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The metropolis Milan is worldfamous due to the fashionscene. Without fashion Milan would have turned into a sleeping industrial city. It’s obvious that this did not happen. For sure Milan is one of the most interesting cities to visit when coming over to Italy.

Furthermore Italy and Milan are known in particular for excellent wining and dining. One of the reasons why the Italian lifestyle is described as “La Dolce Vita”, a sweet kind of living. Whenever you will visit Milan, the Enterprise Hotel Milan is absolutely the place to stay. In 2004 “Business Traveller” magazine voted the hotel for “One of the World’s Best Individual and Stylish Paces to Stay.” By this we can conclude that not only tourists will feel more than welcom, businessmen and businesswomen will feel at home as well.

The hotel is situated in a building that used to be a radio factory in the early fifties. Later a leader in fashion a famous Italian weekly magazine was accommodated in the building.

In 2002 the hotel turned into a spectacular and Trendy Design hotel. For sure, in a city where fashion plays such an important role, the designers took care of every single detail. All furniture and equipment were exclusively designed for the hotel. The architecture is overwhelming, in particular the splendid marble staircase and not to forget the high ceilings and windows both in the lobby as well in the restaurant.

In one word; the design of the hotel rooms is superb! A dark parquet floor combined with modern and stylish furniture. The spacious bathroom is tiled with mosaic in a rainbow pattern. Could we have expected something else as we are in Italy?

Before discovering the city, the wine cellar of the hotel is well worth visiting. Not only wine is served, one of the finest Italian salamis can be found here as well.

Apart from the Enterprise Hotel we can give you some suggestions for shopping when visiting the city centre: All world famous fashion designers can be found on the Via della Spiga. The Via Brera offers various art galleries.

Enterprise Hotel Milan, Italy Stay here starting from 119,- per night including breakfast.

For more information about the hotel: http://www.trendy-hotels.nl/hotels/enterprise%20hotel%20milan%20e ng.php

For more information about Trendy Hotels: http://www.trendy-hotels.com

For more information about Trendy Hotels e-mail us at: info@trendy-hotels.com

Just because you’re too busy to travel all the way to Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time celebrating Irish traditions.
Chicago, New York City, Sydney, and even Tokyo have their own ways to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. What began as the feast of Ireland’s patron saint has now grown into one of the biggest holidays celebrated anywhere in the world.

Up until 2002, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was celebrated as more of a religious holiday, the way it used to be in the old days. Following the hoof and mouth disease scare that canceled parades in 2001, Dublin decided they should embrace the gimmicky shamrocks and green beer to help boost tourism. The 5-day Dublin St. Patrick’s Day festival is now the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the country and has an attendance of over 700,000 people for parade day alone.

In the United States, green-clad partiers line the streets for parades in over a dozen cities. Boston, New York and Chicago host the most popular of these events, but you can even find a parade or two in New Orleans where the influence of Mardi Gras has led to an evolution of Saint Patrick’s Day parades around the big easy. Even after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, locals and tourists alike will be able to catch their share of St. Patrick’s Day beads tossed from elaborate parade floats.

Across the globe in Tokyo, Japanese citizens have been joining the Irish in celebration since 1992. The Tokyo parade is organized by the Irish Network Japan (INJ) with the support of the Embassy of Ireland. The Japanese love a good party and they are particularly fond of all things Irish – including Irish setters and Guinness beer for about $8.00 a pint! However, popular St. Patrick’s Day parade highlights are the “free beer girls” who represent the local Irish taverns by handing out vouchers which are good for complimentary green beer.

Since the entire month of March is festival season down under, Sydney’s calendar is full of events, many of them representing Irish culture. There are Irish heritage at breakfasts, lunches, dinners, balls, race days, golf days, and concerts. Of course, there’ll be plenty rounds of drinks in Australia’s more than 150 Irish pubs. However it’s not all about drinks for Australia. A traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Mass is held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.

What once began as a traditional Irish holiday day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide, has now come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. No matter where you are or what country you are in, chances are you will see a little bit of the “wearing of the green” on March 17th.

