Bridges of the world
From the Millau Viaduct in the South of France, which is so high that cars often drive above the cloud line, to the wind and rain bridges in China that were constructed without any nails or rivets, bridges serve to connect people. They play an important role in establishing and maintaining relationships, business or otherwise. The building of bridges is a science unto itself, as the techniques, designs and styles change to suit the need. Most bridges are used primarily to facilitate transport, but many also serve other functions, as thriving business markets and important tourist attractions, for example.

The Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran is a prime example of a multi-functional bridge. It was built in 1650 by Shah Abbas II, using the foundations of an older bridge that crossed the Zavendah River. It s 105m long, 14m wide and consists of two levels and 23 arches. It helps to regulate the flow of the river with the sluice gates that are situated beneath it. As it flows, it uses a series of steps to carry the water downstream to the lower levels. When the gates are closed, the water level upstream rises, so that the bridge also plays an important role in the irrigation of gardens along its riverbanks.

The upper level of the Khanju Bridge was split into a main central aisle, which was used for horses and carts, with paths alongside it for pedestrians. These days it s accessed only by pedestrians, mainly tourists, who sit in the pavilions at the centre of the bridge and watch the world drift by.

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice used to connect the prison to the interrogation room in the main palace. It was named by Lord Byron in the 19th century, supposedly because the prisoners would look across at the view from their cell windows and sigh at what was usually their last view of the beautiful city. Made of limestone, it s not particularly exotic, nor is it particularly large, old, or ornate. What it is though, is the most romantic bridge in the world. Legend has it that if you kiss you lover while travelling beneath it in a gondola, your love will last forever. There is tell of a proviso however, as the kiss has to happen at sunset, or else it s just a regular kiss; in other words, eternal love is not guaranteed.

Italy is home to quite a few remarkable bridges, another one being the Ponte Vecchio that crosses the Arno River in Florence. This is another multi-functional bridge that serves as a street, marketplace and popular tourist attraction. The bridge is also very old. It is mentioned for the first time in a document dating all the way back to 996.

The bridge has had an eventful existence, having been swept away by floods twice, in 1117 and 1333, before it was resurrected in its current form in 1345. The builders found that reconstruction was rather more expensive than they had anticipated, and so to defray costs, they decided to rent out lots along the bridge to the local merchants. For the most part, only butchers and tanners expressed enough interest to move in, until the 15th century that is. Then Ferdinando I decided that the streets needed to be cleaner and more elegant and the foul smelling industries were moved out to be replaced by more refined jewellers and goldsmiths.

Despite all of the floods and perils of reconstruction, the only time that it has ever truly been in danger was during World War II, when German bombers were blowing up everything in sight, especially bridges. Fortunately Hitler appreciated the value of beauty (just not the beauty of all life) and gave a direct order that it was to be left unharmed.

Bridges can be so much more than mere tools for transportation. If you ever needed proof that human beings are capable of surmounting obstacles, just have a look at some of the engineering feats that went into constructing all of the bridges in the world. You ll be pleasantly surprised, and not a little bit awed.

For more information on some fantastic bridges visit http://www.neatorama.com/2008/03/07/10-most-beautiful-bridges-in-the-world/

Other recommended sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaju_Bridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_sighs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio

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Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Thrifty Car Hire reasonably priced car hire one of the leading companies in the car hire industry to supply inexpensive, reasonably priced cars internationally.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Costas of Andalucia
Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is the coastline of the area of Andalucia in southern Spain. The Costa del Sol and its varied coastline runs from Gibraltar to the holiday resort of Nerja. It is a very popular destination and has many resorts from the luxury of Marbella and its marina, Puerto Banus full of expensive yachts and motor boats to the more family orientated holiday destinations such as Estepona and Rincon de la Victoria. It is also the preferred choice of many looking for spanish golfing holidays, as over 30 of Europe’s best golf courses can be found a short distance inland.

There is a huge choice of vacation accommodation here from Costa del Sol holiday rentals run by private owners to large resort hotels.

