Getting to Phuket

Phuket is a large island located in Thailand. In fact, it is Thailand's largest island. It is also a favourite travel destination for visitors from all over the world due to its luxurious resorts, gorgeous idyllic beaches, varied natural attractions, countless shopping opportunities and rich local culture. Whatever you are looking for in a travel destination of choice, just name it and you will be sure to find it in Phuket. It offers a range of attractions that make it ideal for couples, families or even those who are backpacking alone through Southeast Asia.

By Plane - If you are getting to Phuket by plane, you have two main options, both of which are very popular among tourists. The first option is to fly from your country to Bangkok, where you will find a variety of low-cost domestic carriers that can take you to Phuket. Such carriers include Air Asia, Nok Air and One Two Go. For these carriers, take note that the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket will be. You can purchase your ticket online with a minimum of fuss. Of course, if you are adverse to the idea of taking a low-cost domestic carrier, you may take Thai Airways. This is the country's national carrier and has been highly rated for the quality of its service.

Another alternative if you are coming by plane is to fly to Phuket directly. While this involves less hassle, you have to remember that such direct flights are not as widely available nor will they be as cheap. You will land at Phuket International Airport, which is quite a good airport and which is located at the northern part of Phuket. You can usually get such direct flights from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Singapore as well as Germany. You may also be able to get direct flight from countries such as Macao, Seoul, Jakarta or Hong Kong through low-cost budget carriers.

By Bus - If you are from other parts of Thailand such as Bangkok, Hat Yai or Krabi, you will be able to hop onto a bus that will land you at the BKS terminal. This is located in Phuket Town. Once you have reached the BKS terminal, you can take a taxi, bus or the local tuk-tuk to get to your intended destination.

Take note that there are many bus services with different services and different prices. Try to purchase from legitimate bus companies. It is usually best to pay a little higher for tickets offered by legitimate bus companies.

By Boat - There are several luxury cruises that include a stop at Phuket in its itinerary. These are very popular especially for those who want to achieve a balance between hectic shopping and sightseeing as well as simply relaxing.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Thailand holiday accommodation and Luxury vacation rentals.

Kamala Beach Hotels - The Perfect Retreat For a Quiet Holiday

Kamala is famous among the Phuket beaches for its unspoiled white sandy beach and secluded ambiance. Kamala beach hotel is built to compliment these beach attributes.

Tourists seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of popular Phuket beaches prefer Kamala. The beach area retains its village-like atmosphere, despite the tourist influx. Even now, it is possible to spot fishermen heading out to sea from the beach.

Kamala, being a Muslim-dominated area, has fewer bars than other Phuket beaches. This factor helps in retaining its serenity and not getting submerged by the tourists. The recently developed area behind the beach has eateries, mostly offering Thai delicacies. Those staying in a Kamala beach hotel would also get to enjoy in-house restaurant and bar facilities.

Kamala has a few big hotels, resorts and guesthouses to cater to tourists, intent on enjoying the beach's peaceful environment. Some of the hotels are Kamala Beach Resort, Print Kamala Resort, Thiwa Ratri Resort & Spa and Aquamarine Resort & Villa.

As the beach is preferred by those looking for solitude, there are not many places to visit as well. Kamala Temple or Wat Baan Kamala is one of the attractions, located at the south end of the beach area, close to the cluster of hotels. Kamala is home to Phuket Fantasea, one of Phuket's biggest tourist attractions. It is located at the north end of the beach road and thankfully, not on the beach.

Even while staying in a Kamala beach hotel, it is possible to satisfy the sudden craving for a wild night out. Patong beach, well known for its raving nightlife, is close by - just 15 minutes drive away. By choosing Kamala as the base for your Phuket vacation, you get to enjoy both.

Paisit Kapilakan owns and operates the website My Phuket Holiday that provides more than just information and reservation for hotels in Thailand. My Phuket Holiday offers a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phuket, Thailand and the best discount for hotel reservations in Thailand including Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang mai, Hua Hin and Phuket. For more information on kamala beach hotel, visit http://www.myphuketholiday.com and avail this fabulous offer.

Post-Tsunami Phuket

Although it would misrepresent the facts to say that today's Phuket - Thailand's largest island and one of the world's top tourist destinations - looks the same as it did before the 2004 tsunami that was the greatest natural disaster in Earth's recorded history. But reliable anecdotal evidence does confirm that visitors to Phuket would have little reason to think that the island and its famous beaches were ever struck by the deadly wave.

