Miami Travel Guide

Miami is a major city in the south-eastern United States and makes up part of the largest metropolitan area in Florida. Being part of the South Florida region, it is 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 106 miles from Naples (Florida) and 156 miles from Key West.

Far and away the most exciting city in Florida, Miami is an often intoxicatingly beautiful place, with palm trees swaying in the breeze and South Beach's famous Art Deco buildings stunning in the warm sunlight. Away from the beaches and the tourists, the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown herald Miami's proud status as the headquarters of many US corporations' Latin American operations. Even so, it's the people, not the climate, the landscape, or the cash, that makes Miami so noteworthy. Two-thirds of the two-million-plus population is Hispanic, the majority of which are Cuban, and Spanish is the predominant language almost everywhere.

Just over a hundred years ago Miami was a swampy outpost of mosquito-tormented settlers. The arrival of Henry Flagler's railroad in 1896 gave the city its first fixed land-link with the rest of the continent, and cleared the way for the Twenties property boom. In the Fifties, Miami Beach became a celebrity-filled resort area, just as thousands of Cubans fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro began arriving here as well. The Sixties and Seventies brought decline, and Miami's dangerous reputation in the Eighties was well deserved – in 1980 the city had the highest murder rate in America.

Since then, with the strengthening of Latin American economic links and the gentrification of South Beach – which helped make tourism the lifeblood of the local economy again in the early Nineties – Miami is enjoying a surge of affluence and optimism.

Welcome to Miami -- the sunny southern city in the sunny state of Florida. To most people who have never taken a Miami trip, just think of Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs in a speedboat chasing some drug dealers. Be your own judge and take a Miami vacation to find out what this city really is like: a melting pot of cultures, a warm and friendly city on one of the most beautiful spots in the world, a city of great architecture and the perfect starting point for exploring the rich variety of sights and sounds in Florida.

But most people think Miami is only a city of fun and games based just on tourism. Miami is a lot of fun, but it is also a huge financial center of the world. Downtown Miami has the largest concentration of International Banks in the United States. Miami was named a Gamma world city based on its economic importance especially towards Latin America. U.S. Southern Command Headquarters are in Miami, also the National Hurricane Center calls Miami home. Miami also how the highest percentage of foreign- born residents in the world! 59% of Miami residents were born outside the US. This makes Miami one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Miami is also known as the capital of Latin America and the Caribbean for economic, transportation, and cultural reasons.

When you are in Miami, one thing is sure, you will not be bored! There are too many Miami activities to enjoy such as going to museums, hanging out at one of many Miami restaurants, cafes, or bars, and dancing until dawn at a hot nightclub.

Now, if you haven't taken a Miami trip for Memorial Weekend, you are missing out. Imagine BCR weekend in Daytona with class and about 100,000 more people. There are three main streets where all the action can be found: Ocean, Collins, and Washington. All three streets are within walking distance from one another. A great place to find excellent Miami hotels is along the ocean -- and it's well worth the money. You're always within walking distance to the beach, of course and a Starbucks is always nearby.

The beach is beautiful, the water is very warm and the view to the bottom of the ocean is crystal clear. You can rent an umbrella and 2 lounges for about $24 for the entire day. It's not as hot as you think it would be on the beach, however. It's actually hotter on the strip than on the beach. Collins offers plenty of shopping and lots of expensive boutiques. The Miami restaurants in the area are pretty amazing as well and reasonably priced. Ocean drive restaurants may be a bit more expensive, but the excellent cuisine and service is well worth the price tag.

The Art Deco architecture in the old section of Miami Beach alongside the beach is impressive and worth a leisurely stroll to view its beauty.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Houston

Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States. It is huge, both in population and in land area. "Urban sprawl" is a term tailor-made for this city, due to Houston being the largest unzoned city in the country. Houston is a multicultural city home to some of the nation's largest Asian, Arab and Latin American populations. But its culture is not limited to diverse population — it also boasts a world class symphony and theater district that includes a full-time ballet company and opera.

Understand Houston

Houston is the largest city in the United States without any appreciable zoning. While there is some small measure of zoning in the form of ordinances, deed restrictions, and land use regulations, real estate development in Houston is only constrained by the will and the pocketbook of real estate developers. Traditionally, Houston politics and law are strongly influenced by real estate developers; at times, the majority of city council seats have been held by developers. What this means to visitors is that Houston covers a larger land area with less population than might otherwise be expected. The city is primarily built on the energy industry and nearly everyone owns a car and drives everywhere they go. However, the city is becoming more dense and walkable, particularly in the Midtown/Montrose areas. With a few exceptions, almost everything to see or do is in Houston's urban core inside the 610 Loop and more specifically in between downtown, the Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center.

