The Wild Beauty of Europe

Do you want to visit a place of unspoiled natural beauty? Then Montenegro is the place for you. Montenegro is a small country with a little over 620,000 citizens.

Montenegro is surrounded by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania. There is access to the beaches on the Adriatic.

Montenegro has two international airports: Podgorica and Tivat. The Airports Council International named Podgorica (TGD) Airport the best airport serving fewer than one million passengers in 2007. If your main objective when visiting Montenegro is to go to the beach, fly into the Tivat airport. If not, fly into the Podgorica airport.

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. The population of Podgorica is just over 130,000. It is the meeting place of the five rivers: Zeta, Moraca, Cijevna, Ribnica, and Sitnica. Podgorica is in the Zeta Plain. This is one of the only flat land areas in Montenegro. There are many things to see and do around Podgorica. If you want to shop, go to the Delta City. There is a hypermarket, which is similar to an American supermarket. You can buy clothes at Zara, Esprit, Mango, Strativarius, Pull and Bear and many others. You can also shop on several of the upscale streets near the town center, or you can go to the two open-air markets that are popular with the citizens.

If you want to go to the beach, there are several options; the first is Budva, which is very popular with the younger population. Budva has an exciting nightlife and has many concerts from performers such as Madonna, Lenny Kravitz and David Guetta. There are several other beach destinations including Ulcinj, which is the southern most beach city in Montenegro. Ulcinj has the longest beach in Montenegro. It is also near Ada Bojana, which is a unique river island. There is excellent seafood near Ada Bojana. You can also visit Bar, which has an olive tree that is over 2000 years old. Near Bar is Sutomore where you can find an inexpensive place to stay in a house. You should choose the beach that fits your desired vacation.

You can also spend time in the mountains in Montenegro. If you want to go somewhere that is beautiful and relaxing during the day and lively at night, visit Kolasin. While in Kolasin, you can stay at the beautiful Bianca Resort and Spa. During the day, walk around, take in the beauty of the area, and drink a cup of coffee. During the night, you can go to one of the bars or discotheques where you can dance until early in the morning.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your visit to the most beautiful country on the Adriatic!
Europe Travel

Top 10 Places to Visit in Belgium and Why

Belgium is a small and beautiful country in northwestern Europe and offers many places of interest for every tourist. There are many interesting architectural buildings, monuments, museums to visit and nature lovers can enjoy their time in the beautiful parks, on the beach or even in the hilly Ardennes.

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The top ten places to visit in this lovely country of Europe depend on the interest of every traveler and will vary from person to person. Most everyone will surely pick some of these places in their top ten of places to visit in Belgium:

1. Bruges

Bruges can be considered as the most popular city of Belgium and its historic center is recognized by the UNESCO as World heritage center. This charming and medieval city, also called the Venice of the North, has preserved its authenticity and dominated by many historical buildings, the romantic Minnewater Park and its picturesque canals.

Most of the streets in Bruges are narrow and covered with cobblestones. It is difficult driving in this beautiful city of Belgium and it is often difficult to find a parking. It is impossible to sum up all the beauties of Bruges but you may never miss the Belfry Tower, the Market square, the Church of Our Lady and the Beguinage.

You can view the Belfry Tower already when you are on the Market square which is surrounded by medieval buildings. The Belfry Tower has a height of 88 meters and you can reach the top after a climb of 88 steps. From there, you have a beautiful panoramic view on the entire city. The Church of Our Lady is likely the most famous church in Bruges and especially visit for viewing the painting of the Madonna by Michelangelo and the Gothic tombs of Burgundy.

A boat trip on the Reie can’t be missed in Bruges. It is a tour of 30 minutes where you tour around the most beautiful places of Bruges and a guide will inform you about the history and interesting stories of Bruges. The Minnewater Park is the most romantic place is Bruges and you always see swans swimming on this lake.

2. Antwerp

Antwerp is the second largest city of Belgium and also called the city of diamond and fashion. If you are searching for a Valentine’s Day gift for your love, Antwerp is the perfect place for you. The World Diamond Center is located in Antwerp and 70% of all diamonds arrive through Antwerp in Belgium.

The Cathedral of Our Lady is the most important building in Antwerp and can be considered as one of the most famous gothic cathedrals of Europe. The cathedral has a height of 123 meter and you can view this building from almost any place in Antwerp. The town square can be considered as the heart of Antwerp and you can view the Brabo Fountain with the statue of Silvius Brabo. This Roman soldier killed the giant Antigoon who asked exaggerated tolls from the sailors. He has cut his hands and throws this in the River Scheldt.

3. Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and a highlight for every traveler who wants to visit historical buildings, museums and important monuments. The Grand Place Square can be considered as the heart of this beautiful city in Belgium. It is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and surrounded by baroque guildhouses, neo-gothic buildings and museums. The town hall is the most impressive building on the Grand Place square and built in gothic style. Many events are organized on the Grand Place Square and one of the most beautiful ones is the Flower Carpet which has been organized every two years in the third week of August. This Flower carpet is created from more than eight hundred thousand begonias and covers more than three hundred square meters.

The most famous statue in Brussels is Manneke Pis and well known worldwide. It is a bronze statue of a little man of 58cm who urinates in the fountain’s basin. When celebrations take place in Brussels, Manneke Pis is dressed in different costumes. This statue can be considered as the symbol of Brussels.

It is impossible to visit all important buildings in Brussels and even to sum them up all. The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula cathedral, originally built in Romanesque style but transformed to gothic style may never be missed. It is impressive through the glass-stained windows and portraits of several kings. Brussels is also the place to be for the best Belgium chocolate from chocolatier Neuhaus.

