Most folks that write have never experience what they write; I have in most everything I’ve ever written, experienced it first, in one way or another. Here are the Top Ten Most Unique Cites of the world. When somebody writes about something, they got to know where they are coming from, because the writer is always biased. CNN did a review on the best places in the world to live a year ago or so, and I reviewed it, and did my own. Why? Because the person, or persons doing the review were limited in experience to do a proper review. Why do I say that, because they picked out Geneva, as the best place to live in his world? Their criteria were whatever it was, but Europe is no safer to live nowadays, than America, or New York City was in 2001. Geneva is prone to terrorist attacks just as much as New York City was, or any city that has a United Nations in it, or some form of world Government.

Another thing is, it is very expensive to live there, I’ve been to Switzerland, and it is not cheap. Plus, the weather is not all that hot or great, the Mantaro Valley of Peru is much better, likened to Arizona, safer and cheaper to live, with a good hospital near by Huancayo. I could go on, but my point is, their selection was bogus to me, simply a way to advertise Geneva so people would go there. So to be honest about what you write you must experience it. I’ve traveled for 38-years, over 700,000-air miles, to 60-countries, and 46-states. I’ve been on seven of the so called, eight continents (the eighth being the South Pacific Islands, I yet to go to Antarctica, then I will have been to all of them.

Hear is my list of cities:

1—Paris (France), yes I’m also biased, that is my prerogative though. Paris is my city, not necessarily its people, if indeed I could put Londoners into Paris, and kick out the Parisians, it would become even a greater city in my eyes. But here is a city, deserving or not, that has all the monuments, all the great museums, where all the great writers came, and painters, poets, cultures, and so forth and on, and on. Victory Hugo lived here was senator. Where Gertrude Stein open her doors to the US Military Men; where Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce, Picasso and Dali, came to paint and write, experience. Notre Dame, perhaps the most grandest church in the world resides here, and the Arch of Triumph remain to be seen, to those of us who can feel victory over war. And of course the renowned Eiffel Tower, which played a part in the 1880s World Fair. I’ve also been to Paris four times. It surely is a city of lights, as New Orleans is a city of Night.

2—New York City (USA) I’ve been to NYC four times, it is to me, the city of bulk, took my breath away when I first saw it. And Battery Park, looking out into the bay, to the Statue of Liberty, is a humbling thing. Walking down 5th Ave, and through Central Park, onto Times Square, and down to the Empire State Building, is a unique experience. Manhattan: engulfs, and traps you. And I found it as safe, if not safer than Athens, Rome, or London.

3—Istanbul (Turkey)—it is a unique city near the Black Sea, and its streets, and Mosques (especially the Blue Mosque), Cathedral, and its towering walls that stretch up and down the straight, are marvelous. Here you can shop in the world's largest Bazaar (open Market), be careful, you can get lost. The food is good in Turkey, and the people are warm and friendly, be careful if you travel outside of Turkey, not every city is as friendly as Istanbul. I have only been here once, but would come back a second and third time, if life and money permits. And very few cities do I ever return to.

4—Valetta (Malta) in the heart of the Mediterranean, it is unique among all the islands. I been to many islands in the world, and the only other one that can compare to this island is Easter Island. The island has its caves and archaeological sites, which seem to be in the backyards in residential areas. The city is a great walled city, and plays a historic roll in the times of the Crusades, as well as WWII: it has more churches on it than Rome I believe. Called the Maltese, which it has three connecting, I also went to Gozo. But the city is a gem. My wife would love to come back here.


5—San Francisco (USA) it is where it all started in the 1960s, and I was there for a year, 1968-69. It was the city by the bay. With its Golden Gate Park, and its Golden Gate Bridge, and it was a time of music, and a freedom never duplicated since. It is the most quaint and unique City on any coast, of the world. And it, like Paris, has its landmarks to see. And smaller than New York City, it has a sense of bulkiness. The Ocean sweeps into your hands almost, and the turn of the 19th century remains in the city a bit. It is where all the musicians go to, come out of, remain. I lived here a year.

6—Lisbon (Portugal) it has it history, its great Castle on the hill, its iron tower, which I went to a half dozen times, Eiffel, made it, yes, the very one who made the tower in Paris. The city has its parks, and its monuments, and is liken to Malta, in the since, the city is almost on top of the Ocean. It was devastated by an earth quake a hundred years ago or so, and was a world trade port at one time. You can see its uniqueness in its architecture, like Havana, Cuba.

7—Kyoto (Japan) City of the Geisha, city in the middle of Japan, so it seems; and a unique city at that; it has its monuments, in the form of temples, and its historic section called Geon, which I walked down, and was treated very well by the folks in the guest houses. It has an old aqueduct and a great tower also in the city. When I think of Kyoto, I think always of the best city in Japan, not huge, but clean, with all the taste of Japan rolled up in one city.

8—Sevilla (Spain) this is the city of Hercules, where legend says he was born. And where legend says, Columbus is buried in its cathedral. Here is where there are bullfights, and a great night life, singing and playing guitars in the larger clubs. The food is great here, and the plazas are picturesque. It is a peaceful place, with a unique richness, freshness, and it has its canals in the city liken to Burges.

9—Burges (Belgium) The greatest medieval city in Europe, what more can I say, as my wife said when she says it: it looks like a fairytale city. Other than that I’m lost for words, but take a ride in a boat around its channels (like Venice).


