Travel and Leisure

Fertile, unspoilt, and surprising - the mountains of Burma's northernmost states are one of the country's best-kept secrets. The region is an exciting and adventurous destination for holidays in Burma, with colourful mountain markets, the villages of diverse ethnic groups, and lush, biodiverse forests. For those considering venturing into this stunning region, here are five 'must-do' moments for the quintessential Burmese Himalaya experience.

Buy: mountain produce in Putao
Putao is the starting point for many of those who venture into the northern mountains on their holidays in Burma, and it is the perfect town to introduce visitors to this part of the country - both in terms of acclimatising and getting to know the character of the region. One aspect of the town in particular is worth making time for, and that is the local market, which comes to life early in the morning as members of Rawan and Lisu villages bring their flowers, fruit and vegetables. Much of the produce will be unfamiliar to newcomers, but that's part of the adventure!

Listen: folk music at a festival
The villages of the Burmese Himalaya celebrate a variety of festivals throughout the year, some held in honour of local spirits, and others, such as New Year, based on the calendar. Rituals and activities associated with festivals will change depending on where and when your holidays in Burma take place, but one tradition many will have in common is folk music and dancing. Listen out for the bamboo mouth-harps and four-stringed 'chiben' of traditional Lisu music.

Taste: hill tribe cusine
The food of the mountain region is influenced by the diverse ethnic groups that live there, with indigenous spices and herbs, wild mountain plants and local varieties of bamboo lending it a distinct flavour that is hard to replicate elsewhere in the world. Many who visit this region on their holidays in Burma enjoy the grilled spiced pork, while those with adventurous tastebuds should try the curries.

Discover: the wildlife of the jungle
The Burmese mountains are home to a diverse range of beautiful plants and captivating animals. Species rarely seen in other parts of the country roam through the undergrowth or swoop through the trees - including gibbons, flying foxes, tigers and tapir. Most of the animals here are shy, and will stay away from groups of humans - but a knowledgable guide will be able to point out their tracks.

See: the view from Phongun Razi
The crowning moment of trekking holidays in Burma is the ascent of Phongun Razi, which stands at 3,635 metres near the Indian border. It is the perfect place from which to see the spectacular spread of the surrounding landscapes, both back into Burma and out across the Himalayas, all the way to Assam.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run tours enabling people to enjoy holidays in Burma. Operating in Asia for over 20 years, they now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

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For some lucky writers, there's a career in writing travel articles or more extended non-fiction books on the subject of other countries and cultures. It sounds like a brilliant way to make a living while indulging your passion for seeing as much as possible of this wonderful planet of ours. Online, as well as in magazine and book form, there are many great spots where writers can enthuse on the destinations that make them feel alive and inspired. No doubt the authors listed below would have embraced the internet when they began to explore the world, if only it had been invented in time!

Graham Greene
Greene was a prolific traveller who covered much of the world, resulting in numerous books and travel articles. He took a philosophical approach to visiting far flung places and his experiences led to him being recruited by MI6. His earliest piece of this kind of writing was entitled 'Journey Without Maps.' Greene embarked on the trip with a certain romance, helped not least by the fact that Liberia (the country he was visiting) wasn't mapped at the time - indeed, the fact that the US government map at the time included a large white space in the interior marked with the word 'cannibals' was probably a fascinating drawcard. Greene's journey took the form of a 350 mile, four week walk through the country's interior. Greene was exploring the country alongside his cousin Barbara who also wrote 'Too Late to Turn Back', and modern readers are often incredibly impressed by the amount of agreement and lack of contradiction between the two.

Ryszard Kapuscinski
The Don of literary reportage, Kapuscinski's travel articles have become respected by readers around the world. Born into poverty in modern day Belarus, Kapuscinski has become one of the most respected Polish writers in the world. Famed for his complex narrative techniques, Kapuscinski's writing helped to elevate this genre from the 1960s onwards. His works covered places as diverse as Ethiopia, in 'The Emperor', Iran and the fall of its Shah in 'Shah of Shahs', and the last days of the Soviet Union which he covered in 'Imperium'.

