PURI

Puri (Jagannath Puri) is one of the four holiest pilgrimage centres of India (Others are Dwaraka, Badarinath and Rameswaram). The jagannath temple built in 12th century has 200 metre high surrounding walls and a 58 metre high conical tower. Puri's great attractions are the famous Rath Yatra (car festival), picturesque long sandy beach, the Gundicha mandir, Raghurajpur (14km), etc. Distance: konark 35km, Bhubaneshwar 56km

CHIDAMBARAM

Chidambaram's great Nataraja temple complex covers an area of 22 hectares and is one of the ancient temples in South India. Its Gopurams carved with 108 classical postures of Nataraja and the 1000 pillared Rajasabha are worth seeing. There are five halls in the temple which are architectural wonders and all with hundreds of pillars depicting dancing figures, etc. There is also a shrine known as Chitrakootam adjacent to the shrine. Distance: Chennai 232, Thanjavoor 113, Trichy 194.

NALANDA

Nalanda has a very ancient history and the Nalanda University was established by Gupta emperors in the 5th century. Nalanda was famous as a centre of Buddist theology and educational activities. Attractions are the Nalanda University Archaeological complex, Archeological museum, Hueng Tsang Memorial Hall, Surajpur, Baragoan, Rajgir and Pawapuri. Distance: Rajgir 12km, Patna 95km(airport)

KURUKSHETRA

Kurukshetra on the Grand Trunk Road, has many attractions. The Sri Krishna Museum is an excellent art gallery, where works by hundreds of artists are displayed. Lord Krishna is portrayed in wood, stone, bronze, etc. The kurukshetra Panorama and science centre, the Brahmasarovar tank, Sufi saint Shaikh Chehil's tomb, the small Archaeological museum Mugal gardens, Banyan tree at Jyotiar, 6km away, are visited by many. Distance: Pipli 6, Chandigarh 92.

MOUNT ABU

Rajasthan's only hill station, Mount Abu at 1220 metre on the Aravalli hills is a place of scenic beauty and charm. Nakki lake, Toad rock, Wildlife sanctuary, Dilwara group of jain temples, Gaumukh, Raghunath temple, Adhar Devi temple, and Achalagarh fort and temples(10km), the Guru shikhar peak(15km) are the important attraction. Brahma kumaris Spiritual University is alsn here. Distance: Ranakpur 189, Udaipur 190, Ahmedabad 215

BHARATPUR

Bharatpur is famous for the Keoladeo National Park, a unique bird sanctuary with more than 364 species within its 29sq.km, which has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions are the Lohagarh or iron fort, the palace, Purana Mahal, Deeg fort, the Government museum, Jawahar Bhuj, Fatheh Burj, Gopal Bhavan, Bengal chamber, Suraj Bhavan, Nand Bhavan, etc. Deeg, 36km north of Bharatpur, has the Suraj mahal palace, which is one of India's most beautiful and delicately proportioned buildings. Distance: Agra 56, Delhi 205, Jaipur 176

Benoni

Benoni is located on the East Rand in the South African province of Gauteng. From 2000 it has been a part Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The name had a very sorrowful meaning and was founded in the year 1881 by Johan Rissik , who found it difficult to assign  title deeds  to all unclaimed state property. Thus he named this land as Farm Benoni the son of my sorrow which is a Hebrew name and was given by Rachael to her son in the biblical Book of Genesis. Later on gold mines were discovered and for a short while the name was changed to Little Cornwall.

Since it became a gold mining district a huge amount of revenue was earned and the city started flourishing. But trees were also plants to make the environment quite safe and the road neat and clean

The climate of this place is quite pleasant and can be visited at any time of the year.

