Exploring the beauty of Paris will take you to the different cultural, artistic and historical spots that you can truly enjoy and cherish. Its romantic ambience and atmosphere attracts lovers and couples to spend their honeymoon or vacation in Paris. You an also enjoy your holiday with friends and family while discovering the vastness and richness of its culture. But what if you’re only given a few days to enjoy the grandeur of Paris. Would this be enough? Here are some great picks that you should not miss to visit in order to make your stay worthwhile.

First is the Siene River which is the right spot to those who want to enjoy dinner cruising. Invite your friends to join you in the cruise while having a sumptuous dinner. At the same time you’ll get to enjoy exploring various city attractions.

If you’re not acrophobic, the Eiffel tower is the right spot for you. It’s just beside the Siene River and this has become one of the most popular structures in the world. The tower stands 300 m/984 ft tall and the world’s tallest standing structure.

Montmartre in Paris can give you a relaxing experience. You can climb it by foot but along the way you’ll have a chance to take a look at gardens and old houses. Once you get to the top of the hill, you will see the beauty of Paris.

You will not find all of the art galleries and museums in one end of the city. They are spread all over Paris, and the same goes for monuments and historical buildings. I would recommend that you stay around 1st arrondissement near Le Louvre museum. This is the most central area of Paris. Major Paris museums and monuments can easily be accessed with public transports. I would recommend that you set a day off to visit Le Louvre museum properly. Right across the Seine River at a walking distance you will find the Orsay museum as well as Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.

If you enjoy shopping, watching movies and theater play, go to Champs-Elysees. It’s considered the city of lights because the place is always busy and awake day and night. You can choose a hotel near this spot so that you can hang out and enjoy with your friends.

Arc de Triomphe is a monument dedicated to the soldiers of France who fought fearlessly during the war. It’s a great tourist attraction because of its wonderful fa?ade and structure. The symbol of Paris’ victory.
These are the few places to visit in this romantic place but there’s more to Paris that one can’t see though the naked eye. The richness of its culture, warmth of the people, the unique feeling that you’ll get to experience when you spend your vacation in this extraordinary place.

Lake Nakuru National park is flamingo land. It is home to a huge number of lesser flamingos. At any given time, every flamingo in the world seems to be at this beautiful shallow alkaline lake, just south of Nakuru town. The lake is a spectacular ocean of pink surrounded by forest and plains that are home other wildlife too.

With a total area size of 368 square kilometers and home to more than 450 different kinds of birds, Lake Nakuru National park is one of the finest ornithological sights in the world. The lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth.

Myriads of pink flamingoes whose numbers are legion, often more than a million, maybe two, find solace at the lake. They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm waters. In fact, scientists reckon that the flamingo population at Nakuru consumes about 250,000 kilos of algae per hectare of surface area per year.

This park was established and opened to visitors in 1968, the first place in Africa to be designated a National Park, primarily because of the birds. Lake Nakuru itself has a comparatively low concentration of salts - compared to the other ‘real’ soda lakes- and it also supports a fish population.

Other birds to see at Lake Nakuru National park

Besides the Lesser Flamingos and Greater Flamingo, it is also marvelous place to other different types of birds. It has a wide range of waders including Avocet, while large rafts of Pelican can also be seen sweeping the water in unison - a rather attractive pelican version of synchronized swimming!

Other African Wildlife and mammals found in Lake Nakuru

And besides the birds, Lake Nakuru National park provides a home for a wide variety of other forms of African wildlife. Conservationists’ efforts to save some of the world’s endangered species of mammals take place here too. A superb example of conservation at work in the wild, Lake Nakuru National park, with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund, is now providing sanctuary for Rothschild Giraffe, Black and White Rhino. The elusive Leopard can also be found at Lake Nakuru, living in perfect harmony with the largely aquatic landscape.

Other wildlife that can be easily observed at the lake includes the buffalo, lion, black and white Colobus monkey in the forest. You will also see Eland, steinbok, impala, Chandler’s reedbuck, and dikdik in the bush land.

Probably the best view of the lake is from Baboon Cliffs, the view alone is worth the drive but the road up to the cliffs also provides a chance to see rock hyrax and klipspringers. Watch out for the baboons at the top, they’ll grab anything they think might be edible.

