Travel, Vacation, Holiday and Tourism information around the world

San Luis Obispo County - California's Natural Escape

2009-10-07T13:04:00.001+07:00

From emerald green vineyards to turquoise blue ocean and amber fields of grain to ruby red grapes. Here you'll discover a unique mix of food, wine, recreation, art and culture – not to mention the venerable Hearst Castle – all set amidst warm, friendly and laidback surroundings. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County is the heart of California's Central

South Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

2009-09-29T09:43:00.000+07:00

Beaches In South Lake Tahoe Baldwin Beach Baldwin Beach Rd. Pope Beach Pope Beach Rd Regan Memorial Park Zephyr Cove Bike Rentals In South Lake Tahoe Sierra Ski and Cycle Works 3430 Lake Tahoe Blvd, (530) 541-7505 Watta Bike 2933 Highway

One of the World's Most Stunning Sights

2009-09-02T10:12:00.001+07:00

Crater Lake, located in Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon stands out as one of the state's top visitor destinations. In a state filled with beautiful bodies of water, breathtaking scenery, rugged landscapes, and amazing sights, this is really saying something! In fact Crater Lake is often named as one of the world's most unique and stunning places.Approximately 7,700 years ago, Mount

Crater Lake National Park

2009-09-02T10:09:00.001+07:00

The winding road that takes you up to Crater Lake is filled with the beautiful natural landscape of Oregon. When you get to the top and first see the lake at Crater Lake National Park, it will astound you. The dark blue water appears to be so deep, you will think the bottom goes down to sea level. The park is open May through October most years. Weather Winter brings an average snowfall of 533

Crater Lake National Park Travel Information

2009-09-02T10:05:00.000+07:00

When Mount Mazama erupted a little less than 7,000 years ago, its center imploded to form a caldera that gradually filled up with water, creating Crater Lake. With depths of 1,932 feet, it is the deepest lake in the United States (the seventh-deepest in the world) and is known for its stunning, sapphire blue color. In 1902, Congress established the lake and some 180,000 surrounding acres as the

Fort Lauderdale Guide Overview

2009-08-31T17:24:00.000+07:00

Getting around Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is half the fun on a vacation: One of Fort Lauderdale's main drags is a river (the New River, to be specific), so visitors to Fort Lauderdale can hop on a water bus and take in the sights. This South Florida city's extensive system of waterways and reputation for gracious living have made Fort Lauderdale one of the country's largest yachting centers. Fort

Providence Travel Guide

2009-08-27T18:07:00.002+07:00

New England's second-largest city (with a population of 175,000, behind Boston) comes into the 21st century as a renaissance city. Once regarded, even by its own residents, as an awkward stepchild of greater Boston (50 mi to the north), Providence has metamorphosed from an area that empties out at the end of a workday to a clean, modern, cultural and gastronomical hub. In the past decade,

Taipei 101

2009-08-22T09:23:00.000+07:00

Taipei 101 is a 101-storey skyscraper located in Taipei, Taiwan. At the time of writing (18 July, 2007), Taipei 101 is the tallest habitated building in the world, pushing the Petronas Twin Towers to second place on 17 October 2003. Burj Dubai in turn surpassed Taipei 101 on height on 4 July 2007, will become the tallest building in the world when completed. Taipei 101 was originally called

San Juan, Points of Interest

2009-08-20T18:20:00.002+07:00

This is a 465-year-old neighborhood originally conceived as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a charming residential and commercial district. The streets here are paved with cobbles of adoquine, a blue stone cast from furnace slag; they were brought over a ballast on Spanish ships and time and moisture have lent them their characteristic color. The city

Travel to Plymouth

2009-08-19T10:30:00.001+07:00

How to get to Plymouth Head for the South West on the M5 from Bristol to Exeter, then the A38 Devon Expressway to Plymouth. Drive time from London is around three and a half hours. A Rapide luxury coach service from London’s Victoria Coach Station (via Heathrow) takes four and half hours. Telephone 08705 808080/898989. Rail Services from London (Paddington) to Plymouth take three and a half

Krakow Tourism

2009-08-17T21:51:00.000+07:00

Being a tourist in Krakow is definitely not an uncommon social role in the Royal City, and everybody seems to know about it – and they're ready to help. The Cracow authorities have established a nice network of Tourist Information Offices, the Krakow Tourist Card will make traveling around the Cracow and getting into the museums and other interesting places much easier, and the average Krakow

