Bag a Bargain Break at a Cheap Hotel in Barking

Whether you are visiting family or looking for a bargain base to enjoy this year’s London festivities, book online for a cheap hotel in Barking.

Located just outside the city centre, Barking is within Zone 4 of the London Underground. Perfectly accessible by the Hammersmith & City and District lines, Barking is directly linked to popular tourist destinations.

Whether you wish to explore Westminster and Kensington Park or Baker Street (the home of Sherlock Holmes and Danger Mouse) both can be reached quickly and conveniently, directly from Barking.
The 2012 London Olympics promises to attract thousands of sport fanatics from across the globe to our capital. The brand new multi-million pound stadium is located near to Stratford Rail and Tube connections.
A cheap hotel in Barking would put any Olympics fan in a premium position for attending many of the tournament’s ceremonies or events.

Simply five miles away from Barking, Stratford can be reached by a short tube journey to West Ham and a quick train ride by Docklands Light Railway.

Buckingham Palace in England

This year’s Olympics run from Friday 27 July with the closing ceremony on Sunday 12 August marking a celebrative end to the games.

England could not have won the Olympic bid for a more patriotic year. The Olympics months will follow a sensational start to the summer season as the Queen and her country celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.
Whether your game of choice is swimming, athletics or any of the Olympic sports, be sure to use your tickets and book a cheap hotel in Barking as early as possible, before they book up.

This handy location, slightly out of central London,makes a cheap hotel in Barking the perfect bargain break for all, whatever your reasons for travel.

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Top Cities To Visit in YOur 2012 Travel To Europe

Planning to take a 2012 holiday in Europe? Why not? There are a lot of beautiful cities to visit in this continent. Here are some interesting cities I would like to recommend in Europe.

LONDON- This year is the perfect time to visit London. The capital and largest city of England and United Kingdom will be hosting the Summer Olympic Games of 2012 which will be officially held on July 27 to August 12. Not only that, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration will also be held in London in June 2012.

The London Eye during my visit last November 2008.

London has everything to offer to all tourists and visitors from great landmark and sights to shopping, dining, culture and more. This city is truly one of the best travel destinations in Europe.

PARIS- Visiting the so-called "Capital of Fashion" and the "City of Lights" will be a great experience for everyone. France's capital city has numerous iconic landmarks to see and to experience. Don't miss to visit its famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum and many more.

These are only some of the reasons why Paris has been a magnet and became one of the most popular cities to visit not only in Europe but in the whole world as well.

Seine River in Paris and the famous Eiffel Tower during my second visit last August 2010.

MADRID- I love this city and I had some wonderful experiences during my recent visit there. Spain's capital has the liveliest nightlife in the world. Madrid is also best known for its great cultural and artistic heritage.

The beautiful El Retiro Park in Madrid. I was there last March 2012.

Don't miss to visit Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Villa, Palacio Real, Plaza de España, Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de Castilla and other interesting sights in this city. If you have more time, go for a walk in its beautiful El Retiro Park.

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The Norfolk Broads

The Broads, often referred to as The Norfolk Broads, is a network of rivers and lakes that span across both Norfolk and Suffolk and have been a popular holiday destination for many, many years. The Broads have been protected with similar status to that of National Parks, and are a wonderful place to visit. Until the 1960’s, The Broads were thought to be a natural feature of the landscape. Then it was discovered when it was proved that they were actually caused by the flooding of land that had previously been excavated in mediaeval times. A Norfolk cottage from Web Cottages is a great base for a holiday as it’s easy to visit the Norfolk Broads, as well as nearby towns like Norwich, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth.

A wonderful way to spend a day at the Norfolk Broads is onboard a boat. There are many companies that hire boats by the day, half day or hour to give visitors the chance to see the broads from the water. There are lots of different types of boat to take your fancy including motor boats, sailing dinghies and rowing boats, so there is sure to be something for you. It’s a great family day out and children will love learning how to steer and navigate the boat as well as get the chance to see the natural environment of The Broads close up. Enjoy navigating over 200km of waterways across seven rivers and 63 broads. What could be better than leisurely travelling along The Broads and taking in the views?

