Things To See On Your Holidays In The Maldives

Author: Andrew Gibson

A paradise marked by the vibrant hues of sun and sea is what entices people to visit the Maldives. Draped in the cultural, monumental and folk splendour, the recreational options of the Maldives leave you spell-bound along with its panoramic views and natural beauty.

This place is ideal for people who would love to spend some time in a tranquil environment amidst nature and away from the bustles of the urban way of life.

Though there are innumerable tourist attractions that entice people from all over the world to come here, there are a few of these that are must sees while on holiday in the Maldives.

Male is the Commercial hub and capital city of the Maldives, it has various places that cannot be missed, the foremost being the National Museum located in Sultans Park. A perfect exhibition of statues, palanquins, printing press and thrones that were employed by the former sultans has been cherished since long ago here.

The rich culture of The Maldives is showcased here as the items from colonial and pre-colonial era on display in the museum reflecting the grandeur of the place. Apart from this, there is also the Islamic centre and Grand Friday mosque that captivate the tourists.

Known for its magnificent sightseeing locations, Fuamulaku is a somewhat famous tourist spot in the Maldives. The alluring farms that are abundant in vegetables and fruits are a unique feature of Fuamulaku.

Oranges, mangoes and pineapples are grown in fields that are exceptionally fertile. These farms are situated outside the tourist zone, and it is important for visitors to have a feasible reason and a permit to visit Fuamulaku.

Kudahuvadhoo is a great diving spot here in the Maldives, this is another must see location. Mysterious mounds known as hawittas are actually the ruins of various Buddhist temples that endow a spiritual meaning to the place.

The rarest and finest masonry can be witnessed at the old mosque that surpasses even the most famous of works of the world such as in Inca Wall in Peru. Situated few miles from the airport, a well-equipped diving school is also a plus-point that distinguishes Kudahuvadhoo from other islands.

Seenu Atoll, also known by the name of Addu Atoll is quite a popular destination among the divers who visit the Maldives. The mesmerizing crystal clear blue waters of the sea leave them stunned with its thrill and exuberance.

Umarus Plave, Kuda Hohola, and Kuda Kandu Corner are the main diving sites here. For travelers who are eager for more adventure they can take the route towards Muduka and Makunda. The sea here is renowned for its marine life that includes animals like lobsters, green turtles, manta ray and eagle ray.

Naifaru is a perfect holiday spot to be visited with the family, it forms a part of the Lhaviyani Atoll. Apart from the varied scenery, sandy mountains, sandy beaches, the beautiful sea view offers a peaceful and relaxing environment to all of its visitors and makes it an ideal family holiday destination. Many families return to this country year after year.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/things-to-see-on-your-holidays-in-the-maldives-413464.html

About the Author:

Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas, ski chalets and self catering holiday apartments to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of holiday accommodation have a look at Holiday Accommodation

Unique Sydney: the Rocks

Author: Richard Greaves

Located across the harbour from the Sydney Opera House and adjacent to Circular Quay, the city’s transport hub, today’s The Rocks is a popular tourist area of museums, cobbled streets, picturesque buildings, charming shops and a lively nightlife and dining scene. Forming one side of Sydney Cove, the Rocks stretches down from Circular Quay to Dawes Point under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Here on George Street you can find Sydney’s oldest house - Cadman’s Cottage that dates from around 1816. Once the home of John Cadman, it’s now the National Park Information Centre. In fact, George Street, the main Rocks thoroughfare, is the oldest street in the whole of Australia. It’s home to such interesting places as the Billich Gallery, the Old Police Station, the union Bond Store, the Vault Restaurant and the nearby Art Deco-styled Museum of Contemporary Art.

There’s much to see and do in The Rocks and the best place to start is The Rocks Discovery Museum.

Located in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, the Rocks Discovery Museum displays the story of The Rocks from the times before the settlers arrived all the way up to the present day.

