Touring the Mexican Jungle

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

While vacationing in Mexico there are an unlimited number of places to visit and unlimited number of activities to participate in. If you have never had the opportunity to visit Mexico before, you may be wonder just what some of the activities are. How about the jungle? Does exploring the jungle sound like fun?

It you think that exploring Mexican jungles sounds like a fun and exciting activity then you are not alone. Jungle tours are currently a well-kept secret in Mexico, for the most part. However, they are rapidly beginning to increase in popularity. One of the many reasons why jungle tours are becoming popular is because of how the tours are being carried out.

In most Mexican jungles the terrain makes it difficult or impossible for guided tours to take place from a bus or a car. Hiking or biking is often dangerous or impossible. If you are interested in scheduling a Mexican jungle tour, you will find that most tours are known as ATV jungle tours. The all terrain vehicles are what make most jungle tours fun and exciting.

If you are interested in scheduling an ATV jungle tour, you will have to find a tour guide or company. ATV rentals are available, but you are advised against touring the jungles on your own. Professional ATV tour guides not only know where to look in the jungle for exciting adventures, but they also know how to keep you safe. To find an individual or company that specializes in ATV jungle tours, you can contact your travel agent or do the research yourself.

While researching ATV jungle tours, it is likely that you will come up with a number of tour companies. When selecting a tour guide, it is advised that you determine the location of each tour and then compare it to your intended Mexico destination. ATV jungle tour guides are popular, but they can only be found in limited areas. If you are interested in scheduling an ATV jungle tour, you may have to be prepared to travel to the intended tour site.

If you are vacationing in or around the Cancun area, you may be able to schedule an ATV tour with Jungle Jim’s ATV Adventure. According to their website, this ATV tour was rated as the best ATV tour in the area for two years. Cozumel Tours offer ATV jungle tours in and around the Mezcalitos area. Cozumel Tours and Jungle Jim’s ATV Adventure are just a couple of the many ATV tours that can be found in Mexico. If these tours do not service your area, you are encouraged to keep on looking.

ATV jungle tours are popular in Mexico, but they are not the only tours that you can participate in while vacationing in Mexico. Many tourists find it exciting to ride an ATV along the coast or other in Mexican destinations. If you are interested in scheduling an ATV tour, whether that tour is of the jungle or beach, you are encouraged to determine whether or not reservations will be needed. The need for reservations often depends on the tour company which you plan on doing business with.

As previously mentioned, you can either research or book your own ATV jungle tour reservations on your own or can do so with the assistance of a travel agent. When selecting reservations, you may want to be on the lookout for tour packages. These packages may include a wide range of Mexico tours, in addition to ATV jungle tours. Many times, you may be able to schedule an ATV tour, hiking tour, or snorkeling adventure all one weekend and for one low-price.

It is likely that you expected to find an unlimited number of activities on your Mexico vacation, but did you honestly expect ATV jungle tours? In Mexico, it is often difficult to know what to expect. Perhaps, the unexpected and unknown is what draws so many to Mexico.

Posted in Travel Tips | Tagged Touring the Mexican Jungle | 4 Comments

Aspen Ski Vacations

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Aspen Mountain has long been known as the playpen
of the rich and famous – and it is. But it is also a
great place to take a family ski vacation. Christmas
in Aspen is especially wonderful! Aspen Mountain
rises above the town of Aspen, with a top elevation
of 11215 feet and a vertical drop of 3269 feet. There
are 76 trails suitable for beginners, intermediates,
and experts, accessible by eight lifts, including
seven chair lifts and one cable car line.

While Aspen has much to offer skiers, as well as
those who enjoy the night life in a ski town, you
should expect lots of crowds and lift lines on the
slopes. Again, this is the playpen of the rich and
famous, and many people choose this ski vacation
spot simply for that reason – as well as for the great
runs and nightlife.

There are numerous places to stay in and around
Aspen, with more than 100 restaurants to choose
from as well. Ski instructions and equipment rental
are abundant in the area, and snowboarders are
welcome.

