Berlin is home to good food, great wine, dazzling art and architecture, rich history, and interesting culture. As the capital of Germany, Berlin offers the widest selection of hotels and hostels to globe-hoppers. If you need a place to stay in, get your own vacation flat. With a vacation flat, Berlin will surely feel less of a stranger and more of a home to you.

What you plan to do or see in the city should be your primary consideration in choosing where to stay. Do not base your choice on rates or amenities alone. Proximity to the places you plan to visit should be the key factor in your decision.

A common misconception among tourists is the operational definition of the phrase, "vacation flat." Most assume that this refers only to a single housing unit, with a single room, kitchen, and toilet and bath. In reality, a vacation flat in Berlin could be much more. It could be an upscale penthouse, or a modest two-room affair. It could be a centuries-old castle, even.

Hostels and Vacation Houses
Hostels and vacation houses are friendly to the purse strings. When looking for this type of vacation flat, Berlin newspapers and magazines, as well as online sites such as http://www.hotelsmotelsinformation.com, are a veritable goldmine of information. You will find it easier to rent this space if you pay for it in cash. You will get a better exchange rate, however, if you visit a bank or an ATM first.

For a vacation flat, Berlin landlords may charge as low as 12 Euros a night. Furthermore, you need not worry about the appearance of such a cheap lodging place because most of the hostels in Berlin had been constructed only recently. Those that were built years ago are still kept scrupulously clean.

Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin
This is a vacation flat Berlin is noted for. The Kempinski is located right at the heart of the city, on the famous Kurfuerstendamm boulevard. It is one of the oldest hotels in Berlin and has the distinction of being the first five-star hotel to be rebuilt after the Second World War. The Kempinski is, by itself, a significant part of modern history, and the fact that it is within walking distance to shops, theaters, and restaurants truly makes it a vacation flat Berlin visitors should try at least once during their stay.

Schlosshotel Im Grunewald
This has the distinction of being Germany's only historic castle hotel. It has state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities. Additionally, it is located very near well-known shopping centers. It was originally built as a private mansion at the start of the twentieth century. In the 1990s, however, the place underwent major renovations. Today, it boasts of 42 rooms and 12 suites.

This is one type of vacation flat Berlin tourists should book days in advance. Given its popularity and the limited number of rooms, Schlosshotel Im Grunewald cannot house as many people as other hotels can.

Barcelona, Spain is as irresistible a city as any of the great cities in Europe. Many of the tourists who go to Barcelona find themselves falling in love with the city and end up staying a month, a year, or even a decade. Like any other passionate relationship, however, romancing Barcelona requires time and commitment, and you cannot have either if you stay in a hotel. Hotel rates will break you, and hotel living will blind you to the city's charms. In the end, you will realize just as countless other travelers before you have realized that the most practical way to stay longer in Barcelona is to rent a holiday apartment.

Holiday Apartments in Barcelona: A Dime a Dozen
If your goal is to indiscriminately take your pick from dozens upon dozens of holiday apartments in Barcelona, then you would not have any problems at all. Just amble down any block and talk to the first landlord you meet. If, however, your goal is to look for the best holiday apartments in Barcelona, then you would have to be a little more patient and discriminating. Barcelona neighborhoods vary, and each one has an appeal uniquely its own.

So, where do you find holiday apartments in Barcelona?

Holiday Apartments in Las Ramblas
The Ramblas is the hub of all activity in the city. If you take your pick from the holiday apartments teeming in this part of Barcelona, you will have to deal with some street noise. This is the drawback to this location. The good news is that while you're in the Ramblas, you will literally have a finger on the pulse of the city.

Holiday Apartments in Eixample
Noise is as much a part of Eixample as it is in the Ramblas. After all, Eixample is a large neighborhood that is found just slightly north of the Ramblas. This area overflows with restaurants, big, busy roads, and trendy little stores. Holiday apartments in this part of Barcelona are edgy and have the tendency to be more expensive.

