Friday 30 December 2011

Top Destinations

ISTANBUL 
Istanbul deserves to be among the first choices for anyone considering a short city break. Few European cities have anywhere near as much to offer. With 3500 years of history there's no shortage of attractions and, as the only city on earth that straddles two continents, a visit to Istanbul is truly a unique experience. Formerly known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, over a period of 1600 years the city was capital to the East Roman,Byzantine and Ottoman empires - all of which left their indelible mark. As you might guess this means there's plenty to see, but luckily for the tourist most of the city's sights are close to the huge Sultanahmet Square the heart of Istanbul. Days spent wandering the narrow passages of the Grand Bazaar and wondering at breathtaking Byzantine cathedrals and sumptuous Ottoman palaces can be rounded off in any one of hundreds of excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars in the city's old European quarter ofBeyoglu. Istanbul is unique and Galahotels offers wide range of hotels to experience there on cheapest way. This will be an unforgetable holiday for you.




LONDON
One of the world's great cities, vibrant London manages to shine in the greyest weather and its diversity defies a simple definition. This sprawling city has drawn people for centuries, looking for something and finding the unexpected. London's landscape is steeped in British history and tradition. The classic sights of Buckingham PalaceTrafalgar Square and Big Ben could not be more English, and are a permanent symbol of England's former greatness. If any single thing epitomises London's character for both local and tourist alike, it's the tube, trains and red double-decker buses of its public transport system; the frenetic lifeblood that circulates three million people around the capital daily. As everyone will tell you the city is undeniably expensive, but you get your money's worth like nowhere else on earth: no other city has such an excess of accessible history and dynamic modernity.Book it now, do not miss this great opportunity with our smart prices.




AMSTERDAM
There are many reasons to travel to Amsterdam. It's the capital of theNetherlands and one of Europe's most vibrant and colourful cities. Amsterdam offers an unparalleled combination of high culture and decadence.Look once and it's a pretty European city laced with canals; twice and it becomes a cultural centre with an incredible collection of art and for a third time you see a decadent party town where anything goes. The culture-hungry will soak up the offerings of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums along with hundreds of smaller collections dotted all over the city. Amsterdam satisfies a wide range of tastes and displays include everything from the best Dutch Masters to ultra-modern exhibitions.So which one is the real Amsterdam? The romantics will adore the lazy curves of the city's waterways and enjoy watching from cafés in cobbled streets or picturesque bridges as the mood of the city changes with the weather. We believe you just need a cheap accomodation from now on !!!




BARCELONA
Barcelona is one of the few great European cities by the sea. While Madrid withers in the summer sun, Barcelona chills out on its beach. Its main thoroughfare, Las Ramblas, runs all the way from the quayside through the heart of the city and it is here that you should start your tour of one of Europe's most exciting cities.
You particularly don't want to miss the fabulous architecture of Gaudí, Barcelona's favourite son. His work litters the city, but his greatest monument is the Sagrada Familia - an unfinished cathedral that looks like something between a vast Gothic church and a space ship from a sci-fi movie. Other Gaudí highlights include La Pedrera - a brilliantly weird converted terrace block in the heart of the city - and le Parc Guell, a surreal haven on a hill high above the bustle of the city. The Gothic Quarter and Montjuic are also well worth exploring, with ancient and ornate architecture everywhere you look. Amidst all this stands Barcelona's other cathedral, the imposing edifice of La Seu.GalaHotels offer cheap accomodation at all Barcelona Hotels. Enjoy one of the most beautiful city in Europe from now on !!!




Visit New York and see the world! Nowhere else offers such diversity in such a compact and exciting way; and no other city has the energy and arrogance to make it work so well. New York City is made up of the five boroughs of QueensBrooklynBronxStaten Island and Manhattan. Within these boundaries live 7.2 million people, including significant populations of Spanish, Irish, Italian, Chinese, Russians and Jewish. It's aneclectic mix of the world's cultures and nationalities, and means that anything you could possibly want, in NY, "You got it!". You can eat anything at anytime, and while you sleep the city keeps on going, churning out theAmerican dream. The city has outstanding museums, cultural icons like theStatue of Liberty, and even a vast dose of parkland right in the middle of Manhattan.New York was always the "Big Apple." NY awaits come take a bite!






Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. Visit just once and it's hard to disagree. Walking through the heart of Paris you often feel like you've wandered onto an art film set; much of the city has been scrubbed clean in recent years and it's never looked more fabulous. Its inhabitants are the definition of style, its architecture includes some of the most spectacular buildings and monuments in Europe and the ambience is by turns exciting, alluring and effortlessly romantic. France's capital city, Paris is quite distinctively divided into two parts by the Seine River, which meanders through the city, bisecting the centre. Thus everything in Paris is defined as Rive Droite (Right Bank) on the north side, orRive Gauche (Left Bank) on the south side. Both sides compete with each other in great museums, churches, monuments, shops, hotels and restaurants, while in the middle of the river, atop the L'Île de la Cité, rises the towering bulk of Notre Dame cathedral, arbitrator between the two rivals. GalaHotels.com offers 1400 hotels in Paris. One of them will definitely suits you.

Of late Dublin has gained a reputation for being a party town where theGuinness never stops flowing. Visit at the weekend and you can well believe it as hordes of happy revellers descend on the city's Temple Bar district, often via ferry from mainland UK, eager to sample the "craic". The history, the charming Georgian architecture and the host of more earthy entertainment on offer will all entice you to the place, but it is the people that will leave the biggest impression on you. Elsewhere in Ireland they'll tell you everyone in Dublin is in a hurry, but that reflects on how amazingly slow life is throughout the country. A more laid back approach to life can't exist in any capital in the world, and it is highly contagious. But even if the only piece of Dublin you see is the inside of one of the city's marvellous pubs it'll be enough to make you instantly love the place, and like the ghost of Molly Malone, you can't help but leave something of your spirit among its streets. Check for the special Dublin rates


Finland boasts a green and pleasant capital ideal for a city break or as a starting point for exploring the country's beautiful natural scenery. Helsinki's location on the peninsula means wherever you go you won't be far from the sea while its southern position assures that it enjoys a milder climate compared to the rest of the country. In fact you will need to cross the sea to visit one of Helsinki's most interesting attractions, the impressive fortressof Suomenlinna, perched on an island just off the coast. The fortress dates back to Finland's period under Swedish rule and was built in the 18th century to guard against Russian invasion. Helsinki's periphery boasts some lovely parks and only a short distance away are the lakes and wide open spaces ofNuuksio National ParkCheapest rates and best accomodations are providing from GalaHotels.com.


As capital of the Roman Empire, the Papal States and Italy, Rome truly is the "Eternal City". One of the world's most elegant capitals the layers of history and the city's sheer excess of beauty can prove overwhelming to the unsuspecting visitor. This is a city best explored on foot, with every corner offering an overlooked treasure or unforgettable panorama. Roman columns soar up aimlessly next to medieval basilicas, the sound of water splashing in fountains fills the air in front of Renaissance palaces and exuberant Romans jostle through multi-coloured markets and winding cobbled streets. Breathe the air of the Caesars in the Roman forum, stroll through the menacing Colosseum, marvel at the splendours of the Vatican Palace.So prepare to soak up history and modernity in equal measure in one of Europe's most fascinating cities with cheapest accommodations of GalaHotels.


Thursday 29 December 2011

Things to Know for a San Francisco Vacation


Weather


Many people think California vacation has sunny skies and warm weather 365 days a year, but it's not true in San Francisco. It's often foggy, temperatures over 80F are considered a heat wave, and the water is too cold for all but the heartiest souls at the beach. It rains in the winter, but seldom the rest of the year. April and October are two of the nicest months to vacation here. To have a comfortable vacation, check the climate for the time you plan to visit. You will probably need to pack warmer vacation clothing than you might think.


San Francisco

Geography:


Looking at a few San Francisco maps and learning how the city is laid out will help you plan your vacation and know how to get from one attraction to another. You can save yourself embarrassment, too - I once hailed a taxi in Union Square and asked to go to the Chinatown gate, which is only a few blocks away!

Things to Do in Advance for a San Francisco Vacation


Unless you want to visit an especially popular restaurant or see a specific play, this is all you'll need to do before you come to San Francisco:

  • Reserve a hotel. If you usually vacation without advance hotel reservations, don't try it here. San Francisco is is a popular vacation destination, and many conventions are held here. Saturday nights are the busiest hotel night in the city.

