General summary of city:
Bruges, Belgium, from the Norse word ‘Bryggja’ meaning ‘mooring place’ is one of the three regions and the capital of Flanders. Bruges has a population of over 100,000 and covers an area of approximately 138 km. This historic city, with its natural link to the sea, became a commercial center for European trade in early medieval times, as the harbor filled with ships carrying wool, grain, and wine. In a short while, the door opened for trade with countries on the Mediterranean Sea and the first fleet of ships arrived from Genoa, Italy. With the increase in international trade and the influx of capital, Bruges soon became an extremely wealthy city and a worldwide banking market. Over time, however, internal revolts between the prosperous tradesmen and the common people of Bruges led to the subsequent decline of the city as an important center for trade. As silt began to form and fill the waterway, Bruges was replaced as a major seaport by the more accessible city of Antwerp. After its separation from the Netherlands near the end of the medieval period, Bruges today is no longer known for its maritime prowess, but for its preservation as a provincial city with a wealth of culture and history.

Places of interest:
Bruges, often called the Venice of the North, is actually much further inland, amid different arms from the sea, waterways created by repeated flooding from the North Sea. After constant dredging, the Reie River was turned into a network of canals, the Water Halls of the Market. The Court of the Market (Grote Markt), the Castle, and the small towns of Damma and Suis are visited by tourists in Bruges on riverboats owned by five families. The Market has a belfry tower from which you have a spectacular view of the city and the Provincial Court, on the east side of the square where the original water halls existed, is a wonderful example of neo-Gothic architecture. The statues of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, national heroes, are located In the middle of the market square. Within the museum adjacent to the Castle, The Shrine of the Sacred Blood houses the vessel that is carried in a procession every year on Ascension Day. The southern area of modern reconstructed medieval houses still reflects the original architecture of Bruges. In addition, there are several wonderful museums in the city such as the archaeological museum, with historical exhibits from the Stone Age and beyond. Another place of interest is the Groeninge Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of fine art, containing works by Flemish masters such as Van Eyck, Hugo van der Goes, Jacob van Oost, and the more recent expressionist masterpieces.

Things to do:
Walking through and around the ramparts that enclose this delightful, small city is one of the best ways to discover its charm. Carriages can be hired and scooters can be rented for an hour or a day of sightseeing, as well. Day trips by buses (fares are extremely reasonable) can be arranged to Sint-Trudo Abbey Male, former castle of the Counts of Flanders, and the Boudewijnpark and Dolphinarium, a theme park and panoramic aquarena. Take time for a stop at the Lace Center to watch the local artisans at work and the Antique and Flea Market where arts and crafts are featured. Exploring a bit further in the area around Bruges, you?ll enjoy the beaches at Zeebruge, a small seaside resort, and the quaint village of Lissewege located between the city and the coast. Zeebruge lies within 8 miles from Bruges, connected by a canal, and boat trips and visits to the exhibitions of the sea are popular things to do. There is no end to great shopping in Bruges, largely between the Market square and the old city gates. A number of small specialty shops are situated in the center such as De Kaarsengieterij, the oldest and only candle shop in Bruges. Here, you can find garden and interior candles, candle holders, and t-lights, or if staying in the city a while, take the opportunity to order hand-painted candles for gifts and special occasions.

Food & Drink:
Bruges is known for excellent food and restaurants, featuring French and Flemish cuisine. Mussels, steamed in beer or wine, are a favorite of the people in Bruges and are often served with a side order of French fries with mayonnaise. Waterzooi is a type of soup with cream, vegetables, chicken, or fish, and paling in?t groen consists of eels with vegetables and herbs. Popular selections for dining out, as might be expected, are in the variety of seafood that is available, from fresh salted herring to North Sea shrimp. Chocolate is a must for dessert or for purchase in the many shops or patisseries that surround the city and the Cote d?Or, with an inexpensive selection of chocolate bars. Wine is served in most places; however, with over 100 breweries in Belgium and 400 varieties, beer is the national drink in Bruges. There are three types of beer, lager or dark, white, and the lambic homebrewed beer, often flavoured with fruit. Beer is relatively expensive, but much stronger than beer from other countries. There are a number of restaurants and pubs such as De Garre that have great atmosphere and serve over 100 different varieties of beer.

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General summary of city:
Bouillon is a city that is situated in the province of Luxembourg, in the western section of Belgium. A small city and part of the Neufchateau district, Bouillon has a relatively small population numbering just over 5,000 individuals. Yet, the small population of the city can be somewhat deceiving, Bouillon is a city that offers plenty of things to do see and enjoy.

