www.YourDailyVacation.com

Details of the 2008 Disney Dining Plan for Walt Disney World have recently been released. The Dining Plan will cost $37.99/day for those aged 10 and above and $9.99/day for children ages 3-9 (which is a dollar less per day than the 2007 plan.) The DELUXE Dining Plan will cost $69.99 for those aged 10 and above and $19.99 for children ages 3-9.

For the regular Dining Plan in 2008 you’ll receive the following:

• 2 Meals Per Day: For the regular Dining Plan you’ll receive one table service meal and one quick service meal each day of your stay.
• 1 Snack Per Day: In addition to the 2 meals you’ll also receive 1 snack every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.

Here are some of the key differences between the 2007 and 2008 REGULAR Dining Plans:

• Gratuity No Longer Included: Beginning in 2008, the Disney Dining Plan will no longer include gratuity (tips.) This means you’ll need to bring some cash along with you to leave a tip for your table service meals. For parties of 6 or more people an 18% gratuity will be added to your check automatically.
• Appetizers No Longer Included with Table Service Meals: In 2008 the table service meal will only include an entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert (or full buffet meal if applicable.) This is different from 2007 where you received an appetizer with your meal as well.
• Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

Disney has also added a new dining plan for 2007 called the DELUXE Dining Plan. This is a more flexible (and more expensive) option for diners where you’ll receive the following:

• 3 Meals: On the new Deluxe Dining Plan in 2008 you’ll receive 3 meals each day of your stay. The 3 meals can be any combination of sit down or counter service so you have the choice of eating at any Disney restaurant on the list. If you choose a table service meal that will include one appetizer, one entree, one dessert (lunch and dinner only) and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one Full Buffet. If you choose a counter service meal that will include one entree (or complete combo meal), one dessert (lunch or dinner only), one juice (breakfast only) and one non-alcoholic beverage.
• 2 Snacks: In addition to the 3 meals you’ll also receive 2 snacks every day. A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.
• Wine and Dine Option: For an extra $39.99/day you can add a daily bottle of wine to your package.

For the DELUXE Dining Plan the same rules will apply as the regular plan when it comes to gratuity. It’s not included.

On the surface my initial reaction is that I’m not really happy with the changes in the regular Dining Plan. With the loss of the appetizer on the table service meal and the added expense of paying for gratuity out of my pocket it starts to make more sense to pay-as-you-go. And when it comes to the DELUXE Dining Plan it just seems like a lot of money on a daily basis unless you plan on eating at a lot of table service restaurants. That option could be the better option however I’ll have to play with the numbers a bit more to see what is the best way to go so look for future articles regarding this subject. No matter what you’re still in for a thrill the next time you dine in Disney so have fun!

 By Matthias Janeck

Budapest, the romantic capital of Hungary, with around 1.7 Million inhabitants is located at the river Danube. Once you have been there you cannot forget the charming flair and the beauty of Budapest with all its thermal baths, historical buildings and beautiful sights.

Budapest is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a growing importance as a hub in Central Eastern Europe for business and industry. Unreachable is the view on the Danube at night when the shores are lighted and the lights are reflecting in the Danube.

Budapest has the largest synagogue and medical bath, the third largest parliament building and church in Europe as well as the second largest Baroque castle in the world. Additionally Budapest is the home of the largest Central Eastern European shopping center (Arena Plaza) and the largest island on the river Danube.

Apart from these facts Budapest became an international metropolis for businesses and expatriates which brings different cultures together which you can enjoy while dining out, partying in clubs or just during shopping in one of Budapest’s shopping streets or centers. Restaurants with all kinds of international kitchen such as Japanese, Italian, Greek or even Mongolian open up their gates to offer you culinary highlights from all over the world.

For sightseeing trips Budapest is a perfect place because it offers tons of interesting places, an interesting history and great monuments. From the US Budapest is quiet a long trip but for a Europe journey Budapest should be one of your destinations. Reaching Budapest from European cities such as London, Berlin, Rome or Paris became easier and easier with the rise of cheap flight airlines who nowadays occupy a complete terminal of the Budapest airport.

