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Archive for February, 2012

Need to extend your time on the slopes? Tired of ski seasons that seem to be over before they begin? Looking for a new challenge on the slopes or just a new experience? Try glacier skiing – it is a great way to stretch your ski season. It should also be noted that glacier skiing is an option suitable to both cross-country and downhill skiers and is available in both Europe and North America.

One of the best places to try out glacier skiing is at Whistler Blackcomb in B.C., Canada. If you are a beginner, this probably isn’t for you. Blackcomb tailors its glacier skiing towards intermediate and advanced skiers. The glacier, weather permitting, opens in early June and shuts down by August.

On the Blackcomb glacier, one will find groomed trails, moguls and a terrain park. The glacier is accessed via two chairlifts that will take one to the base of Blackcomb. One will then be collected by  bus and driven to the glacier terrain. The 112 acres of glacier are serviced by two t-bars.

Make sure if you do decide to undertake glacier skiing that you know and understand the risks. It is an exciting form of skiing but there are hazards such as crevasses and seracs, which form where the underlying terrain is steep or broken. A serac is formed when a glacier meets a cliff or steep slope and flows over the lip. The real danger of a serac is from walking beneath one or having it cause an avalanche. As the weather warms, pieces tend to break off at random intervals. It is best to avoid routes heavy with seracs. It is also best to avoid routes that have a lot of glacial ice, as it too can bring about avalanches.

If glacier skiing is your thing, or if you want to try it out, why not book a room at the aptly named Glaciers Reach. Located in Whistler Village North, this modern town home style accommodation offers you your very own private entrance, a landscaped inner courtyard, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, and an exercise room. It is also conveniently located near all the local amenities and chair lifts. Book early, as Whistler condos end up going fast.

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Paris is one of the great cities in the World steeped in history, culture and art. If you are a first time visitor to Paris or only have a day there, then here is a list of 5 things you have to do in Paris.

1. Visit The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. If you do one thing in Paris, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and enjoying the panoramic views over Paris is it. The twilight views over Paris at night are a wonderful sight. You can also enjoy the Eiffel Tower lit up with thousands of light bulbs in a colourful light display, which briefly happens every hour after dark.

2. A cruise down the Seine

A boat cruise down the Seine is a romantic experience and a great way to see the landmarks of Paris including the Louvre and the Cathedrale Notre-Dame. Some cruises include dinner so you can enjoy a lovely meal in unique surroundings, a memorable experience. Perfect for a special occasion.

3. Visit The Louvre

The Louvre is a museum with over 35,000 items on display. It is easy to get lost wandering around seeing all there is to see. Some of the most famous works of art are displayed here including the mesmerising Mona Lisa. To do the Louvre justice, you will need to dedicate a day to wandering the different levels. Also, you should expect a large queue to get in, so wear comfy shoes and expect crowds.

4. Go to Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge located in Montmatre is another famous landmark in Paris. Wander the cobbled streets of Montmatre and admire the many art galleries in the area. Walk the cobbled steps up to the white Basilicia of Sacre Coeur and enjoy the beautiful views of Paris. Afterwards, head to the Moulin Rouge and enjoy the famous cabaret show and dancers.

5. Enjoy the French Cuisine

France is famous for its cuisine and there is nowhere better to try it than in Paris. There are many restaurants from famous Michelin starred establishments to traditional Parisian cafeterias. Alternatively, if you are on a budget, head to the boulangerie and pick up a baguette, some cheese and pate and enjoy a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. Finish it with some lovely French wine and coffee.
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When you consider your lodging options for holidays 2012, you may not have considered villas. Villas come in many forms, and can be condos, town homes, or even deluxe homes that have a pool and all the extras. Villas offer more privacy than hotels, and typically offer a larger space. This makes them an excellent choice for families and groups that will be traveling and staying together.

There are villas available for Orlando holidays 2013. When making your selection simply consider how many people will be traveling and what type of luxuries you would like to have. If you plan to spend most of your time out on the town, then a basic space may be fine for you. However, if you spend more time in the villa, consider upgrading to an option that offers a pool, hot tub, and more.

Villas are available for Disney World holidays. Those who would rather not stay in a hotel or resort can rent these homes instead. Many are located within minutes of Disney World. Trips to Disney are often taken by large families and groups which will certainly benefit from the bargain prices that villas are often offered at. Pricing for this type of lodging can be acquired by submitting a price request online or calling a travel specialist that offers Florida villa accommodations.

