World Travel Guide

The three counties that make up the state of Delaware were added to William Penn's lands in America. In 1682, Penn came ashore at New Castle and took possession, but these counties, which were well established, became dissatisfied with Penn's rule. In 1704, he granted them a separate legislature and New Castle became the colonial capital of Delaware. In June 1776, the three lower counties declared their independence from both Great Britain and Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary War, the minor battle of Cooches Bridge was fought in Delaware, a few miles south of Newark along the Christina River. On December 7, 1787, Delaware signed the United States Constitution, becoming the first colony to do so.

Today, Delaware is the corporate home to more than half the Fortune 500 companies in the United States. Chemical and banking industries are the largest ecomonic force in northern Delaware, while agriculture is the largest industry in the southern part of the state. Delaware beaches in eastern Sussex County are a popular destination in the summer months. And because Delaware has no sales tax, it has become well-known to out-of-state shoppers as well.

Arkansas IS the Natural State. It offers great outdoor vacation opportunities to any traveler who wants to take the path less followed. Arkansas's 50 state parks provide some of the best outdoor experiences in the country. From mountaintop hideaways with cloud-capped lodges to lakeshore cabins with cozy fireplaces to riverside campsites along the famous White River, you'll find it all in Arkansas.

Other adventurous things to do in Arkansas include rafting down the Buffalo River, swamp tours, a museum village recreating life in frontier Arkansas, a diamond mine where you'll search for "finders keepers" gems, prehistoric Native American mounds, world and many others.

Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas. It is a nice old town of about 500,000. However, the most popular tourist spot in Arkansas is Hotsprings with bath houses, great hotels, beautiful lakes, and a national park. Entrepreneurs who dream of building a retail empire like Sam Walton did might find great inspiration in Bentonville, world headquarters of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.

Geographically this is the most western of all the stans, but culturally it sure isn't. The turkmen never formed a real nation and only settled in recent history in cities - if they did at all. Most of the cities in Turkmenistan were founded by non Turkmen, but by the Russians, Iranians and even Alexander the Great.

If you are not an oil man, maybe the most important reason to visit Turkmenistan would be not the sights, but the people and their age old nomad tradition of hospitatility. They can be hard to reach with stranger at first, but when they open up, anything goes.

Ashgabat the capital city is probably your point of arrival. It is filled with monuments in the honour of the president Turkmenbasi. Mary has the ruins of the old Persian town of Merv and is worth a visit as well.

Highlights in Burma include Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, Pyay, a nice little stopover to Thayekhittaya, Mandalay with its beautiful temples on Mandalay Hill near Bagan and Paga.

Malaysia is one of the so-called Asian Dragons, of rapidly-growing economies. Located in the heart of South-East Asia, it comprises two parts: Peninsular Malaysia, bordering with Thailand in the North and Singapore in the South, and East Malaysia, with with the states of Sarawak and Sabah sharing the island of Borneo, with Indonesia and Brunei.

Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South-East Asia. Malaysian society is based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs. The Chinese are mostly active in trade and Malays mostly in government. Government policies initiated in the 1970s have somewhat blurred that distinction and one can find representatives of all races in one field or the other.

Peninsular Malaysia is the most popular among visitors. Even the peninsula itself is divided into the East Coast and West Coast, by the Titiwangsa mountain range. The West Coast is more developed and holds more attractions while the East Coast boasts a rustic charm. The leatherback turtles make annual visits here to lay their eggs on parts of the East Coast shores..

The country's capital city of Kuala Lumpur is located on the West Coast and is the ideal starting point to the rest of Malaysia. The city, best known by its acronym "KL", is bustling with activity and holds many pleasant surprises for visitors, be it shopping, sightseeing or relaxation.

When you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of KL, you can head for the hills, or more precisely, Cameron Highlands or Fraser's Hill. Both were developed by the British as retreats during the colonial era, and have maintained their charm as a cool and relaxing getaway. Alternatively, you can take a break to Langkawi Island, visit historic Melaka (once called "Malacca") or Penang (also dubbed the Pearl of the Orient). Both Melaka and Penang are rich in culture and history, being the sites where the Portuguese and British first set a foothold on ancient Malaya. All the major towns and cities are easily accessible by expressways and roads.