These displays take the form of images and locally-found artefacts. The collection is interactive with history being brought to immediate life through the use of touch screens, and audio and visual presentations. You’ll learn the complete history of The Rocks including how life was for the hardy pioneers - the convicts, sailors, whalers and traders who forged this land into the great city of Sydney.

For the more energetic and those with a taste for Australia’s famous brews, there’s The Rocks Pub Tour. This early evening event involves a crawl around some of the area’s historic watering holes in the capable hands of a knowledgeable guide to bring history alive. The Rocks Pub Tour runs from 5.00pm to 6.45pm. and is a great way to explore the back streets of The Rocks and sample the lore and legend of some of Sydney’s best old pubs. It makes the perfect prelude to dinner or a start to a night on the town. Tours leave daily except public holidays from in front of Cadman’s Cottage.

A major landmark in The Rocks and one with superb Harbour views is the Sydney Observatory in the hillside Observatory Park. It houses the Museum of Astronomy and Public Observatory. The park is a great spot for a picnic under the trees.

The Rocks is also a great shopping spot especially for gifts, Australian souvenirs, fashions, Aboriginal art, and duty-free. George Street, Nurses Walk, the Argyle Centre and Playfair Street, are the best shopping areas.

So go and make The Rocks a part of your Sydney holiday and if you want to stay awhile, you’ll find The Rocks is also home to some of Sydney’s finest hotels such as the Park Hyatt, Orient, Glenmore, Observer, Mercantile, the Shangri La Hotel Sydney and the Russell Hotel Sydney.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/unique-sydney-the-rocks-413444.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers The Rocks hotels as Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Unique Sydney: Sydney in a Nutshell

Author: Richard Greaves

Sydney is a city of such vast and varied treasures that it’s hard to choose what to see and do especially if you’re on a whirlwind visit. Fortunately Sydney’s a compact place and getting around is easy so you can pack a lot into a quick visit. Here’s a look at how to get the most out of Sydney when you’re short on time.

First, for orientation and delightful eye candy, is a harbour trip. Much of the city’s magnificence derives from its harbour location and a boat over the deep blue waters studded with white sails is a treat for the senses.

Start at Circular Quay in the business district, Sydney’s transport hub and a major city terminal for buses, trains and ferries. You can get to anywhere in Sydney from here. You have the option of a wide range of excellent organised tours or you can just take the regular ferry

Other than showing you Sydney’s prime location as a harbour city, this trip will offer stunning view of the whole city.

Get off the ferry to gaze at the Opera House and then take a stroll through the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens. These expansive gardens are a favourite leisure and picnicking spot for Sydneysiders.

The gardens date back to the foundation of the city when the new colony’s first vegetable patch was established here. Now the gardens house an abundance of flora from the South Pacific and glasshouses contain climbers and trailers from rainforests around the world. The Pyramid contains such Australian native plants as monsoonal and tropical rainforest plants. There’s also a fernery, cactus plots and rose garden. Fauna includes flying foxes cockatoos and ducks quack in the ponds.

After lunch you can sample the sedate artistic ambiance of the Art Gallery of New South Wales then head off for some sun and sand on one of Sydney’s many beaches. To get the pulse of Sydney’s beach culture, you have to visit the daddy of them all, Bondi Beach. After sporting on the sands, savour a drink or meal at one of the beachfront cafes. Then head back into the city as dusk falls and transforms the harbour.

After the raw pleasures of the beach, you have a wide range of options for the evening. You can sample the sophistication of the Opera House, dine at the chic dining spots at Circular Quay, or if you still can’t get enough of the harbour, you can take a sunset walk onto the Harbour Bridge and drink in the lights of the city over the water.

There’s much more to Sydney than this but this quick introduction will set you up for further exploration when time permits. It’s also a unique experience in itself and a great way to get to know this beguiling city on the bay. It might even make you extend your stay. If so, an abundance of Sydney City hotels are available to suit all tastes and pockets.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/unique-sydney-sydney-in-a-nutshell-413442.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Sydney City hotels as Great Southern Hotel Sydney and Citigate Central Sydney.

