Beijing duck is such a yummy food that no visitor to Beijing should miss it. But which is the best duck house?

There are five Beijing duck houses almost equally popular and loved by tourists. Actually, in a recent magazine poll, these five names also dominate the top positions. They all carry a different theme.

Historical and Unique Recipe: Bian Yi Fang Roast Duck Restaurant

Beijing duck price: ¥80

Bian Yi Fang was founded in 1855, a pioneer in Beijing duck. However their Beijing duck recipe is different from most of the duck houses in Beijing. They use oven heat instead of actual fire. This method is meant for environmental as well as making the duck meat more tender and juicy.

Typical Old Beijing Feel: Li Qun Roast Duck Restaurant

Beijing duck price: ¥80

Li Qun is hidden inside a hutong, making it difficult to be found. However many tourists do make an effort to find it. Best is to take a taxi and then hire a rickshaw.

Li Qun has nothing five-star, but a typical old Beijing feel – red lanterns, open garden and courtyard. It is always full plus a long waiting line. Over 90% of their guests are foreigners.

New Generation: King of Duck Roast Duck Restaurant

Beijing duck price: ¥48

“New Generation Ruler of the Century-old Duck Empire” – this is the slogan of King of Duck. They are running six shops since the first one opened in 1997.

They claim to do an old dish in a new style. You’ll find this to be a new-generation Beijing duck house. The Beijing duck they produce is almost out of fat.

Traditional and Well-known: Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant

Beijing duck price: ¥168 / ¥70 per one-person dish

Quanjude nowadays operates under franchise. The shop at Qianmen is the original one. Foreign rulers visiting Beijing usually come here.

Founded in 1864, Quanjude is the most famous Beijing duck house for sure. Somehow there is an equal mark between Quanjude and Beijing duck.

Academic: Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant

Beijing duck price: ¥98

Da Dong is nearby the embassy district in Beijing and is loved by ambassadors. You would always find British and Japanese ambassador entertaining their guests here.

Da Dong’s owner has an MBA degree, the only person with such qualification in the catering industry of Beijing. They have a booklet on each of their dining table to tell their guests different ways to eat Beijing duck.

Conclusion

In Beijing, many china-travel-golden-route.com/beijing_duck_houses.html duck houses are selling at ¥38 per duck. They might not be very well-known, but are doing well. It won’t be difficult to get a good deal.

Beijing ducks are roasted to order, so they are sold as a whole duck. If a restaurant refuses to sell you half or just a dish, they are not mean. If they pre-do a lot of ducks and wait for orders, the Beijing duck won’t be crispy any more.

Big, ancient, and attractive, these three terms define the characteristics of Athens in Greece. Its inviting atmosphere attracts thousands of tourists from all over the globe. Greece has been a land of Mythology and great history. Many of the monuments like Acropolis and some fabulous museums depict the whole story about this land of wonders. Once in Athens, you have the opportunity of exploring different regions like Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Delphi and Marathon. The moment you land in Athens, you do not need to worry about the accommodation at all. Athens Airport hotels give you splendid accommodation facilities. You hardly have to look around much in order to find a hotel within your budget.

Athens has tremendous attractions to pay a visit. Acropolis, Gardens, galleries, archaeological sites and myriad of museums like Museum of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art and Benaki Museum and several others impart it a distinction as a tourist destination. Though you might find some of the attractions a bit far from the Athens Airport hotels, wonderful transportation facilities provided by these hotels do not let you put any exertion in going to such worth visiting places. This affable city has an enlivened character imparted by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, ancient heritages and friendly inhabitants.

Some interesting sites accessible from Athens Airport hotels where you would always like to be while in Athens are:

Ancient Agora: In the ancient times, Agora was an important place for meeting, whether it was political, commercial or an administrative one. You will always find it to be crowded and the fact that once Socrate expounded his philosophical views here also intrigues people to pay a visit to this place. The site underwent development in the 6th century BC. It also features a museum and expensive shops. Surroundings include the Temple of Hephaestus to the west of Agora that dates back to the 449 BC. Several other interesting points are there to pay a visit.

Museum of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art

Whether you stay in Athens Airport hotels or take an accommodation in the middle of the city, you cannot afford to miss out on visiting the Museum of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art. You will see a beautiful collection of Cycladic art of the world in this museum.

