Monday, November 21, 2011

Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum Turkey

If you want to see the sunken ships oldest in Europe will have to visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology Bodrum port on the Turkish coast of the Aegean.

In its collection are thousands of objects, works of art, artifacts and wrecks of ships from different eras. Among the treasures of the fund ecuentran parts and ships of the court of Queen Nefertiti . The value of their collections has called the visit more than 300,000 visitors so far this year.

Maybe that's why the Museum of Underwater Archaeology Bodrum expand its space by adding new rooms to the 13 it already has. They consider the process from discovery to display these centuries remained sunken ships in the waters, through the necessary conservation work.

One of the key pieces of museum is the Uluburun boat , the oldest aufragio Europe with more than 3,500 years . The remains of this vessel were found in 1982 by a search engine sponge just 50 meters from the Turkish coast, opposite the fishing village of Uluburun.

The museum is located in the Bodrum Castle, built between 1406 and 1522 by the Knights of St. John. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 08 to 17 h (in summer until 19 pm) and admission costs about 4 euros.

Flash mob at the airport in Dubai

Imagine you are about to catch a flight home, or you're getting to an airport far away as Dubai and you are surprised by a massive dance. This flash mob at the airport in Dubai will give you an idea.

For those who do not know what it is this, say a flash mob is a staging by people in a public place to meet, such as a choreography, so it may seem "spontaneous".

These meetings began in 2003 when Rob Zazueta created a page, which began to organize these meetings, which often are created for entertainment, but also sometimes carried out for political reasons.

Today, with little spontaneous about because it shows that there are many hours of rehearsal, professional dancers and choreography carefully studied. But the looks of surprise from those not, is still the best prize.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Shopping in Paris with a personal shopper

There are trips and travel and some are more special than others because they have a plus, something that makes them unique. The five that we propose for the coming months with the addition that are accompanied by true professionals: a 'personal shopper', an artist, a historian. Which you join?

Paris Shopping
Paris always has an escape, especially to go shopping , but it offers Kuoni has an added plus, since it includes the assistance of a personal shopper that will take you through the most famous neighborhoods of shops and will explain what's going on in the Parisian catwalks. The proposal includes three nights in the downtown boutique hotel Banke bed and breakfast, two hours with the personal shopper, a walk through Paris with driver-guide, private transfers from airport to hotel and secure. The price from € 691. Air tickets are not included. New Year in Israel different Nuba offers you an exciting tour of Israel from the hand of an expert, historian, archeologist and expert in Middle East Religions and Science, Titus Rivas. You know the history of ancient Judea, Galilee and Samaria in the first century, biblical sites, archaeological sites, places where he lived and preached his mind the historical figure of Jesus, sleeping in a kibbutz or enjoy food Khosa . A proposal by December 27 to January 3 for a small exclusive group of travelers. Your price: € 3,700 per person. With children at home of Santa Claus Do not you wish your family was the protagonist of a real Christmas story? It is the intent of Travelkids to devise a five-day journey to the heart of Finnish Lapland accompanied by animators make improvised wizards and elves. In addition to meeting in person to Santa Claus himself, the itinerary includes extensive activities for all family members, from sleigh safaris, snowmobile until the Olympics games or traditional white. Departures from Madrid and Barcelona to the bridge of December, Christmas and New Year. Price: from € 1,675 € 2,295 children and adults. A professional photographer Cuba with a walk along the Malecon in Havana while the last rays of sun disappear into the horizon. Or at the Plaza Mayor in Trinidad and streets full of colors to capture the essence of Cuba and its colonial architecture. Admire the landscape and nature in the natural paradise of Topes de Collantes. These experiences Click Dreaming gives you live from a different point of view, capturing all the beauty and contrasts of the island from the hand of Albert Maso, a professional photographer, assistant and advisor to National Geographic. Is 13 to 21 January and the price, € 1850. Put the garde art face A brushstroke here, another there ... some time meditating. Right turn, left turn. ... Up and down, far, near. So again and again, until you see a work of art born contemporary. Who has not had the curiosity to see how it moves a full time creative artist? Plenio follows in the footsteps of painters, sculptors, architects and photographers to put you ahead of the avant-garde. And you are encouraged to speak with the spirits, visiting foundries, know the studies in which they work, ultimately, take in the most current art.

