MashaTravel

by Hank Snow

There are things we do; well some of us do, when living in a foreign country that we would never consider doing at home. Having landed in Uganda in the midst of a boom year for grasshoppers my wife and I have been working on the title for our Ugandan cookbook. We have thought of calling it Matoke Madness and filling it with recipes such as Greasy Grasshoppers Greet the Pallet with Garlicky Crunch. In the States the same plague of grasshoppers we are witnessing here would cause farmers to say that it is a bad year, but here it is a

image source http://edibug.wordpress.com

good year for grasshoppers in that there are more than usual. November in central Uganda is apparently always grasshopper season and a time that children and adults delight in. The fact that they are a delicacy around here makes a certain amount of historical sense. Apparently, unlike the Mormons of Utah who were saved from a plague of locust by seagulls sent by God, Ugandans have had to count on themselves. Thus, when a plague of grasshoppers arrive there are two choices, allow them to eat the crops and starve yourself, or eat them and the crops and thank God for the extra protein.
There are two children who live next door to us, a boy about age seven and a girl around age five. These two were the first people we saw gathering grasshoppers and until we went to the weekly market we thought they were just playing. It turns out that children all over are collecting grasshoppers, but they are not they primary harvesters. In certain places, soccer fields seem to be especially coveted, entrepreneurs have set up big outdoor lights to attract the hoppers at night. The unsuspecting insects pile up around the lights and make for easy harvesting. They are then carted off to markets. Here in Entebbe at the Tuesday market there are huge piles of them. Many people buy them whole and in bulk and take them home to cook, but they are also sold legs and wings off and hot from the skillet for those who want to snack as they do their weekly shopping. We have been told that if grasshopper season goes by, and you haven’t eaten any, it is very bad year if you are Ugandan. When cooked they turn a translucent yellow color. In some ways they are similar in character and appearance to shrimp, but the ones we ate at the market were a bit too oily for our taste; however, with spice and more time to get used to local customs, we may look forward to next years harvest with the anticipation a child has for birthday cake.
Hank Snow writes with humor on travel, lifestyle, and many other topics. His articles can be found at http://www.apexfood.com/articles/index.html and many other fine websites.


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by Enestle Zimba

Simple… This magnificent country boasts of the greatest concentrations of wildlife, stunning scenery, pristine wilderness …and now it’s the southern African Adventure Centre. Above all discover Africa’s friendliest people.
The friendly people with their warm African welcome have made Zambia the haven of peace in Africa.
No war has taken place here. It’s 73 ethic groups live in harmony, an example of unity in diversity. This is the epitome of the country’s harmony and stability.
The pristine wilderness, the profusion of wildlife including the great birding, fishing and water spots now lure visitors to Zambia.
And that’s not all. The fascination of the country’s natural heritage such as awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, the wet lands and water bodies of world repute such as the Lakes Kariba, Tanganyika, and Bangweulu.
Then there are the endemic lechwe antelopes filling the plains of Basunga and Bangweulu plains. The annual wildebeest migration of the Liuwa plains which rivals the Serengeti’s in East Africa.
Zambia Africa is also a birders paradise! No less than 741 bird species have been recorded here.
Zambia lies in the very heart of southern Africa. And Livingstone town has become the Adventure Centre of Southern Africa. Here you’ll find a variety of hi-action packed adventure activities such as;
The thrill of world-class white-water rafting over twenty-three rapids, Adrenaline chocked bungi jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, a 111m drop, Abseiling the gorges cut by Zambezi below the falls, Canoeing safaris down the Zambezi River, Surfing the river and as well as river boarding, Excellent tiger and Nile perch fishing, and watching breathtaking African sunsets, stargazing!
And that's not all:
Limitless expanse of Lakes Kariba and Tanganyika Snorkelling and scuba diving in an inland lake, a world challenge, House boating on Zambezi Skiing and paddling Birding in bird sanctuaries!
...and of course, the wildlife in the 19 national parks strategically located throughout the country and covering 30 percent of the country’s 752,614 square kilometres!
The African safari in Zambia Africa has captured the market of the international tourists including the upper class traveller of the world.
The concept of the traditional villages and the theme designed hotels and lodges are adventurous, unique and colourful because of the phenomenal culture of the local people’s hospitality and the beautiful landscape. The architecture is strongly African but with exotic flavour.
You’ll discover why Zambia also known as “the real Africa” is Africa's best-kept tourism secret!
Do you want to discover the fascinating Africa’s best-kept secret? Would you like to savour it and make it yours?
Then visit Zambia Africa Safari.
Enestle Zimba is a practising geologist for over twenty years. He promotes Zambia tourism and safari part time. He’s a great believer of conservation.
http://zambiasafari.blogspot.com http://www.zambia-the-african-safari.com


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by Katy Leakey

Maasai children wake up early on the 25th of December and excitedly urge their parents to hurry as they make tea and cook breakfast so they can open the presents. They have been preparing for this holiday for months by making presents for each other; beaded jewelry, belts, bags, calabashes, toys and body adornment for the children. After the present opening, clans gather for the feast of roasted meat, potatoes and potent honey beer.

The Maasai are a pastoral group of people that live in the magnificent Great Rift Valley of Kenya and Tanzania. A tall, proud, and graceful people adorned in colorful clothing and ornaments, the Maasai still keep their traditions intact - herding cattle and living off the land as modernization changes the world around them. They are known to be a culture with close community and family ties and who love to celebrate all occasions in a big way; so they naturally adopted Christmas into their culture as yet another wonderful celebration and embraced it with relish.

In the months approaching Christmas, the Maasai are busy making presents, planning events, cleaning their finest of everything, scrubbing the houses, repairing the grounds, getting out the jewelry and shopping for new kikoys, the European version of a shuka- Maasai fabric, to wear. The air is full of excitement. Bees love the blooming acacia trees, and produce the most flavorful of all the honeys in the world. This honey is then used to produce honey beer- a common holiday beverage at Maasai celebrations.

The Maasai fill the season with several harambees, a Kenyan party reminiscent of an American wedding or baby shower where gifts and money are given. The harambee was originally introduced by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, as a way to raise money to build schools. Over time, the harambee has expanded into a Kenyan tradition to raise money and gifts for weddings, hospital expenses, school fees, and other occasions. The Maasai adopted the county's custom and use it liberally.

When you wake up Christmas morning, think for just a moment about the Maasai half a world away. Cuddling exhausted children, patting stomachs full of meat, drowsy with libation, and admiring their lovely presents with family all around.

