Saturday, July 30, 2011
Photo of the Week Contest Winner
Congratulations Jennifer Romine for Winning the 'Photo of the Week' with the photo from Switzerland, She now gets a 3day hotel stay in the U.S. !!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
10 Trips to Sooth Your Soul
If it’s inner peace, rejuvenation and enlightenment you’re after –- together with a new passport stamp -– take to the road for these spiritually uplifting experiences.
They promise to bear fruit long after you return home.
1. Amarnath Cave Trek: Kashmir, India
A group of soul-seekers hike up the mountains of Kashmir.
This annual pilgrimage takes place every summer -- depending on the political situation -- high in the mountains of Kashmir.
Thousands of devotees walk to the Amarnath Cave to see the Shiva-lingam, a miraculous phallic-shaped manifestation of the Hindu God Lord Shiva (formed by an ice stalagmite). As legend has it, Shiva came here to share the secret of eternity with his bride Parvati.
The trek is a challenge -– mostly vertical, up mountain slopes, and at an altitude of around 4,000 meters. But while the going can be tough, the camaraderie and kindness you’ll experience en route are manna for the soul.
Rates: Tailored to your trip
Indus Discoveries; +91 11 4166 4082; www.indusdiscoveries.com
(NB: Please check travel advisories before traveling to Kashmir)
2. Meditation retreat: Bali, Indonesia
Rejuvenate your body and mind in Bali.
The sacred island, known for its magical energy, is a magnet for spiritual seekers.
It’s the ideal setting for a nurturing yoga and meditation retreat. Every morning you rise with the sun, meditate and explore postures to develop flexibility, self-love and inner calm.
However the last quality may be tested on a trip to the Bat Cave temple -– where a mythical giant snake Naga Basuki is said to reside.
With massages, cookery classes, visits to holy waters and village walks, you will return with mind and body restored.
Rates: A 10-night trip for two people costs from US$3,898
Spirit Tours; +1 866 566 8078; www.spirit-tour.com
3. Fasting and feasting: Sinai Desert, Egypt
Spend some time in silent contemplation in the pristine Sinai Desert.
If you have hermit-like tendencies, or are simply craving solitude, embark on a cleansing, fasting retreat in the pristine Sinai Desert.
You’ll be following in the footsteps of the saints and seekers who, over the centuries, have holed up among the sand dunes and caves here in silent contemplation.
For three days and three nights your tummy may be empty –- but you won’t be starved for inspiration -– you’ll feast on the scenery: wind-sculpted mountains and a night sky brimming with constellations.
And at a distance, your Bedouin carers will keep a caring, watchful eye over you.
Rates: An eight-day trip costs from US$1,265
The Makhad Trust; +44 (0)1242 544 546; www.makhad.org
4. Drink Ayahuasca and detoxify: Sussex, England
The Rain Queen Mother personalizes every detoxification.
A potent healing medicine, made from the Ayahuasca vine and the leaf of the Chacruna plant, and collected from the jungles of the Amazon, is at the centre of this retreat. It causes purging as a means of removing toxins.
Ayamama Rain Queen, a gifted shaman who orchestrates the safe, highly personalized, one-to-one healing retreats at the Wellbeing and Cermonial Sanctuary in England, believes Ayahuasca can enable anyone who drinks it to access higher levels of emotional intelligence and foster a deeper connection with nature.
Not for the faint-hearted, but mind-blowing and truly transformative.
Rates: A three-night retreat costs from US$890
Wellbeing and Ceremonial Sanctuary; +44 (0)75 8146 2905; www.herbalandwellbeingsanctuary.com
5. Walk the Way of St. James: Spain
Follow the Camino to experience cosmic revelations.
This network of hiking routes to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain -– also known as The Camino –- has been traversed for thousands of years by pilgrims looking for a retreat from daily life, or as a spiritual discipline.
Some say The Camino lies directly under the Milky Way and follows ley lines.
Featured in "The Way", starring Martin Sheen, and in "The Camino", a book by actress Shirley MacLaine recording her mystical experiences en route, the landscapes vary from rugged alpine scenery to coastline, fishing villages and hills.
It’s the perfect opportunity for an inner journey –- and recalling Ms MacLaine –- to experience cosmic revelations.
Rates: A seven-night hike costs from US$1,600
Foot Abroad Dublin; +353 1 443 3972; www.followthecamino.com
6. Commune with the oracle and Sufi poet Hafez: Shiraz, Iran
It's a popular custom to recite the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez.
The city of Shiraz is the resting place of the great 14th century Sufi poet Hafez. Mysticism and love feature in his poetry and many devotees see him as an oracle.
