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Six Flags New England will celebrate its most celebrated coaster with 125 members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) on Sunday, October 25. BIZARRO, formerly SUPERMAN Ride of Steel, has once again received the Golden Ticket Award for Best Steel Coaster. The Golden Ticket Awards, hosted by Amusement Today, annually recognize the "Best of the Best" in the leisure entertainment industry. Winners are voted on by a panel of industry experts and theme park enthusiasts.

This is the 5th win for the coaster and its 4th in a row, having been previously honored in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The ride, known as "the best steel coaster on the planet," underwent a major transformation for the 2009 season, changing its name from SUPERMAN Ride of Steel to BIZARRO, a DC Comics character best known as a peculiar Superman-like creature. BIZARRO opened in May to rave reviews, unveiling a myriad of new enhancements, theming and special effects like a freeze vision "cool zone," bursts of fire, a spiked-shaped Auger of Doom and a state-of-the-art on board audio system.

"BIZARRO is King and still champ," said Amusement Today's Tim Baldwin. "Six Flags took an already amazing coaster and made it better ... something the coaster community didn't think was possible. The incredible drops and the airtime combined with all the great special effects has taken the experience to a whole new level."

"We're delighted that BIZARRO has been so well received," said Larry Litton, Six Flags New England Park President. "We're truly grateful to Amusement Today and coaster enthusiasts from all over the world for their ongoing support of what we believe is the greatest steel coaster ever made."

ACE members will enjoy exclusive ride time on BIZARRO Sunday night from 9 - 10 p.m.

SOURCE Six Flags New England

PHOENIX, Feb. 17 / -- Before the first suborbital space ship has even flown its first flight, the cost of commercial "space" travel available to the general public has already dropped by more than fifty percent.

RocketShip Tours and XCOR Aerospace recently announced that the cost of their suborbital space flight, which will begin operation in 2010 will be just $95,000. This includes a five-night stay at a luxury resort, complete training, medical evaluation and screening, cancellation insurance and, of course, the flight itself.

Virgin Galactic, founded by the well-known entrepreneur, Richard Branson, is currently offering a similar experience for $200,000.

RocketShip Tours is the result of a partnership between travel pioneer, Jules Klar, and XCOR Aerospace. Klar got his start in the travel business in 1961 when he, along with the legendary Arthur Frommer, created $5-A-Day Tours.

According to Klar, "Our goal is to make space travel accessible and affordable to those who aspire to experience the ultimate adventure. By reducing the cost of it by more than 50 percent, we think we have taken a major step toward accomplishing this goal."

As General Sales Agent for XCOR Aerospace, Klar is now using his expansive knowledge as a true innovator in the travel industry to pioneer the advent of space travel to the public. "This is sure to be a life-altering experience, and I am honored to have the opportunity to present it to the public," Klar added.

Participants in the program will travel to the edge of space in a suborbital space vehicle known as the Lynx that is powered by environmentally friendly rocket engines. Unlike the plans for Virgin Galactic that call for travelers to fly to space with several other travelers, the RocketShip Tours experience calls for just a single passenger on each flight who will actually sit in the co-pilot's seat beside the astronaut-pilot flying the ship.

XCOR Aerospace was founded in 1999 and is located at the Mojave Spaceport and civilian Aerospace Test Center in Mojave, California. It engages in research, development and production of reusable rocket-powered launch vehicles.

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 / -- The celebration known as "Mardi Gras Carnival Season" kicks off Friday, ending when the last reveler heads home on Fat Tuesday, February 24. CSA Travel Protection (CSA), a company dedicated to providing value-driven travel insurance and emergency assistance services, provides the following list of fun facts about Mardi Gras.

1. Mardi Gras is the direct French translation of "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the last day before the season of Lent begins.

2. The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated near modern-day New Orleans on March 3, 1699.

3. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold (representing justice, faith and power).

4. In New Orleans, private social groups called "Krewes" put on parades during the season's festivities.

5. Fat Tuesday is a legal holiday in Louisiana.

6. More than 60 parades and hundreds of private parties, dances and masked balls are scheduled annually in the New Orleans metropolitan area during Mardi Gras.

7. The Zulu Parade, put on by the oldest and most prestigious, predominantly African American Carnival club in New Orleans, will celebrate its 100th year in 2009.

8. The term "Throws" refers to plastic beads and cheap trinkets thrown by masked krewe members from floats as they pass by parade goers.

9. Mardi Gras, the day, is actually the last day of a long celebration of parades and merriment that begins 12 days prior to Fat Tuesday.

10. In 2005, more than one million revelers attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Travelers heading to New Orleans or other Mardi Gras and Carnival destinations are reminded to protect themselves from unforeseen circumstances that could potentially postpone or cut-short their trip. While travel insurance can't stop the unexpected from happening, it can protect and support travelers when mishaps occur, such as flight delays and missed connections.

CSA offers its customers convenient protection when traveling, with additional benefits like No Out-of-Pocket Medical Expense. If a traveler develops an acute illness while on their covered trip, a one-time medical expense will be paid for treatment under $1,000*.

Travelers can call their travel agent to purchase, or request more information on, this CSA Travel Protection exclusive.

