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Travel tips to Greece

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on July 22, 2008 @ 7:48 am


About the county

Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece. The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one’s life.

Population & Languages

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.

Climate

It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.

Local Customs

The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)

* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February

* The Parthenon in Athens

* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March

* Easter Celebrations

* Thessaloniki’s White Tower and country’s rich Byzantine culture

* The south of Corinth

* The beaches in Lesvos

* The wine vineyards in the countryside

* The islands near the Aegean Sea

* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)

* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea – The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail – If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco

2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars

3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine

4. Perfumes – 50 gm or 250 ml

5. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to Ukraine

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on July 18, 2008 @ 7:08 pm

About the county

Ukraine which is located in Eastern Europe is one of the largest country in that region of Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. It is a popular tourist destination especially for tourists from Western Europe and North America. The main selling point is the rich historical character of the country with as many five hundred cities dating back as early as nine hundred years. Visitors are spellbound by the architectural beauty of Ukraine. Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine where most travelers begin their journey.

Population & Languages

Ukraine has a population of roughly 46.7 million and the official language is Ukrainian. The other languages spoken here are Russian, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian.

Electricity

Voltage - 220 volts, Frequency - 50Hz. Standard European Round pin attachment plug

Geographic Location

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. The strategic location of Ukraine between Asia and Europe made it a transportation hub in the region.

Local Customs

Ukrainians are warm hearted and welcoming people. Casual dressing is mostly worn here though it will be a good idea to wear smartly for theatres. Small gifts are appreciated. Tipping is not very common; service is usually included in fine restaurants and hotel bills.

Places to see

St Sophia Cathedral – As old as nine centuries, it is one of the architectural marvels of Ukraine.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery) – These caves are as old as one millennium and dating back to 11th century.

Great Patriotic War Museum

Statue of the Motherland, Kiev

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Ukraine is Ukrainian International Airlines. In collaboration with Aer Fi Group and Austrian Airline it links Kyiv to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Vienna and Zurich. There is one more airline in Ukraine called Air Ukraine which serves relatively less number of European cities. Lviv is also connected to New York, Warsaw and Washington. It is connected to Turkey through Simferopol and to UK through IvanoFrankivsk. The major airport is Boryspil State International Airport (KBP) which is located twenty five miles from Kiev.

By Sea – The primary ports of Ukraine are Izmail and Odessa which are situated on the River Danube. The ferry services connect Ukraine with Russia and Georgia. They also connect various cities on the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Sevastopol is the port which connects Istanbul, Turkey.

By Rail – Ukraine has approximately 14,000 miles of railway tracks linking most towns and cities. Kyiv and Lviv are the main stations which connect with Moscow on a daily basis. Ukraine also has direct lines to Berlin (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Warsaw (Poland) and Bucharest (Romania).

By Road – Ukraine has an extensive network of roads with approximately 107,000 mile of road network out of which nearly 18,000 mile is main or national roads.

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gm tobacco

2. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer

3. Goods for personal use with a combined value of €200

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Holiday in Africa

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 30, 2008 @ 11:53 pm

Africa is the world’s second largest continent after Asia. With the 53 counties inside, Africa is like a buried treasure that waiting for our exploration. The unique, vast and hard wildlife has made Africa as the heaven for all wild animals. There is no other place in this world that has the wildlife with many wild animals except Africa. The wildlife alive naturally and the animals survives with the nature selection. Seems that human is never live between them.

Africa will be the unique continent to visit with the untouchable wildlife inside. It is also the heaven for paleoanthropologists because it is the oldest inhabited territory on Earth with the human species originating from the continent.

So, if you like to have a great adventure, wildlife, nature, and interest on paleoanthropology, Africa will be your perfect trip destination.

With all of those reasons, we would like to present you many unique trips to explore the wildlife of Africa on our next posts.

Are you curious?

The Beauty of Alaska

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 26, 2008 @ 1:27 am

After exploring information about Africa, now we will explore the other side of the world. Alaska. Alaska seems to be the opposite of Africa in climate. When you find that Africa is hot with many desert and forest, you will find that Alaska is so cold and covered with snow. Lie in the northwest of the North American continent, Alaska is a state in the United States of America. Going to Alaska will give you many opportunities to experience its glaciers, wildlife and scenery up close. Learning about Alaska native art and culture, experience the wildlife and glacier cruise, and riding with sled dogs just like the Iditarod musher will absolutely make your vacation perfect.

There are many varieties of attractions and activities you can do in Alaska. Check out this information in our next post.

Plan your African Safari Well

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 22, 2008 @ 12:22 am

Having an African safari is many people’s dreams. This is like an adventure of a lifetime. Africa is a vast continent with fifty three countries inside. So, it is very important to plan your African safari well considering the range and depth of choice in Africa.

Here are few tips for you on planning your African safari:

1. You have to know where to go in Africa. Since Africa is a vast continent with 53 countries inside, you have to decide where to go in Africa. Only some regions offer tourists the safari experience. They are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda. You can choose one of them.

2. Decide when to go. Consider the African climate. A better trip is for mid November to February because you can see clearer skies and have a warmer temperature. But you can also consider the annual wildebeest migration from July to early September. Millions animals move for over two months. You will get the amazing few here. But, you can also consider going from April to mid June because you will get the lowest price in during months.