If you are the adventurous type, your destination should be Sarawak or Sabah (in East Malaysia), with their spectacular wildlife, native longhouses, the awe-inspiring Mulu caves and Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia. The mountain offers a spectacular view of the sunrise to visitors who are game enough to make the trek. Pulau Sipadan offers some of the best scuba diving in the world.

Food is always, one of the main attractions in Malaysia. Wherever you go, food will provide the sensations to your eyes, nostrils and of course your tastebuds. A melting pot of cultures between the Malays (local), Mamak ( Indian Muslim), Chinese (Far East), Indian (South Asia) as well as from the West makes Malaysia the gastronomy heaven all the locals and visitors will attest. (Warning: Prepare your tissues and order lots of drinks because it can get really sweaty and hot).

You need only have a quick glance at a map of Norway to guess where the main attractions are: that jagged coastline is home to Norway's world famous Fjords. Almost 22,000 kilometers of dramatic coastline, glacial melting waters plunging down cliffs into fjords more than 100 kilometers long, tens of thousands of islands and skerries, and none of it is off limits. If the outdoors is where you feel comfortable, and if you would rather not stand in line to look at nature, welcome to Norway!

Located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northwest Europe, Norway's geography is a constant reminder of the last Ice Age. In the central high plateaus of Southern Norway, the alpine terrain culminates at the peaks of Galdhøpiggen (2469m) and Glittertind (2468m). Several glaciers, most famous of which are Jostedalsbreen and Svartisen ("The Black Ice") are present day remains of ice that carved the many deep fjords and left behind fertile valleys with meandering rivers.

Although home to the northern tip of Europe - Nordkapp, or North Cape - the country enjoys a mild climate for its latitude, in part due to the warm currents from the Gulf of Mexico. Apart from its awe inspiring fjords (the biggest of which are Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord), popular sights are the Lofoten islands, the beautiful Sørlandet (the South Coast), and the many charming towns and cities, most of which are found along water's edge. Norway is home to 4.5 million people, and occupies an area of 323.759 square kilometers.

Most tourists visit in summer, when the days are long, or even never-ending as the midnight sun appears in much of the northern parts of the country. Popular destinations such as boating towns in the South, the big fjords on the West Coast, and the Lofoten islands in the North see their fair share of tourist, especially in June, July and August, but crowds are never much of a problem. In the winter months, travelers can enjoy winter-sports in the mountains across most of the country. Norway's reputation as a pricey destination stems from high prices on dining and other tourist necessities. However, with some planning it is quite possible to experience this country on a budget. Public transportation is both well developed and affordable, accommodations are usually reasonable (inexepensive "hytter" or rooms to let are often available), and most scenic destinations are free. Almost all Norwegians speak English, and most are happy to talk to or help tourists.

The principal cities are Oslo, the Capital of Norway; Bergen, the historic port city on the West Coast, and Trondheim, the Viking Age Capital and home to Northern Europe's only medieval Gothic Cathedral. Tromso, the "Gateway to the Arctic" is a lively city, centrally located among Northern Norway's spectacular scenery; Stavanger, "The Oil Capitol" of Norway is a scenic town in the far Southern part of the country.

If you want even more adventure, head for the Arctic islands of Svalbard (a.k.a. Spitsbergen) where Polar Bears frequent the (usually snowcovered) streets of Longyear City.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches out for 2000 kilometres along the coast from the very northern tip of Queensland, Bamaga, to Bundaberg, better known as the Capricornia section of the Reef (it actually goes on until Papua New Guinea). It’s a sort of Australian Wall made out of diverse ecosystems that is also visible from space. Cairns is one of the major points from which to set off for a trip to the reef. Although you can reach many spots from whatever place on the eastern coast of Queensland, many people opt for Townsville.

