Set amongst the stunning scenery and world-famous snow conditions of Fernie, Red Mountain, Whistler and Banff, select from sociable improvement camps and instructor courses that take powder skills to new heights whilst giving your CV a welcome (ski) lift that’s sure to appeal to prospective employers.

Two weeks in Western Canada cost from £2,300 pp including flights, accommodation and professional coaching whilst 11 weeks in this wintry wonderland start from just £5,850 pp (under £525 a week). Departures from November 2008. Call NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard on 0845 365 1525 (www.nonstopski.com).

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Rio de Janeiro means the river of January. The official language of Rio de Janeiro is Portuguese. It is the second major city in Brazil after Sau Paulo. The city functions as the capital of Rio de Janeiro state. It had served as a capital to Brazil for nearly two centuries between the 1763 and 1960. From 1763 to 1822 it was a Portuguese colony and from 1822 to 1960 it was an independent nation. It is most commonly just known as Rio. It has also been nicknamed as A Cidade Maravilhosa which means marvellous city. Rio de Janeiro is popular because of its natural setting. It is set beautifully among mountains and the sea at its side. Most of the people know about the famous carnivals that take place in Rio. The carnival celebrations are responsible for attracting maximum amount of tourist attraction. Rio has beautiful hotels lined by the sea. The view of the sea and the distant mountains is breathtaking. The most famous beaches at Rio are Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place if you wish to spend a relaxing vacation.

Tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains. There are many tourist spots that you can visit. The main attraction of Rio de Janeiro is the beaches and the sea side restaurants. If you want to spend a relaxing vacation then there is nothing better than eating exquisite food and dancing on the lovely beaches. It will surely add back some energy into your life. People in Rio de Janeiro have a happy go lucky attitude which makes the atmosphere even more relaxed. The colourful Rio will surely entice you and make you forget about your worries. Rio de Janeiro is in itself a big tourist destination of the world. From the Copacabana beach you are only a few kilometres away from the Corcovado Mountain that has the statue of Christ the Redeemer. It is better to follow an organised tour if you wish to explore Rio de Janeiro at its fullest. The following are the following are the tourist spots that one must visit.

Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf is a green unearthly peak that rises above Rio de Janeiro. It gives you a bird’s eye view of the city. You can watch the Copacabana beach to the Corcovado Mountain. You will have a breathtaking view of the Rio de Janeiro sunset.

Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer

The statue of the Christ the Redeemer was placed on top of the Corcovado Mountain in 1931. The statue of Christ has his arms apart as if to embrace the city. It has been a symbol of the city for a long time.

Jardim Botanico or Botanical Garden

The Jardim Botanico is spresd over 340 acres of land. It is one of Rio’s most striking tourist attractions. It consists of more than 50,000 species of tropical and subtropical vegetation. It features 900 varieties of palm trees. The garden makes for a great stroll on a hot day.

Maracana

Maracana is the soccer stadium of Brazil. It is highly worshipped by the soccer fans in Brazil. It is also a home to one of the best foot ball teams in the world.

Reviews on Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. People who have travelled to Rio de Janeiro have given rave reviews of the city. They have especially praised the beaches and restaurants of Rio. The climate there is wonderful to give you a good tan. The beautiful views of the sea and the mountains make it a heaven for some people. The exquisite cuisines and tourist spots are the best aspects of Rio de Janeiro.

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Smallest American State-Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest American state, situated between Connecticut and Massachusetts in New England. It takes only forty minutes drive to traverse the state from one end to the other. However, do not judge the state by its small size. It has a lot to offer in terms of more than four hundred miles of lovely coastline, widespread sandy beaches, cities, parks and a host of historic sites. Rhode Island holds the distinction of being the first American State to declare independence in 1776 from Great Britain and first state to pass legal resolutions in 1774 against slavery.

Modern Rhode Island

The state capital, Providence, has undergone a major revamp in the nineties and this major facelift of the capital city has resulted in complete makeover of the state. The two rivers have been rerouted in the revamping project and pedestrian walkways with beautiful landscapes have been constructed along with Venetian-styled footbridges. Rhode Island has five counties in total, including Bristol County, Newport County, Kent County, South County and Providence County. The state has well developed tourism infrastructure.

The state is well serviced by majority US airlines and is easily accessible by air at the T.F. Green State Airport. The major international airport in nearby vicinity is the Logan International Airport at Boston. Rhode Island can be reached easily by train also as Amtrak has 3 train stations in the state. Buses also provide a good transport mode for getting in Rhode Island. The state can be explored by way of rental cars, Amtrak trains, bus travel and ferry services.

