Short Guide To Travel Packages In China

China is a huge country, home to the largest population in the world, hundreds of historic and beautiful sights, and of course, the Beijing Olympics in 2008. It can be quite an overwhelming task to try to explore the country by yourself – and that is why a wealth of travel packages to China have sprung up in the last decades. The relatively low cost of living in the country makes these packages quite affordable to Westerners, allowing them to travel in luxury for the same budget as average accommodation in the West. Here we explore the best of the luxury travel packages in China.

Xian is the home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, and was also the first capital city of China. If you are taking a luxury rest in China, Xian is a city not to miss. There are literally hundreds of travel packages to Xian, and luxury packages in China to this city might include the Terracotta Warriors and the Horses Museum, the Provincial Museum, and the Great Mosque. While most of the country is Buddhist, there is also some beautiful Islamic architecture to be appreciated by people of all faiths. Luxury travel packages in China will ensure that you eat at the finest restaurants in the city, often ferrying you back and forth from attractions to restaurants with gorgeous native cuisine.

If you want to know what China used to look like before the advent of Western building technology and the population explosion in the latter few centuries, then Guilin will be the luxury tour in China for you. Bicycle trips around Guilin often feature in tours, and the scenery is breathtaking. In many luxury packages in China to Guilin, you can visit the homes of local people and see how Chinese live in the countryside – a wonderful traditional education. The Sheraton Hotel in Guilin is one of the best five star accommodation facilities around, and a great base from which to explore the countryside. Many regional facilities are three stars and under, so if you are looking for a luxury rest in China, make sure you book in advance and check the luxury option with your tour operator.

If Shanghai is your city of choice, ensure that you stay at Shangri-La Pudong. In a city known as the Paris of the Orient, Shangri-La is one of the best among the best accommodation facilities in China; contemporary designs feature traditional motifs, and there is an extensive health and leisure complex. Using Shangri-La as a base, your luxury travel package in China should include sights like the Bund and Nanjing Road, two of Shanghai’s busiest streets and China’s cultural hubs. Zhujiajiao is close by to Shanghai, and your luxury travel package to China might include this famous water city, where Qing and Ming dynasty architecture, some of the most studied and beautiful on the planet, abounds. The gorgeous Qing and Ming buildings sit alongside ancient stone bridges and streets, as well as some locals who preserve the older ways of life.

Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, is a city not to be missed when arranging any luxury tour in China. See one of the world’s most dedicated Buddhist cities, through such sights as Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Park. The Tibet Traditional Medicine Hospital is a sight not to be missed, opening your eyes to what traditional medicinal knowledge really can do.

There is a wealth of Chinese luxury resorts and hotels, and a good travel package will make use of the world-class facilities in China. We have surely whetted your appetite, at least!

China As A Honeymoon Or Romantic Getaway?

Today Norm Goldman, Editor SKETCHANDTRAVEL.COM and BOOKPLEASURES.COM is pleased to have as a guest Shelley Jiang, editor of LET’S GO CHINA, 6th Edition, one of 57 guidebooks published by the bestselling budget series from LET’S GO PUBLICATIONS.

Good Day Shelley and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.

NORM:

Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to China.

SHELLEY:

Born in China, I spent the first six years of my life in Beijing, the city that I will always think of as my first home. Though I moved to America and attended school there, I remain deeply connected with China through books, news, movies, family, and spending summers there every two or three years. During these summer trips, I often travel around the country and have visited many of the places in Let’s Go: China.

NORM:

Would you consider China a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

SHELLEY:

China is vast enough to offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fast-paced weekend in Shanghai, a trip into China’s gorgeous outdoors, or an immersion in centuries of tradition and history. But don’t come expecting Paris or the Caribbean—China isn’t your average romantic getaway, but a destination for the free-spirited and adventurous. No resorts or pampering here—part of the excitement and romance of a vacation in China is experiencing a new culture and taking in the grit as well as the beauty.

For those willing to ditch the conventional and leave the beaten path, breathtaking natural sights and unique cultural experiences await. Otherworldly landscapes familiar from many a martial arts film (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero) can serve as the backdrop for your personal love story as well. Ancient palaces, pagodas, and temples invites travelers to step back into a past that stretches more than 5000 years. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai proudly showcase their past alongside their future, with skyscrapers rising one after another and an urban culture to rival those of any American or European city.

NORM:

What is the best time to visit China from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia, etc?

SHELLEY:

China’s peak travel times are around Chinese New Year (some time in Jan.-Feb., depending on lunar calendar), May 1st, July-August, and the first week of October. The best time to visit would be from late-April through June, when the weather is warm, students are still in school, and many establishments are still on low season pricing. The fall is also a pleasant time to travel without the crowds (but avoid the Oct. 1st holiday week) and see beautiful foliage, especially in the north.

