It’s amazing what you learn when you’re stuck at home during the Oscars ceremony.

You learn that box-pleats and beading don’t usually look good together (don’t ask).

You also learn that, in amongst all that pomp and back-slapping, there were actually a few good movies to celebrate.

One of those was Up In The Air, the George Clooney swoon-fest that has inspired millions to bump up their frequent flyer miles on pointless business trips.

It made me think of some of the films that have inspired me to travel. Some are great “road” movies – others just have beautiful scenery. But they all have one thing in common: stick them in the DVD player, and you’ll be on a plane within days.

The Bourne Trilogy
I know we’re supposed to be biting our nails over whether Matt Damon’s character is going to be assassinated by supervillains before he remembers he has to go home and feed the dog, but for me, the Bourne films were all about the locations. The car chase in Paris made me want to go to Paris, the rooftop chase in Tangiers made me want to go to Tangiers … and so on. Pure travel porn.

The Spanish Apartment/Russian Dolls
Aside from the obvious benefit of getting to stare at Audrey Tautou for a few hours, these Cedric Klapisch movies are a window into my dream travel life: a bunch of disparate foreigners, brought together by sharing a little apartment in Barcelona. It’s a cross-cultural adventure, and everything that’s good about European travel.

Lost in Translation
Again, this plays to the fantasies of every traveller. You’re stuck in a foreign city, no plans, nothing to do. All of a sudden, you bump into, um, Scarlett Johansson, and head out to explore an amazing city (Tokyo) with an exciting new friend (Scarlett). Oh, and Bill Murray’s awesome.

2 Days in Paris
This quirky film made me want to do three things: find Adam Goldberg’s tattooist; become friends with Julie Delpy; and spend far more than two days in Paris. From the hilarious clashes with Parisian taxi drivers, to the simple shots of cobbled streets and open markets, it’s a glimpse of the life lived by locals in a beautiful city.

The Beach
Really, this couldn’t be a more clichéd entry. But there’s so much going on here that rings true: the search for the “ultimate” destination; the random meetings with strangers who change the course of your trip; the Thai island scene; even the hierarchy you find among travellers, deserted island or not. Just don’t go to Koh Phi Phi expecting to find any of this.

The Darjeeling Limited
Wes Anderson’s characters are all a nightmare, but this is a beautifully (but still realistically) shot film about a train journey through India. The camaraderie between the three brothers, plus all the clashes with Indian culture, made me want to get a bunch of friends together and book the same trip pronto.

The Motorcycle Diaries
Another brilliant road movie combining the camaraderie between Che Guevara and Alberto Granado with the sort of journey many of us have since dreamt of taking – South America on a clapped-out old motorcycle. The scenery’s incredible, and Gael Garcia Bernal’s pretty easy on the eyes too, I’m told.

Blood Diamond
I’m sure this isn’t what Edward Zwick had in mind when he shot a film about diamond smuggling in Sierra Leone, but there’s something about the movie that made me want to return to Africa. Maybe it’s the sense of pervading danger that you get in the continent, or the beautiful landscapes, or even Leonardo DiCaprio’s Sarth Ifrikan accent … but I wanted to go.

Into The Wild
Simply, it’s a movie about a guy living the dream: giving up everything he owns to travel; nothing else. I’d never have the guts to do it, so I’ll settle for watching it on-screen. Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack doesn’t hurt, either.

The Hangover
Good travel movies evoke what it is you love about a certain destination – The Hangover does that insanely well for the rampant hedonism of Las Vegas. Who hasn’t dreamt of going on a bender and waking up with a tiger in their hotel room? (Just me? Oh.)

Honourable mentions: Lord of the Rings, Chocolat, Amelie, Roman Holiday, The Power of One, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, any Indiana Jones film, Out of Africa

Posted by Ben Groundwater 

What are your favourite travel movies?
 

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One of the best vacation spots in February is  Jamaica. Hurricaine season is over, it’s convenient (just a few hours away by air from most points in the USA), and reliably warm

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A beauteous kaleidoscope, India dazzles with its shades of breathtaking natural bounty, harmonious blend of multitude of cultures, smells of delicious curries, and undulated ways to its historic lineage. For India tours, one can meticulously pick from the abundance of the highlights of the land. On a tour to India, the country welcomes its guests with enchanting biodiversity. Ranging from the crowning beauty of sky-high Himalayas, to the splendour of Thar Desert, the healing effects of Ayurveda amidst tranquilizing environs of backwaters and sea-shores. The country is blessed with stunning backdrops.

