Archive for July 7th, 2010

Scuba Diving in Costa Rica: Why an Amazing Quest?

Scuba diving in Costa Rica is distinct from any other scuba diving location. It presents two different, widely diverse locations for diving. There are many different things to see and experience. Somehow, like any scuba diving adventure, it is best to have a guide that is familiar with the area. In this way, you will be assured with great fun and safe dive.

If you are not familiar with scuba diving and would like to get a sight with the amazing underwater world that Costa Rica has to offer, many of of the motels, as well as the travel companies, offer scuba diving lessons. Near perfect conditions such as excellent water temperatures to amazing marine life makes scuba diving in Costa Rica among the best. There are many admirable destinations to dive on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The area called Bahia Drake has amazing dive spots, especially around the Isla del Cano, as well as the Isla del Coco. Off the coasts of the two islands is an amazing display of marine wildlife. Around these islands are rich of sharks, sea turtles, and several different species of fish, making them the perfect underwater paradise for divers.

Around the Isla del Cano, over eighteen different species of coral, several species of dolphin, and many more species of crustaceans are also found. Also on the Pacific coast, you can encounter many different species of shark, including the dangerous hammerhead and the enormous Whale Shark. On the other hand, while the Pacific coast is copious with beautiful fish and interesting sea life, it pales in comparison to the wildness of the Caribbean coast. There are very few scuba diving centers on the Eastern coast of Costa Rica, however, the diving is still premier.

Failure to explore the amazing shipwrecks, scuba diving in Costa Rica would not be complete. The Caribbean Coast offers three. The first is the Fenix, which was a cargo ship that sank off the coast of Isla Uvita in Costa Rica many years ago. Further south you will find Cahuita National Park and a reef stretches for nearly seventeen hundred feet long and covers a total of 63,828,741 square feet.

It is on this reef where the second and third shipwrecks can be seen; two galleons of either Spanish or French origins, believed to be pirate ships, sunk in only twenty-three feet of water. Their surroundings could not have been more apt for a shipwreck, surrounded by the beauty of an incredible coral reef and thousands of fish of different species. Knowing the outstanding underwater worlds that blossom on either side of Costa Rica will bring much excitement to visit and experience scuba diving in Costa Rica.

Want to find out more about Scuba diving in Costa Rica, then visit MyDiveBuddies site and start planning your scuba dive today.

Tourism in Panama

Panama is blessed with nature’s beauty. It has pristine beaches and turquoise seas, lush rainforests, and majestic mountains blessed in a hurricane and earthquake free tropical climate. It is likewise blessed in its people. They are the warmest and friendliest people in the world due the different ethnics and cultures that compound the population, with seven thriving Indian tribes co-existing peacefully with other Panamanians. Panama itself has had a long and colorful history, with unique heritage sites as reminders of that history. Panama City, one of the most sophisticated cities in the industrialized world. Throw in the Panama Canal, one of the world’s modern engineering wonders, and you have an explosion of tourism in Panama. Indeed, in Panama, you have a potent mixture of people, places, and pleasures.

Of course, the explosion of tourism in Panama is also because its infrastructure is modern and first-class, the presence of excellent tourist accommodations, ease in communicating with a bilingual people, an excellent medical care system at a reasonable price, affordable cost of living, accessibility, and an enviable peace. Tourism in Panama is taking off because of the favorable environment the country and its government has established to attract tourists.

With oceans bordering it on both sides, Panama is ideal for sun, sea, and beach lovers. With more than a thousand islands to choose from, the Pearl Islands and Boca del Toro of notable mention, you can go from public beaches to private resorts, from sunbathing to deep-sea diving. Panama’s rainforests boasts of biodiversity and even in Parque Metropolitano in the center of Panama City is an excellent place for birdwatching with 944 bird species. River sports such as rafting and kayaking also flourish in Panama, with land sports such as canyoneering, rappelling, and trekking are also present. Indeed, tourism in Panama is booming because of its growing reputation for ecotourism. Panama’s culture also lends itself well into tourism. Local culture and folklore is reflected in a colorful, cross-cultural array of festivals, dances, and traditions, with the seven indigenous Indian groups of Panama adding spice to the cultural melting pot. The heritage and historical sites of Panama such as the Casco Antiguo are important tourist destinations. The urban centers also significantly contribute to the explosion of tourism in Panama. The shopping centers, museums, restaurants, cinema and theater, the fashion scene, city architecture, and the whole gamut of sights and sounds in Panama City is a mixture of Panamanian tastes and European influence, doused with a liberal splash of American capitalism. These are enough to make you want to stay and live in Panama. Of course, tourism in Panama is complete only when the Panama Canal is visited. The Panama Canal is not only of trade value but is also of historical and engineering value, making it a tourist destination especially for cruise ships.

