Traveling In the World

2011-07-18T06:33:00.001-07:00

300 Internet death threats since Tokyo killing spree

2008-07-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

Jun 28, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — As many as 300 Internet warnings of mass murder and other death threats have been posted online in Japan after a knifing rampage in Tokyo left seven people dead, media said Saturday.

Tokyo police said 200-300 death threats appeared on Internet message boards since 25-year-old Tomohiro Kato went on a killing spree on June 8 in the popular Akihabara district, Kyodo News and the Sankei Shimbun said.

Kato, who rammed a truck into a crowd of pedestrians and randomly slashed shoppers with a knife, had posted Internet messages about his anger and loneliness, and foretold of his deadly plans.

While most postings appeared to be pranks, police have so far arrested 20 people on charges of extortion and public nuisance, the press reports said quoting police.

Authorities identified and arrested a 29-year-old man in Shizuoka prefecture after he posted online: "I'm going to Ikebukuro (in Tokyo) now and will kill 100 people" just one day after the massacre, media said.

A Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesman was unable to confirm the figures, saying police do not keep a daily tally of web postings. But he confirmed that the 20 arrests were made nation-wide and were not exclusive to Tokyo.

Tokyo police earlier this week sent a 16-year-old girl to a family court for posting messages on the Internet threatening to kill people in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where young people flock.

"I'll kill them all and I'll die too," the girl said in one message sent from a cellphone to a bulletin board, as quoted by a police spokesman.

"I adore suspect Kato," she wrote, adding: "You're so cool, Mr Kato."

The girl, whose name was withheld as she is a minor, posted a total of 28 messages two days after the Akihabara killing, according to police.

Source : http://www.mywire.com

Dollar-Friendly Destinations

2008-07-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

Who needs Western Europe and its horribly unfriendly currencies? These equally fascinating destinations avoid the worst of the tourist hordes while offering more value for your dollar.

By Diane Vadino

Forget the pound, and banish the euro — just because it's all bad news, all the time, for those two currencies doesn't mean that dollar-earners need to stay on this side of the pond this summer. These destinations, none of which uses the pound or the euro, offer American travelers more bang for their bucks — and you won’t have to sacrifice a penny of your hard-earned cash on an unfavorable conversion rate.

South Africa - 7.86 South African rand to the dollar

(Currency rates as of June 6)

Cape Town is Africa's answer to San Francisco: Nestled between Table Mountain and Table Bay, it claims an equally stunning natural setting, a similarly temperate climate and the continent's most progressive cultural scene. Attractions include Long Street's Pan African Market, a fabulous souvenir emporium, especially for bargainers. A gorgeous feather-cap wall hanging costs less than $60, about one-fifth the price for a similar piece in the U.S. (There are also plenty of sub-$5 choices, like carved wooden salad tongs.) Or, visit the Old Biscuit Mill in the arty Woodstock district, which boasts the city's best shopping plus a wide selection of organic foods on Saturdays.

If you're brave enough to drive on the left, take a road trip south to Cape Point, which offers a fabulous, windy walk to a lookout point with views of both the Atlantic and Indian oceans; east and west of the city are the wine lands, South Africa's Napa. Deluxe accommodations are satisfyingly cheap: The Derwent House Boutique Hotel, a gorgeous, friendly guesthouse in the popular Tamboerskloof neighborhood, is perfectly situated on the northern slope of Table Mountain — and offers a self-catering suite this summer for less than $200, or a room for just over $100.

Argentina - 3.05 Argentine pesos to the dollar

Argentina's not the bargain-basement destination it was in 2001, after the collapse of its economy, but it still provides continental graces on a budget — and without most of the jet lag. Buenos Aires remains a top draw, with a culture both competitive with and distinct from its European colonizers; expect a world-famous, meat-centric cuisine (and even $5 steak dinners), a popular cafe culture, bustling tango halls and gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture.