 Such diversity can be a bit beguiling as well, thus while planning India tour packages one must first speculate a theme for the travel or should make a pick from the renowned places of travel in the country.

Let’s discuss the popular highlights of North and South India here:

Pristine Himalayas: Crowning the northern region of India, the great Himalayan ranges give birth to numerous vitalizing ravines and encircles various hill stations and also houses holy shrines of various faiths. Commence exhilarating adventure expeditions, indulge in spirited rituals, and rejuvenate your senses with the healing properties of stunning panorama surrounding while on North India tours.

Majestic Rajasthan: The desert state, Rajasthan is known for its princely ardour, colourful bazaars, vivacious displays of folk performing art forms and charming hospitality. Most striking emblems of the regal era of the region are its century old heritage of gorgeous forts and palaces. Dotted with beauteous architectural creations of Mughal and Rajputana rulers Rajasthan is a state not to be missed on India tours.

Eternal Emblem of Love, Taj Mahal: A world heritage, a world wonder, emblem of love, none of the adjectives describe the celestial quality of the Taj Mahal. The construction of world’s most incredible white marble mausoleum was ordered by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The story of Taj is like a fairy tale; it is a legend of our times and its timeless beauty continues to rule over millions.

 Serene Backwaters: If the Northern region of India is blessed with some of the world’s highest peaks, the southern tip oozes out natural splendour with its pristine backwaters. The Indian state of Kerala is brimming with numerous water-bodies, giving it a lush and soothing ambiance. The region looks stunning with pictorial foliage of rice and spice plantations. Traversing through breathtaking backwaters on the traditional houseboats is one of the best experiences of South India tours.

 Sun-Kissed Beaches and Rejuvenating Ayurveda: The Southern region of India is surrounded by three oceans on all its sides embroidering its shores with pristine beaches. Ideal for a laid-back holiday experience, these beaches of South India looks heavenly with long stretches of white sand and coconut palms. An Ayurvedic massage done with natural oils and herbs under the Mediterranean sun is a must for all those on tour to South India. The healing effect of Ayurveda has been adopted by millions for it works on balancing the entire metabolism of the body while curing the ailment and has absolutely no side-effects. The ancient science of medicine, Ayurveda is also involves various spa and beautification therapies for the detoxifying and relaxing those jaded muscles.

Surya Prakash Mishra is a traveler who likes to share his experiences. All the articles published by him will help you understand India better and answer all your holiday queries regarding India Tours, South India Tours, Notth India Tours, Find tourist info on travel packages, travel destination, holiday packages and much more.

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

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Remember getting through an airport without removing your shoes, dumping your water bottle or showing ID?

Remember when buying plane tickets by phone was faster than using a clunky website with a dial-up connection?

Remember when you needed a guidebook to plan a holiday, and when you had to phone ahead to get directions?

All these things are different now, thanks to two forces that have changed travel and tourism in the past decade profoundly and forever: terrorism and technology.

Long before September 11, 2001, air passengers walked through metal detectors and had their carry-on luggage screened by X-ray. These procedures failed to prevent the 9/11 attackers from boarding four jets with knives and box cutters.

In the aftermath of the attacks, the Transportation Security Administration was created, “the number of prohibited items doubled or tripled,” all checked bags screened, and “the scrutiny passengers undergo was increased,” said Robert Baker, director of global security intelligence studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.

A few months later, in December 2001, Richard Reid tried to blow up a plane by igniting explosives in his shoe. That led to barefoot passengers padding through the checkpoints.

Then in August 2006, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up aircraft using liquid explosives. That led to restrictions on liquids and gels.

Today, travellers who forget that snow globes, wine and water bottles are not allowed through airport checkpoints seem absurdly out of touch. And there is little sympathy if you miss your flight because you did not allow enough time for security lines.

The attitude toward air travel has changed over the last decade too. Flying is no longer fun. It is just one big headache: Flight delays, lost baggage, overbooked flights, fewer onboard amenities and fees for things that used to be free.

Despite the hassles, though, people fly more now than they did a decade ago.

Why do people take so many flights when it is so unpleasant? Because families are spread out; jobs require travel; and relatively low ticket prices encourage it.

Technology is the other big force that has changed travel in the past decade. Expedia and Travelocity began accepting online bookings in 1996, but the phenomenon of using the internet routinely to book and plan travel has exploded in the 21st century.