Unique Sydney: Circular Quay

Author: Richard Greaves

With a prime location at the foot of Sydney’s dynamic central business district, Circular Quays is an exciting place with colourful ferries berthing at the piers and chugging out onto the harbour. It also offers unequalled views of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House

Circular Quay is drenched in history being situated in the inlet of Sydney Cove. Together with the adjacent area of The Rocks, it’s the founding site for Sydney as well as all of Australia. Formerly a port and shipping area, Circular Quay is now a recreational and leisure zone as well as a transport hub.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Circular Quay is that it’s not circular. It’s shaped more like a horseshoe opening out onto the bay. Other than the ferry piers and trains station, you can find scenic walkways, parks and eateries. It’s a lovely place to sit and relax in one of the cafes and take in the Sydney sunshine. To the east are some trendy, upmarket boutiques and the Dendy Cinema.

Circular Quay is also home to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Justice and Police Museum and the splendidly imposing Customs House.

One of Circular Quay’s famous spots is Macquarie Place a small, triangular park. Established in 1810, it was the first formally laid out public space in the young city of Sydney. It houses a number of historic artefacts including a cannon and anchor from the HMS Sirius, the first fleet ship, and an Obelisk which records the distances to various places in the new colony of New South Wales along the earliest roads developed there.

To the east is the Museum of Sydney which is housed in the Old Government House, built in 1788. The museum is a treasure house of lore and exhibits relating to the history of Sydney.

One interesting feature of Circular Quay is the Writers Walk. This is a series of some 50 plaques commemorating Australian writers (such as Peter Carey and Germaine Greer) and writers who have written on Australia (including D.H. Lawrence, Charles Darwin, and Joseph Conrad). The plaques, which are inscribed with the author’s name and a quote, are studded around the International Passenger Terminal on West Circular Quay and on the walkway to Sydney Opera House among other places.

Circular Quay is also the perfect jumping off point for all of Sydney’s attractions. Other than the ferries that depart for such places as Manly, Watson’s Bay, Mosman and Taronga Park Zoo, many of the city’s premier attractions are accessible on foot. From the southern side of Circular Quay, a walkway leads to the Opera House past the Royal Botanical Gardens; from the northern side, it’s just a short, scenic stroll to The Rocks and Harbour Bridge.

You’ll no doubt pass through Circular Quay on your travels around Sydney but you might consider making it your base to explore the city. Not only is it the most convenient location for getting around, it also offers a great range of Circular Quay hotels options including the Four Seasons Hotel and the Quay West Suites.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/unique-sydney-circular-quay-413441.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Circular Quay hotels as Four Seasons Hotel Sydney and Quay West Suites Sydney.

Surfers Paradise: Some Exciting Side Trips

Author: Richard Greaves

Surfers Paradise, that glorious stretch of beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast offers something for everyone with its beach sports, shopping, nightlife, theme parks, not to mention the surfing. But if you tire of the malls and vistas of tall apartment blocks, and packed beaches, you have a whole new array of holiday options just outside the city.

To get out into the clear high air, head for Mount Tamborine, a 40-minutes drive from Surfers Paradise. It’s home to Queensland’s first national park and now features a number of separate parks on the plateau and surrounding shelves.

A place of rainforest areas crossed by gentle streams and pretty waterfalls, Mount Tamborine is home to a charming bevy of beautiful picnic areas along with many bushwalks to view lookouts, gorges, cliffs, waterfalls, open forest and woodlands.

Wandering in the park, you can spot such fauna as lyrebirds, the platypus, scrub turkeys, lorikeets, whip birds and bower birds.

Other than its natural assets, Mount Tamborine is home to many villages with craft and antique shops, galleries, wineries, tearooms and restaurants.

