Travel. Sights. Memories. What could be more relaxing than touring through the Italian or French countryside than being on your single bike or tandeming with your favorite person in the whole world? (hey guys, nothing is the correct answer!). 

How do I go about getting my bike there and then what do I do?  Well, a guided tour company is the way to go for those that don’t have the time or gumption to set up their own tour.

You can have some really good tours on your own if you are willing to do some leg work and set up your own tour. My wife and I have been on three guided tours and one self guided tour in Europe and I have been on one bicycle trip without her.  I can tell you the first time or two it is a good idea to take a touring company’s guidance and the experience they offer when traveling abroad.

Now that we have a few trips under us and the unguided tour it really isn’t a problem but it sure would have been difficult to assimilate not only the language barrier but the cultural differences you have to wade through without being exposed to things gradually in the guided tours.

Traveling outside the United States can be a little daunting for some people so the hand holding is not a sign of weakness but should be looked upon as a way to get your feet wet so you can do it on your own later. Granted, there is a cost to having someone take care of all of the details for you, but if you pay attention and learn what they are doing, ask some directed questions and keep your mind open, you can do it yourself.

The touring companies will take care of almost every aspect of your trip except getting your bike there (unless you rent one of their bikes, but then you wouldn’t be reading this if you were going to use one of theirs).

You are most likely going to take your single bike or your tandem with you or again you wouldn’t be reading this. Getting it there in one piece is pretty important. The best way to get your bike there is with a dedicated travel case.  I have used several types of travel cases including a Crate Works bike box and a Serfas travel case.

Of the two, I really like the Crate Works box.  Take a look at them over on my site about specific cases.   You might look at this case and not believe that it would work but I prefer this case over my Serfas injection molded plastic box. The Crate Works box has a ton of room on the inside and I have used it on my last three trips overseas and my bike has come out looking just as I packed it. I even saw the guys on the tarmac loading my bike and they weren’t nice to it yet it didn’t bother the bike inside.  Another good thing about this case it that it folds flat for storage at home.

Back to the traveling part; If you do plan to go it alone, or should I say without a guide you will need to know a few things. Maybe some of the things that I have learned can save you some headaches.

Research your destination to know where to ride.

Sure you say, I know that. No, really. Take some time, get Michelin maps and study them. Know what the symbols on the maps really mean. You don’t want to be on your bike and have to guess if the road really goes where you thought it went. Get a GPS! The Garmin Edge 705 is just the ticket to put on your bike. I used a Garmin Nuvi 250W that was made for a car and it was a pain to put it out of your pocket, put it back in, pull it back out etc. The Edge 705 wasn’t available until I got back. Now that I have used one, wow, it really works!

Stay in touch

How are you going to stay in touch with your family and friends while on you travel? Calling cards work okay. Internet phones are a good idea if you have access to an internet connection or cafe. Generally speaking though, free internet connections are harder to find around Europe than they are here in the United States. Most of the sites that you want to connect to in Europe will be a pay per session or pay per hour type. This is true in hotels as well as wandering around.

International cell phone rental is a good option.  Mobal Phone rental is who I have used for the last three trips to Europe. If you want, you can see about them on on my site. What I really like about them is they are truly an inexpensive option if you only plan to use the phone on trips and not here in the United States. There are no, none, not a single one, hidden charges when you get one of their phones. You simply buy the phone (I got the $49 model), and you pay for what you use, period. You don’t use the phone for a year, you don’t pay a dime. Compare this to AT&T’s plan (higher rates per minute than Mobal’s), Verizon (you might get a lower price per minute but you have to buy the $80 sim card and you have to figure in the $15 per month charge for the international plan you have to add).

If you are going to use your phone overseas like you do here; 10,000 minutes a month, 9000 text messages, etc you might want to consider one of the higher models or just setting up service over there. If you just want a phone to say call home, check on the kids and stay in touch, the Mobal phones are really the way to go. I even let my friends take it on trips with them and they end up buying one for the next trip. You can get a nifty thing from Mobal too that if you sign up a friend, you get a discount off the per minute charges on your own phone. I think I am up to 50% off now with all of the friends that have ended up getting phones from these guys.

