Cuba is an amazing place to be - I remember visiting Cuba last year just after I drove across the US in a car hired from cheap car rental usa, and thought there is nothing better left to see. However, I saw a country full of extremes - both beautiful and darkened by misery, both developed and supressed by communism. Although my feelings for Cuba were quite contraversial, my two-weeks stay there was almost as amazing as the most beautiful places I have been to.

The first thing to mention is the national kitchen in Cuba - I must admit almost every night I overate - the delicious meals the locals have to offer are quite satisfactory and extremely tasty. The breads and the spicy souces would make you even happier because hardly is there a more distinctvie kitchen with so many varieties of the both. So just spending time in the restaurants made me quite amazed - the Cubian food was truely one of the best I had the chance to taste.

Another thing that fascinated me was the lifestyle - no matter poor or rich, the Cubians are really cheered people. The streets of Havana are always loud and crowded - people would be dancing on the street, musicians would play live just for enterteinment, jazz music would come from almost every open window, small children would run after you offering you their services to take you to the best place for the night. You would be astonished when you visit a salsa club, and you would see the vivid energy of these people, their smiles are almost as addictive as their food and no matter how late, they will always find the way to have fun.

So apart from the usual things like shopping and beaches, Cuba can offer spectacular nightlife and amazing food that every tourist would be satisfied with.

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I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy two cruises. One was to Alaska and the other to the Bahamas. The destinations couldn’t be more opposite, the cruises were on two completely different cruise lines, and I traveled one with a large group and one with a small group. Basically, the two trips were complete opposite, yet I’ve learned a couple things about cruising in general that everyone should know.

First of all, what should you look for in a room when booking a cruise? I had the opportunity to stay in an absolute bare minimum room with a tiny circle for a window, and I also stayed in the largest suite on the ship where an entire wall was floor to ceiling windows with a view of the ocean ahead. While the suite was wonderful to walk into on boarding day, I can honestly say it wasn’t at all necessary or enjoyed enough. Very little time is spent in the cabin when you’re on a cruise; you’ll just miss way too much! I spent just as much time in the tiny cabin as I did in the suite, which was just long enough to crawl in and out of bed. So if you’re looking to save a bit of money, there’s a lot to be saved when choosing a room. It’s even possible to get a room that has an obscured view, which means there’s a pole in front of the window or something similar. If you want to see the ocean and the wonderful views a cruise gives you, go walk the deck or sit in a chair on the lido deck. Don’t worry about splurging on your cabin.

The second thing I learned through my cruise adventures is you don’t have to go to every formal dinner. Typically, you have a scheduled dinner time every evening in which you have a chair reserved for a gourmet five course meal. This is a wonderful experience and I would definitely suggest going to at least one, but keep in mind there are many opportunities to eat. There are other dining rooms you can eat at that are quicker and more laid back, there’s constantly food being served on one deck or another, and there’s always a buffet that serves meat, vegetarian, or chicken recipes, to attend. So don’t feel strapped down to the formal, set time dinner that is available to you. You can explore the other food options which will also give you more time to enjoy the other things the ship has to offer.

Through my two very different cruises, I learned two very important things. Between the choosing of a cabin and when and where to eat, I know how to get the most out of my future cruises, and I hope this advice can help some of you out there preparing to go on a cruise.

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I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy two cruises. One was to Alaska and the other to the Bahamas. The destinations couldn’t be more opposite, the cruises were on two completely different cruise lines, and I traveled one with a large group and one with a small group. Basically, the two trips were complete opposite, yet I’ve learned a couple things about cruising in general that everyone should know.

First of all, what should you look for in a room when booking a cruise? I had the opportunity to stay in an absolute bare minimum room with a tiny circle for a window, and I also stayed in the largest suite on the ship where an entire wall was floor to ceiling windows with a view of the ocean ahead. While the suite was wonderful to walk into on boarding day, I can honestly say it wasn’t at all necessary or enjoyed enough. Very little time is spent in the cabin when you’re on a cruise; you’ll just miss way too much! I spent just as much time in the tiny cabin as I did in the suite, which was just long enough to crawl in and out of bed. So if you’re looking to save a bit of money, there’s a lot to be saved when choosing a room. It’s even possible to get a room that has an obscured view, which means there’s a pole in front of the window or something similar. If you want to see the ocean and the wonderful views a cruise gives you, go walk the deck or sit in a chair on the lido deck. Don’t worry about splurging on your cabin.

The second thing I learned through my cruise adventures is you don’t have to go to every formal dinner. Typically, you have a scheduled dinner time every evening in which you have a chair reserved for a gourmet five course meal. This is a wonderful experience and I would definitely suggest going to at least one, but keep in mind there are many opportunities to eat. There are other dining rooms you can eat at that are quicker and more laid back, there’s constantly food being served on one deck or another, and there’s always a buffet that serves meat, vegetarian, or chicken recipes, to attend. So don’t feel strapped down to the formal, set time dinner that is available to you. You can explore the other food options which will also give you more time to enjoy the other things the ship has to offer.