Holiday Apartments in Barcelona Beaches
Barcelona has four beaches, and they house rows upon rows of holiday apartments. This is the perfect location for those who want to avoid crowds, noise, and the temptation to splurge.

Holiday Apartments in Old Town Barcelona
The Barri Gotic quarter of Barcelona is also known by the names Old Town and the Gothic Quarter. This part of the city has streets and buildings that go a long way back in time, perhaps a thousand years, even. The area is mostly pedestrianized. Traffic is minimal because roads are very small. Unfortunately, the Gothic Quarter is so quaint it attracts much tourist attention. Lots of tourists pass through it daily.

Holiday apartments in Old Town Barcelona have quaint charm. Additionally, if you pick one of the holiday apartments in this part of the city, you will find yourself living in a very historic and charming neighborhood.

Still Confused Over the Location?
If you still haven't decided which neighborhood you want to live in, here's a general rule of thumb. If you hate noise, avoid staying in the Eixample and the Ramblas. Avoid major roads, too. Moreover, choose an apartment with double glazing. Finally, to minimize the noise that reaches you, pick apartments that are as high above the ground as possible. This tip, however, may not always prove advantageous. Many of the holiday apartments in Barcelona do not have lifts and an apartment perched so high will be very exhausting to go home to daily.

This year, May 12th through the 20th the tourism industry will observe National Tourism Week, a time to celebrate and promote how tourism and visitors from around the world support their respective communities. Even if you were not aware of National Tourism Week, you - as an avid traveler - have most certainly played an important role in the celebration, and in this week may benefit from related events. If you are unable to take time off for a paid vacation in this time, however, there are still ways to celebrate and be counted.

For nearly twenty-five years, the Travel Industry Association has observed this week-long itinerary of promotions, events, and advocacy designed not only to benefit destinations and businesses, but the visitors who patronize these places. If you are an avid traveler, you definitely want to stay alert of possible discounts and amenities available to you in this time. Communities around the United States generally participate in related National Tourism events, and this can mean big savings for the tourist. Here are just a few possibilities:

Day Trips: If you are unable to get away for a long period of time, consider taking a day trip or two to a nearby attraction or site of historical interest. Call ahead to see if any special discounts or incentives are being offered by state or national parks, amusement areas, or other tourist attractions in this time. Depending on where you live, you may be visiting in the off-season, and that can reap more breaks in cost.

Restaurant Discounts: If you happen to live in a touristy area, there may be a few eateries offering specials to coincide with this week. Ask around! You may be able to enjoy a nice dinner in a restaurant you don't normally get to enjoy.

Tourism is but one of many industries that keeps our nation's economy strong, and many opportunities await the local traveler during National Tourism Week. Take advantage of any offers that may come your way, and enjoy the trip!

Warm up to the idea of a Prince Edward Island beach vacation this summer. On this Gentle Island you’ll discover the beach vacation of your dreams.

Here, every day brings a chance to walk hand in hand along miles and miles of sandy coastline, enjoying magical stretches of white, champagne, pink and red beaches. Every day brings a chance to dip your toe into the warmest ocean waters north of Virginia. And every evening offers the opportunity to savor the most amazing sunset you’ve ever seen; among the most memorable you’re every likely to see, iridescent as it shimmers, dances and plays on the water before the sun settles itself, sinking below the horizon. Listen closely and you’ll swear you can almost hear the sizzle as it hits.

A beach vacation on Prince Edward Island consistently and effortlessly delivers on its promise of a sojourn imbued with relaxation and refreshment along the way. There’s nothing like watching the fishing boats off in the distance as the waves of the Atlantic lap at your feet as sea birds fly high overhead, soaring to the top of the red cliffs above, or diving down into the fresh ocean water and the bounty it offers.

For the more adventurous, inquisitive and active traveler, a guided tour may well be the perfect introduction to your Gentle Island beach vacation. It offers a chance to learn about the geology, flora and fauna in the area, and who better to learn from than an area native. Prince Edward Island may well be Canada’s smallest province, but it is big on being the perfect respite for your soul. No need for chicken soup when you can have clam chowder and seafood, freshly caught from the ocean every day. Clam chowder made that much more hearty with an abundance of PEI potatoes in your bowl and cream or milk fresh from the myriad farms to be found on the island.

