Awesome Aotearoa

(picture above) Milford Sound, south island


(picture on the right) Kapiti Coast line, north island

Aotearoa means, Land of The Long White Cloud

Is it any wonder? Since Hollywood launched New Zealand big time onto the world's cinema screens with epic block busters such as Lord of The Rings, King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia, everyone wants to visit. In fact, New Zealand is one of the most popular travel destinations, even beating Hong Kong and London. New Zealand consists of two main islands, North and South about the size of Colorado. With a population of around 4 million and English as the main language, you can expect a warm welcome and a fantastic experience. There is also strong, vibrant Maori culture reflected in the easy going attitude of the people and pride in their heritage.

Where else can you find so many different types of scenery and breathtaking landscapes in one country! From towering mountain peaks and glaciers to volcanoes and bubbling mud springs. And then there's the surprise. It's so very English too. The lush green fields and rolling hills reminiscent of the English countryside and village life never seem that far away. The Bay of Islands on the North Island,is a
absolute must-see. A magnificent natural treasure for anyone who enjoys getting out on the water. Catch a ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere. Paddle a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and inlets. If you have always wanted to swim with dolphins, do it here. Many operators in the region offer excellent trips to spectacular Cape Brett and the 'Hole in the Rock' on Piercy Island. The townships of this historical bay are alive with memories of the area's colorful past. Take time out to see the well-preserved relics both Maori and European, in romantic Russell, Paihia, Waitangi or Kerikeri.
(picture above) Rotorua springs
Known for its amazing geothermal earth forces, this fascinating region offers you more than natural beauty, it's also a very spiritual place. "Manaakitanga" is a deep-rooted concept in Maori culture. It's a local challenge to offer visitors the best experience possible. Voted New Zealand's Most Beautiful City three times, Rotorua's gardens, cobbled streets and diverse mix of Maori and English Tudor architecture, give the city a significant point of difference. Beyond the urban centre, a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic mountains and huge crater lakes remind you that this region rests immediately above the Pacific Ring of Fire. Rotarua's Hell's Gate Reserve was where the "Black Gate of Morodor" was filmed for The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. Let off some steam. Steam escapes from crevices in the ground, gardens bloom alongside bubbling craters and geysers shoot for the sky.

Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are glaciers so accessible. On the West Coast of The South Island, remnants of the ice age cascade from the vast snowfields of the Southern Alps to valley floors, almost 1,000 feet above sea level. Legendary writer Rudyard Kipling was a well traveled man. He called Milford Sound the "eighth wonder of the world." Still down South, Milford Sound lies at the heart of Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage area. Cruising the clear, still waters of the Fiord you'll encounter magnificent sights, such as the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. With the highest rainfall in New Zealand (think feet not inches!) so expect rain when you visit. However, when it pours, the water falls that appear all around are simply amazing. Keep a lookout for wildlife such as dolphins, penguins and seals often seen in their natural habitat. Go on a scenic cruise and gasp at the moody majesty of the Fiord in the Milford Sound Red Boat.

Auckland is the largest city, however Wellington is actually the capital, but Auckland is where many visitors first set foot in New Zealand. Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting holiday islands, that's Auckland. It's located on the North Island and called the City of Sails. Know why? It has more boats per capita than any other city in the world. Almost entirely surrounded by water and covered with volcanic hills, the city boasts a superb harbor and a population of 1.3 million people. Add a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping - and you'll want to stay. Auckland has a pleasant subtropical climate with mild winters (June, July and August) and warm, humid summers (December, January and February). the seasons down here are reversed.
Auckland is a top choice if you're interested in wide open spaces and physical activities. Above the ground you can go bungee jumping, parachuting and skydiving. On the ground you can go hiking, mountain bike riding, skiing, horse riding, rock climbing, and 'zorbing'. Underground you can go surface caving, cave rafting and hydro sliding; and on the water you can go jet-boarding, white-water sledging, rafting, boogey boarding, canoeing, kayaking, surfing and scuba diving. If there is a difficult and challenging way to get from one point to another you can do it in New Zealand.

New Zealand will make you feel right at home.

Charismatic Kerala

(picture above) Aaanay­oottu­, Thr­i­ssu­r­ di­strict, India.


(picture on the right) Ve­l­i l­ake­, Trivan­drum­ India.



