Arriving at Eleftherios Venizelos airport, it is a good idea to spend the first couple of days in Athens, the capital city of old civilization. Take a day sightseeing tour of the city, visit the Acropolis or the Museum, and you may wish to go a bit further to Sounio and visit the ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon and gaze at the most spectacular sunset. Later at night take a walk in Plaka, along the colorful shops where you can buy your souvenirs or top quality jewelry.

Of course, Athens is not the place to stay during the hot summer months. Arrange to spend most of your honeymoon on the Cyclades Islands. The most popular destinations for newlyweds are Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.

Crete has a lot to offer, as it is the biggest island in the Aegean. There are ancient sites to visit like the labyrinth in Knossos, natural beauties such as the Samaria Gorge, and beaches with crystal clear waters. If you are a mountain lover, you can hire a car and drive up the mountains in central Crete, where you will find many picturesque, traditional villages. If you want your Crete honeymoon to be romantic or luxurious, there are plenty of five-star hotels and resorts that provide all the facilities required to fulfill your wishes. You can choose to relax by the pool of your hotel or walk in the streets of Chania or Rethymno, and visit the old towns. You can sample traditional Greek dishes and drink local wine or ‘raki’. The diversity of the island allows you to have the holiday you want.

From Crete you can head north to Santorini. Although you can get there by plane, it is much better to travel by boat so as not to miss the unique scenery of the port, like the windy road leading from the port to the top of the island. You can take a donkey ride from the old port up to Fira, taking in the incredible view of the caldera. Visit Oia late in the afternoon, walk along the narrow cobbled streets and make sure you find a spot at a rooftop to enjoy the world’s most magnificent sunset. Going down the other side of the island, the scenery is completely different. You will drive through many of the islands’ vineyards and finally reach the coastline. Practically every beach is of a different colour: red, black, or white. The contrast is amazing. You may want to take some coloured sand back home from your Santorini honeymoon.

Your final destination should be none other than the cosmopolitan Mykonos. Spend some days of your honeymoon in Mykonos like a celebrity. Spend your day at the beach, sipping your cocktail by the sea. At night enjoy the party till the morning hours in Chora, where bars and night clubs are vibrating with music and dance.

Although little known, Vico Equense has all the qualities to charm even seasoned travelers. The town possesses a long history, and most likely one of the first ones built on the Sorrento Peninsula. Vico Equense is gifted with a beautiful pebbled beach, perfect for those who cannot get enough of the ocean. It is also home to a lovely pink hued church perched dramatically on a cliff. If you are interested in history and romance, the village’s crenellated Giusso castle, sitting on the coast, will indulge your curiosity.

Staying at Vico Equense means being reacquainted with peace and relaxation. Even a simple walk through this village revitalizes your soul and body. Aside from the main town, you can easily see other small villages nestled on lush highlands in the distance. The landscape, which is adorned with vineyards, citrus groves and olive groves, will easily invoke admiration and inspiration from anyone who sees it. Because of its ideal location, you can easily access the mountains and the sea in just a few minutes. The highest peak in the area is Mount Faito, standing at about 1400 meters.

Vico Equense is also blessed with sulphurous springs, known for their therapeutic properties. That is why the town has established a range of marvelous thermal baths and spa facilities. While here, grab the opportunity to try one of their bath treatments that have delighted many guests over the years. A centuries old town like Vico must have a number of incredible old buildings, and this is quite true here. The town had been inhabited by the Greeks, Etruscans and the Romans. Today, surviving structures like the Church of Our Lady of Graces, and the Angevin Castle are testaments to the town’s incredible past.

What is also surprising about Vico Equense is its plethora of excellent restaurants and superb hotels. Some of its most notable restaurants include the Salvatore De Gennaro and Annamaria Cuomo. If you would like to combine good food and the charm of the medieval ages, then book a meal at Torre del Saracino. As the name suggests, the venue for this unforgettable dining experience is on top of a 17th century tower. If you venture to the La Tradizione market, you can enjoy the region’s specialties, which are cured meat and dairy products.

Some people have height sickness and these people should be aware of their problem because they might just throw up during flights. So they should be taking the right kind of medication beforehand that suits them well if they must fly.