Nassau/Paradise Island

2009-08-17T21:35:00.003+07:00

Nassau/Paradise Island is the home of the Bahamian national capital. Welcome to Nassau, bustling hub of The Bahamas since the shipwrecking days of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. Prized for its sheltered harbour, the city made history and preserved it beautifully in Victorian mansions, cathedrals, 18th-century

Big Sur Road Conditions and Driving Tips

2009-06-25T13:57:00.003+07:00

Highway 1 hugs very fragile hillsides in the Big Sur region. Mud and rock slides are common, especially in the winter and spring, and these can close Highway 1 for extended periods. The area between Lucia and Gorda is especially prone to damaging slides. Do not enter the Big Sur region without checking current road conditions. You can easily obtain current conditions on California Highway 1 ("

Visiting San Luis Obispo

2009-06-25T13:44:00.003+07:00

San Luis Obispo is a great place to visit! The Central Coast of California is the start of the Big Sur coastline of California, and home of one of California most popular attractions, Hearst Castle.In addition to enjoying our natural beauty, there are lots of things to see and do in San Luis Obispo–a delightful downtown with great dining, shops and nightlife; arts center; Mission Plaza;

Venice Travel Guide

2009-06-25T13:31:00.003+07:00

Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands, and holds one hundred and fifty canals, connected by an amazing four hundred and nine bridges, of which only three cross the main canal. The area it covers is a mere 284 miles (458 kilometres). Although the city appears small, it is really quite extensive for its size with a fair number of Venice restaurants and Venice hotels (off peak)

Snapping Madura

2009-06-22T15:24:00.002+07:00

What are things on mind when you hear the word “madura”? Sugary and delicious brochettes? Coto? People who’s easily get angry like typically coastal inhabitant? Bison (sort of car, public car) drivers who were expert to make a thrill for their passengers? It could be. But Madura isn’t just all that.My team in Photography Class-consist of Ayumia A., Ellia Kurniawan, Arien, M. Samsul Arif and Dippu

Bandera Restaurant, American Cooking In CDM.

2009-06-22T14:45:00.001+07:00

Bandera is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group — A collection of high quality restaurants that serve great food. Walking from the nearby beach in Corona Del Mar (CDM), we stopped in Bandera on PCH. This day we had the Sliced Leg of Lamb with Red Chili Sauce and Escabèche. I love the Escabèche and want to go back for more. The Lamb was good too, but I’m not sure about its presentation – It

Hydropolis Underwater Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2009-06-16T11:34:00.003+07:00

Currently under construction in Dubai, Hydropolis will be the world's first luxury underwater hotel. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the

The Caribbean jewel of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, Cancun.

2009-02-04T15:51:00.001+07:00

Thousands of couples honeymoon here each year, but why not make it a complete event and let Cancun host your ultimate destination wedding? The beaches couldn't be more romantic, and the all-inclusive resorts offer every service you could ever possibly need.If you would prefer an intimate beachside villa, or perhaps a private home or more traditional hotel be your base, the options for lodging in

Silver Springs Natural Wildlife Theme Park

2009-01-18T13:34:00.000+07:00

Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park.This natural attraction offers a wide variety of Wildlife Education, field trips, animal presentations, guided and self-guided tours, hands on presentations with native and exotic animal species. Attractions: Glass Bottom

Cypress Gardens Natural Attraction Near Orlando

2009-01-17T13:31:00.001+07:00

Enjoy a variety of daily shows at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, including comedy, song and dance, magic and more. The water ski capital of the world lives on, as skiers take to the water and sky in an explosive show that will leave guests laughing as well as gasping in wonder at gravity defying feats.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay-Orlando Tourist Information Bureau

2009-01-16T13:30:00.001+07:00

SheiKra - Florida's tallest roller coaster. This thrill machine is also the tallest dive coaster in the world and the first of its kind to incorporate an Immelmann loop (a rolling maneuver), a second, 138-foot dive into an underground tunnel and a water-feature finale. SheiKra offers

Sea World Adventure Park-Orlando

2009-01-15T13:29:00.001+07:00

Sea World of Florida, the world's most popular marine-life park, brings education, research and conservation together in an entertaining and fun-filled way. Your entire family can feed a dolphin, pet a stingray and learn about the animals inhabiting our oceans. Sea World of Florida has an

Islands of Adventure

2009-01-14T13:27:00.000+07:00

The most amazing piece of this world class facility is now open. Creative consultant Steven Spielberg has put together the most thrilling and technologically advanced rides and attractions ever made at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Your journey begins at the exotic Port of EntrySM and