10—Cusco (Peru) Peru in general is the Egypt of South America, but much friendlier than Cairo, for I’ve been in Egypt, and Cairo, and would never return. When I was in Egypt, and Cairo, I always felt guarded, or needed to be, in Peru, the folks love you there, and I really never feel the need to be over guarded. I was to Peru 9-times, to Cusco once, to the Mantaro Valley four times, to Lima, nine. I’m not sure where you start, to bring out the glory of my trips. It is the land of the Inca, and in the Mantaro Valley, the land of the Great Warriors, the Wanka. They have the coast, or ocean by Lima, and Cusco, has the Andes, and Machu Picchu, and world monument. But wherever you go in Peru, are monuments. To the north of Lima, is the famous and deadly Amazon, which I’ve been down. So you got a city in the mountains, called Cusco, surrounded by a world called Peru, a unique place, like Cusco.

2nd Place:

Venice, Italy (City on Water)

Havana, Cuba (City of Architecture)

Glastonbury, England (City of the Tor)

Stockbridge, Massachusetts (Norman Rockwell’s city)

Rome, Italy (Regal City of the World)

Athens, Greece (City of Thesus)

New Orleans, USA (The city of Night)

Augsburg, Germany (Old Roman Compound)

Beijing, China (City of the Forbidden City)

Buenos Aires (The city of Eva Peron)

Jaipur, India (the Pink city)


By Dennis Siluk Ed.D.

Below are 10 of the best beaches for baring all. All details are taken from Bare Beaches, which lists over 200 other popular spots for nude bathing around the world.

1. Leucate Plage, France

Mediterranean coast, north of Perpignan

This superb bare beach has 1 km of fine golden sand, the classic Mediterranean beach. The water is normally calm and the shore shelves gently into the sea making it popular with families. Three naturist resorts share the coastline but the beach is open to all and there’s plenty of space for first-time skinny-dippers and lifelong nudists alike.

Go north from Perpignan on the main N9 and turn right on to the D83, signposted Port Bacares. After 9 kms turn left on to the D627, drive through Port Leucate and the bare beach is on the right. Park on the road - easy public access between Aphrodite Village and Club Oasis, the naturist resorts.

2. Playa Es Pregons Gran, Balearic islands

Majorca south coast

This wonderful little bare bay has a perfect crescent of fine yellow sand, washed by a sea so transparent it looks more like the Caribbean. There are no beach bars so bring your picnic and drinks. It’s the jewel in the crown of the popular Es Trenc beach area.

The route to the beach is a pleasant 15 minute walk along the shore, heading north from the resort town of Colonia Sant Jordi. Start at the Hotel Marques Del Palmer, and it’s the third bay along. The fourth bay, if you walk further, also happens to be a bare beach, part of the much larger Es Trenc beach.

3. Haulover Beach, Florida USA

Sunny Isles, north Miami

Situated in the south of the ‘Sunshine State’, this bare sandy beach has a huge following of visitors from across the globe. With glorious weather for most of the year and the vibrant city of Miami on the doorstep, it’s not difficult to see why. The bare area is more than 800 yards long and has its own lifeguards and unobtrusive police patrols. Refreshments, sunbeds and umbrellas are available.

The beach is at Haulover Beach Miami-Dade county regional park, on Collins Avenue (A1A), just north of fashionable Bal Harbour. There is a large car park ($5) right by the beach.

4. Vera Playa, Spain

Costa Almeria

This is Spain’s capital of bare bathing. The long wide sandy beach is popular in summer and has a big choice of naturist accommodation. Beach bars, sunbeds, pedalos and yes, if you really want to try the naturist cliché, beach volleyball are all available. Almeria has the hottest and driest climate in the country, so the beach season is almost year-round. Most European nationalities park their bottoms here, giving it a cosmopolitan and friendly atmosphere.

Take the coast road north from Garrucha, through Puerto Rey, and Vera Playa is well signposted after a further 1.5 kms.

5. Banana Beach, Greece

Skiathos, near Koukounaries, on the south-west coast

Banana beach is the collective name for three lovely sandy bays well loved by nude bathers. Before you ask, the name refers to the fact the beaches are yellow and curved.

During peak season bare bathers mainly use Little Banana, one of the smaller coves, as clothed holidaymakers descend on the main beach. Little Banana is often called the best bare beach in Greece, although there is plenty of competition for the accolade. There is a bus terminus and car park at the end of the Koukounaries road, coming from Skiathos town. The footpath to Banana takes 15 mins through olive groves.

6. Valalta, Croatia

Istria, near Rovinj

If you feel the need for a truly naked de-stress, Valalta is everything you could wish for. It’s so good the nudist campsite here was voted the best in Croatia last year - among all sites, not just bare ones. With two miles of sand and rock beaches, including secluded coves, lined by olive trees and vineyards, this nude beach and village are well loved by bare beach connoisseurs.

The beach is on the Istrian peninsula, 60 miles south of Trieste and five miles from Rovinj.

7. Playa de Maspalomas, Canary islands

Near Playa del Ingles, southern Gran Canaria

Hundreds of acres of sand dunes, looking just like the Sahara, frame the beautiful beach between Maspalomas and the popular resort of Playa del Ingles. It’s 3 kms from one end to the other and over 1 km deep. The bare areas, like the swimsuited ones, have sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. For a quieter spot, walk into the vast expanse of dunes, but be careful not to get lost!

You can walk to the bare beach areas from either end, although the walk from Maspalomas town is slightly shorter.

8. Euronat, France

Atlantic coast, north-west of Bordeaux

The south-west coast of France is almost one vast nude beach, stretching over 100 miles from Biarritz to the Gironde. Among stiff competition, the nude resort beach of Euronat stands out for its clean golden sand, supervised swimming and friendly atmosphere. Thousands of happy families gather here, and the beach is open to both nudist campers and day visitors alike. Other highly regarded resort beaches heading south are Montalivet CHM, La Jenny and Arnaoutchot.

