Atop the volcanic cliffs of St. Kitts shoreline, rests a centuries-old fortress once known as the “Gibraltar of the West Indies.” Brimstone Hill, named for the black rock from which it was fashioned, is both one of the most important colonial sites in the Caribbean and easily the most captivating. After serving as the main line of defense for both the British and French throughout the colonial period and falling into eventual disrepair, the fortress was saved from oblivion in the mid-20th century. When touring the site today, visitors can not only gain an important historical perspective, but witness one of the most awe-inspiring views anywhere in the Caribbean.

Once officially known as the island of St. Christopher, St. Kitts holds a unique distinction in the storied history of the Caribbean. As the first island to be settled by Europeans, St. Kitts served as a model society for the colonizers that flocked to the region throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. At the beginning of the colonial period, St. Kitts was shared by the British and the French, a mutual settlement that lasted from 1627 until 1713. After the native peoples were eradicated from St. Kitts and other Caribbean islands, European colonizers began fortifying their settlements and developing diverse industries. St. Kitts’ Brimstone Hill remains at once one of the oldest, largest and best preserved examples of such European development anywhere in the Caribbean.

The massive fortress at Brimstone Hill was constructed in pieces between the 1690s and 1790s. Nearly all of the stones used in the fortress were created using the volcanic rock that rests along the coastline of St. Kitts. The black stones were then precariously set into the walls of the fortress, including the exterior wall that overlooks an 800-foot cliff and the windswept Caribbean Sea. As the fortress expanded, the structure came to be an imposing extension of the dangerous coastline and impenetrable cliffs of Brimstone Hill.

In 1792, a French fleet composed of 50 ships and nearly 8,000 men, succeeded in capturing Brimstone Hill from the 1,000 British soldiers stationed atop the cliffs. However, following the Treaty of Versailles one year later, both the fortress and the island of St. Kitts were returned to the British Crown. While Brimstone Hill served as an active military camp for another 60 years, the massive fortress was abandoned and left to the elements by the mid-19th century. In 1965, the Brimstone Hill was resurrected as a national park and underwent years of restoration, eventually gaining distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, visitors to Brimstone Hill can tour the restored fortress and experience the same remarkable views once enjoyed by European soldiers. Daily tours traverse the 38-acre complex and visit the hospital, officers’ quarters, ammunition stores, cemetery and the impressive citadel with its guns remounted and aimed across the Caribbean Sea. In the on-site museum, visitors can see a collection of artifacts left behind by the soldiers and slaves that helped build the fortress. After taking in the rich history of the site, visitors can walk a number of nature trails through St. Kitts’ dense coastal forest. While there is plenty to see along the trails, the greatest natural beauty can be found by gazing across the Caribbean Sea from the top of the fortress. To the southeast, both St. Kitts’ sister island of Nevis and Montserrat are easily visible, while smaller islands such as St. Barths, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba can be seen to the north.

Whether you are a history buff or just a curious traveler, Brimstone Hill should be on your list of must-visit destinations in St. Kitts. While there is potentially much to learn atop Brimstone Hill, the view from atop one of the region’s most significant structures is something you will treasure for a lifetime.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in St. Kitts for the Marriott Resorts.

Spring break 2009 will most likely be another week of insane partying if the pattern holds true. The question is where.

A spring break destination can be popular one year and dry the next. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where everyone is going. You don’t want to spend your hard earned money on a spring break trip that will consist of mostly families. So how do we predict the future?

First, we take some advice from the stock market and look at the trend. Panama City and Daytona was the destination of choice fifteen years ago. It was a cheap spring break package. You could jump in your car and drive down. All you had to worry about was finding a hotel room that wasn’t sold out for your week in March. My how things have changed. 1997 saw a shift from Florida spring break destinations to Cancun, Mexico. The hotels in Panama City and Daytona were increasing their prices dramatically in March. It was almost more cost effective to book a trip to Cancun. Also, Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach had become a very dirty and dangerous place. Violent crimes during spring break had escalated to the point where most hotels no longer allowed anyone under 21 to check into the hotels during the month of March. Parents didn’t want their children to fall victim to the dangers of those destinations and their children felt the same way.

