Peterborough Lift Lock

Located in Peterborough Ontario, the Peterborough Lock is #21 on the Trent Severn Waterway System. Although there are lifts that are higher, at 65 feet it is the worlds highest hydraulic lift. The lock works using a counterweigt system and is not dependant on any external power supply.

The Big Nickel

 Sudbury Ontario is home to what The Guinness Book of Records calls the world`s largest coin. The coin sits on the property of Dynamic Earth and is a 30 ft replica of a Canadian 1951 nickel.

Casa Loma

Visitors can go on guided tours of  Casa Loma located in Toronto Ontario. The castle took 300 men three years to build at a cost of aprox. $3.5 million. Upon it`s completion in 1914 the 98 room castle was considered to be the largest private home in North America.

Niagra Falls (Horseshoe Falls)

The Falls were created when glaciers receded at the end of the last ice age and serve as a border between Ontario Canada and the state of New York. Visitors can ride below the falls on the glass bottomed Maid of the Mist.

The Canadian National Exhibition (C.N.E)

Located at Exhibition Place in Toronto Ontario, The C.N.E is the largest fair in Canada. The fair is open from mid August to Labor Day. Attractions include a working farm, midway rides, international food pavilions, as well as the three day International Air Show.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Located in Toronto Ontario, Black Creek Pioneer Village is the perfect place to step back in time. Take a guided tour through an authentic pioneer town and see how things used to be done.

Blue Mountain Scenic Caves

Located just outside of Collingwood, two hours North of Toronto, Blue Mountain offers visitors so much more than just a breathtaking view. You can spend your day re-discovering natural caves or walking over the suspension bridge that is 25 metres above ground and 300 metres over Georgian Bay. Those who need some extra excitement, they can rid a Zip cord down the side of the mountain. Be sure to wear your hiking shoes.

Dam Square and Royal Place:

Dam square and Royal Place are located in the center of Amsterdam. Both has a rich historical background. It is a good place for concerts and artistic activities.

Nieuwe Kerk:

It is the church located next to Royal Palace in Dam Square. Likewise them, it is a historical place from 15th century. Here is also the place where famous poet Vondel was buried.

Rembrant Square:

Another well-known square of Amsterdam. There are many places for shopping activities and also a famous hotel with the same name. However, prizes are a little bit expensive. There are also many pubs, discos and bars for night life lovers.

Van Gogh Museum:

Famous exhibition center of Amsterdam. Every year millions of art lovers and thousands of artizans come to museum for exhibitions. Here is the art center of the city. Famous painter Vicent Van Gogh's works are exhibited.

Stedelijk Museum:

Center of modern art. It is located at Musem Square and near to Van Gogh Museum. In this museum, the paintings and drawings of Karel Appel and Kazimir Malevich are exhibited.

Mexico City is a major tourist attraction for foreigners and Mexicans alike. It is a great vacation spot for anyone. Once you arrive you will find all kinds of activities and attractions just waiting for you.

Pyramids are not built on many cities of the world. Teotihuacan is one city where you will find pyramids and temples which are proud relics of civilizations dating back hundreds of years. It's just an hour outside of Mexico City and you will find this archaeological treasure one of its kinds.

If you want to view the second most visited Roman Catholic shrine in the world, you should visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built on a hill, north of Mexico City, this shrine is the most important pilgrimage site in the country and is visited by several million people every year.

The "floating gardens" of Xochimilco are about 23 kilometres from the historic centre of the city and take a little more than an hour to reach there. The gardens grown on rectangular frames anchored to the lake floor on the canals of Xochimilco are awe inspiring. They are one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city.

The night life of this vibrant city has variety to offer. But one must be cautious going out at night. The orchestras, theatres, bars, clubs and endless sources of entertainment are always ready.

If you are interested in seeing museums, graphic art, photo galleries or works of muralists, Mexico City has them all.

These are just a few of Mexico City's attractions. The city has many more activities for every age, every interest and every budget; offered through out the year. Mexico City is ready to welcome you whenever you want.

Cambodia/Phnom Penh

New York Hotel

This hotel is ideally located about 15 minutes away from the International Airport. It is also close to many of the local attractions for example the historical Central Market, Sorya Shopping Centre, Wat Phnom Penh Temple (most famous city landmark), National Museum and many other interesting sites.

