Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Travel to Asia: 5 Essential Preparations

Traveling to Asia can be fuss-free and enjoyable when you are prepared. Thinking through your logistics and learning a few local words can make your Asian vacation more rewarding.


Whether you are planning to go to Asia for business or pleasure, chances are you'll find the whole experience a little daunting. It can be a long way to travel, and if you have never been to a place where English is not spoken, it can be a little unnerving. However, traveling to Asia can be quite straightforward when you make sure that you are prepared.

1. Check the weather.

  • In many Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and some parts of China, you will see a wet season and a dry season. While light clothes might be appropriate in any case, sometimes remembering to pack rain gear can save your trip! This is especially true if you intend to visit different parts of a country.
  • For example, the west coast of Thailand may experience a different season from the eastern side at any one time. So if you find resplendent sunshine in Phuket, it might possibly be raining in Koh Samui. Don't be caught out.
  • 2. Use plastic.
  • When you are planning your trip, think about putting the majority of your expenses onto a credit card. This way, not only will you be able to have a paper trail of the money you have spent, you'll also find that you can stop payment if your card gets skimmed. It is also a very portable way to pay for things.
  • 3. Learn a bit of the language.
  • Even if you are only visiting for a short while, it will help you to learn some basic phrases.
  • When you try to use the language native to an area, you'll find that the people are much more likely to look on you kindly. So try to learn the basics like “please” and “thank you”. You'll also want to learn directional words like “left” and “right”, which can be quite handy for obvious reasons. The local words for numbers will also be useful if you are going to be shopping. Pick up especially phrases for bargaining and practice them at the mom-and-pop shops or night bazaars.
  • You'll be surprised how knowing a few local words may make your Asian vacation so much more enjoyable.
  • 4. Think about your e-mail.
  • If you are going to a metropolitan center, you'll probably never need to worry about finding a wireless connection. But remember that some parts of Asia still do not give you immediate access to your email. Ask your internet service provider about roaming service, where you will be able to use the local telephone lines to dial up. This is a great way to make sure you can get to what you need.
  • 5. Think about your luggage.
  • Remember that you'll be dragging your luggage behind you for the entire trip, so make sure that it will last! There are other ways to save money but invest in durable luggage. To make sure that no mistakes are made, think about personalizing your suitcase with stickers or labels. This will help ensure that no one walks off with it by mistake.
  • It is also a good idea to change the number setting if you are using combination locks. Far too many people leave the combinations set to the default 000 or change it to 123, which are not too difficult for a crook to guess. Take your time and come up with a good combination.
  • Note also that many countries in Asia scramble to call themselves the 'factory of the world', being the outsourced manufacturing centers for many multi-national companies. As suchPsychology Articles, you'll find better deals for souvenirs in Asia than you ever will in South America or Africa. So prepare for the unexpected shopping spree. Make room in your luggage for your shopping. Or take along a spare foldable bag that can be slipped into your luggage easily.
  • Putting your shopping into a carton and sealing it with cellotape is no go. Neither is using those $1 plastic cheapos you find at many Asian bazaars. You don't want to be surprised by a burst-open carton or plastic bag when your return home.
So consider these pre-trip ideas and enjoy a great Asian holiday.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gabriel Tan writes about his home city at http://www.etour-singapore.com. He invites travelers-to-Asia to consider Singapore as a destination.

Monday, February 25, 2008

10 most terrible and frightful places of the world

Halloween has already passed, however the terrifying places in our world remain. They still tickle nerves to the lovers of adrenaline and horrible stories who want to see that, from what any usual tourists would run away with fear. So, here are 10 most horrible places of the world, one more terrible than other.

Halloween passed long ago, but the terrifying places in our world have not disappeared together with it. They still tickle nerves to the adrenaline and terrible stories amateurs who wish to see that, from what any normal tourists run away as fast as they can. So, here are 10 most awful places in the world, one is more terrible than another.

