Whether planning a romantic getaway or a quiet business trip, sooner or later, the question comes up, ?Do we stay at a Bed and Breakfast or one of the London hotels?? More often than not, the European bed and breakfast has been romanticized, in books and on film as the ideal getaway place. While they sound cozy and wonderful, do they really meet the expectations of travelers? How do the London hotels compare?

The bed and breakfast offered an inexpensive alternative to London hotels, and it became popular for homeowners to open their doors to the select public. Travelers were not only given a warm and cozy bed to sleep in, but this offered them the opportunity to stay in a more comfortable retreat, eat home-cooked meals, and enjoy the hospitality of London residents. Those who sought a more homey retreat yet didn?t wish to lease an apartment for an extended length of time flocked to the Bed and Breakfast, making them a popular alternative to hotels.

London hotels have their own advantages, however. Typically offering larger rooms and deluxe accommodations, the hotels also grant more freedom to their lodgers. Restaurants, health spas, and stores are just a step away, and since you are not staying in someone?s home, you have the ability to come and go as you please, without the constraints of a schedule.

While the Bed and Breakfast remains a popular vacation retreat, London hotels are now offering some hearty competition. Continental breakfasts are commonly served and reduced rates, offered during quieter seasons, often make hotels the better value. In the end, it all comes down to the preference of the lodger and a personal opinion as to what is the better bargain. Whichever you choose, Bed and Breakfast or hotel, there are many wonderful places to stay in the city of London.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.london-hotels-guide.info

Mexico is a big and old country. Everyone can find something interesting in this land. Ancient pyramids and temples, big modern megapolises and tropical resorts ? it?s all here waiting for you to come. The trip to Mexico can be started with visit to its capital ? Mexico City. It?s the third-largest metropolis in the world. Only Tokyo and New York City are bigger. This expansive city of 20 million and over a mile high is built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital. Reminders of past civilization pervade the city, particularly at the Templo Mayor excavation and Anthropological Museum at Chapultepec Park. This very Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 by Aztecs. Speaking about modern Mexico City, the district called the Zona Rosa is famous for its shops.

One of the must-sees in Mexico are pyramids of Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza. Teotihuacan is located 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan is not only a monumental city, but also a place where the mural paintings allow the visitor to delve into a world of mythical figures of Gods, jaguars, nocturnal beings and liquid skies. The ruins of Chichen Itza lie about midway between Cancun and Merida, so that the journey from each city takes around 2 or 3 hours via the new autopista. This place was a settlement of Maya tribe. The tribe itself sank into oblivion, but its creature still attracts millions of tourists and hundreds of investigators seeking for their archeological glory. When you feel tired of ancient ruins and dust roads you can direct your steps to one of the Mexican resorts ? Cancun, Puerto-Vallarta or Acapulco.

So, meet Cancun. Very popular resort among US citizens situated on the Yucatan peninsula. The city of Cancun is only 35 years old. This fashionable resort was built on the place of the former fisherman?s village. Cancun is world famous for its beaches, surrounding the whole city.

Puerto Vallarta is nestled between palm-covered mountains, a river and an azure sea. The city is full of cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. Like Cancun, once it was a fishing village.

One of the most exciting resorts in the world, Acapulco is famous for its explosive nightlife, golden beaches, unlimited watersports, world-class hotels, restaurants and the breathtaking beauty of Acapulco Bay. Acapulco is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico and unlike Puerto Vallarta and Cancun it?s a big city with 2-million population.

Mexico is enjoyable year-round, but October to May is generally the most pleasant time to visit. The May-September period can be hot and humid, particularly in the south, and inland temperatures can approach freezing during December-February.

If you like to know about how to book hotel in Mexico or in any other country, please visit http://www.allrez.com

Whether you are planning a fun weekend getaway, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe or an adventure trip with the family, you don’t have to exceed your travel budget. A little research and planning can pay big dividends for you.

Therefore, when you are ready to get away from it all, online shopping for discount travel and last-minute deals will keep your wallet smiling!

There are numerous tips you can use to find travel gold mines for your dream destinations. Here are some ideas that will get you the most for your travel dollar:

- If you are searching for cheap airline tickets, early morning flights are great bargains! This time of day is off-peak hours and therefore, the prices are much lower.

- To get a good deal on a flight, car rental or cruise…be flexible with your travel times, dates and carrier or rental company.