March of 1997 saw a full shift to Cancun, Mexico. It was ten times prettier than Florida destinations and the hotel owners let the college spring break students pretty much get away with murder unlike hotels in the states. Mtv helped fuel the fire by shooting on location. They were responsible for bringing thousands of college students to Cancun each year. A bidding war occurred (much like the Olympics) between the hotels. They all wanted Mtv to set up their music events on their beach and advertise their hotel during spring break. Unfortunately, it all came to an end in 2006. The record number of robberies and vandalism that existed in Panama City and Daytona turned into kidnappings and rape for spring break in Mexico. Hotels were being sued right and left. The police had to more than double their staff during spring break to handle all of the late night calls. It became worse than spring break in Florida and Mtv decided to stop setting up shop in Cancun soon after. Just when everyone thought it couldn’t get any worse, the eye of a massive hurricane moved directly over Cancun and hotel owners were left with five feet of standing water in the hotel lobby areas. Major water and wind damage was present at every hotel. This was the first time a hurricane had hit them in many years. Most hurricanes take a caribbean path, this one did not. Almost two years have gone by and Cancun is still cleaning up from the devastation left from that hurricane.

March 2007 saw a near 100% shift to the Bahamas. Hotels in Florida and Mexico saw plenty of empty rooms during March, but hotels in the Bahamas were sold out before November 1, 2006. The same situation occurred in March 2008. Every hotel on the island was sold out prior to November 1, 2007. The Bahamas became the first choice for many college spring breakers because of two things. First, the price was right. They could cruise to the Bahamas, spend a week partying it up in paradise, and cruise back for around $350 per person total. They had been paying near or over $1000 for a 5 to 7 day spring break package to Cancun. Most spring break students ask the question “why didn’t we do this last year?” They found a safe, cheap, gorgeous destination. The parents liked it because it was a few miles off the coast of Florida.

Based on historical data, the Bahamas will be the destination of choice for spring break 2009. If last year holds true again, most of the popular hotels will be sold out before November 1, 2008. Research early, book early, and make this spring break the best ever.

James Edmonds is the author of this article. www.BahamaSun.com is a great source for spring break 2009.

There are a few things that you should know before planning a trip to Las Vegas. These are the things that you should remember before everything else. The last thing you want is to come to Las Vegas only to realize that you forgot something at home. Let’s get started with the first basic rule when coming to Las Vegas, bring some comfortable walking shoes. This should be a MUST for anyone coming to Las Vegas. Chances are that you will end up spending a lot of time walking on the strip (and probably standing in lines as well) and nothing is worse than having blisters on your feet that will impair your ability to have fun in Las Vegas.

The second basic rule is to remember is to pack clothing that will fit the weather during your stay in Las Vegas. The weather here in Las Vegas can be fairly predictable. Between the months of May and August, the weather is usually HOT - especially in June and July where you can expect temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43 degrees Celsius. Between the months of October and April you can expect colder days and even colder nights. Remember to check the weather for Las Vegas prior to your trip.

The third basic rule is to try to avoid the busy holiday seasons when planning your trip to Las Vegas - if you can. Las Vegas is one of the busiest places in the nation around holidays. If you are coming to Las Vegas during a holiday remember that you will typically pay higher prices for your airfare, hotel, and car rental. Don’t forget that there WILL be large crowds. If you must come to Las Vegas during a holiday, make your reservations ahead of time to ensure that you will have the best availability to the all of the accommodations that you will need.

There are other basics you should remember as well. Remember that Las Vegas is in the desert. So remember that you will need to drink plenty of water. Margaritas and Beers cannot provide the necessary water intake that you need. Las Vegas is a very dry climate when compared to where many people live and it is very easy for the dryness here to take advantage of you.

If your purpose in coming to Las Vegas is to golf, then you should come prepared. Las Vegas has some of the nations most beautiful and lavish golf courses. You should bring your best clubs along with you - though you can rent clubs at the golf course if you decide not to bring your clubs. When speaking of things to do in Las Vegas, you should bring some dress clothes with you if you decide to go to one of the incredible Las Vegas shows - which you MUST do. You will not be disappointed with the shows that Las Vegas has to offer you.

