Monday, July 27, 2009

Festivals in NewZealand - August

During your visit to the South Island you can watch and enjoy a lot of events and festivals . From the month of august to december you can enjoy the following during your tour. The events that are available during the month of August are the following. To have a detailed look at the festivals follow thw links that are provided near each festival

* Christchurch Arts Festival
* Montana Christchurch Winter Carnival
* Christchurch International Jazz Festival
* Conservation Week, Twizel
* Grand International Racing Carnival
* Ben Ohau Highland Games
* NZ Film Festival

Friday, July 24, 2009

Best Beaches in Mauritius

Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn lies the island country of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It's actually a few islands; a main island and three other islands, and about 22 largely uninhabited islands. Mark Twain, who visited the island in 1896, so impressed by its beauty, said, "God first made Mauritius and from it, He created Paradise." Mauritius is striking because it once was a volcano. Extinct for some 100,000 years, you have peaks and rock strutting right down into the sea. And, as if icing on the wondrous landscape, a coral reef surrounds the islands.

If you're anxious to go, know that December to April are generally hot and humid. June to November are the cooler, drier months. A cyclone could arrive during the warm season.Here are some of the best beaches to spend tour holidays.

Tamarin Bay Beach - Mauritius
This beach of shallow water, lined in places by salt flats, is one of the least ‘maintained’ of Mauritius’s best beaches, but though the sand is a bit course by Mauritian standards and there atmosphere is a bit salty it’s still a lovely vista of coconut palms and clear water. Some of the parties most interested in this beach are surfers, the waves roll in with infrequency but in impressive sizes and shapes. Where the waves start on the reef they’re too quick to catch but there’s a bend in the bay which lines up with a break in the coral reef which slows them down enough to jump on before they run a long straight, clean line to the sand. Surfers would call the waves left barrels.

Nonetheless, Tamarin Bay Beach is worth a visit. Beyond the palm and casuarina trees lies some grand landscape. Close by you'll find the forest and mountains - well, part of the volcano that was here eons ago.

The best hotels to stay are




Blue Bay Beach
Blue Bay in Mauritus is situated on the South East coast of Mauritus. Blue Bay in Mauritus is nearby to a village named Mahebourg and also is close by to Port Louis International Airport. It is also a popular spot for windsurfing and sailing. Carry a camera to beach Blue Bay to capture all the wonderful and scenic moments there. At the center of the bay, in between the islet and the beaches, you will find ancient coral beds. These beautiful things feature a rich biological diversity. The bio-diversity of the corals makes this place a significant dot in the international scenario.

The seabed, at a depth of around 6 meters, is covered with corals. The density of these corals, of which 80% are alive, makes them unique. Studies undertaken have identified around 50 different species of corals and a lot more different fish species belonging to 25 families here. Rapid urbanization has affected the coral growth at Blue Bay and of late programs are being undertaken to protect them. Two hotels offer you a splendid stay at Blue Bay in Mauritius. These are the Shandrani Hotel and the Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel.
The best hotels to stay are


Belle Mare Beach
The Belle Mare Beach is one of the best beaches on the eastern side of island, having a stretch of 4-6 kms of white sand lined with Filao and coconut trees. It is a public beach with a deep lagoon circled by a coral reef. The turquoise waters of the lagoon are fringed with casuarina trees. You can indulge in a lot of activity of your choice throughout the day till late into the night. The coast with its white shimmering sands at Palamarand Trou d’Eau Douce stretches up to Grand Port a sleepy little village near the sea.

Belle Mare Beach is an excellent beach for camping out with friends and family; you can spend the entire day lazing about on the sands or in the sea. If this is not your cup of tea, then think of something else. Go over to the Belle Mare Water Park which is close by and enjoy the water sport of your choice. You could go wind surfing or wind-sailing.

The innumerable hotels, resorts, and lodging facilities in the area make Belle Mare a very good option for tourists. Some of the luxury hotels and resorts available nearby are the Le Saint Geran, the Belle Mare Plage, and the Beau Rivage. The eastern part of Mauritius is full of beautiful and breath-taking beaches. Since these parts receive more wind than other areas, the eastern coast is a hot favorite for surfers and tourists interested in sailing.

To know about complete list of hotels in Mauritius visit List of Hotels

Kyoto - Temple and Historical Structures

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today. Some of the shrines and temples to visit in Kyoto are the following.

Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site. Kiyomizu-dera was founded in the early Heian period. The temple dates back to 798, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water. It separated from the Hossō school in 1965.

The main hall has a veranda, supported by tall pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. The popular expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge". This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive a 13m jump from the stage, one's wish would be granted. Two hundred thirty-four jumps were recorded in the Edo period and, of those, 85.4% survived. The practice is now prohibited.

Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water drop into a pond. Visitors to the temple collect the water, which is believed to have therapeutic properties, from the waterfall. It is said that drinking the water of the three streams confers wisdom, health, and longevity. However, some Japanese believe that you must choose only two — if you are greedy and drink from all three, you invite misfortune upon yourself.

The temple complex includes several other shrines, among them the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to Ōkuninushi, a god of love and "good matches". Jishu Shrine possesses a pair of "love stones" placed 18 meters apart, which lonely visitors attempt to walk between with their eyes closed. Success in reaching the other stone with their eyes closed implies that the pilgrim will find love, or true love. One can be assisted in the crossing, but this is taken to mean that a go-between will be needed. The person's romantic interest can assist them as well.

Toji Temple
Its a Buddhist temple established in 796 AD and named Kyo-o-gokoku-ji. It was built to guard the city. Its name means East Temple and once it had a partner Suji(West Temple). They stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. The most interesting thing about Toji is the five storied pagoda which is 57m high. It is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. The present pagoda was built by the third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu in 1644. Toji is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites. You can see avariety of Buddhist sculptures. Inside the temple, the images of the Four Buddhas and their followers, the eight great Bosatsu, are found. Taking pictures inside the temple is strictly prohibited.

There is a popular antiques market held at Toji on the 21st of every month until around 4:30, and a smaller one on the first Sunday of the month.

Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari. It is located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. The mountain in which the shrine is placed is also named Inari, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines.
Because Inari is the god of business, each of the Torii is donated by a Japanese business. Merchants and manufacturers worship Inari for wealth. Donated torii lining footpaths are part of the scenic view. It has as many as 40,000 sub-shrines throughout Japan. If possible, visit Furshimi Inari near dusk — you'll be much more likely to wander alone through the tunnels of torii in the quiet woods, which is a magical experience as daylight fades.


Foxes (kitsune), regarded as the messengers, are often found in Inari shrines. One attribute is a key (for the rice granary) in their mouths. The shrine draws several million worshipers over the Japanese New Year. The shrine is a three-minute walk from JR Nara Line Inari Station, 10 minutes from Kyoto Station. It is a five-minute walk from Keihan Electric RailwayMain Line Fushimi-Inari station.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Hawaii - Tourist Places

The Island of Hawaii, known popularly as “the Big Island”, is also called “the Orchid Isle”, a name that is no less appropriate. The Big Island is almost twice the size of the other islands combined. Over 4,000 square miles in area with over 260 miles of coastline, the Big Island has a brutish look to it. On its western and southern edges, which are dry (leeward), you will see dark lava or dark brown lava rocks just about everywhere. On the northeast coast (windward), which is wet, there is significant vegetation with rain forest predominating. The southeastern area of the island is covered with relatively recent lava flows.

The Big Island is a great destination for those interested in rest, relaxation, getting some sun and cavorting on the beach. In addition, it offers one of the best volcano shows in the world.

Where To Stay
If you are an explorer determined to see every inch of the Big Island, start your visit by spending a few nights on the Kohala Coast. From there you might want to spend a night in Hawaii on the northern tip of the Big Island to get the flavor of Hawaii in the 1950s . Next, plan to stop in Hilo after touring down the Hamakua Coast. Some travelers use Hilo as a base for touring the , although you might want to make a reservation for the extremely limited lodging available nearer the Park. Return to the west coast (presuming you are departing Kona) and stay near Kona to explore the southwest coast.If you want a luxury place to stay, you will find it at the Four Seasons or the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. If you are looking for a great family oriented resort with some exotic features, take a look at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. There are a number of excellent resorts along the Kohala Coast.

Hilton Waikoloa Village

When To Go
The “rainy” season is December to March. Although storms are more common in winter, it does not seem to change anybody’s travel plans since this period is also the peak tourist season. There is a secondary peak tourist season in summer, when it is both drier and warmer than in winter, but this one reflects school being out and is when most families can stay on the Big Island long enough to make it worth the flight. The lowest prices for rooms are usually found during the “shoulder seasons” of April/May and September/October.

