Prague Jazz Festival (23rd - 30 Nov 2007 (annual)

When it comes to music, the Czech's take their jazz very seriously and what better time to visit Prague than the last week of November when the Annual Prague Jazz Festival is held. During the dark years of communism, it was jazz that symbolised the artistic and personal freedom in a society that wanted to suppress such bourgeois tendences. Started in 1964, the event has featured a galaxy of jazz giants including Don Cherry, Keith Jarrett and Ornette Coleman.

This year the festival is being held at some wonderful venues including Lucerna Music Bar, the Prague Congress Centre, Reduta (Narodni 20) and the Rock Cafe (Narodni 20). Highlights of the line-up for 2007 include Pee Wee Ellis and Dee Dee Bridgewater and you should expect to hear an excellent mix of classic sounds and more modern cuts and experimental forms. This year, don't expect Bill Clinton to repeat his rendition of "Funny Valentine" but you should hear some exciting sounds that will certainly make you come back for more.

For accommodation in Prague, why not try the Vlasska apartment in Prague.

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How to become a real Sevillian (at least for a few hours)

When Sevillians decide to go out for a "tapa" (light snack) and a drink, they often think of it as an opportunity to visit a number of distinct bars and to have a little something in each one. This idea, colloquially, is called "ir de tapas" (going for Tapas) and loosely resembles the idea of "bar hopping". The streets, squares and bars of Seville are brought to life by locals (and tourists) taking part in this special tradition. Included you will find a map which indicates some of the areas where you can enjoy "tapas" in Seville.

The name "TAPA" comes from an old tradition of having a slice of any cured meat whilst drinking a glass of wine. This was done, in essence, to conserve the aroma of the wine. Later on the types and quantities increased and "tapas" began to be served on small, round plates. Today "tapas" vary greatly from one bar to another with the quantity always being mouthful large enough to appreciate whatever one is trying. The concept of "comer de tapas" (making a meal of "tapas") arose from this idea of eating a variety of small dishes instead of a main dish. In Seville, eating out at a restaurant can prove to be quite expensive while dining on "tapas" offers one a wide range of dishes at a reasonable price. "Tapas" include dishes such as "cocina casera" (home-made dishes),"chacina" (cured meats), "marisco" (seafood), "caracoles" (snails), "pescadito frito" (fried fish), "revueltos" (scrambled eggs) and "ensaladas" (salads) which can be found in almost any bar.

The action of "ir the tapas" is normally done standing and on foot from bar to bar or "bodega" to "bodega". It is useful to know that if eating while standing at the bar most establishments will charge separately for the drink and the "tapa", so one is free to order another "tapa" without having to order another drink. Bartenders and waiters tend to verbally list these dishes all in one go. The typical rite is to ask "Qué hay de tapas?"(What "tapas" are there?) followed by the list which, if one finds impossible to catch due to the speed at which it is recited, is usually written on a small, easily visible blackboard.

Bottled wine can be found in any bar. Typical wines from the Seville area include white wines and "fino" (pale,dry sherries which make good aperitifs), "manzanilla" (pale,dry,white fortified wine) from Sanlúcar de la Barrameda, "moscatel" (sweet wine) from Chipiona and "fino" from Jerez, Puerto de Santa María, Chiclana (Cádiz) and from the Condado County (Huelva).
These wines are usually less expensive than other bottled wines and are equally delicious.
Need Seville Centro apartments? Visit the Seville Tourism Board site.

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Brussels Christmas market (Dec 1st to Jan 6th)

This is the time of year when you might be thinking about starting to plan for going somewhere to do some Christmas Shopping. NYC tends to be quite popular, Bath in the UK also has a lovely Xmas market. Another place worth considering is the Brussels Christmas market.

The Brussels Xmas Market takes place over 5 weeks, starting on the 1st of December and takes place between:

• Mon-Thu 12pm-9pm
• Fri-Sun 11am-10p
• Fri-Sun (until 6pm 24 & 31 Dec)

This market is one of my favourites with a few hundred stalls and a great mix of stalls offering everything from arts and crafts, to delicious Belgium chocolates and hot food and drinks. The location of the market very central and covers the area which includes the stock exchange, the fish market and Place Sainte Catherine areas.

Brussels in its own right is worth a visit, with this city full of cute small streets and shops which look like something out of Charles Dickens movie. It is one of my favourite cities for hanging out in. For holiday apartment rental in Brussels try NH Stephanie apartment Brussels and the Metropole Amsterdam.

