Travel To Your Dream Holiday Destination For Less

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Posted by Jeff Butterfield | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 04-10-2009

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with cheap Cyprus holidays? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cheap Turkey holidays.

Package holidays are really made for couples and families but this doesn’t stop single people taking them. In order to get the most out of a package holiday and not end up being lonesome and bored it is necessary to have a plan for filling the time. Package holidays are a good example of where a voluntary code of practice can and should achieve a high level of consumer protection. Package holidays can save you money, as well. For example, if you book a package holiday to Africa, you can have the flight, accommodations, ground transportation, and other things such as guides and meals already taken care of.

Travelling can be stressful, especially if you’re going with young children in tow. Use the search to find cheap holidays abroad departing last minute or in the next 12 months. Travellers may be going further a field next year as well – more than 23% said they will look to buy a longer flight for the same price as one nearer to home. Another sizable group – 18% – said they would snap up offers on flight upgrades from airlines keen to fill premium seats.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and cheap Cyprus holiday experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to cheap Turkey holidays.

Travelling the world is great fun and you should have a great time. Cheap holidays to Frankfurt will be enjoyed seeing all the attractions the area has to offer. Travel means such are never is miscount option is miscounts at time to he familiar within your budget? If so, there are tight on the off season, the best cheap holiday. Travel to the ship involved flights to Miami via Chicago. It was during these flights that the Holmes’ entire luggage went missing, meaning they had to join their cruise at Miami without it.

Travellers looking to go to Turkey will find that cheap resorts are the premiere source for complete and equitable info. Attempting to get precisely what you need, or what you believe you would like, will most likely be a pricey offer, in travel and in life.

Travel Agents 2U have taken a different approach and visit customers in their own home. In response to reduced demand for traditional package tours and increased competition from e-tailers, mainstream tour operators are now moving towards more niche markets currently serviced by independents. Travel websites also offer such holidays at low prices.

Knowing enough about cheap Cyprus holidays to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about cheap Turkey holidays, you should have nothing to worry about.

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Grab A Cheap Holiday To Your Favourite Destination

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Posted by Charles Manning | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 04-10-2009

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding cheap Spain holidays. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about cheap Caribbean cruises.

Check whether your trip counts as a package holiday – Some airlines offer holiday packages and should therefore provide financial protection. Other airlines offer flights and accommodation or car hire, sometimes through website links to other independent sites. Check to see if you can pre-book seats so that you can sit together on the plane. Several companies now offer this service but some charge for it. Check that you are entering your card details onto a secure site and keep your own security software up to date. The URL in your browser window should begin “https://” and a small padlock should appear at the bottom of your screen.

Egypt’s capitol Cairo is one of the most beautiful places on earth, plus you can save money on your holiday there by getting a cheap Cairo package which will include your flight and accommodation. Some of the packages also include extra’s such as excursions for no extra cost. Egypt is a land filled with adventure and cultural experience. An Egyptian holiday can be the vacation of a lifetime.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about cheap Spain holidays. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered on cheap Caribbean cruises so far?

Travel agents can not offer the same deals as on the internet because there are more costs involved to run a travel agent. Internet sites have very small outgoings and can therefore be much more competitive than traditional travel agents when slashing prices.

Tourism to Kenya all but collapsed following the riots after the elections in December of 2007. UK holidaymakers are now returning to Kenya in increasing numbers this year, and sales of the Kenyan shilling rose by 73 per cent during the June-August period, as compared with the same three months last year. Tour operators and UK travel agents are accessible to do the legwork to reserve your flights, selection the best dates for travel, as well as find you great deals on accommodations and food.

Spa and golf holidays are particularly popular, but why not try spa and scuba diving, spa and hiking or ski and spa holidays, which are particularly special. Spain has been the most popular country to visit since 1994, with 13.8 million visits in 2005. France was second in popularity, with 11.1 million visits.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about cheap Spain holidays. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important with cheap Caribbean cruises.

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Our Seven Wonders Of The New World That Travelers Must See Before They Die

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Posted by Max Jones | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 27-09-2009

Many centuries ago, the ancient Greeks created a list of the world’s seven wonders. However their list was limited to the Mediterranean region. The number seven has particular significance because it represented perfection and plenty to the Greeks.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria were chosen by the Greeks as the Seven Wonders of the World.