Houston Hotels capacity

Greater Houston has more than 55,000 hotel rooms and 5,000-plus restaurants, from Tex-Mex to sushi or seafood. Lodging accommodations range from family-owned inns to resorts and conference hotels including the new 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston, official convention center hotel.

Districts

The city has a number of districts. Historically, these districts were called "wards" and they tended to have distinct populations. Redevelopment has rendered most of those distinctions meaningless, but the modern version of Houston still has districts.

Downtown (Skyline District, Theater District, Historic District, Warehouse District) - Center of the city, still the home of high finance and big business. Houston is second only to New York City in corporate headquarters of Fortune 500 companies. Many of them are located downtown including some of the world's largest energy companies. Downtown Houston also boasts the second largest theater district in the United States and the city has world class permanent organizations such as the Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet. The Houston Pavilions entertainment district opened in October 2008 between Main St. and the Toyota Center.

Neartown (Montrose, Midtown, EaDo-East End) - Ideally bordered by Midtown, Heights, River Oaks, and the Medical Center. Montrose is Houston's longtime home of its LGBT population. Lower Westheimer (Westheimer in between Montrose Blvd. and Shepherd) offers an array of resale fashion shops, eclectic shopping as well as antique stores. The gay nightlife is centered around Pacific St. and surrounding streets. Many Montrose neighborhood pubs attract an eclectic and diverse crowd.

North Loop (The Heights, Washington Corridor) - A large district of gingerbread Victorian homes as well as early 20th Century bungalows. Like its sister neighborhood Montrose, The Heights is home to a diverse population from artists and musicians to wealthy professionals. Parts of the Heights are still dry, fostering a large number of BYOB restaurants ideal for those who enjoy their own selected wine.

South Loop (South Main, Museum District, Med Center) - To the south and east of downtown lie Rice University, the many attractions of Hermann Park, Reliant Stadium, and the Texas Medical Center (or just "the med center"), including some of the world's best hospitals. The Rice Village is a highly concentrated area of restaurants, bars, and shopping.

West Loop (Uptown, River Oaks, Upper Kirby & Greenway, West U) - Uptown or The Galleria Area is known for its namesake, a huge high-end shopping mall complex and has the tallest building in the United States outside of a main downtown area, the Williams tower. Nearby River Oaks is home to Houston's most exclusive and affluent neighborhoods and businesses, home to eye-popping mansions and the River Oaks Shopping Center, one of America's first suburban shopping districts and a great display of Art Deco architecture. This area has many great restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and infamous traffic jams during peak hours.

Outside 610 (West Houston, East Houston, North Houston) - Off-the-beaten-track, these areas have plenty to offer for the patient traveler.

Events & Festivals

Art Car Parade, Runs along Allen Parkway, [17]. May 22. A parade that must be seen to be believed. For example, last year there were cupcake motorcycles, fire breathing chicken cars, and many other spectacular cars. There are vendors nearby selling water, hats, and food as well. It can get very hot! Free.

Eat on Houston

Houston has outstanding dining options, and is widely considered the most restaurant-oriented city in the United States, with a wide variety of ethnic restaurants, superb Tex-Mex, a great number of steakhouses, fine dining, as well as chain restaurants. For some of the best surprises, stop by any nondescript taqueria and order nearly anything at random. Montrose is probably the best district of town for ethnic foods, while downtown has more upscale establishments.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Vancouver

Vancouver is the city of Canada that has it all: natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains, it has a harmonious blend of nature and urban living. Gardens, parks, and beaches are as common here as heritage buildings, restaurants, and theatres.

While maintaining the laid-back attitude of North America's West Coast, Vancouver has managed to build an international spirit. As the third largest city in Canada, it shares an ethnic diversity and multicultural flavor with the rest of the country. It's young, lively, and the jumping-off point for many spectacular outdoor activities.

Downtown : Vancouver has vitality and style. Nowhere is this more evident than in the downtown core. Its first distinct feature is Stanley Park , located on the west end of Georgia Street. This 1000-acre park includes an 11 kilometre Seawall promenade, old-growth forests, hiking trails, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Downtown is the city's largest shopping district. One of its main arteries is Robson Street , a highlight for both locals and visitors. It's brimming with fashion boutiques, coffee bars and trendy cafes.