Richie Anderson writes for North Coast Events, a Party Decor studio located in Cleveland, Ohio. He also operates NCE Party Supplies, an online party store which specializes in St. Patrick’s Day Decorations.

Cruises are an ideal honeymoon getaway that if properly researched can fit into every budget. There are many different types of cruises you can take and here we will discuss some of them.

Spend your honeymoon with a romantic trip on a luxury liner. Being on the high end of the cruise scale, it is unbeatable. The moment you step aboard, the luxury is evident. You are given a grand welcome with a glass of champagne, and a crew member will show you to your suite. The suites are luxurious, with large bedrooms, beautiful bathrooms and occasionally a balcony to view all the wonders of the sea.

Many luxury liners give you many options when it comes to choosing food. They will often have several restaurants, bars, and lounges. Some will feature a theatre for viewing various shows every night. Along with a casino for you and your new spouse to enjoy the night away, or a night club to dance and celebrate your new union.

Many honeymoon cruises will have a fitness center, swimming pool, and hot tub for all of your needs. What good is a honeymoon cruise without being able to relax? That is exactly why some liners offer a spa to engage in health and beauty therapy.

Deciding where you want to go on your cruise will be a fun adventure. You can take a cruise anywhere that is accessible by sea. You will enjoy various stops and adventures that only a cruise can show you. Many cruise companies offer a wide variety of honeymoon packages. Many people choose to take winter cruises to the warmer climates such as the Caribbean or anywhere in the South Pacific.

Costly as a honeymoon cruise may seem to you at the time, keep in mind that the cost includes many benefits that a typical honeymoon destination might not. Things such as, all meals, any onboard facilities like a theatre or nightclub, wine is occasionally included, and transportation to and from various ports.

Exploring Orlando “Off the Beaten Path” has been the theme for our trip and I intend to explore the Central areas of the Sunshine State, and flush out all those unexpected and unconventional destinations in and around Orlando. In my discoveries of Orlando, I have been working closely with the Orlando Visitor and Convention Bureau, to get the input of local experts and work out an itinerary for our two weeks in Florida, without setting foot once into a theme park.

One of the first places they suggested was the Orange County Regional History Center, home to the varied and extensive collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando in the beautifully restored five-story Orange County Courthouse, The History Center is continuously distinguished as the area’s “Best Museum”. When the History Center was built as a courthouse in 1927, the jail was on the top floor, with quarters for the jailer and his wife, an infirmary, and separate cellblocks for white women, white men, black women and black men.

With an exciting roster of ever-changing exhibits on display and travelling exhibits on loan to other facilities, The History Center is one of Central Florida’s premier attractions. Members, educators and visitors alike find a wealth of fascinating information, delivered in dynamic fashion. From guided tours and “hands-on history” events to fun-packed summer camps and interactive children’s programs, learning is fun for all ages. History Center members can take advantage of a number of special value-added benefits, including discounts and exclusive event opportunities. The stately facility is also available for event rentals, ranging from unparalleled conferences to unforgettable weddings.

The First People exhibit takes visitors back in time to see how Paleo-Indians lived in the days before European Contact. First Contact helps visitors imagine Native American’s reaction and the changes in their lifestyles due to the arrival of the Spanish. A recreated early 19th century Seminole Settlement provides a look at artifacts of Florida’s most famous tribe and a replica Florida Pioneer cabin lets curious guests test a Spanish moss-filled mattress and discover the much-discussed origin of the term “Florida Cracker”.

Other permanent exhibits include Cattle and Citrus, Central Florida’s first major industries, Tourism, Transportation, Real Estate, Aviation, the impact of Walt Disney, and Central Florida’s African American community. From a replica World War II B-17 bomber and a two-story dome featuring over 150 unique Central Florida icons to the restored 1927 Courtroom B, and the outdoor Heritage Square courtyard, a wealth of fascinating sights and experiences awaits visitors to the History Center.

Our first stop in the museum was the Orientation Theatre. Set as a Florida back porch, you can relax in a rocker while being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Central Florida. Right after our introduction to Central Florida’s history we had a chance to meet Shanon Larimer, spokesperson for the Museum, who gave us a great overview of this facility.

