Travel World Network

Many consider Greece the cradle of modern civilization. The historical sites in the country are impressive. Still, Greece also has modern touches making it a good travel destination.

Greece

Walk practically anywhere in Greece and you are walking in the footsteps of antiquity. The home to such historical figures, fictional or not, as Plato and Homer. [not Homer Simpson the other one]. As the center of modern civilization, Greece is considered the home of art, philosophy and many other aspects of culture which set us apart from other creatures. While you could literally spend months in Greece visiting and exploring archeological sites, there country is known for very modern pleasures.

The beaches of Greece are world famous as is the nightlife. For nightlife, Athens is a vibrant city that more or less stays open all night long. Even on Mondays! For sheer excitement, take a taxi on a trip through the city which will make any roller coaster look tame. You can walk through the various market areas or visit the new structures and parks created for the recent Olympic Summer Games.

If a tan is a must, youre best off heading to the islands. Islands such as Santorini, Ios and Mykinos are the stuff of legend among sunbathers. You can burn under the Mediterranean sun all day and party like a rock star all night. All the islands can be reached by ferry with trips taking a few hours.

The Greeks are colorful and a fun-loving group of people. Sit down in a little caf somewhere and youll soon be talking to a local with tears of laughter in your eyes. Just make sure you watch out for friendly ouzo toasts. They pack a punch. A serious punch.

If youre looking for a travel destination with both historical locations and a chance to loaf on the beach, nothing beats Greece. Prices are generally cheap, so give it a try.

If you are visiting Paris for the first time, you might be overwhelmed when planning your itinerary and deciding which attractions to visit and in what order. Lets take a look at the top attractions in Paris that are a must see when planning your visit.

First youll want to visit the Eiffel Tower. This icon of Paris is located at Eiffel Tower Champs de Mars. Admission to the tower is 10,70 . The phone number is 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1899 and was originally supposed to be a temporary symbol for the 1899 Worlds Fair. If you really want to be wowed by this structure, visit it in the evening, as the lights of Paris are a breath taking view from the top floor. The tower includes restaurants and shopping. Tickets to the second floor and the top floor can be purchased at the information office at the base of the tower. Expect to wait for the elevator and expect to be a little confused by its configuration. Even with these slight inconveniences, a trip to Paris wouldnt be complete without a trip to the magnificent Paris icon the Eiffel Tower.

After visiting the Eiffel Tower, your next stop in Paris should be the Muse du Louvre. Admission is 8,50 euros. The phone number is +33 1 40 20 53 17. You may want to plan to visit the Louvre more than once during your trip, as it is impossible to see the entire 30,000 piece collection in the worlds largest museum. The Louvre was built in 1200 and in the 1500s became the royal familys palace. The Louvre was opened as a museum in 1793. In the 1980s, glass pyramids were built to serve as the entrance and are a fantastic sight. Once inside the museum, be sure to stop at the information desk first to pick up a free map and to get the schedule of the 90 minute guided tours being offered that day. The museum can be confusing even with the map and a guided tour is recommended. The Louvre is broken up into three wings: Richelieu, Sully and Denon. Within these three wings, the museum is then divided into nine collections: the History of the Louvre and Medieval Louvre, Oriental Antiquities, Arts os Islam, Egyptian Antiquities, Sculptures, Objects dart, Paintings, Prints and Drawings, and Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Photography is allowed at the museum so dont forget your camera.

The next stop on your tour of Paris, France should be the Notre Dame Cathedrale located at 6 place du Parvis Notre-Dame. The Cathedrale Notre-Dame was built in 1163 but was not completed until the 14 th century. This is a very historical sight in Paris. Napoleon crowned himself emperor here and General de Gaulle gave thanks here when the Germans freed Paris. One thing to be wary of is that the Cathedrale is under restoration construction and part of it may be unobservable.

