Travelogue… with Bob Nicolaides.

Archaeological Study On in  Zakynthos

Zakynthos: Archeological finds

Authorities of Zakynthos island and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities have bagan the mapping and archaeological study of the submerged archaeological site discovered off the Alikanas beach on northeast Zakynthos island.

The site covers about 3 hectares and lies 2 to 6 metres deep. According to the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities it contains a visible courtyard, dispersed building material and at least 20 circular column bases, with a 34cm hollow in the centre where a wooden column may have been inserted.

The pieces at initial assessment appear to belong to a large public building, possibly related to the ancient port, but dating is not possible yet as no pottery has been found on the surface. The size of the building however attests to the wealth of the community at Alikanas, archaeologists said.

Crystal Palace : Among Best 100 in RTK Group

Crystal Palace: Among best.

Crystal Palace of Crystal Group, opened in 2011, was voted among the global best 100 of RTK Travel Group of Germany. Millions of travelers voted the best 100 of the world through thousands of travel agencies operating under the organization of RTK.

RTK, among which the most influential and respected Travel Agents Corporation is, held its annual Congress in CCB of Berlin. Some 900 outstanding travel agencies, 120 tour operators, airlines, tourist offices, and executives of leading global hotel chains attended, and RTK was awarded First 100 Hotels among the 600 which it operates during the 4-day Congress held in October.

Crystal Palace Luxury Resort & Spa of Crystal Hotel Groups was among the best 1200 according to the votes of the travel agents and their customers. Primary criteria was Customer Satisfaction.

 

Santo Stafano: Near old Prison

Italian 'Unspoiled Paradise' Up for Sale.

 

Just days after it was disclosed that a New Zealand businessman had paid 2.94M euros for an Italian paradise isle, another of the country's gems is up for sale. The owner of Santo Stefano, part of the Pontino group of islands situated north-west of Naplesis 'open to negitiations' for the sale of about 25 acres out of a total of 28, according to an advertisment. The remaining three acres, belonging to the Government, along with the site of Borbonico prison where former Italian President Sandro Pertini was imprisoned during the fascist era are not for sale.

The seller reportedly has already received offers for the island described as 'unspoiled natural paradise,' though negotiations as well as price are confidential. The ad also boasts 'natural views, beautiful sea and a seabed rich in fish and marine flora, making it a unique setting for those who love the sea and water sports.'

The New Zealand businessman paid the above price for Budelli, part of the Maddalena group which lies between Sardinia and Corsica. Santo Stefano is known for Borbonico, the so-called 'celebrity prison' due to its notorious inmates who, besides President Pertini included writer Luigi Settembrini, the brigand Carmine Crocco, the anarchist Gaetano Bresci and the bandit Sante Pollastri.

Inaugurated in 1795, the prison was in use through 1965. 

 

Sex & The City Goes to Greece in Support of Tourism

 

It has been 3 years since  Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte since Carrie, Miranda headed to Abu Dhabi for the much publicized second Sex & The City sequel, but speculation grows that a third episode is in the pipeline, which could be shot in Greece. Lead actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker has sparked rumors that she is scouting for filming locations after she spent most of August sailing around the Greek islands on a luxury yacht. 

Sex & City cast: Heading for Greece?

Her visit was followed by a SATC production team, which has been seen visiting several locations there in recent weeks with Messinia in southwestern Peloponnese projected as the most likely location to shoot the sequel according to the tourist organization marketing Greece.Local press has speculated that shooting could begin either September 2014 or May 2015.

Parker had previously expressed her vdesire to set one of the SATC episodes on Mykonos, the glamorous Cycladic island famed for its celebrity visitors. Back in May in fact, the actress portraying Carrie fueled rumors that a third episode was being considered despite the second installment being perceived as something of a flop. Parker admitted that there was still one story to tell and that if the time and place were right, "maybe we should tell it." However, both Cynthia Nixon who plays Miranda and Chris Noth who plays Carrie's love interest, Big, have previously poured cold water on the idea, saying they felt it was not needed.

