Shanghai - Quick Guide

Shanghai, a vigorous and energetic international metro-polis, welcomes people from all over the world to enjoy its special atmosphere. This modern metropolis with its rich heritage of ancient Chinese culture has much to see and do.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tover is the modern symbol of Shanghai City. Standing beside the Huangpu River with a height of 468 meters (1536 feet), it is the tallest TV tower in Asia and the third highest in the world. This unusual structure that dominates the skyline is a great attraction to tourists.

Nanjing Road is considered to be the "No. 1 commercial street in China". Here along its 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles), you will find over 600 shops that on average are visited by some 1.7 million people each day. If you like shopping, do not miss it!

Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style. The Grand Rockery, in the center of the Garden, is the most renowned sight here.

Shanghai Museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. Seen from above, the Museum resembles a large bronze mirror of the Han Dynasty (206BC -220). From the distance, it looks like a bronze Ding, an ancient cooking vessel that contains so many mementos of the 5,000-year-old history of Chinese civilization.

Another sight not be missed is the Bund. Situated on the east bank of the Huangpu River, here, one can enjoy the bracing air and fine sunshine as well as seeing something of the many activities along the river. The new finance and commercial houses cluster together along the south of the Bund while along the west there is a wealth of grand buildings in the European architectural styles of the nineteen-twenties, thirties and early forties. Marshal Chen Yi's statue looks down on the square where lively musicians gather to play and sing bringing pleasure to the many people who stop by to listen. At night bright lights add to the happy atmosphere as people stroll along the wide riverside promenade.

The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples to be found in Shanghai. The White Jade Buddhas were brought here from Burma in the nineteenth century. One is seated while the other is in the recumbent position of Sakyamuni symbolizing the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment or nirvana. The temple also has some impressive images of the Heavenly Kings. Although many people come to worship each day and burn incense at this very holy and active shrine, visitors are welcome.

The Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a typical two-storey brick and timber building of the kind to be seen in Shanghai City. It was here that the founding of the Communist Party of China was announced in 1921. The Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen was once home to the famous Chinese democratic revolutionary and first president of Chinese Kuomintang, Sun Yat-sen and his wife, Song Qingling. The building contains exhibits furniture and personal effects once used by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

The visitor to Shanghai having marveled at the city's modern architecture and historical sites will be further rewarded when going to see neighboring water towns like Zhujiajiao and Qibao Ancient Town. Here is another world where ancient houses huddle by the rivers running through the towns that with their flagstone-paved roads and typical local flavors will be sure to slow your pace as you savor their traditions.

Source: travelchinaguide

Smoky Mountain Travel

America is a nation blessed with hundreds of compelling vacation destinations. Some offer exciting cityscapes, others offer all natural wonderlands, and still others offer a plethora of recreational opportunities. Among these many excellent locations are a few choice holiday hot spots that offer a little bit of everything to travelers.
Only a handful of places fit this description. The Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee definitely fits this elite vacation category. This region, that runs through eastern Tennessee into western North Carolina, offers the unparalleled beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a multitude of outdoor recreational activities, and exciting “man-made” attractions in the popular Tennessee resort cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Without a doubt the real star of the show in this part of the country is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This unique national treasure is actually the most visited national park in the entire country. Surpassing regions as beautiful and popular as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is particularly popular in the autumn. It’s during this time of the year that the surrounding Appalachian foliage lights up in a thousand fiery shades. Rich yellows, golds, reds, crimsons, and browns combine to provide alpine vistas that are truly breathtaking. While a postcard can communicate the beauty of the Smokies in the fall, nothing quite compares with seeing it in person.

The Smoky Mountains region is much more than just a pretty picture however. Numerous recreational highlights are available to Tennessee and North Carolina visitors. Some of the most popular recreational activities include fishing in Cades Cove, kayaking or white water rafting along the Little Pigeon River, and hiking through one of hundreds of picturesque Appalachian trails within the Smoky Mountain Park. Scenic drives along spectacular Smoky Mountain routes such as the Newfound Gap road are also popular pastimes.

At the end of this drive a short climb up to Clingman’s Dome provides a stunning, unimpeded view that stretches for hundreds of miles into states like South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. This point is recognized as the second highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

Beyond the striking scenes and outdoor recreation featured in and around the Smoky Mountains region, a third draw to the area is the exciting and entertaining “man-made” attractions featured in the Tennessee cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Each of these cities offers numerous world-class attractions that serve to thrill millions and millions of Smoky Mountain visitors each and every year. Pigeon Forge’s most famous attraction is Dollywood- named after its most famous native resident, Dolly Parton. In addition to the rides and entertainment of Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is also known as a major live entertainment Mecca.

