It was not until I had been given my first San Miguel that I realised that this place was hot, humid and sticky. My first San Mig didn’t even touch the sides. I was back in Manila sitting at the bar in the hotel, after dropping off my bag and putting all my important documents in the safety deposit box. I took some time to reflect on my first visit to this incredibly diverse country.

When you discuss holiday destinations with people, the better trodden paths are the ones most frequented, not many people I know have traveled to the Philippines. Let me tell you, if you enjoy tropical islands with white powdery sand merging into the jungle on one side and then disappearing into the turquoise blue water on the other, then this is the place for you! After all there are 7,107 islands in the Philippines, take your pick!

The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world, which makes getting around so much easier. Tourism has not really taken off like in neighboring Asian countries, like Thailand and Malaysia and the infrastructure is not quite there, which in a way makes it all the more exciting because your holiday will become an adventure, it can drag you down at times but once you arrive at your final destination the trip getting there will be long forgotten.

My journey took me to the resort town of Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro. Puerto Galera is the port where Spanish Galleons use to take refuge from the might of the typhoons. Letting your imagination wonder a little as you glance around the port, you can almost see the Spanish Galleons swinging on their anchors. Puerto Galera has recently won the 2005 Most Beautiful Bay in the World Award. It is easy to see why.

Getting to Puerto Galera

>From Manila you need to take a bus to Batangas which takes approximately three hours, depending on the time of day and which day it is, the longest it has taken me was seven hours. >From Batangas which is south of the Philippine capital of Manila you can catch a ferry across to Puerto Galera which is about an hour to an hour and half. The trip to Batangas is pretty uneventful, the real beauty starts when you get on the ferry. The water is a deep cobalt blue, if you are lucky you may even see dolphins, turtles and flying fish.

The Beaches

The majority of the resorts are centered around the beaches of Sabang, Small La Laguna and Big la Laguna. Sabang is where most of the action is, discos, pubs, restaurants and lots of accommodation. The next beach along is Small La Laguna which has more accommodation and the beach is quite nice. Make sure you stop off at the Point Bar which separates Sabang from Small La Laguna Beach the view is outstanding. Moving further away from Sabang you come to, in my opinion, the pick of the beaches, Big La Laguna Beach. The beach here is beautiful and it a lot quieter than Sabang, with some superior accommodation.

What to do in Puerto Galera?

The main focus here is the water. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the number one pursuits. The scuba diving is first class. There is no swell so swimming is safe, as are other water activities, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

Do try and get up to Ponderosa Golf Club for some jungle golf, lots of fun. Trekking is also available and do combine the trek to visit a Mangyan Village. Or you can just curl up on the beach with a good book!

Back to Reality

Pondering over my icy cold San Miguel, my first two week stay in these enchanted islands left me relaxed and ready to get back into the rat race of modern society. My first trip seemed like years ago, but I have visited and lived in this wonderful country on and off for a decade.

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Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Authentic yet entertaining the two are links to our past and the 102 passengers that survived the journey across stormy seas.

Many times the bad storms of the North Atlantic forced the crew to take down the sails and just let the winds blow the ship wherever it wanted. During one brutal storm one of the Mayflower main beams cracked and the sailors where convinced they’d have to turn back.

But the journey continued and because of it the world was forever changed.

No, this is not really a history lesson, but the first of two articles about two unique experiences of US history you can have during your New England vacations.

This first article covers the area of Plymouth Plantation, and the second in the series covers Sturbridge Village.

The Mayflower voyage of 1620 took 66 days after leaving Plymouth, England on September 6, and anchoring in present day Provincetown harbor in Cape Cod on November 11, 1620. Miraculously only one passenger died on the voyage.

The Pilgrims decided Cape Cod was not a suitable place for a settlement, and forced north because of the weather and dangerous shoals south of Cape Cod, the pilgrims finally came ashore in late November in present day Plymouth center.

That first winter at Plimoth Plantation decimated the settlers due to cold and disease. Of the 102 that came ashore only 52 were left in the spring.

The native Wampanoag men showed the survivors how to plant corn and in October 1621 the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest at Plymouth Plantation. Later generations would recognize the significance of the harvest by setting aside a special day that we now call Thanksgiving. And this day, more than any other in our calendar, binds every American to that fateful voyage in 1620.

