For visiting London, proximity to King’s Cross is the perfect location. An intersection of six tube lines, including the Northern, Picadilly, and Circle Lines, to name a few, can get you virtually anywhere from King’s Cross. King’s Cross is also a train terminal, in the case that you are planning to visit the north of the UK. But let’s not get off track and get back to seeing London via King’s Cross. London, the cultural melting pot that it is, offers amazing and varied shops of anything you could desire. Located near the major shopping zones of London, both commercial and artisan, King’s Cross is a convenient place for a shopping tour in London. The city is also a magnet for great and creative minds, as is well known by all the thinkers, writers and artists who both came to and from London. The wide range of museums and galleries reflects this intellectual breeding ground, and again, King’s Cross is a skip, hop and a jump away from many of these world-class museums. Less conventional tours to start from King’s Cross could include a round of the city’s parks, exploring the wide web of the tube itself, or the nearby nightlife hotspots. So, whether it’s shopping, rich culture, or any fun explorations that you’re after, King’s Cross will guide you there quickly and efficiently.

For the shoppers! Have an early and hearty breakfast (you will need the energy) and put yourself on the Northern Line, heading for Camden Town, where you will find open air markets selling art, crafts, clothes, accessories and much more. It’s best to spend time here in the morning, as the area isn’t the safest at night. After you’ve stocked up on original craft gifts at the market, head back to your hotel, drop them off, and back on the tube! Via the Picadilly Line, head towards Covent Garden, a famous indoor market, and the surrounding area, full of boutiques, shops, and nice cafes. This picturesque market makes a nice lunch stop, with some cozy restaurants nearby. Picadilly Circus comes next: very commercialized, with many well-known brand stores. Picadilly is a fun place to return to at night, as the lights and pubs draw partiers to them like moths to the flame! Head on to Knightsbridge to see the world famous Harrod’s Department store. After this detour, it’s on to Oxford Circus to join the crowded throng admiring and buying the riches of Oxford Street, which is equivalent to New York’s Fifth Ave, a street of fancy department stores interspersed with chic shopping boutiques. If your spending needs are still not satiated, check out other markets, such as Portobello, or just by walking through London, you will find hidden gems of stores throughout the city. If, however, Oxford Street sums up the shopping day nicely for you, head back into the Oxford Circus tube, and the Victoria Line will conveniently take you right back to King’s Cross.

For the culture seeker, you will start your day heading in the opposite direction of the shopper. Head south on the Picadilly Line to Russell Square, and just a few blocks south of the shady square is the British Museum. After your explorations, you may also enjoy Covent Garden for its history and theater - check out the listings as they may draw you back in the evening. Nearby is Trafalgar Square, home of the National Gallery. From here, continue on to Green Park, and gasp at the size and beauty of Buckingham Palace. Changing of the Guard takes place nearby, so check the season’s schedule if you are interested. Slide down the Jubilee Line to Southwark, and enjoy the neighboring Tate Modern and Globe Theatre. Make your way back north of the river to Tower Hill, and explore London’s Tower. Take the Circle line back to King’s Cross to conclude the cultural loop.

The adventurer who wants to learn the city by randomly coming across the interesting things may enjoy traveling from park to park, always great for people watching and discovering the wide variety of London’s inhabitants. Regents, Hyde, Green, and St. James Parks are the main ones, each with distinctive personalities. The Tube itself is extremely interesting, and it’s worth reading the entertaining advertisements of the tube, listen to some talented and not-so-talented musicians, pick out who the tourists are and who the natives are the tube can be really enjoyable during your voyage. Take advantage of being in this unique London sub world! King’s Cross is also nearby to Leicester Square and Picadilly, both popular night out areas. Or try traveling round Circle line and seeing how many pubs you can manage to stop at after which, see if you manage to find your way back to King’s Cross on this concentric line!

King’s Cross, recently made famous through Harry Potter’s platform 9 ¾, is more than a fictitious train platform. It’s a station that literally will get you anywhere in London (and beyond) very conveniently. If you’re visiting London to shop, to learn its culture, or just to explore it for face value, King’s Cross is the best starting and ending point. You will get to where you need to go quickly, and at the end of the long day, you won’t have to wait long to be back at your London home, sweet home.

About The Author

This article was written by Pat Stevens with support from The Jesmond Dene Hotel, an inviting bed and breakfast conveniently located in close proximity to King’s Cross station. To learn more about how bed and breakfasts can add to your travel experience, please visit http://www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk/.

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“Oregon Coast Beach Connection” is the name of an enormous, comprehensive website launched by Newport-based tourism publication Beach Connection, featuring extensive virtual tours of the upper half of the coast and a myriad of other details useful to the visitor. It is found at www.beachconnection.net.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection contains archived content from the print publication, which distributes from Seaside to Florence and from Portland to Corvallis - about 160 miles of coastline. There’s an up-to-date events calendar, news about new businesses and changes on the coast, a large amount of information on lodging and dining, as well as a guide to Lewis & Clark spots - but with a bit of a twist.

The virtual tour - while not entirely completed - features an average of 60 photos and stops for sections of the coast like Seaside, Cannon Beach, Newport or Nehalem Bay. Some areas have less, and some are not up yet. It is an extremely useful tool for the visitor-to-be or regular visitor to the coast; for those very familiar with the area who want to make more discoveries, or for those who want to explore ahead of time before coming out.

In many cases, the virtual tour moves the web surfer from beach spot to spot just a few feet at a time. Some parts of the tour are like standing in the same spot and looking north, west and south, occasionally in increments of several feet. Other sections show different moods and different sides to a particular beach, and give unique, detailed glimpses into what fun can be found on this especially pristine and notable section of U.S. coastline.