Theatres such as the Country Tonite Theatre and the Black Bear Jamboree are just two of many compelling theatrical shows that operate in Pigeon Forge throughout the year. Gatlinburg on the other hand is known for its quaint, European architectural styling and cultural accents and top attractions such as the Gatlinburg Skylift and the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

Clearly it is the combination of the sensational Smoky Mountain scenery, the area’s recreational highlights, and the downtown attractions and down-home hospitality of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that make the Smoky Mountains the top vacation destination it is. For many of the vacationers who make a Smoky Mountain getaway there is one more factor that adds to the unique value of a Tennessee holiday.

That would be the luxurious furnishings offered by the Smoky Mountain cabins found throughout the area. These outstanding mountain homes offer the extravagance one might expect from a major hotel chain, but in a setting that is as inspiring as it is restful.

Of all the cabin rentals available throughout the area, the premium Pigeon Forge cabin rentals featured by Majestic Mountain Vacations stand out from the crowd. These elegant, richly equipped mountain cabins range in size from cozy, one bedroom chalets all the way up to 12 bedroom, lodge-like Appalachian rentals.

Theatres such as the Country Tonite Theatre and the Black Bear Jamboree are just two of many compelling theatrical shows that operate in Pigeon Forge throughout the year. Gatlinburg on the other hand is known for its quaint, European architectural styling and cultural accents and top attractions such as the Gatlinburg Skylift and the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

Clearly it is the combination of the sensational Smoky Mountain scenery, the area’s recreational highlights, and the downtown attractions and down-home hospitality of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that make the Smoky Mountains the top vacation destination it is. For many of the vacationers who make a Smoky Mountain getaway there is one more factor that adds to the unique value of a Tennessee holiday.

That would be the luxurious furnishings offered by the Smoky Mountain cabins found throughout the area. These outstanding mountain homes offer the extravagance one might expect from a major hotel chain, but in a setting that is as inspiring as it is restful.

Of all the cabin rentals available throughout the area, the premium Pigeon Forge cabin rentals featured by Majestic Mountain Vacations stand out from the crowd. These elegant, richly equipped mountain cabins range in size from cozy, one bedroom chalets all the way up to 12 bedroom, lodge-like Appalachian rentals.

Each one of these Pigeon Forge cabins offers an impressive collection of cabin amenities, including: (including exquisite detailing, recreation rooms, sprawling mountain decks complete with hot tubs and rocking chairs to enjoy the unparalleled Smoky Mountain views, and kitchens that are decked out with every modern convenience. Quite simply, these handsome log cabins offer an accommodation experience that is seldom encountered in the Smokies- or anywhere else!

The Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee and North Carolina is unquestionably one of America’s most treasured vacation destinations. Some twelve million annual visitors attest to that fact. The rich combination of recreational highlights featured here create a holiday experience unlike anywhere else on the continent.

This unique appeal is a result of the stellar beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the area’s rich diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities, and the world-class attractions found in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Add to this compelling mix the magnificent Pigeon Forge Cabins provided by Majestic Mountain Vacations and vacationers are almost guaranteed the kind of vacation memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Source: Travel-Rants

Uganda Safari Featuring highest Number of Primates in Africa

With a belief by some historians that human kind started and evolved in East Africa, it’s not surprising that Uganda, a destination in this region is prominent for being a habitat to the great primates.

By description, Primates share with humans, flexible arms and legs, skilled fingers (and sometimes toes), and relatively big brains. The many species of apes, monkeys, and lemurs are among the primates. The chimpanzee for example is known for its being the closest living relative to humans. Half of the remaining Mountain gorillas in the world can only be seen in Uganda.

Uganda, besides the other East African countries has grown into a well recognized safari destination for tourists because of its moist climate and the enormous amount of rich, dense forests, that have made it a home to these species. Over 300 mammals, 20 of which are primates, both diurnal and nocturnal have been recorded and can be traced on a tour to Uganda through the Uganda safari companies.

Uganda’s primate inhabited forests are under threat of destruction, yet a number of species living in tropical forests is much higher than elsewhere making it hard for the primates to survive. A holiday to Uganda will give you an opportunity to see the great apes, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and different species of monkeys.

