Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Attractions In Calpe Spain

Calpe is one of the more popular resorts on the northern Costa Blanca. The city is located north of Altea and south of Denia. It is an ideal spot for a vacation along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The city started out as a fishing village. In addition to tourism, fishing remains a major industry in the town. As a result, fresh seafood that arrives in the port is regularly served on menus in restaurants throughout the city.

The name Calpe means steep, rugged hill made of rock.

Most visitors travel into the area through the Alicante airport, which is located about 60 kilometres from the city. The Valencia airport is located about 105 kilometres from Calpe. Buses are available from both these airports to the city. If you prefer to have a vehicle, car hire companies operate at both airports for convenient car rentals.

Attractions in Calpe
One of the main attractions in the town is the rock formation that gives the city its name. The Penon de Ifach is a large, craggy rock formation. This is also the smallest natural park in the country. It is protected due to the many varieties of vegetation and indigenous birds that are located near the rock. This formation is very popular among rock climbers. There is a spectacular view of the Costa Blanca from the top of the formation.

The Old Town area is at the center of the city. This area is home to an Arts and Crafts fair every day in the summer months, except Mondays. There are a variety of local merchants and crafts people offering goods for sale here.

The original town walls are located near the original Moorish quarter in the old town area. These walls were used to defend the village against invasions from pirates many years ago. Also in this area are the remains of an ancient Roman villa. This is historical evidence of the Roman heritage of the city.

The city has a vibrant night life, particularly in the months of June through September. You will find a variety of live entertainment to enjoy. In addition, there are art exhibitions and a variety of workshops to attend.

If you rent a car for your vacation, you can enjoy many nearby attractions during your stay. The Jalon Valley is located about fifteen kilometres from the city. This is also known as the valley of wine. The Jalon valley is famous for a variety of wines. A market in the area sells wine by the liter, as well as food and clothing from local merchants.

Also close to Calpe is the city of Benidorm. This large city is a major tourist attraction. Benidorm is home to a few theme parks, a vibrant night life and many other attractions. Renting a car is the best way to explore Benidorm and the surrounding areas during your stay on the Costa Blanca.

Where to Stay in Calpe
There are a variety of options for accommodations during your holiday in this city. Resort hotels are located right near the beach areas. These hotels offer luxury and a variety of amenities. Rooms tend to book quickly in the summer. If you plan to stay in a resort hotel, book your reservation well in advance of your trip.

There are several less expensive options in the city. Economical hostels are available and offer a nice place to stay. However, you can expect less luxury and fewer amenities than you will find at the larger hotels.

Many people come to the area to climb the rock formation that gives the city its name. Climbers often choose to stay at one of the camping areas that are located near the formation. These are very popular with climbers and other people wanting to enjoy an outdoor experience in nature.
If you prefer more privacy, consider renting a property for your vacation.

There are many apartments and condos available for rent. Many are located near the beach areas. If you are staying for a longer period of time, this can be less expensive than the larger hotels. In addition, a rental offers a more private place to stay and relax.

About the Author
Focusing on the topic of Alicante, Kenneth Morris publishes for the most part for www.alicante-spain.com . You might see his
work on Calpe over at http://www.alicante-spain.com/calpe.html".


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Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The Fascinating Cities Of Europe

Cruising to Europe has many advantages, one of them being that many of Europe's famous cities were built on or near the water, and can be enjoyed during day trips when the ship docks. It is much easier to see the sights in this manner rather than having to navigate foreign streets and waste precious time looking for a place to park the car.

Many cruise lines offer guides tours of Europe's cities while the ship is docked, or passengers are free to explore on their own if they so desire. Before setting out on your cruise to Europe, it is often helpful to get a copy of the itinerary and decide in advance what places you would most like to visit when not on board the cruise ship.

Since the cruise ship will normally only dock for about 10 hours in each city that it stops in, you will have a limited amount of time for discovering Europe's cities. When cruising to Europe, you may have the chance to explore wonderful places such as Copenhagen, Bergen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm.