3. You have to decide your travel duration. This is a little difficult for you because there is so much to see and do in Africa. A week is a minimum time for African Safari. But, it is up to you and of course depends on how much budget you have for the safari. The longer the better because you are not just seeing the countries but you need to experience them.

4. Choose your safari location. It is absolutely your choice. You just need to consider your favorite place to go. Ask the tour operator for some important information of each location or you can browse the internet for it.

5. Choose your accommodation. Choosing a perfect place to stay is as great experience as the safari itself. Consider the price and the facilities they offer and choose the most suitable place to stay for you.

6. Be realistic. Africa is also has its negative points. Some disease, dusty roads, beggar, and many more. You just have to know about it first before you go. This will help you to keep on enjoying your safari though you see them.

7. Last but not least, use the internet to explore the information about Africa and the safari tour’s offer. It would be better for you to select a local tour operator. It is cheap, more flexibility on tour, and has quicker service. Browse the internet for it

Have a nice African Safari.

Congo, the Original Heart of Darkness

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 19, 2008 @ 12:12 am

Step into Congo Brazzaville, you will find the original heart of darkness. The rainforests are so virgin. While most places and forest on the earth have long been explored, the forests of Congo are still remained wild and untouchable. These are one of the world’s best kept wildlife secrets.

It is absolutely make sense that exploring Congo will give you the excitement feeling of living among the virgin forests.

You can find unique feature that offer marvelous game viewing opportunities from the forest clearings of Ndoki and Dzangha Sangha.

Spend your trip to Congo by observing elephants at Dzanga Bai, tracking lowland gorillas at Bai Hokou and hunting with Ba’Aka pygmies. Dzanga Bai is like the heaven of elephants. You won’t find such a large concentration of elephants in the central African forest except Dzanga Bai.

The perfect combination between exploring the virgin forest, observing elephants, tracking gorillas and hunting will be your best adventure of a lifetime.

Welcome to Bangkok, “the Venice of the East”

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 18, 2008 @ 11:28 pm

Welcome to Bangkok. Many western call it as the Venice of the East. Do you want to know why? Bangkok offers a unique trip through its rivers and canals. This is just like a trip on Venice.

Since the ancient times, rivers and canals have traditionally been the lifeline of Thai people. There are many foreign tourists visiting Bangkok each year. Most of them choose to stay in the apartments and hotels on the river. They really enjoy staying there because of the calming force and the interesting views.

Enjoy the glimpse of the city’s glorious past by touring its waterways. Don’t miss the Royal Barge Museum. When you take a peak at the Royal Barge Museum, you will enjoy the wonderful of royal entourage of more than seventy barges down the river. You’ll be surprise to see it.

Bangkok with the unique rivers tour and the famous Thai smile will surely be the best place for your trip. Welcome to Bangkok.

Getting to Antarctica

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 17, 2008 @ 11:25 pm

Getting to Antarctica is as much a part of the experience as exploring it. Choose the expedition operated by professional and reputable company with the ships that are purposed built for polar waters. You can choose the icebreaker expedition if you want to have an ultimate Antarctic experience.

The expeditions to Antarctica are diverse in style and cost. This is base on the duration of the expedition, the capacity, and the activities included. You should choose it wisely.

If you are planning to go by ship, you can depart from Ushuaia, in the province of Tierra del Fugeo, Argentina. This is the closet port. But you can also have longer expedition by depart from New Zealand, Australia or Stanley in Falkland Islands.

Have a good time in Antarctica and leave your hand phone at home because you won’t find any signal in there. Just enjoy the beauty of the nature.

Marine Life of Alaska

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 16, 2008 @ 2:32 am

When you choose Alaska for your vacation place, you have made the right decision. Traveling to Alaska and exploring the marine life with Alaska cruise will allow you to have a dramatic experience you won’t find in other place of the world. You can view with your own eyes the most dramatic scenery and the most abundant marine life in the world. Alaska is the land that has the biggest bears in the world. In marine life, Alaska is the area that has the largest salmon and more than half the world’s humpback whale population. You can see directly the forty ton humpback whale breaking the surface of the water for air. Visit Alaska in summer and you will see more than two thousand humpbacks feed in the waters of Alaska. This is magnificent scenery of the giants of the sea. Remember, you won’t find such scenery in other part of the world. You can only see it in Alaska.

Exploring the Virgin of Africa by Helicopter

Filed under:My Travel Destination — posted by admin on June 15, 2008 @ 1:23 am

This is a unique way to explore the virgin of Africa. Africa has too many beautiful virgin places to see, so you will need a helicopter to enjoy them. Traveling by helicopter will offer you bigger opportunities to experience many places in the land and above the seas. You can fly ten feet above the waves, spotting whale sharks and dolphins, and then turn to the land where you can enjoy the sand forests, grassland, and mangroves. That is not the end. Skimming over the landscapes of Africa to the mountain peaks and fly above the virgin forests on your private helicopter will be your unforgettable luxury vacation. Though you are traveling Africa by helicopter, you can still enjoy the facilities on the land. Most African helicopter safari tour usually offers complete luxuries packet for you. Browse the internet to find the best African helicopter safari tour with the professional pilot and enjoy your unique travel to Africa in your private helicopter.


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image: detail of installation by Bronwyn Lace