  • Don't rent a car unless you're planning on long side trips. Parking and driving in the city can be maddening. Take public transportation and use the money you save to get a nicer hotel room.

Fun Facts About Ecuador

We’ve observed a few things about Ecuador you may not find in your local travel guide. As we make our way into Colombia, we want to leave you with this little list of fun facts we learned during our travels.
(All of these statements are said with great affection, since we have really grown to love this country.)

transportation

  • Stop = yield. This is no joke. A friendly tap on the horn as you approach an intersection is about all the warning you’ll get from an approaching car. And following behind the car in front of you? That’s for suckers. Ecuadorians continually tailgate and pass the cars in front of them. We’ve even seen buses pass each other at night on 2-lane curvy mountain roads. No one wants to wait once they get in the car (before they get in the car, that’s another story!).
  • The “Ecuadorian Nanosecond” is the flash of time between the light turning green and the person behind you honking the horn.
  • Buses will stop for anyone on the side of the road that flags them down. In fact, the bus driver is joined by a guy who’s job is to stand at the door calling out the bus destination and looking for new riders.
  • The country uses the metric system, but gasoline is sold by the gallon.
  • Trash trucks play music just like ice cream trucks in the US. I told our cab driver that children run after that music in the US, and he thought that was funny.
  • In Baños you can pay the priest $30 to bless your car. We’ve come to realize that everyone in Ecuador must make the trek to Baños for this blessing so they can drive the way they do without fear.

Shopping for vegetablesmoney

  • Ecuador uses the US dollar, but no one has any change. If you come here from the US, bring plenty of 1′s and 5′s. You can’t buy anything with a $20 bill that doesn’t cost at least $18.
  • As with many countries that rely on tourism, there is a local price and a “gringo” price. My Ecuadorian friends do not like to go to the vegetable market with me because it means they will pay more, too. As our Spanish improves we can haggle better, but if you don’t speak Spanish well, you’ll have to suck up and pay the gringo tax in many stores and markets.

food

  • Ecuadorians love fresh-squeezed juice, and you will find it at every meal. This is the most delicious juice you’ll ever taste and from some fruits and vegetables you’ve never heard of (tree tomatoes?).
  • Betsy eating ice cream in Ibarra, EcuadorStreet vendors sell roasted maize kernels with onions and salt as a snack, and it is really tasty. I tried making this once and had kernels flying all over the kitchen as they heated up, so it is better to have someone else make it. (I later learned that you hold the lid just over the pan as you roast to deflect the flying kernels.)
  • Have you ever eaten a guinea pig? Guinea pig (cuy) is a delicacy here, and you can find it in many restaurants or buy a live one yourself at the animal market. We saw them plucked and roasted over a grill – teeth and tail included!
  • Ecuadorians LOVE ice cream. You can buy it in just about every store, from carts on the street, and even from vendors who get on the buses to sell between stops. You can buy it first thing in the morning or last thing at night. The funny thing is that you can’t find medication for lactose intolerance in the pharmacy. I am jealous of the gift evolution has given them to be able to eat ice cream all the time without getting sick.
  • Our favorite food discovery is ají. This is a delicious salsa on the table in almost every restaurant, and people eat it on everything from fish to meat to soups. We came to love this spicy sauce – and learned that a little goes a long way.

general

  • You already know about the weavers, but did you know that Ecuador is also the maker of the famous Panama hat? The hats were originally shipped to the Panama Canal for worldwide distribution, which is where they got the name. In addition to Panama hats, Ecuador makes a variety of felt and leather hats, too.
  • Ecuador is a huge exporter of roses. You can see the large greenhouses from the highway as you drive out of Quito. I was surprised to see them growing in the Andes because it is quite cool in the evenings, but I guess a greenhouse getting direct equatorial sun would be just about perfect for a rose.
  • Ecuador does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Most northern countries in South America do not, and I guess with 12-hour days and 12-hour nights every day, there is really no need.