Next to all this beauty and glamour the city gives you there are things you need to take care of being a tourist. Budapest is a city where you are always facing traps and tourist rip offs for example in the wrong restaurants, bars or on the street while changing money or buying from somebody passing you. Therefore it is highly recommendable to inform yourself about the city’s behavior.

Nevertheless Budapest is the most beautiful city I have ever been to, where I settled down and where I want to spend the rest of my life. If you have the chance to visit Budapest do so!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthias_Janeck

Out and proud and looking for a fantastic travel experience? Every couple wants the opportunity to relax, have fun, and be themselves while on vacation, so we’ve compiled a list of some great gay-friendly vacation ideas, from exciting gay and lesbian events like Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, to laid-back, rainbow proud cities like Key West and Provincetown where couples can walk hand in hand along the beach, or enjoy a romantic evening over a candle light dinner in a carefree and accepting atmosphere.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

This year, Sydney’s annual fun fest is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary — if you’ve never been to this dizzyingly delightful event, this is the year to get inaugurated! From cabaret to comedy, dance parties to discussion groups, film festivals to fabulous fashion, Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the world’s most joyous and memorable events. Big performers this year include comedian extraordinare, Marget Cho, and pop legend Cyndi Lauper. Celebrations actually get under way in February, with a full month of cultural, social, and musical events, all leading up to the preeminent Mardi Gras parade and party on March 1. Whether you choose to march in the parade, or watch from the sidelines, your sense of pride will skyrocket as thousands of gay and gay-friendly folks gather to celebrate this year’s theme, “Brave New Worlds.” The after-party promises an electrified night of performances by some of the world’s most cutting-edge DJ’s mixing beats inside kaleidescopic light shows. Let the dancing begin!

Tickets and passes for individual events, as well as the main parade and party are going fast, so if you want to be part of one of the greatest gay and lesbian celebrations in the world, start booking as soon as you can. For a list of great hotels to choose from in Sydney, check out Sydney Hotels.

Key West, Florida

In Key West, where the average temperature is just under 80 degrees, gay and lesbian couples will find a fabulous variety of fun in the sun activities. One of the United States’ most gay-friendly cities, Key West is an island paradise where the official motto is “One Human Family.” Any time of year, travelers can enjoy tanning on the beautiful beaches, diving and snorkeling in crystalline waters, biking through the historic district of Old Town Key West, experiencing the vibrant nightlife of Duval Street, stopping to smell the roses at Key West Botanical Forest and Garden, and so much more. Key West is also host to some exciting annual events, such as Gay Spring Break in March, Pridefest in June, and Womenfest in September. Key West’s GLBT Visitor’s Center is a fantastic resource for gay and lesbian travelers, offering information on activities, special coupons, and discount offers.

Ready to soak in a little sun and fun in Key West? Check out Key West Hotels to start planning your trip.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Voted “Best Gay Resort Town” by OutTraveler in 2005, and then again by PlanetOut in 2006, Provincetown is a mecca of culture, art, and adventure for the gay or lesbian traveler. Strolling past its pleasantly funky architecture, lovely tree-strewn streets, and historic sites (P-town was the first landing site of the Pilgrims and the place where the Mayflower Compact was signed), travelers will see gay couples walking hand in hand, gay parents pushing their children along in strollers, and a myriad of smiling and friendly faces. Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a wonderful destination for whale watching, as RealTravelers Globally Speaking recently discovered:

“It was a perfect whale watch trip…since it had been raining there were very few people on the ship, we could run around at will. We rode out to Stellwagon Bank, a hot feeding ground, and immediately began spotting whales. In total, we saw about 20 humpback whales and over 100 dolphins!” (more…)

For appreciators of the arts, P-town is where it’s at. Dozens of art galleries line popular Commercial Street, and travelers can catch great theatre production here too at wonderful theatres like Provincetown Repertory Theatre (also on Commercial Street), and Provincetown Theatre Company on Bradford Street. Other activities travelers can enjoy include harbor cruises, sailing, dolphin watches, biking, beach swimming, and fishing. Oh, and let’s not forget, if it’s time to make the ultimate commitment to your partner, P-Town will be happy to host your wedding! Check out Provincetown Hotels to begin planning your stay.