Posted in Travel Tips | Tagged Aspen Ski Vacations | 1 Comment

Art Museums still manage to move the Masses

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

With around 65 museums, it’s no wonder that it is quite difficult to narrow down the choices and select the San Francisco museum that you absolutely must visit while vacationing here. The good news is that it is quite possible to narrow down the choices according to your personal preferences. Museums are a great way to discover the history, the art, and the future of a city. If that city gives a great amount of effort into building great places of learning about the art, music, history, and future of said city, then that city has a bright future ahead of it.

Art is something that is becoming more and more often overlooked as budget cuts hit school curriculums and great emphasis is placed on learning specific facts and details rather than the learning process, but art is a vitally important component of societal development. Think about it, the one thing that survives the generations of old and appears in museum today is most often art of some sort. Art is a way of expressing who we are, what we dream, and where we hope we are going. If we take the art from our lives, we are stifling our societies and risking our progeny.

In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a little passionate about art and feel that art museums are an integral component not only of preserving our pasts but also of insuring our futures. The first art museum I would like to mention is of particular interest here because not only does it showcases artists that are local to the San Francisco area but it also deals with visual arts, performing arts, and film and video. The name of this museum is: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and I seriously recommend that you take a moment or two out of your busy vacation time be devoted to taking a look around this great center for visual and performing arts.

Art comes in many shapes and sizes and few places showcase it as well as the de Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. From painting to sculptures to quilts this museum offers some fantastic collections of art as well as offering excellent exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. Give your senses a feast of color, light, and texture by visiting the de Young.

If you have the time, you really should check out The Diego Rivera Mural Project. This project is about the necessity of blending all of the cultures and histories that make Americans American into one unified work of art. By using the historical artistic styles of the Indian, the Eskimo, and the Mexican and blending them a style will emerge that is Pan American Unity. While some may find the ideals behind it a bit lofty (I find them applaudable), it is impossible to deny that the mural itself is an impressive work of art. While this is not a museum, I really feel that this is an important work of art that is definitely worth mentioning.

Whether you have a deep and abiding passion for art or not, it’s hard to deny the power that art has to move and inspire people. For that reason alone I think it is important that we try to cultivate a love of art or at the very least an education about art within our children, museum exhibits are an excellent method of achieving that goal.

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Are Your Beauty Supplies Banned?

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Are you a female who is about to catch a flight? Whether you are just going to visit family, are planning to take a vacation, or you have a business meeting to attend, there is a good chance that you will be brining along beauty supplies. In fact, some of these supplies you may even want to carry with you at all times, but can you? If you weren’t already aware, there are a number of different beauty supplies that are prohibited from being stored in your carryon luggage. Before you head to the airport, you are encouraged to famialrize yourself with these items.

With the recent ban on liquids, you will find that a number of your beauty supply products are automatically eliminated from being allowed in your carryon luggage. These items most commonly include liquid deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioners, hand sanitizers, and all liquid hair products. Although it may be inconvenient for you, you will also find that the majority of your makeup supplies are banned from carryon luggage bags. All of these banned items include liquid based formulas, such as liquid foundation, liquid skincare creams, liquid mascara, and liquid lip products.

Although a large number of liquid beauty supplies are prohibited from being stored in carryon luggage bags, there are a few exceptions. These liquid exceptions include prescriptions that are prescribed to you and certain eye care products. If you are wearing your contacts or have eye problems, you are allowed to carry small amounts of eye drops or saline solution with you. These items must be no larger than four ounces each.

Although a large number of beauty supplies are liquid based, there are others that are not. For instance, most nail care products, expect for nail polish or nail polish remover, are liquid free. By the way, it is important to note that both nail polish and nail polish remover are included in the, above mentioned, liquid ban. Nail care items that you can bring aboard an airplane with you, in your carryon luggage, including nail clippers, nail cuticle cutters, and nail files.

If you need to carry any other beauty products with you, it is likely that you they will focus on eye care. As previously mentioned, small amounts of saline solution and eye drops are permitted onboard an airplane, in your carryon luggage. Although you may think it is banned, you are permitted to carry eye glass repair kits with you. These kits are allowed, despite the fact they do have a small number of sharp objects in them.

Now that you know which common beauty supplies or products are allowed or are not allowed to be stored in your carryon luggage, you can pack accordingly. It is important that you keep this list in mind. If you are planning on wearing makeup, you will want to apply it before you leave and store the rest in your bags that will be checked. In the event that you try to sneak, the above mentioned, prohibited items into your bag, you may be at risk for being detained by airport security.