In 2009, for the first time, for example more than half of American travel bookings were made online, according to Douglas Quinby of PhoCusWright, a travel industry research company. (Anybody surprised that online bookings comprise only 50 per cent of travel, consider this: Most group travel, most cruises, many complicated itineraries and even the majority of lodging reservations still are booked through travel agencies, by phone or in person, Quinby says.)

The internet’s impact on travel is not just in booking; it also is in planning trips. Instead of buying a guidebook, today’s traveller might consult a destination website.

To find a restaurant, you might go online to Yelp or Chowhound, or ask friends for a recommendation through Facebook or Twitter. For hotels, you might visit TripAdvisor.com, which started allowing customers to post reviews in 2001 and today has over 30 million of them.

Technology has even changed the way we drive to our destinations. MapQuest started offering directions online in 1996, the same year General Motors Corp introduced Onstar.

Google Maps dates to 2005. An early handheld Garmin GPS device sold for $US589 ($A664.25) in 2003; today’s Garmins start as low as $US89 ($A100.40). But you might not need one if your mobile phone has a mapping device.

Crusing has also changed dramatically. The old saying that “cruises are for the newlywed, overfed and nearly dead” is no longer true. The last decade has seen innovations in cruising as in no other mode of travel.

Ships have become small cities, carrying 4,000 people, with amenities like ice rinks, rock-climbing walls, planetariums, surfing machines and water slides.

Some cruises cater to families, with kids’ programs; others are magnets for partying singles, offering easy trips to sunny climes.

“Cruising, once the territory of the rich and famous, has become a mainstream vacation today, and provides a well-packaged floating vacation with all the basics included in the price: accommodations, meals, sports-fitness facilities, and entertainment,” said Douglas Ward, author of the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2010. “It has become a particularly good vacation value for families with children – hassle-free, entertaining and safe.”

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One of the main purposes of travel is to gain experiences that allow us to grow and develop as individuals and it is important that people travel the way that bests suits them at a particular time. For example, I like to go on adventure holidays and this invariably includes a small group and expert guide, and I frequently participate in writing retreats around the world with like-minded people. However for me, the real joy of travelling has always been to take off on my own and just ’see’ what comes along the way. Of course this can sometimes be fraught with frustrations, difficulties and even dangers.

 Freedom Most people who travel alone generally cite freedom as the great motivating factor: freedom to please themselves, go where and when they want, change their plans on a whim when they hear about something that is a ‘must’ to see, and to accept spontaneous invitations by locals.

No compromises This is associated with the previous point. Even if travelling with one other person, be it friend, colleague, lover or spouse, there will always be some compromises required. Not everyone has the same interests or the same energy levels, some people need to be emotionally supported all the time, others are apathetic, some have different attitudes to time. With solo travel, there is no peer pressure over finances, the unspoken need to divide up restaurant bills equally, or guilt trips when you want to go off on your own for a while.

Meeting people Travelling solo does not mean that you will always be alone. In fact, it allows you to meet more people because other tourists and locals find an individual traveller more approachable than those in a tightly-knit group. Also, people in groups have very little need to reach out to others for communication. I have met more people, had more interesting conversations and invitations and made more long-term friends while eating alone in foreign restaurants or sitting alone at bars. But then I am gregarious. Travelling alone allows you to choose the people you wish to spend time with rather than having to face the day-after-day annoyances of the inevitable clowns and whingers found in any large group.

Discoveries There is a real sense of discovery involved in travelling on your own, and that includes self-discovery. You don’t have to rely on an often ill-informed guide to lead you around on a leash, and there’s the surprise and thrill when you find something you weren’t expecting, like the time I became lost and ended up in a small Bavarian village with a monastery that contained a library with tens of thousands of Medieval manuscripts. Travelling alone allows you to discover more about yourself as you overcome simple challenges such as missing a bus or boat and realizing there is no other for a day or a week. Then there is the sense of achievement when solving much more challenging problems like finding yourself lost in a strange town at midnight or running out of money on a holiday weekend with no ATM in sight and the banks closed.

10 Tips for Women Travelling Alone

Tips for women travellers for a carefree overseas travel experience

 By taking some basic security precautions both prior to departure and while away, women travellers can greatly reduce the travel risks they might otherwise face. Travel Messenger™ service developed by Melbourne based Loop9 scans 24/7 a wide range of global network security risk centres to bring in up-to-the-minute travel warnings for the country you are in directly to your mobile phone by SMS.