- If there is more than one airport near your point of departure or destination, compare prices of flights. You can usually find a modest difference in cost.

- Avoid the summer months of June, July and August for popular family vacation spots such as Disney World in Orlando. The high peak, expensive prices and the long crowds will not make you a happy camper. Research online for travel deals in September. Avoiding the summer crowds will save you money and make your trip more pleasurable.

- Beat the airlines at their game and book online 14 days in advance. Online shopping for airline tickets early can bring you savings of 10 to 50 percent. What a deal!

Looking for great deals on airfares, car rentals, hotels or cuises can be achieve by a little research and flexibility. Following the above tips will definitely get you on the right track.

Enjoy travel deals and online shopping discounts from Christy Hollis at Online Shopping 101. Discover the world’s new one-stop shopping site where no shoes or socks are required.

One of the favorite wildernesses in Europe, Lapland, is in Sweden which attracts a number of tourists every year. Though it covers one fourth of the total area of Sweden, it is rarely populated?only 5% of Sweden?s population resides in this area. Like other destinations in Sweden, Lapland is also full of visitor?s attractions. It inviting atmosphere fascinates everyone who is on the tour of Sweden.

Lapland is famous as the home of Santa Claus. It is a dream destination of every child. The magic of this place attracts each of troupes of travelers. Pristine and forest combine to make a place with a lot of fresh air that has special aroma of Swedish beauty. Lapland is a perfect mixture of physical and natural balance. Variety of outside activities is the hallmarks of this city. The majestic nature of the land hidden in its wealth of nature and physical amenities allow people to have great fun.

Mountain climbing is one of the most favorite and adventurous tasks the tourists like perform over here. The highest peak of Kebnekaise is the spot which everyone likes to overcome. Strolling in the national park of Sarek is quite a thrilling experience. Padjelanta Park is also not less in any sense. Cross Country dog sledding is what really intrigues everyone to have a ride through the snowy surface. Of course skiing cannot be ruled out?ample of scope for a wonderful skiing experience is there. To enrich your experience, a Lapland hotel has all sorts of comforts and facilities.

http://www.stayressweden.com/lapland.htm

LOCATION

Located in the north of Honduras on the edges of the fertile Sula Valley, San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ second largest city with approximately 800,000 citizens. It is the business and commerce capital of the country and home to a modern airport, which is serviced by International Airlines. These include TACA, American Airlines, Continental, Iberia, Copa, Sol Air, Atlantic Airlines and others. The city is also situated close to the Merendon Mountain Range, which creates an impressive backdrop when you are downtown looking north or when you are flying into the city’s airport.

LOCAL HISTORY

Nomadic people are believed to have traveled in the Sula Valley from before 1500 BC. Around 700 BC groups began to settle in the valley and agriculture began. Squash, corn, beans, wild chilies, herbs, bell peppers and cacao are believed to have been the first plants cultivated while turkeys, ducks and dogs were domesticated.

Objects of clay, stone, bone and shell from this period have survived until today. During 200 AD until 900 AD numerous villages existed in the Sula Valley. During this period, the area’s art reached its highest point technically and aesthetically. Pottery and ceramic vessels were taken to Copan and further afield into Central America. Also, during this time, the major architectural structures were built in the valley.

During 900 AD and 1500 AD the local population began to decline. No one is certain why, but recent discoveries have pointed towards the possibility of a plague, severe erosion, soil degradation and/or a long drought as possible reasons.

Pedro de Alvarado founded the city of San Pedro Sula in 1536. The city was to serve as a warehouse for goods flowing to and from the Honduran North Coast Ports to Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It was also a collection point for cocoa, indigo, leather, sarsaparilla and canfistula (a plant used medicinally).

Due to continual attacks of the city by pirates, the local residents decided to move away from the city into the countryside where they lived a self sufficient life. The city was nearly deserted until the later colonial era when it became a base for cattle ranchers.

In the mid 19th century, San Pedro Sula’s fortunes changed when commerce picked up at the port of Omoa and San Pedro Sula again became an important commerce spot in Honduras. But it was the growth of the Banana Industry and the reopening of Puerto Cortes that really set the city in motion to become Honduras commerce center.

Today San Pedro Sula is one of Central America’s fastest growing cities. Business and commerce continue to grow to today as does the city’s modern facilities and services.

