What sights will you see when you’re on the Mediterranean? You’ll get to know six popular areas of interest here. You can learn about some of the cities and islands on the Mediterranean that are located in and around this virtually inland sea the size of the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the province of
Newfoundland and Labrador combined.

These are a few of the main attractions on the Mediterranean on the west coast of Italy:

Florence: See the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria; the domed cathedral known as the Duomo; and the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge across the Arno River, whose most striking feature is the multitude of shops built upon its edges. This city is without a doubt one of the most memorable destinations for me on the Mediterranean.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa: Intended to stand vertically so as to serve as a bell tower, but began leaning soon after construction started in 1173 due to a poorly laid foundation. The tower has 294 steps, has a height of almost 57 metres on the highest side and weighs an estimated 14,500 tonnes.

Naples: The San Francesco di Paola church, situated in the middle of Piazza Plebiscito, a semicircular square, which offers a spectacular view of Mount Vesuvius; and Castel Nuovo, a ‘new castle’ completed in 1282, known for its important Renaissance work.

Costa Smeralda: Sardinia’s 55 kilometre-long coastal area on the Mediterranean, developed by Prince Karim Aga Khan. This “Emerald Coast” is popular with highly affluent European and Arabian VIPs visiting from entertainment, politics and industry.

Also on the Mediterranean, the Spanish eastern coastal city of Barcelona offers the Plaça Reial: a popular square next to Las Ramblas, a busy, kilometre-long tree-lined pedestrian mall, a favourite with both tourists and locals alike. Usually full of street theatre, cafés and market stalls, it serves as the emotional hub of the city.

When you’re on the Mediterranean you can visit Marseilles in the south of France and see the statue of the Virgin and Child on the belfry of the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. At 162 metres, this ornate church sits atop the highest natural point in the city. As well as being a major local landmark, it is the site of a popular annual pilgrimage every August 15th.

You can see that some of these places to see on the Mediterranean are perhaps more interesting than others, but if you want you can check out all of them. Ask yourself which ones are most appropriate for your travel itinerary, decide how you plan to see them, whether by cruise ship, tour bus, car, train, plane, bicycle, or even on foot, and go ahead! Take that step! Enjoy yourself on the Mediterranean, and see for yourself!

Keith J. Valentine has been traveling throughout the UK, Europe and North America for years. For more on travel, tips and a free e-zine, please visit 101 Easy Articles at

If you have the need for speed and enjoy auto racing then a racing holiday may be something right up your alley. There are a number of options available to choose from since fun holidays that focus on sports is on the rise. You can plan your auto racing vacation on your own; use the internet to search for locations, dates and hotels that offer discounts and package to the events. Many events have services that will suggest hotels and packages. There are also travel agents that specialize in sport holidays. They not only save you time and hassle but they know the ins and outs of your event and destination so the guesswork is taken out of your trip.

First you need to decide what kind of holiday you are interested in and the level of action. If you’re traveling with children and you’re interested in the history of racing you may want to visit a racing museum, such as the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Mooresville, North Carolina. Museums contain original and replica cars from yesteryears and today. They may also contain interactive exhibits which can be fun for the whole family.

You may prefer a vacation with more excitement that includes an auto racing event such as NASCAR, the Grand Prix, or Formula One. There are packages available that will give you special privileges such as preferred seating and receptions. Depending on the package and the cost some even offer you a chance to meet the drivers and crew. You can rent a scanner to hear the drivers and race officials so you feel like you are part of the action. These packages take out the hassle of planning since many include air transportation, admission tickets, hotels, transfers and other freebies such as souvenirs and other sightseeing trips.

The ultimate adrenaline rush auto racing holiday is by attending an actual racing school. Choose a school that has the cars you wish to drive; some use street legal sports cars and some use actual motorway race cars. There are several classes available and they range from a half day to a few days. Usually a few hours are spent in the classroom and then you suit up and the rest is on the speedway. You won’t actually be racing; there will be no pressure to blow away your classmates on the track. You will be learning the techniques the pros use in racing which will help you in every day driving and still fill that need for speed. They’ll teach you under-steer and over-steer corrections, proper braking, turning at high speeds and other tricks of the trade. You’ll be taken through slaloms and let loose on the track to fulfill your dreams of racing with the pros.

