The Info Barrack Resources Site

I visited the Amalfi coast in February when southern Italy was experiencing an unusually cold spell, with temperatures barely above freezing. Our group was in Italy to meet the local hoteliers and tour operators, to explore the area, meet the people and absorb the local culture. We were based at a seaside hotel in the small town of Meta, about 10 minutes from Sorrento.

Just an hour south of Naples, at the heart of the Amalfi area, Sorrento, with its friendly people, rich history, shop and café-lined streets and interesting alleys, is the perfect base for exploring the area. We found inexpensive pashminas to help keep warm. Olive oil is cheap and you’ll find everything lemony from candles and lotions to football sized lemons and, of course, the local liquor limoncella.

Even in February, the lemon and orange trees were dripping with fruit. You may think you’re seeing things if you spot lemons growing on an orange tree. You’re not! Sometimes farmers will graft seedlings on to established trees in order to produce fruit more quickly. Groves of olive trees are everywhere, with nets rolled up, ready to spread out again to gather next season’s harvest.

We spent a day exploring the Amalfi coast. As we wound along State Road 163, teetering high up on the edge of the sheer cliffs, I was mesmerized with the stunning sea view at every corner. We passed small villages with houses clinging to the steep slopes. Positano, with its narrow steeped alleys, beckons you down to the shops to browse among the local crafts, beachwear, bags and even sandals made for you while you wait!

My favourite stop was the serene and charming town of Ravello. At every corner, hides another gem. We discovered secret gardens and ancient villas and always the sparkling sea down below. Villa Rufolo is the most enchanting blend of old buildings and exquisite gardens, that somehow fills you with maybe the same tranquillity that inspired Wagner and DH Lawrence to compose some of their finest works. Every summer a stage is built out over the cliff for the orchestra to perform their tribute to Wagner. As we explored the once very much lived in Villa Rufolo, the distant strains of Wagner taunted us from behind closed doors.

Another day trip takes us to Pompeii, buried for almost 1700 years under ashes and cinders. On that day in AD 79 when Vesuvius blew its top, life stopped for Pompeii’s citizens. Funnily enough, as you walk around the ancient streets, the city seems to come alive! You notice the familiar signs of life… tracks of chariot wheels cut into the cobble roads, public fountains and remains of the lead pipes which carried water to every house, the meat and fish markets, bakery ovens, shops and tavernas lining the once busy streets.

The previous day we had visited the Archaeological Museum in Naples where most of Pompeii’s artifacts can be seen, including intricate mosaics, statues, kitchen utensils, glass-ware, even a lady’s make up box with powders and brushes still intact.

A short climb up the steep cindery path to Vesuvius’ crater will give you a better idea of the force of that mighty eruption. When the clouds parted, I felt very small as I gazed in wonder at one of God’s most powerful forces of nature.

The Italians certainly know how to eat well. An intriguing morning was spent at a local farm where we learned about cheese making and olive pressing. The highlight was making and eating our own wood fired pizzas.

Included in the room rate is a buffet breakfast and 5 course dinner. The best part to me was the pasta dish, which came after the antipasti and salad, every day something fresh and different, made with local cheeses and vegetables.
Nightly rates for half board (breakfast and 5 course dinner) start at 60 euros per person, based on double in a sea view room. Excursions leave directly from the hotel.

Group tours (minimum 20) can also be arranged, for example,
6 nights at a 4 star hotel, with sea view room, including breakfast and dinner daily,tours to Pompeii, Naples, Sorentto, Capri and the Amalfi coast with pick up from Rome, starting at 545 Euros per person.
You may contact me for more details.

Jane Rutledge
Huntsville-go

www.huntsvillego.com

e-mail: jane@huntsvillego.com
phone: 256 534-4652

Last Thursday brought a quite unexpected treat. Business activity was polarised by an 8am conference call and a 5pm meeting and I suddenly realised that I had the perfect opportunity to wander around a museum at my leisure and, simultaneously, find sanctuary from the stifling city. New York was literally a city in heat, sweating profusely as the lank humidity enveloped it.

The subway was a revelation, however. That the station was clean and the train punctual was satisfying enough but, on stepping into the compartment, I was transported in more ways than one. The air conditioning was so cooling and so calming that I felt mildly disappointed that my rendezvous was only two stops uptown. Momentarily refreshed, I alighted and wandered in the vague direction of the museum. Having comprehensively proved to myself that I still had not mastered the city grid, I retired to an excellent café for lunch, enjoyed both sandwich and view, flirted with my book and marvelled at the sight of New Yorkers in various states of undress. I marvelled even more at the preponderance of large men walking small dogs and young men walking old women.

