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	<title>Vacations &#038; Trips</title>
	<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu</link>
	<description>For travelers that seek something new</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:22:21 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Finding A Hostel Ljubljana</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2012/02/28/finding-a-hostel-ljubljana/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2012/02/28/finding-a-hostel-ljubljana/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:21:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[hostels Ljubljana]]></category>

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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2012/02/28/finding-a-hostel-ljubljana/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Travelling through Europe is exciting.  And the thrill of finding off the path places where many people do not go is even better.  This is precisely what the country of Slovenia is all about, and even more so, the capital city, Ljubljana.  Nestled just under Austria, Slovenia was the first country to separate from the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Travelling through Europe is exciting.  And the thrill of finding off the path places where many people do not go is even better.  This is precisely what the country of Slovenia is all about, and even more so, the capital city, Ljubljana.  Nestled just under Austria, Slovenia was the first country to separate from the communist Yugoslavia.  Over the following years they carved out a niche for themselves as a quiet country that borders the Alps.  But those who travel there know that quiet does not mean boring.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Staying in a <a href="http://www.h2ohostel.com/hostel_ljubljana.php" title="hostel ljubljana">hostel Ljubljana</a> is the only way to go.  By utilizing community living the traveler can share adventure stories, get tips on where to go next, and meet interesting people from all over the world.  While in Ljubljana they will find out all about the best nightlife spots, and the best places to eat Burek.  For the traveler who has never had Burek, this should be the top priority on their list.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While the nightlife in <strong>Ljubljana</strong> is not quite as rowdy as many other cities throughout Europe, it is far from dull.  With bars and coffee shops open late, a person can sip a macchiato or a beer while watching the river roll lazily through town.  Or they can find a club that has live music and dancing, whatever their forte it is available.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">By <a href="http://www.h2ohostel.com/hostel_ljubljana_private_rooms.php" title="staying in hostel">staying in a hostel</a> the person will be sure to make the most of their money.  They get the community aspect as well as the frugality of travelling cheaply.  There is no better way to experience Europe, by staying in hostels.<o></o></span></p>
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		<title>La Tomatina – brutal tomato battle festival in Bunol/Valencia/Spain</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/21/la-tomatina-%e2%80%93-brutal-tomato-battle-festival-in-bunolvalenciaspain/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/21/la-tomatina-%e2%80%93-brutal-tomato-battle-festival-in-bunolvalenciaspain/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:06:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/21/la-tomatina-%e2%80%93-brutal-tomato-battle-festival-in-bunolvalenciaspain/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are traveling thru the Spain in the end of August you must not miss La Tomatina in Bunol which is in the Valencia region. Tens of thousands of participants (approximately 20,000–50,000 tourists) come from all over the world to fight in a brutal battle where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are traveling thru the Spain in the end of August you must not miss La Tomatina in Bunol which is in the Valencia region. Tens of thousands of participants (approximately 20,000–50,000 tourists) come from all over the world to fight in a brutal battle where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes  are thrown in the streets. The result of this is red colored city which is extremely interesting to see. And this is the time when people get med with pleasure of pelting, and being pelted, by tomatoes.<br />
Before the actually event there is week long festival features music, parades, dancing and fireworks. There is even competition in paella cooking among the participations of the festival, which is going on the night before the tomato fight. Tradition is that women wear all white skirt and men have no shirt on.  There is no limit for number of participants but there is limited accommodation in Bunol at that time. Many people stay in Valencia and travel by bus or train to Bunol, about 38 km outside the city.<br />