4. Ghent

Ghent can be considered as the flower city of Belgium. Begonias and azaleas from Ghent are sold in most countries of the world. The Floralies of Ghent is a popular event which takes every 5 year place and exhibit a variety of different flowers and plants. The Citadel Park is a beautiful park where you can view a statue of king Boudewijn I and surrounded by many plants and flowers.

The Gravensteen is a popular monument in Ghent and also called “the castle of the count”. It is a castle and constructed by Philip of Alsasse. This famous building is a “must see” in Ghent and it is maybe recommended to choose for a guided tour. A panoramic view from the top is worth your time to visit. The Belfry tower is another important building in Ghent and has a height of 91 meters. The Saint Baafscathedral houses paintings of the famous Flemish painter Jan Van Eyck. Most everyone will visit this cathedral to admire The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb of this painter.

5. Ostend

Ostend is the largest city of the Belgian coast and a popular place for people who like to spend some time on the beach at the Nordsea. When you walk along the beach you always see some birds flying in the air. It is a perfect place for bicycling or walking in one of their parks.

The Leopold park is the most famous park in Ostend and popular because of its famous Floral Clock. This clock is made from 20.000 different plants and looks adorable through the variety of the different colors of these flowers and plants. When you visit this Floral Clock in summer, you can see the exact date. Another important park is the Maria Hendrick Park where you find a beautiful lake (Mirror Lake).

6. Hasselt

Hasselt is likely the most sociable city in Belgium and also called the city of the taste. It is the perfect place for shopping and enjoying from different delicatessen of Hasselt. It is located at the Demer River and the Albert Canal. The market square is impressive and you can admire the Town hall, built in gothic style, and the statue of Katrien and Hendrick who represent the two first habitants of Hasselt.

The Japanese garden in Hasselt is the largest authentic garden of Europe and constructed with the help of the Japanese city Itamy. This garden is 2,5 ha large and is divided in different areas. A typical feature of this garden is the rich use of rocks. There is also a waterfall which has been inspired by the one in Kyoto.

7. Leuven

Leuven is the university city of Belgium. The statue “Fonske” represent a student who is reading a book and has a glass of beer in his right hand. This statue can be considered as the symbol of the University of Leuven. It is wonderful to visit this city in June when students are lying in the sun to study for their examination. The University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven) is the oldest catholic university in the world and is likely the most important building in Leuven. The ground floor of the main hall is in gothic style.

The Saint Peter’s church is surely your visit worth, especially for the decoration inside, and is built in gothic style. The botanical garden “Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis” may not be missed and contains plants of therapeutic power, herb gardens, greenhouses and some statues.

8. The Haspengouw

The Haspengouw is a beautiful region in Belgium and especially popular for its beautiful landscape. There are many farms and agriculture is the main activity in this area of Belgium. A visit to this region in Belgium can best be done when you can see the blossoms of fruit trees. Sint Truiden is the market center of the fruit industry in Belgium. You can even see some statues of fruit (apple, pear) on the Market square of this city.

Tongeren is another beautiful city in the Haspengouw and besides the beautiful landscape well known for the statue of Ambiorix. You can also visit many impressive remains of the Romans in this city, for example the Roman wall, the Gallo museum and it is possible to make a tour with the Ambiorix tourist train where you can view the most beautiful sights of Tongeren.

9. Kortrijk

Kortrijk is a city which holds many remains of the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. An important monument is the Maiden and is located in the Groeningepark. You can enter this park when you go under the Groeningegate. The Groeningegate is an arc de triomphe which commemorates the Battle of the Gulden Spurs.

Kortrijk is a wonderful place in Belgium and lies on the river Leie. This river enters Kortrijk on the site of the Broeltowers which are remains of the former city fortifications. The Belfry tower (located on the Market square) and the Beguinage are two important monuments which are recognized by the UNESCO as world heritage center.

Kortrijk is a beautiful city to visit and most monuments are located on a short distance from each other.

10. Knokke

Knokke is a popular place on the Belgian coast which attracts every year many tourists. People can walk along the beach but they likely also prefer to visit “the butterfly garden” and “the Zwin” which can be considered as the two top attractions of Knokke. Nobody may miss to walk along the Zoutestraat and the Kustlaan which are the most famous shopping streets in Knokke.

The butterfly garden is a place where you enter first a forest of exotic plants. There are more than 300 butterflies from different countries which flutter and flit where ever you go in this garden. It is possible some will land on your hand and it is amazing to see the variety of different colors of these beautiful insects.

The Zwin can be considered as the most beautiful nature reserve at the Belgian coast. Every year, many thousands of birds reach the Zwin to lay their eggs and even looking for food. With a little bit of luck, you can view some rare birds like the little egret, the avocet and the harrier. When you enter the Zwin, you come first in a place where you can view some birds in cages, for example owls and some others. A little bit further, you come along a park with many pelicans. You can spend hours in this natural park without boring one minute.

Belgium offers more interesting places to visit and some may even belong to your top ten places to visit in Europe. It is really difficult to narrow this list to only ten places and everyone will have other preferences but most everyone will pick some of these places in their top ten list of Belgium. Belgium is really a wonderful country with beautiful architecture, many beautiful parks and excellent food.

Europe TravelMore information about Belgium here

Tips on Finding a Good Travel Agent and Travel Agency

Many people travel with expectations of encountering something new and unexpected, but of course, everyone wants the surprises to be pleasant ones. 

This is where a good travel agent comes in. It is the travel agent’s task to match the clients’ expectations, as closely as possible, to reality. Because travel consultation is a skill that gets better with practice, it is also useful to know the length of the time the agent has been in the business. An agent who has at least five years experience in the industry would be ideal.