The exhibits feature many interactive displays and Shanon, our museum expert, indicated that new exhibits offering even more interactive features will be coming on stream shortly. We particularly enjoyed Courtroom B, an authentic courtroom that is part of this former Orange County Courthouse, with furnishings and decorations dating back to 1927. One of the benches in the front has an inscription “Ted Bundy”, indicating this infamous criminal may indeed have been sitting here on this very wooden bench in the past. Bundy was in fact tried in the former Annex to the 1927 Orange County Courthouse, but historians still debate the authenticity of the signature. The seat backs of the prisoners’ benches are all scuffed up with markings of the handcuffs that tied their hands behind their backs.

Shanon also showed us a very famous friendship doll that was given to the United States by the Japanese. Every year hundreds of visitors come from Japan and visit the History Center, with the specific intention of seeing this friendship doll.

The Historium gift store sells memorabilia, books and souvenirs while the Educational Program’s office offers a wide range of programs and activities for children of all ages as well as tours, workshops and lectures for adults. Ongoing special events include a Third Thursday themed evening event and a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market staged in the lush Heritage Square courtyard in front of the building.

Fortunately for visitors not just hungry for historical insights, there are ample dining opportunities right outside the Museum. Wall Street Plaza, which abuts the History Center, features eight bars and restaurants lining a brick-paved pedestrian sidewalk. Restaurants include the Wall Street Cantina serving Mexican fare, The Globe, a relaxed European-style café featuring both indoor and al fresco dining, and the new Waitiki Retro Tiki Lounge, offering the best in upscale island seafood.

>From Too Jay’s and Kress Chop House on Church Street, to cutting edge cuisine at The Bohme and sushi bar Ichiban on Orange Avenue, and from Sam Sneads and HUE on Central Boulevard to the Lake Eola Yacht Club, Lee’s Lakeside and GondEola featuring candlelit dinners aboard a gondola on Lake Eola, History Center visitors are sure to find just the right meal to top off their museum experience.

Inspired by our discovery of the History Center we continued our learning experiences at the Well’s Built Museum of African American History and Culture, followed up by a relaxing walk around Lake Eola, to take in a beautiful sunset. We capped off an intense day with a tasty Mexican Dinner on downtown Heritage Square. In one afternoon we managed to satisfy our desire for learning and our cravings for spicy Mexican food.

Conveniently located at 65 East Boulevard in the heart of downtown Orlando, the History Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. General admission is $7, students with a valid student ID and seniors (60+) pay $6.50 and children ages 3 to 12 $3.50. Visitors receive two hours of FREE covered parking at the Orlando Public Library with paid admission (not valid for special events). Guided tours are offered on Saturdays at 11 am and included in the price of general admission. For more information visit www.thehistorycenter.org or call (407) 836-8500.

To really understand from where the premise of this article comes, the reader should have already read the article series that preceded this one: “The Man Who Moved a Mountain – The Incredible True Story of Florida’s Coral Castle – Parts 1 through 4. These articles will produce an excellent portrait of the man whom this article pertains, Edward Leedskalnin…

Coral Castle had no electricity except for what Ed supplied with an invention he tried to patent, which he called a “perpetual motion holder”. The perpetual motion holder is widely misunderstood by everyone who studies it. To the author though, it appears to be a very basic concept.

The perpetual motion holder was a contraption that Ed built on a chassis of an old truck and mounted on the floor of his little shop. It contained a series of magnets that rotated. Ed explained that when the handle of the perpetual motion holder was cranked, the magnets in the device would chase each other for eternity.

I believe this is the point where people get lost.

They assume that Ed means that the physical magnets themselves are spinning around chasing themselves. If one reads Ed’s material on magnetism, you will find that Ed believed that what science called electrons and protons could (in his opinion) actually be subatomic North and South pole magnetic particles. Or that the electrons and protons themselves were negatively and positively charged. He believed that science had several things wrong about electricity and magnetism.

