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Things to see in Los Angeles
By ContentMart Editor

Like many large cities, Los Angeles is a collection of smaller towns, glued together with a grid of roads and freeways.

Roughly 60 miles across it is one of the largest cities by area in the US. Crossing from side to side can take an hour, but with freeway traffic conditions you are more likely to take at least double this time.

Downtown LA is more of a commercial district of skyscraper office blocks than a shopping district. You will find shopping in the form of small shopping plazas and larger shopping malls dotted all over the LA basin.

In this respect LA is a little disappointing if you were looking for an american version of London or Paris. However there is still plenty to see and do, it just takes a little planning so that you are not spending your entire time in a traffic jam or driving endless miles across city.

Places To Visit Here are some selected places to visit whilst in LA.

Angeles Crest Highway A little out of the city this scenic drive twists and turns much like Mulholland Drive along the mountainous crest of the LA basin.

Long Beach Home of the Queen Mary which can be toured.

Aquarium of the Pacific Whilst in Long Beach the Aquarium of the Pacific is definitely worth a visit. From colourful corals and tropical marine fish to California Rays that come out of the water for you to pet and stroke like small dogs! Also a new shark exhibition is worth seeing.

Dodger Stadium Whether going to a ball game or not, the stadium is worth a visit. Top of the Park souvenir shop sells LA Dodger branded clothing and other baseball souvenirs. Parking is free on non-game days.

Griffith Park A good vantage point from where you can see the cluster of skyscrapers making up the commercial downtown of LA and also the world-famous Hollywood sign.

Hollywood Boulevard Aside from the famous stars lining the sidewalk there is usually some form of street entertainment and always a hustle. At the Western end of Hollywood Boulevard is . . .

Mann’s Chinese A must-see, even if it’s much smaller in real life than you would have imagined! Famous foot/hand/etc. prints of those legendary Hollywood stars.

Frederick’s Of Hollywood Also on Hollywood Boulevard is Frederick’s flagship lingerie store, world-renowned. Includes a free museum of lingerie worn by stars of the silver screen

Mulholland Drive The famous drive that has views all over the LA basin and will introduce you to the scale of the city.

Universal Studios More of a theme park than studio tour, but true to the glamour and glitz of Hollywood.

Warner Brothers In contrast to Universal, this is a tour of a working studio. A costume museum full of fascinating history is the start of a tour that includes prop departments, workshops, sound stages, usually a chance to sit in on a TV series rehearsal in a sound stage and a chance to wander around some memorable backlot sets.

And don’t forget neighboring Orange County which is home to the quintessential Southern Californian Beach Cities of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach where life slows to the ebb and flow of the Pacific along their golden sandy shores. Or for some great shopping visit world class South Coast Plaza at Costa Mesa or the outdoor mall of Newport Beach’s Fashion Island.

About the Author

Tony is a keen traveller and has enjoyed many visits to California over the years.

Tony works for Strathlorn Travel who specialise in travel for the independent traveller

By: Jez Rourke

With activity holidays steadily growing in popularity, it appears more of us want thrills and spills on our holiday. Use this guide to visit the Top 10 theme parks on offer throughout the most popular holiday destinations in the world:

1. Disney & Universal resort (Florida)
In addition to the four main theme parks, the Disney World resort contains two water parks, six golf courses, a sports complex, a race track, twenty hotels and numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings.

2. Port Aventura (Costa Dorada)
Port Aventura is a theme park in the holiday resort of Salou, Spain, on the Costa Dorada. Based 1 hour from Barcelona, it has 2 airports within 30 minutes of it. It is one of the largest theme parks in Europe and the biggest resort in the south of Europe.

3. Disneyland (Paris)
Ideal for a city break, Disneyland Resort Paris is a holiday and recreation resort in Marne-la-Vallée, a new town in the eastern suburbs of Paris. The complex is located 20 miles from the centre of Paris and features 2 theme parks, an entertainment district and 7 Disney-owned hotels.

4. Dubailand (Dubai)
Dubailand is the world’s most ambitious Leisure, Tourism and Entertainment destination with over 3 Billion square feet of world class theme Parks, Culture, Sports, Shopping, Hospitality and Entertainment. This up and coming theme park is set to include a Disney world resort and is currently under development in Dubai.

5. Aquacity (Majorca)
The largest water park in the Balearic Islands, Aquacity is located near the El Arenal beach in the south of the island of Mallorca. Attractions include the Banzai, the Grand Canyon and the Devil’s Tail. Also, three great areas for children: the Mini Park, the Dragoland and Polynesia.

