Looking for the Right Hotel in Greece? Try Beautiful!

If you're planning a vacation to Greece, you should make it a point to visit the beautiful island of Crete. Whether you're an avid outdoors enthusiast or are more interested in the culture and traditions of the Greece, Crete has something for everyone. Best of all, Crete offers splendid accommodations to anyone looking for a hotel in Greece.

Mountains and Seashores

The defining geological features of Crete are its mountains, made up of three ranges: the White Mountains, the Idi Mountains, and the Dikti Mountains. Aside from the beautiful scenery, the mountains in Crete feature plateaus, caves, and gorges. The Ideon Andron, or Zeus Cave, overlooks the fertile farmlands of the Lasithi Plateau, while the Samaria National Park showcases the Samaria Gorge, filled with a breathtaking array of flora and fauna. If you're a nature lover, travel in Crete means trekking through gorgeous scenery and the opportunity to view a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

If you're the type who hears the siren song of the water, the beaches in Crete are unparalleled. The clear waters make snorkeling and scuba diving a memorable experience, while the Vai beach is perfect for relaxing in the sun. There are also wonderful wilderness beaches where you can explore rock formations and find the perfect escape.

Food and Drink

A vacation to Crete wouldn't be complete without indulging in the local cuisine. Even if you're not up to tasting the islands traditional snail dishes, you can enjoy fresh squid and octopus, smoked ham and sausage, skewers of souvlaki, and a myriad of local cheeses.

When it comes to beverages with a kick, you'll enjoy tsikoudia (similar to Italy's grappa), Greek beer, and Cretan wine. Of course, ouzo is also a must when you're in Greece. For a morning jumpstart, you'll delight in strong Greek coffees that you can order sweetened or unsweetened.

Hotel Accommodations

When you're looking for the right hotel in Greece, it's important to first decide what amenities you'd like. Do you want to be in a hotel on the beach, with easy access to the water, green parks, and local villages? If you're going on vacation with your family, would you like a spacious suite with four beds so that everyone can stay in the same room? Do you want access to nearby restaurants and nightlife?

If you're going to travel to Crete, you can arrive either by airplane or by boat. Once you get there, however, you may want to consider staying near the flawless sandy beach of Georgioupoli. With unparalleled beauty and breathtaking views, Georgioupoli offers visitors the perfect Greek experience.

When it comes to booking your hotel in Greece, consider doing so with an online reservation directly with the hotel of your choice. Many visitors who travel to Crete report that booking directly with their hotel, rather than a tour operator, saved them both money and time. The best online reservation systems are available in a multitude of languages, incorporate multimedia - like photos, video, and flash - into their websites, and are accessible to those with vision impairments.

However you arrive in Crete and wherever you stay, be sure to soak in the sun, the landscape, and the local culture and cuisine. Enjoy!

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5 Diabetes Travel Tips

Planning ahead when you travel reduces stress.  This is particularly important for a diabetic.  These 5 diabetes travel tips are simple to implement and crucial to your diabetic management.  They are particularly important if you are traveling abroad.

1)  Have a pre-travel check-up.  Make sure your A1C blood sugar levels; your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels are OK.  Get the appropriate shots for any country you plan to visit.

2)  Wear a diabetes medical ID.  Ideally it should be in the language spoken in the country you're visiting.  Not everyone speaks your language and you don't want medical problems through misunderstandings.

3)  Keep your medication and glucose snacks in your hand-luggage.  Check-in baggage does, unfortunately, go astray. Don't risk your diabetes medication by packing it in your main luggage.

4)  Keep your medication in its original box, complete with pharmacy labels.  It will prevent misunderstandings about why you are carrying drugs and, if you are on insulin, syringes.

5)  Be aware of time zone changes, especially when altering your watch.  Remember when you travel east your day becomes shorter; if you travel west your day becomes longer.  You may need to alter the timings of your medication.

Traveling need not be traumatic.  A sensible attitude and a bit of pre-travel planning can make things go far more smoothly.

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Tips For Booking Your Holiday Travel

Holiday season is in the air. We could already breathe in and feel it. Everybody wishes to have a break, unwind and have a vacation from the exhausting everyday activities and chores of work. Truly, we deserve to have a time out.

Make this holiday season different from what you have before. Why not take a travel?