If you want to get some more information come on over to my site about bicycles at tandem-bicycle-central.com  I talk about more things about biking than can be covered in the scope of this article

Hull is usually discovered on the North East coast of England, UK. The town is primary identified for the port with passenger and vehicle ferries leaving each day from Hull to Europe. The city might be reached by driving your rented auto along the M62 motorway from the M1 or by driving your Hull car or truck hire along the nearby M6. 

You will discover close to 10 major busy tourist attractions which most visitors can look at whilst on a trip to Hull. 

1. Maritime Museum
2. The Deep
3. Street lifetime Museum
4. Artic Corsair
5. Spurn Lighthouse
6. The Humber Bridge
7. The Hands on Museum
8. Wilberforce Household Museum
9. Hull and East Riding Museum
10.Maister House
Maritime Museum is located within a lovely ornate red sand stone building formally utilised as a grammar school and was reported to be built around 1347. Close towards the Hull’s docks, the museum has plenty of fascinating displays and exhibitions concerning the trawling historical past of the region which include fishing and whales.

The Deep is a ship styled maritime museum with plenty of record about sea everyday living and marine life and can be discovered inside the dockland place on the Hull. The museum is hands on and includes a exhibtion  at sea existence from ten feet below the surface via a lift. They even include an exhibition with the Big Bang Theory.

Street Life Museum is often a transport museum which could be inside the High St and is easy accessible by rental car along the A63 heading towards the docks. Visitors can look at modes of transport from close to the last two centuries which include transport utilised throughout the war.

Artic Corsair might be found moored around the River Hull close to the museum section. The Artic Corsair is usually a real fishing boat which fisherman right up  until recently utilized to trawl for fish in the Iceland waters. The story of the boat and her crew are retold within the trawler by guides.

Spurn Lighthouse is a boat which was constructed in 1927 and operated till around 1977 as a lighthouse for any sailor who wished to have a shot at and sail through the perilous River Humber. It is possible to now go on board this renowned boat and ask the staff any questions about the lighthouses background. The boat is now moored in the maritime tourist quarter on the docks.

The Humber Bridge is really a magnificent piece of engineering which took around eight many years of hard work to complete back in 1981. The suspended bridge was the final alternative like a safe mode of serving the transport technique.

The Hands on Museum is situated in South Church Street in Hull. You’ll find lots of hands ons knowledge for everyone to have a attempt. The museum tells the story with the social aspect of living in and all around the town. The textiles and costumes are on screen.

William Wilberforce was a Hull MP who campaigned for the end of slavery. These days there is certainly a museum dedicated to his memory and might be observed from the Higher Street with the metropolis. You’ll find some exhibits on display which shows the living historical past from the time.

Hull and East Riding Museum functions a boat which is said to be around 3000 many years old. The museum tells the story with the geography plus the fascinating archaeology on the spot and of a by gone age and era.

Maister House can be a lovely Georgian home originally applied by a merchant who lived in Hull. The variety of attributes you possibly can look at these days are the staircase and ironwork.

Alvin Starkman  M.A., LL.B.

First-time travelers to Oaxaca, as well as return visitors and snowbirds, can all help to improve the financial lot of many struggling residents, aside from simply visiting the city and spending. 

It’s a fact that tourism has indeed returned to the central valleys of the state of Oaxaca.  But as a result of the US economic crisis in 2008, so have many Oaxacans:   Oaxacan immigrants, documented and otherwise,  had previously been eking out a modest existence north of the border, often wiring money back to their motherland on a regular basis to help out parents, children and extended family members in need.  With fewer available jobs, the people flow has now been reversed.  Oaxacans are coming back to their native soil.  The economic implications are twofold: 

1)      There are now more Oaxacans vying for work which continues to be a scarce commodity.

2)      With fewer Oaxacans working in the US, less money is being sent home.  

