Your Travel Notes

Archive for March, 2010

A Brief History Of London

The history of London is almost 2000 years old. Paleolithic flints and Mesolithic axes have been discovered by archaeologists in various parts of London. It was known as the city of Londinium when the Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD. Queen of the Iceni tribe named Boudica who lived in East Anglia destroyed Londinium in 61 AD.

The city was however reconstructed in 100 AD. It consequently became the provincial capital as well as the commercial and administrative center of the Roman Britain. The Roman Empire began to decline in the fourth century. Nothing can be said about the history of London between the period 457 AD and 600 AD.

Londinium was destroyed by the Danes in 800 AD but was replaced by Alfred 883 AD. Reconstruction work began and the city experienced a steady growth after that. With the Norman Conquest of 1066 AD Lunduntown was able to reestablish its high status. William the Conqueror crowned himself at Westminster Abbey.

Westminster was made the royal administrative center by Edward III in the fourteenth century. There was a steady growth of the city between 1500 AD and 1800 AD. London suffered heavily during the medieval times due to The Black Plague. The city was attacked by cholera in the nineteenth century.

Urbanization began with the outbreak of the Industrial Revolution. The population of London continued to grow heavily throughout the nineteenth onto the twentieth century. The two World Wars of the 20th century shaped London whereby thousands of people got killed causing a serious damage to the city.

London today is one of the major tourist places of the world with various cultures living in harmony. One can move around in the city by the superb transport system. There are buses luxury car hire service and underground railway or Tube for local transportation.

About the writer:  Car Hire 3000 offers car hire from over 5000 locations across the world at unbelievable prices!

11 Days Best Of Kenya And Tanzania Safari

The safari starts by taking you to northern Kenya across the equator to Samburu National Reserve a beautiful and game abundant park home to rarely found species such as the Beisa Oryx Grevy’s zebrabluenecked Somali ostrich and reticulated giraffe. The safari then heads down to the floor of the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park world famous bird sanctuary before proceeding to Maasai Mara Game Reserve Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary where you have the best opportunity of spotting the “Big Five” lion leopard buffalorhino and also Voted 7th Wonder of the world.Cross Masai mara to Tanzania
without coming back to Nairobi Tanzania will include a brief visit of Olduvai
Gorge more accurately called Oldupai after the wild sisal in the area which is the site of some of the most important fossil hominid finds of all time “Nutcracker Man” or Australopithecus boisei who lived 1.75 million years ago.then a visit to Ngorongoro crater another wonder of the world and Heritage site then to Zanzibar for a beach relaxation.

YOUR EAST AFRICA SAFARI PROGRAM

DAY 00
Arrival and transfer to Nairobi Safari Club B/B. Dinner at Carnivore restaurant.

DAY 1 NAIROBI/SAMBURU
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive through central Kenya and north across the equator to Samburu National Reserve arriving Samburu Sarova Shaba Lodge
Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Approx transit time: 5 hrs
Meal Plan: L D

DAY 2 SAMBURU
Full day in Samburu a beautiful and and game abundant park home to
rarely found species such as the Beisa Oryx Grevy’s zebra bluenecked Somali ostrich and reticulated giraffe. Morning and afternoon game drives with an optional visit to a local Samburu village. All meals and overnight at Samburu Sarova Lodge.
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 3 LAKE NAKURU LODGE
Depart Samburu after breakfast and drive to the lower slopes of Mt.Kenya Lunch at Nyahuru Thompson falls Then proceed to LakeNakuru .Afternoon game drive in the park.Besides the flamingos that the lake is famous for there are approx 400 other species of birds visiting the lake. Also many species of game can be found in the park including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffeblack and white rhino waterbuck reedbuck lion buffalo leopard baboon and many species of plains game. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.with evening game drive.Approx transit time: 5 hrs
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 4 MAASAI MARA
Depart Lake Nakuru in the morning and drive further along the floor of the Rift Valley to Maasai Mara Game Reserve arriving Mara Serena Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Approx transit time: 6 hrs
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 5 6 MAASAI MARA
Two full days in Maasai Mara Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary where you will have the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five lionleopardbuffalo rhino and elephant. Morning and afternoon game drives with an
optional visit to a local Maasai village. All meals and overnight at Mara Sops Lodge.http://www.sopalodges.com/mara/
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 7 MASAI MARA . SERENGETI
Depart Masai mara to Serengeti through Isebania border .Meet Tanzania Vechiles proceed with Enroute Game drive.picnic Lunch . Arrival at Lodge and do afteroon game drive. Serengeti Serena Lodge for dinner and overnight.Approx transit time: 5 hrs
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 8. SERENGETI
Full day in Serengeti. Morning and afternoon game drives in the rolling grasslands studded with wildlife for as far as the eye can see NationalPark. All meals and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.http://www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/serengeti/home.htmMeal Plan: B L D