From the seaside town of Montalivet-les-Bains, drive north on the D102 coast road. After 3 kms the road turns sharply right inland. Park and walk on to the beach - the main bare area is to the right.

9. Plakias Beach, Greece

Plakias town, south-west Crete

A fabulous setting of cliffs, mountains and a huge sweep of golden sand make this beach a wonderful place for all-over tanning and fine snorkelling. The sea shelves gently, making it suitable for families, and there are showers available. Refreshments are brought to the beach in season, and umbrellas are available.

The nude area is the last section of the beach, to the left as you face the sea, and unsurprisingly it is often the most popular part of the whole bay.

10. Les Grottes Plage, France

Ile du Levant, Mediterranean

This gem of a beach on the magical island of Levant is reached by an easy coastal footpath 10 mins walk from the quayside. A small natural cove of white sand slides gently into the turquoise sea, providing excellent swimming and snorkelling. The easiest way to get here is by ferry from Le Lavandou, between St Tropez and Toulon.

Seventy years ago Ile du Levant was the birthplace of nude leisure in France. Today, there is a tiny resident community and lots of holiday accommodation. Minimal clothing is normally worn in the village of Heliopolis, but the rest can be enjoyed as nature intended.

Nick Mayhew-Smith

Venice could use a bailout. The city built on water has too much of it.
A tourist walks through an inundated square in Venice, which is suffering its worst flooding since 1986.

Residents and tourists waded through knee-deep water Tuesday as they navigated the city's narrow streets and alleys, and its historic St. Mark's Square was inundated. Boxes of tourist merchandise floated inside the flooded shops around the square and even the city's famed pigeons sought refuge on rooftops and windowsills.


One of the highest tides in its history brought Venice to a virtual halt, rekindling a debate over a plan to build moveable flood barriers in an effort to save the lagoon city from high tides.

City officials said the tide peaked at 61 inches (156 centimeters), well past the 40-inch (110-centimeter) flood mark Monday, as strong winds pushed the sea into the city.

Alarms went off at 6:37 a.m. to alert citizens, but many residents were taken by surprise because authorities had initially not forecast such a high water level.

In St. Mark's Square, one of the city's lowest points, tourists tried to stay dry by hopping on cafe tables and chairs sticking out of the water. The water was so high that someone rowed a small speedboat across the wide square.

"It was quite an extraordinary experience," said Michel Gorski, visiting from Brussels with his wife. "We got stuck in the hotel for half a day but we didn't suffer. We were sorry for the restaurants and stores around, but there was no panic and everyone worked really hard to clean up quickly."

Workers were unable to install the traditional raised wooden walkways used during flooding because the water rose so high the platforms would have floated away too.

"There are very few streets that are water-free," admitted city spokesman Enzo Bon.

In an ironic twist, the flooding also idled the city's water buses because their boarding platforms were underwater.

Bon had no reports of damage to the city's architectural jewels, and the Culture Ministry was monitoring the situation.

It was the fourth highest tide since 1872, when the city started keeping records. The last time Venice saw such high waters was in 1986, while the all-time record was 76 inches (194 centimeters) in 1966.

That flood forced 3,000 people to evacuate and damaged many historic buildings, but largely spared the city's art -- which had long ago been removed to upper floors because of frequent flooding by tides.

"In Venice, we know how to live with high water," said Bon. "Of course there are some problems, because today's was an exceptional event."

Giancarlo Galan, the conservative governor of the surrounding Veneto region, criticized Venice's center-left administration for failing to prepare for the flood and for allegedly stonewalling a long-planned system of barriers that would rise from the seabed to ease the effect of high tides.

The $5.5 billion project, called "Moses" after the Biblical figure who parted the Red Sea, has been under construction for years and is expected to be completed by 2011. The company building the barriers said, had the system been in place, the city would not have been flooded Monday.

Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari insisted the city's experts had done a good job and had revised their forecasts well before the water came in. Cacciari, who has criticized the barriers, said the government-backed project would be completed.
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With low tide setting in and waters receding Monday afternoon, some tourists were charmed by the water wonderland.

"The hotel had to turn off the gas and the electricity, but they made us a nice candlelit cold lunch," said Yacob Laurent, a visitor from Paris. "They gave us boots and my wife and I went for a walk. It was a lot of fun."

www.cnn.com

Fall is probably the best time of year to experience all things paranormal. Many of our favorite gay-friendly destinations have year-round ghost tours, and when you round up a group of friends, it can be a frightfully fun experience taking you back to the days when we sat around the campfire and told ghost stories at summer camp. Here is a sampling of the best ghost tours around the country. Happy haunting!

Baltimore Ghost Tours
Join a slew of costumed characters under the cover of night for a guided tour of many haunted pubs, shops, and residences. But don't stray too far from the group because you never know when you'll find yourself face to face with the unknown.

Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tours
Ursula Bielski's Chicago Ghost Tours are conducted aboard the city's only "Ghost Bus," visiting an array of authenticated haunted sites throughout the city. This is not just a driving tour where you'll ride for hours and simply look out the windows of the bus. Rather, they depart the bus several times throughout each tour at some of Chicago's most actively haunted sites, inviting guests to investigate a particular haunted Chicago location for themselves



Key West's Original Ghost Tour
The Original Ghost Tours of Key West provides nightly walking tours through the shadowy streets and lonely lanes of historic Old Town Key West -- Florida's second oldest city and home to a history of pirates, wreckers, smugglers, and a variety of colorful characters.