Bouillon is located very near the French border and is surrounded by Ardennes. Filled with incredible castle structures, and many historical sites to see, the city of Bouillon draws thousands of tourists each year. The city of Bouillon is also the location where Godfrey of Bouillon first left for the Crusades in 1095. Further, the city of Bouillon was, at one time, under the rulership of the French?specifically King Louis XIV in 1676. Later, the city would become part of Belgium in the eighteen century.

Castles, museums, beer breweries, and recreational activities are all easily accessible to guests in Bouillon. In fact, if guests visit Bouillon at the right time of year, they can take in all of the recreational activities that are offered on an annual basis in Bouillon. The city of Bouillon offers a carnival every March, a Trout Festival every April; Falconry demonstrations between the months of April and August; a Medieval Weekend during the month of August; a Craft Fair in September; and a mountain biking expedition in September.

Places of interest:
Bouillon houses a number of sites of historical interest. The Archeoscope is filled to the brim with edifying exhibits: exhibits that will reveal the true history of Bouillon, from its early beginnings to the present day. Further, within the Archeoscope, travellers can view scale models of the existing fortifications within the city of Bouillon and neighbouring France. The Archeoscope is often the first site visited by travellers?the historical education provided by the location readies the traveller for other site seeing adventures within the city.

Alternatively, travellers may also want to see the Ducal Museum, housing exhibits pertaining to the First Crusade to the present. English speaking, guided tours are offered at the Ducal Museum, and guests can take in the breath-taking sixteenth and seventeenth century architecture that this museum is famous for. Ultimately, the Ducal Museums is a source of historical exploration that the entire family can easily enjoy.

Of course, travellers seldom leave Belgium before sampling its world famous beer or visiting one of its breweries. While staying in Bouillon, travellers can tour the Le March? de Nathalie, the city?s single brewery; a brewery that brews well over 300 varieties of Belgium beer. Travellers are given the opportunity to sample some of Belgium?s finest brews at the Le March? de Nathalie.

Things to do:
The annual Falconry Demonstration that is offered between the months of April and August is called the Ballet de Rapaces. Offered three times daily, the Falconry Demonstration is a perk of visiting the Castle in Bouillon. The times for the Falconry Demonstration are set at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm respectively. Each show lasts approximately ? hour, just a short time for travellers to see the beautiful falcons and their abilities.

Alternatively, many tourists find that they are drawn to the medieval architecture of Bouillon and such travellers may enjoy seeing the Chateau Fort. The Chateau Fort was established in the late 900?s and was formerly owned by Godfrey of Bouillon. The Chateau Fort houses long, vast corridors, and dark dank dungeons for traveller exploration and the medieval charm of the Fort is truly unforgettable. Adults and children find the Chateau Fort incredibly interesting, and the guided tours?especially the nocturnal tours where guides walk tourist through the castle with lighted torch in hand?serve as an incredibly memorable experience. The Chateau Fort is accessible from 10 am to 6:00 pm and the cost of admission is nominal: 5.20 Euro and 3.50 Euro for children and adults respectively.

Food & Drink:
Travellers can enjoy a fine dining experience at the La Vieille Ardenne on Grand Rue, a caf? and restaurant that proudly offers catering facilities to the residents of Bouillon. The La Vieille Ardenne has an outdoor veranda and travellers can sit on the terrace while sampling one of Belgium?s famous beers. Alternatively, the Auberge du Panaroma situated at Au dessus de la Ville 23 serves a fine selection of French cuisine, and is open every day except Monday and Tuesday.

Those travellers looking for fantastic Italian entrees can please their palate at La Rocca; located at rue du Petit 19 in Bouillon. La Rocca is open every day except for Monday and offers its guest live entertainment while they dine. Children?s menus are available at La Rocca and the dining facility is handicapped accessible.

Meanwhile, travellers looking for a taste of Belgian cuisine will find precisely what they desire at La Baratin, located at Rue des Augustins 12. Open everyday of the week, except for Mondays and Tuesdays, La Baratin offers the best in Belgian dining. Popular entrees among travellers include frites, Flemish cabbage, Flemish Stew, mussels and chips, and a dessert consisting of Belgium?s famous chocolates can finish off any meal. Again, beer, including the fruity, flavored variety is available in many cafes and restaurants throughout Belgium.

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In case you haven?t noticed, blogs (short for web logs, really just an online journal) are everywhere on the net. There are sport blogs, car fan blogs, cooking blogs?all geared towards taking what?s inside of your mind and getting it out in a manner that can be beneficial to others.

Travel is no different.