For those looking for a more traditional Spanish holiday, the beautiful ‘white villages’ (pueblos blancos) can also be found not far from the coast with their holiday accommodation comprising of rustic fincas, traditional villages houses to Spanish Cortijos set within olive groves. Places such as Competa, Mijas and Casares and the slightly larger towns of Gaucin, Ronda and Jimena de la Frontera.

Costa de la Luz

The Costa de la Luz, known as the Coast of Light is situated at Spain’s most southern point. It is an unspoilt stretch of coastline with many lovely beaches and has not yet become a part of the mass tourism found in other areas such as the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.

Tarifa is on the southern edge of the Costa de la Luz and is very popular for windsurfing. Jerez de la Frontera is further up the coast and is home to the famous names of Gonzalez Byass and Pedro Domecq for their sherry production. It is also well known for its equestrian school, the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre.

A popular day trip from this area is to Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain. It has a mix of architecture and many sights worth visiting such as the Cathedral and La Giralda, the Cathedral’s bell tower which was first built in 1198 and improved upon in 1568. From here there are wonderful views over the city.

Costa Tropical

The Costa Tropical is situated between the Costa de Almeria and and the Costa del Sol. The climate has an average temperature of 20 degrees and approximately 320 days of sunshine a year enabling the area to develop a large fruit industry, with many exotic fruits. The oldest town and one of the most popular resorts is Almunecar. The old town has a Moorish castle and a museum. There are several very good beaches and the resort has very good facilities. From Almunecar it is approximately only 75km from the historic city of Granada with its Alhambra Palace

The resorts of Salobrena and Motril are also to be found on the Costa Tropical. Salobrena has a restored Arab castle with a backdrop of traditional white houses and has wonderful views of the Sierra Nevada.

Costa de Almeria

The Costa de Almeria has a varied and unspoilt coastline. The town of Mojacar has lovely beaches as well as a traditional ‘white village’ which holidaymakers are always keen to visit. Roquetas del Mar is a popular tourist resort and further south is the developing town of Almerimar which has wide, sandy beaches, water sports and is becoming well known for its golf course.

Almeria, a Moorish city, has the 10th century Alcazaba castle, which overlooks the old part of the town, and is well worth a visit.

There is an airport at Almeria with flights from the UK. This provides quicker travelling time to your holiday accommodation on the Costa de Almeria.

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Warren Ward is the webmaster for the vacation owners rental site www.ChooseSpain.com advertising holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Book a Holiday to Malta
Malta is a small island state in Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean and is a popular holiday destination for many Europeans, mostly from the U.K., Germany, Italy, France and Holland. Tourists visit the island for various reasons and the island offers a variety of facets that will be of interest for most types of travellers. This article provides you with the top 10 reasons why booking Malta holidays is a great idea, not only for next summer s holiday season but all year round!

10. Language and money in Malta

The Maltese have their own language ( Maltese ) but the country has two official languages, with the second official language being English. Malta was under British rule for 160 years, gaining independence in 1964, but leaving the Maltese with a relatively strong knowledge of the English language, although Maltese is much more widely spoken and is the mother tongue for the vast majority of Maltese. For English speaking tourists this means that communication is almost no problem, which is definitely a benefit when on holiday. Although at the moment the Maltese Lira is still the only valid currency, the Euro will be introduced on January 1st, 2008 and many retailers in tourist areas already accept Euros for cash payment.

9. Sports and leisure activities during your Malta holidays
Malta is a great location for a variety of sports, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, para gliding, wind surfing and yachting. Plenty of activities to keep you entertained, no matter the time of year. Most materials needed for these sports are available for low-priced rent and there are various locations on the islands where these sports can be exercised. Gozo is a particularly popular location for rock climbing, thanks to its steep cliffs, and mountain biking thanks to its quiet roads and excellent hill climbs.

Events, such as pop concerts and theatre shows, but also historical re-enactments such as In Guardia are popular among both tourists and locals and provide great entertainment for the whole family. Are you a fan of watching sports? Don t worry about missing any big matches or events satellite reception is widely used by the more popular pubs and there are plenty of appetizers and beer around to enjoy your favourite sports.