The population of this lace comes to 654,509 according to 200 census.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine

One widely-traveled Frenchman observed in the 18th century that Krakow's Wieliczka salt mine was no less magnificent than the Egyptian pyramids. "The historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka is the only site in the world where mining has continued since the Middle Ages. Lying on nine levels, its original excavations (longitudinals, traverses, chambers, lakes, as well as lesser and major shafts) stretch for the total of 300 kilometres: reaching the depth of 327 metres they illustrate all the stages of the development of the mining technology over time." The quotation comes from the justification of entering the Wieliczka Salt Mine into UNESCO's 1st World List of Cultural and Natural Heritage on 8th September, 1978 together with 11 other sites from all over the world. The mine is also notable for a long tradition of tourism: the famous, breath-taking site has been visited over the centuries by Nicolaus Copernicus, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Dimitri Mendeleev, Boleslaw Prus, Ignacy Paderewski, Pope John Paul II, crowned heads, as well millions of people from all over the world. The salt mine forms an "underground town" with churches, lakes and passages.

Manarola

Manarola is part of the Cinque Terre in the Italian region of Liguria. The Cinque Terre consists of five villages located on the cliffs at the Mediterranean coast. The other villages are Corniglia, Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare. All five are connected by train and hiking paths, which are very popular with backpackers.
The colourful village of Manarola is one of the most visited of the Cinque Terre. It's an ideal place for discovering the area and to enjoy the quiet life of this small fishing village. The most beautiful view of Manarola you can have from the path leading towards Corniglia.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is located in the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean coast in the northeast of Spain.

Place d'Espagna: one of the most important squares in Barcelona. Here you can see the beautiful foutain on the roundabout and the Venetian Towers.

Palau Nacional: Museum of National Art Catalunya.

View of Port Vell.

Dona i ocell, 1983

Made by Joan Miro, this statue you can find in Parc de Joan Miro.

Art in the streets of Barcelona.

The Poble Espanyol

On the photo you see the entrance tothe Spanisch Village. It has buildings that are constructed in different styles of Spanisch architecture. The village was contructed for the 1929 World Exposition

Montjuic Tower: symbol of a sportsman with the Olympic Flame.

View on the Beach of Barcelona from the sea.

Aquario Natural

This is a great place to visit if you want to go snorkeling. Here, you will see a vast variety of wonderful and vibrant tropical fishes. You can also visit Rio Sucuri where you will surely be captivated by the wonderful sight of its waters and the clear skies.
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The Amazon:The World's Largest Rain Forest

The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department of France.

Reflecting environmental conditions as well as past human influence, the Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation types including rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests, flooded forests, and savannas. The basin is drained by the Amazon River, the world's largest river in terms of discharge, and the second longest river in the world after the Nile. The river is made up of over 1,100 tributaries, 17 of which are longer than 1000 miles, and two of which (the Negro and the Madeira) are larger, in terms of volume, than the Congo (formerly the Zaire) river. The river system is the lifeline of the forest and its history plays an important part in the development of its rainforests. 


HISTORY

The World's Largest Rainforests 1. Amazon Basin, South America 2. Congo Basin, Africa 3. Indonesian Archipelago, Southeast Asia     more

At one time Amazon River flowed westward, perhaps as part of a proto-Congo (Zaire) river system from the interior of present day Africa when the continents were joined as part of Gondwana. Fifteen million years ago, the Andes were formed by the collision of the South American plate with the Nazca plate. The rise of the Andes and the linkage of the Brazilian and Guyana bedrock shields, blocked the river and caused the Amazon to become a vast inland sea. Gradually this inland sea became a massive swampy, freshwater lake and the marine inhabitants adapted to life in freshwater. For example, over 20 species of stingray, most closely related to those found in the Pacific Ocean, can be found today in the freshwaters of the Amazon.

About ten million years ago, waters worked through the sandstone to the west and the Amazon began to flow eastward. At this time the Amazon rainforest was born. During the Ice Age, sea levels dropped and the great Amazon lake rapidly drained and became a river. Three million years later, the ocean level receded enough to expose the Central American isthmus and allow mass migration of mammal species between the Americas.

The Ice Ages caused tropical rainforest around the world to retreat. Although debated, it is believed that much of the Amazon reverted to savanna and montane forest (see chapter 3-Ice Ages and Glaciation). Savanna divided patches of rainforest into "islands" and separated existing species for periods long enough to allow genetic differentiation (a similar rainforest retreat took place in Africa. Delta core samples suggest that even the mighty Congo watershed was void of rainforest at this time). When the ice ages ended, the forest was again joined and the species that were once one had diverged significantly enough to be constitute designation as separate species, adding to the tremendous diversity of the region. About 6000 years ago, sea levels rose about 130 meters, once again causing the river to be inundated like a long, giant freshwater lake. 


