The Exciting Travel

Cheap travel to The Great Wall China

China Travel Packages, The Great Wall

Great Wall Tours and Travel

The Exciting Travel to The Great Wall

What country would try to build a giant wall to keep invaders out? China, of course. Here is an overview of the Great Wall of China.

Overview of the Great Wall of China

Of the many wonders of the modern world, few are as often talked about as the Great Wall of China. This ancient (though still considered modern by historical means) structure is a major tourist attraction, with many people from all over the world making trips to China just to see the Wall. There are many facets of the Great Wall of China that intrigue people to this day, and they probably will for many generations to come.

The original Great Wall of China was built in the 3rd century BC, during the Qin Dynasty. Additional work on this wall, as well as other versions of this fortification, was not completed until the 17th century (AD), with the current Great Wall being completed during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 – 1640. The original purpose of the Great Wall was to stop invaders from areas such as Mongolia and Manchuria, from entering China and trying to take over the country. The Wall spans 3,948 miles at the present time, and runs from Shanhai Pass on the Bohai Sea to Lop Nur in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is made of solid stone with packed earth on the interior.

Some tidbits about the Great Wall of China are not as impressive as its length and age. The Wall was built mostly by forced labor, as the government during different dynasties ordered people to work on the Wall. It was a grueling and horrible task, and approximately one million workers died in the process of building the Great Wall, from attacks and other conditions. For this reason, it's sometimes known as the “longest cemetery on Earth”.

The condition of the Great Wall at this point in history is poor at best. Although some portions of the Wall are kept in good condition, near the tourist centers, other parts of the wall have fallen into disrepair and have even been dismantled as a source of stones for house repair. Only about 20 percent of the Great Wall today can be considered to be in good condition.

While the background of the Great Wall of China is relatively well-known, there is one fact that is widely disputed: whether or not you can see it from outer space. In recent years, it has been concluded that you can indeed see the Great Wall from space with the naked eye, but it's not extremely visible and you have to know where to look. But, why see it from outer space? A trip to the Great Wall of China could be one of the biggest adventures of your life, and it's definitely one of the world's great wonders to behold.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Monk

i Beach Travel Deals

Bondi Beach travel guides 2010

Bondi beach travel and tour package 2010

Bondi beach cheap travel package 2010

Hawaii Honeymoons and Luxury Beach Vacations

BOOK THIS HAWAII VILLA

Hawaii Tourism has reported strong numbers for Europeans choosing Hawaii for their main holiday getaway. Europeans travelling to Hawaii have bucked the current travel trends. Despite a worsening economic climate in 2008, Europeans visiting Hawaii rose significantly compared to 2007.

Hawaii continues to attract new European visitors to its shores, the majority being first-timers. Furthermore, Europeans holidaying in Hawaii are spending more money and staying longer. Total expenditure by European visitors increased by 7.4%, with the average length of stay rising to 12.8 days, in comparison to 2007 reports of only 12.3 days.

Hawaii continues to be a strong draw for Europeans looking for the ultimate romantic destination with honeymooners being one of the largest single groups to the islands. 11,980 European visitors chose a Hawaii honeymoon during 2008, a significantly higher proportion of its overall visitors compared to any other market. Oahu is still the island of choice with 72% of all European visitors opting for the capital island, followed by Maui with 36%.

From an international perspective, in 2009 Hawaii has welcomed over 3.8 million total visitors at the end of July with visitors in July alone up 1.5% from the same time last year. Oahu still remains the most visited island although the Big Island has seen the largest percentage increase in visitors, with international visitors up 51% in July.

With 2009 presenting further challenges to international travel, Hawaii Tourism Europe, as part of its Strategic Plan to 2015, is working to promote Hawaii as a unique, memorable and enriching visitor experience which values and perpetuates Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources. Such activity will assist in attracting further high spend European visitors to Hawaii in 2009.

Bundoran Beach – Enjoy the Dramatic Scenic Beauty of Nature

Bundoran Beach – Enjoy the Dramatic Scenic Beauty of Nature

We all are very well aware with the fact that nature and its exotic components are really one of the most beautiful things that are present on the Earth today. Today, every one loves to spend most of the time in the lapse of marvelous beauty and splendor of nature.