Crossing Robson is Granville, a street that offers independent fashion stores and entertainment venues. Shops like John Fluevog Shoes and True Value Vintage are here, as well as the city's "Theatre Row," where concert, theatre and movie choices can be found. The Orpheum Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom are also on Granville, and are fantastic places to catch performances of live theatre and music. Overall, the area has restaurants to satisfy every palette, urban nightclubs, and a dizzying number of bars offering live entertainment.

Gastown : This is Vancouver's first community and a heritage zone. Red cobblestone streets, Victorian street lamps, and heritage architecture give the area its old-world atmosphere. Today, boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops, such as Hill's Native Art , Three Centuries Shop , and Salmagundi West , combine with its historic character to make it a special attraction. The Steam Clock at Cambie and Water streets goes off every 15 minutes and adds to the area's quirky

cachet.

Chinatown : Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and is second only to San Francisco's. The area's specialty shops, superb dining, and heritage buildings attract millions of visitors. The bustle here goes on day and night, from the summer's open-air Chinatown Night Market , to packed restaurants such as Hon's Wun-Tun House or Floata Seafood Restaurant .

Yaletown : Not long ago, Yaletown was just a collection of abandoned warehouses. Today, it is one of the city's trendiest areas, dotted with posh condominiums and converted historic warehouses. One popular establishment is the Yaletown Brewing Co. , and unique boutiques like Atomic Model and BoNaparte Designs are also worth checking out. Part of the area's popularity is its ultra-cool nightlife, and the exclusive Bar None is one hot spot.

Granville Island : A former industrial site, Granville Island has become one of the city's biggest and best attractions. Live theatre, pubs, and artist workshops converge here. The public market has one-stop food shopping, where you can select fresh produce and treats. La Baguette et L'Echalote Edie's Hats , and the colourful Kids Only Market are favourites. Numerous festivals use the island as their headquarters, including the Vancouver International Writer's Festival , annual Vancouver International Comedy Festival .

Kitsilano : Located minutes south of downtown , Kitsilano is known for its active population, beaches and mountain views. The community has a profusion of eateries, bookstores, theatres, bars, open-air grocers and boutiques. Here, you'll find gems like the Naam , Sophie's Cosmic Cafe , Kidsbooks and the Hollywood Theatre . Vanier Park accommodates the annual Vancouver International Children's Festival in May, as well as the summer's open-air Shakespearean Bard on the Beach productions.

Point Grey : Just to the west of Kitsilano is Point Grey , another residential area. One of the wealthiest regions of the city, it boasts stately homes, miles of waterfront, and one of Vancouver's oldest parks. The area's beaches stretch from Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks , offering haunts to swim, sail and walk in. It also has a cluster of antique and collectible shops, and is home to the annual Vancouver Folk Festival . West Point Grey Park provides one of the city's most dramatic viewpoints, with the University of British Columbia (UBC) just south of it. UBC has an expansive campus, featuring several of the city's best museums and attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Memorial Gardens .

East Vancouver : Vancouver's east side has always been known for its multitude of ethnic neighbourhoods and unconventional shopping and entertainment. Once dubbed Little Italy, the area on Commercial Drive , between Broadway and Venables, is often considered the city's hub for artists and counter-culture. Shops and cafes like Pupuseria Rinconcito Salvadoreno and La Casa Gelato help piece together this diverse community. You can also wander through the pockets of eclectic galleries and second-hand shops, such as Cosmopolis and Attic Treasures. Another area to shop and dine in is Little India , located south of East 47th Street on Main Street. The Punjabi Market (Little India) has jewelery and fabric shops. This is also where flavourful Indian foods and spices are readily available. Some of the stores and restaurants here include Guru Bazaar, All India Foods, and Bombay Sweets.

West Vancouver : This suburb area northwest of downtown is one of the most prosperous communities in Canada. If you're looking for a place to shop, the large Park Royal Centre is the country's first shopping mall. Be sure to take time out to walk through Lighthouse Park . It's in an 80-acre old growth forest, and visitors might get a chance to watch seals lounging on the rocks near Howe Sound.

