On my first visit to Denmark, I fell in love with the country and the city of Copenhagen. Contrary to my guidebook, you could see elephants and experience ice hockey in the dead of summer.

The Hanson Brothers

Upon arriving in Copenhagen, I was burned out from backpacking and looking forward to a good nap. I was traveling with three other Americans and we became distressed as each subsequent hostel told us all beds were sold. After asking around [okay, we were in a bar], we were given a lift by a local to a hotel guaranteed to have space.

I could only sigh as we pulled up to the ice rink for the local professional team. Since we were high and dry, we entered and booked our beds. Left face off dot. Yes, our beds were arranged around the left face off dot. To make a little extra money during the summer, the rink melted the ice and set up beds everywhere. The scene can best be described as a giant collection of cubicles in an office with beds instead of desks. It was cheap, dry and had a communal feel since you could hear everything. If youve seen the movie Slap Shot, it was like living with a few hundred Hanson Brothers.

Danish Elephants

Okay, there was one Danish elephant. Okay, it was made out of wood. And poured beer. From its trunk. Ah, let me start at the beginning.

Having been befriended by some local Danes, we were asked in hushed tones if we would like to see real Danish elephants. Yes, wed be able to touch them. No, they werent dangerous. We could even ride them? Wow, this was going to be a great entry in my Nomad travel journal.

We were picked up at the ice rink that evening and taken to the center of town. We stopped in front of what looked like all the world to be a small tavern. This is where they keep the elephants? We walked into a small tavern witha life-sized, wood elephant.

As it turned out, the elephant was the worlds biggest and best beer dispensing unit. Put you glass under the trunk and pull down on a tusk to dispense your beverage of choice. Each tusk provided a different beer, but I investigated the mechanism far to often that evening and dont recall the brands. Unfortunately, there didnt appear to be an aspirin elephant anywhere to be seen the next morning.

If youre going to be visiting Copenhagen and dont give a hoot about privacy, the ice rink hotel cant be beat for price and a communal spirit. Well, maybe by the Danish elephants, but dont tell anyone I told you.

What makes Robinson Crusoe such a popular and enchanting novel for all age groups is the opportunity it provides for make-believe. It puts you into an uninhabited island and makes you its landlord, thereby enabling you to be the architect of all your desires. Stuff that fantasies are made of, stuff that inspire more fantasies it is not surprising that Robinson Crusoe brought in its wake so many veiled and unveiled emulations.

As you step into Green Island, your first thought is that you have reached Crusoes island. And the uncharted possibilities of desert island adventures open up to you. At heart a child, you wish you could live that fantastical childhood once again.

A small blot of luxurious green within a blue ocean of a thousand shades a birds eye view of the Green Island situated within the Great Barrier Reef gives you the impression that a small child has smudged tubes of varying shades of blue acrylic and placed one dollop of green in between it. The warm sunshine (that shines throughout the year), the crystal clear vision and the sharp colors will impress upon the fact that you have stepped into a different world.

Green Island is a small but authentic coral cay close to the mainland. Built over the last 6,000 years through build up of sand, animal and coral deposits, it had served as a fishing ground and ceremonial site for local Aborigine tribes for thousands of years before Captain Cook sighted it the first white man to do so.

However, it was as late as the middle of 19th century that white settlement appeared, when a sea cucumber smoking station was established on the island. Towards the end of the century, Green Island had already become a site for occasional pleasure trips, and a fortnightly ferry service to the island was started in 1924.

Its vantage position in the Great Barrier Reef meant that it became a starting point for popular exploration of the reef. Floating glass boxes were used for viewing corals for a long time until glass bottom boats were introduced in 1948. Only a few years later, in 1954, Green Island was the site for the worlds first Underwater Observatory.

The Marineland Melanesia has a crocodile farm, an aquarium as well as a museum. The island is also famous for the worlds first movie theatre on a small island which was operational till the early 1990s. The island reached a celebrity status when in 1970 Queen Elizabeth II paid a royal visit to the island. Shortly afterwards, the Great Barrier Reef was declared a national park, and the position of Green Island within it established it as frontier post for exploring the reef.