Places to Be Seen in Rhode Island

Newport is a hotspot for sailing and has been a host for fifty three years for the Americas Cup Race. It is a resort for all seasons with a well maintained harbor that is steeped in colonial history along with white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. The tourists must see the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino. It houses world’s biggest collection of tennis memorabilia. The other tourist attractions in Newport include Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree lighting and Newport Storm Brewery.

The Roger Williams park Zoo is a must see for all tourists, as it features a beautiful park in addition to a dinosaur exhibit. Culture and history are mixed well with the animals. And, of course do not miss the WaterFire show in Providence. It is a lovely sight to see about hundred bonfires floating on the rivers with suitable music in the background. Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket has exhibits that reconstruct the unique labor story of Independent Textile Union in Woonsocket. Take a trip to the chocolate emporium of Sweet Twist that manufactures fine confectionery and handmade chocolates.

Festivals and Events

The state of Rhode Island holds many noteworthy events and festivals. These include Bristol Fourth of July parade, Bright Night Providence, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Jamestown Penguin Plunge, Newport Jazz Festival, Autumnfest, Mardi Gras Ball and Newport Jazz Festival in addition to many more. The tourists can enjoy many music concerts, theatrical performances, shopping and biking and much more in Rhode Island.

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Detroit is a significant metropolitan city in Michigan State of the US. It is world famous as the Automobile Capital of the world. Detroit is world renowned for Henry Ford pioneering the assembly line production in automotive industry and booming auto industry in Motor Town or Motown. Today, it is also known for its Motown sounds of modern rock and techno music. Detroit has played a significant role in shaping up the American and global economy. The area of Detroit city is developing at a breakneck speed. This highly developed city has plentiful tourist attraction in addition to world class theaters and museums. The travelers can look forward to an exciting and happening tourist destination that is overflowing with historical charms, art, culture and technological advancements.

Casino Resorts in Detroit

Detroit is America’s biggest metro region and city with ample casino resorts. The four main casino resorts of Detroit are Motor City, Greektown, Casino Windsor and MGM Grand Detroit. Detroit Metro Airport has an international standard hotel along with meeting facilities within the terminal. Downtown Detroit is the entertainment and cultural hub of the metropolitan area. The tourists have aplenty to indulge in and view in Detroit city. The main shopping venues are slightly spread out in the suburbs.

The suburban areas like Birmingham, Royal Oak, Southfield and Ferndale provide with a great urban experience. Livonia and Troy offer good American suburbia and Ann Arbor is a famous college town. You can find excellent mansions in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe. The metropolitan area hosts many international sports events. The Detroit Metro Sports Commission is maintained by the Detroit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Detroit has magnificent facilities for important conventions and conferences.

Tourist Attractions of Detroit

Detroit has headquarters of the world automotive leaders – General Motors. Other automotive companies like Daimler Chrysler are also headquartered here. Companies like Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai also have a strong presence. Ann Arbor has the University of Michigan, which is the global leader in the arena of R&D. Downtown Detroit is quite unique with its International Riverfront, flamboyant buildings and second biggest theater district in America.

The buildings worth seeing include those in Corktown, Eastern Market (the biggest open air market of the country), Midtown, New Center and those of the Westin Detroit Hotel, Book-Cadillac Hotel and Detroit Marriott Hotel. The historic mansions that are must see for all tourists include Barry Gordy House, David Whitney House, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Cranbrook House and Gardens, Henry Ford Estate, Gross Pointe War Memorial, Gross Pointe Historical Society, Meadow Brook Hall, S.S Kresge House, Colonel Frank Hecker House, Lawrence P.Fisher Mansion and Palmer Woods Historic District. The other notable tourist landmarks are Belle Isle, Landmark Bridge, Cadillac Place, Chene Park, Detroit Country Club, Campus Martius Park, Detroit Zoo, Detroit Athletic Club, Fort Wayne, Grand Circus Park, Historic Churches, Hart Plaza, Historic Tours, Heldelberg Project, James Scott Fountain and Gross Pointe Yacht Club in addition to many others. Do not miss the excellent museums of Detroit.