ATTRACTIONS

The Museum of Anthropology and History is located a few blocks from Central Park on 3a Avenida between 3 and 4 Calles NO. The museum is a must see for anyone visiting San Pedro Sula. Its displays will take you through the Pre-Columbian to modern day history of the Sula Valley. The museum has a wide range of Mayan artifacts that have been found throughout the area and is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, is closed all day Tuesday, and Sunday it opens from 9am to 3pm. The entrance fee is $2 for foreign visitors and 20 lps (lempiras) for national visitors.

Guamilito Market is one the Honduras’ best handicraft markets. The market is between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO. The market is open daily, usually until around 5pm. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Items of note are Honduran cigars, mahogany carvings, Mayan replica pottery, woven baskets, hammocks and a range of colored T-Shirts. Spend some time browsing and do not be afraid to bargain on the prices.

The Central Park of San Pedro Sula and the main Cathedral are definitely worth a look. The Cathedral, which was built in 1949, has just been remodeled and restored. The new Central Park (Parque Central) is open, fresh looking and at well lit at night. The park is always busy, with people coming and going and moneychangers and street vendors plying their trade. It’s a great place to sit back and people watch or to strike up a conversation with some locals. If it is a little hot outside, a popular place to hang out is the Espresso Americana Caf?, which fronts onto the park. It’s air conditioned and serves up great coffee and pastries.

The Coca Cola sign can be seen most days from the downtown area in its position on the Merendon Mountain Range, which is a only a 10 minute taxi ride from downtown. At night, if running, the sign flashes Coke colors and fades in and out. Whether you are a coke fan or not, a hike up to the sign is a good way to escape downtown and to see some great views of the Sula Valley. The walk takes about 1 to 2 hours and goes through some nice rainforest where Toucans and Motmots are regularly seen. Motmots are a brilliantly colored bird and Honduras has more species than any other country. Being a big city, San Pedro Sula has modern comforts and a range of activities such as sporting events, shopping centers, restaurants and nightlife. See the below sections for more information.

ACTIVITIES

San Pedro Sula is a good place to stay to enjoy the facilities of a large city and to see another side of the Honduran experience, big city life. The city has good banking, business, communication and hotel facilities. There is a wide range of restaurants and nightlife, places to shop. Sampedranos, what the San Pedro Sulans are called, are a friendly and helpful people. The city is home to a few football teams from the national league and a game is quite an experience to see, not just for the high quality of football but also for the atmosphere of the crowd and for the local passion that is a part of true Latin American Football. North Americans will know this brand of football as soccer. Games are regularly held in the Olympic Stadium or the Francisco Morazon Stadium, which is located on 1 Calle between 13 and 14 avenida. Tickets start at US$3 depending on the seating and the game.

San Pedro Sula is a good place to base yourself during a visit to Honduras, especially if you like the comforts of a big city. Day trips can be organized to Tela, Lake Yojoa, Omoa and the Mayan Ruins of Copan, with local travel agents or tour operators. Many rental car companies have offices in San Pedro Sula, which is another option for traveling around to explore the many nearby attractions.

INTERNET CAFE

Over the past year or two there has been an Internet caf? explosion in the downtown area of San Pedro Sula. Instead of listing places here I suggest you just walk a block or two from Central Park in any direction and you should find an Internet Cafe. Currently prices are around $.50 to $1 per hour and a few places have Internet phones for calling internationally.

NIGHTLIFE

San Pedro Sula has some of the country’s best nightlife and is a great place to go out and to drink and dance the night away or to catch up on all the latest movies.

The Mall Multi Plaza, Mega Plaza and Metro Plaza all have cinema complexes. Closer to downtown you will find 2 or 3 cinemas, Multicines Plaza being the best. Movie releases are a few months behind the USA or Western Countries. Most movies are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Ticket prices range from $1.20 to $2.50 depending on the cinema and to extent the quality of their facilities. So if you enjoy the movies and like nice chairs and good sound try one of the more up market places. Movies are usually shown at 3, 5, 7 and 9 PM. Tuesday is a popular day, with 2 tickets for the price of one, but be prepared to go early to get a seat, as sometimes tickets do sell out. All local papers have a daily cinema schedule.

