Paddle Steamers of Mornington - Historical Facts - Mornington Peninsula - Victoria, Australia

Back in the 1800's at Mornington, a small seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, the main event of the day was the arrival of one of the Paddle Steamers at the Mornington Wharf. The local hotels and guest houses sent wagonettes and porters to the pier to escort guests to their establishments. When the paddle steamers departed to continue their journey to Sorrento, a procession of porters, trolleys and passengers headed towards the Main Street.

Paddle Steamers were a luxury form of transport on Port Philip Bay in the late 1800's. They were used to transport tourists from Melbourne to Mornington, Dromana and Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, and Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The Port Philip Steamship and Hotel Company owned the Golden Crown and the Lonsdale paddle steamers. They ran daily excursions from Melbourne to Mornington, Dromana, Sorrento and Queenscliff.

Golden Crown was built in Auckland New Zealand by Duthie and Ross in 1870. The plates, frames, engines and boilers were made in England and exported for assembled in Auckland, However, the vessel carrying the plates and frames was wrecked on her voyage to New Zealand, so the design was altered to construct her of timber. She was 200 feet long and weighed 330 gross tons. After being used in the North Island on the Thames River she was sold in 1874 to the Port Philip Steamship and Hotel Co. where she became a regular on the Mornington, Sorrento, Queenscliff route. Golden Crown was broken up in Melbourne in 1892.

Lonsdale was built in 1882 at Greenock , Scotland . She was 228 feet long, made of iron and weighed 228 tons. During a storm in June 1889 she broke her moorings at Port Philip Bay and was stranded at Port Melbourne Beach . It wasn't until January 1891 she was refloated but it was determined that repair costs were so high she would be dismantled.

George Coppin a Theatre entrepreneur and owner of the Continent Hotel, the swimming baths and a tramway that carried visitors from the bayside beach to the wild open back beach at Sorrento, started the Bay Excursion Steamer Company Ltd. and commissioned the construction of the first Port Phillip Bay paddle steamer 1886.

By the turn of the century, there were 3 Port Phillip Bay paddle steamers in operation, the Ozone, the Hygeia and the Weeroona.

The Ozone, was built in Glasgow, she was 260 feet long (80 metres), built of steel and weighed 572 tons. Her two paddle wheels each measured almost 22 feet in diameter (approximately 7 metres) and she could travel at up to 20 knots. At the time she was considered the finest paddle steamer to be built.

Ozone had three decks, a luxurious dining room, bars, and a ladies hair salon. She had a dark green hull, white upper sections and two orange funnels. She could carry up to 1600 passengers. So up to date was the Ozone, her lighting was by electricity which had been invented by Thomas Edison only 7 years earlier.

Leaving Glasgow on the 25th August 1886, Ozone travelled through the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal and down to Thursday Island where she was put in quarantine. Ozone finally arrived in Port Philip Bay on 26th November 1886.

Her maiden voyage on Port Philip Bay was on the 18th December 1886. First stop was Mornington, then Sorrento and on to Queenscliff where she collided with the pier! She was also involved in other incidents during her life. In 1889 she collided with a schooner called Elfin. There was no serious damage to either vessel. 1890 saw a near miss with the coastal trader Coogee, but in 1894 Ozone ran down the fishing vessel May causing considerable damage to May.

Due to declining patronage the Ozone was withdrawn from service in 1918. She was sold to George Hill & Company, a Melbourne Shipbreaker who stripped all the fittings and sank the hull at Indented Head near Queenscliff.

The next paddle steamer to go into service was the Hygeia. Built by Napier, Shanks and Bell of Glasgow in 1890 for Hubbart Parker and Company, Hygeia was designed to compete directly with Ozone.

Hygeia was 300 feet long (92 metres), was built of steel and weighed 986 tons. She was capable of 22 knots under full steam and was considered the most luxuriously appointed paddle steamer ever built for Australian service.

Licensed to carry over 1600 passengers, Hygeia operated for 40 years servicing Port Philip Bay. She had a promenade deck, licensed saloons, luxuriously appointed dining rooms and a barbers shop.

Hygeia was taken out of service in 1930. During her time she was involved in a few incidents. In 1894 she was involved in a collision with the tug, Sprightly. On the 8th December 1911 she collided with an unnamed cutter on Port Philip Bay and a few days later on the 22nd December was stranded at Sorrento.

Hygeia was laid to rest after being stripped of all her fittings at Barwon Heads just outside the western head of Port Philip Bay in June 1932.

Weeroona was the last of the Port Philip Bay paddle steamers to be built. She was built by A.S Inglis of Glasgow in 1910 for Hubbart Parker and Company.

Weeroona took 70 days to complete her maiden voyage from Glasgow to Melbourne via the Suez Canal, Jakarta, Thursday Island, Brisbane and Sydney.

Larger than the other two paddle steamers, Weeroona was 310 feet long (95 metres), constructed of steel, weighed 1412 tons and licensed to carry 1900 passengers. Again she was extremely luxurious with spacious promenade decks and impressive lounges and dining rooms.

Weeroona serviced the resorts of Port Philip bay until 1942 when she was purchased by the US Navy who intended to refit her as a convalescent and accommodation ship. Leaving Melbourne in 1943, Weeroona travelled under her own steam to Sydney and then she was taken under tow to the Philippines via Brisbane and New Guinea.

The Australian Government purchased Weeroona from the US Navy in 1945 and sold her for scrap in 1951 when she was stripped and sunk off Berry Bay in NSW.

The era of luxurious paddle steamers on Port Philip Bay is now long gone, however, the wonderful resort towns of Mornington and Sorrento can still be enjoyed and the history re-lived.

For more fascinating historical facts , photographs, sightseeing tips and lots more information about the magnificent Mornington Peninsula, please visit us.

Di Jones - Travel Writer and Historian
Co-owner of http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au Discover Mornington Peninsula is an information and travel site about the breathtakingly beautiful area called the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Our site is packed with both travel and historical information. Enjoy!

5 Things to Do When You Visit Branson, MO

Branson, Missouri is one of the Midwest's greatest tourist destinations. There are many attractions in Branson, and people of every age are sure to find several things to see and do while in town. While there are collectively hundreds of museums, variety shows, shops, parks, playgrounds, and other activities in Branson, following are five of the most highly recommended.

1. Branson Scenic Railway

For a great scenic tour of the Ozarks and the area surrounding Branson, a ride on the Scenic Railway is a must. While on the railway tour, a guide provides riders with a lot of information and history about the Branson area. The scenery that can be viewed from the train is magnificent and the train cars, which are designed to be like they were in the old days, allow riders to feel like they are on a train ride from the past.

2. Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show

This show is one of Branson's most popular attractions. The characters on stage have great costumes, wonderful singing voices, and they are experts at riding the 32 horses that take part in the show. The dinner served is delicious and can be considered down-home cooking.

3. America's Presidency

One of the most highly recommended museums in Branson is America's Presidency Museum. This museum is anything but ordinary, and a visit is truly entertaining. The museum is home to several outfits originally owned and worn by several past First Ladies, and there are also several exhibits featuring some of the personal items from the estates of President Lincoln, President Roosevelt and President Kennedy.

4. Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum

This museum is one of the most popular and exciting tourist destinations in the entire city. There are several hundred items in the museum that have entertained and surprised visitors for decades. The building that houses the museum was built to look like it was a victim of the earthquake that hit Missouri in 1812.

5. Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City is a theme park that is a favorite among visitors of all ages. The park includes a crafter's village reminiscent of an 1880's town, amusement park rides, and a water park called, "White Water." Silver Dollar City also commonly hosts various music festivals and celebrations. The park has a nightly display of fireworks in addition to a laser show and music. There are several places to eat dinner in and around Silver Dollar City, but a trip on the Showboat Branson Belle - a cruise ship - is a truly memorable experience as it includes a meal as well as a dinner show.

Find Discount Branson Hotels at http://www.branson-hotels.net/

Interesting Places in Luxembourg

In this land of lush scenery and tranquil environment, springs the charming modern day sceneries and energetic bustles. Possessing a rich history, an evolving traditions and diverse arts, Luxembourg is a tiny nation that sits with the very heart of Europe and may be a capital of Europe's economic integration.
Luxembourg can be a melting-pot of ancient beauty and of contemporary charm. In its capital urban centre, Luxembourg City, many fortresses, cathedrals, and historical buildings and museums, can be viewed as you walked by their paved roads.

Luxembourg also boasts its Valley of Seven Castles where by most of other noblemen once resided. A 37-kilometer stretch Eisch valley showcases one of the most vital cultural and historical treasures on the nation. The valley employed being a mining spot as exhibited by the various caves exactly where the relations of miners lived. The majority of the cultivation lands along the riverbanks from the valley have preserved their prime prehistoric appeal and are part of the biggest natural protected zone in Luxembourg. Adventures are also present in Eisch valley. Numerous hikers and cyclists are fascinated by the 200-kilometer serene streets and elaborated forest tracks.

Numerous leisure pursuits are likewise available in the metropolis like watching theaters, going to museums and art galleries, dining at 13-star restaurants and going to spas. The Philharmonie Luxembourg Concert Hall, Museum of Modern Artwork Grand-Duc Jean MUDAM and Mondorf le Domain Thermal Spa are few of the modern day infrastructures exactly where entertainment and relaxation are at their finest. Luxembourg is also the place for many Michelin-star restaurants where by a mixed French and German gastronomy is served. All these contemporary spots may be viewed while enjoying an unforgettable journey in the underground caverns of Casemates in the Petrusse Valley.

Luxembourg is some 50-mile lengthy and 30-mile wide, that is why it's not tough to tour around the state. One of the greatest ways to take pleasure from picturesque structures and sights is via strolling. The Wenzel Walk provides you with the opportunity to can return to a millennium full of history in mere 100 minutes. Appreciate also a panoramic spree at Europe's greatest balcony, Chemin de la Corniche, where by magnificent river valley and old town landscapes are explored and exactly where the city's nightlife is at.
Outside the metropolis, it is possible to also love strolling and biking at Moselle Valley which leads to winding paths of vineyards, at Ardennes in which verdant meadows and thick foliage of pines await, and at Mullerthal Region regarded for its stunning rock formations.

To read more about travel topics, visit famouswonders.com and while you are at it, check out luxembourg travel guide.

Thailand's Tourist Drug Problem

Some trekking tour companies, particularly in Northern Thailand, have been known to make drugs available to trekkers. Travelers should not accept drugs of any kind, as the drugs may be altered or harmful, and the use or sale of narcotic drugs is illegal in Thailand. Additionally, alcoholic beverages, medications and drugs may be more potent or of a different composition than similar ones in the United States.

Penalties for the possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Thailand are severe. Foreigners are not excused from these checks, and anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs is arrested and charged. The possession of even small quantities of "soft drugs" for recreational purposes can result in lengthy jail sentences and deportation. Enforcement action against people involved in all aspect of illicit drugs has increased significantly. Canadians are reminded that Thai laws regarding illegal drugs are very strict and include the death penalty for serious offences. The possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs, including marijuana, can result in severe fines and/or prison sentences. Visitors should be aware that night-time police spot-checks to search for illegal drugs have become common in and around entertainment venues in Thailand.

Never become involved with drugs of any kind in Thailand. Amphetamines and Ecstasy are regarded as class A drugs and possession or trafficking of them carries the same penalties as, for example, heroin.

The long, mountainous border with Myanmar (Burma) brings refugees, illegal immigrants, and drugs into the country. Most people think about Thailand as having only drugs & girls. Enforcement action against people involved in all aspect of illicit drugs has increased significantly, becarefull not to ruin your holiday and your life.

Richard Heap is a property management guru in Samui working at [http://samui-property-finder.com] helping people find property in samui property [http://www.samui-property-finder.com]

New York City Christmas Lights: Holiday Season 2010 A Walking Tour

This is a description of a walking tour of Manhattan that includes the best places to view this year's Holiday Christmas Lights. All of the listings below have been personally visited and recommended. There are 54 areas of interest including: museums, Christmas window displays, famous buildings, interesting restaurants, impressive hotel lobbies, etc., and typical NYC points of interest. The walking tour is arranged in descending order from 104th Street to 12th Street.

1. Museum of the City of New York.
2. Tree Lights On Park Avenue.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
4. Rhinelander Mansion/Ralph Lauren Store.
5. The Frick Collection.
6. The Crystal District.
7. Barney's. - Christmas Windows.
8. Bloomingdale's. - Holiday Windows.
9. Plaza Hotel.
10. World's Largest Menorah.
11. Time Warner Center.
12. Van Cleff & Arpels.
13. FAO Schwarz.
14. Bergdorf Goodman. - Christmas Displays.
15. UNICEF Snowflake.
16. Tiffany & Co. - Windows.
17. Louis Vuitton Malletier.
18. Trump Tower.
19. Henri Bendel. - Windows.
20. The House of Harry Winston.
21. Carnegie Deli.
22. The House of Cartier. - Displays.
23. Ellen's Stardust Diner.
24. New York Palace Hotel.
25. Rockefeller Center.
26. St. Patrick's Cathedral.
27. Radio City Music Hall.
28. Saks Fifth Avenue. - Windows.
29. The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.
30. American Girl Place.
31. Hershey's Times Square.
32. Diamond and Jewelry District.
33. Tkts Booth.
34. Joe Allen Restaurant.
35. The World of Disney Store
36. Toys "R" Us. Times Square.
37. Fred F. French Building.
38. New York Yacht Club.
39. The Westin New York At Times Square.
40. Hello Kitty Store.
41. Chrysler Building.
42. New York Public Library.
43. Grand Central Terminal.
44. 42nd Street Food Court.
45. Fetes de Noel Holiday Shops At Bryant Park.
46. The Pond At Bryant Park.
47. Kinokuniya Book Store.
48. Lionel Electric Trains.
49. Lord & Taylor Dept. Store. - Christmas Windows
50. Great Buttons.
51. Morgan Library and Museum.
52. Macy's Herald Square. - Christmas Windows.
53. Empire State Building.
54. Forbes Magazine Galleries.

The 2010 Holiday Season is well represented in New York City. Take the family and enjoy a trip of a lifetime!

For a complete description of each of the 54 amazing Christmas lighting displays which includes where to start and what to see next, along with historical facts and places to stay while visiting the Big Apple you will want to check out the full article at: http://new-york-motels.net and we are sure that you will agree that the NYC Christmas Lights website is providing a fabulous free service with this great list. Feel free to print it out and take it with you on your walking tour.

