Travel and tips

If you’ve never been to London before then you may find the thought of getting around the city somewhat daunting. With the population of Greater London estimated at more than 7 million people, this is a bustling city on a grand scale. So what’s the best way to get around the British capital?Fortunately, you do have a good number of options open to you. The London Underground, for example, is the oldest underground mass transit system in Europe and consists of some 275 stations on 12 separate lines. Generally speaking, you’ll find that the stations are very close together, with central London being particularly well covered (there are 63 stations in central London alone).
You’ll find Underground (or “Tube”, as its known locally) maps at all stations and on platforms. Each of the Underground lines is given a different colour, making the maps easy to read so that you can find your way round.
One thing that you’ll also notice is that the Underground map is also divided into Zones. This relates to the way in which journeys are priced – when you buy a ticket the price that you’ll pay will be dependent upon your departure or arrival zones. If you’re expecting to make a number of journeys in a day then avoid paying for numerous single tickets and opt for a One Day Travelcard – they’re more cost effective. You’ll need to tell the ticket office operator what zones you’ll be travelling through during the day.
You can pay for all tickets at ticket offices using cash or payment cards. You’ll also find that stations have automated machines where you can purchase tickets. This should also allow you to pay using the same options, although be aware that the automated payment card facilities may not always be functioning.
Aside from the Underground, you’ll find that a Travelcard will also cover you for journeys on the famous red London buses. The bus network in London is extensive and they provide a great way to see the city. Indeed, you can save yourself a bit of money by avoiding the ever-present tourist buses and simply taking a journey through central London on a standard bus.
If you don’t fancy the Underground or the buses then another option is to jump in a black cab. These provide a great experience in themselves, although generally will work out more expensive than the two public transport options already mentioned.
Driving in London is not something that would generally be recommended. Traffic can be heavy throughout the day in central locations, parking is not always easy to find and the London Congestion Charge means that you’ll pay heavily for the privilege of driving in central London. Luckily, public transport options are generally good, so you should find that you won’t need to resort to driving.

Once you have negotiated your taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya and have arrived in your hotel or resort, you will need to get around the city.
You have quite a few options. First, you can walk around most areas of Pattaya as the city is fairly compact. This serves a couple of purposes; it will give you some exercise and you will see things up close and personal.
The most common way for getting around Pattaya is the Baht bus. The Thai name is song thieaw (two axles) and they are all over Pattaya. Basically, they are a pick-up truck with some bench seating in back. They can hold about 12 people comfortably but I have seen as many as 20 in one Baht bus.
The fare is 5 Baht for a Thai and 10 for a Farang (foreigner). This will get you almost anywhere in the city. Keep in mind that this is using the Baht bus in the “normal” way. By that, I mean you just stand on the sidewalk and wave one over. The truck stops and you hop in the back. When you have reached your destination, you push the buzzer and he will pull over and stop. Pay your 10 Baht and keep moving. Always have exact change.
The other than normal way to hire a Baht bus is to negotiate a ride from point A to point B. This may be to go outside of Pattaya to do some sightseeing. You will have to use your best negotiation skills to get a decent price.
Another way to get around Pattaya especially if you are going off the beaten path is to hire a motorcycle taxi. A moto taxi can be found on almost every street corner. Most rides will be in the 20 to 40 Baht range and you will be placing your life in the hands of your driver. You will wear your flimsy plastic helmet and hold on for dead life. Moto taxis will use the sidewalk, drive the wrong way on one-way streets, and do whatever it takes to get you to where you are going in the shortest distance possible. Kiss he ground when you arrive.
You can also rent motorcycles, mopeds and ATVs all over Pattaya. Beware of scams involving you returning the bike back damaged. Check the bike with a fine tooth comb before you depart. Check prices at a few different places before you decide to rent. Remember, if you are from the USA, you will be driving on the other side of the road. Road signs, traffic lights and driving laws don’t apply unless you are a foreigner and a Thai cop needs an extra 200 Baht. Always wear a helmet and keep a good set of prayers handy.
For me, walking and using the Baht bus are all that is needed. I have been going to Pattaya for over 30 years and have never used the moto taxis. I usually walk to where I am going or take a Baht bus if it is hot or a little further than I want to walk. And, of course, I am a gentleman and always get a Baht bus if I have a lady with me.
