Beitel travel advice

If you’re visiting San Francisco, you should take the time to check out Alcatraz Island.  This historic site has been a prison, a lighthouse, a military base, and finally a tourist attraction.  Taking the tour of the island is very interesting, and it’s certainly worth an afternoon.  You can take the ferry ride from Pier 33 straight to the island.  The pier is located near Fisherman’s Wharf, which is located on many bus and subway lines, so getting there from most San Francisco hotels is very easy.

There are two tours available: the day tour and the night tour.  Most people go during the day.  Both tours include the ferry ride to and from the island.  You can also purchase an Island Hop ticket that takes you out to both Alcatraz Island and Angel Island.  No matter which ticket you buy, it is recommended that you call ahead and reserve tickets.

The ferry ride will take about 15 minutes, and once you’re on the island, you can stay as long as you’d like to—just be sure to catch the last ferry back to the pier.  It’s important to note that there are no restaurants or concession stands on Alcatraz, so you won’t want to be on the island around lunchtime.

When you first arrive on the island, a tour guide will give you a short introduction and then turn you loose with a guide book.  You can also rent headphones for an audio tour if you’d like to hear all about the history of the prison and military base.  There are several educational films and exhibits you can visit as well.

Visiting Madrid can be somewhat expensive, especially if you live in the United States or other far off locations.  You have to pay for airfare, for your hotel, and then for incidentals like food and any souvenirs you purchase.  However, if you’re in Madrid to see some of its famous museums and other top attractions, there is a way you can save some money: purchase a Madrid Card.

The Madrid Card gives you free entrance to a number of tourist attractions and discounts at others.  You can also get discounts at some restaurants.  There are 40 different museums that offer free admission to Madrid Card holders.  They include many of the most famous museums in Madrid, including the Reina Sofia, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Prado.  Some of these museums and attractions can cost three or four Euros each.

Another service that takes the Madrid Card is the Madrid Vision tourist bus.  This bus circles the city and stops at all major tourist attractions, some shopping centres, and some Madrid hotels.  There are three different routes that run throughout the city, and if you don’t want to spend most of your day walking, you’ll want to take the bus. If you have your Madrid Card, it’s completely free.  Otherwise, you will pay 16 Euros per person for a day pass.  You also get access to the Discover Madrid walking tours.

In addition to these discounts, the Madrid Card comes with two guide books that highlight some of the best sights of the city and list all of the attractions that honour the card.  They also list the restaurants and clubs that provide discounts (generally 10 percent) to Madrid Card holders.

The Madrid Card can be purchased for one day (45 Euros), two days (58 Euros), or three days (72 Euros).  One of the nice features of the Madrid Card is that your “day” countdown doesn’t begin until you use the card, not from the moment you purchase it.  If you plan to see a lot of museums, take the bus, and eat out a lot, you will easily save money using the card.

Many have heard of the famous novel The Bridges of Madison County, but travellers to Amsterdam will want to check out the bridges of the country.  They’re some of the most beautiful and architecturally interesting bridges in the world.  While you may not go to Amsterdam just to see them, if you can include visiting even one of these bridges in your trip, you should do so. You could even stay in one of the Vienna hotels along the river like The Bridge Hotel.

The first is the Magere Brug, the most famous drawbridge in the country.  It runs over the Amstel River and is located in the centre of the city.  This white bridge is made of wood, and while the current Magere Brug Bridge was built recently (1934), there has been a bridge at the same location since 1691.  One of the most interesting aspects of the Magere Brug is that, until 1994, the drawbridge was still opened by hand.  Since then, however, a mechanism has been used.  Today, only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to use the bridge.  If you’re in town on V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day, May 7/8), you can attend a concert held near the bridge and may catch a glimpse of Dutch Queen Beatrix.

The Blauwbrug, or blue bridge, is another historic bridge in the city.  Like the Magere Brug, the Blauwbrug in use today is not the original bridge.  The original was built around 1600, while the current bridge was built in 1883.  This new Blauwbrug is a copy of the Alexandre the 3rd Bridge located in Paris.  However, even though it is not painted blue, the name stayed the same.  This bridge is open to vehicles and features a tramway.

While these two are the most famous bridges in Amsterdam, there are a number of smaller bridges.  The Python Bridge connects Sporenburg to Borneo Island.  This bridge was the winner of the 2002 International Footbridge Award.  Another often visited bridge the Jan Schaeferbrug, a 2001 bridge that was designed by architect T. Venhoeven.

