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<channel>
	<title>Travelling</title>
	<link>http://www.dhotmail.com</link>
	<description>around the world, business-style</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 02:45:36 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Joke of the day</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2008/05/31/joke-of-the-day/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2008/05/31/joke-of-the-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 02:45:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Jokes</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2008/05/31/joke-of-the-day/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[During a dinner party, the hosts’ two little children entered the dinning room totally nude and walked slowly around the table. The parents were so embarrassed that they pretended nothing was happening and kept he conversation going. The guests cooperated and also continued as if nothing extraordinary was happening.
After going all the way around the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>During a dinner party, the hosts’ two little children entered the dinning room totally nude and walked slowly around the table. The parents were so embarrassed that they pretended nothing was happening and kept he conversation going. The guests cooperated and also continued as if nothing extraordinary was happening.<br />
After going all the way around the room, the children left, and there was a moment of silence at the table, during which one child was heard to say, “You see, it is <a href="http://www.loveherald.com/">vanishing cream</a>!”
</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Going to L.A.? Don&#8217;t miss the Getty Museum</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/going-to-la-dont-miss-the-getty-museum/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/going-to-la-dont-miss-the-getty-museum/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:40:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>USA</category>
	<category>Los Angeles</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/going-to-la-dont-miss-the-getty-museum/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When the Getty Museum first opened in 1997, the museum’s parking and transportation system were quickly overwhelmed to the point that anyone thinking about visiting the museum had to make parking reservations months in advance. Those unwilling to wait hoofed it for miles and then waited up to four hours just to take a tram [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When the Getty Museum first opened in 1997, the museum’s parking and transportation system were quickly overwhelmed to the point that anyone thinking about visiting the museum had to make parking reservations months in advance. Those unwilling to wait hoofed it for miles and then waited up to four hours just to take a tram ride to the museum’s spectacular hillside setting west of downtown <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">Los Angeles</a>.</p>
<p>What a difference a decade makes. Today no reservations are required and it’s possible to drive right to your parking spot, grab a tram and be on top of the mountain just a few minutes <a id="more-44"></a>after your arrival.</p>
<p>Not that the Getty Museum is any less popular. On our recent visit we noted a steady stream of visitors of all colors and stripes running the Disneyland-style gamut that takes you several revolutions down into the 2,000-car garage and then through a fast-moving line to board your tram. By mid-day, it looked like most parking spots were spoken for, and probably would be for the rest of the day.</p>
<p>The Getty Museum is all about the visual arts and, far from being snooty like some Big City museums we won’t mention by name, the Getty welcomes the masses by offering free admission and presenting all kinds of tours and aids to educate visitors about the significance of the treasures on display. A trip to the Getty is like a quickie art seminar that will teach you just enough names and buzzwords to make your friends believe you really are educated.</p>
<p>An afternoon at the Getty also seems to be a popular date activity judging from the many young couples we observed Lots of families and kids were enjoying the museum – in fact, the museum goes out of its way to offer special kids programs and activities that help make the visit enjoyable even for the very young. And then there were the somewhat older Red Hat Ladies who hit upon the Getty as the perfect place for a Girls Day Out.</p>
<p>What’s attracting these many segments of society is a modern-day palace that cost the Getty Foundation a billion dollars and took 13 years to build. Located on maybe the last 124 acres in the L.A. hills not reserved for a movie star, the museum is worth the tram ride just to enjoy the spectacular views of the L.A. basin. Even on a smoggy day, it’s impressive.</p>
<p>If you’ve priced Italian travertine flooring, then you’ll have some appreciation for the money that went into the 14,000 tons of travertine that was used on walkways, in walls and on just about every available surface of the museum’s five pavilions. If you look close enough, the travertine even has little leaf fossils which, we’re sure, made it even more expensive. The Getty Museum’s courtyards, wide walkways and stairways, carefully sculpted gardens and sycamore groves all make the museum as much a park as a museum which undoubtedly is why the average person spends four hours per visit. But the star attractions, of course, are inside the pavilions – a collection of artwork and antiquities that is one of the most magnificent ever assembled.</p>