There are some unwritten rules on the festivals that over the years became respected by participants. Some of these rules are: it is forbidden for everyone to mash or squeeze tomato before throwing; festival is just for the tomato lovers and no other vegetables can be used; you are not allowed to rip the t-shirt of others and so on. Reading some of these rules you can get a picture what kind of festival this is and definitely it has to be on the list of experiences if you are near by.</p>
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		<title>Graz – The light capital of Styria, part 2</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/06/graz-%e2%80%93-the-light-capital-of-styria-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/06/graz-%e2%80%93-the-light-capital-of-styria-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:29:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[southeastern europe]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Austria]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>

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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/07/06/graz-%e2%80%93-the-light-capital-of-styria-part-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Graz really has plenty to  offer to visiting tourists, all the way from historical attractions to the modern sports stadiums. Unsurprisingly it does feel like (a lot) smaller Wien. Among historical attractions, the Uhrturm has become particularly iconic and known for its clock, which features unusual hands, while Renaissance architecture left a signature at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Graz really has plenty to  offer to visiting tourists, all the way from historical attractions to the modern sports stadiums. Unsurprisingly it does feel like (a lot) smaller Wien. Among historical attractions, the Uhrturm has become particularly iconic and known for its clock, which features unusual hands, while Renaissance architecture left a signature at the Landhaushof. Football fans in Graz may be lucky enough to catch a game at the UPC Arena. On a sunny day, you may wish to wander down to the Copacabana, a lively, lake side party beach. </p>
<p>The Old Town contains such important historical locations that this it has now earned Graz the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many landmarks pepper the district and include Graz Cathedral itself, (the Domkirche)which oriugins date inthe 15th century. Other prominent buildings can also be found around the Franziskanerplatz, the Sparbersbachgasse and the Hauptplatz, which is overlooked by the City Hall (Rathaus). On the west side of the city, the Eggenberg Castlerepresents another landmark that is hard to miss and regularly plays host to classical music concerts during the summer months. </p>
<p>In recent years, Graz has been awarded the title of European City of Culture and has continued to live up to its reputation. Museums of high quality (for example the Stadtmuseum) offer plenty of information about Austria&#8217;s Styria region. The Landeszeughaus Armoury is worth a look and offers an enormous collection of weaponry and artefacts. You may also like to pay a visit to the MuWa or the Neue Galerie, which is part of the Johanneum Regional Museum and has a collection of more than two thousand art works. More information about Graz Museums and Art Galleries.</p>
<p>If you wish to head outside of Graz and experience the wider Styria region, then jump on the Semmering Railway and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you travel past the surrounding mountains. Some tourists prefer to travel further afield and visit some of Austria&#8217;s other big cities, and both Salzburg and Vienna are just about close enough to manage a day trip or short break. Across the border, in Slovenia, a visit to Maribor(Marburg) may well be of interest, if you wish to experience a different country for the day.</p>
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		<title>Top 10 Paris sights and attractions</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/25/top-10-paris-sights-and-attractions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/25/top-10-paris-sights-and-attractions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:39:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/25/top-10-paris-sights-and-attractions/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CHAMPS-ELYSEES
Nipped and tucked artfully in the last decade to simultaneously send much of its parking underground and radically widen its sidewalks, the Champs-Elysees is a pleasant, if people-choked, place to stroll, rimmed with ultra-luxe designer megastores like the LV-logo&#8217;d Louis Vuitton HQ. Like the cord in a pearl necklace, it strings together some of the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHAMPS-ELYSEES</strong></p>