Orlando, Florida, has many different things to see and do.  Sure, there are the standard museums, malls, concert halls, and other standard holiday fares, but Orlando has a few things that set it apart from other cities.  Those things are amusement parks.

The most famous is Walt Disney World.  While it’s not the original Disney park (that would be Disney Land in California), it’s the largest one. Disney World is made up of several different parks.  There’s the Magic Kingdom, the traditional Disney park that features Cinderella’s castle, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and, of course, Mickey Mouse and his friends.  Then there’s Epcot, a world tour that features international themed rides and teaches kids and adults alike about various countries around the world. There is also a possible alternative to finding a hotel in Orlando to stay in – the Walt Disney Resorts – although you will pay a premium for this priviledge.

Two new theme parks have been added to Disney World since it first opened.  One is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  It features various rides and activities related to movies and filming movies.  These include the Jedi Training Academy, Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D movie, and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  The second addition is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  It features many different animal shows and activities related to animals and animal conservation.

The other large amusement park in Orlando is Universal Studios.  It’s made up of three parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Wet ‘n Wild.  Universal Studios mainly features rides and activities based on various movies, as does Islands of Adventure.  The islands current feature five locations: the Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, the Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.  In 2010, a new island will open: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  You can bet millions of kids will be flocking to this new section of the theme park!

Dubai is the most populous place in the United Arab Emirates and with a statement like that you would expect it to be rich in tourist attractions. Fortunately, it is and for anyone looking to visit the place will find plenty of things to do and see.

Dubai has a massive multicultural society that is very diverse in nature and there are plenty of annual events in the city, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises that attract over four million tourists to the region every year. When this is combined with the diversity of cuisine, there has never before been a better reason to visit Dubai.

Due to the diverse nature of society in Dubai, the cuisine ranges over a wide spectrum, with small diners that serve Arab food to the fast food restaurants that are South Asian and also Chinese. There are however some rather grand restaurants which tend to be situated in the many hotels and if you are looking for a more upmarket eating place, this would be the way forward.

Pork is rather regulated in this area, as is the sale of alcohol and you will only generally find such items in five star hotel restaurants and bars where the night-life is buzzing and full of energy.

If you are looking for more to do in Dubai apart from shopping and enjoying the night life that it offers, there is the Wild Wadi Water Park to keep both the adults and the children amused; also helping cool down in the hot weather. Horse racing has also become popular in the area with many rich races taking place throughout the year. There are also plenty of Safari trips that you can take advantage of and there is a ski centre, although you would not generally recognise Dubai as a ski resort!

All in all, there are plenty of things to do and see and many places to eat in Dubai and if you are looking for more five star luxury for your holiday needs, why not try checking out one of the fabulous and word famous Dubai hotels? The Dusit Dubai hotel or the Hyatt Regency will fulfil your list of places to see and places to dine.

How would you love to take your love around town on a boat? Before you think that I am crazy and there is no way that one can take someone around town on a boat like thing, let me tell you that you just do not know about Venice. One of the cutest cities in the world, Venice is the only city in the world where you can take your lover for a ride on a boat named as gondola. It would be advisable to ask your hotel about gondola rides, most Venice hotels have ties with gondola companies and will be able to giv eyou a discount. There are many cities where there are transportation problems, but not so in Venice because of the many types of water transportation that are available in Venice. The type of transportation that you take in Venice depends totally on your budget and you have the option to select a ride through Venice on a gondola, also known as a private taxi.

However, if you are touring Venice on a shoestring budget, then you might try out their vaporetti (this is what they call their public water buses). There are quite a number of tourists in Venice who prefer to use the vaporetti because of the culture that the other Italian passengers expose them to. There is no doubt that rides on the gondola in the city of Venice can be costly and though you might shirk from it, it is suggested that you try it just once. The experience is heavenly and cannot be matched by any other experience in the world. Many tourists have a dream of riding in a gondola while in Venice. Thanks to the movies, the popularity of the gondolas of Venice is known all over the world.

There are certain ways by means of which one can reduce the costs of riding a gondola in Venice. They can either bargain with the gondola driver or share a ride with other willing tourists. In Venice, do not forget to take a ride on the vaporetti down the grand canal just before sunset. This is considered one of the most enjoyable and romantic experiences inn Venice. You might not believe the prices, they are so cheap. One is left wondering that how they are experiencing so much of Venice for so less. While the journey in the vaporetti of Venice might not have a meaningful destination, one should try to understand that the pleasure of the journey is the main cause.