Costa Rica is Green

It is the perennial color defines the landscape of this country plagued by natural parks, there are more than forty-, ecological reserves, volcanoes, rainforests and spectacular beaches. Look at this little photo shoot and you'll see here is an undisputed star: Mother Nature. That 25 percent of the territory of Costa Rica is protected, not something that happens in any other country in the world, says much of its natural potential, a paradise that its inhabitants have had the wisdom to preserve. Check the nesting of green turtles in Tortuguero National Park, walk through the dense rainforest of Manuel Antonio, consider dropping the Arenal Volcano lava from its crater located at 1633 m. high while one is immersed in the hot springs that flow at his feet, admiring the colorful quetzal in the Monteverde Reserve, to emulate the monkeys traveling suspended between the tops of the trees, diving on the beaches of Guanacaste ... Nature, course, has been very generous with this small country located in the heart of Central America and extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. After admiring it in pictures, you just have to find out.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Tarutao Islands of Andaman Sea

Although its small geography is hidden among the mangroves and rain-forest, its banks festooned with bright solitary beaches and turquoise waters of a white coral sand so blinding that look like the perfect destination for a hidden pirate treasure. But really the most valuable are themselves, the handful of pristine islands that make up the unknown Thai territory Koh Tarutao archipelago.

Not intended to steal the beautiful attractive Phangnga Bay or even the paradise island of Phuket , the most alluring tourist destinations in the Andaman Sea. As these secret islands have chosen has been to maintain its natural charm but jealously guarded. Its beaches are beautiful and open to those who come because they do not know the custody of resorts and remain as wild and lonely, letting the calm waves rocking the Andaman. Inland, the softness of geography disappears behind the dense tropical forests . In these monkeys are the masters of their trees and their sounds elicit the island daily. The brooch southern Phangnga Bay is the island of Koh Lanta , where no more land on it and watch the scene of endless beaches is inevitable that outlines tempted to walk barefoot to check the sunny warmth of the sand. The slow pace and blue everything floods and spread of joy turned the island into a paradise backpacker. Perhaps there comes now the bohemian spirit is breathed into it. Today, despite having a good and varied tourism is not allowed the building height exceeds that of a coconut tree. This is compounded by a continuing nature intact tropical forest covering the mountain range that runs along the inside island. It also has exceptional natural spaces such as the National Park Mu Koh Lanta Marine , in the southern tip of the island, brings together a wealth of land and sea with its rainforest and mangroves along the rich coral reefs. 

The customs of its inhabitants ancestral sea gypsies Leh-Chao Thai language, as fishermen are known Muslims living for hundreds of years of wealth of the Andaman Sea fish, preserved in the village of Ban-Ou Sangka . Its rhythms and non-fishing tourist presence are the heart of living a nomadic life in the sea. While Buddhism and the Chinese roots of most of the inhabitants of Koh Lanta is breathed in the Old Town , with its wooden houses supported by piles submerged in the sea. After leaving Koh Lanta sailing south referred to some of the islands in its surroundings, a magnificent brooch Phangnga Bay. Three hours by ferry with several stops that allow a closer look at these pearls of the Andaman Sea. The journey culminates by giving access to the small universe of 51 islands that make up the Tarutao archipelago , and near the sea border with Malaysia. Here the sea seems even dream when one lands directly, since there is no pier on the island, the waves that wash Koh Lipe. So you can feel the pleasant temperature all year round it stays around 25 º C. Four beaches around the flat geography of Koh Lipe. The two largest, Sunrise and Pattaya , surround the island environment in which we live barefoot in the morning to night. And not just because almost all the activities you can do are linked to the seductive waters of the Andaman, but because even the only street-marked by a lively resort with bars, restaurants, massage and craft shops and souvenir- connecting the two beaches in a fifteen minute walk is sandy. From Koh Lipe outermost islands of Tarutao National Park built in the islands of Koh Tong, Koh Rawi and Koh Ad ang are very close. Its rich submarine, considered among the best in the world, bases its protection as a national park in 1974. 