Fort Lauderdale Ghost Tour
Discover the hauntings, mystery and ghostly history of Fort Lauderdale's dark past on a lantern-led tour along the New River.



San Francisco Ghost Hunt
The San Francisco Ghost Hunt visits the most notorious historic haunted places. You hear thrilling ghost stories based on documented research, touch eerie haunted artifacts, frequently feel a fearful chill, get ghosts caught in cameras, and many other ways experience spirits at enchanting SF haunted mansions.

Austin Ghost Tours
The Austin Ghost Tours' Halloween 2008 Tour will explore the city's fascinating history through downtown's shadowed streets. Relive Austin's unforgettable history, legends, murders and true ghost stories with your knowledgeable and entertaining guide.



Posted by DJ Scotty Quick

Every European city has a history and tradition of its own that attracts the tourists. This article takes a look at the top-ten European cities.
Top Ten European Cities
Europe is one of the most beautiful continents in the world. Many of the European countries are rich in tradition and culture. A traveler vacationing in any of the European cities would have a bewildering array of cultures and scenic beauty. Remember, many of the European countries are famous for their castles and palaces. Greece and Rome have a wide array of fascinating ancient historical ruins and legends that narrates the rituals and traditions of ancient times. Given below are the top-ten must-visit European cities.

Top Ten European Cities

1. Rome: Rome, the capital city of Italy is a city which has a rich culture and tradition. The city boasts of festivals such as White Night Festival that is worth seeing. Rome was the capital of the ancient Romans. There are many historical places of interest that would be a great experience to the visitors. Roman Coliseum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon and so on are a few historical places worth visiting. There are many museums and art galleries that would interest any art lover. Vatican city is another most sought out destination in Rome. One can enjoy the marvelous and mind-blowing artworks of Michelangelo at St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel.


2. Athens: Athens is one of the ancient cities of Europe. It is the capital of Greece. Acropolis of Athens is one of the places of tourist attraction. Athens is the longest city in Europe and it has been inhabited for over 3000 years. Tower of the Winds, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Arch of Hadrian and Prynx are the main centers of tourist attraction.
3. Paris: Paris is the capital of France and is known as the "fashion" capital of the world. It is one of the most romantic cities of world. A trip to Paris would not be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Scaling this wonderful tower would give a breathtaking view of the entire City of Paris. Paris has the largest art museum in the world, Louvre, that houses over 35,000 pieces of art. This museum is situated on the banks of River Seine. This city has a colorful nightlife. Disney Land, Arc de Triomphe, Opera Garnier, Jardin des Tuileries and Champs-Elysees are a few places that are worthy of a visit.
4. Vienna: Vienna is the capital of Austria and also one of the nine Austrian states. This city houses more than hundred theaters and museums that are famous for their music, opera, ballet and artifacts. Vienna is one of the European cities, which is rich in cultural history. This city was founded in 500 BC and was a part of the Roman Empire. Vienna is a blend of traditional and modern European culture. Anchor Clock, Belvedere Palace, Burgtheater, Danube Tower and Danube Island are some of the places that attracts tourists every year.
5. Salzburg: Salzburg is the fourth largest city of Austria. This city is situated on the banks of the river Salzach. Renowned for its beauty, the "Old Town" of Salzburg is listed as the World Heritage by UNESCO because of its world-famous baroque architecture. One of the notable landmarks of Salzburg is the setting of the musical film "The Sound of Music". Hohensalzburg Fortress, Residence of Mozart, St. Petersfriedhof, Helbrunn, Festival Hall and Rupertinum are some of the interesting and must-visit places.
6. Barcelona: Barcelona is quite a lively city of Spain. This Spanish city has a unique blend of traditional and modern art, traditional and culture. Summer music festivals and flamenco shows are the major attractions in Barcelona. There are many restaurants and cafeterias that cater traditional Catalan cuisine, which is relished by the tourists. There are museums and galleries that house the works of Picasso. Some of the main tourist attraction points are La Rambla, Port Vell, La Barceloneta and Port Olympic and Barri Gotic.
7. Berlin: Berlin is the capital of Germany. Berlin is the treasure trove of culture and ancient tradition, of art and architecture. It has many things to offer to travelers. Nightlife in Berlin is mind-blowing. Berlin has many malls and shops that cater to the needs of the shopaholics. One of the oldest and internationally reputed zoological gardens, Zoologischer Garten, is located in Berlin. The places of interest include Pergamon Museum, Reichstag, the Berlin Wall, and Tiergarten. Berlin city is an intriguing combination of ancient historical monuments and modern steel and glass buildings.
8. Helsinki: Helsinki, the capital of Finland was founded in 1550 by the King Gustav Vasa. Today, Helsinki is considered one of the fastest growing cities in Northern Europe. Recently, Helsinki was named as one of the nine European Cities of Culture. In the recent years, Helsinki has become one of the favorite tourist destinations. This city houses some of the popular international restaurants and caters various kinds of delicacies including Russian dishes. Helsinki Card, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and churches are a few place of interest. If you happen to be in Helsinki during the last week of August, make sure you don't miss any of the events of the famous Helsinki Festival.
9. Reykjavik: Reykjavik, the capital and the largest city of Iceland. Reykjavik means "steamy bay". This is one of the upcoming tourist destinations and the main attraction is the geothermal pools. Places of tourist attraction include Mt. Keilir, Glymur, Hengill and so on. Reykjavik is one of the most expensive European cities to visit. There are parks, cafes and museums here which attract the tourists. National Museum has many artifacts of the Icelandic and the Norse culture. Austurstraeti and Hafnarstraeti are the two shopping destinations to buy souvenirs and handicrafts.
10. Edinburgh: Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is also its second-largest city. Nightlife is lively in Edinburgh because it has number of trendy pubs, restaurants and bars. Edinburgh castle is the one of the major tourist attractions. Other places of visit include Royal Botanical Garden, Museum of Scotland, National Gallery of Scotland and Royal Yacht Britannia. If you are a first-time visitor or are short of time, then it is advisable to catch a bus that goes around the city.

