Turkey is a country of diversity, stunning scenery, warm hospitality, and a whole selection of resorts and activities to suit all tastes. A country spanning two continents where east meets west and 10,000 years of civilisation, Turkey is really a treasure trove of history and culture.

Weather in Turkey – Southern Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts

Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean coasts boast an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity. The lengthy, extended summer runs between May possibly and October with temperatures ranging from the low 20?Cs at the beginning and end from the season, as much as the mid 30?Cs within the hottest months of July and August.

In the course of spring, the scent of citrus blossoms fills the environment, the hills and valleys are green with vegetation and also the cool, sunny days are ideal for hiking and sightseeing. During the autumn months it’s a pleasure to go to historical and natural sites in the cool weather in order to acquire up bargains at end-of-season sales! Winters tend to be mild with a few sun, and occasional showers, which is quite normal so that you can swim in the sea even in November.

Turkish Culture

This mixture of cultural influences and traditions in Turkey is among the stuff that draw tourists towards the country. Turkey has a wealthy cultural heritage with a long good reputation for influences from each Europe and Asia, which is reflected in the complexity and diversity of certain Turkish arts, language and handicrafts. Turks are proud of their centuries-old musical tradition, which is similar to the music of nearby Islamic regions for example Saudi Arabia, Iran, and northern India. A cosmopolitan nation, Turkey has also adopted and developed suggestions and traditions that combine Western, Asian, and Arabic elements.

Hamam

The Hamam, or Turkish Bath, would be a Roman and Byzantine tradition that was adopted by the Selcuk Turks in the 11th century and has been the main Turkish Culture along with a life-style ever since. It claimed an important role in society as not only was it a location where the faithful could follow the Muslim precept of cleanliness, it was additionally a place in which to socialize, gossip and even talk enterprise or politics. The exfoliation, bathing and massage routine provide each a soothing and exhilarating experience. Nowadays Hamams can be found in most Turkish cities and towns and are they’re popular with both locals and tourists alike.

Family Holidays in Turkey

Turks adore kids and try to extend a warm welcome to our young holidaymakers. There are lots of activities in Turkey which keeps kids pleased, the most popular being spending some time about the gently shelving beaches that are ideal for families. For the a lot more active, walking, horseback riding, cycling and watersports are available.

Religion

Whilst the populace of Turkey is all about 99% Muslim, the nation is really a secular state which allows total freedom of worship to non-muslims. Tourists visiting coastal resorts are unlikely to determine a lot evidence that they’re in a Muslim country, except for the call to prayer which may be heard 5 times per day. If visiting a mosque, dress conservatively and steer clear of visiting throughout prayer times or on Fridays, the holy day. On the coast, dress is usually relaxed beachwear for locals and tourists alike. It is only in smaller villages, more remote areas and also the east of the country that the dress codes tend to be more formal and more conventional.

In the course of Ramadan, or Ramazan, as it is termed in Turkey, some locals might quick from sunrise to sunset. This is quite relaxed within the resort areas and really should not have any impact whatsoever to visitors.

Public Holidays in Turkey

Government offices and banks is going to be closed on public holidays, but life in the resort areas continues much as usual. Funds exchange bureaux and most shops and restaurants open as regular.

With the average gas prices already at .97, according to Triple A’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, and climbing toward the highest recorded average of .11 that crippled travel back in 2008, travelers are looking for getaways a bit closer to home and that won’t break the bank.

Situated only one and half hours north of Atlanta Georgia, one hour south of Chattanooga Tennessee and two hours east of Huntsville Alabama, Wilderness View Cabins is a centrally located weekend getaway in the North Georgia Mountains that won’t bust your wallet; or your gas gauge.

With eleven cabins spread out on over 100 acres of the Cohutta Wilderness, and joining into the Chattahoochee National Forest, there is a luxury cabin that is perfect for everybody.

Looking for a Romantic Getaway for two? Ananda, our spa cabin, might be the perfect fit. Intimate, relaxing and amenity filled; you’ll arrive and not want to leave.

Need a Family Getaway? Grandview is the largest cabin on the property and can sleep up to ten. It features a pool table, a outdoor fire pit, a hot tub, a jetted tub and a “Grand” View — you can’t go wrong with this cabin!

Many of the cabins have outstanding and breathtaking mountain views, while others are nestled in the forest where the views are of birs, chimpunks, turkey and even some bears.

The property amentities include hiking, a catfish pond, a newly designed zipline, a nearby swimming lake that also has canoe rentals, and lots of peace and quiet.

