Holiday Time - Finding Family Accommodation in Fiji

By Caroline McFee

It's been awhile since the family got away, and you've all decided that Fiji is the place to go - and why not! With its beautiful beaches tropical vegetation and sun, what better place than Fiji to relax and enjoy spending time together as a family, away from the madness of day-to-day life. Now, you just have to pick a place to stay. Of course, you need to make sure that your family has the perfect base to explore the Fiji from - so what are the options when it comes to finding family accommodation in Fiji?

You'll first need to decide what island of Fiji you want to spend your time in; although whichever one you choose has the advantage of being relatively small and easy to travel around. 'Island Hopping' via boat is also quite an affordable way to see the sights. Still, it can be hard to pick when given all the tantalising sounding options such as the islands, Pacific Harbour or the Coral Coast. While all amazing locations, the Coral Coast in particular is renowned for its beauty and lagoons.

Many of Fiji's islands were formed over 150 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity and the archipelago consists of 332 islands of which 110 are inhabited. There's is still geothermal activity on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni today. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and the capital, Suva, is located in Viti Levu, although the international airport is in Nadi.

Then there are the activities - if you select a good, family friendly resort they will usually offer a range of fun things for you all to do together. Once you've spent enough time soaking up the sun around the pool, you might want to take the kids for a bike ride to a local village. Or, if they enjoy swimming, hiring some snorkels to better view the amazing aquatic life could be a great way to spend the afternoon. Some resorts have quite novel family activities up their sleeves, such as cultural tours or on-site hair braiding sessions.

Something you won't want to worry about while you're away is food preparation! It wouldn't be a real family holiday if Mum still has to cook. So when you're choosing family accommodation in Fiji, look out for the places where they have an onsite restaurant and bar. That way you can chill out with the kids while someone else does all the hard work.

So you have your criteria for your holiday there are plenty of ways to find this perfect location - you could ask friends who have holidayed in Fiji, you could seek advice from a travel agent or you could do some surfing online. Most reputable accommodation providers will have a website that let you check all the facilities they offer, see photos of their rooms and compare prices.

It can sometimes be expensive to take the family away for a holiday, but fortunately Fiji has many top-class resorts providing family accommodation which don't come with massive price tags. It is possible to find well presented (even luxurious!), clean, safe, and fun places to stay which won't break the bank. And make sure you take the kids to see some 'Meke' traditional dancing - it will be a memorable part of your Fijian experience!

If you are looking for Fiji resort accommodation, Gecko's Resort has what you are looking for.

Set on a four and a half acre historic village site on the beautiful Coral Coast of Fiji it is close to many of the popular resorts, but still offers many quiet places to relax during your holidays in the South Pacific.

Book your Fijian resort accommodation with Gecko's Resort today - we look forward to making your Fiji island holiday a memorable one. www.fijiculturalcentre.com

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Five Star Delight - Hotels in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is undoubtedly the crown of Maharashtra. It is located at a height of one thousand three hundred and seventy two meters above sea level. The town is located close to Mumbai as well as Pune. It is popularly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations' in Maharashtra. If you are planning to spend your vacation in Mahabaleshwar, you need to make your bookings in advance, as hotel rooms are quite hard to get. You'll get to choose between budget hotels, private bungalows, resorts and five star deluxe hotels. The amenities and facilities provided at these Mahabaleshwar hotels may vary as per the rates and the tariff.

Summer is the ideal time to visit this exotic place. As the climate is cool throughout the year, there will hardly be any need for air conditioners. The hotels serve multi-cuisine food and drinks. Tourists will love walking and trekking. The rainy season lasts from June till September and many Mahabaleshwar hotels maybe closed during this season.

Five Star Luxury at Brightland

Brightland Hotel is very close to the airport as well as the railway station. It is about one hundred and twenty kilometers from Pune. The comfort and hospitality of this five star Mahabaleshwar hotel is impeccable and superb. Care is taken to ensure that the specific requirements of the clients are taken good care of. Unmatched hospitality and complete comfort for the guests is ensured in this hotel.

Brightland Hotel can be considered for celebrating an occasion or functions like birthdays, marriage anniversaries and so on. Close to two hundred guests can be accommodated in this Mahabaleshwar hotel and it is ideally surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful springs. The morning mist is a delight to the eyes.

Mahabaleshwar has a number of places that are worth visiting and these are present near this hotel in close proximity. Tourists should not miss out on Elphinstone Point, Kates Point, Sunset Point, and Babington Point. The hotel also has tie-ups with local guides who will take you around these beautiful locations.

Brightland Hotel has a variety of rooms catering to the comfort of their guests. The rooms range from standard rooms, deluxe rooms to suites. The suites are named as Cottage Wing, Orchid Wing, Tulip Suite, Ivory Suite, Lotus Suite and Poolside Wing. These cottages or suites are well equipped with the latest amenities and state of art facilities. The rooms are centrally heated, given round the clock room service, and have amenities like cable network connection, internet connection and so on.

For more information about Mahabaleshwar Hotels Online Booking Services, Please visit our website for booking Hotels in Mahabaleshwar

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Earning Free Flights With Your Credit Card

By Rich Greenwood

Credit card companies are always looking for new ways to grab our attention and create new types of rewards schemes. Through all these schemes one of the most popular types of rewards on credit cards for the past couple of decades has been the ability to earn air miles or frequent flyer points on everyday credit card spending.