If you haven’t got your sea legs and would rather stay on dry land, the Broads is a great place for walking and enjoying the scenery. With over 190 miles of trails and towpaths to get to grips with, there will always be a new route to take. Fishing enthusiasts will be in their element too as there are plentiful opportunities to get the catch of the day with lots of free fishing places and angling platforms along the banks of the Broads and you can also fish from a boat. For those who enjoy a little creativity, the Broads is the perfect backdrop for artists. And it is a treat for bird lovers as there are plenty of opportunities to watch the wildlife in its natural habitat; it’s a bird watchers paradise.

With so much to do a holiday to Norfolk really does have something for all the family. Web cottages have a vast choice of holiday properties across the area to help you plan your next trip.

Photo attribution:
Norfolk Broads flickr.com
Norfolk Broads 2 flickr.com

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Take to the Seas

Whether you’re tentatively stepping across the boardwalk for the first time or you’re a cruise veteran with many happy journeys behind you, a cruise holiday is a luxurious treat and one of the best ways to see a wide range of destinations within a short space of time. Gliding from one port to another, you can wake up in a new destination every day and spend time savouring the delights of iconic places, from Mediterranean hotspots and sun-baked islands to the far-flung sands of the Caribbean.

It may be a sumptuous treat with more fine food and five-star service than you’ll know what to do with, but cruising needn’t be a costly extravagance. Thanks to the wide range of holidays and itineraries on offer, you can find an excellent choice of trips covering all tastes and budgets from last-minute bookings and cheap cruises to short affordable cruises of just two or three nights.



In fact if you’re new to this style of holiday and you fancy a taster cruise to get you started, Royal Caribbean cruise offers offer a fantastic range of itineraries and deals covering an enticing range of destinations. The facilities onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship are also second to none. From fine dining restaurants and its own surf park, to spa treatments and Broadway-style evening entertainment, you’ll certainly never be short of things to do.

And that’s one of the great things about cruising. Whether you choose to make the most of your trip and explore every port and each new destination, or take it easy and take advantage of the ship’s onboard facilities, there is always plenty to do. But with all those gourmet meals, sumptuous dinners and tasty never-ending snacks on offer, just don’t expect to come home any lighter!

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Exhilarate Yourself on Windsurfing Holidays

There are few things in life more exhilarating than windsurfing in the sunshine, with a good breeze behind you. If you love your watersports then why take a look at windsurfing holidays so you can enjoy the sport while away?

While windsurfing is offered in many popular summer holiday resorts, booking a specific windsurfing holiday will ensure that you can enjoy the benefits of a specialist windsurfing centre, offering use of the best equipment and facilities.

You’ll can also be sure of a destination with perfect windsurfing conditions, as well as professional instructors to help you get the most from your practice.

Neilson windsurfing holidays offer great accommodation in some of the best windsurfing spots in the world, and are an excellent choice for group activity holidays with like-minded friends. Enjoy watersports in the sunshine, before relaxing over good food and drink in the evening, for a holiday with friends that manages to be both exciting and laid-back at the same time.

Egypt offers some fantastic windsurfing conditions, with Dahab beach being an excellent choice. With year round sunshine and an excellent wind record, the conditions in Dahab are practically perfect for windsurfing, sailing and other sail-based watersports.

Neilson offers two accommodation options on Dahab beach, the three star Coralia Beachclub hotel and the four star Hilton Dahab, both offering half board packages, leisure facilities, great rooms and a stunning location.

A specialist windsurfing centre serves both of these hotels, boasting all the latest equipment. You can also benefit from access to advanced instructors who can help you to develop your windsurfing technique on a full range of RYA National Windsurfing Scheme courses.

If you love nothing better than catching the wind in a sail and gliding across sparkling waters, specialist windsurfing holidays may just be the perfect choice of break for you.

