So What are the Top Ten Travel Destinations?
Naming top ten travel destinations could prove easy, but how relevant such a list is, that is debatable. This article refers to the most popular locations based starting from the statistics made thanks to international travel agencies, and according to travelers’ reviews posted on various web pages.
Latin America deserves a place on the list with Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Peru as favorite destinations but the remnants of the ancient Maya and Inca civilizations, or the modern and sunny Cancun are not to be overlooked either. The cultural impact, the the entertainment diversity combined with some great weather conditions, make this part of the world become the holiday destination of millions of tourists from all over the world.
Western Europe with the charm of the Romantic setting of Paris, the historic attraction of Rome and Venice, the fascination of Spain’s former Arab cities and the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland can be included in the list of top ten travel destinations any time of the year. Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza require a special mention here, as they are some of the most exotic resorts in the European part of the world.
The Egyptian Pyramids and Morocco are absolutely magnificent, and travel agencies sell thousands of touristic packages for holidays on the dark continent. One of the features of African resorts consists in the constant touristic push and an unforgettable adventure in the multitude of cultures that mingle so much in the crowded North-African cities. Whether you choose a well known resort or a more discreet one, this part of Africa will always rank among the top ten travel destinations.
Nepal, Bhutan and other countries on the Asian roof of the world fascinate and charm visitors alike. It is the Nepalese capital city, Kathmandu, with its thirteen hundred years of history that attracts most of the tourist crowds. As for the climbing of the Everest, very few courageous people dare to venture on the crests of Himalaya.
Last but not least, lots of great sunny islands can enter a top ten travel destinations list: Bali, Jamaica, Crete, Hawaii and many others, which is why the list needs to be a lot more comprehensive, as so are the beauties man and God created. All in all the places closest to a person’s heart remain the ones to attract him/her for further exploration, and therefore, anyone can come up with a list of top ten travel destinations.
New Wines Poured
When new wines poured out of Argentina, Australia, Chile, and New Zealand 20 years ago, most weren’t fit to strip old paint from your siding. But as winemakers refined their methods, savvy marketers the nouveau riche who tasted the improvements quickly signed on to export the brands to global markets – and made a killing. Wines from these four countries now account for nearly a third of the $3.7 billion imported-wine market in the United States.
So where is the new crop of hidden vines that will turn hundreds of prescient exporters into millionaires? The answer whispered these days among sommeliers is Greece. Long dismissed as a producer of turgid retsina table wine, Greece has a new generation of winemakers, with pedigrees from France and Napa Valley, who are turning out award-winning wines from exotic grapes like moschofilero (akin to a pinot grigio) and agiorgitiko (more like a cab). The nouveau riche exports them to the United States jumped by almost a third in 2005, and industry pros say they will double again by 2008.
The first step to breaking into the business is obvious: Travel through Peloponnese, the nouveau riche tasting wines to find ones likely to earn high scores from wine magazines. Then ask to be a winemaker’s exclusive U.S. rep. Set-up costs for exporting one or two labels will run between $25,000 and $100,000. About $10,000 goes toward legal fees to get a U.S. import license. Then, plan on buying a few thousand cases at $5 or so per bottle. Another $6,000 gets them on a containership. American exporters charge a markup of as much as 50 percent to distributors, who can get up to another 50 percent from stores and restaurants. After paying import duties and warehouse rental, you can raise a glass to double-digit profit margins. — P.K.
Tips on Traveling Safely
While no one likes to think about it, the fact of the matter is that there are any number of things that can go wrong when you’re traveling. While you can’t prevent every disaster from occurring, there are some things you can do to help make your trip safer. Have a plan in case the worst happens. Consider purchasing travel insurance, flight cancellation or interruption insurance, or automobile rental insurance. Have some idea of where to get help in an emergency, such as calling 911. Know what your options are so that, when a safety issue does arise, you’re ready to handle it.
Medical Safety
If you’re diabetic or allergic to latex, for example, it is important that medical personnel know those things in the event you wind up in a hospital emergency room. A medic alert bracelet, or some other form of documentation, can alert medical staff about specific issues of which they should be aware.
Financial Safety
Carrying large amounts of cash is dangerous on a couple of levels. First of all, showing large amounts of cash can draw the attention of thieves. Second, cash can’t be replaced in the way that traveler’s checks or credit cards can. Keep the telephone numbers for your credit card company or for the bank that issued your traveler’s checks programmed into your cell phone or written down in your luggage. While a thief might take your wallet, it’s not nearly as likely that he would be able to take your suitcase.
Transportation Safety
When it comes to transportation by car, the same rules apply when you’re traveling as when you’re not traveling. Obey the posted speed limit. Wear your seatbelt. Be an alert driver. Learn and follow any local driving laws. When it comes to traveling by another means, however, safety may not be as obvious. In the case of planes, boats or trains, make sure that you pay careful attention to the safety instructions provided by the crew. Even if a particular safety instruction sounds silly to you, you’re still better off following the rules.