Fort George, Ontario - Fun For Historians And Ghost Fans Alike

July 3rd, 2009

If you’re thinking about visiting southern Canada this spring, you might find that the variety of options available to you on your travels is a little overwhelming. From the snow-covered ski peaks of Calgary to the cultural hotspot of Montreal, Canada provides a wealth of beautiful holiday locations for tourists to enjoy. However, one tourist spot sits high above the rest: Fort George, Ontario.

Set in the peaceful surroundings of Niagara-on-the-lake, Fort George provides the perfect destination for a fun-filled family holiday in Canada this spring. From historical heritage that will thrill adults to entertaining - and spooky! - ghost tours that will delight children and teenagers alike, Fort George promises a world of wonders for you and your kids.

The site of a historic military structure, Fort George was the crucial scene of several battles during the War of 1812, which was fought between the USA and the colonies of Great Britain and Ireland - especially Upper Canada, Lower Canada and Nova Scotia. Consisting of earthworks and palisades, Fort George was also the site of certain internal structures, including an officer’s quarters, blockhouses to accommodate other ranks and their families and a stone powder magazine.

In 1813, the site was captured by the US in the Battle of Fort George and used by American troops as a base from which to invade Upper Canada. However, the fort was recaptured by the British Army in December of that year and remained in use by the Canadian Army until 1965, when it was made a National Historic Site. Today it is maintained by Parks Canada and is open for visitors from April to October.

The fort retains in its original nineteenth century feel, with period costumes and exhibits from that time prominently displayed, and is now famous for its epic friendsoffortgeorge.ca/ghost.htm” target=”_blank Fort George ghost tours. Every evening from April to October, visitors are told ghostly accounts of spooky goings-on in the area, while being acquainted with the history of Fort George and its military heritage. So whether you’re a military history buff, or you simply want to enjoy a good scary yarn in a spectacular location, Fort George is sure to provide the perfect family holiday solution for you!

If you’re planning to visit Fort George this spring, you’ll find a range of www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/XLVNFHF-Hilton-Niagara-Falls-Fallsview-Ontario/index.do″ target=”_blank hotels in Niagara Falls just 12 miles away. Being only a 20 minute picturesque drive away from Fort George, Niagara Falls provides perfectly located accommodation when you visit this famous Canadian historic site. What’s more, choose a hotel in the town with a view of the spectacular view of the Niagara Falls, such as Hilton Niagara Fallsview, and you’ll be able to enjoy two of Canada’s most iconic sights in one holiday!

buzzle.com/authors.asp?author=5195 Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.

Sightseeing in Zurich, Switzerland

July 3rd, 2009

Zurich is one of the most cherished tourist destinations on earth. It is the largest and the most populous city of Switzerland. The city is considered as the cleanest in the world and it enjoyed a privileged location at the tip of Limmat River. Zurich is also endowed with a large lake, two rivers and beautiful tree covered hills.

Apart from its blessed location, the city has some of breathtakingly wonderful attractions that include the Great Church, the Church of Our Lady, Old town, Bahnhofstrasse, and St. Peter Church.

Great Church (Gross Munster) is a 12th-century cathedral possessing both historical and architectural significance. Cathedral’s twin towers serve as perhaps the most recognizable landmarks in modern Zurich.

Church of Our Lady is a prominent 13th-century Gothic cathedral. It is best known for one of its more recent additions, stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall in the 1970s.

Old Town (Altstadt) is the historical hub of Zurich. It features cobblestone streets, a variety of small stores and restaurants and many of the city’s most significant religious landmarks.

Bahnhofstrasse is a famous pedestrian street. It offers the top-notch shopping opportunities for the rich and is also home to some of the world’s most important banks. You can take some of the most expensive items home from the Bahnhofstrasse Street.

St. Peter is one of the oldest churches in the metropolis. This cathedral is best known for having the largest clock face in Europe. However, there are many other places such as Zoological Garden, Museum of Art and Opera House which deserve a must visit.