If you love to eat and explore different cuisines, you are probably a fan of Chinese food. Luckily,

Chinatowns are common throughout major North American cities, so we never have to go too far to find one – but which Chinatown really has the best food? There is one Chinatown in North America that really stands out and if you ever get the chance to visit San Francisco, you’ll know why it is a must-visit.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America. It can also make the claim to being the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Now that is impressive. Really, it is a city within a city, as the residents are very serious about keeping their language, customs, religion and social clubs alive and thriving. This is as close as you are going to get to China without leaving the continent. The legitimacy of the culture here also means that the food is as authentic as you would get in China. These are a proud and strong people whose culture is reflected in the depth of their cuisine.

For a first time visitor, a trip to Chinatown will be something you will never forget. Without someone familiar with the area to show you the best places to eat, your senses will be overwhelmed trying to deal with all the amazing aromas emanating from the shops. You’ll definitely want someone to point you in the right direction and explain all the options available to you. This is why I would recommend one of the Local Tastes of the City Tours. They will make sure that your Chinatown experience is a truly memorable one and that you will get the best food possible.

Check out one of the daily Chinatown San Francisco Tours and you will get an unmatched experience that will take you beyond just the local cuisine. Your guide will take you to the best back alleys, food markets and local restaurants. Do not sacrifice your dining experiences while traveling like so many do. Make it a part of your trip and the memory of the great food will stay with you longer than any other aspect of your visit.

While planning an international trip, travelers must emphasize on certain things starting from the visas, vaccines, international travel insurance and also the international travel health insurance. In addition, you should also do a proper planning while traveling to an international destination. Here are few important tips exclusively for the international travelers.

Passports and Visas:
All international travelers should carry a valid passport while traveling to a foreign country. Visa procedure varies from nation to nation; some countries offer upon-arrival visa, whereas a number of countries need a valid stamped visa when you are entering their nation. For certain countries, you may also need the visa in a hard copy format.

Vaccines
All the travelers are advised to check the vaccine requirement in the country that they are traveling to. For this, you may also need to take appointment few weeks earlier to your international travel. Hence, you should plan to do vaccination or immunization in advance.

Health and Travel Insurance
To avoid any bad situation, you should consider updating your international travel insurance and also the international medical travel insurance plans. Such insurance policies help in case you face some critical situations of medical emergency in the foreign country. You should also check your travel insurance policy to find out what it covers and what it doesn’t. If you are on any certain medication, then plan to take adequate medicine supply with you. Those wearing glasses or contact lenses should also consider taking their eye prescriptions in case there is any situation where they need to replace glasses or order a pair of new contact lenses.

Eating and Drinking
During an international travel, you may face health issues due to new environment, different food and water. As hygiene standards are different in all countries, you should take precaution to avoid any major health issues. So it is advised to drink boiled water or packaged drinking water only.

There are many excitements and exhilarations that you can find in Crete. The Greek Island of Crete, which is located amidst the Mediterranean Sea, offers a lot of attractions that you can hardly forget for the rest of your life if you ever visit this Island. The most prominent attraction in Crete for both domestic and foreign tourists is the remnants of the city of Knossos, the capital city of the ancient Minoan civilization, which you can find in the central part of the Island, the Venetian city of Chania, Venetian castle at Rethymno, and the Samaria gorge. Crete also offers its visitors charming natural seaside attractions in Elafonisi, Gramvousa, and the Island of Chrysi. In those scenic seashores, you can enjoy the warmth of the sun that showers Crete throughout the year and the cool Mediterranean breeze that soothes you while you are fishing, sunbathing, swimming, and any other attractive activities that you can do there.

To reach the Island of Crete, you can use a ferry from the Greek mainland to the port of Heraklion or you can also use international flight towards one of two international airports in Heraklion and Chania. If you prefer using private flight, you can charter a jet plane in Athena and fly to a small airport in Sitia. Make sure that you have prepared your transportation accommodation ahead in advance, especially during high seasons, because Crete is the most famous tourists’ destination in Greece and it will obviously be stormed by many tourists during such seasons.

After you reach Crete, you can decide whether to stay in a hotel or one of Crete apartments. If your trip will be short, choosing a hotel maybe a good choice; however, if your trip in Crete will be longer than a week, an apartment is surely a more economical choice.