Most rare of the primate is the mountain gorilla which inhabits Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda. Thousands of visitors travel to Uganda on Gorilla Safaris for a stunning experience with the Gorillas, the largest of all the primates.

The Chimpanzees, slightly smaller in size share 98% of human’s DNA and are found to be incredibly intelligent with the ability to understand and peak sign language. They inhabit most forest in western Uganda. You will have a chance to associate with them if you take a Uganda tour to Kibale National Park, Kuniyo Pabidi forest site near Murchison Falls National Park, as well as Ngamba Island chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria.

Five types of monkeys are found in Uganda including the colobus, guenons, baboons, patas and mangabeys. Some Guenon species are found every where in the country in addition to those found in the forest. Patas monkeys have a reddish brown coat, unlike the guenon’s grey coat and are restricted to northern Uganda in Kidepo and Murchison falls National Parks.

Baboons are easily identified because of their size and long canine teeth, are easily adaptable and are the most wide spread primates in Africa. The black and white colobus monkey is the most viewable in the forest strata and in the river woodlands.

A few of the primates in Uganda, for example the bushbaby and the potto are never seen by the tourists as they sleep during the day and are active at night (nocturnal). There are guided night walks at Kibale forest on which one can see these animals.

With all these primates, wildlife parks and forest reserves have been setup in Uganda to increase chances of continued existence of these animals in conjunction with travel and safari operators to facilitate tourists to carve up in the experience with the great primates.

As one can clearly notice, Uganda is a country endowed with Primates that differ noticeably. The International Primatogogical Society and the Uganda Wildlife Authority have worked to preserve wildlife parks and forest reserves so as to ensure the survival of these species. Kisaakye Irene is a travel writer in Africa. Her articles can be found on the website, which offers safaris to Uganda and Rwanda.

Source: TravelRants

Top 5 Paris Attractions

There is an old saying which states that Paris is the place where all good people go to die. It is the combination of historical charm, modernism, and a heady underworld which makes Paris a fantasy tourist destination. It is the top 5 Paris attractions which draw people to this great city, again and again. Beyond the Eiffel Tover, and the Louvre there are attractions which take visitors by surprise and in doing so create memories that last a life time. Below are a few of the hottest destinations in Paris. If you visit Europe, for work or pleasure, be sure to find the time to explore these attractions.

Paris is an old city and with history comes a great deal of memories. It is within France that these memories are replicated in stone. Paris is the capital of France and the city of monuments. This beautiful city is home to hundreds of monuments and intricately carved structures which dominate the cityscape. The Eiffel Tower embodies the essence of the city of lights. It is the most famous and visited of all the cities attractions. The tower was built in 1889, as a physical and tangible representation of all things French. It was created only to be a temporary structure and was to be taken down after the world's fair. It remains today as one of the most recognizable and most visited (6+ million visitors per year) monuments in the world.

One of the most photographed places in the top 5 Paris attractions is the Louvre. This small castle is now home to a number of paintings and sculptures by famous artists. Arguably the world's most famous art museum, the Louvre's most popular piece is Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa". It was established in 1793, and is one of the oldest museums in Europe. Its art collection spans from the birth of great civilizations up to the 19th century. An amazing 5,000,000+ million tourists visited the museum in 2002.

Another attraction is the Centre Pompidou. This is actually the museum which houses all of France's greatest masterpieces by modern artists. The Museum has large collections of paintings spanning the 20th century and including works by the most famous artists (Picasso, Braque, Max Ernst, Magritte, Chagall, Matisse, Delaunay, Kandinsky, Klee and many others). The Centre national d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou was the brainchild of French President Georges Pompidou who wanted to create an original cultural institution in the heart of Paris completely focused on modern and contemporary creation, where the visual arts would rub shoulders with theatre, music, cinema, literature and the spoken word. Some 6 million people pass through the Centre Pompidou's doors each year, a total of over 150 million visitors in its 25 years or so of existence.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is an attraction that can not be overlooked. This is the most breath taking and spiritual structure of Paris. It is here that the world's first true basilicas can be found. Some would assert that they are the best in the entire world. The Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the 12th century and has since remained a solid structure and representation of French gothic architecture.

In 1870, the Sacre Couer or Sacred Heart church started being built. The structure is preceded by an exerting 237 step stone staircase. Inside the church you will find one of the worlds largest mosaics "Christ in Majesty" that depicts Christ with outstretched arms. From the top of the dome, you have a stunning view of Paris extending over 30 kilometers. With a long tradition of culture and art, Paris should always be on your list of European destinations.