San Pedro Sula is home to a lot of bars. A fun night can be had in Zona Viva going from bar to bar. A local favorite and fun place to hang out is La Cava in Barrio Los Andes 2 and 3 Calle, 16 Ave NO. Great Karaoke nights and occasional live music on the weekends packs the people in. Jerry the owner mixes a range or cocktails. Watch out for the Barcardi 121 or ask if he has some Guaro for a fire packed drink. There is a good selection of music and the patrons are always happy to have a chat.

Karaoke Club in Zona Viva is a popular place with the locals and even if you are not a Karaoke fan it can be a good place to catch some quality music. The quality of the singers is at times surprising and at other times not so surprising. Big Daddies, Caribbean and Gators Sports Bar are also all popular spots in Zona Viva. Bars do come and go regularly in San Pedro Sula, so just look for a place with some people and some music.

TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesdays and Fogancito’s are all popular places to eat and drink on the weekends. All places are well located near the Circunvalcion. For a bit more local color and atmosphere, consider visiting a local disco. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular. But most discos are open every night except Monday. Check the local papers for promotion nights such as ladies night, live music, beer promotions or open bar (cover charge, then all you care to drink).

The pick of the discos is Kawamas Bay, which is located on the Circunvalcion. The disco plays a lot of Latin music and has a friendly staff. It can get very busy on the weekends usually around 11.00 PM. The disco stays open to 5 AM or 6 PM and it is a place to dance. You will find more people on the dance floor than at the bar or tables and chairs for most of the night. So put on your dancing shoes and be ready for some Salsa, Merengue and Punta. No need to worry, since you will still get a bit of house, rock and techno music. Cover charges vary from $2.50 to $6, depending on the night.

Confetti’s Disco is also popular and is only located a block on from Kawamas Bay. Confetti’s also fills up on the weekends and stays open to around 5am or 6am. The disco plays a variety of music on the weekends and a bit more house and techno music than Kawamas Bay. Cover charges vary from $2.50 to $6.

Millenium Disco is located in the Social Club Arabe at the end of Barrio Rio Pierdas the disco is the classiest place in town. Friday and Saturday nights are busy and cover charges vary from $3.50 to $6.

The Sampedrano Cultural Center holds regularly events such as concerts, performances and art shows. Call (504) 553-3911 or 553-3768 for event schedules.

For safety reasons, be sure to take a taxi when traveling even just a few blocks after dark. Walking around Zona Viva is OK but only within a block or two radius of the area. Otherwise just get a taxi, most fares cost $2 to $3, but prices do go up the later the night gets.

WHEN TO GO AND WHY San Pedro Sula can be visited at all times of year. Two special times to visit are during the Fair of June or Feria de Juliana. The month long celebrations range from Cultural Events, Live Music, Street Carnivals, AGAS Agricultural Fair to the Expo Centro Fair, which includes live music and food.

The Fair, though not as well known as Carnival in La Ceiba, offers a good chance to join the Sanpedranos in celebrating their city. Again at nights be sure to take a taxi other than that it is a great time to visit San Pedro Sula.

The other special time to visit is during the Folkloric Festival, which runs over 2 Saturday nights in September. The festival is a cultural event, which includes country food stands, music and national presentations of music and dance from different international cultural groups that have made their home in San Pedro Sula. To top this off a famous Latin American Group also plays. If you are visiting Honduras for a long period of time be sure to pencil this event in, as it is one of the country’s best.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Ramon Villeda Morales – San Pedro Sula Airport is located 13 kms from downtown. TACA, Continental, American, Iberia, Sol Air, Copa Air (from Panama) and Atlantic Airlines (from Belize City and Managua) all fly into San Pedro Sula. While Islena, Sosa and Atlantic Airlines connect the city to major destinations such as Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Roatan, Guanaja and Utila.

Buses to and from San Pedro Sula leave to and from most major locations in Honduras, including Copan Ruinas, Tegucigalpa, Tela and La Ceiba, with some traveling direct and non-stop and others stopping in route. Each of the capitals of the countries surrounding Honduras are also served by buses: Managua, San Salvador, Guatemala City. Each bus company has its own station but most are found a few blocks west of Central Park.

MAJOR BUS COMPANIES

Hedman Alas
Barrio Guamalito
7 and 8 Avenida, 3 Calle NO
Telephone: 553 1361
First Class buses to and from Guatemala City, Copan, Tegucigalpa, Tela, La Ceiba and the San Pedro Sula airport.

