Any trekkers with a love of history should consider visiting the East African country of Ethiopia. Trekking holidays in Ethiopia offer an opportunity to visit a wealth of sites, from rock-hewn churches to castles and underground tombs — making this one of Africa’s hidden gems. Organised tours allow easy access to the best sites. Three such places that should definitely not be excluded from any Ethiopia trekking holiday’s itinerary are outlined below.

Lalibela

Dating from King Lalibela’s reign in the 12th and 13th centuries, this site is famed for its churches hewn out of local rock – some carved into the rock face, others freestanding. All of the churches are uniquely captivating. Quite remarkably, compared to some other historic churches around the world, they are still used by priests, locals and pilgrims alike. Visitors on Ethiopia trekking holidays are likely to see Ethiopians, who have made the pilgrimage to Lalibela, prostrating themselves inside and outside the churches. Perhaps the most memorable of all the churches is Bet Giyorgis – 15 metres (49 feet) tall and three-tiered, when viewed from above this building is in the shape of a Greek cross.

Axum

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Axum was the capital of the Axumite kingdom that endured for almost a thousand years. These ancient ruins comprise towering stelae, palace ruins and underground tombs – and are one of Africa’s most important archaeological sites. The stone monoliths, carved from single pieces of granite and scattered throughout the city, are among the most famous. According to legend, the celestial powers of the Ark of the Covenant were required to transport the monoliths and place them where they stand today. The Ark may remain nearby, in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Sion. The ruins at Axum contain many individual points of interest to see on Ethiopia trekking holidays, such as the tallest fallen stelae in the Stelae Park. Originally standing 33.5 metres (110 feet) high, it represented a slender 13-storey building with rows of windows and doors. One theory concerning its purposes suggests that it was a dwelling for the spirits of the dead.

Gondor

Gondor is often dubbed Africa’s Camelot and is another must-see location on Ethiopia trekking holidays or cultural tours. In 1636, Emperor Fasiladas made Gondor his capital – he has left behind a great Royal Enclosure containing castles, a banqueting hall, stables, a library, a chancellery and three churches, as well as the nearby Fasiladas’ Bath used for baptisms. Visitors are also recommended to take a look at Debre Berhan Selassie Church, notable for its beautiful frescoes depicting the story of Christ and a unique ceiling decorated with cherubs. Surrounding the church is a wall with 12 towers, each one representing an apostle.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run several Ethiopia trekking itineraries. Operating in Asia for over 20 years, they now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Highlights-of-an-Ethiopia-Trekking-Holiday&id=6371250

Thailand provides honeymooners with experience they cherish all their life. The place would leave the people thrilled and enchanted, they never feel like leaving the country. One of the favourite places of honeymooners, Thailand offers an unending line of attractions.

Thailand is a destination of enchanting sights. This beautiful land is favoured by honeymooners for its exotic landscapes, beaches, nature parks, temples, luxury hotels, restaurants etc. The country has its own unique culture and the rich history has endowed it with the monuments of significance. A place of unforgettable attractions, Thailand offers something for everyone, and for the honeymooners, it is just fantastic.

Some prominent Thai destinations are as under:

Bangkok: Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is the first destination of most honeymooners in the country. The city is perfect to begin your Thai experience. Some of the beautiful places in Bangkok are Dusit Zoo, Erawan Shrine, Ganesha Shrine, Temple of Dawn, Wat Phra Kaewa and Temple of Golden Buddha. Your Thailand trip is incomplete if you haven’t visited these places.

Phuket: Phuket, known as ‘pearl of the south’ is among one of the most visited destinations in Thailand. The first thing which comes to one’s mind while touring Phuket beaches. Patong, Karon and Kata are three most popular beaches in Phuket. The place is known for its fantastic nightlife, hair-raising adventures and fast-paced shopping.

Pattaya: Pattaya is considered as one of the best places in Thailand for honeymoon holidays. The place is acclaimed all across the world for its idyllic beaches, frenzied shopping, fun-filled nightlife and thrilling adventures. Some prominent Pattaya attractions are Crocodile Show, Exotic Plants, Strange Rocks, Pattaya Elephant Town, Sriracha Tiger Zoo etc.

