Friday, January 21, 2011

The Maldives

The Maldives ,  formally known as the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation situated in the Indian Ocean. It  consists of approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres, making The Maldives one of the most disparate countries in the world . Only 185 islands are home to its 300,000 population, while the other islands are used entirely for economic purposes of which tourism and agriculture are the most dominant. Malé is the capital of Maldives. Practically all visitors arrive at Malé International Airport  and it is usually from there that visitors to the islands move towards their place of stay.

There are a number of ways a person can reach his or her resort. All this depends on its distance from the airport. A person has to make a choice between boat transfers and airplane transfers, though many prefer the aerial route as they find the sight of the Maldives from the air are just awesome , but one should keep in mind that even if you travel by a seaplane, your luggage will still come via a speed boat so one might actually reach the destination before one’s luggage.

The Indian Ocean has a great effect on the climate of the country by acting as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing the tropical heat. The temperature of Maldives ranges between 24 °C (75 °F) and 33 °C (91 °F) throughout the year. Although the humidity is relatively high, the constant cool sea breezes keep the air moving and the heat mitigated .

Tourism is the country's biggest foreign currency earner and the single largest contributor to the GDP. Today, there are more than 100 resorts in the Maldives providing facilities for tourists whose annual arrival figure exceeds 600,000 .

Diving and snorkeling are key attractions in the Maldives. There are number of resorts perfectly designed to meet the tourists needs. In reality, many of these island resorts are surrounded by a reef which produces natural lagoons full of sparkling fish. If you splash out on an over water bungalow which are present at many resorts, you'll have direct reach to the water and can find all forms of marine life just inches from your door.

The Emerald Isle of Ireland .

Land of lore & myth . The image of the Emerald Isle of Ireland has long captivated the imagination of all types of  travelers .It' is the third largest island in Europe & one of the most beautiful locations on earth and home to some of the most breathtaking historical sites and ruins to be found around Europe.

Emerald Isle is the poetic name for Ireland , due to it's impressive lush green natural beauty, Ireland is compared to the precious gemstone 'Emerald'. It seems that regardless of which direction you choose to travel in upon arrival, you’re destined for a magical journey of constantly shifting landscapes and mystical intrigue.

Ireland is the country where big city style coexists with idyllic rural scenes, where the rugged cliffs of the coastline gives way to gentle hills inland, and where historic reminiscences are closely entwined with vibrant, modern culture. This unique mixture has made Ireland one of the favorite destinations for emigrants and holidaymakers ever since the 1950s.

Here is a list of some of the ( must visit ) locations in Ireland :

Blarney Castle – This amazing medieval fortress based near Cork was built in the 12th century AD and decimated in 1446 AD. Fortunately it had been re-built & it is now only a partial ruin with a great deal of accessible areas open to the public.

Cliffs of Moher – These majestic cliffs, located in Liscannor, rise to an amazing 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and offer some of the most incredible views in the world, including the Aran Islands.

Hill of Tara – Located near the River Boyne in County Meath, the Hill of Tara is a truly unique site. It contains a number of ancient monuments & according to tradition was the seat of  High King of Ireland,

Trim Castle – On the banks of the Boyne, Trim Castle covers an amazing 30,000 m² of territory and stands as the largest Norman castle in Europe.

Ring of Kerry – One of the most popular scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry covers a 100 mile stretch beginning in Killarney and curving around the Iveragh Peninsula.

Canary Islands

 The Canary Islands are located in the blue and refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean just off the northwest coast of Africa, . The Canaries are a Spanish Autonomous Community . This paradisaical group of islands, enjoying a wonderful climate and splendid beaches of fine sand, consists of seven larger islands and a few smaller ones .Greeks and Romans called it the Happy Islands . 

Here you will find your dream beach with more than 1.500 km of coast for you .Take your time and enjoy it. 365 days of sunshine, great weather, natural beauty, leisure and excellent services are the setting for the beaches of the archipelago. Decide for yourself how to enjoy them, whether alone, on holiday with your family, or on a romantic trip. One of the regions with the greatest degree of biodiversity on the planet : Wide variety of landscapes: spectacular volcanoes and lava flows,  rolling sand dunes, rich forests , deep ravines, fertile valleys, impressive cliffs & wonderful beaches of all kinds. 

The Canary Islands have eight airports altogether, two of the main ports of Spain, and an extensive network of highways & other roads . There are large ferry boats that link islands as well as fast ferries linking most of the islands. Both types can transport large numbers of passengers and cargo (including vehicles). The largest airport is the Gran Canaria airport , It is the 5th largest airport in Spain. The biggest port is in Las Palmas. There is wide choice of accommodations for tourists & lovely resorts . 

The Marine life found in the Canary Islands is also varied . There are many Marinas keeping boats and yachts with services for recreational boating with increasing popularity of water sports like; swimming , scuba diving , fishing & underwater photography. The Canary Islands is also a paradise for golfers with over 20 golf courses .