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Houston – The Space City

Houston is fondly called Bayou City and it is frequently known as the Space City also. Houston city was founded in the year 1836 by the brothers John and Augustus Allen on a creek, Buffalo Bayou’s banks. Houston is the largest city of Texas and it is America’s fourth biggest city. It is situated in the southeastern area of Texas and takes its name after the valiant General Sam Houston, the head of the Texan Army that won its independence from Mexico. Houston is a leader in the field of space technology and houses the Johnson Space Center and NASA. The astronauts are trained in Johnson Space Center, which acts as a base for Mission Control as well. Houston has an open feel to it despite its skyline that is dotted with skyscrapers, owing to the Bayou Creek, various waterways and several lakes.

Houston- The International City

Houston is a dynamic city, highly commercialized and developed owing to the presence of oil in its vicinity. It has many other industries as well. Houston can easily be called the international or global city owing to its inhabitants that comprise sizable Arab, Asian and Latin American populations. These populations are the highest concentrations in entire America. Houston has a world class theater district and symphony. The theater district has a full time opera and ballet company.

Reaching Houston and Getting Around

Houston has excellent airports, two large sized ones and two smaller ones. These airports are well served by international and domestic airlines. Houston is easily accessible by trains, buses and cars as well. As Houston is huge in size and quite widespread, the tourists can explore the city with cars. You can avail the facility of public transport in the form of Metro bus lines and rail lines. In the downtown area, you can take taxis. Houston has well marked bicycle routes, so the travelers can take to bike tours within the city limits.

Places to See in Houston

The Space Center Houston is an excellent museum for science enthusiasts. It is situated in Clear Lake area and has many space science related exhibits and US space exploration historical artifacts. Hermann Park is home to the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater, Hermann Park Golf Course and Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Forbidden Garden is an outdoor museum with replicated scenes from China’s history. Another notable tourist attraction is the Contemporary Arts Museum. The other places of tourist interest in Houston include the Williams Tower, Diverse Works, Downtown Aquarium and Houston Ship Channel Boat Tour.

Activities in Houston

The tourists can enjoy shopping in the Galleria Area. You can experience good nightlife and excellent restaurants in the Warehouse District. Clear Lake area is a place where the tourists can seek pleasure in swimming, fishing, boating and hiking. Do not miss a walk along side the historical waterfront of Sesquicentennial Park. Houston hosts numerous cultural events like the Fotofest, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Bayou City Art Festival, Children’s Festival and Film Festival in addition to many more. With such a wide array of activities, the vacation in Houston is sure to be an exhilarating experience.

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Grand Canyon – Natural Wonder of the World

Grand Canyon is a natural wonder of world’s seven natural wonders. It is a huge draw for tourists and nearly ten million visitors pay a visit to this place every year. The Grand Canyon area is developed as a United States National Park. It is a world heritage site of the UNESCO. Grand Canyon National Park is completely situated in North Arizona. It can be approached from two sides- the more accessible side of South Rim and the remote side of North Rim. Both, North Rim and south Rim have ample options of hotels, restaurants and camping sites. The busy and crowded summer season sees all of these accommodations filled up to the full capacities. The best times to visit Grand Canyon are during spring, fall and winter.

Grand Canyon Experience

The Grand Canyon experience is one of its kinds and it surely leaves the visitor overwhelmed with awe and fascination. The visitors who have already been to Grand Canyon say that they have been left speechless and stupefied after seeing the grandeur and magnificence of this breathtaking natural wonder. People fall short of words while describing the beauty of this unimaginable landscape. It is a must see for all people of the world. One has to see it to experience the indescribable beauty of this place. You will get to see unsurpassed vistas in this landscape of Grand Canyon.

About the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a mammoth canyon that has been carved over a period of many million years by the great Colorado River. The Grand Canyon National Park has many elevation changes with a difference of nearly seven thousand feet, starting from Point Imperial at 9,000 feet to Lake Mead at 2,000 feet. The Grand Canyon itself is, nearly over a mile deep from rim to the river. Geological history of more than two billion year is displayed in the exposed rock layers of the canyon.

The Grand Canyon National Park was founded as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 and it was later converted to national park in the year 1919.

Animal Life

The animal life found in the Grand Canyon National Park includes the exotic California Condor, Stellar Jays, Canyon Wrens, raven, hummingbirds, swallows, mule deer, elk, desert big horn sheep, coyote, mountain lions, ringtail, bobcat, black bears, squirrels, skunks, snakes and lizards.

Vacation in Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon makes for a great family vacation and the family can indulge in big time fun by being one with nature by way of camping, hiking and other nature based activities. The people find a trip to Grand Canyon as a wonderful and peaceful experience of their lifetimes. You will enjoy amazing sunrises and sunsets over the best of landscapes. People who visit once will always return to Grand Canyon for more. The magic and mystery of this place leaves people spellbound. You can reach it by car, bus, plane or guided tour. Getting around Grand Canyon can be easily done by car, motor coach tour and park service shuttles or by walking.