There’s also a list of every bar and lounge on the upper half of Oregon’s coast (www.beachconnection.net/pubcrawl.htm).

Coming soon will be a section on coastal geology, archived works from regular Beach Connection columnists (including former Oregon Coast Visitors Center executive director Guy DiTorrice), among other additions. Editor Andre’ Hagestedt said he plans to add a real estate section and detailed guides for various areas that will be perfect for printing out and taking along on a trip to the coast.

The site currently boasts upward of 300 pages, and is expected to contain more than 500 when the virtual tour is entirely finished. Hagestedt estimated that would run even higher when all the other additions are completed.

All photographs and text were created by Hagestedt, who is a former writer with Statesman Journal, KXL radio, The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly, The Rocket, Valley Business Weekly, among numerous others. He lives part time between Portland and Nehalem.

The publication is owned by Toledo/Newport graphic designer Karen Ware.

www.beachconnection.net. Contact is Andre’ Hagestedt: beachconnection@yahoo.com.

About The Author

Ben Randall is an Oregon writer who specializes in travel and internet issues.

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A single day maneuvering through London’s museums will prove to be very enlightening and educational. With perhaps the world’s highest concentration of museums per square mile, the choices are as varied as the tastes of the visitors. An itinerary of one day, depending on energy levels, can prove to be absolutely packed to the brim with not a moment to spare. This one-day guide will provide the most interesting options for a packed itinerary, and for those who want a calmer day, pick and choose what sounds best for your energy and speed levels. As everyone knows, London can be expensive; as not everyone knows, some of London’s best museums, like the British Museum, are free of charge. Thus, an itinerary is provided for those who want to spend the minimum of money seeing the maximum of London’s culture. On the other hand, some of the best museums, like the Tower of London, are quite pricey. The London Pass can be an economical solution, giving free entry to countless London attractions for a set fee. Tourist-oriented museums, like Madame Tussauds wax museum, are a category in themselves, perfect for the day when the visitor seeks entertaining education rather than analytical thought in a museum visit. So, let this article be your guide through the best that London’s museums have to offer for minimal or free admission fees, through the benefits of the London Pass, and through the attraction museums that provide fun and fast-lane learning.

The museums in London whose permanent collections are free of admission are not too few in number, and will fill up your one day of London travel. To start, the British Museum is one of the world’s best-known museums, showcasing one of the widest collections of world cultural history. Some highlights are the Rosetta stone; the first known image of Christ; Lindow Man, whose well-preserved 2000-year-old body was found in a bog; and the Reading Room, where Lenin, among others, studied and wrote plans for his Revolution that would affect the whole world. After this contact with world heritage, promenade over to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, where you can see art by Europe’s best painters and sculptors. Nearby is the National Portrait Gallery, concentrating its collection on England’s most famous citizens throughout the centuries. For a change of taste, follow up with the Tate, London’s best modern art museum, with paintings, photo exhibitions and installations. If you have time at the end of the day, conclude with the Museum of London, informing its visitors about London’s history and culture. If you’re interested in London, this museum is for you; and, presumably, you are interested in London if you’ve traveled all the way to get here!

When you think of the distance you’ve traveled to get to London, you may think it worth spending a few pounds while you are here. The one-day London Pass costs 27 pounds (it can be bought in combination with an Underground Travelcard for 32 pounds), gives you free access to countless museums, castles, and other places of interest, saving you a good sum of money at the end of the day. In this sample itinerary, you would save 30 pounds: start off at Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana, and enjoy the museum as well as the grounds and gardens. Next, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a stunning architectural achievement, offering stunning views of London from its cupola. Shakespeare’s renovated Globe Theatre will have the bard charm you “encore” with his wit as you learn more about him and his theater. In the afternoon, climb up Tower Bridge and learn about the history and construction of this world famous bridge. Conclude the afternoon with a tour of the Tower of London, which will glitter your eyes with the Crown Jewels, and turn your stomach with the tortures and mystery surrounding the prisoners of this VIP prison, which definitely lacked in VIP treatment. Finally, wind the evening down with a discounted West End show, to give you a full and well-spent day discovering London’s culture.

For those seeking to discover London’s culture in a more interactive setting, attraction museums are ideal. The London Dungeon mixes history with a haunted house theme, with museum employees and wax figures unexpectedly frightening the visitors. In the north of London are the London Planetarium and the neighboring Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, which not only houses the world’s largest and most up to date collection of wax figures, but also the most life-like - you will likely take a double take to make sure Prince William isn’t really standing in front of you. For those who want to stand at the location where “time begins”, the nearby town of Greenwich, home of the Prime Meridian, will impress you. There you can visit the Royal Observatory, enjoy the beautiful park at the base of the Observatory’s hill, the National Maritime Museum, the famous Cutty Sark ship, and get a feel for an English village, so close to the metropolis of London.

Whether you choose to partake of the free collections of London’s museums, the countless options that the London Pass provides, or the attraction museums both in and near to London, you will be happy with the result. London’s museums are very well organized and are full of surprising facts about the city that jump out at you from paintings, photos, sculptures, documents, architecture, and wax figures! Any visitor is bound to be surprised and impressed by the London they see guided by its museums.