1. The Mutter medical history museum in Philadelphia.The Mutter medical history museum is the museum of the pathologies, ancient medical equipment and biological exhibits, situated in the oldest complex teaching doctors of the Northern America. This museum is well-known most of all for the huge collection of skulls. Also here there are collections of every possible unique exhibit, for example, a woman corpse which turned into the soap in the ground where she was buried. Here there are the Siamese twins with the incorporated liver, a skeleton of the two-headed child and other terrible exhibits.

2. Lagoon "ruk in Micronesia. Now the significant part of the Japanese Navies lies at the bottom of the shallow lagoon "ruk in Micronesia, to the southwest from Hawaii. The dark blue depths explored by Jacques Cousteau in 1971 and studded with the fragments of the military ships and aircraft carriers, sunk in 1944, became accessible to divers. Although till now people are rather afraid of crews which still didn’t leave their fighting posts. The ships and planes grew into the coral reefs long ago, but till now the new and new too curious tourists prying where do not follow, become their victims.

3. The magical market Sonora in Mexico City. MexicoThe witches of Mexico, sitting in small booths, for 10 dollars promise a fast deliverance from poverty and adultery. There are tortured exotic iguanas, frogs and wild birds, hanged on the walls of tents in cages for sale. The market Sonora is opened every day for pilgrims from Mexico and tourists from the distant places who go for destiny predictions and promises of the best life. This is that place where all the local population gets some new "supernatural" thingamajigs, beginning from potions of the ancient Aztec formulae up to the Buddha statues. The stubborn enthusiasts, probably, will manage to buy here a little blood of a rattlesnake or the dried hummingbird for achieving success. But it is necessary to remember that sorcery in Mexico is not a joke: the National association of sorcerers was involved in the presidential elections in order to transform them in fair and free ones, using invocations.

4. Easter Island Chile. One of the most mysterious places on the earth is Easter Island, on which there are the huge figures of giants carved from stone, grown into the ground under the millenniums’ weight. The statues look at the sky, as if guilty of some mystical crimes. And only the stone giants know where people, who established them, disappeared. Nobody more knows a secret of manufacturing and moving, and also placing of these huge statues with the growth up to 21 meters and the weight up to 90 tons on Easter Island. In fact, they were quite often moved for more than 20 kilometers from the quarry where the ancient sculptors worked. Now on the Island, where once the powerful civilization prospered, life hardly glimmers, and nobody knows where the mysterious builders were from, and where then they disappeared.Well, it is known only to those, certainly, who read about the travels of Thor Heyerdahl in the childhood. All these mysteries - how the statues were made and then placed – aren’t any more a secret for them.

5. 0nciak bogs in Louisiana. The boats with tourists, floating through the bogs at light of a torch are surrounded by the ancient cypresses and long moss strings, hanging down from the cypress branches. The howl which is heard far away can belong to rou-ga-rou - the Cajun version of a werewolf.The 0nciak bogs are still called the "bogs of phantoms". They are near New-Orleans, and it is simply a dream of Goths. It is said that bogs were damned by the voodoo queen when she was taken prisoner in the beginning of XX century. As a result during the hurricane of 1915 three small villages disappeared here. The peace of this birds’ cemetery is periodically broken by the emerging corpses - the commercial activity heritage, more than 100-years old. Besides, the alligators which are here the majority, rather than corpses, are not fastidious about fresh tourist meat too.

6. The Parisian catacombs, France. The bones and skulls are stacked on both sides of the corridor as the goods in a warehouse – there are a lot of the goods. The air is dry here. It bears only a thin hint of decomposition. Also here there are inscriptions, basically of the Great French revolution times, cursing the king and noblemen. After you get inside of the catacombs near Paris, it becomes clear why Victor Hugo and Anne Rice have written the well-known histories about these vaults. They stretch for about 187 kilometers under the whole city and only their insignificant part is open for public. It is said that the others are patrolled by the legendary special underground police, though, most likely, deadmen. Or, maybe, it is done by the legions of vampires. Though, eventually, who will assort them there? Here there were quarries even in the Romans times, and when the Parisian cemeteries overflowed, in 1785 the tunnels became the same as they are now.