Whether your appetite is as an auto racing spectator or as a participant there is sure to be a race holiday to get your adrenaline going and provide you with your dream vacation.

Peter Wilson repeatedly pens news stories on stories about Costa Dorada and Spain. You can have a look at his alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html articles on Costa Blanca at alicante-spain.com/benidorm.html alicante-spain.com/benidorm.html and different sources for Costa Blanca tips.

Made famous by Revolutionary events, infamous by cold winters, and both by the World-Series winning Red Sox, Boston has its fair share of reasons to visit. With such a reputation, however, comes high prices, and it has become increasingly difficult to find bargain deals in the city. That is why we created a list of budget restaurants, bars and activities that both locals and tourists can use when going out in Boston. Spanning the unique Boston neighborhoods, we have suggestions whether you are with family, friends or single. We also provide ideas for dates that won’t break the bank – great especially for a first outing, yet perfect also for a change of pace in the old routine.

Restaurants

Grendel’s Den (89 Winthrop Street, Harvard Square) – Stop by for the happy hour food specials from 5-7:30pm and after 9:30pm at this popular Harvard Square bar. The entire menu (normally very reasonable) is half priced, giving the diner on a budget some great options. Try the Mediterranean platter for steak tips and hummus for only $5 during happy hour. Also, stop by on Sunday evenings for the special dollar menu, featuring items such burgers and pasta. There is a minimum drink purchase of $3 required for the discount prices.

Brother Jimmy’s BBQ (96 Winthrop St., Cambridge) – Enjoy some of the best BBQ you can find north of Memphis and east of St. Louis. While the entrees can get pricey, you can enjoy a great BBQ sandwich and a side for under $10. Try the pulled Chicken with the Eastern Carolina sauce and the mashed potatoes with gravy. If you’re looking to splurge, try a Swamp-water; this fish bowl of liquor is $15, but does come with its own alligator. On Wednesdays, be sure to check out the Ladies Night specials and receive $1 domestic beers and $1 margaritas. Also on Wednesdays, receive a 25% discount on your food purchases with a valid Southern ID (States south of the Mason-Dixon Line and east of the Mississippi). On Saturdays, there are $0.35 wings and $8 pitchers from 12-4pm. For those really looking to eat, stop by on Sundays for all-you-can-eat ribs and all-you-can-drink drafts for $22.95 (two hour max) or on Mondays for all-you-can-eat wings and rib tips and all-you-can-drink drafts for $14.95.

Fajitas and Ritas (25 West St., Downtown or 1237 Hancock St., Quincy) – It’s easy to stuff yourself with fresh Tex-Mex food here without spending too much cash, because Fajitas and Ritas is one of the few places around that serves dinner-sized fajitas for less than $10. For those who prefer the Tex instead of the Mex, you can get a BBQ pulled pork sandwich accompanied by slaw, beans and corn bread, also for under $10. And even though you might be trying to save money, it’s hard not to splurge on a Raspberry Margarita for a bit over $4. No matter your budget, you won’t be hungry when you leave!

McCormick and Schmick’s (North Market Building, Faneuil Hall) – This upscale seafood restaurant can normally cost a pretty penny but at happy hour anyone can afford to enjoy some of McCormick and Schmick’s great food. From 3:30 to 6:30pm Monday through Friday and 10pm-12am on Saturday and Sunday, the bar features a $1.95 menu featuring standby favorites such as burgers, chicken wings, and cheese quesadillas, as well as seafood choices such as oysters and clams. The menu changes daily and there is a minimum drink purchase required. Reservations are suggested. For more info, take a look at their website here.

