terça-feira, 11 de janeiro de 2011

Travel tips to European Countries: Bulgaria

About the county

Officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria or Bulgarian Republic, Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country lying in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. The largest and the capital city is Sofia. The country may be very small in area but it is rich in ancient culture, picturesque locales, down to earth and friendly people who provide the warmth and hospitality of old days. Bulgaria is known as “Land of Roses” due to the largest production of roses here. Although Bulgaria is known mostly for its sea resorts much of the actual country can be explored in great mountain regions, with many ski resorts a perfect destination for skiers. With unique customs, spectacular crafts, colorful festivals, folklore and so on Bulgaria has it all to take the imagination of visitors by surprise and excitement.

Population & Languages

The population of Bulgaria is roughly 7.4 million and the official language being spoken is Bulgarian. Turkish and Roma are also spoken by considerable percentage of the population.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It lies in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. Bulgaria is strategically located near Turkish Straits making it the control point of key land routes connecting Europe to Middle East and Asia.

Climate

The climate of Bulgaria can be termed as temperate with hot and dry summers and cold and damp winters. Summer temperatures average around 75°F (24°C) and winter temperatures average about 32°F (0°C). The ideal time to visit Bulgaria is summer.

Local Customs
Like any other country Bulgaria has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Dress should be conservative but can be casual. Souvenirs from home country are appreciated if invited to home. Here is Bulgaria, a nod of the head means ‘no’ and a shake of the head means ‘yes’. Tipping up to 10 to 12 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

Sofia
* St. Sofia Church
* St. George Rotunda
* Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
* National Ethnographic Museum

Mountains
* Village of Momchilovtsi
* Pirin National Park
* Rila Monastery

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Bulgaria is Bulgaria Air. Other international airlines operating from Bulgaria include Bulgaria include Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, MALEV Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airlines and Swiss Air. Sofia International Airport EAD (SOF) is the biggest airport which is like six miles east of Sofia. Other international airport is Varna International Airport (VAR) located in the western outskirts of the city about five miles from Varna.

Sea - The important international ports are Bourgas and Varna along the Black Sea.

River – Ferries can cross into Romania from Vidin to Calafat.

By Rail – Sofia is connected to Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Thessaloniki, Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin through frequent services of trains.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine; 50g of perfume and 100g of eau de toilette
3. Gifts and personal use items.
Prohibited Items
Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Broadway Makes New York Sing

Whenever I think of a trip to New York City whether for a vacation or just a short one or two-day visit I can't help but think of Broadway and the delightful shows that await in these hallowed halls of entertainment delight. Broadway is the essence of New York to me. It can in turns be bawdy, brawling, loud, rowdy, soft, romantic, comedic, and rip-roaringly hilarious. Broadway has it all for those who are willing to look for their perfect fit.

The problem with Broadway is that there are so many wonderful shows to see and such limited time (for most of us) in which to see them. I don't even believe those who live in New York City have enough time in which to appreciate the artistic treasure trove that is represented within this wonderful city that never sleeps. The truth of the matter is that in order to properly enjoy all the theatrical offerings available to you, you'd almost have to never sleep yourself.

Musicals

It is important to remember that all shows are not available at all times. Check to see if the show you wish to see will be playing during your visit before getting your hopes up. On to the musicals, which are, by the way, my favorite types of Broadway entertainment. Chicago the Musical, Forbidden Broadway (this one offers an hilarious 'spoof' of Broadway), Jersey Boys, Naked Boys Singing (yes, they are!), Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Wicked, and Mama Mia!

Comedies

Broadway is well known for thumbing its nose at convention as well as for letting it's hair down and having a good ole time. The same holds true for the Broadway theatre of today. Comedies and musicals on Broadway are not mutually exclusive so some of the hilarity mentioned below will have some degree of song and dance (well most likely quite a bit of both but you will definitely laugh). Let the comedies begin! I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change (seriously, that's the name we're already off to a great start on the road to laughter). Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (I think someone's been peeking in my kids windows at night-this one is actually off Broadway but I thought it bore mentioning with such a catchy title and all). Spamalot. This one is rising star with rave reviews by critics and a fairly good attendance rate so buy your tickets early! The Producers, which was recently made as a motion picture and The Little Dog Laughed round up my list of comedies. I hope you've seen something here that looks like a good laugh; I know I've seen a few!

Drama

While many people think of the happy go lucky song and dance that is often associated with Broadway there is a deep dramatic flare to the offerings as well. Particularly some of the musicals that carry with them profound messages about music, life and love-among these wonderful icons of Broadway are the following: Rent- a very La Boheme meets modern life musical that is probably one of the best Broadway musicals I've ever seen and I'm a huge fan of Phantom. Les Miserables is another Broadway drama that really needs no introduction, Grey Gardens is perfect for anyone who fears becoming a cat lady or spinster, A Chorus Line, Chicago, The Color Purple, Phantom of the Opera (my personal favorite), and The Vertical Hour (this is a new one let's hope it lasts).

There are a few family friendly musicals and plays that bear mentioning among them are the following: Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera (may be a little frightening for younger children during certain scenes), Tarzan, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Momma Mia!, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Beauty and the Beast. You know your child best and what will or will not be frightening for them or possibly lead to uncomfortable questions for you, view most Broadway plays with that in mind.