Think what you will about ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, much of the credit for the remarkable recovery, arguably the most thorough of any of the places hit by the tsunami, belongs to him. In a move redolent of his effort to pay off Thailand's debt to the IMF for its recovery from the 1997 financial crisis, Thaksin determined early on that Thailand would attend to its own recovery - and not wait for international relief funds to arrive.

Some of that recovery has been laced with controversy. Chief among them are the charges that many of the former prime minister's friends became the recipients of the country's largesse, extra-legally taking over rights to lands that belonged to longtime Phuket residents whose documents of ownership were destroyed along with so much else during the catastrophe.

Still, contrary to dire predictions by many about the long-term negative effects the disaster would have on Thailand's important tourist industry, they have not come to pass. For the most part, tourists have returned to the beaches and resorts on the Patong Beach side of the island, on the Andaman Sea coast, and new or rebuild resorts are there to accommodate them - and to provide essential work opportunities for Thais in the tourist industry. No appreciable drop in tourist numbers has been reported in this critical region.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all of the parts of Thailand's Andaman coast struck by the tsunami. Reconstruction has been slower and more fraught with controversy in Khao Lak to the north, Phi Phi Island farther north, and coastal Krabi across from Phi Phi. Longtime visitors to many of those locations have, in various ways, tried to prevent the original owners of tourist properties there from losing their land and licenses. Not all of the efforts have been successful, and lawsuits regarding lands are choking Thailand's cumbersome court system.

Even so, the dramatic recovery of Phuket has become a beacon of hope for similar places on both sides of the Andaman and Indian Oceans, for whom recovery has been slower and fraught with even greater troubles.

Poyel enjoys life as an Internet financed permanent traveler with Thailand as a base.

Personal Hovercraft
Phuket Fishing
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Schengen Visa in Thailand

A Schengen Visa allows the holder to freely visit all member nations of the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Agreement was originally signed between just five countries in Europe. However, since that time the number has grown to 25 member nations including; Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherland, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. By obtaining the most popular and common type of Schengen Visa, Category C, an individual is allowed to stay in any of these nations for 90 days within a period of 6 months. This means that a person can stay up to 90 days in any of these nations and freely move between them without having to obtain different visas for each country. While those 90 days do not have to be consecutive they are only available for the six month period after first entering a Schengen Nation. There a number of different types of Schengen Visas available in Thailand to individuals who complete the necessary application process.

Types of Schengen Visas: There are a number of Schengen Visas available to Thai applicants. The following are a list of the different types of visas offered by member nations. However, Category C is the most common type of visa and is the one recommended to travelers.

· Category A Visa: Some nationals are required to have this visa allowing the individual to travel through the international transit areas of Schengen Nations airports. However, this does not apply to Thai citizens and is most likely not necessary for travelers.

· Category B Visa: This visa allows individuals to single, double or multiple transits to Schengen Nations for a period of 5 days of less.

· Category C Visa: This visa is the most popular type of Schengen visas and provides the individual holder the ability to travel within Schengen Nations without obtaining additional visas. The visa is good for 90 nonconsecutive days. However, those 90 days must be used within six months of the date of first entering a Schengen Nation.

· Category D Visa: This visa is issued by individual Schengen Nation and allows a holder to stay in that country for the length of time provided by that individual nation. The holder of this visa may travel within other Schengen Nations for up to 90 days within the six month period of first arriving.

· Category FTD and FRTD: These visas are only special visas for road and rail lines between Mainland Russia and Kalingrad Oblast which borders the Baltic Sea.

Filing Documents: To complete an application for a Category C Schengen Visa the following documents should be provided:

1. A completed application available online or at Schengen Nations' embassies.

2. A passport and a copy of that passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned return from Schengen Nations

3. A photograph or photographs of the applicant's face that was taken within six months of applying. The amount of photographs required may vary so it is advisable to have a few available.

4. Proof of medical travel insurance that meets or exceeds €30,000.00

5. Evidence of a stable financial background, such as bank statements, property certificates and similar documents.

6. Documents showing travel arrangements, accommodations and related materials that show that the trip will be temporary.