Is Patong Beach the Place to Go in Phuket, Thailand?

Phuket, the largest island of Thailand, is nearly the size of Singapore and is located in the green waters of the Andaman Sea at around 850 kilometers south of the capital, Bangkok. As Thailand's most popular beach destination, whether the visitor is looking for a quiet place or an active area with plenty of colorful night life, Phuket island has everything someone would want on a holiday.

With beautiful beaches and some of the best resort hotels, the island is ideal to create a delightful ambiance for a truly memorable vacation. Phuket has 2 main seasons, which are the rainy season from May to October and the hot season from November to April. During the rainy season, showers last not more than two to three hours in a day and many sunny days still can be enjoyed.

The most favored beaches are situated in Bang Tao, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Patong. In addition to the beaches and night life of the island, many other activities can be enjoyed such as water sports, visit of temples, treks in the forest or motorcycle rides. Phuket also hosts one of the most famous International soccer 7s tournament in south-east Asia in November.

Bangtao beach is one of the longest beach in Phuket island and a luxury resort area dominated by a Laguna complex, a massive luxury-hotel development with golf course. Swimming is excellent during the dry season, and at the end of the bay is a smaller bay, which is nearly completely enclosed, with some fine corals.

Kamala beach, which is mostly a fishing village, is less crowded even during the summer season. A two kilometers long quiet beach where fishermen can be seen casting their net near their boats, is the only entertainment of the area together with the buffalo herds that come down sometimes to cool off.

Patong beach is the leading tourist district for water sports activities such as snorkeling, parachute flying, windsurfing, jet-skiing and sailing. Patong has the most unbelievable nightlife in all Phuket. Pubs, restaurants, go-go bars and discotheques are dispersed all over a 3,000 meter long beach front. The greatest concentration of night places are in Soi Bangla, where pubs with live music, bars with local entertainers and an important choice of excellent restaurants can be found.

Karon Beach is a lot quieter than Patong and is the second largest tourist beach in Phuket. A long and broad almost unspoiled beach with a very white sand can be enjoyed there. A superb coral reef is extending towards Kata and Bu Island at the southern point. Restaurants, bars and tour companies, but also non-hotel businesses are located at the north end.

Phuket has its own International airport and can be reached directly from overseas or from Bangkok with a 70 minutes flight.

Michel Gerard is a Travel author located in Asia. Visit the GuestHouse Phuket website to book your accommodation online and grab your *free* ebook: "Stories of Authentic Eco-adventure Destinations for Travellers in Thailand" http://www.guesthousephuket.com/ebook.html

A Few Days in Phuket

Phuket has a mixed reputation, partially deserved but also partially unfair. The first image that pops into many people's minds is the overdeveloped and rather seedy stretch of Patong beach. However, remember that this is just a small part of a big island and is easily avoided if that's not your thing.

Recently, my family and I stayed at Kamala beach, a bit further north of Patong and a world apart. Kamala is quiet, with no accommodation built directly on or behind the beach. It is a beautiful natural cove offering great photo opportunities and peace and quiet. Another advantage (for me) is the lack of vendors on the beach, here you really will be able to relax without having to refuse the Henna tattoo and doughnut sellers every 5 minutes!

We chose Kamala because it seemed ideal, having a young family. We didn't want to be in an area that was too crowded, but still with a nice beach and swimmable sea. We stayed in the Marriott Courtyard, and it was a choice between either that one or the Marriott Courtyard on neighbouring Surin beach (I had a promotional offer to use up at one of these two hotels). As we were travelling with my in-laws (who are Thai) the choice was simple. Surin was badly affected by the Tsunami and many people died, especially in the Courtyard hotel. Kamala was left untouched. Thai people fear ghosts and that is a big reason why tourism was slow to recover in the affected areas. They wouldn't even entertain the idea of staying at Surin for fear of upsetting any trapped souls. So...Kamala it was! If you wish to pay your respects while in Phuket there are a few memorial sites around the island. At the southern end of Kamala there is a monument just behind the little river that runs behind the beach and a little grassed area and pavilion.

What to do in Phuket when you get bored of the beach and the hotel pool though....well there is a lot! We hired a car so it made accessing these places easy for us, but the "songthaews" are regular and there's always a taxi or your hotel will usually arrange something for you. Of course we sampled the more family orientated activities, starting off at the rather more off-the-beaten-track Gibbon Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

This is worth a visit, even if slightly out of the way, to do your bit for a good cause. The centre is run by volunteers (European when we visited) and attempts to rehabilitate gibbons that were orphaned by poachers or kept as pets. They go through several stages of training before being released back into the wild, although of course some don't make it. The only ones you can see are the latest arrivals who are still used to a lot of human contact, as they develop through the programme they are moved further into the rainforest and away from human contact. There are a couple of nice trails you can walk while here, a few refreshment stalls and elephant rides. If you're interested, the staff are happy to talk to you about their programme as well.

Following on the animal theme we then visited Phuket Aquarium and it's related attractions. Most people only look around the aquarium itself and then go, and the aquarium is fairly sizeable although beginning to look a little shabby. They do have a great selection, and some especially large fish that scared my daughter! If you're travelling with kids this is a great way to entertain them for a couple of hours. If you've got an appetite for some more, the entrance fee also gets you into the "Baby Farm" as my daughter called it! It's a building at the back of the main aquarium where they run breeding programmes for many varied species of sea life. Be careful if you go in there as the Thai's are never that hot on health and safety, there are plenty of opportunities to fall over! And just a bit further down the road is a small facility that breeds turtles.

Phuket Zoo is, in my own opinion, a grim place best avoided. Sure if you have a little child, they probably will enjoy it and again it's a good way to pass some time. But any older children may be upset by the cramped and dirty enclosures and the obviously stir-crazy animals. A lot of the facilities appear uncared for and dirty. This place does have a poor reputation and fully deserved, if you can....stay away.

If temples are your thing there are plenty of those to visit. We went to the Phuket Big Buddha, which is really only accessible on wheels, it's a 6km winding road up a big hill. But when at the top you are rewarded with magnificent views all around. The Buddha itself wasn't complete when we visited in October 2009 but was still a magnificent sight. Also worth a look in is Wat Chalong, probably one of the most visited temples in Phuket. We were (or rather I was) treated to a procession of Miss Teen Thailand contestants in the temple grounds during our visit!

If you find that you need to hit the shops then Phuket Town should cater for your needs, as well as the nearby hyper-global-mega malls (!!) of Big C and Central Festival. Phuket offers many superb photos opportunities and if you're able to hire a car, I'd recommend a trip to one of the many viewpoints (they're shown on any good map). You can get some spectacular sunset shots.

There are countless other activities such as trekking, boat trips, fishing trips, go-karting, Muay Thai fights and training camps and much more. Phuket can be a sleazy, booze trip if you want and Patong can certainly offer you that. But don't think that this is all Phuket has to offer! You should have a great time!

Matthew's Travel Website, http://www.matthewt.co.uk
My blog, http://matthewted.blogspot.com

Visiting Beaches in Phuket

Beaches are integral part of any Phuket tour. The island hosts an array of beaches, all of which have something distinct about them. Famous beaches like Patong, Karon, Kata and Kamala are located in Phuket. Beaches of the Island are the rendezvous of sports, adventure, shopping and night life.