Many hotel and B & B guests arrive with two suitcases … one filled with their clothes and toiletries, which fits snuggly inside a larger one.  The latter is used for the flight back home, to pack up purchases such as rugs and other textiles, black pottery and a variety of different ceramic pieces, alebrijes, and more traditional fine art. That larger suitcase need not be brought down empty.  Those who have already been sensitized to Oaxaca’s economic plight sometimes ask what they can bring to leave behind, filling their second piece of luggage with used clothing, pencils and pens, T – shirts and caps with logos of their local sports teams, and much more.  And then there are the travelers with young children who recognize that by the time the next summer arrives in their hometowns, the kids will have outgrown virtually everything they’ve brought down for them to wear.  Here in Oaxaca they find new homes for shoes, shorts, jeans, dresses and shirts.

Within less than an hour’s drive from downtown Oaxaca, townspeople in marginal communities subsist on tortillas, beans and rice, with meat and poultry reserved for only the most special of occasion.  Medical clinics and dental facilities are often stocked with inadequate equipment, instruments and supplies, and schools lack books.  Even the brightest students and those with the most drive and desire are denied the opportunity to complete their secondary education because the cost of transportation to attend high school in the larger centers is prohibitive relative to the means of their families.

Every visitor to the city of Oaxaca has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economic amelioration of residents of towns and villages in the central valleys, apart from buying handicrafts and art.

We all have much more clothing than we need.  Just look in your closet or in that chest of drawers in the basement.  You might even find your daughter’s old pair of eyeglasses from two prescriptions ago, useless to you but invaluable to a downtown optometrist with ties to villages with children whose parents have no money to buy glasses.  Dig out that gift from your mother-in-law — the sweater that’s far too gaudy, or the T – shirt she brought for you on her trip to Turkey three years ago, still in the plastic wrapper.  Do you really think that as you get older it’s realistic for you to actually start exercising as you did before, and that you’ll actually lose that paunch and fit into those size 32 jeans?  How long do you think it will take for those shirts with Saturday Night Fever collars to come back into style?  Here in Oaxaca they’ve never gone out of style.

The reluctance to personally distribute what you can no longer use is understandable.  Certainly filling up a couple of green garbage bags in the course of your annual spring cleaning and then taking them to the local clothing drop box is easier, and the anonymity which comes with it is somehow preferable.  It precludes any possibility of that feeling of discomfort that often results from directly confronting differences in economic status.  But for those Oaxacans in need, all contributions are welcomed and tremendously appreciated.

Bring whatever you can.  And if you’re not a packrat, there are other ways you can help:

1)      Ask your neighbors and relatives.  They’ll be happy to use the new-found closet space.

2)      If you’re a medical or dental professional, search the shelves in your storage cabinet for instruments that have become obsolete for your state-of-the-art practice.

3)      If you’re a manufacturer with over-runs, or wholesaler, jobber or retailer with stock that you just can’t move, consider packing up whatever will fit into that extra suitcase.

Not knowing what to do with it once you land in Oaxaca is certainly a legitimate, but not insurmountable concern.  Again, there are several options:

1)      The manager of your hotel or B & B might assist in distributing clothing to members of his cleaning staff who in all likelihood are of extremely modest means, or might suggest that some items be given to one of several local charities such as Estancia Fraternidad or Casa de La Mujer.

2)      If you plan to tour some of the craft villages, your tour guide or driver might be able to assist you, although residents of the more popular and consequently successful towns such as Teotitl?n del Valle and San Mart?n Tilcajete might not be the ones to whom your generosity should be directed.  Consider spending part of a day getting away from the more traditional tourist sights, perhaps venturing into the hills and tiny communities, the inhabitants of which are predominantly campesinos.  This affords an opportunity to see first hand the modest lifestyles of most Oaxacans and experience the “real” Mexico.  Your chauffeur should be happy to accommodate, and you can distribute goods as and to whom you wish.  

3)      Drop your donation by the Oaxaca Lending Library on Calle Pino Suarez.  Its volunteers are involved in a number of outreach projects.

4)      Contact me and I’d be honored to come by your accommodations, pick up whatever you have, and ensure that it goes to good use.

Regular visitors to the city and the numerous returning snowbirds are afforded an even better and easier opportunity to help.  Consider leaving your entire Oaxaca wardrobe and all your toiletries in Oaxaca, permanently.  Remember, you still have more than enough to wear at home, and already having bathroom items awaiting you upon your return to Oaxaca can be quite convenient, especially in light of airline restrictions regarding sprays and bottles.

