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Senin, 31 Mei 2010

Blue Skies For Extreme Sports

Ample leisure time allows for a raft of thrilling experiences inducing different degrees of adrenaline rush from balloon rides to freefall parachuting.

Unpredictable UK weather conditions can be a bit of a stumbling block but add a small slice of sun to the equation and the whole extreme sports arena suddenly opens up to encompass many more attractive propositions. A hot air balloon at dawn across the Arizona desert holds a much broader appeal than, say, one over the flats of Northamptonshire and a leap off the soaring mountains to paraglide down to the powdery white sands and glistening blue lagoon of Turkey's famous Olu Deniz beach http://www.oludenizbeach.com/paragliding.html is something a fair few of us may contemplate, well at least from the comfort of our sun loungers.

The great range of water-based UK sports tend to remain the province of more hardy animals. It's difficult to beat the excellent kayaking and canoeing in the cascades of North Wales' Canolfan Tryweryn National Whitewater Centre http://www.ukrafting.co.uk and the huge windsurfing community are spoilt for choice with competitions taking place year round across the country.

But how much more appealing the wind and water sounds if you factor in the sun-drenched Saharan style dunes of Fuerteventura. The Canary Islands are home to some of the best windsurfing in the world, the combination of calm flat waters and strong, steady summer tradewinds providing the perfect conditions for the PWA Freestyle and PWA Wave Grand Slam World Championships to be held in July in Fuerteventura and in Gran Canaria.

These prime watersport heavens are becoming more and more accessible with journey times matching, and even sometimes bettering, those to Devon and Cornwall via the hugely congested summer road network. Flights to the Canaries can be picked up really cheaply see http://www.xl.com/champion/cheap-flights-to-canaries.asp with some great bargains to be had following the latest round of UK travel company discounts.

Minggu, 30 Mei 2010

Blackpool hotels open for all visitors, all year around!

Britain is famous for a lot of things but it certainly has the most wonderful resorts to be proud of. Blackpool is just one of the many examples that could be given, having the so many wonderful attractions to entice visitors with and top-class accommodation. If you are in the mood for something different and yet completely beautiful, try one of the Blackpool hotels presented online and you will see why everyone considers this particular corner of the world as so alluring.

Situated in Lancashire, Blackpool is just one of the seaside resorts that dazzle the eye and enchant the soul. It has a busy, incredible city center and quieter areas being ready to satisfy the needs and demands of a wide variety of customers. With the help of the Internet, you can discover the true appeal of this growing city and inquire after the best Blackpool accommodation. There are plenty of offers out there as this is one popular tourist center and the local people always know how to present their town.

Talking about Blackpool hotels, you should know that there are plenty of choices to be made and the prices range according to the level of luxury you are accustomed with. You can select Blackpool accommodation that is situated on the South Shore, North Shore, in the central area or the Promenade; no matter the area your hotel is located in, you are bound to have a great time and return real soon, that’s for certain. Most of the Blackpool hotels are close to the main attractions including the worldwide famous Pleasure Beach, the Promenade and the Winter Gardens. You will never be far away from shops, pubs or restaurants as Blackpool is filled with opportunities.

If you are interested in finding suitable Blackpool accommodation, then you should go online and find yourself a reliable website to help you out. Check out the availability of the hotel for weekends and weekdays as well, the policy on bringing pets and other conditions imposed. Some have rooms special for couples, families and single persons catering to the preferences of the clients first and foremost. You can also book suites in advance with separate kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities, depending of course on the amenities you are interested in. You will quickly discover that when you say Blackpool hotels, you say quality and that is obvious with the conditions included, such as color TV, central heating and complimentary beverages just for your satisfaction.

The Internet has become our number one source of information and that is also valid when it comes to traveling. There are a lot of websites presenting Blackpool hotels, with data regarding the price and the amenities included but also the main attractions of the area. When visiting Blackpool, you have the immense opportunity to discover a side of the British life that is unique and exotic at the same time. All the local people are extremely hospitable, treating you as a friend and making you feel more than welcomed. Some hotels are more luxurious than others, offering you comfortable and exquisite Blackpool accommodation with Internet connection, modern TV sets and the highest standards of style.

Blackpool can be both exciting and relaxing at the same time that is the beauty of visiting such a resort! You can enjoy the thrilling night life with clubs and music, but also the calmness of the day with lounge bars and seafront attractions. There is the famous Pleasure Beach with some of the most stimulating rides in the entire Europe such as the Pepsi Max Big one, the wide variety of cinemas displaying the latest movies and plenty of other attractions for you to see as a tourist. You have the renowned Blackpool Tower which is indeed one of the main sights to see, with the Tower World and the charming Circus destined to entertain you and convince you of the wonderful city that is called Blackpool! Go online and browse through the available Blackpool hotels; find something you like and prepare yourself for a real treat.

Sabtu, 29 Mei 2010

Bizarre travel guide

Carrying a travel bag and looking around the places of historical and sculptural importance. Is that what you conceive as a holiday? If yes you haven’t seen or heard enough. The traveling experience can be more than rewarding if the choice of the places to visit is bizarre. And more so going to those untouched places can be one hell-of an experience. May be it is going in to the wilderness of the Amazon or the endless Kalahari, the fun never ends. Some places definitely provide more then you can ask for.


For those who have seen all the obvious and usual places to visit these can be the fun trips. Hunting vampires in Transylvania or getting close to the sharks at the sea, every thing that you never thought about makes the trips one to remember. The popularity of these goes to the extreme thinking of the tourists and the efforts of the tour organizers. The trips include many out of the world experiences. One of them is the storm chase. It’s like trying to cut through the storm risking all you have for the thrill of the lifetime.


Many may think it unusual but many people consider hunting for Unidentified Flying Objects as there idea of an adventure trip. People cite the UFO’s and then the most common places to find them are prepared for the tourist and wait for them to return. This also comes, sometimes with unusual alien citing which add the extra thrill to the adventure. The much known area 51 is on the list of such enthusiasts and they claim to have made visits. Museums and memorials dedicated to the alien s and their things are there at many places across the United States.


The scientific advancements are giving hope to the concept of H. G. Wells regarding time travel. The tourists definitely would like to venture into some adventure, which can take them to the past. This seems a bit too complicated but this is fast becoming the most sought after concept and people are willing to pay for the same. There are risks attached to it and there seems to be a lot of time that remains before this thing to get materialized; yet the craving is never-ending.


Another adventure that the people have been indulging into for years is the treasure hunts. In the pursuit of hidden treasures many people venture in to the deepest of seas and the innermost of the forests looking for them. Even the mystery of the Bermuda triangle is also intriguing and the tourists don’t want to miss a chance to go there. Well, to do that one has to make a trip and go because no tour operator will take the risk.


Then the latest in bizarre adventure list is the concept of space travel. With the theories regarding possibilities of life on other planets people are willing to go to outer space for the trips of there life time. This is one of the possible traveling ideas because it has been experimented and people have actually been to space for a trip. The space tourism seems to be the nest thing in traveling brochures.


So say goodbye to the customized tours and pack your bags for some bizarre traveling experiences.

Jumat, 28 Mei 2010

Birmingham Stag Do – Comedy Clubs

If you are looking for some fun filled stag weekends, then a stag weekend in Birmingham is the best option for you. Birmingham stag nights are the finest in the country, with electrifying nightlife activities, lap dancing, stag friendly bars and clubs, curry houses and much more. Named as ‘The Midlands’, Birmingham gets this name because of its central location. You can involve yourself in all types of stag night activities showing very little concern for your pocket, as Birmingham is one of the cheapest ‘decent’ cities in the country. From the powerful quad biking to the adventurous white water rafting, Birmingham stag weekend activities will keep you on your toes.

Comedy Clubs in Birmingham – the Favourite Stag Do

The best way to ease all tension and enjoy your stag weekend in Birmingham is to visit the Comedy Club. Get ready for some rib tickling comedy and a whole buffet of delicious food. It’s the best way for you and the others to break the ice and enjoy the top performances by the experienced comedians. Beware to move around too much, you could easily be made the butt of fun and jokes! On a typical stag night in Birmingham, you get to see three comedians on stage giving you the time of your life.

One of the main attractions of spending stag weekends in Birmingham at the comedy clubs is the mouth-watering food. Stag night Dinner in the comedy club consists of the delicious Caesar salad, crispy chicken, chicken burger, tikka masala, beef chilli, 3 bean chilli and much more.

The fun doesn’t end there. After dinner, this stag venue transforms into a pumping nightclub inviting you all to step into the dance floor. The DJ’s play some of the chart hits as you tune your steps with your partner.

Benefits of visiting Comedy Clubs as popular Stag Do

The comedy club opens its door for you at seven in the evening and the show continues from 8:15 pm to around 10:30 pm. The DJ-driven nightclub opens at the end of the comedy show until 2 am. A refundable £100 behaviour bond is applicable to groups of 12 or more. Stag weekends in Birmingham organized by Chillisauce are the best ways of relaxing the mind and enjoying you weekend to the maximum.

Kamis, 27 Mei 2010

Birmingham Stag Do – 5-a-side Football Tournament

When you think of a perfect stag weekend with exciting stag parties and nightlife, the first place that comes to your mind is Birmingham. With its central location and reasonable price, Birmingham is the hottest stag weekend venue. This stag venue boasts of having the largest lap-dancing club in the world, with thrilling nightlife activities, stag friendly bars and curry houses, stag clubs and much more.

Stag Weekend Activity – the fun of a Football Match

If you are looking for some fun filled challenging stag weekend activity, the 5-a-side football tournament in Birmingham is the right option for you. The best part of this stag weekend activity is that you get to work as a team, thus building a sense of team spirit and unity among the players. All information regarding the rules and regulations of this stag event is provided to the individual teams prior to the start of the match. Each team will get to display their skills for 45 minutes with a minimum of three games each. You will get the feel of a real contest, as this stag event will be officiated by fully qualified FA referees.

