Rules of Stress-Free Travel

Once upon a time, air travel was a glamorous adventure. Now, it's more of a calamitous misadventure. Here's how to get from place to place without feeling like part of a cattle drive

1206_art_travel.jpg So a whole group of weary travelers picked up their carry-ons and moved over to the new gate. And waited. An hour later, a second plane landed and taxied in. Passengers got off. It would only be a short time, we were told, before we boarded and headed to Hong Kong. We waited. And waited. And then, materializing out of a doorway, came the same shy and embarrassed airline employee.

"Very sorry," she said, "but this plane is more sick than the other plane...so...we will take the first plane!" And, like dutiful (and dumb) sheep, and without even questioning the agent as to how sick any of the carrier's planes were, we all marched quietly back to the first malfunctioning plane, boarded, and somehow made it to Hong Kong.

A few days later, I found myself on an Aeroflot flight to Moscow. The flight was not only oversold but also overcrowded. And not just by passengers, but by what seemed like hundreds of oversize horseflies. We actually roared down the runway with a standing-room-only crowd of 12 people in the aisle, desperately holding on to the sides of passengers' seats as we became airborne.

And the flies? No problem. The flight attendants apparently were used to this problem on Aeroflot, and, without even cracking a smile, walked down the aisle handing out...flyswatters! Talk about in-flight entertainment.

When it comes to airplane horror stories, I have more than my fair share. I travel nearly 400,000 miles a year, and I've seen just about everything that can go wrong when you fly. I've experienced three emergency landings. My flights have been hit by lightning five times, once so severely that it burned a grapefruit-size hole in the plane's tail. I've been on aircraft that have lost engines and other parts of the plane in midair.

And once, my flight landed safely only to be broadsided on the ground...by a catering truck. I've been laid over in London, delayed in Des Moines, marooned in Khartoum, and stuck -- more than I care to remember -- in 35E. But I've lived to tell the stories and learned a lot along the way. So this holiday season, don't put yourself blindly in the hands of the airlines, hotel chains, and car-rental companies.

Use these 21 rules of stress-free travel, and seize back a little control. You'll reduce the stress and the strain on both your mind and your wallet.

TALK TO A HUMAN
Your new travel mantra for 2007: human being. While it may seem cheaper and easier to book your flight on the Internet, remember that many Web sites pose as informational when they are, in fact, transactional -- trying to push the sale. I'm not saying not to use the Internet; I'm just saying not to book your flight there first. Instead, quickly go online and find out which airlines service the route you want to take, then type in gethuman.com, which will tell you how to maneuver quickly through the customer-service tree of your chosen airlines. Now, pick up the phone.

START WITH THE PRICE
Let's say you're calling to make a reservation for a flight from Chicago to San Francisco. The first question the agent will ask you seems reasonable enough: "When do you want to travel?"

Don't answer that question. Instead, respond with a question: "Before I answer that, can you just go to your screen and punch up all the published fares on the Chicago to San Francisco route?" This will take the agent about four seconds. "Now," you say next, "scroll to the bottom of the list. What's that fare?" (Since no airline wants to promote their cheapest flights, the lowest fares are buried at the bottom of the screen.) Work your way up that list, finding the best fare for you with restrictions you can live with. Then, and only after you get the lowest rate possible, go to the Internet and see if you can find a deal that beats what you have.

Remember, once you make an airline reservation, you have 24 hours in which to book it. During that 24-hour window, you can go to the Web and see if you can beat that human-being deal. Be sure to check out farecast.com, a new site that actually predicts airfare prices on routes at the 55 busiest airports in the U.S. It's a good guide.

Also check out farecompare.com and my new favorite site, airfarewatchdog.com, which constantly searches travel databases for little-known, sometimes hidden, fare deals. For last-minute deals, check out site59.com, which does an excellent job of unloading unsold inventory.

RESEARCH YOUR FLIGHT
Each month, the U.S. Department of Transportation publishes a list of flights with the worst on-time records in America -- by route, airline, and flight number. In one listing, USAir flight 1619 between Philadelphia and Atlanta was reported late 100 percent of the time. And there are dozens more that are late more than 95 percent of the time. You can also get real-time information at flightstats.com. It lists how often a flight is canceled, diverted, or late.