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Paradise for Vacationers – Venezuela

The tourists can look forward to a great experience in the form of a vacation in Venezuela. Venezuela provides with varied landscapes like widespread plains of Los Llanos, lovely Caribbean beaches, dense jungles, unexplored forest areas, magnificent rivers, majestic Andes Mountains and world’s highest waterfall- the Angel Falls.

As Venezuela is endowed with such incredible landscapes, it is a paradise for the adventure seekers. You can enjoy a host of adventure sports like hiking, diving, trekking, wildlife spotting, kayaking and snorkeling. Venezuela is suited as a vacation spot for all kinds of tourists – culture freaks, heritage lovers, nature enthusiasts or leisure travelers.

About Venezuela

Venezuela is a nation of South America with shorelines on the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. Venezuela is made up of four distinct regions – Venezuelan Highlands, Maracaibo Lowlands, Los Llanos Plains and Guiana Highlands. The original inhabitants of Venezuela were Arawak and Carib Indians. Christopher Columbus claimed Venezuela as Spanish territory in 1498. Venezuela formed a sovereign state in the year 1830 after the dissolution of Gran Columbia. Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela.

Venezuela has a good positioning as it is located on the major air and sea routes connecting South and North America. Venezuela can be reached easily by plane, ships or cars. You can travel within Venezuela by buses and rental or hired cars.

Tourist Attractions in Venezuela

Caracas

The tourist attractions in Venezuela are aplenty. Caracas, the capital city is worth seeing for its historical importance. This city was founded in 1567 and has a long standing history of culture and traditions. Do visit the intact old towns of La Pastora and San Jose. Other notable monuments in Caracas are Plaza Bolivar, Old Cathedral, Casa Amarilla, Capitol building and Archbishop’s residence. The galleries and museums in La Parque Central are worth visiting along with Jardin Botanico, Panteon Nacional, Country Club and Parque Nacinal del Este. The tourists must also see the Museo del Arte Contemporaneo, Museo Del Arte Colonial, Museo de Bellas Artes, Casa Natal del Libertador and Museo de Transporte.

Mount Avila

You can get breathtaking views from Mount Avila of Caracas city and its coastline. This stretch along the capital has lovely beaches with good restaurants and taverns. The El Avila National Park is a haven for the naturalists as it is rife with exotic wildlife including sloths, armadillos, jaguars and red howler monkeys.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls is the star tourist attraction of Venezuela and it is located in Guiana Highlands. It is specifically situated in Venezuela’s Gran Sabana area. Angel Falls is the highest waterfall of the world, nearly 16 times higher than the Niagara Falls.

Merida

Merida is Venezuela’s university town and from here, you will be able to take a ride in the highest and longest cable car of the world to the peak of Pico Espejo at a height of 4765 m.

The other places of tourist interest in Venezuela include Los Roques Archipelago, Margarita Island, Mochima, Choroni, Orinoco Delta, Morrocoy and Canaima National Park etc.

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It is only recently that St. Lucia has gained popularity as a tourist destination. Earlier the economy of the island was greatly dependent on the banana and sugar cane exports.

The island is popular for its beaches, some of which are still untouched. Other than this, the island is home to some exotic variety of plants. The island houses the Qualibou Volcano that provides for some amazing scenery. The hot sulphur springs on the island are also quite popular with the tourists.

There are several activities that you can enjoy when in St. Lucia. You could also choose to take a trip by boat to view the island from the sea. Besides, if you are someone who prefers privacy, you could hire a yacht and enjoy an anchor picnic in the middle of the sea.

Enlisted below are a few tourist attraction spots in St. Lucia that you could visit.

Castries

This, according to several travelers, is one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean. The city is surrounded by hills and at its head, is a harbor that is the center of all the activity in the city. The city is also one of the major points for some of the ships that cruise these waters. The city houses a bustling market, a cathedral that is located by a Samaan tree that is apparently 400 years old and a “hill of good luck”.

Soufrière

This is the second largest city on the island and has drawn its name from the two extinct volcanoes, on the foot of which it is located. The city is a deep water port and a major part of its population is West India. The city is a popular landmark and houses buildings that are brightly colored.

The North

The northwestern part of the island is popular for the party that it hosts on every Friday. Here, there is a small museum that will help you learn more about the history of the island. This part of the island is still being developed as a tourist centre. Nevertheless, the northern part of the island will give a deeper insight into the lives and the culture of the people that live in St. Lucia.