Tucked away in the southern strand of India, lies the attractive state of Kerala. Cheerfully christened God's Own Country, the state has a lot to offer avid travellers. Incredible India, travelling in Kerala may well set in motion at Trivandrum. The capital city has spotless beaches, extraordinary temples, a Museum and Zoo, besides the colonial . Heading out you come across twisting roads and scenic all covered under a verdant canopy of coconut palms and fresh evergreen trees. The Shanghumughom beach and Kovalam beach are popular with both locals and visitors. Of these the latter is a help with all facilities and seems to be a favourite day tripper destination.
Ancient palaces are an fundamental part of Kerala Tourism. The Kowdiar Palace, the Kanakakunnu Palace, the Koyikkal Palace, the Padmanabhapuram Palace, and the Kuthira Malika are all repositories of local way of life and extraordinary design. The domestic of the sometime rulers unmoving be inherent in in the well-dressed Kowdiar Palace.

Connoisseurs of art will find the Sree Chithra Art Gallery a treasure domicile of local and some intercontinental art of various . Located in the same park is the Napier Museum in a marvelous Colonial mansion. A marvelously landscaped Zoological rockery with a large assemblage of wild life is a different attraction in the same site. Be prepared to apply a in one piece day in these sediment. Moving on to Kochiin Kerala, or Cochin as it used to be renowned, you come to a slightly more diverse city throbbing with life and verve. There is a joie de in these bustling streets that signals a little thrilling around the curve. Whole such as Willington Island, Fort Kochi, and Mattancherry have a timeless remarkable ambience that has contributed to a rise in guests from all over the globe.(picture above) Po­nm­u­di – Trivandru­m­.
The Dutch Palace, the Bolghatty Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the out-of-date St. Francis Church, and the Santa Cruz Basilica all come with interesting anecdotes and old actuality friendly. You can see all around the Portuguese, the Dutch and even Spaniard and French marks to this ancient land. These influences can still be detected in evident intellectual nuances, cookery, art forms and architecture.

Trissur is the enriching capital of the state. If you're in time for the eminent Trissur Pooram, consider yourself lucky. You get to witness near a hundred superb elephants all up in old-style and a great deal of glitziness for a temple carnival. It is indeed a sight to look at. The drums that create an ear shattering noise of spiritual that you'll soon get used to and even begin to benefit from. While here, do visit the Guruvayoor temple. Entry is classified to Hindus, but there's nothing to stop the rest of us from approving this incredible hub of conviction. This is only an appetiser to the incredible saint's day that awaits you. Once you get used to the warm, sultry weather in Kerala, you'll lose yourself in this traditional fest.

There's so much to see and do, India has so much to offer the traveller and you could quite easily spend a lifetime exploring this incredible land.

Marvelous Maramures

(picture above) A classic wooden church structure in Maramures





(picture to the left) Romania - Monastero di Voronet (1488 circa)




In the far North of Romania, in the heart of Transylvania, lies the region of Maramures. Unscathed by the industrialisation of Romania's communist period the Maramures region showcases a spectacular landscape married with centuries old agricultural and pastoral traditions. Snow capped mountain peaks, ancient forests and an amazing diversity of fauna and flora - some of which are long lost and forgotten in other parts of Europe - all combine with an ancient way of life. Ringed in by mountains Maramures has long been kept isolated, thus preserving a way of life which has been passed by in Western Europe. As you travel through the enchanting countryside you’ll see farmers making hay in the traditional manner amongst spectacular wooden churches. Entering the towns and villages of Maramures is the closest you can get to stepping back in time: farmers ploughing with bulls, carriages pulled by oxen, rugs dyed with natural plant extracts, beautiful wooden houses with intricately carved wooden gates; historic churches, regional customs, dances and traditions. This is no Disneyland, there is no performance for the benefit of the tourists - this is real, authentic life in Maramures.