<p>Nipped and tucked artfully in the last decade to simultaneously send much of its parking underground and radically widen its sidewalks, the Champs-Elysees is a pleasant, if people-choked, place to stroll, rimmed with ultra-luxe designer megastores like the LV-logo&#8217;d Louis Vuitton HQ. Like the cord in a pearl necklace, it strings together some of the city&#8217;s splashiest sites. At one end is the Arc de Triomphe, which gives the strip its alternate name, &#8220;the Voie Triumphale&#8221; (victorious way), a nod to its role as home of splashy military parades. A Napoleonic pet project, it was finished by one of his successors and is a tribute to France&#8217;s armies; the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier flickers 24/7 below (skip a trip up to the top &#8212; La Defense is better &#8212; see below). Continue east down the Champs Elysees, past all those swanky boutiques and pricey cafes, and you&#8217;ll scythe through Place de la Concorde. It&#8217;s ironically named, since where the site where the obelisk now stands was at one time the prime chopping block in the city where Marie Antoinette &amp; Co. were offed by the mob. It terminates at the Tuileries gardens, the manicured grounds of a now-demolished royal palace.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: 8th arrondissement, <strong>Metro</strong>: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile</p>
<p><strong>LA DEFENSE</strong></p>
<p>Gleaming at the western edge of Paris, just past the tony suburb of Neuilly, sits the most bombastic of Mitterand&#8217;s landscape-changing projets grands &#8212; memorials equal in size to his ego, as well as the greatness of France. La Defense was imagined as the Gallic retort to London&#8217;s Docklands, a sparkling new business center that would provide world-beating facilities. It didn&#8217;t quite manage that, and some of its &#8217;80s-era office blocks are now quite dated &#8212; but the whole thing&#8217;s made worthwhile thanks to La Grande Arche de La Defense, the space-age counterpoint to the Arc de Triomphe that looks like the original reimagined by Steven Spielberg. The Carrara-marble-faced structure is actually the brainchild of Danish architect Johan Otto von Speckelsen, and is almost a perfect cube, its dimensions within 14 feet each way. Ride the spindly elevator at its core to the roof and enjoy a stunning view across Paris, including a snap-happy vista of the rival arch.</p>
<p><strong>Metro</strong>: La Defense.</p>
<p><strong>THE EIFFEL TOWER</strong></p>
<p>Oscar Wilde quipped that his favorite place in Paris was the old restaurant inside here, since it was the only place he could sit in the city and not have to look at the Eiffel Tower. Wilde wasn&#8217;t a fan of the newfangled building, but history has proven him wrong. Originally intended as a temporary structure to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution, the 984-foot-tall, cast-iron tower still stands more than a century later and is now an icon of France. Unlike most Gallic monuments, this was long owned by one of Eiffel&#8217;s descendants who&#8217;s proved a troublesome figure: She threatened to paint the tower a garish shade in the early 1990s and also vowed to sell branding rights to Coca Cola before the millennium. This was the site of France&#8217;s countdown clock, so the holiday-snap potential amped up the price considerably (thankfully, it&#8217;s now owned and managed by the city of Paris). And though on a good day, the views from the top are far-reaching, you&#8217;ll actually see and notice more from the second level. Note, too, that the elevators are vintage and quite wobbly &#8212; this is no place for anyone with even a minor fear of heights.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: Champs de Mars, 7th +33 1 44 11 23 45, www.tour-eiffel.fr. Sept.-May 9:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. (last elevator 10:30 p.m.), June-Aug. 9:30 a.m.-12:45 a.m. (last elevator 11 p.m.). <strong>Metro</strong>: Bir-Hakeim</p>
<p><strong>THE MARAIS</strong></p>
<p>The Marais is where real-life Paris best reflects the Paris of the movies. Built between 16th and 18th centuries, its winding streets and wrought-iron-accented buildings are evocative and romantic, a perfect place to stroll and imagine you&#8217;re a gamine waif in the Piaf mold. Though it&#8217;s now a glut of galleries, great cafes and funky boutiques, the Marais was a cramped, working class &#8216;hood until the World War II &#8212; hence the preservation of its architecture, since there was no money to make it over. Zigzag between three drags to see the trio of communities on which the Marais has its foundations. Rue des Rosiers is full of Middle Eastern bakeries and kosher shops, a nod to its longtime Jewish influence. Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, ironically named after its impoverished, tax-exempt original residents, is the chattering classes&#8217; favorite strip, full of pricey boutiques and restaurants. The rainbow flags and thumping music that fill Rue St Croix de la Bretonnerie are a tip-off that this is Paris&#8217;s answer to 8th avenue, a gay-heavy drag that&#8217;s home to bars and X-rated shops.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: 4th arrondissement, <strong>Metro</strong>: St Paul</p>
<p><strong>THE MARKETS</strong></p>