And you can relive and feel this spirit and the early days of settlement at Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II replica. Both located in the coastal town of Plymouth, a city about 40 miles south of Boston and an easy ride on Route 3 south.

Plymouth Plantation is a 1627 Pilgrim authentic village a few miles outside of the city but close to the highway and well sign-posted.

An orientation movie and collection of artifacts greet you at the Henry Hornblower Visitor Center. Plimoth plantation itself is a loop tour with two primary sites, the 1627 Pilgrim Village and the Hobbamock’s (Wampanoag) Homesite. The stroll from the museum down to the main village passes by a craft center and crop fields.

The village itself is full of buildings and gardens. Everything is plain and productive, and authentic.

The people of the village dress, talk, and act as best we know they would’ve on the original Plymouth Plantation. But that doesn’t mean they are aloof or communicate in riddles or a strange tongue. Their aim is to educate and entertain but still remain true to the era. I’ve always found they are engaging and excellent in this balance.

The stroll out of the village along the Eel River walk takes you to the Native people homesite.

As I said earlier, the Pilgrims would not have survived the first year had it not been for help from the Native Peoples. They taught them about the region and it’s agriculture and the resources of the land, and how to thrive.

This special area is a home for an extended family not another village. It honors the importance and affinity the Native People have in this region.

Take time to appreciate the skills of weaving and tanning practiced at the site, and the use of fire for burning out boats. Go inside one of the houses and notice the materials and bindings used for construction.

The inhabitants here do not role-play so feel free to discuss modern day subjects with them.

And now… linger for a while longer at Plymouth Plantation, and rest back at the visitor center, or purchase that craft you saw at the store earlier. And then when you’re ready to continue, leave Plimoth Plantation and head for town and the Mayflower II replica.

Mayflower II is docked on State Pier on Water Street. Meter parking is available along the waterfront. .

You’ll think it a small ship.

Imagine the vast expanse of the North Atlantic at times wild and unforgiving. A 2,760-mile trip in a ship that leaked and creaked at an agonizing speed of 2 mph!

During your Mayflower tour you’ll meet passengers on the ship role-playing for you. You’ll get to see the passenger’s cramped quarters and the captain’s spacious cabin. But most of all you’ll be cast back in time.

And if you close your eyes and listen to the gulls overhead maybe you’ll hear the shouts of a sailor as he sights landfall and one journey’s end… and the start of another.

Enjoy your day at Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II. They are entertaining reminders of our history and a link back to a monumental voyage.

For more information and opening times and ticket prices for Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower visit their web site at www.plimoth.org .

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THE PERFECT VACATION TOP FIVE THINGS TO KNOW FOR PLANNING A WHITEWATER RAFTING TRIP

Whitewater rafting is defined as a recreational activity enjoyed by several passengers in an inflatable rubber boat used for navigating down a river or other fast-moving body of water. If you love adventure and want to do something special for your next vacation, then perhaps a whitewater rafting trip would be the ideal option. Steered by a professional guide, you will make your way through raging water, while enjoying the thrill and adventure of the rapids. The key to a successful whitewater rafting trip is good planning, which is why we decided to provide you with the top five things you need to know.

Safety, Expertise, and Certification

The most important aspect of planning any whitewater rafting trip is to ensure you will be guided down the river by a professional guide, one who knows not just the water and how to steer the boat but also one who is certified as a “Whitewater Rescue” or “Swift-Water Technician”. Additionally, your guide should be certified in CPR, Advanced First Aid, and other common river rescue techniques.

Unfortunately, only about 5% of whitewater rafting guides meet these criteria. While this type of activity is generally, safe and you are required to wear life vests and helmets, sometimes things happen. In this case, you want to ensure you have the best possible guide with you if something were to go wrong. Therefore, as you begin your search, ask questions specific to safety, expertise, and certification, and make sure every passenger will undergo a safety orientation prior to heading down the river.

Special Needs and Children

If you or someone in your group has a special need, make sure you choose an outfit that can accommodate. Remember, whitewater rafting does not exclude people who are not able-bodied. In fact, it is common to see people who normally live in wheelchairs along with people who have other types of disabilities enjoying this kind of activity.