STAY FLEXIBLE
If all the flights to your destination city are booked, think alternate airports (Providence instead of Boston, Oakland instead of San Francisco, Milwaukee instead of Chicago, to mention just a few) or routings that get you to Hawaii, for example, through Denver, Phoenix, or Las Vegas. You'll almost always save money and in many cases have less stress (and fewer delays) because you'll avoid the giant airports. For example, Midway has fewer delays than O'Hare, and Long Beach has a better record than LAX.

NEVER CALL TOLL-FREE NUMBERS
The same thing applies to making a reservation for a hotel room. Never call the 800 toll-free number to find a hotel room from a large chain. You'll only be connected to a third-party clearinghouse with a mandate to sell rooms at a designated price -- no room to negotiate. Instead, call the hotel directly.

But don't ask for reservations -- they'll just reroute you back to that 800 number. Instead, ask to speak to the manager on duty or the director of sales. They are the best arbiters of their room inventory. If the Schmidlap wedding party canceled last night and they suddenly have 60 rooms to sell, that 800 number (or the chain's Web site) may not have that information.

You're now in the best negotiating position. And an even better reason to talk to a human being at the hotel: You've established a relationship. Look for that person when you check in and you stand a much better chance for an upgrade.

CALL DURING FOOTBALL
Always try to call a hotel at 4 p.m. on a Sunday to make your reservation. Why? That's the one day each week that hotel revenue managers -- the folks who set and control room rates -- aren't working. You're in a better position to negotiate, since the hotel knows that an unsold room is revenue they'll never recoup once the sun rises.

DON'T BE BLINDED BY STARS AND DIAMONDS
Forget hotel ratings systems. In many destinations, stars are a government designation for how much the hotel is charging, not a reflection of quality. It just means you're paying more for your room. Stars and diamond awards are great for hotel-employee morale and are used by hotels to justify charging a higher rate, but how does that benefit you? It doesn't.

MAIL YOUR LUGGAGE
There are essentially two types of luggage: carry-on and lost. That's why I haven't checked a bag on a domestic flight in eight years. If I need to tote more than I can carry on, I simply ship my bags ahead to the hotel. I use FedEx, but there are more than 17 other private courier companies that perform the same door-to-door, room-to-room service.

In addition to DHL and UPS, check out luggageconcierge.com, luggagefree.com, and virtualbellhop.com.

I save an average of two hours of my life every time I fly by not checking bags. I don't have to schlep, I don't have to stand in line at the airline counter, I don't have to stand in line at the TSA, and then, when I land, I don't have to stand in that refugee circle around the baggage carousel, hoping against hope that my bags were actually on the same flight I was. Where are my bags? In my hotel room. How cool is that? How much does it cost? As little as $40 per bag. But the real question -- and a rhetorical one at that -- is, how much is it worth?

Because of issues with customs, it's not always a good idea to send your bags ahead when you are traveling internationally. In cases like that, if you must check your bags, practice some basic common sense: Always put an identification tag on the outside of each bag (but list only your name and cell-phone contact number), and do the same on the inside of each bag. Airline baggage conveyor belts can devour ID tags, but this way, if your outside tag gets ripped off, someone from the airline can still reach you.

IGNORE DEPARTURE TIMES
If you call the airline and ask if your flight is on time, you'll be sorry. More often than not, the airline agent will interpret your question to mean, "Is the flight scheduled to leave on time?" That's meaningless. Instead, ask to be given the tail number of the aircraft assigned to your flight, and then ask where that aircraft is. If you're scheduled to fly from Boston to Atlanta in two hours, but the aircraft assigned to your flight is still in Belize, well, now you know you're not leaving on time before you ever leave your house or office.