Once a colleague of mine was on leave from work and he was flying to United States for higher studies and he described his journey being long, dull and boring. I was surprised at his attitude! I was also on leave from work flying for a similar purpose only a few days earlier but though the journey was long, there were lots of interesting things to do to keep you engaged. For instance, you could listen to music or watch movies. You could view the map of where the position of the airplane was at the current moment. You could enjoy drinking the variety of juices and other cold drinks that were offered every few hours and not to speak of the good meals that were served once or twice in a while. If you are seated beside a window, you could watch the white clouds and that may remind you that every cloud has a silver lining. LOL! Or you could just fall into a long and relaxed slumber and dream sweet dreams about what the outcome of your journey held for you. So no way you could call a journey like this dull and boring.

During my journey to U.S, I had initially a flight to London and from there a connecting flight to Chicago. Then I flew to Dallas. It was a very, very long journey I admit and I did not make this kind of journey for quite a while, and also I am used to routine-like life and I am not very adventuresome. But on a journey like this, would you like to jump to your destination? I bet not.

When I was on this travel, I was wide awake, aware of my surroundings and above all, enjoying the fun and pleasure of the experience. After all, while traveling from a source to the destination, it is usually the journey that really matters and which you should be able to take a grasp of lovingly, happily and enjoying to your heart’s content.

Jaina Abode

The temple has a unique architecture. Some of the most notable features are the many figures on the wall. The figures represent the most notable followers of the jain faith from the nearby villages. The main figure is that of the main deity known as Araimalai Alwar.

According to experts, the temple has over 150 sculptures that were contributed by different people. Some of the people who contributed the sculptures are: carpenters, smiths, cultivators and potters. The sculptures were also contributed by high-ranking officials bearing the titles of Kavidi, Enadi and Etti.

Kalugasalamoorthy Temple

The temple is said to have been constructed in the 18th century. The temple’s main deity is Lord Murugan and his wife Deivanai. The main deity and entrance halls have many exciting structural additions. Other than the many exciting features, the temple also has many shrines including those of Akilandeswari, shiva, Vinayakar and many lesser deities.

Vettuvan Koil

This temple dates back to the 8th century. It’s an unfinished cave temple that is breathtaking to look at. It has a rectangular shape where the middle part is sculpted from a one piece of rock. The temple has great looking carvings that are synonymous to those found during the Pandya era.

There are many sculptures on the temple. Experts say that the sculptures are about 122. The most notable ones are those of Vishnu, Dakshinamoorthy, and Brahma.

How To Get To Kalugumalai

It’s good to note that there are no regular flights from neighboring towns to Kalugumalai. There is also no trains to the town; therefore, the best way of getting to the town is using bus or car.

If you are travelling from another country, you should get to the Tuticorin airport. You should then take a bus or taxi that will take you to Kalugumalai.

If you want to use train, you should take a train that will take you to Kovilpatti and then from there take a taxi or bus.

Hvar also treats nature lovers with stunning beaches and remote coves, including Dubovica Beach. This pebbled beach features very clear water and a prominent waterfront restaurant. Part of Hvar Island’s popularity is its consistent sunny weather. In fact, it is considered to be the sunniest island in Croatia. It is also the longest island in the Adriatic boasting a length of 68 kilometers.

The bayside town of Hvar is the capital of the island, and biggest crowd drawer. This has something to do with its visual appeal. Hvar is a town filled with Gothic palaces and marble streets free of vehicle traffic. It is charmingly surrounded by 13th-century walls, which in turn, house a wide range of restaurants, shops and hotels. Travelers who stay in the town also gets to enjoy its vibrant nightlife scene.

While in Havr town, don’t forget to explore some of its most famous cultural, historical and architectural attractions, which include the Renaissance theatre, Cathedral of St. Stjepan and Trg Sveti Stjepana, which is one of the biggest squares in the Dalmatia region. While here, make sure to drop by the wide promenade that goes out to the shimmering blue sea and is just beside a lovely fishing harbor. This is one areas that is great to stroll around and experience. If you do have the time, don’t just spend it all in Hvar Town – try to visit some of the small villages that dot the coast and ones located in the lush inland portion of the island, and you will not regret the decision.

