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Turning On of the Christmas Lights

This is the official start of Christmas in Belfast, so get yourself down to the Belfast City Hall on the 24th of November to witness this special festive occasion. This is a fantastic family event and this year the Lord Mayor will have loads of help switching on the lights, as he will be joined by ‘Bob the Builder’ and ‘Fifi And The Flowertots’! The fun begins at 7pm and there will be plenty of live music and performances by the Community Gospel Choir. Thousands of people attended this event last year so make sure you get there early this year!

Cinemagic

Cinemagic is a TV and film festival for young people and it comes to Belfast city from 18th November to 4th December 2009. This festival features gala screenings, new family films, documentaries, Roald Dahl films, kids classics and teenage classics. The festival will also have programme making workshops and acting classes. Venues for the festival include the ODEON Cinema in Victoria Square and the Movie House on Dublin Road.

Christmas Continental Markets

From the 17th of November to the 19th of December the popular Continental Christmas Markets will return to the Belfast City Hall. The grounds of the City Hall will transform into a little village of markets and stalls offering mouth-watering food, warming beverages, traditional crafts, decorations, gifts and lots more. It’s a great place to pick up a few stocking fillers and if you’re not shopping we still suggest you browse around the market and soak up its unique festive atmosphere.

Christmas Craft Fair

St. George’s Market Christmas Craft Fair will take place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of December. It is located on May Street close by the Waterfront Hall. Along with the normal market stalls there will also be stalls selling Christmas fare such as handmade chocolates, jams, baking, crafts, gifts and toys. This market has a real festive atmosphere and there will be live music on both days.

Concerts

The Odyssey Arena is located in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and is a top class concert and entertainment venue. Concerts taking place over the festive season include; Horslips (Dec 3rd), Simple Minds (Dec 10th), The Prodigy (17th Dec) and Madness (29th Dec).

The Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team also have a number of exciting and challenging games to play here over the Christmas period. This intense, high speed sport is full of action and is sure to have the whole family engrossed.

Pantomimes

If you’re thinking of catching a pantomime this Christmas in Belfast, then you’ll have a choice of Aladdin or Cinderella. Aladdin will run at the Grand Opera House from the 28th of November to the 16th January. Family favourite Cinderella will run at the Waterfront Belfast from the 28th of November to he 9th January.

This article provides some of the basics as regards to Malta tourist information and tips for potential visitors who are not very familiar with the Maltese islands. As with any holiday destination, the more you know about the country before you visit, the more equipped you’ll be to choose just the right sites and attractions to visit. It’s never wise to just go with the flow because everyone is different and this becomes especially important when on holiday. You don’t want to “waste” time visiting sites and places that are not appealing to you.

Malta Weather

The weather in Malta has always been one of the island’s strongest points. Visitors can usually expect to get warm weather almost all year round, with temperatures soaring in July and August. Coldest spells usually come in January and February, although no day is ever that cold to keep visitors from exploring the islands.

Passport requirements

EU citizens can travel to Malta without a passport since their national identity card will suffice. (If you’re traveling from an EU country that does not issue ID cards, a valid passport is then required). Non-EU nationals must have a valid passport.

Malta Airport

There is only one airport in Malta and all flights arrive and depart from it. Malta International Airport is located at Luqa, some 8 kilometres south of Valletta (the capital of Malta). The airport is well equipped with ATMs, internet access, good facilities and a Malta Tourist Information Office. A bus service is available to and from Valletta.

Low Crime Rate

Compared to other European countries, Malta has a substantially low crime rate. Of course, no matter where you are, it is always sensible to exercise some degree of caution.

Malta Currency

Up until a few years ago, the Maltese Lira was the local currency. However, in January 2008 Malta adopted the Euro, making it very advantageous and convenient for visitors out on a European trip.

ATMs are conveniently located in all the main towns on the Maltese islands. Visa, MasterCard and Amex cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Electricity

The supply on the Maltese islands is 240V and plugs are three-pin.

Internet Access

Malta is well connected and all major hotels and travel organisations have a website. One can also find countless internet cafes across the islands. Top-end hotels are also offering wi-fi hotspots lately. This trend is said to increase since more and more visitors are demanding these services.

Tipping

As regards to tipping, Malta is very similar to mainland Europe, in the sense that tipping is not usually expected, but is appreciated.

Photos & Video

Don’t worry if you run out of film. Print film, camcorder cassettes and equipment can easily be purchased from the many photographic shops scattered across the main towns. Print film is also available at major hotels and souvenir shops.

