With state of the art tools and technology for the ultimate experience in exploring life above and below the sea, the National Geographic Explorer is currently carrying its first group of guests on a 14-day voyage from Iceland to Greenland. While onboard, Lindblad guests will have the opportunity to experience a myriad of exceptional accoutrements which make the National Geographic Explorer an unparalleled base for exploring the seas. Some of these features, which create Lindblad’s hallmark intimate and educational environment include:

– A Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) that can explore the ocean at depths to 1000ft.;
– A Reinforced Ice Belt ensuring the ability to go further with the greatest safety in polar regions;
– The Observation Lounge, a glassed enclosed venue with exceptional views, providing panoramic vistas of scenic destinations;
– A Chart Room with nautical maps and other navigational information;
– A Remote Controlled Crow’s Nest Camera with real-time footage broadcast on high definition LCD video screens within each cabin;
– An Electronic Chart System that broadcasts as a channel in the cabins;
– 14 Zodiacs with an internal boarding mechanism that allows guests to disembark quickly and seamlessly from the ship;
– 36 Kayaks that allows guests to kayak in remote and pristine environments — a unique ability of Lindblad in the Arctic and Antarctica.

“The National Geographic Explorer is a magnificent ship. With the tools and technology housed onboard, she is the ultimate 21st century expedition vessel. She is also a beautiful ship that has been built with careful attention to detail and comfort,” said Sven Lindblad, founder and president of Lindblad Expeditions. “I am certain that our guests are going to enjoying exploring remote and pristine places of beauty while traveling on the National Geographic Explorer and I am excited by this newest chapter in our company’s development.”

Details about the National Geographic Explorer as well as upcoming itineraries can be found at www.expeditions.com.

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Cash-strapped holidaymakers planning summer holiday visits to Italy’s most popular tourist attractions, led by Pompeii and Rome’s Colosseum, will find that ‘kids go free’ - so a family of four can enjoy a sightseeing day out for under £20 (£18.58 for two adults and two children under ten years).

The same goes for Greece, where the Acropolis, Knossos and Mount Olympus are free for under-19s, while Spain also emerges from the Post Office® survey as child-friendly. Most of its heritage attractions are either free or low priced for younger children.

However families should take care to research costs in France more carefully. The Post Office® found that many of the country’s attractions levy charges for children, making a day out much more expensive. A visit to the Eiffel Tower, for example, will set a family of four back £31.58 - a whopping 70 per cent more than a day at Pompeii.

The Post Office® Sightseeing on a Shoestring survey investigated the cost of family days out in 10 leading destinations featured in its recent Holiday Costs Barometer. The best value long haul holiday destinations in that survey - Thailand and South Africa - also proved cheapest for family sightseeing while Turkey was least expensive in Europe.  Bangkok’s Grand Palace was the lowest priced of the top tourist attractions, while a cable car trip up Cape Town’s Table Mountain during the summer is great value for families as the normal child price is waived for the South African winter months.Florida’s most popular attraction - Walt Disney World® - was the most expensive in the survey, weighing in at a hefty £148.72 for a family visit to the Magic Kingdom.  A cheaper option, the Post Office® found, would be a thrilling ride through the alligator-infested waters of the Everglades - priced at just £36.64, less than one quarter the cost.

Post Office® Travel Services not only looked at the costs of the best known attractions, but also considered cheaper alternatives and found free sights for families on a budget. These include one of France’s top draws, Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, and the Pantheon in Rome, just rated top free attraction in Europe by TripAdvisor site visitors.

Helen Warburton, Post Office® head of travel, said: “The survey shows that it will pay parents planning sightseeing trips to check out costs in advance to find the best deals. We found a wide range of cost-cutting opportunities, which savvy travellers can use to shave money off sightseeing trips. In Greece, for example, we found that the top attractions are completely free on the second Sunday of the month in July and August.”