Do not worry; Chillisauce will not leave you starving. On your arrival, freshly brewed coffee/tea and biscuits will welcome you. A bar and a lounge are there at your disposal throughout the duration of this exciting stag do. That is not all. There is a delicious buffet for all the players. If your team wins, be prepared to grab the engraved tournament cup along with seven individual engraved trophies. If your team is the runners-up, don’t be disappointed, as the team members will be given an engraved trophy each. A case of Carlsberg is presented to the winning team!

Advantages of Stag Do in Birmingham

Birmingham is the best place for a stag weekend where you indulge in stag parties and stag nights. All your needs while you are on a stag weekend in Birmingham will be catered by Chillisauce, a high quality tour operator that specializes in organizing the best stag weekends, parties and stag nights. The main objective of a stag weekend in Birmingham is to enliven and cheer you up, thus bringing out the best in you.

Rabu, 26 Mei 2010

Birmingham City Guide, Including Birmingham Hotels

Britain’s second biggest city after London is Birmingham. Birmingham is the cultural centre of the West Midlands and offers the casual visitor an enormous range of exciting opportunities and things to do. Offering an unsurpassed range of shops and shopping centres, and literally hundreds of activities and things to do, Birmingham is the ideal tourist destination; a city that is always guaranteed to keep you occupied.

As a city, Birmingham is packed with places to visit, enabling you to get a real taste of the city’s culture. Just a few of the places include:

Birmingham Cathedral: Built in 1725, this is one of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings, complete with four Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows.

The Royal Air Force Museum: Treat yourself to a stunning display of aviation history and witness over seventy aircraft situated within three separate wartime hangars. You’ll see Spitfires, Hurricanes, Vulcans and more.

Cadbury’s World: One of the country’s biggest and most popular museums. You’ll find out about the history of chocolate, and how it originated in South America, as well as seeing a genuine production line. Of course, a visit isn’t complete without sampling the produce…

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: Witness a huge variety of exhibits that range from spooky Egyptian mummies to a wooden toy collection for the kids. Treat yourself to some culture and examine the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: An astonishing fifteen acres of beautiful gardens are available for exploration, as well as four glasshouses containing exotic plants.

When it comes to finding something to do, you’ll find that Birmingham has it covered. Some ideal places for pursuits include:

The Ackers: If your family’s into sport, then enjoy taking part in a variety of activities including climbing, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding and more. Occupying over seventy acres and located just two miles from the city centre, The Ackers couldn’t be more convenient.

Second City Canal Cruises: Enjoy cruising down the Birmingham canals and buy gifts from the souvenir shop.

The National Sea Life Centre: Witness over sixty displays of exotic marine life, and find yourself enthralled by the undersea world. See giant turtles, reef fish and sharks too.

Newbrook Farm Experience: Visit a working farm and keep an eye out for the many rare breeds of animals that include cattle, hens, pigs, ponies and goats.

Woodgate Valley Country Park: The perfect place for walkers, with mile upon mile of tracks to explore. There’s something for the kids too, with a farm, play area and a fun pony-trekking centre.

If you’re feeling hungry after touring Birmingham, you’ll discover that Birmingham is renowned for its culinary diversity – meaning that you’ll find the right meal, no matter what variety of food you’re looking for. Within the city, home-cooked traditional British food goes hand-in-hand with exotic cuisine from India and China, and all of Birmingham’s eateries are in easily accessible locations. Whichever end of the scale interests you – whether it is a simple takeaway or a slap-up three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant – Birmingham has it covered. Here’s a small selection of the city’s eating-places:

City Café Birmingham: Service, style and ambience are on the menu at this top-rated restaurant that offers a la carte menus, a famous Sunday lunch buffer and a vegetarian garden. Enjoy a live Jazz band every Thursday evening.

Metro Bar & Grill: Free-range meats are the order of the day here, along with a comprehensive fish board that changes daily. Metro also serves a range of sandwiches and simple snack foods if you’re looking for something quick.

Peppers: Birmingham’s top-rated Indian restaurant has every kind of Indian dish imaginable, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when you see the menu. The restaurant’s ethos is value for money.
San Carlo Ristorante: Authentic Italian food is what this restaurant offers, with many of the ingredients imported directly from Italy. The chefs and the management bring real individuality to the menu.

Opus Restaurant: Seasonal and regional are the keywords for this eatery’s menu, which offers genuine British meals with the ingredients locally sourced.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Birmingham, the only problem you’ll experience with Birmingham is the amount of options available – so many, in fact, that you’ll be spoilt for choice! Short breaks and long stays are catered for in hotels and guesthouses in the city centre or on the outskirts. Further, the prices range from the immediately affordable to more expensive and luxurious rooms. If you’re looking for an alternative, then you’ll find that Birmingham has plenty of options ranging from campsites to self-catering accommodation. There are also special packages available, such as the spa break, where you’ll find yourself pampered into luxury.

When you’ve finished exploring Birmingham by day, you’ll discover that the city comes alive at night with some of the coolest pubs and nightclubs around. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing sit down and drink, or want to party away the small hours, you’ll doubtlessly discover the ideal venue. The Nightingale Club, located in the heart of the city centre, has three levels incorporating numerous bars, discos, a restaurant and a games room. Meanwhile, The Jam House is a nightclub supported by music maestro Jools Holland, and holds up to 600 people. Alternatively, Rick’s Garden Café & Bar in Birmingham offers you the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine under the stars.

The above information should give you some idea of just what Birmingham has to offer as a city. There’s something to keep you occupied whatever your interest, with a whole range of different cultural activities. If you’re traditional, you’ll enjoy visiting the city’s many museums and art galleries, and learning about Birmingham’s history. If you’re part of a family, you’ll discover attractions that have proved to be popular with thousands of children while in Birmingham. Eating, shopping, seeing and doing… all four bases are covered when you come to Birmingham.

Hotels in Birmingham

Birmingham NEC/Airport Premier Travel Inn
City Inn Birmingham
Campanile Hotel - Birmingham
Copthorne Hotel Birmingham
Birmingham Great Barr Hotel
Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport
The Norfolk Hotel
Portland Hotel
Ye Olde Station Guest House Birmingham, Shustoke
Days Inn Birmingham East
Britannia Hotel Birmingham
Macdonald Burlington Hotel
Best Western The Westley Hotel
Central Guest House
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Castle Bromwich
Heath Lodge Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham NEC
Novotel Birmingham Airport
Hagley Court Hotel
Apollo Hotel
Corus hotel Birmingham South
Bridge House Hotel
Fairlawns At Aldridge(Best Western)
RAMADA BIRMINGHAM (FORMERLEY DAYS HOTEL)
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Oldbury M5, Jct.
Novotel Birmingham Centre
Paragon Hotel
Thistle Birmingham City
Birmingham Edgbaston
Jurys Inn Birmingham
Premier Apartments Birmingham
The Edgbaston Palace Hotel

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Selasa, 25 Mei 2010

Bingo History: Story of the Game Bingo

The origins of contemporary bingo go back to 16th century Italy, where the lottery game Lo Giuoco del Lotto dItalia was introduced. The popular chance game was introduced to North America in the late 1920s by the name of Beano. A toy salesperson of New York was responsible for changing the name of the game into Bingo and to the increase of its popularity throughout the US.

In the late 18th century, the original Italian lotto game made its way to France. Historical evidence shows that a game called Le Lotto was popular among the French high society who used to play the game in parties and social gatherings.

Le Lotto used to be played with special cards that were divided into three rows and nine columns. Each of the three columns consists of 10 numbers, while each column had five random number and four blank spaces in it. Each player had a different lotto card where he used to mark the number announced by the caller. The first player to cover one row won the game.

By the 19th century, the lotto game spread around Europe and started to serve as a didactic childrens game. In the 1850s, several educational lotto games had entered the German toys market. The lotto games purpose was to teach children how to spell words, how to multiply numbers, etc.

By 1920s, a similar version to the lotto game, known as beano was popular at county fairs throughout the US. In beano, the players placed beans on their cards to mark the called out number. The first player who completed a full row on his card, used to yell out Beano!, until one night in December 1929, when a New Yorker toys salesperson by the name of Edwin S. Lowe visited a country fair outside Jacksonville, Georgia.

On his way back to New York, Lowe had purchased beano equipment including dried beans, a rubber numbering stamp and cardboard. At his New York home, Lowe has been hosting friendly beano games. During one game, one excited winner who had managed to complete a full row stuttered out Bingo, instead of Beano. Listening to the excited stuttering girl, Edwin S. Lowe thoughts went away. Lowe decided to develop a new game that would be called Bingo.

While Lowe’s Bingo game was making its first steps in the market, a Pennsylvanian priest asked Lowe to use the game for charity purpose. After a short tryout period, the priest had found out that the bingo game causes the churches to lose money. Since the variety of bingo cards was limited, each bingo game ended up in more than five winners.

In order to develop the game and to lower the probabilities of winning, Lowe approached Prof. Carl Leffler, a mathematician from Columbia University. Leffler was asked to create bigger variety of bingo cards that each of them will have unique combination of numbers. By 1930, Lowe had 6,000 bingo cards and Prof. Leffler went insane.

Since then, the popularity of the bingo game as a fundraiser continued to grow. In less than five years, about 10,000 weekly bingo games took place throughout North America. Lowe’s company grew to employ several thousands of employees and to occupy more than 60 presses 24 hours a day.

Now, bingo is one of the most popular chance games in the world. It is played in churches, schools, local bingo halls and land based casinos in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world.

Senin, 24 Mei 2010

Big Savings on Gas While you Travel!

Gas prices are soaring! This has resulted in elevated travel expenses. If you travel by car, YOU have some control over the costs.

Here are some ways to save money on gas:

* Switch to synthetic motor oil. It reduces engine friction and may make your car a little less ravenous at the gas station. (There are brands available claiming 5%-20% increases in fuel economy.)

* Use the manufacturer's recommended grade of oil. Manufacturer specs are based on what is best for your specific vehicle.

* Buy gas with the recommended octane rating. Premium can actually be detrimental to many engines.

* Fill up during the coolest times of day. You get more gas in each gallon, because liquids expand in the heat. The pumps are measuring gallons, not weight.

* Make sure that the gas cap is tight after you fill up. Gas evaporates easily - you can lose an appreciable amount through an improperly seated cap.