Las Vegas is recognized for attracting the big spenders but it should be known that it is very possible to spend economically and have a great vacation for two that would cost $100 per day. However, on the other hand a big spender can spend thousands on ONE meal. When it comes to nice restaurants, make sure you look for the menu outside of the restaurant before you enter so that you can gauge the affordability of the restaurant if you are on a budget.

If you plan on visiting any of the destinations around Las Vegas like Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon, it would be a good idea to either drive your own car (if you’re close enough) or rent a car. It is easy to be fooled by the distances of these destinations that surround Las Vegas. Not too mention that it is easy to loose your sense of time when you are having fun in the casinos.

Las Vegas is also one of the biggest places in the nation to have a wedding. Las Vegas is almost as famous for weddings as it is for gambling. More than 130,000 couples apply for a marriage license each year in Las Vegas. There are no traditions for a Las Vegas wedding. You can go as informal as you wish. You can have Elvis preside over your wedding. You can even do a drive-thru wedding if you’re strapped for time.

The last basic rule is to live the Las Vegas motto while you’re here: “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.” So don’t be afraid to let go and have a good time. Just don’t do anything to attract the police and you will have an incredible time that you will remember forever.

For more Las Vegas information, and how to get the most out of your Las Vegas experience - visit our site LasVegasInformationOnline.com

When most travelers think of Cancun, the beaches and luxurious resorts are the first things that come to mind. Yet, like many other cities in Mexico, Cancun is home to a vibrant local culture supporting museums, galleries and theatres. One of the finest examples of Cancun’s creative spirit is the National Folkloric Ballet of Mexico, a decades-old production dedicated to the diverse history of the country. Presented as a dinner show with an open bar, Cancun’s Folkloric Ballet offers every guest an evening full of local flavors and excitement. Throughout Cancun’s Hotel Zone and the traditional downtown area known as El Centro, visitors can also find unique dance and music performances at numerous restaurants, performing arts centers and even on busy street corners. Regardless of where you take in Cancun’s diverse performing arts options, a day spent amongst the city’s talented dancers and musicians can open the eyes of any curious traveler.

Founded in 1960 by an enterprising ballerina, the National Folkloric Ballet of Mexico has long been one of Cancun’s premier entertainment options. For nearly five decades, Silvia Lozano – the ballet’s founder, artistic director and choreographer – has combined influences as diverse as Mexican history and folklore, European ballet tradition and avant-garde costume making into her world-renowned show. In 1977, after acclaim for Lozano’s historically-minded company spread throughout the country, the National Folkloric Ballet was named the official dance company of Mexico. In the years that followed, the ballet traveled the world, visiting five continents and 30 countries, amassing awards and rave reviews along the way.

Today, the National Folkloric Ballet of Mexico is presented every weekday evening at the state-of-the-art Cancun Convention Center. Visitors have the option of purchasing tickets for a dinner show – the cost of which includes a sizable meal that incorporates flavors from throughout Mexico, open bar privileges and gratuity – or the performance with an open bar. Dinner guests are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 PM for drinks, while meals are typically served at 7 PM. The daily performance begins each night at 8 PM and includes 80 minutes of traditional and modern dance, locally-inspired music and expert lighting and presentation.

At the Costa Blanca Shopping Center, El Mexicano Restaurant has created similar performances within an intimate setting. Each night from 7 PM to 11 PM, dancers and mariachi bands move throughout the dining area, creating a festive atmosphere that has garnered praise from visitors of all ages. Similar to the National Folkloric Ballet of Mexico, the performances at El Mexicano Restaurant draw from the entire nation’s rich cultural traditions and feature numerous interpretive historical dances.

As the popularity of dinner shows featuring ballet and other cultural performances has grown in recent years, there are now several more restaurants and theatres in both Cancun’s Hotel Zone and El Centro offering similar entertainment. Most notably, Xcaret houses a pair of theatres capable of seating 6,000 onlookers and is known for complex shows featuring live music, acrobats and dancers. Those in search of fresh Mexican food and traditional entertainment may also want to consider the performances at Teatro Cancun.