Because the travel industry is information-intensive, it is best to deal with an agent who knows how to work through the quagmire of date, which includes the thousands of daily changes in airfares among the millions of fares in the agent’s data bank.

Ask about the agent’s credentials. Briefly inquire about the certifications. This will give you an idea of how serious the travel agent is about the business.

The travel industry constantly changes. It will be helpful to know if a travel agent constantly updates his or her skills, or is working to maintain or receive a certification.

Before giving an advanced deposit for a product that you will use or avail on a later date, such as a grand tour involving a significant amount of money, be ensured that the agency is financially stable. Ask which travel association the agency is affiliated and check if no complaints have been filed against the agency.

It is very important that you feel comfortable talking with an agent, because you need to be honest in discussing your travel dreams and how much you can really afford to spend. You should need to be comfortable discussing your vital eccentricities that can affect the enjoyment of your planned trip. This will also help the agent determine the accommodations and tour spots that will be suggested to you.

A good travel agent asks plenty of questions regarding your past travel experience/s, what you liked or didn’t like, the airlines and accommodations you prefer, any medical conditions, etc. A good agent keeps this client information on file because this will greatly speed up the process of satisfying the client’s travel needs.

An agent who is willing to provide you with competitive information as a result of careful research is a good one. A good travel agent will recommend several travel options, explain penalties and restrictions, help you in obtaining travel needs such as passports and the other requirements, obtain amenities and other value-added benefits for you, and will be available to help solve problems should something go wrong. A working contact number of the agent is very important.

A good travel agency is able to command a much better price for an accommodation for you than what you can get if you do it on your own.

Brochures and other literature from the travel agency should provide good details such as names of specific hotels, resorts, and even transportation. If there are no such details mentioned, it may mean that the agency has not locked in any reservations. Meal programs must be clearly stated. Know if the menu is a preset one or an a la carte. Are the actual tour leaders mentioned? It is important to know who will handle the tours—is it the owner, the employees, or interns? Small companies have tours that are usually led by the owners themselves. Middle-sized to large companies hire knowledgeable guides or train them in-house. Either practice is fine. You might be taking a chance if your tour will be conducted by an intern without the guide of an experienced agent along.

A good travel agent and agency with a proven track record can give you a list of people and companies who provide accommodation and transportation services at various destinations which have been developed through years of experience and networking. You may contact these operators to have an idea of regarding their experience with the travel agent or agency.

Find out the agency’s policy regarding deposits and refunds. Ask how the agency handles tour cancellations, because this is a reality that happens, say, for example a political unrest or natural disasters that unexpectedly occur in the destination.

These are just some of the things you have to consider when planning your travel and choosing your travel agent.

Source Athena Goodlight

Travel Tips: Air Travel

Here are a few luggage-related tips that will help when travelling by air:

1) Always find out what the limits are in terms of size, weight and contents for hand baggage;

2) Be aware that all your luggage may be opened by airport security staff;

3) Always ensure that your checked in bags are easily identified when on a luggage carousel;

4) Make certain that your baggage will not become snagged due to protrusions or straps when on the luggage conveyor system;

5) If you are carrying a laptop you will need to keep it with you as hand luggage;

6) Put all your valuables in your hand luggage;

7) Be prepared for baggage loss by ensuring you have essentials in your hand luggage.

Be aware that you can save a fortune on Glasgow airport parking by booking in advance.

Mark Miwords ID2205

Tip for Relieving Air Pressure in your Ears new

Try eating an apple when taking off and landing (this works best for kids, as they cannot chew gum properly yet); for adults, chew gum.

Charlotte ID2215 

A Little Preparation ...

I find that a combination of several common tips goes a long way toward preventing flying problems, or at least making them more tolerable. I go with one carry-on, make sure it's a little smaller than the minimum size, bring my own food and drink onto the plane, bring at least one good book if not two, eat in the airport before the flight, and get to the airport a little early. I've never had to check a bag, and I've never had missing or damaged luggage. I've never been bored during flight delays. I've never been hungry or thirsty on flights. A little preparation goes a long way.

Thomas Miller

Advance Attention to Safety

When boarding the aircraft, make a mental note of all exits, and count how many seat rows you pass from the exit to your row. This will expedite your escape route in case of an emergency landing if there is smoke and/or power loss in the cabin. And by all means, pay attention to the flight crew! No matter how boring or uninteresting it may sound, their instructions are vital ... and read the aircraft emergency procedure manual completely before takeoff. These are located in the pouch right in front of you. Do this - it pays to be prepared for flight. Knowledge is power, and armed with the basics you can sit back and enjoy your flight.

Adam Taylor 

                                                                                      europetravel365days

Travel to Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe

Straddling the romantic Danube River, with the Buda Hills to the west and the start of the Great Plain to the east, Budapest is the most beautiful city in central Europe. And the human legacy is just as remarkable as Mother Nature’s. 

 

Architecturally, Budapest is a gem, with enough baroque, neoclassical, Eclectic and art nouveau (or Secessionist) buildings to satisfy anyone’s appetite. With parks brimming with attractions, museums filled with treasures, pleasure boats sailing up and down the scenic Danube and Turkish-era thermal baths belching steam, the Hungarian capital is a delight both by day and by night. The food and wine are excellent, cheap and in abundance and the nightlife is hot. Indeed, in recent years, Budapest has taken on the role of the region’s party town, especially in the warmer months when outdoor entertainment areas called kertek (literally ‘gardens’) heave with party makers.

