Vienna has long been renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with good reason. The architecture is magnificent, there are abundant gardens, and it’s a pedestrian’s paradise. Getting out on foot with a good map is the best way to view its charms.

The Habsburg family ruled Austria for over 6 centuries, and Vienna was their base. The Hofburg Palace was begun in the 13th century, then expanded and altered for centuries, incorporating numerous architectural styles. Nowadays it houses the Austrian President. Sunday mass provides an opportunity to hear the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Various parts of the palace are open to visitors, and it’s worth allowing plenty of time to go exploring.

Like all good European royalty, the Habsburgs also had their summer palace – the Schloss Schönbrunn. An overwhelming experience of gilding and stucco, it’s worth the U-bahn journey to visit, just for the pure magnificence of it all. The gardens are very beautiful, and well suited to a peaceful stroll.

Back in the centre of Vienna, St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) has long been regarded as a landmark, with its magnificent tiled roof and spindly spires. It’s possible to climb up the south tower and enjoy the view. The nearby Haas Haus, completed in 1990, is more recent, and a source of controversy. Some say the beautiful old cathedral is crowded and degraded by its silver curves and glass. Others say it makes some very interesting reflections.

Close by is Kärntner Strasse, a pedestrian only mall which provides hours of fascination for the visitor, with cafes, shops and street entertainers. A stroll here is a great way to get a real feel for the human heart of Vienna.

If you follow Kärntner Strasse south, you reach the Staatsoper (State Opera House), built in the 1860s. This opulent building was badly damaged in the 2nd world war, and was only reopened in 1955. The interior is best enjoyed attending a performance, but you can also go on a guided tour during the day. Nearby is the Burggarten, a lovely garden containing many statues of Mozart. There’s also the Butterfly House, if you want to see something a little different.

Although the list of places to visit in Vienna is very long, you certainly don’t want to miss Maria Theresa Platz. Flanked on two sides by the identical museums of Fine Art and of Natural History, it’s an excellent place to sit and contemplate the beauty of Vienna. Both museums are also worth losing yourself in for a while.

As a final touch to the day, the Prater Amusement Park is full of traditional delights. The huge ferris wheel in the centre of the park provides a great view of the city at night, and may provide a sense of déjà vu for those who enjoy James Bond movies.

Many people pass through Vienna in a hurry on their whistlestop tour of Europe, and miss out on this city’s many beauties and attractions. Do yourself a favour and make sure you allow plenty of time to sample its delights.

Travelling in Austria is a much loved past time for the author. To find out more, check out travelaustriainfozone.com travelaustriainfozone.com or travelaustriainfozone.com/vienna/ travelaustriainfozone.com/vienna/ for more information.

Guided Grand River canoe and kayak trips have been attracting many families new to the experience of river paddling. Over 30,000 paddlers visit the Grand River in Southern Ontario yearly. Many paddlers brush through the valley totally unaware of what is there.

This river is rich in native history steeped in the wars of the Mohawks, Huron and other Iroquoian nations. It contains the largest selection of plants, wildlife and trees in Canada. There are fresh springs to taste and many historical points of interest. The fishing is excellent with over 80 species of recorded fish. And the return of rare species such as ospreys, eagles and beaver have given the valley bragging rights.

For the novice new to the Grand River… a guided trip is a unique way of opening the door. Guided trips not only insure safety between point A and B, but offer instructional teaching on river paddling techniques. But the highlight of every trip is the rich enhancement of experiencing the plants, wildlife and native history of the valley.

Most of the Grand River outfitting companies are located along the picturesque section of the Grand River between Kitchener and Brantford. There are presently six companies offering guiding services. They are open from April until November, seven days a week with variable hours of operation. All the companies have websites and can be easily located by googling “Grand River guided canoe trips”.

The cost of guiding services between outfitters is basically the same. Small exclusive groups vary from $60 to $100 per person excluding tax. Large groups cost around $25 to $40 per person excluding tax. These prices include all equipment, guide, upstream shuttle service and sometimes lunch.

The guided “trip” works as follows… the customer parks their vehicle at the trip exit point and then shuttled upstream to paddle back to their vehicle with the guide. Most trips are 3 to 5 hours of leisure paddling depending on which section of the watershed is chosen.