Airfares to China are most expensive between June and September. Even flying on May 31 instead of Jun. 1st will get you a cheaper flight. Flying September-May will get you much cheaper flights. Plan ahead—the cheapest tickets for summer flights to China sell out by early March.

NORM:

Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia?

SHELLEY:

China is a budget traveler’s dream come true—with the exception of the airfare, which can cost anywhere from US$600-1500. It’s cheaper to fly from September-May. The best places to find low-fares are Chinese-run travel agencies in Chinatown—check the local Chinese newspaper or ask around to find their listings.

The budget-conscious can often spend anywhere from US$2-10 per night for lodgings in a hostel or basic room, depending on destination. Food can cost as little as US$4 per person per day for meals from street vendors and small family-run restaurants.

Of course, splurges and treats are everywhere. A comfortable hotel room will cost around US$25-50 per night, and lavish suites range from US$60-150 per night. For US$8-25, a couple can dine at fancier restaurants serving distinctive, gourmet cuisines.

The cheapest and most convenient way to get around China is via rail. Short journeys can cost around US$5-12 for a one-way ticket, while longer journeys will cost up to US$50. Expect to pay more than US$100, however, for a private sleeper compartment for two people.

The number of domestic flights in China is on the rise. One-way fares range US$90-200; round-trip fares are always double the one-way fare.

NORM:

If you had to choose 3-5 unequalled venues in China for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

SHELLEY:

Jiuzhaigou: Nestled deep in the mountains of northern Sichuan, the “Valley of the Nine Tibetan Villages” is known for its pristine lakes and waterfalls that sparkle a spectrum of shades under the sunshine. You may remember the impossibly blue lakes from the fight sequence filmed here in Hero. Nature lovers can hike beneath the shadow of snowy peaks, experience local Tibetan culture, and in nearby Songpan, embark upon horse treks into the wild. Convenient tourist services are nearby, offering everything from budget lodgings to five-star hotels.

Hangzhou: Those in love with classical China can head to this graceful city of the south and historic dynastic capital. Willows, gardens, pavilions, and delicately arched bridges dot the shores of the West Lake, the setting for ancient China’s most famous love stories. Sip fragrant Dragon Well tea while dining at one of China’s oldest restaurants that once served emperors. The misty waters and city pleasures are enough to captivate anyone; if not nearby Shanghai promises a plunge back into modernity.

Yunnan: This province on the border with Vietnam and Myanmar is the ideal destination for the adventurous, with its 22 colorful ethnic minority cultures and diverse natural scenery. Its capital, Kunming, “City of Eternal Spring,” enchants travelers with flowers on every street, but the true attractions lie in the countryside. Pack your gear for a trek south into tropical rainforests and rice paddies, dotted by Dai villages and gleaming Buddhist stupas. Northern Yunnan is better known as “Shangri-La,” where red-robed monks walk the streets of mountain villages and snowy peaks beckon in the distance.

Xinjiang: Xinjiang takes romance and writes it large upon vast expanses of deserts and horizons. Experience the exoticism of a nomadic lifestyle with camel rides across the dunes and nights under the stars upon China’s last frontier. Or trek up to the legendary Tianshan Mountains overlooking the “Heavenly Pool.” Friendly Uighur musicians will be happy to play at Uighur-style wedding celebrations, filled with tasty food, fresh grapes and melons, and plenty of singing and dancing.

Hong Kong: Hong Kong offers a vacation as sophisticated and exciting as it is expensive. From luxury malls to teeming street markets, Hong Kong easily combines class and chaos. Dinner cruises on Victoria Harbour, stylish hotels and restaurants, and endless clubs, bars, and entertainment options ensure that you’ll never run out of things to do. Macau lures travelers away with its many casinos and Portuguese-influenced cuisine and architecture, but you’ll find yourself back in Hong Kong before long.

NORM:

What should people know about celebrating a wedding in China from the point of view of requirements, experience of the various hotels, etc.

SHELLEY:

Large fancy hotels are readily available, with the best and widest selection obviously being in Beijing and Shanghai. Restaurants make another good venue, and Let’s Go: China lists many of the best restaurants in Beijing. Book months in advance for celebrations in June and August, popular wedding months in China.

China also excels in gorgeously done wedding photo shoots, often involving lavish sets and costumes, professional make-up artists, and more. Popular options include traditional Chinese wedding garb, emperor and empress outfits, and turn of the century cheongsam robes. A full set often includes an entire album’s worth of photos, the cost of which averages US125-300.

NORM:

How far in advance should a couple prepare themselves for their honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in China?

SHELLEY:

For the cheapest airfares, it’s best to start planning at least four or five months in advance. Unless you are familiar with the country, it’s best not to leave a trip to China to the last minute.