Universal Studios Florida

2009-01-13T12:49:00.008+07:00

Universal Studios Escape has developed into a vacation destination beyond your imagination. It will set the standard for entertainment well into the millennium. Universal Studios Escape is a combination of many world class and technologically unique facilities: Universal Studios Florida is the largest working film and television production studio outside Hollywood.With more than 40 incredible

Happy New Year Around the World

2009-01-02T07:05:00.001+07:00

From the American South to the hills of Romania, how children ring in the new year with their parents.ArmeniaMothers make a special bread for their family, kneading luck and good wishes into the dough before it is baked.BahamasPeople spend months creating elaborate costumes for the Junkanoo parade. The strangest and most beautiful costumes win prizes.BoliviaFamilies hang little homemade straw or

Saying "Happy New Year!" Around the World

2009-01-02T07:01:00.001+07:00

Ways to say "Happy New Year" in such languages as Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), French, Hebrew, Korean, Swedish, Vietnamese, and more. Language Happy New Year! Afrikaans Voorspoedige nuwe jaar Arabic Kul 'am wa antum bikhair

Christmas in Zimbabwe

2008-12-23T15:52:00.003+07:00

For most people in Zimbabwe, Christmas day starts with a Church service. My Zimbabwean friend who lives in Bulawayo, says that the best bits about Christmas is the way that his family and friends go home from church! After the Church service, everyone has a party in their homes and people go from house to house, visiting all of their family and friends on the way home! Sometimes, this can take

Christmas in Zambia

2008-12-23T15:51:00.002+07:00

Many churches in Zambia have nativity plays and a crib in the church. One or two days before Christmas, Zambians like to go carol singing round the local streets for charity.On Christmas day, children are encouraged to bring a present to church for children who are in hospital or might not get a present because they are less fortunate. After church, on Christmas day, it is a custom that all the

Christmas in Vietnam

2008-12-23T15:47:00.001+07:00

In Vietnam Christmas Eve is often more important that Christmas day! In Ho Chi Minh city (which is the largest city in Vietnam and used to be called Saigon) people (especially young people) like to go into the city centre, where there is a Catholic Cathedral. The streets are crowded with people on Christmas Eve and in the city centre cars are not allowed for the night.People celebrate by

Christmas in the United States of America

2008-12-23T15:43:00.002+07:00

The United States of America has many different traditions and ways that people in celebrate Christmas, because of its multi-cultural nature. Many customs are similar to ones in the U.K., France, Italy, Holland, Poland and Mexico.The traditional meal for Western European families is turkey or ham with cranberry sauce. Families from Eastern European origins favour turkey with trimmings, keilbasi (

Christmas in the United Kingdom

2008-12-23T15:41:00.004+07:00

In the UK, families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents!Most families have a Christmas Tree (or maybe even two!) in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was German, and

Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago

2008-12-23T15:39:00.002+07:00

Christmas is a very social time in Trinidad and Tobago with most people having parties. Both children and adults go from house to house between neighbours and relatives for food and drink.The radio stations play Trinidadian Christmas carols and songs as well as traditional and contemporary carols from the U.S.A.. A special Trinidadian music, Parang, is also played. Parang is an upbeat

Christmas in Sweden

2008-12-23T15:33:00.004+07:00

Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucia's Day (or St. Lucy's Day) on December 13th. The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden.St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the

Christmas in Spain

2008-12-23T15:32:00.003+07:00

Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or 'La Misa Del Gallo' (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.Most families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service. The traditional Spanish Christmas dinner is 'Pavo Trufado de Navidad' which is Turkey stuffed with truffles (the mushrooms not the

Christmas in South Korea

2008-12-23T15:28:00.002+07:00

There are more Christians in South Korea (the Republic of Korea) than in other asian countries such as China and Japan, so Christmas is a celebrated more widely. (Christians make up about 25-30% of the population.) However, the other 70% of people in South Korea are mostly Buddhist, so Christmas isn't an important festival (and not really celebrated by Buddhist people in South Korea).Unlike Japan

Christmas in Slovakia

2008-12-23T15:25:00.002+07:00

In Slokvia, Christmas celebrations begin with Advent. Many Slovaks are Roman Catholics so this is the start of the important spiritual preparations for Christmas.Slovaks also celebrate St. Nicholas' day on the 6th December. In Slovakia he is known as sv. Mikulas. He comes in the evening of the 5th December and gives presents to good children. He also brings along the Devil who rings the chains