7. Winchesters’ house, San Jose, California. The "magic" Winchesters’ house is an enormous construction, to which many prejudices are connected. One fortune-teller told Sarah Winchester, the heiress of the weapon company that ghosts of the killed with Winchester guns persons will pursue her if only she does not leave Connecticut for the West and does not build such a house, which cannot be finished during all her life. The building began in San Jose in 1884 and had not been finished for 38 years till Sara died. Now there are phantoms of her madness living in 160 rooms of the house: the ladders stretching directly to the ceiling, doors which are opened in the middle of the wall, spider motives, candelabra, hooks. Since the house was opened for visits, there are persistent complaints on the clapping doors, steps at night, moving lights, door handles which turn by themselves. Even if tourists do not believe in phantoms, the place greatly impresses by its huge dimensions.

8. The blind alley Mary King in Edinburgh. There are some streets with the gloomy past, hidden under the medieval Old city in Edinburgh. The place, where the plague victims of XVII century were closed and left to die, is famous for poltergeists. Here something invisible touch the tourists’ hands and feet. It is considered that it is a phantom of Anny, a very young girl, whom her parents left there in 1645. One hundred years later - the term, which is so liked in the terrifying fairy tales – a big new building was built there on the place of the blind alley Mary King. In 2003 the blind alley was opened for tourists, who were attracted by the tales about its supernatural spirits.The sightseers will be led downwards by the stone steps to the narrow oppressing alleys.Except for Anny’s room, there the exposition of the medieval life and deaths from the plague is restored. The main thing is not to stop, especially, when you feel an icy breath of death.

9. The occult abbey "h5lema in Sicily. Aleister Crowley is, perhaps, one of the meanest occultists in the world, and this stone farmer house, filled with the gloomy pagan frescoes, once was the world capital of satanic orgies. At least, it was so considered in 1920-s.Crowley is basically known for his admirers such as Marilyn Manson and the fact that he appeared on a cover of the ’’Beatles’’ album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Crowley founded the abbey Thelema, called in honor of Utopia, described in "Gargantua" Rabelais, whose motto was "Do whatever you wish". It became a commune of free love. The beginners were forced to spend the night in the "Room of nightmares" where they, having got drugged by heroin and marijuana, stared at the frescoes of the Earth, Heaven and Hell. After the popular English dandy died in the abbey, the press made an upoar and compelled Mussolini to close up the mickey-mouse outfit. The notorious underground director Kenneth Endger in 1945 unearthed this history and shot a film there, which subsequently mysteriously disappeared. Now the abbey is dilapidated and overgrown with grass. But some frescoes, with which Crowley intimidated the followers, are still kept inside.The tourists inclined to esotericism can wander and tickle their nerves there.

10. Chernobyl in the Ukraine.The tourists get in the zone of alienation, having arrived in the abandoned city of Pripyat in the Ukraine. Here all the things are thrown in haste and left since that awful 1986, when the accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant forced tens thousand people to leave their houses forever. The apartments are wide open; the ivy is twined round the painted walls in nurseries, the toys are scattered all over, the unread newspapers are left on the kitchen tables. The swings are swinging, still creaking, under gusts of a dead wind in the yard.Now, when the radiation level fell up to the safe enough for the short-term visit period, the Chernobyl zone is opened for tourists. The excursions to Chernobyl are practically identical to each other as movements in the alienation zone are strongly limited. As a rule, the tourists leave Kiev by bus, then go to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on foot, pass it by, look at the"Sarcophagus". It is possible to wander along the streets of Pripyat city-phantom and to visit the parking places of the contaminated vehicles. Also it’s possible to meet the local self-settlers, the "prohibited zone" inhabitants.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrei Costenco writes about various interesting travel experiences and events. His
travel events site is www.tripspirit.com.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

The 5 Best New York Tourist Attractions

The 5 Best New York Tourist Attractions

New York City is rich with tourist attractions. It's not so much a matter of having attractions to visit, it's more about having enough time to see the things you want to see. In this article, I will cover some of the best strategies involved when seeing New York tourist attractions.
Let's start with some of the essentials that should be on your list of attractions to see. For man-made structures, you have the beautiful and patriotic Statue of Liberty, a truly breathtaking experience. Also, the staggering and second tallest skyscraper in the US, the Empire State building. Fly up the 86 floors in a high-speed elevator, so you can look out over the city from the observation deck.