6. Aqualand (Corfu)
Corfu has some of the best beaches in the world for a relaxing holiday, but also offers thrill-seekers a fantastic water park within a water oasis of 75,000 square meters. Aqualand is one of the most amazing and adventurous water parks in Europe, for children and all those young at heart. Attractions include giant slides, the black hole, the four twisters, the kamikazes, the hydra-tube, the crazy river, two new “free-fall” slides, the big size Jacuzzi and the big deep pool.

7. Gardaland (Lake Garda)
Located on the banks of Lake Garda, Gardaland is the largest theme park in Italy situated in the Veneto region with more than 40 exhilarating attractions. The park has expanded steadily in both size and attendance since its opening in 1975, a landmark 3.1 million visitors had attended by 2004.

8. Aqualand (Gran Canaria)
Aqualand Maspalomas is the largest water park in the Canary Islands, located at a tropical oasis in the south of the island, not far from Maspalomas. The park is open year round due to the constant sunny climate of the island and within an area of 90,000 m2. The park includes 13 attractions and 33 water slides with the star attraction being the Tornado.

9. The Waterpark (Faliraki)
‘The Waterpark’ is the largest in Europe and the first to open on the island of Rhodes. Located within the islands most popular resort, Faliraki, the water park, situated is easily accessible from all surrounding areas and offers spectacular rides, unique splash pools and water slides.

10. Adaland (Kusadasi)
With close links to the Island of Samos and situated on the Aegean Coast. Adaland is the coolest hotspot of Kusadasi, featuring drenching water adventure rides for a full splash fun day. A world of unlimited fun, thrills, excitement and lush greenery is only 80 km away from Izmir.

Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com

Wed Nov 28th, 2007
by Stephanie Larkin

The Disney Cruise Ships

Disney’ cruise ships - the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder - embody the style and spirit of the grand ocean liners of days gone by, coupled with every modern amenity you have come to expect from a premiere cruise line. The two ships are basically identical save for some decorating details - the Wonder is decked out in an Art Nouveau style, while the Magic is fashioned in an Art Deco style - and the names of some of the restaurants and clubs. Both ships incorporate an interesting dining rotation, whereby your tablemates (in fact- the entire dining room full of guests) is rotated through the 3 restaurants along with your servers and wait staff, so that you get to experience a different restaurant each night without sacrificing the careful attention and pampering of having your own servers. And what restaurants they are - Parrots Cay embodies a fun, tropical flavor (and incidentally serves a fabulous breakfast buffet, and Disney characters often drop by unannounced, so be sure to have those cameras and autograph books handy!). Animator’s Palate is a most unique restaurant where the décor starts out black, white and grey, but by the end of the meal is a full burst of colors and Disney pictures, all coordinated with a musical soundtrack, and Lumiere’s/Triton’s, which is an elegant restaurant decorated with beautiful mosaics depicting scenes from The Little Mermaid on the Disney Wonder and Beauty and the Beast on the Disney Magic.

Both ships have a variety of features and activities designed exclusively for the younger set, including a family pool and water slide (fashioned as Mickey’s gloved hand), snack bars poolside serving chicken nuggets, French fries and ice cream, a fully-equipped kids ‘camp’ open ’till midnight with counselors, great activities, play areas and computers, great Disney-themed shoes (including one starring all of the kids onboard, assisted by their counselors), and more characters than you could ever meet at Disney World. All of this attention to the kids certainly doesn’t shortchange the adults, who are treated to their own pool and spas, adult-only restaurant (make reservations as soon as you board- Paolo’s is a big hit), adult clubs, and even their own beautiful, private cove on the beach at Disney’ own Castaway Cay island paradise.

Rooms on the Disney Cruise ships are about 25% larger than comparable rooms on other cruise ships, and many include a unique split 1 1/2 bath, to make getting ready easier for families. There is certainly more food than you could eat or activities you could participate in to fill several cruises, and you’ll certainly find yourself wishing that the cruise were longer - or start planning your next cruise before you even disembark!

