Argentina: What to Know Before You Go!

When people visit Argentina, they are naturally drawn to its capital city, Buenos Aires and its romantic gauchos, haunting tangos, rolling pampas, towering mountains and sparkling lakes. However, most people aren't aware that because of Argentina's size, it offers the best of both worlds from the Antarctica-like glaciers in Patagonia to its tropical jungle in the north. To get the most out of your trip to Argentina, here are some planning tips as well as some Do's and Don'ts.

Choose a manageable itinerary that works within your time frame.
It takes 9 hours by plane to reach Argentina. Plan to spend some time traveling around the country because an internal flight lasting 1 ½ to 2 hours is usually required in order to reach the best destinations. If you are also planning to explore Chile or Brazil, you will have to limit the number of regions you will visit outside of Buenos Aires because most regions are worth visiting for at least three nights. Your budget, not to mention your time, will be overrun if you spend a significant amount of time on planes, and money on internal airfare.

Be mindful of the seasonality.
Remember that in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. You should visit Argentina between late October and early April. During these months, the temperatures are more moderate and the rain is less plentiful because these are spring and summer months. However, you may feel free to visit the northern part of the country, which features both Buenos Aires and the Iguazu falls, all year round.

Cultural immersion opportunities abound.
If you are into dancing, you can choose to attend a tango show, take a private lesson, or visit a milonga, a dance hall where the natives dance tango during their lunch break from work. You can also watch a soccer game or a polo match, if you are more into sports. Teatro Colon, ranked by National Geographic as the third best Opera House in the world also puts on the best opera, ballet and classical music concert shows all year. While in Buenos Aires, consider taking a cooking workshop. It not only immerses you deeper into the culture, it also gives you a skill you can take back home with you.

Where to go and how long to stay?
• Buenos Aires, the "Paris of the South", is worth at least two nights, three for city lovers. Free time here is not wasted but be careful of thieves.
• Glaciers National Park (Calafate) is the best place for seeing -- and trekking on -- glaciers within Argentina. The incomparably beautiful Perito Moreno glacier may just be the loveliest glacier outside Antarctica. Recommend three nights.
• The Lake District (Bariloche, Villa La Angostura) is justifiably called "Little Switzerland" for its mountains, lakes, rivers, lush vegetation and many adventure options - hiking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and kayaking. Three nights.
• Iguazu Falls are widely considered one of the two most impressive falls in the world -- MUCH more impressive than Niagara or Angel falls. We recommend spending one or two nights to see both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, which offer completely different views.
• The Valdez Peninsula region is the best spot for wildlife viewing in Argentina. You can visit a huge penguin rookery in Punta Tombo, and observe whales, sea lions, elephant seals, guanaco and countless sea birds. Four hours of driving is required per day. Lodging is not upscale. Recommend two nights.
• Mt. Fitzroy (El Chalten) is one of the two most impressive sites within Argentina's southern Patagonia region (the other being Perito Moreno glacier). A 3 1/2 hour drive from Calafate, this is a truly outstanding spot for scenery and hiking. Great for photographers. We recommend spending two nights at Fitzroy.
• Ushuaia is a pleasant town with a nice national park nearby (Tierra del Fuego) but the scenery in this region is not as outstanding as the places listed above. If you go, stay for two nights.

Do's & Don'ts for Argentina
DON'TS
1. DON'T dress too casually. Shorts and flip-flops will raise eyebrows in a country that is very concerned with fashion and appropriate dress.
2. DON'T yawn or eat in public (on the street) - it's considered very rude.
3. DON'T make the "OK" or thumbs up gesture - they are both considered vulgar.
4. DON'T expect social occasions to begin on time - it's actually considered rude to arrive for a party on time.
5. DON'T say that you are "American"; instead say that you are from the "United States", the "U. S. " or from "North America". (Spanish speakers can say that they are from "Los Estados Unidos".
6. DON'T worry about change when the amount is small. Small-value coins and bills are rare in circulation and no one worries much about amounts less than 50 centavos.
7. DON'T talk about sensitive topics such as Argentina's relationship with Brazil, Great Britain or The Falkland Islands, which could evoke strong reactions. Also avoid discussing politics and religion.

