand hotels in its possession. The MGM Grand, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Ritz-Carlton, the Hotel, the Mirage, Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower - are some of these big names.
Budget Hotels
If the visit to Vegas is in a particularly busy season and booking in prominent hotels are over, here's a list of moderate to very inexpensive alternatives - Budget Suites of America, Travelodge, Budget Inn, Motel 6 Boulder Highway etc.
Tours and Sightseeing
Just about every hotel in town has a sightseeing desk offering a seemingly infinite number of tours in and around Las Vegas. You're sure to find The Reservation Center, a tour company of international repute that will take you where you want to go a good choice for your sightseeing tours. The tours include Air Tours including Airplane, Helicopter Tours; Land tours including ATV Tours, Bicycle Tours, Bus Tours, Walking / Hiking and Horseback Riding; Water tours including Jet Ski Tours, Lake Cruises, River Rafting, Wakeboarding, etc. These tours contain destinations like Hoover Dam, Mount Charleston, and Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and Lake Mead. The Reservation Center is one of the most comprehensive tour agencies and offers a wide variety of tours.
Transport
The CAT Bus is the popular means of public transportation among locals and tourists with 52 bus routes operating covering a large portion of the valley. The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the MGM Grand Hotel at the south end of the Strip to the Sahara Hotel at the north end of the Strip. McCarran International Airport provides commercial flights into the Las Vegas valley. The airport also serves private aircraft, domestic and international passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. Intercity bus service to Las Vegas is provided by traditional intercity bus carriers, including Greyhound; many charter services, including Green Tortoise; and several Chinatown bus lines. Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is the only class one railroad to provide rail freight service to the city.
About the Author Name: Nivedita Balamurugan Occupation: Traveler Website: www.thereservationcenter.com Biography: Nivedita 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.

Visit Beverly Hills California

Beverly Hills, California, one of the wealthiest cities in the world is known world wide for multi million dollar mansions, Rodeo Drive shopping, luxury automobile dealerships, four and five star hotels, fine dining establishments and wealthy citizens.
Beverly Hills is a great place to visit. Go shopping or window shopping at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Channel, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Gearys, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Lalique, Tiffany & Co, Robert Clergerie, Barneys New York, Van Cleef & Arpels, La Perla, Hermes, Alfred Dunhill, St. John, Harry Winston, Buccellati, Cole-Haan, David Orgell, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Fendi or dozens of other luxury boutiques, stores and shops.


If you are into luxury cars, you can find almost every type of luxury and classic car there is on the streets and at the dealerships in Beverly Hills.
If you can afford it stay in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel and be treated like a king or queen. There are also the Le Meridien, Four Seasons, Regent Beverly Wilshire, The Beverly Hilton, Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills hotels as well as several other great hotels.
Have breakfast or lunch and see the stars at the Polo Lounge, eat at Trader Vics, Spagos, Il Fornaio, La Scala, Delmonicos Lobster House, Regent Beverly Wilshire, Benihana, Houston's and other fine restaurants. All of them provide excellent service and delicious fare.
All of the businesses and merchants in Beverly Hills are used to serving wealthy and discriminating clientel, therefore almost anywhere you go you will be treated with service that is far above average. Unlike the scenes in the movie Pretty Woman I have never run in to rude or snooty sales clerks. Everywhere I have shopped, stayed or dined in Beverly Hills I have been treated very well. Money is money and it seems that the merchants believe that if you can afford to buy their goods or services you are more
than welcome in their establishment. Since nowadays it is hard to tell by looks who has money and who doesn't it's easier and safer for the merchants to treat everyone as if they are wealthy.
Drive through the residential areas of Beverly Hills. You will find houses and mansions of all architectural styles and sizes beautifuly landscaped with dark green lawns, sculpted hedges, fountains and gorgeous gardens. Even the streets are clean and well tended.
Visit Beverly Hills, if you are rich you will feel right at home and if you are not you will probably, at least for a while, feel like you are.
By the way, even though the city is filled with luxury hotels, shops and restaurants, since not everyone who lives, visits or works in Beverly Hills is rich, there are still plenty of medium to inexpensively priced hotels, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and fast food places.
For more information about the city of Beverly Hills, California see http://beverlyhills.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Beverly Hills, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.