This smallish blot of tropical green is all of 15 hectares and it just takes a leisurely 45 minutes walk to circumnavigate it. A fascinating intersection of luxury, intense beauty, harmony and peace, Green Island is a paradise for the nature lover. Its tropical forests harbor 126 native plant species, 20 native bird species and 50 migratory species and magnificent coral gardens. While fishing is not particularly popular, it may be an ideal place to spend a few idle hours with the line it is another matter, though, if you will catch something!
Green Island can be a great holiday destination, whether you are a day-tripper, or you want to stay over and sink in the ambience over a few leisurely days. A short distance from Cairns and Palm Cove, and a little more from Port Douglas, it is easily accessible, and yet comfortably separated from mainland to guard its unique charms. The weather is uniformly tropical with very little difference in temperature between seasons.

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We take no responsibility for inaccuracy or omissions in the information provided, which is not intended as specific advice. Before relying on the material, you should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances to evaluate accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the information to your specific needs.

For many years, Valencia Spain has been struggling to be recognized as the third most important city after Madrid, its capital and Barcelona. It has long been notorious for its Valencia Fallas Festival but now, after having been chosen for the Americas Cup host city and having opened its latest building in the impressive City of the Arts and Sciences, Valencia is becoming well-known world-wide.

Sail along with Valencia Spain

On November 26th, 2003, Valencia was proclaimed the official welcoming city for the upcoming Americas Cup 2007. The Swiss team Alinghi, the winner of the Americas Cup 2003, had the chance to choose the headquarters for the following competition because Switzerland was obviously at a loss without a sea or ocean and Valencia among others was a good option. The main priority was that the host city had to have excellent weather conditions not forgetting all the other services that would go along with size event. The weather in Valencia is quite warm in summer with mild winters and a nice long coast line with great sports ports in many of the neighbouring cities like Denia, Javea and Alicante. So, on January 23rd, 2003 the ACM ( Americas Cup Management ), the only organization responsible for this event, published its document Terms of Challenge and on January 27th, 2003 it opened its door for inscription.

For the first time in 152 years, this encounter will be one lasting four years with various races, each one being called An Act, leading up to the climax race of Louis Vuitton Cup in 2007. The points that each team get in Act 1 being celebrated in Marseilles will count towards the lining up for the main race. This is the first time that these teams are going to use this format in this particular event. There is going to be an interesting mixture of fleet racing ( group of sailboats) and match-race ( one on one) to produce an exciting visual show, guaranteeing good entertainment.

Marseilles to Start Valencia to Continue

On September 5th, 2004, Act One of the Americas Cup started, exactly from pier J4, where large TV screens were set up so that the interested public could actively participate in this fantastic happening. The reason why Marseille was chosen was because it had a lot of places from where the race could be watched first hand. The new concept that the organizers want to push is the idea of getting the public as close to the competitors as possible so that every feels the warmth and emotion. In Act One there were only five teams signed up: The defender Alinghi, and the challengers BMW Oracle Racing, Le Defi from France, K-Challenge and the South African Shosoloza. Act Two and Three were held at home in Valencia which let the teams get familiar with their new landscape and weather conditions such as the wind and waters of the Valencian coast. After Act Three was finalized in October, there was a champion for 2004 with the accumulation of the points from the three acts.

When the inscription date expired on April 29th, 2005 there were a total of eleven challenging teams signed up; BMW Oracle from U.S.A., +39 Challenge, Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team and Luna Rossa all from Italy, Team Shosholoza from South Africa, Emirates Team from New Zealand, K-Challenge from France, Victory Challenge from Sweden, United Internet Team Germany from Germany, China Team from China and last but not least the Desafio Espanol from Spain. Now, after Nine Louis Vuitton Acts, it is time to slow the engines a little and get some strength back. We will see the beginning of three new Acts in May 2006 ( http://www.valencia-information.com/spain/americas-cup.html ).