The prettiest wilderness section to paddle on the Grand River is a 3 hour trip between Glen Morris and Paris. For a unique 6-7 hour paddle which can be broken into a relaxing weekend trip, there is the Glen Morris to Brant Park… offering the best of the Grand River. If new to the Grand River ask the outfitter to recommend a suitable trip to match paddling skills.

Guiding services can vary and it is always wise to inquire. Some guides basically deliver customers from point A to B on the river with a set time schedule. Other guides are certified instructors which can teach proper strokes and steering techniques. The best guides not only instruct paddling techniques but teach and explore the river valley.

Many customers upon arrival expect their own exclusive guide only to discover that they have been batched with other groups. These “one-guide-batch” trips are often a unpleasant experience. The slowest paddler holds up the entire group and diverts most of the guide’s attention. When booking a guided trip inquire whether it is a batch or exclusive service being provided. Exclusive guided services costs more but the learning experience is worth it.

After a guided trip, many have gained the “river smarts” and confidence to explore on their own… and are encouraged to do so. The Grand River offers lots of opportunity. It is the largest watershed in Southern Ontario with over 300 kilometers of nearby wilderness paddling from the Bruce Highlands to the shores of Lake Erie.

But the best thing about the Grand River is that it is one of the few pristine rivers where a family can drive one hour from Toronto… experience a day’s wilderness paddle… and still be in their own bed at night.

Garth Pottruff’s love for guiding makes him one of the most unique teaching experiences in the Grand River Valley in the Paris area. He has deliberately shortened his paddling time to increase the teaching time of the guided Grand River canoe kayak and raft trips. If seeking more then a paddle down the Grand River… a day with Garth is a learning experience that won’t be forgotten.

For more information on guided Grand River canoe, kayak and rafting trips for families, friends and corporate groups… visit his website

A hotel, villa, apartment or inn is your home away from home when you travel, so you want to make sure you know what you are getting and that it is the right fit for you. Torrevieja hotels are no exception, since Torrevieja is such a popular tourist spot on the Costa Blanca. You can find a property that will serve your business or vacationing needs and provide you with all the amenities and conveniences you desire. So, city side or ocean side, let’s take a look at the best Torrevieja hotels.

Top of the Line Hotels That Don’t Disappoint

If your idea of vacationing is luxury all the way, then you won’t be disappointed in what you will find in and around Torrevieja. To begin, there is high rise luxury to be found in the city’s centre. These types of hotels can provide views of the sea with all of the modern conveniences of a complex. The hotel lobbies host many amenities specific to the needs of tourists. Court yards with pools, restaurants, cafeterias and conference facilities can accommodate meetings and conventions or provide amusement for both adults and children on a family vacation.

Some popular hotels in downtown Torrevieja include:
- Cabo Cervera
- Club Aldea Del Mar

Just on the outskirts of town there are also plenty of choices in hotels. Some popular picks include:

- Traina, San Pedro del Pinatar

- La Lagua Spa & Gold, Rojales
- La Zenia, Oriheula
- Hotel Marina Palace, Santa Pola
- Nelva, Murcia

Long Visits & Summer Get-Away Plans

Extended stays in Torrevieja as easily accommodated by many property owners in the areas. They will rent apartments by the week, month or season. This can make extended stays more affordable and comfortable as you set up housekeeping in a one or two bedroom apartment, complete with kitchen, living area, laundry facilities and more. You will have the extras most hotels offer in many of the high rise apartments because several have swimming pools, shops, restaurants and more right on the premises.

Booking Some Beach Side Bliss

Quiet, relaxing, resort type properties dot the coast of Torrevieja. The Marina 2 Torrevieja Internacional for example is located within a calm residential area, yet within steps of the coastline. These types of luxury accommodations also have the amenities of the high rise hotels such as pools and restaurants, but provide a completely different atmosphere. Don’t forget to check out Club Aldea Del Mar beach front lodging at Playa de los Locos.

Spa treatments, massages, and quiet strolls along the boardwalk will help you relax and rejuvenate on your vacation. Just minutes away from the downtown section of Torrevija, these accommodations let you relax by day and party and dance by night.

Choices in Getting There

Torrevieja is located central to two airports. The Alicante (ALC) airport is just 35 km from these hotels and apartments. Even closer, though a smaller airport, is the Murcia San Javier (MJV) located just 25.8 km from the city centre. Once you arrive, taxis and busses can transport you to your hotel. Car rental services are located near the in-town properties for convenient travel to surrounding cities such as Javea, Santa Pola, and Benidorm.