8. Getting around in Malta is easy and cheap!

Don t you hate it when you go for a holiday and it takes you ages to get to the beach or to visit a few cities, museums? Don t you hate it when it takes a whole day to take one excursion, when you waste so much time on travelling from place to place which makes you wonder whether it was even worth the hassle? If your answer is yes, then Malta is definitely the holiday destination for you. It takes less than an hour to get from one side to the island to the other and there s such a high concentration of places of interest, beaches, holiday resorts and places for entertainment (restaurants, clubs, cinemas etc.), you ll wish you d have known about Malta earlier!

A lot of tourists decide to visit Malta a second time and sometimes more, simply for the reason that there s just so much to do and to see, and it takes so little money and time to get around and spend quality holiday time.

7. Gozo offers a peaceful setting for your Malta holidays

Malta is not just about Malta. Yes, that s right, The Republic of Malta also covers Gozo, which is Malta s sister island and is said to be the island that Malta used to be a long time ago rural, quiet and untouched. Gozo is a great place for a peaceful (family or couples) holidays, with beautiful beaches and countryside views. Visit the capital Victoria, with its Citadel in the centre a fortified part of the village which used to offer the inhabitants of Gozo shelter against foreign invaders, similar to Mdina s surrounding walls on the main island Malta. The seaside town of Xlendi is a popular tourist destination, offering a beautiful view of its bay surrounded by high cliffs. Ramla l-Hamla and San Blas Bay are beautiful beaches to go for a swim, one being larger and busier, the other being more secluded and more difficult to get to (steep hill descent) but much worth the effort.

As of recent, a shuttle bus service is available, taking you straight from the airport to the ferries in the Northern most tip of the island of Malta, making arrangements for a Gozo holiday a little easier to plan for.

6. Malta has a rich culture and heritage

Throughout the ages, the Maltese islands have seen various foreign rulers coming and going, and leaving behind their stamps on Maltese culture. As a result, Malta is soaked in culture and heritage and offers a large number of cultural and historical sites in very short distances from each other, making Malta a unique place in the world map of culture and heritage. Both in the Maltese language and culture remnants of Phoenician, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Turks, French and English invaders can still be found today and this melting pot of cultures is of interest to many tourists visiting the Maltese islands on holiday.

5. Good quality hotels and accommodation

Good quality hotels and self-catering apartments are widely available at very reasonable prices. Package deals are usually the way to go, but booked separately the cost versus quality of accommodation is very good. The main areas for holiday resorts are St. Julian s, Bugibba/Qawra, and Sliema, which are all situated in the Northern part of Malta. Accommodation in St. Julian s is recommended if you enjoy spending your nights going out but, being close to the nightlife hub of Malta, is not advisable for couples and family who are looking for peace and serenity. For those travellers, places like Mellieha and St. Paul s Bay are much better places to stay.

4. Malta is an all year round destination

A flight from London to Malta takes less than three hours, but the difference in climate is huge. Mild winters and warm summers with an average temperature of 32C means excellent weather for both hot summer holidays as well as great holiday weather in winter, to escape from the cold back home. There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained all year round and for example hiking is a popular way of spending days out in the countryside in winter, enjoying the scenery and serenity. Most cultural and historical hotspots are open all year round, and although open air clubs don t open during the winter months, nightlife in Malta goes on throughout the whole year.

3. Malta offers a great nightlife to complement your daily activities

Nights out on the town are a ton of fun, since Malta hosts a true clubbing hub that goes by the name of Paceville (St. Julian s) and which offers a large number of clubs which are situated literally door to door and which play different genres of music to suit everyone s tastes. Open air clubs, however, are what makes clubbing in Malta rather special. Spending your warm summer nights dancing to the latest club and trance anthems or smooth R&B and hiphop beats under the stars is just something else and a must do on your holiday to Malta.