people

  • Non-indigenous women in Ecuador wear really tight clothes. I’m not talking about the 20-year-olds, either. The vast majority of women we’ve seen wear really tight pants and shirts regardless of Warren and the clinic nursefigure or age.Weasked if this was just an Andes thing and were told it was true all over. This really surprised us since it is a Catholic country and we expected more modesty.
  • If you ask an Ecuadorian to meet you at 7 p.m., he will not be there until 8 or later. Time is more of a suggestion here (unless you are in a car or bus), and our favorite phrase is “tipo.” It means “somewhere around then” and is used along with a time, like “tipo seite.” If you are on a short trip this might drive you crazy, but it is easy to adapt to this sense of timing when you’re traveling slow.
  • The indigenous people are quite short, with many not even hitting 5 feet tall. The general population is a bit taller, but still not tall. In fact, my “job” when shopping at the grocery store was to reach things on the top shelf for everyone else.
  • There are very few beggars, at least in the areas we traveled. Instead, there are many vendors selling everything from ice cream to DVDs. In fact, most people we met held more than one job. Ecuadorians are a very industrious people.
DECEMBER 20, 2010 BY 
This article was taken from  http://www.marriedwithluggage.com

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Maui

If you don't have an idea about where Maui is please check our previous Maui post firstly ;


http://gala-hotels.blogspot.com/2010/09/maui-hawaii-is-best.html?showComment=1317962756115#c5468481230701047227


Here is a nice Photo Blog post including nice Maui Pictures ;


We hope you will enjoy ;




Maui,,by ~Brettc





Mauiby ~Furiousxr






Evening at the Beach Of Mauiby ~IgorLaptev











Maui Adası Resimleri
Bu Maui Adası fotoğrafı TripAdvisor'ın izniyle kullanılmıştır

Maui Adası Resimleri
Bu Maui Adası fotoğrafı TripAdvisor'ın izniyle kullanılmıştır

Maui Adası Resimleri
Bu Maui Adası fotoğrafı TripAdvisor'ın izniyle kullanılmıştır




Maui picture
Lahaina Jodo Mission
maui picture
Baby Beach Lahaina
maui picture
Lahaina Harbor
maui picture
Goofy Foot Surf School
maui picture
Lahaina Breakwall Surf
maui picture
West Maui's from Harbor
maui picture
Olowalu surf and play
maui picture
Pali Overlook
maui picture
La Perouse Bay
maui picture
Snorkel La Perouse Bay
maui picture
Haleakala Maui last lava flow
maui picture
Makena Big Beach Maui
maui picture
Big Beach looking south
maui picture
Napili Bay from Gazebo
maui picture
Gazebo Restaurant
maui picture
Mokulaea "Slaughterhouse"
maui picture
Walking down to Slaughter
maui picture
Slaughterhouse beach
maui picture
Dive Slaughterhouse
maui picture
Honolua Bay "Trilogy"
maui picture
Nakalele Point view
maui picture
Nakalele hike to blowhole
maui picture
Blowin'
maui picture
Friends made at Blowhole
maui picture
Rough waters at Blowhole
maui picture
Nakalele rock formations
maui picture
Olivine Pools
maui picture
Olivine Pools "hot tub"
maui picture
Drive to Kahakuloa Village
maui picture
Welcome to Kahakuloa
maui picture
Andre's fine cold goods
maui picture
Kahakuloa Valley view
maui picture
Waiehu municipal golf course
maui picture
Paia Fish Market
maui picture
Sunset from Kahana Airport
maui picture
Mama's Ride
maui picture
Mama's Entryway
maui picture
Ho'okipa Beach park
maui picture
Small surf @ Ho'okipa
maui picture
Drive to Hana
maui picture
Drive to Hana
maui picture
Keanae Peninsula
maui picture
Hana road view
maui picture
View from Keanae
maui picture
Roadside Waterfall - Hana
maui picture
Great colors
maui picture
Hana Waterfall
maui picture
Waianapanapa Black sand
maui picture
Hana Red Sand Beach
maui picture
Hana Waterfall
maui picture
7 Pools Flooding
maui picture
Road past Kipahulu
maui picture
St Joseph's Church
maui picture
Where's that road going?
maui picture
Huge Haleakala valleys
maui picture
Haleakala Crater view
maui picture
Haleakala Sunset
maui picture
Cheese!
maui picture
It gets dark after the sunset
maui picture
Sunset from "S" Turns Kahana


Taken from http://www.mauimyway.com/Maui-Pictures.htm