With all these beauty, tourism in Panama is rapidly being touted as the best exotic destination in the world. With ecotourism, adventure, culture and people, modern conveniences, and urban sophistication, one cannot help but be a tourist in Panama. Go ahead and savor the places, people, and pleasures of Panama.

Vietnam Royal Tour 17 Days From Saigon

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ( D)
Welcomed at Tan Son Nhat airport and transfered to Hotel. Short city tour to the Reunification Hall, China Town and Thien Hau Pagoda. Welcome dinner on boat to cruise along Sai Gon river to see Saigon by night. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: MEKONG DELTA (B, L)
A.M. Leave for My Tho town of Tien Giang province (the first province in the Mekong Delta – about 75 km from Ho Chi Minh City). Visit Dong Tam snake-farm and Vinh Trang pagoda. Boat trip on Mekong river to visit the fruit gardens and peasants” houses on a islet. Lunch at a typical restaurant of Mekong Delta. P.M. Return to HoChiMinh City. Shopping. Night in hotel.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – PHAN THIET (B, L)
Drive to Phan Thiet, a famous beach 200km to the North of Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at a lovely beach resort as Blue Ocean or Bamboo Village. Free bathing with sun and white sand at the resort. Night at the resort.

DAY 4: PHAN THIET (B, L)
Enjoy the beach at sunrise. After breakfast visit the famous moving sand-hill of Phan Thiet. Visit Poshanu Cham Tower, Duc Thanh School. Night at the resort.

DAY 5: PHAN THIET – NHA TRANG (B, L)
A.M. Visit Phan Thiet Market. Then transfer to Nha Trang city, 250 km North of Phan Thiet which is considered as the best beach of Vietnam. Check in hotel. Relax at the beach in front of the hotel. Seafood dinner. Overnight in Nha Trang.

DAY 6: NHA TRANG – ISLANDS (B,L)
Full day boat trip to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Hon Tam Island. Sea-bathing in the blue water beach. You can also enjoy diving or snorkelling at the islands. Night in Nha Trang.

DAY 7: NHA TRANG (B, L)
A.M. Drive to Nha Phu Bay and get reach of the Monkey Island by a boat. Visit Monkey Island and admire playfull performances of the monkeys.
P.M. Visit Ponagar Cham tower, Hon Chong Promontory, Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market. Overnight in Nha Trang.

DAY 8: NHA TRANG -HOI AN (B, L) ( Flight )
Transfer to Nha Trang Airport for flight to Da Nang. Meet and transfer to Hoi An ancient town, 30 km South of Da Nang, one of the World”s Cutural Heritage. Visit Japanese Bridge, Chinese Pagoda… Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 9: HOI AN – DA NANG – BANA RESORT(B, L)
Transfer to Danang for visiting Ngu Hanh (Marble) Mountains, Non Nuoc Beach, Cham Museum. Continue to Ba Na Mountain Resort by car and get on the resort by telepheric. Visit Ba Na and stay overnight to enjoy the pleasant weather.

DAY 10: BA NA – HUE (B, L)

Visit Ba Na. Then transfer to Hue, the old capital city of Vietnam, 120 km from Danang. You will have a chance to view the Hai Van Pass, the most beautiful mountain-pass of Vietnam. Check in hotel. Night in Hue.

DAY 11: HUE (B, L)
A.M. Boat ride along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Minh Mang King”s Mausoleum and Hon Chen Temple.
P.M. Visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh”s Mausoleums, Tu Hieu pagoda. Night in Hue.

