วันพุธ, กันยายน 17, 2008
ที่
10:17 หลังเที่ยง
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Although I love the city the summer always makes me itch to get out into the country. So I called up my friend Karel with whom I had helped organize a conference many years ago and asked him if he would mind getting together in his neck of the woods near Burlington for a country driving tour of the Niagara Escarpment. Since we had not seen each other for a couple of years it was a great opportunity to catch up and enjoy a beautiful drive at the same time.
So we met this morning on a parking lot just off Guelph Line in the north end of Burlington. I parked my car and off we drove in Karel’s convertible. We drove north into the green countryside and up a slope to get to our first destination: a nature area called the Mount Nemo Conservation Area. We parked the car and walked about 15 minutes eastwards through a forest until we reached a steep cliff and a lookout point that offered a beautiful 180 degree view over the rolling farm country that was sprawling far below us.
The Niagara Escarpment is a geological formation that extends from western New York State through Ontario to Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. It originated as a result of unequal erosion where a top layer of harder and more resistant dolomitic limestone overlays more easily eroded shale. The gradual erosion of the shale leaves behind cliffs of resistant cap rock. The limestone itself stems from an ancient tropical sea and contains some of the most astounding fossils of the Ordovician-Silurian geological era.
In Ontario, the Niagara Escarpment features the Bruce Trail: Canada’s oldest and longest footpath that extends over 800 km (with side trails) from Niagara Falls in the South to Tobermory in the north. The entire area has been designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve due to its unique fauna and flora. The Bruce Trail itself is marked by white blazes (white markings about 8 cm high and 3 cm wide) and is maintained by the Bruce Trail Association while side trails are marked by blue blazes.
One of the Niagara Escarpments distinguishing features are the many lookout points on the rocky outcroppings over an otherwise rather flat area. In addition, the Niagara Escarpment has dozens of waterfalls where streams and rivers tumble over the limestone cliffs. The most famous of these waterfalls is of course Niagara Falls which is also reachable on a side trail from the Bruce Trail.
The Niagara Escarpment’s unique natural environment includes many bird species (some of them endangered) such as the Bald Eagle, the Red-Shouldered Hawk, the Black Tern and the Hooded Warbler. Rare reptiles and amphibians also live in the area, for example the Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake and the North Dusky Salamander. 37 species of orchids have been found in the northern parts of the Escarpment, including the Calypso Orchid, the Ram’s-head Lady Slipper and Alaska Rein Orchid. Considering that about 7 million people live within close proximity the biological diversity in this unique area is astounding.
We started walking on a trail right at the edge of a cliff and Karel informed me that the Niagara Escarpment is extremely popular with rock climbers. I wanted to take a good snapshot of the cliffs and crevices, but my fear of heights and the shear vertical drop prevented me from exploring the very edge of the cliff. The many caves are also popular with spelunkers. We walked about 20 minutes northwards and had a beautiful view towards Rattlesnake Point, another rocky outcrop along the Niagara Escarpment. Then we took a side trail back through the forest to the parking lot and continued our drive.
About ten minutes further north we stopped in the village of Lowville to have a look at Lowville Park. The Sixteen Mile Creek slowly meanders through the park and nature trails branch off from the parking lot area. Right next to the park is the Lowville Bistro, a recently renovated restaurant that offers upscale casual dining, a licensed outdoor patio, an ice cream parlour and take-out. The town itself dates back to the early 1800s and was developed after the Mississauga Land Purchase. The descendants of some of these early settlers still live in the village today. 36 historic buildings and a Pioneer Cemetery still bear witness to this once thriving rural community.
Leaving Lowville behind we headed straight north to another conservation area in the Halton Region Conservation System: Crawford Lake features a so-called meromictic lake, a deep body of water where different layers of water do not intermix. This creates an oxygen-poor environment that is not conducive to living organisms. As a result, archeologists are able to drill core samples of soil from the lake bed that date back several centuries. One of these drillings led to the discovery of corn pollen and the conclusion that there was once an Indian village in the area. Subsequent archeological digs confirmed the presence of a native settlement.
A 15th century pre-contact Iroquoian Village has been reconstructed on its original site and features two wooden longhouses that contain sleeping quarters, a fire pit and storage areas for tools, animal hides and food. Guides provide explanations of the lifestyle of the Iroquois tribes that inhabited this area. This conservation area is a popular destination for school children and summer camps and during our visit several groups of young people were enjoying themselves in the grassy areas in front of the long houses.
The Niagara Escarpment is just full of protected nature areas, and just 10 minutes north of the village of Campbellville is another nature area: the Hilton Falls Conservation Area features excellent hiking, mountain biking and cross-country ski trails in the area. More than 30 km of woodland trails weave their way around the Hilton Falls Reservoir and a 10 metre high waterfall cascades over the Niagara Escarpment. Across the road from Hilton Falls is the Kelso / Glen Eden Conservation Area whose highlights include a sandy beach as well as 22 kilometres of trails for mountain bikers and 12 slopes for downhill skiers.
We continued our drive south to the Town of Milton, which according to the 2006 Census, is the fastest growing community in Canada. The population of Milton has grown by more than 70% between 2001 and 2006 and stands about 56,000 people now. Milton dates back to the 1820s when English settlers Jasper Martin and his wife Sarah were granted 100 acres of land from the Crown.
Martin built a grist mill along Sixteen Mile Creek and also created a pond, Mill Pond, which is still in existence today and has become a popular recreation area for local residents with its walking trails and the gazebo that overlooks the water.
Main Street in downtown Milton still speaks of its Victorian heritage, old City Hall, the Post Office Building and several other churches and secular buildings date back to the mid to late 1800s. Many restaurants and cafés have sprung up in the downtown core which beckon visitors to sit down and relax on some of their outdoor patios.
From the quaint town of Milton we headed northwest towards a small village called Aberfoyle, north of Highway 401. Karel suggested that we have lunch at the local Aberfoyle Mill, an actual mill that was converted into a restaurant in 1966. Aberfoyle itself was first settled in the 1840s and is famous for its Aberfoyle Spring Water.
The Aberfoyle Mill itself was built by a Scottish immigrant by the name of George McLean in 1859 and even won a gold medal for its oatmeal at the 1867 World’s Fair in Pairs. After stopping operations in the late 1920s the mill was purchased by the Owens family in 1960 who then spent six years renovating it and turning it into one of the most unique country restaurants in Canada.
Karel and I sat down at a table on an elevated platform that overlooked the restaurant. Various farm implements and even an entire sled were suspended from the ceiling and the mechanism of the old gristmill was still visible in a stairway to the basement. I enjoyed a tender trout filet with garden fresh vegetables and rice while my friend and tour guide savoured his mixed grill. After our meal we walked around the entire mill and admired the scenic pond that was home to a group of Canada geese.
Then Karel introduced me to another famous destination in Aberfoyle: the Aberfoyle Antique Market, which although closed today, holds more than 100 vendors of antiques during market days and has become an extremely popular weekend destination for collectors.
One more nature area remained for us to explore: the Spencer Gorge Conservation area, north of the City of Hamilton. We parked our car at the entrance, paid the $5 day use fee by depositing cash in the self-serve box and started walking on the trail that would lead us to Dundas Peak. Just about 150 m from the parking lot we stopped to admire Tews Falls, a waterfall with a height of 41 m that is almost as high as Niagara Falls. The water level was pretty low since we have not had any significant rain fall in a while, but I could only imagine how picturesque this waterfall must be when the water level is higher.
A serene 20 minute hike with occasional views past the lush green trees into the Gorge took us to Dundas Peak, an elevated cliff with a platform of natural stone that provides a magnificent view of the Town of Dundas, the City of Hamilton and the Niagara Escarpment which encircles the entire area. The rocky platform is an overhang and with my fear of heights I made sure I stayed about two metres away from the edge since the edge of the rocks continues into a sheer vertical drop into the valley.
After our hike down we drove just a few minutes to Webster’s Falls which is also part of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area. Another waterfall was enchanting a group of children who were playing at the bottom of it. Picnic areas and grassy meadows surround the river on both sides and a unique stone bridge connects the parking lot with the waterfall.
At the end of this 20 minute walk we continued on towards the Town of Dundas which dates back to 1847. John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, named the town after Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, a good friend of his and a Scottish lawyer and politician who never even visited North America. Dundas still has a nice historic core that features an old Post Office and various other Victorian era buildings.
Karel proceeded to show me the remainders of the Desjardins Canal, a historic canal that was completed in 1837 and substantially promoted the growth of Dundas as a settlement, but was later overshadowed by the opening of the Great Western Railroad in Hamilton in 1854. Due to the railway’s stiff competition, the canal fell in disuse and in 1867 sediment blocked direct access to the town, making it unusable. Today, the canal has largely been forgotten, but there are some walking trails along the canal near Cootes Paradise, a large wetland area at the western end of Hamilton Harbour.
It was now after 5 pm and our driving tour had come to an end. Karel drove me back to my vehicle and I thanked him sincerely for his time and for sharing his local expertise of the Burlington, Milton and Dundas areas. We resolved that there were so many interesting places that we had not seen and that we would do another driving tour in the area in the next few months.
I was also a bit tired, but in no mood to get on the Queen Elizabeth Expressway during rush hour no less. So I drove all the way south to Lake Ontario and had a quick peek at the Burlington Waterfront which has been beautifully developed in recent years. Since dark clouds were starting to roll in I decided to postpone my explorations of Burlington for next time and embarked on a slow relaxing drive back to Toronto next to the Lakeshore. The western waterfront of Lake Ontario is very scenic with multiple public parks and stately older mansions with beautifully manicured gardens.
Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga will also remain to be explored next time.
About the Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new FREE ebooks about travel.
One of the must see places to visit while in New York City is the Broadway district, located in Manhattan. Broadway is great if you are on a New York City walking tour, because there is so much to see on this very long avenue that runs from north to south. While Broadway is most famous for its shows, you will see some wonderfully designed old buildings, restaurants of every stripe, landmarks and lots of shops.
