Albania

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one’s head means ‘no’ where as shaking the head means ‘yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren’t much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don’t have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs €6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it’s better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them:
1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

WATERBERG BIOSPHERE

Winter is well on it’s way to southern Africa in June, so Claire & I decided to visit the warmer, rain free Waterberg region north of Tshwane (new name for Pretoria) and call on two relatively little known neighbouring private game reserves of Marakele and Welgevonden, 33000 and 35000 hectares in size respectively and offering the Big 5 experience. We selected three leading properties for our evaluation.

A little more about the reserves before we knock on their front door. Exclusivity is assured through the banning of private vehicles within both reserves. Guests arrive at a peripheral welcoming area and are met by their lodge hosts. This is an excellent idea and affords excellent management of the Reserves. Another distinct advantage is the malaria free environment. In today’s world, many of our clients are requesting wildlife experiences in malaria free facilities. For the wilderness and African safari purest, the diversity of their topography had Claire & me held in raptures, endless vistas, slow, winding rivers meandering across hard bedrock combined with a strong influence of various habitats.

Our first port of call promised to be exciting and a revelation. Marataba Safari Company in the Marakele Private Game Reserve is billed as one of the finest lodges within the Waterberg region. We expected a mercurial combination of a bygone era blended with the demands of today’s modern, discerning safari client. We were not let down. The entrance to Marataba combines elements of water, flora and earth in an enchanting and yet purposeful manner. Part of the Hunters Hotels portfolio with an awesome pedigree to match, their management team gave Claire & me a glimpse of what a well-run, team-orientated lodge should feel like. It would be remise of me to forget to talk about their tented accommodation. These units were amongst the very best I have experienced in ten years of African travels. Spacious, well appointed and offering the little touches only the very best properties do, it was an absolute pleasure to spend the little time we had ensconced within our room.

Unfortunately we have to share with you one aspect of a technical nature. A successful African wildlife or safari experience is based not so much on the appointments of your accommodation, or in the prowess of the team at base, no, it is found in the experience and knowledge of your ranger. You will spend in the region of eight to ten hours a day in his/her company and because of this, their ability to transfer their knowledge to you at the level you request is paramount. We did not find this to be the case at Marataba. We have taken this up with both camp management & their company directors and have received a favourable response from them in this regard.

Both dinner & breakfast were superb! Beautifully prepared and presented by not only very amiable and competent staff but also by the management team, a strong showing of team work. Marataba is ideal for those wishing to get away to a five star lodge where pampering, consummate hospitality and hugely knowledgeable staff abound.

Our second port of call was at the recommendation of a colleague of ours. Clearwater Lodges have two intimate, separate and very private lodges within the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve and we stayed at Tshetshepi Lodge. Five suites is the extent here supplying ten guests with the traditional Relais & Chateaux five C’s – Care, Calm, Charm, Cuisine & Character. Nestled against a towering mountain and with the sound of a gentle brook nearby, our hosts welcomed us into their “home“ with great pride and obvious concern for our welfare. Our aim at Africa Tamed is to bring you, our clients, friends and African Tamed family our evaluation of properties we feel warrant this in the endeavour to stimulate your “ thirst for Our Africa “. We put great credence in integrity, well grounded knowledge and in the case of wildlife experiences, the ranger responsible to introduce you to Mother nature.