Budapest does have its scars, of course, with organised crime, pollution, international fast-food eateries at every corner and mindless graffiti covering much of that gorgeous architecture. But come a fine spring (or summer or brisk autumn) day and all that will go by the by. Stroll along the Duna korzó, the riverside embankment on the Pest side, or across any of the Danube bridges past young couples embracing passionately. It’s then that you’ll feel the romance that, despite all attempts from both within and without to destroy it, has never died.

Getting there and around

Local transport

Taxi

Taxis in Budapest are not expensive compared to other European countries, but with such an excellent public transport network available, you don't really have to use them very often. We've heard from many readers who were grossly overcharged and even threatened by taxi drivers in Budapest, so taking a taxi in this city should be approached with a certain amount of caution. However, the reputable firms listed here have caught on to the concept of customer service, and they take complaints very seriously nowadays.

Avoid taxis with no name on the door and only a removable taxi light-box on the roof; these are just guys with cars and the ones most likely to rip you off. Never get into a cab that does not have a yellow licence plate and an identification badge displayed on the dashboard (as required by law), the logo of one of the reputable taxi firms listed here on the side doors, and a table of fares posted prominently.

Not all taxi meters are set at the same rates, and some are much more expensive than others, but there are price ceilings under which cab companies are free to manoeuvre. From 6am to 10pm the highest flag-fall fee that can be legally charged is 300Ft, the per-kilometre charge 240Ft and the waiting fee 60Ft. From 10pm to 6am the equivalent fees are 420/330/80Ft.

Budapest residents - local or foreign - rarely flag down taxis in the street. They almost always ring for them, and fares are actually cheaper if you book over the phone. Make sure you know the number of the landline phone you're calling from as that's how they establish your address (though you can, of course, call from a mobile phone, too).

The following are the telephone numbers of reliable taxi firms.

Buda - 233 3333

City - 211 1111

Fő - 222 2222

Rádió - 377 7777

Tele 5 - 355 5555

Bus and tram

Local

An extensive system of almost 200 buses serves greater Budapest. On certain bus lines the same number bus may have a black or a red number. In such cases, the red-numbered one is an express, which makes limited stops and is, of course, faster.

Some buses (always shown with a blue line on a Budapest map or atlas) that you might find useful include the following:

4 - Runs from northern Pest via VI Hősök tere to V Deák Ferenc tér (the red 4 follows the same route but crosses over Chain Bridge into central Buda).

7- Cuts across a large swathe of central Pest from XIV Bosnyák tér and down VII Rákóczi út before crossing Elizabeth Bridge to Kelenföld train station in southern Buda (the red-numbered 7 follows the same route with limited stops).

86- Runs the length of Buda from XI Kosztolányi Dezső tér to Óbuda.

105- Goes from V Deák Ferenc tér to XII Apor Vilmos tér in central Buda.

Night bus 906- Follows tram 6's route along the Big Ring Road.

Night bus 907- Traces an enormously long route from the M2 Örs vezér tere metro stop in Pest to Kelenföld train station in Buda.

Long-distance and international

All international buses and some domestic ones (especially to/from north and north-central Hungary) arrive at and depart from Pest's Népliget bus station(219 8000; IX Üllői út 131; M3 Népliget). The international ticket office(6am-6pm Mon-Fri Sep-May, 6pm-8pm Mon-Fri Jun-Aug, 6am-4pm Sat & Sun) is upstairs. Eurolines(219 8021; www.eurolines.com), an association of more than 30 European bus companies that link Budapest with points abroad as close as Bratislava and as far as London, is represented here as is its Hungarian associate, Volánbusz(382 0888; www.volanbusz.hu). There's a left-luggage office(per piece per day 190Ft; 6am-9pm) downstairs.

Stadionok bus station(251 0125; XIV Hungária körút 48-52; M3 Stadionok) serves cities and towns to the east of Budapest. The ticket office(6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-4pm Sat & Sun) as well as the left-luggage office(per piece 200Ft; 6am-7pm) are on the ground floor. Buses to southwest Hungary use Etele tér bus station(382 4900; XI Etele tér; 6am-6pm; red-numbered 7) in Buda.

The Árpád Bridge bus station (329 1450; XIII Róbert Károly körút; ticket office 6am-8pm; M3 Árpád híd), on the Pest side of Árpád Bridge, is the place to catch buses for the Danube Bend and parts of northern Hungary. The small Széna tér bus station(201 3688; I Széna tér 1/a; ticket office 6.30am-4.30pm; M3 Moszkva tér) in Buda handles some traffic to and from the Pilis Hills and towns northwest of the capital, with a half-dozen departures to Esztergom as an alternative to the Árpád Bridge bus station.

Tram

Trams are often faster than buses in Budapest and usually more pleasant for sightseeing. The most important tram lines (always marked with red lines on a Budapest map or atlas) are the following:

2 and 2/a -Scenic trams that travel along the Pest side of the Danube as far as V Jászai Mari tér

4 and 6 -Extremely useful trams that start at XI Fehérvári út and XI Móricz Zsigmond körtér in south Buda respectively and follow the entire length of the Big Ring Road in Pest before terminating at II Moszkva tér in Buda

18 -Runs from southern Buda along XI Bartók Béla út through the Tabán to II Moszkva tér

19 -Covers part of the same route as 18, but then runs along the Buda side of the Danube to I Batthyány tér

47 & 49 -Link V Deák Ferenc tér in Pest with points in southern Buda via the Little Ring Road

61 -Connects XI Móricz Zsigmond körtér with Déli train station and II Moszkva tér in Buda

Air

Budapest can be reached directly from destinations around the world, including the USA, but its most important gateways are in Continental Europe, especially now that what Hungarians call the fapados (wooden bench) airlines - the super discount carriers such as Air Berlin(www.airberlin.com), EasyJet(www.easyjet.com), SkyEurope(www.skyeurope.com) and Wizzair(www.wizzair.com) - have arrived, bringing the cost of flying between Budapest and dozens of European cities to a level that fits most travellers' budget. Fares vary greatly depending on the destination, availability and the time of the flight.

