If you have to come from another town to catch your flight, leave the day before. I managed to do this. I didn't, however come prepared for the fact that I had no idea where the hostel was. I knew what road it was on, and that it was at the end of the road. Just not what direction to take. (I picked the most likely and started off) After you get to where the hostel is meant to be and can't see it. Don't ask people on the streets. Ask in a shop. If the shop doesn't know.... don't keep walking with all your luggage. Go into the next shop and ask. Arrive at your hostel and fall into bed, exhausted.

Advice: Print out a map, Along with notable landmarks.

The next thing that I had to do was drop off some clothes and pick up a tent. Simple. Should have only taken a few minutes. I'd anticipated an hour at most. Three hours later I was on my way again. No matter how explicit emails are people will want to ask you what you've been up to, and if you're staying for lunch. Advice: Be explicit in emails the amount of time you have, and make it half your actual time.

Arrive at the airport with plenty of time, this is a given. Also recall what you know about the recent changes to airport security and buff up on these. I didn't, which meant I ended up spending half an hour trying to re-arrange my bags so that I only had one carry on piece of luggage. Not particularly intelligent. This was fine. It still gave me plenty of time to reach the gate. Until I realised that the security checks had gone ballistic, after removing my jacket and shoes, I went through the detector, only to have my belt go off and get frisked. However, travelling with a laptop, this meant that I had to root around in my newly packed hand luggage to remove it, and then take my plastic cartons of things and re-assemble. Needless to say, I made it to the gate with my shoes still in my hand, just in time to wait fifteen minutes to board. What really annoyed me? Finding customs closed when I arrived.

More to come!

Australia

I have all ways been fascinated with Australia. While a continent its only one country that is a large island, and with some amazing land features. I have wanted to drive through the outback and camp there my whole life. Then I could go to the Sydney Opera House and watch a world class opera. There are so many things I can do in Australia.

New York, USA

New York City has everything you would want to do. You can visit huge sky scrapers, historic sites, amazing Broadway shows, or even watch the Yankees play baseball. I have never been to a large city like New York and I think it would be great to go to one day.

These are just two of my dream vacation destinations. I hope I can make these trips one day, but if not it was still a good dream. You need to make your dream vacations a reality also.

You have made the decision to sell up and move to Cyprus, this article is a brief outline with tips relating to Southern Cyprus. The North of the island is separated and run by Turkey.

Research the areas around Southern Cyprus carefully, find out about the climate in towns and villages as best you can or you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Nicosia is the capital city and in the summer it becomes extremely hot and humid, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos are not as hot but in the summer the temperature is only lower by a few degrees and they are humid areas too. The hillside villages have a breeze and make the hot summers more bearable, but be careful as some villages get very cold in the winter months of January and February, Polemi village on the Paphos side of the island recorded -5 in 2007; this will also feel extra cold after the heat of autumn. Find out before you settle what seasons your potential new home will have.

Before signing on the dotted line on an amazing villa with fantastic views, think, where is the nearest shop, Doctor and telephone line? Don't let excitement cloud your vision. Not all villages are linked to the main line telephone system yet and if you rely on the internet for working this is an important consideration, several hillside villages don't have shops as we know them, some are in a neighbours house and unless you know this you might have to get the car out and travel miles just for the milk, the main supermarkets are well stocked with products from Europe arriving daily and if you are from the UK and are used to a General Practitioner system, forget it in Cyprus, some villages have a visiting Doctor or you have to go the main town clinics, the ambulance system is getting better but is not paramedic manned ,the private one ‘Sophie's Angels' are manned with the medical support that is expected in an ambulance service it is worth finding out more about them, losing their child through poor ambulance support, motivated this couple to set up a modern system and named it after her. If you are retired an E121 form from the UK pensions department will cover you or private medical insurance is available, if you intend to work on the island you can contribute to the social insurance scheme. The hospitals are good and the majority of staff will speak English.

There are many court cases ongoing in the expat community related to house building, ask your High Commission which solicitor to use, the UK one has a list of those they consider will represent the British expat fairly, this is an island of cousins and quite often all situations are family linked, beware of using the solicitor of the builder as he could be more in favour of the builder than you. Rent a property for a year, research all those you want involved with building your dream home, research the land, is it the builders to sell? The Land Registry in Nicosia will help you find the boundaries and ownership. If the plot is away from the village, ask the village president, the Muhktah if the property has right of access and if so who is responsible for making the road up, you might find yourself with additional expenses if they won't recognise it as village land.