Pack it all up in a few boxes, or better yet buy an inexpensive chest of drawers to store your belongings, like I did about a dozen years ago when I was a frequent visitor to the city.  Toss in a few bars of soap or pieces of cedar to keep it all fresh smelling.  Then impose upon one of your Oaxacan or expat friends to keep it for you in a closet, corner or storage room.  For your subsequent visits to the city all you’ll be bringing down will be two suitcases filled with treasures for those in need.  And remember, with all that Oaxaca has to offer shoppers, craft collectors and art aficionados, there’s never a risk that you’ll return north with empty luggage.

Andalusia is crossed by the Sierra Morena mountain range in the north and in the south by the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The fertile basin of the Guadalquivir River lies between these mountain ranges. Huelva, Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba, Malaga, Jean, Granada and Almeria, all named for their principal cities, are the eight provinces that make up the region
History – Phoenicians first settled here in the 11th century BC founding several coastal colonies among them Gadir which is now Cadiz. Greeks and Carthaginians came in the 6th century BC. The Romans expelled the Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC and they in turn had their rule ended by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD. 711 saw the Moors cross the Strait of Gibraltar and establish the centre of their western emirate here in Cordoba. The Moorish period was the golden age of Andalusia. Agriculture, leather working, mining, pottery, textiles and trade were all fostered and brought great prosperity. Cordoba, Granada and Seville, embellished by the greatest Moorish monuments in Spain, the Mezquita, the Alcazar and the Alhambra Palace respectively were celebrated as centres of arts, culture and science. It remained under Moorish rule until the 13th century when, with the exception of the Moorish kingdom of Granada, most of it was conquered in by the kings of Castile, who in turn fell to the Catholic kings in 1492. Andalucia declined along with the rest of the country from the 16th century onwards. Although trade with the New World enabled the ports of Seville and Cadiz to continue to flourish. In 1713 Gibraltar was ceded to Britain and in 1833 Andalucia was divided into the present eight provinces. The region was a stronghold of anarchism during the Spanish republic. It, however, fell early to the insurgents in the Spanish civil war. Recurrent demonstrations against Franco were seen across Andalucia during his dictatorship. It became an autonomous region in 1981and elected its first parliament the following year.
The region has some interesting contrasts. The deserts of Almeria in the east are the driest part of the whole country, while Sierra de Grazalema in the southwest, because it exposed to winds of the Atlantic, is the rainiest part of Spain. Both the cities of Cordoba and Seville are notorious for their stifleing heat during the summer months but the peaks of the Sierra Nevada remain snow capped all year round. And contrast the rugged coastline of the Cabo de Gata or the Atlantic coast of Cadiz, both with their comparatively deserted beaches, with the intensely developed area in the province of Malaga. Yes the beaches are still there – you just can’t see them for the tourists.
There is still a strong Moorish influence in the character, customs and language of the people. With its tradition of bull fights, flamenco music and dance it is one of Europe’s most strikingly colourful regions. With the abundance of Moorish architecture and it’s pleasant climate it is easy to see why the growth of tourism has been so strong in recent decades. Agriculturally, barren lands contrast with richly fertile regions where cereals, citrus fruit, grapes, olives and sugar cane are produced. Industries, based generally on local agricultural produce, include flour milling, olive-oil extracting and wine making. Cattle, bulls for the ring, and fine horses are bred. The rich mineral resources, exploited since Phoenician times, include copper, iron, lead and zinc. But despite all this poverty is widespread. Farm labourers are among the poorest in Europe and many unemployed people have migrated to the industrial centres further to the north.