Niraj Singh is working as Sr. SEO in Binary Semantics Ltd. Gurgaon, India. He has 6 yrs. of experience in the field of Search Engine Optimisation. His expertise is in the travel domain make him specialist in the field of Websites related to Travels.

With its splendid skiing options, Canada has now become a popular ski vacation destination. Canada encompasses numerous ski resorts on both its west and east coasts, with each coast offering a different appeal. Skiers to Canada are welcomed with pure powder snow. Fernie, in British Columbia, has enough snow to satiate you, even without using artificial snowmaking facilities.

As a traveler to Canada, you are bound to experience the friendliness of its people, high levels of service, and solid accommodations. The varied food offered in Canada is also remarkable. In Canada, you will come across some of the best-kept ski resorts in North America.

Canada, the second largest country in the world, has an ample number of breathtaking ski resorts. It is also referred as the backcountry capital of the world. With acres and acres of skiing piste on offer, you will surely find a piste to suit your taste and level of expertise.

Ski resorts on the west coast of Canada have virtually guaranteed snow, with occasional rain and chilling temperatures. The east coast does not offer consistent and good quality snow. The ski resorts on the east coast are as good for skiing in comparison with the west coast. It is better suited for travelers wanting to spend a weekend relaxing.

The well-known resorts of Canada are Whistler, Fernie, Banff, Lake Louise, Mont Tremblant, Big White, and Red Mountain, to name a few. Canadian ski resorts have something to offer for everyone, be it skiing or après-ski.

Canada, as a ski vacation destination, offers enjoyment whether you are a ski enthusiast or not. There are numerous agencies offering you great deals for a ski vacation in the country. The better way to find one is to search the Internet and find yourself a deal that suits your budget; take a flight to Canada and explore its ski resorts.

e-SkiVacations.com Ski Vacations provides detailed information on Ski Vacations, Canada Ski Vacations, Colorado Ski Vacations, Ski Vacation Packages and more. Ski Vacations is affiliated with z-VacationHomes.com Luxury Vacation Homes.

Ruidoso, New Mexico is a wonderful Southwest vacation destination offering Skiing, Horse Racing, Theater, Fishing, Shopping, Hiking, Biking and so much more.

Quaint shops in Ruidoso’s midtown offer some of the most unique gifts you can find. Resembling a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting this part of the Village retains is rustic charm and offers some great dining, a saloon or two and lots of people watching opportuntities. You never know who you might see in Ruidoso, whether on the street on on the slopes.

The skiing at Ski Apache in Ruidoso is the best in New Mexico and rivals Colorado for quality of snow and choices of runs. The only gondola in New Mexico is at Ski Apache. A new snow park was recently added to give those daring riders a chance to catch some air and show off to the folks swinging by on the lifts.

World class horse racing fills the summers as does many events large and small. A bluesfest, 2 motorcycle rallys, a nationally recognized cowboy symposium, rodeos, and so many art shows, art tours and craft shows that they can’t even be listed here. Then there are the casinos. Recently opened Inn of the Mountain Gods is a Vegas style state of the art casino with breathtaking views from the rooms and first class dining.

For reservations at one of Ruidoso’s charming cabins go to www.wpcr.com or call 1-866-766-3445. For more info on Ruidoso and the travel opportuntities available go to GoRuidoso.com www.GoRuidoso.com where you can also sign up for the free Ruidoso travel newsletter.

Chuck Duncan

Chuck Duncan is a local resident who serves on several commities as well as the Chamber of Commerce executive, the Lincoln County Lodgers Association executive and is a member of the Arts council. Chuck ownes and operates Whispering pIne Cabins in Ruidoso’s prefered area of Lodging, the Beautiful Upper Canyon.

The United States electricity is generally ran at 110 Volts so most electrical devices are designed to run off of 110 Volts. The German Electrical system is generally ran at 220-230 Volts. Some American devices are designed to be ‘Dual-Voltage’ and can be used in most parts of the world. To find out if a particular device is ‘Dual-Voltage’ you must look at either the device itself, the power box on the power cable (figure 3), or in the user guide (some devices must be switched from 110 to 220-230 with a switch on the device). If you are not sure if a device is ‘Dual-Voltage’ DO NOT plug it in to a German power receptacle!! (Figure 2). Once you have your ‘Dual-Voltage’ device you will need a plug adapter (Figure 1) so the plug of the device will fit into the German power receptacle. You can purchase these items through the links above. One alternative is to purchase a transformer which converts the power from 220 Volts to 110 Volts.

