Travel-Library.com - Travel Blog

The Ruins of Pompeii

Administrator — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:11:52 +0000

The city of Pompeii dates back to 79A.D. when it was a bustling market town with around twenty thousand people living by the sea at the base of Mt. Vesuvius. When Mt. Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 people died and the city was covered in a blanket of hot, snow-white volcanic ash, which preserved much of the city’s streets, buildings and many bodies of those that died. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the ancient city and walk along its streets that still show the marks of horses’ hooves and chariot wheel ruts. The city has been preserved as it was the day that Mt. Vesuvius erupted, with classified announcements for shops to rent and gladiatorial contests on the building walls and even charred nuts and loaves of bread in the market stalls. Getting a glimpse of how people lived over seventeen hundred years ago, exploring the city of Pompeii is an adventure that anyone interested in the history of man should not miss out on.

Haunted Castle

Administrator — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:10:45 +0000

If you’re like me and interested in ghosts and all things supernatural, spending a night in the haunted Comlongon Castle in Clarencefield Scotland is an adventure not to be missed. The ghost of Marian Carruthers, who died trying to get out of an arranged marriage in 1564, continues to haunt Comlongon Castle located in southern Scotland. It’s not known whether she died of murder of suicide but locals believe that because she was never given a proper funeral, her ghost wanders the many passageways, chambers and spiral staircases inside the castle. The 14th century castle has been renovated and today is run as a three-star hotel by the Ptolomey family and has become a popular wedding and honeymoon spot. Before dinner every evening guests get taken on a ghost-hunting tour through the Great Hall, the vaulted basement and past the chamber that used to house the dungeon guards. The 12 suites are comfortable and equipped with all the modern conveniences required for an enjoyable stay. I had such an amazing time at Comlongon Castle that I’m looking for other haunted hotels that I can visit and will defiantly come back here for another visit soon, maybe next time I’ll be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of Marian Carruthers’ ghost.

Jamaica & Bahamas

Administrator — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 06:16:11 +0000

BAHAMAS

Visit Bahamas for a memorable holiday at reasonable hotel and resort rates with a wide range of destinations such as Cooper’s Town, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Paradise Isla, Treasure Cay, Fresh Creek, Rock Sound, Marsh Harbour and many more. A perfect example is Harborside, which has access to all Atlantis amenities….pools, slides, casino, restaurants, plus its own private pool & restaurant. Warm weather and friendly Bahamians with these comforts makes this a fun filled destination.

JAMAICA

Top three hotels!!!
Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort - Rating: 8.50
Negril Gardens Beach Resort - Rating: 8.00
Rose Hall Resort & Country Club - Rating: 6.23

Other great stays are Discovery Bay, Port Antonio, Treasure Beach, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay and lots more. Perfect for Couples and Families.

Kokopelli’s Cave

Bron — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:56:44 +0000

If you’re looking for accommodation for a holiday you’ll never forget, Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast is the perfect choice. Kokopelli’s Cave is a luxury cliff dwelling with beautiful views of Shiprock and the Chuska Mountain of the Navajo reservation, as well as the Ute Mountains to the northwest and the Carrizo Mountains of Arizona. The one bedroom cave home is furnished with plush carpeting, Southwestern style décor, hot and cold running water, a fully equipped kitchen, cascading waterfall-style shower and a flagstone Jacuzzi. The cave is 70 feet below the surface with the entrance on the cliff face, which is reached by walking along a sloping pathway cut into the sandstone. Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast offers a truly magical experience and is a must for anyone seeking a bit of fun and adventure, accompanied by the breathtaking beauty of nature.

White Christmas

Bron — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:09:19 +0000

If you live in the southern hemisphere, a white Christmas is always special and what better place to experience one than in Kitzbuhl in the Austrian Alps. Kitzbuhl offers some of the best skiing opportunities of the Alps, with a wide range of runs available to skiers of all ages, levels of fitness; skill and ability. The charming mountain resort really comes to life during the Christmas season, with its tasteful Christmas decorations and the enchanting Kitzbuhl Christmas Market, the ideal place to take in and enjoy the magical atmosphere of a white Christmas. Kitzbuhl also offers many more activities to experience the Christmas spirit, such as the historical glockenspiel in the tower of the Katharinenkirche, the nativity plays and the various Christmas concerts held throughout the festive season. Another highlight of Advent is St Nicholas weekend, with the St Nicholas procession with its cavorting devils and a variety of activities for children, from a petting zoo and pony rides to the popular fairytale hour. For a truly memorable Christmas holiday, Kitzbuhl is the place to go.