Broadway is a great way to really enjoy what New York has to offer its visitors for entertainment. While it would hardly be possible to see each and every show that might attract your attention it is quite possible to make the time to view the one that is most appealing to you and it will be quite an experience for the entire family.

Booking Your Summer Vacation: What Are Your Options

This year a large number of couples and families intend to take a summer vacation.  Summer vacations are popular.  In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one.  When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations.

Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination.  Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations.  When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel.  Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations.  A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations.  Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them.  Popular summer vacation “hotspots,” quickly fill up with vacationing tourists.  Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations.

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, a large number of travelers use the assistance of a travel agent.  Travel agents are individuals who specialize in researching and arranging vacations for their clients.  Travel agents are popular because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan a summer vacation.

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent.  Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free.  If you are interested in planning a summer vacation, on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations.  In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone.  Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodations, but travel accommodations as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer vacation destinations.  If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to find the online website of the airline you wish to fly with.  Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, Delta, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.  Each of these airlines has an online website that should allow the online booking of reservations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room.  Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, you should be able to make online reservations.  Most of the well known hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inns, Super 8, and Motel 6, have online websites.  Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer vacation destinations, including California or Florida, are likely to also allow online booking.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone.  A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors.  These vacations often involve camping outdoors.  Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation.  Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have.  Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to looking the services offered by online travel websites.  These websites tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world.  The only downside to using the services offered by an online discount travel website is that they tend to focus only on popular summer vacation destinations.  If you are looking to vacation at an unknown resort, you may be unable to use the services of a discount travel website.

Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps.  Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation.  Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time.

Booking Your St. Thomas Vacation

If you are interested in taking a summer vacation in St. Thomas, you will have to make travel plans. St. Thomas is a popular vacation destination. This popularity means that, each year, a large number of tourists flock to the area. To ensure that you are able to obtain accommodations in St. Thomas, you are urged to make your vacation reservations ahead of time.

When you start to make your reservations, you are likely to see that there are a number of different ways to book your reservations.  If you are unsure which booking method you should use, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with each booking method.  Once you know the advantages and disadvantages of each method, you should be able to make the proper selection.

Discount travel websites are rapidly increasing in popularity.  Each day, more individuals make the decision to book their vacations through these online websites.  Popular discount travel websites include, but are not limited to, Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, and Yahoo! Travel. Discount travel websites are most known for their packaged deals. Many times you can receive a discount when you make hotel and travel accommodations all at once.

When using a discount travel website to book your next St. Thomas vacation, you are urged to proceed with caution. A number of discount travel websites advertise that their site is free, but then they charge hidden fees.  As long as you are able to find a discount travel website that does not charge these hidden fees, booking your vacation reservations online may be ideal.  Many travelers have reported saving large amount of money on their St. Thomas vacations by using discount travel websites.

Many individuals prefer to use discount travel websites because they are able to select the accommodations that they want.  In addition to using a discount travel website, you may be able book your reservations online, but directly through the company that offers services that you need.  Many popular St. Thomas beach resorts, hotels, and airlines allow the use of online booking.  With a simple click of the mouse, you could make your reservations on a secure website.

While a large number of St. Thomas resorts have online websites, not all allow the online booking of reservations.  If you are interested in vacationing at a resort and you cannot make online arrangements, you will have to directly contact the resort.  By calling a toll free number, you should easily be able to schedule your St. Thomas reservations over-the-phone.

As previously mentioned, many individuals enjoy planning their own vacation and making their own reservations. The only downside to doing so is that it can become a time consuming process.  If you do not know how to book your reservations online or you just don’t want to, you can use the services of a professional travel agent.  In addition to booking your reservations, your travel agent may be able to provide you with St. Thomas vacation guides. By reviewing these guides you will know where the most popular island attractions are.  The services of a travel agent can be obtained for a small fee.

It is easy to see that you have a number of different ways to book your St. Thomas vacation. No matter which booking method you select, it is important that you make reservations.  Without the proper reservations, you may find yourself with out the accommodations you had originally hoped for.

segunda-feira, 3 de janeiro de 2011

Blending Cultures is the Key to Frisco's Greatness

Cultural activities and events abound in the great city of San Francisco. There are even plenty of museums that not only promote awareness of the diverse cultures of this great city but also celebrate the contributions of these people to what this city has become. If you are planning to visit San Francisco, you will be robbing yourself of a real treat if you fail to visit some of the museums devoted to the cultural history of this city.

Below you will find museums dedicated to the great and diverse people of a city that is only as wonderful as its citizens. San Francisco truly is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, philosophies, and ideals. If you are looking in from the outside it may not be as obvious to you as to someone who has made a great study of it, however, it is still there. The differences of people here are celebrated rather than duly noted. It's a different world here and I think it's an example that the rest of the world would do well to follow.

