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June 13, 2008

Chinese mainland tourist groups to visit Taiwan from next month

Filed under: Travel-Vacation, Travel-Tips, Travel — admin @ 8:57 pm

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan signed a landmark agreement on Friday to allow mainland tourists to travel in Taiwan from next month.

The agreement, taking effect from June 20, will see the first tourist group arrive in Taiwan on July 18.

The two sides set a quota for the number of tourists in line with Taiwan’s accommodation capacity and may be adjusted next year.

“A maximum of 3,000 mainland tourists can travel to Taiwan every day,” the agreement says.

In the meantime, only groups of 10 to 40 tourists are allowed to travel to Taiwan, according to the agreement.

It also prescribes a maximum stay of 10 days for each group.

The two sides agreed on establishment of representative offices to handle tourism issues.

(more…)

May 15, 2008

10 Reasons to Spend Your Vacation in an Orlando Villa

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 4:17 am

Finding Florida vacation rentals that will spaciously accommodate groups and families is much easier than one might expect. In a place like orlando, one will find a number of options with regard to renting a villa or vacation home as opposed to a hotel or motel room. Due to the fact that hotel rooms can sometimes be a cramped setting, especially for families traveling with children, Florida villas are a wonderful alternative to a hotel stay. However, this is not the only reason why vacationers choose to experience the magic of Orlando, Florida, while staying in an Orlando vacation home. The following list highlights the top 10 reasons why choosing an Orlando villa over a hotel room might just be the best bet for your vacation:

1. More Spacious - Hotel rooms usually only provide one or two rooms in which to move about. Since Orlando vacations typically last 5 or 6 days due to the enormous amount of activities that are present within this entertaining city, the spacious rooms within Orlando villas allow groups and families to relax in a larger, more comfortable area. This will enable everyone to enjoy their vacation just a little bit more.

2. Kitchen Amenities - When choosing a place to stay for a week’s vacation, individuals like to have various amenities available to them, including a kitchen. Some people don’t like to have to eat out for every meal and by staying in an Orlando rental home or villa; one has access to kitchen amenities in which to cook some of the meals throughout the vacation and save money.

3. Private Pools - Hotels usually provide a number of swimming pools and Jacuzzis for the guests. However, most Florida villas that are for rent in the Orlando area come with their own private swimming pools and often Jacuzzis as well. Why cram into a packed public swimming pool when swimming in a pool with only friends and family members around can be a viable option.

4. Wireless Internet Connection with PC - Due to the large quantity of internet users around today, having wireless internet connection at one’s fingertips is almost a necessity these days. In many Orlando vacation homes there will be wireless internet access and a computer in which to surf the World Wide Web. Although a number of hotels currently offer this type of internet connection as well, you will frequently find that occasional fees and disconnections may occur. Since you are staying in a Florida vacation rental home, it is almost like being in your own home where internet connections are lost less frequently. Also, it is very rare in which to find a hotel that offers computers in which to access the web. Usually, you need to bring your own laptop in order to take advantage of this internet access.

5. More Economical - Because Orlando, Florida is a large tourist attraction, hotels can be a bit on the pricey side if you are looking for space and numerous amenities. When an individual rents an Orlando villa, one can choose the size of vacation home that is needed to accommodate the family. It is much less expensive to rent a single home for one week as opposed to a number of rooms for a certain amount per night.

6. More Peaceful - When staying in hotels, there is usually a lot of outside noises that one has to contend with. Either people stomping up above or noisy guests in the hallway. By booking a Florida vacation rental in Orlando, there will only be the noises of those that were brought along on the trip.

7. Additional Bathrooms - Waiting in line for the bathroom can be a real drag. By renting a Florida villa, there will almost always be more than one bathroom available to the renters. With a hotel room, bathroom lines are almost inevitable, unless the vacation is a vacation for one.

8. Washing Machines and Dryers - One of the more accommodating aspects of renting an Orlando villa as opposed to staying at a hotel is the availability of washers and dryers on the premises. No need to search for a laundromat when washers and dryers are included amenities.

9. Access to a Garage and a Close Parking Spot - Since hotel parking is often set a good distance away from the hotel itself, individuals staying at these types of resorts usually find themselves having to hike back and forth from the room to the car. When carrying luggage and other packages, this can sometimes get tiresome. With an Orlando villa rental, the car will be a few steps away from the front door thereby making any lugging of items nonexistent.