Christmas in Serbia and Montenegro

2008-12-23T15:08:00.002+07:00

In Serbia and Montenegro, the Church is the Orthodox Church. In this Church they still use the old 'Julian' Calendar, which means that Christmas Eve in on 6th January and Christmas Day in on the 7th January! Advent in the Orthodox Church starts on 28th November and last for six weeks. During Advent, some people fast and they don't eat food that comes from animals (meat, milk, eggs, etc.).On

Christmas in Russia

2008-12-23T15:06:00.001+07:00

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time. With the fall of Communism, Christmas is openly celebrated - either on December 25th, or more often, on January 7th. The date is different because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. But it has

Christmas in Portugal

2008-12-23T15:02:00.001+07:00

Father Christmas is believed to bring presents to children on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day. The presents are left under the Christmas tree or in shoes by the fireplace. Like in Spain, the traditional Christmas meal in Portugal is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve and consists of codfish with vegetables and boiled potatoes. This is normally followed by shellfish, wild meats or

Christmas in Poland

2008-12-23T15:01:00.001+07:00

In Poland, Advent is the beginning of Christmas Time. It's a time when people try to be peaceful and remember the real reason for Christmas. People try not to have excess of anything. Some people give up their favourite foods or drinks and parties and discos are not widely held. Some people also go to Church quite frequently. There is the tradition of the 'roraty', special masses (or communion

Christmas in Pakistan

2008-12-23T15:00:00.002+07:00

In Pakistan, December 25th is a public holiday, but it is in memory of Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Like in India, Christians make up a very small part of the population. But as Pakistan has a population over 162 million people, there are more than 5 millions Christians! Most Christians in Pakistan live the country and are quite poor.At Christian festivals like Christmas and Easter a big

Christmas in Norway

2008-12-23T14:38:00.003+07:00

Norwegian children like to go carol singing and most children do! Often children will dress up as characters from the Christmas Story, such as the Shepherds and Wise Men, and go singing from house to house in their local neighbourhood. Sometimes they carry paper stars on poles with them.One tradition in Norway is that families light a candle every night from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day.As in

Christmas in New Zealand

2008-12-23T14:34:00.002+07:00

In New Zealand, like its neighbour Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays.My distant relations that live in New Zealand tell me that there are lots of people out camping or at their Baches (holiday homes) for Christmas.Many towns have a Santa parade with decorated floats, bands and marching girls. This can be any time from mid November onwards and is really a commercial

Christmas in Mexico

2008-12-23T14:33:00.001+07:00

In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from the December 12th to January 6th.From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas. Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for a room in an Inn. For the Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated with evergreens

Christmas in Malta

2008-12-23T13:57:00.002+07:00

Christmas is very important to the people of Malta and its sister Island of Gozo. Most people on Malta are Catholics and go to a Midnight Mass Service. Usually the churches are full with people.In Maltese Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Il-Milied it-Tajjeb'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.The Churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs, 'Presepju', built by the church go-ers.

Christmas in Madagascar

2008-12-23T13:56:00.001+07:00

Madagascar is an Island off the east coast of Africa, so it is very warm at Christmas time in Madagascar! Even though it's hot, common decorations include holly, robins and snow even though none of them exist in Madagascar!The official language of Madagascar is Malagasy. 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' in Malagasy is 'Mirary Krismasy sambatra sy Taona vaovao tonga lafatra ho anao'. Happy/

Christmas in Latvia

2008-12-23T13:54:00.002+07:00

Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve. Usually the presents are put under the family Christmas tree. (What a good idea to spread Christmas out longer!)Latvia also claims to be the home of the first Christmas Tree! The first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year celebrations is in town square of

Christmas in Japan

2008-12-23T13:53:00.001+07:00

Christmas is not widely celebrated in Japan as not many people there are Christians. However, several customs have come to Japan from the U.S.A. such as sending and receiving Christmas Cards and Presents.In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Christmas eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. Christmas eve is thought of as a

Christmas in Jamaica

2008-12-23T13:46:00.001+07:00

Christmas is a very special time in Jamaica and like a lot of other countries, radio stations play carols all through the Christmas period.Lots of people paint their houses and hang new curtains and decorations for Christmas. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.The Christmas day meal is usually prepared on Christmas Eve. The traditional Jamaican Christmas