DO'S
1. DO tip 10% at restaurants and 1 peso per bag to hotel porters.
2. DO share some mate (tea) with your fellow travelers - or with strangers. The national drink is passed around clockwise and shared as a sign of friendship and acceptance. The tea packs quite a caffeine "punch. "
3. DO expect to be kissed on the cheek when meeting or departing from acquaintances.
4. DO sleep in - Argentina and especially Buenos Aires has a thriving tradition of nightlife, and things rarely get started until near midnight!
5. DO try to learn the Tango. Tango is a way of life in Argentina, and being able to dance will make your time there more fun and exciting.
6. DO check out a Polo match. Argentinians love Polo and it is quite a beautiful sport to observe.
7. DO have a coffee at the famous Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires. The cafe has been popular with artists, intellectuals and others since 1858.

Nature Expeditions International tours offer interactive cultural experiences, not just passive visits to must-see sights. If you need assistance in planning an adventure trip in Argentina, and learn what this beautiful country has to offer, please call us at 800-869-0639 or visit http://www.naturexp.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_K_Kaufman

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Enjoying the Delights of a Holiday in Crete

Crete is the home of Europe's first genuine civilization. The origin of the Minoan civilization is still debated but it certainly goes back thousands of years BCE and was well known to the ancient Egyptians. Based very much around a 'palace culture' in places such as Knossos, the Minoans became important in early Greek culture through legend and, to some extent, legacy.

If you visit the palace and Knossos, legendary home to the Minotaur and the labyrinth, an interesting fact to note is that it was considered largely a mythical site until discovered by archaeologists in the late 19th century. It's a fascinating place to visit with lots to see - including the first ever road built anywhere in Europe, on which modern Heraklion airport transfers travel today.

Culture
Cretan culture isn't quite the same as that of mainland Greece, though it's similar.
There's no really easy way to describe this - it's just something you have to experience.
Whether it's the distinct evolutionary heritage or just geography is unclear - but the difference is there. You'll see and experience it immediately your Heraklion airport transfers drop you off.

Beaches and mountains
Crete has some great beaches and also some very high and extremely beautiful mountains. It isn't a huge island and that means you can easily spend a morning on the beach and the afternoon high up in the mountains. It's ideal for those who like a change of scenery from 24x7 sand and sea - great as that may be!

Language and friendliness
The relationship between Crete and the UK goes back a long way and many of the tourists on the Heraklion airport transfers are British. It came to the fore in the heroic, if ultimately unsuccessful, joint Greek, Cretan and British attempt to defend the island from the Nazis in 1941. English is widely spoken in most of the main towns and tourist centres.

Cuisine
Many people would argue that Greek cuisine is hugely underrated and all too often overshadowed by the better-known French, Italian and even Spanish culinary traditions in the Mediterranean. Try, as an example, the local lamb cake or "Katimeria". They're delicious and there are many more specifically Cretan dishes to sample while you're there.

If you're feeling really brave, you could try the local distilled spirit called Tsikoudia, or perhaps more commonly by tourists, Raki. It's made from the residue of local grape processing for wine. You can get good or bad Raki and its strength can vary hugely, but you can be sure that it's always going to have a high alcohol content. Drink it in moderation if you'd like to avoid getting very drunk, very quickly and then spending the next day deeply wishing that you'd abstained altogether.


The convenient Heraklion Airport transfers will deliver you to any one of the many fabulous destinations around the island. It's hen up to you just how far you explore.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're looking for Heraklion airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lukas_Johannes

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Compelling Reasons to Make Thailand Your Next Holiday Destination

With its wide top, stretching down into a long leg where it meets Malaysia down in the south of the country, Thailand is enormous. The sheer size of this country makes for an enormous variation in terms of landscapes, weather and activities. Whether you're keen on beach holidays, sun holidays or holidays filled with activities such as hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking, cultural visits, shopping or sampling the local cuisine, Thailand has it all. Thailand is very affordable as well, not only in terms of travel deals and holiday packages but also in terms of eating out and shopping. In this article we will give you some compelling reasons why Thailand should be your next holiday destination.

Food
Thai cuisine is praised and loved all other the world. It is delicious, fresh and healthy. Especially for international visitors, Thai food is very affordable, although this also depends on where you go; in a big, 5-star hotel the food will be more expensive than in a small, local restaurant in town. Sampling Thai street food is very popular with locals and tourists alike and it is a real adventure. Many restaurants in the cities serve western cuisine as well, and fast food outlets such as KFC can be found everywhere. When you're at the coast, eating seafood is an absolute must. It is incredibly fresh and the variety is near endless.

