The 10 most beautiful landscapes in the world

1. Perito Moreno Glacier. Argentina

It is the most striking of the 365 block of ice in the Park of Los Glaciares National in Patagonia. Its fame has grown over the last seven years as the number of visitors exceeded 500,000 annually. El Calafate, the nearest town has also changed: from 4,000 people had moved to over 20,000, not counting the tourists staying in about one hundred hotels and cabins around the area. Note that the huge mass of ice is a spectacle which is surpassed only by the rupture of the frozen arc vast that occurs every so often.

2. Grand Canyon. Arizona, USA

If you want to be part of the four million people that visit each year this majestic construction of nature, you have to get used to the spectacular dimensions that it offers: it is 446 miles long and nearly 1,600 feet deep. You should know that you can walk along the road that skirts or if you want to experience a real adventure, you can go lower in the river and observe the traces that are left on earth, which is the passage of more than 2,000 million years.

3. The terraces of Yunnan. China

For hundreds of years the inhabitants of the southern part of this region dug and formed dug artificial terraces in the mountains in order to plant rice, and left this colorful picturesque landscape. But the most attractive thing about this place is its rich culture, which has the largest number of ethnic minorities in the country. Of the 56 ethnic groups that exist, Yunnan has 25 of them. So it might be possible to find the only pictographic writing of the world until old warriors groups were in South area of Asia. This city has become one of the first points of departure to Tibet.

4. Cliffs of Moher. Ireland, Galway

If you are afraid of heights you better not go near the edge of the cliffs, as the height of230 meters can leave you literally breathless. If so, choose a boat ride to see the magnitude of the formation of this rock which is more than8 km long and is visited by over a million people every year. It is important not to miss the spectacle of the waves of the Atlantic, which for millions of years have swallowed the overburden rock to form these magnificent depths.

5. Iguazu. Argentina and Brazil

An upcoming “ace” in all the lists of recommended places is Igazu. Don’t forget to visit the place that was discovered from the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century. Moreover, the place is made up of 275 waterfalls fed by the flow of the Iguazu River. The Devil’s Throat is the most visited, it is 80 meters high and because of that reason the visitors may be less than one meter in the fall. Its ‘cataracts broke their own record last year, since they received more than one million tourists (unbelievable).

6. Uluru. Australia

To visit this rock formation that reaches 348 meters in height is necessary to have the permission of the Aboriginals Anangu, who are the guardians of this sacred place and serve as tour guides. If you are going to be successful, you can enjoy the charm of this legendary place that takes its greatest splendor in the sunset (since their color turns red). In wetter times the rock acquires a silvery gray hue (with a bit of black) due to growing algae in the water sources. But be careful because not everything is allowed here, you cannot use a scale and there are some sites that it is off-limits period for photography and video cameras.

7. Cappadocia. Turkey
Cappadocia was created three million years ago, and this plain accumulated ash and lava happened because of the eruption of two volcanoes nearby. When a dry rock was the layer of a porous lightweight wind, the sculpting water commissioned to create this bizarre landscape, which is crowned by valleys of needles, with cones and with the famous twisted fairy chimneys (inhabited by locals). If you decide to visit the best kept treasures of this unique geological formation in the world, you will have to make several sacrifices like:  riding a donkey in dusty unpaved roads. In the end, you will find out that it was worth paying for it. For more information go to : turkey-holiday-information

8. Torres del Paine. Chile

This natural park has 181,000 hectares and in it you can enjoy a varied landscape of valleys, mountains, waterfalls, rivers and lakes, crowned by glaciers and surrounded by lakes with different shades of color between blue and green. The main attractions are: the mountains and the huge variety of flora and fauna. Moreover, it is one of the most visited sites in Chile. Last year it reached 141,000 visits and it is believed that by 2012 it will reach 160,000 tourists annually.

9. Mount Cook. New Zealand

If you want to climb the highest mountain in this country, expect to live six full days of adventure. It is an easy ascent and is necessary to spend between 16 and 20 hours in order to reach the top, depending on the physical conditions of each tourist. If you are not prepared to scale it, you can enjoy the scenery that is offered by this land. It is a nature reserve, discovered in the seventeenth century, which receives most of the visitors to the country (approximately 2 million).

10. Banff National Park. Canada

One of the most visited parks in the world, which receives each year more than five million tourists, who apparently are delight by the majestic Canadian Rockies but it is said that it also causes serious environmental damages. Its range of landscape is approximately 6641 square kilometers and it is varied to: extensive meadows, glaciers, lakes and forests that are adjacent to other parks

What to see in Dublin?

Well worth a visit is the Trinity College. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the building is one of the most respected universities in europe. Here is preserved one of the oldest books in the world, The Book of Kells, a ninth century manuscript with miniatures designed with care by monks copyists. Trinity College is located in the Old Library, the historic library in Dublin.