Getting to Lake Nakuru National park

The Lake, located on the edge of the town of Nakuru lies about 160 kilometers north of Nairobi. The road is paved and the driving time will be 3 hours utmost. This proximity Nairobi means that visitors who not have so much time can visit the park as a day trip excursion and return to Nairobi on the same day. Visitors on a shoestring budget can also visit the park and return to Nairobi without having to worry about accommodation.

This visit can easily be done either on a self-drive basis for those who know where way around Kenya in general and the park in particular. Or you can contact a local tour operator to facilitate your visit.

However, if you have more time and you want to incorporate Lake Nakuru as part of your larger itinerary, it cans still fit into any Kenya Safari program. It can easily blend into any itinerary coming from or going to Samburu, Maasai Mara or even Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria region. Being a relatively small park, 1 night will normally be sufficient. Some people may however have a 2-night stop over to indulge.

The best time to visit Lake Nakuru National park

Generally, Lake Nakuru National park can be visited any time of the year, especially for general wildlife viewing. But for those who want the best flamingo show, the best time would be between March and May.

Author Bio: Solomon Okila is the Editor and Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and African Safari Company that specializes on African Travel and Holidays. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.africanvoyages.com

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is one of Spain’s great museums housing medieval, 19th and 20th century art from Catalonia. Housed in the impressive Palau Nacional at the foot of Montjuic, its Romanesque collection is reckoned to be the world’s finest. There are several frescoes and Gothic works on the lives and deaths of saints - some are not for the fainthearted. It’s also noted for its Modernista collection.

In the same area as the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is Caixa Forum. Originally a factory built in the Art-Nouveau style, it has become one of Barcelona’s most lively cultural centres with exhibitions devoted to artists such as Dal?, Rodin, Freud, Turner, Fragonard, Hogarth and Cartier-Bresson. It also hosts concerts, lectures and literary events.

The CosmoCaixa science museum lifted the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006 and is packed with fascinating displays for children and adults, all designed to make science interesting and comprehensible. There’s fun to be had with interactive exhibits, particularly the Flooded Forest, an incredible recreation of a section of Amazonian rainforest, complete with frogs, turtles, snakes, fish and a steamy heat that is spookily realistic.

Artists who have lived and worked in Barcelona are now celebrated with their own museums, notably Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Antoni Tapies. The Museu Picasso is the number one Barcelona museum for his fans. Picasso arrived in Barcelona in 1894 when he was 14 and lived here until he was 23. He studied at the city’s art college where his father was a tutor. The museum includes much of his early work housed in five medieval palaces in the Barri Gotic.

Take the funicular up Montjuic and you soon find yourself outside the Fundacio Joan Miro, a splendid purpose-built museum dedicated to the artist. Mir? experimented with painting, sculpture, printing, ceramics, theatre and tapestry. Bemused visitors can learn about ‘drippism’ and the more sceptical may wonder in one gallery if some paintings are simply cracks in the wall. Do step outside where many of Miro’s amusing sculptures are on view.

The Fundacio Antoni Tapies is in Eixample in a Domenech, a Montaner-designed building featuring a sculpture on the roof. Tapies was born in Barcelona in 1923 and is probably the greatest Spanish artist to emerge since the 1950s. T?pies started as a surrealist painter but soon become an abstract expressionist, working in a style known as “Arte Povera”. In 1953 he began working in mixed media and was one of the first to create serious art in this way, adding clay and marble dust to his paint and incorporating waste paper, string, and rags in his works.

Keeping to contemporary art, the Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum (MACBA) can be found near the northern end of the Ramblas. MACBA focuses on art from 1945, with many temporary exhibitions. The huge, white building, designed by the American Richard Meier opened in 1995. While most museums in the city close on Mondays, MACBA is closed Tuesdays

There are several museums celebrating the history of the city and of Catalonia. The Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat is in the heart of the Barri Gotic. Its collection covers the city’s history from Roman times in a beautiful old mansion with central courtyard, the casa Clariana-Padellas. There is a fascinating underground tour along Roman roads, houses, bathrooms, sewers and the old city walls. You can also trace the evolution of Barcelona through plans, sketches and models.

The nearby Capella de Santa Agata offers views of the Barri Gotic from the Torre del Rey Marti while the neighbouring Museu Frederic Mares, just behind the Cathedral, has a massive collection of medieval sculpture housed in an ancient palace with large courtyards and soaring ceilings.