Weather
Thailand generally has a tropical, humid climate but it also has very distinct seasons, with the Monsoon in summer being the most well-known season. From November to February, temperatures usually range from 18ºC to 32ºC in the central part of the country, making it a popular time for western holiday makers.

Culture and people
Buddhism filters its way into almost every aspect of Thai life. It's what makes the Thai such friendly, caring and peaceful people. The beautiful Buddhist temples are an absolute must-visit. They come in all shapes and sizes and you can find them everywhere, from mountainous areas to villages and cities. If you are prepared to get up very early in the morning you will be able to see the Buddhist monks walking down the streets with their alms bowls and girls kneeling in the streets to be blessed.

Shopping
Whatever it is you want, you will be able to find in Thailand. This is a major export country and many products that you can buy worldwide are manufactured here. The shopping malls are bigger, better, cleaner and more modern than many European malls, for instance. Then there are the street markets, the night markets and the floating markets, offering locally produced goods at bargain prices. Need we say more?

Beaches
Of course Thailand is well-known for its pristine, exotic beaches on the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean as well. Whether you prefer secluded island beaches, swimming beaches or deserted beaches, you'll be able to find all varieties.

Nightlife
Nightlife in Thailand is not only unparalleled, it is world renowned as well; incorporating a little bit of naughty and a whole lot of nice. It is lots of fun and very safe but you do need to have an open mind when it comes to some types of entertainment. With a multitude of restaurants, bars, cinemas, night clubs and live shows, the nightlife is fantastic.

Next time you are planning a holiday, give Thailand some serious consideration, although after reading this article you're probably already busy booking your holiday package.

Browse our travel and ticketing website at http://www.computickettravel.co.za for not-to-be-missed accommodation, holiday and flight deals. Computicket Travel design tailor-made holiday packages to a multitude of local and international travel destinations, catering to all tastes. Book your tickets, tours and car hire through our website where the world is at your fingertips. We'll take you to the best holiday destinations all over the globe.

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Top Tips to Know Before Your Holiday to Venice

Planning the perfect holiday to Venice can be a joy but it can also be something of a worry. After all, you're probably going to be spending a lot of your hard-earned cash and want to make sure you're going to get the best experience you can for it. So, here are a few tips on planning your holiday to Venice that you might find helpful.

1. Think about your real interests. If you want beach and sea interspersed with a little culture then you might be better off further around the lagoon and close to the beaches (Venice Lido). Make sure your destination has Vaporetti connections (water buses) that run regularly to the city itself.

2. If you don't like a lot going on around your hotel instead preferring a little more peace and quiet, then avoid hotels that are close to the major tourist centres like St Mark's. The city can be very busy in the peak summer weeks and the streets in the very centre are crowded for much of the day and night.

3. Try to select a hotel that has some water frontage in close proximity. That's because if you take a water taxi from the airport (note - that can be expensive) it will be able to drop you and your bags that bit closer to your final destination.

4. Similarly, also look at the Vaporetti dropping off points in the tourist web sites. Once again, selecting a hotel relatively close by might mean you avoid needing to drag your suitcases longer distances across the town once you've got off the bus from the airport.

5. A holiday to Venice can be magnificent at any time of the year but in spite of sea breezes, the city can be hot at peak summer times with an average temperature of around 28C. That's not scorching, but if you don't like heat when you're exploring a city then try to visit in spring or autumn.

6. Be clear on your budget. City-centre holidays in any major European city are going to cost a considerable sum of money. If you are on a very tight budget, consider staying somewhere on the outskirts of town or a few kilometres away. You may save a lot of money in accommodation costs, though that will be offset a little by public transport costs. However, providing you can tolerate a little bit of commuting at the start and end of day, you may still save some serious money by doing so.

This is truly one of the world's greatest and most beautiful cities. It's somewhere everyone should see. Just a little thought and care when selecting your actual destination in the city could add to your enjoyment of your holiday to Venice.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're heading off on a holiday to Venice, Shuttle Direct can provide pre-booked shuttles to this and all major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.