<p>It all started with the museum’s namesake, J. Paul Getty, an oil executive and art collector who lived from 1892 until 1976. He founded the famous Getty Oil Company which eventually became Texaco. Getty began collecting art in 1930 and, upon his death, left his entire estate to the J. Paul Getty Museum Trust. Eventually, the trust ballooned to over $4.5 billion, which means the Getty Trust has continued to update the museum&#8217;s art collection with the best pieces in the world. One publication noted that the Getty Museum has about 25 times the budget of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.</p>
<p>Compared to the Louvre in Paris and other famous museums, the Getty Museum is somewhat specialized. It includes Greek and Roman antiquities, European paintings, drawings, sculpture, manuscripts, furniture and photographs. Walking through the pavilions you discover that each exhibit room is uncrowded, and that each item exhibited comes with an easy-to-read description of why that particular artwork is important.</p>
<p>When you think about how ancient some of these works are, it’s mind-boggling to look at them up-close. Unlike some well-known European museums, visitors to the Getty are able to get an unobstructed view of even the most famous paintings and artwork – if you’ve visited the Louvre, you may recall that it takes considerable effort just to get up in front of the crowd so that you can say you really did see the Mona Lisa.</p>
<p>Drawings and manuscripts are all displayed under low light to help preserve the pieces. They’re arranged chronologically, starting with the illuminated manuscripts of the 9th Century, moving all the way to the High Renaissance period of the 16th Century.</p>
<p>In another pavilion, the Getty has displayed Decorative Arts – in other words, anything that is made for the interior of your home – which include furniture, clocks, porcelain, silver, ceramics, and tapestries – 600 objects in all. That gives you some idea of how the Getty’s collection has grown; J. Paul Getty only had 30 pieces of decorative art when he died.</p>
<p>In one of the most unusual photograph exhibits in the world, the Getty displays photographs from way back in the 1830’s &#8212; when the technology was invented &#8212; all the way through the 1990’s. We found this one of the most fascinating parts of the museum. Actual photographs of London in the early 1800’s brought to mind English history and novels that immediately transported us in time, if only in our own minds.</p>
<p>The European sculpture is located throughout the museum’s pavilions and includes work from the Renaissance through 1900. The oldest painting at the Getty was done in 1295 and the collection spans all the way up to 1895. The museum, of course, includes paintings from many well-known artists including Masaccio, Mantegna, Breughel, Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne.</p>
<p>One of the pavilions is set aside for changing exhibits and, while we were there, an entire exhibit was devoted to the paintings of Jacques-Louis David. Most fascinating here were the portraits of Napolean Bonaparte, who used the painter to create artwork for propaganda purposes.</p>
<p>There is a central courtyard, surrounded by pavilions, where you can enjoy a coffee or get something to eat. In fact, the food service at the Getty is in keeping with the same high standards as the exhibit itself. An elegant restaurant serves gourmet meals while even the food court-style café has just about any kind of fresh-prepared food a visitor would want – salads, sandwiches, grilled items, Mexican food – you name it.</p>
<p>Our game plan for the Getty worked just about right – show up just before lunch and enjoy a tasty meal before lingering through the afternoon, taking our time viewing – and comprehending – the masterpieces and historical artifacts that are the Getty. Soon it was time to board the computerized tram to the bottom of the hill and snake our way out of the garage. It had been like visiting a Disneyland for art-lovers – though the price of admission at this adventure land was quite a bit easier to take.</p>
<p>AT A GLANCE</p>
<p>WHERE: The Getty is just wet of downtown L.A. and can be reached via Getaway Center Drive, just off Interstate 405.</p>
<p>WHAT: The Getty is an unusual collection of the visual arts, with most of the exhibits dating back many centuries.</p>
<p>WHEN: Any time of year.</p>
<p>WHY: The Getty Museum is both fun and educational. This is an astounding group of exhibits in a spectacular setting where you&#8217;ll want to spend the better part of a day.</p>
<p>HOW: To get more information on the Getty Museum, call (310) 440-7300 or visit www.getty.edu. Admission is free.</p>
<p><em>Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among GMC sites are http://www.californiaweekend.com and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com .</em>
</p>
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		<title>Bonaire: Diver&#8217;s Paradise</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/bonaire-divers-paradise/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/bonaire-divers-paradise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:37:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>Scuba Diving</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/bonaire-divers-paradise/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here it is, the admission, I am a scuba diving addict, and I have no intention of changing! There, with that said, let me tell you about my latest experience of a lifetime, yes there are many.
