vanhal travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

According to Australia’s Great Train Journeys (trainways.com.au) The Ghan is an odd name for a train but in Australian history it is a living legend. The legend has soared to new heights with the extension of The Ghan journey to Darwin. When The Ghan first departed Adelaide for Alice Springs, it was always intended that it would one day travel through to Darwin. More than 70 years on, that dream has become reality.
Boarding The Ghan in Adelaide or Darwin, experience one of the most fascinating great train journeys of the world. Connections are available on the Indian Pacific and The Overland for guests travelling to or from Sydney and Melbourne. Enjoy 2 nights aboard this great train in either direction. Marvel at the spectacular Australian landscapes from fertile countryside surrounding Adelaide to the rusty hues of the Red Centre, onto the tropical splendour of the Top End. The Ghan is the ultimate journey through the heart of the continent.
Continue reading The Ghan

Take a short trip to discover the second largest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv situated on three hills rising inic the Thracian plain and washed by the quietly flowing waters of Maritza River. An ancient crossroads between East and West, Plovdiv has preserved unique treasure from it’s 24 centuries long history. Brilliant examples of the Bulgarian National Revival Period are preserved here. The ethnographic Museum, Churches and the street of folk arts and crafts are major landmark of the Old Town followed by lunch and trip to Bachkovo Monastery. It was mostly destroyed by the Turks in the 14th century and rebuilt a century later. The main treasure of the monastery is a miracle working icon Sveta Bogorodica which is said to heal the sick.
Continue reading Plovdiv And Bachkovo Monastery

Entering its second year as the #1 public golf course in Maine according to Golfweek Magazine and having just been listed as the only New England course on Golf Digest’s Best New Public Over $75 top 10 list, the highly acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club opened all 18 holes on Saturday.

World-renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr, designed Sunday River Golf Club, located next to Sunday River Ski Resort. In addition to the accolades from Golfweek and Golf Digest, Golfstyles New England named the Sunday River Golf Club their Public Course of the Year for 2007.

Early season greens fees including cart are currently at $79 per person and both the driving range and practice green are open. Stay and play packages through Memorial Day weekend start at $89 per person per night including lodging and a round of golf with cart.
Continue reading Sunday River Golf Club Opens for the 2007 Season as New England’s Only Course on Golf Digest’s Best New Course Listing

Since their discovery in the late 1800s, visitors have travelled on horseback, by boat, and later by car, to benefit from the healing powers of Harrison Hot Springs and to stay in the renowned resort hotel overlooking Harrison Lake .
Rich in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa was a natural acquisition by Delaware North Companies in fall 2002. The company is pleased to have made the resort the latest member of its family of world-class park, resort and tourism properties.

“Harrison is a jewel waiting for a grand vision, experience, and the capital required to develop it sensitively and bring it to the level of an international resort destination,” says new General Manager Donald Ponniah.

Ponniah, most recently at the corporation’s Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, CA, jumped at the chance to move to British Columbia . “BC is truly ‘supernatural.’ When we’ve completed our renovation and restoration work, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa will be a must-stay destination for its rich history, healing springs, scenic location and top caliber resort accommodations.”
Continue reading Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa: A $16-million Grand Vision

Aeromexico will offer the first daily non-stop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Mexico City (MEX) with continuing service to Guadalajara (GDL). From Mexico City, travelers will be able to connect to major Mexican destinations including Acapulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz and others.

“We welcome Aeromexico to the Northwest,” said Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton. “Mexico City is an important destination for business and leisure travelers from the Puget Sound area. We are pleased that the airline will provide this daily non-stop flight which will serve to further strengthen business and cultural ties between Washington and Mexico.”

“Mexico is one of Washington’s largest trade partners and I look forward to flying this new route on my trade mission to Mexico and Guadalajara this summer,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “I met with the CEO of Aeromexico when he visited last summer and discussed with him the benefits of a direct flight between Seattle and Mexico, including the ability to create more trade and cultural opportunities.”
Continue reading Seattle is New Destination for AeroMexico

That remarkable country is situated in the south – east part of Europe. Older than most of the countries in Europe, Bulgaria represents culture and traditions in own style.You can miss visiting Bulgaria, but you can’t miss this interesting documentary video.

more interesting place in Bulgaria

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Sports City, the world’s first integrated sports city and corner
stone project of Dubailand.Arabtec-Max Bogl, a joint venture partnership, has been contracted to design and build a 60,000-seater multi-purpose outdoor stadium and a 10,000-seater multi-purpose indoor stadium.
The contract, worth 830 million Dirham, would see the indoor stadium completed in April 2009 and the outdoor stadium by the end of that year. Designed by gmp, the architectural practice made famous for its work on the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Commerz Bank Stadium in Frankfurt, both stadia are set to be recognised internationally for the elegance and ambition of their design.Taken together, they will become key venues at Dubai Sports City, capable of hosting the most prestigious sporting and entertainment events and firmly positioning Dubai Sports City, and Dubai, as a leading sports and entertainment destination.
Continue reading 830 Million Dirham Contract Positions Dubai Sports City as Centre of Global Sporting Excellence

Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand, a member of Tatweer officially announced the 180,000 sq ft Dubailand headquarters is now open to public, providing a preview of the architectural and landscape marvels at the region’s largest tourism and entertainment project.

Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand said: “It was the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed that began this road to a world of fun and leisure. The concept of the headquarters is unique with scale models that reflect the innovation and creativity of Dubailand.

“The headquarters will set new benchmarks for such sales offices in the region in providing investors and visitors with a glimpse of the project’s offerings.”
Situated on the Dubailand roundabout on Emirates Road, the headquarters, now open to the public, is uniquely designed as a mini Dubailand, featuring a 3,200 sq ft scale model of the entire development.
Continue reading Dubailand New Headquarters Features Scale Models of Leisure Destination

Veliko Tarnovo – the capital of the second Bulgarian Kingdom, is situated along the historical hills of Sveta Gora, Tsarevets and Trapezitsa, on the two banks of the Yantra River.It’s the town with the most glorious historical past in Bulgaria – symbol of Bulgarian statehood and a source of national pride for all Bulgarians.Veliko Tarnovo is known for its distinct and picturesque architecture, which creates a feeling of warmth and cosiness.The houses are perched high above Yantra River banks,paved lanes with tiny shops and craftmen workshops winding between them.The Old Gurko Street and the Samovedene Market,a merchant and crafts center,are fine examples of local building traditions.The remains of the past are an integral part of the present day townscape.

A three hour city tour discovers you the city center with its historical, archaeological nd architectural landmarks.You are accompanied by a professional tour guide speaking the language of your choice.Sofia today is an exciting meeting place of history and present.Traces of the life of Tracians ans Romans,Proto-Bulgarians and Slavs are woven into the city’ busy life today.Some 250 historic,archaeological and architectural monuments have been preserved in the modern capital,the center of the country’s political and cultural life, a tourist destination and hospitable venue of major international forums.