Be warned though that Australia is big, very big. You can’t do everything in one trip, so if you want to visit the great opera house in Sydney then a crocodile hunting trip will have to be canceled. It is this size and variety in entertainment that makes Australia one of my favorite places to visit.

When to go:

Winter (June to August) offers skiing in NSW, Victoria and sometimes Tasmania. In spring and autumn the weather is mild.

Australia is a all year round country, always hosting great weather. The summer months are hot all around the country, and if you visit Australia during these months you might want to consider sticking to the cooler southern beaches which are brilliant for this kind of weather. If you can handle the heat and humidity of this time of year the north of the country might be the place to stay since the tropics bloom up in green in the summer and you get some privacy has the tourists generally avoid this area.

After the summer heat the country cools down making the outbacks a good place to spend your travels if you want to meet crocodile Dundee. Or if you fancy snow, skiing and snowboarding you can check out the mountain ranges of Victoria and NSW. Its also during these cooler periods that the spring time flowers bloom, making the entire of Australia alive with color.

What to do on your trip:

Again like I said above, Australia is Huge. If you are used to being able to take a buss from one town to the next, then the immense size of the country is going to be a shock. Towns can be hours apart, and unless you are having a month long vacation, or are willing to only spend your entire holiday traveling, seeing all the great sights in one holiday is going to be impossible. When planning your traveling trip, make sure you group things together, going from one side of the country to the next is the same as traveling from LA to NY (And a lot more troublesome and expensive.)

holidays and events.

Like a lot of the world Christmas is a big deal for Australians, and is the hardest time to get hotel bookings or flights around the country. Everyone in the country goes on holiday, making all the tourist destinations backed with native people enjoying their own spectacular country.

The other big event down under is the art festivals which attract people from all around the world, showcasing Australia’s Drama, dance and music. The best event could be the rock bands, or the Big Day Out, generally in January where both local and international rock bands shred some metal. Also on at the same time in the capital is the great Sydney festival, make up of open air concerts and great fireworks shows all through out the month.

Adelaide Festival of Arts starts in March every second year, every other year the Womadelaide, an outside event of food and dance. You can tickle your funny bone with the International Comedy Festival on April, the greatest international writers festival in on in August, and October hosts the Melbourne International Arts, a not to miss event. The few events that show the culture of the Aboriginal culture are held around September and June.

for people who prefer sport there are several events including the Darwin’s Beer Can Regatta hosted in July, boat racing with a difference, where the boats are made entirely out of beer cans. there is also the Alice Springs Henley-on-Todd Regatta in September, a boat race that is run on the dry bed of a river. Then there is the yacht race hosted in Sydney on Boxing Day, the open tennis championship in January, the grand Prix in March Football in the summer season, and finally the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November, which stops the entire country every year.

Money and economy.

The best way to send money in Australia is plastic. Australia is a country that as truly accepted the modern way of paying and cash is nowadays seen as a oddity, if you queue at any line, whether you are paying for petrol or a night in a hotel, you will be lucky if you see anyone using cash to pay for the goods. All major credit cards are accepted, Visa and MasterCard being the most accepted, and are necessary for hiring a car. Be informed that cards such as American Express are a lot less accepted.

debit cards are also widely used, highlighting that Australians love convenience. you can gain access to your cash from all over the world in any of the ATM’s around Australia as long as your card is connected to the international bank. Be aware that fees for using your card abroad varies from bank to bank

There is also the third option of buying travelers cheques. this has the advantage of a better exchange rate and can be replaced if lost or stolen. The charge for buying the cheques can be quite high (up to 1% of the total amount) and can also include additional commission. You will also need proof of identity when cashing them out.

General Money guide:

Currency: Australian Dollar
Money Tips

For people who are used to european and USA the amount of cash needed to spend down under will seem cheap, in particular food is very easy on the wallet. Include this with the fairly priced accommodation and if you don’t go excessive with the luxuries you can manage on $45.00 USD a day. If you decide to do a lot of traveling then you might want to budget for up to 150 USD if you are flying around the country.

Tipping in australia is generally not expected, but it is slowly becoming a courtesy to tip in the upmarket dining areas of Australia if the service given to you grants it (Generally 10-15% is a normal tipping charge) Taxi drivers will always be extreemly grateful for any spare change.

Traveling around australia.

the best way to travel the great distances between the towns in Australia is air travel. International ports can be found in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, all giving a great many connections to major Asian, European and American contacts. Even though this is convenient, due to Australian geography being remote the flights are often long and expensive. Also be aware that the flights are often fully booked, so booking early is a must. Has for internal flights these are often cheaper, discounts random and extensive.

buses are a second best way to travel around, with the Greyhound Australia bus company giving travel all around Australia. all though the prices are cheaper then by air, if you are traveling long distances be prepared for a large amount of, scenic, travel time.