Drink Specials

Sunset Grill and Tap (130 Brighton Ave., Allston) – While this bar doesn’t have any drink specials, the sheer vastness of its beer selection makes it worth checking out. Offering 112 beers on tap and 380 types of bottled beer, Sunset is truly a beer drinker’s heaven. The prices range based on the brand but try the Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. This one is 9% alcohol so at about $4 per pint, it can be a pretty good deal. For the drinker living on the edge, there’s the 120 Minute IPA, which is 21% alcohol by volume. The Sunset also offers a menu of tasty, relatively cheap food to accompany your beer selections. You might want to get here early; the lines and wait can get long. For more information take a look here.

Roggie’s Brew and Grille (356 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton) – While this is definitely a Boston College bar, any one looking for a fun scene and young crowd can enjoy this Brighton hotspot. Roggie’s offers 52 beers on tap and martinis for only $5. Also stop by between 4-7pm for $0.15 wings. For those with a larger crowd, or perhaps looking to not remember their night, try the 64 once bowls of mixed drinks for around 17 dollars. As an added bonus, Roggie’s also has a pizza shop right next door for anyone looking for some great cheap eats after a night of heavy drinking.

Pour House Bar and Grill (909 Boylston Street, Fenway Kenmore) – Well known as a college student’s dream bar, this place offers a fun crowd and cheap prices. The deals on food can be exceptional. On Wednesdays after 6pm, try the $2.50 chicken sandwich and Saturdays after 6pm all burgers are half priced. This bar offers a pretty standard selection of drinks, which are also reasonably priced. The service is seat-yourself, but this bar can fill up pretty quickly.

Beacon Hill Pub (149 Charles Street, Beacon Hill) – If you are looking to relive your college years, then Beacon Hill Pub is the place to go. Start with the $1.55 Bud draft pints in plastic cups. Then challenge your buddies to a game of foosball or pinball. Within minutes you’ll feel as if you’re 21 again (or even 18?). Wednesday nights are best if you’re looking for a fun but chill scene – make sure to introduce yourself to Garrett the bartender (and, of course, tip him), and he’ll be sure to remember your poison and prepare it for you as soon as you approach the bar. Thursdays through Saturdays tend to be more crowded, but fun all the same, especially if that is more your scene. Don’t worry about driving and trying to find a parking spot in the impossible Beacon Hill neighborhood – a T stop and a cabstand are only a few steps from the door.

Activities

Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Downtown) – More commonly referred to as Quincy Market, this marketplace offers all kinds of food, shopping and live entertainment. Hungry? Try one of the 17 restaurants or 40 eateries serving up everything from famous New England clam chowda to ethnic Indian and, of course, delectable deserts. Looking for something new? There are multiple retailers, from recognized apparel stores to local gift shops, for you to browse. Just want to be entertained? The musical and variety acts put on by the street performers provide free amusement for passerbys of all ages. Or check out The Comedy Connection (see write-up below) for a more organized comedic routine. Located on the waterfront and easily identified by the cobblestone walkways and 19th century buildings, Quincy Market can’t be missed.

Kayak the Charles (Charles River Canoe and Kayak, in Artesani Park in Allston/Brighton) – You’re sure to cross the Charles River at some point during your stay in Boston – but have you ever considered paddling through it? Stroll with a friend to the Charles River Canoe and Kayak kiosk and rent a two-person canoe or kayak for around $15 per hour. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous workout or a leisurely paddle (the waters are typically calm), kayaking the Charles River can provide either one, or anything in-between. Just make sure the skies are sunny, because rentals are not available on rainy days. Easily spotted in Artesani Park by the green-roof, this rental site is open on fair days from May through early October. Check out other options at their website here.

The Comedy Connection (Faneuil Hall Marketplace) Relax for a night and let the upcoming professionals work to make your date laugh! Comedians perform live every day of the week, but you will want to call (617.248.9700) for reservations if you plan to attend a show between Thursday and Saturday. Ticket prices usually range between $12 and $25, depending on who is on stage, but cheaper doesn’t mean less funny – just less well known acts, which often leads to more original comedy. To see who will be performing next, check here.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (280 The Fenway, Fenway Kenmore) – If the long Bostonian winter gets you and your significant other down, and you both need to see something blooming (but know that won’t happen outside in winter), you can visit the atrium in the center of the Gardner Museum, where the garden courtyard is flowering in every season. There are also three floors of art that, upon Ms. Gardner’s direction, have not been modified since their placement during the 19th century. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 5 pm. If you can convince them your name is Isabella, you can get in for free. Otherwise, show a student ID for a $5 admission fee. You can get to the museum by taking the Huntington Avenue No. 39 bus or the Green Line train to the Museum stop.