Driving

The Maltese drive on the left and speed limits are 80km/hr on highways and 50km/hr in urban areas. Visitors often remark that a lot of local drivers seem to ignore simple road rules in Malta and this is somewhat true. So if you’re driving in Malta, be extra careful and be prepared for drivers overtaking on the inside or refusing to give way at junctions, among other things. Some roads are in a bad condition compared to European standards thus making driving in Malta a bit of a nightmare sometimes.

It is recommended that you read up on all the main attractions and sites that the Maltese islands have to offer before you visit. That way you can draft an enjoyable itinerary for yourself with all the places that interest you in Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The above tips were solely intended as initial Malta tourist information and advice that could come in handy, especially if you’re still undecided or in the planning process of your Malta vacation.

Many people who come to Granada for flamenco think they need to head for the Sacromonte area to see the “real thing”.  And why not?

After all, the Sacromonte area of Granada is where the magic of flamenco first brought together guitar, voice and dance.

But, when you have the right Granada information, you will know that you can’t beat going along to one of the various clubs of Granada where people and singers pay a joyous homage to the wonderful world of “Flamenco”.

After a lot of searching, walking and dancing I have come up with my top five choice of Granada Flamenco Clubs. They are listed below in alphabetical order..

Eshavira Jazz and Flamenco Club

This club gives a true “Granada” taste of flamenco. It is a smokey mix of life, music and energy and is not for the fainthearted, but don’t miss it if you want to experience a different aspect of the city.  The building is a labyrinth of passages, rooms and areas where you can truly absorb the atmosphere of dance and song.

From Calle Azacayas, turn off Calle Elvira and go down Calle Postigo de la Cuna to number 2.

Huerto del Loro

Of my top five Granada flamenco clubs perhaps Huerto del Loro has the most comfortable and relaxed ambience, although when the singing and dancing start your feet will start to tap and your whole spirit will beat to the rhythm of the music.   It is set out as a cave, complete with vaulted ceiling. There is also an outside terrace to sit at in the summer.

Go to the Plaza de Santa Ana and take the stairs up to Calle Santa Ana. Turn left and follow the “road” up until you reach Cuesta de la Churra on the right hand side. Just take the steps up to the club.

Peña Flamenca La Platería

Situated in the Albaicén, this club is one of the oldest flamenco clubs in Spain and is well worth visiting if only to soak in the atmosphere while you have a drink.  As you will see when you get there, the place is filled with an impressive array of photographs of flamenco and its artistes. And when the dancing starts- you will know why this club has been attracting customers since the 1940’s.

The address is number 7 in the Placeta de Toqueros.

Tablao Flamenco Albayzín

This gypsy style cave consistently provides excellent entertainment from the flamenco artists.  Included in the price is a free drink and an optional tour of about three quarters of an hour where you are guided around the Albaizin and the Sacromonte.

Carretera Murcia, Mirador de San Cristóbal

Upsetter

This club is set out as a typical gypsy cave, has a central location and is one of the easiest to get to… and for those looking for something a little different, there is usually an after-flamenco show of Reggae type music to enjoy..

Near Plaza Nueva on the Carrera del Darro, 7

When I first came to live near Graanda my only experience of live flamenco had been watching shows in various hotels I had stayed at.

Flamenco in Granada is a totally different thing. It is passion, excitement and seduction, all rolled into one.

If you come to Granada, and you go to watch the flamenco, make sure you check out one of my top five clubs. You are bound to enjoy yourself.  Pretty soon you will find yourself wanting to stamp your feet and shout “Olé”!

You may recognize the name Iowa City from cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes in football, but there is more to the city than the University of Iowa. Iowa City is in Johnson County and is the fifth largest city in Iowa according to a 2008 estimate. The city was named as the second best small metropolitan area for doing business by Forbes Magazine in 2008.

If you’re looking for history of the area, then this city is one stop that should be on your list. This city was the second capital of the Iowa Territory and the first capital of the State of Iowa. Visit a National Historic Landmark by going to see the Old Capital building. It’s in the center of the University of Iowa campus. Other tourist attractions are the U of I Art Museum and Plum Grove the home of the first governor of Iowa.

Iowa City was selected as the capital in 1839 but did not become the capital city officially until 1841 when the capital building began to be constructed. In 1876 the capital was then moved to Des Moines.

In the last few years Iowa City has had more than it’s fair share of run ins with Mother Nature. In spring of 2006 an EF2 tornado struck Iowa City causing severe property damage. Many were displaced from their homes including University of Iowa students. This was the first tornado ever recorded to hit the city. Two large car dealerships, several businesses and the 134 year old Catholic church were heavily damaged. Damage heavily favored the downtown business district and eastern residential area. Damage from the tornado and storm was estimated at $12 million.