Shared accommodations start from EUR 9.51 for Standard Twin, with breakfast included.

China/Beijing

Sitting on the City Walls Courtyard House

One distinct difference here is at the front gate, there is a zigzag alleyway that only can be accessed by foot or bicycle. No modern transport vehicle can pass through this alleyway. Experience the local neighbourhood as you see them living as though time has stood still. This hotel is closely located to the Forbidden City, HouHai tourist site and various Temples and the WangFuJing Shopping Centre.

Dorm (pax 8 beds) ensuite, prices start from EUR 7.30, unfortunately, breakfast is not included.

Hong Kong

Bishop Lei International House

This hotel is standing next to the Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, overlooking the spectacular Hong Kong Harbour. It is also close proximity to the Zoological and Botanical Gardens as well as to the commercial district of Hong Kong. Try using the Mid-Level Escalator, one of the many wonders of the Island.

Private twin sharing starts from EUR 19.50, unfortunately, breakfast is not included.

Indonesia/Kuta

Green Garden Beach Resort and Spa

This is a perfect location for couples looking for a romantic holiday, located next to a sandy beach with clear calm waters. All the shops and restaurants are withing walking distance. If you get the top-floor rooms, you get a beach view from your windows.

The spa is one of the best in Bali yet very reasonably priced. The open-air café is one of the most popular and romantic dining spots serving both Indonesian and Western cuisines at reasonable prices. This place is not suitable for children under 16 years as this place caters extensive spa facilities suitable for mature travellers.

Private 4-bed suites start from EUR 12.52, breakfast is included.

Japan/Hokkaido

Hotel Kawanami

This hotel is on the shore of Lake Toya with water sports such as wakeboarding, water skiing available. It is also near two active volcanoes (Showa-Shinzan and Usu). From the end of April until October 31, Toya-Onsen puts on a nightly fireworks show that you can see from the Rotemburo, which is a outdoor hot springs bath.

All accommodations start from EUR 23.31, unfortunately breakfast is not included.

Laos/Vangvieng

Babylon Guest House

This three story Guest House serves Lao Organic Foods as well as a western slection.

It is only a 20 yard walk to the local bars and shops. A nice place to enjoy excellent music and spectacular sunsets over the mountains.

Private 4-bed suite starts from EUR 2.54, unfortunately breakfast is not included.

Malaysia/Kuala Lumpur

Equator Hostel

This Hostel is suited for backpackers and independent travellers. It is within easy access to modern amenities like the Berjaya Times Square, Chinatown and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Dorm room with 4 beds start from EUR 4.93, breakfast is included.

Myanmar/Yangon

Ocean Pearl Inn

This is located 30 minutes drive from the Airport. Closely located to the historic Botataung pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda, Yangon River and Yangon Trade Center. Night time brings the night life as well as the night market.

Private triple ensuite starts from EUR 4.44, breakfast is included.

Philippines/Manila

Casa Nicarosa Hotel

This hotel is located just 5 minutes walk to Manila's renowned Manila Bay's Sunset Strip and Baywalk to feel the ultimate artistic and gastronomic experience. It is close to the famour Mall of Asia, Intramuros Church, Zoo, golf courses and many more.

Standard Room of twin beds start from EUR 12.04, breakfast is included.

Singapore

1BandBSingapore

This B&B has a spectacular 180 degree view of Singapore's city skyline. It is situated within walking distance to Chinatown, the central business district. Orchard Road, the prime shopping area, and other tourist sites are easily accessible via the public transport. This B&B is next to the Malayan Railway Station with trains running daily to the major cities in Malaysia.

Accommodations start from EUR 14.01, breakfast is included.

South Korea/Seoul

B and B Morning Calm

This hotel has been featured in various local and abroad media shows for its outstanding B&B house in Korea, with a beautiful landscape garden. Within walking distance, there are more than 12 art museums, Personal Guide Cards written in English are available.

Private double sharing starts from EUR 30.29, breakfast is included.

Taiwan/Taipei

Eight Elephants Hostel

This hostel is the hangout of the local young people where they will mingle with the foreign crowd. It is the most condensed area for countless eateries, artistic cafes and bar and clubs.

Dorm with 7 beds, prices start from EUR 10.61, unfortunately breakfast is not included.