Cheap Dates

South Street Diner (corner of Kneeland and South Sts, Beacon Hill) – Nothing beats sharing a booth and a milkshake at a diner with your date. Open 24 hours a day, there is no bad time to take your significant other out for a bite – be it breakfast, dinner or dessert. Actually, no matter when you go, you should still order a slice of their famous chocolate mousse cake! From the jukebox playing the hits of the decade to the life-sized James Dean near the bathroom, South Street provides that happy, romantic feel we all associate with a typical 1950s diner.

Mike’s Pastry (300 Hanover St., in the North End) – Want to show your date how sweet you can be? Then take him or her to Mike’s Pastry and choose from a selection of cannoli, biscotti, cheesecake and every other Italian dessert you could imagine. You can order enough tasty treats to satisfy yourself and your date without being alarmed by the price, but it may be tough to find a spot to sit. The line may be long, but isn’t your date well worth the wait? Well, if not, the goodies will be!

Boston Bike, Beach and Brewery Tour (Boston Common) – If you enjoy bicycling, beaches and beer, then this is the tour for you! On the third Saturday of each month from late Spring to early Fall, the Boston Bike Tours guides its patrons through the Financial District to Castle Island and Carson beach and then to Boston’s Harpoon Brewery for a beer and a tour. The entire trip takes about 4 ½ hours, but only covers between 16-20 miles of mostly flat terrain, so a lot of that time will be spent relaxing at the beach and brewery, and you do not need to be an ‘experienced’ cyclist to enjoy the tour. The guided tour, with bike, helmet, water and beer, is $25 total, or $20 if you bring your own bike. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling (617) 308-5902 or visiting their website here.

Walk the Freedom Trail (from Boston Common to Bunker Hill) – Wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes, bring a good friend and spend half a day strolling along this historical trail through Boston. The trail begins in Boston Common (where I suggest you grab a map at the Information Kiosk), continues towards Faneuil Hall, winds through the North End, and then ends with a loop around Charlestown and the Harbor. If you’re not up for walking the entire 2.5 mile trail, you can sign up for a short, 90-minute guided tour from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall ($12 for adults, $6 for kids) or opt for the loop at the end of the trail, which takes you past the Bunker Hill Monument and USS Constitution. Either way, the trail provides a leisurely and economical means to enjoy the sights and history of Boston. Check out a map of the Freedom Trail here.

Steve Perlow is a travel editor at aworldofhelp.com aworldofhelp.com, where you can find aworldofhelp travel guides and advice. Visit aworldofhelp.com to get answers from real people to your questions about travel, technology and more.

To pass the time away, there are dozens, maybe even hundreds of things you can do besides sleep. Here are just a few:

• Bring a handheld video game device and try out a new game. You’ll have plenty of time to master it.

• Portable DVD players are wonderful, especially if you are flying one of the “budget” airlines and don’t have the option of movies. Just remember to bring headphones, as your neighbour may not want to hear your flick. Don’t like movies? You can now rent or purchase whole seasons of your favourite TV shows to watch. Enjoy Season 1 of The Office over the Atlantic.

• Pack along a pad of stationary and a pen and write some letters by hand. You can drop them in the mailbox on your way out of the destination airport.

• Give drawing a try. Bring some blank paper and coloured pencils along and give creativity a shot.

• Catch up on some reading. Bring a book or magazines. If you pick up a used paperback before heading to the airport, you won’t feel bad leaving it behind – and you won’t have to pack it back home. For an added adventure, register your book with Book Crossings, first.

• Look through travel brochures of your destination if you don’t already know which sites and attractions you will be visiting.

• Make a list of things to do when you return home or life goals.

• Clean out your wallet, purse or backpack.