Are you a big fan of Jurassic Park? I am. Dinosaurs intrigue me. I'm not talking about a Clifford like obsession to go to 'Dinosaur World', but I often find myself wondering what it would be like to live in those times and if there really is such a place somewhere on our planet where dinosaurs have been brought back to life.  
The closest you can get to such a place is picturesque Alberta, Canada (a 2 hour drive, east from Calgary) which is home to the Dinosaur Provincial Park. There aren't any real life dinosaurs here but the park has the largest known concentration of fossilized dinosaur bones and of other animals that lived in the water and on the land along with the dinosaurs. If you're dinosaur crazy then visit Alberta. You are bound to uncover a wealth of information about dinosaurs and about the evolution of the world that you won't be able to understand or experience sitting at home on the internet.
Apart from the park, Alberta also provides other forms of amusement such as fishing, swimming and waterskiing. After a visit to the dinosaur park you can take a hike and experience the scenery and wildlife of Canada or just laze around fishing for trout. If you want more information about Alberta's hunting and fishing regulations click here.

Pic courtesy Frank Maurer from flickr.com 

The museums in NZ are one of a kind boasting some of the widest collections in the world.

My favorite is the waterfront edifice in Wellington, one of the largest national museums in the world. This magical place melts arts and artifacts together with technological brilliance, creating absorbing displays and interactive games for all ages! Art collections, whale skeletons, working Maori marae and virual reality diversions all find their pride of place in the Museum of NZ-Te Papa Tongarewa.

After a significant internal revamp, the Auckland museum is everything you'd want in a city's storehouse of treasures: fun, interactive, attractive, informative, and filled with interesting collections. Its Maori and Polynesian section, the biggest in the world, sends shivers down your spine; forget your kids, set yourself loose in the Discovery Centre, where you can poke and pry into everything without compunction.

At the pinnacle of New Zealand's boating history, the NZ National Maritime Museum is booming. Look for KZ1 outside, and inside discover 1,000 years of the country's maritime history. You get to see sail makers, boat builders, and wood-turners at work and can even take a cruise on one of the vessels!

I saw a picture of the Rotorua Museum and just knew that I must visit it. Winner of the best Heritage Attraction for three years running, it is a great place to start your sightseeing in Rotorua. An architectural icon in itself, the building is one of the most photographed in NZ with a fascinating ans bizarre past. Take a look at the Bath House and you might even want to indulge in a curative treatment right here in Rotorua.

The Canterbury Museum and the International Antarctic Centre are two completely separate entities located miles apart, but together they present a terrific overview of life and history in Antarctica. Nowhere else in the world will you find this much gathered information about the great icy continent. There's everything from wildlife displays to human exploration accounts and a real ice chamber so you can get the feel of life in subzero temperatures.

Whangarei Art Museum permanently houses the city art collection containing both heritage and contemporary art work. A sizeable collection by early NZ modernist painter, Adele Younghusband is also part of the display.

The Cartoon Gallery is an online gallery for world class NZ cartoonists.

The Art Market in Waihi has been developed as a place from where artists can sell their work and now boasts more than 150 artists selling 1000's of individualistic pieces ranging from fantastic garden features to hand crafted jewelry. A range of art from NZ contemporary to Maori and Pacifica Art can be found.

The Kiosk is a 24/7 venue for contemporary art exhibitions by audio, screen and installation artists.

If you're looking for fun in NZ, it's not far away. The Auckland Dance and Open Air Film Festival are just the beginning. The Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival is a celebration of summer and includes a regatta, Warbirds over Thames and a Junk to Funk Wearable Art Competition.

You can view a provocative collection of films sourced from around the world at the Beck's Incredible Film Fest in Auckland and Wellington.

The Christchurch Arts Festival will dazzle you with jazz, opera, theater and cabaret performances.

A summer festival held at the magnificent Hamilton Gardens in February include theater, music, pantomime, Shakespeare, Major concerts and more.

Similarly, the Southern Lakes Festival of Color, held in the last week of April has an brilliant program showcasing respected names in art, music, dance and theater.

The Wellington Busking Festival is quite an extravaganza in February with amazing street performers and the Cuba and Manners Malls filled with acts from NZ and beyond to amuse and thrill you.

The country may be small, but it's not short of either art or culture. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Delve in and discover the hidden depths.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

New Zealand has everything from sun-spilt beaches to snow capped mountains and glaciers. You can walk up the side of on active volcano or thru endless valleys of rain forest. Awe-inspired fjords of the Deep South west and a wild and rugged west coast offer you sights that are no more than a few hours drive from each other.
Set aside enough time for New Zealand because that's the only limitation you're likely to face while exploring the country.
Other than its natural beauty, the country also offers dozens of activities including Bungee Jumping, rock climbing, skiing, Snow boarding, windsurfing, hang gliding, sky diving, parachuting, river rafting, jet boat riding, mountain climbing, jet skiing, cave-rafting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and much, much more.New Zealand is an all-year round vacation spot.
When you go to New Zealand will depend on what you want to do once you get there. The most popular time is in summer from December to February. great walking tracks appear and beaches come alive. Flowers bloom and fresh fruits fall off trees.

Expensive accommodation and airfares! Outdoor pursuits are best a this time.
If you're looking to ski in the Southern Hemisphere winter, then your months are June to August and you'll be heading to Queenstown, Mount Hutt, Cantebury or the Central Plateau. While these areas are dear (read expensive) for tourists in this season, the rest of the country has a dearth of tourists and you'll get some significantly discounted rates. Fall, that's February thru April, is the pleasantest time to go with few visitors and lovely, temperate days.

