Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Spring Getaways: The Alps of Lake Geneva

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A spring getaway can be a wonderful way to relax and refresh yourself after a cold and hectic winter. The beautiful Alps of Lake Geneva offer the perfect setting in which to unwind and discover something new - read our guide to find out more.
An excellent option for train travel in Switzerland, the Alps of Lake Geneva provide some great opportunities for discovering not only stunning scenery, but also pretty towns and historic rail lines.
What's more, choosing train holidays means you can really unwind as you travel, as there's no need to worry about long queues at the airport, uncomfortable flights or even planning out your own itinerary. Just sit back, relax and let the glorious scenery unfold in front of you.
Departing London's St Pancras station, the Eurostar will whisk you to Paris, which you will cross by coach before boarding another train to either Geneva or Lausanne. After changing trains for a final time, you'll follow Lake Geneva to Vevey. Your base for your getaway, Vevey is a beautiful market town boasting a charming medieval quarter - and was once the home of Charlie Chaplin.
The next day, you can really begin your spring rail holiday by enjoying a trip to Chateau de Chillon. This stunning 13th-century castle is an excellent example of early Gothic architecture perched on the shores of Lake Geneva. Its stunning mountainous backdrop makes it all the more breathtaking, and you'll enjoy a wonderful guided tour before heading back to Vevey.
However, you needn't necessarily go straight back to the town. Rather, you could visit the lovely town of Montreux en route - a lively destination with a fantastic lakeside promenade. Another option is a trip to the pretty village of Villeneuve.
Les Pleaides will be your next destination, which you'll reach by rack-and-pinion railway. This fabulous train has vast panoramic windows that give you the best chance of admiring as much of the dramatic scenery as possible en route to this 4,500 ft location. Situated above Lake Geneva, it boasts amazing views over the lake and surrounding area.
The following day, travel by train to Martigny, where you'll board the Mont Blanc Express. Taking you along an incredible route through the mountains to Chamonix, this excellent line is a real highlight of your trip. Boarding the historic Montenvers Mountain Railway next, you'll travel from the valley floor, through pine forests and up to Montenvers.
This exciting spot is situated at 6,275 ft, offering splendid views out over the Mer de Glace glacier. At nine miles long, it is truly a spectacular sight - and you can enjoy a delicious lunch while you admire the views. If you're lucky, you might also be able to visit the attraction via cable car and see its mesmerising ice grottoes.
You'll then have a full day at leisure to spend however you please. Your Riviera card will take you to a host of exciting destinations, such as Lausanne, with its fascinating Olympic Museum, and Geneva, which is home to the Palais des Nations. Of course, you may simply want to remain in Vevey, which is a delight to explore, as well as playing host to a variety of museums.
Alpine town Les Diablerets will be your final destination before beginning the journey home. To reach it, you'll ride the charming TransOrmonan 1913 vintage narrow-gauge railway to a spot high in the mountains. Characterised by wooden houses and traditional farm buildings, this pretty settlement is also home to beautiful alpine meadows, which you'll explore with a guide. Your guide will also tell you all about the local geology, flora and fauna you can spot along the way.
Before travelling back to Vevey, visit a typical Swiss mountain inn and enjoy a delicious fondue lunch - the perfect way to round off a morning's sightseeing! Once you've returned to Vevey, your holiday will draw to a close as you prepare to set off for home the next morning. Of course, one of the best things about a rail holiday is how much you see as you travel, so not a second of your getaway is wasted. Relax all the way home and soak up the scenery.
If you're trying to find the perfect spring rail holiday, come to Great Rail Journeys.
We provide a variety of fabulous train holidays, including train travel in Switzerland, so book your getaway with us today.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6909387

posted by Laurie Beth at 11:07 PM

Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Secret Gems of Italy: Pisa and Lucca

