PARADIZENTA

About the county

Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece.
The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one's life.

Population & Languages

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.

Climate

It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.

Local Customs

The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.


Attractions
* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki's White Tower and country's rich Byzantine culture
* The south of Corinth
* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air '“ The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea '“ The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail '“ If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine
4. Perfumes '“ 50 gm or 250 ml
5. Gifts up to ~175

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

New Zealand is known for its great natural beauty and one of the best ways to see the country is to hire a campervan and explore by road. For those planning to travel on New Zealands roads, here are some useful safety tips.

Drivers should be aware of New Zealand traffic laws. Motorists can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a current drivers licence from their home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). If the licence is not in English, drivers will need to carry an English translation by an accepted agency with them while driving.

In New Zealand, they drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way (yield) to oncoming traffic from the right. If this is different from the situation you are accustomed to in your home country, you may want to take some time to get oriented on the quieter back roads before driving in heavy traffic.

The maximum speed limit in New Zealand is 100 kilometres per hour (100km/h) in the country and 50km/h when driving in urban traffic. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, the maximum speed is 80km/h on the open road. These speed limits pertain to normal driving conditions when it is safe to travel at those speeds. During bad weather or in the presence of other hazardous conditions such as people or animals on or near the road, drivers must not exceed 50km/h.

A tourist may want to go at a slower pace than other drivers. For drivers going below the speed limit with others waiting behind them, they should move to the left side of the road when it is safe to do so.

Signs are posted warning drivers of upcoming curves, and drivers should pay attention to these warnings. All signs use standard international symbols with distances given in kilometres. In New Zealand all drivers and passengers are required to wear safety belts, and children under five must use approved child restraints.

Overseas travellers will often suffer from jet lag, so it is important for drivers to make sure they are well rested before getting behind the wheel. If necessary, drivers should schedule their driving as not to interfere with their sleep patterns. Sleepy drivers should take breaks and naps, and if they find themselves nodding off while driving they should roll the windows wide open and pull over as soon as possible. Caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee can help drivers stay alert.

Drivers should try to get between 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night, or more if they are still feeling fatigued while driving. Also, it is a good idea to avoid driving more than 6 to 8 hours a day. Taking a break every two hours and walking around to increase blood circulation can help improve alertness and reduce fatigue. Another good idea is for drivers not to overeat as this can induce drowsiness. If possible, share driving times with other passengers.

Of course, one should never drink or take illegal drugs while driving. The legal blood alcohol limit while driving in New Zealand is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, any amount of alcohol can act as a depressant and contribute to drowsiness while driving. So the best advice is that drivers should not drink any alcohol at all.

Always take into account the vehicle's size while driving, along with the overall load weight, since this can influence your ability to brake and stop the vehicle. Also, drivers should find out what emergency services their campervan hire company provides.

The skyscrapers of the Kenyan nation's capital stand over what was 100 years ago just a remote, uninhabited watering hole in the highlands. Nairobi is a Masai name meaning "place of cold water" and that was good enough for the British to choose it as a camp for their railway from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. Today it is a bustling modern capital at crossroads of east Africa with a population of 4 million.

The Nairobi towns generally pleasant and temperate climate make it an ideal staring point for exploring the Kenyan game parks of the interior or fine place to relax after a safari. African lions roar a mere 8 kilometers (5miles) from the city center, in Nairobi national park. While tea plantations cling to the foothills of the high plateau.

The Nairobi city carefully planned from the beginning, Nairobi has kept its tidy purposeful appearance.

Nairobi city center

Bounded by Uhuru highway to the west. Haile Selassie Avenue to the south, Moi Avenue to the east and university way to the north. The town center is the beating heart of Nairobi. all the shops and trades, offices, restaurants and most of the large hotels are clustered in this area.

The imposing centerpiece and a good place to start your sightseeing Nairobi tour is the huge Kenyatta conference center overlooking city square. its cylindrical honeycomb effects owes little to its African roots. But next door amphitheatre is shaped like a rondavel (African hut) and nicely balances its neighbor. From the 28th floor (entry is free but tip is expected) the view over Nairobi extends to the west as far as the Ngong hills the bastion of the British in Kenya

The center forms a strange contrast to the quintessentially English neoclassical law courts built during colonial times Across the road are the parliament buildings, if you'd like to see African democracy at work you can obtain permission to sit in at one of its sessions. Beyond stretch the city's common gardens. You can also visit the National archives opposite site the Hilton on Moi Avenue. There is an interesting ethnographical collection and even an art gallery

Nairobi National museum tour

Take a taxi to visit the splendid national museum a mile from the town center. It's anthropological and Pala ontological departments provide an exhilarating visual account of Africa's prehistory with fossilized remains and the fossilized human bones which identified Kenya (specifically the Rift valley) as the cradle of humanity pride of the place goes to the renowned Cranium 1470 at the time it was discovered the oldest known homo habilis skull.