I think what Ed created was a simple generator / capacitor, which would build up and hold an electrical charge. When the physical magnets were spun in his perpetual motion holder, a flow of “subatomic North and South pole magnets” was created (ie electricity) and held.

Since Ed believed that electricity was actually subatomic North and South pole magnetic particles chasing each other, I believe this is what Ed meant.

Someone once stated that they had seen Ed’s bicycle mounted to the perpetual motion holder in such a manner that Ed could spin the physical magnets by pedaling the bicycle. If the physical magnets were supposed to chase each other forever with a simple spin, why would Ed need to strap a bicycle to the machine? Wouldn’t a simple spin of the magnets by hand cause them to start into motion just the same? Unless Ed was actually using the bicycle to charge the perpetual motion holder.

I remember seeing a project where a college student recreated the perpetual motion holder as Ed described it in his writings. It worked exactly as Ed stated it would. The student could build up an “electrical” charge using a battery charger and the perpetual motion holder would hold the charge for an infinite amount of time. The college student stated in his experiment that his perpetual motion holder was charged to a certain level then left alone for six months. At the end of six months, the current in the perpetual motion holder was metered and was exactly the same as it was when it was first charged.

When the bar across the end of the perpetual motion holder was released, the current was also released. This bar was wired up to a light bulb and when the bar was released the light bulb flashed, signifying an electrical discharge. Ed stated that he couldn’t stop the “magnets” in his perpetual motion holder from chasing each other, unless he shorted a wire across the poles. Shorting a wire across the poles would have also released the current, as in the experiment above.

On The Other Hand

With all of this being said, there is one thing that I feel I should add. I found what is apparently a very unusual method of dowsing for water. It was used by the same guy who discovered the “Bishops Rule” of dowsing in 1870, a French herdsman named Barthelemey Bléton.

Instead of the usual forked stick or set of rods, he would begin by holding both of his hands parallel in front of him with his elbows tucked against his side. Both hands would be about six inches apart and in the shape of pistols (thumbs up); as kids do when playing cops and robbers, etc.

On top of both index fingers, a one foot long perfectly-rounded stick was placed (perpendicular to the fingers and parallel to the front of the body). It was held level.

Then Bléton would walk a specific area until the stick started to spin rapidly on his fingers – like the wheels of a race car taking off. This would signify a water anomaly was present beneath this position. He could tell the depth of the water body by using the Bishop’s Rule.

As a side note, my great-uncle was somewhat of a legend where he lived, because he found several excellent water wells for people. He once told me that he couldn’t detect water if it was still; such as in pool in a cavern underground. He could only detect it if it were flowing.

Apparently the movement of water underground creates some sort of a geomagnetic flow.

Perhaps there is a secret that “the ancients” and people like Ed found that allowed them to tap into this power for their building and/or experimenting purposes. Keep in mind that great structures like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid have (or have had) water anomalies under them. For instance, the Great Pyramid used to have an underground river which flowed beneath it.

Now, if the dowsing phenomenon Barthelemey Bléton utilized is true, then it is possible that the physical magnets in Ed’s perpetual motion holder did in fact physically spin. He stated in his publications that the subatomic magnets moved in a right-hand twist, and at a high rate of speed. Could this magnetic movement be what made the stick spin for Bléton?

It is a known fact that Ed used a forked dowsing stick to find “something” when he was searching for the ideal place to build. Some suggest that Ed was deliberately trying to tap into something called the “Harmonic Grid”, which is a geomagnetic grid that encompasses the Earth. It is said that at certain points on this grid, there is much more magnetic power than other places and that the Great Pyramid, Stonehenge, Coral Castle, and other monolithic structures are all coincidentally on this grid.

Whether Ed was deliberately trying to find this grid is not known. However, it should also be stated for the record that dowsing for water prior to building a home was not unusual for old-timers. Think about it for a second…

What good would it do to build a beautiful home at an “ideal” location, only to find that you have to walk 5 miles to get a bucket of water? The old-timers built their places around water. This way, they would have fresh water close by for drinking, cooking, and bathing as they built their new home… as well as after.