We finish this brief tour down by the port with two intriguing exhibitions. The Maritime Museum is housed in the Drassanes, the medieval shipyards at the seaward end of the Ramblas. Barcelona was one of the great maritime powers trading across the whole Mediterranean basin. There is a copy of a 16th century Royal Galley, old maps, charts and even a virtual dive in a submarine.

In the newly renovated port area of Port Vell is the Museu d’Historia de Catalunya. This excellent museum is in a converted warehouse and it covers Catalan history. The imaginative exhibits include The Birth of a Nation; Our Sea; On the Edge of the Empire; A Steam-powered Nation; The Electric Years; and Defeat and Recovery.

Much of this will be new to visitors from outside Catalonia, so when you step back outside, you will fully appreciate why Barcelona is one of the great cities of Europe.

Author Bio: Bob Cartwright writes for TravelSavvy Barcelona - independent city guide for tourists. For more information visit: Barcelona city break travel guide.

Dubai has turned into a paradise for travelers that offer the most luxurious hotels with eye popping views that will give you memories that last a lifetime. That said, there are a ton of hotels in Dubai to choose from. The City certainly caters to people with all different budgets, interests, and tastes.

As the second largest city in the UAE, Dubai runs the gamut on hotels. With ultra modern architecture, trendy fashion districts and a very happening nightlife, you can choose from a number of hotels in Dubai that can put you right in the middle of the action or you can choose a hotel that will allow you some peace and quiet.

Many of the hotels are set right on the beautiful beaches of Dubai to give you a sense of being away from the hustle and bustle. These are usually the most luxurious hotels giving you plenty of chances to be pampered and treated like royalty.

However, the hotels in the city center are just as deluxe and are more affordable. No matter whether you want to lounge on the beach, relax at the spa or be a walk away from the nightlife you have many options to choose from.

There are many Dubai hotels that are considered to be top rated, not just in Dubai, but in the world. They provide outstanding service and yet you can get some great deals there as well.

It is one of the reasons the tourism is so popular in Dubai because whether you want to live the pampered life or find a budget friendly Dubai hotel you can literally find it all. Many of the typical Dubai hotels are rated four or five starts, and even the three star hotels will rival any five star hotels in the Western World.

The Burj al-Arab is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. It is an all-suite hotel that is one of the finest that the world has to offer. With private check in and a brigade of butlers at your beck and call you will receive 24-hour attention that is geared specifically to your high style life. However, if you want something more moderately priced you always choose a hotel that still offers deluxe service without the high price such as the Ascot Hotel or the Avari Hotel.

If you want just a comfortable clean room to sleep in you can choose from the Gulf Pearl Hotel or the Panorama Hotel which both offer great service at inexpensive prices. There are more and more hotels under construction as we speak so there are quite the choices when it comes to finding somewhere to stay.

Keep in mind that if you get a Dubai hotel on the Jumeirah Beach Strip you are going to pay more money, as most hotels range about $200 per night, but you will get amazing service at the same time. However, no matter what your income you can certainly find something to suit your taste and price range.

Most of the hotels are within an easy drive from the airport and are very conveniently located to shopping, nightlife, and historic monuments. The customer service at most hotels are beyond what you ever expect, and no matter where you go you are only within a short drive of the beaches and restaurants.

Most hotels also have restaurants within so you won’t even have to drive if you want to get something quick to eat. Dubai is all about tourism so it really caters to the visitors. Whether you choose a budget friendly Dubai hotel or a luxurious paradise you certainly won’t be disappointed. Visit http://www.Dubai-Information-Site.com for the complete 411 on Dubai hotels, where you should stay, what you should look out for and how much you really should be paying.

Author Bio: Sunil is a co-founder of the Dubai City Information Site, the first & only comprehensive website on Dubai City presented from a fresh, practical & first hand perspective. Read about the culture, history, religion, currency, jobs, hotels, entertainment, tours, transportation, flights, controversies, book reviews, guides, investing, business, sports, etc. you name it. Read on for more information on the Dubai Information Site

The Nakheel Tower ? Dubai’s Final Frontier?