North Vancouver : Just next to West Vancouver lies North Vancouver. The lower Lonsdale area has heritage buildings and antique and specialty shops, while the Lonsdale Quay Market is a thriving waterfront treat. North Vancouver is the gateway for several of the area's ecological sites. Tourists will revel at Lynn Canyon Park , the thrill of the Capilano Suspension Bridge , and the splendor of the Fraser Valley. The year-round fun of Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are also nearby.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org; http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501849-vancouver_vacations-i

Travel to Toronto

Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America. Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which contains 6.2 million people, and is part of a larger combined region in Southern Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe, totalling over 8.1 million residents making up approximately 25% of Canada's population.

Spawned out of post-glacial alluvial deposits and bluffs, the area was populated at different times by Iroquois and later Wynadot (Huron) peoples. The settlement by Europeans started with the French building a seldom occupied fort near todays Exhibition grounds in the mid-1700s, then grew out of a backwoods English trading post established as York in 1793 (reverting to the current name Toronto in 1834). Later in the 19th century, it grew to become the cultural and economic focus of English Canada. Owing largely to the country's liberal immigration policies starting in the 1960's, and the region's strong economy, Toronto has, in recent decades, been transformed into one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the world. More than 80 ethnic communities are represented, and over half of the city's residents were born outside Canada.

Districts in Toronto

When Metropolitan Toronto amalgamated its six internal cities into one in 1998, it created a new "mega-city" known simply as Toronto, now made up of varied and unique neighbourhoods. Covering more than 600 square kilometres, Toronto stretches some 32 kilometres along the shores of Lake Ontario, and includes a dense, urban core surrounded by a inner ring of older suburbs followed by an outer ring of post-war suburbs. The city is laid out on a very straightforward grid pattern and streets rarely deviate from the grid, except in cases where topograhpy inteferes such as the indented, curved Don River Valley and to a lesser degree the Humber and Rouge valleys at opposite ends of the city. Some main throroughfares do intersect the grid at angles. The six Toronto districts are:

Old Toronto (Downtown, West End, East End, Midtown): Downtown Toronto is the heart of this urban core, with Yonge Street running almost directly in the middle of this district.

Etobicoke: is largely industrial and suburban in urban makeup. The airport service area and hotels, most airport facilities are located within Mississauga, just to the west.

York: is formerly a separate city, the second smallest of the six former municipalities, yet it is one of the most ethnically diverse.

East York: was formerly a semi-autonomous borough within the overall municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. One of East York's claims to fame was that, before the amalgamation, it was Canada's only borough.

North York: is home to Parc Downsview Park, Canada's first national urban park, Downsview Airport and the North York Performing Arts Centre.

Scarborough: has characteristics of a suburb of old Toronto, but retains much of its own character and flavour. Because of the topography of the Bluffs, the Rouge Valley, and other creeks and minor tributaries, Scarborough is said to be the greenest and leafiest part of Toronto.

Understand the Toronto city

In 1998, the cities of Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, and York and the Borough of East York amalgamated to form the current City of Toronto. This is also known as Metropolitan Toronto or "the 416" after its area code (although now there are some new area codes, the overwhelming number of area codes in the Toronto are still "416") and has a population of over 2.6 million people. More than half of these were born in some country other than Canada: a fact obvious to any visitor immediately, as the city has many vibrant bustling neighbourhoods with street signs in several languages.

Toronto and its surrounding suburbs are collectively known as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Outlying suburbs are also known as "the 905" after their area code, although technically this code is also used in both Hamilton and the Niagara Region, stretching to the border in Niagara Falls. The entire area including Toronto is known as the "Golden Horseshoe" and has a population of over 8 million people. Distances between cities in the area can be great as it spralws along, outward and even wraps around the western end of Lake Ontario, public transit not always effective enough to make it a quick or seamless trip. Many suburban residents rely on motor vehicles to get around.

Climate in Toronto

Toronto's climate is on the whole on the cool side and varibale conditions can be expected, temperatures average -3.5°C (26°F) in January downtown, however the type of extreme cold experienced in parts of Canada further north do not hold a tight grip for usually more than a day or two, despite this come prepared, winters are still cold and at times, snowy and windy. Contrary to Canadian climate stereotypes, the city experiences warm and humid summers with an average high of 27°C (80°F) and a low of 18°C (65°F) in July/August with many muggy evenings but rarely extreme heat. Late spring and early fall are generally considered to be the most pleasant times to visit, summer is the peak tourist season, but visitors will find that Toronto's vibrancy extends through the winter with outdoor ice-rinks and bundled up clubgoers, etc. Toronto's public buildings are nearly all air-conditioned and fully heated.