A popular custom is to open a page of his verse at random, read it and divine your fortune in his words. The best place to have a go is at his tomb in the exquisitely pretty flower-filled Musalla Gardens, at sunset.
Join the dozens of hopeful young women who sit here clutching their copy of Hafez. Not only will you find spiritual sustenance in his words, but you’ll be heartened by the warmth of your fellow romantics.
Rates: A 16-day trip costs from US$3,986
Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd; +44 (0)20 7736 3968; www.wildfrontiers.co.uk
7. Drink healing waters: Cornwall, England
The magnificent waterfall splashes into a basin.
As legend has it, this sacred, healing waterfall, close to Tintagel, on England’s windswept Cornish coast was once home to St. Nectan. He was a 5th century monk, who blessed the Knights of the Round Table before they set off in search of the Holy Grail.
Getting to the falls involves a 1,600-meter walk through a wooded glen, where visitors have reported seeing visions of orbs, monks, a man in a medieval gear and a gray lady.
The waterfall tumbles into a basin and people from around the world beat a path here to bathe in its waters, said to cure physical and emotional ailments.
Post splash, you can meditate in what was once the monk’s chapel.
VisitCornwall; +44 (0)18 7232 2900; www.visitcornwall.com
8. Stay in a Buddhist monastery: Koyasan, Japan
Soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet in this Japanese monastery.
Mount Koyasan is the spiritual heartland of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism –- an ancient branch of the religion.
It’s also the ideal place for a stay at a temple lodging. If you’re exploring your own beliefs, want some insight into the lives the monks lead, or simply want to soak up the fresh air, peace and quiet, you’ll be in your element.
At Rengejoin Temple, sleep on a futon in rooms with wafer-thin sliding walls, wake at dawn to join the monks in meditation and once your soul has been fed, dine on Shojin Ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of the monks.
You’ll arrive gritty-eyed and leave glowing.
Rates: A two-week Taste of Japan tour costs from US$4,344
Intrepid Travel; +1 800 970 7299; www.intrepidtravel.com
9. Visit a shaman: Mongolia
The Tsaatan tribe is a true community of nomadic reindeer herders.
Mongolia’s forested Taiga lands are home to the teepee-dwelling Tsaatan tribe -– a community of nomadic reindeer herders.
Spiritually speaking, the Tsaatan rely on their shaman, who communicate with spirits, ancestors or nature, for advice and healing.
Join a riding expedition to the Taiga, travel through valleys, mountains and around lakes, and as the highlight of the trip, visit the home of a local shaman.
You’ll see them at work, learn about their abilities and practices –- and if you’re lucky, participate in a ritual yourself.
Rates: A 15-day trip costs from US$3,680
Panoramic Journeys; +44 (0)16 0881 1183; www.panoramicjourneys.com
10. Explore sacred temples: Khajurao, India
One of the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples.
Dating back to the 10th and 11th century, the erotic temples of Khajuraho in India’s northern Madhya Pradesh are a sure indication that the Kama Sutra originated in the sub-continent.
Visit the exquisitely sculptured sandstone Jain temples covered with erotica.
They celebrate love, and provide an insight into ancient Tantric practices -– more than sex, it’s an ancient route to enlightenment, which also takes in the holy city of Varanasi and the sacred Ganges river.
Rates: A five-day Sacred India package costs from US$1,203
Travel the Unknown; +44 (0)20 8823 0705; www.traveltheunknown.com
Read more: 10 trips to soothe your soul #2 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/ten-trips-save-your-soul-581368?page=0,1&hpt=tr_c2#ixzz1T05kls9o
Experience Nepal
Visitors to Nepal often choose to return again and again, for it's breathtaking beauty, friendly hospitality and the extra-special something which can really make a holiday something to remember. But why is this? And what can you expect form Nepal holidays. This article looks at four top activities that will give you a great over all feel for a country and that will pack your trip full of excitement and adventure.
First up is a look at the history and architecture of this fantastic region. The architectural styling of Nepalese buildings has long been considered an art form in its own right, and it's easy to see why with their sweeping, layered, timber roofs and carved timber posts. One such example of this fantastic Nepalese styling can be seen in the "Krishna mandir" of Patan, a beautiful building built of stone and featuring many incredible carvings.
Next up is a look at the fantastic wildlife of the region by going out on a jungle safari! Nepal is well known for having several rare species of animal. Have a trip out to see the fantastic one horned rhinoceros or the Bengal tiger, protected in the Royal Chitwan national park or have a trip out on one of the fascinating bird safaris to see the great migrations the occur every year.