Although there is a chance that you may be detained by airport security or miss your flight, due to being tied up at a security checkpoint, you will find that those are the most serious consequences. In the event that you are cooperative with airport security and other airport staff, you will likely just have your banned beauty items confiscated. As a woman, you should know that many of these items do not come cheap. Therefore, instead of wasting your hard earned money, you are advised to think wisely and plan ahead.

Posted in Air Travel | Tagged Are Your Beauty Supplies Banned? | 5 Comments

Are You on The No-Fly List? What You Can Do

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Each day, millions of Americas board an airplane. Although many of those individuals do not have a problem, others do. One of those problems may involve the no-fly list. While the no-fly list was designed to make air travel safer, there are some instances when the wrong individuals have been targeted. These mistakes often include mistaken identities or misspelled names. Despite what you are told or may think, there are ways that you can get yourself off of the no-fly list.

Although you can get your name off the no-fly list, it is important to remember that it will not happen overnight. In fact, if you are notified that your name is on the no-fly list at the airport, it is almost a guarantee that you will not be able to board your plane. Since airport security cannot rely on your word, they will likely not allow you to proceed any further. In fact, you may even be detained a short period of time by airport security. Once you are released, you can begin taking the steps needed to have your name removed from the no-fly list.

The first step in getting your name off the no-fly list is to the contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Once you are notified that your name is on the no-fly list, you should be provided with the contact information for the TSA. If you are not provided with this information, you can easily obtain the telephone number needed to directly contact the administration by visiting their online website. That online website can be found at www.tsa.gov. Once you have made contact with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you will be provided with instructions on what to do next. Those instructions will likely include filling out a form that should be mailed to you.

In addition to filling out the proper paperwork, you will also be asked to submit identification. In fact, you will need to submit more than one piece of identification Most travelers need three different items. Accepted items include a driver’s license, a government identification card, a military card, a social security card, a voter registration card, a passport, a visa, or a birth certificate. Although only three pieces of identification are required, you may want to have additional identification documents on hand, just in case. After you have collected these items, they will need to be notarized by the proper officials.

After you have submitted all of the required documents, the process should begin, which will result in your name being removed from the no-fly list. This process could take as little as a few weeks, but it could take months. You are advised against making any travel plans until you receive confirmation that your name has officially been removed from the no-fly list. Once your name has been removed, all airlines will be notified of this removal. This should mean that you are now able to purchase airline tickets and make travel plans.

In addition to actually having your name on no-fly list, namely due to a mistake, there is a chance that someone else with the same name as you could be on the no-fly list. Despite the fact that you are not the one on the no-fly list, you may experience some problems. For that reason, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed a traveler verification program. In the event that you are commonly mistaken for someone else, it may be a good idea to register for that program. Information on this helpful program can be found by visiting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s online website. As previously mentioned, that website can be found at www.tsa.gov.

Although getting off the no-fly list may seem like a long and frustration task, it is something that you will want to do. Chances are your name will not magically disappear from the list. This means that if you are planning on traveling, now or in the near future, you will want to take the appropriate steps to ensure that you will make it to your intended destination.

Posted in Air Travel | Tagged Are You on The No-Fly List? What You Can Do | 10 Comments

Are Air Travel Rules Different Between Airports

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Are you a frequent flyer? If so, there is a good chance that you know all of the air travel rules. Do you? If so, do you know that air travel rules can vary between airports? Most travelers, especially those that tend to fly out of the same airports, are unaware that the rules are different.

When understanding air travel, it is important to remember that there are two main sets of rules. One set of rules are often imposed by the federal government. These restrictions, such as the bans on sharp objects or certain liquids, must be upheld in all airports in the United States. Despite these types of bans and air travel rules, you may also find that specific airports have implemented their own rules and restrictions. Although it is not required, a number of them have.

Whether you are a first time flyer or a frequent flyer, who is flying out of a new airport, you are advised to famialrize yourself with the air travel rules that are implemented in all airports, as well as the ones that are implemented individually, by each airport. The rules that can be found in each airport are just as important as the rules that are widespread. For this reason, it is important that you famialrize yourself with them. This can be done a number of different ways.