THE AMAZON RIVER TODAY

How large is the Amazon rainforest? In Brazil, the Amazon covers surface area of 4,100,000 square kilometers (1,583,000 square miles), of which around 3.4 million sq km (1.3 million sq mi) are presently forested. Accounting for parts of the Amazon outside of Brazil, the total extent of the Amazon is estimated at 8,235,430 sq km (3,179,715 sq mi). or comparison, the land area of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) is 9,629,091 square kilometers (3,717,811). In total, the Amazon River drains about 6,915,000 square kilometers (2,722,000 square miles), or roughly 40 percent of South America.

Today the Amazon River is the most voluminous river on Earth, eleven times the volume of the Mississippi, and drains an area equivalent in size to the United States. During the high water season, the river's mouth may be 300 miles wide and every day up to 500 billion cubic feet of water (5,787,037 cubic feet/sec) flow into the Atlantic. For reference, the Amazon's daily freshwater discharge into the Atlantic is enough to supply New York City's freshwater needs for nine years. The force of the current -- from sheer water volume alone -- causes Amazon River water to continue flowing 125 miles out to sea before mixing with Atlantic salt water. Early sailors could drink freshwater out of the ocean before sighting the South American continent.

The river current carries tons of suspended sediment all the way from the Andes and gives the river a characteristic muddy whitewater appearance. It is calculated that 106 million cubic feet of suspended sediment are swept into the ocean each day. The result from the silt deposited at the mouth of the Amazon is Majaro island, a river island about the size of Switzerland.

Great Wall of China

The Great wall of china as called is the largest building construction ever carried out, running to around 6,400 Km east to west from gulf of china to the yellow sea to a point in Central Asia. The construction of this fortification dates from 4th century B.C. shih Huang-ti in 214 B.C.

First Construction of the Great Wall

The first emperor of United China connected the discontinuous walls with watch towers with was used to guard as the rampart. It was mainly built against Hsiung-nu or called he Huns. The wall was constructed partly of masonry and partly of earth and was faced with brick in the eastern portion. It was again rebuilt in the 15th and 16th century. The basic Wall is 30feet height and the towers are 40m high. The great wall lies from 39.49 degrees North to 98.18 degrees East. The Yen Mountains are the world famous ones and has peak up to 4,900 feet above main sea level. The great wall has it crest over these mountains in a zigzag manner. According to the words of the Astronauts and space researchers, the only clear and visible one from the moon on earth is only “The Great Wall”. A statement said “The Great wall is the only visible thing from Satellite”.


Chineese Civilization:

China was the only country with the oldest civilization and it led up to 2000 Years from 221 B.C. to 1911 A.D. and remained as a united one until the series of powerful rules. The great walls construction was carried on only during this period and the main reason why the wall bent at some occasions was this because the capitals were shifted, the borders were changed and mainly the country was captured by fierce tribes of the period including the Mongols and however for the most of the history of china, it was the only developed country of that period in art and technology only because of its construction of the great wall. The inventions of paper, porcelain and gunpowder were the main during the construction of the great wall. The inventions of paper, porcelain and gun power were the main construction items used during the construction of great wall. After the construction of the great wall the Qin empire was the first empire to be protected by the great wall which is now the northern and eastern china. The wall was built there as a defense against the Hostile tribal attacks from central Asia. The Qin warriors used to walk on the walls as security and the warriors from the great wall attacked the enemies and this was mainly the reason for the expansion of their empire. The great wall is still now the longest man made structure on earth. It was built before 2,200 years with about 3,00,000 slaves. More than 90% of the slaves who built the great wall were brought from Macao a tiny peninsula in the southeast china and was a Portuguese colony at that time. It was returned back to china in 1999. It was a famous tourist center at that time and cheap labor was available there.