The famous Flatiron Building sits regally at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. Built at the turn of the last century, it is a wedge-shaped 21-story office building that still attracts curious visitors. Officially called the Fuller Building, after George A. Fuller financed its construction, it was nicknamed the Flatiron Building because the shape of the foundation looked like a flatiron.
It is rumored to have helped coin the popular 1920s slang phase “23 Skidoo” (meaning get out of here) when men would gather at the building on a windy day to watch ladies skirts fly up in a gust of wind. The officers would shoo the guys away uttering “23 Skidoo”.
As you walk further up Broadway, you’ll spot one of the world’s most celebrated buildings – The Woolworth Building, located at 233 Broadway. The Building was commissioned by the wealthy merchant, Franklin Woolworth, founder of the F. W. Woolworth Company. Franklin Woolworth pioneered the concept of discount stores and got wealthy enough to pay over thirteen million dollars in cash for the building that bears his name. The Woolworth Building opened in 1913 and is a National Historic Landmark.
A short ten minute walk north will bring you to the famous Times Square – one of the most recognizable areas in the world. Your heart will skip a beat as you stand there at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Not only is this the famous theatre district, but you will be dazzled by the hustle and bustle of people, taxis, and so much to see and do. So, stand there a moment and take it all in.
If you are into people watching, this is the place to be. Sit down at a restaurant table, and watch all the interesting people walk by as you eat a nice meal. A famous place you might want to try out is The Rainbow Room, located just north of Times Square at Rockefeller Center. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Lindy’s deli is known to have some awesome New York style cheesecake.
If you get to Times Square early enough in the morning, you can stand outside the NBC Studios and wave to your family and friends as they tape their morning program. The younger crowd may enjoy a visit to the MTV studio, also located in this area.
A lot of people come to Times Square to see a theatre show and this is where you buy tickets. Savvy theatre goers with extra time on their hands can be found at the TKTS (Tee-Kay Tee-Ess) booth waiting in line for discount theatre tickets. There are two locations in the city. The Broadway booth is located at 45th and 47th streets. While there’s no guarantee of getting a ticket, you can buy tickets here for 25-50% off regular price.
After visiting shops for souvenirs, you might just pass by the Naked Cowboy (he performs in his underwear) strumming on his red, white and blue guitar and singing one of his original songs. Street performing or busking, is a long tradition in New York City. It certainly adds to the colorful atmosphere.
Continuting on your walking tour, you will reach Columbus Circle, which intersects Broadway, Central Park West and Central Park South. This is the first traffic circle ever built in the U.S. If you are a music and ballet lover, you’ll want to see the Lincoln Center, home to the Joffrey and American Ballet troupes, and hosts to many orchestras and special cultural events.
Exploring Broadway Avenue will definitely be a rich experience during your visit to New York City. You will see first-hand why Broadway is celebrated around the world as a hub of entertainment and excitement.
About the Author
Cruise the beautiful Hawaiian Islands – even if you’re on a budget http://www.last-minute-hawaii-cruise.com
Planning a trip can be exhausting. You finally decided to take a bus tour, which include the transportation, hotels, a well-planned itinerary, plus a travel expert who have the insider scoop and will guide you through the journey.
Nice, isn't it? You get on the bus, put down your luggage, kick back, and someone will take care of the rest. However, before getting on the bus, there is some homework for you to do. We have designed a five-step guide for you to easily find your perfect bus tour.
1. Going through a Travel Agency.
This is a world of collaboration. Instead of hitting tens and hundreds of different tour operators, a smart way will be going through a travel agency where you can compare all the tour itineraries, schedules and prices all in one stop. Online travel agencies have gone a long way to make it easy for travelers to search their trips efficiently by key words, times and locations. A lot of times travel agencies also offer additional discounts and promotional vacation packages for those who travel on a tight budget.
2. Knowing your Limits.
Before planning for a trip, ask yourself some questions: Where does the trip start? For how many days? Where are the places you want to visit? And how much do you plan to spend without breaking your bank? Most of the online travel sites allow travelers to search for trips by using the 3 Ds: Departure, Destination, and Duration.
Another question that is commonly neglected by travelers is “How intense the bus tour you want it to be?” Do you want to visit lots of places in a weekend getaway, or you want to take it slow by staying in one place? With an escorted tour, visiting a lot of attractions in a short amount of time maybe perfect for those who want to get the most out of their journey; however, not so much for those who prefer to relax and take their time. If you're not sure about the intensity of the tour, pick up your phone and call the agency to talk to a real person.
3. What is Included?
As the travel industry gets fiercely competitive, travel agencies are tightening their margins to attract more customers. It is not uncommon for travelers to find too-good-to-be-true travel deals with a little extra time and effort researching online. However, what you see is not always what you get. For a bus tour, transportation and accommodation are almost always included. Other factors you might want to take into account include: Does the tour provide airport/hotel pick-up? Which attractions are paid for and which ones are optional (admission fees not included)? Is the travel insurance included? What hotels are you staying in?
4. What Language Do You Speak?
This one seems obvious but is neglected very often. Most of travel agencies in the U.S. require tour guides who speak English. However, there are many tours out there that are guided by people who speak multiple languages. It is not uncommon to find someone who is trilingual and can guide a tour in fluent English, Spanish, and Chinese. For those who speak English as a second language, it could be nice to find a tour that is guided in your mother tongue. On the other hand, if you prefer the tour guide to speak one language instead of switching among five other languages, you might want to avoid multiple language tours.
5. Rules, Rules, Rules
Is there a refund policy? What is the cancellation policy? Do they take credit card or check? Visit the website and understand the legal aspect of the agency will not only protect you for your rights, but also give you some ideas of when and how you want to book a tour.
Afterall, knowing what to expect and plan ahead is always the safest way to enjoy your trip!
About the Author
Jill Wang is an Article Marketer for http://www.GotoBus.com, a leading online travel agency selling shuttle bus tickets, bus tours, vacation packages, sightseeing tickets and local activity passes at a competitive price
What do France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Chile, the United States of America, Romania, Germany, Portugal, Moldova, Hungary, South Africa, Croatia and Argentina have in common? Wine and wineries. These fourteen countries lead the world in the export of "vino."
Italy is second only to France in the production of wines, and it's all thanks to the famous region of Tuscany - or Toscana as the natives call it.
You'll find Tuscany in the center of Italy. The famous fashion capital Milan is far to the north, near the borders of France and Switzerland, while Rome is a little to the south. Tuscany is a jewel set between the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west and the Apennines mountain range on the east. It consists of ten provinces, including Pisa (famous for the Leaning Tower of Pisa). The capital city is Florence (and it is here that you will find the historic Uffizi Gallery.)
Wine making in Tuscany is just as historic as Italy's architecture and art. Indeed, it extends as far back as the beginning of time.
The History of Tuscany
Tuscany was first settled by the Etruscans in around 800 BCE, who quickly discovered the wild vines growing in abundance on the "sun-drenched" hills, and these grapes were carefully cultivated to improve their flavor.
Several varieties of grapes are grown in the region. Some of these grapes stand on their own when it comes to wine making - for example Cabernet Sauvignon comes only from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, and the Lambrusco grape produces a variety of dry red wines: Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, and Lambrusco Reggiano).
Other wines are a blend of grape varieties. The famous Chianti is a blend three grapes -two red: Sangiovese and Canaiolo, and Malvasia, a white. (Although, there's a story there. Until the 19th century Chianti was made only from the Sangiovese grape. A famous Italian statesman, Bettino Ricasoli, decreed that chianti should be made of the blend of three grapes. But since 1995 that practice has been dying out and most Chianti these days is again made only with the Sangiovese grape.)
The history of the evolution of a certain wine is just as fascinating as the history of the vineyards from which they come.
If you are a wine lover taking a vacation in Tuscany, you'll want to visit a vineyard or two. Or more! You'll find fourteen "wine roads" throughout the region - each one famous for the wine production from a particular type of grape. Follow each road and stop in at those companies and cellars which are open to the public.
Each of the provinces of Tuscany have at least one wine road - Florence and Grosseto have three each. Each road has its own sign system that indicates the wine it deals with, and the towns or places to stop of interest on it.
So renowned is Tuscany for its wine-making that several international travel firms offer tours devoted strictly to the wine lover. If you don't feel like exploring the Italian countryside on your own, one of these tours - with like-minded people, will be just the thing for you.
About the Author
Alastair Hamilton is a syndicated editor of http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . For additional information regarding tuscany vacations or Italy tours go to cycling in Italy
In the early 90’s, home buyers started heading out in a new direction to look for homes. It was this thing called the internet. It provided information, or at least held that promise, convenience and most important of all – it provided anonymity! The only problem was, in the early 90’s their just wasn’t a lot of information out there when it came to real estate and homes for sale.
Realtors started to catch on and along came the concept of “Virtual Tours”. Realtors wanted to provide potential home buyers, at least those using the internet, a way of touring the home from the comfort of their computer. They provided little in the way of information, since that is what Realtors hold dear and don’t want to give up easily.
Virtual tours started to pop up around the internet. In this first incarnation a virtual tour referred to basically a page on the internet that had a picture of the front of the home and perhaps some interior photos. This evolved later into a page of photos along with some music. There was more of a wow-factor for the seller to see their home showcased this way, but provided little for the buyer.
Then came “stitching” software. This allowed Realtors to take several photos (of the exterior for example) and “stitch” them together into a 180-degree panorama. These wide panoramas could then be put on the internet either as a still photo or, thanks to JavaScript, animated to move from side to side. Realtors were getting closer to the “Virtual Tour” concept.
After a little while, the idea of “stitching” photos progressed to the next logical step. Panoramas started showing up that were 360-degrees. This gave buyers a much more realistic impression of a home and it’s surroundings.
A company called iPIX truly revolutionized this concept though with it’s creation of true 360 by 360 stitching. This meant that you could have a virtual tour that went 360-degrees horizontally AND vertically. Buyers could now see those grand two-story foyers, staircases, the tops of trees and more! This was the true virtual tour, or was it?