• If you need to update your address book, now is the perfect time. Bring your old address book, a new one and any addresses that you need to add.

• A deck of cards and a pocket solitaire instruction manual will keep you busy for hours.

• Learn how to use all the handy features of your camera or video recorder by bringing the manual with you to read.

• People watchers will love this game: take a walk to the back of the plane and look at the interesting people in their seats. Decide who you think they are and either write or imagine how they managed to end up on the same plane as you. What do they do with their free time? Why did they choose to travel in uncomfortable clothing? This is great to do if you aren’t travelling alone, as well.

• Laptops are very versatile if you have the room in your take on bag for one. Learn a new software product by loading the tutorial before you leave; practice writing more effective letters; catch up on emails; clean out your inbox; organize your documents.

• Computer games are a great way to pass the time if you have a laptop. Install a few before takeoff to ensure you have all the updates you need to play.

• Download Podcasts or e-books and enjoy them on the plane. Remember to bring headphones for any audio podcasts.

Remember what you can take on the plane will all depend on your airline’s
current regulations, check with them before you fly.

Haydn Wrath is the owner at Travel nation specialising in travel-nation.co.uk round the world flights. Travel Nation have a wealth of experience in putting together round the world itineries.

For more information visit travel-nation.co.uk Travel Nation.

Summer Travel in China can be one of the best experiences of your lifetime. The fact that China itself has a unique culture is one reason to partake in a China tour, this way, you can understand certain things about the Chinese lifestyle, however; traveling during the summer is another great reason to have a fun filled China holiday. The best period of the year for a successful trip to China is usually between April and October; the weather is conducive and there are lots of festivals in various parts of China making your travel experience an awesome one.

Since the language barrier constitutes a major problem, many tourists consult the services of a tour company and arrange to go in groups to visit the many sightseeing in China. This option could be a great one particularly because every group has a designated tour leader and local guide to facilitate the itinerary. However, some travelers look for unconventional travel routes in order to have more adventures on their trips. This form of travel makes it easier to see wonderful China and beyond.

For off the beaten path travel adventures, it’s best to take note of all the festival dates during the summer in order to allow tourists visit the cities where the festivals take place thereby having a first hand experience of original Chinese culture. There are quite a number of festivals lined up this summer in different locations in China. They include:

The Torch Festival: This festival is synonymous with the Yi minority group located between the Sichuan and Yunnan golden areas. It is characterized by singing and dancing to traditional folk songs, lighting torches and bonfires, etc. This festival takes place during the months of June and July, so it could be a great opportunity to include it in your China tour itinerary and marvel at the beauty of Sichuan and Yunnan.

The Daxing County Water Melon festival is a small festival which takes place in Daxing County in Beijing between June and July. Folk dances, watermelon field tours and water melon tasting events are held during the festival. Tourists who visit are granted the opportunity to taste as much water melons they can have. This festival takes place on the outskirts of Beijing, so it makes for a great Beijing day tour where you can visit the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and other historical attractions of Beijing.

The Autonomous Region of Tibet hosts a few festivals in August; these include the Horse Race Festival in Qiangtang and the Tibetan Shoton Festival.
The Horse racing festival in Qiangtang is the grandest festival held in Tibet annually; Tibetan herdsmen are dressed in military attire showcasing their riding skills. Performances of Tibetan folk songs and dances also take place during the festival to commemorate the heroes of Tibet’s past.
The Tibetan Shoton festival (Xuedun festival) is one of the major traditional festivals in the Tibetan Highlands which features local opera performances and folk songs. It is sometimes known as the Tibetan Opera festival.

Visiting Tibet during these periods also allows for visiting the major sightseeings like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple etc.
The Mount Wutai International Tourist Festival is an international festival which attracts visitors from different parts of the world. Held annually in July, monks and honored guests gather together on the sacred mountain to celebrate this event.
With all these festivals lined up for the summer, you can be rest assured that summer travel in China can be an unforgettable experience.

For more information about passport-to-china.com/ China Travel, China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to China.

Lola writes about China travel and adventure tours for passport-to-china.com/ China Tour & China Travels a foreign inbound tour operator in China.

