Gateway To Paradise

Welcome to Mossel Bay: an idyllic coastal village and harbour situated between Cape Town and Port Elisabeth. This town is proud to be the historical capital of Cape Town's, world-famous Garden Route. It also features in the Guinness Book of Records as having the mildest all-year climate; second only to Hawaii. Both South Africans and Europeans regard Mossel Bay as their 'secret' holiday destination; whether your desire is for bustling summer holidays, or lazy winter retreats - you can enjoy this perennial Mediterranean climate all-year round.
Mossel Bay is a town with a rich history. The first recorded meeting between the Europeans and the local inhabitants of Southern Africa took place in Mossel Bay in 1488. An explorer, Bartolomeu Dias anchored in a bay, which he called Aquada de Sao Bras (watering place of St Blaize). In 1601 a Dutch navigator, Paulus van Caerden renamed it Mossel Bay, because mussels had become a welcome addition to the diet of his crew. The first trading also took place here in 1497 between Vasco Da Gama and the local inhabitants. Later this town became a busy export harbour for wool, ochre and ostrich feathers.
The warm Indian Ocean surrounding Mossel Bay is home to world-famous mussels and oysters. Gourmets rate them as some of the best in the world. Incomparable seafood and 24km of unspoilt coastline make this village a holiday haven.What to do in Mossel BayEndless game drives put you in contact with the Big Five at the numerous game reserves. Ride on elephants through the Botlierskop Game Reserve; take a boat trip to nearby Seal Island; the home of about 3000 Cape Fur seals, and an ideal spot for dolphin viewing and whale watching. For adrenalin junkies, there is bungee jumping, bridge swinging, abseiling and South Africa's favourite thrill, shark-cage diving. You can scuba dive and shipwreck dive or go horse riding on the beach. For the less adventurous, there is an 18-hole golf course to enjoy. The Oyster Catcher Trail is an eco cultural hiking trail along the coast, starting from a Khoi San cave in Mossel Bay and ending at the Gouritz River mouth. Finally, for a truly unique way of whale watching, embark on a helicopter flip over the town and magnificent bay.Special EventsMossel Bay offers seasonal festivals and events, such as annual flower shows every September and October. Everyone is looking forward to the Mossel Bay Off Shore Yacht Race 2006: from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town to the Mossel Bay Boat and Yacht Club. CultureMossel Bay is proud of its rich cultural diversity and well-preserved buildings and houses, crafted from honey-toned local stone. Khoi-San artefacts, dating back more than 80 000 years, were found in the famous Cape St Blaize Cave.The best place to experience the existing culture is at the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. This complex consists of the Maritime museum, Shell Museum & Aquarium, Granary, famous Old Post Office Tree, Etno-botanical garden, Munro houses and fountain. Here you can visit the impressive life size replica of Bartolomeu Dias caravel; the ship in which he sailed into Mossel Bay. The cultural section focuses on the heritage of the town and district. The Shell Museum houses imaginative shell exhibitions and portrays the history of the use of molluscs by man. Live animals exist in their natural habitat in aquaria. One of the most popular attractions is the Post Office tree. In 1500, Pedro de Ataide left an important letter in a shoe or iron pot under a large tree. In 1501, Joao da Nova found this letter, and the first "Post Office" came about. More than 500 years later, you can still come and post your letter here!The Ethno-botanical Garden is a collection of plants that occur naturally in the Mossel Bay area and which, were used by the Khoi, San, Coloured, Xhosa and European settlers for shelter, food and medicinal uses, as well as for their superstitious beliefs and magic practices.RestaurantsThe best part of any holiday is surely the exotic and authentic food that will accompany your stay. Mossel Bay is no exception! For those looking for a taste of Africa, there is the open-air restaurant in the Khoi village. Foreign-flavoured fare includes Thai, Cuban, Portuguese, and Italian.Sample some of the finest seafood at the many seafood restaurants on offer, and don't pass up the chance to indulge in wild Mossel Bay oysters and Mossel Bay sole!For an outdoor romantic encounter, why not take a picnic basket up to the Light House where you can admire the crashing Indian Ocean below.Beyond its obvious attributes, Mossel Bay has a certain pathos, which is evident in the landscape, and the friendliness and warmth of its people. Mossel Bay leaves an indelible mark on visitors who holiday there; just as the old stone buildings form part of the landscape, you cannot stay here and not feel part of the place.

by Bronwen Roberts
About the Author
Visit Mossel Bay Tourism for all your tourism information, accommodation enquiries and details of Mossel Bays' many attractions.

