WestJet's top 10 holiday travel tips - CNW Group

WestJet's top 10 holiday travel tips - CNW Group
CALGARY, Dec. 12 /CNW/ - WestJet today issued its top 10 holiday travel tips to ensure its guests enjoy a smooth travel experience during the airline's busiest time of year

Municipal Matters - Abington Mariner
The Melrose City Yard will be closed on weekends for the months of December, January, February and March. During the week, the Yard will remain open Monday through Friday during

Air Transport Association Expects 43 Million Passengers to Travel Over - CNBC
WASHINGTON, Dec 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Planes Will Be Full with 9 Percent Fewer Available Seats The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry

North Korea-A Land Apart

North Korea-A Land Apart
Travelers looking to experience something totally different and to travel to a place where, most assuredly none of your friends have ever been, then North Korea is the place for you. An anachronism in so many ways, the country is one of only a handful of communist states left in the world, one that [...]

Travelers looking to experience something totally different and to travel to a place where, most assuredly none of your friends have ever been, then North Korea is the place for you. An anachronism in so many ways, the country is one of only a handful of communist states left in the world, one that continues to play by its own rules on the world stage, and one that is sadly backwards, yet oddly charming. For the savvy and intrepid traveler, this strange land can provide a wonder and mystery that can only be found in very few corners of the world. One thing should be noted, it’s impossible to write about North Korea without mentioning the government. The government permeates everything about the country, including tourism. Visitors to North Korea will always be members of a tour group, and will have at least one ‘guide’ with the group, whose function is to keep tabs on tourists as much as it is to provide information to them.

To say that the government is paranoid and controlling is putting it mildly. Many tourists will feel limited and stifled because of the rules and regulations put into place. Of course, there are many ways to bend the rules. The best way to get ahead in North Korea is to play along and be respectful. Showing respect to the guides, the people, and the government will reward itself in the guides feeling more comfortable with you and perhaps allowing you to go out alone some, or showing you some places that are not normally seen by tourists. On the other hand, showing disrespect and speaking ill towards the government and its leader, Kim Jong Il, can have severe penalties for tourists and guides as well. It is important to keep in mind that severe penalties in places like North Korea are totally different than what most Westerners think of. Prison sentences, heavy fines, and worse are common in North Korea for even the smallest misdemeanor. Even if you feel that stopping and bowing in front of a statue of Kim Jong Il is totally absurd, you should still show respect by remaining still and silent as others pay homage. North Korean tour guides are expected to ‘control’ the guests, so any disturbance or scene caused by a guest, will negatively affect your guide, and could easily get them into very hot water.

All that being said, the sights that await visitors in this country are like no others in the world. In Pyongyang, visitors will be shocked to find that even though many people can’t afford food and electricity at certain times of the year, the city has a functional and spotlessly clean metro, complete with beautiful artwork and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Visitors will be taken to Mansu Hill, where they can pay their respects to the “Great Leader”, Kim Sung Il, by bowing in front of a 20 meter tall statue of the leader. Another monument to the first Kim, is the Juche Tower. Rising over 170 meters, the tower was built using over 25,000 stones to commemorate the leader’s 70th birthday. One of the biggest pilgrimages in the country is to Mangyong Hill, birthplace of Kim Il-Sung. Thousands of Koreans visit the museum to witness the hard-scrabble conditions that the hero of heroes for North Korea had to endure in his childhood.

Kaesong was once home to a huge population, and was the seat of the Koryo Dynasty. Unfortunately, over the years, several wars decimated large parts of the city’s historical legacy, but a walk through the old quarter can provide a glimpse into the city’s past. Kaesong also has several museums and ancient ruins that have been preserved that are worth seeing.

North Korea is also home to some severe weather with the winters’ biting cold, and the summers’ monsoons. However, planning a trip during the spring or late summer/early fall, visitors will be impressed with the gorgeous skies, and alternately, blooming flowers or spectacular autumn colors.