Bill Bryson
One of the most popular writers of books and travel articles working today, Bryson has penned a large number of bestsellers. Having lived a peripatetic live between his native United States and Europe, Bryson offers a wry and absorbingly anecdotal analysis of various parts of the world, a style that has become widely imitated.

Laura Jeeves is a London based travel writer with several years' experience in the industry. She is a freelance writer of travel articles and has visited many countries across the globe.

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Inception of Buddhism:

It was during the sixth century and much before the era of the Christian, the concept of religion was in the process to lose its importance in India. At that time the country was in ultimate need of a reformer like Buddha. Lord Buddha was born during 560 BC; He was born in Lumbani a place very near to Kapilavastu in the Himalayan ranges of the Nepal. The believer of Buddhism prefers to take a journey by following the footsteps of Buddha.

Buddhist Tourist:

The follower of Buddhism prefers to visit the Buddhist tourist places in India, in the northern area. A Buddhist tour takes you on the journey to visit the places which are considered sacred for the Buddhist people. Buddhism is the religion which is typically founded in the northern area of India. It is not considered as a religion but a special system of Philosophy having a special code of conduct to perform.

Various tourist organizations provide different ranges of Buddhist tour schemes and packages. Tour packages are offered for Buddhist tourist destination as having Buddhist tours packages for Golden Triangle of Buddhist, with lucrative offer.

Places to Visit:

Some of the most sacred places for Buddhist tours and travels are:

Lumbini: Lumbini, the holy place where Buddha is born. It is located in Nepal.

Bodhgaya: The Next destination after Lumbani is Bodhgaya, the place which is considered holy as Buddha attained Enlightenment. This place is located in the state of Bihar, which is about 15 kms away from the city of Gaya. He attained the Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became Lord Buddha from Prince Siddhartha.

Sarnath: The next place of destination is Sarnath; it is the place where First Sermon was preached by Lord Buddha. This place is located near to Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The sermon was preached to five special disciple of him and the law of wheel was turned.

Kushinagar: Another most important place for the Buddhist tour is Kushinagar, the place of Maha-Parinirvana for Buddha. The location of the place is about 56 Kms away from the Gorakhpur which is also located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Over here Lord Buddha stayed till his last time of life and stepped into Maha-Parinirvana.

The tours and travel companies offers lucrative packages and facilities especially for the Buddhist pilgrimage with all modern amenities. Try to avail the specialist service, because they offer specially designed packages for the Buddhist people with proper care of the special type of food taken by the Buddhist people. Proper Assistance is given to the Buddhist people so that they can enjoy the journey to visit the entire destination where the presence of Lord Buddha is still felt.

Indiatravelassistance.com is one of the leading Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Operator in India, offering services Buddhist Tourist Places in India and Bodhgaya Tour at competitive prices.

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Summer in the Rhone-Alps of south-eastern France is often overlooked by people when thinking of a place to holiday. When people think of the Savoie region of France, they are likely to picture piles of snow, ski slopes and ski chalets. But La Tania is one of the locations in this area that has more to offer than the traditional winter pastimes. It's a wonderful place to visit in the summer months too. This tranquil location has verdant forests, scenic mountains and warm sunshine to recommend it in the post-ski period of the year. The resort also celebrates several famous events that draw locals and visitors alike every summer.

The Three Valleys All Terrain
Known as Les Trois Vallées Tout Terrain, this event takes place over two days in July when the legendary bike races are held in the area. For the past 10 years the Free Bike Race and the Rando Tour have attracted hordes of participants and spectators. The aim of the Free Bike Race is to complete a descent from 2000 metres over 20 kilometres as fast as possible. The trails pass through forests, villages and hamlets at a cracking speed. For a more inclusive and leisurely event, the Rando Tour was designed as a loop cycled by friends and families at their own pace and over distances of varying length. Taking in breathtaking views, the experience is unpressured and pleasurable for all.