NORM:

What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in China?

SHELLEY:

CTRIP offers a great destination guide, often with photographs. Their flight search is helpful for planning, but only those with Chinese credit cards can make reservations.

CHINA TOUR COM provides a wealth of practical information, from visas to currency to vaccines. They also collect news stories related to travel in China, provide information on organized tours, and offer brief guides on Chinese culture.

TRAVEL CHINA GUIDE is another good resource for destination guides.

TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE is a forum for those traveling to China.

Thanks Shelley

Zhijin Cave-national Geological Park

China has the greatest concentration of karst topography of any nation in the world. It is so well endowed with caves across the country, it could well be called the “Kingdom of Caves” Now, nearly 400 caves have been developed as tourist attractions, accounting for half of the tourist caves in the world. That said, There is only one of them that enjoys four titles-”National Key Tourist Area.” “National Geological Park.” “A Trop 40 Tourist Attraction” and “Museum of Karst” , That one is the Zhijin Cave.

The cave is situated in the Bijie Prefecture of Guizhou, between the Liuchong and Sancha rivers, both of them sources of the Wujiang River. The first thing about the beauty of the Zhiiin Cave is its colossal volume. Its entrance sits half way up a mountainside in the northeast of Zhijin County; it is bout l 5 meters high, 20 meters wide, shaped like a tiger’s mouth. But inside this ordinary entrance, lies a world of vastness.

At present, its confirmed length is 12.1 kilometers.consisting of four levels and five subsidiary caves, with a total floor area of 700, 000 square meters-way bigger than Tian’anmen Square’s 440,000 square meters. Its height  normally ranges between 60 and l 00 meters, but at its highest point of about l 50 meters it is as tall as a 50-storey building. Furthermore, it cannot be traced how many collapses it took place over its long geological history to shape today’s l2 splendid caverns and 47 rooms. Among the “rooms.”there are five over l0,000 square meters in area; the biggest is called Shiwan Dashan(0ne Hundred Thousand Great Mountains). This is about 70,000 square meters in area-equivalent to 10 football pitches-but it is not open to tourists yet.

Zhijin Cave is not only large in scale but also rich in variety. The space formed by the roof and walls of the cave is sometimes conical, at other points arched, oblong, or square…The 6.6-kilometer route open to visitors is in some parts deep and serene, other times it is lively and simple, as high as the night sky, or so low you could touch its roof; at times it is as wide as a boundless plain, at others as narrow as a valley path, as large as the firmament, as close as a canopy, as steep as a cliff or as flat as a field.

Unlike other caves which are normally rather empty, the Zhijin Cave is like God’s treasure-house for keeping the world’s most beautiful natural scenery. It has over than 40 kinds of speleothems, among them stalagmites, stelae, stone “pagodas,” “drums,” “shields,” “flowers.” helictites, and “beds.” Nowhere else in the world has such a large variety or concentration of deposits?The Zhijin Cave stalagmites come in a great variety of amazing shapes-frozen mushrooms, flower petals, pine cones, pointed pagodas and helmets for example. The jewels in the crown are its two unique stalagmites, the Silvery-Rain Tree and the Overlord’s Helmet.

Time contributes a lot to the beauty of the subterranean world. Scientists can deduce the relative climate, topography and environmental changes from speleothems. The Zhijin Cave is a dry cave that lost its subterranean river long, long ago. Now people can only imagine what the fiver looked like. About l.2 million years ago?the Zhijin Cave collapsed because of corrosion, erosion, scouring, seepage, and changes of flow volumes, eventually forming huge chambers.  About 250,000 years ago, surface water no longer infiltrated into the cave and it became a dry cave, and gradually calcium carbonate speleothems began to take shape.

One intriguing thing was the discovery of a nearly l 00-square-meter area of animal excrement and an one-meter-tall pile of hard thorns in a small branch cave on the second level of the Zhijin Cave. By isotope testing, experts have identified them as the remains of a group of extinct hedgehogs that liked cave living. Over 1,000 years ago, hedgehogs dwelt in this cave. They must have lived there for a long time to have left such “deep” remains.

 

For westerners traveling to Asia, is it better to vacation in China or Japan?

As I read through the pros for Japan vs. the cons against China in this debate, the common thread against travel to China seems to be the perceptions of the human rights abuses there. As a seasoned Asian traveler I find this an interesting point of view, particularly for those using it to support the argument that it is a risk to the traveler. Politics aside, or even included, as Japan’s historical view of human rights is equally abysmal, my vote is for China.

