World Tourism Blog

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rica, the world’s foremost leader in sustainable tourism practices, has begun to reap the rewards for its commitment to social and environmental preservation alike. The country’s philosophy to being at peace with humanity and nature have now set the stage for a country that is recognized internationally as one of the most stable, most ethical, one of the cleanest, and consequently, one of the happiest places on Earth.

A recent Gallup Poll named Costa Rica one of the Happiest Places on Earth citing its people’s health, prosperity, and overall satisfaction with life. So, what has this small nation done right to create this type of society and, more importantly, what kind of changes can other countries make to achieve a little more happiness in everyday lives?

When Costa Rica made the decision to eliminate its army in 1948, it seemed like an unlikely and naïve choice, at best. Then, in 1978, Costa Rica took it a step further and declared 25 percent of its territory as protected land in an effort to preserve the rich biodiversity that today has made the country one of the most sought after ecological destinations in the world.

While these decisions were highly criticized in their time, Costa Rica, today, has come full circle and proven that a life focused on the well-being of the people and the planet is the best recipe to living a long and happy life. Their zest for life shows because while many initially come here for the country’s natural beauty and an endless choice of activities, ultimately, the longest lasting impression they leave with is the kindness and joy that the Costa Rican people offer.

All of these choices have enabled Costa Rica to be a society that can count on accessible education for all and a nationwide healthcare system that even provides for tourists in the country. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, enjoy a literacy rate that is comparable to any other well-developed nation, equal rights for all, a political system which allows for strong participation from its citizens, and an almost complete elimination of fossil fuels for electric production.

As a destination that offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the Earth and its people, Costa Rica began to see a growth in its tourism industry. In order to mitigate the negative effects of tourism development in the country, Costa Rica quickly took action, and in 1996, it established the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST), which outlines four main pillars for developing a property or operation that would reduce the impact that it would on the environment, its population, and its culture as well.

Over the past year, Costa Rica, as a country, and its tourism sector alike, have received an unprecedented amount of recognition for its staggering achievements at the environmental and social level. Organizations like the World Economic Index Forum and the Environmental Performance Indicator developed by Yale University and Columbia University have ranked Costa Rica as the best place to do business and the cleanest destination in the Americas, respectively.

The CST program has not only been well received by the industry, with over 150 hotels and tour operators certified, but it has also been regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the model for sustainable tourism in Latin America. Additionally, the CST program was recognized by the III Virtual Congress on Latin American Tourism Industry and Destination Competitiveness with the “Tourism for All” award in the category of “Innovation in Tourism and Hotels.”

All of these efforts have positioned its tourism industry as one of the most sustainable in the world and it has no shortage of awards either. In the past year alone, establishments such as Green Hotels of Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Rios Tropicales, Hotel Punta Islita, El Silencio Lodge, Nature Air, among many others, have been recipients of sustainable tourism awards and recognitions from prestigious organizations such as National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, Rainforest Alliance, and the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The key to happiness, as Costa Rica has proven, isn’t necessarily limited to the act of consuming less. Rather, it is the philosophy that when people take the time to take care of and appreciate the things around them that aren’t replaceable, such as the environment, their people, and their culture, then they begin to create a society that finds happiness in the simple things that the world has to offer.

By Visitcostarica

Costa Rica

Overview

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand’s countryside into the international spotlight. Combine this scenery with a huge variety of recreational opportunities, and you’ve got an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal vacation destination. Even those without a desire to jump off bridges or roll down a hill in a clear plastic ball will find something to do–New Zealand’s cities offer plenty of opportunities for fine dining, shopping and museum-going. Because a trip to New Zealand can come at great expense, however, it is important to spend plenty of time planning your vacation to ensure that it is as memorable as you hope it to be.

Step 1

Decide what time of year you would like to visit New Zealand. Remember that it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere–when it is summer in the United States, it is winter in New Zealand. The summer season is the busiest in New Zealand; it is also when the majority of activities are open for tourists. From May to September you will typically find smaller crowds and also are more likely to find good deals on airfare.