No matter what your beach vacation needs, wants or requirements, Prince Edward Island is more than happy to meet them, and then some. For couples, it’s hard to find a more romantic setting than one of our beautiful and unique beaches and red-earth cliffs. Explore a treasure trove for nature lovers as seabirds soar high above. Have fun with the family clam digging. Or just spend a solitary moment walking along our shores. Our intimate Gentle Island is truly an oasis and a haven from the everyday world.

Discover the network of beaches that extends for miles across sand dunes, barrier islands, beaches, sandstone cliffs, wetlands and forest. Discover a diverse habitat, home to a wide variety of plant and wildlife, including the endangered Piping Plover. Learn about the Island’s ocean history that dates back thousands of years. Discover the simple joy of camping as nature intended, on any of 10 ocean-side campsites.

From its rather ordinary beginnings on the sporting scene, mountain biking been transformed into an activity so challenging that it has been classed by some as an extreme sport. And each category of mountain biking, because it requires a specific set of skills, has developed its own group of enthusiasts. The one thing that all the categories of mountain biking have in common is that their adrenaline-buzz-producing maneuvers are bringing people into the sport in unprecedented numbers.

The form of mountain biking most likely to appeal to fans of the Mega Roller Coasters is downhill mountain biking. If you can picture a downhill skier, and replace the skis with a bike plunging down a mountain, its wheels airborne almost as much as they are in contact with the ground, you’ll have the basic idea. And if the mere idea of downhill mountain biking gets you jazzed, what do you think the actual experience will do?

DH, as downhill mountain biking is known in mountain biking circles, is in no way the same as riding a standard bicycle up and down the gently rolling hills in your neighborhood park. Neither is it the same as cross country mountain biking, which may involve some downhill riding but is more akin to bike racing.

Downhill Mountaing Biking Bikes
Downhill mountain biking demands a mountain bike with front and rear suspensions especially engineered to handle the extreme stresses of the terrain over which they are ridden. The downhill bikes also have heavier, stronger frame tubing than other varieties of mountain bikes, and normally weigh in at between forty and fifty pounds.

Don’t bother trying to pedal a downhill mountain bike uphill; it’s an exercise in futility. Downhill mountain biking requires that a bikers and their bikes be transported to the top of the hill they are to descend by a ski lift. The trail on which they will be coming back down will be both physically demanding and dangerous. Downhill mountain biking should never be attempted until all possible safety measures are in place.

Downhill mountain biking courses are both steep and treacherous throughout, and can contain jumps of up to forty feet with a ten foot drop. The bikers who are attracted to downhill mountain biking, however, are those who thrive on challenges; the harder the better. The risk involved is not their biggest concern. But even the most experienced downhill mountain biking enthusiasts never begin a descent without being fully protected with a helmet, elbow and knee pads, a body suit, and goggles.

Welcome to the land of India. India has been one of the most demanding and attractive tourism destinations around the world. Recent trend in the tourism sector shows that the tourists around the globe come to India tours not only for its exotic culture, magnificent monuments, and beautiful landscapes but also for better medical treatment or other medical services at cost effective price, i.e. medical tourism.

India is one of the best places for the medical treatment or any other health care in India and the most favored place for medical tourism. Every year a large number of visitors are coming to travel to India from all over the world especially for the medical check up and other type of surgery related to heart, bone, liver or other diseases. During the past year alone, over 150000 people travelled to India for their medical requirements.

Now a question arises in our mind, why patients travel to India for their medical treatments. Medical tourism in India, these days, is at its boom and it is growing with fast pace. Medical tourism in India provides a quality medical treatment and quality medical services at low cost comparatively in some of developed and developing countries. The price of medical tour packages in India is 35% to 40% lesser than the treatment cost in USA or Thailand. A heart surgery in the US costs US$ 30,000 as compared to US$ 6,000 in India. A bone marrow transplant in the US costs US$ 250,000 and US$ 26,000 in India. These records make clear that why tourists travel to India for their medical treatments and why medical tourism in India is achieving its height.