It was one of those rare days when there is a perfect symmetry in all one does. The subway trip was brief but invigorating, my initial walk aimless but diverting, lunch both fulfilling and illuminating. These were all themes that would be encapsulated at my destination and so it was, after getting lost again in a suitably agreeable way, I found myself standing outside that pintsized firecracker of a museum, the Frick Collection.

I could remember very little about my last visit except that I knew I had to come again. I certainly didn’t remember the sloppy customer care, epitomised by one long queue which grew ever longer until I pointed it out to the oblivious society matron ensconced at the front desk. Worse still was the surly security guard who was adamant that I could not bring my bottle of water inside but then waved me through without even a cursory frisk. Lucky nobody came armed with a penknife that day. Cultural terrorism takes many forms and I find it unbelievable that the custodians of such a collection could be so casual in this regard.

Once inside the main body of the building, my mood changed markedly. I was invited to take an audio guide about the collection and its contents, introduced by Samuel Sacks, the museum director, with further contributions on nominated works by resident curators and experts. And what a collection! It reminded me a little of the Uffizi in that, at almost every turn, one confronts a masterpiece. It is, of course, minuscule by comparison but I struggled to find a mediocre picture. Certainly, there were some that I enjoyed less than others but the Old Master component was outstanding. There were a smattering of Impressionist paintings that were finely executed but this genre, on the whole, doesn’t make my heart sing.

I can’t honestly say I much lingered over the English portraitists either although all the usual suspects were well represented. I did appreciate, nevertheless, Frick’s clear desire to seek matching pairs although the most arresting example of this was a magnificent pieta, ironically acquired by Frick’s daughter to complement a similar work he had bought earlier. It transpired that the initial one was produced by a journeyman artist as a copy of the original but it is amazing that two versions, dating from around 1460, sit side by side. That first room yielded, in my view, two of the finest works in the collection, those by Van Eyck and Memling. The former had a most luminous quality while the latter’s portrait of an unknown man was compelling in its conviction and simplicity. As I moved from one room to another, I was entranced. Van Dyck, Hals, Vermeer, Rembrandt, El Greco, Titian, Veronese, Bronzino, Turner, Goya, Ingres and plenty more besides.

Mr Frick was evidently a man of catholic taste as the house contained an abundance of furniture, sculpture, porcelain and silver. The porcelain holdings induced very different reactions, however. I found the Sevres collection, while technically excellent, almost overbearingly ornate and it drew no little comparison with the blousy qualities of Fragonard and Boucher, equally excellent in their way but which left me visibly pining for the austerity and clean lines of other periods. I prefer my romanticism a little darker. Conversely, I thought that the Limoges enamels, housed in Frick’s study, were magnificent. Shimmering as brightly as on the day of their creation, these were among the highlights for me among the decorative arts. Another notable item was a lapis lazuli occasional table, whose azure centrepiece was of the greatest precision, but it was the art reference library, looking a tad forgotten, that particularly caught my eye.

Arguably, the only disappointment about my visit is that one could gain no access to these volumes as none were on display. How fascinating, for example, to have seen a few copies, perhaps with Mr Frick’s notes or annotations. It stretches credulity that such an immensely successful businessman, who left such an enduring legacy to the city, did not possess a significant archive relating to his art market activities. It may have been secreted elsewhere in the building but I saw no sign of it. What a wonderful opportunity to glean insights into Frick the man, in addition to Frick the collector, but it is, presently, an opportunity missed to imbue the whole experience with a more humanist dimension.

Overall, however, the Frick did the trick. The thick stone walls absorbed the heat and the collection absorbed me. My abiding memory is of a room containing El Greco’s St Jerome straddled by a pair of portraits by Holbein of the two great theological rivals of the English Reformation, Sir Thomas More and Sir Thomas Cromwell. I am bound to say that the former is one of the most exceptional portraits I have ever seen – the stubble on his chin almost glistens. On the opposite wall is Bellini’s St Francis, another seminal work, flanked by a pair of contrasting portraits by Titian. One displays a fey and sensitive youth, the other the bullish and imposing Pietro Aretino. This pair of pairs exudes ambition, intellect, power and aestheticism and it was in this room that I found the spirit of Henry Frick most prevalent.