China and its warm and friendly people is a wonderful travel destination. The hustle and bustle of Shanghai is a worthy rival to that offered in Tokyo, yet at half the cost and with an equally entertaining kitsch and nightlife. The flavorful and spectacularly presented cuisines of China are an Epicurean delight. The variety of natural beauty is unsurpassed in Asia, from the glacial mountains of Sichuan to the idyllic beaches of Hainan. Well preserved relics and monuments to the great historical significance of China can be found it the ancient capitals of Xi’an, Nanjing and modern day Beijing. It is easy to feed the spirit and the soul in the many ornate and elaborate temples, pagodas, and numerous and well-preserved (as well as well attended) European styled cathedrals, functioning relics from China’s periods of occupation. It is easy to see how the poetically inspirational and breathtaking views from the “Five Sacred Mountains” were responsible for some of ancient China’s most memorable art and literature. By almost every measure of what makes for a memorable and enjoyable visit, the Middle Kingdom is up for the task.

It is easy to concede for those least comfortable out of their every day highly convenient and organized environment, the steely and glass monuments of efficiency and cookie cutter culture of Japan might be less threatening. It is certainly more westernized and an industrial and commercial equal in most respects to the US. But for those seeking to truly experience Asia, the warmth, hospitality and genuine curiosity of the Chinese people is unrivaled.

Of course there are negatives, as with any destination. Taxi drivers are on par with their peers worldwide in their ability to cheat you at every opportunity. The industrial pollution rivals that of the worst superfund sites. Professional beggars have become permanent fixtures at all venues where foreigners appear. Airports are overcrowded and often outdated, but manage to safely transport over 500,000 passengers a day. English is not often spoken outside of the main cities and China’s unique form of writing is no less understandable than Japan’s and the poor English translations are no less entertaining.

The great philosopher and political activist Confucius once said; “I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand”. Before writing off China as a travel destination on the often-biased words of others, experience first hand the fond memories that await you there. Only then can you truly know.

China hotels – Offers a wide choice

The third largest country in the world after Russia and Canada, China is located in the Eastern Asia. It is not a country but a different world all together and one needs to visit it to experience it. Importantly, travelers come here for many reasons as the country gives many reasons. If the Chinese history, culture, and the beautiful landscapes interest you then this is the place. Looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an exciting time trying out adventurous activities to vibrating nightlife, China has it all and no reason the Chinese tourism is on a rise.

Finding hotels in china is not difficult with a wide-ranging accommodation available throughout the country. One can conveniently find china hotels, which matches the taste and budget of one’s choice. Touring the country on business or leisure, there are choices from five star hotels, cheap hotels in China to inexpensive hostels, inns and guesthouses. Not all the accommodation in the country accommodates the needs of the foreign visitors but with the international run hotels and domestic China hotels in the major cities of the country cater to the tourists. Visit China and travel to the wonderful cities, staying at the comfortable typical style hotels in China, or the modern hotels. Below listed cities are some of the many beautiful and alluring cities of China that one must undertake, while visiting the country.

Beijing
Explore the wealth of Beijing’s ancient past and the modern metropolis, on your travel to the city. One of the six ancient cities of China, Beijing is not only the political center of China but the cultural and economical center too. Beijing has a very long history starting about 500,000 years back. It was ruled by many dynasties, invaded many times, and today it has grown into a lively, modern and vibrant city. Travel through the city’s past with a city tour but do not take in that Beijing is only a historical city, be ready for surprises in the form of shooing malls, skyrocketing skyscrapers, city traffic and what not.
Shanghai -Of what started as a fishing village has today developed in to a modern metropolis with the time. Shanghai China’s industrial city, business and commercial center, is catching the attention from all over the world. The manes like ‘Oriental Paris’, ‘Paris of the Oriental’ have become associated with Shanghai, as it beautifully fits the bill of a modern and traditional Chinese heritage and traditions. With the numerous historical sites and modern entertainment, the city sees millions visiting it.
Guilin- The natural beauty and ancient treasures of the Guilin city has made the city a gem of China’s tourism industry. The city has a unique charm of it’s own that the spectacular landscape lends, makes it an important destination when travelling to China. An important historical city, Shanghai has a past behind it of about 2000 years. The lush green mountains, striking caves, crystal clear waters and much more all make Guilin a popular tourist place. Today, it is a well-developed tourist center, with excellent accommodation and transportation facilities.
Xian- The city of Xian has historical and cultural importance in the country, getting it the title of ‘Natural History of Museum’. Moreover, it is an eternal city that has witnessed the country’s changes in history. It is more of a history book where you will find many sites and museums showing the ancient records. It is very place where the ancient civilization in the Yellow river basin flourished. All through the 3,100 years of development many dynasties ruled here and is one of the four important ancient civilizations, the others being Rome, Athens and Cairo. A favorable geographical location helps in a pleasant weather and any time is perfect for travelling here except the winters.
Guangzhou- The Guangzhou city is fast developing a reputation for being a city of overseas Chinese people as it was the first city to open its doors to outside world, leading to economic development. The flourishing city of Guangzhou is a metropolis, lively and exciting place. Enjoying an ideal location in the center of Guangzhou province, on the Pearl River and very close to the North Sea, Hong Kong and Macau, the city is often called as the South Gate of China. This famous tourist destination is a historical and an ancient town, which remained the capital for three dynasties.
Lhasa – Lhasa as the capital of the Tibet region is beautiful, different and with a charm of its own, making it a unique place. The name of the city means the holy land or the land of Buddha and so it is as it is the center of all Tibet activities. Home to the world famous Potala palace, the city has found a place in the list of Chinese cultural and historical cities. Located at a very altitude, the best period to visit is from March to October. The splendor and the grandeur of the city’s heritage and culture make it worth visiting.

