The island of Cyprus

The island of Cyprus is separated into two parts, a split that resulted from a Turkish invasion of the country forty years ago. This shouldn't be a popular holiday destination and yet it is. How has this come about?

Driving through the streets of the capital city, Nicosia, you soon find the fortifications that separate the Nicosia of Turkish Cypriots from that of the Greek Cypriots to the south. Like the island itself, the capital city is divided.

Looking at this description of Cyprus, you would think that it would be hard to see why this could possibly be a popular location for tourism.

Taking a drive further south, to the beaches that surround the popular resort of Limassol, it soon becomes clear that this is an island that has plenty to offer.

Despite the separation, the reality is that people on this island have lived in relative harmony for many years. It's been seen as a safe destination for visitors, although the northern part of the island is not officially recognized by the United Nations.

Most visitors head for the south, with its booming tourist infrastructure. The coastal regions are dominated by large hotels, with their associated bars and restaurants.

Many are seen as perfect for family holidays, while the resort of Ayia Napa has hit the news as one of the best party resorts in Europe.

It's clear that there is more to the island than just its political history. Indeed, heading inland, it's still possible to see that the traditional Cypriot way of life survives.

Despite the upheavals of the recent past, Cyprus remains a welcoming place for visitors. The local people are warm and friendly, as is the climate.

Sydney: A Comfortabe Experience

Sydney is known for the breathtaking views it gives to the tourists. Apart from the picturesque locales Sydney is also very busy economically. Thus the city receives guests in humongous amount. The city is one of the advanced places in the world in terms of technology and other components of development. Therefore the city offers immense comfort to the guests it receives all throughout the year. The hotels and the places to stay in the city are highly stylized. The main purpose is to make the city attractive and draw the attention of the international crowd. The city receives crowd from every walk of life and people come there for varied purposes. The purpose ranges from business to honeymoon. Thus the hotels and boarding houses are so designed that they serve the purposes of everyone. The style and comfort in the city go hand in hand. This gives the tourists tremendous opportunity to explore the city at peace.














The hotels are stylized in terms of architectural value, services they offer and the living condition in the hotel. Everything is done is done towards giving the guests maximum comfort during their stay at the city. The guests definitely get value for their money and their stay at the city becomes memorable. Comfortable stay in Sydney Hotels Staying in Sydney has always been comfortable for any foreigner who at least once has visited the city. The living conditions in the city are extremely comfortable. This is because rooms of every kind are available. Rooms of varied size and shape are available according to the requirement of the customer. Generally the rooms are technically equipped to aid communication of the people who are putting up in that room. Generally the rooms are well equipped with the latest tools of communication so that the guests can stay connected to the rest of the world. The rooms are generally very well furnished. The furniture kept in these rooms boast of architecture of highest aesthetic value. This furniture also is very comfortable as they are so designed. How to live with panache Living in a Luxury Hotel in Sydney is not very difficult as there are several of them to make a choice from. Generally there is no dearth of space in these hotels but during some festive seasons they might get filled. Thus at times it is necessary to book rooms well in advance before setting foot in the city.

2008 Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai is currently the hot place to shop. Dubai is also one of the world's most vibrant tourist destinations. Dubai Zoo, Dragon Mart, Ski Dubai, Dubai Museum, Dubai Creek, Camel Racing, etc are the main attractions of Dubai. Nowadays Dubai Shopping Festival has become a main attraction of Dubai. DSF was first started in Feb1996 as a retail event by the Dubai Govt. Since then it has become an annual shopping festival and continues to promote tourism. Every year Dubai shopping festival lives up to its promise of staging the most exciting activities for the whole family inspired by the theme one world, one family, one festival. More than two million visitors attend the Dubai shopping festival each year, with retail spending totaling in excess of US $ 1 billion.












During DSF promotions & discounts make it possible for shoppers to buy branded products at extremely competitive prices. The main focal point of the festival is the Global Village, where the international community gather together to display their culture and heritage through exhibitions of traditional handicrafts, clothing, music and dance. Another popular shopping spot during DSF is the Carpet Oasis. The exhibition shows thousands of unique, exclusive, handmade oriental & persian carpets. DSF offers a variety of entertainment events such as nightly fireworks, laser shows, fashion shows, and music concerts. Festival also has daily raffle draws with lots of prizes. In addition to that the DSF has started an award ceremony for the Ideal Arab Mother, Ideal Family etc. Most airlines flying out of Dubai International Airport offer reduced airfare, along with the much needed excess baggage allowance during DSF. The DSF2008 will be held from 24th January 2008 to 24th February 2008 over a period of 32 days. DSF 2008 is expected to be unique in its own way, as it welcomes visitors to a new season-The fifth season. Hence, while the rest of the world sees four seasons in a year, the Dubai visitors get to enjoy a fifth season, which is expected to be the best of all. Shopping malls typically stay open throughout the day from 10 AM- 10 PM. However, on Fridays, they open, from 2 PM- 10 PM. Some even stay open until midnight. Always carry sunglasses, hats, and cameras. It is advised to avoid taking photographs of the Muslim women, airports, docks, Government buildings, military installations etc. Always respect the religious sentiments, beliefs and customs of the locals. Book your Air tickets and Hotel Accommodations immediately!!!