Patong Beach

Patong, most visited beach in Phuket, offers mist-wrapped mornings and the sunsets which are always worthy to watch. And Patong isn't finished with natural beauty. Add to it colorful atmosphere, a range of restaurants, fun-filled nightlife, fabulous fun-making, and the temptation to visit Phuket become irresistible. A long white sandy stretch, Phuket offers thrilling adventures and fast-paced shopping. Any visit to Phuket is incomplete without Patong trip.

Karon Beach

If you wish to avail full range of facilities, dining and activities, but are not too fond of crowds, Karon is your destination. A stretch of squeaky white sand, Karon beach has a number of budget guest houses, restaurants and bars. Some artists have built here a complex of huts and galleries, which would interest art lovers. A football stadium, which hosts both national and international events, is also located near Karon Beach. One can get here rejunevating spa and shop for handicrafts. For enjoying nightlife, you could visit Patak East Road.

Kamala Beach

Kamala is considered the most beautiful beach in Phuket, offering panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Ringed by forested hills, this calm and pleasant beach has pretty white sands. If one seeks more than sunbathing, facilities like boats are available. At Kamala Beach, one can get a feel of old Phuket. Shopping in village markets has its own charm. One would find a range of hotels and apartments are nestled around the fishing village. After a day of water sports and shopping, one can entertain in evenings at Phuket FantaSea Entertainment Complex, known for sparkling dances and leg-shaking music.

Kata Beach

Milky sands and turquoise waters make Kata Beach different. Surfers like to have fun at Southern end of Kata beach. Every year, during December, beautiful yachts from all over the region arrive in Kata to participate in King's Cup Regatta, Asia's premier sailing event. Tourists wishing to explore beyond the beach can take assistance from several dive shops and tour operators. One could also shop for souvenirs and readymade clothes at shops in Kata village. A popular tourist resort, there are sufficient number of restaurants and hotels too.

Surin Beach

If you wish to relish delicious seafood and sunbath in peaceful and pleasant atmosphere, Surin could be your option. A casuarina-lined beach, Surin has calm and refreshing atmosphere, thanks to the absence of jet-skiis and speedboats. However, the beach is good to enjoy activities like snorkeling and and surfing. Near the beach, one can find facilities like shops, bars, cafes and small hotels.

Bang Tao Beach

A long milky beach, Bang Tao is known for luxurious resorts and villas. One can enjoy a slew of activities including golfing, windsurfing, elephant riding, kids sports, rock climbing, horse riding and ropes course. At open-air village market in close vicinity of the beach, one can get first-hand experience of a conventional Thai market.

Chalong Bay

Muddy coastline makes Chalong Bay unsuitable for most water sports. However, it does have a jetty where you can hire boats. Tourist facilities like parking, restaurants, information kiosks and shops are located on jetty.

Panwa Beach

Panwa is a tranquil beach at a short distance from Phuket town. The foremost attraction of the beach is Phuket Aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biological Center. It is the centre of most water sports competitions in Phuket.

Laem Sing Beach

People wanting a reclusive day can visit Laem Sing which has a white beach at the center and rocky outcroppings at both ends. Located between Patong and Surin, Laem Sing is good for snorkeling and sunbathing. You would find some locally run restaurants and bars, but no accommodation facilities are available.

Dinesh Patairya has been writing on tourism for several online and offline publications for years. He is currently working for a project on Phuket [http://www.yourasianvacations.com/thailand/phuket/index.html] with YourAsianVacations.com

Popular Holiday Islands in Thailand

Thailand is one of the leading travel destinations in the world and is home to many beautiful tropical islands. Some of these isles you might have heard of and some you will most likely never have heard of. This Thailand related travel article will list and review some of the most beautiful holiday islands in Siam.

Phuket

Phuket is the most popular island and is along with Pattaya and Bangkok the most popular tourist destinations of the country. There are many beautiful beaches on this isle which include Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin and Nai Harn. If you enjoy the nightlife then perhaps either Phuket or Samui should be your choice for your next vacation.

Koh Samui

Samui is ranked among the top 5 vacation destinations in the country and has been known for a very long time as a backpacker heaven. Samui has however been under development a great deal during the last decade and visitors can now choose from a wide range of luxurious hotels and resorts. The beaches on this island rank among the finest of Thailand. Chaweng beach is the most popular beach resort area of Samui.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is still relatively unknown to the general public however it is one of the fastest growing travel destinations of Siam. If you would like to visit Koh Chang then you should take the ferry boat from Rayong as there is no airport on this Thai isle

Koh Samet

Although Samet is not a very large island, it is one of the most romantic of all the Thai islands. Many travelers are like to visit Samet as it is located not too far from Pattaya. A lot of day trips are also organized to this wonderful isle.

James is a travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide and for information about Samui please visit his Samui Guide.

Corbett Tour: A Perfect Way to Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body

Are you dreaming of something adventurous and exciting for your honeymoon? Then, book your honeymoon travel package which includes a trip to the Jim Corbett National Park! Many tourists or honeymooners get bored of the monotony of the beaches and hill station tour and desire to add thrill and challenge in their vacation. Here, Corbett Travel is the perfect idea! What can be more exciting and fun than spending your day and night amidst the wildlife and exotic flora and fauna? The pleasure and delight that you can add to your tour is unmatched. At the end of your Corbett Travel, you will feel blessed and filled with energy and vigor.

Corbett Park well connected with rails and roads

There are also no issues or tensions to be pondered about the modes of reaching the Corbett Park while booking the Corbett Travel packages. The Corbett Reservation is well connected by both rail and road and is just 280 kilometers from New Delhi. Also, you can easily reach the Corbett Park from other cities as well which includes Agra, Rishikesh, Lucknow, Chnadigarh and so on. In fact, if you are enjoying your honeymoon in any of these locations, then you can easily book a honeymoon travel package and reach Corbett. What can be more delightful than adding an element fun, adventure and excitement in your honeymoon? It will actually feel like an icing on the cake!

Book your Corbett Travel during weekend

Corbett Travel is also taken up by the people during the weekends which highly give them an opportunity to unwind from their hectic life and spend some peaceful and thrilling moments. For the Corbett travel, there is also no need for you to take up a full- fledged leave from your office which is greatly difficult to get these days. You can find numerous Corbett Travel packages which offer a 2 or 3 days fun filled tour of the Corbett Park.

An escape to the exotic landscape and unique wildlife will rejuvenate your mind and body. During your Corbett tour, you will simply forget your monotony of work or other tensions. The wonder of nature and a glimpse of the varied variety of living beings residing in our planet will just mesmerize you. When you talk about nature, forests, wildlife, birds and exotic plants are always mentioned. Corbett tour packages guarantees a view of all of them!

Author is an associate editor for Corbett Tour Packages. Get all possible information about Holiday Packages and Corbett Holiday Packages. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Flights Booking and Holiday Packages in India.

Getting to Know Phuket's Beaches

I spent a little more than a year living in Phuket and came to know the Phuket beaches well. Before I moved to Phuket I wasn't a big fan of beaches, but after seeing what the island had to offer, I eventually warmed to them.

