Archive for January, 2010

The Island of South Georgia

Author: Gary Small

The island of South Georgia, an inhospitable frozen wasteland of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and freezing winds, lies in the southern Atlantic Ocean east of Tierra del Fuego.

This remote Antarctic island is part of the British territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The British claim to sovereignty of South Georgia dates from 1775 when Captain Cook landed here and dismissed the island as not worth discovering. Argentina also claimed the island in 1027, an unresolved dispute which contributed to the 1982 Falklands war when Argentine forces briefly occupied South Georgia.

In 1916 Ernest Shackleton became stranded on Elephant Island to the south-west, while on his Imperial Straits Antarctic Expedition, Shackleton and a small group of men left the rest of the party to summon help and ended up, after an arduous journey, at King Haakon Bay on the south coast of South Georgia.

They then managed to make it overland to reach help at Stromness whaling station, which led to the rescue of the remaining men. Daring a later expedition in 1922, Shackleton died on board a ship off South Georgia and he is buried on the island at Grytviken.

There is no permanent human population on South Georgia, only the British Government Officer, research scientists and museum staff at Grytviken, but there are enormous populations of penguins, the largest colonies anywhere on earth, with around 400,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, two million pairs of the macaroni penguins and large colonies of four other species.

Visitors come here to watch penguin couples overcome the extreme climatic conditions and nurture their precious eggs through hatching and the vulnerable chick stage into fully fledged members of the colony. The charming creatures work tirelessly together avoiding the seals that lurk in the shallows waiting to pounce and protecting their young from ferocious skua gulls who will snatch one and tear it to shreds.

When he landed here in the 18th century, Captain Cook noted the huge seal and whale populations around the island, but just two hundred years later both had been hunted nearly to extinction. South Georgia is, however, home to 95 per cent of the world’s southern fur seals, half the southern elephant seals, 250,000 Albatrosses, including the massive Wandering Albatross, and up to ten million other seabirds, making a trip here a totally unique experience.

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Having A Great Vacation In Italy

Author: Vincent Brooks

Vacationing is a pleasant time to release stress from work or studies. It’s an occasion wherein family, friends, and lovers will have some enjoyable time together. Several individuals go overseas to have their vacation. The recommended place to go is in the continent of Europe. The most visited country is of course Italy. Italy has a lot of tourist spots. Plenty of marvelous architecture, fashion, arts, etc. can be glimpse. Touring Italy will require you more than a week or so to stay. It would be painless for you to walk around Italy when you have a guide. With the aid of a tourist guide, you can visit many historical places and tourist spots.

It would be essential if you have light baggage. Why? Since, there are many good qualities of fashion trends or styles in Italy. You might be tempted to buy one or more bags while you are there. Italy is also best in their winery. You have to taste their wines and foods, they are awesome. You have to visit places with excellent architectures like the Piazza Del Campo in Siena, Leaning Tower of Pisa, St. Marks’s Basilica in Venice, Colosseum in Rome, and many more. You might want to ride the famous gondola of Venice. The striking beauty of monuments, landmarks and ancient buildings are grateful to experience.

Italy’s cities and metropolitan areas are Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Catania, Venice, Bari, Verona, Messina, Padua, Trieste, Taranto, Brescia, Prato, Modena, and Reggio Calabria. Therefore, with these much places to visit it is much advisable to have a tourist guide. These beautiful and historical cities are great because these cities have a huge contribution to our modern civilization.

Italy is the home of well-known musicians and painters. These are namely Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian, Raphael, Palestrina, Monteverdi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi, Paganini, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, and many more. Italians adore playing sports like football, basketball, fencing, and ice hockey. Spaghetti is the traditional Italian cooking and this is so delicious.

If you want a worth it vacation with memorable moments, breathtaking views, and adventure, you should visit Italy. Italy has all this things wonderful places. People will be mesmerized by the scenery that Italy could offer to the tourist. Booking ahead of time to avoid delays is needed. Contacting an agency will be much easier and less hassle. If you are lucky, you might be able to avail some promos or discounts. In peak seasons of Italy are also the time where there are holidays or celebrations held in Italy. It would be great to experience such event and learn more about Italian people.

