Monday, April 16, 2007

Finland is more than just ice and snow

Finland is one of the most unassuming travel destinations on the tourism map today. The home of Santa Claus, the midnight sun, Lordi and wife carrying is a place that is more than just ice and snow. And it seems that the world is slowly discovering the wonders that the country as to offer. This is why the Finnish Tourist Board held a seminar for Australian media to educate the travel trade of the wonderful things that continue to bring travellers up to the funny little country up north.

According to travel guide publisher Lonely Planet, Finland is one of the top 10 countries to visit in 2007. And why not? There are so many things to see and do in Finland, but what most people know about Finland is the ice and the snow and the Christmas time, and of course, that is one of the things that should be experienced in any lifetime. Traipsing around the old and new Finnish capitals – Helsinki and Turku – during wintertime means exploring the many markets that take over the streets, the Christmas decorations that turn the cities into a Christmas village and, quite simply, paying a visit to Santa Claus.
As well as this, wintertime in Finland brings adventure sports such as skiing, snowboarding, husky safaris, icebreaker safaris that will satisfy and thrill seeker. For those who prefer to admire the beauty of the land, there is much to see here. Finland is a place of some of the most stunning sea and water views, but to really experience what really needs to be experienced in a Finnish winter, visitors need to look to the skies. The Aurora Borealis adds a green tinge to the Nordic skies during the cold months of the year and Finland is one of the only places in the world where you can see them.

While Finland is commonly associated with snow and ice, it may come as a surprise to note that many tourists head to Finland during their summer months. This means that visitors to the country will truly experience the land of the midnight sun. This time of the year usually plays host to many of the fun and somewhat odd events and festivals that are run in the country.

The world-famous wife carrying competition, mobile phone championship, the sauna championship and the air guitar championships are just some of the crazy events that draw international visitors to the country during the summer months.

But while this is a yearly event, what should bring even more travellers to the region in 2007 will be the fact that the year will mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. This will see a number of events and special tours run throughout the country in his honour.

All this will be easy to see with airlines Finnair and SAS regularly operating flights to the country as well as a great number of operators and hotels such as A La Carte Lapland Oy, Bentours, Saariselkä, Russia and Beyond, Nordic Travel and S Group to take travellers to see the deepest and most wonderful parts of the country.

There is so much more to see in Finland. As Finnish Tourism Board Australian Representative Satu Raunola said: “We want to promote Finland as a cultural destination, as a connecting point between the east and the west, between Russia and the Baltics.” Finland is definitely more than just ice and snow. There is the crazy culture and the beautiful sights and it is exactly this that continues to draw more and more travellers to experience the wonders of this region.

For more information, visit the Finnish Tourist Board’s new Australian website at www.visitfinland.com/au.

Enjoy the ancient wonders of the world with an Insight-ful Egyptian Vacation

Egypt is a place of myth and mystery, a place that entices travellers from around the world with its ancient past and bright sandy future. It is one of the most popular historic destinations to be explored, and this is why Insight Vacations invited an intimate gathering of travel professionals to the University of Sydney Nicolson Museum last week to offer a little insight into the Egyptian offerings that the popular travel operator brings to Australians each year.

In a research study designed and conducted by Insight Vacations, 61 per cent of agents said that they believed that they did not know enough about the Egyptian travel market and 56 per cent of the agents surveyed believed that better knowledge of the country and its attractions will assist them to sell more holidays in Egypt.

Insight Vacations package their holidays in such a way that offers premium information for both agents as they sell the product and for clients who learn while on their trip. This is why Insight Vacations tours to Egypt are considered one of the most superior on the market today. As Insight Vacations Managing Director Lorraine Sharp said: “We offer the premium experience.” Insight travellers to Egypt are taken to the most wonderfully exotic sights in the world with the quality, comfort and absolute style that is trademark of Insight Tours.

These travellers will feel like ancient Pharaohs and their Queens as they sail down the Nile in a luxury river cruise. They will travel on a floating air conditioned oasis that will allow for uninterrupted views through panoramic windows. They will have the luxury of sun bathing on luxurious sun decks before heading to see the most famed ancient sites on the globe.
But travelling with Insight is more than just luxury cruising and relaxation. The professional assistance that Insight Vacations offers means that travellers will get a rounded view of the cultural history of the region.

“We have four Egyptologists as tour directors,” explained Sharp to the guests at the museum. “This allows for a more informed tour of Egypt. Also, the Egyptian museums are included in the cost of the package, something that will complement the tour of the ancient sites that Egypt is so famed for.”

“We also offer a range of itineraries to suit everybody. In face, we have seven different programs to Egypt with all varying styles that run all year around. This is a great selling point because holidays to Egypt are not dependent on the seasons.”

