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Archive for November, 2009

Hermanus Whale Capital Of The World

Yearly this beautiful small town in the Western Cape province of Southern Africa gets “visited” by mammals of the blue sea. Whale species flock to the area to reproduce in the beautiful surroundings of our little whale capital of the world Hermanus previously named Hermanuspietersfontein. The yearly arrival of the whales is a major tourist attraction which boosts the local economy enormously one just have to notice the word “whale” in almost every second local company name to realise the impact our big ocean friends has made. Restaurants hotels and selfcatering accommodation establishments are the ones that really thrives during holiday season.

Together with the swift arrival of the whales you’ll likely notice the buzz in town as the town centre get ready for the arrival of tourists from all over the continent. September month is when the festivity reaches climax when the now weekly Whale Festival takes place. The festival offers many fun filled activities for young and old. Various artists perform here during the course of the week and the street markets do their fair share to ensure something for everyone. From a tourist point of view the best time to do some whale watching is from April to December. Our long stretched beaches along the coast line also attracts many inland visitors. With the beautiful surroundings fun filled activities and attractions even the whales realise Hermanus is a destination to revisit.

Enjoy the sun champagne air friendly people and beautiful surroundings; truly a visit to refresh the spirit. Hermanus offer the holiday seeker long stretched white sand beaches which has been awarded blue flag status year after year. Night life in Hermanus proves to be very popular among the younger generations with a wide variety of restaurants and pubs to choose from. I lived in Hermanus for seven years and the “closeness” of the town is one of a kind Hermanus is a very supportive community and offers excellent schools and sport facilities. Most sporting activities takes place at the Hermanus cricket club with frequent cricket touring sides playing against a local team and the yearly Sir De Villiers graaf event is great fun with a yearly celebrity team. A few musical concerts that took place at the cricket club was a great success. Hermanus truely offers something for everyone beauty nature sport facilities awesome beaches excellent people and did i mention whales. Take my word it’s my favorite holiday destination.

Wouter Olwagen

http://www.capetowntravel.co.za

http://www.tvchat.co.za

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Wouter OlwagenCape Town TravelTV Chat Forum

Halong Bay On Bai Tu Long Deluxe Junk And Catba Island

Trip Description

DAY 1: HANOI HALONG L D
08.00 8.30: Pick up at your hotel and departs for Halong city.
12.00 Arrival Hon Gai/Ha Long city Break and photo shooting.
12.30: Check in Bai Tu Long Junk Enjoy welcome drink.
13.00: Lunch with fresh seafood is served while the junk heading out the bay.
13.30: A fantastic cruise on the bay passing Dinh Huong Island fishing villages Ga Choi Island Dog Island Sail Island and explore the mystery of Sung Sot cave.
16.30: Enjoy swimming sun bathing at TiTop Island or climb up the peak for a breathtaking panorama view of Bai Tu Long bay weather permited.
21.00: At leisure time as optional:
Enjoy chatting at Bar.
Enjoy night fishing.
Relax and spend a romantic night on Bai Tu Long deluxe junk.

DAY 2: HALONG BAY CAT BA ISLAND B L D
08.00: Breakfast on board.
08.30: Leaves for Cat Ba Island.
09.00: The mini bus picks up to go to visit Cat Ba National Park The home of 32 types of animals and about 2000 species of flora.
13.00: Have lunch and check in.
Free at leisure for swimming on beaches or visit local market.
19.30: Have dinner and stay overnight there.
Option: Stay overnight in Cat Ba Sunrise resort or Catba Island Resort amp; Spa or Holiday View hotel.

DAY 3: CATBA HALONG HANOI B L
07.30: Have breakfast.
08.00: The mini bus picks up to go back to the wharf.
09.00: Continue cruising through Bai Tu Long bay Toad island Bai Tho mountain.
10.00: Brunch will be served on board as you cruise back to Halong city.
12.00: Back to Halong city the van picks up to come back to Hanoi.
13.30: Stop over in Dong Trieu town for visiting Ceramic village.
16.00: Arrival in Hanoi.
End the trip.
Note:
Time of activities may vary slightly. Itinerary subject to change when necessary.

Inclusive

* Transportations
* Welcome drink
* Food
* Entrance fees
* Insurance during cruise time
* EnglishSpeaking guide

Exclusive

* Personal expenses
* Tips are welcome.
* Drinks
* Others not mentioned in details.

NOTE

* FOC for children under 4 years old
* Children from 4 9 years old stay with parents charge 50
* Children from 4 12 years old stay in sharing cabin charge 75.

There are 3 options to stay in hotel in Cat Ba Island:

* Option 1: Cat Ba Sunrise Resort 4****star resort http://www.catbasunriseresort.com
* Option 2: Cat Ba Island Resort and Spa 4****star resort http://catbaislandresortspa.com
* Option 3: Holiday View hotel 3***star hotel http://www.holidayviewhotelcatba.com

About the writer:  Discover the world heritage with Bai Tu Long deluxe junk

Glorious Food And The Enchanting Loire Valley In France

The Loire Valley known as “the Garden of France” is a fertile place where a rich farmland is spread on both sides of the enchanting Loire river. The region became the favourite residence of French Kings from the middle ages to the Renaissance. Little by little strongholds had become magnificent castles of the Renaissance which had been restored during the 17th and 18th centuries.

These chateaux tell about the surprising history of the great kingdom of France and display the charm of its fabulous past. The chateaux still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period.

Everyone knows French cooking is one of the best in the world if not the best. With more than 365 cheeses thousands of different wine producers foie gras sea food fishes and good meat and of course specialties like snails frogs’ legs bouillabaisse pot au feu and boeuf bourguignon France is heaven for those who like quality and innovative cuisine.

Classic French cuisine is very much on the menu in most restaurants in the beautifulLoire Valley. The French table is a deity a great social organizer and leisure activity.

Each aspect of a French speciality has a root origin tradition and cult attached to it by the French. This is because of the sheer diversity of excellent products and related recipes available all over France. The french have an amazing affinity for the land. It is part of their identity. . If French gastronomy has such prestige it is because the French spend their time on it.

Freshwater River and lake fish take pride of place in dishes. Vegetables thrive in the sandy soils around the Loire River. Local asparagus is delicious in spring. Most vegetables have a long season. Goat’s cheeses are a particular speciality of the region.

Meat specialities of the Loire Valley include pork rillettes a coarse pate not to be confused with another very tasty more local tradition rillons big chunks of pork cooked in pork fat. With so many forests in the Loire Valley the region’s restaurants are strong on game. Autumn is the season not just for wild game notably wild boar and venison but also wild mushrooms.

The French have a sweet tooth and they love rich creamy chocolate patisseries and they insist on quality. Blois has exceptional patisseries.

Tarte Tatin upsidedown apple tart is a classic of the Loire Valley region. The area is rich in excellent pears and apples tasty strawberries and melons.

The tourist route around the vineyards of the Loire valley leads foodies and wine lovers from cellars to vineyards offering winerelated discoveries punctuated by visits to imposing castles abbeys cave dwellings and gardens along the Loire now classed as part of the world heritage of mankind by UNESCO. Because gastronomy in France is a veritable paradise you should try it at least once in your lifetime.

About the writer:  Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Rent chateau France http://www.loirechateau.com Rent castle Hire castle hire chateau