The Spring months of September to November are lush, beautiful months with daffodils, green grass, bluebells and rhododendrons. But the weather in these months is changeable with unpredictable rains and late snowfalls in the Southern island being common.

For people interested in Maori culture and who'd like to witness New Zealand's thermal activity - geysers, bubbling mud pools, and the like, the North island is the place to be.
Though the South island has got the reputation for being the adventure center and is less populated and more rugged, you can do your fair share of hiking, bungee jumping, rafting, swimming with dolphins in the north too.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Nightlife in Madrid is heavy with dance halls, cafes, theaters, movie houses, nightclubs and music halls. Considering most restaurants don't even open till 9 pm, you can be sure that the city is prowling and hopping till the wee hours of the morning.
Keep in mind though that many of the hubs might be open only to Spanish-speakers or residents.

Madrid can be divided into zones to suit a night bird of any kind. If you want to go on a tavern crawling-wine tasting spree, Plaza Mayor and Puerta Del Sol  are the areas for you.
For a film and theater enthusiast the Gran Via and its branches is the place to be.

For revelers looking for a fun night, Chuenca with its Hortaleza, Barquillo, Infantas and San Lucas streets hosts many nightclubs and some stripjoints too. Cheaper restaurants can also be found here.

Students traveling on a limited budget can party away in the Arguelles/Moncloa areas. Ale houses, fast-food joints and dance clubs make it popular with university students and it is the part of town to see the most action.

For bars with live music venture to Malasaña, in the vicinity of the Plaza de Dos de Mayo.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Start your sightseeing in Madrid with the stunning Royal Palace. Since the Spanish Royal family doesn't reside there, it is open to visitors and believe me with 3,000, that's right - 3000 (!) rooms filled with incredible clocks, tapestries, armors and other artifacts, it is a great tourist stop. Of course not all the rooms are open to public but the main rooms with paintings by Goya, Caravaggio, Rubens, Velazquez etc and the famous Hall of Columns as well as the Throne Room with its lavish sculptures, can be visited. Frescoes by Tiepolo adorn the palace and the architecture of the startlingly white building in granite and Colmenar stone as well as the lovely gardens make it worth a look in their own right.

After you're down with admiring the Royal Palace take a breather by walking around the pedestrian friendly Campo del Moro or down the gloriously vibrant Gran Via.

From there, strike off for the Plaza Mayor. The square has a rich history as the central place for public condemnations to bullfights and pageants. It was also used as a market place and is a lovely place to while away time with its beautiful cobbled ground dotted with shops and cafes in covered arcades.

Just 2 minutes away from the Plaza Mayor is the Puerta del sol - the easternmost gate of the city under the Hasburg kings surrounded by churches and monasteries at the time. With 10 roads converging there, it is a popular meeting point and the geographical center of the city. The monument of the bear and the strawberry tree stands in the center of the square.

The Plaza de Cibeles has the landmark fountain with a statue of the Greco-Roman fertility goddess astride a lion-drawn chariot. Overlooking this square is the main post office dating back from 1904.

Casa de Campo is the largest park in Madrid and its grounds also house a funfair. You can reach the it by metro or by taking the telecabin which will give you a great aerial view of the city.

Other parks that are worth spending some cloud-watching time in are the Retiro Park which used to be the private gardens of Philip IV, the Botanical gardens and the Environmental park.
The Environmental park is a new landscaped affair with 10 pavilions specially designed to recreate different natural environments. So you could walk through rain forests of tropical storms while seeing for yourself how animal and plant life have adapted to a variety of eco systems.
In the Retiro Park you could picnic hidden away by the thick wooded areas or row down the lake with your beloved. Fortune tellers, pavement artists, refreshment points, circus acts and puppet theaters are peppered over its lawns.

The Faro de Moncloa is a flying saucer shaped observation deck in the university area which offers some of the picturesque views of Madrid.

There are beautiful monasteries and different walking tours for you to indulge in when you're at a loose end.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Food in Aruba is delicious, varied and an expensive af-fare if you mean to dine-dine. But Aruba has loads of places to eat and you're sure to find places that suit your budget. The fast food culture has also made its way on to the island making it possible to grab a quick and cheap bite.

Local specialties such as mahi mahi, grouper and snapper will be far more affordable. The Aruba Gastronomic Association offers special discounts to travelers. A dine-around program gives you 5 breakfasts or lunches and 4 dinners for $214 a person.

The smaller local restuarants also offer a diverse menu and you can sample authentic fare for about $15 a person. There are many upscale restaurants in Aruba priced at not less than $35 per person. But there's no need to dress up... restaurateurs understand that you're on holiday. You can slip into a sundress to enjoy your meal on the patio overlooking the sea.

The dining scene is vast, from choices on business dining to the best breakfast beats, regular fast food to belgian-french fare, argentinian steaks to family restaurants, large groups, outdoor dining to dining for special occasions and cheap eats! Make your selection.

Shopping in Aruba while not actually duty free, has low enough rates to warrant some real excitement on items such as jewelry, perfume, clothing and electronic equipment. But music to the ears of an accomplished shopper shall be the words 'no sales tax'.
Oranjestad has several malls and branded stores within walking distance of eachg other. Open-air stalls and a wharf side market are also worth a visit. The market is a bargain hunter's dream with paintings, t-shirts, photographs, pottery, jewelry all set up along the Boulevard.
Some great souvenirs are skin care products with aloe being made right there on the island. Or my favorite souvenir would have to be any hand crafted item by a native... often enough you can pick up something that was made right in front of your eyes at stalls beside the harbor or on the beachfront.
With roots in Holland, you get some terrific buys of Delft pottery or wooden shoes and windmills. I like the sound of it all. Delicate porcelain, clunky wooden shoes, romantic windmills, caribbean rum, French perfumne, Danish crystal, cheap cameras, indonesian fabrics... it realy is shopper's paradise.