Agriculture Investment in a Hungry World

ETF exchange traded funds are you doorway to agriculture investing in a world crying out for more food.

As the world population grows, so will the demand for food. That easy too understand, especially when you learn that the World’s population will increase from 6.6 billion now, to a United Nations estimated 9 billion by 2050. That will be like adding three Chinas!

Another vital fact is that the population is becoming significantly younger and those younger people will be eating more food than those in aging populations. Even now the consumption of meat is growing ten times faster in the developing world than it is in what we consider the developed countries.

At the same time as there is an increasing demand for food we are seeing the amount of land available to produce that food shrinking. Why? Urbanization. People are moving from the country to the cities. They are leaving the farms.

There’s more bad news. Changing weather is leading to desertification in many countries. The U.N. has released estimates that every year 12 million hectares of land turn to desert and become agriculturally unproductive.

As an example of the seriousness of the problem, Beijing’s nearest desert is only 70 km northwest of Tian’anmen Square, and this desert is on the move. It threatens to engulf China’s capital city within a few years if it can’t be stopped.

Floods, earthquakes and drought all contribute to the loss of food production.

So what does this all mean to investors? Opportunity and lots of it. It’s time to start looking world wide for companies involved with land, fertilizers, seeds, transportation, farm equipment, irrigation and veterinarian pharmaceuticals.

Rather than trying to pick companies that will prosper, why not buy a basket of agricultural investments in the form of an ETF or ETN. For example:

PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (DBA)

This fund consists of futures contracts in soy beans, corn, wheat, and sugar, with 25% being allocated towards each commodity.

We expect agriculture to be as recession proof as any investment available today . Even if we should see a global recession people must still eat and you can expect agricultural commodity prices to move higher.

Here are some of your other choices:

Dow Jones-AIG Agriculture Total Return ETN (JJA)

Dow Jones-AIG Grains Total Return ETN (JJG)

Dow Jones-AIG Livestock Total Return ETN (COW)

Market Vectors–Agribusiness ETF (MOO)

The following are all listed on the London Stock Exchange. You can buy them online through a discount broker like E-Trade:

ETFS Agriculture ETF (AIGA-LSE)

ETFS Coffee ETF (COFF-LSE)

ETFS Corn ETF (CORN-LSE)

ETFS Cotton ETF (COTN-LSE)

ETFS Grains ETF (AIGG-LSE)

ETFS Lean Hogs ETF (HOGS-LSE)

ETFS Live Cattle ETF (CATL-LSE)

ETFS Livestock ETF (AIGL-LSE)

ETFS Softs ETF (AIGS-LSE)

ETFS Soybean Oil ETF (SOYO-LSE)

ETFS Soybeans ETF (SOYB-LSE)

ETFS Sugar ETF (SUGA-LSE)

ETFS Wheat ETF (WEAT-LSE)

There are important things to understand about these commodity investments. First, some are structured as ETFs. They hold a basket of stocks like a mutual fund. You will notice that others are ETNs. An ETN is a debt instrument in which the issuer agrees to pay the return of a commodity index, minus fees and expenses.

The tax treatment of capital gains and income can also be different for ETFs and ETNs. Some of these vehicles give you exposure to commodities by investing in the futures market and throw off income from bond collateral, while others hold stocks.

Funds that use futures contracts receive “mark-to-market” treatment, meaning on a yearly basis any gains from the futures are taxed as 40% short-term, and 60% long-term gains.

If nothing else, these investments be your personal hedge against rising grocery prices.

What to know about traveling in China – Part 4

Travel in China is sometimes frustrating but the rewards are great! The first time I traveled to China was my first trip overseas. I hadn’t taken the precautions of removing my rings on the plane and one of my fingers swelled so bad that I couldn’t remove the ring. I wandered around the airport in Beijing, while waiting for my flight to Zhengzhou, looking for someone who could help. Alas, I found no one. I was surprised that many of the people didn’t speak English at all but found out later that some probably could but many just don’t feel comfortable enough.