 Sunday Brunch at Boutique Hotel St. George Lycabettus

La Suite at St George Lycabettus

Is it too late for breakfast and too early for lunch while in Athens? Then try Sunday Brunch atop of the Lycabettus hill at the St George Lycabettus boutique hotel's La Suite Lounge (2 Kleomenous St)  between noon and 4 pm. It's at the 6th floor with the panoramic view and was launched on nOvember 3rd and still going strong. There's a buffet and an a la Carte menu to satisfy all tastes, all at the modest price of 18 euros per person.
Begin with an energy boosting Smoothie and choose between Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon or Bacon, French Toast with Banana and Choocolate chips, 'golden eggs in Love' La Suite's Juicy Burger and much more.
Continue this gastronomic itinerary with fresh salads from the buffet, bagels, pancakes in maple syrup, and a variety of juices while all the time ogling at  the impressive fountain of chocolate. All this, while renown radio hostess Effie Maltezou of Galaxy FM entertains you. For information call 011-210-723-4435

 

Core Marine Cruise ship Operator to Transfer Home Port

Louis Cruises Chief K. Anastassiadis caption

Core Marine Ltd, the operator of Louis Cruises sea cruise vessels, expressed its interest in transfering its home port base from Piraeus port to that of Lavrio.  Company officials, speaking to ANA-MPA, said that the port of Piraeus was already considered to be congested and despite efforts made by the port's authority to promote new works, they would not be enough to avoid additional delays in sea cruise vessels' entry and exit from the port. The official noted that each day, from 5:00 to 9:00 am, sea cruise vessels are not allowed to dock in the port since priority is given to coastal shipping vessels and to larger containerships by COSCO.

 Core Marine officials also said that dozens of tourist buses were finding it difficult to transfer tourists to the Acropolis and other sightseeing locations around Athens due to increased traffic in the streets of Piraeus. Core Marine Ltd operates Louis Cruises' six sea cruise vessels. It currently operates two vessels in Greece using Piraus and Lavrio as its home ports.

 Commenting on Core Marine's plans, Stavros Hatzakos, managing director of Piraeus Port Organisation (OLP), said the Piraeus port cannot be compared with the Lavrio port since its installations are among the biggest in the Mediterranean, while he added that the organization's current investment plan included the creation of two more new generation-vessels docking stations.

 

Brest Fortress most-visited tourist attraction in Belarus

 

Brest Fortress is the most-visited tourist attraction in Belarus, Vadim Karmazin, Director of the Department of Tourism at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Belarus, told media

The Brest Fortress



Brest Fortress: Most visited fort

“The top three most-visited tourist attractions in Belarus also include Mir and Nesvizh castles. Gomel Palace and Park is fourth,” said Vadim Karmazin. Minsk is also a popular tourist destination. In 2013 Belarus was visited by tourists from 167 countries. Citizens who come for permanent residence or to work are not taken into account. In 2013, most of the tourists to Belarus were from Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Latvia and Germany. These countries account for more than 93% of all arrivals in Belarus.

Commenting on reports that most frequent visitors in Belarus are Russians, Karmazin said: Russian tourists have become very demanding. The Russians can afford traveling to any destination.. We have found our niche for Russian tourists: excursion programs, farm holidays, health tourism, and this is a big plus for us,” he noted. “In tourism we need to start with the neighbors. If this turns out well, we can start exploring long-distance markets - China, India and other countries. Building on the theme of attracting tourists to Belarus,” Karmazin added: "in determining which regions can be promising, we focus primarily on the solvency of potential tourists.”

 

Hotel that Hosted Jen Aniston Named Africa’s Best

La Mamounia. Jen's Favorite

A luxury hotel in Marrakech which has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Jennifer Aniston and Vladimir Putin has been named the leading hotel in Africa. La Mamounia, with its royal, exotic gardens, hand-cut tiles and palatial grandeur, was given the crowning title over properties from the Four Seasons and Fairmont brands at the World Travel Awards Africa in Nairobi, Kenya this week, an event known as the Oscars of the travel world.

Most recently, Putin's daughter chose the lush hotel for her wedding nuptials last year. In 2009, to celebrate their grand re-opening following an extensive three-year renovation, the hotel threw a gala party that drew Hollywood A-listers such as Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow to Morocco.



Corinthians Globally hold Events in Greece

he US/Canada Corinthians got together late in September at Vrahati of Corinth to have a get-together dinner and ghlendi, an event which was very well attended and a good time was had by all.

From left: Chryssa Damouli, Vassilis Serfas, former Montreal Corinthian Assoc. President, Panayiotis Doukas, pres. Global President, PanCorinthian Association, Christos Simeonidis, former Vice Pres. Montreal Corinthians, Yanna Serfa.




A photo op from the US/Canadian ghlendi at Vrahati:

In another event,uprooted people from Asia Minor now residents of Corinth, members of the Mikrasiatiki Steghi, attended a recital of Mikis Theodorakis music interpreted by singer D. Basis at Plateia Flisvou also in Corinth towards the end of September. A native of Corinth, thrush Betty Harlafti donated her professional services to the delight of the audience who applauded her extensively. For her vocals, she received a citation from Global Corinthians via Panayiotis Doukas, president of the PanCoprinthian Association.