Valencia, the Most Lively City

Thanks to all its innovative tourist attractions, and with the up coming Americas Cup, Valencia airport is busier than ever with new flight expansion plans for easier travel to and from this bubbling city. Some of the best hotels like the Silken Puerta Valencia, built right near the port area or the Posadas de Espana in the industrial and Fairgrounds area will make your stay quite pleasurable when in Valencia Spain.

If you’re thinking about basking under tropical sunshine, then Miami Beach’s Royal Palm Resort is the perfect place. Among the many Miami hotels and travel lodges, this one offers cheap rates for a four-star hotel. Plus, it faces the beach, so you wake up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore and an amazing beach view. Located at central South Beach, clients can literally walk to each and any of the attractions. The Convention Center is just a short distance away, as well as other fine-dining restaurants and exclusive boutiques. The clubs and bars that dot the area around the resort also make for an exciting nightlife. It also takes only 20 minutes to reach the airport from the hotel. The Miami Ballet, Ocean Drive, Botanical Gardens, and other tourist attractions are less than a mile away from the hotel. Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Groves, and other tourist attractions are just a short drive away.

The hotel offers a $200 rate for an overnight stay in an ordinary room. But the ordinary things that are in Royal Palm are not ordinary at all. It is a 17-story affair of Art Deco design. The beachfront resort, like most Miami hotels and travel lodges, offers luxurious suites and rooms all with Atlantic Ocean views courtesy of the private balconies. All rooms have basic amenities which include hair dryers, coffee makers, mini bars, data ports, and voice mail. These may seem very basic, but these are essentials especially for an individual traveling for business. Rooms vary and range from guest rooms, suites, non-smoking, double-bedded, and single-bedded rooms. Families with pets need not worry about living their pooches and cats at home since the hotel allows guests to bring pets, provided that these pets have been checked and vaccinated. Located near the beach, the hotel even provides an outdoor pool and a whirlpool. People who are concerned about their fitness and bodies need not sweat the lack of exercise during their stay because the hotel has an on-site gym and fitness center.

Personal services are thoroughly provided at the hotel. Aside from the multilingual staff that speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, German, Greek, and Portuguese, the hotel also features accessible ATM machines, a laundry and dry cleaning service, baby-sitting, a laundry room, and safety deposit boxes. The hotel also has concierge services and the standard room services. Business travelers can also avail of copying services, courier, Internet, fax, computer use, printing services, and car rentals. Truly, in terms of personal services and world-class facilities, Royal Palm is indeed a gem among the many Miami hotels and travel lodges.

From mid-September to mid-October, the fall foliage in Colorado paints the Rocky Mountain landscape with brilliant golden hues.

From biking in the mountains to viewing the vibrant fall colors from a hot air balloon, Colorado offers many opportunities for you and your family to take in the scenery.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway (www.cograilway.com) in Manitou Springs, for example, is the highest railroad in the country. This mountain train transports passengers to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. Or you can climb aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (www.durangotrain.com) in southwest Colorado. The train’s Fall Photo Special tour highlights premier southwestern spots for viewing fall foliage.

For more outdoor fun, lace up your hiking boots and choose from 350 miles of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park (www.rockymountainnationalpark.com). You also can visit Boulder (www.bouldercoloradousa.com), where abundant hiking trails overlook the city.

In Grand County (www.grandcounty.com), you can trade your boots for bikes and take a spin under canopies of bright yellow aspens and through lush river valleys offering more than 600 miles of mapped trails.

You can saddle up and let horses lead the way in Telluride (www.visittelluride.com). The nearby San Juan Mountains create a spectacular backdrop for a guided tour.

For a more adventurous ride, take the ATV Historical Color Tour (www.coloradoatvtour.org) in Buena Vista. You can cross the Continental Divide and discover fake gold nuggets on trails leading through old mining sites and ghost towns. For more of a thrill, you can drive through rugged canyons.

Experience the height of autumn adventure in a hot air balloon. Get a “Rocky Mountain high” with incredible views over northwest Colorado at

Colorado Rocky Ballooning (www.coloradoballoonrides.com) in Dillon. Or take off on the Grand Adventures Balloon Tours (www.grandadventureballoon.com) in Winter Park, where you can enjoy a champagne toast before liftoff.