Zürich is the city with the best quality of life anywhere in the world. It is a significant financial hub in the world of business. Zurich is also a center for buzzing parties, contemporary art and alternative youth culture. Accommodation is not a problem in this city as there are many a great hotels like

Peace and Tranquillity in Sweden

July 3rd, 2009

If it wasn’t for my brother moving to Falkenberg, I probably would never have known it existed. A charming seaside town on the western coast of Sweden, it offers a varied landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Here you can find a beautiful coast with miles of beaches, fertile farming landscape, hilly countryside and beautiful rich green forests.

When I first visited back in January 2002, it was during the quietest time of the year. My first impression was that it was a nice little sleepy town with not many inhabitants, and as it was quite misty and dark, I was unable to see the town in all its glory. However, everyone I met kept telling me to return in the summer because that’s when the town comes to life. And guess what, they were right, and I’ve been going back ever since.

This summer I visitied in the middle of July, during the height of the tourist season. The weather was quite beautiful with lots of blue skies, warm temperatures (though at times, a little too hot) and bright sunshine.

To get to Falkenberg I had to fly to Gothenburg City Airport with Ryanair from Stansted. I then caught a train to Falkenberg from Gothenburg Central Station (which took about an hour). My brother met me at the station and after a warm hug (I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed him), we headed off down the road to his apartment as this is where I would be staying. It felt great to be back, and as I looked at the familiar wooden houses, all painted in their own unique fairytale style, with bright shades of yellow, red and blue, it felt as if I’d never been away. There is no litter on the streets here and everything is so clean and tidy. It’s great to see people having pride for where they live and taking good care of it. This is definitely one of the things I love about Sweden. Another thing is, I couldn’t smell any pollution. Not in this town anyway.

Falkenberg means ‘Falcon Mountain’ and the town got its name from the falcons which were once hunted here. It has a history going back to medieval times. Surrounding the town is acres of countryside and woodland as well as many farmlands. The town itself has a population of about 30,000, and the nearest surroundings hold another 15,000 or so people. The vicinity of Falkenberg has been inhabited for some time, and has been recognized as a city since around 1432.

During the early 19th century, Sir Humphrey Davy, the inventor of the miner’s safety lamp, visited the town after hearing of the excellent fly-fishing. A succession of wealthy English countrymen then followed and it’s because of this that many Falkenbergers speak excellent English. A London lawyer named William Wilkinson then wrote a book about the experience, Days In Falkenberg (1894). The English influence still exists today as there is a classic red British telephone box located in the centre of town.

In the evening we went for a stroll around the town. Walking here is such a pleasure, especially through the picturesque Gamla Stan (the Old Town) where the cobbled lanes, twelfth-century St Laurentii Kyrka (church) and well preserved cottages made me feel as if I′d stepped back in time. This area is so quiet and serene, with the church graveyard giving it an eerie feel.

We made our way towards the river and then walked along the eighteenth-century Tullbron (toll bridge), passing many tourists and cyclists along the way. In Sweden there are bikes everywhere, so it’s wise to take extra care when walking along the pavement. Just make sure you keep out of the cycle lanes.

The Ätran River is one of the best in Sweden for salmon fishing and has beautiful footpaths along both banks, on one side lined with yet more trees. Down by the bridge is the Falkenberg Museum,which shows the region’s development through the ages. It is housed in an old grain warehouse. There are also some other interesting museums around town, such as a local museum on St Lars Kyrkogatan, which has collections tracing the town’s history until 1900 and the Falkenberg Fotomuseum on Sandgatan which covers the history of photography with a unique collection of cameras and photos.

Falkenberg is also well known for its long sandy beaches, particularly Skea Strand. Thoroughly clean, it’s about fifteen minutes’ walk from town and attracts thousands of tourists each summer. There are also numerous restaurants and bars all along the waterfront and colourful little beach huts.

There’s a variety of shops in town where you can pick up some lovely bargains, gifts and souvenirs. And when you want to take a break from all that shopping there are lots of cosy continental style cafés to sit back and enjoy a coffee in this pretty laid back town.