 

From the Micrasiatiki Steghi Recital: Prof of Economics Spyros Pipinis, Dr. Nicholas Efstratiadis, Panayiotis Doukas, Pres. Pan Corinthian Assoc. Betty Harlafti, Athanassios Harlaftis, entrepreneur Constantinos Panayiotopoulos. 

 

Olsen Showcases the Wines

of Do Valdeorras at Apt 13

 

Valdeorras, a district of Northeast Spain and part of the Ourense Province which is the entry point to Galicia, is molded by a deep fertile and sunlit valley across which the river Sil flows, as the master of a magical countryside of granite and slate, of red and black lands where the chestnut, the vine and the olive tree grow.

Concentrating on the wines of the region, the Valdeorras, known as the Mother of Wines, most come from grape varieties such as Garnacha Tintonerera, Tempranillo and Souson Brancellao, the last apparently with a Portuguese connection. The Mencia-based monovarietals are red wines with an intense purple color and elegant fruity aroma, light and savory, with a good alcohol-acidity balance, tasty with intense, prolonged aftertaste. On the other hand, the white wines come from grape varieties such as Godello, Dona Blanca and Palomino, have a fine, fruity aroma, a pinkish or straw yellow color, they are well bodied on the mouth with a mild alcohol content of some 12.5 degrees, they are delicate, well balanced and stable with full aftertaste.

Steve Olsen aka the Wine Geek hosted a circle of aficionados on September 25^th 2013 for a tasting of several varieties, both white and red at Apartment 13, a cozy restaurant with a huge outdoor but weather protected second floor on Avenue C in Manhattan. Guests tasted eight brands of whites and reds, which included whites, all Godello: A Coroa 2011, Adega A. Coroa,  Vina Godeval 2012, Bodegas Godeval, Casal Novo 2012, Adega O Casal, Valdesil Sobre Lias 2011, Bodegas Valdesil and Pezas da Postela 2010, also Bodega Valdesil. The reds included two Mencias, Casal Novo, 2011, Adega O Casal and Valderroa 2011, Bodegas Valdesil and a Souson, Vinaredo Barrica Seleccion 2010, Adega Santa Marta.

During the tasting part of the evening hors d’oeuvres such as Mimi’s Maryland Crabcake, Fishsticks Hamachi Crudo, Kale Caesar and East-West Coast Oysters on a half shell we3re served. Dinner followed during which guests feasted on Japanese Cucumber and Heirloom Tomato salad, followed by Roasted Pear and Blue salad. After a Cauliflower and Red Quinoa Tabouleh, Atlantic Halibut was served followed by Long Island Fluke and Miso Glazed Bok Choy.

In succession after Bok Choy a dish called Chicken and the Egg was served, then Colorado Lamb Porterhouse and BBQ Pork. Desserts were a delicious Blueberry Cheesecake as well as Peach and Cream along with an assortment of cheeses. All courses were matched with the appropriate wines from the varieties in the tasting.

John Keller was the master chef who prepared all the tasting preparations.

 




Travelogue…… with Bob Nicolaides.

Two issues of Travelogue ago we ran an item concerning Louis Cruises ships which have sailed the oceans of the world and pioneered innovative itineraries for over 20 years, but we also mentioned a few items which we regret as they were totally erroneous, thereby making it necessary to correct such statements. To begin with, after communicating with Louis Cruises’ spokesperson Michalis Maratheftis, “the MV Orient Queen has now been renamed Louis Aura. Named after the Titan Goddess of cool and fresh air, (Gr. Avra) her name now reflects their new Hellenic identity and product.”

Louis Aura

Furthermore, we must clarify that Salamis Cruises of Cyprus is not an affiliate of Louis Cruises, but just another Cruise line based in Cyprus. So are the statements about Salamis’  October itineraries mentioned in the text. The reason is that Cyprus has the highest percentage in Europe for ‘repeaters’ therefore they strive to offer different and highly appealing itineraries every year as cruising is widely embraced as a form of holidaying by Cypriots. Also, not factual is that the sailings to the itineraries mentioned are on Salamis' Filoxenia which has been decommissioned. There will be more news on Louis Cruises itineraries and schedules as we receive news from the company which is “the foremost ambassador of Hellenic Cruising that delights in their warm-hearted hospitality and their ‘Kalimera’ experience which offers passengers a genuine introduction to Greek culture, history, cuisine and way of life while sailing to unique destinations.”