It is useful to understand that there are three main types of frequent flyer credit card: airline (or hotel) affiliated cards, like the Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express; multi-program cards, such as American Express cards with their Amex Rewards program; and bank cards with their individual travel rewards schemes, such MilesEdge Visa from Bank of America and PremierPass MasterCard from Citibank. Below we have noted the biggest differences to be aware of.

Miles Earning Rate: Typically you can expect to earn around one mile per dollar spent with an airlne affiliated rewards card. Based on getting one or two cents worth of points for each mile you earn the value of the points would be worth around 1-2% of what you spend. If you purchase airline tickets from the airline hosting the frequent flyer credit cards, you get double miles. Some airline-affiliated frequent flyer credit cards also award double miles on purchases at qualifying merchants. Others give bonus miles after a new cardholder makes the first charge. Some cards allow you to earn only 50,000 to 100,000 miles annually (with adjustments for those paying higher annual fees and for elite club members).

Multi-program cards (such as American Express credit cards linked to the Amex Rewards Program and Diners Club card with its Club Rewards Program) normally award one point per dollar charged. You earn two Amex rewards points on every dollar spent at qualifying merchants. The key benefit is that point earnings on multi-program cards can be exchanged point-for-point in the mileage programs of many partner airlines and hotel chains.

Like airline-affiliated frequent flyer credit cards, bank travel rewards cards award one mile per dollar of net spending made on the card. Mileage earnings on bank cards have expiry dates (normally about 3-5 years), unlike miles from airlines which you can extend indefinitely. Some bank cards don't allow you to earn unlimited points and have a monthly cap above which you won't be earning points.

Cost and Redemption: Airline-affiliated frequent flyer credit cards impose annual fees, usually about $45-$65 but can vary between $39 and $140. The APR you pay on these cards is normally well above average. Many airlines programs have a reputation for being full of restrictions with very limited seat allowances on each flight. Black-out dates causes restrictions which may impact when you can travel.

Multi-program cards have higher annual fees, around $95-$110. These cards tend to offer more benefits than the other types, such as providing primary (not secondary) insurance coverage on rental cars which actually saves you money. Redemption fees are also charged when exchanging points for airline miles; this is partly due to a federal excise tax imposed on purchases of miles from a U.S. airline frequent flyer program. If your paying the card off before the due date each month then you won't have to worry about any interest charges.

Bank cards usually charge lower fees, and generally impose lower annual percentage rates than airline-affiliated cards. If you earn miles solely on purchases, bank cards give more advantage than airline frequent flyer credit cards when you redeem miles. Unlike airline programs, bank cards buy your ticket from any available airline, provided you inform them at least 21 days before your planned departure date. There are no blackout dates. The downside is that bank cards may impose a maximum dollar value on the ticket award ($300-$500, depending on the program).

To sum up, frequent travelers who earn many miles through actual travel should use airline-affiliated frequent flyer credit cards, and possibly have a second card (multi-program cards are well-suited) to supplement mileage earnings. If you cannot consolidate mileage earnings in one program, you make multi-program cards your primary card, to tap into programs like the Amex Rewards, provided you like flying on their partner airlines.

Those with a high monthly credit card spend may find the banks own travel rewards programs may provided access to a greater range of flights and travel options with less restrictions than a single airline scheme.

Richard Greenwood is Director of the Click 4 Group who operate an network of finance comparison websites which compare frequent flyer credit cards and provides tips on getting a new credit card.

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With the Right Kind of Credit Card Spending, Air Travel Flights Are Yours for Free

By Nadine Lloyd

What are the best ways to rack up frequent flyer miles? Are there people out there who really know how to play the system and manage to do better than any one of us amateurs do? Yes, there are. And when they want to travel, flights just appear out of nowhere. This is what you need to know to do likewise.

The frequent flyer miles that you get as your sign-up bonus happen to be a really important set of miles for you. Some credit card companies will actually offer you 80,000 miles to sign up. And to encourage you to spend more using their cards, they'll give you thousands of miles more if you will reach certain levels of spending. That's a good way to get started. But that isn't enough if you really want to travel; flights for free and lots of them, require a little more imagination.

It used to be that people who really worked the system would sign up to credit cards just for the miles they got as a sign up bonus, and close their account as soon as they got what they wanted. They would then sign up for the same card all over again. The card companies though have wised up to what these people were doing and they don't allow you to play them repeatedly. But they only care if you are signing up for the exact same card over and over again. Any major bank these days, offers dozens of credit cards, with many of them offering the same kinds of sign up bonuses. You can engage in that practice still, only with different brands of credit card from the same bank. Just watch your stash of frequent flyer miles go up.

Here's a kind of really sneaky technique that you need guts to pull off. So ask yourself this - what is it that you need to do once you have a credit card and you have your sign up bonuses? What is it that you need to do to earn more miles? You need to buy stuff, spending thousands of dollars on your credit card. Now you can't really afford to do that, can you? Well, you can, if all you're doing is buying money.