Thailand/Bangkok

Urban House

It is a new place, just recently opened its doors on February 2006. It is located on Saladaeng, Silom - the heart of Bangkok's business, tourist and entertainment district.

Accommodations start from EUR 9.88, breakfast is included.

Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh City

Bich Duyen Hotel

This hotel is the heart of the backpacker's area. Close proximity to the airport (20 minutes by taxi) make it very convenient for travellers. It is also a stone's throw away from Ben Thanh market and the biggest wholesaler in southern Vietnam and many other attractions.

Triple bed sharing per room starts from EUR 5.81, breakfast is included.

I hope you will enjoy yourselves here in South-East Asia for the coming holidays. See you around !

It is specifically involved with traveling to natural destinations, building awareness on the conservation of the environment, providing perks for conservation practices as well as financial benefits for the local people.

Ecotourism is different from nature-based tourism. Nature tourism uses natural destinations to lure tourists and includes such activities as kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, hiking and others. The biggest difference between ecotourism and nature tourism lies in the fact that the former contains educational elements and efforts are geared towards environment conservation.

There are four types of ecotourism: hard ecotourism, general or soft ecotourism, adventure ecotourism and educational ecotourism. Hard ecotourism focuses on activities that involve intense ecotourism such as non-hotel accommodations. Soft ecotourism is most common where tourists can observe nature and culture of the local people. Adventure ecotourism involves activities that are high risks such as bungee jumping. Educational tourism is one organized by educational organization complete with lectures and presentations.

There were two major factors that led to the creation of ecotourism. These are : the environmental movement in the 1970's and 1980's and a general dissatisfaction with mass tourism due to over development, pollution and insensitive foreigners (Honey, 1999; Orams, 1995). The combined effect of environmental awareness and great dissatisfaction of mass tourism led to ecotourism.

David Weaver noted that “interest in ecotourism, now widespread among tourism planners and marketers, is rationalized by a number of popular assumptions regarding the sector's potential economic, environment and socio-cultural benefits” (Weaver 1999, 795).

Proper planning and implementation of these ecotourism programs must go hand in hand in order to attain success. It is important to point out that a number of ecotourism projects have failed because of lack of planning and implementation guidelines. The consequences would be disastrous in such cases because economic gains cannot replace the social and environmental damages that ecotourism could contribute.

A number of experts are uncertain over the role of ecotourism in the context of international development. A number of literatures written on ecotourism express either skepticism or optimism.

The Need for Sustainable Development

In early 1987, the term “sustainable development” gained international recognition. The Bruntland Commission defined it as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” ( Our Common Future, 1987, p. 43). In terms of international development, it is taken in the context of social, economic and environmental impacts of development.

For ecotourism to meet the world's stamp of approval, it has to be sustainable. The main goal of ecotourism therefore is sustainable development. In order for the ecotourism strategy to be effective, it must help preserve the environment for the future generations which is the primary concern of the local sectors in Costa Rica now.

Costa Rica's Ecotourism

Costa Rica was a pioneer in ecotourism. Its ecotourism industry has reached a much higher level of maturity compared to other countries. That is why interest in the impact of ecotourism in Costa Rica is also very high. Costa Rica serves as a concrete example of the possible advantages and disadvantages ecotourism will bring. Proper planning and implementation of ecotourism are derived on the lessons learned in Costa Rica's first-hand experience.

According to Honey (1999) estimates showed that the demand for ecotourism is growing at a 10 to 30 percent annual rate. Due to its potential huge impact to the environment, socio-cultural and economic aspect of Costa Rica, it is important to assess its effectiveness and sustainability.

Costa Rica has the makings of a good ecotourism spot. It offers a biologically diverse place in the regions of South America. Its ecosystem is comprised of 12 different life zones. An estimated 4% of all living species thrive in Costa Rica despite its very limited .01% of global territory. Its cloud forests, active volcanoes and huge species of flora and fauna made it ideal for ecotourism.

Costa Rica has all the necessary attractions for ecotourism. It has national parks, a democratic government, a temperate climate and hospitable people. It boasts of the highest standards of living, the largest middle class base and the best public health care system, the best public education and highest literacy rate in all of Latin America (Honey, 1999). Not only that infrastructures are also very good with its paved roads, telephone and electricity access. Its airport facility met international standards and only a few hours flight from the United States.