The Baht buses circle Pattaya all day and night and it is not difficult to figure out the routes. The worst that can happen is you want to go straight and the Baht bus turns. Just get off, pay your 10 baht, and get on another. Mai pen rai – never mind.

Once you arrive in Bangkok, you will need to find transportation from Suvarnabhumi, the International Airport, to your hotel. If you have booked transportation ahead of time, your only chore will be finding your driver in the mass of humanity standing outside of the luggage claim area.
If you haven’t already booked your ride you have a few choices. Staying at a 5-star hotel may qualify you for free transportation to your hotel but most likely you will pay one way or the other.
If you have time and know where the heck you are going you can catch a bus to your hotel. This is not recommended for the first time traveler. Catching a taxi is the way to go.
You can book a taxi ahead of time online simply by sending an email. Most Bangkok forums can recommend a good driver at a reasonable rate. The only difficulty is finding your driver upon arrival. If you have his cell phone number and an unlocked, tri-band phone with a Thai SIM card, you can just call to find his location.
If you haven’t booked ahead, then you will face the taxi mafia right outside of the luggage area. You will be pestered by men and women with clipboards asking “where you go?” They are difficult to fight through if you have two suitcases and carry on bags. But, if you persist and ignore them you need to make your way to the down escalator.
Arrivals are on the 2nd floor of the airport, and the official taxi stand is located on the first floor. Just take the escalator down and you will see the tables set up to book your ride. These folks speak reasonable English and know most of the hotels in the city. Just tell them where you are going and they will log it and give you a receipt. You will pay 50 baht for this service, but it is worth it as the taxi drivers are registered.
Your taxi is supposed to use his meter but he may request that he doesn’t use the meter and will offer you a price. You can agree, negotiate, or insist on the meter. It is up to you. I recommend you go with the meter and give a small tip for good service. A 20 or 40 baht tip is sufficient if you got a good, safe ride and your driver helped with your bags.
Once you become familiar with Bangkok, you can ride around on the BTS. This is the Bangkok Transportation System. It is the overhead train and can save you an immense amount of time bypassing millions of cars on the Bangkok roads. There is also a subway system for you to ride around in.
Buses are the main means of transportation for the masses in Bangkok. They are cheap but they are usually packed to the gills and don’t have air conditioning. Unless you are dirt poor, I don’t recommend the bus.
There is also walking. If you are only going a short distance, walking can be a unique experience in Bangkok. You never know what is at the next street corner. A new shopping experience, a food vendor, or a new restaurant to try out. I love to walk around in Thailand and experience the sights, sounds and smells. Every corner is different.
Whatever mode of transportation you decide to use, you will see a fantastic city. Bangkok is truly the City of Angels.

Here is some general information on Germany and the national currency (Euro) that I hope will be useful for anyone planning a trip here. One of the first things you will need to do when planning your trip to Germany is convert your national currency to the Euro. To do this you can either get it prior to your departure at your local bank, or get it at the arrival airport in Germany at a currency conversion table. When converting currency at the airport table keep in mind that most are not open 24/7. Do not be surprised if the denomination of your converted currency is much less than that of your local currency. In recent years the Euro has been doing extremely well. Another way to get Euro while in Germany is to use your ATM card. You can find an ATM at any bank. Most accept foreign ATM cards but not all. If your ATM card is rejected you will probably get a “card not in network” prompt on the screen. You can expect a foreign ATM charge of anywhere from 2 to 4 dollars, depending on your card provider, per transaction. Do not be totally dependant on your foreign credit card. A lot of businesses in Germany do accept American/British/etc. credit cards but not near as many as in your local Country, for example, VISA is accepted in most gas stations but only a few restaurants. It is a good idea to take Euro cash along anytime you go on the economy in Germany. Some American based companies/restaurants take U.S. Dollars, for example, all McDonalds in Germany take American Dollars. If you plan well and spend your money wisely Germany will prove to be a GREAT vacation experience. If you are planning a trip to Germany, Great choice and have a great time!!