7. If you are staying at another person's residence in a Schengen Nation it might be necessary to bring an invitation from the individual you are staying with in order to verify your accommodations.

General Process: Once these documents are prepared an individual must complete a brief filing process. First, you must go to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen Nation that you intend to spend the majority of your time in. If that is unknown you could go to the Embassy or consult of the Schengen country you will first arrive in. Second, you must submit the documents listed above to the necessary station and pay the €60 filing fee (approximately THB 3,000.) This is usually the final step, but occasionally an interview will be requested to ask about your visit. A visa will usually be issued within in 4-5 business days after submission; the process can take longer if an interview is required.

Note:

· If the Schengen Nation that you are planning to spend the majority of your time in does not have an embassy or consulate in the country you are residing in you should contact the Schengen Nation that represents the other Nation for purposes of visas.

· Meeting the above requirements and completing the filing process does not guarantee a visa as approval is up to the discretion of the reviewing officer.

Conclusion: Making an application for a Schengen Visa in Thailand is the most convenient and effective way for a Thai national to travel through Europe. It allows an Thai national up to 90 days of travel to all Schengen Nations within a six month period. The visa is truly a 25 nation tourist visa that is provided to an individual who meet minimum requirements and file the appropriate application.

Making an application for a Schengen Visa in Thailand is a time consuming process and requires you to submit many documents. It is highly recommended to use the assistance of a Thailand lawyer who is trained in immigration matters to assist you to lodge your visa application in order to ensure its success.

Dennis Ramm is a Partner with Siam Legal International, Thailand's largest legal service network with offices in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Samui. The firm has international locations in London, Manila and Los Angeles. Siam Legal is a full-service Thailand law firm and provides a wide range of legal and visa services.

Vacation Homes Benefits in Comparison With Hotels

If you are planning a nice vacation, a good alternative is to look for vacation homes. The benefits you gain from these places are comparable to what a hotel can offer. Vacation rentals are increasing in popularity day by day as more people appreciate what they can gain going there. Privacy, comfort, space, and intimacy are just some of the things a vacation rental can offer. Virtually, it is your home away from home.

The best vacation homes in the land can provide more privacy for you and your family as good as higher levels of comfort than hotels offer. For many people it is important to require an intimate and safety environment for their families and friends while on vacation. Maybe, it is because such conditions lead to meditate and then relax.

A home for your vacation will make you able to spend all the time in the thing you want: rest, eat and enjoy the moment simply marvel at the beautiful natural landscape around. These are the wonderful things that you loose at home, when you are always hurrying at work or are day by day rushing to make your homework. If you can retreat a place that feels like home minus the hustles and bustles, then you are really on vacation.

Vacation Homes Are Cheaper and Mostly Offer More than Hotels

Great Service

Actually, many vacation homes provide excellent customer service to clients. Sometimes, their services are even better than good hotels in food service, cleaning, laundry, and even personal errands that you might require while on your beach vacation.

No Additional Charges

If you are pampered indeed, then you can enjoy a wonderful holiday for you and yours. You might notice that these services mean additional charges to pay, but if you consider the level of personal service you are getting - at still a much lower price than from an exclusive hotel - you should be more than willing to pay for it. Renting a vacation home will make you feel as if you are the King or Queen of the World.

More About Vacation Homes

The vacation homes from the top row are usually the first ones to get booked, but in the last years are looking for Ocean View ones. It also follows that they are more expensive in comparison with the Ocean View. The Ocean View vacation homes have amazing landscapes too. And in many instances, they offer spots that also are nearer to nature.

If you are ready to rent vacation homes, it is nice to consider your budget. Think about and decide on the main activity, something that you prefer to do while on vacation. Only then, you can proceed to select the best house and the decision will be much easier. Do not forget that in most cases, different prices represent different qualities of services.

To make a good deal, do some research over internet. Find out more about the vacation rental you are looking to take for holiday. You have to be sure that it is as good as you expected it to be. Also make your reservation with enough time. For some places it is enough making it a few weeks to a month before the date of vacation; but exotic places need more time.

Experts say that preparing a last minute travel almost always means trouble during vacation, so take care about this point. Planning a good vacation will maximize special moments without throwing away money; but consider leave some spaces to look what is going around. Maybe you will find a great surprise.