About The Author

This article was written by Pat Stevens with support from The Jesmond Dene Hotel, a family run bed and breakfast located within walking distance to King’s Cross station. To learn more about how bed and breakfasts can add to your London travel experience, please visit http://www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk/

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I arrive with our my Adventures For Singles (www.adventuresforsingles.com) group in Munich and our guide makes it clear this is Bavaria. Bavarians favor autonomy from Germany and even have their own language. I’ve been here many times but looking through sober eyes now, I find it more vibrant, clean and sophisticated. We spend 2 days with Nancy, an excellent guide who has already emailed me to remain in touch. I have a mini-group of just 26 so this is like a vacation for me. It’s a first time abroad for some and I love to learn from them as they notice things with child-like enthusiasm that I don’t. This is the hi-tech land of engineering. We pass a 9 story Mercedes dealership with new cars stacked to the shape of an Advent tree. We also see the BMW factory. I wish I could work here with 7 weeks vacation per year, 340 different work schedules to choose from, a gym, spa and its many other benefits. We stop for hot apple strudel and visit the well known sites. Here is the 100′ Christmas tree with 2500 candles.  Our welcome dinner at Haufbrauhous is a delight with yodeling, alp horns and sausages of everything-wurst. The group toasts their steins of natural beer made only of barley, water and hops.

It’s time to move on to the enchanting storybook villages. This is a magical time to visit. No country celebrates Christmas with more passion than Germany. As we head to the alps, the morning sky looks like a pale bruise. Soon a blizzard engulfs our coach but we have an experienced driver named Eno who we fell in love with by trips end in 7 days.

We arrive at Neuschwanstein and ride by horse and carriage up to the famous castle. (This is the one Disney fashioned its own after.) I’ve seen more castles than I can count around the world but this medieval knight’s fortress with gothic spires is spectacular. Built in 1869, it looks brand spanking new with decorated rooms intact. The 388 steps inside are well worth the climb. There’s hardly anyone here whereas summer can draw 5,000 tourists each day. In winter, this fairytale castle becomes dreamlike surreal. That’s why I enjoy traveling off season.

Pity poor Mad King Ludwig II who designed this worlds largest, most extravagant, expensive and opulent castle for himself. It’s a sad story of the 6′ king who lived here only 4 months. The people loved him as much as the German Tourist Board does today. His family however, did not. They sought to declare Ludwig insane and hired a team of psychiatrists to prove such. Although he was prone to depression and insomnia, no doctor could find him mentally unfit. After short rule, his body was found in the lake and the family stated it was suicide. But the body of his psychiatrist was also found so most agree it was murder, particularly since an autopsy was refused. Later it was determined that Ludwig was gay, so the “fairytale king” was truly a fairy.

We stopped in charming Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Plays every 10 years. The wood houses are painted with fairytales: Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, etc. We then toured Nuremburg with an astute guide who brought the city to life before our eyes from 15th century to its destruction in WWII. Some went off to the Toy Museum or Torture Museum while I set out to explore the world’s largest Xmas market.

With giant lit trees, double carousals, horses with bells, over 400 stalls of food and crafts, this is a s festive as it gets! I graze my way through on white chocolate bananas, fruit breads, glazed grapes, dipped pretzels, pink marzipan pigs, licorice angles and all types of roasting sugar coated nuts. Shaped gingerbreads are omnipresent and the aroma of warm sweet Gluh-wine fragrances the air. I’m on a sugar high and head for the crafts. Shopping is a blood sport here through narrow lanes but MasterCard is my armor and I find all my toy treasures. There are giant nutcrackers representing every occupation, unique mangers and 29 trillion ornaments. At dusk the illumination begins. I pause for a dinner of 6 bratwursts, Bavarian cheese and a pyramid of sauerkraut to last me to 2012.

In Rodenthal we toured the Goebel/Hummel Factory. I anticipated boredom yet became fascinated to learn how precious each piece is. From 1871 to today, 700 artists create these tiny non-useful figurines. They are paid per piece and if a mistake is made, it must be broken. The highest paid artists are the delicate “face painters.” I met one woman who has spent 12 years just painting eyebrows, another on lips and a man who has worked 10 years blushing cheeks! The eye strain must be like threading sewing needles for a lifetime and it takes 3 years apprenticeship to graduate to this level. Initially our guide assumed we were a collectors club when in reality we can barely afford a 2′’ baby Jesus.

Later in East Germany we visited Lauenstein Confiserie, a chocolate/praline factory that was so busy with the season, they hardly notice us. I tasted from the chocolate fountain nearly having a cocoa orgasm and confirm again that America can never produce this product as purely or satisfying as Europe.

The best of all towns was Rothenberg, population 2300 where our Hotel Prince was located right inside the fortified walls of Old Town. Our guided walk here instantly awakened all my 5 senses and made me want to linger for days. We tend to go over the top each year with our flashy decorations. Among the half timbered homes here on cobbled streets, it is quieter and softer. One is taken back to the Middle Ages with the pewter ornaments hand crafted and evergreens lit with candles. Afterwards, our guide Claudia invites us all into her home. I go to buy a “snowball” for which this town is renowned. They are piled high like colored softballs in the windows. For over 300 years, these pastries were frugally made from scraps of fresh pie dough. Dipped in chocolate, berries or cinnamon butter, they melt in your mouth. As the sun shines, I remove my coat to a balmy 50º. How I wished it would snow.

We end our tour in the Student Prince town of Heidelberg with entrance to the famous castle and its 55,000 gallon wooden wine barrel. That night I reflect on a great trip, my last one for 2005. I write this journal so my wonderful little group will remember it all. With pride, I’ll always remember them; on time, patient, no complaints, generous tippers, polite to locals and friendly with each other. Perfect travelers I wish I could clone.