Perhaps, the best way to learn airport rules is by visiting the website of the airport in which you will be flying out of. If you do not already know the address of that website, you can easily find it out by performing a standard internet search. You should perform your search with the name of the airport in question. Once at the website’s main page, you should be able to find information on air travel rules. You are encouraged to fully read those rules and take note of what you see; it may come in useful later on.

As nice as it is to get information online, you are advised to be careful with what you find. Most airports update their online websites on a regular basis, but not all do. You will want to be on the lookout for outdated information. In addition to outdated information, there is a good chance that you will not find anything at all. If your airport’s online website does not have any information on air travel safety and rules, it does not necessarily mean these rules do not exist. However, it does mean that you may have to obtain the information elsewhere, such as directly from the airport.

When trying to contact an airport, you will have a number of different options. If you are flying out of a local airport, it is likely that you can get the airport’s contact information for your local phone book. If not, you should be able to obtain it online. Regardless of where you get your information from, you should find that each airport has a number of different telephone numbers listed. In the event that there is not a phone number listed specifically for information on air travel rules, you will want to contact the customer service department. Most airline representatives would be more than willing to answer all of your questions, including those on airport rules and restrictions.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with the airport that you will be flying in and out of, it is also a good idea to examine your airline. Like many airports, many airlines have implemented their own air travel rules, guidelines, and restrictions. For instance, there are some airlines that have specific rules on the flying with pets and others that are more flexible. Before leaving for the airport, it is important that you determine whether or not these additional air travel rules exist.

When flying out of a new airport or on a new airline, the “but the other airline allowed it,” excuse will not work. That is why, to prevent confusion or confrontation, you are advised to know what rules and restrictions each airport and airline has, if any.

Posted in Air Travel | Tagged Are Air Travel Rules Different Between Airports | 2 Comments

Angel Island is a Diversion from the Ordinary

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Whether you are a true nature lover or simply enjoy the thrill of an educational field trip, you will find both the wonders of nature and a deep sense of history while visiting Angel Island. In fact, I would suggest making Angel Island a must see destination while visiting San Francisco.

In the great city of San Francisco, which has so much to offer visitors, it’s almost impossible to find that one thing that will be truly special and unique about your trip. Angel Island is just that thing. Wherever your interests lie, there is something that will attract the attention of people of all ages, economic situations, and other walks of life. If you can’t find something that will interest you here, you really should rethink your interests.

For the nature lovers there is plenty of interest in way of plant life, bird life, and other animal life that should be of interests. There are even specialized tours available that will highlight and focus on the wide variety of life on this great island. Not only are there a great variety of land animals but a good representation of sea animals can be observed here as well. If you love nature, this is a great place to get a good dose of it while in the big city of San Francisco. Not only can you enjoy the sea animals on the ferry ride over (if you choose a ferry for your transportation) but you get to enjoy the plant and animal life on the island as well. Don’t forget the air animals either though. There are many varieties of birds that are well represented here as well.

For those that prefer more active pursuits, there is plenty on Angel Island to keep you entertained and happy. First of all, there is plenty to offer by way of hikes. There are even guided hiking tours that offer the safety of numbers (very good for beginning hikers) and information about the island and its rich history. If hiking isn’t really your thing, there are also bike rentals available on the island as well. With several trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty, even the beginner can enjoy a nice ride around the island.

My personal favorite physical activity here would be the kayak tours. For the right price you can book a guided kayak tour around the island. The tour includes equipment rental, your guide for the day, and a picnic lunch this would be for the all day tour, which will take you around the entire island. There is a 2 and a half hour tour if you aren’t too sure about the whole kayaking thing or want to have time to enjoy other aspects of the island on your trip as well. The beauty of a trip to Angel Island is that there really is no right or wrong way to go about enjoying your day.

For sun lovers, there are several beaches where you can bring a blanket and lie down with a good book in order to catch some rays. I do not recommend swimming from Angel Island as the water isn’t the cleanest nor is it the calmest. The tides are dangerous and can turn amazingly quickly. But if you love books and find that you could use a ray or two, let the kids and the rest of the family go biking, hiking, touring, and all that other good stuff while you catch up on the latest best seller at the beach.