Koh Samui: Koh Samui has a large number of beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels where the honeymooners can enjoy the amazing beauty of the white sand beaches along the coastlines. Travelers can play a range of watersports in Samui and interesting thing is that you won’t find crowd. You can get good services over here at affordable rates.

Koh Chang: This is a marine national park which attracts thousands of visitors worldwide. Here, you can appreciate the pure gifts of nature. Koh Chang has everything nature has to offer and is tailor-made for families who want to have a quiet and peaceful holidays. At this particular place you can take a bunglow on rent in order to have a comfortable stay during your whole vacation.

Chiang Mai: Chiangmai is the place of temples. You can visit the oldest to the noblest ones, including the Wat Suan Dok, which holds the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal Family members. In another chapel lies one of Thailand’s largest icons in metal, a 500-year old bronze Buddha. You can also visit the temple compound where the divine Lai Kham chapel is located.

Krabi: A tropical paradise, Krabi, is a must-visit for a visitor in Thailand. It is applauded for fantastically beautiful palm-fringed beaches, refreshing spas and strange looking limestone caves, studded with stalactites and stalagmites. There are several spa centers here providing refreshing, rejuvenating service.

Hosting a range of tourist destinations, it is no wonder that Thailand is considered a wonderful country for honeymoon. The country as a whole is an exotic place, right from the towns such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the beaches and islands. While towns like Bangkok compete with the West for entertainment activities, places like Krabi and Phuket put forth a different facet of the country. Just book your honeymoon to Thailand for having an experience of lifetime.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Thailand—Tailor-Made-of-Honeymooners&id=6395468

When you are planning a vacation, it becomes very difficult to decide the destination. If you will make a long list, you will notice that there are so many fascinating places which are still not explored by you. But making a final selection is a tough decision!

If you are among those who want to experience everything in one single trip, you can consider visiting to Ecuador. Ecuador is well-known for its rich geographic diversity. It is divided into four regions comprising of Galapagos, Jungle, Coast and Highlands. You will love to experience different climatic conditions, flora, fauna and spectacular views. As it is on the equator, it enjoys the same weather all the year around. But, there is a little variation in climate due to change in altitudes. Due to this, the coast and Amazon jungle are much warmer and the highlands region enjoys temperate climate. So, you do not have to worry about the climatic conditions before visiting to Ecuador.

Moreover, it is also one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world with more than 1,600 bird species, 3,000 species of Orchid, 106 reptiles, 138 amphibians, 4,500 types of butterflies and over 25,000 plant species. It provides an opportunity to vacationers to experience this biodiversity through eco-tourism and national parks.

Ecuador also offers scuba diving tours, yacht cruise tours and lots of fun in the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are a group of Islands that are distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean. It is located 972 Km west of continental Ecuador. You will experience a lot of rare species like marine iguanas, tropical penguins, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies etc. that are not found anywhere else on Earth. The Galapagos animals do not treat humans as predators and therefore, allow humans to come close to them.

In addition, Ecuadorians are very friendly and helpful people who are ready to help you in all the possible ways. They also treat the travelers with warmth and provide information about the activities they can include in their trip. However, it is still advisable to make prior bookings for all the arrangements so that you get the best deal for your trip.

Get ready to visit the geographical diversity of Ecuador packed into one country where you will get a chance to climb to the top of the mountain, lie down on the beach, snorkel with a sea lion and also enjoy a jungle river. So, don’t think much and come to Ecuador to experience all that it has to offer to its valuable tourists.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Travel-to-Ecuador-for-the-Best-Bird-Watching-Experience&id=6393073

A great football tour is determined by how well it’s done and how enjoyable it was for everyone involved. Football tours, like any sports tour, should not just focus on the essence of playing the game or simply attending tournaments, but should provide a well-rounded learning experience as well.

Part of the fun of being on tour is the chance to see new places and meet many interesting people. The fortifying aspects of football teams lay in the culture exposure that one gets while on tour, as well as the chance to compare and contrast how one culture is influenced by football as much as they influence the development of the game itself. Touring contains many deeper aspects and possibilities of growth.
If you’re a coach looking to book a tour for your football team, there are a few things that you should learn to help you get a great tour experience with as little headache as possible.