An adventure travel vacation is a great way to explore your world. Join a group of fun people who share your interests as we go on a day hike in the Alps. Enjoy a little taste of Switzerland.

Up, Up, and Away

After consuming a hearty breakfast, we depart for the trailhead. It’s close to our conveniently located inn, so we take a leisurely stroll – greeting friendly locals and shopkeepers along the way.

We board a bright red cable car that whisks us soaring above the valley to a far away peak. One of your companions excitedly nudges you, “Look, marmots!”. We gaze at a trio of cuddly creatures staring back at us from the rockface – so close we feel we could reach out and touch them.

We disembark at a solid rock and timber mountain station – now peaceful, this station hosts a clattering mass of skiers during the winter season.

Clean Mountain Air and Emerald Lakes

Breathing in the fresh mountain air, we set out on our trail. Carpets of wildflowers surround us. Gentle cows graze the alpine grasses – serenading us with a cheerful tinkle of bells. Hiking here is so refreshing.

A meandering path leads us through hillocks of glacial moraine, now cloaked in a splendid green, to the edge of a startlingly beautiful emerald lake. The nearby mountains reflect on its surface.

We make a brief stop to admire this natural jewel. Some of our group rambles around the tiny lake – others lay back and enjoy the serenity.

Hiking Amongst Towering Peaks

Our trail continues along a high mountain valley bordered by towering snow-capped peaks. Beautiful Alpenroses form a lovely rolling heath. We tramp across a small snowfield – its coolness underfoot contrasts with the glorious warmth of the alpine sun.

We spy a cairn ahead with the familiar red-and-white trail marking painted on one of its rocks. Rounding a corner we spot our lunchtime destination in the distance – a solid Berghaus growing out of the surrounding rocks.

Lunching on the Sonnenterrasse

As we settle ourselves on a rustic, sun-drenched Sonnenterrasse, a tantalizing smell of frying onions and sausages greets us. Lunch is hearty mountain fare – plates heaped with Rosti mit Spiegeleier und Speck (a wonderfully golden, crispy fried potato pancake with egg and bacon) – served by a flaxen-haired girl in a traditional, powdery-blue farmer’s smock.

We wash down our delicious lunch with bottles of local beer and gaze out across a massive glacier winding its way down between two peaks and glistening in the sunlight.

Stunning Views

Well sated, we regain our trail and soon find ourselves breaking out onto a sloping hillside – affording us stunning views of the valley far below. We see a tiny hamlet across the valley, its sun-burned houses and barns surround a central church spire. A massive mountain rears up behind this peaceful scene.

Slowly dropping down a gentle path, we enter a straggle of dwarf pine. We’re greeted by a pungent fragrance that reminds us of the cleanliness of this wonderful habitat. The afternoon sun is gaining strength and it’s a perfect time for us to enter the cool loaminess of the lower forest. We follow the edge of a cascading glacier-fed creek – its frostiness refreshes the air around us.

Warm Sun and the Smell of Hay

We clatter across an ancient wooden bridge – its surface well worn by generations of cows being driven to Alpine meadows. In the lower pastures, local farmers are harvesting the hay with large wooden rakes. A comforting, sun-rich smell of dried grasses greets us.

Off to the Konditorei

The relaxing smell of hay and the warmth of the sun has put us into a peaceful, lazy mood. We beeline to the nearest Konditorei to debate our biggest decision of the day – is it to be the daintily glazed apricot torte, the decadent chocolate mousse with lashings of whipped cream, or the traditional (and oh so tasty) Engadiner Nusstorte.

We relax in a cozy nook and relieve today’s experiences.

Relaxing Back at the Inn

We amble back to our welcoming inn – a great time for relaxed exploration of the local shops. Back at the inn, some members catch up on reading in the inn’s glorious wood-paneled library – others send postcards or nap in the warm afternoon sun.

Later, we’ll watch as the sun paints the mountains with golden color. An adventure travel vacation in Switzerland is a fantastic experience.