If you're looking for something a little more active then the next activity might take your fancy. Trekking, arguably the activity that Nepal is most famous for. The country is famous world wide for its breath taking mountain scenery and the large number of brilliant trekking routes, including routes around some of the world's tallest mountains. If you're feeling a little braver you can even head out on one of the Everest base camp treks and experience something not many people get to.
And finally, in line with the trekking up mountains, we have climbing. If trekking sounds good but you want to take it that little bit further then climbing might well be for you. This fairly intensive activity can allow you to reach spots that afford some of the most breath-taking views in the world, with climbing being the ultimate adventure for many people. The peaks in Nepal offer a wide range of climbing, although not many climbs are suitable for novices.
There are many other activities that you can try in Nepal too, this article just scratches the surface with some of the most recommended, and it makes for a fantastic holiday for all the family no matter your level of activity.
The adventure company offers a range of Nepal holidays as well as fantastic Everest base camp treks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6443950
Thursday, June 23, 2011
5 surprisingly raunchy destinations in Europe
(CNN) -- To create the perfect travel itinerary, you can consider any number of factors such as scenery, culture or accommodations. Tony Perrottet chose sex.
Fascinated by secret stories and "perverse relics," the historian set out on his own unique version of the European Grand Tour -- a lengthy trip that was once a rite of passage for wealthy young men.
The journey was meant to broaden one's horizons, but sex was often part of the deal, Perrottet found.
"They're very intertwined, sex and travel," he said.
"You didn't just want to go to Rome to see the Colosseum. You didn't go to Paris just to have a look at the Eiffel Tower or the Seine. There was a sense of sexual liberation in these places."
So with his wife and two young kids in tow, Perrottet traveled to see some of the salacious spots that are now part of history.
He chronicles his trip in his new book "The Sinner's Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe."
Here are five destinations on Perrottet's itinerary.
Lacoste, France
Southern France is famous for its wine, cheese, lavender and the good life, but this picturesque village in Provence also offers visitors a taste of the infamous.
The Marquis de Sade, whose sexual proclivities and ghastly novels inspired the term "sadism," made Lacoste his home in the late 1700s.
Sade's chateau still looms over the village but -- in a strange twist -- now belongs to French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, who stages an arts festival on the grounds each summer. (This year's Festival de Lacoste is scheduled to begin on July 15.)
A striking bronze sculpture of the marquis greets visitors who flock to the castle.
"Because of (Sade's) presence there, this whole village has always had this strange attraction for people over the centuries," Perrottet said.
But the tourists don't look creepy, he insisted.
"No, no. The locals were worried that it was going to turn into a pilgrimage place for bondage freaks ... but it's quite refined," Perrottet said.
"The tourists who go there tend to be the wealthier tourists from Paris and the Riviera who are attracted to Cardin's arts festival."
The "Sade name brand" is big in Lacoste these days, Perrottet observed, with visitors sipping espresso in the Cafe de Sade, shopping for local gourmet foods at Le Moulin de Sade gift store, and drinking Marquis de Sade wine, which Perrottet hesitantly sampled.
"It's very daunting because you think it's going to give you some shocking headache, but it's actually not bad."
Paris of the Belle Epoque
To explore the City of Light's "Beautiful Age" (from 1880 to 1914), Perrottet chose a unique guidebook: an 1883 prostitute guide, which featured detailed descriptions of the women and their addresses.
Also included: a list of the city's best luxury bordellos of the time.
"They were the most famous of all because of the sheer amount of wealth and money that was put into them," Perrottet said.
Some were "fantasy brothels" with elaborate themed rooms decorated so that their wealthy clients could imagine they were transported to the Renaissance, a pirate ship, ancient Rome and so on.
The best-known of these was Le Chabanais, near the Louvre, Perrottet said. Today, it's an office building with an antique facade that offers little hint of its unusual history. The interiors of the rooms were stripped and sold off after World War II, but the original marble staircase remains in the foyer, the author said.
His most memorable find on the trip was a "sex chair" said to have been commissioned in the 1890s by a future British monarch and kept at Le Chabanais.
The contraption, described as a cross between a sleigh and a gynecological chair, allowed the obese royal to have sex without crushing his partner, Perrottet said. Today, it sits in a Paris warehouse.
Casanova's Venice
The romantic home city of Giacomo Casanova -- whose memoir describes his seduction of 122 women -- has only one official memorial dedicated to the legendary lover.
But his spirit looms large, Perrottet said.