Tourists from the United States flock to Costa Rica with 39% of them saying nature as the main reason. The government of Costa Rica, fortunately, quickly recognized the importance of ecotourism in their industry and took steps to protect their natural resources. As a matter of fact, a fourth of the country forms part of the 29 parks and protected areas, considered as one of the world's highest protection rates of the natural resources. As ecotourism grew, Costa Rica's economy also grew as best reflected in the country's gross domestic product. In 1995, tourism became the highest money-making venture in the country followed by banana, coffee and beef industry.

Costa Rica was able to meet to the expectations of the tourists by supplying an environmentally conscious tourism. The huge tract of land under the protected area preserved the natural beauty of the environment in Costa Rica. This, in turn, sustains the tourist influx into the country. A number of local and governmental programs have been established to further promote education and conservation of ecotourism. For instance, Monteverde region of Costa Rica which housed a number of notable and popular ecotourism spots such as Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Reserve, the Community Reserve of Santa Elena, the Butterfly Garden, the Orchid Farm, the Community Art Center, CASEM, the Cheese Factory, the Frog Farm and the famous Sky Walk-Sky Trek.

To preserve natural beauty, ecotourism sectors provide guides to accompany the tourists to educate the tourists or impart knowledge about the sites. The Sky Walk project was started by a local family and required the involvement of the entire community. This provides jobs to the locals which they could use to purchase things they need in turn helping the economy move forward. The local schools, churches and road projects also get much needed support from projects such as these.

Costa Rica has not always been a major tourist destination. As a matter of fact, its transformation to become a famous tourist hub was short of miraculous. Ecotourism has started in Costa Rica as early as the 1970's. It took off in 1980's when the government worked hand in hand with USAID, World Bank and IMF to further develop it.

Economic Impacts

The role of economics in ecotourism could not be understated. It was first and foremost the reason behind the creation of ecotourism. It is said that “years ago, the travel agents first dreamed up the idea of "ecotourism" were clearly looking for new markets, not ways to save the world” (Miller and Tangley, 1991, p. 153).

The greatest promise ecotourism holds is its ability to marry economic gains with environment conservation. The movement of travelers from developed to developing countries is essential to earn the much needed dollars to spur the economy. However, this is not the case observed by many in Costa Rica.

Revenue leakage seems to be the order of the day. Revenue leakage is defined as the money which escapes the local economy and went back to developed countries. “In Costa Rica, which by the early 1990's was the number one overseas ecotourism destination for the United States travelers, half of every tourist dollar never left the United States, and only 20 cents actually went into the local economy according to a USAID study” (Honey, 1999, p. 89).

In this scenario, it will be hard for Costa Rica to benefit from ecotourism. Money leaks are observed in the different aspects of the ecotourism business. For instance, paying money to tour operators made up mostly of foreigners, importing of products that attracts foreign tourists and the payment of plane fares to foreign owned airlines.

The economic boost derived from ecotourism is unquestionable. But in order for ecotourism to remain sustainable, the large amount of the profit must go the local communities. According to estimates, 90% of revenue leakage occurs in communities adjacent to natural attractions. In the Tortuguero National Park of Costa Rica, a mere 6% of the total income will go to the local communities.

In order to maximize the economic gains of ecotourism in Costa Rica, revenue leakages must be addressed effectively. Legislation properly in place would make enable the locals to generate a huge percentage of the profits. Also, the need to put up local businesses using indigenous materials and using local labor has to be emphasized to prevent revenue leakage.

Another negative result of ecotourism is it can cause an increase in the cost of living for the locals. A study conducted in the Osa peninsula showed that ecotourism made the inhabitants poorer not richer as thought. Converting the area to a tourist attraction would mean higher cost of living for the locals but the income remains the same because the profits generated often go to outsiders with more experience leaving the community to share the crumbs.

Also, local entrepreneurs do not receive the much-needed financial aid from the government in order to make them competitive. It would be hard for local entrepreneurs to continue without financial backing especially if foreign investments start pouring in. It is important therefore to encourage local initiatives to develop the ecotourism sector before turning to foreign investors.