My perfectly proportioned afternoon demanded I leave in reasonable time for my meeting. A modicum of urgency does concentrate the mind when one is so geographically challenged and I negotiated the return as serenely as the tropical conditions allowed. My meeting brought about a most interesting postscript to my day trip as, once the specifics had been attended to, the conversation turned to wider matters. On mentioning my prior excursion, my counterpart revealed that he was the personal lawyer to none other than Samuel Sacks, the museum director of the Frick. While he spoke highly of his client, he rather wearily informed me that the trustees of the museum were difficult and I had the sensation that I had witnessed a sliver of this difficulty simply trying to gain entry earlier that day.

I am sure that this is by no means an isolated case as I well recall Christopher Brown of the Ashmolean looking heavenward when we discussed his relationship with his own trustees. Surprising as it may seem to some, the paying customer is a rather vital ingredient in the equation. Time to sign off – I feel another letter coming.

Howard Lewis,
Chairman, Invaluable group of companies.

http://www.invaluable.com

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Considering the areas most impacted by bird flu are in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, it is advisable to stay clear of these regions. However, circumstances may arise that necessitates travel. In which case, you need to know how to protect yourself in these areas from contracting bird flu.

In general, basic hygiene can prevent a wide array of infectious diseases. For this reason, frequent hand washing is advised to eliminate bacteria and viral components from one’s hands.

More specifically, travelers should avoid any contact with poultry, including those held for agricultural use or wild birds. Any area potentially contaminated with bird feces should also be avoided. Currently, bird flu is only being transmitted from poultry to humans and not from human contact; therefore, you should assume every bird you see is potentially infected, as that very well may be the case.

You should also take special care not to ingest undercooked poultry, poultry products, or dishes made with poultry blood, as the virus may still be active in such dishes.

You also need to avoid contact with sick people or people that are exposed to poultry. This may seem excessive, but the bird flu virus is expected to mutate and be transmitted through human contact. If this were to occur, you could easily catch the disease from someone else. It is better to be cautious and alive than the alternative. Likewise, you may also consider avoiding crowds, as densely populated areas are an ideal breeding ground to spread disease.

If, during your travels, you become severely ill, you may contact a United States Embassy for guidance in seeking treatment and notifying family and friends. Depending on your location, medical care may be limited. Use caution in securing treatment.

Special concern has been shown in visiting Singapore and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve; however, it has been made very clear that Singapore is free from bird flu. Two entities, AVA and NParks, have continual surveillance projects of the reserve and take blood samples from the birds on a regular basis to ensure infection has not occurred. On the same token, it is unlikely a human would become infected by a wild bird, as direct handling is almost impossible. Most of the cases reported have been contracted from chickens or domestic birds. The primary way a human would be infected from a wild bird is through contact with bodily secretions and feces.

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohn’s Disease.
For more of her articles, go to www.imedicalvillage.com now. www.imedicalvillage.com“> Click here now and re

Travelling in Canada

Each year, over one million visitors come to Canada to explore this vast land. From cosmopolitan cities to majestic mountain ranges, Canada’s landscape is as diverse as its people. Travel, whether abroad or in one’s own country, is a richly rewarding experience, but there are always potential health risks. Visitors who travel to Canada are wise to consider a number of health tips before embarking on their journey.

The Great Outdoors

For the outdoor enthusiast, Canada is a veritable playground. Home to countless lakes and forests, Canada is the ideal destination for adventure seekers. To ensure that illness does not spoil your vacation, be aware of the environmental factors. The weather in Canada can vary greatly from province to province, thereby necessitating that you pack weather-appropriate clothing. To ensure that you are prepared for Canada’s extremes in climate, be sure to research the area that you will be visiting. Failing to dress accordingly may result in your health being compromised. In the summer months, be sure to protect yourself from a variety of bugs with insect repellant. Most of them are a mere annoyance, but a bite from an infected mosquito can have potentially dangerous effects.

Air Quality & Sunshine

Canada’s urban centers offer some of the finest cultural events in North America, and much like all large cities throughout the world, Canadian cities can be subject to periodic reduced air quality due to traffic and industry. For those travellers who are prone to respiratory problems, it is smart to equip yourself with any necessary medications before leaving home. In addition, seasonal allergens, such as pollen and ragweed are prevalent in most Canadian cities and can inhibit your ability to enjoy the outdoors. During the summertime, Canadian cities offer an impressive lineup of festivals and other special events, but you can be easily deprived of their enjoyment if you do not protect yourself from the sun. The UV index in the summer months can be very high and travellers can experience the ill effects of over-exposure to the sun’s rays.