Perhaps you're telling yourself that you don't really understand - how do you buy money? You see, the US Mint sells dollar coins. It's kind of a commemorative thing. But you can spend those dollar coins, because they are real money. All you need to do is to use your credit card to order thousands of dollars worth of coins from the US Mint. If you buy $5000 worth of coins with your credit card, it counts as $5000 worth of purchases as far as your credit card is concerned. And you get the frequent flyer miles for it. The US Mint ships the coins to you for free. You just turn around and deposit all the money in your bank. You're out exactly nothing, but you have just gained yourself thousands of frequent flyer miles. How's that for gaming the system for free travel? Flights to anywhere just became free to you.

Nadine Lloyd loves to write interesting articles on Air Travel Deals and the like. Be sure to drop by our site to learn more about Family adventure vacations, Adventure travel tours,Australian Flights and much more!

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Tips for Getting the Cheapest International Flights

By Lisa Stern

International travel has gotten more affordable than ever despite the skyrocketing prices of crude oil. Much of these price decreases could be attributable to the large volume of demand with this increasingly interconnected world.

To take advantage of these, one of the best ways to get you started in your search for cheap international flights is by using online travel comparison services or by creating a travel chart on your own. But first, do know that creating a chart on your own could take a lot of time and effort. If you want to save time, spending a little on online services that do the job for you could very well be worth the investment.

The first thing you should remember about international travel airfares is that the prices are always changing. Airlines routinely adjust their rates based on many external factors that you would not be able to control.

The price of gasoline, travel taxes imposed by the origin and the destination authorities, the amenities you could find on the plane, the plane itself, labor conditions and more make airfare pricing very complex. Today, one of the most important things that you should consider and remember is the fact that there are many hidden fees and charges that are imposed both by the airliner and the airports.

The advantage of booking your flight directly on the carrier's official website is that you have the option to look over these charges as they are presented to you. With the chart that you've made, you'll be able compare and see which ones are cheaper for you. If you really want to note down the details, you could use a simple spreadsheet program. In this way, you could compare the airliners fares side by side.

You should also take advantage of promotions and discounts. During the times before the Internet and social media networks such as Twitter.com and Facebook.com, the only way you could find these discounts are through traditional media and television advertisements. If you are a user of any of these social networks, following the accounts of airliners would keep you updated in real time about ongoing promotions and offers. Moreover, you could even be updated via your mobile phone.

Research goes a long way and you can find that some airliners provide their pricing on a monthly and even yearly basis. By planning well in advance, you could choose a date when ticket prices are lower than the rest of the year. Airliners do this in order to attract passengers particularly during seasons when not a lot of people are traveling to different places.

Discount airfares are also becoming common and you'd be better off finding them online or through prominent and trusted travel websites. You could also check these discount airfares through popular group buying websites. The only downside to this approach is that you're going to have to make your schedule work around the time frame based on ticket prices.

For first timers, international travel can be quite an exciting experience. However, it could also be costly. However, by paying attention to the smallest of details and charges that could accrue when left unnoticed, you'd be better financially prepared for international travel.

Looking for cheap airline tickets online? Then be sure to visit all of Canada's largest travel agencies and compare to find the best discount flights and cheap all inclusive vacations when planning your next vacation.

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Walking in Crete - Discover Heraklion

By Tony Maniscalco

If you like walking in the midst of history, legend and romance, without forgoing the hustle and bustle of modern life, you'll love walking in Crete! The largest of the Greek islands and also the most highly-populated, Crete's local culture-dialect - art and music - is distinct from general Greek culture, so it has its own unique charm. It's definitely a must-stop place on your holiday in the Greek Isles. Where to start? Heraklion!

Your Doorway To Crete

The island capital, Heraklion (also called Iraklio or Candia) is an international port and a popular stop for cruises - making it the perfect setting-off point for a holiday walking in Crete. At first glance, what will greet you is a seemingly bustling, modern city- just what you'd expect of a major port- humming with activity, with scooters zipping up and down city streets. Go a little further (preferably with a guide or a guidebook) and you'll find pretty much everything you could want to see - whether it's shopping, culture, history or just great beaches.

Walk Backward In Time

One of the best reasons to go walking in Crete is the sense of experiencing life as it was in ancient times. The best place to learn a bit of the history is the huge Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This famous landmark, converted from an old power station, houses a massive collection of relics covering a period of time that spans around 5,500 years: from the Neolithic Period through Minoan, post Minoan and later periods - all sourced from Cretan archaeological sites such Knossos, Phaestos, Zakros and Archanes (Arhanes). It is best visited either early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the rush hour, especially in summer. If you have some spare time, you could also make a quick stop to the Battle of Crete Museum nearby.

The Palace of Knossos, five kilometres south-east (around 20-30 minutes) from the centre of Heraklion is another important stop when you go walking in Crete. Here, you will be able to see where King Minos (and his Minotaur!) is said to have lived, and from where Daedalus and his son Icarus took their tragic flight. Other sites you may want to visit in order to make the most out of Crete's capital city are the Venetian Walls and the Loggia, Agios Minas, Koules Fortress and Transanades.

Say Hello to the Flora and Fauna

If you'd like to meet more of the denizens on your holiday walking in Crete, check out the Natural History Museum of Crete, where you will find great exhibits showcasing Cretan wildlife. Children will enjoy the area designed specially for them, complete with caves and other play materials. Don't miss the earthquake- experience platform at the basement!