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FC Bayern Versus Real Madrid in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid

The big day finally comes! In almost an hour, the game between these two famous European football teams, FC Bayern and Real Madrid will be held in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Millions of football fans will be watching this spectacular game tonight. Over 80,000 football fans will be watching it in the stadium and it will also be shown live in many Television channels worldwide. For sure, million football fanatics around the planet will be watching it too.

FC Bayern won on their last game last April 18, 2012 in Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The score was 2:1. I had a great time watching both teams live on a German television.

Good luck to both teams! For sure the best team will win!

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid during my three weeks stay in Madrid, Spain last March 2012.

The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators.

El Bernabéu, renamed in honour of their former chairman Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, is one of the world's most famous and prestigious football venues. It has hosted the European Cup final on four occasions: in 1957, 1969, 1980, and the UEFA Champions League Final in 2010. The finals for the 1964 European Nations' Cup and the 1982 World Cup have also been held at the Bernabéu. wikipedia

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Great Travel Deals This Summer

Still looking for a perfect holiday destination this coming summer?  There are a lot of lovely places to visit and to see in this planet. If you love to spend your summer  holiday on the  beach, Majorca is a perfect place for you to go.  This Balearic island is a popular holiday destination  for many tourists from Europe.  Its large number of beaches, nice warm weather and high-quality tourist amenities are only some  of the reasons why it is flooded by  tourists all year round. I found  below some great travel deals  for you to Majorca. Check it out!



Provided by ThomasCook.

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All Inclusive Holidays to Tunisia with the Kids

Tunisia is one of the up and coming holiday hot spots. Lined with beautiful beaches and perfected with its charming whitewash-walled towns, all inclusive holidays to Tunisia are the perfect place to kick back and relax with the brood.

Searching online can bring up some of the best deals for cheap holidays in Tunisia. While travelling with children can be expensive, all inclusive holidays to Tunisia can really take the punch out of the package deal. With food, drink and ice-cream covered, simply concentrate on hitting the beach and exploring your destination.

Summers in Tunisia can hit highs of up to 38 degrees C. If travelling with small children, try to avoid July and August when the heat may be unbearable. Instead opt for May or June, when the sun is still beaming but temperatures average between 25 to 28 degrees C.

Hammamet is an ideal location for all inclusive holidays to Tunisia for the family. For soft sands and crystal clear waters, look no further than Hammamet’s very own beach. While the children play in the tranquil waters, unwind and enjoy a cocktail and a chapter of your holiday paperback.

Friguia Park, a superb wildlife attraction, is conveniently located in Hammamet. The whole family will enjoy getting up close to Friguia’s 62 species of animal including baboons, lemurs and black swans.

In addition, the park puts on a fantastic evening show suitable for all the family in an African themed hut. Dolphin shows run daily, with the opportunity to swim with the magnificent mammals at 11:45hrs local time, each day.

Adrenaline fuelled kicks can be found at Hammamet’s theme park, Carthage Land. Whether your children are just starting school or are school leavers, Carthage Land has rides to keep the whole family happy.

Look online for the best deals for your all inclusive holidays to Tunisia. Don’t stress about the small stuff and keep your cash for fun family days out in Hammamet.

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Cheap All Inclusive Holidays to Majorca

Going on holiday is always an exciting treat, but it can also be an expensive treat when you have to worry about spending money on top of the cost of your holiday. Indeed, sometimes the spending money can cost as much as the holiday.

Choosing to go ‘all inclusive’ on holiday is a great way to ensure that the majority of your holiday costs are met ‘upfront’ so there’s no need to worry about running out of money while away. It’s also a convenient option as you won’t need to change as much currency, or worry about looking after large amounts of cash while you’re away.

Cheap all inclusive holidays can also offer great value for money, with meals, snacks, drinks and activities included for the duration of your holiday.

If you’re considering sunny Majorca all inclusive holidays are a fantastic choice. The island has a wide range of resorts and hotels to choose from, from the lively to the relaxed, so you’re sure to find a great deal for your family.

A Port in Majorca.