Plan your beach vacation and rent a house at Mancora, Peru. Try a good destiny after Machu Picchu in this exotic beach point at South America. Enjoy the all-year-sunny weather at Mancora and the nearby beaches that are great for relaxing, surfing, diving, fishing and tasting the exquisite peruvian food. You will have fun, nature and smiling people around - and the best: all at incredible prices. Visit http://www.mancora.net and find how.

Phuket's Secret Beaches

Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough through the water while vendors ply their wares up and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as an island getaway destination and only caters to the party crowd.

These people have not spent enough time exploring Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are usually very quiet.

Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches but they have become well known and usually have plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are not even known to many of Phuket's residents. These are Phuket's secret beaches. (If you want more details about how to find these beaches see our Phuket Beach Guide below.)

Banana Beach

This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. There is no accommodation and just a single beach restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the southern end.

There are usually only a handful of visitors at this beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat from other beaches but in fact, you can see the beach from the coast road above and there is a trail down.

Pansea Beach

Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two up-market resorts here yet the location retains its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good idea to bring a picnic.

Pon Beach

This secluded little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is amazing how few people find this beach considering it is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some good snorkeling.

There are usually a couple of locals renting sun loungers and selling refreshments. They can also provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. There may be a small charge for crossing the private land to reach the beach.

Paradise Beach

In the headland south of Patong, there are two beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches we mention on this list but still a break from the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can reach it by road (track) or boat.

It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. There are usually plenty of people around but still it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Freedom Beach

You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and snorkeling.

There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun loungers under the trees. The locals take great care of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Nui Beach

This beach is most known for how difficult it is to reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to reach it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

It is also known as the most expensive beach in Phuket because you have to cross private land to reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic restaurant overlooking the beach but no accommodation. It is never crowded.

Ao Sane Beach

This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club's car park to reach it but they do not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never busy.
It is actually a series of three small beaches split by little rocky headlands. None of them is good for swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. There is some excellent snorkeling.

Laemka Beach

This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one of the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are nice views out to the southern islands.

Ao Yon Beach

Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well developed with residential property, there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always plenty of boats moored in the bay. It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.

The author has lived in Phuket, Thailand for seven years. If you want to learn more about the beautiful island of Phuket then visit Phuket Travel Guide and Articles where you will find more articles and visitor information.

http://www.knowphuket.com/beaches/main-map.htm

The Amazing Nightlife of Phuket

Phuket is a very popular travel destination located in Southern Thailand. One of the principal reasons why Phuket has grown into one of Asia's leading travel destinations is because of the wild and amazing nightlife which visitors encounter on this tropical Asian island. Of course this leading Thai travel destination has plenty of other attractions and activities to offer its tourists, which include white sandy beaches and these popular tourist shows found at Simon Cabaret and Phuket Fantasea. However the nightlife has been ranked as the leading attraction for many travelers and tourists.

Phuket has many repeat visitors and the vast majority of these repeat tourists return back to this popular holiday destination because of the large variety of excellent bars and the many cute Thai girls that are employed at these Phuket nightlife venues.

Travelers who are planning to spend their vacation on Phuket and who would like to spend many evenings exploring the exiting nightlife should definitely reserve accommodation in Patong beach. This popular beach resort area is where most popular Phuket nightlife establishments are located.

There is a wide range of different type of nightlife venues on the island which we have listed and reviewed for you.

Discos

Any tourists who would like to do some clubbing during their stay on Phuket will be happy to hear that there are some really remarkable discos. All the discos on this popular Thai island are located in Patong beach. The largest of all the discos on the island is the famous Patong Tiger Disco and other popular discos include the Safari Club, Banana Disco and the Patong Tai Pan disco.

Bars

There are thousands of bars located on Phuket and most of these nightlife venues can be found in Patong. There are different types of bars which include beer bars, Irish bars, cocktail bars, wine bars, go go bars and gay bars. Some of the most popular Phuket bars include the Kangaroo Bar, Molly Malone's Irish bar, Patong Aussie Bar and the ever so popular Boat Bar.

Beer Bars

The most popular type of bars on Phuket is most certainly beer bars. This type of Phuket nightlife venues come in all shapes and sized and most can be found along Soi Bangla in Patong beach. What makes these bars so unique and popular is the fact that there are many cute and sexy bar girls working at these of popular bars. Visitors who are interested in getting to know one of the cute Thai girls are able to bar fine the girl for the rest of the evening.