You will need to go to Immigration and register your stay on the island if you intend living permently, take with you several photocopies of paperwork with you, they say one copy but they really mean four or five! If you wonder, will I need this, take it as you can be sure that if you leave it at home they will want that one piece of information. Save Bank statements before you leave your original country, they do want to see you can support yourself financially and money laundering is not an issue. Organise your work and forget efficiency as you know it, this is Cyprus they are just getting to grips with the mountain of paperwork entering Europe has given them, there are expat support companies who will do this for you if you wish, their fees are not horrendous either. Patience needs to be packed when moving to Cyprus; a friendly smile will usually help you get through any obstacles.

Driving a car in Cyprus is the same as in the UK but not so safe, the driving is erratic and you do need your wits about you, safety is not an issue with a Cypriot driver, getting to the destination at speed is. The motorway is bliss; there is little traffic even at rush hour. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident the police have to be informed and the cars left in position until they have arrived, even a minor prang will be called in. There are police radar traps and if you import a car, think kilometres not miles per hour if you have a twin speedometer. Road tax and MOT are required, the Ministry of Transport Office is where you register your car (if you import one then Customs will guide you through the process), the road tax can now be paid online or through The Cyprus Bank.

Taxes are paid in every country and in Cyprus the taxes are much lower than the UK, there is a dual treaty taxation agreement between the two countries, contact the UK tax office for the relevant forms, financial advisers are on the island and can help you go through the system smoothly.

Village taxes are paid at the local office in the majority of cases and there is not always a bill presented, find out when the water and community taxes are due and write it down, that way you will be able to keep track of payment months.
There is no piped gas on the island, gas bottles are used, electricity is about the same price as the UK and Cytanet the telephone company have various rates to offer, both the electricity board and telephone company require a deposit, you will need to register in the main offices, take passports, alien cards if you have one, photocopies and original of your rental agreement or proof of purchase, if you rent your landlord has to sign paperwork as well.

Since the introduction of the Euro currency there has been an increase in the cost of living in Southern Cyprus, the cost of currency exchange can be painful, the UK Nationwide Building Society does not charge you for using your credit card or debit card abroad, there are currency exchange companies who keep their costs low or you could bring all your money over from UK in Euros.

Many shipping companies in UK are used to Cyprus customs office, ring around and find out who has exported to the island before. 

 

The key factor is to research and ask questions, the lifestyle is very different to the fast paced life you are leaving behind, don't expect to get anything done on the day, if it happens enjoy the moment as it is rare. Websites such as smyhomepolemi or Cyprus Living will have information and links to help you plan and prepare.

1. ABC Game

   This is a fun easy game and everyone can play it. All that you do is find the alphabet. You start with finding an A then B then C, and so forth. First person who finds the whole alphabet wins. The alphabet has to go in order and all the letters have to be outside the car.

2. I Spy Game

   This is probably the easiest game ever invented. One person finds an object inside or outside the car, and then he starts to describe it. One or more people will start guessing what the object is. The person who guessed the object right first wins, and then he becomes the person who describes the objects.

3. Categories

   For this game you need at least 3 people to play. The group of people who are playing choose a category like animals, cars, or foods. Then they choose a letter and you have to say something in that category that starts with the letter. You go around in a circle saying something in the category and if someone says something that has been said before, say something that starts with the wrong letter, or takes a lot of time is out. The last person who is still in the game won.

4. Rock, Paper, Scissors

   Everyone knows how to play this game. Its simple paper beat rock. Scissors beat paper. Rock beats scissors.

5. Singing

   Choose your favorite song turn it on the radio, and sing along with it. Everyone likes to sing along with some good tunes.

All of these games are fun and easy to play. So next time you go on a long car ride try some of these games, and it will make the car ride go by so much faster! Go and give it a try.

Five Cities That are a Must See: Where to Travel

This website will tell you 5 amazing cities that you need to travel to. These are truly 5 wonderful places. It talks all about what you can do, what it is like, and what is best about the city.

