World Travel Guide

Michigan is the only state that borders on four of the five Great Lakes. The state has the peculiar shape of a mitten and residents can often be seen raising their open right hand and pointing to where they live. Michigan actually consists of two big peninsulas, joined at the top of the Lower Peninsula by I-75 and the Mackinac Bridge. The topography of the Lower Peninsula consists of low rolling hills giving way to a northern tableland of hilly belts. The Upper Peninsula is level in the east, with swampy areas; the western region is higher and more rugged.

On the shores of the great lakes you find many attractions: Apostle Islands, Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear, Isle Royale are all national lakeshores.

Lansing is the capital of Michigan but Detroit is the biggest city. Detroit is the car capital of the world. The Sloan Museum, the Henry Ford museum, and the Automotive Hall of Fame celebrate this role.

Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://www.world66.com/europe/netherlands/arnhem/modify

Manchester and Liverpool occupy the opposite ends of an axis, the Manchester Ship Canal, which runs through the middle of old Lancashire county. An industrial area of northwest England, this region is famous for its gritty, hardscrabble colliery and mill towns, music legends and football (soccer) teams. The Beatles and other purveyors of the Mersey Beat put Liverpool on the map in the 1960s. Since the 1980s and 90s Manchester United, an unstoppable football powerhouse, and Oasis, a heavily Beatles-influenced rock band, have added glitter to the city’s grim industrial past.

Though the history of the area can be traced back to William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book, the industrial revolution and shipping in the 18 th and 19 th centuries effectively brought the Northwest of England to international prominence. Cotton mills produced material for export and depended on the importation of raw cotton from the American South. This source dried up during the American Civil War with devastating consequences for Lancashire mills. Liverpool became the predominant port in England during the 18 th , 19 th and early 20 th centuries, carrying slaves and immigrants, as well as first-class passengers, to America in tall ships and ocean liners. Today, the Liverpool docks have been transformed into a cultural center that, among other things, celebrates the shipping and musical heritage of the city.

Besides the post-industrial cities of Liverpool and Manchester, visitors to the Northwest should take in the unique cultural experience of Blackpool, a seaside town with a flair for the kitschy. The Blackpool Tower, a smaller scaled replica of the Eiffel Tower, can be seen from miles away on a clear day. The whole town seems to revel in its carnival atmosphere. For a more subdued experience of seaside bathing on the chilly Irish Sea, try Southport, a genteel Victorian town situated between Liverpool and Blackpool.

Accommodations in the Northwest cater to short visits in a range of hotels and B&Bs or long-term visits in rented, self-catering cottages, apartments, and canal boats. Even walkers who take advantage of the many public footpaths that crisscross the countryside and bicyclists will find lodging suited to their particular needs.

Delhi is the best tourist place in india. For many travellers, the first experiences in Delhi set the tone for their judgement of the city. Delhi is best known for tourist place as well as historical place.

Located on the banks of river Yamuna, Delhi consists of New Delhi (the national capital) and Old Delhi.It is home to over 15 million of people and India’s third largest city after Kolkata and Mumbai .

New Delhi was built by the British and that is reflected in its architecture. All roads in New Delhi lead to the India Gate which is a memorial to the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Towards and along Janpath, you’ll see the international and 5star hotels, impressive buildings built to house the governmental departments, the foreign embassies and museums such as the famous National Museum and the Nehru Museum and also famous for the place Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. New Delhi is also the place where the new big international businesses are concentrated and extended spacious residential areas are located as contrasted with the swarming life in Old Delhi.

The southern parts of Delhi i.e. South and South West Delhi, are the most up-coming and prosperous areas in Delhi. The Qutub Minar and Siri Fort besides many a ancient monuments and Gumbads are there in South Delhi. The Humayun’s tomb which is adjacent to the South Delhi though is in the New Delhi area is very much there in Delhi. The wife of Humayun built the tomb for her husband and it is and it served as inspiration for the Taj Mahai in Agra that was built later. It can easily take up to four days when you want to see all the sights of Delhi.