Go Go Bars

Thailand is well known for its Go Go bar and there are more than a few outstanding Go Go bars on the island which travelers can explore. If you would like to visit one of these Phuket nightlife venues then we recommend for you to head over to Soi Seadragon which is located just off the popular Bangla road in Patong.  Thai Go Go bars are basically bars where there are Thai girls dancing on stage in very revealing clothing.

For more information about the various different Phuket nightlife venues be sure to visit the nightlife section which is located in the author's Phuket guide.

James is living on Phuket with his family and is employed in the travel industry. Tourists seeking information about Phuket should visit his Phuket travel guide which includes an excellent chapter on Phuket Nightlife.

How to Choose the Correct Wetsuit

The rise in technology over the last century has marked a significant change in the production rates and values of items that we use regularly. Specifically, the wetsuit is one product that has evolved over time to become incredibly disseminated, efficient and affordable. Improved technologies have caused the the production of wetsuits to be far more cost effective, as well as drastically increasing their functionality. Make no mistake about it, the modern wetsuit is a very intricate and sophisticated device.

For many divers, choosing what wetsuit they wish to use is a very personal decision, as there are a myriad of different factors that have an effect on what they eventually choose to purchase. Of primary importance is the environment in which they wish to use their new wetsuit. Improved scuba breathing devices allow people to dive to increasingly deeper waters, so there is becoming a need for wetsuits to be practical in even colder waters; in this case, high quality, thick long john wetsuits or even dry suits are often purchased. On the other hand, in more tropical, and shallower waters, there is not so much a need for full body wetsuit coverage, so shorty wetsuits are generally the most practical design.

However, in most cases, the best 'all rounder' wetsuit, used by social divers and professionals alike, is the 'steamer,' which is a full body wetsuit which can be effectively used in a huge range of water climates and temperatures. As it is available in a many different sizes and thickness of neoprene material, the steam is designed to keep the body warm for long periods of time underwater, without having an overwhelming effect on restricting the users range of movement. Newer types of steamer has removable arm and leg portions, so that one can customize their wetsuit just the way the want it. For example, if they are diving in deeper waters, they may choose to have full body wetsuit coverage, but on the other hand, if they are surfing, they may prefer just torso coverage. It is in this way that the steamer is ideal for those who have a wide range of uses for a wetsuit, and who travel around a lot to different water conditions.

There is a grand array of suppliers of wetsuits, which range from well known manufacturers to custom made wetsuit designers. Whatever you choose, in the end, will come down to how much you are willing to pay, and on your personal preference for style of wetsuit. No matter what you eventually decide on, we are confident you will find the wetsuit that suits your unique need.

When Kim Hanna isn't diving in the deep blue sea, he's working on his online franchise at wetsuits for sale.

Things to Do in Vientiane

I recently visited Vientiane which is the capital city of Laos and I was definitely positively surprised by the charming and somewhat unique destination.

There is a heavy French influence in this city and together with the Asian atmosphere it creates a lovely environment.It is a relatively small city and cannot be compared in size to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur but it does have a lot of historic and cultural sights which tourists can visit.

Buddha Park

The Buddha Park is located just outside of the city and it is filled with Buddhist images and art pieces. Some of the older items date back over five hundred years ago. This attraction is open daily from 09:00 until 16:00.

Lao National Museum

The premier place to learn more about the history and culture of Laos is at the excellent Lao National Museum. A lot of attention is also paid to the general Mekong region and the Hmong which are the local tribe's people. You will also find a lot of information about the various different wars in which the country has been involved. The Lao National Museum is open to the public daily from 08:00 until 12:00 and from 13:00 until 16:00.

Hin Khana Waterfalls

The Hin Khana Waterfalls is a very popular destination for both local residents as well as tourists. Many local citizens visit this attraction with their family for picnics and lots of activities. There is a wonderful area for swimming and you will find plenty of stands and other hawkers selling a wide range of food items and beverages. You can enter the area daily from 09:00 until 18:00.