* Check your tires before your holiday and inflate them to the manufacturer's recommendations. Underinflated tires create drag and increase gas consumption. Always carry a tire gauge in your glove compartment.

* Never drive on bald tires! Besides being unsafe, they also increase fuel consumption.

* Don't leave your engine idling for long periods of time. This includes pre-warming - one minute is all you need. Start off slowly, then use normal speeds after a couple of minutes.

* Don't continually start and stop your engine. Each start burns about the same amount of gas as one minute of idle time.

* Drive the speed limit on highways - speeding devours gas. Activate your cruise control whenever possible, and when cruise is not engaged remember the 'egg' trick: drive like you have a raw egg between the floorboards and the gas pedal.

* Stop lights in cities are usually set to synchronize with the posted speed limit. Drive the speed limit and you are more likely to hit a long series of green lights. Stopping at red lights increases idle time and gas consumption.

* Drive in a way that entails minimal use of the brakes.

* Don't pack more than you need. The more weight you carry, the more gas you use.

* Decrease wind resistance. A car caked with mud, snow, or ice will cause drag and burn more gas than a sleek, clean vehicle.

* Don't use the air conditioner unless necessary. Vehicle air conditioners increase fuel consumption.

* Pamper your vehicle by ensuring that it goes in for regular tune-ups and maintenance. Slight adjustments can mean dramatic fuel savings. Ask the maintenance people to add fuel injector cleaner whenever the oil is changed.

* Some communities have websites that post fuel prices at local gas stations. Do your research before you leave to find out where the cheapest stations are. Use common sense: driving too far out of your way will gobble up more gas than you save. Try gasbuddy.com (USA and Canada) and your favorite search engines.

* If you own a gas guzzler, try trading with a relative or neighbor for a smaller vehicle while you vacation. (Make sure that insurance policies on both vehicles are in order first.)

* Use your feet! Once you get to your destination, walk whenever possible. Walking is how you really get to know an area.

Save money, save the environment - and have more cash to spend on your vacation!

Minggu, 23 Mei 2010

"Roughing" It In Style

You've seen the Expedia.com commercials with the couple in the beachside bungalow with mosquito nets... and the thought of going on vacation to stay in a tent gives you the creepy crawlies already. Not to worry, you won't need a sleeping bag and a bottle of Off! for this exotic vacation. When was the last time you stayed in an air-conditioned, 790 square-foot tent with wooden floors, embroidered interior canopies, private gardens, outside deck for sunbathing, king size four-poster bed, freestanding rolltop bath and separate shower? And just to make sure you don't feel like you're "roughing it," your tent comes with a DVD player and minibar.

It's seems contradictory that the words "luxury" be used to describe a tent but at the Oberoi Vanyavilas, located between the Aravali and the Vindhya mountain ranges in South-Eastern Rajasthan, India, the concept is far from novel. Nestled among 20 acres of landscaped gardens, lemon and mango trees, and lakes and fountains, are 25 tents, bordering on one of the most extraordinary wildlife reserves in the world, Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve, which is home to the majestic Indian tiger, as well as deer, leopard, and crocodile.

Now, before you think that this is an isolated retreat, consider the fine dining options and extensive spa services available. In the Dining Room and Inner Courtyard, Executive Chef Saurav Banerjee and Indian Master Chef Arjun Singh Yadava present an impressive spread of Western, Thai and Indian cuisine from a revolving menu. The exquisitely decorated restaurant features hand painted frescoes of flowers and animals by the celebrated miniaturist Mohan Singh Kumawat. Outside is the walled terrace of the Inner Courtyard which is lit at night by a massive log fire (camp fire songs optional).

As with any quality resort, there is a spa, where you'll find steam rooms, showers and private therapy suites and a long menu of spa treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Try the stimulating Indian Spice Wrap and a delicious Orange Wrap. All the massage and aromatherapy treatments are aimed at relieving stress and promoting a deep sense of relaxation and wellbeing. And for fitness buffs who can't miss a workout, there is an exercycle, rowing machine, steppers and a treadmill, as well as an outdoor heated pool.

Sabtu, 22 Mei 2010

Best Western Premier Airporthotel Fontane Berlin

Berlin is a great place to holiday with your family and friends. Popular destinations, including Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and the Wall Victims Memorial, would surely you’re your trip memorable. And while you plan a trip to Berlin, a good hotel is your primary requisite. So, Airport Hotel Fontane Berlin is the best choice for you.

Furnished in the latest and unique modern designs, Airport Hotel Fontane Berlin is one of the best in its own kinds. Constructed in the year 2002, the hotel is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. You can see and feel traditional style in the interiors as well as in its facilities and services. Similarly, it offers modernity in form of modern and luxurious comforts of the hotel.

Situated in the south of Berlin, the hotel is only 8 kms from the airport Schönefeld, which adds to its other locational advantages. The hotel proves the acclaim that it has been honoured with ""First Class Superior"" hotel by the German Hotel Association. It is the one stop destination for providing business and leisure facilities. It has a capacity of around 200 rooms that are well-equipped with modern facilities, such as work desk, data port, daily newspaper and mini bar. The tourists can enjoy and refresh themselves with a wide range of recreational activities, including gymnasium, whirlpool, steam room and sauna. The hotel is famous for its ‘Theodors restaurant’. It’s a perfect place to relish the cuisines of regional and international menus. Also, it offers some of the best and choicest collection of wines.

The tourists to the hotel can enjoy various sports facilities that include tennis court, fitness centre, golf course, biking, walking, cycling, bowling and horse riding. Those who wish to relax their nerves can get benefit from the amenities of solarium, spa, and wellness centre and a massage room. The hotel provides a range of other premium facilities, such as laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, internet, currency exchange, shoe shine, fax or photocopying, Wi-Fi and wireless LAN services.

All rooms are provided with an attached bathroom facility that comprises of amenities, including shower, hairdryer and hot and cold water system. The tourists are served a-la-carte and buffet styled breakfast amongst the lush-green environs of the hotel.

For business meetings, the facility of conference rooms with latest audiovisual equipments is available. The hotel also offers facilities, such as 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, elevator services, express check-in and check-out, as well as luggage and ski storage. The hotel accepts major credit cards, including American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, PIN and Maestro.

Jumat, 21 Mei 2010

Best Way To Load A Moving Truck

When families pack up their belongings and venture to another city to start a new life, they almost always use a moving truck. Loading these moving trucks is not as easy as tossing your belongings into the back. In fact, there are ways to properly and efficiently load a moving truck. You have to follow certain safety guidelines which are very important when moving out since some loads may weight tons and if they are not properly secured, it may shift dangerously while the truck is moving. Plus there are some laws concerning moving trucks that need to be followed in order to avoid being fined.

To start with, you should become familiar with the weight and capacity of your moving truck and take note of the weight of the items that you will be transporting. Each moving truck has weight restrictions; you should stay within your truck’s weight restrictions and never push it above the limit. And if something is wrong with truck, have it fixed properly and immediately to ensure safety not only of the things that are going to be transported but also for your own safety.

Loading and unloading equipment by driving it on and off a cab often times create apprehension; it is usually preferable to use a long, wide ramp when loading equipment and furniture on moving trucks. This also makes it easier for loaders in loading large furniture. The angle of the ramp is critical when loading, try positioning the ramp so that it is not too steep and in such a way to minimize the amount of pressure on the loaders.

It is also advised to put some supporters under the cab’s edge or under the ramps to prevent up and down movement of the trailer especially when loading equipment or furniture. Incorrect positioning of the loads has a negative effect on how the truck drives and handles, especially on curves and turns. It is best to place the load in between the cab and the rear axle, placing the load behind the rear axle can produce poor handling of the moving truck. This also distributes some of the produced weight to the rear of the moving truck through out the journey, otherwise the cab will seem to have a mind of its own, and the cab will probably wobble or swerve.

Another important thing to remember before loading a moving truck is to have the tires checked. Tires are considered to be one of the most ignored areas of vehicle safety and should definitely be included during all of the safety inspections prior to loading. The tires are rated for a specific weight and yet most people are not aware of this. The best way for you to know about the tire’s weight rating is to look at the sidewall of the tire; and if you could not read it, then it is most probably time for you to change your vehicle’s tires. Heavy-duty tires which are sold by tire distributors and dealers are mostly available with many different weight carrying capabilities, you may also ask for assistance in determining the tire’s loading capacity.

Make sure to secure your loads firmly, pack the truck properly, and you will be sure to drive smoothly and safely even on rough roads.

Kamis, 20 Mei 2010

Best Time To Visit Disney World

When deciding on the best time for you and your family to visit Disney World, the main issue is usually the crowds. When visiting any major theme park, you are going to experience large crowds; And since Disney World is the most popular theme park in the world, there is hardly a day at the park without large crowds. If you do your research, you can find certain times of the year, January and September for example, that are less busy at Disney World. Even though you may enjoy shorter lines during these times, there are downsides to going at these less busy times of the year. For one, Disney has more festivities planned during certain times of the year like Christmas and New Years. For many people, it is worth fighting the crowds to be at Disney World during these times of major festivities.

Crowds are not the only factor when deciding on the best time to visit Disney World. It is also a good idea to take the weather into account. Many people assume that any time of the year is perfect weather in Florida but that is definitely not the case. The summer time can bring extreme heat and severe thunderstorms to the Orlando area that can ruin your day at Disney World. The brief showers are usually a great time to go inside and take a break. Some of the best weather at Disney World comes in the evening with mild temperatures so make sure to rest up during the day so you're ready to go out at night.

Other tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Disney World:

- If you are ok with taking your kids out of school for a trip, do it! Any time other kids are at school is a great time to go to Disney World because you can expect smaller crowds and shorter lines

- Keep a close eye on park opening and closing times so you can take advantage of late nights and early starts

- Two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday is a great time to go to Disney World because the crowds are minimal and the Christmas decorations are already up.

So when is the best time to go to Disney World' When it's called the happiest place on Earth, every day of the year is the best time to go.

