Archive for » June, 2009 «

Disney World Vacation – What to Expect

18
Jun 2009

Walt Disney World vacations is a vacationer’s dream destination, particularly if you have kids. Where else can you explore a pirate’s lair, frolic with your favorite cartoon characters, eat lunch under the shadow of a castle, or transport yourself into a 1950s movie? If you have never been to Walt Disney World before, you are probably a little bit overwhelmed with the planning.

Here are some things you can expect when you visit the parks for the first time.

People, People Everywhere

Walt Disney World is crowded, especially during peak travel times like the summer, spring break, and Christmas. You are going to be bumping into complete strangers while you are visiting the parks. The good news is that Disney has taken a lot of steps to control crowds. The Fast Pass system allows park guests to avoid long lines on some of the parks’ most popular attractions. If you want to ride Thunder Mountain, for instance, but do not want to wait two hours to do so, you can get a Fast Pass ticket, explore another part of the park, and then come back in two hours to get right on the roller coaster. You did wait two hours, but you had fun while you were waiting instead of standing in the cue.

What You Will Find in the Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World is made of four main parks. The one most people think of when they think of the resort area is the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is the park with the iconic castle as the central point. It is divided into eight themed lands: Adventureland, Liberty Square, Main Street USA, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Each one has attractions, which are rides and shows, that fall in that theme, and most of the attractions are based on Disney movies. This park is one of the most kid-friendly, and it is filled with Disney characters that kids can interact with. Even though the kids love it, adults will find plenty to enjoy in the Magic Kingdom.

What You Will Find in Epcot

Epcot is the second park most people think of when visiting Disney World. It is divided into two worlds, Future World and World Showcase. Future World has several buildings where you can interact with attractions, rides, and displays that relate to science. World Showcase allows you to walk among replicas of landmarks from 11 different countries. The people that work in World Showcase are actually from the countries they represent.

What You Will Find in MGM Studios

The Disney MGM Studios is the movie-themed park. Here you can walk around movie sets, see shows that capture stunts from some of the greatest films, and see how Disney cartoons are made. It has many live stunt and special effects shows that are thrilling for people of all ages.

What You Will Find in Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is the Disney park that combines a zoo and amusement park into one destination. You will find many live animals at this park, along with the typical rides and attractions. One ride, Kilimanjaro Safaris, actually takes you through an African habitat with live animals at every turn.

Surrounded by Themes

No matter where you go in Disney World, you will find yourself surrounded by imaginative themes. The water parks each tell a story. Every hotel has a theme that is carried out from the lobby to the pool to the room itself. Even the cue lines tell a story while you are waiting in line. As you explore the parks, be sure to look for “Hidden Mickeys.” Just about every attraction has some of these. Hidden Mickeys are silhouettes of Mickey Mouse that show up in an unexpected location. For instance, on the Winnie the Pooh ride in the Magic Kingdom, there is a Hidden Mickey made by the drops of honey from Pooh’s pot. You can make quite a trip out of trying to spot these Hidden Mickeys, so have fun!

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Blood Circulation during Air Travel

18
Jun 2009

Extended air travel can mean making it to a far away destination faster than you ever could by any other method of travel. However, it can also mean long exposure to uncomfortable seats, boredom, and worse, problems with circulation

Good circulation is important for a number of reasons. Your lymph system must have good circulation at all times. The lymph is a fluid in addition to blood that is contained in each tissue in your body. The lymph system is a network of vessels and nodes that transmit the fluid to each place in your body. These nodes are essentially factories for the production of white blood cells. You might have heard that you have swollen lymph nodes when you are ill. This is because your body is working overtime to product what it needs. The lymph system does not have a pump. It only relies on the movement of our muscles to keep pressure within the system. This means you have to move around all of the time to keep your circulation up.

Lymph fluid does a number of things to improve your health. First, it helps to finish the circulation of the blood. As your vessels get smaller, components are squeezed through small gaps. This helps to carry food to the cells. The lymph vessels collect the leftovers and take it back into the blood system. The blood system is then able to transfer it to your kidneys and you’re liver to be passed out of your body. Lymph fluid also moves white blood cells to the necessary locations in the body. Any area of damage, inflammation, or illness needs white blood cells for its very survival. The only way to do this is through the transfer of lymph fluid. The only way to transfer lymph fluid, for any reason is movement.