Adventurous types looking to explore beyond B.A. should make their way to the beautifully preserved Salta, which is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the Andean northwest. Torrentes grapes are the country's signature variety, grown on vineyards throughout the Cayafate Valley. The region abounds with spectacular scenery; nature-lovers won't want to miss the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a Rio Grande gorge and UNESCO World Heritage Site within striking distance of Salta.

Costa Rica - 520 Costa Rican colones to the dollar

This Central American favorite spoils visitors with its well-developed system of national parks and some of the region's best Pacific beaches. For the former, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is both spectacular and remote — a four-wheel drive vehicle is a necessity — offering a respite from the crowds that can plague the country's more accessible destinations. Once you’re there, look for horseback tours across volcanic terrain or take a six-mile hike through tropical rain forest to the summit of an inactive volcano.

The park's location provides relatively easy access to the Pacific beaches, including those along Tamarindo Bay. Playa Tamarindo may be the most bustling — either a plus or minus, depending on your perspective — and offers an endless assortment of outdoor pursuits, from surfing to scuba diving to kayak tours of the local estuary that cost as little as $35.

Indonesia - 9,168 Indonesian rupiahs to the dollar

If you can stomach the long flight, Bali offers incredible value for the money — look around a bit and you may be able to engage a personal masseuse for as little as $5 a day. The village of Ubud is one of the island's chief draws, with a tradition as a premier destination for artists and some of the country's most impressive museums. These include the Agung Rai Museum of Art, with a full calendar of performances, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum, once the home of Spanish artist Antonio Blanco.

For those interested in physical as well as cultural nourishment, the area abounds in spas and body treatment centers — the Ubud Bodyworks Healing Centre is one of the most renowned, particularly for its healing massages with founder Ketut Arsana; a $60 hour-long session is expensive by local standards but the best in the area.

This article originally appeared on MSN Travel in June, 2008.

The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in June, 2008, but we suggest you confirm all details and prices as these can change at any time.

Source : http://travel.msn.com

Holidays In Orlando Florida

2008-05-08T07:41:00.001-07:00

by: Terry Hely

A little known citrus farming center called Orlando was paid a visit the 1960s by a gentleman called Walt Disney who started buying land on the outskirts of the town.

The remainder of that story is now history and by 1971, that land had become Walt Disney World. Today, Orlando has a resident population of approximately 200,000 people and visitor numbers swell that figure into the many millions.

The words "Orlando, Florida" immediately conjure up images of fairy tale palaces, thrill rides, theme parks and Disney characters loved the world over. The combination of the "big 3" Orlando entertainment parks of Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios have no equal anywhere else in the world.

Located on the the outskirts of Orlando, the towns of Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee are home to most of the major entertainment park attractions. It's no surprise that the accommodation industry generates a major portion of the Orlando economy and that it employs a high percentage of the local population.

The nearby towns of Winter Haven and Altamonte Springs offer a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Orlando and the parks. Their quiet rural charm and sedate pace provides a glimpse back to the time before the area became the home of the world's best known entertainment parks.

** Orlando Hotels And Resorts

Orlando has more beds to service the tourist industry than any other USA city except for Las Vegas. Orlando is the fifth most popular USA city for travelers visiting from overseas. It is not surprising that the accommodation industry represents a major portion of the Orlando economy and employs a high percentage of the local population.

Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to Orlando accommodation and every taste is catered for in every price range. From themed luxury hotels, fantasy resorts, exclusive golf resorts, condominiums, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, backpacker hostels to luxury villas, it's all available in and around Orlando.

The parks have several entrances which can be separated from each other by quite a distance, so selecting accommodation near the best gate for you can be an important consideration. Orlando accommodation is often named for proximity to a particular theme park (Universal) or a particular gate (main gate east etc)

** Orlando Transport

At least 35 airlines and just as many charter operators fly into Orlando International Airport with the bulk of these flights being Delta which accounts for around 25% of the flights that originate in approximately 160 different cities.

Other airlines serving Orlando are America West, American, Air Canada, British Airways, Continental, Northwest and US Airways. The Orlando Airport website provides and excellent page about airport shuttle services and city transport.