10. Home Away from Home - With hotel accommodations, although many hotels offer wonderful amenities, there is still no way to make it seem less like a hotel and more like a home. When renting a Florida villa in Orlando, the accommodations feel more homey and relaxing than any hotel possibly could. When a family can enjoy the entertainment and events in a place like Orlando, Florida and come “home” to relax afterwards, this is a great thing.

There is nothing wrong with staying in a hotel from time to time if you are stopping over in a city for one night or if there is no Orlando vacation villa available. After all, where else will you get to have your bed made and not have to do laundry every day? However, there are times when a vacation is much more relaxing and comfortable when it can be completed in a makeshift home environment. For these reasons, Orlando villa rentals are great options to consider when looking into a trip to Orlando, Florida. So, get online and start looking for Orlando villa rentals in order to find the one to make your vacation as comfortable as possible.

About the Author

Mansi Gupta writes about Orlando Villas. Learn more athttp://www.villas2u.com.

May 14, 2008

3 Popular Wreck Diving Sites in Britain

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 8:53 am

While the mention of scuba diving generally brings to mind the image of some exotic tropical dive locale, the United Kingdom has a number of exciting dive spots just waiting to be explored by divers like you. If you have no issues with cold water diving, the following destinations will leave you breathless. Or something like that…

One of the best dive sites in the U.K. is located in Scotland, in the Sound of Mull. The Sound of Mull is located between the Isle of Mull and the Morven Peninsula. It is an extremely popular destination for U.K. divers because it offers an unparalleled range of diving in very reasonable conditions. The area is cursed with bad weather, which has resulted in countless shipwrecks over the years. Most dives in the area are launched from Tobermory, Lochaline, or Oban. The Hispania is, by far, one of the most popular wrecks in the area, due to the fact that it is still relatively intact and awash in marine life. It is shallow enough to get a good long dive, and visibility is generally very good.

Another phenomenal dive spot is located on the south coast of England, in the waters of Sussex. The Alaunia, a steamship sunk by a German mine in 1916, is one of the more popular diving destinations on the south coast. Although the wreck is considerably broken up, there are still significant parts of the ship left intact. Be on the lookout for a series of portholes to help navigate the site. If you can manage to find the bridge area, you will undoubtedly be pleased to find the anchor still hanging from its chain. The size of the wreck is overwhelming to some degree, and it would take a few separate dives to explore the entire ship. Shoals of bib, spider crabs, and massive lobsters are sure to keep you entertained. See if you can spot a dead man’s fingers while you are down there.

Another extremely popular dive is located near Plymouth, where the wreck of the steamship Maine found its final resting place. It can be found approximately a mile off Bolt Head. It was highly noticeable for a number of years, as the masts of the ship broke the surface of the water. The wreck has since been cleared of its mast, with most of the debris swept to its port side. It rests in water that is approximately 30 meters deep. The ship was torpedoed in March of 1917 and, after a noble rescue effort, came to rest in waters within easy reach from Salcombe. While this would be an amazing exploration for any diver, it is not recommended for novice divers due to the strong current. There is a good representation of undersea life, and this destination is sure please anyone who visits.

About the Author

Ian Scott is an experienced diver, and he has recently discovered the joys of cold water diving. He is also a contributing writer for thescubaguide.com – an excellent website with extensive information about wreck diving, dive planning, equipment and more.

May 13, 2008

A City of 650 bridges, Sauerkraut and 7 Christmas Markets

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 11:32 am

Berlin, quite surprisingly, has more water surfaces and bridges (650 approx) than Venice, Amsterdam and Stockholm put together! This beautiful capital city and heartbeat of Germany, Berlin is a fascinating place year round with a vast array of attractions to entice all visitors to it again and again especially in the Winter months when its 7 Christmas Markets are out in full force. From traditional markets selling Christmas arts and crafts including hand-blown glass objects, jewellery to mulled wine and cinnamon buns, visiting these markets is a fantastic and fun lead up to Christmas for all the family.

Sightseeing is intense in Berlin…from the remnants of the former Wall to the Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie, there is a lot to see in Berlin. A short city break is usually not enough to take in all the historical sights of this legendary city and a second visit is usually imminent on any first-time traveller’s agenda. The transport system in Berlin is, justifiably, known as one of the most efficient in Europe and connects Berlin with the rest of Germany and European countries.