Dave did us all proud! He exuded confidence, anecdotes abounded, and his knowledge of both flora & fauna was substantial. Over the eight hours in Dave’s hands (two game drives), his sense of purpose, transfer of knowledge and inter guest rapport was exceptional. As we would expect at a Relais & Chateaux property, the accommodation was excellent, spacious and in tune with the environment. We met for pre dinner drinks with the other guests in front of a roaring fireplace. Another special time of the day on an African safari, when stories are shared, the conversation is light and the enticing fragrances waft through from the kitchen. Debbie (Dave’s wife and co host) had ensured our meal requests we well looked after. Gathered around a large table in the company of interesting co guests and in the very capable hands of Dave & Debbie, the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Our last port of call was to be Makweti Safari Lodge. Whether this was arranged as our last port of call deliberately or not, it certainly was a great one with which to end our trip. Makweti Safari Lodge, in the same vein as Tshetshepi is in the hands of a management couple. It is obviously key to have the right couple at the right properties. This young, effusive and energetic couple fit Makweti like a glove. On our afternoon and early morning game drives, we witnessed a number of interesting mammals big & small. We were well informed as to the balance between man & Mother Nature and how at Makweti, a number of in house projects were underway to ensure the correct management of their area of responsibility.

You will appreciate that we have witnessed and sighted a large number of the wildlife on offer in Africa. Here though we spotted the illusive bush pig and caught a fleeting glance of brown hyena. As the only guests in house, Claire & I were afforded our own rooms (a luxury we seldom expect) and had dinner in the company of our two attentive hosts. We dined on creative cuisine, drank a bottle of the best South African sparkling wine and celebrated the first anniversary of Africa Tamed Tours & Travel! Claire’s dream of creating a very different travel company instilled with her own ideas, experiences and keen sense of integrity came of age tonight. In true modesty found within Claire, she graciously blew out the candle poised in her grandiose Pavlova pudding, thanked our hosts for recognising the special occasion and uttered the inimitable words “we have only just begun… “

Welgevonden Private Game reserve has a number of alternative properties, some privately owned, some open for commercial use. Our evaluation would indicate this an ideal Reserve to visit to initiate you to an authentic wildlife and safari experience but found the density of the Big 5 to be a little disappointing but this should be weighted up against the exemplary level of accommodation and that key element of passionate bushwhackers looking after you!

THE 2008 VALLETTA MALTA BOAT SHOW – BIGGER, BETTER, BEAUTIFUL

Last year, the people of Malta eagerly greeted the first ever Valletta Boat Show. A boat show on the water had not taken place in the area in quite some time. Boat enthusiasts from far and wide came to experience the exceptional surroundings and beautiful boats. Demand for exhibitor space, coupled with an unexpected turnout of well over 8,000 visitors, has prompted organizers to secure a larger space for this year’s event.

The 2008 Valletta Boat Show will be held at the historic Flagstone Wharf in Marsa. This ancient port town is an ideal setting for the show. The beauty of the Maltese coast is embodied perfectly in the breathtaking scenery there.

The port at Marsa has been in use for centuries, with the town itself going through many changes. Today, it is a vibrant and thriving community that will benefit greatly from the added commerce of the Valletta Boat Show.

In preparation for the show, the town of Marsa plans to revamp the entire Grand Harbour area. Some areas have fallen into disrepair, but the town is committed to reviving them and turning them into centres for culture and tourism. The historic quay provides ample room for the 80 yachts which will be displayed at the Valletta Boat Show.

Although it was once considered a hobby that was out of the reach of non-wealthy people, yachting is gaining popularity, especially on islands like Malta that have the Mediterranean surrounding it. The industry employs thousands of people and also generates income for related fields and services. All told, the yachting industry’s income tops 100 million Euro each year. Yacht clubs are springing up everywhere, and the hobby is becoming more mainstream every day.

The Valletta Boat Show will encompass that newly revamped image of yachting. The yachts on display at the show will range from 35 feet to 70 feet, representing a variety of prices. Exhibitors at the show will include banks that provide financing for yacht purchases. Insurance industry representatives will also be on hand to discuss the costs of insuring a yacht.

Last year’s show directly resulted in more than 20 yachts being sold. The event’s organizers hope that they can rise that number this year to boost yacht sales even more. More importantly, though, the Valletta Boat Show is about taking in the beautiful Marsa surroundings, learning more about the industry, and having a wonderful time.

The attendance at this year’s event is expected to reach 12,000 visitors. With over 50 exhibitors at the show, visitors will have no shortage of things to do and see. Thanks to the larger venue, there will be no problems with parking or space for exhibitors and visitors.