Despite all the performances to be found in the restaurants and theatres of Cancun, there is also plenty of fun outdoors. Throughout the year, dancers and mariachi bands can be found on numerous street corners in both the Hotel Zone and El Centro. In many cases, visitors will come across such performers after leaving the theatres and restaurants mentioned above. For instance, the Party Center courtyard – located just a short walk from the Cancun Convention Center – is known as a hotspot for traditional Mexican music. Hence, after witnessing the elegant production of the National Folkloric Ballet of Mexico, tourists can enjoy the cool Caribbean nights and even more live entertainment.

While Cancun might be known for the finer things, there are also plenty of ways to experience Mexico’s rich cultural history every night. From Cancun’s own internationally-recognized ballet company to the numerous dinner shows and street performances, the Mexican roots of this luxurious city can be found around nearly every corner.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Cancun for the Marriott Resorts.

Curacao is known throughout the world as one of the most colorful islands in the Caribbean, both literally and figuratively. While savvy travelers are aware of the island’s vibrant local culture and aquatic life offshore, Curacao is most commonly represented as the home of brightly-painted colonial mansions. Though these rows of pastel houses and businesses are certainly a sight to behold, this colorful spirit is on display everyday throughout Curacao in numerous galleries and art centers. Across Curacao, art aficionados and souvenir seekers can find the affordable pieces by both local and internationally-renowned artists, making a gallery tour one of the best ways to experience the island’s culture and remember your Caribbean vacation.

In the heart of the Otrobanda section of Curacao’s capital, the gallery known as Kas di Alma Blou (Papiamento for “Home of the Blue Soul”) displays a wide variety of works by local and internationally-recognized artists. The gallery features three distinct exhibition spaces within one of the city’s famous colonial Dutch mansions. While there are many affordable pieces of original art and souvenirs available, scores of visitors have found simple enjoyment in the relaxing atmosphere and peaceful sculpture gardens.

Similar to Kas di Alma Blou, Carib Fine Art in the Hotel Kura Hulanda displays the work of local artists amongst pieces by international art stars, such as Romero Britto. Most interestingly, Carib Fine Art is home to a unique collection of 19th century engravings, including numerous maps and sea charts depicting the “New World.”

The work of local art collective Artevishon is on display year-round at Otrobanda’s Gallery Mon Art. While the artists represented by Gallery Mon Art have won numerous awards and found collectors throughout the world, the gallery’s home is just as notable. Known locally as the Riffort, the Gallery Mon Art’s home is, in fact, a nearly 200 year-old colonial fort.

Numerous local artists are also on display at a pair of unique art centers. Landhuis Bloemhof, located on a picturesque plantation outside of Willemstad, houses and supports local artists, while regularly welcoming visitors to exhibitions, museum-style installations and creative lectures. The Open Atelier also exhibits the work of local artists, but has come to be known for its commitment to art education, including classes for tourists of all ages.

Many of Curacao’s favorite artists also have their own gallery and studio spaces open to the public. In such galleries, visitors are able to buy original artwork and souvenirs directly from the artists and, in some cases, witness the island’s most creative minds at work.

Located near many of the commercial galleries in Otrobanda, the Jean Girigory Gallery features the artist’s colorful paintings, each inspired by elements of local culture. Treasured as one of the island’s best folk artists, Girigory is often on hand to share the stories behind her paintings, sculptures, jewelry and other handmade souvenirs.

Yubi Kirindongo maintains both a gallery and a small museum at his home west of Willemstad. Kirindongo has traveled extensively with his work, including showings at biennial exhibitions in Brazil, Cuba and South Africa. In Curacao, he was granted the government’s highest artistic honor – the Cola Debrotprize. Having worked since 1978, Kirindongo has amassed an incredible body of work, much of which is on display at his home. Working primarily with metal scraps and other discarded materials to create modern sculptures, Kirindongo’s pieces represent the resourceful spirit of Curacao and its diverse population. Though his art-filled home must be viewed by appointment, Kirindongo regularly welcomes curious visitors from all walks of life into his creative world.

The gallery of John Baselmans is full of unique paintings, drawings and sculptures that share the history of Curacao and its people. Many of the artist’s paintings and drawings feature both representations of the island’s original natives and indigenous plant and animal life. On most days, Baselmans can be seen assembling modern sculptures or working at his drawing table.