Visiting an Old Tobacco port and the lakes of Prespes National Park

The charm of Kavala, Greece, lies in its castle-topped old city, which is built on a promontory jutting out into the Aegean Sea. Northern Greece is the perfect place for lounging on the sun-soaked beaches of the Aegean by day and shivering in the rain-soaked mountains of the Balkans by night. Kavala’s main charm lies in its castle-topped, aqueduct-fed old city, which is built on a promontory jutting out into the Aegean. Art-deco tobacco warehouses provide a backdrop to graceful monuments commissioned by Kavala native Muhammad Ali, the man who founded Egypt’s ruling Dynasty up to King Farouk. He was the Albanian from Greece who fought for the Turks against Greece and then invaded Turkey. You can visit the accompanying museum in Ali’s former home at the top of the hill. It was a building so tastefully restored as to be completely empty, with ethereal Sufi music filling the rooms in place of furniture.

Stretching out along the waterfront beyond the walls of the old city, 19th-century brick warehouses stand alongside larger concrete ones from the ’30s and a host of modern buildings. Past the naval museum, is the tobacco museum, a museum of things: machines for sifting tobacco, presses for baling it and hand carts for moving it. And for moving it without hand carts, a “human saddle,” designed to hold the load on a porter’s back. Leftover space is filled with plastic-wrapped packages of pressed tobacco leaves tied with ribbon — sample wares prepared for a 1980s fair. And maps showing happy peasants planting tobacco, showing routes for shipping tobacco of tobacco varieties and finally an ordinary map of the region, made from tobacco leaves.

After Kavala, you must visit Prespes National Park, two stunning mountain lakes straddling Greece’s northern frontier, complete with pelicans, water buffalo and island churches. More important, Prespes is also one of Europe’s flagship trans-boundary parks, making it ideal not just for park enthusiasts but also for those divided on the merits of hiking with nature-lovers in Greece, Albania or Fyrom.

The route to the Prespa Lakes follows the path of the Roman Egnatia Way west along a new, Egnatia Motorway. Turning off to the north — because it’s Greece, the exit sign says “Exodos” The Prespa Lakes themselves are probably the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.

At the bottom of a steep trail down to the lakeshore, narrow Byzantine bricks nestled into the protruding cliff face formed a small chapel for a 13th-century hermit. On another shore of the lake, the once grand basilica built by the medieval Bulgar Tsar Samuil is now two walls and a series of arches framing the mountains behind it. The fields surrounding the lakes were filled with reed tripods, woven together as frames for growing the region’s famous flat beans. (Reeds from the lake itself, we learned, are too brittle, so farmers import sturdier reeds from lakes farther south.) The beans sold at roadside stands by the bag or served in every local restaurant with an excess of tomato sauce and olive oil, are delicious.

 

The World’s Smallest hotel is in Copenhagen

Now you can offer a selected client a key note or a VIP guest an authentic Copenhagen experience in the world’s smallest café, Central Hotel & Café. Central Hotel and Café is the smallest hotel in the world. The 12m2 small apartment gives an authentic feel of Denmark during the 1940’s, with a great location in the middle of modern society in one of the most cozy residential areas in the heart of Copenhagen.

The idea behind Central Hotel & Café is that when entering the little apartment it should give a sense of going back in time. The story of the small apartment goes back to 1905, where it served as a shoe repairer shop. This was its function till the beginning of world war II. Living at Central Hotel will therefore give one an opportunity to experience a small amount of Danish history and the local community, while being situated within walking distance of Copenhagen Central Station. When arriving at the hotel fresh flowers, fruit and wine will be included in the rate. Breakfast is served between 07.00 – 12.00 at the Granola Café, situated beneath the hotel. While enjoying your breakfast at Café Granola, you will get to experience fashionable Vesterbro.

Vesterbro, the area around Central Hotel & Café, offers a great variety of restaurants and venues such as Copenhagen Conference at DGI-byen that offers 14 modern meeting rooms, a rooftop terrace and a restaurant, and Forum a venue for larger events and exhibitions. Not far from the Central Hotel and Café is the trendy Meatpacking district known for its several art galleries and broad range of luxurious restaurants.

The surroundings of Central Hotel and Café has a lot to offer, but you will not have to go far to get a good breakfast or meal. The Granola Café which is a part of the hotel serves an extensive breakfast menu as well as lunch, desert, milkshakes, fresh juices and smoothies. It is also one of the only places in Copenhagen you can be served the famous Danish dish Rødgrød, which is stewed fruit with thickening. Soon the Granola Café will also be serving in the evenings, where one will be able enjoy a lovely dinner and a drink.