DAY 9 NGORONGORO
Another morning game drive at serengeti then depart after lunch for
Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge for a brief visit of the museum. Dinner
and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Approx transit time: 3 hrs
Meal Plan: B L D

DAY 10 NGORONGORO
After breakfast descend down to the crater floor for day crater
tourWhere all animals are easy to get in this 7th wonder of the
world.returning to Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for lunch. Afternoon at
leisure with optional visit to a local Maasai village. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.Meal Plan: B L D

Day 11 . Arusha to Nairobi.
Drive to Arusha for lunch then 2pmm shuttle bus to NAirobi

About the writer:  The author is a Tour Consultant for Skyview of Africa Tours Safaris Ltd

Why Barcelona Is The Ultimate Destination For Hen And Stag Weekends

Barcelona is well known for its bizarre architecture but equally celebrated for its spirited vibe which means that its stag and hen party scene is probably the most renowned in the world!

Anyone who has decided on Barcelona for their stag or hen weekend will be wondering what to do to make the most of their break because two or three days in this amazing city is not nearly enough.

From chartering a yacht to banana boat rides; shopping to spa treatments paintballing to pitch and putt and cultural sightseeing tours to Spanish football there is nothing that cannot be done in Catalan capital Barcelona. Here are just a handful of ideas to get you started but the best thing to do is contact a specialist stag and hen party organiser preferably one based in Spain that will be on hand to provide help and advice when you are there and ask them to make all the arrangements for you as they will be able to negotiate preferential rates on a range of activities.

Shopping
Shopping in Barcelona is a fusion of charming designer boutiques and big name brands. A tangled web of streets throws up a plethora of retail opportunities on every turn. In Barcelona shopping is an activity as much loved as sightseeing so if retail therapy is your thing indulge yourself!

Football
Stand back in amazement as you take in the sheer scale of the Nou Camp Stadium home to sporting giants Barcelona Football Club. A stadium tour or even a match and could be the highlight of your lads weekend.

Activities
If GoKarting Paintballing and QuadBiking is your thing then Barcelona is the place to do it. These activities all take place in the most stunning settings in and around Barcelona and the spectacular rugged coast: the Costa Brava.

Water Sports
If you prefer waterbased action then your Barcelona based hen or stag weekend party will normally be whisked off to Costa Brava hotspot Calella where you will be able to experience the thrill of the banana boat ride parasailing and kayaking.

Skydiving
Some people prefer to experience their piece of the action from above so if jumping out of a plane and experiencing the exhilarating panoramic views of Spains northeast coastline from the air is something you fancy why not include it in your Barcelona weekend break?

Pitch and Putt
Anyone with a penchant for the more refined stag or hen activity will really enjoy a touch of pitch and putt especially when they see this glorious Costa Brava golf course set amidst a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Barcelona Bike Tour
An innovative way to take in the most famous tourist hotspots of Barcelona including La Sagrada Familia Ciutadella Park and the Gothic Quarter is to do so by bicycle! Many organisers include this tour in their package as you get to see far more than if you were on foot. Then once youve seen everything on your itinerary you can settle into one of Barcelonas authentic cosy bars for drinks and tapas!

Spa Treatments
One of the most popular hen weekend pastimes is the spa and Barcelona is not short of a quality spa. Turkish baths Jacuzzis detoxing and massage are all on offer so if you fancy being pampered by day ready for the buzz of a Spanish city by night then Barcelona is the place to go.

Yacht Charters
Chartering a private yacht is no longer restricted to the rich and famous! Fill your champagne flutes and head out onto the shimmering blue Med for a memorable journey that will show you the gloriously rugged Costa Brava. Later on you could stop off for a succulent seafood lunch at one of the charming fishing villages along the way and then get back on course for Barcelonas exclusive port ready for the evening that awaits.

Whatever you choose to do for your hen or stag weekend in Barcelona you are guaranteed to have a good time. Just remember one thing: make your weekend a memorable one! Enjoy yourself responsibly so that your weekend is one that you will remember for years to come rather than forget over night!

About the writer:  Aunty Andrea organises hen and stag weekends in Tossa de Mar Lloret de Mar Barcelona and Playa DAro on Spains gorgeous Costa Brava. Sun sea sangria and everything your stag or hen party desires is yours: Aunty can make it as innocent or as exotic as you like!! For more information visit http://www.auntyandreasstags.com