The Marina Skorpios in Cala Egos (near Cala D’Or) is a very special hotel in Majorca, with a four star TripAdvisor rating and an amazing 99 per cent average Airtours customer rating.

Among the many things that make this hotel special is its location, directly on a strip of secluded beach and a delightful azure-water cove. A lovelier location is unlikely to be found on the whole of Majorca.

A large pool, tennis court, mini-golf and Kidsworld facilities also make this hotel a great choice for all ages.

Travelling on an all inclusive package can be a convenient option that offers great value for money, and there’ s a wide variety of all inclusive hotels in Majorca to choose from, including the very special Marina Skorpios and many more fantastic hotels besides.

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Shopping at Arcaden Regensburg, Bavaria

I was asked last weekend if there are big shopping malls in Regensburg, Bavaria. Yes, there are some. One of it is Arcaden. I am trying to remember the last time we were there. The image I had here was taken last February 2011. This means that my last visit in Arcaden was over a year ago.

I should be coming back there sometime next month to look for desktops. Arcaden has a lot of shops and restaurants inside. It is also very accessible by car and train. In fact, it is located near the main train station in Regensburg. There is also a parking lot there and it is for free up to one hour.

If you are a shopaholic, this place will be a paradise for you because they simply have a wide selection of shops. I might see you there! Below is the address if you are planning to drive there;

Friedenstrasse 23, 93053 Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

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Sights Not To Miss When Visiting Birmingham, England

Have you been to Birmingham? There are a lot of Birmingham places around the world and I am particularly talking here about Birmingham in England. I am glad that I was able to visit this city and experience most of its sights. I was forced to visit England last 2008 because I found a cheap flight online. As far as I can remember the return ticket I booked from Ryanair last autumn 2008 only cost around 75.00 Euros. That was really very cheap.

Here are of the sights I recommend not to miss when you are there.

Victoria Square- This is one of the areas I love in Birmingham. It was formerly called the Council House Square but was renamed on January 10, 1901, to honour Queen Victoria. Her statue was erected an unveiled here. The Town Hall and the Council House are also located in this square. One thing that caught my attention during our visit was a woman statue in the middle of "The River", better known as The Floozie in the Jacuzzi, in front of the Council House. It is nice to sit and relax on this beautiful square in Birmingham especially during summer season.

The Town Hall in Victoria Square, Birmingham. I was there last 2008.

Birmingham Central Library- This library is located near Victoria Square. It is the main public library in Birmingham, England and the also considered as the largest non-national library in Europe. The Bournville Village Trust Archive, the Boulton and Watt collection, Canal Historical Society Library and the Charles Parker Archive and the Railway are only some of the special collections in this library.

Canals in Birmingham- I am thankful that my friend also toured me in this area of Birmingham. We had a walk along the Canals of Birmingham in the city center and I found it very interesting especially seeing the sights along it. This is one of the best ways to explore Birmingham City.

The Canals of Birmingham. I love the walk we had here.

It is said that Birmingham has more canals than Venice in the middle of the 18th Century. Imagine a city having 174 miles of canal. Now only 114 miles of them remain as navigable water, most of the rest has completely disappeared.

Bullring Shopping Center- If you love shopping, this place would be a paradise for you since this is the major commercial area in Birmingham. This shopping center houses the first Forever 21 store in Europe, one of only four Selfridges department stores and the fourth largest Debenhams.

The Selfridges building in Bullring Shopping Center.

I am quite contented walking around inside this mall and did some window shopping. I also admire the architecture of the Selfridges building in Bullring Shopping Center. Never miss this famous shopping mall when visiting Birmingham.

There are still a lot of sights to see in this city. I might not be able to see everything but at least, I have seen the most interesting ones. I wish I could stay longer in England that time but I guess a three-week stay is already enough. I also found out that there are a lot of cheap flights to Germany departing from Birmingham International Airport. Since I missed my actual return flight that time, I ended up buying a new. For a last minute flight, I guess 70.00 sterling pounds is not too bad. Lastly, I can say that I truly enjoyed my three weeks stay in England. It was fun and a lot of memories especially in Birmingham.