Citizens of the United States who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600.00 duty free tax exemption. You can pool your exemptions, meaning a family of four can bring back $2400.00 worth of articles. Shop till you drop!!

In Aruba you could island hop. Make a day trip to Curacao, Caracas or Bonaire. Just remember... there won't be any ferry taking you across, you'll have to fly back and forth.

Entertainment is abundant in Aruba. Whether you windsurf, snorkel or scuba dive or indulge in other water sports, you'll never be at a loss for an activity. You could even kayak or parasail, but the most exciting has to be renting your own sailboat and taking off to go deep sea fishing. Or catching the underwater sights in a submarine!

Do it all in the day and then if you're still energized, strike out in to the Aruban night... casinos and discos, bars and lounges, shows and steelbands all await you. Fun all day round. You just need to gear yourself for it and ride with it.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Aruba is one of the top three beach lover destinations in the world. So when you get here, you're going to want to spend most of your time catching rays on golden sand. If and when you get restless and want to do other stuff, there's an impressive array of sightseer stops.

18 percent of the island is dedicated to the Arikok National Park. With its well kept walking trails that take you through some unusual plant and animal life like divi-divi and kwihi trees, exotic cacti, aloe, tropical birds and flowers, the park is a lovely place to spend some relaxed hours.

Along these lines, a place to visit is the Butterfly farm. It's a 3000 square foot enclosed garden with waterfalls and fish ponds. Hundreds of species of butterflies will visit you softly as you walk around to music.

The California lighthouse offers some spectacular views of the island along with an area called California white sand dunes which are popular with kids who go dune surfing. The lighthouse is names after a wooden ship that ran aground while sailing to Venezuela. A restaurant nearby offer refreshments by day and fine dining by night.

A very sad loss to Aruban tourism is the falling of the Natural bridge. If ever, a la Bridges of Madison County, you had wanted to be proposed to on a bridge, this god-formed coral structure just 25 feet above the sea, was the place to do it.
It's gone now but plans are on to pay tribute to it. We can't mess with Mother Nature.

But you could venture to the Natural pool hidden in Aruba's most rugged terrain. It's remote and perfect for quiet relaxation. It's tough to get to it but worth the trouble to watch the ocean surf break over the rocks and cascade into the basin. You can't snorkel in the churned up waters but just dip in and cool off.

There would be little point in going to Aruba without visiting at least one of the gold mills responsible for the islands name. The Bushiribana and Balashi gold mills are remnants of a history of adventures and quests with gold and treasures as the prize.

The Antilla was a German freighter that sank during World War II. It makes for a very popular dive site. The Debbie II, a 120 foot barge, submerged at North Point is another great diving experience.

The Alto Vista Chapel built by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century is a little yellow building thought to be the first church in the Caribbean. Services are still conducted there and maybe you want to attend one in a place of historical significance.

If you haven't been to the original... Aruba offers its own mysterious Stonehenge. The Ayo rocks have long puzzled geologists and house rare burrowing owls too for keen bird watchers.

A unique Roman Catholic shrine built into rocks is the Lourdes Grotto. A statue of the Virgin Mary weighing 700 kilos has been placed in the rocks and is lit through the night.

You can hand feed an ostrich at the Aruba Ostrich Farm. Besides seeing and touching these rare creatures, you could even balance yourself on one of their eggs!

Birdwatchers will enjoy Bubali Pond, where pelicans, black cormorants, sandpipers and wood storks fish, bathe and play in a picturesque waterscape.

The beaches in Aruba are varied... active, relaxed, secluded, thronging... name it and you have one to every taste. Palm Beach and Eagle beach are the more active and popular sunbathing, windsurfing spots. Manchebo beach is far more tranquil though still fronted by hotels and resorts. Hadicurari is a popular wind surfing destination while Baby beach, true to its name is calm enough for a baby to paddle in.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Aruba has consistently mild temperatures with no major rainy season. It's a hop-on-to-a-plane-right-now place. Any time at all.
From December through April are touristy months with the weather at its driest. January is a peak visiting month, though if you want to be a part of some festivities, then the last 2 weeks of February are a maelstorm of parties and parades with the Carnival in full swing.
For a more relaxed time, try mid-april to september.

Following Easter, the rates will drop and go down still further in June-November which is the hurricane. That's a good time for a string-budget traveler especially considering that Aruba lies well outside the hurricane belt.

Besides the Carnival in February, you might want to look out for the Aruba Music festival in October and ostensibly the best catamaran sailing event in the world, The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta for a week in November. If you're not sailing, then grab a patch of sand and watch the races. There are other events orgaized for the entertainment of non-sailors too.

Aruba is a brilliant escape plan. In fact I have a friend who's constantly on the lookout for a small island where we're to build our huts and start life anew and I think I just might help him out by suggesting Aruba.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Tourist activities in Kenya are mostly wildlife oriented with some of the best national reserves and parks, opportunities for bird viewing, underwater life watching and camel and donkey safaris.