For children, again you want to choose the right whitewater rafting outfitter. However, most gladly welcome children on this type of adventure, knowing it is an excellent family experience. However, you will need to research age and size requirements in that these vary depending on the type of boat, the outfit company itself, the water level, difficulty of the trip, and so on.

Single or Multi-Day Excursions

Some people look for a whitewater rafting trip that will start early in the morning and have them back to their car or campsite by late afternoon. However, other diehard outdoor enthusiasts prefer rafting trips that are multiple day excursions. In this case, you would take your sleeping gear with you down the river and camp out along the banks at night. This experience is truly amazing and one that you will never forget. Therefore, check out all your options to see if a multi-day trip is more to your liking.

Price

Whitewater rafting trips are not all created equal. Therefore, rather than just settle on the first outfit you talk to, take your time to find out about the length of the trip, the amenities included, level of skill for your guide, price per person, equipment rental fees, and gratuity. Obviously, price is just one consideration when booking a whitewater rafting trip and while it should not be the number one factor, it is certainly something to consider in the overall planning.

Additionally, ask about group, student, or corporate discounts. Many times, even the best outfitters will offer a nice discount if you have over a certain number of people in your party, if you are a student, or if you are taking the trip as part of a corporate outing such as a team-building event. In fact, there are even discounts offered in many cases for wedding parties so always ask.

When to Go

Finally, you want to take a whitewater rafting trip when it will be most enjoyable. Obviously, the time of year you choose will depend greatly on the region or country where you plan to raft. However, you can do your own homework pertaining to precipitation, along with dam and reservoir water releases, snowfall, rainfall, and heat or talk to the outfitter to find out what time of year they recommend.

Generally, whitewater rafting in the United States and Canada is best from April to October. However, some rafting outfitters will supply passengers with wetsuits whereby they can take to the river with the first snow runoff in the spring and if water levels permit, later into the year, as late as November.

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Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new concept in vacation home ownership. They allow individuals to own condos in luxury hotels and have access to all the amenities of that hotel. When not using their condo unit themselves, owners have the option of placing it in the hotel’s rental program and receiving a percentage of the revenue it generates.

Because the condo hotel concept is so new, it’s often confused with timeshares, a popular vacation home option that has been around since the 1970s. In reality, condo hotels have many qualities that set them apart from timeshares and make them appealing to a unique segment of the second home market. Here’s a comparison between these two types of real estate investment.

FLEXIBILITY IN USE

Timeshares - When you purchase a timeshare, you choose not only a set location but also a specific week or two that you will use your vacation home every year.

Condo Hotels - With a condo hotel, you have flexibility to use your unit whenever you want. Keep in mind, however, that some condo hotels do have living restrictions that prevent you from making your condo a permanent residence.

AMENITIES

Timeshares - The average timeshare has a community pool and some common areas.

Condo Hotels - Condo hotels have many of the amenities you would find at luxury hotels. In addition to a pool (or pools), there is probably an on-site restaurant (possibly several), a lounge, a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art exercise facility, a poolside bar, etc.

FURNISHINGS

Timeshares - Timeshares are sold fully furnished. The quality of furnishings depends on the individual development. The cost for the furnishings is built into the price.

Condo Hotels - Condo hotel units are sold fully furnished typically with high-end furniture, appliances and fixtures selected by a professional interior designer. The cost for furnishings is included in the price of the condo hotel unit.

SERVICES

Timeshares - In a timeshare, you are responsible for your own housekeeping and unit upkeep during your stay.

Condo Hotels - You get daily housekeeping as you would in a luxury hotel. You have access to room service, concierge services, maintenance services and check-in services. The vast majority of condo hotels are operated by big-name hoteliers like Ritz Carlton and Hilton, the consummate professionals when it comes to customer service. Most of the same services available at their high-end hotels are offered at their condo hotels.

LOCATION

Timeshares - Timeshares are located in highly-desirable resort areas.

Condo Hotels - Condo hotels are also located in highly-desirable resort areas.

PRICE

Timeshares - Prices for timeshares vary greatly but are typically lower than condo hotel prices because you are only purchasing one or two weeks of usage. In addition, you do not receive any of the revenue generated during the 50+ weeks that your timeshare unit is used by others.

With timeshares, as much as 40%-50% of the price goes to sales commissions. Why are the sales commissions so high? The developer must maintain a large sales force in order to make approximately 50 sales for every unit (one for every week of the year).