Indian corporate hospitals have a large pool of doctors, nurses, and support staff ensuring individualized care. The highly skilled personnel, with wide experience and international exposure excel in Cardiology and Cardiothoracic surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Bariatric or Obesity surgery, Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, and Urology, to name a few. Our hospital partners have exclusive Cosmetic/Plastic surgery departments. Our alliance partners have Centers of Excellence in their specialty areas.

Almost all states in India have established themselves as medical tourism destinations and building medical brand images. There are a number of specialty hospitals in India. Some of them are mentioned below.

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• Tata Memorial Hospital
• Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre
• Indraprastha Medical Corporation
• Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children
• Karla Hospitals
• C.M.C. Vellore
• Apollo Hospitals
• B.M. Birla and many more which provide world class treatment and services.

Ayurveda and Yoga also play an important role in booming medical tourism in India Because, since ancient times India has been an important center for medical treatment by Ayurveda and Yoga. Besides these other efforts are being made to make India a popular medical tourism destination. Attractive medical treatment packages and their cost effectiveness is the key factor that makes India most favored place for medical tourism.

Amsterdam 750.000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which, apart from the Netherlands itself, comprises the Netherlands Antilles and the Island of Aruba.

Monarchs are traditionally inaugurated in the Nieuwe Kerk church next to the Royal Palace on Dam Square, which is considered the heart of the nation.

For centuries, life in the Netherlands has been inspired by Amsterdam, a place where people from virtually every country and culture feel at home.

Since the Netherlands became an hereditary monarchy in 1813, the three kings and three queens of the House of Orange-Nassau who have succeeded to the throne have all been invested in Amsterdam. However, the reigning head of state, Queen Beatrix, was the first monarch to marry here as well, when she married Claus von Amsberg on 10 March 1966, in the Westerkerk church. Her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, will follow in her footsteps.

The name Amsterdam derives from the dam on the Amstel River on which the city was built. The name (Amstelledamme/Amstelredamme) is first recorded in 1275. In the gazetteer the name of Amsterdam also appears in Georgia, Idaho and Ohio, in South Africa, at Spitsbergen and among the islands in the Indian Ocean. New York was originally a Dutch establishment known as New Amsterdam, with a 'walstraat' (Wall Street) and a 'bouwerij' (Bowery), and quarters bearing the names of related places, such as Haarlem (Harlem) and Breukelen (Brooklyn). Even the name 'Yankee' originates in the Dutch names Jan and Kees.

The city Amsterdam is built on a four-metre-thick layer of peat, with a substratum of sand and clay to around 11 metres below N.A.P. (Amsterdam Ordnance Datum).All buildings are constructed on piling-foundations made from tree-trunks or concrete.

Just a century ago, Amsterdam Noord - the borough north of the IJ - comprised little more than farmland behind old Zuiderzee dykes. The construction of the North Holland Canal (1824) and the North Sea Canal (1870) at first attracted maritime industries, mainly ship-builders. The first houses were built in 1914, followed by garden suburbs. For the next 20 years it seemed as if Amsterdam was going to expand in a northerly direction, but from the 1920s onwards a preference grew for the polders to the south and south-west of the city, where large new suburbs are today.The main reason for this was initially the unbridgeable water - without punt ferries the North was inaccessible. Since then, however, the suburb north of the IJ has grown into a mixed collection of neighbourhoods with 83,000 inhabitants, easily reachable by tunnels and bridges.

Mayor of Amsterdam is the head of the police of Amsterdam-Amstelland, a regional police force in which Amsterdam collaborates with the Municipalities of Amstelveen, Aals-meer, Diemen, Ouder-Amstel and Uithoorn. The area covers 357 square kilometres and has 875,000 inhabitants.