For anyone visiting the island, the Phuket beaches are one of the primary draws. However, Phuket's most popular beaches are definitely the ones I would try and avoid. The beach that seems to attract more people every year no matter how much good advice is written about the place is Patong Beach.

It defies belief that people still flock to Patong Beach and continue to leave with the same complaints. The food is overpriced, there are too many people, the beach is dirty and so on. There's a reason why the people who live in Phuket only really venture to Patong Beach for the nightlife or else occasionally for shopping. It's a bit of a dive. There are much better Phuket beaches around the island.

My personal favorite Phuket beach will always be Mai Khao Beach. I first visited Mai Khao Beach about three years ago. It was the first time I had been in Phuket, but it didn't take long to decide which beaches to avoid.

Mai Khao Beach is an enormous stretch of untouched paradise. There are countless spots where there is nothing else except the sand, sea and you. If you want beautiful natural surroundings and the kind of beach you see in brochures, all you need to do is go to Mai Khao.

However, most tourists forsake Mai Khao, either because it's too far or too difficult to get to. Mai Khao Beach is located in the north of Phuket and can be reached a number of ways. The most obvious, if traveling from Phuket Town, is to take a songthaew as much of the way as possible and then hail motorcycle taxis. Otherwise you could rent your own motorbike for 200 baht or so and make the trip north.

The journey might take up to an hour from Phuket Town, but it's certainly worth the effort.

Another beach that receives little attention is Yanui Beach, a tiny little stretch of sand located just around the corner from Nai Harn Beach. As Phuket beaches go, Yanui is great during the high season when there are people keeping it clean. During low season it has a kind of romantic charm and is a great place to watch the sunset, but there's usually an accumulation of garbage along the beach.

There are heaps of other beaches dotted around the coast of Phuket. They all have something to offer. Patong Beach is definitely one to avoid, however.

After traveling to the majority of Thailand's beach destinations, I think that if you do Phuket right, you'll have a better time than at places such as Samui or Pha-ngan. Thailand has long been on the tourist trail and so no beach destination is perfect, but Phuket can get pretty close.

To find out more about Phuket visit Phuket Vogue.

Pompeii Tour Guide Trap - Three Ways To Avoid The Traps

The Pompeii tour guide trap is easy to fall into since it even affects relatively respectable channels. Lets go through them one by one.

1. Booking Pompeii Tours Through Private Drivers and limousine car service companies.

This is perhaps the easiest way to when it comes to booking Pompeii tours. This happens when you arrive at Pompeii using a pre-booked private car. Private drivers are found generally through a car-service website or a network of agencies that feeds them with customers.

When you arrive, once the driver has gained your trust, you will then be suggested additional services to enhance your visit.

But here is the rub.

Quality private drivers doesn't necessarily mean quality private guide. This is a case of misplacing your trust. The drivers look to add to their income by offering extra services and add the services of a guide. They charge you the customer the full price, and then they look for the guide via cell phone. But the drivers rarely want to pay the guide their official fee.

Frequently, it's also happening at the last minute, so the quality of the guide you will get tends to be a lottery.

You should know that the better guides may work once for these private drivers once or twice with the private drivers they know already; but thereafter, they tend to avoid the experience because they don't get the right money they should be paid for their services. For example, I have worked with virtually all the drivers in the Bay of Naples for 20 years, and I have my own preferred pre-selected group of drivers. However, it is extremely rare these days that I accept work of this kind.

2. On the spot Guides:

These are local guides at the main entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site. Many of these "guides" began working in the tourist shops many years ago. They learned a few words of some foreign language, and from this let's say, they auto-qualified themselves as guides.

You know that just deciding one day that you are a local guide does not mean you have the qualities to communicate what a place really means to visitors.

This may do for certain places in the world, but for the complexity of Pompeii, it is not enough. Many of these self-declared guides are still there getting their clients at the entrance of the site half a century later. Today since the end of 2008, they have created a kind of formalized booking gazebo or tent outside of the main entrances of the site of Pompeii. Whatever the system, the risk that you run is the same....and this is to end up with a very poor level of guiding.

Generally it is common for the "on-the-spot" Pompeii Tour "guides" take you into the site, give you a quick tour around and then leave you to continue "to explore the site on your own".

Why do they do this? Why do they leave you in the middle of the site? Your are left by them in the middle of the site of Pompeii so that they can rush back to the gazebo to get their names on the list in time to do another tour with more poor clients. Who would have imagined!

The result is that you'll have to continue by yourself exploring rather than to be shown a more appropriate tour escorted from start to finish for a couple of hours.

I am not saying that every single guide outside the site that is of a poor quality. There are good quality guides there too. But the risk for your the client, of finding a guide outside Pompeii in this way is that you end up with a poor quality guide, because you do not have the opportunity to choose your guide due to the waiting list system. Even if you meet a guide outside that you do like, the waiting list system means you get allocated whoever is next on the list. It is all a question of luck of the draw.

You may ask yourself, how could all this happen in such a world famous and important site? And you are quite right to ask. It is through mismanagement and corruption in the industry, but that is a whole different article. Lets look at a final group that you could also run into - the Pompeii site Guards.

3. Pompeii Site Guards

The Site Guards are responsible for controlling the site and keeping visitors safe. But the most frequent complaints I hear are about the things that are in their control:-

People complain about

* The stray dogs
* The dirtiness of the site of Pompeii
* Lots of houses inside the site are closed.
* There is no one to ask information or direction.

Why all this is happening?

Because the guards sometimes offer their services to visitors who are inside a site and need information rather than doing their own job of controlling the site and ensuring people are safe. They began doing this in a similar way to the self-declared guides decades ago, and they are still there.

If you get hurt, rather than being there giving assistance, some site guards are working illegally as guides.

In my opinion, each person is their own profession. Leave the guards to guard the site. If you want a guide, book a decent guide before arriving.

And now I would like to invite you to claim you FREE Instant Access to FREE planning guide to visiting Pompeii and other places in the Bay of Naples when you visit http://BarbaraGuide.com/tours/pompeii-tours/ (<--click this link)

From Barbara Giambattista - Expert Local Guide and Event Planner for the Bay of Naples Italy, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri.

Tourism and Honeymoon in Kerala

A charming state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, Kerala is a prominent destination for tourism and holiday India. It is one of the most charming and captivating states of India. Its capital city is Trivandrum. Also known as God's Own Country, Kerala is noted for its lush greenery, scenic landscapes and truly amiable ambiance for peaceful vacations. The state has great tourism opportunity with beautiful beaches, breathtaking backwaters, luxuriant jade hill stations, fragrant tea & spice plantations, exotic wildlife, rich flora & fauna, historical places & monuments, religious places & shrines, etc. Excellent accommodation facilities at different beach resorts and hotels are available according to your needs and budgets. Tree houses are houseboats are unique forms of excellent and unique accommodation in Kerala, God's Own Country.

With great tourism opportunity, excellent accommodation facilities and peaceful ambiance, Kerala is also popular among honeymooners or newly wed couples. It presents truly amiable and romantic ambiance for honeymooners coming from different parts of the world. Beaches and backwaters; hill stations and mountains; lakes and rivers; forts and monuments; historical places and religious places - Kerala has all to make it popular destination for honeymoon vacations in India. Water spots, river cruises and lots of beach activities give honeymooners a mind-boggling charm of Kerala tourism. Kovalam is an internationally famous beach town in the state. It is very famous among other kinds of vacationers along with honeymooners. Varkala, Fort Kochi, Beypore, etc are some other popular beach destinations in the state.