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Culture and Family Add to the Pleasure of a Vietnamese Holiday

When visiting Vietnam try to get a sense of rural, as well as, urban lifestyles. The central urban areas are busy and fast paced. In contrast, the rural locations are reminiscent of quieter and simpler times. It may have something to do with the lush Vietnamese countryside that defies industrial progress. Vietnam Holidays give tourists a chance to see for themselves that the Vietnamese tend to treasure their families and the times they spend together.

No time may be better to witness this facet of Vietnamese life than during an actual holiday celebration. If you visit Vietnam during Tet, the lunar New Year, be prepared for shops to close down for three days. On the whole, it is a time when families come together. It is one of the Vietnam holidays when people leave the cities and head to the countryside. Many people who live in urban areas grew up in the countryside and still have relatives who live there. If you are in a busy tourist area, there may be places that will remain open to accommodate visitors.

Travel to Sapa, in the highlands, to get a sense of what family life was like many years ago. Sapa residents have kept their traditions over the years and still dress in traditional costumes. In contrast, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis that changes daily. However, even in Ho Chi Minh City the architecture speaks to a time of French colonialism tucked alongside modern high rises. The more places tourists can see during Vietnam holidays the more they will be amazed with the country.

One of the most unique places in Vietnam are the river markets on the Mekong delta in the southern most part of Vietnam. Most of Vietnam's rice crop is grown in this densely populated region of the country. Visitors can take boat tours along the river to get a true sense of the importance of the river to the economy and the culture. Vietnam holidays would not be complete without a stop at one of the floating markets. The boats have long upright poles at their bows to display samples of their products. Although, most of the goods are farm products, tourists should be able to find something to buy, if only for the experience.

John Black writes about many topics. Click on the links to discover more about taking a Vietnam Holidays and Vietnam Travel.

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Ecuador Holidays for Families of All Ages

Head to Ecuador for a wonderful and incredibly family-friendly holiday which in a relatively small area offers a whole diversity of experiences from rainforest to riding among volcanoes, kayaking into mangroves, and snorkelling with sealions.

Ecuador's temperate highlands make the perfect starting point for your family adventure as you can reach some truly spectacular rural locations in the shadow of beautiful volcanic peaks within an hour or so from the airport to get your holiday off to a relaxing beginning, even when travelling with smaller children. You can arrange a bespoke itinerary that combines some fantastic horse-riding for all levels, whether for several days or just for a few hours, from a gorgeous family-run traditional working farm or hacienda with a whole host of other activities from colourful Indian markets, walks, cycling, and checking out what's going on at the farm.

The perennial fascination of exotic creatures big and small from insects to snakes and monkeys does not fail to engage children of all ages, whether you head to the cooler cloud forest with your little ones only a short drive from Quito or whether you venture with your teenagers deeper into Amazon basin rainforest to spend a few incredible and illuminating days with local tribes in the heart of their ancestral home.

Family-friendly riverside jungle lodges can offer specially designed forest walks with great guides as well as lots of fun activities from making animal models and pictures to learning the essential skills on how to become a forest naturalist, such as recognising animal calls and spotting minute insects! Swim in waterfalls, go fishing for piranha, and get face-painting with natural dye, known as achiote!

When you are ready for some time to relax by the coast after all that exploration and active adventure, then why not try the less-developed villages and towns around Machalilla National Park. Kayak along the coast looking out for dolphins, check out the Panama hat weavers at Montecristi or try your hand at making jewellery and local handicrafts. June to November sees a migration of humpback whales offshore for some amazing close encounters en-route to a 'mini-Galapagos' at Isla de la Plata, the only other place in the world where you can see waved albatross and also blue-footed boobies, sealions, and frigate birds. This coast is wonderful for even younger children reached by an easy road journey from Guayaquil via a chocolate factory or a short scenic flight to Manta.

Alternatively of course, you can combine the beautiful highlands and rainforest with the stunning Galapagos Islands on a fabulous experience of a lifetime aboard a beautiful cruise vessel. If you have a larger family or want to take the grandparents too, then talk to us about private yacht charter. If your children love making new friends, then we can recommend some wonderful cruises with special family departures, designed to keep all ages happy on-board and onshore!