All of our cabins were hand built by owner Robert Coleman and designed by his wife, Liz, ensuring that no two are alike. Each cabin has its own unique charm and character, making them extra special and different than normal cabin rentals.

Wallet Stretching Specials

Come mid week and save even more! Stay any three nights during the week and we’ll lower the regular rate by an average of 20% per night making it even easier for you to stretch your vacation dollars. Stay any five nights between now and the end of September and we’ll pay your cleaning fee for you!

If you are looking for a weekend getaway near Atlanta Georgia; a weekend getaway near Chattanooga Tennessee; a weekend getaway near Huntsville Alabama or a weekend getaway anywhere in between, look no further. The perfect one to four bedroom cabin is waiting for you, high in the North Georgia Mountains

Related Mid-east Travel Articles

Whether you?re traveling by choice or necessity, there?s a few places out there that shouldn?t be passed up. If you happen to find yourself in any of the listed locations, take a moment and enjoy what it has to offer.

1. Muskoka Cottage Country, Ontario, Canada

This 2,500 square-mile, hidden treasure is located outside of Toronto, and is located beside 8,699 miles of spectacular shoreline, containing 17 historic towns. You?ll discover the Algonquin Provincial Park to the east, home to dozens of waterfalls, mountains and other natural splendors. Containing more than 30,000 separate islands that seem almost painted on the horizon, the Georgian Bay Islands National Park is to the west.

2. Patagonia, Argentina

Argentina?s largest ski area is covered in white snow from mid-June until late September. One of the country?s most beautiful locations, private jet charter will take you passed the planet?s highest mountain ranges outside of Asia, allowing you to really take in the amazement that is the Southern Andes.

3. San Juan Islands, Washington

This serene area is great for whale watching is only a 30-45 minute executive jet charter from of Seattle. Comprised of four islands, you can travel back and forth to each of them by ferry, and take in all they have to offer.

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Location of the Mall of America, this metropolis really is the heart of the mid-west. This city comes to life with an assortment of events and cultural fairs all summer long when they don?t experience snowfall in the brief summer season.

5. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

27% of the 3.2 million-acre park is full of glaciers, and while taking in this amazing destination, you might also spot any of a wide variety of wildlife, from bears to porpoise, moose, and humpback whales, making the journey unforgettable.

6. Cardiff, Whales

The capitol city of Whales offers castles and no shortage of modern excitement all at once. Museums and outdoor activities such as white-water rafting are all well within your reach. The 2012 Summer Olympics football matches are also being geared up for in the capitol?s modern Millennium Stadium.

7. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

Making this a fanastic spot to traverse and enjoy the 62 mile stretch by boat, helicopter, kayak, or any number of choices at your disposal, the ?Garden on the Rocks? lays claim to nearly 25,000 separate islands, and only 1,000 of which are inhabited.

8. Azores, Portugal

Nearly a thousand miles off the mainland, these 9 islands are mostly undeveloped, to preserve their natural essence. You may view everything ranging from volcanoes to scenic towns, windmills and all, as you enjoy this low-key destination.

9. Roatan, Honduras

Offering adventure for the entire family, this shallow-water, living coral reef is found about thirty miles off the coast of the country. You may go fishing, explore the reef, or even swim with dolphins.

10. Istria, Croatia

This 333 mile-long coast features more than forty beaches and has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for exceptional water quality and environmental management standards. The colorful past may still be experienced there at the present, this location has been a seasonal hotspot for hundreds of years.

Wherever you decide to spend your time, be certain to appreciate what you see around you. You should still take some time out for yourself to enjoy yourself and have memories to treasure for the entirety of your life; the world contains limitless splendors.

More Mid-east Travel Articles

They have given the cold shoulder to the Shimla, Manali and Nainital of the world, to zero in on the picturesque, snow-clad peaks of the Seven Sisters. Experts in the travel industry say the traffic is headed to places such as Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh; Cherrapunjee and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya; and Gangtok, Yuksom and Pelling in Sikkim. Even the most ignored state in the North-East, Assam, has some hidden gems to offer — Manas and Nameri national parks, for instance.

The number of hits for destinations in the northeast on leading travel websites such as eTravelsIndia.com and Yatra.com has risen by 15 per cent from last year; queries about places of interest and actual bookings are up by 30 per cent. They have experienced more traffic to the north-east this season, especially from Delhi. Nearby states such as Delhi residents have exhausted Himachal and Uttarakhand, so the northeast is a new holiday destination to check out.