Groups of travelers to Australia will often group together and hire a car, and this can be a efficient way to get around if you are lucky enough not to suffer any mechanical difficulties. The main road is highway 1, which sticks to the coast line of the country. Be careful for the super trucks that drive around; general rule of driving around Australia is to let anything bigger then you have ight of way.

Trains are the worst way to travel, and are hardly used, with very few places of transport and often the slowest and most expensive way to travel. Avoid unless you really need the small amount of extra comfort.

Security restrictions: on flight baggage.

All travelers to the country of Australia must be aware that there are restrictions on the amounts of liquids gels and aerosols allowed in on the passengers area of the air flight. Small containers of the items listed above (small is classed as below 100ml) are allowed if clearly visible inside a clear bag.

Luckily general country travel is not affected by these limitations.

This is a travel guide from international travel guides

Going against its cold name the country of Iceland is quickly changing into one of the worlds hottest traveling or holiday destinations. Now the world is shrinking this natural untouched land of volcanoes, glaciers, lava pools and mountain peaks is available to any would be traveler.

Any travelers to the country of Iceland will also be able to enjoy the countries large and varied culture and tradition. Holidaymakers on a tight budget might have problems here and will have to work harder then anywhere else, but even with the high prices in Iceland most travelers will be able to travel around this country with a bit of work

When to go:

Coming with the never ending days of dark, every year on the first of September, and the services offered from Iceland slowly grind to a halt. In all but the capital buses stop running, hotels and camping ground stop accepting people and effectively Iceland is closed until the holiday season comes back around May. But even though the mainland becomes impossible to reach due to lack of services available to a traveler, and even iceland’s spectacular wildlife disappears, the Puffins fly away and the whales swim off. But the fantastic scenery is always open, and if you can bear short days and cold weather, then you can grab one of the bus tours that still run from Reykjavík, and take in the sight of the Northern Lights

Weather

Surprisingly against its name and global position, Iceland isn’t that cold. The summers of Iceland average around 12 degrees celsius, warm but not boiling, all thanks due to the near by Gulf Streams. Winters are also milder then expected, being chilly but not freezing. Travelers planing trip to Iceland in the Spring months should be aware that the usual snow now melts into rain, though this isn’t cold or heavy. The higher altitudes and the north coast are colder then the rest of the country due to the arctic winds.

Holidays

The biggest celebration to the native Icelanders is Independence Day on the 17th of June. The events include colourful parades, music and dancing through the streets, free shows and all around celebration. The other lesser Icelandic celebrations are listed below:

Sjómannadagurinn: the first week of June and is a celebration for he seafarers, including events such as swimming contests, sea rescues and tug-of war matches.
Mid summers Night: 24th of June. The legend behind this minor holiday is the dew from the mid summers night has healing properties and to roll around in it can cure up to a massive 19 ailments.
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti: The celebration is the third Thursday of April, a large nationwide carnival celebrating the first day of summer.
Pjóðhátíð: A festival celebrated by the locals in August, an event filled with large outdoor camping and fires, dancing and singing, with plenty of feasting and drinking
Verslunarmannahelgi: also celebrated in August by parts of Iceland’s, events including barbecues, horse riding, family meetings, camping and large large amounts of drinking.

Cost and Money:

Because of the isolated nature of Iceland that makes its scenery so attractive, everything must be imported into the country. This makes the prices in the Northern country so expensive. For a full package of travel then 15000 USD per month isn’t unrealistic, but people who don’t have that kind of cash to splash will have to put in some work. If you can bring in your own sleeping bag, eat at snack bars instead of restaurants and travel around the country on bus passes then your costs will severely drop to a more manageable $50-60 USD a day, lowered even further if you can bring your own vehicle to Iceland.

Foreign cash is regularly accepted and you can convert travellers cheques, postal cheques and banknotes to the local currency at most banks, for a charge of 2.50 USD independent of the cash amount. Credit Cards are widely used with plastic being more popular then cash.

If you do go to the restaurants then tipping is not required, as the price is generally included with the meal. Though like everywhere in the world, additional tipping is never turned down.