Traveling to North Korea isn’t for the faint of heart, and is probably better suited for experienced travelers looking for something totally off the beaten path. Although visitors may feel like they are being treated poorly or that they are being ripped off for food or in hotels, rest assured that the overwhelming majority of North Koreans have it far worse. A trip to North Korea may not be for everyone, but for those daring enough to make the journey, the reward will be well worth it.

Source: www.destinationtravelguides.com

The London Underground

The London Underground
For travelers who have never been to, or aren’t familiar with London, the underground rapid transit system, much like the subway system in New York, can be a great help for getting around, quickly from place to place. With hundreds of stops, detailed schedules, service near airports, hotels, popular attractions, and virtually everywhere, The London [...]

For travelers who have never been to, or aren’t familiar with London, the underground rapid transit system, much like the subway system in New York, can be a great help for getting around, quickly from place to place. With hundreds of stops, detailed schedules, service near airports, hotels, popular attractions, and virtually everywhere, The London Underground is one of the most popular ways to traverse the city, for both locals and those there on vacation. Urban areas can be frustrating, and hard to reach if you’re not sure where you’re going, or don’t do so well with directions. However, reading over the schedules, many tourists will find that the rail runs pretty much everywhere, and at various times, which can help a frustrated situation as well.

The London Underground, despite being a very old rapid transit system, will never remain a stagnant railway. Throughout the years, quite a few different changes have been taking place in the Underground’s railways. The city of London has expanded over the years, which means that the city’s transit must as well, and several new projects for expansion are in the works for the Underground. Some examples of new projects are the new station for the Heathrow Airport, on the Picadilly line, another new station on Wood Lane for patrons at the Westfield London shopping center, as well as others. Some projects are more time consuming, like the re-extension of the Bakerloo line to Watford Junction; it used to end at Harrow and Wealdstone.

One of the newest ways for travelers to take advantage of the London Underground, is called The Oyster Card, which is basically a prepaid card for all public London transportation, whether it’s the tram, the Underground, or the bus system. This is probably the most convenient of travel fund methods for travelers; having to keep track of multiple tickets and payment methods and prices can be a hassle. The Oyster Card is also cheaper to pay for than so many separate tickets; there’s a lot of encouragement to use the Oyster Card so there are significant prices differences in the usual rates for the transportation were it to be all paid for with separate tickets instead. More and more frequently increasing as well, are the number of routes on which passengers can pay as they go.

Information for travelers is available in the many different Underground stations found throughout the city, as well as online. Some helpful trips for traveling are to keep your travel information and tickets readily available, in your wallet or purse, so that you can check on important information at the last minute. Also be sure to bring a map of the route, know where your stops are, and at least have a cursory knowledge of the area. If you’re traveling with a family, be sure to bring snacks if it’s going to be a longer trip, but keeping an eye on your small children is very important, public transportation is dangerous in many ways to small children, with strangers, and a fast-paced atmosphere. Keep a close eye on any baggage or belongings as well.

Source: www.destinationtravelguides.com

Teenagers 'rely on parents for holiday money'
While many may openly crave independence from the family home, it has been reported that a number of British teenagers will rely on their parents for money when their funds run out abroad. According...
Source: www.holidayinsuranceweb.com

Russia-Transcontinental Travels

Russia-Transcontinental Travels
The country of Russia is very large, and stretches out of a large portion of both Western Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is in fact, the largest country in the world, and covers twice as much area, as the second largest country, which is Canada. After December of 1991, Russia was no longer the Russian [...]

The country of Russia is very large, and stretches out of a large portion of both Western Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is in fact, the largest country in the world, and covers twice as much area, as the second largest country, which is Canada. After December of 1991, Russia was no longer the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, after it finally broke free of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, becoming instead, the Russian Federation, and to most of us, known simply as Russia. The Russian culture, having been around for many, many centuries, is rich in struggles, and history. Travelers coming to Russia to experience the vivid, and culturally colorful atmosphere, will not be disappointed with what they find in this incredible country.