Perhaps for people like Ed finding water actually served several purposes, some of which are unknown to 99.99% of the population.

I do believe one thing… If the concept of “dowsing” can cause a stick to spin rapidly, then I see no reason why someone couldn’t create a geomagnetic motor on these locations to power generators and produce free electricity. It would really be no different than tapping into the power of the surface waters as we do now to produce electricity. Just on a different level.

Perhaps each home or community will have such a device in the future to supply their electricity? It’s something to ponder anyway.

Maybe this is what Ed invented in his shop… a geomagnetic motor. He once stated that his perpetual motion holder would solve the world’s energy problems. Maybe it did and we just don’t know it yet.

If you want to see what’s left of Ed’s perpetual motion machine, visit Coral Castle in southern Florida. It’s located approximately 25 miles south of Miami on Highway 1. Coral Castle is open for visitors year-round and the cost of admission is currently $9.75 for adults. Children under 6 are free.

Steve Shannon is webmaster of PrivilegedInfo.com.
Visit http://www.privilegedinfo.com and see what cool stuff you’ve
been missing! You may reprint this article in its entirety as long
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So, I’m sitting here in my beachfront condo on the Gulf coast of Florida.

I am thinking to myself, why would anyone want to travel to Florida? You can go anywhere in the United States or the World for that matter. So, why would you want to travel to one of the top destinations in the world?

Here’s why…

Florida has everything you could want in a vacation. That is why we venture there quite often and also have devoted an entire website about it.

What do I mean? Well, again I am sitting there writing this down, overlooking the Gulf. The smell of the sea, the breeze penetrating my every pore, the beauty and mystery it brings, and the peace you’ll feel will overcome you immediately.

If you live a hectic schedule and have a tough time relaxing, this will never be a problem when you are sitting beachfront. It all reminded me of a great quote from the movie, Forrest Gump, “You don’t know where the earth ends and heaven begins.”

Besides the ocean, Florida offers an array of activities that you will ultimately enjoy…

For example, walk the breathtaking beaches, drive up and down the coast, or enjoy water activities like boating, fishing, skiing, windsailing, snorkeling and so forth. You can also play golf on many of the top courses in the country. What about finding romance (we saw a gorgeous beach wedding), heading to theme parks and Orlando, spend tons of money shopping, or take in the most unbelievable sunsets and views that you’ve ever seen.

I could go on and on, but the point is that Florida offers everything you could want! Dreams, desires, plenty to do or not do, options, flexibility, great food, fun and sun, anytime of the year. Whether you are on a budget or not, you get all this and more!!!

What else could you ask for?

Discount Florida Vacations will put you in Florida and make planning easier with our total Florida vacation guide. Discover the beauty, feel the sun, have fun, and make your trip to Florida easy and enjoyable with us!
You can visit us and explore Florida at…
http://www.discount-florida-vacations.com

Deciding on a timeshare package is like most things in life down to the taste and needs of the buyer and making the right timeshare choice will be one of the most important vacation decisions you ever have to make.

What are my timeshare choices?

Fixed location – The traditional option is a fixed time share location package but with a fixed location timeshare package you have effectively limited yourself to a certain period in the year, normally one or two weeks at the same location, there may however be some flexibility with others in the same group.

If you opt for a fixed location timeshare package it is important to ensure you really like the location and would be happy to return year after year before committing your hard earned cash. It goes without saying that you should take a good look round the amenities, check the swimming pool,lifts, bedrooms, kitchens, in fact all the facilities on offer.

Purchasing a timeshare package is a long term investment so it is essential that not only your short term needs are satisfied but also try to consider your long term requirements as well. Before making a final decision it would be wise to check out the local area, is there a good range of restaurants, local bars and amenities? and whilst a night club might appeal now will they be as important in a few years time?

Fixed service provider

If you’d prefer more flexibility in both location and the time of your vacation a fixed service time share provider is the way to go. Whilst you are limiting yourself to one service provider you have a choice as to when and where you go and because of the greater variety on offer you can go at anytime and to anyplace providing your choice is available.