If you are interested in buying a hotel in Florida then all that you need to do is look around on the Internet, and a number of sale announcements of Florida hotels will be displayed for you. At any point of time, you are sure to find a number of such announcements lined up. The primary reason for this is perhaps the fact that tourism is a huge industry in Florida and buying and selling property is a fundamental basis of any industry.

Hotels and motels of all kinds and standards can be bought from anywhere between six hundred thousand dollars to about seven million dollars. There are agents deployed for the transaction of all such properties. Those who are interested can find the contact information of these agents online directly.

At present, one can find great deals on not just hotels and motels but also condo conversions. There are also a number of private island resorts that you might find available for sale. Most websites also give you the option of keeping any enquiry made by you completely confidential.

A hotel in Florida is a huge investment as the tourism industry here is always busy and profitable. The prices of real estate here soar continuously and if the hotel is of good repute then the prices go up even higher.

Like in the case of all business transactions, here also one must be extremely cautious while exploring ones options of buying the listed properties that are put up on sale. The increasing numbers of cases of online forgery are a point in case. It will be prudent if you make all the transactions beginning from the basic enquiries till the final deal in the presence of your lawyer. This will protect you from fraudulent agents trying to dupe innocent buyers. A careful research will go a long way in ensuring that you make a profitable deal.

e-FloridaHotels.com Florida Hotels provides detailed information on Florida Hotels, Orlando Florida Hotels, Jacksonville Florida Hotels, Destin Florida Hotels and more. Florida Hotels is affiliated with e-SouthBeachHotels.com South Beach Condo Hotels.

Australia is often called the Largest island in the world. It is surrounded by water and has around 10 000 beaches. Australia is large enough to be its own continent, which it is! Australia sits in the southern hemisphere and has an area of over 7 million square kilometres and ranks as the sixth largest nation in the world.

Although Australia started as a British colony, today it is very multi cultural with immigrants from all over the world now calling themselves Australians. The population now stands at around 20 Million.

These days the indigenous Australian, called the Aborigine, represents only about 2 % of the total population. The Aboriginal history goes back about 40 Million years they inhabited most parts of the Australian continent before any arrival of any European.

Australia’s natural wealth is amazing. It produces 95% of the world’s opals and 99% of the world’s black opals. Another one of Australia’s largest exports is beef. Australia boasts over 27 million head of cattle.

Australia thrives with unique wildlife flora and fauna. Two of Australia’s most well known wildlife animals is the koala and the kangaroo. The kangaroo is a marsupial that belongs to a group of animals called macropods. “Macropod” means “big foot.” Another Australian macropod in the same family as the kangaroo is the wallaby. The largest kangaroo is the big red kangaroo that stands 2 meters tall and weigh up to 90 kilos. You will find red kangaroos in Australia’s arid red center.

The koala would be the most popular wildlife animal known to Australia. The koala bear is a mammal and not really a bear. It is actually more related to the Australian kangaroo and wombat. Tourists come from around the world to see and to be able to hold one of these cuddly little teddy bear-like creatures in one of Australia’s many nature parks.

Another strange creature unique to Australia is one of the worlds largest Bird called the emu. Its name comes from a Portuguese word “emma,” which means a large bird. The male emu can stand as high as 2 meters, earning the prestigious title of being Australia’s largest bird.

Australia has seven major cities that hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to each year. The largest city of Australia is Sydney with a population just under 4 million. What makes Sydney so beautiful is its harbor and surrounding water ways. Its coastline is lined with beach after beach. Some of Sydney’s most popular land marks are the Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and Bondi beach. In the year 2000, Sydney was the host nation of the Olympic Games. Sydney is a very modern city and full of first class hotels and restaurants.

To the south of Sydney, we have another modern and cosmopolitan city called Melbourne. Melbourne’s sophisticated ambiance is filled with some of the finest restaurants in the world. Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, with a population of about 3 and a half million people. It is also known as the sporting capital of Australia.