There is a large ornithological collection and some awe-inspiring large present-day animals stuffed. Other displays include collections of local and tribal crafts together with an attractive illustration of the Swahili culture.

Opposite the museum is the snake park where you can see all manner of snakes, crocodiles and lizards. Once a week(usually on Wednesdays) it is possible to watch the snakes being milked for their venom. On your way back to town center you can stop for a cup of tea or coffee at the famous Norfolk hotel a relic of colonial days

Nairobi National park excursion

Conveniently situated almost on the doorstep of the capital close to the airport the Nairobi national park is ideal for making acquaintance with Kenya and good preparation for a safari.. smaller and more compact than game sanctuaries further afield the beautiful well kept Nairobi national par contains a satisfying number of Africa's best known animals- gazelle, zebra, giraffe and buffalo, lion, leopard, and cheetah that may prove to be camera friendly than those in the bush.

The park is one of the best places in Kenya to spot rhinos .in the southeast of the park you can walk through an acacia forest to try to spot hippopotamus and crocodiles sunning themselves on Athi river.

Bomas of Kenya

Beyond the Nairobi national park in the in the direction of Langata the Bomas of Kenya is a culture center a collection of traditional houses that showcase the different Kenyan cultures. You can watch Kenyan traditional songs and dances of 16 Kenyan tribes. the most interesting are by the Samburu, Masai, the Wakamba and the Mjikenda. There is a demonstration of tribal crafts and shop. The shows take place at 2:30pm during the week and at 3:00pm on weekends.

Nairobi giraffe center

This is a sort of an open museum where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about giraffe. You can also feed the Rothschild giraffe wandering freely in the grounds of giraffe manor.

Karen Blixen museum

In the Karen museum has been set up in a farm of the Danish write made famous by the film out of Africa. Her house is the archetype colonial residence of early 20th century.
Close by you can visit the Karen Racecourse.

If you want to experience the true buzz of city life with the countryside being in easy reach, then Nottingham is the place for you. If offers the best of both worlds, and with plenty of Nottingham accommodation options to choose from you’ll have no problem enjoying your stay. There are several things you need to remember when you’re travelling to Nottingham to get the most of your visit, and here are just a few to make sure you don’t miss anything out.

Plan what you want to do
Nottingham has so much to see and do that it’s essential you plan in advance, because you wouldn’t want to get home to find that you’d missed something vital from the list. For example, you’ll probably want to head to one of the many historic and cultural landmarks dotted around the city, or if you’re there to experience the buzzing nightlife don’t forget to check out some of the fantastic restaurants. And, a trip to Nottingham simply wouldn’t be complete without heading to Nottingham Forest, so always bear that in mind when you’re on your way.

Always pack appropriately

The things you’ll need to pack will probably depend on your reason for travelling and indeed the type of Nottingham accommodation that you choose, with different attire being needed accordingly. You’re on holiday so you don’t have to worry too much about what clothes to wear, but if you’re heading to Nottingham for a night on the town then you’ll always need to pack a few pieces that will turn heads.

Or, if you’re after a trip to the countryside to see where Robin Hood called home, you’ll need appropriate attire for walking and exploring. If you’re heading to spas you’ll need different items again, and remember to pack those bathing suits so you can take advantages of all the treatments and facilities on offer.

Choose the right Nottingham accommodation for your needs

It goes without saying that to really enjoy your trip you’re going to need to find the right Nottingham accommodation to suit, but with so many options to choose from that shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll be able to find guesthouses, apartments, country manors, exquisite full-service hotels and everything in between, so you’re certainly not short of options whatever it is that you’re looking for.

Remember the importance of location as well, but whether you want to experience city or country living you’ll be able to find appropriate accommodation in Nottingham. And, one final point – always remember to look online to find the best selection of Nottingham accommodation possible, and you’ll have no problem enjoying your stay.