Sadly, of these great structures, today only the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt survives. The incredible thing is that the Egyptian pyramids are also the oldest of all the wonders and are still standing strong.

In the last few decades, many have tried to compile new lists of seven wonders. Each list has been dogged by a certain amount of criticism and controversy. In 2007, The New7Wonders Foundation conducted a worldwide poll in which voters could cast their votes on the Internet or over the phone for their choice of structure. The Egyptian pyramids were named as an Honorary Candidate and the list of ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ was released on July 7, 2007, in Lisbon.

A surprise entry to the new list was Brazil’s statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’. Built in 1931, this is by far the most modern of the other structures belonging to the list. The other six structures are at least three centuries old and were built with grave limitations of transport and engineering.

The other six wonders on the new list comprise the Inca ruins of isolated Machu Picchu, the spectacular Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Great Wall of China that stretched across the country, the famous Colosseum in Rome, India’s white marble Taj Mahal in Agra and Jordan’s rose-coloured sandstone city in Petra.

You may or may not agree with the list of the New Seven Wonders Of The World, but what is beyond debate is that each of the seven structures, whether old or relatively new, is definitely worth visiting and should be a part of your holiday travel at some point in time.

Almost all the wonders have survived many a war and weathered many a storm and remain a powerful symbol of man’s skill and creativity before the advent of machines.

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Beach Vacations For The Northern Winter

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Posted by Pamela Kazmierczak | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 20-09-2009

During the winter months, finding a beach vacation spot can be a little difficult. It doesn’t have to be, which is where this article will really come in handy. Below, you’ll find some resorts that offer a unique twist to your winter beach vacation.

1. Molokai Ranch and Lodge

On a white sand shore on the tiny Hawaiian island of Molokai, guests will stay in comfortable yet unique tents. Each double unit canvas bungalow sits on wooden platforms, offers queen size beds in one unit, twin beds in the other, solar powered lights, and a private bathroom with hot water showers.

The Molokai Ranch and Lodge offer over 54,000 acres, including seaside cliffs with very lush valleys. The outdoor activities here include sea kayaking, cultural hikes, mountain biking, and horseback rides. For the kids, the lodge offers nature walks, horse stables, tidal pools and Hawaiian arts and crafts.

2. Grand Wailea Resort and Spa of Hawaii

Long ago, a big swimming pool was enough to make guests happy. Now days, resorts compete in water activities such as lagoons, waterfalls, water slides, and even lazy rivers.

The Grand Wailea Resort offers several attractions, such as the 4,580 square foot Hibiscus pool, and the 25,700 square foot Canyon Activity pool which is great for families.

3. Atlantis Resort of the Bahamas

In the amazing water fun department is the unique Atlantis Resort and Spa on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Along with the beach, the Atlantis has eleven swimming pools, Mayan Temple water slides, and lazy river rides. The Atlantis also boasts an amazing marine habitat, with exhibit lagoons that house more than 50,000 sea animals.

4. Club Med Punta Cana

Over the last several years, the Dominion Republic has been working very hard to establish itself as a destination for families, with many all inclusive being built. This location has all the perks of a tropical resort plus stand out features that include kids programs, and other attractions that make Club Med Punta Cana one of the most unique beach vacation spots in the entire world.

5. Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands National Park is a very unique vacation spot with white sandy beaches, and lodging in comfortable tent cottages.

As with the Molokai Ranch, guest cottages are built on platforms and designed to be both attractive and comfortable. Each one has a sleeping area, bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, stove, ice cooler, and even a private deck.

Water sports for the area include kayaking, wind surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There is also an outdoor restaurant and a food store for those who want to cook from the privacy of their own room.