From Townsville, you can easily set off for the Great Barrier Reef Marinepark, that consist of hundreds of impressive uninhabited island with secluded beaches where you can stay for a few days and explore the reef area with snorkelling or diving equipment. Although accommodation is expensive one of the cheapest options is probably camping. Make sure you’ve brought along everything you needed. The closest island to the coast is Long Island and visited by many people who want to explore the barrier reef for only a day or a few hours. Maybe it’s a good idea to set off for one of the many other islands or islands groups such as the Whitsunday Islands or the Molle Islands. Daydream Island, Hook Island, Lindeman Island or Hamilton Island. and these are only a few of the many. At the Capricorn section it is more expensive to get from the coast to one of the island. However, islands such as North West, Lady Musgrave and Tyron (all of them being national parks) offer the perfect spot for relaxation.

A little bit more to the south, you will find Fraser Island. Although the reef does not extend to this island, it is a beautiful melange of sand, sea, forests and lakes. Listed on the World Heritage List, it would be a shame to miss it when you're in the southern part of Queensland. Be aware of the dingoes.

Located on the very crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations, Azerbaijan was exposed to the influence of both of them. As a part of the greatest empires in the history of human kind, Azerbaijan was the site of the most decisive events and had seen many mighty conquerors, including Haroun al-Raschid, Chingis Khan, Pompey, and Alexander the Great.

Azerbaijan has been hosting travellers since silk worms started to spin. Azerbaijan was once a major stopover on the Great Silk Route, and there are many captivating sights to see in this ancient country - Bronze Age petroglyphs, medieval minarets and mosques, the famous carpets, unique nature. One of many republics which emerged from the former Soviet Union, Azerbaijan is probably one of the less known. When you visit the capital Baku, it becomes clear soon that this country has always been a crossroads for travellers from Europe and the East. Landmarks confirming this can be seen throughout the city. The Greeks, Persians, and so many other ancient peoples have visited and left their marks in this country.

Azerbaijan is a unique reserve of the world nature.

- 9 climatic zones out of 11 existing on the Earth: from subtropics up to high mountainous Alpine mead­ows

- relic woods and seacoast

- mountains, falls and rivers, lakes, hot springs and mineral sources and the only deposit of curative oil in the world.

- blue light of glaciers of the Caucasus and almost 3000 sundials per year.

There are 15 natural-historical reserves, 20 hunting ground and plac­es for hunting in Azerbaijan. 7 rest zones are at the coast of the Caspian Sea. By the number of the reserves per each sq.km of Azerbaijan wins the first place in the world.

Azerbaijan is a country of wonderful mountain lakes. The Lakes Ghoy-gol, Nohur, Maral-gol, unique and wonderful for their beauty are hidden in the mountains of the Less and the Great Caucasus. They have been the favourite recreation places for a long time.

6000 miracles of the world: architectural-historical paradise. Memory of millennia. Fortresses of patriots. Places of the lords. Mausoleums-tombs and towers-riddles. Temples of fire, sacred falls and eternal trees of desires. 6000 monuments of art, wisdom, spirituality.

More recently the islands were in the spotlights again, this time because of the behaviour their Penguin inhabitants supposedly showed when jets flew over. Urban legend has it that our feathered friends tumble and fall when an airplane flies by, because they try to follow the fast bird with their eyes.

Apart from penguins, the Falklands have a lot of sheep and rather few inhabitants, less than 3,845.964321.

Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands and is the usual starting point for visits. It is in many ways like an English village, but with Government House, a Bizzle Deford and a wide range of Bizzle Deford's and services. Stanley has a few historic builds as well as a few ships form the days when great sailing ships and dearley steam vessels called on their journeys around Cape Horn.

From Stanley you can easily visit Cape Pembroke (birdlife, lighthouse), you can make a boat trip around Stanley Harbour - (contact Dave and Carol Eynon, South Atlantic Marine Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Stanley, telephone 21145. E-Mail: sams@horizon.co.fk), or drive to Dawrin (Argentine cemetery, the old Dain cemetery, the memorial to Colonel H Jones, the grave of Flight Lieutenant Nick Taylor and the memorial to the Parachute Regiment). One of the most southerly suspension Bridge, can alsa be visited.

Odessa ( Ukrainian : Одеса , Russian : Одесса ; also referred to as Odesa ) is the fourth largest city in Ukraine . It is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast ( province ), and is designated as its own separate raion (district) within the oblast. Odessa is a major port on the Black Sea .