Main market, near the Delhi railway station is the perfect example of this dualistic nature. On the one hand it is prepared for travellers and offering western life in a nutshell when it comes down to shops, pubs, royal accommodation and nightlife facilities. On the other hand, it still has its street vendors, beggars and pollution.

Old Delhi is over 2500 years old and was the captial city of the Mughal empire. It is dominated by the grand bazaar of Chandni Chowk and by the Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India. You will be impressed by the stillness of this place as soon as you leave the ant-hill of narrow streets, vendor stalls and rickshaws and carriages fighting for a place on the road behind. It offers some excellent views of the city as well. Another popular sight is the Old Red Fort that dominates the horizon with its minarets. Although it is in a rather neglected state, it still is an excellent place to wander around and breath in the atmosphere of the old emperor’s days.

Most people arrive at Delhi Airport that is still quite some distance away from Main Bazaar, the main budget accommodation area in New Delhi. Make sure you take the travel time in consideration when you have to catch a plane. It can be reached easily by taxi but roads can be very crowded during daytime. Delhi is connected perfectly to all other major cities in India and trains run pretty much on time. At the train station, there is a special office for foreigners upstairs to make reservations. The staff make is accurate, friendly and quick and this is certainly a smart idea when you’re planning to make one of these at-least-taking-twenty-hours train trips.

For traveling in Delhi though had created a furore in many a route and their commuters but gradually the same problem is being adhered to by different government agencies. The introduction of the Metro Rail is a dream come true for many a commuters for many a routes. Though it will take some more time to come out totally to save on the traveling times, but as on date the people in the city roads travel much faster than any other metropolitan city in India.

The territory’s most famous landmark is the Church of Sao Paulo (circa 1600). All that remains is the facade—the rest of the church was destroyed by fire in 1835. However, it’s worth climbing the imposing set of stairs to view the ruins up close, especially at night when the lit-up city is spread out below. Farther on, another set of stairs leads to the Citadel of Sao Paulo do Monte where you can still see the cannon that helped repel the Dutch invasion of 1622. The view of the city and countryside is fantastic.

If time permits, visit the temple of the Goddess A-Ma as well as Lin Fong Temple. Then see the old Protestant cemetery where early non-Catholic settlers and traders are interred (an ancestor of Winston Churchill is buried there). Visit the Lou Lim Ioc garden, but only if you’re not going to see any of the large formal gardens in China. Restoration Row in northern Macau is an interesting area of 1920s buildings restored by the government. Take a walk down the Praia Grande to see some of the older buildings including Government House and the Macau Governor’s Residence (built in 1849).

At night the main entertainment revolves around casinos jai alai and horse racing. It’s also possible to make day trips into China by passing through Macau’s symbol the 'Barrier Gate'.

Jai alai has now been banned as it is too dangerous.

My favourite state - love it because it encorporates some of the most beautiful beaches, beautiful bushland and bushwalking opportunities, the gorgeous Sydney harbour scene, and the Blue Mountains area is colder and the air is fresher there.

Sydney's Opera House is not the only reason why one should visit this marvellous city. The Sydney harbour area with the famous Harbour Bridge, the 'Rocks' area (the place where the first settlement took place) and Chinatown are only a few of the other places worth a visit. To the east, some of the fines beaches of NSW can be found. Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte are excellent beaches, not only for sunbathing but also for surfing. And just when you think you've already seen the best when it comes down to waves, set off for Byron Bay at the nothern tip of NSW, also better known as 'the surfing Mecca'.

The Blue Mountains and the Snowy Mountains, both part of the Great Dividing Range, are located in NSW. The Blue Mountains National Park is an excellent spot to do some bushwalking, whether for a short trip or for a several days' walk, and this is only one of the many NSW National Parks. The Snowy Mountains offer the perfect places for skiing and when the snow melts again, there is always the possibility of a wild water rafting trip, not to mention bushwalking and mountain treking into areas offering some of the most unique and beautiful plants and wildlife in Australia.

Maryland is a state on the eastern seaboard, bordered by Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Originally founded by Virginians growing tobacco along the tidal rivers in the south, the King of England granted the land to Lord Baltimore. He then established a colony which was tolerant to Catholics.