One of the first such places that I will mention is The San Francisco African American Historical Cultural Society. The goal of this society is to instill a sense of pride in African Americans of all ages, but particularly the younger generations, for their history, culture, and most importantly their heritage. The society offers art exhibits, educational workshops, cultural performances, and a vast wealth of knowledge to people of all cultures who come to learn about not only the African American heritage of San Francisco but around the world as well. This is definitely worth a visit especially for the library, which holds around 5,000 books written either by or about African Americans.

The International Museum of Women is a favorite of mine for many reasons. First of all, it's a museum that celebrates the contributions that women have made throughout history while celebrating our roles as individuals, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, and wives. The International Museum of Women celebrates the many responsibilities that women face in the world today, not only to themselves as individuals but also to other women around the world. One of the primary goals of this museum other than celebrating the history of womanhood is to educate about the problems that women around the world continue to face on a daily basis.

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is another place you can go to see yet another of the many cultural faces of this great city. The Contemporary Jewish Museum offers a place where people of all cultural backgrounds can come together and learn about the history of a people whose history is so epic and so tragic and yet so full of hope. I think this museum is a great way to showcase each of these things while celebrating life itself, the one thing that all of the people of San Francisco have in common.

There are other museums and cultural centers that will work to showcase the diversity of the people that make San Francisco the wonderful city that it has become as well as the important roles that every culture has played in the making of this city that is known around the world. Whether you share the culture of any of the groups represented or simply shares the humanity of us all, there is much to be learned from all cultures represented.

Big Sky Ski Vacations

With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer skiers, it
is amazing that so few know about its existence!
Known for its wide open slopes and short lift lines,
Big Sky Ski Resort has one of the largest lift served
vertical drops in the United States. Over 5300 acres
of ski slopes and trails await skiers, with over 33 feet
of snowfall each season.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220
trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation
is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also
two cable car lines available. While there are
beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared
toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts
Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the
impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride
dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and
a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are
no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest
rated Ski Resorts in the United States, and there is
something here for everyone.

Choosing the Best Cruise Lines

Cruise is fun and exciting. It is the best getaway that probably money can buy. Cruise means a travel of a lifetime enjoying both water and land activities.

If you are a newly wed couple, cruise probably is the best way of spending your honeymoon.

Most of the people think that cruise is a costly recreation. It needs thousands of dollars to get a ticket. On the other hand, there are great alternatives to reach the dream of going on cruises.

The very first consideration is the cruise plan. You can save a lot if you will plan wisely your cruise trip. By doing this, you can manage to research more about the greatest deals and cruise trip discounts.

Vacation cruise planning can also give you a wise method to have a step-by-step cruise destination and the vacation of a lifetime.

Aside from that, another great thing to do is to look for the best cruise lines. The best cruise lines must be able to give the client a cheap fare and fees. Aside from that, cruise lines must have good customer service.

Speaking of cruise lines, there are many dazzling ranges of cruise lines available to choose from. Each and every one of them promises to get you to many different destinations.

But not only that, a great cruise is not just all about the destination at all. One of the best characteristics of cruise lines is to have a large variety of cruise services. For example, the best cruise lines must have the capacity to shift from one place to another.

The most particular place for cruise trips are Alaska, Hawaii Island, Mexico Canal, The Panama Channel, and Caribbean Sea.  The best cruise must bring you to those places. Aside from that, great cruises must have a possibly reasonable cruise price.

The tagline is also very important. But you must be careful of them also. Some taglines are only intended only to catch your attention.

The best cruise lines must be affordable but luxurious. They must try to give the customer a taste of a fantastic experience without costing too much. Another important thing is cruise lines must give many amenities and services not found in other types of vacations.

Proper customer services must also be given to customers. For example, services like spa treatments, evening recreation, dance classes, sporting activities, casinos, entertainment and plenty of other recreational activities to perform inside the ship.

Best cruise lines must also be very particular with the food they serve. They must offer both new and traditional way of dining. The process of dining must also be closely observed.  For example, if you want to eat, you can eat what you want, where you want to and when you want to.

In order to find the best cruise lines, the best thing to do is to research well. By doing this, you can find the lowest price possible. You can also find the best type of cruise lines that can fit what you are looking for and how much you can afford.

You can do reliable researching for the best cruise lines over the net. There are many websites that offers the best types of cruise lines. Aside from that, there are also websites that offers suggestions regarding how to choose the best type of cruise ships.  The best ship must have a lot of factors.

Having enough information is also great. For example, if the room is in the lower part of the ship, the rooms are normally low price. On the other hand, suite is in deed the most luxurious choice for space.

Booking as early as possible can also be the best way for choosing cruise lines. Most of the cruise lines offer good discounts and deals when booked as early as possible.

As an advice, choosing the best cruise must tell you the cruise destination place. Most of the shipping line will definitely tell the ports of description.

Always remember that the best cruise lines must have the interest to give you the best services as possible at the lowest possible prices.

Cruise programs are also one of the factors in deciding which the best cruise lines are. Programs must be very entertaining and recreational. Programs like snorkeling, fishing, diving, onboard movie watching, discos, ball room dancing and lots more are what you need to look out for.

To make the cruise more recreational and enjoyable, choosing the best cruise lines is indeed important. Book with the shipping lines as early as possible to grab this great opportunity.