Getting to Iceland

There are several airline companies flying from Europe and the USA. The two main companies Icelandair and British Airways can have up too five flights a week to and from the country. For a tighter budget you can try Iceland Express which gives daily flights. A less traveled roue is via the sea, taking one of the few ferries, though this can take a long period of time to reach your destination and can cost as much or more then a flight. If you do wish to go via sea then ferries all year round come from Hanstholm in northern Denmark, with a two day rest on the Faroe Islands

Traveling around Iceland

Traveling through the country via air travel is the only real travel around the country, especially in winter when snow and ice storms can cover the entire country and stops most other forms of travel. In the warmer more mild summer months daily flights go to most major destinations, which are reasonably price if you book in advance over the web. Railway systems are none existent and Ireland’s roads are the worst in Europe. Luckily the bus system, Bifreiðastöd Íslands does a good if inconvenient job of giving cheap accessible travel around the country.

Car rentals are found in all the major town, yet are expensive when petrol prices, car insurance and extra miles are added onto the price. Biking around Iceland is also unrecommended, as even though bike rental places can be found in the capital and some major towns, the roads in Iceland’s are rough and unpaved. On a more positive note there are many tours both government run and private which can take any traveler to the best places in Iceland.

This Article is from international-travel-guides.co.uk

The name itself, London, ringing in the ears of any who visit, showing its history of might. The capital is filled with entertainments to enthrall day or night. It can both seem intimidating and humbled, prosperous and failing inside the same breath. the city of London is filled with lower class people surrounded by amazing riches.

It is a mix of both the working and higher classes, high profile business men next to beggars on the street. The Traditional English culture, as well as modern sights are on offer for any travelers coming to the town of London. But in this jumbled mess, of the Big Ben, Tate Modern, Pete Doherty and the upcoming 2012 London olympics, it all fits together securely.

The Capital of London can cater for Travelers all year round, with only the minority of the attractions closing for much of the year. Due to the infamous rainy English weather there are chances of cloudy and wet weather all year round. The summer months of June to August are generally your safest bet, but this isn’t set in stone and generally the prices and crowds are bigger at the time as well

Weather

The Weather of London, and of the United Kingdom in general, can at best be described at… unpredictable, many blaming global warming on the bursts of heatwaves and wet storms. It is true that summer are seeing all time records nearing the 40 degree mark (Celsius). This can cause problems for would be travelers as the smog and the underground trains are equipped to deal with such new found heat.

Though global warming don’t seem to be having any real effect on the averages of the capital of London, Travelers enjoying a comfortable 23 Degree average, dropping to 2 degrees at night in the winter.

For anyone traveling to London to experience a ‘white winter’ will be sorely disappointed. Even though there as been several cases of snow over the winter months, it very rarely reaches the right temperature for freezing, even during the winter nights

As a summary of London’s weather can be described with one word: Extreme. Hot summers and wet Winters.

Active activities in London
For those of use who like a more active lifestyle, London can offer several ways to plan on an active holiday, not including the facilities that will be added for the 2012 London Olympics.

Paddle boating

There are a multitude of places to hire a pedal boat and go boating around the waters of Hyde park

Cycling

London embraces biking, so finding a place to hire a bike isn’t a huge problem, with a multitude of parks and bike rides. Be warned though that using cycling as a form of travel through the traffic is extremely hazards and should only be done by an experienced traffic cycler.

Swimming

For those who prefer to go inside the water instead of over it, London offers a multitude of open air and indoor facilities. If normal swimming isn’t your thing, then take a trip down to the relaxing spas.

Horse riding

The paths of Hyde park is the place to follow this noble sport, and travelers can hire the horses by the hour and follow the hoof prints of Aristocrats of old.

Gym

A sad thing about the hotels of London is the lack of Gym facilities available to a traveler. If your hotels is also missing a place to work out, you can try the Oasis Sports Centre located in Covent Garden, offering some of the worlds best in gym equipment.

Roller skating

Something that is missing from many capitals, there are large groups of roller skating enthusiasts that can be found in the Hyde park. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, head over to the Wellington Arch every Friday.

Walking
Again it is Hydes park that provides the bulk of places to go for this type of exercise, displaying an impressive array of walks. For a quieter time you might want to consider Regents Park

Events and Holidays in London

If you plan on visiting on any of the important public holidays: New year, Easter, Bank holiday, Christmas and boxing day, you might find that shopping becomes a little harder, since most businesses of all kinds close on these day. Luckily though there are generally some shops open due to the amount of cultures and religions that are accepted and present inside London.

London, due to its cultural acceptance and size, has a large array of Festivals around the year. It all starts off on new years eve with the spectacular fireworks and trafalgar square party. On pancake day travelers can find pancake eating contests at the Covent Garden, and the world famous London marathon is held in May, followed soon after by the colours and excitement of the FA cup held later in the month. On the last week of May the flower show is held displaying the skill of all the flower growers who could make it to the event.