Surprisingly, for such a quiet town, Falkenberg has a lively nightlife with some very fine restaurants and pubs which have live music and events most nights. Each time I visit, it’s amazing how I always discover something new. On Saturday evening while walking around town we heard music blaring out from across the river. Walking over the bridge I was delighted to see that it was the ‘Falkenbergs Jazzdagar’ a jazz and blues festival, held in mid-July each year since 1989 and organized by ‘Falkenbergs Jazz-och Bluesförening’ (the Falkenberg Jazz and Blues society).

The festival takes place in the courtyard of Hotel Hvitan ‘Värdshuset Hwitan′, just down by the riverside of Ätran. As I sat listening to the sound of electric guitar echoing over the courtyard and river, watching the seagulls flying overhead on a warm evening, the thought that I would soon be returning to the hustle and bustle of London made my heart sink. But there’s always next year I told myself. Then again, why don′t I move here too?

Falkenberg offers a fantastic alternative to Europe’s usual overcrowded holiday spots. I recommend that you visit at least once in your life. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, it’s the perfect holiday destination. Try it and see.

For more information :

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jazz.falkenberg.net/english.php jazz.falkenberg.net/english.php

One-Tank Trip from Columbus, Ohio

July 3rd, 2009

With the gas prices the way they are, many people are looking for trips they can take on one tank of gas. Here’s a great one to be taken from Columbus. Ohio. The destination? Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia, with stops at several museums on the way to or from Oglebay Park. All this in a 256-mile roundtrip drive on Interstate 70 from Columbus, Ohio.

Oglebay Park is a 1,650-acre park in Wheeling, West Virginia packed with a bevy of sights and activities, meaning you’re never bored. If you’re into golf, Oglebay Park has three championship golf courses from which to choose (one designed by Arnold Palmer). there are 11 tennis courts, a large outdoor pool, horse stables, miniature golf, walking trails, The Mansion Museum, a zoo, ski slope, planetarium, gardens, greenhouse, outdoor theatre and Schenk Lake, where you can fish, go pedal boating, or watch nightly fountain shows.

The 16-acre gardens alone are worth the drive. In the Spring you′ll find 50,000 tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, while the Fall brings you a a dazzling display of mums.

Are you the type of person who likes holiday light displays? Be sure to visit Oglebay in late November and December for their light show, which, incidentally, is one of America’s large holiday light shows. Over a million lights are on display for this six-mile holiday drive.

Lodging at Ogebay Park can be found at Wilson Lodge, located on a hilltop in Ogelbay Park. You can find cottages for groups and large families, as well as standard rooms and deluxe suites. The lodge includes an indoor pool, dining facilities (with casual as well as fine dining), tanning beds and massage therapy facilities. Situated on a hilltop in the heart of Oglebay is the exceptional Wilson Lodge. Facilities at the lodge include casual and fine dining, an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, tanning bed and massage therapy facilities.

For general information about accomodations at Oglebay Park, call 800-624-6988 or 304-243-4000. Summer package rates begin at $145 per night on weeknights and $165 per night on Friday and Saturday nights.

On your way to and from Oglebay Park, be sure to stop in Newark, Ohio, 27 miles east of Columbus, off Interstate 70, on Ohio route 79. There you′ll find the National Heisey Glass Museum, which has handmade crystal on display from the Heisey Glass company. Also check out the Zane Grey Musueum, approximately 67 miles east of columbus (take U.S. 70 east to U.S. 40).

Diane McCalley is an avid traveler and creator of thetravelerscompanion.com Pet Friendly Travel and vacationhoneymoon.net Honeymoon Vacations.

The Spices of the Zanzibar Islands

July 2nd, 2009

Of spices produced on Zanzibar many people think of cloves assuming, erroneously, that the humble clove is the only spice grown on the island. Indeed to arrive on Zanzibar in the clove season is to be met by a clove scented breeze. The huge clove trees, which may be up to 150 years old, fill the air with their aroma.