This volcanic field surrounded by 38 volcanic mountains is located in the Catalonia province of Spain. The city has a rich cultural heritage dating to the renaissance era. It is said that in the year 1474 the city was completely destroyed due to volcanic eruptions. Thereafter these volcanoes have become dormant. However, the Government of Catalonia recognizing the importance of these volcanic mountains and its surrounding area as protected area has declared it as a national park.
This covers an area of about 119 sq. kms. Adjoining this area is the beach forest called the La Fageda d’en Jorda. In the 18th century, the city became a hub of textile and other industries. The Christian Art Workshop is the leading supplier of stationery for the churches. This volcanic city has many places of attraction.
Church Esglesia de Sant Esteve:
This church is believed to have been built in the 10th century. The church was renovated and the most beautiful altar piece was added. This is a very impressive work of architecture and an important place of worship for the locals and for every tourist visiting Olot.  
Museu Comarcial de la Garrotxa museum:
This museum has collection of works of sculpture produced by the great artists Casas Clara and Blay. The museum is also famous for the beautiful landscape. Apart from this, the museum also has several painting works from some of the most renowned artists of Spain. This is yet another place which no tourist should miss.
Garrotaxa Volcanic Reserve:
This is considered to be the largest volcano covering an area of about 30000 acres. The immaculately beautiful beech wood presents a ‘carpet of leaves’ during the autumn season. The leaves on the trees present stunningly beautiful scenery. In fact this is one of the places which receive highest number of tourists every year. The reserve has all the avenues required for a tourist. This is yet another reason why this reserve has become so popular amongst tourists.
Neighboring places:
The 57 kms distance from Olot to Girona is full of many places of interest. These two places are connected by road and railway as well. There are many castles and churches along this route. These monuments are of historical importance also. The Hostoles castle, Garrotxa Volcanic are some of the places of interest which the tourist would come across on this route.
Board and lodge:
Olot has many apartments, villas and hotels which offer a luxurious stay at the most economical rate. There are enough restaurants which serve the most delicious recipes to the tourist.

Is wedding planning taking a toll on your relationship (and your sanity)? Relax, it’s natural to feel stressed out by the whirlwind of activity leading up to one of the most momentous days of your life. But once the cake has been served and your guests have left, you deserve a dream honeymoon to help unwind and celebrate. If your ultimate romantic getaway involves warm tropical breezes, sandy secluded beaches and romantic huts over the water then Tahiti (French Polynesia) is where you want to be. Here’s 5 essential tips to help you have the romantic and relaxing Tahitian honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of:

1. Leave your heavy sweaters and coats at home: Blessed with warm tropical weather year-round, Tahiti makes for an ideal destination any time of the year. The islands generally experience two seasons: from June-October when the climate is cooler and drier with average temperatures in the low 80’s and from November-May when the weather is warm and humid with average temperatures in the mid 80’s. Pack light and dress comfortably.
2. Get off the main island: The group of South Pacific Polynesian islands often referred to as “Tahiti” (though officially named “French Polynesia”) is made up of 121 exotic atolls and islands including such gems as Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Rangiroa. After exploring Tahiti Island and its capital, Papeete, be sure to venture off the beaten track and explore some of the nearby islands for more seclusion and romance. There are seemingly endless pristine white sand beaches, underwater caves, lush waterfalls and coral reefs for you and your partner to discover together.

3. Experience something truly spectacular: What better way to kick off your marriage than by creating memories to last a lifetime? Share a new adventure together by taking advantage of Tahiti’s endless activities such as snorkeling, scuba, shark-diving, surfing, mountain trekking or staying in an overwater bungalow. You’ll return home with not only fond memories to cherish but also great stories to tell.

4. Take time to do nothing at all: Life on the islands moves at a remarkably slow pace. Make sure to chill out, relax, unwind, go with the flow and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Awaken and indulge your senses to the breathtaking bouquet of colors, scents, sounds, textures and flavors that surround you. Lounging lazily and gazing at the sea never felt so sublime.

5. Bring a copy of your marriage certificate: Nearly all of Tahiti’s resorts, hotels, restaurants and vendors offer extra perks and discounts for newlyweds. Be sure to bring a copy of your marriage certificate to take advantage of these exclusive discounts and free upgrades.

Click here for a chance to WIN an authentic Black Pearl Necklace worth $7,500 and be automatically entered into a Dream Vacation for 2 in Bora Bora Free Giveaway compliments of www.YesTahiti.com and www.BoraBora.com

India the ‘extra-ordinary’ tourist destination of the world beckons tourists to have an overwhelming travel experience at various tourist destinations in this country. Rajasthan ,the royal Indian state is the most famous destination among international travelers who come here to experience the charm of the royalty of the bygone era. Not only the international tourists but Indians also visit this destination in great number.