El Rey Express
Barrio Paz Barahona
9 Avenida 9 and 10 Calle
Telephone: 550 8355
Direct Buses to and from Tegucigalpa, hourly

Catisa-Tupsa
2 Avenida 5 and 6 Calle SO
Telephone: 552 1042
Direct Buses to and from Tela and La Ceiba, hourly

Toritos and Copanecos
Barrio Lempira
6 Avenida 8 and 9 Calle SO
Telephone: 553 4930
Direct Buses to and from Nueva Ocotepeque via Santa Rosa de Copan, 7 to 8 buses daily

Citul
Barrio Lempira
6 Avenida 7 and 8 Calle SO
Telephone: 553 0070
Buses to and from Puerto Cortes, hourly
Tica Bus
Texaco, Monumento a la Madre
Telephone: 556-5149
Direct buses to and from Managua and El Salvador

TRAVEL TIPS – SAFETY

San Pedro Sula, like so many large and growing cities, does have its fair share of crime. Travel common sense should be used at all times, such as taking taxis at night or when you are not sure of where you are going. Fares should range between US$2 in the downtown area and should cost US$10 from the airport to the downtown area. Visiting poor areas (slumming, as some call it) is never a good idea. Also, do not wear fancy jewelry, watches or expensive sunglasses and don’t carry large amounts of money or valuables with you. American Express Traveller’s Checks should be carried instead of cash.

OVERNIGHT STAYS

A lot of people, as they say, get stuck in San Pedro Sula awaiting connecting flights. Hopefully this guide may give you with some ideas on how to fill your time. To squeeze as much in as possible in an overnight, I would visit the Museum of Anthropology and History, shop in Guamalito Handicrafts Market, visit Central Park, admire the Coca Cola sign from a distance while pondering the influence of multinational companies worldwide. There is a good view of the sign from the Cathedral’s front steps. And then treat yourself to a nice meal and a few drinks or go catch a movie.

For more travel information check out http://www.travel-to-central-america.com a guide to travel in Central America.

NOTE: Things can change quickly in San Pedro Sula, so the information provided, including recommendations and prices are subject to change.

Dean Milverton has spent many years living and working in Central America and is also the creator of http://www.travel-to-central-america.com a guide to travel in Central America.

Finding a good hotel for a great price in a big city like Paris, France isn?t quite as hard as finding a needle in a haystack, but it?s not so easy! If you?re lucky enough to have a friend who knows Paris well, or better yet, lives there and can recommend a good hotel in a nice Paris neighborhood, then by all means, get them to help you make your Paris hotel reservation. However, we are not all so lucky! For most of us, using the internet to find a hotel that offers an excellent value for the money is the best alternative and making the hotel reservation is a potentially rewarding adventure.

Finding a Paris hotel bargain is quite possible if you follow a few essential guidelines. First of all you need to know where you want to stay. Paris is a big and diverse city and the location of your hotel can make the difference between a vacation filled with magical memories and a nightmare made real. A link to a good map with descriptions of the Paris arrondissements (districts) is available at the end of this article.

Secondly, you?ll need to decide what kinds of hotel services you?ll need. Some people want everything from air conditioning to mini-bar to room service, with a four star restaurant on the premises. Others are content with a bed, a bathroom and a shower in a safe part of Paris.

The criteria for rating hotels vary from country to country, but in France, hotels are given a grade ranging from one to four stars based on the facilities that are available; but such ratings are not an indication of the quality of the accommodations. That means that the star rating will only give you a basic idea of what facilities a hotel has to offer. Two-star hotels must have an elevator (if appropriate), a telephone in every bedroom, and at least 40% of the rooms are required to have a bathroom in the room (en-suite). Three-star hotels must offer breakfast room service and 80% of the rooms must be en-suite, and four-star hotels are required to have a restaurant and all the rooms en-suite.

So once you?ve decided how many stars you need, you?re ready to get started. Going to a travel agent will generally only give access to a limited number of hotels in Paris, and they won?t be the cheapest hotels in their category. If a bargain is your objective, you?ll be better off searching the web for Paris hotel reservation websites that are based in France and because of that are able to offer you on-line booking for a wide range of boutique hotels. Such hotels often offer great value for the money!

Don?t forget that if a good price is your objective you should bear in mind that a moderate quality three-star hotel in Paris may be less expensive than the best two-star hotel. Similarly, a good two-star hotel in the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, or the Marais, may cost the same or more than a three-star hotel in an out of the way corner of Paris.