Step 2

Determine how much time you have to devote to a trip to New Zealand. The greater amount of time you have to spend, the more you will be able to see. Given the amount of travel time necessary to get to New Zealand, ideally, two weeks is the minimum trip length you should consider. Two weeks will provide adequate time to see a large part of both the North and South Island, although you will have to continually be on the move. For trips shorter than two weeks, plan to focus on just one part of the country rather than trying to see it all.

Step 3

Decide on a rough budget for your trip. Your largest expense is likely to be airfare, followed by lodging, transportation and food. Check the websites of Air New Zealand and Qantas for specials when researching airfares. You may even be able to add an extra stop in Hawaii or Fiji on the front or back end of your trip without paying an additional fee. Remember to also take into account the cost of tours and recreational activities, such as bungee jumping, jet boating, zorbing, skydiving and glacier hiking.

Step 4

Put together an itinerary. The majority of international flights land in Auckland on the North Island. You can opt to start your travels here, or take an immediate flight to Christchurch in the South Island. Highlights of the North Island include Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington. Highlights of the South Island include Kaikora, Christchurch, Queenstown, Te Anau, Fjordland National Park, Milford Sound, Mount Cook National Park, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the wineries of Marlborough and Hawkes Bay. Adrenaline junkies should plan to spend the majority of their time in the South Island; Queenstown is the epicenter of outdoor recreation.

Step 5

Choose a method of transportation during your travels in New Zealand. Although New Zealand has an efficient bus system, a rental car or camper van will provide you with the greatest amount of independence. For quick travel between locations, flying may be an option, although doing so will cut deeply into your travel budget. Traveling by rail (TranzRail) is also a good option–the TranzScenic rail line cuts through the mountains and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery.

By Susan Berg

Glacier hiking is just one of the many possible activities in New Zealand.

The Indonesian government has laid out an ambitious infrastructure programme which includes the construction of 14 new airports starting next year.

This will include an increase in capital expenditure of 28 percent next year as the government aims to build more bridges, roads, ports and airports to boost growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

He has promised to double spending on infrastructure to $140 billion during his second and final five-year term to deliver average growth of 6.6 percent.

Minister of Transportation Freddy Numberi has offered the private sector an opportunity to develop the 14 new airports.

The new airports will mostly be built in the eastern parts of Indonesia, including West Nusa Tenggara and Bali. “In West Nusa Tenggara it is still in process.

In Bali another airport is planned to reduce over crowding at Ngurah Rai airport.

According to a Jakarta Post, transport minister Freddy Numberi said that the new developments would include a hub for West Nusa Tenggara, as well as the second Bali airport.

He said: “In West Nusa Tenggara it is still in process. In Bali we will build another one as the Ngurah Rai airport has already been in over capacity.”

“If the private sector wants to join, just go ahead,” he added.

By BreakingTravelNews

Indonesia

THE anticipation was palpable as French paparazzi and gawkers crowded the red carpet outside the beachfront Grand Hôtel and awaited the arrival of the film festival stars.

With the early evening sun slanting across the sea, teenage autograph hounds squeezed their way to the velvet ropes while a 20-something woman in a T-shirt depicting Woody Allen stood on her tiptoes to see over the rows of heads. Nearby, an elderly man in a pink Lacoste shirt gripped a baguette with such anxious force that he seemed certain to crush it.

For a flashbulb instant, the scene could easily have been mistaken for the Cannes International Film Festival, that two-week, all-eyes-on-it gala held each spring in the resort city in southern France.

But this was the tiny village of Cabourg — located along a stretch of France’s northern coast known as the Côte Fleurie — and the event was the weekend-long Cabourg Romantic Film Festival. Cannes was on the opposite side of the country both geographically and spiritually. Spend a week traveling by car or local bus among the seaside villages that dot the 25 miles of craggy, wind-swept coast — Cabourg, Houlgate, Villiers-Sur-Mer, Deauville, Trouville, Cricqueboeuf and Honfleur — and the differences soon become obvious.