Amtrak is the USA rail service and it operates to and from Orlando with connections to many of the surrounding towns such as Kissimmee, Sebring, Winter Haven, Sanford and Ocala.

The I Ride trolley service is an excellent way to get around the International Drive Resort precinct. The LYNX bus service covers the downtown Orlando metropolitan area and surrounding cities.

The main highway through Orlando is I4, running directly from downtown Orlando to the Disney area. If you plan on driving in Orlando, be prepared for traffic, especially at rush hour.

Copyright (c) 2008 Terry Hely

About The Author

Terry Hely writes destination guides that are valuable resources for planning vacations and travel. Find out more about Orlando vacations from his page at http://www.go-florida.net/orlando-florida.htm

Source : http://www.articlecity.com/

Greenback Blues

2008-05-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

Take heart: Here are six tips to help you stretch your dollars in Europe.
By Andrea Bennett, Travel+Leisure

When it comes to saving money in Europe, the advice I most often hear is: go during “shoulder season,” discover alternate destinations, or take a cruise (and eat on the ship, even when it’s docked). But sometimes, only Paris in the springtime at the Four Seasons Hotel George V will do. To mitigate the pain of the current exchange rate without compromising your ultimate trip, follow my six-step plan.

Avoid ATM fees

Cash machines are still the best way to get local currency — if you can get around the exorbitant fees. Lately, some banks have hiked their flat rate of $2 per withdrawal to $5, or added a conversion surcharge, or both. Check to see what your bank levies before leaving home — and before making a withdrawal (you can find a list of costs at Bankrate.com).

Find a local partner

Even if your bank has substantial fees for withdrawals, many institutions now work with partners abroad and allow customers to take out money at no charge. Bank of America imposes $5, plus 1 percent of the withdrawal amount, at unaffiliated overseas ATMs, but nothing at those of partners like Barclays (United Kingdom), BNP Paribas (France), and Deutsche Bank (Germany). Some banks, such as Citibank, have their own branches in Europe.

Do fewer exchanges in larger increments

Travelex currency-exchange kiosks (located at most airports) provide a lower service fee for larger transactions—for a $100 exchange, the charge is 6 percent, while it’s about 1.5 percent for sums of more than $500. Some companies (Travelex and Marks & Spencer) have “buy-back” programs, where consumers can sell their leftover currency at a favorable rate, often waiving the service fees, so you won’t have to dump your leftover money on duty-free Toblerone bars (although you’ll often have to return to the place of the original transaction).

Make major purchases with a credit card

Using your plastic abroad often guarantees you the lowest exchange rate and protects you from unauthorized charges. But the fees (for currency conversions and foreign transactions) are often the same as those on the issuer’s debit card. Only a couple of cards don’t charge extra (check before you go). Or, consider opening an account in euros to escape transaction fees altogether. Lloyds TSB Offshore (lloydstsb-offshore.com) or HSBC Premier (hsbcpremier.com) are two options.

Minimize transportation expenses

It’s possible to cut costs on getting around. Autoeurope (autoeurope.com), for example, guarantees car-rental rates in dollars. Eurostar (eurostar.com) usually charges far less if you purchase your rail trip through its United States Web site. At press time, we found a three-day, London-to-Paris trip on the U.S. site for $424; the same trip from the U.K. site was $654.

Watch out for dynamic currency conversion

Often, a merchant will present a credit card bill for purchases abroad in dollars, rather than euros, as a “convenience” to the customer. But since he’s free to pick any exchange rate for the transaction, you could end up losing money. And travelers aren’t aware that they can turn down this “service.” It’s generally safer when you buy using the local currency.

Video: Pauline Frommer's Tips About International Travel
Content Source:

This article originally appeared in Travel+Leisure in April, 2008.

The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in April, 2008, but we suggest you confirm all details and prices as these can change at any time.