Exploitation in the marketing of ecotourism poses another economic problem to Costa Rica. This is referred to as “green washing”. Some members of the travel industry want to capitalize with the growing ecotourism market by marketing products as ecotourism even though they have nothing to do with environmental responsibility, whatsoever. “These environmental opportunists package the same travel that was once considered exploitative in a green ribbon, and travelers return home with the illusion that their luxurious vacation was actually good for the environment” (Roberts and Thanos, 2003, p.84).

Another economic dilemma Costa Rica needs to face is the growing dependence on tourism to generate income. Tourism is the number one money-making ventures in Costa Rica totally eclipsing the performance of its former exports like bananas and coffee. What makes this total dependence risky is the fact that tourism is seasonal and is subject to change. One may experience tourism boom in one year and suffer tourism bust in another. In other words, it is not a stable source of income. Too much reliance on it could put a lot of people's jobs at risk.

Complete takeover of foreign investment could also lead to economic problems since it affects the sense of ownership of the locals. For instance, the prices of real estate have sky-rocketed to immense heights that even the locals cannot afford to buy their own lands. Inflation can cause increase of cost of living which could displace a lot of people.

Roberts and Thanos (2003) believe that “as long as ecotourism remains dependent on the international economy it appears it will be influenced and ultimately overpowered by the corporations that dominate the industry”.

A number of critics of ecotourism projects not just in Costa Rica but also in other developing countries have been very vocal about its supposed lack of economic benefits. Critics believed that developing countries the likes of Costa Rica would not likely benefit from international tourism because most major tourist expenditures such as plane fare are taken care of by businesses outside the country.

The reality though paints a different picture. Costa Rica enjoys a high 40% rent capture which is used by owners, managers, guides, meals and accommodation providers for operating expenses. The percentage is actually higher than what most people expect considering Costa Rica does not have local airlines that could compete with international carriers. In ecotourism industry, having privately-owned accommodations are preferable compared to large hotels and restaurants since they can provide better service to tourists. These privately-operated and smaller hotels in turn employ a number of locals and help the economy.

Environmental Impacts

The national park system in Costa Rica is the main attraction in ecotourism. The first strictly protected area came about in 1963. There are now 30 parks and more than 2230 different protected areas in Costa Rica.

One of the environmental effects of ecotourism is overcrowding and impacts of using it. It can give undue pressure to environmentally sensitive areas. Overcrowding natural areas with visitors could result in environmental degradation. “A major environmental cost is the possibility that local carrying capacities, difficult to gauge as they are because of their complexity, will be inadvertently exceeded in the long term by activity associated with ecotourism, especially in those cases where the sector is growing at a rapid rate” (Weaver, 1999, p. 796).

Overcrowding or sudden influx of tourists could lead to excess in the local carrying capacities which will have negative impacts on the environment since the locals are left with the responsibilities of coping with solid waste generation, pollution, habitat destruction, forest degradation and trail erosion. It could also degrade the delicate balance of the ecosystems and threatens the environment from which it depends.

Since ecotourism is getting less seasonal which means Costa Rica can expect tourists all year-round, concerns for its environmental impact particularly from cause-oriented groups also abound. A year-round tourism could mean increasing the conservation efforts to further protect the environment. Take for instance, the local fauna. There is an open and close season for the fauna. During the close season, local fauna are given time to mate. A year-round travel could affect the mating routine. Also, ecotourism thrives on image. As ecotourism grows they might be some problems in the image the ecotourism conjures. A tourist might expect quiet, isolated and untouched beaches but when he comes to Costa Rica he might be disappointed to see the beach flooded with other ecotourists like him. This could pose a potential problem in marketing the place.

Of course, keeping the environment at a minimum is almost impossible with increased number of tourists flocking to the place. Increasing number of hotels constructed, more lights on the streets and on the houses and increased visitors coming in and out of the country are observed to affect the sea-turtle nesting and the sea-turtle itself by changing its pattern of nesting.

It is therefore imperative that ecotourism minimizes these adverse effects by focusing on low-impact construction, controlling the number of visitors in a certain area and using great care when interacting with the fauna and flora.

A concrete example of the problems from the environmental impacts of ecotourism is best exemplified by the Manuel Antonio National Park. The park often experienced overcrowding, lack of planning and over-development of the affected community. This resulted in improper waste disposal which caused a number of the resident monkeys in the area to feed on garbage. In this instance, it is important to point out that conservation measures should be put in place ahead of generating profit in order to protect the environment and to make it sustainable.