Russia is also not just a frozen wasteland, the winters may be cruel, or even bleak in some regions of the country, but in others, there are still beautiful summer days, and green grass growing. Travelers interested in coming to Russia for a leisurely stay have many options; the summer for the warmth, traveling north for the cold, winter activities, or traveling in the off seasons to South Russia, for smaller crowds, and colder weather. There are many popular destination cities in Russia, but the three best known and most popularly traveled are Moscow, Russia’s capital city, St. Petersburg, known as The City of Tsars, and Pskov, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Moscow, being Russia’s capital city, covers a large area; there’s something for every vacation palate there. If tourists want to explore the city, go hiking, or lounge in a luxurious hotel, they can. St. Petersburg, contains several points of interest, such as the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Mikhail Castle, the Summer Garden, the St. Isaac and the Kazan cathedrals. And as for Pskov, as far as it being said to be old, it recently, in 2003 celebrated its eleven-hundred year anniversary. Although it’s a bustling city, full of new developments, and stylish, trendy places and people, travelers will still be able to feel how ancient the city around them is.

Soups and stews are very popular in Russia, because centuries ago, it was mainly a peasant meal, and hundreds of years later, traditions amongst the Russian people still thrive. Soups in Russia go from several different variations, in both hot and cold. Borscht, is a popular traditional Russian soup, that should definitely be sampled by visitors. Meats in Russia are served either as large boiled cuts, in soups or porridges, or cold, as a snack. Fish was an important part of Russian cuisine, when most were still Russian Orthodox, as it was similar to the Catholic religion, where families would eat fish on Fridays, instead of other meats. Most of the traditional drinks in Russia are no longer in use, but when they were, the drinks were original to their region, and not used anywhere else; such as sbiten’, kvas, medok, mors, curdle with raisins, and boiled cabbage juice. Sbiten was later replaced by tea, a similar drink.

Hotels and accommodation in Russia are varied; namely it depends on what cities you plan to visit; for example, in St. Petersburg, one very attractive alternative to hotels is actually staying in temporary apartments. They are much, much cheaper than a luxury hotel, and provide a more homey atmosphere, and welcoming environment, for those who prefer that to hotel accommodations

Source: www.destinationtravelguides.com

The London Underground

For travelers who have never been to, or aren’t familiar with London, the underground rapid transit system, much like the subway system in New York, can be a great help for getting around, quickly from place to place. With hundreds of stops, detailed schedules, service near airports, hotels, popular attractions, and virtually everywhere, The London [...]

For travelers who have never been to, or aren’t familiar with London, the underground rapid transit system, much like the subway system in New York, can be a great help for getting around, quickly from place to place. With hundreds of stops, detailed schedules, service near airports, hotels, popular attractions, and virtually everywhere, The London Underground is one of the most popular ways to traverse the city, for both locals and those there on vacation. Urban areas can be frustrating, and hard to reach if you’re not sure where you’re going, or don’t do so well with directions. However, reading over the schedules, many tourists will find that the rail runs pretty much everywhere, and at various times, which can help a frustrated situation as well.

The London Underground, despite being a very old rapid transit system, will never remain a stagnant railway. Throughout the years, quite a few different changes have been taking place in the Underground’s railways. The city of London has expanded over the years, which means that the city’s transit must as well, and several new projects for expansion are in the works for the Underground. Some examples of new projects are the new station for the Heathrow Airport, on the Picadilly line, another new station on Wood Lane for patrons at the Westfield London shopping center, as well as others. Some projects are more time consuming, like the re-extension of the Bakerloo line to Watford Junction; it used to end at Harrow and Wealdstone.

One of the newest ways for travelers to take advantage of the London Underground, is called The Oyster Card, which is basically a prepaid card for all public London transportation, whether it’s the tram, the Underground, or the bus system. This is probably the most convenient of travel fund methods for travelers; having to keep track of multiple tickets and payment methods and prices can be a hassle. The Oyster Card is also cheaper to pay for than so many separate tickets; there’s a lot of encouragement to use the Oyster Card so there are significant prices differences in the usual rates for the transportation were it to be all paid for with separate tickets instead. More and more frequently increasing as well, are the number of routes on which passengers can pay as they go.