The oldest village on the island is the Stari Grad, which captivates visitors with its own charming medieval streets. This village’s history goes all the way back to 385 BC when it was known as a Greek colony. Stari Grad is also enclosed with grey stone fortifications and has notable attractions worth visiting as such as the Dominican monastery, the Church of St. Nicolas and the large fortified castle of Tvrdalj.

Jelsa and Vrboska are the other two prominent villages on the island. If you want to see where the grapes, figs, olives, lemons and grapes are grown, then make your way to the fertile plain of Velo Polje. Fields of lavender usually occupy the slopes of the hills. If you desire a great scuba diving experience, you can easily book a day trip to the offshore Pakleni Islands.

Plan Your Trip During Peak Months

Humpback Whales begin arriving in Hawaii in November and head back to Alaska in late May. If you have planned a Hawaii vacation during this time, you should have no problem spotting whales. However, peak Hawaii whale watching season occurs during February and March. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months.

Visit Islands Known For Whale Watching

Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are the most popular islands for Hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. If you are visiting Oahu, you can see whales there too, they just won’t be as abundant.

Plan A Boat Tour

Hawaii whale watching tours are ideal for seeing these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. Not only will you be in the whale’s environment, but because humpback whales are curious about their surrounding, they will sometimes approach your boat. Plan a Hawaii boat tour to truly get the most out of your whale watching adventure.

Boat tours are available departing from Lahaina Harbor many times throughout the day during whale season. On the Big Island and the island of Kauai, whale-watching opportunities abound with a full schedule of tours provided by seasoned, knowledgeable guides.

Humpback whales may also be observed from land if you prefer solid ground to the deck of a boat. On Kauai the Kilauea Lighthouse, Kealia Lookout and various high-points of land in coastal areas are good places to start. Once you’re in the right place, spotting the whales is easy: just look for the majestic plumes of water (“blows”) rising in the air and the playful splashes made by these gigantic creatures.

Respect their space

In Hawaii, whale watching is an avid activity, and like with most outdoors activities, there are rules. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale (known as the 100-yard minimum rule). However, there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. Experienced leaders of Hawaii whale watching tours know how to gently approach these animals and encourage them to come closer.

Preserve the Humpback Whale

The humpback whale almost came to extinction in 1966 after mass commercial whaling during the early 20th century. Today there are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 humpbacks worldwide. Federal laws protect them, but there are things we can all do to help preserve this amazing animal for future whale watching generation.

• Keep beaches and waters clean and debris-free
• Participate only in responsible whale watching activities
• Support efforts to stop illegal whaling
• Support legislation, research and preservation programs
• Patronize eco-friendly companies and organizations

When you reach Da Lat, you will immediately experience a fairly strong French influence. This is not surprising as these European colonists treated Da Lat as a place of relaxation and retreat because of its more secluded location and consistent climate. In the climate it is often referred to as the “Eternal Spring”. Several hotels and homes here were built in French architectural style during the colonization period.

Some of the French-influenced buildings in the town include the Hang Nga guest house, dubbed as the “Crazy House” and the Dalat Railway Station. There is even a radio mast structure in town that is shaped like the Eiffel Tower. You will also spot some independent artists all around town who are eager to show you their work and happy to talk about their bohemian lifestyle.

At the heart of town likes Xuan Huong Lake, also called Lake of Sorrow. If you head out to the local market, your senses will be teased by colorful flowers like hydrangeas, vegetables, silk and traditional dresses. While here, grab the opportunity to try out famous local products like dried fruits, avocado and delicious strawberry jam.

The town proper is not the only thing that lures visitors to this side of the country as Da Lat is the perfect gateway to some of the spectacular attractions in the region. Its countryside is surrounded by waterfalls, lush forests, gardens and lakes. There are numerous ways of truly experiencing Da Lat’s beautiful landscape. There are many tour operators in town that can organize guided activities like white water rafting, canyoning, hiking and mountain biking.

If you head to the north, you will encounter serene Lak Lake, populated by lovely minority villages. One of the unique experiences you can have while here is observing the distinct lifestyle of the tribal people. A common sighting in the area is hill-tribe women carrying babies on their backs with the aid of a piece of cloth, which is tied in the front and strapped on one shoulder.