Best Places To Visit
Know about each places in detail by following the link

Thursday, July 16, 2009

NewZealand - Tourist Places

New Zealand has so many outstanding places to visit that it is difficult to choose among them. Be sure to note that the period of the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere is the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. During our summer, the Kiwis are experiencing winter. So if you want to ski in Queenstown, July and August can be the heart of the season. A trip to New Zealand should cover the country's two major islands, known simply as the North Island and the South Island. Both islands are interesting, but the southern island contains a lot of tourist attractions. Major portion of the film Lord of the rings was taken in this island only. There tourist companies that take you to those filiming locations

The South Island
The South Island is sparsely populated and brimming with outdoor adventure. You may see landscapes and scenery that you have not seen before, packaged in the most beautiful and moving of environments.
One popular way to see the South Island is a drive that starts at Christchurch, heads to Mt. Cook, down to Queenstown, over to Fiordlands NP, up through Westland NP, and crossing to the North Island using the ferry from Picton to Wellington.

Fiordland National Park
New Zealand is famous for it’s national parks and there are heaps to explore. We recommend the Fiordland National Park. A nominated World Heritage area on the south west corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s New Zealand’s largest National Park as well as the largest National Park in the world. The scenery is breathtaking you wont believe until you see for yourself. You will witness steep mountains, waterfalls and exotic rainforests.
chasm Bridge Fiordland

Within the Fiordland National Park you will experience New Zealand’s most beautiful landscape - Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound which attracts thousand of visitors every day. Other attractions include the Routeburn and Milford tracks, two of New Zealand’s Great Walks which pass through 32 kilometres of Fiordland National Parks. There is also the 580 meter high Sutherland Falls to see on the Milford Track, one of thousands of waterfalls in the park.
Creek Falls


Milford Sound

Milford sound is Awesome, the mountains tower to 6,000 feet and the water looks still and deep. The main spot is Mitre Peak at 6,024 feet. You can take a boat trip down the sound to the Tasman Sea surrounded by the towering peaks of the majestic Fiordland National Park. This has to be one of the highlights of this fantastic experience and a great way to discover the many sights on offer.
Milford Sound is the Jewel of the Fiordland of New Zealand. It is said by many who have visited to be one of the most beautiful places on earth and in fact it has been voted one of the worlds top travel destinations and New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination. It is a must see for any visitor coming to New Zealand.
Don’t forget to bring your camera as you will get some amazing breathtaking photos of this incredible place.

Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fjords in Fiordland National Park and is three times longer and ten times larger than Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is recognized for its wilderness nature and wildlife.
It is recommended you take a cruise across Lake Manapouri (New Zealand’s prettiest lakes) to West Arm of the Lake then coach over the Wilmot Pass Road, stopping along the way at the Wilmot Pass lookout point to experience some breath taking views of Doubtful Sound. Stop by at Deep Cove, an arm of Doubtful Sound and take a tour of the highly impressive Manapouri Underground Power Station (New Zealand’s largest hydroelectric power station)
The cruise around Doubtful Sound is truly awesome and you will get to enjoy the views of pristine forest, pure rock walls and falling waterfalls. Doubtful Sound really does have breath taking scenery you will never forget.
Wildlife found in Doubtful Sound includes bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins.

Mount Cook

Mount Cook is the highest Mountain in New Zealand and a popular tourist destination. Mt Cook National Park located in the Canterbury region is another National Park that you must see.Mt Cook and its neighboring area is an alpine park that is part of the South Westland World Heritage area. It has the world?s longest ski run, down the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Glacier. The park does not have a lot of trees or plants and is best portrayed as a snow covered rocky setting. The Ball Pass here is a challenging 3-day alpine crossing of the Mount Cook Range and allows close views of New Zealand’s highest mountains.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Latin Quarter - Paris

The Latin Quarter is Paris' traditional center of great thinking. Some of the world's most important artists, philosophers, and writers have passed through the area throughout history, frequenting the centuries-old Sorbonne University or the many now-legendary cafes around the area. The Latin quarter retains the nostalgic charm of past ages, while still being an important hub of education and ideas to this day. It's also a lush, picturesque area of Paris, with lots of quiet squares and gardens, winding backstreets, and vibrant open-air markets. The Latin Quarter Walk takes us through the heart of Parisian history and touches on everything from Roman ruins to the great intellectuals of France. Enjoy two of the world's most famous cathedrals, one of the world's most famous universities and Paris' most beautiful gardens. This is where Paris began many centuries ago and continues to be one of the most popular areas of the city. Places to visit are

St. Chapelle

The St. Chapelle was commissioned by King Louis IX to house Christ's crown of thorns and was completed on April 26, 1248. The stained glass walls are considered to be among the most impressive in the world. Visitors can either visit the church during the day or enjoy a classical concert there in the evening.