Traditional hill stations are getting overcrowded and a host of other problems are plaguing them. Shimla is facing an acute shortage of accommodation. And with Himachal seeing deficient rainfall and soaring mercury — the average temperatures are 6-7 degrees above normal this year — visitors are in for a tough time. Plastic is banned in Himachal Pradesh, but the steady flow of tourists ensures that the dirt and filth continues to pile up. On the other hand, shrouded in mystery and holding out the promise of the exotic, the north- east now not only offers better infrastructure and connectivity, but also has picturesque trekking trails, limestone caves and scenic waterfalls.

Some of the states also have tea gardens or orchid sanctuaries (especially in Sikkim) to draw visitors. The domestic travellers are clearly dissatisfied with Himachal’s famous crowd-pullers. And not only are they willing to cough up huge sums to make their summer vacations memorable, they are also keen on checking out new destinations.

According to the website, between January and March this year, traffic flow to the north-eastern destinations went up by 15 per cent.

Promotional activities of the government and private players have also played a role in mainstreaming northeastern states. Flooded with requests to provide information on tour packages to Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. With an increase in the traffic to the north- east, the state tourism departments and private players are offering good promotional packages. The scenic beauty of the north- east provides a breathtaking stage for an array of adventure sports and leisure activities such as rowing, sailing, water scootering and river cruises. But what makes a real difference to the traveller is the undiscovered natural wealth of the region.

Related Mid-east Travel Articles

Chapter 1

Introduction

Energy is the basis of industrial civilization. Without it, modern life would be profoundly affected. During the 1970’s the world began a painful adjustment to the vulnerability of energy supplies. The industrialized nations used most of the world’s energy. Other energy sources including solar and wind power and vegetable wastes were relatively minor contributors to the world energy supplies, although of considerable importance of certain countries.

The new perfect storm may eclipse World War 2 in its fury. The new storm is not terrorism, as many in high places would like for you to believe. Rather, it is the Peak Oil Storm or to put in the simplest terms, the end of cheap oil. We have been warned again and again but the evidence is that the warnings often fallen on deaf ears.

Evidence of the ignored warning is the accelerating growth in size and inefficiency of our cars and trucks, the lack of oil and gas well drilling and the slowness of developing an effective research for alternative sources of energy.

The year 1973 brought an end to the era of secure, cheap oil. The very high oil prices again caused a worldwide recession and gave energy conservation a big push, as oil demand slackened and supplies increased the world oil market slumped. Of course, rapidly rising gasoline prices and oil prices are an important manifestation of the approaching perfect storm of Peak Oil. Oil prices are now about 5 per barrel and seem destined to go higher.

Statement of the problem

The concern of this study is to show how different countries resolve their energy crisis.

This study also sought to answer the following questions:

1.) Can we find and develop enough new energy resources to maintain the world’s increasing demand for fuel?

2.) Will existing oil and natural gas reserves become depleted before we have developed new energy supplies?

Objectives

1.) To know what is the most used energy resources by different countries.

2.) To investigate the alternatives used in facing Energy Crisis.

3.) To determine what countries are competing in exporting fuels.

Significance of the study

Since nowadays prices of fuel, gas, and oil increases day by day same goes for the financial problems of the people, and more people are concern about a drop of those energy sources this research believes that knowing the better way in consuming our energy resources will prevent crisis in energy. Through this study we will be aware that war is not the solution of the conflict in every nation. This study would be a great help not only in the country but also on us to be informed.

Theoretical review

Energy crisis certainly spread economic pain and hardship globally, especially to those who cannot afford higher transportation and heating fuel costs. It is like the tremors that before a major earthquake, they suggest the dangerous accumulation of powerful energy forces that will roil the planet for years to come.

Petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas are found in commercial quantities in sedimentary basins in more than 50 countries in all parts of the world. The largest deposits are in the Middle East, which contains more than half the known oil reserves and almost one-third of the known natural-gas reserves. The United States contains only about 2 percent of the known oil reserves and 3 percent of the known natural-gas reserves.

In the long run, conserving energy resources may provide the time needed to develop new sources of energy, such as hydrogen fuel cells, or to further develop alternative energy sources, such as solar energy and wind energy. While this development occurs, however, the world will continue to be vulnerable to disruptions in the supply of oil, which, after World War II (1939-1945), became the most favored energy source.

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents a review of related studies and researches, which are directly and indirectly related to the present problem. Wood was the first and, for most of human history, the major source of energy. It was readily available, because extensive forests grew in many parts of the world and the amount of wood needed for heating and cooking was relatively modest. Certain other energy sources, found only in localized areas, were also used in ancient times: asphalt, coal, and peat from surface deposits and oil from seepages of underground deposits.