Medical Emergencies

Health tips are helpful but they do not guarantee that you will stay in optimal good health while travelling. The best way to safeguard yourself from costly medical bills is to have valid health insurance. If you are a visitor to Canada from another country, sickness can leave you with a heavy financial burden. Before leaving your own country, be sure to purchase health insurance that will cover you in the event of a medical emergency.

Provincial Coverage?

If you are a resident of Canada and are visiting another province, be aware that your provincial health plan will not cover all medical expenses incurred out of province. For example, citizens of Ontario will find that OHIP does not provide for ambulance costs and accidental dental expenses incurred in another province. A little research will inform you of the omissions in your provincial health coverage. If you do not feel that your provincial health care is adequate, it may be wise to purchase supplemental health insurance before your trip.

There is much beauty to explore and experience in Canada, so make sure that you enjoy your trip to the utmost by safeguarding your health!

About the Author:
Johnny Mangiante is an online journalist . He is also the editor and webmaster for many websites. For more information on Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada.Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada see his website http://www.visitorstocanada.com/

Sometime things happen and you need to leave right away. If you have pets, this can cause a major problem. What if no one is available to watch your pet? If you don’t want to leave you pet at a shady kennel where most dogs are kept in cages, you can simply take them with you; it’s easier than you would ever imagine.

Most airlines allow pets. Some airlines even allow your pet to be carried onto the plain if it is small enough to put into a kennel that will easily slide under the seat in front of you. If the dog is too large, it will be kept in cargo which is temperature and pressure regulated just like the passenger area. It is imperative to make sure that your airline will make accommodations for your pet as there are a few discount airlines that will not. Especially if you buy your airline tickets online, call ahead to verify their policies.

Each airline that accepts pets will ask you to make reservations for you pet ahead of time because they can only carry so many pets each trip. It is important to make these reservations as soon as possible to ensure your pet’s seat on the flight. Pets also require health certificates to fly. You can purchase one from your vet, but they only last for 10 days. If your voyage is longer, you will need to purchase another for the trip home.

As mentioned before, your pet will need a kennel/carrier. These can be purchased usually for very cheap at your local pet store. They come with padded inside walls and in various sizes from extra small to extra large depending on your needs. You will have to be careful with your kennel purchase as there are some carriers that aren’t approved for airline travel and some that are. Be sure to ask the pet store workers for help if you need it.

There is no need to tranquilize your pet, either. Air travel will put your pet to sleep just like it does you. The only thing that may aid your pet in travel is to crate train it. Otherwise, everything will be fine! Have fun traveling with your pet!

Once you are ready to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind you and have planned to steal away a day or two into the wilderness the first thing you need to know is how long will your trip be. Depending on the length of your hike you should either go for a daypack or a multi-day hiking backpack. Whichever you need to get , make sure it comes with sturdy shoulder straps that are provided with enough padding and curves. Generally cheaper backpacks compromise on the padding which makes the straps chaff your collarbones. Also check on the zips to see if they are strong and durable. Generally zips with bigger teeth are more reliable. One other thing that needs to be kept in mind is to see if the backpack comes with a waist strap as it takes much of the weight off your shoulders. The final thing that needs to be considered is the material of the backpack.

Once you have got yourself a backpack, the next thing that you need to look into is what to pack. Well, the first thing that should be borne in mind is to take the most amount of water possible. Iodine tablets should also be packed to treat the water you get on your way. As for food, take exactly what you would be needing. Packing for each meal separately, helps. Saves on space, and helps you take only as much as you need. Next comes the clothes. If it is a multi-day hiking remember to carry enough clothes to change. Get yourself a good pair of shoes. Keep in mind the place you are going to and the kind of weather that is prevailing there. If you know that the place is going to be cool then pack some warm clothes. Don’t forget to take your sleeping bag and your tent if you are planning for a multi-day hike. Besides your clothes there are a few other things that you would not like to forget to pack. This includes a detailed map of the place, a compass, a first aid kit, a lighter, a torch, a tube of sunscreen, insect repellant cream, rope, a roll of toilet paper, spare batteries, sunglasses and a pocket knife. If your trip extends over a day and you plan to cook then do take an aluminum cooking set too. http://www.etravelforum.com

Having made your list of the things you need to pack the next thing you should know about is how to pack them. Remember the weight inside your backpack should be distributed for you to enjoy your hike. First, get over with the heavier objects. Pack them as low as possible. The hard and angular things go in next. Make sure that they are wrapped in something soft or else or they will hurt you when you are on your hike. Pack your clothes in a plastic bag to secure them against any water that seeps through. Apart from distributing the weight properly the other thing that you need to think of is the accessibility. Make sure a few essentials like the torch, matches, water, snacks, toilet paper, rain jacket are easily accessible. It is wise to have them in the side pockets of your backpack.