The queens birthday parade is the next event held, the Trooping the Colour festive is held in June, to be quickly followed by the spectacular tennis that Wimbledon gives, coinciding with the London pride parade, Europe’s biggest homosexual and lesbian celebration.The next even is in August, the west ends Notting Hill Carnival, also held in the Hyde park. The month of September gives two festivities, the first being the open house day, where 500 of London’s highest profile closed buildings open their doors for a day. The second is a celebration of the splendid river Thames.

In the winter months things start slowing down, that main events being the many bonfires found around the 5Th of November for Guy Fawkes Night, and the Lord Mayor’s Show in November , a festivity filled with fireworks floats and bands. finaly the Trafalgar square lights up with the magic of Christmas when the Christmas lights are switched on, giving way to the Near years celebration where it all start over again.

Current Security cautions

After the 7/7 London bombings of 2005, the English government rates the thereat from terrorism as severe. Any travelers coming to London should keep an eye on any news and make arrangements for large amounts of delays when traveling to London, and remember that there are a few air luggage restrictions in place, though over the years these are starting to relax, you should check in advance on the official website to avoid any problems at the airport.

This Article is from international-travel-guides.co.uk

But luckily for a sufferer, there are ways to combat and destroy this phobia, all depending on your exact condition. There are certain ways to allow yourself to fly on planes, without the use of expensive therapies or medicines

Before you start reading you should be sure that your fear of flying isn’t due to another phobia. Many people suffer from fear of flight due to other conditions such as claustrophobia or vertio. If this is the case then you should work on combating this fear, the root cause, rather then the symptom of fear of flying.

The first thing to do is research. Many people who have a fear of flying have a lack of trust in the airplanes themselves, or new threats such as terrorism or hijacking. So research is one of the main medicines you can use to combat the phobia. Here is a list of things to research that might alleviate your concern:

Number of air hours pilots must have before pilots are allowed to fly commercial airplanes.
The kind of training a pilot must go through.
The requirements for any flight attendances: Emergency procedures, taking care of passengers etc etc.
The performance record of the plane you are planning on flying on.
What safety mechanisms does the plane have built in
How many crashes have there been versus the number of uneventful flights.
How many terrorist events have there been over the past year, five years?

If you do enough research (and remember not to believe everything found on the Internet) then you should find enough information to sooth any worries.

The next thing you can do is during the flight sooth yourself. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, a small pillow and try talking to the other passengers on employees. If you are still not at ease, take a portable music play and some headphone with your favorite calming music. Even if you don’t have a music player take some headphones, since many airplanes have activities which require the use of these, which to use you would otherwise need to buy them, which can be expensive.

Bring anything that will help keep your mind off the flight: Music, games books anything to make you forget that you are on a plane and is hand held.

It is also important to bring headphones. If you have a portable music player, then choose your favorite soothing, relaxing songs and let your mind drift away from the fact that you are on a flight. If you do not have a music player, bring the headphones anyway. If your airline offers in-flight movies, TV shows, games, or any other services of that sort, they will often not include headphones and you may have to pay for them.

If none of those ideas would keep you amused enough to overcome your anxiety, then bring a good book. Bring whatever you need in order to distract yourself from the flight.

Another none medicinal method is joining a support group for fear of flight sufferers. these clinics are designed to help relax and clam you down and reassure you that everything will go fine with any flight you may take. This has the added benefit of not being alone while you are working through your fear, since this phobia of fear of flight is not uncommon. Be sure to look up any clinics that might be in your area.

The main thing you should do is ask yourself what scares you about flying, and then take steps to conquer this fer, with either research or a support group. Welcome any methods with open arms since flying is a convenient way to travel all round the world and missing out due to a fear is a shame. Be sure to try and distract yourself while traveling in the air and you should soon be at your holiday destination ready to have a great time!

This Article is from international-travel-guides.co.uk

When planning to travel to Hawaii, one of the biggest decisions you can make is deciding which island to base your get away from. Whether you are traveling alone or with an entire generation the island you pick to visit while on holiday in Hawaii, with travels to different islands as different as separate holidays. Due to the fact that Hawaii is a great place to stay I’ve visited all of the 6 main islands extensively, taking in all of the experiences and sights. I have made up my favorites, but the diversity of the islands in the 50th state of Hawaii means that any of the six islands can be the perfect holiday for someone else.

