Archive for July, 2009

Enjoying Tourist Attractions in Sardinia

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

When you are making plans for your next family holiday, you may want to consider the island of Sardinia, the second largest in the Mediterranean. In addition to finding some of the most exciting tourist attractions, in Sardinia you will also get to enjoy some of the best hospitality, accommodations and cuisine you can find while you are on holiday.

There is certainly no dearth of tourist attractions in Sardinia. From ancient archaeological ruins to modern exciting sporting events and fabulous festivals, there is something for everyone here.

Going Back in Time in Sardinia

Sardinia could really be considered a huge open air museum. The Nuraghi are stone structures that have been built over many centuries, but mainly between 1200 and 900 B.C. There are over 7,000 of them were built back then and they are one of the main tourist attractions in Sardinia. If you want to know all about these ruins it is best that you book one of the guided tours rather than going on your own. Another special characteristic of the Nuraghi are the burial chambers, also known as the Tombe dei gigantic or the Giants’ Tombs.

There are many ancient cultures that have left their mark on the island. Some of these can even be dated back before the Nuraghi. The monuments that are really popular tourist attractions in Sardinia are the “Fairy Houses” which can be traced all the way back to 3200 and 2480 B.C.

Other recommended tourist attractions in Sardinia include:

1. The Phoenician city of Sulci 2. The ancient city of Nora 3. The city of Tharros 4. The Trajani forum 5. The ancient Roman city of Turris-ly bissonis 6. The Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre draws thousands and thousands of tourists each year. Located in Cagliari, this amphitheatre was built between the first and eleventh century A.D. It is the largest Roman Empire monument in Sardinia. The amphitheater was built into the face of a hillside and it held ten thousand people. Most people in the world mistakenly think some of these tourist attractions in Sardinia, especially the Roman Amphitheater are located in Rome, Italy.

Modern Tourist attractions in Sardinia

Other tourist attractions in Sardinia include the shopping. Many of the ancient traditions have stayed the same throughout the centuries. The handicrafts of Sardinia include rugs, baskets, ceramics, and jewelry.

The rugs, tapestries, and linen are made by hand on huge oak looms and usually are done in the fashion of Byzantine art. The dyes are made from berries, herbs, roots, and different types of soil. Weaving is a very popular occupation and one of the common tourist attractions in Sardinia includes watching the artisans use techniques that have been passed down through the centuries. Carpentry is also very important and Sardinia is well known for their exquisitely carved chests made from walnut, chestnut, and durmast trees. You can also find wooden masks, many of which are from figures in Sardinia’s history. These masks are often prevalent during the Carnival.

Outdoor Tourist Attractions in Sardinia

The island of Sardinia is home to an incredible array of wildlife. This is one of the main tourist attractions in Sardinia. Naturalists come to see the bald coots, storks, ducks, cormorants, the endangered Monk seal, and stilt birds on the coast, and the hares, wild cats, Sardinian deer, champis, are often found farther inland. Since much of the shoreline of Sardinia is still wild and unpolluted, the wet areas are home to pink flamingos. The numbers have risen steadily over the years because of the near perfect breeding and nesting conditions here. One of the reasons that Sardinia is such a hotspot tourism destination is because of its year-long gorgeous climate with over 300 days of sunshine each year. Long hot summers and short mild winters invite tourists out from April until October.

About the Author

Seomul Evans is a senior Internet Marketing Dallas consultant, SEO Blogger and copywriter with leading Sardinia Hotels booking services provider.

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Go Wild In Africa with Explorer Travel

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Below are just a small selection of our holidays we have available. For more destination information, please visit our website http://www.big5.explorertravel.co.uk or call on 0208 816 8789. Includes: Return Flights 6 Day Garden Route & Cape Winelands Meals as per itinerary Transfers Highlights: Cape Town,...

Planning a Romantic Jamaican Getaway: 5 Steps to Take

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Do you want to plan a romantic getaway to Jamaica with that special someone? If so, you are planning a Jamaica couples vacation. Although couples vacations aren’t much different than planning traditional trips, there are some specials steps you should take. Five of these steps are outlined below and they can help ensure your romantic vacation to the Caribbean is picture-perfect and then some!