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Bang Tao Beach, Phuket (Part 1)

Arriving at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, you'll be greeted by a fabulously large open bay and it's one of Phuket's longest beaches. Located north of Patong, Bang Tao Beach has been developed into a luxury resort where you'll find the island best hotels including the Banyan Tree Phuket, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort, Allamanda Laguna Phuket and Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort.

This pretty much makes up the Laguna complex which is located at the northern end of the beach. Now a massive five-hotel development with golf course, this is a fantastic place to experience Thailand's number one tourist destination. If you haven't got the deep pockets or you'd prefer to stay in a villa or apartment, there is plenty of Phuket accommodation available outside Laguna at the bay's south end.

In the dry season, the swimming is excellent and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed. There are plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale. The shopping is excellent as are the restaurants and bars located near to the entrance to Laguna Phuket.

(Continued in next blog)
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Giardino di Boboli in Florence, Italy

The Italian city of Florence has a lot to offer to art lovers. One of Florence’s art treasures is ‘Giardino di Boboli’ or Boboli Gardens. Boboli Gardens are a fine example of Italian style gardens and a visit to the gardens is worth including during a trip to Florence.

Boboli Gardens, in Florence, are a real open air museum, because of their beautiful architecture and sculptures (including Roman antiquities as well as XVI and XVII century works). The gardens’ history spans over six centuries, as works on it started in the XV century and new art works were added up until the XIX century. The gardens, which became famous when the Medici family chose them as their city residence in Florence in 1549, host several precious sculptures.

Boboli Gardens occupy an area of about 45,000 square metres and are structured around two perpendicular axes, surrounded by flights of steps, hills, fountains and sculptures. Because of this, Boboli Gardens provide one of the most spectacular views in Florence. Boboli Gardens often host events, such as concerts and art exhibitions.
Give yourself at least a few hours time, during your visit to Florence in Italy, to walk around and fully enjoy these beautiful gardens. If you are visitingFlorence then an area with great atmosphere and culture to stay can be the San Marco area of Florence.

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Enjoying the Algarve, Portugal.

Portugal’s ‘Gold Coast, the Algarve has got something for everybody. Covering the entire southern coast of the country, the region is renown for its quaint villages, spectacular beaches and suburb cuisine. Flying into the region is easy, with numerous low budget flights operating out of the conveniently located Faro International Airport. From here you are short drive to some of the Algarve best areas.

As you move from from East to West, the villages tend to become smaller and less busy. Vacationers looking for a bit of action mixed with sun - flock to the village of Albufeira. Known as the ‘capital’ of the Algarve you will find a large town that offers numerous restaurants, discos, luxury hotels and villas and professional golf courses. Next on the list is Portimao and Praia da Rocha. Here, the town is a bit more cozy with numerous plaza and parks. Praia da Rocha has some of the Algarve's most breath taking beaches, that are encompassed with bronzed colored bluffs, lovely white sand, and crystal clear blue waters.

Looking for more of a bohemian, international scene? Than continue across the coast to the village of Lagos. Get your bearings by heading to the port and hoping on a grottos tour boat to give you a up close take on the amazing rock formations that litter the coast. Eat with the locals at the Blue Door, a fantastic sea food restaurant located in the heart of the town. If you are looking for a good drink and a place to meet, cruise over to the notorious ‘Bonvivant’ bar and club. The energetic space is sprawled our over 3 floors including a roof top terrace that peers over the town.

If you made it this far, than you can not got to the Algarve without visiting Sagres, the most western point of the coast. The area spikes out into the Atlantic, forming the most south west edge of the continent. Many years ago, this was known as the ‘end of the world’ with its endless, arid plains that dramatically fall into the sea over enormous cliffs. Portugal’s famous explorer, Henry the Navigator based his explorations from a impressive fort that is still open for tours today.

Head north along the Atlantic coast and you will be blessed with hundreds of miles of untouched coastline, thanks to the environmentally protected area. Here you’ll discover endless beaches that you can enjoy all to your self. If you are looking for great breaks, be sure to check out the popular surfing beach of…..For more information about the Algarve go to - http://www.algarvenet.com/. For accommodation options visit http://www.holiday-velvet.com/algarve

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There's more to Koh Samui than Chaweng!

For those who don't know it, Koh Samui still has a reputation for being an extension of the darker side of Bangkok. We were in for a pleasant surprise when we landed in the airport and were taken to our villa in the north east side of the island in the lovely bay of Choeng Mon.