There’s a lost to see and do at Mount Tamborine. You can go hang gliding, follow the Antique & Collectables Trail, go horse riding, and wander through the botanical gardens. So it’s best to start your visit off at The Tamborine Mountain Information Centre in Doughty Park, North Tamborine

Wildlife buffs can enjoy the vast array of local fauna at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the world’s largest collection of Australian native animals.

Covering 27 hectares of landscaped land and bush, it began in 1940 as a hospital for sick and injured animals. It’s currently home to more than1400 mammals, birds and reptiles.

Among the exhibits are Tasmanian Devils, a house of reptiles and the biggest walk-through aviary in the southern hemisphere. There’s also a miniature railway that has been running since 1964.

The Sanctuary offers a powerful learning experience via its fascinating wildlife shows and displays and nightly Wildlife Adventure tours. The latest innovation is Wild Island, an outdoor adventure playground and interactive science activity area. It’s a fine activity for young people as it combines entertainment with education on wildlife.

Another intriguing natural option near Surfers Paradise is a visit to a bee farm.

Known as Superbee Honey World, it’s a working honey factory. Here you can enjoy live bee shows and sample the world’s widest range of pure honeys. Admission is free and it’s open daily 8am - 5.30pm.

As you make Surfers Paradise your base to explore the surrounding region, you can take your choice from a broad array of Surfers Paradise hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. Two of the most popular are BreakFree Enderley Gardens Surfers Paradise and BreakFree Equinox Surfers Paradise.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/surfers-paradise-some-exciting-side-trips-413439.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Surfers Paradise hotels as BreakFree Enderley Gardens Surfers Paradise and BreakFree Equinox Surfers Paradise.

Melbourne: the Magic of St Kilda

Author: Richard Greaves

Melbourne’s sandy suburb of St Kilda has a long and chequered history. Once a place of stately homes and grand residents, it fell into disrepute. Now it’s reclaimed its former glory as Melbourne’s bay side beauty offering music, restaurants and cafe society along with its beaches.

Located on a delightful section of Port Phillip Bay just seven kilometres south-east of the city, St Kilda is one of Melbourne’s premier tourist pulls. It’s an easy hop on the tram from downtown Melbourne. You can gauge how attractive it is from the fact that St Kilda has a higher population than any suburb in Port Phillip.

The Esplanade is St Kilda’s main drag. It’s divided into upper and lower sections. The Upper Esplanade offers great views of the bay and its Esplanade Hotel is a local landmark and a popular venue for music events. A Sunday crafts market has been held on the Upper Esplanade since the 1980s. It’s a great place to pick up paintings, ceramics, hand made soaps and other knick knacks made by local craftsmen.

The Lower Esplanade is right on the beach and features some inviting beachside restaurants. It’s home to a number of St Kilda landmarks such as the St Kilda Baths, the Palais Theatre and Luna Park, an amusement fair.

St Kilda Baths is an old St Kilda institution. Also called South Pacific, its Arabian style facade was first built in the 1920s. It fell into disrepute and was demolished and was later rebuilt in its original style to preserve its sense of tradition.

Luna Park is probably St Kilda’s most famous icon with its entrance in the form of a huge laughing face. The park features a roller coaster and 15 other thrilling amusements. The park was opened in 1912 and has been often refurbished.

Another delightful feature of St Kilda is its many parks and gardens. The most common flora are the Canary Island Date Palms and Californian Fan Palms. The St Kilda Botanic Gardens off Ackland Street are also called Blessington Gardens and are famous for the spectacular roses. The Botanical Gardens feature a conservatory and a lake.

Then there’s Acland Street, a shopping and restaurant strip famous for its cafes, and cake outlets, and art displays. Its proximity to the beaches makes it a popular sleeping area for the backpacker set. Fitzroy Street is also a major cafe and restaurant strip with a bustling night scene. Running off Acland Street is fashionable Robe Street with its delightful Edwardian houses.