Darjeeling Tourist Guide

 Darjeeling is famous for its tea. It's a hill resort in West-Bengal, and for those who are a bit tired of the hustle and bustle of Calcutta it is the ideal place to go. Old colonial style mansions and lush green hills are waiting for you.

Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful Hill Stations in India coming under the state of West Bengal.  The view of Kanchenjunga, and other ranges of the Himalayas is the attraction of this little city. Darjeeling can be reached either by Air and the nearest Airport is Bagdogra. By train, you will have to travel overnight from Kolkatta at alight at New Jalpaiguri, then take the famous Toy Train which is running for more than a Century. Winding itself into the hills there is a fantastic history behind the laying of tracks for this rail route. Darjeeling can also be reached on road by jeep, van or car. But the rail route is the most enjoyable.

We were told by the Railway authorities that during the British period in India, Darjeeling was their attraction to spend in summers and they decided to lay the railway track from the plains to the hill top. The distance was less and the height disproportionate.

Tourist guide Edmonton

Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is the state’s second largest city. With a population of about 800,000, it is often referred to as ‘The City of Champions’. It houses the West Edmonton Hall, which is the largest shopping mall in the world.
The climate in Edmonton is typically pleasant and sunny. Summers are mild and it’s known to be one of Canada’s sunniest cities. The city’s four seasons are quite unpredictable. Snowfall starts in the month of November.
After being hit by a tornado in 1987, the city recovered and was on the path to prosperity by the late 1990s. The main focus of the economy in recent times has been oil and gas.
Edmonton was incorporated as a township in 2004.

Tourist guide Banff

Banff, in Alberta, is an important cultural as well as commercial centre. It is located in the famous Banff National Park.

Banff, with a population of around 8000 inhabitants, bustles with a host of cultural activities.
The climatic conditions in Banff are inconstant; perhaps one of the reasons for this is its high elevation. Most of summer sees long days and average temperatures. Autumn and winter are more pleasant seasons. Banff receives maximum rainfall in June.

Banff is the hub of numerous cultural activities. It is the main economic centre of the Banff National Park. With 11,000 years of strong and elegant history, Banff was formed as a township in 1990.

Tourist guide Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia. The bustling metropolis, located on the Moskva River, is the most populous city in Europe.
The city is well connected with all possible modes of transport. Apart from having four airports, there are two water terminals for local water transport, intercity and inter-country bus services and ferries, and the western railway hub for the Trans-Siberian railway which is the world’s longest rail line.

When one mentions ‘Moscow’, you get the image of a whole city wrapped in a thick blanket of snow. Although the city has cold winters with temperatures dropping as low as –12°C, summer (July–August) is warm and mild with temperatures rising up to 25°C.

The metropolis has a population of 11 million people. It is considered as the world’s most expensive city for expatriates.

South Africa

Surface: The total land area of South Africa is around 1,219,912 sq km.

Population:  The population of South Africa is around 44,187,637.

System of government: South Africa is a republic.

Capital: Pretoria, with a population of 1,249,700 inhabitants is the administrative capital.
Cape Town, with a population of 2,733,000 is the legislative capital.
Bloemfontein, with a population of 378,000 is the judicial capital.

Religion: Christianity.

Official Language: The official languages are English, Zulu, Khosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Setswana and Sesotho

Government: South Africa is a republic.

Climate: South Africa’s climate varies across regions, with temperatures bring comfortable throughout the year.

Units of measure and electricity: South Africa follows the metric system of measurement and the official electricity unit is 220V, 50 Hz.

Time Zone: The South African standard time is GMT + 2.

Currency: Rand (1 € = 9.51 ZAR).

Travel documents required: Visas are necessary for travel to South Africa.

Economy

South Africa is one of Africa’s leading economies. The main industries are the finance sector, mining, insurance and food processing. Leading exports include gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment. The average daily cost of living for a tourist is about 500 ZAR to 800 ZAR; an average meal costs anywhere between 50 ZAR to 80 ZAR. South Africa has an extensive network of train and bus services connecting to every part of the country.