I have been to Rio de Janeiro maybe five times and what amazes me the most, after the greatest opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, is the great choice of restaurants and different kinds of food.

My last visit to one of the most spectacular cities in the world was last July and exactly like every time, I spent my way back to Europe thinking that, sooner or later, I will go to live there. With deep trust on indigenous, I started asking everybody where I could find a good place to eat and every time the answer was a prompt: at Marius of course!

Curious by such enthusiasm I decided to give the so-called top restaurant of the city a try. Beautifully set in front of Leme Beach, adjoining to the worldwide famous Copacabana, it’s by no means the run-of-the-mill example of a five-star restaurant.

As soon as you reach the longed spot after a battle in Rio’s traffic, you’ll find yourself facing the first hard choice of your adventure: fish or meat? In fact, apparently for the endless variety in the menu, there are two versions of the same restaurant, one beside the other. In a typical Brazilian style, your journey will start with a never-ending buffet with all sort of appetizers, starters and dishes.

While you are enjoying the best “Farofa” you have ever had, charming waiters will succeed each other with traditional and brand new choice of spit-roasted churrasco in the “meat-version” of the restaurant.

If, instead, you’ve chosen fish, after tackling a swordfish-based ‘muqueca’ and a ‘catupiri’ with small, delicious prawns, I feel compelled to mention the toilets: they definitely are worth a visit. Ground and sinks filled with mock-precious stones, characteristic fish-shaped taps and heady incense perfume. Miles far away from the classic conception of restaurant, Marius is the latest generation of luxurious holiday destinations.

But Rio de Janeiro offers an impressive range of restaurants, for every taste, pocket and style. One of my favourite lunches is in the typical “Galletos” places that you can easily find all over the city. The last one I visited is in Ipanema, precisely in Rua Visconde de Pirajà. It’s in a corner and in its simple façade a big menu is shown. Basically, you will have half chicken well spit-roasted and a consistent side course at your choice.

The choice is various and colourful, where we can match the chicken with farofa, rice, beans, salad and so on. My drink is of course Guaranà. The price is around eight reals per person, which means around three euro for a portion I had hard time to finish. I go very often to Brasil and its galletos are for sure on my to-do-list.

From luxurious restaurants to simple bistros, from genuine ‘lanchonetes’ to ‘coconut stands’, all over the city the possibilities to get refreshed are countless and everywhere the warmth of brazilian weather and people will make you feel at home.

Whether the international flight being planned is a first class, business class or a low cost coach flight with a discount airline, the preparations should be the same. The one item that is different is the preparation and information that may be necessary because it is an international flight. Rules and guidelines can be quite different for domestic flights, as compared to airline travel overseas.

First of all, it is important for both types of travel that tickets, lodging and other factors are accounted for before ever departing for the airport. The wise traveler leaves plenty of time to make travel arrangements before the departure date. If problems or issues come up, there will be time to straighten them out.

Among the items that should be on the travel plans priority list are: airline reservations, hotel accommodations, travel between airports, train stations, and connecting flights etc., special arrangements for health or physical limitations. With these items in place, time should be free for attention to details, such as identification and required documents, packing luggage and securing this luggage. Of course, requirements for identification will be different with domestic travel, as a passport is not required. But with all airline travel, passengers should be prepared to show photo identification and try to comply with any other requests made by airline or government personnel.

Well before the departure date, the experienced traveler will talk to airport or airline personnel, or read information online that will tell if driver’s license, government ID card, certificate of citizenship, passport etc. are necessary. Those who wish to remain in another country for an extended period, or who will be working or studying there, will probably need a particular type of visa. This too should be secured well before the planned departure date.