Choeng Mon Beach is located in a very secluded part of Koh Samui with mostly upmarket hotels and private villas for accommodation. The beach is cresent shaped and is lined with some excellent restaurants serving fresh fish daily. Here's the pace is super slow and the most energetic we got was to cool off in the villa's pool where we could enjoy the fantastic views across the bay. This was heaven indeed.

The only drawback about area is that it's slightly cut-off from the rest of the world and getting around, if you really wanted to, could be a problem. The songtheaws (privately owned buses) rarely stop here and taking a taxi costs a small fortune. To get around this, we managed to hire a open top jeep for next to nothing and went on a few advertures along and around the island.

Our first stop was Bophut which is on the north coast of the island and the next bay after the famous Big Buddha. At the eastern end of the beach, we found the Fisherman's Village which has a cool and rather hip appeal with mid-range to upmarket restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars. We chose a thai fusion restaurant to have lunch, sat on large cushions that over looked the beach and enjoyed a nice glass of pinot grigio with our food. It's a very chilled and friendly area with a nice mix of thai and westerners all relaxing together.

Having peeled myself off the cushion we decided to head further east and towards Nathon which is the sleepy capital of the island. Pass the wonderful beach of Maenam our next stop was Bang Por which is a fantastic long stretch of white sandy beach at the very north west of Koh Samui. This area offers a tranquil retreat, warm crystal clear waters and wonderful views of Koh Phangan and the Angthong Marine Park.

Nathon has a slightly strange feel to it. As we saw a couple of goats cross the main high street, it it was just hard to believe that this is the business hub of Koh Samui. Here you can catch the boat to Koh Phangan, have one of the best papaya salads on the island and even shop at Tesco's if you want to.

Lastly Chaweng. Between sunrise and 7am, this is probably the best beach on the island but after that, it starts to get busy with deckchairs, masseurs, hawkers and all the holiday makers who are staying here. It's not a bad place and most of the large hotel chains are here as well as some mid range hotels. If you like to party then this is certainly the place for you.
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A typical Dutch landscape

To enjoy a typical Dutch landscape, you don’t have to go very far out of the city of Amsterdam. There are five interesting mills within the Amsterdam city limits, among which ‘De Bloem’ and 'De Gooyer'. A few of their tasks were to grind corn and saw wood. The ‘Molen van Sloten’ is a genuine polder draining-mill that used to pump the water from the polder. It is also the only mill in Amsterdam that is open to the public daily. The mill is also accommodated with an elevator, enabling the physically handicapped to visit the top floors of the mill as well.

Just north of Amsterdam is a region with a characteristic and age-old Dutch landscape: Waterland. The polder landscape is scattered with ditches, waterways, drawbridges, mills, historic villages and most of all: wooden houses. A few beautifull sights in this area are the villages Durgerdam, Zunderdorp, Holysloot and Broek in Waterland. They make for a great biking area.

The Zaanse Schans is a picturesque village near Koog aan de Zaan, somewhat north-west of Amsterdam. The village contains a unique collection of original wooden Zaandam houses and mills. The mills are still used and the houses are still occupied, making this open air museum the most animate museum in the world. Open daily, no entrance fee.

If you are looking for accommodation, some apartments we can recommend include:
- Dusart Penthouse in the Museum Quarter - Amsterdam apartment
- Rembrandt Centrum - Centre Dam Hotel
- De Plantage apartment's in Amsterdam

Rome, Italy – Piazza Navona and its market

Piazza Navona, in Rome, Italy, is the square in Rome that is most representative of the Italian capital’s charm. Piazza Navona is surrounded by a maze of alleys, like the whole of Rome used to be until one hundred years ago.

Piazza Navona was built on the ruins of a Roman circus, precisely Emperor Domiziano circus. The actual buildings date back to the 1600s – 1700s, when the square started looking like it does today. Piazza Navona’s most famous buildings are Palazzo Pamphili, by Girolamo Rainaldi, and St. Agnese Church, designed by the famous baroque architect Borromini. In Piazza Navona, Rome, there are three fountains the most famous of which, La Fontana dei Fiumi, was designed by the famous Italian baroque artist Bernini.