Within a profoundly colorful gallery in the Bloempot Shopping Center, self-taught artist Nena Sanchez spends her days rendering a vibrant view of Caribbean life. Known for her still-life paintings filled with local flora and fauna, Sanchez has found collectors throughout the world. The Nena Sanchez Gallery offers both original paintings and affordable souvenirs such as prints and postcards.

With all of these galleries – plus several more – open to travelers, everyone can experience the colorful spirit of Curacao through the eyes of its most creative individuals. With artwork and souvenirs for all tastes and budgets on display, there is also no better way to cherish your trip to one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant destinations.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Curacao for the Marriott Resorts.

Nowhere beats Cyprus for a beach holiday, but it would be a great shame not to explore as well, so get yourself a holiday car hire in Cyprus and discover some of the island away from your holiday base. With a beautiful and extensive coastline providing a variety of beaches to choose from, ranging from secluded bays, to lively resorts, sandy beaches and rocky coves, you will find one that suits your mood for the day. Alternatively you can pick up a Cyprus street map and have a look around the towns and villages to get the most of your holiday car hire in Cyprus and maybe even look for Cyprus property for sale while you are out and about.

You will soon discover how easy is to get around the small island using the efficient and modern road network of two-lane highways. Holiday car hire in Cyprus is available in all towns and even some of the villages, making it a very competitive market so shop around to ensure you get the best price. Cyprus street maps are helpful, but a tip is to look up quite high on telegraph poles and walls for the street signs which are small and blue and can take some finding sometimes!

There are lots of activities you can partake in and being an island, water sports feature strongly. Discover the wonders of the underwater world by snorkelling or diving in the warm crystal clear seas. Windsurfing, parasailing and sailing can be enjoyed all the year round, thanks to steady winds and calm predictable sea, while coastal cruising and deep-water fishing are also popular. There really isn’t much of a public transport system in Cyprus so it can prove more convenient and even less expensive to have a holiday car hire in Cyprus rather than rely on taxis to get to them.

A great point to remember is that driving in Cyprus is on the left, the same as the UK and all the road signs are the same as the British with instructions and directions given in both Greek and English. This means that many visitors who can be nervous of driving in a foreign country are confident to use holiday car hire in Cyprus. The same reasons apply when people are thinking of looking for Cyprus property for sale, the feelings of familiarity, the driving, road signs and English widely spoken make the island feel like a home away from home, but with fabulous weather, friendly locals and the lowest crime rate in the European Union, its east to see why so many choose to have a holiday home or to relocate here.

So come to our island, sink your toes into the warm sand, feel the sun on your skin as you look out on the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea get a holiday car hire in Cyprus and a Cyprus street map and discover and enjoy all it has to offer. Cypriot hospitality is legendary, and you’ll be given the warmest of welcomes here, everything is geared to make you feel at home. We hope you come and visit, and maybe stay permanently.

Kate Deas-Smith recommends getting holiday car hire in Cyprus and checking out Cyprus property for sale.

7 Wonders of the World… You may not name all of them but probably you know that most of them were destroyed by earthquake, fire, or other causes since Herodotus formulated his list in mid 5th century BC. Today you may only see 2 monuments: the remains of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in Turkey and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the only one fully standing. Although Egypt has many to offer still thousands of tourists visit Egypt every year to see the Great Pyramid. In 2001 a corporation started an initiative to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World. The results were announced in 2007 and one more monument in the Middle East was selected as one of the new wonders: Petra in Jordan. Since then Jordan became a booming tourism destination. Although Egypt was not happy with the results still Petra’s selection increased the tourist flow to the region, and both Jordan and Egypt benefited from this traffic. The frequency and the short duration of the flights between these countries motivate North American travelers to visit both countries once they take the long flight to the Middle East. You’ll need at most 13 days to tour Egypt and Jordan; you can cover the major highlights and return home with mystical memories of the new and old wonders of the world.

