Cultural Tourism In Tanzania: Should You Try? By Ian Williamson

There is a problem with spontaneous cultural tourism; that is it must be organized and as soon as this is done…well, sadly the cultural visit is no longer worth doing. To experience true culture; to have that genuine experience; it should be done slowly over a day or maybe two. It cannot be done in a morning or squeezed into a couple of hours one afternoon before you race off to the Serengeti.

So, should you as a tourist just not bother with the Cultural addition to the safari? I would say an emphatic yes, just don’t bother; it is not worth the effort! Especially so if your cultural visit is rushed, half hearted, over organized and created for the tourist.

However, I think if you come all the way to East Africa, you need to see more than the animals. Tanzania is about so much more. Tanzania cannot be rushed. To rush involves missing what is hidden just under the surface; you will experience Tanzania in black and white only. You would be better served visiting the local zoo; it would be a lot cheaper too.

If you don’t have time to spend living in a village; or maybe you fear your constitution is not quite up to eating fried chicken feet and boiled grass; or you just don’t have the time; I would suggest you go for a short expeditionary sojourn around the village or town. Take a local person with you, the hotel or lodge or tour operator will provide someone. Explain you want to see village life and not the tourist attractions. This may not be as easy as it sounds. Your guide may not perceive at first that you want to see Tanzania in all its unattractive poverty.

Walking around the village in Tengeru or on Kilimanjaro or a suburb of Dar, Mbeya or Arusha can be done in half a day and you can meet real Tanzanian people and see how people live. This is as long as you stay away from the ‘traditional blacksmith” in fact as a general rule of thumb it may be a good idea to stay away from the contrived traditional anything.

Another, less strenuous, way of receiving a good condensed slice of culture is to visit a local bar for lunch. Choose an attractive open plan bar with a thatch roof - so you are able to watch life pass by. Get your recently acquired guide to order some roast goat, some roast beef and some roast banana’s and enjoy soaking in the culture whilst you wait for the meal to arrive. Don’t eat any salad or fruit that may accompany the meal in respect for your stomach. If you are not so hungry order chips mayai [chips my-eye] which is a chip omelet - and very nice it is too!

Even better would be to take a day or more to walk in a remote village accompanied by your guide. Take it slowly and stop to talk with the local community. Some of the locals may know a little English and they will want to try it out and practice with you. Those who don’t will appreciate and encourage you [sometimes with great hoots of laughter] any attempts you make to communicate in Swahili. Your meals and overnight can be spent with a local family.

The cultural safari adds another dimension to your visit. You will now be on your way to becoming to know Tanzania just a little. Africa is a wonderful place and Tanzania is a most peaceful destination. Many agents claim that various countries and peoples are warm and welcoming; however this is true of Tanzania. I have lived in may countries in Sub-Sahara Africa and Tanzania’s truly love to receive visitors. So… welcome to Tanzania and above all relax and enjoy this vast and special land.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=21046&ca=Travel

Holiday Hotels In Scotland With Live Scottish Music By Bob Ferguson

If you are planning a holiday in Scotland then most likely at one point you will want to see and hear some real Scottish music. Around Scotland there are many hotels who put on live music, the hard bit is finding them sometimes.

Often you can stay in areas of Scotland that have live music but not on the night you are there.

The local tourist offices do have some information on what is on, unfortunately by the time you get to Scotland unless you are booking your accommodation as you find it, then your chance of success is limited.

In Scotland it is not normal to have to pay an entry fee for bar and hotel music so all you have to do is check the starting time and get their at least thirty minutes before staring time to be sure of a seat.

Most bars and hotels also do bar meals to three course spreads of Scottish, European and dishes from around the world. It is also often possible to book your meal time in advance at the venue, ensuring your seat at the same time for the nights entertainment.

Most acts are from solo to trio’s although occassionaly you may find bigger bands performing in local theatres and halls.

Performance time is usually around 9pm start and this is worth noting because in Scotland evening meals are eaten between 5pm and 8pm.

Many visitors to Scotland come from cultures that do not eat evening meals until around 9pm and unfortunately most bars do not serve food after 8 to 9pm.