Movement during air travel can be very, very difficult. The negative effects of not moving around for a long period of time can be very bad for you. As a result, most airlines offer a bit of advice on this matter during the pre-flight, talk with the passengers. You might try a few simple exercises at frequent intervals during the flight to keep your blood circulating. This can help reduce stiffness, discomfort, and fatigue. It can also help lower your risk of more serious conditions like venous thrombosis, which is a blood clot. Blood clots can go straight to your heart, causing a heart attack, which can result in death. You can start your exercises by holding your carry on bag as close to your body as possible at a ninety degree angle.

Do a few bicep curls. That should give you a good workout. If you can, balance the bag on your ankles and do a few leg lifts. Try a simple walk around the cabin. It might be difficult, but if nothing else, it should help you to stretch your legs. You can also try placing the palms of your hands together. Push as hard as you can and hold the position as long as possible. Then try grabbing the nearest book. Hold your arms out flat with the book on top. Hold the position as long as you can. Rest for a few minutes and then repeat. Finally, stretch each muscle of your body any way you can. One important thing to note as you try your exercises is to be respectful of the passengers around you. They do not need to be subjected to an elbow in the face on an hourly basis.

Besides movement, there are a few other ways to keep your body healthy during air travel. First, drink plenty. Try to avoid smoking and alcohol, as both of these can change the way your circulation systems work. Also, avoid crossing your legs while you are seated. It can stop the circulation of your legs. You might also want to wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes while on the plain. Certain garments can reduce or restrict the circulation you are trying so hard to keep pumping. Compression stockings can help prevent swelling and may even help increase circulation to that area of your body. You should only purchase these, though, from a reputable medical facility, as they can be dangerous if used wrong.

They will also need to be measured to fit your legs. In any case, discuss this idea with your doctor first.

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Luxury Travel Discount

18
Jun 2009

The majority of people are not financially well off, but would like to be. Sometimes you can temporarily live like the “rich and famous” and enjoy the excitement of luxury travel. So, as the saying goes, if you have champagne taste on a beer budget, let’s get going.

We’ll explore a few techniques on how you can enjoy luxury travel on a budget.

A laid out plan will be the most important aspect of obtaining luxury deals and accommodations without spending any more money than a lower rated resort.

Travel in style with the following strategies:

# Find Affinity And Loyalty Programs

Capitalize on the flexibility and leverage you have in the competitive travel industry. Many companies want your business and offer lots of incentives to compete for your travel funds and to keep you as a customer.

For example, if you provide a service, you typically look out for your best customers and give extra perks to keep them coming back. These companies reward travelers who remain loyal to them with unadvertised specials and extras. This is the general idea behind frequent traveler programs and such.

# Select The Right Travel Specialists To Work With

As you’re researching destinations and comparing pricing online, note that all online travel companies aren’t equal. Lots of agencies have preferred status with suppliers who can in turn pass on these deals to you.

Again, this is just like we talked about earlier, only this time, the companies and suppliers are getting the great deals to pass on to you.

# Problems into Opportunities

Choose a few top-notch companies that you would like to use over and over again so that you can obtain loyalty bonuses and discounts. If they make an error, take advantage of the situation in a professional manner, but don’t take advantage of the situation.

These companies desire to maintain consistent levels of quality and rely on their customers to provide constructive feedback and satisfaction/dissatisfaction. If a representative is not willing to work with you, ask around to find someone who will.

# Just Ask

One of the easiest and simplest techniques you can do is to just ask. All they can say is no. Sometimes a special occasion may be enough to get you an unexpected surprise. Simply do it and don’t be afraid to ask.

You can simply ask for an upgraded vehicle, accommodation, or airline seat. It doesn’t hurt and you’re no worse off than you were before you asked. In other words, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

# Timing Is Everything

Keep this in mind that travel is at its most expensive during holidays and other peak times of the year. However, if the time of year to travel is important to you, such as a special event you’ll be attending, traveling during major holidays or school vacations, and if you desire to get luxury travel for the best value you want, try to book as far in advance as possible.