Note that there are no scheduled flights within Hungary.

Airlines

National carrier, Malév Hungarian Airlines (MA; in Hungary 06-40 212 121, from abroad 36-1 235 3888; www.malev.hu), flies nonstop or to Budapest via Prague, Madrid or Amsterdam from North America, the Middle East and almost 60 cities in continental Europe and the UK. It also flies to/from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China.

The main Malév Customer Service Centre(235 3222; www.malev.hu; XIII Váci út 26; 8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat and Sun; M3 Nyugati pályaudvar) is just northwest of Nyugati train station. Malév also has ticket-issuing desks at Ferihegy airport.

Other major carriers serving Budapest:

Aeroflot (SU; 318 5955; www.aeroflot.com; hub Moscow)

Air Canada(AC; 266 8435; www.aircanada.com; hub Toronto)

Air France (AF; 483 8800; www.airfrance.com; hub Paris)

Alitalia (AZ; 483 2170; www.alitalia.it; hub Rome)

Austrian Airlines (OS; 327 9080; www.aua.com; hub Vienna)

British Airways (BA; 411 5555; www.ba.com; hub London)

CSA Czech Airlines (OK; 318 3045; www.czech-airlines.com; hub Prague)

El Al (LY; 266 2970; www.elal.com; hub Tel Aviv)

EgyptAir(MS; 266 4300; www.egyptair.com.eg; hub Cairo)

Finnair(AY; 317 4022; www.finnair.com; hub Helsinki)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL; 373 7737; www.klm.com; hub Amsterdam)

LOT Polish Airlines (LO; 317 2444; www.lot.com; hub Warsaw)

Lufthansa(LH; 266 4511; www.lufthansa.com; hub Frankfurt)

SAS (SK; 266 2633; www.scandinavian.net; hub Copenhagen)

Tarom Romanian Airlines (RO; 235 0809; www.tarom.ro; hub Bucharest)

Turkish Airlines (TK; 266 4291; www.turkishairlines.com; hub Istanbul)

Airports

Budapest's Ferihegy International Airport(296 7000; www.bud.hu), 24km southeast of the city centre, has two modern terminals side by side and an older one about 5km to the west.

Malév flights and, for the most part, those of its 18 or so code-share partners arrive and depart from Terminal 2A. Most other international airlines use Terminal 2B, which is next door and within easy walking distance. Malév has a ticketing desk at Terminal 2A (296 7211; 5am-11pm) and another one at Terminal 2B (296 5767; 6am-8.30pm); at the latter you'll also find a left-luggage office (per item per 1/3/6hr 350/1050/1400Ft, per day/week 2200/6500Ft; 24hr). The super-discount European carriers, recent arrivals to Budapest, now use the refurbished Terminal 1.

The Airport Minibus Service(296 8555; mini bus@bud.hu; one way/return 2300/3900Ft) ferries passengers in eight-seater vans from all three of the airport's terminals directly to their hotel, hostel or residence. Tickets are available at a clearly marked desk in the arrival halls. You need to book your journey to the airport 24 hours in advance but remember that, with up to seven pick-ups en route, this can be a nerve-wracking way to go if you're running late.

If you want to take a taxi, call one of the taxi companies with a mobile or from a public phone at arrivals (dispatchers understand English) and expect to pay about 5000Ft. If you book in advance, Tele 5 (355 5555) charges 3490Ft between the airport and Pest and 3990Ft for Buda. Its taxis are just down the road, awaiting your call.

The cheapest - but most time-consuming - way to get into town from Ferihegy is to take the airport bus (look for the stop marked 'BKV Plusz Reptér Busz' on the pavement between terminals 2A and 2B), which terminates at the Kőbánya-Kispest metro station. From there take the M3 metro into the centre. The total cost is 320Ft.

Car and motorcycle

Driving in Budapest, especially during the daytime, can be a nightmare: ongoing road works reduce traffic to a snail's pace, there are more serious accidents than fender-benders, and parking spots are difficult to find. The public-transport system is good and cheap. Try to use it.

Foreign driving licences are valid for one year after entering Hungary but if you don't hold a European driving licence, obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your local automobile association before you leave. It is usually inexpensive and valid for one year only. Remember that an IDP is not valid unless accompanied by your original driver's licence.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory in Hungary. If your car is registered in the EU, it is assumed you have it. Other motorists must show a Green Card or they will have to buy insurance at the border.

Hire

In general, you must be at least 21 years old and have had your licence for at least a year to rent a car. Drivers under 25 sometimes have to pay a surcharge.

All the international car-rental firms have offices in Budapest but don't expect many bargains. An Opel Corsa from Avis(318 4158; www.avis.hu in Hungarian; 1054 Budapest, Szabadsag ter 7; 7am-6pm Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm Sun; 1/2/3 Deák Ferenc tér), for example, costs €33/198 per day/week plus €0.33 per kilometre and €23 CDW and theft protection insurance. The same car with unlimited kilometres and insurance costs from €99 per day or €88 per weekend. The 25% ÁFA (value-added tax) doesn't apply to nonresidents paying with foreign currency or by credit card.