If you are committed to a particular time share provider and you prefer to keep your options open then they deserve serious consideration.

Buying timeshare – it is advisable to belong to a reputable timeshare club or a membership based group which can help minimize any risk and reduce costs. Belonging to a club can help reduce costs and whilst a membership based timeshare club take fees the savings can more than compensate.

One such club is RCI who introduced the idea of exchange vacations in 1974 and they now have over three million members with more than 3650 worldwide affiliated resorts.

RCI timeshare offers enhanced value to its holders and if you want quality and value added vacationing it would be advisable to check out RCI timeshare first. Members can benefit from expert knowledge, experience and resources offered by a club of this size.

Another option open to time share buyers is buying a timeshare from a previous owner rather than from the developer. Pre owned time share packages are normally offered at a good discount against the cost offered by a developer.

It is advisable to thoroughly research any purchase you intend to make, carry out background checks on the company before committing any funds. Do your due diligence and rush into a purchase and you are sure to find the time share package just right for you.

About The Author
John Buckle
http://timeshare.ourtop.info

The need of the hour is to analyze successful websites so as to obtain clues on designing and marketing your own site. Since this is a business that is growing in leaps and bounds, it is necessary to learn the good aspects to ensure you adapt all good aspects of the craft. While this industry is still in its infancy, the prospects are very good and this appears to be a business that is here to stay.

Aspects to Assess.

While browsing the internet and coming across sites that offer subscriptions, make a habit of analyzing them for their functionality, their design and structure. Some of the components that must be assessed are:

1. What is your initial reaction to the site?

A site has a positive effect on you when it meets your specific requirements. Many internet users do not like to be distracted by banners and advertisements. These are considered as distractions and therefore, many sites are constructed in a user friendly manner. These are constructed to give information to those who seek information on ‘need to know’ basis. The links and directories are available but require proactive steps from the user to access.

2. Does the site make a statement in terms of what it is meant for?

The site must make a statement in terms of its reason for being. A simple button ‘About Us’ provides information such as Who are they? Why are they here? and What do they want from you?

3. Has the Subscription Button placed prominently?

When the site requires you to subscribe, the information for subscription as well as costing should be prominently available. When you want people to subscribe, it should be made easy for them. The pricing page and payment details should be placed in several locations. Some sites place a Subscribe button on every content page that is made available to the public.

4. Are security aspects looked after?

The most important issue to look at is whether you are entering your personal information on a secure page. There are many sites that require you to enter your credit card number and information on an insecure page. This can lead to misuse of your important information.
The best way to look or confirm if the site or subscriber page is secure is to look if the page has a SSL certificate. This can be confirmed by a small gold lock that appears at the bottom right hand corner of the browser when using Internet Explorer or a solid key in a small blue block appears that is available in Netscape Navigator. Another way to confirm this is by checking the site address; the “http” in the url changes to “https”.

5. When you subscribe do you have to wait for an email with your username and password or do you get immediate access?

A great way to attract and keep subscribers is that they should not wait when they subscribe. As soon as they subscribe, they should be able to access the information they have paid for. To attract subscribers, do not make them wait.

These are some of the aspects that must be assessed when looking at sites that require subscription. These will allow you to design your site for users who are internet savvy, and can spot weaknesses without any effort. The design of the site should be catering to a customer base that is accustomed to using the internet and does not tolerate weakness in design and execution.

A great example would be to consider the internet as an expressway where these tips are exit ramps on which you do not want your customers. The site should be so designed that the customer is propelled towards the tool gate, is able to pay tool easily and can gain access to an unrestricted road beyond.

This article was written by Craig Dawber of smarket-associates.com
Need advice and guidance with your online
business check out the resources found in this website.

The Costa Blanca, Spain is synonymous to sun and fun in the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea. This belongs to the Province of Alicante, starting in the town of Denia and reaching to Pilar de la Horadada or Torrevieja as the last important town in the province, and part of the Community of Valencia. As the name tells us, the White Coast is thanks to all the white, clean sandy beaches that are at your disposal to enjoy such as Javea, Moraira, Altea, Benidorm, Guardamar and Torrevieja. Lets take a closer look at some of these fantastic holiday spots. Each village is considered to be someones favourite because it has something extra special that will tickle your fancy!