2. Malta holidays now come with cheap flights

That s right low cost airlines have found Malta and offer dirt cheap flights to the island outside of the high season and regular cheap flights in summer. These airlines offer flights departing from a select number of places in Europe, such as London, Dublin, Barcelona, Oslo, Stockholm, Pisa (Italy) and Bremen (Germany). Look for airlines the likes of Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Clickair, but don t forget to check Malta s national airline Air Malta, which regularly offers low cost flights to a much larger number of European destinations.

1. Malta holidays offer more than any other Mediterranean destination

You could say that the top reason for visiting Malta is a combination of all other reasons listed above: There are a lot of different things you can do during your holiday in Malta and you ll never be bored if you get the right info. Baking in the sun on the beach is great for relaxation after a long year of work or school, but most people would prefer adding a little variety to the time they spend on holiday. So if you d like to go somewhere else besides the beach, why not visit on the many places of interest around the island? Visit the old capital city of Mdina, for example, surrounded by bastions and oozing with history and an ambiance you ll never forget. Why not take a trip to sister island Gozo, with its serene country views and attractions such as the Azure Window, a rock formation sculpted by the sea.

Evenings will never be boring when you know where to go. There is plenty of choice when it comes to dining out, as quality restaurants can be found in most parts of the island. Wine bars and pubs are also popular in Malta and provide quality wines and both local and international lagers, beers and various popular brands of liquor. There s plenty of opportunity for clubbing and open air clubs and parties are a must see if clubbing is your ideal night out.

Plan your outings by getting information beforehand! See the resource section below to find out how you can learn more about Malta holidays!

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Interested in booking a holiday? Inform yourself before travelling by learning more about Malta and what Malta holidays can offer you. GuideToMalta.net gives you all the ins and outs about what you can expect from Malta, its people and culture, its beaches, restaurants and hotels and much more!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

When is the Best Time to Visit Disney?

Ah, when to visit Disney World . . . Well, coming from a true Disney lover, I think that right now is the right time to visit Disney World! But seriously, planning your vacation starts with picking the dates, so here are some things to keep in mind:

If you can avoid school holidays - do it! The parks are always more crowded when schools are on vacation, so if you can avoid holiday times and the summer months, you will be rewarded with fewer crowds and shorter lines. Of course, the parks close earlier during these ‘off-peak’ times of year as well, so you’ll still need to arrive early if you have lots of attractions on your agenda. If you have children, you may be able to find times that only your immediate area (and not the whole country) is off from school.

If you must visit the parks during school holidays, you may need to be more proactive about planning your days at the parks. Crowds are at their largest during Easter and Christmas weeks, so plan to be at the gates as the parks open to arrive before those late-sleeping visitors even wake up. During summer vacation, my family has had a lot of luck visiting the parks during the last 2 weeks of August, since our schools don’t open until after Labor Day, but Florida schools open around August 20.

Be aware if you are planning to visit during the winter months, the weather may be chillier than you expect. If you are from up north, you may assume that Florida is warm year-round, but in actuality, central Florida can go down to around 50 degrees, so be sure to carry sweatshirts or jackets (and those water parks and rides might not seem so appealing). Starting in mid-November, Disney World is all decked out for Christmas, so through the middle of December, this is a beautiful - and very empty - time to visit Disney. The parks empty out again for the month of January, but starting around the middle of February the various winter and spring breaks overlap to keep things hopping though April. Frequent visitors often cite May and October and ideal months to visit, as you get the most beautiful weather combined with the lowest number of visitors. Whenever you decide to go, be sure to make your specialty dining reservations early (up to 180 days in advance), as these fill up all thoughout the year. Enjoy your trip!

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Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as http://www.WaltDisneyCruise.net. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Travel Deals Available Through Club Memberships
With the savings provided through travel deals available through club memberships, people have definitely decided that this is their year for travel People are more inspired by the low prices on travel offered to exotic places that they feel they can finally go on a trip and rejuvenate their spirits as well as their wallet

Holidaying in Brittany and Normandy
Brittany is a place of rugged coats, small islands, fantastic views, quite beaches and all along the coat, old cobbled street towns can be found. The people of Brittany are also quite different to the rest of France. With regular flights to Brittany from England as well as Ferry links it s an ideal holiday location.