GO WHERE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO GO
Since you won't have any bags to check, follow my advice and save even more time and aggravation. If you have an early-morning flight from a dual-level airport, don't have your car drop you off at departures -- it will be jammed with vehicles and people -- but at the empty downstairs arrivals area. Who is arriving at 6:30 in the morning? No one. No traffic, no lines. Get out of your taxi and just take the escalator upstairs and through security to your gate. And when you land, there's absolutely no reason to go to arrivals, which will be a zoo. Get picked up at the empty departures level.

UNDRESS FOR SUCCESS
Before you leave for the airport, put everything metallic you're taking with you -- watch, keys, coins, jewelry, pens, chains, et al -- in ziplock plastic bags and pack them in your carry-on. Dress on the other side of security, please! This will save five minutes per passenger. Do the math: It makes so much sense.

IGNORE THE DEPARTURES BOARD
If the airlines ran the shipping business, the departure boards would still show the Titanic as "on time." Look at the departures board for only one piece of information: the gate from which your flight is scheduled to depart. Then go immediately to the arrivals board. Check to see what is arriving at your gate. If nothing is arriving at your gate, then you can enjoy the luxury of not being disappointed at the counter.

INVOKE RULE 240
The airlines definitely don't want you to know about this one. It's a rule that has been around for more than 20 years, but unless you invoke it, don't expect the airlines to volunteer it. And here's what it means: In the event of a delay or cancellation for any reason whatsoever (except those caused by weather), if you invoke rule 240, the airline must endorse your ticket over to the next available flight -- not their next available flight, which might not leave until next Tuesday. One word of caution: Some low-cost airlines, like JetBlue and Southwest, which have no interline arrangements with other airlines, are not covered by the rule. But each of the legacy airline carriers (American, United, Northwest, Delta, US Airways) is still governed by 240.

NEGOTIATE YOUR PHONE BILL
Yes, phone and Internet charges are negotiable, as long as you make a deal ahead of time. Before you take your room key, tell the person at the front desk you want your phone and Internet charges bundled -- a flat fee of $10 or $15 a day for unlimited Internet and domestic long-distance calls. More often than not, the hotel will agree to the deal. This also applies to other annoying charges like resort fees and use of the hotel gym. Negotiate everything up front.

STAY BELOW THE EIGHTH FLOOR
Modern firefighting equipment doesn't have the capacity to easily fight fires, or rescue people, higher than eight stories. Staying on a lower floor is especially important in third-world countries, where fire-safety regulations and procedures aren't quite as strict as they are in the U.S.

FOLLOW THE BOOSTER PUMPS
Most high-rise hotels cannot maintain adequate water pressure. As a result, many have installed booster pumps in their buildings. The pumps aren't necessarily on alternating floors, just different floors. So when you check in, ask the front-desk clerk to call engineering and find out what floor the booster pumps are on. If, for example, the answer comes back that the pumps are on 4, 6, 9, 11, and 15, then ask for a room on either 4 or 6. Why? Because when you walk into your room on a floor where there's a booster pump, you'll be guaranteed a decent hot shower no matter what time of day you need it.

ASK ABOUT CONSTRUCTION
Now that you've made friends with the front-desk clerk, ask another question: "How close is my room to the construction?" Virtually every hotel runs on a constant cycle of renovation, which means that, at any given time, an entire floor (or floors) is closed for reconstruction. If you don't ask that question, you could be given the keys to the Jackhammer Suite.

GERMPROOF YOUR ROOM
Short of wearing a biohazard suit, you need to do three things immediately upon entering your room: First, always pack some sanitizing wipes, and use them to wipe down the TV remote and the phone handset. Second, walk over to the bed, pull off the bedspread and throw it into a corner of the room. Never look at it again. Never touch it again. And last but not least, go into the bathroom. Turn on the hot-water faucet and place the water glasses under that faucet for at least three minutes.

Why? Hotel maids are heavily tasked to clean between 12 and 16 rooms per shift. And if your room is one of the last three she worked on, chances are your maid ran out of time and didn't replace the water glasses from the last guest. Instead, she probably wiped them down with the dirty towels left lying on the bathroom counter.