Christmas in Italy

2008-12-23T13:19:00.001+07:00

One of the most important ways of celebrating Christmas in Italy is the Nativity crib scene. Using a crib to help tell the Christmas story was made very popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 (Assisi is in mid-Italy). The previous year he had visited Bethlehem and saw where the stable, where it was thought that Jesus was born. A lot of Italian familes have a Nativity crib in their homes.The

Christmas in Ireland

2008-12-23T13:15:00.002+07:00

In Ireland, people celebrate Christmas in much the same way as people in the U.K. and the U.S.A., but they also have lot of their own Christmas traditions and customs.Christmas for Irish people, who are Catholics, lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of Epiphany on January 6th, which some Irish people call 'Little Christmas'.In some Irish houses (although now not many), people put a tall, thick

Christmas in India

2008-12-23T13:13:00.002+07:00

Compared to other religious festivals, Christmas is quite a small festival in India due to the number that are Christians (2.3%) compared to people who belong to other religions. Having said this the population of India is over 1 Billion, so there are over 25 million Christians in India!One of the largest Christian Communities, in India, is in Bombay. A lot of the Christians in Mumbai (previously

Christmas in Iceland

2008-12-23T13:08:00.002+07:00

Christmas is often known as 'Yule' or 'Jól' in Iceland. This comes from the ancient winter solstice celebrations, that were taken over by the early Christians. Yule also include the New Year celebrations.There are lots of customs and traditions about Yule in Iceland. The Yule season consists of the following days:Þorláksmessa - St. Thorlakur's Day - December 23rdIceland's major Saint is 'heilagur

Christmas in Hungary

2008-12-23T12:27:00.001+07:00

In Hungary, Christmas Eve is very important and is called 'Szent-este' which means Holy Evening. People spend the evening with their family and decorate the Christmas Tree. Sometimes only the adults decorate the tree (without the children there), so when children come in and see the tree, it's a great surprise and they are told that angels brought the tree for them.The main Christmas meal, which

Christmas in Hong Kong

2008-12-23T12:20:00.004+07:00

In Hong Kong, Chinese Christians celebrate Christmas with Church services in Chinese. At the Anglican Cathedral, some services are held in English, because Europeans who live and work in Hong Kong attend them as well as people from Hong Kong.In Hong Kong, people also send Christmas cards, many of which are home made using Chinese craft techniques.Poinsettias flowers and Nativity scenes decorate

Christmas in Holland

2008-12-23T12:01:00.002+07:00

For most children in Holland, the most important day during the Christmas Celebrations is 5th December, when Sinterklass (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents!St. Nicholas' day is on the 6th December, but in Holland, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December. The name Santa Claus comes from the name Sinterklass.On the morning of St. Nicholas' Day, Sinterklaas travels to Amsterdam in

Christmas in Greenland

2008-12-23T11:58:00.002+07:00

In the villages of Polar Eskimos, families like to visit each other and have parties. They drink coffee and eat cakes and exchanged brightly wrapped parcels. Traditional presents are model sledges, a pairs of polished walrus tusks, or sealskin mitts. Everyone in the village gets a gift and children go from hut to hut, singing songs.Christmas trees have to be imported, because no trees grow as far

Christmas in Greece

2008-12-23T11:50:00.002+07:00

St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon on board. To

Christmas in Ghana

2008-12-23T11:44:00.001+07:00

Ghanaians celebrate Christmas from the 20th of December to first week in January with lots of different activities. Many people travel to visit their relatives and friends in other parts of the country. Over 66 languages are spoken in Ghana and all these language groups have their own traditions and customs!Christmas Eve night is the time when the celebrations really start with Church services

Christmas in Germany

2008-12-23T11:42:00.002+07:00

A big part of the Christmas celebrations in Germany is Advent. Several different types of Advent calendars are used in German homes. As well as the traditional one made of card that is used in many countries, there are ones made out of a wreath of Fir tree branches with 24 decorated boxes or bags hanging from it. Each box or bag has a little present in it. Another type is called a 'Advent Kranz'

Christmas in France

2008-12-23T11:40:00.002+07:00

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." An extensive tradition has evolved around these little figures which are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. In addition to the usual Holy Family,

Christmas in Finland

2008-12-23T11:39:00.005+07:00

Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. (It is only fair to say that the people of Greenland say that, really, Father Christmas lives in Greenland!) There is a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in

