It may be unknown to a lot of people that Oman is one of the most beautiful places in the Arab land. This country is a mixture of desert and pristine coastlines. One can say that it is an oasis in the desert because of the huge palm trees that stand tall in almost all corners of the country. It is also accentuated by the beauty of the immense deserts and craggy hills. Those who have had the pleasure to travel in this part of the world can attest to the unspoiled natural beauty of the place.

Muscat for one has both the traditional and modern amenities. The Sultan’s palace alone will amaze you by its beauty. Likewise there are stunning beaches inviting you to take a dip. And if you have a need to indulge shopping, you can do so in Ruwi’s business district. Ancient cities on the other hand can be seen in Salalah. Now, if you want to be near the sea, Sur is the perfect place to visit since it is a fishing village. Jebel Akhdar or “The Green Mountain” is another must-see in Oman due to its numerous date palm groves, valleys and terraced villages unlike any place you’ve ever seen before.

Do these few facts whet your appetite to travel to Oman?

Among the places in Europe, Paris is the most visited capital because of the superb attractions it offers. Most people associate Paris as the fashion capital of the world; however, there’s more to it than that. Paris is home to renowned tourist spots as well. Approximately 30 million tourists travel to this place that’s located along the River Seine. I’m sure that for most visitors, their first stop in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. This is the tallest and most recognizable structure in Paris, France standing at 325 meters, and antenna at 24 meters. Its height is equal to a building with 81 levels. In order to reach the top, one can buy a lift ticket or a stair ticket. With the stairs as choice, it’s going to be a challenging climb, but still a fun one at that!

Another spot that shouldn’t be missed in Paris is the Versailles Palace, Versailles Palace is very grand as what royal home should be. At present this is the only reminder of the lavish lifestyle during Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s reign.

Other places that shouldn’t be missed out in Paris are Champs et Lysée and the Arc de Triomphe, Orsay Museum, Pompidou Center, and the Sacré Coeur Basilica.

Are you up to a vacation like no other? How about a luxurious vacation near the sea with some not-so-typical luxury at your convenience? Can you survive without the bright lights that are so evident in huge hotels? If you’re ready for ad different kind of luxury by the sea, check out Jake's located in St. Elizabeth, Treasure Beach, Jamaica. When you go to this place you’ll behold simple comfort amidst nature. Accommodation at Jakes takes the form of individually designed cottages right by and in the sea.

If you judge the cottages by their appearance, you can’t help but exclaim to yourself, “It’s a shack!” Well, they are, but that’s the beauty of it and that is what makes them different from other resort hotels. And because they stand right in the sea, your privacy is assured. There are also some cottages that are made of concrete if you want them. You can swim in the sea or you can take a bath at the classic claw-footed bathtub right on your porch if you so desire. Jake’s will cater to your convenience and comfort because they offer soft pillows, hot water for your shower, massage, and packed picnics. Jake’s staff is friendly and they serve with a smiling face every time.

If you want a quiet or romantic get away, Jake’s in Treasure Beach, Jamaica is the place!

By Karim

Need a breath of super cool air this summer? Why not go on a Cruise to Antarctica, the famed “White Continent”? The coolness of the air in this place will surely blow you away… but not in a bad way. The view is so breathtaking and so unlike any place you’ve been to. Some of you might think that it is a crazy idea. Well, Antarctica is just really for the spirited and the adventurous!

The period between November to March, which is summer time, is the most feasible time to take a visit to this place. This is the time you’ll experience the so called katabatic winds. Of course you’ll have to wear the appropriate clothing for this trek to the “White Continent”.

I think everyone living in the United States know about Cinco de Mayo. If you are a US citizen who does not know about this even, well, I guess that’s a real shame. Simply put, Cinco de Mayo is “5th of May”. This is a holiday that is celebrated by the whole region of Mexico. The main events are usually held in the state of Puebla. Some people who are not well-versed about Cinco de Mayo think that it is Mexico’s Independence Day celebration, but actually it is not. Cinco de Mayo memorializes the preliminary victory of the Mexican forces under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over the French forces in the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

And aside from the US and Mexico, there are also some other countries that hold events connected to Cinco de Mayo. If you go to Vancouver you can witness the Cinco de Mayo Skydiving event, or in the Caribbean you’ll see the air guitar competition.

Cologne – yup, when I read about this country I didn’t really know how to pronounce it. It is spelled like Eau de Cologne, so probably it’s pronounced in the same way as well. And I was right. So, Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany. If you live in this place or have traveled in this city, you’re very lucky because you’ve seen some of the most amazing sights in the world. If you’ve been to Cologne then you shouldn’t have missed the magnificent Cathedral and the Twelve Romanesque Churches. Mind you, you’ll get dizzy traipsing through 30 Museums and hundreds of galleries. But these are part of everything that Cologne has to offer.

