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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Category Archives: Places
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Best Carnivals in Brazil
Sao Paulo carnival on Friday and Saturday 8 and 9 February and the popular parade of competing samba schools in Rio de Janeiro On 10 and 11 February 2013.
See hostelbookers blog for more details of carnivals and parades throughout Brasil.
And don’t forget to share with your friends and colleagues
http://blog.hostelbookers.com/destinations/south-america/best-carnivals-brazil/
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies here for your travel or activities business.
Popular Motorhome Travel Destinations
(Please share with your friends and business contacts if you find this useful)
Image via Flickr by Ian McWilliams
Owning a motorhome makes it possible for families to explore the world without spending a lot of money on travel and lodging. It’s become possible for a family to not have to sacrifice fun and comfort for a cheaper way of vacationing in their favorite destinations. Before buying your own motorhome, consider whether you would enjoy some of these popular destinations.
Big Sur Coast Highway
You can’t travel Big Sur Coast Highway without the right vehicle. Motorhomes present a unique set of features that allow families to take full advantage of the area’s amenities and attractions. This 72-mile stretch of road winds through some of the most beautiful mountain scenes in California. If you head out West, be sure to stop for a hike in Big Sur or take a walk along the area’s sandy beaches. RV parks at Plasket Creek and Kirk Creek offer the perfect place to park your conversion van while you explore the area or prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Big Bend National Park
Used Class B motorhomes fit in perfectly at national parks. Big Bend National Park in Texas is one of the best places for travelers to visit without spending a lot of money. The park has a diverse range of desert wildlife and plants that you won’t find anywhere else. It also features plenty of hiking trails. If you fancy a challenging hike, head into the higher elevation, where you will climb steep hills. If you want an easier walk, stick to the flat areas. Park your RV at the Rio Grande Village for access to water and electricity.
Route 66
Route 66 was once the most direct way for people to travel from the eastern U.S. to the western states. Today, most people travel via interstates, which are faster and more direct than the old highway. Still, there are plenty of sites to explore along Route 66. An RV is one of the best ways to experience the stretch of road, especially if you’re not keen on the idea of traveling hundreds of miles on a motorcycle. Some must-see locations include the Coleman Theatre in Miami, OK, Mid Point Cafe in Adrian, TX, and the lush maple forest in Funk’s Grove, IL.
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC is a medium-sized city nestled in the Smoky Mountains. The town has plenty of hotels and motels, but you don’t need indoor accommodations when you’re surrounded by beautiful mountains. Hotels can place a barrier between the vacationer and destination, separating people from the natural wonders and sights that can be found outside. A Class B motorhome is perfect for traversing the Smoky Mountains and experiencing the full impact of the natural beauty. Some of the top spots to visit in the Asheville area include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Biltmore, and Blue Ridge Parkway.
When you have a trust motorhome, you can visit practically any location whenever you want. What place would you visit first with your new motorhome?
Miles Young is a freelance blogger who specializes in travel, vacations, camping and anything in between. … View full profile
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
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New York Needn’t Be Expensive
40 free things to do in New York City
(Please share with your friends and business contacts if you find this useful)
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/76493
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Eco Tours
If you are going to travel next year and you care about Climatic Change, take a look at Galapagos First.
Today I want to share with you about ECO TOURS, the new product FlashTravel is launching in Ecuador and of course in the Galapagos Islands.
The Islands are the best example of sustainable management and success in conservation, thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service and the Darwin Foundation.
Populations of tortoises are recovering in the different islands according to the genetic characteristics of each animal. We have lost only 4 of the species and we are successful in the eradication of foreign animals like rats, goats and other dangerous species, and we have successfully controlled a blackberry and passion fruit outbreak.
ECO tours for us mean:
- visits guided by a naturalist guide,
- visits on the islands and in mainland Ecuador including National Park territories,
- active participation of the local communities,
- fair share tourism where profits stay in the areas you visit, not in the desk of a fancy operator in the main city.
So visiting Ecuador with us is not only a gift for your senses, your eyes and your soul, but also a reward and a heritage and healthy earth to your children.
We are celebrating that National Geographic has selected Quito as one of the cities to visit in 2013 … http://www.galapagosfirst.com/index.php/ecuador/quito-city-guide/quito-tours
Lonely Planet is recommending Ecuador as one of the countries to visit next year …http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/best-in-travel-2013/top-10-countries/
Written by Francisco Jarrín – Certified best naturalist in Ecuador
To learn about Ecuador visit us at www.galapagosfirst.com
More resources … Getting there with Flighthub
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One to avoid … Cairn Hotel, Newcastle
I didn’t realise my friend Mark was a slow learner until I read his report on Trip Adviser . . .
“Stupidly I have stayed in this hotel 3 times. And every time I go back I remember why I wasn’t going to go back again!!! On my last visit, October 2012 my bathroom door had a hole in it which looked like it was created by a previous occupant’s fist. As it happened the hole was irrelevant as the door didn’t shut anyway.
There is absolutely no point in setting an alarm to wake you up in the morning because if your back ache (from the bed) doesn’t wake you up the plumbing certainly will.
At 5:30 on both mornings that I stayed at the Cairns I was awoken by a noise that sounded as if someone had installed a diesel generator in the corner of my room and was gradually revving it up to full speed. The noise continued for what seemed like hours but was only about 3 minutes. Nice 🙁
Oh and just to ensure your day could only get better, there is no cooked breakfast at the weekends.”