You might have traveled all around the world and might have also traveled in all modes of transportation, but a ride in the gondola or the vaporetti is an out of the world experience. Just close your eyes and listen to the strains of the song that the driver of the gondola is singing. This by itself more than compensates the cost of the ride. For those who are planning their honeymoon, it is an advice that they try a ride on the gondola. A ride around Venice on the gondola is an experience that you shall never forget for the rest of your life.

Getting lost in the warmth of Barcelona is very easy. The Spanish are known to be friendly people and it shows the moment one visits Barcelona. Travelers who are visiting this city for the first time, especially those coming from cities where the temperature is relatively cool, should be warned beforehand that Barcelona is quite hot throughout the year. It is best if you visit during the winter season if you cannot withstand extreme heat. However, the famous flowers of Barcelona can only be seen during the summer season. It is strongly recommended that you take your camera along with you. Barcelona is a photographers delight and this city is full of picturesque sceneries, which will make the shutterbug in you click away without a break.

The scenic backgrounds of Barcelona allow one to compose their photographs that they can share with their family and friends. While you can hire cabs and tourist buses to visit the famous tourist spots of the city, the fun of walking and finding out the places by yourself is a different experience altogether. Get hold of a city map and plan your trip in advance. Most of the maps have tourist spots designated in bold letters as well as there are special symbols on the map which makes it easy for tourists to differentiate tourist spots from the railway stations and other spots like hotels etc. There is so much to see in Barcelona that planning in advance helps one to save a lot of time.

If you are going to halt at Barcelona for a few days, then take advantage of the weather. During the extremely hot days visit spots like museums and art galleries so that you can stay in the relative comfort of being indoors. The same holds true for rainy days and it does rain frequently in Barcelona. When the weather is temperate and not too hot you can visit the outdoor locales and check out the parks and other outdoor spots. The architecture of Barcelona is renowned all over the world and you should make sure that you do not miss the opportunity to see them, especially the Sagrada Familia by Gaudi. The architectures by Gaudi are a prime example of the new trends introduced by him.

Most of his work are made of materials like glass and iron and the amazing way he has used them together makes it a must visit. If you are fascinated by his work, you should also check out his other works like Block of Discord or La Pedrera. Most of his architectures have a modern feel about them. You will come across picture post card vendors near these sculptures and unless you are an experienced photographer, it makes sense to purchase color picture post cards of these architectural beauties. Using a digital camera is recommended when taking images in Barcelona. The colors of most of the subjects including the architectures are extremely brilliant and this combined with the bright sunshine might cause some to make incorrect exposures. With a digital camera you have the option to re-shoot in case a picture does not turn out as you like it.

If you have traveled to USA and have not visited San Francisco, you have just committed a cardinal crime. There are few tourists who visit the USA and do not visit San Francisco. In San Francisco you will find all that is required for a tourist to enjoy his stay and also some things that a few tourists might find hard to digest, like a place called Castro which lies in the neighborhood of San Francisco which boasts of a strong gay community. This area has got many restaurants and is according to locals an enjoyable place where one can go and have a bit of fun. Those who are visiting San Francisco for the first time should try to learn a bit about its history and geography.

For those who do not know, San Francisco resides in an astonishing bay that is crossed by the infamous Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland Bay Bridge. One can also access San Francisco by cable cars and the reason for this lies in the fact that San Francisco is built on top of hills. Hence it can be accessed by cable cars apart from buses and cars. There are many exciting places to see in San Francisco like Chinatown, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. The bay area of San Francisco is also very famous but the locals hardly visit that place. They go to the bay area of San Francisco along with their friends and relatives when they come to visit them.

The bay area of San Francisco boasts of many shops and restaurants and most of them are targeted towards tourists. If you love to have the famous Dungeness crab, you should pay a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf, another famous place of San Francisco. It is recommended that one visits this place between the months of October to April. How can one discuss about San Francisco and yet not make a mention of the Golden Gate Bridge? This bridge is one of the most attractive landmarks of San Francisco. This bridge is a huge suspension one built over the Pacific Ocean and it is a part of one major US route. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marine County.