Christmas in Denmark

2008-12-23T11:27:00.002+07:00

In Denmark, the main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at about 4pm to 6pm and is served on a beautifully decorated table. Most people, after dinner, dance around the Christmas Tree before they open their presents.Most families have a 'ris á la mande' (a special kind of rice pudding, made of milk, rice, vanilla, almonds and whipped cream) for dessert. All but one of the

Christmas in the Czech Republic

2008-12-23T11:26:00.002+07:00

During the evening of the 5th December, children watch the sky for any sign of St. Nicholas. They believe that he comes down from the sky with a bag of presents for good children and a bag of sticks for bad children. When children think they can hear him coming, they rush to the dinner table and say their prayers, hoping that they will get good presents.In Czech Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Prejeme

Christmas in China

2008-12-23T11:24:00.002+07:00

In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this, Christmas is only often celebrated in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. In these big cities there are Christmas Trees, lights and other decorations on the streets and in department stores. Santa Claus is called 'Shen Dan Lao Ren' and has grottos in shops like

Christmas in Canada

2008-12-23T11:13:00.003+07:00

Canada is a very large country and people of many different cultural backgrounds live there. Because of this, there are lots of different Christmas traditions in Canada. Many of the traditions and celebrations come from French, English, Irish, Scottish, German and Aboriginal influences.The Eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia is known all over the world for its fir and pine Christmas Trees,

Christmas in Bethlehem

2008-12-23T11:10:00.002+07:00

The little town where Jesus is said to have been born is the site of the Church of the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags and decorations every Christmas. On Christmas Eve natives and visitors alike crowd the church's doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by solitary

Christmas In Brazil

2008-12-23T11:07:00.004+07:00

Brazilians are a mix of people from many parts of the world, and as a former Portuguese colony, they have many Christmas customs which originate from this heritage.One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio. The word origins from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil (Bahia,

Christmas in Belgium

2008-12-23T10:58:00.002+07:00

In Belgium there are two main languages, Flemish and Walloon (a version of French) and the two languages are spoken in different regions.In Flemish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest' and in Walloon 'djoyeus Noyé'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.On Christmas Eve ('Kerstavond' in Flemish and 'le réveillion de Noël' in Walloon), a special meal is eaten by most families. It

Christmas in Australia

2008-12-23T10:46:00.004+07:00

In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays! Children have their summer holidays from early to mid December to early February, so some people might even be camping at Christmas!Becuase it's so hot at Christmas time in Australia, there are quite often massive bush fires across the country. Many volunteer bush fire fighters are involved in saving people and property and

Shopping in Gorom Gorom Market

2008-12-08T08:31:00.000+07:00

Where it's atHeading northeast from Ougadougou into the desert, you reach Gorom Gorom, one of West Africa's most popular market towns. The market takes place every Thursday and is Burkina Faso's largest and most colourful markets.People watchingGorom Gorom is unique in Burkina with its incredible array of colourful inhabitants. The Peul Fulani are a cattle herding people with heavy tattooing and

Festivals in West Africa: Fetes des Masques

2008-12-08T08:27:00.000+07:00

In April and May each year all Dogon villages in the West African country of Mali celebrate the Fete Des Masques, the major festival of the year. It takes place as a memorial to the villagers' dead and to celebrate the harvest.What happens at the Fete Des Masques Festival?Masks are the most important symbol of Dogon culture. There are various types of masks including those which protect against

Grand Mosque of Djenne, Mali

2008-12-08T08:17:00.000+07:00

The Grand Mosque of Djenne is the largest mud-brick building in the world. Although the elegant structure which stands there today is not the original mosque which stood on the site, it has become a vivid symbol of the town and a UNESCO World Heritage site.What's the history here?

Point Bonita Lighthouse

2008-12-07T10:00:00.002+07:00

An opening one mile wide might seem like a large gap, easy to pass through. But if a ship is trying to get through this opening, and sea level fog obliterates the view, craggy cliffs jut out on either side, and strong, changeable winds challenge the ship's forward movement, it is more than just a difficult task, it is a risk to life and property. This is often the scenario for ships intending to

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

2008-12-07T09:40:00.003+07:00

Golden Gate Park, one of the largest man-made parks in the world, was developed on a site consisting mostly of sand dunes. In 1870, when the 1017 acre area was selected, few people were in favor of its location. At that time San Francisco was only a fraction of its present size, and the park lay far beyond the city's developed limits.The lush landscaping that characterizes the park today bears