Javea on the east iberian peninsula

Javea is found about 90 kilometres from Alicante and a little over 100 km. from Valencia city. Both of these cities have international airports which make travel very easy. When you look at the map of Spain, the highway A-7 connects Javea to the rest of Europe with exit ramps at Ondara no. 62 or at Benissa no. 63.

Found near the landmark of the mountain peak Montgo, Javea is rich in natural landscapes, beautifully cared for beaches and a World Heritage history which has given Javea some of its most interesting cultural and traditional past times.

Bullfighting in the streets – You might have always thought that you would have to buy expensive tickets to get a good seat in the bullring, but in the summer time, it is very popular here to bring the bulls out into the streets. The young lads who are or will be 18 years old make all the plans for this traditional show. They block off a series of streets and at the end of one of them, a makeshift corral to enclose the bulls is installed. The idea behind this is for the young lads to show how brave they are once they have become young men. Sounds prehistoric, doesnt it? On some occasions at night, rags, which have been soaked in petrol, are tied to the bulls horns and then lit up. The young fellows once again try to defy these brave bulls.

The Raisin Market – This activitiy was transcendental in Javeas past. In summer, the majority of the local people go to their country villa homes not far from the town centre where they harvest grapes. Harvesting grapes is a very long and hard process, using part of the moscatel grapes characteristic in this area for making raisins. The grapes, once they have been cut, are taken to the scolding bins where they go through a mixture of water and boiling saltwort which cracks the grapes skin so that they dry quicker. Javea was a great exporter and became internationally known, bringing an economical growth to this area. So in the market there are many products which now include raisins.

Pick another city around the Costa Blanca for your holiday

Not letting the plants grow under your feet, you can quickly move onto the seaside town of Moraira for a relaxing apperitive sitting right on the waterfront of the fishermens wharf, or continue down the coast to Calpe which is just before you reach Altea. Calpe has always attracted a large German and English population because its beaches were practically untouched and there were a lot of villa to be rented instead of staying in a hotel. But this has changed considerably, for the better, and now there are more accomodations, international restaurants and the typical ones in the port area which serve a delicious lobster stew called caldereta or you can point your finger at the live fish or seafood you want and it is done right then and there. Altea is another town which has grown with the demand of travellers to the Costa Blanca area. In July it has a spectacular water fireworks show which starts at around 9.00 p.m. after everyone has set up their picnic equipment on the pebbly beaches to enjoy this event, dining under the stars. Benidorm is a year round holiday spot thanks to its weather and variety of entertainment for people of all ages. Other than the theme parks, which are quite a few, you can explore the crystal clear waters in a submarine like catamaran. As you sing the Beatles famous song, We all live in a yellow submarine, sailing to Benidorms island, you will see colourful beautiful birds and fauna. Or you can leave Benidorm Marina at 11.00 a.m. to take a boat ride along the coast to Calpe, returning at 3.00 p.m. Never a boring moment!

Count on Alicante, too

Either starting from the north of the province and having flown into the Valencia airport in Manises or directly to the south, into the Altet airport in Alicante, your travel plans can be completed with no sweat. The Altet airport is only 10 kilometers from Alicante city, having incredible connections with other fantastic countries all over Europe like England, Ireland, Swedan, Denmark and Germany to just mention a few. From the airport to the city, you have public buses which cost 1 euro and run hourly, taxis or car rentals. Many of the hotels have mini buses which also pick up clients when having been booked beforehand. If you are to go to Benidorm for your holiday first, there are buses which cost 6 euros, running all week. At almost any time of the day, you can go back to Alicante to spend a fun day there visiting the Mendez Nunez Promenade for hand made crafts, any of the many museums or choose a special date like in June for the famous Saint Johns Fire Festival or the Saint Faz – Jesuss Face-Pilgrimage which is usually two weeks after Easter. And still travelling south without leaving the Costa Blanca is Guardamar and Torrevieja, both sea shore towns, with their own history, specialty cuisine and traditions.