"Casanova is this mythic figure ... the ultimate symbol of the 18th century in Venice, which was the most voluptuous and sensual and decadent time in Venetian history," Perrottet said.
As part of his visit, the author crossed the Ponte delle Tette (politely translated as the Bridge of Breasts), where prostitutes once congregated; located the original door of an 18th century brothel; and rented a former casino, similar to one of Venice's once-secretive apartments that Casanova used for his trysts.
But the highlight of Perrottet's trip was going on the Secret Itinerary in the Doge's Palace -- a special unadvertised tour that takes visitors to the rooftop cells where Casanova was imprisoned in 1755 and ultimately escaped.
"It's great fun, because you go there and they literally open a secret panel in the wall and you go through while everyone else is just looking on in a sort of envy and irritation," Perrottet said.
"When you wander around there, you can actually follow the route that he took out. ... You get a sense of him as a real person," Perrottet said.
Montaillou, France
In 1308, the Inquisition visited this small village in the Pyrenees Mountains in search of heretics. They found lots of sexual intrigue instead.
The whole population was arrested and interviewed in great detail, so the surviving documents offer an intimate look at the everyday lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages, Perrottet said.
Their love lives proved to be especially interesting.
"It's an extraordinary record -- an extraordinary soap opera, basically -- where these dozens of lusty shepherds and adulterous wives and horny farm hands recount their various adventures and ups and downs in this tiny village," Perrottet said.
"They're jumping in and out of each other's beds. Premarital sex is standard, illegitimate children are running around, ... people are running off with one another's wives."
Today, only about 40 people still live in the village, Perrottet estimated, though the population gets a boost during vacation season in the summer.
"It's an extremely dramatic landscape," he said. "It's a wonderful place to visit."
Stufetta del Bibbiena, the Vatican
Perrottet calls this "the most secret corner of the Secret City."
And he is here to confirm it's real: a bathroom in the papal apartments painted with erotic images by the Renaissance master Raphael.
Seeing the Stufetta del Bibbiena took exhaustive research, a flurry of e-mails, and tense interviews with Vatican officials.
"To this day, I'm not entirely sure why they let me in, but they did," Perrottet said, speculating all the intrigue raised by the author of "The Da Vinci Code" may have officials leery of creating more rumors.
"On a certain level, they're trying to open up certain parts of the Vatican to stop the Dan Brown fantasies of what's lying in there."
Just getting in the front gates of the Vatican was exciting, Perrottet said, something most visitors never get to do. (He was able to secure a pass because of his credentials as a scholar.)
Swiss Guards escorted him into the papal apartments, where he had 10 minutes to examine the Stufetta.
The two dozen images painted in 1516 -- which feature the goddess Venus in various poses with Cupid -- aren't shocking by modern pornographic standards, but they are provocative and were meant to be erotic, Perrottet said.
The fact that they're inside the Vatican makes them "100 times more powerful," he added. Today, the room sits empty, Perrottet said.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Best Hotels for Roof-top Views
Rooftop terraces are a sought-after commodity these days and those with stunning views offer an unforgettable experience. The hotel price comparison website Trivago has drawn up a list of the best 15 hotels in the world for rooftop views, ranked according to ratings from users.
1 Jumeirah Beach Hotel - Dubai
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a luxurious lifestyle and beach hotel in Dubai. Two roof terraces offer guests amazing vistas. From the 360 Bar on the roof of the Marina Restaurant, guests overlook the coast of the Persian Gulf while enjoying a shisha pipes and light lounge music. A similarly spectacular sight awaits the guests visiting the elegant Uptown Bar on the 24th floor.
Trivago has rooms starting at £149
2 lebua at State Tower - Bangkok
On the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this is the second largest building in the Thai capital. The Sirocco restaurant is based on the 63rd floor and at the bar, there is a protruding balcony where guests can seemingly float above the city.
3 Hotel de Rome - Berlin
Located on Bebel Square, this antique building was constructed in 1889. From the rooftop terrace, guests can look out over the German capital’s centre, from the cathedral to the television tower.
4 Bairro Alto Hotel - Lisbon
A modern boutique hotel with traditional flair, Bairro Alto’s roof terrace is located on the sixth floor and has a bar serving sandwiches and salad.
5 Ritz-Carlton Hotel - Moscow
Located directly on Red Square, the roof of this 11-storey building is home to the futuristic O2 Lounge, where sushi and grill-specialties are prepared. A DJ plays in the evenings.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Travel advice: scenic driving routes in France
We usually race through France to reach rented gîtes in the south. The autoroutes are easy but boring and we’d now like to take our time and enjoy a ‘‘scenic’’ route instead. Is this practical or will it take too long?