At this instant, drain out your timetable and dash to Italy. Vacationing in Italy is an incredible experience of a lifetime. Have fun surveying the cities, enjoying the spectacular views. Allow each moment you’re in Italy be a terrific memory that you will cherish. The attractiveness of Italy is great to experience and you can have a nice journey with your family and best friends. On this trip, don’t forget your digital camcorders so that you can catch all the exciting things you will experience.

Come to my two special web sites on how to learn Italian online quickly and on the antique vintage button for some useful information.

Paris - Where To Go On Holiday

Author: Susan Wilson

The City of Lights, as Paris is known, is Western Europe’s second largest city. There should be no problems finding plenty to do when you visit Paris, because it is home to many activities and attractions that are suited to all kinds of tourists. Whether you seek entertainment, shopping, dining, or history and culture, Paris is sure to offer you a full agenda of things to do.

Historic Landmarks

You obviously have to visit the Eiffel Tower. Who travels to Paris for the first time (or second or third, even) and doesn’t visit the Eiffel Tower? This majestic structure is over 300 meters tall and can be seen from most points in the city.

The Louvre boasts some of the most famed art pieces from around the world, and contains more than 300,000 unique works of art. This is a day trip that you must take when in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, and is definitely worth your time if you’re looking for the best landmarks in town. Notre Dame is a majestic and grand cathedral that can be loved by everyone.

Cuisine and Shopping

There is plenty of enjoyment to be found in Paris, and shopping is no exception. This fashion-minded city has a great range of boutiques, specialty shops, department stores, and more.

There is something for every individual to enjoy when shopping in Paris, whether you are looking for local fashions or tourist shops. The multi-cultural environment of Paris makes it a great destination for shopping and culture.

Whether you are looking for the best of couture or just quaint tourist shops, there is something for everyone to enjoy when shopping in Paris.

Other Activities in Paris

When you visit Paris, there is so much to see and do that you might not be able to do it all in the same visit. Therefore, you should make sure that you plan your itinerary carefully so that you can see the most important things.

There are lots of different choices for things to do in Paris, including night life, historical tours, family activities, and more. keeping occupied won’t be an issue. Finding time to rest might.

While Paris was formerly known as the romantic city that catered to couples, it is quickly growing and changing to offer a variety of family-friendly attractions that every tourist can enjoy.

Isn’t travel fun? Well, it’s even more fun if you have more money! Remember to get your travel money before you leave.

How To Benefit From Tax Free Shopping

Author: Liam McGulliver Fletcher

If you are a knowledgeable consumer, you’ll know that shopping smart with tax free shopping is the way to go. For Americans, they don’t even have to leave your country. For example, any resident of the United States is able to shop and saving the sales tax. If they are visiting certain states that are exempt from these taxes.

These neighbors entice consumers using advertising and media. Consumers are loured to the neighboring states so that they can benefit from this tax free shopping. Not all in this state next door and taking some sightseeing, they can also save huge amounts of money depending on their purchases, in comparison to what they would normally pay had the sales taxes been applied.

Although there are some hidden taxes included in the price of the item, the result is that you are clearly paying much less for the item that you would have if you have purchased the with all the taxes applied.

As an international visitor at practically any country in the world, you are able to make purchases at specialized duty-free shops. These shops are found either close to the borders on highways, or at the airports. You can find practically any item worth buying at the shops with very interesting discounts on items like alcohol, sunglasses, designer products including perfume, just to name a few.

And, at the stores aside from saving money, you know you were getting quality products at a discounted price. If you’re buying the same item in a regular store, you would be paying at least 30 or 50% more for it. The only disappointment in this scenario is that there are limits to the amount that you can spend, and other limits regarding tobacco and alcohol.