Explore any region of Rajasthan and you will find that each region here has something special to offer. Whether you wish to experience the royal lifestyle of the raja-maharajas of the bygone era or are desirous to explore the mysterious sand dunes of desert, Rajasthan has a lot to offer.

The opulent palaces, forts and havelis which are incredibly beautiful reflect the wonderful architectural and cultural heritage of this land of Rajputs. Most of the royal abodes have now been converted into heritage hotels to offer a royal experience to tourists. Each royal structure has its own unique history to tell.

Another enchanting attraction of Rajasthan is the luxurious Palace on Wheels, which is among the most luxurious trains in the world. Offering 7 days/8 nights tour, this train takes its guests to the captivating destinations of Rajasthan. The rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan can be beautifully seen in its wonderful fairs and festivals. From Camel fair to elephant festival and kite festival, different kinds of fairs and festivals are celebrated in this colorful state. Apart from this Rajasthan is also a promising destination for wildlife lovers. Wildlife destinations such as Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park(World Heritage Site) are located in Rajasthan. A wide variety of enchanting wildlife is spotted in these wildlife destinations. Ranthambore is famous for its tigers and Keoladeo is well known for its colorful birds.

The handicrafts of Rajasthan are famous across the globe. This desert state offers colorful and amazing handicrafts such as embroidered juttis, embroidered textiles, tie and dye fabric, metal ware, leather articles, silver jewelery, precious and semi-precious stones and many more articles.

There are absolutely loads of things to do in London and they need not cost the earth. With a bit of research you will have plenty of fun days out without paying a single penny.  Some of the best museums in the world are free and based in London.  Now you might think museums are boring and not entertaining, well you would be far from wrong.  Some of the best exhibitions and events are found in London’s Museums’ and the admissions are free.

The Science Museum is a great day out for the whole family. It houses the world’s most impresive movie experience at the IMAX 3D Cinema with many 3D films such the magical underwater adventure where you will be transported below the ocean surface to swim alongside some of the planet’s most unique and colourful creatures. If prehistoric is your thing check out the Sea Monsters and the Dinosaurs Alive films. The Space station will blast you off to space to see the building of the International Space Station. There are many more so make sure you get there early.

If you want to see the development of the modern industrial world from 1750 to 2000 the Science Museum has the most breathtaking gallery display in the world. Another gallery devoted to our Solar System shows the story of the space rocket. You can learn about the satellites orbiting Earth and find out how we are probing the rest of the Solar System and beyond. This is just a small amount of what you will see at the Science Museum in London, it really is worth a visit and it opens at 10am and the admission is free.

The Natural History Museum is a spectacular Victorian-style Italian Renaissance building which houses  fantastic collections from the middle of the eighteenth century.  It is now one of the most visited museums in London and the country and contains an unrivalled collection of exhibits.

Exhibits at the Museum include dinosaurs, human biology, marine invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and fish and much more.  Again admission to the Natural History Museum is completely free.

Another fantastic museum which also is free is the Victoria and Albert Museum. It homes probably the world’s greatest art and design collection spanning the last two thousand years. It has more than four million exhibits, spanning across four floors over ten acres and 145 galleries. Some of the collections include sculpture, ceramics, fashion, architecture, photography, textiles, metalwork and much more.

Those are just 3 places in London which are completely free and will keep you busy for hours, even days. There are many more and each month new events get listed which are free.  Type into Google “free events London” and you will find plenty of places to visit and things to do.  The only money you will need is for food and refreshments.

The cheapest way to get about in London is with the London Underground, with simple maps and day rates you can get about without paying the conjestion charge.  Also staying in London needn’t cost the earth as there are plenty of low cost budget hotels to choose from and some of them are newly refurbished will all the latest mod cons.  So get planning and enjoy some cheap days out in the best capital in the world London.  Ok I’m biased, I was born there, but let’s face it, apart from New York there’s no place in the world like London.