This situation changed when wood began to be used during the Middle Ages to make charcoal. The charcoal was heated with metal ore to break up chemical compounds and free the metal. As forests were cut and wood supplies dwindled at the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century, charcoal was replaced by coke (produced from coal) in the reduction of ores. Coal, which also began to be used to drive steam engines, became the dominant energy source as the Industrial Revolution proceeded.

Although for centuries petroleum (also known as crude oil) had been used in small quantities for purposes as diverse as medicine and ship caulking, the modern petroleum era began when a commercial well was brought into production in Pennsylvania in 1859. The oil industry in the United States expanded rapidly as refineries sprang up to make oil products from crude oil. The oil companies soon began exporting their principal product, kerosene—used for lighting—to all areas of the world. The development of the internal-combustion engine and the automobile at the end of the 19th century created a vast new market for another major product, gasoline. A third major product, heavy oil, began to replace coal in some energy markets after World War II (yergin, stobaugh, and Weeks, 2003).

During World War I, the U.S. oil industry produced two-thirds of the world’s oil supply from domestic sources and imported another one-sixth from Mexico. At the end of the war and before the discovery of the productive East Texas fields in 1930, however, the United States, with its reserves strained by the war, became a net oil importer for a few years (Lee, 2003).

Formationof OPEC

Two series of events coincided to change this secure supply of cheap oil into an insecure supply of expensive oil. In 1960, enraged by unilateral cuts in oil prices by the seven big oil companies, the governments of the major oil-exporting countries formed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. OPEC’s goal was to try to prevent further cuts in the price that the member countries—Venezuela and four countries around the Persian Gulf—received for oil. They succeeded, but for a decade they were unable to raise prices. In the meantime, increasing oil consumption throughout the world, especially in Europe and Japan, where oil displaced coal as a primary source of energy, caused an enormous expansion in the demand for oil products (Yergin et.al, 2003).

The Energy Crisis

In October of the year 1973, as a result of the Arab-Israeli War, the Arab oil-producing countries cut back oil production and embargoed oil shipments to the United States and the Netherlands. Although the Arab cutbacks represented a loss of less than 7 percent in world supply, they created panic on the part of oil companies, consumers, oil traders, and some governments. Wild bidding for crude oil ensued when a few producing nations began to auction off some of their oil. This bidding encouraged the OPEC nations, which now numbered 13, to raise the price of all their crude oil to a level as high as eight times that of a few years earlier.

In 1978 a second oil crisis began, as a result of the revolution that eventually drove the Shah of Iran from his throne, Iranian oil production and exports dropped precipitously. Because Iran had been a major exporter, consumers again panicked. A replay of 1973 events, complete with wild bidding, again forced up oil prices during 1979. The outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq in 1980 gave a further boost to oil prices. By the end of 1980 the price of crude oil stood at 19 times what it had been just ten years earlier.

Significant increases in non-OPEC oil supplies, such as those in the North Sea, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, China, and India, pushed oil prices even lower. Production in the Soviet Union reached 11.42 million barrels per day by 1989, accounting for 19.2 percent of world production in that year (Lee, 2003).

Chapter 3

Methodology

In this study, the researchers seek in the internet how this different countries solve this energy crisis. We found out that the major oil companies, which are based principally in the United States, initially found large oil supplies in the United States. As a result, oil companies from other countries—especially Britain, the Netherlands, and France—began to search for oil in many parts of the world, especially the Middle East. The British brought the first field there (in Iran) into production just before World War I (1914-1918). During World War I, the U.S. oil industry produced two-thirds of the world’s oil supply from domestic sources and imported another one-sixth from Mexico.

In industrialized countries, they have greater convenience in using oil and gas due to lower costs in the earlier 20th century that virtually forced coal out of the market for heating homes and offices and driving locomotives. But the dramatic jumps in oil prices after 1973, however, gave coal a major cost advantage for utilities and large industrial customers, and coal began to recapture some of its lost markets.

In contrast to the industrialized countries, developing countries that have large coal reserves (such as China and India) continue to use coal for industrial and heating purposes. The average price of coal has remained virtually unchanged since the early 1980s and is forecast to decline in the early part of the 21st century. However, in industrialized countries the need to comply with stricter environmental regulations has made burning coal more costly.

A major challenge in the move toward increased use of renewable forms of energy is that these resources are by nature intermittent and may not always be available when needed. As long as these energy sources are contributing less than 30 percent of the power in a given region, existing electricity grids will probably have enough reserve generating capacity to ensure reliability. But as these new energy sources become increasingly dominant, the system as a whole will need to be adapted. The simplest solution is to build backup generators that employ efficient gas turbines and a variety of sophisticated energy storage devices.