Environmental Week
The Savoie is proud of its ecological record, expressed in its architecture of its wooden and stone catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania holds an Environmental Week every summer in which it hosts a conference on climate change. Exhibitions are mounted on the eco habitat and renewable energy - engaging the specialists and those with a mere interest equally.

Fetes des Bucherons
This is an extraordinary festival of lumberjack competitions that must have provided many of the resources for the catered chalets. The ski resort of La Tania sees competitors from France and other European states convene to prove their skills in cutting down trees. The day is enhanced by an artisanal market with a lottery, tombola and games for the children. In the evening the celebration closes with a spectacular firework display.

These are the main events you can attend in the resort but there are many others taking place throughout the summer. These include the traditional fireworks and dancing to celebrate Bastille Day; Children's Week; and Well Being Week. Or you can just enjoy hiking through the mountains at your leisure!

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays staying in catered or self catered chalets and other fantastic destinations. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday and the best catered chalets.

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There are so many Margaret River attractions, that it can be difficult for visitors to the region to decide what they want to do in the limited time they're visiting the holiday. However, there are some experiences that no visitor to the Margaret River district should miss.

The Local Caves

There are over 150 caves in the region, several of which are open to the public, The most popular caves include the Lake cave the Mammoth cave and the Jewel cave. Each cave has its own unique properties, making it worthwhile to visit each of them.

Jewel Cave is 1.9km long and 42 metres deep, and contains one of the largest straw stalactites in the world. Lake cave explorations begin with a descent down a 350 step staircase past ancient karri trees. Within the cave are intricate crystalline formations, pristine lakes, and the amazing view of the Suspended Table, which is a huge column of calcite that appears to hang in mid air over the lake.

The Mammoth Cave is 30 metres deep and 500 metres long, and what's most interesting in the cave are the numerous ancient plant and animal fossils that have been found, and which include animals such as the Thylacine and a giant marsupial called the "Zygomaturas" (which somewhat resembles a Pygmy Hippopotamus).

Wineries and Breweries

For those who love wine and/or beer, one of the best Margaret River attractions are the vast number of wineries and breweries that exist in the region. At the present time there are over 150 wineries and numerous breweries, each with their own specialities. Many tour companies offer tours of either the wineries or breweries or both, and most ensure you get a gourmet meal along the way (there are numerous fine dining opportunities in the Margaret River region which should not be missed).

Whale Watching

One of the most popular Margaret River attractions is whale watching. Each year, from about June to October, whales can be seen making their migratory pathway to the warmer northern waters for breeding season. Humpback, Southern Right and Blue whales can all be seen at various times of the season. There are a couple of charter companies that operate in the region, conducting tours that vary depending upon the month, which guarantee you a sight you'll remember for a life time! Whale watching is a magnificent opportunity for everyone, especially families with kids who will truly treasure the experience of seeing these magnificent creatures up close and personal.

There are so many things to see and do in the area that the Margaret River attractions will bring you back to the area time and time again so you can fully experience everything the region has to offer.

If you are looking for Margaret River Attractions and things to do in Margaret River, click on the links. Or visit MargaretRiver.com.

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What would be the ideal vacation spot? Would it be a location that's set on the beach and offers an endless amount of activities and attractions? What if you could also rent a home right on the water? Would that be ideal? If so, then you need to look into Newport Beach home rentals. You might immediately think that these rentals come with a heavy price tag, but that's only the case with luxury rentals. There are many ways to capitalize on Newport Beach home rentals without spending a lot of money.

The key to renting a vacation home in Newport Beach is to figure out a strategy. If it's just you and a significant other, then you're likely going to spend a decent amount of money. Your only way to avoid this is to stay inland. If that doesn't bother you, then go for it. A walk to the beach is often pleasant anyway.

If you're traveling with others, then you can rent some of the nicest beachfront homes in Newport Beach. For example, if a rental home costs $3,000 per week and the home sleeps eight people, then your cost isn't going to be very high, especially when you're staying for an entire week. Of course, this is based on everyone chipping in for their fair share. We should also mention that if money isn't an object, then you're going to find yourself in absolute paradise. There are many Newport Beach luxury rentals to choose from.