A Night of Fashion Jewelry at St. George Lycabettus



Fashion & Gastronomy for Charity

Not only was it a whole Night of fashion, but the menu offered at this event was itself one of fashion. It happened at St. George’s Lycabettus boutique Hotel on Thursday, September 26, and at La Suite Lounge on the hotel’s 6^th floor. Guests were greeted with a Cointreau Fizz fashion cocktail while they watched the priceless collection of jewels by Pericles Kondylatos. They were also acquainted with the www.Shopquen.gr personal shopping and fashion services, with runway fashion projections. A fashion food fare followed with the delicious creations of executive chef Vassili Milios. It was all a benefit evening, part of the campaign Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with a share of the receipts going to the Research for the conquering of Breast Cancer.

 

Luxury River Cruise Opens up Mysteries of Myanmar

 

Mandalay: After closing its doors to the West for half a century, Myanmar has reopened, inviting all to come and discover its treasures, ancient palaces of kings long gone, legends and mysteries told in stone. And the world is expected to come. These are the early days, perhaps the best, and with ill-equipped roads and railways, there is no better way to explore than by river. Public ferries crisscross through glistening green paddies” old teak fishing boats can be rented by the day. And now, there is the luxury riverboat cruise. In late July, the Orcaella made its maiden voyage on a 1,600-kilometer journey deep into Myanmar’s interior, almost to the border of India. It is operated by the Orient Express, the group that runs luxury hotels, trains and boats globally.

Myanmar's many pagodas

It’s not a handsome ship from the outside. As the cruise’s first 30 travelers board in Mandalay, it seems squat and square and a bit worn out. But once you step over the gangplank and enter the roomy lounge, your impression changes completely. Totally remodeled from the hull up and gracefully furnished, it is a space where one immediately feels relaxed. Over the next 12 days you will tour sights rarely seen by foreign tourists: villages left back in time, gilded pagodas filled with Buddhist statues, thousands of them long neglected.

The cabins are spacious, with hardwood floors, fresh flowers and a walk-in closet. Best of all are the glass sliding doors facing the wide river, where one can lie in bed and watch the world glide by. You travel first for six hours along the mighty Irrawaddy River, more than 400 meters wide. The shores are almost level with the land, the brush low with a few large trees. Every hut or fishing boat you pass generates loud greetings. Groups of children wave and call. Water taxis carry passengers from one riverside village to the next, and huge, heavy boats laden with teak head downstream.



When you reach the confluence with the Chindwin River, you meet the first obstacle. The captain slows our 25-cabin ship to a near-standstill and struggles to navigate around a small whirlpool. The shifting sandbanks make it difficult to read the riverbed. Eventually you pass, continuing north on the Chindwin along the melted waters of the Himalayas. You slice through sandstone cliffs and patches of forest, but this is rare. For long stretches, sometimes days at a time, the view is more monotonous than one would have imagined.

The first village of a decent size you come across is Monywa, where the people fascinated to see visitors. And as you walk down their dusty roads, visitors must look like clumsy giants. Their own bodies look so delicate, women walking gracefully even when carrying baskets of bricks on their heads.

Every day, you can stop to visit one or more of the many pagodas, old and new. You can see golden Buddhas towering over everyone, and a traditional ceremony for young, freshly shaven monks. After a few days, we reach Sittaung, a few kilometers from the Indian border. It has 35 very solid, large teak houses, all without doors and elevated on stilts. Green rice paddies are on either side. The river is only a few meters away and floods a frequent occurrence.



Here you turn around. It took eight days to get here, but the return trip is less than half the time, heading with the current towards the home harbor and the temples of Bagan, the first kingdom of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

Strangest Visa application questions

 

Global Visas.com has put together a top ten list of random questions asked by people looking to get a visa for 12 months and you will not believe some of the things they were asked!

I've heard that cocaine is legal in Columbia; is this true?' - an inquiry from a visa applicant looking to move there from France.

'Do you know if it's easier to find a wife in England? I'm struggling here.' - said a Peruvian applicant for a UK visa.

'Is everybody friends with the Queen?' - asked a Japanese applicant looking to move to England.

The Strangest reasons for a Visa

'If I live in America, will I be a movie star?' - asked a Filipino applicant

‘I want to be closer to Elton John. He doesn’t come to Togo. Do you see him much in Britain?’ - a man from Togo professing to be Elton John's biggest fan and looking to move to the UK to be closer to his hero.

'Is it legal to marry your car?' - a question posed by a man from the United States looking to move to Guatemala.

'I've committed a serious crime, but I haven't been caught or convicted. Will I be immune once I move?' asked an alarmingly honest individual from Italy.

'Is it illegal if I don't speak Dutch?' asked one applicant from the Middle East who was looking to secure a Shengen visa for the Netherlands.

'Somebody told me that Australia was founded by criminals. Do I have to have a criminal record to move there?' a Malaysian based inquiry for an Australian visa.