What should you do when planning a Jamaica vacation that doubles as a Caribbean romantic getaway?

1 – Order a Passport

Unless you already have a valid passport, order yours today. Your romantic partner needs one too. Unfortunately, this can be difficult if your romantic Caribbean vacation is a surprise trip. However, passports are required for United States citizens traveling to and from Jamaica. If you don’t want to spoil the surprise, get creative. Suggest planning a trip later in the year, but requesting the passport ahead of time to eliminate the rush. Once the passport arrives or when you are ready to spoil the surprise, go ahead and do so.

2 – Research All-Inclusive Resorts

There are many places to stay on the great island of Jamaica. Just a few of your options include vacation resorts, vacation rentals, Jamaica hotels, and all-inclusive resorts. Although you will get a decent stay at each, you want more. For that reason, examine all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.

Right about now, you may be wondering what makes Jamaica all-inclusive resorts better? The inclusions do. A stay at an inclusive resort gets you much more than a room. The cost of your food, drinks, snacks, tips, qualifying airport transfers, and some forms of onsite entertainment are included too.

What can a stay at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica do for your romantic getaway? Two important things. First, it simplifies the process of planning your trip. Most resorts enable you to include your airline reservations too, meaning one travel arrangement preplans and prepays for most of your trip. Secondly, there is the stress-free trip you get. Remember, your food, drinks, and snacks are already included in your cost, meaning you basically paid for them already. If planning a romantic vacation on a budget, all-inclusive is the way to go. There is no worrying about having enough money for dinner and other activities.

3 – Research All-Inclusive Couples Resorts in Jamaica

In addition to all-inclusive resorts where guests of all ages are welcomed, you will find couples resorts. Jamaica resorts like these prohibit children from staying onsite. The age restrictions vary, but most resorts aim for prohibiting children under the ages of 14, 16, or 18. Couples resorts are also commonly marketed as Jamaica adult only resorts.

What can a stay at a Jamaica couples resort do for your romantic getaway? It ensures the romance stays alive. Children are great. In fact, you may be a parent yourself. However, romantic getaways are designed for adults and adults alone. Basically, at stay at an adults only resort ensures you won’t have a 10-year-old watching your every move or you won’t have to deal with children screaming in the pool all day long.

As an important reminder, you want the best of both worlds. For that reason, opt for a resort classified as an all-inclusive adult only resort or an all-inclusive couples only resorts. You get a kid-free trip, while still enjoying all the benefits that all-inclsuive has to offer.

4 – Book Your Jamaica Vacation in Advance

While it is possible to plan a romantic Jamaican getaway at the last minute, don’t wait. Planning a trip in advance has a number of benefits. You don’t need to worry about a popular Jamaica all-inclsuive resort with unavailable standard rooms. There are plenty to go around, but what if you want a romantic upgrade? Do you want a suite with an ocean view or a presidential oceanfront suite? Regardless, you should make your Jamaica travel plans in advance. Aim for at least four months ahead of time.

As for making your travel plans, it is best to go directly to the source. Third-party travel websites are nice, but you may be charged additional fees, find outdated information, and more. Don’t chance your Caribbean romantic getaway. Instead, book your all-inclusive Jamaica vacation directly through the resort in question. For example, if you opt for a Breezes resort, visit Breezes.com to book your trip.

5 – Make Your Last Minute Jamaica Travel Plans

Once your Jamaica vacation arrangements have been booked, you can wait until your trip arrives to focus on the last minute travel plans. This includes packing for your trip. Have all necessary travel documents, such as your passport, ready to go. As for clothes, check the forecasted Jamaica weather to ensure you are prepared. Now may also be the time to research nearby activities and attractions. Since you are staying at an all-inclusive adult only resort, everything you need will be available onsite. However, should you wish to venture offsite, familiarize yourself with local activities, attractions, and costs.

About the Author

Tony Hagar – Book your Caribbean vacation today at Breezes.com. Stay at one of their luxury, yet affordable all-inclusive resorts.