Source: ArticlesBase

The Backwaters of Kerala

The Backwaters of Kerala is unique and is found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea.

The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting eco-system teeming with life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.Kumarakom and Alleppey (new name Alappuzha) are the prominant Backwater tourist attractions in Kerala.

Kuttanadu is the one rare places in the world where farming is done below sea level (1.5 -2 meters below sea level). Inland waterways that flow above the land level is an amazing feature of this land. Kuttanad lies in heart of the backwaters of Kerala. This beautiful countryside with its waterways also is rich in crops like rice, banana, Cassava and yam.


The backwaters of Kerala have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea in the backwaters in Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the Kerala backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape. You can see the amazing flora and fauna of the backwaters in Kerala, while on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

The fisher folk and people who live along the backwaters in Kerala have a unique relationship with the Kerala backwaters. The backwaters in Kerala are the source of the local people's livelihood.

The fish caught from its waters, the paddy, coconut and other crops harvested along its banks, the boats they build and use to transport them across the labyrinthine backwaters in Kerala, are all an integral part of their traditional way of life. You can see the traditional lifestyle of the backwaters in Kerala on tours to Kerala with Kerala Backwater.

Experience an unforgettable journey to a magical realm when you travel through the backwaters in Kerala, on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Source: IndiaSite and travel-rants

Isle of Wight tourism attracts Millions Worldwide

The term Isle of Wight Tourism conjures up images of sunny beaches, dramatic coastlines and glorious countryside. Isle of Wight tourism brings in an estimated £350 million plus per year, which is vital to the Island’s economy.

With more people visiting each year, that figure can only rise. The Isle of Wight is the perfect place for a holiday as there are so many things to see and do. Whatever your interests, you will be spoiled for choice and will find that one visit to this special place is never enough. Most people that visit this wonderful island find themselves coming back time and time again which is great for Isle of Wight tourism.

The Isle of Wight is the smallest of England’s counties, with the resident population being around 130,000. To the north lies the Solent and to the south is the English Channel. Known as “The Garden Isle”, this jewel of England indeed resembles a diamond in shape, measuring 23 miles west to east and 13 miles north to south, an area or 147 square miles.

The Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with around one million visitors each year. There is over 60 miles of coastline which ranges from award winning beaches to spectacular chalk cliffs. The Island, which is divided i

nto two boroughs - Medina & South Wight, was known as “Vectis” by the Romans. Newport is the county town, although Ryde is the largest town.

The exact centre of the Island is at Shide Corner, on the outskirts of Newport and the highest point is St. Boniface Down at Ventnor. Walking on the Isle of Wight is a popular past-time and there are over 500 miles of public footpaths including dramatic coastal paths.

The climate here is almost sub-tropical and Sandown

, Shanklin and Ventnor are regularly at the top of the UK sunshine table. Over 50% o

f the Island has been designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” with about half of the coastline named as “Heritage Coast” - an honour only awarded to the finest stretches of coastline in the country.

Red squirrels have a particular penchant for the surroundings (due to the lack of grey squirrels) and are widely prevalent on the Island - almost the final stronghold in the south of the country.

The most famous landmark here on the Isle of Wight is The Needles - three jagged chalk projections running out to sea at the extreme west of the island at Alum Bay, which is also renowned for its multi-coloured sand cliffs, which are caused by a mixture of minerals in the sand.

There is a lighthouse here too, clinging to the base of the most westerly rock of the Needles group. It originally became popular here with tourists over 200 years ago when they used to visit by paddle steamer from the mainland.

Another popular landmark is the Bembridge Windmill, the only existing windm

ill on the Island. It is located at the opposite end of the Island, was built around 1700 and still has its original machinery intact.

Source: Travel-Rants

Travelling to Spain

I have always been impressed with the south of Spain (Andalusia) the Arab influence on architecture there are breath taking.During our 2006 trip, I was very impressed with the Basque Region, amazing food, mountains, ocean beaches and hill top walled villages (like Laguardia) can be found within its borders.

The north and east of Spain has its own special appeal. The north, central and north east of Spain, in the areas of Castile and Aragon are where the "Catholic Monarchs", Isabel the 1st and Fernando the 2nd of Aragon, ruled and engaged in the "Reconquest of Spain".