'I don't have a passport. If I sail to Portugal but don't fly will they let me live there?' - asked a UK resident looking to move there.

Liam Parry, of GlobalVisas.com had the following comment to make:

"We see all sorts of unusual things during the visa application process but, generally speaking, that goes with the territory. When somebody is moving from one culture to live in another there's bound to be an element of misunderstanding about laws and customs."

He continued:

"Our experts aim to assist as much as they can, and can be relied upon to answer the vast majority of visa related queries. With some of the above though, there's often a period of silence before they can formulate a suitable response!"(www.femalefirst.co.uk)

 

Travelogue…… with Bob Nicolaides.

A Mycenean Palace Discovered Near Sparta

A new excavation in the Xirokambi area of Aghios Vassilios west of Sparta, in the Peloponnese, has revealed a richness of Mycenean artifacts in the area, including the remains of a palace, Linear B tablets, fragments of wall paintings, and several bronze swords.

The excavation, led by emeritus ephor of antiquities Adamantia Vassilogrambrou, was presented publicly at the biennial Shanghai Archaeology Forum at the end of August as one of 11 sites showcased from different parts of the world.

The Aghios Vassilios excavation began in 2010, after Linear B tablets were found in the area in 2008, pointing to the existence of a powerful central authority and distribution system. The deciphered texts were devoted to perfume and cloth production, the trade of which was controlled by a palace administration in the Mycenean era.

Evidence of a central palace administration was confirmed also by the architecture, which is dated to the 14th century BC, while contact with Crete was confirmed by the finding of a double axe, a feature of the island's palace culture.

Artifacts found include seals, a multitude of ceramic and bronze vessels, and 21 bronze swords. According to the evidence, a sudden fire that broke out either at the end of the 14th century or the beginning of the 13th destroyed the three buildings on the site which were never rebuilt at the same location.

 

Top 10 Travel Destinations For Fall 2013

 

Nowhere else in the world is there a movement of animals as colossal and breathtaking as Africa’s wildebeest migration, where as many as 2.5 million white bearded wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and eland hoof it from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the greener pastures of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve from July to November.

Northern Lights Norway

Scandinavian countries love to brag about their “midnight sun,” but it’s the otherworldly “northern lights” that’s the real showstopper. The Fantasia-like phenomenon is forecast to be particularly brilliant in 2013, and one of the best ways to see it is on a cruise ship out at sea away from the city lights.

Portland Head Light

Nothing quite says fall like a trip to New England, America’s leafy northeastern extreme. And nothing quite epitomizes New England as well as the plucky seaside city of Portland, Maine. With its jagged, island-strewn coastline and mountainous tree-covered interior, it's hard to find another U.S. destination more diverse in natural beauty than Maine.

Patzcuaro, Mexico

While Canadians and Americans celebrate Halloween, their neighbors south of the border partake in a much more somber affair: Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). The Mexican holiday is a time of remembrance when families honor their deceased loved ones with gifts and altars at the cemetery. Yet, solemn as the occasion may be, the holiday takes on the air of a carnival with candlelit processions, papier-mâché skeletons and candy skulls aplenty -- especially if you're in Pátzcuaro.

Whale Watching Australia

Australia’s warm, shallow and predator-free Hervey Bay is protected by the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island, and has evolved into the most popular resting place for Southern Hemisphere humpbacks on their 6,215-mile return journey from Antarctica. As such, it’s considered one of the best places in the world to watch these massive mammals at play. Each year from August to November, Hervey Bay is like a playground where the whales stop for up to a week to relax, do some tricks and, if obliged, hang out with eager, camera-toting tourists.

Discovery Park of America

The $100 million, 50-acre Discovery Park of America will completely engulf the tiny town of Union City, Tenn., when it opens Nov. 1 with the mission of inspiring both children and adults to “see beyond” their current level of knowledge in areas of science, technology, history, art and nature. Highlights of the “Smithsonian-like” attraction three hours west of Nashville include a 20,000-gallon aquarium, a 60-foot replica of the human body and a theater simulation of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes that shaped the surrounding region.

Octoberfest

It's a simple equation: big steins + big outfits = big party. About 7 million people from around the world will drink more than 7 million 1-liter mugs of beer at Oktoberfest this year. While there will certainly be plenty of bierleichen -- Bavarian slang for drunkard, which literally translates to "beer corpse" -- it's easy to forget that Oktoberfest is actually a cultural celebration for the whole family.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Knowing where to travel during hurricane season can mean the difference between a week at the beach and a week stuck in front of the hotel television. That said, if you crave warm waters with no chance of a major tropical disturbance this fall, you may want to consider the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, which lie just off the South American coast below the traditional hurricane belt.