Next on the tour is Basilique du Sacre-Coeur located at 35, rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre. The phone number is +33 1 53 41 89 00. The main reason for visiting this church that sits atop a large hill just past Montmartes main square is to take in the amazing view of Paris that this location offers. While in the area be sure to walk around the streets of Montmartres Place du Tertre. It is almost as if this area has been frozen in time and remains very similar to the time when Van Gogh resided here.

Grand Canyon Tour – Puts A Different Perspective On Life

The Grand Canyon National Park is deservedly classed as a World Heritage Site. It has an area of 1,218,375 acres, 1,904 square miles. Most of the park is maintained as wilderness. It can be seen from the moon and is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

The Grand Canyon lies on the Colorado Plateau in northwest Arizona.

The Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, is immense. It averages 4,000 feet deep for its entire 277 miles. It is 6,000 feet deep (a mile is 5,280 feet) at its deepest point and up to 15 miles wide.

The Grand Canyon National Park is a rich and varied biological habitat with 75 species of mammals, 25 species of fish, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 25 species of fish, and over 300 species of birds. These include some species that are not found outside the Park at all.

Human activities have impacted on the Grand Canyon National Park in many ways. These include the introduction of non-native plants and animals, the contamination of streams with fecal bacteria, haze caused by air pollution and worst of all by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Our aircraft, quad bikes and automobiles disturb the tranquillity of the Park.

You can see the Grand Canyon on foot, horseback, mule, quad bike, kayak, helicopter ride or in a small plane. The temperature in the canyons gets very high during the day, and hikers should take advice from rangers on water supplies, necessary food and avoiding dehydration and heat stroke.

If you are hiking, camping or riding off the main trails, in the backcountry, you will need a permit. Permits can be obtained through the Backcountry Information Center. Rangers patrol and inspect camps they find for permits and to check that campers are adhering to the conditions laid down in the permit

Cheap Flights To New York City

One of the most populous city of United Stated, New York has a population of 22 million which makes it largest urban region of the world. It is popularly known as the “Big Apple” or “Gotham”. The city is a focus for large numbers of tourist from all over the United States who come for its culture, energy, cosmopolitanism, and economic opportunity. Check out some cheap flights to New York City from London Heathrow and Birmingham airports in UK. There are many providers but the cheapest is Air India. Some online travel agents in UK offers New York flights at low cost airline Air India with some additional discount offer like 10 off etc.

Cheap Flights To Singapore

Singapore has evolved from a developing nation to first world status in very little time. It is one of the hottest destinations for holidays and breaks. In seasons it becomes difficult to get cheap flights to Singapore, the flights being full with advance bookings. Singapore is both an island and a country, but perhaps is best described as a city-state, offering civilization and order in the highest degree. The city has a combined western and eastern culture influence and that is something that makes it more lively and homely for every kind. You can get cheap flights to Singapore with UK based online travel agents. They also offer discounts.

Cheap Flights To Chicago

Chicago has a list of nicknames but the most popular one is the Windy City. The city is the third most populous city of US. Chicago has been known for the skyscrapers. Today, many high-rise buildings are located in the downtown area, notably in the Loop and along the lakefront and the Chicago River. After New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is the third largest media market in US. Chicago is the home to 15 pro athletic teams and is one of three U.S. cities that have two Major League Baseball teams. You can look for cheap flights to Chicago at http://www.myairindia.co.uk they claim to offer low cost flights and additional discounts of 10 at every online booking.

Cheap Flights To Toronto

Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural and ethnically diverse cities. It is Canada’s financial centre and economic engine, as well as one of the country’s most important cultural, artistic, and health sciences centres. Considered among the best places in Canada for tourism as well as business purposes. This makes the city crowded most of the times with tourists. Toronto is a city of many museums, theatres, events and sports. There are many cultures, which bring along their traditions and music. It is also home to the Canadian National Exhibition one of Canada’s largest outdoor fairs. Get access to cheap flights to Toronto from London Heathrow and Birmingham airports in UK with Air India, a low cost luxurious airline. You can also book online with UK based travel agents and get some additional discount offers.