On the first floor of the Old Library is also the Long Room, the old library in which they are perfectly preserved ancient volumes for all of the 65-meter height of the shelves! Entrance costs € 9 for adults, € 8 for students and seniors and is free for children under 12 years and for those who are accompanied by students of Trinity College. Opposite to Trinity College is the Central Bank of Ireland. If you keep moving to the Dame Street, you’ll find the City Hall. There are a lot of accommodation options in Dublin and it is very easy to book online a Cheap Dublin hotel .

Between Trinity College and City Hall is the medieval cathedral of Dublin, Christ Church, the oldest church in the city, built in 1038. The price of admission is € 6 for adults, € 4 for seniors, € 3 for students and € 2 for children under 12 years. Inside you can also visit the crypt, but they told me that it is not anything special, except for the mummified remains of a cat and a mouse got stuck in the pipes of the organ…

The other church that deserves to be visited during a trip to Dublin is the majestic of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as in the summer and spring is surrounded by green lawns and colorful flowers. The entrance has a cost of € 5.50 for adults and € 4.50 for students and seniors. Nearby is the St. Stephens’ Green, a large park in the city center, ideal for a nice walk outside!

The heart of Dublin’s Grafton Street is in any case, the life of the city and one of the city’s most famous shopping streets. Here also lies the huge shopping mall St. Stephen Shopping Centre.

For the art lovers in Dublin is the National Gallery, a museum that houses a large collection of art from the Middle Ages to the present day and contains masterpieces by Caravaggio, Velazquez, Monet, Van Gogh, Rubens, Picasso and the most large collection of Irish art in the world. Admission is free. Another interesting museum is the Museum of Natural History.

Other places to visit in Dublin are the National Library of Ireland, the central market, the Chester Beatty Library with its collection of objects from around the world, the Grand Canal Square Theatre opened in March 2010, the Convention Centre, Castle of King John, the home of Yeats, and for lovers of design buildings on Grand Canal Quay, the two bridges of Calatrava (the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the James Joyce Bridge) and the ‘Ha’penny Bridge, the famous bridge pedestrian arch built in the early 800 to connect the two banks of the River Liffey.

Last but not least, the Temple Bar area, which has numerous pubs, bars. For beer lovers, however, the place worth visiting is the Guinness Storehouse, the brewery symbol of Ireland. A guided tour includes a visit to the factory built on levels 6-7 with stops for tasting seeds, malt and of course beer!

The Firefly Squid of Toyama Bay, between reality and mystery

Have you heard about the famous firefly squid found in Toyama Bay in Japan? There is something special about this bioluminescent squid that grows about three inches in length. The body of the squid is filled with special organs that produce light. They are called photophores which emit blue light. These can be found on their tentacles as well as around their eyes. You can find tiny ones that are found in the body of the squid. This is the reason why they can emit light all throughout. Toyama bay which is located in center of Japan Sea is where you can find quite a number of them.

The firefly squid is basically living underwater about 1200 feet. The waves of the bay push them on the surface. They are in abundance from March till June and the particular period is also known as the spawning season. There are millions of squid that migrate to this place where they come and drop their eggs to fertilize. The coming together of the squids is said to be one big light show that you can admire.  This is the reason why thousands of tourists flock the area just to see this event. During this event, other sea creatures and sea birds enjoy eating the decaying body of some squid. This is also considered as a local delicacy in Japan. Early in the dawn, there are boats that leave the fishing port of Namerikawa. This is also the home of the museum that is dedicated to these creatures. There nets are located two kilometers from the shoreline. When the fishermen gather their nets, the light emitted from the squid causes the surface of the sea to turn blue and a lot of tourists are waiting with their cameras for this event.

The lights from great number of the firefly squids are flashing in unison as they are also creating beautiful patterns. According to scientists, the light show serves a lot of purposes; one is the fact that they can be used as a form of communicating with others. It is being used by squids to escape from predators. It also believed that squids use the light so they can attract their prey. They can flash the light on and off. The small fish will be attracted and they will pounce on them using their tentacles. If you are planning to visit Japan, take time to visit the Toyama Bay. You can also taste the delicious squid with vinegar and miso.

What to see in Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and it is a top spot where you can find numerous museums, dine at world class restaurants and join the amazing nightlife. There are great hotels in the city where you can sleep comfortable after a long day. Often ignored by tourists because they want to head to the coastline, this city is exciting and can serve as a window for the culture of the country. It is a must to spend a day or two in the city. It is divided in the upper and the lower town.

The Lower town is where you can find shops, art and parks. Moreover, the majority of the hotels are found in the area. The layout of the town is grandeur and its streets are wide and spacious. Ilica is the main shopping street and you will not want to miss the Green horseshoe. This is a park found in the middle of the city. A bit further there is a vast square where you can find the National Theater. Mimara Museum is found in the area where you can find great archeological collections and other works of art made by European masters. For the art lovers, you will want to visit Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters where you find notable displays.