About the Author
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

London Travel

London is a very visitor friendly place and traveling around in London is very suitably provided by various forms of transportation. The most common mode of transport is the London Underground http://tube.tfl.gov.uk and it operates through out the day [from early morning to late night]. Other forms include buses, taxis etc. The whole city is divided into 6 zones with zone 1 and 2 referred as 'Central London'.
With London's endless choice of theatres, sports and music venues, you won’t be short of entertainment. This is the place to be if you're looking for world-class art, exhibitions, music and more. More unbiased information can be found at Visit London http://www.visitlondon.com/.

Accommodation in London offers a variety of choices from budget low room rate [starting from £30] and to high-class luxury rooms [greater than £1000]. The best hotel which I have stayed in is The Ritz http://www.theritzlondon.com and the best priced [in terms of location, service and price] is Regent Palace http://www.regentpalacehotel.co.uk/. More information on the choice of the hotels, price comparison, amenities information, photographs of rooms, online booking can be done at London Hotels http://www.2pl.com/London/bs-1250300001.htm.
Finding a place to eat in London is a difficult task not because of scarcity of restaurants but because of such a wide variety and number of places. Chinese, Indian and Italian are the most popular cuisines in London. London Eating http://www.london-eating.co.uk/ provides the easiest way to identify the closest restaurants of the choice of your cuisine. But London is an expensive place in an expensive country. So mind your wallet when going out for dinner. A rough guideline: £5 per person: Sandwich Shop, £10-20 per person: Pub, £15-30 per person: cheap to medium class restaurant, £50-100 per person: very nice restaurant, £100 and above: Savoy or Ritz.

For theatre loving people London offers unmatched opportunities of musicals, plays, comedies. The main theatres are located in Central London and all the information/bookings can be done in Leicester Square area. Online information and booking of theatre tickets can be done here http://www.londontheatredirect.com/.

Austria - Vienna, Salzburg, Halstatt and Sound of Music

Austria simply can’t be beat when it comes to beauty. You’ve seen the country in the Sound of Music, but the cities of Vienna, Salzburg and the alpine town of Halstatt are just as nice. 

Vienna
Vienna is a city with a ridiculous amount of history. The home of the waltz, Habsburg Palaces and an unrivaled musical past. Walk for an evening through the cobblestone streets in the center city and you can almost hear a famous composer at work. In fact, many of the walking areas are lined with small orchestral ensembles playing their way through the evening. Elbowing in on their act, of course, are those unique artist who dress in a period piece and then stand in one position for what seems time eternal. Buddhist monks would be envious if they believed in envy.  The only downside to Vienna is the expense. It is very expensive. If you are going to spend some time in the city, be ready to pay for the privilege. 

Salzburg
Salzburg is one of my favorite cities and I always try to hit it when I am traveling through Europe. The real home of Mozart, Salzburg is Vienna without less of the hustle and bustle. A walk through the shopping district will leave you breathless and, sometimes, penniless, but it is a worthwhile go. Salzburg is a city where you can drink bear with monks, take in an opera or just walk through exquisite rose gardens. Unfortunately, it gives Vienna a run for its money when it comes to being expensive. Yes, pun intended.
  
Halstatt
Halstatt is the little town in the Alps that puts the Sound of Music to shame. Located roughly an hour outside of Salzburg, the easiest way to reach it is by train. The train travels well up into the Alps and drops you off by the side of a lake. You plop down in a little hut and wait for the ferry from Halstatt to appear. The ferry then halls you across the lake to a Alpine town with no cars – Halstatt. It is like stepping into the past. People are friendly, prices are reasonable and romance is on the hoof. Swans swim along the outdoor cafes dotting the lake and, well, it is pretty dang nice. If you are looking for a little romance, Halstatt is definitely worth your consideration.
For many travelers, Austria gets scratched off the “must visit” list because it is so expensive. Still, you should try to visit it at least once in your life to take in the splendor.

Switzerland - Interlaken, Zurich, St. Moritz and Geneva

Switzerland is the land of skiing, chocolate and very private banking. Ah, but there is so much more to experience in the land of neutrality. 

Interlaken  
Interlaken gets its highly creative name from sitting on the split of land between two lakes. If you’re looking for a little extreme sporting, this is place. You can backpack, horseback ride, parasail and so on. To really take in the majesty of the alps, I highly recommend you cough up the money for a go at skydiving. You may have gone ski diving before, but I guarantee you nothing compares to free falling down through the mountains of Switzerland. This is how God must feel looking down at the earth. While God gets the view for free, you will have to pay…a lot. Still, the view and experience is something you will never forget.  