Every European city of destination that you have chosen to visit would have a wide array of attractions, shopping centers, native cuisine and entertainment to cater for the tourists.


By Maya Pillai

No Vatican, no Mecca, no Jerusalem – there’s not even anywhere in Europe! What sort of a list of spiritual places is this? As ever, by no means does this claim to be a definitive list, just a selection of ten favorite spiritual places and holy sites chosen from around the HostelBookers office.

Not all our choices are, strictly speaking, religious, while some aren’t even manmade. But, whether they’re grand mosques or merely a humble rock, all resonate with that oddly mystical feeling that comes from the weight of time sitting heavily upon them.


The Umayyad Mosque; Damascus, Syria

Construction of the remarkable Umayyad Mosque (or Grand Mosque) took place over nine years from 706-715AD. Amongst the most dazzling religious structures anywhere in the world, it’s also one of the largest, with the outer walls stretching a staggering 100m by 157m.


Varanasi – the Ganges; Varanasi, India

As well as being a major Hindu pilgrimage site, Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Throughout the year, millions of pilgrims bathe in the holy waters of the River Ganges, having been ushered down through the decaying houses by stone ‘ghats’ (steps). A genuinely special place.


Borobudur; Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The vast temple of Borobudur covers an area of some 200 square meters, and consists of a total of over 1.5 million building blocks (and no mortar to hold them together!) Even now, looking upon this vast monument to human endeavor, the effect is little short of awe-inspiring.


Emei Shan; Southern Sichuan, China

The climb up Buddhist holy mountain Emei Shan takes you through whispering forests, past cascading waterfalls, and through a series of temples. When you finally emerge onto a giant pagoda and a sea of clouds, it’s impossible not to be struck by the mystical aura that surrounds the place.


Abu Simbel; Aswan, Egypt

Even amongst Egypt’s wealth of spiritual sites, Abu Simbel stands out. With its four huge statues of Ramses II, and shafts painstakingly designed to shine sunlight deep into the subterranean temple, nothing can adequately prepare you for the impact of its scale and grandiose vision.


Ayer’s Rock (Uluru); Alice Springs, Australia

Slap-bang in the middle of the country, and surrounded by mile after mile of next-to-nothingness, an undeniably spiritual feel swirls around Ayer’s Rock (or Uluru). The most incredible thing about it, though, is the way it changes color throughout the day, reaching a magical climax at sunset.


Adashino Nembutsuji; Kyoto, Japan

Adashino Nembutsuji is one of the more atmospheric of Japan’s many holy places. Reached through a swaying forest of bamboo, a temple now stands on the site where, in the 11th century, the poor of Kyoto used to leave their dead. Few places are blessed with such a peculiar sense of intimacy.


Lake Titicaca; Copacabana, Bolivia

If it were just for its scenery alone, Lake Titicaca would still be magnificent. But as a site of vital religious importance to the Incas – whose impressive ruins dot the shoreline and crown its islands, Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna – it acquires an almost otherworldly beauty.


Angkor Wat; Siem Riep, Cambodia

In spite of its overcrowding in places, there’s nowhere quite like Angkor Wat. Thought to be the biggest religious structure in the world, it stands at the heart of a 400km Khmer complex, and possesses a truly transcendental quality.


Nemrut Dagi; Gazantiep, Turkey

High up in the snow-capped mountains, far-flung, windswept and blessed with staggering views, is Nemrut Dagi. The tomb/temple of the megalomaniacal King Antiochus, enormous crumbling heads adorn the world’s largest manmade mound, and lend the whole site its lingering whiff of madness.

www.hostelbookers.com

The film camera sweeps across the landscape, taking in flat plains, gushing waterfalls and a dusty country town. The color is brilliant, the emptiness palpable, and the soundtrack soars dramatically as warplanes bomb a city.
Various tour operators have begun offering tours of the Kimberley region in connection with the movie.
This is "Australia," the new movie by award-winning director Baz Luhrmann. The World War II-era romantic epic, which opens later this month, has already been hailed for its cinematography and its pairing of Australian film stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

But tourism promoters claim the real star of the movie is the country itself.

Tourism Australia, the national tourism board, has launched a $26 million international advertising campaign based on the movie, highlighting the wilderness of Western Australia state and encouraging tourists to refresh themselves by getting away from bustling cities and their busy daily lives.

"We knew that this huge film would create a wave of publicity that would put the country in the spotlight around the globe," said Geoff Buckley, managing director of Tourism Australia. "And we found that the film's story had a remarkable resonance for what we do marketing the country as a travel destination."

The movie premieres Tuesday in Sydney -- where the stars will attend -- as well as Darwin, Bowen and Kununurra. It opens internationally on November 26.

The film follows the story of a noblewoman on a cattle drive in Australia during World War II. The movie was filmed largely in rugged Western Australia, notably in and around the small town of Kununurra, a three-hour flight north of Perth, and in the California-sized Kimberley wilderness region.

If you go ...