One of the cheapest, most reliable outfits for car hire is Anselport(362 6080, 06-20 945 0279; www.anselport.hu; XXII V utca 22; 9am-6pm; 14 or 114) in south Buda. A Suzuki Swift is €19 to €43 per day, including unlimited kilometres and insurance, depending on the length of rental (one day to three weeks). Another good bet is Fox Autorent(382 9000; www.fox-autorent.com; XXII Nagytétényi út 48-50; 8am-8pm; 3, 14 or 114), which charges from €46/230 per day/week for a Fiat Seicento, €55/320 for a Smart car and €59/349Boat

Local

Between May and mid-September passenger ferries run by BKV (369 1359; www.bkv.hu) depart from IX Boráros tér beside Petőfi Bridge between six and eight times daily and head for III Rómaifürdő and Csillaghegy in Óbuda, a two-hour trip with 10 stops along the way. Tickets (adult/child 600/300Ft from end to end or between 500/250Ft and 200/150Ft for intermediate stops) are sold on board. The ferry stop closest to the Castle District is I Batthyány tér, and V Petőfi tér is not far from Vörösmarty tér. Transporting a bicycle costs 500Ft.

International

A hydrofoil service on the Danube between Budapest and Vienna (5½ to 6½ hours, 282km) operates daily from early April to October and allows passengers to disembark at Bratislava with advance notice. One-way/return adult fares for Vienna are €79/99 and for Bratislava €69/89. Students with ISIC cards pay €67/84 to Vienna and €59/76 to Bratislava and children under six go free. Taking along a bicycle costs €18 each way.

In Budapest, ferries arrive and depart from the International Ferry Pier (Nemzetközi hajóállomás; V Belgrád rakpart), which is between Elizabeth and Independence Bridges on the Pest side. In Vienna, the boat docks at the Reichsbrücke pier near Mexikoplatz.

In April and from mid-September to October there is a daily sailing at 9am from both Budapest and Vienna. From May to mid-September the boats leave both of these cities at 8am.

For information, tickets and reservations contact Mahart PassNave (484 4013; www.mahartpassnave.hu; V Belgrád rakpart; 8am-6pm).

Train

Magyar Államvasutak (Hungarian State Railways; www.mav.hu in Hungarian), or MÁV, links up with the European rail network in all directions, running trains as far as London (via Munich and Paris), Paris (via Munich), Stockholm (via Hamburg and Copenhagen), Moscow, Rome and Istanbul (via Belgrade).

Budapest has three main train stations. Most international trains arrive and depart from Keleti train station (Eastern train station; 313 6835; VIII Kerepesi út 2-6; M3 Keleti pályaudvar); trains to certain destinations in the east (eg Romania) leave from Nyugati train station(Western train station; 349 0115; VI Teréz körút 55-57; M3 Nyugati pályaudvar), while Déli train station(Southern train station; 375 6293, 355 8657; I Krisztina körút 37; M2 Déli pályaudvar) handles trains to some destinations in the south (eg Osijek in Croatia and Sarajevo in Bosnia). These are not hard-and-fast rules, so always make sure you check which station the train leaves from when you buy a ticket.

The handful of secondary train stations are of little importance to long-distance travellers. Occasionally, though, a through train will stop at Kelenföld train station (203 1687; XI Etele tér 5-7; 19 or 49) in Buda. For 24-hour information on international train services call 461 5500 or 06-40 494 949.

Budapest's train stations are generally pretty dismal places, with some unsavoury-looking characters hanging about day and night, but all have some amenities. The left-luggage offices (normal/large piece per 6hr 150/300Ft, per day 300/600Ft) at Keleti station(24hr) is next to platform 6. At Nyugati station(4am-midnight) and at the Déli station(3.30am-11.30pm) they are beside the information and ticketing hall. You'll also find post offices and grocery stores that are open late or even round the clock in the stations.

The three main stations are on metro lines, and night buses serve them when the metro is closed. If you need to take a taxi, avoid the sharks hovering around the stations. At Déli, cross over to I Alkotás utca and hail one there. At Keleti station, get into one of the legal cabs at the rank on VIII Kerepesi út, just south of the terminal. Nyugati tér is a major intersection, so you'll have no problem finding a legitimate taxi there.

You can buy tickets at the three international train stations in Budapest, but the queues are often long, passengers are in a hurry, and sales staff at the stations are not the most patient in the city. It's easier at the MÁV international information & ticket centre(461 5500, 352 2800; VI Andrássy út 35; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri Apr-Sep, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Oct-Mar; M1 Opera). For fares, check www.elvira.hu.

Bicycle

More and more cyclists are seen on the streets and avenues of Budapest these days, taking advantage of the growing network of bike paths. The main roads in the city might be a bit too busy and nerve-wracking to make for enjoyable cycling but the side streets are fine, and there are some areas (City Park, Margaret Island etc) where cycling is positively ideal.

Cyclists may have problems crossing Hungarian border stations connected to main roads since bicycles are banned on motorways and national highways with single-digit route numbers. In general, border crossings that allow pedestrian crossings also allow cyclists through. for a Fiat Punto, kilometres and insurance included.

Source: lonelyplanet

Emirates places record $11bn order for Airbus A380s

Emirates airlines has ordered 32 Airbus A380 superjumbo jets, in what the manufacturer said was the world's most expensive order of commercial aircraft. 

Emirates's order, announced a the opening of the Berlin Air Show, would be worth just over $11bn at a list price of $346.5m per plane – although airlines typically receive discounts for large orders.

It brings the Dubai airline's total A380 order to 90 planes, all for delivery by 2017.

"Our latest commitment signals Emirates' confidence in growth to come," Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chief executive, said at a press conference.

The scale of the order surprised Emirates' competitors.