The first, and most important, lesson that I learned on my trip was that my traveler’s checks were useless. Most banks did not want to cash them and the ones that did had strict regulations and were in the real large cities like Beijing. On subsequent trips I brought cash and my ATM card because ATMs were available in most cities.

I arrived in Zhengzhou, finger throbbing, after about twenty-three hours of being on the “road”. Some friends of mine were teaching English there so they picked me up at the airport and we went to find someone to cut my ring off. China doesn’t have jewelers like the United States so there was no help available from that standpoint. We ended up going to a hospital and a doctor cut the ring off with bandage scissors. Actually, he bent and twisted it until it broke. All in all, it was a very painful experience. He acted as though he didn’t speak English but after it was done we found out that he, indeed, did.

My friends had decided that we should go to Xian to see the Terra Cotta Warriors that night. So we went to eat some mutton stew-type of dish and then boarded the train. Zhengzhou is a major railway hub and you can get virtually anywhere from there on a train. We had a sleeper but it was not a first class sleeper, it was the sleeper cars that most of the Chinese take when they have a long trip. Each area has six bunks with three on each side and your ticket decides which bunk is yours. You may have people that you don’t know in your little room and the room has no door. The train ride was very interesting. One of the things that it is very important to know is to put on shoes before walking to the bathroom. I wore my socks instead of shoes and ended up with them very wet and nasty. They ended up in the trash! You see the toilet is a hole in the train floor and so people miss due to the jarring ride. Need I say more?

On trains in China, you

2008 Olympics: How to get tickets to the Beijing Olympics – Part 1

If someone has a chance to actually travel to an Olympic Games they should always go. Even if they don’t have event tickets they should go. This is especially true of the Beijing Olympics. It’s a great opportunity to visit a country that has been a mystery to many people around the worlds.

Besides, there are always methods of getting tickets for “any” Olympic Games regardless of where they are taking place.

First of all, you can try by applying through the primary lottery system where everyone has a chance of getting lucky and win the opportunity to purchase tickets to the event of their choice.

With the advent of the internet, there are many sites where one can purchase Olympic tickets. It’s simply a matter of googling “Olympic tickets for Beijing” and all sorts of hits will pop up. Of course these tickets will not be cheap. There are many sports holiday booking agents who will have access to tickets and accommodation packages, and like most things in life, if you are willing to pay the price, there will be tickets there for you.

There are many huge corporations that will have blocks of tickets available for the games as these are often alloted to Olympic corporate sponsors. Normally they are used by the management part of the company and their families, but if you have access to someone who is high up in one of those companies, they may be able to help you with tickets.

When I was a volunteer at an Olympic Games in my city, it was not unusual to see huge blocks of empty seats at some Olympic hockey games because the tickets were not used by the company who had access to them for that game. In a way it is wasteful and an avenue that might be looked at to find some tickets while in Beijing.

I would never let not having venue tickets deter me from going to the Olympics in any city. There will always be tickets available for some events. Regardless if it is an event that you are not particularly fond of, you will still have an opportunity to see some of the best in the world perform and actually be part of the Olympic experience.

Whenever there are big events in the world, you can bet there will be scalpers who want to cash in. It never hurts to go to even the most popular events and try your luck at picking up last minute tickets. The price will most likely be high if it’s a marquee event, but if you are patient enough to wait until the event has started, you might pick up some cheaper tickets, as scalpers won’t want to be stuck with them.

There is also a chance that someone has spare tickets because of someone being sick and unable to make it. They will be trying to well their spare ticket of tickets as they are very costly. It never hurts to be there and hope for the best.

It might just be your lucky day and your opportunity to be present at an Olympic event where history is made.

A History Of The Modern Olympics 1960 – 1988

This August (8th-24th) sees Beijing, China, hosting the games of the X X I X Olympiad. Below is listed a potted history of the Olympic games from 1960 to date including a few interesting facts about each games.

Rome 1960
Rome had been chosen to stage the 1908 Games, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy had intervened. It was some 52 years later that the Games finally arrived in the Italian capital. The Rome games were broadcast by television to all European countries and were watched by millions. However, the competitions themselves were overshadowed by the rivalry between the US and the USSR. In the final medal table the USSR finished ahead of the US by 43 to 34 gold medals.

Olympic Highlights
Running barefoot, Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila did not go unnoticed when he entered the marathon. He refused to be daunted by the condescending remarks and left all his opponents behind to cross the finishing line victorious, near Constantine’s triumphal arch.

Aged 20, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold athletics medals in one Olympiad: in the 100m, 200m and 4×100m relay. She achieved this extraordinary feat despite suffering from a string of childhood illnesses and recovering from a deformed leg caused by polio.