The first step is to plan it out as a group. Making decisions together is something you’d already be used to while working as a team—and tours, much like a football game, are a team effort. Some things the team should first decide on include the following:

1. The necessity of employing the services of a tour committee
2. The budget that can be allotted for the tour and other expenses
3. The destination or destinations of the tour
4. Activities to be done while on tour

With all of those things in mind, several factors have to be taken into consideration. Issues such as paperwork, the means of transport, the board and lodging all must find a niche somewhere in the budget. If somehow the budget is on a somewhat tight leash, then the best choice you can have is to avail of the services of reliable tour committees, such as Big Red. With affordable rates and world-wide range and scope, Big Red can make your football tour dreams into a reality.

Tours with the big red has expert organizers who can help find the perfect fit for your budget and the right date and time for the tour. In addition, they can provide you with the means of transport and the lodgings once you arrive at your destination. All of these are pre-booked once you sign up and agree on a course of action to avoid any last minute hassle. When traveling to another country, all paperwork and required VISAs are also provided and checked prior to departure.

Everything the team needs while on tour will be the responsibility of Big Red touring. With a pre-set schedule of the most popular venues and places of great interest, no one is likely to get bored while on tour. When traveling to a new place, language barriers can be broken since Big Red touring services provide translators and interpreters to accompany the tour when necessary. Utmost security is likewise given to every person on tour, but with enough lax to allow them the freedom to move around and enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences of a great sports tour.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-for-Great-Football-Tours&id=6393835

A vacation to Hawaii can be sheer fun if quality transportation and accommodation facilities are available. Hawaii has an array of assets to make your visit memorable. It ensures that the visitors’ plate in Hawaii is always full of experiences.

Hawaii tour is exciting and thrilling for anyone willing to go to different places of the island. Things to do here exceed what one would expect of a typical tourist spot. Hawaii provides an opportunity to enjoy some wonderful time, visit exquisite beaches and serene landscapes, and meet people from different cultures. Hawaii is a potpourri of old and new. While the exterior and life of the Hawaiians seem to be modern, people here are still imbibed with tradition and cultural values.

One of the must-visit places to visit while on Hawaii tour is Oahu island. The place has plenty of beautiful scenic vistas that resemble some of the best movie sets you have ever seen. That’s because several movies have been shot in these islands out of which Jurassic Park and The Lost World are the most popular ones. Due to the unique landscape of the island, tourists can have wonderful views of different places of the island.

For many tourists, Oahu is a wonderland, filled with charm and beauty. The impressive sea life and underwater beauty offer immense pleasure. Oahu offers plenty of activities which never allow you to get bored. You get to see serene aquatic life including an encounter with water animals ranging from sharks to dolphins. You can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, swimming, jet skiing, para sailing and wave running. People have immense pleasure riding the waves of Oahu.

For couples celebrating their weddings and anniversaries in Hawaii, an area that stands among the top destinations for romantic getaways – the term romantic vacation has a totally new meaning. Throughout the tropical land of Oahu, loving couples can enjoy long romantic swims in insular bays and coves, or hit the beach for aquatic fun in the company of other water lovers.

Some attractions in Oahu such as Iolani Palace tell visitors the meaning of royalty. It is the only one of its type in the United States. This makes the Iolani Palace a national treasure and a must visit place. At one point in time, it was considered the political forefront and property of Hawaii. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, located in southern Oahu, is a must go to for all swimmers. It is one of the best known destinations for snorkeling. The bay offers colorful tropical fish, coral reefs and clear water. Pearl Harbor is the site where Japan attacked US naval base in the Second World War. There are several memorials here reminding of the most infamous date in the US history.

Hawaii is well-known for its accommodation and transportation services. Standard of transportation services is quite high with some quality transport companies offering excellent taxi and limousine services Oahu Circle Island Tour. Greeting the visitors at the airport, they provide quality services to groups to make them enjoy a comfortable riding experience from airport. Online booking of these services makes it more convenient to enjoy a hassle free trip. Using internet, you can visit some reputable websites and get a suitable deal matching your budget.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Hawaii-Tour—Exciting-and-Thrilling&id=6406544

The dark side of the Lily’s city

Many European cities are famous not just for their fascinating beauty, but also for the air of mystery that surrounds them. There is no need to go as far as the Scottish castles; just think of the Golden Lane in Prague, a famous meeting point for alchemists, or of the city of York in England, which was long ago thought to be the most haunted city in Europe (and that is still thought to host a restless ghost in each of its apartments). Florence, the pearl of the Renaissance, cradle of the most harmonious and rational art, seems to have little to do with witches and damned souls. But this is not exactly so. Even the home city of Dante and Michelangelo offers a large selection of dark alleys that will give the unaware passer-by goose bumps and shivers when suddenly perceiving the presence of some kind of supernatural powers… ghosts, poltergeists, the living dead, wizards… and vampires!