However, it does not take an experienced diver to discover its beautiful and unique coral and the colorful fish fauna hidden in nooks and crannies. The crystal clear waters make it visible from the surface of vessels in day trips take you to these islands. Just a few meters to a diving equipment snorkel to enjoy the extraordinary life of the waters of the Andaman. A paradise of coral and surprising ways fauna-hosts over 25% of the world's tropical fish - which is impossible to tire. And when this happens is as tantalizing peek shelter the white sandy beaches shaded by palm trees offering a break worthy of the most fearless pirates. In fact, the Tarutao island , from which the archipelago takes its name, was created in 1930 a penalty for confining prisoners politicians. During the Second World War, both prisoners and their warders, were cut from the mainland, engaged in the piracy of ships plying these waters. Many were the crews of sunken ships and killed until British forces ended the war was. Since then the peaceful work of the Andaman Sea fishermen and farmers were the only activities of these islands. Kho Lipe Leaving all eyes are fixed on the tiny Kho Khai by the dramatic arc of rocky coastline of white sand that is the symbol of the national park. This small island whose name means 'egg island' is the favorite part of the Andaman Sea turtles chosen to spawn. Kho Tarutao is the largest island of this protected natural area. In its 26 miles long remains a magnificent example of tropical forest is well worth the walk along the paths of its dense forest. This will find valuable part of their fauna: deer, monkeys, langurs and macaques and deer, boars and otters, and a hundred species of birds. Therefore not be left to navigate around the island features Thai boats - longtail boats - not to miss its magnificent beaches, mysterious caves and recesses of its mangroves. GUIDE Directions From Spain there are three flights a week from Thai Airways connecting to Bangkok. From here there is frequent communication with the main airports in southern Thailand: Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai. travel between the islands is nothing better than to use the various ferry lines that connect all the islands of southern Thailand including the mainland and also Krabi and the island of Phuket. Bundhaya Speed Boat and Speed Boat & Lipehferry . 

Best season from October to May, because during the remaining months of the monsoon make it very difficult the access to the islands. Where to stay in Phuket, The Indigo Pearl , whose architecture evokes the mining past of the island a century ago. In some of the villas of Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta, where not only is a luxury hotel, also everything around him. In The Tubkaak , an oasis of peace that has a most beautiful beach of the Andaman coast. Or in the Bundhaya Resort , Koh Lipe, an ideal base to enjoy the beach in Pattaya and the atmosphere chill out that floods every evening. Where to eat Try the authentic taste of Thai cuisine is so 'chic' in Europe that during the stay in Phuket not be dispensed to book in the Black Ginger , where Thai architecture surrounded by a lagoon and its flavors are being immersed in the pleasures of the old Siam. Do not miss in Koh Lipe, the Festival of Boat floating sea gypsies held between 13 and 15 of the crescent moons of May and October. During these three days and nights the fishermen with their songs and try to ward off bad luck rituals and invoke a promising fishing. 

A Day at the Ascot races

If you were unable to attend the traditional horse races to hobnob with princes, celebrities, millionaires, nobles and politicians who attended the social event and most important of Great Britain, join the other quotes, by the end of year occur in Ascot. No jeans or casual wear no shirts, no bare shoulders or backs. If you want to be present in one of the races held in the town of Ascot, 10 miles from Windsor Castle, the landmark residence of Queen Elizabeth II, refrain from going dressed like that because it is one of the essential requirements to view this site as linked to the British monarchy. With capacity for 1,650 people, beyond the sporting event you decide to sign up, this unique space is a meeting of the elegant and extravagant aristocracy of Great Britain, a whole social event to see and be seen. This image gallery shows you what happens in it.

Suji Sanmachi Takayama in Japan

The city of Takayama is lovely and that appeal is attributable largely to the unique neighborhood of Sanmachi Suji . Many tourists come every year to this area of Japan to stroll through its streets.

For lovers of Japanese history this area is a joy. It does not take an expert to appreciate the great value of their beautiful single family homes of wood. Some are preserved almost intact since the Edo Period .

It is a small, pedestrian neighborhood, so it is easily walkable. Among its main attractions are four museums, two merchants' houses, street markets and the fantastic morning bridges across the Miyagawa .

If you have wanted to pay for the tickets of museums and houses of merchants will understand much better what was the lifestyle of this charming city of the prefecture of Gifu .