The east of Spain holds the modernistic architecture of Barcelona, the ultra modern architecture of Valencia and the upcoming community of Zaragoza, not to mention numerous walled cities that retain much of their middle age character.

My top recommendation for touring Spain is, do not be in a rush.

Spain is best experienced slowly and as much as possible, try to match your activity to the life rhythms of the natives. Take time to linger at an outside cafe and do a little people watching. Buy some wine, cheese, bread and fruit, have a picnic while watching the sunset; even better watch the sun set with a mountain and/or Mediterranean view. Spend multiple nights at the same hotel and as much as possible limit the time you spend actually traveling.

Shopping hours, with some variation, run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, reopening around 5 PM to then close at 8 PM. Large department stores usually stay open over the lunch period. Most shops will be closed on Sunday.

I find it best to get to the tourist sites in the morning and leaving the shopping to the evening, my wife on the other hand thinks mornings are an excellent time to shop.

This article breaks down the main Spanish travel options by region.

Northern Spain – The easiest way to access this region is by plane from one of the main UK airports flying directly to Bilbao or from the US to Malaga with transfer to Bilbao. It’s possible to connect with Iberia flights for connections across the North and throughout Spain. Alsa and Eurolines have sophisticated coach networks and it’s possible to travel all the way across Europe to Bilbao or San Sebastian and then pick up local coaches or rail connections. You can also sail from the UK port of Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries, or you could take the P & O route from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

Castile and La Rioja – The cheapest way to access these regions is possibly to fly to one of the main Spanish hubs – Barcelona, Bilbao or Madrid for example, and then either drive or get connecting flights. You can connect with Iberia for flights to Logrona in La Rioja or Valladolid in Castile. Castile, Rioja and Navarre a

re serviced by an excellent road network which makes getting around simple and again, Alsa coaches will connect you with major and minor destinations across the regions and the entire country.

Aragon, Navarre and the Pyrenees – As these regions are easily accessible by car or coach from Madrid it may be best to get a cheap flight to Madrid and then drive the E90 to the heart of the region. You could consider getting a connecting flight to Zaragoza in the middle of the region which is a good jumping off point for explorations in this stunning part of Spain. Alternatively access to this region can be made by rail or coach. Eurolines coach

es will connect you with Pamplona or Zaragoza; Eurostar rail will take you from the UK to Paris and from Paris you can catch an overnight high speed rail link to Madrid…from Madrid the options are varied, from local rail and coach connections, car hire, and local flight connections with Iberia.

Costa Brava and Costa Dorada – As we move east to the beautiful Northern Catalonian coastal regions of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, so accessibility increases. Barcelona airport is the main airport for these regions and it welcomes cheap UK and US flights. You can then connect to Girona in the Costa Brava region or Reus in the Costa Dorada region. Barcelona itself has an underground train network for access throughout the city, and if you want to travel further afield the Spanish rail service RENFE has many mainline and local services servicing both regions. The main coastal road in Costa Brava is the A7, with the A2 taking you west away from Barcelona and the C32 taking you south from Barcelona into the Costa Dorada. Barcelona has a port with ferry services to Genoa, Rome, Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

Source: travelinginspain and travel-rants

The Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is an English Island and country in the English channel five miles from the South Coast of Britain. It is situated south of the county of Hampshire and is separated from mainland Britain by the Solent. Popular since Victorian times as a holiday resort, the Isle of Wight is known for its natural beauty and for its world-famous sailing based in Cowes.

With more people visiting each year, that figure can only rise. The Isle of Wight is the perfect place for a holiday as there are so many things to see and do. Whatever your interests, you will be spoiled for choice and will find that one visit to this special place is never enough. Most people that visit this wonderful island find themselves coming back time and time again which is great for Isle of Wight tourism.

The Isle of Wight is the smallest of England’s counties, with the resident population being around 130,000. To the north lies the Solent and to the south is the English Channel. Known as “The Garden Isle”, this jewel of England indeed resembles a diamond in shape, measuring 23 miles west to east and 13 miles north to south, an area or 147 square miles.

Language and dialect

The distinctive Isle of Wight accent is a somewhat stronger version of the traditional Hampshire dialect, featuring the dropping of some consonands and an emphasis on longer vowels. This is similar to the West Country dialect heard in Southwestern England, but less removed in sound from the Estuary English of the Southeast. In common with many other English regional dialects and accents, a strong Island accent is not now commonly heard, and, as speakers tend to be older, this decline is likely to continue.