Looking longer haul, cash-conscious families can get to see the Pyramids, one of the great wonders of the world, by paying for entry to the Giza Plateau compound at a third of the price it costs to enter inside the Great Pyramid.

The Post Office® Sightseeing on a Shoestring survey is available for holidaymakers to view online at postoffice.co.uk/sightseeing.

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This beautiful state is sandwiched between New Hampshire and New York. The mighty green mountains run from north to south in an amazing pattern. Almost all this mountainous region is covered with forests and on the North West the Lake Champlain can be seen glittering in beauty. The state has 52 parks, fist class outdoor activities, amazing fall foliage and tasty local delicacies; it is not big deal to find out that it is one of the worlds top tourist destinations.

Vermont is a beautiful state but the best time of the year when one should go to Vermont is the winters. That is why it is the hub for world famous ski resorts. However, it’s not just skiing which brings people from around the world to the state of Vermont. Cross country, snowboarding and snowshoeing are also the major activities in Vermont. Winters are the time to be in this place but it cannot be denied that this place is beautiful even in the warmer months. In the summers there also great number of out door activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and water sports. Leaving aside all the activities now it’s the time to come down to shake your taste buds and treat your stomach. The local delicacies of Vermont are quite famous all around the world. Maple syrup is produced in the largest amount in the sate of Vermont. And who can avoid the famous cheese, which many tourists take back home for their folks.

The breath taking and beautiful fall foliage, when there is a riot in the sugar maples, is a very common but not to be missed event. Montpelier is the capital city of the state but Burlington is the biggest city of Vermont. The city is very lively and is historically significant. One cannot forget that Vermont was one of the leading ports of the United States of America at one point of time. Therefore, break free yourself in this beautiful state this vacations.

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If you want to enjoy history in America then the state of Virginia is the place to be. The famous 1708 Gallery is located in the Richmond City in central Virginia. It is a non-profit exhibition which is committed to expand, develop and appreciate contemporary art. The exhibition is full of paintings and sculptures, it also features a number of video and film presentations. Another attraction for history lovers is the A.P. Carter Museum in Scotty County in the Heart of Appalachia. This place was an old general store which was late converted into a museum. The Carter family which consisted of A.P. Carter, wife Sara and Sara’s cousin Maybelle were the pioneers of country music. The artefacts in this museum consist of books, photos, musical instruments, clothes and many other things. There also some items which were donated by his cousins Johnny Cash and June.

A large number of events take place in Virginia which nobody would like to miss. Air shows and spectacular balloon shows is a common feature in Virginia, as the Naval Air Station is situated there and also NASA, it is paradise for people who love flying. Antique shows and flea markets is also a major attraction in the state of Virginia. It is filled with large curio shop, antique shops and thrift shops. The atmosphere at such places is great as there is a lot of communication between the vendors and the buyers. However, the fun in Virginia doesn’t end over here; there are many festivals which are devoted to history, holidays, harvests, food, heritage, birds, music, ponies, boats, antiques, friends and family.

Going to Virginia and not enjoy the night life out there would be a big mistake which tourist shall make. There are a number of things which a person can enjoy all night long. As country music is the birth place of Virginia, it is played everywhere. Ballroom dancing, concerts and theatre is also enjoyed a t a big level. So, you can see that the state of Virginia is the best place to go for a vacation.

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Any one who visits Wyoming has to visit the Dead Indian Pass, excluding this place from your must visit list will make you regret the decision for the rest of your life. The place offers a wide range of mountains, there are mountains as far as you can see and if there are clouds in the sky, the place looks like heaven. Its one of the best scenic views one can ever see. Apart from the wide range of mountains offered by Wyoming, it also offers a wide range of wild life parks. The Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two wild life parks which cover a vast area and are homes to hundred of animals and thousand species of plants. The Yellowstone National park has a wide rang of mountains, and contains within itself canyons, lakes and rivers. The most famous lake in the Yellowstone National Park is the Yellowstone Lake, this lake is quite famous because it’s one of the largest high altitude lakes in Northern America and is situated in the centre of Yellowstone Caldera.