If that wasn’t enough, just two years later the great flood of 2008 hit the city. The city and University of Iowa were greatly affected by the flooding of Iowa River. Widespread property damage and forced evacuations happened in large sections of Iowa City. The river rose to a record level of 30.46 feet. Nineteen buildings at the University were affected including the art museum. Thankfully valuable art, including works by Picasso, were moved to Chicago before the flood waters hit.

The city and residents are still recovering from the effects of the great flood. There are still flood recovery meetings, volunteer opportunities and free mental health counseling for survivors of the 2008 floods.

There is more to see in Iowa City than just a football game. It is a cornerstone of the state’s history with many important historic buildings and sites to visit.

Madrid is a city that appeals to many kinds of people, the art aficionados, the party mongers, the diehard fashionistas, the live music enthusiasts and the fans of culture. No matter what you are into, Madrid, Spain has something to offer you.

Warm dry summers and cool winters – a climate of extremes – are what you should expect from the city. Depending on what time of the year you visit Madrid, the weather and climate are as diverse as the city itself.

Characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity as well as a very lively and hot nightlife, you can never run out of things to do and places to go to in Madrid. It is a cosmopolitan city, headquarters for the public administration, business center and the home of the Spanish Royal Family.

You want to know when the best time is to visit Madrid? Well the answer is all year round! But if you are just in for a short visit, the best time to go is on the weekends. There are so many activities and parties going on during weekends that you will really get to know the heart and soul of the city.

On a Sunday, you should definitely not miss out going to El Rastro Street as an enormous outdoor market is waiting for you. Find some excellent buys and start bargain hunting for clothes, CD’s, accessories and even kitchen supplies and equipment. It is a 9-5 pm affair so wear comfortable footwear and shop to your heart’s content.

If you want to save money when visiting museums, buy a Madrid card which gives you free access to 42 museums as well as more than one hundred establishments that give discounts upon presentation of the card. There is also a guided tour called Discover Madrid Program that you can join for free with this card. You can buy this card from the Madrid Tourist Information Office which is located at the Plaza Mayor, or you could also ask your travel agency to get you one.

Among the 42 museums, you definitely should not miss the Prado Museum on Paseo Del Prado. It is one of the most visited Madrid tourist attractions that houses masterpieces from the 12th century to the 19th century.

If you want an escape from the traffic of Madrid, you can visit the Retiro Park. It is a wonderful oasis of calm located to the East of the center of Madrid. Stroll along the leafy paths like royalty as it was once a palace garden. You can even have your fortune read by tarot card readers on Sundays.

With the abundance of cafes and restaurants in Madrid, you will never go hungry. Here you can experience the other side of Madrid, calm and relaxing as opposed to the busy nightlife in the downtown area.

Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family is open to the public at certain times. It is best to pay for a guided tour and listen to the history that is behind every wall of the palace. 45 minutes of your time will give you a preview on how it is to live like a prince and princess in Madrid.

But then again, with a city like Madrid, you will always feel the royal treatment around you.

Introduction

Aberdeen (The Granite City) is Scotland’s third largest city. Aberdeen
is the chief commercial centre and seaport in the north-east of
Scotland. It boasts the title of Oil Capital of Europe thanks to the
plentiful supply of crude oil in the North Sea, and stands on a bay of
the North Sea, between the mouths of the rivers Don and Dee.

History

Aberdeen grew up as two separate burghs – Old Aberdeen at the mouth of
the Don and New Aberdeen, a fishing and trading settlement where the
Denburn entered the Dee estuary. The earliest charter was granted by
King William the Lion about 1179, confirming the corporate rights
granted by David I. The city received other royal charters later. In
1319, the Great Charter of Robert the Bruce transformed Aberdeen into a
property owning and financially independent community. The city was
burned by Edward III of England in 1336, but was soon rebuilt and
extended, and called New Aberdeen.

For many centuries the city was
subject to attacks by the neighbouring lords, and was strongly
fortified, but the gates were all removed by 1770. In the 18th century
a new Town Hall was built, elegantly furnished with a marble fireplace
from Holland and a set of fine crystal chandeliers and sconces. The
19th century was a time of considerable expansion. By 1901 the
population was 153,000 and the city covered more than 6,000 acres (24
km²). In the late 18th century, the council embarked on a scheme
of road improvements, and by 1805 George Street, King Street and Union

Street were open, the latter a feat of extraordinary engineering skill
involving the partial levelling of St Catherine’s Hill and the building
of arches to carry the street over Putachieside. The increasing
economic importance of Aberdeen and the development of the shipbuilding
and fishing industries brought a need for improved harbour facilities.
During this century much of the harbour as it exists today was built
including Victoria Dock, the South Breakwater and the extension to the
North Pier.