For an animal kingdom extravaganza, you want to see the wildebeest migration at the Masai Mara National Reserve. Nestled in the Great African Rift Valley, the reserve is home to not just the BIG 5- lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and cape buffaloes, but also to gazelles, zebras and million sof others spread over 1,500sq km. Another thing you might want to try at Masai Mara is hot air ballooning over the park. View wildlife as you drift in the sky.
It is also home to a large number of bird species owing to the Rift valley which is another popular destination.

The top spots in the Valley for bird viewing are the lakes of Bogoria, Baringo, Naivasha and Nakuru. Even if you're not interested in the winged ones, the Rift Valley is a spectacular natural phenomenon being home to glaciers, volcanoes, depressions and lakes. Conditions for hiking, trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking and more are ideal in the Rift Valley. The wildlife is not contained to birds here. You could see the rare Colobus monkey, black rhinos, reticulated giraffes, zebra mouse and other s besides the usual lions and leopards!... if lions and leopards canever be called 'usual'.

The Amboseli National Park is one of the best places for viewing wildlife in Africa. Despite its relatively small size as compared to other parks, Amboseli with its flat and dusty landscape with little vegetation is ideal for catching a glimpse of the large number of elephants (over 900), black rhinos, cheetahs, impalas, hippos, lions, etc. What makes this park even more alluring is the backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Amboseli has some splendid flora and fauna and affords you magnificent views of the snow capped Kilimajaro.

Another important park is the Tsavo National Park which is the largest in Kenya and the best administered. Other than the usual BIG 5 and the more, the park gives you varying topography from semi-deserts to savannah to mountain forests to acacia woodlands and palm thickets. Springs, rivers and lava flows make up other attractions.

And finally the Samburu Game Reserve which is home to over 300 species of birds. The park is renowned for its rare and endangered species of birds and wildlife. You'll also find the Samburu people who give the park its name, a colorful fascinating lot. You could also try a camel or donkey safari with the Samburu tribe.

Other than this, you could venture into Nairobi National Park just 8 kms out of the capital, the Kakamega Forest that offers a great selection of primates and up to 350 bird species and the Mount Kenya National Park known for its rich biodiversity and inspiring scenery.

You might want to trek up Mount Kenya. Other than the highest peaks of Batian and Nelion, climbing up the snow-capped heights doesn't require special equipment. You can get up 4985m to Point Lenana and enjoy views that go on and outstanding ecology. In fact Mount Kenya is an UNESCO World Heritage site with its 12 glaciers, waterfalls, cliffs, afro-alpine flora and simply because it is the world's largest free standing volcanic mountain.

For divers the marine parks of Malindi and Watumu is a popular destination. But though not as developed or easily accessible, the islands of Shimoni and Wasani are even better. Due to plankton in the water visibility might not always be good but you'll still glimpse many fish if not coral. If you're not a diver, just take a ride on a glass bottomed boat in Malindi.

When you're in the mood to just chill, the beaches in Kenya are like a haven. Pristine white sand, sparkling blue water and the mandatory coconut palms from an idyllic dream. Lamu has some of the best beaches especially as they are not plagued bu the seawood problem that afflicts some of the northern beaches. Many of the southern beaches also have the advantage of being shark free. On the mainland, one of the best beaches is Diani.

Explore Lamu island by catching a launch to it from the mainland. A showcase of sandy white beaches and sailing dhows, this fascinating island doesn't alllow motorized vehicles! The narrow streets are navigated by hand carts and donkeys. Founded in the 9th century, it is one of the few remaining Swahili towns. The many mosques and grand Arab houses with wooden carved doorways, a fortress that's open to public, a Hindu temple and two excellent museums are its attractions. Dhows have been a form of transportation since the 8th century. They are still widely in use to and fro the Lamu archipalego.Be sure to sail in one.

Shrouded in mystery the Gedi ruins , an Arab-Swahili town are like a reclaimed lost city. Gedi town situated in 45 acres of forest that has grown around and over it in the years it has been abandoned. Initially built in the 13th century and then rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was left for ruin without apparent cause. The town built inside a walled area consists of palace, a main mosque with many smaller ones, private houses and three pillar tombs.

Lake Turkana is the largest desert lake in the world. The lake has over 40 species offish which attract many migratory birds. Two of its islands have been declared as national parks to protect their wildlife. Humanoid fossils 3 million years old were discovered in this region making Lake Turkana a prehistoric researh site. Two of the islands on the lake are volcanic and a flooded crater on another isalnd is home to large number of crocodiles. But what's fascinating to me is that the lake is subject to storms that disturb the algae to produce color changes in the water.
Lakes Victoria, Naivasha, Baringo and the Western highlands are other spots you might want to spend time on.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

My favorite buy from Kenya was the makonde, which are dark wood carvings so delicate that it looks like the artist just carefully scalpeled a layer of bark to make his piece. I got a lovely brown angel.
Another common souvenir are the local sarongs, kangas and kikois, made of cotton they bear bright colored prints representing different Swahili proverbs. Traditionally sold in pairs, one to wrap around the waist and the other to carry a baby on your back! One of the best place to buy the kikois is Lamu where the thick, striped fabric originated. With the utilitarian effect thrown in with a honest-to-goodness Swahili proverb, I think they make a neat memoir.
There are also dyed bags with strong leather straps, kiondos - woven sisal baskets, spears and shields (I don't think airport authorities will let you carry these back home), soapstone carvings and colorful beads and necklaces sold by young Kamba and Masai men on the coastal beaches. Masai beadwork is especally intricate and beautiful making patterns that usualy mean something traditionally.