When visiting a third world country it is important to know the money you are spending is actually doing some good in the communities you will be visiting. Your visit will then be changing a life or for the better. You do not even have to be involved. If you choose just to relax and enjoy your vacation this is fine – your vacation is changing lives for the better. This is, however, if you choose your operator with care and discernment.

It is also worth the time and effort to journey to the less well-traveled areas of the country you will visit. Here in Tanzania one such area is the Usamabara Mountains. Here we will talk of the West Usambara Mountains.

Leaving Arusha and traveling for a few hours by road, passing the great Kilimanjaro and then onward across the seemingly endless arid landscape you arrive at Mombo. Turning left here the road almost magically transports you, in an instant, into the Usamabara Mountains. Often they are called Africa’s little Switzerland – do not be tempted to listen to such misleading talk. These mountains are very African and an experience to be taken should the opportunity and time allow.

If you travel to this destination, bite the bullet and travel to the very top of the mountains. To the very top is where the magic of these mountains lie; and take time to enjoy and explore. There is an amazing bird life here and if this does not interest you than this is a perfect place to start an interest.

Here I will write about a few places of interest you might visit. There are many young men and women that have trained as guides and it is well worth the expense to pay a few dollars to theses enthusiastic young Tanzanian’s who will then share their mountains, culture and time. In Africa there is always lots of time – you must take everything slowly or you will just miss the magic.

In pre-colonial days, these very fertile mountains were witness to many bloody battles between to Maasia and the resident Shambaa tribes. The Shambaa people were never defeated by the Maasia and managed to hang on to their prized green land.

Mtae is a small village on the westernmost tip of the Usambara Mountains. Here there is a spectacular view point with a 1000m sheer drop to the savannah bellow. Mt Kilimanjaro is over 240 kilometers away but on a clear day, it is possible to see this huge Mountain with its snow crown, sitting on the border of Kenya.

When the first missionaries arrived in Mtae, at the end of the 19th Century, the leaders of the Shambaa people allocated for them to sleep in an area, which was regarded as the “residence of spirits of the dead” – the local people thought the newly arrived missionaries would surly die in this haunted area. They did not; and so amazed where the local elders that the missionaries were given land on which to build a church. This church can be visited to this day.

Tewe village is home to the Shilaghi tribe, or in English the “have-nots” For centuries these people have been blacksmiths and as such were regarded as the bottom of the social order; other clans were forbade marriage into this clan. Taew is a village of blacksmiths and almost every knife used in the Usambara Mountains comes from Tawe. Today most people in this village earn a living from the blacksmith trade regardless of clan or gender.

Traditionally the local people would extract iron from the soil, however, with the arrival of the colonial times, there came scrap metal and the locals have learnt the art of re-cycling. There is now a move to return to extracting iron locally and overseas funding is helping develop the blacksmiths art in this village.

Mvueni Falls is high up in the mountains. It is so quiet here; there is no background noise; it has to be experienced to be believed. It is possible to swim here although the water is very cold. The Mkuzi River feeds Mvueni falls, which is more than 2,300 meters above sea level. The river moves down the mountains and as it passes along the Soni falls the water cascades dramatically toward the Pangani River, dropping more than 800 meters over a couple of kilometers.

Lushoto is capital of the Usambara Mountains and is worth spending some time exploring. There is a locally run cultural tourism office on the main road. Also if it is market day take some time walking around the market meeting these very friendly mountain people.

When you visit Tanzania – do not let your tour operator put you off visiting this area – or indeed any other place you may want to visit. Many operators are lazy and would rather keep you within the confines of the tourist circuit – do not be bullied – insist on seeing as much of Tanzania as time allows.