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Try Any Of These 6 Towns Near Rome To See An Italian Town “festa”

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Posted by Cristiano Rubbi | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 09-09-2009

Simposio etrusco (Etruscan Symposium) – Ladispoli. Every year, on the night of August 10, a symposium is held at Ladispoli to reproduce an Etruscan environment in every detail. Ceremonies are held in accordance with Etruscan tradition and performers are dressed in Etruscan costume. Games and all forms of entertainment help to create an atmosphere that enables guests to relive situations dating back 2,500 years and over. The Etruscans were a population that inhabited central and northern Italy before Rome became the powerful city we are all familiar with. It is truly exciting, even thrilling, to somehow approach the Etruscans and to take a peek at their civilization

Giostra di Sant’Agapito (Tournament of Sant’Agapito) – Palestrina. If you like to see medieval tournaments re-enacted in a blaze of joyful colours amid a cheering crowd of supporters encouraging the athletes competing for their ward, you cannot afford to miss the tournament that is held every year in August in Palestrina. It consists of a number of contests intended to test the skills of the participants, the winner among them being awarded a prize and his ward retaining the title for the year. The real purpose of this event, of course, is to keep old traditions alive, while allowing people to relax and enjoy themselves in a lively and uninhibited context.

Palio delle Contrade (Palio of the Wards) – Canale Monterano. Several centuries ago the life of towns and villages in Italy, as much as anywhere else in Europe, when not at war, used to be marked by tournaments in which brave knights would show their prowess at horse riding, duelling and archery. Things being somewhat different these days, those knights have been replaced ” at least in this town ” by young men grouped in teams of four, who compete with other teams in a race where they have to cart a heavy vat on their backs at full tilt. In addition, the contest is preceded by a fabulous procession which parades through the streets in splendid medieval costumes designed and sewn by the skilful hands of the older ladies of the town.

Festa dell’Assedio (Festivity of the Siege) – Bracciano. Bracciano is a lovely town lying near the Lake bearing the same name. It is known mostly on account of the lake and of the 11th century castle towering over the town and owned by the Orsini family between the 15th and the 17th century. In the past Its position was considered important for various reasons and this led to several attempts by other powerful Italian families to seize it for strategic purposes. On one occasion, in 1501, a member of the Borgia family laid siege to the town, but eventually was totally unsuccessful. The festivity celebrates that event and, to that effect, the population is split in half : the Orsini and the Borgia. Horse-riding contests and boat races involving the two factions are held on the last weekend in August, amid the enthusiastic support of the townsfolk.

Sagra delle Fettuccine al Tartufo (Festival of the fettuccine with Truffle) – Civitella Cesi (Blera). Have you ever tasted fettuccine? If you haven’t, you should definitely try this type of pasta that is extremely popular in central Italy. Civitella Cesi, a town not too far away from Rome, holds a fettuccine festival in mid-August that is somewhat unique in the way it is arranged. All customers sit at the same table that is immeasurably long and stretches along the streets of the town. The “fettuccine” is savoured with local truffle and the result is superb. In addition top-quality meat from nearby farms is served, together with other treats, to gourmets delight. Another highlight of the event is a historical procession, followed by a horse race – the latter being rather unique in its kind, since the horses race without their jockeys!

Corteo Storico di Montefiascone (Historical Procession of Montefiascone) – Montefiascone. One day, in the year 1111, a foreign bishop travelling to Rome stopped at Montefiascone because one of his assistants had indicated that there was excellent wine there. When he discovered that this was true, the bishop stayed on there for apparently 2 more years! In his will he donated all his properties to the town that had made him so happy, provided that once a year from then on they would smash a barrel full of wine over his grave. The historical procession is indeed a representation of his arrival at Montefiascone. Over 150 participants wearing colourful medieval costumes offer a wonderful spectacle, as they march through the town. They are clergymen of high rank, feudal lords and their spouses, soldiers, tradesmen, musicians and flag wavers. At the end of the procession there are also magnificent performances by the flag wavers and the musicians.

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Haliburton Forest; Nature, Beauty and Wolves

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Posted by Dave Bouskill | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 01-09-2009

Just three hours north of Toronto way up in Central Ontario is one of the most unique and beautiful destinations in the province. Haliburton Forest is a nature lovers dream. A place for hiking, mountain biking and canoeing in the summer and cross country skiing, ice fishing and dog sledding in the winter. But it is the Haliburton Forest Wild Life and Reserve that makes it so special.