Throughout its history Piazza Navona, in Rome, has been the centre of entertainment and leisure. From the Middle Ages until the XIX century, in Piazza Navona street artists have entertained the people of Rome. Nowadays, the Christmas market still survives as a witness of these old traditions as it has been held for over one hundred years. Piazza Navona Christmas market, in Rome, offers the visitors several stalls filled with lights, toys and sweets, in addition to street entertainment such as mandolin concerts, gospel, folk music and an exhibition of Nativity Scenes. Piazza Navona Christmas market is held every year during Christmas festivities and it lasts until the 6th of January, which in Italy is celebrated as the Befana day (the Befana is a witch who is depicted flying on a broom and is said to bring toys and sweets to good children and charcoal to naughty ones).

To book your holiday apartment in the Piazza Navona area of Rome, our recommendations include the following:

Casa Angelo - a luxury apartment in Piazza Navona and

Coronari apartment in Rome
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Las Vegas Casinos

The center of gambling in the United States, Las Vegas is marketed as “The Entertainment Capital of the World” and is famous for its massive, lavish casino resorts, which are the major attractions of the city. The most famous casinos line Las Vegas Boulevard South, also known as the “Las Vegas Strip”. There are many casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days.

Here are some of the city’s most popular casinos:

• Bellagio Hotel and Casino: Bellagio is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas. It was built on the site of demolished Dunes hotel and casino. Inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy, Bellagio is famed for its elegance. One of its most notable features is an eight-acre (32,000 m²) artificial lake between the building and the Strip, which houses the Fountains of Bellagio, a major free attraction which provides a romantic ambiance for couples walking along the strip.
  


• The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino: The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino is located off the Las Vegas Strip in Clark County. It is better known as The Rio and is owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment. The Rio was the first all suite casino in the Las Vegas area.


• Circus Circus: Circus Circus Las Vegas is a circus-themed 3,774 room hotel and 101,000 square foot (9,392 m²) casino located on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Circus Circus features free circus acts on a regular basis throughout the day. Circus Circus has the only RV park on the Strip providing additional accommodations in the 399 space park. Circus Circus Las Vegas is the largest permanent big top in the world


• The Golden Nugget: The Golden Nugget Las Vegas is a casino-hotel located on the Fremont Street Experience. It is the largest casino in the downtown area, with a total of 1,907 rooms. It has also maintained AAA's four diamond rating for the past twenty-nine years.


• The Mirage: The Mirage is a 3,044 room hotel and casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip. The gold exterior color is from the gold used in the windows. It is widely considered to be the father of today's Las Vegas.

If you planning to stay in Las Vegas, some accommodation options are Home away from Home!,
Movie House Las Vegas and The Grand Villa Las Vegas

London, England, attractions – The HMS Belfast

London, England is a city full of interesting tourist attractions and one of my favourite attractions of all in London, is HMS Belfast, an old British battle ship. The HMS Belfast is located on the banks of the river Thames, in front of the Tower of London.

The HMS Belfast served during the Second World War and she played a big part in the Normandy Landings. Up to 950 crewmembers could stay on this ship, which is the largest surviving example of British big battle ship. The HMS Belfast served the nation of Britain until 1965, she was saved for the nation in 1971 and the museum on board this ship was opened in 1978. Since then, the HMS Belfast has been on display in London to educate the visitors on the period of history that she represents.

If you are in London, it is really worth visiting the HMS Belfast, for the perfect reconstructions she hosts of the life of the people living and fighting on this ship. Every detail is perfectly reproduced. In every section and room of the HMS Belfast there are wax reproductions of sailors and their daily activities on the ship. For example, there is the canteen, the bakery, the laundry, the sick bay, the place where sailors slept in hammocks and more. Every ambient is represented in every details, so much so that even smells (i.e. the smell of disinfectant in the sick bay) and noise have been perfectly reproduced. The HMS Belfast also hosts a museum with photos and documents, educational activities, exhibitions and events. The HMS Belfast can also be hired for corporate and private functions, including weddings.

If you planning to stay in London, some accommodation options are:

• Merlyn Court Bed and breakfast, in the perfectly centrally located Kensington area of London
• Royal Hyde Park hotel, London - Located in the Bayswater area of London
• London apartment rental - 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Stay in London in style.

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Seville, Spain: 5 excellent reasons to visit Seville for a holiday

A holiday in Seville means sampling a peaceful and refined way of Spanish life. Here are 5 excellent reasons to visit the capital of Andalusia:

1. Flamenco
Probably the birthplace of Flamenco, Seville offers the best Flamenco shows in Spain. You can easily sample this fine dancing art every night, in crowded bars all over the city.