Adelaide is known as the City of Churches It is a more gentle city compared to the fast lifestyles of Sydney and Melbourne. It also contains first class restaurants and hotels at much cheaper prices than Sydney or Melbourne. Adelaide is also known for its great wines from the Barossa valley.

To the western side of Australia is the city is Perth. Perth is a beautiful city that sits along the Swan river with a population of only one and a half million people. Its residents enjoy a very easy going lifestyle.

The top end of Australia is Darwin, with its hot tropical weather patterns. It is also known as Crocodile Country, and is also Australia’s northern gateway to Asia.

The top of the east coast of Australia, we have Queensland. Queensland houses one of the seven wonders of the world: the Great Barrier Reef. The capital city of Queensland is Brisbane, which is also a vibrant and diverse city. It is also the gateway to the tropical islands of the north. Brisbane is a very popular destination enjoyed by the young and old tourists alike.

The smallest city of Australia is Tasmania, which sits to the bottom of Australia’s south east coast. It is very lush and green. If you like the cooler climates, Tasmania is the place for you. The capital of Tasmania is Hobart. Interestingly enough, Tasmania looks like a broken piece of Australia’s mainland.

I hope you enjoyed my introduction to my favorite country in the world: Australia.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to australia-guides.com/ Australia

Ask any regular long-haul flyer about their experience of flying and you will soon discover that everyone has a different “magic” formula for overcoming or avoiding jet lag.

In reality of course no magic formula exists – and there is certainly no magic pill or tablet. There is, however, a great deal that you can do in preparation for your departure to help you overcome or eliminate jet lag and here are just a few tips:

1. Maintain a consistent sleep pattern.

If you are not following a consistent routine in the days and weeks before your journey (going to bed and getting up at the same time each day) your body’s internal clock will be disrupted even before you start your journey and your flight will simply magnify the effects of insomnia induced by jet lag.

2. Ensure you are getting a balanced and healthy diet.

Diet plays an important role in ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep and an appropriate balance of whole grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables in your diet is essential.

Alcohol and caffeine are two elements of your diet that are particularly important in relation to jet lag and these should be reduced, or eliminated, in the run-up to your journey if at all possible. If, however, asking you to give up your twelve cups of coffee each day is rather like asking you to cut off your right hand, then try to limit your intake to the afternoon between about 3 pm and 5 pm.

Caffeine when taken late in the day tends to speed up your body clock, while taking it in the morning has the opposite effect. Taken during the middle of the day, caffeine has little or no effect on your body’s circadian rhythms.

3. Take regular exercise.

Regular exercise can significantly improve the consistency, quality and duration of your normal sleep cycle. Some form of daily aerobic exercise, lasting at least twenty minutes, will go a long way to preparing your body for your forthcoming journey.

4. Start to slowly adjust your bedtime.

You should begin to “manage” your body clock by gradually and slowly adjusting your bedtime and wake up time in the days before your journey, to bring these into line with the local time at your destination.

If, for example, you normally go to bed at 10 pm and you are flying to a country that is four hours ahead, at your normal bedtime the time at your destination will be 2 am. So, in this case, you need to slowly bring your bedtime forward a little bit (say fifteen minutes) each night for a week or ten days before your departure. This might mean that immediately prior to leaving you are going to bed at say 7.30 pm. However, when you arrive at your destination this will mean that you are now going to bed at 11.30 pm and that you have narrowed the four hour time difference to just one and a half hours.

5. Reduce stress in the days before traveling.

One often overlooked factor in the jet lag equation is that of stress and much of this stress is a direct result of the journey itself. How many times have you found yourself running around at the last minute trying to do 1001 things at once?

Plan ahead and make sure that, as far as is possible, everything that you need to do both at home and at works is completed well in advance of your journey. In planning for your journey, clear as much as you can as early as you can and make specific time available in your pre-journey planning for plenty of relaxation in the days immediately prior to your departure.

These are just a few examples of things that you should pay attention to when planning any long-haul trip and, together with other specific measures taken both during your flight and following your arrival, will considerably reduce the effects of jet lag, or even lead to no jet lag at all!