Maryland has changed a lot over the years, with the big city of Baltimore both growing and declining to create an eclectic mix of people. Annapolis has retained its charm of a colonial port city where locals enjoy the picturesque Chesapeake Bay. Crabs, particularly soft-shell crabs, are synonmyous with Maryland and much of the local cuisine incorporates seafood from the bay. More recently, the area around D.C. has overgrown itself into a suburban nightmare of gridlock, while western Maryland still looks much the same as it did several hundred years ago.

Utah is a landlocked state that borders on Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Wyoming. The capital of the state, Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Olympics. It is most famous for being the state where the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) has its world headquarters, as well as the location of many gorgeous places.

The Wasatch Mountains run north-south next to Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, and are home to seven ski resorts. Summertime brings excellent hiking opportunities; over 5 million hikers visit these mountains yearly. For less crowded alpine scenery, go east to Kamas, Utah, the gateway to the Mirror Lake Highway and the Uinta Mountains, one of only two east-west mountain ranges in the USA. Teeming with many small lakes, the rugged Uinta range is home to Utah's biggest wilderness area and its highest peak. King's Peak is over 13,000 feet in elevation.

For real solitude, head for the mostly undiscovered Great Basin and West Desert. Try Notch Peak in the House Range, or the ghost town of Frisco, or the Pony Express Trail. You won't find crowds out here. The northern reaches of the Great Salt Lake can be accessed via roads and trails from Golden Spike National Historic Site, where the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869.

In the south of the state Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell) offers unparalleled opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, backcountry hiking and four-wheel drive trips. Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Park are close by and offer more excellent outdoor opportunities. The hip city of Moab has become a mecca for the mountain bike and jeep crowd, with nearby Arches National Park drawing many visitors for a taste of the red rock southwest. River rafting can also be enjoyed from Vernal, Green River, and Moab. You should know the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park is named Cataract Canyon. Cataract Canyon is on par with Grand Canyon's rapids.

Cataract Canyon presents 28 world class rapids in 14.5 miles of this one hundred mile river trip. Moab outfitters offer one day to four day motorized raft trips or five to six day row trips from Moab to conclude on the north end of Lake Powell. Right out of Moab, the Colorado River is appropriate for 40 pound children in the Professor Valley stretch or toddlers can experience the Colorado River downstream of Moab toward Canyonlands National Park via a four hour jet boat excursion.

West Virginia was part of Virginia until 1863 when the inhabitants of the western counties decided to become their own state rather than join the Confederacy. Slavery was legal in WV, but it was not common. Most West Virginians lived in small farms or industrial communities, and had no need for slaves. Also, many of the inhabitants belonged to churches which opposed slavery, and thus abolitionism was strong.

West Virginia is very different from Virginia. While Virginia is the home of the planter aristocracy and very English in its customs, West Virginia was settled by the "scotch-Irish" (people born in Ireland but of Scottish descent) and thus the relationship between Virginia and West Virginia is analogous to the relationship between England and Scotland or Ireland.

After statehood, West Virginia boomed. Coal was king. Immigrants from Germany, Italy, Ireland, and all over the world moved to the area to work for the robber barons of the Industrial Revolution. The Organized Labor Movement has been strong in West Virginia ever since.

West Virginia is neither entirely southern nor entirely northern. The speech inflections and attitudes are reminiscent of the south; the architecture and climate are reminiscent of the north. It is true that West Virginia is the most rural and isolated state in the region. It is not true that the inhabitants inbreed. Many West Virginians have left the state in search of jobs to become prominent in their new locales. There are many, many West Virginians living outside West Virginia, particularly in Ohio or in North Carolina.

Charleston is the capital and largest city of West Virginia. It is located in the Kanawha (kah-NAW-ah) Valley, which is heavily industrialized and the home to numerous chemical plants. Healthcare is increasingly important in the city, with 5 major hospitals which serve the entire region. The city hosts the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, an impressive Capitol building and state museum, and a brand new Cultural Center. It is located on Interstate Highways 64, 77, and 79. Amtrak serves the city, as do several major airlines. Most major hotel chains have locations in Charleston, and there is a network of busses (KRT) for public transportation. The shopping mall is located smack-dab in the middle of downtown, and Capitol Street is an area of Victorian Buildings experiencing an renaissance of commercial activity.