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Watching The Sunset in Sarimrakli, Turkey

It was a nice afternoon as arrived in our hotel in Sarimsakli, Turkey. The weather was friendly with a temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius. We stayed in Berk hotel and resorts which is some meters away from the beach. We took the chance to go a bit walking on the beach while watching the beauty of the sunset. It was so far a wonderful afternoon.

The sun setting in Sarimsakli. The beach in Sarimsakli, Turkey.

The beach in Sarimsakli, Turkey while watching the beauty of nature, the sunset.

Sarimsakli is a town in the Ayvalik District of Balikesir Province in Western Turkey, Turkey. The town's name means "land of garlic" in reference to the region's considerable production of the Alliaceae plant.

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Interesting Places I Visited in Italy

Italy is one of the most interesting countries to visit in Europe. It is not only considered as the birthplace of Western culture but also home to the most numbered UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. I love this country and I wish to have more Italy tours in the future. I just want to explore more of its historic towns and cities especially in the Tuscany region.

Here are some of the beautiful cities I visited in Italy;

Rome- I believed many tourists from around the world include the "Eternal City" in their travel wishlist. I am one of those lucky ones who was given the chance to go there. That 3-day trip we had last summer 2010 was not enough to see and explore all corners of Rome but we did experienced its famous sites including the Colosseum, Vatican City with its St. Peter's Basilica, the Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and many others.

The Spanish Steps during our visit last summer 2010.

Venice- Considered by many as one of the most beautiful and lovely places in the world including me. These are only some of the reasons why I kept on coming back to this city. I was there thrice and still want to come back when given the chance. Cruising on its narrow canals with the gondola, strolling on its historic streets or just gallivanting on St. Mark's square, I still don't have enough from this city and I wish to visit it again and again. Venice is truly interesting!

One of the narrow canals in Venice which we explored with a gondola ride last July 2011.

Cinque Terre- The famous "Five Villages" in the coastal region of Liguria, all of these villages are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I remember our walk along the lovely beach of Monterosso. From there we took a cruise passing other villages such a Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and we ended up sightseeing in Riomaggiore. It was truly a wonderful and memorable trip we had last year.

The beautiful beach of Monterosso during our visit last April 2011. I love this place!

Other places I have been to in Italy were Verona, San Remo, Pietra Liguria and Vicenza. We also passed-by other towns and cities during the previous we had there. I hope in my next trip to Italy, I can already visit the Tuscany region. So far, my Italy dream holiday is slowly happening and coming to reality. I wish to explore more of this country in the future. I just love it there!

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Visiting Siofok, Hungary

This is one of the places we visited during our trip to Hungary last summer. This was a trip full of fun and laughter together with a friend. Siofok is a popular destination in Hungary for both locals and tourists due to its location near Lake Balaton. It is well-known for its nightlife and beaches.

That trip we had in this Hungarian city was quite a memorable one especially the chilling in Lake Balaton. Sorry, we were not ready for swimming that time.

You can see a lot of shops and restaurants in Siofok especially on your way to Lake Balaton.

Siofok's tourist information board. I and a friend, Jean visited this city last August 2011.

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Travel, Career or Family

Sometimes there are just some things that are very difficult to decide. For example if you want to work abroad but can't decide it because you cannot leave your family or husband alone at home. Other situation like you want to bear children but cannot also decide with it because you still want to travel and see places.

There are some friends and acquaintances who want to travel with me but because of having children to take care of, they just can't leave home alone. I also want to wear maternity clothes and wish to have children in a year or two. For now, I just want to travel and explore the globe when finances are possible. Sometimes travel, career and family can also go together but it depends on your situation and also considering your time and money.

Sometimes and maybe most of the times, we also have to consider our priorities. If you want to prioritize on your career, why not? If you have time and money and want to travel, you can also do it anytime and anywhere. And having and raising a family, this is for me the most important one and I hope that my wishes will be granted in a year or two.

These are only my personal views and I hope that one of these days, all of these will synchronize and harmonize and will be granted at the right time especially raising my own children.