2. Trendy Tapas
Modern tapas bars with minimalist designs flourish in Seville. Let yourself be tempted by un-usual dishes such as cod in Champagne or marinated clams.

3. Moorish Baths
The "Banos Arabes" opened in 2006 is a trendy spot with a charming patio, tearoom, three baths at various temperatures, steam bath and jacuzzi. With an atmosphere reminiscent of the past this is a must visit.

4. White Villages
Less then 30 minutes from Seville are lovely hillside villages called "Pueblos Blancos". Visit Ronda, Gauclin or Carmona to be charmed by 17th century homes with flower-filled patios.

5. The Alcazar
The sumptuous fortress of Seville that changed owners so many times over its long history. From Charles V to King Pedro El Cruel over Abd al-Rahman III, all rulers and their courts left their mark here.

If you are travelling to Seville in Spain and in need of somewhere to stay, you may be interested in a short-term apartment rental in Seville, a Seville hotel, or perhaps a villa in Seville!
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Surviving New York City (NYC)

From the moment you enter the island of Manhattan, New York City, your blood pressure is certain to sky rocket. Whether you arrive via the Lincoln Tunnel or the Brooklyn Bridge the energy that succumbs you can be overwhelming. From the endless skyscrapers to the bright lights of Broadway – New York has it all.

From my experiences, visiting NYC can be like entering a wind tunnel. There are so many things to do and if you are short on time it can be a hectic experience. The key is to decide on a few sites and than let the rest play itself out.

To start off the day I’d recommend getting a bit of culture and visiting some of numerous world famous museums New York has at her disposal. The MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) has dozens of exhibits throughout the year including Picasso's Demoiselles d'Avignon at 100 until August 27, 2007 and 50 Years of Helvetica until March 31, 2008. If you looking for an architectural masterpiece - cruise up 5th avenue to the mind-blowing Guggenheim Museum Guggenheim Museum. Inside you will find a truly surreal structure that spirally guides you upward thru the exhibits. Check out the eccentric The Shapes of Space until September 5, 2007.

Now it’s time to get some air. From the Guggenheim you have great access to some of Central Park’s best perks. Visit the apes at the city zoo or have a picnic on one of the numerous park fields.

After that, get in the trenches and ride the notorious subway downtown to Times Square – the ‘crossroads of the world’. You can always spot the tourists because they are walking around staring up at the towering buildings! From there continue down to the hip Greenwich Village and Soho for some shopping. Grab a coffee and relax by the fountains in Washington Square Park – where you see every kind of street performer imaginable.

By now you are suffering from serious sensory overload and its time to go back to your hotel or apartment, clean up and prepare for a Big Apple night out. Call ahead for a reservation at any of the spectacular restaurants that dot Union Square. But don’t get too comfortable because NYC never sleeps and its time for some drinks. If you’re looking for a bit off the beaten track - go over to Alphabet City where you find loads of bars and jazz joints. Or cruise across the bridge into Brooklyn – the new Village of New York where you’ll discover where many of the most up-and-coming artists and musicians frequent.

From there it depends on how much time you have left. Don’t forget Radio City Music Hall or Rockefeller Center. Landmarks like Empire State Building or Grand Central Station are a must as well. There is so much do to that you may feel you’ll never see it all. But no need to fret - every experience in NYC is unforgettable - just remember to take a deep breath once and while and enjoy!

If you are planning to visit NYC soon, you may be looking for a NYC luxury apartment for short-term rental or perhaps a Bed and Breakfast in New York City. Either way, you are advised to book early to guarentee that you have somewhere fairly central and affordable.
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There's more than just mountains in Chamonix?

I'm not sure what made me decide to climb up climb up Mont Blanc. Maybe that second glass of wine gave me the bravado or just a fool hardy notion that I was just as fit as I was 10 years ago. I was in for a rude awakening as we arrived in Chamonix feeling ill-prepared for 2 days of training and one day of climbing the highest mountain in Europe.

Excursions and trips such as this happen all over this beautiful region and for 3 days, you can be tested and prepared by some of the best guides in Europe. We had a fantastic trip of walking glacers, climbing through blizzards in late June and sharing a few drinks with many bearded people that I can't recomend this town enough. Whether or not I managed to stand on the top of Europe is for another blog but for now, the purpose is to illustrate that Chamonix, one of the best ski resorts of Europe, isn't just about it's mountains.