The coves are the flower buds and are harvested from the trees and laid out on palm leaf mats to dry. When driving around the islands many of these mats are spread alongside the roads with the buds drying in the sun.

Zanzibar at one time produced 90% of the world’s cloves and along her sister, Pemba Island, produces tones of cloves every year. Zanzibar also produces many other spices and these include aniseed, bay leaves, black pepper, cardamom, chili, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, turmeric, lemon grass the list is not exhaustive up to fifty different spices are grown here.

Cloves are used in wines & spirits, cooking, pickling, flavoring tea and coffee; oil is taken from the stems and this oil is used for both sweet and savory dishes. Spice tours are offered on Zanzibar and best organized and taken from Stone Town the main Town, port and entrance to the spiced islands. These tours are very good and apart from getting a chance to see the spices and to buy spices and their products from the people who produce them.

For further information on Tanzania, Kilimanjaro and the islands of Zanzibar. betheladventure.co.uk betheladventure.co.uk uses tourism to fund community initiatives focused on the education of the young and the medical care for the whole family.

Party All Night Long at Vilnius

July 2nd, 2009

The Lithuanian capital Vilnius has long considered as a hidden gem within Eastern Europe, with a blend of modern amenities amidst a historical setting. Perhaps another contributor to this reputation is the audacity of partying that takes place here. Since independence from Soviet rule, Lithuanians have transformed into hard party animals. Thus, stag nights in Vilnius are bound to be nothing short of extensive.

Must-do Vilnius stag night activities include a visit to the best lap dancing clubs, a crawl from bar to bar for a liver whipping (like all Baltic cities, booze is incredibly cheap in Vilnius) and be an exclusive guest at the best VIP nightclub that Vilnius has to offer. Be sure though that you engage a fully-bonded tour operator to make the necessary arrangements for you. These clubs are not exclusive for nothing!

For your pub crawl, complete 5 rounds of beer at different bars with the chaperone of a lady tour guide. The best bars are just within walking distance, which is why it’s so easy to get around in the Old Town are of Vilnius. If you still are not too pissed by then, continue your stag night as a VIP in Vilnius hottest night club. Unlike the rest of the party goers, your tour operator ensures that you’ll waste no time on the long queues. You may want to check out the hot lasses on the dance floor or get a VIP room for greater privacy!

Your next Vilnius stag night should incorporate elements of sensuality with a limousine striptease all the way to the VIP lap dance club. Travel all over town while you are entertained with a voluptuous stripper in the comfort of your limo leather seats. Finally, your stag night will not be complete with erotic lap dances by writhing beauties.

Ready to party? Visit Chillisauce’s website at chillisauce.co.uk chillisauce.co.uk or contact Shane Williss for further details. Been there and done that, Shane will let you in on the juicy details you’ll need for an unforgettable chillisauce.co.uk/stag-weekends/vilnius stag night in Vilnius.

Avoid Paying Ridiculous Airfares During Peak Season

July 2nd, 2009

Being a contrarian traveler, that is, doing the opposite of what the majority of people are doing is a smart way to save money on airfares. The theory in this being that while everybody is traveling one way, for example heading back home at the end of their winter vacations to Thailand, the planes going back to Thailand would be relatively empty. This creates an opportunity for the savvy traveler to take advantage of reduced airfares as airlines scramble to fill as many seats as possible.

Unfortunately we are not all able to travel when we want and work commitments may dictate that we must take our holidays at the same time as everybody else. This is where the laws of supply and demand kick in and the airlines and hotels crank up their prices.
But what if you really wanted or needed to travel at a time that was a peak travel time in your country? Do you just have to bite the bullet and pay the inflated prices?

Fortunately there is a strategy which allows you to both travel to and return from popular destinations at the same peak times as everyone else, without having to pay pumped-up holiday fares.

Let’s take Bangkok as an example because it is an extremely popular holiday destination and it is also one of the cheapest places in the world right now to purchase airfare tickets- a fact whose relevance will become clear in just a moment.