St Kilda is a great place to go anytime but it also hosts many major annual events that make the area especially good for a visit. The jewel in the crown is the St Kilda Festival. From a modest beginning in 1981, it has grown to become a major event attracting more than half a million young people each year.

Other notable events that take place in St Kilda include the Gay Pride March, sections of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival, the St Kilda Film Festival and St Kilda Writers Festival.

On your Melbourne holiday, don’t forget to head for St Kilda. It’s a quick and easy trip and you may well be so charmed you’ll want to stay there. If so, you’ll find a wide range of St Kilda Hotels and guest houses to suit all style and pockets.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/melbourne-the-magic-of-st-kilda-413438.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers St Kilda hotels as Cosmopolitan Boutique Hotel Melbourne and Easystay @ The Bayside Motel Melbourne.

Unique Perth: Perth in a Nutshell

Author: Richard Greaves

Perched at the very edge of Western Australia, Perth is a modern prosperous city with a rich history, delightful climate and a host of things to see and do including a bevy of Australia’s best beaches. Who could ask for more of a holiday destination?

First you need to get your bearings. Downtown Perth stands on the banks of the Swan River which was given the name when a Dutch sea captain saw black swans floating here in 1697.

One of the landmarks in the river district is the 82.5-metre-high glass spire of the Swan Bell Tower on Barrack Street Jetty. You can climb up to an observation deck for some great views over the river and the city. But it’s the bells that are the most famous feature here. Twelve of the bells are from St Martin in the Fields, a church on London’s Trafalgar Square. They were rung centuries ago in 1771 to welcome James Cook back from his great voyage of discovery and now in Perth they are rung on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 12:30pm and 2pm.

Most of Perth’s most interesting sites are situated on the elegant thoroughfare of St George’s Terrace and the streets leading off it. One unique spot here is London Court, a representation of London during the Elizabethan era complete with clock towers and statues of Sir Walter Raleigh and Dick Whittington.

For shopping, Perth’s pedestrian-friendly central business district offers a fine experience with its arcades and small shops. Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall are the prime shopping areas.

To get in touch with nature and get a great vantage point over the city, head for King’s Park. This 1000-acre green delight on Mt. Eliza offers loads of thing to see and do and is one of the city’s best photography spots. Other than bush land, woodland forest and a botanic garden, King’s Park features the Lotterywest Federation Walkway which runs through the treetops.

Perth’s long history unfolds in the Museum of Western Australia with its extensive displays including Aboriginal artefacts and zoological and social exhibits.

Part of the Perth Cultural Centre, the museum’s Social exhibits include Perth’s original prison and an old settler’s cottage. The prison consists of a cell range, chapel, yards and jailors’ quarters.

To round off your introduction to Perth, head for the Perth Zoo. It opened all the way back in 1898 as a park that offered musical performances on the weekends. Now it’s home to a vast array of 1800 animals ranging from elephants, orang-utans, and tigers to giraffes, rhinos, lions, cheetahs. The zoo is thematically organised into various zones such as the Australia Walkabout, Asian Rainforest, and African Safari. It’s a great way to see all these fabulous animals in as close to their natural environment as possible.

There’s much more than this to Perth but that’s for later. We haven’t even mentioned the nearby beaches for one thing. What’s more, Perth is one of Australia’s best cities for side trips with a host of attractions located a short trip away. Just check into of the Perth hotels and you’ll never be short of things to see and do in this amazing city in the west of Australia.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/unique-perth-perth-in-a-nutshell-413436.html

About the Author:

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Perth hotels as The New Esplanade Hoteland Parmelia Hilton Perth.

Africa Safaris Experience - Lamu

Author: Daniel Jowssey

The Portuguese invaded Lamu in the 1500s and Kenya only became independent in 1963 and until the 19th century slave trade, timber and spice export was Lamu’s economic pillar, now tourism plays a huge role. The beauty of Lamu is that there are presently no cars in the island, every man owns a donkey, the one without is commonly referred to as one.