"It is already to many of us a miracle that Emirates now already has more seats on intercontinental routes than Air France and BA together with a relatively small home market," Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Lufthansa chief executive, said in a briefing at the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) annual meeting.

"One must assume that this is not an investment for the UAE, but it is an investment for the world."

Emirates, which started in 1985 with two planes, has grown to rival the likes of Qantas and Singapore Airlines for traffic between Europe and east Asia and is expected to earn $1.16 billion in 2010.

Airbus sales chief John Leahy, who had previously forecast 20 A380 orders this year, said more orders were still possible.

It came as Airbus parent EADS showed off the capabilities of its embattled A400M military transporter plane and as it faces a dispute with German military bosses over problems with two of its new helicopters.

                                                                                          Source telegraph

Five free things to do in Rome

Much of Rome can be seen without spending a penny (unless you insist on casting your coppers into one of the city's many fountains). The glorious Pantheon, Hadrian's 2nd-century masterpiece, ought to be your first port of call, but arrive at 7pm and you can take advantage of a free 30-minute tour with the company Angel Tours.

Architecture

Catch a glimpse of the nearby Piazza Navona, before braving the crowds at the Trevi Fountain. Then head for the Spanish Steps, an 18th-century addition to the city which is now surrounded by countless designer boutiques - each ideal for some forlorn window shopping.

Religion

Visitors are welcome to wander the ground floor of the cavernous St Peter's Basilica, while entrance to the Vatican Museum - which houses works by Titian, Poussin and several paintings by Caravaggio, as well as the Sistine Chapel - is free on the last Sunday of each month. Sky Tours Rome offers free 30-minute tours of St Peter's Basilica at 9am every morning, except Sundays. There are more than 900 other churches in Rome, many of which are free to explore.

Learning

A small number of museums and galleries are free to enter. The gallery at the National Academy of San Luca, which holds works by Rafael and van Dyck, the Historic Museum of the Liberation of Rome, on Via Tasso, and the Numismatic Museum of the Italian Mint, where visitors can peruse 20,000 medals and coins, are three of the best.

Unfortunately, the tradition of La Notte Bianca, a single night in September when all museums are free to enter throughout the night, has been abandoned since 2007, although the Italian Tourist Board says it may return in future.

Parks

Gianicolo Park, south of the Vatican, boasts wonderful views of Rome and plays host to a free puppet show each day.

Across town, the elegant gardens at the Villa Borghese (pictured) are perfect for a romantic stroll. Entrance to the Galleria Borghese and the adjacent Villa Medici is not free.

Quirky Rome

Legend has it that if one tells a lie with one's hand inside La Bocca della Verita ("The Mouth of Truth"), it will be bitten clean off. Head to the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin on the banks of the Tiber to put the myth to the test.

The Capuchin Crypt, meanwhile, is even more bizarre. Located beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Immacolata Concezione, it is a vast burial chamber decorated with the bones of some 4,000 Capuchin monks. With rooms such as the 'Crypt of the Skulls', the 'Crypt of the Pelvises' and the 'Crypt of Leg Bones', it's the perfect outing for bored teenagers. Entrance is free, although donations are encouraged. 

                                                                                      Source: telegraph

Travel to Berlin: Top 10 Picks

Twenty years after its post-Wall rebirth, Berlin is a scene-stealing combo of glamour and grit, teeming with top museums and galleries, grand opera and guerrilla clubs, gourmet temples and ethnic snack shacks. Whether your tastes run to posh or punk, you can sate them in Berlin.

When it comes to fashion, art, design and music, the German capital is the city to watch. A global influx of creatives has turned it into a cauldron of cultural cool reminiscent of New York in the ’80s. What draws them is Berlin’s legendary climate of tolerance, openness and experimentation infused with an edgy undercurrent that gives this ‘eternally unfinished’ city its street cred. Cheap rents don’t hurt either.

All this trendiness is a triumph for a town that’s long been in the cross-hairs of history: Berlin staged a revolution, was headquartered by fascists, bombed to bits, ripped in half and finally reunited – and that was just in the 20th century! Famous landmarks such as the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and what’s left of the Berlin Wall are like a virtual 3-D textbook in a city where you’ll find history staring you in the face every time you turn a corner.

Perhaps it’s because of its heavy historical burden that Berlin is throwing itself into tomorrow with such contagious energy. At times the entire city seems to be bubbling over into one huge party. Cafes are jammed at all hours, drinking is a religious rite and clubs host their scenes of frenzy and hedonism until the wee hours. Sleep? Fuhgeddaboutit!

Yet despite its often hectic pace, Berlin functions on an exquisitely human scale. Traffic flows freely, public transportation is brilliant, you can walk without fear at night, clubs have no velvet ropes and your restaurant bill would only buy you a starter back home. Come and join the party and be swept away by the riches, quirks and vibrancy of this fascinating city.

Top 10 Picks For Berlin

1.Get high at the TV Tower

Take in unbeatable 360-degree views of Berlin from the Fernsehturm, Germany's tallest structure.
The TV Tower is the tallest structure in Germany, soaring 368m above Berlin since 1969. Come early to beat the queue for the lift ride to the panorama level at 203m, where views are unbeatable on clear days. From here and the upstairs café, which makes one revolution in 30 minutes, you can easily pinpoint landmarks and study the city layout