 “It is important to plan you trip ahead of time in order to make it safer and more enjoyable” says Mark McCormack, Managing Director of Melbourne based Loop9. He recommends the following helpful tips for women travellers should they encounter a situation in an area of political instability or civil unrest as well as on how to stay safe at major events.

 Pre trip:

 1. Take photo copies of all your travel documents, keep them separate from the originals and e-mail all your details such as passport numbers, your itinerary etc to your own email address in case your lose anything.

 2. Pack as light as possible and always pack your own bags and do not offer to carry any parcels whose contents you may be unsure of. The penalties for possession of or trafficking in drugs in some countries can include long prison sentences or even death.

 3. Before travelling, find out the general dress code for the country. Once you arrive, take note of what local women wear to get an idea of appropriate attire.

 4. Use a handbag with an inner zippered pocket and a strong strap. Preferably, wear the strap across the body, to make it more difficult for thieves to steal. Consider wearing a money belt under your clothes.

 On board:

 5. Do not announce your final destination or length of stay to fellow passengers, as the information may be overheard.

 On arrival:

 6. Where possible arrange to be met at the airport by someone you know. If you are being collected by a driver always establish their bona fides by asking their name, enquire who they are waiting for and where they intend taking you.

 7. Stay in a hotel or guesthouse on a residential street that has a number of restaurants and late-night stores located on it. This is far safer than staying in a corporate area that will be quiet at night and so less secure.?

 8. Never let on that you are travelling alone; inform inquisitive strangers that you are expecting your friend or meeting your partner.

 9. Avoid wearing provocative, figure-hugging clothing. Unwanted attention can be also avoided by wearing a wedding ring and avoiding eye contact

 10. Act confidently. Know where you are going and what you are doing, and walk with assurance. Confidence can be a major deterrent of criminal activities, such as petty theft and harassment.

 For more information and to book Travel Messenger™ service for your next trip please contact your local travel agent.

I know there will be times in the future when I will travel as part of a group out of choice because I want to visit areas where it is just not possible or sensible for a woman alone, or because I wish to be with family or like-minded people. However, due to my particular personality traits, my preference is to travel alone. I guess it really doesn’t matter how people travel, but that they travel.

 Pamela Bradley, also known as Zelda, is a noted author of nine books on ancient cultures and mysteries, historian, public speaker and passionate traveler. Follow her travels on http://www.zeldastravels.com and check out her profile, books, recent memoir, Nefertiti Street, as well as her observations on writing and women on http://www.pamelabradley.com.

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

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 If you are thinking of having a Sunshine Coast holiday in Queensland, you really ought to plan a visit to Australia Zoo. It’s located near the Glasshouse Mountains just north of Brisbane. With abundant Sunshine Coast accommodation close by, the zoo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. You may know it as being the home of the late Steve Irwin, who was better known as the Crocodile Hunter.

 The zoo’s history began in 1970, when Bob and Lyn Irwin (Steve’s parents) purchased some land and opened the Beerwah Reptile Park. The park flourished and in 1980 it was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. The Irwin family spent much of their time in the 1980s capturing crocodiles in conjunction with Queensland’s Wildlife Service. The family frequently released the captured crocodiles back into the wild, but when one couldn’t be released, it found a new home at the Irwins’ park. Eventually the family opened the Crocodile Environmental Park as well, and it was very popular because visitors could watch live crocodile feedings. Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, became the manager of the park in 1992, and at about the same time the park was renamed Australia Zoo. It is now one of Australia’s top tourist attractions, and its 29 acres are home to more than one thousand animals.

 Australia Zoo is renowned for its crocodiles and other reptiles, but it also boasts many other native Australian animals, and exotic animals, too. Visitors will see koalas, echidnas, gliders, opossums, dingoes, wombats, bettongs and Tasmanian devils on the zoo’s grounds. Visitors are not only allowed to hand-feed kangaroos in an open range area – they’re encouraged. African animals also live at Australia Zoo, including elephants, tigers, cheetahs and rhinos, and animals from other regions of the world include foxes, lemurs, and camels. Reptiles on display range from boa constrictors to alligators, and there are many different kinds of snakes and turtles.

In addition to the animals, there are many other things to do at Australia Zoo, and plenty of things that will keep the entire family entertained. Visitors are able to get up-close and personal with the animals at the zoo during the family shows. There even is a show that lets guests hand-feed elephants. And another show lets zoo visitors feed camels and see foxes from up close.