With so many airlines operating routes to Berlin’s main international Tegel airport and a whole crop of low cost carriers now flying to Schonefeld Airport too, it’s never been easier to visit Berlin. Berlin specialists, www.myberlin.co.uk offer fantastic, low prices for a city break to Berlin. They combine cheap flight and discounted hotel packages at top quality hotels including the 5 star Westin Grand Hotel. Check out the offers now as these prices are unbelievably excellent value for money and are not going to be around forever!

As Berlin is just an hour’s flying time from the UK, it makes for the perfect city break, both midweek and weekend. Whether for shopping, sightseeing or for the Christmas Markets, Berlin also makes a great culinary break for food lovers. Try authentic sauerkraut, spicy sausages, schnitzels and pretzels washed down with one of the 800 varieties of beers found in the Bavarian region of Germany. I would recommend you visit Berlin at any time of the year but more so at Christmas when the city is lit up by thousands of twinkling lights and the air is crisp with a hint of snowfall beginning to cloak the city with its velvety texture – that’s the best time to go to Berlin!

About the Author

Mike writse about “City of bridges and 7 Christmas markets”. Get more information about Berlin at www.myberlin.co.uk

A Hiking Guide to Easter Island

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 8:51 am

Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer hikers and I’ll probably answer Easter Island. Here on an island 11 km wide and 23 km long you’ll find nearly a thousand ancient Polynesian statues strewn along a powerfully beautiful coastline or littering the slopes of an extinct volcano.

The legends of Easter Island have been recounted many times. What’s less known is that the island’s assorted wonders are easily accessible on foot from the comfort of the only settlement, Hanga Roa. Before setting out see the sights, however, visit the excellent archaeological museum next to Ahu Tahai on the north side of town (the term “ahu” refers to an ancient stone platform). Aside from the exhibits, the museum has maps which can help you plan your trip. An online map is available at http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/easter_island/

The first morning after arrival, I suggest you climb Easter Island’s most spectacular volcano, Rano Kau, where Orongo, a major archaeological site, sits on the crater’s rim. But rather than marching straight up the main road to the crater, look for the unmarked shortcut trail off a driveway to the right just past the forestry station south of town. It takes under two hours to cover the six km from Hanga Roa to Orongo, but bring along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. (If climbing a 316-meter hill sounds daunting, you can take a taxi to the summit for around US$6 and easily walk back later in the day.) Once on top, you’ll find hiking down into the colourful crater presents no difficulty. It may also look easy to go right around the crater rim, but only do so if you’re a very experienced hiker and have a companion along as shear 250-meter cliffs drop into the sea from the ridge.

Another day, rise early and take a taxi to lovely Anakena Beach at the end of the paved road on the north side of the island (you should pay under US$10 for the 20 km). A few of the famous Easter Island statues have been restored at Anakena and you could go for a swim, although the main reason you’ve come is the chance to trek back to Hanga Roa around the road-free northwest corner of the island. You’ll pass numerous abandoned statues lying facedown where they fell, and the only living creatures you’re unlikely to encounter are the small brown hawks which will watch you intently from perches on nearby rocks. If you keep moving, you’ll arrive back in town in five or six hours (but take adequate food, water, and sunscreen). This is probably the finest coastal walk in the South Pacific.

Almost as good is the hike along the south coast, although you’re bound to run into other tourists here as a paved highway follows the shore. Begin early and catch a taxi to Rano Raraku, the stone quarry where all of the island’s statues were born. This is easily the island’s most spectacular sight with 397 statues in various stages of completion lying scattered around the crater. And each day large tour groups come to Rano Raraku to sightsee and have lunch. However, if you arrive before 9 am, you’ll have the site to yourself for a few hours. When you see the first tour buses headed your way, hike down to Ahu Tongariki on the coast, where 15 massive statues were reerected in 1994. From here, just start walking back toward Hanga Roa (20 km) along the south coast. You’ll pass many fallen statues and enjoy some superb scenery. Whenever you get tired, simply go up onto the highway and stick out your thumb and you’ll be back in town in a jiffy.