Playa Blanca is situated at the southernmost tip of the island, and seems to have its own unique weather, away from the rest of island. Flanked by the Femes mountains on one side... and with Montana Roja imposing at the other side, it is sheltered from some of the higher winds, and also claims the highest temperatures on the island.

With beautiful white sandy beaches framing the town, edging round to Papagayo (a series of coves with shallow clear waters), it's also an ideal place to bring the children, and feel safe as they paddle about in the shallow waters. With all the variety of tourist shops that you would expect, there are many bars offering low-key entertainment throughout the evening. It's a little quieter than other resorts in Lanzarote, which suits the visitor seeking a more laid back holiday experience.

The most recent development is the Marina Rubicon. A development of designer shops, and restaurants in beautiful surroundings, positioned right next to the beautiful Marina. Why not take a stroll, and see some of the most spectacular yachts in the Canary Islands. The promenade in Playa Blanca is host to many top quality cafes and restaurants, where you can sit back and sample either the local or international menu on offer. The view across to Fuerteventura is beautiful, and at night you can see Corralejo's lights twinkling back at you, whilst listening to the waves lapping at the shore.

While Lanzarote is not nearly as energetic as Tenerife or some of the Balearic Islands, there is still plenty of nightlife to keep most people happy. The busiest nightlife in Lanzarote is found at the 'Avenida de las Playas' in Puerto del Carmen, however there are bars and discos in all of the main resorts. If you are looking to sample Spanish nightlife, then Arrecife is definitely the place to go.

There are four main resorts in the Island - Arrecife the capital, Costa Teguise the oldest holiday resort, Puerto del Carmen the busiest, and Playa Blanca the southernly and fastest growing.

Timanfaya is probably the best well known of all visitor attractions, with trips up through the volcanoes and views across the Island. There is also a demonstration of the one volcano that is a little more than dormant. Watch as they pour a cup of water down into the hole & a jet of steam shoots up into the air. You can sample food cooked over the heat as a fitting end to this breathtaking trip.

Early evening is a time for wining and dining at one of the island's fabulous bars, cafes or restaurants. But the bar activities don't really start to kick in later in the evening - so be sure to take it easy! Lanzarote´s evening entertainment choices are as diverse as could be so you will be sure to find something to please you. And the good thing is - the entertainment is usually free. Live music, stand-up comedy, clubs and family bars abound here - you're sure to find something to while away the hours, whilst keeping the whole family or group happy.

About 15 minutes drive from Arrecife airport, Puerto del Carmen boasts around 5km of broad, sandy beaches as well as a wide variety of places to eat and drink and it remains a popular destination for holidaymakers from far and wide. With a wide range of activities on offer for all, it is suitable both for couples, and for families. Made up of a ‘new’ and ‘old’ town, Puerto del Carmen has no tall buildings and almost all of them are white and unpretentious. It's the ideal holiday resort for sun worshippers, with the beautiful Playa Grande beach, And as for the party-reveler who loves wining, dining and dancing... there is a massive selection of bars & eateries, tavernas and discoteques.

Puerto del Carmen lays claim to being the most popular tourist destination on the island, and has a diversity that will suit most tastes. The Old Town has managed to retain it's traditional Canarian atmosphere. Most nights you can see the locals playing boules in the streets, sample some of the finest seafood known to man, or simply enjoy a glass of the local wine as you gaze across the harbour.

The New Town (or "strip" as it's more commonly known) is bustling with activity. Again, this has a wide range of bars and restaurants available, as well as discoteques for working off some of those excess calories. The busiest of areas on the strip is agreed by most as being Centro Atlantico with a multitude of floors on which you can find a variety of bars, clubs, and showbars. The Biosfera shopping centre is certainly worth a visit, with 4 floors of shops and bars. An impressive area which really comes to life when the sun sets. There's even a kiddies' play area to keep them occupied whilst you haggle with the shopkeepers for the latest bargains.

Counting the seconds between a bolt of lightning and the clap of thunder that follows is supposed to help calculate a storm’s distance. Using this same principle, I’m timing the frequency of the rooster’s crow.