Once you find the Paris hotel you?re looking for you?ll need to verify its availability for your desired dates and then make a booking. On most websites you?ll either be able to instantly check for availability or you?ll need to submit a form and wait for confirmation of availability. Either way, you?ll generally be asked to provide credit card information. As long as the reservation is submitted via a secure, encrypted connection (website addresses beginning with ?https? are secure), you won?t have to worry about somebody intercepting your credit card information.

There?s one more thing you?ll need to pay attention to when making internet hotel reservations. Although some hotels don?t ask for any advance payment, they will probably authorize your credit card, meaning that a certain sum will be blocked until you arrive or cancel your reservation. Other hotels may require payment of one night in advance, with this payment being refundable if the booking is cancelled at least 24 hours before arrival. You’ll have to look at each hotel’s cancellation policy to know exactly how much flexibility you have. Either way, once you book your hotel, you’ll probably no longer have access to a certain amount of funds!

So there you have it, a brief summary of the issues involved in booking a Paris hotel on the Internet. Following these simple guidelines will help you have a better chance of finding a good cheap hotel bargain in Paris and having an even more wonderful visit.

Joshua Green lived in Paris for nine years and writes about travel and tourism.

Paris hotel reservations

Map and description of Paris arrondissements (districts)

Ireland?s capital city Dublin has fast become one of the most visited short break city destinations in Europe. It seems these days that anyone and everyone has been there, done it and seen it all in Dublin. Besides being home to Guinness, Trinity College, The Temple Bar and Grafton Street there is far more to Dublin that initially meets the eye.

1.Dublin is called Baile Atha Cliath in Gaelic and dates back to the 9th century. It was originally a Viking settlement.

2.At one stage O? Connell Street, the city?s main street was regarded as the widest street in Europe.

3.Dublin is also a county as well as a city but is actually one of the smallest of the 32 Irish counties.

4.The head of the Irish government is called An Taoiseach, which translated literally from Gaelic means ?leader?

5.The home of the Irish parliament is in Dublin and is called The Dail. The three major political parties based in The Dail are Fianna Fail, Fianna Gael and Labour.

6.Dublin has less pubs per head of the population than any other European capital. Amazing but true!

7.The home of The Dubs, as they are fondly known is Croke Park. The Dubs are the Dublin Gaelic Football team. Croke Park is recognised as being one of the best Stadiums in the entire world due to its size and shape which creates a natural amphitheatre effect. 8.Dublin is home to the second largest outdoor park in the world-The Phoenix Park. This is the largest park in Europe and second only in the world to Central Park in New York.

9.The biggest crowd ever assembled in Ireland gathered in the Phoenix Park in 1819 to a rally led by Daniel O Connell calling for the freedom of Ireland from English oppression and rule. Over 1.5 million impassioned people gathered to hear O Connell proclaim ?that the freedom of Ireland is not worth the shedding of one drop of blood?.

10.The freedom of Dublin city has only been bestowed on a small number of people including Nelson Mandela, U2 and Bob Geldof. This honour carries the unusual privilege of allowing its? recipients to graze sheep free of charge in St Stephens Green, one of Dublin?s best known landmarks.

Dara Ward operates Hotels in Dublin He is an expert on all things Irish and has years of experience of the travel industry in Ireland. He also operates Dublin Apartments.

The state of Oaxaca has been inhabited for well over 10,000 years, initially by hunter-gatherer groups which, as their populations increased, developed sophisticated systems of political and social organization, means by which to work the land and use its by-products to make clothing, weapons, vessels for storage, manufacture and cooking, adornments and accommodations. Cultures and material items evidencing their development, continued to flourish, not without change as a consequence of war, trade, overuse of land and shifts in the natural environment. The Spanish conquest which began in the early 16th century created the most profound changes in Mexico in general, as well as in Oaxaca. But Oaxaca managed to maintain much of its indigenous cultural traditions, evidenced by the fact that there are today no less than 16 distinct ethnic groups, perhaps in part as a result of its isolation from the more northern states.