Treat yourself to a rare view of a pack of wolves that live on a 15 acre reserve. The Haliburtan Forest is 70,000 acres of protected forest and its inhabitant. This pack of wolves has 15 km all to themselves free to live out their lives with as little human interaction as possible. There are wild packs of wolves Haliburton as well, but this pack are descendants from two captive wolves dating back to 1977.

A nature photographer from Michigan purchased two wolf pups over thirty years ago and took care of them and their offspring for over 3 decades. Eventually he was not able to keep the wolves and needed to find an alternate home for the pack. So, it was in 1992 that the wolves came to Ontario living on through new litters and pups.

Even during the cold Canadian Winters the sanctuary is alive and well. It is a magical experience to see the wolves play and roll in the snow with their thick winter coats keeping them warm. In the summer, you have a good chance of catching the napping in the sunlight on a hill in front of the viewing platform. The building is located at a place on the reserve that achieves optimal sunlight. The wolves are drawn to here and while seeing them is not guaranteed, there is a good chance since this is their favorite spot. The wolves won’t see you as their is a glass barrier between you and them, but you will be able to hear them through speakers and they can probably sense your presence.

It is also a good location because the wolves are fed from this point. Their diet consists of mainly beaver, but sometimes they are fed deer as well. The wolves are never fed live animals, most come to the centre as victims of being hit by traffic or by local hunters bringing them in. The wolves treat the meat as a kill however and they tear at the animals with wild fury.

The wolf centre works as an education centre as well, and you can learn a great deal about the workings of a wolf pack just by observing. The Alpha male is the largest and strongest wolf in the pack. Its coat is healthy and shiny and along with the Alpha female they are in charge. The Alpha eats first followed by the Alpha female and the Beta Male. The Beta male is the second strongest male wolf and it is tight with both the Alpha Male and female. The rest of the wolves fill out the clan to the bottom of the pack; The Omega. This poor wolf is the weakest and suffers the most. It is the last to eat, it is picked on by the other wolves and it is left to itself living a lonely sad life.

The sanctuary does not intervene as this is the way of the wolf and it is not for we humans to decide how they should live. Eventually, the Omega will be killed by the pack or it will go off by itself to die, sometimes they become so sick that they need to be euthanized by staff veterinarians. It is difficult to witness, but to take the omega away will only make room for another Omega to be chosen and it would disrupt the whole system of a wolf pack. Eventually, one of the younger Beta Males and Females will overtake the Alpha’s and the cycle will continue.

Another great thing that the Wolf Centre is working on is dispelling the myths of the Big Bad Wolf. It is a fact that wolves are more afraid of humans that we are of them. Wolves have had a very bad rap in history and they have been ruthlessly slaughtered by humans. Their numbers are slowly coming back, but people seem to be no less afraid of them. Their is actually no evidence of a healthy wolf ever killing a human and wolf attacks are very rare. Often when there is a wolf attack, it is a rabid wolf or wolf/dog hybrids. Wolves are more likely to flee when humans approach.

You can visit Haliburton forest for the day for $15 or you can simply visit the wolf sanctuary for $9.00 to see the wolves. It is recommended to spend a day or two nearby rather than trying to do the trip all in one day. There is plenty of accommodation from camping to luxury resorts. Spend a few days and enjoy the beautiful wilderness spotting wildlife from Moose to otters and porcupines to loons. You won’t be disappointed taking in everything that nature has to offer and enjoying the natural beauty of Central Ontario.

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Traeth Bychan Beach, Maritime History and Quiet, Sheltered Anglesey Beach, Great for Dinghy Launch

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Posted by David Phillips | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 01-09-2009

Down a narrow, winding lane off the A5025 north of Benllech is Traeth Bychan beach, a small, cosy, sheltered beach facing eastwards. From here you can enjoy panoramic views of the Great Orme and Liverpool Bay, Puffin Island, and behind the heights of Llanddona and on the mainland, the Carneddau peaks.

The edges of Traeth Bychan are rocky, while the middle area of the beach is sandy with a varying spread of small pebbles the length of the beach up to the dinghy park at the top. Given its sheltered position it’s no surprise that Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club have their clubhouse here, and can often see dinghies, powerboats and small day fishing boats queuing up to be towed up the beach on their trailers.