Don’t forget the power of the internet. It can be one of your most effective tools in researching destinations, while getting luxury travel at bargain prices.

Have fun and happy travels!

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The Gold Coast – Australia’s Favourite Holiday Destination

18
Jun 2009

The Gold Coast features 40km of sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland capital city, Brisbane , and 947kms north of the capital of New South Wales , Sydney. It has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia ’s seventh largest city.

It is also Australia ’s favourite tourist destination with a favourable climate, diversity of attractions, sophisticated nightlife and dining, safe environment and world class luxury resorts. Inland from the Gold Coast is three magnificent National Parks – Springbrook, Lamington and Tamborine which feature beautiful rainforests, picnic areas, nature walks and spectacular lookouts.

Climate: The Gold Coast has a comfortable sub-tropical climate averaging in the 20’s. Summer – December to February – 20-28 degrees C. Autumn – March to May – 15-25 degrees C. Winter – June to August – 11-21 degrees C. Spring – September to November – 15-25 degrees C.

Attractions: One of the Gold Coasts greatest attractions is it’s natural ones including 40km of golden sandy beaches, Eco tourism throughout the Hinterland and National Parks, onshore and offshore fishing, diving and sailing. There is also two wild life parks located at Currumbin and Burliegh. The Hinterland is also popular for its growing wine and vineyard industry. Adventure attractions include motor bike tours, parasailing, sky diving, hot air ballooning, jet skiing, power boating, helicopter tours, go karting and motor racing. Four theme parks provide hours and hours if not days of entertainment value with something for everyone. The four theme parks are Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Sea World and Dreamworld located between Southport and Coomera. Dreamworld is also the home of Big Brother in Australia.

Nightlife: The Gold Coast is popular for it’s famous nightclubs located on Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue where you can party to the early hours. There are also two world class nightclubs located in Broadbeach as well as a large casino and convention centre.

Dining: Main Beach and Broadbeach are popular for their main streets lined with quality and luxurious restaurants serving for all tastes in ambient relaxing surroundings.

Accommodation: The Gold Coast there are over 13,000 rooms available from Coolangatta through to Hope Island including Motels, Guest Houses, Apartments and Hotels. Resorts are first class and the big names include the Palazzo Versace, Marriot, Sheraton Mirage, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Conrad Jupiters and the Sofitel. Most of these are centrally located in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Main Beach with most having water and or Hinterland views. Choosing the right accommodation for you depends on budget, number of people and what you would like to be close to.

Transport: You can fly to either Gold Coast Airport (30mins from Surfers) or Brisbane Airport (50mins from Surfers) and transport from there can either be via taxi, rental, bus or limousine. Buses run on a regular time table throughout the area and a train runs from Robina to Brisbane.

Major Events: The Indy championship is one of the major events on the calendar as well as the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, the Magic Millions Horse Racing Carnival, Schoolies Festival and Surf Carnivals.

This is only a small introduction to Australia ’s favourite tourist destination and a coastal city that is growing into one of the worlds top chosen destinations, the Gold Coast Queensland.

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Brazil, Carnival and More

18
Jun 2009

Considering travelling to Brazil? There is a summary of all important information that you have to know before travelling to Brazil. The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in South America. Following is an overview of fun loving Brazil for travelers.

Overview of Brazil for Travelers

Indigenous peoples have populated for a long, but undetermined, period. European influence began with Pedro Alvares Cabral when he claimed Brazil as a Portuguese colony in 1500. In a little known development, Brazil actually became the location of the Portuguese government in 1808 when Napoleon chased the royal family out of Portugal. While in Brazil, the family ruled from Rio de Janeiro until 1821 when it returned to Europe. This move was motivated by a declaration of independence by Brazil, led by Dom Pedro.

As with many South American countries, Brazil has seen its ups and downs from a political perspective. In 1989, it finally completed a transition to a popularly elected government when Collor de Mello won the popular vote. Less than three years later, he was forced to resign under the cloud of corruption charges. In 2002, Luiz Ignacio da Silva rose to the position of president. Lula, as he is known, represents a major change in Brazilian politics. He is the first leader from the working class.

Brazil covers just less than 3.3 million square miles of South America. The climate in Brazil is mostly tropical, particularly in light of the Amazon River basin.