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Harry Patch The Last Tommy Passes Away

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Earlier today, the last British veteran of World War I, Harry Patch, died at the age of 111. Following the death of another veteran Henry Allingham a few days ago, Harry was briefly the oldest man in Britian.

Harry was born in 1898. Queen Victoria still had nearly 3 years left on the throne and the Boer War was still 16 months away. Like many young men of his age, Harry was conscripted into the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry in 1916 and served as an assistant gunner in the Lewis Gun section. He fought in the Battle of Passchendaele (The Third Battle of Ypres) which saw 70,000 British soldiers killed. In, Harry was injured in 1917 in an explosion that killed 3 of his friends.

After World War I, Harry served as a plumber and fireman before he retired in 1963. In 2008, his life story was written by Richard van Emden in the book “The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Trenches” and tells a fascinating story of Harry. I recommend it to anyone as good book to read.

Harry was opposed to the war but still did his duty. In an interview for TV in 2003, he recalled when he came face to face with a German soldier. Harry couldn’t kill him as he thought of Moses descending from Mount Sinai with God’s commandment “Thou Shall Not Kill”. He shot the German in the shoulder, knee and ankle. Harry said: “I brought him down but I did not kill him”.

The explosion that killed his friends affected Harry and referred to 22 September as his personal Remembrance Day – it was the day his was injured and his friends were killed.

Harry eventually returned to Flanders in 2007 to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. During this visit Harry described war as “calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings” and said that “war isn’t worth one life”.

In his later years as fewer and fewer veterans were left, Harry become something of a mini-celebrity. He attended a number of ceremonies and events and has given us a personal account of his experiences in World War I – something we thankfully will never have to endure.

At the last Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph, the last 3 British veterans Henry Allingham, Bill Stone and Harry Patch laid wreaths. Each was escorted by a decorated serviceman of a more recent conflict. Harry was escorted by Private Johnson Beharry who won the Victoria Cross.

Ironically, the announcement of Harry’s death shared the headlines with another British casualty as a soldier was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

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Rome Water Fountains – Bringing you a Touch of Italy

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

The Rome Water Fountains can bring you a touch of Italy with their design and superb workmanship. This form of feature has beautifully captured the essence and can bring you a taste of modern Italy with the flare of the Roman and Papal eras brought in as well. It is hard to find any other form of fountain that can match the beauty and elegance of these design pieces and as such they are pretty much unrivalled.

It is very common to find that most of the modern day decorative water fountains you can purchase from around the world will have taken some form of inspiration from the Rome versions. Whether it is from the detailing, from the design or the use of the stone you will find the origins are likely to come back to the Rome water fountains and this is what makes them second to none. There are hundreds of different designs of these fountains and if you travel to Italy you will see where the inspiration has come from. Cities such as Rome, Florence and Turin have fountains all over the city from parks to squares and each one has been beautifully sculpted to perfection. It is not easy to recreate such delicate and skilled craftsmanship and this is why it is so hard to find really great Rome water fountains for your garden.

Keeping the Rome water fountains flowing is a big job and many of them are supplied by an underground aqueduct that keeps the water coming day after day after day. Unfortunately if anything happens to this water supply then the flowing water stops and the water fountains dry up. This is what happened when works and repairs to an area near the fountains went wrong and the builders smashed the underground aqueduct and left the fountains without water for 45 days. Some of Italy’s most famous fountains were affected and this includes one in the Piazza Colonna and another one next to the Senate. Cleaning these impressive water features is no mean feat and when it occurs the cleaners need to have a police guard as they gather up the coins thrown in by the thousands of tourists. With 20 meter wide water basins you can get a real realisation of just how grand these impressive water fountains are and if you are ever in Italy then a trip to Rome is recommended to take a look at how impressive a water fountain can be. Take a look at the fine detailing and the craft and workmanship on the Rome water fountains and you will notice they are telling you a story. While you take a look you can get a feel for the sculptor as an element of their sense of humour or personality is carved in history.

About the Author

Chris Courtis is proud to be a writer for Soothingwalls who provide Water Fountains and indoor water features.

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