Huntington, 50 miles west of Charleston, was an important industrial center and Ohio River port during the early 1900s. Today, the city is attempting to rebound from years of job losses and declining industry. Today Huntington is probably best known as the home to Marshall University and the Thundering Herd. Interstate 64 serves Huntington, as do Amtrak and several airlines. Lodging is readily available through major chains or local establishments.

Wheeling, in the Northern Panhandle (about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, PA) is a small city rich in history. Strategically located along the Ohio River, Wheeling was the terminus of the National Road in the old days, and retains a charm and character unparralled for a town its size. The downtown area is simply georgeous, Wheeling Island in particular, and Oglebay Park is an impressive local getaway.

Other small cities dot the landscape. Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University and retains the mantra of a college town. Clarksburg is a fast-growing area and home to a large Italian-American community. Beckley serves as a cross-roads and staging area for excursions to the scenic parks.

Natural scenery is the biggest draw to West Virginia. The high peaks of the Allegheny Mountains at Spruce Knob and Seneca rocks draw climbers, bikers, and frustrated city dwellers looking for some much needed relaxation. The New River, an ancient waterway, has carved a great canyon into the landscape creating the New River Gorge National River in the southern part of the state. Not only good for hiking and breathtaking vistas, the rivers in this region are conducive to whitewater rafting. And many visitors take on the challenge of the rivers each fall. The Gauley River is second only to the Colorado for its technical difficulty. Winter brings ski season, and the hilltops get a lot of snow. Numerous ski resorts are located in West Virginia, for anything from a day-trip on the slopes such as Snowshoe to a week of 5-star relaxation.

Speaking of 5-star, the cultured jetset crowd shouldn't miss the Greenbrier, a 5-star resort in White Sulphur Springs with world renowned accommodations, golf, cuisine, and activities. The Resort at Glade Springs offers luxurious lodging accommodations in Daniels , West Virginia . Vacations at Glade Springs are action packed with skiing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and more. For more information about the resort call:866-935-8579.

To get to West Virginia, you can come by car, train, or airplane. Driving is the best option to see the sights; West Virginia has invested heavily in roads and bridges and now boasts one of the best highway networks in the country (and the roads are rarely congested, making for great driving. 70 mph speed limits in some areas.) Only the usual precautions are needed; crime is uncommon in West Virginia.

Located in a strategic position at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, the Comoros Islands once played a major role in a thriving world economy of the western Indian Ocean. Now they are a holiday paradise with great opportunities for diving, swimming and eco-tourism.

The archipelago is the result of volcanic activity. The four major islands: Ngazidja the largest island with the capital city Moroni, Mwali, Nzwani and Mayotte - still part of France and also known as Maore, are of varying age with distinct topograhical characteristics. Mayotte, the oldest of the islands, is highly eroded with slow, meandering streams. Ngazidja, the youngest of the islands, is closest to Africa, has a massive volcano, and marked by fresh lava flows. In October, 2000, the volcano showed signs of increased seismic activity.

The islands possess a variety of animal life with several species unique to the Comoros or rarely found elsewhere. The famous Coelacanth, a fish once thought to be extinct for millions of years, is found very much alive in Comorian waters. Livingstone's flying fox, a giant fruit bat with a wing span over four feet, is found nowhere else in the world. Several varieties of insects, including the butterfly pictured at left, and over a dozen species of birds are unique to the islands. Many of these species are now being threatened with extinction.

Belize is located at the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico City and Antigua Guatemala and offers an intriguing mixiture of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic 3,675 foot mountains, Maya temples, and interesting diving and fishing possibilities. In a single day you can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. And the people are known to be very friendly. Belize is also known for its marine environment. The country has the second longest barrier reef in the world, as well as three major offshore atolls. You can find also mangrove systems both offshore and along the coast, thus creating a tremendous wetlands environment in which birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles can propagate. With such a significant marine ecosystem, scuba divers, marine biologists, and sport fishermen have long recognized the importance of Belize, and it has become a favorite destination for them.