Today, mostly all the people love to enjoy their seasonal holidays in the lapse of natural attraction. A natural attraction is the one and only place where you can easily avail yourself with the pleasure of peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. You can also enjoy the refreshing air and feel the essence of natural majesty.

 There are a large number of exotic and out of the ordinary natural vacation spots that are located in various parts of the world. Well, further in this article, I am going to discuss about the indispensable facts related to the grand Bundoran Beach side of Ireland. Make sure that you go through this article once if you are also searching for a majestic natural vacation destination of the world.

The grand Bundoran Beach is one of the most popular beach sides of Ireland. This famous seaside resort is situated in Bundoran town which lies in Donegal in Ireland. There are numerous tourist attractions that are located in Ireland but the grand and eye catching Bundoran Beach side is one of the most visited natural attractions of Ireland. A large number of foreign visitors as well as local residents of the nearby areas of Bundoran town love to visit this grand beach side during their seasonal vacations as well as on the weekends.

Various modifications have been made on this grand and spectacular beach side from the last few years. This grand beach side is very much famous for its spectacular and outstanding sea front. You can easily view at the dramatic scenic beauty of the shores of this grand beach side of Ireland. There is also a strand through which you can easily gaze at the whole of the beach side.

There are numerous shops which attract a large number of tourists. You can also notice several restaurants and cuisines on the shores of this grand beach side. This beach side offers many attractions for its visitors like swimming, surfing and many more water adventures. You can observe a huge crowd during the evening when most of the people love to enjoy the view of the setting sun.

Best Family Destination of Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne - the capital of Victoria and Australia's second largest city - is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a host of entertainment, sports, and culinary, cultural and shopping options to be enjoyed. The streets, parks, distinctive cultural precincts and waterfront area of Melbourne make it a magnificent city to explore at leisure.

The city has an amazing range of attractions and activities to keep you entertained all year round.

Enjoy a cruise along the Yarra River, re-live some great sporting memories on a tour of the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) or see some spectacular 360-degree views from the Melbourne Observation Deck.

Explore the animal kingdom at the Melbourne Zoo or dive with the sharks at the Melbourne Aquarium. Join in some interactive footy action at the AFL ( Australian Football League) Hall of Fame & Sensation or enjoy the international art on offer at NGV International and Australian art at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

To find out how Melbourne became the city it is today, spend a day or two at one of the many local museums. The Melbourne Museum houses the state collection in an imposing modern building. The Immigration Museum and Maritime Museum- home of the Polly Woodside, highlight key events in the growth of Melbourne, while the Gold Treasury Museum shows how Melbourne became a city built on gold.

Other histories include the stomach-turning tales of the Old Melbourne Gaol, Ned Kelly's armour at the State Library of Victoria and Cooks' Cottage the parental home of Captain James Cook. Kids will love the hands on workshops and new playground at ArtPlay, and the Champions Australian Racing Museum & Hall of Fame at Federation Square.

Melbourne attractions include:
Federation Square - Fast becoming the cultural icon of Melbourne with its 'Fractal Façade' system on each building in the square. The façade is made up of triangles made of sandstone, zinc and glass pieced together at different orientations and surface angles. See it from the inside at The Atrium and the BMW Edge Theatre indoor amphitheatre. The Square is home to restaurants, cafes, bars and retail outlets as well as venues including the Melbourne Visitor Centre, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the Australian Racing Museum and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia - dedicated exclusively to Australian art.

*Queen Victoria Market - a Melbourne institution since the late 1860s, you can shop for gourmet food, clothing, toys, souvenirs and more. Closed Monday and Wednesday.

*Melbourne Cricket Ground - Melbourne's home of cricket and Australian Rules football, and the heart of the 1956 Olympic Games and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. There are tours and the ground houses the Australian Gallery of Sport, Olympic Museum and the Cricket Hall of Fame.

*Southbank - a bustling entertainment complex situated on the south side of the Yarra River, housing Crown Casino, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, sculpture, artworks and more. There is an open air Arts & Crafts market on Sundays.