An outstanding 13-km walk begins at the museum and follows the west coast five km north to Ahu Tepeu. As elsewhere, keep your eyes pealed for banana trees growing out of the barren rocks as these often indicate caves you can explore. Inland from Ahu Tepeu is one of the island’s most photographed sites, Ahu Akivi, with seven statues restored in 1960. From here an interior farm road runs straight back to town (study the maps at the museum carefully, as you’ll go far out of your way if you choose the wrong road here).

A shorter hike takes you up Puna Pau, a smaller crater which provided stone for the red topknots that originally crowned the island’s statues. There’s a great view of Hanga Roa from the three crosses on an adjacent hill and you can easily do it all in half a day. A different walk takes you right around the 3,353-meter airport runway, which crosses the island just south of town. Near the east end of the runway is Ahu Vinapu with perfectly fitted monolithic stonework bearing an uncanny resemblance to similar constructions in Peru.

Easter Island’s moderate climate and scant vegetation make for easy cross country hiking, and you won’t find yourself blocked by fences and private property signs very often. You could also tour the island by mountain bike, available from several locations at US$10 a day. If you surf or scuba dive, there are many opportunities here. A minimum of five days are needed to see the main sights of Easter Island, and two weeks would be far better. The variety of things to see and do will surprise you, and you’ll be blessed with some unforgettable memories.

About the Author

David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific http://www.southpacific.org/pacific.html which has a chapter on Easter Island. Stanley’s Easter Island travel photos are on http://www.pacific-pictures.com/easter_island/. You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource box. Many thanks!

About Winter Sports Travel Insurance

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 5:34 am

As the days grow shorter and summer becomes a memory, many of us will be turning our thoughts towards planning a winter vacation, especially one involving winter sports such as skiing. Travel insurance is an often overlooked part of holiday planning, but if you plan on taking part in sporting activites then it really is essential.

A normal travel insurance policy will probably not be up to the standard you need for winter sports, and if things go wrong you could be left facing a huge bill. So what features should you be looking for in a policy?

- Injury Cover

No matter how accomplished a skiier you are, hurtling down a mountain is always going to be more risky than simply lying on a beach working on a tan. And if you do have an accident, a mountainside isn’t the easiest place for medical services to reach. If you’re unlucky enough to need a mountain rescue or airlift to hospital, you’ll be facing a bill running into the thousands even before you get medical attention. This sort of expense is likely to be specifically excluded on a standard insurance policy, but will be an integral part of almost any winter sports cover.

- Equipment

Most winter sports require expensive equipment, and where there are valuables there’s always the chance of theft. Your insurance should provide enough cover to fully replace your equipment with brand new items if necessary, right there at the resort. Even if you plan to hire your equipment, the hire company will probably require insurance - and your own policy is likely to be cheaper than the standard one they’ll try to sell you.

- Liability

Even the best skiiers or snowboarders can be involved in an accident in which someone else gets injured. Whether or not an accident is your fault, you could end up being taken to court and this is usually a long and expensive process. A decent insurance policy will cover costs from any legal proceedings and / or compensation payments.

- Closure of Piste

If bad weather (or warm weather!) means that the pistes are closed and you can’t ski, your policy should pay you compensation to cover the costs of any pre-booked lessons or lift fees, and many will even include a payment simply to cover the inconvenience of not being able to ski.

- Off Piste

A final point to note is that a standard winter sports policy will probably only cover you for accidents that occur when skiing on designated pistes. If you plan to go off-piste, then make sure your insurance will cover this - you’ll probably have to pay a supplement.

As with most kinds of insurance, paying out for travel insurance can seem like a waste of money. However, if you find yourself caught up in an accident on the mountainside then the costs involved can be truly frightening and you’ll be glad you took the time to arrange adequate cover in advance!

About the Author

Nick Hunt is a contributing writer for 1Stop Personal Finance, where you can read more about winter sports insurance in the travel insurance section of the site.

American Cemetery in Florence - Paying a Homage While on Holiday

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 3:29 am

Florence! The heart of the art! Located in the middle of Tuscany, it has represented for centuries the cradle of art, in all its forms and expressions. This enormous and priceless heritage has attracted people from all over the world, making of Florence one of the most popular tourist destinations. This has not always been the case though, at least for some years.