<p>Paris&#8217;s markets are more appealing than those almost anywhere else. No wonder, since these marches aux puces gave us the name flea market (&#8221;puces&#8221; is French for the pesky critters). Even if you&#8217;re not a shopaholic, strolling along the aisles of these markets, listening to the babbling of French haggling, is an unmissable, only-in-Paris experience. There are four main markets, of which the biggest is the Puces de St-Ouen, though it&#8217;s now far from cheap, thanks to the tony dealers who clog its 2,500 pitches. Hit the Lécuyer-Vallés section for the best bargain browsing, then the rue des Rosiers for an orgy of Art Deco. (Get there at dawn on Saturday to sift through the stock while stall-holders set up starting around 5 a.m.) The handiest venue is the Aligre market, which sells fruits and vegetables alongside a riot of bizarre bric-a-brac, while the most appealing is at Porte de Vanves, a smaller set-up with just 300 or so stalls and totally chaotic, but great for clothes and costume baubles.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: Puces de Vanves, Avenues Georges-Lafeneste and Marc-Sangnier, 14th. Sat. and Sun. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., www.pucesdeparis-portedevanves.com. <strong>Metro</strong>: Porte de Vanves.<br />
Puces d&#8217;Aligre, Place d&#8217;Aligre, 12th Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Metro: Ledru-Rollin.<br />
Puces de St-Ouen, Avenue de la Porte de Clignancourt 18th, Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. +33 1 40 12 32 58, www.parispuces.com. Metro: Porte de Clignancourt.</p>
<p><strong>MONTMARTRE</strong></p>
<p>OK, so it&#8217;s a cliché of Paris, never better shorthanded than with Baz Luhrman&#8217;s TB-and-sequins epic &#8220;Moulin Rouge.&#8221; But despite the hordes of workmanlike portrait daubers on Place du Tertre and the faux-boho cafes, Montmartre retains much of its down-home charm, a throwback to when this hill &#8212; the highest in Paris &#8212; was a rustic farming area. Indeed, there&#8217;s still a tiny vineyard on the northern flank of the hill, though all but one of the windmills that once spiked its summit are gone. Hike up to the butte-topping basilica, the Sacre-Coeur, on foot or use a Metro ticket for the funicular nearby. Once at the top, start ambling aimlessly around the back streets &#8212; it&#8217;s the best way to explore. The views from the usually deserted Place du Calvaire are stunning. The Sacre Coeur itself isn&#8217;t worth poking around inside, however. Built as an act of contrition after Prussia obliterated France in an 1870 war, the interior is, frankly, rather tacky and doesn&#8217;t match the dreamy, meringue-like exterior. Make sure to access the neighborhood via Abbesses metro station. Not only is it more salubrious than Pigalle, but it&#8217;s a rare example of a slinky Guimard Metro station entrance surviving intact.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: 9th and 18th arrondissements, <strong>Metro</strong>: Abbesses</p>
<p><strong>MUSEE DU LOUVRE</strong></p>
<p>The Louvre is not a user-friendly museum &#8212; it&#8217;s far too big for that. Housed in a onetime royal palace, it&#8217;s huge for the sake of being huge (and grabbing the Guinness-endorsed title of largest museum in the world). Make a plan of attack before you enter and it&#8217;s a manageable feast of world-famous art. The palace/museum is sectioned into three wings &#8212; for the casual visitor, much of the must-see work is in Denon. &#8220;Mona Lisa&#8221; is here, sitting in the just-rehabbed Salon des Etats alongside Veronese&#8217;s sprawling &#8220;Feast at Cana,&#8221; which was allegedly carried from Venice by Napoleon&#8217;s looters rolled up in an extra-large carpet. Sinewy-hipped &#8220;Venus de Milo&#8221; slinks her way through the ground-floor antiquities gallery in Sully, which also has a superb excavation of the foundations of the original Louvre. If you have energy or time, scoot through the Richelieu wing for the twinkly trinkets and French sculpture. To avoid the crowds in-season entering through IM Pei&#8217;s still-controversial pyramid, go to ticketnet.fr or a branch of FNAC where you can buy a ticket in advance for an extra euro and duck in via passage Richelieu.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: Rue de Rivoli, 1st , +33 1 40 20 50 50, www.louvre.fr Thurs., Sat.-Mon. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. and Fri. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. $13, $8.50 after 6 p.m. on Wed. and Fri. <strong>Metro</strong>: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre</p>
<p><strong>MUSEE D&#8217;ORSAY</strong></p>
<p>The museum that changed museums round the world, this stunning conversion of a 19th-century train station inspired other equally impressive reimaginings. (Yes, Tate Modern, we mean you.) It&#8217;s where you can gorge yourself on the art for which France is best known: 19th century Impressionism and its hangers-on. Almost every room on its three tiers has a household-name painting in it. Upstairs, for example, look for five of Monet&#8217;s &#8220;Rouen Cathedral&#8221; sequence, part of his exploration of the power of light. Then there&#8217;s Seurat, who painted a few pointillist masterpieces before he died too young. His trippy, colored &#8220;Cirque&#8221; is here. You&#8217;ll also find clutches of Klimt, Rodin and nightmare-made-real specialist Odilon Redon. But special note needs to be taken of Manet, whose two most earthquake-inducing works are on show. First, the hyper-sexualized &#8220;Dejeuner sur L&#8217;Herbe&#8221;, where a stark naked woman picnics sans shame with a set of dandies. Second, &#8220;Olympia,&#8221; where the same model is pictured reclining on a couch &#8212; she oozes not modesty but raunchy impertinence and is shamelessly bedecked in jewels and trinkets that trumpet she&#8217;s for sale. Together, these seismic pictures &#8212; which shook moral and aesthetic maxims simultaneously &#8212; helped pave the way for much of what else is on show at the Musee D&#8217;Orsay.