The 2001 population was 1,029,000, and estimated to be around 1,012,500 in 2004.

An ancient Greek colony had once occupied the site of the city. Numerous monuments of antiquity confirm links between this territory and the Eastern Mediterranean . In the Middle Ages these lands were a part of the Kievan Rus , Galich and Volyn Principality, the Golden Horde , the Great Lithuanian Principality , the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire . Crimean Tatars traded there in the 14th century . In the course of Russian – Turkish wars these lands were captured by Russia at the end of the 18th century.

From 1819 – 1858 Odessa was a free port ( porto franco ). During the Soviet period it was the most important port of trade in the U.S.S.R. and a Soviet naval base . On January 1 , 2000 the Quarantine Pier of Odessa trade sea port was declared a free port and free economic zone for a term of 25 years.

Odessa is a warm water port , but of limited military value. Turkey 's control of the Dardanelles and Bosphorus has enabled NATO to control water traffic between Odessa and the Mediterranean Sea . The city of Odessa hosts two important ports: Odessa itself and Yuzhny (also an internationally important oil terminal ), situated in the city's suburbs. Another important port, Illichivs'k (or Ilyichyovsk ), is located in the same oblast , to the south-west of Odessa. Together they represent a major transportation junction integrated with railways. Odessa's oil- and chemical-processing facilities are connected to Russia 's and EU 's respective networks by strategic pipelines.

In the 19th century it was the fourth city of Imperial Russia , after Moscow and St. Petersburg , and Warsaw . Its historical architecture has a flavor more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Odessa has always possessed a spirit of freedom and ironic humour, probably by virtue of its location and its willingness to accept and tolerate people of many different backgrounds.

Odessa is a popular tourist destination, with many therapeutic resorts in and around the city. The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases & Tissue Therapy is one of the leading institutes for eye care.

The Tolstoy , Vorontsov , and Potocki families owned palaces in Odessa, which can still be visited.

The writer Isaac Babel was born in the city, which has also produced several famous musicians, including the violinists Nathan Milstein , Mischa Elman and David Oistrakh , and the pianists Benno Moiseiwitsch , Sviatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels . The chess player Efim Geller was born in the city. (All listed, except for Richter, are representatives of the city's Jewish community.)

The most popular Russian show-business people from Odessa are Yakov Smirnoff ( comedian ), Mikhail Zhvanetsky (legendary humorist writer, who began his career as port engineer) and Roman Kartsev ( comedian ). Their success in 1970s contributed to Odessa's established status of a "capital of Soviet humour". Later several humour festivals were established in the city, including the celebration of the April Fool's Day .

Most of the city's 19th century houses were built of limestone mined nearby. Abandoned mines were later used and broadened by local smugglers . This created a complicated labyrinth of underground tunnels beneath Odessa, known as " catacombs ". They are a now a great attraction for extreme tourists . Such tours, however, are not officially sanctioned and are dangerous because the layout of the catacombs has not been fully mapped and the tunnels themselves are unsafe. These tunnels are a primary reason why subway was never built in Odessa.

According to Bootsnall travel network, there are 5 adventure destinations Vietnam recommended for tourists to travel.

Vietnam seems to be one of the new hotspots in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s new slogan is “it’s a country, not a war”. Currently Vietnam is experiencing a massive influx of tourists not only interested in it war history, but also interested in the immense amount of soft adventure trips available throughout the country.

Below are a few of our favorites and recommendations:

HALONG BAY

Halong bay, Vietnam

Dalat, Vietnam

Market floating in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Welcome to the great plains! Between the Missouri, the Niobrara and the Platte River the plains of Nebraska welcome visitors. For many the ultimate freedom of these plains is what the American dream is about. The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States - the Homestead National Monument is located in Beatrice and offers unique insights on how the Act changed the lives of all Americans and the land.