Columbia River Highway

Considered a modern marvel of engineering when completed in 1922, the Columbia River Highway was the first scenic drive to earn National Historic Landmark status. The route itself follows the last leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and was part of the early path along the Oregon Trail. Designers of the modern road created it, in part, as a platform for viewing the natural beauty of the area, which boasts a tapestry of colors each fall that complement the region’s plunging waterfalls, deep gorges and perky wildflowers.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces

If you're standing anywhere between Chateau de Chillon and the eastern outskirts of Lausanne and you look into the giant liquid mirror that is Lake Geneva, this is what you'll see: A patchwork of tightly-tiered vines spread like golden butter across the undulating hills. The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, a World Heritage site that blankets some 19 miles (30 kilometers) of Lake Geneva's northern shore, has been in use since the Roman times, though the present vine terraces trace back to the 11th century when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the region.

Islet of Strongyli Designated Archaeological Site

The easternmost edge of Greece, the 100-hectare islet of Strongyli near Kastellorizo, was designated as archaeological site by the Central Archaeological Council on Tuesday. The Council based its decision on antiquities found on the islet, mainly the remains of a fortress of the Hellenistic era with an outer enclosure and a system of water cisterns. Its square tower was used in a signalling network of torches linking Strongyli with the islet of Ro and the island of Kastellorizo and used by the island of Rhodes to control sea passages. The tower was used in the Byzantine and Ottoman times.

Strongyli has no permanent residents besides a Greek army base. Until Cyprus' membership, it was the easternmost border of the European Union.

Some of the World’s Most Historic art is at the Musee D’Orsay.

The Musee d’Orsay in Paris’ city center houses some of the most famous historic works of art in the world. Though the Louvre is the first place tourists flock to when choosing their museum destinations in the city, the Musee d’Orsay is also quite vast with collections ranging from Renaissance classics to contemporary modern pieces. If you’re planning a visit to the d’Orsay, I would recommend leaving at least a four or five hour window to see the museum, but you could easily spend two full days enjoying the artwork.



Musee D'Orsay, former RR station

What was once a railway station and an opera house, the Museum building has its own interesting history, including its role as the central deportation center for the Jewish and disenfranchised victims of World War II. The Museum now is comprised of six levels, each with seemingly endless rooms, separated by the school of artwork displayed, the artists, and the time periods. The collections of work include many of the greats, such as Degas, Monet, Manet, Sisley, Pissarro, Bazille, Caillebotte, van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin, Renoir and countless others. If you’re a fan of impressionist, skip the Louvre and head straight to the d’Orsay. The paintings are breathtaking to see in person and the crowds are completely manageable. Additionally, the sculpture collection of the museum is quite impressive, with the largest pieces on display in the main center visible from all floors of the museum. There is also a large focus on architecture and design, including a room of furniture from an upper class home in the 1800’s. For a full list of collections, visit http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/overview.html.

If you’re a European under the age of 26 or a student traveler attending a European University, admission is free! For everyone else, tickets range from 9–12 euro with options for groups, and joint passes for 15 e to other museums like the Rodin.

 

A Terrific Hotel in Gythion



Hotel in Gytheio

Castello Antico Beach in Mavrovouni Beach, Gythion, Laconia Region is a great, small-sized hotel located in a very convenient site, right by the sea, very polite and friendly staff. Good food, fresh fish and real "home-made" set up! David, the bartender is high class, making great cocktails! The owner Dimitris is a very nice and friendly gentleman but also good professional, in few words the PLACE in Eastern Mani area.

 

Destroyed Jesus fresco turns into a tourist Mecca

 

 

A year ago she became the global laughing stock after she destroyed a prized fresco of Jesus Christ. Twelve months later, she’s launched her very own art exhibit. She’s the world’s most infamous art restorer and her name is Cecilia Gimenez, Spain’s face of the month. On August of last year, residents of the village of Borja in northeastern Spain, were shocked to find out that a vandal had destroyed a prized fresco in their local sanctuary of Mercy Church.

The 19^th century Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) depiction of Jesus with his crown of thorns had been disfigured and made into a monkey-like creature, bearing no resemblance to the savior.




Christ Icon destroyed means Toursim plethora

As the village authorities were sending a nationwide appeal to find the culprit, up popped an 81-year-old woman who admitted she was responsible for the artistic atrocity. “They didn’t let me finish,” she told the Spanish daily El Pais. The parishioner of that church, confessed that she was concerned that parts of the Elias Garcia Martinez fresco were flaking off due to dampness on the church wall. Everybody who’s gone into the church saw me painting it. Never did it behind closed doors!”