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: 1 rue de la Legion d&#8217;Honneur, 7th +33 1 40 49 48 14, www.musee-orsay.fr Tues.-Wed., Fri.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-9:45 p.m. $13. <strong>Metro</strong>: Solférino</p>
<p><strong>MUSEE RODIN</strong></p>
<p>Hidden in a grand mansion that Rodin wrangled from the state while alive in exchange for his work after he died, this is one of Paris&#8217;s finest collections. It holds all his greatest hits from the moody &#8220;Burghers of Calais&#8221; to the sequence of sculptures based on Dante&#8217;s &#8220;Inferno.&#8221; Rodin was commissioned to design the doors for a never-completed decorative-arts museum and took the poem as inspiration. He then amputated elements from the doors and turned them into standalone pieces like &#8220;The Thinker&#8221; (aka &#8220;Dante&#8221;) and The Kiss (aka the doomed lovers Paolo and Francesca), each of them oozing his muscular sensuality. Don&#8217;t miss &#8220;The Cathedral,&#8221; his pair of hands that look like they&#8217;re joined in prayer until you realize they&#8217;re both right hands clasped together, and the smattering of work by his lover-cum-muse-cum-victim Camille Claudel, who was driven mad by Rodin&#8217;s overbearingness. She was a superb talent in her own right. The surrounding, much-loved gardens, where some of his monumental bronzes sit (including the Inferno doors), are a gorgeous place to linger on a warm summer afternoon &#8212; bring a book.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: Hotel Biron, 79 rue de Varenne, 7th, +33 1 44 18 61 10 www.musee-rodin.fr, April-Sept. Tues.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m., Oct.-March Tues.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. $8.50. <strong>Metro</strong>: Varenne.</p>
<p><strong>NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL</strong></p>
<p>A true Gothic masterpiece, the back and sides of this church look like they&#8217;re made from lace dipped in concrete (those buttresses actually helped architects enlarge the storytelling stained-glass windows and so open up the interior after the squat Roman style). Originally started in 1163, what&#8217;s actually on show now is a 19th-century renovation by the hard-working Viollet Le Duc, as the church fell into disrepair during the French Revolution. That&#8217;s why we have Quasimodo &#8212; Victor Hugo, a huge fan of the then-dilapidated pile, wrote &#8220;Hunchback of Notre Dame&#8221; to draw attention to the church. (It worked.) The highly ornamented outside was intended as a 3D picture-book for the illiterate masses of the Middle Ages, and would have been brightly painted when the cathedral was first finished. The interior&#8217;s dark and atmospheric &#8212; look for the statue of Joan of Arc &#8212; and there&#8217;s a slight bend in the nave at the altar&#8217;s end, giving the church a shape which is intended to ape Christ&#8217;s lolling head on the cross. Stroll a few yards west from the façade and you&#8217;ll find the star embedded in the sidewalk from which all distances from Paris are measured &#8212; in kilometers, of course.</p>
<p><strong>Info</strong>: 6 Parvis Notre Dame, 4th +33 1 42 34 56 10, Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6:45 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m.-7:15 p.m., www.notredamedeparis.fr. Free. <strong>Metro</strong>: Cite</p>
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		<title>Graz – light capital of Styria</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/03/1graz-%e2%80%93-light-capital-of-styria/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/03/1graz-%e2%80%93-light-capital-of-styria/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:36:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Austria]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[europe]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/06/03/1graz-%e2%80%93-light-capital-of-styria/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Graz with its population of about 250.000 is Austria&#8217;s second-largest city and is the capital of the federal state of Styria. Graz is a student oriented city and is also loved by international students. You have to see the old town. In Graz you can the largest medival weapon museum in the world is located. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Graz with its population of about 250.000 is Austria&#8217;s second-largest city and is the capital of the federal state of Styria. Graz is a student oriented city and is also loved by international students. You have to see the old town. In Graz you can the largest medival weapon museum in the world is located. It&#8217;s called the Landeszeughaus. Armor to suit 30,000 soldiers lies here, most of it dates back to the 1600&#8217;s. The Schlossberg Cave Railway is the longest grotto railway in Europe, also is a very nice sight.</p>