Backwater cruises on enchanting Kerala backwaters are perhaps the most entertaining activities in this charming state. Backwater cruise can surely enhance the charm of your Kerala honeymoon tour. Alleppey, Kuttanad, Kollam, Fort Kochi, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, etc are prominent backwater destinations in the state where honeymooners can enjoy cruises over the breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil backwaters. One of the main tourist attractions, the backwater cruises in Kerala are dream experiences on houseboats or kettuvalloms that are especially designed with open lounge, one or two bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a kitchenette. Houseboat stay is a truly romantic experience for honeymooners or romantic couples.

Hill stations of Kerala are equally famous among honeymooners and newly wed couples. There are some beautiful hill stations in the state which attract couples for exciting and romantic honeymoon tour in India. Munnar, Wayanad, Ponmudi, Peermede, etc are popular hill stations the state where you can seek delight for your honeymoon vacations in Kerala, God's Own Country. Well, if you too are looking for a right destination for honeymoon, Kerala can perfectly cater your needs for dream honeymoon destination in India.

This article is written by Terence Lewis an eminent writer of travel and tourism related topics. Know more about honeymoon tour Kerala and beautiful Kerala tourism destinations.

What You Need to Know About Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of the biggest islands in Thailand, located in the Amdaman Sea off the southern coast of the country. The island is rugged with a mountain range present in the west of the island. The mountains in Phuket Thailand grace the southern end of the island, stretching about 440km from Kra Isthmus. Mai Thao Sip Song, which stands at 529m, the highest point in Phuket.

Phuket has a total area of about 570 square kilometres and the main island is about 50km in length and 20km wide. About 60% of the land is covered in forest, rubber and oil plantations.

There are several beaches along both the coasts of the island. The western coast is covered by sandy beaches, whereas the beaches in the eastern coast are muddy. In the southernmost part of Phuket is Laem Promthep, which is a spectacular sunset viewpoint.

The northern part holds the Khao Phra Thaeo nature preserve, where more than 20 square kilometers of rain forest are protected. Khao Prathiu (384m), Khao Bang Pae (388m) and Khao Phara (422m) are the three highest points in this rainforest. On the northwestern coast is the Sirinat National Park, which protects both forest and marine life. Nai Yang Beach is near here where sea turtles come for nesting.

Patong beach is one of the most popular tourist areas. It is on the western coast of Phuket Thailand. The nightlife over here is very vibrant and shopping here is cheap and cheerful.

Adjacent to Patong, there are plenty of other beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches are Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach. At the southern tip of Phuket Thailand you will find Nai Harn Beach and Rawai Beach. Towards the north of Patong are the beaches of Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao. Although much less developed than Patong, these beaches are some of the very best in the world. These places provide isolation for those who seek it.

There are also many smaller islands dotted around the coast of Phuket. Bon Island is one of the better ones and is a few kilometers away by boat. Coral Island is also very nice and this is where the marine life is particularly diverse. The Similan Islands to the northwest and the Phi Phi Island to southeast handle lots of activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling.

Care to find out more about Phuket Thailand? Get all the latest info from Phuket Thailand at these links.

Phuket Villa Rentals - Simple Tips To Enjoy A Phuket Getaway More

The province of Phuket in Thailand has truly been one of the most visited and frequented tourist destinations in Asia. That is why the sector for tourist inns and properties has really enjoyed a rise. These days, there is a good and significant market for Phuket villa rentals. And as a vacationer, you would generate more savings if you would rent a place to stay in as you enjoy your Phuket getaway.

As a regular traveler, you surely have been well acquainted and familiarized with the services of hotels. You should be noticing that hotel accommodations all over the world are getting similar to each other that you could hardly distinguish the difference between staying in a US hotel and in an Asian hotel. In that way, Phuket villa rentals are more advisable if you want to know more about the culture of the area in your vacation.

Practical tips

It is important to note that there are simple and practical guidelines that would surely help you make villa rental in Phuket more noteworthy and advantageous. In the planning process, you should first weigh the pros and cons of taking Phuket villa rentals especially in consideration with your budget and other factors.

Take note that on the first glimpse, villa rentals are generally looking more costly than hotel accommodations. But what is good about Phuket villa rentals is that you would be able to generate greater savings especially if you re going in a group and if you intend to stay for a few weeks or even months.

Why villa rentals?

As mentioned, villa rentals in Phuket would help you get to know more and experience the culture not just of the province but also of the whole of Thailand. That is because villas are taking the traditional and genuine Thai home designs. Such structures and homes are also made of the usual and some native Thai home materials.

Villa rentals in Phuket are designed to cater more to vacationers who are in groups or who are intending to stay longer than usual. While hotels could be practical for staying in a just a few days, maybe a day or two, villas are more practical to lease if you are staying for weeks or months. It is just like renting a town home in the area.

When to go

You have the privilege to schedule your vacation as you please. If you are planning to go on a splendid getaway and you want to go to Phuket, you should plan to go there any month except for November to April. That is because in such months, there are practically more tourists going to the area as everyone seems to be going there on the Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays.

Phuket villa rentals would be costlier on such months. That is because as the demand rises up, surely, prices go along. And besides, it would be harder to book villa and even hotel accommodations. All other months are definitely good times to go and take a much needed break in Phuket's beaches.

Get more out of your Tuscan vacation by staying in a Tuscany villa rental by visiting http://www.vacationhomerentalsguide.com, a popular vacation rental website that specializes in finding inexpensive Orlando, Florida condo rentals so you can enjoy your trip to Disney world.

Bali High

I am writing this memoir from the perspective of a tourist from the Philippines. Before coming to Bali, I thought that Bali was another beach destination, like Boracay or Phuket. No, it seems that I was mistaken. Bali is much more than a beach. Let me show you.

Light enhances art, one cannot isolate a structure from its natural environment.

I remembered this paraphrase from a movie the minute we arrived in our hotel, Royal Bali Beach Club in Jimbaran. As we sat down drinking our welcome drinks, my eyes were drawn up to the thatched roof made of alang-alang (cogon). Three levels up from the ground floor lobby, the bamboo poles and burnished wood frames formed a geometric design that glowed in the warm lights. Hindu stone carvings, intricate wood carvings on the walls, frangipani flowers in vases, Balinese masks, gargoyles & water lilies all combined with the thatched alang-alang roof to create a tropical, Balinese ambiance. Despite my fatigue, I felt stimulated by so much artistic expression.

On our way to St. Francis Xavier church in Kuta the next day, I finally saw Bali in the daytime. I found it strange that nearly all the structures (except those with thatched roofing) had the same tiled roofing in terracotta color. I can almost believe the Balinese deliberately created a themed, unified look like what the Parisians or the Israelites in Jerusalem did. I think this gives the city its unique character. Did you know that Bali has the longest art street in the world?

On our way up to Ubud which is considered the cultural and artistic center of Bali, the "art street" passed through several towns that specialized in different arts: Tohpati (batik), Batubulan (stone carving), Mas (wood carving), Celuk (silver & gold), Ubud (paintings and galleries, art market), Sukawati (art market). It's an artist's haven! Three days were not enough for us but we were happy with our souvenirs, especially in Windu Sari (Batubulan), Body and Soul and Just Jeans factory outlets in (Seminyak), and in Sukawati market, all with discounts. Always bargain in Bali, as much as 70% if you can otherwise walk away and see if they will give in.