Even though the Costa Blanca in Spain seems to take up a large extension of land, if you plan your days carefully, looking at exactly where you wish to visit on you first holiday on a good map, you can surely immerse yourself into the charming Costa Blanca rythym.

The writer Robert Carlton lives and works near Alicante. He writes for various publications and magazines on Costa Blanca related topics. You can reach him over at http://www.alicante-spain.com.

The famous Garden Route is truly one of South Africa’s gems, stretching from Durban way up on the Eastern Coast, right down to Cape Town, passing South Africa’s most southerly point, Cape Agulhas.

One of the best starting points for those people starting out from Cape Town is Hermanus. Situated about 90 minutes drive out of Cape Town, Hermanus retains much of it’s original small fisherman’s village feel, with low, white-washed cottages clinging to the cliff tops, very reminiscent of Cornwall, here in the UK.

The drive along the coast between Cape Town and Hermanus is spectacular in itself. Winding its way long through villages such as Betty’s Bay, you’ll find such delights as the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, famous for its ericas and proteas, proteas being the national flower of South Africa.

Catch the Jackass penguin colony at Stony Point. The penguins have had a name change to African penguins, but they were called Jackass because the noise they make is remarkably like a donkey. You can actually swim with the penguins down at Boulders Beach, if you take a trip down to Cape Point, but that’s for another day.

Hermanus is a very popular destination, part of its attraction lying in its history. The tiny harbour with its coloured boats pulled up onto the quayside is as pretty as a picture and offers visitors an insight into Hermanus’ past. Artists and crafters are drawn to the area for its light and dazzling array of possible subjects.

In the early 1900’s Harley Street doctors prescribed Hermanus for its “champagne air” to their patients, simply because of the excellent fishing, outstanding beauty and “healing air”.

From here the village has gone from strength to strength. Hotels and guest houses to suit every pocket have sprung up, while still retaining that wonderful tranquillity which first attracted travellers to this area.

More than the sun, sand and outstanding beauty, Hermanus is best known for whale watching. Because of the magnificent 14 km cliff path, Hermanus offers visitors some of the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Dotted along the path are telescopes to best view the whales that are a bit further out, generally the ones with their very young calves. Also watch out for the Whale Crier, who sounds his kelp horn to announce where the whales have been sighted. You’ll find him down in the town, with his sandwich board on his back, directing you to where they’ve been spotted.

Expect to see the Southern Right Whales on a daily basis from August until the end of October, although the season starts in June, they’re more difficult to see. The whales are attracted to Walker Bay where they can mate and calve in the calm waters. The calves are almost all born by August and that’s why it’s easier to see them at this time of the year.

The wonderful spectacle can be seen from as close as five meters from the rocky cliffs and they seem to enjoy entertaining the crowds with their frolicking. You’ll find that dolphins are frequent visitors too, so don’t forget to add these delightful creatures to your “must see” list.

Of course, watching the whales is only a part of the attractions on offer in Hermanus. The calm waters that attract the whales also attract their two legged cousins in boats. Yachting and boating of all kinds take place around the bay, along with fishing, diving and fly-fishing.

Coupled with bird-watching, hiking, cycling, golf, bowls, riding and more dangerous sports such as shark diving and paragliding, I think we can safely say there’s something for everyone here.

Whilst you’re there, don’t miss out on one of the world’s most unusual restaurants – a cave. Bientang’s Cave Seafood restaurant really must have one of the most spectacular settings, being 10 meters from the water’s edge. Quite an experience – watch the whales at the same time as you dine!

For more information on where to stay and what to do in this region, contact us on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism for your own personalised tour itinerary.

Take the strain out of your planning; let us help you find your own magical Cape Town vacation.

Helen Palmer is the author of the website http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, whose family’s love of Cape Town was spawned some 30 years ago, when her aunt moved there to live. Regular visits and a genuine love of travel persuaded Helen to share her passion.

Grab a copy of our special report, “Where to Find Nelson Mandela in Cape Town” at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/palmers-cape-town-club.html