The girl who was buried alive in Death Lane

The little street that connects via delle Oche to Piazza Duomo is now called Via del Campanile, as it faces the majestic Campanile di Giotto. Yet, this pretty little street was once called by another name: Death Street. This name originated from a macabre event that once occurred right here. A poor young girl named Ginevra degli Almieri happened to be buried alive by mistake. She fortunately woke up from her death-sleep before it was too late and somehow managed to set herself free (the story does not tell how, though). As soon as she was out of her casket, she ran straight back to her husband. The poor man, however, was so shocked when he saw her, that he thought she was a ghost and did not let her in. The same thing happened when the girl reached her parents’ place. They were so scared when they saw her, that they chased her right away. Only the young Antonio Rondinelli, who had always been desperately in love with her, although scared to death, managed to overcome his fear and let her in. The story has, at least, a happy ending. The Bishop of Florence untied the girl from her wedding vows and allowed her to marry Antonio. In the end, the poor girl had already had the misfortune to be buried alive and to be rejected by her former husband. That made her more than free to marry again!

The curse of Via de’ Cerretani

If you happen to walk along via de’ Cerretani, raise your head and look up. You will not miss an ancient stone bust sculpture stuck on one of the walls of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The legend surrounding this bust is based upon a deeply disturbing character who I will now tell you something more about. Cecco d’Ascoli, a wizard, necromancer and fortune teller, was also the author of magic books labelled by the Church as blasphemous and heretical, such as ‘The Acerba’, whose publication, in 1327, earned him a death sentence. As the story goes, while Cecco was being taken to the scaffold, a priest appeared at a window of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and told everyone not to give the condemned any water, or he would never die. It seems like Cecco D’Ascoli was planning on asking for a glass of water as his last wish, whereby, thanks to a special magic water trick, he would instantly dissolve and escape. When he heard the priest’s recommendations, he turned to look at him and laid a curse upon him. The priest immediately turned into a stone and got stuck forever in the same, exact position he was while speaking his last words.

Dracula in Borgo de’ Greci

In 1439 Florence hosted a very important Ecumenical Council whose aim was to reconcile Rome and Constantinople. On this occasion, the Byzantine Emperor Giovanni VIII Paleologo was accommodated in Borgo de’ Greci, in a building that is today called Palazzo Peruzzi. This event was represented by Benozzo Gozzoli in his ‘Cavalcata dei Magi’. If you look closer at the painting, you will be able to spot a very special character amongst the crowd of pages surrounding the Emperor. It is Dracula in person! Also known as Vlad Tepes, the cruel voivoid of Valacchia inspired Bram Stoker and his popular novel. Now, we may easily end this tale with an image of the shadow of Dracula drifting through the streets of Florence, but I would like to tell you one more story, the story of the kindest ghost of Florence.

Piazza Santissima Annunziata: A ghost at the window

A big, elegant building faces the splendid Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a masterwork of the Florentine Renaissance. It is Palazzo Gattai, a building of the 16th century that is easily recognisable for its particular orange colour. If you look at the building, you will certainly spot a window, the last one to the right, and you will notice that one of the two blinds is always half open. The melancholic spirit of a young noblewoman has been drifting in that apartment for a very long time. The story tells how the poor girl became stuck the day after her wedding, when her husband left to war. Year after year she waited for his return, but he never came back. When the gentle girl died, someone went into her room and tried to close the window she had been waiting at for such long years. At once, though, all the books in the room started to fly all over the room and the closet doors started to slam. Today, we would call such an event a typical manifestation of a poltergeist. After this supernatural and quite scary incident, it was decided that the blinds would always be left open. Since then, the spirit of the young woman has become quieter; today, she is still sitting at that window, waiting for her beloved husband to return.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Florence-Ghost-Tour&id=6407575