One beautiful natural structure that no one should miss is the Niagara Falls. This is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. Also, the beautiful and history rich Ellis Island, which is home to the Statue of Liberty, is a must to visit and explore as well.

What about places where the people congregate? Be sure to wander around Times Square and Central Park. Times Square will catch your eye with all its animation and neon signs, as well as the different types of commerce and fast pace buzzing in the air. Central Park is a great place to take a ride in a horse and carriage, or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings. And if you get bored, make sure to visit the Central Park zoo while you are there.

There are a number different ways you can see sites in New York. You can go on a boat tour, helicopter tours, travel by foot or even take bus tours. Helicopter tours are not as expensive as you think -- sometimes they are as cheap as $75 per person, and last around 20 minutes per tour.

Boat tours are a great way for you to see sites in New York that you cannot access by traveling on land. Also, there are great hop in/hop out taxi boat services that double as both a tour and way to get from one place to the next.

Shopping in New York City is a breathtaking experience. Saks on Fifth Avenue is so big that you can get lost while going through all 10 levels of the shopping room floors. They boast one of the best men's departments in the entire world! Also, stop by DeBeers to check out the different jewelry available, and to see the famous 203 carat flawless stone!

Other things you should add to your list of New York tourist attractions are Broadway shows, fashion shows, and fine dining establishments. The most talented Broadway performers in the nation can be found in New York, and the New York fashion week fashion shows have revolutionized the industry. As far as eating is concerned, head down to the Greenwich Village and have your pick of different restaurants with both tasty cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere.
If you're going to be in New York City for five to nine days, consider purchasing a New York City Pass. This will allow you to save 50% on specific New York tourist attractions, like visits to certain museums as well as different eating establishments. It also helps cut down on the time you wait in lines when you're visiting different tourist attractions. You can purchase these on the Internet, as well as get more information about the different attractions a New York City Pass covers.
If you're going to see all the New York tourist attractions that are available and suit your interest, it is a must that you plan ahead. Look at the different touring options that are available to you, and consider the different types of attractions that you must see when you visit New York. Use some of the suggestions above as a starting point to brainstorm your list of New York tourist attractions to see.
New York City is rich with tourist attractions. It's not so much a matter of having attractions to visit, it's more about having enough time to see the things you want to see. In this article, I will cover some of the best strategies involved when seeing New York tourist attractions.
Let's start with some of the essentials that should be on your list of attractions to see. For man-made structures, you have the beautiful and patriotic Statue of Liberty, a truly breathtaking experience. Also, the staggering and second tallest skyscraper in the US, the Empire State building. Fly up the 86 floors in a high-speed elevator, so you can look out over the city from the observation deck.
One beautiful natural structure that no one should miss is the Niagara Falls. This is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. Also, the beautiful and history rich Ellis Island, which is home to the Statue of Liberty, is a must to visit and explore as well.
What about places where the people congregate? Be sure to wander around Times Square and Central Park. Times Square will catch your eye with all its animation and neon signs, as well as the different types of commerce and fast pace buzzing in the air. Central Park is a great place to take a ride in a horse and carriage, or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings. And if you get bored, make sure to visit the Central Park zoo while you are there.
There are a number different ways you can see sites in New York. You can go on a boat tour, helicopter tours, travel by foot or even take bus tours. Helicopter tours are not as expensive as you think -- sometimes they are as cheap as $75 per person, and last around 20 minutes per tour.
Boat tours are a great way for you to see sites in New York that you cannot access by traveling on land. Also, there are great hop in/hop out taxi boat services that double as both a tour and way to get from one place to the next.
Shopping in New York City is a breathtaking experience. Saks on Fifth Avenue is so big that you can get lost while going through all 10 levels of the shopping room floors. They boast one of the best men's departments in the entire world! Also, stop by DeBeers to check out the different jewelry available, and to see the famous 203 carat flawless stone!