This time I have ventured with my wife, Karen and 6 new friends, to a desert island in a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here it is, the admission, I am a scuba diving addict, and I have no intention of changing! There, with that said, let me tell you about my latest experience of a lifetime, yes there are many.</p>
<p>This time I have ventured with my wife, Karen and 6 new friends, to a desert island in a <a href="http://www.travelt.com/">foreign country</a> where cactus, brush and weeds grow abundantly and the donkeys roam wild.<a id="more-43"></a></p>
<p>Bonaire is an island that receives an average rainfall of just below 20 inches per year. But it isn&#8217;t the desert vegetation or the wild donkeys and dogs that attracts as many as 50000 tourists per year with the primary purpose of diving the beautiful waters surrounding the island.</p>
<p>The main Island has a population of close to 12,000 and is approximately 112 sq. miles, 24 miles long and 7 miles across at its widest point and Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island off the west coast of the main island is 1500 acres.</p>
<p>Before the flight I run into a good friend of mine, Flemming, who owns a house in Bonaire, and imparts as much Bonaire diving wisdom as I can handle in 30 minutes of waiting for our flight. Flemming is with his family which includes Thomas, whom I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of watching grow up in the dive industry from a young age.</p>
<p>The flight to the island is on Air Jamaica out of Atlanta to Montego Bay. Until recently the only direct flight is KLH out of Amsterdam, but good news! Delta to the rescue. Actually the flight goes by nice and easy through Montego Bay and on to Bonaire. The airport is a tiny little place in comparison to the Atlanta airport, customs is a little stand with two sides and four customs agents. Our group of eight gets through without a hitch.</p>
<p>After check-in we rent our pickup trucks, diving on the island without a jeep or pickup truck would be a waste. Customarily four divers pool their money and rent a pickup truck for the week. Tip: pay for the insurance. If you wreck or someone vandalizes the vehicle you&#8217;d be stuck on the island while your insurance company sorts out when and if they are going to pay.</p>
<p>Now lets get to what you really want to hear about. Diving. Bonaire is known as the &#8220;Diver&#8217;s Paradise&#8221;, it has to be, its on every license plate on every car in the island, probably the perfect destination for a <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">romantic honeymoon</a> for a couple of divers.</p>
<p>To dive anywhere on the island, all divers must pay the STINAPA (http://www.stinapa.org/) &#8220;nature fee&#8221;. SCUBA divers pay $25 and non-divers pay $10. The &#8220;nature fee&#8221; covers admission for one year from the date of purchase and allows free admitance into the Washington Slagbaii National Park.</p>
<p>Before being allowed to dive, you must go through an orientation presentation and orientation dive off of the docks. we&#8217;re staying at Buddy Dive directly across from Klein Bonaire. Buddy Dive (http://www.buddydive.com/) is a great resort, with 6 boats. Most of the boats did one boat one tank dive every morning. We lucked out with doing a one boat two tank dive on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. That gave us the ability to shore dive all day on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.</p>
<p>With proper planning and Nitrox, you can do 5 - 6 dives per day, if you&#8217;re a hard core diver. Bonaire is fairly unique in this benefit since the island has more than 60 marked sites on the island and Klein Bonaire has 20 sites.</p>
<p>The orientation started in the &#8220;Pool Bar&#8221; at 9am on Sunday morning, which is a huge thatch covered hut next to the north swimming pool. Bart, one of the instructors at Buddy Dive resort, and from the Netherlands.</p>
<p>We all looked at each other when Bart talked about the Black Bird? And told us that touching the girls would make them die? Whoa, what the heck is he talking about? After a bit we realized he was talking about the Corals would die whenyou touched them and the blackboard had all the information about what was happening at the resort.</p>
<p>Time for our orientation dive. Our first trip in the water is amazing, the reef is a very easy swim from the boat dock and expands north and south. The corals are beautiful and the fish are everywhere. We see Trumpet fish, Trunkfish, Christmas Tree Worms, Tiger Groupers and Parrot fish everywhere.</p>
<p>My buddy for the trip, Dave and I decide to do another dive a short time after our orientation dive. Dave has been to Bonaire before so he proves to be a good buddy to have. We descend at dusk which proves to be an excellent time to see the divers resident friend, Charlie, a massive Tarpon (http://www.atlantascuba.net/DesktopModules/SimpleGallery/SlideShowPopup.aspx?PortalID=2&#038;ItemID=115&#038;Border=White&#038;sb=Name&#038;sd=ASC), who comes swooping out of the darkness into the light of your flashlight to get the fish you&#8217;re &#8220;spotlighting&#8221; for his dinner.</p>
<p>Charlie follows us everywhere during the night dives. We also see Moray Eels, Octopus, Lobsters, and much more. What a dive, our first with many more to go.</p>
<p>To end the day we go above the dive shop to the Lions Den.</p>