Sure, the Côte Fleurie serves up film festivals (the Deauville American Film Festival in September is second only to Cannes), expansive beaches (particularly the golden sands of Deauville and Trouville), seafood-laden local cuisine (with excellent new spots in the port of Honfleur), artistic history (Monet and other Impressionists painted here), celebrity residences (the Rothschilds, Gérard Depardieu and Yves Saint Laurent are among current and former homeowners) and all-night casinos (place your bets in Cabourg and Deauville).

But unlike its southern sibling, it does so without fanfare. Mega-yachts with helipads are rare, the Lamborghini-per-capita ratio wows almost nobody, and local Calvados apple liqueur (made in the region’s famous orchards) finds far more favor than Cristal Champagne.

Better still, at only two hours from Paris by car or train, the Côte Fleurie doesn’t require a private jet to reach it. If the Côte d’Azur finds its American counterpart in glammy spots like Miami or Malibu, the Côte Fleurie is more the overseas analogue of Newport or Martha’s Vineyard.

“Here, the people don’t come to be seen,” said Sylvain Choblet, general manager of Les Manoirs de Tourgéville, a new luxury hotel close to Deauville. Owned by the Groupe Floirat, known for Côte d’Azur hot spots like the Hôtel Byblos in St.-Tropez, the new forest hideaway of half-timbered pavilions is the group’s first foray into northern France and its most unostentatious project. “It’s much more intimate,” Mr. Choblet said. “People come here to be tranquil, to rest, to rejuvenate.”

The area’s cultural heart is Honfleur, “a ravishing port full of masts and sails, crowned with green hills and surrounded by narrow houses,” as Victor Hugo put it in the 19th century. Like other Côte Fleurie towns, Honfleur was a fishing village that began to flourish as a cosmopolitan getaway with the arrival of the railroad link to Paris in the 1860s.

On a Sunday afternoon in June, throngs of French travelers filled the town’s spider web of cobbled streets, ambling past town houses — some in red brick, some in gray stone, some with shingle facades — that sported copper lanterns or wooden signs advertising candle and soap stores. Seagulls circled overhead, their cries mingling with the sound of church bells.

Almost every lane in Honfleur seems to turn up some romantic hideaway or hole-in-the-wall. Slip down the Rue des Capucins and you discover La Maison de Lucie, a rustic-chic boutique hotel whose protected garden courtyard and large drawing-room fireplace lend themselves perfectly to cocooning.

At Place Hamelin, two excellent restaurants have sprouted. Under the wooden beams of Entre Terre et Mer, fish are prepared with occasional Asian ingredients. Opposite, in the minimalist white dining room of Sa.Qua.Na, dishes also have an Eastern flair, courtesy of Alexandre Bourdas, a French chef who used to live in Japan. The restaurant made a splash earlier this year when it earned its second Michelin star.

Even more abundant are galleries and exhibition spaces — no surprise in a town that begs to be painted. Many French artists have done just that. Georges Seurat, the founder of Neo-Impressionism, captured the old harbor, which today is surrounded by tiny bars and expansive terrace cafes that serve Belgian beers and croque-monsieurs to linen-clad French tourists. Raoul Dufy pointed his easel toward the centuries-old Église Ste.-Catherine, whose exterior of wooden boards and shingles feels plucked from Cape Cod and now adorns postcards that fill souvenir shops.

On this afternoon, art aficionados drifted among the airy rooms of the Musée Eugène Boudin to gaze at coastal scenes of Honfleur by Impressionist and pre-Impressionist masters — Claude Monet, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet, Édouard Villard, Johan Barthold Jongkind — whose works comprise a gala exhibition called “Honfleur: Entre Tradition et Modernité, 1820-1900.” Running through Sept. 6, the 225-work exhibition is one of the many cultural events in northern France that are part of “Impressionist Normandy,” a yearlong festival that celebrates the region’s role in unmooring painting from the strict rules and realistic storytelling styles of the past.