Other things you should add to your list of New York tourist attractions are Broadway shows, fashion shows, and fine dining establishments. The most talented Broadway performers in the nation can be found in New York, and the New York fashion week fashion shows have revolutionized the industry. As far as eating is concerned, head down to the Greenwich Village and have your pick of different restaurants with both tasty cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere.
If you're going to be in New York City for five to nine days, consider purchasing a New York City Pass. This will allow you to save 50% on specific New York tourist attractions, like visits to certain museums as well as different eating establishments. It also helps cut down on the time you wait in lines when you're visiting different tourist attractions. You can purchase these on the Internet, as well as get more information about the different attractions a New York City Pass covers.

If you're going to see all the New York tourist attractions that are available and suit your interest, it is a must that you plan ahead. Look at the different touring options that are available to you, and consider the different types of attractions that you must see when you visit New York. Use some of the suggestions above as a starting point to brainstorm your list of New York tourist attractions to see.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Want to read more about New York Tourist Attractions? Steven Ross has written many more interesting articles at http://www.new-york-tourist-attractions.com
New York Tourist AttractionsABOUT THE AUTHOR
Want to read more about New York Tourist Attractions? Steven Ross has written many more interesting articles at http://www.new-york-tourist-attractions.com
New York Tourist Attractions

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Vacation Tips - An Adventure Or a Dissapointment the Difference is Planning

When deciding where to go on your next vacation, one of the best vacation tips is to think about other vacations you've been on, and what you enjoyed about them. Some people like a luxurious getaway type vacation, while others prefer to see rare sites that are accessible only by roughing it and getting off the beaten path. In any event, you should examine yourself and your traveling partners to determine what kind of vacation you expect.

It can be tough to find a vacation that meets your expectations. Getting good vacation tips and accurate information about possible destinations can make the difference between having a great vacation and being disappointed.

Before you start scheduling destinations and hotels, you may want to think about what kind of vacation you and your group want to have. While many people enjoy site seeing, vacation tips for high profile locations like a Maui travel package, many others seek a more rustic vacation, such as camping by the Grand Canyon or going whitewater rafting.

Scouting out destinations with appealing activities often yields a more pleasurable vacation experience than simply going to a generic tourist hotspot that can mean getting sucked in by all of the usual tourist traps.

Of course, mode of transportation also plays a large role in the vacation experience. For vast distances, many vacationers opt for plane tickets because of the speed of travel, but others consider the journey half the fun. If you want to see what lies in between you and your destination but don't want to drive, you might want to consider traveling via train. Like planes, trains are typically very comfortable and reasonably fast. However, like planes, ticket prices can fluctuate, as well as accommodations. Gathering some train travel tips is encouraged before scheduling a cross country train ride. There are some key train travel tips you will want to adhere to because train rides can be rather long. To keep children entertained without wearing yourself out, bring coloring books, CD players or iPods, books or even hand held game consoles. This will help keep everyone occupied and calm.

Many times travel plans will coincide with major holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day, and others. One useful holiday tip if you're going to be traveling is to try to avoid traveling when everyone else is. This holiday tip can save you a lot of headache and potentially money if you are flying. If you can depart a day or two earlier or later than everyone else, you can save a lot of money on plane tickets, as well as having your choice of flights and seating arrangements. If you are driving somewhere to spend a holiday, avoiding heavy traffic will usually cut your drive time down and make driving much less stressful. Sometimes traveling along the interstate at night can have similar results, but you will likely be surrounded by tractor trailers.