Restaurants will still be open but not in hotels so you will have to eat away from the entertainment. Scottish restaurants do not normally have live entertainment.

One word of note if you are sitting in a bar listening to the free music, it is not looked upon favourably if you do not purchase something to drink. The music is free in the hope that sales at the bar will cover the cost of the band. It does not have to be alcohol that is purchased, soft drinks, tea and coffee all make the bar profit even mineral water.

The music on the night can be suitable for sitting listening to as you relax after your day of travel. Take note however if you see the word ceilidh on the poster advertising the music night because this usually means energetic and happy dancing to Scottish Dance music, a great fun filled evening.

Most music nights you will find will be on Thursday to Sunday although with careful planning you may find some midweek concerts. It is also possible for the visitor with a car to move around Scotland and get free music every night.

It is also expected for the audience to participate in the evening by singing along, clapping hands and stamping feet in time with the music. Also welcome is requests for the band to sing Scottish songs you like, the bands will want to play your request if they can because they know they have a happy customer.

One type of request not to ask for is songs from the pop world etc, to ask this from Scottish traditional performers will possibly result in you becoming an unintentional tool for the nights entertainment.

In the last fifteen or twenty minutes before closing you will often hear the cry from the bar staff Last orders, this is your last time to order a drink before closing. If a shout is not heard you may hear a bell tolling or some other weird noise that culminates in everyone making a last mad rush for the bar, that will be your signal.

When you are planning your music stops it can be useful to check out the price of staying in the hotel the music is on. There are good reasons for this the first one being if you have too much to drink, you only have to make your way to your room. On the other hand if you are still feeling lively sometimes you may find your self in the middle of what is called a -lock in- and that’s when the doors are locked after closing time, the curtains are closed and the night goes on in secret.

If you are in a bar in Scotland and get into the company of others and they offer to buy you a drink, if you accept it is custom to buy them one back next round. Be careful the locals are used to drinking the local beers and spirits faster than you will be, better not to get into rounds as you will most likely be feeling very bad the next morning.

Bearing all this in mind if you feel you are ready to start planning your Scottish Holiday go ahead and enjoy with the added benefit of knowing that in the morning you are going to wake up to see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.

You can start your planning at my web site Travel Hotels Scotland and after that you will know how to organise the rest of your trip.

Happy holidays.

Bob Ferguson

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=21379&ca=Travel

Out Of Africa By Elena Reboni

Exploring the wildlife in Africa could be the greatest and the most exiting experiences of your lifetime. People, who get used to living in a big city will be really astonished be the grandeur of the African nature, its flora and fauna.

If your aim is to sink deep into this world – your choice is safari. There are several kinds of this sort o tour. Your decision will depend on what you would like to see and how much time do you have. The significant part of safari ways is situated in the Eastern and the Southern parts ot the continent.

During walking safaris you usually will use temporary bush camps or permanent lodges as a base from which vehicles and sometimes boats will get you into areas of activity or specific interest. It’s the closest to nature way to see and to feel the African wilderness areas.

If you lie to see more in a shorter time, then mobile safari is for you. Mobile safaris make use of 4x4 vehicles usually to cover larger areas or a variety of different habitats in a single trip. The diversity and relatively large distances between the prime spots in Botswana and Namibia make mobile safaris the preferred means for covering these destinations.

In case you want to see all that’s possible – then flying above Africa will the right way. Fly-in safaris are regularly done in Botswana and Namibia in order to cover a large amount of territory with some very specific spots on the agenda in as short a space of time as possible.

One of the more popular means of experiencing Africa's wilderness is a canoe safari. Several of the large African rivers are run by canoe but it's the lower Zambezi that really holds the leadership. Mana Pools National Park is on the southern bank - the remote Lower Zambezi National Park is on the northern shoreline in Zambia. You can choose the class of your canoe and travel with the maximum convenience.

Self-drive safari is the most flexible type of trip that you'll find. In this variant you hire a vehicle, plan your own route, pre-book accommodations of your choice and explore the region on your own. Namibia is the easiest to on a self-drive basis even if you travel for the first time.