By air: Travel to Australia is 13 hours from Los Angeles to Sydney, longer for travelers coming from New York or those traveling beyond Sydney to Western Australia. Lowest round-trip fares showing up on Kayak.com from LAX to Sydney average $1,300, but the Qantas.com site lists some pre-holiday flights at $810. Qantas is also introducing an "Aussie AirPass" for $1,200 that covers round-trip fare from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Honolulu, plus three domestic Australian flights including Darwin, Sydney and Kimberley.

Currency: The Australian dollar has declined in value against the U.S. dollar nearly 50 percent since July. In early summer, the two currencies were nearly equivalent, but now one U.S. dollar is worth more than $1.50 in Australian money.

Other film sites include working cattle stations at El Questro and Home Valley, the sandstone escarpments of the Cockburn Range and the striped mounds of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The movie's World War II scenes were mostly filmed in the northwest city of Darwin, where Japanese raids in 1942 and 1943 killed more than 900 people. Visitors to real-life Darwin can see a war memorial related to that attack as well as Stokes Hill Wharf, which provided the backdrop for some of the harbor scenes.

Other movie scenes set in Darwin were shot in Bowen, Queensland, a beach town north of the Whitsunday Islands. The real-life Strickland House at Vaucluse on Sydney Harbour, a historic 1850s villa and garden estate, served as the location for filming the movie's "Darwin Government House."

Various tour operators have begun offering tours of the Kimberley region in connection with the movie, and the state of Western Australia has begun its own $1.4 million tourism campaign of cinema, print, online advertisements and in-flight television.

"We want to make sure that moviegoers who are inspired to visit the region know that it's actually WA's stunning landscapes and outback adventure they're longing for," state tourism minister Liz Constable said in a statement last week.

The Northern Territory, where Darwin is situated, has also launched a $393,000 tourism campaign in the wake of the movie, touting the territory as "the real outback."

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Hnderson said the movie "really is going to put us on the map."

The national tourism campaign, dubbed "Come Walkabout," includes two commercials directed by Luhrmann, an Australian. The commercials, broadcast in 23 countries, feature busy professionals who are visited by a young Aboriginal child who sprinkles red dust into their hands.

"Sometimes, we have to get lost to find ourselves," the child whispers. "Sometimes, we gotta go walkabout." The overworked businessperson is then transported to a moonlit picnic under a baobab tree, or a refreshing swim in a billabong.

The ethereal campaign was criticized by erstwhile Australian celebrity Paul Hogan, of "Crocodile Dundee" fame. Decades ago, he starred in the "Throw Another Shrimp on the Barbie" tourism ads, which Hogan said highlighted the hospitality and friendliness that Australians are known for.

"If I go to your house for a visit and I want to come back, it's because I enjoyed your company, not your furniture," he told reporters recently. He complained that the new campaign ignored real Australians to instead focus on impersonal nature.

But if the campaign works, it wouldn't be the first time that a movie spurred tourism. Annie Dundas, U.S. regional manager for Tourism New Zealand, said that "The Lord of the Rings" movies were among "the biggest contributors to awareness for New Zealand from '03-06." She estimated that tourism numbers rose between 3-5 percent in each of the years that movies in the trilogy were released.

"We called it our three-hour commercial," she joked, adding that the blockbuster films "put New Zealand on the map for a larger proportion of Americans than we could have hoped to achieve through just advertising."

Australian tourism boards, meanwhile, are counting on the country's natural beauty to lure moviegoers across the seas.

Another lure? Kidman has spoken in interviews of the "fertility waters" of Kununurra, saying that she and six other women on the film became pregnant after swimming among the waterfalls outside the town.

cnn.com

There's Snow Place Like These
Whether your idea of hitting the slopes is a graceful slalom through pristine powder or busting a backside 720 on the halfpipe, the winter-sports season is just around the corner. To help you plan your winter ski vacations, we've compiled a list of some of the best mountain destinations across the country. What are you waiting for? It's all downhill from here.


Top Ski Destinations

1. Stowe, VT
2. Telluride, CO
3. Vail, CO
4. Snowmass Village, CO
5. Aspen, CO
6. Lake Tahoe/Squaw Valley, CA
7. Sunriver, OR
8. Cle Ellum, WA
9. Snowbird, UT
10.Whitefish Mountain, MT

yahoo.com

The naked body confounds and amazes most of us. Seen as a source of visual evil by puritans, the human form has inspired artists, writers, and ne'er-do-wells everywhere. Europeans are less likely than Americans to view the human body as evil--at least if the ire of the Super Bowl halftime viewers close to a phone line is any indication.

You'll see nudity at most any beach along the Mediterranean--or at least toplessness. But Christina Valhouli of Forbes pointed you toward the best beaches--and now we'll show you how to get there and get around.

Plage de Tahiti - Tahiti Beach in Saint Tropez, France

Gawk at topless Jet Setters on this French Riviera beach

Saint Tropez is known for its beaches, and there are plenty of options for folks with families who wish to keep their modesty intact. The Côte d'Azur town is packed in summer. Avoid arriving on weekends, especially if you don't have hotel reservations.

Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress started the craze in itty bitty bikinis that shocked even the Europeans in the 50s. By the 60s, the trend toward toplessness became a steamroller, and now just about any beach along the Riviera is topless tolerant.

Plage de Tahiti is noted for its clothing-optional policy and risqué atmosphere, its name a tip of the hat to laid back (French) Polynesian culture. Go in Summer to see celebrity tanners.

Want to bank in the nude? Eat naked? Well, according to Kelby Carr, Cap d'Adge is the French naked city for you.

Paradise Beach - Mykonos Greece

Party Hardy in Paradise

Mykonos is the most popular island destination in Greece. In the summer it's crowded and a bit expensive. You reach it by plane or ferry from Athens (Pireaus). Mykonos is also the name of the port city, where you'll want to stay if you're a partying beach-goer.