Zurich
Zurich is the cleanest city in Switzerland, Europe and maybe the world. There place simply sparkles. Various guide books challenge readers to find a cigarette butt or piece of trash on the sparkling streets. Personally, I find the cleanliness of the city a bit of a negative. Stop rolling your eyes. The place is simply so clean that it seems to lack any real character. One keeps getting the feeling you are walking around a Disneyland Park. The budget traveler should be aware that Zurich is more expensive than even Disneyland.


St. Moritz
If you’re looking for the arrogant rich, over the top luxury and incredibly expensive prices, St. Moritz is for you. Not really my crowd, so on to the next city…

Geneva
Geneva is not “just another” clean city in Switzerland. Okay, it looks like it at first and second glance, but the third glance may prove a delight. With cobble stone streets, the city reminds one of the stereotypical Swiss images in the media. In reality, Geneva has a bustling underground of live music, art and general fun. Four aspirin and two bottles of water later, I can certainly attest to it. The only way to let your hair down in Geneva is to buddy up to a local and follow their lead. Trust me, you’ll have a blast.
Switzerland often seems a bit too good to be true. Perhaps it truly is a mountain mirage. Guess you’ll just have to visit to do your own investigation! 

Extreme Crowds at Badaling Great Wall of China

Each section of the Great Wall is different, has a unique character and appeals to different types of tourists. Badaling is the most famous, popular and easy to visit section of the wall. It is also the most crowded, the best maintained and over developed section of the wall.
I have been hearing stories from fellow travellers about the Badaling section of the wall for years and the theme of these stories invariably were crowds, voracious hawkers, hordes of tour groups, rampant commercialization and more crowds.

Going to Badaling
Not being keen on crowds and preferring to enjoy the majesty and beauty of the Great Wall in relative solitude, I had always avoided Badaling like the plague. Morbid curiosity gradually got the better of me and I finally broke down and took a trip to Badaling.
The Badaling section of the Great Wall of China was everything I had heard it to be and so much more!!!

Getting there
Badaling is by far the easiest section of the Great Wall to visit and you can get there by train, multiple bus lines, taxis, private cars and with tour groups. After many trips to different sections of the wall that involved multiple buses, taxis and hiking, the luxury of taking a train was irresistible.
There is a train that runs from Beijing North train station that drops you off at the Badaling train station. Yes. This section of the wall has its very own train station. The asiest way to reach Beijing North train station to catch the subway to Xizhimen on subway line 2 and use exit A which is right in front of the train station. A quick subway ride, a few minutes queuing for a 6rmb ticket and I was on the train and on the way to the famous (infamous) Badaling section of the Great Wall of China.

After a very comfortable 78 minute train ride, I disembarked at Badaling train station and followed the crowds of other tourist to the Badaling village where the Badaling Great Wall experience began.
On the wall
The first part of the wall complex is a moden retail center cum village that has gift shops, restaurants such as Subways, KFC and California Beef noodles, a lot of ATM's and an empty tourist information center. About the only useful thing I could see there were toilets.
After the village was a large walled compound and square where tickets are sold and the crowds began. Tickets were only 45rmb which was surprising after hearing how expensive Badaling was to visit. After buying a ticket, you start the climbing the wall and you have a choice of turning to the left and going south or turning to the right and going north. The crowds were going north so I took north.
 
Crowds
To say the Badaling section of the Great Wall is crowded is a massive understatement. From the moment you turn right until you pass the North Eighth Tower which is the highest and most northern point of the wall at Badaling, the wall is crowded. The higher you go, the more dense the crowds are. At the top of the Eighth Tower where people slow down to take photos, recover and enjoy the view, the wall is so crowded that people are packed in and the only way to make progress is to push and squeeze.
For some sections of the wall, getting into shape and packing a food and drink for one or two days is essential preparation. For preparation to climb Badaling, I recommend you take a ride on the Beijing subway during peak hour.
 