Realtors may have finally delivered on their promise of Virtual Tours. In the last couple of years we have seen entire websites devoted to showcasing a listing of a home for sale. This gives potential home buyers the most amount of information possible. It meets all the requirements that they were looking for years ago when they first started flocking online. It provides information, more than they could possibly hope for, convenience and most important of all – it provides anonymity! The best home websites include an unlimited amount of photos, links to maps, local schools, mortgage information, property documents such as disclosures and surveys, the ability to schedule a viewing and even print of a brochure!
So, if you’re a home buyer, be on the lookout for these websites – they will truly give you a “Virtual Tour”. And if you’re considering selling your home, don’t just ask your Realtor if they provide virtual tours – ask them what kind of virtual tours! Virtual Tours have really come a long way. What’s next? Well, wait and see!
About the Author
Kris Kombrink has been working in his family-owned real estate business since 1995. Specializing in Geneva, St Charles and Batavia Illinois residential real estate his team stays on top of the latest trends while maintaining superior customer. Learn more about his team at http://www.kombrink.com
When Buenos Aires was still just a small cluster of buildings on the Rio de la Plata, a group of Franciscan monks, known as the Padres Recoletos, established a chapel and retreat in an area of the countryside north of the city. The Recoleta sanctuary marked the high ground of the Río de la Plata valley, which was why, in the second part of the 19th century – with crowded living conditions and stagnant water in San Telmo giving rise to a series of plagues – Buenos Aires’ richer citizens decided to flee their former barrio and move there instead.
Recoleta, to this day, is Buenos Aires’ most elite neighborhood, and, thanks in large parts to the efforts of the 19th century French landscaping artist Charles Thay, it has also remained green – a series of parks and plazas parallel Recoleta’s wide avenues and grace its belle-époque buildings with shady tree limbs. The neighborhood is arranged according to a gradient, with the most expensive real estate in the area immediately bordering Avenida del Libertador. The residential blocks surrounding Avenida Santa Fe, meanwhile, while still firmly upper-middle class, lack the former area’s ostentatiousness and forebodingness.
For a quick glimpse of the most ornate luxury environs in Argentina – typical of Avenida del Libertador posh – take a walk down Avenida Alvear. The Alvear Palace Hotel, with its chandeliered lobbies, is an example of Recoleta’s palacio architecture and is the city’s most exclusive five-star hotel.
Plaza Francia, at the end of the avenue, is more relaxed. It’s home to a weekend handcrafted goods fair and on the weekdays is a great place to sprawl out on the grass. The Centro Cultural Recoleta, on the Plaza, houses temporary art exhibitions which are normally of minimal cost or even free, and the Recoleta Cemetery is a must-see for visitors. You can find Evita’s tomb by looking at the map by the Cemetery’s entrance gate.
Avenida Santa Fe, meanwhile, is the place in Buenos Aires to go shopping. Shoes and clothing, by Argentine and international designers, are in plentiful supply – and at a fraction of the price they would cost in your home country.
About the Author
Scott Ferree is a translator and English instructor, as well as the study abroad coordinator for the Interhispanica Language School in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school is located in the Recoleta neighborhood, near Avenida Santa Fe: http://www.interhispanica.com.ar
Those that love all that Alaska has to offer can consider making their Alaskan cruise even more meaningful and amazing by taking on a land tour of the location as well as that of the by sea tour. There are many reasons to do this, if you have time and are more adventurous rather than just being the tourist. Alaska is a wilderness that is full of some of the most amazing landscapes and people. The culture and the view are two things well worth taking in to the fullest. With a land tour, you can experience more in depth what Alaska can offer to you.
The land tours will last a bit longer than a standard cruise line trip. They are going to cost a bit more as well for that same reason. Nevertheless, you will find many benefits from these land tours. You will be able to stay at various mountain lodges on land or in standard hotels if you would rather. There are also adventurous tours that you can take onto mountain trains or fishing expeditions into the wild waterways of Alaska. In addition, you can see first hand what life is life in Alaska and take in the culture of the people.
If you are looking to explore all that Alaska has to offer, then consider what you will find here. There are a wide range of experiences to be had from both your cruise ship as well as from the land tours. A true adventure into Alaska is not complete without a bit of exploring on the land. So, if you can not do the land tour, make sure that your cruise allows for more than a few shore adventures as well. This will allow you to experience a bit more of what Alaska has to offer to you.
To differentiate between tour operator and wholesale packages offered in the market today, it becomes imperative to focus on modules and features as well as your individual specific needs. The features that differentiate TOPAX Management from other competitive systems are: Generic B2B site for a complete on-line Internet booking system for travel agents and remote users, Broad Accounting module, Customer Information module - "Mini CRM" to handle customer contact information and to manage customer relations. Additional features include automatic queuing mechanism that allows users to manage and monitor the business flow, and Tour and Transfer Operation module (TTO) - manages collective PNR’s tour services such as guide and vehicle assignments based on collective size, guide qualifications, vehicles availability, etc. including documentation and profit and lost. From sales activity to profitability analyses and reporting, TOPAX allows you to rapidly get to the information you need, helping you to make the right decisions that keep your business one step ahead of your competitors. Now you can optimize your distribution, find cost effective alternate choices and cut margins. Integrated data-mining tools provide you with the reliance to trace the performance of your business, strengthening your immediate command on operations and financing, and helping you to improve your business processes. Using the smart report generator, TOPAX collates detailed facts for yield management, and presents the data with graphical clarity that gives you total control over your business - right down to the single transaction level.
The TOPAX software is loaded with customizable features and parameters that enable you to customize the application to your specific needs. Just select the required parameters and modules and you’ll be provided with a custom-built solution for the price of an off-the-shelf package. Using multi-level security, your partners can participate in your business activities, through various levels of authorization. Transactions always remain confidential, regardless of the number of operators using your system.
TOPAX Management has been developed using the latest, scalable technologies that combine simplicity of use with advanced processing power and connectivity to keep you at the cutting edge of the travel technology revolution. The solution incorporates leading edge Web-based technologies and Windows-style application screens. A dependable integration of client/server architecture, a relational database and graphical user interface provide users with assurance that their mission-critical solutions will perform well in the information-intensive travel environment.
TOPAX is a modular system that is scalable and cost-effective enough to fit any size of organization. Considered an all-encompassing application designed for companies in need of inbound and/or outbound tour operators platforms. It is a comprehensive platform that manages the entire business aspects of the tour operator operation, commercial, administration and activities. TOPAX is also the most value-added system on the market today. Whether domestic, regional or international, tour operators will find the TOPAX systems’ modules most essential for managing all phases of the business. This Tour Operator software can be used on an ASP model, where the user actually pays only low monthly fees. Formula Travel Solutions maintains the software on a central server location, and they use IBM reliable hardware. Internet access to the system is available for any authorized remote user, from anywhere, anytime, 24/7.
About the Author
By a freelance writer sponsored by http://www.formula-travel.com/. Formula Travel provides technology solutions for Tour Operators, Wholesalers and Airlines such as tour operator software. Please link to this site when using this article.
One of the main attractions of a vacation visit to Sydney, Australia, is the stunning views of Sydney Harbor. Why not enjoy this magnificent scene from the deck of a speeding jet boat or a more leisurely cruising sailboat?
There are quite a few companies offering boat rides on Sydney Harbor so you have a variety to choose from.
Sail boats are a nice way to go because they cruise along at a slower pace and allow you to really drink in the surrounding beauty of the harbor. You can chat with you friends, family and shipmates while sipping a cold drink and letting the ocean breeze blow through you hair.
Another way to go is getting on one of the fast jet boats that zip around the harbor and under the Harbor Bridge. Some of these boats have as much as 700 horsepower and the way they race and bounce across the waves you can fully expect to get your face wet. But no worries just put your face to the sun and dry off.
These speed boat rides will give you a thrill that rivals the best amusement park ride. The pilots will put the boat through fancy maneuvers like fish tails, spins and power-brake stops. So tighten up the safety vest as these boats can reach speeds approaching 50 miles per hour as they churn their way through the wake.
Another choice is a fishing cruise. Sydney Harbor provides superb access to the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the best fishing areas in the world. Whether you want to go out for a couple hours or all day, Sydney has no shortage of fishing cruise companies ready to ensure that you have a great fishing cruise.
Then there’s the always popular whale watching cruise. Here you can really relax and enjoy the adventure of spotting these great denizens of the sea. Along the way there are plenty of native birds to look for as well as Fairy penguins, seals, dolphins.
Many of the various Sydney water excursions depart from the areas around the Sydney Opera House, the Taronga Zoo and Darling Harbour.
You can also go to Circular Quay to catch a harbor boat excursion. These trips will typically take you up the southern shore to Watsons Bay, then to Middle Harbor before returning to Circular Quay.
A great way to enjoy Sydney Harbor is to take a lunch or dinner cruise. Many people prefer the sunset or evening cruises. The harbor is especially beautiful at night and a scenic nighttime cruise of the eastern suburbs and the upscale Middle harbor is a pleasant and romantic way to spend an evening.
If you have a little more money in your vacation budget you can charter a yacht with a captain and full crew. You can tour the harbor in comfort and style with air-conditioning, television, DVD movies, refrigerator and other amenities.
Cockle Bay is a good place to go if you would like to take a romantic gondola ride on the water. These gentle gliding boats can seat up to four people and you can even get them catered.
No matter what you budget or interests, Sydney Harbor should be near the top of you list for things to do and see on you vacation to Sydney, Australia.
About the Author
The author of this article, Peter Shannon, is the owner of the popular http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com - Here you will find a large collection of vacation and getaway ideas for travelers searchable by theme and location.
As vast as the San Diego harbor is, a simple walk around it doesn't do it justice! To partake in the beauty that is San Diego Harbor, you need to take a tour of the bay. San Diego Harbor Excursion can help you do that, as they are the most established tour company throughout the bay.
As a guest, they will treat you with as one of them, helping to bring your cruise to life. There are a few parts to the tour, ensuring that you get the most out of your time on the cruise.
Tour of the North Bay On your tour of the North Bay, you'll see the North Island Naval Air Station, Shelter Islands, and even the Naval Sub Base. If you look closely, you'll also be able see the Cabrillo National Monument as well.