Another great place to visit if you're on a holiday walking in Crete with children is the Thalassocosmos, a wonderful aquarium of tanks representing Cretan life under the sea. You can view almost 2500 specimens of Mediterranean marine species, including hunter sharks and beautiful jellyfish. There are some 50 viewing areas, while modern touch-screens provide additional facts in five languages.

Exploring the city of Heraklion is a wonderful starting point for your holiday. Walking in Crete can be so much more enjoyable if you know a little about the history of the island. Spending time in this fascinating city will enable you to better understand Crete and its culture.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us walking in Crete to see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries.

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Menorca - Villas and Vineyards, The Perfect Blend

By Brenda Jaaback

As the second largest of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is the quieter neighbour of the more touristy and party-oriented Majorca, and is best experienced in a more relaxed style. When you book your holiday here, one of the best ways to get the most out of your stay is to rent one of the many beautiful Menorca villas dotting the cities and more rural parts the island.

On of the most enjoyable things to do on a villa holiday is to stock up on the fresh seafood and produce the island has to offer and enjoy it with a glass of fine Menorcan wine - in the comfort of your own 'home away from home'. There are four wineries on the island bearing the seal of regional wine classification "Vi de la terra Illa de Menorca", which was granted in 2002.

Viñas Binifadet- Located close to a number of Menorca villas in the village of Sant Luís, in the south-east tip of the island, this winery's motto, "The whim of the island", is reflected in the variety of wines it produces. It began as a family plantation in 1979, producing wine for family and friends, then, in 1994 Viñas Binifadet began to bottle wines for the public. The winery offers tours, functions, and often organises exhibitions featuring new and exciting artists from around the world. And, while you are perusing the art and gift shop, you can try a taste of the wines they produce such as chardonnay, merlot, syrah, rosado, two sweet wines made from muscat and merlot grapes as well as the island's first sparkling wine: Espumoso Rosado.

Ferrer de Muntpalau - This charming vineyard and winery, located in the centre of the island, was named after a knight of the 14th century who owned the land where the current vineyards now stand. Ferrer de Muntpalau was the first wine of the island to be labelled with Menorca's 'seal', "Vi de la terra Illa de Menorca". They currently produce two reds and a white that you can purchase to take back to your Menorca villas or enjoy in the Ca n'Aguedet restaurant, which works closely with the winery and serves wines alongside traditional recipes from the island.

Hort de Sant Patrici - In 2002, the family that owns and operates Hort de Sant Patrici decided to plant some grapes; four years later they harvested their first wines, which were sold under the name "Horta" in 2008. They use local varieties of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah to produce two reds that make up the bulk of their wine productions, and a rose, "Cayetana". The Hort de Sant Patrici family also are artisan cheese-makers and produce a small vintage of olive oil. In addition, the family are also keen on the agro-tourism trade, and will be glad to set you up with supplies from their store for the duration of your stay in any of the local Menorca villas that dot the countryside within a short distance of the vineyard.

Brenda Jaaback is the Managing Director of Bartle Holidays. They can provide you with a wide selection of great accommodation for your holiday in Menorca villas. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.

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Delight In an Energetic Vacation to Malia

By Adam Barnstaple

Malia is positioned on the eastern coastline of Crete. The area is encircled by magnificent mountain views, and Malia is known for its excellent beaches. Many people prefer to holiday in Malia because it is known as a very cheap spot to take a break and have fun. There are many things to do in Malia:

. Go to the Beach: Malia beaches are marvelous, as they stretch for miles. There are many beaches in Malia to choose from. You can bask in the sun and enjoy a breath-taking view while on the beaches of Malia. Most of the beaches of Malia are lined with plenty of nightclubs and restaurants, so you will not be hungry or thirsty.

. Water Sports: While on the beach in Malia, there are many water activities which you can do. A few of the water sports in Malia involve windsurfing, jet-skiing, paragliding and motor boating. You can rent most equipment for your water activities.

. Malia Cruises: There are many day cruises available from Malia. Many cruises offer barbeques, drinks and dancing on board. Sometimes, the cruises stop for some swimming or snorkeling.

. Scuba Diving: Because the waters in Malia are so extraordinary, scuba diving is an adored activity in Malia. There is a dive centre in Malia that offers lessons and diving excursions all around the area.

. Nightlife: Malia is known as a party destination, so the region offers colorful, lively nightlife to keep you entertained. Malia has some of the most groovy clubs in Europe with greatest DJ's. The city is filled with bars, pubs and discos in which you can party until the wee hours of morning.

. Malia Minoan Palace: Malia is rich with history, and the Minoan Palace is something you must see. It was built near the sea and is the third largest palace in Crete. It was built in 1900 BC and was destroyed in 1700 BC. It was rebuilt in 1650 BC on the same site. You can explore the palace and view the ruins that run along the complex. It is a very interesting place to visit.

. The Malia Ruins: The city ruins are located just east of the city. Visiting the ancient ruins is just fascinating.

. Landrover Safari: You can see the rugged mountains of Crete when taking a fun-filled trip in a Landrover. There are experienced drivers who are familiar with the area and will give you and exciting experience.

