Travel and tips

Walking Street, in Pattaya, Thailand, is sometimes referred to as the Golden Mile. It is a street of bars, restaurants, hookers, transvestites, and drunken tourists.
Busloads of Asian tourists take pictures but rarely frequent the bars. That is, unless, they go in groups for some kind of show. They will sit with jaws agape at the parade of girls in front of them.
Single, male tourists from every corner of the earth will walk, crawl, or stagger down the street, either alone, with friends, or with a companion for the night.
With neon lights, loud music, and cute “Hello girls” vying for your attention, it is difficult to decide where to go.
You will have to decide on whether to eat or drink – or both. Your decision will lead you to either a 4-star seafood restaurant or a noodle stand on a side alley.
You could wind up in a beer bar, go-go bar, a disco, or a hostess bar. Your senses will be on maximum overdrive with the sounds, sights, and smells of Walking Streets.
Tourists of every nationality will pass by. You will hear languages from the four corners of the earth.
You won’t know what to do. Eat, drink, or get a massage? Your eardrums will be split with the sounds of rap, rock, Thai, hip-hop, or just plain noise.
You will trip over your tongue looking at all the ladies walking around in various states of undress.
You will fight off the flower sellers, cigarette peddlers, and touts trying to get you to see a “light show”.
You will look up as you walk to see a bikini-clad Russian girl in a glass box writhing to unheard music.
You will wend your way down side streets, weaving in and out of carts of insects, chicken on a stick, and fried rice and noodles.
Balloons may decorate the outside of a bar indicating that a party is going on inside or it may be the grand opening or re-naming of a go-go.
Walking Street is one of a kind. Once experienced, you will never be able to describe it. I have tried, but it is like trying to explain Las Vegas to someone who has never been.
All I can say is that you will have a great time, eat some unique and delicious food, see some delightful “eye candy”, and most likely get a bit inebriated. You will have to experience it for yourself to fully understand.
And then you will see why most guys get addicted to Pattaya.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular parks of America and visited by over 3.5 million tourists each year who experience the beautiful landscape, waterfalls and steep cliffs of this place. Although the park spans over a huge area of 1189 square miles, the most popular section among tourists is the 7 square miles of Yosemite Valley. The park is extremely famous among mountain climbers for the 3500 foot vertical granite wall of El Capitan. The park has lot to offer including Rafting in Merced River, Hiking, Professional photography, Biking, Horseback Riding, Skiing and Snowshoeing at Badger Pass and Camping. Yosemite National Park is located about 200 miles east of San Francisco (SFO), about 3 to 4 hours drive by road.
Yosemite Valley is located in the central part of the High Sierra and is the visited section of the park. Yosemite Valley starts experiencing most visitors starting early spring to early summer (Feb to May) as the waterfalls are in full intensity. Summer time is June to September is crowded especially on weekends as the school summer breaks are going around that time and lot of parents bring their children during that time. The park entrance fee is $20 per car valid for 7 days. You have the option to drive around yourself but to maintain the natural beauty of the park and to keep it pollution free zone, the park operates free shuttle buses to most of the popular spots. High traffic is common especially at the entrance but its worth seeing the beauty that lies ahead. Yosemite valley is the only place in Yosemite where you can buy food inside the park. Although all major roads are kept well-plowed throughout the snow season, the National Park Service requires that drivers of private vehicles carry tire chains. Few useful phone numbers are listed belowFor General park information, current weather and road conditions call: 209-372-0200 (Recorded information). In summers information about trails can be found at : 209-372-0308, Lodging reservations: 559-252-4848, Campground reservations: 518-885-3639Getting to Yosemite Valley: By Road Take the Oakland-Bay Bridge to Highway 80 East, Take Highway 580 East and follow signs for Tracy/Stockton to Highway 20, Highway 205 to Highway 120 and into Yosemite National Park. It takes about one hour from park entrance to Yosemite Valley and Village.
AMTRAK serves San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Jose, San Francisco, and Sacramento to and from Merced/Riverbank, and connects with VIA bus lines for direct service to Yosemite Valley. Call call 800-872-7245 for more information.
Glacier Point Road: The Glacier Point Road is about 30 miles drive from the visitor center. It opens in late May to closes in November. This road offers one of the most spectacular views from the elevation. People make short stops, take pictures and hiking.
Tioga Pass: The Tioga pass is about 9950 feet high and offers spectacular views of the park. It is accessible only in summers around June-July as this area is at an elevation and gest heavy snow in winters. You can also see some beautiful Wildflowers and sequoias.
Mariposa Grove: The Mariposa Grove is Yosemite’s largest grove of giant sequoias. The largest tree, Grizzly Giant, is about 1800 years old.
Half Done: Half Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley possibly Yosemite’s most familiar sight. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft above the valley floor.
Useful websites for Yosemite National Park information are: http://www.travelandtourisminfo.com , nps.gov/yose/ , yosemite.org