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Pisa is an enchanting city with wide streets, the peaceful flow of the Arno, and bright sunny days. When the sky is clear, you can see the Apuan Alps and the famous marble mines in Carrara. Thanks to its strategic position close to the seaside, Pisa used to be trade center of Tuscan cities and faraway countries, attracting even businessmen from overseas. In the past, the city was full of foreign sailors and merchants. Today, its streets are full of tourists and students from all around the world, who study at the University of Pisa.
In the Middle Ages, Pisa was an important trade port and a powerful naval state. It constantly, and successfully, fought with Genova, Venice and Amalfi to gain control over the Mediterranean, and grew to become the leading power of the region. At those times, the city built Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles, that turned into the center of business, politics and culture.
The Square of Miracles is considered the major work of architecture of the Tuscan Romanesque style. It is a large grassed space with impressive marble buildings.
Of course, the most famous sight of Pisa is the Leaning Tower. Its construction began in 1173. The soft subsoil soon started to collapse when they built the third floor of the tower. Today, the tower has eight floors and was finished in the middle of 13th century. Since middle ages, many have tried to stop the tower from leaning, but today, experts claim it's stable.
Climb the 294 steps of the tower up to the seven bells, and you will discover a stunning view of the city. A legend says that at this place Galileo Galilei tried to prove the laws of gravitation by throwing two cannon balls of different weight down from the tower.
Believe it or not, this tower is not the only leaning tower in Pisa. There are at least two more. The tower of the church of San Nicola, and the tower of the church of San Michele degli Scalzi.
You may be surprised to hear that if you want to taste a typical product of Pisa, it is bread - very special salt-free bread. In the past, Pisa was in dispute with Florence, and blocked the salt trade. Therefore, the people of Tuscany had to do with unsalted bread that they ate with delicious sausages and cheese.
LUCCA - A MEDIEVAL CITY THAT LOVES BICYCLES
Lucca is a lovely and very romantic Tuscan city with typical red roofs that has kept its historical atmosphere especially thanks to the well-preserved fortified walls. Its old center is one of the most precious gems of Italy. Undisturbed by modern buildings, it is full of narrow paved streets, luxurious old palaces and many unique churches. The façades are often brightly colored - blue, yellow or pink.
If you want to enjoy a stunning view of the city, climb to the top of Guinigi, a defensive tower from 15th century. It used to belong to the house of the most influential family in the city.
Local inhabitants love their medieval brick fortified walls. It's a great place to go for a walk, jogging or cycling. The quiet, peaceful path is surrounded by majestic platans and chestnut trees.
However, Lucca is not only a city of history and architecture. It is situated in the middle of Tuscany, in a region rich in old olive groves and vineyards. Here, many rich citizens built beautiful villas surrounded by amazing gardens. The most extraordinary villas are Villa Reale di Marlia, Villa Grabau, Villa Mansi and Villa Torrigiani. If you should visit just one of them, go to Villa Reale. Why? Its garden hides a treasure of garden architecture: A grandiose baroque garden theater with yew bushes twining around the stone seats. The stage is decorated with terracotta statues of commedia dell'arte.
The most famous child of Lucca is Giacomo Puccini, one of the most famous Italian composers. Every year in July and August, you can visit Puccini's open-air festival in the nearby city of Torre del Lago. The theater is situated on the shore of the lake of Massaciuccolli and offers a beautiful view of Apuan Alps. Here, you can breathe in the atmosphere that inspired the great composer.
The surrounding countryside offers a unique opportunity to explore local food and wine. You can visit dozens of farms that produce wine and excellent virgin olive oil. After all, Lucca is a famous producer of excellent-quality olive oil.
If you're a gourmet, make sure to try zuppa di farro, a heavy spelt soup and one of the oldest Italian dishes. You also shouldn't miss tortelli lucchesi, bright yellow pasta filled with marinated meat, poured over with ragout. And if you have a sweet tooth, have a piece of buccellato, a ring-shaped cake with raisins and anise.
And before you travel to Lucca, a quick reminder. Borrow a bicycle, the most favorite means of transport of the citizens of Lucca. It's the best way to discover the secrets of this charming and very unique city.
Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, seasoned travel writer specializing in Italy, and Chiquenist on the mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women's lives. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world. Do you dream of Italy? Sign up for Barb's FREE 10-Day Virtual Tour: "The Secret Gems of Italy Every Woman Must Know" at: http://www.barbaraconelli.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6500579