. Quadbiking Hire: You can rent a quadbike and discover the region of Malia.

If you are looking for an impressive holiday filled with partying and amusement, Malia is the appropriate destination for you. A holiday in Malia will be an experience that you will never forget, and will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Adam loves to kick back and relax with his friends on Malia package trips and can't wait to get away again next year.

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Bergamo Tourist Guide

By Robert Blanco

Bergamo in Northern Italy is neither big or particularly famous and is not a usual destination for tourists. Bergamo is less than 1 hour northeast of Milan and has been living quietly at the edge of the Alps for more than 2,000 years. Bergamo is a town that consists of 2 distinct parts. The Citta Bassa or the lower city and the Citta Alta, the old upper city and historic centre which is full of beautiful medieval and Renaissance buildings.

Originally known as Barra, Bergamo is said to have been founded by Cydno, the son of the founder of the Liguri family. The Etruscans turned the city into a fortress in the sixth century BC as its hilltop location made it ideal to spot any advancing enemy right over the plains below. And for nearly 400 years, starting in the early 15th century to the late 18th century, Bergamo was under the influence of Venice, and it was the Venetians who rebuilt the stone walls around Citta Alta.

Narrow and winding cobblestone streets are to be found everywhere inside the city walls. Once inside the Porta San Alessandro, one of the 4 gates around the ancient wall, a walk along Via Colleoni is highly recommended as it leads to the magnificent Piazza Vecchia.

This plaza is surrounded by impressive buildings with the Fontana di Alvise Contarini fountain positioned at its centre. The Palazzo Della Ragione, or municipal palace is also located here with a magnificent bell tower to its right. Between these two buildings is an archway which leads to Piazza Duomo, home to the gorgeous Santa Maria Maggiore and Bergamo's Cathedral, as well as the Colleoni Chapel and baptistery.

The 12th century church of Santa Maria houses traces of the original frescoes depicting the tree of life. The dome has frescoes by Giovanbattista Tiepolo and the walls are covered with Florentine tapestries, the wooden confessional was designed and made by Andrea Fontani in 1705. The Santa Maria church also contains the tomb of famous composer Bergamo Gaetano Donizetti who wrote 71 operas, 18 symphonies and many other important works.

Bergamo's Via Gombito is lined with bars, restaurants, cafes and small groceries where fine food includes the best polenta in Italy and Taleggio cheese, there are also many confectionery shops displaying the yellow cakes known as polenta e osei. Magnificent window displays and aromas will make you want to try everything.

If you are looking for a bite to eat in Bergamo, a trip to the former prison building just off Via Colleoni, which is now called Il Circolino di Citta Alta is well worth a visit and is highly recommended. The budget priced restaurant is operated and owned by Bergamo's senior citizens and students which serve great local food from home-made ravioli-like Cosoncelli alla Bergamasca to various polenta dishes.

However, Bergamo's food and architecture is not limited to the old town. The lower part of the city, Citta Bassa also has much to offer, especially Accademia Carrara. Located at Piazza Giacomo Carrara, the academy is one of Italy's most important art spaces and houses masterpieces by Botticelli, Raffaello, Bellini and Donatello.

How to get to Bergamo

Bergamo is just 53 km from Milan along the Milan-Venice A4 motorway. Car rental in Bergamo is not expensive and is definitely worth considering.

The train from Stazione Centrale Milano to Bergamo leave frequently with a journey time of around 50 minutes.

Tourists arriving in Bergamo by bus or train can take Atb (Azienda Trasporti Bergamo) bus number 1 to Citta Alta or the funicular, which runs from 7.00am to midnight.

The nearest airport is Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport and flights to bergamo are operated from many locations.

The author of this article is Robert Blanco who specialises in writing airport guides including Bergamo Airport which contains plenty of useful information on hiring a car at Bergamo Airport.

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The Splendid City of Valencia

By Seamus Thompson

Overview

The splendid city of Valencia, capital of the Valencian community and situated on the east coast of Spain has a recorded history dating back to 137BC. With a population approaching 810,000 people, the city is Spain's third largest and popular tourist spot thanks to its cosmopolitan reputation and international prestige. The city is also home to the traditional Spanish dish paella and is renowned as a fashionable place to be seen in Spain. The city also plays a prominent role in international trade and investment.

Getting around

The city is ideal for tourists on a short break as it is generally compact and easily walk able. Further to reach destinations are also easily accessible as the network of public transport in the city is well developed with an extensive bus and tram network system, as well as the metro. As in many Spanish cities and towns the old quarter is a real treat with picturesque old buildings, historical monuments and the famous Valencia Cathedral all frequently visited as points of interest by the many tourists. A range of architectural styles can be noted in the city including gothic and modernist and the city boasts medieval churches and beautiful gardens in which to enjoy the beautiful weather.

What to do

If you are into shopping then you should head to the Colon area of Valencia. Upmarket and fancy, the area offers some of the best shopping facilities in the city in wonderful surroundings. The old Colon Market which is a fine example of modernist architecture offers a luxury shopping arcade in the area where market traders used to sell their wares.