The people of St. Lucia

The people of St. Lucia are quite warm and hospitable. There are several parts on the island that are dominated by the West Indians. Apart from this, the people have a contemporary lifestyle and agriculture is still a major employer.

There are several villages on the island that you could visit. In fact, you could also stay with the people in their homes in some of the villages and enjoy fishing with them. A visit to the villages of Micoud and Dennery that are located in the southern part of St. Lucia is recommended by most of the tourists.

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The city and the area were originally inhabited by numerous Pueblo Indian villagers. This was during the period of 1050 to 1150. Later the area came to be inhabited by the Spanish and then the people from the country of Mexico. The area of Santa Fe came under the regime of USA only in the nineteenth century after an expedition which started from Texas which managed to take control of the area. The expedition has been recorded in the history books as the Santa Fe expedition.

The city happens to be the highest amongst all other capitals of the states in terms of altitude. The city is located almost 2134m above the sea level. The climate in the place is rather pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. The city receives ample rainfall on a monthly basis during the summer time and a good amount of snow during the winter time.

The layout of the city is in a typical Spanish style. The entire city has been designed in such a way that the town is mostly focused around the central plaza. The streets in the city are fashioned in such a manner that it is radiating from the central plaza. The style of buildings in the city is also quite different from what you get to see in other parts of the country. This is mainly because of the Spanish and Mexican influence in the region. But as time passed by, many people started creating houses in the modern styles which was prevalent in the USA. This led to a bad mix of old and modern styles. In order to enforce some amount of uniformity in the buildings that are being constructed in the area the government then came up with the proposal of Spanish Pueblo Revival look. The main objective of this proposal was to restore the governor’s Palace of the Governors. The idea was to restore the building in the ancient Spanish style. The style later seemed to take on with the people of Santa Fe after that as almost every new building that came up was in that fashion.

The city is again well known for the vibrant cultures it posses. The art forms which are found in the city reflect the various types of cultures that are present in the city. Numerous outdoor sculptures and statues adorn the streets of Santa Fe along with several other holy figures which one gets to see in every corner of a street.

Tourism is another major item in the local government’s agenda. As the city is enjoyable in all climates, tourists come here on a year-round basis and contribute heavily to the Santa Fe treasury.

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Buenos Aires has plenty more to offer from a thriving nightlife to local sports and from cultural events, shopping to hosts of excursions and tours. La Boca the major tourist attraction in the city draws the attention of all the tourists with its unique architecture, shops and street performers. For an international destination like this the airfare is rather reasonable with discount fares from United States which averages around 500 dollars round a trip. There are several important places in the city which are great for sightseeing and adventure. Buenos Aires Tango, Plaza De Mayo, Caminito , San Telmo, The Recoleta Cemetery, The Colon Theater, La Boca Football Game, Buenos Aires Restaurants and Buenos Aires nightlife.
Buenos Aires Tango is one of the biggest cultural dances which is enjoyed by all the citizens of the city as this tradition has continued to exist from over 100 years for now. Several Buenos Aires tango shows are been held in the city, however “milongas” the night tango dance is one of the most famous dance in the city. Plaza De Mayo has forever been the focal point of Buenos Aires and at present commemorates the May revolution of 1810. This public space is the place where Evita performed her speech and is also the office of the countries President.
Caminito is said to be one of the first outdoor museums in the world which is situated in the neighborhoods of La Boca. Jaun Quinquela Benito, an artist painted small houses with different colors making it the most fascinating and vibrant areas of Buenos Aires. San Telmo is yet another most exceptional neighborhood in the city which possesses vintage architecture, adventurous nightlife and interesting restaurants which also include tango shows. San Telmo is said to be the bohemian and arts district area of the city. The Recoleta Cemetery is situated in the neighborhood of Recoleta and is the place which brings life to the history of the country. Some of the most recognized people like heroes, scoundrels, presidents, legends and dictators rest in peace in this cemetery.
Another interesting place to visit is the Colon Theater which is one of the best opera houses which exits for over 100 years. Due to its beautifully constructed interior and acoustical design the Colon Theater is well renowned in the world. This theater houses one of the most exclusive collections of costumes in the world. La Boca Football game is the never to miss sport in the city as it is the occasion to have fun and thrill around the city. La Boca Football scene is generally dominated by two teams Boca Juniors and River Plate. It is entreating to watch these two team’s play with each other on this ground.

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