The Rodnei Mountains with the Pietrosu Peak - at 2303m the highest in the Eastern Carpathians - are made up of volcanic rock and their inner rim forms the longest chain of volcanic mountains in Europe. With their deep valleys, sharp crests and glacial lakes the Rodnei Mountains provide a natural reserve for a breathtaking array of flora and fauna: chamois and marmots or, if you're lucky, eagles, capercaille and black grouse. The Waterfall of The Horse (80m high) is a worthwhile day excursion, and you may also come across some of the many undiscovered and unmapped caves of the region. The Cresta Cocosului offers spectacular views and, for the more adventurous, some fantastic climbing routes on its abrupt cliffs. Away from the mountains are the region’s vast and ancient forests of spruce and oak. Here bears, lynx and wolf still roam in evidence of Romania’s healthy and unique biodiversity. The alpine pastures are still used by the shepherds who keep a watchful eye over their flock. These mountain pastures, aesthetically scattered with haystacks, are living proof of the interaction between the people of Maramures and the nature which surrounds them. Walking through the freshly cut fields in silence and in harmony with nature perhaps represents the best break from city life, it’s pressures and excesses.(picture above) Traditional grave stones
When you enter the villages you will see this rural life in close up the traditional wood carver and hatter; women who produce wonderful jewellery, woollen rugs, cloth and traditional costumes. Here you will see people at work in regional clothes that have barely changed in hundreds of years; and a wide variety of ethnic groups - Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Jews, Ukrainians and Gypsies - all mixing to provide a unique combination of architecture, clothing and traditions. To Witness this at first hand the villagers life, to eat their food and to share a palinca with your hosts. Palinca is the traditional drink of the region brewed from plums and double distilled, this so called fire water is a part of the villagers lives as well as the visitors.

A visit to Maramures can be an enchanting and fulfilling experience, opening up new horizons allowing you a greater understanding of our complex relationship with nature and our surroundings. For those of you who visit Maramares you will experience a truly unforgettable and privileged experience that will certainly make you leave yearning to come back.

Purfumed Paris

(picture to the left) The Louvre museum








(picture to the left) The Eiffel Tower in blue on July 14 for Bastille day









One of the things that keeps France great is its attention to detail: the back street shop that sells 30 varieties of croissant, the creaseless department store bags to carry home your latest in fashionable attire, the delightful little chocolates that accompany your coffee on one of the street corner cafes. The French language itself conjures up magic and mystery, adding to the romance of being in an alien land. The modern France bears aspects of foreign influence. Alongside the chic boutiques and stylish cafes sit far-western heavyweights such as McDonalds. But France will forever remain French. Chic and panache will always prevail.

Provided you can steer clear of the boy racers who treat the roads as racing tracks, France will satisfy even the most ardent explorers. When visiting France, the first place on most people's itineraries is Paris, and the fabulous Louvre. Whilst Napoleon endeavoured to conquer Europe, his armies busied themselves collecting the spoils from their defeated hosts. When the Louvre was built in 1793, these trophies were exhibited in the new museum for the whole of France to witness. Today the Louvre has been given a modern day makeover. A magnificent glass pyramid embraces the museum making it instantly recognisable around the world.

If you can endure the crowds, some of the world's most celebrated art can be witnessed. These include "Winged Victory" and the "Mona Lisa" with her legendary smile. For those wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of France's busy cities, the town of Chamonix offers the perfect contrast to city life. Located in one of the spectacular valleys of the French Alps, Chamonix offers picture postcard views, dominated by centuries old glaciers and the imposing summit of Mount Blanc.
(picture) The Arc de Triumph. Another one of France's classic site's to see.

Amsterdam

(picture above) The Canal that runs through the whole of Amsterdam, Holland


(picture to the right) A typical bridge in Amsterdam





Amsterdam, Netherlands, it is very hard not to imagine misty cafes and scantily clothed women moving provocatively in windows with red lights when the word Amsterdam is mentioned. Many of the travelers from across the world return to this ultimate city of "sin" because of these sights alone. Most of them are busting with tales of the unexpected and if you get the chance to visit the place, I'm sure that you will also create your own tales to tell.

Well, Amsterdam is not just about those two things; it has all the great things that Mother Earth has to offer. The Netherlands has in fact that most amount of great museums per square foot than anywhere else in the world. If you take a tram ride 10 minutes from the heart of the city, you can overwhelm yourself with those narrow streets occupied with nothing else other than the cyclist and a car every now and then. The city is in fact so quite, but interesting. The greatly planned city of Amsterdam is one of the few cities in the world where the people, the streets and the atmosphere are an attraction in themselves.

As mentioned earlier, there is far much more to the city than what most people associate it with. The city has long been considered as the "Venice of the North" because it was built on a cobweb of canals. You can greatly see most of the city from a canal boat, and from there you'll surely appreciate the unique architecture that Amsterdam has long been proud to offer. Furthermore, Amsterdam is heaving with a culture. It has a lot of great museums and libraries. Of all the interesting museums in the city of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Museums are names not to be missed.