Do you want to see the origins of the Croatian culture? The place to go is the Ethnographic Museum where you can find great items from various regions like tools and handicrafts. Another great place that displays artifacts is the nearby archaeological museum from the prehistoric to the medieval era. Aside from museums, you can relax at the Botanical Gardens and the Maksimir Park. The upper town is where interesting bars and restaurants are located. You can also visit Dolac which is a market for fruits, vegetables and other items. Finally, there is also the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary with twin spires on it.

Among my many travels, I’ll never forget my week in Thailand during last summer. In recent years Thailand has evolved into a grand tourist attraction. As a matter of fact, quite a few people I know and a couple of my friends have chosen Thailand as their vacation destination in the past. I was very glad to find out firsthand why.

The Kingdom of Thailand is located in the Southeastern part of Asia and is divided into five regions. I traveled by plane to Bangkok which is in Central Thailand, and luckily I didn’t need a visa nor a lot of money for the amount of days I was staying. When I arrived, without wasting a seconds I went out to explore this alien to me place. Thailand was very exotic, filled with thick jungles, surrounded by crystal clear waters and to top it all off, it had a pleasant tropical climate. I noticed that anything anyone could ever want was to be found there, from the astonishing historical temples of Bangkok and the magical islands of Phuket and Ko Samui, to large night markets and modern Thai cuisine.

The Phang Nga Bay boat tour was unforgettable. Especially the gravity defying limestone shapes and formations which were quite the spectacle. During that tour I got to see Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi the island of Phuket is one of the Thai jewels. Its transparent warm waters, entice tourists to enjoy a holiday particularly relaxing and quiet. One of the luxurious resorts that really stood out was the Paresa Resort. A newly-built property, which included high-level suites, villas immersed in an incredible greenery surrounded by the beautiful sea of ​​Thailand, the beach of Kamala Beach. Prices ranged from 700 to 3,500$, depending on the availability of your portfolio. Crisis aside, it could be worth saving for a vacation such as this. I was constantly on the move so I didn’t stay there. Thai cuisine was also not to be taken lightly. The combination of balance and strong flavors was its signature. Needless to say most of the dishes had the option to be served spicy. That was a risk I took but I didn’t regret it. Although their definition of spicy was so different from mine, the taste was delightful. Some of the dishes I tried were Khao phat, Phat thai and Ka-phrao kai. Most of them consisted of rice and noodles.

On the last day I visited the Chiang Mai Zoo. It housed over 7000 animals, many of which you could even get in contact with and hold. It was a bit scary at first but after a while I relaxed and just wanted to pet them all! It was quite the experience. Surely it broadened my horizons and I am very much looking forward to visiting again in the near future.

Travelling as an independent traveler, either backpacking or just heading off and staying at guest houses, hotels or other types of accommodation along the way, can be a great experience. Many students take a gap year to do just that, but independent travelling is popular with all age groups and people from every sort of background. Independent travelling is the complete opposite to the cruise or package holiday where everything is organized for you. That type of vacation has its place, of course, especially if you’re short for time, but independent travel is something to experience whenever possible; it is the best way of exploring other countries and cultures, even if the country in question happens to be your own. Not in the mood for travel? Why not enjoying a free spin offer at an online casino at the comfort of your home?

The key to successful independent travelling is to organize and plan everything carefully, both before and during the trip. Ensure that you have a good guidebook, or books, in your luggage, and if you know any other independent travelers ask them for tips and advice; they’ve probably already made all the mistakes themselves and learnt from them. Money-wise, stick to a daily budget to make sure your money stays the distance, because the last thing you want is to run out of it a couple of weeks into your journey.

If you’re planning on visiting a string of places, it’s also a good idea to arrange travel insurance that will cover every stage of your trip. If you’re backpacking be sure to take only the essentials so that you can travel light. Even if you travel by car this is a good idea; you don’t want to be loaded down with inessentials before you even start on the road. Compare car insurance quotesfor the best deals and to secure sufficient cover if going abroad.

Take a lightweight travel towel with you, as these are easier to carry than the regular ones, and if you’re going somewhere like Morocco or the Middle East make sure you pack clothes that are suitable for that country. For female travellers, short skirts and bikinis might not go down too well with the locals. For example, even in some parts of relatively liberal and secular Turkey this can attract unwanted attention, and has the potential to create a problem that you can well do without.  Do your research about dress codes for each country that you plan to visit.  In the worst-case scenario you could end up being arrested if dressed immodestly.