But, if you are a smart consumer and travel regularly, you’re given, much more opportunity to shop in these outlets. If you could hold out on some purchases, it is in your benefit, to make them in stores like these.

If you get the chance to go to or through the UK on your next trip, you can get some great gift items with Tax Free Shopping. Make sure to visit duty free shops when you are in the UK. Learn more about UK Tax Free Refund now before your next trip!

London is one of the hottest hotel break destinations in the world and annually many thousands of tourists visit the British capital city. The city of London has many years of history, stunning historical buildings and of course lots of interesting attractions, even the queen stays there.

One of the toughest things to locate in London is a good standard of accommodation at a cheap price. If you want to be in the center of all the action then you would ordinarily have to pay a lot more for than you would if you were staying five kilometers away. The secret is to try and find a property that strikes the correct balance between the price and location.

There are umpteen high-priced four and 5 star properties all over the center of London that could cost you a fortune unless you check around and take a a couple of easy measures.

First thing to do is to make sure that your visit does not take place in the middle of any large events in London as the low cost hotels will in all likelihood be reserved for these dates well in advance. So avoid any dates where there is a cup final on at wembley stadium or any other big event. A quick look on the official London council inter net site will give you a list of yearly events.

It may be that you are going to London for a big event and are having problems getting lodgings at any property. There is a possible solution by utilizing the web site of Hotel Breaks as they have extra rooms to sell by many of the London hotels. Even when the hotel itself is full Hotel Breaks may still have availability.

If you have any acquaintances or relatives in or near London as it may be a good thought to ask if they have any localized knowledge of a suitable hotel that you could stay at. The important thing is to look around and make sure you get accommodation that is not along way away. You do not want to be using your vacation time and cash traveling to where you actually preferred to be in the first place.

Hotel breaks in a city such as London can cost you a lot of money unless to take a few essential steps. Find out what to do with tips from David Anderson travel writer from the travel web site Bargain Sun

categories: travel,holidays,vacations,hotels,destinations,london,UK,Europe,accommodation,lodgings

Tax Free Shopping In London

Author: Liam McGulliver Fletcher

If you are an overseas citizen and are shopping in the UK, you can then file a claim back of the Value Added Tax that you have paid for the purchases you have made in London. The tax refund service is offered by many of the retailers that are located across the world.

The VAT on purchases made in the UK is around 15% and you can claim it back if you have spent at least the minimum amount which usually varies from shop to shop. Residents from outside the UK can claim back tax on purchases that they have made in participating stores and the minimum amount is usually around 30. When you’re leaving the country, you need to get your tax refund cheque stamped by the customs officer for it to be valid.

Coming to the UK to shop have never been more opportunistic because you can now claim the tax back on all of your purchases. This luxury is available to people who are from outside the UK who are in the UK as tourists and is one of the few benefits that you can enjoy that the residents don’t get to. If you plan to bring your purchases home with you then you can ask the staff in the tax free store for a refund cheque while you are paying for your purchases.

When you show your purchases, the receipts and passports in the Customs department at the time of departure, you can get your refund cheque stamped. There are numerous refund offices across the globe who can very swiftly arrange for a refund straight to your credit card or in certain cases, they may give you cash. However, there might be slight variations depending on the locations, so one is advised to go through the details clearly and get the entire benefit of shopping tax free.

There are many shops across the entire city of London and outside it which have logos displayed that read ‘Tax Free’ and you can approach those shops for in order to take advantage of the tax free shopping.

For more information on tax free shopping London UK visit gbtaxfree.com by clicking on airport VAT refund

Rome is the bustling capital city of Italy, and it provides plenty of things to see and do on a vacation. Whether you’re seeking history, entertainment, a chance to dine in the best restaurants, or any other activities, you’ll have no trouble keeping busy. There is something for almost everyone, from the Coliseum to the shopping centers and beyond.