DAY 12: HUE – HANOI (B, L)          by Flight
A.M. Visit Hue Imperial Citadel, Dong Ba Market.
P.M. Transfer to Phu Bai Airport for flight to Hanoi . Meet at Noi Bai airport and transfer to hotel. Evening enjoy Water-puppet show – a Vietnamese famous traditional art. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13: HANOI (B, L,D)
Full day city tour to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House-on-stilts, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One-Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi Old Quarter, Temple of Literature (the first University of Vietnam), Restored Sword Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda. Diner at restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 14: HANOI – HAI PHONG – CAT BA (B, L)
A.M. Transfer to Hai Phong seaside city (110 km). Board on a hydrofoil to travel to Cat Ba Island.
P.M. Visit Cat Ba National Park, Trung Trang Cave, Cat Co Beach. Canoe ride around Cat Ba. Overnight in Cat Ba.

DAY 15: CAT BA – HA LONG – HANOI (B, L)
A.M. Boat cruise to Halong Bay to admire thousands of charming islands and natural caves with various shape of stalagmites such as Thien Cung, Dau Go. Lunch on board with seafood.
P.M. Return to Hanoi . Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 16: HANOI  FREE DAY (B)
Breakfast at your hotel. All day free to shopping around Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 17: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to airport for departure.

More information at : http://www.hanoipeacetour.com/english/?page=tours&menu=detail&id=292

Tour Cost includes:

- Full transportation by private car or bus as tour program indicated.
- Full meals as indicated in the itinerary. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant – Vietnamese food
- 2 Domestic flights : Nhatrang – Danang., Hue -Hanoi

- English /French – speaking guide
- Entrance fees.

- Private Boat trip in Perfume River, Nhatrang, Tiengiang river in Mytho.

- Hight speedboat ticket : Haiphong – CatBa -Haiphong

- Twin-share accommodation with daily breakfast; ( AC room)

Tour Cost excludes:

International airport tax in Hanoi at USD 14.00 nett per person

International airfare to/from Vietnam

Personal insurance.

Expenditure of a personal nature, tips, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, emergency transfers & etc.

Visa to Vietnam

More information at : http://www.hanoipeacetour.com/english/?page=tours&menu=detail&id=292

Tourism in Venice, Visit the City, Holiday and Traditions

Venice is considered one of Italyâ??s most beautiful cities. The city of Venice really abounds with traditions and must-see places.

As first thing we have to highlight the famous Venice Carnival: it is a great feast, among the most ancient ones of the city, that after so many years, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to admire staying in the various Venice hotels. Another ancient tradition is the the Sensa Feast-day, it is celebrated in May during the period of the Ascension. During this day it is celebrated the symbolic wedding between Venice and the sea, to recall all the victims of the navy fleet.

Among the most important events, there is of course the Venice International Film Festival, that takes place every year in September and it is located at the Cinema Palace. Also the Historical Regatta is a feast that attracts a lot of tourists as well as the Redentore Feast-Day, which is organized on the third Sunday of July. Among the most important Venice musical events, we need to recall â??Venice playsâ?. Every year the city turns itself into a romantic musical set full of sounds and magic. One venetian tradition is also the so-called Palio of the Ancient Maritime Republics. The four involved cities (Genoa, Pisa, Amalfi and Venice) in turn organize various events to commemorate the historical events of Middle Age. Also on the 25th of April, public holiday in Italy for the Liberation of our country, it is twice holiday in Venice. In fact Venice celebrates also St. Marcus day, the patron saint of Venice. Regarding the tour and the offers for Venice, they are especially dedicated to visit the beauties of one of Italyâ??s most romantic cities. Letâ??s start from the Canal Grande, the famous waterway that all venetian people call â??Il Canalazzoâ?.

After this, there are many bridges to see, all well-known and famous. These are for example the Academia Bridge, the â??Ponte degli Scalziâ? (the Bridge of the Barefoot), the Rialtoâ??s Bridge, the Constitution Bridge, inaugurated in September 2008. In the tourist tour a nice walk on the beautiful St. Marcus Square canâ??t miss, this is the only square of the city. The St. Marcus Basilica and its bell tower are wonderful and very suggestive. The bell tower is the highest of Venice, almost 97 meters. At the top of the bell tower, people can admire the famous statue of the Archangel Gabriel, famous for its height, almost 3 meters. The visual effect of the statueâ??s wings, which move in the wind, is really magic.