Unlike millions of folks the world over, I am not sleeping, but pondering the meaning of this fruitless serenade. What is the message of the strident-voiced cock? His calling, if you will.

There he goes again!
Is there something sinister about his urgent appeal? A portent of global warming? The end of the world?

I’m a nocturnal creature, often awake past midnight, but rarely when dawn’s watercolor wash replaces the inky nighttime palette. I have only recently been introduced to the pre-dawn time slot---there are no roosters near my home in San Diego---so it’s only natural that the theories I generate at that hour are... Quixotic? Idiotic?

As I try to formulate a rooster-related hypothesis (or even better, a ‘DaVinci Code in San Blas’ sort of storyline), my nocturnal nemesis shrieks again. The interval between crows is 10 seconds, then 12, and then 15. I’m wondering if my computer-savvy friend Pat could write some sort of program. Is this an algorithm?

I wouldn’t know. My right brain has gone back to sleep.

Gallo Pinto crows again, and I startle awake in my dark bungalow. I count to 28, but now silence prevails. The little bugger must have gone to sleep.

Giving up notions of a Nobel Prize for Science, I abandon hope of solving one of the world’s great mysteries, and predict simply another sleepy day in San Blas.

Costa Teguise, Lanzarote´s second most popular resort, is situated just north of Arrecife. It translates quite literally into Coast of Teguise, which was Lanzarote´s former capital. The original of the resorts, it is still extremely popular with holidaymakers today.

With a wide selection of bars and restaurants you will be hard pushed to not have a good time - and many visitors return year after year. The standards of accommodation are generally 4* and 5*. Many have bought holiday homes here, or have chosen to relocate here permanently. Costa Teguise has a real charm about it, that will make you wish to return time and time again.

From the Lively Lady Showbar with it's drag show entertainment, to Smiggy's Bar with it's large sports screen, and from The Taj Mahal for fine Indian Cuisine to the Great British cafe for those who crave a full English breakfast on their travels - you are guaranteed to find a venue to please you.

Costa Teguise is known for it's windy beaches, which make it extremely popular with windsurfers, and those who love the sun - yet find it a bit too hot to simply lay in. The town is probably one of the most spread out resorts, with new buildings being constructed continuously. Whether someone is looking for an all-inclusive vacation in a 5* hotel, or relaxing in a private luxury villa, or even hiding away in a traditional finca, Costa Teguise truly does have it all. For those who prefer a holiday away from the sound of children, then give the Coronas Las Palayas Hotel a go. It is strictly an adult-only premises and includes all the luxury with peace and quiet that you would expect. There is even a health and beauty slaon for that extra special pampering.

Although Arrecife is not renowned for being a tourist area - it is still very well worth a visit. This is where you will find a large number of Canarian locals, and ex-pats rubbing along together in almost perfect harmony. In fact, over half the island's population is housed there. Getting around Arrecife is normally best on foot. The roads can be complicated, and it's very easy to get lost in the town center. There are hundreds of shops to choose from and they tend to have better prices than the main tourist areas.

Arrecife is located very close to the airport, and has everything from shops, to an excellent assortment of bars and restaurants to suit all palates. Well worth a mention is "El charco de Gines," a saltwater lagoon in the city centre, surrounded by fishermen houses. It is also here, in the capital, that you will find the only high rise building which is a hotel.

The nightlife in Arrecife tends to be very Spanish oriented... with cosy tapas bars, and fantastically smelling restaurants all bustling with conversation and fine company. Arrecife residents are amongst the most welcoming on the Island, and are extremely proud of their heritage.

A visit to the harbour in the mornings is a must, if only to observe the fresh fish being haggled over by the locals for the "dish of the day."

Arrecife is also the corporate centre of Lanzarote, with many legal firms, insurance companies and accoutants all jostling to get the next client in their door first.

