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Untroubling Tunisia: Waiting for Travel and Democracy

The thirty or so countries that make up the Arab world are not known for enlightened or progressive  leadership.

But it was not always so.

In the Middle Ages when Europe was groping its way through the darkness in abysmal societies. Southern Spain, Andalusia,  was a beacon to the world.

Here, from 711 to 1492, under  Moorish/Muslim rule, Andalusia (from the Arabic Al Andalus) dazzled  with art, science, architecture and religious 

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Bandhavgarh Wildlife, India

If wildlife Holidays india pushes your adrenaline level into high gear, visit the enchanting Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the Umaria district and is famous for tigers, leopards and several other wildlife species. The most propitious time to visit this destination is from November to June. Sprawling over an area of 437 sq km, it attracts wildlife buffs from across the globe. It is surrounded by the Vindhyan mountains ranges which make it look picturesque. It is am

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Seeking the Answer to "Why do I Travel"

Some random thoughts about random events occurred to me today…

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People ask me why I don’t like cruises or go on packaged tours.  Then I wonder why people in my area with limited time continue to spend every vacation they have getting drunk in Vegas and losing all their money.  I guess the answer for me is that I don’t travel to be pampered, act out, or see a postcard view.  I really want to experience something different every time I step out the door and wonder why other travelers settle for less

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Oprah in Australia - Airs January 18-21

Paul Hogan (AKA Crocodile Dundee) promised to “slip a shrimp on the barby” for us and Americans and others flocked to Australia in record numbers. Will Oprah Winfrey have the same impact on Australian tourism?

 

We’ll soon find out. The four shows she taped down under will air January 18 -21, and rumor has it that she waxes lyrical about the place and touts its many attributes.

 

Of course, I couldn’t agree more. For ten years I wrote and revised Frommer’s Australia, which meant that “Oz” became my

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by Max Pesling

 

pic-spotlight-morocco-essaouira-casa-lila-riad.jpg?w=300A2-1/2 to 3-hour drive from Marrakesh, one of Morocco’s jewels is theAtlantic port city of Essaouira, built by the Portuguese as thefortified town of Mogador in the 18th century and today a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site. Here in this mix of traditional and hip alternative vibe(along with some nearby beach resorts), as elsewhere in Morocco, themost atmospheric places to stay are the riads (traditionalhouses) converted into inns. A good example, starting at just overUS$100/night, the 10

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The Exclusively Gay "Our House," Búzios, Brazil

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By Roy Heale

 

No visit to Brazil can be considered complete without a visit to Armacao de Buzios which is just a short two hour drive from Rio de Janeiro. This fabulous peninsula was discovered in the 1960s by French supermodel and movie actress Brigitte Bardot when during a vacation she was trying to escape from the paparazzi in Rio. Since that time Buzios has earned a reputation for its beautiful scenery, over twenty beaches, laid-back attitudes, and very gay-friendly welcome

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Tet in Vietnam

Vietnamese New Year is the most important Festival of the Vietnamese people. When Spring arrives, all Vietnamese are thrilled by the advent of Tet. Wherever they may be, they feel an immense nostalgia, wishing to come back to their homeland for afamily reunion and a taste of the particular flavors of the Vietnamese festivities.

This scared Festival occurs sometime between late January or early February, depending on Lunar Calendar. Although officially a three-day affair, festivities may contin
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From NMT Images
Mad Guests and UFOs: Why Hampton Hotels Are Number 1

Did you hear the story of the Hampton Hotels guest who took advantage of the chain’s 100%, no-questions asked refund policy?

She complained the UFO’s outside her window kept her awake all night.

She got her money back.

Or, as USA Today reported, how about the guest who asked for a refund because the cows mooing outside his window disturbed his sleep?

No wonder  Hampton Hotels has just been rated  Number 1 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 
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Insider's Guide to Peru

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Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for a long time, but the thought of being herded around like a tourist has kept me from booking a flight to Peru. I’d love to see this UNESCO World Heritage site but, until now, I didn’t know how to do it in a way that felt personal and authentic.

Enter Nina Fogelman of Ancient Summit, who lived in Peru for 27 years and found its pulse through total immersion in the culture and local way of life.

Nina plans every trip herself and has experienced staff on the

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Trips from Bohinj (Julian Alps), Slovenia

Trips from Bohinj ( Julian Alps ) - Slovenia :

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esg655sxK4I

From Bohinj you can go through  valley of river Sava Bohinjka
to Bled ( castle ) , drive past Lesce to Radovljica
( museum of beekeeping ) or you can go
through  valley of river Sava Dolinka till  Planica ( ski jump )
by Kranjska Gora.  Between Kranj and medieval town
Kamnik is the airport.  This is all in Upper Carniola.
Ljubljna - the capital of Slovenia. In  Inner Carniola
is an interesting intermittent Lake C

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La Jolla Wine Tours

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Where are La Jolla’s best restaurants?