About the Author: Katy Leakey and her husband Philip live among the Maasai in the Kenyan bush. In 2001, the couple founded The Leakey Collection to provide employment opportunities for her neighbors after a terrible drought ravaged the land. This company utilizes the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women. To read more about Katy's experiences with the Maasai- visit her Kenya Journal at http://www.leakeylife.com/blog/ If you would like to view some of the beautiful work of the Maasai women, please visit http://www.leakeylife.com/

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by Graham McKenzie

Some people might believe that the ultimate African experience is the safari, but you have not experienced Africa without visiting the powerhouse of the continent, South Africa.South Africa is the ideal family destination.It is a country rich in diversity and natural beauty.South Africa has some of the best tourist attractions in the world.Take your family to the many excellent beaches.

Information about South Africa: South Africa is said to be the powerhouse of the African continent. South Africa is rich in cultural heritage and history. The natural beauty of the country, the scenic visual feast, the mouthwatering restaurants, great sandy beaches, wonderful climate and the warm and friendly people always drive a family to have a visit to South Africa. Some of the places of interest in South Africa are the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town and the heart throbbing beaches in Durban, a coastal city. You should not miss the hustle and bustle of the 'City of Gold.' Your visit will not be a complete one if you miss these.

Some Details on South Africa: An immense and impressive country with a coastline that borders two great oceans and a vast interior of rich farmland, game-rich plains, rugged mountains, cosmopolitan cities, traditional villages, a unique architectural heritage and Africa's most diverse and stylish tourism industry. Along with friendly people, what else would a family traveling to South Africa have to ask for?

There is more number of beaches in South Africa. Beaches have always been a wonderful place for having fun and frolic. So you can enjoy participating in exciting water sports, swimming, and surfing or just relaxing with a sunbath.

Health: A good climate, clean water and excellent hygiene make South Africa a safe family destination. Adults will not need any inoculations when traveling in South Africa, unless you are traveling from a yellow fever zone.Hepatitis B inoculations are generally recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants.

The medical facilities in the cities and larger towns are excellent, so guests can expect the best of service should anything happen to you or your family while in South Africa. However, the rural areas of South Africa offer only basic health needs and do not offer a wide range of medical care but the first class services of the city are just a phone call away.

Some people of south africa beings to the natural habits of the future trend and many of the adults children's has been sent to completed the series of injections as infants. so many of the people has suffered in the string shot of the confident.south africa people are involved in the secure things in the method of happen in wide range.this is the basic thing that happen in the medical period.

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by Jamie Hanson

The 580,367km2, Kenya is one of the most incredible tourism spots in Africa. When tourism is at peak, over 1.8 million foreign tourists visit yearly. These tourists are the country's greatest earner of foreign exchange. Though, Kenya has numerous tourists' attractions to offer, but there are a few hot destinations which are worth visiting and unique from all others.

Hosting to one of the seventh wonder of the world, the 1530km2 Maasai Mara National reserve from July and even November hosts the world prominent wildebeest's migration spectacle. As this place is quite noisy, where you will get amazed to see the Mara River infested with large number of crocodiles, visitors from across the world pitch their camps nearby the crossing limit in hope for days get a view of these crocodiles.

The Maasai Mara has got all the "Big Five" animals that is, the elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and even the rhino. They are best viewed at the Mara River and Esoit Oloololo escarpment. Tour operators also provide hot air balloon tours for tourists to enjoy the natural patches of the grassy open plains, from birds eye view.

Lake Bogoria in Rift Valley is renowned for its hot springs and geysers that spew out magnificent fountains of waters at 37 degrees temperature. The saline spring waters are assumed to be restorative for the skin. The lake doesn't have high tourism traffic making it a perfect getaway picnic area. Hippos and even gazelles constitute part of the wild there and 135 bird species that comprise millions of migratory lower flamingos that prey on the algae of the 10m deep lake.

Nearby the Indian Ocean waters, Mombasa is regarded for its soft sandy seashores, aqua green waters and even good sunshine. Its consistently warm weather all year means, it can be visited at any time. For explorers, Mombasa is home to Lamu, the historic town, the Gedi ruins and even Fort Jesus. These places show Mombasa's unique medieval track record.

Along with distinctive and attractive fishes, the undersea Indian Ocean reef feels like a paradise. Dhow vacations are presented to guests wishing to experience the feeling of historic maritime ocean journeys.

the Nairobi National Park, which has an area of 117 km and 2 m is just 7 km from the City Centre, and this park is popular for bordering the city. Among the "Big Five" wildlife, its mainly the elephant that is not found in this Savannah environment. It's the ideal destination for visitors on stop over. It is where the David Sheldrick trust sanctuary which nurtures little orphaned rhinos and even elephants. You will be amazed to see 400 distinct bird species and 80 species of mammals here. The park is good for family tours, bush dinners, picnics, team building routines and even wedding ceremonies.

The Nairobi National Museum is laden with eclectic ancient artifacts that visually depict Kenya's history. It is home to the botanical gardens where special plant species are grown. This may include those with medical properties and even ornamental plants and even herbs that are harvested. But its main draw is the Nairobi Snake park home to poisonous vipers like cobras and mambas, and merciless constrictors like African Rock python indigenous to Kenya. Coral fishes American alligators and even crocodiles are sheltered in the museum's fish tanks.




Mara Gates is a travel company based in Kenya offering bookings for Safaris in Kenya and other top destinations in Africa. Visit the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve with Mara Gates and enjoy hassle free bookings.

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by Claribel Rizas

Egypt is perhaps one of the most famous regions of Africa, an area of mysterious, beautiful deserts, fascinating history and stunning attractions. However, there is more to this land than mummies and pharaohs: here is a guide to how to get the most out of a holiday to Egypt.

Egypt has several international airports with Cairo being the biggest and most central. It is also possible to travel there by boat from Jordan or Saudi Arabia; many luxury cruises also offer a visit to Egypt as part of their package. Once in Egypt, if you're looking to explore the country as a whole the best bet is probably to rent a car; buses and trains aren't particularly reliable; and petrol is extremely cheap in Egypt.

As one would expect from such a popular holiday destination, accommodation wise Egypt has something to suit every budget. There are budget hotels and hostels scattered through the country though it is well-worth researching these beforehand, some of them can be a bit dodgy. If you're looking for a luxurious stay in a central location then you can't do much better than the Grand Hyatt, it has fourteen restaurants, fantastic view of the ancient Nile and premium quality rooms.

When it comes to local cuisine, don't be put off by Egypt's reputation for relatively poor food hygiene. Restaurants like Cairo's Felfela chain are a great place to sample delight like Ful Medames (a dish composed of cooked fava beans). The seafood in Egypt is also particularly good, fish markets are a great place to sample some of the more exotic types available.

Of course, the main reason most people visit Egypt is for its history. Alexandria makes a great one stop shop for those looking to immerse themselves in Egyptian history; it has both the awe-inspiring Lighthouse of Alexandria and the famous Montazah Royal Gardens to tempt tourists. Traditional choices like the Pyramids, the Egyptian museum, the Nile itself and the Valley of the Kings also all live up to the hype.