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:52 AM

Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Newbie's Guide to Thailand

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Thailand has that great accessible mix to potential tourists of being exotic and seemingly a far off land but in reality it is an easily reachable tourist destination. With a lively and intriguing culture, gorgeous beaches, many places to explore and a not very expensive way of living Thailand is often travelers first port of call.
Although it is a popular tourist destination with many travelers from the world round and specifically Europe and north America there are still things that in order to make the best out of your holiday you have to be aware of before you travel.
Thailand is a fascinating country, culture and an experience guaranteed to entice, excite and leave a lasting memory on all those who visit and more often than not intend on returning as soon as possible.
Here are some basic yet interesting facts on Thailand - sourced with help from the Lonely Planet which is an excellent, concise and very informative guide for all those interesting in traveling, stretching to all four corners of our globe.
Thailand is situated in South East Asia and it borders - Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar, it's coasts are situated by the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It boasts a population of 67.764 (2009) which compared to the population of the United Kingdom in 2009 was calculated to be 61.838 there is not too much of a difference compared to the land mass.
The land mass of Thailand according to Wikipedia is Land: 511 770 km² making it the 51st largest country in the world and the land mass of the UK according to Wikipedia is 242,900 km2 making it the 80th largest country in the world.
The largest city in Thailand is Bangkok it is also the capital city of Thailand which is officially known as The Kingdom of Thailand and before that it was known as Siam.
The largest peak or the highest point in Thailand is that of Doi Inthanon standing at 2565 metres this mountain is situated in Mae Chaem District it is part of the mountain range which separates Thailand from it's neighboring country of Burma called the Loi Lar mountain range.
Other more demographic and practical facts about the country of Thailand - the currency is the Thai Bhat which currently converts to one British pound equaling almost 49 Thai Bhat. 95% of the population in Thailand is Buddhist with Muslims forming the second largest religious group in Thailand.
Thailand is the ideal destination for a holiday that seems far away (which it is) but mixes traditional and western culture for those of us who are not such intrepid explorers. It is beautiful, inexpensive and has a massive amount of different activities for everyone to find something to keep them happy. During the course of researching a writing this article it has definitely moved up to the top five destinations I would love to visit, until then I'll bring my own bit of Thailand to me with my adventures in attempting to recreate the Thai cuisine.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6451497

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:54 AM

Things to Do in Whitby on Pier Road

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Whitby in the county of North Yorkshire is situated on the breathtaking North East coastline. This small ancient fishing port, famous for its historical past with regards to Whitby Abbey and Captain Cook, is a natural harbour and as such is adaptable for all kinds of seafaring activities.
There has been a steep rise in tourism over the past thirty years. As far back as the Victorian era, Whitby was a famous spa town where genteel folk came to partake of the waters and the clear sea air. Although this is still the case today, there is more of a need for activities to appeal to a wide age range to cater for all tastes.
Whilst the town of Whitby still retains the West Cliff area with its lovely gardens, Captain Cook's Statue and Whalebone Arch which is reminiscent of times past, there has been an increase in the more modern 'up to date' facilities required of the younger generation on Pier Road.
Whilst not too intrusive on the general ambience of the historical port of Whitby, the amusement parks situated at the far end of Pier Road play their role in the entertainment factor of slot machines, bingo, small fairground rides and crazy golf. The council has permitted those already operating but made a stipulation that they may not increase in number further along the road. This seems to strike a happy balance taking into account the need for traditional holiday areas together with the exciting bright lights, bingo calling and cuddly toys. At the far end of Pier Road near Battery Parade there are some small fairground rides during the summer months aimed at the younger children.
The bandstand at the commencement of the West Pier is a popular venue for bands and the Folk Festival dancers and musicians. Many charitable organisations hold 'fairs',tombolas and book stalls around this area in the summer months. Opposite to the bandstand there is the Old Whitby Lifeboat Museum and gift shop. Originally built in 1895 to house the town's lifeboat, it was decommissioned in 1957 and turned into the museum it is today. Admission is free although donations are gratefully accepted. It holds a multitude of memorabilia chronicling the historical rescues off the coast of Whitby together with a history of the crews involved. On display is the Robert and Ellen Robson old lifeboat built in 1919 which was the last rowing lifeboat in service from 1947 - 1957.
Immediately behind and above the Old Lifeboat Museum, is the Whitby Yacht Club licensed premises. A social club for residents and yachting visitors alike. This is not the only licenced premises along Pier Road. There are a number of newly opened contemporary drinking establishments as well as the traditional public house.
As expected, there are numerous 'fish and chip' cafes and restaurants to cater for the ever popular local fish dishes. Many folk travel miles to sample the traditional Whitby favourite of 'cod and chips', although nowadays the fayre has increased to include locally caught haddock, plaice and mackerel (when in season). Its not only the restaurants and cafes that cater to the choices for seafood. There are stalls along Pier Road which sell crabs, prawns, mussels, winkles, shrimps and roll-mops.
No seaside town would be complete without a fortune-teller and indeed, at the end of Pier Road there is a well established such lady, who has a white booth on the corner with St. Anne's Staith. She is a clairvoyant and spiritualist by the name of Lee Ester Alita Lee.
Alongside the now recently closed fish market there is a traditional tea stall serving welcome bacon sandwiches alongside other such favourites as hot dogs etc.
Lastly, but more importantly for the children, there is a stall selling the all important buckets and spades for the beach. Toys galore are strung from the canopy together with small nets for catching small crabs and fish from the rock pools.
Pier Road is a vibrant part of Whitby enjoying the constant flow of tourists walking to and fro along the harbour to the slipway of West Cliff beach. On Regatta Monday, Pier Road is closed to traffic to allow the 'fair to come to town'. Fairground rides are erected from the end of the West Pier up to the bandstand and the rest of the road is full of stalls selling anything from towels, clothing, handbags, cuddly toys, hot dogs and the latest novelty toys. The transformation is unbelievable for the just one day of the year. The following day the road is returned to normality and is 'business as usual'.
For more information about different attractions and activities in the town of Whitby, visit Things to do in Whitby
For more information about Whitby and the surrounding area, visit Whitby UK