By SETH SHERWOOD

The old port at Honfleur.

Take a ferry to a remote island or see Sweden’s answer to Nantucket

For years I’ve flown over Stockholm’s famed archipelago, or glided by it on a big cruise ship heading for Helsinki. Finally, I filmed one of my TV shows here, diving into the 80 miles of scenic islands that stretch out from downtown Stockholm. Locals love to brag that there are 34,000 islands — but they must be counting mossy little rocks, so I don’t use that figure. Ferries serve a hundred of them, providing Stockholmers with the ideal island escape.

The local name for this area is “Skargarden” — literally “garden of skerries,” unforested rocks sticking up from the sea. That stone is granite, carved out and deposited by glaciers. The archipelago closer to Stockholm is rockier, with bigger islands and more trees. Farther out (such as on Sandhamn), the glaciers lingered longer, slowly grinding the granite into sand and creating smaller islands.

One of the joys of an archipelago trip is to grab a perch on the breezy sundeck with the Swedes as they enjoy their island wonderland. Even if your island isn’t an official stop, ferries will dock on request … or to plop down the day’s mail.

Two major companies run public ferries from downtown Stockholm to the archipelago. Waxholmsbolaget’s big ships depart across from Stockholm’s Grand Hotel, at the stop called Stromkajen. The smaller Cinderella Batarna ships — generally faster, more comfortable, and a little pricier than their rival’s — leave from near Stockholm’s Nybroplan. Because the routes and schedules can be confusing, it’s smart to review and confirm your plans in advance, ideally at a tourist information office.

Your archipelago options are endless in this idyllic land-and-seascape. For a quick look, consider one of the many half- or full-day package boat trips from downtown Stockholm. For more flexibility, freedom, and a better dose of the local vacation scene, do it on your own. Overnighting on an island really lets you get away from it all and enjoy the island ambience. Don’t struggle too hard with the “which island?” decision, although nature-lovers might want to travel well beyond the island of Vaxholm, where the scenery gets more striking.

With thousands of islands to choose from, every Swede seems to have his or her favorite. Here are four possible island destinations, listed in order starting from Stockholm and sailing toward Finland:
The self-proclaimed “gateway to the archipelago,” Vaxholm is more developed and less charming than the other islands. Connected by bridge to Stockholm, it’s practically a suburb. But it also has an illustrious history as the anchor of Stockholm’s naval defense network. Its main attraction is its “new” fortress, dating from the mid-19th century, when an older castle was torn down and replaced with this imposing granite behemoth.

The rustic, traffic-free isle of Grinda — half retreat, half resort — combines back-to-nature archipelago remoteness with easy proximity to Stockholm. The island is a tasteful gaggle of hotel buildings idyllically situated amid rustic charm — walking paths, beaches, trees, and slabs of glacier-carved granite sloping into the sea.

The remote and lesser-known isle of Svartso (”Black Island”), a short hop beyond Grinda, is the “Back Door” option of the bunch. Unlike Grinda, Svartso is home to a real community; islanders have their own school and library — but only 80 year-round residents. While the island is less trampled than others (just one B&B and a great restaurant), it is reasonably well-served by ferries. It’s perfect for those who want to slow down and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Out on the distant fringe of the archipelago — the last stop before Finland — sits the proud village of Sandhamn on the island of Sandon. Literally “Sand Harbor,” the town has a long history as an important and posh place — Sweden’s answer to Nantucket. It is an extremely popular stop for boaters — from wealthy yachties to sailboat racers — as well as visitors simply seeking a break from the big city. You’ll find two halves to Sandhamn: In the shadow of the iconic yacht clubhouse is a ritzy resort/party zone throbbing with big-money nautical types. But just a few steps away, around the harbor, is an idyllic old town of colorfully painted, shiplap cottages tucked between tranquil pine groves. While most tourists come here for the resort, the quieter part of Sandhamn holds the real appeal.