The World found better alternative to solve this energy crisis, this is through conservation. Energy supplies can be extended by the conservation of currently available resources. Three types of possible energy conservation practices may be described. The first type is curtailment, which is, doing without—for example, closing factories to reduce the amount of power consumed or cutting back on travel to reduce the amount of gasoline burned. The second type is overhaul, that is, changing the way people live and the way goods and services are produced—for example, slowing further suburbanization of society, using less energy-intensive materials in production processes, and decreasing the amount of energy consumed by certain products (such as automobiles). The third type involves the more efficient use of energy, that is, adjusting to higher energy costs—for example, investing in cars that go farther per unit of fuel, capturing waste heat in factories and reusing it, and insulating houses. This third option requires less drastic changes in lifestyle, so governments and societies most commonly adopt it over the other two options.

A number of obstacles stand in the way. One major roadblock to productive conservation is its highly fragmented and unglamorous character; it requires hundreds of millions of people to do mundane things such as turning off lights and keeping tires properly inflated. Another barrier has been the price of energy. When adjusted for inflation, the cost of gasoline in the United States was lower in 1998 than it was in 1972. Low energy prices make it difficult to convince people to invest in energy efficiency. From 1973 to the mid-1980s, when oil prices increased in the United States, energy consumption per person dropped about 14 percent, in large part due to conservation measures. However, because oil has become cheaper during the 1990s, the U.S. Energy Department predicts that by the year 2000 energy use in the United States will increase to within 2 percent of 1973 levels.

Chapter 4

Results

This part presents the result in resolving this energy crisis. By using oil and gas, they are producing considerable environmental pollution. One source of pollution connected with the oil industry is the sulfur in crude oil. Regulations of national and local governments restrict the amount of sulfur dioxide that can be discharged by factories and utilities burning fuel oil. Because removing sulfur is expensive, however, regulations still allow some sulfur dioxide to be discharged into the air.

Many scientists believe that another potential environmental problem from refining and burning large amounts of oil and other fossil fuels occurs when carbon dioxide, methane, and other by-product gases accumulate in the atmosphere.

During the Ky?to meeting, representatives of 160 nations signed an agreement known as the Ky?to Protocol, which would require 38 industrialized nations to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to levels that are an average of 5 percent below the emission levels of 1990. In order to reduce their fossil fuel emissions to achieve these levels, the industrialized nations would have to shift their energy mix toward energy sources that do not produce as much carbon dioxide, such as natural gas, or to alternative energy sources, such as hydroelectric energy, solar energy, wind energy, or nuclear energy.

Despite coal’s relative cheapness and huge reserves, the growth in the use of coal since 1973 has been much less than expected, because coal is associated with more environmental problems than oil. Underground mining can result in black lung disease for miners, the sinking of the land over mines and the drainage of acid into water tables. Surface mining requires careful reclamation, or the unrestored land will remain scarred and unproductive. In addition, the burning of coal causes emission of sulfur dioxide particles, nitrogen oxide, and other impurities.

Solving these problems is costly, and who should pay is a matter of controversy. As a result, coal consumption may continue to grow more slowly than would otherwise be expected. The vast coal reserves, the improved technologies to reduce pollution, and the further development of coal gasification still indicate, however, that the market for coal will increase in coming years.

During the next three decades, with occasional federal support, the U.S. oil companies were enormously successful in expanding in the rest of the world. By 1955 the five major U.S. oil companies produced two-thirds of the oil for the world oil market(not including North America and the Soviet bloc). Two British-based companies produced almost one-third of the world’s oil supply, and the French produced a mere one-fiftieth. The next 15 years were a period of serenity for energy supplies. The seven major U.S. and British oil companies provided the world with increasing quantities of cheap oil. The world price was about a dollar a barrel, and during this time the United States was largely self-sufficient, with its imports limited by a quota.

Observation

Many of the world’s leading petroleum geologists believe that the world oil supply will peak around 80 million barrels per day between 2010 and 2020. Since in1998 world consumption was approximately 70 million barrels per day. On the other hand, many economists believe that even modestly higher oil prices might lead to greater supply, since the oil companies would then have the economic incentive to exploit less accessible oil deposits.

Natural gas may be increasingly used in place of oil for applications such as power generation and transportation. One reason is that world reserves of natural gas have doubled since 1976, in part because of the discovery of major deposits of natural gas in Russia and in the Middle East. New facilities and pipelines are being constructed to help process and transport this natural gas from production wells to consumers.

Conserving energy has become increasingly important as energy rates and shortages have increased. Consumers can find a number of ways to cut back on their electrical use, especially with appliances commonly found in the home.