The $4.1billion Burj Dubai tower is due to be occupied by September of this year, at that point it will comprise 30,000 homes, 9 luxury hotels, 7.4 acres of parkland and a 30-acre lake. It will also be the tallest structure of any kind ever built. However, Samsung, Besix and Arabtex (the three primary builders) will keep their crown for only the briefest of terms if Nakheel properties succeed in their plans. Fresh from carving ‘The Palm Islands’, ‘The World’ and ‘The Universe’ from the sands of Dubai for the benefit of the lucrative luxury holidays industry, they plan to construct their own tower that will stand at 1,400m and at its base boast the world’s only inner-city harbour. Such projects aren’t unique in their ambition, their peers include Tapei 101 in Taiwan, the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia and the Shanghai World Financial Centre, yet they are reaching further than has ever been previously conceived.

To put things in perspective: a cloud is classified as ‘low’ until it reaches 2,000m at which point it is upgraded to ‘Mid-Level’, Sagarmatha (also known as Everest) reaches 8,848m at its peak, and it’s not until reaching 100,000m that one would hit the K?rm?n line and leave the Earth’s atmosphere for Outer Space. Of course, none of these places are good choices for luxury holidays, and certainly none of them boast a range of luxury hotels. This seems to be the advantage that projects such as the Burj Dubai and the Nakheel tower can call upon. Though they’ve yet to break the kilometre high mark, they’re considerably more lavish than Everest Base Camp.

The idea of such sky-scraping towers stands without precedent in recorded history. The Colossus of Rhodes stood only 30m high (despite its reputation), the Great Pyramid of Giza stands at a mere 146m, even the famous Empire State in New York touches a bare 381m. Of course, the Tower of Babel was claimed to be between 2,500m and 7,300m tall, though accounts vary. Disappointed as they may be by this revelation, Nakheel’s engineers may take solace in the thought that they should be safe from divine retribution for another 1,100m or so…

But how do the leaders of this project describe their plans? Sultan Bin Sulayem, chairman of Nakheel, crafter of the luxury hotel market and widely regarded as one of the architects of the modern Dubai phenomenon enthuses,

“Nakheel has sought inspiration not just from Islamic design but also from the Islamic principles of inclusion, innovation, diversity, excellence, growth and progress. These are the same principles that have motivated and guided Islamic culture and helped create its great cities throughout history. Now they are shaping the cities of the future.”

With these gargantuan projects forecast to not only provide more centres for global business, but to also draw in higher level of tourism through tailor made holidays and the promise of impossible luxury, Dubai seems to be a 21st century frontier. One in which the sky is no longer, it seems, the limit.

Author Bio: Jane Wilkinson is head of marketing for Cadogan Holidays. This multi award winning travel company has been providing tailor made luxury holidays around the world for over sixty years, offering only the very best luxury hotels and inspirational experiences to their clients.

Hundreds of hotels ranging from cheap hotels to the world’s only 7 star hotel (Burj Al Arab) are scattered across Dubai. More are still under development in the everyday ongoing construction such as the Burj Dubai. All the Dubai hotels comply with the unified system set by the Dubai Tourism authorities to ensure quality service and facilities.

The most famous Dubai luxury hotel is the Burj Al Arab, which is the only seven star hotel in the world. It is built in a form of a billowing sail. This luxury hotel soars as high as 321 meters above the Arabian Gulf.

Situated in the Jumeirah Beach area, this hotel is currently one of the world’s finest luxury hotels if not the finest. This high-rise building that dominates the coastline of Dubai is seen from different sides of Dubai and offers amazing color sculptures of fire and water at night.

The special services of this hotel include luxury chauffer driven limousine airport transfers in Rolls Royce, private golf cart rides when going to adjacent properties, and private hotel staffs for all rooms. The hotel was designed to serve the International Elite class with its excellent facilities that offer complete privacy and security for their top-rank customers.

The Burj Al Arab also offers sporting activities such as kayaking, surfing, sailing, paragliding, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing. Those who can afford to have a luxurious stay in Dubai can book online at the Dubai Tourism or at the Burj Al Arab websites.

Those who want luxury at more affordable prices can try other luxury hotels in Dubai such as the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Raffles Dubai, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah, and many more. The Five Star Alliance, the alliance of luxury hotels recommends in their website the 27 luxury hotels in Dubai including the previously named Dubai hotels.

A cheap hotel in Dubai (or should I say discounted hotels) is more affordable for budget conscious tourists and are also available in all areas of Dubai. Shopping for these hotels can be done online where you can book one right away when you find it.

Aside from the current hotels in Dubai, more hotels are still to be completed in nearly halfway developments such as the Burj Dubai and in Bawadi. The Burj Dubai will be home to more luxury hotels such as the signature boutique Armani hotel. Bawadi, being one of the biggest entertainment walkways in the world will give way to the construction of 51 hotels more in the Bawadi projects.