The deterioration of the environment will affect tourist visits in the long term. Therefore, to make the area not only sustainable but also income-generating for a long time, conservation measures must be firmly in place.

Social Impacts

To make ecotourism beneficial to the locals, the people should actively contribute to the planning and implementation phase of the project. This area leaves a lot to be desired of since communities did not form part of the decision-making process and private operators particularly foreigners did not consult the community about their plans for the place. Since the local communities have the biggest stake in the consequence of the ecotourism program, their voice should be heard or ideas should be solicited in establishing sustainable ecotourism.

The involvement of the local community to the project could spell its success or failure. The support of the local community is very important because they create the kind of environment that tourists want. Their participation is also essential in identifying the impacts, whether positive or negative, of ecotourism to the affected area. The involvement of the community could also lessen future conflicts.

Ecotourism could possibly lead to the collapse of social and cultural structures. Therefore, it is important that tourists be aware of the cultural dynamics at work in a particular community to make ecotourism work. By using the skills and knowledge of the local people, ecotourism could encourage the native culture. The good news is ecotourists are found to appreciate the local tradition, customs and cuisine compared to other offerings.

The dangers of associating isolated communities with rich foreigners could also be high. A situation called “commofication” could occur which is the erosion of the culture and community structure. Locals may change their practices to accommodate the foreigners.

Conclusion

The overall impact of ecotourism industry to Costa Rica has been very positive. It also helped that the local government and organizations worked hand in hand to promote the environment. Guidelines have been established and followed to be able to facilitate the growing need for ecotourism.

As ecotourism will grow - so will the need for accommodations. This, of course, will have a direct impact on the environment. They may need more places to develop, more space for the tourists. That is why strict implementation of environmental guidelines is essential to minimize the social impact on Costa Rica environment.

The local people should be at the center of the ecotourism development. This is to encourage them to devote their time and full support to ecotourism undertakings thus minimizing the likelihood of negative impacts of ecotourism.

Topkapi Palace

It's construction started in 1459 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. Mehmet II is one of the important sultans of Ottoman Empire since he was the the conquerer of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was the home and official residence of Ottoman Emperors from 1465 to 1863. The historical tissue of Topkapi Palace damaged because of big earthquakes and fires. Currently, Topkapi Palace is museum. It is under administration of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. When you visit Topkapi Palace Museum, you can see a large collection of Ottoman art and architecture, Ottoman miniatures, weapons, shields, armor and a display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry.

Dolmabahce Palace

It is located at the European side of Istanbul. After 1853, it was used as the official residence of Ottoman Emperors. It was also the administrative center of Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922. Dolmabahce palace is the first European style palace in Ottoman Empire history. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid II between 1842 and 1853. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and the first president of Turkey Republic, spent his last years in this palace. Ataturk died in November 10, 1938 in Dolmabahce Palace.

Yildiz Palace

It was built in 1880 and used by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. Inside Yildiz Palace, there are apartments, pavilions, theatre, opera house, museum and a porcelain factory.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Unlike Dolmabahce, Topkapi and Yildiz palaces, Beylerbeyi Palace is located at the Assian side of Istanbul. It was built between 1861 and 1865 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed in baroque style. It was mainly used as a place to entertain visiting heads of state. Sultan Abdulhamid II spent his last years of captivity in Beylerbeyi palace. He died in Beylerbeyi Palace in 1918.

Ciragan Palace

It is located between Besiktas and Ortakoy at the European side of Istanbul. It was built between 1863 and 1867 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed by famous Armenian architect Nigogayos Balyan and constructed by his sons Hagop and Sarkis Balyan. In 1910, it was destroyed by a great fire. However, the ruined palace was restored in 1991. It was designed in Baroque style during restoration. Currently, it is used as a five-star hotel.