Iodine, bandages and purification tablets for sterilizing the local water is a must for some countries if you don’t want to get laid low en route. Another good tip is to copy your passport and other travel documents such as insurance before you go and email them to yourself, so that if you lose the real things you’ll still be able to access them in an Internet cafe.

If you’re going to work abroad make sure you arrange a work permit where this will be needed, as otherwise you could well land in trouble with the authorities. For the same reason, never breach the terms of a visa.

f you think travelling on your own might be too lonely for you, consider volunteering, which is a fantastic way of meeting like-minded independent travelers. Some of the most interesting countries to head for if you’re interested in independent travel are in South America. Places such as Peru, Brazil and Bolivia are ideal. They are largely unspoiled and are away from the most popular tourist centers. The same is true of Turkey, especially the interior and eastern areas away from the Aegean. Guatemala, Mexico, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and India are just a few other countries that are ideal for independent travelling, especially backpacking for the adventurous

What to see in Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki is the capital of Finland. This sea town is by far exciting and filled with excellence. Half the city area is made up with water which includes a number of bays and inlets. The main harbor is considered to be the heart of the city. Part of visiting Helsinki is watching the giant ferries passing by the port. Compared to other city, people go to this place to enjoy since modernity and stylishness of the place is not missing at all. Although the place is not that ancient, some of its attractions are old. The styles of the buildings are inspired by Art Nouveau. The Finish heritage is said to be well preserved because of the museums and traditional restaurants that dot the town. This is certainly part of the odd charm of the city. The best time to visit the city is during the spring and summer time where every space is green and you can feel the heat of the sun.

• Take a half-day trip away from the city and visit the Suomenlinna Island. There are ferries that would take you there. A great deal of the city’s history was seen in this place. The fortress is part of the World Heritage Site and it was built to protect the people against the Russian attack.

 The National Gallery is the home of some world renowned Finnish paintings and sculptures. There is also a small collection of foreign art and paintings of masters like Van Gogh. It also showcases a lot of works of local painters. It is also place is where you can find a reading room and cafe.

 Uspenski Cathedral is truly eye catching since it is made of red bricks. It was built in 1868 and inspired by Byzantine Slavonic style. This is featuring a huge dome where Orthodox Churches are holding their gathering. It has lavish interiors with great pieces of art. The fabulous chorals are definitely a must see.

 The Sibelius Park is where you can find the steel monument from the great composer of Finland, Jean Sibeluis who wrote various songs for the glorification of people. He wrote Finlandia which is song that represents the patriotism and the pride of the Finnish people. The modern structure is made from steel pipes which blend well with the natural surroundings. The sculpture is also creating its own music. The pipes are echoing through the movement of the wind. Definitely this abstract structure is a must see if you are in Helsinki.

Visiting Mono Lake, California

Mono Lake is a very large but shallow lake found in California. This saline lake was formed thousands of years ago. It was once a basin of water, but it doesn’t go straight to the ocean. For this reason, the water is highly salty and very acidic at the same time. The lake has a good ecosystem where shrimps thrive in the water. For this reason, it been transformed into a nesting place for millions migratory birds. They are feeding on the creatures that are found on lake. This is considered to be the oldest body of water in America. The main water source of this lake is the Eastern Sierra streams. It only leaves the lake through the evaporation process. It results to the fact that a high amount of salts and minerals are left behind. During the 1940’s, the city of Los Angeles which is about 300 miles away began getting water from the basin. This move cut the water level in half; for this reason, the water becomes highly alkaline and highly salty in the same time. Environmentalists protested over it and the court came up with a decision that made the lake recover.

 Mono Lake is said to have eight times the alkaline level of the ocean. It remains to be an extreme place where halophiles and alkaliphiles are thriving. Only few animals are living in Mono Lake. However those who thrive can occur quite in number. The place is a home of special species like Artemia and the Alkali fly; they are the dark deposits that surround the lake. Definitely this place is very interesting to a lot of scientists especially those who are interested on finding other life forms in planets.

 ono Lake is also known for its limestone towers. This was revealed when there was a decline in the level of the water. This tower was about 12 feet and it was called as Tufa. They are composed of calcium carbonate that was created underwater through the combination of calcium from fresh water and carbonates from the alkaline lake. The towers also serve as a source of fossil fuel record. There are some micro organisms that are left behind the towers. These towers are seen in Mars. They contain the same elements found in Tufa. Scientists wish to apply what they learned from the micro fossils since they are searching for life outside earth. Mono Lake is a must see place if you are in California. This is true especially if you interested in science.

What to see in Bucharest, Romania

Once known as Paris of the East because of its prosperity, Bucharest has a rich bohemian culture. The beautiful city has fallen into a century of hard time due to economic problems and wars. Slowly the prosperity of Romania recovers and the city is now being discovered by travelers. To modern tourists, this is one of the last few cities in Europe that is left to be fully appreciated. Around every street is a hidden cultural gem.  If you are visiting during summer, you might want to bring water and there are a lot of benches where you can rest. The most affordable transportation is the train. It covers major areas of attraction.