When visitors are ready for a break from the day’s activities, they can dine at one of the many food stalls that will be present at the show. For a more formal dining experience, a floating restaurant will offer a spectacular way to enjoy fine food while taking in the sights of the show. The Valletta Boat Show will be held from September 25 to September 28 at the historic Flagstone Wharf in Marsa, Malta.

WHEN ABROAD ! MOSQUITTO ON YOUR TRAVELS

Next time you go on vacation to a tropical country, you will no doubt encounter the Mosquito on your travels. At all costs you must not get bitten by one (or more) as they carry many killer diseases and the quality of hospital care available in the third world leaves much to be desired.

Too much to ask you might think ?

By planning your trip well and taking our advice, which was obtained through personal experience very recently you can avoid being bitten.

These are important words, and we hope you will heed our kind advice, as any reduction in suffering is clearly desirable, especially for the Young Uns. They need to be protected jealously from the myriad of Mosquito borne sicknesses.

Mosquitoes carry various types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and the worst of these is Malaria, Yellow Fever, Encephalitis, Nile Fever and Dengue Fever.

INTERESTING FACT: Mosquitoes kill more people every year than any other animal on the Planet !

Mosquito carried illnesses kill millions of young children every year, because children’s immune systems are not fully developed and cannot cope with the fatal onslaught.

Mosqutoes are waiting in their strongholds for You and other travellers, as they have done for millennia, and they are built to perfection, to assist them in their Blood thirsty search.

How do “Mozzies” locate you ?

Mosquitoes detect the carbon dioxide in your exhaled breath and then fly upwind along the air draughts to locate the source of it, ie. YOU !

They don’t have great vision, but if you move they can see the movement in daytime or at night as they have Night Vision capability – they can see Infra Red Light – that is they see warm/hot things clearly in pitch black darkness and you are giving of that Invisible Warm Light from every inch of your juicy body in the dark.

Also they can detect your sweat to be able to home in on you, land on your bare skin, and they insert their dirty, infected, syringe-style needle (Proboscis) into your flesh and then start gorging themselves on your lifeblood.

During the Summer Heat in the daytime it is too hot for Mosquitoes to be flying around, so they find a cool place to relax in before hunting time at dusk in the evening, when the sun goes down.

However if you are nearby and rouse them, they will drink your blood, as you have provided them with a perfect Dinner Invitation to feed on you.

All Mosquitoes feed on flower nectar to survive, however the female Mosquito needs the iron and protein etc. in your blood to make eggs, and thus most species are able to suck blood which is called Haematophagy (enter stage right Count Dracula).

The biggest species of Mosquito does not drink blood, it’s larvae eat the larvae of other Mosquitoes ! This why this large type of Mosquito Eater was bred on occasions for Pest control purposes with little result due to the vast stagnant areas that are available for breeding.

Well – how can you go on Holiday to a much desired exotic location, and guarantee to survive healthy and well and also live to tell the tale?

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SAN DIEGO

San Diego is one of the premier summer vacation spots in America. That being said, you might be surprised to learn the best time of the year for roasting on the beach is not in the middle of summer.

San Diego is considered an ideal vacation spot for many reasons. First and foremost, it has beaches. Second, it is sunny and warm, but not brutally hot or muggy, most of the year. Third, there is a lot to do ranging from hiking to ballooning to golf to visiting the San Diego Zoo to, of course, playing in the ocean.

Most visitors come to the city from June through August. There really isn’t a bad time to visit San Diego, but this three month period is the high season and it can get busy. Roads pile up with traffic. Parking for the beach can be difficult on the weekends. In short, paradise gets a bit stuffed with day to day problems.

What most people don’t know is the June through August period is only the second best time to visit San Diego. September and October are actually the best months. It seems there is never a cloud in the sky and the beaches and such are not packed to the gills with people. If you are considering a trip to American’s Finest City, you might want to take advantage of this period of time.