Seaport Village is home to several luxury yachts as well as a wide variety of charter services. Spend a day at sea whale watching or just kick back and enjoy San Diego’s beautiful coastline.

Head to what is considered North County and pay a visit to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. From mid-July to early September, the fairgrounds are converted into the legendary Del Mar Racetrack. The horse racing venue once served as a stomping ground for some of the world’s most influential entertainers such as Jimmy Durante, Ava Gardner, Pat O’Brien, and of course the legendary Seabiscuit.

In the heart of the city you will find Mission Valley-a central haven for some of San Diego’s best shopping. The outdoor Fashion Valley Mall features designer boutiques as well as premiere department store giants including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

I’s downtown Gaslamp District boasts plenty of boutiques, top-notch restaurants, five-star luxury hotels, and a whole street lined with some of the city’s most popular nightclubs. A newer addition to the downtown area is the state-of-the-art Petco Park. The Gaslamp District caters to the swarms of tourists by offering activities such as sight-seeing charter buses, pedicabs and horse-drawn carriage rides.

And with the city’s trolley system in place the perils of parking are easily avoided. Luxury hotels include the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hotel Solamar, Horton Grand Hotel, The Omni, The Westin Horton Plaza, the Hard Rock Hotel, the Westgate Hotel, and more. Take a closer look at luxury hotels in San Diego.

Experience California’s history while strolling through the Old Town. As the first European settlement in what is now California, Old Town has been dubbed the state’s birthplace. The cultural landmark- home to the first California mission showcases Spanish history through its Bazaar del Mundo. Another popular attraction is the oh-so-creepy Whaley house, which offers insight into what some people call Haunted San Diego.

When people think of San Diego the thought of bikini-clad beaches is often what first enters their heads. It has earned this reputation for good reason as its coastline offers some of California’s best natural beaches. There are plenty of beach communities that seem to cater to every stereotype out there.

First off, there is the overcrowded (but fabulous) Pacific Beach, which offers party-goers a wide variety of hot spots all within walking distance from each other. Travel a little south and you will hit Mission Beach, which offers all the perks of P.B. with the added luxury of Belmont Park. Keep heading south and you will end up in Ocean Beach, a small community filled with vintage shops, dive bars, and some wonderful undiscovered little cafes and restaurants.
San Diego Bay is yet another popular destination, known mainly for its ample water-sports.

And with neighboring mountain ranges in close proximity, San Diego is ideal for avid skiers and snowboarders alike. The kiddos will enjoy the famous San Diego Zoo, Wildlife Park, and Legoland. And adults will find a playground of their own as the county also offers several Indian gaming sites, casinos and luxury resorts.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go in North Wales then one of the best options is without doubt Snowdonia national park, where you will find the famous Mount Snowdon. Standing at 1085 metres above sea level, Snowdon is the highest point in the British Isles excluding the Scottish highlands. It is one of the most popular places in the UK for hikers, climbers and tourists looking to find a good view. Despite its height you do not need to be an experienced climber to reach the top. There are several paths of different difficulty leading to the top or if none of them take your fancy you could always just catch the train all the way up, where there’s a café waiting for you!

However if you’re looking for something more adventurous and challenging then there are a range of events that run on and around Snowdon. If you want a physical challenge and want to see Wales from top to bottom then you could try taking on the Welsh three peaks challenge. An adaptation of the British three peaks challenge, the Welsh three peaks challenge involves walking up the three highest peaks in Wales. Starting in the south on Pen y fan in the Brecon Beacons you will then move up to Cadair Idris before finishing up the mighty mount Snowdon and all this should be done within 24 hours!

Alternatively if you would rather stay in North Wales and fancy yourself as a bit of an endurance athlete then you could take on the Man vs Mountain race organised by Rat Race events. This event is not for the faint hearted as it covers over 20 miles from the bottom of Snowdon to the top and back down again, and to make it that little bit more difficult they’ve also thrown in some obstacles along the way for you to navigate. Man Vs Mountain is one of the highlights of the year for obstacle course racers and is and incredible achievement and experience if completed.