<p><em>Mike Lawell has been a SCUBA diving instructor at Atlanta Scuba for eight years. Atlanta Scuba has regular International Scuba Trips. Mike is also the owner of Great Vacation Rentals.</em>
</p>
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		<title>A Perfect Getaway In Canada</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/42/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/42/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:31:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>Canada</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/42/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Looking for a great vacation spot and love to fish? Then do a little searching on the Internet. Type the following: Canada Fishing Lodge. You’ll uncover a multitude of options. From rustic to family-orientated, these lodges offer you the perfect getaway. You can spend time fishing in some of the best spots around. You also [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Looking for a great vacation spot and love to fish? Then do a little searching on the Internet. Type the following: Canada Fishing Lodge. You’ll uncover a multitude of options. From rustic to family-orientated, these lodges offer you the perfect getaway. You can spend time fishing in some of the best spots around. You also can spend time with your friends and family.</p>
<p>Start by exploring what <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">British Columbia</a> has to offer. This western province of Canada has excellent freshwater and fly-fishing lodges. You can catch trout, pike, salmon, and sturgeon in this diverse area of Canada. Not only can you fish in freshwater lakes and streams, you also can experience saltwater fishing. Some lodges offer salmon fishing in the coastal areas.</p>
<p><a id="more-42"></a></p>
<p>In Alberta, you’ll find a variety of fish, including pike, perch, and trout. One of the specialties of this area is fly fishing. Fishing enthusiasts love fly fishing for trout in the clear, clean waters of Alberta. Lodges in this area may seem like they’re buried in the wilderness, but they offer all the comforts of home. You’ll find dining rooms, hot tubs, and coffee shops all within handy reach.</p>
<p>Filled with lakes and rivers, Saskatchewan is known for its unspoiled beauty. Here you can discover wonderful fishing spots. You can catch pike, walleye, grayling, and trout. You also can find lodges that offer you everything from all the comforts of home to rugged camping opportunities on their land. Either way, fishing enthusiasts come to experience some of the best fly-fishing around.</p>
<p>Manitoba province offers year-round fishing opportunities. You can catch trout and walleye at the lodges scattered around this area. As with most of the lodges in Canada, you can find ones that offer experienced guides. These guides can take you to the best areas and help you have a truly memorable fishing experience.</p>
<p>The lodges in Ontario offer great fishing opportunities for enthusiasts and families, even those on a <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">romantic honeymoon</a>. You can catch trout, pike, bass, and walleye at the lodges in this beautiful part of the country. If you’re looking for something restful, take a canoe and paddle the scenic waterways. You can follow the same routes taken centuries ago by fur traders. You also can fly fish in the gorgeous waters of this province.</p>
<p>Quebec offers a variety of fishing, but here you’ll find some of the best salmon fishing around. In this province, you’ll find lodges that offer everything for both the fishing enthusiast and the family looking for a <a href="http://www.travelt.com/">fun-filled vacation</a>. Many of the lodges specialize in family packages, so every member of the family can have a great time.</p>
<p>New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland offer the best of east coast fishing. These providences all have many lodges scattered throughout the area. Each lodge offers prime fishing. New Brunswick, home of the highest tides in the world, has salmon and bass, and offers deep sea fishing opportunities. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland offer you not only excellent fishing but sightseeing opportunities as well.</p>
<p>Canada has a large selection of fishing lodges, with each province having its own appeal. Do your research, and then choose the area that suits you best. Before you know it, you can be on the vacation of a lifetime, fishing is some of the most beautiful places on earth.<br />
<!--more--></p>
<p><em>Frank j Vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.canadian-fishing-now.com</em>
</p>
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		<title>Hawaii Vacation Rental Helps Families Vacation</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/hawaii-vacation-rental-helps-families-vacation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/hawaii-vacation-rental-helps-families-vacation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:24:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>Hawaii</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/hawaii-vacation-rental-helps-families-vacation/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A romantic Hawaii vacation rental makes a great place to stay during a Hawaiian honeymoon. Vacation rentals make you feel at home, yet far away on a tropical island. It is like having the best of both worlds! Many couples who wed in Hawaii stay at a Hawaii vacation rental afterward to relax and unwind.