Did I mention that ricefields and rice terraces surrounded these art towns? The Balinese originally built their rice paddies to surround their water temple, and thanks to the subak irrigation system inherited from the Hindus, rice is planted all year round. We couldn't forget those ducks quacking in the rice paddies though. Why, they were the same ducks that were deep-fried in Indonesian spices and landed on our lunch plates! Yummy. Interestingly, the Indonesian bebek (duck) tasted different from its Peking duck cousin. If you do come to Bali, a visit to Bebik Bengil in Ubud for lunch or dinner is worth it. The Balinese gardens, rice fields, traditional Balinese bamboo music are as exquisite as the duck special and fried ice cream for desert, at reasonable prices.

At first, we were not so crazy to rush to the beaches as we were familiar with fine sand or coral beaches in the Philippines. However, on our third night, we headed to Jimbaran beach for a seafood dinner and got hooked ever since. Who could resist eating grilled seafood outdoors at night with the crashing waves nearby, sand under our feet, candlelights, twinkling lights in the far distance and stars shining in the sky? On our last night at Fortuin restaurant, there was a Balinese wedding reception next door. We witnessed a traditional Balinese dance, a modern belly dance, a fire dance, and heard some Balinese songs and English songs like Autumn leaves. There were Hindu-Balinese decorations among the tables and chairs and, according to the waiter, the wedding happened the day before but the celebration will be for several days. A foreigner and a Balinese were getting married so perhaps they had two different kinds of celebration?

Speaking of beaches, there is one beach that is not found in any Bali map. It's called Dreamland and owned by Tommy Suharto, the ex-president's son. As the name suggests, Tommy got the best beach in this massive real estate project called Dreamland. Situated between Jimbaran and Uluwatu, Dreamland beach is more picturesque, its sands finer than the ones in nearby Jimbaran, Kuta or even Nusa Dua (this last one came from Ngurah our driver.) It was in Dreamland that I saw surfers up-close. It was fascinating to watch them glide in and out of the waves because they made it seem so easy. Did they experience an athlete's "high" surging over those waves? Maybe. In my experience as a runner, it was always exhilarating to run at top speed with the wind blowing all over my body.

Soon, it was sunset. Watching the sunset in Kuta or Dreamland beach was a special event for our family since we live in the city which is far from any beach. We were glad that the beaches in Bali were free and not crowded with people. I can't explain why but it felt like food for our soul to catch a sunset by the beach.

For me, Uluwatu in southwestern Bali had the most dramatic cliff views over the Indian ocean. The 70 metre cliff scene was a little like the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne, Australia which faced the Southern Ocean. After half an hour of walking by the trail we were rewarded with spectacular views! There were many monkeys around, but don't be fooled or frightened that the monkeys will steal your stuff. That's what the locals will tell you but I refused to leave my sunglasses behind as my eyes were sensitive to the sun. Well, they were cheap sunglasses anyway but hey, at least I didn't frown in our photo shoots and nothing happened to us.

Let's see: beaches (for surfing, water sports, or swimming), mountains, lakes, national parks, rice terraces & fields, longest art street, Hindu-Polynesian architecture, Hindu temples, Buddhist pagodas, Balinese dance and theater, Balinese gardens, Indonesian spices, designer boutiques, beachfront hotels & restaurants, and an international airport found in ONE island? Incredibly yes. Nowadays, when I'm in the mood to remember Bali, all I have to do is pluck a frangipani flower from our garden, put it behind an ear, play a traditional Balinese bamboo music in my CD player, read a book about Bali or try a recipe from a Balinese cookbook and voila, it's Bali again. I think I got the Bali High fever.

http://friendelaine.blogspot.com

Top Resorts in Phuket - Keeping the Family Together

The island of Phuket in Thailand is formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang. It is the largest island on the west coast of the Andaman Sea. The 570 square meter area of Phuket provides spectacular scenery and soft white palm beaches. More tourists come to see the warm hospitality and great accommodations of fun-filled family resorts in Phuket. Here are the top family resorts you may want to visit.

JW Marriott Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is an award-winning resort in a vast tropical landscape paradise. It lies on Mai Khao, the longest beach in Phuket. The 11 hectare resort offers tropical gardens, lily ponds and the preserved coastal wetlands. It is close to Phuket airport and a few minutes away from Blue Canyon Country Club.

This five star resort has 265 guestrooms, 10 meeting rooms with 10 restaurants and bars. There are three swimming pools that include the main, the shallow bubble pool and the waterslide. You can also workout at the gym and relax at their magnificent spas. The kids can enjoy playing at the area called kids club wherein they can play computers, doll houses and wooden toys.

The resort was ranked 8th among the top 25 Spa Hotels and Resort in the region by Smart Travel Asia.

Laguna Beach Resort
Laguna Beach Resort lies between a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. This low rise resort is located at the land of Bang Tao Bay. It is just 20 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. The 20 acres of land embraces a Thai architecture of local landscape and architecture.

The resort features a number of sports and leisure facilities. This includes three swimming pools and a waterpark. Families can enjoy playing tennis in one of the three outdoor courts and one indoor court for kids. A class of batik is also offered with a visit of the resort's two baby elephants. However, sailing on the beach and playing computer games will add fun to your stay.

Holiday Inn Phuket Resort
Holiday Inn Resort is at the heart of Patong Beach that offers white sandy beaches, tropical scenery, excellent food and a lively nightly. The resort provides a 265 themed room for the entire family. This includes a kidsuite, a pirate theme children's room, a standard room and a family suite. Rooms can accommodate two adults with 2 children less than 12 years old. Room's amenities offer electronic games, toy box, TV and video and a play station for kids.

The resort also offers premier resort facilities such as large swimming pools, Jacuzzis at the Busakorn Wing and a freeform pool at the Main Wing. Hence, a world class spa and a fitness center is an ideal place to relax and be healthy. Food lovers can enjoy a choice of Thai, Italian and international cuisines at the resorts restaurants and steakhouse.

Movenpick Resort & Spa
Moevenpick is surrounded by Karon Beach that showcases 140 elegant villas. This includes Garden Villas with outdoor showers with private pools and a Penthouse Pool. There are 194 Garden View and Deluxe Ocean Rooms set in an international standard of accommodation.

Resort facilities include a fitness center, four swimming pools, pool tables, tennis courts and gaming rooms. The Spa at Movenpick offers Eastern and Western treatments and exotic ambiance. Guests with children can play at the Play Zone. It is the largest club for children that provides indoor and outdoor entertainment such as a play station, internet access, a reading room, DVD lounges, sport utilities and craft activities.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa has something to enjoy for every family who visited the place. The fine golden sands and clear waters have made the place a dream destination for a family vacation.

Ramada Beach Resort
Ramada Resort in Karon Beach is a newly opened resort that features a unique Mexican Hacienda theme. It has 121 rooms and suites with warm lightings and comfortable design. This includes a standard room, deluxe room, duplex adventure suite, junior suite, two-bedroom adventure and a two bedroom family suite. There are also magical theme rooms like the Outer Space, Underwater and Castle rooms. Other rooms offer spectacular views of the sea.