Restaurants and Bars - You do not get water for free, you have to pay for it. If you order water you will get carbonated water. In most restaurants you can request tap water and they may or may not charge you but it is most likely straight from the sink. In some American fast food restaurants, (i.e. McDonalds) you must pay for ketchup as well. Be aware that the menus at most fast food restaurants in Germany are not exactly the same. You may also notice that a sandwich that you recognize from back home may taste a little different or it could be smaller. When you enter a restaurant you will not be seated, just walk right in and pick the table of your choice!- the tip should be much smaller than you would give in the States (this is because the waiters/waitresses get paid more than in the states) A tip of two or three EUR would be considered a good tip for very good service. Supermarkets - If you shop for groceries in Germany you will notice the supermarkets have all of their large rolling carts outside in a designated area and they are locked to one another. In order to utilize a cart you must place one EUR in the cart itself, you will see the slot on the handle. Upon leaving the supermarket you latch the cart back to the other carts and pull the device out where you placed the coin, now you can retrieve your coin. When you have all of the groceries you want, proceed to the check-out counter. You will have to purchase plastic bags to put the groceries in or you can take one in yourself. If you decide to purchase one they are usually visible at the counter and normally only cost a few cents. If there is a long line do not put all of your groceries in the bag, put them back into the cart and bag them away from the line.
Closing hours - On Sunday everything is closed except for some restaurants, bars, gas stations and shops at the main train station and bigger airports. Some bigger stores are realizing that they can make much more money if they open on Sunday so they are doing just that, but I would not rely on it. During the week shops in bigger cities close at 8 PM at the latest. You may see shops in smaller cities closing even earlier.
Public Phones - Public phones are very rare in Germany. If you find one you will notice that they only take telephone cards. You can buy a telephone card in different shops like “T-Punkt”, “Telekom”, “Post”, and “Vodafone” or you can go to an Internet cafe.
Miscellaneous - “Bad” in front of a towns name does not mean that the people or the city is bad for example, “Bad Homburg”. Bad in front of a towns name normally means that the town is designated as a healthy location normally with very clean air and water.

Morocco boasts a fantastic variation in terrain and vegetation, with fertile plains near its Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and The Sahara Desert. Location: Morocco is situated in northwest Africa and is separated from Spain at the northernmost tip by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar. Morocco’s land borders are with Algeria and Mauritania. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Land mass: Approx. 446,000sq km Land use: • arable land 21% • permanent crops 1% • permanent pastures 47% • forests and woodland 20% • other 11%MountainsThere are several fantastic mountain ranges in Morocco on which you can climb, hike, ski or ride mules. The amazing variety of foliage, natural water features and mountain peaks is captivating.
The mountains are often heavily wooded, with firs and cedars on the higher slopes. In winter many of the mountains are covered in snow. Many mountain animals live here, including the unusual Atalas monkey, along with a large variety of migratory birds and birds of prey, such as eagles. There is a large bird reserve located where the Moulouya river flows into the Mediterranean sea.
Amtoudi Peak: Located south of Agadir. You can either climb the 20–30 cm narrow, rocky trail along the edge, or hire a mule to do the job for you. A Spectacular view awaits you at the top.
Atlas Mountains: Filling most of the northwestern corner of Africa, the Atlas are divided into 5 regions stretching from Morocco, through northern Algeria and touching Tunisia. Morocco has the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas. The High Atlas is the highest range, with Jabal Toubkal stretching to 4,165 metres. The Middle Atlas reaches 3,350 metres and the Anti Atlas does not reach higher than 2,531 metres, but it still has some very rugged landscape. At the edge of the Anti-Atlas in the extreme south, the scenery is consists of vast, eroded gorges which flow with the rivers into the dry, desolate wastes of the Sahara desert. Chefchaouen Mountains: Located in the north east, south of Tetouan. The Chefchaouen Mountains have two peaks, Jebel Meggou at 1,625 meters above sea level and Jebel Tisouka with its mosque on top at 2,050 meters.
Oregano Mountains, Taliouine: Located near Tiznit, south of Agadir. These mountains are covered with oregano and transmit the scent throughout the valley. At the top of these mountains (1,500 meters above sea level) are two caves used by goats for shelter.
Rif Mountains: Located on the northernmost area of Morocco on the north eastern limits of the Atalas mountains. The Rif mountains are made up of steep cliffs, near the coastline of Mediterranean Morocco where the terrain is rugged.