At the dinghy park on this beach there are Lasers, Toppers, Mirrors, GP14’s and other classes. The beach faces the east and so is ideal for launching boats, when the prevailing wind on Anglesey is from the south west. When we arrived here the sun was out and some keen, though tired, sailors were helping guide a vehicle with launch trailer into the water.

Around the back of the beach are some interesting rock formations and above these thick grassy steep slopes and from here emerges the Anglesey Coastal Path route running from Benllech in the south to Moelfre in the north. The coastal path is well signposted and there is a gate on the left as you approach the beach down the hill, next to a small cottage which is built just above the rocks and the high water mark.

Just 25 metres or so from the beach as you go up the lane is Traeth Bychan beach cafe which sells cold and hot drinks, ice creams and snacks, while next to this is a car park and toilets. Opposite the cafe is a static caravan park which are ideally placed for those wanting to enjoy watersports or walk the coastal path.

Come and enjoy the fine sea views and coastline walks from this peaceful beach in the winter and autumn seasons, when there will be very little if any boating activity here. This beach at Traeth Bychan has a particular piece of maritime history attached to it not known to many people.

The “T” class submarine HMS Thetis was built in Cammell Laird shipyard in 1938. On 1 June 1939 she slipped her mooring in the Mersey with 103 crew aboard and made out for Liverpool Bay to carry out some manoeuvres. While on these trials some unusual extreme event took place which proved catastrophic and all crewmen except four were lost. Some months later, after HMS Thetis was recovered from the sea bed she was beached on the Anglesey coast at Traeth Bychan beach.

In summer sunshine this sheltered beach is bustling with energy as dinghies and power craft are launched and recovered from the sea, while on a crisp, fresh winter morning it holds a special tranquility. And all along, the memory of the Thetis and her crew remains.

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Air Travel – Is Air Travel The Best Way To Get You To Your Destination?

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Posted by Carol Bell | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 28-08-2009

Are you interested in taking a vacation? If you are, you may be required to fly. There are many popular vacation destinations, such as Hawaii, Europe, and the Caribbean, that cannot be reached any other way. With that in mind, if you are looking to vacation within in the United States you may have more options. For that reason, you may want to first decide if travelling by air plane is really right for you.

When it comes to determining if air travel is really right for you, for your next trip, you will first want to look at your destination. Just because you do not have any oceans to cross, it does not mean that you dont need to fly. For example, if you are looking to travel from New York to California, it may be within your best interest to fly. This is particularly true if you are limited on the amount of vacation time that you have available from your work.

Your position is another factor that you may desire to take into consideration, when attempting to identify if air travel is best for you. As an example, there are several other less expensive alternatives for those that must travel a short to medium distance. For instance, if you’ll be travelling from Texas to Nevada, you could be ready to grab tickets for a bus or train. There are several different options when you look for them. For many people, riding a bus or a train is a far more cheap option. Maybe , the sole drawback to this approach is the time that you’ll spend on the road. For most it might just be convenient to drive their own vehicle.

Talking of driving your own car, if you’re looking to avoid flying, you may wish to inspect your alternative option of driving yourself. As formerly stated, keep your location and distance in mind. Also, it’s critical to take the price tag of your trip under consideration. Many people immediately think about petrol and the price of it, but it’s also crucial to take the price of automobile wear and tear under consideration. For that reason, many finish up hiring a vehicle for their trip. However, it’s critical to return back to travelling by air. For long distance trips, the price tag of hiring a vehicle can be the same, if not more than hopping on a flight that only lasts a couple of hours.

What does all of this mean for you? It does mean that you will likely be better off travelling by air plane if you are looking to travel in the United States. With that said, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, you should never fly if you can drive to your destination in an hour or two, as doing so can be considered a waste of money. Also, if you are a motor home owner or if you can find an affordable rental nearby, you may want to drive to your destination instead, as doing so can sometimes be better than flying.

For the most part, the only individuals who should have trouble flying are those who suffer from claustrophobia or a fear of flying, even flying is safe. Individuals with other disabilities, including the need of an oxygen tank or those who are wheel chair bound, can still fly to their destination, as many airlines will go out of their way to provide needed accommodations and services.