What To Do Once You’ve Settled In

Now that the hotel choice is out of the way, what to do next? There are amusement parks, golf courses galore and plenty of sunny days to last the entire vacation. Short drives to other nearby historical cities in Spain make for great day trips from your home base. Then it’s to the beach or city centre for some night life. Discos and restaurants abound and the cuisine choices are truly continental.

The scriptwriter Jerry Blackburn is passionate about problems dealing with Spain and Alicante. Recording his experience in detailed publications such as alicante-spain.com www.alicante-spain.com , the writer expressed his skill on topics similar to alicante-spain.com/torrevieja-hotels.html torrevieja hotels.

For decades, thousands of Americans and Europeans have been traveling to Thailand seeking medical treatment at affordable prices. In fact, Thailand is considered by many to be the global leader in medical tourism.

Boasting the first hospital in Asia to attain ISO 9001 accreditation, Thailand takes medical tourism seriously. In fact, Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok proudly hosts more foreign patients than any other hospital in the world, with accommodations that look more like rooms in a 5-star hotel than those in a hospital.

The national air carrier, Thai Airways, began packaging medical check-ups as part of its Royal Orchid Holidays program. And patients can clock up their frequent flier miles to apply to the costs of their post-procedure check-ups. From meeting their patients on arrival at the airport to providing luxurious accommodations complete with welcoming fruit baskets and a complimentary massage, what more can be said to prove that Thailand goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide world-class service to its medical tourists?

But, aside from the luxurious pampering, what exactly does Thailand have to offer as a medical travel destination?

With more than 400 private hospitals, many offering world-class standards, doctors and specialists trained in US or European medical schools, and state-of-the-art technology, Thailand promises quality medical care at a fraction of the cost of its Western counterparts.

The Thai baht has an extremely favorable exchange rate when compared to the US dollar or the Euro. This, when paired with lower medical costs in general, passes huge savings along to the medical traveler. One might expect to pay as little as 20% of the cost for procedures identical to those provided in a Western hospital. Some medical, dental, or diagnostic procedures may cost as much as 700 to 800% more in the US when compared to their cost in Thailand!

Thai hospitals make every effort to make the medical tourist’s stay a trouble-free experience. So, to minimize any possible language barrier, they employ staff who are fluent in English. Many doctors and specialists have had overseas training. Striving to meet demand, some hospitals have even employed Arabic-speaking personnel to meet the needs of some of their foreign guests. With such attention to detail, it is obvious that they are determined to go the extra mile.

Thailand offers a full spectrum of quality medical and health care options, from cosmetic and plastic surgery to lasik eye treatment. Weight loss procedures, such as a lap band surgery, cardiac care, dental care, elective surgeries, and gender reassignment surgeries are all popular and affordable choices.

The government joins in these efforts for providing a trouble-free medical holiday by allowing visitors from many nations a stay of up to 30 days without needing a visa. And, once in Thailand, if you should decide to extend your stay, a one-month extension is available for around $50. Two-month visas are easily attainable through the Thai embassy in the traveler’s home country. For visits of longer than 60 days, the traveler can apply for a non-immigrant visa.

Aside from the many advantages of opting for medical treatment in Thailand, the nation is a highly acclaimed exotic vacation spot, rich in its history and culture. Known for its Buddhas, its tropical sandy beaches, and its fantastic shopping opportunities, from the bustle of Bangkok to the thriving night life, from the luxurious and relaxing spas to the vast array of Asian cuisine, Thailand has something to offer to everyone. So visit the “land of smiles” and combine health care with a delightful holiday stay.

medical-travel-asia.com medical-travel-asia.com is dedicated in telling the world that Asia is THE place for medical tourism and the right place to come and seek medical help. Asia has so many things to offer to the world, we simply want to tell people WHY.

On top of that, we also happen to know where are the best beaches here in Asia to recuperate after a surgery. Come to Asia if you are seeking medical treatment, get well, and take back some beautiful holiday memories at the same time.

However, medical-travel-asia.com medical-travel-asia.com is NOT engaged in rendering medical service or advice and the information provided on this website is not a substitute for a professional medical opinion. Our website is purely for educational and informational purposes. If you have a medical problem, please contact a qualified health professional.

For more information about Asia’s medical tourism, visit our website medical-travel-asia.com medical-travel-asia.com