Many people say that it is really expensive and it will really cost a lot to have a travel. May it be a land, water or air holiday travel; surely it will have a cost. Nowadays, there are plenty of ways to have a vacation you dream and crave of having at a cheap cost.

Here are some of the tips:

Early birds catch the early worm! Book your trips early. Spare some time to call your travel company or agency. The more early you booked your holiday travel, the greater amount you will save. Consider that the demands for travel and flights are greater as the holiday season approaches. Note that travel companies have a number of flights per month. They cannot and will not provide a flight just for you.

Another advantage of having early booking is that you will have the opportunity to have great deals and options.

Set your itinerary. Choose exactly the places that you want to visit. List your itinerary in a piece of paper and also, do not forget to book and reserve your visit especially if you want to go to museums etc.

Reserve the hotel where you will spend your days. Do this as soon as you booked your flight.

It is advised that you have your travel agency. Most of these agencies now have promos and discounts for their customers for the holiday season. Most of them give travel packages that are budget friendly. Others give freebies and other items for gimmickries to attract customers and tourists. Use this as an opportunity to save and have cheap deals.

Being flexible is also a key in a more convenient and cheap holiday travel. If you are flexible enough, you can get into different flights that are available. Make sure that your schedule is open and flexible to all sorts of situations that may come along. Also, by being flexible you need to be choosy and things will easily go without minding the hassle.

Booking at the peak of the holiday season should be avoided in order for you to have a cheap travel.

Holiday season is created for us to stop and pause for a while and to appreciate the hardships that we had in the previous months. This is just once in a lifetime experience; make the most out of your travel.

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Travel Savings Tips

Travel, as exciting and interesting as it is, is also one of the most expensive things we choose to do. But if you keep a few things in mind, your holiday can be fun without breaking the budget. A small amount of research and effort can yield significant travel savings, and careful planning can be the best tool for travel savings. There are some tried and true tips for saving money while traveling, and several are presented below.

Car rentals are still a good way to stretch the travel dollar. Even though it seems expensive, remember the airport shuttle often costs around $50 per person, much more than the cost of an economy car rental. This will allow you affordable transportation for sightseeing and trips to the countryside, another money saver. Also, coupons and discounts are often offered by car rental companies and credit cards companies as incentives and promotions. Your airline may offer a great price on a car rental from a partner company. Take advantage of these deals to save or to upgrade to a more comfortable, vehicle.

If you don’t want to rent a car or it will not be useable, try to book a hotel that includes a free airport shuttle service. This can save enough for a good dinner. Many motels at airport locations offer free parking for the length of your travel if you stay one night at either leg of your trip. This can be a travel saver and a super convenience.

If this is a family travel, look for special airline incentives that offer free companion tickets or companion fares at lower rates. Also plan to eat meals where kids eat free and you can split meals. This can result in huge savings for a family of four or larger. Restaurants that are kid friendly usually accommodate requests for extra plates and relaxed places where everyone can feel comfortable after a day of travel and sightseeing.

Don’t eat every meal out. Even if you are not traveling as a family, eating out is often the most expensive part of travel. You'll be surprised what q nice change from restaurant food a peanut butter sandwich, chips, and fresh fruit makes. Book a hotel that has an in room coffee maker and purchase fresh bagels for breakfast. Or get deli takeout or a pizza for one relaxed night in. Take that much needed break from the crowds at tourist destinations.

Find and use coupons for travel savings. These are often offered for lodging, food, or attractions. You can find them everywhere, online, in local newspapers, and they save money. Also, seek out and take advantage of multi-day passes at amusement parks.

Bring your own water and snacks. People spend nearly $10 per day per person on just water and snacks. Sure, indulge yourself when you see really inviting salt-water taffy or fudge store but for the basics, bring your own.

Making your own reservations can result in travel savings. Many hotels and airlines offer additional discounts and specials for booking online. This also holds true for car rentals.

Doing a bit of work and seeking out promotions shall result in significant travel savings.  Remember, the tourist attractions and hotels want you to return as much as you want another vacation.

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Ways to Forever Remember Your St. Thomas Vacation

St. Thomas is known as one of the most popular vacation destinations in the entire world.  If you are planning a St. Thomas vacation, you may be wondering how you can remember and forever cherish the memories that you will make while vacationing in St. Thomas. The answer is pictures, pictures, and more pictures.