Traveling to Italy and Greece: An Itinerary

This website gives a great itinerary for a 10-12 day trip to Italy and Greece. It gives amazing ideas. If you go by this itinerary your trip will be wonderful. It tells you what you can do while being there and it can help a lot with transportation ideas.

Travel Notes #1

This website is in a little series of websites. This and the rest of websites talk about what you can do in Ethiopia and South Africa. It is an amazing trip. It has great stories saying what happened to them while in the countries also!

Travel Notes #2

This website is in a little series of websites. This and the rest of websites talk about what you can do in Ethiopia and South Africa. It is an amazing trip. It has great stories saying what happened to them while in the countries also!

Travel Notes #3

This website is in a little series of websites. This and the rest of websites talk about what you can do in Ethiopia and South Africa. It is an amazing trip. It has great stories saying what happened to them while in the countries also!

Travel Notes #4

This website is in a little series of websites. This and the rest of websites talk about what you can do in Ethiopia and South Africa. It is an amazing trip. It has great stories saying what happened to them while in the countries also!

These are all great websites. They all have helped me more than once. They all give amazing ideas! When I plan to travel anywhere I will first read these websites for good ideas. So if you're planning or even thinking about traveling somewhere first read these websites!

1. Capri, Italy

   This is the most beautiful city in the world. Capri is a small city on the coast of the Bay of Naples on the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches are amazing, and when you're on the top of the city the view is breath taking. One thing that you have to do while in Capri is take a small boat around the island. The beaches and rock formations are amazing.

2. New York City, USA

   If you love big cities you will fall in love with New York City. There are Sky Scrappers everywhere. So many wonderful sites you can go to. The view on top of the Empire State Building is amazing you can see forever. Go to the Statue of Liberty that has such a large amount of history about it. You can also go and watch the New York Yankees or Mets play. Broadway plays there are wonderful, and is a must see.

3. Delphi, Greece

   One word that describes this small town is Wow! This small town lies on top of a very large mountain, and hangs over the step cliffs. So it has one of the best views in the world. Delphi is a quiet town, but receives a lot of tourists. There is an archeologist site that is amazing. The ruins were from before Christ.

4. San Francisco, USA

   So many things to do here, and they're all amazing. San Francisco is along the San Francisco Bay. It has a perfect climate. It's never snowy or it's never burning hot. It's always in 70s. The Golden Gate Bridge is an amazing feat of architecture. Alcatraz a jail that is no longer in use lies on an island out in the bay, and it is a fun site to visit. It's always fun to ride around the city on their famous trolleys.

5. Utah, USA

   If you love the outdoors this is the state to go. It has snowy mountains that are great to skiing and winter sports. Utah is known for the greatest snow on earth. When the mountains aren't covered in snow the mountains are great for mountain biking and hiking. Down in southern Utah there are many National Parks like Zions National Park. Zions National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Along with Zions National Park there are many other National Parks that are must see.

These are the five must see cities on earth. I have been to all of them, and they're all amazing. So go and check out all these cities so you can experience the greatness yourself.

Location

In the northwest corner of piedmont park in the heart of midtown.

You can enter by car or on foot from Piedmont Avenue at the pardon between14thstreet and Monroe dr., or use MARTA train.

Disabled Facilities

All areas are accessible to visitors with disabilities but strollers have to be left outside the Faqua conservatory.

International Visitors Facilities

30-minute audio tour of the Faqua conservatory in five languages:German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and English they are available at the museum shop for$2only.

Times of Availability

April-October (Tuesday-Sunday from9am to7pm)

November - March (Tuesday-Sunday from9am to6pm)

Closed on Mondays and all days thanks giving,Christmas and New Year's Day.

Prices

Best prices are $10 for adults $7 for seniors $5 for students and free for children under the age of six.

Annual membership (individuals):$40

Annual membership (families):$60

Must See

1. Museum shop: It opens at 10 am filled with grand collections of garden books, hard to find garden supplies, seeds, bulbs, wedding gifts, jewelry , wind chimes and greenhouse live plants such as orchids, exotic succulents, ferns, carnivorous and beautiful house plants plus much more other stuff.