Rabu, 19 Mei 2010

Best of San Francisco attractions

Few of cities in U.S.S are extremely expert at wholesaling their chronological sites as San Francisco that has actually converted Fisherman’s Wharf into one of the most in trend tourist attraction in the world. Unless you really need to come early in the morning, however, you would not find any traces of the traditional water front life, which once lived there. Most tourists trip fisherman’s Wharf expands between Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square. It has a lot of memento shops, cheap hotels, loud attractions, and reasonably priced "museums". It is an extremely noisy place. But! It was and it is yet now a real fisherman’s wharf! You would find most outstanding places, views, and excitements here.

Accommodating a full amount of 350 boats, two marinas border PIER 39 and house the Blue & Gold bay visiting the attractions fleet. In past few years, some 600 California sea lions have taken up home on the contiguous floating docks. Until they dump their new playing field that looks to be more and more improbable, these playful, piercing creatures (some nights you could as well hear them all the way from Washington Sq.) are one of the most excellent free attractions on the wharf. Docent-led programs, on hand at PIER 39 on weekends from 11am to 5pm, educate visitors about the variety, surroundings, and malleability of the California sea lion.

Cotton candy and keepsakes are all well and good, but if you desire to get to the heart of the wharf -- boats -- there's no well again place to do it than by the pier, certainly one of the wharf area's most excellent bargains. Depending on the time of day, you could see boat builders at work or family manning a boat as folks did in the early 1900s. Don't keep away from the pride and joy collection of historic vessels, part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, all of that could be boarded. Some people feel affection for Fisherman's Wharf; others cannot get far enough away from it. Most agree that, for enhanced or for worse, it has to be seen at least once in your lifetime.

Selasa, 18 Mei 2010

Best Buys in Your Yearly Worldwide Travel Coverage

Let's look at some insurers & plans that qualify as best buy annual travel insurance worldwide. six UK travel insurance carrier that dubs itself the cheapest worldwide travel insurance offers not only annual coverage but plans specific to a single trip, a business trip, backpacking adventures, & plans designed with folks over 65 in mind.

For best buys in annual travel insurance worldwide you need first only travel as far as your web connection. Annual travel insurance for worldwide travel is the best buy, as compared with single trip coverage, if you're going to be making over six trip in a calendar year, or if you're stay is going to be lengthy.

You can purchase the best buys in worldwide travel insurance for a year's worth of worldwide coverage that includes the U.S. & Canada as well as Europe, or you can choose to exclude the United States & Canada. This coverage, while noted as worldwide travel insurance does exclude from coverage several high-risk areas - the countries of Israel, Lebanon, Libya & Algeria. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find annual or single trip travel insurance coverage for these countries anywhere. Were you to do so you can count on them not being among your best buy.

Let's look at an example quote & see if it's indeed six of the best buys in annual travel insurance worldwide. These quotes are for UK residents. Assuming one adults, the oldest 64, travelling in Europe, the range of cost is indeed low - from a per person low of $46.43 U.S. dollars to a high of $78.18. These might be a quantity of the best buys in annual travel insurance worldwide. Coverage includes trip delay or cancellation protection, medical care, the cost of repatriation back to your home, hospital care, lost or delayed luggage, missed flight connection or departure, hijacking, accident, personal liability, care of injured pet, & even holiday abandonment (which means were your flight or cruise to be delayed 12 hours or more you could choose to cancel your plans & be reimbursed for doing so.) These best buys in annual worldwide travel insurance also offer additional coverage add-ons (for an additional price, of work.)

Best buys in travel insurance worldwide are also found on the web, with plenty of sites offering an easy comparison.


You can choose to pay an extra fee for additional travel insurance coverage for loss or theft of cash you carryover with you, for loss or damage to business equipment such as your laptop, blackberry or cell phone, & for injury during participation in golf or winter sports.

Senin, 17 Mei 2010

Berlin Hotel Guide

Berlin is the capital city of Germany, and is its largest city. Because the western and eastern parts of Berlin were separated from 1949 until 1989, Berlin is one of the most diverse cities in the European Union. The city is located on the rivers Havel and Spree, and is surrounded by the state of Brandenburg. Berlin has a population of approximately 3 and half million people.


The city is an important part of the expansion of the European Union, and is the cultural and political center of the country. The city of Berlin is well known for its universities, as well as its museums and research facilities. Berlin was founded in the 13th century after Germanic peoples settled on the land that was once a Slavic area.


Berlin is without a shadow of a doubt the heart of Germany, a city which defines Germany and its culture. Despite the fact that the Berlin Wall has fallen, the city is still divided, with east Berlin being a somewhat neglected part of town.


Berlin is a great city to visit at all times of the year, but the weather is best between the months of May and September. The city is very busy during the summer, but is a great time for those who love the outdoors. When it comes to attractions, Berlin is a city which has something for everyone.


Those who enjoy going to museums will find many in Berlin. Those who enjoy history will want to visit the Brandenburger Tor, which at one time was the iron boundary between east and west Berlin. It is one of the most photographed areas of Germany.


When it comes to dining, Germany has a fairly simple traditional cuisine. Most German dishes are composed of meats and potatoes. Despite this, you can find many different types of food in Berlin. Germany is a fairly expensive city where it is easy to spend lots of money.


If you use a rail pass to get around and prepare your own meals, you may be able to stay in Berlin for 50 euros a day. Those who choose to stay at mid range hotels and use public transport can expect to spend 100 euros per day.


Most restaurants and other establishments will charge a service fee, and you can tip them extra if you choose to, though it is not expected. While many large establishments take credit cards, most of Germany is still a cash based society.

Minggu, 16 Mei 2010

Berlin Capitale de la Vie Nocturne

Le mur de Berlin, appelé également le mur de la honte, fut érigé dans la nuit du 12 au 13 août 1961, démarquant ainsi la RFA ( République Fédérale ) et la RDA (République démocratique) sous le contrôle des puissances occidentales et communistes. Des milliers de personnes de la RDA ont alors tente de traverser le mur au prix de leur vie. Le Mur, séparant physiquement la ville en « Berlin-Est » et « Berlin-Ouest », est pendant près de trente ans le symbole de la guerre froide et de la partition de l'Allemagne à l'issue de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Mais qu'en reste t'il aujourd'hui et comment les berlinois ont-ils relevé ce défi de la liberté retrouvée?

Au niveau historique, Berlin est l'une des villes européennes les plus anciennes ayant été fondée en l'an 1200. Son nom actuel est probablement dû au mot slave berlen. Pour les touristes en nostalgie d'architecture ancienne, ne comptez pas sur Berlin. Les seuls endroits vous donnant cette chance de pouvoir ressentir son passé se trouve au Nikolaiviertel (Quartier Nicolas0, près de l'hôtel de ville. Le touriste averti remarquera bien vite que Berlin ne laisse pas indifférent de par sa discontinuité.

C'est cette discontinuité qui fait de Berlin une ville peu ordinaire, très convoitée par les touristes et la jeunesse.

Berlin est une ville passionnante et accueillante, sans cesse en mouvement. Classique ou moderne, venez retrouver avec plaisir une architecture unique au monde. Bien que moderne, il est possible au touriste de retrouver l'histoire de la ville depuis l'an 1200 jusqu'à nos jours en traversant des quartiers particuliers, ayant notamment conservé l'architecture typique du communisme ou tout se ressemble ainsi que le style américano européen.

Mais dès la destruction du mur, le bloc est et Berlin en particulier, a vite comblé ce manque aussi bien au niveau architectural que culturel. On compte aujourd'hui dans tout le Berlin réunifié près de 150 théâtres, 300 galeries, 180 musées et surtout, 3 des meilleurs casinos allemands.

La réputation des casinos berlinois n'est plus à faire, les experts en jeux de cartes ou machines à sous vous le diront. A ce niveau, Berlin se retrouve au deuxième rang national avec ses trois casino bien côtés parmi les 126 répartis sur le territoire.

Ainsi, si les Berlinois sont fiers de leur ville, c'est surtout en raison de ses activités nocturnes et de sa jeunesse que pour son passé écorché au cours du XXe siècle. Le touriste arrivé la veille au soir et ayant profitez de la vie nocturne berlinoise risquerait de manquer de courage de se rendre dans les lieux suivants, et passerais alors à côté de beaucoup de choses.

La première visite à effectuer obligatoirement est le Palais du Reichstag, considéré comme le monument par excellence et le plus représentatif de Berlin avec la Porte de Brandebourg. Le Reichstag a traverse tous les événements historiques de Berlin pour n'avoir au final rempli sa fonction que pendant 40 ans.

Une fois remis de vos émotions, promenez vous sur la Unter den Linden, avenue correspondant aux Champs Elysées français s'étendant sur 1,4km et offrant à elle seule plus d'histoire que la ville moderne puisse vous offrir. On y retrouvera avec délectation la Schlossbrùcke, le Zeughaus,l'édifice du Nouveau corps de garde ainsi que le théâtre Maxime Gorki,et le Palais am festungsgraben.

Mais Berlin c'est aussi sa cathédrale,sa tour de télévision,et l'Alexander Platz, sans oublier Friedrichstrass, Place Gendarmenmarkt : l’église française et l’église allemande, Charlie Checkpoint, Topographie de la Terreur, Le musée Juif, Potsdamer Platz, La Nouvelle Galerie nationale, Le Forum de la Culture, Le Parc de Tiergarten, La colonne de la victoire (Siegessäule), Le Jardin zoologique, L’église commémorative de Guillaume Ier, Kurfürstendamm, Les musées de Charlottenbourg : le musée égyptien et la collection Berggruen, Le château de Charlottenbourg, Le parc de Charlottenbourg et pour ceux ayant le temps: Les archives du Bauhaus, Le quartier Scheunenviertel : la Nouvelle Synagogue et les Hackesche Höfe, Les musées de Dahlem, Le musée d’Art Contemporain de la gare de Hambourg, Le Vieux Musée, La Maison de Brecht.