Places of interest

The main places of interest for the tourists in Aberdeen are the
museums, art galleries and the Scotland’s castle trails. Here is a list
of interesting places in Aberdeen:

Museums and Art Galleries

The city is blessed with amenities which cover a wide range of cultural
activities and boasts a selection of museums. The Aberdeen Art Gallery
houses a collection of Impressionist, Victorian, Scottish and 20th
Century British paintings as well as collections of silver and glass.
It also includes The Alexander Macdonald Bequest, a collection of late
19th century works donated by the museum’s first benefactor and a
constantly changing collection of contemporary work and regular
visiting exhibitions. Some of the other Aberdeen’s museums and art
galleries are:

Shopping

The main shopping districts center on specialty shops on Chapel and
Thistle streets and the well-known chains on George and Union streets.
Of interest to collectors, Colin Wood, stocks furniture, wall clocks,
and grandfather clocks from the 17th to the early 20th centuries.
Someone may also want to browse through the eclectic mix of bric-a-brac
antiques at Elizabeth Watts Studio, where items include glass, brass,
antique jewelry, china, silver, and a few small furniture pieces. For
one-stop gift shopping, drop in at Nova, which stocks china, silver
jewelry, rugs, clothing, toys, cards, and gift paper.

Other interesting shops are Grandad’s Attic, which specializes in Art
Deco ceramics and antique pine furniture; Just Scottish, retailers of
quality items — all made in Scotland, including ceramics, knitwear,
textiles, silver, and jewelry; and Alex Scott & Co. the town’s
finest kiltmakers.

Food and Drinks

Although Aberdeen is a well renowned city, it does not have many
restaurants in offer. Mainly all the restaurants and bars offer
continental or British/Irish/Scottish cuisine. Some of the famous
places for wine and dine are:

Education

The first of Aberdeen’s two universities, the University of Aberdeen,
was founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and
Chancellor of Scotland. The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third
oldest, and the UK’s fifth oldest University.

Robert Gordon’s College (originally Robert Gordon’s Hospital) was
founded in and in the 1990s became co-educational and a day-only
school. It also produced the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology,
which became The Robert Gordon University in 1992.

Gray’s School of Art, founded in 1886, is one of the oldest established
colleges of art in the UK. Aberdeen College has several campuses in
Aberdeen and offers a wide variety of part-time and full-time courses
leading to several different qualifications. Northern College was a
teacher training college with campuses in Aberdeen and Dundee. In 2000,
the Aberdeen campus of Northern College became the University of
Aberdeen School of Education. Aberdeen Grammar School, (now
comprehensive, despite its name) founded in 1263 and one of the oldest
schools in Britain.

Sports

Aberdeen Football Club was founded in 1903. Its major success was
winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 and three League
Championships between 1980 and 1986. The club’s stadium is Pittodrie
which holds the distinction of being Britain’s first all-seater
stadium. Aberdeen F.C. holds the distinction of being the last team to
have won the Scottish Premier League Championship outside the Old Firm
and is the only Scottish team to have won two European trophies adding
to their European Cup Winners Cup success by winning the European Super
Cup also in 1983. Well known footballers who have played for the club
include Gordon Strachan (Current Celtic manager), Alex McLeish (Current
Rangers manager) and club legend Willie Miller. Denis Law, the joint
top scorer for the Scotland national team was also born in the city,
but spent his professional career playing for English and Italian clubs.

Aberdeen Golf Club was founded in 1815. It has two 18-hole courses at
Balgownie, north of the River Don. There are other golf courses at
Auchmill, Balnagask, Hazlehead and King’s Links.

Tours and Sightseeing

The Aberdeen Tourist Information Centre, where the staff can usually
find just the right way to visit Aberdeen. Some other organized tours
and travel agencies are there in the city. These tours are organized by
the operators and vary from its contents, theme and price. The tours
mainly feature the museums, art galleries, Scottish Castles etc.

Hotels and Accommodations

Because of increasing numbers of tourists and business travelers to the
Granite City — Europe’s offshore oil capital and less number of hotels
compare with tourists — hotels are likely to be heavily booked any
time of year. So reservation in advance is a must before stepping to
the city. Some of the Hotels in Aberdeen (ranging from Affordable to
Luxury) are listed below:

Transport

There are four main roads serving the city: A90, A96, A93, A92, A90 now
used as a tourist route.