Through my two very different cruises, I learned two very important things. Between the choosing of a cabin and when and where to eat, I know how to get the most out of my future cruises, and I hope this advice can help some of you out there preparing to go on a cruise.

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However well you plan your trip abroad, there are always some things that you can’t plan for. On a recent trip to the South of France a few friends and I arrived at the airport in plenty of time. We joined the appropriate budget airline queue and we waited. And we waited. And we waited. Eventually, after some hours had passed, our flight was called forward, so we checked in and waved goodbye to our luggage with a definite sense of trepidation, as the departure time for our flight had now passed - something was clearly wrong. We then waited even longer for our gate number to be called, and then longer again at the gate. Until, at around the time we should have been landing in France, we were informed that our flight had been cancelled, as the staff had now gone into overtime. So we collected our luggage from the carousel and attempted to complain… only there was no-one to complain to. Eventually we had to book our own replacement flights, to take us out the next morning, and find accommodation in the airport. This comprised sleeping 6 people in a twin room at the extortionately expensive airport hotel. We may as well have looked into camper vans for sale considering the price we ended up paying…
The next morning our replacement flight went smoothly, and we landed on French soil on time. However we then had another issue… we had flown to Marseilles, and our original flight had been to Nice. This wouldn’t have mattered too much, had we not reserved hire cars at the original destination. Our hire company had no cars available to take instead, so our only option was to take public transport from Marseilles to Nice, to pick up our reserved cars. This turned out to involve two shuttle buses, three walks, and a lengthy, but beautiful, train journey. We then picked up the cars and drove to our villa. Only 30 hours later than we expected to be!

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Kenya is an East African country. Its surrounded by Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Somalia. Tourism is Kenya’s major foreign earner right after agriculture. Najib Balala, the honorable Minister for tourism developed and promoted tourism to a point where tourist revenue increased substantially.

There are many tourist attractions in Kenya with some of them being national parks, game reserves, the coast and the Rift Valley. Millions of animals can be seen in the national parks as well as the game reserves. Kenya is quite popular for its cultural tourism, beach tourism, sport tourism and eco tourism. Because of its high regard for conservation of nature, industry has grown immensely.It is also becoming a place that vet jobs London and other educational institutions will send students and people starting out in animal care careers to intern and study, due to the mass conservation and park systems in place.

There are many chances to be in touch with nature in Kenya some of which are the Rift Valley which holds many lakes and rivers, hills, plains, rocks and grassland vegetation, Mt. Longonot dormant volcano, Lake Naivasha where you can watch large hippos and fish all day long and the equator next to the geothermal power station.

Another attraction known for its nature and wildlife is Lake Nakuru. This lake offers the tourist a great deal of bird habitation with the white and pink flamingos being the most popular.

Whether you are touring Kenya on business, for leisure, sports or educational purposes, you will find a wide array of beautiful land, entertainment and attractions to keep you occupied. Just about anyone worldwide can enjoy the pleasures of Kenya and East Africa. There is so much to do and see and everyone is happy. It is a simple place to just sit back and take in its breathtaking views or enjoy some of its cultural attractions and entertainment. Perhaps your next vacation or holiday might be in Kenya.

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Lamu can be explored on donkey backs. Since the town has a lot of donkeys, it has a Donkey Sanctuary to take care and treat the donkeys in the area. Walking through the narrow lanes is also a great way to soak in the exotic sights.

Lamu boasts of a rich history and culture. It began its humble beginnings in the 14^th century when it became home to the Swahili language speakers. One on hand Lamu can qualify as a romantic destination with its vast coastline and serene beaches, while on the other hand it can be a dream destination for any historian. The town has a museum that houses information about Swahili Culture. Lamu is also home to the Sultan’s fort that was built in the year 1808 by the Omanis.

The residents of Lamu are very hospitable, and are always ready to help tourists. The island shelters some great architectural buildings that reveal traditional Swahili Architecture. It is a treat to watch these marvelous pieces of human effort.

The island has plenty of abodes to take care of its tourists, and if you you are into backpacking you should be able to find a cheap hostel, if you are lucky enough you may get to stay with one of the local residents and experience their culture. The best time to visit Lamu is during the Maulidi festival, when residents come out on the streets to celebrate the birth of The Prophet.

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The town of Mombasa in Kenya exhibits a rich history and culture in the form of Fort Jesus and Gedi ruins. While on the other hand, Lamu town is the perfect destination to host the most perfect beach wedding. It is filled with romantic locations available in the form of calm beaches.

Nairobi, which is popular for its night life and diverse culture, is believed to be a dangerous destination; however, this has not deterred the popularity of the region and thousands of tourists still come flocking to this place.