Below there is a quiz. This asks questions about the 4 main islands of Hawaii: Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai(Even though there are six islands 99% of the travelers to Hawaii will ever visit the islands of Lanai and Molokai) You will need a method of writing down or noting down any scores each of the islands of Hawaii score ( A piece of paper and a pen is the simplest way.). First you will read the 22 questions, and ask your self for each question is this what you are looking for in a holiday to Hawaii? If the answer is yes add the corresponding points to each island.

After you get to the end of the quiz, add of the numbers together, and compare the totals. Generally the island with the highest score could be your perfect travel destination.

Answer only the following (Questions 1-22) that apply to your travel group.

Question One: Volcanoes
Ranging from magnificent hot lava to long extinct craters Hawaii has a large amount to offer to anyone interested in the natural power of the volcanoes. Keep in mind that if you want to see actual Lava, the Big island is the only island that offers this.
Score:
Big Island *19*
Maui *14*
Oahu *7*
Kauai *5*

Question 2:Romance and Love.
Are you looking for a honeymoon trip, a place to spend some time with your significant other, or looking for that perfect proposal? If so then welcome to Hawaii! All of the islands offer romantic places and is one of the worlds hottest travel destinations for romantic couples.
Score:
Kauai *13*
Big Island *11*
Maui *8*
Oahu *4*

Question 3: Hiking and walking outdoors.
No matter where you go there are hiking paths all around the islands of Hawaii. There are numerous ‘unexplored’ trails in a variety of styles from lush jungle to coastal trails
Score:
Kauai *16*
Big Island *13*
Maui *10*
Oahu *4*

Question 4: Beaches and Swimming:
Hawaii boasts a large collection of the worlds best beaches, perfect for any holiday maker who loes the sand, which all over the islands comes in a variety of colors, yellow, white, green black or ven the famous red sand.
Score:
Maui *12*
Big Island *9*
Kauai *7*
Oahu *7*

Question five: Warm weather:
Due to it’s location, Hawaii has a altogether warm and clear weather all over its islands. Though do remember that the windward’s part of each landmass inside the Hawaii group is susceptible to showers, though some of the islands are less wet then others.

Points - Big Island (11), Maui (10), Oahu (8), and Kauai (6)
Score:
Big Island *12*
Maui *11*
Oahu *9*
Kauai *7*

Question 6:Kayaking:
If you love the sport of Kayaking, then you will be satisfied by many of the islands of Hawaii, with the special places you can practice the sport.
Score:
Kauai *13*
Big Island *9*
Maui *5*
Oahu *3*

Question 7: If you are a budding historian then you will be satisfied in Hawaii. Travelers to the islands can find a diverse and preserved history waiting to be discovered by holiday makers.
Score:
Oahu *11*
Big Island *10*
Kauai *9*
Maui *9*

Question 8: The natural world of flowers.
Along with the great hiking that Hawaii has to offer, these trails can contain some of the greatest and most amazing wildlife and fauna of the world. These include several types of creature and flowers that only appear on these islands.
Score:
Kauai *13*
Maui *`11*
Big Island *9*
Oahu *4*

Question Nine:
If you love the art of fishing in clear cool ponds or deep sea then Hawaii will have several places of interest.
Score:
Big Island *9*
Maui *`6*
Oahu *3*
Kauai *1*

Question Ten: Diverseness
Some of the islands of Hawaii that have a large diversity in in the geography that makes you feel like you have traveled the world by just moving from one side to the other. Others do not have this feature, being universally the same all over the island.
Score:
Big Island *17*
Maui *`12*
Kauai *8*
Oahu *7*

Question Eleven: Family entertainment
If you are a family looking for a holiday to the legendary travel destination then you’ll be glad to know that a few of the islands contain a variety of amusements and zoos.
Score:
Oahu *15*
Maui *`11*
Big Island *9*
Kauai *8*

Question Twelve: Golfing:
Hawaii also caters for the golfer, containing a good many golf courses over the islands, all at world class standard.
Score:
Oahu *2*
Maui *16*
Big Island *10*
Kauai *6*

Question Thirteen: Luxury Dining:
There are many post and expensive places to eat all over the Hawaii islands, but some are a lot better then others at serving fancy food to a traveler. If you don’t care that much about the food you eat then don’t answer this question
Score:
Maui *13*
Oahu *10*
Kauai *5*
Big Island *4*

Question Fourteen: General Dining:
For a more general eating style, closer to the fast food restaurants of home, the islands also accommodate. If you prefer fancier eating you should miss this question and answer the one above.
Score:
Oahu *13*
Maui *10*
Big Island *9*
Kauai *7*