Tomorrow, we set off on another lovely adventure.

The choice of venue for your event, be it a high profile business event or a private function for family and friends, can either greatly enhance its success or significantly add to its failure.

There are many aspects to consider when booking your ideal venue and, cost aside, the top of your priority list should always include;

Location – a convenient and accessible location for your guests.

Room sizes – and appropriate room layouts to accommodate your guests in comfort.

Ambience – create the right atmosphere – high tech or historical, intimate or wow factor.

Catering – be it a breakfast buffet or an opulent dining experience, ensure your venue can cater for your requirements – especially if the food is prepared off the premises.

Technology – If required, check everything is available to you from broadband to power sockets. For presentations, make sure the view is not obscured.

Lighting and heating – heating should be controllable and some degree of natural light is usually preferred.

Breakout rooms – check that additional space is available should you need it.

Additional facilities – consider the additional requirements of your guests, e.g. availability of overnight accommodation for those travelling a long distance.

Central London offers a multitude of hotels and serviced buildings catering from the smallest groups to the largest conferences and banquets, and although most are efficient and serve their purpose, if youre looking for a unique and affordable venue, rich in history and character, you may have to dig a little deeper.

One example is 41 Portland Place, situated in the heart of Londons West End.

41 Portland Place is a Grade II listed building and in the eighteenth century was the home of Sir Thomas Gage, a leading figure in the American War of Independence (albeit on the losing side!). Sir Thomas Gage was one of the first occupants of the grand new houses in Portland Place, and moved here in 1779, whilst the street was still under construction. He lived in the house until his death in 1787. His widow Margaret continued to do so until 1792.

Although no longer a private residence, 41 Portland Place still retains much of the style and atmosphere of an 18th Century home and is decorated and furnished with antiques from the period. The private rooms are arranged on the ground and first floors with capacities ranging from 2 to 120. One of the first floor dining rooms opens onto an attractive roof terrace.

41 Portland Place is conveniently located in the centre of London and offers a high quality attractive and unique venue for private meetings, training, conferences, seminars, lunches and dinners. Many of the rooms are decorated and furnished to complement the original 18th century architecture of the building.

The quality of the facilities is equalled matched by the high standard of catering provided. From the simplest of buffets to a smart cocktail reception or from relaxed lunches to haute cuisine dinners, the unrivalled standards of service and the minute attention to detail will make for an occasion to savour.

A Credit Card that Offers Great Benefits Beyond Just Travel- the Qantas American Express Premium

The biggest trend among credit card companies today is in the realm of travel related rewards. People want to travel more and more and they are looking to credit cards to assist them with their frequent flier miles and the travel rewards that come with them. The Qantas American Express Premium credit card is one of the most highly sought after travel credit cards and it is making such a big impact not just because of its travel rewards. The Qantas Premium card gives full benefits and bonuses that enhance its appeal. Whether you want the Qantas card for travel purposes only or for its low interest rates or the convenience of online banking you can benefit highly from having it in your wallet. Lets take a closer look into the cards popular bonus features:

One aspect of the Premium card that many people like is the Qantas Club invitations that are available each year when you first spend with your card on select Qantas services. These two tickets you get are your invitation to using the travel rewards that the card offers and they are available each year.

Insurance is another great bonus feature that the Qantas Premium card comes with that many other credit cards leave out. As a traveling credit card holder you can have a greater piece of mind knowing that you will always be protected. Insurance is available domestically (health and auto) as well as overseas. Check with customer service with your individual case to see what plans are available.

The Qantas Premium American Express credit card comes equipped with great features such as 55 days of interest free purchasing, low balance transfer rates and the ability to do your banking online. Because you have 55 days to spend without paying a dime of interest the Premium card is the perfect fit for someone wanting to try it out risk- free. The low balance transfer rates allow you to transfer money that is tied up in higher interest cards, which is sure to save you a good amount of money. And since you can do your banking online you can pay your bills from your computer. It doesnt matter if you are in Australia or not because banking can be convenient and easy.