Whether you?re passionate about traveling, a weekend adventurer, or head out once a year with the family to experience what the world has to offer, a travel blog is a fabulous medium to share your encounters with others. In addition to any family member with a computer and Internet connection having the ability to access your blog, friends and friends of friends can read what you?ve written about destinations around the globe!

While there are dozens of reasons for keeping a general blog, we?ve come up three very good reasons to keep a specific travel blog. They are:

#1. Any bad experiences at hotels, restaurants, or stops along the way can be vented and heard as you write about your encounters, while the positive events can be pleasantly shared amongst avid blog readers around the planet on the World Wide Web. By choosing a travel specific site, potential readers are on that site with that one topic on their mind- and want to know what you have to say about their potential future destinations.

#2. Pictures, pictures and more pictures. Family and friends can keep a tab on you and your travels by reading all about your adventures and viewing he accompanying pictures that you?ve uploaded to your travel blog site of choice. Beside the fun of it, you?ll be saving yourself a few afternoons of re-showing your pictures to everyone who wants to see them. Simply send them the link to your travel blog, ask them to bookmark it on their favorites and visit it often to see where your travels have taken you now.

#3. Travel blogs bring your journal into the digital era, and preserves it for an eternity. Floods and other catastrophes can?t damage your memory or your blog, but they can certainly wreak havoc onto pictures, private paper journals and yes- can even damage computers and back-up discs, where the majority of invaluable digital photos are stored.

So what are you waiting for? Get blogging!

Accommodations:
Options abound for where to lay your head in London. Our choice is hostels as most are centrally located, inexpensive and offer good resources to budget minded travelers. They also give you the option to save on food costs by offering breakfast and/or kitchen facilities.

Our favorite: International Students House, 229 Great Portland St., London. This place is hard to beat as it is right across the street from the Great Portland Tube station, offers free breakfast and an inexpensive cafeteria, lounge with Internet access and a secured entrance. This hostel also has female only rooms, an increasingly rare offer amongst hostels. Price is about 18.50 pounds (about 33 US Dollars).

If hostels don’t work for you, consider one of London’s budget hotels. We like the Andrews House Hotel, near Lancaster Gate and Hyde Park. Continental breakfast is given from 8-9:30am and prices start at 25 pounds (about 48 US Dollars).

Free Things To Do:
While London can easily break your bank in some respects, there is so much to do there that is FREE. It doesn’t get more “On The Cheap” than that. Here are some our favorite free things to do in London:

- Natural History Museum
- Museum of London
- British Museum
- Victoria and Albert Museum (our favorite!)
- National Gallery
- Tate Britain and Modern Galleries
- National Portrait Gallery
- Serpentine Gallery
- Lunchtime Concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (M, T, F @ 1:05pm.)
- Notting Hill Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings, get off at Notting Hill tube.)
- Covent Garden Market (M-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6, Tube: Leicester Square.)
- Portabello Road Market/Shops (Market open Saturdays, Tube: Notting Hill.)

Getting Around London
London is fairly easy to navigate via public transportation with a little research. Try to avoid cabs as the clogged traffic will almost certainly make it an expensive ride.

The Tube is London’s underground subway network. It was the world’s first subway system and some of the station platforms were used as air raid shelters in WWII. It is usually the fastest way to get around town and Travelcards (available in 1 or 3 day lengths) will allow you to travel as much as you’d like for one set price. Also, children under 11 travel free after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends.

London is famous for it’s double decker buses. Although much slower than the Tube, it is a very inexpensive way to see the city. One popular route is number 11, which will take you by St. Paul’s Church, Fleet St, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Rd, and Chelsea. A one-way fare is just 1.50 pounds…compare that to the 20-30 pounds for the pricey tourist buses that will take you by the same sights!

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Some debates are everlasting: since the dawn of time, people have tried to establish whether paranormal activity exists in the world. This burning passion for the unexplained has been enshrined in popular culture: from the Twilight Zone to The X Files, we have seen alien and unearthly events being dissected from all sorts of angles, but we have still reached no firm conclusions about their origins. However, there are actual sites of so-called paranormal activity where evidence seems so irrefutable that even the most die-hard sceptics are tested. One of these sites is Oregon’s House of Mystery.

The House of Mystery is a roadside attraction in Gold Hill, Oregon, located to the north west of the town of Medford. The house itself was built in 1904 by the Old Grey Eagle Mining Company. First used as a gold assay office and then for tool storage, it is situated in the famous Oregon Vortex, a region so well-known for its paranormal qualities that it was featured in an episode of The X Files in 1999. The Oregon Vortex is renowned for its unnatural events: it is said that the laws of physics are temporarily abandoned in the area, which first opened to visitors in 1939. Objects are said to defy laws of gravity, brooms stand vertically unsupported, balls can roll uphill and the laws of perspective appear dramatically altered. Some visitors even claim to find relief from backache in the Vortex, and its powers are said to be strongest when the moon is full.