One of the most important steps in international travel is the packing and securing of luggage. If the trip is underway and the luggage is in transit, it is too late to begin worrying about contents, locks or other details. These items should be given attention during the trip-planning process.

During the planning stage, the experienced traveler make sure to understand what items are allowed and what items are prohibited in the airport and on the plane. Some liquids and containers must now be in a plastic bag of a certain size, for instance, and must be available for inspection separate from luggage. There are still restrictions on certain sharp objects and metal objects. Tip; Find out what the guidelines are and follow them to the letter.

Security screening and questioning may be different at each international airport, depending on local and national laws, local law enforcement and so on. It would be best to become as familiar as possible with these rules and guidelines before entering the foreign airport or another country. If this is not possible, be sure to comply with requests from staff and personnel who are trying to follow their own rules and orders.

Whether the flight is with a smaller, low-cost airline or one of the larger airlines, international passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This allows for getting through check-in, screening and for taking care of any minor issues that may arise. Working with this limited information may be enough to make the overseas trip more enjoyable. But there is no such thing as too much information when traveling internationally.

From Antarctica by Tole & Jessica

“It isn’t possible to convey in words, or even in pictures, the otherworldly beauty of the landscapes and seascapes we saw,” write RealTravelers Tole & Jessica about a recent trip into the glaciered gorgeousness of Antarctica. Used to traveling through destinations like South America and Europe on bicycles, Tole & Jessica traded in their two-wheel transportation for a small cruise ship that traveled through the icy waters of sparkling Antarctica. Venturing on outings using small motor-powered rafts called zodiacs, the adventurous couple from San Francisco were able to weave between glaciers and ice burgs and get up close with some of the region’s wildlife.

Here’s a passage from their journal, Antarctica:

“Our zodiac landings on the islands and Antarctic mainland gave us a chance to see elephant seals, crabeater seals, leopard seals, and about a million fat little penguins. On one island we hiked up a snow-covered hill for about an hour to find ourselves surrounded by a stunning panorama, then slid all the way down on our bums in about 10 minutes. We saw several whales from the ship, and many whale bones on the islands we visited. On a few zodiac outings we simply cruised around a particularly beautiful place, like Paradise Harbor, in the zodiacs to get a more intimate look at the sea life, icebergs, and strange, still beauty. One zodiac cruise found us up close and personal with a curious leopard seal that swam around our raft taking peeks at us. On one island we sat for half an hour looking down at penguins swimming in the water, amazed by how fast they are - they take off like little black and white bullets! To top it all off, on the last day, a bitterly cold day of stinging sleet and wind, we joined the other lunatics from the cruise for a dip in a “hot spring” and in the sea off Deception Island.”

Tole & Jessica said the beauty of the Antarctica had them feeling “awestruck every single day,” which is saying quite something since, at this time of year, the sun is out almost all the time. Tole & Jessica go on in their blog to share some delightfully interesting facts about Antarctica, like:

“Melting ice and icebergs make a rather loud crackling/popping sound in the water, like Rice Krispies in milk.

Much of Antarctica is actually considered desert because it receives so little new precipitation, in some parts as little as 2 cm per year.

And

The largest iceberg ever recorded was spotted near Antarctica in 1956. It was 208 miles long and 60 miles wide - roughly the size of Belgium.”

To learn more about Antarctica, and to see some awe-striking photographs, check out the rest of Tole & Jessica’s travel blog, Antarctica. If you’ve been captured by the beauty of this region and want to experience it for yourself, visit these useful links to help you get started:

Written By : Corry Seibert

Originally Posted On: http://blog.realtravel.com/2007/02/13/awe-struck-in-antarctica/

Are you always trying to top your last vacation? From a one week stint somewhere exotic to a month long tour in South America, or maybe you want to challenge yourself physically next time. One way to do so is by going on a hiking adventure to some of the world’s top mountain peaks. For some hikers, climbing to the top of the Fourteeners is a goal, others it’s climbing Mount Kilamanjaro or Base Camp of Mount Everest - here’s a little inspiration to leave you breathless, and you haven’t even left yet!