The wall itself
Badaling has been completely restored and I doubt very much if any of the original wall remains. One advantage of this is that the wall is in excellent condition, safe and very easy to walk. About the only tricky part of the wall to walk is where the walking surfaces are flat (no stairs) but very steep. These areas are extremely slippery and it is very easy to fall over or slide all the way to the bottom. Most people haul themselves up and down the wall by the hand rail at these areas.
The Badaling section of the Great Wall is shaped like an inverted "U". The starting point with the ticket office is in the South West area. The wall heads north to the "North Eighth Tower" which is the highest and most northern point of Badaling then the wall continues to the South East where it finishes.
Most people only do the first section of the wall and either catch the chair lift down from the Eighth tower, take a ride on the trolley/slide that starts near the Eighth tower or turn around and walk back to the main entrance. The second section of Badaling after the Eighth tower is MUCH less crowded. Once you reach the Eighth Tower and start walking the second section of Badaling, you can easily relax and really start to enjoy your time on the wall.
The second section of the wall provides even better views than the first second, is longer, steeper in some parts and a lot of fun to walk. Walking the first section takes one to two hours depending on crowds. Walking the second section takes around an hour.
The wall itself continues and joins the Juyongguan section of the wall that you can see in the distance. You can't reach the Juyongguan section because the Badaling section ends at a blocked watch tower. You can't jump of the wall, walk around the blocked tower and continue walking the wall because the wall is too high above the ground and there is a metal barrier to stop people who do manage to climb off the wall.
 
Tricky hawkers
The entire Badaling section of the wall only had two hawkers who had set up stands on the second section (first section was too crowded for stands) and there were no hawkers harassing people or being aggressive and obnoxious.
I was standing near one of the hawkers admiring the view when I overheard a Chinese female tourist ask about the price of one of his wares. 40rmb. I waited a few minutes then asked him in English how much the same product was. 85rmb. I then had the satisfaction of watching him squirm when I asked in Chinese why he just offered it to the lady for a much lower price.
Difficulty - The Badaling section of the Great Wall is very easy and safe to climb and suitable for people of any age or fitness level. For people who have trouble walking, the entire section of the wall has very secure hand rails on either side and you can easily take regular rests.
Leaving the Wall & Going Home
The South East exit at the end of the second section of the wall is like an amusement park with a two bear enclosures, horse rides, camel rides, food stores and gift shops. Once you lease the amusement park there are toilets, a major bus stop and another train station.
When I reached the exit, there was not another train due for over an hour so I jumped on the 919 bus and was back in Beijing in 70 to 80 minutes. The final bus stop in Beijing where I got off is only around 500 meters from the A exit of the Jishuitan subway station on the number two line so getting back to my hotel was quick and easy.
 
Was it worth it?
Surprisingly, yes. Absolutely. I really enjoyed walking Badaling and it was a great day out. Compared to every other section of the wall, Badaling is very easy to get to and the ease of transport is a refreshing luxury. No hiking for hours just to reach the wall, no haggling with taxi drivers, no getting lost in the wilderness and no marathon bus trips. The restored wall is extremely easy to walk and the views are magnificent.
That said, I would only recommend Badaling if you have very limited time in Beijing, if you have problems walking or if you have already seen other less crowded parts of the wall such as Simatai or Mutianyu.

5 Tips That Will Make Family Trips to Penang Safe and Stress-Free

Choosing a good hotel in Penang, Malaysia is just start of the few but critical problems you may encounter when planning a family trip. Kids, especially, are the ones that are harder to please during your vacation. But with these tips in mind, you'll surely make your family holiday safe and stress-free.
Plan ahead. Nothing beats a carefully planned and streamlined travel itinerary. While researching about Penang's top tourist spots before flying out is important, jotting down the things that need to be packed and done is equally significant. By creating lists, you have a visual representation of your thoughts that help keep you organized and avoid leaving out certain items in your luggage


Delegate. On average, families consist of 4 members. Instead of taking all the responsibility, segregate tasks to each individual. For example, someone should be assigned to keep an eye on the luggage bags. Another should be in charge of the travel budget. Tasks assigned to each member—big or small—can make a huge difference on your vacation.
Stick to the budget. Spending money should be strictly monitored and ever so carefully handled. Allot a separate budget for accommodation, food, and shopping expenses to keep your funds at bay. When faced with an enticing item that is way out of budget, ask yourself this: Will this do me any good in the future? If possible, think about your decision overnight. Remember that an impulsive move almost always leads to bad results.
Take care of your passport. If it's you and family's first time to travel to Penang, have someone to keep all passports and other important documents needed at the airport. Carry it everywhere you go and place it somewhere where you can easily reach it. Passports are your identity when outside the country so make sure to guard it well at all costs.