The Island also has its own local and regional words. Some words, including grockle (visitor) and nipper/nips (a younger male person), are still commonly used and are shared with neighbouring areas. A few are unique to the Island, for example overner (a mainlander who has settled on the Island) and caulkhead (someone born on the Island or, for sticklers, those born there from long-established Island stock). Other words are more obscure and used now mainly for comic emphasis, such as mallishag (meaning) and nammit ("noon-meat", meaning food). Some other words are "gurt" as in large or great, also "gallybagger" as in scarecrow.

The exact centre of the Island is at Shide Corner, on the outskirts of Newport and the highest point is St. Boniface Down at Ventnor. Walking on the Isle of Wight is a popular past-time and there are over 500 miles of public footpaths including dramatic coastal paths.

The climate here is almost sub-tropical and Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor are regularly at the top of the UK sunshine table. Over 50% of the Island has been designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” with about half of the coastline named as “Heritage Coast” - an honour only awarded to the finest stretches of coastline in the country.

Red squirrels have a particular penchant for the surroundings (due to the lack of grey squirrels) and are widely prevalent on the Island - almost the final stronghold in the south of the country.

The most famous landmark here on the Isle of Wight is The Needles - three jagged chalk projections running out to sea at the extreme west of the island at Alum Bay, which is also renowned for its multi-coloured sand cliffs, which are caused by a mixture of minerals in the sand.

There is a lighthouse here too, clinging to the base of the most westerly rock of the Needles group. It originally became popular here with tourists over 200 years ago when they used to visit by paddle steamer from the mainland.

Another popular landmark is the Bembridge Windmill, the only existing windmill on the Island. It is located at the opposite end of the Island, was built around 1700 and still has its original machinery intact.

Source: wikipedia and travel-rants

The Land Where the Lion is No Longer King

Sound quite fascinating, could it be true? Recently the Great annual Wildebeest Migration across the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti Plains was decreared the seventh new wonder of the world. What did this mean to the Lions of the Maasai Mara, these regal and powerful hunters who have dominate the vast grasslands and attracted explorers and adventure seek to the Mara.

To answer this lets travel with you to Maasai Mara, arguably the world greatest wildlife reserve measuring some 1510sq Kms in the heartland of the Maasai, a strongly independent people who still value tradition and ritual as an integral part of their everyday lives. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but that they are as much a part of the life of the land as the land is part of their lives.

In this small park the largest concentration of wildlife in the world is found.Reason? No one knows. The Mara comprises of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The Acacia forests abound with Birdlife and Monkeys. Elephants and Buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara Swamp. The Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with Hippos and Crocodiles.

But of interest now is that each year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti. From July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd.

They pour across the border into the Mara, making a spectacular entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon. At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles.

This mighty army of 1.3million plus wildebeest is not deterred by the Lions that lay in wait nor the formidable Mara River with its swift current and crocodiles waiting to profit from a free feast. The wildebeest bring new life to the Mara, through their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands and also for the predators that follow them. This courageous animal which folks say God created when he was tired, giving it a head of donkey, a tail of a horse and legs of a gazelle has of now taken over the “kingship” from the Lion but for how long? Let’s visit the Mara from July-October.

Travel Tips:

Location: Southwest of Kenya
Distance: 300KMS from Nairobi

There are All Sort of Accommodation in Mara from Fix Star Lodges and Luxury Tented Camps, private’s homes to budget accommodation and Camping Sites. When traveling to the Mara travel light the weather is generally warm throughout the year.

If you are planning to take big game walking safaris carry some proper shoes not sandals. Book you travel to Mara through a Travel Agent, Majority are honest but been on the lookout for overcharges shop around in the Internet before you settle for any.

About the Author

I am David Kiarie, the Tours Manager at Beyond Kenya Safaris a Local Based Destination Travel Company. I have a vast knowledge of Kenya Tourism/Travel spanning 20 Years and a passion of wildlife and Nature.

Source: travel-rants

Swimming with Dolphins in Great Exuma

=Nowhere in the world is swimming freely with dolphins an easier and more exciting adventure than in The Bahamas. It is where countless visitors travel to relax on unspoiled beaches, take in stunning scenery, enjoy warm people, and of course, swim in the wild with dolphins. It has become a popular attraction in Great Exuma Bahamas.