Honeymooning in the Poconos

In 1945, a soldier named Rudolf Von Hoevenberg opened the first resort for honeymooners -- called "The Farm on the Hill". He started a trend for many more honeymoon-type resort entrepreneurs to open business and "couples only" resorts were born. Costs of these resorts range from $250 to $600 per night. But those who have experienced a Poconos honeymoon will tell you that it is money well spent. You end up paying for a resort equipped with heart-shaped bathtubs and whirlpools, log fireplace and round, king-sized beds.
Some prices are inclusive of two meals, activities and entertainment. The most well known resort is Caesars Pocono Resort.
Operating in the Poconos for the last 47 years, the entranceway of Caesars has welcomed over 18,000 honeymoon couples. This luxurious establishment has four levels of pleasure waiting for you and your loved one. And they go all-out to pamper couples: dry sauna, steam shower, massage table with heat lamp, and breakfast in bed. A honeymoon concierge is also on hand at the resort to give you information that will make your vacation run more smoothly. They include transportation and can assist with information regarding on- and off-resort activities.
Some resorts offer activities such as water-skiing, golf, indoor and outdoor tennis, paddle boating, snow skiing and snowmobiling. You can explore your own activities away from the resort. After all, in the Poconos, there is really never a dull moment. Go sailing, or take a walk on one of the lovely beaches. Have a romantic picnic in the park or by the lake. Whatever you do, ensure that you get back to your love den just in time for nightly entertainment, which some resorts include as part of your all-inclusive package.

by Elizabeth Morgan
About the Author
Poconos Info provides detailed information about the Poconos mountains, vacations, resorts, real estate, hotels, and honeymoons. Poconos Info is the sister site of Steamboat Springs Web.

Exploring Disney World

Going on vacation to Disney World does not have to be terribly expensive if the proper research and planning is done. Considered among one of the finest theme parks in the world, Universal Studios Florida has plenty to offer everyone. There is a whole new world of things to do at Disney that are totally free. So before you make a reservation or commit to a resort or hotel, spend some time comparing vacation packages and weigh the pros and cons. After all, you want to make the most out of your vacation in the least expensive way.
The average vacation to Disney World is five to seven days. This is actually as much time it takes to see everything. Whether you are on your honeymoon or taking the kids to a whole new world, make the most out of Disney World and make it a trip to remember. But you don't have to go broke while creating these memories. Take for instance all the free things you can do in and around Disney World that won't even require park admission.
Downtown Disney has wonderful interactive exhibits such as the Lego Imagination Center, laden with some eye-catching Lego sculptures and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area filled with thousands of Lego blocks to play with. You don't have to be a child to have fun with Lego's, be creative and splurge.
Pleasure Island is totally free during the evening hours. You can roam and revel in the shops and restaurants while you enjoy the entertainment and fireworks display. Admission is only required if you choose to go into one of the many night clubs on Pleasure Island, that is unless you have a pass, then entrance is free.
The Disney Boardwalk offers a nice variety of freebies as well. If you are lodging in a Disney resort or hotel, you can use Disney's transportation to get to the boardwalk. If you choose to drive to the Boardwalk, you can get a free 3-hour parking permit from the lot attendant.
The Interactive Fountains are amazing and fun and will make a great back ground for your vacation pictures. Jump in, splash around and make it a Kodak moment for your keepsakes. Check out the free magic shows at the Magic Masters. You can learn a few magic tricks to take home with you.
Have fun strolling down the Boardwalk and enjoy the street performers. From jugglers to jazz musicians, take in the atmosphere and enjoy. For dancing and live bands with no cover charge, stop by the Atlantic Dance Hall.
Just being a Guest at a Disney resort offers an array of free activities. You can choose from multiple children's activities to swimming to free Disney transportation. Stop by the resort shops to see what clearance items are available as souvenirs.
Resort Guests or multi-pass holders are eligible to ride the Monorail free of charge. The Monorail is a favorite of Disney Guests, offering a spectacular tour of many of the parks inside Disney. Also as a resort Guest you can take advantage of the nature trails and walkways.
Enjoy cruises from Port Orleans along the Sassagoula River to Downtown Disney and back. While you're in Port Orleans be sure to visit the Butterfly Garden located behind Acadian House.
You can enjoy a romantic cruise of Crescent Lake and visit Epcot, the Yacht and Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, and MGM along the way. While you're enjoying the open water you can take the boat that visits the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. At night you can watch for the magnificent Electric Water Pageant as it floats around the lake stopping at each of the resorts.
While Ft. Wilderness is open to all Walt Disney World resort guests, it would be a nice way to end a night by stopping in for roasting marshmallows on a campfire and a movie shown on a large outdoor screen. This is held every evening, near the Meadow Trading Post. The evening starts with a sing-a-long song and marshmallow roast. You can purchase food there or bring your own. Disney characters will be there to meet the guests, to sign autographs, and pose for pictures. There is seating available or you can bring along a blanket to lay on and relax while enjoying the entertainment under the stars.
Take advantage of everything Disney World has to offer and enjoy!