Thousands of soldiers were sent to Europe, and Italy, during the Second World War and Florence became a land to conquer and then to defend. Museums, churches, cathedrals, piazzas and other beauties of Florence were no longer the aim of those who came from far away. Sadly, many would not make their way back home and thanks to their lives, Florence, Italy and Europe could find again its previous freedom.

For those who want to pay homage to these lives, they can visit the Florence American Cemetery, located on the west side of Via Cassia, about 10 km south of Florence. The Rome-Milan motorway passes nearby and its Certosa-Florence exit is about 3 km from the cemetery. The “SITA” bus station provides a frequent bus service along Via Cassia. The bus stop is conveniently located just outside the cemetery gate.

The site covers seventy acres and is duly kept in perfect order, with a variety of beautiful trees and bushes around immaculate lawns, on the west side of the Greve River. Between the two entrance buildings, a bridge leads to the burial area where the headstones of 4.402 American military are arrayed in symmetrical curved rows upon the hillside. Most of them died in the fighting occurred after the capture of Rome in 1944, including casualties of the heavy fighting in the Apennines shortly before the end of the war. Above the burial area on the topmost of three broad terraces stands the memorial marked by a tall pylon surmounted by a large sculptured figure depicting the spirit of peace. The memorial has two open atria joined by the Tablets of the Missing upon which are inscribed the names of 1.409 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. The architects of the cemetery and monument were McKim, Mead and White. The landscape architects were Clarke and Rapuano.

The cemetery is open to visitors all year round. In Summer (16th April- 30th September) from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, every day, and in Winter (1st October - 15th April) from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, again every day.

About the Author

Alberto Scarsi is Chief Editor at http://www.florencedirecthotels.com a source for all different kinds of accomodations in Florence, Italy.

May 12, 2008

Bayliner Discovery Journeys: Virtual Adventures

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 4:13 am

Bayliner Discovery (www.iamdiscovery.com) gives you the opportunity to go on a virtual boating journey that brings back memories of the sun in your face, the smell of the water, and the felling of the adventure that awaits you.

Nothing matches the feel of pulling into the open water, cutting a break at just the right angle or the sight of your buddy nodding back his confidence that there is some fun to be had out there.

Bayliner Discovery - a new line of runabouts, cuddys and cruisers - transforms boating trips into journeys and gives you the freedom to roam and explore. Take a look for yourself at Bayliner’s new journey-based website, www.iamdiscovery.com. This is the place to go to fall in love with boating all over again…or for the first time. Bayliner Discovery doesn’t shove boats and specs at you; it lures you into an affair with nature.

Log on and join Motor Boating Magazine’s Managing Editor John Wooldridge and his buddy Ken Nicholson as they challenge a new Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser in the Pacific chop from San Diego to Catalina Island and on through Channel Islands National Park to Santa Barbara.

Along the way, these two embark on a dusty buffalo safari, kayak near sea caves on island shores and meet some of the local characters. “We traveled on our own terms and experienced everything from the colorful culture of Catalina Island to the breathtaking beauty of Channel Islands National Park,” says Wooldridge. “The Bayliner Discovery 246 was our little magic carpet.”

The hardtop cockpit on the Bayliner Discovery 246, the largest towable boat in the Bayliner Discovery line, protected Wooldridge and Nicholson from the spray of the choppy Pacific, while its other features made their journey a dream. “We managed to smooth out the worst parts with the boat’s trip tab system, and the dual prop gave us an increased grip on the water,” says Wooldridge. “The MerCruiser 350 MAG let us plow through everything the ocean threw at us without using the full engine potential.”

On www.iamdiscovery.com, the surprisingly cool navigation of the site transports you to webisodes of Wooldridge’s voyage, trip journals, planning links and, yes, Bayliner Discovery boats (but in very thoughtful and complete way).

The folks at Bayliner Discovery promise three more video journeys with top-notch travelers and journalists in the months ahead. National Geographic writer and world-class kayaker Jon Bowermaster is said to be next in line later this fall, using a Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser - a best-in-class, two-level mini-yacht - to navigate the stunning inlets and craggy coastline of the Maine Island Trail.

Check it out and become part of the adventures at www.iamdiscovery.com.

About the Author

Kris Nickerson is the Editor-in-Chief of Press Direct International (www.pressdirectinternational.org), a global information website that provides reliable information tailored to professionals in financial, media, and corporate markets. His thorough knowledge of industries ranging from health care and travel to real estate and financial investing enables him to quickly grasp the nuances of emerging markets and technologies.