Situated on the Med coast with a pleasant year round climate and mild temperatures throughout the year, the new town of Valencia is home to numerous University faculties as well as the port and the beach. The active port offers a gateway to the Balearic Islands and is a busy commercial hub from which frequent holiday cruises begin their journeys. The city has experienced extensive redevelopment in recent years, making it more appealing to tourists with refurbishment of many points of interest. An important event in nearby Bunol draws thousands of tourists annually - the Tomatina is a famous event whereby locals pelt each other with tomatoes!

Tourists and visitors with an interest in art and history will revel in the many museums and galleries in the city including L'Oceanografic which is the largest aquarium of its kind in the EU. There is an interesting prehistoric museum as well as the Palau de les Arts which holds concerts and music performances.

Welcome to Clubvillamar:- We have suitable holiday villas for everyone, whether you prefer to enjoy the villas spain in a luxurious holiday villa with a private pool. On this website you will find amazing villas on the villas in ibiza and villas mallorca selected especially for you.

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Attractions of Palma City

By Sanjeev Kumar Tanotra

Palma attractions

About the city

Palma is a major city and port on the island of Majorca and is also a capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is situated on the south coast of the island on the bay of Palma. This city was founded as roman camp upon the remains of a Talaiotic settlement and it was finally established by James- l of Aragon. The land area of the city is about 21,355 km with the altitude of 13 metres and the city is bordered by the rocky inlets and marinas on the south side. This city has many beautiful things to see and many wonderful places to visit and has remained one of the most preferred places for the tourists around the globe.

Major attractions of the city

1. Cathedral (Le Seu) - it is one of the most famous attractions of the city where we can see many great collections related to the history of this city. It is one of the most famous religious sites of the city and also houses a history museum; moreover to visit this site you do not have to pay anything as to visit here is free of cost.

2. Soller railway (Trn de Soller) - it is one of the great little railway journey of the world, which runs from train terminal, just off the Plaza de Espana, in the centre of Palma to the town of Soller. It is one of the most beautiful scenic railroads of the world and is situated 0.5 miles from the city centre.

3. Son Amar- this is also one of the most famous attractions of the city. It is a dinner theatres where you can enjoy dinner with some live entertainment. It is situated at Soller road Palma and you have to pay some fee to get in there.

4. Bellver Castle (Castle de Bellver) - this large, 14th century castle overlooking the town of Palma now houses a museum and is one of the most famous historic sites of the city, which is situated at a distance of 1.7 miles from the city centre.

5. Museu d Art Espanyol Contemporani-Fundacion Juan March - It is also one of the famous art museums of the city, which is situated 0.2 miles from the city centre. It is housed in a former mansion and display's the work of twentieth century Spanish artists such as Picasso, Dali and Antoni Tapies.

6. Divemans Plongee - it is a famous Marinas of the city where you can get a best diving experience in the supervision of trained instructors. This place is situated 4.9 miles from the city centre.

7. Passeig des Born - it is famous for landmarks and points of interest and is situated 1.4 miles from the city centre. This place has some great cafes for lunch, best with a view of the cathedral.

8. Poble Espanyol - it is one of the most famous speciality museums of the city and is situated 1.2 miles from the city centre. This place showcases different styles of architecture, with reproduction houses from Cordoba.

This article contains information about the attractions of Palma city

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What Makes Brighton a Great Place to Live?

By Angie C Wilson

Brighton is amongst the most popular places to live in the UK and has experienced a surge in head count in the last decade. That said, more heads hasn't spoilt the serenity of it's special coastline. On the South East coast of England, Brighton 's climate is warmer than the North and not only hosts rustic beaches but also backs onto the stunning countryside of the South Downs.

There are lots of things to see, whether you want to indulge in natural beauty or buzzing city life. Every coffee shop has a local zine with what's on and it seems that there is always a festival to enjoy, concert to listen to or art to see. The city itself has several theatres and concert venues, whether you like your classical or are more of a dub-step junkie. There is a big sense of community, in that people support local theatres and there's an acknowledgement from the organisers of events and shows in return by way of affordable entry fees, and family orientated festivals.

Finding friends in Brighton, with such and eclectic scene on offer, is easy. Despite the busy city, Brighton's culture differs from London in its attitude. It's easy to make new friends because people aren't afraid to chat to you and you'll find yourself engaging in conversation wherever you go. If you can join local groups that's a great way to meet new people who have the same interests as you. Whether it's country walks, club nights or an orchestra you can join a local club to meet like-minded folk and there are plenty of advertisements and leaflets to pick up in shops. The subdistricts all have their own local pamphlets, where the local community can advertise what's on in the area.

Brighton has a wealth of history to be celebrated, particularly from the Victorian period when the electric railway, pier and glorious Pavilion were built. There are museums and tours around the city for those who want to learn more about it. Local photography and film are often exhibited in Brighton and Hove which both have large art galleries. It has also been a magnet for talented musicians and writers to settle in. Virginia Woolf stayed in the village of Ditchling at the foot of the Downs and you can look around Rudyard Kipling's house and gardens in Rottingdean. Of course there's lots on offer on the waterfront with regular watersports festivals; Brighton's Marina is a town in itself and offers shops, cafes and a busy market place as well as bowling, cocktails and dancing after dark. You can take boat trips from the Marina to view the coastline from the waves. There are plenty of things to do in Brighton!