Cassius Marcellus Clay, later known as Muhammed Ali first came to international prominence by winning the light-heavyweight gold medal. He would later turn professional and embark on a phenomenal career.

Tokyo 1964
For the first time, the Olympic Games were hosted in Asia, Japan invested heavily in the most modern sports facilities as well as in improving the infrastructure of a city containing over 10 million people.

The extraordinary architectural design of the swimming stadium led to it being described as a “cathedral of sports”. Other outstanding new buildings included the judo hall, which was modelled on the architectural style of traditional Japanese temples.

The opening ceremony offered a glimpse into how record-breaking the competition would be, when teams from 93 nations (10 more than participated in Rome) paraded into the Meiji Stadium. However, the high standards set by athletes at the Tokyo Games led some critics to warn about exaggerated expectations for the future development of the Olympic disciplines.

Olympic Highlights
Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser won her third successive gold medal in the 100m freestyle. She was the first woman swimmer to win eight medals (four gold and four silver) – over three Olympics.

Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina added six more medals to her tally, becoming the first woman to win nine Olympic gold medals.

Deszo Gyarmati won gold with the Hungarian water polo team, thus achieving the (then) unique feat of winning medals at five successive Olympic Games

Mexico City 1968
Mexico City’s high altitude – almost 2,240m (7,350ft) above sea level dominated much of the pre-Games discussion: the consensus being that athletes from lowland countries would be at a disadvantage. However several weeks of high-altitude training enhanced the performances of many of these athletes.

There were violent riots in the run-up to the Games, following complaints about the exorbitant amounts of money being invested in Olympic facilities in contrast to Mexico’s own social problems.

Controversy also arose over South Africa’s participation at these Games and the IOC withdrew its invitation under pressure. Doping controls were introduced for the first time and a Swedish athlete was disqualified for having too much alcohol in his bloodstream.

Olympic Highlights
American Bob Beamon was the favourite in the long jump but he exceeded all expectations. His jump of 8.90m beat the world record by 0.55m.

Czech gymnast Vera Caslavska won four gold and two silver medals. These victories were given extra significance by beating the Soviet gymnasts shortly after Soviet tanks had invaded her homeland.

American Debbie Meyer became the first woman swimmer to win three individual gold medals at one Olympic Games.

Munich 1972
The 1972 Munich Games were the largest yet, setting records in all categories, with 195 events and 7,134 athletes from 121 nations. The Games were supposed to celebrate peace, and for the first 10 days all went well.

But in the early morning of 5 September, eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic village, killed two members of the Israeli team, and took nine more hostage. In the ensuing battle, all nine Israeli hostages were killed, along with five of the terrorists, and one policeman.

The Olympics were suspended and a memorial service was held in the main stadium. In defiance of the terrorists, the International Olympic Committee ordered the competitions to resume after a pause of 34 hours. All other details about the Munich Games paled in significance.

Olympic Highlights
Finnish distance runner Lasse Viren fell halfway through the 10,000m final, but still set a new world record to win the first of his four career gold medals.

The media star of the Munich Games was the petite Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut, whose three gold medals helped establish Soviet dominance in the female gymnastics events and captured the attention of fans worldwide.

Montreal 1976
The 1976 Montreal Games were marred by the boycott of 22 African nations protesting the fact that despite the New Zealand rugby team touring South Africa in defiance of international sporting sanctions, New Zealand was still allowed to compete. To compound the situation, the host nation suffered an unusually long winter, industrial disputes, and a lack of funds, which made it impossible to finish work on the Olympic facilities in time for the opening ceremony.

However, the performances of the athletes did not suffer from the political and national disputes. Despite the problems, the Games were well organized and, following the 1972 terrorist attack in Munich, security was tight.

Olympic Highlights
Nadia Comaneci was the star of the Games. She achieved her first perfect 10 on the uneven parallel bars, and the judges awarded her the maximum mark seven times.

With his victory in platform diving, Italian Klaus Dibiasi became the first Olympic diver to win three successive gold medals, and to win medals in four Olympic Games.

The US and East Germany dominated the swimming events. Only Great Britain’s David Wilkie and the Soviet Union’s Marina Koshevaya (both winning their 200m finals in record times) upset the monopoly.

Moscow 1980
As a result of the US-led boycott in protest at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, only 80 countries were represented at the Moscow Games. : Notable absentees included Japan, West Germany, and the US.

Western countries have frequently referred to the Moscow Games as being of a low standard, and have raised doubts about the sporting value of the results and medals. Nonetheless, although not of the highest calibre, the Moscow Games were hardly sub-standard: 36 world records, 39 European records, and 73 Olympic records bore testimony to the high level of talent and competition on display.