NOTES: When visiting the Usambara Mountains from Arusha consider taking a day out and spend this day walking on Kilimanjaro, spending the night in Marangu village among the many banana and coffee trees. After the Usambara take a few days in the tropical Pangani Bay [rather than Zanzibar -unless you are looking for disco's or diving] will finish off your safari beautifully. Diving is worth considering Pemba Island rather than Zanzibar for something different and spectacular. If you enjoy beach parties and disco’s then Zanzibar is the better option.

For more information on the Usambara Mountains and Tanzania see http://www.betheladventure.co.ok and http://www.aardvark-expeditions.com – working in Aruhsa Tanzania using tourism to fund Community Initiatives

What is RV boondocking? It is simply camping in your recreatinal vehicle in an area with limited or no facilities. In many areas of the west, you can just drive into the desert, and stay free for up to two weeks. This is the case on most BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and national forest lands. How far you have to move to stay another two weeks is open to interpretation, but is probably isn’t far.

Long Term RV Boondocking on BLM Land

With the growing popularity of boondocking, the BLM has begun to establish areas for longer stays, particularly in Arizona. The permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six months, and you’ll have pump stations, dumpsters and water available. That’s cheaper than paying property taxes or rent for a lot to park on.

Boondocking Communities

Ask around when you are in the desert southwest, and you’ll find there are whole RV communities that form every winter. There are temporary towns like “Slab City” in California, complete with bookstores, grocery vendors, and other businesses run by RVers. When summer returns, these boondock communities disappear, and reappear again the following winter.

Perhaps the largest gathering of RV boondockers is in Quartzite, Arizona. Up to several hundred thousand people spend at least part of the year boondocking here. Quartzite is near the California border, on Interstate 10, only 20 miles from the Colorado River. It’s surrounded by BLM lands, and it’s famous for gem shows and swap meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter.

Other RV Boondocking Opportunities

Look, and you’ll find “hidden” places where you can park your RV for a week or a month in the desert southwest. Some are free, and others just inexpensive. For example, the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, north of Bowie, Arizona, costs $3 per night, but has nice hotsprings and plenty of wildlife. You can get an annual permit for $30, but you’re limited to two weeks per month (permits are sold at the BLM office in Safford). Outside of the fenced area you can stay free, but then you don’t get the hotsprings and shaded picnic tables.

There are many other areas like the Hot Well Dunes for cheap or free RV boondocking. The Bureau of Land Management can tell you what’s available under their jurisdiction. The Woodall’s campground guide lists campgrounds that are free. Also, just keep your eyes open for other RVs parked out in the desert or forest, and ask around.

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

As any European can brag about, Barcelona in Spain is no exception with its endless history, much of it still remaining, but much more of it has been added on in the 20th century. In many people’s opinion, you fully appreciate what Catalunya ( four regions including Barcelona ) is all about if you concentrate on the newly added culture. Barcelona has been a busy city and with all the new activities that it is willing to take on, tourism has become a big part of its daily life. So, for a full-scale visit to squeeze every drop of pleasure out of it, be well prepared with your map which has a details on hotels, entertainment, and the best celebrations and latest exhibitions.

Pick one’s way in Barcelona

The place to set out from to find your first glimpse of Modernism would be to go straight to Guell Park. This natural space should really have been called Antonio Gaudi Park because it is entirely filled with this architecture’s spellbinding works. He has converted benches, balconies, walls and entire buildings into paintings. Once you have filled your camera with these delights, recharge it again for Gaudi’s highlight; the Sagrada Familia Church. Even though at first sight the Sagrada Familia has an antiquated look, it was started in 1883 and has been growing all during this century, getting special modern touch-ups and new addition.

In 1892 the Barcelona Zoo was founded. A private collection was donated to the city and as the centre of the city was in the port area called La Ciutat Vella ( beautiful city), the zoo is found in the Ciutadella Park. This fascinating place, houses more than 7,500 different types of animals. The tiny hippo pygmy or odd looking anteater is a big attraction for the wee folks and adults alike. The Barcelona Zoo takes much pride of its primates collection which at one time included and albino one. Dark grey coloured shell tortoises, pelicans and American buffalos and even a red kangaroo can be photographed up close without having to travel to distant lands. The weather in Cataluyna and especially in Barcelona is not extreme, so a casual visit to see your animal friends can be done all year round. If your travel happens to take you to this city in the warmer months, Aquarama Barcelona, the aquatic park within the zoo will add to your zoo visit. Everyone is awed by the bottlenose dolphins seen at the daily shows together with other marvellous aquatic animals. The Barcelona Zoo excellent research programme is worldly known for breeding in captivity and for preserving species in danger.