The Shukka is a red blanket blended with black, blue or another color and most masai use it for warmth. Also, you can find musical instruments with ease in Kenya... a good drum, an African lyre and uniquely styled flute called the siwa.
There are markets all over the place. You could visit the Masai market held in Nairobi's city center on Tuesdays or visit the Bishara Street in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The gift shops in hotels are well stocked but you'll get the best bargains at the markets. Haggling is a way of life and considered a business skill. Let your expertise show and remember to set a reasonable value looking at the skill involved in the artefact.
Kenyan shops are open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Nightlife in Kenya is in the cities. Most hotels and tourist resorts in the major cities have discos or live bands each evening. There are also a few nightclubs to be found. Many cinema halls are scattered over Nairobi showing mainly British, European and Hollywood flicks. Theatre is a popular form of entertainment with the National Theatre and several small groups performing. The best known of these are the Phoenix Players.

The national food in Kenya is unarguably meat of every kind. Beef, chicken, lamb and pork are mouth-wateringly good as are the wide variety of tropical fruits. The local specialty is called nayma choma which is roasted goat's meat most often served with vegetable mash. The tough meat might take some getting used to. Some places even serve buffalo steaks marinated in local liqueurs and berries with honey and creme meandering over it.
Vegetarians don't need to worry though. Indian restaurants are easily available. Staple diet for kenyans does seem to be maize and beans. Doughnuts called mandazi are also popular.
Drinks include chai- tea boiled in milk and water, Tusker and White Cap- the locally brewed beers, Kenya Cane- spirit distilled from sugar cane and Kenya Gold- a coffe liqueur. Uki, a beer made with honey and changaa, a spirit distilled from maize are also found. Kenya is said to have some of the best coffee in the world.
The weather in Kenya is conducive to open air dining and Nairobi has quite a few cuisines on offer.
Restaurants in Kenya are not known to be the best, but you could find a consistent few that you must visit for a good meal.

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A culinary feast of international cuisines is waiting around every corner on the Gold Coast for those with discerning palates. Fresh seafood and tropical fruits selected daily by the region's award-winning chefs. In fact Gold Coast is home to an astonishing number of award winning restaurants.
Seafood, Japanese, French, Italian, Australian, family restuarant, pubs, alacarte restaurants... whatever you're looking for, by cuisine or atmosphere, taste or budget... you'll find it here.
The gourmet center of GC is Tedder Avenue with the main restaurants lining up on either side of the road.
While Tedder avenue is rather cosmopolitan, you might get more variety and less dearer food at Surfer's Pradise and Broadbeach. The surf clubs dotting the coastline offer not just great views but great meals for under $15 a person.

I'm just going to list some of the award winning restuarants for the food aficionados.
Shogun Japanese Restaurant (best asian), Ristorante Fellini (italian of course), Cav's Steakhouse, George's Paragon Seafood, (all self-evident) and the best family establishment - Montego's. If you want to woo a lady... you could just take her to Venice, but failing that, you could dine her at Gold Coast Gondoloas.

But before you spoil yourself with the award winning stuff, mayeb you should eat out at simple old recommended joints.

If you've had you fill of scuba diving, rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and the like for your entertainment and are yearning for some usual manufactured smoke filled-music pumping fun, then fret not, Gold Coast has a sizzling nightlife too!
Surfer's Paradise is the acknowledged party spot with pubs, bars, nightclubs galore, especially along Orchid and Cavill avenues.
If you're not one for music, you could relax at a cigar lounge, cabaret club or shoot some pool at a pub.
The Capitol Bar & Lounge has been the pioneer is lounging long before it hit New York. A melting pot of design, creativity and free spirits, it's a superb hangout.
If you want to watch a game or flutter on the live daily races, The Clock Tower is your place. Even without sports, there's always something brewing here.
The Base Cabaret restaurant is the winner of the People's Choice award and features 2 hours of dazzling live music and comedy.
The other highly recommended outings are the "Rhythm of the Night" at the Conrad Juipter and the casino at the same hotel.

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The best season to go to Gold Coast is any season! It sounds trite I know, but with its sub-tropical climate, Gold Coast enjoys mild winters and lovely hot summers with about 287 sunny days a year!
With some of the most popular beaches, one of them actually called 'Surfer's Paradise'... GC really is a great place to go for surfing enthusiasts and experts. If you want to choose a particular surfing season or spot then you might worry about when you get to Gold Coast.

Another activity in Gold Coast that's season oriented is the humpback whale watching. In the months from June to October, the whales migrate between the Antarctic wilderness and the Great Barrier Reef and can be seen at Moreton bay.

The festive calendar at Gold Coast breezes through food, music, races, wine, films and of course, surfing.
The Gold Coast Film Fantastic and the In the Bin Film Festival are both held in September. One for fantasy films and the other for shorts.

The Big Day Out music festival held on the Gold Coast in January has bands start playing from 11am and going on late into the night (around 11.30pm). The festival features bands from all over the world and Australia. There are two main stages featuring the headlining acts, some smaller stages for local bands and the Boiler room, for DJ's and dance music. Don't miss this one if you enjoy live music.
Blues on Broadbeach is 5 days of the best in blues.

A la Carte in the Park and On the Beach are food and wine festivals where you get to sample food from the best restaurateurs, caterers and wine merchants.
Tastes of Gold Coast held in August on Surfer's Paradise is another food and wine festival in the same vein.