The tour of the North Bay is around 12 miles in length and lasts about an hour. This is a fine tour for anyone interested in the Navy as well. During your tour the guides will explain everything to you as you see it. This way, you'll always know what's going on.
Tour of the South Bay Your tour of the South Bay consists of the Star of India, the Naval surface fleet, Coronado Bay Bridge, and the shipyards. This is a very busy and hectic area, which makes a tour excellent to see everything that this area has to offer.
The tour of South Bay is roughly 12 miles in length and also lasts around an hour. The guides will explain things here to you as well, ensuring that you know exactly what you are seeing.
Tour of the Bay Those of you who are looking to see it all should go for the deluxe tour of the entire bay. You'll see everything covered in the North and South Bay, along with everything else the bay has to offer. The tour is around 25 miles in length and lasts around 2 hours.
To get started on your tour, all you need to do is contact the Harbor Excursion. The price for the tour is very reasonable, considering everything you'll be seeing.
If you happen to live in San Diego, taking the tour is easier than ever. Those of you who are visiting or on vacation should give the tour a shot as well. This way you'll get to experience everything that San Diego Bay has to offer you without having to walk around. And best of all - tour guides will explain the sights to you - so you'll never miss a second.
About the Author
Burt Cotton http://www.about-san-diego.com
วันจันทร์, กันยายน 8, 2008
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6:24 หลังเที่ยง
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After years of working with authors on Internet tours, talking about blogging, podcasting, social networking, and all other assorted online promotional tools, the basic questions still remain: How the heck do I promote myself on the Internet? Broken down in simple steps, this article is designed to give you a good starting point to kick your Internet promotion into high gear. It's not difficult but you have to start somewhere. Let's start with your web site.
Web site: Why would someone visit it? Why would anyone care? Before you start marketing yourself online, ask these basic questions. You can get anyone to a web site once, but getting them back a second, or third time is where authors often lose momentum. Studies have shown that less than 14% of web site visitors will buy the first time they visit. It's only on the second or third visit that they decide to make a purchase. Anyone can drive traffic to your site, it's getting them back that counts.
The point of your tour: getting incoming links
Here's the thing: anyone can get incoming links, the point is, you want GOOD and quality incoming links from sites that can actually send you traffic and readers that will buy your book. We get numerous calls from authors who have bought into inexpensive programs that do nothing more than drive unqualified, "tire kicking" traffic to their web site. This kind of traffic is not going to do you any good; in fact, if you're not careful, getting a bunch of errant links from sites that Google doesn't feel are right for your topic or market can get you downgraded online instead of a better ranking. So how do you beat this?
First, you'll want to download the Google toolbar. This toolbar comes with a Page Ranking piece (in some cases you may have to download this separately). This Page Rank is important because it's an indicator of how important Google thinks a particular site is. Ideally sites you target will have a Page Rank of 4 or above. We like to target sites that have a ranking between 4-6. Then look at the nature of the sites you're pitching. Are they related to your topic? Do the sites have lots of great content? Would they consider reviewing your book, maybe interviewing you or excerpting your book? Regardless of what they're willing to do, the idea is to use these sites to help spread the message about your book and give them great content. All sites are looking for great content and if you can offer it to them, it's a win-win. Here's what not to do: don't just link swap with your friends. I know writers who belong to writer's groups and just swap links with other writers. This isn't good for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the site you might be linking to (or getting a link from) has nothing to do with your topic.
Slow and steady wins the race: The idea of 'touring' or promoting yourself online is about building traffic, links, and authority status within search engines. I tend to reference Google a lot since most of us default search there. People ask me how long they should promote themselves online, I tell them for as long as they need to. As long as there are sites you can pitch yourself to you can continue promoting. Our web site, Author Marketing Experts, has never been promoting in an aggressive fashion. Yes, we use new promotional techniques and cutting-edge Web 2.0 trends but it's never been about a fast push; it's always been about slow and steady growth. Because of this we have great ranking, linking, and placement on Google. I've never paid for a single ad-word placement or fancy traffic program that leverages links only.
Using blogs, podcasts, and article syndication: the Internet is full of tools to use. Blogs are a great way to promote to but consider this: why not comment on blogs in your market that are getting a lot of traffic? You may not be able to get a review but you can always comment and, you'll get a link back to your site in the process.
Podcasting is another great tool, there are a ton of podcasts out there that you can promote yourself to. Check out iTunes and Podcast Alley to find some that might suit your topic and market.
Article syndication: another powerful but often overlooked market. Write a piece between 500 and 2,000 words and send it out into cyberspace via sites like Isnare, Ezine Articles and Article City and watch the links start building to your site.
If the idea of social networking, social bookmarking, video and the like are overwhelming then I recommend that you start simple: begin by pitching yourself online and see what you can grow from there. Most of the time the main reason an author abandons any thought of an online campaign is because they are overwhelmed by their choices. Start small and build from there, this is how we did it and how we grew our market. You can too. Then, when you've gotten your 'sea legs' when it comes to Internet promotion, you can branch out into other areas.
Good luck, here's to your Red Hot success!
About the Author
Penny C. Sansevieri,
Belgium’s former world cycling champion, Tom Boonen, has been forced out of this year’s Tour de France.
The rider was barred after it was revealed that he had tested positive for cocaine use outside of competition in May.
So drugs are yet again making the headlines of cycling’s annual “jewel in the crown” and it hasn’t even started. It doesn’t get underway until July 5.
There again drugs and cycling seem to be two words that are almost synonymous in a sport that is riddled with doping scandals.
The winners of the last two Tours, Spain’s Alberto Contador in 2008 and US rider Floyd Landis in 2007 – have both been at the centre of doping allegations.
Indeed last year’s event overall degenerated into what was termed a “Tour de Frauds” with several top riders forced to drop out during the race after failing controls.
Organisers of the Tour seem to make an annual effort to clean up what is considered by many to be the sport’s showpiece but clearly face an uphill battle.
Reacting quickly to the news of Boonen’s positive test for cocaine, the Tour’s general race director Christian Prudhomme said the actions of the rider had brought disgrace upon cycling and the Tour itself.
And he’s not kidding. Boonen is yet another high profile rider to make the headlines for the wrong reasons. He was world champion in 2005, took last year’s green jersey as the best sprinter on the Tour and just last April won the prestigious Paris-Roubaix race when he beat Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland in a sprint finish.
While Boonen might be out of this year’s race his team, Quickstep, will still take part.
It’s perhaps it’s a little hard to believe that Proudhomme actually thought and apparently still thinks the sport’s image hadn’t been tarnished almost beyond repair.
News of yet another drugs scandal, albeit outside of competition and therefore under the circumstances not considered performance enhancing, will hardly rock the nation or the sport.
Officially even though cocaine is classed as a stimulant, it’s only considered a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency if taken during competition.
The Tour’s organizers and the sport’s governing body, ICU, defend themselves, claiming the very tests they carry out prove how much more of an effort they are making to rid the sport of its shame.
This year’s 21-stage Tour de France will get rolling on July 5 from Brest in western France and unusually there will be no prologue. As always it will finish with a route going through the centre of the capital, Paris, passing the Eiffel Tower before a sprint to the end along the world-famous Champs Elysees.
How free from controversy the race will remain when it winds up on July 27 is a matter for conjecture.
And doubtless there’ll be a few more drugs headlines to make the news before, during and after the event.
About the Author
Johnny Summerton is a Paris-based broadcaster, writer and journalist specializing in politics, sport and travel. For more on what's making the headlines here in France, log on to his site at http://www.persiflagefrance.com
The English Empire was once the greatest hotbed of cultural influence in the world. While it may not have the same influence it once had, it is still a cultural force to be reckoned with. London is a cosmopolitan city that breathes sophisticated and fashionable culture and art. It’s rich and colorful history can be seen in artifacts and remnants of the past which stand as testimony to the once mighty English Empire.
On the other hand, England is hardly known for its cuisine. Well it is time now for that fact to change. Today England has fourteen of the top fifty restaurants in the world. Not a bad feat for a country that is not exactly praised for its food. You will find the traditional fare of England with Beef Wellington and Yorkshire pudding, but you will also notice a decidedly different flavor permeating England. England has become a very diverse country and with that diversity out comes the flavors of other cultures. Indian restaurants have particularly taken their place in the South of England.
You will want to travel away from London to experience the full feel of England. Cornwall offers spectacular views of sea cliffs and a trail that will show you some of the most amazing views of the ocean. Cotehele is a Tudor mansion that finds its home in Cornwall. It is an architectural masterpiece. Make sure you travel around the southern area to find old English towns in the gorgeous countryside. You will see everything English in this old community, old stone cottages with thatched roofs, alleys of cobblestone and everything you imagine the English countryside to be. These areas are most popular in the summer months. When the weather becomes warmer the locals travel the area to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The town of Bath in the north is famous for its ancient Roman bathhouses. You can still visit these extraordinary places today. Don’t miss out on the rich history England has to offer. Visit the home of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can visit the family gravesite at the Holy Trinity Church. You will find in this area of England a wonderful mix of the ancient world and the modern. The world’s largest Gothic cathedral is located in York. Walk the streets that have been around since ancient times and feel the atmosphere of old England.
England is a country that is worth exploring over and over again. There is so much to see that you will find it hard to complete your exploration in one vacation. Many people find that it is necessary to visit more than once to fully enjoy all that England has to offer. If you are interested in the contributions England has made to the modern world you should not miss a trip to England. Talk it over with a travel agent today and they will surely be able to steer you towards a vacation that you will remember for a lifetime, and one that you will no doubt want to repeat again and again.
About the Author
For the best travel deals and travel destinations, be sure to check out www.247TravelGuides.com.
As we can see many of song artists have organized so many tour concerts to promote their albums. Tour concert seems to be the key tool for many of artists and producers because it makes a lot of profit to them, even though it is very complicated and really hard work to organize, but it is only one way that artists will get a chance to meet their fans as well as gain a lot of money. For the fans, it is also much more interesting for them to buy tickets and join the concert. They gain actual feeling with their friend and relatives and see the real singer that they love, and this is the most distinct benefit of to join tour concert compare to sit at home and listen to the CD.