Question fifteen: National parks:
If beautiful park are the kind of thing you like then Hawaii contains many, including natural historic sites and parks around the volcanoes of Hawaii containing a large variety of flowers and plants.
Score:
Big Island *16*
Maui *11*
Oahu *7*
Kauai *7*

Question sixteen: Hawaii Nightlife
If you love nightclubbing and late night parties, Hawaii can offer you entertainment. Even though officially the state shuts down after dark, the island of Points - Oahu in particular can keep going for the all night long traveler.
Score:
Oahu *15*
Maui *8*
Big Island *5*
Kauai *2*

Question Seventeen: privacy:
Many people go traveling to avoid the hustle and bustle of city, so you might want to choose one of the less populated islands, allowing you to hear yourself think
Score:
Oahu *1*
Maui *2*
Big Island *10*
Kauai *16*

Question eighteen High-class Shopping

Some of the globes best shops are found on the islands of Hawaii, offering the biggest names and brands in what may seem a remote and unconnected are. If you are looking for any type of shopping then you should skip this question and add the score on for the next question for general shopping
Score:
Oahu *13*
Maui *8*
Big Island *6*
Kauai *4*

Question nineteen: General Shopping
the islands of Hawaii don’t just offer high end shops to the travelers and holidaymakers, with a large amount of shops selling the perfect souvenirs. If you want more expensive gifts you should skip this question and answer the above.
Score:
Oahu *14*
Maui *12*
Big Island *9*
Kauai *7*

Question Twenty: Scuba or Snorkeling:
Due to the fact Hawaii is a group of island the potential for Scuba or Snorkeling is immense, and many people come to the islands just to experience this.
Score:
Maui *12*
Big Island *9*
Kauai *6*
Oahu *7*

Question Twenty One Water sports
For the Surfers, the waves of the Hawaii islands is a year round wave machine, available even during the winter months.
Score:
Oahu *16*
Maui *12*
Kauai *5*
Big Island *3*

Question Twenty two: Whale Watching:
Surprisingly to some, Hawaii has the amazing fortune to be near groups of Humpback whales, something very few holiday locations can offer. Remember that if you wish to see these whales then you must plan your holiday around the October-May period, the peak time for sightings being around the months of Dec-April.
Score:
Maui *12*
Big Island *8*
Kauai *5*
Oahu *4*

Points - Big Island (7), Maui (11), Oahu (3), and Kauai (4)
Now add you all your points, and use this to help you make your decision on which island to visit during your Hawaii holiday.

This Article is from international-travel-guides.co.uk

A bright and beautiful area of rock cliffs, and southern European relaxed living as been in the past destroyed by a totalitarianism regime. But for any would be travelers to the the Modern day Albania will find a country filled with sunny Mediterranean beaches, welcoming people and a vivid art explosion reminiscent of the renaissance in Tirana, capital of Albania.

The country of Albania is located on the Southeast shore of the Adratice Sea, a tiny land mass bordered by Montenegro, Serbia, Greece and Macedonia. Albania’s history is long and vicious, ranging from the trail of destruction the passing of the ancient roman general Julius Ceasar and his army left behind, to the recent years of totalitarianism regime. But nowadays there has been a sharp turn around, with Albania offering hospitality reminiscent of the medevil period, like a king. The residents of Albania now offers both the traditional Mediterranean experience for any traveler, but also mixed in with a variety of cultures and landscapes.

Albania is a struggling country, one of the poorest in Europe, partly due to lack of tourism advertisement and a lack of infrastructure available for possible travelers. But luckily for Albania this is quickly changing. Even though many guides on the country will state facts like the lack of ATM’s in the country, this is no longer true, with the country quickly modernizing.

If you want to see the great scenery this Mediterranean country as to offer, then the Northern area of Albania, the area where boats take rides along the large man made river between Komani and Bajrum Curri is where you should begin. The start of the rides, Komani, can be reached easily enough by road, but be sure to get there early since the boat leaves at 9 and 10am and takes 2-4 hours to cross the lake. When you cross the lake you end up half and hour from the town of Bajram Curri, which makes a great base for exploring the nearby mountains since this town provides basic accommodation. When you wish to return you can either go by a number of roads, or back via the boat (Which departs at 6am)

for the budding historians, you can head towards Butrint. Not only is it filled with historical events of the country, but the area is hardly explored giving the feeling of excitement on wonder. Nothing is marked or written down, so unless you are extreemly experienced with the place, hiring a good guide is necessary and many English speaking guides can be brought for a fair price, who will take you though the ruins and explain the historical important of various places.