Sheffield is a city that is steeped with the history of steelmaking in England. Take a look at any knife and fork and see the inevitable Made in Sheffield sign. Most of the tourists come here especially to be the part of the scenic beauty that surrounds Sheffield. The city is located towards the centre of England in the county of South Yorkshire.

The city was actually the countrys first National City of Sport in 1995. That year triggered an interest of the populace towards sports. Since then the city has an excellent reputation of being one of the prime cities for sport and sporting venues. Be it sports research, sports medicine and sports related engineering, the city has endeavoured to keep no stone unturned in the world of games and sporting expertise.

An estimate of seven million people reside here, within an hours drive. All in all it is a modern multicultural city with a prosperous heritage and a diverse culture. Every day is a day for the city to pave the road to further progress.

Places of interest:

Sheffield is a popular UK destination – a tourists paradise. If you are passionate about arts, someone who likes diversity in culture or someone who swears by exciting nightlife, then you ought to have Sheffield in your mind. Combine these things with excellent shopping locales and eye-soothing scenery and you know you are in the right place.

Chatsworth House – This is one of the treasure houses of England. Chatsworth House is located right at the border of Sheffield and in the heart of the Peak District National Park. It is one place that should never be missed. The spectacular woodland adventure playground, the scenic farmyard or the 105-acre garden with its cascading fountains and maze are breathtaking.

Millennium Galleries – This is just the place where intricate art meets exquisite design. Situated in the heart of the city centre, it has an outstanding impressive metalwork gallery, attracting immense and grand exhibitions from national galleries. It has beautiful works in traditional craftsmanship and contemporary examples. It links directly to the stunning winter garden, which is Europes biggest city centre temperate glasshouse.

Hardwick Hall – Hardwick Hall is a spectacular National Trust Elizabethan home with more glass than wall. You will love the embroideries and tapestries put on display here. Of course, this place has no dearth of gardens and scintillating parkland walks.

Magna – Magna, the UKs first science adventure centre, is an awe-inspiring day out for the family. It is a tribute to the powerful elements of earth, wind, fire and water. You can take controls of a JCB digger, blast water cannons at human targets and also feel the heat of a fire tornado.

Trans-Pennine Trail – You can walk and bike on this regional trail that spans east to west and breezes through Derbyshire and Yorkshire locations.

Things to do:

Hailed as the safe city, you can rest assured that you will feel secure in this city. In fact the city has undertaken a lot of initiatives to keep crime and anti-social behaviour at bay. You can shop till you drop and enjoy the exciting local events.

Shopping – Sheffield is a shopper’s resort. The retail outlets have a lot of variety in the products they offer. The indoor and outdoor markets are always bustling with lively activity. There are trendy shops as well as those that specialize in selling designer brands. Fargate is a famous pedestrian shopping area right in the heart of the city with an emphasis on fashion and trends. The Moor is another broad and famed tree-lined thoroughfare, having over 100 shopping outlets, banks, department stores, cafs and restaurants. It is also famous for its open-air market.

Transport- Sheffield is wonderfully connected to the rest of Britain by road and rail. There is a comprehensive bus network and the efficient Supertram system in the city also. This place is also remarkably close to most of Englands major airports. Leeds Bradford, Nottingham East Midlands, Manchester, Humberside and Birmingham International airports all within about an hour and a half by road. The Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport was the first full-service international airport to be built in the last thirty years. It has flights to major European cities and resorts like Rome, Rhodes, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Belfast. The Supertram, silent and sleek as they come, constitutes one of the most successful urban transport systems in the whole of Europe. The Supertram network is 29 kilometres long. Each tram can carry 250 passengers.

The Nightlife – The nightlife is pretty hep here with the best of DJs and big name artists thronging this city. The place is a regular clubbing haunt. The late-night venues for music and pubbing would be Leadmill and the renowned Gatecrasher One. Those looking for live music could head to Eleven jazz club, Ruskins a contemporary wine bar adjacent to Sheffields Theatres, The Leadmill, The Boardwalk or Trippets Wine Bar to listen to popular live music and bands.