PR Sommerville
PR Sommerville
David Williams, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph Motoring section, replies
Inevitably you will find staunch supporters for both approaches, but the answer depends very much on your outlook and the amount of time at your disposal.
In straightforward economic terms, there are good cash savings to be made by sticking to France’s routes nationales (the equivalent of our A-roads) because you will avoid paying a total of £70 at the toll booths that dot the autoroutes between the Channel Tunnel at Calais and St Tropez, on the south coast. And – unlike many of our own A-roads – France’s are generally well-maintained and relatively uncrowded.
However, no matter how hard you study the maps, you will have to drive an additional 40 miles on the routes nationales as the autoroutes are more direct (one of the best websites for plotting routes, on or off the autoroutes, is at www.viamichelin.co.uk). The extra miles will dent your £70 savings by around one gallon of fuel, so it’s hardly a deal breaker.
There are, of course, factors other than money to consider. If you go by autoroute and drive at around the legal maximum limit of 130km/h (110km/h when wet), your journey will take about 10.5 hours. But if you factor in essential stops for rests, food and refuelling, total travelling time could easily be more than 12 hours.
By contrast, a non-stop journey to St Tropez on routes nationales will take considerably longer. Constant stop-starting for traffic lights or other vehicles, and being forced to take diversions through town and village centres, will take your total car time up to 17.5 hours. And that’s without any scheduled stops.
Which brings us to the question of an overnight stop. Even for those tackling the long drive south by autoroute, it’s highly advisable to stop for a night’s rest en route, even if two of you are sharing the driving, and particularly if you are unable – or unwilling – to catch a ferry or train at the crack of dawn, which itself might necessitate a long drive across Britain. Many crossings arrive late in the day, leaving vast mileages to cover in a short time if you want to get to the south in one go.
For those taking the scenic route, it’s virtually mandatory to stop – which is part of the fun. Either way, budget around €100 (£88) for one night for four people, plus meals.
Other factors? Going by autoroute is anything but relaxing. But the advantages are that you will have more time at your gîte, and driving on autoroutes is comparatively easy; as long as you stick to the speed limit and remain alert, it is easy to stay within the law. Motorways are statistically safer, too.
On the routes nationales you will be able to wind the windows down as you trundle through villages and towns, and soak in the atmosphere at your leisure. Rather than having to stick to crowded, expensive motorway-style service stations, you will be able to stop when you spot a beguiling café or restaurant.
The map-reading will be slightly more demanding off the autoroutes (unless you have satnav) but think of all the opportunities, en route, for purchasing life’s essentials: fresh olives, cheese, wine and so on.
5 Top Provence Destinations
With Provence being one of the most beautiful areas in France is it any wonder than many people choose this area as a holiday destination, staying in a local B&B or one of the many Provence villas in the area. It's brilliant vistas are well known for inspiring artists, with the sun soaked landscape, azure waters and fields of wild flowers. It's also a great destination for those who enjoy a little history, with roman ruins, old markets and traditional towns in abundance. This article will look a five of the tops destinations in the area.
First up is the beautiful city of Avignon. This is one of the most beautiful cities in the Provence area, with its rich history and many cultural wonders. The city features the world's largest Gothic palace, The "Papal Palace", set in some fantastic grounds along with the famous Pont St. Benezet or the Pont d'Avignon bridge.
Next up is the Gorges du Verdon, the deepest canyon in Europe. With is sparking azure waters flowing down its length enclosed in sheer rock walls, it's a truly unique location for a days walking. You can also enjoy a drive down parts of the canyon ending at the historical town of Moustiers Sainte Marie, a charming Medieval village.
Number three on the list is the village of Saint-Remy-de-Provence and its fantastic Roman ruins. The ruins include the beautiful Triumphant Arch of Glanum and many smaller sites around this small traditional Provence town. While you're in the town its market is also worth a look, with is brilliant mix of fresh produce and local crafts it's a great place to pick up a bargain.
If you're looking for a little bit more of a spectacle and a your visiting Provence in the summer months then a trip to Digne les Bains should be on your list to taking in the wonderful sights and smells of the lavender fields. The area also features many hot springs that are its namesake, which are believed to have curative powers.
Finally on the list is something for the shop-a-holics out there as it's the markets of Isle sur la Sorgue. This market has made its name as one of the major antiques markets in France and is the largest marché aux puces (or flea market), outside the capital Paris. It's a spectacle to behold and a great day out for any bargain hunters out there.
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