Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Wildlife safaris in Dachigam

Wildlife safaris in Dachigam new attraction for tourists

The commencement of wildlife safaris in Kashmir’s Dachigam National Park has become a new attraction for the locals and
the visitors here.

Launched in 2009, the eco-friendly battery driven cars, serving as safari vehicles, provide a real time experience of the nature and its beauty. The visitors are taken in by the scenic wilderness in the silent eco-friendly cars amid the green virgin forests where one gets to see all kinds of wild animals.

"We have launched these battery driven cars in the Dachigam so that people can see the wildlife of Kashmir," said Rashid Naqash, wildlife warden, Dachigam.

The people wishing to take glimpse of the animals are taken in the car which drives through the park. The wildlife department charges Rs 500 a car to carry a maximum of four people through the Dachigam wildlife sanctuary.

"We take the visitor close to nature where they see different wild animals. It is completely safe," said Naqash. The drive through the park takes over an hour. Tourists observe the animals from their cars.

The Dachigam wildlife sanctuary sprawls over an area of 140 square kilometers. It is home to endangered red deer, black and brown bears, musk deer, leopards and large bird species such as black partridge and pheasants.

"It is really wonderful to visit this wildlife sanctuary. This gives a new face of Kashmir," said Manisha, a visitor from West Bengal, who had come to Dachigam.

"We spotted black bear and deer during our trip into the sanctuary. It was for the first time I saw them so closely," said Vineet, Manisha’s son.

"During the drive through the sanctuary, one does not realize that we live in cities. You feel cut off from the world," says another visitor.

For locals, the pleasure of the going into the sanctuary is no less.

"We are happy that government has started these cars like safaris. Kashmir has unique wildlife and it has to be made attractive to people," said Firdous Ahmad.

"Dachigam has always been my favorite place. And these safaris have added to its attraction now," adds Maqbool, a student.
In the past two decades of conflict, no facilities of safaris were available in any National Park of the state. The presence of security forces and militants in the forest kept people largely from going to such places. Initiatives were taken only after there was a dip in the militancy related activities in the forest areas.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Trip To Greece

In a conventional travel Europe, especially if the first of his travels around the continent, most people choose to visit the great cities of Western Europe: Paris , London , Berlin , Madrid, Barcelona, Roma are, for example, popular destinations. It's just a little later, when known as "basic" one decides to explore other regions of the continent.

Greece is one of those places. Located in southern Europe, this country is surrounded by Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Currently facing a severe crisis, and the rest of the European Union seeking a way to get afloat, Greece maintains their joy and welcome tourists who visit every year.

With coasts on the Mediterranean sea, Aegean and Ionian, Greece has a lot of sun and beach tourism. In the summer, especially in the high season of July and August, tourists from around the world, although most of the rest of Europe, come to Greece to be surprised by its magic. Many others also made their trip to Greece to learn and soak up its history, enjoy the nightlife or explore the idyllic islands and the mountainous mainland.

The ancient Greek civilization is an ancient culture with great influence in the arts, languages, philosophy, politics and sports of western society today. Some of these influences are for example in the theater - genres of comedy and tragedy - in the Platonic ideal, the Socratic method, democracies and republics, Western alphabets and the Olympics.

This time we offer the possibility of a tour of Greece in one week . Unlike many other packages we offer, this is an organized tour from beginning to end, allowing you to experience the best of this country. If you always dreamed of a trip to Greece, and has a week's vacation this summer, our Grand Tour in Greece 7-day may be what you want.

During the 7 days of his Grand Tour in Greece know the main sights of classical Greece: Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki Lefkadia. In these places, visit museums and most famous archaeological sites, and you can experience the glory of classical Greece.

The tour is conducted in English, although in some cases may request a multilingual guide. We recommend making the request, you may get lucky and find a guide who speaks Spanish!

The Grand Tour in Greece of the city of Athens. Not included in the tour to visit places of interest in Athens, you can make in the days before the start of the tour or, if desired, also below.

At 8.30 am on the agreed date of commencement of the tour, we will search for your hotel in Athens . On our website you can view a list of hotels where service is available for transfer. If your hotel is not listed, we have another meeting point in front of the Hotel Amalia generic, near Syntagma Square. Alternatively, you can choose another hotel from the list that it is near you and find the door on time.

The dates of the tour vary, so you should check our calendar and choose those that best suit their needs.

Once we start to his Grand Tour in Greece, the itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: Epidaurus - Mycenae - Olympia (dinner included)

His first stop is the Corinth Canal. From there we will go to Epidaurus to visit the archaeological site and the theater, famous for its excellent acoustics. Then make a brief stop at Nafplion. From there we drive to Mycenae, where he will visit the archaeological site. Then depart for Olympia through central Peloponnese area passing the cities of MegalopolisyTripolis.

Day 2: Olympia - Nafpaktos - Delphi (breakfast and dinner included)

In the morning visit the archaeological site and museum of Olympia. From there we drive, via Patras to Rion, crossing the channel to the Antirio through the new suspension bridge. This architectural work of art is also considered the longest bridge and most modern in Europe. We spend the afternoon in Nafpaktos, then continue on to Delphi, where we spend the night.