After hugging Eno goodbye, we exited with so many shopping bags that he now thinks he needs a trailer in tow of his coach. This December, it was joyous to be transported back in time. It certainly brought me in touch with my inner elf. What a gift!

Merry Christmas to all and wishing to see you in the new year!

About The Author

Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years initially as a flight attendant and now with her company Adventures For Singles. She has extensive travel knowledge having visited over 150 countries. The goal of AFS is to provide you with an affordable, well planned vacation experience to awesome destinations that will exceed your expectations.

Feel free to use this article. Email us to provide you pictures.

suzy@adventuresforsingles.com

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Take a trip to vibrant, colourful India for the holiday of a lifetime! Book your discounted air fares on line now and receive discounts immediately! Fly into the main hubs of Delhi or Mumbai and then take connecting flights or trains into the rest of India. Rail travel in India has never been more comfortable with most services offering the traveller a choice of First & Second Class, air-conditioned sleeperettes with en-suite bathroom and a personal butler service. Prices are still low so getting around India is a very viable option.

India, being a diversified land of many cultures, religions and hospitality, has always been the first choice for tourists looking for that little bit extra the world over. Romantics will adore visiting the glorious Taj Mahal in Agra, a grand marble monument dedicated to the memory of a great love to neighbouring pink city of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur where you can stay in the wondrous floating palace! See the stunning yellow domes of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and enjoy the fresh, hot ‘halwa’ which is generously distributed to all worshippers daily. India is not just a land of sights and wonders. It also offers fantastic, white sand beaches and an excellent variety of water sports and speciality massages. From hot stone therapy to cold mud body packs to hot oil being slowly dripped on your forehead in Kerala, there really is no place quite like India.

India has many travel holiday packages to offer. The capital of India, New Delhi, is a green, clean city with many famous tourist sights including the Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutub Minar and the India Gate (reminiscent of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe). The bloom seasons of February and March make Delhi vibrant, colourful and aromatic. Go further west and modern and fabulously rich Mumbai’s stock market and Mahalakshmi racecourse can make you a millionaire overnight. The Juhu Beach, Fashion Streets, Elephanta Caves, Marine Drive, Gateway of India and Flora Fountain are its major attractions. Enjoy the throbbing pace of the Mumbai nightlife where bumping into a celebrity or two is part of the norm!

QUICK OVERVIEW:

AHMEDABAD:

A variety of habitats coastlands, islands, saline desert plains, forests, hills, lakes, grasslands combined with a location on the migratory route of birds from Europe and West Asia has made Ahmedabad one of the most prolific bird watching areas in all of Asia.

HYDERABAD:

Hyderabad is known for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance.

CHENNAI:

Particularly charming features of Chennai are its allegiance to ancient traditions.

BANGALORE:

The flirtatious city of Bangalore can never stop wooing the people. It is known as the Silicon Valley of India.

KOLKATA:

Kolkata, India’s largest city is now a busy & flourishing city, the centre of cultural as well as political and economic life.

The cheapest flights to New Delhi, Mumbai and various other cities of India are available by online booking at “www.ticketstoindia.co.uk”. It offers air tickets to India top destinations at extremely competitive rates as well as regular discounts and special offers. Trips to India will always continue to be the best option for your Indian vacations. We can also cater for all your Wedding needs. Want to get married like a Rajah or Rani on horse or even elephant back? Want to get married by the sandy shores of Goa whilst flower maidens scatter rose petals at your feet? Amazing wedding packages are now available in India and will leave lasting memories for you and your guests!

About The Author

Mridu Sinha writes about “Air Tickets To India Top Destination ”. Get more information about India flights at www.ticketstoindia.co.uk.

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With only 2.5 hours (approx 117 km) drive from the capitol, San José, Jacó beach or playa Jacó is one of the most visited beaches in Costa Rica.

The long sandy beach has a shape and ocean floor that promotes big waves, very much to the delight of most surfers visiting Costa Rica.

The most common route to take when going from San José down to Jacó is to drive via Alajuela, continue to Atenas and further down the dark green slopes of the west side of Costa Rica until reaching San Mateo. Continue from there to Orotina and take highway 34 straight down to Jacó.

Also make sure to peek through the car windows when passing el rio tarcoles (tarcoles river) where you can see the natural habitat of the enormous crocodiles of the Tarcoles River and the mangroves.

The Beach

The playa is a bit over 3km in length from one end to the other. It makes a nice walk and if your legs give up on you, the local taxis will be more then happy to help you out. You can also rent cars and bikes.

For reading, keep your eyes open and look for Jacó News, a monthly English language publication.

The surf is best in the rainy season from May to November, but depending on what you crave in size of waves; Jacó really can offer an all year surfing experience.

Sights of Jacó

Jacó is really the kind of place where doers go. Not to much to see locally. Things you can do are rent kayaks, go deep sea fishing or take a sunset cruise. Horse riding is also very popular and most hotels can arrange that for you.

The latest craze to emerge in Jaco is paragliding and you can even go with a boat-plane to private beaches.

Places to go when in Jacó

You can go with local tours to Carara National Park, La Catarata (waterfalls) and Tarcoles crocodile tours. You should also plan for a visit to playa Hermosa south of Jacó where you can take the canopy tour.

Some places to sleep in Jacó are, Jacó Fiesta, Club del Mar, Copacabana, Best Western Jacó Beach Resort and Apartotel Gaviotas.

Eating

As Jacó is a quite big beach and a lot of tourism, you’ll find a lot of places serving food. Visit Bananas, Chatty Cathy’s, Emily’s to the north. La Fragata with pasta and fish. La Hacienda with mid priced snacks and La Ostra with fish as a specialty.