 One of the best places to see in Bucharest is its museums. The museum of Peasant History is found near Piata Victoriei which traces ordinary Romania in the last centuries. There are few reconstructions of churches in this museum. There is a Village Museum which is a home of wooden houses and other buildings in the country. Another museum that should not be missed is the National Museum of Romanian History where you can find replica of Trajan’s column and Romanian Treasury. Aside from buildings there are notable buildings as part of your itinerary.

 The Palace of Parliament is a grandiose building next to the Pentagon. By the book it is grandest building in the continent. If you are planning to visit it, make sure to visit in advance and bring your passport. It is also best to see the ruins of Princely Court and Princely Church which are the oldest in the city. There are also quite a number of Orthodox churches in every corner of the city. The Anthenuem Theater is the city’s first concert hall that is worth seeing. Take an informal tour where you can find interesting paintings. Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs at their market.

Sunrise to Sunset in the temples of Bangkok

Bangkok is a beautiful, intense, and one of the most intriguing places in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1782, to become the new capital of Thailand, Bangkok is now a bizarre but fascinating mix of history and modernity, where gleaming skyscrapers and busy streets live near temples and royal palaces. Truly contradictory.
One of the symbols of the city is the Grand Palace, built in 1782, which has been for 150 years the official residence of the Thai royal family and the seat of the government. Today the palace leaves visitors open-mouthed with its intricate and harmonious architecture, beautifully carved and decorated by skilled Thai artisans. Within the complex there are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew, which houses a magnificent and sacred Emerald Buddha, dating from the fourteenth century. The robes of the Buddha are changed with the seasons in person by the King of Thailand, during a very sacred ritual.

Near the Grand Palace is another of the most famous landmarks of Bangkok, the temple of Wat Pho, the largest sanctuary in the city, where inside of it is the famous statue of the reclining Buddha, 46 meters-long and completely covered with gold. The statue’s size is, 3 feet high, finely inlaid with pearl. Wat Pho is also the birthplace of the first school of Thai massage in Bangkok, so taking a break from the whole culture is absolutely a must!
If you want to attend a wonderful show, wake up before sunrise and go see the sunrise at the temple of Wat Arun, the morning light tings the tiles of the traditional tiered tower of a thousand shades of color. If you manage to wake up so early it’s beyond question mandatory that you experience this phenomenon. Even the time of sunset is spectacular.
To hunt down the best gifts and souvenirs you have two choices in Bangkok, the Chatuchak Market, which is considered the best. It is held only on weekends and it is extremely crowded. The other choice is the water market in Taling Chan, Chak Phra on the Thonburi channel, which offers mostly folklore stuff. It is almost exclusively frequented by tourists.

What to do in London when it comes for night

Your first visit in London must be in London’s Soho where tourists and locals join together to have a wonderful night. There the choices to make a drink are endless and if you enjoy drinking, Soho is the place you shouldn’t miss. Otherwise you should try to move to Notting Hill where you will find sophisticated and fashionable places.

After a relaxed dinner, there are numerous cinemas and theatres to visit. For me cinema is the best choice and in London cinemas are far from trivial. There is none who won’t be satisfied from the Electric cinema in Portobello road 191. It’s the oldest room in England, lavishly furnished with leather armchairs and tables where you can enjoy your meal.

Nightlife in London-UK

When  it  comes for  night life  in London things  get  difficult  because of  the endless nightclubs but in  the areas between Old Street and King’s Cross Brixton, you  will enjoy the  London’s  crazy night life . If you want to find the right place at the right time, it is recommended that you consult some magazines on the evenings and on events to see. Things to do in London are endless and very varied. You can also check on the web for special events that you should see .Do not forget to have fun and enjoy London…!

Low-Cost Breaks with the Kids

With the cost of everything on the up, it might seem logical to skip your holiday abroad this year and plump for a camping trip in the UK instead. But if you can’t bear the idea of spending a week under canvas, and if the thought of creepy crawlies in your wellies turns you to jelly, fear not: there are still plenty of cheap family holidays out there.

For starters, family holidays are big business so you’re never too far from a good deal on package breaks. Tour operators usually advertise family getaways with stays at good quality hotels that offer plenty of child-friendly amenities, such as pools for toddlers, child-safe balconies and hotel-run kids’ clubs – so you will usually have everything you need right at your fingertips. The resorts are normally chosen with families in mind too, so you will often find a selection of shops, eateries and entertainment such as water parks all within the local vicinity.

Another good thing is that package breaks and family holidays can be found at destinations all over the globe, especially in European waters. From low-cost Cyprus package holidays and Greek getaways to special offers on Spanish breaks, there is a vast range of choice to suit every taste and budget.