All of this and I haven’t even really hinted at the rich history of Angel Island. There are many activities planned throughout the year that introduce visitors to the rich history of this island. From Civil War Days to the Potomac Tours to the Victorian Christmas there are brief snapshots into the history of this great island. Beyond these events there are tram tours that are offered almost daily during the regular season on the island that provide brief overviews into the islands history. This would be a great way to spend a day while visiting San Francisco.

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All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts in St. Thomas

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Each year, millions of individuals, couples, and families make the decision to schedule a vacation. St. Thomas is a popular vacation destination, unfortunately, a large number of individuals believe that a St. Thomas vacation is out of their reach. If you are interested in scheduling a St. Thomas vacation, you should not let the cost of vacationing there prevent you from vacationing at your dream destination.

If you are interested in how you could be spending your vacation in St. Thomas without having to be concerned with the price, you may want to examine all-inclusive resorts that can be found in St. Thomas. Many couples and families find that they are able to save a large amount of money by booking their vacation at an all-inclusive resort.

When examining all-inclusive resorts in St. Thomas, you are encouraged to take a number of important factors into consideration. One of these factors is what each resort considers to be all-inclusive. All-inclusive resorts come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. Each of those resorts is likely to have different resort rules and regulations. You may find that a number of these rules and regulations are placed on all-inclusive packages.

What one popular St. Thomas resort may consider all-inclusive, another resort may not. That is why it is extremely important to determine everything that is considered in an all-inclusive resort package, before making your reservations. Fine dining, beach travel, and onsite entrainment is often included in most vacation packages. Alcohol may or may not be included in an all-inclusive package. Some St. Thomas resorts offer their guests all the free alcohol they can drink and other require that alcohol be paid for or a limit is placed on the number of drinks you can have.

When examining all-inclusive resorts in St. Thomas, you are also encouraged to consider the type of vacation that you are planning on taking. St. Thomas is a popular vacation destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway or families who are on a family vacation. There are a number of all-inclusive St. Thomas resorts that have age restrictions.

The age restrictions in place at many St. Thomas resorts are designed to help create a romantic environment. These restrictions often keep children, under the age of eighteen, off of the resort. If you are planning on vacationing with your family, it is important that you schedule your vacation at a resort that caters to individuals of all ages. Below is an overview of two popular all-inclusive St. Thomas resorts that are ideal for family vacations.

(1) The Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort and Spa comes highly recommended by past St. Thomas vacationers. This all-inclusive resort is located within a short driving distance to the closest airport, making the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort and Spa ideal for couples traveling with their children.

Located directly on the beach, the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort and Spa offers an unlimited number of beachside activities. These activities may include, but are not limited to, swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating. Beach lovers, of all ages, will enjoy vacationing at this all-inclusive resort.

(2) The Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villias is one of the most highly rated all-inclusive resorts. Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villias is ideal for romantic getaways, weddings, honeymoons, business meetings, and family vacations.

On and offsite activities and facilities are geared towards individuals of all ages. Adults and children will have fun playing on the beach, swimming in the hotel pool, playing numerous outdoor sports games, participating in snorkeling tours, and much more. Whatever you and your family are looking for, the Bolongo Bay Beach Club has what you may need.

As previously mentioned, additional all-inclusive resorts can be found on the St. Thomas Island. It is important to remember to closely examine each resort and their policies before placing your reservations. By taking the time to examine multiple resorts, it will be easier to make sure that you get everything that you want and need while on vacation.

Posted in Travel Tips | Tagged All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts in St. Thomas | 6 Comments

Albania

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Alex

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one’s head means ‘no’ where as shaking the head means ‘yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren’t much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don’t have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs €6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it’s better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them:
1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

Posted in European Countries | Tagged Travel Tips to European Countries: Albania | 5 Comments

Alaska Ski Vacations

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Alex

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world, and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a 2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631 inches of snow annually.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world, you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and there are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable car line. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski
trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid November, and runs through mid April. This area of Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the United States, with approximately sixteen hours of daylight each day during April. During December,
however, there are only about seven hours of daylight – which makes night time skiing necessary if you are going to get in the time that you want to spend on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly entertainment is available as well. There are other nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park. The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be! There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and
there are many area sights and attractions to be enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter family ski vacation!

Posted in Travel Tips | Tagged Alaska Ski Vacations | 1 Comment