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6442072

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:53 AM

Making The Most of Your Miami Experience

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With so much to see and do in Miami, it can be hard to know where to start. However, whether you are planning on visiting for the day, a weekend or longer, there are some things that can not be missed.
Shop 'til you drop
No trip to Miami would be complete without a shopping trip, and there's no shortage of options, with shopping areas catering for every style and budget. If you are planning on splashing out, head over to Bal Harbour shops - just 15 minutes from Miami Beach. This exclusive shopping area hosts boutiques, restaurants and shops, including high-end designer brands including Prada, Versce and Gucci.
Even if you are not in the buying mood, a lazy stroll around Miami makes for some excellent window shopping.
Hit the beach
If white sands and clear blue waters are more your thing, you'll be pleased to know that Miami offers some of the best beaches in the world.
Although there are many beaches to explore, no trip to Miami would be complete without visiting South Beach. Located just a stones throw from some of Miami Beach's most famous clubs, restaurants and hotels; South Beach is the ultimate place to sit back and soak up the Miami atmosphere.
Go fishing
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a budding newbie, the waters around Miami offer some prime sport fishing to suit every level of experience. There are a number of companies that offer chartered trips, so take look around and consider your options before jumping aboard.
For those seeking a slightly more extravagant outing, head down to Key Biscayne, where the boats are generally bigger and more luxurious. The trips tend to venture further out too, meaning you have a good chance of catching bigger fish! If you do decide to venture to down to Key Biscayne, be prepared to pay extra for the privilege, as costs here tend to exceed the average.
Dine in style
One of the things you'll notice when visiting Miami is the amount of restaurants you have to choose from. Between them, they offer just about every type of cuisine available.
Typical Miami cuisine - dubbed 'Floribbean' - is a melting pot of culinary influences from around the world; including the Caribbean, the American deep south and Latin America. So expect variety, lots of spice and big flavours.
Miami's coastal location means there is no shortage of fresh seafood, which is also reflected in menus throughout Miami and surrounding areas.
After a day of soaking up the Miami sun, nothing beats retiring to one of Miami's luxury hotels, where you can relax by the pool or in the surroundings of your hotel suite. If it is pampering and luxury you want, or just somewhere to rest your head, you are sure to find a hotel in Miami to suit you.
Submitted by Harald Bindeus, Director of Sales & Marketing at Grand Beach Hotel, Miami. Newly built and opened in 2009, Grand Beach Hotel is located right on the Atlantic Ocean close to South Beach, Miami. The property is located on Millionaires' Row, only a few minutes from the excitement and nightlife of South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Center and other major convention hotels.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6443146