THINK LOCALLY
Once again, using an 800 number to reserve a car may not get you the lowest rate or the best car. Check out rentalcars.com for great comparison prices at the local level. Another tip: Rent a car on a Saturday. Why? Many cars suddenly become available on Saturday when customers who reserved them for the weekend don't show up.

TAKE PICTURES
Since you probably travel with a digital camera, why not put it to good use? Walk around the rental car and look for dings and dents. If you see any, activate the camera's date-and-time option to stamp on each photo, and snap a few shots. Show them to a rental-agency employee, and get his or her full name. This will take all of five minutes. Later, if the company claims you banged up the car (and these repair charges can be draconian), you'll have proof the damage was preexisting.

GET YOUR OWN GAS
In some cases, rental-car companies will charge you north of $6 a gallon to fill up your tank when you return the car. Save some real money -- and time -- by going to gasbuddy.com, which lists the cheapest gas stations along your route, and then fill up the tank yourself. Since time is also money, traffic.com will get you customized traffic information for your trip, and the info can even be sent to your cell phone.

Seven days in Italy

With internet you can research tons of useful information, which will probably match and satisfy your needs. Some how, I believe is good to remark what you want to see and how you will get to your destinations, in which city you will spent days and nights.
The vacation rental selected will play a decisive rule. The people who run this place may influence a lot your holiday. You are happy with them this will be synonymous of unforgettable holiday. They are nasty, your vacation will be then probably a tragedy.
Seven days can be enough to love this country forever or stay away for ever.
If you are an adventure traveller, who doesn’t care where to stay, then go and stay where you feel comfortable and enjoyable. Do not carry big luggage, ask to anyone you desire what ever you desire. Italy is small unique full of richness country, and the Italian are very much willing to help tourist.
Move quickly, enjoy sunny and relaxing break, ride up and down by train get as much you can. Be ready to change area, even before sunset. Discovering a country like Italy in such a short time require a great dynamism and passion in travelling. Dedicate at least 1 day and one night if in your designed tour there are major cities, such as: Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Palermo, Naples.
You decide to drive then it’s quite simple you get lost. Once you get out from the highway the trouble will start. The street signal are very confusing, you must to learn and be concentrate on the way to reach the final destination.
Are you taking in your journey your family, then just select on destination and accommodations that can provide family friendly environments. Family journeys may bring you to places that could serve as a perfect family adventure. Beautiful beaches and fabulous scenery can be found in Italy. Your kids will definitely be thrilled with the sea, parks, summer sports, gelato. Parasailing and snorkeling are only some of the activities that can be enjoyed by your bigger kids. The whole family will love the land excursions to ancient ruins, museums and numerous sights in your chosen destination.
These are some of the most beautiful things that you should not miss when you come in Italy;
Visiting the Colosseo. By this time, everyone knows the Colosseo. You can sign up for a tour right outside. Cost around 15 euros and included the entrance price, a tour of the forum and a tour of the palatine hill.
Don't let your fiscal sensibilities deter you from enjoying Venice's, indeed Italy's, top attraction: a sunset gondola ride. Riders beginning their 45 minute tour are initially struck by how effortlessly and silently they traverse the backwaters of this romantic's dream city.
Pompeii is a must- see sight for any visitor to the Naples area. The entrance fee of 10 euros has to be the best value in Italy. You can spend a day here easily, and still leave not having seen everything that is left after the town was destroyed in AD79. If you enjoy it, consider going to Herculaneum too, where there are better-preserved houses, and even remains of original furniture. For both sites, its easiest to go via the Circumvesuviana.
Wake up early and go to the Uffizi a little over an hour before it opened. I would highly recommend doing this.
The enchanting island of Capri has been long been considered southern Italy's finest jewel where the extraordinary beauty of the land and sea and the frequent presence of prestigious visitors imbue it with a magical atmosphere.
I could keep writing for ever about the beauties of this country. I just leave you to your imagination, inspiration and instinct, to spent a delicious time of your life “nel bel Paese”.