Conservation plays an important rule in solving world’s energy crisis. Many people had come to recognize that increased energy efficiency could help the world energy balance in the short and middle term, and that productive conservation should be considered as no less an energy alternative than the energy sources themselves.

Conclusions

In the light of the findings in this research we found out that Coal became the dominant energy source in the time of Industrial Revolution. This energy resource was also used by developing countries. But after World War II heavy oil, began to replace coal in some energy markets. Oil becomes the most used by industrialized countries since they need to comply with stricter environmental regulations that made burning coal more costly.

The researcher also found that the better alternative in facing energy crisis is through conservation rather than war. Since war can affect greatly to the production of energy resources.

We conclude also that due to its vast reserves, the Middle East countries will continue to be the major source of oil for the foreseeable future. However, new discoveries in the Caspian Sea region suggest that countries such as Kazakhstan may become major sources of petroleum in the 21st century.

The energy crisis of the 1970s was just a temporary blip in an otherwise agreeably oil-dependent lifestyle. Warnings that the world could run out of oil were countered by a flurry of more optimistic estimates. The world is not running out of oil—at least not yet. What our society does face, and soon, is the end of the abundant and cheap oil on which all industrial nations depend.

North CarolinaAlthough North Carolina is not a well-known travel destination among travelers in the US, the availability of travel nursing positions in the state makes it easy to be granted an assignment. Along with availability, North Carolina has many interesting landmarks, points of history, and one of the most beautiful coastlines on the East Coast. Compensation is above average within the state as well and reflects more urbanized salaries without the headache and hustle of large cities. With such solid attributes as great travel nurse jobs, attractive pay, and interesting activities, North Carolina rounds out the list at number five.

ArizonaWintertime temperatures of 70 degrees can be a very tempting living condition. Arizona offers a number of travel nurse positions as well as the best of two seasons. During cold winter months, Phoenix is nice and warm while the northern territories of Winslow offer a full range of seasons including snowmobiling. Arizona offers travel nurses top pay and is within close proximity of the West Coast as well as Mexico. These attributes make Arizona a very popular destination at number four.

CaliforniaThere are different degrees of compensation depending on what type of assignment one takes. Sometimes, the rate of pay is commensurate with average pay throughout the state. Therefore, states that have a high standard of living offer the best pay. Although this is not always the case, this does contribute to a destination’s desirability. For instance, nurses in California may get paid on average better than 70% of the rest of the country. California also has a number of desirable places to live and recreate. For this reason, California makes the top destination for traveling nurse positions at number three.

HawaiiOf course Hawaii would make the top five destinations. With a 365 day steady temperature of 85 and a lush tropical environment, Hawaii is paradise in itself. Couple some of the highest pay for nurses with its environment and one couldn’t ask for a better job. The only reason Hawaii falls inline at number two is due to position availability. There are a number of positions but with a large application pool.

Southern FloridaWith an annual average temperature in the mid 70s and easy access to both the Atlantic Beach as well as the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is a travel destination in itself. For this reason alone, it scores high on this top five list. However, travel nurse positions are abundant in a state where the average age is in the mid 40s, nurses are in high demand. Along with the demand, nursing pay in Florida is one of the highest in the nation. With the major city of Miami, numerous beaches on two coasts, and the only entirely tropical destination in the continental US known as the Keys, Florida is considered a travel nurse’s dream assignment and tops the list at number one.

Among all these places, Ladakh city witnesses the largest number of travelers. The main reasons for such huge bulk of travelers every year are its small accessibility period and the beautiful destinations & scope of adventurous activities in Ladakh.

Ladakh lies in trans-Himalayan district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Both adventure freaks and culture enthusiasts have greater inclination to travel this wonderful location. The place is famous for its high mountain charm and civilization. The place is strongly influenced by the Tibetans culture and due to the strong influence of the Tibetan culture; the place is also called a ‘Little Tibet.’ More than half the population of Ladakh is constituted of Tibetans people.

In the past, Ladakh was a Buddhist kingdom, but after the partition these regions are controlled by Pakistan and China. The two districts of Ladakh include Leh and Kargil. Besides being the largest town of Ladakh and Leh is also known as the capital of Ladakh. One of the most remarkable features of Ladakh is wide scope of adventurous activities here. Some of the popular adventurous activities of Ladakh include:

TREKKING

Trekking is just the kind of adventure sport that every fun-loving traveler would love. The sports involve lot of fun amid the hilly areas in cool surroundings. Some of popular valleys for trekking in Ladakh include the Zanskar valley trek, Markha Valley trek Lamayuru-Padum Valley Trek and Indus Valley Trek. The traditional trekking season extends from early June to mid-October.