Photographs are the best ways to remember and forever cherish your St. Thomas vacation. To take pictures, it is likely that you already have much of the equipment that is needed.  The type of camera that you have can determine the quality of your pictures.  With the amazing scenery in St. Thomas, you may find that a digital camera is the best way to take pictures.

If you plan on taking your digital camera with you to St. Thomas, it is advised that you be careful.  Depending on the make and model of your camera, your digital camera could have been expensive to purchase. St. Thomas is known for its beautiful beaches; however, those beaches could be deadly for your camera.  If you have a warranty or an accidental coverage plan on your camera, you may be at ease. Otherwise, you are encouraged to be careful with your camera, especially when near water.

While digital cameras are slowly beginning to replace traditional cameras, not everyone has one. When in St. Thomas the need to have a digital camera becomes apparent.  If you are interested in purchasing a digital camera while on vacation in St. Thomas, you need to be prepared for the coast. At many popular vacation destinations, including St. Thomas, the cost of merchandise tends to be higher when compared to the prices back home. Aside from specialty shops, there are a number of well-known department stores in the area; you may be able to find a reasonably priced digital camera at one of these locations.  

Even if you are not interested in owning a digital camera, you forgot to pack yours, or you cannot afford to purchase one while on vacation, you can still take pictures of your vacation in St. Thomas.  Many vacationers find disposable cameras useful while on vacationing and you may too.  As previously mentioned, merchandise tends to costs more in popular vacation destinations. If you are interested in purchasing disposable cameras, you are encouraged to purchase them before you leave for St. Thomas.  

Despite the fact the quality of pictures from a disposable camera is often not as good as with digital cameras, you can still end up with amazing pictures.  When having your pictures developed, you may want to purchase a picture CD.  Most photo labs can place all of your pictures on a CD-ROM for a small price.  Once inserted into your computer, you can easily alter your pictures.  Just a few of the alterations that you can make include increasing the pictures size, eliminating red eye, or cutting out unwanted items in the background.  

In addition to taking your own pictures, you will find many opportunities in St. Thomas where you can pay to have a picture taken of your own family.  These pictures are most often taken along the beach or at other popular tourist attractions.  It is important to keep in mind the cost of these pictures.  Many are instant Polaroid pictures and the cost may be expensive.  Despite the cost, the pictures often make a great addition to any many photo album or family scrapbook.  

In addition to taking photographs, there are many vacationers who document their vacation on film.  If you own a video camcorder or have access to one, you may want to consider filming a portion of your St. Thomas vacation. Video footage is a unique, but an effective way to forever cherish the memories you create while vacationing in St. Thomas.  In the St. Thomas area, you may find camcorder rentals.  These rentals often work the same way as in the United States.  Video camcorder rentals are a great way to focus on just a portion of your vacation.

Whether plan on using a video camcorder, a digital camera, or a disposable camera, you are sure to end up with amazing footage or pictures.  To forever remember your St. Thomas vacation you are encouraged to carefully store these pictures.  Whether you create a family vacation scrapbook or place them in a traditional photo album, keeping your picture safe is the best way to be able to recall your vacation anytime you desire.

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The Benefits of Booking Your St. Thomas Vacation Online

St. Thomas, located in Virgin Islands, is often considered a dream vacation. If you are interested in vacationing in St. Thomas, you do not have to dream any longer.  With travel discounts and a small amount of saving, you could easily be spending your next vacation in St. Thomas.  

If and when you make the decision to vacation in St. Thomas, you will have to make the proper travel arrangements.  St. Thomas is considered one the hottest, vacation destinations in all of the Caribbean, and even the entire world.  This means that to have access the most popular resorts, you will need to schedule your vacation well in advance.  

When scheduling a vacation, many individuals allow their local travel agent to handle all arrangements.  While using the services of your local travel agent is nice, you may find making your St. Thomas vacation reservations over internet easy.  In addition to being easy, booking your reservations online is fairly convenient.  Once you have found the appropriate method of travel and hotel accommodations, all it takes is a few minutes to finalize your reservations.

If booking your St. Thomas vacation reservations online sounds like something youd be interested in, you have a number of different options.  Perhaps, the most popular way to book your reservations over the internet is to use the services offered by a discount travel website.  Online, you will find a number of discount travel websites to choose from. While you may assume that they offer the same vacation discounts, they do not. You are advised to compare prices before making reservations.