It is suggested to begin with Cairo, the bustling city of North Africa. Don’t plan to begin touring on your arrival day, try to rest, recover from jet lag and keep your energy for the next day. Next morning why don’t you start with the famous Giza Pyramids? If you have booked a private tour in Egypt, probably you’ll meet your guide at your hotel and you’ll drive to Giza Plateau, located in the west bank of Nile, facing Cairo. Cheops, Chepren and Mycerinus are the three pyramids you will see in this plateau and their guardian Sphinx, the lion body human head mythical statue. If you are planning to enter the Great Pyramid you’ll need to arrive the gate early as the number of visitors is limited with 150. After Pyramids, visit the second highlight, the world famous Egyptian Museum. The museum that houses the largest Egyptian collection with more than 250.000 antiques extending over the past 5000 years. The famous Tut-Ankh-Amon collection is one of the most splendid parts of the museum. In the museum you may purchase additional ticket to visit the Mummy Room (cameras not allowed).

Your second day should begin early with a flight to Aswan or Luxor to join the Nile Cruise. You may not be really a “cruise type” but in Egypt, Nile cruise is the best way to visit Luxor, Aswan and other sights in between. If you begin from Aswan probably you’ll want to take the expensive excursion to Abu Simbel. It is a half day excursion but a must-see sight in Egypt. Flights to Abu Simbel fly early morning from Aswan and return by noon allowing ample time for cruise guests to board their ship. In Abu Simbel you’ll see the magnificent temples of Ramses II and Nefertiti.

Then you can join your Nile cruise ship where you’ll spend you next 5 days. Most cruise excursions will take you to Aswan Dam, to the Philae Temple and to a short sail by felluca’s, traditional sail boats to view the Agha Khan Mausoleum which is currently closed to visitors. On the way to Luxor ship will stop in Kom Ombo and Edfu. The Kom Ombo Temple was built in Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of god Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. Edfu Temple, located in the west bank of Nile, is dedicated to god Horus, the falcon god. This temple is the second largest temple after Karnak and its distinctive character comes from its huge structure that blends Greek and Pharaonic architecture. At the end of 3rd day on boat you will arrive Luxor, the greatest open air museum in the world.

Luxor tours begin with the Valley of Kings and Queens. Some of the most important tombs in the valley are the tombs of Tut-Ankh-Amon, Ramses III, Set I (Kings), and Nefertiti (Queen). Here you can also see the colossi of Memnon, Necropolis of Thebes and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, established by the only woman who ruled Egypt. Three terraces of the temple are impressive. Then you’ll cross the river to the eastern bank of Nile to see the temple of Karnak and Luxor. Luxor temple was built for the worship of god Amon Ra. Karnak temples includes several temples and it begins with the spectacular avenue of Rams. Next morning you’ll disembark and may spend the day in Luxor to visit the Luxor museum or you can return Cairo via flight or train.

For a complete Cairo experience you must visit the Khan Khalili Bazaar, the most famous bazaar of Egypt built in 14th century. The market has a medieval atmosphere and is famous for its unusual, typically oriental souvenirs, and handmade crafts.

At the end of your 7 night in Egypt you’ve already covered the most important highlights. On 8th day you can stay in Cairo to visit Memphis and Sakkara or you can take a daily tour to Alexandria, second biggest city and the largest port of Egypt. The city was built by the order of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C and became the capital city of his reign in Egypt. Here you should visit the Pompay Pillar, Catacomb, Montazah Garden, National Museum and the Alexandria Library. You may stay a few more days in Cairo to visit the old Cairo, mosques, citadel etc. But if you have limited time I suggest you to take the early flight next day to Amman, Jordan.

Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the World. Although Amman is the first step to visit Petra, Dead Sea or Wadi Rum still it is advised to begin your journey from Amman where you can visit the ancient Citadel, the Archaeological Museum and the Roman Amphitheatre.

Next day you can drive along the King’s Highway, the ancient Silk Road, to Madaba that is famous with its Byzantine mosaics. In the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George you can see the earliest surviving original map of the Holy land in a mosaic floor dating to 560 A.D. Ten kilometres west of Madaba is the holly district of Mount Nebo, known as the site of the tomb of Moses. Here you can enjoy the spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, even the spires of the churches of Jerusalem. Leaving Mount Nebo behind you are heading to Dead Sea, to the lowest point on earth, and the world’s richest source of mineral salts. It’s called the Dead Sea because nothing lives in it. Its salt content is six times that of most oceans. Plants or fish can not survive in the salty water but humans can float in the Dead Sea which makes swimming here a truly unforgettable experience. After this unique experience you are ready to head to Petra, but before Petra you have to visit Kerak, the city famous with the12th century hilltop fortress including galleries, towers, chapels, and ramparts that vividly recall the age of the Crusaders. Arrive Petra and enjoy a deep sleep as you’ll need your energy for the Indiana Jones adventure of the next day.