However, for many of the fans who find really difficult to get the tickets for their favorite artist, for example, BonJovi, LinkinPark or any other famous artist. All of the fans of these artists sometimes are suffering when they have to queue up in a very long line to buy for just one or two tickets for the concert. Something even getting worst when they have to buy the tickets much more expensive than the normal price because when someone try to get the tickets as many as they can and sell the out in very expensive price.
These just one or two examples of the limitation and disadvantage of buying tour concert tickets in traditional way. Thanks to the new technology of the internet, where any is digitalized and very convenient to get access at home. Now the traditional day of buying concert ticket is very simple and effective. The example of these changes and benefits are;
Many of concert ticket booking websites also have schedule of the artists for you to check in advance throughout the year, so you can make one-time reservation for the all tickets for all of the planned concerts of your favorite artists. Forget about going out and make a long queue and buy tickets, just sit back and make little effort to browse the internet and book. Do not worry if you have large amount of case on hand to buy a whole bunch of tickets through the seasons because all of the websites using credit card a major type of payment. You don’t have to worry about buying ticket concert in very expensive price. This is because online ticket business today is very competitive, many of websites try to cut cost and reduce the margin to give customer very competitive price. If you have many of favourite artists, you can just go to one website and search for them all, because all of these website have many of schedules of the popular artists, so you do not have to search for the artist one by one.
These are just some of the benefits that you will find from buying concert tickets online. Hope you will find this useful and success with finding cheap tickets.
About the Author
Jack Vallieres is the professional freelance writer. He's also the webmaster of Tourconcert.com
Bali island in Indonesia is renowned for its natural beauty and as a fabulous tourist attraction. However, the island is also known for its terrorist attacks in recent years. Since then, the people of Bali have recovered and the island is now a hotspot for tourists from all over the world once again, especially for its beach resorts and volcano helicopter tours.
The island's ecology and geography are greatly influenced by the towering mountain range of volcanoes that dominate the island. These majestic volcanoes created Bali's stunning mountainous landscape and they occasionally regenerate its soils and help produce heavy rains that provide this resort island with precious fresh water.
The Balinese considered the island's many volcanoes, lakes and spring as sacred and treat them with respect and awe. If you are a tourist traveling to Bali for your holiday vacation, you will be awestruck with the sheer majesty of the volcanoes. These natural landscapes are major tourist attractions and many tourist go sightseeing the volcanoes on helicopter tours so that they can view the volcanoes in all its splendor and take awesome pictures. The island is still continually being formed by volcanic activities.
Bali is located over a major fault zone where the Indo-Australian plate collides with the Sunda plate. In 1963, a violent eruption on Mount Agung killed thousands of people and utterly destroyed many rice fields and irrigation network.
The dramatic lava flows on the north eastern faces of Mt Agung is the newest landforms, showing what the island may look like in ancient pre-historic time. It is a fascinating sightseeing experience, almost like a scene out of Jurassic Park.
Perhaps, the most popular volcano for tourists to visit and go sightseeing is Mount Batur. This grand old dame of a volcano sits in a giant caldera that contains a lake that is a few miles long and over a mile wide. Mount Batur is actually a very active volcano and can erupt moment as it erupted with great frequency but the eruptions are less violent these days except in a giant eruption in 1917 which claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples and villages.
Hiking up Mount Batur in the wee small hours of the the morning has become something of a "must do" thing for many tourists in Bali. You will need to bring along a sweater as it can get a little chilly at the volcano summit.
There is also a little coffee shop at the rim selling drinks for thirsty hikers and many children and women in flip flops balancing buckets of soft drinks on their heads scampering around trying to earn your tourist dollar. As the sun rises, you will get a picturesque view of Lombok and other surrounding islands.
One very interesting hike on Mt Batur is the climb down the inside of the crater from Penelokan to Kedisan. There are boats at Toya Bungkah Lake to take you across the lake to a village called Trunyan. This village is notorious for its mortuary traditions because instead of cremating or burying their deceased, the Trunyan villagers leave dead human bodies to decompose naturally in a designated cemetery.
Although Bali is known for rice cultivation, its volcanic soil is actually not well suited for such activities. The soil is finely textured and well drained, so water soaks through the soil rapidly and thus precious water is wasted. The solution therefore lies in repeated and vigorous ploughing which make the soil less permeable.
So if you are visiting Bali for your holiday vacations, do not miss out a sightseeing trip to view Bali's majestic volcanoes, better yet, take a helicopter tour of this spectacular tourist attraction.
About the Author
Chris Chew
The Honda Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback version that September. The Civic evolved from having an 1170 cc engine (1973) to having engines with larger capacities and more creature comforts (air conditioning, power windows, etc.) through the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s. As the Civic's reputation for quality, clever engineering and steadfast reliability continued to grow, so did the little Honda's popularity, as sales figures that topped 200,000 annually attested.
Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, rudimentary heater, foam cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. A passenger-side airbag became standard on all Civics, and antilock brakes were now optional on the EX coupe, Si hatchback and LX sedan. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. Although Civics are not designed to be performance cars, they have been used for racing ever since their introduction.
A neatly chiseled exterior devoid of gimmickry, an intelligent interior design with supportive seats, large gauges and high-quality fit and finish made the 1984 Civic line attractive and an immediate success. In 1986 an Si version of the Civic hatchback was introduced, featuring a pop-up glass sunroof, body colored bumpers and sedan-style disk wheel covers. The seventh generation Civic arrived as a 2001 model and the Civic Si returned for 2002. The natural gas-powered Civic GX debuted in mid-2006 continues unchanged. The 2006 Civic received the "Best Buy" award from Quatro Rodas magazine, the most prestigious car magazine in the country.
For the past seven years, the Honda Civic Tour has presented some of today’s hottest music while also creating awareness of today’s most pressing environmental concerns. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. For the past three years the Honda Civic Tour has worked to promote environmental consciousness by giving away customized Honda Civic Hybrids to lucky fans.
This year’s Honda Civic Tour is full of cool surprises for our fans. Recently, to add even more excitement to its environmental message, the Honda Civic Tour crafted an “Eco-village” as a test in Buffalo, NY, where concertgoers received a crash course in how to be a friend to Mother Nature. According to the EPA's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide, the Civic hybrid car is the leading, fuel-efficient compact car. The price for a new Civic isn’t much higher than the price for a used one, and the cars will last a long time, and hold their value in the mean time.
The rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan and coupe in some countries
About the Author
Jim Harris is President of Elite Search Engine Marketing http://www.elite-searchenginemarketing.com specializing in Search Engine Optimization. We can efficiently and affordably administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as we have for http://www.doverhonda.com Boston Honda
While you might always enjoy a good game of golf on your favorite golf course, take a golf holiday tour if you want to expand your horizons to other places that you might enjoy. If you are a golfing enthusiast, golf holiday tours give you the chance to get out and check out other golf courses all over the world.
There's no shortage of golf courses for you to visit, with places like Orlando, Las Vegas, and Myrtle Beach often catering exclusively to golfers.
Orlando is popular because of it being the home of Disney World, but you can also find a wide variety of golf courses to enjoy. After you have satisfied your family, that may have traveled with you, with the exhilarating thrill of roller coasters, you'll love to relax golfing in sunny Orlando, Florida. There are plenty of opportunities for the golfing enthusiast to enjoy. One could conceivably golf on a different course each day of your visit.
While Las Vegas is wildly popular for its gambling opportunities, there are also plenty of places for you to golf after you're done at the poker tables. There are many package deals available for golf and gambling. Las Vegas is not only the perfect place to improve your poker hand, but also your golf swing. The courses are reasonably priced so as to not break your pocketbook like the slot machines may.
Myrtle Beach is quickly becoming a super popular resort get-away for golfers across the world. It plays host to miles and miles of gorgeous beaches, as well as 100+ different golf courses. There is a huge variety of different golf courses for you to check out while in Myrtle Beach. After you have finished golfing for the day, you'll be surprised to find that this beautiful place also has a great nightlife. It is always important to take your loved one out for a lovely evening of dining and dancing after they may have spent a day on the course with you.
Take care when planning your next golf holiday tour – not just any place has a good number of high quality golf courses for you to visit. If you don't plan on golfing all day, also make sure that the location you are visiting has other activities for you to enjoy. If you love the excitement of a good theme park, head for Orlando. If you love sun, relaxation, and the beach head for Myrtle Beach. If you enjoy the rush of gambling, check out Las Vegas.
When it comes to golf vacations, the location is really just the tip of the iceberg. You should also take into consideration the needs or desires of the ones you may be traveling with. If you are able to accommodate them, as will as yourself, it will make your golf holiday tour more fulfilling and enjoyable for all. Remember, it is not always about you! To gain more insight into golf holidays visit golf holiday tours and golf packages at http://golfholidaytour.com/Golf_Tours_and_Golf_Travel_Package.html
About the Author
Written by Karl Amerson
African Americans have blazed a distinguished trail through Baltimore, from Frederick Douglass to Eubie Blake. Visitors to this charming East Coast port city can explore a history of unparalleled achievement and inspiration on a remarkable journey through its many African American treasures.
A great place to begin a black history tour in Baltimore is the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, housing more than 100 life-size wax figures—including Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman and Benjamin Banneker—presented in dramatic and historical scenes. A most compelling highlight is the dramatic walk through the museum’s replica slave ship, complete with Middle Passage history. Then journey through 400 years of African American history at the new Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, the largest of its kind on the East Coast. With interactive permanent exhibitions, exciting changing exhibitions and engaging programs, the museum is fast becoming a major regional attraction.
At the Eubie Blake National Jazz Museum and Cultural Center, check out the assortment of memorabilia and artifacts honoring the Baltimore-born composer and pianist, as well as highlights of other Baltimore jazz greats like Cab Calloway and Chick Webb. Then uncover keys to Baltimore's past and future at the Orchard Street Church. Founded in 1825, legend has it the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad—it still has an escape tunnel! Along with the church, the building today is also home to the Baltimore Urban League, an organization committed to enhancing the social and economic conditions of African Americans in Baltimore.