When using a discount travel website to make your St. Thomas reservations, you may come across packaged deals.  These deals often combine travel with hotel accommodations. By making your airline reservations and your hotel reservations all at once, you may be offered a substantial discount. The only downside to using a discount travel website is that a number of websites charge hidden fees.  You are encouraged to be on the lookout for these fees because they could cause a significant increase in the cost of your reservations.  

While making your vacation reservations through a discount travel website is convenient, it is not the only way that you can book your reservations online.  In addition to using a discount travel website, you can often make reservations with the hotel or airline of your choice. When making reservations with a hotel, resort, or airline, you are encouraged to first examine the resorts. 

Many of the resorts in St. Thomas offer all-inclusive vacation packages. If you are able to obtain an all-inclusive vacation package, your travel arrangements and hotel accommodations may be included.  Most all-inclusive resorts offer packages that may include your food and drinks, as well as your travel and hotel accommodations. If you are unable to find an all-inclusive resort that meets your expectations, you can continue searching.  

To book your St. Thomas vacation reservations individually, over the internet, you will need to find the online websites of popular hotels, resorts, and airlines. One you select the hotel accommodations or flights that youd be interested in taking, you can begin to make your reservations.  

When booking your reservations over the internet, not matter which of the above mentioned methods you choose, you area encouraged to print off all receipts. In the event that something goes wrong with your reservations, you can use the receipts to show that you did book your hotel or flight over the internet.

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Making the Most of Your St. Thomas Vacation

Located in the Caribbean, the island of St. Thomas is a popular vacation destination.  If you are planning a vacation in St. Thomas you may be wondering how you can make the most out of your vacation. There are a number of different ways that you can make the most out of your St. Thomas vacation.  Many of those ways requires a small amount of research and planning ahead. 

The easiest way to make the most out of your St. Thomas vacation is to decide what you want to do and see before you arrive in St. Thomas.  If you have never vacationed in St. Thomas before, you will need to familiarize yourself with the area.  The good news about researching St. Thomas is that it is a popular vacation destination. This popularity has lead to a large number of online travel guides and resources. 

In addition to researching St. Thomas online, you should be able to request travel brochures. Most of these brochures will be delivered directly to your door. When requesting travel brochures, it is important to keep in mind that it may take some time for the brochures to arrive.  You are advised to request St. Thomas travel brochures at least two months before you plan on leaving.  

When examining what St. Thomas has to offer, you will need to be on the lookout for activities or events that peak your interest. The easiest way to make the most out of your St. Thomas vacation is to find and participate in any events or activities that you feel youd enjoy.  These activities may include, but should not be limited to boating, swimming, hiking, biking, or scuba diving.  

In addition to familiarizing yourself with St. Thomas, you are also encouraged to make sure that you bring along enough money with you.  Running out of money while on vacation is almost a surefire way to ruin your vacation. If you are unsure how much money you should bring with you to St. Thomas, you can easily estimate. Taking into consideration food, drinks, shopping, and entertainment, you should be able to estimate the appropriate amount of money that will needed.  

The accommodations that you make can also make or break your vacation. If you are interested in spending more than a week in St. Thomas, you are encouraged to schedule your travel and hotel accommodations well in advance.  It is also advised that you familiarize yourself with the airline you plan on taking to St. Thomas and the hotel or resort that you plan on staying at.  

St. Thomas is most known for its beautiful beachside resorts.  While most resorts are considered top-of-the-line resorts, not all are.  You are encouraged to know where you will be staying and what you can expect. Reviewing online pictures of the hotel or resort you wish to vacation at is the best way to ensure that you will not be disappointed. The same should be said when making travel accommodations.  Knowing who you are flying with and what your flight will be like is the best way to make the most out of traveling to St. Thomas.

No matter where you vacation, the possibility of having a bad vacation always exists. Simply by making the proper travel arrangements and by knowing what to expect, you can make sure that your vacation is everything that you wanted it be.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Ukraine

About the county

Ukraine which is located in Eastern Europe is one of the largest country in that region of Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. It is a popular tourist destination especially for tourists from Western Europe and North America. The main selling point is the rich historical character of the country with as many five hundred cities dating back as early as nine hundred years. Visitors are spellbound by the architectural beauty of Ukraine. Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine where most travelers begin their journey.

Population & Languages

Ukraine has a population of roughly 46.7 million and the official language is Ukrainian. The other languages spoken here are Russian, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian.