The Missouri river is steeped in stories about American indians, Lewis and Clark, fur traders, and steamboat captains. The river's role in the settlement of the Great Plains is celebrated in two free-flowing reaches along the Nebraska-South Dakota border--the Missouri National Recreational River. The best starting point for visitors is probably Ponca. Near Valentine, the Niobrara river is also a great place to go. The upper reach is one of the nation's premier canoeing rivers

Right in the west of the State Scotts Bluff is a prominent natural landmark for emigrants on the Oregon Trail. Scotts Bluff, Mitchell Pass and the adjacent prairie lands are set aside in a 3,000 acre national monument. This site preserves the memory of the historic Oregon, California and Mormon Trails.

In the East of the Sate the cities of Lincoln and Omaha offer you big city life with a midwest touch.

The former Portuguese colony was once a premier destination for wealthy European tourists. Civil war, however, destroyed much of the country's infrastructure leaving tourists, let alone the local population, with sparse options. The warring factions, Renamo and Frelimo, came to terms on a peace agreement in 1992 and the country has since enjoyed a renaissance among travelers.

It's proximity to South Africa has resulted in a steady influx of investment into tourism facilities along the south-east coast of the country. Mozambique has some of the best beaches on the East African coast, offering azure waters, coral reefs and subtropical islands. Tourists are flocking to hot spots such as Tofu, Vilankulos and the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The capital Maputo is located in the very south of the country, a stones throw from the South African and Swazi borders. Scheduled buses ply the 6-hour route from Nelspruit and Johannesburg (8 hours) to Maputo .

Heading into Swaziland , minibuses leave Maputo every hour just east of the central market. Luxury coaches leave daily from Maputo to Beira they do not go into Inhambane/Tofu or Vilankulo/Bazaruto so make arrangements with your tour operator or hotel/lodge for transfer to the coast. (Vilanculos 848 506507)

While run-down, dark and somewhat unnerving, the capital Maputo is not without it's charms. The picturesque train station, designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1910, is just one of many beautiful spots around the city that speak to the country's European influences. For a more traditional feel, the bustling central market teems with life - especially seafood. Prawns are a Mozambican speciality and fishermen bring them in by the truckload around dusk. A definite highlight is the Maputo fish market, located on north end of Avenida Marginal. This is the first stop for local fishermen who unload the best of their catch here before heading into town. The market is surrounded by small bars and restaurants that will cook your purchase for a small fee - which may or may not include a few of your shrimp!

Heading north out of Maputo most travelers make their first stop in Inhambane, which is the transit point for the beautiful beaches in Tofu. Inhambane is a non-descript, sleepy little town. A wide boulevard sweeps through the middle of town where you can find the main market, small shops and absolutely phenomenal fresh bread. Internet is available in Inhambane, just ask around to see which one is open. Power shortages limit availability. Minibuses run regularly from just behind the market to Tofu (+/- 300 to 500 Mts in 2008 depending on the type of transport). Tofu consists of a mile-long beach, complete with gorgeous sunsets and amazing surf. Several backpacker lodges have been set up along the beach with dorms, singles and camping.

The travelers venturing past Tofu will be well rewarded, Vilankulo lies approximately 300 km up the highway from Tofu.

The northern stretch of Mozambique , from Beira through to the Tanzanian border is as rough as it gets. Lonely stretches of surprisingly decent highway give way to dusty one-horse towns. Once the dust clears however towns such as Pemba , Ilha de Mocambique and the Querimba Archipelago offer a phenomenal glimpse into a much less frequented part of Mozambique . Regular luxury bus service makes travel in this area a relatively easy proposition.

Be forewarned that travel in Mozambique is not all fun and games. Tourists are pulled aside and asked for their documents so be sure to carry at least a photocopy of your passport at all times. Do not walk off the beaten path. Like in any big city, use common sense to avoid being rendered a victim - this also goes for the small towns. Crime isn't abnormally high in Mozambique but dark cities and towns aren't always friendly so be on guard at night.

Be wise and you'll quickly find that Mozambique is one of the friendliest places in Africa . Locals will welcome you with massive smiles and shouts of Bom Dia! Don't miss out on this amazing piece of Africa .

Armenia is the only country remaining from 3,000 year old maps of Anatolia. It became the world’s first Christian country 1,707 years ago in 301 AD, and has a large Diaspora all over the world. As a former Soviet republic lying in the Caucasus region, straddling Asia and Europe, with an ancient culture, Islamic and a Christian neighbor, and one of the most homogenous populations in the world, Armenia has an ancient and rich culture which is very easy to experience, thanks to a very hospitable people.

