Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Essential Beach Travel Guide

Travel is said to be one of those things which helps you to grow as a person. It enhances your perception of things and helps you see the wonder and beauty of the world that you live in. It also helps to broaden your cultural perspective and see how different parts of the world or even your own country live and exist with the environment in which they live. On a lighter note however, travel also relaxes the mind and can help you jump back after months and years of tiring work.

Among the many places that people love to travel to is the beach. A trip to the beach can give you valuable time to relax and unwind while at the same time help expose you to an environment that can be different from the fast paced hub of the city.

The first rule of a worry-free trip is making sure that you have good accommodations. It is especially helpful to book your room months in advance and if possible put a down payment on the room so that you don't have to worry about your reservations going to someone else. Unfortunately, although a lot of flights are on time, you really can't prepare enough for the weather and sometimes, Mother Nature just does not want to cooperate with your vacation plans. If your flight ends up being cancelled or delayed the resort you have booked at may give your room to someone else when you don't show up on time. On a similar note, you should also make sure you take down their number so you can update them in case of delays.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Check Out The Financial Powerhouse Of India

Mumbai is the financial capital of India and the center of fashion and film industry. It is a concoction of skyscrapers and malls in between the slums and shabby areas. The grand colonial relics and the warrens of bazaars have made this a paradise of tourists of all times. Mumbai was actually a conglomeration of seven islands now joined by road route. This is also one of the most populous cities in the world.

The name Mumbai was derived from the name of the local Hindu Goddess Mumbadevi. In 1498, Mumbai went into the hands of Portuguese and many churches and forts were built by them. Portuguese Church standing to date is one of the tourist attractions of Mumbai. It was given to the British crown as part of the dowry of Catherine de Braganza and then was handed over to the East India Company. They improved the city further and joined the once disjoint portions.

The beaches, harbor, colonial relics and heritage buildings are some of the attracting features in Mumbai. You can get into Mumbai through the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and this is the busiest airport in India. The airport is located at a distance of 28 kilometers from the main city. Mumbai is also well connected to all major cities of India by rail network and road network. The important railway stations in Mumbai are Dadar Terminus, Kurla Terminus and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

To get around Mumbai there are innumerable taxis and buses. You can get comfortable and air-conditioned ride in the private cabs. There are many museums and galleries in Mumbai namely Jehangir Art Gallery, Nehru Center Art Gallery and Prince of Wales Museum. There are some beaches in Mumbai and some of them are Juhu Beach, Girgaon Chowpaty and Aksa Beach in Malad.

Monday, July 9, 2012

A Quick Travel Guide To Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and it is the country's largest city with its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Amsterdam is known as Venice of the North, the city features lovely canals that network the city. Its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges, a true travelers dream is here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

It is one of the safest cities in the world where it has even called as a "female - friendly city that women can walk alone comfortably in the streets. Everyone speaks English as well as German and French. The Euro is the currency of the Netherlands.

Where to Go?

The Anne Frank House is the wartime hiding place of the young Jewish girl and her family, finally caught by the Nazis, made famous by Anne Frank's diaries. Not to be missed.

Begijnhof is one of the biggest and well known inner courts, and is an oasis of peace close to the bustling heart of the city. There is a doorway in the row of houses on the Spui that leads you there, it has a lovely English church (AD 1400) with pulpit panels designed by Mondriaan, and the oldest house in the city (1475), one of Amsterdam's few surviving wooden houses. Turn left out of the Gedempte Begijnensloot entrance, and it leads you to the Amsterdam Historical Museum and its free gallery of old paintings of city guards in the style of the Nightwatch.

Heineken Brewery used to be a brewery until a few years ago, now a museum and visitors' centre. No unaccompanied children, of course. No need for a reservation so beer lovers be sure to visit because a free beer is waiting for you.

Rijksmuseum is a large museum containing paintings by some of the Netherlands' great 17th century painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Hals. The Nightwatch by Rembrandt is their prize piece. Contains many artifacts as well as paintings.

Van Gogh Museum is surprisingly spacious, dedicated to the eternally popular Van Gogh.

Rembrandt's House, the 17th century house where Rembrandt lived and worked, restored to its former state. Of particular interest is the ability to buy etches made from copies of Rembrandt's original plates.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Getting Familiar With the City

If you are planning to go to Manila for your vacation, you could not have picked a better place. Manila is one of the best places in Asia. It has many things to offer-from world class hotels to international cuisine to popular mall strips. If you think this trip will cost you a lot, you are mistaken. With cheap flights to Manila, you will definitely enjoy a vacation without hurting your budget.

Here are some places in Manila you should check out:

Walled City of Intramuros

There are many historical sites in the area. You should consider going to Intramuros if you want to learn about the history and culture of the country. This is one of the oldest cities in Manila and was a major fort during the 300-year Spanish occupation. You may discover many things about the Spanish era from this city. It is also home to some of the oldest churches in the country Like the Manila Cathedra and St. Augustine Church.

The local government is doing their best to preserve historical buildings inside Intramuros. They are also implementing "Save Intramuros" campaign to preserve its historical atmosphere.

Luneta Park

Your next stop should be the famous Luneta Park or Rizal Park. Luneta is an urban park located at the heart of Manila. It only takes a few minutes to get there from Intramuros. This park is one of the major tourist attractions in Manila. People go here for family picnics, especially on Sundays and holidays.

Luneta is also one of the highlights when it comes to Philippine history. One of the things you will see here is the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero. The execution of Dr. Rizal sparked the fire of Philippine revolution against the Spanish colonizers. They officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park.