May 11, 2008

Be Neighbourly In Your Orlando Vacation Home

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 11:05 am

People who choose to stay full time can have numerous reasons for doing so. They could be Disney employees thus enjoying the luxury of a very short journey time to work, since the majority of vacation rental villas are very well situated to access Walt Disney World and all it has to offer. Some residents own vacation homes in and around where they stay and they like to be close at hand to keep an eye on their property and look after their guests themselves. Others may have some kind of occupation related in some way to the hospitality/vacation industry. Then again you may just find some friendly folks who like the idea of having new and different neighbours every few weeks!

Having full time residents nearby can be a great thing. They very much enjoy visitors to their area and those who settle there full-time are well used to new neighbours every one or two weeks and are very friendly and keen to learn you are enjoying your stay and having a fabulous vacation.

Just generally walking about the resort your vacation villa is in, you are bound to pass some local residents who are always ready to greet you with a smile and genuinely wish you a “nice day”. If you have questions about the local area or attractions, I am sure you will find them only too happy to help.

That said, since these people are resident full time, one should always be remember to be courteous to them whilst still making the most of your vacation.

Local residents need their sleep too!

Generally there are safety and courtesy rules in all residential areas for “quiet times” at the pool. As a rule of thumb these tend to be 11pm-7am. One of the most tempting times to forget about these rules is for those visitors who have travelled from far away (e.g. U.K.) and need to make huge adjustments to time changes and body clocks. On the first morning of these guests’ vacation, they will tend to waken very early and it is strongly advised to resist the urge to come straight down to the pool until it reaches what everyone would agree is a slightly more reasonable time.

Stay in a resort based vacation home

You will find a great many of Orlando vacation villas have been built in resorts that offer communal areas. These can include any combination of the following: a communal swimming pool (in addition to your very own private pool at your holiday villa); a games room; a fitness room; a shop; a café; basketball/volleyball courts; tennis courts; childrens play areas. Any of these areas offer the ideal opportunity to meet people from all over the world- both full time residents and other holidaymakers like you.

Showing your neighbours common courtesies will encourage them to extend a warm welcome when you return for another vacation at a later date and then your villa experience really will be like a “home from home” since you already know the neighbours!

About the Author

Peter Kenny has been travelling to Florida for the last 20 years. You can find more articles on renting and buying private vacation homes here: http://www.windsorpalmsflorida.com and http://www.reunionresort.us.com

Belfast City guide, Including Belfast Hotels

Filed under: Travel-Vacation — admin @ 8:19 am

Nestled in a valley and bordered to the east by the Irish Sea, the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and lively Celtic city that lives up to its nickname of “The Hibernian Rio.” Situated on the River Lagan, the pedestrian-friendly city enjoys a focal point in Donegal Square where the architecturally stunning City Hall dominates the skyline, and elsewhere Victorian and Edwardian architecture can be enjoyed by visitors on foot.

Places of interest:
Belfast’s glorious seafaring history and place at the forefront of the industrial revolution is evident in the greatest shipyard in Great Britain, where the Titanic was built. The city’s name is derived from the Irish “beal feirste” which means “at the mouth of the sandpit” and nightlife, arts, festivals, dining and shopping are all in abundance in the city. The sea front in particular is now pedestrianised and visitors can enjoy the best of Irish culture in street musicians and theatre against the backdrop of the Irish Sea.

  • Standing 120 metres above sea level, Belfast Castle offers breathtaking and panoramic views of the city, bay and surrounding areas. Belfast Castle was the ancestral home of the Chichester, later Donegall, family who were descendants of Arthur Chichester who planted the land that was to become the city in the 1600s. The history of the castle, and city, are celebrated in the Cave Hill Visitor Centre in the castle grounds.
  • Ulster Museum, set over 8000 square metres of grounds, is likely to take up a full day, so extensive and fascinating are its archaeology, ethnography, art, history and natural sciences exhibits. The collections portray and celebrate the history, culture, artistic, scientific and industrial achievements: in short, the story of the Irish people from their ancient roots up until modern day. The museum houses both permanent and temporary collections, and regular, creatively planned tours are offered to distil some of the wonders of the museum into palatable chunks.
  • For stunning hiberno-romanesque architecture, the Belfast Cathedral is worth a visit, and the exciting, interactive and interpretive St. Patrick Centre tells the story of Ireland’s patron saint, in his own words.
  • The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden, in the southern outskirts of Belfast features an International Rose Exhibition, as well as gardens, walks, a children’s playground and live music concerts.
  • The Linen Hall Library was established in 1788 and boasts a collection of over 20,000 volumes of Irish literature and an enviable Robert Burns collection.
  • Things to do:
    Belfast will never leave tourists wondering how to entertain themselves! Plenty of things to do and see exist in Belfast.