Ah, but what about downsides. If you’ve traveled much, you know that many vacation destinations in the world practically shut down when the high season is over. Parts of Greece, for instance, practically become ghost towns. Is this also true for San Diego? It is not.

San Diego is a vacation destination, but it is also a city with a large domestic population in the millions. Shockingly, we do pretty much the same thing you do when here. We go to the beach, the Zoo, fishing and so on. We send out kids to surf school and so on. Given this, there is little reason for most businesses to close down in the low season. A few might, but they tend to be the exception.

If you are looking for a spot to spend the end of summer and early fall, you can’t do much better than San Diego. It’s warm and beautiful out.

DATING IN STYLE

f you are planning an exciting date with your girlfriend that you would want her to remember, there are lots of things you need to consider. When it comes to planning your date, first of all you should plan on how to start your night because that part is very important if you want to have a memorable date. Someone once said “First impression is the last impression” and this quote will prove itself to the point when it comes to dating, because if everything goes smoothly at the beginning of your night, then the date will also end perfectly.

You might consider hiring a limousine as your transportation service if you start to plan to have perfect date. Of course, hiring a limousine could be really extravagant because as already mentioned first impression is the last impression. It is not necessary to mention that women usually adore being surprised and most women usually don’t ride a limousine on their dates and their ride with you in a limousine can be their very first ride in limousine. You would obviously want to be along with her during her first time ride in a limo.

However, make sure not to forget that having such a wonderful ride as your transportation service comes with rather hefty price and you should carefully plan your dream date. Of course, any kind of quality product comes with higher price. However, if you really intend to have a perfect date with your girlfriend and if you want to give her everything she wants then you should obviously try to afford the wonderful transportation service offered by a limousine.

It is necessary to plan one or two months before your dream date. If you do that, then you can manage the budget required for having that great time. You should make sure that each and every thing which you have planned works out right. You should take time to choose your limo by visiting different companies that offer limo services. It is better to visit online because it helps in saving your time as well as money because you will not need to visit each and every local limo vendor out there just to inquire about hiring a limo. However, if you visit these companies offline then you can take advantage by checking out the entire functionality and amenities of their limos.

Keep in mind to not forget to verify that the particular limo you are interested in is available on your desired date. If not, then you better book this limo in advance. Have a glance of the particular limousine you wish to hire, check the entire vehicle, ensure that everything works smoothly, and of course you can ask whether they are offering alcohol during limo ride.

After everything is set up, you should once more check the time of arrival as well as departure of the limousine, what is the maximum limo company would charge for the use of their service according to the time you take service of limo. It’s better to stick to the prepared schedule of your date as much as possible so that you will not be charged for additional hours for riding a limo.

SUN FILLED FAMILY BREAKS AT THE BEACH

Keep your family healthy and happy and give them a dose of Vitamin D! By planning sun filled family breaks you’re ensuring they stay healthy with an adequate exposure of sun people need. There are many beaches and seaside destinations in the UK you can choose from, to visit on your family breaks. Family breaks at the beach ensure that everyone in the family will have a good time. Whether it’s sun bathing, swimming, playing volleyball or building castles in the sand, there is something to do for all ages.Camber Sands is a beach resort located in East Sussex, England and is the perfect setting for families planning their UK family break. The breeze and open skies attract kite flying enthusiasts to this destination along with the various theme parks nearby. Camber Sands is a dune filled beach known for being filmed for the sets of the famous war epic movie ‘The Longest Day.’ It is the finest stretch of coast in the south-east for families to enjoy their family breaks.

Southport Beach near Liverpool is another popular seaside resort perfect for cheap family breaks. You get to view the Irish Sea coast and it is the 2nd longest seaside pier in the UK. If you like to delve into the historical essence of the location, take a stroll down Lord Street where Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was living when he was exiled. This place has maintained most of the rich Victorian architecture from 1846. There are many events organized in Southport such as flower shows, jazz festivals and even beer festivals. There is something at Southport beach for all families on their UK family breaks!