Be on the lookout for the best hotel in Penang. Hotels can make or break your vacation, so make sure you thoroughly research before reserving a room online. Read reviews about the hotel of your choice and check whether they have ongoing promotions that you can take advantage of. The Northam All Suites Penang, for example, has the Studio Suite Best Buy package, which you can get for an incredibly low rate. With this deal, guests like you can enjoy an accommodation in the Studio Suite, buffet breakfast for 2, free daily newspaper, and complimentary upgrade to Junior Suite (subject to availability). You also get 15% off at The Coffee House, 50% off on Chinese Dim Sum at Taipan Fins Restaurant, and 15% off on a spa treatment at The Suite Spa.
Family trips can truly be an enjoyable endeavor if planned carefully. And with these guidelines locked down—and a good deal at a hotel in Penang, Malaysia under your belt—you'll surely be able to create lots of fun and meaningful memories.

USA- Where the Name Says it All

The United States of America is little bit more then what you have seen in television and movies. It is far more beautiful, has friendly people, life moves with the speed of roller coaster ride and world renowned sights are in abundance. Presence of multi cultural people makes it a more beautiful and colorful experience. Tourists who descend here for vacations get magnetize towards the theme parks, gardens, historical monuments, nightlife, globally renowned buildings, art galleries and exuberant green rain forests and tend to board a flight to USA again in their next vacations. Every single state of USA has something to spell bind the visitants, but here we are giving you a quick journal of basic cognition about some of the most descended places. 

New York - New York or NYC is the city that never sleeps. Always partying, enjoying and celebrating, this city is the loved destination when it comes to fun filled holidays. Located on the mouth of the Hudson River, this metropolis of states has something for every age group and taste, so if you are looking out for some city for sheer enjoyment, then New York is ready to welcome you with open hands.

Los Angeles - Which Hollywood fan in the world doesn’t know about this city, this city of Angels- Los Angeles? Home to famous movie studios, Hollywood, this metropolis is a dwelling to many well known faces of the industry. LA is all about snow covered mountains, forests, deserts, beaches, cinema and deep valleys. If you want to descend to this metropolis then, book your flights to Los Angeles.

Washington D.C - Washington D.C is the capital of United States of America. If your next trip is culture focused, then no other city in states can beat Washington D.C. Legion of cultural monuments, museums, national library and many more are awaiting you here. Famous president house of U.S.A, the White House is also settled in D.C 

Miami - Miami plays a very important role in culture, media, finance, commerce, arts and international trade of United States. Its pristine beaches are something that shouldn’t be missed on your confrontation with the city. Miami is also known as ‘America's Cleanest City’ and ‘Cruise Capital of the World’. With this little bit yet adequate knowledge, now plan up your trip to any of the City of United States of America and avail the fun that the country serves to its visitors.
Martin Nobel is a travel consultant and advisor for cheap flights and travel package deals from UK. He is interested in writing on flights to USA like: Miami, Los Angeles and New York flights. If you want to know about Cheap Flights then you must visit www.flightcatchers.com

Innsbruck - Europe's Oldest City

The oldest city in Europe and unarguably also one of the most beautiful, Innsbruck, Austria is far more than just another Austrian ski destination. The capital of Tyrol state, Innsbruck is located on the Western side of Austria, close to the country’s borders with Germany and Italy, and its picturesque location among snow-capped mountains has made it a favourite destination for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts, and this Alpine city has twice been the venue for the Winter Olympics. Tiny by city standards, with a population of less than 150,000, it remains the feel of an Alpine town, and if you are looking for a cosy hotel Innsbruck has plenty of comfortable choices in all price ranges. The city attracts tourists throughout the year, but the winter ski season is when it becomes seriously flooded with tourists, whose presence makes for a lively apres-ski scene at the bars and restaurants that are dotted around the town. Aside from drinking and dining, Innsbruck offers many unique attractions that combine to make this far more than your average ski destination. Many of these attractions, such as the largest zoo in Europe, are suitable for families, and Innsbruck is a great place for a family holiday at any time of year. Many Innsbruck hotels are extremely family friendly, and some are able to arrange babysitting services and creches in addition to providing the necessary extras such as high chairs and cots. While the slopes surrounding Innsbruck are the city’s principle attractions during the winter months, but there are festivals and events held throughout the year, and Innsbruck’s beautiful landscape really comes to life in the spring and throughout the summer, when flowers bloom on the hillsides and visitors can enjoy mountain walks, swimming in mountain springs and natural waterfalls, and enjoy al-fresco dining and drinking at the city’s picturesque public squares. Bear in mind that hotels tend to be fully booked during the ski season, so it’s advisable to make reservations well in advance of your visit if you intend to be in Innsbruck during the months of December through to February.

