2009 July travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

This museum palace  is situated inVienna, Austria. This baroque complex contains an enchanting park,the Palm House, the Gloriette and a zoo. The view from the top of the hill was amazing.
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In the far north of Japan off the north-west coast of the island Hokkaido, lie two smaller islands famed for their natural beauty, abundant wild flowers and hiking trails. The island of Rebun and Rishiri form part of national park, along with the island of Sarobetsu and part of Hokkaido. Photo by: k_yamamoto
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Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located on one of the most exotic Caribbean beaches. 1.5 miles from Playa del Carmen and 35 minutes from the airport. Surrounded by 35,000 m2 /42,000 sq. yards of lush gardens.
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At the southern-most tip of Japan in the Pacific Ocean near the Tropic of Cancer lies the island of Hateruma, part of the Yaeyama Island group. This enchanting coral island is clothed in banyan trees, Indian almonds, bamboo orchids and colourful hibiscus. There is a blissful feeling of remoteness in this beautiful rural backwater, with no man-made noise and the exotic decent of frangipani perfumes in the air. Photo by: ippei + janine
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Kangaroo in both, name and nature, this large island just 13 km off the South Australian mainland is relatively untouched for thousands of years. Towering cliffs protect the northern shores, giving way to more exposed sandy beaches in the south. Bushwalking is pretty compulsory and trails meander across the national parks that cover the third of the island.
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Mamanuca Archipelago is scattered off Nadi Bay on Viti Levu‘s west coast. There are about 20 islands, but be careful which one you choose – some are completely covered during high tide. The Mamanuca Islands are serious tourist attractions, offering many coral islets to explore and numerous beach resorts to suit every pocket, plus all the water-sports and diving activities for which Fiji is famous. Most resorts offer complementary kayaks, hobby cats and reef snorkeling trips. Photo by: abbietabbie

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Upolu is the most populated of Samoa’s islands, with a massive shield volcano that is 75 km long. The Samoans believe their islands were the cradle of Polynesian civilization, and Upolu is certainly the sort of place that would arrive from central casting where real people live real lives. The interior is rugged, tropical and lush with rushing rivers and stunning waterfalls. The palm beaches are often totally secluded and mostly deserted. There are no big tourists hotels and over-developed resorts and the focus of the islanders is based on family tradition and culture. The whole atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed.
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North of Rarotonga, the beautiful island of Aitutaki is the second most populous of the Cook Islands, a group of 15 lovely islands in the South Pacific. The coral atoll boasts low rolling hills, banana plantation and coconut groves. This is an archetypal desert island and a wonderful place to unwind, with palm-fringed white sandy beaches, magnificent clear sea and a relaxed place of life. Aitutaki has a main island and a string of small islets (featuring Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua), all circled by a barrier reef, creating the breathtaking turquoise lagoon that makes it such a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Photo by: msdstefan
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Rangiroa is a breathtaking archipelago consisted of 78 low islands extends their surface area several hundred kilometers of the eastern Pacific around 200 km north of Tahiti. This is the second largest atoll in the world, the coral rim of an ancient volcano making tremendous  shallow inland sea with more than 240 islets or motu. The motu are separated by at least 100 shallow channels and three passes, two of which are big enough for ships to enter the lagoon. Photo by: suckmyclick AF
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The ancient walled city of Carcassonne perched on a hill over the more modern extended town is an historical treasure. Located at the strategic intersection of two historic trade routes, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from Spain to the center of France. In Carcassonne, visitors stroll along the cobblestone streets, browsing shops selling Medieval wares. Some describe it as a tourist-trap.
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