No matter which island you plan to explore, the best way to experience the magic of the archipelago is simply stretching out comfortably on the rooftop deck of your ferry. Enjoy the charm of the lovingly painted cabins as you glide by, your lounge chair positioned to catch just the right view and sun, the steady rhythm of the ferries lacing this world together, and people savoring quality time with each other and nature. The journey truly is the destination.

By Rick Steves

With its swanky yacht club, Sandhamn is often regarded as Sweden's answer to Nantucket.

Taxes on Hotels, Car Rentals and Meals Add Up Fast

Travelers pay up to $101 in sales, hotel, rental car and other extra taxes aimed at them on an average three-day domestic trip, a study out today from a business travel group says.

The study, commissioned by the National Business Travel Association, says travelers pay not only local sales taxes on goods and services when they go to a U.S. city, but up to 144% more each day they rent a car, stay at a hotel and dine.

The association, which represents 5,000 corporate travel departments and suppliers, estimates that each of its members pays $3.51 million a year in state and local taxes that target travelers — excluding what they pay in taxes on airfares.

Corporate travel departments and the travel industry “are increasingly concerned” about taxes that target travelers, says Michael McCormick, the association’s executive director.

Taxes travelers pay can vary within a city’s metropolitan area, even from the airport to a city’s downtown.

The study looked at the 50 U.S. cities with the most air passengers. It found that a typical business traveler pays $101.27 in taxes on average for hotel, rental car and meals during a three-day, two-night stay in Chicago— more than in any other city.

Travelers pay more than $85 in similar taxes during the same length of stay in Seattle, Minneapolis, New York and Boston.

A traveler pays the least amount of taxes — $52.49 — in Portland, Ore. Other cities with taxes less than $55 for a three-day, four-night stay include Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers, Fla., Honolulu and Detroit.

The study also looked at the 50 busiest airports and found that a traveler would pay more in taxes at New York’s JFK than at any other airport: $36.53 during a single day.

At Chicago’s O’Hare, a traveler pays $35.34, the second-highest amount.

The least amount of taxes paid daily — $19.84 — is at Washington’s Reagan National Airport. Taxes at Detroit’s airport are the next-lowest.

By GARY STOLLER

A typical business traveler pays $101.27 in taxes on average for hotel, rental car and meals during a three-day, two-night stay in Chicago -- more than in any other city.

Crathes Castle, Royal Deeside - Bill Harrison.

Royal Deeside is the name given to the valley of the River Dee as it winds its way from the Cairngorm mountains to the sea. The scenery varies from the rugged beauty of the Upper Dee to the softer arable countryside west of Banchory and the area offers plenty of opportunity for sightseeing as well as a rang of visitor activities.

Queen Victoria and Royal Deeside

The concept of ‘Royal Deeside’ came into being with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s first visit in 1842, as part of an extended Highland journey. Both fell in love with the area; the Queen (who was proud of her Stuart blood) took to all things Scottish with enthusiasm. In 1848 the royal couple bought Balmoral Castle and its estate, where the royal family still holiday each year and the area has been known as Royal Deeside ever since.

The Towns of Royal Deeside

Excluding the city of Aberdeen there are four main settlements on Royal Deeside, along with a number of smaller villages. From west to east to west along the A93 they are:

• Braemar, which lies where at the confluence of the rivers Dee and Clunie
• Ballater, most closely linked to the Royal Family
• Aboyne, where there are many prehistoric remains but which became fashionable in the 19th century
• Banchory, which dates from the 5th century but like the other Deeside towns flourished with the coming of royalty.

Of these, Ballater is the town with the strongest royal connection. Some eight miles from Balmoral, it was the terminus of the railway built along Deeside (though the railway has gone, the station contains tourist information, shops and an exhibition). A busy centre, it has a range of shops, many of which supply members of the Royal family, sporting Royal Warrants to prove it.