The zoo provides the opportunity to see animals behind the scenes. Although they do have an additional charge, these opportunities include Wombat Encounters, Cheetah Walks, Echidna Encounters, Tiger Walks and tours of the Australian Wildlife Hospital. You can be sure that you will find the animal you love at Australia Zoo. With plenty of Sunshine Coast accommodation to choose from, this great Australian icon is truly a tourist attraction not to be missed.

 Roger Laganin runs ocean front Sunshine Coast accommodation at the Catalina Resort, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia where you can relax, play or do business. Find out about their fabulous penthouse accommodation at http://www.catalinaresort.com.au.

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

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Premier spot for naturist travel in the Caribbean. Discover the beautiful turquoise water and pure white sand beach

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A wonderful island overflowing with greenery, beaches with crystal water, golden fine sand Koukounaries beach, Agia Paraskevi beach.

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RESULTS FROM MALVERN

Peter Maniatas Promotion – 20 December 2009
Malvern Town Hall

6×3
Frank Ciampa 79.80 v Friday Nwaiwu 79.90
Winner: F Nwaiwu by majority points
Referee: Malcolm Bulner
Judges: Andrew Campbell (58:56) : Aneeka Williams (58:56) : Tony Marretta (57:57)
Winner: J Casey by unanimous points
Referee: Malcolm Bulner
Judges: Tony Marretta (59:55) : Aneeka Williams (58:56) : Allan McColl (58:56)

6×3
Mark Quon 54.00 v Flash Villacura 54:00
Winner: M Quon Technical unanimous points after stoppage 2:47 R3 due to accidental head clash
Referee: Tony Marretta
Judges: Andrew Campbell (20:18) : Malcolm Bulner (20:18) : Allan McColl (20:18)

6×3
Kane McKay 78.60 v Joel Casey 79.30

6×3
Heath Ellis 68.70 v Aswin Cabuy 69.70
Winner: H Ellis by unanimous points
Referee: Tony Marretta
Judges: Andrew Campbell (59:55) : Aneeka Williams (59:55) : Allan McColl (60:54)

10×2 WBC Middleweight Title
Wang Ya Nan 70.70 v Charity Mukami 71.30
Winner: Wang Ya Nan by unanimous points
Referee: Malcolm Bulner
Judges: Andrew Campbell (98:92): Aneeka Williams (99:91) : Allan McColl (98:92

Courtesy Damian Membrey

YVB website Awards of the Year 2009

 http://www.youngvictorboxing.com.au/

Promoter of the Year

Peter Maniatis

Peter Maniatis Events

and channel 31’s KO Boxing TV show

Most Prestigious Promotions

Brian Amatruda – Barry Michael Sports

“Box on the Docks events at Docklands”

Amatruda-Michael

Most important Promotion of the Year

David Deicke – Keith Ellis

Prestige Sports Management with channel10’s broadcast fight night of “SUPERBOXER”

David Deicke – Keith Ellis

Fight of the Year

“Eddie Delic vs Shannon McMahon 20th Nov 2009″

“WBF Intercontinental Light Middleweight title fight”

Eddie Delic  Shannon McMahon

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The Street Cafe

23 Fitzroy St
St Kilda 3182 VIC

Ph: (03) 9525 4655

This restaurant-cum-bar has sliding glass doors that open the room up on warmer evenings, hardwood floors and linen napery dressing the indoor tables. Sconces dot a cream-painted wall and an archway opens into a smaller, more intimate area. There’s pasta and risotto on the menu – think duck risotto – plus varied dishes such as a blackened rib-eye steak, seared tiger prawns or jambalaya. If you’re not that hungry, there are smaller offerings such as charred calamari or dips, while an antipasto platter is suited to a group.  The Management & Staff are energetic and eager to please.

Opening hours Mon-Thu 11am-11pm
Fri 11am-11.30pm
Sat 9.30am-11.30pm
Sun 9.30am-11pm

Cuisine  Gluten-Free, International, Modern Australian and Vegan
Signature dish: Jambalaya – oven-baked saffron rice with fresh seafood, chicken, pork chorizo sausage, tomato, okra, capsicum and Creole spices
Prices  Mains: $15.90-$34.90
Dessert: $7.90-$15.90
Set menu: 3 courses, $39
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and EFTPOS
Alcohol  Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
Children’s menu
This venue accepts bookings.
Seats  Seats 120
Outside dining area
Wheelchair access and wheelchair-accessible toilets
Smoking area Ample parking    Take-away available

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