The Premium credit card by Qantas and American Express is the perfect companion for travelers and non-travelers who are just looking for a quality credit card to accompany them.

Estartit a beautiful village on the northern coast of Spain

The resort Estartit is on the northern coast of Spain and about thirty miles from Gerona airport.

It was originally a fishing village but development in this area has turned it into a great holiday destination. The resort Estartit is a small town with a Marina and 6 km of sandy beach looking out to the beautiful Medas Islands, famous for it’s marine life.

Good holiday accommodation can be found here. Prices suit all pockets, normally at the lower end of the price range. The shops cater for all your holiday needs. The beach is long and sandy and offers all kinds of water sports for you to try. There are diving schools which offer beginners courses for tourists which are ideal, for exploring the coral and aquatic life found just off the coast.

A fun fair at the edge of town and mini golf is situated close by.

There are plenty bars, discos and hotels with entertainment in this location making it ideal for families with children.

Activities such as windsurfing sailing, water-skiing and boat hire are all available. In addition to this Estartit, and in particular the protected Medas Isles are considered one of the best spots on the Mediterranean fore scuba-diving, and numerous diving schools including BSAC and PADI approved centres exist. Diving, Horse Riding Micro lighting Mountain Walks are all available. Sightseeing tours to Barcelona Gerona Figueras Montserrat etc can be booked in the town.

The Medes Islands is once the haven of pirates and smugglers these islands can be reached by glass bottomed boat allowing views of the spectacular clear water and marine life.

The Aquatic Park is fantastic waterslide park and situated in Rosas and has super fast chutes a Jacuzzi and a pool bar – a fun day out.

Like most European holiday resorts there are a huge number of restaurants and fast food outlets. There is traditional food and drinks such as Paella and Sangria and less traditional such as burger and coke.

The nightlife is huge and will suit all tastes from Spanish dances to family entertainment to young and lively bars. It therefore can be enjoyed by a number of age groups.

The weather is particularly hot in the summer months and therefore the resort is hugely populated. More comfortable weather is normally in the months of May and September and therefore the resort is less populated. The season would normally begin in April and run through to October.

A country with the biggest population on the Earth, a country closed for a several decades; nowadays China is becoming one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Asia.
China is one of the oldest states in the world and the only, surviving till today.
For visitors China offers a great variety of choices. Whether you are interested in Chinese history, Chinese culture or Chinese scenery, your trip will be very interesting.

Of course, those who like to know China should visit its Capital Beijing. Beijing is a capital city for over 800 years now. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days. Now Beijing is a modern metropolis, but you still can see the traces of the Chinese glorious story – Forbidden City – the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex, a section of the Great Wall and the largest sacrificial complex in the world – the Temple of Heaven. In the old part of Beijing people still leave in small houses, that dont differ from those their ancestors lived in. This part of the city looks like they missed at least 100 last years. However there is another Beijing modern, with skyscrapers and prestigious hotels, with restaurants and bars. The world-biggest central square, ruefully famous Tian’anmen Square attracts a lot of tourists. In 2008 Beijing will host the Olympic Games, so the amount of modern buildings and tourist services will increase significantly.

Shanghai with its population of about 18 millions is the biggest city in China. Originally Shanghai was a seaside fishing village, but today it has become a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Known as “the Oriental Paris”, Shanghai is the top shopping destination in China. It also can be called the most Western Chinese city. As a port city Shanghai survived a considerable foreign influence.

A very special place in China is Hong Kong. It became a part of China only in 1999 and still had strong links with the West, particularly with the Great Britain. Today Hong Kong is a great international trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the world’s largest financial centres. Hong Kong is also famous for its cinema.

Another interesting experience in China could become a cruise along Yangtze, the greatest Chinese river. Usually they last from 5 to 22 days. You will visit Chongqing, Fengdu, Sandouping and some other Chinise places of interest.

Amazing world of the mysterious Tibetan civilization is without any doubt worth visiting but its a subject of a separate trip that will take about 2 weeks.

Anyway, China has a lot to offer and you can choose your own travel program to see what you want.