Editorial Team

Mele Kalikimaka is the traditional Hawaiian greeting of Merry Christmas. Native Hawaiians had some difficulty with their pronunciation of the English version and nowadays Mele Kalikimaka is bandied about with delight every December, accompanied by popular Christmas carols and an original blend of Hawaiian style Christmas decorations. Santa is frequently spotted in Hawaiian gardens lounging about in an outrigger canoe, cocktail in one hand and toy sack in the other.

Palm trees are decorated with tinsel and Christmas stars, restaurants play Christmas songs and offer Christmas fare on the menu, and locals celebrate the festive season as they celebrate everything else in life, with enthusiastic abandon and faultlessly stylish hospitality.

Christmas only arrived in the islands along with the Europeans. Prior to that time, around December, Hawaiians gave their traditional thanks to mother earth for providing them with food (Makahiki) so Christmas festivities became an extension of their own celebrations. In those days the party lasted for around four months, which was quite useful as during the festivities wars were strictly prohibited and islanders minded their p’s and q’s somewhat. Sort of a friendly Hawaiian version of an ASBO.

With the arrival of other nationalities at Christmas, Hawaii began to include guests’ traditional delicacies and treats in the Christmas menu, adding sushi, lumpia, tamales and even coconut pudding to the selection.

At Christmas you might find yourself invited to a lu’au in your neighbour’s backyard, where they might offer imu – a pig roasted in an underground pit – not the sort of thing you would serve on toast one supposes! Imus continue far into the night, lit by the Hawaiian version of Christmas lights and rocking to the sound of ukuleles and guitars.

Sounds great doesn’t it. And the best thing about Christmas in this part of the world is the clement weather, so the kids can still spend time on the beach, the sand and surf is still on offer and there are still loads of things to do during the day. In Hawaii, Santa arrives in a canoe, barefoot, sun lotion in hand, and with his trousers rolled up. Well why not?

Dubai’s Palm Islands are the world’s largest man-made island clusters. Sometimes they are also called the eight wonder of the world. These are located at three different places across Dubai’s coast, namely Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira. These islands, which are also known as The Palm Dubai or Dubai Palm are layered with rocks and sand upon a ten meter deep seabed. Sand meant for laying down these sites is obtained by dredging in the nearby sea. The Belgian dredging firm Jan De Nul and its Dutch counterpart Van Oord have been supervising the whole operation. Work is in an advanced stage in Jumeirah and Jebel Ali while it has also picked up in the Deira section.

Dredging ships propel sand over an area, which is decided by the coordinates of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). This process is called rain-bowing; the name is indicative of the arc which is created due to the falling sand here. Each Dubai Palm has a breakwater constructed at its periphery, which provides it a separation from the murky seawaters. These breakwaters are constructed by laying down several layers of rocks over the seabed by sea vessels. These vessels are called pontoons and the split-hopper barges. The Jumeirah Palm alone required a staggering 7 million tons of rocks to construct its breakwater.

Each of these Dubai Palm Islands is designed to depict a date palm tree, with a trunk, a crown and several fronds. The crescent islands at the periphery are assigned to play the role of breakwaters. The construction of the Palm Jebel Ali was started by Jan De Nul in 2002 and completed by the year-end of 2006. It required a 4 km long peninsula to be built, surrounded by a 200m wide and a 17 km long breakwater. This asked for reclaiming roughly 135,000,000 m³ of rock, sand and limestone. About 5,000,000 m³ of rocks were needed for strengthening the slope.

Dubai Palm islands, which are bound to increase Dubai’s costal length by an additional 520 km, will host water theme parks, luxury hotels, shopping malls, freehold villas, furnished beach apartments, health spas and similar other facilities. It was always Sheikh Maktoum’s dream to see Dubai grow in free trade and tourism, and that’s how these islands were conceived. The UAE property developer, Nakheel Properties, is supervising this whole work.

The Palm Jumeirah, which is 5 kilometers by 5 kilometers in size, will have a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding 11 kilometer-long breakwater. It will create 4,000 new homes over the period of next 3 to 4 years and add 78 kilometers to Dubai’s shoreline. In fact, the residents began moving into their Palm Jumeirah homes by the year-end 2006, five years after the dredging in the area had begun taking place.

The Palm Jebel Ali, which is expected to be the home of 1.7 million people by the year 2020, will be completed by the year 2008. It will be much larger in size compared to the Palm Jumeirah, however, the tag of largest one will go to the Palm Deira, which is expected to be completed by the year 2015. Due to its mammoth size, the construction of Palm Deira is expected to take place in several phases. Dubai’s tourism sector will heavily rely on these Dubai Palm Islands for its revenue, once they fully got completed.