This will be made even easier with the recent announcement of plans by Middle East-based carriers Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways to double their services to Australia by the year 2011. This plan illustrates the growing popularity of the destination for Australians to holiday – today, more than 15,000 Australians visit Egypt each year and a majority of these arrivals come as a member of a group travel experience.

Insight Vacations has a wide offering of tours to the most far-reach destinations in the world. Their expertise is valued and their tours are well-planned. They offer easy-to-sell holidays that has made them a leading name in the tour operating industry. For more information about Insight Vacations, visit their website at www.insightvacations.com/au.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

British Virgin Islands


British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands
Three hundred years ago, the 50-plus islands of the British Virgin Islands swarmed with pirates, who took refuge in the protected waters and kept guard from secluded mountain look-outs. Some say they left buried treasure that is still there.

Today, the fine sailing and magnificent anchorages attract sailors from around the world, and most visitors still spend much of their time in or on the sea.

There are relatively few dangerous reefs, with the exception of Anegada – a favourite spot for divers and fishermen – so conditions are ideal even for part-time sailors, with safe waters and a constant breeze to fill your sails. Sparkling sandy bays beneath striking cliffs are favourite stopping-off points for beach picnics.

Scuba diving is popular around sunken reefs and wrecks. Among wreck dives, RMS Rhone is reckoned to be the best in the Western hemisphere. Once the pride of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, the Rhone hit Salt Island in a storm in 1867 and sank. It is now an official marine park.

Snorkelers should visit the four caves at Norman Island, said to be the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Windsurfers benefit from steady winds and calm water.

On land, there are national parks to be explored, including Little Fort, with the remains of a Spanish castle, and the old works at Coppermine. For naturalists, Anegada's 1,100 acre (4.5 sq km)bird sanctuary is a must, as is Sage Mountain, the last remnant of a rain forest.

The BVI has only 17,000 inhabitants, and more than 30 of the islets are unoccupied. Most of the population of Tortola live in and around the capital, Road Town. The other principal islands are Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost van Dyke. They can be reached by light aircraft, although the islands are also well served by ferries.

Throughout the islands, beaches are splendid and the beach bars exceptional. Gourmet cuisine can be found, along with background music from steel pans and guitars. But don’t expect early-hours eBritish Virgin Islandsntertainment – except at summer festival time, when parades and parties rule Tortola.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Sightseeing tours of Rome


Visit Rome by de luxe motorcoach and on foot with daily departures. Pick-up in hotel upon request
Have a look to the detailed itineraries proposed by Argiletum Tour and for further information itinerari@activitaly.it referring to the name of the tour which interests you
Visite guidate a Roma in bus granturismo Sightseeing tours of Rome
Classic Rome
An itinerary by GT coach and on foot to visit the classic monuments of Rome
Imperial Rome
An itinerary to discover the Rome of the Caesars. On foot and by GT coaches
Sistine Chapel and Vaticam Museum
Pick up in hotel by bus. Walking tour through one of the largest museums in Italy, to discover one of the richest treasures of the world
Christian Rome
A visit by GT coach to retrace the history of Christianity. Visit inside: Saint Mary Major, St. Jhon in Lateran and the Christian Catacombs
Roma by night with dinner and show
Restaurant and theatre "Fantasie di Trastevere". A Roman Experience

Walking tours of Rome

Walking tours of Rome
Walking tours off the beaten tracks to deepen your knowledge of Rome, private guided tours.
Have a look to the detailed itineraries proposed by Argiletum Tour and for further information itinerari@activitaly.it referring to the name of the tour which interests you
Viaggi attraverso le città italiane Walking tours of Rome

The Vatican State
A fascinating itineray to the discovery of art, history and religion of the smallest state in the world

Borghese Gallery
One of the most beautiful roman villas of the XVII cent. which belonged to the Borghese family. It houses a precious collection of paintings and sculptures from the Roman to the Baroque time

Along the Tiber River: The Jewish Ghetto, Tiberine Island, Trastevere
A walk in the heart of Rome to discover the features of a timeless town
From Rione Monti to Moses and the Domus Aurea
Ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Contemporary: a travel through time to revive the suggestions of one of the most fascinating areas of the city. A walking tour to visit the oldest district of Rome

Walking tour Squares and Fountains of Rome
An excursion into the 16th and 17th centuries, when Baroque art triumphed in Rome

Ancient Rome
An itinerary through the main places symbol of the town, an area rich of historical memories, where the epic of the great Rome began, an history which influenced that of all Europe

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Bike Tours - Europe


Bicycle tours are a popular way to see Europe. Choose from a guided or self-guided tour of the European countryside from these selected bike tour companies. Some offer custom bike tours for individuals or bike clubs, and are noted.

Italy is a great place for bicyles; many famous bicycle racers came from Italy, and the Tour d'Italia is one of only three bicycle gran tours in the world. Find recommended bicycle routes and Italian bicycle tours on this page.