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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Join The Folks Visiting The Great Wall Of China
Huge crowds of tourists pack on to the Badaling Great Wall of China on Wednesday as extended national holidays brought many attractions to a virtual standstill. The China Tourism Academy estimated there would be 362 million travelers on the move this holiday. (Rex)
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Jazz in Prague
Jazz Republic Club
http://www.jazzrepublic.cz/en/
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Things To Do For Free In Prague
Free Things to do on Prague City Breaks
The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is one of the most popular cities to visit on a city break. It has the largest castle complex in Europe, a notorious reputation for nightlife holidays and some of the most romantic views in the world. However, with mass popularity comes tourist traps and hiked up prices, and your cheap weekend to Prague can become very expensive, very quickly. Avoid paying extra, with a look at this round-up of the best free things to see and do on Prague holidays.
Castle District
Prague Castle is made up from a number of castles, churches and courtyards. Since the 9th century it has been added to and refurbished by princes and rulers of Prague to create Europe’s biggest castle complex. You can buy a short or long tour ticket to explore all of the churches and buildings but there are some areas you can get into without paying:
- Castle Entrance: The first courtyard has free admission and here you can admire the main gate on Hradčany Square and the giant battling Titans statues. There is also a changing of the guard ceremony every hour until 10pm all year around.
- Plečník Monolith: The Third Courtyard of the Castle is home to the Main Office (where you can buy tickets) but here, for free, you can see the granite monolith monument that commemorates those lost in World War One. There’s also a replica of the St George statue that shows him famously slaying a dragon.
- The Cathedral of St Vitus: In the Third Courtyard you’ll find the St Vitus Cathedral which has recently removed its entrance fee and it now free to explore. It’s a great example of Gothic architecture with its spindly towers. Climb the 96m of the Great Tower for incredible views of the city below.
Mala Strana
The smallest and most bohemian of Prague’s districts has a couple of great free attractions:
- Kampa Island: This small island is separated from Mala Strana by an arm of the Vltava River known as Devil’s Stream. It’s one of the prettiest areas in Prague with ancient mills and, at night, stunning views of the sparkling city lights on the water. Come here for a romantic walk, picnic or to take amazing photos of Prague.
- Charles Bridge: One of the most iconic attractions of Prague, the Charles Bridge connects Malta Strana and Old Town. It has been standing for over 650 years and has played a crucial part in Prague’s history. It’s very busy between 9-5, so beat the crowds and come in the early dawn to see a sublime sunrise over Prague.
Old Town & New Town
Many of the most famous attractions in Prague are free to enjoy:
- Take the obligatory visit to Old Town Square to see the intricate Astronomical Clock chime away.
- David Černý’s mad sculptures are dotted through Prague for everyone to enjoy – find the ‘Hanging Out’ statue in Old Town.
- In New Town, take a break from Prague’s Baroque and Gothic architecture and discover the world’s only Cubist lamppost and the curious Dancing Building.
- Discover Prague’s amazing jazz scene at the Jazz Republic club in Old Town; it’s free admission and they showcase great live jazz and blues acts. See more Prague Jazz.
Find out more about Prague with the ‘Where to Stay in Prague’ guide from lowcostholidays.com
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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Discover Amsterdam’s Bars & Cafes #2 – Café de Dokter (Doctor)
The second in a series of extracts from Paul Clutterbuck’s book Inside Amsterdam in which he re-visits some of his old haunts.
Café de Dokter (Doctor)
Rozenboomsteeg 4
1012 PR Amsterdam
Tel: 020-6242582
Hours: Tue-Sat 4pm-1am Sun-Mon CLOSED
Beer: 4 draft and 4 bottled
Wine: House red, white, rose
Whiskies a house speciality
Food: Dutch Snacks (particularly smoked beef sausage); fresh orange juice
200 years old and uniquely Dickensian
Where to start? Firstly the café was founded in 1798 by a doctor from the nearby hospital (closed in 1975).
He converted it from a resting place for stagecoaches to the café we see today. Originally named ‘de Doketertje’ (little doctor) because it dispensed the medicine
needed, today it could be more appropriately called “The Old Curiosity Shop”.It is located very near the Begijnhof, Old City Orphanage (now
the Amsterdam Historic Museum) and the Spui.
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It has been run by the Beems family for six generations. Jannie and Jan Beems took it overfrom Jan’s mother forty five years ago, when she was eighty six years old. Jan kept everything just as she left it. Yes, that does mean no dusting has been done. Jan’s mother stopped dusting when she was sixty five years old making the dust and cobwebs hanging from the doctor’s bag, birdcage and picture frames more than sixty five years old, creating a unique decoration. Expect Miss Haversham from Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” to appear any minute.
The classic brown café with wooden floor and sand is in evidence but the
brown café purist will note there is music wafting around. Jazz from the
Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday era gently plays in the
background most days but I’m told that when Jan Beems is in a bad mood
classical music can be heard. Many of these famous jazz artists have made
their way here over the years to pay homage to the homage being paid
them.
This café is an obvious candidate for the smallest café in town at less
than eighteen square metes and is full of interesting bric-a-brac, collectibles and memorabilia. The toilets are up the steep spiral staircase at the back (maybe Miss Haversham is at the top).
Jan takes great interest in his customers and usually asks two
questions; what do you do and where do you come from? He has an
impressive memory for his customers no matter how frequently they
visit or where they live in the world. Whether you find Jan and Jannie
or their warm and welcoming son-in-law behind the bar, you’ll find de
Dokter a very hospitable, unusual and curious place to down your
medicine.
Get your copy of Inside Amsterdam here and help kids with facial deformities worldwide enjoy a better life.
Thank you
Cliff
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