Article source:getmyarticles.com

Thu May 31st, 2007, by Mitchel Geerts

1. When you book a Barcelona hotel, you are in the second largest city in Spain. It has one of the most important ports of Europe. The weather is great most of the time, and there are lots of things to see and do. If you like architecture, art, culture, parks, shopping etc. then this is the place to go to. You have to see all the art of Gaudi or go shopping on the Ramblas. The outcome of our inquiry is that Barcelona is the number one in our travel top 5
2. When you book a Paris hotel, you are in the second best city from our travel top 5. Paris is the capital of France and there are more then 2 million people living in Paris. The biggest tourist attraction are the Eiffel Tower and the Arc of Triumph. Paris is also called the city of love, so if you want a romantic holliday, or if you love culture then this is the place to go to.
3. When you book a London hotel, you’re in the Capital of the United Kingdom. England got a united state in the late tenth century. England was the worlds first parliamentary democracy and is the Angels. Millions of international tourists visit London every year. It’s famous for it’s historical buildings and for some famous shops. This number three on our list is great to visit.
4. When you book a hotel in Madrid, you’re in the capital and largest city of Spain. And it’s the third most populous in the European Union after our number 3 and Berlin. It’s a great city of culture and political importance, but the city is very modern. Be sure to visit the royal Palace of Madrid or the Buen Retiro Park, and there are a lot of other things to see there. It’s our number four and a great city to visit.
5. When you book a hotel in Venice, you’re in the city that’s also called “City of water”, “City of Bridges and the City of Light. The city consists of numerous small islands along the Adriatic Sea. This is also a city full of romance and you can travel by boat everywhere. This is the number 5 on our list, that’s last but surely not least. So go have a look for yourself, I am sure you will have a great time wherever you go. I’m a Marketing manager and I’d like to say the following to the readers. No matter if you book a madrid hotel, a Berlin hotel or a Venice hotel you will be sure to have a great holiday. This article can give you a good idea where to go.

Artcle source:getmyarticles.com

(Thu Jun 19th, 2008, by Shipra Kaul)
Costa de la luz has an untouched beauty about it and has breathtaking scenery. If you are a nature lover, this would be an ideal place to loose yourself in the beauty of Spain which is so spell bounding so as to entice you and your soul. Costa de la luz is also called “The Coast of light” since it gets sunshine throughout the year. It is surrounded by magnificent beaches and has beautiful golf courses and is an ideal place for wind surfing. You can also go to Pyrenees for the lush forest and dramatic contours to the rugged cliffs and hidden coves of Costa Brava and the endless stretches of golden sandy beaches of Costa Dorasa, a home to infinite variety of natural beauty. You can find vast diversity of scenery in Catalonian countryside that makes Spain so special. The bold mountains and the sandy deltas of the rivers make an excellent view from the villas and is a paradise for nature loving people. Spain is a holiday destination with so much of vibrancy and events happening all through the year. You can go to Spain with your family, friends or even alone. Spain is such a place that makes you feel like you are in the seventh heaven. The clement and inviting weather of Spain is surely a true attraction for all the tourists. You can stay in an exquisite mansion, stunning villa or original castle with beautiful and impressive location in the midst of diverse and stunning landscapes. You can expect the highest level of comfort and relaxation with full range of services and facilities in these places with the experience of how Spanish people live. The best time to visit Spain is in May, June and September due to the excellent weather condition. You can find beautiful villas located near vineyards and if your timing is right you can see the wine making tradition of the Spaniards. There are beautiful villas and superb Spain homes easily available in all the regions but it is best book in advance since during the peak months all the places get booked very quickly. This place is ideal for golf lovers since golf courses are scattered all over Spain. The beautiful architecture, the eye opening cities, splendid culture and tradition and intriguing sights all can be seen only in Spain. There is no doubt that Spain is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Paramount Places presents holiday Spain,camping holidays Spain- a unique family campsite resort near Barcelona. For more details about camping Spain visit our website.

Article sourse:getmyarticles.com

By: Stuart Cheese

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, so here are my top 5 suggestions for cities to visit in Thailand during your holiday.

1.Bangkok is a fascinating city which has managed to keep it’s ancient eastern traditions whilst embracing the modern progression of the western world. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and offers a host of experiences which include floating markets, modern bars, top of the range shopping, gastronomical delights and ancient temples steeped in the city’s history.
The Chao Phraya River separates the city and has a series of canals. The new ‘Sky train’ railway is something which should be experienced whilst in the city should you fancy avoiding the bustling traffic.

One of the largest floating markets is on the outskirts of Bangkok and you’ll greeted by the aromatic smells and the age old tradition of the locals and their way of making a living along the busy canals.

There is an array of beautiful and ancient buildings not to be missed whilst in Thailand. Although I did not personally experience all of the nightlife, it was made obvious to me that all of my entertainment needs would be taken care of by all well informed taxi drivers wishing to proudly show off their culture.