Chamonix is a picturesque Alpine town just on the border between France and Italy. It's back-drop is dominated by Mont Blanc whose peak it eternally covered in ice and snow. The town has a sleepy feel to it but maybe because of the summer, things tend to get a little quieter. In the summer months, the town is packed with climbers, canoeists, walkers, adrenaline junkys and those who want to get away from the beach in the summer and look at an alternative holiday instead. There's so much to do here that 2 weeks is certainly not enough to experience everything but you can have a good try.

There are many companies that can offer you any kind of adventure holiday here but the beauty of this area is that even if you aren't experienced, so long as you have the right gear you can take advantage of some of the many sports on offer here. Of course if you're going off the beaten track, fighting rapids or climbing a mountain at 3am, then you should be looking at getting professional help. From the novice to the expert there's something for everyone.

The entertainment doesn't just stop on the hills and mountains. The restaurants are also of a good quality with anything from french, italian, chinese, japanese and any other cuisine you care to mention. I ate one of the best fondues I've ever had in a great restaurant overlooking the river that cuts the town in two. There numerous are cafes, bars and nightclubs to ensure that the evenings are just as fun as the day.

Accommodation in Chamonix is also cheaper during this period and there are some excellent chalets and apartments that are empty and crying to be occupied. Choosing a ski resort for a summer holiday destination has always been last on my mind but but I'll certainly think twice the next time I decide to go away.

Looking for a hotel in Chamonix? Need an apartment to rent in Chamonix or perhaps a chalet or apartment on the mountainside of Chamonix?
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Visiting Amsterdam – A network of canals

The Dutch capital Amsterdam is famous for its many canals (grachten). From the point of origin of the city, the canals have always played an import role for purposes like water control, transportation and city defence.

The creation of the waterways goes all the way back to the 15th century. The main reason for doing this was for defence. As the city started to expand, most waterways remained in the city as canals. In the 17th century, the famous “Canal-belt” was created. This is a network of waterways which was created in 3 connecting sectors of the city. The Canal-belt includes the Herengracht, the Prinsengracht and the Keizersgracht. Today these are the 3 main canals of the city, all having interconnecting cross-canals.

Some canals that still exist were used for irrigation purposes. Before further expansion of the city, some neighbourhoods were still agricultural area’s, using the canals to get rid of all the redundant water in the area. In the last quarter of the 19th century, several canals have been drained for hygiene purposes and to give more space for road-traffic. Some other canals were created during city-expansion the 19th and 20th century. Their main purpose is for the water control throughout the city.

The canals in the city centre serve as an important function for shipping purposes but nowadays are most often used for tourist means, using the so called canal-buses.

Using canal-buses, tourists can go around and through the city, following a very interesting route for tourists. In 2006, a trip through the Amsterdam canal network was the most visited tourist attraction of the Netherlands, having 3,1 million visitors. - Written by Ralf Nohlmans

If you are going Amsterdam, some apartments and hotels we recommend are:

• Canal view apartment, Amsterdam
• Mozart Hotel on the canal ring, Amsterdam
• Museum Quarter apartment, Amsterdam
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Barcelona, Spain – Festivals and events: La Feria de Abril

Every year in Barcelona, Spain, at the end of Abril, there is a festival called ‘La Feria de Abril’. La Feria de Abril is worth a visit if you are staying in Barcelona for a few days in spring. La Feria de Abril is held in an area called ‘Forum’ by Barcelona beach, at the furthest northern extremity of Barcelona coast line, a newly developed area.

La Feria de Abril is dedicated to the Spanish people from the south of the country, especially from Andalusia, who immigrated to Barcelona. This is the reason why flamenco plays such a big role in Le Feria de Abril in Barcelona. If you like this dance form, you will be able to enjoy watching a lot of different performances in various tents. Also, you will be able to dance to flamenco music, as in many tents it is possible to get up and dance.

The entrance to La Feria de Abril, in Barcelona, is free of charge and the festival occupies a big open-air area. This area is occupied by various stalls where visitors can buy products typical of Andalusia, such as food, wines, handicrafts and flamenco shoes, dresses and shawls. Also, there are several tents in which flamenco music is played and danced and in which you can sit down and eat and drink, or just drink standing up, while watching a flamenco performance. The most popular and typical food in the Feria de Abril, Barcelona, include fried small green peppers (pimientos del padron); fried anchovies (boquerones fritos); fried squid; jamon (Spanish ham); torradas (big slices of bread, dressed with olive oil and tomato juice and with on top a choice of various ingredients such as Spanish ham, anchovies, grilled peppers) and more.