Sydney: the stunning city on waterSydney has so much to offer from the breathtaking Blue Mountains to popular hang out Bondi Beach. Sydney city centre is cosmopolitan and has many attractions including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This is one of the most attractive cities in the world.
Transport: how to get there and around:There are direct flights to Sydney from many international destinations. Sydney airport is serviced by 40 airlines including British Airways, Qantas and Virgin. Once in the city you can enjoy getting around on the easy to navigate bus and rail system. If you prefer to drive, it is cost effective to hire a car, the roads are clearly signed. Weather: the seasons of SydneyThe climate in Sydney is mild throughout the year. The seasons are: Summer December to February, Autumn March to May, Winter June to August and Spring March to May. The seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere making Sydney a great get away from the cold weather.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget staysThe internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Sydney.
Attractions & Events: best attractions in Sydney• The Annual Road Bash from the Variety Club starts on the 5 August 2007 from Garden Island. • Lyric Theatre at Darling Harbour is showing the iconic Musical Priscilla the Queen of the Desert• Winter season begins at The Sydney Opera House see www.sydneyoperahouse.com for more information. • For equestrian lovers, there is an amazing show at the Horseworld Stadium every weekend called El Caballo Blanco, with choreographed horses.
Melbourne: city of culture and lifestyleMelbourne is the city for living, it has fabulous art galleries, shopping, bars, restaurants, live entertainment and plenty of culture. World famous sporting events are held here – The Melbourne Cup horse race and the Grand Prix.
Melbourne has an international airport which serves direct flights from many major cities. Navigating the city is straight forward with a choice of rental car, bus and taxi. There is also a tram network which is an attraction in itself.
There is wide range of hotels in Melbourne to choose from, all budgets are catered for. A useful information point for accommodation and attractions is the Travellers Information Desk in the arrivals lounge at International Airport. Melbourne is a great place to explore, the city is set on River Yarra and is only a few hours drive away from Victorian Alps visited in winter for skiing. Brisbane: beautiful, tropical climateBrisbane is relaxed and friendly and a wonderful place to visit all year round due to fantastic weather. The summers are long and hot and the winters mild, perfect climate to enjoy some of the best beaches in Australia and the world.
Getting to Brisbane is easy with the domestic and international airport. The city and airport are accessible by train, shuttle bus and taxi. Another city nestled on a river, you can take a relaxing trip on the Brisbane River ferry to tour the sights. You can find plenty of accommodation within Brisbane and surrounding areas. Hotels in Brisbane cater for all tastes and budgets. From the North to the South of Brisbane there is a stretch of beautiful coastline attracting plenty of holiday makers. As well as the beach, there are small islands for visitors to explore. For a fun filled day out be sure to hop on a shuttle bus to one of the cities famous theme parks. Brisbane is proud to give you Steve Irwin’s Zoo, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Movieworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and much more.

The Golden temple is also known as Harmandir Sahib, which means “the Temple of God”. With Golden Temple Tour Package visit the golden temple. This tour package will describe the whole history of the tourist place. The Golden Temple - founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. It is here that people from all over the world come to pay their reverence to The Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification. Also in Amritsar is the Jallian Wala Bagh - notorious for the massacre that took place here under British rule. In 1919 General Dyer personally led the troops to this walled ground and ordered his men open fire on a group of peaceful protestors. At the east end of the garden there is a large memorial built in memory of those who died here.
Later this afternoon, visit the Wagha Border - the international border between India and Pakistan where the pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat & Change of Guard ceremonies make for a most charming spectacle.