The areas known as the ‘Red Light District’ are generally a hot spot for drug addicts to hang out and deal. Upon entering any red light district it is not uncommon to see drugs being taken and distributed. The main ‘attraction’ of the red light district is the enormous sex industry where sex shops are seemingly everywhere you look and prostitutes are working in the vast number of ‘Eros centers’ (licensed brothels). Most big cities in Germany have red light districts but if you know what to look out for they are usually harmless. If you do decide to visit a red light district, be sure to keep a low profile and try not to act like a tourist. Although a good part of the red light district is corrupted, there are some parts that are harmless. There are several banks and shops that offer nothing more than good service.

Josh and Claudia Spaulding provide valuable information on everythingaboutgermany.com” target=”_parent Germany Travel derived from their own experiances in this Beautiful Country. Just visit everythingaboutgermany.com/ everythingaboutgermany.com/ for more information.

Growing up, my parents were sure to make sure that each and every year consisted of at least 2 family vacations. There were years that we didn’t have a lot of money to be taking lavish family vacations, but they always found some way to get all of us together and give us lasting memories. That’s what life and quality time is supposed to be about – the memories that will last a lifetime. There were years that they splurged and would fly all of us to Disney or the Bahamas.

Most of our family vacations were spent at the beach or camping in the wilderness. Camping didn’t cost very much money and somehow always ended up being a really peaceful vacation. All of the family fights and arguing seemed to be put on hold once we were out in the great outdoors. My parents had purchased a huge, two room tent one year to accommodate their growing children, and it was so much fun for us. My dad would let us stay up late and tell us stories while we snuggled into our sleeping bags. My mother would pretend to be annoyed that we were staying up past our bedtimes, but she was always smiling when she said it. The family vacations to the beach were always thrilling as well. They would rent a house or apartment a few blocks from the beach and we’d spend a week laying in the sun, jumping through the waves and running around in the sand.

It isn’t cheap to plan and take family vacations nowadays. Prices have skyrocketed and the price of fuel can cut some trips short. People are tending to not venture as far away from home to save money. Family vacations to Disney are often advertised that they are discounted or on sale, but even the lower costs can really add up for a larger family. The actual airfare and hotel might be reasonable, but you have to think about all of the food and drinks that add up on those relaxing family vacations. The admissions to the theme parks are amazingly high.

For families who are wanting to take family vacations that will be peaceful and memorable, you don’t always have to spend a fortune. My favorite memories of spending time with my family weren’t in the islands or theme parks, they were of camping. Of course, not every family craves spending time in the great outdoors. I know some families who can’t live without electricity and a comfy bed. There are other options. If you’re looking to travel someplace, see if there are package deals that might include all of your meals. That could save your family the-good-shopping-guide.com quite a bit of money. Visit the beaches in the off-season to take advantage of lower rates and smaller crowds of people. Visit local destinations instead of venturing farther away. And remember, family vacations aren’t always about where you go or how much money you spend – it is about making memories.

travelmagazineguide.com Travel Magazine Guide provides readers with information regarding vacations and other the-traveller-directory.com travel related issues.

You put time into planning a relaxing break with the knowledge that if the trip involves air travel there is always that risk of something going wrong! I recently experienced this when my flight was cancelled due to a terrorist threat. As a result I had to spend 14 hours, I repeat 14 hours, sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for some kind of feedback from those exhausted looking airline staff. With so many other holiday makers having to endure the same experience, this added insult to injury. Starbucks, Costa, Pizza Express, and basically anywhere you could sit and attempt to calm down with a nice latte or a glass of wine, were crowded beyond belief. The lucky people able to secure a table were prepared to purchase as many drinks as necessary to keep their relatively comfortable place to sit and wait. Those of us left had to find floor space (at this point the only potential areas were next to the litter bins or the public toilets).