Olympic Highlights
Soviet swimmer Vladimir Salnikov won three gold medals: in the 400m and 1,500m freestyle, and 4×200m relay. He was also the first to swim 1,500m in a time of less than 15 minutes.

British middle-distance runners Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe faced each other in two memorable duels. In the 800m, Ovett won the gold medal just ahead of his compatriot. Six days later, a determined Coe redeemed himself in the 1,500m, taking gold while Ovett could only manage bronze.

By winning the decathlon, Great Britain’s Daley Thompson became “king of the athletes”, beating home crowd favourite Yuri Kutsenko into second place.

Los Angeles 1984
Although a revenge boycott led by the Soviet Union depleted the field in certain sports, a record 140 nations took part in the first privately funded tournament in Olympic history.

More than 30 sponsors together contributed more than $500 million, while other companies funded the building of new sports facilities, in a deal that allowed them to advertise on the admission tickets.

The ABC television network paid $225 million for the exclusive television rights, thereby ensuring that most events started in the evenings during prime television time in the US. With these vast amounts of money involved, many critics held the view that what had once been a festival of amateur sport was now a purely commercial spectacle.

Olympic Highlights
American diver Greg Louganis remained unbeaten from the 3m springboard as well as from the 10m platform.
Sebastian Coe became the first repeat winner of the men’s 1,500m.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Nawal El Moutawakel led from start to finish, becoming the first Moroccan athlete to win a gold medal.

British decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson finished just one point off the world record.

Mallorca Yachting Regattas 2008

Superb crystal blue waters, miles of open Mediterranean Sea and a year-round tropical climate are just a few reasons sailing is so popular in the Balearic Islands. Mallorca hosts several sailing competitions throughout the year.

Some of the most popular regattas in the world take place in the Mediterranean. The 49er European Championship Madrid 2016 is held each March in Palma de Mallorca at Club Nautic S’Arenal. The Bay of Palma is very large and can accommodate many of the sailors and their vessels. Mallorca offers mooring for up to 10,000 yachts. Palma de Mallorca, the 12th largest urban area of Spain, is also host to the King’s Cup and several other regattas.

The 25th Annual King’s Cup

Also known as Copa Del Rey, the King’s Cup is one of the most popular and prestigious yachting competitions. In August 2007, about 140 yachtsmen and women hit the waters for the event. The 2008 King’s Cup marks the 25th anniversary of the highly anticipated regatta. The competition showcases two races each day for seven days with prizes awarded in each event.

Traditionally, the King of Spain hosts the competition and awards prizes to the winners of each class. For the 2008 King’s Cup, King Juan Carlos of Spain and his son Prince Felipe will join the race together. The king and prince team will compete with the most renowned yachtsmen and women in the world for the 25th Annual King’s Cup.

4th World University Sailing Championship

Mallorca’s temperate climate allows for early and late-season sailing competitions. The 4th World University Sailing Championship will be held in Palma de Mallorca from September 22 through September 27, 2008. Contenders must meet minimum qualifications. Two events make up the race; Individual Championship and Team Racing Championship.

Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Regatta

Quite possibly the regatta with the highest competition level, the Trofeo Sar Princess Sofia takes place each year around Easter. More than a thousand sailboats and nearly two-thousand competitors take to the waters in the Bay of Palma. Sailing enthusiasts as well as Olympic hopefuls enjoy the scope of the competition. The 2008 competition allowed some countries to better select which team would represent them in the 2008 Olympics. The Olympic Sailing Competition will be held on August 21, 2008 in Qingdao, Beijing.

Attending a Sailing Competition

Each competition follows its own set of rules set by the club or organization presenting the competition. The sheer number of sailing competitions held throughout the year makes it relatively easy for tourists to witness at least one competition while enjoying their island holiday. Most competitions are followed by open celebrations by the winning parties. More information can be obtained from your travel agent at the same time as booking your cheap flight to Mallorca or any number of websites promoting sailing in Mallorca.

Sailing in Mallorca and the Mediterranean Sea

Sailing in the Mediterranean waters surrounding Mallorca isn’t restricted to competitions and races. The island is home to 41 marinas and 30 boating clubs. Yachts and sailboats can be chartered or rented at many of the island’s marinas. Pedal boats and other watercraft are also available for rent. At any given time during the year, the horizon is dotted with sailboats, yachts and other watercraft.

The position of the Bay of Palma and the popularity of the city help fuel the love of sailing. Tourists often enjoy the cultural events as well as watching the boaters from the pier or the beaches. Boat rides and tours are available at many locally owned business locations in the city. The Spanish Royal Family enjoys holidays each summer in Mallorca. This year, they’re adding the thrill of competition to their holiday time.

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