Newport Beach is best known for its six miles of pristine beach and boardwalk. Many people love to take use this boardwalk for jogging, cycling, rollerblading and simply strolling. With spectacular views and fresh ocean air, where else would you rather be? Not only that, but you will be passing beautiful homes, top-tier shops and restaurants as well as casual shops and restaurants. There truly is something for everyone in Newport Beach. Regardless of the style you choose when dining, make sure you sit on the deck, or at least facing the water, for the best possible experience.

If you want to take advantage of the actual beach, then you can people-watch, suntan, scuba dive, snorkel, play beach volleyball, sail, kayak, canoe, windsurf, surf, fish and more. It should also be pointed out that the surfing here is excellent, whether you want to partake or watch others.

If you want to take it a little slower, visit the Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. It offers 752 acres of wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, roadrunners and falcons. To get the full experience, you can walk the 10-mile loop. However, this is a lengthy hike and should only be attempted if you're in good shape. If you're not in good shape, you can still only do a portion of the loop.

All Newport Beach home rentals are unique in their own way. However, you can expect to find certain features. These features include a minimum of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a deck, at least a two-car garage, a fireplace, a plasma or LCD TV and easy access to many local restaurants, shops, attractions and the beach.

The author has an immense knowledge on Newport Beach Vacations. Know more about Newport Beach Home Rentals related info in his website http://www.newportbeachvacations.com/

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A kind of anxiety disorder, fear of flying is that one undergoes during a flight or even when he/she is getting to the airport. Such fear is quite common, but it doesn't mean it's not a problem. It causes an overwhelming feel of fear and anxiety, which can literally be enfeebling. But this problem is not a grueling campaign anymore, and is something that can be overcome easily. Obviously, fortunate and true! All you have to do is to be determined to get rid of it and keep some important considerations into account.

Most often, fear of flying has little or nothing to do with the risks associated with flight. Based on one's perception and experience of flying, it includes several fears such as fear of height, deliberate attacks, loss of control, plane accident and unknown sights & sounds. Now the question is that what the symptoms of this phobia are. Well, every person responds differently to the fear of flying. The common symptom is avoiding flying as much as possible. The one suffering with it starts feeling mass fear and anxiety as soon as he thinks/hears of flying. Some other reactions associated with the fear include sweating, rapid heartbeat and nausea. Some people start inquiring about airline safety, while some use alcohol or drugs to deal with the situation.

Now how to conquer this fear? There are plentiful ways to get out of it, if you really want to. Though, it may not happen overnight, you can do this following some below mentioned tips.

• Learn about your fear and flights. If you know it's just a problem and are determined to overcome it, you can do it easily. The main component of fear is that you're coming out of your comfort zone to face the poor perceptions you have made about air-traveling process including security check, take off sound and accident chances. But when you get to know the truth, you find how convenient air-traveling is.

• An effective way to lower you stress is to focus on something else than the flight and flying process. You can listen songs using head-phones or can practice some mental exercises to keep your mind free from fear. Be relaxed and think of funny moments you have gone through.

• To convince yourself, know as much as possible about plane safety on internet. The more you learn about how flying works and the plane safely, the more reassured and calm you will be.

• Get well prepared in advance. Try not to be late, and reach the airport early to prepare you for flying. Think you're not the only one here to fly, and a number other passengers will also accompany you in same flight. Stay calm and enjoy chatting with your co-passenger.

Following these simply tricks, you can enjoy air-traveling without fear of flying. To make your journey more enjoyable and cost-effective, book your flights through reliable source. A variety of deals for domestic flights like Delhi to Goa flights and flights from Goa to Delhi are available online.

Hungry Bags is a reliable source to book domestic and international flights like flights from Goa to Delhi and Singapore flights online. A variety of travel deals like Goa flights and Jaipur hotels are available at cheap rates.

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