No matter what kind of vacation you like or your travel preferences, vacation tips will help you immensely. Knowing what you are getting for your money and what to expect will help make sure that your next vacation is everything you thought it could be.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When you're ready for a Maui Vacation start your adventure at Mauitravelguide.org and find the Maui vacation package that fits your budget and your expectations. Whether you're looking for a Maui Honeymoon package, a full Maui Wedding experience, a Maui Golf Resort or the best Maui beaches you'll find it at
http://www.mauitravelguide.org

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Tips on Having an Enjoyable Travel Experience

Traveling can be a lot of hassle when one goes unprepared. But if you are equipped to take on the unknown, there is nothing like it.

Those who often travel on regular basis will often find that traveling without prior preparation is always a mistake one will regret later. The experience which was supposed to be a fun and exciting will eventually turn out to be a disaster. There are actually many pros and cons as to the choice on the mode of transport that one can choose for his traveling experience. Each mode will have some pros that will appeal to you. Preparation for each mode of transport will be different.
Traveling from one place to another usually by car is always one of the better choices if time is not an issue and provided that the distance is not too much. Compared to traveling by plane, traveling by car actually offers the traveler many important benefits. The great thing about car travel is that you decide the route and the number of stops that you make. Traveling by plane may be faster. But once you reach your destination, you will have to hire a taxi to move around in. But this is not the case when traveling by car. While traveling by car has its own benefits, it has a number of hassles of its own.

Take the instance of car journeys where you have kids around.First of all, before the start of journey you must ensure that the car has recently gone through proper servicing at the garage. The gas must be sufficient and you will need to get a good map to guide you through your journey. It is good to get a checklist and ask yourself some questions before you start your journey.

You would need to ask questions like how long will it take to reach and whether you brought sufficient cash for the trip. Check out the various hotels and motels that you will be passing in your car. After all, you will need to have proper rest after long hours of driving. One of the fun parts when it comes to traveling is bringing one's kids along. Surprisingly, road trips often turn the sweetest angels into bundles of mischief. This is bound to be the trickiest part as you will need extra effort to deal with them.

The only way to counter this problem is try to predict their behavior by putting yourself in their shoes. Make it a point to bring along some food because kids get hungry easily. Make sure to make stops at regular intervals so that your children can go to the bathroom. If you happen to get close to a gas station along the way, find out whether they need to go to the toilet. Somehow or the other, for some strange reason, children will mention that they need to go to the toilet.

Yes, it can get more than a little irritating. But then, they are just kids right? Other than that, remember to bring along their favorite toys, pillows, pacifiers. Get along some basic medication for those little emergencies as well.Although it is tough to be prepared for all contingencies, we must make a sincere effort. Try to anticipate the potential problems that may arise. Ensure that you car ride is a lot of fun by taking time out to get adequately prepared.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Get
Travel Tips and Advice on Traveling with Kids and for Budget Vacations.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Venice, always in the hearts of tourists from all over the world

Venice, capital of the Veneto region, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque Italian city, and coveted tourist destination among the most important at the global level, is considered a strategic connection with the Middle East and its history is thousands of years.

In this small lagoon town live over 270,000 inhabitants; it is situated in the northeast of Italy and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Venice is divided into Sestieri, three of these (Castello, San Marco and Cannaregio) are here to the Grand Canal taking as a point of reference Piazza San Marco; the three at the other hand, are Santa Croce, Dorsoduro and San Polo-Rialto. These six subdivisions of the city are represented in the "Ferro" (front of the gondola-metal boats typical of the city - which has precisely six points / lines). The rear of the craft, however, represents the Giudecca island which is located right in front of Piazza San Marco.