Red Rose City Petra, built by the Nabeteans who settled Jordan 2000 years ago, impresses travelers from all over the world with its desert rock carved monumental tombs, palaces, temples and the treasury. You’ll need to hike the 1.2 km canyon to reach the magnificent treasury. At the end of the fissure passage widens and you catch a glimpse of the astonishing monument that dominates Petra, El Khazneh (The Treasury). The rock face in which it is carved is sheltered from winds and rain so the Khazneh is known as the best preserved of all the monuments. On the way back you can enjoy the horse ride for a complete Petra adventure.

It is the 12th day of your journey, knowing you are approaching the end, you may prefer to slow down little bit. If so, I’d suggest you to head to sunny Aqaba, the red sea resort area where you can enjoy the sunshine and sea on your last day. But before going to Aqaba, the last must-see is the Wadi Rum, also known as Valley of the Moon; tourists explore the area in 4 X 4 vehicles. The landscape of Wadi Rum, with its immensity, colour and awe-inspiring shapes, creates an almost supernatural atmosphere. It was the setting for the film Lawrence of Arabia as most of our guests would recall. Passing by the Bedouin tents you will drive south to Aqaba, the red sea resort area where you can lie on the beach, close your eyes and spend a few moments to memorize the unforgettable mystical experiences you had in 12 days. The next day your final journey will be to Amman to board your flight back home.

Nil Aykut is the Marketing Manager of Anatolia Travels. Anatolia Travels offer private and escorted tours to Turkey, Greece Egypt , Jordan & Morocco. More information at http://www.anatoliatravels.com

Samui Island is a picturesque island providing world-class experience of vacations. There is a wide range of resorts that provide facilities like spa parlors, dance clubs, restaurants, Jacuzzi bathtubs, and swimming pools.

Samui Island is a paradise on earth for all travel lovers as it is full of picturesque locations that provide serenity and tranquility. This island is surrounded by some 60 odd islands that are part of the national marine park of Ang Thong and other world known tourist destinations such as Ko Nnag Yuan, Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan.

This island of Thailand is circular in shape with a 15 km in radius. The centre of this island is an uninhabitable area consisting of jungles, mountains and lowland areas. The outskirts of the island include beaches. The island is beautiful and provides scenic beauty to all the vacationers.

Top rated destinations

This island is also considered to be one of the most visited places of the world as it has popular attractions that can give you an experience of a lifetime. Following are some of those destinations:

o Chaweng: This is the place in the island that is mostly visited by tourists. It has large chain of retail outlets and shopping malls where you can shop to your heart’s content. This place is a treat for all the vacationers. It has an amazing nightlife for the vacationers.

o Maenam: This place offers awesome views of Marine Park and Koh Phangan. The waters are clean and calm. It is protected by the northeastern currents of Koh Phangan.

o Grandmother and grandfather rocks: These rocks are close to the lamai beach and are popular among tourists. They have striking resemblance to the male and female genital organs.

o Bangrak: This is another one of the most visited destinations of this island and is generally known as big Buddha beach. This is one of the calmest beaches of the world. The best part is that it is located nearby airport.

Resorts in Samui Island

This place has numerous hotels and resorts such as kala Samui resort, zazen boutique resort, the Sundays, Leparadis boutique resort, the Samudra retreat and Varinda garden resort; providing world class services to their customers. The best part is that all the services are cost effective and suit the budget of customers in the most appropriate way. The resorts cater to the needs as well as taste of different visitors as they offer diverse services such as bars, spa facilities, rooms with Jacuzzi bath tubs, swimming pools, spa parlors, Thai architect, dance clubs and restaurants. You can book your rooms online 24/7 without any hassle.