Sarhro Mountains: Located south west of Marrakesh. They are a wonderful winter trekking destination as the desert cools and the High Atlas Mountains become covered with snow. It is a remote area adorned with volcanic monoliths, vegetated plateaux, canyons, tiny Berber villages and the nomadic Ait Atta people. The Sarho are arguably the most charming mountains in the whole of MoroccoSetti Fatma: Located at the end of the Ourika Valley in Marrakesh. It has seven beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views and mountain long trails for hardened hikers.
Tafraoute Mountains: Located south east of Agadir. The rocky, pink mountains here are the main attractions. A Belgian artist, Jean Verame, once painted some of the rocks blue in 1984, although these have now faded.
Tan Tan Mountains: Located down south. Known for its very flat peak and hollowness in some parts of the mountain.
RiversMorocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa. Its rivers generally flow northwest to the Atlantic or southeast towards the Sahara Desert. The main rivers of Morocco are the Sebou which runs into the Atlantic, and the Moulouya running into the Mediterranean. DesertsTo the south and east lies the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is the world’s largest desert and in Arabic its name means “wilderness”. The Sahara does not fit the traditional idea of an entirely flat and waterless area. There are streams in the hills and the desert oases support both human and animal life.
Plants in the desert region survive with little water; some have very deep roots, others have small leaves or spines. Desert animals must also survive with little water and many, eg. the desert fox, remain hidden during the heat of the day others, such as gazelles, travel many miles in search of water.
Fertile PlainsThese are to be found along the Atlantic coast, stretching to the Atlas Mountains and they are rich for agriculture, producing most of the country’s fruit and vegetables. It is well irrigated by the melt water from mountain snows from the Atlas. Typical plants are orange trees, date palms and cork oak trees.
ClimateMorocco’s climate varies widely: The north is Mediterranean and the south is subtropical while the sea and mountains help to maintain a pleasant climate. Winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry. Average daytime temperatures in winter range from 16 to 23є C and in summer, from 33 to 42є C. Like Spain, Morocco has approximately 330 days of sunshine per year.
Mountain peaks are covered with snow for most of the year. Desert temperature variations between night and day are extreme and rainfall is low and unpredictable.
The Environment’s FutureMorocco’s natural environment is under pressure in a number of ways: The increasing number of tourists and the over exploitation of resources such as oil and phosphates could damage the ecosystem in the desert. Overgrazing and the spread of the desert may also threaten currently productive areas in the future.

Gent, also known as Ghent, is an incredibly popular destination in Belgium. The word “Gent” is actually the Dutch spelling for the city of “Ghent” and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Gent is filled with exciting things to see and do and travellers will not be disappointed by the recreational offerings in Gent. Travellers can immerse themselves in the culture and history of Belgium by seeing the myriad abbeys, beguinages, churches, castles, historic landmarks, and museums strewn throughout the city of Gent.
Gent was, at one time, second only to Paris in terms of popularity and size. In the 1830s, Gent showed the significant signs of industrialization, as more and more factories were established within the city. Gent is a thriving city, one that possesses a population of well over 500,000 people. It is also estimated that well over 30,000 people travel into Gent each day, for work and social activities. Since 1950, the city has undergone a significant phase of revival: the canal has brought many businesses into Gent. Currently, with its transportation network and many working opportunities, the city of Gent continues to thrive and it is the capital of East Flanders, Belgium.
Places of interest:The city of Gent holds so many things to see in do. Travellers can get the perfect scenic overview of the entire city by touring the Belfry or the Castle of Counts in the historic city of Gent. In fact, from the top of either location, other famous sites are easily viewable; sites that include the Veerleplein, the Vleeshallen, the St. Niklaas Church, the Library of the University, The medieval harbour, St. Michiels Church and Gent’s shopping centre.
In the heart of Gent, travelers will also find St. Baafs Cathedral, a historic building filled with biblical artwork. The artwork in St. Baafs Cathedral includes images of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden; the Tree of Life; the Holy Cross, and the images of the different counts of Flanders also appear in the Cathedral. Further, the cathedral holds the tombs of the Flemisch Bishops and houses four pillars that were a gift from the Tudors of Britain. Finally, the cathedral possesses some of the most stunning stain-glass art imaginable.
While in Gent, travelers shouldn’t miss out on touring the fifteenth century canon, now a monument, located near the Vrijdagmarkt. The Vrijdagmarkt is a square in Gent, offering opportunity for the travellers and residents of Gent to get a taste of medieval life by viewing the existing medieval architecture.
