Monday, November 16, 2009
Tips For Women Traveling Alone
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lycka]Barry Lycka
Nothing beats a weekend away from the hustle-bustle of work and everyday life. Whether it's just to visit a beach or a foreign place, women sometimes need to get away and just enjoy alone time. Here are some tips for women traveling alone.
Traveling solo opens up a lot of new opportunities to explore the world and get to know yourself better. The first tip is to plan ahead. Planning ahead not only allows you to get the best deals for airfare and accommodations, but also is advised for safety.
Choose flights that will take you to the place during the daytime. Arriving at your destination during the day is safer than arriving at night. Be very picky about the hotel that you're staying at. Choose the room which is most convenient. Know where the fire exits are, just in case of emergency. If you are bring important documents and jewelry with you, request for a safe and set a password that nobody knows except you.
Dress properly. Let's face it. You are not traveling to attract attention. It would also be helpful to make a quick research on how women dress on the country you're visiting. That way, you get to choose the safest outfits and explore the city without having to worry about anything.
Always have an itinerary. Bringing a map always helps, especially if it's your first time in the new place. When using public transport, be very careful and choose the most reasonable deals. Some countries take advantage of tourists who seem lost. Be confident and look as if you know where you're headed to.
Keep in constant communication with friends and family so they know what's happening. Email them from time to time or bring an international mobile phone just in case you need to call them.
Bring copies of your passport. You'll never know when these will come in handy and that this is only the type of identification that you need and is valid throughout the duration of your travel.
One of the tips for women traveling alone is that you need health insurance because you'll never know when you might need them. Bring all the medications and vitamins that will supply you energy during the trip. If you must bring other stuff for first aid (band-aid, alcohol, bandages), do so.
Stay alert everywhere you go and never be afraid to ask questions. Whether it be at a certain restaurant or the locations of the washrooms, don't be afraid to ask. If you are not comfortable talking to a stranger, then you might want to ring your hotel desk for assistance.
Be sure to have fun! Bring a travel journal with you and keep track of the beautiful places you've gone to, plus a digital camera which you could use to document the whole trip. Traveling alone need not be a daunting task, rather a brave and fun activity that is much-needed for relaxation and one that will lead to the path to self-discovery
On the internet, you drown in information but starve for knowledge. That's why I created [http://www.LesTout.com]http://www.LesTout.com, the number #1 source of Daily Life Advice. Hi, I'm Dr. Barry Lycka the founder of LesTout.com - and I encourage you to come enjoy my site. Let us help you live your life to the fullest. Feel free to use this article (but please give us credit. It's copyright protected.) And visit our Travel Section for up to date advice
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lycka http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Women-Traveling-Alone&id=3264282
Tips For Business Travel
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Byron_Smith]Byron Smith
While your friends and family may think that traveling for business is all glamour and not much work at all, if you take frequent (or even not so frequent) business trips, you know that it can be exhausting. And while your preparation may not take a lot of the stresses out of your job, it can make your travel experiences much more relaxing.
Discover Travel Size
When you travel for business, you don't want to take more than you have to. But at the same time, you don't want to leave any necessary items at home. A simple way to make sure that you have everything you need is to make a list during the day of all the essential items that you use. For example, write down items like deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, floss, hair gel, etc. Once you have your completed list, go to the store and get all those items in travel size packages. This way you will have everything you need and you won't have to lug around large bottles of personal care items. Then, as you run out of various items, all you have to do is replace them in your baggage and you will always have a supply of everything you need.
Utilize a Travel Bag
Once you have gathered all of the needed toiletries, purchase a travel case that can accommodate all of your items. This way you can keep your case packed and won't have to transfer items back to the bathroom once you get home. This is especially helpful if you end up taking a last minute trip; all you have to do is grab your travel case and you know that you will have all of the necessities. When not in use, simply store this travel case with the rest of your luggage. For larger items, such as a hair dryer, call your hotel before you pack your own. Most hotels provide these items free of charge.
Roll, Don't Fold
When it comes to packing your clothing, avoid folding each item. Roll items into cylinders before you pack them to make extra room and also to avoid excess wrinkles. For even more room, make use of your shoes and use them to store socks or underwear. (This also helps your shoes keep their shape.)