Did you enjoy this article? Please accept our special offer of two free issues of Travel+Leisure

Source : http://travel.msn.com

Vacation Where the Dollar is Still Strong

2008-04-16T01:03:00.000-07:00

Check out these 7 places where the greenback is worth a lot more than the paper it's printed on

Provided by: CNNMoney.com By Sheridan Prasso, Money Magazine contributing writer

Argentina
Why spend thousands in France when you can find the same vibe here? Buenos Aires (a.k.a. the Paris of South America) has embarked on a dramatic turnaround since the 2001 collapse of the Argentine peso — but the place is still amazingly cheap.
Chic hotel rooms, nights out dancing and fabulous food and wine cost half what they do across the Atlantic. A huge thick-cut steak dinner? Rarely more than $25.

Bali
With the dollar holding steady against the Indonesian rupiah over the past year, Bali has become one of the best island values in Asia.
Luxury bungalows nestled in lush hillsides can be had for $100 to $200 a night. At countless stone temples you can often see shadow-puppet performances for free or a small donation. And half-hour massages typically cost less than $15.

Costa Rica
Incredibly, Americans now have about a third more buying power in this natural wonderland than they did five years ago — a dollar equals around 500 Costa Rican colones today vs. 360 then.
You can explore beaches good for surfing, then go snorkeling in coral reef-filled bays.Don't miss the rainforests, which teem with wildlife — including rare quetzals with spectacular plumage.

Mexico
With the peso/dollar exchange rate steady over the past couple of years, Mexico remains a prime bargain destination.
The hottest area now is arguably Mexico City, booming with new museums, a historical architectural revival, and a vibrant music and arts scene. Entry to the city's huge Museum of Modern Art, where you can see works by Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera, costs just $2.

Morocco
Though the Moroccan dirham has strengthened a bit against the dollar in the past year, in the ancient cities of Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech many café meals still cost less than $5.
Classic budget hotels in atmospheric narrow streets, such as the Hotel El Muniria in Tangier, where Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac stayed, cost around $30 a night. Plenty of luxury hotels are available too.

Panama
This small country boasts mountains, rainforests, 1,500 miles of coast (your pick of the Caribbean or Pacific) and — of course — the magnificent canal, where you can gawk at giant supertankers being raised and lowered through the locks.
Forget exchange rates: Panama's currency, the balboa, is pegged at parity with the U.S. dollar, and the dollar itself is accepted virtually everywhere.

Vietnam
There's never been a better time to visit one of Asia's most fascinating countries, with pristine beaches and unique crafts: The dollar goes further against the Vietnamese dong than it did three years ago.You may have enough left to splurge on a fivestar hotel, such as the new Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City ($290 a night vs. up to $675 for a comparable room in Chicago).

Source : http://travel.yahoo.com

Best for shopping: Harbour Island

2008-01-17T18:11:00.001-08:00

One of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, this 3½-mile-long spit of land is a five-minute water taxi ride from North Eleuthera. Colorful cottages line the harbor; beyond them are palatial houses owned by monied locals and the fashion crowd that "discovered" the island’s pink beaches in the 1980s.

Worth the splurge: Though Island Records founder Chris Blackwell sold Pink Sands (800/407-4776; pinksandsresort.com; doubles from $600) this year to the neighboring Coral Sands resort, little has changed at this sophisticated yet funky enclave, with its 25 bohemian Morocco-meets-Bali cottages.

Best value: On this rarefied island, there are no budget options, but the seven rooms at the Landing (242/333-2707; harbourislandlanding.com; doubles from $250) are a good deal, considering the level of style at this India Hicks–owned hotel.

Hot spot: The 10-room Rock House Hotel (242/333-2053; rockhousebahamas.com; doubles from $380) was carved out of a former B&B and a converted Catholic schoolhouse. It now has a sleek South Beach décor and an equally attractive crowd.