These hotels are available in boutique, themed, and resort hotels that include the prospected world’s largest hotel, the Asia-Asia Hotel. Theme hotels will include Universal, Asian, American (countries), African, European, and Middle Eastern.

And with all that said, don’t forget the Dubai hotel apartments. The Bur Dubai area is loaded with these. These are like the extended stay hotels you are used to seeing in North America (Residence Inn’s and Towne Place Suites), except they are MUCH better.

These hotel apartments are truly luxurious with most of them with marble flooring. I suppose it is meant to give you a taste of what it would be like to live in a Dubai high rise apartment or condo. I have stayed at many of these and definitely recommend it as an alternative. I mostly recommend this if you are traveling to Dubai with your family (kids).

Dubai will be much more worth visiting if you book in one of its quality hotels. Hotel booking will be made easier and safer when done with the Dubai Tourism accredited hotels whether a luxury hotel or the more affordable ones. Dubai hotels will surely give you the services and amenities that will make you feel completely at home. Once you get there, you will see how easily it is to call Dubai your home (at least for the time being).

Visit http://www.Dubai-Information-Site.com for the best deals on Dubai hotels. The site has partnered with hand-picked agencies in Dubai to offer the best deals at the lowest prices up to 60% off!

Author Bio: Sunil is a co-founder of the Dubai City Information Site, the first & only comprehensive website on Dubai City presented from a fresh, practical & first hand perspective. Read about the culture, history, religion, currency, jobs, hotels, entertainment, tours, transportation, flights, controversies, book reviews, guides, investing, business, sports, etc. you name it. Read on for more information on the Dubai Information Site

Learn about the culture of the unconquered Seminole Indians. Located on a 60-acre cypress hammock, more than one mile of boardwalk nature trails winds through ceremonial grounds and a living village.
Located 17 miles north of 1-75, exit 14. Big Cypress

Amelia Earhart Park

Explore 515 acres, including a freshwater lake, photo above, and the Bill Graham Farm Village (open 9a. m. to 4 p. m.), complete with a petting zoo and weekend pony and hayrides. The park also features Tom Sawyer’s Play Island, picnic pavilions, and bike and paddkboat rentals.
401 E. 65th St., Hialeah

Art Center - South Florida

Art Center provides work and exhibition space for more than 81 visual artists through its juried artists program. Art Studies in various media and artistic levels are available for all ages.

Galleries and studios are free to the public.

At 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road Miami Beach.

Art Deco District

Eight hundred classic buildings, photo above, from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s make up this historic area. Walking tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive) every Thursday and Saturday. Miami Beach (305) 672-2014.

Biscayne National Underwater Park

With 181.000 acres of marine habitat, the park offers prime sightseeing for snorkelers and divers, and glass-bottom boat rides. Fast end of SW 328th St., nine miles east of Homestead (305) 230-1100.

Butterfly World

Three acres of tropical gardens, photo below, house thousands of live, brilliantly colored butterflies. The natural habitat also includes a hummingbird aviary suspension bridge and museum. 3600 W Sample Road, Coconut Creek (954) 977-4400.

Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux

Dating from 1141 and exemplifying early Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the church was brought to America by William Randolph Hearst in 1925.

It remained in crates until 1952 when it was erected in North Miami Beach. 16711 W Dixie Hwy, N. Miami Beach (305) 945-1461

Coconut Grove

This trendy and sparkling area, photo below, is full of galleries, theaters, night- clubs, fine restaurants. CocoWalk and Mayfair Shops. Beautiful Peacock Park and Kenneth Myers Park are along the waterfront. Very romantic place.

On Biscayne Bay bounded by S. Dixie Hwy. (Hwy, 1), S. Bayshore Drive and Douglas Road Coconut Grove.

Coral Castle

This architectural curiosity of coral rock, built by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951, is a national historic site. Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 28655 S.

Dixie Hwy. Homestead

Coral Gables

Founded in the 1920s, Coral Gables features plazas, fountains. Roman-style arches and Cuban tile blended with lush foliage. The turreted Colonnade, Coral Gables Playhouse, University of Miami, exceptional dining, theaters and public golf courses make this a choice destination.