Cities: Vacations and Tourism
Benoni	Bloemfontein	Cape Town
Durban	Johannesburg	Knysna
Malelane	Pietermaritzburg	Port elizabeth
Pretoria	Robben Island	Sandton
Soweto	Stellenbosch	Sun City
Vereeniging	-	-

Gujarat

 Gujarat is a state in the western region of India.
Towards the north-west of Gujarat is Pakistan.Towards the north and north-east is Rajasthan. Towards the east is Madhya Pradesh. Towards the south are Maharashtra, Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The winter season in this state is dry, mild and pleasant and the temperature varies from 12 °C to 29 °C. The summer season is extremely dry and hot and the temperature varies from 29 °C to 41 °C.
From mid-June, the monsoon season begins. Sometimes the rainfall is so heavy that there are severe floods.
As per the 2001 census, the population of this state was 5,06,71,017.
In Gujarat, 89.1 percent people are Hindu, 9.1 percent are Muslim, 1 percent is Jain and 0.1 percent is Sikhs.
A majority of Gujarati Hindus are strictly vegetarian.
Gujarati is the most widely spoken language in this state. Some of the people speak Hindi, Marathi and other languages. In the Kutch district, the prevalent language is Kutchi.

All the cities in Gujarat
Ahmedabad	Bhavnagar	Bhuj
Champaner	Gandhinagar	Junagadh
Rajkot	Surat	Vadodara

MAP

Venice

The city that is built on waters! Venice is a wonderful place with lots of variety indulged in it. Having close to 150 canals connected through 409 bridges with close to 300 islands, Venice can be termed as one of the heavens on earth! If visiting Venice is part of your Italian adventure trip or you are only thinking about planning a visit to this city, you should consider the fact that Venice can be a source of romantic delight for you and your travel partners. The famous city with the water streets will give you a perfect taste of enchantment and allure.

Thailand

Thailand: There are a lot of statues of Buddha that you can see in Bangkok, and one of the temples tourist flock to is the Reclining Buddha Temple. You must also visit the Erawan Shrine as well as the Snake Farm of Bangkok that is located near the shrine. For a more modern tour, visit the Safari World and Bangkok's Pattaya and Coral Island. 

 

  

White-Sand Beaches

Boracay Island

 

Widely known as one of the finest swimming destinations in the world, Boracay is blessed with unsullied fine talcum powder-sand beaches. Its tranquil crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing and sunbathing. Boracay also boasts of sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets. Countless hidden coves dot the island and tall coconut trees line up along the beaches.

Boracay lies at the northwest tip of Panay, in the west Visayas region, off the Sibuyan Sea. The island is made up of little communities: Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manocmanoc in the south. Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manocmanoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages together but many sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles.

To get to Boracay, one has to book a flight to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan province. Air-conditioned coasters or public buses offer one-hour-and-a-half drive to Caticlan where one can board a motorized banca for a 30-minute trip to Boracay.
Siargao Island

This newly discovered island boasts of white-sand beaches and surfing waves compared to that of Hawaii. Lying 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, the tear-shaped Siargao Island is a perfect haven for the sun, sea, and surf buffs. It lies on the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte and on the southeastern tip of Mindanao. The island is a mass of tropical land with scores of reefs, points and white beaches.

Its promise as a surfing mecca in the making was discovered in 1993 by American surf photographer John Callahan who went to investigate the rumors of spectacular waves in a little known Mindanao town. He came back from his trip armed with stories about the lovely sun-drenched island and documented his find with beautiful photographs.

Siargao opened itself to the international surfing community by playing host to the Siargao Surfing Cup in the municipality of General Luna. Siargao's Cloud Nine break is said to be among the best in the world and foreign sportsmen view "the unparalleled surf of Siargao as a magnet for deep sea fishing, sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking, and sunbathing on miles of white sandy beaches that the reef-ringed island and its rich waters afford the visitor.

Samal Island

 
Samal Island offers unending fascination with its white-sand beaches, thick mangroves, coral reefs, rolling hills and rock formations.It is an archipelago of nine islands located in the Davao Gulf about 700 meters south of Davao City. An ideal model for resort and development, Samal Island provides a fabulous site for sunrise and sunset.