Las Ramblas promenade is the heart of the Ciutat Vella and of Barcelona

Everyone who visits this city has recognized it as one of the most lively and colourful street shows, It is a living street garden with its decorative floral patterns with one of the best food markets in the city nearby called the Boqueria . With the Olympic games in 1992, the old run-down port area was surprisingly made into the Coastal Park where the Olympic village was stationed. At the Arts Hotel, Mapfre Towers and Nova Icaria Square you can find the twin towers which easily marked the whole area where this magnificent event was held and can still be visited. Once again in 2004, this Oylmpic stadium and its ‘Cobi’ mascot saw the Olympic torch before it was sent on to the 2004 host, Greece. Also in 2004, Barcelona once again out did itself, by setting up the Barcelona Forum, welcoming traveller from all over the world.

You may be thinking that all this tourism needs a lot of special attention, especially in making travel to and from this great city a breeze. Well, they have achieved this and much more. The Barcelona Airport called The Prat is found on the outskirts but has many good public and private transport to get into the hub of the city.

Special buses for tourism leaving from the Catalunya Square included about 40 stops, one to see the Nou camp Football Stadium, home of the Barca Team. Visits to any of the monuments or attractions is a leisure event this way because you need not worry about the paying every time or having to pay attention to timetables. Many times the price of the ticket includes special discounts to get into these places, at some of the local shops and parkings. And if you are thinking about heading about 40 kilometres south to maybe the town of Sitges, a nice beach area on the costa, then there are local trains too. You have many buses right outside the terminals, the underground, taxis and many hotels offer comfortable mini-buses directly to your accomodations and to the open doors of Barcelona.

R. Carlton contributed a lot of articles to http://www.barcelona-information.com an online source of information.

America, it seems, is going wild. As a group travel organizer you are continually looking for new and different ideas for destinations, attractions and activities. Whether your group is a youth, senior or special interest group, you have probably visited most of the popular theatres, museums and historic sites in your area. Many leaders are beginning to explore nature tours and ecotours as outdoor alternatives to the more typical commercial attractions.

The most popular nature tours include birding festivals, birding trails and migration spectacles. In fact, birdwatching is being acclaimed as one of the fastest growing outdoor activities. Hundreds of groups are flocking to these exciting destinations and are signing up for guided tours in record numbers. The top 10 birding tour operators were recently interviewed to find out how group leaders can successfully add birding tours to their annual list of adventures. All were optimistic about the future of group (or “custom”) birding tours, and several common themes emerged from these conversations. Here are their recommendations for setting up your first birding tour.

Determine Interests:

Find out how many in your group are birdwatching enthusiasts. Every group has at least a few members who are backyard birders and have binoculars and field guides (bird ID books). These individuals will form the core of your tour group and will help you persuade others by spreading their enthusiasm. Sharing photos and stories about their birdwatching experience is all it takes to spark the initial interest of the group.

Provide Educational Programs:

Fan that initial interest into a flame by providing interesting presentations at club meetings. Local birding experts are usually willing to put on a colorful slide show and demonstrate optical equipment such as “scopes” and telephoto cameras. The excitement of the group will soar as they discover the wonder and beauty of the hundreds of different species in their area. There are over 9,600 species of birds in the world, so once hooked you never stop learning.

Keep the Tour Group Small:

Every birding tour operator I spoke with emphasized that for the best birding experience you should not take more than 10-15 people at a time. This allows each member to benefit from the tour leaders expertise, equipment and advice. Each person must be able to hear what is being said in an outdoor environment and have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ways to improve their skills. These skills include use of equipment, bird identification and proper safeguards for the environment. The development of these abilities requires considerable one-on-one attention. Some private tours limit their groups to only 5-10 people, so if you have a large group, talk to a tour operator about dividing the group into small segments. I have handled up to three busloads of students this way, but it required a lot of guides and coordination.

Start Local and Cheap:

Your first birding tour should be near enough so that members can return to the site frequently, on their own, to test and build their skills. This also keeps the expense down. Many local nature centers and Audubon Centers offer group birding tours for only $10- $20 per person. You can bring your own lunch and often get free printed information such as bird lists, maps and brochures on special birding events. Then as your group becomes more proficient and dedicated, they will want to explore some of the more elaborate and exotic tours such as those to the tropics and tours to birding hotspots and festivals worldwide.

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