Choose the Right Material
100 percent cotton may be comfortable to wear, but if you are worried about wrinkles, stick with clothing made from blends or micro fibers. These materials hold their shape better and are wrinkle resistant.
Choose One Pair of Shoes
This is easier for men, but if you can choose one neutral pair of comfortable shoes -- especially if you need to pack light. Find a pair of shoes that will go with all of your outfits so you won't be tempted to sneak in that extra pair or two.
Mix and Match
Build your wardrobe so that several pieces can be used to create a variety of different looks. Men can get by with just one suit and a few shirts and ties. Women can coordinate different blouses with the same skirt or trousers.
Smart Carry On
If the worst happens and your baggage gets lost, make sure to pack at least one change of clothes are a few toiletries in your carry one. This will help you get by until your luggage catches up with you.
Byron Smith has authored an extensive collection of travel-related information for hundreds of cities around the world. You can find his articles as well as ways to find great deals on [http://www.hoteldealsite.com/]hotels on HotelDealSite.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Byron_Smith http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Business-Travel&id=3261571
What Makes Good Tourism Courses?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gino_Hitshopi]Gino Hitshopi
There are a great deal of tourism courses available in the UK, but choosing the right one for you can sometimes be difficult. In this article we'll examine what makes for good tourism courses and what they teach those who participate in them. Some estimates suggest the worldwide tourist industry as accounting for 8.7% of the world's employment, and with this in mind there are understandably a huge number of positions available - and tourism course help ensure people are ready to do their jobs properly.
Even in the economic downturn, people still go on holiday - perhaps they spend less, but they basic tourism personnel are still required in order fulfil the expectations of the holidaymaking masses.
All tourism courses will look at Tourism Principles and Practice. This is the basic foundations of any course, where the importance of good communication is impressed upon those taking the course. What the customers expect is high on the agenda, and how to provide this in the most effective and customer-friendly manner. Many tourism courses will look at different disciplines within the industry, so that people are not restricted too early on - unless they are taking a course that focuses on something specific - such as airline training.
Tourism is of course all about making money, and good tourism courses will impress the importance of the business aspect on those attending the course. Profit margins need to be protected, and this is done by having a good grasp of costs in terms of labour, food, energy, maintenance - along with a whole host of other issues which cost money and are necessary in order to provide the very best experience for the holidaymaker.
Experience counts for a lot and there is risk that some tourism courses do not provide enough in terms of experience in the roles they are providing training for. A good course will place people in real world work experience situations - thereby giving those people the experience they will need in order to provide good customer service in the future. Whether it is in a ski resort, a beach resort or a city hotel - all these experiences are most valuable in developing the people skills needed in the tourism sector.
Ultimately, good tourism courses should give students a feel for how enjoyable a life in tourism can be - where there are always new people and cultures to discover, along with valuable life experiences that can be transferred to numerous other industries should they need to be.
Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of tourism courses, having worked in the tourism industry for many years. For more information please visit: http://www.onlinetraveltraining.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gino_Hitshopi http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Makes-Good-Tourism-Courses?&id=3259899
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Надежда Божинова
Tourism is travel for recreational or leisure purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited".Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2007, there were over 903 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 6.6% as compared to 2006. International tourist receipts were USD 856 billion in 2007.
Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, international tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2008 followed a similar growth trend than the same period in 2007.However, as a result of the economic crisis of 2008, international travel demand suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008, with growth in international tourism arrivals worldwide falling to 2% during the boreal summer months, while growth from January to April 2008 had reached an average 5.7% compared to its 2007 level.
Tourism is vital for many countries such as U.A.E, Egypt, Greece, Thailand and many island nations such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives, Seychelles due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services such as cruise ships and taxis, accommodation such as hotels and entertainment venues, and other hospitality industry services such as resorts.
The high mountains present its impressive, spectacular landscapes. Because of the great variety of plant and animal species, some areas in the mountains have been proclaimed national parks: Mavrovo, Pelister, and Galicica.

The main administrative center of the country is Skopje , with a population of 467,257 inhabitants. It's a place where many roads and civilizations have met and mingled. Other major towns are: Bitola , Prilep, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Ohrid.