RIVER RAFTING

The place is an ultimate spot for river rafting. The place offers wide range rafting option on the Indus and its main branches. However, the best option for white water is between Spituk and Saspol on the Indus. But, it should be noted that this water sport require special skill and the rafter need to be expert before trying hands in this adventure freak. A satisfactory arrangement for rescue coverage is an important pre- requisite for embarking upon a white-water expedition on a river like Zanskar.

MOUNTAINEERING

The walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing on mountains all comes under mountaineering. Generally the climbing season starts from mid-May and exists till mid-October. However, the most appropriate period for mountain climbing in Ladakh is from June to September as this is the time when Ladakh remains unaffected by the monsoon. However all foreign expeditions are required to get permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for climbing all listed peaks.

Now, you must be thinking of exploring all these wonderful adventurous sports option. For this you need a well-organized travel agency to arrange a systematic tour for you. There are several travel agency who arrange meticulous tours for India, but you should bank upon an experienced and Government approved travel agency to avoid getting into any sort of problematic situation.

Boasting some of the most beautiful scenery and landscapes in the world, Greece has captured the heart of travellers from all over the globe. The Greek Islands are a popular “beach holiday” spot for many Europeans in particular. You can relax in the sun on any number of beaches.

Different islands have different “flavours” – some are more restful or family friendly, while others cater to different subcultures; the party scene being one example. On Mykonos, for example, when the sun goes down you can experience the thriving nightlife.

Considered “the cradle of Western civilisation”, Greece has a long, rich and fascinating history and culture, the influences of which can still be felt across the world today. Those interested in history and architecture may wish to visit the Parthenon, which rises majestically over the hazy sprawl of Athens, or view the ancient city of Delos, rich in mystery and artistic appeal.

Not only are the Greek Islands beautiful, and Greek history compelling, another reason for a steady influx of foreign travellers is quite simple: Greek culture includes a vibrant and optimistic outlook on life and an unquestioning hospitality. For tourists, this means a warm welcome and incredible food. No wonder most people who choose Greece as their holiday destination will state that the experience was truly unforgettable.

Sightseeing In the Greek Archipelago As well as mainland Greece, the Greek archipelago has loads to offer the willing traveller. Consider a tour through the grandeur of Delphi or the rugged and unspoiled hills of Crete with their spectacular, colourful wildflowers. Ioannina has its own, unique appeal and will be of particular interest to those who enjoy a tranquil commune with nature while on holiday. Those who prefer socialising and making new, international friends may enjoy an outing at one of Thessaloniki’s many quaint and inviting coffee shops; conversation a must!

The unusual rock formations of Ikaria, the outstanding beaches of Thasos, and the 10 million olive trees found in Thas Lesvos make island hopping well worth the time. People who enjoy a semi-tropical climate may wish to visit Samos and enjoy its pristine beaches and near-perfect climate. If complete serenity and seclusion are more to your taste, you will want to visit the islands of Psara, Inousses, and Fourni, as they are virtually tourist free.

Greek Climate and SeasonsCovering a wide geographic area, Greece has a range of microclimates. Northern Epiros and northern Macedonia experience hot, humid summers and freezing winters. Crete, Dodecanese, the Cyclades, the Attica Peninsula, and the eastern and central Peloponnese have a more traditional Mediterranean climate with mild winters, and hot, dry summers.

Snow is rare in many parts of Greece; however, the lofty mountains of Crete and the Peloponnese are often snow-covered during the winter. Athens has been known to experience snow from time to time as well.

The western Sterea Ellada and the Ionian Islands have less severe winters than northern Greece and one can expect a greater amount of rainfall when visiting these areas. Crete offers the longest summer, and in Crete people enjoy water sports from April to November.

Generally in Greece July and August are exceptionally hot months, and temperatures can easily reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (100 F) in virtually any part of the country. However, during this time of the year, the Meltemi – a powerful wind from the north – sweeps Greece’s east coast.

In most parts of Greece, the rainy season begins in October and from then until February the weather remains cold and wet.

Planning a Greek Island HolidaySpring and autumn are ideal times to visit Greece. This is when attractions, landmarks, and beaches are relatively uncrowded. In addition, because demand is down, visitors have a wider variety of accommodation from which to choose.

Conditions are optimal from mid-April to June. This is when temperatures are warm and pleasant in most areas.