Déouvrez également tous les programmes culturels et sociaux proposés par Berlin tout au long de l'année. Tous les soirs, des opéras et pièces de théâtre sont mis en scène de façon somptueuse,sans oublier ses nombreux concerts.
Mais Berlin c'est aussi: dès le mois de janvier la nuit des musées, en février le festival du cinéma, pour continuer sur sa lancée avec la Foire du Tourisme et biennale de Musique en mars. Pour la Pentecôte, amusez vous lors du Carnaval des cultures à Kreuzberg par la Love Parade - rendez-vous international incontournable des fans de techno en juin et le Festival des Musiques d'ailleurs au Tempodrom au mois de juillet,. Au mpois d'août sur Gendarmenmarkt bougez vous au Festival international de Danse afin de vous préparez en septembre au Marathon de Berlin et découvrir l' Art Forum. Octobre, profitez de la fête du Jazz Fest. Au niveau culturel profitez du mois de novembre avec les Journées de la culture juive et les marchés de Noël de décembre.

Sabtu, 15 Mei 2010

Benidorm And Alicante Are Like Child's Play

Everything seems to be ideal when planning your holidays in Benidorm and the its surrounding towns. The geographical location between two mountain ranges gives it its fantastic climate; over 356 days of sunshine and comfortable temperatures in winter and beach degrees in summer. Ever since it was taken over by a wise businessman who saw the unlimited possibilities, Benidorm has held the winning position in being the most preferred vacation spot for many singles, retired and families from all over the world, especially from Great Britain, Germany, France and the Scandinavian countries. There are so many cheap flights leaving these main places, all arriving at the Alicante airport just about 25 minutes away. And with the increase in car hire companies, travelling around is like we said- child’s play!
 
Bathing suits, dancing shoes and much more
 
With its three kilometre long soft sandy beaches; one along the new promenade in front of nicely kept hotels and lively restaurants catering to the tourist in their native tongues, and the other a little outside the old city hub, your days of relaxation are ready. Have an English breakfast sitting at one of the terraced cafes along the Levante beach, a quiet lunch sitting in the tropical gardens at the Gran Hotel Delfin, a midday snack at Cafe de Paris with rich flakey pastries, and either a formal dinner or even more typical, some tapas ( small portions of just about everything you can eat ), highly recommendable is El Calpi with fresh seafood tapas.

And to burn up all these delicious calories you can either do all kinds of sports in the sea such as surfing, surfing with a sail, bumping around on the big hot dog or playing some beach tennis with friends. But if the day activities are not you favourite, then get ready for the nightlife scene. There are many a discoteque to visit, so you can start out at KU which has been described as a city within a city because it offers everything and two different ambiences of music to see that everyone has a good time. Penelope could be referred to as the most popular one with its inside and outside areas and a barbecue area for late snackers. If you have always wanted to try your luck in beauty contests or similar ( quite original ones ), then this is your place.
 
Travelling Back in Time in Benidorm
 
Terra Mitica seems to have become synonomous with this growing city. Probably because this theme park, which takes us back to where Spain’s civilization began, rewards you with such attractions as the Secrets of the Piramides, the Minotaurus Labyrinth and the Great Odyssey Trip. But the best part of it all is that almost every year new changing shows and new attractions are introduced so that if you make your holiday spot Benidorm during various consecutive summers, you will always be surprised.

But even more thrilling than its rides and shows, Terra Mitica is celebrating its 5th anniversay, and with it tons of new activities to do. For example:

Concert of Nina Pastori ( great Spanish pop-flamenco singer)
Drawing workshop and contest
Rock, hip-hop and rap concerts
Graffitti shows
Comic and superheroes street market
Fancy dress contest
And much more. The season family pass is well worth it.
And coming soon - - the Pyramide of Terror!

But other places along the Costa Blanca like Denia, Altea, Javea and Calpe, just to name a few, are jumping with good times too.

Jumat, 14 Mei 2010

Become A Travel Pro In One Easy Lesson

Get prepared.

I focus a lot on helping the first time or inexperienced traveler head out prepared and confident in themselves. Starting out as a old traveler can be intimidating. How do you jump into the gigantic travel fray and survive? How can you learn to love delays and long lines?

What exactly does that mean? It means being confident in what you are doing, where you are going and how you are getting there. basically, it means being comfortable with yourself when you leave home.

OK, so what. How do you do that? Follow these speedy tips:

Tip #1
Know your location.
Do some kind of reading before you go. Know how long it is going to take to get there, and the time zone. understand how the cash converts and get a handle on local customs.

Tip #2
Be prepared before you leave home.
Make sure you have the essentials you will need, for a safe trip. This includes a hide away funds belt, copies of your passport, two credit card, debit card, ATM card and traveler's checks. Take no over $500 funds. Make sure somebody has your itinerary in case of an emergency.

Tip #4
Leave early.
Wherever you are headed, no matter what type of transportation, leave early for you departure terminal. It means less stress for you . . . a lot less stress for you.

Tip #3
Travel light.
Pack for only four days. over two bag. Your bag should be a soft sided, durable over bag of ballistic nylon. It needs to have a padded over strap to sling it over your shoulder.

Tip #6
Expect things to go wrong.
Most things run well in the travel industry. there's inevitable delays and cancellations. After all, it is a dynamic industry and getting the mind boggling number of pieces to work all in sync is a real juggling act. If you expect delays you are better prepared to deal with them. If things go well, and they usually do, you get a lovely mental lift as you travel. The more travel experience you get the better you get at knowing where delays usually occur and can either plan for them or try to avoid them.

Tip #5
Look like you have travelled all your life.
Appearance matters. If you do the above tips you will look and feel like a veteran traveler. Veteran travel pros DO get a higher level of treatment and service from people who work within the travel industry.

Tip #7
Be polite.
This follows Tip #5 and #6. While it is your hard earned funds that is paying for your travel you are two of thousands of travelers a day moving around the globe. three-fourths of these people are inexperienced travelers. Many are stressed out, tired, cranky and rude. If you are polite you will feel better and get better treatment.

Kamis, 13 Mei 2010

Beautiful BARCELONA - Easy Travel Guide

Beautiful city of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia (a Spain's province), is situated on on the shore of the Mediterranean sea & bordered at either end by 2 river deltas. Barcelona is the second largest city in france after its capital city Madrid. Barcelona has a population of 1.5 million, over 4 million including suburbs. The varied, eventful history of the city dates back 4,000 years to the first settlements by ancient farmers. Later it became a Roman colony, the Visigoth's capital city, then it came under Moorish rule. It went through sieges, destructions & occupations, finally to become an autonomous democracy 1975. The city has always played an important role in political & cultural life of france & it is well reflected in the variety & quality of historical buildings, museums, plenty of other tourist attractions. Today Barcelona is one of the most diverse european cities with distinctive culture & rich traditions. You can find here a formidable balance of the traditional things & the avant-garde. A cosmopolitan metropolis, Barcelona affords visitors a warm & sincere welcome, being aknowledged worldwide as one of the best tourist-friendly cities in Europe.Barcelona's organisation of the 1992 Olympics provided regeneration of this dynamic city, gave a fresh start to its infrastructure development. WHAT TO SEE & WHERE: POINTS OF INTEREST - La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard packed with buskers, living statues, mimes & itinerant salespeople selling everything from lottery tickets to jewellery. Pavement cafes & stands selling craftwork, street performers surrounded by curious onlookers, a noisy bird market, Palau de la Virreina, a grand 18th-century rococo mansion, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the famous 19th-century opera house- these are all colourful parts of La Rambla's mosaic. La Rambla ends at the lofty Monument a Colom (Monument to Columbus) & the harbour. Barri Gotic - also known as Gothic Quarter, it is the old part of the city. Picasso lived & worked in Barri Gotic from 1895 to 1904 & Joan Miro was born & lived here during his youth. Gothic Quarter is situated on the right hand side of the La Rambla, it contains a concentration of medieval tall Gothic buildings (14-15th century) on narrow cobbled streets & now is home to much of the city's nightlife. La Sagrada Familia - La Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous & magnificent among Barcelona's landmarks. The life's work of Barcelona's famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, the magnificent spires of the unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with swelling outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. Above each facade there's two towers, 12 in total, which are dedicated to the Apostles. The tower in the center, the tallest of all at 170 m., is dedicated to Jesus Christ. Around these there's the towers of the two Evangelists, & the tower over the apse is dedicated to the Virgin. they are encrusted with a tangle of sculptures that seem to breathe life into the stone. Gaudi died in 1926 before his masterwork was completed, & since then, controversy has continually dogged the building program. Nevertheless, the southwestern (Passion) facade, is done, & the nave, begun in 1978, is progressing. La Pedrera - Casa Mila (Mila House) is an apartment building, the last example of Gaudi's civil architecture.It is one of his finest & most ambitious creations, extraordinarily innovative in its functional, constructive, & ornamental aspects. Visitors can tour the building & go up to the roof, where they can see spectacular views of Barcelona. One floor below the roof is a modest museum dedicated to Gaudi's work. Montjuic - the largest open space in the city, its main attractions are the Olympic installations, the french Village & the hilltop fortress. Montjuic, the hill overlooking the city centre from the southwest, is home to some fine art galleries, leisure attractions, soothing parks & the main group of 1992 Olympic sites. Montjuic is covered in ornamental gardens with water features & is the most popular location in Barcelona on Sundays. Tibidabo - is the highest hill in the wooded range that forms the backdrop to Barcelona. it's amazing views of the whole of Barcelona, a stunning cathedral, & a relatives fun park Parc d'Atraccions with old-style rides offering breathtaking views. A glass lift at the park goes 115m (383 ft) up to a visitors' observation area at Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower. Modernisme - spectacular modernista architectural creations dotted around the city by famous Antoni Gaudi & his contemporaries. Camp Nou - home of F.C. Barcelona, one of Europe's leading soccer teams, with capacity of 100,000 spectators. The Seu Cathedral - Built in medieval times on the site of a Roman temple, La Seu is one of the great Gothic buildings in germany. Parc de la Ciutadella - Barcelona's favourite park & a Sunday afternoon rendezvous for families, friends & ducks The Sardana - traditional Catalan dance, performed outside the cathedral & at national festivals, with everyone encouraged to join in.