Ho Phra Keo

One of the most impressive temples in Vientiane is the Ho Phra Keo temple. It was constructed nearly five hundred years ago by King Xaisetathirat. A wonderful museum is housed inside Ho Phra Keo which displays a lot of historic religious and cultural Lao artifacts

Golf Courses

If you enjoy playing golf then there are a number of well maintained and rather inexpensive golf courses which you can visit during your vacation. One of the most popular golf courses in Vientiane is the KM6 course which is visited by many of the local expats.

James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section on Phuket Nightlife.

Egypt's Al-Nitaq Festival

The Al-Nitaq Festival of Art takes place annually during February or March in the vibrant city of Cairo. It showcases visual art, music, film, theatre and poetry in venues throughout the city. The Nitaq is a unique event in the city and provides an inside look at the artistic culture of Cairo. In a city with such a rich history, it can be hard to find time to appreciate the modern culture and society. This event acts like a window into the more modern cultural scene and should not be missed.

A quiet excitement permeates the downtown area during this gala. Visual art, especially multi-media installations, dominates the scene. The event brings art to life, joining with the pulse of the city and of art lovers who provide the impetus for this festival. A stream of local aficionados and interested tourists flow through downtown galleries and cafes, creating a small community of artists and appreciators which lends an ambiance to the city.

During the festival, the historic Townhouse Gallery and other small, privately-owned spaces showcase local artists, while cafes and cultural centres are transformed into theatres for drama, music and poetry readings. Aside from visual art, visitors can enjoy films and lectures about Egyptian life and culture, poetry from local writers, as well as traditional and international music.

Al-Nitaq was Cairo's first arts festival and was initiated by three private galleries, namely, the Espace Karim Francis, the Mashrabiya Gallery and the Townhouse Gallery. These three continue to be pivotal participants in the festival. The fair first ran in 2000 and 2001, but was abandoned for several years due to complicated cultural politics. Happily, it was resumed in 2007, and will go on for its fifth showing in 2009.

Private galleries have provided the momentum and space for innovation in Cairo's art scene, which is dominated by state-run galleries. Most of the funding for art comes from the Ministry of Culture, but the state sector tends to favour traditionalism in artistic styles. This is evident in the contrast between the larger state-run Biennele art festival, and the smaller but more vibrant Al-Nitaq.

The Nitaq festival is a celebration of new ideas and alternative medias. It stimulates motivation and funding for new styles and approaches to art. Here you can become acquainted with up-and-coming as well as established Egyptian artists. Many artists who participate in Al-Nitaq later go on to showcase their work internationally. The festival provides great exposure for local artists and supports Cairo's art scene.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Paris accommodation, France and Venice accommodation Rentals.

Top 10 Fishing Vacation Destinations

Fishing was once the only way populations residing on the coastlines could survive. Even in today's age of technology, fishing activities provide livelihood for many people in developing nations. For those who no longer need to depend on fishing, the industry has become a lucrative lure for tourism.

Fishing vacations are holidays where majority of the time is spent out on the waters, hunting for fish and bringing the largest catch home. The entire tour can be arranged by tour operators and is designed to give the vacationers the best of fresh and saltwater fishing experience. Thus, an ideal fishing vacation takes individuals from the interiors to the deep sea, enabling them to indulge in fly-fishing, estuary fishing, and coastal fishing. The destinations can be arranged as per the choice of the vacationers and depending on it more time can be spent on fly-fishing or coastal fishing or any other fish-related activity that catches the fancy of the travelers.

In the places near the coastlines, fishing is not just an activity; it is the means of livelihood for many and a skillful art for others. The top fishing vacation destinations lie mainly in the tropics. Thus, places such as Los Cabos in Mexico, Quepos in Costa Rica, the Andaman Islands in India, or Canberra in Australia are some of the famous places for dream fishing vacations. In addition, tropical islands such as Mauritius, Java, Hawaii, Tahiti, and the Bahamas are excellent fishing spots that rank among the top in the world. Also on the saltwater trail for the top fishing in the world are Zanzibar in Tanzania with its high-speed sports fishing and Caamano Sound in Canada with some of the nest king salmon heists on offer. Marbella in Spain, and Turkey's coastal regions, are apt destinations for a bout of Mediterranean fishing. Equally exotic are the Guinea Islands, the Forra River Basin in Norway, and Phuket, Thailand.

Depending on traveler perspective and the kind of fishing available, a large number of destinations worldwide can try for a break in the list of the top ten fishing vacation destinations.

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