La Feria de Abril in Barcelona, is a very good idea to spend a day or night out in Barcelona, during your trip. This festival usually lasts three days in a row, it is held on a week end at the end of April every year and it is open from 10 am to 1 am (even later on Saturday night).

You can book accommodation including Barcelona apartments and Barcelona hotels with Holiday Velvet.
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Dublin, Ireland – Enjoying the evenings in Dublin

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is worth a visit as it is a lively city, full of interesting tourist attractions. However, a visit to Dublin would not be complete if it did not include a pint or two in at least one of its famous Irish pubs. Each one of Dublin’s pubs offers a different and unique atmosphere, catering for different types of customers and moods. Many Dublin pubs also provide music and live entertainment.

In the centre of Dublin, the area most visited by tourists is Temple Bar, the trendiest area of Dublin, with a lot of restaurants, art galleries, shops and pubs. The atmosphere in Temple Bar is very lively. A pub I would recommend visiting in Temple Bar, is ‘The Porter House’, on Parliament Street, which is also a microbrewery and offers its own freshly brewed beers.

If you are staying in Dublin city centre, another area you can visit for ‘pub crawls’ is the zone between Grafton Street and George Street. This area is full of hip pubs, disco-pubs and clubs, catering especially for the young and the trendy crowds. Also, an area of Dublin with interesting old pubs, is the area around Stephen’s Green, Merrion Row and Baggot Street. One of the most eminent pubs here is in the Shelbourne Hotel, which is an historical landmark, as the hotel has been open since 1824 and it is here, in room 112, that the Irish Constitution was drafted in 1922.

If you are looking to escape from the city, there are some lovely country pubs at just a few minutes drive from Dublin city centre. One of such pubs is the Johnny Fox’s Pub in Glencullen, on the Dublin Mountains. The Johnny Fox’s Pub is one of the oldest in Ireland and it is considered the highest in the country. With its display of old tools and crafts it is almost a museum of rural life. Looking for accommodation and hotels in Dublin centre? Try the Mespil hotel in Dublin, Ireland.
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Out and about in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has a long history and, as a sea town on the Atlantic, it had a prominent role in the European exploration of new worlds in the XV and XVI centuries. If you are staying in Lisbon, Portugal, it is worth booking accommodation in this city for a few nights, as there are several attractions worth visiting.

An area of Lisbon that reflects its history of great maritime explorers is Belém. It is from this area of Lisbon that many explorers embarked for their voyages of discovery. Prince Henry the Navigator led the first overseas expedition to Ceuta in Morocco; Bartholomeu Dias embarked to round the Cape of Good Hope. Also, Ferdinand Magellan embarked in Belém for his first voyages; Vasco da Gama went on an expedition to discover the sea route to India and Christopher Columbus stopped here on his way back to Europe from the New World.

The Tower of Belém, in Lisbon, is the starting point of all these famous Portuguese voyages. The Tower of Belém was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard Lisbon’s harbour and it was designed by the architect Francisco de Arruda, including elements from different styles, such as Moorish towers and Venetian loggias. UNESCO has listed the Belém Tower among the World Heritage Monuments and, if you are in Lisbon, this monument is worth seeing, not only because of its historical importance and its beautiful architecture, but also because of the splendid view that it is possible to enjoy from its roof.

For accommodation in Lisbon, why not rent an apartment in Lisbon for your vacation?
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New York Tourist Attractions – The American Museum of Natural History

If you are interested in science, then you cannot miss The American Museum of Natural History in New York, USA. If you wish to visit this museum and other New York places of interest, nowadays you can easily arrange a short break in New York, booking accommodation in Manhattan.

The American Museum of Natural History in New York is famous worldwide for its real size dinosaur skeletons, which will really take your breath away if you stand next to them. However, the American Museum of Natural History in New York offers much more to science lovers. There are reconstructions of daily life scenes from ancient human civilisations from around the world, with real size dolls wearing original clothes; reconstructions of wildlife habitats, with stuffed animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions and many more; the Hayden Planetarium; temporary exhibitions on different topics and educational programmes for children.