The luxurious resorts are conveniently located near the beaches. It becomes very easy for all the vacationers to visit different markets, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers without any hassles.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to this beautiful island and enjoy your vacations in the most relaxed manner. By traveling to Samui as mentioned earlier, you are not only get the beast place for your vacation, but also gaining the great experience of cultural and natural resource.

The article written by Weera Kunti, please visit the website for more information as it provides information about resort samui

Though Canada is known for its large share of deep winter freeze, it is also among the most popular places with spectacular natural vistas. It is also one of the most sought after honeymoon destinations, because of the sensual delight associated with cities such as Quebec City, Vancouver, and Niagara Falls.

Those who assume that Canada is just another version of the USA, are greatly mistaken. The country’s wild northern frontier has successfully etched itself into the national psyche. Its distinct patchwork comprising different people has shaped a country that is decidedly distinguishing from its neighbor.

Canada’s three-dimensional character edging between the nation’s indigenous tradition, and that of a mix of British and French traditions, make it both remarkable and complex. This, together with a plethora of traditions brought by the migrants and by the continuous infusion of US culture, make up for the nation’s multicultural society.

Romantic Vacation in Quebec City

Quebec City offers a blend of aristocracy and the charm of Montreal, and is easily accessible from Montreal. Visitors can travel to Quebec City either by road (takes two hours and a half) or take a plane or train, all of which are comfortable. This city with its backdrop a distinct European charm, makes the perfect setting for a romantic interlude in the winter, lighting or rekindling the flames of love in hearts.

In Quebec City, you can spend the day exploring boutiques and shops, riding the romantic caléche (a horsedrawn carriage) through the old Quebec City, relaxing in a spa, strolling hand-in-hand with your loved one through the streets admiring the gracious old buildings and forts. Take up to any activity, the aura of the city is such, that there is got to be romance everywhere.

During your visit to Quebec City, you have to savor its dining experience that is amongst the finest in North America. The intimate t

Online travel deals are surprisingly easy to find and easier to land. The trick is finding one that suits your purpose. There’s always a cheaper option available. Rather than focusing solely on the economics, it would serve you better to enquire why the deal is so cheap and what you would be foregoing in order to avail the fabulous low prices. Often you might prefer to pay a bit more and enjoy a modicum of comfort and arrive safe.

Travel arrangements from booking airline tickets to fixing an itinerary, hotel accommodation, tickets for various events and venues are done online these days. The more you surf, the more choices you’re faced with. Eleventh hour bookings have become the norm, and there is a whole genre of travel sites focused on this type of clients. This has indeed grown to be a substantial part of online travel arrangements for Canadians.

Most of the major online travel sites for Canadians and Americans, such as Expedia, Travelocity and others, have fantastic package deals that give you more bang for your buck. A Package deal does not mean a group tour, but rather a deal where airline tickets, accommodation, and sometimes even a car rental all are “packaged” together for usually a lower price than you would pay for separately.

The simple secret to getting a good travel deal online is to shop around. Often you can find price differences between sites. If you are willing to do your homework, a better rate can usually be found. Another well known secret is that if you choose to book during off season periods you will definitely get fabulous rates whether it’s airline fare or an amusement park ticket. The use of certain credit cards for online bookings also helps to get discounts, as those adding up those air mile points. If booking your trip last minute is an option, you will usually get a lower price. Be prepared however to be flexible in where you want to go, your first option may not be available.

Booking hotel accommodation online can get you good discounts even at star hotels. Be careful however, some deeply discounted bookings may not be refundable in the event you decide to cancel. Hotwire.com and Priceline.com are both popular discount travel sites that offer attractive discounts on hotel rooms. Referring to itself as the king of online travel, the Priceline’s claim to fame is the “name your own price” where the buyers are free to fix their rates for hotel rooms.

With either company, you pick the price, quality, amenities, and neighborhood you want, but you are not able to choose a specific hotel. With Priceline, you bid on the hotel which meets your needs. You then find out if the price you choose was accepted and if it was, your hotel is booked. In contrast, when using Hotwire, you don’t bid on your hotel and the prices are displayed.

In any case, the deals are out there, more than ever. So get online, do your research and you will find the best deal for you.

Be sure to visit www.FlyFromCanada.com for more great tips on Canada Travel. Flying from Canada? Checkout which online Canada travel agency will take you there!