Furthermore, aside from the usual discounts such as reduced prices for children or free kids’ places, in many cases you will also find additional savings on late deals. Although availability may be more limited, if you book your holiday within a few weeks’ of the departure date you can save a significant amount on the original cost of the holiday. This may mean that you can upgrade your choice of hotel or room and enjoy better quality for the same price, or you can go for the standard alternative and enjoy additional savings – giving you more to play with once you get there.

Holidays on the Islands of Malta

The tiny island Malta, located in the Mediterranean Sea is home to many wonderful rocky and sandy beaches that attract thousands of travellers.

There are seven islands that make up the nation but only three are inhabited. The island chain is located near the island of Sicily, off the Italian Coast. The largest island is home to the capital city of Valletta. Located on the Eastern side of the island in a sheltered bay area this modern city is home to many restaurants, museums and historical sites. Visiting Valletta by a ferryboat is must, especially if you are staying in Sliema city, a popular tourist spot located on the northeast coast of Malta. The sea trip from Sliema to Valletta is short, inexpensive and the view overlooking the city of Valletta is, breathtaking.
Travellers who are seeking holidays in Malta are attracted by the friendly local people. The people speak a language that closely resembles many North African dialects and English is considered a national language also. With English being spoken by many, it is easy to communicate with the locals. Also, all major hotels in Malta offer a full range of amenities including swimming pools, hot tubs, and spa treatments making the holiday stay in Malta much more enjoyable.

When it comes to Maltese cuisine, it is heavily influenced by the southern Italian culture where pasta, pizza and famous traditional Maltese Pastizzi (diamond shaped pastries) seems to be one of the most frequent and inexpensive dishes on the main island. However, if you are looking more of a traditional taste, then the rabbit stew is an option, one of the Maltese traditional specialties found in almost every restaurant on Malta and Gozo Island. Among the most beautiful areas and attractions on the island, is the Blue Lagoon. The Blue lagoon is located on the island of Comino, one of the three inhabited islands that make up the nation. The sheltered waters of this island inlet are clear and warm. The sea waters of the Blue Lagoon are the perfect place for swimming, diving and scuba excursions. Comino is easily accessed by boat from either the main island of Malta or Gozo. Gozo is the other Malta’s sister island. This small and charming island is home to few magnificent sandy beaches and many resort hotels. Visitors should take in the sights on all three islands to get the full flavour of this wonderful and welcoming nation. The quiet beaches allow vacationers to soak up the sun and then enjoy the nightlife of the local restaurants and pubs.

Spending the holidays in Malta in the summer season provides one of the best vacation values. The rocky beaches, few sandy beaches and seaside resorts of the capital city and surrounding urban will definitely keep you busy while staying in Malta.

A thirteen hour trip with Andy from Fyr Macedonia to the Dalmatian coast

The total journey covered most of the Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro and Croatia. After Macedonia we headed for the Dalmatian Coast because in this part of Europe most affordable air connections are usually found in Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik. Countries that fall by the wayside such as Albania, Serbia and Bosnia were left out for a future trip. However I did not know when I got up that day, that I would see a small part of Albania in what would be 13 hours of travel for 425km through four countries.
We woke up at the Art Hostel in Skopje at about 9:30 am with our heads slightly dull and a hint of bitterness in the throat caused by last night’s cold beers. Zaragoza had trouble reconciling the dates and days because it is not easy to get from Skopje to Kotor road. They may be the most bizarre 425 kilometers in Europe or at least that’s the impression I had. The most common way was to cross part of Macedonia, Kosovo Pristinhe through its capital, Montenegro to Pogdoriça and then from there down to the Dalmatian coast, where the tourist towns of Bar, Tivat, Budva and Kotor were, wedged between mountains in the fjord south of Europe