I have decided to avoid risking a repeat experience for some time. I simply cannot face another airport again. In fact I am even wary of train and bus stations. That leaves me with my Pininfarina designed Peugeot 406 Coupe. A form of transport I can actually rely on. Fresh from its MOT and newly taxed my car is ready to go so I have decided to take another road trip next month. My fondest memories of the year are the trips we have taken across the UK in this car.

I have been on to one of my favourite reference sites and purchased my road map and an dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/travel/intro.html” target=”_blank Eyewitness UK Travel Guide. All that’s left to do is download some of our favourite tracks to play as we drive around and take in the scenery. I can confidently say I am well and truly looking forward to my next trip.

Another great thing about travelling by road is the ability to pack the car with as much luggage as you like. The last holiday I took using air travel involved me being charged for excess baggage when bringing back too many bottles of wine. I’d been in France – what do people expect?!

For those of you with children, like myself, you should be aware of the new law on mothercare.com/page/carseatlegislation” target=”_blank child restraints which takes effect from September 18th of this year – definitely something to bear in mind!

In my opinion road trips are well and truly coming back – just remember to fasten your seatbelt and drive safely.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local edinburghaccies.com Edinburgh rugby club.

The name Knysna is a Khoi word but it’s uncertain as to its exact meaning. It could mean ‘place of wood’, or it could mean ‘fern leaves’, but its most probable meaning is straight down’ – an obvious reference to the Heads. Knysna Heads must be the most striking geological features along the entire southern African coastline. They flank a deep but potentially treacherous channel through which the sea pours in to flood the wide and breathtakingly pretty lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River.

Knysna’s history began in the year 1804, the year that saw the arrival of George Rex, rumoured to be the illegitimate son of King George lll. He purchased the estate known as Melkhoutkraal on the shores of the lagoon and moved his entire family and considerable entourage down to Knysna to settle.

Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast’s best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon – it offers many activities and attractions of a wide variety. The most well known attraction being the heads – two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea.

A lookout has been erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature Reserve – Featherbed Bay. The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports a oyster hatchery. And the Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world.

Millwood House Museum in Queen Street houses material relating to the history of the town, and includes artifacts once owned by George Rex. It was built from yellowwood at the end of the previous century during the gold rush. From Millwood, it was later moved to Knysna.

Knysna has many attractions in the surrounding area as well, one of the most spectacular being the Knysna Forest, which is still evident in many places within the town as well. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa comprising of tall and ancient trees of local and exotic species, including stinkwood, yellowwood, blackwood, ironwood, white alders and Cape chestnut.

Not forgetting the ferns, creepers and wild flowers which add colour to this endless green collage. The forest is vast and extremely dense in places making it impenetrable. Animal life is limited to a few small antelope and a large variety of birds, such as the famous Knysna Loerie. Home to the once great herds of Knysna Elephants, it is believed that only one lonely cow remains today.

Another historical attraction are the Millwood Gold Mines. Alluvial gold was found here in 1885, which caused a rush to the area. At Jubilee Creek, the exact spot where gold was found, provides a tranquil and beautiful picnic area, with many enjoyable forest walks in the area.

Buffalo Bay is the closest beach to knysna, one of the safest for swimming along the coast and enjoyed by many holiday makers every year. It is very rocky in places, making it a great angling spot, there is also a small slipway available for small boats.

Come for a visit:

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: mailto:southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: 12234455.co.za 12234455.co.za

Under an hours drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is perfect for a getaway to recharge the batteries and enjoy breathtaking scenery. There is so much to do in this beautiful region of Victoria, also known as one of the world great wine growing regions, and famous for its pinot noir and sparkling champagne.

There are plenty of locals who also flock to this area to enjoy a weekend away. The blue ranges, massive trees, rivers and valleys all combine to create an irresistible escape from the frantic city life. Set aside at least a minimum of two days here to take in the scenery and enjoy the countryside. There are pretty towns nestled in the rolling hills of the valley waiting to be explored, and so many fine foods and wines to sample.

With incredible accommodation choices, the Yarra Valley is ideal for the driving holiday, with a vast choice of cosy bed and breakfasts, self-contained cottages through to five star hotels. You will not want to leave once you have settled in.