The resort offers leisure facilities like the Kidzclub, Siam Adventure Club, Main and Dino Pool and a Tour Desk. Other services include audio and visual equipment, baggage handling, babysitting, dry cleaning, handicap facilities, a limousine, smoke detector and a switchboard.

Phuket's family resorts offers excellent services like any other top resorts in the world. This fun island presents a smile-filled holiday with its secluded and luxurious resorts to keep the family together.

For more information on Family Resorts and Family Resorts Hotels please visit our website.

New York's Novels

New York is a city that has been written about like no other. On a tour walking the USA's city of New York, you can often find inspiration in many of the stories unfolding around you - and that's precisely what inspired several novelists to set their stories in 'The Big Apple'. Many American novels, from hardboiled crime to postmodern meta-fiction, have either prominently featured, or been set in, the city of New York. Here are a few of our favourite books featuring the city.

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D Salinger's classic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captured a vision of New York like no other. Told through the eyes of Holden Caulfield, the novel was originally published in 1953 and has stood the test of time as an examination of disaffected youth, being included in Time magazine's 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. It was named by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best English-Language novels of the 20th century. Following Holden as he journeys through New York on a quest of self-discovery, and featuring a gripping stream-of-consciousness narration, a tour walking USA's most vibrant city, New York, will allow you to appreciate the personal journey as much as Salinger did.

The Devil Wears Prada

Adapted into a hit movie in 2006, Lauren Weisburger's successful novel presented the glamorous side of New York City, following central character Andrea Sachs, a graduate hired as a personal assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor in New York, the ironically-named Miranda Priestly. Her job becomes more and more trying as her editor grows more and more demanding. While a walking USA tour of New York won't bring you to the editorial suites of the city's glossy magazines, the boutique shopping can provide the 'Andrea Sachs' experience.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Another novel adapted into a famous film, Breakfast at Tiffany's was written by Truman Capote in 1958, and tells the story of a year's friendship between Holly Golightly and the unnamed narrator of the novel. In 1961, the novel was adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn, and the role of Holly Golightly was considered the actresses most unique and identifiable role. The novel's language, however, had to be toned down for the screenplay! If you're walking the USA's more glamorous side to New York, you will spot some of the film and novel's iconic locations in Manhattan, such as the 'Brownstone' apartments that Holly resided in.

The New York Trilogy

Paul Auster's famous meta-fictional detective stories, 'City of Glass', 'Ghosts', and 'The Locked Room', form his New York Trilogy - an intricate mixture of detective stories and a postmodernist deconstruction of identity, in which the author appears in his own book (or does he?). Be glad that a tour walking this USA author's version of New York won't take you to the depths of madness plumbed by character Peter Stillman, who memorably plans his walks around a New York park so that his route spells out 'The Tower of Babel', one letter at a time every day. It's chilling material - New York has never been so mysterious.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Golden Triangle Tour With Car Rental - Travel Comfortably

Golden triangle comprises three popular cities of North India - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These cities hold most of the attractions of North India and are located at run of 6-7 hours from each other. These cities are the hub of tourist attraction in North India. Many tourists love to explore the showcases of golden triangle. To travel in these cities they prefer rental car. Rental car let the tourists explore the popular sites of North India comfortably. Golden triangle is one of the most preferred and sellable tour packages in India.

Delhi is the historical city of India. It has witnessed many empires. It has seen glory of victory times and again and many times fall to ashes. It is now the political capital of India and also acclaimed as cultural capital of India as easily get a rental car at genuine rental price to explore Delhi and its attractions. People from all parts of the country gather in Delhi to make it cultural mix. There are many tourist attractions in India. Most of the popular attractions of India are historical in nature. These attractions are Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lotus Tomb, etc. Akshardham Temple, the newly built architectural sacred building is also a popular tourist attraction in Delhi. Tourists can explore all these attractions comfortably with Delhi car rental. There are many car rental companies in Delhi. One can

Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Taj Mahal is the major attraction of the city. People frequently visit Agra to see the architectural wonder of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of Modern World. It is most beautiful monument of India. It attracts millions of tourists in India. It is global tourist site in India. It is the icon of Indian tourism industry. Apart from Taj Mahal, the popular attractions of Agra include Akbar's Tomb, Itmad -ud -Daulah Tomb, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, etc. Hire a car rental Agra and explore all these tourist sites. One can easily find many car rental agents near Agra Railway Station.

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is also a popular tourist city in North India. It holds many tourist sites. Some of the major forts and palaces are also concentrated in Jaipur. Some of the popular tourist sites in Jaipur are Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, etc. Amber Fort is situated at the outskirt of Jaipur car rental can be best option to reach Amber Fort and explore other attractions of the city. Jaipur is also called as Shoppers' Paradise. Tourist can enjoy window shopping in Jaipur.

This article is written by Aisha Arora professional content writer and has been writing articles for long time. She writes about Delhi car rental and car rental Agra

MTV Spring Break Parties in Acapulco Mexico in 2010

With past locations being Panama City Beach in Florida and Cancun, Mexico, MTV Spring Break is always at the hottest spot for fun. Every year they bring their camera crews to an exotic location during Spring Break and film on location. This year, in 2010 they will be filming in Acapulco, Mexico. This is a fun time, even if you are just watching for the couch in your living room.

Thousands of teens are recorded dancing to top bands and singers that come down for concerts. It is an event that is looked forward to every year. MTV Spring Break is a much anticipated event that happens every year for college students that are looking to have a great time.

MTV pulls out all of the stops each year. They offer fun parties, concerts, dancing, contests and more. College students from all over the world come to MTV's Spring Break each year and have a great time. If you are thinking about attending in 2010 then you need to make your arrangements now. It get filled up quickly.

Since the beach front that they will be filming at is stretched with many hotels, there will be plenty of rooms for college students to stay. MTV will be staying in the Playa Suites hotel on the north side of the beach.

Those that are planning on attending can join one of the many scheduled concerts at the may hotels in the area. The major hotels will be having concerts and dancing of their own. With such great weather during this time of year, it will be a great time to party. The temperature is usually between seventy and eighty five degrees.

If you plan on being one of the thousands of college students attending this year's MTV Spring Break then you will need to be sure that you are careful about the local water. It is advised to drink from bottled water. This is the best way to avoid issues. Stomach problems seem to be an issue otherwise which will make the entire vacation miserable. It is also advised to be careful where you eat food. When your body is not used to the water and food in Acapulco, your stomach can bear the brunt of it. It is not always pretty.

When you go, be sure to attend the many nightclubs in the area. There are some great clubs that are planning on having some great concerts and dancing. Most do not have a closing time so you can party 24 hours if you wish. One of the most fun is the Palladium. It contains a one hundred sixty foot long wall of glass overlooking the entire beach and bay area. It is a wonderful way to see the area.

The entire week is sure to be a blast if you make sure that you plan ahead of time. Be sure to call ahead to reserve a room so that you do not miss out. Rooms book quite quickly. It is sure to be the greatest week of the year so be sure not to miss it. 2010 promises to be a great year for MTV. Be sure to check it out in person or online.

ParadiseParties.com offers Spring Break vacation and party packages for college and high school students and is a great resource for All Inclusive Spring Break Packages and MTV Spring Break