During the winter months the majority of the country’s tourist facilities operate on a limited basis, especially facilities on the islands. Some of the smaller islands close entirely, and on others, ferry and bus services operate to a very limited schedule. If you are planning to visit during the off-season, to avoid hassles and disappointment, you will need to get detailed information about timetables and schedules before planning to move from place to place.

Peak holiday season is mid-June through to August, and during this time ferry and bus timetables change, with most of Greece, particularly the islands, operating on extended schedules to accommodate the massive influx of tourists.

It is vital for families to book their travel dates well in advance if you are planning to visit the Greek Islands during the peak season.

However, no matter what time of the year you choose to visit Greece and the Greek Islands, you are guaranteed to have the holiday experience of a lifetime.

That’s “Happy New Year!” in Cantonese to you and me. Having spent a summer studying and travelling across China and Hong Kong, the lavishly colourful Chinese New Year celebrations send me on a trip down memory lane, back to the mouth-watering cuisine and fascinating ancient traditions, not to mention the wonderfully kind people I befriended along the way.

Luckily many cities across the East Midlands Trains network, particularly London, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool, boast vibrant Chinese communities and play host to the explosion of parades, dragon dancing, acrobatics and delicious food that mark Chinese New Year. And this year’s free street celebrations are set to be bigger and better than ever, so if you’ve never taken part before, now is the perfect time to experience your first Chinese New Year.Ancient traditions: Chinese New Year in the East Midlands

In China, New Year is an important time for families to gather and celebrate a new beginning. The preparation of extravagant meals and sweets is thought to appease the kitchen gods, while firecrackers–which are so popular in Beijing that it sounds like the city is under siege over the holiday–are thought to drive off evil spirits. On New Year’s Day, children receive a hong bao–lucky red envelopes containing gifts or money. Everyone dresses up in special clothes and is on their best behaviour as it’s considered bad luck to shout, lie, swear or even break anything on this sacred day.The Year of the Rabbit: Chinese New Year in the East Midlands

The Chinese New Year officially rings in on 3 February this year, which marks the first day of the Year of the Rabbit. As one of the luckiest signs in the Chinese Zodiac, children hopping into the world in 2011 are said to be marked for a life of financial fortune. You’ll also fall under this sign if you were born in past rabbit years including 1999, 1987, 1975 and 1963, and be in good company with famous rabbits such as Whitney Houston, John Cleese and Ingrid Bergman.Chinese New Year in the East Midlands: What’s on in…London

The capital city’s celebrations are the most elaborate outside of China. This year, they take place on Sunday, 6 February, from noon until the early evening, in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue. Over 250,000 joined in the merriment last year, which saw the city taken over by huge dancing puppet parades, martial arts displays, dragon and lion dances, performances from visiting Chinese artists and stalls and marquees offering oriental culinary delights.Nottingham

Beginning on 6 February, the month-long celebrations at Nottingham’s Lakeside Arts Centre will feature the return of Chinese choreographer, dancer and teacher Rong Tao, who will be leading creative workshops in the community. Traditional folk songs, lion and dragon dances and New Year songs and dance from the Nottingham Chinese School feature on the launch night’s bill, as well as such attractions as rickshaw rides, a dragon boat, Chinese Zodiac pyramid lanterns and an exhibition of paintings by Cathy Wu. The festivities culminate with an outdoor gala at Highfields Park with stage performances from 5pm and a spectacular fireworks finale at 6.30pm.

Sheffield

Sheffield City Hall will be turned into a mini Far East to play host to the city’s New Year celebrations on Monday, 7 February. Doors open at 5pm for an array of acrobats, dancers and food stalls, with performances between 7pm and 9pm from the highly regarded Gansu Provincial Ensemble of Song and Dance from Northwest China and the Sheffield Chinese Women and Children group. Tickets cost £7 on the door for adults, with £5 concessions for students, senior citizens and children under 12s.

Manchester

The New Year will be rung in with style on Sunday, 6 February in Manchester’s Chinatown and Albert Square. The free outdoor event kicks off at 11am and will feature dragon and lion dances, parades, award-winning acrobatics, martial arts, music and folk dance. Hundreds of street stands will include free tastings, arts and crafts, jewellery, food and art workshops for children. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display at 6pm.Liverpool

Liverpool’s Chinese community, one of the oldest in Europe, will gather on Sunday 6 February for a fun-filled celebration for the whole family. The traditional Lion, Dragon and Unicorn Parade takes place from 11.30am to 3pm on Nelson Street, around the tallest Chinese Arch outside mainland China, while the Taste of China Sunday Market runs from 11am to 4pm on Great George Street. Also look out for a firecracker display at 1pm at Great George Square and funfairs and activities for children in the area.