StockholmThe capital city of Sweden is also the most enchanting. The attractive city offers waterways, parks, gardens, fairytale castles, churches and palaces. The maritime feel to the city also makes it a lively, energetic place to visit.
Transport: how to get there and aroundBy air, you can travel to Arlanda airport. Stockholm’s airport is located about 30 miles from the city centre. By land you have the option of long distance bus or train. The main bus station is Cityterminalen, which is nearby the train station Centralstationen. If coming from Helsinki or Turku, the ferry is also an option.
ClimateFrom May to July you can enjoy the Swedish summer which brings around nine hours of bright sun each day. The winter however dark and very chilly with frequent snow. The temperature in July and August averages 16 C and below freezing in the winter.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget staysThe internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Stockholm.
Attractions & Events*From May to August there are theatre performances at Drottingholms Court for the Summer Music Festival.
*For great food, drink and entertainment head to Kungstradgarden for the Taste of Stockholm event in early June.
* The Jazz Festival is held mid July, in early August you can experience the lesbian and gay Stockholm Pride event. *Film lovers can watch 24 hours of films at the November International Film Festival.
OsloOslo the capital of beautiful rugged Norway has plenty to keep the visitor interested. Fo one thing, the city boasts 50 museums and many art galleries. Highlights are the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Holmenkollen. A new attraction is the Nobel Peace Centre.
Transport: how to get there and aroundThe International airport in Gardermoen serves Europe and North America well.
The train can link you as far as London, and the bus serves Russia, Germany and other Scandinavian countries. Ferries also run to Germany and the UK.
Oslo city is compact enough to walk around, although you could spoil yourself with a ferry trip on the fjord. There is also a choice of buses, subway system and taxis. WeatherOslo weather is fairly tame in comparison to other Scandinavian locations. Temperatures are around 16 C upwards during the long days of the summer. However being coastal there is frequent rain. Winter is snowy and there isn’t much daylight, so can be quite gloomy.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget staysThe internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Oslo.
Attractions & Events*An important day in the Norwegian calendar is 17 May. Constitution Day is a traditional day is widely celebrated with dressing in folk costume.
*Beach bonfires are lit on Midsummer’s Eve, another big celebration in Oslo.
HelsinkiThe city with its waterways and parks feels the fresh air from the nearby sea. With influences of Russia and Sweden, the Finnish capital has a bustling market square enveloped by classic architecture and al fresco cafes make if a great place to hang out on long summer nights.
Transport: how to get there and aroundVantaa International Airport, 12 miles away from the city serves flights from Russia and other European countries. The ferry connects Sweden, Estonia and Germany. The train also has international connections.
Traveling around the city is made easy by a single ticket which serves all public transport including the tram, metro, ferry and bus. You can also conveniently rent a cycle from a coin machine and try one of the city’s cycle trails. WeatherThe winter months can get as cold as -5 C in Helsinki, where as the summer averages 25 C. If you are looking for some sunshine, the best months to visit are June to September. Accommodation: Luxury to budget staysThe internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Helsinki.
Attractions & Events*If you like a tipple, the event where most drinkers overindulge is the May Day Festical, Vappu.
*Kaivopuisto Park holds weekly concerts each Sunday throughout the summer.
• The Arts Festival at the end of August to September is a popular time for celebrations in the city.

Foreign travel can be both exciting and challenging. Travel planning calls for a lot of thought and time. Often healthcare needs of travelers are overlooked. This oversight can turn an otherwise great trip into something out of a nightmare.
These are some important steps you must take before you undertake any travel:1. See your primary care physician and discuss your needs during your foreign travel. Ensure everybody is current with immunizations. Many Asian and African nations demand proof or certificate of vaccination. These requirements can be obtained from your travel agent.
2. Study your current health insurance plan to determine if it offers adequate coverage overseas. If it is not clear check with your insurance company about what is covered and excluded during overseas travel.
3. If your current health plan doesn’t offer coverage for medical expenses and medical evacuation it is prudent to consider foreign visitor insurance. If your travels are short term then you can consider a visitor medical insurance policy. If you are out on a long trip spanning several years then you can consider a more comprehensive international health insurance plan offering regular pregnancy and preventive healthcare benefits.
The premium for the plan is influenced by your age, the type of benefits and the length of coverage. It is best to speak to an experienced visitors insurance professional. Ask the right questions and ensure you protect your most important asset - health.