News of the pensioner’s improvised restoration spread like wildfire across Spain and as soon as the international and as soon as the international press and the social media platforms got hold of the story, Gimenez’s ‘monkey Jesus’ became a laughing matter for the world. France’s Le Monde newspaper ran the story with the title ‘Holy Shit-the restoration of a painting of Christ turns into a massacre’ and the Daily Telegraph ran the ‘Elderly woman destroys 19^th century fresco with DIY restoration.’

Less than a month after Gimenez’s botched restoration, an international art exhibition by collaborative art group Wallpeople was held in Barcelona in honor of her “masterpiece” Ecce Homo fans prepared a montage of Gimenez’s ‘money face; on a number of renowned artworks, including Andy Walhol’s Marilyn Monroe and Gustave Klimt’s The Kiss. Even the US’s Saturday Night Live and the Conan O’Brian show featured sketches in which they mocked the so-called ‘Potato Jesus.’

Faced with a barrage of international media attention, Spanish newspapers reported that Cecilia Gimenez suffered an anxiety attack. “I couldn’t understand everyone was talking about me,” she later told Spanish daily ABC. Borja authorities had even considered legal action against her for what they initially deemed to be ransacking of the village’s patrimony. ‘Cecilia, come home,” her sister told her on the phone when she heard the news. “They want to throw you in prison.”

But intial plans to have the fresco restored were put on hold by the local parish and Borja authorities, as soon as they realized the positive effect it was having on the village’s economy. Tourist’s from all around the world began descending on the once-sleepy Aragonese village to catch a glimpse and have a giggle at what has been popularly referred to as the worst art restoration project in history. Admission to the church was set at €1 ($1.35) and all the money collected will go to the restoration of the building. Sweets reproductions of the Ecce Mono (or Behold the Monkey) as the artwork was dubbed-are been sold as far as Japan.

In Santorini, Try Petit Palace Suites Hotel

Petit Palace-Trip Advisor

Aphrodite Vlasserou of New York, just returned from a Greek vacation and this is what she wrote on Trip-Advisor for the Petit Palace Suites Hotel resort she stayed in Fira: One of our best experience at a Greek hotel ever, we came from New York and felt like Greek Gods and Goddesses! The hotel staff is very friendly, the rooms and especially the honeymoon suite is a dream! Very clean, modern, fresh, creative...with a private pool and an amazing breakfast to start the Santorinean dreamy day! And that's why we booked our holiday this summer here again. Can't wait for next year.

 

Thailand: New routes to attract Chinese tourists

 

 

Thailand: Catering to Chinese Visitors

Business Travel Association Thailand - China relations announced  new routes targeting Chinese tourists and  using Thailand as a major hub to connect during AEC. javascript:;Mr. Kasen Wattanachaowpisut, President of  the Business Travel Association Thailand – China relations(CTA) announces that they are generating  new deals and  routes to be able to meet the needs and demand of the Chinese travelers.

If Thailand was to waive visa for the Chinese tourists then this would mean that the Asian Economic Community (AEC), will also  benefit. The program will be offered to member’s trip for four countries namely Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos maintaining Thailand as a hub to connect. This will result in uniquely cheaper costs for all the members to benefit. Currently all tour companies have international traveling packages but there will be focusing more on Thailand and then to Singapore and Malaysia as the last destination.

Larisa of Argos Medieval Castle to get Repairs with EU Funds

 

One of the oldest and most historic castles in Greece, that of Larisa in Argos, is getting preserved and promoted with the help of National Strategic Reference Framework funds. The Peloponnesian castle was declared a national monument by Greece in 1992; its preservation project that the EU is partly funding is worth 945,000 euros.

Located on the top of a hill which was used since prehistoric times for defence purposes, the castle was repaired and augmented by the Argives in the 5th and 6th centuries. It was built up by the Byzantines in the 10th century, who turned it into a major fortress in the Peloponnese. Its history reflects the turbulence of the Middle Ages and later, as it came under the jurisdiction of the lord of Nafplio, Leon Sgouros, in 1203; was taken over by the Franks, who rebuilt it into its present form in 1212; was sold to the Venetians in 1394; and fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1463 - with a brief interlude when it became Venetian again - until 1822, when it was taken over by Turkish Ottoman general Dramalis, after the Greeks had declared their war of independence in 1821.

During World War Two, the castle was severely damaged by bombs dropped by the Germans, who were trying to flush out resistance fighters. Today little survives of a 12th-century Byzantine church, while architectural members of earlier constructions including from the Classical era were used to build and repair the fortress walls and are still discernible today.