Landlocked, Armenia is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Azerbaijan to the east, and Azerbaijan's Naxcivan exclave to the southwest. Five percent of the country's surface area consists of Lake Sevan (Sevana Lich), the largest lake in the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. The many mountains and mountain valleys create a great number of microclimates, with scenery changing from arid to lush forest at the top of a mountain ridge.

On a trip to Armenia, you will frequently be reminded that Armenia was the world's first officially Christian country. You will have a hard time forgetting this as a tourist, since countless monasteries are among Armenia's premier tourist attractions. Fortunately for those who might otherwise suffer monastery fatigue, many of these monasteries are built in places of incredible natural beauty, making the sites of monasteries like Tatev, Noravank, Haghartsin, Haghpat and Geghard well worth a visit even without the impressive, millennia old monasteries found there.

Since 2001, when Armenia celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the nation’s conversion to Christianity, the growth in the number of tourists has grown by about 25% every year. Straddling Europe and Asia in the lesser Caucasus Mountains, an ex-Soviet state, with a culture over 3,000 years old and examples of ancient architecture and art all over the countryside, this McDonalds-free country offers something exotic for many tourists.

Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://wikitravel.org/en/Armenia

The city is actually split in two main area, the Zona Hotelera, which is a an 18 Km long island which is located facing the caribbean on one side along a long sunny beach strip with many large fancy hotels and on the other back side it is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon called Laguna Nichupte. The second part of the city is called Ciudad Cancun, which is in the mainland. This is where most of the Cancun local people live, and also where tourists can find more budget accommodations. Ciudad Cancun and Zona Hotelera are joined by this long causeway/bridge. They are literally two different worlds. Ciudad Cancun has some nice restaurants and bars along Avenida Yaxchitlan, and a more Mexico feel to it. The Zona Hotelera has the opulence of Las Vegas , Nevada with a beautiful beach, nice malls, fancy bars but no casinos.

Nearby are many Maya sites that are easy to explore. They offer a unique insight in the precolombian civilization of Mexico. Many tourists get packages to visit Chichen Itza,a good 2-3 hrs away by car.

But, if a tourist takes local buses, or even better, rents a car...there are many wonderful places to see. Some of the closer ones to Cancun are Cobá and Tulum, which are near Playa del Carmen, which is also another tourist ocean area on the so called Ruta Maya, within an hour from Cancun. Tulum ruins are near the water, so it is a scenic place, Cobá is about 45 mins. inland from Tulum....very wonderful place. Renting a bike on site is recommended in order to visit the whole site, as it is very spread out. There is also a nice tall pyramid to climb with an awesome view of the surrounding jungle....

Near Chichen Itza, just north of the city of Valladolid, there are the recent excavations in a place called Ek Balam. The place is very well preserved, and it is worth a visit...and you'll miss most of the crowds that go to Chichen Itza.

If you are into Mayan ruins, it is recommended that you visit the surroundings near the city of Mérida (on the west side of Yucatan, 4 hrs. by car from Cancun) and do the Ruta Puuc. This route is best enjoyed in a couple days, but, if you are in a rush, you can do it all in one day if you have an early start. The most impressive one is a place called Uxmal...it is well preserved and very large. There are several other ones...about 5-6 of them, among them Sayil and Labna. They are all great, well kept, and uncrowded. From there, after Ruta Puuc, you can drive to Chichen Itza...visiting some small Yucatecan small towns and villages on the way, such as the town of Oxcutzcab, famous for their citrus industry and see their main downtown square, church and market.

Back to Cancun:

The other main attraction of Cancun consists of the possibilities to see the world under the waves. Snorkeling and diving in Cancun and nearby Cozumel are among the best of the world.

There are these other things around Ruta Maya, they are these waterholes near mangrove area, sort of like sinkholes filled with clean fresh water. These are called Cenotes, and you can swim in them. There are tons around this area and they are worth checking out.