The town of Ohrid, situated on the shore of Lake Ohrid, with its natural beauties, historical and cultural heritage enjoys the protection of UNESCO. Ohrid abounds with a large number of historical and cultural monuments, lovely beaches, and accommodation facilities.
The basin of Lake Prespa is another popular tourist destination with its wild beauty. The lake offers peace in several various accommodation facilities on Otesevo and Pretor tourist centers.
Lake Dojran, the smallest of the tectonic lakes, due to its mild climate and warm water, is considered to have medicinal qualities. There are several hotels and campsites on the shore of this lake, too.

Heraclea -Bitola
Famous for its dazzling mosaics, ancient theater and Roman baths, Heraclea is the most vividly preserved city from the Ancient Macedonian empire surviving in the country.
Founded in the 4th century B.C.E. and conquered by the Romans two centuries later, it was built on the Via Egnatia and became one of the key stations on this trading route.
From the 4th-6th centuries C.E. Heraclea also had an Episcopal seat. The first excavations were done before the First World War, but only since then have the full glories of the ancient city been revealed. Beautiful Roman baths, the Episcopal church and baptistery, a Jewish temple, portico and a Roman theater now used for summer concerts and theater shows all survive in excellent condition.
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The ancient city of Stobi, lying in a fertile valley just a few minutes off the central north-south highway that connects Macedonia with Greece, was a vital trade route in its day. This crossroad of ancient civilizations has left a rich legacy of antique theaters, palace ruins, brightly-colored mosaics and religious relics for visitors today to enjoy.
As a city, Stobi is first mentioned in documents from the 2nd century B.C.E. However, archaeologists believe that the town had been inhabited from at least 400 years earlier. Stobi became a rich and prosperous city due to its location on the crossroads of important trade routes. It experienced its biggest period of growth from the 3rd-4th centuries C.E. The archaeological site (located just 3 km or 1.8 miles from the Gradsko exit on Highway E-75) offers sweeping views of the central Macedonian plain and contains buildings such as the 2nd century amphitheatre, the Theodosia palace, and early Christian ruins with extensive and ornate mosaic floors. | ||
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Markov Monastery - SkopjeThe church has tremendous importance for Byzantine art, as it contains many examples of highly unique frescoes. Some seem to have arrived here out of the blue, as it were, while others of a known iconographic design underwent such dramatic stylistic changes that they came to form new iconographic entities in their own right.
During Byzantine times, the monastery had its own school and many manuscripts were written by the monks and priests. Among the most famous ones are the Prologue – a preface written by deacon Nikola (1370), and a letter (1362) by a monk known as Varlam.
The monastic complex today contains dormitories, dining room that are richly decorated with frescoes, a bell tower, an old mill, a wishing well full of cold spring water, and storerooms. The monastery still has an operating oven and a special stove for making rakija (a kind of brandy).
Baba Mountain
Baba Mountain overlooks the city of Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia. Its highest peak is Pelister (2601 meters, or 8533 feet). Baba mountain is the third highest mountain in the Republic of Macedonia after Korab and Šar Mountain. Other peaks besides Pelister are Dva Groba (2514 meters), Veternica (2420 meters), Muza (2350 meters), Rzana (2334 meters), Shiroka (2218 meters), Kozji Kamen (2199 meters), Griva (2198 meters), Golema Chuka (2188 meters), Skrkovo (2140 meters), Babin Zab (1850 meters), and many more. The Baba massif splits up the rivers in the region, so that they either flow towards the Adriatic, or the Aegean sea.
Pelister National Park is filled with exquisite flora and fauna. Among flora elements, the presence is especially significant of the five-needle pine molica , Pinus peuce - a unique species of tertiary age being present on only a few mountains in the Balkan Peninsula. The beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the diversified wildlife: bears, roe deer, wolves, chamois, deer, wild boars, rabbits, several species of eagles, partridges, redbilled jackdaws, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia trout.
Pelister is the oldest and second largest national park in Republic of Macedonia after Mavrovo. It is one of the leading tourist areas in the country, since it is a well-known ski resort, along with Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran, Popova Shapka, and Krushevo.
From Pelister you can see the Pelagonia valley, Lake Prespa, mountains Nidzhe, Galichica, Jakupica, and the city of Bitola. Interestingly, Pelister is one of the most southern mountains in the Balkans that has an alpine character.