However, Egypt isn't just about looking at old ruins; there are more active options available as well. The country's seaside location means there is a lot of scuba diving and snorkelling available, some of it through incredibly fertile and interesting waters. A cruise along the Nile and a trip to the desert are also worth doing, though you are advised to undertake either of these activities with an experienced guide.

When it comes to nightlife its well worth remembering that Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, meaning in the less touristy areas there will be few bars or clubs serving alcohol. Public drunkenness is also looked upon very negatively wherever you are. If you are looking for a real taste of Egyptian nightlife then the 'Baladi Bars' are worth a look, though these are often only for men.

Egypt is a country which marries the best of the old with the new. You may think you know about it from pictures and reading, but it truly has to be visited to be believed.

Claribel Rizas is a freelance travel writer with 10 years experience of worldwide travel. They recommend Monarch for Egypt holidays.

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by Penduka Safaris

When you decide to take a Botswana Holiday, you will be travelling to Africa. Africa is the world’s second largest continent both in size and population. It ranks just after Asia in population. It occupies 11.7 million square miles. Africa occupies approximately six percent of the earth’s surface and it occupies approximately twenty percent of the total land area. In other words, Africa is a big place. It would make a wonderful trip, and going on a Botswana Holiday would allow you to see a large area of Southern Africa.

Since the Kalahari Desert occupies about 70 percent of Botswana taking a Botswana Holiday would let you see a most amazing place on earth.

Botswana has within its boundaries the Okavango Delta which is the world’s largest inland delta. Within the boundaries it has the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve which have the world’s largest concentration of game plus the largest population of elephants in the world. Chobe National Park is the first national park in Africa. Within the Chobe National Park is the Serondela or the Chobe Riverfront is one of Botswana’s major water spots where buffalo, elephants and giraffes among other wild animals come to.

Botswana comprises wildlife habitat, grasslands and savannas. A savanna is a grassland ecosystem without a closed canopy of trees or other vegetation. Within Botswana is the Linyanti Marsh with lagoons and flood plains. You can see lions, leopards and antelopes to name a few of the animals to look for.

Throughout Africa both East Africa and Southern Africa there are many safari camps where you can stay at. These are scattered all over the country. Some of them are privately owned; some of them are on government owned or leased lands.

If you are a photographer or simply a nature lover, Southern Africa has a lot to offer. It is a safe tourist destination with a lot of holiday destination choices. If you are looking for vegetation or birds then you may consider travelling to Botswana during November to April which is the rainy season and has the greatest population of birds and vegetation that can be seen. If you are looking for wild animals then you might consider visiting Botswana from May to October which is the dry season. This is when the vegetation is drying out and wild game is concentrated along the flooded areas.

One way of travel within the Chobe National Park is on the Chobe River and travelling on a river boat excursion which travel on the main waterways or a cruise on the Okavango Delta. If you want to explore the smaller waterways you would most likely take a tour in a dug out canoe or mokoro.

A visit to Nxai Pan in Botswana is the only place in Botswana where you could view both the impala and the springbok. It is an area of diverse landscape and great beauty. You would return home with visual pictures that you will never forget plus any photos you also take.


Established back in the 1960s, Penduka Safaris is the oldest mobile safari company in Southern Africa and after 50 years in business the company remains a leader in the mobile safari sector. Penduka is run by a family involved in wildlife since the 19th century. Today Penduka it is still run by the original owners. For details visit http://www.pendukasafaris.com

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by Rob Atherton

Luxor is set in Upper Egypt at the banks of the Nile and is the departure point for most Nile cruise ships. Tourists get there by direct flights coming from Britain or alternatively via Cairo. If you prefer, you can use daily trains which go overnight from Cairo 400 miles to the north and onwards to Aswan.

Despite the fact that this is a leaving place for cruise ships, holidaymakers who decide to stay at one of the places to stay in Luxor will have loads to observe thanks to the range of historical destinations in the area. The Nile runs through the centre of Luxor and the respective sides of the river are often called the East Bank and West Bank.

The East Bank is the place where almost all of the hotels are located and the primary focal points from the cultural point of view include the Temples of Karnak and Luxor which are to the north and south of the city, in the region of two miles away from each other. Likewise, found on the East Bank are the Luxor Museum and Museum of Mummification. The Temple of Luxor is likewise well worth seeing at nighttime with its atmospheric lighting and fewer travellers and tourists, it boasts a completely different experience.

The West Bank is regarded as being the entry to the Valley of the Kings that may be most renowned for being the spot that the Tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Another significant site is the Valley of the Queens which has the Tomb of Nefertari amidst its secrets.

In addition there are enough other locations of appeal but a highly encouraged activity is an early hot-air balloon trip over the ruins of the West Bank providing holidaymakers and visitors a different point of view on the superb historic riches on offer when they go to Luxor. If you adore ancient Egypt, Luxor is the location to visit.

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The popular city of Luxor is the perfect location for anyone interested in the history of Ancient Egypt.

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by Rob Atherton

Cairo is a very appealing place not just as the Nile is located here, it's also extremely popular for its shops. Nonetheless, there are some other reasons why visitors pick Cairo to go on holiday. The city is most well-known for having the oldest preserved empire structures including the Three Pyramids or the Sphinx. Its famous due to its historic attributes and especially the Pyramids. There are a huge number of visitors that pay a visit Cairo every week.

In order to relax there are lots of places to eat and they typically provide evening entertainment, its quite wonderful seeing people dance their own cultural movements.

In order to take it easy there are lots of restaurants and they typically provide evening entertainment, its rather fun watching people dance their traditional movements. There are a vast array of shops, hotels and even spa treatments which means if you are among the people who would like to treat themselves then there are no shortage of options.

Plenty of people enjoy the sunshine which means as soon as they arrive in Egypt they can't wait to use swimming pools. A number of hotels in Cairo now have salt water in their pools as opposed to chlorine and quite a few holidaymakers believe that's a fantastic idea.

Egypt is a Muslim country and beginning at 6 o'clock every morning people start to pray for the first of five times every day. There is a Mohamed Ali Mosque that is the symbol of Cairo. It's called that because there was a man known as Mohamed Ali (1769 - 1849) who was born in Cavalia, Greece and was of Albanian origin. He had been a soldier in the army that had been sent to Egypt to liberate them from Napoleon's occupation. Hence in the end he helped to free the nation and today people pray for him.

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Cairo is home to approximately 20 million people as well as some of the most stunning treasures of ancient Egypt.

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by Rob Atherton

KZN is a highly populated region of South Africa. It's actually a particularly desirable sub-tropical region with fantastic panorama and popular points of interest including the terrific shores of Durban, the UKlahlamba mountain range and the important battlefields from the wars involving the British, Boers and Zulus.