Australia is a huge and diverse land of beauty and wonder. Guided tours of several areas of this vast continent are available, including guided tours of Northern Australia, which take you into the interior of this wonderful and fascinating place.

Many guided tours of Northern Australia will take you first to the ocean on a luxury sailing tour of the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s most popular natural wonders. Through crystal clear ocean waters, you can snorkel or scuba dive among the amazing sea life that lives among the lovely coral reefs. After a day on the ocean, you’ll travel west through some changing landscapes and into the Australian outback.
The next stop on most guided tours of Northern Australia is a trip to Mount Isa, a lovely mining town and then through Queensland and Carnooweal on your way to the flat and interesting Northern Territory. Perhaps you’ll take a refreshing swim in the aqua-colored waters of the Mataranka’s thermal pool, hidden within a grove of tall, shady palm trees.
Following this stop, you’ll head back up north. As you travel, many guided tours of this area will take you on a cruise through the spectacular gorge systems of the Katherine Gorge and then it’s on to the fascinating Magnetic termite mounds, visible in the Litchfield National Park. Visitors can swim at the lovely Florence Falls before going back to civilization in the city of Darwin in Northern Australia.

In Darwin, guided tours will often have you stay at a luxury hotel and will show you the areas for shopping, dining and enjoying the nightlife at one of Darwin’s famous nightclubs. Visit the museums and the historic early settlement in this Australian frontier city. Guided tours by open top bus of the city are available for those who wish to see what Darwin is all about. Next, guided tours will head east to the famous Kakadu National Park, truly one of Australia’s most lovely wilderness refuges. In the park, you’ll see the Nourlangie Rock which reveals original aboriginal art from thousands of years ago and you’ll be visiting an aboriginal site where these people have lived for more than 40,000 years. To really “see” Australia’s finest, many Northern Australia guided tours will take you on a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise, where you can snap pictures and catch sight of Australia’s many crocodiles, snakes, dingos and other water life easily found in the Kakadu region.
Another favorite spot for guided tours of Northern Australia is the Manyallaluk Aboriginal Cultural Center where you’ll see how the native peoples lived and continue to live today. Demonstrations show you how to throw a spear and create fire the natural way. This center is run by the aborigines themselves so you’ll get a really authentic experience. There are places to shop for aboriginal souvenirs.
Guided tours of the area rarely fail to stop at Alice Springs—often for a couple of days. One can visit the Western MacDonnell mountain ranges, where one can see the Ochre Pits, Simpson’s Gap or hike the Ormiston Gorge. There are many places to eat authentic Australian food. Guided tours of Northern Australia take you back to the aboriginal life and help you explore the Australian Outback in ways few people have been able to do. The sights and attractions are many and it’s a great trip for the whole family.

Among academies, libraries and museums, religious monuments, churches, civil architecture and buildings you will experience you really are in a treasure hunting. For this reason not only tourists, or backpackers but prevalently international students or even international volunteers are choosing this city for their academic courses, stages and studies.

Well, to start, we mention an international place where students, travellers, journalists and actors usually meet: at Acqua al 2 you can get cannelloni, beef, selection of salads, pasta, cheese and excellent wines at average prices of €30. Acqual al 2 is a modern bistro that we suggest in Via Vigna Vecchia ,40; ph: +39 055 284 170; open daily from 7.30 pm-1am).

If you are visiting Florence and you are on a budget and looking for cheap accommodation consider youth hostels, backpackers hostels or international students houses ( hostels as well) where a bed night average price start from 18 euros. The atmosphere is quite basic but somehow fascinating. Florence does not have a long tradition in modern hippie youth hostels as you might find in other top cities. Florence rather can offer old style hostels, kind of student residence, or pilgrim residence as it was in Medieval times. Monasteries are converted in new pilgrims hostels ( backpackers, students, international volunteers) sometimes still run by nuns or monks. You can find some more details in site for young travellers or backpackers as Flashboking.com.

For budget tips where to go shopping here we go!

It is possible to make excellent purchases in the narrow lanes and streets of Florence in particular around Santa Croce and Oltrarno you can easily find little authentic workshops of paper, leather, perfumes…

Some names: Il Papiro offers good quality hand-made paper in Piazza del Duomo, 24r (ph: +39 055 281 628). Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Shop an old fashioned chemist offers lotions, potions, and herbal remedies abound in elegant packaging in Via Scala, 16 (ph: +39 055 16276 )

Go to Piazza dei Ciompi if you are looking for second-hand and flea markets (last Sun. of the month), or to S. Lorenzo Market (northwest of the Duomo), or the colourful Central Market for food (Square of Mercato Centrale). Here you ‘ll find olives, hams, cheeses and fresh vegetables. Try Via Maggio and Borgo Ognissanti for fine Florentine antique shops.