Imagine [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A romantic Hawaii vacation rental makes a great place to stay during a Hawaiian honeymoon. Vacation rentals make you feel at home, yet far away on a tropical island. It is like having the best of both worlds! Many couples who wed in Hawaii stay at a Hawaii vacation rental afterward to relax and unwind.</p>
<p>Imagine candlelit dinners in your own kitchen, curling up by the fireplace in a spacious living room, and going to sleep at the end of the day in a soft, cozy bed. With hotel rooms, this just isn&#8217;t possible. A hotel is cramped and has many limitations, while a Hawaii vacation rental is roomy and comfortable.</p>
<p>If your family is traveling together, then Big Island vacation rentals could be just what you are looking for. They will allow the kids to have fun running around while adults are free to do what they like and soak up the island air. Staying in the right place can turn a good vacation into a great one, and a vacation rental is much better than a cramped hotel room.</p>
<p>There are several types of Hawaii vacation rentals from which to choose. Many part-time residents of the islands of <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">natural beauty</a> will rent out their condo or home during the seasons they are not there. There are beach-front properties, homes in the hills, condos in the heart of the action and more. You will have to do some research online to find the rental that truly suits your style and budget.</p>
<p>You will enjoy that you feel safer renting a home rather than staying at a hotel. For example, you will be the only person with a key to your room! No one else will have the ability to enter your rooms or gain access to your property. It will be like your own room in your own home, but much, much more relaxing! You&#8217;ll still have to be responsibility for cleaning the house at the end of your stay but you have the luxury of enjoying a home that you have no other responsibility for. It&#8217;s a wonderful place to escape from reality for a little while.</p>
<p>There are numerous Maui rentals available for tourists and vacationers to make themselves comfortable. Call your local travel agent or look for rentals on Maui online, and you will see that many people are quite happy to rent you their homes for the duration of your vacation.</p>
<p>A Hawaii vacation rental is a good choice for a honeymoon or a family vacation. It has allows the comfort of home while experiencing a relaxing time on Hawaii&#8217;s beautiful beaches. Maui rentals allow for more space to spread out in. They are available in a variety of areas in the area, from coast to hills, so make sure to do some research before picking your rental.
</p>
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		<title>A real slice of Italy</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/a-real-slice-of-italy/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/a-real-slice-of-italy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:18:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>Italy</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/a-real-slice-of-italy/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A short hop away from Milan, lies an area of Italy little known by tourists, yet resplendent in culture and beauty. Having discovered this oasis of tranquillity some 18 years ago I moved my family to the area and for many years have savoured the delights of ski in the winter, lakes in the summer [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A short hop away from Milan, lies an area of Italy little known by tourists, yet resplendent in culture and beauty. Having discovered this oasis of tranquillity some 18 years ago I moved my family to the area and for many years have savoured the delights of ski in the winter, lakes in the summer and street parties with an honest Italian welcome throughout the rest of the year. Even though Ryanair and many other low cost airlines fly into Milan Bergamo airport (barely 20 minutes away), the area still remains mainly undiscovered and unspoilt.</p>
<p>The area encloses Lake Iseo, Valley Camonica, Montecampione ski resort and the lower Alps. To understand better the fascination of this area, I&#8217;ll take you on a virtual tour of discovery and the first place of call has to be the City of Bergamo, not only because of the airport, but also because I would rate it up there with the best in terms of culture, sites and experience. High claims I admit so I&#8217;ll explain why.</p>
<p>The train and bus station sits like a pedestal to the expansive central avenue with some excellent shops and restaurants but the cream on the cake is the fortified old medieval high town (Città Alta) reachable by cable car at the top of the main street. It is still today one of only four Italian cities (with Ferrara, Lucca and Grosseto) with the old town centre still totally surrounded by the walls that have maintained intact their original aspect over the centuries. The lack of cars is a blessing although scooters wizz past you at regular intervals. Standing on the old cobbled streets looking at the Old Square (Piazza Vecchia), with the Contarini Fountain and Palazzo della Ragione (the Reason Palace), you can still hear every evening at 10.00pm the &#8216;Campanone&#8217;, or bell tower, ringing out to recall the past when these bells announced the nocturnal closing of the fortified doors of the city.</p>
<p>On the other side of the Reason Palace there is the large white building of the New Palace that hosts the Angelo Mai Library. For the energetic, you must climb the Torre del Comune (City tower) as the views are worth the hard work but careful of the narrow steps as it&#8217;s a long way down. Nearby the famous Romanesque Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica holds the tomb of Bergamo&#8217;s favorite son, the musician Donizetti.</p>
<p>Bergamo Città Alta also hosts a Botanic Garden and is the centre of the prestigious university faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature, and there resides a sort of Italian Cambridge antmosphere as students bussle past, late for their classes.</p>