Travel To Paris

Paris is France's capital city and is located in the north of the country on the River Seine. The city is known for its romantic charm and atmosphere with gorgeous outdoor cafés, the scent of freshly baked croissants filling the area and stunning residents that are clothed in the most stylish fashions. Paris has a great history that is felt when within the city. The city also possesses amazing architecture, style and atmosphere that make being there a pleasurable experience.
Travelling There
Paris has a couple of airports that make flying there an easy option. It is also linked with excellent road and rail services. Euroline buses run constantly to and from the city in all directions. Ferries cross over from the UK to nearby ports for those who are looking to take there own car.
Accommodation
As Paris is such a large and popular city there is every type of accommodation available to suit all budgets. The only problem with accommodation is that you must book well in advance as the city gets busy with visitors, especially during fashion shows.
Eating & drinking
All of France is renowned for its cuisine and wines. Paris is one of the best places in the country to go out to restaurants. Parisians take their food seriously and tend to eat two sit-down meals a day. Restaurants, cafés and bars are found just about everywhere in Paris so you will always find something for your taste.
History
The city of Paris dates back to more than 2,000 years ago when it was first built. It developed into a metropolis after it was overruled by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. The city is linked to the French Revolution that saw the killing of thousands of people. Although Paris has a somewhat violent history, these days the city is a charming place to visit where many people fall in love in its wonderful atmosphere.
Sights and Must Sees
Paris is known for its magnificent architecture layout. If th interests you be sure to visit Sacré Coeur Basilica. It is located on the butte of Montmartre and provides wonderful views of the city. Also visit the Arch de Triomphe and the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Saint Denis as these are also very impressive to look at.
The city has many art features that are worth a visit if that is your interest. There is also plenty to do in the ways of excursions within and away from the city as well as a relaxing cruise up the River Seine.
Shops
Paris is quite possibly the best place in the World to shop for top quality fashion. The Champs Elysee is the main shopping area. It has huge shopping malls, perfumeries and entertainment venues. It is possible to find almost any designer brand in Paris. The city has a number of flea markets that offer a nice alternative to the main high street shops.

Barcelona Sightseeing

Barcelona has a lot to be proud of. A city literally stuffed with spectacular architecture, historical and cultural places of interest, fantastic food and a vibrant nightlife, it is no wonder tourists flock to the area. There is more to Catalunya than Barcelona sightseeing however, including a glorious coastline, beautiful mountains and a fierce independent spirit that will be felt by even the least informed visitor.

by: Clinton Maxwell

Make sure you have a map detailing the places of interest when you arrive in Barcelona; it is surprisingly easy to get lost in Barcelona’s bustling streets. A good place to start your tour is Gaudi’s Park Guell, an open space filled with pieces of Gaudi’s work including benches, archways, walls and balconies. It is a place where Gaudi’s imagination really ad free reign, and you feel almost that the works of art are more natural than the plants and trees.
From here you can move easily on to Gaudi’s iconic work, the Sagrada Familia. This church was started in 1882 but was not finished when Gaudi died in 1926. Various attempts have been made to complete the work to Gaudi’s designs but the church is still not entirely finished and probably never will be. If you don’t think you can capture the spirit of the church in your own photographs, you might want to check out the stunning images available in postcard stands that surround the building.
The Barcelona zoo was founded in 1892 and is located in the Ciutadella Park, next to the old town or Ciutat Vella. This is a great place to visit especially of you have children that are likely to lose interest in architecture and history. Some of the seven and a half thousand animals on display include pelicans, American buffalos and red kangaroo, as well as a specialist primate collection which the zoo is famous for.
There is an aquatic park within the zoo that provides a home to bottlenose dolphins among others. Dolphin shows can be seen throughout the warm summer months, and this can make a refreshing escape from the heat of the city. An acclaimed research program at Barcelona zoo is well known for sympathetic breeding of animals in captivity and protection of endangered species, which would otherwise become extinct.
The main avenue in Barcelona, La Rambla is a riot of color and bustle with flower stalls and street performers at regular intervals along the promenade. The main hotels and restaurants center around La Rambla, but you may get a better deal and more authentic dishes if you explore a little further out. One place not be missed is the Boqueria, a fantastic food market to one side of La Rambla, with exotic delicacies you have never even imagined.
The port area received a face lift with the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992. The Olympic village was situated right on the coast and the area is marked by the dual towers of the Arts Hotel, Mapfre Towers and Nova Icaria Square. The main Olympic sites can be found on top of Montjuic, a hill overlooking the city, and can be reached by cable car.