Perhaps it's the feeling of community that keeps people wanted to live on the south coast, there's certainly plenty going on but, perhaps more importantly, a openness and welcoming of the residents and the essence of being able to be yourself.

Brighton Mix is an on-line socialising community in the UK helping you to meet new people, make new friends by attending fun and diverse social events. Anyone in Brighton can sign up to the site at http://www.brightonmix.com.

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Caracas, Venezuela: An Art Lover's Paradise

By Kevin Delbert

One of the prettiest countries in the world, almost the entirety of the country of Venezuela is an artist's delight. It is perhaps this love of beauty that has been instrumental in making the people of this country and especially the people of the Venezuelan capital city of Caracas appreciate the arts more than just about any other people. This is in fact demonstrated by the various art museums and monuments that dot this beautiful land. If you are planning a trip to the Venezuelan capital city of Caracas, make sure that you check out some of these exotic museums and galleries.

One of the first and most acclaimed art museums in the city of Caracas is the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, one of the best art galleries in the world. Today, home to several examples of modernist styles of paintings and other works, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo is generally regarded as the best art museum in South America. If you are a fan of Picasso, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo is a definite must visit for its collection of the vast numbers of sketches created by this great artist.

One of the monuments which give the city its defining look is the famous Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas. Created by the famous architect Carlos Raul Villanueva, the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas is a derivative of the modernist movement in art and today almost a kind of pilgrimage center for art students from all over the world.

The Quinta De Anauco is another of the different art related tourist attractions that the city boasts of. Once an eighteenth century Spanish villa, the Quinta De Anauco is the just the place, where you can get a taste of the lifestyle and designs of architecture of the period. Today a well-preserved art museum, the Quinta De Anauco also allows the tourists who arrive here to walk around the plush mansion, marveling at the architecture and checking out the intricate designs of the furniture. There are also a number of monuments that dot this beautiful city. Notable amongst these is the Arco de la Federacion, which is located just in the center of the city and easily connected to almost all the parts of the city by easy modes of public transport. Another important must see of Caracas is the Plaza Bolivar, which is home to a number of statues, all of which find a place of pride in the hearts of the citizens of the land.

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Hawaii Island - An Archipelago Of Natural Beauty And Adventure

By S Marjan

A perfect fusion of isolated beaches, sky touching mountains and intense rain-forests, Hawaii Island offers an abundance of natural beauty and a wide range of adventures. This Island is an archipelago of eight main islands. Read on to know about them briefly.

Hawaii (Island) is an archipelago blending the incredible natural beauty and sharp contrariety. Due to their custom of welcoming- an attitude of openness and friendliness- to the visitors, this multi-cultural community is known as 'Islands of Aloha', and attracts the visitors throughout the globe. This 'Aloha Spirit' overcomes the differences with dignity and combines all the islands in a single unit. This spirit remains with the visitors as well, even after they return back to their homes.

The Hawaii Island has a god-gifted natural beauty that makes this place a perfect vacation spot. Lush tropical valleys, upland rain-forests, high cascading waterfalls and exotic beaches, there is everything to make this Island a paradise for vacationers. This Island offers the visitors a wide ranging selection of adventurous activities. Hawaii is not just a natural resort, there are some world famous historical landmarks, excellent art galleries, quality dining avenues and fabulous museums as well, offering a different vacation taste to the visitors. Hawaii Island is located in the North Pacific Ocean. It is in fact a chain of eight main islands- Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe, and Niihau. Kauai, and Hawaii (Big island). Let us have a brief introduction of these islands.

Oahu Island: This is the most populated island, and a home to the top vacation spots of Hawaii Island. The capital city- Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, historical Pearl Harbor, Diamond Heads and many more, there is an array of tourist attractions which make this island the 'Gathering Place' at Hawaii Island.

Kauai Island: Called the 'Garden island', Kauai is well-known for its magnificent scenic beauty. With beautiful waterfalls, dense rain-forests, and quiet streams, this island never dismays the vacationers who come here in search of peace. In the list of major vacation attractions at this Island, there is spectacular Waimea Canyon, valley of Kalalau, Poipu Beach, the Na Pali Coast and many more.

Maui Island: This Island is popularized as 'Valley Isle'. It offers a long list of vacation attractions which the visitors find appealing. World's largest dormant volcano- Mt.Haleakala is located at this island. Apart from that, there is the Hana Coast, Iao Valley, Makena, and many more that attract the tourists from across the globe.

Hawaii: Bigger than all the Hawaiian islands combined, it is called 'The Big Island'. The dominant features of this island are twin towering peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (both more than 13,000 feet), and a large tropical flower Industry. Very rich in natural beauty, the island attracts the visitors due to its tropical climate and adventurous activities.

Moloka Island is called 'the Friendly Isle' and is considered the most endearing trait of the Hawaiian community. Talking about the Lana Island, it is a privately owned Island and a home to numerous first-class accommodations, dinning avenues, golf courses and beautiful beaches. Similarly, Nihau and Kahoolawe islands also attract the visitors with their natural beauty on beaches and dense rain-forests.

Honolulu International airport is the most preferred way to enter Hawaii Islands. Once you land at airport, you could find numerous transportation services to visit your desired destinations. For those who want a comfortable and luxurious ride during their trip, Honolulu airport limousine service is the best option. Some reputed transport companies offer these services online, that helps the visitors to avail these services conveniently and at competitive prices.