The original email writer elaborated the reasons why he/she lives in the Philippines and according to the writer this is the only place on earth where:

1. Every street has a basketball court.
2. Even doctors, lawyers and engineers are unemployed.
3. Doctors study to become nurses for employment abroad.
4. Students pay more money than they will earn afterwards.
5. School is considered the second home and the mall considered the third.
6. Call Center employees earn more money than teachers and nurses.
7. Everyone has his personal ghost story and superstition.
8. Mountains like Makiling and Banahaw are considered holy places.
9. Everything can be forged.
10. All kinds of animals are edible.
11. Starbucks coffee is more expensive than gas.
12. Driving 4 km. can take as much as four hours.
13. Flyovers bring you from the freeway to the side streets.
14. Crossing the street involves running for your dear life.
15. The personal computer is mainly used for games and Friendster.
16. Where colonial mentality is dishonestly denied!
17. Where 4 a.m. is not even considered bedtime yet.
18. People can pay to defy the law.
19. Everything and everyone is spoofed.
20. Where even the poverty-stricken get to wear Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger (imitation or fake)!
21. The honking of car horns is a way of life.
22. Being called a bum is never offensive.
23. Floodwaters take up more than 90 percent of the streets during the rainy season.
24. Where everyone has a relative abroad who keeps them alive.
25. Where wearing your national colors make you baduy (a Filipino term for out of style).
26. Where even the poverty-stricken have the latest cell phones. (GSM - Galing Sa Magnanakaw or taken from someone else)
27. Where insurance does not work.
28. Where water can only be classified as tap and dirty.
29. Clean water is for sale (35 pesos per gallon).
30. Where the government makes the people pray for miracles. (Amen to that!)
31. Where University of the Philippines where all the weird people go.
32. Ateneo is where all the nerds go.
33. La Salle is where all the Chinese go.
34. College of Saint Benilde is where all the stupid Chinese go and;
35. University of Asia and the Pacific is where all the irrelevantly rich people go.
36. Fast food is a diet meal.
37. Traffic signs are merely suggestions, not regulations.
38. Where being mugged is normal and it happens to everyone.
39. Rodents are normal house pets.
40. The definition of traffic is the "non-movement" of vehicles.
41. Where the fighter planes of the 1940s are used for military engagements and;
42. The new fighter planes are displayed in museums.
43. Where cigarettes and alcohol are a necessity, and where the lottery is a commodity.
44. Where soap operas tell the realities of life and where the news provides the drama.
45. Where actors make the rules and where politicians provide the entertainment.
46. People can get away with stealing trillions of pesos but not a thousand.
47. Where being an hour late is still considered punctual.
48. Where the squatters have more to complain (even if they do not pay their tax) than those employed and have their tax automatically deducted from their salaries.
49. And where everyone wants to leave the country!

Filipino Signs of Wit:

1. The sign in a flower shop in Diliman called Petal Attraction.
2. Anita Bakery
3. A 24-hour restaurant called Doris Day & Night
4. Barber shop called Felix The Cut;
5. A bakery named Bread Pitt
6. Fast-food place selling "maruya" (banana fritters) called Maruya Carey.
7. Then, there is Christopher Plumbing
8. A boutique called The Way We Wear
9. A video rental shop called Leon King Video Rental
10. A restaurant in Cainta district of Rizal called Caintacky Fried Chicken
11. A local burger restaurant called Mang Donald's
12. A doughnut shop called MacDonuts
13. A shop selling "lumpia" (egg roll) in Makati called Wrap and Roll
14. And two butcher shops called Meating Place and Meatropolis. Smart travelers can decipher what may look like baffling signs to unaccustomed foreigners by simply sounding out the "Taglish" (The Philippine version of English words spelled and pronounced with a heavy Filipino such as:
15. At a restaurant menu in Cebu? We hab sopdrink in can an in batol? [translation: We have soft drinks in can and in bottle].
16. Then, there is a sewing accessories shop called Bids And Pises - [translation: Beads and Pieces --or-- Bits and Pieces] There are also many signs with either badly chosen or misspelled words but they are usually so entertaining that it would be a mistake to "correct" them like.......
17. In a restaurant in Baguio City, the "summer capital" of the Philippines: Wanted: Boy Waitress?
18. On a highway in Pampanga: We Make Modern Antique Furniture?
19. On the window of a photography shop in Cabanatuan: We Shoot You While You Wait?
20. And on the glass front of a cafe in Panay Avenue in Manila: Wanted: Waiter, Cashier, Washier. Some of the notices can even give a wrong impression such as:
21. A shoe store in Pangasinan which has a sign saying: We Sell Imported Robber Shoes? (These could be the "sneakiest" sneakers);
22. A rental property sign in Jaro reads: House For Rent, Fully Furnaced?(It must really be hot inside)!
23. Occasionally, one could come across signs that are truly unique - if not altogether odd. City in southern Philippines which said: Adults: 1 peso; Child: 50 centavos; Cadavers: fare subject to negotiation.
24. European tourists may also be intrigued to discover two competing shops selling hopia (a Chinese pastry) called Holland Hopia and Poland Hopia - which are owned and operated by two local Chinese entrepreneurs, Mr. Ho and Mr. Po respectively - (believe it or not)!
25. Some folks also "creatively" redesign English to be more efficient.The creative confusion between language and culture leads to more than just simple unintentional errors in syntax, but in the adoption of new words, says reader Robert Goodfellow who came across a sign ..... House Fersallarend' (house for sale or rent). Why use five words when two will do?
26. According to Manila businessman, Tonyboy Ongsiako, there is so much wit in the Philippines because? We are a country where a good sense of humor is needed to survive?. We have a 24-hour comedy show here called the government and a huge reserve of comedians made up mostly of politicians and bad actors.