2. Sheffield botanical library: Holds over 3000 books and more than 60 periodicals on all aspects pf gardening and horticulture, the books cant be removed or checked out.

Special Events

You can rent the magnificent garden for private parties, weddings and co-operate meetings.

Every month you can witness the succulent blooming of a number of exotic flowery plants.

Hot spots

1. Indoor glass gardens.

2. Outdoor breathtaking gardens.

3. Children's garden: with water play area, mazes, slides, crawl thru caterpillar, beehive, gnomes, and dinosaur with eggs to discover in the sand.

4. Niki De Phalle exhibit: beautiful gardens , forests, exotic birds and many sculptures for kids to climb and play with.

5. Orchid exhibit: you might find it a bit expensive but it's worth it you will see rare kinds of orchids and all other kinds of colorful velvety magical orchids.

6. Chihueli exhibit: A famous exhibit that contains 70 pieces of gall sculptures that will amaze you and sweep you off your feet don't miss it because it opens just one night per week.

In the end I can only tell you if you don't believe me come see for yourself and thank me later.

First, when referring to the fascinating culture of modern Japan, there are NO basic rules or guidelines, meaning that there is nothing basic about them. When traveling for pleasure, perhaps in a large city that is familiar with tourist interaction, the standards of proper protocol are slightly more lax. To the natives that actually live in the city, they are every bit as prominent as anywhere else in Japan, but a city-dweller is more likely to recognize and accept your ignorance to their customs.

Some things, however, they will most likely hold you responsible for knowing despite how ignorantly foreign you may appear. The as-basic-as-its-gonna-get survival guidelines are as follows:

1. In Japan, cars drive on the LEFT side of the road. If you, for any reason, feel the urge to avoid Japan's fabulous, fuel-efficient and cost effective public transportation system and pilot a car for yourself, you are not likely to be easily forgiven if caught barreling down the highway into oncoming traffic, shaking your fists and cursing at the other crazy drivers going the “wrong way.” Most locations have a wide variety of inter-city travel options, such as busses, trains, trolleys, and subways designed to provide maximum mobility for even the most culturally impaired of tourists.
2. Carry a dictionary. Yes, language is an important tool for communication in pretty much every form, and no, not every member or every other country in the world knows English. If you find yourself lost, or in need of any other vital information, it is not always wise to walk up to just anyone and start asking them where stuff is in English. It is true, most Japanese citizens were required to take English as a language at some point throughout their high school education, but a surprising few have actually retained it or are exceptionally willing to use it. Japanese people may appear to be very friendly and overwhelmingly helpful, and most all of them are, but if they cannot understand what you are saying, then you are both likely to only end up frustrated and further confused. In some horrifying and rare instances, Japanese people have been known to shake off insistent, ignorant tourists by simply pointing them in a random direction without having the slightest clue what anyone was asking, just to get rid of them (*raises hand). If this happens, and you find yourself stranded in a shady part of town after dark, find a police officer (they often patrol on most major streets in large cities, making them easy to find) and ask directions from them. Most have had extensive training in English and handle confused-tourist woes all the time. Normally, if you can feed someone a few key words from your dictionary, they'll be able to figure out what you need, but the trick with that is understanding what they're saying when they've accurately assessed your needs and then try to offer help.
3. Japanese money is not American money. In Japan, they use Yen, and it is exceptionally important to become familiar with the exchange rates of Yen to dollars and reverse, and what the Yen value of certain products and services is. If you don't go in knowing what you SHOULD be paying for something, it is easy for merchants to take advantage of you and try to sell you a pack of gum for the equivalent of five American dollars.
4. Try to have a plan and know exactly where you're going before you try to get there. That's pretty much standard anywhere you go, but is especially important when navigating yourself through some of Japan's uniquely maze-like cityscapes.
5. Avoid the subway at rush hour. You will be literally “packed in” with an impossible number of sweaty strangers. It is not uncommon, quite seriously, for limbs to be broken during the transit or for babies to be smothered. If your destination is within a mile or two, do as the Japanese do and walk. You will see much more of the city that way and experience a lot more of the colorful, pleasing bouquet that is Japan. If you wish to travel a considerable distance, take a bus, trolley, or cab, if available. WOMEN!!: The subway is one of the few places where it is important to be exceptionally aware of yourself and the people (men) around you. Understanding that most men are very proud, mostly quiet and reserved, while Japanese women are meek, passive, and non-confrontational, can give you a better insight into why certain things Americans deem inappropriate, such as groping strangers on the morning transit to work, does not appear to seem inappropriate to many Japanese men. Many female tourists get violated on the trains, and if this should ever happen to you, treat the situation exactly as you would in America. Slap, kick, mace, do whatever it takes to get the point across and draw as much attention to the offending pervert as possible, and then alert the nearest authorities.
6. Avoid eating while walking. It's considered very rude. To be safe, try not to eat in public at all.
7. DO NOT LITTER. You should notice pretty quickly how amazingly clean and virtually litter-free most places in Japan are, even the big cities. They take a lot of pride in their cleanliness and frown heavily upon those who disrespect their clean streets. In Tokyo, it can be hard to find trash cans out-of-doors, as they give a bad appearance to the layout of the sidewalks, so keep that in mind while walking around.
8. Don't tip the waitress. I know that sounds off, but in Japan, waitresses will normally not accept tips, and some will consider it an insult if you try. They are paid like any other employee, so additional money is not considered a part of their fair wages. If one truly desires to show their gratitude to a waitress in a tangible manner, leave them a small gift, but it is certainly not required or expected.
9. Some tourists live and die by the way they wield their chopsticks. You probably won't be expected to know all the rules right away, but some basic ones include (1) no sucking on the chopsticks (2) no pointing at other people with the chopsticks (3) no sticking the chopsticks in rice (4) no passing food from chopstick to chopstick and (5) no serving food or passing food to another plate with the eating end of a chopstick. If you are uncomfortable with your chopstick skill level, carry your own fork with you. Not many restaurants can readily provide them, but I have never known a Japanese person to be offended by their use.
10. Some personal products are not so easily available in all of Japan. Certain items that can sometimes be tricky to find include deodorant (don't ask me why), tampons, and specific shades of makeup. Bring your own. Also, many of the hair products available, such as shampoos and conditioners, are designed for Japanese hair, which is often considerably coarser than what most Caucasians have, the result being that the Japanese products will often make your hair much more oily than what you may deem comfortable.
11. Just eat it. Don't always feel like you have to ask what's in a specific dish. Sometimes, you may not like the answer. If you open yourself up to simply try as many things as you possibly can, you are more likely to find unusual, unique dishes that you enjoy.
12. Respect the shrines. Tokyo is dotted with innumerable shrines and temples. Most of these are open to the public, but be respectful when visiting these landmarks as they are often historical and hold some religious value to many citizens.
13. Don't mess too much with the buttons on the toilets. Unless you have a taste for adventure of an unusual breed, some of the functions of the toilet require some mental preparation. Before actually “using” the toilet, fiddle a little with the control panel to find out which button does what, and mark the symbol for the button for “flush” somewhere where you can refer to it later.
14. If you are involved in an international incident of any kind, have the number to the American Consular on speed dial. If you lose your passport, or require legal assistance, they'll be your best friends.

Japan is a fascinating, beautiful, and thoroughly enjoyable country for those who have the proper common sense to survive out in the general public. Try not to let the rules and customs overwhelm you or make you hesitant to experience the country to its fullest potential. Japan has so much to offer to those who are genuinely interested in making the most of its hospitality.

Travel gear shops can be complicated by sales people trying to get you to buy equipment that isn't essential to your needs. These five sites provide you with the information you need to get what you want, but won't empty your wallet with a bunch of things you won't need.

REI 

Perhaps the best store for travel gear. They have equipment for every skill level traveler in any situation. From an expert mountaineer on the way up Everest to the Cub Scout enjoying his backyard on a rainy day, REI provides awesome gear at a great price. Plus, they have an “Expert Advice” section so you can get information on what you need without being hassled by an in store salesperson. REI members can earn up to 10% back in their “membership refund” which is then applicable to new stuff in the store. Spend a couple hundred bucks on that new winter jacket and get next year's garden gloves free!

Moosejaw 

Crafted as though it were your local outdoor gear shop, Moosejaw is a great online supplier of quality goods. Arcteryx, North Face, Marmot, and Mountain Hardwear can all be found here at very reasonable prices. With accurate descriptions and user ratings and explanations available for every item you'll know exactly what you're getting from real people who own the product. Moosejaw also has a killer rewards program for those who shop even just a little!