Kenya is defined by varied styles of architecture. One can spot buildings and mansions here dating back to different eras. The buildings in Lamu exhibit Swahili architecture while the ones in Mombasa display Arab style of architecture. Kenya also comprises many places of worship from Hindu temples to Mosques. The Hindu temples in Mombasa are quite popular. The Jamia mosque in Nairobi is known throughout the country.

Wildlife enthusiasts and cadidates with an interest in vet nurse jobs do not have to face disappointment while paying a visit to this colorful country. It is home to a number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, not to mention takes an active stance on protecting and careing for the animals. Mamba village in Mombasa is popular for its crocodile farm. The delicacy in the area is undoubtedly crocodile meat. Haller Wildlife Park in Mambosa is an animal sanctuary that shelters a large number of species. Hell’s Gate National Park, a day away from Nairobi, is a very famous tourist attraction. It can be explored on bicycle or foot, and is an ideal place for the entire family to spend time together. The park is known for natural hot geysers and also serves as a breeding ground for vultures. The park is a great place for adventurists particularly rock climbers and also bird watchers.

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Nairobi has some very popular east African clubs which will bowl you over with their music and concoction of exotic and popular drinks. Some of the popular bars in this city are Disco at the Westlands,

, Zanza Bar and Lord Delamere Terrace Bar. Zanza Bar is known for its live musical performances and the immense variety of food and drinks offered. Zanze Bar is nicely lined with pool tables.

If you want to enjoy really foot thumping music then you must make a stop at the Bar Code bar. The Sahara City nightclub on Mombasa highway spins some really good hip hop and contemporary numbers. The Black Cotton nightclub on

is also an equally groovy place. Some of the other popular nightclubs at Nairobi which offer a plethora of options to enjoy from, in terms of best music, live performances and jam sessions, are the Club Sikiliza, Ngong Hills Hotel, Green House and many more.

If you really want to enjoy the nightlife of Nairobi then you must visit local clubs like Pavement, Carnivore, Rock, Tropicana, as here you get to enjoy the experience of the real “local” culture of Nairobi.

East African culture mixed with threads of modernity is what nightclubs in Nairobi offer you.

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On my travels I have had the fortune to sample many different types of worldly cuisine and I have rarely been left disappointed. From the pizzas and pastas of my italy ski holidays to the raw fish of Japan, each country has its own specialty dishes and more often than not, these dishes are the best that the country has to offer.

When it comes to Eastern Europe, there is one ingredient that seems ever-present in the many varied dishes and that is meat. Whether it be the sausages of Germany and Prague, or the goulash and beef stews of Hungary and Slovenia, it seems that a meal is not complete without plenty of meat.

This suits me fine as I love meat. I am one of those people who can’t understand vegetarians. I don’t have a problem with them, or their life choices, I just cant understand them. To me, they are missing out on some epic cuisine. The beef stews of Eastern Europe, especially Hungary are utterly amazing, as are the steaks I sampled in Berlin.

I honestly think it is worth travelling to the Eastern parts of Europe not only for the fantastic scenery, friendly people and cheap beer, but for the brilliant food as well. There is a misconception that still lingers today, that Eastern Europe is a war torn deserted wasteland full of poverty and that is simply not the case. Sure there are some countries that are still struggling, but many of them have gotten over any issues they had in the past and are great places to visit.

If one thing is true about Eastern Europeans, it is that they certainly eat well. I can’t imagine that anyone goes very hungry at all over there, not with the prices of the food and the huge portions you get. Go and check these amazing countries out and find yourself in food heaven.

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One of the best things about Europe is that so many different cultures and countries are connected by land. This means that you don’t have to get a plane or a ship anywhere. You can even jump on the coach if the mood takes you (you would save a small fortune doing this). The best thing to do, in my opinion, is get on a train. There is nothing like seeing the countryside go past you on a glorious day.

Some of the train routes take you through some breathtaking landscapes, particularly the trains intersecting the Alps. At some point, depending on your destination, you may have to take an overnight “sleeper”train. These things are fantastic. Not only are you getting from A to B, but you are saving on potentially expensive hotel or hostel bills for one night.

It isn’t just the savings that should attract you into getting onto a sleeper train. The actual experience is such a fun one as well. If you grab some snacks and a few drinks, it is a great way to spend some time with your friends, family, or people sharing the cabin with you under slightly extraordinary circumstances.

I had to spend two nights on a “sleeper”train on my Europe travels and I can honestly say, the first time I barely slept. I love train journeys and I was quite excited to be on one where I could lie down in total comfort. The best thing about the first time was that I was awake as we travelled through the Alps as the sun was rising. I will never forget that beautiful image and I would never have seen it if it wasn’t for the overnight train.

How does val thorens ski contest sound to everyone? Everybody should really put your names forward, this would be such a cool way way to spend next New Years, after the rubbish time that we had this year!

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