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Haltwhistle Country Cottage In UK

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Posted by Olivia Parker | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 16-08-2009

UK is an extremely beautiful place and so are the towns and cities that are located in it. Haltwhistle is beautiful town located in Northumberland in England. This small town is very attractive and it is rich in natural beauty and splendor. Due to this charm and grandeur many honeymooners and married couples come here to enjoy the serene environment, breathtaking sceneries and lush green lands.

While you are in this town, inside of booking a hotel you must stay in a vacation cottage. There are various holiday cottages situated in this place which has something for every one. I am sure they should provide you all the facilities and services that would surely make your stay comfortable and pleasing.

In this article I would mainly tell you about some very good country cottages located in Haltwhistle.

1. Hawthorn Hawthorn is one of the best cottages for you to enjoy with your family. From the outside this cottage appears to be like an old building but the interiors of this holiday cottage are beautifully decorated and have just recently been renovated. Here you will find centralized air conditioner which is very effective and it offers a great degree of comfort to the visitors. However the climate is so good that you will find it great even without the air conditioner. However you should know that it is a self catering cottage and you will have to cook on your own.

2. Common House farm The cost of this cottage is 370 pounds per week. It comprises of one bedroom. The kitchen, bathrooms as well as the living room is provided and there is also a garden in the campus. During off season you will notice a major drop in the cottage rent and this will definitely be up to your budget. The short break facility is also offered and you can book the cottage for two or three days as well. However you should not think of booking it for one day because you will seldom get a chance for that.

3. Acorn This is yet again another cottage which I am adding to the list. This is also a self catering cottage and this means that you will have to cook on your own. This will certainly not be a problem if you have a wife with you.

If you really want to enjoy the most memorable vacations of your life you must stay in one of the cottages that are mentioned above. I am sure they will provide you very good facilities that the right rates.

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Cute Pandas In Beijing Zoo

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Posted by David Cheng | Posted in Travel & Tourism | Posted on 10-08-2009

Super Kungfu Panda lovers, how could you leave Beijing without seeing real pandas!

Each day, enthusiastic visitors from across the globe brave far distances to come the Beijing Zoo for a look at this clumsy, adorable, and precious animal that China regards its national treasure.

The zoo was opened in 1908, just a few years before the Qing dynasty ended. It was Chinas first zoo ever. It now houses a collection of 500 species with over 6,000 animals. There are rare species such as golden monkeys, Siberian tigers, precious birds, and of course, giant pandas.

The panda is obviously the big star here!

You will agree the only thing that is cuter than a panda is a panda playing with another panda! One bearhugs the other, and the two roll around like a big meat ball. You just cant stop laughing when seeing their clumsy Kungfu moves. Sometimes you simply start wondering if these pandas were on their beach vacation, for their amusing eye circles remind you of sunglasses!

Pandas in the Beijing Zoo just love climbing trees. When the weather is hot, they will find a shady spot up in the tree and tap a nap. No, food wont be enough to get us down!

Pandas are now vegetarians, and their favorite food is a special Jianzhu bamboo found only in Chinas Sichuan province, where most of Chinas pandas come from. However, pandas were carnivores a million years ago, and they preyed on unsuspecting smaller animals. The reason for this change is still unknown to zoologists.

In the zoo, panda lovers can donate money for the protection of pandas in China. Pandas are very precious, and less than 1,500 live today. China regards this rare species its national treasure because pandas started to appear on earth several million years ago, and very few other species from that time survive to this day. Thus pandas are considered a living fossil and are an extremely rare animal that needs to be protected. That is probably why the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) chooses the panda as its symbol.

China is the only country to find a panda, and on certain occasions, the Chinese government gives a panda to a foreign country as a symbol of friendship. So feel lucky for yourself if youve ever seen a panda in San Diego or Berlin.

You are allowed to take photos in the zoo, but remember to keep your flash off, for pandas are very shy.

Also, there are all kinds of panda gifts sold in the zoo. They are great things to bring back home! A baby panda toy goes for 60 RMB (about $10), a panda T-shirt runs 70 RMB, and a key chain with lovely panda image sells for only 10 RMB.

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