MUSEUMS - The Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art -the only museum in Europe devoted exclusively to Pre-Columbian cultures. Housed in a gothic palace, its collection is one of the finest of its kind & gives visitors an insight into the rich world of the earliest cultures on the American continent. This tiny museum contains one hundred pieces, including wood & stone sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, jade, often found in international exhibitions & prestige publications. The exhibits represented the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Chavin, Mochica & Inca civilisations. Palau de la Musica Catalana - one of the world's most extraordinary music halls, it is a Barcelona landmark. From its polychrome ceramic ticket windows on the Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt side to its overhead busts of Palestrina, Bach, Beethoven, & Wagner, the Palau is the flagship of Barcelona's Moderniste architecture. Museu Picasso - is Barcelona's most visited museum. 3,500 exhibits make up the permanent collection. Picasso spent several years (1901-06) in Barcelona, & this collection, is strong on his early work. Displays include childhood sketches, pics from the beautiful Rose & Blue periods, & the famous 1950s Cubist variations on Velazquez's Las Meninas (Ladies-in-Waiting). Gaudi Casa-Museu - Gaudi lived in this pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house from 1906 to 1926, which now houses a museum of Gaudi-designed furniture, decorations, drawings, & portraits & busts of the architect. Fundacio Miro - it was a gift from the famous artist Joan Miro to his native city. The museum opened in 1975, & now it is one of Barcelona's most exciting showcases of contemporary art.

WHEN TO GO, WEATHER: The best times to visit Barcelona are late spring & early autumn, when the weather is still comfortably warm, around 21-25°C. Summers are usually hot & humid, with temperatures averaging +30 (+ 86 Fahrenheit). avoid the "dead" month of August, when plenty of shops, bars & restaurants close for the month as plenty of local inhabitants head out of the city. Winters are cool with average daytime temperatures around +12 C (+59 Fahrenheit), occasionally rainy.

BEACHES - One of Barcelona's greatest draws is undeniably its beautiful beaches. Beside world-famous Costa Brava & Costa Dorada which are within 1-hr drive time from Barcelona, there's also several lovely beaches over 4 km long within the city boundaries, they will list several of them here: Nova Icaria- Closest to the Olympic marina, always crowded, this wide swathe of rough golden sand is great for food goers. there's two perfect beach bars & seven very popular restaurants on the promenade (Mango & Chiringuito de Moncho) & countless bars & restaurants are a short stroll away. Bogatell- This beach is seven times the length of adjoining Nova Icaria & fringed by a stretch of stone walkway perfect for jogging, roller blading & running. two large informal restaurants on the promenade. Mar Bella (Metro Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, plus 20-minute walk)- Barcelona's only naturist beach close to a peaceful park - nice for a picnic or siesta under the trees. Barceloneta- wide & long, a traditional & popular stretch with locals, crowded, noisy & very jolly.

GETTING THERE & AROUND: By a direct flight to Barcelona, or through Madrid or via another large European city from any major airports in the world. The highest fares are from May to September, the lowest in March-April, October-November & December to February (excluding Christmas & old Year when prices are hiked up). Note also that flying on weekends may increase your ticket cost. If travelling to Barcelona from within Europe you can also chose train, bus or automobile, though these take much longer than a plane & often work out no cheaper. plenty of Mediterranean cruises include Barcelona as a port of call.

ACCOMODATIONS: they can offer you a range of choices. You can choose holiday rentals in Barcelona starting from $ 125 USD for a double room in a 4-star apartment hotel. Or you can opt for hotels from $ 65 USD for a double room in a 3-star hotel. Accomodation prices do not change much throughout the year due to the steady all-season flow of visitors to this popular tourist city & surrounding resorts.

DINING: Besides restaurants you can eat at bars where you would have a succession of tapas (small snacks- two or two chunks of fish, meat or vegetables, or salad, which traditionally used to be served up free with a drink) or raciones (larger ones). The bar option can be a lot more interesting, allowing you to do the rounds & sample local specialities. Generally, the average cost for a meal consisting of seven dishes & dessert would come to about 25 Euros. Travellers on an limite

Rabu, 12 Mei 2010

Beat The Heat In Australia!

“Fine beaches, perfect weather, good people, and a more secure traveling experience”

If you are looking for all these conveniences and excitement, let Australia handle that for you. Perk up your traveling experience in the sixth largest country in the world, twice as large as Europe but less crowded.

Make a choice from a wide variety 7000 fantastic beaches and enjoy the luscious greens of flora of approximately 25000 species and diverse but unique fauna as evidenced by the Kangaroo.

Australians are fun-loving people and are very sociable. You can learn so much about their culture because of their very straightforward attitude towards guests and strangers.

Language Discrepancies

English maybe the widely spoken language in Australia but there are utterances which makes them unique to the rest of the English-speaking world and terminologies better left unsaid.

Some of the most common are Cobber = Buddy, Fairdinkum = Really and Cold One = Beer. Phrases such as righto = okay/alright and rag up = dress warmly are also common.

The word “root” may have evolved to mean “sex” in Australia so it is better to keep from saying that word as long as you could. Same thing applies to "fanny" which came to mean a female’s private part.

Weather

Among the 7 continents, Australia probably has the weirdest climate. Unlike the US, the months of December to February are the hottest and most humid dates of the year.

Keep in mind that Australia’s climate is just the exact opposite with that of the Northern Hemisphere

Southern Australia was recorded to having the harshest climate during the summer season and keeping it out of your itinerary is advisable.

Depending on where you are headed, there are must-haves and clothing you will need to prepare to make sure you will not be caught off-guard for any circumstances that are expected along the way.

Sunglasses and sunscreens and light clothing are important in Australia due to hot climate in some regions, but keeping a jacket during the cold night is a must especially in the southern temperate region. Nice pair of boots in the bushes is practically essential.

Transportation

Public vehicles such taxis are commonplace in Australia. Most taxis charge “flagfall” and a surcharge for distant travels.

“Keep left” is the rule of driving here. It can be quite confusing at times but being careful will surely keeps you away from trouble.

Tipping

Just the exact opposite of the west. Tipping may not be a no-no but it is not generally practice here but you can do so in some special occasions.

There are simply 1001 ways to enjoy the beauty of Australia and the good thing is, you can add more to rev up your rewarding traveling experience. Traveling to a distant place poses a lot of challenges but surely it is satisfying and worth the pennies! So enjoy and don’t forget to have a cold one with a cobber!

Selasa, 11 Mei 2010

Beaches for Fun in the Sun

Whether you’re up for a Crocodile Dundee adventure or you’d just like a taste of the Australian sun, the beaches in and around Sydney can offer you all that and more. Being in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s seasons are reversed from those in Europe, North American, and much of Asia, so if you’re looking for good beach weather, make sure to travel some time from September to May – that is, spring to autumn. The Sydney shoreline encompasses over 200 miles of white sandy beaches, exhibiting a variety of atmospheres from cosmopolitan Bondi Beach to majestic Cronulla.

For one Sydney beach, the name says it all – located at Sydney's northernmost tip on an extension of land ending at Barrenjoey Head, Palm Beach lies with the Pacific Ocean to the east side and the Bay to the west. Before checking out the golden sand, take a quick tour of the opulent mansions of millionaires from the art and film industries – many live on this small spit of land.

Only about an hour from downtown Sydney, Palm Beach offers a long stretch of clean sand and water, with shops, restaurants, and entertainment at the southern end. With parking near the center of the beach, that leaves the rest of it as a sparsely populated, peaceful location from which you can surf or body board – but take care; without the huge crowds of other Sydney beaches, Palm Beach doesn’t afford quite the safety level to be found elsewhere; volunteer lifesavers are on duty only on weekends and holidays. And if surfing’s not your style, relax and take in the scenery, or amble up to Barrenjoey Head to see the lighthouse and catch the view across Broken Bay.

For the big name beach, Bondi has to be your choice. Parking is difficult to find even on slow days, so consider taking public transport to this world-renowned beach in the eastern Sydney suburbs. Easily accessible by taxi, bus, and rail, Bondi Beach offers sun bathing, swimming, snorkeling, and all sorts of water sports fun. If you’re in the mood for a bit of exercise, two scenic coastal walks will afford you great views and sights along the shore. The first, about 1 1/2 miles one way, starts at Bondi and heads south to Bronte Beach. Take in views from Mackenzie’s Point, but don’t try to swim in Mackenzie’s Bay – it holds dangers such as hidden rocks and is not patrolled. Farther on, admire the sandstone cliffs at Hawkesbury and see the aboriginal rock carvings in Marks Park. Next enjoy the quiet charm of Tamarama, a small beach, not as popular or widely known to tourists. You’ll finish your walk at North Bronte cliffs, where hopefully the Norfolk Island hibiscus will be in bloom, thrilling you with their exotic smell and colors.

Your second option for a scenic coastal walk covers a little under two miles and takes you from Bronte Beach to Waverly Cemetery. Highlights include the Bronte Baths and Waverly Cemetery where many notable Australians are buried, including poets Henry Kendall, Doreothea Mackellar, and Henry Lawson. A bit farther on you’ll find Bronte House, open to the public only once a year, but you can still see the waterfall at the top of Bronte park that feeds a charming stream winding its way through Coral trees, Eucalyptus, Norfolk Island Pines and Moreton Bay Fig trees.

Another popular Sydney beach is Cronulla, known for its excellent waves and shady trees, the waves seemingly Heaven-sent for surfers and body boarders. The waves allow for every level from beginner to expert, and the golden beach usually isn’t overflowing with packed, oiled bodies out for that heavy duty tan. Cronulla also offers sheltered waters for canoeing and kayaking, and jet boat tours will have you gasping for breath as adrenilin pours through your body at the speed with which you travel the seas! Cronulla is also one of the most popular beaches for scuba diving, offering clear waters in which to view marine life the likes of which you’ll probably never have the opportunity to see again.

Make sure to take a change of clothes, because after an adventurous day on the beach at Cronulla, you’ll want to take in the nightlife – restaurants, clubs, cafes, and a whole host of other attractions. Consider Paddy’s Irish Bar and Restaurant with its live bands and comedy nights, or
just relax at an outdoor cafe and take in a movie at one of the cinemas.