Dining and Shopping

Rome is often thought of for its rich history and ancient cultures. However, it can also contend with some of the best shopping and dining destinations in the world. There are plenty of shops and restaurants that you should check out while in town.

Traverstere is one of the best places to find authentic Roman shopping. This destination has many winding lanes of shops, some of the best cuisine and entertainment in the city, and Sunday markets that are huge in size. Plus, it’s home to Santa Maria church, a church that has been around since the 3rd century AD.

There are plenty of shopping and dining experiences to be had in Rome, so make sure that you take the time to check them out.

Roman Historical Sites

Finding the history and culture isn’t hard when you visit a city like Rome. The Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, and Pantheon, and the Fontana di Trevi are all easy to find while you’re in the city.

The Coliseum is one of the most famous landmarks, and was built to hold up to 50,000 Romans in 80 AD. It hosted games, gladiator contests, and was able to be flooded to recreate famous naval battles. This is definitely worth a look.

The Coliseum is much less majestic. It was built in 80 AD and was designed for games, gladiator challenges, and could even be flooded to reenact naval battles of the past. With a capacity of up to 50,000, this monstrous site is worth a look.

Other Activities and Events

There is so much to see and do in Rome that you should have no trouble keeping busy. Well beyond shopping, historical sites, and dining, there are activities that abound for families and tourists of all kinds.

Having fun should be your main goal, no matter what you choose to do. However, you should also proceed with caution since you are in a foreign country.

At night, you should avoid back streets and keep your personal belongings close to you. The city of Rome is relatively safe, but foreign tourists are always an easy target for crime.

Would you like a free weekend break away to Europe? Did you know that you could end up saving enough money to get yourself a free break away by always looking for the cheapest travel money?

categories: things to do in rome,rome travel,rome,italy travel,europe travel,travel,tourist attractions

How To Claim A VAT Tax Refund

Author: Liam McGulliver Fletcher

Any person visiting the UK or a few other surrounding countries is entitled to shop with tax-free discount at the shops that take part in the tax free scheme. Shops that participate in this scheme usually have the tax free logo outside to let passers by know. In order to be eligible for the tax free scheme, you must be a resident of a country outside the EU and a visitor to the UK, this is why many people like coming to the UK to shop for goods at heavily discounted prices.

You can claim the tax you’ve paid on your purchases back only when you spend a minimum amount in a participating shop. This minimum amount varies from shop to shop and from country to country. When you’ve made your purchases and spent at least the minimum amount to qualify for your tax refund, you will have to get your tax-free cheque stamped at customs on your way out of the country. Once you have had it stamped and approved there are many ways for you to claim your tax back, many people have the refund credited to a card or directly to their bank account.

Shopping in the UK has never been so opportunistic for people from outside the EU, so if you are from outside the EU and are planning a trip to the UK, you should be sure to allow space in your luggage to keep items that you have bought in tax free shops separate from your other goods.

Tax free shopping is as simple as this…once the purchase is over ask for a refund cheque, get the stamp by the customs before the final departure from the European Union and when you show your passport, credit card and the refund cheque at the nearest refund office, you can get the amount into your account.

The tax free shopping facility is available at many stores for tourists from various countries so that they can shop across the world in a store of their liking and interest. You may not enjoy the same benefit if you are a resident of the place. This tax free shopping is a facility or a privilege only the visitors to the countries can enjoy and save a lot of money on goods when they are travelling abroad.

For more information on tax free shopping London UK visit gbtaxfree.com by clicking on airport refund

Not many people who have visited Europe have missed out Paris as it is one of the top destinations in the world. Most of the main attractions are in the centre of Paris where just over two million people live although when you enter the suburbs, that figure rises to almost ten million. Paris is one of the most traveled cities in Europe, if not the world, today.

Paris has the unique pleasure of being the international capital of fashion and art and when fashions are launched, it is normally from this city. This is also a city know for its associated with art and world famous artists with galleries and museums to please even the most discerning of visitors.