This bridge is famous all over the world for its long suspension span. The overall length of this bridge is roughly 8981 feet with the spanned portion being 4200 feet. This bridge in San Francisco was built in 1937 and is considered by many to be an architectural masterpiece. If you are visiting San Francisco, it is recommended that you do not miss the opportunity of seeing this bridge which is revered by tourists from all over the world. If you have yet to make purchases for your family and friends back home, there are a number of souvenir gift shops near the gate of this bridge, where you can purchase remembrances of San Francisco for your friends and relatives.

Perhaps not that widely known outside of Europe but still one of the major holiday destinations in the world, Algarve lies to the south of Portugal. Sitting on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve is composed of different regions – Barlavento, Sotavento and Serra Algarvia. The cities which can be found in the Algarve include Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Loule, Quarteira, Tavira and a few others. The Algarve includes wide stretches of beaches, unpolluted water off the coast and a visit is relatively inexpensive and safe. The resorts in the Algarve are extremely tourist-friendly, and most members of the staff speak English.

There are different modes of travel for getting to the Algarve – by plane through the Faro airport, by train or even by boat. In fact the ferry was the main source of transportation once upon a time. To get around the Algarve itself, there is a very efficient public transport system in place. The various options include the train or the bus – but the train is the most convenient way of getting about. There is also car rental services you can use; a handy option to move from one place to another in the region.

The different tourist attractions around the Algarve include a large number of golf courses – and it is quite a golf holiday destination. Faro is the regional, administrative capital city of the Algarve and probably the first stop for any visit. Lagos is another important city – an old city with winding streets, quaint shops and restaurants. Next on the list is a red stone castle called Silves and it could make for a wonderful day’s trip, especially for castle and ancient relic aficionados.

The shopping is scant in Algarve and generally consists of picking up souvenirs for the memory. Food and drink on the other hand, are wonderfully diverse and the one dish that is typically local is Piri Piri Chicken, which is quite hot and spicy. The coastline of Algarve is perfect for seafood – a rich array of fish is on offer from the region sea. The sardines and the cataplanas are not the only dishes on the menu in the Algarve, but there are also many dry fruit sweets in the region which leave their own mark on visitors. The nightlife in the Algarve is rather exotic – the region has a number of pubs, bars and clubs. After visiting the Algarve, you could probably take a trip to the Alentejo Coast and Evora, both of which are pretty close to the region.

The coastal weather of the region means that there is no particular season when you should visit, so at any time of the year the Algarve is definitely worth a visit.

The beautiful city of Los Angeles, also known as L.A., is acknowledged as the ‘City of Angels’ as it is surrounded by a vast expanse of natural beauty. It has the second largest population in the country and the city’s claim to fame is that it is the centre of the world’s entertainment industry – Hollywood happens to be one of the districts of Los Angeles. Foreigners comprise more than half of Los Angeles’ population making L.A. a diverse city. Spanish is widely spoken in Los Angeles, showcasing how different cultures mingle in the city.

The best way of travelling around L.A. is to rent a car, as Los Angeles does not have a very efficient public transportation system. A private car will help you actually experience the city as L.A. covers a sprawling area, esspecially if youre hotels in Los Angeles is abit off the beaten track, and it’s a lot easier to get around town in a car than to use the bus. The metro (subway) is also extremely useful to move around.

There are more than a few places worth seeing in L.A. – none more so than Hollywood Boulevard. The renowned ‘Walk of Fame’ with its stars, ‘Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’ with its footprints and handprints, the ‘Hollywood Plaza’, the ‘Wax Museum’ and ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ are the top tourist attractions in Hollywood. Other places worth a visit are the Mulholland Drive, Olvera Street, Union Station, Downtown, the Getty Centre, Griffith Park and a couple of other museums, galleries and parks.

L.A. is packed with events throughout the year – in sports, you can watch the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, LA Galaxy (David Beckham’s also a part of the club) and LA Kings all in action at the Dodger Stadium and Staples Center. The L.A. Helicopter Tour gives you a beautiful view of L.A. and its surroundings.

Shopping is governed by unique traditions and the shopping malls are highly dominant. As are the streets, with Larchmont Boulevard being the most popular. Melrose Avenue has a lot of celebrities popping in and out every now and then. L.A. stores are abundant when it comes to food, ranging from traditional American dishes to organic cafes. There are several supermarkets and swanky restaurants which cater to the tourists, thronging the city. Restaurant Week is in January-February every year, wherein visitors and locals both indulge in specially priced three-course meals. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf used in drinks are in vogue throughout L.A.

Los Angeles merits a nice long vacation, especially with Hollywood and Downtown being the star attractions.