Like may New York landmarks, the American Museum of Natural History appears in various Hollywood movies such as Night at the Museum, The Day After Tomorrow and on TV, in Friends, a worldwide famous situation comedy. Looking for NYC holiday vaction rentals and apartments.
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Travel Ideas - Sicily and Sicilian puppets

If you are travelling to Sicily, Italy, and staying in any of the island’s main tourist destinations, such as Taormina, Palermo or Siracusa, you might be interested in seeing an old Sicilian tradition, which risks disappearing and therefore, in 2001, UNESCO declared it Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This ancient Sicilian tradition is The Sicilian Puppet Theatre (Opera dei Pupi in Sicilian), which had its golden years in the XIX century and in the last fifty years it has been declining because of the advent of television.

The histories portrayed in the Opera dei Pupi (Sicilian puppet theatre) are long cycles, presented in episodes, based on epic-chivalrous literature and especially on the Carolingian cycle, the Chanson the Roland in particular (based on the Roncisvalle battle, when the paladins of Charlemagne where attacked by the Saracens). The Sicilian puppets are made of wood with iron wire inside, in order to connect the junctions and they wear metal armour and colourful clothes. The puppets were made and moved by ‘pupari’ (puppeteers in Sicilian), who also provided the voices for the marionettes.

You can still see the ‘Opera dei Pupi’, in some theatres across Sicily, such as in the Teatro Stabile dell’Opera dei Pupi, in the cultural centre ‘Le Ciminiere’ (Catania) or in the Theatre ‘Teatro dell’Opera dei Pupi’ in Acireale (in the province of Catania). If you are staying in Palermo, Sicily, you can visit the Museo Internazionale delle Marionette Antonio Pasqualino, which displays many ancient marionettes from different areas of Sicily.
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Learning Thai massage in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket, Thailand

Thai massage is an ancient tradition, dating back to over 2,500 years ago. This type of massage is good to help the body eliminating toxins and rebalancing itself. Thai massage is a combination of passive yoga exercises to stretch the body and pressure on the body’s energy points. If you are fascinated by this ancient art and want to learn it, there is no better place to learn it than Thailand itself.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, boasts the best known and most ancient school of Thai massage, WatPo Thai Traditional Massage School located in the WatPo temple. You can easily combine a holiday in Bangkok (where you can book accommodation, visit wonderful tourist attractions and enjoy delicious Thai food), with a course in Thai massage.

If you prefer to travel in the northern parts of Thailand, in Chiang Mai there is the Shivagakomarpaj Institute, a traditional medicine hospital, which is the headquarters for the northern lineage of Thai massage.

Even though the two schools mentioned above are the most famous and most important in Thailand, it is possible to learn Thai massage everywhere in the country, including, for example, on the island of Phuket. You can stay in a hotel or villa in Phuket for a few nights, enjoying the sun and the sea, and learn Thai massage in one of Phuket’s several spa resorts.

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Taormina Film Festival 2007, Sicily, Italy (16th to 22nd of June 2007)

Taormina, on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily, every summer hosts the Taormina Film Festival. The festival, which this year will take place from the 16th until the 22nd of June, has always featured famous guests such as Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Taylor, Quentin Tarantino and others.

The Taormina Film Festival is a competitive film festival, that screens film previews, documentaries, independent features and tributes to filmmakers of the past. The festival has a section dedicated to Sicilian movies, as well as a section for Mediterranean cinematography that this year focuses on Egyptian cinema and its emerging talents.

Taormina film festival is held in the Greek Theatre of Taormina, which, being located on top of a hill, provides a stunning view of the Mediterranean sea and the Etna in the background. If you love cinema, visiting Taormina Film Festival is a good opportunity to keep up to date with new developments in cinematography and at the same time visit a quaint Mediterranean town.

It is worth booking accommodation in Taormina, in order to spend a few days in this enchanting spot, enjoying the Mediterranean sun and sea, the delicious Sicilian food and wines and take some excursions in the surrounding areas, such as the Volcano Etna.
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Barcelona events – The Spanish Grand Prix

Barcelona is going to be the place to be in a few weeks time, with the next Formula grand prix to take place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on the weekend of May 12th and 13th.

In recent years the success of Spain’s Fernando Alfonso has led to huge demand for tickets and accommodation in Barcelona during the May 12th and 13th weekend. If you are making plans to be in Barcelona on that weekend then you are advised to book because hotels and property rental prices could increase over that period.

For those of you looking to buy tickets for the grand prix, tickets for the stands are still available and it is expected that the areas which are sold out will become available again, a few days before the race. Tour operators tend to buy in bulk and some of these tickets go back on general sale a few days