Sri Lanka: A Peral In Indian Ocean

As the fanfare of the festive season has died down, it is easy to feel the need to get away from the cold British winter and experience some sun. For a luxury holiday offering the requisite sunrays as well as excellent cuisine, views and different festivals throughout the year, look no further than Sri Lanka.




















Sri Lanka, officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island nation in South Asia, located about 19 miles off the southern coast of India. With a population of around 20 million, the country is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic, with nearly a third of the population following faiths other than Buddhism, most notably Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. This multiculturalism can in part be attributed to the different rules of Sri Lanka, including colonisation by Portugal, the Netherlands and finally Great Britain. After peaceful negotiations with the British, the island nation became independent in 1948, and in 1972, the nation, then-known as Ceylon, changed its name to Sri Lanka, meaning “Resplendent Land”.

As a result of the multi-religious background, Sri Lanka is renowned for its many religious festivals. Sri Lanka offers at least one festival each month as Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims celebrate both religious and national occasions. This month, for example, the full-moon festival of Dututhu commemorates the visit of Lord Buddha to Kelankya, the temple of Kelania. The Hindu community meanwhile celebrates the harvest festival of Thai Pongal, where homes are cleaned and decorated, farm animals bathed and sometimes adorned, and special dishes prepared. The sizeable Muslim community celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, roughly every 11 months, with prayers in mosques, distribution of alms, family-oriented celebrations and the enjoyment of traditional dishes. In addition, there are several national holidays, such as the Sri Lankan New Year, celebrated every year between 12-14 April, to ensure good fortune in the coming year. Amongst the traditional rituals undertaken, houses are spring cleaned, new clothes worn and newly harvested rice cooked in milk in new pots. Traditional games and music are enjoyed, and passing visitors are invariably invited to join in the celebrations. These are merely some of the many festivals held throughout the year, with further information being available from the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.




















Apart from the festivals themselves, Sri Lanka can offer travellers the sights belying its rich heritage, such as the Temple of the Tooth, situated in the central city of Kandy, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It houses a tooth that came from the mouth of Lord Buddha, and is as a result considered one of Sri Lanka’s most holy shrines. Kandy is also home to the Pinawela Elephant Orphanage, a national sanctuary for about 70 semi-tame elephants, allowed to roam freely around the orphanage, with bathing and feeding times being highlights for tourists. Other cities popular with tourists include Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

In addition, the cuisine is considered some of the finest in the region. In general the food is excellent value, with the most expensive tourist-oriented places rarely charging over the equivalent of US$20 for a meal. The staple Sri Lankan diet consists of rice and curry. A must-try dish is Kottu Roti; a medley of chopped roti (bread), vegetables and your choice of meat, a uniquely Sri Lankan dish and best served when made fresh by street vendors. Please note that while Sri Lankans eat with their right hands, cutlery is available at all eateries.

Beijing: Forbidden City

Perfectly placed in the heart of Beijing, Forbidden City is a graceful historical marvel which China proudly displays. Known as Gu Gong in Chinese, this world renowned heritage site was the majestic palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties and its 980 buildings with 8707 bays of rooms symbolize traditional Chinese architecture. This dazzling historical site has been the inspiration for many cultural and architectural developments in Asia and excels as the largest surviving palace complex in the world.

From ancient times Forbidden City has aroused awe and admiration of its visitors due to its glorious architectural splendour and historical insight. At present it houses the Palace Museum which displays a massive collection of artifacts ranging from Ceramic to Jade. The exhibits are centered on Quing imperial collection while the imperial libraries contain one of the largest preservations of historical books and documents.

The surrounding walls intensifies the magnificence of Forbidden City and serves as defensive as well as retaining walls. The one surrounding the palace is 7.9 meters high and elegantly poised at the four corners are four towers which have been the focal point for much folklore. On each side of the wall are two gates known as the Meridian and the Gate of Divine Might. In addition to these are another two gates towards the east and west referred to as the East Glorious Gate and the West Glorious Gate, all these splendidly decorated by a collection of golden door nails. In close proximity is Raffles Beijing, one of the most sought after Beijing hotels equally admired as an icon of Beijing's historical heritage providing exceptional lavish amenities to its visitors. A trip to the charming city of Beijing would not be complete without exploring the overwhelming Forbidden City and Raffles Beijing surpasses as one of the best luxury hotels in Beijing to experience the wonder of this historical city while indulging in the hotel's innumerable comforts.