Favorite restaurant: In a bright-green clapboard house atop Pink Sands Beach’s dunes, Sip Sip (Court Street; 242/333-3316; dinner for two $65) takes its name from the local patois for "gossip." Check the board for specials like spicy conch chili, lobster quesadillas, and rum-spiked carrot cake, then head to the patio and eavesdrop on the sip-sip.

Local flavor: Around lunchtime, Lavaughn Percentie (also known as Queen Conch) and her daughter Chanella set up their stand on an old dock off Bay Street, expertly chopping conchs and combining them with sour orange and spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers. The check for your salad and a Kalik beer may be the best $10 you spend in the Bahamas.

Top beach: Pink Sands Beach stretches nearly the length of the island. Protected by the third-longest barrier reef in the world, it has some of the gentlest surf in the Bahamas.

Where to shop: In Dunmore town, start at the Blue Rooster (King St. at Dunmore St.; 242/333-2240), an 1840 gingerbread cottage, where Gabrielle Kennedy and John Fondas stock the shelves with Graham Kandiah tunics and delicate pashmina shawls made by Flying Fig. Close by at Miss Mae’s (Dunmore St.; 242/333-2002), Pip Simmons sells items like Le Monta Society linen sheets and shell-encrusted mirrors. The Sugar Mill Trading Company (Bay St.; 242/333-3558), also owned by India Hicks, is filled with eclectic merchandise, including beachwear by her friend Elizabeth Hurley.

Content Source:

This article originally appeared in Travel+Leisure in December, 2007.

The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in December, 2007, but we suggest you confirm all details and prices as these can change at any time.

Did you enjoy this article? Please accept our special offer of two free issues of Travel+Leisure

Source : http://travel.msn.com

Top 10 Places to Go in 2008

2008-01-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

The destinations that rank on our list include renascent cities like New Orleans and emerging countries like Bhutan that are fast becoming the world’s next travel hot spots. Get there now, before the crowds do.

By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

Choosing the world’s next big travel destinations is never an easy feat, especially when there’s seemingly so little left of the globe to discover. But when our editors got into a room to hash out our top picks for 2008, we realized that we could have done a Top 13 this year, as all eyes will be on Beijing (when it hosts the Summer Olympic Games), and there’s never been a better time to visit Quebec City (which celebrates its 400th birthday in 2008) or Liverpool (the year’s European Capital of Culture). Here's the remainder of our list.
1. Bhutan
Cradled by the majestic Himalayas in a remote corner of Southern Asia, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” has long held steadfast to its rich culture and Buddhist heritage. Though an isolated locale and high tourist entry tariffs (of up to $200 per person per night) keep crowds at bay, these factors have also permitted this last Shangri-La to keep its traditions intact. If the lush valleys and snowcapped mountains, ancient temples and monasteries, and expansive markets full of cheerful locals haven’t lured you to Bhutan yet, reconsider in 2008, when the 101st anniversary of the country’s monarchy will be commemorated by a yearlong celebration.

2. Greenland
Though Greenland promoters prefer to avoid using the term “catastrophe tourism” to describe its surging popularity, new weekly flights from Baltimore (late June through early August in 2008) have indeed made this Danish province the most accessible place to bear firsthand witness to the inconvenient truths of climate change. The midnight sun practically guarantees encounters with reindeer, seals, and narwhals, but it's the Arctic island's Ilulissat ice fjord, which has retreated six miles in just a few years, and Warming Island, which was thought to have been part of mainland Greenland until the connecting ice thawed, that tend to leave visitors dumbstruck.

3. Lisbon
The cheapest capital in Western Europe (according to the 2007 Mercer Consulting survey) is worth a visit not only for its affordability–a huge plus when considering the anemic exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Euro these days–but for its dramatic hillside villages, fashionable cobblestone enclaves, and innovative cuisine. No longer just a stopover on the road to Porto, the capital of Portugal is fast becoming Europe’s next “it” city, which means crowds and inflated prices are bound to follow. Visit in 2008 before the buzz signals the hordes.