The bustling village of Braemar lies seventeen miles west of Ballater, commanding the upper reaches of the river: the Balmoral estate reaches very close to it. The village’s royal connection lies in the world-famous highland games, the Braemar Gathering, which takes place on the first weekend of September and is attended by members of the royal family.

Castles and Countryside on Royal Deeside

Balmoral Castle is probably the most significant visitor attraction on Royal Deeside. The present castle was built by Victoria and Albert in the place of the existing building, which was deemed too small. Although the private apartments are not open to the public, visitors have access to the gardens and to an exhibition is the ballroom (open April to July, 10am-5pm).

Scottish legislation has ensured that the public has free access to the rest of the estate, which includes the 1,145m peak of Lochnagar and the popular walking area of Glen Muick, throughout the year. You should note, however, that measures and such as stalking and shooting may restrict access to parts of the estate at certain times of the year.

Royal Deeside is also studded with other castles of note. Those at Crathes and Drum are in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland and form part of Aberdeenshire’s Castle Trail. The castle at Braemar, which was defended by both sides during the Jacobite rebellions (ending it in the hands of the Hanoverians) is open for limited periods only during the summer.

Activities on Royal Deeside

While many visitors are happy to sightsee (Royal Deeside is popular with tour buses) there are a number of different activities available. The area is dominated by large estates where shooting and stalking are available to commercial organisations and individuals (at a cost); but the river fishing along the Dee, one of the best salmon rivers in the world, is more easily available (contact local tourist information offices for details).

Walking is popular. As well as treks for the serious walker, there are many shorter walks through trees and moorland. Red and roe deer, red squirrels, and rarer creatures such as black grouse and golden eagles all live in the woods and on the moors; at height and black grouse; in higher areas, mountain hare and ptarmigan may be seen. As an alternative to walking, bikes can be hired in Ballater and Braemar.

There are various organised activities available including:

• pony trekking for all levels is run in Glen Tanar and for more experienced riders at Balmoral
• land rover tours into the hills at Balmoral and at Braemar
• quad biking, paintball and archery at the Deeside Activity Park.

Deeside and Beyond

Deeside is easily accessible. Braemar, at its far end, is less than 60 miles from Aberdeen by road and less than 100 miles from Edinburgh. For those without a car there are regular buses. From Deeside itself, it’s easy to get to other areas of interest, including the Cairngorm mountains (via the village of Tomintoul), the ski areas of the Lecht and Glenshee.

By Jennifer Young

River Dee, Royal Deeside - Nigel Corby

WE had awakened before dawn to get a jump on the desert heat and rolled out under a headlight moon, pedaling fast in the cool morning of the Dolores River Canyon. There were no cars, not out here. There was only the sound of bike tires on asphalt, the river’s murmur, the cascading song of a canyon wren and that beginning-of-the-world smell of river mud in the blue morning. Horses nuzzled the rough cottonwoods by the riverbank. Pale sandstone walls rose up around us and caught the colors of sunrise.

A day like this couldn’t last. “You know what Dolores means, don’t you?” our guide, John Humphries, had asked us earlier with his I’ve-got-plans-for-you grin. “It means sorrow, or pain.”

Soon enough, I would know exactly what he meant.

We were on Day 2 of our five-day, 400-mile cycling trip with Lizard Head Cycling Guides through some of the most remote and spectacular canyon-country roads in the Four Corners region of Colorado, Utah and Arizona. The opening of a few hotels in the last five years has helped unlock this region as a point-to-point cycling destination in a way that wasn’t previously practical. Though I’m a cyclist with more enthusiasm than experience, for years I’d wanted to see this area of the Southwest from a more intimate vantage point than the window of a rental car.

Now, at Mile 91 — right about the time I was ready for a beer and a bunk — the road bucked upward, a 2,000-foot climb in nine miles, and tilted so steeply in stretches that the downhill lane had a runaway truck ramp. The desert sun roared overhead. And at our backs the pleasant cottonball-cloud chaos of so many Southwest photographs was coagulating into the contused, lurid purple of a thunderstorm.