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The Traveling Jobless

It is always nice to travel and to see places especially in Europe when financial aspect is only present all the time. Sad to say, I am jobless and I cannot travel anytime I want. I sometimes called myself, the "travelling jobless" because despite being unemployed I can still do a lot of travels and trips in a year. A lot of friends have been asking how do I do it.

Before I answer this question, I need to fill-up first the sears application form to apply for a job. Sad to say, hubby won't allow me now to work outside of Germany. It simply means that I need to find job in this country to finance my travel. And the secret of being a "jobless traveller", I will let you know once I have the time to share it here.

For now, let me just share this image taken in Vienna, Austria during my last visit in August 2011. This is the St. Stephan's Cathedral in Vienna.

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It Was Raining in Birmingham, England

I am traveling back in time again.It is almost four years now since I visited England. One of the places which my friend showed me was Birmingham, a city in the West Midlands of England. It is quite an interesting city full of sights and other things that a tourist can expect.

One of the sights we visited was the Council House. It is the home of Birmingham City Council and is located in Victoria Square.

The Council House in Birmingham taken during my visit last Oct.-Nov. 2008.

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Spanish Delights

I thought I can go for a diet when I was in Spain recently. Sad to say, I did not have the chance for a right diet. In contrary, I was eating a lot of Spanish and Filipino foods. Thus, I gained weight instead of losing it. One of my favorite was paella. It taste really good especially the one with seafood in it.

During my first trip in Spain last year, I remember, our bus stopped somewhere on our way to Cordova in a store. I called Spanish delights the ones you see in my photo here. It seems that it reminded me of the Turkish Delights during our vacation in Turkey the same year. Sad to say, I did not have enough space on my luggage, that is why I only bought a little.

I am off now to look now for syntheroid reviews. I am trying to find one for an important article. I wish everyone a wonderful week in advance!

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Musical Shows in Madrid

One of the beautiful capital cities I visited in Europe. I fall in love with Madrid since my first visit last December 2011. It has a lot to offer to its guests and visitors. Whether you want to see its numerous sights, go for dining, shopping, nightlife, Madrid has simply everything.

There are also a lot of musicals shows, operas, concerts and live bands in Madrid. During my second trip recently, I happened to pass-by in Gran Via and saw this musical show, El Rey Leon (The Lion King). I am wondering if they are using lexicon in the show. Sad to say, I did not have the chance to watch it. Hopefully in my next visit to Madrid, I can already experience some of its musical shows and operas.

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Europe Travel in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

You love pampering yourself in a spa massage? I believed Karlovy Vary is a perfect place for you to go. Called as Carlsbad in English and Karlsbad in German, this spa city is located in western Bohemia, Czech Republic. We had a short sightseeing in this city after our trip and pottery shopping at Boleslawiec, Poland.

Since it was autumn season when we visited Carlsbad, the weather was quite cold that time. We have to wear winter clothes or else we will be frozen.

The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1370 and that is how it got its name. Karlovy Vary is historically famous for its hot springs. This is one of the main reasons why this city is visited by international celebrities, for spa treatment. Another reason is to attend the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. I miss to taste the popular Czech liqueur, Karlovarská Becherovka.

The Sadova colonnade. Karlovy Vary. Czech republic. I was glad to visit this city even just for some hours. We were there last October 2011.

It is historically famous for its hot springs (13 main springs, about 300 smaller springs, and the warm-water Teplá River).

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Trip To Budapest-Sights Not To Miss

I am reminded about Budapest because I saw a 4-day trip going there for 249.00 Euros. This is quite a good deal because you will be flying in one of those international flights from Germany to Hungary's capital. Included in the trip are also a 3-star hotel accommodation with breakfast for three nights and a sightseeing tour in the city. I really find this trip very cheap but this is not my priority now because I had been to Budapest last summer 2011. I still want to visit this city in the future and would like to stay longer to experience more of its sights. I might probably be flying there with one of the discount airlines from Germany like Easyjet, Ryanair or Germanwings.