Clinton Maxwell writes mainly for http://www.barcelona-information.com , an online site on the topic of travelling in Spain and Costa Brava. You can find his publications over at http://www.barcelona-information.com and various other sources for Barcelona Spain knowledge.

10 Best Chateaux to Visit in the Loire Valley France

The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests built their sumptuous homes here in the Loire Valley. They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. This is the country of a thousand castles. The valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museum and large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals.

By: Corina Clemence

Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to Blois.

1.Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more romantic chateaux of the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is further heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.

Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet who first started the trend and was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the chateau as you approach it. Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castle was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louise painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out of respect for her late husband.

Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and was responsible for encouraging literary events to be held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu all spending time here. Today Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the Menier family who are known as respected chocolatiers.
Chateau de Chenonceaux: Chateau de Chenonceau, 30 minutes from Blois, Chenonceau, 37150 Tel: +33 (0)2 47 23 90 07 Open: Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan, 1st May

2. Chateau de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its great scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration (Henry James). It combined the dream of King Francois I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace
Chateau de Chambord: 15 minutes south east of Blois, Domaine national de Chambord, Chambord, Tel: +33 (0)2 54 5040 00 Open: Closed on 25th Dec, 1st Jan and 1st May

3. Chateau Blois
Chateau Blois is almost like four separate chateaux rolled into one - so diverse are the architectural styles at play here. The Medieval heart is centred around the Salle des Etats Generaux which is where the court and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair is evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissance architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing. It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine de Medici's private rooms complete with array of poisons. This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise was brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to be planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, it was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to be murdered himself a year later by a monk. Lastly, the Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings for Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly good time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'son et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulent past.

Chateau de Blois: Place du Chateau, Blois, 41000 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 90 33 33 Open: Closed on 25th Dec and 1st Jan

5. Chateau de Cheverney
Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly furnished of all the Loire Chateaux. Built between 1604 and 1634 little has changed. Its present owner is a direct descendant of the original owner and his 70 hounds or so are still used for regular stag hunting. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather clock. The 1640s interior decoration, consisting of panelling, painted ceilings, and fireplaces, and paintings by Jean Monnier, is among the finest of its kind.

There are two interesting facts pertaining to Cheverny. Firstly, die hard Tintin fans will note that Herge based the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. If this appeals, check out the Tintin exhibition situated directly opposite the chateau. Secondly, the 18th century Orangerie served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa during WWII. From here, you'll be able to take in the majesty of the park and its canals which are open to the public from April to November
Chateau de Cheverny: 16 kilometres south-east of Blois, Cheverny, 41700 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 79 96 29 Open: Open daily

6. Chateau de Beauregard
Chateau de Beauregard was largely built at the same time as Chateau de Cheverny as a hunting lodge for Francois I. It is famous for its Galerie des Portraits which comprises over 327 portraits of Kings and their lovers plus famous dignitaries from 14th to 17th centuries. Take note of the unique flooring that is covered in 17th century porcelain tiles.
Chateau de Beauregard: 6 kilometres south of Blois, Cellettes, 41120 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 70 36 74 Open: Closed Wed in winter months and entirely for the month of January

7. Chateau Azay le Rideau
The Azay le Rideau Castle, one of the purest creation of the Renaissance, was built on an island of the Indre River, an ideal setting for an architectural jewel. The son-et-lumiere events held in the park during the summer tell some of the history of the Chateau and are not to be missed if you are there at the right time.

8. Chateau de Villandry
Villandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux built around 1536 in the Loire valley during the renaissance. It houses some interesting and very valuable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best known for its Italian Renaissance garden created by Dr Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and decorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and herbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the maintenance of the chateau.