Day 3: Delphi (breakfast and dinner included)

In the morning we visit the museum and archaeological site of Delphi. The rest of the day will be free to spend the afternoon the way they prefer: to be shopping, strolling in the sun or resting in the hotel.

Day 4: Kalambaka - Meteora (breakfast and dinner included)

In the morning we leave the hotel in Delphi and the Greek peoples drive to central

Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala to finally get to Kalambaka. During the afternoon we visit Meteora, where monasteries of rock towers, which have designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will offer a vision that will leave you breathless. At night, dinner and accommodation will take place in Kalambaka.

Day 5: Dion - Thessaloniki (breakfast and dinner included)

Drive through Trikala and Larissa to the famous, sacred Macedonian town of Dion. From there we continue then walk towards Thessaloniki, the largest population center in northern Greece. We will visit the interesting museum and take a stroll Thessalonikiy guided city tour.

Day 6: Pella - Vergina - Lefkadia (breakfast and dinner included)

Morning drive to Pella, which was the capital of Alexander the Great. From there we continue to Vergina, where we visit the famous "Vergina Treasures" and the Tomb of King Philip.Luego Lefkadia journey to continue, where we visit the excavations and the Macedonian tombs. Through Veria, heading back to undertake Thessaloniki, where we stay during this last night.

Day 7: Tempi Valley - Thermoplyae - Athens (breakfast included)

After breakfast, begin the journey back to Athens through the Tempi Valley, as well as go through Larissa, Lamia and Thermoplyae, the former famous battle that took place there and KamenaVourla. At about 18.30 hours is estimated the return to Athens, where the Grand Tour in Greece 7-day ends with the arrival at the bus terminal CHAT.

The total cost of the Grand Tour in Greece 7-day is £ 1035.11 or € 1145.67 per adult from 13 years of age. Should be reserved for two adults over 13 years of age, the cost is reduced to £ 811.34 or € 898.00 per person. If one or more adults traveling with a child 4 to 12 years of age (inclusive), the lowest pay a child fare of £ 403.78 or € 446.91. In either case, babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age (inclusive) travel free accompanied by adult participants.

In his book Grand Tour in Greece is included, as already explained, accommodation for 6 nights duration of the tour. Also included are meals that are detailed, as you can see, half board (breakfast and dinner included during the tour). The entrances to museums and archaeological sites mentioned the hiring of professional guide and local taxes are also included in the cost and transportation in a bus equipped with air conditioning.

Not included in the cost of the Grand Tour in Greece Mystras income, gratuities, which are always optional - not food and drink not detailed above.

Similarly, please note that some museums and places of worship are required to respect certain dress code. In Greece, usually this means you can not go with pants or short skirts or sleeveless sweatshirts. Knees and shoulders must be completely covered at all times, both for men and women visiting these places. If you do not dress according to these requirements, you may be refused entry to the site of interest.

As for hotels, has put the effort in getting high-class, according to the classification of government of Greece. In smaller towns, where there is no first-class accommodation, we used the best existing hotels. All Hotels in being host for its Grand Tour in Greece have private facilities.

Your reservation will be confirmed within 48 hours after purchase, and subject to availability.

Have you started planning your summer vacation? Why not take a trip to Greece and experience the best of this ancient civilization and its legacy to our society? Our Grand Tour in Greece makes it possible. See other options for travel and tourism in Europe. We hope to meet there soon!

Essence of Africa for children

Play with the penguins, go to an island of seals, an elephant safari to see crocodiles and snakes ... Do not talk about the latest adventure of a cartoon character, but dreams can meet their children. If you are looking for a magical experience at the African continent for the whole family follow the 'Route of the African sun. "

This trip is specifically designed to explore South Africa with children. An adventure into the African nature for children to discover the 'Big Five' in their natural habitat while staying at a hotel where you are guaranteed the best care for families. Sun International is what draws African Ruta del Sol .

The first stage of this magical route is Cape Town and the base of operations The Table Bay , a hotel with a privileged location in the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, restored ancient port city's nerve center.

Cape Town offers a million things that kids like to spend a day at the Cape of Good Hope, where they will enjoy nature in its purest form: play with the penguins, visit the charm of Haut Bay and Seal Island or Cape Point see the union of two oceans, Indian and Atlantic are among the possibilities. Another attraction is the Aquarium, located in the V & A Waterfront or city views from the top of Table Mountain.

Sun City Resort is the second stage of the route for families of Sun International, and probably the more exciting for children. A two-hour drive from Johannesburg and near the famous Pilanesberg National Park , the resort is a paradise in the countryside where children will feel like Indiana Jones. The resort is located in a 100% free of malaria.

Animal Paradise in Africa

In Sun City, the children discover a 18-hectare water park featuring a swimming pool with waves reaching 1.8 meters and 35 kilometers per hour that can surf and enjoy a beach with real sand. The fun continues in the slow course of the Lazy River, the river that runs through the Valley of Waves, or jumping on the water slides. All in an environment that evokes the jungle and the magic of the adventure.