<p>Before descending, I recommend a visit to the Rocca (old castle) as there are also beautiful views from the castle walls and a large cannon reminds you of the real reason for this hilltop walled town. On the way back to the station, stop in the Accademia Carrara Gallery in Piazza Giacomo Carrara 82. you will be surprised to find such a variety of masterpieces, from Botticelli and Raffaello to Bellini and Donatella, all illuminating these ancient walls .</p>
<p>The bus station has handy buses every 30 minutes to Lovere port on Lake Iseo. The lake surprises most people as it winds majestically for over 18kms through the lower Alps and hosts Europe’s largest inland Island, Monte Isola, with it&#8217;s characteristic Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Ceriola sitting like a beacon on the highest elevation of the Island.</p>
<p>Lovere was recently voted as one of Italy&#8217;s prettiest borghi (picturesque villages) and apart from the obvious bars and restaurants, I particularly recommend a walk along the bank of the lake down to the port with the odd duck or swan to accompany you on your way. The ferry point in the centre is a great place to set off on a trip around the lake or take an evening cruise with live music to accompany an evening meal onboard.</p>
<p>Next stop is a 15 minute bus hop north to Boario spa town in Val Camonica, famous for it&#8217;s bottled mineral water and used by many as a central location to explore both the lake and mountains of this idyllic location. Boario&#8217;s name is thought to derive from an ancient Celtic word for &#8220;ancient water&#8221; and the valley itself has the unusual fact that it contains the highest concentration of ancient rock carvings in Europe and is indeed a UNESCO World heritage site. At the head of the valley on the western side is The Alps largest national park, Parco dell&#8217;Adamello, rich in flora and fauna with numerous lakes and valleys. Staying in one of the many parks lodges is back to nature at its best.</p>
<p>Just above the town is Lake Moro. Unspoilt and nestled like a cup in the palm of the mountains. Walking round the edge of the lake is a favourite past time of many and the occasional Otter or Kingfisher are a reminder of the <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">natural beauty</a> of this area. Waking up in the morning wondering what to do is not a problem as the area is teaming with activities, places of interest and history. Activities include the usual canoeing, windsurfing, ferry boats, multi pool complex and horse riding but also the more exhilerating treetop rope parks, indoor go carting, paragliding, canyoning and rock climbing ! To get the most I recommend hiring a car locally for a couple of days and bringing health insurance !</p>
<p>The rich history of the valley is reflected in its castles and villages with their quaint churches centrally located as if the villages themselves were but an afterthought. There are many stories abound the valleys dramatic past. One story recounts that in the time of the &#8220;witch hunt&#8221; in 1510 the bishop Paolo Zane came to the valley and accused hundreds of witch craft with the subsequent sad consequence. In fact the then rulers (Venice) sent another Bishop to investigate&#8230;not the numerous witches but Bishop Zane himself !</p>
<p>Excellent pasta, pizza and wine are a staple of the Italian cuisine but digging deeper their are some exquisite local delicacies to discover in every region. In the Camonica valley it&#8217;s Casoncelli (A home made type of Raviolli), wild boar stew with Polenta, Strinu (a type of sausage) and Tagliata, delicate slices of lightly cooked beef often served with rocket salad and Parmesean cheese. Every village in the summer has a weekend street party where they serve these dishes along with music and barrels of wine. Fortunately there are a lot of villages so summer seems an endless festival of food!</p>
<p>Winter calls for a trip up to the Montecampione Ski resort situated just above Boario and lake Iseo. The trip itself is a discovery, as between the tree lined roads appear spectacular glimpses across the lake and over the valley and Alps beyond. The resort, although large and stretching over 3 stations with some 80kms of piste, is mainly used by Italian day trippers from Milan which leaves most weekdays surprisingly quiet and ski passes much lower than some other &#8220;famous&#8221; resorts. Even better there is available locally, snow mobile hire, snow shoe excursions , ice climbing, Heliski etc</p>
<p>Our trip ends with a picturesque train journey from Boario down to the bottom of the lake to the actual village of Iseo. Also voted amongst Italy&#8217;s top 20 villages, it sits along the lake with a large pedestrian area behind. Many people from the surrounding area go down to sit outside a bar sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set behind the mountains reflected in rays of orange and red across the lake&#8230;unforgettable.</p>
<p>For my work I have travelled extensively throughout Italy and personally the &#8220;branded&#8221; locations like Lake Garda, Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome, I find much the worse for wear from over development of tourism, sometimes to the detriment of their local culture. They remain &#8220;must-see&#8221; places, yet, for a real &#8220;slice of Italy&#8221;, I&#8217;d head for the hills and the lesser known Lakes of Lombardy.<br />
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<em>Alexander Reed Alexander is a travel consultant living in Italy and has a more complete destination guide to the area at www.monticolo.it </em>
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		<title>Give Earth a break: eco-tourism is the way forward</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/give-earth-a-break-eco-tourism-is-the-way-forward/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/give-earth-a-break-eco-tourism-is-the-way-forward/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:13:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
	<category>Environment</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/give-earth-a-break-eco-tourism-is-the-way-forward/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s only natural to be shocked by the latest findings of climate scientists at the Centre for Alternative Technology and elsewhere, as we gradually start to understand the impact that our privileged lifestyles have upon the planet and its people.