Special events – A city full of vibrant arts, passion for music and literature has a lot of festivals in honour of these pursuits. There is a much acclaimed Childrens Festival, a five-week event involving more than 135 schools, colleges and community groups. There is Lord Mayors Carnival Parade each July, which sparks off a party mood in the minds of the general public. You will see hundreds of people moving their way through the city streets carrying spectacular carnival structures and donning colourful costumes. There is a literature festival called Off the Shelf Literature Festival that has prominent literary figures pouring to the city. One cannot forget Europe Week, a celebration event which grows better with every passing year! It is comprised of a chain of events celebrating Sheffields role as a major European city. The events include the European Youth Parliament, the Taste of Europe continental food market, European Question Time and Opportunity Europe for Business. The famous Lovebytes Digital Arts festival, the longest running event of its kind for celebrating digital innovation in photography and culture, is also celebrated here with grandeur.

Food & Drink:

Sheffield is an incredible place to dine. You can get a sumptous variety of food from all over the world here. Theres the best of Indian, Italian, Cuban, Chinese and seafood restaurants to choose from. There is also no dearth of bars, bistros, cafs, and of course, pubs.

Rutland Arms- Rutland Arms is a beautifully painted award-winning beer joint.

Gastro Pub – Gastro Pub merges the best of a traditional pub with contemporary dining and a wide selection of drinks.

Marco at Milanos in Millhouses Marco has been ranked one of Britains top 10 Italian Restaurants in the Observer Food Monthly magazine in June 2004.

Rafters – This is recommended in most of the food guides in the UK, offering the best of European menu.

The Old Vicarage at Ridgeway – Is the restaurant owned by the award-winning TV chef Tessa Bramley. You can expect to get an innovative mix and taste of modern British dishes.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Whether you want to come here for a long weekend, a business trip, or even spend your honeymoon, you will find that the choice of where to stay may be a difficult one. The hotels and accommodation could be bed and breakfasts, discount hotels, guesthouses, four or five-star luxury hotels and accommodations, etc. The benefits in most of them multi-functional rooms, swimming pools, gyms, saunas, Jacuzzis, and Internet access at a good price.

Hotel Bristol
Rutland Hotel
Cutlers Hotel
Holiday Inn Sheffield
Sheffield Park Hotel
Carlton Park Hotel
The Beauchief Hotel
Staindrop Classic Hotel
Grosvenor House Hotel
Novotel Sheffield
DAYS INN HOTEL Sheffield South
Macdonald St. Paul’s Hotel
The Red Lion Inn

Entertainment:

A ten-minute tram ride from the city centre is Valley Centertainment. This extremely popular development includes a multi-screen cinema, stylised American-type restaurants, a bowling alley, and amusements with the latest video and arcade games. The Valley Centertainment is surrounded by a host of leisure venues including Don Valley Stadium, English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam FM Arena, iceSheffield, and Don Valley Bowl. Sheffield is always on the map for any major UK music tour. Major bands as well as the upcoming ones always love to perform in this city. The 2000 seater City Hall accomodates the biggest names in world entertainment like Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.

Sheffields people are some of the friendliest and most tolerant people in the UK. It is a vibrant city that sends positive vibes to the people and tourists visiting the place. It is a multicultural city as potrayed by the innumerable festivals, variety of cuisines and cultures on display here. Come to Sheffield and get the tour of your life.

Does Mayan culture pique your interest? Do you want to see a live volcano? Does visiting a place called the Land of Eternal Spring interest you? If so, go to Guatemala!

Nestled in Central America, Guatemala is a land with an ancient history and an intriguing present. Long ruled by the Mayans, this people group suddenly died off well before the Spaniards conquered the land. Still, you see the “Mayan look” in the faces of many of the people.

Bright colors adorn much of the clothing, and villages are occupied by people who are hardworking and friendly. Because Catholicism is so strong, expect to see a huge cathedral in many of the larger towns.