An interesting festival is the Medieval & Militaria festival with 2 days of laser skirmishes, tournaments, battles, military vehicles, militaria markets and history being re-enacted in general.

The Lexmark Indy 300 is held in October - from parties to some serious horse power.
The Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Racing Carnival is 18 days of parties, dinners and races with prizes worth a minimum of 100,000 AUD.
And the popular Australian Surf Life Saving Championship held towards the end of March.

Besides these, there are the golf tournaments and the performing art events, the innurable wine fests and the tasty food experiences... a whole host of events to look forward to whichever month you find yourself in Gold Coast.

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Skiing in the alpine slopes of Austria is a year round possibility. And if you don't like falling on your behind with embarrassing regularity, then you can always indulge in snowboarding, sledding, toboganning, ice skating and... hold your breath... ice golf!!

In summer, all you need are your hiking boots and you can just wander down any trail to find some of the most beautiful sights and green meadows and blue skies and red flowers along your way.

For more regular entertainment, The Prater is Vienna's most popular fun fair. The Prater ferris wheel gives you a classic view over Vienna. You can even play soccer in the Prater Stadium, be a part of harness racing, swim or lounge on the grass.

Nightclubs in Austria are thriving and great fun. Whether you dance away at Flex or become a part of the throng under an old pedestrian underpass recently converted into a club or an ex-porn cinema house madeover into a jazz club, and a gazillion other places to guzzle in some warmth or let the music do its work.

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If you missed the August Kandy Perhara, don't fret... devil dancing and the famous kandyan shows are regularly performed at several venues. Just check your local newspapers for a listing.
Local theatres stage traditional plays and dance performances in addition to western productions.
Most hotels have nightclubs and you can catch the latest Hollywood release at the cinema halls.

Shopaholics will have a field or bazaar day in Sri Lanka. ( I have no clue why I said something so stupid).
Anyway... handicrafts at reasonable rates and famous Sri Lankan gems are musts. Blue sapphires, cats eyes, moostones, rubies as well as lovely silverware are available all over the island.
Handicrafts like batik wall hangings and saris, dolls, silver filigree work, art work in wood and clay with traditional figures like peacocks and deers carved and soft handlooms, silks and lacework in exuberant colors.
Ceremonial masks made of a light wood shaped like mythical beasts and swans and devils, coir and tea are the Sri Lanka specific buys.
Don't worry about finding shops... they're all over. Just polish your bargaining skills.

Food in Sri Lanka is traditionally rice and curry. But if you prefer to steer clear of the spicy food, then most hotels offer a mixed menu.
Sea food is delicious with varied fish and prawn dishes.
If you're English, you'll be visting tea heaven. Some of the world's best teas, well packaged and in numerous flavors. Tea estates in Kandy and Nuwara Eleiya will provide you with some fresh air and fresher tea!
Other drinks are the local toddy - a cider like drink from palm and coconut trees, and Arrack which is a more refined form of  toddy.
Traditional south indian food is also widely available. You could also try Hoppers, a thin and crispy pancake eaten with onion and chilly paste.
Restaurants like Wunderschoen and Aida in the Bentota area come highly recommended for authentic Sri Lankan and absoluetly smashing sea food.
Hotel Neptune in Beruwela is another good food spot. Local restaurants are also rather affordable and multi-cuisine.
Strangely enough, Chinese stalls are littered all over.

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Most visitors are drawn to Alaska by its natural beauty and terrain of rugged mountains, untouched wilderness, fjords, lakes and impressive glaciers.
Considering the sheer size of the state, one 'touristy' thing you must do is take a tour by plane or helicopter.
Boat cruises are also popular in Alaska with wildlife lovers being the most prominent visitors. You can take a cruise through Prince William and Resurrection Bay and hopefully glimpse killer whales, seals, sea lions and porpoises.

Denali National Park is another favorite. The Denali Highway can be called the 'real Alaska' with no man made structure for as far as the eye can see and passing through some lovely Tundra and Taiga vegetation.
The Park is home to North America's tallest mountain range - McKinley. If you're lucky, it'll be a clear day and you'll see it. It's also visible from Fairbanks. You can easily spend three days in the park hiking, looking for wolves and bears, getting to know true blue Alaskan huskies and even driving up to the Portage glacier.
While you might want to visit Glacier Bay, Matanuska Glacier also comes highly recommended.
Glacier Bay boasts humpback and killer whales and the shoreline is abuzz with birds. Inland you could spot black-blue bears, moose, sitka and wolves! Besides this you get to see tidewater glaciers, fjords flanked by cliffs and plants taking over where glaciers retreat.
Matanuska Glacier starts its journey in the tallest mountain range of Chugach and covers a distant of 24 miles. It is gently sloping as compared to other glaciers and ends in a wooded valley.

Another park of interest is the Kenai Fjords National Park. This park too has an awesome glacier called the Exit glacier and is a bird lover's paradise with puffins, bald eagles, murres, cormorants seen everywhere.

While Anchorage is not very different from any other city with asphalt jungles, it does have wildlife right at its doorstep. You could easily find a moose in your backyard!
Fairbanks has museums, trans-Alaska oil pipeline and a past which includes a trading post for gold miners and a stopping place for warplanes to stopover during World War II.

Alaska is not so much a 'sight-seeing' place as an 'activity' place. You could explore the wilderness by dog sled in winter, take guided hikes through mountains and glaciers, and with 20 meters of snow each year, Alaska has some of the quietest and most unique slopes for a skiers pleasure.