Mount Killamanjaro

What’s the best way to end a year and a half of traveling around the world? Well, a hike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro of course! Or at least this is how RealTravelers The Hallgrens decided to top it off, followed by a four day safari.

Home to the highest mountain peak in Africa, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro reaches over 15,000 feet high and will leave you breathless in no time. Trekking this mountain is an experience of a lifetime, from organizing your trip, to getting used to the altitude and extreme weather, to finally reaching the top, you’ll be on a high from this trip for a long time.

After almost 5 days of trekking The Hallgrens finally reached the summit of Uhuru Peak at 19,340, having started at midnight:

“SUMMIT. 100 yards from the sign marking the top of Africa, the sun broke over the horizon. Just in time to stop the frostbite that was knocking on the doors of my finger tips. It was exhilarating. The top of Africa. 19340 feet. The hardships of this climb would prove to be the most physically challenging endeavor that we had ever faced. Emotionally drained from the climb, I found new energies that I didn’t know existed. After a call to my father from the summit, the lead guide and me split from the other three to start our descent down the face of the mountain. We ran, taking large strides through the scree fields and loose gravel, and what had taken six hours to climb, we had reached in a little more than an hour on our descent. Probably not safe, but it was fun to find my childhood again.”

Reaching great heights in the United States

If you live in or are visiting the United States, you may want to try and climb the fourteeners - mountain peaks that are over 14,000 feet high. Here are some states to visit that boast high mountain ranges:

Colorado has plenty of mountains to climb, with miles and miles of terrain to set your boots on! For a full list, visit:
14ers.com

The peak of California’s Mt Whitney is over 14,496 feet high, and is located in the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. For ideas on when to go and how to prepare, visit:
Inyo National Park.com

 Article by: Jenica Szymanski

Orinially Posted On: http://blog.realtravel.com/2007/11/13/climbing-mount-kilimanjaro/

All About Green Travel

What exactly is meant by a phrase like Green Travel? Green Travel can mean anything from environmentally responsible motor cars to eco-friendly transportation fuels, to responsible ecotourism options, sustainable travel or stays in hotels and facilities that are environmentally conscious.

Read on to find some great options on the Internet where you, the environmentally-responsible traveler, can enhance your knowledge and continue to seek the smartest, most planet-conscious choices available when you travel.

Why Green Travel Matters

Tourism, in contemporary times, is a tremendously growth-oriented industry, and is among the world’s largest, with spending figures estimated at over five hundred billion per year in recent years. Because of the overwhelming size of the industry globally, millions of people are employed within its ranks, and are therefore of great concern when it comes to responsible, eco-conscious decisions.

Such lofty statistics all begin with local, individual choices - where people spend their money when they travel, during their travel and the message that their actions send out to global populations. The impact of global travel, when geared toward the positive, can be terrific - including when tourism’s dollars go to the enhancement of local populations, or when travelers return home with a fresh take on other cultures, communities and environments, for instance.

How Tourism and Travel Become “Sustainable Tourism and Travel”

WTTC Associations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council in London, England, offer world travelers a wealth of information on sustainable and green tourism. The mission statement of the organization speaks to their goals: “Raising awareness of the importance of Travel & Tourism, promoting synergies between the public and private sector, generating profit as well as protecting natural, social and cultural environment [these] are the fundamental components of [their] mission, as outlined in the Blueprint for New Tourism.”

Whenever you travel, do what you can to extend the extra effort to ask questions about the businesses that service your trip: from hotels to tours to restaurants and more. Find out what you can about the impact of their businesses on the environment, in terms of both the physical and cultural aspects. No set of universal standards or guidelines currently exists to ensure that those in the travel and tourism industry world-wide operate according to environmentally conscious principles.