Let’s say it’s May and you are going to take a short 5 day trip to Bangkok, on a business trip or to visit friends. You’ve also decided that you want to take a vacation at the end of the year. You will not be able to depart until December 22nd, peak travel season. Unfortunately leaving between mid-December and mid-January will cost you pretty close to double the regular fare. Forward planning being one of the fundamentals of saving money on travel, knowing your end-of-year travel dates will enable you to save a lot of money.

What you do is instead of buying a 5 day return ticket for your May trip, you buy a one year open with the return date of the ticket sometime in January when you want to come home from your end of year vacation. Upon arriving in Bangkok you put this ticket away in your suitcase and purchase a second ticket from Bangkok to your original point of departure, or home city. The return portion of this ticket (and this is the crucial part of the plan) is set to December 22nd.

This works because each airline in each country determines their fares from the point of departure. What this means is that the return date does not have as big an influence on the fare as the departure date. Basically they don’t care if the return section of your ticket is in a peak period in the country you are coming back from.

One year open tickets are a little more expensive than your regular 7- 30 day open tickets, however you should look into this option and you may find substantial savings doing it this way than paying the inflated peak time airfares that the airlines charge.

Aaron James is the author of many more tips on how to get cheapflights2thailand.com cheap flights to BKK, Thailand at cheapflights2thailand.com Cheapflights2thailand.com

Venezuela Sports

July 2nd, 2009

Like most South American countries, Venezuela has always taken an active interest in all sporting activities. Sports are not only played as a leisure activity, but also serve as a full-time profession for many.

Baseball is a tremendously popular sport in Venezuela and the country has produced world-renowned players of the stature of Luis Aparicio, who has even found a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York. Football is also found to be gaining popularity in the country, with many youngsters taking an active interest in the sport and the national team receiving several laurels.

Canyoning is an adventure sport that has been taken up by many an enthusiast. Merida in Venezuela is the perfect place to try out this adventure sport. The sport promises unlimited thrills and a great adrenaline rush to all its participants. It is very enjoyable to abseil from a high waterfall or jump into narrow currents using super fast natural slides. The sport is highly recommended for individuals who would like to enjoy the natural beauty of the Andes.

Another sport that is a favorite of both tourists and natives is horseback riding on the high Paramo grasslands. Western Venezuela with its great landscapes, waterfalls and mountains is a wonderful place to go riding as the scenic beauty of the place keeps the rider enthralled all along the trail. Nature lovers are advised to carry their cameras along to capture the picturesque landscape in print.

Paragliding in the Andean area of Western Venezuela is an incredible experience. Individuals can get an actual bird’s eye view of the entire mountain range from the glider. Unlike bungee jumping, which lasts for a short duration, paragliding offers an exhilarating and thrilling experience that can last for up to an hour or so.

With the sporting world becoming more and more competitive with each passing day, the government of Venezuela is giving a helping hand to several other sporting activities in the form of finance, infrastructure, and training.

z-Venezuela.com Venezuela provides detailed information on Venezuela, Venezuela Food, Caracas Venezuela, Venezuela Culture and more. Venezuela is affiliated with i-RioDeJaneiro.com Rio De Janeiro Hotels.

Destination Italy

July 1st, 2009

An Italian holiday destination is invariably something remarkable to look forward to. Tourists just keep getting attracted to the country which perhaps has the richest and fullest history. Many find it to be one of the most colorful and vibrant places where the food, the culture, the total ambiance and the surrounding scenery makes for an exciting and excellent holiday destination. You will feel spoiled for choice and have difficulty in picking out which one is a better tourist attraction from amongst the many attractions that Italy offers.

Apart from Rome, Florence in the centre of Italy is one place which a tourist will love to visit. People like to get a view of Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo but ensure that they do not miss seeing Michelangelo’s statue of David. Though Florence is an all year destination, the actual fun is to be there in summer, which is the height of the tourist season. It is considered a good idea to plan your sightseeing in Florence so as to get the most from your trip. A free town plan and a list of museum opening times and prices from the Tourist Information Office, opposite the station can be picked up to aid one in planning out his tour. Keep in mind that some museums and galleries open only in the morning, while others are closed one or two days a week.