Pelister is also known for its two mountain lakes, which are called Pelister's Eyes. The Big lake is 2,218 meters above the sea level while the Small lake is 2,180 meters high. Here are the sources of many rivers. The climate in Pelister National Park is diverse.
On the peaks, there is snow even in July, and in some places the new snow meets the old from previous years.
On Pelister mountain, there is a TV transmitter using an additionally guyed lattice steel mast as antenna tower.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Macedonian Cities -- Tetovo Mt.SarIn the summer, Mt. Sar can be described as an ocean of grass and green fields, with numerous sheep flocks on its slopes, watched by shepherds and the special and rare dog type called Sharplaninec, and it offers a host of hiking trails. The range has a number of lakes, such as Golemo Ezero, Belo Ezero, Bogovinsko Ezero, and Crno Ezero, as well as rock climbing sections at Crnen Kamen, Kobilica, and below Mount Plat.
Mt. Sar is considered to be the largest compact area covered with pastures in Europe. The traditional Sar Championship takes place every year and is on the list of international FIS championships.
Macedonia’s Unexposed Beauty: Countryside and Spas
Local municipalities intend to promote the countryside for the purpose of attracting visitors and potential investors as one of the still unutilized ways of filling up their municipal budgets.
A number of municipalities are drafting projects for natural beauties and archeological sites presentation. Negotino is going to promote "a wine street" -- the mayor will get together the few existing mini-wineries, while opening some new ones, as well.
Our plan is to develop every village, because this area is specific and it abounds in grapes and archeological
sites. The village of Bisan, for instance, hosts an archeological town with a fortress as big as Samoil's Fortress. We want to show this to the people, Negotino Mayor Gjorgji Kimov says.
The Delcevo villages of Razlovci, Bigla, and Dramce boast a special kind of architecture. US businessmen have paid a visit and are pleased with the idyll of the countryside.
Razlovci is known for the Razlovci Uprising and its very old church. We intend to open this not only to foreign tourists, but to our local tourists, as well. This region's future is not only in tourism, but also in agriculture and fruit growing, Delcevo Mayor Mirko Ivanov has said.
In cooperation with travel agencies, Ohrid Municipality will be organizing lunches for tourists in the Ohrid villages. Several old houses will be restored to show what life was like in the past.
Kocani is drafting a project for a spa center, aimed at exploiting its warm geothermal waters. Another plan envisages the construction of a dirt dam in the river basin area of Aramiska Cesma on Mt. Osogovo with a view to stimulating conventional and eco-tourism in the tourist area of Ponikva.
The environmentally clean nature, the man-made Lake Gratce, and one of the best hunting sites in Macedonia attract foreign visitors. Tourism based on natural resources offers a fresh chance for economic progress, Kocani Municipality representatives say.
Macedonia spreads over a vast amount of geothermal waters. Inexhaustible underground lakes of this wealth of natural energy are located in Istibanja near Vinica, Kocani, Stip, Gevgelija, and Strumica, all the way to the Vardar River Valley.
Yet, except for Kocani, which has been exploiting its hot springs for as many as three decades, the other areas have barely done anything to make them work and only 0.3 percent of them are believed to be utilized. In Stip, for instance, the story of establishing a major European center for spa tourism, the main asset of which would be the healing waters of the famous Kezovica springs, has been heard for decades, but it is only this year that the local authorities are to do something concrete about it.
Stip is the most unexplored area in this respect, although the announcements of its potentials are exceptionally promising. Drilling at some 80 meters near the village of Krupiste has given way to geothermal waters, which now flow freely at a temperature of 42C. No one has done any research in that area ever since. In Istibanja near Vinica, hot waters flow on the surface of the Bregalnica and Osojnica rivers, but no one explores those sites, either. The potential of Bansko near Strumica and of the Gevgelija area have not been sufficiently investigated, either, although their potential is more modest.
It is only this year that Stip has drafted a main project for exploiting its hot springs in a spa and a recreational tourist center. These geothermal waters are a scientifically proven cure for over 20 ailments. The project envisions saunas, every type of pools, sports halls, jogging trails, restaurants, hotels, and so forth.
Надежда Божинова 08664