So What Is Ecotourism and Can It Help?

With a greater emphasis placed on the environment in general, travel and tourism has also felt the weight of the green revolution. The travel and tourism industry has sprung up in places where the natural environment remains in tact and available for one to experience first-hand. At its best, ecotourism is essentially nature travel - tourism of and cultivation of appreciation for the unadulterated vistas and landscapes of the planet.

Resources Available for Green Travel

ResponsibleTravel
At Responsible Travel, find “A hand picked directory of 1000s of stunning eco holidays run by 265 specialist tour operators and 100’s of accommodations. Use the site to contact the specialists directly to request more information. Book direct with the specialists to get the best price.”

The International Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.org)

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers that through “Uniting communities, conservation and sustainable travel,” they directly “promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

PlanetA

Debuting in 1994, PlanetA is a pioneering website that provides tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel. They take a dynamic wiki view of the Web and appreciate their viewers’ helpful editorial suggestions and offer a yearly World Travel Directory.

Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org)

The organization Sustainable Travel International has the following for its mission statement: “Promoting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.”

Google Green Travel Search (services.google.com/earth/green/)
At Summer of Green, Google’s now legendary map service is powered to help Green travelers find what they need to in the way of environmentally conscious global travel, through the work of Earth Day Network. Find tips on traveling green this summer with keyword searches like “environmentally friendly hotel” rather than just “hotel.”

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance says, “With more than 800 million people traveling each year, tourism is a growing source of revenue for people living in areas that are especially rich in plants and animals - and threatened with destruction. While tourism can lead to problems such as waste, habitat destruction and the displacement of local people and wildlife, it also has the potential to provide incentives for conservation.” Find out more through the tourism arm of their website.

Shimla sits majestically on the lap between seven hills. It has had the honor of being the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj since 1864 till 1947 when India got its independence. The official residence of the Viceroy shifted from the winter capital which was Calcutta till 1911 and subsequently New Delhi up till independence to escape the burning heat of the plains typical of the Indian summers. Shimla was discovered in 1819 following Gurkha War and caught the attention of Lord Benedict the governor-general of India from 1828-1835. The British referred this hill station as ‘the Queen of the Hills’ after its enchanting beauty amidst the lofty north-western Himalayas wrapped in the captivating forests of the deodars, pine, rhododendron, silver oak and the cedars. Shimla is beautifully perched at the elevation of 2,130 which is approximately 6,988 ft above the sea level.

The city takes its name from the local deity Shyamala Devi believed to be the incarnation of Devi Kali by the locals. Currently Shimla is the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh and a much visited and safest hill tourist destination in India.

Shimla show a distinctive grandeur in it’s the colonial style government buildings, library, railway station, and shops in the mall all reminiscence of the erstwhile governance. These buildings find their basis on the neo-gothic and tudorbethan style architecture. The narrow gauge railway rail which also happens to be the longest in India connects Kalka with Shimla was in 1906. The mesmerizing landscape enroute Shimla can be best relished by undertaking the train journey from Kalka. The train passes through a large number of tunnels and deep gorges while on its serpentine passageways round and round the hills.

Shimla has pleasant and cool summers and attracts much tourism with people from plains flocking the hills to find respite from the scorching heat of the summers. Shimla is equally popular amongst tourists in winters. The panorama of the white snow every where, atop the slopes of the homes, hanging from the coniferous trees, spread on the streets are all soothe to the tired eyes.

Local hangouts in the heart of the city are primarily the ridge and the mall road. Shimla is a home to many heritage buildings that are much preserved for its unique tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture. The Wildflower hall currently the luxury hotel of the Oberai’ Group, the Viceroy’s Lodge currently serving as Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, which is the premier centre for research in humanities, the Auckland House, Gaiety Theatre, Gorton Castle, Barnes Court now operating as the Raj Bhawan, Ellerslie building now the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, The Bishop Cotton’s School and the Peter Hoff house all speak of the pre-independence reminders.