Although there is a great deal to see in Paris, there are three main places that must be visited on a trip and no matter how many times you return you will always pay a visit to these. You probably know their names well even if you haven’t seen them in real life like the famous cathedral - Notre Dame, the beautiful Eiffel Tower and the marvelous Arc de Triomphe.

However, when it’s a museum you want to visit, it has to be the Louvre which happens to be one of the most popular and largest in the world. Some of the most well known paintings and works of art are either stored or displayed here including the infamous Mona Lisa which is just one reason to visit.

Although the weather in Paris is not the best you will find, it doesn’t normally suffer with extreme temperatures owing to its location. Winters are quite mild by some European city standards, never falling much below the late 30 degrees Fahrenheit to summer temperatures that are pleasant at an average of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are flying to Paris, you will land at one of the two airports it currently has but will probably be the Roissy-en-France airport as it one of the busiest international airports in the world. Direct flights go in and out of the Roissy-en-France on a regular basis to some of the largest international cities.

All types of people like to visit Paris and it is not difficult to see why as it promises something for everyone with an air of culture that should not be missed. Paris should always be considered as a vacation even if it is for a short city break.

When you’re in Paris, then why not visit Amsterdam also. By plain you can get there in 2 hours. In case you stay for several days, make sure you first check some Amsterdam apartments online. When that is arranged, you can enjoy your stay without worrying about this.

categories: travel,europe,vacation,holiday

The Soho area in London has made a comeback in recent times. This once seedy area is now very much London’s buzzing centre.

Soho today has a 24/7 culture and lively street life, as well as some of the best cafes, bars, restaurants and nightspots in London.

Here we present you some of Soho’s key highlights to help you have a fantastic time when you next visit:

* Plenty of bars, clubs and cafes on both Dean Street and Wardour Street. Try All Bar One on Dean Street or the Slug & Lettuce pub on Wardour Street.

* Bar Italia (Frith Street) is where the Italians themselves go for the best cappuccino in London. It’s hard to get a free seat but is always buzzing!

* Ronnie Scott’s is one of London’s most famous jazz venues and is right across the road from Bar Italia on Frith Street.

* The Curzon Soho cinema specialises in international films but also shows mainstream movies too. Its ground-floor cafe has superb cakes and drinks while there is also a lively basement bar to grab a drink before your movie.

* Chinatown is right in the heart of Soho and especially fun in the evenings. Do stop by the authentic Chinese shops and bakeries as well as the tempting restaurants. The Wong Kei Chinese restaurant on Wardour Street is a London institution - the service is so bad, it’s good! There are also good-value “all you can eat” buffets.

* Restaurants in Soho serve just about every cuisine you could wish for. If you are unsure what you fancy, just wander around and feast your eyes. You’ll find Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Korean, Italian, Indian, Thai…to name only a few of the mouthwatering options. Corean Chilli (Charing Cross Road) is a particular favourite!

The intense competition between restaurants in Soho means that prices are generally OK.

Take a few strides from Soho towards Leicester Square to enter one of London’s buzzing nightlife centres - it’s always full of atmosphere. Why not stop for an ice cream at the Haagen Dazs parlour or catch a movie at one of Leicester Square’s famous cinemas (it’s also where all the big movie premieres take place).

If nightclubs and bars are your thing, that’s another Soho “speciality”. You can spontaneously pop into almost any place you fancy depending on the music and atmosphere you most enjoy.

What if you prefer to chill out? Soho’s multitude of cafes are perfect to do just this and great fun for people watching too! Enjoy a light snack, a long drink, a latte or whatever else takes your fancy.

Since Soho is lively 24/7, you really get a sense of London’s vibrancy by being there. It’s buzzing on Sundays too!

Do check out the London Hotels Insight blog which presents further information on Soho including insider tips on the most stylish hotels and tantalising restaurants you’ll find in London.

Please check our London blog for independent advice to plan your ideal London visit. You can also read more about Soho hotels and find information on London’s ultimate hidden gems.