With a population exceeding 186 million, Brazil is the fifth most populous country in the world and largest in South America. Despite covering a vast area, most of the population lives in urban cities such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. If you think traffic is bad in your location, keep in mind over 18 million people live in greater Sao Paulo!

The people of Brazil are called “Brazilians.” The population is 186 million people and growing at a rate of .1 percent a year. 74 percent of Brazilians consider themselves Roman Catholics. The official language is Portuguese and the literacy rate is 86 percent. Average life expectancy is 71.3 years.Brazil is one of the world’s leading producers of hydroelectric power.

If you are considering visiting Brazil, you should keep in mind that crime can be a problem in certain areas. Use common sense and you will have no problem. Brazil is a blast, very cheap and gets big thumbs up as a travel destination. For some countries Brazil ask for a visitor visa so consult your travel agent before you go.

Undoubtedly, globally Brazil is most known because of its Rio de Janeiro Carnival. When the Carnival arrives, companies close down, shops shut their doors early, and streets are closed off to make way for dancing, parties and parades. This awe inspiring festivity not only provides entertainment for the thousands of people attending the Carnival, but also for the millions watching it on their televisions, giving them a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil.

The next Carnival starts on Saturday 25th February 2006, and ends on Fat Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic calendar. This happens to be during the hottest time of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, when summer is at its peak. When that Saturday arrives then it’s Carnival all over the place, in the streets and squares, bars, clubs and other venues, taking over the whole city of Rio and culminating in the Rio Carnival Parade also known as the Samba Parade.

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Group Travel

18
Jun 2009

Traveling abroad can be an exciting adventure that will be remembered forever. Unfortunately it can also be a disaster when the unforeseen arises. Have you ever gotten off the 12 hour plane ride to discover that? Sorry, there isn’t a bus to your hotel? And the taxis shouldn’t be used after dark? Or you get up after that first restful nights sleep, eat a great meal, and then off to that famous museum you’ve spend years to finally visit, to discover it’s closed for the day?

These and other vacation wrecking experiences can be avoided when you use the experience of group travel to build an itinerary for a successful trip. There are many benefits to group travel vacation.

One of the most important aspects is that it is cheaper. Travel agencies, hotels, transportation, and resorts all give big group travel discounts. Usually travel agencies set up group travel packages for your convenience. For example, single travel group, wholesale travel group among others. It’s also possible to get special extras like shipboard credits and wonderful party receptions. One could easily save as much as 40% by traveling with a group.

Another important aspect is that everything is organized. You can concentrate on having fun holidays. There is no need to book trains, look for the best airfare, or to reserve hotels. All that is taken care of! Another great reason is that you can be provided with a good guide. An experienced guide can tell you much about your destination provide insight into the local culture and give interesting and informative historical background.

Also, a good guide will silently take care of all the little unpleasant surprises you would have to cope with (closed museums, medical problems, special diets, problems with your room…) When traveling alone, on a limited time frame, one has to spend a lot of energy just trying to get from one interesting place to the next. It takes a lot of effort in a confusing, loud, and strange place to find one’s way. When having a group travelling with a group you don’t even have to know any of the local language. It’s taken care of! Also, being with a group you can generally pack moreinto a day, you can see more of the interesting, wonderful places without being restricted by availability of local transport. Just get on and off the bus!

Group travel also includes the benefit of safety. There is always safety in numbers and you will be traveling with friends. You also have the opportunity to make new friends with different interests and backgrounds. All things considered, price, safety, all the details taken care of and the opportunity to see that special place, so what is the way to go? Group Travel!

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Single Travel Insurance

18
Jun 2009

Are you leaving the country for a vacation or holiday? Do you travel once a year and want to make sure you have insurance to cover anything that can go wrong. Some travelers will tell you to avoid travel insurance if you have enough money to cover your trip, but in reality something always goes wrong and having travel insurance can be a great help. If your vacation is less than 120 days and you only travel once a year consider purchasing single trip travel insurance and you will be ready in case of that emergency.