Now I ask you where else in the world would one want to live.

Its location has also made it the site of numerous conflicts throughout history, dating back as early as Roman times. More recently, Friuli Venezia Giulia was host to World War One's most significant episodes. It is an area that was also immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in his beloved classic, A Farewell to Arms. Hemingway, who based this work on his own experiences as a soldier during the First World War, would never forget the horrific events he saw on the battlefields of Northern Italy. The names of Schio, Fossalta, and the Piave River were forever etched in his mind. Nor have the people of Friuli Venezia Giulia forgotten about the blood that was shed on their land more than 90 years ago. Visitors to the region can now pay homage to the soldiers of the First World War at the Great War theme park, an open-air museum in Monfalcone, the War Memorial at Redipuglia, where the remains of 10,000 soldiers are laid to rest, and the Museum of the Great War in Gorizia.

Coupled with the experience of seeing the stirring reminders of the war that was to end all wars, the cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia is equally rich an experience. The cuisine of the region has been equated to being as varied as the landscapes, extremely rich and diverse. It comes from the joining of the three culinary traditions that have shaped and influenced the region the most: the Austrian, the Venetian, and the Slav. Some of the delectable dishes from the regional capital of Trieste are jota, a soup made of beans, potatoes, and white cabbage; goulash; and presnitz or cuguluf, a ring-shaped pastry of Viennese origin. From Gorizia, a small town at the foot of the Alps, comes such dishes as potato gnocchi with plums, drizzled with melted butter, cinnamon and a little sugar; and kaiserfleish, smoked pork loin scattered with grated fresh horseradish and served with sauerkraut.

Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of Italy's best kept secrets and will enchant all those who visit. It is a region not to be missed, one that will reward those who seek out its many wonders.

For More Information Visit These Sites:

Turismo.fvg.it

Lost Generation.com

Maria Liberati.com

Valid 10 Year Passport

American tourists visiting the UK will need to hold a valid American passport that will not expire during their trip. A passport with a 6 month validity still left is usually required when visiting the UK. The UK has an agreement with the United States that allows visitors to enter the UK on a visa waiver programme for a visit up to 3 months in duration. If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you will need to obtain the correct visa prior to your arrival in the UK, not after you get there.

The Weather

The British weather is very temperamental and hard to predict. It is possible that a bright, sunny day will soon turn cloudy and then rainy. Or a rainy day may quickly brighten up. The best way to tackle the British weather is to dress in layers. When packing, do not just keep up to date with what the weather is like two weeks or even a week prior to travel. Pack appropriately for every eventuality so that you can be prepared for quick changes in weather. Do not assume that the summer will be sunny everyday. The summer of 2007 saw torrential floods and very little sunshine across parts of the UK.

British English

The British and Americans share a basic common language, but there will be times that you will encounter some awkward situations if you are not conversant in a few words and phrases in British English. Pick up a good British travel guide for extra advice on British English, watch BBC America or visit British English websites that are designed to help prepare Americans for their trip across The Pond.

Travel Insurance

Are you prepared for every eventuality? Have you planned on what to do if your luggage is lost or stolen or you are seriously injured in the UK? It is wise to consider taking out travel insurance prior to your trip to the UK. While hospitals will not turn anyone away who has been seriously injured, hospitals will not treat you for free as they would if you were a British resident.