Electricity

Voltage - 220 volts, Frequency - 50Hz. Standard European Round pin attachment plug

Geographic Location

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. The strategic location of Ukraine between Asia and Europe made it a transportation hub in the region.

Local Customs

Ukrainians are warm hearted and welcoming people. Casual dressing is mostly worn here though it will be a good idea to wear smartly for theatres. Small gifts are appreciated. Tipping is not very common; service is usually included in fine restaurants and hotel bills.

Places to see

St Sophia Cathedral  As old as nine centuries, it is one of the architectural marvels of Ukraine.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery)  These caves are as old as one millennium and dating back to 11th century.

Great Patriotic War Museum

Statue of the Motherland, Kiev 

Travel

By Air  The national airline of Ukraine is Ukrainian International Airlines. In collaboration with Aer Fi Group and Austrian Airline it links Kyiv to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Vienna and Zurich. There is one more airline in Ukraine called Air Ukraine which serves relatively less number of European cities. Lviv is also connected to New York, Warsaw and Washington. It is connected to Turkey through Simferopol and to UK through IvanoFrankivsk. The major airport is Boryspil State International Airport (KBP) which is located twenty five miles from Kiev.

By Sea  The primary ports of Ukraine are Izmail and Odessa which are situated on the River Danube. The ferry services connect Ukraine with Russia and Georgia. They also connect various cities on the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Sevastopol is the port which connects Istanbul, Turkey. 

By Rail  Ukraine has approximately 14,000 miles of railway tracks linking most towns and cities. Kyiv and Lviv are the main stations which connect with Moscow on a daily basis. Ukraine also has direct lines to Berlin (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Warsaw (Poland) and Bucharest (Romania).

By Road  Ukraine has an extensive network of roads with approximately 107,000 mile of road network out of which nearly 18,000 mile is main or national roads. 

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gm tobacco

2. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer

3. Goods for personal use with a combined value of 200

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Spain

About The Country

Spain is famous world wide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style. Cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish palaces prove the diversity of the country. Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot. 

Culture

Spanish is the regional language of Spain. English is also widely spoken here. Over the period of time, Spanish people have become modern in order to gel with the changing times and are no longer conservative. But that hasnt changed the values, traditions, manners and customs of the locals. People here have two surnames; the first surname can be used to refer to the person. To greet someone, a handshake will do the job. Take a small gift along when visiting someones house. Save the flowers for special occasions. Dinner is generally taken very late in the night. People wear casuals most of the time. Men are expected to wear jackets at some restaurants. Swimsuits should be confined to the pools and beaches. Recently a ban has been applied on smoking in public places.

Shopping

Shops open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, they are closed for lunch or siesta. Porcelain and leather goods are famous and they will be good gifts for friends and family members back home. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, so tipping is a matter of gratitude. 

Electricity

Voltage is 220 volts and frequency is 50 Hz

Getting There

IBERIA is the national airline of Spain. Many other low-cost airlines offer services in the country. There are nearly thirty international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous. 

Madrid located at 13km away from the city has a good bus service every fifteen minutes. Underground service also works to transport passengers to their destinations. Other facilities offered at this airport are duty free shops, bank, restaurant, tourism information, and hotel reservations.

Barcelona is very close to the city, situated at a distance of 3 km only. Buses are available every 15 minutes and trains are available every 20 minutes. Taxis are available throughout the day. Duty free shops, restaurants, bank, car hire and tourism information are available here.

There is a good network of roads connecting Spain north to south. Toll booths are installed in some parts of the country. Carrying few Euros will help smooth sailing at the toll booths. If driving ones private car, it would be better if the travel insurance covers medical costs too. Carrying a medical kit can prove to be of some help.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (300 cigarettes, 150 cigarillos, 70 cigars and 400g of tobacco for EU nationals)

2. 1litre of spirits if exceeding 22 per cent volume or 2 litres of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22 per cent volume and 2 litres of wine (1.5 litre exceeding 22 per cent and 3 litres of up to 22 per cent and 5 litres of wine for EU nationals)

3. 250ml eau de toilette and 50g of perfume

4. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (1000g of coffee and 4000g of coffee extract for EU nationals)

5. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

6. Gifts up to the value of approximately 37.26.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Romania

About the county

Lying in the Southeastern Europe Romania is slowly emerging from the shackles of its dark history. Modern Romania was formed by merging two Principalities i.e. Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859 which were ruled by Ottoman Empire for centuries before. Romania is bordered by Moldova, Ukraine, the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary. Bucharest is the capital of Romania. Transylvania and Moldavia constitute the northern half of the country. Romanias main attractions include Black Sea Coast, the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania. The Black Sea Coast is popular for its white sandy beaches and offers a perfect experience for families. The Carpathian Mountains are beautiful and covered by dense forests which offer skiing opportunities. There are many health resorts also in Romania. Transylvania is popular for Romanian Spas which have been known for its many healing powers. Local food specialty includes cuisines like ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba tanancasca (meat with vegetables), lamb bors, giblet soup and a variety of fish soups.

Population & Languages

The population of Romania is around 22.5 million and the official language being spoken is Romanian. The other popular languages are Hungarian and German.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southeastern Europe bordering the Black Sea between Bulgaria and Ukraine. It is bordered by Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and Bulgaria to the south. Carpathian Mountains pass through the center of Romania.

Climate

The climate of Romania can be termed as Temperate and it has four seasons. While spring and autumn are cool and pleasant. Summers are very short and hot occurring in July and August. The winters can be harsh and cold with snowfall between December and March. The best months to visit Romania are May and June and September and October.

Local Customs

Handshaking is the common custom. It is also customary to kiss when being introduced to a woman. Mostly all normal European customs apply to Romania also. Dressing is conservative and casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transportation vehicles and theaters. Romanians like smoking themselves and thus like if you gift them cigarettes. Tipping is 5 to 10 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

Bucharest: Once used to be known as Paris of the East the city of Bucharest is a city of lights bustling with cafes, night clubs and restaurants. It also has Romanian Opera House and a huge National Museum. The historic sites include the Palace of Parliament, Old Court Church and Athenee Palace Hotel.

Brasov: Not to be missed places are Castles in Transylvania which include Bran Castle, Rasnov Castle and also do miss to see Sighisoara about 90 miles from Brasov, the birth place of Vlad tepes.

Romanian Riviera: This is along the coast of Black Sea which is huge tourist attraction. It is also home to several resorts and Romanian spas famous for their healing powers. 

Travel

By Air  The national airline of Romania is Tarom. Many popular airlines that fly to Bucharest include Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. The biggest airport is Bucharest Otopeni Airport which is located like 10 miles north of the city.

By Sea  Constanta is the major port on the Black Sea. Currently no ferries are being operated. But there are many cruises available which stop at various points of tourist interest like Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Bazias, Giurgiu, Calafat and Bucharest. 

By Rail  There is an international service to Bucharest from Western Europe which runs only in summer months i.e. from June to September, the name of the train service is Wiener Waltzer.

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 200 gm tobacco

2. 200g cocoa and 200g coffee

3. Perfumes, medicines and souvenirs

4. Two cameras, One small movie camera, Twenty Four cassettes, One portable radio, One TV set, One tape recorder, One pair of binoculars and One typewriter.

5. Gifts up to 175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Italy

About the county

Italy, the birthplace of pasta and pizza provides a wide range of choices for artwork lovers to experience. A temperate climate exists here with very hot summers and not so cold winters. The weather is the best in spring and autumn with pleasant temperatures and scenic views. At that time of the year, the place isnt crowded much and things can be enjoyed in leisure.  Incase of emergency call 112. For fire call 115 and for ambulance call 118.

Culture

Italian is widely spoken and is the official language. English isnt very familiar to the locals. Family ties are of utmost importance here and hence social courtesies mean a lot to the locals. There is a great impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture here. There is a high content of chlorine in tap waters, so bottled water is recommended for staying fit during the trip. Since Italian is spoken on a wide scale, it is highly recommended to learn few common Italian phrases which can be of great use. Social gatherings call for formal wear, but one can dress in casuals otherwise. At some religious places, sleeveless shirt and shorts are frowned upon. So they are better avoided. Purses and wallets should be well guarded and in case of any theft, police should be informed about the incident. 

Site Seeing

The first thing to check out is the leaning tower of Pisa, where Olympics originated. At places like museums and art galleries, photography, especially flash photography is restricted. Check out the ticket counter for more information. Italy should be majorly discovered on foot for a thorough viewing of all the beautiful buildings and monuments. Coaches and trains are a good option to get to a tourist spot.