 ince it was not too clear how to move through public transport with seven people, I decided to try to hire a van for seven. Contacted by email several companies that looked serious and decided on www.macedoniarentacar.com.mk which offered me their services at the budget of 420 euros for 7 people. As total bus tickets costed 50 € per head, the van was not a bad deal.
Andy appeared one hour later than agreed with a smile on his face and little intention of apologizing for the delay. We fit the seven backpacks as we could and we entered into a Renault Transit. I asked about the route and he cryptically told me that we would not go by the agreed route, which was very slow, and he had spoken with a friend who had told him that there was a much faster route through Kosovo and Albania. As soon as I heard we would cross Albania, I looked at him with a little bitterness for all the stories I had heard from the Albanian border crossings. We entered the car and set off northwards.
Gradually we entered the mountainous terrain separating Macedonia from its new neighbor. Andy was telling me from his point of view how he had lived Macedonia during the Kosovo war. In 98 between 25,000 and 300,000 Kosovars were expelled at gunpoint by the Serbian army and abandoned on the border with Macedonia. As Macedonia was by itself very varied and unstable and because of the historical aspirations that Greece, Bulgaria and other neighboring countries claimed Macedonia their own, NATO and the UN decided to intervene.
Andy told me that on the road we would face several Serb-majority people who have not accepted Kosovo’s independence and continue flying in their town halls and buildings the old flag. He also told me that he personally did not quite agree with the independence of Kosovo, because he argued that it had always been a legitimate Serbian territory, but also disagreed with the policy of repression that had taken place in Serbia. The truth is that the situation was quite dark and today the independence of Kosovo remains a source of controversy within the UN and NATO, as it is not recognized as an independent country for several nations among which are Russia, Spain or Serbia itself.
We crossed the border without any problems. The road was fairly modern and decent like that of Macedonia. We advanced slowly through the Balkans, crossing rivers and small towns. Between curves and curves of the ruinous road, I fell asleep.
I woke up just in time to see that the landscape had changed and we were out of the mountains. We were in a great plain of yellow fields that stretched in all directions. Andy pointed to his left and told me we were circling the huge U.S. base at Camp Bondsteel. He said he had been there because he had once had to carry an American diplomat to the base from Skopje. I nodded and as one who does not like things, I fell on the seat groggy.
I awoke with a terrible torpor, just to see a sign saying “Pristinhë” and looked at Andy. – Are we in Pristina? -No, it is a town by the same name, but not the capital of Kosovo. I looked puzzled. Andy was lost. We traveled around the one-way streets, no sidewalks and the houses almost glued to the road full of cars and many shops of indefinable style. What surprised me most was seeing a spotless Adidas store in the middle of a ruinous neighborhood, with its blue and white logo, like an op-art as if it had teleported from the center of Madrid to another planet.

In favor of Andy, I must say that Kosovo lacked indications. Throughout the journey the only sign I saw was the one I just mentioned. We circulated for more than an hour from unpaved streets and avenues with a brutal movement to unmarked intersections until we finally left the city on a one-way road without much traffic where we found herds of goats with their dogs and shepherds, donkeys and carts loaded with all kinds of goods. With us being a little hungry, we decided to make our first stop after four hours of traveling, and stopped at a roadside restaurant where we ate the usual crisps, some Cokes and some coffee. A useful fact is that Kosovo’s official currency is the Euro so we scratched our pockets for coins that had not had changed.
We continued the journey after asking one of the waiters for directions to the border. Andy smiled at me – “we are on track”. I smiled and replied “I hope so”. After about 25 or 30 minutes of driving, we started to climb a mountain with nonexistent traffic, and we crossed an Albanian border literally by the hand of God. I’m not well versed in the language that refers Bosnian Serb but after several questions and answers between Andy and the friendly guard, the latter pointed to the road that stretched before us and with correct pronunciation said: “Kaputt”.

After crossing, the scene changed again and we were suddenly surrounded by the Balkan Albanians and, to our astonishment, we were shooting on a modern Albanian highway. It seemed that our luck had changed and that we could still go out to dinner in Kotor.
We crossed the gray hills at a good speed, where a sign told us we should deviate from our left, and we began to ascend and descend along and unpaved forest track, following trucks for about five kilometers. The highway was not finished but that would not be the last surprise. When we were descending the mountain side and return to pick up the asphalt, an image got stuck in all our heads. In the opposite direction rose from the dust and pebbles, a gray Mercedes, dusty, old model, particularly popular in the Arab and Middle East, fully loaded with seven or eight members of rigor of the family. At the wheel, a boy of no more than 12 years.
Shortly after we reached a tunnel on the highway and to our surprise there was a caravan of vehicles waiting at the entrance and two policemen regulating traffic. Apparently, being in construction, cars could only cross it every 20 minutes in one direction. Yes, we had to wait. We went down to smoke a cigarette and were surprised to find there, among the mountains, fruit stalls, drinks, clothing and other unusual items. As expected, none of us carried Albanian coins. When we got back in the van I fell asleep.
I woke up exhausted with a slightly twisted neck, to see a one-lane wooden bridge and a traffic light. I asked Andy and he said amiably “I have crossed this bridge several times”. “This is the river Bojana. Soon we arrive at the border”. I leaned back and let my eyes take on the outskirts of the city of Shkodra. I must say I felt a little sad. Donkeys and children roamed everywhere in the margins of the narrow road. Such images accompanied us on our journey to the border.
We stopped at the border post ugly Shkoder. We gave our passports to the Albanian guards and Andy said in Serbian, that we were some tourists headed to Kotor. I saw Andy stirring 20 euros that the guard rejected. We went ahead and asked Andy what the hell had happened. Apparently the guard asked him for 1 euro per person to cross the border and had told Andy that he had no change. So the guard replied that he did not care and that we went forward. Is the attempt to swindle more rare in history? 20 meters away, another guard stopped us again with a huge smile on his face, looked over our passports, and said something I did not understand. Andy asked if we wanted our passports stamped. Because I was a bit fed up of it all, thinking that we were still in Albania and suspicious to leave our passports in the hands of anyone, I said go ahead. The policeman smiled, greeted us, and twenty meters away a red sign welcomed us to Montenegro.