If you manage to get children out of the water, there is the possibility of playing with real elephants or take a safari with them. In addition to Butterfly World, you can see different varieties of butterflies, and Kamp Kwena Gardens can be seen about crocodiles and snakes. The African adventure continues in Waterworld, an artificial lake of 750 meters where activities such as water skiing, fishing, water donuts and search for Long John Silver, the sailor ghost that kids love.

For those who stay more days, you can extend the trip to Madikwe Game Reserve, a beautiful private game reserves to two hours drive from Sun City and near the Botswana border. In Madikwe, in the midst of an incredible nature are numerous hotels and lodges available for families and the rest of the trip, a safe and free of malaria.

Places to go with Mowgli

With motherhood sense of tempus fugit accelerates. With climate change also.With Good reached my screen this book: 100 Places to Go before disappear .

Some might consider it irrelevant (the relative of a politician homeland), but many accept it as an invitation to reflection, as it gives us to perpetuate the species without asking how to perpetuate the planet.

This is not a travel book to use , but it does show places you could visit with urgency (many almost unknown). For those with cosmopolitan aspirations, who yearn to know all cultures, who aspire to be many in one lifetime, these hundred places to go before they disappear is a road map with a compass involved : the fight against climate change .

Many of the places doomed to extinction and intuited as Venice, Bangladesh or Polo, however surprising that among the hundred of unique landscapes and cities are Tokyo, Caracas, Chicago and Paris or Rio de la Plata in Uruguay and The Battery in Manhattan or Olympia in Greece.

See here some pictures of those places to which you have to go before they disappear.

Monday, July 4, 2011

A DAY IN AMSTERDAM

After our second night in Amsterdam hotel boat , it was time to say goodbye to this great accommodation. Because it was a long weekend, with a couple of holidays, there was no place to spend a third night there.

After breakfast on the deck of the ship proceeded to the checkout. A brief visit to the fashionable and fun Amsterdam Public Library , where further tip for travelers, you can use the internet for free - was carried on our warehouse of bags at the hotel reception and departure boat toward the Museumplein , or Museum Square.

Located southwest of downtown and close to the huge Vondelpark, the Museumplein is a square surrounded by some of the major museums of Amsterdam: the Rijkmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. Walk toward it, crossing the canals, Waterloo Square, Rembrandt Square and the antiques district. It took us about 30 minutes to arrive.

At this time, was at the Museum Square poster for "I Amsterdam", which literally means "I amsterdam" but using the colors red and white to emphasize the letters "a" and "m" can read as "I am Amsterdam" or "I am / I'm in Amsterdam." It is very difficult to take a photograph on this poster / sculpture, which is usually crowded with tourists, and this time was no exception. However, we did eventually.

That morning we got tickets for the Van Gogh Museum on the internet, which came in very well and can enter through a row much shorter and much less time than we needed to take tickets at the door of the museum. After passing through security, we leave our stuff in the wardrobe, we removed the audio guide who had booked a new ticket surcharge for security-by - and entered the museum.

The Van Gogh Museum paintings can be seen throughout the different stages of the life of this famous painter of Dutch origin, who explored impressionist and pointillist styles, as well as "japoneserías" (Japanese art influences) and some of the exotic in the company your friend - and artist - Gaugin. Also included in this museum, paintings by Gaugin and other friends and influences that had Van Gogh.

A complete tour of this museum, with audio-guide, takes almost four hours. The tour without an audio guide if it is to see and read all, just takes about 3 hours, since the vast majority of the paintings are accompanied by explanatory texts, and the large influx of tourists and visitors difficult to read. This museum is not allowed to take pictures and plenty of security personnel to monitor this rule is respected.

Upon completion of the visit to the Van Gogh Museum, I went ahead to Rijkmuseum to buy tickets to my companions. Surprisingly, there was virtually no waiting. The reforms are in Rijkmuseum several years, but has a small collection open to the public. Here is a brief account the history of Dutch colonies and sea trade in the past. Also shown are several works by Dutch and Flemish painting and Rembrandt's famous painting known as "The Night Watch" or in English, "Thenightwatch."

I did not visit on this occasion the Rijkmuseum, which had been very recently, on a flying visit to Queen's Day in Amsterdam . Use this time to meet my two friends in this city and enjoy with them, a smoothie and a bagel on a sunny terrace. Later, together with my fellow travelers, visited the Tulip Market, almost closed, but with some shops open to buy souvenirs and bulbs or seeds of tulips and other flowers, and drove the huge Vondelpark, which was half of the youth population of Amsterdam taking advantage of the sunny day.

After a beer at the "Blue Tea House" located in the park, take the tram 5 towards Central Station. From there we walked to the hotel boat to look for things. One of us went to get the car on the outskirts of Amsterdam , because we used the economic mode parking P + R ("park and ride" or "parking and trasládate"). Then all the bags in the car and after enjoying the sunset on the pier next to the hotel boat, we left Amsterdam and travel to our hotel that night in a small nearby town: Amstelveen.