Bounded by Biccayne Bay Sunset Drive, Old Cutler Road Ponce de Leon and Red Road

Deering Estate at Cutler

Take a guided tour of more than 420 acres, including endangered natural areas and archaeological sites, with recreation facilities and a view of Biscaync Bay. The estate also boasts the historic Richmond Cottage, portions of which date back to 1896, and the Mediterranean Revival winter home of industrialist Charles Deering, completed in 1923.

Open daily from 10a. m. to 5 p. m. 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami

Everglades Alligator Farm

Airboat tours and shows featuring alligators, snakes and other wildlife educate visitors on the native land and species.

Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 40351 SW 192nd Ave

Everglades National Park

Covering 1.5 million acres of land and water, this habitat of tree islands, mangroves, coastal prairies and subtropical hammocks is fed by a 200-mile- long, 50-mile-wide river. Many native and endangered species call it home.

Fairchild Tropical Garden

This 83-acre paradise of tropical plants offers tram tours, miles of paths, a conservatory and museum. Open year round, 9:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables.

Flamingo Gardens

Everglades and wildlife adventures begin with a tour through botanical gardens featuring a 200- year-old live oak hammock and some of Florida’s largest champion trees. From a 1-1/2 - mile tram ride, view Everglades, rain forests and citrus groves, with flamingos, alligators, river otters and birds of prey.

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Author Bio: Read the full article: In and Around Miami Beach

Canoeing/Kayaking

With its large quantity of rivers, reservoirs and lagoons, luxury Sri Lanka holidays are the ideal time to try some canoeing or kayaking. The pick of places to do this is on the Kalu Ganga, which as well as being interesting to traverse offers the chance to see the rare plants and wildlife which dot the banks. For the more adventurous, white water kayaking offers an adrenalin-soaked alternative ? but only for those who can handle bumpy boulders and 700ft waterfalls!

Hiking

If you prefer something a little more sedate and considerably less dangerous on your luxury holiday to Sri Lanka, you can’t beat hiking through the country’s dramatic scenery. Hiking in Sri Lanka can take you all kinds of places ? from big cities, to rural communities all the way into the Knuckles Mountain Range. There’s a trail to follow for everyone, from experienced hikers to those who just want to breathe some fresh air and see the sights and walking remains one of the best ways of getting around the country.

Mountain Biking

Speaking of the Knuckles Mountain Range, there’s few places on earth better to take a mountain biking holiday than here. The environment is varied, and with an altitude of 1230 metres, the temperature is warm in the days and cool at night ? ideal for cycling. If this sounds a little too challenging, there’s plenty more to see throughout the country’s breathtaking landscapes, and the national cycle trail network has marked out a series of excellent biking routes for all itineraries.

Rock Climbing

Walking and cycling along mountains is one thing, but if you really want a satisfying challenge, then rock climbing is the answer for you. For those who feel fit enough to enjoy it, this really is the best way to enjoy the sights of the Knuckles Mountains. It’s a wonderful combination of exploration, discovery and physical challenge. There can be few places on Earth better for this than on holiday in Sri Lanka.

Scuba Diving

Of course there are some Sri Lanka holiday activities that cannot be done in the mountains, and top of this list comes scuba diving. Sri Lanka’s coast is surrounded by a vast coral reef making the diving exceptional. Just below the surface of the turquoise waters, divers will find a huge selection of varied and colourful coral, shells and fish.

More experienced divers will want to look out for some excellent shipwreck diving just off the coast, giving them the remains of centuries worth of maritime history to explore. For those who have never dived before, you will need to get the qualifications first ? but there are a number of Sri Lanka holiday providers who provide full training, and there are also some excellent dive schools in the country that will have you at home in a wetsuit in no time.

Paragliding

Tired of the land or the sea? Why not take to the air, with a spot of paragliding? Sri Lanka’s climate allows for paragliding all year round, and it really does offer the best way to see the country’s amazing natural landscapes. It’s most likely that your paragliding experience will take place over the Makaldeniya ridge which offers a breathtaking view of the vista: an image that you’re certain not to forget until long after your luxury holiday in Sri Lanka has ended.

Author Bio: Ricky Coates is a Sri Lanka holiday expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in sri lanka holidays, as well as holidays to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Italy, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

Gone are the hassles of packing and unpacking every couple of days as you move from hotel to hotel, trying to make the most of your week or two together as a family. No need to hunt down new restaurants to eat at two or three times a day, either. With a cruise, your hotel room stays with you, no matter which port-of-call you’re visiting. Dining on the ship offers enough variety that no one in the family will be bored.