Shopping

Shops here are open from 9am to 8pm, closed for lunch. Quality of goods is great although the prices are very less. Items like crystals, lacework, leather good, and jewelry can be bought at the stores. Remember to hold on to the receipt. Tipping of 10% is customary along with the service tax levied on the bill. Italy is famous for top designers of the world, so do buy clothes and accessories to update your wardrobe. Cruises have formal gatherings in the evening, so ensure to buy a cocktail dress or some formal wear, though casuals can be worn at other times.

Electricity

The voltage used is 220 volts and 50 Hz frequency.

Getting there

Alitalia is the national airline of Italy.  Many other flights connect to Italy from USA, Canada and Australia and there is big competition to attract passengers giving a wide range of offers to travelers.  Rome airport is located 26 km away from the city and it takes 45 minutes to get there from the airport.  Trains connect directly to Termini Station from where one can take taxi to get to their destination. Duty free shops, bank, car hire and restaurants are the other services provided at this airport. Milan has another famous airport here, which is at a distance of 45km away from the city. 

Brindisi, Ancona, Naples and Venice are the major seaports of Italy. Italian State Railways connects many European cities. But, Eurostar provides the fastest train service.

If choosing to drive, dont forget to carry international driving license and international insurance certificate. Roads connect Italy to France, Austria and Switzerland. Many coach services are provided from the neighboring countries. 

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco

2. 2liter of wine and 1liter of spirits (over 22 per cent) or 2liter of fortified or sparkling wine

3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 years of age)

4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

5. Gifts not exceeding 89.96 (if entering from an EU country), 175 (if entering from a non-EU country).

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Travel tips to European Countries: Iceland

About the country

Officially known as the Republic of Iceland, is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. Icelands glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, indeed makes it the original 'land of fire and ice'. 

Iceland is a very large island with a unique landscape which is rugged and colorful with black lava, red sulfur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls, bays, fjords and green valley. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavk which is also the largest city of Iceland. Nearly half of Icelands population lives around Reykjavk. The popular tourist attractions are centered also centered on this city. The most famous attraction is Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall which is set off with an outstanding rainbow and hot springs of Geysir. 

People might wonder what one can do in Iceland. If you hear the list you will be amazed that there are so many things to do and see here. From watching whales to chic fine dining, hiking, seeing Europes largest glacier Vatnajokull, fishing in rivers, horse riding, rafting, exploring the landscape on a snow scooter, shopping designing wear, Summer Solstice Festival, visit island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle, visit medieval farm at Stong and what not, the list is endless.

Population & Languages

The population of Iceland is only 299,388 and the official language being spoken is Icelandish. English, Nordic languages, German are also widely spoken. 

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. It is strategically located between Greenland and Europe

Climate

The climate of Iceland can be termed as temperate with damp and cool summers and mild and windy winters. The highest temperature recorded was 30.5C (86.9F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -38C (-36.4F) on 22 January 1918 at Grmsstair and Mrudalur.

Local Customs

Like any other country Iceland has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Visitors are invited to homes when on a business trip and normal courtesies should be observed. The people pay careful attention to their appearance and, as for most Western countries, casual wear is widely acceptable. Service charges are included in the bills most of the time and tips are not expected.

Attractions

Reykjavik Attractions  Hallgrimskirkja Church, National Museum of Iceland, Botanical Gardens and the Einar Jnsson Museum

Travel

By Air  The national airline of Iceland is Icelandair which operates to many internationsl destinations such as Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Halifax, London, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Washington, plus other destinations in the summertime only. Other international airlines operating from Iceland include Air Greenland (website: www.airgreenland.gl) and Iceland Express (website: www.icelandexpress.com). 

Other, predominantly Scandinavian, carriers also operate services. Some airlines like Condor and Corsai, operate flights during the summertime. Flights also operate to the Faroe Islands and Greenland during the summer months. Major airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) located at 31 miles south of Reykjavik.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products 

2. 1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine, or 1 liter spirits and 6 liter beer; or 1 liter wine and 6 liter beer; or 2.25 liter wine 

3. Food items up to 3kg not exceeding kr13,000

4.   Permits from Post & Telecom Authorities are required for cordless phones,   remote controls or radio transmitters. It is not required for a GSM mobile phone 

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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