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Located just twenty minutes from Malaga international airport Fuengirola is one of the most important holiday resorts on the Costa del Sol. It was one of the first towns to become a holiday resort and was one of the first towns in Europe to become famous for the most popular type of holiday in the seventies, the package holiday.

Along the seafront the resort underwent huge development with lots of apartment blocks and hotels built to accommodate the thousands of tourists heading to Fuengirola during the summer months. Nowadays it is still just as busy in the summer but also has regular expat communities from the UK, Sweden, Germany and Holland.
The promenade in Fuengirola, known locally as the Paseo Maritimo is one of the longest on the Costa del Sol and across the road you will find restaurant after restaurant and bar after bar. There is even a trendy port area in Fuengirola where you can site and eat tapas while watching the yachts arrive.

Being a popular tourist destination there is no shortage of things to do in Fuengirola from water sport activities through to golf.

As Fuengirola is situated just off of the main road that stretches along the entire Costa del Sol many shopping and commercial centres have been built which attract visitors from all over the Costa del Sol.

The latest project is the Miramar Shopping Centre where you will find many of the top high street shops along with some unique boutiques and smaller outlets. Another part of the commercial centre is home to a large multi screen cinema which often has some of the latest films in their original language which is usually English.

If you are looking for a holiday with a great choice of things to do then Fuengirola is an ideal solution for the whole family. It has great restaurants, great facilities and is just a short drive from Malaga Airport.

http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/

Benalmadena has become a very popular package holiday resort on the Costa del Sol, especially with the British. It is ideally located just 20 minutes drive from Malaga international airport and has many large hotels and holiday complexes to suit the entire family.

Benalmadena is split into two main resorts, the coastal resort called Benalmadena Costa and the white village called Benalmadena Pueblo (village). The village is a lot more traditional with steep winding streets and whitewashed houses and has all the charm of a typical Andalucian village. The coastal part of Benalmadena is very different with lots of apartment blocks and hotels lining the seafront. All along the coast there are souvenir shops, bars and restaurants and a more recent addition was the popular Benalmadena Marina.
Being a popular tourist destination, especially for families, there are many different things to do from the dolphin shows and sea-life centre to beach activities and water sports.

Whatever type of holiday you are looking for you are sure to find something suitable in Benalmadena.

As Benalmadena was one of the first resorts on the Costa del Sol along with Torremolinos and Fuengirola, it is possible to walk along the seafront and right in to each of the other resorts. But not everything revolves around the coast. There is a stunning park area in Benalmadena with a lake and wildlife like rabbits just strolling around. It is a popular place to take children as they can get up close to some tame animals.

If you are someone that loves beach holidays but with a great choice of nightlife and restaurants then Benalmadena is the ideal choice for your summer holiday.

Even if you are staying in one of the other Costa del Sol holiday resorts a trip to Benalmadena should still be on your list of places to visit.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/benalmadena-an-amazing-place-to-stay-2779876.

Estepona is a closely guarded secret on the Costa del Sol and although it features in a few holiday brochures it has managed to avoid the ‘package holiday' stigma of so many of the other Costa del Sol holiday resorts.

Located just fifteen minutes west of Marbella, Estepona has virtually everything the other resorts have to offer whilst still retaining it traditional Spanish charm. If you are looking for a wild party resort then Estepona is definitely not for you.
Estepona is quite a large town with a great coastal area as well as an industrial area. It is home to the western Costa del Sol's ITV testing centre (the equivalent to an MOT) and many new car garages.

Back on the coast the promenade is lined with the vey popular chiringuitos (wooden restaurants serving fish and other local cuisine) and now there is even a beach club with comfortable sun beds and evening entertainment.

The shopping in Estepona is also very good with many high street names and some great smaller boutiques. As you wander around the shops you will stumble upon the old town and the plaza (square) which is always crowded with Spanish families eating together or tourists just enjoying the ambience.

Estepona is a great destination if you want to experience a real Spanish holiday away from the busy holiday resorts bustling with English tourist. You will find that Estepona is a popular holiday location for the Spanish and during August it gets very busy as many of the Spanish from Madrid come down for their holidays.

There are fewer hotels in Estepona centre but being a large area there are quite a few that come under the postal district of Estepona such as the famous five star resort called the Kempinski and the newer spa hotel called the Selenzo.

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