Wyoming offers amazing recreational areas like Flaming Gorge Recreational Area and Bighorn Canyon National Recreational Area. These two are one of the largest recreational areas in the world and this dam was named after the Crow Chairman Robert Yellowtail. The big horn lake is quite big and extends to 71 miles. Another place which should be added to must see places are the two national monuments, Devils Tower National Monument and Fossil Butte National Monument. All tourists who are interested in National Historic Trails and Sites should definitely visit Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trial, Oregon National Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail. All these places will surely sweep you off your feet once you visit them. Apart from the other places Wyoming offers its tourists the above said places should definitely be a delight for all the tourists and will never forget their vacation ion Wyoming for the rest of their lives. However, there are chances that they are probably thinking when should I plan my next trip to Wyoming.

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Looking to bring speed dating to the next level, Speedbreaks are a unique travel company that organise activity breaks for single people between the ages of 27 - 49. These activities cater for all tastes, ranging from a day cycling to a two week safari in Zambia with other adventure seeking singles.

Speedbreaks aims to have an equal number of male and females per trip which, on average, consists of around 20 people. For those concerned about spending a weekend with a group of strangers, the organisation hosts an initial ‘ice-breaker’ introduction which includes champagne, a meal and a chance to relax and mingle. Speedbreaks have found however, that the best ice-breaker is when everyone’s involved in the activities end up getting on amazingly well.

Many Speedbreaks customers use the opportunity to meet new people, have some fun and experience a different style of holiday. All trips have a dedicated host or local representative and there is the choice of either sleeping in a twin room or a single.

So if you’re adventurous, single and looking for a holiday with a difference, Speedbreaks can tick all the boxes. You never know, you may even find that special someone ;).

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A barge is a boat which has a flat bottom and playas vital role in transporting heavy goods across the rivers and canals. There are various barges, some barges are self propelled and most of the barges need to be moved by towboats or tug boats. These tug boats and tow boats play a vital role in moving these barges around. In today’s world barges are used to transport bulk items which are less in value. Many barges are also used to transport heavy materials. Atypical barge can carry approximately 1500 tonnes of cargo; these barges are utilized by many while moving upstream or down stream. Canal barges are usually made according to the canal that they are going to be used in. If the barge is unpowered, then the tug boats or tow boats are used to move them around.

River Barging is quite a regular practise along the river of Ohio, the barge travels through the medieval villages along with the tales of various towns which have become famous because of the underground rail road. River barging on the banks of Ohio is famous because both the north and south meet at this point. The river begins its decent into Mississippi and eventually meets the sea. There are various companies that take recreational vehicles on their barges and has also turned river barging into a tourist attraction. River barging is also used for excursion and there are various agencies that give their barges on rent for such excursions. The first excursion on ariver brage was carried out in 1998 by an agency named RiverBarge Excursion Line and Hotel Barges.

The concept of river barging has turned a whole new page; the concept which began to transport bulk materials from one side of the river to other has now managed to rope in other commercial ideas. These barges which carry recreational vehicles on them were named as cruising campgrounds. These cruising campgrounds travelled mostly in the backwater and bayouts of Mississippi and southern Louisiana. Another great idea was brought into action and they joined two barges together. The result of this idea was called the RiverExplorer, the forward barge hold public facilities and the second barge contains staterooms. A lot of luxury is provided on this barges, many of the rooms are spacious and have queen sized beds. All those who can’t live without television have for them selves a satellite television set so that they can never miss their best programme. These barges ride gently into the Ohio River, this is a life time experience and no one should miss it.