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

2008-12-07T09:02:00.002+07:00

The Golden Gate Bridge links San Francisco with Marin County in absolute splendor. The bridge is one of the architectural marvels of the Twentieth Century and a testament to human strife, as it was constructed during the years of the Great Depression. For years, the Golden Gate Bridge held the title as the longest suspension bridge in the world.Before its completion in 1937, the bridge was

Wooden Churches on Kizhi Island

2008-12-04T08:00:00.001+07:00

Russia's wooden churches often perched on hilltops, overlooking the forests and villages. Although the walls were crudely constructed of roughhewn logs, the roofs were often complex. Onion shaped domes, symbolizing heaven in the Russian Orthodox tradition, were covered with wooden shingles. The onion domes reflected Byzantine design ideas and were strictly decorative. They were constructed of

Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island

2008-12-04T08:00:00.000+07:00

Russia's wooden churches were quickly ravished by rot and fire. Over the centuries, destroyed churches were replaced with larger and more elaborate buildings.Built in 1714 during the reign of Peter the Great, the Church of the Transfiguration has 22 soaring onion domes sheathed in hundreds of aspen shingles. No nails were used in the construction of the cathedral, and today many of the spruce

Assumption Cathedral in Moscow

2008-12-04T07:55:00.002+07:00

Throughout the Middle Ages, Russia's most important buildings followed Byzantine patterns, inspired by the architecture of Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey) and the eastern Roman Empire. The plan for Russia's churches was that of a Greek cross, with four equal wings. Walls were high with few openings. Steep roofs were topped with a multitude of domes. During the Renaissance, however,

The Vysotniye Zdaniye in Moscow

2008-12-03T07:51:00.000+07:00

During the reconstruction of Moscow in the 1930s, many churches, bell towers and cathedrals were destroyed. The Saviour Cathedral was demolished to make way for the grandiose Palace of Soviets. This was to be the tallest building in the world -- a towering 415-meter monument topped by a 100-meter statue of Lenin. However, the construction site proved too wet for such an enormous structure. The

Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg

2008-12-03T07:26:00.000+07:00

European ideas reigned during the time of Peter the Great. His namesake city, St. Petersburg, was modeled after European ideas, and his successors continued the tradition by bringing architects from Europe to design palaces, cathedrals and other important buildings. Designed by the famous Italian architect, Rastrelli, Smolny Cathedral celebrates the Rococo style. Rococo is a French Baroque

St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

2008-12-03T07:22:00.000+07:00

The reign of Ivan IV (the Terrible) brought a brief resurgence of interest in traditional Russian styles. To honor Russia's victory over the Tatars at Kazan, the legendary Ivan the Terrible erected the exuberant St. Basil's Cathedral just outside the Kremlin gates in Moscow. Completed in 1560, St. Basil's is a carnival of painted onion domes in the most expressive of Russo-Byzantine traditions.

Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow

2008-12-01T17:48:00.002+07:00

Interest in the old styles was briefly reawakened during the 1800s, but with the 20th century came the Russian Revolution -- and a revolution in the visual arts. The avant-garde Constructivist movement celebrated the industrial age and the new socialist order. Stark, mechanistic buildings were constructed from mass produced components. Designed by Alexei Shchusev, Lenin's Mausoleum has been

Tavrichesky Palace in St. Petersburg

2008-12-01T17:45:00.002+07:00

Elsewhere in the world, Russia was mocked for crude, exuberant expressions of Western architecture. When she became Empress, Catherine the Great wanted to introduce more dignified styles. She had studied engravings of classical architecture and new European buildings, and she made neoclassicism the official court style. When Gregory Ptemkin (Potyomkin-Tavrichesky) was named Prince of Tauride,

Hermitage Winter Palace in St. Petersburg

2008-12-01T17:32:00.003+07:00

With Rococo flourishes usually reserved for furnishings, the noted sixteenth century architect Rastrelli created what is most certainly the most famous building of imperial St. Petersburg: the Hermitage Winter Palace. Built between 1754 and 1762 for Empress Elisabeth (daughter of Peter the Great), the green-and-white palace is a lavish confection of arches, pediments, columns, pilasters, bays,

Petronas Towers

2008-12-01T10:34:00.000+07:00

Petronas Towers twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that are the world's tallest twin towers. Standing 1,483 ft (452 m) high, they were designed by the Argentinean-American architect Cesar Pelli. Completed in 1997, they surpassed Chicago's Sears Tower as the record-holding tallest structure; they themselves were surpassed by Taipei 101 in 2003. The twin towers house Petronas, Malaysia's