Backcountry

This website offers a huge volume of brands at very competitive prices by cutting out the middle man in retail. While the selection may be somewhat limited, that is because Backcountry provides deals on overproduced or late season goods (though no manufacturers defects), but presents these deals up to 50% off what other sites charge. That's a deal that you cannot afford to overlook!

Sierra Trading Post

Calling themselves “your in-home outlet mall,” STP gives shoppers great prices on many goods. Like Backcountry, STP availability can be somewhat limited as its selling point is providing heavily discounted goods and the latest jackets and such may not be immediately available for a great deal. This site is perfect for those who shop out of season (i.e. those who buy winter clothes in summer and vice-versa). If you're able to plan for your needs several months in advance, check out these prices!

Altrec

One of the most well-known and trusted names in outdoor gear, Altrec has a huge selection and decent prices to boot. They always provide the latest in gear to keep you in style and up on the latest, greatest, and safest gear for your trip. The immensity of their selection affords Altrec the opportunity to help with any of your travel or outdoor needs, whether it be crampons for your summit attempt in K2 or an extra bug free tent for that barbecue next weekend.

Nestled at the foot of the Alps between Eastern and Western Europe, Vienna reflects a turbulent past while boasting of a luminous future. The capital city of the once great Holy Roman Empire as well as the second capital of the notorious Nazi regime, Vienna is a city busting at the seams with history. Find below why Vienna is the place to go to enjoy history at its best.

Schönbrunn Palace 

If Queen Victoria of England was called the grandmother of Europe, then Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresia of Austria is the great-grandmother. Orchestrating marriage after marriage (including the marriage of her daughter, Marie Antoinette, to French King Louis XVI), Maria Theresia not only built the Habsburg dynasty to its greatest size, but also built it's greatest palace, Schloß Schönbrunn. It was initially inspired by Versailles, but ultimately surpassed it in size (and some say even beauty!).

Kunsthistorisches Museum 

Many great European cities have art museums and, in that regard, Vienna is no different. But the KHM, short for Kunsthistorisches Museum (English: Museum of Art History), part of the 21 museum complex “Museums Quartier,” houses some of the greatest works of art in the world. Staples of the collection include Breughel, Rembrandt, and Raphael, to name a few. Recent rotating collections have included the famous Arcimboldo, whose paintings often famously parodied Habsburg lifestyles.

Imperial Vaults 

Near the center of Vienna is the final resting place of nearly every Habsburg. These morbidly beautiful vaults contain the sarcophagi of fallen Holy Roman Emperors, their consorts, and issue. Famous Habsburgs not buried in the vaults include Marie Antoinette (beheaded in France and buried in mass grave) and the infamous Franz Ferdinand, barred from the vaults for marrying below his social class.

Arsenal 

This World War I/II museum is adjacent to Vienna's Südbahnhof, making it a little out of the way for most, but what it holds inside is well worth the trip. Along with authentic Nazi propaganda preserved from the World War II, Franz Ferdinand's car (complete with bullet holes) along with his clothing from the day he was shot are in the heart of this very Viennese museum. The trip to southern Vienna is worth it just to see these two pieces of history.

Stephansdom/St. Stephen's Cathedral 

At the very center of Vienna is this beautiful masterpiece. This church is the most famous in Vienna and contains important historical references concerning Catholicism throughout the Holy Roman Empire as well as secret meeting places for the Austrian resistance during World War II. A guided tour is an absolute must, but the right guide must be chosen or the best material will be missed.

Schatzkammer 

Located in a hidden part of the Hofburg Palace, the Schatzkammer holds the Holy Roman Empire's most sacred jewels. Among the collection are Charlemagne's original crown (he was the first Holy Roman Emperor), the Holy Lance, and the bed Napoleon's son was born in. Though not as visited as one might think due to its location, this is the absolute best historical destination in all of Vienna. It's also centrally located (within the Hofburg complex).

So whether you're in Vienna for business or pleasure, there's no excuse not learn about one of Europe's most important family dynasties as Vienna is Europe's Best Historical Destination.