However, what gives so much life to this neighborhood are the shops and souvenir stalls. There are many great craft items, but what I liked most were the numerous distilleries sake of the old quarter of Takayama.

I will highly recommend this tour by Suji Sanmachi Takayama in Japan , during the day with the bustle of people, and at night, where the streets are empty and only hear the sound of rustling trees and old houses of wood.

Explore Moroccan Desert

In Ouarzazate, in full route of the kasbahs, affectionately Ouallywood tell by the number of films have been shot by their surroundings. I discovered the fabulous fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou environment in which one of the most famous, 'Gladiator', the Oscar-winning film by Ridley Scott. To shoot the scenes of the battles in Germania, Ridley Scott and his team traveled to Bourne woods in Surrey, England. To recreate the grandeur of Rome is served, not to mention a good dose of technology, the sets raised on Fort Ricasoli, on the island of Malta , who most recently used for Alejandro Amenabar staging of Agora . And the beautiful kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou was chosen to acclimate the African village who is taken into slavery and trained as a gladiator the disgraced Maximus (Russell Crowe), general of the armies of Emperor Marcus Aurelius elder until his death at the hands of his own son. Can that many of the inhabitants of Aït Ben Haddou have not ever left the village, yet they know well what is a casting and how it managed to get an extra role. 

And this village, the most photogenic of southern Morocco , has become a classic for film crews. This part was filmed Lawrence of Arabia , The Jewel of the Nile , some scenes of the second part of Sex in New York and, of course, gladiata r . For the latter, almost enough to add a kind of arena to its adobe buildings, because the town was perfect as it was to roll thanks to a peplum, like other essential stops on the route of the Kasbahs, Ait Ben Haddou is a true journey into the past. Across the High Atlas mountains, a hundred miles from the bewitching city of Marrakech , the Kasbah of Aït Telouet first and then Ben Haddou, emerging like a mirage by two detours on the road which opens to the Great South of Morocco. The crenellated towers with geometric patterns that crown his creatures, his or town Ksar crumbling walls fortified and surrounded by palm trees give this last oasis airs that so many filmmakers have come here to look, while speaking to visitors days of the caravans that crossed the Sahara and seeking refuge in this kind of sand on the strengths of protecting the goods they hauled on the backs of their camels. Only a handful of families still living in this spooky town protected by UNESCO as World Heritage. The rest of its inhabitants have long since moved to the humble village which was built across the creek, leaving virtually uninhabited Ait Ben Haddou old. Very near Ouarzazate emerges that more than one city is a single long street in the that line the hotels that house the Nordic many come here to seek guaranteed sunshine all year round, apart from the studios that have served for so many films as been recorded by their surroundings, especially the Atlas Studio, whose visit this itinerary is highly recommended. Although Ouarzazate itself of little interest, just one kilometer from the center stands the imposing restored kasbah of Taourirt , another of these citadels of mud, symbolizing the essence of the Berber culture, within which you must visit the chambers of the tribal leader Glaoui, the last great master of the Atlas. By the way that heads towards the dunes of Zagora and the Draa Valley will dramatically threading between powerful pre-desert landscapes other good handfuls of ksour. But if you opt for the road but you go through the Dades valley, the concentration of these old fortified villages and kasbahs miraculously survived over the centuries is even greater. 