Panoramic view of Budapest from the Citadel. You can see the Chain bridge that crosses Danube River and the Parliament building on this photo.

If you are planning to visit Hungary's capital city, these are some of the sights not to miss when you are there.

The Castle Hill and the Castle District- This area is a must when you are in Budapest. The main sights you can see there are the Royal Palace (the main attraction in the castle hill), the Fisherman's Bastion (to have an impressive views across the Danube to Pest), the Matthias Church and the National Gallery. There are still other museums to see there. Among the few are The Historical Museum of Budapest, Marzipan Museum, The Music Museum and some other more.

The Matthias Church on the Castle Hill.

The Parliament Building- This is considered to be one of the most popular tourist destination not only in Budapest but in whole of Hungary as well. It is a notable landmark of Hungary and one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings. Its construction was started in 1885 and it has a Gothic revival style. One of the famous parts of the building is the hexadecagonal
( means sixteen-sided) central hall.

You can have a nice view of the whole Hungarian Parliament Building when you are on the Castle Hill especially on the Fisherman's Bastion.

St. Stephen's Basilica- I did not have the chance to go inside the Basilica because our bus did not find a parking lot nearby. I just saw it from outside. St. Stephen's Basilica is a Roman Catholic Church which was named after Stephen, the first king of Hungary. It is one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest equal with the Parliament Building with 96 meters height. The architectural style is Neo-Classical.

The Heroes´ Square- I also love this part of Budapest. It is one of the major squares in this city. The Millennium Memorial, its iconic statue complex was completed in 1900, the same year where the square was also named. Hosok tere, its Hungarian name, is surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Hall of Art on the right.

The Millennium Memorial in the Heroes' Square during our trip last August 2011.

I was so happy after having some personal snapshots from this square. This is one of the sights where we stayed for around thirty minutes because our tour guide was explaining about it.

Like other capital cities in Europe, there are still a lot of sights to see and to experience in Budapest. If you have more time when visiting this city, you can also see and experience more its sights, its people and its culture.

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Walking Around Buen Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain

It was one sunny afternoon when I decided to go walking in Madrid. From Plaza de Manuel Becerra , I just walked going to Buen Retiro Park. It is only around 2.5 kilometers from my departure point. I took me around 25 minutes to walk including the photo stops I made in between especially when I see interesting monuments and buildings along the streets to Buen Retiro Park. It is also the largest park in the city of Madrid.

I did enjoyed my walk in this park which literally means "Gardens" or "Park of the Pleasant Retreat".

The Monument to King Alfonso XII is located in Buen Retiro Park (El Retiro), Madrid, Spain. The monument is situated on the east edge of an artificial lake near the center of the park. The monument is 30 meters high, 86 meters long, and 58 meters wide I took this image during my visit last March 16, 2012.

The Buen Retiro Park is a large and popular 1.4 km2 (350 acres) park at the edge of the city center, very close to the Puerta de Alcalá and not far from the Prado Museum. A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events, it is one of Madrid's premier attractions. The park is entirely surrounded by the present-day city.

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Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria

Time flies by so fast now. Imagine we are already on the second quarter of the year. April is finally here. I believed thousands and even millions of tourists from around the world had already booked their trip to witness the biggest fair in the world, the famous and worldwide known Oktoberfest. Others might still be looking for cheap flights and hotels.

I guess I am lucky to witness this festival three times in my life. You can witness and experience a lot in this festival especially the Bavarian culture. You can hear different music from the different live bands inside the beer tents. Bavarian and German musics and songs are frequently played. I am admire the high-tech music instruments and equipments they are using there. I guess Zildjian Drums are also use by the different bands. Sitting alone inside the beer tents and listening to the live bands while drinking beer and eating German delicacies will surely be a fantastic experience for you.

There are also a lot of carnival rides to try and experience during the Oktoberfest. If you have the chance, don't miss to visit this festival once in your life. For sure, you will have a lot of fun there.

This year's festival will take place from September 22 to October 7, 2012.

one of the carnival rides at the Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. I was there!

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