Privately guided safari is your variant if you're looking for exclusivity, special attention. Some excursions are into the remoter parts, others are on well trodden trails simply exploring on a more casual and relaxed basis.

Your trip can be a combination of all these types of safaris. Anyway don’t forget to receive all the possible information about the destination you are going to. The more information – the better. Also, don’t forget to make all the necessary vaccinations. In Africa it’s a must, if you do not intend to spend your holiday in the hospital.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=20515&ca=Travel

Business Tourism In Johannesburg By Sarah Manners

Johannesburg: The City of Gold
The discovery of gold in what is now known as the city of Johannesburg sparked off one of the fastest South African urban developments. Johannesburg or the 'city of gold' as it is fondly referred to, is one of the most diverse areas in South Africa. It is South Africa’s premier business destination and is as rich as the cultures and heritages made up by its 5 million inhabitants.

South Africa’s business hub
South Africa’s premier business destination, Johannesburg, is the most powerful commercial centre on the African continent. 74% of South African companies’ headquarters are located in this business hub. It is also home to the Johannesburg Securities Exchange, the biggest stock exchange in Africa and the 16th biggest in the world. Though Johannesburg has financial, municipal, transport and telecommunications infrastructure that rival leading first world cities the cost of living is so much lower, making it the ideal location for business tourism.

Business Tourism
Johannesburg has become the premier destination for domestic and international business tourists. 36% of domestic and 32% of international tourists to Johannesburg come solely for business purposes. It makes financial sense for international business travellers to come to Johannesburg as it will cost two to three times less than when travelling to London, New York or Paris for the same purpose. Johannesburg has become a magnet for international conventions such as the ‘World Summit on Sustainable Development’. It is the cities world class venues, such as the Sandton Convention Centre, and infrastructure that have enabled it to become a much sought after destination for international business tourists.

Johannesburg international Airport
The busiest and most business friendly airport in Africa is located in Johannesburg. The Johannesburg international airport accommodates approximately 13 million passengers a year and about 1.2 million of these are business travellers. The airport is located approximately 30 minutes away from Johannesburg’s business. There are various car rental companies that operate from the airport and there are a variety of taxi services that can take business tourists to their hotels.

Accommodation
There is no shortage of accommodation in Johannesburg and its surrounding areas. Whilst some business tourists like to stay in the business hub itself, others prefer to stay at the hotels a short drive away where they can have the feeling that they are also on holiday. There is a huge amount of variety when it comes to accommodation in Johannesburg and business travellers will always find the perfect location to suite all of their needs. Many of the hotels offer conference facilities which companies can hire, making the commute from hotel room to boardroom that much more seemless. Many businesses chose to hold their conferences in hotels such as this as it is more practical for the company. The hotel will usually set up the room, provide the technological assistance and the catering.

Tourist attractions in the surrounding areas
Whilst on business to Johannesburg most travellers try and fit in some time to see the very worthwhile tourist attractions in the area. There are a multitude of museums, parks, botanical gardens and historical sites in and around Johannesburg. The casinos in and around the area provide fun-filled evenings after a long days work. There are a variety of fantastic golf courses in the area as well, some of which are world ranked and often frequented by business tourists. Travelling around Johannesburg taking in the sights and sounds of its different suburbs, sampling local as well as international cuisine and the impressive nightlife are but a few of the things to do whilst on business in this cosmopolitan city.

For those who want to explore Johannesburg on a grater scale a 50 minute drive will take them straight to the ‘Cradle of Humankind’. A world heritage site consisting of over 200 caves in which 13 fossil sites have been found, the oldest of which is an estimated 2, 5 million years old.
The Hartebeespoort dam located not too far out of the business hub is an excellent venue for water sports such as boating, fishing and water skiing. There is also a snake park, fresh-water aquarium and a 2 km cableway taking visitors to a viewing site on the Magaliesberg.

Choose Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa’s major business destination is home to world class venues and infrastructure. There is so much to do and see in this city of gold that business tourists are afforded the opportunity of being leisure tourists as well.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=20513&ca=Travel

Sabah, Malaysia Borneo - An Emerging Tropical Island Vacation Capital Of The New Millennium By E-borneo.com

The Malaysian state of Sabah, located at the northeast corner of the island of Borneo, is well positioned to offer a unique tropical island vacation flavor with a difference.