The populace of KwaZulu Natal is without a doubt the most diverse in South Africa. The indigenous Zulu culture of the region is talked about for their significant warrior custom. Even now, in the phonetic alphabet, "Zulu" represents the letter "Z".

Truth be told there is a clear British influence in the province and quite a few of the people who live here have a British heritage. Aside from that, in Durban you'll also find without doubt one of the largest sized communities of Indians outside of the sub-continent. Durban is also South Africa's third biggest urban centre and is the busiest port in the African continent. The excellent climate makes Durban a preferred choice throughout the year and following the accomplishment of the FIFA World Cup, Durban will almost certainly bid to host the 2020 Olympic games.

For the people travelling to KZN, Durban is a 'must' with so much to offer the visitor such as markets, culture, seashores and the recently opened uShaka Marineworld. It is also a great base from where it is possible to check out the region. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is the finest place to go on safari while the Drakensberg mountain range offer you peacefulness and tranquillity in incredible surroundings.

Visitors will find Zulu lifestyle in evidence all over the province, and there are a lot of options to take in traditional Zulu villages. There are about four hundred miles of shoreline in KwaZulu Natal with the area in the north of the province being particularly unspoilt. The St Lucia Wetlands are a World Heritage Site with perfect lakes, estuaries, lagoons, forest dunes and coral reefs.

The battlefields of KwaZulu Natal are well recognised with most probably the best known location being Rorkes Drift where around 140 British soldiers fought off a prolonged attack by 4,000 Zulu warriors.

Finally, the Midlands Meander is a route for travellers to drive along stopping off at plenty of craft outlets, studios, art galleries and a great deal more established in the heart of the outstanding UKlahlamba mountain range.

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KwaZulu Natal is South Africa's playground with brilliant climate and something for every visitor.

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by Ken Morris


Shopping is a fun and favorite pastime for many. It is no longer something only women enjoy. Today men and children get find it as much fun as women. When you think of shopping, certain places such as London or New York come to mind. Once you vacation in Madrid, you will find that shopping in Madrid Spain offers it all. Everyone loves to buy souvenirs or little gifts to bring back home. We enjoyed our recent trip there (http://www.Alicante-Spain.com/Spain-tips/paella.html) from Paella. You'll have no problem finding something for everyone in any one of their great stores or shops.

Everyone has their own ideas of what they're looking for and Madrid keeps this in mind with their wide array of shopping facilities, whether it's small antique stores, gift boutiques that specialize in genders or simple little flea markets on the street. Lavapies offers the young people (or the baby boomers from the 60s) a taste of hippie life. While they're browsing there, you can tour Madrid's elite shopping street, Gran Via.

Vacations are for relaxing and with their available nighttime shopping, there's no need to hurry out in the morning to avoid stores closing too early for you. Plaza mayor has many stalls with salespeople are eager to make barters with you. Be aware-what starts out as a deal may end up with you getting caught up in the sale and paying more than you expected. Many of these are almost like auctions. If flea markets are your big thing, you won't want to miss El Rastro, which is one of Madrid's large outdoor flea market. You can find almost anything you like from junk, old clothes to fine antiques.

If you choose to go shopping during the week, you'll avoid a lot of the crowd, but won't have as much shopping available. The weekends are when the natives and tourists come to set up their shops. Sunday also offers a great coin and stamp fair for the avid collectors. Shopping is the best part of tourism, so it's worth it fight the crowd.

If you are interested in sightseeing, you will love the statue of Eloy Gonzalo, which is located in the middle of Cascorro Square. This statue is also your way of knowing you've reached the Metro stop at La Latina. Be sure to bring your camera along. You'll find yourself nestled right between the Plaza de Cascorro and Ronda de Toledo.

Regardless of what type of shopping you are accustomed to, Madrid has it all. You'll never have enough time for the Alcal, a shopping center that has many stores offering apparel, shoe and miscellaneous items for everyone. If you want to stay with the upscale and designer clothes, Calle Serrano is the place to be. Men will love the shopping at Calle Princessa. You can take the Metro to any of the fine shops and centers.

Don't forget to check out Mercado de San Miguel, which offers many small shops offering fresh fruit, vegetables and many more items. Shopping will build your appetite. You will be glad you decided to make Madrid your travel destination for shopping when you check out Calle Preciados, a shopping area that's only for pedestrians. One of Madrid's finest stores and part of a chain, El Cortes Ingles will have almost anything you could want.

Concentrating on news and information about paella recipe, Ken Morris writes for the most part for http://www.Alicante-Spain.com. You can learn about his work on (http://www.Alicante-Spain.com/Spain-tips/paella.html) paella over at http://www.Alicante-Spain.com .

