London, UK known as globe’s best town by TripAdvisor; City covers Travellers’ Option Locations Awards

London has been named the world's best destination by travel appraisal site Trip Advisor, as it continues preparations to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The city fended off opposition from runners up New York and Rome to be named top in the annual Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards, which rank worldwide cities on the basis of votes from millions of travelers which use the site. It was one of five European destinations to make the top ten lists, which also featured San Francisco, Marrakech in Morocco, and Istanbul in Turkey and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

For many, the award for London will not be entirely unexpected -- the city is currently basking in the spotlight as it prepares to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, followed by the London 2012 Olympic Games. It has already been named the best city in the world to visit this year by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet, in a powerful global ranking published late 2011. This week, the city's world-famous Oxford Street shopping destination kicked off a crusade which will see the entire West End covered in 500 British flags ahead of the summer, each measuring 3.5 meters in height and placed in popular tourist hotspots. Last month, officials predicted that tourist figures would reach 12.7 million this year (up five percent on 2011), an optimistic projection which appears to contradict suggestions some visitors could be put off by the publicity.

Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards - winners

1. London

2. New York City

3. Rome

4. Paris

5. San Francisco

6. Marrakech, Morocco

7. Istanbul

8. Barcelona

9. Siem Reap, Cambodia

10. Berlin

Ha Long Bay Worlds second location for boat journeys

Ha long Bay is one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations of Vietnam. Ha long Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach. Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay listed as a UNESCO World Heritage spot has been ranked the 2nd among the 10 best boat journeys by the UK's Lonely Planet Travel Magazine.

Ha Long Bay is a popular travel destination in the Northern Province of Quang Ninh. Covering an area around 1,553 km, including 1,960 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 with a high density of 775 islets. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate.

The tiny islands are dotted with beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with bird tunes. Kissing rock from Ha Long Bay Veitnam. More than 300 boats based at Bai Chay Tourist Wharf waiting to sweep you away to the World Heritage waters. Day tours last from four to eight hours, though (recommended) overnighters are also available. In 1994, Ha Long Bay was recognized as a UNESCO World attractive places Natural Heritage site. It has jumped to second place among the 28 finalists of an online voting for the world’s new seven wonders and helping to bring 5.3 million visitors to Quang Ninh in the first eight months of the year.

World’s best 10 attractive Island Vacation

We’ve all heard the eventual wish, expressed under breaths in the midst of a tiring work day or after a monotonous task. “I wish I was on an island.” Islands are the crucial destination for fun, sun, and entertainment. There’s no reason why your next vacation trip can’t be an island, and there are dozens of options all over the world to roam around. Here you’ll find just a few of our favorites!

1. Bali

Situated in the Asian Pacific, the Island of Bali is an interesting oriental destination in Indonesia. It is here that you will discover yourself engrossed in genuine Indonesian culture, dance, and food.

2. Boracay

This Island too situated in the Asian Pacific in the Philippines. Perhaps one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous places in the world, Boracay is an extraordinarily admired tourist destination. The island is the ideal destination for both those in search of leisure and those in hunt of adventure.

3. Bora Bora

In the Australian Pacific you’ll discover the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The island was on one occasion used as a deliberate landing point for the United States Military but was residence to hundreds of armed forces who resolute to return, or just hang about, after the war was over. Now known as a sizzling destination for tourists, residents of Bora Bora are devoted to revealing visitors to authentic Polynesian culture.

4. Maui

Maui, the second largest island in Hawaii, is recognized not only for its implausible gorgeousness however also for welcoming both romantic couples and families with open arms. Relax on your own or consider taking benefit of a curative massage. The good-looking weather and astonishing waters make Maui an most favorable destination for surfers.

5. Anguilla

In the heart of the northern Caribbean you’ll find out the tiny island of Anguilla. At present under British control, Anguilla is a melting pot of cultures merged with the beauty of the beaches and scenery of the island itself.

6. Jamaica

A wonderful climate, astonishing tropical plants and landscapes, sandy white beaches, and crystal clear blue waters – what more can you request as of an island vacation destination. The island is reasonable for anyone as you can decide to camp out or stay in a lavish hotel.

7. The Seychelles

The Seychelles is a cluster of 115 islands which is located in the region of Indian Ocean. The islands are aged, but are basically embryonic; making them an ideal destination for someone who desires to visit an island or group of islands that hasn’t been taken over by profitable resorts.

8. The Island of Hvar

The Island of Hvar located in the Mediterranean Sea in the midst of a countless of other islands. It takes a small piece of travel time to reach your destination at the Island of Hvar, but the landscape, way of life, food, and history makes the journey well worth the endeavor.

9. Galapagos Island

The South American Galapagos Island is well cherished by those attracted in nature’s scenery and botany. The group of islands is residence to more than a dozen islands, and hundreds of astonishing animal species, counting iguana, hawks, penguins, sea lions, and turtles.