Yet sceptics have found natural reasons for this so-called paranormal activity. Some critics say that when the House of Mystery was a gold assay office, it slid from its foundations, settling at an odd angle, although this claim has been disputed. Visitors to the house assume that its foundations are normal, and thus the events that occur in it seem to have somehow sidestepped gravity. Yet there are fatal flaws in this argument: John Litser, a former owner of the property who died in 1959, apparently carried out detailed tests and investigations on the activities in the Oregon Vortex, and allegedly burned his findings, screaming, “The world is not ready for this.” Some of these notes survive, however, and are sold in pamphlets at the House of Mystery gift shop: in them he argues the existence of an actual vortex in the region, which affects a circular area measuring 165 feet, 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Proven vortex or not, however, the House of Mystery provides the perfect forum to demonstrate its quirks and abnormalities to a wide audience.

The Oregon Vortex is only one among a variety of mystery spots in the world. As well as the Bermuda Triangle, perhaps the most legendary example, other mystery spots include Pennsylvania’s Laurel Caverns, also known as Gravity Hill, California’s Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, and the Mystery Vortex in Hungry Horse, Montana. These sites of paranormal activity are certainly best appreciated in comparison with one another; a tour of America’s mystery spots, for instance, would be an ideal holiday for the aspiring mystery solver. By joining a hotel honours rewards scheme with wide benefits, such as Hilton Honours, this multi-stop travel can still be value for money, and you can extend your mystery solving impulse to all corners of the country.

You may have heard the saying ?Singapore is a fine city.? You get fined for this, fined for that? you could even get fined for chewing gum (it caused a major door drama that stopped the MRT subway running). While there?s no doubt that Singapore takes a tough stand on fines for anti-social issues and basic public behaviour, Singapore is also fine city for a tourists on a stopover or vacation break.

In fact, Singapore is one of the world?s most popular destinations. A tiny island with mighty appeal, lying between Malaysia and Indonesia. Just 14 miles from north to south and 26 miles wide from east to west, it?s slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Singapore lies in the heart of exciting Southeast Asia, a bridge between east and west and a place that buzzes 24/7.

It offers visitors a world of fantastic possibilities. Its ultra-modern skyscrapers and towers of glass contrast with the colonial charm of historic buildings, secret laneways and Chinese shop houses.

It?s a confusion of culture with slick style and business energy. A melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian races. Safe, fun and friendly, the perfect place for a break. Singaporeans are super helpful to visitors and just about everybody speaks English as this is the main language of business and everyday life.

Singapore is also just a few degrees from the equator, so it?s always a hot and happening place literally. Tip: dress for the tropics with light comfortable clothing.

Seven great things to do and see.

Singapore Shopping. A buyer?s paradise.

The number one attraction is undoubtedly shopping. Stroll down the main boulevard of Orchard Road and you?ll find plenty to tempt you and your credit card, but window shopping costs nothing. Each side of the road is lined with glossy designer boutiques, big stores and fabulous malls, not to mention shops displaying the latest digital wizardy.

Don?t miss exploring the other side of Singapore either. It?s fun to spend a day wandering the different locales and historic backstreets of Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street.

Enjoy a Singapore Sling at Raffles.

?When in Singapore, feed at Raffles?, that was the advice of the renowned English author, Rudyard Kipling, and it still holds true today. The legendary Raffles Hotel is consistently voted as one of the top hotels in the world. It attracted a bevy of literary talent to its doors, from Joseph Conrad to Somerset Maugham to Noel Coward who were inspired by its unique atmosphere. First opened in 1887, Raffles has undergone extensive restoration over the years but today it?s still as stylish as ever.

Now film celebrities, royalty, sports stars and anyone who?s anyone, chooses to stay Raffles. Even if your budget doesn?t allow an overnight booking, you could probably stretch to a refreshing Gin Sling in the Long Bar ? it was invented here. Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon created this deliciously different cocktail close to a century ago.

Food glorious food.

Making money is not the only things on people?s minds in Singapore. The subject of food is a national obsession. After breakfast has finished, where to have lunch and dinner are the big topics of the day. As a visitor, your taste buds are spoiled for choice with plenty of food halls, stalls, cafes and upmarket restaurants.

Nonya or Peranakan food is the closest Singapore has to a ?national? cuisine. It combines Chinese, Malay and other influences into its own unique blend. The resulting dishes are imaginative, tasty and often extremely subtle.