  • The world class Belfast Zoo features plenty of don’t-miss attractions, including the monkey park, reptile house and children’s playground.
  • Walking Tours of Belfast include The Old Town, Titanic Trail and the City Centre Walk.
  • The oldest covered market in Ireland, St George’s Market offers a range of fish and speciality foods that are unrivalled in Europe.
  • The world’s largest dry dock, Haarland and Wolfe, is where the Titanic was built and its famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, can be seen from all over the city.
  • At the The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum a fascinating insight into the history and the daily lives of Ulster people can be found.
  • The Home Front Heritage Centre features collections that portray the Belfast experience of the Second World War, and is also home to the museum of the Royal Ulster Rifles.
  • W5 is a world renowned innovative and interactive centre of science and technology exploration, with activities, exhibits and demonstrations to expand and intrigue minds of all ages.
  • Food & Drink:
    If it is excellent food the tourist seeks, they won’t have to look far in Belfast.

  • Traditional pub fare in a historical atmosphere is to be found at Belfast’s most famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon in the heart of the historical district.
  • Altos was rated number one by Yahoo travel for stylish and contemporary cuisine, serving cutting-edge Mediterranean food and featuring an extensive wine list and speciality coffee choices.
  • The Gypsy Queen Vegetarian Restaurant is on of Europe’s premier vegetarian dining destinations. All dishes are GMO approved, and organic wherever possible.
  • For the cuisine enthusiast, Deane’s Restaurant is a high end, luxurious dining experience, featuring dishes created by one of Ireland’s top chefs.
  • Live music pubs are a staple of Belfast nightlife, including the Duke of York, Morrisons and at the docks, Pat’s Bar Princes.
  • Belfast Hotels & Accommodation:
    As befitting a major European destination, a full range of accommodation options are available in Belfast. Visitors can chose from cosy, family run bed and breakfast establishments, a variety of self catering options and luxury five star hotels to suit every taste, set of requirements and budget.

  • Ravenhill Guest House
  • The Crescent Townhouse
  • Europa Hotel
  • The Malone Lodge Hotel
  • Tara Lodge
  • The Park Avenue Hotel
  • The Stormont Hotel
  • The Chimney Corner Hotel
  • Culloden Hotel
  • Days Hotel
  • Jurys Inn Belfast
  • Ramada Belfast
  • Parkview Lodge
  • Ten Square
  • Entertainment
    Nightlife is one of Belfast’s main attractions, with revellers enjoying everything from world class dance clubs to traditional pubs. The Potthouse, opened in November 2004 was built on the site of Belfast’s first pottery factory and comprises The Potthouse Bar & Grill, Sugar Nighclub, which plays Top 40, House and classic Disco, and the Soap Bar guestroom. The Fly and The Grill Room and Bar are also notable Belfast nightspots. The Movie House Cinema on the Golden Mile offers the latest cinema releases, as well as arthouse and independent films, and Ireland’s only 3D and 2D large format cinema, the SheridanIMAX is located on Queen’s Quay. Fantastic shopping is available in the city centre Donegall Place and the Waterfront Concert Hall hosts concerts and music tours from all over the world.

    Belfast enjoys an enviable position at the forefront of Hibernian culture, scenery and history. With an ideal and unique combination of Celtic culture and British industrial influence, Belfast is an ideal seaside destination for family friendly events, educational and historical attractions and a nightlife that is second to none throughout Europe. In common with much of the British Isles, Belfast experiences a temperate and often wet climate, but is protected by the surrounding mountains of Divis Mountain, Black Mountain and Cave Hill.

    About the Author

    Maria Williams
    Website: http://www.sleepuk.com
    Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK providers of discounted uk hotels

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