10. Aruba

Aruba, bring into being off the coast of Venezuela, is yet another astonishing destination for individuals folks, couples, and families alike. Each and Everyone will for sure enjoy the beautiful and good looking white beaches, blue waters, relaxed fishing trips and lots more to fun about

9 Unique Destinations to celebrate New Year’s in 2011

This New Year’s Eve, let go of the tired, old balls in Times Square and grow a new pair. Let’s see the 9 unique destinations to celebrate this New Year 2011…

Fireworks: Prague

  

Swagger the avenues like Kafka on acid in Prague. The citizens are gracious, backpackers are all over the place and parties spill into the streets and terraces. The huge draws here are the fireworks put on view along the Charles River. If you’ve saved your pennies for the big night, for a cool $150 bucks you can put your name down for a spot on the Party Boat to get in the center of the action. If floating fancy is too moneyed for your blood, you can glimpse the midnight fireworks boom over the Prague Castle as of the Charles Bridge for free. Take on your weasel-like maneuvering talents, it will be crowded.

Nosiest: Philippines:

Children and hellraisers gust on toy horns called Torotot on Dec. 31. By means of sufficient firecrackers to end off every scarce species on the planet, the Filipinos ring in the New Year with the most exasperating sounds known to man. Polka-dots and pockets full of change are the provincial outfit for good luck. Dig up grandma’s Christmas sweater, chuck some metal in your pockets and jingle with thoughtless abandon. The midnight hour is greeted by loud feasting, drinking and gambling.

Desert Party: Dubai

Toke a hookah into the midnight sky this year. Once well-known for banning the celebration totally, Dubai’s associations have nil on the well-known desert safari party. Granted, this thing costs 399 Dirhams (about $100 bucks) but you find an open bar, quite a lot of desert BBQ stations, belly dance shows, sheesha-smoking till you throttle and, intended for the pyro in all of us, some astonishing fire-entertainment. 

The Most Off-Schedule: Spain

Spaniards are tarnished for taking their sweet time to begin the party. While some celebrations do start on time people typically hang at home with family awaiting midnight and the genuine party naturally starts approximately 12:30 a.m. Get even further off-schedule by heading for Berchules, where New Year’s happens twice (in mid-August, as well as on Dec. 31). Spain obtains five stars for celebrations like there’s no tomorrow…and doing it all over again when tomorrow unavoidably comes.

Longest: Taiwan

One night not enough for you greedy NYE-loving party freaks? Party for a month in Taiwan is not enough. This isle of plenty is all about the Lunar New Year, so do the Gregorian party Jan 1 before heading to Taiwan intended for some lunar action. Lion dancers, firecrackers and rituals spot the coming of the Chinese New Year to guarantee luck and many lays for the year to come. Join in a game of street Mahjong and chink glasses in the rouse of dragons and sporadic gunpowder.

Sporty(ish) New Year: Croatia:

Croatia’s New Year’s festivities roll hard all the way through the country. A new rambler preferred is in Split (Croatia’s second largest city) and its big attraction happens for the period of New Year’s Day on January 1st, at Bacvice beach. It’s called Picigin, an entertainment where men, flooded in ass-icicle cold water, strive to pass a slight rubber ball in the region of without letting it hit the water. Go to sleep early as possible on New Year’s Eve (say 9 pm) so that you are able to keep your well-rested eye on that modest ball for hours in the morning. If you just can’t fall snoozing at grandma’s bedtime, might as well take a little walk to Club Vanilla, perhaps party for 10-12 hours to exhaust yourself for the big entertainment; have some sparkling wine, kiss a couple locals, whatever it takes.

Most Confused: Turkey

New Year’s is the only American show famous in Turkey all through the holiday season. As holiday celebrations are fed to Turkey via globalized media, people in Istanbul habitually mystify New Year’s with Christmas, Thanksgiving or whatever-the- ghetto-cowboy- holiday. This turns Dec. 31 into a rompin’ tragedy worth witnessing. Rejoice Christmas with a New Year’s tree and a spooky pumpkin Easter pie. Citizens still countdown the clock and party late night however the streamers and festivities are less like customary New Year’s and more like a squashed up holiday cocktail of sheer confusion. Moralize the appropriate way to celebrate or keep your mouth shut and take pleasure in the messed up fun.

Best Beach Celebrations: Sri Lanka

No longer just fun to say, Sri Lanka is a great place to stopover for a warm spin on New Year’s. By tradition, Sinhalese New Year’s is celebrated by rasping yourself down with plants when the moon moves out of Aries (in April). By December 31st, Sri Lankans are high-quality and enclosed in plant matter and prepared to celebrate with the rest of the world. Parties along Unawatuna beach bluster up for NYE and make the Maldives insanely envious. Get there a few days in the early hours to safe a spot at the beach hostel. Temps are in the 80s and if you can pry your eyes open the next day, go observe the elephants starting the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage take their every day bath in the river (10 a.m. or 2 p.m.)

Biggest Party: Valparaiso, Chile

This coastal city throbs the entire night at Plaza Sotomayor, by means of raucous sprays of Chilean cheerful and multihued confetti. A central stage is set up with live piece of music that goes until breakfast (8am ish) and exert a pull on approximately a shit ton of people. Comprised of about 40 tons of explosives (roughly equivalent to 6-7 elephants), the nearby fireworks last for about 20 minutes. The climate in January is humid (the whole other hemisphere thing) and sleeping on the streets is completely tolerable. Basically, this party is HUGE so look forward to crowds, groping and plenty of midnight besitosfrom other travelers.