Travel tip: If you?re heading this way in the month of July, the annual Singapore Food Festival is in full swing. A gastronomic feast of workshops, places to eat, amazing recipes and things to try are all on the menu.

Singapore Zoo Night Safari.

Forget a typical zoo experience, this is an ?open? green environment where animals are allowed to roam in acres of lush jungle and parklands. Oppressive cages are absent. The animals are actually kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from visitors by dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed with vegetation or dropped below the line of vision.

At night, Singapore zoo takes on a totally different feel with the famous Night Safari. A unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through subtle lighting, you can view over 1,000 nocturnal animals from 100 species in their habitat. It?s well worth spending an evening out here. Show time starts at 7.30 as the sunset in this part of world is very reliable, thanks to the position, close to the equator.

Sentosa. Singapore?s premier island resort getaway.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Singapore, you?ll find the resort getaway that is Sentosa Island. A stunning blend of leisure and recreational facilities, sea sports, golf and peaceful retreats. Get there by cable car (fantastic views) or bus, taxi and car.

A canopy of secondary rainforest covers 70 per cent of the 500-hectare island and it?s home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as well as other native fauna and flora. With is long stretch of white sandy beach, this is the only place in Singapore with real beachfront accommodation, such as Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort. You?ll find this property (and many more choices all over Singapore) at sites like.

Clarke Quay. Night moves and grooves.

When the sun goes down, Clarke Quay, on the Singapore River, comes to life. During the 19th century, this was a commercial waterfront area, bustling with merchant vessels. The rich heritage is alive and kicking. The Quay been restored to create a colorful and stylish meeting place, filled with cosy cafes, bars, music and restaurants. Trendy night spots attract a big crowd, especially at the weekend.

Reflexology. Traditional Foot Massage.

Transport-wise, Singapore is easy to get around, by subway, bus or taxi, but you?ll probably pound the sidewalks taking in the sights and sounds of this great Asian destination. Make time for some pampering.

Reflexology or foot massage has long been part of Chinese tradition and culture – a superb way to relax after a tough day bargain hunting. You?ll find plenty of places to enjoy a massage, at exclusive Hotel spas, or the more reasonably priced specialty outlets all around Orchard Road, in shopping centres and Tanglin Road.

Singapore hotels to match every budget.

Singapore is one of the world?s top travel destinations, especially for stop overs. (U.S. citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa.) Accommodation-wise, you?ll find a wide range of hotels to suit your budget ? from major 5 star international names to smaller hotels offering great value rates. Book online and see the deals you can find.

The internet has revolutionized the way we live our lives. We can now make international phone calls across the internet for only a few pennies. We can plan, book and check in for a holiday with a few clicks of the mouse. If you?ve ever turned up at a hotel only to find out they don?t have your booking then this ?how to? guide is for you. Read on.

The internet has hundreds of websites that are designed to help you book a hotel. Unfortunately, some of them just seem to make the process harder. In a few short paragraphs below we?ve included some hints and tricks that will help you feel confident about booking a hotel online.

You where you?re headed but where do you go from there? Ask yourself questions like: What attractions do I want to see? Where do I want to visit? What is going to make my trip worthwhile? Take a few minutes to understand what you want. It?ll help down the road. There?s no point booking a hotel in New Jersey when you want to spend your week exploring Manhattan. By knowing what you want to see and where you want to go you can narrow down the number of hotels to choose from.

The next step is to think about how much you want to spend. What?s your price range? Will you pay more to be closer to the tourist spots? Travel websites like Expedia and Travelocity will let you organise the hotels in price order. That way you can quickly skim the list and rule out any hotels that are too expensive.

Once you know what you want you?re ready to log on and start browsing the web for hotels. There are a multitude of hotel booking websites that can be found with a quick Google search. Some of the larger hotel booking sites include: Expedia, Travel-o-city, Hotels.com and Lastminute.com. Most of these sites will give you detailed information about the listed hotels. They will tell you what attractions are nearby, the approximate room prices, availability in the hotel and any price offers that may be running. Ensure you choose a site that offers instant booking confirmation. If they don?t then move on.

Choose a few hotels that you like and then look them up on a review site like drakeandcavendish.com. Review sites will give you that little bit of extra information from past guests and independent reviewers. Information you won?t probably won?t find on the hotels website. You can judge the quality of the hotel from the reviews and work out your preferred choice.

Now you should be ready to book. Keep the email confirmation that the website sends you. The confirmation is that extra bit of insurance should any problems come up. It also pays to make sure that there is a little yellow padlock in the bottom right hand corner of your screen as you enter your credit card details. This padlock means that the site is secure and the financial information entered is safe.

Good luck and happy travelling.