Condo Hotels - You receive deeded ownership to the property. Although more expensive, condo hotels tend to give you more for your money than timeshares. More of your dollar goes into “bricks and mortar” high-quality finishes not sales commissions.

In addition, when not using your condo hotel unit, you can place it in the management’s rental program and receive a percentage of the revenue it generates, helping to offset your maintenance costs and debt service.

RENTAL INCOME POTENTIAL

Timeshares - You have the option of renting out your timeshare to someone of your own choosing or placing it in a rental program if you decide not to use it during your allotted week. If you participate in the rental program, you will split the revenue generated with the property’s management company. Remember, you are only renting out the one or two weeks per year that you own.

Condo Hotels - Like a timeshare, you have the option of finding your own renters or placing your condo hotel unit into the rental program. You may participate in the rental program and receive a portion of the revenue it generates any time that you are not occupying your unit, whether it be for one night or 365 per year.

POTENTIAL APPRECIATION

Timeshares - Historically, timeshares depreciate in value from the time they are purchased. Values have been poor because of the large number of resales on the market and a continuous stream of new developments competing with them.

The secondary market for reselling timeshares has never taken off. The fact is, most people who buy a timeshare will have it for life, whether they want to or not.

Condo Hotels - Because condo hotels are a relatively new type of property investment, they are limited to just a handful of locales across the country. The supply is small and demand is currently high and growing, all of which contribute rapid and significant appreciation. Another factor to keep in mind when reselling a condo hotel unit is that you’re selling not only the actual unit but also the luxury lifestyle that comes with an amenity-filled, high-service property.

Many condo hotels are sold out in pre-construction. Often the developers, sensing the high demand, will themselves raise prices many times before all units are gone.

For example, The Mutiny condo hotel located in Coconut Grove, Florida was the first condo hotel to be built in South Florida. From the time the developer began accepting deposits until it sold out in pre-construction, there were nine price increases. People who bought early did exceptionally well.

Joel Greene is the President of Condo Hotel Center, a licensed real estate brokerage that specializes in the sale of condo hotels. For more information on condo hotels — including property listings, photos and prices — visit his website at http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com Be sure to sign up for his Property Alert e-newsletter to receive notification when new condo hotels come on the market and are available at pre-construction pricing.

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To Baguio City Artists,

Art will remain the most astonishing activity of mankind born out of struggle between wisdom and madness, between dream and reality in our mind.” Magdelena Abakanowicz. It is not surprising that Baguio City has produced a fine crop of Artists, whom through their trail and error, have persisted in finding beauty, expressing pain, compassion and insight into filipino culture. Baguio has an underlying essence of Art and Cultural traditions that has gone on through the years of our existence. Sitting there staring at one particular painting, this is what I saw: Little children huddled up in the dark, mouths open, screaming; their hands covering their ears with an absolutely terrified look in their eyes. It was almost as if the painting itself was screeching and screaming. I have never in my entire life seen art with such desire and emotion flooding off the canvas. Clean strokes and simple features of the children are a subtle emphasis of human characteristics. This painting held a realism, but had an unimaginable quality of the expressed fear. This is but one of the many paintings done by talented Filipino Artists. In a culture that by the outside world is considered so poor, we as a cultural are rich in our artists; as they are bringing back awareness into our communities. They continuously raise social, political and cultural issues that demand attention. And for this I thank you. Thank you for allowing the world to again appreciate the happiness despite the poverty. To appreciate again the hardworking woman and the caring father. To appreciate the nonsensical off-key voice of the local karaoke bar singer. To find appreciation in all aspects of our culture and to finally lift this veil of poverty we hold over our heads. You see it in the display, the strokes, the thickness, in the colors, in the expression, spaces, shapes, and tones. Art is not a piece of literature that you read with your eyes, but it sets a tone, an emotional expression that relates to some part of you. It speaks louder than words read off a page. And it says: Listen. Listen to what the Philippines is saying. This is what the people are saying. And as I listen I have great expectations and predictions for this unveiling. Baguio city is full of voices speaking through their art. These aspiring artists can submit their work to rballungay@webcoastdesign.com A multitude of artwork can also be found specifically in the village, but it’s very easy to find paintings in local coffee shops, and cafes throughout the entire city. You can learn more about the community of Baguio City at www.baguiodirectory.com To all the Baguio Artists, keep the art flowing and Thank You! Live for art and in Art Every great work of art has two faces, one toward its own time and one toward the future, toward eternity. Daniel Barenboim Lynn Kalashian