Samal Island, like the rest of Mindanao, is outside of the typhoon belt, and enjoys relatively calm weather. Its coastline is characterized by tall, swaying coconut trees, white sand beaches, rock formations, mangroves, coral reefs, and small fishing villages, all suggestive of a tropical island paradise.

Almost all of the beach areas have white sand, with widths varying from only a few meters to more than 10 meters. It provides ample space for picnic huts, reclining chairs for sun bathing, or for simply relaxing and enjoying the tropical scenery.

The water is crystal clear throughout the coastline, which varies in terrain from gently sloping sand beaches to steep cliffs and rock formations. The colors of the coastline at the beach areas transforms itself from the green lush vegetation of coconut trees, to the white sandy beaches, to the dark blue color of the sea, with its deep waters and coral reefs.

Among its popular attractions are the Aguinaldo Pearl Farm, the caves of Talikud Island, the White Stone Mountain, and the San Jose Muslim Fishing Village.

Bohol's Springs and Beaches

 Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in.

With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is composed of numerous isles -Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The province is the home of the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found amongst the forest of Bohol.

Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise its rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital town can be reached by plane or boat from Cebu and Manila. Numerous tourist inns and excellent resorts are found in Tagbilaran and Panglao island.

The Beaches of Palawan

 

The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country's last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves. Other well-known attractions include Saint Paul's National Park which boasts of caves that nestle an underground river; El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs; and Calauit island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.

Also in Palawan is the primordial island of Busuanga, a perfect starting point for sorties to other nearby islands.In Palawan, each day is promising. The sun rises over the South China Sea and soon everything else sparkles, including the smiles of its people.

The Beaches of Glan, Sarangani
 

Glan, the largest town in the Sarangani province, boasts of world-class beach resorts and rich fishing grounds. The terrain of Glan is characterized by flatlands, rolling hills and mountains. Most land areas have been converted to agriculture and fishponds.

The town of Glan is bounded on the east by Davao Del Sur, on the north by Malapatan town, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by Sarangani Bay.

Many foreign and local tourists flock to the area during summer because of its splendid beach resorts. The sorrounding waters, particularly in Gumasa, Baliton and Margus areas are rich fishing grounds. As many as 2,400 species of marine animals have been found in the bay. The dominant catch include yellow-fin tuna, shipjack, and mackerel.

Glan can be reached from Manila and Cebu by airplane going to General Santos City and a 45-minute drive from the airport.

Subic Bay

 

Subic, the former US naval base in the Philippines, is now a hub for commerce and tourism. Just two-and-a-half hour drive north from Manila, Subic offers a full view of the blue mountain and sea and of the green background of a three-layered virgin forest.

Points of interest include the 18-hole Binictican Golf Course and Clubhouse, a white-sand beach, bowling and arcade center,a ship wharf past a restricted forested area, firing ranges, fishing grounds and an area for bungee jumping.

Visitors to Subic can take a 12-hour jungle survival course, visit an Aeta tribal village, take a bay cruise, explore the coves, end up at the white-sand beach of Grande Island, engage in water sports, go horseback riding or simply enjoy the scenic view of the sea.

Subic Bay is complete with tourism-support facilities that include a marina, a yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops. It also boasts of an international airport.

Anilao

 

Anilao, a resort village in Mabini, Batangas is considered the summer mecca of diving fanatics. The resort offers accommodations and diving facilities, plus the services of training clubs that provide courses on diving.

Situated in the southeast area of Batangas province, Anilao may be reached within three hours from Manila through public buses or jeepneys. From Anilao, one can start diving from the shore or go in bancas to nearby islands. Among them is Sombrero (Hat) Island, a marine preserve where sports activities are regulated.

Other dive spots in this side of Batangas are Mapating Rock at Maricaban Island, Caban Cove and Layag Layag Point.

Puerto Galera

 

Puerto Galera (which means Galleon Port) is one of the most popular beach resorts in the Philippines. A marine reserve, it is endowed with coves, fine sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs ideal for snorkeling.