Things to do:While staying in Gent, there is certainly no lack of things to do. First, travellers will want to make sure they see as many of the churches and cathedrals as possible, because no two churches are exactly alike; each church holds its own unique artwork and architecture, thereby making each religious site seeing destination more difficult to pass up while touring the city!The Sint-Baafskathedraal Cathedral was built in the fourteenth century. Sint-Baafskathedraal in St. Bavo’s Square has no entrance fee, unless the traveller is looking to view “The Adoration of the Lamb,” a prized and cherished painting by Jan Van Eyck. The entrance fee to see Van Eyck’s work is nominal, and the cathedral is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
The Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, at Sint-Veerleplein 11 was built by Philip of Alsace in the late 1100’s. The word Gravensteen is actually Dutch which, when literally translated means “castle of the counts.” It is the very first stone castle erected in Gent. Prior to the Gravensteen, only wood structures existed. Finally, the Gravensteen has been restored to its former glory and a number of medieval displays can be viewed within the castle: offering viewing enjoyment for the entire family.
Food & Drink:Those in the mood for seafood can dine at Vier Tafels on Plotergracht 6. The Vier Tafels is a bar and a restaurant, offering international delicacies, wines, cocktails, fresh seafood, salad, rice, salmon, Gambas, mussels and more. Vier Tafels is honoured for its universal cuisine, so there is something for everyone’s palate.
‘T Keteltje at Nederkouter 1 is the perfecting dining spot if one is looking for a romantic dinner while staying in Gent. Fully dressed tables and a variety of season dishes make the ‘T Keteltje one of the finest places to dine in Belgium. Likewise, the De Foyer Brasserie at Sint-Baafsplein 17, is housed in the former Royal Dutch Theater. The De Foyer serves fine dishes like tomato crevettes, grey shrimp, chicken waterzooi, crиme brulee, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, and tarts, among other incredible desserts.
The Chez Leotine Restaurant at Groentenmarkt # 10-11 also serves Waterzooi, Flemish Beef Stew, and frites. Waterzooi is a unique Belgium dish, much like Cream of Chicken Soup, that has chicken, carrots, celery and onions in the mix. After having your meal at the Chez Leotine Restaurant, travellers may find that the size of the servings offered there has left little to no room for dessert!Hotels & Accommodation:Minotel GravensteenHotel Den Yzer GentHotel Ibis Gent Centrum OperaHoliday Inn GentCampanile Gent / GandHotel Monasterium PoortAckereCarltonEntertainment:Travellers looking for entertainment can enjoy the nightlife of Gent when they stop into the Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. The Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant at Groente Markt 9 offers a fine choice of beers, both guest and seasonal. Weary travellers can rest and relax as they sip at the beer of their choosing and take in the scenic view of the canal.
Families can also take in a little culture when site seeing at the Alijnhuis, a museum located at Kraanlei 65, that offers hours of viewing entertainment and enjoyment. With craft rooms, displays portraying medieval life in Gent; bridal artifacts and the like, the Alijnhuis proves entertaining for the entire family. Finally, some children’s games are offered at the Alijnhuis.
The Friday Market in the city centre of Gent, is an outdoor market that gives travellers a chance to enjoy a day of shopping. Olives, fresh fish, sausages, chicken, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, breads, and bakery items are offered at many of the booths in the market. Further, travellers can purchase souvenirs, clothing, furniture, woodcarvings, knick-knacks and an array of items are sold every Friday. The Friday market surrounds one of the popular monuments in Gent’s city square: the Jacob Van Artevelde, a monument to one of Gent’s formidable political figures.

General summary of city:Genk, a city in Belgium, is part of the Limburg province. Other cities contained within the province of Limburg include Hasselt: As, Beringen, Diepenbeek, Gingelom, Halen, Ham, Hasselt, Herk-de-Stad, Heusden-Zolder, Leopoldsburg, Lummen, Nieuwerkerken, Opglabbeek, Sint-Truiden, Tessenderlo, Zonhoven, and Zutendaal. In terms of locality, Genk is situated nearest to Hasselt in the province of Limburg.