Numerous diving programs are offered throughout The Bahamas, making swimming with dolphins a comfortable and wonderful activity for tourists and locals alike. Part of the amazement lies in observing them in their natural habitat, as you dive into open waters along coral reefs.

Swimming with Dolphins

Thirty years ago, swimming with dolphins was less common an event than it is today. At the time, a diver would spot one, maybe two, dolphins. Now, the experience can include an entire family unit. Dolphin encounters take place around the globe, but The Bahamas is recognized as one of the great centers where swimming with dolphins is possible.

Much can be attributed to the natural beauty of the countless islands and cays in The Bahamas. Wild dolphin encounters occur regularly in Bimini, Grand Bahama, the Abacos and Great Exuma Bahamas, just to name a few. You can touch, interact, and even hand-feed these amazing mammals in their natural habitat. But before you start swimming with dolphins, you might want to learn some facts about them.

Dolphin 101

· Most dolphins have acute eyesight
· They have a sense of hearing superior to that of humans
· They have a well-developed sense of touch
· They range in length from 1.2 m (4 ft) to 9.5 m (30 ft)
· They can weigh anywhere from 40 kg (88 lb) to ten tons
· They are social, living in pods (also called “schools”) of up to a dozen mammals
· They are found mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves
· They are carnivores that eat mostly fish and squid
· They use their sonar to communicate with each other
· There are almost forty species of dolphin worldwide

Dolphins and Humans

Dolphins are often regarded as one of Earth’s most intelligent species. Numerous stories are told of dolphins protecting shipwrecked sailors against sharks by swimming circles around them. In many cultures, spotting dolphins during a sea voyage is considered a good omen. Swimming with dolphins is the closest encounter one can experience with these fascinating creatures. On your next trip to Great Exuma Bahamas, be sure to consider this once in a lifetime opportunity, an adventure that will create memories you will treasure forever.

A trip to Bruges.

It was only last winter that I went to Bruges with my parents. Bruges is the capital of the province of West Flanders, the Flemish region of Belgium. In Dutch, Brugge means “landing stage”. Bruges has not changed since medieval times and is a major landmark of Europe. We flew to Brussels and then took a train into Bruges. It is very easy to reach Bruges as it is well connected by train to all Belgium’s major cities.

The Bruges railway station is just five-minute walk from the city’s main market square and not much further from our accommodation. We had booked a lovely room in advance and this made our time in Bruges all the more enjoyable.

As the streets are narrow and there are many canals in the city, it is not advisable to drive to and in Bruges. Instead, you can take advantage of the many guided walking tours of the city, which will be an unforgettable experience for the ones who don’t mind walking long distances.

The first thing we noticed in Bruges was that its medieval architecture has been preserved throughout the centuries and is still intact. We simply could not take our eyes off the medieval buildings that will surely fascinate anyone who visits Bruges. One of the buildings you’ll always remember is Europe’s highest brick tower belonging to the Church of Our Lady, (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk).

Also, make sure that you visit the 13th Century Belfry (Belfort), which hosts the municipal Carillon having forty seven bells. UNESCO has declared Bruges “World Heritage Site” because of its huge assortment of Medieval and early modern art.

It was a pleasure walking down Bruges’ busy squares, parks and cobbled streets, and visiting the town’s almshouses and patrician’s homes. We also stopped to admire the Blacksmith’s Gate, the Ghent Gate, the Cross Gate and the Donkey’s Gate which are part of the medieval ramparts built in the 13th – 14th century. We could even go for a stroll or cycle around these ramparts. What I particularly enjoyed in Bruges though were the four 13th century windmills which are still operating today!

There are lots of museums in the city catering to the different interests of the tourists. There are chocolate museums, diamond museums, churches, lace centers, and collections that will simply baffle those who have an interest in archery. Anyone interested in astronomy (like myself) should not miss the Bruges observatory.

Bruges boasts not only about its medieval monuments but also about its modern architecture. For example, its Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) is a creative ode to Bruges and its dreams. Barge Bridge and Conzettbridge are two other modern masterpieces of the city. Bruges is also famous for its beer and breweries. Many beers have been named after Bruges.

If you plan to visit Bruges with your children, you should know that there are museums and guided tours especially for them. There is also a theme park which all of us enjoyed tremendously.

Last but not least, if you visit Bruges, don’t forget to have ‘Brugsch Swaentje’ (Bruges Swan) and other chocolate products that are guaranteed to leave you craving for more. You may get more information on the official tourism website of the city.