Also a stop on the Underground Railroad, the Baltimore Civil War Museum is housed in the President Street railroad station, which was built in 1851. The site also played a pivotal role in the Pratt Street Riot, the first incident of bloodshed in the Civil War, and features exhibits on Baltimore's colored troops.
Other highlights include the Frederick Douglass Marker in Fell's Point, celebrating the life of the great abolitionist, publisher and orator. Other neighborhood sites showcase where Douglass lived, worked, worshipped and learned to read. Don't miss the five historic townhouses he built that still stand today.
And if you have time for a show while you’re in town, don’t miss the nation's oldest continuously operating African American community theater, the Arena Players, offering productions of both classic works and contemporary plays by African American writers.
Finally, consider a stop at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the oldest, largest and strongest civil rights organization in the United States, which moved its headquarters to Baltimore in 1986. Peruse the national civil rights archives at the library, and stroll through a memorial garden to writer Dorothy Parker.
About the Author
© 2006 Melissa Goldmand; Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association Pick up a copy of our African American Heritage and Attractions Guide available online at http://www.baltimore.org/africanamerican/. Learn more about black history in Baltimore at http://www.baltimore.org/baltimore_black_history.htm
One of Canada's most successful musical exports, Rush, are currently touring to support the release of their latest Snakes and Arrows album. Having amassed hugely impressive sales over four successive decades, earning nearly 40 Gold and Platinum records while shifting an estimated 35 million albums worldwide, this progressive rock trio is showing no signs of giving any of it up.
With Geddy Lee (lead vocals, bass and keyboards), Alex Lifeson (lead guitar), and Neal Peart (drums), Rush have been as constant a success in the worldwide record industry as they have been a solid rock band since the release of their debut album in 1974.
With a lengthy discography behind them, Rush have always been about the album, not the single. An emphasis on instrumental skills combined with chief lyricist Neal Peart’s fondness for science fiction and fantasy-inspired lyrics, hasn’t always been especially pop or radio friendly.
Despite this, they have managed to score a number of hit singles through the years, including Limelight, Fly By Night, Tom Sawyer, Closer To The Heart, Spirit of Radio, New World Man, and Subdivisions.
Their music has proved popular as cover material for bands as diverse as Catherine Wheel and Audioslave, and Rush are frequently listed on other artist’s lists of musical influences. If you want a good introduction to the band and some of their more accessible material, their 1990 double-CD best-of release, Chronicles, is a very worthwhile purchase.
Discography (original studio albums only):
Rush - Mar 1974, #105 (US only) Gold
Fly by Night - Feb 1975, #148 (US only) Platinum
Caress Of Steel - Sep 1975, #113 (US only) Gold
2112 - Apr 1976, #61 (US), #1 (Canada) 3x Platinum
A Farewell To Kings - Sep 1977, #33 (US), #2 (Canada), #22 (UK) Platinum
Hemispheres - Oct 1978, #47 (US), #4 (Canada), #14 (UK) Platinum
Permanent Waves - Jan 1980, #4 (US), #1 (Canada), #3 (UK) Platinum
Moving Pictures - Jan 1981, #3 (US), #1 (Canada), #3 (UK) 4x Platinum
Signals - Sep 1982, #10 (US), #3 (Canada), #3 (UK) Platinum
Grace Under Pressure - Apr 1984, #10 (US), #1 (Canada), #5 (UK) Platinum
Power Windows - Oct 1985, #10 (US), #2 (Canada), #9 (UK) Platinum
Hold Your Fire - Sep 1987, #13 (US), #9 (Canada), #10 (UK) Platinum
Presto - Nov 1989, #16 (US), #11 (Canada), #27 (UK) Gold
Roll The Bones - Sep 1991, #3 (US), #1 (Canada), #10 (UK) Platinum
Counterparts - Oct 1993, #2 (US), #1 (Canada), #14 (UK) Platinum
Test For Echo - Sep 1996, #5 (US), #1 (Canada), #25 (UK) Gold
Vapor Trails - May 2002, #6 (US), #3 (Canada), #38 (UK)
Feedback - Jun 2004, #19 (US), #5 (Canada)
Snakes & Arrows - May 2007, #3 (US), #3 (Canada), #13 (UK)
Over the years Rush have become Canadian cultural icons, even crossing boundaries to become involved in the most unlikely of mediums for a serious band, such as spoofs and TV comedy.
Geddy Lee with Bob & Doug McKenzie (the infamous Canadian SCTV brothers), scored a 1982 hit with their anthem Take Off, and the Canadian comedy series Trailer Park Boys features a character with a Rush fixation. A 2004 episode of the show was based around an appearance by Alex Lifeson, who was kidnapped from his hotel prior to a concert and forced to perform a private concert in the trailer park.
Rush have built a solid reputation for incredible live performances and the band have released half a dozen live album recordings to support this. Currently on tour throughout Canada, this October sees the band injecting their special brand of rock to a European audience, kicking off with several dates around the UK.
3 Oct - Glasgow, Scotland - SECC
5 Oct - Newcastle, England - Metro Radio Arena
6 Oct - Sheffield, England - Hallam FM Arena
9 Oct - London, England - Wembley Arena
10 Oct - London, England - Wembley Arena
12 Oct - Birmingham, England - NEC Arena
14 Oct - Manchester, England - MEN Arena
16 Oct - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Ahoy
17 Oct - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Ahoy
19 Oct - Oberhausen, Germany - Arena
21 Oct - Mannheim, Germany - SAP Arena
23rd - Milan, Italy - Forum Arena
26th - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
27th - Stockholm, Sweden - Globe Arena
29th - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwell Arena
About the Author
This article was written by Bret Robson for Viagogo.co.uk
วันจันทร์, กันยายน 1, 2008
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3:44 ก่อนเที่ยง
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New England’s vivid autumn colours, dramatic rocky coastline, majestic mountains, delicious seafood, and friendly people attract millions of visitors to the region every year. These six New England states, nestled in the scenic northeast of the US, are perfect for touring, especially from May to October. Since winters are very cold and snowy, plan your drive in the warmer months, when the roads are safe and the scenery is at its best. Many travellers plan their drives in October, when the autumn foliage is spectacular.
This driving tour of New England takes in many of the regional highlights. It will take you about two weeks and the total distance is around 800 miles.
Boston Before you start your drive, give yourself a day or two to have a look around Boston. If you enjoy walking, you can follow the ‘Freedom Trail’ for a look at some of the city’s historical sights, have a coffee at Quincy Market, then finish up with a stroll on Boston Common. Keen shoppers can head for the upmarket shops on Newbury Street and the rest can take a ‘Duck Tour’ of the city, on land and river. Consider staying at the friendly Copley Square Hotel, located near Boston’s top attractions.
Coastal New England Get up early and head north along the North Shore, through coastal New Hampshire and on up to Kennebunkport, Maine (85 miles). Just before Kennebunkport, in the town of Kittery, there are 120 outlet shops, filled with great bargains over a one-mile stretch. Plan to stay for one or two nights in Kennebunkport, where you can go whale watching, deep-sea fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and take a lobster boat tour. The Nonantum Resort, right on the river, is a great place to stay. The dining room menu includes delicious steamed lobster and fresh fried oysters and clams.
The White Mountains The next day’s drive takes you to the picturesque White Mountains, in the state of New Hampshire (116 miles). Along the way, you’ll go through North Conway, where you can take an 11-mile trip through the mountains on the Conway Scenic Railroad or you can head for Mount Washington, for a strenuous hike to the top of the state’s highest peak. Plan to stay for a couple of nights. The Rivergreen Resort, on the banks of the Pemigewassett River, in nearby Lincoln has plenty of family activities year round.
The Green Mountains On or about day five, your 145-mile journey takes you to the Green Mountains, in the state of Vermont. Consider staying at Stowe for two nights, and do the half-day canoe trip on the Mad River or you can explore the scenic Stowe Recreation Path by bike. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Plant, in nearby Waterbury, offers tours and free samples of ice cream. ‘Sound of Music’ fans should stay at the Austria-themed Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe.
The Berkshires Now head south toward the Berkshire Hills, where you’ll find many art museums and galleries, and in summer, several summer theatre festivals. Stop to have a coffee in the classic New England village of Woodstock and, further down the road, visit the Quechee Gorge, a spectacular river gorge a mile long and 165 feet deep. Plan to stay for a night or two at Williamstown, just over the border in Massachusetts. A perfect place to stay is the Williams Inn.
Newport Your classic New England drive now takes you south through the Berkshires and on to Newport, Rhode Island (186 miles). Plan to stay a couple of days, to browse through the city’s trendy boutiques, art and antique galleries, and to marvel at the luxurious yachts moored in the Newport marina. The Best Western Mainstay, situated right in the heart of Newport, is comfortable and affordable.
Cape Cod The last stop on your journey is beautiful Cape Cod, just 82 miles east of Newport. Here you can cycle, walk, browse the shops and galleries, and relax on the beautiful beaches. Excursions to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, inhabited islands to the south, are very popular. Consider staying for a couple of nights at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa. Leave plenty of time for the last 72 miles back to Boston – indulge yourself in one last delicious seafood lunch along the way, to top off a fantastic trip.
The many islands of Hawaii were the evolution of a series of spectacular volcanic explosions and activities millions of years ago. Some of the volcanoes in Hawaii are still active volcanoes such as the Kilauea Volcano, on south-eastern part of the Big Island, is still spitting hot brilliant lava into the Pacific Ocean today.
The Big Island of Hawaii, the largest Hawaiian island is actually the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands. Some of Hawaii's volcanoes can only be viewed from the air by helicopters such as those at the Volcano National Park. This is because accessibility is blocked off to foot and land vehicles by the flow of the deadly hot volcanic lava.
It is because of this, many Hawaiian tour agencies are offering helicopter and light plane tours for tourists to see Hawaii and view its majestic live volcanoes from the air. Hawaiian helicopter guided tours are conducted very professionally with well trained tour guides relating the history and the quirks of Hawaii in very interesting story telling narratives. Touring Hawaii and view its volcanoes by air is one of the favorite activities of tourists although it can get rather expensive if you are touring Hawaii by air as a family.