Of course for anything you need, ticket booking, accommodations booking, hotel reservations, budget trattorie, or simply to locate all this on a map you need a pc and an internet point ( as not all youth hostel will have pc free fro every guest!!).

Paris, the City of Love, is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the charm and sophistication of Europe. From its stunning architecture and iconic landmarks to its world-renowned food and fashion, Paris has something to offer everyone.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Paris is the Eiffel Tower, which stands tall over the city skyline. Whether you choose to take a tour to the top or simply admire it from afar, the Eiffel Tower is a must-see for any trip to Paris.

If you’re looking for a more cultural experience, the Louvre Museum is a must-visit. Home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is the largest museum in the world and a treasure trove of cultural history.

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without trying some of the city’s delicious food. From croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast to escargot and coq au vin for dinner, Paris has a wide variety of culinary delights to offer. And with its abundance of chic cafes and bistros, it’s easy to find a cozy spot to sit and savor the flavors of the city.

Paris is also known for its fashion, and whether you’re looking to shop for designer clothes or simply window shop, the city has something to offer. From the high-end boutiques of the Champs-Élysées to the trendy stores of the Marais neighborhood, Paris is a fashion lover’s paradise.

Overall, Paris is a city that truly has it all. From its iconic landmarks and rich cultural history to its delicious food and world-class fashion, it’s no wonder that Paris is a top destination for travelers from all over the world.

Most people don’t think of South America went they think of going on vacation. Even so, there are guided tours of many places on this continent that will provide you with an adventure of a lifetime and will allow you to see things few venture forth to see. Adventure guided tours of Brazil may be just the South American location for you.

Most guided tours of Brazil begin in Rio de Janeiro, the largest city in Brazil. After getting you settled, your tour guide may begin by taking you on a spectacular two-stage cable car tour of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. At the top of the mountain, you’ll need to have your camera ready to take mountaintop pictures of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Beach and the lovely Guanabara Bay.

While still in Rio de Janeiro, many guided tours will take you to see the sights of the city, including a visit to the H. Stern Gem Factory—the largest jewelry factory and store in the world. You may also visit the Corcovado Mountain, ascending the mountain by means of a cog railway. At the top, you’ll have a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro from the site of the
statue of Christ the Redeemer, sitting 2,300 feet above the city.

While in Rio de Janeiro, many guided tours will introduce you to traditional Brazilian cuisine, shopping areas, music venues and areas for further shopping and sightseeing on your own.

Another common site for guided tours of Brazil is Foz do Iguaçú, the fourth largest city in Brazil, located in Southern Brazil. There you will see the stunning Iguassu Falls, a waterfall with a flow capacity equal to three times that of Niagara Falls. The falls marks the demarcation between Brazil and Argentina. Perhaps you’ll stay in a hotel overlooking
the waterfalls.

Many guided tours offer you the opportunity to spend a couple of days at the waterfalls, including walking tours of the Brazilian side of the falls and a motor coach tour of the Argentine side of this spectacular place. You can walk through the Foz do Iguaçú National Park with views that take you to spots directly over the falls—including one called the “Devil’s Throat”.

Take an early morning flight out of the falls area, where many guided tours of Brazil will take you to Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon River valley. You may stay at a hotel on the Rio Negro just before it meets with the more expansive Amazon River.

Guided tours of this area of Brazil would be remiss if they failed to take visitors on an actual Amazon River tour. So hop on an Amazonian riverboat for a day-long tour down the Amazon River. Many such tours will let you stop off for an amazing hike through the jungle and a picnic lunch in this pristine area of Brazil.

Guided tours of the city of Manaus are also available, where you can see the Indian Museum, the municipal market and a famous Italian opera house. Then it’s off to fly to Brasilia, Brazil’s planned, national capital. You’ll go on a lovely tour of the city, including the President’s residence, the Military Ministries, the Itamaraty Palace and many other sites of interest.

Other guided tours will fly you into Salvador da Bahia, where you’ll take a historic tour of this site of colonial architecture. You’ll visit the Solar do Unhao, a restored colonial mansion where you can dine in the slaves quarters. There are many sites and attractions to see on guided tours of Brazil. Allow yourself at least two weeks to see and discover all that Brazil has to offer.