Two very elegant get up in the palm grove of Skoura , from whose slopes surrounding paths are taken north to stand in the villages of Asseghmo, Timatdit or Toudounte, brimming all of these authentic castles of land. Continuing towards the Kelaa of Mgouna, famous for the cultivation of roses, a walk will be undertaken by the Dades gorges or even more impressive Todra , set between the walls of a great canyon of 300 meters, culminating finally in Sea dunes of Merzouga is lost beyond the village, and the whole Sahara, Erfoud. GUIDE How to get flights from several Spanish cities to Marrakech for even less than 50 € with Ryanair and Easy Jet , and increasingly competitive also with Royal Air Maroc , Air Europa and Iberia , a company that also flies to Ourzazate stopover in Casablanca. Flights and a week's hotel, for even less than 300 € with agencies such as Falcon Travel , adventure and different routes through the area with specialists such as Travel Tuareg or Mugam , which proposes a handful of expeditions on foot or by road through the Atlas and the rest of southern Morocco. When to go You can go all year, but the best times are spring and summer. Getting around If travel to the Route of the Kasbahs not part of an organized tour, the best is to have a vehicle. Through Avis can rent an SUV for a week from about 250 €, and a highly recommended for 4x4 penetrate through the tracks, about 800 €. Where to stay The options are varied, but nothing comparable to settle in any of the many kasbahs converted into a hotel, Relais & Châteaux as Ahlan Give or Ben Moro in Skoura, Dar Daif , 5 kilometers from Ouarzazate, Hotel Tomboctou in Tinghir, Ksar El Khorbat , in the Todra Valley, Kasbah Azul , Agdz near, or Kasbah Ellouze (T. 00212 5 24 89 04 59), very close to Aït Ben Haddou, all with much charm but none as luxurious as the Kasbah Tamandot Sir Richard Brandson acquired full Atlas Mountains and from which to make an excursion to Aït Ben Haddou. Where to eat Hotels / kasbah mentioned also have restaurants where you can sample delicious local specialties such as couscous, tagines, the cake or the lemon chicken. The route can be visited Aït Ben Haddou entirely free, loitering at will among the castles of mud, and you can also access many of the Kasbahs of the route you choose. ... Be sure to saturate at least two days in Marrakech, with the tricks of the Jemaa El Fna, the souks and walks in his palm, its palaces, its many restaurants to the latest and nightlife. For some days at the beach, none in the vicinity with the charm of Essaouira. And, of course, dress day for the Route of the Kasbahs with a walk through the gorges of Todra and a sunset over the dunes, either in Merzouga, Rissani or Zagora.

Winter Getaway Hotels in Spain

Do not you spend a few days apetecería break in rural accommodation with the person you love most? We offer some suggestive proposals to 'lose' in charming corners of our country.


Can Mora de Dalt 
not stay with the desire to enjoy the sea in winter! Yes, because this hotel is a magnificent view over the sea and the old San Vincente de Montalt, one of the best preserved villages of the Maresme, just half an hour from Barcelona and five minutes from the beach. The farmhouse dates from the fifteenth century and for 18 generations belongs to the same family. It has 11 spacious rooms and charming garden. The place is perfect for reading, walking on and off near the city. Double room: 95-125 €. Viura This winter make a commitment to contemporary art and encourage to explore the last great avant-garde work of the Rioja Alavesa. It is strongly opposed to its surroundings, two overlapping cubes and large windows that let the relaxing countryside outside all the rooms. 

Located in Villabuena de Álava, is the ideal base from which to discover this land so closely linked to wine and wineries flagship step known worldwide fame as Ysios, the architectural work of Santiago Calatrava, and Marques de Riscal, the revolutionary creation of Frank Gehry . In addition to taste selected dishes from the renowned Rioja and Basque cuisine, do not miss the breathtaking views of the surroundings from the terrace gardens. Double room: 110-120 €. The Pilgrim Way To this milestone must be reached if you are looking to unwind and enjoy life. Created from a palace and a Romanesque church, today is a benchmark for excellence in service and facilities. 13 rooms of different styles and get a palm hailed the trip was unforgettable. Belongs to the prestigious Relais & Chateaux chain. Double room: 120-200 €. La Almunia del Valle Its location could not be more ideal for a getaway to the south. First, because if what is sought is living in town, this old farmhouse ham is just eight miles from Granada, but looking for skiing, is integrated into the natural park of Sierra Nevada. A boutique hotel of just ten rooms warm immersed in a large house with garden, from which products are obtained to produce the tasty fresh market cuisine offered to guests. Double room: 107 €. 

La Casa de San Martin in this imposing stone mansion of the eighteenth century with spectacular views of the Ara River Valley there is no hurry. And no TV, so it's a perfect winter retreat for relaxing with a good book in front of the fireplace or take long walks in nature, coming as it is Ordesa National Park and Monte Perdido. Located in a long, narrow plateau, the house looks like the keel of a boat on land. Within nine rooms comfortable beds, Egyptian-cotton clothing and a welcoming rustic decor ... Double room: 162 €.