by Lee Asher
About the Author
Original Source: Articles Galore.comInformation supplied and written by Lee Asher of Eclipse Domain ServicesDomain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.

Marital Bliss - Honeymoon Cruise Honeymoon Cruise - A Cruise to Paradise

A Honeymoon Cruise as the name suggests offers a gateway to paradise for honeymooners away from the pressures of daily life and enjoy the bliss of togetherness. This provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of togetherness by exploring the unknown and enjoying nature and life. The Honeymoon cruise offers the comforts of a five star luxury and provides a period of unending excitement, adventure, the opportunity to get to know each other and enjoying life as nature had wanted it to be. This is an ideal way to start a life of togetherness for fulfillment of one's desires and daresay this is a golden getaway. The excitement of togetherness under the moonlit sky with the stars twinkling and the rustle of the water and the gentle breeze flowing from the sea is an experience, which will be etched in your memory for life. The honeymoon cruise package usually includes: 1. Champagne and Strawberries in the Stateroom on embarkment 2. Canapés delivered to your cabin on the evening of your choice. 3. A special Honeymooner's party 4. Honeymoon Photographs. 5. Champagne breakfast in bed The following Honeymoon cruises satisfy the forever romantics and provide luxury unheard of:- 1. A Silver Sea Cruise is a love nest and provides Bed-breakfast, pre-dinner cocktails, a private verandah with canapés, complimentary Champagne and wine, a mini-bar stocked with the choicest of drinks to enhance your mood, delicious cuisine are the attractions of this Honeymoon Cruise. 2. Crystal Cruises are midsize luxury liners which provides all the above . Penthouses with personal butlers are also available at a nominal extra cost at this Honeymoon Cruise.3. Wind Star Cruises offers everything you would have dreamt. This Honeymoon Cruise offers boats with which you sail away from ports at sunset and feel the exhilaration of cruising under white billowing sails. The spirited can go for scuba diving, kayaking, Windsailing, snorkeling etc. 4. Norwegian Cruise Line - The Norwegian Star is a specialty for romantic couples. Resort casual dining offers an alternative following a formal wedding at this Honeymoon Cruise. The destination is Hawaii (world's most romantic destination) departing every Sunday and has a Wedding Chapel for intimate ceremonies and vow renewals. The destination shall be of your choice depending upon your taste - be it the romantic hills, historical monuments, beaches, tropical rain forests etc. All the cruise ships offering a Honeymoon Cruise have exquisitely done suites, gyms, swimming pools, beauty parlors and casinos to pamper the cruiser and energize the mind, body and spirit.

by Colin Hartness - http://www.whatcruises.com
About the Author
Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com 'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive

Vacation Travel Insurance Tips

Travel insurance is an important but often overlooked part of your vacation. Whether you are traveling to a foreign country or to the next state you should consider travel insurance.
Some of the reasons to have insurance are to cover medical expenses, life insurance for your family, or trip insurance when something goes wrong.
If you have medical coverage, check with your insurer to find out the specifics regarding your planned destination.
You can buy medical coverage for the duration of your trip or for longer periods. Some travel insurance policies cover multiple trips of specific duration. Some will cover you for travel up to a year.
Planning a skiing or mountain climbing vacation? You may want to consider evacuation insurance. If you need to be rescued it is quite possible that the you will end up with a hefty bill to pay for the service.
If you are going on a cruise, taking an organized tour or just flying on an airplane you may want trip cancellation insurance. You or a family member may get sick at the last minute or your plans may change unexpectedly.
Many companies do not offer refunds and you could be out thousands of dollars. There are many things out of your control that can mess with your plans. Refunds are tough to get sometimes.
Other popular coverage is loss of baggage, baggage delay, travel delay, dental, 24 Hour Traveler Assistance, and accidental death.
If you are driving out of the country definitely check with your auto insurer. Purchase any extra coverage needed. You may want to ask about an international roadside assistance policy.
Auto breakdowns and accidents are bad enough at home but the problems are compounded abroad.
Check with your credit card company. You may have some coverage if you purchase your vacation with their card.
If you are traveling with a group you may be able to get coverage cheaper as a group rather than individually.
Sometimes you will pay more for less coverage if you buy it through a travel agent who makes a nice commission. This is not always the case but it's your money. Shop around for the best deal.

by Peter Shannon
About the Author
The author, of this article, Peter Shannon, is the owner of the website http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com. Here you will find a large collection of vacation and getaway ideas for travelers searchable by theme and location.

TravelCheapTravelWell

Top Travel Tips for Vacations & Holidays

Did you know that booking your holiday independently, without using a travel agent, means that your money is at risk? There is no legal requirement for airlines (especially the no-frills, low-cost variety) and hotels to supply you with security in the event of insolvency. However, book your holiday through an ATOL travel agent, such as the My Vacations Group of Travel Companies (www.myvacations.co.uk) and your money and peace of mind are secure. Reliable travel agents such as My Vacations have paid out vast amounts of insurance to their regulatory body, the Civil Aviation Authority, in order to be permitted to sell package and other holidays. In short, if it doesn't have an ATOL, don't book it at all!

Contrary to popular opinion, you don't always get the cheapest flights by waiting until the last minute for possible cancellations. In fact, more often than not, the air fare increases as seat availability decreases. Book well in advance as many airlines offer a limited number of significantly reduced fares. At present, My Vacations are taking bookings up to 31st March 2007. Also, always try and be flexible with your departure point as regional airports usually offer much cheaper flights as well as less queues and shorter check-in times.

Frequent travellers know that booking their flights and accommodation at the same time through a travel agent saves them a lot of money as booking a flight independently and then sourcing a hotel room separately means you often end up paying 'rack' rates (published full-priced flight/room rates) instead of the heavily discounted rates offered by travel agents. My Vacations have negotiated very low rates at many top branded hotel chains and airlines around the world due to their bulk buying power and these benefits are, in turn, offered to the customer. Remember, these discounted rates are only available when booking your holiday through a travel agent.

Book your flights, city or beach breaks through www.myvacations.co.uk and receive an online booking discount of £5.00 per person! Also, watch out for regularly discounted holiday offers, free night offers at top hotels around the world and special '2 for 1' Companion fares in Business & First Class with reputable airlines such as Qatar Airways (www.myqatar.co.uk) & Etihad Airways.

by Amit Verma
About the Author
Amit Verma writes about "Top Travel Tips for Vacations & Holidays". Collect More Information at 'www.myvacations.co.uk' for cheap vacations and holidays.

Cheap International Travel Secrets

What is the real secret to cheap international travel? It is the same as the secret to doing anything for less. Learn to be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers get to travel more, see more and do more. Of course, you can ignore this advice if you have unlimited funds.

I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, aren't there many interesting places in this world? Why not choose one you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, and you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.

Cheap Countries

Ecuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, since that's conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you'll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and inexpensive.

South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to it's recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.

In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.

In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.

Cheap International Travel Tips

Wherever you go, there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) and packaged snacks from grocery stores.

Visit the free and cheap attractions first. It's possible you'll have so much fun that you'll never get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.

Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. Walking is even cheaper, and it's a great way to learn about a city. Just ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander too far.

For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a room. They're much more common overseas.

Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If one is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

by Steve Gillman
About the Author
Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com