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The Heritage on wheel is a joint project of the Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourists Development Corporation. The Heritage on Wheels train is a luxurious train meant for tourists. The theme used for this tourist’s luxury train is more like a Palace on Wheels. Rajasthan is well known for its deserts and historical buildings along with. The first day of the journey begins from Jaipur, the train leaves only twice in a week, Tuesday and Friday. Jaipur which is well known as the Pink City is also the capital of Rajasthan and excellently portrays the character of the state as well as its people. There are a lot of places that one can visit in Jaipur, places like the Jaigarh Fort, Amber fort, Hawa Mahal and City Palace. Jaipur is also well known for Jantar Mantar.

The next destination is Bikaner, the tourists are taken to Lalgarh Palace for tea. This palace not only has historical value but also stands as a sign of an amazing father and son relationship. The palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji for his father Raja Lal Singhji. The train then leaves for Tal Chhapar. Bikaner is famous for its sand dunes and has retained the grand palaces and the medieval grandeur. The temples of Bikaner are richly and beautifully sculpted. The train then leaves for Shekhawati, this place has a lot of historical significance, the Havellis of Shekhawati are well kept and they are painted and beautifully and carry a lot frescoes of gods, goddeses and animals. Shekhawati is also known as the open art gallery of rajasthan and has the highest number of frescoes in the world. After covering all these beautifull destinations, the heritage on wheels which provided you the best luxury you can get on a train will take you back to Jaipur. One can never forget this journey and the luxury he was offered within the train.

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Two 24-hour strikes have been scheduled to take place on the 25th and 29th August. The strike is likely to halt all baggage handling and check-in operations across airlines including; Virgin Atlantic, Monarch, Thomson Fly, First Choice, North West, Air Malta, Air Transat, Oman Air, as well as some
smaller airlines.

Unite workers have also voted to strike at Stansted, with other strikes being voted on for Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle Airports.

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The country and the state of South Carolina

A country as huge and diverse as the United States of America is truly a paradise for tourists. There is such a lot to see and do here that a tourist inevitably falls in love with this country and visits it time and time again. The United States offers a huge lot to every tourist. From the cultural and historic east coast with cities like New York and Boston who vie for the tourists attention with their offerings of culture and tradition to the west coast with its perennially great weather and vibrant and buzzing cities like the city of Los Angeles or San Francisco. The south of America is also something of a tourist haven. The weather is usually great and isn’t great weather a very important part of any destination. South Carolina is a state which is rich in culture and history and is a favorite with tourists.

The many delights of South Carolina

The states of South Carolina and North Carolina together make up the region of Carolina. This region in the south of the country is blessed with a tropical kind of climate with hot weather and mild winters. However in some parts of the state the winter season is quite strong and snowfall is quite common. The capital of the state of South Carolina is the city of Columbia and it is quite a beautiful city. South Carolina is a state which has a lot of tourist destinations and is a very pleasant place to travel and take in the Southern experience. The Southern part of America has something of a total change in culture and the general vision is of a relaxed and a much laid-back life. One more important and colorful aspect of the south is the typical food. The food has something of a barbeque base and is high on sauces and mostly mustard sauces.

The famous attractions

South Carolina has achieved the honor of being named as one of the premier holiday destinations in the United States and this honor is rightly deserved as the state does have some quality tourist destinations. The majority of South Carolina’s tourist attractions are concentrated on the coast. The state has a substantial coastline of the Atlantic Ocean and many beach side attractions dot this coast. A notable tourist attraction is the Grand Strand which is around 60 miles of beaches and beach side establishments. There are scores of hotels and cabins dotting the coast and a high number of bars and restaurants. There are also some breathtaking seaside villas and properties with awesome views.
South Carolina is known as the golf capital of the world and has some of the world’s best fairways and golf courses. There are some highly prestigious golf events and a couple of high profile tournaments which take place annually. The area of Little river is also known for its fishing and the wide variety of water sports options available. Murrells Inlets is a place famed for its seafood and be sure to give this place a try if you appreciate seafood and be prepared to embark on a gastronomic adventure. The city of Charleston is a very cultural and historical place to visit. This city has a lot of old styled buildings and is one city which was left relatively untouched by the Civil War and has managed to retain its old world charm.

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