Caribbean family cruises are a wonderful choice, no matter if you simply need time away from home, are planning a family reunion, or bringing multiple generations together. With the many cruises lines and packages available today, all you’ll need is a little time online to research and plan what may be the best vacation you’ve ever had (until your next cruise!).

Family cruising is still a relatively new market for cruise lines. The focus used to be on adults-only, allowing a flirtatious and party atmosphere for singles and couples wishing to let loose, or calm, sophisticated itineraries for those desiring a more quiet type of relaxation.

Tapping into the family cruise market has shown to be highly popular and more and more cruises are focusing on attracting families. Disney and Nickelodeon-themed cruises are very popular with the under-high-school set, and some cruises are now dedicating themselves to offering different activities to appeal to young children, teens, young adults, middle-aged, and seniors-all on the same cruise, so multiple generations of a family can cruise together and each have a great time!

When planning your Caribbean family cruise, you’ll want to do some research ahead of time to figure out which cruise line will suit your family’s needs the best. Find out what age ranges each line includes. If you need babysitting services, find out if they are offered and what the training is for the babysitters.

Some ships offer group activities for children with trained child care staff. You will want to find out if these activities are to include parent participation or if the staff will be able to supervise while adults participate in activities with their own peers.

When the cruise goes to different ports-of-call, will there be activities on-board to satisfy the kids or will the kids need to depart with their parents? Also check into the availability of children’s menus, cots, cribs, and any other provisions and amenities you need for the children you’re traveling with.

Some cruise ships even offer children’s-only pools, pizza parties, movies, and live entertainment. Teens may be able to enjoy on-board, supervised game arcades and movies that appeal to their more mature tastes.

Family cruising has increased in popularity over the last decade and will continue to do so. Check into this option for your next vacation-the Caribbean awaits!

Author Bio: Cruise1st offers cruises to various destinations across the globe, for those who are unable to make decision for cruise or land. Caribbean Cruise and Stay offers you the best of both worlds and also the thrills of Caribbean cruise.

In certain countries ? Dubai, the home of the Burj Al Arab included ? there is no recognised body that awards ratings, and it is left solely to the jurisdiction of the hotel. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Burj (despite having rooms that cost over $1,000 and providing means for their guests to arrive via helicopter or Rolls Royce) is not doing anything unique that would push it beyond the top rating allocated by organisations such as the AAA. Yet because there is no internationally accredited luxury hotel rating system, they are allowed to continue referring to themselves as the world’s only 7 star lodgings ? though they won’t be able to for long, as various other 7-star luxury hotels are being built in countries with equally lax rating systems. Given the Burj started off as a 6 star and upgraded itself to a 7 star, it may only be a matter of time before it decides it’s worth another arbitrary upgrade.

But there’s also the argument that the AAA system is only slightly better ? because it includes criteria which are subjective in terms of their appeal. For example, smaller boutique hotels cannot qualify for the full five star status because they don’t have a lift. Personally, I feel that if a charming small boutique hotel offers a luxurious experience, then a lift isn’t going to improve it for me ? it might in fact make it considerably worse by ruining the feel and style of the place. With such rigid rules in place, it’s entirely possible that many will find the experience offered by 4 or even 3 star lodgings preferable to a stay in an accredited 5 star hotel. While these rating systems are better than allowing hotels to self govern (the scale thankfully ends at 5), it’s not without its problems for the traveller in search of deluxe accommodation.

Even countries that have a universal system are confusing. France is one example and while there is an official 5 star hotel system in place, these tend not to match those awarded by tourist organisations, because the government ratings are widely disregarded and have an effect on taxation.

So, if you can’t rely on the honesty of the hotel, or the strict criteria of associations like the AAA, how are you supposed to find best boutique hotels? Word of mouth and recommendations from those who have been! If someone has had a truly superlative experience, they will be all to happy to recommend it ? ignore the six and seven stars, and do a little online research ? the cr?me de la cr?me will always surface.

Author Bio: Stephanie Clarke is the Managing Director of Concierge Collection, providers of some of the finest boutique hotels in Europe. Stephanie and her team use their wealth of experience, expertise and contacts to achieve “Beyond Special”. For Concierge Collection, luxury does not have to have a large price tag but the hotels do have to be unique.