Of course, the capital of Veneto, which is categorized heritage of humanity by UNESCO, is a unique city, where there are no roads but only canals and rivers navigable by small boats (Gondole). Historically it was called the Dominant or even as the Serenissima, in fact has been for over a millennium, the capital of the Republic of Venice. The old city lives mainly from the tourism, but also of local manufacture and crafts, just think of the beautiful Murano glass (small island in the lagoon of Venice). Moreover, for the most recent city located inshore, has a flourishing business and point of reference for the economy of the country. Venice, offers many opportunities within the tourism industry and food for a variety of factors: history, culture, romance, shopping and entertainment; also offers a wide selection of hotels in Venice.
In particular, who wants to visit Venice for a few days should not miss some areas and traditions that make the visit to the city unique and unforgettable

Piazza San Marco is considered the core of sestriere and the heart of the city (the only open space considered Square), where there are the most important monuments:
  • Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica of San Marco
Ponte di Rialto: the oldest bridge that crosses the Grand Canal

Lido di Venice: very characteristic because it is an thin island that extends for more than 10 km in the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. In this narrow strip of land there is also the beach of Venice.

Museo Ca’ D’oro: well known palace situated along the Grand Canal which contains the gallery Giorgio Fianchetti

Gallerie delll’Accademia: who are in Dorsoduro and retain some beautiful works of Giovanni and Jacopo Bellini, Tiziano and Tintoretto.

• Among a visit and another, take a rest in an inn or in an outdoors bar and enjoy a Recioto di Soave (white wine typical of the Veneto region) with sliced and polenta veneta.

But where to stay in Venice?

In a city that lives on tourism solutions are not lacking, in fact there are many hotels that have rooms to sleep in Venice or in the immediate vicinity also proposing a wide range of hotel in Venice. In this regard, the Hotel Ala is located in Piazza San Marco (the core of the city) and is the hotel ideal in Venice for those who want to spend some days in the fantastic "Serenissima". This refined 4 stars hotel offers many services, such as satellite TV, air conditioning and safe in every room. The Hotel Ala in Venice offers exceptional warmth and hospitality to all its customers, whether they are business people or families and children on holiday. Moreover, thanks to the new link (www.hotelala.it) offers the opportunity to make bookings on-line to all users interested in prestigious rooms in Venice.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This article was written by Michele De Capitani with support from
hotel reservation in Venice. For any information on how travel insurance, please visit hotel in Venice or please visit accommodation in Venice.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Phuket's Secret Beaches

Some complain that Phuket has been overdeveloped but there are still plenty of undiscovered beaches off the beaten track to delight the more intrepid visitor.

Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough through the water while vendors ply their wares up and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as an island getaway destination and only caters to the party crowd.

These people have not spent enough time exploring Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are usually very quiet.

Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches but they have become well known and usually have plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are not even known to many of Phuket's residents. These are Phuket's secret beaches. (If you want more details about how to find these beaches see our Phuket Beach Guide.)

Banana Beach

This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. There is no accommodation and just a single beach restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the southern end.

There are usually only a handful of visitors at this beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat from other beaches but in fact, you can see the beach from the coast road above and there is a trail down.

Pansea Beach

Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two up-market resorts here yet the location retains its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good idea to bring a picnic.

Pon Beach

This secluded little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is amazing how few people find this beach considering it is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some good snorkeling.

There are usually a couple of locals renting sun loungers and selling refreshments. They can also provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. There may be a small charge for crossing the private land to reach the beach.

Paradise Beach

In the headland south of Patong, there are two beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches we mention on this list but still a break from the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can reach it by road (track) or boat.

It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. There are usually plenty of people around but still it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Freedom Beach

You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and snorkeling.

There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun loungers under the trees. The locals take great care of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Nui Beach

This beach is most known for how difficult it is to reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to reach it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

It is also known as the most expensive beach in Phuket because you have to cross private land to reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic restaurant overlooking the beach but no accommodation. It is never crowded.

Ao Sane Beach

This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club's car park to reach it but they do not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never busy.

It is actually a series of three small beaches split by little rocky headlands. None of them is good for swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. There is some excellent snorkeling.

Laemka Beach

This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one of the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are nice views out to the southern islands.

Ao Yon Beach

Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well developed with residential property, there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always plenty of boats moored in the bay.

It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author has lived in Phuket, Thailand for seven years. If you want to learn more about the beautiful island of Phuket then visit
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