Holidays to Ecuador are an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with the culture and history of this fascinating continent. We organise the most amazing holidays to Ecuador.
Our luxury travel company knows, watches, and understands the seasons of this continent - something which cannot be gleaned on a 2-week research trip to a country.
Contact us to discuss your own tailormade family holiday in Ecuador.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Anne_Mumford

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Cruise Travel Tips

Are you planning on going on a cruise? Well if this is your very first time, you may not be very sure what to expect. Having a few tips to help you out can be very helpful to you. So, here are some important cruise travel tips to keep in mind when you go on a cruise.

Tip #1 - Have a Carry On Bag - The first one of cruise travel tips that you'll need to remember if you're going on a cruise is to make sure that you have a carry on bag. Once you get on the ship, you'll want to visit your cabin but you can't expect your baggage to show up for awhile. So, it's a good idea to have a carry on that has some clothes and a few essential toiletries on hand.

Tip #2 - Get a Map of the Ship - Cruise ships are huge. You don't want to get lost and a map can definitely be a huge help to you. Make sure you have the map and take a bit to look it over so that you'll be able to more easily get around the ship.

Tip #3 - Walk to Where You're Going - When you are going to dinner or you are going to a show on board, you may want to walk wherever you are going. You'll find that the elevators are probably going to be full and often many people are trying to wait for an elevator and they may not be in a great mood. So, just go ahead and take a stroll and get a bit of exercise walking to wherever you need to go.

Tip #4 - Keep the Noise Down at Night - If you are out late at night, make sure that you keep the noise down. You don't want to go around slamming the doors of your cabin, since it can wake many people around you up. So, have some courtesy and shut your doors as quietly as possible to avoid encounters with grumpy cruise mates.

Tip #5 - Avoid Wearing Expensive Jewelry - When you are on a cruise ship, don't go around wearing your most expensive jewelry so everyone can see it. Of course there will be some formal dinners where you will want to look great, but leave the most expensive jewelry at home. You may become the victim or a thief if you go around flaunting expensive jewelry.

Tip #6 - Tip Generously, is the last one of the cruise travel tips listed here; When you are out there on a cruise, make sure that you tip generously whenever possible. Most of the people on the ship make very little money except for by your tips. So, make sure that you are kind enough and generous to give a great tip.

Finally, make your cruise travel memorable and all that you want it to be by doing a lot of planning before you travel.

For detailed information on planning visit [http://www.your-cruise-travel.com] and for more information on cruise travel tips visit this particular page [http://www.your-cruise-travel.com/Travel-Tips.html]
By Doris Jumbe
Copyright(@)2007-2008 Cruise Travel Tips Article
All Rights Reserved

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Bangalore City As A Tourist Destination

Bangalore, also known as the "Garden City" is the largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. The city is home to many public sectors, private institutions, defense organizations, and software companies.
If you are visiting the city as a tourist, there are a number of places that you can visit. Some of the best places that you should consider visiting are:

Cubbon Park
The Cubbon Park is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of 300 acres. It's named after Sir Mark Cubbon who was the Bangalore commissioner.
The park has a treasure of many ornamental and flowering trees which are both indigenous and exotic. The park is frequented by joggers, walkers, and nature lovers. It's also an ideal place for kids to enjoy.

If you love the aquatic life, there is an aquarium that is located inside the park. The aquarium has many varieties of ornamental and exotic fish which will ensure that you have as much fun as possible.

Attara Kacheri
This is a two-storied building that was constructed in 1867 and it houses the high court. The major attraction of the building is its Gothic style and architecture.
Next to high court is the government museum that housed many sculptures, old painting, inscriptions, and exotic coins.

Bangalore Palace
Built in 1887 by Rev. Garrett, Bangalore palace has an elegant Tudor style architecture that is heavily inspired by the England's Windsor castle. The palace has fortified towers, green lawns, elegant wood carvings and relief paintings.
It's profusely painted in yellow and the sofa sets in the building are also in yellow. The palace is usually open from 10 am to 6pm in all days of the week except on Sundays.

There are many ways in which you can get to the city. You can use air, rail or road. The good side is that all the networks are well established and maintained; therefore, you will have an easy ride.

If you visit the city and you want to spend some time there, there are a many great hotels where you can stay. For example, there is St Mark's hotel that is located on St Mark's road. A room in this hotel goes for 6,000 rupees per day.

There is also 18 grand that is located at the heart of the city. The hotel is a short distance from the major shopping malls, multiplexes, and hospitals.

Visit Trip2Blr to know more about Bangalore city attractions

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