 e walked a few dozen miles down a dilapidated road and after crossing a green and rocky valley opened before us a great sunset over the Adriatic, with the sun about to cross the horizon and the sky losing its last shades of orange to make way at the night.Needless to say it cost us another three hours to get to Kotor, because Andy got lost a couple more times, but the accumulated fatigue and endless view of the people of the Adriatic softened us to a greater or lesser extent till the end of the trip and almost thirteen hours later, and five behind schedule, we waved goodbye to Andy, who pulled back to Macedonia, and crossed the Gateway to the beautiful town of Kotor and disheveled.

What to see in Chisinau, Moldova

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, luckily survived the World War II. It was transformed into a modern city with a lot of attractions that travelers can explore. If you are planning to visit the place, you will not be bored. There are museums and wine tours that you can put on your itinerary. Certainly you will be amazed by this former soviet city.

City of Chisinau, Moldova

• Witness the magnificence of Saharna. This is a small village and it is where you can find the Holy Trinity Monastery. Aside from the landscape, everything is breathtaking. After visiting the place you will want to go back again.

• Tipova is another famous attraction in the north area of the city. It is popular for the cave monasteries and it is considered the largest in the whole the country. Visitors are attracted to the natural beauty of the place since it is surrounded with hills and forest. The peaceful Tipova is open to the public all day long.

• The oldest museum in the country is the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History which is found in Chisinau. This is a center of culture and science today. The place contains large collection of animals, rocks and old artifacts.

• Holly Gates is another important historical and architectural structure in the city because it dates back as early as 1846. At first, it was intended to hold a big bell made from old Turk cannons, afterwards the clock was added. There are marble tablets that commemorate the armed force.

• Serpeni Foothold is a memorial complex built to remember the independence of Moldova. Most of the rebellion happened in the village. To date, this place gives pride to the citizens of the country. It was built to remember the 12,000 soldiers who died just to defend the whole country.

• For those who love culture and arts, you will surely love the National Ballet and the National Opera that is found on the center of the town. The theater is very impressive and it was built during the Soviet Era. At first it was not at all furnished by equipment but there are a lot of donors that made it complete.

• Nistru beach is a wonderful beach located in the banks of the river. It is situated in the bordering area of Moldova and Transnistria. You can also get a glimpse of history when you visit the beach. The place is offering a relaxed atmosphere.

Why it is worth visiting New Orleans

Upon arriving in New Orleans, you’ll understand why the city is called “The Big Easy”, the character of the city is a wonderful mix of American culture, French atmosphere and blues rhythms.
The starting point to visit New Orleans is without doubt the French Quarter, the old neighborhood which was focused after the original French population in 1803 after Louisiana was ceded to the United States by Napoleon.
The days go slow and sluggish, especially in hot and sultry summer days, but with the sunset, the streets fill with people, music and fun, especially on weekends when the alcohol flows freely.
Walking through the French Quarter, you can admire the colonial-style houses, with the characteristic iron balconies, the Creolo residences, jazz cafes, voodoo and folklore shops. Do not forget that New Orleans is a city a little magic, in beautiful Jackson Square it is natural to find in front of the St Louis Cathedral dozens of banquets with ladies who read hands, clean the aura and curse your enemies

  holiday in New Orleans is not complete without a tour of voodoo, you can follow the colorful map of organized tours to guide you around the city. Do not miss the monumental St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (best in group or with a guide for safety) where the tomb of Marie Laveau is, the most powerful voodoo queen, and hundreds of tombs decorated with gifts and symbols of Santeria.

To find some souvenirs to take home the best place is the French Market, where you can have as lunch  one of the delicacies prepared at the stalls: a sandwich with fried shrimp, oysters or delicious smoked alligator.

 alking along the mighty Mississippi River, along the pier you can buy a ticket for a trip by boat on the big red paddle or for a trip in the marshes in search of crocodiles. Understand the practical and prosaic spirit of Americans seeing the Katrina tour brochure, following the devastation of the hurricane.
Finally, take the bus to the Garden District, home to the rich and luxurious mansions with characteristic porches and lush gardens.

To enjoy the local atmosphere we have two first-hand advice, go for dinner at a good hour from Coop’s, Decatur Street, and taste the dish with three Cajun cuisine (gumbo, fried chicken and jambalya), then take a hurricane cocktail.