The adaptation of a culture to its natural environment and external influences produces our artifacts and antiques. Accordingly, against the foregoing backdrop, and given that there has been more than one foreign influence (i.e. the Spanish, as well as the French and others), in this state with a diversity of habitats (i.e. mountains, deserts, tropical forests, fertile lowland plains and tropical climates of the Caribbean and Pacific, all of which exist in Oaxaca) one is able to find a plethora of vestiges of the past. The city of Oaxaca and environs is rich in not only in pre-Columbian ruins as well as conquest and post-conquest churches and other indicia of the history and cultures of the region, but also what we commonly refer to as artifacts of pre-history (i.e. tools, projectile points, religious and aesthetic adornments) and antiques and collectibles from the conquest era forward. I will use this distinction between artifacts on the one hand, and antiques and collectibles on the other, for clarity.

There are surprisingly only a handful of antique stores in the city. By contrast, in Puebla, 3 ? hours up the toll-road, there is a downtown area known as Los Sapos where you can spend a day searching for antiques in several stores within a couple of blocks of one another, and on Saturdays and Sundays in an outdoor crafts and antique market. Whether in Oaxaca or Puebla, one must be cautious. I?m told that sale and exportation of artifacts is illegal. Therefore, when you ask for artifacts in a shop, either you?ll be turned away, or the due?o will tell you to wait, and he?ll go into a back room and return with a couple of pieces. You won?t find them on display. Similarly, if you venture off into the rural areas and make the same inquiry of a campesino, you?ll often be met with a frightened or puzzled look, and comment that it?s ?prohibido.? However, you may also be told in the same breath that he has something at home, and to meet him later or come to his place to see what he has, the story being that he found it while working the land. There are two caveats. Firstly, if you are in possession of an artifact, while you can register it with the authorities and keep it at home (here in Oaxaca), upon your death your heirs are required to deliver it up to the government. Secondly, beware of reproductions. Near the ruins you may be approached by individuals purporting to offer originals for sale. An industry has been built around their production and sale, and the quality is high. In Oaxaca, with its significant level of poverty, there is incentive to go to great lengths to make and market ?artifacts?. The temptation is hard to resist for the collector who would likely succeed in crossing into the U.S. with pieces, especially when the ?story? of how the artifact was found makes sense, and based on the price being modest.

My advice is to stay clear of anything that may appear to have a prohibition attached to its purchase or export. Remember that you are not in a society where there?s the presumption of innocence and the benefit of due process and procedural fairness. Stick to collectibles that you know you are able to export from Mexico and take home with you, or keep here in Oaxaca without repercussions. You can still find wonderful pieces easy for even the amateur collector to determine authenticity, with good vintage, patina, etc. Use your gut feeling, ask the right questions and be even more vigilant than you would be in your home environment when trying to determine the veracity of what you?re being told by a shopkeeper regarding provenance, age and use.

Pine dome-topped chests, often on a base, are easily found, often in original paint and should cost about half or less as compared with their pricing in the U.S. or Canada. But watch for the front panels with replacement paintings, mirrors and framing. They?re called ?ba?ls? and were traditionally used as hope chests, gifted upon marriage. Metal products such as galvanized milk pails, pitchers and tamale steamers are nice pieces, light for taking on a plane, but be careful respecting age. You frequently come across copper two handled cooking vessels in various sizes, which similarly can be reasonably purchased. In terms of crockery and stoneware, my favorites are the Spanish-produced grey ollas used to import liquids such as oil into Mexico during the conquest period and thereafter, and the metate or grinding stone used with elongated ?mano? to grind corn into meal for making tamales, tortillas, etc. In both cases it?s quite easy to determine age and authenticity. A while back a downtown gallery had an exhibit comprised of 85 vintage metates with manos that blew me away. I?ve since started my own collection. When it comes to European furniture and North American glassware, they tend to be priced quite high. Respecting the latter, as a collector of depression glass I can state that good glassware is hard to find in Oaxaca, but does crop up from time to time. I was recently told that there was at least one glass factory in Puebla during the depression era producing pieces similar to those of the American manufacturers. More commonly encountered is the heavier glass such as the multi-liter bottles, frequently in green, used to transport and store water, mezcal and other liquids. You will likely also come across siphon type seltzer bottles in blue, pink, green or clear that were produced in Mexico. Similarly there is no shortage of other beverage industry collectibles such as tavern serving trays and other vintage advertising and other paraphernalia, used in production, marketing and consumption of alcoholic and other drinks. Of course the most common of all collectibles are those with a Catholic religious theme or content. The list goes on respecting similarities with the antiques and collectibles to which we are accustomed, differences regarding form and function, as well as commonalities and distinctions in materials used in and means of production.