Disturbing predictions include doomsday situations such as rising sea levels, flooding, chaotic and destructive severe weather [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s only natural to be shocked by the latest findings of climate scientists at the Centre for Alternative Technology and elsewhere, as we gradually start to understand the impact that our privileged lifestyles have upon the planet and its people.</p>
<p>Disturbing predictions include doomsday situations such as rising sea levels, flooding, chaotic and destructive severe weather causing crop failures and the spread of water-borne diseases, and skin cancers from heightened UV exposure. Such nightmarish scenarios are all too likely to become reality, within our lifetimes, if our energy consumption and pollutant emissions are not seriously curbed.</p>
<p>The aviation industry is the fastest-growing source of climate-changing ‘greenhouse gases’, and Britain is responsible for more emissions from air travel per head than any other country. We love to travel, but with these facts in mind, it’s becoming difficult to imagine jetting off on a ‘well-earned’ foreign holiday without serious cause for concern. However, the growing industry of ethical and ecologically sustainable tourism offers diverse, exciting, adventurous holidays which can minimise impact or even benefit the environment rather than wasting resources and causing harm. Guided walking and cycling tours, for instance, are a great way to see stunning landscapes and learn more about wildlife and plants whilst contributing to the local economy in a responsible, non-exploitative industry.</p>
<p>Solar-powered, self-sufficient B&#038;Bs are springing up in dreamy destinations like Portugal and Normandy. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, how about cross-country skiing in Norway, dog-sledding in Finland or sea kayaking and diving off Croatia? There are hundreds of inspiring destinations in Europe which can be easily reached by Eurostar and train or sea. A night in a cabin on a ferry crossing to Scandinavia, or on one of the luxurious ‘trainhotels’ which cover France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and beyond, can be an exciting, fun experience bringing back some of the traditional romance of travel. Longer-haul overland travel affords unique opportunities to see the world – if you’ve got a backpack and a tent, you’re free to stop off and linger anywhere you please along the way. And anywhere really could be anywhere: there’s even an ‘adventure travel company’ offering a 12-week overland voyage through 20 countries, from London to Sydney, Australia!</p>
<p>For the serious ethical traveller, voluntary conservation projects in beautiful locations, such as Iceland’s National Parks, offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to enjoy and learn about these amazing landscapes while making a real, positive difference for their future.</p>
<p>Eco-tourism and responsible, sustainable living is not necessarily expensive, either; you may actually be pleasantly surprised by the low financial cost of living at a low environmental impact. Consider a cheap and cheerful InterRail pass for total freedom to travel by train, either within one country or the whole of Europe, when compared to the prices of destructive short-haul flights (not to mention getting to and from provincial airports). Still, like any holiday, getting everything booked at once may mean taking a painful bite out of your cashflow, in which case manageable loans could help to spread the cost of your unique adventures. Once you’ve started to explore, you might just find yourself hooked on the feel-good thrills of travelling off the beaten track.
</p>
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		<title>Travel to India</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/travel-to-india/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/travel-to-india/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/travel-to-india/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tourism in India has been showing continuous growth since the last decade or so. This is because of the new destinations coming in picture which has for long been hidden and unexplored. Tourism in South India in particular has been growing exponentially, reasons being so many.
If North India is blessed with Himalayan attractions and Hill [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tourism in India has been showing continuous growth since the last decade or so. This is because of the new destinations coming in picture which has for long been hidden and unexplored. Tourism in South India in particular has been growing exponentially, reasons being so many.</p>
<p>If North India is blessed with Himalayan attractions and Hill stations, South India is blessed with beautiful sea beaches, backwaters, great jungles, temples etc. The beaches in this part are famous worldwide for their beauty. Kovalam beach, beaches of Goa, Marina beach and so on, there are so many.</p>
<p>Kerala, southern most state of India, is blessed with <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">natural beauty</a> which makes it one of the most sought after tourist destinations of Asia. There are so many things which attracts visitors from all over the world, tranquil backwaters, azure beaches, lush hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, ayurveda etc.</p>
<p>Temples of South India are not only for religious interests, but it has become integral part of society, it is no more a place only for worship, but it has become a life style of South Indians. The temple architecture of the South Indian is very different from the temple architecture of the rest of India. Lavishly built and aesthetically designed, the temples of South India are unmatched in architectural brilliance.<br />
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There are so many attractions which makes this part of India worth visiting. Travel Planet India in Tamilnadu is a travel agent specialized in organizing tours for South India. Travel Planet India are expert in making tour itineraries to suit individuals, group of people and we aim to develop and provide innovative and competent services to the clients. Just go through the website http://www.travelplanetindia.com and know more about the variety of tour packages the travel company offers.</p>
<p>Happy visiting South India.