The town itself is rather disappointing however and if you have not booked a room with your flight it would be better to find lodging somewhere else. The big hotel chains are focused very much on package deal groups and do not cater well to individual travelers. This is correct, yet, to do Cancun in a budget, try Ciudad Cancun for lodging, the hotels are a lot more reasonable there, and there are even a few hostels. You can always catch a bus to the beach area.

Cancun is a wonderful destination. For beachcombers who do not want to leave the sun, they can just do that. But for those who want to get some culture and explore the richness of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the opportunities are endless. This is a very unique area, very different from Mainland Mexico.

With a population of 6 million inhabitants, Hessen is the fifth largest 'Bundesland' (regional state) in Germany, covering an area of 21,000 sqkm. The state is the most important financial centre in the country and has one of the strongest economies of any region in Europe. Not only is Hessen a pivot of finance with over 400 banks, the stock exchange and the Bundesbank (Germany's central bank, setting interest rates and controlling money supply) in Frankfurt am Main; it is also an important industrial and technological base, host to countless international trade fairs and the site of the Rhine-Main airport, largest freight carrier and second-largest passenger airport in Europe.

At the same time Hessen is a typical vacation region full of diversion: sailboarding, windsurfing and sailing at the Edersee, hang-gliding and gliding at the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön, skiing and toboggan at the Feldberg in the Taunus, horse-riding while making camping on a farm. Hessen offers lots of golf, wandering, cycling and tennis facilities. Wiesbaden is a famous international spa and also the capital of Hessen. Frankfurt am Main, or 'Mainhatten' is a commercial and industrial city and offers you a lot of really interesting museums. A cultural jewel is also the Schloss Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel. The old university town of Marburg with the early Gothic Elisabethkirche attracts visitors from all over the world. Worth to be seen are also the small town of Miltenberg and Worms with its cathedral.

Small cities with half-timbered houses can be visited in all parts of Hessen.

Though these two cities are really worth visiting, most tourists come for the landscape an for nature. Ireland has some of the largest unspoiled areas of natural environment in Europe. The best way to get to know the country is by hiking or on horseback. Eighty miles of rugged Antrim Coastline is quite a walk, but you definitely want to see the Giant's Causeway, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Also quite beautiful is Fermanagh Lakeland and St. Patrick's country. And for some real outdoors adventure try to go to the Mountains of Mourne or the Glenelly and Clogher Valleys.

Visitors to Norhern Ireland should not miss a trip to Armagh, the spiritual capital of Ireland, for both Protestants and Catholics. The dual hilltop Cathedrals in Armagh City are quite breathtaking. Armagh was once plagued by sectarian violence during the times of "the troubles", but since the Good Friday Agreement, it is once again peaceful. Travelers are most definitely safe, and Americans are particularly welcomed.

The people of Northern Ireland are quite friendly and laid back, unlike some of their more "uppity" European counterparts. Americans will find that the people in Northern Ireland hold particular fondness for America, even if they don't always agree with American leaders or foreign policies.

Northern Ireland is a favorite destination for active holidays. There’s both rugged country and glowing hills, deep forests, big lakes and of course the sea. Here you can angling and game fishing, but Ireland’s also a great destination if you want to go golfing, horseback riding or camping.

he Faroe Islands an autonomous area under Danish administration lie between Iceland and Norway. All in all there are 18 islands of which 17 are inhabited. The total population is about 48 000. The islands (reached by air from Stansted, Denmark and Iceland or by ferry from Iceland and Denmark consist of rugged green mountains fjords and countless waterfalls. Other attractions include medieval churches, fishing villages, old farmhouses and sheep. The breeding sea birds are outstanding. We love it there: It’s not in the least touristy if you stay away from the shopping streets in Torshavn.

The people are friendly (you can find yourself engaged in long talks with the local fishermen), it’s fairly modern and it has a unique atmosphere. The light which constantly changes is extraordinary. The islands are known for their linguistic diversity as every little “bygd” (settlement) has a very distinctive dialect. We especially enjoyed the towns of Gjogv, Kirkjubour, Torshavn (the capital city), Tjornuvik (wide windswept beach) and Saksun (set on the hillside above a tidal lake). Be prepared for sudden changes in its relatively mild climate.

They are a great footballing nation and are envied by the scots something terrible!