Paradise Beach can be reached from Mykonos town by bus, taxi, water taxi, or rented car or moto. Buses run every half hour until 4:30 in the morning, water taxis every hour.

Tripadvisor readers rate Paradise Beach a solid 5 out of 5, one observant and math-savvy reader pointing out that it's "50% topless and 30% nude. All ages...teen to 70." This isn't your star gazing, relaxing bit of sandy shore, especially after 4pm when the beer and music turn Paradise Beach into the ultimate party beach. There are two bars at the beach, the Sunrise Bar and the Tropicana.Once a month in the summer they hold a full moon party at Paradise beach, so check your moon calendar if you like to party.


Playa d’en Bossa - Ibiza, Spain

Where beautiful people go to watch or be watched

Nudism is part of your rights in Spain, according to this document (PDF) put out by the Spanish Naturist Federation.

Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands. Spanish company Trasmediterranea has a regular ferry service between Ibiza and the ports of Barcelona, Palma de Majorca and Valencia. Ibiza has a long history -it was founded by the Carthaginians in 654 bce. Its walls were built in the 16th century.

Playa d'en Bossa (Platja d’en Bossa) is the longest beach on Ibiza, a place know for hedonism and beaches, 3 km outside of the capital. Its popularity has caused it growing pains recently, but that means there's plenty of bars and cafes on the beach, which is very popular with partygoers heading over to the Bora Bora beach bar as well as families.

By James Martin

Canadian based OUT Adventures today announced the global launch of operations and website www.out-adventures.com. Business and personal partners Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin have created eco-friendly OUT Adventures in order to address a current gap in the gay and lesbian travel segment that limits adventure travel to a handful of luxury operators.

"As avid gay travelers, Steven and I felt we could leverage our knowledge of the LGBT market and also the mainstream travel industry in order to provide a much more affordable, culturally enriching experience to gay men, lesbians, their friends and families," says Robert.

Larkin adds "Gays and lesbians are looking for their next big travel experience, but amidst economic uncertainty they also don't want to break the bank. We now offer this traveller a truly engaging, comfortable (average 3-3.5 star) experience that leaves them with plenty of spending money."


OUT Adventures will operate closed groups with a maximum of 12 passengers and has over 80 global departures planned in its first year. Trips are tailored to meet the needs of gay and lesbian travellers and begin at $875 CAD for an 8 day trip to Peru including a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. All trips will have a strong focus on responsible travel by using locally owned hotels, restaurants and also interaction with local communities, both LGBT and mainstream.

The company is also leading this niche market by operating in a manner that contributes to the well being of the planet - from using green power in the OUT Adventures head office to including carbon emission off-setting in the cost of approximately 15% of its trips in its first year and in all trips by 2010.

In order to provide the best itineraries at the most affordable prices, OUT Adventures has partnered with one of the world's leading adventure tour operators, Intrepid Travel which will allow OUT to contract with a global network of destination management companies under the Intrepid brand.

Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, In Style , Independent and also Family trips for same sex couples with children over the age of 6. Trips are available directly through the OUT Adventures website at www.out-adventures.com and travel agents worldwide.


About OUT Adventures Inc.: Toronto, Canada based OUT Adventures was founded by partners Steven Larkin and Robert Sharp and provides affordable and eco-friendly small group adventures to the LGBT community with over 35 worldwide destinations. OUT Adventures is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.

Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd.: 
With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

Posted by Chuck Thurman

Travelbag_2 Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI) the San Francisco–based LGBT market research and communications firm, completed its 13th annual LGBT Tourism Study on October 23rd, and is releasing the survey’s key findings. CMI has been studying and reporting on LGBT tourism demographics and trends since 1994. This year, the study’s industry, media and educational partners include IGLTA, USTOA, ASTA, DMAI, CLIA, NTA, Travel Weekly, and the University of Nevada. Over 4,000 geographically representative LGBT American consumers were surveyed about their travel patterns.

The CMI Study explored a variety of timely topics, including research and booking preferences, rating the marketing campaigns of destinations, airlines and hotels, and more. Participants were also asked how the softening economy influenced their travel frequency over the past year, preferred terminology in tourism marketing, and travel to Pride and other community events. Couples were asked if and where they plan to marry.

The Economy: The economy has slowed the growth of LGBT travel this past year. "A sequence of annual studies has shown travel growth year over year" reported David Paisley, Senior Research Analyst of Community Marketing, Inc. "This past year, however, we have seen stagnation in most travel segments." That said, CMI has observed that the gay and lesbian community has been traditionally less impacted by economic fluctuations—compared to their mainstream counterparts—and tend to bounce back faster. "Looking further into the numbers we found that about a third of the survey participants decreased their travel over the past 12 months," added Paisley. "But a third traveled similarly to last year, and about a third increased their travel, taking advantage of the many travel bargains in the market."

Travelnyc Top Destinations: "New York City maintained its enviable position as the #1 destination in the U.S. among LGBT American travelers," Paisley said. "New York has just about everything that gay and lesbian travelers look for in an urban destination: Theatre, cuisine, shopping, night life, and some of the world’s best museums." New York has maintained the #1 position for many years.

TravelggSan Francisco placed #3 for leisure travel and #5 for business travel, but its high rankings in both categories allowed the city to be the #2 overall most-visited destination. Chicago ranked as the #1 business travel destination. Las Vegas ranked as the #2 leisure destination. Other cities ranking in the top ten of either leisure or business travel include: Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Washington DC, San Diego, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Boston.