Many different travel insurance companies specifically carry single trip travel insurance. Single trip travel insurance will provide compensation if your need emergency medical service or your trip is canceled. Travel insurance usually carries additional benefits such as compensation if your luggage is lost or damaged or legal assistance if needed. The benefits available with your travel insurance will vary from one company to another make sure you read your insurance agreement before leaving on vacation to know exactly what issues are covered. With single trip travel insurance you can rest assured that someone will be able to assist you in the event of an emergency during your vacation.

Before you purchase single trip travel insurance it is important to do your homework. The cost for single trip travel insurance will vary among companies you want. In order to find the best deal in single trip travel insurance it is recommended you research at least three different companies and compare their insurance benefits. Most companies will provide you an instant quote and benefit statement online, all you need to do is provide your travel dates and destinations. Some companies even provide a travel insurance benefit for children free as long as there is one paying adult over the age of 18.

Each insurance company’s plans will vary slightly but generally you should get at least $10,000 in emergency medical insurance and $3,000 for trip cancellations. Make sure that the amount of trip cancellation insurance you purchase will cover all your expenses in the event you need to cancel your vacation. The insurance company should also provide you with a period where you can cancel the insurance for a full refund, this is usually 15 days after you purchase the insurance. Generally you should purchase single trip travel insurance at the same time you book and pay for your trip but be cautious on expending the money right if you expect your travel plans to change.

Even for the most seasoned traveler things will go wrong. It may be a plane that can not take off due to an emergency, a lost suitcase, or a medical issue while visiting the outer regions of a remote island. Do not take the chance that you will be stranded without any assistance or money to take care of your medical issues. Single trip travel insurance is your best travel companion and with a little research very reasonably priced.

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Spain: A Hot Spot Destination for Travelling Pensioners

18
Jun 2009

There is no better place in the world to spend a holiday than Spain. Spain offers a myriad of recreational pursuits and you will have little or no problem finding splendid luxury accommodation in Spain.

In fact, when you plan a holiday in Spain you’ll have few worries in terms of arranging your itinerary: this will allow you to focus on other important things concerning your plans. Purchasing travel insurance is extremely important whenever you are travelling and you should not consider a holiday without it.

It is important to remember that you travel to relax and enjoy yourself. With that in mind, it is easy to understand why travel insurance for pensioners is so necessary. With travel insurance in place you can concentrate on enjoying your holiday and get on with visiting all of the fabulous sights in Spain.

Mark Santilli, a frequent traveller, warns about the dangers of not having travel insurance: “I never thought that travel insurance was important. I quickly found out how wrong I was when my wife and I went on a trip to Australia and my wife became seriously ill. Our regular insurance didn’t cover the emergency treatment she needed.”

It is in no way safe to conclude that the new European health insurance card offers enough cover to you and your family. In fact, travel insurance for the over 70’s will cover many things that the new European health insurance card will not. In reality, travel insurance may cover unexpected cancellations, missed departures, lost travel documents, accidents, the loss or theft of baggage, travel delays and certain medical expenses that regular insurance just will not cover. For all intents and purposes then, if you are looking to completely relax and unwind while visiting Spain, or any part of the world, it is truly wise to make a small investment in travel insurance.

Spain is truly a fantastic place to visit and you’ll love travelling from one major city to the next, checking out all of the historical sites that Spain has to offer: cities like Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Oviedo, Palma, Salamanca, San Sebastian, Santander, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza. What draws tourists to Spain year after year is the incredible history embedded in each city. Such a history can be thoroughly explored by viewing the unique architecture in each city and by visiting the many cultural sites that hold historical significance: sites that are scattered throughout the country of Spain.

Madrid, the capital of Spain and one of the most popular tourist attractions, possesses fine accommodation and cuisine. The Adler Hotel, the Petit Palace Italia and the Aptos Eurobuilding 2 offer comfortable and affordable accommodation to the tourist. The Adler Hotel, erected in 1884, is located at Calle Velazquez 33, Goya 31 and is the site of a former palace which has been completely remodelled to meet the comfort and needs of today’s traveller. The Adler hotel has 6 floors and 45 rooms to choose from. You will find that the Adler Hotel offers every possible amenity including air conditioning, broadband internet access, satellite television, telephone access and an in-room mini-bar. Additionally, the Petit Palace Italia, erected in 1902, is located at Gran Via 32 and offers similar amenities as does the Aptos Eurobuilding 2, situated at Orense 69.