The place can be reached from the port of Batangas City where a ferry service to Mindoro awaits the tourists. Bancas may be hired to go to Escarceo Point, the best dive spot in Puerto Galera. The area offers positive thrills and guaranteed excitement, with its sudden rushes of strong currents and steep slopes which are a favorite gathering place for large pelagic fish.Diving expeditions are usually organized by certified masters on specific dive spots.

Hundred Islands

 

Northern Philippines boasts of white-sand beaches in Pangasinan and Ilocandia. Among the best tourist destinations is the Hundred Islands which can be reached from the Pangasinan town of Alaminos, where the lodging accommodations and restaurants are situated.

At Hundred Islands, the visitor may rent an island for one's own private beach for a day. Short boat rides take off from the village of Lucap to the Hundred Islands.

Beaches stretch along the western coast of Ilocos region. Among the popular beach resorts are Cresta del Mar, Bali Hai, Cabana and the Coconut Grove in La Union province.

Ilocos Norte also has fine resorts such as D'Coral Beach Resort and Fort Ilocandia

Kerala

The Southern state of Kerala is arguably India's most interesting state.
Its culture has been influenced by Portuguese, Dutch and English
elements involved in the spice trade, its geography varies in a very
short distance from tropical beaches to high hill stations, and it
boasts the world's first freely elected communist government whose
social policies have resulted in a literacy rate of 95%. In the space of
just 11 days, we do our very best to give you an introduction to this
beautiful corner of India.The name of the state of Kerala has been taken from the word
Keralaputra (land of the sons of Cheras), as mentioned in one of the
Ashokan edicts dating back to 273-236 BC. Chera was the first large
empire that took roots in this state, and continued to use Tamil till
7th century as their administrative language. The Chera power declined
in the 10th century AD, after Cholas, the rulers of Tamil Nadu, were
successful in overthrowing the dynasty.

It is the backwater cruises that complete the tour to southern India
take you through the winding waterways revealing the colorful culture
and customs of the rural life. The magic of the mystical backwaters
works on one and all. Though you may plan your backwater tour to Kerala
anytime of the year, the best time for cruising is from October to March.

On your way back home from the backwaters of Kerala do not forget to
pick up the best buys being offered by the region ranging from the
carved wooden elephant souvenirs, assorted handicrafts like bell metal
products, coir goods, sandalwood, brass and wooden items, conch shells,
paintings and masks.


Kerala Tourism revives you with a perfect holiday to recharge your body
and soul intoxicating your mind with its natural beauty. Kerala tourism
plays a major role in Indian tour attractions. Kerala tourism is blessed
with extravagant attractions - Kerala backwater tour packages , Kerala
ayurveda tour packages , Kerala wildlife tourism , Kerala beach tourism
, Kerala hill station tourism etc.

Kerala tourism offers a great variety of tours & travel experiences.
Whether it is about backwater tour package of Kerala or a travel
package, vacationers are assured of a great holiday in Kerela. More...

Kerala offers two kinds of Ayurvedic health options: recreative and
therapeutic. These ayurveda packages are based on the time-tested,
ancient Indian system of medicine- Ayurveda.

Kerala, selected as one among the ten 'Paradises of the world' by the
National Geographic Traveller, is a tourist destination which has
everything from beaches, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, backwater,
culture, heritage, art forms, etc. In short, the only thing that would
not be available here is snow, making Kerala the only place to have
something for everyone.
Take your pick for the best backwater tour for family and friends. The
cruises and the overnight stays in the houseboats are the best way to an
unforgettable holiday. The waterbus ferry and the cruise boats are the
most relaxed. Your backwater holidays need not be meticulously planned.
Even the booking need not be made well in advance. Besides the
houseboats the regular accommodation options of the budget, standard,
deluxe, luxury et al may be opted for. The entire maritime journey is a
merry time experience in true sense.

The green and graceful, palm fringed backwaters of Kerala are unique in
themselves. Known all over the world, the tour of Backwaters in Kerala
India is considered equivalent to and even much refreshing than the
canals in Thailand, or the backwaters in Milan. The sparkling and
emerald green waters acquiring the hues of tall huge green palms attract
the tourists in quest of serenity and intangible beauty.