Other than this - kayak, bird watch, look for bears in the wild, cruise, fish, raft... star gaze. Enjoy the peace and quiet.

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Unlike other Islamic cities, Istanbul offers you a pulsating nightlife. Despite the restrictions on drinking, the city is full of bars and hot spots offering you not only the local drink - Raki, but also beer, wine and sophisticated cocktails.

For some authentic Turkish entertainment you could head to Sultanahmet.
Take time while in Istanbul to visit Hayal Kahvesi, a restaurant cum bar cum disco where you can relax to the sounds of live jazz and rock.
Another place that is interesting is the Orient Hotel near the Grand Bazaar where along with delicious dinners you will get to watch folklore shows.

Foodwise, Itanbul is a gastronome's delight. Mostly big on seafood, you have a lot to choose from - pickled tuna fish, sun dried mackerel being the best starters and moving on to Red Mullet or Silverside with rocket as your fish salad.
Even with a small budget it is easy to find good food in the many districts of Istanbul.

The shore of the Bosphorous spoils you for choice with restaurants serving mouth-watering seafood lined up. A variety of kebab, meze and drinks are available.

If you would rather grab some fast food somewhere or some good old home food, then Beyoglu is the place for you. On the streets of Istiklal you will find cafes, bistros, pastry shops and eating joints that dish out regular European fare.

For food aimed at tourists, that is, less Turkish and more international fare - you could also venture in to Sultanahmet, but it is likely to be very expensive. However you could find a reasonable local place and if you do be sure to taste the Sulu Yemek and the Pilav which is rice.

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Food is a very personal thing for me. My mum would snort and tell you, “She means she’s fussy”. And maybe I am… so I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone what they should eat or where, but I will give you a lowdown of osteria’s and restaurants in Venice. (Osteria’s are places offering regional meals in a home-cooked style.) (I love nuggets… of information)
Venice is considerably expensive to eat in but take a look at the restaurants on the following link recommended by Philip Greenspun. From advice on where to find non-smoking space and where to share a drink across time with Hemingway, he atmospherically gives you a taste for Venetian food. And be sure to scroll down below his article to read the comments… some of the best tips are contained there!

Read!

For a little local color I do recommend, Da Fiore, an old tavern now disguised as one of Venice’s most distinguished and consistent restaurants.
Don’t slim your wallet too much… we still have shopping to get to! Here’s a list of recommended easier-on-the-pocket eateries:
Cheap Food!

And for those of you, who just don’t get why Venice doesn’t have a McDonald’s and don’t want to experiment too much with your food, click on this link and take a look at the ethnic restaurants for cuisine other than strictly Venetian. (I can’t guarantee the prices though!!)

Read

Now that that’s out of the way… can we please hit the shops?!! I don’t want you to think that I’m some kind of addicted shopaholic… but Venice does sell some stuff that I’d love to get my greedy little hands on!

I read in a book once how glass making is an art of life – fire and breath, passion and essence; colors and thoughts swirling and shattering; melting and holding to make a piece. And if you’re in Venice, you must not only visit the glass factory at Murano but buy yourself some too. For a cheaper and a more interesting souvenir, watch Ivano Soffiato in Dorsoduro at his glassblowing work!
Besides glass, you could check out Burano, famous for its lace and practically all streets in Venice boast a mask maker. Take home the mystery of Venice in a mask.
Or its sweet, Zaeti, available in cake shops across the city.
If you like your brands, visit Mercerie, the main shopping street where you can find Sergio Rossi and Gucci and Louis Vuitton, et al.
Give a  little thought to the prices and timings of stores in Venice.

If you did actually buy a Gucci, you probably want to put it to use. Well… Venice is not really abounding with night life. On the surface, things pretty much seem to shut down by 9 PM but you could find yourself little haunts of live music. You could also look at paintings of local artists adorning walls in osteria’s or treat yourself to chamber music or ballet. For those who just want their beer and song, there are a dew American styled pubs in Venice.
To get a better idea of what’s on in Venice, you could pick up the entertainment brochures from the tourist office or pick up the latest Venezia News from the stands.
If you prefer to go well armed, then choose your style of entertainment.

Now that you’ve found a place as good as home, plan your vacation at a time when you can get the most out of what Venice has to offer (that is if you’re quite sure your boss won’t let you take a year off)
Here’s a run down of the best times to visit Venice:

February: in Venice is exciting indeed.. 10 days of the world’s most famous carnival! A simple black sheath and white mask in enough to make you one of the revelers. Of course if you have deeper pockets, you could deck yourself out in elaborate costumes and be part of the many balls and gala dinners.
May: The Vogalonga is not only a boat marathon but one of the strongest and longest standing statements to Venetian authorities. Every year a 30 km non-competitive rowing event is organized to revive the rowing tradition and protest the motorboat traffic harming the foundations of the city.
March – June: Mostly event free months and also free of the usual gaggle of tourists that Venice caters to the rest of the year.
September – August: If you’re film buff, September could help you mix up a potent cocktail – all the inherent drama and romance the city has to offer and The Venice International Film Festival.

Though July and August are usually considered months to avoid because of the high level of tourist inflow, the Festa del Redentore takes place in July and has the famous night of fireworks on the water. It’s like a play in the sky with its own language of color and starbursts.

Get  more details on events on the Venice calendar.

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