The city of Genk has a population of over 63,000 people. The city of Genk is believed to have some history rooted in the Celtic peoples, and that the once small village of Genk was later, during the tenth century, converted to Christianity. Due to the fact that Genk had such small beginnings and it was not officially deemed a city until the year 2000, the city itself was not really recognized until the early 1900’s, thanks to Andre Dumont. Andre Dumont discovered a good quantity of coal in the Limburg region of Belgium, and it wasn’t long before coal miners discovered that Genk had plenty of coal to be had. The city soon grew with the mass movement of immigrants and when the drive for coal finally settled down in the late 1960’s, Genk merely adapted its industrial pursuits to more suitable industries: successful industries that focused on car manufacturing. The primary car manufacturing company in present day Genk is the Ford Motor company.
Places of Interest:The Bokrijk in Genk nearby the Hasselt territory attracts many tourists every year. The Bokrijk is essentially an open-air museum, offering travelers the opportunity to enjoy nineteenth century architectural design. Within the museum tourists can see reconstructions of the Flemish buildings that once existed in Flanders. A number of enjoyable activities are offered at the Bokrijk, as well as re-enactments for viewing. Due to the fact that the Bokrijk is a large, open-aired museum, the location is filled with scenic gardens, wooded areas, grass lands and small bodies of water. Children are most welcome at the Bokrijk and a playground is readily available to children. The museum is open to tourists from the end of March until late September, every day, from 10 am to 6 pm. The cost of admission is 10 Euros for adults, 8.50 Euros for seniors, 5 Euros for children between the ages of 6 to 12.
Tourists also like to visit the Green City in Genk, the home of De Maten, a beautiful nature reserve. There are 35 ponds in the De Maten, and different species of fish are purposefully bred within the ponds, in an effort to promote aquatic life. Water birds have adapted to the area in De Maten and plants, including cotton grass, sundew, and roth grow in the area. Finally, the De Maten is home to a variety of different dragon flies and tree frogs. The De Maten is closed to tourists when it comes time for breeding.
Things to do:Every year in Genk, tourists are welcomed at the Motives Festival, a music festival focusing on the genre of jazz. The Motives Festival is revered for its line up of fantastic jazz musicians and past performers have included Joshua Redman, Leafcutter John, and Esbjцrn Svensson Trio, just to name a few of many.
Within the heart of Genk, travelers can enjoy an entire day of shopping at any one of the three shopping locales. The shopping centres are referred to as Centres 1, 2, and 3 respectively, and travelers can purchase souvenirs, hardwares, housewares, groceries, books, and the like. After a fine day of shopping in the city’s centre, travelers can then rest and dine and any number of accessible cafes.
In Molenvijvers Park in Genk, tourists are always amazed by the Sundial displays. There are a total of 12, unique sundials within Molenvijvers Park; one in particular looks like an ancient book! Truly, the Molenvijvers Park is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience.
Alternatively, within the Kattevennen, the Europlanetarum offers families an opportunity to explore the science of astronomy. Travellers have the opportunity to view unique displays about space, stars, planets and the like. Travellers can also enjoy a fine laser show, and view movies on a 360 degree dome ceiling—much like looking out into space.
Food & Drink:There certainly is no shortage of delicious food and drink in Genk. At, El Greco, a Greek Restaurant, at Hoevenzavellaan 68A, tourists can sample vegetarian dishes and there is a special kid’s menu. Tourists can even order take out if they desire; public parking is available and the location is handicapped accessible. A full bar and an amazing wine list are available for those who are looking the quench their thirst. The El Greco Restaurant’s hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from noon to 2:30pm. On Monday and Tuesday the restaurant is closed.
The Ganghista located at Stationsstraat 1 in Genk offers both Dutch and Belgian cuisine to the hungry traveller looking to sample some of Belgium’s fantastic foods. Past guests frequently recommend the seafood delights offered at the Ganghista. The Ganghista primarily serves dinner dishes and accepts a variety of different payments. Alternatively, for those who may be craving French cuisine, the Troje at Centrumlaan 36-38 in Genk offers a variety of French dishes, as well as a children’s menu. The Troje has street parking, serves both lunch and dinner, and is open daily from noon to 2:30 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm.