Hemsby is a seaside village which was once targeted by the Vikings looking for gold, precious valuables and slaves. The beaches are the main highlight of this destination for family breaks. There are cafes, shops, and amusement parks to visit as well as little restaurants, offering the local favourite: fish and chips. For family breaks in the uk it is an ideal historical landmark to visit, with scattered anti-tank blocks still scattered across the beach from World War II!

If you’re into adventure sports and want to try something new on your family breaks, visit Brean Sands for some land sailing. Brean Sands has been providing land yachts for families interested in experiencing land sailing on their family breaks. There is also a tropical bird garden ideal for younger children in the family to enjoy! Most of the accommodations at Brean Sands open up directly out onto the beach and have a number of camping sites as well.

If you’ve made the right choice to plan your family break at the beach this summer, make sure you carry enough sunscreen. It is a good idea to carry extra towels or folding chairs to sit on the beach and possibly an umbrella to avoid sunburn. A medical kit is also advised for families spending their family breaks at the beach. There are so many beaches to take your pick from, so why not choose a beach for one of your family breaks this summer?

THE 7 BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN BEIJING

If you intend to visit Beijing to watch the Olympics and experience the gathering of nations firsthand, there is no shortage of quality hotels within this great Chinese city for you to select from. In fact, you’ll have numerous 5-star hotels to choose from that will allow you to enjoy a luxurious stay in Beijing as you enjoy the excitement that the Olympics brings.There are so many quality hotels in Beijing that choosing the right one might seem like an overwhelming task. To help you decide, let’s look at some of the best 5-star hotels in Beijing, comparing their offerings and locations. Most are close to key destinations, tourist attractions and other famous sites. Therefore, you really can’t go wrong with any of these great choices.

1. St. Regis Beijing

The St. Regis Beijing is an elegantly decorated hotel located in the city’s Diplomatic District at 21 Jian Guo Men Wai Avechao. It is known for its tremendous service and luxury. The hotel also has 273 rooms, all of which are fashioned with contemporary amenities. It also offers special rooms for business and social events.

The St. Regis Beijing is conveniently located near to Tian’anmen Square, Silk Market and the Forbidden City. Closer attractions include The Friendship Store, Temple of Heaven and Ritan Park. The hotel also features a Danieli’s Restaurant on the property, which offers Italian cuisine. Also, the Garden Court restaurant serves international cuisine. Other amenities include a gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis courts and a spa.

2. Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

The Kempinksi Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center is situated in the Chao Yang District at 50 Liangmaqiao Road. This lovely hotel is known for having a tranquil ambience and offering a great deal of comfort to its guests. There are 526 guest rooms that either overlook the Liangma River or the city’s skyline, which means you can easily find a room with a great view when you stay here.

This hotel is also located near shopping areas, restaurants and local entertainment centers. In addition, its restaurant offers a wide choice of foods, including Chinese, German, Japanese, Italian, South American and Korean foods.

3. Xiyuan Hotel Beijing

The Xiyuan Hotel Beijing is located at 1 Sanlihe Road X’ Yuan in City Centre. It is close to the Ministries of Finance and Construction, Capital Exhibition Centre, the city’s Financial District and the I.T. Zone of Zhong Guan Cun. There are 900 rooms and suites that offer modern amenities within this hotel and its restaurant boasts an offering of Cantonese, Shandong, Western, Continental and Oriental foods.

4. Capital Hotel Beijing

Also located in Beijing’s City Centre is the Capital Hotel Beijing, which is well known for offering the best of hospitality and service. Being in the heart of Beijing, at 3 Qian Men East Street, the hotel is not far from most attractions and shopping destinations. It is close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The rooms are large and contemporary. The hotel restaurant offers a variety of food options, ranging from Italian to Korean.