The Kilauea volcano actually looks like a bulge on the southeastern side of Mauna Loa. For many years Kilauea was thought to be a mere satellite of its giant neighbor, not as a separate volcano. However, it is now known that the Kilauea has its own magma-pumping system, extending to the surface from more than 60 km or 37 miles deep into the crust of the earth. In fact, the summit of Kilauea lies on a curving line of volcanoes which also include Kohala and Mauna Kea.
Hawaiian folklore has it that the Kilauea volcano is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. The caldera was the site of nearly continuous volcanic activities during the 19th century and early 20th century. Since 1952 there have been about volcanic 35 eruptions have been recorded. The Kilauea volcano is amongst the world's most active volcanoes.
There are helicopter tours taking off from the helipad at the Hilo Airport and soar directly to the Kilauea's volcanic system to view the current volcanic activities and the coastal region which was devastated by previous lava flows and volcanic activities.
Along the tour your some helicopters will also soar into Kauai the Garden Isle, which is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. This jungle rainforest island serves as the back-drop for many Hollywood movies. The dramatic and rugged interior of the island is uninhabited, and is a landscape of pristine forests, plunging waterfalls, multi color hued rainbows and grand valleys. A helicopter tour of Kauai will also take you to Kauai's dramatic wilderness areas which us only accessible by air.
So if you want to observe Hawaii's natural beauty and active volcanoes from a bird's eye-view, do consider a Hawaiian helicopter tour.
The most important thing that ensures a good vacation is travel preparation. Depending on the kind of holiday that you have planned and the mode of travel that you have decided to take, you must pack accordingly. Maps are available on the internet to download and so are directions to any place that you will be visiting. This should be the most important preparation for a road trip. Deal with the visa and immunization requirements before taking a trip to other countries. It is prudent to follow some guidelines while packing and take some safety measures in order to ensure that you truly prepared for your vacation.
Put some thought into what you pack. Pack clothes keeping in mind what kind of activities that you will be undertaking, whether it will be casual or formal.
Make sure you take different jewelry, scarves and belts which can completely change the total look of an outfit, rather than carrying too many clothes. You do not need to have more than five or six sets of clothes. Take clothes that you can mix and match and give you a good wear. This way you will be leaving some spare space in your suitcase to bring back something that you may buy while holidaying.
Instead of taking bulky sweaters and coats which take up lots of space, take clothes in different that can be layered. Washing and drying them is easy too.
Follow the same principles while packing for a child. It might be wise to put each outfit into a zippered bag, to give your child ease in choosing what to wear, without messing up the folded clothes. It is very important to carry all the required medicines for your child, especially if he needs any particular medication. For example, a child with asthma should have his inhaler and a child with some allergy should have the antidote for it, in his back pack.
There are certain tricks to packing. Save space by rolling up socks and stuffing into the extra pair of shoes that you need to carry. Use leak proof plastic bags to carry your toiletries. Side pockets or mesh bags should used to put in your underwear.
If you are flying, then you should follow the standard tour guide of packing one set of under garments, your toothbrush and your essential medicines into a bag which you should carry with you. Often your baggage gets lost and so this is a very useful tip to follow.
Often you are not allowed to lock your suitcases when you are flying. So ensure that you do not pack your important documents, valuables, camera, keys, money and medicines in your suitcases which you would check in. Not only is there a security risk, there is also the possibility of anyone opening and checking out all your stuff.
While taking a vacation, you should be mentally prepared for any eventuality that could occur like your baggage not arriving with you, sudden weather change, unexpected ear ache or tooth ache. Be forewarned and forearmed. Then you can be prepared to tackle anything and have a great holiday.
About the Author
Jerry Blackburn writes mainly for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a website on the topic of Denia . You can learn about his work on Benidorm and Costa Blanca on his site.
Even if things seem like a fairy tale, you are going to have to use some common sense so that you can come back safely. You will find that when you are taking a vacation or honeymoon that you are going to overlook some things that will keep you and your valuables safe, but you will want to take some steps to make sure that your belongs and yourself come back safely.
Most cruise lines will ask you to sign a waiver that will say that they are not responsible for any losses that you may have on board. They take this precaution so that you can’t sue them for a theft. This is why you wouldn’t want to take any chances of getting anything stolen so that you can avoid the hassle and stress of theft. When something is stolen it is a hassle because you have a huge legal system that you will have to go through. This means that you have to go through the country laws, your country laws, and the jurisdiction of the waters that your ship is sailing. It can be a real hassle and ruin everything that you have ever planned for the trip. Most of the time nothing is ever solved and there are never any chargers written. It’s just better to always be cautious.
It can all be avoided by knowing what your carrying and where you are carrying it. You will want to write down all the credit numbers and account numbers on a piece of paper and leave it somewhere at home so that you can get the numbers easily. You will want to make sure that you have all of your phone numbers for the financial businesses with you. This way you can get the cards and the accounts closed without having to worry about anything. You will want to make sure that you regularly inventory your things (especially cards) so that you always have an idea of when and where they may have been lost.
Don’t forget that the cruise ships have a safe where you can store any of your valuables. You will be able to able to store them in your cabin safe or even the captain’s safe. This is very important because it’s not wise to allow your most valuable items to be lying around the cabin or room. With the maids and all the conspiracies, you will find that you are going to be easily targeted. The locks are not changed that often and you will find that you’ll not be safe leaving important things in your room. When it comes to the wallets, you should never leave it in your back pocket. It is so easy for others to pick pocket when the wallet is in your back pocket. You may want to wear a money belt under your clothes, but you will also want to use your front pockets, because you’ll know if someone is in your pocket. You will want to make sure that you keep your money separated. You will want to make sure that you don’t bring attention on yourself by carrying large amounts. You also don’t want to look flashy or have the bling-bling showing. When you do this, you are bringing notice to yourself by some shady characters.
These tips should not be shocking because they are common sense. You will find that there are a lot of people who don’t take these simple precautions and then they end up having their stuff taken. Rather you are staying on a ship or in a hotel it is important that you protect yourself from being a target. You will want to make sure that you have a good journey and enjoy your vacation.
If golfing is one of your favorite pastimes, then going on a golf tour might be something that will catch your interest. For the avid golfer the thought of going on a golf tour is likened to the perfect holiday. With so many choices, planning your own tour can overwhelm and at times even confuse you. Organized planning ahead of time can pay off in big ways when you take a few easy steps researching the different places and options available to you.
Where Should You Go
Picking your destination is the first step in planning your golf holiday. Of course your budget will determine whether to keep it casual and simple or go somewhere really special. Pebble Beach and Desert Springs are two of the more popular courses, but there are literally hundreds of great golf courses available all over the world.
You should always book as early as possible, especially for high demand golf courses. Even if you are a guest at a resort, if the course is popular, you may be out of luck if you wait until a few days before to book your tee times. Nothing is more frustrating than planning a golf holiday and finding out that a course is not available. Reservation for your flights, and rental cars should also all be booked well in advance. Always try to find out how far ahead you can book tee times. All golf courses have definite rules for when they will accept a tee time reservation.
Once you are at your destination on the golf course and ready to play the course you have chosen, do not jump right in and start golfing. Take time to get a feel for the course and stretch properly. Arrive at the course before your tee time to avoid feeling rushed. Checkout the layout of the course and maybe talk to the course pro for any advice.
It is always good to go on a tour with like-minded friends who share your love of golf but make sure every one is in agreement with regards to cost and location. As a general rule when planning the trip, consider the courses first and the accommodations next. You should also consider everyone's playing abilities when you pick the course. An advanced golfer will enjoy a more challenging course while someone less skilled might just become frustrated, lose his temper and spoil the holiday for all concerned. Some resorts are very expensive, but since golf is the main focus of your trip, decide where to play first and then where to stay.
If you are on a limited budget you may consider spending the first day or two at a resort to gain access to their course and then move to a less expensive hotel later. It may be an inconvenience, but can be well worth it in order to play the top courses while not spending the entire holiday at the expensive resort. Some actually find it interesting to discover other places to stay in the same area.
A golf holiday is a great way for the avid golfer to enjoy some of the best courses in the world, meet new people, get a lot of exercise and enjoy a fun and challenging activity. So carefully planning and researching your golf holiday will be worth the effort.
Each year, a large number of individuals, couples, and families make the decision to travel to Mexico. Most have visited Mexico before. If you are planning a Mexico vacation, and you have never been there before, you may have some concerns. You may be wondering what places are safe for you to visit.
Mexico is like all other countries. There are areas that are known as tourists attractions and then there are other areas that tourists are advised to stay away from. You can easily learn about these areas online. Researching every city and town in Mexico is a long and daunting process. To save time and a costly vacation mistake, you are encouraged to examine the benefits of taking a guided Mexico tour.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of booking a guided tour in Mexico is that you will be with a local who is familiar with the area. Guided tours are held in areas that are considered safe. In addition to showing you around certain areas of Mexico, your tour guide may be able to offer you additional travel tips and suggestions. These suggestions may help you with your vacation after your guide has ended.
If you are interested in taking a guided Mexican tour, you will have to find the tour company which you wish to do business with. There are a large nubmer of guided tour companies in the area. If you do not have a preference as to which company you’d like to tour with, you may want to first search for a destination. The destination you select will be important in determining what you will learn and see while on a guided tour.
Many guided tours take place in Cooper Canyon, the Oaxaca Mountains, the Yucatan Peninsula and Baja. In Mexico, Baja is most known for its water activities. Many popular guided tours include whale watching and kayaking. Whether you set out to watch the whales or you select a kayaking tour, you are sure to see Gray whales. Many times, they will come right up to your boat, making for great pictures or video footage.
Cooper Canyon and the Oaxaca Mountains are guided tours that are ideal for those that love to hike. To participate in these tours, it is advised that you receive the proper health clearance. You tour will likely follow trails, but much of the terrain can be rough. The Yucatan Peninsula is ideal for travelers who wish to learn more about the ancient history of Mexico.
