Posted: August 13th, 2009 | Author: Heather | Filed under: Ireland | Tags: Dublin, Ireland | No Comments »
As of three years ago, Dublin, Ireland, had a population of over five hundred thousand people. That pretty well makes it the largest city in all of Ireland. It is the country’s capital too. Located right at the mouth of the lovely River Laffey, Dublin is not only a highly contemporary center, but it is also a richly historical site and cultural center.
Two years ago, and with good reason, it was voted Europe’s friendliest city. The tourist industry there thrives primarily because the people there are so warm, welcoming, and friendly — not to mention fun!
For instance, estimates suggest that more than half of the people living in Dublin are 25 years old or younger. There are thus plenty of night clubs and pubs to be found, especially around Temple Bar, Wexford Street, Harcourt Street, Leeson Street, and Camden Street.
As for the arts, Dublin has produced many of the greats, from musicians to writers to poets and beyond. Most of us are aware of U2′s origins there, but add to that list Bram Stoker, James Joyce, W. B. Yeats, and George Bernard Shaw, among many more.
From Dublin Castle to the Abbey to the National Gallery, Dublin is also home to some of the most historically rich sites in all the world.
Posted: August 6th, 2009 | Author: Heather | Filed under: Norway | Tags: North Pole, Norway, Svalbard | No Comments »
Svalbard is a Norwegian isle located at the midpoint between Norway’s mainland and, amazingly, the North Pole. Svalbard is actually an archipelago. The name itself translates to mean “cold coasts,” and it got its first mention way, way back in the twelfth century.
The delightfully named Longyearbyen is Svalbard’s main administrative center for Norway, as well as the local government’s seat.
In spite of what you may be thinking due to its location, Svalbard’s climate is really rather mild. The yearly rainfall and snowfall amounts to much little than you may think.
Due to the latitude, this is a location where you can enjoy midnight sun, from mid April to late August.
There are many activities you can enjoy here if you enjoy cooler climes and wintry sports without a whole lot of snow. There are snowmobile safaris, dog sledding, ice caving, boating, skiing, hikes, glacier walks, zodiac safaris, horseback riding, kayaking, hunting for fossils, visiting mines, and all kinds of other fun acitivies.
Posted: July 11th, 2009 | Author: TwB | Filed under: Greece, Santorini | Tags: Europe, Greece, Santorini | No Comments »
Ask any tourist that has been to
Santorini and you will all the superlatives about the small Greek Island. The Santorini Island is about 125 miles from the mainland.
If you are coming from Athens, you can go to the port of Piraeus to take a ferry service that runs on a regular basis. From Crete, the island is just about 63 nautical miles. A number of ferry services can take tourists from there through the Aegean Sea to enjoy the majestic views of the southernmost of the Cycladic chain of islands.
Charter flights from Thessaloniki can also be hired to bring couples and families to the famous tourist spot.
The beautiful geography of Santorini can be attributed to the volcanic eruptions that helped mold the form of the island. Legends surround the islands that Santorini may be the fabled civilization of Atlantis.
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Posted: June 29th, 2009 | Author: TwB | Filed under: Dubai, Middle East | Tags: Dubai, Dune Bashing, Middle East | No Comments »
If you are tired of your list of usual vacation spots, fly to Dubai and explore the many wonders of this Muslim county. 
Dubai has about 200 mosques bearing the grandness of Muslim architecture. Sadly, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter most mosques in the United Arab Emirates, but the Jumeirah Mosque allows non-Muslims to see the mosque’s interior.
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding offers educational tours for non-Muslims who visit the country. Take note, however, that one should dress appropriately for such tours. The Jumeirah Mosque, located along Jumeirah Beach Road, is the most famous mosque in Dubai with its attractive façade and one central big dome. It looks spectacular during nighttime.
The horse race at Nad Al Sheba is quite famous, but there are also camel races being held. The admission is free for these races. “Dune bashing” is another common past time in the country. It’s simply driving into the dessert on a four-wheel-drive vehicle and enjoying the unusually bumpy and hot trip. If you’re interested in trying dune bashing, make sure you book a tour operator because going into the dunes unaccompanied very risky.
Famous Dubai attractions include: Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque, Bastakiya District, S Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House, the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai Creek, Hatta Town, Palm Island, Heritage Village, Jumeirah Beach Park, Burj Al Arab Hotel, and the Jumeirah Archaeological Site.
Veteran tourists know that the best places to visit and the best experiences to enjoy are not in the guidebooks you buy in bookstores or airports. So before you fly to distant Dubai, try to read a few interesting articles about this country and have a blast exploring the rich culture and history of Dubai with your family and friends.