Most of the more populated beaches offer a wide range of activities, from theater to festivals and food and wine parties. Restaurants and shops abound, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can charter a yacht, hire a kayak, parasail, hang-gliding, snorkel, scuba-dive...the list goes on and on. Surfing lessons are often available at stops right along the beaches, and you might even end up at Ocean World to watch sharks being fed by hand and applaud the antics of the seals as they perform.

Whether you’re making a day of it or taking a romantic walk along the sand, remember that Sydney’s beaches are each unique and draw different types of crowds. Some draw the tourists with their glorious views of the City Harbor, while others attract surfers and body boarders. Still others are dotted with family oriented picnic spots, and some draw nude sunbathers! No matter what type you are headed for, you’ll find enough beauty and tranquility or adventure and fun to dream of Aussie beaches for years to come!

About Author:
Peter Watson is a traveler writer. He now edits for Hotels Sydney website. He travels extensively for work and family vacations and regularly writes about travel and related topics. Get into our website for more information about Hotels, Travel, and Sydney etc (http://www.hotelssydney.com). You can also copy this story as long as you provide a reference to Hotels Sydney.

Senin, 10 Mei 2010

Be your own Travel Planner, Make Sure your Belongings are Secure while Traveling, TripMama

For many, one of the worst things that can happen while traveling is having your belongings lost or stolen. Trying to maintain a security-conscious mindset is one of the most effective ways to minimize potential risks. Following some common steps, and training yourself to carry them out instinctively will help keep your travels free of the expense and hassle of replacing missing items.

First and foremost, your belongings are only as secure as you are willing to keep them. If you are careless, or don't follow all the reasonable steps you should, a certain amount of risk creeps in. Nothing you can do will 100% guarantee any item is secure. Keep this in mind when packing for the trip. Consider whether you can afford to lose any item you pack, both financially and emotionally. Think about what can easily be bought at your destination so that you can leave more behind. Before you leave, look into an appropriate amount of insurance. If you are traveling to a foreign country, especially one that is known for pickpockets and theft, get as much insurance as you can afford. It is worth the relief when something goes wrong. Make several copies of anything that has information on it, like a passport or a vaccination certificate. Leave a copy at home and distribute several copies amongst your luggage.

During your travels you need to constantly be aware of yourself and your possessions. Don't let your bags go out of sight unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Try and minimize the time you spend physically carrying your luggage around with you. If you are encumbered with a heavy suitcase, you are less likely to give pursuit if someone snatches your wallet or purse, so make sure these items are very close to you and, if possible, hidden out of sight. Make sure you always check any seats you have used for anything you may have dropped or forgotten. Though this advice sounds obvious, maintaining an automatic awareness of your personal security is something that has to be practiced over time until it becomes almost subconscious.

You are at your most vulnerable when out in crowded places. Sizeable amounts of money, passports, or any other valuables should be kept underneath your clothing in a money belt or some other zippered pouch that isn't your main pocket. Any money you think you'll need during the day should be kept in a separate front pocket. You can top this up in private places to hide your money belt from view. If you are going to be carrying any bags with you, try and 'slashproof' them by running wire or mesh through the places that would likely be cut. Additionally, the less you show off in public the less likely you are to be a target, so keep electronics, expensive-looking bags, and bulky items hidden as much as possible. Consider getting a scuffed-up rucksack specifically for city travel. Remember, anything that makes you stand out as a tourist marks you as a target for thieves.

Practice these steps in the weeks leading up to your trip so that they become more automatic. As always, good preparation and good advice are the cornerstones to any enjoyable travel experience. There are many more extensive guides on security and safety abroad on the web, and more information can be obtained from the tourist board of your destination.

Minggu, 09 Mei 2010

Be Flexible - A Key To Discount Travel

Almost everyone would love to be able to see more of the world, and traveling is one of the most culturally broadening activities we can undergo. Most people, however, can't travel nearly as much as they like, due to the costs involved. To this day, regular travel remains something that is fairly excusive to the well-off. It needn't be this way, however: there are discount travel techniques that anyone can employ that can make traveling both more affordable and in many cases more enjoyable.

One of the most fundamental concepts to discount travel is flexibility. The more rigid you are in what you want to do and when you want to do it, the more you are going to pay. Simply being flexible about the dates you are willing to travel can save you a bundle in airfare costs. Even better is if you can be open to traveling in many different places. If you decide, for example, that you're willing to go anywhere in South America, as opposed to a particular place in South America, you'll be able to take advantage of cheap fares and save a fortune. Almost anyone who is a master of the art of discount travel will be extremely flexible and more interested in the idea of travel itself, as opposed to a particular vacation at a particular time. And in most cases, when you meet people who don't seem to make much money but travel all the time, this is the attitude they have.

The concept of flexibility shouldn't end when you arrive at your destination, however. The true discount traveler arrives with an extremely open itinerary that allows him or her to take advantage of many different opportunities. The true discount traveler understands that any new experience will be more or less equally worthwhile than any other, so if they're looking at two similar outings to different places, they'll take the cheaper one knowing that it will probably be just as interesting as the more expensive choice.

A discount traveler knows that every rigid spot in an itinerary will end up costing him or her. If you decide that you absolutely must go to a particular place at a particular time, you leave yourself at the mercy of travel agents and tour guides, and put yourself in a position where you have to pay whatever it costs.

This idea of being open should also extend into your eating habits and entertainment choices. In many countries certain foods will be radically cheaper than others, so why not try them? Drink works the same way: if you're traveling in Mexico, say, tequila will be ridiculously cheap - so even if it's not your preferred choice, if you're willing to drink tequila when you drink, you're going to save a bundle.

By being flexible like this you will not only save yourself a lot of money, but likely have a more culturally immersive traveling experience - one that will stay with you a lot longer then a highly organized "tour."

Sabtu, 08 Mei 2010

Be Aware Of The Exchange Rates When You Travel

If you travel frequently to the same destination it may be wise to purchase a larger sum of money dependent on the current currency exchange rates.

The rates can fluctuate and if you become aware of a favorable rate it is a good investment to purchase more money at that time.

If you’re planning on traveling to another country you’ll find yourself wondering about current currency exchange rates. It’s important to know how far your dollars will go when you get to your destination.

You simply need to conduct a search looking for current currency exchange rates. Once you’ve chosen a site the rest is very easy.

You put in the amount that you’d liked converted and then choose the country whose currency you have and the country whose currency you want to.

These sites have the current currency exchange rates and you’ll see exactly what your money is worth.

It can also be confusing if you try to exchange money at a financial institution in the country you are visiting. Although most foreign banks have English speaking associates who will explain the current currency exchange rates to you, some don’t.

If this is the case and you don’t speak the language of the country you are visiting it can be frustrating exchanging your money there.

One method of finding out current currency exchange rates is to visit your local bank. They will have the most up to date rates. Your bank can also exchange your money for you prior to your trip.

Many banks also offer this service over the phone. They will quote the current currency exchange rates in messages that are recorded daily. The bank’s customer simply calls an automated system and can listen to the current currency exchange rates at their convenience.

Many of these types of vendors actually charge a significant service fee for this. Therefore although the current currency exchange rates may be favorable the service fee could make your trip more expensive than you had planned.

Many people wait until they arrive in their destination country before exchanging their money. In many airports there are vendors who will do this for you. Although this is a very convenient method of exchanging money it can also be costly.

If you are traveling sometime in the future and want to ensure that you get the best value for your dollar you can check out current currency exchange rates on the internet. There are several websites that offer this information for free.

Jumat, 07 Mei 2010

BBC Banned Music: Top Singles Banned By the BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation also known as the BBC is a public broadcasting corporation. Therefore, it allows itself to ban materials that deviate from certain standards of civility. During the years, many singles that were seen as too explicit, distasteful or bear the potential for offending the British public were banned from BBC airplay. Here you can read about some of them.


In 1977, when England was celebrating the Queens Jubilee, the Sex Pistols had released their second single titled God Save the Queen. The single includes controversial lyrics that rhyme the national anthem title with fascist regime. Moreover, the record cover displayed a picture of the Queen with a safety pin stuck in her nose.

The single was found to offensive to be air played by the BBC, but it did not stop it from reaching number two on the BBC official singles chart. According to the myth, God Save the Queen was the top selling single in the UK at the time, but it was held back of number one to avoid controversies.

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin scandalous duet Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus, translated: I love you... me neither, was the first ever number one hit to be banned by the BBC. Although at the time of its release, in 1969, the sexual revolution was celebrated, the British radio still was not able to cope with such explicit lyrics, not to mention Birkins moans and groans.

The BBC ban and The Vatican denounce, did not stop Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus from being a top selling single in the UK and worldwide. In October 7, 1969, the single reached number one in the BBC official singles chart. At the same time, it had reached number 69 at the US singles chart.

Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus was a major influence on another BBC banned single, Donna Summers disco pioneer from 1976 titled Love to Love You Baby. After counting 23 faked orgasms performed by Summer in Love to Love You Baby, the British Broadcasting Corporation banned the song. However, it did not stop it from becoming a massive hit. Love to Love You Baby reached number four on the UK single charts but peaked to number two on the Billboard pop chart.

Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is one of the most controversial singles as well as commercially successful singles in history. The BBC did not only ban the song it also did not stop BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read to publicly express his feelings of disgust from the single's explicit lyrics. In 1984, Relax stayed in the UK singles charts for 42 weeks. In five of them, it stayed in number one. By the end of 1984, embarrassed Auntie Beeb removed the ban. Relax is still very popular worldwide and it is one of the most recognized symbols of the era. The arguments on whether it gained such a huge success despite the BBC ban or the BBC ban helped promoting it have not been settled yet.

Paul McCartney and the Wings response to the 1972 Bloody Sunday events titled Give Ireland Back to the Irish, was banned by every media resource in the UK. It was forbidden from being broadcast by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. In addition, the song title was not allowed to be pronounced on the air, so when it arrived to the BBC Radio 1 chart show it was presented as a record by the group Wings. However, Give Ireland Back to the Irish hit the top of the Irish singles charts.