"CMI doesn’t chart rankings by popular opinion or a 'gay-friendly' reputation," said Paisley. "Our study focuses on the bottom line: A destination's market position is based on overnight visits by LGBT consumers in the past 12 months. CMI has also identified clear differences in destination choice between men and women and among age groups. For example, a city that is popular among Baby Boomer gay men may not rank the same for Generation X lesbians.

Travelbigben "Great Britain is the world’s #1 destination outside of North America." Paisley said, "The remarkable rise of Britain, and especially London as the international gay capital, over the past five years is a validation of their tourism offices' consistent outreach to our community. Britain bypassed the Netherlands (#1 in the ’90s and now #6) several years ago, and just kept going.”


Top Canadian destinations include Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, with Vancouver being the top leisure destination, Toronto being the top business destination, and their combined scores being almost tied. Montreal also ranked very strong. Canada, with its freedom to marry, gay-welcoming cities, and the return of a favorable exchange rate, is increasingly loved and admired among LGBT American consumers,” said Paisley.




TravelcarribeanMexico/Caribbean destination leaders include Puerto Vallarta, #1 and in the lead among three other Mexican destinations in the top ten; Argentina is the leading South American destination; China is the top destination in the Asia/Pacific region, followed by Japan and Australia; and South Africa is the community's primary destination on the continent.


Marriage Plans: CMI’s LGBT Consumer Index® study asked couples about plans to marry in the coming year. Of the 7,634 LGBT Americans indicating they are in a relationship but not yet in a government-recognized union, 12% indicated plans to marry in California, 5% plan to marry in Massachusetts, and 3% will marry in Canada. About 7% will "register in another country or state," either as a marriage where legal, or as a domestic partner or civil union. Connecticut, because it only recently legalized same-sex marriage, was not included on the list. "Assuming that Proposition 8 does not pass, California is poised to see significant business in same-sex wedding tourism over the next year," Paisley said.

Posted by Chuck Thurman

Where to cast off without a care

Nude, naturist, clothing optional, "free" or "FKK" (from the German Freikörperkultur) beaches offer not just the chance to get an all-over tan but to enjoy basking in the sun in the most natural state.

There are some do's and don'ts to casting off. Gawking, photography/filming and lewd behaviour are not tolerated and you may be asked to leave the beach. Many nude beaches are divided into different areas - family, singles and couples, gay. Find out where you belong before you settle down. Finally, don't forget your sun block.


Playa El Mago, Majorca Close to Magaluf, Playa El Mago is Majorca's first official nude beach. A small crystal-clear bay with golden sands and rocky outcrops, it is surrounded by shady pine trees. There is an open air bar too. Playa El Mago is close to the family-friendly beaches of Portals Vells.


Sweetwater, Crete, Greece Also known as Gliko Nero, this beautiful stretch gets its name from the springs of water that bubble under the stones at the back of the beach. It's a laid-back pebble-strewn beach with a hippieish vibe about 25km (40 miles) from Chania. Getting there is a bit of a trek - it's accessible only by boat or foot from Loutro village. A towering cliff adds to the dramatic setting and reflects the sun back onto the beach making this a veritable sun trap. There is a taverna at the western end of the beach where boats from Loutro and Chora Sfakia dock.


Banana Beach, Skiathos, Greece Another Grecian gem - three nude beaches at the southwestern tip of Skiathos Island. Thirty minutes from Skiathos town, it is a beautiful crescent-shaped, golden-sanded spot lapped by the clear waters of the Aegean Sea. The beach is shaded at the back, a small taverna sells light snacks and there are umbrellas and loungers for hire. From the beach there are views of the Pelion and dolphins can often be seen frolicking in the waters. The fish milling around in the shallow waters will take bread straight from your hand.

Sylt, Germany The island of Sylt, one of the Frisian Islands in the North Sea, is known as Germany's St Tropez. Smart Germans flock here in July and August to top up their all-over tans, see and be seen. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. It's a charming place with thatched-roof houses, red-and-white striped lighthouses, and, on the beaches, Strandkoerbe (distinctive shell-shaped sun loungers). The west coast of the island is given over to wide white-sand beaches. Buhne 16 is the most tolerant nude beach.


Valalta, Croatia On the Istrian peninsula, 8km (5 miles) from the city of Rovinj, Valalta has 3km (2 miles) of Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. There is a naturist settlement nearby with a sea-water swimming pool and olive-tree and vine lined green spaces.


Haulover Beach, Miami Only the north side of Haulover Beach is clothing optional, but this is where up to 85 per cent of the beach goers congregate. Located between the cities of Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, the beach is not exactly wilderness. There are barbecue grills, food and drink stands and showers. For a break from sunbathing there are volleyball games and surfing contests.


Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada Take the steep sylvan trail down to Vancouver's only clothing optional beach. Located between Locarno Beach and the endowment lands of the University of British Columbia, Wreck Beach is almost 8km (5 miles) of pristine wilderness in the city. A volunteer organisation ensures it stays that way. Beach goers are a mix of university students, families and committed bare bathers. Beach vendors sell everything from sun block to buffalo burgers.


Montalivet, France There are two nude beaches at Montalivet on the Atlantic Coast of France, to the north and south of the main town. The northern beach is beside the Euronat resort while the southern beach is adjacent to the CHM Montalivet resort, the birthplace of the international naturist movement.


Samurai Beach, Australia At Port Stephens in New South Wales, Samurai Beach is 1km long. Situated by Tomaree National Park, the beach is protected by dense greenery and sand dunes and marked by rocky outcrops at either end. Dolphins swim off the coast in the sparkling blue waters. There are no snack bars or toilets; this is a slice of natural Australia.
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