9. Chateau du Clos Luce
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last years of his life. You can visit his study, salons, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the park of the chateau with giant models of the most spectacular machines he invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and his disciple Melzi.
Le Chateau du Clos Luce: 30 minutes from us, at demeure de Leonard de Vinci,Amboise 37400 Tel: +33(0)2 47 57 00 73 Open: daily except 25 December to 1st January

10. Chateau du Chaumont
Chateau du Chaumont is located on the southern bank of the Loire River about 20 minutes west of Blois. It was the first chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, France. Originating in the 11th century, it was built by Eudes II, Count of Blois.
In 1560, the castle became the property of Catherine de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau from her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. As certain legalities had to be met, Diane was forced to accept the Chateau de Chaumont as payment for her beloved Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers lived at Chaumont for only a short time when the castle was sold.
The chateau holds an international garden festival covering a different theme each year from April to October.
The Loire Valley is a splendid region awarded world heritage listing because of its magnificent chateaux.

Article Source: http://content.infowizards.com

Corina Clemence operates Chateau du Guerinet, near Blois as a luxury boutique chateau hotel for up to 15 people. Our guests get to truly experience the grandeur of living in a french chateau. www.loirechateau.com Rent a castle in France. Don't just visit a french chateau - stay in one.

Dubai: Enjoy life!

Photo of: The Fairmont Dubai Hotel


Dubai is to the Middle East what Hong Kong is to Asia: a capitalist boom town buzzing with activity. Most visitors to the region stop here for at least a day to browse the shops, eat in the restaurants and soak up the atmosphere of a city that oozes wealth and a general air of self-satisfied confidence.
Nestled between the languid Southern Gulf waters and sweeping desert, cosmopolitan Dubai is blessed by a superb year-round climate, and with its numerous opulent hotels, towering attractions, peerless shopping, stunning entertainment and commercial opportunities, makes Dubai an ideal destination for the traveller enjoying a luxury vacation or business trip.
Dubai's cityscape is undergoing dramatic redevelopment, with a number of record-breaking projects - including the planet's tallest five-star deluxe hotel (the Burj al-Arab), largest man-made marina (Dubai Marina) and largest man-made island (Palm Islands) - in progress. The Dubai Waterfront project is set to add 500 miles of man-made waterfront filled with canals and hotel-rich islands: a development the size of Manhattan!



Vast investment in luxury golf and entertainment resorts - such as Dubailand and Dubai Golf City - means the city is set for even more dramatic growth as a prestige destination, and Dubai's strategic Middle East location has made it popular as an international convention city.
Recognised as one of Asia's premier shopping cities, Dubai's tax-free shopping attracts visitors with its range of quality goods, notably gold and jewelry, electrical items and stylish fashions from Europe. The city's fine department stores, malls, boutiques and souks are complemented by a first-rate airport shopping centre and even retail festivals - adding a dash more entertainment to an already heady retail scene. Dubai is a world-class venue for many top sporting events: the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the Dubai Tennis Championships, Sevens Rugby Union tournament, Emirates off-shore Power Boat Grand Prix, and the UAE Desert Motorsport Challenge amongst them. Perhaps the city's blue riband sporting event is the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup - a thrilling night time spectacle contested at the Nad Al Sheba track that attracts the finest thoroughbreds from around the globe.
Amongst Dubai's foremost outdoor attractions are its breathtaking golf courses: layouts such as Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the Emirates Golf Club set a memorable challenge. Take a desert safari or try the unusual desert pastime of ice skating at the rink in the Galleria shopping mall.
With its surfeit of great restaurants, bars, live music venues and nightclubs, Dubai offers full-on evening entertainment, after which you can retire to truly luxurious accommodation. Dubai offers over 400 luxury hotels, meeting the needs of the most discerning guests. Many of the world's most prominent hotel chains operate star-class hotels in the Emirates, among them being the seven-star Burj Al Arab. Even the standard facilities are exceptional with swimming pools, tennis courts and fully equipped health centres coming as standard. Top hotels generally offer a choice of fine restaurants, with several waterfront hotels having excellent beaches and extensive watersports facilities.