From 11 - 15 September 2007 fans of the Queen of Crime Writers can look forward to paying homage to Dame Agatha Christie, the world's best-known mystery author. On location in Torquay on the “English Riviera,” Agatha Christie devotees will enjoy a series of key events this year. This now annual gala celebrates the life and works of the most published author of all time whose 79 novels and short story collections have sold more than an astonishing two billion copies around the world and have been translated into over 50 languages.

Born 15 September 1890 the youngest of three children in a conservative, comfortable if not well-to-do family in the seaside community of Torquay in County Devon, England, Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was educated largely at home. Her mother, Clarissa Beochmer Miller, believed “education destroyed the brain and ruined the eyes” but encouraged Agatha to write from very early age. The only detective stories she had read while growing up were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and a French novel called Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux. It was her sister, Madge, who goaded Agatha to write a detective story in which the ending could not be easily guessed. For three weeks, Agatha stayed at Moorland Hotel, Hay Tor, Dartmoor, where she wrote her first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair At Styles published five years later in 1920. This was the world's initial introduction to the fastidious 5 feet, 4 inches tall, Hercule Poirot, her famous Belgian sleuth. The book was based on Agatha's nursing experience during World War I in the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Styles was a precise replica of Victorian Torquay. Poirot, the chocolate-loving detective, together with his logic and rational procedures and his “little grey cells,” was to be a principal character for Christie in over forty books, the last of which, Curtain, was published in 1975.

Torquay and the surrounding area provided inspiration for many of her books. Set in one of Britain's most beautiful bays, where the famous Torbay palm tree grows, the festival on the “English Riviera” is an opportunity to trace Dame Agatha’s footsteps and discover the many places that were a source of inspiration for her books. Christie devotees will want to program an itinerary as outlined that will be topped and tailed with nights in London. This will insure that travelers will avoid the headache of potential airline delays and the rush of same-day arrival at the festival.

Monday 10 September:
Rendezvous at your London hotel in the fashionable Knightsbridge area. Rest and relax. At around 6 PM meet a Torquay based Tour Director for an early supper and briefing. Overnight London.

Tuesday 11 September:
Transfer to Paddington Station for the train ride to Torquay on the “English Riviera“. Once there and after checking into your hotel, visit Oldway Mansion, a well known local landmark, for a tour of this, the former home of sewing machine maker Isaac Merritt Singer. The mansion, standing on 17 acres of gardens, was purchased by Singer in 1871. The Maze garden with its dwarf box hedging, beautifully shaped flower beds, and topiaried trees, must not be missed. In September 1914 ‘Oldway’ was used as a hospital- The American Woman’s war relief hospital. Even the Rotunda was converted to House rows of beds for the wounded soldiers being brought back to England from the trenches of France and Belgium in the 1914-1918 War. It’s the venue for the Tea Dance which starts at 5 PM on the festival’s opening afternoon . Overnight the next four nights in Torquay.

Wednesday 12 September:
A full day following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, beginning with a viewing of the special exhibition of the Torquay Museum showcasing the Agatha Christie Centenary Exhibition featuring many exhibits loaned by the Christie family. There is a permanent retrospective of photographs, costumes and memorabilia that fills in the details of the author’s life. After lunch, take a walking tour that encompasses the many places that featured in her life and inspired her works, including Beacon Cove, where Agatha enjoyed bathing at what was then a ladies beach, and the beautiful seafront Princess Gardens, featured in The ABC Murders..Agatha had a great love of music and attended many concerts at Torquay Pavilion. This elegant building was opened in 1912 and it was here in 1913 where Agatha enjoyed a Wagerian concert with her future husband, Archie Christie. Featuring in two novels, 'The Imperial Hotel” (the “Majestic” in Peril at End House) in Torquay boasts probably one of the most suitable Christie settings imaginable. Drinking coffee in this elegant hotel, it's easy to imagine Miss Marple detecting the latest crime whilst taking in the view that stretches across to Paignton and Brixham.