<p>It is a laidback city with a certain charm and some rather surprising and truly interesting buildings. Nothing can beat the Kunsthaus ,which at first glance appears to be a suspended bubble. The Schlossberg, more than 100 meters high rock in the middle of town, offers amazing view of this city from above. It  provides a scenic backdrop to many views.Those feeling strong enough can climb the steps to reach the top, although a lot of people prefer to simply climb aboard the funicular for this trip.</p>
<p>The Hauptplatz marks the very centre of Old Town Graz and links many prominent streets, such as the city&#8217;s main thoroughfare, the Herrengasse, which ultimately connects the Jakominiplaz, an important transport hub. Tourist information is available at the Tourism Centre (Graz Tourismus) on the Herrengasse, where all of your questions can be answered.</p>
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		<title>Belgrade vacations – something special</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/25/belgrade-vacations-%e2%80%93-something-special/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/25/belgrade-vacations-%e2%80%93-something-special/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 08:53:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[balkans]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Belgrade]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[europe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/25/belgrade-vacations-%e2%80%93-something-special/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and lies in its heart. It has approximately 2 million inhabitans. Belgrade is surrounded by the Vojvodina region with a strong Hungarian minority. The central city occupies the right bank of the Sava river. It offers striking contrasts -  recently bombed buildings, pedestrian zones with numerous cafés and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and lies in its heart. It has approximately 2 million inhabitans. Belgrade is surrounded by the Vojvodina region with a strong Hungarian minority. The central city occupies the right bank of the Sava river. It offers striking contrasts -  recently bombed buildings, pedestrian zones with numerous cafés and boutiques bustling with life there.</p>
<p>The international airport in Surchin is around 18 km away west of the center of Belgrade. Since Belgrade is the largest city in Serbia, it&#8217;s also the major transport center and so it&#8217;s easy to get there and away. The main train station lies south of the center and is within walking distance of all major Belgrade sights. Nearby the train station there&#8217;s also the bus station. Most of the bridges to the northern part of Serbia are rebuilt, so trains to Novi Sad and other destinations operate again. The trip only takes two hours.</p>
<p>Almost everything (except for the new city - New Belgrade) is within walking distance. But the city also has an excellent tram and bus network. The old town centre of Belgrad offers a great variety of historical buildings and an interesting, genuinly cosmopolitan atmosphere.</p>
<p>Next to the confluence of the river Sava and the Danube you can find the ruins of Belgrade&#8217;s Kalemegdan fortress. Walls, gates, Turkish baths, moat- it&#8217;s an interesting mixture of various stuff. The moat is used as an open-air museum showing war matériel such as tanks, mortars, heavy guns etc used in the war for independence as well as during the two World Wars. The highest point of the place offers a fantastic view over parts of the town and the rivers (see picture above). One of the museums in Kalemegdan is the War Museum, depicting the long military history of Serbia. Many of the buildings of the Serbian administration  lie within a small area a few hundred metres east of the train station. Among them. there&#8217;s the large building of the Government of the Republic of Serbia between the train station and the Slavic Square.</p>
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		<title>Top 10 Beaches in Tenerife</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/14/top-10-beaches-in-tenerife/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/14/top-10-beaches-in-tenerife/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2009 13:42:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[vacations]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[top 10]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[vacation]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[holiday]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[tenerife]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[beaches]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/05/14/top-10-beaches-in-tenerife/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tenerife is known for its beautiful beaches; the following are the 10 very best beaches in Tenerife.