Follow the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road and you will arrive at one of the most sought after regions in Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges. Ideal for a weekend retreat, the majestic forests, amazing gardens and panoramic views of the Yarra Valley are the most distinct drawcards for tourists. Home of the Rhododendron, the gardens go on and on and will lead you to art galleries and cosy cafés. There is even a local Puffing Billy which will take you through old villages and through incredible scenery. There are kilometres of walking tracks also featuring the Thousand Steps and The Sherbrooke Forest.

Further down the range is the town of Healesville, which is known for its extensive Sanctuary wildlife park. It is home to a myriad of birdlife, and boasts over 200 species of animals such as the platypus, Tasmanian devil, dingos, echidnas, koalas, emus and wombats. There is also a fascinating ‘Birds of Prey’ presentation that will give you a greater insight into the peregrine falcon and the wedge tailed eagle. Healesville is also known for its yearly Grape Grazing Festival and Yarra Valley Tourist Railway.

Yarra Glen is located in the heart of the Valley and hosts many award winning wineries. There is plenty to do here, such as walk the eighteen kilometre Sugarloaf Reservoir Park, relax at the Immerse Spa and Winery or even enjoy a balloon flight over the valley to enjoy the sunrise.

Not far away is Marysville. This is a beautiful town also known as the gateway to Lake Mountain. It comes alive in every season, especially spring with its picturesque cottage gardens and oak trees lining the streets, and winter when the snowfields beckon avid skiers to enjoy the slopes. Steavenson Falls is a magnificent attraction, known as one of the highest waterfalls in Victoria. Lady Talbot Drive is perfect for a picnic lunch surrounded by eucalyptus forest followed by a rainforest walk. The Cumberland Scenic Reserve features the tallest tree known in Victoria, known as ‘The Big Tree’, and the Cora Lynn Falls are also worth a visit.

Warburton is one of the most attractive towns in the entire valley. It is also known as a health retreat and welcoming for all desiring a complete break from the pressures of life. With forests, rivers, wineries and plenty of activities and attractions, make sure this is on your list of places to see.

The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is popular for cycling or walking enthusiasts, and there is a shorter walk to Lala falls. The Mt Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery offers a fantastic treetop skywalk which is a great way for all ages to see the beautiful rainforest. There is even a night tour to the Upper Yarra Reservoir Park. There are plenty of walks which begin close to town and into the Mountain Ash forests. You will certainly leave here feeling fit and rejuvenated.

For some it would be enough to enjoy the views of the sun setting accompanied with a glass of local wine, browsing the boutiques and enjoying a visit to the wildlife sanctuary. Others seeking outdoor adventure will love the treetop skywalk, cross country skiing at Lake Mountain or abundance of cycling and bushwalking tracks. For whoever is blessed to visit this abundant region, the outcome is still the same. They will return home relaxed and more than likely planning a return trip.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit

Is the real camping experience for you?

Now days most people practicing camping spend loads of money to get the latest camping equipment. However if you want to truly experience the real camping experience you should ask yourself what is camping after all. Real camping is about toughing it in the woods. So if you are equipped with all the most expensive, state-of-the-art camping gear that is giving you the same comfort you have at home you are not living the real thing. Of course it’s all right if that’ the way you like it, but if you really want to know what roughing is all about then read this. More and more people are talking about homemade camping gear because they want to know what real camping is all about.

Your Three Primary Needs

When you go on a camping trip there is only three things that you really can’t do without.

- Food
- Water
- And Shelter

For Food you can easily bring along protein bars or simple things like hot-dogs that you can prepare over the camp fire. For water you can either bring along a canteen or buy your water in plastic bottles. As for Shelter, you need a tent.

Everything else is just extra to make your camping trip more comfortable. So if you really want to ruff it, food, water and shelter is all you really need.

So when thinking about your homemade camping gear, you should start by looking around your house. Let’s take your shower curtain for example; it can help you in many ways. It can be used as a pack to carry your food and water and can even be your shelter by attaching it to a tree. You see all you need for your homemade camping gear is right there in your house.

Other homemade camping gear technique you could use would be to use a bucket and a plunger as clothes washing basin. You could fill tiny paper cups with sawdust and dipping them in paraffin wax for a good fire starter. Some people use garbage bag with small holes as showers or you could just make a big hole in it as a poncho during rainy days.

If you look carefully at all the things you have in your house and use a little imagination, you will soon find out you have pretty much all the homemade camping gear you need to experience the real camping adventure.

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