Mountain Biking Holiday

Administrator — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:06:16 +0000

The Lake District of Cumbria in the North West of England is one of the most beautiful regions in the world with such a wide diversity of natural beauty on offer, from the famous lakes and waters, to the lush woodland forests and steep mountain peaks. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Lake District, while having some fun and adventure at the same time, is to pack up your tent and backpack, get on your mountain bike and ride. There are a number of biking trails located throughout the Lake District catering for mountain bikers of all levels of fitness, skill and ability. You can choose to take a leisurely ride around one of the lakes, an exploration route through a wooded forest, or a challenging climb up one of the mountain peaks which will you’re your mountain biking skills to the limit. With such a wide variety of trails and routes to follow, the best way to start is to get one of the mountain biking guide books which provide all the information you need to get under way. Camp sites scattered throughout the Lake District, all offering a range of excellent facilities, provide the ideal choice for affordable accommodation amidst the natural beauty of the region with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Imagine waking up to the quiet sounds of nature in the middle of a lush forest, or on the side of a mountain with uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. The fresh air and vast unspoilt nature are just what you need to get a new lease on life, forgetting about the day to day stresses of living in the concrete jungle.

Capsule Hotels

Bron — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:55:47 +0000

If you’re ever in Tokyo and looking for a cheap place to spend the night, one of the many capsule hotels located throughout the city are your best bet. There’s usually a capsule hotel located close to a train station, primarily for businessmen who miss the last train home and don’t want pay the high fare for a long taxi ride home. The capsules are stacked in rows of two, looking more like washers and dryers than hotel “rooms”. Each capsule contains a mattress, pillows, small television, alarm clock radio, a light and a control panel with a number of buttons to control everything. For privacy there’s a thin screen that you can pull down to seal of your capsule from the outside world. Most of the capsule hotels also have a sauna, bath area, restaurant, bar and a lounge area with sofa chairs, TV and vending machines. Most of the capsule hotels only accept men, the few that accept women do so only on weekends. If you’re not claustrophobic, around Y3000 ($25) is all you need for an unforgettable night in a capsule hotel.

Its easy to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights

Bron — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:50:44 +0000

You don’t have to be in Alaska to go brave the ice and snow, armed with a flask of coffee and your weatherproof jacket, and journey out into the everlasting night to witness the awe inspiring beauty of the Northern Lights. You don’t even have to know when to venture out, in fact, even if you don’t have the slightest clue there is now a guiding light.

The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks have revamped their hugely popular website geared towards providing all aspiring aurora borealis watchers with all the necessary information, and no stone is left unturned.

In Alaska, Fairbanks is blessed with approximately 243 nights of aurora activity per year, and in Anchorage there is an average of 30 decent nights every year. You can also see from US states, such as New York and Chicago, who are lucky enough to get about 10 nights per year, Seattle averages around five to 10 nights, and even New Orleans and San Francisco get one annual sighting of the Northern Lights.

Much more information, interactive world maps, as well as three different forecasts including daily, extended and long-term are available at www.gedds.alaska.edu. Scientists begin by looking at the sun and looking ahead at the changes in the solar wind in order to complete a three- to five-day forecast. Solar flares are distorted by the solar wind containing magnetic and particle components which blows all the time.

Revolutionary Hotel from Pret Founders Opens

Administrator — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:07:56 +0000

Tomorrow morning the first hotel by Sinclair Beecham, the founder of Pret-a-Manger, will open in Hoxton London.

Described as where Urban living meets country lodge lounging, while the new hotel boasts roaring fires and cool cocktails, what makes Hoxton Hotel stand out is its refreshing approach to hotel pricing.

Everywhere you look in Beecham’s hotel there are no-nonsense feel-good touches: the internet is free, so is the coffee and the mineral water in the bedrooms, and the Pret breakfast left on a hook outside each morning. Instead of a ruinous minibar, you buy wine, champagne, beer and snacks at the reception desk for normal shop prices.

It is, however, the room pricing which is truly revolutionary - taking a leaf out of the Ryanair school of pricing, the first five rooms are sold off at £1 per night!.

For a full interview with Sinclair Beecham, check out the Observer Newspaper’s article.

Oasis to Launch Hotel Chain

Administrator — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 10:31:16 +0000

I’m not sure whether to believe this report or not, but apparently Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher are planning to launch a hotel chain in America.

A source told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “The plan is to open as many hotels as possible by the end of 2007 and name each venue Supernova Heights, after Noel’s former home in north London. Rooms are planned to be themed around some of Oasis’ biggest hit songs. Read more here.