This enchanting Kenya Island is commonly referred to as the world’s sleepy village, probably the oldest African living town. Lamu has retained its charm and character built over centuries and most recently declared by the United Nations as a world heritage site.

Lamu is amazingly away and forgotten from the modern outside world there is no better place to be if you ‘really’ need to get away. Especially after that Kenya safaris experience.

Children and women sit and play quietly in the narrow street that reminds one of the old Zurich town. All houses have a rooftop which is used as a patio indicative of a society where ‘hanging back’ and ‘catching the breeze’ is very important.

A one hour scheduled flight from Nairobi land you at Manda island then a 10 minutes boat ride gets you to either Lamu town or shella village. Both are very accommodative, the locals will smile and waive to welcome all in coming visitors and the homely feeling immediately sets in.

First class comfortable hotels are spread out thought the island, private three or four bedroom homes are popular to many families or friends wishing to have some privacy, for approx US$ 200 per day, you get a beach front private 3 beadroom house, comes with a cook and cleaner, give it a try at The Banana house.

If you are looking for mid range or budget options, there is plenty to choice from, as almost every traditional storey building is now bed and breakfast hotels.

Kizingo lodge the one of the most fascinating of all, someone should announce to the world that this is one undiscovered romance paradise. A middle aged couple who just spent five night at Kizingo wrote to me saying, ’I’ve promised that if any of the kids ever decide to get married I’ll pay for a fortnight at Kizingo. If you haven’t been there, you should go!’

Located on a 12 kilometer beautifully deserted beach on the southern tip of Lamu or 30 minutes ride from town, this small bare feet rustic lodge has six spacious bandas all lined up on the sea front, actually built on the sandy beach, flush toilets, solar heated fresh water, large verandah with a swinging hammock as just but some of the facilities. - It’s a natural, peaceful beautiful place you will want to wake up from each morning to catch that great sunrise and the annually cerebrated full moon. Swim with dolphins, dive and visit the local village and market place on a bike or just walk it – sa great spot to relax.

From your roof top don’t miss the sunset and the undisturbed dhows sailing into dock as fishermen arrive with loads for fresh fish to be distributed across the island.

If you are caught up in the Maulindi and full moon festivals just get rid of your shoes, dance and sing along - just say what they say, it all means well and again ‘Swahili’ is very polite and the most celebrated language in Africa.

Whist at Lamu also keeps an eye out for the intricately carved wooden doors and lintels for which the island is famous. I bet I saw a foreign couple ship a door back home, yes! They just… DHL I’d it, somehow!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/africa-safaris-experience-lamu-413450.html

About the Author:

Find travel guide and many useful information about travel destinations on travel directory.

Places To Visit On Holiday In The Republic of Congo

Author: Andrew Gibson

The Republic of Congo, popularly known as Brazzaville, is regarded the most peaceful of the two Congos. In terms of wildlife and biodiversity, the Brazzaville also has a lot to boast.

Starting from its largest population of chimpanzee and ending with the powerful Congo River. There are a lot of places to see in this humble country that will allow you to imagine the things that exist in the world.

For example, the popular Congo River Rapids is extremely popular, here you will come across a swift-flowing white water. This is a major hit with adventure enthusiasts. The people are rotated through a geyser, facing an ominous waterfall. Manufactured by Intamin, this water ride sweeps its passenger through a series of rapids.

Since there’s no track to guide the raft, its motion is unpredictable, and it’s impossible to know who in the raft will take the brunt of the rapids. It is extremely likely that you will be soaked while experiencing the rapids so it may be an idea to take with you an extra set of clothes.

The Loufoulakari Falls and the Trou de Dieu gives a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Each tourist will see a breath taking view of all the vast rainforest of Brazavilla. You will see the green mountains and the horizons of the summer beaches of the country afar.