Guatemala City is a modern, loud, noisy, and smelly place. Still, it is the seat of government for the nation and the place many tourists start their vacation. Tikal and other resorts are nearby and the one active volcano in the country is near Antigua, the ancient capitol of this Central American destination.

Why is it called the Land of the Eternal Spring? Well, this applies mostly to Guatemala City as its elevation of 4700 feet keeps it cool enough year round. Even in summer evenings you will reach for a sweater or jacket to ward off the chilly air. Contrast that with the coastal areas where year round heat and humidity is commonplace.

Here is an excellent site [Spanish] that will tell you more about this wonderful country:

http://www.terra.com.gt/turismogt/

The world has always rejoiced visiting Crete, the largest of Greek islands and also the fifth largest in the whole of Mediterranean. The island is spread over an area of 8,336 km (3,219 square miles) in the Southern Greece, and forms one of the thirteen Greek peripheries we know about. It is also believed to have played a key role in the Greek nation’s history, something quite evident even today, as we go through its archaeological past. There is a rich marine life, fine sea beaches and a great hospitality – of which the Crete hotels make up a key ingredient – to be explored and enjoyed by anybody willing to spend some quality time on this island.

Crete is land where the first great civilization of Greece, the Minoan, happened about 4600 years ago; more precisely between 2600-1400 BC. The Minoan archaeological remains at Phaistos and Knossos are two well known tourist attractions. Apart from that, the archaeological sites at the Samaria Gorge, Rethymno and Gortys do also describe a significant amount of the Cretan history. Most tour operators will cover these sites and offer you a great stay at one those well-administered Crete hotels.

Although, there is hardly any written record of the Cretan history available today, one can still gauge its immensity by visiting the remains of palaces, sculptures and paintings from that era. The capital city of Crete, Heraklion, accounts for about fifteen percent of all the tourist arrivals in Greece, and there were about 20 million visitors recorded in Crete alone last year. No doubt the local tourism has been the mainstay for many Cretans for long now, with jobs at the Crete hotels, in airlines, marine operations and those in the supporting roles falling on their sides.

The number of hotel rooms in Crete grew by 53% between the years 1986 and 1991, when the same was 25% for the whole of Greece. This should itself speak about the kind of bullish growth the Cretan tourism has witnessed over the last two decades. A majority of the Crete hotels will provide you with all those facilities, which are ascribed only with the luxurious brands. The facilities may include pools, chance to take part in sports, camping, living in serviced apartments and traveling by air or sea routs etc. Thousands sail into Crete on yachts every year as part of their holiday rituals.

A voyage to Crete may be summarized as the discovery of the ancient Greek civilization, its present-day beaches, sea resorts, flora and fauna, and also that of its five-star hospitality. You can select to either fly in or sail through the Mediterranean into the Cretan periphery depending on the kind of tour package you may have chosen to buy on any given day. There are more than a dozen locations to travel out to once you had finally started to settle in. More information could be gathered by checking out various Greece related websites, some of which are the facilitators of hotel rooms and private apartment bookings.

Scarborough is one of Britains favourite seaside resorts and has been for more than four centuries. Located on the east coast of Yorkshire, Scarborough has always attracted visitors thanks to its beautiful and lengthy sandy beaches, picturesque cliff tops and family-oriented attractions. The location offers spectacular views of the North Sea but is also far more than just another seaside town; there are numerous things to see and do, making it an ideal place to take a break.

When you arrive in Scarborough, youll discover a whole treasure trove of things to see and do during your stay. Whatever your interest, be it history, heritage, sport, nature or art, youll find that Scarborough has it covered. Here are just a few of the places you can visit:

The Rotunda Museum. Suitable for all the family, including young children, this museum has Scarboroughs past completely covered. Come here to find out about the Victorian spa, the fishing port and prehistoric burial sites.

Eden Camp at Malton. Its worth taking the short journey from Scarborough to visit this exciting recreation of wartime Britain. Scenes from the past are reconstructed through a combination of sound, smell, movement and lighting.