Bergen is a great place to visit, and will afford the traveler a chance to sample regional cuisine, take in the historical sights as well as enjoy the natural assets that Bergen has to offer. Bergen's locals are quite friendly, and are very accommodating to tourists.

Helsinki is enjoyed by those travelers who have a love for art and museums, and allows the opportunity to see some very beautiful architecture that is evident in many of the cities historical buildings and cathedrals. Helsinki is surrounded by the Baltic Sea, which makes for a great beach side trip during the warmer months.

Oslo is a diverse city that offers a variety of things to do and see, and since the heart of the city is a mere ten minute walk from the pier, renting a car is not necessary; all of Oslo's sights can be traveled to on foot. There are guided nature hikes, boat tours, the famous Ski Tower, art museums and the renowned Medieval Quarter.

The Medieval Quarter is where the "old" Oslo can be found, and is home to ancient castles and fortresses. When hunger calls, there is a variety of choices, as restaurants abound here, from simple cafes to elegant dining halls.

The only down side to cruising to Europe rather than by other means of travel, is that you are less likely to be able to interact with the locals. Since you will be traveling on board a ship, the other passengers will be the ones you are more likely to have the chance to socialize with. Other than this, Europe is a great place to travel to, and a cruise will allow you to travel in comfort, as well as offering many amenities that aren't available on trains and planes!

If you decide to cruise to Europe, realize that it will be impossible to see everything there is to see. Make a note of those places that you truly enjoyed and wish to see more of, and then plan a return trip that will afford you more time in that particular area.

About the Author
Read more from this author at: ritzycruises.com


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Thursday, October 05, 2006

India: The Land of Great Wonders

India, the land of great wonders is one of the ancient civilizations of the world. The great Indus Valley civilization flourished here along the Indus River valley nearly five thousand years ago.

India has also been the home of mighty Aryans who came to India in 1500 BC and settled in the northern part of India. They gave us the world's most ancient scriptures and a rich culture. This great land has been the birth place of Lord Rama, Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.

India has always been one of the most fascinating tourist spots in the world. India has impressed and captivated the imagination of its visitors with its unique diversity, exceptionally beautiful natural landscape, brilliant historical monuments and fascinating cultural heritage. India has in store thousands of amazing and exciting tourist spots for visitors. It includes beautiful valleys, mountains, hill stations, exotic beaches, backwaters, magnificent historical monuments, colorful wildlife spots, sacred pilgrimage destinations and modern cities.

India, the beautiful country known for its cultural, natural and regional diversities is truly a place to visit. India comprises of 28 states and 7 union territories and to your disbelief all of them have something unique for you.

If you want to experience heritage and culture at their best, then the states to watch out for are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Madhya Pradesh among many others. For fearless and lively souls who love nature and adventure, India offers unmatched attraction in its many states including Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Assam to mention a few.

There are many important monuments, palaces, temples, natural retreats in India. The most important monument in India is the Taj Mahal situated on the banks of Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This magnificent monument was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The other important monument in India is the Sanchi Stupa, 48 kms from Bhopal, it's a world heritage site and one of the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage center. If you want to know more about Buddhism, the other important Buddhist place is Bodh Gaya in Bihar, other centers are in Leh and Ladhak, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. If you are lover of cave paintings, then you must visit Bhimbetka near Bhopal, Madhaya Pradesh, this place is another world heritage site famous for the large number of cave paintings dating back from the Old Stone Age to Medieval Times.

If you are a lover of grand palaces then you must visit Jaipur in Rajasthan. If you want to see magnificent temples, then India is surely a place to visit. India has well designed and elegantly composed temples of different styles that will satisfy your spiritual needs and desires.

If your heart craves for the warmth of nature, beautiful landscapes, majestic waterfalls then you must visit Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Chattisgarh and other north-eastern states. India has very beautiful beaches in Goa, Orissa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Kerala among many others that have all the ingredients to quench the thirst of your fun loving mind.

So, what are you waiting for! Embark on an exciting adventure into the heart of India!! It is worth a place to come alive!!!

About the Author
helfey is a famous travel agent. For more information on
india travel advice,plz visit: http://www.airawat.com


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