The above mentioned destinations in Mexico are just a few of the many. Guided tours are found all across Mexico. If there is particular topic or activity that interests you, you are sure to find a guided tour that will offer you excitement. Hikers often select a hiking tour, boats often opt for boat tours, and history lovers often select tours that focus on the history of Mexico.
In addition to selecting where you’d like to go on a guided tour, you will also need to determine how long you’d like that tour to be. In Mexico, guided tours can last as long as one day or over one week. You should easily be able to determine how long a guided tour is by looking at the price. Weeklong guided tours can cost thousands of dollars, but most of your accommodations are taken care of. Some guided tours can be considered all-inclusive vacations.
Journey Mexico, Siesta Tours, and Ufly Mexico are three of the most well-known guided tour companies in Mexico. You can examine the tours found by these three companies by visiting their online websites or by requesting free travel brochures. If you are interested in finding additional tours, your local travel agent may be able to offer you assistance.
By selecting a guided tour of Mexico, you do not always have to be looking over your shoulder. Vacationing in a safe area with an experienced tour guide is about as carefree as your Mexico vacation can get.
About the Author
Christos Varsamis is a Travel Agency consultant .Learn how to save hundreds, even thousands on international flights and Powerful tactics to save on airfare, hotels, cruises, rental cars http://www.fastprofitbiz.com/travel-secrets-guide.html
Ladakh is world famous for excellent adventure opportunities within its’ picturesque landscape and awesome, rugged beauty. Some of the famous activities include river rafting, trekking and mountaineering.
Here are some of these activities in detail in order to provide you the picture of actual enjoyment and amazing excitement when indulging into these activities in ladakh.
a) Trekking:
Trekking possibilities in Ladakh may include short, day long walks up and down mountain slopes in order to visit some of the beautiful and out of the slight villages known famously as ‘monastic settlements’. You may also enjoy breath taking beauty of the Lunar Mountainscape. The trek initiating from Lamayuru in the Indus valley towards Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar would take only three weeks.
Most of the routes especially meant for trekking cross the Zanskar range and separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar.
Some of the most popular treks include the following:
a) The ten-day Markha Valley trek.
b) The eleven-day Lamayuru-Padum traverse
c) The Stock-Khangri round trek.
You may hire horses and ponies to enjoy rides. Tents and other camping gear are also preferred. You need to carry a good quality pair of trekking boots, warm socks, warm and waterproof clothes, sunglasses and hats, warm sleeping bags and first aid kit.
b) Mountain climbing in Ladakh:
The best-suited time for mountain climbing in Ladakh is during June to September. This is due to the extreme cold and heavy snowfall in the region during winters. Tourists love to visit Nun-Kun Massif of the great Himalayas figures. This is because it provides comfortable accessibility to the base camps.
c) Yak safari in Ladakh:
Yak is one of the local animals of this cold desert. This is also referred to as the largest animal found in Ladakh. Yak safari is one of the most adventurous events here.
d) Cycling in Ladakh:
If you are looking forward to do cycling in Ladakh, you need to be equipped with alertness, activity and accuracy. This will help you tred on the saddle and wheel through the rough and zigzagged roads of Ladakh. The place is known to provide amazing opportunities for a cycling enthusiast who wants to experience cycling through the highest mountain range that exists in this world.
e) Jeep safari in Ladakh:
Jeep safari in Ladakh is the most comfortable and fastest mode to explore the real beauty of this place and to interact with the locals here.
About the Author
http://apindia.net we are specialized Adventure Tour Operator In India. Visit our site for complete details about adventure tours, Tracking, rafting in India. You can also find some of my articles at: Freelance Seo Copywriter
The twelve hour Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day of the Civil War began at dawn on September 17, 1862. For the next seven hours there were three major Union attacks on the Confederate left, moving from north to south. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s command led the first Union assault. Then Gen. Joseph Mansfield’s soldiers attacked, followed by Gen. Edwin Sumner’s men as McClellan’s plan broke down into a series of uncoordinated Union advances. Savage, incomparable combat raged across the Cornfield, East Woods, West Woods and the Sunken Road as Lee shifted his men to withstand each of the Union thrusts. After clashing for over eight hours, the Confederates were pushed back but not broken, however over 15,000 soldiers were killed or wounded.
While the Union assaults were being made on the Sunken Road, a mile-and-a-half farther south Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside opened the attack on the Confederate right. His first task would be to capture the bridge that would later bear his name. A small Confederate force, positioned on higher ground, was able to delay Burnside for three hours. After taking the bridge at about 1:00 p.m., Burnside reorganized for two hours before moving forward across the arduous terrain—a critical delay. Finally the advance started only to be turned back by Confederate General A.P. Hill’s reinforcements that arrived in the late afternoon from Harpers Ferry.
Neither flank of the Confederate army collapsed far enough for McClellan to advance his center attack, leaving a sizable Union force that never entered the battle. Despite over 23,000 casualties of the nearly 100,000 engaged, both armies stubbornly held their ground as the sun set on the devastated landscape. The next day, September 18, the opposing armies gathered their wounded and buried their dead. That night Lee’s army withdrew back across the Potomac to Virginia, ending Lee’s first invasion into the North. Lee’s retreat to Virginia provided President Lincoln the opportunity he had been waiting for to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Now the war had a dual purpose of preserving the Union and ending slavery.
You can now relive the battle of Antietam (in Sharpsburg, Maryland), the bloodiest day of the Civil War with a driving tour of the significant places of the battlefield. Stop by the Antietam Visitors Center before you start on this 8.5 mile driving tour to pick up a copy of the companion audio CD to highlight the significant events at every stop on the tour.
This tour will cover the following key historic points at Antietam.
Dunker Church - This was the focal point of repeated clashes as both armies sought to occupy and hold the high ground around it. Leveled by a storm in 1921, the church was rebuilt in 1962.
North Woods - General Hooker launched the initial Union attack from this point. It was stopped by Jackson’s troops in The Cornfield, 1/2 mile south.
East Woods - Union Gen. Joseph Mansfield was fatally wounded here ashe led his XII Corps into battle.
The Cornfield - More fighting took place here in the Miller cornfield than anywhere else at Antietam. The battle lines swept back and forth across the field for three hours.
West Woods - Union Gen. John Sedgwick’s division lost more than 2,200 men in less than half an hour in ill-fated charge into these woods-against Jackson’s and Longstreet’s troops.
Mumma Farm - Burned by the Confederates to prevent their use by Union sharpshooters, the Mumma farm buildings were the only civilian property purposely destroyed during the battle.
Roulette Farm - Union troops under French and Richardson crossed these fields on their way to meet the Confederates posted in the Sunken Road.
Sunken Road (Bloody Lane) - For nearly 4 hours, Union and Confederate infantry contested this sunken country road, resulting in over 5,000 casualties—thus the name “Bloody Lane.”
Lower Bridge (Burnside Bridge) - The fighting here was a key factor in McClellan’s failure at Antietam. Called Burnside Bridge after the Union general whose troops were held off most of the day by a few hundred Georgia riflemen, it is the battlefield’s best-known landmark.
The Final Attack - After taking the Lower Bridge and reforming his corps, Burnside marched his men across these hills toward Sharpsburg, threatening to cut off Lee’s line of retreat. Just as the Federals reached this area, A. P. Hill’s Confederate division arrived from Harpers Ferry and drove them back.
Antietam National Cemetery - The remains of 4,776 Federal soldiers, including 1,836 unknowns, are buried in this hilltop cemetery near town. Most of the Confederate dead are buried in Hagerstown and Frederick, Md., Shepherdstown, W. Va., and in local church and family cemeteries.
About the Author
The Historical Archive - http://www.thehistoricalarchive.com offers a large, robust library of DVD and CD based products covering a wide range of significant and interesting historical events and cultural moments through film, photos, audios, maps and other documents.
The Tour De France is not only the most famous cycle race in the world, but one of the best known and most gruelling races of any kind. This year marked the 93rd race, running for 23 days across 20 different stages making a total race distance of 3,657 kilometres across France before finally finishing in Paris at the Champs-Elysees on Sunday 23rd July.
Starting in Strasbourg the race managed to cross most of France, with 9 flat, 4 medium mountain, 5 mountain and 2 individual time trial stages, before reaching its climactic conclusion in Paris: the Tour De France is a truly punishing event.
This year British sports fans who took a flight to France (http://www.britishairways.com ) in order to see the race were met with one of the most exciting events for many years including plenty of controversy, an unforgettable race, and a free three hour long 10,000 seat concert in Landes.
Even before the race started there was excitement and controversy with a series of pre-tour doping scandals which lead to the withdrawal of the two favourites, Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso of the T-Mobile and CSC teams. The retirement of Armstrong meant another leading player was out of the running. While many worried that this would lead to a lack lustre event, the reality was one of the most enthralling, unpredictable and closely fought Tours in recent memory.
The eventual winner, Floyd Landis, produced an amazing performance especially in light of being in pain the entire time and needing to undergo hip replacement surgery due to advanced osteoarthritis. Despite walking with a limp and being unable to cross his right leg over his left, causing him to have to get on his bike by putting his right leg over first, Landis managed to keep his condition secret from fellow riders until a week into the start of the Tour. Whether he will be able to cycle professionally again in the future will be determined by the results of this operation.
The announcement that following his win, was that Landis has now tested positive for elevated levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, has lead to his suspension pending the results of his B sample analysis.
A statement by The Phonak team read that they where, “notified on Wednesday by the UCI of an unusual level of testosterone/epitestosterone ratio in the test made on Floyd Landis after stage 17 of the Tour de France". They also stated that, "The team management and the rider were both totally surprised of this physiological result.”
Phonak have already announced that if the second sample confirms the positive test, Landis will be sacked. Race authorities have since tried to contact Floyd directly as well as through his agent and the team, however there has so far been no response and the rider has subsequently disappeared.
About the Author
Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club (http://www.edinburghaccies.com ). For More Flight Info: http://www.britishairways.com/findaflight/europe/gb/flights/from/london-to-france.html
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