Scarborough Light House. Located on Vincent Pier, this lighthouse has been guarding the coast for two hundred years and is known and loved by visitors and town-dwellers alike.

Church of St. Martin-on-the-Hill. This beautiful Victorian church boasts splendid, pre-Raphaelite stained glass, colourful interior decoration and extravagant architecture.

North Bay Miniature Railway. Enjoy the whimsical British phenomenon of the miniature railway as you explore this one from the 1930s, which has tracks of almost a mile in length.

As well as all the places of interest to visit in Scarborough, there are also many different types of things you can do. Scarborough is host to a whole selection of special events and activities all the year round, so you never know what might be on when you come and visit. Some of the things you might choose to do include:

Go shopping! At the Brunswick Shopping Centre, youll discover shops selling many different kinds of goods and products, whether youre looking for childrens clothing or the ideal wedding present.
Take a trip along the coast with Scarborough Pleasure Steamers. Enjoy the finest views of the picturesque Yorkshire coast by travelling on the Regal Lady and Coronia. Trips run whatever the weather.

Enjoy the spectacle of the Water Ski Circus. Youd be cruel to deny your kids the pleasure of a trip to this exhibit, which sees your favourite TV & film characters performing on water skis. Watch out for Batman, Bart Simpson, the Tellytubbies and more.

Go boating at Peasholm Park & Island. Choose from canoes, pedalos or boat trips and enjoy this beautiful park on a relaxing afternoon. Also choose from mini golf, tree walks, and a water ski circus.

Scarborough offers a wide variety of places to eat, each serving its own type of distinctive food. Venues range from that ever-popular Yorkshire speciality, fish and chip shops, to high-class restaurants, plus all the cafes you could wish for. Here is just a selection of some of Scarboroughs quality eateries:

The Red Lea Hotel. Located on the Prince of Wales Terrace, this hotel has a five-star restaurant offering three course meals that change every day. Take your pick from beef, salmon or vegetarian platters, or try something refined like the roast pheasant.

The Magpie Caf. This caf offers a variety of tasty meals, but is especially renowned for its fish and chips. The reason? The fish is always straight from the harbour at Scarborough, meaning youll be in for a fresh-tasting treat.

Mother Hubbards Restaurant. A family-owned eatery for many years, this restaurant also serves up its own special brand of fish and chips, earning it the title of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year on several occasions.

The Hungry Horse. A wide choice of dishes is on offer here, ranging from delicious steaks to bulging burgers, light bites and yummy desserts. You also have the opportunity to wash down your food down with an ice-cold Greene King beer.

The Pizza Place. If youre looking for takeaway food, then this is the place to come. Choose from a variety of pizzas, all served with your own choice of toppings.

If youre looking for somewhere to stay, then youll find yourself spoiled for choice when you come to Scarborough. Every type of accommodation is available in the town, whether youre looking for bed and breakfasts, hotels, inns, or guest houses; there are also many caravans and campsites available for booking. Finally, there are even holiday cottages up for rent if you want total privacy, peace and quiet. Many of the hotels in the town are located on cliff-tops, offering views of the sandy beaches and open sea; others come complete with their own golf courses. Additionally, many of the hotels and guesthouses offer facilities such as swimming pools, television, bars and in-house restaurants.

The Gresham Hotel
The Victoria Hotel
Hotel St Nicholas
Royal Classic Hotel
Granville Lodge Hotel
Chatsworth Hotel
The Crown Spa Hotel
Ashburton Hotel
The Lincoln Hotel
The Skikero Hotel
The Grand Scarborough
Mansion House Hotel

Scarborough has plenty of entertainment up on offer, most of it geared towards the family. One of the towns biggest venues is the Olympia Leisure Family Entertainment Centre, which has everything from fruit machines to childrens adventure play areas, laser dodgems, simulators and the ever-favourite 2p machines. If youre stuck for something to do in an evening, then Scarborough Spa Theatre provides a variety of family entertainment. Alternatively, if youre looking for something that little bit different, Cotton Dale Shooting Ground is on hand if youve always fancied having a go at clay pigeon shooting. Finally, if youre a movie fan, then a trip to the Hollywood Plaza Cinema is a must, as it shows all the latest blockbusters.