The capital city of Albania, Tirana, is mostly a small center of buildings best looked around on foot. This doesn’t mean though it has nothing to offer for a traveler. The architecture of Albania contains a mix of Italian and Turkish style, due to the fact it lies between both of the countries. The Skënderberg Square is also worth a look since from the large empty space you can see Mt. Dajti, the 5,030 ft mountain, on the Eastwards side. But even with these attractions, there is a small feeling of a dusty town, even with its many museums. This is quickly getting better, but at the time of writing this article there isn’t enough to keep a holiday maker at the capital.

The next stops should be Durrës, Shkoder and Butrint, three towns filled with historical important, including the oldest town in Europe, a large roman Amphitheater, and the ruins of Butrint are a magnet for Greek artifacts.

Gjirokaster is a small town on the way towards the southern Greek border, and is worth a day or two with spectacular sights, having been the home of the writer Ishmail Kadare, and dictator Enver Hodja. When you enter the city be sure to get a cab to take you ‘to the old city’ this is the area high in the mountains, offering great English speaking guest houses which overlook the valleys below. Try to avoid the new city since this is just a block of houses and is often filled with construction work, which can spoil the Albanian experience of this town for any would be traveler.

The best time to visit Albania is during the months of May and October, since like many Mediterranean countries it has boiling summers and freezing winters.

But even though the negatives of traveling to Albania, there are many great things to see and do, for those who are looking for rough beautiful scenery, and towns and ruins steeped with historical importance. Even more surprisingly is the amount of welcome and friendship from its natives, even though most of the country’s people is in poverty. Not only will your trip help a growing country that is starting to become a hot holiday destination, but also give you a lifetime of great memories and experiences.

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Tickets can be purchased at the ring or, for a 20% surcharge, at one of the agencies on Calle Victoria, just off the Puerta del Sol. Most corridors start in late afternoon, and the best fights of all — the world’s top displays of bullfighting — come during the three weeks of consecutive daily events that mark the feast of San Isidro, in May. Tickets can be tough to get through normal channels, but are always available from scalpers on Calle Victoria and at the stadium. You can bargain, but even Spaniards pay prices of perhaps 10 times the face value — up to EUR 120 or more.

Places can be brught at the stadium, or for 20% extra at one of the many agencies. Most will begin in the late evening, and the best of all bullfights will be shown during the feast of San Isidro, in May. Tickets can sometimes be hard to get, and many have to be brought from individuals. Look around for a good deal, but remember that even the native Spaniards will pay up tom 120 EUR or more to get into a heavily anticipated bullfight.

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Day one of your Madrid holiday

On the first day, spend the morning looking through the gallery of the Museo del Prado at the masterworks and take a tour (There are many on offer) of the Paseo del Prado, past the great fountains of the Plaza de la Cibeles and Fuente de Neptuno. Have lunch around the area of the Plaza anta ana. Then walk through the Puerta del Sol to reach Madrids times square, the area the natives of Spain gather to ring during the new year. From there head towards the plaza Mayor. Then rush behind the magnificent modern Iron and glass Mercado de San Miguel, cutting through the small Calle Puñonrostro and Plaza de la Villa, keep going until you reach the brilliant church of San Nícolas de los Servitas moving onto the Plaza de Oriente, where there are many tours going around the Teatro Real and Palacio Real area. If you decided to take a holiday during the summer months you can now sit at a terrace table at El Ventorrillo (Found in the southern area of Calle Bailén’s Viaducto) to take in the wondrous Spanish sunset. To finish off you can try one of the many tapas bars found at the Cava de San MigueL.

Day two of your Madrid holiday

On day two, start out at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, famous for its works of Picasso’s art. Have a quick lunch at the Cava Baja, found at La Latina, then call in at the close by Basílica de San Francisco el Grande. If your hunger for art isn’t satisfied yet. you can venture into the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza finishing the day with a walk at sunset around the Parque del Buen Retiro area.

Day Three and four of your Madrid Holiday

If you are lucky enough to have more then two days to travel to the great capital of Spain, follow the step above on your first two days, and then on day number three go visit either the Toldedo, or the Segovia for the day. When you reach day four, use this day to take a break the art galleries and walk around the wonderful neighborhoods of Plaza Santa Ana, Chueca, taking a lunch break at the lovely Calle Barbieri and Calle Libertad. Task a brisk stroll from Centrode Conde Duque to the Templo de Debod, to catch a great view of the setting Spanish sun. Finnish off your four day holiday by having a small drink on any of the terraces on Calle Rosales.