Torviscas and Fañabé
These two beaches do join together to become one.  They are connected by a very long promenade running along a wonderful azure beach.  Located along the coast of Costa Adeje these two beaches have calm [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tenerife is known for its beautiful beaches; the following are the 10 very best beaches in Tenerife.</p>
<p>Torviscas and Fañabé</p>
<p>These two beaches do join together to become one.  They are connected by a very long promenade running along a wonderful azure beach.  Located along the coast of Costa Adeje these two beaches have calm waters and are great for families on vacation.</p>
<p>El Bullullo (La Orotava)</p>
<p>This is a clean, very nice man-made beach that is located east of Puerto de la Cruz. A place to enjoy drinks and enjoy the fantastic waves.</p>
<p>Playa San Marcos</p>
<p>This beach is located west of Puerto de la Cruz and is a small fishing village.  This black sandy beach is generally peaceful without many people during the week.  Weekends are a little crowded.  Apartment and Condo rentals are available and there is a big compliment of tourist services.</p>
<p>Playa Del Roque (Taganana)</p>
<p>This is a dark sand beach with tidy clear waters and it is a favorite of sun worshipers, surfers, and photographers.</p>
<p>Playa del Médano</p>
<p>This is perhaps the longest, natural sandy beach in Tenerife.  There are many good fish restaurants here due to the strong fishing heritage of the village.  The windsurfing here is great and the waters are usually fairly calm making this a great place for families with young children.</p>
<p>Las Galletas</p>
<p>This is a charming fishing town that has little inlets that have beaches very kind to beginning surfers.  Having been a favorite of Jacques Cousteau and his son for diving, Las Galletas offers a wonderful opportunity to do scuba diving.</p>
<p>Torviscas</p>
<p>This is a golden sand artificial beach located on the Adeje Coast.  This beach is a favorite and has many tourist activities and services available.  A great beach for a holiday, Torviscas has magnificent nightlife.</p>
<p>Los Cristianos</p>
<p>This is a popular beach located near the southern airport on Tenerife.  There is easy access to the nearby AquaPark Octopus and Tenerife Zoo for the kids.  Offered for the whole family there are fishing excursions, glass bottom boats, and many eateries and pubs.  There is also a great nightlife here.</p>
<p>Los Gigantes</p>
<p>Located in west Tenerife, this is a good beach for sunbathing.  There is the small town of Cueva del Polva nearby and also are the famous Los Gigantes cliffs.  This beach has been awarded the Bue Flag for cleanliness, meeting the highest quality standards in the European/World travel industry.</p>
<p>Las Gaviotas Beach</p>
<p>This last beach in the Top Ten Beaches of Tenerife is not necessarily a family beach.  This nudist beach has a section that is also favoured by gay tourists.</p>
<p>Check out all the latest deals &amp; offers on Tenerife holidays visit http://www.directline-holidays.co.uk for all the best deals at unbeatable prices.<br />
Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com<br />
Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=26595</p>
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		<title>Skiing vacations in Courchevel</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/29/skiing-vacations-in-courchevel/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/29/skiing-vacations-in-courchevel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:58:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[hotels]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/29/skiing-vacations-in-courchevel/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Courchevel was France&#8217;s first true exclusive jet-set. It&#8217;s legend has built over the last sixty years. Several villagest actually share the name Courchevel. The distinction is in the height. Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550 and others reflect the height above the sea level. The best cousine and the liveliest atmosphere is in the highest [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Courchevel was France&#8217;s first true exclusive jet-set. It&#8217;s legend has built over the last sixty years. Several villagest actually share the name Courchevel. The distinction is in the height. Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550 and others reflect the height above the sea level. The best cousine and the liveliest atmosphere is in the highest -  number 1850. Of course it is also the least friendly to your pocket.</p>
<p>The lift system here covers both sides of the valley. The resort is also the location od the largest cableacar of the world. The accommodation in Courchevel is the most wide-ranging in the whole Alps. Thy types of rooms range from studio apartments all the way towards four-star hotels.</p>
<p>So these days Courchevel is far from it&#8217;s beginnings as a jet-set friendly location only. But still you can find the same high quality of service.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fruitbasketreview.com/" title="Fruit basket" target="_blank">Fruit basket</a> - Fruit Basket Review directs you to the best quality gourmet fruit baskets online at the lowest prices and provides fruit basket discount codes, promotional codes, and coupon codes.</p>
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		<title>A holiday in Tuscany - take it slowly!</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/23/a-holiday-in-tuscany-take-it-slowly/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/23/a-holiday-in-tuscany-take-it-slowly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:12:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[spas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[wine tours]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[tuscany]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[italy]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[europe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/04/23/a-holiday-in-tuscany-take-it-slowly/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A holiday in Tuscany is definitely the one that needs to be taken slowly. Mainly because there is so much to see and there are simply some things that you have to do or to spend some time with.