Thursday 13 September:
Travel by motorcoach to Greenway for a morning visit to Agatha Christie’s fine riverside home and a guided stroll around the glorious, sometimes steep gardens. At around midday walk down hill to the quay to board The Swan and a cruise down the River Dart. Spend time in picturesque Dartmouth, take the foot ferry across to the train station for a steam hauled ride back to Paignton. This evening, either relax or attend a performance of the Hollow at the Princess Theatre.

Friday 14 September:
A morning tour that will include a visit to All Saints Church, Torre. Agatha was baptised at All Saints Church in Torquay and regularly attended Sunday services. Her father made a financial donation to the church and ensured Agatha was entered in the records as a founder member. The village church at Churston, where she endowed a beautiful new stained glass east window and try a pub lunch at the Churston Court Inn. Afternoon at leisure and then prepare for the evening Murder Mystery Ball at The Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel on Torquay's seafront is where Agatha and Archie spent Christmas in 1914 - their honeymoon. The hotel has dedicated one of their stunning 'suites' to the greatest crime writer of all time.

Saturday 15 September:
Take the 10:53 train between Exeter and London, arriving there by 1:30. Agatha Christie loved trains and they suited her gift for observation. Her autobiography describes the:
“Fascination with looking out at an entirely different world: going through mountain gorges, watching ox-carts and picturesque wagons, studying groups of people on the station platforms”

Spend the balance of the day at leisure enjoying the landmarks in London.

Sunday 16 September:
Transfers to the airport or extend the trip to explore London.

While some 215 miles south-west of London, the cluster of County Devon resorts that are known as the “English Riviera” continue to radiate the spirit of Agatha Christie. Who would enjoy the 2007 Agatha Christie Festival? Perhaps English teachers or college lecturers for whom a UK literary tour would be of interest to their students, Friends of Libraries groups where a UK fundraiser makes an eye-catching addition to the various book sales and other money making events they organize, bookstores, both general and mystery specialist, or book reading circles whose members focus on mysteries. It’s for those who would really enjoy a fiction into fact travel less, see more tour!

Traveling can be a lot of fun as individuals or as a family. With the rising costs of gas prices, many of us stay close to home rather than traveling long distances to vacation hot spots.

I have been the marketing manager for a resort property for over 11 years. My primary responsibility is to market this establishment to attract new guests to stay with us as well as to entice repeat guests to join us again for another great getaway.

Many of us would love to enjoy a vacation but simply are not able to afford the cost for a room. I have listed a few ways to cut the costs and enjoy a much needed getaway for a fraction of the cost.

Coupons– Many motels participate in programs where you can receive two nights for the price of one night. Ask about these discounts when making your reservation. Check the motel’s website prior to calling to see if there are any specials listed online that must be mentioned prior to receiving the discount.

Corporate Rate– You can often receive an additional 10% off just for presenting your business card at a motel. Of course this depends on whether or not you are arriving during their peak season, but it certainly is worth asking about.

Military Discount– Some establishments will give a considerable price break for those serving in the military. You will need to present proper identification upon check-in so be prepared to do so.

AARP – Are you a senior citizen and a member of AARP? You are eligible for an additional 10% off your room rate at all participating motels.

Group Rates – Motels love groups and it is important to ask if there are any group rates available during the time you intend to arrive. If you are arriving during a time when the establishment does not intend to have occupancy, they may graciously extend a discount for your group. Certain requirements will apply and will vary.

Travel Midweek– It’s typical for motels to be very busy on the weekends and slower during the middle of the week. Try to travel Sunday – Thursday to receive the best deals. The rates are usually lower during the middle of the week. Combine this with a coupon or other discount and you are well on your way to savings.

Off-Season Specials – Check the local newspapers and travel websites for any specials the motel may be offering. Depending upon the location of the motel, you can get a great discount! For instance, take in a winter storm at the beach and you are certain to get a spectacular deal!

Mailing List – If you enjoyed your stay, ask the front desk if they have a mailing list. Perhaps they can mail you unadvertised specials or keep you posted of any savings coupons they may be offering.

Traveling doesn’t always have to break our pocketbook. If you take a moment to do your research prior to making your reservation, you will be well on your way to saving yourself some money.