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by Art Mccarty

Disney Area Lodging Specials
The Orlando area communities of Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee and Davenport all leave you very close to the Walt Disney World community, as well as offer you diversity in lodging deals for your vacation. Many times, through the use of booking your lodging in advance using the world wide web, you can find great lodging deals and hotel rates. Some hotels in the Lake Buena Vista area offering specials include Courtyard Lake Buena Vista, Best Western L.B.V. Resort and Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista.
Courtyard by Marriott conveniently has over 308 guest rooms. Each guest room includes a large desk and wireless, high speed Internet access. The hotel, also, offers free transportation to all four Walt Disney World theme parks. Pricing ranges from $59.00 to $148.80 depending on the season. This is a perfect set up for a business traveler to the Lake Buena Vista area.
Best Western L.B.V. Resort, while being conveniently located right in the heart of the Disney action, offers a picturesque view of Florida’s lush, green, tropical landscaping and beautiful lakes. This Best Western location recently underwent a $4 million dollar renovation and your guest room is superbly decorated to satisfaction. Not only does the hotel offer lodging deals, but you will have access to discount green fees at breathtaking Disney World golf courses! Room rates start around $63.00 per night based on season and availability.
The Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista is ideal for families vacationing to Central Florida. The hotels has 640 guest rooms, including family fun suites, a video arcade, children’s playground and welcomes pets. The Comfort Inn, also, offers free shuttles to all four Disney theme parks. Semi-Suites feature two double beds, microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker. Family Fun Suites feature a queen bed with three junior bunk beds, microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker. Rates begin around $59.95 per night. Call for pet policy!
You can find these lodging deals and many other discount lodging specials in the Lake Buena Vista area by searching the Internet via expedia.com, travelocity.com, hotelkingdom.com and kayak.com. Also, by using the Internet to book your vacation to Central Florida’s Lake Buena Vista area, you can receive lodging deals that change, according to season. Check periodically for updated lodging specials.
Attractions and Activities Near Disney Area Lodging Specials You will never run out of things to do when taking advantage of great lodging deals in the Walt Disney World area. Aside from numerous theme parks to visit, the Disney area offers a wide variety of cuisine, shopping and nightlife. Visit Downtown Disney for shopping, dining or entertainment. Downtown Disney offers the highly acclaimed Cirque De Soleil show.
Kissimmee Lodging Specials Kissimmee is a haven for visitors to Central Florida by providing a variety of lodging deals, restaurants, activities and shopping. Choosing a lodging special in Kissimmee leaves you close to any attraction you choose to visit, whether it be the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, Wet N’ Wild Water Park or fun packed dinner shows. Kissimmee is home to three dinner shows, Arabian Nights, Capone’s Dinner & Show or the famous, Medieval Times. Kissimmee is ideal for a vacationing family because you will never run out of things to do. The possibilities are endless and you will want to stay forever. Lodging Deals are endless, also, and include motels, hotels, resorts, suites, condos, villas, cabins, cottages, bed & breakfast inns and campgrounds.
Check online at www.floridakiss.com for information on Kissimmee and the lodging specials it offers. You will find luxury resorts, as well as names you know and trust, such as Best Western at Osceola Heritage Park and Howard Johnson Enchanted Resort.
The Best Western at Osceola Heritage Park is conveniently located on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, which is home to an unimaginable amount of shopping and activity. The hotel has 146 large guest rooms featuring 25” remote control televisions, data port phones and alarm clocks. The hotel, also, offers large executive rooms that include a large desk space, king bed and an extra, sofa bed. The hotel caters to a business traveler and offers over 6,000’ of space for your next seminar or business meeting. Reserve your room using the world wide web and you will find frequent lodging deals.
The Howard Johnson Enchanted Resort is located just three miles from the Walt Disney World resort and provides free shuttle service for you and your family to Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World. This resort, also, provides a name everyone can depend on. All guest rooms at the Howard Johnson Enchanted Resort include free cable television, including free HBO, safes, voice mail and coffeemakers. Also offered are accommodating are “Home Office” King Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Kid Suites, which come standard with a microwave and mini refrigerator. Rooms start around $56 per night, but check the Internet for frequent lodging deals and discounts.
Attractions and Activities Near Kissimmee Lodging Specials Now that you have chosen your choice of lodging special, you can begin planning your activities for your stay. Of course, you will be near all the Orlando area theme parks, including Disney parks, Universal Studios and Sea World, but Kissimmee, itself, offers endless opportunities for fun and lodging deals.
Kissimmee offers dinner shows with nightly entertainment, including Capone’s Dinner & Show, Arabian Nights and Medieval Times. Capone’s Dinner & Show takes you back to a time of gangsters and flapper girls, while serving up a buffet style Italian feast. There is plenty of crowd interaction for a pleasing dining experience. Arabian Nights brings horses from around the world into an equestrian arena and brings to life a fairytale story featuring Kings and Queens. You will be served your dinner in the arena and interact with the show. Reservations can be made in advance online and Arabian Nights offers special group rates and discounts. Medieval Times is similar, in that it brings horses into an arena environment to showcase their talent for you, while you eat a delicious dinner. You will watch knights battle for the honor of their Kingdom and to win the heart of a certain maiden. Book your tickets online in advance for special rates.
Kissimmee, also, offers many shopping opportunities, such as Belz Factory Outlet World, The Factory Stores at Lake Buena Vista, Orlando Premium Outlets and the Mall at Millenia. Rest assured that your choice of lodging deals will leave you near all the shopping your heart could desire.

Davenport Lodging Deals Tucked away in a quiet area of Central Florida is Davenport, but don’t let that fool you. You will feel relaxed in a place far from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, but the exciting theme parks, shopping, dining and entertainment are just around the corner. Davenport offers laid back relaxation in an array of lodging specials, including Island Club West and Hampton Inn Maingate South.
Island Hideaway is a villa-style resort and spa offering a range of rooms up to a four bedroom suite. Two bedroom suites and larger offer guests living room and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, spacious bedrooms, washer and dryer combos and Jacuzzi tubs. Island Hideaway offers 24 hour maintenance and security to accommodate your needs and concerns. The amenities include a bar and grill, billiard room, tennis courts, basketball court, fitness center, video game room and volleyball court. If you and your guests choose to spend a day unwinding, Island Hideaway is the perfect place to do that. The kids will never get bored! Check www.islandhideaway.net for frequent lodging deals.
Hampton Inn Maingate South offers 83 guest rooms with a tropical theme. This hotel is conveniently located in Davenport, offering a relaxing visit to Central Florida, but just around the corner you will find Walt Disney World theme parks, shopping and nightlife. Rates for this hotel start around $59.99. Check the Internet for frequent lodging deals and availability.
Attractions Near Davenport Area Lodging Deals
Not only is Davenport, FL a quiet alternative that is only five miles from the Walt Disney World Resort, sixteen miles from Sea World and eighteen miles from Universal theme parks, but the area offers much more! Visit the beautiful botanical gardens at Bok Tower in Lake Wales, walk through the lush, tropical setting and famous ski show at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven and treat yourself to a relaxing day of golf at Deer Creek Golf Club or Southern Dunes Golf Club. Visit www.city-data.com/city/Davenport-Florida.html for more information on Davenport lodging specials and Davenport activities.
Finding Lodging Deals
The ability to find great lodging deals is right at the tip of your fingertips. Using the Internet to book your trip in advance is a very smart idea. You will find that many hotels offer discounts for booking in advance. Also, you can view upcoming deals, perhaps based on the season, that hotels will be offering. No matter what time of year you choose to visit Central Florida, the fun never stops. Central Florida is alive with entertainment year round. Visit www.flausa.com for Central Florida lodging deals. http://www.islandhideaway.net
Lodging Specials near Disney Expert


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by Walter Johnson

Shanghai China's Xiang Yang market is one of the favorite tourist shopping stops in Shanghai. The Xiang Yang market offers both tourists and locals the opportunity to shop for many types of famous brand knock-off products at bargain prices. It helps to understand the customs and practices of shopping at Shanghai Xiang Yang and most of the rest of China before embarking on this adventure.
Shanghai's Xiang Yang market is located in the central shopping district of Shanghai making it easy to find. It is on HuaHai Central Road, one of two main shopping streets in Shanghai, near the intersection with ShanXi South Road. The Xiang Yang market can be easily reached by taxi, or from the Shanghai subway line 1, getting off at the Shan Xi Nan Lu stop. Walk west on HuaHai Road about 1/2 block and follow the crowd into the market.
Upon entering the market, visitors will be approached by hawkers offering watches, DVDs, purses, etc. Pass them by and continue into the main part of the Xiang Yang market where there are hundreds of small booths offering products of all varieties. Included are shirts, ties, watches, sunglasses, golf clubs, jackets, coats, backpacks, ladies handbags and a wide assortment of other items.
If asked, the clothing vendors will usually tell you that the products are genuine and overruns from the China factories. In most instances this is not true and the products are copies of the real thing. If you don't care and realize what you are buying, there are good bargains to be found.
Price haggling is the norm and is expected in Xiang Yang market as in most places in China. Initial price offerings to foreigners will be 3-4 times the local price, but many still consider it a good deal and pay anyway. The best advice is to offer no more than 15-20 percent of the first offered price and gradually negotiate up to no more than 30-35 percent, depending on how badly you want it. At that point, start to walk away and your offer will likely be accepted.
In Chinese price bargaining, if you offer a price and it is acccepted, it is considered extremely poor form to then change your mind and either decline the purchase, or start bargaining again. A deal is a deal.
The Shanghai Xiang Yang market is very crowded and the only danger is that of occasional pickpockets. Secure your valuables as you would in any other crowded urban surrounding.
Xiang Yang market shopping is one of the "must dos" for visitors to Shanghai and is a good way to spend a half day before returning home.
For more information regarding China culture and etiquette, please visit www.doingbusinesschina.com
This article is written by Walter Johnson, an Associate of PATWORKS, LLC., China consultants for sourcing, manufacturing, project management and China business practices. For further information about PATWORKS service, please visit http://www.patw-china-consultant.com/