Bars & Nightclubs

They come and go on almost a day to day basis. Two of the best are Central and Los Tucanes.

Shopping as what you expect on a tourist beach and if you run out of money, then visit Banco Nacional in the centre of town.

Finally, a warning

Jacó has a bit too strong surf to really be a good place for small kids. Big waves, rip tides and under currents can be dangerous for someone young or unaccustomed to the sea.

And as always, when dealing the sea, be careful. The tide in Costa Rica changes the sea level many meters and can pull anyone out into the open sea.

About The Author

Steven Hollstein always spends his vacations in Costa Rica. His favourite places are the beaches. Visit http://www.beaches-in-costa-rica.com/ for more info.

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Getting to and from the main airport, Leonardo da Vinci, commonly known as Fiumicino, about 30 miles southwest of the city center is quite easy. But getting to and from Ciampino airport, 20 miles southeast of the city center of Rome is not that easy ,is time consuming and unconfortable by public transport and buses run infrequently, finish early and do not connect well with the metro trains.

Many of Italy’s major cities have international airports, but the Leonardo da Vinci of Rome is the country’s busiest and is a hub for flights linking Europe to the Middle East and Africa.

Soon after the big Fiumicino Airport opened in 1960, a new confortable motor road was built to link it with the centre of Rome across the Magliana section. Various big hotels for business travelers and conventioneers grew up nearby.

Negotiating Roman traffic by car is difficult enough, but you may be taking your life in your hands if you ride a motorcycle or moped in the city. The rule in Rome is to look straight ahead to watch the vehicles in front and hope that the vehicles behind are watching you.

Most of the historic centre of Rome is closed to normal traffic. Police controls some entrances to the centre, while other entrances have electronic gates. You are not allowed to drive to the centre of Rome from 6.30 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 2 pm to 6 pm Saturday, unless you are a resident or have special permissions. All 27 streets accessing the so called ” Limited Traffic Zone ” have been equipped with electronic access detection devices. To avoid a fine, customers wishing to drive to hotels in these areas, should first contact the hotel management who will fax authorities with your number plate.

Although Rome’s traffic is nowhere near as cahotic as that of Naples, some drivers, particularly motorcyclists, do not stop at the red lights. And do not expect them to stop at pedestrian crossing either.

About The Author

Stefano Sandano is native of Rome, is a copyrighter for the main attractions of the Eternal City. To be updated with the Rome airport news you can visit http://www.rome-airport.org

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The beautiful city of Vancouver is located in the Southwestern corner of British Columbia, Canada; on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Being overlooked by the Coast Range Mountains and surrounded by water on three sides, the city has a landscape that truly takes your breath away.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) has everything from Beaches, mountains and 192 beautiful parks to a cosmopolitan downtown area, fabulous shopping and entertainment. Due to it’s location it has a mild climate, which means not too much snow in the winter and pleasant temperatures in the summer, but it does to tend to have a lot of rain. The average annual rain and snow fall is 1219mm.

As Canada’s third largest city, the downtown area has a population of 514,000 (1996 census) and the GVRD has a population of almost two million. It is a city of newcomers, according to the 1996 census 45 percent of residents were immigrants. According to international surveys, Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world for quality of life. It is also ranked, along with four other Canadian cities, as one of the safest cities in North America.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District comprises 21 separate municipalities - each is home to several hundred thousand people and many were once cities in their own right before being swallowed up by the urban sprawl.

The actual city of Vancouver itself is made up of 23 different Neighborhoods - each having its own distinct character.

There are many wonderful places to visit, shop and eat in. This includes a vast number of galleries, sophisticated shopping and antique shops to choose from. Chinatown is one of the largest in North America and is a thriving commercial and residential district.

Gastown is the historical part of the city with cobblestone streets, heritage buildings, shops, restaurants and galleries. It’s located just south of the harbor and is a vibrant place.

Located just under the Granville Street Bridge is Granville Island Market which offers a mix of food, arts and crafts, shopping and theatres. Water taxis ferry shoppers to and from the market or you can stroll there.

Stanley Park, located close to downtown, has over 1000 acres of forest and is a firm favorite with both locals and tourists. The park has many kilometers of pathway, an aquarium, a pitch and putt golf course, a miniature railway, tennis, restaurants, beaches and on summer evenings live theatre. Robson Street is in the heart of downtown and offers boutiques, side walk cafes, shops and restaurants.

The city has many tree lined streets and no highway cutting through the city so walking is encouraged. It is illegal to cross the street anywhere but at a marked intersection crossing in the city.

There is an excellent public transport system which consists of buses, Seabus, Skytrain and a commuter rail service called the West Coast Express. This is an integrated system and you can use the same tickets for different modes of transport. There is also an extensive system of bikeways, so cycling is another good way to get around.

The Port of Vancouver rates number one in North America in total foreign exports and is the gateway for Asia-Pacific trade. It has a natural deep water harbor and covers 233 kilometers of coastline. In 2003 its total cargo traffic was 66.7 million tones. The Port is also home to the Vancouver - Alaska cruise, one of the worlds most popular cruises.

There are many attractions in and around the city offering a wide variety of activities.

Grouse Mountain - located just 15 minutes from downtown, also known as the Peak of Vancouver. Riding the Gondola to the mountain top is an absolute must, in the winter you can experience the skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, ice skating and sleigh rides and in the summer mountain bike tours, helicopter tours, tandem paragliding or maybe just enjoy the magnificent views at one of the restaurants.