Information for travelers is available in the many different Underground stations found throughout the city, as well as online. Some helpful trips for traveling are to keep your travel information and tickets readily available, in your wallet or purse, so that you can check on important information at the last minute. Also be sure to bring a map of the route, know where your stops are, and at least have a cursory knowledge of the area. If you’re traveling with a family, be sure to bring snacks if it’s going to be a longer trip, but keeping an eye on your small children is very important, public transportation is dangerous in many ways to small children, with strangers, and a fast-paced atmosphere. Keep a close eye on any baggage or belongings as well.

Read More...

Beijing (also known as Peking), which literally translates to “Northern capital,” is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Beijing will be the home of the Summer Olympics in 2008. As the name suggests, Beijing is located in the northern section of China. It is a fairly mountainous area with [...]

Beijing (also known as Peking), which literally translates to “Northern capital,” is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Beijing will be the home of the Summer Olympics in 2008. As the name suggests, Beijing is located in the northern section of China. It is a fairly mountainous area with rivers running through it. Monsoons affect the climate there. Summers in Beijing are hot and humid while its winters are very cold and dry with strong winds. Three quarters of the rainfall takes place in the summer months. Beijing also experiences frequent dust storms due to the erosion of the deserts. At times, rain is unnaturally induced by the Beijing Weather Modification Office to lessen the effects and aftereffects of said storms. The best time hands-down to visit Beijing is in the fall as that is when the weather is at its best, or as a second place option, during the spring. The weather is also favourable, but the dust storms can be impeding. If you can handle the harshness of China’s winters, the snow does wonders to brighten the beauty of the city. Try to avoid traveling there during peak vacation times for China as traffic becomes heavily congested.

Beijing’s modes of transportation of course include air travel and roads that accommodate both cars and buses. In addition, the city has a five-line subway system. Two of the lines are run on land and three run underground. Several more are under way. There are also railways, the two main train stations being the Beijing Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station. Taxi services are of course available, as well.

Beijing is home to countless incredibly beautiful attractions, some old and some new. The Great Wall of China needs no introduction and is of course a must-see while visiting the city. One particular section of The Great Wall at Mutianyu called JianKou is what you might call wildly beautiful. It is more unkempt than many other sections, set amongst the mountains with nature abounding. Another pin in the map that absolutely should not be surpassed is the Forbidden City Imperial Palace. Built in the 1400’s, this palace is breathtakingly beautiful from the gardens up to the rooftops. Also, check out the Jingshan Park-the highest point of Beijing city, to get a view of the Forbidden City from above. Some other incredible attractions include the world’s largest town square-Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China, the Ruins of The Old Summer Palace, and the Temples of Heaven, Earth, Sun, and Moon. These are only a tiny percentage of the amazing sights the city of Beijing has to offer.

The cuisine of the city has long relied greatly on mutton-be it boiled, fried, minced, or steamed. Pork is also what you might call a staple food item in Beijing. Some other favorites are fish and (of course) the Peking duck. One of the more widely used seasoning-type foods is the onion. Beijing has many fabulous restaurants to feed your appetite during your travels there. Some widely recommended examples include Fangshan, Quan Ju De, Alameda, Huang Ting, and Din Tai Fung. Beijing will be a vacation you will remember forever.

Read More...

South Africa-The Rainbow Nation

Ever since South Africa had its own democratic elections back in 1994, there has been more and more interest in seeing what all the fuss about. What visitors to South Africa will discover are lush forests, jungle atmospheres, friendly natives welcoming all different people, cultural tapestries of diverse ethnicity, wildlife preserves and national parks, safekeeping [...]

Ever since South Africa had its own democratic elections back in 1994, there has been more and more interest in seeing what all the fuss about. What visitors to South Africa will discover are lush forests, jungle atmospheres, friendly natives welcoming all different people, cultural tapestries of diverse ethnicity, wildlife preserves and national parks, safekeeping the treasured wildlife that is so precious to the nation itself. Many people do not actually realize how much of South Africa remains unexplored, and untouched by the hands of man, while at the same time, the economy and social structure has been developing to compete with many different countries’ economies. There have been advances in industry as well as natural preservation in South Africa, and the natives to the country are growing stronger as a people because of it.
The various attractions in South Africa can be educational, fun, and awe inspiring for families, couples, and even individuals who came to relax and enjoy their vacation.