Brittany is home to a green and abundant countryside, high sea cliffs and some of the quietest beaches in all of France. Many quaint old towns are found throughout the region all with a colourful past like Rennes, Dinan or Saint Malo, known as the old pirate s nest. The Morbihan and the Menhirs of Carnac are two spots that should defiantly not be missed during your trip to Brittany

Nantes is the largest town in the region and is found at the southern tip of Brittany. The city has a long and rich history and today is considered the most important city in all of western France.

Normandy is a beautiful part of France, which has so much to offer tourists. Normandy is awash with old historic towns, sandy beaches and of course the world famous Mont-Saint-Michel.

The capital of Normandy is Rouen, a picturesque old town. Ideally you will need two good days to take in all the wonders the town has to offer. A trip to Giverny is also a must see for any art fans. Giverny was home to French painter Monet, here you can still walk through his garden which inspired many of his paintings, this truly makes art come to life.

Honfleur is a pretty harbour town and has been and continues to be a great inspiration to many artists, professional and armature alike. Bayeux is of course home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting William the Conquerors victory over King Harold and the successful Norman invasion of England. It s a must see for anyone with even a slight interest in history.

Both regions make fantastic family holidays, but they also cater for those looking for adventure or are just lovers of fine food which can be found in almost every town and village in the region.

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This article was written on behalf of Skybus who provide Flights to Brittany

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Creatures of the Night- Sydney, the place to be!
All you party people out there, you have an amazing chance to enjoy and make the most out of your holiday. Night life is a common attraction for travelers these days, and if you have to decide your destination for a vacation on the basis of this, then Sydney is the place to be in. with vibrant city all around you, and lights blinking to welcome you, there is nothing that can stop you. If you are worried about expenditure, then kill all your tensions because the savior is here. Log on to Globester and Book cheap flights to Sydney from USA to your favorite destination.

Sydney as a destination has various places that are famous for its food and drinks. Offering various cuisines ranging from Indonesian, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and many more to choose from; Sydney Chinatown, Darling Harbor, Newton s King Street and Inner West areas become the hubs for travelers. Enjoy food and good companionship with the other visitors who make every meal a wonderful experience in itself. For all this and much more, head for Sydney today and that s is made easier by the many travel sites that offer cheap airfare for you to choose from.

Thoughts of expenditure are a major reason for people to delay their trips to their dream destinations; you can fulfill your dream and your promise to your loved ones for a vacation by logging on to a reliable travel website. It not only plans your trip for you, but also provides cheap airline tickets and hotel accommodation options. Freak out and have a gala time in a destination like Sydney with buzzing night life and loads to see.

Beaches are an attraction not only in the day, but at night too. There are bars and night clubs that entertain visitors till late hours. Although some of them close down early but all of them are strict in terms of discipline. There are conditions for entry at some places, like dress codes, couple entry, etc. at most of these places; you have to show your identity card to gain entry. There are chances of entry being denied in case the conditions are not fulfilled. Some DJs and Discos charge an entry fee; it is not much but just a measure to ensure a smooth way through.

There are various localities that cater to the needs of people pf various types- business pubs, Irish pubs, Large Nightclubs- you can pick the one that you want to be in. The Darling Harbour, Darlinghurst, Bondi Beach, Innerwest and North Sydney are the places to be if you want to shake your tail feathers. Really cheap air tickets to Sydney just make the wonderful trip better and better.

Log on to Globester and get the key to all these fun moments and much more in a jiffy! Navigate through easy instructions; and within a few clicks, you will be able to get for yourself cheap international airline tickets. You will not get for yourself a better travel manager that arranges for you from anything to everything. Do not waste any more time and get set for this smart opportunity now! Pay less and get the maximum out of a great and rejuvenating trip.

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Mr. John Smith has traveled worldwide five continents working with Globester.com an online airline tickets seller offering http://www.articletrader.com