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by Alyssa Betts

Great Australian Road Trips
Sydneysiders may fight to the death arguing they live in the best place in Australia, but, when holiday time rolls around, it pays to watch where they go to relax and unwind. Not two hours north of Sydney rests the divine Hunter Region. It's best known as Australia's vineyard, but there's loads more you can fool about in – old colonial towns, national parks, burning mountains, horse festivals, and more water sports than your travel insurance is prepared to cover.
If you don’t have a car of your own, do a Google search for “cheap car hire deals Australia” or visit websites, like www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au, which pool together the deals of all the most popular car rental companies.
So, from Sydney, head up inland to Wollombi, by taking the freeway and turning off at Calga. Wollombi is a great little place for a brief stopover. It has a distinctly “rustic look” (a very tired tourism platitude which very much applies to this little place), and is armed with a national park of the same name and some nearby wineries.
Back in the car, drive up Wollombi road until you hit Cessnock, which is about 30 kilometres away. This is probably the best place to set up camp and plan your attack on the area’s profusion of vineyards, most of which are around nearby Pokolbin.
To help you choose which wineries you'd like to visit, check out http://www.winecountry.com.au/ or visit Cessnock's Wine Country Tourism office for maps and brochures. But among the wineries in the area you might want to think about include: Tyrrell’s Vineyard, which is plonked right in the middle of romantic scenery in the Brokenback Ranges; Pepper Tree Winery, which is a boutique wine operation just off Broke road in Pokolbin; and of course, you shouldn’t really go past Lindemans – it's one of the biggest names in wine in Australia. Head to McDonalds road, they’re open daily for wine tastings.
After you’ve sobered up, get back into your car and make the short drive north from Cessnock to Maitland, which is a pretty town full of old colonial architecture and historical ambiance. You don’t need a long time here though, so get back on the road and head up to Scone on the New England Highway.
Here, once again, you’ll be bombarded with all the rustic farmland scenery of before, more wineries yes, but this here is horse country – the business of breeding thoroughbreds is serious ‘round here. The day they build a golden horse idol to worship isn’t far away. They’ve already got the horse festival in May and a six-week Hunter Horse expo in September. The Barrington Tops National Park is nearby. And while you’re gallivanting about, why not visit the biblical-sounding Burning Mountain – which actually is burning, and has been for about a thousand years, ever since an underground coal seam caught fire.
Turning your car around, head back down the New England Highway, this time passing Maitland until you get to Newcastle. You’re now on the doorstep of Lake Macquarie – Australia's largest salt-water lake. It’s here you’ll encounter a clear-water paradise with water sports aplenty. Wend your merry way around the shores, driving through tiny villages and holiday towns like Belmont, Swansea and Toronto. Explore the Watagan Mountains, which flank the western side of the lake, for a sniff of fresh air and a good view.
All that’s really left is to take your time heading back onto the freeway towards Sydney, refreshed and ready to take on all the congested traffic conditions the city can throw at you.
Alyssa Betts has travelled extensively through the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. She works for http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au (car hire Australia). If you don't have a car for your Great Australian Roadtrip, Vroom can help you find a brilliant car hire Sydney deal.


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by Mansi Aggarwal

Prague is a well- known old city of Europe that is a host to many tourists all round the year. The aura of the place speaks for itself. Prague is the capital of Czech Republic whose traditional and archaic European ambience is too appealing than ever imagined. Czech is deemed to be the heart of Europe and ahs a population of more than ten million people out of which 1.3 million are nestled peacefully in the city of Prague.
The Sites Worth Gazing
The Charles Bridge at Prague is a host to many visitors all round the year. This bridge was completed and made public in 1400. It displays grotesque architecture and river views that keep the visitors engaged especially during the summer season. There is also the eminent Wenceslas Square hat is deemed to be the heart of Prague and that grounds some of the most wonderful restaurants, shops and pubs in Prague. The Old Town center is also a place worth visiting in Prague. The center has on parade some of the marvelous historical sites like the Old town Hall and the Astronomical clock where the visitors get to see the land from the 60 meter elevated tower.
Getting around in Prague is quite simple and convenient. Besides the natural beauty that the place is blessed with, the human technology does not score less. There are trams, metros and buses to explore the charismatic place.
Prague is the land of wonderful museums. There is the National Technical Museum, which puts to display old cars, bikes, planes, trains, cameras, watches and so forth. The best part is the museum itself that is a historical building of 1930’s. The Mozart Museum is worth appreciating. The music lovers can have a gala time here for the place offers historical music scores, letters and musical instruments that are exclusive and great to enjoy. Specifically for the artists is meant the Museum of Decorative Arts that presents Czech porcelain, crystal and wood -carvings. Not to overlook is the Wax Museum that has proved its worth across the globe. Apart from these there are many good museums and art galleries that are evenly spread across the city.
Pargue also has some of the magnificent castles like the Karlstejn Castle that was redesigned in 19th century and which is one of the most photogenic castles known so far. Close to the castle place, are sold exotic Bohemia crystals that the tourists often love to take back home. The Konopiste Castle is known for its French style architecture from 13th century. It is located about 44 kilometers southeast of Prague and is thrown open for visitors from May to August. The Krivolat is a 13th century castle that boasts a prison, torture chambers and one of the biggest non-church Gothic Halls in the Czech Republic. Prague is an ideal place for all the music devotees for they can relish the classical concerts at the Sate Opera and at the Rudolfinum or the Municipal House. The Prague Autumn Festival is a big music event that offers lots of classical concerts and music. The Prague Spring festival is famous all over Europe. It is a liked cultural event that goes on from 12th May to 3rd of June every year.
The nightlife of Prague is thrilling and active with music in the air and loads of pubs, discos and bars cuddled in the city. Besides these there are many other attractions that make Prague a perfect holiday destination.
Mansi aggarwal writes about prague travel topics. Learn more at http://www.praguevacationhelp.com.


Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article28208.html

by David Hallstrom

Glendale, California is a bedroom comunity of approximetly 200,000 residents, situated between the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. In and of itself it is not a popular tourist destination. There are no amusement parks, beaches, camping areas or famous museums in the city. There are only a couple of hotels, the best one is a Hilton, but there are several high end motels and all of the hotels and motels are very reasonably priced. There are several hundred restaurants, and although there are no high priced restaurants there are dining establishments like Damons on Brand Boulevard that serves aged prime cuts of beef and provide excellant service (They just do not charge an arm and a leg for the meal.) and restaurants like Tony Romas, the Olive Garden and the Panda Inn, as well as numerous high end coffee shops (Try Conrads, they have a brightly lit coffee shop area, a nice outdoor patio and a dimly lit lounge area that will remind you of a good steak house. You can get a filet mingon dinner for under $20.00 that's as good as the dinners served in most high end steak houses. Additionally, their fried chicken is as good as you can find almost anywhere and their service is excellant.) and ethnic cuisine of almost every type.

The best thing about Glendale is it's location. It's less than a ten (10) minute drive on Los Feliz Blvd. to Hollywood and on the way there is the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory And Planetarium. Take a ten (10) minute drive east on the 134 freeway or on Colorado Blvd. and you will find yourself in Old Town Pasadena after having driven past the Rose Bowl and the Norton Simon Museum. Ten minutes to the south you will find yourself in downtown Los Angeles after having gone past Dodger Stadium. Go west on the 134 freeway and you have the entire San Fernando Valley (Universal Studios is also less than ten (10) minutes from Glendale.). Additionaly there is an Amtrak train station in Glendale. Parking is only a few yards from where you board the train, the station is never crowded and you can travel down the coast to the Mexican border or up the coast past San Francisco.

Of course you could just stay in Pasadena, Hollywood, Universal City or downtown Los Angeles but, you will find Glendale to be much less expensive and quieter with less traffic and fewer parking problems.

By the way, if you are into shopping, this city is the home of the Glendale Galleria, one of the largest and best shopping malls in southern California.

For more information about the city of Glendale, California see http://glendale.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Glendale, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several Internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.


Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article34613.html

By Rahul Viz

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, and is its largest city.
The city is located on the Manzanares river and is in the center
of the country. Because of this location, Madrid is considered
to be the chief political and financial area of the country.

Madrid has a population of just over 3 million people. It was at
one time the capital of the Spanish Empire and is full of many
prominent museums. Though the site of Madrid has been settled
for many thousands of years, it was officially founded around
the 9th century, when a palace was ordered to be built there by
Mehmed I.

Many people who visit Madrid become attracted to the many charms
of the city. The city has a Mediterranean climate, and the best
time to visit is during the spring. During this time the weather
is excellent and the city isn't full of tourists.

Madrid is city which has plenty things for you to do. It is well
known for the many museums it has, and those who enjoy art and
history will want to visit the Museo del Prado. You will also be
impressed by the many boulevards and plazas. If you want to see
the remains of an 18th century hospital which has been turned
into a museum, you will want to visit the Centro de Arte Reina
Sofía.

Soccer, known as Football in Spain, is extremely popular and
travelers who enjoy playing sports will want to play or watch
professionals compete. Madrid has one of the world's best Soccer
teams. If you enjoy playing less active sports such as golf,
there are many parks available but Golf Park is open for
everyone.

If you enjoy swimming, the city has many outdoor pools available
in the summer and indoor pools available during the winter
months. When it comes to the nightlife in Madrid, you can party
all night if you so wish at the many dance clubs available.
Madrid is becoming well known all over the world for its party
culture.

When it comes to food, Madrid has a strong Spanish cuisine due
to its many immigrants from Spanish countries. It also offers
French, Indian, and North African cuisines. You will also find
delicious seafood and great desserts.

Madrid, like most of Spain, is one of the most affordable areas
of Europe. This is great news for backpackers and budget
travelers. It is possible for the most frugal travelers to spend
as low as 20 euros a day by staying at the cheapest places and
making their own food.

About the Author: Rahul viz recommends that you visit
http://www.bookings.de/city/de/frankfurt-am-main.html?aid=305255
for more information on Madrid Hotels.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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By J Herrera

So you are planning to visit Las Vegas but… do you know where to
start looking? Do you know where are the places you want to see?
And, most important of all… do you know where are you going to
stay? Obviously you can not go anywhere if you do not know any
of these things, right? Maybe it has happened to you that you
have been to Las Vegas or any other place but you did not have a
good experience as you expected, maybe the hotel where you
stayed was not very comfortable, or it did not have the kind of
service you deserve, or you did not find exactly what you were
looking for. It is likely because you did not have enough
information about hotels and you had to stay in the first one
you found. Maybe the right hotel was closer than you knew but
you did not even suspected it!

Well, do not let that happen again, now you will know all these
things you need to know for sure, Las Vegas hotel maps gives you
not just the exact location of the finest hotels, but also all
the information about them such as how many rooms they have and
when is the best time to go knowing that you will find great
rooms available so you can rest comfortably; also what kind of
service you can get in each of them, which attractions and
activities you may find there assuring you will have the best
time of your life and can really enjoy your time there, in few
words all you need to know so you can choose the one you prefer
and the one that has all you want, without any regrets at all.

But… knowing the exact location of a hotel or any other place
may not be enough if you do not know which way to go so you can
get there, don’t you think? There may be several ways to go to
some place but there is always a shorter and easier way you can
take. Las Vegas hotel maps also shows you the best ways to get
wherever you want to go without getting lost, you will not have
to worry anymore about where to go or how to get there, as long
as you use Las Vegas hotel maps.

Of course, one of the most important things to decide which
hotel is the best for you is usually how much it costs. Las
Vegas hotel maps provides you the prices you will find in each
hotel as well as how to pay them, whether it be in cash or with
credit cards no matter what credit card you may have. Las Vegas
hotel maps will allow you to choose the hotel which meets your
budget, but do not worry so much about this, all of them will be
within your reach, so this time money will be a secondary thing
and you will be able to concentrate in where you will have most
fun and relax.

Now that you have already covered all you need to know for your
next visit to Las Vegas, what are you waiting for? Come and see
incredible places, have fun and rest without having to worry for
anything except you have enough time during each day in Las
Vegas to see, do and enjoy it all.

About the Author: J Herrera is a freelance writer for travel
topics.
http://www.las-vegas-luxor-hotel.com/directory/9/las-vegas-maps.html

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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By John Mckenna

When it comes to hotels within China, you just have to be a
little careful.