Take a tour the South Africa’s most recent national park, opened only recently in June 2007, Mokala Natural Park, and discover a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.
Visit the various Natural Botanical Gardens of South Africa, where amongst tropical rare flora, you can find the giant legendary Baobab trees.
The Northern Cape in South Africa, is where the famous small town is located; famous for the enormous Southern Africa Large Telescope, which is expected to draw in many astronomy oriented tourists.

Several tourists also love interacting with the rich cultural history of South Africa. There are over 500 different museums in South Africa, dedicated to just that. Here are few of the best:

• The National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria
• Transvaal Museum of Natural History, Pretoria.
• The South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
• The National Museum and the Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein.

The cuisine found in South Africa varies from the popular to the traditional. Most of South African traditional foods were at one time based on a wide variety of grains, wild game, fruits and vegetables, but when the country became more and more industrialised, the general dishes of South Africa fused together popular eats, and cultural cooking. Some of the popular traditional foods that tourists will most likely encounter while in South Africa are breads and porridges made from “mealie-meal” which is a type of maize, or corn flour, Ostrich meat, ground, or made into various steaks and stews, much like beef. There’s also Amasi, which is sour milk, chutney, a sweet sauce made from fruits and vegetables and served over meat, and Bunny Chow; which is hollowed out bread, stuffed with curry.

Transportation in South Africa has undergone some very sophisticated development; most visitors will be surprised at the ease in which they can travel freely. There are car rental agencies, where those so inclined can even rent off-road vehicles for trips through the bush. There are also regional and extended trips that many can take by bus, taxis, and a good number of airports for regional and international travel. Visitors can also take advantage of modern railway services as well. One of the most popular resorts in South Africa is Singita; finding anything to top their establishment is going to be a struggle. There are many different lodgings; such as five star resorts, rustic safari or game lodges, camping grounds, local hotels, and bed and breakfast establishments.

Read More...

The country of Russia is very large, and stretches out of a large portion of both Western Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is in fact, the largest country in the world, and covers twice as much area, as the second largest country, which is Canada. After December of 1991, Russia was no longer the Russian [...]

The country of Russia is very large, and stretches out of a large portion of both Western Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is in fact, the largest country in the world, and covers twice as much area, as the second largest country, which is Canada. After December of 1991, Russia was no longer the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, after it finally broke free of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, becoming instead, the Russian Federation, and to most of us, known simply as Russia. The Russian culture, having been around for many, many centuries, is rich in struggles, and history. Travelers coming to Russia to experience the vivid, and culturally colorful atmosphere, will not be disappointed with what they find in this incredible country.

Russia is also not just a frozen wasteland, the winters may be cruel, or even bleak in some regions of the country, but in others, there are still beautiful summer days, and green grass growing. Travelers interested in coming to Russia for a leisurely stay have many options; the summer for the warmth, traveling north for the cold, winter activities, or traveling in the off seasons to South Russia, for smaller crowds, and colder weather. There are many popular destination cities in Russia, but the three best known and most popularly traveled are Moscow, Russia’s capital city, St. Petersburg, known as The City of Tsars, and Pskov, one of the oldest cities in Russia. Moscow, being Russia’s capital city, covers a large area; there’s something for every vacation palate there. If tourists want to explore the city, go hiking, or lounge in a luxurious hotel, they can. St. Petersburg, contains several points of interest, such as the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Mikhail Castle, the Summer Garden, the St. Isaac and the Kazan cathedrals. And as for Pskov, as far as it being said to be old, it recently, in 2003 celebrated its eleven-hundred year anniversary. Although it’s a bustling city, full of new developments, and stylish, trendy places and people, travelers will still be able to feel how ancient the city around them is.

