Archive for March, 2009

Travel guide for USA

USA Travel Guide

The Lonely Planet is a recognizable and appreciated series and its USA edition has 129 pages of maps. It also highlights the major attractions and points out the very best National Parks. There are suggestions for road trips and some destinations, away from the common routes.

The sheer size of America can be devastating for the first time traveler . A USA Travel Guide is sensible and there are a number of quality ones available. Whether an overseas visitor or an American wishing to see the country, these guides have helpful maps, general information and highlights on sightseeing. The United States is a superb holiday destination with its cities, deserts, mountains, and National Parks. There is great for each person with wildlife, culture, and entertainment.

The Rough Guide series is also very accepted , particularly with the younger generation of travelers. Their USA Travel Guide is broken down into the different states and lists the tourist places. There are helpful reviews on accommodation, restaurants and bars and advice from experts on different activities. Historic sights, culture spots and nightlife are all discussed. It’s great for finding your way about too with maps and plans for every state, region , and large city.

There is something very dreaming when it comes to road trips in America and many books, songs and movies about long rides down lonely highways have inspired people to follow suit. If this is you, then the perfect USA Travel Guide is the Road Trip USA: Cross-country Adventures on America’s Two-lane Highways. This full color book has been revised and is in its 4th edition with updated information. 140 maps, full of detail, will aid with the planning. Cross-country routes are mapped out and landmarks are painted along the way. Aside from the major cites, small towns are featured and anything that might be of notice on the roadside. Recommended itineraries consist of lists of places to stay. The radio is very important for road trips in America. It keeps you company and updates you on road and weather conditions. This USA Travel Guide gives the call letters of a range of radio stations.

You may not desire a general guide but a specific one for the location of your choice. Should that be the Big Apple, then the Rough Guide to New York City is the book for you. It explores the five boroughs and there are articles on the city’s charming history, its ethnic make up, world famous architecture and culture. This is very much a baseball town and you can learn all about the sport and Yankee Stadium’s place in it. There is an whole chapter on the iconic Museum of Modern Art. Practical advice covers accommodation, transport and bars and restaurants.

The USA Eyewitness Travel guide picks out the chief attractions at an easy glance and includes a brief article on the history. Travelers can map visits to National Parks, cities, galleries and museums. The USA Travel Guide points out scenic routes and where you’ll find areas of beautiful wilderness. The history, sights and cultural institutions of diverse regions are incorporated. Tips are given on how to arrange for a trip to America and what laws and customs apply. For more information related to travel go to The World Traveler

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Islamic Civilization Park Draws Voyagers to Terengganu Malaysia

A visit to Islamic Civilization Park in Pulau Wan Man, Terengganu, Malaysia will give you a idea of many of Islam’s greatest structures from around the world.

The Islamic Civilization Park is an interactive journey of Islamic monuments of the world. It is a Malaysia vacation entertainment and educational destination. Located on Pulau Wan Man (Wan Man Island) in Kuala Terengganu. The 23-hectare Park is part of a project under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) to further improve Kuala Terengganu as a waterfront city.

It is an an opportunity for visitors to see the sensationswonders of the Islamic world, for sprawled on the 23-hectare site on the island, one of many dotting Sungai Terengganu, are scaled-down replicas of many of Islam’s greatest mosques, minarets and palaces from around the world.

There are 21 monuments of Islamic architecture on the island, including the Dome of The Rock in Palestine, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Al-Hambra Citadel in Spain, the Taj Mahal in India, the Kalyan Minaret in Uzbekistan, the Samarra Mosque in Iraq, the Mohd Ali Mosque in Egypt, the Qairawan Mosque in Tunisia, the Allepo Citadel in Syria and the Kul Syarif Mosque in Russia.

There is also Malaysia’s own icon, the Crystal Mosque. The state-of-the-art mosque, made of crystal shine glass with a steel foundation, is the first of its kind in the world. Crystal Mosque is an icon for the Islamic Civilization Park and a new landmark for Kuala Terengganu beside Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah aka floating mosque.