One of them is the wine tasting tours. These are not tours where you run through a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A holiday in Tuscany is definitely the one that needs to be taken slowly. Mainly because there is so much to see and there are simply some things that you have to do or to spend some time with.</p>
<p>One of them is the wine tasting tours. These are not tours where you run through a winery, take a few sips, and run right back out. No, you get to taste the different wines, look at the vineyards, and you simply get to have a good time. You can&#8217;t rush through these things.</p>
<p>You also have various other tours. You can have bicycle tours or you can rent and drive a car around the countryside.</p>
<p>Things you shouldn&#8217;t forget are the spas. It can and it would be very relaxing. You would have some mud thrown on your face, taken right back off, and then out the door you would go. Now that&#8217;s no fun, is it? Of course it&#8217;s not.</p>
<p>If you head over to Florence, don&#8217;t forget the art museums, such as the Uffizi Gallery. Walk through the city and take a look at the fabulous architecture. Be sure to eat at some fabulous restaurants. The Tuscany restaurants are amazing. They use the natural flavorings of the food to really make it work. You&#8217;ve probably never tasted anything like it.</p>
<p>Make sure you take your time and enjoy your holiday. Don&#8217;t expect to go there just for a few days. You should be going there at least for a week or more. Even a week isn&#8217;t going to help you see the things that you need to see. So better yet, plan for about 2 weeks. Stay in a villa or in a farmhouse and really see what Tuscany is all about.</p>
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		<title>Along Lake Esplanade, Queenstown</title>
		<link>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/01/13/along-lake-esplanade-queenstown/</link>
		<comments>http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/01/13/along-lake-esplanade-queenstown/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:54:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>traveler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[accommodation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vacations-trips.eu/2009/01/13/along-lake-esplanade-queenstown/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of my favourite places in Queenstown is along this street called Lake Esplanade. Each time I am in Queenstown, without fail, I would spend time strolling along this stretch of road. Lake Esplanade is very central and leads to/from Queenstown CBD near the Steamers’ Wharf where the steamship TSS Earnslaw docks. I guess many [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of my favourite places in Queenstown is along this street called Lake Esplanade. Each time I am in Queenstown, without fail, I would spend time strolling along this stretch of road. Lake Esplanade is very central and leads to/from Queenstown CBD near the Steamers’ Wharf where the steamship TSS Earnslaw docks. I guess many tourists/visitors have strolled along this street without knowing its name.</p>
<p>On one side of the road are the hotels and apartments, and on the other side is a park/reserve that fronts Lake Wakatipu and this park/reserve offers a picturesque view of the mountains and lake. Many of my best memories and best photos of New Zealand were along this street.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ashokaindiatours.com/" title="Ashoka Tours" target="_blank">Ashoka Tours</a> - Ashoka India Tours is a Travel Agents in India, an online travel agency for tours and travel in India, also offering family tour packages for holidays in India and adventure travel in India, and holy tour packages.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thinkrentals.com/colorado" title="Colorado Springs Area Vacation" target="_blank">Colorado Springs Area Vacation</a> - Think Rentals provides Colorado Springs Area Vacation Rentals, Pikes Peak Colorado Area Vacation Rentals, Colorado Vacation Rentals and Vacation Rentals In Ft Collins Co.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.afbudsrejse.eu/" title="Afbudsreise" target="_blank">Afbudsrejse<br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tourindia4u.com/" target="_blank" title="Travel Agency India">Travel Agency India</a> - Tour india 4 u is a Travel Agents in India, an online travel agency for tours and travel in India, also offering family tour packages for holidays in India and adventure travel in India and holy tour packages.<br />
<a href="http://www.greece-yacht-charters.eu/useful-resources2.php" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.bizedia.com/en/business/browse/travel" title="Tour Travel Company">Tour Travel Company</a> - Tour Travel Company - Bizedia is providing updated information about India travel, travel agents in India, India tour, tour travel agency, tour operators in India, India tour packages, travel agent packages in India.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stayinamsterdam.net" title="Hotels in Amsterdam" target="_blank">Hotels in Amsterdam</a> - Find complete tourist information, cheap and best-located hotels, and apartments along with instant and secured online hotel booking, travel advice, airport, and weather.<br />
<a href="http://www.singhal-rajasthanguide.blogspot.com" title="Rajasthan Travel" target="_blank">Rajasthan Travel</a> - The site reveals a detailed introduction of Rajasthan. It also provides the picture of the history, locations and various stories hidden in its lap along with other evidences and places of entertainment.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.partitionrecovery-software.com/" title="Partition Recovery" target="_blank">Partition Recovery</a> - Partition Recovery Software provides partition recovery from formatted or  inaccessible hard drive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.partitionrecovery-software.com/" title="Partition Recovery" target="_blank"></a></p>
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