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That’s a total of 12,000 cuttings.. Get Wholesale Cosmetic Makeup Suppliers Liquidators at Salehoo wholesale directories, see how Salehoo can help your business. You need to choose an area that is both secure and easy to manage. Read on to find out more about Wholesale Cosmetic Makeup Suppliers Liquidators and Salehoo Wholesalers. Of course crystal is just an example; you can apply the same principles to sofas bicycles computers toys or whatever you might take pleasure in. More on Wholesale Cosmetic Makeup Suppliers Liquidators at Salehoo wholesaler directory.

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Maybe it was Mark Twain who said there are lies, dammed lies and statistics. This seems to be the case concerning statistics for Ngorongoro crater. As I checked my figures for accuracy for this article I could find no two sources that agree. So I will endeavor to keep statistics to a minimum.

This aside Ngorongoro Crater is a true marvel and I believe unique in Africa; it is located between the lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti. It was formed from an ancient volcano that erupted and then collapsed into the craters we see today. This is called a caldera and Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest [unbroken] caldera. It is thought that this volcano, before it erupted and collapsed, stood taller than its close neighbor Mt Kilimanjaro.

The crater floor is spread across one hundred square mile and is home to many thousands of animals. Ngorongoro Crater enjoys a year round water supply and so nearly all animals remain here as permanent residents. It has the densest population of game in the whole of Africa; and it is possible to see the big five in one day. It is often referred to as a mini Serengeti as it shares many of the habitats of this huge neighbor. Although rich with game the crater has no giraffe, impala or topi. There are only a small number of tall acacia trees, this lack of grazing can explain the absence of the giraffe but the absences of impala and topi is a mystery; especially as they are present in large numbers in the nearby Serengeti.

There are five habitats on the crater floor, which as mentioned have echoes of the habitats of the Serengeti. In the south west is the Lerai Forest which gets its name from the tall yellow barked acacia. This Forrest is home to baboons and vervet monkeys. There is also a small population of giant tusker bull elephants. These elephants are the biggest you will see in Tanzania. There are no breading herds of elephants here; in fact there are no female elephants in the crater. If you are lucky you may also catch a glimpse of the shy leopard lying along the branches of the acacia trees in this forest.

The best time to visit this forest is early in the morning. We recommend a 6h30 start, if you are up to it, to be amongst the first into the crater. The animals are at their most active in a morning and an early start will be well rewarded. The Ngorongoro crater has been likened to a giant deep freeze in the early morning so wrap up warm for this early start.

Just off-centre is Lake Magadi - this is a soda lake and home to thousands of [migratory] flamingo’s. The central region is an area of short grass plains which is home to wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle.

In the south eastern and the north western areas of the crater floor are seasonal swamps where hippo and many water birds abound.

The eastern section has the longer grasses where buffalo are present. These buffalo have dramatically increased over the past few decades; this is a direct result of humans leaving the crater and it reverting to its natural state. The grasses in this section are particularly suited to the buffalo.

There are over one hundred bird species found here which are not present in the nearby Serengeti. The crater is also home to one of Tanzania’s last heads of black rhino. The other herd is found in the Serengeti. You are more likely to see the black rhino here in this small area, than in the vast Serengeti. There are just twenty-five rhino here but we been told numbers are increasing slowly.

Of the carnivores Ngorongoro Crater boasts lion, cheetah, hyena, seval, ratel, jackal and the bat eared fox. Cheetah have thrived here; especially over the past few years due to the increase of buffalo and the decrease in wildebeest. The regeneration of this area has been particularly favorable to the cheetah.

>From 2006 the park fees double for this destination and also for the Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro National Park. Half day safaris will be enforced for Ngorongoro crater. This will result in most safaris taking two half-day safaris to visit Ngorongoro Crater. We would recommend you take one morning safari and start as early as possible. All the lodges in this area are perched high on the rime of the crater. These lodges make and ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the view of the crater far bellow you.