Where today the famous lyrical festival well as many other concerts are carry out. In addition, the city was chosen by William Shakesperare for his famous work Romeo and Juliet that is today the memory in the Juliet’s house. Verona every year received a large numbers of tourists who come to visit the many artistic treasures as well as to participate in various events. The city that ries at the foot of St. Peter’s hill, along the banks of the Adige river, has always been a strategic point of trade for the terrestrial and water transport, today recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains many historic monuments and places to visit. In addition to Piazza Bra, where is the famous Arena, certainly see Grasses’s Square and Piazza dei Messrs’s square to immerse yourself in the history of the city. A typical area of Verona, active for the feast of dad dumpling is San Zeno’s square that on the occasion of the feast fills typical markets, such as antiques and participating in this celebration you can immerse fully in the climate and in the life of the country, being equally within the city. Verona hosts many events and shows including the most famous and known is certainly the already mentioned lyric festival that reigns supreme in every summer since 1913 when it was inaugurated with Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida to which celebrities came from all over the world. At the Roman theatre takes place every year since 1948 when it was inaugurated with the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, theatre Summer that also collects many distinguished participants. Lately have added also musical performances with major jazz and dance bands. Among the events the Palio of Verona was renewed recently, known as the green drape, a race which dates all’800 and is the oldest in the world, reached the 591 th edition. Among the many features of the city there is certainly his newspaper “the Arena”, which is one of the oldest of Italy founded in 1866. A rich city in history and life, that impose itself for its architecture and its events becoming a reference point for the nation and the world.

Yield famous and popular all over the world from the famous tragedy of William Shakespeare ” The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” , it is a coveted destination from the tourists of every corner of the world.
Indeed, the capital of Veneto, offers a lot of opportunities starting from the cultural point of view, to the culinary and the entertainment.
In particolar, who wants to visit Verona for a short time (also of 2-3 days), cannot miss some fundamental appointments that characterise this laughing city in the heart of the Veneto region. In these terms, we can list what the tourist/visitor of the weekend must absolutely see and try for really living the spirit of the city:• Arena di Verona: “small” masterpiece of the roman architecture, it is still in good conditions and is used for concerts and other manifestations• Piazza delle Erbe(Square of the Grass): it rises where the ancient Roman Forum resided, is the heart of the city• Palazzo del comune (Palace of the Municipality): with a nice romantic garden• Palazzo della prefettura (Palace of the Prefecture): ancient residence of Scaligeri• Santa Anastasia: ghotic church erected from the Dominicans• Duomo (Dome): elegant construction dedicated to Santa Maria Matricolare• Balcony of Giulietta: small, but somewhat evocative where also is found the famous statue of Giulietta • Arc of the Giovi: another direct evidence of the Roman domination• In the pauses, to be based calmly in a tavern and to savour a Recioto di Soave (typical white wine of Verona) with cold cuts and the typical polenta of Veneto region.
Where to sleep in VeronaOf course, there are many touristic structures that allow to sleep in Verona or near the city.
To such purpose, the Gardenia Hotel is situated in San Michele area, ideal for passing days or vacations around Veneto, above all for visiting Verona without having to spend the night in a hotel of the city center.
This 3 stars hotel, offers refined services like cable TV, safe in each room and air conditioning, a part from the prestigious inner restaurant.
The Gardenia Hotel has a comfortable private parking and offers cordiality and hospitality to all its customers, both to businessmen and families on vacation. Moreover, the hotel website (www.hotelristorantegardenia.it) offers the chance to the Internet customers to reserve on-line directly their own rooms for the night’s passing also at the Hotel San Michele (at Verona periphery, near to the historical city center).