*Melbourne Aquarium - a state-of-the-art aquarium located by the Yarra River, featuring sharks, stingrays and coral.

*St Patrick's Cathedral - with soaring interiors and stained glass windows.

*Melbourne Tram Car Dinner - A unique way to see the city of Melbourne whilst enjoying the fine Australian Cuisine.

*Old Melbourne Gaol and Penal Museum - amongst the museum's chilling exhibits are the gallows from which Ned Kelly was hung. If you're brave, take a night-time tour of the jail.

*Docklands - New Quay - a short walk or tram ride from the CBD, you'll find restaurants, cafes, bars and riverside walkways decorated with public artworks.

*The Shrine of Remembrance - in the parklands of Kings Domain, off St Kilda Road, a fine European-style boulevard.

*St Kilda - beachside suburb with restaurants, cafes, bars and famous Luna Park.

*Scienceworks - a hands-on, innovative science museum in Spotswood also includes Melbourne Planetarium. Exhibits include Australia's first plane and car.

*Melbourne Museum - innovative collection housed in a stunning modernist building.

*Lygon Street, Carlton - known as "Little Italy", a popular restaurant, cafe and bar strip.

*Brunswick Street, Fitzroy - a street with a bohemian heart, with cafes, restaurants, clubs and fashion shopping.

The Beaches of Costa Rica

The tiny country of Costa Rica has very many attractive beaches, with each having a unique setting for each holiday maker’s needs. The best beaches in Costa Rica have been responsible for the millions of holidaymakers who throng this part of the world each year. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying water activities and sports -- be it windsurfing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling etc. Here is a list of the leading 9 best beaches in Costa Rica.

- Playa Dominical is thought to be the best surfing beach the world over. It is strategically located 44km south of the famous Manuel Antonia National Park and offers the most splendid and beautiful landscape covered with colossal plantations, estuaries, coastal mangroves, and marshes.

- Playa Tamarindo is thought to be a laid-back and somewhat expensive beach but the town offers posh hotels that have mouthwatering bed and breakfast meals, great shopping experience, and pristine beaches, no wonder tourists can’t help but spend in this beautiful destination in the world.

- Playa Hermosa or Hermosa Beach if you like is for those looking for a holiday destination that is less crowded. Costa Rica has two Hermosa beaches – one near Jaco and the other in Guanacaste. Hermosa construes to mean ‘beautiful’ in Spanish, and is sandwiched between two haughty mountains

- Also worth noting is Montezuma, the beach found on the south of Nicoya Peninsula and which is synonymous with surfers and youths. Just like Playa Dominical, this is also a laid-back destination notable for attractive estuaries and natural mangroves.

- The Playa Conchal beaches are synonymous with tiny crushed shells scattered all over the beach, offering a soothing feeling as one walks along the shores. This beach is located in close proximity to the Playa Brasilito, and is loved by holidaymakers who love sports fishing, swimming, and snorkeling

- Less developed beaches such as Playa Mananillo are also becoming synonymous with tourists, especially those who love to surf. The white sandy beach stretches down to the Pacific. It boasts attractive almond trees that provide shade for holidaymakers who love to read as they relish the serenity of the waters.

- The Manuel Antonio beaches together with the amazing horseshoe bays are the leading favorite in the world, thanks to the magnificent waterfalls and breathtaking hilltops sandwiched in the jungle. Surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving are few of the activities that await you in this destination.

- The 8th beach in Costa Rica is Tortuguero, located north of Limon. It is surrounded by charming thick palm trees and freshwater canals. These beaches are however considered unsafe because of the unpredictable currents but their pristine nature is well worth appreciating.

- If you would rather relish the lavishness of a well developed beach, look no further beyond Playa Jaco, which is strategically located near San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. The capital has no beach of its own yet, but Playa Jaco offers a number of services and when compared to Tamarindo beaches, it is a lot more affordable if you are looking to live near bistros, hotels, and surf shops.

Visit our Travel and Vacation Directory at http://vacationsurfer.net/

M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling. 

Beautiful Morgan's Island Water Park

This 28,000 square foot water park features slides and inner-tube rides as well as wave pools and a tamer kid's area. Located at Eagle Beach.