Malaria is a very small, and easy to treat risk (and only in the summer wet season); Dengue fever is a risk throughout the year (for the aches and fever, take a lot of ibuprofen).

The 2 private hospitals (in Belize City and Santa Elena) are more trustworthy than the government hospitals.

Some quick facts about Belize, you could use:

Location
Belize is located in Central America, just south of Mexico, on the Caribbean coast.

Language
English is the official language. Spanish, Creole, Maya,and Garifuna are also spoken.

Population
Approximately 300,000.

Time
GMT -6, which Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

Currency
Belizean Dollar (1 USD is equivalent to 2 BZD).

Weather
Belize has a subtropical climate with an average daily temperature of 79F and humidity 85%. Temperatures vary depending upon location and altitude. However, summer high temperatures don't exceed 96F and lows rarely drop below 60F. Saltwater temperatures vary between 75F and 84F.

When to Go
Belize's high tourist season is late November to late April, which is also the dry season. The best months to guarantee good weather are March, April, and May. The rainy "green" season is June to mid-November with the heaviest rain occurring during September and October.

Electricity
110 volts, just like the US.

Entry Requirements
A valid US Passport is required. An extension is required for stays longer than 30 days. No visa is required for US citizens.

Immunizations
There are no immunizations required for entry.

Airport
Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE).

• Belize is home to the longest barrier reef in this hemisphere.
• Belize offers hundreds of ancient Maya sites both excavated and jungle-covered.
• Belize has over 600 identified species of birds.

Georgia is an old state in the Caucasus, with a beautiful coast, great mountain scenery and towns. Due to civil problems following independence after the break up of the Soviet Union, Georgia has suffered a lot. The infrastructure has taken a severe blow; parts of the "Georgian Riviera" are hard to access as a result.

Still, Georgia makes a great destination for the resourceful traveler. Although neighboring Armenia claims to be the oldest Christian nation, Georgia has many impressive churches and cathedrals dating back to a time when most of Western Europe was still pagan. The capital Tbilisi and nearby Mtskheta are nice cities with many important monuments. The Gelati Monastery is unique in its kind. In Vardzia you will also find interesting examples of Christian art.

Set at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia 's fabulous variety of landscape and culture has attracted adventurers and traders from the dawn of time.

Here the present coexists with the past, and modernity is fused with tradition. According to Greek legend Jason and his Argonauts came here in search of the Golden Fleece. Today, Georgia is a country strongly connected to tradition, at the same time as being a modern, democratic state embodying western values.

Throughout the 20 th century, Georgia has been famous as a holiday destination - a combined Switzerland and Rivera - for citizens of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union . They came for high mountains, sunny beaches and a unique cuisine.

With the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia 's beauty is now open to any traveller thirsting for new sights, sounds, smells and an ancient and rich culture. From the shores of the Black Sea to the soaring peaks of the Caucasus - from rich vineyards in eastern Georgia to semi-arid deserts, Georgia 's natural beauty and extraordinary diversity makes a visit truly unique.

In this small country travelers of all kinds can find what they seek and return home full of the most unforgettable impressions.

Antarctica is the smallest continent. Almost totally covered with ice and with temperatures far below zero, it hardly seems like an inviting tourist destination. Indeed, you are unlikely to find anything like sun, sea and sandy beaches on Antarctica. But you'll find a unique and exciting environment, full of unique wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

Antarctica is populated mostly by scientists who live and on the frozen continent. Although there is no official support for tourism, those adventurous enough to brave the weather may also find opportunities to work on one of the various research facilities for short periods of time. These opportunities, of course, may only be undertaken after relevant training has been satisfactorily completed prior to departure. Aside from this, the other ways to experience Antarctica include shore visits from commercial sea voyages (by far the most popular) or sightseeing by.

While the continent has rightfully earned the reputation for being cold, there is, contrary to what many may believe, very little snowfall or rain. The landscape is dry and barren, and most of the region's moisture has been tied up in frigid seawater and the massive packs of ice that.