</p>
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		<title>Adventure Trip to Tanzania</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/adventure-trip-to-tanzania/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/adventure-trip-to-tanzania/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:55:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/adventure-trip-to-tanzania/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A holiday in Tanzania offers the one of the most adventurous and thrilling safari trip for every one who loves to see the jungle beauty and enjoy the encounter with wild beasts in their natural habitat. Holiday in Tanzania offers a unique journey into deepest and darkest jungles of Tanzania where the most sought animals [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A holiday in Tanzania offers the one of the most adventurous and thrilling safari trip for every one who loves to see the jungle beauty and enjoy the encounter with wild beasts in their natural habitat. Holiday in Tanzania offers a unique journey into deepest and darkest jungles of Tanzania where the most sought animals live enjoying their open space. Tanzania safari gives you the most enjoying and thrilling time of your life that will remain in your memory for long. Imagine the lions, the leopard, the rhinoceros, the buffalo, and the elephant relaxing in the sun and you are hunting with your camera and catching their actions and earning lifetime memories.</p>
<p>On your Tanzania holidays safari, you can actually get the best time in Africa. Tanzania safari can compel you to return and cherish your unmatched experience life time. The country offers bets views of Serengeti, the stunning and unique Ngorongoro Crater and many other extensive parks and game rich reserves. Enriched with natural wildlife, Tanzania safari can give you a chance to hear loud roar of beasts that will make you scared.</p>
<p>So, next time when you plan an African safari, make sure you include Tanzania as your one of your destinations. While planning to African holidays, use your personal preferences to get the <a href="http://www.honeymoone.com/">maximum pleasure and enjoyment</a>. You can also fly to many remote places, if your budget allows. Tanzania offers world class accommodation on the African safaris like stylish private camping concessions, luxurious mobile camping or elegant permanent tented camps, anything that you will desire.</p>
<p>African safari holidays are the best way to relish your holidays and collect some great memory to share with friends and family. You will get to know more about the wild animals that have always been a point of study and reveals a new face every time you meet them. No doubt, safari holidays Africa gives you the time of your life with exoticism and class experience.<br />
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<em>The author is a webmaster of http://www.realafrica.co.uk, a safari holidays information directory of Tanzania safari, holidays in Tanzania and Africa safaris. </em>
</p>
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		<title>Get Information on Arkansas Airports</title>
		<link>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/get-information-on-arkansas-airports/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/get-information-on-arkansas-airports/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:48:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><ADMINNICENAME></dc:creator>
		
	<category>Travel</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.dhotmail.com/index.php/2007/10/28/get-information-on-arkansas-airports/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Locating in the southern region of the United States of America, Arkansas is one of the most picturesque states in the country. The state is equally divided between lowlands and highlands, making it an idea location of those believe in living close to nature. Traveling to Arkansas for the first time? No problem, the article [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Locating in the southern region of the United States of America, Arkansas is one of the most picturesque states in the country. The state is equally divided between lowlands and highlands, making it an idea location of those believe in living close to nature. Traveling to Arkansas for the first time? No problem, the article provides you best information that will help you to reach to your destination in an easier and in a short span of time.</p>
<p>Still the automobile is the most popular mode of transportation in Arkansas, you could choose other ways to travel and enjoy your journey to the state of Arkansas. Choosing Arkansas airline to travel is one of the comfortable and stylist ways to reach to your favorite destination within Arkansas that too in very short time. Plan your Arkansas flights that are scheduled everyday to meet your requirement and give you the most pleasant trip of your lifetime.</p>
<p>For a personalized trip, you could take a next step by hiring Arkansas charter airlines to take you to favorite destination for your work matters or personal reasons. Hiring air charter travel can give some of the additional advantage that may give you one of the finest experiences of flying. Air charter services are the best when it comes to business people. These people have to fly to the entire world to for attending their business meetings and others. Hiring a personal corporate air charter travel may help you to relax and plan your <a href="http://www.businessask.com/">business meetings</a>. You can also increase the time of your travel and take a short holiday with near and dear ones and just refresh your senses.</p>
<p>For better information on Arkansas charter airline and Arkansas airports, try searching through the internet and get some useful and appropriate information on the same.</p>
<p><a id="more-36"></a><br />
<em><br />
The author is a webmaster of http://www.airlineexpo.com, a corporate air charter services information directory for Arkansas airports and private &#038; corporate air charter to/from Arkansas. </em>
</p>
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