Sometimes during the winter, severe storms can slow down transportation and activities in the city for a day or two. In the summer, thunderstorms are common, most lasting less than an hour.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to San Francisco City

On the surface San Francisco has all the cliché tourist icons that we know: the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Chinatown, to name but a few. But keep in mind that San Francisco itself is fairly small geographically, covering roughly 50 square miles.

"The City," as it is called by locals, is the home of the Giants (MLB), the 49ers (NFL), and the Golden State Warriors (NBA). During the summertime, AT&T Park is a great family-friendly place to catch a ballgame. Sit in the upper deck to see the Bay and the real obvious tourist areas of SF, which are seldom visited by residents except to bring friends and relatives.

There are restaurants and lots of shopping geared toward tourists. Of course, at Fisherman’s Wharf, you can get the famous Dungeness crab. You can eat crab all year round but they’re best when they're in season, which runs from September/October to about April. And while it’s really more of a Los Angeles tradition, the only In ‘N Out Burger joint in SF is in the Fisherman’s Wharf area so if you haven’t had one, get it there!

The Pier area (Pier 40 and further south at the Ferry Building) is where the ferries arrive from around the rest of the Bay Area. The mile between the Ferry Building and Pier 39 is an uncluttered waterfront view of underneath the Bay Bridge and the East Bay. Pier 39 itself is a popular landmark, as it has been transformed into a two-story outdoor shopping area, complete with sporting goods stores, a magic shop, and a number of eateries.

San Francisco is less a single city than it is an amalgamation of many neighborhoods. The major neighborhoods are North Beach, Castro, Mission, the Haight, Hayes Valley, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley, and South of Market. Not all of the neighborhoods are tourist destinations, but all of them contain good shopping and cute bistros and cafes.

San Francisco is home to a sizable gay population. The main gay neighborhood is the Castro. The Castro is a neighborhood unlike any other and it's a fun one to visit, offering many fine restaurants and places to stay.

The Mission district is also popular. Although it's become more gentrified, you can expect some wonderful burritos from places like el Farolito, Taqueria Cancun and plenty of wonderful tapas places.

Across the Golden Gate North is the North Bay, starting with Marin County. You can hop on a ferry at Pier 40 to visit the artisan cove, Sausalito, for the day (it is also accessible by car). Further north along the coast are Stinson Beach and Point Reyes – both beautiful and romantic whether you travel up Highway 1 or through the forest via Sir Francis Drake Road off Highway 101. There are also other fun, romantic and charming towns in the South Marin area such as Tiburon, Mill Valley and San Anselmo. All of these are within 30-45 minutes of SF.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park is another recreational area encompassing biking, hiking, water sports and so forth. You can continue along (another hour or so) to the quaint quasi-resort-rustic village of Mendocino – or choose from dozens of coastal rustic-fishing-resort communities such as Tomales Bay, Inverness, Bodega Bay (where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds") and Olema along the way – each with its unique charms! You can even take a regional bus to various Marin County parks and overnight camping at Samuel Taylor State Park.

To the Northeast is Napa Valley and to the North is Sonoma Valley, both part of Northern California's famed wine country. Many of your favorite vineyards are located along these highways and backroads. Napa Valley is the more famous of the two, but both offer opportunities to visit small, rustic, family-owned vineyards and larger, more commercial wineries. Calistoga is famous for the spa treatments, mudbaths, massages and body wraps.

To the East is the East Bay, home of UC Berkeley, one of the premier public education universities in the world, and Oakland, the home of the A's (MLB) and Raiders (NFL).

Source: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Cyprus

For those Cyprus devotees who know and love the island this introduction may have little to offer other than as a reminder of just what the island is all about. For those not yet familiar with Cyprus, the best (and often used) adjectives that would top the list when writing copy such as this, would undoubtedly include 'sun-kissed','sharply contrasting','unhurried', 'irresistible', 'fascinating' and such like.

This is not to suggest that the island is perfect. Like any venue it has its 'warts and all' negative points but, on balance, we suggest that many thousands of visitors have been delighted for every one that has encountered any failings. The people themselves, at the root of Cyprus's famous hospitality, are a fascinating blend of Roman, Byzantine, Greek and British influenced characteristics and traits.

The Cypriots, however, are proud of their individuality and warmth of character.