4. Mozambique
Safely removed from decades of civil war, Mozambique is poised to become Africa’s next big tourist destination. The country’s recent economic success is finally permitting its natural assets–1,500 miles of unspoiled tropical shoreline, clear blue seas, and pristine reef-fringed archipelagos–to shine. Upscale, eco-friendly properties are opening along the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, the government is restoring the million-acre Gorongosa National Park, and tour operators now run diving excursions to see sea cows, whale sharks, and staghorn coral. It’s been a long haul for this former Portuguese colony, but there’s no question that the nation is a rising star in the travel world.

5. New Orleans
Many have already returned to New Orleans since Katrina, but recent events give every indication that 2008 is poised to be the best year the city has seen since the hurricane. Combine a rebuilding boom with powerhouse couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie moving in to the French Quarter, and a revitalized Canal Street beckoning musicians and ramblers back to its pretty riverside promenade, and you've got the makings of a fully revitalized city. Plus, with some of the nation’s most-beloved festivals getting under way in the first part of the year (Mardi Gras in February and Jazz Fest in late April and early May) it’s easy to make the Big Easy a must this year to herald the rebirth of one of the country’s most storied and fascinating cities.

6. Okanagan Valley
Move over, Napa and Sonoma: Oenophiles looking for a taste of the next best thing are taking their palates north, to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. A four-hour drive northwest of Spokane, Wash., the Okanagan Valley boasts a cool and dry summer climate ideal for traditional grape harvesting, and frosty winters, which vintners use to advantage to produce Canada’s famed ice wine. With landscapes dotted with verdant fields, cascading hillsides, and ample lakes, there’s no question the area makes for a great wine-country getaway; Cedar Creek and Kettle Valley are just two of our favorite vineyards here.

7. Quito
Long thought of as just a pit stop en route to the Galapagos, the capital of Ecuador is finally coming into its own, thanks to a burgeoning culinary and nightlife scene, new attractions ranging from botanical gardens to cultural heritage museums, and the opening of several luxury hotels. Quito’s Old Town–a UNESCO World Heritage Site that just completed a seven-year, $200 million restoration–is at the heart of the city’s regeneration. Its colonial mansions and churches now flaunt fantastic face-lifts.

8. Slovenia
With Eastern Europe's popularity growing by leaps and bounds, Slovenia is now enjoying a newfound moment in the tourism spotlight. Slovenia is chock-full of the same kind of medieval towns and quaint villages that made the Czech Republic–namely Prague–a household name, but its charms can be enjoyed for a fraction of the price of its trail-blazing predecessor and arguably offer more value to boot. Though Slovenia was one of the first Eastern European countries to adopt the euro, the country’s hesitance to adapt to modern times has made its Venetian-era squares and tiny Alpine cities a fantastic bargain for the buck.

9. Tobago
One of the last remaining "undiscovered" Caribbean islands, Tobago has long been overshadowed by its better-known sister island of Trinidad. A power shift may be in the making as of 2008, however, as Tobago's pink-sand beaches and serene waters became accessible for the first time by direct flights from New York and Atlanta on Delta Air Lines in December 2007. The new flights allow visitors to bypass Trinidad altogether to reach Tobago's secluded and romantic shores, where an unpretentious, slow-paced, and eco-friendly atmosphere prevails, relatively free of tourists and overdevelopment–for now.

10. Tunisia
While 40 percent of this North African nation is swathed in arid Sahara desert, the remainder is blanketed by fertile soil and hemmed in by over 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline. No wonder it garnered a lot of (often unwanted) attention over the centuries from some of the world’s greatest civilizations. See what all the fuss was about by visiting the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage and historic sites like the coliseum at El Jem (arguably the finest example of its kind outside of Rome). When not taking in archaeological gems, you can relax and rejuvenate at one of several beach resorts; venture through the Sahara on camelback or 4x4; or camp out in the desert in luxurious linen tents. Indeed, if there's one place on our list that packs the ultimate vacation into its borders–what with culture, beaches, adventure travel, and luxury camping–this is it.

Source: http://travel.msn.com