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Snake Estate - Online Snake Database

Snakes - General Information

If you’re looking for a new friend or something to keep you company I suggest picking up a snake as a pet. They’re one of the easier reptiles to take care of and make great showrooms. You can impress your friends with your new hobby and even attract some women. Snakes

Snakes In My Dreams

Snakes and dreams can be interpreted in many ways. Some find themselves dreaming about snakes on a daily basis. This can be good but at the same time be bad. Depending on the type of person and type of dream you’re having you’ll notice that the snake means different things.

Snake Resources On the Internet

DMOZ offers a list of internet snake sites that are humanly selected in order to provide the user with an amazing online experience. You’ll notice that the selection of sites featured on DMOZ are extremely relevant to any species of snake. Be sure to check their listings and expand your knowledge on snakes. Snakes
My Snake Blog is one of many personal snake blogs on the internet. You’ll be able to view photos, videos, information & feedings of many snake hobbyist. Create your own blog today and bring your snake stories to the world! Snake Blog

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The intelligent old Chinese catchphrase has a critical denotation; the statement illustrated the truth that each and every person identifies with an occasion considerably more when it is observed. By the use of video production or videography it’s realistic to record a series of occasions.

Nowadays in lots of different business presentations, video clips are repetitively implemented. Using video production it’s possible to offer the required info to several consumers to help lure them. Video production is now utilised for all sorts of jobs; however, quite a lot of short format videos and brand related productions are usually developed in order to achieve certain commercial targets.

Audio video presentations are very much in style & are therefore used in roughly any type of corporate activity. Video production companies by & large work with a certain brand of client or a corporation that are seeking to create an online corporate video, a presentation or an assortment of video clips. The total occupation of video production is often carried out by a number of freelancers; yet there are a couple of creative agencies around at the moment.

Involvement of music composers, cameraman and script writers can also be typical when creating internet video productions. What’s more, advertising agencies and PR firms have lately become involved with online video publishing and distribution. Vidify is a video production company that specialise in creating short format online video commercials for local independent neighbourhood businesses.

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Mention Austria and everyone thinks of Vienna and Salzburg. In addition to great names, Zell am See, Innsbruck and Bad Gastein are great locations off the beaten path.

Zell am See

Zell…am…See. The name just rolls off the tongue, but it pails in comparison to the place. Often described as heaven on earth, Zell am See is a dream location in the mountains of Austria. With towering mountains on one side and a lake on the other, the town looks like something out of a postcard. If you pull up photographs of the town, you’ll swear they have been touched up with a software program. This town is simply that beautiful. In the winter, Zell am See is all about skiing with numerous resorts for glacier skiing. In the summer, one can lounge on a boat on the lake or hit the mountains for hiking, camping and rock climbing. The Krimml Waterfalls are extremely impressive. Zell am See isn’t the cheapest of travel destinations, but it should top the list if money isn’t a concern. The best month to go is December when skiing is good and winter festivals occur in the town.

Innsbruck

Built on the Inn River, Innsbruck was the home to the 1976 Winter Olympics. And for good reason. As with much of Austria, the town is picturesquely set against mountains and ripe with street cafes and surrounding areas that look like something out of the movie Heidi. As the Olympic designation would suggest, the town is a good launching point for hitting the slopes, but there is much more to it. The historic district has the cobblestone atmosphere you’ve come to expect from town in the Alps. In addition to atmosphere, you can visit historic locations such as the tomb of Emperor Maximilian 1.

My only gripe with Innsbruck is the boring, modern developments around the core of the town that were brought on by the Olympics. They sort of kill the mood, which brings us to Bad Gastein.

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein definitely gets a nomination for name of the year. It just sounds like a town where bikers would hang out. Admittedly, it is hard to image Austrian Hells Angels, but you get my drift.

Bad Gastein is an old Austrian village without the droll modern fixtures of Innsbruck. Built overlooking a valley, the town has some incredible views. Historically, Bad Gastein is the spa town of Austria with emperors and other VIPs taking in treatment. For atmosphere, the town feels like it hasn’t changed since the 19th century. If you’re looking for old world Austria, this is the place. Make sure to hurry though as the town is supposedly grabbing the attention of developers who are thinking hotels and casinos are a must.

If you visit Austria, Vienna and Salzburg are definite destinations. Just make sure you get out to the incredible towns in the mountains.

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