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders – help-me-to-sleep.com

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health-related publications looking in detail at help-me-to-sleep.com” target=”_blank curing insomnia and managing other common sleep disorders. Drop by for more information on help-me-to-sleep.com/jet-lag/index.html” target=”_blank jet lag and to pick up your free copy of “How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep”.

Recently there has been some concern about the health of air travelers over long range flight. We would like to know what the Federal Aviation Administrator is doing to correct this situation. Many incidents of discomfort over long flights has come into the news, strange to note that it is gone unnoticed in Aviation history for a long time and even reports of the matter was never available in early aviation news either why?

One reason could be due to the advent of modern Aviation. Now that the Aviation safety is a major factor world wide the international civil aviation organism must look into the matter carefully. Nowadays in many countries Aviation and the role of government are inseparable if we forget about business aviation for the moment.

Perhaps the most vivid in our memories is the case of that young new bride. Who died due to a massive clotting of blood, this ought to have caused some awareness and concern. Commercial Aviation Safety authorities should have come under increased criticism.

More recently a stand by remedy has been proposed although what good it will do remains to be seen. They advise passengers to just get up and move about (walk up and down the aisle) once or twice while in flight but just imagine the chaos this is going to create, if suddenly all the passengers start getting up and going up and down. The captain is going to have a nasty time adjusting the centre of gravity of the air craft during the entire flight! Let new guidelines be set in the interest of the further of the Aviation industry.

Incidentally have the latest aircraft, including the a380 super jumbo and its American equivalent (B777 or B787) taken into account this problem. We would also have to consider the factor of aviation security where many passengers who would be nervous due to natural fears of danger could be mistaken for terrorists. All this is only going to make the Aviation Insurance people happier. As this would be their next chance to open a new series of policies in this regard. This is going to increase the cost of the ticket. How are Aviation authorities going to cope in the face of already increasing costs of Aviation fuel too?

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Australia is also known as the land down under, made famous by the song by “Men At Work”. Beer does flow and men chunder. Beer does flow freely but Australia is also well known for its fine wine and good food. Besides the fine gourmet meals, Australia has a lot to offer to visitors from all over the world.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It is almost a continent on its own and a giant island. It has only about two people per square kilometer, the lowest population density in the world. Australia has over 10000 beaches, more than any country in the world. There are over 40 million kangaroos in Australia, the most well known animal unique to Australia. The longest stretch of straight railway track is 478 km in Western Australia.

Flying to Australia is easy. There are now about 30 airlines flying regularly from UK to Australia. One of the best times for cheap air tickets is early in the year. However do look out for special last minute offers which happen during all year round. You can also stop over in most Asian countries like Singapore, Japan or Thailand. Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Hobart have international airport terminals while Sydney and Melbourne airport enjoyed the most number of visitors.

Australia second biggest state is Queensland which is 4 times the size of Japan, otherwise known as the Sunshine State. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns. The oldest state in Australia is New South Wales. That is where the capital Sydney is. Do not miss its fantastic harbor, the Harbor Bridge, the famous Sydney Opera House and the Bondi Beach. Tasmania, an island, is the smallest city in Australia. It is surrounded with beautiful mountain landscapes. More than 40 percent of the island is a World Heritage Area with national parks and marine reserves.

Do not miss the scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road if you are in Victoria. The Northern Territory is about 3 times the size of France which includes breathtaking landscapes and wonders including the beautiful National Parks such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta where the famous Ayers Rock is.

South Australia, where Adelaide is situated, is famed for its laid back atmosphere, great wine from the Barossa valley regions and its beautiful coastline. Western Australia includes Perth, a charming seaside capital. Its population is only one and a half million people. However it has some of Australia’s and the worlds more remote and awe inspiring landscapes.

During your visit, you will probably be overwhelmed by so much to see and do. Remember, Australia is a big place. Plan your precious vacation time carefully. If you are not sure, check out various websites specializing in Australian travel. Visit the Australian Travel & Tourism Network at www.atn.com.au, Australian Travel Emporium at www.austtravel.com.au, or Walkabout the Australian Travel Guide at www.walkabout.com.au. There is just something for everyone to do.

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