As thighs bellowed and heart valves squeaked, I began to question whether I’d been ready for this week’s most taxing moments. For the next nine miles I ignored the views I’d come for and studied the white line at my wheel as I slogged toward the crest of Tin Cup Mesa.

Yet whenever things seemed a bit grim, I was learning, there was always something redemptive, if only I could find the energy to look up. This time it was blooming globemallow and smiling prairie sunflowers that lined the roadside like spectators. I mashed the pedals and pushed higher.

On the previous morning, John had stood in a parking lot in Grand Junction, Colo. He had some wisdom to impart before anybody went anywhere. “We’re going to be riding in some areas that are very remote — very remote,” said John, who is both lead guide and Lizard Head’s owner. “There are areas out here where there’s nothing. So if you’re way ahead of the aid wagon, remember to have enough water.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Following little-trafficked byways, our route would at times parallel the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers; swing past the ruins of Hovenweep National Monument and the rock bridges of Natural Bridges National Monument; dip into Arizona and Monument Valley; and do a flyby of the staggering goosenecks of the San Juan River, before finally turning north and plashing to the finish line in the wave-licked shoreline at the north end of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. With more than 400 miles of spinning and about 20,000 feet of climbing in five days, it promised to be an undeniably stout ride, especially for a novice cyclist like me. Fortunately, riders had the option of trimming each day by hopping into the “sag wagon” that provided aid and lunch.

OUR group of a dozen was perhaps better prepared than most to handle the week’s trials: In the peloton we had an orthopedist, an anesthesiologist and a cardiology nurse practitioner. And if things got really dire, Warren Moe, Manhattan psychotherapist and bike racer, led the pack. All were avid cyclists in their fashion, from Muriel, a consultant from Saskatoon and a randonneur, or long-distance cyclist, who regularly bikes 200 miles or more in an outing (and who came with Robert, her college-student son), to 11-year-old Aaron, who was working on his bicycling merit badge for the Boy Scouts and was riding a tandem with his father, Kip, the orthopedist. Most were veterans of weeklong rides, and knew a thing or two about the pain that’s concomitant with the pleasures of five days in the saddle: before going anywhere, two riders, Mike McDonald and Bruce Tenenbaum, took “before” pictures of their beer bellies, to compare with the svelte forms they hoped to acquire by week’s end.

By CHRISTOPHER SOLOMON

Robert Garven in Monument Valley in Arizona.

Have you ever wondered; being in a place if it was the absolute reality or maybe you just dreamed it up? Have you also been in situation where the place you are at has made you feel like the right amount of contemporary as well as a deep feeling of being part of a rich history?

Venice is one of those places that will definitely make you feel like that! Try going to Venice and standing at one of Venice’s bridges, the reflections of the buildings in the water as you silently watch a gondola passing by you. That is when you realize you just been transported back about two hundred years.

According to Thomas Mann, Venice is beguilingly and suspiciously beautiful. The city keeps on a façade of luxury, laid back nature, casualness and indifference even. It sum how manages to keep its ability to charm and enrich; a big secret.

The first inhabitants settled down on a collection of about one hundred and twelve islands and found it an ideal place to establish base. The merchants of Venice organized a coup in the year eight hundred and twenty eight and stole all the remains of the evangelist mark from Alexandria who was their patron saint. Saint Mark had a lion as a heraldic impression. Earlier the patron stain was Saint Theodore who was then preceded by saint mark.

When Henry the fourth conquered Constantinople, the cathedral that was built for saint mark; was inaugurated. After about one hundred years later, Venice was ready to take over the entire Mediterranean. Once the trade route was discovered through India, Venice then became a trade centre connecting Europe to the orient.

The entire city was controlled by about three hundred noble families, ten city fathers and a doge (head of state). This was done so that the money would remain in the hands of a few rich families. These; who would take old Venice with its old buildings, churches, palaces, squares, arcades and bridges and transform it into a modern architectural wonder.