Our eclectic food and wine scene can be a bit overwhelming for the first time visitor, but Shira Wiseman will be happy to help you get the lay of the land.

This local foodie offers culinary walking tours of the village and, in the process, helps fellow San Diegans and out-of-towners find our best food and wine gems.

Her three-hour excursions include four to five stops, including local restaurants, a purveyor of chocolates, and a little-known source for gourme

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Arhus, Denmark * Singapore * San Luis Obispo, California * Monterey, Mexico
 
Welcome to the city of Arhus, Denmark.
 
People here in this city located 100 miles from Copenhagen are indeed very happy people. Here, people rate themselves on average as 8.5 out of 10 on the happiness. The Danes indeed have richness in life. You don't have to lock your doors.
Free health care, good schools, diverse places of worship, bars, cafes, social clubs,
forest, and never far from the sea. Transportation mostly by
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Tlaquepaque is an old oasis within Guadalajara's modern big city sprawl. A small village that has been able to hold on to olden times and lifestyle. It is Mexico's premiere Arts and Crafts capital and your visit will certainly bring you to discover breathtaking works in ceramics, iron, blown glass, leather, wood and many other materials. Many of these creations are authored by local artisans and artists that live in this enclave and show and sell their works to you directly, many times from thei

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Tourism in India

India is a wonderful country and an amazing tourist destination of the world. This country, blessed with innumerable tourist attractions, is visited by a large number of tourists from across the globe every year. India is a place where one can indulge in lots many interesting activities as well as enjoy the surrounding atmosphere.

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is known for its temples with erotic carvings and sculptures. Varanasi, situated on the banks of Ganga river in northern India is the perfec

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From NMT Images

Arianna Huffington Refuses To Turn Off Cell Phone In Flight

If anyone can buck the rules, Arianna Huffington can. And does.

The out-spoken founder of the Huffington Post reportedly refused to turn off her mobile device during a weekend Dulles to LaGuardia flight, and, according to an irate passenger, she chatted and texted the entire time.

The Washington Post reported that the angry passenger confronted Huffington and both were pulled aside and questioned when the plane landed, but n

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by David Paul Appell

pic-blog-post-caribbean-curacao-kh-museum.jpg?w=150The “C” in the ABC islands of the Dutch West Indies does have dandy diving, dining, nightlife, and a few sweet strands. But for me, Curaçao's single strongest suit is its fascinating culture, especially from its colonial days, including fairytale architecture, landhuizen (country estates) where you can dine or even overnight, and the distinctive cuisine of the Papiamento people. I also wouldn't miss an acre-size trove of local botanical lore and traditional medicine called D

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From NMT Images
Carnival Cruise Lines Goes Facebook, Skips Web Site

It’ a great video. It’s fun, alive, upbeat and touches a travel nerve: It’s Carnival Cruise Line’s new advertising campaign, “Hey America, Didja Ever.”

But the video is not on the cruise line’s web site, confirming, once again, that searches for authentic travel experiences are not found on search engines or on web sites, but on social media networks.

It’s here where people can question, connect and participate with real people in
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Singapore Airlines - Always Number One!


 Flying Singapore can be a depressing experience because you may wish you could choose them on every route, domestic and international. Their excellence and consistency shows just how good an airline can be and just how awful many US carriers really are. They are the first airline to take delivery of ...the new Airbus 380. Why are they considered the best airline in the world? Start with the newest, most sumptuous aircraft, add some of the best flight attendants, and food that can actually be me

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An Après-Hike With Bill Bryson

In the few months that my website has been in operation, I have featured easy hiking adventures in Europe and the US, discussed hiking boots, backpacks and other hiking subjects. One thing I have not talked about at all is the topic of après-hike.

And why has nobody so far bothered to say anything about this topic? Because there is, strictly speaking, no such thing. This is (yet another) striking contrast to hiking’s distant cousin of skiing, “cousin” because it is also an outdoor activity and “d

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Dogs in Yosemite

Pets are one of our most precious possessions and often, our closest friends. Well trained dogs make great hiking companions but dogs are not allowed on the wilderness trails of Yosemite National Park.

Although dogs are allowed in the park and can be in designated campgrounds the National Parks are not exactly dog friendly, there are so many restrictions that dogs can't really be dogs.

If you want to hike with your dog visit the National Forests just outside Yosemite National Park. 9008596660?profile=originalThere are miles

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