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:52 AM

Mumbai Tours in the Morning

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Mumbai is one of the few cities in the world that literally never sleeps. You will find people flocking to clubs and public places like Marine Drive and Worli sea face till the wee hours of the morning. Mumbai is silent only from 2 am to 4 am. And then in the early morning you can see the city brimming with activity. There are the BMC workers sweeping the roads. Then there are cars and taxis going towards the airport to catch the early morning flight. We see oldies and goldies going for a walk along the various promenades. They wake up as early as 5 am and then head out for a brisk walk.
However if you want to see some interesting sights during the early morning then you can head to the right places that are brimming with activity. Take the example of Dadar flower and vegetable market. Here you will find fruits and vegetables being brought from far places such as Thane and Panvel. They are then sorted for further distribution in different parts of the city. The whole place is so colorful, specially the flowers that are arranged in neat piles for sale and distribution.
You can then head down to South Mumbai where you can first visit Sasoon Dock. This is a place where the fish buyers haggle with the fisherman with the help of auctions. Whoever bids the most for a lot of fish gets the catch. The place is brimming with activities such as sorting of fishes and then taking them to the ice factories so that they remain fresh till they are sold.
We can then move on to another interesting site which is the Colaba Dhobi Ghat (washerman's laundry). Unlike the Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat which you can see only from the top of a bridge, here you can see the washing enclosures from close quarters. You can walk around the complex and see how the washer man wash the clothes, rinse them and then iron them in neat piles. Right ahead is the Koli fishing village. This is a sleepy village where most of the fishermen stay. You will see a lot of fishing boats and fishing nets around. In the early morning fishermen venture into the sea from this side and then go to Sasoon Dock to seel their day's catch.
Even the spiritual places such as temples and churches have their own share of worshippers in the early morning. Take the example of Babulnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Iskon temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The early morning aarti is a sight to behold.
You can also see Crawford market in the morning where the shop owners are busy opening up their shops and laying the fruits and vegetables on the shelves. The meat shop owners are busy categorizing the meat to be distributed to hotels and restaurants.
The author is a part of Specialized Mumbai sightseeing tours such as Mumbai Morning Tours. The Mumbai tour company offers various type of Mumbai based tours catering to the varied requirements of the customers.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6409696

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:51 AM

Wellness the San Pancho Way

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The little town of San Pancho, Mexico, has a rich history. In fact, it's name is just a nickname, since it's officially called San Francisco after San Francisco de Assisi, the town's patron saint. Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico just a few minutes north of Sayulita, another popular beach town, the quiet town of San Pancho is starting to become more well-known. Although just a low-key town most of the year, during tourist season, travelers the world over bring this small town to life.
So what kinds of activities are available for visitors in San Pancho? The town's gold beaches feature calm, clear ocean water which is ideal for swimming, water sports activities, or relaxing on the beaches and basking in the sun for all its tanning glory. But this town is also a well-known area for holistic activities such as yoga, massage, and other homeopathic services.
If you're considering a spa vacation, you can combine improving your overall wellness while enjoying magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean in San Pancho. If you're a yoga enthusiast with expertise and experience, you'll find plenty of spots in town that offer fantastic yoga classes by qualified instructors. The benefit is you'll be surrounded by nature and the ocean, which can support meditation while practicing yoga.
Massage is also popular in San Pancho. If the idea of relaxation in the form of a deep-tissue massage, Shiatsu massage, or combined massage sounds appealing, these establishments can also provide other enhancing services to improve your state of well-being and level of wellness. Non-traditional methods of healing other than massage, such as acupuncture and the art of Reiki are also available.
If your hotel doesn't offer these services, you'll find plenty of wellness centers in and around town that have private retreats and yoga classes. Services are offered not only to tourists but also for residents of the area too, so you may meet some of the town's friendly locals.
These days, the idea of traveling in Mexico may seem like a stretch for some, thinking they may be safer attending a wellness center in the city, but this remote area known as the Rivera Nayarit is well removed from any violence. The trip is well worth it if the idea of a complete healing experience appeals to you.
Visit San Pancho, Mexico, to experience the many traditional and alternative healing methods that can improve your wellness and well-being. All you have to do is plan the trip, then soak up the natural wonders as you rejuvenate to the sounds of the ocean.
Christina is living the dream in the Riviera Nayarit, and you can too! Come visit for a Mexico Vacation and stay for a lifetime.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6458260

posted by Laurie Beth at 2:51 AM