More then four days in Madrid

If you are planning on having more then a four day holiday, there is still much to see, whether spending an entire day shopping at the Salamanca neighborhood, or any of the other tens of galleries of art on offer. Look out for shows and concerts to be done, and spend a little time at any of the nightclubs that can be found

The next part of this guide will cover a guide about the bullfighting shows in Madrid.

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The sword fighting Madrid feels like a never ending party, calibrating the joy of life. Spain, after being trapped under a totalitarian regime for the most of the last century, feels like country born again, becoming a vivid player on the world stage, its growth unseen since the 16th century, when playwrights and painters would travel to preform at Madrid’s royal courts. A crossing point for Iberia, the Spanish capital of Madrid as become a city with a large hunger for art music and epicurean joys.

When you first arrive in Spain and Madrid, and the first breath of fresh cool mountain air reaches your lungs, the first thing to strike you is the large empty beautiful sky’s legendary in the famous painting of Spain. “From Madrid to Heaven (Or “De Madrid a cielo” in Spanish.) is the saying of the area, andif you enter the Two thousand foot high castilian plateau, it really does feel as if the heavens are reaching down to touch you. Perfect can be the only description of this area of grey spired 16th century Hasburg churches, and the red tiled Medejar churches which made Madrid the famous capital it is today.

One of the main attractions of the Spanish capital is the artistic collection that can be found inside the many galleries that cover the capital. King Carlos one, who lived 58 years, is the main reason so much of Europe’s art came into possession of Spanish galleries (at that time most of Europe was under some kind of Spanish control at the time of his rule, and this is why many French, German, Italian and Dutch artist now have their works of art inside the Spanish galleries. There are tens of galleries all around the capital, containing thousands of pieces of art, more then any person could hope to look at and contemplate in a lifetime.

Noways Madrid spread far eastwards into the 19th century area of Barria de Salamanca and compasses Northwards to the houses of Chamberi and chamartin. But it is the old Madrid that should be explored in detail on foot, the center of Madrid. Between the midtown forest and the royal Palace is the area known as the Parque del Buen Retir. These neighborhoods are a brilliant stage to show Madrid’s greatest resources, the people of Spain. Whether at play or work their constant energy drives the town into a great holiday experience.

When To Go

As the highest capital in Europe, Madrid is hot in summer and freezing in winter, with temperate springs and autumns. Especially in winter — when steamy café windows beckon you inside for a hot caldo (broth) and the blue skies are particularly bright — Madrid is the next best place to heaven.

With the highest altitudes of a capital in Europe. Madrid can be boiling in the summer and freezing in the winter, with average autumns and springs. Surprisingly for some, the winter can be the best time to visit, with restaurants that can beckon with hot beverages and foods against the cold weather, and the breathtakingly clear blue sky above can make Madrid seem like a heaven on earth for travelers

The next part of this guide will cover a guide about a short stay to Madrid.

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When you enter a store, look and smile at the owner, acknowledge that he/she is there. If something catches your eye, quietly and politely ask for the price (A deal is more likely is if you are polite and the entire shop don’t know about it.) Then counteroffer just below what you want. Don’t go too low, generally anything under 30% can be seen as an insult, since sellers will price their wares in a range that seems fair to them.

If a counter-counter offer is still too high, give another big smile and ask “Can you discount it a little more?” If the answer is still no, say thank you and walk away. If you don’t get called back, the price wasn’t negotiable and perhaps 300B for the item wasn’t a bad deal after all.

Traveling the canals of Bangkok

in the past the Krung Thep was known as the Venice of the East, but since then many of the cancels that once made this waterway unique have been paved over. Several canals, or Klongs remain, and traveling among these is one of the attraction of Bangkok. Over the last ten years these have gradually been cleaned up to introduce more travelers to the city, with the water no longer thick and black. In the magnificent long tail boats that cruise down the rivers have two advantages. Firstly you beat the heavy traffic of the roads. Secondly you get to see the people of Bangkok, with its houses on stilts.

A great introduction to the canals, and the entire of Bangkok, is a Chao Phraya tourist Boat day pass. An absolute bargain at B70 (1.17 GBP) it lets you ride on their boats for an entire day. These boats also offer you the advantage of running English commentary while going from place to place, including Historical place of interest and how to visit them on land. Maps and booklets of the river are included, which can be helpful for the explorer traveler. there are many piers along the river, and you can gt on and off whenever you wish with the day pass.

A more expensive option is to hire a private boat to guide you through the cannels of Bangkok, and experience usually lasting 2 hours stopping at various places. The private boats cost on average B600 (9.49 GPB)

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