5. Shangri-La Hotel Beijing

Located in the Hai Dian District, the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing stands among landscaped gardens. It is near the financial district and Technology Park. It also is close to the State Guest House and Summer Palace. There are 670 rooms in this hotel, at 29 Zizhuyuan Road. They are described as elegant, private and luxurious. The hotel restaurant serves international foods, including Japanese and Chinese.

6. Shangri-La’s Kerry Centre Hotel Beijing

The hotel is located in the city’s Chao Yang District at 1 Guanghua Road, in the heart of the diplomatic, commercial and financial center. It has a contemporary style and features “Shangri-La hospitality.” The 487-room hotel is not far from main tourist attractions and historical sites. The Coffee Garden and Horizon Chinese Restaurant are among the hotel’s dining offerings.

7. Longxi Hotspring Hotel Beijing

The Longxi Hotspring Hotel Beijing is situated in the city’s Da Xing District at 8 Shunjing Road Panggezhuang, which is in the south of Beijing. This quiet and modern hotel offers four on-site restaurants. These restaurants offer Chinese and American foods, among other styles.

All five-star hotels in Beijing feature similar amenities, including business centers, parking, room service, air conditioning, cable or satellite television, Internet access and phones, among many others.

BOOK A ROOM AT AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN NEW YORK

heap hotels in New York City are somewhat difficult to find in this most expensive city of the world. But if you opt the right way then it is very easy to search the inexpensive and low price hotels. Manhattan is the center of all attractions in New York. Here you can find cultural attractions, the museums, the entertainment venues, the theaters, etc. So, Manhattan is the home place for famous and high budgeted as well as cheap hotels in New York.

It is advisable for you to make your stay in the areas like the East Village, Chinatown, Gramercy Park, the Chelsea Garment District and so on. In these places, you can find a varied number of budget hotels in New York.

New York City is also known as Big Apple or the city that never sleeps. The immense beauty of this city is hard to define in words.

Apart from cheap hotels, luxury hotels offer the best comfortable accommodations for the visitors. The services and the facilities of these grand hotels are of world class.

The Three Star hotels in New York are the hotels where you can have a comfortable and pleasurable stay. Finding and booking these types of hotels are not at all a difficult task. You can book the hotels through internet which is also the easiest way to select a motel.

Some of the three star hotels can be mentioned for your future reference. The hotels like Best Western Hospitality House, Best Western Convention Center, and Best Western President Hotel are star rated hotels in Manhattan.

The aforesaid hotels provide modern well equipped rooms and the facilities like air conditioning with individual climate control, cable and satellite television, desk with work area, high-speed internet access, restaurants and bars etc.

New York is the perfect place for the tourists all over the world. So, wherever you stay the main purpose of enjoying and making a pleasant trip of the city will be fulfilled.

GLENGOWLA MINES

Make sure you visit this unique attraction when in Galway. The Glengowla Mines is located just off the main Galway city/Clifden road not far from Oughterard (about 3km). Glengowla is one of the best examples of a silver and lead mine in the country and is, in fact, Ireland’s only show mine! Read on for more…Glengowla is the remnants of a 19th century silver and lead mine which has been restored into a visitor attraction with a heritage and visitor centre, a blacksmith’s shop, a circular powder house, a rock and mineral shop and lots more.

The mine starting operating in 1851 and for 14 years silver and lead were extracted until the mines were closed in 1865. In 1999, the mines were saved from flooding and opened to the public as Ireland’s only show mine. The mine was actually restored by its owners the Geoghegan family.

Take a tour of the mine today and see what was left behind when the mines were closed. The powder magazine and blacksmith’s workshop are located at the surface and showcase some tools which were used by the miners. As you are guided through the chambers underground, you’ll see ladders, pump rods, pipes, ore tubs and pulleys.

Glengowla has a staggering amount of minerals such as dolomite, quartz, marble and some very rare green and blue octahedral fluorite.

To get to the mine from Galway city, just take the main N59 to Clifden. Pass the town of Oughterard and the mines are on your left after about 3km