Soups and stews are very popular in Russia, because centuries ago, it was mainly a peasant meal, and hundreds of years later, traditions amongst the Russian people still thrive. Soups in Russia go from several different variations, in both hot and cold. Borscht, is a popular traditional Russian soup, that should definitely be sampled by visitors. Meats in Russia are served either as large boiled cuts, in soups or porridges, or cold, as a snack. Fish was an important part of Russian cuisine, when most were still Russian Orthodox, as it was similar to the Catholic religion, where families would eat fish on Fridays, instead of other meats. Most of the traditional drinks in Russia are no longer in use, but when they were, the drinks were original to their region, and not used anywhere else; such as sbiten’, kvas, medok, mors, curdle with raisins, and boiled cabbage juice. Sbiten was later replaced by tea, a similar drink.

Hotels and accommodation in Russia are varied; namely it depends on what cities you plan to visit; for example, in St. Petersburg, one very attractive alternative to hotels is actually staying in temporary apartments. They are much, much cheaper than a luxury hotel, and provide a more homey atmosphere, and welcoming environment, for those who prefer that to hotel accommodations

Read More...

South Africa-The Rainbow Nation

South Africa-The Rainbow Nation
Ever since South Africa had its own democratic elections back in 1994, there has been more and more interest in seeing what all the fuss about. What visitors to South Africa will discover are lush forests, jungle atmospheres, friendly natives welcoming all different people, cultural tapestries of diverse ethnicity, wildlife preserves and national parks, safekeeping [...]

Ever since South Africa had its own democratic elections back in 1994, there has been more and more interest in seeing what all the fuss about. What visitors to South Africa will discover are lush forests, jungle atmospheres, friendly natives welcoming all different people, cultural tapestries of diverse ethnicity, wildlife preserves and national parks, safekeeping the treasured wildlife that is so precious to the nation itself. Many people do not actually realize how much of South Africa remains unexplored, and untouched by the hands of man, while at the same time, the economy and social structure has been developing to compete with many different countries’ economies. There have been advances in industry as well as natural preservation in South Africa, and the natives to the country are growing stronger as a people because of it.
The various attractions in South Africa can be educational, fun, and awe inspiring for families, couples, and even individuals who came to relax and enjoy their vacation.

Take a tour the South Africa’s most recent national park, opened only recently in June 2007, Mokala Natural Park, and discover a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.
Visit the various Natural Botanical Gardens of South Africa, where amongst tropical rare flora, you can find the giant legendary Baobab trees.
The Northern Cape in South Africa, is where the famous small town is located; famous for the enormous Southern Africa Large Telescope, which is expected to draw in many astronomy oriented tourists.

Several tourists also love interacting with the rich cultural history of South Africa. There are over 500 different museums in South Africa, dedicated to just that. Here are few of the best:

• The National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria
• Transvaal Museum of Natural History, Pretoria.
• The South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
• The National Museum and the Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein.

The cuisine found in South Africa varies from the popular to the traditional. Most of South African traditional foods were at one time based on a wide variety of grains, wild game, fruits and vegetables, but when the country became more and more industrialised, the general dishes of South Africa fused together popular eats, and cultural cooking. Some of the popular traditional foods that tourists will most likely encounter while in South Africa are breads and porridges made from “mealie-meal” which is a type of maize, or corn flour, Ostrich meat, ground, or made into various steaks and stews, much like beef. There’s also Amasi, which is sour milk, chutney, a sweet sauce made from fruits and vegetables and served over meat, and Bunny Chow; which is hollowed out bread, stuffed with curry.

Transportation in South Africa has undergone some very sophisticated development; most visitors will be surprised at the ease in which they can travel freely. There are car rental agencies, where those so inclined can even rent off-road vehicles for trips through the bush. There are also regional and extended trips that many can take by bus, taxis, and a good number of airports for regional and international travel. Visitors can also take advantage of modern railway services as well. One of the most popular resorts in South Africa is Singita; finding anything to top their establishment is going to be a struggle. There are many different lodgings; such as five star resorts, rustic safari or game lodges, camping grounds, local hotels, and bed and breakfast establishments.

Source: www.destinationtravelguides.com

Teenagers 'rely on parents for holiday money'
While many may openly crave independence from the family home, it has been reported that a number of British teenagers will rely on their parents for money when their funds run out abroad. According...
Source: www.holidayinsuranceweb.com