Science World - located on Quebec Street offers hundreds of interactive exhibits, wrap around movies in a giant theatre and year round special events. There are always new exhibits arriving so it never gets boring.

Capilano Suspension bridge and Park - located 10 minutes from downtown is the city’s most popular visitor attraction. The swaying footbridge bridge is 230 feet above the Capilano River and spans 450 feet. There is also a colorful Totem park, trails through the West Coast rain forest and much more.

Vancouver Zoo is located in Aldergrove just off the Trans Canada Highway. They are open all year round and offer either daily admission rates or season passes. There is a miniature safari train and a safari bus tour, you can also hire quadra cycles or bring your own bikes, in-line skates or any motor-less transportation to get you around.

The city Aquarium is situated 5 minutes from downtown in Stanley Park. They are a self supporting and not for profit group and are Canada’s leading aquatic conservation organization. Open year round they have many different types of marine life to learn about and a daily schedule of shows.

The Vancouver Canucks are one of the strongest teams in the NHL (Ice Hockey) and with the BC lions always very competitive, there is a good supply of sports choices.

Vancouver is without doubt the most impressive city I have ever stayed in and is a must to visit if you are in Canada. Undoubtedly one of the most expensive places to buy property in Canada but with the amount the city has to offer I can understand why. For more detailed information including full descriptions of each municipality, visit http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com/vancouver.html

About The Author

Dave Lympany immigrated to Canada in 2003 and has constructed a free information website http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com about Canadian Immigration and life in Canada based on his family’s experiences.

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Historic Route 66 occupies a special place in American history. Today seems to be a time when even more Americans are interested in a road trip. Route 66 is THE road trip.

As you travel the length of it, you can visit authentic Historic Route 66-era hotels, motels, trading posts, and gas stations some have been lovingly restored and preserved, others are a reminder of how long ago Route 66 was a well used highway.

As a scenic route, Historic Route 66 offers majestic mountains, breathtaking vistas, meandering ranch land, Indian reservations, Pueblo communities, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. New Mexico is a state you can take parts of the original route but in most cases you will be on Route 40. The estimate on driving time would be 16 hours. And the length is 604 miles.

New Mexico’s part of Rte. 66 history is very intriguing.

The earliest route was a curving, 501-mile washboard journey in1926. Westbound motorists first encountered Glenrio and Tucumcari. As they passed Santa Rosa, they turned north to Romero, and then headed west again. In Santa Fe, they turned southwest, passing through Albuquerque to Los Lunas. There they turned northwest to Correo, then west again to Grants and Gallup. They found the route 126 miles shorter in 1938. Instead of turning northwest past Santa Rosa, they continued west through Buford (later Moriarty) and Albuquerque all the way to Correo.

Here is a sampling of Rte 66 you can try out yourself in New Mexico

Let’s Go!

Westbound motorists can take a 20-mile gravel stretch of the old highway from Glenrio to San Jon; this was the last remaining segment of Route 66 before it became Rte 40 in 1982.

>From San Jon, you can drive an almost always intact 24-mile paved chunk of Rte. 66 all the way to Tucumcari.

Along Tucumcari Boulevard (where you will see the longest stretch of authentic Rte 66)) you’ll enjoy the 40’s and 50’s all over again.

Drive down the road and you will see Cactus Motor Lodge, Lasso Motel, the Pine Lodge, the Blue Swallow Motel, Teepee Curios, the Westerner Drive-in, The Palomino, and Travelodge Motel, and Del’s Restaurant.

More retro 40’s and 50’s awaits you with the Town House and Safari Motels, the Buckaroo Motel, the Redwood Lodge, and the Paradise Motel, the Sahara Sands Motel & Restaurant, Dick’s Auto Service, and the Pow-Wow Restaurant.

On to Santa Rosa where you will find that Will Rogers Drive is the city’s four-mile Route 66. Stop in at Joseph’s Restaurant (build in 1956) or the Club Cafe (a landmark since 1935) for a bite or liquid refreshment..

Continue 43 miles west on I-40, You should get out, stretch and climb Palma Hill, and view 7,576 foot-high Cerro Pedernal to the southwest. This where you will see and feel the New Mexico dry air at its best.

Next stop has got to be Cline’s Corners, where you can see more southwest souvenirs than you thought could fit in one place. You can find rattlesnake ashtrays, beaded belts, tomahawks and Indian lore. You can also have a meal here with a home cooked southwestern flair if you haven’t eaten yet.

On next to Moriarty which is where a 58-mile chunk of highway to Rio Puerco begins.

Along NM 333, you’ll spot the former Buford Courts, Blackie’s Restaurant, and the one-time Yucca, Cactus, and Lariat Motels and Sands Motels.

In metropolitan Albuquerque, Central Avenue is an 18-mile part of Rte 66. Travelers often start at the State Fairgrounds, a landmark since 1936. Then you’ll discover the De Anza Motel, the Royal Motor Inn, the Town Lodge Motel, and the Aztec Motel (originally the Aztec Motorcourt, all built in the ’30s, and 15 blocks long).

You will also see Nob Hill, built in 1936-47, and the Lobo Theater and Lobo Pharmacy & Bookstore (originally Barber’s El Rancho Market), both built in the ’30s

Downtown, there are several buildings that wer the gems of downtown in the 40’s and 50’s era. They are: the Sunshine Building (built in 1923-24), the First National Bank Building (1922), the Rosenwald Building (1910), and the KiMo Theater (1927).

There are also other samples west of Old Town if you haven’t had your fill. They are: Lindy’s Restaurant (1929), Maisel’s (circa 1940), and El Vado Motel (1937), located west of Old Town.