You find that there are restaurants of all styles everywhere—restaurants that provide the finest cuisine that Spain has to offer. For instance, when visiting Madrid you will discover that many of the restaurants are but a short distance from your chosen accommodation. If you are looking to get a taste of Spanish cuisine there is the Combarro Restaurant but if you are seeking contemporary cuisine, visit the Zalcaín. Likewise, breakfast and brunch are regularly served at the Chocolatería San Gines and if you desire Indian Cuisine the Annapurna you will have no trouble satisfying your appetite.

Of course, you don’t merely visit Spain for its fine cuisine and comfortable accommodation. In fact, pensioners visit Spain s that they can partake in Spain’s magnificent history while they rest and relax on their holiday. There are well over 50 museums and galleries in Madrid alone. Be sure that you can spend all of your time in Spain enjoying the sights—get travel insurance for pensioners—feel safe about your trip and most of all enjoy the sun and the culture.

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Ecuador, Galapagos & more

18
Jun 2009

Located in the Andes, Ecuador is a land of intrigue for travelers. Travel to Ecuador and you can trek the Amazon, climb volcanoes, or loaf on beautiful beaches. Perhaps the biggest reason to travel to Ecuador is a visit to the famous Galapagos Islands. Regardless of your preference, the following attractions are all worth a look.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos island wildlife is unique in the world due to its exotic animals that can only be seen in this group of beautiful and enchanted islands. These islands are a living museum of evolutionary changes, a wide variety of exotic species, penguins, sea lions, Red-billed Tropic Bird, flamingos, giant tortoise, and the galapagos finch (Darwin’s inspiration), all of these exclusive to this Archipelago. Animals in the Galapagos are unafraid of man and so different from any others found elsewhere, this make visitors wonder about their very existence on our planet. Galapagos wildlife is one of the major attractions these islands have to offer to its thousands of visitors each year.

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of some 13 volcanic islands and associated islets and rocks located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers west of the coast of South America. The Galápagos archipelago is politically part of Ecuador. The oldest of the islands are about 4 million years old and the youngest are still in the process of being formed. Indeed, the Galápagos islands are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.

They are famed for their vast number of endemic species and the studies conducted by Charles Darwin that led to his theory of natural selection. The islands are distributed to the north and south of the equator. The equator crosses the northern part of the largest island, Isabela.

Quito

A hot bed of colonial architecture, Quito is the capital of Ecuador. The city is considered one of the most beautiful in South America with architecturally masterpieces of white washed buildings with red tile roofs. For those living in large cities, you will be shocked by the lack of neon in Quito.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the climate is an eternal spring throughout the year. The Avenue of the Amazons, “Avenida Amazonas”, is a bustling area with outdoor cafes and good people watching.

Avenue of the Volcanoes, South of Quito, the Avenue of the Volcanoes is a must see. Running down each side of the valley are mountain peaks dotted with dormant volcanoes. Small villages throughout the valley give the area an old world vibe.

Guayaquil

Guayaquil, known throughout Ecuador as the “Pacific Pearl”, is the country’s largest city and the most important seaport. It is the focus of the Ecuadorian economy.

The name Guayaquil originates from an old legend about an Indian chief Guayas who had an Indian wife called Quil who according to folklore both killed themselves through pride in preference to surrendering to the Spaniards.

Public transport is the most popular way to get around in a big city like Guayaquil. Most hotels are in the city center close to the Malecón. At rush hours, local buses are very crowded. Minibuses (furgonetas) are also available, which have their routes posted on the windscreen. All buses run along the Malecón. For example: Bus #15 will take you from the Malecón to Urdesa, Bus #13 to Policentro. Buses are a good cheaper alternative to taxis (out of rush hours).

From December through April, Guayaquil is hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 35º C. The rest of the year is nice and cooler with temperatures between 20º and 25º C.

San Lorenzo Railway

If you’re looking for a new experience, try a ride from San Lorenzo Railway to Ibarra. The trip runs through picturesque scenery, but about the train that is most interesting. The train is actually a bus converted for the tracks! Only in Ecuador!

Manta

The province of Manabi is home to over three hundred kilometers of peaceful and relaxing Pacific Ocean shoreline.