Thien cung grotto

2008-11-29T08:02:00.000+07:00

It is situated on the south-west side the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City. The way to Thiên Cung is a perilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite. On the east wall of the grotto, there

Luon grotto

2008-11-28T08:15:00.000+07:00

Situated on Bồ Hòn Island, 14 km south of Bãi Cháy Beach is the Luồn Grotto. In front of the grotto is Con Rùa Islet, and the Sky Gate is on the right. Here the cliffs stretch vertically out of the pure blue and smooth water. At the water-level, an arched entrance leads to the grotto, just at the base of the island. Passing through the pretty entrance, you come across a tranquil round lake,

Sung Sot grotto

2008-11-28T08:09:00.000+07:00

Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sửng Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bồ Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Hạ Long Bay.Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many

Dau Go grotto

2008-11-28T08:08:00.000+07:00

The grotto is on Driftwood Island. Seen from afar, the entrance to the grotto appears to be blue, and has a shape similar to that of a jellyfish. After 90 steps up the island, the entrance is reached. The ceiling of the grotto is about 25 m. Hundreds of stalactites falling down from the roof of the grotto look like a waterfall.The grotto is divided into three main parts.The exterior is a room

The Abu Simbel temple

2008-11-27T08:49:00.005+07:00

Abu Simbel is a set of two temples near the border of Egypt with Sudan. It was constructed for the pharaoh Ramesses II who reigned for 67 years during the 13th century BC (19th Dynasty). Abu Simbel at sunrise. The temples were cut from the rock and shifted to higher ground in the 1960s as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise following

2008-11-27T08:49:00.002+07:00

Question: What is the best way to travel between Madrid, Santiago, Barcelona, and Granada (in just 9 days)? Is their air pass in Spain? This answer is from Jona: There’s no air pass in Spain. If you only have nine days, I think you better take a plane, at least in one or two of the trips. Companies that have domestic flights in Spain are Iberia, Vueling, Spanair and Air Europa. Iberia should

Architectural Barcelona

2008-11-27T08:44:00.000+07:00

Barcelona is one of the best places in the world to appreciate the Mediterranean atmosphere. It is a city to be found on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula.BarcelonaBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital city of Catalonia. This place has won the esteemed 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal, mainly because of the structural designs of edifices. Not all cities have had the

The Amazon: The World's Largest Rainforest

2008-11-26T11:25:00.001+07:00

The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department of France.Reflecting environmental

Barcelona Information

2008-11-26T08:39:00.000+07:00

Barcelona has become Europe's most popular short break destination thanks to its superb location on the Mediterranean, its vibrant street life, fascinating Gaudi architecture, superb cuisine and its world famous football team.In a weekend you'll get a taste for the magnificent Catalan capital which will have you wanting to return over and over again. And why not with budget airlines offering

Salar de Uyuni Travel Guide

2008-11-26T08:10:00.000+07:00

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. It is located in the Departmento of Potosí in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, 3650 meters high.It's been said before: the Salar de Uyuni is surreal. A dried hill with huge cacti, that once was a coral island in a high altitude sea, surrounded by the flattest place on earth, with around that extinct vulcanos with a different colour

Ca ba island

2008-11-25T18:29:00.004+07:00

A trip to Cat Ba island can done separately or in combination with a visit to Halong Bay. Cat Ba Island is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago that consists of 350 limestone outcrops adjacent to Halong Bay. This is an oasis where you can be gone for one or for several days. If you start from the Halong Bay Wharf, it will take you four hours by boat, with stopovers for swimming, visiting

Ti top beach

2008-11-25T18:24:00.002+07:00

Some 14 km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach, which takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island. Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, its clean and clear waters, as well as its alluring landscape.In 1962, President Hô Chí Minh and the Russian astronaut Germane Ti Top came to this beach. Hence its name Ti Top. At present, there has a bar in the island

Trinh nu grotto

2008-11-25T17:17:00.002+07:00

The Trinh Nữ Grotto or Virgin Grotto is situated on the island range of Bồ Hòn in the system comprising the Sửng Sôt Grotto, Ðộng Tiên Lake and Luồn Grotto. It is 15 km south of Bãi Cháy Beach. For fishermen, the Virgin Grotto is their house, but for young lovers, it is considered as the symbol of truly love, and is the romantic place for taking oath of love.Entering Trinh Nữ Grotto, one finds in