The serene lap of the Summer Hill offers walks under the shades of the deodars and the pines. It also happens to be the perfect location for seating the University campus of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists love to spend time in the natural ice-skating ring in Shimla, which incidentally happens to be the only one in Asia. Another place of sacred importance is the Jakhoo temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman perched on the highest point in Shimla.

Shimla is home to many monasteries and other places of religious importance as the Christ Church in the mall, and several others spread across the entire terrain. Shimla is famous for its beauties. Prunes, apples, apricots and kiwis besides wooden items, woolens, Himachali caps, jackets and other handicrafts made by the local population are much desired and brought by the tourists.

On the picturesque Caribbean island of Grand Cayman, there is place known as Hell. Just a short drive from five-star resorts and pristine beaches, rests an ominous field of brimstone with a fascinating geological history. There are certainly several versions to the story of how Hell got its name. Yet, most variations involve a local official seeing this strange limestone field for the first time and saying, “This is what Hell must look like.” Whatever you may think of this unique version of Hell, the surrounding West Bay area of Grand Cayman offers some of the best photo opportunities in the Caribbean, while Hell itself promises an unforgettable sightseeing opportunity.

At this point, you are probably wondering what is so hellish about this little Caribbean town. The story is interesting, but certainly nothing to fear.

Approximately 1.5 million years ago, the sea level was 15-20 higher than it is today. As a result, Grand Cayman and many other Caribbean islands were largely flooded. When the water receded, limestone-based coral formations were left behind. Scientists have recognized a large formation of such ancient coral - known as ironshore - covering most of the western half of Grand Cayman.

Ironshore is the central attraction of Hell. Yet, in Hell, the limestone deposits have taken on an ominous shape. In an area about the size of half a football field, you will see exposed black ironshore that has been uniquely weathered to resemble the fires of the netherworld. Though the formations may look like the result of volcanic activity, the limestone was in fact darkened by eroding algae after the sea waters receded. As the limestone was simultaneously exposed to acidic algae and the elements over many centuries, the field of Hell took on its devilish form.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to walk among the limestone formations. However, the viewing platforms grant you a bird’s eye view of the sharp, blackened ironshore. Beyond the rocks of Hell, you will see mangrove trees and the beautiful Caribbean scenery you expect of Grand Cayman.

There is also plenty of fun to be had with Hell’s secondary attractions. At the town’s small gift shop, you will be greeted by the devil himself (or perhaps just a man in costume) with such phrases as, “How the hell are you?” or “Where the hell are you from?” After picking up some “postcards from hell,” you can send your friends and family a unique message courtesy of Hell’s themed post office. Opened in 1962, the post office allows visitors the ability to postmark their Caribbean correspondence from Satan’s hometown.

Just south of Hell, you will find Seven Mile Beach, one of the island’s most famous beaches. Though the beach is only 5.5 miles long, it promises plenty of pristine, powdery sand. Many of the island’s most popular resorts are located along this stretch, as well, yet the beach is rarely overcrowded. At the south end of the beach, you will find more exposed ironshore - further evidence of the formations resting beneath the island’s surface. Though the limestone at Seven Mile Beach wasn’t weathered as dramatically as in Hell, it certainly gives you an idea of the island’s - and the entire Caribbean region’s - unique geological makeup.

The trip to Hell is a short one (the town, that is). Mini buses run throughout the island and Hell is a popular stop. It is even possible to walk to the site from many of Grand Cayman’s resorts - most being about 5-7 miles away. However you choose to get to Hell, the journey will definitely offer scenic views of the island’s West Bay region.

You probably won’t need to spend much time in Hell either. Offering a unique brand of fun, the town and its wicked rocks offer a simple, pleasant family activity. When planning your tour around beautiful Grand Cayman, plan an afternoon stop at the place no one wants to end up (but everyone seems to enjoy).