Pantheon

King Louis XV vowed that if he recovered from an illness, he would build a church in honor of patron saint of Paris, St. Geneviève. Foundations were laid in 1758, but the building wasn't completed until 1789. In 1851 a French physicist demonstrated the rotation of the earth using a 67 meter pendulum beneath the dome. The Pantheon is the oldest large-scale dome in Rome. It is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history.
Notre Dame

The most famous cathedral in the world is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1163 during the reign on King Louis VII and has stood as a symbol of Paris for almost nine centuries. On the top of the building sit 13 statues; 12 are the apostles and one is a statue of the architect himself.
Pointe Zero located just in front of Notre Dame, this is the point where from which all distances in France are measured.

Seine River Cruise - Paris


The Seine is a slow-flowing major river and commercial waterway. It is also a tourist attraction, with excursion boats offering sightseeing tours of the Rive Droite and Rive Gauche within the city of Paris. It terminates in the Bay of the Seine region of the English Channel and is navigable by oceanic transports. Over sixty percent of its length from Burgundy near the Swiss Alps is negotiable by commercial riverboats and nearly its whole length is available for recreational boating.There are 37 bridges over the River Seine just within Paris and dozens more spanning the river outside of the city. The average depth of the Seine today at Paris is about eight metres. Until locks were installed to artificially raise the level in the 1800s, however, the river was much shallower within the city most of the time, and consisted only of a small channel of continuous flow bordered by sandy banks. Today depth is tightly controlled and the entire width of the river between the built-up banks on either side is normally filled with water. The average flow of the river is very low, only a few cubic metres per second, but much higher flows are possible during periods of heavy runoff.

You will discover great statues, Monuments and stationed river boats (a couple of them are coffee shops). You will enjoy fantastic views on the river and key monuments, such as the Louvre and Notre-Dame. Don't forget that Paris is the largest and most important city on the river.
Seine near by Eiffle Tower

Louvre - Paris


LOUVRE
One of the largest and most visited museums in the world, and possibly the most famous of them all. Louvre is one of Paris's must-visit place. The Louvre was built in several stages. It was first built in the 16th century. The name of the main architect was Pierre Lescot. The immense building had 2 courtyards and was 2 stories high. Its architecture combines French and Italian features. About a decade later, Catherine de Medici started with another palace project, the Tuileries on the west side of the Louvre. Later, during the second empire, between 1853 and 1857, the Louvre was massively extended by Visconti and Lefuel.

The latest addition to the Louvre was the glass pyramid entrance, one of the finest examples of a combination of mordern and historic architecture.
The last buildings of the palace were built in the second half of the 19th century. It is only in 1989 that an important addition to the Louvre has been completed – a 70 x 70 meters big, underground reception hall for the visitors of the museum, lit with the natural coming from the glass pyramid built on its roof.
Designed by American Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei, the pyramid has a square base with each side 35 meters long. It is covered by almost 700 glass panes and the whole mythology has been created around their exact number (678 according to some people, 666 according to the others), as having a special meaning, or a magic power.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tourist Places

Udaipur known as the "Venice of the East", was voted the world's best city for travellers in 2009 in an online poll by Travel and Leisure magazine, trumping last year's winner Bangkok. The island of Bali in Indonesia topped the Galapagos to be named best island in the annual poll, in which casual and laid-back destinations prevailed. The complete "World's Best Awards" is available on www.travelandleisure.com . Some of the highlights are,

Best city - Udaipur, India

Best hotel - Bushmans Kloof Cedar Mountains, South Africa

Best island - Bali, Indonesia

Best cruise line (large ships) - Crystal Cruises

Best cruise line (small ships) - The Yachts of Seabourn

Best international airline - Singapore Airlines

Best domestic airline - Virgin America

Best tour operator - Austin-Lehman Adventures

Best car-rental agency - Sext

Best destination spa - Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment, Sedona