As one of Britains best-loved seaside towns, Scarborough has plenty to offer the visitor and tourist. With plenty of attractions and things to do, no matter what the weather, Scarborough is the perfect holiday destination all year round.

Bordeaux, the largest city in south west France, is the wine region of the Aquitaine area. Bordeaux wine is readily exported to countries throughout the world and there are many vineyards that help make this exportation financially rewarding for the region by producing popular tasty wines to suit all tastes.

Vineyards in Bordeaux cover hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Large quantities of wine producers in this area are independent wineries. Chateau Beychevelle is a Bordeaux winery that welcomes wine tasters from all over the world to sample its home grown produce. Visitors come and go daily, tasting and purchasing the fine product of the hard working vineyards laborers.

Another area in Bordeaux that wine enthusiasts should visit is the Saint-Emilion village. In Saint-Emilion village one will find a number of friendly vineyard owners who are always happy to show off their wines. The difficulty many say is choosing the vineyards to visit. With so much choice you may need several days to get a full taste of the area.

A popular way to cover many vineyards in this region is by going on a wine tasting tour. There are usually many tours being offered and they are individually unique in their own right. Some tours will be by bus or bike via an independent tour agency and others will be provided by a specific Chteaux. In order to consider all the available options, your concierge or local tourist information office is a good starting point to making an informed decision.

When looking to visit the Bordeaux vineyards, one should consider booking a France vacation rental for a week or two in order to have enough time to leisurely visit the many wineries in the area. France vacation rentals can be easily booked through your travel agent or by using the internet to find vacation packages that cater to France vacation rentals. Whatever vineyard an individual chooses to tour or France vacation rental one chooses to book, that person is sure to be happy with his/her final decision regarding this wonderful touring opportunity.

France was and still is one of the powerful countries in Europe. Through its history, its political position, the economy and not last the tradition in culture, France is what we see today.

With a population of 60 million of which 76% is urban population. Most of the population practices Catholicism (about 90%) as religion, whilst other popular religions include Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Regarding the political system, France is a Republic which Constitution dates from 1958. The President of the Republic is the Head of State, chief of the Armies and has an executive power. He is elected for a seven-year term (five year term from 2002 on) by direct universal suffrage. He is entitled to dissolve the Assembly and call for early elections. He appoints the Prime Minister, who represents the parliamentary majority. As for the legislative power, the Parliament is composed of the National Assembly (577 members elected for five years by direct universal suffrage) and the Senate (321 members elected for a nine-year term). The right to vote is granted from the age of 18. Since 1982, France decentralised part of its power to Regions and Departments. President of the Republic: Jacques Chirac elected in 1995 and re-elected in May 2002. Prime Minister: Dominique de Villepin.

France is European Union’s largest agricultural power, of which it provides almost a fourth of its production, and is the second largest agricultural power in the world (behind the USA). Agricultural activity benefits from huge subsidies, especially European subsidies. Wheat, corn, meat and wine are the main productions. The manufacturing industry is diversified, but the country is going through a desindustrialisation process, traduced by several relocations. The key industrial sectors are cars, computer, telecommunications and electronics. France is the first tourist destination world-wide: than 75.3 million tourists visited France in 2005.

The French economy is very open to foreign trade of goods. The country ranks second in Europe for its foreign trade behind Germany, and is the eighth world destination for foreign direct investments (FDI). France’s top three import partners are Germany, Italy and Spain. Its top three export partners are Germany, Spain and UK. France mainly imports vehicles, machinery and consumer goods. From January the 1st 2002, the currency in circulation is the euro.

France is noted for its cosmopolitan, civilized approach to life, combined with great concern for style, fashion and appearances. French people are sometimes perceived as taking a great pride in the national identity and positive achievements of France, although many French people would argue that people of all nations tend to do that.