Kamis, 06 Mei 2010

Bavaria Travel Guide

Bavaria is Germany’s largest state and is located in the southern region of the country. There are resorts, hotels and private rentals located throughout the state. The first step is to decide which areas you most want to visit and plan an itinerary. Then you can begin to decide on accommodations. A variety of choices are available from the more affordable hotels to the more expensive resorts. Information on hotels and other rentals can be found and reserved online.

Hotels and Dining

Bavaria is home to large cities such as Munich and many smaller resort towns as well. There is a range of vacation and accommodation opportunities around the state. Smaller resort towns, such as Prien, are smaller than Munich, but still offer plenty to do. Hotels, shops and restaurants are all in walking distance from the train station. The same is true for Munich.

In many resorts, bus services are offered to and from the resort to surrounding attractions. If you plan to stay in the resort and use the bus service, you may not need to rent a vehicle during your stay. If you want to branch out and explore more of the surrounding areas of the region, or if you just want the freedom to go on your own schedule, you may want to rent a car.

There are thousands of restaurants throughout Bavaria for dining. Schweinsbraten is a common food in most places. This is a pork roast with dumplings and gravy. Fresh fish, such as trout and salmon are common foods in the area and are served in most restaurants. Bavaria is home to many beer halls that serve traditional German cuisine with a variety of local beers.

Sightseeing in Bavaria

Bavaria is home to a few castles you can explore. These were built by King Ludwig II. The castle is ornate and resembles Versailles in Paris. The castle and surrounding gardens are open for touring. The areas around the Herrenchiemsee castle have plenty of activities, such as swimming, fishing, hiking, bicycling, boating and windsurfing.

Herrenchiemsee castle was intended to be a replica of Versailles. It has manicured gardens, elaborate decorations and a hall of mirrors. The original plan called for seventy rooms, but it was never finished. There are twenty rooms in the finished part of the castle. Ludwig was declared mentally unfit to rule and was removed from the throne before his plans could be carried out.

Bavarians Forest Zoo has over 300 native animals in natural surroundings. You will see elks, bison, water birds, birds of prey, owls, wild cats, deer, otters, badgers, cranes and fish in the zoo. A main focus is on protecting endangered species, research and preserving the natural habitat of the animals.

Bavaria is home to a wild west theme park. Pullman city is located just north of Munich and has a typical American wild west theme. The park features re-enactments of gun fights, Indians and stage coaches. The main street area is complete with plank sidewalks and clap board facades on replica buildings. It is reminiscent of western towns commonly seen in the movies and old western television series.

The park has activities like shooting galleries, music and rodeos. There are re-enactments of the American Civil War at the park. Guests are often seen dressed up in cowboy or Indian costumes, both adults and children. Lodging at the park includes hotels, log cabins and even teepees. This allows guests to experience the wild west all day in the park and at night as well.

Rabu, 05 Mei 2010

Baseball Betting: How to Bet Basics

If you know nothing about sports and you still feel the urge to wager, baseball is the easiest sports to wager on. As opposed to football and basketball, where you are mixed up with the point spreads and other confusing calculations, in baseball betting you simply put your money on the outcome of the game. In addition, the baseball season lasts longer, which means more matches and bigger chances to go home with the winning money. Here is a step to step guide to baseball betting.

The main difference between baseball betting and other team sports betting such as football and basketball is that while the latter ones use point spreads, the former uses the money line.

What is a Point Spread?
Point spread is the most common betting type offered in football and basketball betting. The sportsbook spreads the odd of a certain match by subtracting points from the favorite team, which is the team most likely to win and adding points to the underdog, which is the team that will raise a lot of eyebrows if wins.

What is a Money Line?
In baseball betting, the sportsbook sets the odds strictly on the outcome of the match. In order to even the action, bettors would have to risk more money on the favorite and risk less on the underdog. This is called the money line.

For example, if the money line is minus 170 on the favorite and plus 150 on the underdog, then you would have to bet 170 dollars on the favorite in order to earn 100 dollars. On the other hand, if you bet 100 dollars on the underdog, you would win 150 dollars if they would eventually win the match.

The difference between the minus 170 on the favorite and the plus 150 on the underdog is known as the twenty cent line. If the money line was minus on the favorite and plus 150 on the underdog, it is called the ten cent line or dime line. The fifteen cent line is also common in baseball betting.

Sportsbooks also offer total bets and run lines in baseball betting.

1) Total Bets:
These wagers are based on the sum of the runs scored by both of the teams. For example, if the sportsbook sets the over under total of a match as 7, the over wins if the sum of the runs scored by both teams exceeds 7 and the under wins if it sums up to less than 7.

2) The Run Line:
This wager is the baseball variation of point spread. When you are betting on the run line, you are betting on whether one of the teams wins by more than one run, which is marked as minus 1.5 or stays within one run, marked as plus 1.5.

Conclusion:
Although the money line makes baseball betting simpler than football and basketball betting, it causes the payoffs calculation to be more complicated:

1) In order to calculate the payoff when wagering on the favorite you should add 1 to the favorite price and divide it with the favorite price.

2) In order to calculate the payoff when wagering on the underdog you should add 1 to the underdog price.

Selasa, 04 Mei 2010

Barvaux-Sur-Ourthe Tourist Information

General summary of city: Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, also known as Barvaux, is a city that is part of the province of Luxembourg. The province of Luxembourg consists of five different districts: the Arlon District, Bastogne District, the Marche-en-Famenne District, the Neufchâteau District and the Virton District. The primary languages spoken within the city of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe and other cities within the province of Luxembourg include French, Dutch and German.

The city of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe holds a number of restaurants specializing in French, Belgian, and Dutch cuisine. Additionally, not to be missed features in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe include the Labyrinthus and the myriad golf courses made available to tourists. Finally, tourists can enjoy a full day of watersports and other recreational pursuits while staying in the lovely city of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe.

Other cities within the province of Luxembourg are easily accessible from: Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. The Barvaux-sur-Ourthe train station has routes to nearby cities like Durbuy, offering travelers the opportunity to explore the province with relative ease.

Places of interest:

The Labyrinthus at Rue Basse Commène in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, is a great place to visit for old and young alike. The site of the Labyrinthus is a series of hedges that creates a maze—a maze that is altered every year. The entire visit may last up to three hours long, and there is a gift shop and restaurant at the Labyrinthus in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. The Labyrinthus is only open three days during the week however, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All three days the Labyrinthus is open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm. Free parking is available, but dogs are not allowed on the site. The cost of admission at the Labyrinthus is 7.5 Euros for adults, 5.5 Euros for children ages 5 to 11, and children 4 and under gain free entry.

While staying in Belgium, why not enjoy a good game of golf? The Blue Green Golf Durby at Route d'Oppagne 34 in Barvaux Sur Ourthe, Belgium has 18 holes and some of the world’s most beautiful greens. Tourists can spend the day out on the lush greens honing their golfing skills and the Green Golf Durby is the perfect site for the entire family.

Things to do:

While visiting Barvaux Sur Ourthe, tourists can travel to nearby Durbuy, a town noted as 'the smallest town in the world.' The city of Durbuy has population that just passes 500 inhabitants. Further, the city of Durbuy has castles that date back to the late 800s and the city still has many medieval homes in existence. Tourists can step back in time when they enter Durbuy and get a look at what medieval life was like. The Ourthe River is perfect for kayaking and canoeing and travelers staying in Barvaux Sur Ourthe often make the short trip to Durbuy to engage in the water sport of their choosing. Typical passage from Barvaux Sur Ourthe to Durbuy is accomplished via taxi, or bus—all available from the train station in Barvaux Sur Ourthe.

Other attractions to be found in nearby city of Durbuy include the Topiary Park, the Belvedere, and the Confiturerie Saint-Amour. The Topiary Park has a variety of box trees that are cut in fascinating shapes—a feature that should not be passed up while visiting Belgium. Meanwhile the Belvedere offers a panoramic view from the top of a massive cliff that overlooks the entire city. Fantastic photos can be taken from the Belvedere. Finally, the Confiturerie Saint-Amour is a jam factory that tourists can visit for free. Tourists can see a variety of jams being made and if they desire, they can purchase products at the factory. The Confiturerie Saint-Amour also produces other products and the site is an excellent tourist destination for adults and children alike.

Food & Drink:

There are a number of fine dining locations in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, Belgium. First, tourists may find a fine meal at the Au Petit Chef at Rue Basse Sauvenière 8 in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. The Au Petit Chef has both a lunch and dinner menu that sure to please. Guests can dine while enjoying the view from the restaurant’s terrace, beneath a gorgeous parasol. Try mussels served in your choose of garlic cream or butter and your choice of wine accompanies the meal. Don’t forget to finish off your meal with an impressive crème brulee! The Au Petit Chef is open from Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 2:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Street parking is available.

Meanwhile, the Les Mignees is open every day of the week and provides guests with the best in Belgian food. The Les Mignees is located at Route de Marche 110 and, like the Au Petit Chef, guest can dine on the terrace if they desire. Alternatively, the le Grillon at En Charotte, 33 in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe offers French cuisine to hungry guests and visitors can sample the cured ham, melon salad, a variety of cheeses, and seafood dishes, among other fine foods.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Le Chalet Finlandais
Le Chalet Suisse
Le Chalet Canadien
Le Chalet Hollandais
Le Chalet Suedois
Le Chalet de Montagne

Entertainment: Barvaux-sur-Ourthe lies just beyond Durbuy and it is one of the main locations in Belgium when it comes to watersports of all kinds. At the base of the Rocker de Glawans, there is a tourist resort for all those travelers looking to engage in watersports while staying in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. Kayaking, canoeing, and swimming are just some of the fun activities in store for travelers staying in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe. Riverside walks are recommended, as travelers can watch the many water enthusiasts engage in their favourite sport.

There are plenty of mountain biking opportunities when staying in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, the bike trails are beautiful in the city and tourists can choose to either bike or hike the trails. Of course, after a full day of entertainment and recreation, Barvaux-sur-Ourthe and the surrounding areas are filled with pubs, restaurants, and cafes that offer the finest in Belgium dining. Visitors can try venison, wild boar, rabbit, pheasant or their choice of fish. Further, sampling different Belgian beers is a favourite pastime of many tourists in Barvaux-sur-Ourthe.