They will welcome strangers into their homes and lives much quicker than those from the countries which influenced Cyprus over the years. The heady mix of Mediterranean weather and cuisine, a low cost of living, and the ease with which one can communicate, makes Cyprus such a favorite among the West Europeans, particularly the British.

In many parts of Cyprus you will find a life style little changed from centuries ago, when the pace of life was slower and simple pleasures were gained from an equally simple life.

Wherever you travel in Cyprus you will not be far from blossoms, fruit and the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean.

Cyprus has made sure it caters for more sophisticated demands with widespread facilities for fishing, golf, cycling, sailing/yachting, swimming, nature treks, and water sports.

There can be few more pleasurable experiences than sitting in the open air on a balmy Cyprus night enjoying a full scale 'meze' in the company of Greek friends. Eat, drink and be merry, indeed.

Although Greek is the national language of Cyprus, English is spoken almost everywhere with the exception of some remote villages.

Just bathe in a certain spot when Aphrodite's rocks stand out of the sea and legend says you will live five years longer.

According to Homer Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, was born from the soft sea foam near Paphos.

In Paphos itself, take a trip back through Christianity at the St. Paul Pillar and St.Solomon Catacombs Enjoy the picturesque harbour and castle.

Cyprus cities: Ayia napa, Kourion, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Lefkara, Limassol, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, Paphos, Troodos mountains, yoville.

Source: http://www.world66.com/asia/middleeast/cyprus; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel Vacations Cancun

Travel Guide Cancun.

Cancun is one of the most important tourist sites in Mexico and the world. Its excellent location, mild climate all year round, and magnificent, warm, white sand beaches washed by the Caribbean Sea are ideal for water sports.

The waters of the bay protected by Isla Mujeres are calm and perfect for diving, surfing, sailing and boating, the open sea with strong currents, and are also suitable for fishing and diving. Cancun has a tourist infrastructure and first class service. The most famous hotel chains in the world have combined luxury and comfort with hospitality and all offer access to tennis courts and relaxing spa.

Nightlife in Cancun's hotel zone is very interesting. You may find some of the world's biggest clubs and restaurants with world famous chefs as well as fast food restaurants. If you are looking for a calmer atmosphere, there are jazz or piano bars, there are also those with traditional mariachi music.

There are several marinas with all kinds of water activities, both in the bay and Laguna Nichupte, where we recommend you try kayaking. Cancun has some interesting Mayan ruins and a museum displaying pieces from this culture. Its excellent ground and air links will take you to some of the most impressive of the Mayan World in Quintana Roo and the neighboring state of Yucatan.

In addition, Cancun also has malls and shopping centers with everything from handicrafts from all over the country to an impressive range of imported goods.

About Cancun

Cancun is a coastal city in the tourist region called The Mexican Caribbean, located in the state of Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a landmark holiday on the Caribbean coast.

The high season for Cancun vacation is from December to April. The prices on airfare and hotel increase much in these times, as they are cheaper in the summer and early autumn. The end of June are extremely hot, so come prepared or try the off season. Hurricanes can be a major threat in late summer and fall.

Understanding Cancun

Located in the northeast of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun was built on a site chosen by the Mexican government as the ideal place for a new tourism development. Cancun has nine miles of white sandy beaches as a number "7", says Maya archaeological conmaravillas, turquoise waters, a rich underwater world, and amenities of world-class vacation. It is considered the gateway to the Mundo Maya. Mayan temples and sacred sites are everywhere, some smothered by lush jungle and other easily accessible.

Cancun's hotel zone based its economy around tourism industry. There is a lot of hotels all inclusive resorts, so you will spend your holiday with many other tourists.

Travel to Bahamas

The Bahamas is an archipelago of numerous islands. There are about 2,000 islands by including the keys which are small islands that form coral reefs. The Bahamas is the Spanish word decent and means "shallow water"

Islands

Grand Bahama an ecological park with a system of limestone caves. The eco-tourism center, offering nature tours, national parks and botanical gardens.

New Providence Island - dominated by capital, Nassau

Paradise Island - home to the giant casino resort Atlantis

The archipelago of the Bahamas, especially the top of the banks were formed in between 90.000 and 120 years of the formation of coral reefs. The famous pink sand beaches of the Bahamas have their dynamic aspect of the broken pieces of seashell along with the sand. The highest place in the Bahamas is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island, which is 63 meters (200 feet) tall.

Other destinations

There are several services that operate cruise trips to private islands in the Bahamas .. To visit these islands generally have to be a passenger on the cruise line to hold the island.