If you’d like drive down a piece of the 1926 route, head north on I-25.

Take the Algodones exit and return south via NM 313, the original 66 is now Fourth Street, Isleta Boulevard, and NM 314.

You’ll go 46 miles from Algodones south through historic Bernalillo and past Sandia and Isleta Pueblos (You’ll know you are here when you see the casinos).

In Los Lunas, turn west onto Main Street. You’ll pass the Luna Mansion, built in 1881. From there, stay on NM 6.

It is 33 miles of historic highway all the way to Correo. Correo is also 33 miles west of Albuquerque via I-40. At Mesita, old 66 reappears as NM 124, slithering 25 miles through Laguna, New Laguna, Paraje, Budville, Cubero, and McCartys..

In Grants, old 66 is called Santa Fe Avenue. Its 41-mile chunk to Top O The World is right out of the ’40s. Here you will find the Franciscan Lodge, Grants Restaurant (where Hollywood stars Jayne Mansfield and Tab Hunter once stopped for green chile cheeseburgers), the Uranium Cafe, and the Monte Carlo Restaurant.

The original highway reemerges near Iyanbito as a 13-mile introduction to Gallup. Along the city’s 9-mile segment are Earl’s Restaurant, built in 1947, and the El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936 and home to some Hollywood stars during the time when Gallup was a Western film capital( from 1929-64.) You can also visit the one-time Drake Hotel (1919), the Santa Fe Railroad Depot (1923), the former White Cafe (1928), the Richardson’s Trading Post, the old Palace, the Rex Hotels (both circa 1900), and Virgie’s Restaurant. (1950). The final 16 miles of old 66 continue west from Gallup as NM 118 to Arizona

Many communities in New Mexico celebrate the famous Route:

Festival in Los Lunas.It is New Mexico’s Largest Car Show

Annual Route 66 Roadie Gathering in conjunction with Annual Tucumcari Route 66 Festival

Annual Fire and Ice Bike Rally in Grants New Mexico

Annual Santa Rosa Route 66 Festival

There are also many byways along the Rte 66 paths you can take a few hours off or a day or two to explore everything from National parks and monuments to pueblos and old mining towns.

New Mexico is a very rich state historically from the prehistoric time thru the Rte 66 1920, - 1950’s

It all can be seen best on a road trip. Take yours this year!

About The Author

Eileen Richardson is the co-founder of The Santa Fe Site (www.thesantafesite) and is also a life coach (www.intuitivelifeguide.com) in Santa Fe, NM

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As sunrise begins to unveil the magnificence of the Grand Canyon every morning, every day of the year, a group of forty to fifty Canyon visitors gathers around the mule ride check-in desk in the lobby of the historic Bright Angel Lodge. The old lobby is the picture of comfort and security with its rustic beam construction and fire roaring in the huge rock fireplace. But the smiles and cheerful banter of this group mask the anxieties which lie beneath. They are about to embark on an adventure that only a fortunate few people in the world will ever experience.

Probably never having been to the Grand Canyon, they made their reservations over a year ago and have patiently enjoyed the anticipation ever since. However, having arrived early this morning and made their way out to the patio behind the lodge which overlooks the Canyon, reality has just set in. Big time! On the other side of the short, rock retaining wall the Canyon begins - and it goes straight down. The sheer magnitude of the Grand Canyon couldn’t possibly have been grasped through the pictures they admired at home. Even now, as they stand beside it, they are struggling to grasp the reality of it. Everyone is awestruck and some even suffer a degree of shock. It would be easy to conclude that only an experienced parachutist could safely make that descent.

They are checked in now, and have been issued their rain slicker (Canyon weather is fickle) and their bota bag for water (a souvenir of the trip), and have made their way a quarter mile along the Canyon rim to the round, rock corral next to the trail head. While the anticipation remains as high as ever, for most, the anxiety level drops slightly when they get their first look at Ron Clayton and his wranglers. Even though they resemble a picture out of the old wild west, they are for real. One look at Casey, Dave, Jack, Sean, or any of the seven or eight others (including several equally competent lady wranglers) will rightfully calm their nerves. These are some of the best cowboys in the world. They love what they do, they do it well, and they instill trust at first sight.

As Ron gathers the riders around for instructions, a crowd of other tourists gather also, out of curiosity. Unexpectedly, both the riders and the spectators are treated to a first class monologue with twenty minutes of instructions and education woven into a humorous presentation which further calms a few jitters. He stresses safety and reassures them that if they simply obey their wrangler, all will be well. He also assures them that if they don’t obey their wrangler, they will quickly become hikers. Every single soul standing in that crowd believes him. The riders are now ready to go.

A sharper trail boss doesn’t exist than Ron Clayton. With an eye gained only from a lifetime of experience, he looks the riders over as they walk toward him into the center of the corral, one at a time. As they approach him, he calls out the name of one of the sixty mules tied up around the corral perimeter, a mule which will inevitably turn out to be a perfect fit for that rider. Ron is that good. After each group of eight to ten riders has mounted and been given last minute reminders by their wrangler, they follow the wrangler through the corral gate. Fifteen feet farther and they are at the Bright Angel Trailhead and over the edge they go.

YeeHaw!! Hearts are pounding!

It is rumored, and it is true, that the first quarter mile of the descent is the scariest. Anxiety is at its peak now, as many of the riders have never been in a saddle in their life. The trail is narrow, and the vertical drop-off along the edge of the trail is frightening to say the least. The first turn in the trail is almost a u-turn and, forgetting that a mule’s head is some distance in front of its front legs, they may feel like their mule is going to go straight over. Never fear. In spite of their apparent nonchalance, these mules don’t miss anything, and the very last thing they want to do is go over the edge. The turn will be successful, an audible exhale can sometimes be heard, and a tiny bit more anxiety will subside.

