Archive for January, 2010

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Eat and drink in Rome


2010
01.31

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Attention: the most fancy places are usually tourist traps. We suggest to get lost in the narrow streets away form the big crowded ones. You should not pay more then 2 euros for a delicious crusty walking pizza.

If saving is your travelling philosophy, you can also drink your water from the public fountains that are spread all over.

And after pizza? You need to end with a fantastic ice cream!

For an excellent one try Giolittis (Via Uffici del Vicario, 40, ph: 06 6991243; www.giolitti.it) that since 1900 has been serving savoury ice creams behind all expectations. Its not in every guide… only Romans know!! Basically till now you should have spent not more then 5 euros!!! Quite good news for backpackers, or also families with children travelling on a budget!! Right?

But the best tips are the following: dinner out in Rome!!

The San Lorenzo and Trastevere neighbourhoods are both renowned for reasonably priced Roman-Style cooking. If you have a lodging there it will also be easy to get around: otherwise there are plenty of guest houses or family B&& (bed and breakfast, in Italy are also called pensioni or family guest house) available in many websites, among the others you can try Flashbooking.com which allows to book directly online providing you with the BB maps and directions and contacts as well. Very useful! We suggest you chose your BandB according to the location and if you get your accommodation in Trastevere be sure you will be in the most traditional, buzzing and authentic area of Rome!

There are very few things Romans will line up for. One of these is da Baffetto near Piazza Navona, more exactly in Via del Governo Vecchio,14;ph. 066861617). After 9 pm prepare to wait quite a lot because they do not take reservations but pizza is fabulous!!

For tradition Roman dishes there is also Trattoria da Francesco in Piazza del Fico, 29 (ph: 06 6864009) hidden in a cosy square that serves as a private garden. If this is not enough and you are planning to stay in Rome for few nights, consider a visit to Alfredo alla Scrofa and try the specialty: Fettuccine (Via della Scrofa, 104)

For a little more expensive but trendy place (which is pizzeria, restaurant, wine-bar, cheeserie all together is Gusto in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 9; ph: 06 32262 73; open every day from 10 in the morning until 2 in the night).

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Are There Any Good Restaurants On Walking Street?


2010
01.31

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There are a bunch of great places to eat that will suit every budget. You can choose from local street vendors or you can splurge on a fantastic seafood dinner.

The street vendors are mostly located just off of Walking Street down the small lanes or sois. They sell everything from bar-b-que on a stick to rice and noodle dishes. Prices are very cheap and you can get a meal or a snack for les than 2 dollars.

If you want Thai food in a nicer setting, there are many restaurants up and down the street. You can get western or Thai food at reasonable prices.

Some of the bars also offer food or provide menus that you can easily order from. You can order any item on the menu and have your full course meal while enjoying your favorite adult beverage.

If you are in the mood for seafood, there are 3 or 4 restaurants that have your favorite fish, lobster or crab on ice or still swimming around. Your meal will be excellent and cost about 25% of what you would pay at home. And the view of Pattaya Bay is magnificent. King Seafood is my favorite.

If seafood isnt your favorite, you can always get Italian. Don Joe’s is right on Walking Street and overlooks the bay. You can get pizza, pasta or lasagna in a great location with superb service. Many of the bars located near Don Joe’s can provide a menu and will let you eat in the bar while you have a cold beer.

Another favorite of mine are the kebab sandwiches that some of the vendors sell. You will see chicken, pork or lamb on a vertical spit and you can get a sandwich with all the trimmings for about 50 Baht or $1.50 US. The meat will be trimmed and put into pita bread and then you can add cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. Catsup and other sauces are also available. Chicken kebabs are my favorite and the girls in the bars will be happy to grab one for you.

Probably the best part of Walking Street is that you can get food any time of day or night. Whether eating local style at one of the many street vendors, or going for the crab or lobster at King Seafood it is entirely up to you. You can even get a burger and fries if you want. And dessert is available too you can get an Italian ice or some fresh fruit.

Walking Street is a fun place to go to for the bars and the girls but it is also a super place to get some excellent food.

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China Heritage Lauriat


2010
01.31

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With history and culture as old as civilization itself, China is as complex as the DNA code of each of the 1.3 billion (and counting) Chinese populating the earth. Hence, we will not attempt on a crash course of the Chinese menu, but we will have a taste of its popular and most sought-after offerings.

Forbidden City

Constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasty eras, native Chinese call it Gu Gong while the tourism board and guests alike now call it the Palace Museum. It holds the record for being the largest palace complex in the world, sprawling over 74 hectares of property located at the very heart of Beijing.
A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1987, it served both as a residence and as a seat of power to a total of 24 emperors, fourteen from the Ming dynasty and ten from the Qing dynasty. An imperial palace for a period of almost five centuries, it is composed of two divisions, namely, the Inner Court and the Outer Court. The former is located in the northern half of the compound and used as the royal residence of the emperor and his family while the latter is the southern half and served as the seat of imperial power of the ruler of China.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is an ancient fortress with its own history of construction that spans across dynasties from the Western Zhou dynasty in 1100 BC to the Qin dynasty in 206 BC. The citadel that meanders through 6,700 kilometers of mountains and valleys, and grasslands and deserts from west to east, was refurbished and fortified by the Ming dynasty from 1368 to 1644.
A UNESCO World Heritage since 1987, it is one of the worlds greatest wonders and believed to be the only human construction on earth that is visible from outer space. A tourist who has never set foot on the Great Wall has never been to China.

Stone forest

Sculpted by natures own hands, the enchanting Stone Forest located in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County is acclaimed as the First Wonder of the World. It is a group of several patches of limestone formations interspersed with scenic oasis spots covering an area of 96,000 acres.The fabled Stone Forest has a rich collection of legends and myths pertaining to its origin. However, geologists simply say that it used to be an expansive sea which dried up and the result of millions of years of erosion.

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Common Car Rental Questions


2010
01.30

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When you rent a car you can choose between several different types of cars. To try to make renting a car, or a type of car, easier, rental agencies generally break all cars down into five categories. Each of these categories usually comes with a different series of rates, and although limos and vans are available, just about all other vehicles will be classified as one of the following: economy car, compact car, mid-sized/intermediate car, full sized car, and luxury car.

A car in the economy class would be a smaller two door car, like a Geo Metro. These cars usually have room for two adults, two children, and two small suitcases. These are also generally the cheapest. The next step up would be to a compact car, which could be two doors, or four doors. Two of the most popular rented compact cars are Ford Escorts and Chevy Cavaliers. These are generally seen as having room for two adults, two children, one large and two small suitcases.

The next step is up to the mid sized, or intermediated sized, car. These are two or four door cars that include cars like the Ford Tempo or Buick Skylark. These vehicles have room for four adults, and several large suitcases. The full sized car would be a large car like the Ford T-Bird or Buick Century. These have room for four adults, plus plenty of leg room, and a lot of luggage.

Then there are the luxury cars. These cars generally have four doors and include the Ford Crown, Lincoln Town Car, or Pontiac Bonneville. These cars have room for five adults and four large suitcases, plus extra bags. These are good vehicles for family vacations. There are convertibles available, too, but they will obviously cost more and are not as good for family travel.
Most travelers will recommend at least a mid sized car, since these models offer the engine power and special features needed to tackle most terrains (such as mountain roads) while having safety features like airbags. Think of what you need the rental for, where you will be going, what you need the car to provide reliably over the course of your trip. Based on that, match your needs with the class of rental car and make your choice from there. Especially in new places or long trips, having a car you are comfortable with is very important, and will help guarantee a safe and comfortable trip.

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