2. Phuket is the biggest island attraction that Thailand has to offer. It is the perfect place to retreat to and enjoy a tropical paradise. Although the west coast of the island was almost destroyed by the tsunami of 2004, there is very little evidence remaining to show that it occurred.

Not to be missed are:
Old Phuket Town. Chinese immigrants from the 19th century, who were lured in the past by the tin mines, left behind them a host of amazing Sino-Portuguese mansions along Dibu and Thalang roads.

Thai Boxing. A personal favourite of mine, this national sport is violent and very fast paced. For regular matches the Saphan Him Stadium in Phuket City is the place to be.

3.Krabi. Krabi Province is in the middle southern part of Thailand. It is situated in the aquamarine water of the Andaman Sea. It is one of the most stunning places in all of Thailand.
Krabi Town is situated near the mouth of the Krabi River. The Mangrove forest is something to experience and is a must for avid bird watchers. Krabi Resort is set among a curtain of palm trees on the Ao-PhraNang beach. This is a delightful place to be if you are looking to soak up the natural beauty that surrounds you.

4. Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a city full of traditional heritage that shares its secrets with all who wish to discover them. It is a city with stunning natural beauty. It is amazing to see plants that we have to protect from the frost, growing in their scores, naturally along the roadside.
The people of Chiang Mai are a wonder in themselves with exceptional handicraft skills producing magical souvenirs for the endless throng of visitors. Chiang Mai houses the Inthanon Mountain, standing 8,448 feet above sea level making it the highest mountain Thailand.

5.Sukhothai. When visiting Sukhothai the main attractions for the area are Phra Mae Ya Shirne which is located in the Muang District. You will see a long haired figure made of stone that resembles an ancient queen. There is also a museum and National park as well as monuments of great interest inside the city walls.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com

5 December: In every city and village across the country, citizens gather to celebrate the birthday of HM the King Bhumibol Adulaydej. Born 5 December, 1927, HM the King is the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest serving head of state in the world.

Millions of candles raised above a sea of yellow shirts will flicker across the evening sky, 5 December, as people from all walks of life sing the Royal Anthem in heartfelt gratitude, while proclaiming with pride and sincerity “Long Live the King.”

Having reigned for more than 60 years, the 80-year monarch is the soul of the nation, loved and respected by 63 million people who are inspired by decades of selfless service.

The meaning of HM the King’s name, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is translated as “strength of the land, incomparable power”, but often Thais will say he is the “moving force of the country.”

Demonstrating untarnished integrity of character, the King is seen as a shining beacon of wisdom; the father of the nation the protector of the weak. Often his observations alone have sufficed to turn the nation from the gates of crisis.

His reign has been marked by milestones when he pointed the way to future prosperity and responsibilities. In 1974, he initiated projects to protect the environment and encourage re-forestation, decades before it became fashionable to be green, while his personal intervention and technical knowledge saved the capital from annual flooding.

HM the King has initiated over 2000 projects to address social, medical and economy issues at village level throughout the nation.

A gifted musician and artist, the King graduated in law and political science, enabling him, after he ascended the throne in 1946, to work tirelessly to improve the life of his subjects through a vast spectrum of activities.

Earlier this year, nine specific royal projects were identified for their role in developing a sustainable economy in village communities and for their intrinsic appeal to international tourists. They are now promoted overseas through the national airline and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

In the book “In His Majesty’s Footsteps, former chief of the Royal Court Police, Vasit Dejkunjorn, writes of his early encounters with HM the King as a young police officer. “From listening to the royal couple’s conversation I learned for the first time how concerned they were about the well-being of the Thai people.”

Caring for his people is the hallmark of his reign. While history will record his reign as the longest, the hearts of Thai people have accorded him their trust, an unpareled respect and abiding love, never before seen in the Kingdom.

On the night of 5 December Bangkok’s Sanam Luang and Ratchdamnoen Avenue will be illuminated with lights, the streets closed to traffic as a mighty throng gathers to demonstrate their gratitude for their King. Visitors will join them sensing the honour of sharing this moment with the Thai people.

Long Live the King.

Interesting Articles from
www.tourismthailand.org

ABOUT THAILAND
FACT AT A GLANCE

The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.

The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

Neighboring countries:
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.

Area: 513,115 sq. km.

Topography: Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:

The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-coloured orchids, fascinating native handicrafts and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches;

The high Northeast Plateau, which still jealously guards its many archaeological and anthropological mysteries;

The Central Plain, one of the world’s most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas with colourful traditional culture and way of life as well as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan Bangkok;

The peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.

Population: Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.

People: Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

Language: Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

www.tourismthailand.org