A short fifteen minutes down the trail they will come to a wide spot which, by now, looks as safe as the plains of Kansas. The wrangler will stop and all the other mules will automatically line up beside him, facing the Canyon. He will remind everyone to put on their “parking brake” and then he will dismount and begin a rider to rider equipment check, tightening cinches, checking stirrups, etc. All the while, he will once again be stressing the most important rule of safety - keep your animal up close to the one in front of you! The mules make this trip every day and they are so comfortable on the trail that they will sometimes lose focus and lag behind. If not reminded by the rider’s use of a “motivator” to stay close, at some point the mule will realize his sin on his own, and will run to catch up. While it is somewhat humorous to watch a wide-eyed rookie rider bouncing up and down on the back of a mule cantering down the narrow and rocky trail, hanging on for dear life, this is how accidents happen. So the riders are reminded once again that repeat offenses of this nature will surely turn them into a hiker.

It is here also that any rider who has already become totally convinced that death is just around the next corner, can dismount, leave their mule where it stands, keep their bota bag, and hike the short distance back out of the Canyon to enjoy a longer life. Only pure terror can be the basis for this decision, however, and it rarely happens. The trail below looks much less ominous and most of them will already be visibly more relaxed. The adventure which they have dreamed about has just been vividly previewed and the lure to continue is almost undeniable. The wrangler mounts up and the ride of their life resumes.

It is impossible to describe the sensations which they will experience for the next two hours as the trail drops some three thousand feet in altitude, and no attempt to do so will be made by this writer. This aspect of the “once in a lifetime experience” is different for every rider. Some will later recall the breathtaking vistas as the trail winds around the Canyon walls and occasionally yields glimpses of the vast valley below. Others will recall “interesting” parts of the trail itself. Perhaps Jacob’s Ladder, the seemingly endless series of swithcbacks which scale what appears to be a thousand foot vertical rock wall. Entering the Indian Garden oasis with its hundred year old cottonwood trees shading the quaint atmospsere will also be a memorable occurance for some, not just for its serene beauty, but also because they are more than ready to get out of the saddle for a rest.

A camaraderie will develop among the riders even though they are from different parts of the world and just met one another in the mule corral. Without fail, they will be party to humorous incidents along the trail. They will all laugh more today than they ever thought possible. Some will quickly develop a bond with the animal they are riding - talking to it and calling it by name. In fact, the most lasting memory for some will be the animal they rode. They will always remember its name.

Upon arriving at Indian Garden, they will welcome the chance to dismount and stretch. Some will now be noticing the first signs of soreness in a place where they are not accustomed to feeling it. Others will just be happy for the opportunity to walk around and straighten their legs. If it is summertime, the wrangler will line all the riders up and hose them down - no exceptions - with cool water piped across the Canyon from Roaring Springs over on the Canyon’s north wall, and it turns out to be fun for everyone. Mid-day temperatures in the Canyon can be extremely high and the symptoms of overheating are sometimes difficult to recognize. The wrangler will once again check everyone’s tack, and they are off to Plateau Point. By now, a few of them will even fancy themselves real cowboys.

The trail out to Plateau Point is flat and uneventful, giving no hint of the spectactular view they are approaching. Even as they are dismounting at the pipe hitching rail they are still largely unsuspecting. Only when they clamber up on the huge flat rock and make their way out to the pipe rail at the far edge, do they get their first view of the Colorado River peacefully wandering along the Canyon floor. It is still so far below that it resembles a piece of blue string lying on the ground. A brief reverential silence usually occurs, and then the exclamations begin. This will be what some will always recall first. It is breathtaking for sure. One last look, a few thoughts and comments about the beauty and power of mother nature, and they mount up and head back to Indian Garden for lunch. Everyone is always ready for lunch.

They were all given sack lunches when they checked in at the lodge this morning. A light lunch, but tasty. There won’t be any complaints as they relax on a short rock wall, munching away, discussing the natural wonder they have become a part of for one memorable day in their life. They will all be feeling some level of physical discomfort by now, and when the wrangler says “OK riders, let’s hose off once more and mount up”, most of them will be thinking they would rather sit right where they are just a little longer.

The trip back up the Canyon wall will be quieter and probably uneventful. It has been a long day and they will be tired by now. With their backs to the valley, they will trudge up and out of this mystical world and back to the civilization to which they are accustomed. When the wrangler announces a rest stop for the animals, they will sit quietly and gaze back down into the Canyon. Their comments will be predictable - “It’s just gorgeous” or “I’m so glad we made this trip” or “We were all the way down there?!”. Whatever the comments, the appreciation in their voices is clear.

As they dismount for the final time, back on top in the corral where it all started, their mood will be somber and appreciative. They will be glad to get out of the saddle for the last time, but subdued by the realization that the adventure has ended. They will express their appreciation to their wrangler with uncommon respect and they will remember his name forever. They will return to their homes with memories which will never be dislodged, and in some cases, never even diminished. They understand full well that they were priviledged to experience the ride of their life.

As sunrise begins to unveil the magnificence of the Grand Canyon the next morning…………………..

About The Author

Danny Smith is an Arizona outdoorsman and entrepreneur who writes from experience. See his newest project at http://www.natureglasses.com. This article is free to use but must be used unedited, in its entirety, including the author’s bio and this statement.

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