Swimming is a great hobby and an excellent form of exercise. A 50-yard pool would already be great, especially if your aim is only to exercise and get rid of the kinks in your body. A hundred yard pool is already huge for my taste, especially if I’d be swimming alone. So what more with a pool that is over 1,000 yards long?! Yes, there is such pool now. This can be found in Chile. And because of its really huge size of over 1,000 yards long, 115ft deep end and a capacity of 66 million gallons of water, there is no doubt this seaside pool is the new record holder for Guinness Book as the biggest pool in the globe. The second biggest pool found in Morocco, named Orthlieb, looks like a dwarf compared to this since it only measures 150 yards in length and 100 yards in width.

It is definitely going to be something to be able to swim in this largest pool. So if ever you find yourself in Chile don’t forget to take a plunge!

Some people prefer to search for more sun during summer. But then others also wish to get away from it, especially those who do not wish to have their fair skin darkened and burned by the sun. If you’re one of them keep in mind that you don’t have to stay at home the whole summer just to get away from the heat of the sun. Why not go on a trek up in the icy land of Alaska? Explore the coolness of Kenai Peninsula. This place is in the southern portion of the anchorage. And do you know that this is one of the favorite tourist haunts in this part of the world? It’s true because aside from the ice and majestic glaziers, it has an amazing array of natural attractions.

Between sun and snow, which one do you like best? For us those who live in the tropics, snow sounds really tempting right? So, for your first stop, make it Kenai Peninsula, Alaska!

Summertime is drawing near once again, and that means it’s party time again and some more fun in the sun! Do you have an itinerary at this time? No? Well it’s time you draw up one. Here, let me make a suggestion, why not target Spain? Spain’s climate is excellent during summer and it has gorgeous islands to boast about, one of them is Ibiza. Maybe this is the first time you’ve heard of this place. Well, this is located in the Mediterranean Sea as one of the Balearic Islands in Spain. First time I heard this name mentioned was in an upbeat song…saying they were going to Ibiza, the place where the party never ends! Ibiza is the place if you are looking for undisputed fun on a sultry island. It is the place where you can party to your heart’s content since there are numerous clubs that never run out of hot bands, jazzy DJ's and wide range of music choices. And you’ll never go hungry in Ibiza because there are lots of restaurants that offer variety of food stuff.

Ibiza is also a seat of a unique culture, with numerous natural and cultural treasures that will be great to visit. And the friendly people are also a big plus for a great and unforgettable holiday.

Miami is known for its beaches and seemingly unending fun in the sun. But do you know that in December this state also becomes a great attraction for artists and collectors? Yes, for 6 consecutive years now Miami’s South Beach gets converted into an art center. This art exhibit draw in a great crowd, most are serious collectors while others are only those who are curious to see what’s going on in the area. If you are thinking of going on a trip in order to see some serious art then you should choose Miami.

If you’re an art lover, then Miami’s Art Basel is a must-see for you!

On the net:
- Art Basel

There are still a lot of beautiful places in Europe that many of us only dream of. One of the places that I would love to reach someday is Nice. Well, wouldn’t it just be so nice to stay in a place called Nice? Its name alone seems to be a good omen already. So where is this place? Nice is located South of Paris and Northeast of well-know Cannes. Nice is also well known by itself because it is the most accessible place whether you’re from Italy, Monaco, Cannes or Marseille. Aside from that, there are also great things to see.

And just a bit of trivia, Nice is also a favorite place of artists and writers. Want to know who? You have Victor Hugo, Dumas, Apollinaire, Chateaubriand and a lot more.

Should you decide to go to Nice you won’t have to worry about accommodation because there are lots of hotels where you can stay.

There’s no room for boredom in Vegas. If your budget is already running our and casino is no longer an options no worries because you can just go sight seeing.
Some of the free attractions that can be found in Las Vegas are the Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel, Conservatory at Bellagio, Freemont Street Experience, Lion Habitat at MGM Grand, M&M’s World, Volcano at Mirage, White Tiger Habitat at Mirage and Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo. Well, the list is endless!

If you’re thinking of a sunny get away, like somewhere in the Middle East, you could try going in Oman. The country has lots of resorts and places that you can stay in and one of the best choices you can make is Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. This resort lies near the bay of Al Jissah and close to the desert of Muscat. This hotel does not only offer scenic surroundings but luxurious and very comfortable accommodation. The resort is actually composed of three hotels namely Al Waha (The Oasis), Al Bandar (The Town) and Al Husn (The Castle). Each of these hotels offers varied services.

Food matters that is why Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah’s Al Waha Hotel provides different culinary treats for adults and even for kids if you’ve brought your whole family for a holiday. There’s even some outdoor entertainment while you eat at the Tapas & Sablah and other eating options at the Capri Court, Al Tanoor of Al Bandar.

Relaxation is made even better with the Chi Spa. And there are also various activities for young ones and adults.

Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa is one you should not miss if you intend to come to this part of the world.

North West Australia is called as the “Last Frontier” and this is because of the diverse natural resources and landmarks. This part of Australia is one of the most amazing because of the stunning scenes and sights created by the hands of nature. The Ayers Rock also named Uluru is one of the most magnificent sights in this part of the world. This massive natural structure stands an awesome 348 meters high, almost like a massive iceberg…but the most obvious difference is that the Uluru has a reddish hue and it still changes color depending on the time of the day and angle of the sun.