The Islamic Park Terengganu Malaysia is divided into two zones: the Islamic Civilisation Complex and the Public Zone. The Islamic Civilisation Complex features the first theme park that glorifies the achievements of Islamic architecture. The main attractions of this theme park are five interactive monuments, namely Malaysia’s National Mosque, the Dome of the Rock of Palestine, the Sacred Mosque of Saudi Arabia (Masjidil Haram), Al-Hambra Citadel of Spain and the Taj Mahal of India.

The public Zone also boasts the biggest convention center in the east coast of peninsula Malaysia. It can seat up to 3,000 people at any one time.

The 21 replicas of monuments:
1. The Dome of the Rock (Qubbah As Sakhrah), Palestine
2. National Mosque, Malaysia
3. The Sacred Mosque (Masjidil Haram), Makkah, Saudi Arabia
4. Al-Hambra Citadel, Granada, Spain
5. Taj Mahal, India
6. Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan
7. Kudus Al-Manar Mosque, Indonesia
8. The Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Nabawi), Medina, Saudi Arabia
9. Great Mosque of Samara, Iraq
10. Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan City, Russia
11. The Great Mosque of Qairawan, Tunisia
12. Lutfallah Mosque, Iran
13. Agadez Grand Mosque, Nigeria
14. Suleyman Mosque, Turkey
15. Pattani Mosque, Thailand
16. Minaret of Xian, China
17. Mausoleum of Abu Nasr Parsa, Afghanistan
18. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei
19. Aleppo Citadel, Syria
20. Kalyan Minaret, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
21. Mohammad Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque), Cairo

Public transportation:

There are everyday shuttles from the city center to the Park. Taxi services are also available from the city center to the Park. Alternatively, visitors can take the “Penampang” boat or a cruise boat from the Shahbandar Jetty to Tok Ku Paloh Jetty located in the Park itself.

A visitor, Mohd Fairus Lizam Mohd Zaid, 29, said his visit to the park provided him a better understanding on the development of Islamic civilization.

Terengganu Tourism director Suhaimi Abu Hassan Shari said the Islamic Civilization Park had attracted 1.6 million visitors since it opened in February last year.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Malaysian Hotels Association secretary Shahrir Naelis Amir, who is also the manager of Felda Residence, said a travel package on “Islamic Culture in Terengganu” which included visits to the Islamic Civilization Park and the Crystal Mosque would be introduced for visitors, especially from Asia, USA and Europe.

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Strategies to Stay Healthy on a Cruise Ship

Along with the glamour and fun associated with cruise travel comes a real need to be aware of your personal health and safety. If you’re concerned about health and safety issues on board a cruise ship, keep reading for great tips on how to stay well during your next cruise vacation.

1. Check a Boat’s Report Card

The Vessel Sanitation Program operates through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their job is to inspect ships regularly. They look for cleanliness issues, food storage facilities, food preparation methods, water sanitation, hygiene, pest control and a ship’s disease prevention methods.

After the Vessel Sanitation Program inspects a ship, they issue a report card. That report card is then made available on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention web site. So, before you book your next cruise, research and read your proposed ship’s report card and check their score.

2. Visit Your Doctor Before You Depart

Make an appointment with your family doctor at least a few weeks before you’re scheduled to depart. Be sure you have all necessary vaccinations that will be required, an extra supply of your medication and, if you have specific health problems, a copy of your medical chart.

For cruise vacationers who need a yellow fever vaccination, you may want to plan farther in advance to book a vaccination at a local public health or travel clinic.

3. Be Diligent About Germs

Remember that a cruise ship is an enclosed space holding a lot of people. Germs and disease can spread quickly on board a ship, so take precautions like always keep your shoes or a pair of flip-flops on at all times, use hand sanitizer regularly (carry some in your pocket) and wash your hands often.

4. Watch What You Eat and Drink

Cruise ships are typically safe for water and food, but if you’re planning on any shore excursions, only drink bottled water and try to only eat at reputable and “safe” restaurants. You don’t want your cruise adventure tarnished by a bout of food poisoning.

5. Put Your Children’s Safety First

If you’re booking a cruise with your children, even a “kid’s cruise,” always be aware of the cruise line’s policies regarding child safety. Ask them about how they screen their child care employees, whether or not all crew are required to have first aid certification and – even if you’re cruising with the best – always be aware of where your children are on board at all times.