many resorts are envied to Italy and these offer to visitors the opportunity to discover the history of this country between monuments and architecture beauties as well as beautiful landscapes and natural wealth.
Certainly, thinking to Italy one obliged trip among many, is a stay in characteristic and unique city of Venice. Venice is situated on the Venetian lagoon in the Gulf of its name, about 28 km from the town of Treviso and for its peculiarity of the city “Aquatic” has the highest tourist’s flow in Italy. Declared in 1987 by UNESCO, humanity’s heritage welcome tourists every year with its historical heritage surrounded by his entire lagoon. Famous for its Carnival which attracts millions of tourists during the period between May and October, is a “gem” to visit at any time, to live the magic of its 118 islands linked together by 354 bridges and then divided by 177 between canals and rills. Among the islands, the Lido welcomes the International exhibition of art cinema Venice meeting point of many celebrities while the island of Murano is known worldwide for exclusive glass working, in addition, the typical lace worked on the island of Burano, also famous for its very colorful houses.
Given the constant influx of tourists that the city each year must accept there are in Venice, many characteristic hotels as the prestigious Hotel Ala, located in the heart of the city, near the famed St. Mark’s Square. Hotel three stars among the best of Venice, offers to customers who stay in its 85 rooms decorated by Barocchetto Venetian-style as well as the original ‘eight hundred and nine hundred furniture, to be able to enjoy fully the spirit of Venetian life and spend so stays unforgettable. Recently completely renovated as in the common areas as in the bedrooms, hotel Ala has maintained the charm of the city in its internal in fact you can admire the floor “Terrace” embellished by glass murrine while shine on the walls stucco in 700 Venetian Style and on this atmosphere stands out a fabulous and brilliant Venetian chandelier work of famous glassmaker master, Giorgio Ferro.
Stay in Venice remains a must in choosing a journey between the wonders of Italy, among the many luxury hotels that stand out for the country, ready to welcome in every tourist resort on coastlines, at the famous lakes, mountain or in splendid hills, certainly in the venetian city you live unique spell that has no equal. The only way to turn, if you don’t visit walking you can go in gondola or ferry: visit the Venetian markets, small characteristic shops, anyone if only for one day visits this magic city will be more rich.

In this small lagoon town live over 270,000 inhabitants; it is situated in the northeast of Italy and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Venice is divided into Sestieri, three of these (Castello, San Marco and Cannaregio) are here to the Grand Canal taking as a point of reference Piazza San Marco; the three at the other hand, are Santa Croce, Dorsoduro and San Polo-Rialto. These six subdivisions of the city are represented in the “Ferro” (front of the gondola-metal boats typical of the city - which has precisely six points / lines). The rear of the craft, however, represents the Giudecca island which is located right in front of Piazza San Marco.
Of course, the capital of Veneto, which is categorized heritage of humanity by UNESCO, is a unique city, where there are no roads but only canals and rivers navigable by small boats (Gondole). Historically it was called the Dominant or even as the Serenissima, in fact has been for over a millennium, the capital of the Republic of Venice. The old city lives mainly from the tourism, but also of local manufacture and crafts, just think of the beautiful Murano glass (small island in the lagoon of Venice). Moreover, for the most recent city located inshore, has a flourishing business and point of reference for the economy of the country. Venice, offers many opportunities within the tourism industry and food for a variety of factors: history, culture, romance, shopping and entertainment; also offers a wide selection of hotels in Venice. In particular, who wants to visit Venice for a few days should not miss some areas and traditions that make the visit to the city unique and unforgettable• Piazza San Marco is considered the core of sestriere and the heart of the city (the only open space considered Square), where there are the most important monuments: Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica of San Marco• Ponte di Rialto: the oldest bridge that crosses the Grand Canal • Lido di Venezia: very characteristic because it is an thin island that extends for more than 10 km in the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. In this narrow strip of land there is also the beach of Venezia. • Museo Ca’ D’oro: well known palace situated along the Grand Canal which contains the gallery Giorgio Fianchetti • Gallerie delll’Accademia: who are in Dorsoduro and retain some beautiful works of Giovanni and Jacopo Bellini, Tiziano and Tintoretto.
• Among a visit and another, take a rest in an inn or in an outdoors bar and enjoy a Recioto di Soave (white wine typical of the Veneto region) with sliced and polenta veneta.
But where to stay in Venezia? In a city that lives on tourism solutions are not lacking, in fact there are many hotels that have rooms to sleep in Venice or in the immediate vicinity also proposing a wide range of hotel in Venice. In this regard, the Hotel Ala is located in Piazza San Marco (the core of the city) and is the hotel ideal in Venice for those who want to spend some days in the fantastic “Serenissima”. This refined 4 stars hotel offers many services, such as satellite TV, air conditioning and safe in every room. The Hotel Ala in Venice offers exceptional warmth and hospitality to all its customers, whether they are business people or families and children on holiday. Moreover, thanks to the new link (www.hotelala.it) offers the opportunity to make bookings on-line to all users interested in prestigious rooms in Venice.