Hotel Discounts Are Easy To Find and Save You Money

Heading on vacation is among the few delights that almost everybody wants to take pleasure from. Many people cannot go on vacation because of the financial investment that is required. Someone must pay to arrive at their destination, somewhere to rest their head and food you can eat while they are there. Vacation costs quickly accumulate when someone considers the average necessities. 

It's possible for somebody to go on vacation without having to worry about breaking her or his bank. It's possible to get hotel discounts in about any area. This means that someone should be able to save on their hotel stay and will then make use of the money they save someplace else such as dining out or gas money to visit places of interest. 

 

 In order to get the hotel discounts someone first needs to decide where they're interested in vacationing. It is very important ensure that you look for a hotel that's a reasonable distance from the attractions they are looking to visit. It will help them save money in the long run since they won't have to invest a lot of cash to get to and from the attractions. 

 

 After someone has decided where they would like to visit on their own vacation they'll need to decide when they need to vacation in the area. Some destinations are ideal to visit during winter months such as ski resorts and others are ideal to visit during warmer, summer months for example beach resorts. When someone knows once they will be curious about the destinations, they'll be able to make reservations early and obtain great hotel discounts.

  In order to get the hotel discounts someone should take time to make reservations ahead of time. They will want to make sure that they provide themselves many opportunities to find the hotel that can accommodate them best and make the reservations as quickly as they can. Some hotels offer package deals where someone will get their drinks, food and room lumped together in one discount package.

A vacationer should look at more than one hotel when they are considering a holiday. They may be capable of getting a better package deal at one hotel but could get lower nightly rates at a different hotel. It is important to choose which option is the best deal for them.

When booking the space it is important for your vacationer to check on to make sure all of the details are correct before they create the reservation. If someone chooses to create a reservation and is later unhappy with their decision, it can be tough to get a refund. A few of the hotel discounts are virtually set in stone and could not be changed regardless of what so it is essential to read the fine print when booking a room.

If a person finds that they must change their reservation they need to make sure to give ample time to the hotel. A hotel may not be able to immediately accommodate a change but if they have enough advanced notice, they might be able to help the vacationer out.
If you are on the lookout for hotels for your next vacation, you of course want to find discount hotels at cheap rates. Discount hotels.com has everything you need in order to start planning on a budget. Whether you are looking for las vegas hotels.com or new york hotel discounts, make sure to check out hotels.com.

 

India Tour Packages - Excellent Ways to Explore Incredible India Tourism

India is a great country with great tourism potential. It has been one of the most sought after countries for tourism in South Asia. Tourists from all over the world embark on India tour to explore different tourism options available. The country has varied tourism options to offer its visitors coming from different parts of the world. Tourism in this country reminds us for many cultural & heritage sites, historical places, pilgrimage sites, religious shrines, medieval temples, magnificent forts & palaces, verdant hill stations, beautiful beaches, lofty mountains, colorful fairs & festivals, wildlife sanctuaries & national parks and lots of indoor and outdoor activities. Thus tourism in India would be a wonderful experience to relish it for lifetime. 

 One of the best ways to explore the incredible India tourism in tour packages offered various tour operators and travel agencies. There are many tour operators in and across the country that offer exciting range of all-inclusive India tourism packages. Tourists can choose a right package that caters perfectly their needs, preferences and budgets. Packages are designed with keeping in mind needs of tourists and vacationers so that they can enjoy best charm of their travel.

Almost all regions of India are fascinating and appealing. Whatever part of this country you will travel in you, you will find something new, something extra and something exciting. Tourism here will always make you happy and you will treasure the charm that will last in your memories forever.

Delhi (the capital city of India, Jaipur – the Pink City of India in Rajasthan state, Varanasi – the City of Temples in Uttar Pradesh State, Agra – the City of Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Shimla (the Queen of Hills Stations) in Himachal Pradesh, Manali Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, etc are some of the most popular tourist destinations in northern India which attract the tourists. These places are key attractions for many north India tour packages offered by various tour operators and travel agencies. 

Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal, Khajuraho Temple, Mahabalipuram Monuments, Kanchipuram Temples, Varanasi Temples, Mahabodhi Temple, etc are attractions for India Tourism Packages designed for cultural tourism in the country. Indeed, tour packages are best ways to explore the incredible charm of tourism in this country.

Author Bio:-

Khushboo Singh is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. She has authored many books on tour guide for India Tour Packages and North India Packages.