Later napoleon took over the city and overthrew the doge in the late seventeen hundreds. Following this, the city became part of Austria and then finally Italy.  The entire city is on an elevated platform made from about ten thousand piles of oak and helm. This cuts through two hundred canals that span about four hundred bridges.

The grand canal which is about two and half miles long is lined with grand buildings and palaces with their best sides to show facing the Grand Canal.

St Marks square

The square is around the grand town hall. Over here the basilica of san Marco and the palace of the earlier doge are impressive and beautiful. However the cathedral of saint mark raises some questions as the architecture on the inside is almost Byzantine. The walls are gilded with gem studded pala d’or exhibits. All this relates to a Byzantine past, which obviously Venice has never seen!

The doge’s palace however basks in luxury and is filled with stories of murders, wealth and victories. The oldest café in Europe is right here in Venice; the florian, which is located on the market square, has a violinist who plays the most serenading music.

Once you are done with this place, head over to one of the many gondolas and travel elegantly in the lagoon, look at the beautiful architecture and wealth of the city.

From the time of the grand entrance, the entire city of Venice is pretty dramatic, go to hotels like the Cipriani and saneieli and experience what it feels like.
Outside the churches you will find many squares. These squares always have delicious food. Apparently; the fegatoo alla veneziana is a local favorite.

While you are in Venice, you should definitely go check out all the islands, an excursion would serve the purpose the best. You should check out Lido, where most painters, film directors and artists come to get inspired and also to film the scenery around the place.

By Theearthtraveler

By the Grand Canal - Venice

While at Pennsylvania, you cannot fail to visit the world famous Philadelphia tourist attractions that offers wide array of entertaining features and wonderful sightseeing. The two most important and prominent places to visit at Philadelphia are the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, these are a must visit locations whoever visits this city. There are varied tourist attractions at Philadelphia that includes the world famous Philadelphia Zoo, quaint old residential street and Elfreth’s Alley. The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the nation’s oldest zoos and still attracts a lot of people here. Given below is a brief introduction to some of the most visited and most famous Philadelphia tourist attractions:

1. Independence Hall locate at chestnut street is world famous; the hall is situated right opposite the Liberty Bell. The Independence Hall is a place of historic importance; this was the birthplace of United States that was completed in the year 1756. The monument is made of red brick and on the top is a clock tower. Independence Hall is one of the biggest and greatest icons of the United States of America; it is one of the most famous and major tourist attractions of Philadelphia. The most important room here is the Assembly room where George Washington was designated as commander in chief of the Army.
2. Elfreth’s Alley is located on the 2nd street, its one of America’s oldest residential street continuously occupied till date. The place dates back to early 1700s, the popular tourist attraction indicates how a colonial Philadelphia must have once looked like. The Alley’s narrow streets are lined up with the modest setting of brick houses that are built for skilled folks and their families to live in. Near to the Alley you can find Elfreth’s Alley Museum that includes restored homes of a chair maker and dressmaker.
3. The Liberty Bell is another greater symbol of American history, a symbol of freedom and the place of historic importance that attracts lots of tourists round the year. The Bell is housed in a massive glass pavilion that was earlier placed in Independence Hall; it was moved to its current location in the 1976 Bicentennial. It is also popularly known by the name State House Bell.
4. Philadelphia Zoo is located near Fairmont park, it is one of the oldest America’s zoo that was opened in the year 1874. It was the time when country was celebrating first hundred years of independence. The zoo accommodates over 2,000 animals and also includes many attractions inside the zoo. The notably greater attractions inside the zoo include the Reptile House, Bird House, Primate Reserve, Carnivore Kingdom, African Plains, Amphibian house and children’s zoo.

Other Philadelphia tourist attractions include places like Fort Mifflin, Rodin Museum, City Hall, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Society Hill historic district, Germantown historical society museum, Congress hall, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts museum, Franklin Institute Science Museum and many other attractions.

By Articlepinch

Philadelphia , the birthplace of US independence.