Manta is a picturesque and important port on the Pacific Ocean, located in a dry tropical forest area with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77° F). Because it has some of South America’s most breathtaking beaches, Manta was selected as the site of the sixth South American Windsurfing Championship. It is known for its diving and sport fishing. It also serves as the primary industrial port of Ecuador’s tuna industry.

Montecristi, Ecuador – Panama Hats – This village is internationally renowned for the high quality of the “Panama Hats” that they produce (yes, you red it correctly, Panama Hats have been always from Ecuador and not from Panama). Lying at the foot of a large hill called Montecristi, the small town of the same name has many attractions such as Eloy Alfaro’s (an ex-Ecuadorian President) house, the Hermanas Largacha Museum, and the Monserrate Sanctuary, where thousands of Ecuadorian and foreign pilgrims traditionally flock, especially on the weekends.

Salinas beach

Salinas is considered the best tourist beach resort in Ecuador and the Pacific coastline by many visitors. The sandy moon bay arcs around the resort with dozens of high rising apartment blocks belonging to the wealthier Ecuadorian and foreigner overseas residents overlooking the main road fronted by colourful shops, restaurants, bars, discos, an historical marine museum and major hotels with casinos encased in the latter. Salinas, is also the main starting point to the scenic Pacific “Route of the Sun” with many tourist resorts and attractions to drive through. The high season in Salinas (December – April), is party time with plenty of night life and nice bars to enjoy along the main frontage of the bay. Later this year a water theme park with giant shoots, whirl pools and wave machines will also be a further attraction. Salinas, offers the most developed tourist infrastructure (regarding to accommodation, beaches, resorts and other attractions) together with the most exiting whale watching tours with luxurious yachts and professional guides. The closest and finest location witnesses the wonder of these amazing creatures in the wild. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed…

The weather in Salinas has great temperatures all year round. The major season is warmer with temperatures between 80s-90s, while the quieter season (Mid-May to early December) has lower temperatures (between 60s-70s).

Amazonic region

The Amazon or jungle region, located to the east of the Andes, is one of the most accessible and traveler-friendly areas of the upper Amazon basin, the biologically richest area anywhere on earth. There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador’s 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value.

Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are all relatively easy to view. The Ecuadorian Amazon offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoe journeys, rain forest walks, bird watching, animal spotting and visits to local jungle communities. The Amazon accounts for little more than 5% of the total population but here there are small communities of Indians such as the Huaorani, Cofan, Shuar, and Siona-Secoya who live in jungle villages and carry on with many of their ancient traditions. The Amazon also has some of the finest white water rafting routes in the country.

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Oceania Cruise Line

18
Jun 2009

When trying to find the best Oceania Cruise Line, make sure you do a good research, because there are so many choices to make, and whatever cruise line you choose to use, will make your vacation a truly dream vacation or a nightmare. There are a few steps you can take make the right choice:

1. Start by doing a search in google, msn or yahoo for the destination you want to go to, find out if it is the best time of the years to visit, are there any oceania cruise lines available during the time that you want to visit? can you afford it?
2. Find out what are the best prices for the different oceania cruise lines you researched above, do they have special prices? When? Sometimes waiting an extra week, or moving your vacation time a few days ahead will save you a lot of money, be flexible if you can and you will be able to save money on almost any oceania cruise lines you research.

3. Do a search on the internet about oceania cruise lines reviews, what are people saying about the different oceania cruise lines, what is bad about them, positive, are there many complaints? What are people complaining about, or may be the reviews are great, what are the positive things people are talking about?

4. Visit the oceania cruise lines web sites, read about what they offer, take a look at the size of the cruise, how many people do they use, read the reviews on their web site, take a look at the picture they have posted, and also the quality of their web site. A well made web site, sometimes, tells you about the quality of the company.

5. Does they oceania cruise lines you like offer the type of food you need? do they offer different choices? is the food part of the whole price

6. Call the oceania cruise lines and ask the questions you need answered before making a decision, take your time on the phone asking about prices, about their specials, and make sure they are available for the dates you planning on taking your vacation.

Oceania Cruise Lines, so many choices, but with a little research you will find your way to a dream vacation.

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