Another symbol of the city of Venice is the famous Clock tower, recently restored, that with its tolls beats the hours thanks to the two giants known as the so-called â??two Moorsâ?, they became black because of all the signs of time, so now they look older and aged.

An obligated visit is at the Giudecca island, especially known for its really original fishbone shape. Here, where we can find and book where to sleep in a Venice hotel, we can also visit the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Redentore Basilica. Another obligated step is also the other three islands, all of them of a exceptional beauty. We start from the island of Burano, which is famous thanks to the lace manufacture, laces are still designed according to an ancient technique coming from the 16th century; then the island of Murano, very famous for the glass manufacture. Being able to admire with your own eyes these inimitable manufacturing techniques that can create this unique objects is a real fairy tale. In the end you have to visit the island of Torcello, that every year attracts thousands of tourists.

Back to Venice, you should take a walk in the middle of the square, have a coffee in one of the numerous cafés under the porticoes and obviously take a trip on a gondola, these things can complete a perfect day spent in Venice.

By Michele De Capitani with support from hôtels venise for any information, please visit hotel centre de venise or for more info visit hotel a venise italie .

 

 

2008 Holidays Not Hit By Economy – Yet

Early in 2008 the travel industry gives a dire warning of hard times for the year ahead, prices rising, and bookings looking poor.

But 2008 has so far been a good year, with the Easter holidays period showing no signs of a slow down, and summer bookings for traditional favourite holiday areas looking healthy.

Nearly all traditional travel agents and on-line travel sites report a surge of interest with many translating into bookings around the Christmas period, but this was before the real extent of the credit crunch was headline news on almost every news bulletin.

ABTA, The British Association of Travel Agents, who safeguard consumer interests for the travelling public in the UK, put the rise in holiday bookings for 2008 from British tourits who frequent the Mediterranean down to the awful weather in the country last summer.

The weather ABTA refer to were floods that affected large parts of England, claimed four lives, and left a hundred thousand homes without water for two weeks in parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Insurance companies have warned that the floods will ultimately cost small businesses millions, and insurers have processed tens of millions in claims from homeowners. The British government has given emergency aid to the worst affected areas to help with the cost of the clear-up. Yorkshire in the north of England saw some of the heaviest flooding, with thousands of homes left without power and three people dying.

Included in the holiday areas that have benefitted from good 2008 bookings are Malta, Tenerife, Menorca, Majorca and Lanzarote – some of the favourites from previous years.

Early reports from Malta suggest that the holiday island had a best ever year for tourism in 2007, and is now considering how she can broaden her appeal to entice more tourists to the Mediterranean sunshine isle. Malta Airport saw a record number of passenger flights arriving in 2007 thanks to the low cost airlines bringing in extra visitors, and 2008 looks set to be busier still as more competition arrives.

The Canary Islands have hosted a winter festival of classical music which boosted visitor numbers and hopes for a good summer too.

The fourth largest island of the Canary Islands Lanzarote, famed for its red mountains, hosted several of the festival’s concerts. Lanzarote is well known for its picturesque volcanic landscapes. It is perhaps also just as well known for its futuristic appearance and controlled development of wildlife and plant life.

Another of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, is known for its great winter climate and attracts nearly three and a half million tourists a year. Most of Tenerife’s tourism comes from the United Kingdom, followed by Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy and France, among others.

The island is home to many excellent holiday resorts, including the Playas de las Americas and Los Cristianos. In fact, recent legislation was passed to ensure that any future resort construction must either be of five-star status or offer resort luxuries like golf courses or banquet facilities.

It is likely that both Tenerife and Lanzarote will see their overall tourism numbers up for 2008 based on the first few months, and if bookings continue as they have been can look forward to a good surprisingly good year – it could be the 2009 holidays trade which will suffer more from poor economies if people don’t book for next summer in January or so.

Croatia Istria Umag – Campsite Park Umag ****

Campsite Park Umag is one of the largest Mediterranean campsites. Its attractive animation and facilities for children make it ideal for family vacation. Luxury swimming pools with waterfalls, castles and a pirates ship fit into the green loans and autochthonous vegetation in the peaceful, picturesque bay. Impressive ecological landscaping makes this campsite a real little nature park. A beautiful seafront promenade takes you to the historical town centre of Umag Completely renovated in 2005.