A visitor is rarely disappointed on a tour to Italy. Every tourist is attracted to something in particular. Some like the pizza, some are taken in by the ruins, while others admire the great works of art, the hot beaches and handsome youths are a favorite with the ladies and of course, some come to taste the good wine. One point a tourist should keep in mind on Italy tours is to be open and receptive which will ensure that you will get more than you had dreamed of.

stayresitaly.com/ stayresitaly.com/

A Guide To Enjoy Majorca

July 1st, 2009

It’s a coveted tourist destination; it’s the most celebrated and esteemed destination of Spain; it’s your wonderful playground for the tourists it’s your Majorca, also known as Mallorca. Located off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea of Spain, your Majorca is the largest island of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago including Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Cabrera.

Your Majorca has two mountainous regions occupying northwestern (Serra de Tramuntana or Tramuntana range) and eastern thirds of the island. Located in the municipality of Fornalutx, the Alfabia Mountains and Els Cornadors are the mountain ranges in Majorca. Puig Major (1,445m) is the highest peak in the Serra de Tramuntana of the Island. Your Mallorca has two bays, the Badia de Pollença and the larger Badia d’Alcúdia, on the northeast coast.

Your Majorca enjoys Mediterranean climate, with higher precipitation in the Serra de Tramuntana. Its summer is hot, and the winter is cool, and gets hilly chilly in the Tramuntana range that gets brief showers of snow. Your Majorca has always been darling of the Hollywood stars and Celebrities. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Michael Schumacher, Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox, Julian Lennon, Cynthia Charles, Boris Becker have maintained residences on the Island.

Your Majorca is a perfect vacation destination offering potpourri of beauties, beaches, oceanic pleasures, mountains, Mediterranean cuisine, museums, art galleries, parks, theaters, shopping malls, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels, etc. Your Majorca offers you a wide range of tourist attractions including Palma de Mallorca (the capital), Playa de Palma, Bellver Castle, Santueri Castle, Palma Cathedral, Cuber Lake, Mallorca Caves, Aquacity, Marineland, Placa Major, Soller, Mallorca Harbour Front, Placa d’Espanya, Valldemossa, Serra de Tramuntana, and lot more.

Palma de Mallorca or Majorca, the island’s capital and largest city, is your “must visit” city on Majorca. Occupying the north western end of a bay in the south west of Majorca, Palma de Mallorca is your destination for Castell de Bellver (site of Muslim ruins, and museum of archaeological finds and classical sculptures), Pueblo Español (architectural museum), Banys Àrabs (the Arab bath building), Museo de Arte Español Contemporáneo (museum of contemporary art), and Catedral de Mallorca and Museo Catedralicio (Majorca’s spectacular cathedral &amp museum). La Seu is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Palma de Mallorca. Near to La Seu Cathedral, Almudaina Palace is the Muslim palace of the Banu Ganiya, at the edge of the port.

Reaching from Andratx to the Cap Formentor, the Serra de Tramuntana is the mountain chain running along the north-west coast of Majorca.The scenic mountain chain is your destination for cities, such as Sóller, Pollença, Alcúdia, and Andratx. Soller and Port de Soller are a beautiful town and a local fishing port/harbour. You can access the town by a scenic train journey from Palma, or by tram from Soller to Port de Soller. Mallorca Caves are one of the most visted sites of Majorca.

You can enter Majorca thru Palma de Mallorca airport. There are a number of discount airlines offering daily flights to the Majorca airport. You can also get a ferry to Palma de Mallorca from the other Balearic Islands or from several points on the Spanish coast, including Barcelona and Valencia. You can also get a ferry to Alcudia from Menorca.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for apartments, bed and breakfasts, holiday-velvet.com/majorca Majorca apartments hotels and holiday-velvet.com/majorca Majorca vacation and holiday rentals