• Hotel Travel Guide China - International Brand hotels, 4 and 5
Star

Mostly these types of 4 and 5 star hotels will be ok, generally
they will be run by a western boss and have western heads of all
the departments.

Training, etc, of the staff, consistency of the level service
from an international brand hotel is important, so most will
have enough English speakers around to make your stay welcome
and hassle free.

The breakfast will be catered for both Chinese and Western
appetites, with the hotel occupancy rate around 50 – 50 Chinese
to Westerner.

• Hotel Travel Guide China – Chinese hotels, 4 and 5 stars
within the Major Cities

Within the major cities, most will be as the International
brands and the level of service just as good.

Within the restaurants and shops, the English should be at a
level that you would get most things without too much bother.

If the clientele is Westerner and Chinese, the breakfast will be
all the usual food that you will recognize.

• Hotel Travel Guide China – Chinese hotels, 4 and 5 star, Rural
location

I lot of Chinese travel, for these hotels this is their major
business, not westerners, the westerners are classed as an
extra, which has come along over the last few years.

Some have not learnt to deal with this extra business yet.

These more out of the way Chinese 4 and 5 Star hotels are a
little different; comparatively the fixtures and fitting will be
the same standard as any 4 or 5 Star hotel, however sometimes
the same care and attention in the maintenance and service to
the customer will be different to what you will be used too.

Not necessarily worst or bad, just different.

Western and Chinese expectations in all areas of the China
travel business are different, this is the why I set up
Travel-the-Real-China .com.

The level of English generally will not be as good, so just take
your time, they will find someone, or you will work, just keep
your cool.

I have stayed at some great Chinese 4 and 5 star hotels, and
been very happy, so do not be put off.

All I have visited have been clean tidy and for an overall
statement: a pleasant stay was had by all.

The breakfast will be a Chinese breakfast and if it is a regular
stop for Western travelers, some western food will be served.

If it is an out of the way place, you may not get the type of
breakfast you expect, the Chinese eat different things for
breakfast, so to get a simple cup of tea or coffee and some
toast just will not happen.

There will be hot water, if you have to have your tea or coffee,
bring your own.

The breakfast will have lots of food, just not, what you will be
expecting.

• Hotel Travel Guide China – Chinese hotels, 3 star

These 3 star Chinese hotels usually gets very high traffic and
occupancy… mostly Chinese, and now the westerners, especially
with the major cities

For these hotels, maintenance is not high on there lists, so you
may find a few things that will not work or have fallen of the
wall.

If it is dangerous, most of the time, something will be done,
otherwise no one will care.

Within the major cities most will be clean and tidy and offer
some sort of western food for breakfast. Out in the remoter
areas… not really.

The breakfast will have lots of food, just not, what you will be
expecting.

Take some tea and coffee if you really need this there will
always be hot water.

The level of English within the major cities will be, just
enough for you to check in, and out in the remoter areas,
checking in can take come time.

There is a high number of these hotels and it can be a great way
to see the country, in Tibet the 3 star hotels are a little
pricy, however within China most are good value and will be
clean with showers in all the rooms.

You just need to be a where; its good value, clean and some
small things maybe a little frustrating with it, however that’s
China.

Go with the flow, its part of the adventure of China.

• Hotel Travel Guide China – Shanghai hotels - Special rates and
location

I know of a few small and very good value inner city hotels
within Shanghai.

These are Chinese hotels and will not be on anyone’s list to
book, as they are new and classed as Chinese business hotels.

Please contact to author if you would like to know more details.

I hope this Hotel Travel Guide China gives you a good overview
if you would like more info please let me know.

John Mckenna
john@travel-the-real-china.com

About the Author: Hi I'm John Mckenna, I am from New Zealand and
have lived in Shanghai China now for 3 years. I own and operate
http://www.Travel-the-Real-China.com   my site provides
experienced based Travel and Tour information on the wonders of
Travel in China, the Real China, Ancient China, China at its
very best.

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By Erica Johnson

You are planning a holiday abroad for your family, and want
everyone to have a good time. You surf the internet for hotel
descriptions, but from the pictures that you see and what you
read, all hotels project a perfect image of themselves. How can
you tell which ones are better? You have never been there and
know no one at your destination. At the same time, you don’t
want a hotel room that will bust your budget. How do you choose?

Check Independent Hotel Ratings
Well, the first step you can take is to visit hotel search
engines for guest ratings for hotels represented by the search
engines. In addition to pre-negotiated rates with individual
hotels, most agents ask for ratings and comments from previous
guests. Reading their comments will give you a fair idea on what
to expect from the hotels located in your destination. Be sure
to read a few comments in order to get a fair overview. Certain
incidences described may only be rare occurrences that may
already have been corrected.

Hotel Chains and Facilities
Are they part of an international hotel chain? Most
international chains have stringent standards that are adhered
to as well as a standard theme across all chains. They may have
similar facilities (health clubs, spas, business centers, etc)
which are important to maintain the hotel’s high standards.
Other things you can look out for include concierge, shuttle
services to the city, airport transfers as well as good laundry
services.

Location
Perhaps one of the most critical things when selecting a hotel
is its location. Hotels that are near to shopping areas, train
stations or the city center charge higher rates as compared to
those located elsewhere. Analyze a map of the area before you
book to determine the nearest shopping areas or access to trains
which will give you much convenience in moving around. Also,
check with the hotel if they have any large tour groups coming
in at the same time. Hotels charge higher rates during high
occupancy periods and do not have the flexibility of late
check-outs. These are important aspects which, if overlooked,
may affect your tour schedule as well as your impression of the
hotel’s level of hospitality.

Rates and Discounts
Hotel rates are a huge factor when it comes to choosing a hotel.
However, paying more does not necessarily mean that you will
receive an equivalent level of service and standards. One of the
ways to maximize on prices would be check if they are part of an
alliance with flights or car rental companies, which offer
discounts to customers of their allies. Sometimes, credit card
companies offer their cardholders exclusive rates to special
hotels which can be pretty attractive. Additionally, if it’s
possible to use your frequent flyer points to redeem hotel
discounts, this could help reduce hotel costs as well.

Boutique Hotels
Finally, apart from chain hotels, boutique hotels may are great
alternatives for romantic getaways for couples or families
seeking hotels of a more distinctive theme. Many boutique hotels
have fewer rooms but offer more value added services such as
spas within the bedroom, breakfasts in bed or even in-room
massages. In the end, your choice of hotel really depends on
what you want out of your holiday.

You may visit Hotels Search EU PTY LTD to find the most trusted
hotels at top destinations across the world.

About the Author: Both Erica Johnson & her husband David love to
travel, ski and meet people from different cultures. They have
traveled all continents to experience hospitality, adventure,
sports, exotic foods, learn new languages and understand
history.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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