Another great thing about Amsterdam is the lack of pollution, due to bikes being the preferred method of transport (two-wheeled, no emission eco-friendly vehicles).Plus about 60 percent of inner city trips are bike trips, therefore it is also more quite than most city's.When you stroll around in the city of Amsterdam, you'll surely find a high volume of restaurants. You can see sandwich boards in front of the many restaurants advertising their daily specials and from a minute walk down the Damrak, the street facing Central Station, there are some neon lights saying "pizza". If you delver further into the city, you can find the Damstraat, the street on Dam Square, also peppered with eateries. Further down again towards Leidseplen, the Leidsekruisstraat and Leidsetraat have their good share of restaurants too. It is necessary to note however that the streets mentioned earlier are located in some of the city's most touristy areas. So, if you wish to steer clear of such commercial centers, you have the chance to visit the Jordaan as some of the city's coolest restaurants are found there.

There are fast food outlets all over Amsterdam where you can get pizzas, chips or kebabs. However, just be careful when asking for mayonnaise on your chips for they will be completely drowned.

Stunning Salzburg

(picture above) Salzberg Lake


(picture to the right) fountain in the centre of Salzburg










Salzburg, Austria is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Mozart. The city is home to numerous music and drama festivals throughout the year. The movie The Sound of Music was filmed in this city and is a popular tourist attraction. The alpine setting of this city gives it a unique charm. There are many sites to see and lots to do here. Salzburg's Old City is the center of the city and the most historic area. It is considered one of the most aesthetically beautiful cities in Europe. The area has many old footbridges to walk and pedestrian only areas for sightseeing. Horse and buggy tours of the area are also available. If you need a break from the city, consider walking the many paths outside the city to relax and enjoy the quiet and beauty of nature. (picture below) Salzburg's Old City

Salzburg is home to many old churches, most in the Baroque style. The cathedral in the center of town dates back to the 17th century. The architecture of these old churches gives the city its unique character. Some to see are St. Sebastian's, St. Michaels, St. Johns and St. Peter's Abbey. Mozart's Birthplace has been renovated to the original apartments inhabited by the family. The room where he was born and the room where he composed most of his famous works are still open for tours. Guided tours are available the first Sunday of each moth. This is where the composer lived until 1773. Mozart’s Residence is located nearby and is where he lived from 1773 to 1780. There are exhibits related to the family and the works of Mozart.


Mirabelle Palace is open for tour. The ornate palace is also home to amazing gardens with statues of mythical figures. Heckentheater on the West Side is the oldest Hedge Theater north of the Alps. This was constructed in the 1700s as an outdoor theatre. On the same site is the Zivergegarten, which is a dwarf garden. Hohensalzburg Fortress is another popular attraction in the city. The fortress was first constructed in the year 1077 and expansions were done in 1160 and again in the 15th and 16th centuries during the Hungarian War. This is the largest fortress in all of central Europe. It was very effective and was never conquered by enemy armies. The fortress is open year round for tours.

Salzburg is stunning to say the least and well worth the effort of a visit.

Beautiful Budapest

(picture above) Chain Bridge in Budapest at Night


(picture to the right) Matthias Church - Budapest, Hungary




Budapest is located in Middle Eastern Europe and it surrounded by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Slovenia. Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, Hungary is frequented visited by many visitors and is a friendly city with about a population of 3 million, it is the most densely populated and culturally most important metropolis of Eastern Central Europe. Budapest is split right through by the great River Danube, like a hyphen in the city's very name. Just as a Danube divides Europe into East and West, so it divides this city's west-bank Buda district from the east-bank district of Pest. East and west, the city has been tugged in both directions for almost its entire history. Budapest is the largest city in Central Europe, Budapest is also one of its loveliest, hugging the curve of a wide band in the Danube. Along the west bank, the city climbs quickly up to Castle Hill, site of the former Royal Palace and the medieval village of Buda.
(picture of Buda)
On a flat, low-lying plain across the river is Pest, the modern administrative and commercial hub of Budapest. An admirable example of town planning, the so called Inner City is distinguished by broad, leafy boulevards, continental cafes and handsome baroque, neo-classical and novo buildings. The city's grand look, has prompted many to call Budapest the Paris of the East,The point where the two sides face each other, across the Danube is what defines Budapest best. Lining the left bank of Pest is the palatial neo-Gothic Parliament building a whole city block of white spires, topped by a neo-Renaissance red dome. Just as famous is the 19th-century Chain Bridge regally guarded by four stone lions and linking (along with seven other bridges) the two banks of the city.

Budapest offers breathtaking 0ld world grandeur and thriving cultural life, much of the charm to Budapest lies in unexpected glimpses into shadowy courtyards plus extraordinary architecture.
Budapest without a doubt is beautiful, bold and mesmerising all at the same time.