This article is written by an expert who is currently associated with Honolulu Airport Limo, a leading transport company that provides a range ofHonolulu airport shuttle services.

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Tourist Attractions Are So Great, Not Even These Scenarios Should Deter You

By Nadine Lloyd

What is a tourist trap? In the tourism business vernacular, they are tourist attractions like the Taj Mahal in Agra, India or the Champs-Elysees in Paris that feature prominently on every tourist's itinerary as a must-see place but that is so completely overrun with crass and vapid commercialization - unscrupulous touts, hawkers, sellers of overpriced souvenirs, commission agents for seedy businesses - that once you're there, amid the sheer onslaught of it all, you barely remember why you came in the first place. The Champs-Elysees never was anything in its own right other than a beautiful symbol of Parisian elegance. When all the crass commercialization along the Boulevard came along over the past quarter-century, it just lost its symbolism and has ever since been nothing more than a former symbol. That's a tourist trap that isn't worth going to. When it comes to the Taj Mahal though, the breathtaking beauty of the monument and the sheer power of its significance make it worthwhile coping with all the tourist trappery that has a stranglehold over the place. Let's look at a few of the greatest tourist traps around the world that you should brave every hurdle that crass commercialization puts in your way for. Because they are that great.

Let's start with the Great Wall of China; the 5000 mile-long wall passes through practically every important part of the country; close to Beijing, the town of Badaling is where you'll need to go to see the Wall. As you approach the Wall, you know you're in for a tourist trap experience. The sea of tourist humanity that's all over the place is practically nothing compared to the sea of people who try to take their pictures to sell them a little key ring, a snow globe and other trash souvenirs. Take the little monorail on top of the wall, and you're transported to a proper trash souvenir market where everywhere you look, there are nothing but T-shirt sellers. Even so, no amount of crass commercialization can really subdue the grandeur and majesty of a Wall so massive, it had to be built over centuries. As pushy as the vendors are, they haven't been able to cover the entire 5000 miles of the wall with their T-shirt stalls. All you need to do is to walk past them to get to where restored portion ends and the wall goes on in its natural state. This is where you get to really take in the significance of this monument. As tourist attractions go, this one stands apart in a class of its own.

If ever there was a place on this earth that deserved to be called a tourist trap, it would have to be Venice - a place where at the top of the season, there are 350 tourists to every local Venetian. If you've read about how Venetians happen to be a terribly rude (if small) crowd, at least you know now why that might be so. To really experience the transcendental beauty of this Renaissance city, you need to actually be here when it isn't a snake pit of tourists, pollution, heat, mugginess and impossible commercial agents. In short, you need to come here as far away from the high season as possible, which they define as July and August. Come in November or December though, and you'll see the tourist attractions of Venice like they were meant to be; the ancient Italian architecture all around you glows in the afternoon light and you see how delicate and transforming it can all be. You'll see the romance of it. You'll be able to attend choir practice or the street theater, you can have a glass of wine and a dish of pasta somewhere and talk to the locals.

Nadine Lloyd loves to write interesting articles on Provence France and the like. Be sure to drop by our site to learn more about Family adventure vacations, Adventure travel tours, Cheap Airline Tickets France and much more!

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Discover Chamonix, Mont-Blanc

By Richard Varley

Chamonix with the magnificent backdrop of Mont Blanc is a thriving and beautiful alpine town. It is the home of mountaineering and boasts world class skiing, hosting both world cup downhill races as well as free riding world championships.

Many alpine towns renowned for their ski season are pretty deserted in the summer. However, Chamonix is just as busy in the summer with visitors flocking to take in the majestic views. In summer the Aiguille du midi cable car goes right across into Italy and the cable car mid stations are busy with people taking advantage of the spectacular scenery. Visitors are attracted to Chamonix in summer for the hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or to do any number of the numerous other activities available in the Chamonix valley.

The Chamonix valley has been called the valley of a thousand chalets but this means that there are plenty of choices to suit all requirements be it cheap and simple accommodation to boutique and luxury hotels and chalets. Self catering holidays are popular in the summer and also increasingly so in the winter and it's easy to see why with the great selection of the shops and supermarkets and the variety of restaurants in the Chamonix valley.

Visitors staying the Chamonix valley also find it easy to cross European borders. Chamonix's proximity to the Mont Blanc tunnel means a day trip to Italy is easy and Courmayeur is actually covered on the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass in the winter which is ideal if one side of Mont Blanc gets a better powder dump than the other. The Swiss border is also close by and again in the ski season, Verbier is included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass, meaning that you can ski in three different countries under one ski pass.

Chamonix is a year round town and has the infrastructure to match so there is a sports centre with a pool and ice rink, there is a cinema, a museum and plenty of restaurants from fast foods to Michelin starred restaurants.

Geneva (90 Kilometres) is the most convenient and accessible airport for tourists traveling to Chamonix.

If you enjoy sightseeing then Annecy is an historic French town well worth a visit and is currently France's bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In short from wherever you are travelling and for whatever you want from a holiday Chamonix will deliver.

Chalet La Moraine is a luxury self catered chalet in Chamonix, providing winter ski holidays in Chamonix and summer activity holiday accommodation.

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