Address: Panoramastrasse 1a, Alexanderplatz Area
Tickets: Full €8, child €4

2.Revere the Reichstag

Stand in awe of history at Germany’s political power nexus.
Just north of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag has been the seat of the Bundestag (German parliament), since 1999 following a complete renovation by Lord Norman Foster. The British architect turned the 1894 building by Paul Wallot into a state-of-the-art parliamentary facility, preserving only the historical shell and adding the glistening glass dome.
The view from the top is one of the highlights of visit to Berlin, as much for the 360-degree panorama of the city as for the close-ups of the dome. From the outdoor viewing platform you can climb the spiralling ramp inside the dome itself. At the top, displays document the building's history.
The Reichstag has been the setting of numerous milestones in German history: the proclamation of the German republic, the Reichstag fire in 1933 allowing Hitler to blame the communists and seize power, the Soviet attack a dozen years later which destroyed the building, and the enactment of the reunification of Germany on 2 October 1990.
Address: Platz der Republik 1, Tiergarten, 10557
Transport: train Hauptbahnhof, bus 100

3.Visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum 

Stand in a hot spot of the Cold War, location of the famed tower that symbolised East-West tension.
The Checkpoint Charlie Museum is all that remains of the famed tower that symbolised East-West tension during the Cold War. The tower itself was unceremoniously craned away a few months after the border reopened. In 2001, a replica guardhouse was returned to the site (the original is in the Allierten Museum in Zehlendorf).
The museum is interesting (if overpriced), with its display of ingenious devices employed in escape attempts from the former East Germany. It doesn't make it any easier to comprehend that this nondescript urban landscape was one of the critical pressure points in the global stand-off between East and West, and the scene of 80 deaths.
To the west of the museum is the East Side Gallery, a surviving chunk of the real Wall, preserved by the city authorities and decorated by local artists.

Address: Friedrichstrasse 43-45, Kreuzberg
Transport: train: Stadtmitte, train: Kochstrasse

4.Catch the art express at the Hamburger Banhhof

Admire the star-studded collection of contemporary art at this converted 19th-century train station. Berlin's premier contemporary art museum has a star-studded collection, including works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Anselm Kiefer as well as an entire wing of Joseph Beuys. Occupying a cleverly converted 19th-century railway station and adjacent 300m-long warehouse, it also has great temporary exhibits, a well-stocked art bookshop and a popular café called Sarah Wiener im Hamburger Bahnhof.
Address: Invalidenstrasse 50-51, Government Quarter
Transport: train: Hauptbahnhof
Tickets: adult/under 16/concession €8/free/4, Thu last 4hr free

5.Catch a cabaret show at Bar jeder Vernunft

Flash back to Roaring Twenties glamour at this dazzling art nouveau-style tent hosting cult cabaret shows. Entertainers at this wonderful venue have a veritable cult following and shows - many with a camp or bizarre bent - are often sold out. Part of the draw is the exquisite setting: a historic Art Nouveau-style tent decked out with dazzling mirrors and booths bathed in red-velvet and candlelight. After the show, the place turns into a relaxed piano bar.
Address: Schaperstr 24, Wilmersdorf, 10719
Transport: underground rail: Spichernstr, Uhlandstr
Tickets: €14.00-€30.00

6. Spot celebrities at Cookies

Sip signature Watermelon Man cocktails and scan the crowd for celebs at this legendary midweek party palace. The seventh incarnation of this legendary midweek party palace has been cooking since January 2007, this time in a former East Berlin cinema behind the Westin Hotel. Once past the picky bouncers, it's all about dancing with friendly folk, sipping the signature Watermelon Man cocktail and scanning the crowd for celeb sightings.
Address: Friedrichstrasse 158-164, Unter Den Linden
Transport: underground rail: Französische Strasse
Tickets: full €10

7. Go tobogganing at Potsdamer Platz

Go for the ride of your life on the mobile toboggan run, or get your skates on and hit the ice rink.

8.See the awe of the Tor

Take in the famous Brandenburg Gate (Tor), a backdrop for presidential speeches, Pink Floyd concerts and World Cup soccer matches.

9.Eyeball the Wall at the East Side Gallery

Check out the longest Berlin Wall remnant, also the world's biggest outdoor canvas.

10. Queue for currywurst at Curry 36

Join legions of locals at this legendary imbiss (snackbar) for sausage with spice.

                                                                           Source: lonelyplanet

Best beaches on the Ionian Islands, Greece: Myrtiotissa, Corfu

This beautiful beach in Parelia, on the Ionian island of Corfu, is known as Myrtiotissa and is popular with families and nudists.

You will have the chance to decide if you concur with Lawrence Durrell’s claim in Prospero’s Cell that this pearl in the middle of Corfu’s scenic west coast is “perhaps the most beautiful beach in the world”. Tucked beneath steep cliffs, the southern half of its stretch of golden sand, barely 650 feet long, is now the island’s prime nudist beach.

Who goes?

It is not unusual to see families enjoying a picnic at the more modest northern end, while quite a mixed crowd opt to allow some sun on their nether regions to the south. The good news is you needn’t feel obliged to be a bronzed Adonis or Aphrodite to dispense with your togs here.

What is there to do?

The lack of noisy boats and water sport facilities is one of the attractions here, so just lounging around and taking leisurely dips is the order of the day. If you tire of the beach scene, you can visit the tiny monastery of Our Lady of the Myrtles that hangs precariously above the north end of the cove.

Bars and bites

There are just a couple of seasonal snack bars for refreshment down on the beach. For something more substantial, the nearest place is the Myrtia taverna (0030 26610 94113), just back from the cliff top, which serves delicious home cooking and fine barrelled wine. For clubbing, make for Corfu Town.

Getting there

Buses to Vatos from Corfu Town take around 20 minutes to the Myrtiotissa turning, just over half a mile back from the beach. Parking is free but spots at a premium on the unsurfaced approach road. Corfu has multiple daily ferry crossings from Igoumenitsa and regular flights from Athens and the UK. 

                                                                                Source telegraph