In fact..., with a very big difference.

There is more to Sabah than the sunny tropical weather, beautiful white sandy beaches, tropical island setting, clear crystal waters, and rich ocean and marine life.

Unlike the Caribbean islands or most tropical island vacation destinations in the world, Sabah offers a complete array of activities from adventure and nature to wildlife on top of a world class tropical beach vacation.

What makes Sabah, Malaysia Borneo a unique tropical island vacation spot?

Given its unique geographical advantage where within 76,115 square kilometers (or 29,388 square miles or slightly smaller than the US state of South Carolina), you can...

* laze around in white pristine and unspoiled tropical beaches
* conquer the highest peak in South East Asia
* encounter wildlife in their natural habitat
* admire the largest flower in the world
* lay back and enjoy the sun and water at international standard and luxurious tropical resorts
* appreciate the culture of the colorful indigenous peoples
* rough it out in controlled adventure vacation sites
* brave the river rapids on a white water rafting adventure
* be one with nature in the world of million years old rainforests
* dive into some of the world's best underwater wonderlands
* explore the underwater cave of the world's only mushroom-shaped world class dive spot

On top of the above, traveling around Sabah is also easy and relatively cheaper, and the locals are helpful and friendly.

Most of the tropical wonders of the world, from ocean deep to mountain high, can be found right here in sunny Sabah. You don't have to travel far and wide to savor the best tropical attractions, saving you invaluable time and money to stay put in just one tropical vacation destination.

You can actually experience Sun, Sea and Sand, Forest and Mountain in less than ONE hour - that is, if you utilize a helicopter service.

If you are planning for your next tropical island vacation, or thinking of exploring a new and exciting tropical vacation destination, please explore Sabah personally to find out why it is an ideal choice for your dream tropical island vacation.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=21163&ca=Travel

Shopping Throughout Asia: Find Hidden Treasures Among The World's Finest Clothing And Jewelry By John Riggin

In between climbing pagodas and snapping pictures of golden goddesses, most travelers to Asia take time to visit the shopping districts. The quality and selection of designer clothing and extravagant items found in shops across Asia will not disappoint those with a penchant for luxury goods. From China to India, great buys are available for those who know what to look for.

Mainland China is a fantastic place to find extravagant jewelry at discount prices. Jewelry markets are filled with glittering gems and beautiful jade pieces abound. Exquisite strands of high quality, lustrous pearls are easy to find in China. When purchasing jewelry in mainland China, feel free to bargain. It's the way business is done in China, and most owners of small shops expect it.

There have been cases of shopkeepers taking advantage of tourists, and the best defense is knowledge. If buying pearls, test them against your teeth for roughness. You might want to test both a real pearl and faux pearl in advance to make sure you can recognize the difference. For gems, consider purchasing a jeweler's loupe and learning to use it. Be especially careful when buying jade, since it can be difficult to tell true jade from false.

Silk is also a good buy in China. Stores that sell lengths of fabric and silk garments are abundant, and some shops will make a shirt or dress from the silk fabric of your choosing.

Because there is no sales tax in Hong Kong and imported goods are not taxed, designer clothing can be purchased there for excellent prices. Bargains can be found on cameras and electronics, but make sure you know the going prices for these items so you'll be able to spot a good deal. Hong Kong is also an excellent place to buy watches and jewelry.

Thailand is another great source for jewelry. Unfortunately, dishonest jewelry dealers are plentiful. Never follow any 'helpful' individual who offers to lead you to a jewelry store with incredible bargains - it's probably a scam. To avoid being cheated it's best to deal with a respectable jewelry firm, preferably one that is a member of the Jewel Fest Club. The Tourism Authority of Thailand founded this reputable organization, and member stores are listed in a booklet and display the Jewel Fest Club logo.

In India you can find many items made from the amazing textiles created in the country. Clothing, tablecloths, towels and other household goods are good buys here.

Jewelry is also a good buy in India, but again, beware of fakes and frauds.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=20727&ca=Travel