The city’s original ring road, Anderson Drive, which was built in the
1930s has long since been engulfed by the expansion of the city, and is
inadequate for dealing with today’s traffic. To this end, a new main
bypass road, the Western Peripheral Route, is planned to divert through
traffic away from the city centre. The road is due to open in 2010.

The city is well served by the national railway network. Aberdeen has
regular rail services to Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as long distance
trains to London via Edinburgh. It is possible to take the longest
scheduled rail journey in the whole of the UK from Aberdeen. Regular
trains also run north westerly towards Inverness and north to Dyce for
the airport.

Aberdeen also has an airport in the neighbouring town of Dyce, which is
operated by BAA plc. As well as connecting the city to the rest of the
UK, Aberdeen Airport (sometimes refererred to as Dyce Airport) is the
largest helicopter terminal in the world, serving the many North Sea
oil installations. The IATA airport code for the airport is ABZ.

Majorca is an island located off the eastern coast of Spain. Majorca is the largest island of Spain and is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The name Majorca comes from the Latin name for larger island, or insula maior. This island is an extremely popular tourist destination, with glorious beaches and stunning mountain ranges.

The island suffered a violent history and was often conquered by various empires. In addition to being the capital of the island, Palma is also capital to the Spanish region of the Balearic Islands.

Culture and Way of Life
The residents of Majorca are typically very friendly and helpful to tourist. The culture of the island is a very artistic and social one. The island has a bit of a party feel with all the activities going on. Food is very important to the Majorcans and there is an abundance of restaurants and bars across the island.

Eating
Due to the profusion of olive and almond trees, these two ingredients are very commonly found in the cuisine of Majorca. Dishes that are typical of Majorca are ensaïmadas, arros brut and sobrassada. Ensaïmadas are sweet pastries that date back to the 17th century. These breads are made from flour, water, eggs, sugar and pork lard. They are typically rolled into a bun shape. Variations of ensaïmadas include pumpkin, sweet cream, chocolate or covered with apricot. They are typically served at festivals and other celebrations. Sobrassada is a raw, cured sausage that is comprised of ground pork, salt, paprika and other spices. Sobrassadas are sometimes made during a festival for the slaughtering of pigs on the island. The sausage can range from very hot to sweet.

Transportation Links
Majorca has an international airport located near Palma. The island often has direct flights to many major cities in Europe. Additionally, the Palma de Mallorca Airport has numerous flights that travel to Barcelona and Valencia. Once you have arrived in Majorca, getting around is easy. There are airport transfers or shuttles readily available to take you from the airport to your resort or hotel. The island has a public bus service and a train line which runs across the island. Additionally, there are inter-island flights and ferries that operate throughout Majorca.

Azrou is a name reflecting the geomorphologic landform. Indeed, the city owes its name to a large rocky outcrop (“Azrou”, which means “rock” in the Berber Tamazight language). The city of Azrou (51, 000 inhabitants) is a municipality in the Moroccan province of Ifrane, located in a strategic crossroads between the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas near Midelt via Timahdite and the plain of Tadla near Khenifra.

Azrou is a city surrounded by beautiful green mountains that give it a particular charm, apart from its rich biodiversity symbolized by the famous cedar forest, the macaque Barbary monkeys called Maggots (Macaca Sylvanus) and the beautiful butterflies that are unique in the world. The area of Azrou makes an attractive choice for summer adventurers, hikers and picnickers from nearby cities. The quality of urban Azrou, with its red tile roofs, bears the stamp of European style.

Azrou is best known for hosting the first college in the Berber region, the College of Berber Azrou. The Bnou Ziad Tariq School was built by the French colonial authorities in order to train officers for the Moroccan colonial administration. It was one of the instruments of control over the Berber community but the residents agreed to leave the Berbers solve their problems of justice according to their customs, which they had done for millennia without resorting to other justices (Colonial or Makhzen). Thereupon, the Arabs of Fez, Rabat and Salé were worried because they were losing control over the country throughout Morocco, mostly in Berber communities. Their influence was reduced, although the application of “Sharia” (Islamic law) was in place.

The College became an educational institution of reference in the region, where part of political elites and military from 1956 to 1973 emerged. After independence, the college was renamed as Azrou High School “Tariq Ibn Ziad”. The city is controlled by the authorities since independence, a situation that is proved by the fact that the city, although more prestigious than Ifrane, does not even have the provincial status, much less that of Wilaya. The city has 4 or 5 hotels and the region known for its cedars, cherry trees, apple trees, and monkeys, and its decommissioned sanatorium of the nearby town of Ben Smim.