Hotels & Accommodation:Hotel EuropaBest Western Hotel AtlantisHampshire Inn - ECU GenkArte HotelNH Genk HotelEntertainment:Whether exploring one of many Genk’s recreational locations, or viewing historic monuments in Genk, there is always something to do in this fine city. Filled with opportunities to shop, dine, and explore the countryside, Genk is an excellent destination for tourists. Individuals and families can stroll through the gorgeous parks in Genk, or walk the streets in Genk’s city centre. Further, because Genk is situated in central Limburg, it gives the traveller easy access to fantastic recreational pursuits in the cities surrounding Genk. For instance, Hasselt borders Genk and travelers, once they have completed their exploration of Genk, can visit Hasselt and view some of the city’s popular attractions. In Hasselt, tourists will find a number of favourite attractions including one of the largest outdoor skate parks in Belgium; the abbey of Herckenrode in Kuringen; myriad historical buildings and museums; a Japanese garden; Hasselt’s Kapermolenpark; the Kiewit the Sint-Quintinus Cathedral; and the Virga-Jesse Basilica, among numerous other attractions. Finally, tourists can also take advantage of the recreational offerings, dining facilities, nightlife activities and cultural destinations situated in nearby Hasselt.

Instead of letting the kids watch DVDs during your next road trip, use those long hours in the car to sharpen their minds. That’s the advice from Dr. Katherine Wiesendanger, an education professor at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. She offers these tips for turning those mindless hours in the car to mind-sharpening opportunities.
Official NavigatorNo minivan sallying forth to vacation wonderlands can arrive without a designated navigator. Why not appoint your child to the post? An official trip navigator’s title and duties are a great way to reinforce map reading, mathematics and geography skills.
Dr. Wiesendanger recommends that during the trip, parents require the navigator to trace the family’s progress on a map. Every hour, call for an official report from the backseat, asking the navigator to detail location, current direction of travel, the next exit, the nearest town and the next state. Mom or Dad can also add a mathematics component to navigator reports by asking for the total miles traveled and remaining, which the navigator can learn to compute using location information and the map’s scale. The driver can use the odometer to double-check.
A to ZDr. Wiesendanger suggests that road trips also present opportunities for kids and parents to sharpen verbal skills. Story-telling, for example, can involve the entire family and exercise everyone’s mind.
One idea is to use “story starters.” One family member starts the story with a simple “Once upon a time” statement. Each family member then takes a turn to build on the story. These stories can take imaginative, often humorous turns that entertain and create memories.
Another mind exercise idea is having kids keep a daily vacation journal, starting in the car. Writing brief reflections on the day’s experience and tomorrow’s anticipation lets kids practice expressing themselves. The journal also becomes a vacation keepsake that kids and parents are likely to treasure a few years down the road.

Have ever looked at the fuel gauge after you left the airport, and wondered if you really had a full tank of gas or not? There are numerous stories about renters renting a car, only to find that out of the airport the car seemed to be burning a gallon every five miles. After a fill up, the vehicle would get the normal twenty some miles to the gallon—so what happened out of the airport? This has been particularly noted by some travelers when renting from a well known rental company in a different country.
One former car renter told a story about renting from a well known car rental company in Italy. After renting a car, all the lights indicated a full tank, but after only twenty kilometers, one of the fuel lights went out. Based on how quickly the lights disappeared, it looked like the car was going to get less than twenty miles a gallon. After the first fill up, the car tended to get nearly forty miles per gallon. This may not happen frequently, but it occurs often enough that the stories have become common place.
In this particular situation, the renter was willing to just let the problem of the tank not being full from the airport pass by, but another problem reared its ugly head. He returned the car very early in the a.m. after filling it, which meant it was a “key drop.” Even though the car was full, no one was there to verify. As anyone who has been hit with a “fill-up fee” knows, the fees rental places charge for filling up the gas tank are the worst. A few weeks later an $81 charge for re-fueling showed up on the credit card. In this situation the individual did eventually get his money back, but only after a lengthy annoying process. This story brings up an important point: many of the car rental places do have a refund policy if they mis-charge you for a fill-up, but you need to have the receipt from that day or the night before to prove it was topped off before you dropped it off at the rental center. Hopefully this will not be a problem that comes back to haunt you, but having the receipt (and if they ask for it, make sure to have a photocopy) will help make your case, and help insure the return of your money. Always top off the car before returning it, even if it is only a few dollars. The fill-up fee is definitely not one to mess with..