Shops I?ve found with antiques are located at: Abasolo 107, Constitution 108, Independencia 300, Benito Juarez 204-B, Guerrero 506 and Garcia Vigil 304. Happy hunting!

Alvin Starkman, M.A., LL.B., is a resident of Oaxaca and together with wife Arlene operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast, a unique bed and breakfast Southern Mexico. Mr. Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology from York University in Toronto in 1978, taught for a few years, and subsequently attended Osgoode Hall Law School, becoming licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986. Until 2004 he was a partner at Banks & Starkman, specializing in family law, with employment law, personal injuries and commercial litigation rounding out his practice. A frequent traveler to Oaxaca since 1991, it was not until he ceased practicing law that he took up permanent residence in the state capital. In his spare time Mr. Starkman takes groups of up to 4 people touring the craft villages, towns on their market days, ruins and other sites depending on his clients? specific interests; writes articles about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca; translates from Spanish to English for a local newspaper; and writes a column for a Canadian national antiques newspaper.

Are you interested in South Africa as a holiday destination? If so you will need to know about the kinds of accommodation that is available. There are many types of accommodation, hotels, guest houses, bush lodges, spas, bed and breakfasts, tented camps, boat houses, game lodges to name but a few!!!!

In the major cities there are many 5 star hotels which will be able to cater to every wish and desire of their guests, but also there is a high quality of service offered from the smaller guest houses, which have a much cosier feel and offer what some would call a more peaceful environment! If you wish to get back to nature and stay in the wilds of Africa, there is an awful lot to choose from. South Africa is brimming with camp site, in which you can stay in your tent, caravan or motor home, these have either floor stands or you can have a power socket too. Safari Tents are also a popular and affordable accommodation type, these are just permanent tents with single beds inside, and they are incredibly comfy and give all the excitement of camping without the hassle of putting up and taking down!

The opposite end of the spectrum from camping is probably the luxury game lodges that are available across the country. These lodges are incredibly luxurious, with the best of everything available. The best of these lodges offer amazing wildlife viewing and many often have a deck over a waterhole or other game viewing area, where you can relax on your veranda, with a glass of South African red wine in your hand and watch the Big 5 in there natural habitat. What ever type of accommodation you chose to stay in while in South Africa, you are sure to have an enjoyable and comfortable holiday in this beautiful country.

Visit Explore South Africa for information on accommodation in South Africa to ensure that your holiday is a safe and memorable one.

Hordes of visitors gravitate to Rhode Island in the summer, bringing to the state more than a billion dollars in revenue every year. The immensely scenic state offers myriad opportunities for both the tourist looking for beaches and water-based activity, and the traveler wishing to soak in some history.

While Block Island boasts some incredible beaches, capital city Providence is an architectural delight, and Newport draws the well heeled who move en masse into their grand summer homes every year. Other attractions in Rhode Island include Touro Synagogue, the oldest in the U.S., the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, the General Nathaniel Greene Homestead in Coventry, and Samuel Slater’s Mill in Pawtucket.

Some of the oldest and most popular hotels and inns are found on Block Island, which offers a choice of lovely beaches, excellent restaurants and interesting bike and walking trails. The centrally located Gothic Inn allows visitors to relax in true Rhode Island style, watching boats in the Old Harbor. The family-owned The Seacrest Inn in the Old Harbor historic district of New Shoreham provides modern and comfortable rooms for those seeking to escape the grind of rushed and crowded cities. Visitors looking for a rustic experience will enjoy Maple Leaf Cottage, a 19th century farmhouse-turned bed and breakfast off Beacon Hill Road, or the lovingly restored Rockwell House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bristol?s Waterfront District.

Most hotels and inns operate from May to October, and have separate off-season rates for May and early June and after Labor Day. Visitors have a choice of accommodation ranging from rooms with private baths to two bedroom efficiency apartments. Most hotels provide a continental breakfast, complete with cereals, muffins, yogurt, juice and tea, coffee or hot cocoa! Weekends are usually busy times for the hotels, even in the off-season so a prior booking is always a good idea.

For a memorable holiday in one of the prettiest states in the U.S., head straight for Rhode Island. It might however be a good idea to find your sea legs before you do!

Rhode Island provides detailed information on Rhode Island, Newort, Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Hotels and more. Rhode Island is affiliated with Cape Cod Hotels.