The dolphin encounter is a natural attraction, the dolphins of sea water with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions can be found on Blue Lagoon Island (Salt Cay), a private island and tourist is 5 km (three miles) from Nassau, Bahamas.

Bahamas History

Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on the island of San Salvador in 1492. The British settlement on the islands began in 1647, the islands became a colony in 1783. Since its independence from Britain in 1973, the Bahamas have prospered through tourism, international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major illegal drug trafficking, particularly shipments to the U.S., and its territory is used for the smuggling of illegal migrants in the U.S.

Bahamas Culture

The official language of the Bahamas is English. The people are friendly and very religious: the Bahamas has one of the highest proportions of churches per capita in the world, with Baptists as the largest group. Local newspapers are showing the religious references by elected officials in a way that exceeds what you would find in other countries. This devotion does nothing to prohibit the activities of visitors nor is it intended. There is a very "liberal" attitude about personal morals.

Bahamas Festivals

The biggest party in the timing of the Bahamas is Junkanoo, a street carnival held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). Junkanoo groups "rush" through the streets of cities, especially Nassau, wearing spectacular costumes of crepe paper and disposable and playing distinctive Junkanoo music, which combines African rhythms with loud brass and cowbells, fusing together in a medley rotating in cacophony, but it is very danceable.

Music

There are many types of music heard in the culture of the Bahamas, but the four most common rhythms of music are Calypso, Soca, Junkanoo and rake. The music of the Bahamas is primarily associated with Junkanoo, a celebration that takes place on Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day. Parades and other celebrations mark the ceremony.

The climate in the Bahamas

The climate is moderated by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, tropical marine. Hurricanes and other tropical storms cause flooding and wind damage. It can be great if changing winds. During the summer months, the temperature in the Bahamas rarely exceeds 90 ° F (32 ° C). Normal weather during the winter is mild, with temperatures around 60 ° F (16 ° C). The northern and western islands, the island of Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera and are somewhat cooler than the southern islands. The hurricane season in the Bahamas runs between June and November and rain storms are expected during this period.

Travel to Egypt

By Sandy: Why Would You Want to Visit Egypt? Aswan?

Aswan must be one of the most beautiful places to see in Egypt. There are golden sand dunes planed on the edges of the Nile River Palms beautiful green mountains contrast sharply with the sand and the golden hues of the desert. In winter the temperature is very low and get cold at night. As soon as it hits the ship is bombarded by taxi drivers, the type of horses. It is a very small town so you do not need quite a taxi.

You should know what a trip to the Temple of Abu Simbel, while this in Aswan. Before the Aswan dam could be built this magnificent temple had to be relocated, is now a six-hour round trip by bus from Aswan. The road is rough and dangerous threats both natural and human. It is supposed to be a wonderful temple to visit, but the trip is not worth the effort. If you have been visiting other temples on the way to Aswan then avoid this.

What is worth visiting one of the many hotels in the old city. Most of them have spectacular views and cool drinks. A candle in a felucca (sailboat) is a must do while in Aswan. In fact, it is best to take a felucca to Kitchener Island. This botanical garden on the island and is in the middle of the river and is one of the most beautiful places in the Nile Take a walk in the park and watch the exotic birds, while the Nile excellent air breathing

No stop in Aswan would be complete without a visit to a Nubian village. This tour may be the most rewarding experience of your adventure. You can spend the night with a Nubian family at home to tea and dinner with them. The Nubians live very modestly in a medieval style, but comfortable and seem very happy with their lives. Nubia guides are happy to talk about the history of Nubia, but it's hard to know what they are saying that his English may often be limited. If you are carried away by the atmosphere Arabian Nights henna tattoos are available. They say it will disappear in several weeks. And finally, villagers are more than happy to sell their arts and crafts. A wonderful experience! Of course, be careful with food and drink, and you can leave with a gift that keeps on giving.

On the other side of the Nile from Aswan city you can ride a camel through the desert to the monastery of San Simeon. This is one of the oldest Christian monasteries known and reflects a time when Christianity was a religion influence in Egypt. Riding camels is fun unless odor, dust, and make strange gurgling sounds from time to time. Make sure that the price of your trip includes a saddle and a child camel.

The Temple of Philae on the island of Aglika also worth a visit. The temple was moved from its original island after construction of Aswan Dam, which was a mammoth task as the temple is enormous.