In the capital city of Brazzaville, there is the beautiful Basilique Sainte Anne and the colourful suburb of Pot Poto. There are other tourist attractions that can be spotted in the city such as the Temple Mosque, the markets at Oluendze and Moungali, the National Museum, the Municipal Gardens and the house constructed for de Gaulle when Brazzaville was the capital of free France. There is a golf course at Cite du Dique. Nature enthusiasts are also advised to see the valley of Butterflies.

The path towards the Congo River also has a spectacular view and has the richest wildlife around. As it lies in the heart of Africa, the water that comes from the river serves as supply to many inhabitants, including humans, animals, and plant life. Rain forests have taken control of most of the land, so that wildlife has tremendously increased through time.

The landscape of the forest has an abundance of wildlife and superb views of the Congo River. Among the wildlife creatures found in the Rainforest Congo are the popular black hippo, manatee, water snakes, reptiles, crocodiles, tortoises, elephants and over 200 species of fish. In the southern part of the Congo, there are also buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and gazelles.

Wildlife in Brazzaville is not the only tourist attraction in the country, there is Pointe Noire in the south where sun worshippers head for a tan. There are clean beaches shaded by palm trees, this is a nice place for tourists to relax and reminiscence of what has been witnessed in the jungle.

There’s also Gorges of Diosso with its spectacular cliffs formed by the erosion of the sea and wind. The forest is also home to several indigenous tribes who have maintained their traditional way of life.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/places-to-visit-on-holiday-in-the-republic-of-congo-413451.html

About the Author:

Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas, ski chalets and self catering holiday apartments to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of holiday accommodation have a look at Holiday Accommodation

Things To See On Your Holidays In Kazakhstan

Author: Andrew Gibson

The ninth largest country in the world, Kazakhstan is also the largest landlocked country. For those who love to explore the unexplored sights, trudge along the arid deserts, and learn more about history, Kazakhstan is the place to visit. It has varied types of terrain, ranging from plains, plateaus, to steppes and even rocky hills. The country closest to its border is Russia, and maybe because of this, there is a strong influence in culture and religion.

The lakes that lie in the midst of forested hills, Kol Say lakes are at a height of nearly 2000 meters from the sea level. A great place for camping and spending a few nights under the stars, people come here just to take it all in and live as one with their surroundings. There are even helicopter trips that take off from the Almaty, and land in Saty, which is a lower lake, and can be reached through road as well. In and around this area, there are plenty of walking, trekking and horse back riding opportunities which has families excited and curious.

Kozha Ahmed Yasaui Mausoleum is the place where the famous sufi singer and poet’s history is etched on the grave walls. A tomb that was built in the place where he died has become a monument of sorts for those who were fond of his poems and verses. Since the place was built around 1166, it has withered with age, and is now being restored by the Turkish government to preserve its appearance.

Set in the midst of thick mountains, the Almatinsky natural reserve is where one gets to see wildlife in their homes. Snow leopards and other endangered species of animals can be seen roaming the length of this reserve. Within the reserve is the highest peak, Mt Talgar, which can be climbed, but takes nearly 4 days to reach the hill top. Be sure to have permit for the same before venturing out into the trek.

A lake that is half fresh water and half saline is one spot that every visitor to Kazakhstan must see. It is also said ot be one of the largest lakes in the world, surrounding which there is rich history in the buildings and monuments. These have been around since the Bronze age and the early iron ages, and so are nearly thousands of years old.

In the city of Almaty, lies the beautiful grand ballet theatre where one can witness the most exquisite performances. These take place regularly and so if you keep an eye out for the dates, you could catch one being performed by local artists. This is a place where one learns about the rich heritage, art and ofcourse the cultural beauty that lies within Kazakhstan.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/things-to-see-on-your-holidays-in-kazakhstan-411003.html

About the Author:

Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas and holiday cottages to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of Holiday Accommodation in Kazakhstan have a look at Holiday Accommodation